Federal Reserve Ends Enforcement Actions Against Kansas-Based Gardner Bancshares and Small Business Bank

The Federal Reserve Board said Friday that it has ended several enforcement actions involving Gardner Bancshares, Inc. and Small Business Bank, both based in Lenexa, Kansas.

Among the actions terminated was a cease-and-desist order issued jointly to Gardner Bancshares, Inc. and Small Business Bank on September 1, 2023. The Fed reported that this order was formally lifted on October 13, 2026.

The central bank also terminated a separate cease-and-desist order directed at Small Business Bank that had been put in place on November 13, 2024. That action, the Fed said, likewise concluded on October 13, 2026.

In addition, the Federal Reserve ended a prompt corrective action involving Small Business Bank that dated to June 29, 2026. The Board said that measure was also terminated on October 13, 2026.

The Fed noted that other enforcement actions can be located through its searchable database. Reporters seeking more information were directed to contact the Federal Reserve’s media office by email at [email protected] or by phone at 202-452-2955.

Why it matters

Enforcement orders such as cease-and-desist directives and prompt corrective actions are used by regulators to push banks and holding companies to address shortcomings in areas like governance, risk controls, or financial condition. Ending these actions typically signals that the institutions have met required remediation steps or that regulators no longer view the measures as necessary. Customers, investors, and local communities will watch whether the companies sustain compliance improvements now that the orders have been lifted.