Kansas

RCB Bank in Claremore, Okla., has agreed to buy CornerBank in Winfield, Kan.

Simmons First National in Pine Bluff, Ark., plans to close 10 banks across four states by the end of the second quarter: three branches in Arkansas, four in the Missouri and Kansas region and three in Tennessee.

The $973 million-asset bank will build one of its first stand-alone branches this year in Fairway, Kan., in the metro Kansas City area. Most of Academy's 88 branches are located inside Walmart stores.

Educational Credit Union and Quest Credit Union on Wednesday said they combine in a "merger of equals" under the new name Azura Credit Union.

Equity Bancshares in Wichita, Kan., is planning to raise up to $36 million through an initial public offering.

Blue Valley Ban Corp. in Overland Park, Kan., has named an executive from a large investor in the company to its board.

Argentine Federal Savings in Kansas City, Kan., has named Roger McWherter chief executive.

Blue Valley Ban Corp. in Overland Park, Kan., has obtained regulatory approval to redeem its Troubled Asset Relief program preferred shares.

Equity Bancshares in Wichita, Kan., has agreed to buy First Independence in Independence, Kan. The companies expect the deal to close in the fourth quarter, after approval from regulators and from First Independence's shareholders.

The merger of Missouri Corporate CU and Kansas Corporate CU continues the trend of consolidation among corporate credit unions and leagues.

Farmers Bank & Trust in Great Bend, Kan., has agreed to sell certain assets of its mortgage division to Prospect Mortgage in Sherman Oaks, Calif.

Blue Valley Ban Corp. in Overland Park, Kan., has agreed to acquire a branch in its hometown owned by The Federal Savings Bank in Chicago.

Freedom Bank in Overland Park, Kan., has hired Drew Gibson to be its chief financial officer, the Kansas City Business Journal reported Monday.

Docking Bancshares in Arkansas City, Kan., has agreed to buy RelianzBank in Wichita, Kan.

Cessna Employees Credit Union in Wichita, Kan., has changed its name to Skyward Credit Union.

LENEXA, Kan. — CommunityAmerica CU here returned more than $6 million to members through its Profit Payout program, with eligible members seeing an average return of $90.

Sunflower Financial in Salina, Kan., has canceled its planned purchase of First Western Financial in Denver. The $1.7 billion-asset Sunflower had agreed in September to buy the $688 million-asset First Financial.

WICHITA — Consolidation among state credit union leagues isn't slowing down, as leagues in Kansas and Missouri are exploring the possibility of a merger.

WICHITA, Kan. — With an eye toward growing talent, building leadership skills and helping credit unions, the Kansas Credit Union Association has created CUlead: Leadership Excellence and Development.

WICHITA, Kan. — At Meritrust CU here, the two branches overseen by Sara Carver are something of a study in contrasts.