15 Mar 2026 First Service Bank celebrates the opening of its new Conway branch
By Mark Oliver
A new landmark has risen over East Conway. It is a gleaming, two-story structure crowned by a 130-foot American flag that can be seen from every direction. For a part of town that has not seen new construction in years, First Service Bank’s newest branch arrives not just as a bank, but as a symbol of renewal, pride and long-term investment in Faulkner County.
The building itself tells a story that reflects the bank’s character. From the moment visitors walk through the doors, they are greeted by a soaring two-story lobby featuring a large star set against red and white stripes in the ceiling. The bank’s signature red, white and blue palette radiates throughout the space and creates a cohesive visual experience that brings its brand to life.
“Patriotism is the essence of who we are,” said Jon Patrom, Vice President of Marketing. “Each of our locations flies a large American flag out front, and it has become a large part of our identity. We have become known as the bank with the big flag.”
At First Service Bank, patriotism is more than just a design choice. It is a core value. In 2019, the bank launched Operation Red, White and Brave, a foundation dedicated to supporting veterans and their families through physical assistance and financial support. The bank matches donations dollar-for-dollar, helping fund veterans’ surgeries, housing, honor flights to Washington, D.C., and more.
“It is an honor to help the men and women who have served our country to protect the freedoms we hold so dearly,” Patrom said. “Sometimes that means helping meet a financial need and other times it means stepping in with hands-on support, but it always comes from a place of gratitude and respect.”
Each First Service Bank location features a community-specific branding wall, and for Conway, the choice was clear. The wall features a custom mural painted by a commissioned artist honoring Conway’s history through the Toad Suck Ferry, accompanied by a plaque titled “Crossing into Conway’s Future.” The message draws a parallel between the ferry that once carried people and goods across the Arkansas River and the bank’s commitment to guiding customers with integrity and helping Conway move forward together.
“Toad Suck is an iconic piece of Conway’s story,” Patrom said. “It represents connection, movement and growth. Those are all things that align with who we are.”
The artist also created additional pieces for the branch, including paintings that pay homage to Conway’s three colleges and another featuring the city’s well-known roundabouts.
“Conway is such a great place to live, learn and raise a family and we wanted our branch to reflect that,” Patrom said. “The branding wall is our way of honoring what makes this community unique while blending it with who we are as a bank.”
Beyond the visual appeal, the new branch represents a deeper commitment to Conway and the surrounding region. Although the building is new, First Service Bank is not new to Conway. The bank has operated two locations in the city for years and has served Arkansans for more than 60 years.
“Where we were before was a little hidden,” Patrom said. “We needed more room and wanted to build something that allowed us to further invest in our community. Now we are in a more prominent place to assist our customers.”
The new location at 1485 Old Morrilton Highway not only signifies the next step in a growth story that has been unfolding for decades, it also strengthens the bank’s ability to assist families and businesses across the region.
“Service is our middle name,” Patrom said. “We are grounded in our faith and rooted in integrity. We want to support the communities we live in, whether that is helping build playgrounds or purchasing equipment for the city.”
First Service Bank’s commitment to service extends far beyond its walls.
“I have seen firsthand where our owner is out in the parking lot changing someone’s tire,” Patrom said. “More than anything, we want people to see that our brand of banking is about relationships. It is about standing beside people and bridging gaps where we can.”
Of the 150 employees across Arkansas, 90 work in Faulkner County. First Service Bank is also one of the few remaining banks headquartered in the area. Later this year, the bank will break ground on a major corporate office expansion in Greenbrier, further strengthening its presence in Faulkner County. Additional growth is planned in Benton and Bryant, building on recent openings in Maumelle and Little Rock and deepening its roots across the 501.
“When we grow, our community grows,” Patrom said. “That is something we are excited about. We want to be more than just an everyday bank. We are your neighbor, your friend and your coworker. We want to grow relationships, invest in businesses and help them thrive.”
The team is eager for the community to step inside and experience the space for themselves.
“There has been a lot of excitement around town,” Patrom said. “We are thrilled for people to come and see our commitment to serving our community and providing exceptional customer care.”
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