Business executives and M&A professionals in a recent survey offered cautious optimism for the market next year, despite rising interest rates and elevated expectations for a U.S. recession.

Grand Rapids-based venture capital fund Grand Ventures led a $3 million capital round for iink Payments, a Tampa, Fla.-based platform that expedites payments for property insurance claims.

GRAND RAPIDS — Lake Michigan Credit Union has launched a rebranding to create a common brand identity in Michigan and Florida using just its initials.

Small business lender Northern Initiatives will receive $100,000 from major foundations annually over the next three years to help grow small businesses across Michigan.

GRAND RAPIDS — Kalamazoo-based Consumers Credit Union has signed a sponsorship agreement with Van Andel Arena for the naming rights to a restaurant.

GRAND RAPIDS — New capital commitments from investors give Monroe Equity Partners LLC the financial backing to pursue a market niche that’s projected to offer plenty of opportunity in the next few years.

GRAND RAPIDS — Grand Rapids-based fintech and global insurance broker Acrisure LLC has acquired an Illinois company that helps small businesses obtain quotes and buy customized coverage online. 

GRAND RAPIDS — Strong interest from investors led Michigan Capital Network to expand the size of its new venture capital fund, the organization’s fourth since its inception.

A Q&A with Matt Jung, founder of Orange Dot Ventures LLC

GRAND RAPIDS — KeyBank intends to plant a flag in the West Michigan market with the opening of a downtown Grand Rapids office later this year or in early 2023.

HOLLAND — Independent Bank has opened a branch office in Holland at 12368 Riley St., off U.S.-31 near a Meijer Inc. store.

A new West Michigan private equity firm has kicked off with a pair of deals for direct-to-consumer products companies. 

GRAND RAPIDS — Crain Communications Inc. has acquired the Grand Rapids Business Journal from Troy-based Gemini Media LLC, publication executives announced today.

KENTWOOD — Montage Inc., a provider of protection plans for residential furniture, jewelry and watches, has sold to One80 Intermediaries Inc., a Boston-based specialty insurance broker.

The second investment by the New Community Transformation Fund — a recently formed Grand Rapids investment fund for minority entrepreneurs — went to a Texas fintech that relocated its headquarters to downtown Grand Rapids.

The state has begun the process to dispense nearly $237 million in federal funding to support small businesses.

KALAMAZOO — Advia Credit Union has named longtime Chief Financial Officer Jeff Fielder as its next president and CEO.

GRAND RAPIDS — Three years after forming a fund to invest in companies needing growth capital, Charter Capital Partners LLC has begun preparing to start a larger, successor fund.

Business lending remained strong through midyear despite rising interest rates and economic uncertainty that’s generating worries about a potential recession, according to regional banking executives.

A recently formed Grand Rapids investment fund supporting entrepreneurs of color is serving as a model for a similar effort in Colorado, while fund organizers say the effort could be replicated in even more U.S. cities.

Leaders behind a Grand Rapids investment fund formed to support entrepreneurs of color hope a similar venture in Colorado becomes the first of multiple funds that replicate the model across the country.

The new West Michigan regional president for Huntington Bank moved into the job with nearly three decades of experience in the market.

KALAMAZOO — A new chief executive officer took over this month at Kalamazoo-based Consumers Credit Union.

Venture capital investing in Michigan reached an all-time high in 2021 for the amount invested, as the industry built further momentum, continued the growth trend of several years and as the state attracted more outside investors to participate in deals.

GRAND RAPIDS — Grand Rapids-based fintech company and global insurance broker Acrisure LLC has added to its cyber services business with two acquisitions.

Huntington Bancshares Inc. has named a veteran banking executive and longtime West Michigan resident to lead its regional division.

Venture capital investing in Michigan held up well through midyear compared to national trends, as the number of deals were essentially even while the amount invested nearly doubled.

Grand Rapids-based insurance broker and fintech Acrisure LLC signed a 15-year deal for the naming rights of the NFL Pittsburgh Steelers’ home stadium.

The mergers and acquisitions market enters the second half of 2022 facing a stack of issues that may affect deal flow and how transactions are structured.

Tim Spence takes the helm July 5 at Fifth Third Bancorp Inc., succeeding Greg Carmichael, who’s retiring as CEO and becomes executive chairman.