At Stone Bank, we like to say “We’re not the bank on every corner, we’re the bank in your corner.” This is more than marketing; it’s a mission. Stone Bank is committed to helping our customers feel empowered in their financial decisions. With their experience in overseeing similar research projects in the past, the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas was a natural partner to better understand the banking obstacles and opportunities facing rural Arkansans. 

The research reveals that rural women in Arkansas are experiencing Financial Imposter Syndrome. While large, infrequent purchases such as homes and vehicles remain largely joint decisions, women are often overseeing most ongoing financial decisions and learning – quote - “the hard way.” From groceries and utilities to childcare and health care, these women are driving their local economies without realizing they’re the ones behind the wheel.  

We at Stone Bank realize this is both an obstacle for individuals in our communities and an opportunity for financial institutions to bridge the financial confidence gap. Thanks to the research conducted by the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas, institutions like ours can initiate meaningful efforts to educate, empower, and equip Arkansans throughout the state.  

Stone Bank is an Arkansas-based community bank with over $890M in assets. Stone Bank operates retail banking branch locations throughout Arkansas including Mountain View, Little Rock, Harrison, White Hall, DeWitt, and Gillett. Recognized nationally as a leading SBA, USDA, and FSA lender, Stone Bank combines local service with nationwide lending expertise. The bank’s corporate headquarters at 12615 Chenal Parkway in Little Rock. Stone Bank has been named one of Arkansas Business's Best Places to Work in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Founded in 1998, the Women's Foundation of Arkansas (WFA) operates on a foundational belief that investing in women and girls means investing in stronger families and communities across the state. When women are educated, healthy, and economically secure, entire communities benefit. The WFA's mission is to ensure that economic security for Arkansas women and girls through collaboration and focused philanthropic investment in their education and economic well-being.