About Us

• All the Bank You Need /
• Community Support /
• Profile /
• Our History /
• Privacy Commitment

History

Bank of the Ozarks, Inc. is one of Arkansas' fastest growing and most profitable banking organizations. The Company is noted for its excellent loan and deposit growth, asset quality, efficiency and earnings.

Bank of the Ozarks grew from two small community banks started in Jasper, Arkansas in 1903 and Ozark, Arkansas in 1937. In 1979 George Gleason, a young attorney, purchased controlling interest. At that time, the bank had approximately 28 employees and total assets of $28 million. Mr. Gleason assumed active management of the bank as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.

In 1994, with a total of five banking offices in rural Arkansas markets, the Company launched an aggressive growth and de novo branching strategy. Bank of the Ozarks management team believed they could build an Arkansas franchise that could compete with the largest competitors in the state. Compete by offering the full range of products and services found in the big banks; but more importantly, compete by maintaining the bank's focus on people and the enduring values that are Bank of the Ozarks heritage. The Company moved its headquarters to Little Rock, Arkansas in 1995 while retaining selected key operations and support positions in Ozark. Bank of the Ozarks, Inc. held its initial public offering of stock in July, 1997. Since that time the Company has grown considerably under the direction and leadership of the current management team.

The Company's goal is not necessarily to be the biggest bank, but absolutely to be the best bank. Regardless of our size, Bank of the Ozarks will always be an organization deeply committed to developing personal relationships with our customers, to the communities we serve and to providing exceptional service. Our customers, both large and small, are our future and we will keep that truth clearly in focus.