Bank OZK roots date back to its establishment in 1903 as a small community bank in Jasper, Arkansas. However, our modern-day history began in 1979 when another small-town bank, Bank of Ozark, was purchased by our Chairman and CEO, a then 25-year-old attorney, George Gleason. At the time, the bank had only two branches, 28 employees and $28 million in assets. Since then, Bank OZK has grown to over $30 billion in assets, more than 2,700 employees and over 240 offices in eight states.
At Bank OZK, we build on our community bank heritage by combining high ethical standards withinnovative technologiesto deliver truly exceptional service to our clients. We are committed to implementing new ideas and cultivating relationships that encourage communities, large and small, to grow and thrive.
From startups to more mature operations, businesses are the anchors of our economy, bringing jobs, growth and innovation to our communities. Bank OZK realizes every business has unique needs and we aim to supportthem with customized and personalized lending, as well as with enhanced deposit and payment services and tools. These offerings, delivered by expert bankers, help each client achieve their full potential.
While our focus has always been on helping the communities we serve, Bank OZK is also changing skylines in the largest cities across America. In 2003, our Real Estate Specialties Group (“RESG”) was formed with the goal of originating high-quality construction loans on marquee real estate projects. Since its establishment, RESG has become the preeminent construction lender in the nation. RESG’s significant expertise in real estate construction lending, conservative business practices and diversified portfolio of quality assets is a hallmark of Bank OZK.
Over the past decade, Bank OZK has repeatedly been recognized as one of the top performing financial institutions in the country by industry-leading sources. In 2021, we were named as the #1 bank in the Bank Director Performance Powerhouse Study, a testament to our strength and stability. Since 2019, Forbes has named Bank OZK as one of “America’s Best Banks” and the “World’s Best Banks” every year.
