Equity Bank Enters Merger Deal with Omaha-based Frontier Bank

Posted September 3, 2025

Whichta-based Equity Bancshares, Inc. has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Frontier Holdings, LLC, and will be the bank’s first entry into the Nebraska market.

Equity Bancshares, the holding company for Equity Bank, will acquire seven new locations from Frontier Bank through the merger deal, according to a Tuesday release. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Frontier will receive approximately 75% of its consideration in EQBK stock and the balance in cash.

The merger is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025.

“Frontier has built a strong reputation for serving its communities with integrity and personal service, values that align perfectly with ours,” CEO of Equity, Brad Elliott, said in the release. “This acquisition allows us to expand our regional presence while continuing our commitment to relationship banking, local leadership, and delivering the resources of a larger institution with the heart of a community bank.”

Founded in 1937, Frontier Bank operates seven locations in Nebraska, with two in Lincoln and one each in Falls City, Madison, Norfolk, Omaha, and Pender. Frontier Bank had $1.4 billion in total assets, including $1.3 billion in loans and $1.1 billion in deposits, as of June 30.

The combination with Frontier brings Equity’s total strategic transactions to 26 since the bank was founded in 2002, including 14 whole-bank acquisitions since the bank’s initial public offering in 2015, according to a release.

Equity also announced it plans to expand with the opening of a new loan production office in West Des Moines, Iowa. The office will be led by regional president Jan Olson and will bring the bank’s operating footprint to six states.