Honors & Awards

Celebrating Excellence Together

At ACC Capital, we measure success by the impact we create, but we're honored when that work is recognized. Over the years, our commitment to expanding access to capital and strengthening communities has earned recognition from industry leaders and organizations alike. These awards reflect the dedication of our team, the trust of our partners, and the resilience of the entrepreneurs we serve.

2025

  • CEO Sam Walls III named Arkansas Money & Politics 50 under 50
  • CEO Sam Walls III named honoree in Arkansas 250 by ABPG
  • Adriana Fuentes Archila named Central Arkansas Mentee in Venture Center Woman Achieve Program
  • CEO Sam Walls III & CFO Scott Gardner named favorite C-Suites among readers at Arkansas Money & Politics
  • Adriana Fuentes Archila named 2025 AMP's Women in Banking
  • Adriana Fuentes Archila named in class of Women 2 Watch by Arkansas Business Publishing Group

2024

  • Arkansas Capital Corporation named 2024 Best of Biz: Best Alternative Financing by Arkansas Business Publishing Group
  • CEO Sam Walls III named Arkansas 250 Most Influential Leaders by Arkansas Business Publishing Group
  • Adriana Fuentes Archila named 2024 Arkansas Money and Politics "Future Icons"
  • CEO Sam Walls III named Arkansas Money and Politics Arkansas C-Suite Executives.
  • Adriana Fuentes Archila named AMP Power Woman
  • ACC Capital Named Arkansas Equity Advocacy Leader of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration
  • Pine State Regional Center Recognized at Invest in the USA I-829/I-526 Awards
  • Rush B. Deacon Re-elected to IIUSA Board of Directors
  • Adriana Fuentes Archila Elected as 2024 Member of the ASBTDC State Advisory Board and Named Future Icon & Power Woman by Arkansas Money & Politics

2023

2022

2021

  • Heartland Renaissance Fund awarded $40 million in Federal New Market Tax Credits from the U.S. CDFI Fund
  • Arkansas Capital awarded $1.28 million from the U.S. CDFI Fund's Rapid Response Program to help respond to economic challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic in underserved communities
  • Arkansas Business "Best of Biz" Winner - Best Alternative Financing (Non-Bank Small Business Lender)

2020

  • Heartland Renaissance Fund awarded $35 million in Federal New Market Tax Credits from the U.S. CDFI Fund
  • Arkansas Capital awarded $520,000 from the U.S. CDFI Fund Financial Assistance Program

2019

  • Heartland Renaissance Fund awarded $35 million in Federal New Market Tax Credits from the U.S. CDFI Fund
  • Six Bridges Capital Corporation named Top Dollar Certified Development Company and Top Certified Development Company of the Year by the SBA, Arkansas District

2018

  • Arkansas Capital awarded $850,000 from the U.S. CDFI Fund Financial Assistance Program

2017

  • Arkansas Capital awarded $1,000,000 from the U.S. CDFI Fund Financial Assistance Program
  • Six Bridges Capital Corporation Certified Development Company Award for Mississippi

2016

  • Arkansas SBA District Six Bridges Certified Development Company Award for Arkansas
  • Heartland Renaissance Fund awarded $65 million in Federal New Market Tax Credits from the U.S. CDFI Fund

2015

  • Arkansas Capital receives certification as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) from the U.S.. CDFI Fund
  • Heartland Renaissance Fund awarded 2015 Non-Metro "Qualified Low-Income Community Investment" of the Year from Novogradac for the BlueOak Arkansas project in Osceola, Ark.
  • Pine State Regional Center is named the NES Financial Platinum Project Winner for its work in the development of Big River Steel

2015

  • Arkansas Capital receives certification as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) from the U.S.. CDFI Fund
  • Heartland Renaissance Fund awarded 2015 Non-Metro "Qualified Low-Income Community Investment" of the Year from Novogradac for the BlueOak Arkansas project in Osceola, Ark.
  • Pine State Regional Center is named the NES Financial Platinum Project Winner for its work in the development of Big River Steel

2014

  • SBA Arkansas District - Certified Development Company (CDC) of the Year
  • National Association of Development Companies (NADCO) Small Business Week Twitter Award

2013

  • SBA Arkansas District - Rising Star Award
  • SBA Arkansas District - Top CDC/504 Volume Lender

2012

  • SBA Arkansas District - Top 504 Volume Lender
  • SBA Arkansas District - Rising Star Lender
  • Heartland Renaissance Fund awarded $60 million in Federal New Market Tax Credits from the U.S. CDFI Fund
  • Arkansas Users of Telecommunications and Information Systems Innovative Community Development Award for Connect Arkansas initiative

2011

  • U.S. SourceLink Star Award for Arkansas SourceLink
  • Small Business Investment Company of the Year
  • SBA Arkansas District - Outstanding Lender Award Top Volume 504 CDC

2010

  • SBA Arkansas District - Top Arkansas CDC 504 Loans

2009

  • Heartland Renaissance Fund awarded $70 million in Federal New Market Tax Credits from the U.S. CDFI Fund
  • SBA Arkansas District - Top 504 Volume Lender
  • SBA Arkansas District - Top 7(a) Volume Lender
  • SBA Arkansas District - SBA 504 Lender
  • Community Development Financial Institutions Fund

2008

  • Heartland Renaissance Fund awarded $55 million in Federal New Market Tax Credits from the U.S. CDFI Fund
  • SBA Arkansas District - Top 504 Volume CDC

2007

  • Heart of Arkansas United Way - Pinnacle Award
  • SBA Arkansas District - Top 504 CDC Lender, Highest Volume

2006

  • SBA National Entrepreneurial Leadership Award / Private Sector - C. Sam Walls, Jr.
  • SBA Arkansas District - Lender of the Year 504 Loan Program / Highest Volume

2005

  • The United Way of Pulaski County - Crest Award
  • SBA Arkansas District - Top Volume 504 Lender

2004

  • Heartland Renaissance Fund awarded $40 million in Federal New Market Tax Credits from the U.S. CDFI Fund
  • SBA Arkansas District - Top Volume Lender
  • Six Bridges Certified Development Company Award for Arkansas

2003

  • NADCO - Best Overall Marketing Presentation
    NADCO - Arthur Goodman Achievement Award; C. Sam Walls
    SBA Region VI Top Volume Lender

2002

  • SBA Region VI - Highest Volume SBA Lender
  • Arkansas Business - Best In-State Banking & Finance Website
  • Arkansas Venture Capital Forum - Company Leadership Award

2001

  • SBA Region VI - Award for Excellence Leading Volume Lender

2000

  • SBA 504 1st Mortgage Lender of the Year, Most Active Lender

1999

  • AAF Addy Awards: Business/Trade Publication Campaign (1998 Image Campaign)
  • SBA 504 1st Mortgage Lender of the Year
  • SBA High Volume Lender
    Vision 2000 Award

1998

  • SBA District Director's Lender of the Year

1997

  • NADCO Excellence in Marketing
  • Small Business Administration High Volume Lender
  • Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program

1996

  • Excellence in Marketing

1993

  • District Director's Cooperative Lender Award; C. Sam Walls
  • NADCO Region VI First Place SBA 504 Loan Dollar Volume in FY'93

1992

  • Corporate Award, SBA Certified Lender

1989

  • Arkansas Capital receives Certified Development Company authorization from Small Business Administration (SBA)