TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Bankers Association (KBA) and its Kansas Ag Bankers Division are honored to announce Tim Ohlde, Board Chairman of Elk State Bank in Clyde, as the recipient of the 2025 Kansas Ag Bankers Pioneer Award.
With over 40 years in community banking, Ohlde has demonstrated exceptional professionalism and leadership in the industry. He has extensive knowledge of agricultural lending, having grown up on a dairy farm near his current residence. His strong connection to agriculture is further supported by his degree in Agricultural Education with an emphasis in Agricultural Economics from Kansas State University.
Ohlde served 27 years as President of Elk State Bank and currently holds the position of Board Chairman. Early in his career, he prioritized loan portfolio quality and developed a proprietary analysis system, which led to the creation of Country Banker Systems, LLC, a loan analysis software company where he serves as CEO. Committed to borrower education, he has spearheaded initiatives to bring high-quality speakers and training opportunities for agricultural borrowers and small business owners in Clyde.
Education has been a focal point throughout Ohlde’s career. He has taught over 5,000 bankers in more than 70 banking schools across 30 states on agricultural lending and economics. His contributions include instruction for the Graduate School of Banking Colorado, Barret School of Banking, Kansas and Nebraska Schools of Banking, North Dakota and South Dakota Schools of Banking, the Oklahoma Bankers Association, the Independent Bankers of Texas, and the Louisiana Bankers Association. He has also led educational efforts in Clyde, Seneca, and Concordia, providing training and resources for ag borrowers and small business owners.
Beyond his banking career, Ohlde has provided leadership to numerous boards and organizations at the local, state, and national levels. He has played a vital role in community development efforts in Clyde, helping to establish the Clyde Area Foundation and the Clyde Community Development Resource Committee. He also serves as Chairman of Woods Charitable Trust. Additionally, he has served on the board of directors for Banker’s Bank of Kansas, KBA’s Kansas Ag Bankers Division, the American Bankers Association’s Ag Committee, and the Executive Committee for the Farm Financial Standards Council.
The Kansas Bankers Association congratulates Tim Ohlde on this well-deserved recognition for his outstanding contributions to community banking and agricultural finance.
