As chairman emeritus of UMB Financial Corporation, R. Crosby Kemper, Jr., is one of Kansas City’s leading civic figures for over 50 years. The story of UMB Financial Corporation is a success story in the best tradition of American free enterprise. From a storefront bank with first-day deposits of $1,100 in 1913, it has grown to a multi-bank holding company with assets of more than $8.9 billion and banks located throughout Missouri, Illinois, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Arizona.
Elected president of UMB in 1959, R. Crosby Kemper, Jr., was the man at the helm of UMB Financial Corporation for more than 30 years. During his tenure as president, chief executive officer and chairman of the Board, Kemper led the bank through times of major expansion and significant change.
Today, all affiliate banks continue to practice the kind of community involvement that has traditionally resulted in UMB Financial Corporation's growth, not only as a financial institution, but also as a responsible community citizen. This corporate attitude toward community involvement was born out of Crosby Kemper’s personal commitment to his community. From the arts to the American Royal to youth programs, Kemper serves as a volunteer on a number boards of directors in the Kansas City area, as well as nationally.
One program, however, is very special to Kemper. In 1996, he and his son, Sandy Kemper, founded the Agriculture Future of America (AFA), an organization whose mission is to identify, encourage and support outstanding college men and women seeking careers in the agriculture and food industry.
Each year, students participate in the internship component and receive scholarships. More than 5,500 students have benefited from the AFA Leaders Conference.