Tax reform generates uncertainty

Many analysts are saying the 495-page tax bill signed into law Dec. 22, the first significant tax reform passed since 1986, is so complex...
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Perrigo reports progress on transformation plan

ALLEGAN — Perrigo Co. plc reaffirmed its 2019 earnings guidance and reported a slight decline in net sales resulting from unfavorable currency translations and exited...

First Community Bank targets small business community

A diverse small business community is leading the growth for First Community Bank in Grand Rapids. The fifth-generation, family-owned Harbor Springs-based bank has had a...
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Longtime enterprise software executive transitions to venture capital

A Q&A with Nathan Owen, general partner at Grand Ventures LLC Nathan Owen transitioned from software development to the venture capital world a year ago....

Startup steers driver behavior

A startup is using vehicle-based data to show drivers how to be more efficient on the road. Start Garden, the $15-million seed fund in Grand...

Back to school on finance

(As seen on WZZM TV 13) If students learned early on the importance of allocating every dollar wisely, would they avoid the pitfalls of...
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Element 22 raises $500,000 from 10 credit unions, transitions to CUSO

PORTAGE — Kenneth Leonard and Ryan Reffitt originally set out to provide small banks and credit unions across Michigan with underwriting and other support services...

Start Garden enters hiatus

The $15-million seed fund Start Garden is taking a break from its regular schedule to focus on growing its portfolio companies. Start Garden in Grand...

Economy may head toward dip

With the U.S. economy in its third-longest expansion since 1854, a Comerica Bank economist said continued moderate growth hinges on factors that can cut...

Residential project follows unique path

Sable Homes of Rockford, Newaygo County and the Michigan Land Bank Authority came together to execute a first-of-its-kind use of brownfield incentives to support construction of 20 new workforce homes in the city of Newaygo.

Advia Credit Union to acquire Illinois bank 

Advia Credit Union plans to expand further in Illinois with the acquisition of a Chicago-area bank.  The Oshtemo Township-based Advia Credit Union has signed a...

Law eases trust planning for disabled individuals

For individuals with disabilities, a two-word change makes a world of difference. In December, then-President Barack Obama signed into law the 21st Century Cures Act,...

Re-thinking property tax planning

Benjamin Franklin is famous for saying, “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Despite their inevitability, many...

Credit union opens downtown branch

A university credit union has opened its first West Michigan location. Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, or MSUFCU, is hosting a grand opening for...

New regs open equity-based crowdfunding to more investors

The opening of equity-based crowdfunding in the U.S. provides a new option for entrepreneurs to raise money from individuals who want to invest but...

Blackford Capital completes fifth portfolio exit

A local private equity firm sold its portfolio company Ellison Bakery to another investment firm.
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Banks leverage new flexibility to help businesses get through pandemic

Small businesses that have been slammed by the coronavirus pandemic and expect to have difficulty making commercial loan payments should call their bankers now...

Exec wins Private Equity Professional of the Year award

A local private equity executive has been named the best in his profession by a national publication. Blackford Capital Founder and Managing Director Martin Stein...

ChoiceOne announces succession plan for retiring CFO

ChoiceOne Bank’s CFO will retire at year’s end, and the bank selected his replacement.

Startup delivers imported candy

There’s a new candy man in town, and he’s importing sweets from all over the world. Bocandy, a monthly candy subscription service, received a $5,000...