150 years of community, growth & trust.
Since 1876, Bank of the Flint Hills has built a legacy of reliability, integrity, and deep community roots. Originally chartered as First National Bank—the same year the telephone was invented—we’ve been serving Kansans for generations.
What began as a single-location bank has grown into a locally owned, independently operated institution that combines hometown service with modern banking technology. Our team lives here, works here, and raises their families in the same communities we serve.
A Timeline of Milestones
Evolving with our Communities
We’ve always believed in growing with our communities—not just in size, but in innovation and service. From our early years as a single-location bank to our present-day footprint across Alma, Manhattan, Rossville, St. Marys, Wamego, and White City, we’ve never lost sight of what matters most: People.
We offer a full range of services—from checking and savings accounts to mobile banking and digital tools—all backed by a team that knows your name and cares about your success.
Honoring our History. Celebrating our People.
Our Roots: First National Bank of Wamego
Bank of the Flint Hills began its story as the First National Bank of Wamego, founded in 1876. From the very beginning, the bank was built to serve local families, farmers, and businesses—providing a trusted financial foundation for a growing community.
That vision started with one individual.
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Our Founder: J.C. Rogers
In 1876, J.C. Rogers recognized a need in the growing town of Wamego - there was no local bank. With vision and determination, he opened a private bank on Lincoln Avenue, laying the foundation of what would become one of the oldest locally owned banks in Kansas.
Just ten years later, the bank became a national bank under Charter #3434. What started as a single location serving local families and businesses quickly became a cornerstone of the community—built on trust, personal relationships, and sound financial guidance.
Those same principles continue to guide us today.
Where We've Been
Our history is more than dates - it's documented progress. From early handwritten ledgers to asset balance sheets from the mid 1900s, these records tell a story of a bank that grew carefully and responsibly through world wars, economic shifts, and decades of change.
These documents reflect:
- A commitment to financial stability
- Responsible growth through every generation
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A bank built to last
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While our roots run deep, our focus is firmly on the future.
In 2024, Bank of the Flint Hills was honored with the Impact Award from the Wamego Chamber of Commerce—recognizing the bank’s continued commitment to community involvement, leadership, and making a meaningful difference in the place we call home.
We are also proud to celebrate Charlie White, who served as President of the bank from 1983 to 2003, and was recognized by the Kansas Bankers Association for 50 years of service in banking. This milestone reflects a lifetime of dedication to customers, colleagues, and community banking—values that continue to guide us today.
Moments like these remind us that our success isn't just measured in years - it's measured in people.
150 Years Strong - and Still Growing
From a single desk in 1876 to a modern community bank serving multiple locations across the Flint Hills, our story is one of steady progress, local leadership, and neighbors helping neighbors.
As we celebrate 150 years of banking local, we honor the past while looking ahead to the future. From our earliest days as First National Bank of Wamego to today’s Bank of the Flint Hills, our story has always been about people—our customers, our employees, and the communities we proudly serve.
We remain committed to the same promise J.C. Rogers made all those years ago: to serve our communities with integrity, care, and a long-term vision for the future.
Thank you for being part of our journey. We look forward to continuing this tradition for generations to come.
Looking Back with Pride. Moving Forward with Purpose.
As we celebrate 150 years, we’re honoring our past while preparing for the future with new technology, better tools, and the same dedication to serving the Flint Hills region that’s carried us this far.
Here’s to the next 150—together.