Bank OZK (formerly Bank of the Ozarks) is a regional bank headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. Bank OZK conducts banking operations in 265 offices in six states including Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, and Tennessee[2] and had $40.8 billion in total assets as of December 31, 2025.
History
The Bank of the Ozarks began as a community bank in Jasper, Arkansas in 1903, expanding to a second location in Ozark, Arkansas in 1937.[3]
In 1979, when the bank had two branches and $28 million in assets, George Gleason, a 25-year-old lawyer at the Rose Law Firm, bought the bank and changed its name to Bank of the Ozarks.[4]
In 1994, the bank had five locations but began expanding. The headquarters was moved to Little Rock in 1995.[3] In December 2008, the bank moved into a 92,000-square-foot four-story headquarters; in 2018 it began construction on a new 180,000 square foot headquarters at a $98 million cost.[5]
In 2018, the name of the bank was changed to Bank OZK to reflect its expansion from the Ozarks.[6]
Acquisitions
Awards and recognition
Named one of the Top 25 Best U.S. Banks in Bank Director's 2025 Ranking Banking Study.[32]
Forbes 2025 America's Best Banks 2019 - 2025.[33]
External links
References
- Bank OZK 2023 Annual Report^
- https://www.ozk.com/locations/locations-list^
- About: The Bank OZK Story Bank OZK^
- Shane Shifflett, Konrad Putzier. Real-Estate Doom Loop Threatens America's Banks The Wall Street Journal, September 6, 2023^
- Bank of the Ozarks Getting Ready for Groundbreaking on New HQ Arkansas Business, August 22, 2016^
- Richard Craver. Bank of the Ozarks opts for abbreviation with planned name change Winston-Salem Journal, March 19, 2018^
- John Maxfield. A List of Bank of the Ozarks' Acquisitions The Motley Fool, September 24, 2017^
- Doug Walker. Bank of the Ozarks acquired Unity National this weekend Rome News-Tribune, March 30, 2010^
- David Smith. Bank of Ozarks profit soars Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, April 29, 2010^
- Bank of the Ozarks Assumes Deposits and Purchase of Assets of Unity National Bank U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission^
- Jeff Amy. Woodlands Bank fails, sold to Bank of the Ozarks by FDIC The Birmingham News, July 16, 2010^
- David Smith. Bank of Ozarks nets 2nd takeover Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, July 17, 2010^
- David Smith. Bank of Ozarks acquires lender Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, September 11, 2010^
- Jeff Amy. Bank of the Ozarks acquires its fourth failed bank of 2010 The Birmingham News, December 18, 2010^
- Alison Sider. Lender acquires bank in Georgia Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, January 15, 2011^
- Failed Bank Information for Oglethorpe Bank, Brunswick, GA Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation^
- Failed Bank Information: Information for First Choice Community Bank, Dallas, GA Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, April 29, 2011^
- Jon Gargis. First Choice Community Bank Closes; Bank of the Ozarks Takes Accounts Patch Media, April 30, 2011^
- Dean Poling. Park Avenue Bank closes Valdosta Daily Times, April 30, 2011^
- Bank of the Ozarks, Little Rock, Arkansas, Acquires All the Deposits of Two Georgia Banks Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, April 29, 2011^
- Brian Browdie. Bank of the Ozarks to Buy Genala Banc in Alabama for $27 Million October 5, 2012^
- Bank of the Ozarks, Inc. Completes Acquisition of Genala Banc, Inc. in Geneva, Alabama Business Wire, December 31, 2012^
- Adam O'Daniel. Bank of the Ozarks deploying 'war chest' in North Carolina expansion American City Business Journals, January 30, 2013^
- Olivia Pulsinelli. Bank of the Ozarks scoops up Houston bank American City Business Journals, December 10, 2013^
- David Smith. Bank of Ozarks agrees to purchase Summit, 11th acquisition since '10 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, January 31, 2014^
- Adam O'Daniel. Bank of the Ozarks to buy Intervest Bank for $228 million American City Business Journals, August 1, 2014^
- Richard Craver. Bank of the Carolinas to be sold to Arkansas bank Winston-Salem Journal, May 7, 2015^
- Bank of the Ozarks, Inc. and Community & Southern Holdings, Inc. Enter into Definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger Business Wire, October 19, 2015^
- Bank of the Ozarks, Inc. Announces Completion of its Merger With Community & Southern Holdings, Inc. Business Wire, July 20, 2016^
- Bank of the Ozarks, Inc. and C1 Financial, Inc. Enter into Definitive Merger Agreement Business Wire, November 9, 2015^
- Bank of the Ozarks, Inc. Announces Completion of its Merger With C1 Financial, Inc. Business Wire, July 21, 2016^
- RankingBanking Bank Director, retrieved 2026-01-27^
- ["ANDREA MURPHY"," HANK TUCKER"]. Forbes 2025 America's Best Banks Forbes, retrieved 2026-01-27^