Equity Bancshares (EQBK) closes merger with Frontier Holdings, parent of Frontier Bank

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Equity Bancshares, Inc. reported that it has completed its merger with Frontier Holdings LLC, the holding company of Frontier Bank. The transaction was carried out under an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated August 29, 2025, and became effective on January 1, 2026.

The company disclosed this completion through a press release dated January 2, 2026, which is included as an exhibit. That release also contains cautionary language about forward-looking statements related to the combined business.

Insights

Bank M&A and capital markets analyst

Equity Bancshares closed its merger with Frontier Holdings, expanding its banking platform.

Equity Bancshares, Inc. completed its merger with Frontier Holdings LLC, the parent of Frontier Bank, effective January 1, 2026. This combination adds another banking franchise under Equity’s umbrella and formally transitions Frontier Bank into the company’s corporate structure via an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated August 29, 2025.

The filing highlights legal completion but does not provide financial terms, expected cost savings, or earnings impact in this excerpt. Any assessment of strategic benefits or integration risk depends on details likely contained in the attached press release and prior merger-related disclosures.

For now, the key fact is that regulatory and contractual conditions appear satisfied and closing has occurred as of January 1, 2026. Future company disclosures may describe how the integration of Frontier Bank affects Equity Bancshares’ balance sheet, branch footprint, and profitability metrics.

8-K Event Classification

2 items: 8.01, 9.01

2 items

Item 8.01 Other Events Other

Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 02, 2026

EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Kansas			001-37624	72-1532188
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)			(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
7701 East Kellogg Drive Suite 300
Wichita, Kansas				67207
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)				(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: 316 612-6000

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A, Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share		EQBK		New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On January 2, 2026, Equity Bancshares, Inc. (“the Company”) issued a press release announcing that it has completed its merger with Frontier Holdings LLC (“Frontier”), the holding company of Frontier Bank, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated August 29, 2025, by and among the Company, Winston Merger Sub, Inc, and Frontier effective January 1, 2026.

A copy of the press release issued by the Company reporting the closing of the merger is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference, including the cautionary language regarding forward-looking statements.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press release dated January 2, 2026
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

			Equity Bancshares, Inc.
Date:	January 2, 2026	By:	/s/ Chris M. Navratil
			Chris M. Navratil Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

FAQ

What did Equity Bancshares, Inc. (EQBK) announce in this 8-K?

Equity Bancshares, Inc. announced that it has completed its merger with Frontier Holdings LLC, the holding company of Frontier Bank, effective January 1, 2026.

When did the merger between Equity Bancshares and Frontier Holdings become effective?

The merger between Equity Bancshares, Inc. and Frontier Holdings LLC became effective on January 1, 2026.

What agreement governs the merger between Equity Bancshares and Frontier Holdings?

The merger is governed by an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated August 29, 2025, among Equity Bancshares, Winston Merger Sub, Inc., and Frontier Holdings LLC.

How did Equity Bancshares, Inc. communicate the closing of the Frontier merger?

Equity Bancshares, Inc. issued a press release dated January 2, 2026 reporting the closing of the merger, which is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

What additional information is provided in the press release attached to the 8-K?

The attached press release includes details on the closing of the merger and incorporates cautionary language regarding forward-looking statements related to Equity Bancshares, Inc.

Who signed the 8-K for Equity Bancshares, Inc. related to the Frontier merger?

The report was signed on behalf of Equity Bancshares, Inc. by Chris M. Navratil, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.