Simmons Bank closing 26 branches in December, 6 in Arkansas
Simmons First National Corporation has decided to close 26 Simmons Bank locations, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. That includes 6 locations in Arkansas. (Photo KATV FILE)
LITTLE ROCK (KATV) —Simmons First National Corporation has decided to close 26 Simmons Bank locations, according to a September 1 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The 26 locations across Simmons Banks’ six-state footprint include six branches in Arkansas.
On Thursday, Simmons Bank President and CEO Jay Brogdon told Arkansas Business that those branches were in North Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Hot Springs, Fort Smith, and Jonesboro.
Simmons said in its SEC filing that the branch closures are expected to affect approximately 100 associates, but that “the Company anticipates retaining approximately 70 percent of the impacted associates through placement in other branch locations or alternative positions within the Company.”
The closures are expected to be effective on December 4, 2026.
Simmons says the closures are intended to “align Simmons Bank’s branch network with evolving customer preferences while maintaining customer access, preserving service levels, and continuing to provide advice, guidance, and financial solutions through nearby branches and other banking channels.”
According to the SEC filing, Simmons Bank management believes the branch closures can be completed with limited disruption to customers, “as there is no significant geographic concentration among the affected locations.”
Simmons’ decision to close branches was made as part of a “broader review of the company’s retail network strategy” as it attempts to boost earnings.
During the company’s July 16, 2026 earnings conference call, management discussed Simmons’ efforts to improve operating performance and fund ongoing growth investments.
According to the Regulation FD Disclosure contained in the company’s September 1 SEC filing, during that call, Simmons management noted the following:
The company has realized meaningful expense discipline through a series of tactical actions over the past several years, [but] it believes significant untapped potential remains. Management further indicated that the company’s focus has increasingly shifted toward strategic initiatives designed to structurally transform the operating model by simplifying the organizational structure, streamlining processes, and enhancing the use of technology and automation throughout the business. In furtherance of these objectives, the Company has undertaken a series of actions intended to enhance the long-term outlook for profitability, growth and resiliency.
To date, Simmons says these initiatives include:
- Operating model and organizational redesign and optimization;
- Branch network strategy and optimization (including the Branch Closures)
- Other select operating efficiency and expense management improvements.
In connection with the branch closures, Simmons expects to incur aggregate pre-tax expenses in an estimated range of approximately $20 million to $23 million, comprised of the following estimates:
- Severance and other personnel termination costs between approximately $0.2 million and $0.5 million
- Professional services fees between approximately $3 million and $3.5 million
- Real estate write-downs and lease termination fees between approximately $17 million and $19 million
