Salina, Kan.-based Berco is expanding in the eastern part of the state by acquiring Flint Hills Bank. .The deal, which is expected to close in the second quarter of the year, will expand Berco subsidiary Bennington State Bank’s presence in eastern Kansas. Eskridge-based Flint Hills Bank also has branches in Osage City, Hartford and Burlingame. As of October, Bennington State Bank had $1.18 billion in assets, $986 million in deposits and nearly a dozen branches. The $154 million Flint Hills Bank also has $138 million in deposits. “Our shared commitment to relationship banking and personalized service makes this merger a strong cultural fit,” said BSB Chair, President and CEO Darren Gragg. “This acquisition represents an exciting opportunity to expand in a market that shares our community bank mindset.”Minneapolis-based Northland Capital Markets was financial adviser to Flint Hills Bank, and Kansas City, Mo.-based Stinson was legal adviser. Memphis-based Gerrish Smith Tuck was financial adviser and legal adviser to Berco and Bennington State Bank.
