Who Owns BOK Financial Company?

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Who Owns BOK Financial Corporation?

BOK Financial Corporation's ownership history is marked by significant shifts, notably its acquisition by George Kaiser in 1991 after an FDIC bailout. This event was a turning point, fundamentally altering the company's structure and control.

Understanding who holds the reins is crucial for grasping a company's strategic direction and accountability. The influence of major shareholders, like institutional investors and key individuals, shapes the company's path forward, impacting its operations and market position.

As of July 2025, institutional investors collectively own a substantial portion of BOK Financial Corporation, with Vanguard Group, Inc. holding the largest stake at approximately 11.50%. Other significant institutional holders include BlackRock, Inc. with 8.10%, and State Street Corporation with 4.20%. This widespread institutional ownership suggests a broad base of confidence in the company's management and future prospects. For a deeper dive into the company's strategic positioning, one might consider an analysis such as the BOK Financial BCG Matrix.

BOK Financial Corporation's origins trace back to the Exchange National Bank of Tulsa, founded in 1910 by influential Oklahoma figures in the oil industry. These early owners, including Harry Sinclair, W.K. Warren, and W.G. Skelly, established the bank with an initial capital of $250,000 to support regional oil development.

Founding Vision

The bank's initial purpose was to provide crucial financing for the burgeoning oil sector in Oklahoma. Its early operations led to its reputation as 'The Oil Bank of America'.

Early Ownership Structure

Initial ownership was held by oil investors who acquired the assets of a previously failed bank. This group laid the groundwork for the institution's future growth and development.

Reorganization and Rebranding

In 1933, the bank was reorganized as the National Bank of Tulsa (NBT). Later, in 1975, it was rebranded as Bank of Oklahoma to reflect its expanded statewide focus.

Impact of Energy Market Downturn

A significant challenge arose in 1986 when a downturn in the Oklahoma energy market threatened the bank's stability. This led to a critical intervention by the FDIC.

FDIC Intervention and Ownership Shift

The FDIC provided a $130 million bailout to prevent the bank's failure. This intervention resulted in the FDIC gaining a 99.99% ownership stake in the merged entity of Bank of Oklahoma and Bank of Oklahoma, Tulsa.

Foundation for Future Growth

This period marked a significant shift in control, setting the stage for the company's eventual restructuring and public offering, influencing its long-term BOK Financial ownership trajectory.

The early history of BOK Financial Corporation is deeply intertwined with the economic landscape of Oklahoma, particularly its oil industry. The initial capitalization of $250,000 for Exchange National Bank of Tulsa was a substantial sum for its time, underscoring the commitment of its founders. The bank's early identity as 'The Oil Bank of America' highlights its strategic alignment with the region's primary economic driver. The subsequent reorganization and rebranding efforts reflect a strategic evolution to broaden its market presence and appeal. The 1986 FDIC intervention, while a critical moment of near-failure, ultimately led to a significant restructuring of ownership, paving the way for the company's transformation into the publicly traded entity it is today. Understanding this foundational period is key to grasping the BOK Financial corporate structure and its subsequent development, including its Growth Strategy of BOK Financial.

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The ownership landscape of BOK Financial Corporation was significantly reshaped on June 7, 1991, when George Kaiser acquired the institution from the FDIC for $60.7 million. This pivotal acquisition marked the beginning of an aggressive expansion strategy under Kaiser's leadership, transforming the company from its initial asset base of under $2 billion.

BOK Financial Corporation operates as a publicly traded entity on NASDAQ, listed under the Global Select market with the ticker symbol BOKF. The company's journey as a public entity commenced on September 5, 1991, with an initial split-adjusted opening price of $9.21. As of July 22, 2025, the stock was trading at $105.76. The current ownership structure reflects a significant concentration of shares held by insiders and institutional investors. George B. Kaiser stands as the largest individual shareholder, maintaining a substantial stake of approximately 59.08% of the outstanding common stock as of March 3, 2025, which equates to 37,974,900 shares. This considerable holding grants him considerable influence over the company's direction. Institutional investors collectively own about 35.01% of the company's shares as of March 31, 2025. Prominent institutional shareholders include the George Kaiser Family Foundation, holding 5.23% (3,361,707 shares as of March 31, 2025), Dimensional Fund Advisors Lp with 3.83% (2,463,151 shares as of March 31, 2025), and Vanguard Group Inc, which holds 3.75% (2,412,199 shares as of March 31, 2025). Other significant institutional investors comprise Ariel Investments, Llc (2.81%), Fmr Llc (2.45%), and BlackRock, Inc. (1.92%). The combined holdings of these institutional investors amount to 25,624,796 shares as of July 22, 2025. This concentrated ownership by George Kaiser and key institutional players significantly shapes the company's strategic decisions and governance framework, a topic further explored in the Marketing Strategy of BOK Financial.

Understanding BOK Financial's Ownership

BOK Financial's ownership is characterized by a dominant individual stakeholder and substantial institutional backing. This structure influences corporate governance and strategic planning.

• George B. Kaiser is the majority shareholder with over 59% ownership.
• Institutional investors hold approximately 35% of the company's stock.
• Key institutional holders include the George Kaiser Family Foundation and Vanguard Group.
• BOK Financial is a publicly traded company on NASDAQ under the ticker BOKF.

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The Board of Directors at BOK Financial Corporation is structured to reflect significant ownership influence, with George Kaiser serving as Chairman, underscoring his substantial stake. Stacy Kymes holds the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer, and is also a director, alongside Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Martin E. Grunst.

As of March 3, 2025, BOK Financial Corporation had 64,271,736 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. George B. Kaiser's ownership of approximately 59.08% of this stock grants him considerable voting power, as the company operates under a one-share-one-vote structure. This concentrated ownership means Kaiser effectively controls major corporate decisions. The board itself is comprised of experienced individuals, with an average tenure of 17.8 years, contrasting with the management team's average tenure of 2.9 years. This blend suggests a stable yet adaptable leadership. The company has not experienced significant public proxy battles or activist campaigns, likely a consequence of its concentrated ownership structure and the resulting control.

Understanding BOK Financial's Ownership and Governance

BOK Financial's corporate structure is heavily influenced by its majority shareholder, George Kaiser. This concentration of ownership impacts the company's governance and strategic direction.

• George Kaiser holds a majority stake, approximately 59.08%, of BOK Financial's common stock.
• The company operates on a one-share-one-vote principle, solidifying the majority owner's control.
• The Board of Directors exhibits long-standing experience, with an average tenure of 17.8 years.
• This ownership model has historically minimized the impact of activist investors.
• Understanding BOK Financial ownership is key to grasping its strategic decision-making processes, as detailed in the Revenue Streams & Business Model of BOK Financial article.

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Recent developments at BOK Financial Corporation indicate a focus on strategic growth and leadership transitions. In September 2024, the company announced the promotion of David Stratton to Executive Vice President, Regional Banking Executive, effective April 1, 2025, succeeding Marc Maun. This planned succession highlights the company's commitment to internal talent development.

BOK Financial reported strong second-quarter results for 2025, with accelerated loan growth exceeding $600 million, or 10% annualized. The company also saw robust fee income, reaching record highs in fiduciary and asset management revenue, transaction card revenue, and deposit service charges. Net interest income grew for the fifth consecutive quarter, with a 7 basis point expansion in core net interest margin. Despite a decrease in total interest revenue from the first half of 2024 to the first half of 2025, the company's overall financial performance demonstrates resilience and strategic execution.

Leadership Succession

David Stratton's promotion to Executive Vice President, Regional Banking Executive, effective April 1, 2025, signifies a planned leadership transition. This move underscores the company's emphasis on developing internal leadership talent.

Financial Performance Highlights

The second quarter of 2025 saw accelerated loan growth and strong fee income, with record quarterly highs in several key areas. Net interest margin also continued to expand, reflecting disciplined credit positioning.

Ownership Structure

While institutional ownership is significant, George Kaiser maintains a majority stake, indicating continued founder-led influence. Understanding Mission, Vision & Core Values of BOK Financial provides context for its strategic direction.

Market Valuation Trends

As of August 1, 2025, BOK Financial's market capitalization was $6.27 billion, reflecting a one-year decrease of -6.71%. However, the company has experienced substantial long-term growth, with its market cap increasing by 517.26% since December 1, 1998.

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