Industry recognition highlights Eggleston’s leadership and nbkc’s longstanding commitment to financial innovation

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Melissa Eggleston, executive vice president and chief deposit and operations officer of nbkc bank, has been named Finovate’s 2026 Executive of the Year, an award recognizing exceptional leadership and innovation in financial services.

Finovate is a research and events firm focused on innovation in financial and banking technology. Its annual awards recognize outstanding achievements among banks, fintech companies and industry leaders, with winners selected by a panel of industry experts.

Selected from eight finalists, Eggleston was recognized for achievements that reflect nbkc’s commitment to innovation. According to Finovate, judges cited the bank’s ease of use for remote customers, its strong industry reputation, and its ability to pursue new opportunities while continuing to deliver value to existing customers.

“This is a tremendous and well-deserved recognition for Melissa and nbkc,” said Michael Bartkoski, president and CEO of nbkc bank. “Melissa embodies our commitment to building strong partnerships with some of the industry’s most innovative fintechs and delivering financial solutions to millions of Americans. She is constantly building relationships and looking at ways to provide value to our partners and the customers we serve.”

nbkc bank was also named a finalist for Finovate’s Best Banking as a Service Provider award. Additionally, Scott Ramon, the bank’s Chief Technology Officer, was a finalist for Innovator of the Year.

Eggleston joined nbkc bank in 2016 to lead the development of its nationwide digital banking platform for consumers and small businesses. Her responsibilities have since expanded to include bank operations and strategic fintech partnerships. She has been recognized by the Kansas City Business Journal as a NextGen Leader and one of its Women of Influence.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Purdue University Northwest and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at University of Wisconsin-Madison.

About nbkc bank

Having celebrated 25 years in 2024, nbkc bank is a Kansas City-based community bank with a nationwide online presence. Known for pairing intuitive technology with personal support, nbkc delivers digital solutions for mortgage, consumer, and business banking, plus Banking as a Service (BaaS) for companies nationwide. The bank also founded Fountain City Fintech®, an accelerator for growing fintech startups. nbkc remains committed to leading the industry toward simpler, more transparent banking. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

About Finovate

Finovate, a part of Informa Festivals’ fintech division, is a research and events firm focused on innovation in financial and banking technology. Its team runs the Finovate conference series and produces the popular Finovate blog and Finovate podcast. Finovate is the only conference series focused exclusively on showcasing the best and most innovative new financial and banking technologies. Finovate conferences consistently attract large, high-impact audiences of senior financial and banking executives, venture capitalists, press, industry analysts, bloggers, regulators and entrepreneurs. For more information visit www.finovate.com 

MEDIA CONTACT
Melissa.Beltrame@nbkc.com

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