Guaranty CEO named to national council; shares hit 52-week high

Springfield-based Guaranty Federal Bancshares Inc. (Nasdaq: GFED) CEO Shaun Burke was named to a national board of top executives representing community banks in all 50 states.

As one of 100 community bank executives on the American Bankers Association’s Community Bankers Council, Burke is the only representative from southwest Missouri and one of three from the Show-Me State. The board counsels the AB on governmental issues and trends affecting smaller banks, according to a news release.

“Community banks, and bankers, are an integral part of every successful community, and the health of our banks is a direct reflection of our well-being and future,” Burke said in the release. “Making sure our voice is heard as small community banks is important for our customers, shareholders and employees.”

Representing 95 percent of all United States banks, the average ABA member bank holds less than $300 million in assets. As of Sept. 30, Guaranty’s assets were $617.1 million and deposits were $471.3 million.