HISTORY
Achieving More Together

Our History

BOK Financial traces its roots back more than a century to when Harry Sinclair and other noted Oklahoma oilmen founded Exchange National Bank of Tulsa during the early-century oil boom. They were looking for strong and stable funding for their endeavors in the newly discovered Tulsa oil fields. Widely known at the time as “The Oil Bank of America,” Exchange National Bank of Tulsa partnered with local oilmen over the years and became responsible for much of the financing for oil development in the region. Over the years, we have grown to be much more through organic growth, developing new products and services, as well as finding the perfect partners for acquisitions and mergers.

Beginning in 1994, we started expanding outside of the state of Oklahoma. Now we serve 10 markets in eight states across the Midwest. 

Our most recent acquisition, CoBiz Financial, further expands our presence in Colorado and Arizona, and shows our willingness to continue growing to meet our clients’ and communities’ needs.