Chris Turner's headshot left-aligned on a gold tessellated background
Chris Turner's headshot on a gold tessellated background

A message from your market president

West Michigan is rife with possibility — creativity and innovation combined with grit and resilience. Your local First Financial Bank is made of Michiganders through and through, and we are invested in this region. We offer vast financial experience and a family of companies that provide cutting-edge knowledge in sophisticated niche products. Reach out today to learn how we can support your business goals.

Chris Turner
Commercial Regional Market President
West Michigan

Hear from our clients

Meet Jeff Heitker – President and Chief Financial Officer, Denier Electric

In 2020, Denier Electric, a family-run electrical contracting company switched to First Financial after seeking a lender that could offer all the services it needed. Billy at First Financial worked alongside Denier to set up a suite of products that includes a line of credit, credit cards, and treasury management services, for easy day-to-day operations.

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Technician working on electrical equipment, with Denier logo

Transferring banks can take months and months and involve lots of issues. Our experience was nothing like that – it was very seamless and very positive. First Financial made life easier, so we could focus on our business, not banking.

Community philanthropic initiatives

Jandernoa Entrepreneurial Mentoring logo on white background

Jandernoa Entrepreneurial Mentoring

An organization dedicated to delivering quality mentoring to strengthen and enhance West Michigan's business leaders. Through a careful and deliberate selection, JEM utilizes a matching process that seeks the right fit with a mentor so that mentees will gain the advantage of our mentor’s experience, insight, and empowerment. Our mentors gain the enjoyment of relating with a leader of a company and assisting in the tough decisions that come along with growing a business.

Portage Education Foundation logo on white background

Portage Education Foundation

This foundation helps students and teachers in the Portage Public Schools community through scholarships, innovative pilot programs, teacher recognition, and fundraising to directly support students and teachers as needed. By investing in educators and learners, the future of Portage remains bright.

Meet the team

Meet our team serving West Michigan's commercial businesses.

Chris Turner Headshot
Chris Turner
Regional Market President, Michigan
A seasoned corporate finance executive, Chris has significant experience in business development, private equity, mergers and acquisitions, debt placement, equity placement, and deal execution. He joined First Financial Bank in 2025, bringing wi...
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Grand Rapids, MI 120 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 500,  Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Mike Avendt Headshot
Mike Avendt
Commercial Relationship Manager & Team Lead
An accomplished commercial banking professional with 18 years of experience in relationship management, Mike has a proven record of exceeding sales targets. His expertise spans various sectors, including commercial & industrial, healthcare, and ...
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Grand Rapids, MI 120 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 500,  Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Jonathan Combs, CPWA® Headshot
Jonathan Combs, CPWA®
Wealth Advisor
Jonathan Ford Combs is a highly accomplished wealth management advisor and investment strategist with a proven track record of delivering holistic advisory services to high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and multigenerational families. ...
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Grand Rapids, MI 120 Ottawa Ave NW,  Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Colleen Hoerman Headshot
Colleen Hoerman
Commercial Relationship Manager, Kalamazoo
With more than seventeen years of business experience, Colleen’s career includes nearly ten years in business banking. Her portfolio of clients has ranged from local start-ups to businesses with revenue over $100 million, and in industries rangi...
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Grand Rapids, MI 120 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 500,  Grand Rapids, MI 49503
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Norberto DeJesus
Treasury Management Advisor
An experienced and results-oriented treasury sales consultant, Norberto has strong record working with companies, government institutions, and not-for-profit organizations in Michigan. Norberto joined First Financial Bank in 2025, bringing with ...
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Grand Rapids, MI 120 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 500,  Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Sean Kelleher Headshot
Sean Kelleher
Managing Director, ESOP Finance Group
Sean is the Managing Director of The ESOP Finance Group at First Financial Bank. His focus is on advising company owners and bankers on the benefits of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP) and understanding the complex issues surrounding these ...
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Schererville, IN 450 West Lincoln Highway,  Schererville, IN 46375
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Brian Ruhe
Managing Director
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Cleveland, OH 1215 Superior Ave.,  Cleveland, OH 44144

Investments & Wealth Institute™ (The Institute) is the owner of the certification marks “CIMA,” “Certified Investment Management Analyst,” “CPWA,” and “Certified Private Wealth Advisor.” Use of CIMA, Certified Investment Management Analyst, CPWA, and/or Certified Private Wealth Advisor signifies that the user has successfully completed The Institute’s initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for investment management professionals and/or wealth advisors.

Yellow Cardinal Advisory Group, a division of First Financial Bank, provides investment advisory, wealth management, and fiduciary services. Yellow Cardinal Advisory Group does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. The products and services made available by Yellow Cardinal Advisory Group are: not deposits, not insured by FDIC or any government agency, not guaranteed by the financial institution, subject to risk, and may lose value.