Len Amat, regional president for Chemical Bank, has announced the appointment of Coley Pesce to assistant vice president, branch manager, and Art Van Ast to assistant vice president, mortgage lender.

As assistant vice president, branch manager, Pesce will continue his duties of overseeing the daily branch operations and activities of the Niles South Branch at 1835 S. 11th St. in Niles. Pesce is also responsible for business development in and around the Niles area.

He joined Chemical Bank in 2008 and has 18 years of financial industry experience.

Pesce holds a bachelor of science degree in marketing with a minor in management from Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. He was recently elected chairman of the board of directors for the Four Flags Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Niles High School Advisory Board as well as the Four Flags Plaza Board of Directors.

Van Ast has been with Chemical Bank since 2010 and is responsible for mortgage lending in Greater Niles including the Berrien Springs, Buchanan, Dowagiac, Eau Claire and Edwardsburg. He has more than 22 years of mortgage banking experience.

Van Ast holds his certified mortgage banking degree from the Mortgage Bankers Association, specializing in economics and banking.

Van Ast supports community involvement and is active with Habitat for Humanity.