Press Release

As Printed in the The Examiner.
James Dornbrook

A group of prominent Eastern Jackson County businessmen is organizing a new bank likely to set up shop in Lee's Summit.

The bank will be called Summit Bank of Kansas City. Veteran banker Rick Viar will be the president. He is finalizing site selection and is fairly confident it will be in Lee's Summit. He said the bank will be accessible to all of Eastern Jackson County.

Summit Bank will be a state-chartered, full-service bank, focusing primarily on providing commercial and personal banking services to individuals or small and medium-sized businesses.

Viar said his group is finalizing its capital raising efforts and expect to close in the next week or so. The group has more than 100 local shareholders, and the goal is to raise at least $8 million.

Viar, a former chairman of the Bi-County United Way, said he got involved in founding the bank because he likes the concept of a local bank with hands-on community involvement.

"I just believe so strongly in the community banking style. In getting involved and having the decision-making ability to serve customers without asking permission or forgiveness from people somewhere else. Our board is made up of all local people. We know the community, the people and the circumstances here," Viar said.

Vicki Henderson, formerly of Commerce Bank, will serve as the chief operational officer. The chief loan officer will be Phil McElhaney, a local banker with 30 years banking experience in the area.

Joining Viar on the board are Jack Accurso, chairman of American Foodservice Company; Carl Chinnery, attorney; Will Coates, president of Billy Goat Industries; Roger Fender, president of Fender Family Dentistry; Robert Glaser, general manager of Residences of Kirkwood; Harlan Limpus, president of Winterstone Golf Course; Kurt Pycior, president of Froehlich Pycior Companies; Joseph Reid, chairman and CEO of Capitol Bancorp; Stan Ricketts, president of Midwest Region/Capitol Bancorp; Carson Ross, Community Services Representative/Hallmark Cards; Diane Seif, president and CEO of Regulatory Clinical Consultants; and Steven Silverstein, president of Silverstein Eye Centers.

For more information about Summit Bank of Kansas City, call Rick Viar at (816) 213-9505.

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