This article was published on April 7, 2025.
In this Arkansas Business commentary, Randy Scott, president and CEO of Farmers Bank & Trust, explores how child care barriers affect local workforce retention. He outlines the Blytheville bank’s new child care benefit and shares why Farmers Bank & Trust joined Excel by Eight’s Business Coalition as part of its commitment to supporting working parents.
“Within weeks of launching the program, five employees immediately enrolled. We are optimistic that this initiative will improve retention and attract a higher caliber of new applicants — individuals who might not have considered employment with us otherwise. We believe this program will help us retain employees through the challenging early years of parenting, ultimately fostering long-term careers in banking.”
Randy Scott
President and CEO, Farmers Bank & Trust
