MidFirst Bank Doubles Down on OKC with Major Headquarters Expansion

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – February 11, 2026 – MidFirst Bank, the largest privately owned bank in the United States, has finalized the purchase of a 250,000-square-foot office building to significantly expand its Oklahoma City headquarters campus. The acquisition of the building, formerly part of the Chesapeake Energy campus, represents a major reinvestment in the bank's hometown and a strategic move to accommodate its continued nationwide growth.

A Bold Statement in a Shifting Landscape

The newly acquired property, previously known as "Building 14," sits adjacent to MidFirst's existing facilities, creating a unified and expanded corporate campus. The move is a powerful statement of local commitment, particularly as it comes at a time of economic transition for the city. The seller, Expand Energy—the rebranded entity of Chesapeake Energy—has been downsizing its Oklahoma City footprint ahead of a planned headquarters relocation to Houston.

While Expand Energy’s move reflects shifts within the energy sector, MidFirst’s expansion underscores the growing strength and stability of the region's financial industry. The acquisition breathes new life into a significant piece of commercial real estate that became available following the energy giant’s strategic pivot. For a campus that once housed thousands of energy sector employees, the arrival of a financial powerhouse marks a visible chapter in the city's ongoing economic diversification.

“Oklahoma City is MidFirst’s hometown and headquarters, and this acquisition reflects our enduring commitment to the community while positioning us for continued growth,” said Todd Dobson, Chief Executive Officer of MidFirst Bank, in a statement. The purchase solidifies the bank’s physical presence and operational capacity in the city it has called home for decades.

Private Ownership Fuels National Ambition

MidFirst Bank's ability to execute such a significant expansion is deeply rooted in its unique structure. As the nation's largest privately held bank, with over $41.4 billion in assets, it operates with a long-term strategic horizon that is often the envy of its publicly traded counterparts. Under the continuous ownership and leadership of the Records family for over seventy years, the institution has cultivated a culture of stability and deliberate growth.

This private ownership model allows the bank to make substantial, forward-looking investments without the short-term pressures of quarterly earnings calls. The headquarters expansion is the latest manifestation of this strategy, providing the necessary infrastructure to support a period of what the bank calls "tremendous expansion."

In recent years, MidFirst has aggressively grown its national footprint. It entered the Nevada market, completed the acquisition of Amerant Bank's Houston locations in late 2024, and has steadily opened new banking centers in key markets like Edmond, Oklahoma, and Houston's affluent River Oaks. With operations now spanning seven states—Oklahoma, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, and Utah—and nationwide services in commercial lending, wealth management, and mortgage servicing, the need for a larger, more capable headquarters became paramount. The new building will provide the space to house the growing teams that support this complex, multi-state operation.

Reimagining an Oklahoma City Landmark

The transformation of Building 14 from an energy hub to a financial center is symbolic of a broader evolution within Oklahoma City. The sprawling campus built by Chesapeake Energy at the height of its power was a monument to the oil and gas industry's influence on the city's skyline and economy. However, following financial challenges, bankruptcy, and restructuring, the campus began to represent a bygone era.

In early 2025, news that the former Chesapeake campus was for sale sparked conversations about the city's future. MidFirst’s acquisition of a key building on the campus provides a definitive answer, signaling a transition toward a more balanced economic base. This act of adaptive reuse not only prevents a prime commercial property from languishing but also firmly plants the flag of the financial services sector on territory once dominated by energy. It is a practical and symbolic investment in Oklahoma City's next chapter.

A Legacy of Community Investment

Beyond the strategic and financial implications, the expansion reinforces MidFirst Bank's long-standing role as a community pillar. The bank's history in the city dates back to the founding of Midland Mortgage in the 1950s, with MidFirst Bank itself established in 1982. Throughout its history, it has maintained a deep commitment to civic engagement and philanthropy.

This commitment is visible across the city. The bank is a well-known supporter of local healthcare initiatives, educational programs, and numerous civic-oriented nonprofits. Perhaps its most prominent partnership is its role as a founding partner of the Oklahoma City Thunder, an investment that has become integral to the city's modern identity and civic pride. The headquarters expansion is seen by many as a continuation of this legacy, anchoring high-quality jobs and a major corporate citizen in Oklahoma City for the foreseeable future.

“We see tremendous opportunity ahead—both here in Oklahoma City and across the country—and we’re excited to continue expanding to better serve the communities where we operate,” Dobson added. This forward-looking sentiment encapsulates the dual nature of the move: a deep-seated commitment to its local roots, which in turn provides the solid foundation required for its ambitious national expansion. The new campus building stands as a brick-and-mortar testament to that strategy, securing the bank's central role in Oklahoma City's future while fueling its growth across the nation.