State banking industry leader joins board of Arkansas bank

Former Pilot Bank President Rita Lowman, a 45-year veteran of Florida’s banking industry, has joined the board of Little Rock, Arkansas-based Encore Bank, which now has an office in Tampa.

Lowman’s sterling career has seen her manage 23 acquisitions and serve as chair of the Florida Bankers Association in 2017, becoming just the third woman to lead that body in its 130-year history. She has also served on the American Bankers board of directors and as vice chair of that organization’s Government Relations Council and Community Council Board.

According to a news release, Lowman serves or has served on a number of other boards, including the Florida School of Banking at the University of Florida, the Southeastern Cabinet of the American Cancer Society, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Aquarium. In addition to Encore Bank, she also holds a board seat at Caldwell Trust in Venice.

“Encore Bank is delighted to welcome Rita to its Board of Directors,” Encore Bank Chairman and CEO Chris Roberts states in the release. “Her leadership and accomplishments have made her a star in the industry and a role model for women in banking. We are confident she will be an invaluable asset to Encore and look forward to her significant contribution to our board.”

Encore Bank was founded in 2019 as a privately held, boutique bank with a commercial focus. It operates in 20 markets across eight states, and as of Dec. 31, 2022, it had $3.5 billion in total assets.