FNBC + BoCC team up for Arkansas Pie Festival — and a “Battle of the Banks” bake-off

T wo community banks are proving that partnership can be just as powerful as competition — and they’re doing it with pie.

Bank of Cave City and FNBC are co-presenting sponsors of the Arkansas Pie Festival, set for April 25 in Cherokee Village. The day begins with the Pie Day 5K, followed by a full day of pie and fun.

This year, the two banks decided to stretch their shared support into something that would bring people together inside their own workplaces and spark a little extra hometown excitement across Sharp County: a three-round “Battle of the Banks: Pie Edition.”

“Community banking is about showing up for our customers, our towns, and the events that bring people together,” said Crystal Crow, Director of Marketing at Bank of Cave City. “This partnership is a fun reminder that when local organizations team up, great things can happen for Sharp County.”

Round one started at each bank with an internal bake-off to determine who advanced. At Bank of Cave City, the internal competition included both an external judge and a “Banker’s Choice” vote from employees as a way to keep the day light, bring the team together, and make sure everyone gets to be part of the fun. The outside judge was Scott Bailey—well known around the bank for his “drive-thru pie drops,” when he surprises the team with a slice on a busy Saturday.

Pies were labeled simply Pie A, Pie B, and Pie C, and bakers remain anonymous. Employees were encouraged to sample, then cast a vote for their favorite and leave fun, encouraging notes for each baker. Baker identities remained a secret until they were revealed later through social media spotlights, a twist meant to build excitement and encourage coworkers to keep the Pie Festival conversation going online as the series rolled out.

At FNBC, five employee bakers stepped up to the challenge, with pies evaluated by a panel of three external judges using official Arkansas Pie Festival criteria. Judges included retired FNBC employee Ruth Rogers, along with Misty French and Heather Robertson of Ash Flat Nursing Home. The competition was incredibly close, with Erica Cooper’s apple pie earning the top spot by just four points.

“We’re proud to stand alongside another community bank to support something that brings people together in such a meaningful and fun way,” said Molly Day, SVP & Chief Marketing Officer at FNBC Bank. “This friendly competition is a great reflection of what community banking is all about: relationships, local pride, and showing up for the places we call home.”

Once each bank had its winning baker, round two became the head-to-head matchup—Bank of Cave City versus FNBC—for bragging rights and a traveling trophy. Judges said it was a tough call, and the one-point difference in scores proved it, with FNBC’s Erica Cooper taking home this year’s Bank Bake Off trophy.

Up next? One final round — not in a branch lobby, but at the Arkansas Pie Festival.

Both banks’ winning bakers can choose to face off again April 25 in Cherokee Village, giving festivalgoers a reason to cheer not only for their favorite slice, but also for two local hometown banks choosing collaboration and adding something genuinely joyful to the local calendar.

Event details: The Arkansas Pie Festival will be held April 25 in Cherokee Village. The Pie Day 5K begins at 9 a.m. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.