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<P id=PARA3 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>UNITED STATES</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA4 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA5 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B></FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
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<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">________________</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA9 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>FORM 8-K</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA10 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA11 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>CURRENT REPORT</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA12 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA13 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the </B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA14 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Securities Exchange Act of 1934</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA15 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA16 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): November 17, 2016</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA17 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA18 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>____________________</B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA20 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Mercantile Bank Corporation</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA21 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA22 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA25 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Michigan</B></FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA119 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><B>000-26719</B></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA120 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><B>38-3360865</B></P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA26 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(State or other jurisdiction</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA27 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">of incorporation)</FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA122 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">(Commission File</P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">Number)&nbsp;&nbsp;</P></TD>
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<P id=PARA123 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">(IRS Employer&nbsp;</P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">Identification Number)</P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA30 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>310 Leonard Street NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan</B><B> </B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><B>49504</B></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA31 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Address of principal executive offices)</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;(Zip Code)</TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA33 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Registrant's telephone number, including area code</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><B>616-406-3000</B></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA23 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA35 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">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 (<I>see</I> General Instruction A.2. below): </FONT></P>
<P id=PARA37 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA38 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&#9744;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </FONT></P>
<P id=PARA39 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA40 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&#9744;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </FONT></P>
<P id=PARA41 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA42 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&#9744;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </FONT></P>
<P id=PARA43 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA44 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&#9744;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA48 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. </B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA49 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA50 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><I><B>Equity Incentive Grants</B></I></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA51 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA52 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Effective November 17, 2016, the Compensation Committee of Board of Directors of Mercantile Bank Corporation (the &#8220;Company&#8221;) authorized equity incentive grants of shares of restricted stock and stock options under the Company&#8217;s Stock Incentive Plan of 2016 (the "Incentive Plan"). The grants were made to certain executives and employees of the Company to incentivize continuous improvements in corporate performance and increasing shareholder value over the long term. As a condition of accepting the grants, each recipient will be required to execute a Restricted Stock Award Agreement and a Stock Option Agreement. The grants are also subject to the terms and conditions of the Incentive Plan. </FONT></P>
<P id=PARA53 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA54 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Each grant of restricted stock will vest in its entirety on November 17, 2019, and is subject to forfeiture if the grantee ceases to be an employee of the Company prior to that date. Vesting may be accelerated under certain circumstances, including in the event of a change of control, death, disability, retirement, or termination of employment by the Company without cause. The Compensation Committee may also accelerate vesting in its discretion. </FONT></P>
<P id=PARA55 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA56 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Each stock option has an exercise price of $36.22, is first exercisable on November 17, 2018, and expires on November 16, 2023. The exercise price was set at 110% of the closing price of the Company's common stock as quoted on Nasdaq on November 17, 2016. </FONT></P>
<P id=PARA57 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA58 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The number of shares of restricted stock and stock options awarded to our named executive officers are listed below:</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA59 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA60 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Restricted Stock</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 27%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 9pt">
<P id=PARA61 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Stock Options</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA62 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Michael H. Price</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1px solid; WIDTH: 38%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 9pt">
<P id=PARA63 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">7,000</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 27%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 9pt">
<P id=PARA64 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">2,000</FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1px solid; WIDTH: 34%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 9pt">
<P id=PARA65 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Robert B. Kaminski</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1px solid; WIDTH: 38%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 9pt">
<P id=PARA66 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">4,500</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 27%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 9pt">
<P id=PARA67 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">1,500</FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1px solid; WIDTH: 34%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 9pt">
<P id=PARA68 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Charles E. Christmas </FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1px solid; WIDTH: 38%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 9pt">
<P id=PARA69 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">3,750</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 27%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 9pt">
<P id=PARA70 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">1,000</FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1px solid; WIDTH: 34%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; PADDING-LEFT: 9pt">
<P id=PARA71 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Robert Worthington</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1px solid; WIDTH: 38%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; PADDING-LEFT: 9pt">
<P id=PARA72 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">2,500</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 27%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; PADDING-LEFT: 9pt">
<P id=PARA73 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">500</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA75 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA76 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA77 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The foregoing description of the grants is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions set forth in the Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement and Form of Stock Option Agreement, copies of which are attached as Exhibit 10.1 and Exhibit 10.2 hereto, respectively, and incorporated by reference herein.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA78 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA79 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Item 9.01&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Financial Statements and Exhibits.</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA80 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA81 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(d) Exhibits.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA82 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA124 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><U>Exhibit Number</U></FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA125 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><U>Description</U></P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA126 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 85%">
<P id=PARA127 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA128 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">10.1</P></TD>
<TD style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; WIDTH: 85%; PADDING-LEFT: 9pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0px">
<P id=PARA84 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement</FONT>&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 15%; PADDING-LEFT: 18pt">
<P id=PARA130 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 85%">
<P id=PARA131 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 15%; PADDING-LEFT: 18pt">
<P id=PARA132 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">10.2</P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 85%; PADDING-LEFT: 9pt">
<P id=PARA133 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Form of Stock Option Agreement </FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA87 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<DIV id=PGBK134  style="WIDTH: 100%; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=PGFTR134  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=PGNUM134  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">2&nbsp;</DIV>
<HR style="HEIGHT: 2px; WIDTH: 100%; PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; COLOR: #000000" noShade>

<DIV id=PGHDR134  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<P id=PARA134.2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px">&nbsp;</P>
<P id=PARA92 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Signatures</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA93 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA94 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">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 hereunto duly authorized. </FONT></P>
<P id=PARA95 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0>

<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 50%">
<P id=PARA135 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 3%" colSpan=2>
<P id=PARA96 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Mercantile Bank Corporation</FONT> &nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 50%">
<P id=PARA138 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 3%">
<P id=PARA139 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 47%">
<P id=PARA140 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 50%">
<P id=PARA141 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 3%">
<P id=PARA142 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">By:</P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 47%">
<P id=PARA98 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><U><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">/s/ Charles E. Christmas</FONT></U>&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 50%">
<P id=PARA144 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 3%">
<P id=PARA145 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 47%">
<P id=PARA99 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Charles E. Christmas</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA100 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Executive Vice President, Chief </FONT></P>
<P id=PARA101 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Financial Officer and Treasurer</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA97 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA99 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><BR></FONT>&nbsp;</P>
<P id=PARA102 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Date: November 18, 2016</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA147.1 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<DIV id=PGBK147  style="WIDTH: 100%; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=PGFTR147  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=PGNUM147  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3&nbsp;</DIV>
<HR style="HEIGHT: 2px; WIDTH: 100%; PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; COLOR: #000000" noShade>

<DIV id=PGHDR147  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<P id=PARA147.2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px">&nbsp;</P>
<P id=PARA105 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><U><B>Exhibit Index</B></U></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA106 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA107 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT>
<TABLE  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0>

<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 15%">
<P id=PARA124 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><U>Exhibit Number</U></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 85%">
<P id=PARA125 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><U>Description</U></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 15%">
<P id=PARA126 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 85%">
<P id=PARA127 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 15%; PADDING-LEFT: 18pt">
<P id=PARA128 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">10.1</P></TD>
<TD style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; WIDTH: 85%; PADDING-LEFT: 9pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0px">
<P id=PARA84 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement</FONT>&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 15%; PADDING-LEFT: 18pt">
<P id=PARA130 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 85%">
<P id=PARA131 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 15%; PADDING-LEFT: 18pt">
<P id=PARA132 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">10.2</P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 85%; PADDING-LEFT: 9pt">
<P id=PARA133 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Form of Stock Option Agreement </FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE></P>
<P id=PARA108 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></BODY></HTML>
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mbwm20161117_8k.htm
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 17, 2016
____________________
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 Number)
310 Leonard Street NW, 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 (
see
General Instruction A.2. below):
☐
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 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Equity Incentive Grants
Effective November 17, 2016, the Compensation Committee of Board of Directors of Mercantile Bank Corporation (the "Company") authorized equity incentive grants of shares of restricted stock and stock options under the Company's Stock Incentive Plan of 2016 (the "Incentive Plan"). The grants were made to certain executives and employees of the Company to incentivize continuous improvements in corporate performance and increasing shareholder value over the long term. As a condition of accepting the grants, each recipient will be required to execute a Restricted Stock Award Agreement and a Stock Option Agreement. The grants are also subject to the terms and conditions of the Incentive Plan.
Each grant of restricted stock will vest in its entirety on November 17, 2019, and is subject to forfeiture if the grantee ceases to be an employee of the Company prior to that date. Vesting may be accelerated under certain circumstances, including in the event of a change of control, death, disability, retirement, or termination of employment by the Company without cause. The Compensation Committee may also accelerate vesting in its discretion.
Each stock option has an exercise price of $36.22, is first exercisable on November 17, 2018, and expires on November 16, 2023. The exercise price was set at 110% of the closing price of the Company's common stock as quoted on Nasdaq on November 17, 2016.
The number of shares of restricted stock and stock options awarded to our named executive officers are listed below:
Restricted Stock
Stock Options
Michael H. Price
7,000
2,000
Robert B. Kaminski
4,500
1,500
Charles E. Christmas
3,750
1,000
Robert Worthington
2,500
500
The foregoing description of the grants is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions set forth in the Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement and Form of Stock Option Agreement, copies of which are attached as Exhibit 10.1 and Exhibit 10.2 hereto, respectively, and incorporated by reference herein.
Item 9.01     Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit Number
Description
10.1
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement
10.2
Form of Stock Option Agreement
2
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 hereunto duly authorized.
Mercantile Bank Corporation
By:
/s/ Charles E. Christmas
Charles E. Christmas
Executive Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer
Date: November 18, 2016
3
Exhibit Index
Exhibit Number
Description
10.1
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement
10.2
Form of Stock Option Agreement