Arvest

Dreamy & Darling Creations
225 E Commercial St
Springfield, MO 65803
Phone: 417-501-6843
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Southwest Missouri has been steadily growing for over a decade, and the Ozarks region has remained at the heart of this growth. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the region’s population grew nearly 9% from 2013 to 2023, experiencing growth every year during that period. While a growing population often means growing opportunities, it can also mean growing needs. Companies should be able to adapt to meet the needs of the areas they serve, and Arvest is no stranger to dealing with change.

Before he became Arvest’s Springfield Region president, Shane Cowger transferred to the Springfield team in 2011, moving in just as the area’s growth was starting to take off. In the decade since then, Arvest has added new branches, hired more experienced talent and promoted many long-time associates to leadership roles in Springfield. The local team has spent most of that decade listening to customers, collaborating with leaders throughout the region and finding creative ways for Arvest to invest in the Ozarks.

As part of these efforts, Cowger and his colleagues in Springfield spent time investing in Arvest’s associates across the region, working to build an experienced and tenured team of leaders across different departments. They were equipping their associates and leaders to handle the growth that they knew was about to happen. From commercial lending to mortgage to small business banking, Arvest’s local team has expanded to better serve its customers in the Ozarks region with the help of Cowger’s local leadership.

Continued commitment to community is at the heart of Arvest’s operations in the Ozarks, and the bank continues to hire associates who are settling in different areas across the region. From bustling cities like Branson and Springfield to close-knit communities like Aurora and Republic, Cowger has spent the better part of a decade working with other local leaders to build a team that is deeply rooted in the communities it serves. Service, accountability and consistency drive Springfield’s leadership teams as they continue to improve themselves, their colleagues and their communities.

Through a focused investment of time and resources, Cowger works to ensure that Arvest is not just a financial institution but a fully integrated partner in promoting the health and vitality of the Springfield region. On a bankwide scale, Arvest contributes to local food banks and pantries through its annual Million Meals campaign, and it supports educators through its year-round We Love Teachers initiative. Aside from this, the bank’s Springfield team has found other ways to contribute to local nonprofits. Arvest Foundation donations and volunteer opportunities have been integral to Arvest associates supporting communities across the Ozarks region. From encouraging and equipping associates to be involved in local organizations they love to paving the way for local leadership to become board members, Arvest has dedicated itself to the Springfield region and its continued success.

The bottom line? Cowger and his team are not new to life in the 417, and they are committed to serving the communities where they live and work. They have put down roots because they don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon. Get used to seeing more of them because Arvest’s associates are here to stay.