July 05, 2022
First Community Bank has announced that Natalie Bartholomew has been hired as community president in Rogers and she’ll be leading future expansion efforts in Northwest Arkansas. In her new role, Bartholomew will be responsible for securing a dedicated banking team, building lead relationships with area businesses, operational oversight in her territory, and establishing the financial institution’s presence in the region.
Dale Cole, chairman and chief executive officer for First Community Bank said, “First Community Bank has established a loan production office in Rogers slated to be open later this month, and pending regulatory approval, we intend to transition that location into a full branch by fall 2022. Entering the Rogers area is our initial step to grow our footprint in Northwest Arkansas. We are very fortunate to have a veteran banker like Natalie join our team and spearhead our efforts in the region. Her phenomenal reputation precedes her, and we feel that she is the perfect fit for this role.”
With an accomplished 21 years of experience in banking, Bartholomew has previously worked in several areas of finance including, but not limited to retail, customer service, credit analysis, marketing, human resources, strategic planning, commercial/consumer/mortgage lending and executive leadership. Bartholomew earned her bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and master’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Arkansas. She was voted as class representative at the Graduate School of Banking Colorado of which she is a graduate and current faculty member.
Bartholomew notably founded the Girl Banker Platform in 2017 to serve as an advocate for women in banking and young women considering careers in banking. Within the platform, an online community has been created on various social media platforms including the Girl Banker Facebook Group that includes over 6,000 women in banking from over 36 states. The Girl Banker Podcast was launched in 2019. The platform has been featured in American Banker, American Banking Association Bank Marketing Newsletter, ABA Banking Journal Podcast, Independent Banker, The Financial Brand and various other industry specific publications. Her speaking engagements have included The Financial Brand Forum, American Banking Association Bank Marketing Conference, American Banking Association Agricultural Conference and 22 state bank association conferences.
Bartholomew has been recognized for numerous accolades including Arkansas Money and Politics Power Women in Banking (2021); Independent Community Bankers of America Forty Under 40 (2020); Arkansas Business Journal Forty Under 40 (2019); Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Women in Business List (2018); Northwest Arkansas Business Journal Forty Under 40 (2015); and NWA Business Women's Conference Young Woman of the Year (2015).
She has an extensive background of philanthropic endeavors: She currently serves on the community leadership council of the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA where she is a past board member and chairperson. She served as an advisory committee member for the Northwest Arkansas Community College of Business and Computer Information Systems, and as board member of the University of Arkansas Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural Food and Life Sciences Alumni Society. Additionally, she is a previous board member of the Washington County Fair Association, and a past treasurer of the NWA Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumni Association.
She and her husband, Colt, reside in the Prairie Grove area with their two sons: Brody (12), and Witten (6).
“As a fifth generation Northwest Arkansas resident, I am thrilled to be joining an Arkansas based bank that will support the communities that mean so much to my family,” said Bartholomew. “I look forward to utilizing First Community Bank's focus on developing strong relationships to build a strong team and branch network to support the Northwest Arkansas region.”
First Community Bank’s first loan production office in Northwest Arkansas will be located at 5100 W. Park Ave., Ste. A124 in Rogers. The location is currently under construction and is expected to be open soon.
SHARE THIS:
