> Core First Banking on its New Brand

CoreFirst Bank & Trust was founded in Topeka in 1959 as Commerce Bank & Trust. Over the next five decades, Commerce built an impressive list of customer-service “firsts” – all based upon the core philosophy of providing outstanding banking convenience. These firsts, say the company, include offering the region’s first 24-hour ATMs, first grocery-store branches, first extended and weekend hours, and a host of technological innovations. The bank grew to be the largest Topeka-based bank, and in 1995 was named the “Best Bank in Kansas” by Money Magazine.

Over the years, loyal customers moved to nearby communities, and new customers throughout northeast Kansas sought out Commerce’s service. This spurred the bank’s expansion into Emporia, with three branches located there by 2002. However, further geographic expansion was stymied by the fact that the “Commerce” name was already in use by another area financial institution. To continue its growth, an “expansion identity” would be needed, leading to its new CoreFirst Bank & Trust brand.

As CoreFirst Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, Duane Fager explains, “We chose the CoreFirst name to reflect the core values that guide us and the many innovations that we were first to bring to our customers. Although this expansion identity makes our growth easier, we are still the same bank, with the same great people and same known and trusted local ownership. All that is changing is enhanced locational convenience and, in most locations, a different name.”

Now, CoreFirst Bank & Trust is poised to begin a major expansion of new locations in northeast Kansas. Their first branch has opened at 75th and Switzer in Shawnee, Kansas. Construction of a second branch will begin soon at 95th and Ridge Road in Lenexa. Other branch openings will be announced as locations are acquired. In addition, CoreFirst has already opened its first Colorado branch in South Denver.

The Commerce Bank & Trust name will continue to be used in connection with the institution’s Neighborhood Banking Centers at WalMart stores in Topeka and Emporia, although officially they are branches of CoreFirst. Commerce Bank & Trust Home Mortgage Company will be making home loans in Topeka and Emporia. Commerce Bank & Trust Holding Company still owns the bank. The web address, www.cbtks.com stays the same too.

“We are excited about building on almost 50 years of family banking history by offering our customers even more convenience and service,” Fager said. “Helping our customers with all their financial needs and leading the way in innovation and responsiveness remains the core of our mission. This way of doing business – the Commerce/CoreFirst way – sets us apart from our competitors and will guide us well into the future.”