White River Bancshares Company, the parent of Signature Bank of Arkansas (OTCQX: WRIV), has delivered its strongest financial results to date, marking a milestone as the company celebrates 20 years of community banking in the state. For the second quarter of 2025, the Fayetteville-based bank reported record net income of $3.3 million, up from $1.85 million in the same quarter last year. Earnings per diluted share rose to $1.34, reflecting continued strength in both lending and deposit activity.
“We’ve built momentum over the years, and it’s showing across all parts of the business,” said Chairman and CEO Gary Head. “This is the result of a dedicated team that focuses every day on serving our communities.”
Strong loan demand remains the engine of growth for the bank, pushing net loans to $1.19 billion, representing a 21.6% increase over the past year. That surge helped lift net interest income to $11.9 million, a year-over-year increase of nearly 32%. The bank’s net interest margin, a key measure of profitability, climbed to 3.56% as higher loan balances and improved yields contributed to stronger returns.
Signature Bank has also seen significant progress in deposit growth, long a strategic focus. Total deposits reached $1.25 billion by the end of June, up 23% over the last 12 months. More than 70% of those deposits came from core, or stable, sources. The bank’s ability to attract local deposits has helped fund growth while maintaining a strong balance sheet.
Even amid rapid expansion, the company is staying cautious on the credit front. Nonperforming loans remain negligible, just 0.03% of total loans, and the bank continued to set aside reserves for potential losses, increasing its provision for credit losses to $800,000 in the quarter. “We’re conservative in how we grow,” said Chief Risk Officer Jeff Maland. “We closely monitor our loan portfolio and regional conditions to ensure we remain well-positioned across cycles.”
Elsewhere on the balance sheet, the company’s tangible book value per share rose to $41.17, compared with $37.00 a year ago, reflecting both profitability and disciplined capital management. Capital ratios remain solidly above regulatory minimums, with total risk-based capital at 11.69%.
White River is also investing in new markets, with recent expansion into Jonesboro and Harrison contributing to rising noninterest expenses, which reached $8.9 million in Q2. Still, the company saw growth outside traditional banking revenue as well, as noninterest income rose 7.9%, supported in part by strong secondary market fee income from mortgage-related activity.
With Northwest Arkansas continuing to draw population and investment, driven by corporate giants like Walmart and new developments such as U.S. Steel’s $3 billion facility in the northeast part of the state, Signature Bank is well positioned to grow alongside its community.
As it commemorates two decades of operation, White River Bancshares continues to embody what it means to be a modern, relationship-driven community bank, rooted in service, backed by growth, and built to adapt.
