Bennington State Bank Acquires Alliance Bank of Topeka

Ernie Beaudet, Business Development Loan Officer, Bennington State Bank

Alliance Bank- 3001 SW Wanamaker Rd Topeka, KS 66614

Partnering with Alliance Bank will allow us to deepen our roots in the Topeka area, offering enhanced services to both new and existing customers. Our shared commitment to personalized service and local values makes this merger a perfect fit for our team and the communities we serve.

Darren Gragg, President and CEO
Ernie Beaudet, Business Development Loan Officer, Bennington State Bank

Alliance Bank- 2620 SW 6th Ave, Suite A Topeka, KS 66606

August 5, 2024

Salina, Kan—

— Berco, Inc. (Berco), the bank holding company for The Bennington State Bank (BSB), a locally owned and operated community bank, announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Berco and BSB will acquire Topeka, Kansas based New Millennium Bankshares, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary Alliance Bank. This strategic acquisition will expand Bennington State Bank’s presence in key markets, reinforcing their commitment to serving Kansas communities.

The merger agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both holding companies and banks. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and approval by New Millennium Bankshares, Inc stockholders, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024.

“This acquisition is an exciting milestone,” said BSB President and CEO Darren Gragg. “Partnering with Alliance Bank will allow us to deepen our roots in the Topeka area, offering enhanced services to both new and existing customers. Our shared commitment to personalized service and local values makes this merger a perfect fit for our team and the communities we serve.”

Founded in 1998, Alliance Bank operates at two locations in Topeka, Kansas, with $149 million in assets as of June 30th, 2024. The bank was co-founded by Jeff Berkley, Mark Ault, and Steve Herron. Both Alliance Bank and BSB are family-owned institutions with longstanding ties to the community. Their shared values of community engagement and exceptional personal service have been the foundation of their success.

“Joining forces with Bennington State Bank aligns perfectly with our mission to provide personal banking experiences while maintaining our community-focused approach,” said Alliance Bank Chairman, Jeff Berkley. “We are thrilled about this partnership and look forward to continuing to serve our employees, customers, and the community with the same dedication and care that both institutions are known for.”

BSB is deeply invested in the communities in which it does business. For over 135 years, BSB has served the financial needs of their customers, offering a full range of banking services to Central Kansas and beyond. BSB is a full-service financial provider, offering Consumer banking, Ag solutions, and Commercial banking, including Trust and Wealth Management, Portfolio Management and Employee Benefit Services.

Olsen Palmer LLC acted as financial advisor to New Millennium Bankshares, Inc. and Stinson LLP served as its legal advisor in the transaction. Gerrish Smith Tuck, PC served as both financial advisor and legal advisor to Berco and BSB.

About Bennington State Bank

Bennington State Bank was founded on the principles of integrity, trust, and fostering long-term customer relationships through the delivery of excellence in customer service and financial products including state-of-the-art online and mobile platforms. For over 135 years, BSB has served the financial needs of their customers, offering a full range of banking services to Central Kansas and beyond. BSB is a full-service financial provider, offering Consumer banking, Ag solutions, and Commercial banking, including Trust and Wealth Management, Portfolio Management and Employee Benefit Services. BSB is made up of employee owners with the Employee Stock Ownership Program owning more than 10% of the Bank. With over $950 million in assets, BSB has locations in Bennington, Minneapolis, Salina, Lucas, Sylvan Grove, Wamego, Wichita, and Abilene. Always committed to local decision-making, excellent customer service and community investment, BSB is your trusted hometown bank. For more information, please visit bsbks.com. Member FDIC.

About Alliance Bank

Alliance Bank, founded in 1998, has two branches in Topeka, Kansas. The bank’s original founders, Jeff Berkley, Mark Ault, and Steve Herron, decided to open a customer friendly bank that could provide patrons with stability and the level of quality service they deserved. The bank’s strength continues to be its people and the success of Alliance Bank can be traced to its mission which is to deliver quality financial products with superior service and a commitment to relationship building. As of June 30, 2024, the bank has $149 million in total assets, $105 million in total loans, and $128 million in total deposits. For more information, please visit alliancebankks.com.

Alliance Bank Topeka Kansas

Alliance Bank- 3001 SW Wanamaker Rd Topeka, KS 66614

Alliance Bank Topeka Kansas

Alliance Bank- 2620 SW 6th Ave, Suite A Topeka, KS 66606

Partnering with Alliance Bank will allow us to deepen our roots in the Topeka area, offering enhanced services to both new and existing customers. Our shared commitment to personalized service and local values makes this merger a perfect fit for our team and the communities we serve.

Darren Gragg, President and CEO

August 5, 2024

Salina, Kan—

— Berco, Inc. (Berco), the bank holding company for The Bennington State Bank (BSB), a locally owned and operated community bank, announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Berco and BSB will acquire Topeka, Kansas based New Millennium Bankshares, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary Alliance Bank. This strategic acquisition will expand Bennington State Bank’s presence in key markets, reinforcing their commitment to serving Kansas communities.

The merger agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both holding companies and banks. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and approval by New Millennium Bankshares, Inc stockholders, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024.

“This acquisition is an exciting milestone,” said BSB President and CEO Darren Gragg. “Partnering with Alliance Bank will allow us to deepen our roots in the Topeka area, offering enhanced services to both new and existing customers. Our shared commitment to personalized service and local values makes this merger a perfect fit for our team and the communities we serve.”

Founded in 1998, Alliance Bank operates at two locations in Topeka, Kansas, with $149 million in assets as of June 30th, 2024. The bank was co-founded by Jeff Berkley, Mark Ault, and Steve Herron. Both Alliance Bank and BSB are family-owned institutions with longstanding ties to the community. Their shared values of community engagement and exceptional personal service have been the foundation of their success.

“Joining forces with Bennington State Bank aligns perfectly with our mission to provide personal banking experiences while maintaining our community-focused approach,” said Alliance Bank Chairman, Jeff Berkley. “We are thrilled about this partnership and look forward to continuing to serve our employees, customers, and the community with the same dedication and care that both institutions are known for.”

BSB is deeply invested in the communities in which it does business. For over 135 years, BSB has served the financial needs of their customers, offering a full range of banking services to Central Kansas and beyond. BSB is a full-service financial provider, offering Consumer banking, Ag solutions, and Commercial banking, including Trust and Wealth Management, Portfolio Management and Employee Benefit Services.

Olsen Palmer LLC acted as financial advisor to New Millennium Bankshares, Inc. and Stinson LLP served as its legal advisor in the transaction. Gerrish Smith Tuck, PC served as both financial advisor and legal advisor to Berco and BSB.

About Bennington State Bank

Bennington State Bank was founded on the principles of integrity, trust, and fostering long-term customer relationships through the delivery of excellence in customer service and financial products including state-of-the-art online and mobile platforms. For over 135 years, BSB has served the financial needs of their customers, offering a full range of banking services to Central Kansas and beyond. BSB is a full-service financial provider, offering Consumer banking, Ag solutions, and Commercial banking, including Trust and Wealth Management, Portfolio Management and Employee Benefit Services. BSB is made up of employee owners with the Employee Stock Ownership Program owning more than 10% of the Bank. With over $950 million in assets, BSB has locations in Bennington, Minneapolis, Salina, Lucas, Sylvan Grove, Wamego, Wichita, and Abilene. Always committed to local decision-making, excellent customer service and community investment, BSB is your trusted hometown bank. For more information, please visit bsbks.com. Member FDIC.

About Alliance Bank

Alliance Bank, founded in 1998, has two branches in Topeka, Kansas. The bank’s original founders, Jeff Berkley, Mark Ault, and Steve Herron, decided to open a customer friendly bank that could provide patrons with stability and the level of quality service they deserved. The bank’s strength continues to be its people and the success of Alliance Bank can be traced to its mission which is to deliver quality financial products with superior service and a commitment to relationship building. As of June 30, 2024, the bank has $149 million in total assets, $105 million in total loans, and $128 million in total deposits. For more information, please visit alliancebankks.com.