<html>
<head>
<title>
FIRSTBANK CORPORATION FORM S-8
</title>
</head>
<body>



<hr size=3 noshade>

<P ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
 Registration No. 333-_____</font></p>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</FONT><BR>

<FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Washington, D.C. 20549</FONT></H1>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>FORM S-8</FONT></H1>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>

UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</FONT></H1>

<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4><B>FIRSTBANK CORPORATION</B></FONT><BR>
<FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</FONT></P>

<TABLE WIDTH=600 ALIGN=CENTER CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR>
<TD WIDTH=50% ALIGN=CENTER>
<B>Michigan</B><BR>
(State of other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)<BR></TD>
<TD WIDTH=50% ALIGN=CENTER>
<B>38-2022454</B><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3><B>311 Woodworth Avenue, Alma, Michigan 48801</B><BR>
                            (Address of Principal Executive Offices)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(Zip Code)</FONT></P>



<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3><B>FIRSTBANK CORPORATION<BR>

STOCK OPTION AND RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN OF 1997</B><BR>

                                              (Full Title of the Plan)</FONT></P>

<TABLE WIDTH=600 ALIGN=CENTER CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR>
<TD WIDTH=50% ALIGN=CENTER VALIGN=TOP>
                     Samuel G. Stone, <BR>
         Executive Vice President, Chief Financial<BR>
                   Officer and Secretary              <BR>
                   Firstbank Corporation                  <BR>
                    311 Woodwoth Avenue                       <BR>
                    Alma, Michigan 4880                           <BR>
          (Name and address of Agent for Service)</TD>
<TD WIDTH=50% ALIGN=CENTER VALIGN=TOP>
                Copies to:            <BR>
            Donald L. Johnson            <BR>
 Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt &amp; Howlett LLP<BR>
  333 Bridge Street, N.W., P.O. Box 352  <BR>
       Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0352       <BR>
              (616) 336-6000             </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


                                                   <P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
(989) 463-3131<BR>
                            (Telephone number, including Area Code, of Agent for Service)</font></p>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</FONT></H1>

<TABLE CELLPADDING=2 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=1 width=100%>
<TR valign=bottom align=center>
<TD width=28%>
    <B>Title of<BR>
Securities to be<BR>
   Registered </B>
 </TD>
<TD width=18%>
<B>Amount to be<BR>
 Registered </B>
 </TD>
<TD width=18%>
   <B>Proposed<BR>
   Maximum    <BR>
Offering Price<BR>
 Per Share (3)</B>
 </TD>
<TD width=18%>
   <B>Proposed<BR>
    Maximum  <BR>
   Aggregate  <BR>
Offering Price (3)</B>
</TD>
<TD width=18%>
   <B>Amount of<BR>
Registration Fee</B>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign=bottom align=center>
<TD width=28%>
Common Stock
 </TD>
<TD width=18%>
210,000 Shares (1)
 </TD>
<TD width=18% align=center>&nbsp;<BR>
$22.78 (2)
 </TD>
<TD width=18% align=center>
$4,783,800
</TD>
<TD width=18% align=center>
$440.11
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
Footnotes:</font></p>

<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>(1)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=95%><FONT SIZE=3>
Plus an indeterminate number of additional shares as may be required to be
issued in the event of an adjustment as a result of an increase in the number of
issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a subdivision of such shares, the
payment of stock dividends or certain other capital adjustments.<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>(2)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=95%><FONT SIZE=3>
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>(3)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=95%><FONT SIZE=3>
On July 23,  2002,  the average of the high and low prices of the Common  Stock of  Firstbank  Corporation
was $22.78 per share. the registration fee is computed in accordance with Rule 457(h) and (c).<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

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<BR>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif"></FONT></P>
<BR>
<HR SIZE=2>





<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES</FONT></H1>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This
Registration Statement registers additional securities of the same class as
other securities for which a Registration Statement filed on Form S-8 relating
to the Firstbank Corporation Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan of 1997 is
effective. </FONT></P>

         <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The  contents  of the  earlier  Registration  Statement,  SEC  File No.  333-53957,  are  incorporated  by
reference.</FONT></P>



<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>


<BR>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3> 2 </FONT></P>
<BR>
<HR SIZE=2>

<PAGE>



<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
Item 8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>Exhibit Number</U></font></p>

<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT SIZE=3>5.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT SIZE=3>Opinion of Legal Counsel<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=3>23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=3>Consent of Legal Counsel  (Included in Exhibit 5)<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=3>23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=3>Consent of Crowe, Chizek and Company, LLP<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=3>24.1</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT SIZE=3>Power of Attorney - Included on the Signature Page of this Registration Statement<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>


<BR>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3> 3 </FONT></P>
<BR>
<HR SIZE=2>



<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>SIGNATURES</FONT></H1>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that
it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form S-8, and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Alma, State of Michigan, on the 22nd day of July, 2002. </FONT></P>

<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD colspan=2><FONT SIZE=3>FIRSTBANK CORPORATION<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=2%><FONT SIZE=3>By</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=45%>
/s/ Thomas R. Sullivan
<hr size=1 noshade>
Thomas R. Sullivan   <BR>
  President and Chief Executive Officer<BR>
  (Principal Executive Officer)<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH=13%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=2%><FONT SIZE=3>By</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=45%>
/s/ Samuel G. Stone
<hr size=1 noshade>
Samuel G. Stone  <BR>
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer<BR>
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH=13%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</table>



<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement
has been signed by the following directors of Registrant on July 22, 2002, on
behalf of the Registrant. Each director of the Registrant, whose signature
appears below, hereby appoints Thomas R. Sullivan, and Samuel G. Stone, and each
of them severally, as his attorney-in-fact, to sign in his name and on his
behalf, as a director of Registrant, and to file with the Commission any and all
Amendments to this Registration Statement. </FONT></P>

<BR>

<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=45%>
/s/ Duane A. Carr
<hr size=1 noshade>
Duane A. Carr<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT SIZE=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=45%>
/s/ Phillip G. Peasley
<hr size=1 noshade>
Phillip G. Peasley<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=45%>
/s/ William E. Goggin
<hr size=1 noshade>
William E. Goggin<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT SIZE=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=45%>
/s/ David D. Roslund
<hr size=1 noshade>
David D. Roslund<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=45%>
/s/ Edward B. Grant
<hr size=1 noshade>
Edward B. Grant <BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT SIZE=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=45%>
/s/ Jeffrey C. Schubert
<hr size=1 noshade>
Jeffrey C. Schubert<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=45%>
/s/ Benson S. Munger
<hr size=1 noshade>
Benson S. Munger  <BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT SIZE=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=45%>
/s/ Thomas R. Sullivan
<hr size=1 noshade>
Thomas R. Sullivan<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</table>

<BR><BR><BR><BR>

<BR>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3> 4 </FONT></P>
<BR>
<HR SIZE=2>




<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>EXHIBIT INDEX</FONT></H1>
<BR>

<TABLE CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 WIDTH=680 ALIGN=CENTER>
<TR valign=top>
<TD width=15% align=center><B><U>Exhibit No.</U></B> </TD>
<TD width=85% align=center><B><U>Description</U></B><BR>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign=top>
<TD align=center>5.1</TD>
<TD>Opinion of Counsel<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign=top>
<TD align=center>23.1</TD>
<TD>Consent of Counsel (Included in Opinion Filed as Exhibit 5.1)<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign=top>
<TD align=center>23.2</TD>
<TD>Consent of Independent Accountants<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign=top>
<TD align=center>23.2</TD>
<TD>Power of Attorney (Included on the Signature Page of this Registration Statement)<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>


<BR>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3> 5 </FONT></P>
<BR>
<HR SIZE=2>





<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3><U>EXHIBIT 5.1</U></FONT></H1>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Opinion of Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt &amp; Howlett LLP<BR>

Regarding Legality of Securities Being Registered</FONT></H1>

<BR><BR><BR><BR>
                                                   <P align=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
July 23, 2002</font></p>

<BR>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
Firstbank Corporation<BR>
311 Woodworth Avenue<BR>
Alma, Michigan 48801-1826</font></p>

<TABLE CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 WIDTH=100%>
<TR valign=top>
<TD width=5%>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD width=5%>Re: </TD>
<TD width=90%>Registration Statement on Form S-8 Relating to Firstbank Corporation<BR>
                  Common Stock for Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan of 1997</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
Gentlemen:</font></p>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With
respect to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the &#147;Registration
Statement&#148;), filed by Firstbank Corporation, a Michigan corporation (the
&#147;Company&#148;), with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the
purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 210,000
shares of the Company&#146;s common stock for sale pursuant to the Firstbank
Corporation Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan of 1997, we have examined
such documents and questions of law we consider necessary or appropriate for the
purpose of giving this opinion. On the basis of such evaluation, we advise you
that in our opinion the 210,000 shares covered by the Registration Statement
have been duly and validly authorized by Firstbank Corporation, and when sold,
will have been duly and validly issued, fully paid and will be non-assessable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We
hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within
the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under the rules and regulations of the
Securities Exchange Commission relating thereto. </FONT></P>

                                                              <P align=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
Sincerely.<BR>
<BR>
                                            VARNUM, RIDDERING, SCHMIT &amp; HOWLETT LLP<BR>
<BR>
                                            /s/ Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt &amp; Howlett LLP</font></p>


<BR><BR><BR><BR>

<BR>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>  </FONT></P>
<BR>
<HR SIZE=2>



<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3><U>EXHIBIT 23.2</U></FONT></H1>

<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>CONSENT OF
INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS</FONT></H1>
<BR><BR><BR>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>We consent to the
incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of Firstbank
Corporation on Form S-8, including the Prospectus for the Firstbank Corporation
Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan of 1997, of our report dated February 1,
2002, on the 2001 consolidated financial statements of Firstbank Corporation,
which report is included in the 2001 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Firstbank
Corporation. </FONT></P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 WIDTH=100%>
<TR valign=top>
<TD width=50%>
Grand Rapids, Michigan  <BR>
July 17, 2002           <BR>
</TD>
<TD width=50%>
 /s/ Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP<BR>
<BR>
<B>Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP</B>
</td>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>


</body>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "FIRSTBANK CORP", "cik": "0000778972", "assigned-sic": "6022", "irs-number": "382633910", "state-of-incorporation": "MI", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-97011", "film-number": "02709683"}, "business-address": {"street1": "311 WOODWORTH AVE", "street2": "PO BOX 1029", "city": "ALMA", "state": "MI", "zip": "48801", "phone": "5174633131"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "311 WOODWORTH AVE", "city": "ALMA", "state": "MI", "zip": "48801"}}
FIRSTBANK CORPORATION FORM S-8
Registration No. 333-_____
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
FIRSTBANK CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Michigan
(State of other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
38-2022454
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
311 Woodworth Avenue, Alma, Michigan 48801
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)      (Zip Code)
FIRSTBANK CORPORATION
STOCK OPTION AND RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN OF 1997
(Full Title of the Plan)
Samuel G. Stone,
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Secretary
Firstbank Corporation
311 Woodwoth Avenue
Alma, Michigan 4880
(Name and address of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
Donald L. Johnson
Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP
333 Bridge Street, N.W., P.O. Box 352
Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0352
(616) 336-6000
(989) 463-3131
(Telephone number, including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of
Securities to be
Registered
Amount to be
Registered
Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Share (3)
Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price (3)
Amount of
Registration Fee
Common Stock
210,000 Shares (1)
$22.78 (2)
$4,783,800
$440.11
Footnotes:
(1)
Plus an indeterminate number of additional shares as may be required to be
issued in the event of an adjustment as a result of an increase in the number of
issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a subdivision of such shares, the
payment of stock dividends or certain other capital adjustments.
(2)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
(3)
On July 23,  2002,  the average of the high and low prices of the Common  Stock of  Firstbank  Corporation
was $22.78 per share. the registration fee is computed in accordance with Rule 457(h) and (c).
REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES
This
Registration Statement registers additional securities of the same class as
other securities for which a Registration Statement filed on Form S-8 relating
to the Firstbank Corporation Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan of 1997 is
effective.
The  contents  of the  earlier  Registration  Statement,  SEC  File No.  333-53957,  are  incorporated  by
reference.
2
Item 8.
Exhibit Number
5.1
Opinion of Legal Counsel
23.1
Consent of Legal Counsel  (Included in Exhibit 5)
23.2
Consent of Crowe, Chizek and Company, LLP
24.1
Power of Attorney - Included on the Signature Page of this Registration Statement
3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that
it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form S-8, and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Alma, State of Michigan, on the 22nd day of July, 2002.
FIRSTBANK CORPORATION
By
/s/ Thomas R. Sullivan
Thomas R. Sullivan
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
By
/s/ Samuel G. Stone
Samuel G. Stone
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement
has been signed by the following directors of Registrant on July 22, 2002, on
behalf of the Registrant. Each director of the Registrant, whose signature
appears below, hereby appoints Thomas R. Sullivan, and Samuel G. Stone, and each
of them severally, as his attorney-in-fact, to sign in his name and on his
behalf, as a director of Registrant, and to file with the Commission any and all
Amendments to this Registration Statement.
/s/ Duane A. Carr
Duane A. Carr
/s/ Phillip G. Peasley
Phillip G. Peasley
/s/ William E. Goggin
William E. Goggin
/s/ David D. Roslund
David D. Roslund
/s/ Edward B. Grant
Edward B. Grant
/s/ Jeffrey C. Schubert
Jeffrey C. Schubert
/s/ Benson S. Munger
Benson S. Munger
/s/ Thomas R. Sullivan
Thomas R. Sullivan
4
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
5.1
Opinion of Counsel
23.1
Consent of Counsel (Included in Opinion Filed as Exhibit 5.1)
23.2
Consent of Independent Accountants
23.2
Power of Attorney (Included on the Signature Page of this Registration Statement)
5
EXHIBIT 5.1
Opinion of Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP
Regarding Legality of Securities Being Registered
July 23, 2002
Firstbank Corporation
311 Woodworth Avenue
Alma, Michigan 48801-1826
Re:
Registration Statement on Form S-8 Relating to Firstbank Corporation
Common Stock for Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan of 1997
Gentlemen:
With
respect to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration
Statement"), filed by Firstbank Corporation, a Michigan corporation (the
"Company"), with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the
purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 210,000
shares of the Company's common stock for sale pursuant to the Firstbank
Corporation Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan of 1997, we have examined
such documents and questions of law we consider necessary or appropriate for the
purpose of giving this opinion. On the basis of such evaluation, we advise you
that in our opinion the 210,000 shares covered by the Registration Statement
have been duly and validly authorized by Firstbank Corporation, and when sold,
will have been duly and validly issued, fully paid and will be non-assessable.
We
hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within
the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under the rules and regulations of the
Securities Exchange Commission relating thereto.
Sincerely.
VARNUM, RIDDERING, SCHMIT & HOWLETT LLP
/s/ Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP
EXHIBIT 23.2
CONSENT OF
INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
We consent to the
incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of Firstbank
Corporation on Form S-8, including the Prospectus for the Firstbank Corporation
Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan of 1997, of our report dated February 1,
2002, on the 2001 consolidated financial statements of Firstbank Corporation,
which report is included in the 2001 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Firstbank
Corporation.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
July 17, 2002
/s/ Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP
Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP