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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION FORM S-8
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<P align=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February __ , 2003 &#151; Registration
No. _______ </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>

<hr size=1 noshade width=15%>

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

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

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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4><B>MERCANTILE BANK 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>
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<TD WIDTH=50% ALIGN=CENTER>
<B>Michigan</B><BR>
(State or Other Jurisdiction of<BR>
Incorporation or Organization)<BR></TD>
<TD WIDTH=50% ALIGN=CENTER>
<B>38-3360865</B><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3><B>5650 Byron Center Ave., S.W., Wyoming, Michigan 49509</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>Mercantile Bank Corporation Independent Director Stock Option Plan</B><BR>

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

<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3><B>Gerald R. Johnson, Jr.<BR>
                                            Mercantile Bank Corporation<BR>
                                           5650 Byron Center Ave., S.W.<BR>
                                              Wyoming, Michigan 49509<BR>
                                                  (616) 406-3000</b><BR>
                   (Name, Address and Telephone Number, Including Area Code of Agent For Service)<BR>
<BR>
                                            <B>Copies of Communications to:</B><BR>
                                                  Donald L. Johnson<BR>
                                      Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt &amp; Howlett LLP<BR>
                                        333 Bridge Street, N.W., P.O. Box 352<BR>
                                          Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501-0352<BR>
                                                   (616) 336-6000</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 Each Class<BR>
of Securities to be<BR>
   Registered </B>
 </TD>
<TD width=18%>
<B>Amount to be<BR>
 Registered(1)</B>
 </TD>
<TD width=18%>
   <B>Proposed Maximum    <BR>
Offering Price<BR>
 Per Share (2)</B>
 </TD>
<TD width=18%>
   <B>Proposed 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%>
65,000 Shares
 </TD>
<TD width=18% align=center>&nbsp;<BR>
$24.42
 </TD>
<TD width=18% align=center>
$1,587,300
</TD>
<TD width=18% align=center>
$146.03
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

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<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>(1)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=95%><FONT SIZE=3>
This Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate number of additional
               shares as may be offered or sold to prevent dilution resulting from stock
               splits, dividends or similar transactions.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

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<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.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

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<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>(3)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=95%><FONT SIZE=3>
For the purpose of computing the registration fee only, the price shown is based
               upon the price of $24.42 per share, the average high and low sales prices for
               common stock of the Registrant in the NASDAQ National Market on February 13,
               2003, in accordance with Rule 457(h).<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>



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<BR>
<P ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3> S-1 </FONT></P>
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<HR SIZE=2 NOSHADE>





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<A NAME=A028></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>PART I </FONT></H1>

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<A NAME=A029></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>INFORMATION REQUIRED
IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS </FONT></H1>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Information
required by Part I to be contained in the Section 10(a) Prospectus is omitted from this
registration statement in accordance with Rule 428 of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Note to Part I of Form S-8. </FONT></P>

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<A NAME=A030></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="4"><U>PART II</U> </FONT> </H1>


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<A NAME=A031></A>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="3">Item 3.&nbsp;&nbsp; <U>Incorporation of
Documents by Reference</U> </FONT> </P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference in this Registration Statement the following
documents filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission: </FONT></P>

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     <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
          The Registrant&#146;s latest annual report filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or
          15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; </FONT></P>

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     <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
          All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
          Exchange Act of 1934, since the end of the fiscal year covered by the annual
          report referred to in (a) above; and </FONT></P>

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     <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
          The description of the Registrant&#146;s common stock contained in the
          Registrant&#146;s Form 8-A Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section
          12(b) of the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the
          purpose of updating such description. </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All
documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and
15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment that
indicates that all securities offered have been sold or that deregisters all securities
remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement and to be a part of this Registration Statement from the date of filing of such
documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superceded for purposes of this
Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other
subsequently filed document which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supercedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superceded shall not be deemed, except as modified or superceded, to constitute a part of
this Registration Statement. </FONT></P>

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<A NAME=A032></A>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="3">Item 4.&nbsp;&nbsp; <U>Description of
Securities</U> </FONT> </P>

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<A NAME=A033></A>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not
applicable. </FONT></P>

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<A NAME=A034></A>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="3">Item 5.&nbsp;&nbsp; <U>Interests of
Named Experts and Counsel</U> </FONT> </P>

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<A NAME=A035></A>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not
applicable. </FONT></P>

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<A NAME=A036></A>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="3">Item 6.&nbsp;&nbsp; <U>Indemnification
of Directors and Officers</U> </FONT> </P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mercantile&#146;s
Articles of Incorporation provide that Mercantile shall indemnify its present and past
directors, officers, and such other persons as the Board of Directors may authorize to the
full extent permitted by law. Mercantile&#146;s Bylaws contain indemnification provisions
concerning third party actions as well as actions in the right of Mercantile. The Bylaws
provide that Mercantile shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened
to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in
the right of Mercantile) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or
officer of Mercantile or while serving as such a director or officer, is or was serving at
the request of Mercantile as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of
another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, whether for profit or not, against expenses (including attorney&#146;s fees),
judgments, penalties, fees and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
by him or her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in
good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of Mercantile or its shareholders and, with respect to any criminal action
or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. </FONT></P>


<BR>
<P ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3> S-2 </FONT></P>
<BR>
<HR SIZE=2 NOSHADE>



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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation regulations impose limitations on indemnification payments
which could restrict, in certain circumstances, payments by Mercantile or Mercantile Bank
of West Michigan to their respective directors or officers otherwise permitted under the
Michigan Business Corporation Act (&#147;MBCA&#148;) or the Michigan Banking Code,
respectively. </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With
respect to derivative actions, the Bylaws provide that Mercantile shall indemnify any
person who was or is a party to or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of Mercantile to procure a judgment
in its favor by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of
Mercantile, or while serving as such a director or officer, is or was serving at the
request of Mercantile as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of
another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, whether for profit or not, against expenses (including attorney&#146;s fees)
and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in
connection with the action or suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or
she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of Mercantile or its
shareholders. No indemnification is provided in the Bylaws in respect of any claim, issue
or matter in which such person has been found liable to Mercantile except to the extent
that a court of competent jurisdiction determines upon application that, despite the
adjudication of liability but in view of all circumstances of the case, such person is
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem
proper. </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mercantile
has purchased directors&#146; and officers&#146; liability insurance for directors and
officers of Mercantile. </FONT></P>

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<A NAME=A037></A>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="3">Item 7.&nbsp;&nbsp; <U>Exemption from
Registration Claimed</U> </FONT> </P>

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<A NAME=A038></A>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not
applicable. </FONT></P>

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<A NAME=A039></A>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="3">Item 8.&nbsp;&nbsp; <U>Exhibits</U> </FONT> </P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Reference
is made to the Exhibit Index which appears on page S-9. </FONT></P>

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<A NAME=A040></A>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="3">Item 9.&nbsp;&nbsp; <U>Undertakings</U> </FONT> </P>

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     <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
          The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: </FONT></P>

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
          To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
          post-effective amendment to this registration statement: </FONT></P>

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               <TR VALIGN=TOP>
               <TD ALIGN=RIGHT WIDTH=9%></TD>
               <TD WIDTH=91%><P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
               To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
               1933; </FONT></P></TD>
               </TR>
               </TABLE>
               <BR>

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               <TR VALIGN=TOP>
               <TD ALIGN=RIGHT WIDTH=9%></TD>
               <TD WIDTH=91%><P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
               To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective
               date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
               thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change
               in the information set forth in this registration statement; and </FONT></P></TD>
               </TR>
               </TABLE>
               <BR>

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               <TR VALIGN=TOP>
               <TD ALIGN=RIGHT WIDTH=9%></TD>
               <TD WIDTH=91%><P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
               To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
               previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to
               such information in this registration statement; </FONT></P></TD>
               </TR>
               </TABLE>
               <BR>

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

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3><I>provided, however</I>, that
paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be
included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration
statement. </FONT></P>

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     <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
          That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
          1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
          registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
          offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
          <I>bona fide </I>offering thereof. </FONT></P>

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
          To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
          securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
          offering. </FONT></P>

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     <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
          The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining
          any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
          registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of
          the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
          employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;15(d) of the
          Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
          registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
          relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
          at that time shall be deemed to be the initial <I>bona fide </I>offering
          thereof. </FONT></P>

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     <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
          Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
          1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
          registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
          has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
          such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
          of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event a claim for
          indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
          registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
          person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
          proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
          connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
          the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
          submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
          indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
          Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. </FONT></P>


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

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






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<A NAME=A042></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>SIGNATURES </FONT></H1>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&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 Wyoming, State of Michigan, on this
_______ day of February, 2003. </FONT></P>

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<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD colspan=2><FONT SIZE=3>MERCANTILE BANK 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=5%><FONT SIZE=3>By</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=42%>
/s/ Gerald R. Johnson, Jr.
<hr size=1 noshade>
Gerald R. Johnson, Jr.   <BR>
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer</TD>
<TD WIDTH=13%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</table>



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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>KNOW
ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,</B> that each person whose signature appears below constitutes
and appoints Gerald R. Johnson, Jr. and Charles E. Christmas, and each of them, his or her
true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
Registration Statement and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any
other regulatory authority, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing required and necessary to be done
in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and
agent, or his or her substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. </FONT></P>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Large Indent" FSL="Default" -->
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been
signed below on February ____, 2003, by the following persons in the capacities indicated. </FONT></P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 WIDTH=100%>
<TR valign=top>
<TD width=22%>Signature<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD width=3%>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD width=22%>Title </TD>
<TD width=3%>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD width=22%>Signature </TD>
<TD width=3%>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD width=25%>Title </TD>
</TR>

<TR valign=top>
<TD> /s/ Betty S. Burton
<hr size=1 noshade>
 Betty S. Burton<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD>Director </TD>
<TD>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD> /s/ Gerald R. Johnson, Jr.
<hr size=1 noshade>
 Gerald R. Johnson, Jr.</TD>
<TD>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD>Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer,and Director (PrincipalExecutive Officer) <BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign=top>
<TD> /s/ David M. Cassard
<hr size=1 noshade>
 David M. Cassard </TD>
<TD>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD>Director </TD>
<TD>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD> /s/ Susan K. Jones
<hr size=1 noshade>
 Susan K. Jones<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD>Director <BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign=top>
<TD> /s/ Charles E. Christmas
<hr size=1 noshade>
 Charles E. Christmas </TD>
<TD>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD>Senior Vice President, Chief
                                    Financial Officer and
                                    Treasurer (Principal
                                    Accounting and
                                    Financial Officer)<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD> &nbsp;
<hr size=1 noshade>
 Lawrence W. Larsen</TD>
<TD>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD>Director <BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign=top>
<TD> /s/ Edward J. Clark
<hr size=1 noshade>
 Edward J. Clark  </TD>
<TD>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD>Director </TD>
<TD>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD> /s/ Calvin D. Murdock
<hr size=1 noshade>
 Calvin D. Murdock<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD>Director <BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign=top>
<TD> /s/ Peter A. Cordes
<hr size=1 noshade>
 Peter A. Cordes   </TD>
<TD>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD>Director </TD>
<TD>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD> /s/ Michael H. Price
<hr size=1 noshade>
 Michael H. Price<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD>Director <BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign=top>
<TD> /s/ C. John Gill
<hr size=1 noshade>
 C. John Gill   </TD>
<TD>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD>Director </TD>
<TD>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD> &nbsp;
<hr size=1 noshade>
 Dale J. Visser<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD>Director <BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<BR>

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

<BR><BR>

<TABLE CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 WIDTH=100%>
<TR valign=top>
<TD width=22%> /s/ Doyle A. Hayes
<hr size=1 noshade>
 Doyle A. Hayes<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD width=3% > &nbsp; </TD>
<TD width=22%> Director  </TD>
<TD width=3% > &nbsp; </TD>
<TD width=22%> &nbsp;
<hr size=1 noshade>
 Donald Williams </TD>
<TD width=3% > &nbsp; </TD>
<TD width=25%>Director  </TD>
</TR>

<TR valign=top>
<TD width=22%> /s/ David M. Hecht
<hr size=1 noshade>
 David M. Hecht<BR>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD width=3% > &nbsp; </TD>
<TD width=22%> Director  </TD>
<TD width=3% > &nbsp; </TD>
<TD width=22%> &nbsp;
<hr size=1 noshade>
 Robert M. Wynalda </TD>
<TD width=3% > &nbsp; </TD>
<TD width=25%>Director  </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> S-6 </FONT></P>
<BR>
<HR SIZE=2>











<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Major Center Bold" FSL="Default" -->
<A NAME=A046></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT
ACCOUNTANTS </FONT></H1>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Flush"  -->
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>We consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Registration Statement of Mercantile Bank Corporation on Form S-8 of our
report dated January 18, 2002 (except for Note 1 as to which the date is February 1, 2002)
on the 2001 consolidated financial statements of Mercantile Bank Corporation, which report
is included in the 2001Annual Report on Form 10-K of Mercantile Bank Corporation for the
year ended December 31, 2001. </FONT></P>
<BR>

<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=50%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=50%>
Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP<BR>
<BR>
/s/ Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP</TD>
</TR>
</table>



<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Left" FSL="Default" -->
<A NAME=A047></A>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Grand Rapids, Michigan<BR>
February 10, 2003 </FONT></P>


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


<BR>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3> S-7 </FONT></P>
<BR>
<HR SIZE=2>




<BR><BR><BR>




<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Minor Center" FSL="Default" -->
<A NAME=A048></A>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>February ____, 2003 </FONT></P>

<BR>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Left" FSL="Default" -->
<A NAME=A049></A>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Mercantile Bank
Corporation<BR>5650 Byron Center Avenue, S.W.<BR>Wyoming, Michigan 49509 </FONT></P>
<BR>

<TABLE CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 WIDTH=100%>
<TR valign=top>
<TD width=5%>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD width=5%><B>Re: </B></TD>
<TD width=90%><B>Registration Statement on Form S-8 Relating to the Mercantile Bank Corporation IndependentDirector
Stock Option Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;)</B></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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


<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Large Indent" FSL="Default" -->
<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 Mercantile Bank 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, 65,000 shares of the
Company&#146;s common stock for issuance pursuant to the Plan, we have examined such
documents and questions of law we consider necessary or appropriate for the purpose of
giving this opinion. </FONT></P>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Large Indent" FSL="Default" -->
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In
our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of
all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the
conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or
photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. </FONT></P>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Large Indent" FSL="Default" -->
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Based
upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that when the Registration Statement has become
effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, any and all shares of the
Company&#146;s common stock that are the subject of the Registration Statement will, when
issued and paid for in accordance with the terms stated in the Plan and the Registration
Statement, be validly and legally authorized, issued and outstanding and will be fully
paid and nonassessable. </FONT></P>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Large Indent" FSL="Default" -->
<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 and Exchange Commission relating
thereto. </FONT></P>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Minor Center" FSL="Default" -->
<A NAME=A052></A>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Sincerely, </FONT></P>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Minor Center" FSL="Default" -->
<A NAME=A053></A>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>VARNUM, RIDDERING,
SCHMIDT &amp; HOWLETT LLP </FONT></P>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Minor Center" FSL="Default" -->
<A NAME=A054></A>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>/s/ Donald L. Johnson </FONT></P>


<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Donald L. Johnson </FONT></P>


<BR><BR><BR>

<BR>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3> S-8 </FONT></P>
<BR>
<HR SIZE=2>



<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Major Center Bold" FSL="Default" -->
<A NAME=A057></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>EXHIBIT INDEX </FONT></H1>





<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Large Indent" FSL="Default" -->
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
following exhibits are filed as a part of the Registration Statement: </FONT></P>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Large Hang Level 3" FSL="Default" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Exhibit 4.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
Mercantile&#146;s Articles of Incorporation, previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the
Registrant&#146;s Form SB-2 Registration Statement effective October 23, 1997. Here
incorporated by reference. </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Large Hang Level 3" FSL="Default" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Exhibit 4.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
Mercantile&#146;s Bylaws, previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant&#146;s
Form SB-2 Registration Statement effective October 23, 1997. Here incorporated by
reference. </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Exhibit 5</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
Opinion of Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt &amp; Howlett LLP included on Page S-8 hereof </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Exhibit 23(a)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
Consent of Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP included on Page S-7 hereof </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Exhibit 23(b)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
Consent of Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt &amp; Howlett LLP (included in Exhibit 5) </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Exhibit 24</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
Power of Attorney included
on page S-5 hereof. </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>



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


<BR>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3> S-9 </FONT></P>
<BR>


</body>
</html>
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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": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-103242", "film-number": "03567768"}, "business-address": {"street1": "5650 BYRON CENTER AVENUE S. W.", "city": "WYOMING", "state": "MI", "zip": "49509", "phone": "616 406-3777"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "5650 BYRON CENTER AVENUE S. W.", "city": "WYOMING", "state": "MI", "zip": "49509"}}
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION FORM S-8
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February __ , 2003 — Registration
No. _______
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Michigan
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
38-3360865
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
5650 Byron Center Ave., S.W., Wyoming, Michigan 49509
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)      (Zip Code)
Mercantile Bank Corporation Independent Director Stock Option Plan
(Full Title of the Plan)
Gerald R. Johnson, Jr.
Mercantile Bank Corporation
5650 Byron Center Ave., S.W.
Wyoming, Michigan 49509
(616) 406-3000
(Name, Address and Telephone Number, Including Area Code of Agent For Service)
Copies of Communications to:
Donald L. Johnson
Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP
333 Bridge Street, N.W., P.O. Box 352
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501-0352
(616) 336-6000
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title Of Each Class
of Securities to be
Registered
Amount to be
Registered(1)
Proposed Maximum
Offering Price
Per Share (2)
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price (3)
Amount of
Registration Fee
Common Stock
65,000 Shares
$24.42
$1,587,300
$146.03
(1)
This Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate number of additional
               shares as may be offered or sold to prevent dilution resulting from stock
               splits, dividends or similar transactions.
(2)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
(3)
For the purpose of computing the registration fee only, the price shown is based
               upon the price of $24.42 per share, the average high and low sales prices for
               common stock of the Registrant in the NASDAQ National Market on February 13,
               2003, in accordance with Rule 457(h).
S-1
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED
IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Information
required by Part I to be contained in the Section 10(a) Prospectus is omitted from this
registration statement in accordance with Rule 428 of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Note to Part I of Form S-8.
PART II
Item 3.
Incorporation of
Documents by Reference
The
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference in this Registration Statement the following
documents filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission:
(a)        
          The Registrant's latest annual report filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or
          15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
(b)        
          All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
          Exchange Act of 1934, since the end of the fiscal year covered by the annual
          report referred to in (a) above; and
(c)        
          The description of the Registrant's common stock contained in the
          Registrant's Form 8-A Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section
          12(b) of the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the
          purpose of updating such description.
All
documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and
15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment that
indicates that all securities offered have been sold or that deregisters all securities
remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement and to be a part of this Registration Statement from the date of filing of such
documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superceded for purposes of this
Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other
subsequently filed document which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supercedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superceded shall not be deemed, except as modified or superceded, to constitute a part of
this Registration Statement.
Item 4.
Description of
Securities
Not
applicable.
Item 5.
Interests of
Named Experts and Counsel
Not
applicable.
Item 6.
Indemnification
of Directors and Officers
Mercantile's
Articles of Incorporation provide that Mercantile shall indemnify its present and past
directors, officers, and such other persons as the Board of Directors may authorize to the
full extent permitted by law. Mercantile's Bylaws contain indemnification provisions
concerning third party actions as well as actions in the right of Mercantile. The Bylaws
provide that Mercantile shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened
to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in
the right of Mercantile) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or
officer of Mercantile or while serving as such a director or officer, is or was serving at
the request of Mercantile as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of
another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, whether for profit or not, against expenses (including attorney's fees),
judgments, penalties, fees and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
by him or her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in
good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of Mercantile or its shareholders and, with respect to any criminal action
or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
S-2
Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation regulations impose limitations on indemnification payments
which could restrict, in certain circumstances, payments by Mercantile or Mercantile Bank
of West Michigan to their respective directors or officers otherwise permitted under the
Michigan Business Corporation Act ("MBCA") or the Michigan Banking Code,
respectively.
With
respect to derivative actions, the Bylaws provide that Mercantile shall indemnify any
person who was or is a party to or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of Mercantile to procure a judgment
in its favor by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of
Mercantile, or while serving as such a director or officer, is or was serving at the
request of Mercantile as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of
another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, whether for profit or not, against expenses (including attorney's fees)
and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in
connection with the action or suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or
she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of Mercantile or its
shareholders. No indemnification is provided in the Bylaws in respect of any claim, issue
or matter in which such person has been found liable to Mercantile except to the extent
that a court of competent jurisdiction determines upon application that, despite the
adjudication of liability but in view of all circumstances of the case, such person is
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem
proper.
Mercantile
has purchased directors' and officers' liability insurance for directors and
officers of Mercantile.
Item 7.
Exemption from
Registration Claimed
Not
applicable.
Item 8.
Exhibits
Reference
is made to the Exhibit Index which appears on page S-9.
Item 9.
Undertakings
(a)        
          The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)       
          To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
          post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i)       
               To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
               1933;
(ii)      
               To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective
               date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
               thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change
               in the information set forth in this registration statement; and
(iii)     
               To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
               previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to
               such information in this registration statement;
S-3
provided, however
, that
paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be
included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration
statement.
(2)       
          That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
          1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
          registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
          offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
(3)       
          To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
          securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
          offering.
(b)       
          The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining
          any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
          registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of
          the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
          employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
          Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
          registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
          relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
          at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering
          thereof.
(c)       
          Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
          1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
          registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
          has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
          such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
          of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event a claim for
          indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
          registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
          person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
          proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
          connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
          the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
          submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
          indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
          Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
S-4
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 Wyoming, State of Michigan, on this
_______ day of February, 2003.
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
By
/s/ Gerald R. Johnson, Jr.
Gerald R. Johnson, Jr.
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
KNOW
ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,
that each person whose signature appears below constitutes
and appoints Gerald R. Johnson, Jr. and Charles E. Christmas, and each of them, his or her
true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
Registration Statement and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any
other regulatory authority, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing required and necessary to be done
in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and
agent, or his or her substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been
signed below on February ____, 2003, by the following persons in the capacities indicated.
Signature
Title
Signature
Title
/s/ Betty S. Burton
Betty S. Burton
Director
/s/ Gerald R. Johnson, Jr.
Gerald R. Johnson, Jr.
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer,and Director (PrincipalExecutive Officer)
/s/ David M. Cassard
David M. Cassard
Director
/s/ Susan K. Jones
Susan K. Jones
Director
/s/ Charles E. Christmas
Charles E. Christmas
Senior Vice President, Chief
                                    Financial Officer and
                                    Treasurer (Principal
                                    Accounting and
                                    Financial Officer)
Lawrence W. Larsen
Director
/s/ Edward J. Clark
Edward J. Clark
Director
/s/ Calvin D. Murdock
Calvin D. Murdock
Director
/s/ Peter A. Cordes
Peter A. Cordes
Director
/s/ Michael H. Price
Michael H. Price
Director
/s/ C. John Gill
C. John Gill
Director
Dale J. Visser
Director
S-5
/s/ Doyle A. Hayes
Doyle A. Hayes
Director
Donald Williams
Director
/s/ David M. Hecht
David M. Hecht
Director
Robert M. Wynalda
Director
S-6
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT
ACCOUNTANTS
We consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Registration Statement of Mercantile Bank Corporation on Form S-8 of our
report dated January 18, 2002 (except for Note 1 as to which the date is February 1, 2002)
on the 2001 consolidated financial statements of Mercantile Bank Corporation, which report
is included in the 2001Annual Report on Form 10-K of Mercantile Bank Corporation for the
year ended December 31, 2001.
Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP
/s/ Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP
Grand Rapids, Michigan
February 10, 2003
S-7
February ____, 2003
Mercantile Bank
Corporation
5650 Byron Center Avenue, S.W.
Wyoming, Michigan 49509
Re:
Registration Statement on Form S-8 Relating to the Mercantile Bank Corporation IndependentDirector
Stock Option Plan (the "Plan")
Gentlemen:
With
respect to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration
Statement"), filed by Mercantile Bank 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, 65,000 shares of the
Company's common stock for issuance pursuant to the Plan, we have examined such
documents and questions of law we consider necessary or appropriate for the purpose of
giving this opinion.
In
our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of
all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the
conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or
photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such copies.
Based
upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that when the Registration Statement has become
effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, any and all shares of the
Company's common stock that are the subject of the Registration Statement will, when
issued and paid for in accordance with the terms stated in the Plan and the Registration
Statement, be validly and legally authorized, issued and outstanding and will be fully
paid and nonassessable.
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 and Exchange Commission relating
thereto.
Sincerely,
VARNUM, RIDDERING,
SCHMIDT & HOWLETT LLP
/s/ Donald L. Johnson
Donald L. Johnson
S-8
EXHIBIT INDEX
The
following exhibits are filed as a part of the Registration Statement:
Exhibit 4.1
Mercantile's Articles of Incorporation, previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the
Registrant's Form SB-2 Registration Statement effective October 23, 1997. Here
incorporated by reference.
Exhibit 4.2
Mercantile's Bylaws, previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's
Form SB-2 Registration Statement effective October 23, 1997. Here incorporated by
reference.
Exhibit 5
Opinion of Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP included on Page S-8 hereof
Exhibit 23(a)
Consent of Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP included on Page S-7 hereof
Exhibit 23(b)
Consent of Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP (included in Exhibit 5)
Exhibit 24
Power of Attorney included
on page S-5 hereof.
S-9