Bank hires VP of business development

Bank hires VP of business development

Amber Behrendt. Courtesy ChoiceOne Bank

A bank in the area has a new executive based downtown.

Sparta-based ChoiceOne Bank hired Amber Behrendt as VP of business development for the bank’s Grand Rapids office, at 330 Market Ave. SW, according to the bank this month.

“Amber is an experienced banker with a successful career in business development, including both personal and commercial lending,” said Kelly Potes, president and CEO, ChoiceOne Bank. “Her broad financial knowledge along with her passion to serve will prove valuable, as we expand our community bank franchise throughout Michigan."

Behrendt’s background

Behrendt began her banking career over 21 years ago at Independent Bank in Newaygo. She then moved into the role of branch management in Howard City and later into the position of VP, community banker in Grand Rapids.

Her most recent position was with Flagstar Bank in Grand Rapids, where she was responsible for developing and maintaining small business relationships.

She has “extensive expertise” in commercial loans, merchant services and treasury management.

Behrendt is a board member of Home Repair Services and a member of the Grand Rapids Chamber and ATHENA International.

She graduated from the Robert Perry School of Banking and is seeking her B.A. in business administration from Central Michigan University.

ChoiceOne

Founded in 1898, ChoiceOne Bank has offices in Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon and Newaygo counties.

Its parent corporation is ChoiceOne Financial Services (OTC: COFS), also based in Sparta.

ChoiceOne Bank also offers insurance and investment products through its subsidiary, ChoiceOne Insurance Agencies.

The bank has more than 700 shareholders and over 160 employees.

It had over $670 million in assets as of March 29, 2019.