Since 2024, central Arkansas has seen strong loan growth, particularly in non-residential construction, hotel financing, and consumer lending. These trends reflect a dynamic market adapting to economic shifts and interest rate adjustments moving forward in 2025.
Arvest Bank experienced significant loan growth in 2024, with an overall increase of nearly 7.5%, more than double the national average of 2.7% for U.S. commercial banks. The bank saw strong growth across multiple loan categories, including a 47% rise in residential home equity loans, a 36% increase in residential construction loans, and an 81% surge in consumer auto loans. Non-residential construction loans also grew by 46.5% over the past two years.
Our growth foretells a commercial real estate landscape in central Arkansas that will continue to see growth and a few challenges across multiple sectors in 2025…