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<TITLE>Form 8-K</TITLE>
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 <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:4pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FORM 8-K
</B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>CURRENT REPORT </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Pursuant
to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):&nbsp;November 26, 2013 </B></P>
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<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:24pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Michigan</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>000-26719</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>38-3360865</B></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(State or other jurisdiction<BR>of incorporation)</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(Commission<BR>File Number)</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(IRS Employer<BR>Identification no.)</B></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>310 Leonard St., N.W.</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Grand Rapids, Michigan</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"><B>49504</B></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(Address of principal executive offices)</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(Zip Code)</B></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code:&nbsp;(616) 406-3000 </B></P>
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<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Check the appropriate box below if the Form&nbsp;8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the
following provisions: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#120;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425). </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12). </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)). </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)). </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;8.01. Other Events </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Due to the timing of certain regulatory processes and approvals, Mercantile Bank Corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;) expects that its previously announced
merger with Firstbank Corporation will not be completed on January&nbsp;1, 2014, as previously disclosed. The Company currently expects that the merger will close later in the first quarter of 2014. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Important Information for Investors </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Communications in
this Current Report on Form 8-K do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. The proposed Merger and the issuance of Mercantile common stock in connection with
the proposed Merger will be submitted to Mercantile&#146;s shareholders for their consideration, and the proposed Merger will be submitted to Firstbank&#146;s shareholders for their consideration. In connection therewith, on September&nbsp;17, 2013
Mercantile filed a registration statement on Form S-4 which includes a joint proxy statement to be used by Mercantile and Firstbank to solicit the required approval of their shareholders in connection with the proposed Merger and which constitutes a
prospectus of Mercantile. Mercantile and Firstbank may also file other documents with the SEC concerning the proposed Merger. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF MERCANTILE ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE
PROPOSED MERGER AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED MERGER. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the joint
proxy statement and prospectus and other documents containing important information about Mercantile and Firstbank through the website maintained by the SEC at <U>www.sec.gov</U>. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Mercantile will be
available free of charge on Mercantile&#146;s website at <U>www.mercbank.com</U> on the &#147;Investor Relations&#148; page. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Firstbank will be available free of charge on Firstbank&#146;s website at
<U>www.firstbankmi.com</U>. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Participants in the Solicitation </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Mercantile, Firstbank, and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from
the shareholders of Mercantile and the shareholders of Firstbank in connection with the proposed Merger. Information about the directors and executive officers of Mercantile is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2013 annual meeting of
shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on March&nbsp;15, 2013. Information about the directors and executive officers of Firstbank is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2013 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on
March&nbsp;15, 2013. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security
holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the joint proxy statement and prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">-2- </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This Current Report on Form 8-K contains &#147;forward-looking statements&#148; within the meaning of Section&nbsp;27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section&nbsp;21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. These include statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words &#147;expects&#148; or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements relating to expectations about
future results or events are based upon information available to Mercantile and Firstbank as of today&#146;s date and are not guarantees of the future performance of Mercantile, Firstbank or the combined company, and actual results may vary
materially from the results and expectations discussed. There is no assurance that the parties will complete the proposed Merger. Payment of the contemplated special dividend is subject to the satisfaction of the closing conditions in the merger
agreement, not all of which are within the control of Mercantile and Firstbank. The Merger Agreement may be terminated if the companies do not receive the necessary approval of their respective shareholders or government approvals or if either
Mercantile or Firstbank fails to satisfy all conditions to closing stated in the Merger Agreement. Additional risks and uncertainties related to the proposed Merger include, but are not limited to, the successful integration of Mercantile&#146;s and
Firstbank&#146;s businesses and the combined company&#146;s ability to compete in the highly competitive banking and financial services industries. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Mercantile cautions that the foregoing list of risks and uncertainties is not exclusive. Additional information concerning these and other risks is contained
in Mercantile&#146; and Firstbank&#146;s most recently filed Annual Reports on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K and other SEC filings. Mercantile undertakes no obligation to publicly update any
of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this Current Report. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">-3- </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SIGNATURES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top">Date:&nbsp;November 26, 2013</TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3">MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>By</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Michael H. Price</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Michael H. Price</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">President, Chief Executive
Officer, and Chairman of the Board of Directors</P></TD></TR>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "MERCANTILE BANK CORP", "cik": "0001042729", "assigned-sic": "6022", "irs-number": "383360865", "state-of-incorporation": "MI", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-26719", "film-number": "131243510"}, "business-address": {"street1": "310 LEONARD STREET NW", "city": "GRAND RAPIDS", "state": "MI", "zip": "49504", "phone": "616 406-3000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "310 LEONARD STREET NW", "city": "GRAND RAPIDS", "state": "MI", "zip": "49504"}}
Form 8-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 26, 2013
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Michigan
000-26719
38-3360865
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification no.)
310 Leonard St., N.W.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
49504
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (616) 406-3000
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the
following provisions:
x
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425).
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12).
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)).
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)).
Item 8.01. Other Events
Due to the timing of certain regulatory processes and approvals, Mercantile Bank Corporation (the "Company") expects that its previously announced
merger with Firstbank Corporation will not be completed on January 1, 2014, as previously disclosed. The Company currently expects that the merger will close later in the first quarter of 2014.
Important Information for Investors
Communications in
this Current Report on Form 8-K do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. The proposed Merger and the issuance of Mercantile common stock in connection with
the proposed Merger will be submitted to Mercantile's shareholders for their consideration, and the proposed Merger will be submitted to Firstbank's shareholders for their consideration. In connection therewith, on September 17, 2013
Mercantile filed a registration statement on Form S-4 which includes a joint proxy statement to be used by Mercantile and Firstbank to solicit the required approval of their shareholders in connection with the proposed Merger and which constitutes a
prospectus of Mercantile. Mercantile and Firstbank may also file other documents with the SEC concerning the proposed Merger. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF MERCANTILE ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE
PROPOSED MERGER AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED MERGER. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the joint
proxy statement and prospectus and other documents containing important information about Mercantile and Firstbank through the website maintained by the SEC at
www.sec.gov
. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Mercantile will be
available free of charge on Mercantile's website at
www.mercbank.com
on the "Investor Relations" page. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Firstbank will be available free of charge on Firstbank's website at
www.firstbankmi.com
.
Participants in the Solicitation
Mercantile, Firstbank, and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from
the shareholders of Mercantile and the shareholders of Firstbank in connection with the proposed Merger. Information about the directors and executive officers of Mercantile is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2013 annual meeting of
shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 15, 2013. Information about the directors and executive officers of Firstbank is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2013 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on
March 15, 2013. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security
holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the joint proxy statement and prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.
-2-
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. These include statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words "expects" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements relating to expectations about
future results or events are based upon information available to Mercantile and Firstbank as of today's date and are not guarantees of the future performance of Mercantile, Firstbank or the combined company, and actual results may vary
materially from the results and expectations discussed. There is no assurance that the parties will complete the proposed Merger. Payment of the contemplated special dividend is subject to the satisfaction of the closing conditions in the merger
agreement, not all of which are within the control of Mercantile and Firstbank. The Merger Agreement may be terminated if the companies do not receive the necessary approval of their respective shareholders or government approvals or if either
Mercantile or Firstbank fails to satisfy all conditions to closing stated in the Merger Agreement. Additional risks and uncertainties related to the proposed Merger include, but are not limited to, the successful integration of Mercantile's and
Firstbank's businesses and the combined company's ability to compete in the highly competitive banking and financial services industries.
Mercantile cautions that the foregoing list of risks and uncertainties is not exclusive. Additional information concerning these and other risks is contained
in Mercantile' and Firstbank's most recently filed Annual Reports on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K and other SEC filings. Mercantile undertakes no obligation to publicly update any
of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this Current Report.
-3-
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: November 26, 2013
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
By
/s/ Michael H. Price
Michael H. Price
President, Chief Executive
Officer, and Chairman of the Board of Directors
-4-