The Arvest Bank branch located inside the Walmart Supercenter on Martin Luther King Blvd., in Fayetteville has been remodeled.

The branch closed on Aug. 13, 2010 for the renovations and reopened on Aug. 31.

“We strive to provide the best banking experience for our customers. Part of that experience means keeping our branches up-to-date and fresh for our customers,” Gaye Wilcox, senior vice president/ sales manager for Arvest Bank, Fayetteville, said. “This remodel is a great enhancement for the branch and I’m excited its already back open and serving our customers.”

Check out some photos of our fresh new look! If you’re in the area, pop in and say hi to our team on Sept. 17 for our Grand Re-Opening Celebration!

This Saturday Arvest Bank in Benton County, AR is sponsoring the Chilisalsapeno at the Frisco Festival in Downtown Rogers. Proceeds benefit Main Street Rogers, the non-profit group responsible for improvements to the downtown area ranging from new intersections to pocket parks.

For 26 years, the city of Rogers has been celebrating its heritage with the annual Frisco Festival.  Each year citizens of Rogers and surrounding communities converge on downtown Rogers the last weekend of August to enjoy free rides, live music, talent shows and of course food.

For the fifth year in a row, Arvest has sponsored the Chilisalsapeno contest at the Frisco Festival.  Banks, businesses and churches from Northwest Arkansas will decide who has the best chili.  Attendees will be allowed to sample chili and vote for their favorite recipe.  They will also vote on the booth that is the most visually appealing in the “Showmanship” category. Likewise, four judges taste the chili and cast their votes for the best chili. Chili Taster Kits can be purchased at the event for $5/each. Sampling begins at 10:45 a.m.

In addition to the chili competition, a salsa competition will be held.  Members of the community are asked to make their best salsa and allow four judges to determine who makes the best salsa in Rogers.  Judging will begin at 11:30 am.

And as if the chili and the salsa won’t add enough spice to the day, there will be a jalapeno eating contest.  Each contestant has two minutes to eat as many hot, spicy peppers as possible.  Competition begins at 1:30 pm.

Don’t wait to enter one or all of these fun contests.  The deadline is Friday, August 28th.  To download a registration form, click here!

The Arvest Bank in Poteau, OK celebrated their grand reopening and ribbon cutting today.  The branch went through a remodel and is now more customer friendly with a bigger lobby and features a customer waiting area with new furniture.  “We felt this remodel was necessary to help better serve our customers, which is our number one priority,” stated Ted Sheets, Community Bank President of Eastern Oklahoma.

The branch now has a different look inside and out.  The interior offices were removed and now there are 11 enclosed offices, instead of 3.  The remodel also added a conference room and restrooms for customers.  Flooring was replaced and the new teller line will be more convenient. In addition to all of the interior changes, the outside was painted.

A check presentation on behalf of the Walton Family Foundation followed the grand reopening ceremony.  A check for $5,000 was presented to the Leflore County Literacy Council.  Mike Beshers and Ted Sheets of Arvest Bank were on hand as representatives of the foundation to present the check to the Leflore County Literacy Council.  The funds will help with the purchase of materials for adult learners, to provide storage for materials and to fund a family literacy program called Jump Start.  The Leflore County Literacy Council’s mission is to provide reading instruction for adults with no or low level reading skills and provide English instruction for non-English speaking adults.

Arvest Bank in Fayetteville, AR, provided lunch for students and faculty during the Elizabeth Richardson Center Kindergarten Graduation Ceremony.  The Arvest grill team served over 150 hotdogs for the event.  This marks the fourth year that Arvest has provided lunch for graduation.

The mission of the Elizabeth Richardson Center is to enhance the quality of life for children with disabilities. The Fayetteville School works specifically for developmentally and physically challenged children from Birth to 5 years old.
  

Associates from Arvest in Fort Smith, AR spent three days last week working on the Arkansas Valley Habitat for Humanity house.  As you can see, a lot of progress was made. Our volunteers completed various tasks including laying the remaining shingles. After completing the roof, they installed the ceilings for both the porch and patio, installed doors, and built a shed.

  
We would like to thank all the Habitat volunteers and associates who have helped. Be sure to check the Arvest blog for another update on the progress of the home.

If you would like more information about Habitat’s home ownership program or to find out more about how you can get involved, call the Habitat office in Fort Smith at (479) 782-8255.  Or, to get involved with Habitat for Humanity in your area, call their national toll-free number at (800) 422-4828.
  

Construction is now underway at the Habitat for Humanity house in Fort Smith, Arkansas, located at 1808 Johnson Street.  The wall raising took place earlier this week on July 19th.  Arvest associates will work on the house starting next Thursday, July 29th and continue through Saturday, July 31st.  Depending on progress this week, Arvest associates may be working on framing, decking or shingles.

Please check the Arvest blog frequently for updates on the progress of the home.

If you would like more information about Habitat’s home ownership program or to find out more about how you can get involved, call the Habitat office in Fort Smith at (479) 782-8255.  Or, to get involved with Habitat for Humanity in your area, call their national toll-free number at (800) 422-4828.

Arvest Bank in North Central Arkansas and radio station KBCN are teaming up to present a free live concert featuring country duo, The Roys.  The concert will take place Tuesday, July 20th at 4:00 p.m. at the Arvest branch on Hester Drive in Harrison, AR.  The performance is free and open to the public.

Siblings Elaine and Lee Roy showed an early affinity for country music growing up in Massachusetts and Canada. While Elaine took guitar lessons, Lee taught himself to play drums, eventually adding bass, guitar, mandolin and keys to his repertoire. After spending time in Nashville, the duo returned home to Massachusetts to independently produce their music. The Roys were named the 2009 ICM Vocal Duo of the Year, and were awarded a Gold Album for Redman/ MCA Country Music Favorites. They are currently on tour to promote their new CD, due out later this year on their label, Pedestal Records. KBCN is presenting this performance by The Roys in appreciation of their listeners.

Arvest will provide refreshments, and will also be giving away door prizes. For more information, contact Tiffany Curtis at (870) 449-7164.

Arvest coloring contest winners had a fun time last night at Arvest Ballpark. The category winners were Pauline Youm, 4, Austin Wages, 8, and Matthew Wentz, 12, who was also chosen as the overall winner.

Each category winner received a $100 savings bond and a miniature Strike along with their coloring design being posted on nwanaturals.com and arvestblog.com.

The overall winner, Matthew, received a $200 savings bond, miniature Strike, and his coloring sheet design will appear in the 2011/2012 NWA Naturals calendar, nwanaturals.com, and arvestblog.com.