After more than two decades in the commercial lending game, Michigan Business Connection (MBC) decided it was time for a rebrand.
On August 31, 2026, the Ann Arbor-based Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) pulled the curtain back on a shiny new brand identity and redesigned website at www.mbcloans.biz. The goal? To better communicate what they actually do and why credit unions and businesses should care.
Why the Change?
Here’s the thing: MBC has been quietly evolving for years, helping community financial institutions expand their commercial lending capabilities while simultaneously connecting businesses with the financing they need. But their old brand wasn’t really telling that story effectively.
“Our brand has evolved because MBC has evolved,” said Bill Beardsley, CEO of MBC. “The new brand reflects MBC’s evolution over more than two decades and provides a stronger foundation for its continued growth. While the visual identity and messaging have evolved, the relationships, expertise and collaborative approach that have long defined MBC remain at the heart of the organization.”
Translation: They’re still the same people doing the same great work, just with a clearer way of explaining it to the world.
What’s Actually New?
The refreshed website isn’t just a new coat of paint. It features clearer navigation, updated messaging, and dedicated experiences for two distinct audiences: community financial institutions and businesses. That’s smart, considering these two groups have very different needs and questions when they land on the site.
For credit unions specifically, this matters more than ever. As financial institutions look for ways to expand their commercial lending game without blowing up their risk profiles or resource allocations, having access to specialized expertise becomes critical. MBC positions itself as exactly that resource—bringing commercial lending know-how, local market intelligence, and relationship-building to the table.
Todd Mason, COO of MBC, put it this way: “As MBC continues to grow, we need a digital experience that can grow with us. The new website gives us a stronger platform to communicate our capabilities, support the needs of both financial institutions and businesses, and create meaningful connections between the two. It reflects where MBC is today while giving us the flexibility to support where we’re going next.”
The Numbers Behind the Mission
Let’s talk scale for a moment. MBC currently manages more than $2.50 billion in business loans. That’s billion with a B. Since their founding in 2004, they’ve built a model that brings together commercial lending expertise, local market knowledge, and a collaborative approach that benefits financial institutions, businesses, and the communities they serve.
The new tagline captures this perfectly: “Connecting Partners. Growing Businesses.” It’s straightforward, descriptive, and actually tells you what they do—a refreshing change from the vague corporate taglines that plague the financial services industry.
Who Made This Happen?
MBC partnered with The Agency, a Texas-based marketing and digital agency with deep roots in the credit union space, to bring the rebrand to life. The result is a more consistent visual and verbal identity that should make it easier for both credit unions and businesses to understand how MBC fits into their growth strategies.
Why This Matters for Credit Unions
The commercial lending landscape keeps changing, and credit unions are increasingly looking for ways to serve their business members without having to build massive in-house commercial lending departments from scratch. That’s where organizations like MBC come in—they provide the expertise and infrastructure that makes commercial lending more accessible to community financial institutions.
For credit unions exploring commercial lending opportunities or looking to expand existing programs, the refreshed MBC brand and website offer clearer information about capabilities, resources, and partnership models. It’s worth a look if commercial lending is on your strategic roadmap.
MBC leadership is available to discuss the evolving commercial lending landscape and how credit unions are approaching opportunities to serve business members. For more information, contact Todd Mason at 734.686.3283 or toddm@mbcloans.biz.