The Bank of Tescott Celebrates Berkley Family's Century of Service in Banking
The Berkley family’s deep-rooted history in banking began with Howard Jackson (H.J.) Berkley at The Bank of Tescott. Starting his career as a cashier and janitor, H.J. Berkley rose to become the president of the bank, dedicating his life to its growth and success from 1924 until his passing in 1969. His commitment laid the foundation for a long-standing association with banks throughout Kansas, furthered by his eight children—Arliene, Jack Belmont, Robert, Jerry, Paul, Hal, Don, and Mike. Notably, H.J. also convinced his brother Bob Berkley to leave farming and join him at The Bank of Tescott, marking the beginning of a family legacy.
Generations of Berkley’s have since been integral to The Bank of Tescott’s growth and community impact. Jack Belmont Berkley contributed eight years of service, Hal Berkley served as both president and a board member, and Arliene Matthews worked as a teller and was a director for over three decades. Today, this legacy continues with Hal’s granddaughter, Megan Berkley, who works at the bank’s Tescott location.
Under the leadership of the Berkley’s, The Bank of Tescott has flourished. "Since I started in 1969, our assets have grown from about 6.5 million to over 450 million, and our staff has expanded from a small team of seven to over 60 employees," said Mark Berkley, Director Emeritus at The Bank of Tescott. "We now operate five banking offices across four counties, with commitment to excellence in service and community support."
While The Bank of Tescott has been the central pillar of the Berkley family's banking endeavors, the family has also been involved with other banks throughout Kansas. Other banks connected to the Berkley’s include Bennington State Bank, Solutions North Bank, State Bank of Downs, and Alliance Bank, each contributing to the family's remarkable legacy in Kansas banking.
As the Berkley family celebrates a century of service, The Bank of Tescott looks forward to continuing its tradition of community-focused banking and excellent customer service, embodying the values instilled by the Berkley’s over the decades.
The Bank of Tescott congratulates the Berkley family on this significant achievement and remains dedicated to upholding the values and traditions that have defined their century-long contribution to the banking industry.