First published July 2026
Every day, Union State Bank employees work to make a positive difference for customers and the communities they call home. Whether it's delivering exceptional service, volunteering in local organizations, developing new technology, or building lasting relationships, those efforts are what define the Union State Bank experience.
On July 22, employees from across Kansas and Oklahoma gathered for the bank's Quarterly Celebration, an evening dedicated to recognizing the teams and individuals whose commitment to excellence continues to strengthen the organization and better serve customers. While the event celebrated achievements from the first half of 2026, it also reflected the values that have guided Union State Bank for more than a century.
"Our success is built on the people who go above and beyond every day," said Union State Bank President and CEO Eric Kurtz during the celebration. Throughout the evening, employees were recognized for accomplishments that directly contribute to stronger customer relationships, innovative banking solutions, and meaningful community involvement.
Several branch and market teams were honored for helping the bank continue to grow while delivering exceptional customer service. Bartlesville earned recognition for opening the largest number of new checking accounts during the first half of the year, while the Newton market welcomed the most new customers. The Edmond branch was recognized for achieving outstanding customer service scores, reflecting the care and professionalism customers experience with every interaction. In addition, the Online Banking Composable Dashboard Project Team was honored for developing enhancements that improve the digital banking experience for customers.
The evening also celebrated Union State Bank's longstanding commitment to giving back. The Winfield and Udall markets received the Hometown Hero Award after contributing an impressive 129 volunteer hours in their communities during 2025. Community service has always been an important part of Union State Bank's culture, and employees continue to demonstrate that banking is about much more than financial services, it's about investing in the people and organizations that help local communities thrive.
Individual employees were also recognized for their outstanding performance and dedication. Awards honored excellence in customer service, relationship building, professional development, teamwork, and leadership. Among those recognized were Kim Robinson for exceptional customer service and relationship growth, Emma Enderud and LeRoy Heizelman for their commitment to continuous learning, Jihae Hallyoon as the bank's Rising Star, the Information Technology team for their behind-the-scenes support, and Macey Butler and Addison Williams for fostering a positive workplace culture. Each recipient exemplifies the professionalism and commitment that customers experience every day when they choose Union State Bank.
As the evening concluded, Kurtz thanked employees for their continued dedication to serving customers and supporting one another. "Whether through exceptional service, outstanding performance, innovation, leadership, or simply making those around them better, each of these recipients represents the very best of our organization," he said.
While the awards recognized individual accomplishments, the greatest achievement celebrated throughout the evening was the collective commitment of Union State Bank employees to helping customers succeed. That dedication continues to shape every interaction, strengthen every community the bank serves, and reinforce the promise of providing banking that is truly Built for Better Banking.