Our Kent Commerce Bank team worked diligently in 2007 to develop new customer relationships. Adding value through service, teamwork and a commitment to working hard for the benefit of our clients and community remain the foundation for our future. We strive to develop new business opportunities from prospects and clients that share our core values. These relationships grow our bank.
| Adding value through customer service, teamwork and a commitment to working hard. |
In 2007, Kent Commerce Bank’s team became even more enterprising, focusing our efforts on forming new relationships through changes in local businesses that expanded, acquired new entities or changed ownership. We have actively sought out prospective clients seeking new investments so that we could cultivate new relationships that require the broad range of financial services that we offer.
To facilitate our efforts to reach new clients, the bank welcomed three business development officers to the Kent Commerce team. These professionals have significant experience in the West Michigan market. We have initiated marketing efforts with community newspapers and business journals to support our aggressive business development activities. This has generated more product and brand awareness as we prepare for the bank’s 10th anniversary celebration in 2008.
At the same time, our community commitment grew with the bank’s participation in the ‘Financial Community Build’ for Habitat for Humanity of Kent County. We increased our annual commitment with Healing the Children through the encouragement of board member Bob Bruggink. We enhanced our continuing support of United Way of Kent County with 100 percent employee participation in the 2007-08 campaign. Acknowledging that the young people of West Michigan hold the keys to our future, we maintained our vigorous support of the Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth, Toys for Tots and the D.A. Blodgett Home for Children. In addition, we have had a bank officer appointed to the Forest Hills Educational Foundation board and another appointed president of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids — East.
Our team at Kent Commerce Bank is proud of the bank’s upcoming milestone anniversary. Ten years of service is an achievement to champion. We embrace the challenges the future holds and we are as determined as ever to grow this bank safely, soundly and profitably.
— Mark J. DeWitt, President & CEO