<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>bsf20170118_8k.htm</TITLE>
<!-- Created by RDG HTML Converter -->
</HEAD>
<BODY style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; MARGIN-LEFT: 10px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 10px">
<P id=PARA1 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>UNITED STATES</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA2 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA3 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Washington, D.C.&nbsp; 20549</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA4 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA5 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>FORM&nbsp;8-K</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA6 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA7 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>CURRENT REPORT</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA8 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>PURSUANT TO SECTION&nbsp;13 OR 15(d)</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA9 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA10 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA11 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>January 14, 2017</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA12 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Date of Report</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA13 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Date of earliest event reported)</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA14 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA15 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Bear State Financial</B><B>,&nbsp;Inc.</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA16 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA17 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE id=TBL33  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 32%">
<P id=PARA18 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Arkansas</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; WIDTH: 2%">
<P id=PARA19 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 32%">
<P id=PARA20 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>0-28312</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; WIDTH: 2%">
<P id=PARA21 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 32%">
<P id=PARA22 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>71-0785261</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 32%">
<P id=PARA23 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(State or other jurisdiction</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; WIDTH: 2%">
<P id=PARA24 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 32%">
<P id=PARA25 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Commission File Number)</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; WIDTH: 2%">
<P id=PARA26 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 32%">
<P id=PARA27 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(IRS Employer</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 32%">
<P id=PARA28 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">of incorporation)</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; WIDTH: 2%">
<P id=PARA29 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 32%">
<P id=PARA30 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; WIDTH: 2%">
<P id=PARA31 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 32%">
<P id=PARA32 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Identification No.)</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA34 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE id=TBL42  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 49%">
<P id=PARA35 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>900 South Shackleford Rd., Suite 605</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA36 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Little Rock, Arkansas</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; WIDTH: 2%">
<P id=PARA37 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 49%">
<P id=PARA38 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>72</B><B>211</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 49%">
<P id=PARA39 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Address of principal executive offices)</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; WIDTH: 2%">
<P id=PARA40 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 49%">
<P id=PARA41 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Zip Code)</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA43 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA44 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>(501) 975-6033</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA45 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Registrant&#8217;s telephone number, including area code)</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA46 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA47 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA48 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA49 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Check the appropriate box below if the Form&nbsp;8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA50 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA51 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&#9744;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA52 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA53 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&#9744;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA54 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA55 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&#9744;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA56 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA57 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&#9744;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA58 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<DIV id=PGBK59  style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=PGFTR59  style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=PGNUM59  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%">&nbsp;</DIV>
<HR style="HEIGHT: 2px; PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; COLOR: #000000; WIDTH: 100%" noShade>

<DIV id=PGHDR59  style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; WIDTH: 100%">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<P id=PARA59.2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE id=MTAB63  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 9%">
<P id=PARA64 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Item 5.02</B><U><B></B></U><B></B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 91%">
<P id=PARA65 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B></B><U><B>Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers</B></U><B>. </B></FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA66 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA67 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Effective January 14, 2017, Mark A. McFatridge resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer of Bear State Financial, Inc. (the &#8220;Company&#8221;) and as a director of the Company and its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Bear State Bank (the &#8220;Bank&#8221;). In connection with his resignation, the Company, the Bank and Mr. McFatridge entered into an agreement regarding his separation from the Company. Under the separation agreement, Mr. McFatridge agreed to resign from all positions within the Company and the Bank, including as a member of the boards of directors of the Company and the Bank. </FONT></P>
<P id=PARA68 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA69 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The following provides a brief description of the material terms of the separation agreement:</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA70 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE id=MTAB72  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 54pt">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 18pt">
<P id=PARA73 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&#9679;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA74 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"></FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Mr. McFatridge will receive severance payments in the total amount of $850,000, less the amount of salary paid to Mr. McFatridge between January 1, 2017 and the effective date of his resignation, payable in ratable installments pursuant to the Bank&#8217;s standard payroll practices beginning on the first payroll date following the resignation date and ending on or before March 15, 2018.</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA75 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE id=MTAB77  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 54pt">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 18pt">
<P id=PARA78 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&#9679;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA79 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"></FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Mr. McFatridge will be subject to customary restrictive covenants concerning confidentiality, noncompetition, nonsolicitation and nondisparagement. </FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA80 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE id=MTAB82  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 54pt">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 18pt">
<P id=PARA83 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&#9679;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA84 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"></FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The separation agreement replaces the severance obligations owed to Mr. McFatridge under his employment agreement with the Company and the Bank dated October 1, 2015.</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA85 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE id=MTAB87  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 54pt">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 18pt">
<P id=PARA88 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&#9679;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA89 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"></FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The separation agreement contains other customary terms for an agreement of this nature, such as a release of claims.</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA90 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA91 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">A copy of the separation agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA92 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><I><B>&nbsp;</B></I></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA93 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">On January 18, 2017, the board of directors of the Company (the &#8220;Board&#8221;) appointed James M. (Matt) Machen as the Company&#8217;s new President and Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Company. Mr. Machen, age 35, has served as the President of the Bank since May 2016 and will continue to serve in that capacity. Mr. Machen originally joined the Bank in 2011 as a Senior Vice President. Thereafter, he served as Regional President of the Bank from May 2012 to June 2014 and as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company from June 2014 to April 2016. Before joining the Company and the Bank, Mr. Machen served as Vice President and Commercial Lender for First Security Bank from 2003 to 2011. Mr. Machen holds a Finance degree from the University of Arkansas and is a board member of the Dean's Alumni Advisory Council at the University of Arkansas's Walton College of Business.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA94 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA95 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The Board does not anticipate that Mr. Machen will be appointed to any of the standing committees of the Board.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA96 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA97 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Mr. Machen&#8217;s compensation will not immediately change as a result of his promotion or appointment to the Board, however, the Board and the Compensation Committee intend to review Mr. Machen&#8217;s compensation package in connection with their next periodic review of executive compensation and make adjustments commensurate with Mr. Machen&#8217;s increased responsibilities. </FONT></P>
<P id=PARA163.1 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<DIV id=PGBK163  style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=PGFTR163  style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=PGNUM163  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%">&nbsp;</DIV>
<HR style="HEIGHT: 2px; PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; COLOR: #000000; WIDTH: 100%" noShade>

<DIV id=PGHDR163  style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; WIDTH: 100%">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<P id=PARA163.2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA99 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">There is no family relationship between Mr. Machen and any other director or executive officer of the Company or the Bank. No arrangement or understanding exists between Mr. Machen and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Machen was selected as an officer or director of the Company and the Bank. Since the beginning of the Company&#8217;s last fiscal year through the date hereof, there have been no transactions with the Company, and there are currently no proposed transactions with the Company, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which Mr. Machen had or will have a direct or indirect material interest within the meaning of Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA100 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA101 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The Company issued a press release regarding Mr. McFatridge&#8217;s resignation and Mr. Machen&#8217;s appointment as the President and Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Company, which is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA102 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA103 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Also on January 18, 2017, Tom Fritsche was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of the Company and the Bank. In this capacity he will be responsible for managing the Company&#8217;s and the Bank&#8217;s regulatory, compliance and audit functions. Following this appointment, he will no longer serve as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. The Company does not intend to appoint a successor to the office of Chief Operating Officer at this time and all responsibilities associated with that role will be reallocated to other members of the Company's management.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA104 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA105 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<TABLE id=TBL106  style="TEXT-INDENT: 0;FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 9%">
<P id=PARA164><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Item 9.01</FONT></B></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 91%">
<P id=PARA165><B><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><U><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits</B></U><U><B>.</B></U></P></FONT></B></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 9%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 91%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 9%">(d)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 91%">The following exhibits are included with this Report:</TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA107 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B>&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<TABLE id=TBL121  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; WIDTH: 7%" width=80>
<P id=PARA110 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Exhibit&nbsp;No.</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; WIDTH: 2%" width=68>
<P id=PARA111 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; WIDTH: 91%" width=1019>
<P id=PARA112 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Description</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 7%" width=80>
<P id=PARA113 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; WIDTH: 2%" width=68>
<P id=PARA114 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 91%" width=1019>
<P id=PARA115 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 7%" width=80>
<P id=PARA116 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">10.1</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; WIDTH: 2%" width=68>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 91%" width=1019>
<P id=PARA117 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Separation Agreement by and among Bear State Financial, Inc., Bear State Bank and Mark McFatridge.</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 7%" width=80>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; WIDTH: 2%" width=68>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 91%" width=1019>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 7%" width=80>
<P id=PARA118 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">99.1</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; WIDTH: 2%" width=68>
<P id=PARA119 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 91%" width=1019>
<P id=PARA120 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Press Release, dated January 18, 2017.</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA122 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B></B></FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<DIV id=PGBK166  style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=PGFTR166  style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=PGNUM166  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%">&nbsp;</DIV>
<HR style="HEIGHT: 2px; PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; COLOR: #000000; WIDTH: 100%" noShade>

<DIV id=PGHDR166  style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; WIDTH: 100%">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<P id=PARA166.2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>SIGNATURES</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA123 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA124 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA125 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE id=TBL143  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" width=627>
<P id=PARA126 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" width=539 colSpan=3>
<P id=PARA127 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>BEAR STATE FINANCIAL,&nbsp;INC.</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" width=627>
<P id=PARA128 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" width=539 colSpan=3>
<P id=PARA129 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" width=627>
<P id=PARA130 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" width=539 colSpan=3>
<P id=PARA131 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" width=627>
<P id=PARA132 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;Date:&nbsp;&nbsp;January 18, 2017</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" width=49>
<P id=PARA133 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">By:</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid" width=469>/s/ Sherri Billings&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" width=21>
<P id=PARA134 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" width=627>
<P id=PARA135 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" width=49>
<P id=PARA136 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Name:</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" width=469>
<P id=PARA137 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Sherri Billings</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" width=21>
<P id=PARA138 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" width=627>
<P id=PARA139 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" width=49>
<P id=PARA140 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Title:</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" width=469>
<P id=PARA141 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" width=21>
<P id=PARA142 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA144.1 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<DIV id=PGBK144  style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=PGFTR144  style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=PGNUM144  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%">&nbsp;</DIV>
<HR style="HEIGHT: 2px; PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; COLOR: #000000; WIDTH: 100%" noShade>

<DIV id=PGHDR144  style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; WIDTH: 100%">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<P id=PARA144.2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA146 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Exhibit Index</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA147 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE id=TBL158  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 7%">
<P id=PARA148 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Number</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 2%">
<P id=PARA149 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 91%">
<P id=PARA150 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Description</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 7%">
<P id=PARA151 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 2%">
<P id=PARA152 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 91%">
<P id=PARA153 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 7%">
<P id=PARA154 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">10.1</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 2%">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 91%">
<P id=PARA155 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Separation Agreement by and among Bear State Financial, Inc., Bear State Bank and Mark McFatridge.</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 7%">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 2%">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 91%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 7%">
<P id=PARA156 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">99.1</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 2%">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; WIDTH: 91%">
<P id=PARA157 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Press Release, dated January 18, 2017</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA159 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></BODY></HTML>
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "bsf20170118_8k.htm", "description": "FORM 8-K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 41758}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "BEAR STATE FINANCIAL, INC.", "cik": "0001006424", "assigned-sic": "6022", "irs-number": "710785261", "state-of-incorporation": "AR", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-28312", "film-number": "17534289"}, "business-address": {"street1": "900 SOUTH SHACKLEFORD ROAD", "street2": "SUITE 401", "city": "LITTLE ROCK", "state": "AR", "zip": "72211", "phone": "501-320-4904"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "900 SOUTH SHACKLEFORD ROAD", "street2": "SUITE 401", "city": "LITTLE ROCK", "state": "AR", "zip": "72211"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS INC", "date-changed": "19960126"}}
bsf20170118_8k.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
January 14, 2017
Date of Report
(Date of earliest event reported)
Bear State Financial
, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Arkansas
0-28312
71-0785261
(State or other jurisdiction
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer
of incorporation)
Identification No.)
900 South Shackleford Rd., Suite 605
Little Rock, Arkansas
72
211
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(501) 975-6033
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
☐
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
.
Effective January 14, 2017, Mark A. McFatridge resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer of Bear State Financial, Inc. (the "Company") and as a director of the Company and its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Bear State Bank (the "Bank"). In connection with his resignation, the Company, the Bank and Mr. McFatridge entered into an agreement regarding his separation from the Company. Under the separation agreement, Mr. McFatridge agreed to resign from all positions within the Company and the Bank, including as a member of the boards of directors of the Company and the Bank.
The following provides a brief description of the material terms of the separation agreement:
●
Mr. McFatridge will receive severance payments in the total amount of $850,000, less the amount of salary paid to Mr. McFatridge between January 1, 2017 and the effective date of his resignation, payable in ratable installments pursuant to the Bank's standard payroll practices beginning on the first payroll date following the resignation date and ending on or before March 15, 2018.
●
Mr. McFatridge will be subject to customary restrictive covenants concerning confidentiality, noncompetition, nonsolicitation and nondisparagement.
●
The separation agreement replaces the severance obligations owed to Mr. McFatridge under his employment agreement with the Company and the Bank dated October 1, 2015.
●
The separation agreement contains other customary terms for an agreement of this nature, such as a release of claims.
A copy of the separation agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
On January 18, 2017, the board of directors of the Company (the "Board") appointed James M. (Matt) Machen as the Company's new President and Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Company. Mr. Machen, age 35, has served as the President of the Bank since May 2016 and will continue to serve in that capacity. Mr. Machen originally joined the Bank in 2011 as a Senior Vice President. Thereafter, he served as Regional President of the Bank from May 2012 to June 2014 and as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company from June 2014 to April 2016. Before joining the Company and the Bank, Mr. Machen served as Vice President and Commercial Lender for First Security Bank from 2003 to 2011. Mr. Machen holds a Finance degree from the University of Arkansas and is a board member of the Dean's Alumni Advisory Council at the University of Arkansas's Walton College of Business.
The Board does not anticipate that Mr. Machen will be appointed to any of the standing committees of the Board.
Mr. Machen's compensation will not immediately change as a result of his promotion or appointment to the Board, however, the Board and the Compensation Committee intend to review Mr. Machen's compensation package in connection with their next periodic review of executive compensation and make adjustments commensurate with Mr. Machen's increased responsibilities.
There is no family relationship between Mr. Machen and any other director or executive officer of the Company or the Bank. No arrangement or understanding exists between Mr. Machen and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Machen was selected as an officer or director of the Company and the Bank. Since the beginning of the Company's last fiscal year through the date hereof, there have been no transactions with the Company, and there are currently no proposed transactions with the Company, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which Mr. Machen had or will have a direct or indirect material interest within the meaning of Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
The Company issued a press release regarding Mr. McFatridge's resignation and Mr. Machen's appointment as the President and Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Company, which is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Also on January 18, 2017, Tom Fritsche was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of the Company and the Bank. In this capacity he will be responsible for managing the Company's and the Bank's regulatory, compliance and audit functions. Following this appointment, he will no longer serve as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. The Company does not intend to appoint a successor to the office of Chief Operating Officer at this time and all responsibilities associated with that role will be reallocated to other members of the Company's management.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
.
(d)
The following exhibits are included with this Report:
Exhibit No.
Description
10.1
Separation Agreement by and among Bear State Financial, Inc., Bear State Bank and Mark McFatridge.
99.1
Press Release, dated January 18, 2017.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
BEAR STATE FINANCIAL, INC.
Date:  January 18, 2017
By:
/s/ Sherri Billings
Name:
Sherri Billings
Title:
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer
Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number
Description
10.1
Separation Agreement by and among Bear State Financial, Inc., Bear State Bank and Mark McFatridge.
99.1
Press Release, dated January 18, 2017