ChoiceOne Bank (NASDAQ: COFS) (“ChoiceOne”) was honored to receive two prestigious awards at the 2025 MBA Best Conference held recently in Traverse City. Celeste Spivey, ChoiceOne Vice President, CRA and Community Development Officer accepted the MBA Financial Innovator of the Year Award; Danielle Chateauvert, ChoiceOne Vice President of Marketing accepted the MBA Financial Literacy Award.
“We are extremely honored to receive both the MBA Financial Innovator of the Year Award and the MBA Financial Literacy Award,” said ChoiceOne President Michael J. Burke, Jr. “As the local community bank, financial well-being is at the heart of everything we do including finding innovative ways to improve and promote financial literacy in our communities. ChoiceOne employees have always given their time nurturing the financial wellness of our families, farmers, businesses and students of all ages. Our employees volunteer thousands of hours every year helping children and families become more financially stable and secure for their futures. ChoiceOne also donates hundreds of thousands of dollars every year to assist with financial literacy in the communities we serve.”
In addition to receiving one of 18 Financial Literacy Awards, ChoiceOne was the only bank presented with the MBA Financial Innovator of the Year Award as recognition of the bank’s unwavering commitment to financial empowerment through impactful programs. In 2024, ChoiceOne partnered with schools, affordable housing agencies, and the Small Business Development Center, volunteering for over 200 hours and engaging 889 participants in bilingual financial education programs. ChoiceOne’s HomeStart Program provided $3.87 million in home financing to 21 families, while the Fresh Start Credit Builder Program helped 48 individuals rebuild credit. Collaborating with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, ChoiceOne provided nearly $1 million in down payment assistance, home repairs and small business support. Through digital education initiatives like Banzi and GreenPath, ChoiceOne extended financial literacy to thousands across Michigan, reinforcing its quest to foster economic growth and stability.
“ChoiceOne is incredibly proud of our team's dedication to finding innovative ways to advance financial literacy within our communities,” said Vice President, CRA and Community Development Officer Celeste Spivey. “Winning both the Financial Innovator of the Year and Financial Literacy Awards acknowledges our commitment to empowering our families and businesses with the knowledge and resources needed for financial success. It's an honor to see our efforts recognized as we continue to drive impactful changes, so more in our communities have opportunities for a brighter financial future."
In 2024, ChoiceOne employees volunteered over 6,000 hours to many local causes, many of which help families and businesses with financial literacy. In addition, ChoiceOne donated approximately $420,000 to organizations throughout the communities within ChoiceOne’s footprint. More than half of these amounts are attributed to innovative financial literacy programs ChoiceOne supports in community schools, businesses and nonprofits to encourage financial security and home ownership.
“As a community bank, ChoiceOne has always been an advocate for investing in our communities,” said ChoiceOne Vice President of Marketing Danielle Chateauvert. “We have built our reputation on providing our customers with innovative tools and solutions. These awards recognize the significant inroads we have made to support our families, schools, businesses and nonprofits to encourage financial wellness for all ages in the communities we serve across Michigan.”
Burke concluded, “It has always been our philosophy that healthy families, farmers and businesses make for healthy communities. We are proud of the innovative financial literacy commitments we continue to make in the communities we serve. We are also grateful for our ChoiceOne teams as they continue to fulfill our Mission to provide superior service, quality advice and show utmost respect to everyone we meet.”
About Michigan Bankers Association (MBA)
The Michigan Bankers Association (MBA), the voice of the banking industry since 1887, consists of Michigan financial institutions with more than 2,800 branches located throughout the state. The MBA promotes strong communities and economic activity in Michigan by advancing a positive business environment. MBA assists banks by offering products and services to reduce expenses and increase profitability through the strength of the association. For more information, visit https://michigan.bank/.
About ChoiceOne
ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Sparta, Michigan, with assets over $4 billion, and the parent corporation of ChoiceOne Bank. Member FDIC. ChoiceOne Bank operates 56 offices in West, Central and Southeast Michigan. ChoiceOne Bank offers insurance and investment products through its subsidiary, ChoiceOne Insurance Agencies, Inc. ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “COFS.” For more information, please visit Investor Relations at ChoiceOne’s website choiceone.bank.