Finance
GRAND RAPIDS — Michigan Capital Network netted $37.5 million to date in its drive to raise $50 million for a fourth venture capital fund, a goal that has doubled since fundraising began in early 2022.
A change in federal law opens new options for owners considering the sale of their small business.
Venture capital investors put more money into Michigan-based companies last year, even as deal volume declined.
WYOMING — Workers at Lake Michigan Credit Union’s South Division Avenue branch near Grand Rapids have voted to unionize.
Michigan Capital Network exec cites signs of resilience in state’s VC, angel investor community
Written by Mark SanchezComing off what Diane Durance calls a “robust” year in 2022, Grand Rapids-based Michigan Capital Network looks to close fundraising in 2023 on a fourth venture capital fund and grow its network of angel investors.
M&A ‘mixed bag’ expected in 2023 as interest rates, economic headwinds linger
By Andy Balaskovitz and Mark SanchezInvestment bankers and deal advisers forecast a 2023 M&A market affected, but not necessarily stymied, by rising interest rates and other economic headwinds.
Union Home Mortgage — a retail, wholesale and consumer-direct mortgage company based in Strongsville, Ohio — has acquired Portage-based Amerifirst Home Mortgage.
Cannabis banking exec expects Michigan prices to continue falling, more M&A in 2023
Written by Mark SanchezPrices in Michigan’s cannabis industry plummeted in 2022, leading to some closures and layoffs, and could fall even further in 2023 as more players enter the business.
PE-backed High Street Insurance Partners notches 2 more acquisitions in busy 2022
Written by Mark SanchezTRAVERSE CITY — High Street Insurance Partners Inc. moved into the Nevada and California markets with its latest acquisition that also marks a strong dealmaking year for the firm.
PORTAGE — Amerifirst Home Mortgage plans layoffs at its Portage office early next year, citing reduced demand for home mortgages resulting from rising interest rates.
WYOMING — AMI Entertainment Network LLC, a provider of digital jukeboxes and other products for the restaurant and bar industry, has been acquired by a Los Angeles private equity firm.
GRAND RAPIDS — Staff at Lake Michigan Credit Union’s South Division branch in Grand Rapids are seeking a vote for union representation.
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GRANDVILLE — In a move to diversify revenues to support further growth, the parent corporation for Grand River Bank has formed a mortgage company to write home loans across much of the nation.
TRAVERSE CITY — Specialty and classic vehicle insurer Hagerty Inc. plans to reduce its workforce by 6 percent to cut costs and improve earnings.
Michigan Capital Network names directors for GR, Detroit angel investing groups
Written by Mark SanchezMichigan Capital Network has named new leaders for angel investing groups in Grand Rapids and Detroit.
Rende Progress Capital addresses wealth gap, access to capital for minority borrowers
Written by Mark SanchezEric Foster credits a 2015 report from Forbes.com that ranked Grand Rapids as 51st out of 52 markets in the U.S. economically for African Americans for helping to cement his idea to create Rende Progress Capital.
Michigan CDFIs to form coalition, collaborate on lending solutions, programming
Written by Elyse WildAforthcoming statewide coalition aims to leverage the effectiveness of Michigan’s community development financial institutions through a collaborative approach to lending and technical assistance.
Commercial lenders begin to see signs of softness in demand for credit as economy weakens
Written by Mark SanchezCommercial lenders head toward the end of 2022 in an uncertain economic environment with rising interest rates and predictions for a mild U.S. recession in the second half of next year.
When he began leading commercial lending at Lake Michigan Credit Union in 2011, Jim Maskell occasionally found surprise among prospective clients.
MUSKEGON — A new branch office under construction in Muskegon will become the fifth location in the lakeshore market for Community Choice Credit Union, which plans to broaden its West Michigan presence in the years ahead.
Agroup of West Michigan growers is proposing a solution to solve two problems around equity and unentitled land assets that currently affect the state’s agricultural industry.
West Michigan executive survey: Talent, inflation pose critical hurdles to growth
Written by Andy BalaskovitzTalent and labor availability, inflation, and supply chain disruptions are the biggest hurdles to growth for West Michigan executives, while many plan to turn to automation and price increases to mitigate those risks.
Troy-based accounting and advisory firm Rehmann plans to acquire Rivertown Finance LLC in Grand Rapids.
TRAVERSE CITY — Walstrom Marine Inc., a Harbor Springs-based yacht sales and service company and marina operator acquired last year by Continuum Ventures LLC in Grand Rapids, acquired Grand Bay Marine in Traverse City.
TiiCKER Inc., a Michigan-based financial technology firm that manages direct-to-shareholder marketing platforms and perks programs for publicly traded companies, has launched a new partnership with a global movie studio.
DeVos-backed Michigan Opportunity Fund raises $100M to invest in companies statewide
Written by Mark SanchezGRAND RAPIDS — The $100 million private equity fund created to invest in Michigan-based companies has completed its fundraising and now turns its attention to deploying the capital over the next few years.
CHANGE AT THE TOP: Huntington Bank now leads Grand Rapids MSA for share of deposits
Written by Mark SanchezFor the next year, Huntington Bank can claim bragging rights in the Grand Rapids market after edging into the leading position for deposit market share that Fifth Third Bank has held for decades.
GRAND RAPIDS — Acrisure LLC’s latest global acquisition would help solidify the company’s footprint in the United Kingdom.
WHAT’S IN A NAME? Little known outside of Grand Rapids, Acrisure builds brand awareness with sports naming rights, sponsorship deals
Written by Mark SanchezWhen an unknown fintech firm from Grand Rapids supplanted a hometown company in purchasing the naming rights for the home stadium of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers, it kicked off a wave of miffed reactions from fans and commentators alike.
M&A outlook shows cautious optimism as economic conditions create ‘haves and have-nots’ among dealmakers
Written by Mark SanchezBusiness 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.
VC fund leads $3M investment in platform that expedites property insurance claim payments
Written by Mark SanchezGrand 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.
Lake Michigan Credit Union to unify brand under ‘LMCU’ amid growth in Michigan, Florida
Written by Mark SanchezGRAND RAPIDS — Lake Michigan Credit Union has launched a rebranding to create a common brand identity in Michigan and Florida using just its initials.
GRAND RAPIDS — Kalamazoo-based Consumers Credit Union has signed a sponsorship agreement with Van Andel Arena for the naming rights to a restaurant.
Monroe Equity Partners raises $22M to pursue deals for corporate divestitures
Written by Mark SanchezGRAND 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.
Michigan Capital Network raises target for next VC fund to $35M, citing strong interest
Written by Mark SanchezGRAND 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.
Comfort Research co-founder forms PE firm to pursue direct-to-consumer products deals
Written by Joe BoomgaardA 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.
Orange Dot Ventures, new PE firm from Comfort Research co-founder Matt Jung, completes first deals
Written by Joe BoomgaardA 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.
WALKER — Keller Ford Inc. has sold to a southeast Michigan dealership group.
New Community Transformation Fund’s second investment goes to fintech relocating to GR
Written by Mark SanchezThe 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.
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.
The new West Michigan regional president for Huntington Bank moved into the job with nearly three decades of experience in the market.
