Broken Arrow, Okla., Getting a New Thrift

financial institution, but that will change Dec. 4, when Federal BankCentre opens its doors. The opening of the FDIC-insured federal savings bank will culminate a four-year struggle by HealthCare Bancorp to own a thrift. The Tahlequah, Okla.-based holding company failed in several attempts to purchase existing thrifts before turning to a startup. HealthCare Bancorp is a spinoff of Dent-A-Med Inc., a national credit- card company begun by a group of Oklahoma and Arkansas health-care professionals. "We feel Broken Arrow is an excellent opportunity for us," said Steven M. Schooley, president and chief executive of Federal BankCentre. "Broken Arrow is the fifth-largest city in the state and the second-fastest growing. There's a lot of opportunity there." Added J.R. Randy Crews, senior vice president: "We felt there's a need in the Broken Arrow-Tulsa area for a smaller institution. We plan on concentrating on mortgage lending and consumer lending." Mr. Schooley said HealthCare Bancorp will move from Tahlequah to Broken Arrow once the thrift is up and running.

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