FORT SMITH, Ark. – Nov. 15, 2021 – Regions Bank on Monday announced longtime Fort Smith banker Megan Nichols will serve as market executive for the company in Fort Smith and surrounding communities. Nichols will succeed David Cravens, who recently announced his retirement as Regions’ local market executive. Cravens’ last day with the bank was Oct. 30.
Nichols joined Regions as a Commercial Banking relationship manager nearly two years ago. Previously, she served small businesses in the area as a relationship manager for BancorpSouth. Nichols was also a loan analyst and branch operations supervisor for the First National Bank of Fort Smith.
In addition to serving as Regions’ local market executive, Cravens has held key leadership roles in the Commercial Banking and Consumer Banking divisions of Regions and its predecessor banks for 31 years of his 42-year banking career. During his tenure, Regions Bank grew relationships with medium- and large-sized business clients, modernized and updated its branch footprint, and established and supported community partnerships throughout the area.
“David Cravens is a tireless advocate dedicated to supporting local clients, and Megan Nichols shares his commitment to helping our customers and communities succeed,” said John Turner, President and CEO of Regions Financial Corp.
As market executive, Nichols will work with Regions leaders across all banking departments to focus their teams on implementing Regions360, the bank’s comprehensive approach to meeting customers’ needs. Through Regions360, the company’s bankers learn the unique goals of clients and collaborate with colleagues from Regions’ various departments – including Commercial Banking, Consumer Banking and Private Wealth Management – to develop holistic solutions. Nichols will also work closely with Jerry Vest, Regions’ market executive in Rogers, to ensure comprehensive financial services are delivered seamlessly to clients throughout the greater Northwest Arkansas area.
Both David and Megan are leaders who embody Regions’ core values, including always focusing on our customers and putting people first. We are grateful to David for building Regions’ brand and first-class service culture in Fort Smith, and we know Megan will continue to build on the solid foundation David has established.
John Turner, President and CEO of Regions Financial Corp
Nichols will also work with colleagues and community members to identify opportunities for the bank to make a meaningful difference through volunteer service, nonprofit support, delivering financial education, and more.
“Regions Bank is committed to making an impact in our communities that extends beyond financial services; we help our communities prosper by identifying unique needs and investing our time, talent and resources to create positive change,” said Nichols. “From volunteerism to financial support, Regions’ community involvement was a key reason I joined the bank, and it has been an honor to personally observe David Cravens reflect Regions’ passion for community engagement. I am grateful for David’s support and the legacy he has created, and I look forward to writing the next chapter of service to our Forth Smith clients and community partners.”
Nichols earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Arkansas in Fort Smith. She is currently enrolled in the Barret Graduate School of Banking and will graduate in May of 2022.
Nichols is actively engaged in the community with several nonprofits, including the Junior League of Fort Smith, where she served as president from 2020-2021. She is a Girls, Inc. of Fort Smith Board of Directors member, serving as treasurer since 2019. Nichols has been part of the United Way of Fort Smith Allocations Committee since 2019 and has mentored students with the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith’s Mentor Connections Program since 2017. She previously served as a Partners in Education mentor for five years and as Expo Committee Chair of the Fort Smith Marathon, Half Marathon and Relays for three years.
Cravens has also actively served on numerous boards to help advance the Fort Smith community. They include United Way of the Fort Smith Area and the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Foundation, where he serves as treasurer.
Cravens is a fifth-generation banker whose great-great grandfather founded the former Merchants National Bank in 1882. Cravens’ father began as a teller at Merchants National in 1951, earning a promotion to cashier and then moving to roles in Commercial Banking, Correspondent Banking and Marketing before his 1982 retirement.
“Banking has truly been a family business for us, and I’m honored and humbled that I had the chance to serve in the same role my dad did,” said Cravens. “I’m also grateful for this experience and appreciate the teamwork and partnerships forged throughout the bank during the past three decades to bring solutions to our customers. I will deeply miss my teammates and clients, but I am confident Megan will do an outstanding job of leading the market as I retire from an incredibly rewarding career.”
About Regions Financial Corporation
Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $156 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates more than 1,300 banking offices and approximately 2,000 ATMs. Regions Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.