BancFirst Corporation (NASDAQ: BANF) today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Spirit BankCorp, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation, and SpiritBank (Spirit), a privately held community bank headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Spirit has approximately $939.6 million in total assets, $618.4 million in loans and $847.2 million in deposits. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
David Harlow, CEO of BancFirst Corporation, said: 'Oklahoma is our home, and we are excited to expand our presence in the state by welcoming customers from Bristow and Sapulpa. This acquisition not only strengthens our home-state commitment but also allows us to build upon the momentum we've established in the Tulsa area.'
Rick Harper, President & CEO of Spirit, added: 'After evaluating many options, we chose BancFirst as our partner because they reflect our own customer and community commitment. This transition will be a win-win for everyone.'
Carla Curtis, SpiritBank Bristow Market President, will lead the transition to BancFirst. 'This is an outstanding opportunity for SpiritBank Bristow and for our entire community,' Curtis said. 'In my 44 years of banking, I am as confident as ever this merger with BancFirst will be a gamechanger for both our individual and business customers.'
Curtis will continue in her leadership role as Market President and spoke to the coming expansion of staffing and services. 'BancFirst is well known across Oklahoma as a true community bank where decisions are made locally. Here in Bristow, we will be empowered with lending and operational oversight to bring about community growth and expansion,' Curtis said.
BancFirst, Oklahoma's largest state-chartered bank operates banks in 64 communities exclusively in Oklahoma.
'Operating just as other BancFirst markets, not only will we retain our current staffing profile, but we also anticipate bringing additional resources into our Bristow location,' Curtis said. 'The expansion of services, products and capital strength will set the stage for added economic impact for our community.'
Curtis says the conversion plan will keep the customer top of mind. 'While it will be business as usual over the conning months, our staff will be working with BancFirst to prepare for the October conversion. Central to our planning will be clear communications with our customers to prevent any disruption in their daily banking activities here at SpiritBank,' Curtis said. 'We know our community and our customers, and BancFirst will help us to ensure a seamless transition'.
Once the conversion is completed, SpiritBank customers will have access to the full array of banking locations, ATMs, ITMs and expanded services provided by Banc-First.
Curtis summed up her vision of the coming merger: 'This is a continuation of the commitment made by Albert Kelly over a hundred years ago to Bristow. Our local banking team will continue to focus on the future of this town.'
SpiritBank will operate under its prsent name until it is merged into BancFirst. Customers will receive additional information in th coming months to ensure a seamless transition.