The Bank of Tescott

Committed to Those We Serve:

Celebrating 138 Years of Family-Owned Banking

Built on Relationships and Always Putting the Customer First

For more than 138 years, The Bank of Tescott has stood as a pillar of community banking in Kansas—an institution deeply rooted in relationships, integrity, and genuine service. With branches in Tescott, Lincoln, Salina, Lindsborg, and most recently, Beloit, the bank continues to champion local values while embracing innovation for the future.

Everything The Bank of Tescott does stems from a single guiding belief: “Committed to those we serve.” For President Larry Fief, that commitment extends far beyond financial transactions. “We’re referring to our customers, our employees, the communities we’re in, and the owners of the bank,” Fief says. “Banks are only as strong as the communities they serve, and we’re deeply invested in making sure those communities thrive.”

Community Service at Heart

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Credit Officer Kathy Schwerdtfager echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the human side of banking. “We’re not here just to build accounts—we want to build relationships,” Schwerdtfager says. “We encourage our employees to volunteer, serve on boards, and take part in nonprofit efforts. Any opportunity to give back helps both our community and our people grow.”

That philosophy is more than talk. Every employee at The Bank of Tescott is tasked annually with a “community focus goal,” a branch-level initiative that encourages staff to engage in volunteer work or support local causes. Whether cleaning up a park, organizing community events, or sponsoring youth programs, the bank’s employees are empowered to strengthen the fabric of their towns.

Fief notes that this approach is generational. “The Berkley family has owned and operated the bank for over 100 years, and we now have families who’ve banked with us for five generations,” he says. “That kind of continuity builds trust—it’s what community banking is all about.”

Extending a Helping Hand Across Kansas

The bank’s involvement reaches into every corner of the communities it serves. Schwerdtfager, who serves on the board of the Greater Salina Community Foundation, describes the deep partnerships the bank maintains with local nonprofits. “The Foundation benefits dozens of local charities,” she says. “And in the smaller towns we serve, our staff also volunteer on the affiliate boards of those community foundations. From Rotary and Lions Club to AmBucs, our employees have always stepped up.”

Perhaps the best-known initiative is the bank’s decades-long partnership with Sunset Elementary School in Salina. “We ‘adopted’ Sunset School close to 30 years ago,” Fief recalls. “We’ve helped at events, supported teachers, and watched kids grow up to send their own children there. It’s amazing to see that cycle come full circle.”

Another example of local impact came through the bank’s response to the childcare crisis affecting rural America. “We launched our own initiative to support area daycare providers and raise awareness about the shortage,” Schwerdtfager says. “It’s a serious issue that affects working families and local economies, and we wanted to be part of the solution.”

Keeping Banking Personal

As banking grows increasingly automated, The Bank of Tescott continues to prioritize personal relationships. “We recognize that most of our ag borrowers don’t have accountant-prepared documents,” Fief explains. “We deal with them year after year, through good and bad times. We know their operations, and they know we’re here for the long haul.”

Schwerdtfager agrees that empathy and trust are essential. “We have to follow all the rules and regulations, of course,” she says. “But it’s not always just about the numbers. If a customer has a bad year, we don’t pull the rug out from under them. We look long-term, because if they succeed, we succeed.”

The bank’s staff reinforces that sense of continuity. Many of its loan officers have been with the bank for 20 to 30 years, creating relationships that span generations. “People trust familiar faces,” Fief notes. “It’s those human connections that make all the difference.”

Building Financial Literacy and Future Leaders

For The Bank of Tescott, investing in education is investing in the future. “We’ve sponsored the Dave Ramsey financial literacy curriculum in local schools and offered Ramsey budgeting classes to customers,” Fief says. “We also host fraud prevention seminars, especially for seniors, and help our younger clients understand financial basics.”

The bank’s outreach extends to the classroom. “I’ve personally gone into high schools to talk about things like balancing a checkbook, understanding credit, and applying for that first loan,” Schwertfeger explains. “It’s about preparing students for real-life financial decisions.”

Beyond classroom education, the bank supports agricultural education through partnerships with local schools. “Our primary ag lender, Steve George, was instrumental in getting the FFA program started at Bennington High School,” Fief says. “Without his involvement, I don’t think that program would have gotten off the ground.”

Standing Strong Through Economic Shifts

Like every financial institution, The Bank of Tescott faced unprecedented challenges during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. From volatile real estate markets to shifting interest rates, the landscape was anything but stable. But rather than pass those pressures on to customers, the bank prioritized compassion over profit.

“When interest rates went up, we made the decision not to raise ours as much as we could have,” Schwerdtfager says. “That meant less income for the bank, but we wanted to ease the burden on our customers. If they can’t make their payments, that hurts everyone.”

Fief adds that the bank’s private ownership allows for long-term thinking. “We’re not focused on the next quarter’s earnings—we’re focused on the next quarter century,” he says. “That’s the beauty of being a family-owned, community-focused bank. We think generationally.”

During the height of the pandemic, that philosophy was put into action. The bank played a major role in processing Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans—not only for its own customers but for those of competing banks that lacked the technology to handle the process. “We didn’t want to see local businesses suffer,” Fief recalls. “We even helped customers from other banks because it was the right thing to do.”

Investing in Growth and Innovation

Growth at The Bank of Tescott is both strategic and thoughtful. In June 2025, the bank completed its acquisition of First Bank of Beloit, expanding its footprint while maintaining its community-driven values. “They were a perfect cultural fit,” Fief says. “The right people, the right philosophy, and an opportunity to strengthen both institutions.”

On the technology front, the bank continues to invest in digital transformation. “Technology is one of our biggest expenses after payroll,” Fief admits. “We’ve upgraded our online and mobile platforms to improve accessibility and convenience. We may not be on the cutting edge, but we’re moving closer to it every day.”

Schwerdtfager adds that modernization includes investing in people as much as systems. “We’ve developed a strong IT team and are even exploring AI tools to support staff,” she says. “We want technology to enhance service, not replace the personal touch.”

Building Wealth and Confidence

Employee development is another cornerstone of the bank’s philosophy. “We offer an internal Leadership Academy where team members can apply, complete a year-long series of courses, and develop their professional skills,” Fief explains. “It’s all about preparing the next generation of leaders from within.”

That investment extends to ownership. About 7.5% of The Bank of Tescott is owned by its employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)—a structure that aligns the success of the bank with that of its people.

“The ESOP was established about 17 or 18 years ago when the Berkley family decided they wanted employees to share in the bank’s success,” Fief says. “It’s been one of the best decisions we’ve made.”

Schwerdtfager acknowledges that younger employees don’t always appreciate the long-term benefit at first. “Early in their careers, they’re thinking about paying rent and student loans, not retirement,” she says. “But when they get their annual ESOP statement and see the growth, it starts to click.”

The impact can be life-changing. “We had an employee retire recently who thought their ESOP was tied to their 401(k),”Schwerdtfager recalls. “When they received a six-figure payout, it was a complete surprise. It’s a powerful motivator once people see what it can become.”

Looking Ahead

The following 18 to 24 months will be a period of growth and fine-tuning for The Bank of Tescott. “Our top priority is ensuring the Beloit branch and community receive the same level of service and education that defines us,” Fief says. “We’re also planning to expand our staffing and bring on a new Chief Credit Officer to support our growth.”

Schwerdtfager adds that the bank’s strong capital position will allow for continued expansion. “Whether it’s organic growth in our existing markets or new opportunities, we’re ready,” she says. “Our foundation is strong, and our culture supports that forward momentum.”

A Legacy of Integrity and Impact

When asked what drives him most, Fief doesn’t hesitate. “It’s the people—the ownership, the employees, and the customers,” he says. “The Berkley family has always done things the right way, and I want to make sure that continues long after I’m gone.”

For Schwerdtfager, the motivation comes from seeing the tangible difference the bank makes. “We take pride in helping customers through challenges, celebrating their successes, and watching our employees grow,” she says. “It’s not just about banking—it’s about being part of something that matters.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: The Bank of Tescott

What: A family-owned, locally operated community bank based in Kansas

Where: Headquartered in Tescott, Kansas, with several branches serving central Kansas

Website: www.bankoftescott.com