Pub 10 2021 Issue 2

30 BRIEFLY IN KANSAS BANKING Kansas Bank Gets New Name First State Bank & Trust Co will become Fusion Bank. After 125 years, the First State Bank & Trust Co., founded in Larned, Kansas in 1896, is getting a new name. Effective February 22, this long-established Kansas business will open under the new name Fusion Bank. For most of the bank’s 125 years, it was not inconvenient that so many other banks in the state and the country were also named First State Bank, or some variation began with the word “First.” But once branch banking was approved in the 1980s, bank business territories began to overlap, and similar names became confusing. Add to that the explosion of the internet and mobile world in more recent years and the confusion multiplied. Choosing a new name for a 125-year entity could be a daunting task, but the team knew what they wanted the name to represent. Sharon Lessard, EVP, explains, “The new name has meaning for us. To be the best bank for our customers, we work for our customers, and we work to create a fusion of traditional Classic Banking with outstanding Online and Mobile technology. Our bank is a fusion of personal and digital; traditional and technical; heritage and future; local and everywhere. Additionally, we wanted to keep our iconic “Flying F” logo, so we were hoping for a meaningful name that begins with the letter ‘F.’ Fusion Bank was the perfect solution.” The newly named Fusion Bank has locations in Larned, Pratt and Overland Park and can be found at fusion.bank. Bank of Hays promotes new Senior V.P. and Commercial Lender The Bank of Hays was founded with a single mission — to serve the community. This work is at the heart of everything we do, and it has to be in the hearts of everyone on our team. For this reason, we believe that our employees are our most valuable asset, and when we get the opportunity to recognize and promote them, we couldn’t be more proud. Randy Walker, the Bank of Hays CEO, said, “I’m excited that our Board of Directors has approved these promotions effective immediately. Please join me in congratulating Jaden and Josh.” Jaden Richardson, newly appointed Commercial Lender Jaden Richardson grew up in Ness City, Kansas, before attending Fort Hays State University. He graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance/Banking. In 2017, he started at Bank of Hays as a teller and, through hard work and dedication, moved into credit analysis in 2019. Jaden is eager to begin his position as a Commercial Lender at Bank of Hays. In addition to serving the community’s financial needs, Jaden has been involved with CARE Council, Relay for Life, and the Hays Bowling Association. Josh Dreher, newly appointed Senior Vice President Josh Dreher has been an employee of Bank of Hays since March of 2006. After graduating from Fort Hays State in May of 2009 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, he became a full-time commercial loan officer. Josh specializes in all types of conventional and government-guaranteed loan programs for small business customers. Josh looks forward to making an even greater impact in his new role as Senior Vice President.