Bultema Takes Boss’s Former Spot

GRAND RAPIDS — Shortly after Michelle Van Dyke became president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank, Western Michigan, she appointed John H. Bultema III to her old post as executive vice president of retail administration.

Bultema joined the bank as a credit analyst in 1995 and went on to serve as a commercial lender, market manager for the Lakeshore region, market manager of the Business Development Group in Chicago, and most recently as senior vice president and market manager for Fifth Third’s Business Development Group for the West Michigan region.

The division specializes in small business banking.

Under his tutelage, the business development division covering this region experienced a 40 percent increase in loans and a 20 percent increase in deposit growth, according to the company.

During that time, Fifth Third also rose from seventh to first place as top SBA lender in the West Michigan market.

As retail administration manager, Bultema is now responsible for Fifth Third’s banking center network of 137 branches spread across 20 counties in West Michigan.

“John has shown extraordinary leadership, a keen business sense and commitment to the community that has served Fifth Third well in western Michigan,” Van Dyke remarked.

“His experience and proven leadership skills will position us well for continued growth.”