Home BancShares, Inc. Announces the Acquisition of $289.1 Million in Loans

Home BancShares, Inc.(Nasdaq: HOMB) ("Home" or "the Company"), parent company of Centennial Bank("Centennial"), announced today the completion of an acquisition of nationalcommercial real estate loans from J.C. Flowers & Co. LLC totalingapproximately $289.1 million. This pool of loans was originated within theformer Doral Property Finance portfolio and will now be housed in a divisionof Centennial known as the Centennial Commercial Finance Group ("CentennialCFG"). The Centennial CFG will be responsible for servicing the acquired loanpool and originating new loan production. The transaction is expected to beimmediately accretive to earnings.The Company has hired Christopher Poulton as the President of the newlyestablished Centennial CFG. Mr. Poulton previously held the position ofExecutive Vice President of the U.S. Operations for the former Doral Bank. Hebrings 20 years of commercial lending and financial services experience andhas extensive knowledge of the acquired loan pool and growth potential. Mr.Poulton intends to reconstruct a group of qualified lenders similar to thegroup he previously managed. Accordingly, Centennial CFG has hired formerDoral Property Finance Senior Managing Director, Nicholas Santoro. Mr. Santorohas 33 years' experience as both a lender and an operator in all keydisciplines including commercial real estate finance. He will hold the sameposition at Centennial CFG. "I am excited about joining Centennial with itsstrong capital position which can support our operation," said Mr. Poulton. "Considering New York's business climate combined with our group ofexperienced lenders, we plan to present Centennial with a tremendousopportunity for loan growth." In connection with this acquisition of loans and the creation of CentennialCFG, Centennial has notified the Arkansas State Bank Department and the NewYork Department of Financial Services of its plans to establish a new loanproduction office in New York, New York. The loan production office isanticipated to open on or about April 23, 2015, pending confirmation of noobjection from both states. Once the loan production office has beenestablished, Centennial CFG plans to build out a national lending platformfocusing on commercial real estate plus commercial and industrial loans. "We are very excited to welcome Christopher, Nick and the newly createdCentennial CFG team to Centennial," said John Allison, Chairman. "This is anattractive financial opportunity which will allow us to immediately grow ourloan portfolio, increase income and enhance our franchise." Loan Portfolio HighlightsThis acquisition is currently expected to provide Centennial: * National commercial real estate loans * Average loan size of approximately $12.0 million * Weighted average yield on the portfolio of approximately 6% * Weighted average loan-to-value below 50%Home BancShares, Inc. is a bank holding company, headquartered in Conway,Arkansas. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Centennial Bank, provides a broad rangeof commercial and retail banking plus related financial services tobusinesses, real estate developers, investors, individuals andmunicipalities. Centennial Bank has locations in Arkansas, Florida and SouthAlabama. The Company's common stock is traded through the NASDAQ Global SelectMarket under the symbol "HOMB."This release contains forward-looking statements regarding the Company'splans, expectations, goals and outlook for the future. Statements in thispress release that are not historical facts should be consideredforward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private SecuritiesLitigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements of this type speakonly as of the date of this news release. By nature, forward-lookingstatements involve inherent risk and uncertainties. Various factors,including, but not limited to, economic conditions, credit quality, interestrates, loan demand, the ability to successfully integrate new acquisitions,the ability to employ and retain qualified and successful commercial bankersand changes in the assumptions used in making the forward-looking statements,could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by theforward-looking statements. Additional information on factors that mightaffect Home BancShares, Inc.'s financial results is included in its AnnualReport on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with theSecurities and Exchange Commission.CONTACT: FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian S. Davis Chief Accounting Officer & Investor Relations Officer Home BancShares, Inc. (501) 328-4770