Southern Bancorp
Southern Bancorp is a private U.S. Treasury-certified CDFI bank holding company operating 56 branches across Arkansas and Mississippi, delivering traditional retail and small-business banking — deposits, mortgages, SBA, agricultural and commercial lending — alongside free credit counseling and financial education to roughly 65,000 underserved, first-time-buyer, and minority customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersArkadelphia, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Southern Bancorp does
Southern Bancorp, Inc. is a private community development financial institution (CDFI) headquartered in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, founded in 1986 with an initial $10 million investment from then-Governor Bill Clinton, Rob Walton, and the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation. Operating through three coordinated entities — Southern Bancorp Bank (the depository and lender), Southern Bancorp Community Partners (nonprofit counseling arm), and Southern Financial Partners (small business development) — the institution operates 56 branches across Arkansas and Mississippi serving approximately 65,000 customers with roughly 501–1,000 employees and assets of $2.74–2.8 billion.
Its core business is traditional community banking: deposit products (checking, savings, money market, CDs), consumer lending (mortgages, auto/boat/RV, personal), and commercial/SBA lending (SBA 7(a) up to $5M, SBA Express up to $500K, agricultural, poultry, commercial real estate and equipment). The HomeRise100 affordable mortgage program — requiring only a $1,000 contribution, no mortgage insurance, and up to 105% CLTV — is a flagship product for first-time and credit-challenged buyers. Treasury Management services (ACH origination, Remote Deposit Capture, Positive Pay fraud control, Merchant Services, zero-balance and sweep accounts) provide commercial cash-flow tooling. The technology stack is standard digital banking — mobile app with check deposit ($2,500/day limit), online banking, email/text alerts — integrated with third parties (SHAZAM for fraud monitoring, Regions Bank and Bank of America for ATM access, Apple/Google/Samsung Pay for tokenization, Harland Clarke for check printing, Mastercard Securecode for online authentication).
Revenue is generated primarily through net interest income on the loan portfolio, complemented by deposit fees, Treasury Management fees, mortgage origination revenue, and interchange. The go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven, executed through physical branches in bank-desert and underserved geographies, market presidents and commercial lenders embedded in local markets, and a parallel free counseling and financial-education delivery channel (Credit Builder CD, Individual Development Accounts, homebuyer counseling, VITA tax preparation producing 4,700+ returns and $6.1M in annual refunds). Customer segments are explicitly mission-driven: rural and economically distressed Arkansas/Mississippi communities, first-time homebuyers, small business owners (including agricultural and poultry operators), credit-challenged consumers, and Hispanic/Latino communities served through bilingual staff. Southern holds CDFI certification from the U.S. Treasury across all three entities, B-Corp certification, and is a member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, with 21 CDFI Fund awards totaling more than $19 million since 1996.
Southern Bancorp firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Southern Bancorp
- Legal name
- Southern Bancorp, Inc.
- Website
- https://banksouthern.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Southern Bancorp is a private U.S. Treasury-certified CDFI bank holding company operating 56 branches across Arkansas and Mississippi, delivering traditional retail and small-business banking — deposits, mortgages, SBA, agricultural and commercial lending — alongside free credit counseling and financial education to roughly 65,000 underserved, first-time-buyer, and minority customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Southern Bancorp industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Development Banking
- NAICS
- Commercial Banking (52211), Commercial Banking (522110)
- SIC
- State Commercial Banks (6022)
- akta.pro primary industry
- General SME & Middle-Market Commercial Banking (FSABABAA)
Keywords
Where Southern Bancorp is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Arkadelphia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
Southern Bancorp business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Interest Income: Traditional bank lending revenue from mortgage loans, personal loans, business loans, agricultural loans, and commercial loans
- Deposit Taking: Accepts checking accounts, savings accounts, and certificates of deposit from customers
- Fee-Based Services: Treasury management fees, merchant services, overdraft fees, and other banking service charges
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | Banking products include checking, savings, and lending services with fee structures available upon inquiry |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Southern Bancorp product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Southern Bancorp is a U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that operates a for-profit bank (Southern Bancorp Bank) alongside a nonprofit affiliate (Southern Bancorp Community Partners) to deliver retail and commercial banking, mortgage and consumer lending, small business and agricultural loans, treasury management, and free financial education/counseling services to underserved communities in Arkansas and Mississippi.
Product overview
Southern Bancorp is a community development financial institution (CDFI) offering a comprehensive suite of banking and lending products through its core divisions: Southern Bancorp Bank (depository and lending services), Southern Bancorp Community Partners (nonprofit loan fund and counseling), and Southern Financial Partners (small business development). The organization operates as a unified platform combining traditional banking services with financial development tools. Core products include personal and business checking/savings accounts, while the lending portfolio spans home mortgages (including HomeRise100 affordable program, FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional, Construction, Jumbo, and Refinancing options), consumer loans (auto, boat, RV, personal), and business lending (SBA 7(a) and Express programs, agricultural, poultry, and commercial loans). Treasury Management Services provide business cash flow tools including ACH, Remote Deposit Capture, and Positive Pay. Financial development products include Credit Builder CD, Individual Development Accounts, and free Financial Education/Credit/Homebuyer Counseling services. Mobile and online banking capabilities round out the digital offerings, all unified under the mission of 'wealth builders for everyone' serving underserved communities in Arkansas and Mississippi.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Checking Accounts Personal and business checking accounts for daily banking needs with features including online banking, mobile access, and debit card functionality. For individual consumers and businesses across the Arkansas and Mississippi footprint.
- Savings Accounts Personal and business savings accounts designed to help customers build a solid financial foundation, including Money Market and other savings options.
- HomeRise100 Mortgage Program Affordable mortgage program allowing home purchase with a minimum $1,000 contribution, featuring no mortgage insurance required, 105% maximum CLTV, and down payment assistance options for first-time homebuyers and underserved borrowers.
- Mortgage Loans (FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional, Construction, Jumbo, Refinancing) Government-backed and conventional mortgage products including FHA (3.5% minimum down, flexible credit), VA ($0 down for veterans), USDA (rural, 100% financing), Conventional, Construction (one-time close), Jumbo (up to $3 million), and Refinancing options for primary residences, second homes, and investment properties.
- SBA 7(a) Loan Program SBA loan program with $5 million maximum loan amount for acquisitions, real estate purchases, partner buyouts, refinancing, and more with up to 90% bank financing, underwritten by an SBA Preferred Lender.
- SBA Express Loan Program SBA Express loan program with $500,000 maximum loan amount for working capital needs, featuring quick turn-times for expedited funding under an SBA Preferred Lender.
- Agricultural Loans Financing for agricultural projects including poultry specialists, production expenses, vehicle and machinery financing, and property purchase or refinancing for agricultural operators.
- Poultry Loans Specialized poultry loans supporting poultry farmers with financing for operations, equipment, and growth in agricultural communities.
- Commercial Loans Loans for commercial ventures including lines of credit, construction, commercial real estate, and equipment and vehicle financing.
- Small Business Loans Support for small businesses through SBA loans, commercial loans, and business development financing for startups and expansions.
- Auto/Boat/RV Loans Loans for vehicles and recreational assets including cars, boats, ATVs, and recreational vehicles with flexible terms and competitive rates.
- Personal Loans Flexible personal loans for debt consolidation, unexpected expenses, or major purchases with a simple approval process.
- Treasury Management Services Business cash flow management services including Online Banking, ACH Origination, Remote Deposit Capture, Positive Pay Fraud Control, Merchant Services, Repurchase/Sweep Accounts, and Zero Balance Accounts for commercial clients.
- Credit Builder CD Credit builder certificate of deposit loan helping people establish or improve credit history. The lender deposits the loan amount into a CD while the borrower makes monthly payments that are reported to credit bureaus.
- Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) Matched savings accounts helping eligible individuals and families save for specific goals such as home purchase, education, or small business, with contributions matched by sponsoring organizations.
- Southern Club Checking Specialized checking account with online access for members to manage their accounts.
- Southern Bancorp Debit Card Mastercard debit card with expanded ATM network (Regions Bank, Bank of America), contactless tap-to-pay, Apple Pay/Google Wallet/Samsung Pay compatibility, and SHAZAM-powered advanced fraud detection.
- Financial Education Services Free financial education workshops, courses, outreach, and partnerships covering money management, credit building, homebuyer education, and small business support delivered through the Southern Bancorp Community Partners nonprofit affiliate.
- Credit Counseling Certified credit counselor services to help establish or rebuild credit including understanding credit scores, reviewing credit reports, and developing debt payoff strategies.
- Homebuyer Counseling HUD-certified housing counseling to help with credit readiness, budget creation, debt management, and understanding the mortgage process.
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program IRS-sponsored free tax preparation program for low-to-moderate income taxpayers, with Southern's trained volunteers preparing thousands of returns annually securing millions in refunds.
- Southern Partners (southernpartners.org) Affiliated nonprofit organization providing financial education resources, housing counseling, and community development initiatives for underserved populations.
Quantifiable outcome
- 4,700+ tax returns prepared annually through VITA program, securing $6.1 million in refunds
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Southern Bancorp
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Southern Bancorp technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
Feature4 records
Southern Bancorp partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- eHome AmericacoreOnline homebuyer education course provider; Southern Bancorp directs customers to eHome America's certified web-based program for prospective first-time homebuyers. Course creates knowledgeable buyers ready for homeownership.
- SouthernPartners.orgcoreAffiliated nonprofit organization providing financial education resources, housing counseling portal, and community development information. Central hub for Southern's development services.
- Regions BankcoreATM network partnership providing free withdrawals and balance inquiries at all Regions Bank locations worldwide for Southern Bancorp debit cardholders.
- Bank of AmericacoreATM network partnership providing free withdrawals and balance inquiries at all Bank of America locations worldwide for Southern Bancorp debit cardholders (personal accounts only).
- SHAZAMcoreDebit card fraud protection provider; offers text fraud alerts and automated fraud monitoring for Southern Bancorp debit cards.
- Harland ClarkeminorCheck printing partner providing paper checks for personal and business account customers through online reorder system.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Southern Bancorp competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hope Credit Union / Hope Enterprise Corporation: Hope Credit Union is a CDFI serving the Mississippi Delta and Deep South, sharing Southern Bancorp's mission-driven focus on underserved communities. Operates as a financial cooperative rather than a bank, but overlaps heavily in CDFI programs, financial education services, and small business lending in overlapping geographies.
- Simmons Bank (Simmons First National Corporation): Simmons Bank is an Arkansas-headquartered community bank with a large Mid-South branch network across Arkansas and Mississippi. Directly comparable to Southern Bancorp in geographic footprint, customer base (rural and small business), and product suite, and is also a participant in Southern Bancorp's $17.75M funding round.
- Renasant Corporation: Renasant is a Mississippi-based community bank with significant operations across the Southeast, including Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. Comparable community banking model with commercial, mortgage, and small business lending in markets that overlap with Southern Bancorp's Mississippi footprint.
- Trustmark Corporation: Trustmark is a Mississippi-chartered community bank with branches across Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, and Texas. Comparable in size and Mid-South community banking model, with overlapping commercial and consumer lending products in core Mississippi markets.
- BankPlus: BankPlus is a Mississippi-based community bank serving retail, small business, and commercial customers across the state. Closely comparable to Southern Bancorp in scale, geographic focus, and community banking model with strong small business and mortgage offerings.
- Planters Bank & Trust Company: Planters Bank & Trust is a Mississippi-based community bank with branches throughout the Mississippi Delta. Directly comparable to Southern Bancorp in serving rural and underserved Mississippi communities with traditional community banking products.
Broad incumbents
- Cadence Bank: Cadence Bank is a larger regional bank formed from the merger of BancorpSouth and Cadence, with operations across the South and Texas. Competes with Southern Bancorp in Arkansas/Mississippi small business and consumer banking, but as a much larger, broader incumbent.
- First Horizon Corporation: First Horizon is a large Tennessee-based regional bank serving the Mid-South. While substantially larger than Southern Bancorp, it competes for commercial, mortgage, and small business customers in overlapping Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee markets.
Regional players
- One Bank and Trust (formerly First Arkansas Bank & Trust): One Bank and Trust is an Arkansas-headquartered community bank operating primarily in central Arkansas. Directly comparable to Southern Bancorp in Arkansas geography and community banking model, with overlapping presence in Little Rock and central Arkansas.
Emerging players
- Self-Help Credit Union: Self-Help is a CDFI credit union serving underserved communities across the Southeast and beyond. Comparable to Southern Bancorp's CDFI mission and affordable mortgage programs (HomeRise100 has parallels with Self-Help's portfolio), though operating as a credit union rather than a bank holding company.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks3 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Southern Bancorp social profiles
Digital presenceSouthern Bancorp financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Southern Bancorp leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
Southern Bancorp subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
Southern Bancorp funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors9 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Southern Bancorp M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Southern Bancorp
What does Southern Bancorp do?
Southern Bancorp is a U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that operates a for-profit bank (Southern Bancorp Bank) alongside a nonprofit affiliate (Southern Bancorp Community Partners) to deliver retail and commercial banking, mortgage and consumer lending, small business and agricultural loans, treasury management, and free financial education/counseling services to underserved communities in Arkansas and Mississippi.
Is Southern Bancorp a public or private company?
Southern Bancorp is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Southern Bancorp founded?
Southern Bancorp was founded in 1986. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Southern Bancorp based?
Southern Bancorp is headquartered in Arkadelphia, United States, in the North America region.
How does Southern Bancorp make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Interest Income is the primary driver. The others are deposit Taking and fee-Based Services.
Who are Southern Bancorp's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hope Credit Union / Hope Enterprise Corporation, Simmons Bank (Simmons First National Corporation), Renasant Corporation, Trustmark Corporation, BankPlus and Planters Bank & Trust Company. Broad incumbents are Cadence Bank and First Horizon Corporation. One Bank and Trust (formerly First Arkansas Bank & Trust) is listed as a regional player. Self-Help Credit Union is listed as an emerging player.
Does Southern Bancorp have an API?
No public API is recorded for Southern Bancorp.
What industry is Southern Bancorp in?
Southern Bancorp's product category is Community Development Banking. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSABABAA, General SME & Middle-Market Commercial Banking. Its NAICS code is 52211 and its SIC code is 6022.