Horizon Bank officials are reportedly developing plans to establish a branch network in the Grand Rapids region. Newly appointed Grand Rapids market president David Quade recently told MIBiz reporter Mark Sanchez in Grand Rapids that plans are in the works to add three or more new Grand Rapids offices over the next five years.
When Horizon first set sights on the Grand Rapids metro they entered the market with simply a lending office, and said at that time it would likely be a precursor to establishing branches there. Quade tells Sanchez that his team is now scanning the market for locations beyond a yet-to-be-disclosed branch slated to open early next year downtown.
Sanchez quotes Quade as saying Horizon execs, "view Grand Rapids as the best market to be in," adding, "Their foundation is in a lot of rural Indiana (markets), so coming to a vibrant market like West Michigan that's growing provides a lot of opportunity for them to find some growth."
Horizon is based in Michigan City, Indiana, but also has 13 offices in Southwest Michigan, including several in St. Joseph. They also entered the Lansing market a couple of years ago when they acquired Summit Community Bank there.
Quade comes to Horizon following an 18-year stint with Chemical Bank where had served a Grand Rapids Regional President for the past 9 years. He tells Sanchez at MiBiz that he is currently in the process of hiring 15 people to staff the new downtown Grand Rapids branch office.
