Pub. 1 2012 Issue 6

Aug/Sept 2012 11 l e a d i n g a d v o c a t e f o r t h e b a n k i n g i n d u s t r y i n k a n s a s Roots in Banking Born and raised in Mulvane, Kansas, Frank has deep roots in banking. His grandfather, Frank L. Carson, worked for 1st National Bank in Wichita from 1914 until his death in 1952. It seemed natural to bring his son, Frank Carson, Jr. to the same bank where he learned the ropes of the trade as well. Together, Frank’s father and grandfather purchased Mulvane Bank in 1949, which has remained in the family to this day. Frank III, as he is often referred, started at the bank part-time in 1974 and worked full- time starting in 1976. He started as teller and would sometimes fill in for collections. That led to working in the lending department and the rest is, as they say, history. He was promoted to Executive Vice President in 1982 and was named President in 1990. Frank assumed the role as CEO and Chairman following the death of his father in 1996. The Mulvane Bank, established in 1886 was renamed Carson Bank in 2008 and they celebrated their 125th anniversary last summer. The family legacy in banking didn’t stop with the third generation Frank Carson, however. The tradition continues as Frank and Kris’s oldest son, Jeff, is the Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking for INTRUST Bank in Prairie Village, Kansas. Frank Carson, IV is Senior Vice President and Director at Carson Bank. Their youngest son, Cale, worked in the Consumer Lending Department of Carson Bank until a recent opportunity to work within law enforcement, and he is now attending the Wichita Police Academy. After three boys, the Carsons were blessed with a daughter, Katelyn, who works in graphic design in Kansas City. Goals “The agenda is set,” Frank says as he leans back in his chair. “We all know, as bankers, what needs to be done. We have to figure out how to best continue the fight to resolve issues that are unfair to banking.” He continues, “The question is how do we most effectively move from defense to offense as we work to save our industry?… We must have EVERYONE working together as one for our voices to be heard.” Frank believes that we won’t gain momentum if we continue to complain about the burden of increased regulation. “People don’t care if we have regulations. Our mission is to help lawmakers understand that some of the regulations they are passing aren’t effective in helping people and communities succeed. We have to work smarter.” Frank explained that he believes that advocacy is one of the most important things the KBA does. “We are so fortunate, in Kansas, to have the elected officials we do. They are willing to sit down and have a discussion and take the comments we make at face value.” He went on to make it clear that many of the problems the industry is facing today are related to policy makers, decision makers, not taking what is said at face value. “Kansas is a small delegation and while it is great to have their support, we need to help play a role in reconstructing our message so elected officials outside our delegation understand the real impact of the decisions they make.” The second priority that Carson reveals is the need to develop a passion in young bankers who are having a tough time in the current environment. He wants to build stronger programming to draw youth into the industry. “I like to find new college graduates and show them that there is a good life in banking and have them excited about it. They are the future.” Kris Carson and daughter Kate in 2000. Frank Carson and his wife Kris share a moment on the beach. Frank Carson and his three sons in 2004. Frank enjoying his favorite pastime on a fishing boat. Frank Carson and his three sons after a day of fishing off the coast of Nantucket, MA in 2006. Left to right: Cale, Frank IV, Frank and oldest son Jeff Carson.