DALLAS—Sunflower Bank N.A., a regional powerhouse with $8.5 billion in assets, unveiled Sunflower Insurance Solutions Inc. this week, a wholly owned subsidiary aimed at bolstering its wealth and risk management arsenal for businesses and high-net-worth individuals. The move, announced via Business Wire, introduces tailored insurance strategies encompassing risk management, liquidity planning, and tax-efficient wealth transfer.

“The launch of Sunflower Insurance Solutions marks an exciting step in expanding our ability to deliver comprehensive financial strategies,” said John E. Sawyer, Director of Private Banking & Wealth Management at Sunflower Bank. The initiative is led by Catherine Runge, Director of Insurance Strategies, bringing over two decades of expertise to craft solutions that integrate seamlessly with the bank’s existing wealth offerings.

Sunflower Insurance Solutions targets corporate clients with key person and buy/sell planning, executive benefits, corporate benefit programs, and liquidity strategies to ensure operational continuity and talent retention. For individuals, it provides life, long-term care, and disability coverage alongside estate planning and generational wealth transfer options.

Strategic Alliance Powers Advanced Offerings

A pivotal element is the strategic partnership with Lion Street, an Austin-based financial services firm. This collaboration grants access to Lion Street’s network of independent firms and cutting-edge resources, enabling sophisticated planning for high-net-worth families and business owners. “We are pleased to welcome Sunflower Insurance Solutions to the Lion Street community,” said Bob Carter, Founder and CEO of Lion Street. “Their commitment to delivering client-centered, comprehensive insurance and wealth planning strategies aligns greatly with our mission.”

Sunflower Bank, headquartered in Dallas with 71 branches across seven states and mortgage operations in 44 states, operates under parent FirstSun Capital Bancorp (Nasdaq: FSUN), based in Denver. The bank has pursued aggressive growth through mergers, including the recent all-stock combination with First Foundation Inc., as detailed on Sunflower Bank’s site. Prior deals, such as the 2021 Pioneer Bancshares merger boosting assets beyond $7.3 billion (Sunflower Bank), and the 2017 acquisitions of First National Bank of Santa Fe and Guardian Mortgage, underscore its expansion trajectory (Sunflower Bank history page).

Founded in 1892 in Kansas, Sunflower Bank has evolved into a relationship-driven institution emphasizing personal, business, and wealth services. Its wealth management arm previously managed about $1 billion in assets under administration before acquiring CIT’s wealth business in 2020 (Sunflower Bank). Investment holdings total around $395 million, per Fintel.

Navigating M&A Turbulence

The insurance launch follows a string of merger activities, including a terminated deal with HomeStreet Inc. amid banking sector pressures from high interest rates and commercial real estate exposures, as reported by the Dallas Business Journal. An attempted HomeStreet merger, amended to shift Sunflower to a Texas state charter, ultimately collapsed. Undeterred, FirstSun announced a $785 million merger with First Foundation, enhancing its North Texas presence despite recent industry challenges (Dallas Business Journal).

This expansion into insurance aligns with broader trends among regional banks fortifying noninterest income streams. Sunflower’s offerings, accessible via SunflowerIS.com, emphasize that insurance products are not bank deposits, not FDIC-insured, and carry investment risks. Securities are offered through Integrity Alliance, LLC, unaffiliated with the bank.

Industry observers note the timing coincides with Sunflower’s focus on middle-market lending and specialized financing, such as a recent $15.6 million loan for a medical office building (LinkedIn). Partnerships like with VerityPay for digital payments further diversify revenue.

Client-Centric Strategies in Focus

For businesses, the subsidiary addresses critical needs like key person insurance to protect against leadership loss, buy/sell agreements funding ownership transitions, and executive benefits enhancing retention. Liquidity strategies mitigate cash flow disruptions, vital for operational resilience. Individuals gain from comprehensive coverage mitigating long-term care costs—median nursing home rates hit $84,000 annually, per bank resources (Sunflower Bank).

Estate planning integrates life insurance for tax-efficient transfers, echoing Sunflower’s guidance on using policies to equalize inheritances or fund business buyouts (Sunflower Bank). The Lion Street tie-up amplifies access to carriers, technology, and expertise for complex cases.

Sunflower’s community roots shine through initiatives like 2025 Community Partner Awards and Livestrong partnerships, reinforcing its “Creating Possibility” ethos (Sunflower Bank). With assets at $8.5 billion as of September 30, 2025 (FirstSun IR), the insurance arm positions the bank to capture growing demand among affluent clients seeking integrated solutions.

Regulatory and Market Context

Securities through Integrity Alliance, LLC (SIPC member) ensure compliance, with clear disclaimers on risks. The bank’s track record includes robust capital ratios, like a Tier 1 risk-based capital of 13.405%, and return on assets at 1.35% (Visbanking). Deposits stand at $7.2 billion, supporting lending of $6.5 billion.

As regional banks face deposit competition and rate volatility, Sunflower’s insurance venture diversifies beyond traditional lending. No X posts or additional web coverage emerged post-launch, indicating a targeted rollout. Contacts include Jeanne Lipson at Sunflower (915-881-6785) and Walker Person at Lion Street (512-776-8497).

This initiative cements Sunflower’s evolution from heartland lender to multifaceted advisor, leveraging partnerships and expertise to serve evolving client needs across its expanding footprint.