Bennington State opening Wichita branch

Bennington State Bank in Salina, Kan., is opening an office in Wichita, Kan., its ninth full-service branch.

Construction on the building, located in Estancia Development in northwest Wichita, is set to be completed this summer. Krehbiel Architecture and Icon Structures are designing and building the branch.

“We have served many individuals and businesses in Wichita for years and are excited to be expanding our footprint to better serve those customers,” said Darren Gragg, president and CEO of the $872 million bank. “This location will allow us to strengthen our relationships in the Wichita area as well as build new relationships.”

Brandon Knowles will lead the location, joining the bank as Wichita market president. He has more than 20 years’ experience in the title insurance and real estate industry and a Bachelor of Science degree from the Kansas State University.

“As a real estate professional in Wichita for more than two decades, I am very excited about the opportunity to join such a great organization that has an impeccable 135-year history of creating personal banking relationships with clients through integrity and trust,” Knowles said.

Bennington State announced earlier this month that it would be converting its LPO in Abilene, Kan., to a full-service branch in May. That location will be the bank’s eighth branch.

Established in 1887, Bennington State Bank also has branches in Salina, Bennington, Minneapolis, Lucas, Sylvan Grove, Abilene and Wamego, Kan.