Jerry Maland

Equity Bancshares Inc. of Wichita said Thursday that it had agreed to purchase all outstanding shares of Community First Bancshares Inc. of Harrison in a deal worth about $69 million. The deal will require Community First to dispose of its $8.2 million ownership interest in White River Bancshares Inc. of Fayetteville, which controls Signature Bank of Arkansas and the Bank of Brinkley. read more >