After announcing plans to launch a new location in downtown Grand Rapids next month, Horizon Bank’s new Grand Rapids market president, David Quade, says he hopes the recent signing of a 10-year lease on an space at 250 Pearl St. NW will be proof of the bank’s long-term commitment to the local community.
“This is a strong growth market for the bank, and it helps connect our footprint between Kalamazoo and Lansing,” Quade says. “Our goal is to bring community banking back to our market.”
Launching its very first location 143 years ago now, Quade says Horizon Bank, as an institution, has always been committed to finding ways to give back to the communities it operates in through volunteer work and financial support.
He wants to bring those values to Grand Rapids, he says, with plans to establish a community bank advisory board led by local business owners, professionals, and community leaders.
“We’ll get feedback directly from the community on what are the true banking opportunities in Grand Rapids, and we’ll react accordingly” Quade says. “Plus, we’ll be looking for input from our clients to help guide our sponsorships and donations to local community organizations who could benefit from our support.”
The larger Horizon Bank brand also runs a host of community outreach programs alongside its Horizon-Cares Charitable Grant Program, which hooks up qualifying local nonprofit organizations with grant funding for up to $5,000.
Currently operating out of a temporary location to provide commercial and private banking products and services, Quade says the new 13,000-square-foot Pearl Street facility will house up to 15 advisors and allow them to expand capabilities to not only include products and services in commercial and private banking, but also across retail, treasury management, and mortgage.
In an attempt to try to meet the diverse market needs with “a well-rounded” approach, Quade says all of the advisors coming to join him in the new Grand Rapids branch have a background in banking in West Michigan.
“We’re building the best team possible,” he says.
Written by Anya Zentmeyer, Development News Editor
Images courtesy of Horizon Bank
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