SPARTA — Higher expenses mostly related to the Oct. 1 merger with County Bank Corp. cut into third quarter earnings for ChoiceOne Financial Services Inc.

Bill McIntyre and Michael Merren, owners of ComForCare Grand Rapids, have been providing in-home health care to families in the Grand Rapids area for over 10 years. Their success – compassion. Care like people are your family.

It all started as a part-time job in banking while I was in college almost 20 years ago. I’ve always been interested in business and financial markets. And I’ve observed how the entrepreneurial spirit runs deep in West Michigan.

Sparta-based ChoiceOne Financial Services Inc. plans to merge with Lapeer-based County Bank Corp. in a deal that would create a bank with a combined $1.28 billion in assets.

Here is the MiBiz Growth Report for Dec. 10, 2018.

Here is the MiBiz Growth Report for Oct. 29, 2018.

ChoiceOne Financial Services Inc., the parent company of ChoiceOne Bank, recorded higher earnings for the third quarter.

Rising interest rates won’t lead to change in how banks underwrite credit, although business borrowers need to monitor their effects if they opt for a variable-rate commercial loan.

GRAND RAPIDS — United Bank will become the latest entry into the downtown banking market with the planned opening of a new office later this year.

A lower federal corporate tax rate contributed to higher earnings for West Michigan community banks that reported quarterly results this week.