Huntington Bank plans to close 31 branches in Michigan and consolidate them with nearby offices.

A pair of initiatives across Southwest Michigan have a similar goal: supporting entrepreneurs starting small businesses in their respective cities and urban cores. 

HUDSONVILLE — After assembling a team of veteran commercial lenders, West Michigan Community Bank is putting more focus on growing in the greater Grand Rapids area.

More bank branches closed in Michigan than in 45 other states in the years following the most recent financial crisis.

As Neil Brown and Wade Thompson considered acquiring Central Interconnect Inc. late last year, they found themselves interested in the opportunity the company presented.

The new head of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Michigan office believes lending should continue to grow, even as volumes for the agency’s federally backed loans keep moving upward.

Bank of America’s planned move to a new regional office in downtown Grand Rapids comes as the bank seeks to grow its West Michigan presence.

MUSKEGON — After a career spent in a variety of management and sales roles in the packaging industry, Rich Wilson decided it was time to strike out on his own. 

There’s little doubt among local executives that commercial lenders are eager to deploy capital to growing businesses. However, that willingness to lend changes when it comes to service-based companies or startup organizations