Johnson State Bank

Banking · KS

Rating: 4.2/5

Johnson State Bank logo

Community bank serving Southwest Kansas since 1913, offering checking, savings, lending, and credit products with local branches in Johnson and Ulysses.

Official Website

https://www.johnsonstatebank.com

Johnson State Bank Review

Johnson State Bank is a regional community bank headquartered in Southwest Kansas that has operated continuously since 1913. The bank operates under two branch names: Johnson State Bank (main location, phone 620-492-6200) and Bank of Ulysses (phone 620-356-1922), serving agricultural, business, and personal banking customers across the region. The bank emphasizes its local roots and personal service model, with leadership committed to staying embedded in community institutions, schools, and local businesses.

The bank offers a comprehensive suite of retail and commercial banking products. On the consumer side, this includes multiple checking account options with free e-statements, three types of savings accounts (regular savings, CDs, and IRAs), Visa credit cards (Platinum Preferred and Classic), and consumer lending products including auto loans and mortgages. For business customers, they provide commercial loans and agricultural loans, reflecting the region's economic base.

The bank also offers online banking, bill pay, and financial calculators for various loan types (auto, mortgage, retirement, savings). Johnson State Bank distinguishes itself primarily through its community-focused positioning and long institutional history. The bank explicitly markets its "small town feeling" combined with modern banking technology, and emphasizes personal relationships over transactional efficiency.

Leadership personally welcomes customers and invites them to discuss their financial goals in person. The dual-branch model (Johnson and Ulysses locations) and specialized focus on agricultural lending reflect deep roots in their specific geographic market. As a regional community bank, Johnson State Bank is best suited for customers who prioritize personal service and local relationships over digital innovation or competitive rates.

The bank does not publicly advertise rates on their website, making rate comparison difficult for consumers. Their strength lies in serving established community members and agricultural/small business customers with relationship banking rather than competing on product features or pricing with larger national banks or online-only institutions.

Pros & Cons

Reader-focused summary of the strongest reasons to consider Johnson State Bank and the factors most worth weighing before contracting. Individual outcomes depend on your credit situation and goals.

Pros

  • ✓Established institution with 111+ years of continuous operation (since 1913) providing stability and local market knowledge
  • ✓Dual branch locations (Johnson and Ulysses) offer in-person service in Southwest Kansas communities
  • ✓Free e-statements on checking accounts reduce paperwork and fees
  • ✓Multiple savings account types including CDs and IRAs for different savings goals
  • ✓Specialized agricultural lending reflecting regional economic needs
  • ✓Online banking and bill pay capabilities combined with personal service approach
  • ✓Leadership (President Megan Williamson) personally engages with customers and publicly articulates community commitment

Areas to Consider

  • !Rates not published on website, requiring customers to contact bank directly for comparison shopping
  • !No mention of mobile app or digital banking features beyond basic online banking and bill pay
  • !Community bank model may mean fewer product innovations or competitive rates compared to larger regional/national banks
  • !Website lacks detailed information about specific service charges, fee structures, or deposit insurance details

Verdict Summary

Johnson State Bank works best for consumers who value established institution with 111+ years of continuous operation (since 1913) pro and can accept the tradeoff of rates not published on website, requiring customers to contact bank directly for. Compare against similar providers below before signing any contract.

Services & Features

Services offered

Feature Checklist

✗Credit Monitoring
✗All Three Bureaus
✗Goodwill Letters
✗Cease Desist Letters
✗Debt Validation
✗Credit Education
✗Identity Theft Protection
✗Score Tracking
✓Mobile App
✓Online Portal
✓Personal Advisor
✗Ai Powered

Best For

Before You Contact Johnson State Bank

Before signing up with any Banking provider, review these safeguards:

Compare Your Needs With Johnson State Bank

Match these decision factors against Johnson State Bank's profile before committing. This rubric mirrors what independent consumer-finance research typically checks for Banking providers.

Category

Banking

Service scope

12 services listed

Geographic coverage

1 states

Match to your priorities

  • ●
    Budget priority: Pricing published above — factor in setup, monthly, and cancellation fees over the full expected service window.
  • ●
    Complexity priority: Consider Johnson State Bank's stated strengths (Established institution with 111+ years of continuous operation (since 1913) providing stability ...) against your specific credit situation.
  • ●
    Timeline priority: Banking typically takes 3-6 months for meaningful outcomes. Providers guaranteeing overnight results are red flags under federal consumer protection law.
  • ●
    Recourse priority: Confirm state licensing via your state regulator and check the CFPB complaint database before contracting.
  • ●
    Alternatives: Compare against all Banking providers, DIY options via non-profit counseling agencies, and free CFPB resources.

Pricing

  • Monthly Price: 0
  • Setup Fee: 0
  • Money Back Guarantee: False
  • Guarantee Details:
  • Free Consultation: True
  • Tiers: []
  • Currency: USD

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Johnson State Bank offer?

Johnson State Bank offers 12 services including Checking accounts with free e-statements, Savings accounts (regular savings), Certificates of Deposit (CDs), IRA savings accounts, Visa credit cards (Platinum Preferred and Classic), and 7 more. Confirm current service list directly with the provider before contracting.

Who is Johnson State Bank best suited for?

Johnson State Bank's profile signals suggest it may fit: Agricultural and farm business owners seeking specialized lending and local relationship banking; Long-term Southwest Kansas residents who value in-person relationships and community connection over digital convenience; Small business owners in Johnson or Ulysses needing commercial lending with personal account management; Customers seeking traditional community banking with 100+ year institutional stability. Individual outcomes vary based on your specific situation.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Johnson State Bank?

Key strengths: Established institution with 111+ years of continuous operation (since 1913) providing stability and local market knowledge; Dual branch locations (Johnson and Ulysses) offer in-person service in Southwest Kansas communities; Free e-statements on checking accounts reduce paperwork and fees. Areas to consider: Rates not published on website, requiring customers to contact bank directly for comparison shopping; No mention of mobile app or digital banking features beyond basic online banking and bill pay.

How does Johnson State Bank compare to similar companies?

In the Banking category, comparable providers include BMO Bank, Ally Bank, Bank Of America, National Association. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.

Where does Johnson State Bank operate?

Johnson State Bank serves customers in 1 states including KS. Confirm current service availability in your state directly with the provider.

How much does Johnson State Bank cost?

Listed pricing for Johnson State Bank: monthly price: 0; setup fee: 0; money back guarantee: False. Pricing may change — verify current fees directly with the provider before signing any contract.

Visit Johnson State Bank

State Consumer Finance Context

This is state-level context for Banking consumers in Kansas. It does not confirm that Johnson State Bank or this specific location is licensed.

State regulator: Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner
Consumer protection: Kansas Attorney General Consumer Protection Division

Credit and debt help rules in Kansas

Key state rules to check

Payday lending in Kansas: Legal (max $500)

Usury cap: 15% for agreements; payday loans capped at $500 with $15 per $100 fee

Complaint resources

State references

Kansas allows payday lending with a $500 cap and $15 per $100 fee limit. Rollovers are prohibited. The Office of the State Bank Commissioner regulates consumer lenders, and complaints can be filed with the OSBC or the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.

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Quick Summary

Johnson State Bank — Banking in KS.

Overall rating: 4.2/5

Community bank serving Southwest Kansas since 1913, offering checking, savings, lending, and credit products with local branches in Johnson and Ulysses.

Next Steps

  1. Compare Johnson State Bank against similar options above.
  2. Run our borrowing power quiz to see how Johnson State Bank matches your situation.
  3. Check state regulator listings for Johnson State Bank's licensing before committing.
  4. Visit Johnson State Bank once you're ready.

Glossary of Terms

Common terms that come up when comparing Banking providers. Full glossary at creditdoc.co/glossary/.

Amortization — Loan Amortization
The process of paying off a loan through regular payments that cover both principal and interest. Early payments are mostly interest; later payments are mostly principal.
Why it matters: Understanding amortization explains why paying extra early in a loan saves the most money — you're reducing the principal that interest is calculated on.
Example: Month 1 of a $200,000 mortgage at 6%: your $1,199 payment splits as $1,000 interest + $199 principal. By month 300: only $47 goes to interest and $1,152 goes to principal.
Balloon Payment
A large lump-sum payment due at the end of a loan, after a period of smaller monthly payments. The loan isn't fully paid off by the regular payments — the balloon settles it.
Why it matters: Balloon payments make monthly payments look affordable but create a financial cliff. If you can't pay or refinance at the end, you could lose your home or asset.
Example: A 5-year balloon mortgage on $200,000: you pay $1,054/month (as if it were a 30-year loan), but after 5 years you owe a balloon of $186,108 all at once.
Collateral — Loan Collateral
An asset you pledge to the lender as security for a loan. If you stop paying, the lender can seize and sell that asset to recover their money.
Why it matters: Secured loans (with collateral) have lower interest rates because the lender has less risk. But you could lose your home, car, or savings if you default.
Example: A mortgage uses your house as collateral. A car loan uses your vehicle. A title loan uses your car title. If you miss payments, the lender can foreclose or repossess.
Cosigner — Loan Cosigner
A person who agrees to repay your loan if you can't. They're equally responsible for the debt, and their credit is affected by your payment behavior.
Why it matters: Cosigning helps people with thin credit get approved or get better rates. But it's a huge risk for the cosigner — they're on the hook for the full amount if you default.
Example: A parent cosigns their child's $30,000 student loan. The child stops paying after 6 months. The parent is now legally required to make the payments or face collections, lawsuits, and credit damage.
Credit Bureau — Credit Reporting Agency (Bureau)
A company that collects and sells information about your credit history. The three major bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Why it matters: Not all lenders report to all three bureaus, so your reports may differ. You should check all three reports because an error on one could be costing you money.
Example: Your car loan only reports to Equifax and TransUnion. Your Experian report doesn't show that good payment history, so your Experian score is 15 points lower.
Credit Freeze — Security Freeze / Credit Freeze
A free tool that locks your credit report so no one (including you) can open new accounts until you lift it. It's the strongest protection against identity theft.
Why it matters: A credit freeze prevents criminals from opening loans in your name, even if they have your Social Security number. It's free by law and doesn't affect your credit score.
Example: Your data was in a breach. You freeze your credit at all 3 bureaus (takes 10 minutes online). A thief tries to open a credit card in your name — denied because the lender can't pull your frozen report.
Credit Mix — Credit Mix (Types of Credit)
The variety of credit accounts you have — credit cards (revolving), auto loans (installment), mortgage, student loans, etc. Having multiple types shows you can manage different kinds of debt.
Why it matters: Credit mix accounts for about 10% of your FICO score. Having only credit cards isn't as strong as having a card, an installment loan, and a mortgage.
Example: Borrower A has 3 credit cards. Borrower B has 2 credit cards, a car loan, and a student loan. Even with the same payment history and utilization, Borrower B's score is typically higher.
Credit Report — Consumer Credit Report
A detailed record of your borrowing history maintained by credit bureaus. It lists every loan, credit card, payment history, collection, and public record tied to your name.
Why it matters: Errors on credit reports are common — 1 in 5 consumers has at least one mistake. Checking your report regularly is the first step to fixing errors that are costing you money.
Example: You pull your free report from AnnualCreditReport.com and find a $2,400 medical collection you already paid. You dispute it, the bureau verifies it's resolved, and your score goes up 40 points.
Credit Score
A 3-digit number (300-850) that summarizes how reliably you've handled borrowed money. Higher scores mean lower risk to lenders and better loan terms for you.
Why it matters: Your credit score determines whether you get approved and at what rate. A 100-point difference can mean thousands of dollars more or less in interest over a loan's life.
Example: On a $250,000 30-year mortgage: a 760 score gets you 6.2% ($1,536/month). A 660 score gets 7.4% ($1,729/month). Over 30 years, the lower score costs you $69,480 more.
Credit Utilization — Credit Utilization Ratio
The percentage of your available credit that you're currently using. If you have $10,000 in credit limits and owe $3,000, your utilization is 30%.
Why it matters: Utilization is the second-biggest factor in your credit score (after payment history). Keeping it below 30% helps your score; below 10% is ideal.
Example: You have 3 cards with a $15,000 total limit. You're carrying $4,500 in balances (30% utilization). Paying down to $1,500 (10% utilization) could boost your score by 20-50 points.
Default — Loan Default
When you fail to repay a loan according to the agreed terms — usually after 90-180 days of missed payments. It's the point where the lender gives up on collecting normally.
Why it matters: Default triggers severe consequences: credit score drops 100+ points, the debt may be sent to collections, you could be sued, and your wages or assets could be seized.
Example: You miss 4 consecutive car payments. The lender declares your loan in default, repossesses your car, sells it at auction for $8,000, and you still owe the remaining $5,000 (called a deficiency balance).
FICO Score — Fair Isaac Corporation Score
The most widely used credit scoring model, created by Fair Isaac Corporation. 90% of top lenders use FICO scores for lending decisions.
Why it matters: FICO has many versions (FICO 8, 9, 10). Mortgage lenders still use older versions (FICO 2, 4, 5), so your mortgage score may differ from what free apps show you.
Example: Your FICO 8 score (used for credit cards) is 740. Your FICO 5 score (used for mortgages) is 725 because it weighs collections differently. Same credit history, different scores.
Hard Inquiry — Hard Credit Inquiry (Hard Pull)
When a lender checks your credit report because you've applied for credit. Each hard inquiry can lower your score by 5-10 points and stays on your report for 2 years.
Why it matters: Multiple hard inquiries in a short period suggest you're desperately seeking credit, which is a red flag. Exception: mortgage and auto loan shopping within 14-45 days counts as one inquiry.
Example: You apply for 5 credit cards in one month. Each application triggers a hard inquiry. Your score drops 25-50 points from the inquiries alone, making each subsequent application harder.
Loan Term (Tenor) — Loan Term / Tenor
How long you have to repay the loan, measured in months or years. A shorter term means higher monthly payments but less total interest paid.
Why it matters: Longer terms feel more affordable monthly but cost much more overall. A 30-year mortgage costs almost double in interest compared to a 15-year mortgage on the same amount.
Example: Borrowing $200,000 at 6.5%: A 15-year term costs $1,742/month ($113,561 total interest). A 30-year term costs $1,264/month ($255,088 total interest). You save $141,527 with the shorter term.
Origination Fee — Loan Origination Fee
A one-time fee the lender charges to process and set up your loan. It covers their costs for underwriting, verifying your information, and preparing paperwork.
Why it matters: Origination fees are usually 1-8% of the loan amount and are often deducted from your loan proceeds — so you receive less than you borrowed.
Example: You're approved for a $10,000 personal loan with a 5% origination fee. The lender deducts $500 upfront, so you receive $9,500 in your bank account but owe $10,000 plus interest.