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KALAMAZOO — The planned opening of a Grand Rapids office marks First National Bank of Michigan’s first foray out of its hometown Kalamazoo market.

Just as it’s done in Kalamazoo, FNB of Michigan aims to build business in the much-larger Grand Rapids market through a high-touch style of community banking aimed at small businesses and retail customers.

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GRAND RAPIDS — Federal rules on fee disclosures for 401(k) plans are potentially opening up employers to questions about the administration of their retirement benefit programs.

The Department of Labor rules go into effect for employers at the beginning of their 2012 plan years. The rules require that plan sponsors disclose the fees that participants pay to brokers, third-party administrators and investment advisers, and then determine if those fees are reasonable.

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WEST MICHIGAN — A new corporate entity that blurs the lines between for-profit companies and nonprofit organizations could make it easier for foundations to invest in revitalizing Michigan’s economy.

The new low-profit limited liability company (L3C) designation was created to help companies with a social cause attract capital from both for-profit and nonprofit sources.

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Public relations and investor relations firm Lambert Edwards & Associates Inc. acquired Atlanta-based IR Squared, an investor relations company.

The Nov. 1 addition of IR Squared allows LE&A to add investor relations experience in large and mega cap companies to its focus on small to medium cap companies.

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GRAND RAPIDS — Halloween may have been two weeks ago, but Bernie Madoff’s crimes are enough to give bankers chills any day of the year.

Bernie Madoff is in prison, his surviving family disavowing knowledge his $65 billion fraud. Madoff’s crime can too easily be written off as East Coast greed, experts say. West Michigan isn’t immune to large-scale fraud. In a region with a reputation for solid values and a strong work ethic, criminals have bilked banks and investors out of millions in several multi-million dollar frauds and scores of smaller cases.

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ROCKFORD — Wall Street loves a winner.

Strong financial performance is translating into opportunities for Wolverine Worldwide Inc. as the company continues growth that has outpaced its competitors and attracted investors’ attention.

Helping manage that record growth year after year and direct resources to grow its 12 brands across the 190 countries where Wolverine does business is Donald Grimes, senior VP and CFO. Grimes sat down with MiBiz for an exclusive look at the $1.24 billion company and why 2011 is shaping up to be another record-breaking year.

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WEST MICHIGAN — On its surface, the current IRS offer seems like an olive branch to employers.

The Internal Revenue Service moved Sept. 21 to allow employers to voluntarily reclassify contractors as employees and pay a 10-percent employment tax penalty. The IRS released its Voluntary Classification Settlement Program, an employment tax amnesty for business owners, as a means to bring contractors onto tax rolls. Within that offer of amnesty comes the threat of employment audits and stepped up enforcement.

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For the second consecutive year, law firm Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP has been ranked as the top legal advisor for banks and thrifts, as measured by number of deals through the third quarter of 2011, according to SNL Financial.

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WEST MICHIGAN — Got a used car to sell? Consult Kelley Blue Book.

Inherit a great uncle’s collection of vintage mechanical cast iron banks? Call an antiques appraiser.

But where do you go to find out what price tag to hang on an invention or a business?

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WEST MICHIGAN — Underneath the feet of many business owners might lay a potential morass as they look toward succession planning or the sale of their business.