Tampa-area business leader named lead director of Arkansas bank

Encore Bank says it has elected St. Petersburg resident Rita Lowman as its board's lead director.

Lowman, former president of Pilot Bank, is a banking veteran with 45 years of experience. Her career highlights include managing 23 acquisitions, including the NationsBank-Barnett merger in 1997, say Encore Bank officials.

"Rita joined our board in January of 2023, and since then, her depth of industry knowledge and remarkable leadership skills have made a significant impact on Encore Bank,” says Chris Roberts, Encore chairman and CEO, in a statement. "As our lead director, her leadership will be instrumental to us as we continue to grow and build a different kind of bank for our clients, partners and employees."

In 2017, Lowman was elected as the chair of the Florida Bankers Association, becoming the third woman to serve in the role in its 130-year history.

Her experience also includes beyond the state level, as she has served on the American Bankers board of directors, holding the position of vice chair of its government relations council and community council board.

Lowman has received numerous career awards, including the Tampa Chamber of Commerce 2019 Outstanding Leader and the Working Women of Tampa Leadership Award, Encore Bank officials say.

In 2023, she was named a "Living Legend" by Florida Trend.

Encore Bank is a privately held, commercially focused bank. Headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, Encore Bank was established in 2019 after its founders moved to The Capital Bank, rebranded it as Encore Bank and began its transformation.

In 2019, Encore Bank started with just $159 million in total assets, seven employees and one office. Today, Encore Bank says it operates in 21 markets across eight states and has more than 330 employees.

As of Dec. 31, 2023, Encore Bank had $4 billion in total assets.