Banks in Arkansas are thicker than ticks on a hound, but finding Arkansas retail banks that fit both your business and personal needs takes a little work. If you're in Little Rock, you have more options than if you're in Hope, but wherever you live, retail banking in Arkansas has enough options to satisfy your banking needs.

Retail banks in Arkansas come in all sizes, from giant national chains with Arkansas retail banks to tiny local Arkansas retail banks. Choose your bank with location, services and personal style in mind. Decide if small retail banks in Arkansas appeal to you, or if you’re more interested in national chains that provide retail banking services in Arkansas. If you like banking online, compare online fees and services once you've narrowed the field by locations and other services. Consider the following when looking at retail banking services in Arkansas:

1. Large national banking chains offer retail banking in Arkansas.

2. Arkansas-based banks may appeal to you if you like doing business close to home.

3. Keep Internet options in mind when seeking information about retail banks in Arkansas.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Do business with a nationwide chain that has local Arkansas banks

Some people like knowing that their Arkansas bank has a presence in many states; if they move, they figure they can probably keep the same bank. A nationwide bank also has bigger name recognition and dozens or hundreds of branches throughout the country. If the full range of retail services -- checking, online banking, ATMs, locations throughout the state and country that a big chain offers is what you desire from retail banking in Arkansas, choose a national player that has branches in your community.

I recommend: Choose Bank of America or Regions Bank that are well-represented multi-state banking institutions.

Choose a local Arkansas bank to support the business community at home

If you like keeping your money local, or prefer smaller Arkansas banks to giant national chains, then consider smaller Arkansas retail banks. Don't sacrifice service or products for size, though: Make sure you find an Arkansas retail bank that has all the resources, products and services you need. There are many Arkansas-based choices for your Arkansas retail banking needs; consider choosing one of the larger ones to get all the services offered by national chains.

I recommend: First Arkansas Bank & Trust and Bank of Arkansas are local banks with many branches in the state.

Compare Arkansas banks online

Go online to see how many branches your top choices have, or to compare interest rates or Internet offerings. Exploring Arkansas banks online is also a good way to compare the Internet services your respective options provide and to compare rates and policies. Online tools can also be handy in selecting the perfect Arkansas bank to meet your business and personal retail banking needs.

I recommend: The Arkansas Bank Directory has a comprehensive list of Arkansas banking choices. Also try myBank.com and its searchable bank finder.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask friends about their experiences with Arkansas banks. A first-hand, trusted endorsement or warning can save you a lot of grief.