STAYING POWER: A Friendship Forged in Community Banking Front left: Doug Wareham, KBA President & CEO; back left: Kevin Stein, First National Bank of Spearville; front right: Tena Gleason, Ford County State Bank, Spearville; and back right: Alex Greig, President of KBA Insurance Inc. By Brianna Hull, AVP, Communications & Marketing, KBA For over five decades, Tena Gleason and Kevin Stein have shared more than a zip code. Growing up in Spearville, Kansas, these two lifelong friends have not only witnessed their hometown evolve, but they have also helped to shape it through parallel careers in community banking. Today, they work just steps from each other — at banks located directly across the street — proving that mutual respect and a shared commitment to community can bridge even the most literal divides. Though technically competitors, their relationship has been anything but. Built on trust, shared values and deep rural roots, their story reflects the true heart of community banking. Q&A with Kevin Stein Senior Vice President, First National Bank of Spearville, Spearville How did you and Tena meet, and what’s helped your friendship last so long? We’ve known each other our whole lives. Both of us are from Spearville. We grew up here, and I’ve watched Tena and her family grow over the years. I think what’s helped our friendship endure — despite working for different banks — is our mutual love for this town. We both understand that healthy banks mean a thriving community, and that’s always been bigger than competition. Describe Tena in one word. Loyal. But also, she has integrity and she’s trustworthy. She’s someone you can count on. How would you describe Spearville’s financial landscape? Spearville is small — around 800 people. Agriculture is the backbone: Cattle feeding and wheat/milo production are mainstays. In recent years, renewable energy has become a big part of the picture with 350+ wind turbines in the area. We’re just 17 miles from Dodge City, so many folks work there and live in Spearville for the small-town life. What is the biggest challenge you face in banking today? Navigating the line between neighbor and banker. Everyone is someone you know personally, which builds trust but also makes tough decisions — like denying a loan — more delicate. You’ve got to balance empathy with responsibility. What is the biggest shift you’ve seen in banking? Technology and regulation. It used to be all handshakes and passbooks. Now, even in rural markets, customers expect digital banking and fast service — plus tight cybersecurity. At the same time, regulations have made operations more complex. How do your banks contribute differently to the community — and where do you see overlap or shared values? The only difference that I am aware of is that FNB has a crop insurance agency within the bank. Both banks 15
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