Press Releases

(Newton, KS November 29, 2022) —Bryan K. White is considered by many in the industry a specialist in community banking. He has been a lender for over three decades, developing commercial, consumer, real estate and agricultural loans for his customers. Having been with Union State Bank since 2019, White recently relocated to the organization’s Newton team.

“Newton is an excellent community with a great reputation. I am looking forward to getting acquainted with all of the great people, making new friends and customers, in the Newton area,” White explained.

White is Union State Bank’s Senior Vice President of Lending. Prior to accepting his current role, White has worked as a bank examiner for the FDIC, as well as compliance officer, branch manager, market president and senior lender for Kansas community banks. He now joins Ron Lang and Chris Francois in assisting commercial customers with financial services.

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with Bryan for a couple of years now. He brings with him some great experience in customer relationship building, particularly in the commercial sense. We are excited to have him as part of our growing Newton team,” said Ron Lang, Union State Bank’s Newton Market President.

As a member of several civic and public service-based organizations, White has a long history of community involvement. A tradition he looks forward to continuing in Newton.

“I am excited to become a member of the community and be involved in the local events and organizations. I enjoy meeting new people and getting to know everyone better,” White said.

White is now officing full-time at Union State Bank’s Newton Main location, 527 N. Main.

About Union State Bank: Founded in 1908, Union State Bank has banking locations serving communities of Arkansas City, Newton, Udall, Winfield and Wichita in Kansas and in Bartlesville and Edmond, Oklahoma. With total assets of roughly $600 million, Union State Bank offers a full range of electronic, deposit and cash management services, as well as business and agriculture, commercial real estate, construction, mortgage, residential and consumer loans. To learn more, visit their website at www. MyUnionState.Bank. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

ARKANSAS CITY, KS (January 1, 2020)—Docking Bancshares, Inc. parent company of Arkansas City, KS based Union State Bank has received final regulatory approval to acquire Midland Financial Corporation and its subsidiary Midland National Bank headquartered in Newton, KS. The closing of the transaction is effective immediately. Midland National Bank will continue to operate separately as “Midland, a division of Union State Bank”, until the third quarter of 2020 when the banking systems are converted. At that time, the bank will rebrand to Union State Bank.

Until the bank system conversion and rebranding is complete, customers of Union State Bank and Midland National Bank should continue to conduct business as usual at their existing bank locations. Customers should continue to use their same checks, debit cards, online banking and other services. Midland National Bank customers can expect to receive additional information from Union State Bank well in advance of any changes. If customers have questions, they should contact their local branch office. Ron Lang, President of Midland National Bank, has agreed to continue as Union State Bank’s Newton Market President and will be available to answer questions and assist Midland customers with the transition.

Eric Kurtz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Union State Bank, stated “We were pleased to receive the approval so quickly and we have already begun the process of integrating the two organizations, working with teams from both banks. We want this to be a smooth transition for Midland customers and will be working hard to ensure that it is. We want to assure Midland customers that we will provide best-in-class banking services and continue to be a strong and visible partner to the Newton community.”

Bill Docking, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board for Docking Bancshares, Inc. stated, “We are pleased to welcome Midland National Bank customers to our Union State Bank family. They will continue to do business with the same familiar faces they know, and we will continue to offer the hometown service and hometown values to which they’ve grown accustomed. We are extremely pleased to welcome our new Newton area customers to Union State Bank!”

With the closing of this transaction Union State Bank’s total asset size is approximately $475 million and adds five additional Kansas banking locations.

Sandler O’Neill + Partners, L.P. and The Capital Corporation served as financial advisors, and Stinson LLP served as legal counsel to Docking Bancshares, Inc. Hampton & Royce, L.C. served as legal counsel to Midland Financial Corporation.

About Docking Bancshares and Union State Bank

Docking Bancshares, Inc. is a privately held holding company, headquartered in Arkansas City, Kansas and the parent company of Union State Bank. Since 1956 control of Union State Bank has resided with the Docking Family, with Bill Docking serving as the Board Chairman and Brian Docking serving as Senior Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors. Eric Kurtz has served as the President since 2011 and the CEO since 2014. As of June 30, 2019, the holding company and its subsidiary bank had assets totaling $339 million.

Founded in 1908, Union State Bank has ten banking locations serving communities of Arkansas City, Udall, Winfield and Wichita in Kansas and Bartlesville and Edmond in Oklahoma. Union State Bank offers a full range of electronic, deposit and cash management services, as well as business and agriculture, commercial real estate, construction, mortgage, residential and consumer loans.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the global economy, placing millions of Americans on unemployment. In response, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law on March 27^th providing over $2 trillion in economic relief.

One of the programs established by the CARES Act is the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The program is implemented by the Small Business Administration and supported by the Department of Treasury to provide small businesses with funds to maintain payroll and cover applicable overhead. Funds are eligible for use on a business’s rent, utilities, and interest on mortgages, but prioritizes job retention by providing up to eight-weeks of payroll costs, including benefits.

Union State Bank (USB) was one of many banks assisting small business customers in applying for PPP loans. Bank-wide USB was able to approve over $27 million in loans to community businesses, with the average loan size being approximately $126,000.00.

The Payroll Protection Program’s initial application period opened on April 3^rd. For many of Union State Bank’s customers the PPP program provided assistance at just the right time. Shannon Martin, Director of the Burford Theater Arts, shared some of the issues facing the historic theater.

“We had to cancel or postpone 28 events in March and April. The PPP loan will help get us through this time with very little income for our operations. We appreciate the work of Union State Bank in helping us process this loan. It was very streamlined and easy to accomplish,” Martin said.

Prairieview Christian Camp was also approved for a PPP loan, as it is currently unable to host the youth camps, business retreats, weddings, and other large group gatherings it has become known for.

“From start to finish I felt like (USB) had our best interests at heart, and were trying to help us out. I really appreciate their diligence in getting this taken care of for us,” explained Phil Weece, the camp’s Executive Director.

While the Payroll Protection Program issues funds in the form of loans, the loan is fully forgiven if the business can show the money was used on program approved expenditures. At least 75% of the forgiven amount must have been used for payroll.

“Norm’s Coffee Bar here in Newton employees ten people from our community. In our growth moments we feel like that’s an incredible opportunity for our little coffee shop to contribute to the flourishing of our community. With the pandemic it also felt like a lot of weight and responsibility to be able to continue employing the people that work for Norm’s. Being able to have the PPP loan to take care of our employees through these uncertain times was just a huge burden lifted off of our shoulders,” said Tami Lakey, owner of Norm’s Coffee Bar and customer of Midland Bank – a division of Union State Bank.

Funds for the PPP program were initially capped at $350 billion, a limit which was reached within two weeks of the programs start. An unheard-of pace for commercial lending, which could have left many business owners unclear about the program’s application process and record keeping requirements.

Union State Bank loan officers and support staff worked together to locally process the PPP applications in a way that was understandable for the client, yet highly efficient.

“I was more than pleased with the level of personal service I received from my banker to walk through the steps of getting the loan done quickly and efficiently. They provided answers to my questions all the way from beginning to the funding in my account,” said FM Abrams, owner of Affordable Septic Tank Service.

An additional $310 billion was approved for the Paycheck Protection Program on April 24^th.

“We continue to work with our customers throughout all Union State Bank markets to assist with their financial needs. Our communities rely on healthy and growing businesses. We are proud to be there for those businesses, particularly during these trying times, said Eric Kurtz, President / CEO, Union State Bank.

About Union State Bank

Founded in 1908, Union State Bank has banking locations serving communities of Arkansas City, Newton, Udall, Winfield and Wichita in Kansas and Bartlesville and Edmond in Oklahoma. Union State Bank offers a full range of electronic, deposit and cash management services, as well as business and agriculture, commercial real estate, construction, mortgage, residential and consumer loans.

Bill and Judy Docking, longtime supporters of the University of Kansas' flagship campus in Lawrence, believe in the mission of KU School of Medicine-Wichita just as strongly. Their latest gift is $10,000 to support the development of young faculty in the Department of Family & Community Medicine.

"I appreciate the importance of there being a branch of KU School of Medicine in Wichita, and Salina as well," Bill Docking said. "I briefly served on the board of what is called 4-Wichita (a board overseeing expansion of the Wichita campus) and really got to understand the need then. And so we have followed with interest the progress that the Wichita branch is making and wanted to reach out and help in this way."

The need Docking refers to is for physicians to practice in underserved parts of Kansas, something that KU Wichita is focused on achieving.

Bill Docking is chairman of the board of Union State Bank of Arkansas City, while Judy is a retired nurse who cared for patients in Ark City and Ponca City, Oklahoma. Judy's daughter, Jennifer Worley, is an intensive care nurse at Alliance Healthcare Ponca City hospital.

The Docking family has a long history of service in Kansas. Bill is the son of former Gov. Robert Docking (1967-75) and the grandson of former Gov. George Docking (1957-61). His brother, Tom, served as lieutenant governor.

Bill and Tom were born in Lawrence and grew up in Arkansas City, where their father bought a majority interest in the bank in the mid 1950s. Bill earned a law degree from KU in 1973 and an MBA four years later. After working in Kansas City for seven years, he joined the Arkansas City bank in 1983.

Bill and Judy's first major gift to KU - $1 million - went to establish a professorship in the School of Business, create scholarships for law students and other purposes. They've previously donated $45,000 to KU Wichita, including $30,000 for its expansion in 2010.

Bill Docking said that after another gift, Dr. Rick Kellerman, chair of the Department of Family & Community Medicine, and Brad Rukes, development director for KU Wichita, "came to thank Judy and me for that contribution and to brief us on the progress that the School of Medicine is making in educating doctors who choose to stay in Kansas. I was so impressed with their presentation that I sent them a letter afterward saying Judy and I would like to make a contribution to be used for faculty development."

The money "is basically to provide enhancements for young faculty members," he added. "In one case it was to attend a national conference."

Union State Bank is currently in what Docking calls "growth mode," expanding in recent years with branches in Wichita and Bartlesville. While the bigger cities it serves have numerous physicians, Docking said the need for more physicians in small towns and rural areas is clear.

"It's essential that they have access to adequate health care."

Originally published by KU School of Medicine-Wichita,

1010 North Kansas
Wichita, KS 67214-3199
316-293-2635

Union State Bank (USB) recently completed an internal drive within their Cowley County branches to raise funds for United Way of the Plains. The end result was an increase of five times the overall number of staff pledging in 2020, for over $10,600.00 to be used locally.

“I am appreciative of all of the Union State Bank staff who considered and/or supported the local United Way during our recent drive at the bank. The campaign provided an opportunity for our staff to make a considerable impact within their local communities. Our teams’ efforts and generosity certainly mean a lot to the United Way, the agencies that they serve and the individuals whose lives are affected by this internal campaign,” said Eric Kurtz, Union State Bank Chief Executive Officer.

United Way of the Plains merged with Cowley County United Way in 2019. However, funds raised within Cowley County remain designated solely to Cowley County programs. In 2021, United Way will provide $75,000 among 11 agencies within the county. United Way of the Plains supports programs and initiatives in our local communities focused on education, income and health. Gifts not only go toward funding local Cowley County agencies, but also support the United Way 211 help line, which is a confidential service which connects people in need to a wide range of resources and services across Kansas.

“Through their generosity in this campaign, Union State Bank’s employees have proven their commitment to their local communities and have shown that they understand that working together can help those who are facing hardships and make a real impact in helping people live their best lives possible,” said Jesse Morris, Assistant Vice President for Union State Bank in Winfield, and Cowley County representative on the United Way of the Plains Board of Directors. “I am proud of this commitment, and the employee gifts will make a big difference, each and every day, right here in Cowley County.”

Union State Bank has a long-standing partnership with United Way through many of the organization’s local markets.

“I think it’s an easy way for our employees to help our community in many different aspects. United Way touches so many different agencies, doing the vetting of those agencies so that you know you are contributing to a reputable organization,” said Merresa Akers, AVP Human Resources for Union State Bank.

Founded in 1908, Union State Bank has banking locations within the communities of Arkansas City, Newton, Udall, Winfield and Wichita in Kansas, and in Bartlesville and Edmond, Oklahoma. Union State Bank offers a full range of electronic, deposit and investment management services, as well as business and agriculture, commercial real estate, construction, mortgage, residential and consumer loans. To learn more, visit their website at www.myunionstate.com.

Keep up with the latest news and happenings with Union State Bank!