DBusiness Daily Update: Fifth Third Bank Invests $2.5M in First Independence Bank, Beautiphi Aesthetic Boutique Opens in Rochester Hills, and More

Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies, including updates about the COVID-19 pandemic. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
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First National Bank Headquarters
Fifth Third Community Development Corp. is investing an additional $2.5 million in Detroit-based First Independence Bank. // Courtesy of First Independence Bank

Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies, including updates about the COVID-19 pandemic. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.

Fifth Third Bank Invests $2.5M in Detroit’s First Independence Bank

Fifth Third Community Development Corp. is investing an additional $2.5 million in Detroit-based First Independence Bank. The move makes Fifth Third the largest investor at a total of $5.5 million in the minority depository institution and community development financial institution.

“We are proud to strengthen our partnership with Fifth Third Bank through this additional investment,” says Kenneth Kelly, chairman and CEO of First Independence Bank. “The confidence shown in First Independence Bank will allow us as a minority depository institution to further strengthen communities that we have served for more than 51 years.

“The courage of the leadership team at Fifth Third to increase their investment in First Independence Bank is the epitome of speaking about inclusion and demonstrating inclusion in a tangible manner.”

Fifth Third has been First Independence Bank’s primary correspondent bank, managed out of Fifth Third’s Financial Institutions Group, which provides correspondent banking and treasury management services to financial institutions of all sizes. As part of this latest investment, which follows a $3 million investment made in 2008, Fifth Third also intends to support First Independence Bank through loan participation and coordinating financial literacy training for First Independence Bank’s customers.

“When well-established financial businesses like Fifth Third invest in minority depository institutions, jobs are preserved in minority communities, which helps to sustain the economy,” says David Girodat, regional president of Fifth Third Bank in Eastern Michigan. “Because of their trusted reputations, minority depository institutions play an important role in bridging the wealth gap by being effective at serving underserved and underbanked communities. These community investments support affordable housing, support small businesses, stabilize communities and meet the financial needs of individuals where they are.”

To learn more about First Independence Bank, visit here. www.firstindependence.com. To learn more about Fifth Third’s Accelerating Racial Equality, Equity and Inclusion initiative, visit here.

Beautiphi Aesthetic Boutique Opens in Rochester Hills

Beautiphi Aesthetic Boutique in The Village of Rochester Hills will conduct a grand opening celebration on June 17, from 3-7 p.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4 p.m.

Beautiphi Aesthetic Boutique was founded by Kelly Hermans, an aesthetic injector and certified registered nurse anesthetist who specializes in cutting-edge treatments, nonsurgical facial procedures, and body rejuvenation.

Hermans, a native Michigander and Rochester resident, says she has a passion for aesthetics, patient safety, and teaching. She is certified by the Cellular Medicine Association in Vampire Facial and Facelift procedures, Vampire Hair Growth, O-shots, and P-shots. In addition to the Beautiphi Boutique, Hermans founded the national training academy, Beautiphi Academy, in which she teaches and mentors other certified registered nurse anesthetists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and physicians from across the country.

“Beautiphi is focused on providing exceptional care to put patients at ease,” says Hermans. “I am passionate about education and presenting clients with all of the options available so they can make informed decisions, and leave feeling refreshed, confident, beautiful, and empowered.”

“The Village continues to add new and exciting retailers and restaurants to the outdoor shopping center, said Margaux Keusch, Senior Director of Leasing with Robert B. Aikens and Associates. “We are thrilled to welcome Beautiphi Aesthetic Boutique to the collection.”

During the grand opening event will feature an opportunity to tour the boutique, consultations, hors d’oeuvres, and champagne. Hermans also will unveil the details of Beautiphi’s new VIP Beauty Squad Membership and give attendees an opportunity to enter to win a one year Beautiphi-You transformation package valued at more than $15,000.

Oakland County Launches New Government Contracting Program 

Oakland County is hosting a webinar on June 16 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. to educate viewers about the resources available to help companies grow through the Diversification Through Federal Contracting program. All are welcome and there’s no cost to attend, but registration is required here.

The program includes training for every business and covers:

  • How to find federal contract opportunities that are right for a specific business.
  • Applying for grant funding that can help businesses write winning bids and proposals.
  • Access free local resources to support the pursuit of government contracts.

Other upcoming training programs include:

  • Strategies for Government Contracting Success, June 28, register here.
  • Building a Winning Proposal Response Team, July 14, register here.
  • GSA Schedules: Don’t Take No for an Answer, July 28, register here.

Detroit Quality Staffing Launching Program to Help Homeless Enter the Workforce

Detroit Quality Staffing in Dearborn is launching a new outreach program in August designed to provide a support system and tools to help Detroit’s homeless population to find meaningful employment.

Called Pop’s Program, the initiative will provide transportation, clothing, hygiene packages, and other help such as resume building, public housing assistance, and setting up bank accounts and identification as necessary. Pop’s Program, inspired by the struggles of the grandfather of founder Joshua Morris, is intended to spearhead a community effort in partnership with local businesses to provide long-term support for those experiencing homelessness by providing jobs and opportunities.

“My grandfather fought in Vietnam,” says Morris. “During the war, he became an addict like many. When he returned from the war, he got a job as a police officer, but was unable to stay clean and he eventually ended up homeless.”

Phase one of Pop’s Program will assist anyone who needs help by providing clothing as well as transportation to the job interview site. Phase two will provide continued assistance with personal hygiene, resume building, and resources to learn about public housing options in Detroit. Phase three concerns the long-term growth of Pop’s Program, involving the community and partnering with local businesses to donate vouchers for haircuts, donate suits and clothing, and conduct other efforts to help end homelessness in Detroit.

ExperienceIT Seeks Students for Fall Class

ExperienceIT, the collaboration between leading information technology-focused organizations and workforce agencies in downtown Detroit, is seeking students for its next class. The fully online and immersive training starts Sept. 21 and runs through Dec. 14.

Interested applicants may apply now here.

The free IT training initiative brings together downtown Detroit’s premier technology companies, including: Amrock, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, GalaxE.Solutions, OneMagnify, Rock Central, Rocket Mortgage and Rocket Homes, along with program convener WIN (Workforce Intelligence Network).

The program seeks individuals from diverse backgrounds — from those with information technology work experience to those with tech aptitude and/or simply a desire to work in the field. ExperienceIT students learn from partner company professionals, including IT technologies as JAVA, .NET, QA, as well as soft skills mentoring and the opportunity to network with the field’s best of the best.

At the program’s conclusion, successful graduates have the opportunity to interview for career opportunities with ExperienceIT tech partner companies. Since the program’s inception in 2014, ExperienceIT has graduated more than 240 individuals with 85 percent receiving job offers and 75 percent accepting full-time positions.

For more information, visit here.