Finance & Banking Industries Magazine AMP 2026 is spotlighting Dale Cole, Chairman and CEO of First Community Bank, for his leadership and long-term impact on banking in Arkansas.
Cole began his banking career in 1974 in Texas before moving to Arkansas with his family in the 1980s.
It was not until 1997 that Cole helped found First Community Bank in Batesville Arkansas, which has since grown into a regional institution with 34 locations across Arkansas and Missouri and approximately 650 employees.
The AMP 2026 feature highlights Cole’s commitment to integrity, personal service, and relationship-based banking, which has guided the bank’s success for nearly 3 decades.
“Our goal was never to be the biggest bank — it was to be the most trusted,” Cole said.
Cole emphasized that strong communities and strong banking go hand in hand, with the bank actively supporting local schools, nonprofits, and community organizations.
After more than 50 years in banking, Cole says the foundation of success remains simple — trust and relationships.
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