University of Michigan economists expect second-quarter growth for the U.S. economy, although momentum may wane in the latter half of the year as interest rates rise.

Republicans in Lansing have passed another election-year tax cut plan that would reduce the personal income tax, raise Michigan’s earned income tax credit, and create a $500 per-child tax credit.

Chicago-area insurance brokerage and financial services firm Alera Group has acquired West Michigan Insurance Inc., a Grand Rapids property and casualty agency.

Michigan slipped six spots in RAND Corp.’s latest analysis of what hospitals in the U.S. charge private health insurers compared to what they receive from Medicare.

A proposal by a trio of federal agencies would bring major banking industry regulations into the modern digital age as banking is increasingly done electronically instead of in branch offices.

CertifID LLC, a Grand Rapids company that developed software to protect money wire transfers in real estate transactions, has closed on $12.5 million in growth capital.

A Kalamazoo-based investment fund that also looks to cultivate and support a new generation of entrepreneurs who want to own a business will use a $10 million investment to scale operations.

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services’ psychiatric urgent care center has served more than 13,500 patients since opening in 2019, a volume that exceeded expectations and accelerated as the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on mental health.

Michigan ranked fifth in the nation for patient safety as more than three-quarters of hospitals in the state received an “A” or a “B” grade, according to the latest installment of a semi-annual report card.

GRAND RAPIDS — More than a decade after performing the first adult heart transplant in Grand Rapids, Spectrum Health West Michigan wants to extend the procedure to children.

Lending to the commercial real estate sector remained strong through the first quarter, particularly for manufacturing and multifamily residential developments.

The union representing registered nurses at Trinity Health Muskegon has agreed to terms on a new contract with the health system that will pay them higher wages as well as retention and other one-time bonuses.

GRAND RAPIDS — Aquinas College has named Alicia Córdoba as its ninth president in the school’s 146-year history.

Angel investing in Michigan rebounded well in 2021 as the amount invested neared — and deal flow exceeded — pre-pandemic levels.

PNC Bank has named Krista Flynn as its new executive leading commercial banking in the Midwest.

Huntington Bancshares Inc.’s acquisition last year of Detroit-based TCF Financial Corp. created the second-largest bank operating in Michigan for deposit market share and with more branch offices than any other bank. The Columbus, Ohio-based Huntington, which also now ranks among the 20 largest banks in the U.S., has since worked to integrate TCF.

KALAMAZOO — Stryker Corp. recorded a solid first-quarter sales gain despite supply chain issues and staffing shortages at hospitals that delayed the installation of capital medical equipment.

Lower fee income resulting from reduced home mortgage originations and the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program loans caused Macatawa Bank Corp.’s earnings to decline in the first quarter from a year earlier.

GRAND RAPIDS — A $120 million investment by the federal government will fund a large share of the cost for Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing Inc.’s latest expansion.

GRAND RAPIDS — Spectrum Health recorded a smaller bottom line for 2021 as health systems nationally were ailing from COVID-19 case surges and staff shortages that drove up labor costs. 

GRAND RAPIDS — Independent Bank Corp. has recorded lower earnings so far this year as mortgage originations and refinancings slowed.

Huntington Bancshares Inc. expects to soon name a new leader for its West Michigan market following the recent departure of former regional president Krista Flynn.

 A Q&A with Dr. Scott Betzelos, chief medical officer and vice president of HMO strategy and affordability at Blue Care Network

A Grand Rapids startup seeks to do for bicycling what Uber and Lyft have done for transportation or DoorDash, Instacart and similar ventures have done for food and retail delivery.

The merger between Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health created a larger network from which Scott McLean can source deals.

Anew partnership between Grand Valley State University and BHSH System to increase the talent pipeline for nurses could lead to a series of similar efforts as health care and higher education officials seek to resolve an urgent staffing crisis.

Business leaders voiced strong confidence in the West Michigan economy in a recent survey by economic development organization The Right Place Inc.

GRAND RAPIDS — Mercantile Bank Corp.’s earnings declined in the first quarter from a year earlier as refinancing for home mortgages decreased and reduced fee income.

GRAND RAPIDS — Gun Lake Investments assumed full operating control through a new investment in Dallas, Texas-based Hall Technologies LLC, a designer and producer of professional audio/visual systems. 

Hospitals, physician groups and other care facilities owned and operated by Trinity Health in Michigan will change their names as the health system transitions to a common brand identity.