Illinois Bankers Association Honors Van Dukeman

The Illinois Bankers Association (IBA) has named Busey Chairman and CEO Van Dukeman as Banker of the Year—the highest honor the organization bestows on an individual whose dedication to excellence has profoundly enhanced the banking industry. 

The annual award recognizes the individual’s leadership and service qualities, applied not only to the banking industry but also to promoting civic, community and charitable causes. IBA President Randy Hultgren presented the award to Van at the IBA’s annual conference on June 24 at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, WI.

 

 

“Throughout our industry, there are individuals whose leadership and vision leave an unmistakable mark—those who not only guide their own institution, but uplift the entire banking community,” Hultgren said while presenting the award Tuesday. “Van has guided his institution through transformative change to achieve extraordinary milestones, including the recent significant acquisition of CrossFirst Bank. He exemplifies leadership, integrity and vision, and has grown a ‘people first’ culture at Busey that is central to its success. It’s a great privilege for me and the IBA to honor Van here today.”

 

Under Van’s leadership, Busey has grown from $2 billion in assets to nearly $20 billion over the past 17 years by executing on a sequence of nine strategic acquisitions which have resulted in successful, intentional growth for Busey’s banking and wealth management services. Combining his collective leadership with Main Street Bank & Trust and Busey, Van has led 16 successful acquisitions since 1994, including Busey’s transformational partnership with CrossFirst Bank in 2024, the largest acquisition in Busey’s history.

“During times of change and through difficult situations, Van is at his best,” says Amy Randolph, Executive Vice President - Chief Operating Officer for Busey. “He has been the driving force in shaping Busey’s incredible growth trajectory while ensuring our highly regarded culture has remained consistent and best-in-class. Through his vision and tremendous relationship-building skills, he has charted the path of the greatest growth era in the company’s 157-year history, and as Busey keeps growing forward we will continue to rely on Van’s ability to steer us and respond to change.”

 

For Van, the path to exceptional leadership and a nearly 45-year banking career began at an early age. The roots took hold while helping his father at the State Bank of Arthur in Illinois, doing various odds-and-ends jobs as early as the eighth grade. During his junior and senior years at the University of Illinois in the late 1970s, he worked nights for Busey in their computer department.

 

After earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MBA in Finance from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Van began his post-grad professional career at a regional banking organization in Houston before returning to the heartland and Illinois in 1994 with Main Street Bank & Trust in Champaign. He was serving as CEO of Main Street Bank & Trust when it merged with Busey in 2007 and took over the role of President & CEO of Busey, ushering in a new era for the organization. 

 

Since opening its doors in 1868, Busey has built a foundation of broad financial capabilities, deep knowledge and close personal relationships that span generations. Van has built on this tradition and remains committed to ensuring our Pillars—associates, customers, communities and shareholders—achieve their dreams. 

 

“Over his 45-plus year career in banking, Van has made a significant impact on Busey and banking in the state of Illinois,” says Martin O’Donnell, Executive Vice President and Midwest Regional President for Busey. “He has been a steadying force through multiple banking cycles—leading Busey and its predecessor banks through all of them. Over the years, Van’s consistent and focused approach has allowed Busey to grow and prosper.”

 

Active across the community in various leadership capacities, Van shares his professional acumen with an assortment of regional organizations. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Millikin University in Decatur, IL, Chairman of the Carle Foundation and Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL, Chairman of the Board and Campaign Chairman of the United Way of Champaign County, and as a member of the Young President’s Organization Illini Chapter. As a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA), Van is also a member of the CFA Society of Chicago, CFA Institute and the Economic Club of Chicago. 

 

“Van has managed to expertly lead our organization while simultaneously mentoring youth in Illinois,” says Martin. “He and Patti have always been philanthropic toward the causes and organizations that are impactful to those in our communities, and it has set an example for Busey community service initiatives.”

 

Van also encourages others to give their time, talent and treasures to causes close to their heart. As an organization, Busey’s charitable donations totaled over $1.9 million in 2024—supporting the critical needs of each community through scholarships, youth programs, food security, shelter and more. With encouragement from the executive level, last year Busey associates also generously gave nearly 21,600 hours of their time directly to hundreds of community organizations. 

 

“Having known Van for nearly 40 years, I believe his true legacy will be his heart for service and dedication to community,” says Curt Anderson, the former President of Busey Wealth Management who now serves as Executive Success Coach for the organization. “He has often said, ‘A bank's success is a reflection of the success of the community it serves. You can’t have success in one without the other.’” 

 

An exceptional example of professional achievement, family dedication, service to others and guidance of the next generation, Van provides an incredible example of how common circumstances can be transformed to positively impact a community today and for generations to come.

 

“One thing that has always impressed me about Van is his absolute commitment to excellence—both personal and professional,” Curt says. ”Whether it was competing in athletic endeavors, raising award-winning German Shepherds, leadership in numerous non-profit organizations and of course, banking, not only has Van excelled in life, but he has inspired those around him to reach higher, push further and strive for greatness. His commitment to integrity, innovation and hard work has left a lasting impact on those around him and the banking industry. But Van’s true success is not about his many achievements, it’s about the lives he’s uplifted along the way.