Augusta Community Businessman Spotlight-Eric Grooms
Go! Augusta Community Businessman Spotlight--Eric Grooms
Relationships in Community
Eric Grooms, President of Community National Bank & Trust, is a lifelong Augusta resident and a respected leader in the local business community. With more than 40 years of experience in banking, Eric has played a significant role in strengthening Augusta’s financial landscape. He helped start two banks in the community, including Community National Bank & Trust from the ground up, and has led the bank since 2012 with a strong focus on relationship‑based service and community‑centered banking.
Building Community in Business
Eric tells us, “I started my banking career at Prairie State Bank in 1986. Newton Male hired me at the time who was President of the bank and who was a prominent Augustan. So, Newt hired me for my first job and then shared a story with me that my dad had hired him for his first job at Boulevard State Bank in Wichita.
I was very involved in starting 2 new banks in Augusta. 1. Rose Hill Bank (Now Equity Bank) and Community National Bank & Trust.
Community National Bank & Trust was a de novo bank meaning we started it from scratch. I always like to say we didn't have one paper clip when we started which was true and with 2 employees, and now we have 11 employees and approximately $100M in assets.”
Enjoying Community Life
Eric believes that strong communities are built on three essentials: good schools, quality healthcare, and meaningful quality‑of‑life amenities. In his free time, he enjoys a relaxing bike ride around Augusta City Lake and taking part in community events such as the Pub Crawl, where he appreciates seeing residents enjoy everything Augusta’s downtown has to offer. You might also find yourself chatting with Eric about one of his favorite Basketball underdog movies, Hoosiers, or his dream of one day golfing at California’s Pebble Beach Golf Course.
Building Community in Giving
Throughout his career and life, Eric credits perseverance through early professional challenges—many from the pre‑computer era of banking—as well as living by the Golden Rule and the character‑building principles of the Jordan Standard as his guiding foundations. A Pittsburg State University Gorilla alumnus and longtime Augusta resident, Eric continues to find his greatest inspiration in the people he has worked with and the lasting relationships built along the way. Beyond his professional role, he is deeply committed to giving back, serving on the board of the Augusta Community Foundation, where he helps support local nonprofits, community projects, and scholarships—continuing his long‑standing dedication to civic engagement and the future of the community he proudly calls home.
