By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Old Glory Bank Presents.

What does a former military officer, a body‑armor innovator and a three‑gun competitor have in common with a bank that refuses to cancel its customers? In a candid conversation with CEO Mike Ring, John Kingma reveals how his lifelong passion for firearms and technology fuels Old Glory Bank’s drive to protect privacy, security and liberty for everyday Americans.

From Michigan Hunting Trails to the Boardroom

John Kingma grew up in Michigan, where his father introduced him to a lever‑action rifle. “My dad got me into it, I was bothering him to go deer hunting one time, and he bought me a lever‑action rifle,” Kingma recalled. That early exposure to firearms sparked a lifelong affinity for shooting, later honed through military service and three‑gun competitions that test shotgun, rifle and handgun skills.

Today, Kingma serves as Old Glory Bank’s President of Commercial Banking and Chief Product Officer. He says the bank’s mission is simple: “We won’t cancel you for who you are, what you are, or what you believe.” That ethos mirrors his personal belief that financial institutions should stand between regulators and America, refusing intimidation and championing the Constitution.

Building Body Armor for Law Enforcement and the Military

Before returning to banking, Kingma spent several years in northern Michigan working for a body‑armor manufacturer. Leveraging his technology background, he helped scale production for law‑enforcement agencies across the country and secured contracts with the U.S. Army. The company’s armor was even fitted on the President and Vice President.

Kingma estimates the venture saved “well over a thousand lives” in law‑enforcement contexts, with additional, unquantified lives protected in the military. “We had documented well over a thousand lives saved,” he said, emphasizing the tangible impact of protecting those who protect the public.

Surviving COVID‑19 and Refocusing on Purpose

In late 2022, Kingma faced a near‑fatal bout of COVID‑19 complications. A secondary infection caused his throat to close, leaving him unable to breathe or swallow for days and running a fever of 103‑104°F. “One of the specialists said, ‘I couldn’t believe you made it… you should have passed away before we got admitted,’” Kingma recounted.

That brush with death reinforced his resolve to serve a higher purpose. After recovering, he joined Old Glory Bank, seeing an opportunity to blend his technical expertise with a mission to safeguard liberty through financial services.

Old Glory Bank’s Bold Business Model

Old Glory Bank is positioning itself as a counterweight to big‑bank consolidation, which has seen 220 banks disappear in the past two years alone. Kingma and Ring argue that traditional banks have become “unsustainable,” leaving small businesses without reliable credit lines.

To address this, the bank has embraced sectors often shunned by larger institutions—crypto, cannabis, and online gaming—calling themselves “the hard‑things people don’t want to do.” Kingma notes, “We do the hard things every day,” highlighting a commitment to innovate where others shy away.

By integrating modern technology with a customer‑first philosophy, Old Glory Bank aims to expand coast‑to‑coast, offering services that enable small enterprises to “punch above their weight.”

Firearms, Freedom, and Financial Liberty

Kingma’s personal firearms collection underscores his dedication to the Second Amendment. He favors a Springfield DM 5 1⁄4, describing it as an “extension of my hand” after firing “thousands and thousands of rounds.” He notes the gritty reality of competition—sand‑filled magazines, water‑washed barrels—and the reliability of his chosen weapon.

For Kingma, the right to bear arms and the right to financial privacy are intertwined. “Privacy, Security, Liberty—that’s O‑N‑D‑E‑I,” he said, spelling out the bank’s core values. This triad reflects a broader cultural conversation about protecting individual freedoms against both regulatory overreach and corporate censorship.

Old Glory Bank’s stance resonates with a growing segment of Americans who seek institutions that honor constitutional rights while delivering modern banking solutions.

In sum, John Kingma’s journey—from Michigan hunting trips and life‑saving body armor to surviving a severe COVID‑19 case and now steering a bank dedicated to liberty—illustrates how personal conviction can shape corporate purpose. As Old Glory Bank continues to grow, its blend of technological innovation, regulatory resilience, and unwavering commitment to the Constitution may well set a new standard for financial institutions that refuse to compromise on core American values.

The full episode of Old Glory Bank Presents is available on OBBM Network TV.