Social
At Simmons, we take social and civic responsibility seriously. Despite our growth, our community bank roots run deep – these are felt in the ways we seek to go the extra mile for our customers and communities through striving to provide exceptional customer service and volunteerism, and in the strong career growth opportunities and wellness programs we offer our associates.
Diversity and Inclusion
In early 2020, Simmons Bank launched “Banking on Our People,” an initiative aimed at enhancing experiences for our current associates, as well as attracting potential talent to our organization. In line with our goal to be a Great Place to Work, “Banking on Our People” offered a new framework to help associates easily take advantage of the numerous benefits and programs we have to offer.
We believe that the diversity of our associates is an important component to our success in making Simmons a Great Place to Work.
Simmons Associates by the Numbers (as of December 31, 2021)
We seek to create a workplace where all team members are welcomed, heard, valued and respected. Simmons Bank has launched Business Resource Groups (BRGs) to support our associates by providing a forum for like-minded colleagues to come together for networking, education and professional growth. Four groups have been have been created:
- African Americans in Banking
- LGBTQIA+
- Veterans
- Women of Simmons Bank
“Game Changing” Sponsorship
In December 2021, Simmons Bank announced a ground-breaking, multi-university initiative to be the presenting sponsor of women’s athletics at 10 universities across our footprint. The goal of the sponsorship is to expand beyond traditional sponsorship elements that emphasize customized programming and enhanced career opportunities for female student-athletes.
Believed to be one of the first of its kind, the sponsorship aims to create distinct programs with each university ranging from financial education curriculum and leadership training to mentoring, internship programs and women-in-business development initiatives. For more information on this program, visit our Winning our way website.
Community Involvement
One of the ways Simmons cultivates a sense of pride and connection for our associates is by strong community involvement across the markets in our six-state footprint. Across our footprint, our focus is primarily on economic development, financial literacy, youth development, health and human services, arts and culture, and a better quality of life for those in our communities.
Each September associates come together for "Simmons Service Month" – a season of focused volunteerism when Simmons Bank also commits to making a charitable donation to support the volunteer efforts of our associates. During the 2021 Service Month, Simmons Bank associates donated nearly 3,000 volunteer hours to local charities. As a result, a $30,000 gift was made to Junior Achievement on Giving Tuesday to support financial education initiatives for children across our footprint.
This is just one example of the ways Simmons is investing in our communities. To learn more about our Community Involvement and the mission of the Simmons First Foundation, click here. Our 2021 Company Report also contains more detailed information on our community involvement initiatives
Reinvesting in our Communities
Simmons Bank’s Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) efforts focus on affordable housing, economic development and community service – each with the goal of providing greater access to financial products and services for low-to-moderate-income families. The results of our CRA efforts include:
- More than $2 million contributed toward CRA charitable giving between 2018-2021
- 9,506 small loans were funded for businesses in 2021, totaling approximately $1 billion
- In 2021, Simmons Bank originated, renewed or refinanced 5,566 in Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) loans totaling $1.2 billion
- Nearly 3,250 community engagement activities performed from 2018-2021, with approximately 1,500 directed to support financial education
- 6,705 loans benefiting businesses with less than $1 million in revenue totaling approximately $460 million
In 2021, in partnership with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (ULSTL), Simmons Bank announced the signing of a lease agreement to establish a new full-service bank branch on the first floor at the ULSTL headquarters. The collaboration to establish an onsite branch is the first of its kind between a nonprofit and Simmons Bank.
In December 2021, Simmons Bank also opened a branch located at West Illinois Avenue in Dallas, Texas to provide greater access to financial products and services to the low-to-moderate-income community.
Simmons Bank also offers a variety of products that are designed to assist low-to-moderate-income families with their financial needs.
Our BankOn-certified Affordable Advantage Checking product:
- More than 330 account holders as of Dec. 31, 2021
- Includes safeguards against overdrafts
Our 100% Advantage mortgage product:
- Requires zero down payment
- Available in select markets
Our Affordable Advantage mortgage product
- Can be used to purchase or refinance a home within select markets
- Offers flexible credit guidelines