Arkansas Bankers Association

Vision Statement: To be the primary platform for cultivating and developing leaders in Arkansas banks.

Mission Statement: To provide opportunities through Education, Networking, and Leadership Development to improve Arkansas banks and the communities they serve.

The Emerging Leaders Section (ELS) was organized by, and is under the direction of, the Arkansas Bankers Association (ABA) Board of Directors. Its primary focus is to provide information concerning educational opportunities available for its members. The ELS was established to provide leadership training ground for young bankers. It was designed to enhance banking careers, to offer its members the opportunity to learn, to meet bankers across the state, to network with other banks and to be productive members of the banking profession.

The ELS co-sponsors the Arkansas Banking School System which has been designated by the ABA Board of Directors to communicate with its members and to promote these intermediate level schools.

The ELS also hosts its Leadership Conference in July. A wide array of activities is planned for the weekend including a golf tournament, an evening social, the business session and a small trade show. The weekend is capped on Saturday night with cocktails, dinner and entertainment followed by the new president closing the meeting.

Be sure and watch the ABA website for more details about the ELS Leadership Conference. For more details about joining the ELS, contact director of education Derek Rudkin at the ABA office at (501)376-3741, or email Derek or contact a member of the ELS board.