Citizens Bank of Kansas Board Director Mike Felts of Winfield, Kansas, has been named an Amazing Outside Director for 2023 by regional banking magazine BankBeat.

The Amazing Outside Directors Award recognizes people who invest in the success of their local community banks by contributing skills, insights and analysis to bank governance, all while helping their institutions develop new relationships. Read the BankBeat story here:  Mike Felts Amazing Outside Director

“Mike Felts is a successful businessman in his own right, most recently owning and operating various convenience stores in Kansas.  Mike continually shares his knowledge of the business community,” said Kyle Russell, President of Citizens Bank of Kansas. “In addition to his duties on the Board of Directors, Mike is an active member of our Directors Loan Committee, which reviews the highest dollar loans in the bank.  He provides thoughtful comments and questions which are extremely valuable to our lending team.”

“We are fortunate to have Mike on our Board,” said Jane Deterding, Chairman of Citizens Bank of Kansas.  “He has served as a director since 1994 and is always a champion for CBK.”

Celebrating its 100-year anniversary of family ownership in 2022, Citizens Bank of Kansas takes pride in being the family-owned neighborhood bank for its customers for five generations. CBK has banking facilities throughout south central Kansas and has a strong tradition of community service. Learn more at www.CitizensBankofKansas.com. 

BankBeat is a regional trade publication which has offered in-depth articles that analyze and inform the most important trends, topics and issues in community banking since 1894. Each year they honor a handful of community bank directors for their role in enhancing community banking. Learn more at www.bankbeat.biz

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The Board of Directors of Citizens Bank of Kansas is pleased to announce the following officer promotions:

Sid Graber promoted to Chief Credit Officer.  A native of Pretty Prairie, Sid Graber has been with Citizens Bank of Kansas since 1998 when CBK acquired the State Bank of Pretty Prairie. His banking expertise includes all varieties of ag lending, in addition to commercial, consumer and real estate.  Sid is a graduate of Kansas State University and has served as President of the Kansas Bankers Association-Kansas Ag Bankers Division.  Sid Graber’s community efforts include the Pretty Prairie Community Association and the Pretty Prairie Rodeo, among others.  He is also involved with his church and serves on the Board of Deacons and the Worship Team. Sid and his wife Gayle live on the family farm near Pretty Prairie.

Brock Stuhlsatz named Community Bank President for the Derby market.  Brock Stuhlsatz has 15 years of banking experience, concentrating on commercial loans, residential construction, and real estate development.  He is a graduate of Derby High School, Wichita State University, and the Graduate Schools of Banking-Colorado. Brock is Chairman-elect of the Derby Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Derby Noon Lions Club, and active with the Derby Historical Society. Brock and his wife Carly are busy parents of three active children: Chloe (14), Braxton (10) and Brooklyn (7).

Mary Armstrong promoted to HR Generalist. A Derby native, Armstrong has 17 years of banking experience, including six years in human resources.  She received her business degree from Emporia State University.  Mary and her husband Cade (a teacher and coach at Wichita West High School) have two daughters, Adalyn (12) and Taylor (9).

Jared Graber elected as a new loan officer with CBK, after serving as a Loan Specialist since 2020.  Born and raised in Pretty Prairie, Jared graduated from Pretty Prairie High School, Hutchinson Community College, and Fort Hays State University with a degree in Ag Business.  Jared lives near Pretty Prairie with his wife Hannah, where he helps with the family farm operation.  Jared is the son of Sid Graber.

Celebrating its 100-year anniversary of family ownership in 2022, Citizens Bank of Kansas takes pride in being the family-owned neighborhood bank for its customers for five generations. CBK has banking facilities throughout south central Kansas and has a strong tradition of community service. Learn more at www.CitizensBankofKansas.com. 

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Citizens Bank of Kansas is celebrating 100 years of family ownership in 2022, culminating in an Open House at all ten branch locations on Friday, December 2, 2022, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.  The public is invited. 

The family story starts in 1922 in Cowley County, Kansas.   “My great-grandfather Herbert H. “Bert” Smith and his cousin C.V. Foust purchased The Citizens State Bank in Atlanta, Kansas – the predecessor to Citizens Bank of Kansas,” said Jane Deterding, Chairman of the Board of CBK and fourth-generation banker.  “Ray J. Deterding was Assistant Cashier at the bank and continued in that position under Bert Smith. In 1925, Ray Deterding married Inez Smith – the banker’s daughter – and became president of the bank shortly thereafter.”

The third generation joined the Bank In 1962.  After working as a bank examiner for the FDIC for five years, Max S. Deterding, son of Ray and Inez Deterding, purchased the controlling stock of another rural Kansas bank, Turon State Bank. After Ray’s death in 1963, Max purchased the Citizens State Bank stock of his grandfather, Bert Smith, to maintain controlling shares for the family.  Max Deterding was the visionary for the future of the Bank, acquiring several community banks in south central Kansas.  He was active in the Bank for over 40 years.

Continuing the tradition of family ownership and management into the fourth generation, Mark Keeny – husband of Max and Shirley Deterding’s daughter, Amy – joined the Bank in 1993 after four years as a bank examiner with the Kansas State Banking Department. Mark served as Cashier and Executive Vice President; he became President/CEO in December 2002, and currently serves as CEO.  Jane Deterding, daughter of Max and Shirley Deterding, joined the bank in 2001 as General Counsel, Executive Vice President/Chief Strategic Marketing Officer. She is also Chairman of the Board of Directors for CBK.   Sarah Keeny Moon, daughter of Mark and Amy Keeny and fifth generation banker, joined CBK in 2019 as an Accounting Analyst.

Jane Deterding issued an invitation to help the Bank celebrate: “CBK is excited to share this family milestone with our friends and customers with an open house at all ten branch locations on December 2, 2022, 2:00 to 4:00 pm.”

Citizens Bank of Kansas takes pride in being the family-owned neighborhood bank for its customers for four generations. CBK has banking facilities throughout south central Kansas and has a strong tradition of community service. Learn more at www.CitizensBankofKansas.com. 

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The Kansas Bankers Association recently honored Citizens Bank of Kansas with the Century of Family Banking Award which recognizes Kansas banks with continuous family leadership for one-hundred years.

In 2002, The Kansas Bankers Association (KBA) created the Century of Family Banking Award. This award is given to banks with members of the same family holding positions of leadership in their bank for a century or more. Since inception, only twelve banks have been given this prestigious award. “One of the great strengths of the banking industry in Kansas is the fact that many of our banks have remained under the leadership of the same family for many, many years. It is my pleasure to congratulate and welcome Citizens Bank of Kansas to the very distinguished group of Century of Family Banking Award recipients,” states Doug Wareham, KBA President & CEO.

“Our banking family started in 1922 with my great-grandfather, Herbert H. “Bert” Smith,” according to Jane Deterding, Chairman of Citizens Bank of Kansas and fourth generation family banker. “My grandfather, Ray J. Deterding, and father, Max S. Deterding, followed Bert in the banking business.”  The family’s fourth generation is at the helm of CBK now (Mark Keeny & Jane Deterding) and the fifth generation is also involved in the bank (Sarah Keeny Moon). “Our sixth generation (Emma Mae Moon) will grow up learning this family legacy.”

“Throughout the generations, our focus has always been on the people associated with our bank – customers, staff, and our communities,” Deterding said.  “My dad said it best:  Banking isn’t a Money business, it’s a People business.”

Celebrating its 100-year anniversary of family ownership in 2022, Citizens Bank of Kansas takes pride in being the family-owned neighborhood bank for its customers for four generations. CBK has banking facilities throughout south central Kansas and has a strong tradition of community service. Learn more at www.CitizensBankofKansas.com. 

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Sarah Keeny Moon of Citizens Bank of Kansas has been selected to participate in the Kansas Bankers Association’s 2023 Bank Leaders of Kansas (BLOK) program. Now in its seventeenth year, the BLOK program is a statewide leadership development program designed to build participants’ leadership skills and knowledge of the banking industry.

As one of twenty-one members of the 2023 BLOK class, Moon will begin a series of four training sessions in February 2023. The sessions will educate participants about the KBA, which represents the state’s banks in the areas of government relations, law, education, and insurance. The class will also gain insight into the state and federal legislative process, develop meaningful relationships with state lawmakers, and visit Washington, D.C. to meet congressional leaders. Additional sessions will focus on challenges and opportunities facing bankers and entrepreneurs in the state’s rural and urban areas, and individual leadership skills. 

“We are pleased that Sarah has been selected for the 2023 BLOK program,” said Kyle Russell, President of Citizens Bank of Kansas.  “She will graduate from the BLOK program equipped with the skills and knowledge to take on leadership roles within the bank.“

Sarah Keeny Moon is a fifth-generation banker.  She received her Accounting Degree from the University of Kansas and is an Accounting Analyst at Citizens Bank of Kansas in Derby, Kansas.  Moon is involved with community projects with the Junior League of Wichita.  She lives in Wichita with her husband and daughter.

The Kansas Bankers Association, a statewide association, founded by bankers in 1887, represents and serves its 211 member banks out of its office in Topeka.

Celebrating its 100-year anniversary of family ownership in 2022, Citizens Bank of Kansas takes pride in being the family-owned neighborhood bank for its customers for four generations. CBK has banking facilities throughout south central Kansas and has a strong tradition of community service. Learn more at www.CitizensBankofKansas.com. 

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             There’s something new at the El Dorado Branch of Citizens Bank of Kansas!  With the capable assistance of Steve Joyce and several eager Dexter High School students, CBK has a barn quilt above the entrance!

             Brightly colored barn quilts are appearing across the scenic countryside in Kansas.  The “Barn Quilt Movement” started in Ohio with a daughter honoring her mother with a painted quilt on her barn in Adams County, Ohio. This simple idea has spread to over 48 states and to Canada with over 7,000 quilts participating in the organized American Quilt Trail, which includes the Kansas Flint Hills Quilt Trail.  This trail was formed to celebrate agricultural heritage, promote rural pride, and attract visitors to the area.

             “Many long-time customers may remember a big clock above the entry to CBK in El Dorado,” said Shannon Beal, Community Bank President of CBK El Dorado.  “Unfortunately, that clock had problems and displayed the wrong time more often than not!  We researched the idea of adding the colorful barn quilt and the ownership of CBK was on board. The architecture of the building really lends itself to the barn quilt design.   We really love the fresh look,” Beal said.

            In addition to his teaching responsibilities at Dexter High School (entering his 31^st year), Steve Joyce is a barn quilt enthusiast, and his creations can be seen in various locations in Cowley County, Kansas. Joyce’s creations are also on display at the Little House on the Prairie near Independence, Kansas, and Bill Kurtis Ranch outside of Sedan, Kansas.   Under the guidance of Steve Joyce, the Dexter High School Community Service students have become involved with the process.  Some of their creations are listed at Cowley County Barn Quilts

Celebrating its 100-year anniversary of family ownership in 2022, Citizens Bank of Kansas takes pride in being the family-owned neighborhood bank for its customers for four generations. CBK has banking facilities throughout south central Kansas and has a strong tradition of community service. Learn more at www.citizensbankofkansas.com. 

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Courtesy photos: (1) CBK El Dorado new barn quilt  (2) The CBK barn quilt artists deliver barn quilt to CBK.  L-R DHS students Brieley Minnie, Luis Grandy, and teacher/artist Steve Joyce.

            Citizens Bank of Kansas is pleased to announce that Jessica Fuller has joined the CBK Team to lead the branch at Derby High School.  Many people will recognize Fuller’s name as Business Department Chair and teacher at DHS – she will continue those responsibilities in addition to Education Manager at CBK-DHS.

           “As Education Manager at Derby High School, Jessica is actively involved in the day-to-day operation of the student-staffed CBK-DHS branch.  She is embracing the real-world application of concepts she teaches in the classroom,” said Stacy Gear, Chief Development Officer for Citizens Bank of Kansas.  “Jessica is excited about the opportunity to assume this role and lead the student interns at CBK-DHS.”

            The bank branch at DHS, located in the commons area, was established in 2010 by then Verus Bank.  The concept allows student to have hands-on experience, applying business concepts learned in the classroom. Each year CBK selects interns from a healthy list of applicants.  Each intern also receives class credit for working in the branch, which is open to students, faculty, and staff, before school hours and during lunch blocks Monday through Friday when school is in session. The relationship with DHS includes a financial literacy component for the students’ junior year. DHS also receives revenue from the Panther Debit Card program, which is donated to the school by CBK.

            Jessica Fuller is a graduate of Bishop Carroll High School in Wichita and Kansas State University; she received a master’s degree in Administration and School Leadership from Baker University.  Jessica and her husband Dave, a Physical Therapist at Derby Family Med, live in Derby with their three children Kaden, Addison, and Carson.

Celebrating its 100-year anniversary of family ownership in 2022, Citizens Bank of Kansas takes pride in being the family-owned neighborhood bank for its customers for four generations. CBK has banking facilities throughout south central Kansas and has a strong tradition of community service. Learn more at www.citizensbankofkansas.com. 

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DHS student interns 2022-2023, L-R: Londyn Lindsey, Kylar Minton, Addyson Brown, Thu Le with Jessica Fuller, Education Manager