NBA veteran Harrison Barnes, a native of Ames, Iowa, has made a significant investment in his home state by purchasing Community State Bank in Paton for $25 million through his company, Barnes & Co. Barnes, who was a top basketball star at Ames High School before playing for North Carolina and being drafted seventh overall by the Golden State Warriors in 2012, has earned $224.1 million over his 14-year NBA career. Currently signed with the San Antonio Spurs for a one-year, $8 million deal, Barnes is nearing the end of his playing days and is focused on his transition into banking.

Barnes has been preparing for this move by working closely with Iowa banking professionals and even took part in the Iowa School for Banking during the recent NBA Finals to gain deeper industry knowledge. His acquisition of Community State Bank reflects a strategic and committed investment rather than a superficial venture. Barnes expressed a desire to help build Community State Bank into a leading financial institution in Iowa, emphasizing a long-term vision that leverages strong community ties and trusted leadership.

The bank’s existing leadership team, including CEO Craig Marquardt and Jake Bohnet, played a key role in Barnes’s decision to purchase the institution. Barnes praised their stewardship and highlighted that trust in banking heavily depends on leadership, which he believes is exemplary at Community State Bank. Despite the change in ownership, Marquardt assured that the bank's name and staff will remain consistent, signaling continuity for customers and the local community.

This acquisition marks a milestone for Barnes as he strategically enters the financial sector outside of sports, reinforcing his commitment to his Iowa roots and community development. By investing in banking, Barnes joins a growing number of athletes leveraging their wealth and influence to create lasting business legacies beyond their athletic careers. His $25 million investment into Community State Bank positions him as a significant player in Iowa’s financial landscape moving forward.