UMB Leadership

Mariner Kemper is chairman and chief executive officer of UMB Financial Corporation. He has been with the company for more than 30 years and has served and led in many roles, including president of UMB Bank Colorado, n.a. and executive vice president of UMB Financial Corporation.

Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Mariner attended the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science.

Mariner became president, chairman and CEO at age 31, making him a fifth-generation banker and the sixth Kemper leader of UMB Financial Corporation, which was founded by his great-grandfather in 1913.

Under Mariner’s leadership, UMB has grown from a $6.9 billion, Midwestern bank into a super-regional, financial services powerhouse with a presence in 14 states, stretching from Illinois to California, with $73.1 billion in assets (as of Dec. 31, 2025). In addition to strong, organic growth, UMB’s 2025 acquisition of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (HTLF), the largest acquisition in the company’s 112-year history, significantly expanded UMB’s scope and size. 

Mariner has been recognized for his leadership, business performance, industry commitment and community involvement with various awards, including being named BankBeat’s 2025 Banker of the Year and one of Denver Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs in 2024.

Mariner has appeared in media interviews and publications, including CNN, Bloomberg, American Banker, Fox News, various Business Journals and more.
 

Personal interests and family
Mariner has a passion for art and stays active with his wife, Megan, and his two children, Emma and Brady, through running and cross-country skiing. He enjoys traveling and exploring new areas of the country. Mariner is also a voracious reader and is currently working on a personal goal of reading every presidential biography. He enjoys sailing and competes in a regatta every year in his catboat, the Second Wind.

Company Facts (as of Dec. 31, 2025)

• UMB Financial Corporation’s 2025 fourth quarter net operating income was $235.2 million.
• Average loans increase d 13.0% on a linked-quarter annualized basis to $38.3 billion. End-of-period loans were $38.8 billion at December 31, 2025.
• Average deposits increase d 5.6% on a linked-quarter annualized basis to $57.6 billion. End-of-period deposits were $60.7 billion at December 31, 2025. 
   

Community Involvement

• Agriculture Future of America – lifetime director
• Denver Art Museum - trustee and executive committee member
• Kansas City American Royal - lifetime director
• Wetlands America Trust - trustee