Veteran banker Shaun Burke dies at 60

Longtime banking industry leader Shaun Burke has died. He was 60.

Burke, who was known most recently for his leadership at Guaranty Bank, died April 1 "after a yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer," according to his obituary posted to GreenlawnFuneralHome.com.

"Shaun’s longevity within the industry demonstrates his strong work ethic and dedication to excellence that he passed on to his family and everyone that he encountered," his obituary reads.

Burke, who worked in the banking industry for around four decades, served as president and CEO of Guaranty Bank 2004-2022, following tenures at Boatmen’s Bank and Signature Bank, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. In 2022, Burke was named president of Guaranty Bank after the company was purchased by Moline, Illinois-based QCR Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: QCRH) and merged with Springfield First Community Bank, another of QCR's holdings.

Guaranty Bank CEO Monte McNew said in a statement provided to SBJ that Burke was "an integral leader" at the company.

"We are extremely saddened by the passing of Shaun. He was not only a great banker, but most importantly, he was truly a great person and leader," McNew said in the statement. "Shaun was committed to his family, his community and all of us at Guaranty Bank.

"We are all better for being a part of his team and knowing Shaun."

McNew said plans for the president's role at Guaranty Bank would be decided at a later time.

Burke in 2021 won the top Legacy Adviser award for SBJ's Trusted Advisers, and he was one of the publication's Men of the Year honorees in 2015. He was involved with organizations such as the American Bankers Association, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’ Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council and the Missouri Bankers Association.

"I discovered that I was passionate about helping people achieve their financial goals and objectives and steadily progressed in the business of banking," Burke said for his Legacy Adviser profile. “I have advised and assisted countless business owners to help them build and create successful, thriving businesses that have served and grown our communities. I have also had the privilege to lead and coach a team of the next generation of commercial bankers that have helped to serve and grow our business communities.

"The impact will be realized for decades to come.”

In the SBJ Men of the Year profile from 2015, Guaranty board member Tim Rosenbury recalled Burke's work in growing the institution from a local savings association into a full-service commercial bank, noting he “rebuilt the organization steadily and consistently” amid a period that included “a significant devaluing of bank stocks, unprecedented increases in federal banking regulations and increased competition.”

"Though much of Guaranty’s success has been due in large part to his leadership, Shaun will quickly deflect praise to the team of banking professionals he has assembled and to his board," Rosenbury said at the time. "He has an inner drive for the success of the companies he leads, combined with a sincere humility that makes him approachable and generates loyalty."

Burke's obituary indicates a visitation will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday at Greenlawn Funeral Home, 3540 E. Seminole St., followed by a funeral service at the same location at 10 a.m. Friday and a graveside service at noon that day.