While International Fraud Awareness Week is just behind us, the lessons still ring true. The Department of Insurance and Financial Services published a press release to remind consumers of the dangers of fraud and how to prevent it. Read their full press release below: 

In these unprecedented times, we've all found new ways to adjust, new ways to work, and new ways to provide service and help where we can. ChoiceOne Bank is pleased to share the news below with you provided by the Small Business Association of Michigan. Please see their latest news in the press release below. 

ChoiceOne Bank is pleased to announce the appointment of Eunice Lopez-Martin to the Board of Directors for Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF). ICCF is a nonprofit housing corporation whose leadership is motivated by its belief that all people deserve safe, clean and affordable housing.

ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: COFS), the parent company of ChoiceOne Bank, is pleased to announce ChoiceOne Bank was recently ranked as Michigan’s Best Small Bank by Newsweek. ChoiceOne was recognized in Newsweek’s first-ever ranking of the country’s financial institutions that are best at serving their customers’ needs in today’s pandemic climate.

ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: COFS) ("ChoiceOne”), the parent company of ChoiceOne Bank, today announced the successful consolidation of its previously announced acquisition of Community Shores Bank into ChoiceOne Bank. Community Shores Bank is now renamed ChoiceOne Bank.

ChoiceOne Bank is pleased to announce the Community Bankers of Michigan (CBM) recently elected Michael J. Burke, Jr. to serve as its Chairman for the next fiscal year. Burke is President of ChoiceOne Bank headquartered in Sparta, Michigan. Burke was elected at the CBM Annual Convention held this September at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Traverse City, Michigan. 

Dave Currie, owner of Pro-Tech Machine, Inc., in Burton, Michigan, grew up in a family-owned business. At a young age, Dave became accustomed to a more personal way of doing business. After opening his own business, Dave wanted to work with a banker who also valued personal service. Dave met Matt Ankley – now a Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer at ChoiceOne Bank (Lakestone Bank & Trust) – over 16 years ago.

Sparta, Mich.-based ChoiceOne Bank has helped customers save more than $500,000 with Plinqit, the only savings app of its kind that pays users for learning about personal finances.

When Al Ochadleus thinks back on his career, he fondly refers to himself as “just a punk kid” who was given a chance to work for Vlasic Food Products, Inc. in 1962. Al likes to reminisce about his first job as an 18-year-old kid pitching sauerkraut from large wooden barrels in Imlay City, Michigan, boasting that he’d take over the company someday. “I literally started at the bottom of the barrel,” chuckles Al. “But it was a matter of trust when they hired me, and it led to a great career. And I did take over the Midwest!”

ChoiceOne Bank is pleased to announce Ryan L. Wolthuis has joined the Grand Rapids team as Senior Vice President, Grand Rapids Market Executive.

“We are pleased to welcome Ryan to ChoiceOne Bank as our Grand Rapids Market Executive,” said ChoiceOne Bank CEO Kelly Potes. “Ryan is an experienced leader with a successful career in commercial banking. His financial expertise and leadership skills, along with his knowledge of the Grand Rapids market will prove valuable as we continue to grow our community bank franchise throughout Michigan.” 

Wolthuis joins ChoiceOne Bank with nearly 20 years of commercial banking and executive management experience. He began his career at Kent Commerce Bank/Michigan Commerce Bank in Grand Rapids as a commercial Loan Officer/Commercial Credit Analyst and progressed to Market Executive.