Ozarks Profile: Shaun Burke

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What is your role with Guaranty Bank?|ret||ret||tab|

As president and CEO, I am responsible for the management of all aspects of the company's activities to ensure maximum profits commensurate with the best interests of customers, employees and stockholders.|ret||ret||tab|

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How did you arrive in this position?|ret||ret||tab|

I am a native of southeast Missouri and have lived in Springfield for 20 years. After graduating from Southwest Missouri State University with a degree in finance, I held various lending positions with Boatmen's Bank (and its successors) in Springfield and Branson. In 1997, I left Bank of America as part of a management team that formed Signature Bank. I held the positions of executive vice president and senior lending officer until being appointed as the President and CEO of Guaranty Bank in March. |ret||ret||tab|

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What's the biggest goal you'll pursue in the next six months?|ret||ret||tab|

Guaranty Bank has a strong 90-year history of serving the southwest Missouri area. In 2003, the company converted from a thrift charter to a Missouri chartered trust company with banking powers. This conversion allows the bank to increase its portfolio of commercial loans while continuing to be one of the areas top providers of home mortgages. The immediate goal is to realign and focus the bank's lending efforts to take advantage of the tremendous commercial banking opportunities in the southwest Missouri markets.|ret||ret||tab|

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What is your management philosophy?|ret||ret||tab|

To create a culture that strives to consistently exceed customer expectations by encouraging employee excellence. |ret||ret||tab|

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What are Guaranty Bank's biggest challenges, and how are they being addressed?|ret||ret||tab|

The primary challenge facing Guaranty Bank is to continue to expand business and increase market share in a highly competitive banking environment. Guaranty Bank is a full-service commercial bank that offers a wide variety of commercial and consumer loan and deposit products. Banking services are a commodity and separating yourself from the competition is a challenge. To address these challenges, Guaranty Bank is emphasizing technology development for the convenience of our customers. We are expanding our presence in the market with nine locations, a new branch bank on West Kearney opening in 2004, and Internet banking at www.gbankmo.com. |ret||ret||tab|

And, most importantly, we are renewing our focus on providing exceptional customer service. Guaranty associates are committed to exceeding customer expectations. All loan decisions are made locally by banking professionals you know and trust.|ret||ret||tab|

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Tell us about your family.|ret||ret||tab|

Married for 16 years to Kimberly, and have a daughter, Kylea, 13, and a son, Dalton, 10.|ret||ret||tab|

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What are your spare-time interests? |ret||ret||tab|

I enjoy golf, and I am very active in coaching competitive youth basketball and baseball.|ret||ret||tab|

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