Centera Bank

Invested in Western Kansas’ Past, Present, and Future

Honoring community ties and rooted in a local agricultural economy

In Western Kansas, where agriculture fuels the economy and community ties run deep, Centera Bank has become a steady hand guiding growth and stability. For nearly 39 years, Mike Cearley, CEO of Centera Bank, has witnessed firsthand how a community bank can shape the future of the towns it serves. “We’re  an engine for economic development and prosperity in each of our communities,” Cearley says. “We provide capital mainly for our farm customers and all of the ancillary businesses that feed off of that ag industry.”

Why relationships outweigh products

Centera Bank’s model is built around relationships rather than transactions. While the products it offers — such as checking accounts, loans, and small business financing — may look familiar, the approach is distinctly personal.

Cearley explains that the bank’s underwriting and credit evaluation process is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing Centera Bank to work with clients whose financial circumstances may have temporarily deteriorated. Instead of cutting ties, the bank focuses on restructuring loans and finding ways to turn things around.

This commitment to standing by clients is at the heart of Centera Bank’s philosophy. “Our services are a bit of a commodity,” Cearley admits. “They can get the same loan from another bank, but what sets us apart is working with them and sticking with them when things don’t go as planned and providing proper structuring to make their business viable.”

By seeing banking as a partnership rather than a transaction, Centera Bank positions itself as a stabilizing force in the lives of its customers, many of whom have worked with the bank for multiple generations.

Financing the future of farming

Agriculture is not only  the backbone of Western Kansas, but it is also one of the most dynamic industries, constantly evolving with new tools, technology, and management practices. Modern farms today resemble high-tech enterprises as much as traditional family operations, with producers using real-time data to make decisions about planting, irrigation, and harvesting.

“Yes, they are becoming more reliant on technology,” says Cearley. “We have a large irrigation base around here and most farmers have center pivot sprinklers, and they all monitor those things electronically. All their tractors use GPS.” This reliance on precision farming techniques allows operators to maximize yields, conserve resources, and improve efficiency, but it also means the stakes are higher when technology fails.

Cearley explains that a malfunctioning sprinkler or a broken-down GPS-guided tractor can translate into immediate financial losses, especially during critical growing periods. Every hour of downtime can affect output and, ultimately, a farmer’s ability to turn a profit. For that reason, Centera Bank pays close attention to how these technological investments fit into its clients’ overall financial picture.

While the bank has not yet integrated its internal systems with farm technology, it works to ensure that financing decisions reflect the realities of modern agriculture. By structuring loans that support the purchase, maintenance, and timely repair of essential equipment, Centera Bank helps keep operations running smoothly. This proactive approach provides farmers with the liquidity they need to stay profitable, even in a rapidly advancing and competitive market.

Fostering financial literacy

Centera Bank thrives where its communities thrive. That’s why it sponsors local events, supports schools, and invests in programs that make life better for residents.

“We’ve done a food drive  on an annual basis,” Cearley shares. “We are active in and sponsors of our county fairs, livestock sales, 4-H, that type of thing, and very active in our schools.”

This involvement includes buying out local high school football and basketball games so that everyone in the community can attend for free. In small towns where school sports are a central gathering point, this gesture fosters a sense of unity and pride.

Financial literacy is another area where Centera Bank makes an impact. Rather than use a one-size-fits-all curriculum, the bank tailors its presentations to the needs of individual classrooms. “We rely on the school or the teacher to say, ‘This is what I would like you to talk about,’ and we always have somebody willing and able to do that,” Cearley explains.

For younger children, the bank offers a savings account program that introduces them to the concept of interest, compounding, and the value of setting money aside, laying the foundation for lifelong financial habits.

Resilience in the face of disaster

Perhaps one of the clearest examples of Centera Bank’s commitment to its communities came in 2007, when a tornado destroyed Greensburg, Kansas. The devastation was total, wiping out homes, businesses, and infrastructure. For some institutions, the easiest choice would have been to close operations and relocate, but Centera Bank made a different decision.

“We rebuilt our bank building and participated in the green energy initiative that the town went through,” Cearley recalls. The bank’s reinvestment was significant, especially given that Greensburg’s population was cut nearly in half after the tornado.

For Centera Bank, rebuilding meant standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the community and betting on its future. Today, that investment is paying off as the community has gradually rebuilt and stabilized. “It took a long time, but we’re beginning to see the fruits of that investment,” Cearley says.

Flexible solutions for small businesses and ag credit

Centera Bank’s lending philosophy is focused on creating structures that support long-term viability. Rather than offering cookie-cutter solutions, the bank works closely with each customer to design a loan that fits their specific needs.

“We believe strongly in proper loan structure here for small business, ag credit, anything, real estate loans, any of our products,” says Cearley. “We take the individual credit application or relationship and work with the customer to establish a proper loan structure that makes their business viable long-term .”

This flexibility allows the bank to adapt to the unique circumstances of each client, ensuring that they are not just funded but supported with a plan that aligns with their goals.

Navigating economic uncertainty

The past few years have brought significant economic challenges, from the pandemic’s financial fallout to fluctuating interest rates. For agricultural producers, these pressures are compounded by the cyclical nature of the industry itself.

“You have to make good decisions based on the circumstances that you’re in,” Cearley says. “We’re in a situation now economically where a lot of our production from an ag standpoint is not really profitable, but we’re coming through a period of time where it was extremely profitable.”

Cearley encourages clients to plan for these cycles, maintaining liquidity during prosperous times so they are prepared for downturns. This approach has helped many Centera Bank customers weather recent challenges and emerge in a stronger position for the future.

A career rooted in community

Cearley’s connection to Centera Bank runs deep. He grew up in the same town where the bank is headquartered and originally planned to follow in his father’s footsteps as a schoolteacher — until a pivotal conversation changed his mind.

“My dad looked across the dinner table at me one night when I was a junior in high school and said, ‘You better think about something else,’” Cearley recalls. That advice led him to pursue finance in college, where he discovered a passion for numbers and problem-solving.

He joined Centera Bank as an intern while still in school and was hired full-time after graduation. Nearly 39 years later, he has never worked anywhere else. “It’s been a fantastic company to work for,” he says. “I’ve never really had an interest in doing anything else because of the way they have treated me.”

Balancing technology and tradition

As Centera Bank plans for the next 18 months and beyond, Cearley is focused on maintaining strong credit quality and exploring new ways to improve efficiency. Artificial intelligence is one area the bank is considering, not as a replacement for employees, but as a tool to ease administrative tasks.

“People aren’t beating down our door to move to western Kansas,” he notes. “So we’ve got to explore ways to be able to do all of our processes with a smaller number of people through attrition.”

By thoughtfully adopting technology, Centera Bank aims to keep its operations lean while continuing to deliver the personal, relationship-driven service that has defined it for generations.

Banking on people

Centera Bank’s story is one of perseverance, loyalty, and commitment. From rebuilding after a natural disaster to investing in youth financial literacy, the bank is woven into the fabric of the communities it serves.

“Everybody has a story to their life,” Cearley reflects. “Everybody’s an actor in their movie, their life movie, and it’s just fascinating to be part of so many of those stories.”

At A Glance

Who: Centera Bank

What: An independent, community-focused bank headquartered in Kansas

Where: Kansas

Website: https://centerabank.com/