100 Years in Banking

This summer, the Berkley family joined the prestigious list of recipients for the Century of Family Banking Award presented by the Kansas Bankers Association.

The family’s banking legacy, values, and commitment to its community began in 1924 when Howard Jackson (HJ) Berkley began working at The Bank of Tescott as a cashier and janitor.

HJ worked for $25.00 a month and lived in the apartment above the bank. He ultimately became the bank’s president and worked there from 1924 until his passing in 1969.

This first position started the family’s association with banks throughout the state, continuing with HJ and his wife, Pauline’s eight children: Arliene, Jack Belmont, Robert, Jerry, Paul, Hal, Don, and Mike. HJ even persuaded his brother, Bob Berkley, to leave the farm and join him at The Bank of Tescott.

This multi-generational family commitment to excellence in the banking industry and their deep-rooted belief in serving their community grew, with many of them playing a significant role in their five different banking institutions across the state of Kansas throughout the years.

The Berkleys are connected not only with The Bank of Tescott but with the Bennington State Bank, the State Bank of Downs, the Alliance Bank, and Solutions North Bank, formerly Stockton National Bank.

Since 1924, The Bank of Tescott has seen generations of Berkleys employed at the institution, beginning with HJ’s eight siblings. Jack Belmont Berkley worked there for eight years. Hal Berkley was the bank’s president and served on its board of directors, and Arliene Matthews worked as a teller and bank director for over thirty years. Today, Hal’s granddaughter, Megan Berkley, still works at the Tescott location. The institute now has 60 plus employees with five banking offices in four counties. Since 1969, the deposits have grown from $6.5 million to $450 million in assets.

The Bennington State Bank is one of the largest private banking institutions in Kansas, with over $950 million in assets under management and a Trust department that manages over $500 million. They have ten locations throughout the state dedicated to high-level customer services and giving back to the communities they serve—a trend carried on by all the Berkley- affiliated banks.

Three generations of the Berkley family have been part of the State Bank of Downs. The bank oversees over $130 million in assets. It was purchased by the Berkley sons in 1961 and was run by Paul and Jerry Berkley. Both men retired in the 1990s. Paul’s son, Bill, began working at the bank alongside his father in the 1970s, and Bill’s son, Brandon, currently works at the bank’s Colorado branch, operating under the name Berkley Bank.

It was in 1998 when Jeff Berkley, Hal’s son, started the Alliance Bank with two partners, wanting to build relationships with their customers and the community. With assets of over $149 million, Alliance Bank has two Topeka locations and is currently in the process of being acquired by Bennington State Bank.

Solutions North Bank was purchased by HJ and two of his sons, Jack Belmont and Robert in 1961.

Jack, James and John’s father, moved his family to Stockton in 1956 where he served as the president and director of the bank until his passing in 1998. John and James joined the bank in 1972, and later, their sister, Pat Berkley Taylor, joined and served on the Board of Directors before passing in 1999.

Solutions North Bank carries over $480 million in assets and has expanded to five Kansas locations. Vicki and James’ sons, Brian J. and Jonathan D., now work at the bank and serve on the Board of Directors. Malee and John’s daughter, Thui Miller, is also on the Board of Directors, as is James’ daughter, Renee Berkley Earl. Although John and James are retired, they still make Stockton their home, as do Brian and Jonathan.

The Berkleys celebrate this first century of banking service, integrity, and values instilled in them by HJ Berkley. They look back at what has been achieved and will look to the future with the promise to continue upholding their time-honored standards throughout the next century.