Southern Bancorp is a bank holding company operating in the Mississippi River Delta region, one of the poorest areas in the US with poverty rates over 25%. Through strategic community planning involving hundreds of local residents, Southern Bancorp has invested over $110 million to improve education, leadership, economic development, and housing conditions. Notable outcomes include new schools, businesses, facilities, over 1,000 improved lives, and $70 million leveraged from other sources to further support the region.

3. Mission Southern Bancorp is a bank holding company committed to helping transform rural economies by creating new trends of investment in people, jobs, businesses and property.

6. Model Southern Bancorp Community Banks

10. Education – KIPP Delta

11. Education – Traditional Public Schools Scores in traditional public schools increased by 8% in one year

12. Connecting the Dots - Education Parental Involvement Core Knowledge Master Teacher Teacher Housing Teach for Arkansas LEAD School Turnaround Pay Incentives for Teachers Education Consultant KIPP KIPP Expansion Phillips County Challenge LEAD Expansion

13. Leadership Development 500 member Boys and Girls Club of Phillips County opened

14. Economic Development 40 million gallon per year biodiesel facility built

15. Economic Development Sweet potato storage facility opened

17. Economic Development - Tourism KIPP Expansion Cleburne Hotel Court Square Brownfield Sites Centennial Church Jefferson School Old Helena High School Nicholas Hotel River Park New Library Civil War Tourism Shops & Restaurants Buck Island Levee Walk & Trails

18. Economic Development – Family Assets

21. Thank You!