Championing Communities & Banking
Leading the economic path forward through advocacy, education, and integrity
Since its founding in 1887, the Kansas Bankers Association (KBA) has remained a powerful voice for the state’s banking industry. At its core, KBA is dedicated to advocacy, education, and compliance—supporting the state’s 196 banks and the communities they serve.
Led by President and CEO Doug Wareham and supported by a deeply engaged team, including Executive Vice President of Government Relations Alex Orel and Senior Vice President Kelly VanZwoll, the organization ensures Kansas banks are equipped to thrive in a competitive and ever-evolving financial landscape.
“Our mission hasn’t changed in over a century,” says Wareham. “We are the lead advocacy organization for Kansas banks and bankers, and we provide education, legal and compliance support, and insurance services that meet the full range of our members’ needs.”
Advocacy Rooted in Community
One of KBA’s most notable accomplishments is its leadership on House Bill 2152—a piece of legislation designed to reinvest taxpayer dollars back into Kansas communities.
Spearheaded by the KBA and supported by a coalition of public sector partners including the Kansas Association of Counties, the League of Kansas Municipalities, and the Kansas Association of School Boards, the legislation aims to redirect more than $1 billion currently invested out-of-state back into local institutions.
“It’s about putting Kansas money to work in Kansas,” explains Orel. “This bill not only supports our banks but also stimulates local economic development and could generate an estimated $130 million in new tax revenue.”
The implementation of HB 2152 begins in stages through 2025, and KBA is leading joint training sessions with public agencies and local governments to ensure smooth execution. “Our bankers often wear multiple hats,” Orel adds. “They serve on city councils, school boards, and hospital boards. They care about more than their banks—they care about their communities.”
Infrastructure, Housing, and a Sustainable Future
As Kansas navigates the realities of rural population shifts and economic stress in its core sectors, infrastructure and housing have become top-of-mind. KBA sees its advocacy efforts as integral to solving these challenges.
“Infrastructure isn’t just roads and bridges—it’s about building communities where people want to live,” says VanZwoll. “By keeping money local, banks can lend for local development projects, and those dollars cycle right back into the community.”
KBA also played a leading role in the passage of the largest housing investment in Kansas history—over $200 million directed toward low- and moderate-income housing. This includes grants, tax credits, and support for vertical infrastructure in rural towns.
“Housing is a foundational need,” says Orel. “If families can’t find affordable homes, they can’t plant roots, build equity, or contribute meaningfully to their community. That’s bad for everyone—including banks.”
The Health of the Agricultural Sector
Kansas is an agricultural powerhouse, and its economy—and banking sector—are deeply tied to the health of that industry. But with years of low commodity prices and skyrocketing input costs, many farmers and agribusinesses are under pressure.
“Our banks reflect the economic health of their communities,” says Wareham. “When our farmers are hurting, so are our banks.”
To support rural economies, KBA has championed the ACRE Act—Access to Credit for Rural Economies. Originally introduced by Kansas Senator Jerry Moran, the ACRE Act aims to lower the cost of ag real estate loans, which enables banks to help their farm and ranch customers weather economic down cycles.
“We were proud to see Kansas take the lead on federal legislation that was signed into
law by President Trump, as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill, on July 4th,” Wareham
notes. “We also spearheaded the adoption of a similar proposal on the state level in Kansas.”
Workforce Development: Building the Next Generation of Bankers
KBA is also investing in the future workforce. With labor shortages impacting all sectors, including banking, the association is focused on recruiting, training, and retaining talent within the state.
“We need to make banking a viable, attractive career path,” Wareham says. “And we can’t do that without sustainable communities that offer education, healthcare, and financial services.”
Through conferences, custom training, and specialized programs, KBA reaches more than 5,000 bank employees each year—from high school interns to CEOs. Topics range from ag lending and commercial services to regulatory compliance and cybersecurity.
“We offer everything from live workshops to online seminars,” Wareham explains. “We’ll even custom-build training for a specific bank if needed. It’s all about meeting members where they are.”
Combating Fraud Through Community Education
One of KBA’s newest and most impactful initiatives addresses the rise of fraud and scams affecting both banks and consumers. With fraud losses reaching $9 billion in the U.S. in 2023, KBA is taking a proactive stance.
“Fraudsters are getting more sophisticated every day,” says VanZwoll. “It’s not enough to train bankers—we have to educate the public.”
In partnership with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, local law enforcement, and even the Kansas Bar Association, KBA is hosting in-person fraud awareness seminars and producing webinars for bank customers. They also launched public awareness campaigns including “Banks Never Ask That” and “Family Code Word” to help Kansans spot red flags.
“Fraud is a community issue,” adds Orel. “We’re all safer when people are informed.”
Legal and Compliance: Protecting Banks and Their Customers
KBA maintains one of the most comprehensive legal and compliance teams in the country. With a staff of more than 20 experts, the association supports banks on everything from regulatory filings to recovering stolen funds.
“When banks call, we’re ready,” VanZwoll says. “Sometimes that means drafting legal documents. Other times, it means working directly with law enforcement to help a customer recover stolen money.”
Thanks to KBA’s intervention, some members have recently been able to stop wire transfers mid-process and retrieve significant sums—preventing devastating losses.
“Those are the calls we love,” says Wareham. “But we’d much rather prevent the fraud in the first place.”
Cybersecurity: Keeping Up with the Threat Landscape
With the increasing digitization of banking services, cybersecurity has become a priority across the industry. Wareham notes that 15 years ago, banks didn’t even have cybersecurity line items in their budgets—now, it’s one of their largest expenses.
“Some of our banks are targeted by hackers hundreds of times a day,” he says. “Whether it’s software, hardware, or hiring IT talent, the cost is substantial.”
KBA now hosts an annual technology conference and helps members implement robust cybersecurity policies. But Wareham believes the best defense is still personal: “In small towns, customers know their bankers. That relationship is priceless. If someone sees a suspicious transaction, they can walk in and talk to someone they trust.”
Looking Ahead: Sustainability and Advocacy
As KBA looks to the future, its focus remains clear: sustaining community banking and supporting the institutions that anchor local economies. Wareham is especially optimistic about regulatory improvements under newly appointed Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision, Miki Bowman—a native Kansan and former state bank commissioner.
“We’re hopeful this signals a shift toward smarter regulation,” he says. “We’re not anti-regulation, but over-regulation drives consolidation, and that’s not good for Kansas.”
Wareham points to the decline in the number of Kansas banks—from 370 two decades ago to 195 today—as a sign of concern. “If we lose too many small banks, we lose local leadership. Bankers serve on school boards, city councils, and economic development committees. They are community builders.”
For KBA, sustainability isn’t just about profit margins—it’s about people, partnerships, and place.
The Kansas Bankers Association is more than an advocate for financial institutions—it’s a champion of community. Through legislative leadership, educational outreach, fraud prevention, and a deep commitment to its members, KBA ensures that Kansas banks are not only secure, but essential engines of local growth and prosperity.
As Wareham puts it, “You can’t have a sustainable community without a sustainable bank. And we’re here to make sure both survive—and thrive—for generations to come.”
AT A GLANCE:
Name: Kansas Bankers Association
What: The association that provides the voice for the state’s banking industry
Where: Topeka, Kansas
Website: https://ksbankers.com/
