The Union State Bank organized and received its Banking Charter from the State of Kansas in December of 1908. For the next century, USB served primarily the Arkansas City and Cowley County area with deposit and loan products for individuals, businesses and agricultural producers.
Since 1956, control of the bank and the holding company, Docking Bancshares, Inc., has resided with the Docking Family. Former Kansas Governor, Robert Docking, held the position of Chief Executive Officer from 1957-1983. 
Robert’s son, Bill Docking, took over the position in 1983. Currently, two Docking family members serve on the Union State Bank’s Board of Directors. Bill serves as Chairman Emeritus, and Brian Docking, serves as Chairman.
After 31 years of serving as Union State Bank’s CEO, Bill Docking handed the CEO position over to Eric Kurtz in February 2014. Eric had joined Union State Bank in 2009 as Chief Lending Officer and Executive Vice-President and in January 2011 was promoted to Corporate President. It was the first time since 1957 someone other than a Docking family member had held the CEO position. Bill’s role as Chairman of the Board allowed him more time to dedicate toward more strategic opportunities to the expanding presence of Union State Bank and Docking Bancshares, Inc.
In 2006, Union State Bank and The State Bank of Winfield merged to form a larger and more diverse Union State Bank. Both banks were owned and operated by local families who had a vested interest in their respective communities and were similarly committed to local decision making, and the economic growth and development of the surrounding area. Steve McSpadden, whose family controlled The State Bank, continued to serve as Vice-Chairman of the Union State Bank Board of Directors until his retirement in 2019.
Bank ownership and management had many Wichita and Oklahoma area business relationships. Expansion into both market areas seemed a natural “next step” for Union State Bank. In 2011 and 2014 respectively, Union State Bank expanded its brand by opening a Loan Production Office in East Wichita and Bartlesville, Oklahoma. 
In July 2015, Union State Bank merged with RelianzBank, a single-location ‘boutique’ bank located on the Westside of Wichita. Since Union State was looking to further expand its presence in the Wichita market with banks that share similar banking philosophies, the merger provided the perfect solution. 
David Harris, a veteran banker with over 30 years of experience, served as President/CEO of RelianzBank. Harris now serves as Union State Bank’s Kansas Regional President and is a member of the Board of Directors.
In October of 2019, it was announced that Docking Bancshares, Inc. parent company of Union State Bank, and Midland Financial Corporation, parent company of Midland National Bank headquartered in Newton, KS, had signed an agreement for Docking Bancshares, Inc. to acquire Midland Financial Corporation and its subsidiary, Midland National Bank. 
Union State provides comprehensive banking solutions and expertise throughout South Central Kansas and North Central Oklahoma, offering a wide-range of financial products and services for individuals and businesses including checking, savings, loans and lines of credit, mortgages, credit cards, online services and investments.
Union State Bank has recently received national recognition as one of the top 200 Healthiest Banks in the Nation with an A+ Rating, according to DepositAccounts.com, as well as a Bauer 5-Star Rated financial institution.
Union State Bank strives to combine innovative products and exceptional service to help our customers achieve their financial goals. With our customers, employees, officers and directors, we will always be “Built for Better Banking.”
People from across the globe come to Cowley County to visit the historic bridges, including the stone arch bridges. There are only 1,700 stone arch bridges remaining in the United States with more than 18 historical bridges across Cowley County. Some are on the National Registry of Historic Places. Built between the 1890s and 1930s, they serve an essential role in the daily lives of area residents.
In 2006, when Union State merged with The State Bank, the new Union State Bank adopted the stone bridge as its symbol. Union State Bank is strong, solid, and dedicated to help its customers get from where they are, to where they need to be.
At the same time a new tagline was adopted - Built for Better Banking. This tagline represents the reason we’ve been in business since 1908. We believe in “better.” And we are dedicated to delivering better products and services to our customers and the communities we have the privilege to serve.