Leadership Updates Announced at nbkc bank

Leadership Updates Announced at nbkc bank

Bank names new Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer 

KANASAS CITY, Mo. (August 12, 2025) — As nbkc bank continues to grow and expand, the bank recently named two new key executives. Michael Bartkoski, CEO, said the moves will provide critical support for nbkc’s ongoing progress.

CFO Transition 

Effective August 31, Eric Garretson will retire from his role as executive vice president and chief financial officer, and will be succeeded in that position by John Mahoney, currently nbkc bank’s director of finance, senior vice president. Garretson will join the nbkc bank board of directors beginning January 2026 and continue to serve the bank in that capacity.

“I am so proud of Eric and grateful for his accomplishments over the past two decades. He brought to nbkc unique leadership qualities and his impact on the organization spanned across our business,” Bartkoski said. “We are fortunate that John will provide us a seamless transition in the CFO role. He brings to his new role years of experience and a proven track record of success. I have every confidence that John will continue to drive our bank forward with the same passion and commitment that Eric demonstrated throughout his career.”

Garretson, a veteran of more than 23 years of service at nbkc, has been CFO since 2002. Mahoney, who joined nbkc in September 2024, brings more than 16 years of accounting, finance and audit experience-- including senior roles in banking and public accounting--to his new position. He will report to Bartkoski.

New Chief Operations Officer 

Jana Merfen joined nbkc on August 11, 2025, as chief operations officer. Merfen will provide leadership across multiple functional areas, including risk management, vendor management, information technology and information security.

“As we look forward to the next decade, and consider the anticipated growth of nbkc, now is the perfect time to re-evaluate the bank’s operational efficiency and bring some additional talent onto our executive team,” Bartkoski said. “We are thrilled to have Jana fill that role. I know she will be a great contributor to the team and nbkc.”

Merfen joins nbkc from CrossFirst Bank (recently acquired by First Busey Corporation), where she served as chief technology officer. She brings to nbkc more than 20 years of professional experience-- the past 11 of it in financial services--with expertise in technology, information security, enterprise risk management and internal audit. She will report to Bartkoski.

“We’re excited to welcome these outstanding leaders to nbkc as we continue to grow and position the bank for what’s next,” said Mike Bartkoski, president and CEO of nbkc bank. “Their expertise and fresh perspectives will play a key role in shaping our strategic direction, driving innovation, and ensuring we deliver even greater value to our customers and community.”

About nbkc 

Having marked its 25th anniversary in 2024, nbkc is a mainstay in the Kansas City region and a diversified online banking company with a national scope. Known for combining intuitive technology and personal support to create exceptional client experiences, nbkc offers online mortgage and consumer banking nationally; community and commercial banking throughout its home region of Kansas City; and banking as a service to fintech companies across the U.S. The bank is also known for starting Fountain City Fintech®, an accelerator program initiated to support fintech startups. Formed in 1999, nbkc continues to pursue its mission of leading the industry to simpler and more transparent banking.