|
Press Releases
|
United Bank Among First to Offer Banking By Cellphone
|
11/20/2007
|
|
GRAND RAPIDS, MI United Bank now offers Mobile Banking service to its online banking customers, making it the first community bank in Michigan to do so. Mobile Banking provides users with complete access to their United Bank accounts via the web browser and text messaging features of their mobile telephones.
With Mobile Banking, customers can do anything from check their account balances to transfer funds to verify transactions posted since their last statement, at anytime from anywhere their mobile phone works. Online Bill Pay will be offered as an enhanced feature in the first quarter of 2008. United Bank offers Mobile Banking to its customers free of charge. (Customers may be charged access fees by their carriers and should check with their service provider for details.)
Mobile Banking is expected to expand even faster than Internet banking has in recent years. One estimate by Celent LLC, a Boston research firm, predicts that 35% of U.S. online banking households will use Mobile Banking by 2010 – up from only 1% today. Wireless telephones are quickly becoming what American Banker magazine calls “mobile wallets,” in addition to being portable e-mail stations, music players, Rolodexes and appointment planners.
The service has special appeal to people on the go and to younger customers. United Bank’s research shows that 40% of 18-to-25 year olds state that offering mobile financial services factors into their choice of bank.
“We are always on our toes to offer our customers the latest, most innovative and most beneficial banking services – just as soon as they become available and are proven to be secure. That’s been a hallmark of United Bank for many years,” said United Bank chairman Art Johnson. “We’re never going to be the biggest bank in town, but we’re not going to be outdone on service, either,” Johnson added. “Whether it’s offering the most personal service by associates who call you by your name when you walk in the branch, or the most technological service such as Mobile Banking, we’re determined that United Bank stays at the forefront.”
Customers can sign up for Mobile Banking through the United Bank online banking site at www.unitedbankofmichigan.com by selecting “Mobile Banking Enrollment” under the Options tab. Mobile Banking is now available to all United Bank online banking customers who have cellphones equipped with WEB 2.0 technology supporting WAP 2.0 standards, which most devices have. The cellphone must also accept text messages to use the system. Mobile Banking is also available on smart devices (such as BlackBerries) and Mobile devices supported by Windows Mobile 5.0.
UPDATED 11/20/2007
|
|
UNITED BANK ENCOURAGES PARENTS, TEACHERS TO HELP TEENS GET SMART ABOUT CREDIT
|
11/20/2007
|
|
Free, Online Credit Education Available on Bank’s Web Site
[Grand Rapids, Michigan], Oct. 15 – As bankers and students across the country mark the fifth national Get Smart About Credit Day on Oct. 18, United Bank encourages parents and teachers to use the bank’s eLearning credit education program as a way to help the young adults in their lives learn the dos and don’ts of credit.
“Whether it’s managing a credit card or avoiding identity theft, young adults just don’t have enough education,” said Gwyn Harnish, Vice President, United Bank. “Just like driver’s education, credit education should be a right of passage for all young adults.”
United Bank’s Get Smart About Credit eLearning program uses interactive games and quizzes to explore topics such as becoming creditworthy, budgeting, comparing credit cards, understanding credit reports and safeguarding personal information. The program is housed on the bank’s Web site at: www.unitedbankofmichigan.com.
Developed by the American Bankers Association Education Foundation, the program meets more than 50 nationally recognized curriculum standards from teacher-trusted groups, including the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Mid Continent Research for Education and Learning, National Business Education Association, National Council on Economic Education and National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
“We hope that this program will help young people in our community avoid costly financial mistakes that unfortunately have become common,” said Gwyn Harnish. “It’s hard to believe, but young adults are the most likely victims of identity theft. If we
can teach teens how to protect their personal information and how to use credit wisely, then our program will be a success.”
UPDATED 11/20/2007
|
|
Local Banking Veteran John Van Singel Joins Management Team of United Bank of Michigan
|
8/8/2006
|
|
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan – John Van Singel, a longtime community banking professional in West Michigan who most recently served as CEO of Byron Bank, has joined the management team of United Bank of Michigan. Van Singel will serve as a vice president, with his initial focus on the successful launch of the bank’s new Byron Center branch, scheduled for opening in 2007.
United Bank Chairman Art Johnson said Van Singel is an ideal addition for the bank’s community banking philosophy.
“John Van Singel is an extremely experienced and accomplished community banker,” Johnson said. “He lives in the Byron Center community and is well-respected. It is always our philosophy to enter communities in which we can play a vital community role, so John’s decision to join us helps to achieve that objective.”
Van Singel’s primary role within United Bank will be in business development.
United Bank of Michigan, founded in Wayland in 1887 and headquartered in Grand Rapids since 1981, is a $425 million operation with 11 branches, located in Grand Rapids, Alpine Township, Rockford, East Grand Rapids, Wayland, Gun Lake, Hopkins, Dorr, Caledonia, Clarksville and Cascade Township.
UPDATED 8/31/2006
|
|
United Bank Chairman Nominated For Position of American Bankers Association Vice Chair
|
7/19/2006
|
|
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan – Arthur C. Johnson, chairman of United Bank of Michigan, has been nominated to serve as vice chairman of the American Bankers Association during the 2006-2007 term.
Johnson has been active in the ABA for many years, and currently serves as chairman of the organization's Governmental Relations Council. Among other priorities, he has been a leading voice this year in advocating the preservation of regulations against major retailers moving into retail banking.
"I am grateful for my nomination," Johnson said. "I believe it speaks very highly of the West Michigan community and the strength of the banks in our market."
Election of ABA officers will take place at the organization’s annual convention in Phoenix between October 15 and 18.
Johnson joined United Bank of Michigan in 1972, and has been its chairman since 1983. He is also a Past President of the Michigan Bankers Association.
United Bank of Michigan, founded in Wayland in 1887 and headquartered in Grand Rapids since 1981, is a $425 million operation with 11 branches, located in Grand Rapids, Alpine Township, Rockford, East Grand Rapids, Wayland, Gun Lake, Hopkins, Dorr, Caledonia, Clarksville and Cascade Township. A 12th branch is planned for Byron Center in 2007.
|
|
State-of-the-art ATM Debuts As United Bank Opens Caledonia Branch
|
6/28/2006
|
|
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan – West Michigan bank customers are about to experience a brand new way of making deposits via the ATM, and their first opportunity to do so will be at the new Caledonia branch of United Bank of Michigan.
The new branch, which opened for business on June 27, 2006, features West Michigan’s first ATM from NCR Corporation, a leader in the development of innovative new ATM technology. Customers making deposits via the Caledonia ATM will never use envelopes – either for cash or for checks.
The no-envelope ATM at the United Bank branch in Caledonia is the first in West Michigan.
"The new ATM in Caledonia recognizes cash and scans checks," said Arthur Johnson, chairman of United Bank of Michigan. "Customers will not only avoid having to fill out or use deposit envelopes, but they have an opportunity to confirm to the machine what they have deposited, and will receive a receipt that includes a scanned image of their deposited checks."
Clearly marked and easy-to-understand instructions will help users through the process of using the new ATM, which most should find very easy.
The new branch is located at the southeast corner of 84th Street and Broadmoor.
United Bank of Michigan is privately held and locally owned. Its services include personal checking and savings accounts, commercial lending, mortgage lending, insurance services, health savings accounts, business banking and investment services. First established in 1887, the bank’s other branches are located in Grand Rapids, Wayland, Comstock Park, Clarksville, East Grand Rapids, Gun Lake, Hopkins, Cascade, Rockford and Dorr.
UPDATED 7/26/2006
|
|
United Bank Acquires Byron Center Property for Planned 12th Branch in 2007
|
5/26/2006
|
|
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan – United Bank of Michigan has completed the acquisition of several parcels of property in Byron Center, and has announced its intention to construct and operate a new branch – its 12th overall – at this location.
The new branch, which is expected to open some time in 2007, will be located on Byron Center Road just north of 84th Street. Arthur Johnson, chairman of United Bank, said the choice of location reflects United Bank’s strategic growth strategy.
"We want to enter communities where we can become involved and play an important role," Johnson said. "It is not our intention to try to go everywhere, but to go to the communities that will benefit the most from a locally owned community bank like United Bank."
The move into Byron Center follows the imminent opening of United Bank’s 11th branch, which is scheduled to open in June in Caledonia.
United Bank of Michigan is privately held and locally owned. Its services include personal checking and savings accounts, commercial lending, mortgage lending, insurance services, health savings accounts and investment services. First established in 1887, the bank’s other branches are located in Grand Rapids, Wayland, Comstock Park, Clarksville, East Grand Rapids, Gun Lake, Hopkins, Cascade, Rockford and Dorr.
|
|
United Bank Donates Computer to Gaylord House
|
4/19/2006
|
|
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – United Bank donated a brand-new Dell computer to the Gaylord House, an apartment complex located off of Cascade Road in Grand Rapids. The computer, complete with a printer, will provide new avenues of communication for residents at the complex.
The apartment complex offers rent subsidized housing options for area seniors aged 62 and older. Residents typically stop at the nearby Cascade location of United Bank regularly when the weather permits to do banking- so when the bank had the extra computer; it made sense to give it to the wonderful people at the complex.
The branch has additionally been visiting the Gaylord House for the past two years, usually during the holiday season to provide a breakfast, complete with coffee and punch.
|
|
United Bank Helps Volunteers In Service Celebrate 20 Years In Business
|
4/19/2006
|
|
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – As Volunteers in Service prepares to celebrate 20 years in business, United Bank donated a check for $2,000 to benefit their cause.
The organization, established in 1986, is a non-profit Christian based organization that works to provide care and support for suffering people within the community. Volunteers work to provide not only support, but a network to welcome people that may not have anywhere else to go.
Some of the programs offered by VIS include vehicle donations, minor home repair, ramp building, yard work and food drives. The organization also offers training for people interested in becoming religious leaders in the community.
For more information about Volunteers in Service, please visit their website, www.visgr.org, or contact their offices at 616.459.7500.
|
|
United Bank of Michigan First Local Bank to Offer New Remote Deposit Technology
|
9/8/2005
|
|
Business Customers Can Scan Check Images Right At Their Desktops; Money Will Be In Accounts Instantly
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan – United Bank of Michigan announced today that it will become the first community-based bank in West Michigan to offer business customers Remote Deposit Service. It will be available next month.
Business customers who choose to utilize the service will be provided with a check scanner connected to their own computers. The Remote Deposit process will scan, cancel and deposit check images into their bank accounts in one easy step. The service is one result of the recently passed Check 21 Act, which allows checks to be scanned, transmitted and cleared electronically.
Because the corresponding software is web-based, and integrated into United Bank’s core processing system, customers will not need to install any software aside from the setup software for the scanner.
The Remote Deposit Service reflects United Bank’s position as an industry leader in the area of electronic imaging.
"We are always looking for ways to make it easier for customers to bank with us," said Arthur Johnson, chairman and CEO of United Bank of Michigan. "We already have online banking and a business courier. This is the next logical step. Customers will experience added convenience for their business, more time to submit deposits, reduced expenses, faster clearing, and online confirmation of deposits."
The system eliminates many of the geographic obstacles to doing business with the bank for those who do not live or work near a branch.
|
|
|
United Bank of Michigan, which has served West Michigan since 1887, is committed to excellence in the delivery of a wide array of financial services, including mortgage lending, commercial lending, insurance and investments. The locally owned and operated bank has 10 full-service locations. Visit www.unitedbankofmichigan.com for more information about the bank and its services.
|
|
Equal Housing Lender.