Peoples Bank

Finding a bank that knows who you are when you enter the door may seem impossible these days. Many of the personal touches of banking have been lost to automated phone menus and distant corporate headquarters, but Peoples Bank is choosing a different path. 

Founded in September of 2000, Peoples Bank was built on a profound philosophy: a bank isn’t defined by the sign on the outside of the building, but by the dedicated employees who serve their customers and the local families who place their trust in them. 

Since the early 1980s, when many of the current employees and directors began working together at what was then Grant County Bank, Peoples Bank has spent decades proving that true community banking is alive and well. 

“From the beginning, our mission has been to be a bank where people come first. We consider it a privilege to serve our customers and communities, and we strive to do so with care and excellence,” says Chris Diaz, Benton Market President.

With that belief guiding them, Peoples Bank officially opened its first location in Sheridan, and as the bank grew, so did its ability to serve neighboring communities. The team expanded into East End in 2008 and most recently opened a state-of-the-art location in Benton in August 2023. 

Out of the bank’s 38 total employees, 15 are based directly in the Saline County offices, ensuring that local financial decisions are made by people who live, shop, and raise families in the same neighborhoods as their customers.

Many might think that choosing a local bank means sacrificing modern convenience or advanced financial capabilities. But Diaz explains that Peoples Bank defies this misconception by offering the cutting-edge technology and robust products of national chains with the reliable care of a neighbor. 

Peoples Bank provides a comprehensive lineup of services tailored to every stage of life including personal and business checking, money market accounts and commercial accounts, and home mortgage and construction lending, all backed by crucial security infrastructure and fraud prevention.

In an e-commerce world, financial security and fraud prevention are top priorities for families and businesses alike. While larger institutions rely heavily on automated algorithms, Peoples Bank possesses a distinct advantage: “We take the time to get to know our customers,” notes Diaz. “Those personal relationships allow us to better understand what is normal for a customer and provide an additional layer of awareness when something doesn’t look right.”

According to Diaz, one of the most rewarding aspects of community banking is helping neighbors reach major milestones in their lives. “We have been fortunate to help customers not only purchase homes but also build them from the ground up through a variety of lending products designed to help make homeownership possible.”

The same holds true for the business customers. “Whether someone is starting a new business, purchasing an existing one, expanding their operation, or simply needs a banking partner to help navigate a complex stage of growth, Peoples Bank acts as a trusted resource.”

Supporting small businesses is a core part of the bank’s identity. In 2024, Arkansas Business ranked Peoples Bank No. 5 among all Arkansas-chartered banks for small commercial lending, based on small business loans as a percentage of total loans. 

“That recognition reflects our commitment to helping local entrepreneurs and business owners invest, grow, and create opportunities in the communities we serve,” adds Diaz. Ultimately, Peoples Bank wants its customers to grow alongside them, serving as a trusted financial partner through every stage of life’s journey.

Peoples Bank believes that their corporate success is tied directly to the vitality of the surrounding area, and that giving back is a fundamental responsibility of all corporate citizens. The bank proudly supports a broad network of schools, youth programs, non-profit organizations, and community events across both Saline and Grant Counties. 

Peoples Bank employees actively volunteer their time, energy, and resources to causes that create a meaningful, lasting difference where customers live and work. “Supporting organizations and charities focused on the next generation has always been especially important to me,” reflects Diaz. “When we invest in our schools, young people, and local families, we aren’t just supporting an organization or an event—we’re investing in the future of our community. That’s something Peoples Bank will never lose sight of.”

As the bank prepares for 2027, the core focus remains entirely unchanged: continuing to expand the Peoples Bank family by forging new relationships and strengthening existing ones. Growth is a vital objective, but the bank is committed to growing the right way—by taking excellent care of customers, investing deeply in neighborhoods, and maintaining the personal touch that built the institution.

Banking should never feel complicated, overwhelming, or stressful. Whether a customer is managing their funds through a mobile app, speaking with a representative over the phone, or walking through the front doors of a physical branch, the experience is intentionally designed to be simple, safe, and highly personalized. “Your banker should be someone who understands your goals, answers the phone when you need help, and walks alongside you through the different stages of life. 

“If you don’t have that relationship today, we would love the opportunity to build it with you at Peoples Bank. We want coming to the bank to be something our customers enjoy—not something they dread.” For more information about Peoples Bank, visit Peoplesbankar.com.