News
GVSU Seidman Team Wins 10th Annual RMA Commercial Lending Challenge
October 30, 2025
Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business proudly took home first place at the 10th Annual Risk Management Association (RMA) Commercial Lending Challenge, hosted at Seidman in downtown Grand Rapids.
The competition drew 17 student teams from nine Michigan colleges and universities, each tasked with tackling complex commercial loan requests. Teams stepped into the roles of both credit analysts and bankers — evaluating risk, structuring financing solutions, and delivering recommendations under real-world conditions.
This year, Seidman’s team rose above the competition, earning top honors for their critical thinking, teamwork, and ability to balance client needs with banking standards. Their success reflects not only academic preparation but also the professional skills they’ve built through Seidman’s programs and partnerships.
Participating schools included:
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Grand Valley State University
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Calvin University
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Central Michigan University
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Ferris State University
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Hillsdale College
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Hope College
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Northwood University
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Saginaw Valley State University
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Western Michigan University
Mercantile Bank has played a key role in the challenge since its inception a decade ago, with COO Scott Setlock helping to establish the event. This year, as in years past, Mercantile leaders contributed to event planning, loan case development, and judging. Their continued partnership provides students with direct connections to the financial industry and future career opportunities.
The West Michigan Chapter of the RMA also continues to be instrumental in bridging the gap between education and industry, offering students the chance to test their knowledge in a high-stakes but supportive environment.
Reflecting on their win, the GVSU team shared:
“It was an honor to compete in the 10th Annual RMA Lending Challenge. The experience was truly remarkable, offering invaluable insight into the world of banking. We valued the opportunity to take on the responsibilities of a credit analyst, assessing the various risks of the company, and a banker, where we structure a tailored financing solution for the customer. Navigating the challenge of balancing the needs of both the bank and the client pushed us to think critically, collaborate effectively, and grow both professionally and personally—an experience that will stay with us well beyond the competition.”