Julia Williams

Editor-in-Chief

Central Bank of Kansas City was founded in 1950 as a State banking corporation and opened its first location in March 1951 at 3030 Truman Rd. However, in 1975, this community bank opened a second location at 2301 Independence Blvd, which has considered its main branch for the past 50 years. 

While the original building no longer houses services, the corporation does still operate a second location at 3740 Truman Road, which it refers to as its “East Branch.” 

This year, Central Bank of Kansas City is gearing up to celebrate its 75th year in operation in 2026, Central Bank of Kansas City Vice President of Marketing and Community Impact, Sarah Cousineau said in an interview, Friday. 

In addition to the various services Central Bank of Kansas City offers — which includes checking, savings, 24-hour depository, money orders, coin counters and commercial loans, among others — this business is also a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), which it was certified as in 1998. 

“It’s one of the things that sets us apart,” Cousineau said in an interview, Friday. “As a CDFI bank, we’re not just providing financial services — we’re investing in the future of underserved communities. Through access to federal resources and partnerships with the private sector, we help create jobs, support small businesses, and finance homes where traditional funding often

falls short. It’s about real impact — transforming lives, families and neighborhoods.”

The Department of Treasury’s CDFI Fund plays an important role in generating economic growth and opportunity through mission-driven financial institutions, like Central Bank of Kansas City. The CDFI Fund allows the bank to support projects like Operation Breakthrough’s expansion and Sam Rodgers Pediatric Center. Community development projects impact communities with increased education, healthcare, healthy food, job creation and more. 

Central Bank of Kansas City is working to educate the community on the importance of CDFI’s and the impact it has on the Northeast community and surrounding areas.  

“I love the mission of Central Bank of Kansas City,” she said when asked about her favorite aspect of working there. “Not only do 70% of our loans support distressed areas, but we’re also deeply committed to community impact — from hosting health/education events to engaging youth through programs like Teach Children to Save.” 

In addition to the programs Central Bank of Kansas City is a part of, it also offers various activities for the community throughout the year. Among these events includes the 10th annual Shark Tank competition, which the Bank hosted on March 13 for its third year at Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City (2842 W. 47th St). 

The bank also organized its annual “Fit Friday” wellness fair with a health screening from Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center on April 4 in the Bank’s lobby as well as a family game night on May 1 at EarlyStart St. Mark’s Center, 2008 E. 12th Street. 

Cousineau has worked at Central Bank of Kansas City for 17 years and shared a positive employee-customer relationship that remains a vital aspect of the overall Bank’s mission. 

This goal has continued to be executed through a slew of recent hires as well as with its Vice President of Security, Polly Heishman who will retire this month after 45 years with the company. 

“She’s been the welcoming face everyone knows,” Cousineau shared. “Her exceptional customer service and deep knowledge of the bank have made her an invaluable part of our team.” 

For additional information on Central Bank of Kansas City, its upcoming events or CDFI’s, visit: https://www.centralbankkc.com/  or https://www.centralbankkc.com/your-community-bank/we-are-a-cdfi.