Who We Are: Cultivating Identity
At Sunflower Bank, we’re experiencing great growth. Since our founding in Kansas in 1892, we've become a full-service financial institution with locations in 13 states spanning personal, commercial, and wealth management lines of business.
Growing as Sunflower Bank
While “Sunflower” in our name may have its roots as the state flower of Kansas, it has grown and evolved with us.
We have updated our logo icon many times. In 2019, we re-envisioned the sunflower into a sun rising over mountain peaks, symbolizing our growth and geographic expansion into new regions. The strength and stability of the mountains, paired with the growth, community focus, and optimism of the sunflower, resonated with employees and communities alike.
Strategic mergers, acquisitions, and organic growth have defined our history. Our 2017 acquisitions of First National Bank of Santa Fe in New Mexico and Colorado, and of Guardian Mortgage, along with our 2022 acquisition of Pioneer Bank significantly grew our business. We operate as First National 1870 in Northern New Mexico to honor our historic legacy in the region.
In 2026, we welcomed First Foundation to our family of brands. Through the merger between FirstSun and First Foundation Inc., First Foundation Bank merged into Sunflower Bank, N.A., and First Foundation Advisors became a wholly owned subsidiary of FirstSun. Working together, we bring complete relationship-focused financial solutions to our customers and communities.
Celebrating The Sunflower
The common sunflower (Helianthus Annuus) or one of the sunflower's 70 species is found in each of Sunflower Bank's regions. In the nature of the sunflower, we find parallels to the nature of our organization. As Sunflower Bank we are:
Rooted In Strength:
Just as the sunflower's deep roots anchor and support its growth, Sunflower Bank is founded on deep-rooted values and stability in the financial industry. Our strong foundation allows us to grow and serve our customers.
Propelled by Growth:
Like sunflowers, we continue to grow dynamically and robustly, strategically expanding with a model of sustainable growth. This is supported with a solid infrastructure, directing opportunities to benefit our customers.
Individuals in a Greater Whole:
Each sunflower head comprises thousands of individual flowers, like our bank where every team member contributes to our success. From finance to operations, everyone plays a crucial role, just as each petal and seed contribute to the sunflower's vitality.
Creating Possibility:
It’s our mission and our mindset. Like sunflowers producing a thousand seeds, which can be eaten or planted, we empower our clients to thrive now and sow seeds for future success.
Community Focused:
Sunflowers form interconnected communities, attracting pollinators and enhancing genetic diversity. In the same way, we foster community within our organization and beyond, collaborating to create positive change through community-based banking and regional leadership.
We are Creating Possibility, sustaining our communities and becoming a stronger whole. Together we will continue to serve our customers and employees as we plant seeds on our path of growth.
Regional Landscape
A wide variety of sunflower species grow across Sunflower Bank's regional landscape, including:
Arizona - Helianthus arizonensis
California - Helianthus californicus
Colorado - Nuttall’s sunflower
Florida - Helianthus angustifolius
Hawaii - Nehe sunflower
Idaho - Helianthus annuus
Kansas - Helianthus annuus
Michigan - Helianthus divaricatus L.
Nevada - Helianthus annuus
New Mexico - Helianthus paradoxus
Oregon - Helianthus bolanderi
Texas - Maximilian sunflower
Washington - Helianthus annuus
Fun Facts About Sunflowers
- Sunflowers originated in North America.
- Sunflowers symbolize heritage and pride.
- Sunflowers boost local economies: leaves for fodder, flowers for dye, seeds for oil and food.
- Young sunflowers track the sun, turning throughout the day to help them grow.
- Sunflowers can be red or purple, not just yellow.
- Sunflower festivals occur throughout our footprint from late June through August.
- The world’s tallest sunflower was recorded at 35 ft. 9 in.
- Sunflowers can thrive even in the mountains, growing among tundra meadows and rocky slopes.