The MBA would like to thank the bankers who participated in the MBA grassroots meeting on Wednesday, February 13 with State Representatives Barb Byrum and Mark Meadows. Attending were: Mark Emmert, Dart Bank; Debra Miles, Dart Bank; Sharon Thompson, Dart Bank; Jim Schmelter, Citizens Bank; Denise Wheaton, Independent Bank; Cheryl McKellar, Independent Bank; Cheri Dubois, Eaton Federal Savings Bank; and Chris Nugent, Summit Community Bank. Attendees discussed financial elder abuse and mortgage related legislation were the topics of discussion.

The MBA would like to thank the bankers who participated in the MBA grassroots meeting on Monday, February 4 with Congresswoman Candice Miller in Shelby Township. Attending were: Rory Ballard, Community Central Bank; Pat McQueen, The Private Bank; John Clemmer, Flagstar Bank; Gregg Christenson, Huntington Bank; Joe Salas, CSB Bank; Gordon Bade, CSB Bank; Steve Scandalito, CSB Bank; Walt Bargen, CSB Bank; Vito Pianello, The Private Bank; Paul Socia, Citizens State Bank; Mike McLauchlan, Comerica Bank; Kim Schmidt, Community Central Bank; and Tim Ward, Eastern Michigan Bank.

The MBA would like to thank all member bankers who participated in the MiBankPAC fundraiser for House Banking Committee Chairman Andy Coulouris on Monday, December 10 in Saginaw.

The MBA would like to thank the following members for participating in the MBA’s legislative dine out on Wednesday, December 5 in Grand Rapids: Ron Miester, Frenchie LaJoie, and Ann Marie Buhro, Central Savings Bank; Sue and Steve Eno, Citizens National Bank of Cheboygan; Bob Chapman, United Bancorp; Doug Chaffin, Monroe Bank and Trust; Craig and Laurie Goodlock, Farmers State Bank; Richard and Deanna Dorner, Ann Arbor Commerce Bank; Mike and Linda Manica, United Bank of Michigan; Gregg Christenson, Huntington National Bank; and Mike McLauchlan, Comerica Bank. Speaker Pro Tempore Michael Sak, State Representative Kevin Green, State Representative Dave Hildenbrand, and State Representative Brian Calley participated in the event.

The MBA would like to thank the following members for participating in the MBA Grassroots Meeting on Monday, December 3 in Ferndale: (left to right) Richard Buss, National City Bank; Rory Ballard, Community Central Bank; Gregg Christenson, Huntington National Bank (HOST); State Representative Andy Meisner, D-Ferndale; John McQuiggin, Paramount Bank; Craig Randle, Community Central Bank; Byna Elliott, Fifth Third Bank; and Michael King, Flagstar Bank.

The MBA would like to thank Mark Kolanowski of Hastings City Bank for hosting a fundraiser for State Representative Brian Calley on Tuesday, October 16 in Hastings. Several bankers from Union Bank and Hastings City Bank attended the event.

The MBA would like to thank Farmers State Bank for hosting a community meet and greet with State Representative Mike Simpson on Friday, October 12 in Grass Lake.

The MBA would like to thank: Dave Krumm, Amy Johnson, and Rosalind Jaffe of Huntington Bank; Lindy Evans, Central State Bank; John Van Single and Dave Rose from United Bank of Michigan; Mike Jones and Steve Loomis of Honor State Bank; Doug Brown and Jon Catlin of Chemical Bank; Tom Van Buren, Kevin Twardy, Jeremy Holmes, Chuck Keller, Don Clingan, Budde Reed, Dennis McCarthy, and Bob Smith of West Shore Bank; Jim Bosserd of ChoiceOne Bank; Ernie Wenger and Larry Bender, Lake Osceola State Bank for participating in the MBA grassroots meeting with Congressman Pete Hoekstra on October 8 in Ludington.