Larry Lueth
KALAMAZOO, Mich.,—The First National Bank of Michigan board of directors has executed a comprehensive succession plan designed to ensure a continued commitment of growth in Kalamazoo, Portage, Grand Rapids, Holland, Lansing, and Traverse City. Effective May 2025, Larry Lueth, Chairman, will retire after 19 years of leadership. Daniel Bitzer, President & CEO, will assume the role of Chairman upon Lueth’s retirement and James DeKruyter, a founding board member, becomes Lead Director.
James DeKruyter
“Board succession planning for FNBM has been well underway,” said Daniel Bitzer, President and CEO. FNBM has experienced strong growth with several promotions and new strategic hires over the past 12 months. The bank continues to be privately held, locally owned, and well capitalized for growth in the future.
Larry Lueth and John M. Schreuder, founded First National Bank of Michigan in downtown Kalamazoo in 2006. The bank expanded throughout the Kalamazoo and 
Portage areas and opened in Grand Rapids in 2011. In 2016, the bank expanded to Holland and 2017 opened a loan production office in Lansing. Most recently, FNBM expanded services in Lansing and opened a Traverse City loan production office. Today, FNBM offers the full complement of private banking, retail, home mortgages and personal loans at all branch locations with an overall emphasis on commercial banking. FNBM is well recognized in each community they serve for helping to advance local businesses.
With 50 years of banking experience, Larry Lueth served as Senior Lender, President, CEO and then Chairman of the Board for FNBM. Daniel Bitzer joined the bank in 2011 and served as Senior Lender. Daniel has over 40 years of corporate banking experience and was appointed to serve as President in 2015 and CEO in 2017. Jim DeKruyter was the founder of the Michigan Disposal Service Corporation in Kalamazoo.