CONWAY, Ark., Sept. 5, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Conway, AR – Home BancShares, Inc. (Nasdaq:HOMB), parent company of Centennial Bank, announced they were one of 25 banks and thrifts that comprise the Sandler O'Neill Sm-All Stars – Class of 2012. There were 461 publicly traded banks and thrifts with a market cap of less than $2 billion evaluated to determine the small-cap depository institutions that are excelling among their peer group. The intention of the Sm-All Stars is to identify the top performing small-cap banks and thrifts in the nation. Sandler O'Neill's evaluation focused primarily on growth, profitability, credit quality, and capital strength.
Home BancShares was the only bank from Arkansas to receive this honor. The Company's Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 15.8% was the third highest among the Sm-All Stars. The Company's deposit growth, EPS growth, return on average equity and the ratio of reserves to non-performing assets also exceeded the high performance median benchmarks set by the Sm-All Stars.
"Home BancShares is proud to be included again among the elite list of small-cap banks and thrifts," said Randy Sims, CEO. "Receiving this distinct honor for the third time in five years is evidence to our commitment to growth of the Company, solid financial performance, conservative credit culture, strong capital levels and creation of long-term value for our shareholders."
Home BancShares, Inc. is a bank holding company, headquartered in Conway, Arkansas. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Centennial Bank, provides a broad range of commercial and retail banking plus related financial services to businesses, real estate developers, investors, individuals and municipalities. Centennial Bank has locations in central Arkansas, north central Arkansas, southern Arkansas, the Florida Keys, southwestern Florida, central Florida, the Florida Panhandle and south Alabama. The Company's common stock is traded through the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "HOMB."
This release contains forward-looking statements regarding the Company's plans, expectations, goals and outlook for the future. Statements in this press release that are not historical facts should be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements of this type speak only as of the date of this news release. By nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risk and uncertainties. Various factors, including, but not limited to, economic conditions, credit quality, interest rates, loan demand, the ability to successfully integrate new acquisitions and changes in the assumptions used in making the forward-looking statements, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Additional information on factors that might affect Home BancShares, Inc.'s financial results are included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.