Exhibit 99.1
EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.
PRESS RELEASE – 08/04/2023
Equity Bancshares, Inc. Announces
Promotion of Chris Navratil to Chief Financial Officer and Departure of Eric Newell
Wichita-based holding company elevates current
Bank CFO to principal accounting and financial officer
WICHITA, Kansas, August 4, 2023 – Equity Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE: EQBK),
(“Equity”, “we”, “us”, “our”, the “Company”), the Wichita-based holding company of Equity Bank (the “Bank”), announced the promotion of Chris M. Navratil to Chief Financial Officer
(“CFO”) of Equity Bancshares, Inc., and announced Eric R. Newell’s decision to resign from his position as Chief Financial Officer.
“Our Company considers entrepreneurial spirit one of our founding principles and core values,” said Brad S. Elliott, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Equity. “As a result, we’re a home to innovative thinkers, leaders, and doers who can make an impact quickly and leave lasting results. We pride ourselves on recruiting and developing outstanding leaders. In this case,
we’re fortunate to appoint Chris and leverage his strong financial acumen, leadership, and experience.”
Mr. Navratil joined Equity Bank in
2019 as a senior vice president and was named CFO of the Bank in December 2022. During his time at Equity, Mr. Navratil has led the Bank’s financial strategy, planning, and reporting functions, including balance sheet strategy and liquidity
management. Mr. Navratil has also served as Equity’s Investor Relations Officer. Before joining Equity, Mr. Navratil spent seven years with Crowe LLP in Chicago, Illinois, within the Financial Institution Audit Practice. Mr. Navratil
resides in Wichita and received his Master’s degree in Accounting from Northern Illinois University.
Mr. Newell joined Equity as CFO in June of
2020. He will retain responsibility for and leadership of Equity’s financial reporting and accounting teams concluding with the filing of Equity’s Second Quarter Form 10-Q to the Securities and
Exchange Commission. He will then work through September 20, 2023 to assist in the transition of duties and responsibilities to Mr. Navratil.
“Our Company is very fortunate to be a home for top talent within the banking industry, who are afforded the opportunity to build lasting relationships
with customers, team members, and shareholders,” said Mr. Elliott. “Eric accomplished a great deal during his time at Equity helping us build our Company, culture, and teams. He serves as an example of how we build and encourage
entrepreneurial leaders to deliver for our investors, customers, and colleagues.”
About Equity Bancshares, Inc.
Equity Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for Equity Bank, offering a full range of financial solutions, including commercial loans, consumer banking,
mortgage loans, trust and wealth management services and treasury management services, while delivering the high-quality, relationship-based customer service of a community bank. Equity’s common stock is traded on The New York Stock Exchange
under the symbol “EQBK.” Learn more at www.equitybank.com.
Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements reflect the current views of Equity’s management with respect to, among other things, future events and Equity’s financial performance.
These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “will likely result,”
“expect,” “continue,” “will,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “goal,” “target,”
“would” and “outlook,” or the negative variations of those words or other comparable words of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations,
estimates and projections about Equity’s industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond Equity’s control. Accordingly, Equity cautions you
that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although Equity believes that the expectations reflected in these
forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results