Our History

Established in 1887 by 56 charter members, the Kansas Bankers Association was one of the first five state banking associations formed in the United States. These early banking leaders came together to forge a unified voice for Kansas banks—laying the foundation for a legacy of advocacy, education, and service that continues to this day.

Throughout the association’s 138-year history, thousands of Kansas bankers have given unselfishly their time and talents to maintain the viability of the KBA and the banking industry in Kansas.

Many Kansas bankers who have led the association have also held prestigious state and national offices. Two KBA past chairmen have served as governor of Kansas (W.J. Bailey, 1913–1914, from 1903 to 1905; and Ben S. Paulen, 1924–1925, from 1925 to 1929).

Three have gone on to become chairman of the American Bankers Association (P.W. Goebel, 1909–1910, from 1916–1917; J. Rex Duwe, 1972–1973, from 1976 to 1977; and Earl McVicker, 2000–2001, from 2006 to 2007).And seven past chairmen have served as state bank commissioner (Roy A. Haines, 1939–1940; Emery E. Fager, 1980–1981; Deryl Schuster, 1985-1986; W. Newton Male, 1993–1994; Clancy Norris, 1997–1998; Ed Splichal, 1999-2000; and David Herndon, 2008-2009).

Bankers from more than half of the state’s 105 counties have served as KBA chairmen (previously called presidents until 2003). Several banking families have seen two generations of chairmen, and one family (the Lulls of Smith Center) has provided three generations of leadership (Floyd E. Lull, 1948–1949; Linton C. Lull, 1979–1980; and Murray D. Lull, 1992–1993). The first female chairman of the association was Kathleen Steward in 2004.

The number of individuals working for the Association has increased over the years as more services for banks and bankers, as well as new subsidiaries, have been added. Since 1999, five subsidiary corporations have been created (Kansas Bankers Services Inc., KBA Insurance, Inc., Kansas Bankers Educational Foundation, Kansas Bankers Consulting Services, Inc., and Compliance First Banking Solutions). As a result of the tremendous increase in the number of educational, legal, compliance, employee benefits and government relations services offered, the size of the KBA staff has increased to 45. Nearly 4,500 bankers and Associate Members from across the state attend live KBA-sponsored events each year.