Douglas Briggs has more than 30 years of finance and leadership experience.

He began his career as a Credit Analyst and Internal Auditor for C.I.T. Group, a Fortune 500 Company. During his time with the company he opened offices in Chicago, Dallas, and Kansas City.

In 1983 Briggs took a position with a large Kansas City area bank. He began as Vice President in Business Development, generating top sales for several years in a wide range of services including employee benefits, deposits, cash management, corporate trust, international services, and loans.  Over the years, his areas of responsibility grew to include managing the Kansas City area regional Community Bank Presidents and the calling officers for metropolitan and national accounts; overseeing Treasury Management and Merchant Bankcard business lines at the holding company level; coordinating Kansas City community events and community outreach, and serving as Chief Sales Officer of the bank holding company.

In 2004, Briggs took on the leadership role in forming a De Novo Arizona bank. He was named Chairman and CEO of that bank and led its creation and chartering process. He recruited a highly respected local board and successfully built a solid book of business.

In 2006, Briggs turned his attention to the management and growth of the family bank, First State Bank & Trust Co.  He serves as Chairman, President, and CEO, making him the fifth generation to lead this bank. His experience and leadership have resulted in significant bank capital growth each year, in spite of a daunting economic environment.  The Bank has been named to the Weiss Research list of the Best Banks in the U.S., and it has received the BauerFinancial 5-Star rating each year. Briggs has streamlined bank processes, expanded product and service offerings, and established the bank’s Overland Park Bank Center.

In February 2021, after 125 years of serving Kansans under the name First State Bank, a new name was chosen – Fusion Bank. While remaining very proud of its heritage and long history as a strong Kansas bank, branch banking and the explosion of the internet had made it clear that a more unique and “searchable” name was needed.

Throughout his career, Briggs has made it a priority to be actively involved in the community.  He has served as a board member and ultimately Chairman of the Board of The Marillac Center for Children.  He participated as an active member of the Kansas City Area Development Council, Neighborhood Housing Services, and the Boy Scouts of America-Thunderbird District. He served on the board and finally as Chairman of the Board of the Kansas City Club. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Kanza Valley Capital, Inc. and of Data Center, Inc.

Briggs’s goal for Fusion Bank is to continue to build on its 126-year foundation of commitment to community, while leading it into a future of strength, agility and growth.

Douglas Briggs

President/CEO