Little Rock, Ark.-based , a unit of , intendsto convert from a national banking association to a state-chartered bank, Arkansas Business reported April 11.

A spokesperson for Bear StateBank declined to comment further on the conversion, adding the process is ongoing.

Mark McFatridge, president andCEO of Bear State Financial and its unit, told Arkansas Business the regulatory body is closer to home and understandswhat the bank deals with daily.

Bear State Financial is majorityowned by Bear State Financial HoldingsLLC