Bear State Financial Inc. announces merger of three charters

LITTLE ROCK -- Bear State Financial Inc., the holding company for First Federal Bank, First National Bank and Heritage Bank, has completed the merge of all three bank charters under one name, Bear State Bank.

The rebranding efforts, which affect all First Federal Bank, First National Bank and Heritage Bank locations in Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma, will be complete by the end of the first quarter of 2015.

Emerging from the rich history of the state, the new name is inspired by Arkansas' reputation as "The Bear State," earned in recognition of its abundant population of black bears in the 18th and early 19th centuries. That nickname eventually gave way to The Wonder State, The Land of Opportunity and then to The Natural State.

The new Bear State Bank will consist of 43 branches and two loan production offices in 27 cities throughout Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. While the merger of the three charters was official Feb. 17, the transformation to Bear State Bank's signage at the branches throughout these communities will take place throughout the first quarter of 2015.

Bear State Financial is the parent company for Bear State Bank. Bear State Financial Inc. stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol BSF.

Business on 02/23/2015

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