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History
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It was the late 1800s. Kansas was a state still known for its rowdy, Old West image.
Its vast, fertile resources were largely untapped. But progress had taken root.
Men with vision recognized the potential of the land and the people who lived on
it. As the new century began, Kansas began to flourish. And nurturing those early
seeds of progress was one bank that had planted its roots in Kansas to stay. Over
the century, it would become a bank that would literally help build the state. At
the helm of that bank was C. Q. Chandler II.
Chandler had come to Kansas as a young man with little more than solid principles
– and the courage to dream. Over two decades, he became one of the state’s banking
captains. And in 1900, he took the helm of the bank that eventually became known
as INTRUST. Originally chartered as the Farmers & Merchants Bank in 1876 and later
known as the First National Bank in Wichita, INTRUST is the oldest homegrown Wichita
bank in continuous existence. Over the course of the 20th century, INTRUST has been
instrumental to the businesses of Kansas and the region. Many companies have grown
from mere dreams into industrial giants with the bank’s assistance. And with its
growth into communities across Kansas and now, Oklahoma, INTRUST gives the people
in the region it serves a bank that is continuously seeking ways to make banking
more convenient and its customers successful.
Kansas was his springtime of hope.
C.Q. Chandler’s name became synonymous with Kansas banking. He knew the state, the
people and their potential. He also understood that a bank’s health was tied to
the economic health of the communities it serves. So, with a keen eye for identifying
unmet needs, and an unwillingness to sacrifice principles for revenue, Chandler’s
bank helped finance the needs of communities across the grass-swept Kansas plains.
During this era, the cattle industry was Kansas’ signature industry. Chandler recognized
the importance of people succeeding in a business that could thrive in the state
and he was aggressive in supporting cattle ranchers. "I have loaned money on cattle
for 15 years, and I consider no security in the West better," he wrote near the
turn of the century.
Another one of Chandler’s most notable traits was his genuine interest in people
and building relationships. He always remembered: "You do business with people,
not companies." When his business interests forced him to commute more and more,
Chandler became the proud owner of the first automobile sold in Wichita. His car,
the talk of the town, allowed the banker to continue doing business face to face.
Chandler had a will and determination that also led to progress. He was instrumental
in bringing southwestern Kansas its first telephone service. He founded the Wichita
Orthopedic Clinic. He organized the Kansas Society for Crippled Children, an agency
that helps children with disabilities reach their potential by providing financial
assistance to their families. His work with KSCC has been continued by each generation
of the Chandler family.
Passing on his principles was important to Chandler. Throughout the century, the
heritage established by this banking pioneer has been passed down to each generation
in his family. While each new generation has upheld Chandler’s principles and vision,
each has also made their own mark on the Kansas landscape.
The bank grew as Kansas grew.
After earning his banking spurs at the First State Bank in Gage, Oklahoma, Charles J. Chandler, the second generation,
came to his father’s bank where he would soon help lead it into a new era in banking
service for its customers. Over the two decades following World War II, a "Consumer
Revolution" took place. People wanted installment credit so they could purchase
new cars, refrigerators and air conditioners. Charlie helped create a consumer loan
department. To further focus on consumer needs, he announced plans for Wichita’s
first drive-in bank in 1952. And during the 60s, he oversaw the bank’s move to automation
of services, a pioneering effort among Wichita banks.
Charlie was also a leader in the community. He became the youngest person in the
United States to head a Community Chest drive. He founded the Junior Achievement
organization in Wichita. And in 1967, he was presented a commemorative medal by
Congress in recognition of his leadership and contributions to the agricultural
industry.
A Willingness to Adapt to Change
With the appointment of C.Q. "Chuck" Chandler III
to president of the bank in 1971, a third generation of Chandler leadership began.
Chuck’s career started in the bank’s correspondent division, where he traveled to
rural areas as a "bank scout." The year 2000 marked Chuck’s 50th year with the bank.
In his leadership roles, Chuck helped usher in electronic
banking, cash management and instant credit. He also led the bank to adopt a more
liberal approach in support of Small Business Administration ventures, making INTRUST
one of the leading small business lenders in the nation. In 1975, Chuck announced
a major expansion for the bank: two branch banks in east and west Wichita, the first
step toward becoming the bank with the most locations in Wichita. And because he
felt strongly that "a bank can have all the money and all the computers in the world
and still be out of business," Chuck led a move to find and train the best people
to provide personal banking.
Bullish on the Region and its Future
The test of banking endurance has now been placed on the shoulders of the fourth
generation of Chandlers. Under C.Q. "Charlie" Chandler
IV, INTRUST has grown to become the largest independent bank headquartered
in Kansas. Yet with its growth, the bank is still known for the high premium it
places on customer service. Charlie has continued his father’s dedication to providing
personalized banking, building a network of more than 45 branch offices located
in Kansas and Oklahoma, and more than 100 ATM locations. INTRUST is also recognized
as a leader in banking technology, a mantle borne out with the bank’s development
of Internet banking services on its Web site, intrustbank.com. Charlie also represents
the fourth generation of bank leadership that recognizes the value of his roots.
Under his leadership, INTRUST has continued to place a strong emphasis on building
relationships in communities they serve, and learning about the particular needs
of their customers.
More than 130 years. Four generations.
One Bank was there.
Today, the name of Chandler’s bank is INTRUST. It is a bank that has not only weathered
every great business recession, but grown stronger from the adversity. It is a bank
that has had the vision to recognize periods of change and adapt to them in positive,
timely ways. It is a bank with its roots planted firmly in the region. And it is
still operated by the same family who knows the people here, and is willing to put
their faith in the people and their dreams.
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