UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

þ		ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

o		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number 000-26719

MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Michigan		38-3360865
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 310 Leonard Street NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 49504
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(616) 406-3000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

     Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o  No þ

     Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o  No þ

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ  No o

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o  No o

     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Large accelerated filer o		Accelerated filer o		Non-accelerated filer þ		Smaller reporting company o
				(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o  No þ

     The aggregate value of the common equity held by non-affiliates (persons other than directors and executive officers) of the registrant, computed by reference to the closing price of the common stock as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $26.3 million.

     As of February 1, 2010, there were issued and outstanding 8,592,395 shares of the registrant’s common stock.

Portions of the proxy statement for the 2010 annual meeting of shareholders (Portions of Part III).

 

 

PART I

Item 1. Business.

The Company

     Mercantile Bank Corporation is a registered bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “Bank Holding Company Act”). Unless the text clearly suggests otherwise, references to “us,” “we,” “our,” or “the company” include Mercantile Bank Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. As a bank holding company, we are subject to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”). We were organized on July 15, 1997, under the laws of the State of Michigan, primarily for the purpose of holding all of the stock of Mercantile Bank of Michigan (“our bank”), and of such other subsidiaries as we may acquire or establish. Our bank commenced business on December 15, 1997.

     Mercantile Bank Mortgage Company initiated business in October 2000 as a subsidiary of our bank, and was reorganized as Mercantile Bank Mortgage Company, LLC (“our mortgage company”), on January 1, 2004. Mercantile Insurance Center, Inc. (“our insurance company”), a subsidiary of our bank, commenced operations during 2002 to offer insurance products. Mercantile Bank Real Estate Co., L.L.C., (“our real estate company”), a subsidiary of our bank, was organized on July 21, 2003, principally to develop, construct and own our facility in downtown Grand Rapids which serves as our bank’s main office and Mercantile Bank Corporation’s headquarters. Mercantile Bank Capital Trust I (“our trust”), a business trust subsidiary, was formed in September 2004 to issue trust preferred securities.

     To date we have raised capital from our initial public offering of common stock in October 1997, a public offering of common stock in July 1998, three private placements of common stock during 2001, a public offering of common stock in August 2001 and a public offering of common stock in September 2003. In addition, we raised capital through a public offering of $16.0 million of trust preferred securities in 1999, which was refinanced as part of a $32.0 million private placement of trust preferred securities in 2004. In May 2009, we raised $21.0 million from the sale of preferred stock and a warrant for common stock to the United States Treasury Department under the Capital Purchase Program. Our expenses have generally been paid using the proceeds of the capital sales and dividends from our bank. Our principal source of future operating funds is expected to be dividends from our bank.

     We filed an election to become a financial holding company, which election became effective March 23, 2000. Effective June 1, 2009, we withdrew our election to be a financial holding company.

Our Bank

     Our bank is a state banking company that operates under the laws of the State of Michigan, pursuant to a charter issued by the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation. Our bank’s deposits are insured to the maximum extent permitted by law by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). Our bank’s primary service area is the Kent and Ottawa County areas of West Michigan, which includes the City of Grand Rapids, the second largest city in the State of Michigan. In addition, our bank opened new offices in the cities of East Lansing and Ann Arbor, Michigan, during 2005, and in Novi, Michigan, during 2007. The Ann Arbor and Novi offices were closed in mid-2009.

     Our bank, through its seven offices, provides commercial banking services primarily to small- to medium-sized businesses and retail banking services in and around the Grand Rapids, Holland and Lansing areas. These offices consist of a main office located at 310 Leonard Street NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan, a combination branch and retail loan center located at 4613 Alpine Avenue NW, Comstock Park, Michigan, a combination branch and operations center located at 5610 Byron Center Avenue SW, Wyoming, Michigan, and branches located at 4860 Broadmoor Avenue SE, Kentwood, Michigan, 3156 Knapp Street NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 880 East 16^th Street, Holland, Michigan, and 3737 Coolidge Road, East Lansing, Michigan.

     Our bank makes secured and unsecured commercial, construction, mortgage and consumer loans, and accepts checking, savings and time deposits. Our bank owns seven automated teller machines (“ATM”), located at each of our office locations, that participate in the MAC, NYCE and PLUS regional network systems, as well as other ATM networks throughout the country. Our bank also enables customers to conduct certain loan and deposit transactions by telephone and personal computer. Courier service is provided to certain commercial customers, and safe deposit facilities are available at each of our office locations. Our bank does not have trust powers. In December 2001, our bank entered into a joint brokerage services and marketing agreement with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. to make available to its customers financial planning, retail brokerage, equity research, insurance and annuities, retirement planning, trust services and estate planning. The joint brokerage services and marketing agreement was terminated during the first quarter 2009.

Our Mortgage Company

     Our mortgage company’s predecessor, Mercantile Bank Mortgage Company, commenced operations on October 24, 2000, when our bank contributed most of its residential mortgage loan portfolio and participation interests in certain commercial mortgage loans to Mercantile Bank Mortgage Company. On the same date, our bank also transferred its residential mortgage origination function to Mercantile Bank Mortgage Company. On January 1, 2004, Mercantile Bank Mortgage Company was reorganized as Mercantile Bank Mortgage Company, LLC, a limited liability company, which is 99% owned by our bank and 1% owned by our insurance company. The reorganization had no impact on the company’s financial position or results of operations. Mortgage loans originated and held by our mortgage company are serviced by our bank pursuant to a servicing agreement.

Our Insurance Company

     Our insurance company acquired an existing shelf insurance agency effective April 15, 2002. An Agency and Institution Agreement was entered into among our insurance company, our bank and Hub International for the purpose of providing programs of mass marketed personal lines of insurance. Insurance product offerings include private passenger automobile, homeowners, personal inland marine, boat owners, recreational vehicle, dwelling fire, umbrella policies, small business and life insurance products, all of which are provided by and written through companies that have appointed Hub International as their agent.

Our Real Estate Company

     Our real estate company was organized on July 21, 2003, principally to develop, construct and own our facility in downtown Grand Rapids that serves as our bank’s main office and Mercantile Bank Corporation’s headquarters. This facility was placed into service during the second quarter of 2005. Our real estate company is 99% owned by our bank and 1% owned by our insurance company.

Our Trust

     In 2004, we formed our trust, a Delaware business trust. Our trust’s business and affairs are conducted by its property trustee, a Delaware trust company, and three individual administrative trustees who are employees and officers of the company. Our trust was established for the purpose of issuing and selling its Series A and Series B trust preferred securities and common securities, and used the proceeds from the sales of those securities to acquire Series A and Series B Floating Rate Notes issued by the company. Substantially all of the net proceeds received by the company from the Series A transaction were used to redeem the trust preferred securities that had been issued by MBWM Capital Trust I in September 1999. We established MBWM Capital Trust I in 1999 to issue the trust preferred securities that were redeemed. Substantially all of the net proceeds received by the company from the Series B transaction were contributed to our bank as capital. The Series A and Series B Floating Rate Notes are categorized on our consolidated financial statements as subordinated debentures. Additional information regarding our trust is incorporated by reference to “Note 17 – Subordinated Debentures” and “Note 18 – Regulatory Matters” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.

Effect of Government Monetary Policies

     Our earnings are affected by domestic economic conditions and the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States Government, its agencies, and the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Reserve Board’s monetary policies have had, and will likely continue to have, an important impact on the operating results of commercial banks through its power to implement national monetary policy in order to, among other things, curb inflation, maintain employment, and mitigate economic recessions. The policies of the Federal Reserve Board have a major effect upon the levels of bank loans, investments and deposits through its open market operations in United States Government securities, and through its regulation of, among other things, the discount rate on borrowings of member banks and the reserve requirements against member bank deposits. Our bank maintains reserves directly with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to the extent required by law. It is not possible to predict the nature and impact of future changes in monetary and fiscal policies.

Regulation and Supervision

     As a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act, we are required to file an annual report with the Federal Reserve Board and such additional information as the Federal Reserve Board may require. We are also subject to examination by the Federal Reserve Board.

     The Bank Holding Company Act limits the activities of bank holding companies that are not qualified as financial holding companies to banking and the management of banking organizations, and to certain non-banking activities. These non-banking activities include those activities that the Federal Reserve Board found, by order or regulation as of the day prior to enactment of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident to banking. These non-banking activities include, among other things: operating a mortgage company, finance company, or factoring company; performing certain data processing operations; providing certain investment and financial advice; acting as an insurance agent for certain types of credit-related insurance; leasing property on a full-payout, nonoperating basis; and providing discount securities brokerage services for customers. With the exception of the activities of our mortgage company discussed above, neither we nor any of our subsidiaries engages in any of the non-banking activities listed above.

     Our bank is subject to restrictions imposed by federal law and regulation. Among other things, these restrictions apply to any extension of credit to us or to our other subsidiaries, to investments in stock or other securities that we issue, to the taking of such stock or securities as collateral for loans to any borrower, and to acquisitions of assets or services from, and sales of certain types of assets to, us or our other subsidiaries. Federal law restricts our ability to borrow from our bank by limiting the aggregate amount we may borrow and by requiring that all loans to us be secured in designated amounts by specified forms of collateral.

     With respect to the acquisition of banking organizations, we are generally required to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board before we can acquire all or substantially all of the assets of any bank, or acquire ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank or bank holding company, if, after the acquisition, we would own or control more than 5% of the voting shares of the bank or bank holding company. Acquisitions of banking organizations across state lines are subject to restrictions imposed by Federal and state laws and regulations.

Employees

     As of December 31, 2009, we and our bank employed 232 full-time and 62 part-time persons. Management believes that relations with employees are good.

Lending Policy

     As a routine part of our business, we make loans and leases to businesses and individuals located within our market areas. Our lending policy states that the function of the lending operation is twofold: to provide a means for the investment of funds at a profitable rate of return with an acceptable degree of risk, and to meet the credit needs of the creditworthy businesses and individuals who are our customers. We recognize that in the normal business of lending, some losses on loans and leases will be inevitable and should be considered a part of the normal cost of doing business.

     Our lending policy anticipates that priorities in extending loans and leases will be modified from time to time as interest rates, market conditions and competitive factors change. The policy sets forth guidelines on a nondiscriminatory basis for lending in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The policy describes various criteria for granting loans and leases, including the ability to pay; the character of the customer; evidence of financial responsibility; purpose of the loan or lease; knowledge of collateral and its value; terms of repayment; source of repayment; payment history; and economic conditions.

     The lending policy further limits the amount of funds that may be loaned or leased against specified types of real estate collateral. For certain loans secured by real estate, the policy requires an appraisal of the property offered as collateral by a state certified independent appraiser. The policy also provides general guidelines for loan to value and lease to value limits for other types of collateral, such as accounts receivable and machinery and equipment. In addition, the policy provides general guidelines as to environmental analysis, loans to employees, executive officers and directors, problem loan and lease identification, maintenance of an allowance for loan and lease losses, loan and lease review and grading, mortgage and consumer lending, and other matters relating to our lending practices.

     The Board of Directors has delegated significant lending authority to officers of our bank. The Board of Directors believes this empowerment, supported by our strong credit culture and the significant experience of our commercial lending staff, makes us responsive to our customers. The loan policy currently specifies lending authority for certain officers up to $5.0 million, and $10.0 million for our bank’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer; however, the $10.0 million lending authority is generally used only in rare circumstances where timing is of the essence. Generally, loan requests exceeding $2.5 million require approval by the Officers Loan Committee, and loan requests exceeding $4.0 million, up to the legal lending limit of approximately $38.4 million, require approval by the Board of Directors. In most circumstances, we apply an in-house lending limit that is significantly less than our bank’s legal lending limit.

Lending Activity

     Commercial Loans. Our commercial lending group originates commercial loans and leases primarily in our market areas. Our commercial lenders have extensive commercial lending experience, with most having at least ten years’ experience. Loans and leases are originated for general business purposes, including working capital, accounts receivable financing, machinery and equipment acquisition, and commercial real estate financing, including new construction and land development.

     Working capital loans are often structured as a line of credit and are reviewed periodically in connection with the borrower’s year-end financial reporting. These loans are generally secured by substantially all of the assets of the borrower, and have an interest rate tied to the Mercantile Bank Prime Rate. Loans and leases for machinery and equipment purposes typically have a maturity of three to five years and are fully amortizing, while commercial real estate loans are usually written with a five-year maturity and amortize over a 15 to 20 year period. Commercial loans and leases typically have an interest rate that is fixed to maturity or is tied to the Mercantile Bank Prime Rate.

     We evaluate many aspects of a commercial loan or lease transaction in order to minimize credit and interest rate risk. Underwriting includes an assessment of the management, products, markets, cash flow, capital, income and collateral. This analysis includes a review of the borrower’s historical and projected financial results. Appraisals are generally required by certified independent appraisers where real estate is the primary collateral, and in some cases, where equipment is the primary collateral. In certain situations, for creditworthy customers, we may accept title reports instead of requiring lenders’ policies of title insurance.

     Commercial real estate lending involves more risk than residential lending because loan balances are greater and repayment is dependent upon the borrower’s business operations. We attempt to minimize the risks associated with these transactions by generally limiting our commercial real estate lending to owner-operated properties and to owners of non-owner occupied properties who have an established profitable history and satisfactory tenant structure. In many cases, risk is further reduced by requiring personal guarantees, limiting the amount of credit to any one borrower to an amount considerably less than our legal lending limit and avoiding certain types of commercial real estate financings.

     We have no material foreign loans, and only limited exposure to companies engaged in energy producing and agricultural-related activities.

     Single-Family Residential Real Estate Loans. Our mortgage company originates single-family residential real estate loans in our market areas, usually according to secondary market underwriting standards. Loans not conforming to those standards are made in limited circumstances. Single-family residential real estate loans provide borrowers with a fixed or adjustable interest rate with terms up to 30 years.

     Our bank has a home equity line of credit program. Home equity credit is generally secured by either a first or second mortgage on the borrower’s primary residence. The program provides revolving credit at a rate tied to the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate.

     Consumer Loans. We originate consumer loans for a variety of personal financial needs, including new and used automobiles, boat loans, credit cards and overdraft protection for our checking account customers. Consumer loans generally have shorter terms and higher interest rates and usually involve more credit risk than single-family residential real estate loans because of the type and nature of the collateral.

     We believe our consumer loans are underwritten carefully, with a strong emphasis on the amount of the down payment, credit quality, employment stability and monthly income of the borrower. These loans are generally repaid on a monthly repayment schedule with the source of repayment tied to the borrower’s periodic income. In addition, consumer lending collections are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and are thus likely to be adversely affected by job loss, illness and personal bankruptcy. In many cases, repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan will not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance because of depreciation of the underlying collateral.

     We believe that the generally higher yields earned on consumer loans compensate for the increased credit risk associated with such loans, and that consumer loans are important to our efforts to serve the credit needs of the communities and customers that we serve.

Loan and Lease Portfolio Quality

     We utilize a comprehensive grading system for our commercial loans and leases as well as residential mortgage and consumer loans. All commercial loans and leases are graded on a ten grade rating system. The rating system utilizes standardized grade paradigms that analyze several critical factors such as cash flow, management and collateral coverage. All commercial loans and leases are graded at inception and reviewed at various intervals thereafter. Residential mortgage and consumer loans are graded on a random sampling basis after the loan has been made using a separate standardized grade paradigm that analyzes several critical factors such as debt-to-income and credit and employment histories.

     Our independent loan and lease review program is primarily responsible for the administration of the grading system and ensuring adherence to established lending policies and procedures. The loan and lease review program is an integral part of maintaining our strong asset quality culture. The loan and lease review function works closely with senior management, although it functionally reports to the Board of Directors. All commercial loan and lease relationships equal to or exceeding $1.8 million are formally reviewed every twelve months, with a random sampling performed on credits under $1.8 million. Our watch list credits are reviewed monthly by our Watch List Committee, which is comprised of personnel from the administration, lending and loan and lease review functions.

     Loans and leases are placed in a nonaccrual status when, in our opinion, uncertainty exists as to the ultimate collection of principal and interest. As of December 31, 2009, loans and leases placed in nonaccrual status totaled $81.8 million, or 5.3% of total loans and leases. As of the same date, loans and leases past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest totaled $0.2 million, or 0.02% of total loans and leases.

     Additional detail and information relative to the loan and lease portfolio is incorporated by reference to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation (“Management’s Discussion and Analysis”) and Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report.

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

     In each accounting period, we adjust the allowance to the amount we believe is necessary to maintain the allowance at adequate levels. Through the loan and lease review and credit departments, we attempt to establish specific portions of the allowance based on specifically identifiable problem loans and leases. The evaluation of the allowance is further based on, but not limited to, consideration of the internally prepared Reserve Analysis, loan and lease loss migration analysis, composition of the loan and lease portfolio, third party analysis of the loan and lease administration processes and portfolio and general economic conditions.

     The Reserve Analysis, used since our inception and completed monthly, applies reserve allocation factors to outstanding loan and lease balances to calculate an overall allowance dollar amount. For commercial loans and leases, which continue to comprise a vast majority of our total loans and leases, reserve allocation factors are based upon the loan ratings as determined by our standardized grade paradigms. For retail loans, reserve allocation factors are based upon the type of credit. Adjustments for specific lending relationships, including impaired loans and leases, are made on a case-by-case basis. The reserve allocation factors are primarily based on the recent levels and historical trends of net loan and lease charge-offs and non-performing assets, the comparison of the recent levels and historical trends of net loan and lease charge-offs and non-performing assets with a customized peer group consisting of ten similarly-sized publicly traded banking organizations conducting business in the states of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana or Ohio, the review and consideration of our loan and lease migration analysis and the experience of senior management making similar loans and leases for an extensive period of time. We regularly review the Reserve Analysis and make adjustments periodically based upon identifiable trends and experience. Net increases to commercial loan and lease reserve allocation factors during 2009 resulted in a $5.3 million increase to the allowance.

     As specified in our Loan Administration Policy, we complete a migration analysis quarterly to assist us in determining appropriate reserve allocation factors for commercial loans and leases. Our migration analysis takes into account four different time periods, including four, eight, twelve and twenty-quarter time periods, and while we generally place most weight on the eight-quarter timeframe as that period is close to the average duration of our loan and lease portfolio, consideration is given to the other time periods as part of our assessment. Although the migration analysis provides an accurate historical accounting of our loan and lease losses, it is not able to fully account for environmental factors that will also very likely impact the collectability of our commercial loans and leases as of any quarter-end date.

     Environmental factors include both internal and external items. We believe the most significant internal environmental factor is our credit culture and our relative aggressiveness in assigning and revising commercial loan and lease ratings. Although we have been conservative in our approach to commercial loan and lease ratings, ongoing stressed economic conditions have resulted in an even higher sense of aggressiveness with regards to the downgrading of lending relationships. In addition, we made revisions to our grading paradigms in early 2009 that mathematically resulted in commercial loan and lease relationships being more quickly downgraded when signs of stress are noted, such as slower sales activity for construction and land development commercial real estate (“CRE”) relationships and reduced operating performance/cash flow coverage for commercial and industrial (“C&I”) relationships. These changes, coupled with the troubled economic environment, resulted in significant downgrades during 2009 and the need for substantial provisions to the allowance. To more effectively manage our commercial loan and lease portfolio, we created two specific groups tasked with managing our higher exposure lending relationships. One team manages the most distressed credits, while the other team manages our larger “monitor-rated” credit relationships.

     The most significant external environmental factor is the assessment of the current economic environment and the resulting implications on our commercial loans and leases. Currently, we believe conditions remained stressed for CRE; however, recent data and performance reflect a level of stability in the C&I segment of our loan and lease portfolio.

     The primary risks associated with commercial loans and leases are the financial condition of the borrower, the sufficiency of collateral, and lack of timely payment. We have a policy of requesting and reviewing periodic financial statements from our commercial loan and lease customers, and periodically reviewing existence of collateral and its value. The primary risk element that we consider for consumer and residential real estate loans is lack of timely payment. We have a reporting system that monitors past due loans and have adopted policies to pursue our creditor’s rights in order to preserve our bank’s collateral position.

     Additional detail regarding the allowance is incorporated by reference to Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.

     Although we believe the allowance is adequate to absorb probable incurred losses as they arise, there can be no assurance that we will not sustain losses in any given period which could be substantial in relation to, or greater than, the size of the allowance.

Investments

     Bank Holding Company Investments. The principal investments of our bank holding company are the investments in the common stock of our bank and the common securities of Mercantile trust. Other funds of our bank holding company may be invested from time to time in various debt instruments.

     As a bank holding company, we are also permitted to make portfolio investments in equity securities and to make equity investments in subsidiaries engaged in a variety of non-banking activities, which include real estate-related activities such as community development, real estate appraisals, arranging equity financing for commercial real estate, and owning and operating real estate used substantially by our bank or acquired for its future use. Our bank holding company has no plans at this time to make directly any of these equity investments at the bank holding company level. Our Board of Directors may, however, alter the investment policy at any time without shareholder approval.

     Our Bank’s Investments. Our bank may invest its funds in a wide variety of debt instruments and may participate in the federal funds market with other depository institutions. Subject to certain exceptions, our bank is prohibited from investing in equity securities. Among the equity investments permitted for our bank under various conditions and subject in some instances to amount limitations, are shares of a subsidiary insurance agency, mortgage company, real estate company, or Michigan business and industrial development company, such as our insurance company, our mortgage company, or our real estate company. Under another such exception, in certain circumstances and with prior notice to or approval of the FDIC, our bank could invest up to 10% of its total assets in the equity securities of a subsidiary corporation engaged in the acquisition and development of real property for sale, or the improvement of real property by construction or rehabilitation of residential or commercial units for sale or lease. Our bank has no present plans to make such an investment. Real estate acquired by our bank in satisfaction of or foreclosure upon loans may be held by our bank for specified periods. Our bank is also permitted to invest in such real estate as is necessary for the convenient transaction of its business. Our bank’s Board of Directors may alter the bank’s investment policy without shareholder approval at any time.

     Additional detail and information relative to the securities portfolio is incorporated by reference to Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.

Competition

     Our primary markets for loans and core deposits are the Grand Rapids, Holland and Lansing metropolitan areas. We face substantial competition in all phases of our operations from a variety of different competitors. We compete for deposits, loans and other financial services with numerous Michigan-based and out-of-state banks, savings banks, thrifts, credit unions and other financial institutions as well as from other entities that provide financial services. Some of the financial institutions and financial service organizations with which we compete are not subject to the same degree of regulation as we are. Many of our primary competitors have been in business for many years, have established customer bases, are larger, have substantially higher lending limits than we do, and offer larger branch networks and other services which we do not. Most of these same entities have greater capital resources than we do, which, among other things, may allow them to price their services at levels more favorable to the customer and to provide larger credit facilities than we do. Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, effective March 11, 2000, securities firms and insurance companies that elect to become financial holding companies may acquire banks and other financial institutions. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act affects the competitive environment in which we conduct our business. The financial services industry is also likely to become more competitive as further technological advances enable more companies to provide financial services.

Selected Statistical Information

     Management’s Discussion and Analysis beginning on Page F-4 in this Annual Report includes selected statistical information.

Return on Equity and Assets

     Return on Equity and Asset information is included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis beginning on Page F-4 in this Annual Report.

Available Information

     We maintain an internet website at www.mercbank.com. We make available on or through our website, free of charge, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practical after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend the address of our website to be an active link or to otherwise incorporate the contents of our website into this Annual Report.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

     The following risk factors could affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. These risk factors should be considered in connection with evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report because they could cause the actual results and conditions to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements. Before you buy our common stock, you should know that investing in our common stock involves risks, including the risks described below. The risks that are highlighted here are not the only ones we face. If the adverse matters referred to in any of the risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or operations could be adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Difficult market conditions have adversely affected our industry.

     Dramatic declines in the housing market over the past several years, with falling home prices and increasing foreclosures, unemployment and under-employment, have negatively impacted the credit performance of real estate related loans and resulted in significant write-downs of asset values by financial institutions. These write-downs, initially of asset-backed securities but spreading to other securities and loans, have caused many financial institutions to seek additional capital, to reduce or eliminate dividends, to merge with larger and stronger institutions and, in some cases, to fail. Reflecting concern about the stability of the financial markets generally and the strength of counterparties, many lenders and institutional investors have reduced or ceased providing funding to borrowers, including to other financial institutions. This market turmoil and tightening of credit have led to an increased level of commercial and consumer delinquencies, lack of consumer confidence, increased market volatility and widespread reduction of business activity generally. The resulting economic pressure on consumers and lack of confidence in the financial markets have adversely affected our business, financial condition and results of operations. Market developments may affect consumer confidence levels and may cause adverse changes in payment patterns, causing increases in delinquencies and default rates, which may impact our charge-offs and provision for credit losses. A worsening of these conditions would likely exacerbate the adverse effects of these difficult market conditions on us and others in the financial institutions industry.

Significant declines in the value of commercial real estate adversely impact us.

     Many of our loans relate to commercial real estate. Stressed economic conditions have significantly reduced the value of commercial real estate and have strained the financial condition of our commercial real estate borrowers, especially in the land development and non-owner occupied CRE segments of our loan and lease portfolio. Those difficulties have adversely affected us and could produce additional losses and other adverse effects on our business.

Market volatility may adversely affect us.

     The capital and credit markets have been experiencing volatility and disruption. In some cases, the markets have produced downward pressure on stock prices and credit availability for certain issuers without apparent regard to those issuers’ underlying financial strength. The current levels of market disruption and volatility have an adverse effect, which may be material, on our ability to access capital and on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Adverse changes in economic conditions or interest rates may negatively affect our earnings, capital and liquidity.

     The results of operations for financial institutions, including our bank, have been materially and adversely affected by changes in prevailing local and national economic conditions, including declines in real estate market values and the related declines in value of our real estate collateral, rapid increases or decreases in interest rates and changes in the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government. Our profitability is heavily influenced by the spread between the interest rates we earn on loans and investments and the interest rates we pay on deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities, as well as provisions to the allowance for loan and lease losses. Substantially all of our loans are to businesses and individuals in western, south central, or southeastern Michigan, and the decline in the economy of these areas has adversely affected us. Continued stress on our financial condition is likely until economic conditions improve within our markets. Like most banking institutions, our net interest spread and margin will be affected by general economic conditions and other factors that influence market interest rates and our ability to respond to changes in these rates. At any given time, our assets and liabilities may be such that they will be affected differently by a given change in interest rates.

The soundness of other financial institutions could adversely affect us.

     Our ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty or other relationships. We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and we routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial industry. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial services institutions, or the financial services industry generally, have led to market-wide liquidity problems and could lead to losses or defaults by us or by other institutions. Even routine funding transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of default of our counterparty or client. In addition, our credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by us cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the financial instrument exposure due us. There is no assurance that any such losses would not materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

The effect of the U.S. Government’s response to the financial crisis remains uncertain.

     In response to the turmoil in the financial services sector and the severe recession in the broader economy, the U.S. Government has taken legislative and other action intended to restore financial stability and economic growth. On October 3, 2008, then President Bush signed into law the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the “EESA”). Among other things, the EESA established the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP. Under TARP, the U.S. Treasury Department was given the authority, among other things, to purchase up to $700 billion of mortgages, mortgage-backed securities and certain other financial instruments from financial institutions and others for the purpose of stabilizing and providing liquidity to the U.S. financial markets. On October 14, 2008, the Treasury Department announced a program under EESA pursuant to which it would make senior preferred stock investments in qualifying financial institutions (the “TARP Capital Purchase Program”). On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “ARRA”). The ARRA contained, among other things, a further package of economic stimulus measures and amendments to EESA’s restrictions on compensation of executives of financial institutions and others participating in the TARP. In addition to legislation, the Federal Reserve Board eased short-term interest rates and implemented a series of emergency programs to furnish liquidity to the financial markets and credit to various participants in those markets. The FDIC created a program to guarantee, on specified conditions, certain indebtedness and noninterest-bearing transaction accounts of participating insured depository institutions for limited periods. The Treasury Department also implemented further measures to address the crisis in the financial services sector. Recently, some of the emergency programs established by the Federal Reserve Board have been modified or allowed to expire. There can be no assurance as to the actual impact of the EESA, the ARRA, and their respective implementing regulations, the programs of the government agencies, or any further legislation or regulations, on the financial markets or the broader economy. Likewise, it is impossible to predict the effects of the winding-up of the emergency governmental programs on financial markets, general interest rate levels, and the broader economy. A failure to stabilize the financial markets, and a continuation or worsening of the current financial market conditions, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, access to credit or the trading price of our common stock.

The U.S. Government’s legislative and regulatory response to the financial crisis and our participation in its programs may have adverse effects on us.

     The programs established or to be established under the EESA, TARP, the ARRA or other legislation or regulations may have adverse effects upon us. We may face increased regulation in our industry. Compliance with such regulations may increase our costs and limit our ability to pursue business opportunities. Also, our participation in specific programs may subject us to additional restrictions. For example, we participated in the TARP Capital Purchase Program by selling preferred stock and a warrant for common stock to the Treasury Department for $21.0 million in May of 2009. That participation limits our ability, without the consent of the Treasury Department, to increase the cash dividend on, or to repurchase, our common stock. It also subjects us to restrictions on the compensation we may pay to our executives. The restrictions may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock or our ability to recruit and retain executives.

Our credit losses could increase and our allowance for loan and lease losses may not be adequate to cover actual loan losses.

     The risk of nonpayment of loans is inherent in all lending activities, and nonpayment, when it occurs, may have a materially adverse effect on our earnings and overall financial condition as well as the value of our common stock. Our focus on commercial lending may result in a larger concentration of loans to small businesses. As a result, we may assume different or greater lending risks than other banks. We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of our loan portfolio and provide an allowance for losses based on several factors. If our assumptions are wrong, our allowance for loan and lease losses may not be sufficient to cover our losses, which would have an adverse effect on our operating results. The actual amounts of future provisions for loan and lease losses cannot be determined at this time and may exceed the amounts of past provisions. Additions to our allowance for loan and lease losses decrease our net income.

We rely heavily on our management and other key personnel, and the loss of any of them may adversely affect our operations.

     We are and will continue to be dependent upon the services of our management team, including Michael H. Price, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, and our other senior managers. The loss of Mr. Price, or any of our other senior managers, could have an adverse effect on our growth and performance. We have entered into employment contracts with Mr. Price and two other executive officers. The contracts provide for a three year employment period that is extended for an additional year each year unless a notice is given indicating that the contract will not be extended.

     In addition, we continue to depend on our key commercial loan officers. Several of our commercial loan officers are responsible, or share responsibility, for generating and managing a significant portion of our commercial loan and lease portfolio. Our success can be attributed in large part to the relationships these officers as well as members of our management team have developed and are able to maintain with our customers as we continue to implement our community banking philosophy. The loss of any of these commercial loan officers could adversely affect our loan and lease portfolio and performance, and our ability to generate new loans and leases. Many of our key employees have signed agreements with us agreeing not to compete with us in one or more of our markets for specified time periods if they leave employment with us.

     Some of the other financial institutions in our markets also require their key employees to sign agreements that preclude or limit their ability to leave their employment and compete with them or solicit their customers. These agreements make it more difficult for us to hire loan officers with experience in our markets who can immediately solicit their former or new customers on our behalf.

Decline in the availability of out-of-area deposits could cause liquidity or interest rate margin concerns, or limit our growth.

     We have utilized and expect to continue to utilize out-of-area or wholesale deposits to support our assets. These deposits are generally a lower cost source of funds when compared to the interest rates that we would have to offer in our local markets to generate a commensurate level of funds. In addition, the overhead costs associated with wholesale deposits are considerably less than the overhead costs we would incur to obtain and administer a similar level of local deposits. A decline in the availability of these wholesale deposits would require us to fund our growth with more costly funding sources, which could reduce our net interest margin, limit our growth, reduce our asset size, or increase our overhead costs. Wholesale deposits include deposits obtained through brokers. If a bank is not well capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits.

Future sales of our common stock or other securities may dilute the value of our common stock.

     In many situations, our Board of Directors has the authority, without any vote of our shareholders, to issue shares of our authorized but unissued preferred or common stock, including shares authorized and unissued under our Stock Incentive Plan of 2006. In the future, we may issue additional securities, through public or private offerings, in order to raise additional capital. Any such issuance would dilute the percentage of ownership interest of existing shareholders and may dilute the per share book value of the common stock. In addition, option holders under our stock-based incentive plans may exercise their options at a time when we would otherwise be able to obtain additional equity capital on more favorable terms.

Our future success is dependent on our ability to compete effectively in the highly competitive banking industry.

     We face substantial competition in all phases of our operations from a variety of different competitors. Our future growth and success will depend on our ability to compete effectively in this highly competitive environment. We compete for deposits, loans and other financial services with numerous Michigan-based and out-of-state banks, thrifts, credit unions and other financial institutions as well as other entities that provide financial services, including securities firms and mutual funds. Some of the financial institutions and financial service organizations with which we compete are not subject to the same degree of regulation as we are. Most of our competitors have been in business for many years, have established customer bases, are larger, have substantially higher lending limits than we do and offer branch networks and other services which we do not, including trust and international banking services. Most of these entities have greater capital and other resources than we do, which, among other things, may allow them to price their services at levels more favorable to the customer and to provide larger credit facilities than we do. This competition may limit our growth or earnings. Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, effective March 11, 2000, securities firms and insurance companies that elect to become financial holding companies may acquire banks and other financial institutions. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act affects the competitive environment in which we conduct business. The financial services industry is also likely to become more competitive as further technological advances enable more companies to provide financial services. These technological advances may diminish the importance of depository institutions and other financial intermediaries in the transfer of funds between parties.

We are subject to significant government regulation, and any regulatory changes may adversely affect us.

     The banking industry is heavily regulated under both federal and state law. These regulations are primarily intended to protect customers, not our creditors or shareholders. Existing state and federal banking laws subject us to substantial limitations with respect to the making of loans, the purchase of securities, the payment of dividends and many other aspects of our business. Some of these laws may benefit us, others may increase our costs of doing business, or otherwise adversely affect us and create competitive advantages for others. Regulations affecting banks and financial services companies undergo continuous change, and we cannot predict the ultimate effect of these changes, which could have a material adverse effect on our profitability or financial condition. Federal economic and monetary policy may also affect our ability to attract deposits, make loans and achieve satisfactory interest spreads.

We continually encounter technological change, and we may have fewer resources than our competitors to continue to invest in technological improvements.

     The banking industry is undergoing technological changes with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. In addition to better serving customers, the effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to reduce costs. Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands for convenience as well as create additional efficiencies in our operations. Many of our competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. There can be no assurance that we will be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to our customers.

Our Articles of Incorporation and By-laws and the laws of Michigan contain provisions that may discourage or prevent a takeover of our company and reduce any takeover premium.

     Our Articles of Incorporation and By-laws, and the corporate laws of the State of Michigan, include provisions which are designed to provide our Board of Directors with time to consider whether a hostile takeover offer is in our and our shareholders’ best interest. These provisions, however, could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control. The provisions also could diminish the opportunities for a holder of our common stock to participate in tender offers, including tender offers at a price above the then-current market price for our common stock. These provisions could also prevent transactions in which our shareholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then-current market prices, and may limit the ability of our shareholders to approve transactions that they may deem to be in their best interests.

     The Michigan Business Corporation Act contains provisions intended to protect shareholders and prohibit or discourage various types of hostile takeover activities. In addition to these provisions and the provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, federal law requires the Federal Reserve Board’s approval prior to acquiring “control” of a bank holding company. All of these provisions may delay or prevent a change in control without action by our shareholders and could adversely affect the price of our common stock.

There is a limited trading market for our common stock.

     The price of our common stock has been, and will likely continue to be, subject to fluctuations based on, among other things, economic and market conditions for bank holding companies and the stock market in general, as well as changes in investor perceptions of our company. The issuance of new shares of our common stock also may affect the market for our common stock.

     Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “MBWM”. The development and maintenance of an active public trading market depends upon the existence of willing buyers and sellers, the presence of which is beyond our control. While we are a publicly-traded company, the volume of trading activity in our stock is still relatively limited. Even if a more active market develops, there can be no assurance that such a market will continue, or that our shareholders will be able to sell their shares at or above the offering price.

     We have paid a quarterly cash dividend each quarter beginning with the first quarter of 2003. Our ability to pay cash and stock dividends is subject to limitations under various laws and regulations, to prudent and sound banking practices, and to contractual provisions relating to our subordinated debentures and participation in the Capital Purchase Program.

Our business is subject to operational risks.

     We, like most financial institutions, are exposed to many types of operational risks, including the risk of fraud by employees or outsiders, unauthorized transactions by employees or operational errors. Operational errors may include clerical or record keeping errors or those resulting from faulty or disabled computer or telecommunications systems. Given our volume of transactions, certain errors may be repeated or compounded before they are discovered and successfully corrected. Our necessary dependence upon automated systems to record and process our transaction volume may further increase the risk that technical system flaws or employee tampering or manipulation of those systems will result in losses that are difficult to detect.

     We may also be subject to disruptions of our operating systems arising from events that are wholly or partially beyond our control, including, for example, computer viruses or electrical or telecommunications outages, which may give rise to losses in service to customers and to loss or liability to us. We are further exposed to the risk that our external vendors may be unable to fulfill their contractual obligations to us, or will be subject to the same risk of fraud or operational errors by their respective employees as are we, and to the risk that our or our vendors’ business continuity and data security systems prove not to be sufficiently adequate. We also face the risk that the design of our controls and procedures prove inadequate or are circumvented, causing delays in detection or errors in information. Although we maintain a system of controls designed to keep operational risk at appropriate levels, there can be no assurance that we will not suffer losses from operational risks in the future that may be material in amount.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

     We have received no written comments regarding our periodic or current reports from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission that were issued 180 days or more before the end of our 2009 fiscal year and that remain unresolved.

Item 2. Properties.

     During 2005, our bank placed into service a new four-story facility located approximately two miles north from the center of downtown Grand Rapids. This facility serves as our headquarters and our bank’s main office, and houses the administration function, our bank’s commercial lending and review function, our bank’s loan operations function, a full service branch, and portions of our bank’s retail lending and business development function. The facility consists of approximately 55,000 square feet of usable space and contains multiple drive-through lanes with ample parking. The land and building are owned by our real estate company. The address of this facility is 310 Leonard Street NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

     Our bank designed and constructed a full service branch and retail loan facility which opened in July of 1999 in Alpine Township, a northwest suburb of Grand Rapids. The facility is one story and has approximately 8,000 square feet of usable space. The land and building are owned by our bank. The facility has multiple drive-through lanes and ample parking space. The address of this facility is 4613 Alpine Avenue NW, Comstock Park, Michigan.

     During 2001, our bank designed and constructed two facilities on a 4-acre parcel of land located in the City of Wyoming, a southwest suburb of Grand Rapids. The land had been purchased by our bank in 2000. The larger of the two buildings is a full service branch and deposit operations facility which opened in September of 2001. The facility is two-stories and has approximately 25,000 square feet of usable space. The facility has multiple drive-through lanes and ample parking space. The address of this facility is 5610 Byron Center Avenue SW, Wyoming, Michigan. The other building is a single-story facility with approximately 11,000 square feet of usable space. Our bank’s accounting, audit, loss prevention and wire transfer functions are housed in this building, which underwent a renovation in 2005 that almost doubled its size. The address of this facility is 5650 Byron Center Avenue SW, Wyoming, Michigan.

     During 2002, our bank designed and constructed a full service branch which opened in December of 2002 in the City of Kentwood, a southeast suburb of Grand Rapids. The land had been purchased by our bank in 2001. The facility is one story and has approximately 10,000 square feet of usable space. The facility has multiple drive-through lanes and ample parking space. The address of this facility is 4860 Broadmoor Avenue SW, Kentwood, Michigan.

     During 2003, our bank designed and constructed a full service branch in the northeast quadrant of the City of Grand Rapids. The land had been purchased by our bank in 2002. The facility is one story and has approximately 3,500 square feet of usable space. The facility has multiple drive-through lanes and ample parking space. The address of this facility is 3156 Knapp Street NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

     During 2003, our bank designed and started construction of a new two-story facility located in Holland, Michigan. This facility, which was completed during the fourth quarter of 2004, serves as a full service banking center for the Holland area, including commercial lending, retail lending and a full service branch. The facility, which is owned by our bank, consists of approximately 30,000 square feet of usable space and contains multiple drive-through lanes with ample parking. The address of this facility is 880 East 16^th Street, Holland, Michigan.

     During 2006, our bank purchased approximately 3 acres of vacant land and designed and initiated construction of a new three-story facility in East Lansing, Michigan. This facility was completed during the second quarter of 2007, and serves as a full service banking center for the greater Lansing area, including commercial lending, retail lending, and a full service branch. The facility consists of approximately 27,000 square feet of usable space and contains multiple drive-through lanes with ample parking. The address of this facility is 3737 Coolidge Road, East Lansing, Michigan.

Item 3.		Legal Proceedings.

     From time to time, we may be involved in various legal proceedings that are incidental to our business. In the opinion of management, we are not a party to any legal proceedings that are material to our financial condition, either individually or in the aggregate.

Item 4.		Reserved

PART II

Item 5.		Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

     Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “MBWM”. At February 1, 2010, there were 388 record holders of our common stock. In addition, we estimate that there were approximately 4,000 beneficial owners of our common stock who own their shares through brokers or banks.

     The following table shows the high and low sales prices for our common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market for the periods indicated and the quarterly cash dividends paid by us during those periods.

		High				Low				Dividend
2009
First Quarter		$	6.48			$	3.01			$	0.04
Second Quarter			6.00				2.84				0.01
Third Quarter			4.79				3.02				0.01
Fourth Quarter			4.33				3.00				0.01
2008
First Quarter		$	16.19			$	10.19			$	0.15
Second Quarter			11.40				7.10				0.08
Third Quarter			10.09				4.82				0.04
Fourth Quarter			9.69				4.00				0.04

     Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends that the Board of Directors may declare from time to time. We may only pay dividends out of funds that are legally available for that purpose. We are a holding company and substantially all of our assets are held by our subsidiaries. Our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders depends primarily on our bank’s ability to pay dividends to us. Dividend payments and extensions of credit to us from our bank are subject to legal and regulatory limitations, generally based on capital levels and current and retained earnings, imposed by law and regulatory agencies with authority over our bank. The ability of our bank to pay dividends is also subject to its profitability, financial condition, capital expenditures and other cash flow requirements. In addition, under the terms of our subordinated debentures, we would be precluded from paying dividends on our common stock if an event of default has occurred and is continuing under the subordinated debentures, or if we exercised our right to defer payments of interest on the subordinated debentures, until the deferral ended. Also, in connection with our participation in the Treasury Department’s Capital Purchase Program, we agreed that we would not, without the Treasury Department’s consent, increase our cash dividend rate on our common stock, or with certain exceptions, repurchase any shares of our common stock. These restrictions relating to the Capital Purchase Program remain in effect until the earlier of (i) May 15, 2012, or (ii) when all of the preferred stock that we sold to the Treasury Department has been redeemed by us or transferred by the Treasury Department to third parties.

     On January 14, 2010, we declared a $0.01 per share cash dividend on our common stock, payable on March 10, 2010 to record holders as of February 10, 2010.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

     We did not purchase any shares of our common stock during the fourth quarter of 2009.

Shareholder Return Performance Graph

     Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock (based on the last reported sales price of the respective year) with the cumulative total return of the Nasdaq Composite Index and the SNL Nasdaq Bank Index from December 31, 2004 through December 31, 2009. The following is based on an investment of $100 on December 31, 2004 in our common stock, the Nasdaq Composite Index and the SNL Bank Nasdaq Index, with dividends reinvested where applicable.

		Period Ending
Index		12/31/04				12/31/05				12/31/06				12/31/07				12/31/08				12/31/09
Mercantile Bank Corporation			100.00				103.39				107.70				47.63				13.59				9.90
NASDAQ Composite			100.00				101.37				111.03				121.92				72.49				104.31
SNL Bank NASDAQ			100.00				96.95				108.85				85.45				62.06				50.34

Item 6.		Selected Financial Data.

     The Selected Financial Data on page F-3 in this Annual Report is incorporated here by reference.

Item 7.		Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.

     Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in this Annual Report is incorporated here by reference.

Item 7A.		Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

     The information under the heading “Market Risk Analysis” included in this Annual Report is incorporated here by reference.

Item 8.		Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

     The Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and the Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm included in this Annual Report are incorporated here by reference.

Item 9.		Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

     None

Item 9A.		Controls and Procedures.

     As of December 31, 2009, an evaluation was performed under the supervision of and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2009.

     There have been no significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2009, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

     Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any system of internal control. Accordingly, even an effective system of internal control can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation.

     Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009. This evaluation was based on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2009. Refer to page F-34 for management’s report.

     Our independent registered public accounting firm has issued an audit report on our internal control over financial reporting which is included in this Annual Report.

Item 9B.		Other Information.

     None

PART III

Item 10.		Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

     The information presented under the captions “Election of Directors,” “Executive Officers,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and “Corporate Governance — Code of Ethics” in the definitive Proxy Statement of Mercantile for our April 29, 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Proxy Statement”), a copy of which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission before the meeting date, is incorporated here by reference.

     We have a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The members of the Audit Committee consist of Betty S. Burton, David M. Cassard, Calvin D. Murdock, Merle J. Prins and Timothy O. Schad. The Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Cassard, Murdock and Schad, members of the Audit Committee, are qualified as audit committee financial experts, as that term is defined in the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Messrs. Cassard, Murdock and Schad are independent, as independence for audit committee members is defined in the Nasdaq listing standards and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Item 11.		Executive Compensation.

     The information presented under the captions “Executive Compensation,” “Corporate Governance — Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and “Compensation Committee Report” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated here by reference.

Item 12.		Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

     The information presented under the caption “Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated here by reference.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

     The following table summarizes information, as of December 31, 2009, relating to compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized for issuance.

Number of securities

remaining available for

future issuance under

Number of securities to

Weighted-average

equity compensation

be issued upon exercise

exercise price of

plans (excluding

of outstanding options,

outstanding options,

securities reflected in

Plan Category

warrants and rights

warrants and rights

column (a))

(a)

(b)

(c)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)

296,215

$

20.34

410,000

(2)

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

0

0

0

Total

296,215

$

20.34

410,000

Item 13.		Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

     The information presented under the captions “Transactions with Related Persons” and “Corporate Governance — Director Independence” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated here by reference.

Item 14.		Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

     The information presented under the caption “Principal Accountant Fees and Services” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated here by reference.

PART IV

Item 15.		Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a) (1) Financial Statements. The following financial statements and reports of independent registered public accounting firms of Mercantile Bank Corporation and its subsidiaries are filed as part of this report:

 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm dated March 15, 2010 — BDO Seidman, LLP

 Consolidated Balance Sheets — December 31, 2009 and 2008

 Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009

 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 The consolidated financial statements, the notes to the consolidated financial statements, and the reports of independent registered public accounting firm listed above are incorporated by reference in Item 8 of this report.

     (2) Financial Statement Schedules

 Not applicable

(b) Exhibits:

EXHIBIT NO.				EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
3.1				Our Articles of Incorporation are incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009
3.2				Our Amended and Restated Bylaws dated as of January 16, 2003 are incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.2 of our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Commission File No. 333-103376) that became effective on February 21, 2003
10.1				Our 1997 Employee Stock Option Plan is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of our Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Commission File No. 333-33081) that became effective on October 23, 1997 *
10.2				Our 2000 Employee Stock Option Plan is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.14 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 *
10.3				Our 2004 Employee Stock Option Plan is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 *
	10.4			Form of Stock Option Agreement for options under the 2004 Employee Stock Option Plan is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 *

EXHIBIT NO.				EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
10.5				Our Independent Director Stock Option Plan is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.26 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 *
10.6				Form of Stock Option Agreement for options under the Independent Director Stock Option Plan is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of our Form 8-K filed October 22, 2004 *
10.7				Mercantile Bank of Michigan Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Members of the Board of Directors dated June 29, 2006 is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.9 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007
10.8				First Amendment dated October 25, 2007 to the Mercantile Bank of Michigan Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Members of the Board of Directors dated June 29, 2006 is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.10 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007
10.9				Second Amendment dated October 23, 2008 to the Mercantile Bank of Michigan Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Members of the Board of Directors dated June 29, 2007 is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.9 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008
10.10				Agreement between Fiserv Solutions, Inc. and our bank dated September 10, 1997, is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 of our Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Commission File No. 333-33081) that became effective on October 23, 1997
10.11				Extension Agreement of Data Processing Contract between Fiserv Solutions, Inc. and our bank dated May 12, 2000 extending the agreement between Fiserv Solutions, Inc. and our bank dated September 10, 1997, is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.15 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000
10.12				Extension Agreement of Data Processing Contract between Fiserv Solutions, Inc. and our bank dated November 21, 2002 extending the agreement between Fiserv Solutions, Inc. and our bank dated September 10, 1997, is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.5 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002
10.13				Extension Agreement of Data Processing Contract between Fiserv Solutions, Inc. and our bank dated December 20, 2006 extending the agreements between Fiserv Solutions, Inc. and our bank dated September 10, 1997 and November 21, 2002 is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.14 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007
10.14				Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of October 18, 2001, among the company, our bank and Michael H. Price, is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.22 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 *
10.15				Employment Agreement dated as of October 18, 2001, among the company, our bank and Robert B. Kaminski, Jr., is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.23 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 *
10.16				Employment Agreement dated as of October 18, 2001, among the company, our bank and Charles E. Christmas, is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.23 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 *

EXHIBIT NO.				EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
10.17				Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of October 17, 2002, among the company, our bank and Michael H. Price, is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.22 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 *
10.18				Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of October 17, 2002, among the company, our bank and Robert B. Kaminski, Jr., is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.23 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 *
10.19				Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of October 17, 2002, among the company, our bank and Charles E. Christmas, is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.24 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 *
10.20				Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of October 28, 2004, among the company, our bank and Robert B. Kaminski, Jr., is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.21 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 *
10.21				Junior Subordinated Indenture between us and Wilmington Trust Company dated September 16, 2004 providing for the issuance of the Series A and Series B Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Notes due 2034 is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of our Form 8-K filed December 15, 2004
10.22				Amended and Restated Trust Agreement dated September 16, 2004 for Mercantile Bank Capital Trust I is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of our Form 8-K filed December 15, 2004
10.23				Placement Agreement between us, Mercantile Bank Capital Trust I, and SunTrust Capital Markets, Inc. dated September 16, 2004 is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 of our Form 8-K filed December 15, 2004
10.24				Guarantee Agreement dated September 16, 2004 between Mercantile as Guarantor and Wilmington Trust Company as Guarantee Trustee is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.4 of our Form 8-K filed December 15, 2004
10.25				Form of Agreement Amending Stock Option Agreement, dated November 17, 2005 issued under our 2004 Employee Stock Option Plan, is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of our Form 8-K filed December 14, 2005 *
10.26				Second Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of November 17, 2005, among the company, our bank and Michael H. Price is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.29 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 *
10.27				Third Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of November 17, 2005, among the company, our bank and Robert B. Kaminski, Jr. is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.30 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 *
10.28				Second Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of November 17, 2005, among the company, our bank and Charles E. Christmas is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.31 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 *

EXHIBIT NO.				EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
10.29				Form of Mercantile Bank of Michigan Amended and Restated Executive Deferred Compensation Agreement dated November 18, 2006, that has been entered into between our bank and each of Gerald R. Johnson, Jr., Michael H. Price, Robert B. Kaminski, Jr., Charles E. Christmas, and certain other officers of our bank is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.34 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 *
10.30				Form of First Amendment to the Mercantile Bank of Michigan Executive Deferred Compensation Agreement dated November 18, 2006, that has been entered into between our bank and each of Gerald R. Johnson, Jr., Michael H. Price, Robert B. Kaminski, Jr., Charles E. Christmas, and certain other officers of our bank, dated October 25, 2007 is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.35 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 *
10.31				Form of Second Amendment to the Mercantile Bank of Michigan Executive Deferred Compensation Agreement date November 18, 2006, that has been entered into between our bank and each of Michael H. Price, Robert B. Kaminski, Charles E. Christmas, and certain other officers of our bank, dated October 23, 2008 is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.34 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 *
10.32				Form of Mercantile Bank of Michigan Split Dollar Agreement that has been entered into between our bank and each of Gerald R. Johnson, Jr., Michael H. Price, Robert B. Kaminski, Jr., Charles E. Christmas, and certain other officers of our bank is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.33 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 *
10.33				Director Fee Summary *
10.34				Lease Agreement between our bank and The Conlin Company dated July 12, 2005 for our Ann Arbor, Michigan office is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.36 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005
10.35				Stock Incentive Plan of 2006 is incorporated by reference to Appendix A of our proxy statement for our April 27, 2006 annual meeting of shareholders that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission *
10.36				Amendment and Restatement of Stock Incentive Plan of 2006 dated November 18, 2008 is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.39 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 *
10.37				Form of Notice of Grant of Incentive Stock Option and Stock Option Agreement for incentive stock options granted in 2006 under our Stock Incentive Plan of 2006 is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of our Form 8-K filed November 22, 2006 *
10.38				Form of Notice of Grant of Incentive Stock Option and Stock Option Agreement for incentive stock options granted after 2006 under our Stock Incentive Plan of 2006 is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.41 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 *

EXHIBIT NO.				EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
10.39				Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement Notification of Award and Terms and Conditions of Award for restricted stock granted in 2006 under our Stock Incentive Plan of 2006 is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of our Form 8-K filed November 22, 2006 *
10.40				Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement Notification of Award and Terms and Conditions of Award for restricted stock granted after 2006 under our Stock Incentive Plan of 2006 is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.43 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 *
10.41				Mercantile Bank Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan of 2002 is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.47 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008
10.42				First Amendment to Mercantile Bank Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan of 2002 is incorporated by reference to exhibit 4(c) of our Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Commission File No. 333-158280) that became effective on March 30, 2009
10.43				Second Amendment to Mercantile Bank Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan of 2002 is incorporated by reference to exhibit 4(d) of our Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Commission File No. 333-158280) that became effective on March 30, 2009
10.44				Lease Agreement between our bank and CD Partners LLC dated October 2, 2007 for our Oakland County, Michigan office is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.47 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007
10.45				Letter Agreement, dated as of May 15, 2009, between Mercantile Bank Corporation and the United States Department of the Treasury, including the Securities Purchase Agreement — Standard Terms and Schedules is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of our Form 8-K filed May 15, 2009
10.46				Side Letter Agreement, dated as of May 15, 2009, between Mercantile Bank Corporation and the United States Department of the Treasury regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of our Form 8-K filed May 15, 2009
10.47				Amendment to Employment Agreements, dated May 15, 2009, by and among Mercantile Bank Corporation, Mercantile Bank of Michigan, Michael H. Price, Robert B. Kaminski, Jr. and Charles E. Christmas is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 of our Form 8-K filed May 15, 2009 *
10.48				Form of Waiver executed by each of Michael H. Price, Robert B. Kaminski, Jr. and Charles E. Christmas is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.4 of our Form 8-K filed May 15, 2009
10.49				Amendment to Commercial Lease between our bank and Jerry Helmer and Ruthann Helmer dated August 14, 2007 for our Ann Arbor, Michigan office is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.5 of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009

EXHIBIT NO.				EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
10.50				Termination of Lease Agreement between our bank and CD Partners LLC dated May 21, 2009 for our Oakland County, Michigan office is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.6 of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009
10.51				Termination of Lease Agreement between our bank and Jerry Helmer and Ruthann Helmer dated July 22, 2009 for our Ann Arbor, Michigan office is incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.7 of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009
10.52				Warrant to Purchase Common Stock of Mercantile Bank Corporation, dated May 15, 2009 is incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.2 of our Form 8-K filed May 15, 2009
21				Subsidiaries of the company is incorporated by reference to exhibit 21 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008
23				Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP
31				Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications
32.1				Section 1350 Chief Executive Officer Certification
32.2				Section 1350 Chief Financial Officer Certification
99.1				First fiscal year certification of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer required because of our participation in the Capital Purchase Program of the Troubled Asset Relief Program

MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

FINANCIAL INFORMATION
December 31, 2009 and 2008

MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

FINANCIAL INFORMATION
December 31, 2009 and 2008

CONTENTS

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA			F-3
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS			F-4
REPORTS OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM			F-32
REPORT BY MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION’S MANAGEMENT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING			F-34
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS			F-35
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS			F-36
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY			F-37
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS			F-40
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS			F-42

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

		2009				2008				2007				2006				2005
						(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
Consolidated Results of Operations:
Interest income		$	104,909			$	121,072			$	144,181			$	137,260			$	102,130
Interest expense			53,576				74,863				88,624				75,673				46,838
Net interest income			51,333				46,209				55,557				61,587				55,292
Provision for loan and lease losses			59,000				21,200				11,070				5,775				3,790
Noninterest income			7,558				7,282				5,870				5,261				5,661
Noninterest expense			46,488				42,126				38,356				32,262				31,117
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)			(46,597	)			(9,835	)			12,001				28,811				26,046
Income tax expense (benefit)			5,490				(4,876	)			3,035				8,964				8,145
Net income (loss)			(52,087	)			(4,959	)			8,966				19,847				17,901
Preferred stock dividends and accretion			802				0				0				0				0
Net income (loss) attributable to common shares		$	(52,889	)		$	(4,959	)		$	8,966			$	19,847			$	17,901
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
Total assets		$	1,906,208			$	2,208,010			$	2,121,403			$	2,067,268			$	1,838,210
Cash and cash equivalents			21,735				25,804				29,430				51,380				36,753
Securities			257,384				242,787				211,736				202,419				181,614
Loans and leases			1,539,818				1,856,915				1,799,880				1,745,478				1,561,812
Allowance for loan and lease losses			47,878				27,108				25,814				21,411				20,527
Bank owned life insurance			45,024				42,462				39,118				30,858				28,071
Deposits			1,401,627				1,599,575				1,591,181				1,646,903				1,419,352
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase			99,755				94,413				97,465				85,472				72,201
Federal Home Loan Bank advances			205,000				270,000				180,000				95,000				130,000
Subordinated debentures			32,990				32,990				32,990				32,990				32,990
Shareholders’ equity			140,104				174,372				178,155				171,915				155,125
Consolidated Financial Ratios:
Return on average assets			(2.51	%)			(0.23	%)			0.43	%			1.01	%			1.05	%
Return on average shareholders’ equity			(29.91	%)			(2.87	%)			5.10	%			12.19	%			12.05	%
Average shareholders’ equity to average assets			8.40	%			8.01	%			8.44	%			8.31	%			8.73	%
Nonperforming loans and leases to total loans and leases			5.52	%			2.66	%			1.66	%			0.49	%			0.26	%
Allowance for loan and lease losses to total loans and leases			3.11	%			1.46	%			1.43	%			1.23	%			1.31	%
Tier 1 leverage capital			8.64	%			9.17	%			9.97	%			10.04	%			10.45	%
Tier 1 leverage risk-based capital			9.92	%			9.68	%			10.14	%			10.37	%			10.82	%
Total risk-based capital			11.18	%			10.93	%			11.39	%			11.45	%			12.00	%
Per Share Data:
Net income (loss):
Basic		$	(6.23	)		$	(0.59	)		$	1.06			$	2.36			$	2.14
Diluted			(6.23	)			(0.59	)			1.05				2.33				2.10
Book value at end of period			13.86				20.29				20.89				21.43				19.46
Dividends declared			0.07				0.31				0.55				0.48				0.39
Dividend payout ratio		NA				NA					52.16	%			20.34	%			17.79	%

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The following discussion and other portions of this Annual Report contain forward-looking statements that are based on management’s beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the financial services industry, the economy, and about our company. Words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “is likely,” “plans,” “projects,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions (“Future Factors”) that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. Therefore, actual results and outcomes may materially differ from what may be expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update, amend, or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events (whether anticipated or unanticipated), or otherwise.

Future Factors include changes in interest rates and interest rate relationships; demand for products and services; the degree of competition by traditional and non-traditional competitors; changes in banking regulation; changes in tax laws; changes in prices, levies, and assessments; the impact of technological advances; governmental and regulatory policy changes; the outcomes of contingencies; trends in customer behavior as well as their ability to repay loans; changes in local real estate values; changes in the national and local economies; and other risk factors described in Item 1A of this Annual Report. These are representative of the Future Factors that could cause a difference between an ultimate actual outcome and a preceding forward-looking statement.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based on Mercantile Bank Corporation’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan and lease losses and income tax accounting, and actual results could differ from those estimates. Management has reviewed the analyses with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.

Allowance For Loan and Lease Losses: The allowance for loan and lease losses (“allowance”) is maintained at a level we believe is adequate to absorb probable incurred losses identified and inherent in the loan and lease portfolio. Our evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance is an estimate based on past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the loan and lease portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, guidance from bank regulatory agencies and assessments of the impact of current and anticipated economic conditions on the loan and lease portfolio. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans or leases, but the entire allowance is available for any loan or lease that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off. Loan and lease losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan or lease is likely. The balance of the allowance represents management’s best estimate, but significant downturns in circumstances relating to loan and lease quality or economic conditions could result in a requirement for an increased allowance in the future. Likewise, an upturn in loan and lease quality or improved economic conditions may result in a decline in the required allowance in the future. In either instance, unanticipated changes could have a significant impact on operating earnings.

The allowance is increased through a provision charged to operating expense. Uncollectable loans and leases are charged-off through the allowance. Recoveries of loans and leases previously charged-off are added to the allowance. A loan or lease is considered impaired when it is probable that contractual interest and principal payments will not be collected either for the amounts or by the dates as scheduled in the loan or lease agreement. Impairment is evaluated in aggregate for smaller-balance loans of similar nature such as residential mortgage, consumer and credit card loans, and on an individual loan or lease basis for other loans. If a loan or lease is impaired, a portion of the allowance is allocated so that the loan or lease is reported, net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s or lease’s existing interest rate or at the fair value of collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. The timing of obtaining outside appraisals varies, generally depending on the nature and complexity of the property being evaluated, general breadth of activity within the marketplace and the age of the most recent appraisal. In certain circumstances, we may internally update outside appraisals based on recent information impacting a particular or similar property, or due to identifiable trends (e.g., recent sales of similar properties) within our markets. The expected future cash flows exclude potential cash flows from certain guarantors. To the extent these guarantors are able to provide repayments, a recovery would be recorded upon receipt. Loans and leases are evaluated for impairment when payments are delayed, typically 30 days or more, or when serious deficiencies are identified within the credit relationship. Our policy for recognizing income on impaired loans is to accrue interest unless a loan is placed on nonaccrual status. We put loans into nonaccrual status when the full collection of principal and interest is not expected.

Income Tax Accounting: Current income tax liabilities or assets are established for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year. In the preparation of income tax returns, tax positions are taken based on interpretation of federal and state income tax laws for which the outcome may be uncertain. We periodically review and evaluate the status of our tax positions and make adjustments as necessary. Deferred income tax liabilities and assets are also established for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. A deferred income tax liability or asset is recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences that can be carried forward (used) in future years. The valuation of our net deferred income tax asset is considered critical as it requires us to make estimates based on provisions of the enacted tax laws. The assessment of the realizability of the net deferred income tax asset involves the use of estimates, assumptions, interpretations and judgments concerning accounting pronouncements, federal and state tax codes and the extent of future taxable income. There can be no assurance that future events, such as court decisions, positions of federal and state taxing authorities, and the extent of future taxable income, will not differ from our current assessment, the impact of which could be significant to the consolidated results of operations and reported earnings.

Accounting guidance requires that companies assess whether a valuation allowance should be established against their deferred tax assets based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard. In making such judgments, we consider both positive and negative evidence and analyze changes in near-term market conditions as well as other factors which may impact future operating results. Significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. Despite improvements achieved throughout 2009 in key areas such as an expanded net interest margin, increased regulatory capital levels, a continued shift to local funding sources and reduced controllable overhead costs, the increased loan and lease loss provision expense and problem asset administration costs have been sizable. The continuing recent losses resulting from the distressed operating environment have significantly restricted our ability to rely on projections of future taxable income to support the recovery of our deferred tax assets. Consequently, we determined it necessary to establish a valuation allowance against our entire net deferred tax asset. We will continue to monitor our deferred tax assets quarterly for changes affecting their realizability.

INTRODUCTION

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report. This discussion provides information about the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of Mercantile Bank Corporation and its consolidated subsidiary, Mercantile Bank of Michigan (“our bank”), and of Mercantile Bank Mortgage Company, LLC (“our mortgage company”), Mercantile Bank Real Estate Co., L.L.C. (“our real estate company”) and Mercantile Insurance Center, Inc. (“our insurance company”), which are subsidiaries of our bank. Unless the text clearly suggests otherwise, references to “us,” “we,” “our,” or “the company” include Mercantile Bank Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries referred to above.

We were incorporated on July 15, 1997 as a bank holding company to establish and own our bank. Our bank, after receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, began operations on December 15, 1997. Our bank has a strong commitment to community banking and offers a wide range of financial products and services, primarily to small- to medium-sized businesses, as well as individuals. Our bank’s lending strategy focuses on commercial lending, and, to a lesser extent, residential mortgage and consumer lending. Our bank also offers a broad array of deposit products, including checking, savings, money market, and certificates of deposit, as well as security repurchase agreements. Our primary markets are the Grand Rapids, Holland and Lansing areas. Our bank utilizes deposits from customers located outside of our primary market areas to assist in funding assets.

We formed a business trust, Mercantile Bank Capital Trust I (“our trust”), in 2004 to issue trust preferred securities. We issued subordinated debentures to our trust in return for the proceeds raised from the issuance of the trust preferred securities. In accordance with accounting guidelines, our trust is not consolidated, but instead we report the subordinated debentures issued to our trust as a liability.

Our mortgage company’s predecessor, Mercantile Bank Mortgage Company, was formed to increase the profitability and efficiency of our mortgage loan operations. Mercantile Bank Mortgage Company initiated business on October 24, 2000 from our bank’s contribution of most of its residential mortgage loan portfolio and participation interests in certain commercial mortgage loans. On the same date, our bank had also transferred its residential mortgage origination function to Mercantile Bank Mortgage Company. On January 1, 2004, Mercantile Bank Mortgage Company was reorganized as Mercantile Bank Mortgage Company, LLC, a limited liability company. Mortgage loans originated and held by our mortgage company are serviced by our bank pursuant to a servicing agreement.

Our insurance company acquired, at nominal cost, an existing shelf insurance agency effective April 15, 2002. An Agency and Institution Agreement was entered into among our insurance company, our bank and Hub International for the purpose of providing programs of mass marketed personal lines of insurance. Insurance product offerings include private passenger automobile, homeowners, personal inland marine, boat owners, recreational vehicle, dwelling fire, umbrella policies, small business and life insurance products, all of which are provided by and written through companies that have appointed Hub International as their agent.

Our real estate company was organized on July 21, 2003, principally to develop, construct and own our facility in downtown Grand Rapids which serves as our bank’s main office and Mercantile Bank Corporation’s headquarters. Construction was completed during the second quarter of 2005.

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

Our earnings performance has been negatively impacted by substantial provisions to the allowance. Ongoing state, regional and national economic struggles have negatively impacted some of our borrowers’ cash flows and underlying collateral values, leading to increased nonperforming assets, higher loan and lease charge-offs and increased overall credit risk within our loan portfolio. We continue to work with our borrowers to develop constructive dialogue to strengthen our relationships and enhance our ability to resolve complex issues; however, with the environment for the banking industry likely to remain stressed until economic conditions improve, credit quality will continue to be our major concern. We will remain vigilant in the identification and administration of problem assets, but provisions to the allowance will likely remain above historical levels, dampening future earnings performance.

Our earnings performance also reflects positive steps we have taken to not only partially mitigate the impact of deteriorating asset quality in the near term, but to benefit us on a longer-term basis as well. First, our net interest margin expanded throughout 2009 as we replaced maturing high-rate deposits with lower-cost funds, while at the same time our commercial loan pricing initiatives offset the negative impact of an increase in nonaccrual loans. Despite a substantial reduction in total loans and leases, our net interest income increased due to the higher net interest margin, and we expect our net interest margin to improve further over the next few quarters. Next, our regulatory risk-based capital ratios also increased, as the sale of preferred stock under the Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program and the reduction of loans outstanding have more than offset the impact of recording a net loss. In addition, we saw strong increases in local deposits, reflecting the successful implementation of various initiatives, campaigns and product enhancements. The local deposit growth, combined with the reduction of loans outstanding, provided for a substantial reduction of, and reliance on, wholesale funds. Lastly, we are starting to see the positive effect of our branch consolidation and other overhead cost reduction initiatives, as we continue to make strides to reduce controllable noninterest expense.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Primarily reflecting our financial condition and weakened and relatively poor economic environments within our markets, we shrunk our balance sheet during 2009. Total assets declined from $2.21 billion on December 31, 2008 to $1.91 billion on December 31, 2009, representing a decrease in total assets of $301.8 million, or 13.7%. The decline in total assets during 2009 was primarily comprised of a $317.1 million decrease in total loans and leases. Our total deposits decreased $197.9 million and Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances declined $65.0 million.

Earning Assets

Average earning assets equaled 95.1% of average total assets during 2009, a level very similar to the 95.4% during 2008. The loan and lease portfolio continued to comprise a majority of earning assets, followed by securities, federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits; however, during 2009, securities, federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits comprised a larger percentage of earning assets primarily reflecting our decision to operate with a larger volume of on balance sheet liquidity given market conditions. Average total loans and leases equaled 80.9% of average total assets during 2009, a decline from 84.8% in 2008. Meanwhile, average securities, federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits equaled a combined 14.2% of average total assets during 2009, an increase from 10.6% during 2008.

Our loan and lease portfolio is primarily comprised of commercial loans and leases. Commercial loans and leases declined by $301.3 million during 2009, and at December 31, 2009, totaled $1.41 billion, or 91.5% of the total loan and lease portfolio. The decline in outstanding balances reflects the slowdown in business activity in our markets and the impact of a concerted effort on our part to reduce exposure to certain non-owner occupied commercial real estate (“CRE”) and automotive-related businesses. The largest decline occurred in the commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loan portfolio, where usage of commercial lines of credit was reduced by about $138.0 million, in large part reflecting the slowdown in business activity and a corresponding reduction in accounts receivable and inventory financings. We would expect to see an increase in commercial line of credit usage when economic conditions improve. Total CRE balances declined $66.2 million during 2009. Our systematic approach to reducing our exposure to certain CRE lending will be prolonged, given the nature of CRE lending and the current depressed economic conditions; however, we believe that such a reduction is in our best interest when taking into account the increased inherent credit risk, relatively low loan rates and nominal deposit balances associated with targeted borrowing relationships. Also during 2009, commercial loans collateralized by owner-occupied real estate declined by $53.6 million and commercial loans related to residential development and construction decreased by $31.6 million.

The commercial loan and lease portfolio represents loans to businesses generally located within our market areas. Approximately 74% of the commercial loan and lease portfolio is primarily secured by real estate properties, with the remaining generally secured by other business assets such as accounts receivable, inventory, and equipment. The continued concentration of the loan and lease portfolio in commercial loans and leases is consistent with our stated strategy of focusing a substantial amount of our efforts on “wholesale” banking. Corporate and business lending continues to be an area of expertise for our senior management team, and our commercial lenders have extensive commercial lending experience, with most having at least ten years’ experience. Of each of the loan categories that we originate, commercial loans and leases are most efficiently originated and managed, thus limiting overhead costs by necessitating the attention of fewer employees. Our commercial lending business generates the largest portion of local deposits and is our primary source of demand deposits.

The following table summarizes our loans secured by real estate, excluding residential mortgage loans representing permanent financing of owner occupied dwellings and home equity lines of credit:

		12/31/09				9/30/09				6/30/09				3/31/09				12/31/08
Residential-Related:
Vacant Land		$	19,465,000			$	20,630,000			$	21,400,000			$	22,244,000			$	21,374,000
Land Development			34,027,000				33,862,000				42,053,000				50,402,000				54,055,000
Construction			7,199,000				9,446,000				11,157,000				14,646,000				16,839,000
			60,691,000				63,938,000				74,610,000				87,292,000				92,268,000
Comm’l Non-Owner Occupied:
Vacant Land			25,549,000				25,564,000				29,005,000				28,775,000				29,269,000
Land Development			19,402,000				22,412,000				23,469,000				24,636,000				24,629,000
Construction			65,697,000				79,339,000				94,225,000				93,322,000				102,464,000
Commercial Buildings			537,891,000				528,727,000				545,501,000				556,280,000				558,360,000
			648,539,000				656,042,000				692,200,000				703,013,000				714,722,000
Comm’l Owner Occupied:
Construction			1,404,000				5,456,000				7,407,000				9,290,000				9,344,000
Commercial Buildings			324,451,000				349,335,000				359,610,000				365,250,000				370,099,000
			325,855,000				354,791,000				367,017,000				374,540,000				379,443,000
Total		$	1,035,085,000			$	1,074,771,000			$	1,133,827,000			$	1,164,845,000			$	1,186,433,000

Residential mortgage and consumer loans declined in aggregate $15.8 million during 2009, and at December 31, 2009, totaled $130.8 million, or 8.5% of the total loan and lease portfolio. Although residential mortgage loan and consumer loan portfolios may increase in future periods, we expect the commercial sector of the lending efforts and resultant assets to remain the dominant loan portfolio category given our wholesale banking strategy.

The following table presents total loans outstanding as of December 31, 2009, according to scheduled repayments of principal on fixed rate loans and repricing frequency on variable rate loans. Floating rate loans that are currently at interest rate floors are treated as fixed rate loans and are reflected using maturity date and not repricing frequency.

		Less Than				One Through				More Than
		One Year				Five Years				Five Years				Total
Construction and land development		$	135,144,000			$	40,014,000			$	920,000			$	176,078,000
Real estate — residential properties			63,086,000				48,387,000				13,332,000				124,805,000
Real estate — multi-family properties			18,001,000				29,435,000				243,000				47,679,000
Real estate — commercial properties			355,983,000				433,593,000				24,482,000				814,058,000
Commercial and industrial			245,596,000				107,480,000				17,070,000				370,146,000
Leases			59,000				996,000				0				1,055,000
Consumer			3,062,000				2,752,000				183,000				5,997,000
Total		$	820,931,000			$	662,657,000			$	56,230,000			$	1,539,818,000
Fixed rate loans and leases		$	439,405,000			$	662,657,000			$	42,750,000			$	1,144,812,000
Floating rate loans and leases			381,526,000				0				13,480,000				395,006,000
Total		$	820,931,000			$	662,657,000			$	56,230,000			$	1,539,818,000

Our credit policies establish guidelines to manage credit risk and asset quality. These guidelines include loan review and early identification of problem loans and leases to provide effective loan and lease portfolio administration. The credit policies and procedures are meant to minimize the risk and uncertainties inherent in lending. In following these policies and procedures, we must rely on estimates, appraisals and evaluations of loans and leases and the possibility that changes in these could occur quickly because of changing economic conditions. Identified problem loans and leases, which exhibit characteristics (financial or otherwise) that could cause the loans and leases to become nonperforming or require restructuring in the future, are included on the internal “watch list.” Senior management and the Board of Directors review this list regularly. Market value estimates of collateral on impaired loans, as well as on foreclosed and repossessed assets, are reviewed periodically; however, we have a process in place to monitor whether value estimates at each quarter-end are reflective of current market conditions. Our credit policies establish criteria for obtaining appraisals and determining internal value estimates. We may also adjust outside and internal valuations based on identifiable trends within our markets, such as recent sales of similar properties or assets, listing prices and offers received. In addition, we may discount certain appraised and internal value estimates to address current distressed market conditions.

The levels of net loan and lease charge-offs and nonperforming assets have increased since early 2007. Although we were never directly involved in the underwriting of or the investing in subprime residential real estate loans, the apparent substantial and rapid collapse of this line of business during 2007 and 2008 throughout the United States had a significant negative impact on the residential real estate development lending portion of our business. The resulting decline in real estate prices and slowdown in sales has stretched the cash flow of our local developers and eroded the value of our underlying collateral, which caused elevated levels of nonperforming assets and net loan and lease charge-offs. Since that time, we have witnessed deteriorating economic conditions in Michigan and throughout the country. The resulting decline in business revenue has negatively impacted the cash flows of many of our borrowers, some to the point where loan payments have become past due or will likely become delinquent in future periods. In addition, real estate prices have fallen significantly, thereby exposing us to larger-than-typical losses in those instances where the sale of collateral is the primary source of repayment. Also during this time, we have seen deterioration in guarantors’ financial capacities to fund deficient cash flows and reduce or eliminate collateral deficiencies. It is likely that net loan and lease charge-offs and nonperforming assets will remain elevated in comparison to our historical levels until economic conditions improve.

As of December 31, 2007, nonperforming assets totaled $35.7 million, or 1.68% of total assets, an increase from the $9.6 million, or 0.46% of total assets, as of December 31, 2006. Nonperforming loans and leases totaled $29.8 million and foreclosed properties/repossessed assets equaled $5.9 million at year-end 2007, compared to $8.6 million and $1.0 million, respectively, at year-end 2006. As of December 31, 2007, nonperforming loans secured by real estate, combined with all foreclosed properties, totaled $28.6 million, or about 80% of total nonperforming assets. Nonperforming loans and foreclosed properties associated with the development of residential real estate totaled $11.1 million, with another $3.2 million in nonperforming loans secured by, and foreclosed properties consisting of, residential properties. Net loan and lease charge-offs during 2007 totaled $6.7 million, or 0.38% of average total loans and leases. During 2006, net loan and lease charge-offs totaled $4.9 million, or 0.29% of average total loans and leases.

Throughout most of 2008, we experienced a sudden and rapid deterioration in a number of commercial loan relationships which previously had been performing satisfactorily. Analyses of certain commercial borrowers revealed a reduced capability on the part of these borrowers to make required payments as indicated by factors such as delinquent loan payments, diminished cash flow, deteriorating financial performance, or past due property taxes, and in the case of commercial and residential development projects slow absorption or sales trends. In addition, commercial real estate is the primary source of collateral for many of these borrowing relationships and updated evaluations and appraisals in many cases reflected significant declines from the original estimated values.

During the latter part of 2008 and throughout 2009, we saw a continuation of the stresses caused by the deteriorating economic conditions, especially in the CRE markets and automotive-related borrowing relationships in our C&I portfolio. High vacancy rates or slow absorption has resulted in inadequate cash flow generated from some real estate projects we have financed and has required guarantors to provide personal funds to make full contractual loan payments and pay other operating costs. In some cases, the guarantors’ cash and other liquid reserves have become seriously diminished. In other cases, sale of the collateral, either by the borrower or us, is our primary source of repayment.

As of December 31, 2008, nonperforming assets totaled $57.4 million, or 2.60% of total assets. Nonperforming loans and leases totaled $49.3 million and foreclosed properties/repossessed assets equaled $8.1 million at year-end 2008, compared to $29.8 million and $5.9 million, respectively, at year-end 2007. As of December 31, 2008, nonperforming loans secured by real estate, combined with all foreclosed properties, totaled $52.3 million, or about 91% of total nonperforming assets. Nonperforming loans and foreclosed properties associated with the development of residential real estate totaled $25.3 million, with another $4.2 million in nonperforming loans secured by, and foreclosed properties consisting of, residential properties. Net loan and lease charge-offs during 2008 totaled $19.9 million, or 1.09% of average total loans and leases. The increase in net loan and lease charge-offs during 2008 over prior periods primarily reflects a combination of a higher level of nonperforming assets and the significant decline in property values.

As of December 31, 2009, nonperforming assets totaled $111.7 million, or 5.86% of total assets. Nonperforming loans and leases totaled $85.1 million and foreclosed properties/repossessed assets equaled $26.6 million at year-end 2009. As of December 31, 2009, nonperforming loans secured by CRE, combined with all foreclosed properties, totaled $62.6 million. Nonperforming loans and foreclosed properties associated with the development of residential-related real estate totaled $31.8 million, with another $7.5 million in nonperforming loans secured by, and foreclosed properties consisting of, residential properties. Nonperforming C&I loans and repossessed assets totaled $9.8 million. Net loan and lease charge-offs during 2009 totaled $38.2 million, or 2.24% of average total loans and leases. The increase in net loan and lease charge-offs during 2009 over prior periods primarily reflects a combination of a higher level of nonperforming assets and the continued significant decline in property values.

The following table provides a breakdown of nonperforming assets by property type:

		12/31/09				9/30/09				6/30/09				3/31/09				12/31/08
Residential Real Estate:
Land Development		$	19,722,000			$	13,645,000			$	10,422,000			$	12,646,000			$	14,273,000
Construction			12,103,000				13,021,000				12,882,000				13,538,000				11,040,000
Owner Occupied / Rental			7,493,000				6,830,000				4,910,000				4,877,000				4,160,000
			39,318,000				33,496,000				28,214,000				31,061,000				29,473,000
Commercial Real Estate:
Land Development			2,971,000				4,621,000				2,292,000				2,383,000				2,234,000
Construction			1,268,000				228,000				0				0				0
Owner Occupied			19,918,000				21,429,000				17,378,000				8,753,000				6,495,000
Non-Owner Occupied			38,417,000				36,473,000				28,110,000				28,364,000				14,055,000
			62,574,000				62,751,000				47,780,000				39,500,000				22,784,000
Non-Real Estate:
Commercial Assets			9,758,000				14,510,000				10,629,000				13,155,000				5,134,000
Consumer Assets			8,000				8,000				8,000				31,000				30,000
			9,766,000				14,518,000				10,637,000				13,186,000				5,164,000
Total		$	111,658,000			$	110,765,000			$	86,631,000			$	83,747,000			$	57,421,000

The following table provides a breakdown of net loan and lease charge-offs by collateral type:

		4th Qtr				3rd Qtr				2nd Qtr				1st Qtr				Whole Year
		2009				2009				2009				2009				2009
Residential Real Estate:
Land Development		$	2,204,000			$	467,000			$	1,060,000			$	624,000			$	4,355,000
Construction			733,000				3,208,000				1,023,000				86,000				5,050,000
Owner Occupied / Rental			946,000				530,000				729,000				1,442,000				3,647,000
			3,883,000				4,205,000				2,812,000				2,152,000				13,052,000
Commercial Real Estate:
Land Development			45,000				0				74,000				0				119,000
Construction			0				0				0				0				0
Owner Occupied			1,140,000				1,254,000				593,000				75,000				3,062,000
Non-Owner Occupied			3,009,000				3,265,000				2,347,000				786,000				9,407,000
			4,194,000				4,519,000				3,014,000				861,000				12,588,000
Non-Real Estate:
Commercial Assets			2,788,000				2,232,000				4,918,000				2,475,000				12,413,000
Consumer Assets			(1,000	)			7,000				35,000				136,000				177,000
			2,787,000				2,239,000				4,953,000				2,611,000				12,590,000
Total		$	10,864,000			$	10,963,000			$	10,779,000			$	5,624,000			$	38,230,000

The following table summarizes nonperforming loans and leases and troubled debt restructurings:

		12/31/09				12/31/08				12/31/07				12/31/06				12/31/05
Past due 90 days or more and accruing interest		$	243,000			$	1,358,000			$	977,000			$	819,000			$	394,000
Nonaccrual			81,818,000				47,945,000				28,832,000				7,752,000				3,601,000
Troubled debt restructurings			2,989,000				0				0				0				0
Total		$	85,050,000			$	49,303,000			$	29,809,000			$	8,571,000			$	3,995,000

The following table summarizes changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses for the past five years:

		2009				2008				2007				2006				2005
Loans and leases outstanding at year-end		$	1,539,818,000			$	1,856,915,000			$	1,799,880,000			$	1,745,478,000			$	1,561,812,000
Daily average balance of loans and leases outstanding during the year		$	1,704,335,000			$	1,829,686,000			$	1,765,465,000			$	1,660,284,000			$	1,432,609,000
Balance of allowance at beginning of year		$	27,108,000			$	25,814,000			$	21,411,000			$	20,527,000			$	17,819,000
Loans and leases charged-off:
Commercial, financial and agricultural			(25,858,000	)			(12,566,000	)			(4,232,000	)			(5,208,000	)			(718,000	)
Construction and land development			(9,606,000	)			(4,835,000	)			(1,353,000	)			0				(521,000	)
Leases			(120,000	)			(174,000	)			(18,000	)			0				0
Residential real estate			(3,797,000	)			(2,900,000	)			(1,618,000	)			(50,000	)			(131,000	)
Instalment loans to individuals			(240,000	)			(119,000	)			(53,000	)			(131,000	)			(22,000	)
Total charge-offs			(39,621,000	)			(20,594,000	)			(7,274,000	)			(5,389,000	)			(1,392,000	)
Recoveries of previously charged-off loans and leases:
Commercial, financial and agricultural			1,141,000				597,000				586,000				487,000				298,000
Construction and land development			81,000				8,000				11,000				0				2,000
Leases			4,000				6,000				0				0				0
Residential real estate			150,000				51,000				3,000				2,000				6,000
Instalment loans to individuals			15,000				26,000				7,000				9,000				4,000
Total recoveries			1,391,000				688,000				607,000				498,000				310,000
Net loan and lease charge-offs			(38,230,000	)			(19,906,000	)			(6,667,000	)			(4,891,000	)			(1,082,000	)
Provision for loan and lease losses			59,000,000				21,200,000				11,070,000				5,775,000				3,790,000
Balance of allowance at year-end		$	47,878,000			$	27,108,000			$	25,814,000			$	21,411,000			$	20,527,000
Ratio of net loan and lease charge-offs during the year to average loans and leases outstanding during the year			(2.24	%)			(1.09	%)			(0.38	%)			(0.29	%)			(0.08	%)
Ratio of allowance to loans and leases outstanding at year-end			3.11	%			1.46	%			1.43	%			1.23	%			1.31	%

In each accounting period, we adjust the allowance to the amount we believe is necessary to maintain the allowance at adequate levels. Through the loan and lease review and credit departments, we attempt to establish specific portions of the allowance based on specifically identifiable problem loans and leases. The evaluation of the allowance is further based on, but not limited to, consideration of the internally prepared Reserve Analysis, loan and lease loss migration analysis, composition of the loan and lease portfolio, third party analysis of the loan and lease administration processes and portfolio and general economic conditions.

The Reserve Analysis, used since our inception and completed monthly, applies reserve allocation factors to outstanding loan and lease balances to calculate an overall allowance dollar amount. For commercial loans and leases, which continue to comprise a vast majority of our total loans and leases, reserve allocation factors are based upon the loan ratings as determined by our standardized grade paradigms. For retail loans, reserve allocation factors are based upon the type of credit. Adjustments for specific lending relationships, including impaired loans and leases, are made on a case-by-case basis. The reserve allocation factors are primarily based on the recent levels and historical trends of net loan and lease charge-offs and non-performing assets, the comparison of the recent levels and historical trends of net loan and lease charge-offs and non-performing assets with a customized peer group consisting of ten similarly-sized publicly traded banking organizations conducting business in the states of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana or Ohio, the review and consideration of our loan and lease migration analysis and the experience of senior management making similar loans and leases for an extensive period of time. We regularly review the Reserve Analysis and make adjustments periodically based upon identifiable trends and experience. Net increases to commercial loan and lease reserve allocation factors during 2009 resulted in a $5.3 million increase to the allowance.

As specified in our Loan Administration Policy, we complete a migration analysis quarterly to assist us in determining appropriate reserve allocation factors for commercial loans and leases. Our migration takes into account four different time periods, including four, eight, twelve and twenty-quarter time periods, and while we generally place most weight on the eight-quarter timeframe as that period is close to the average duration of our loan and lease portfolio, consideration is given to the other time periods as part of our assessment. Although the migration analysis provides an accurate historical accounting of our loan and lease losses, it is not able to fully account for environmental factors that will also very likely impact the collectability of our commercial loans and leases as of any quarter-end date.

Environmental factors include both internal and external items. We believe the most significant internal environmental factor is our credit culture and the relative aggressiveness in assigning and revising commercial loan and lease risk ratings. Although we have been consistent in our approach to commercial loan and lease ratings, ongoing stressed economic conditions have resulted in an even higher sense of aggressiveness with regards to the downgrading of lending relationships. In addition, we made revisions to our grading paradigms in early 2009 that mathematically resulted in commercial loan and lease relationships being more quickly downgraded when signs of stress are noted, such as slower sales activity for construction and land development CRE relationships and reduced operating performance/cash flow coverage for C&I relationships. These changes, coupled with the troubled economic environment, resulted in significant downgrades during 2009 and the need for substantial provisions to the allowance. To more effectively manage our commercial loan and lease portfolio, we created two specific groups tasked with managing our higher exposure lending relationships. One team manages the most distressed credits, while the other team manages our larger “monitor-rated” credit relationships.

The most significant external environmental factor is the assessment of the current economic environment and the resulting implications on our commercial loans and leases. Currently, we believe conditions remain stressed for CRE; however, recent data and performance reflect a level of stability in the C&I segment of our loan and lease portfolio.

The following table illustrates the breakdown of the allowance balance by loan type (dollars in thousands) and of the total loan and lease portfolio (in percentages):

		12/31/2009								12/31/2008								12/31/2007								12/31/2006								12/31/2005
						Loan								Loan								Loan								Loan								Loan
		Amount				Portfolio				Amount				Portfolio				Amount				Portfolio				Amount				Portfolio				Amount				Portfolio
Commercial, financial and agricultural		$	37,590				80.0	%		$	20,170				77.9	%		$	18,947				77.4	%		$	15,706				74.7	%		$	16,507				76.9	%
Construction and land development			6,566				11.4				5,137				14.1				4,907				14.7				3,975				17.1				2,868				14.5
Leases			49				0.1				41				0.1				29				0.1				15				0.1				30				0.1
Residential real estate			3,517				8.1				1,656				7.6				1,829				7.5				1,591				7.6				1,020				8.2
Instalment loans to individuals			156				0.4				104				0.3				102				0.3				124				0.5				102				0.3
Unallocated			0				0.0				0				0.0				0				0.0				0				0.0				0				0.0
Total		$	47,878				100.0	%		$	27,108				100.0	%		$	25,814				100.0	%		$	21,411				100.0	%		$	20,527				100.0	%

The primary risk elements with respect to commercial loans and leases are the financial condition of the borrower, the sufficiency of collateral, and lack of timely payment. We have a policy of requesting and reviewing periodic financial statements from commercial loan and lease customers, and we periodically review the existence of collateral and its value. The primary risk element with respect to each instalment and residential real estate loan is lack of timely payment. We have a reporting system that monitors past due loans and have adopted policies to pursue creditor’s rights in order to preserve our bank’s collateral position.

Although we believe that the allowance is adequate to sustain losses as they arise, there can be no assurance that our bank will not sustain losses in any given period that could be substantial in relation to, or greater than, the size of the allowance.

Securities increased $14.6 million during 2009, from $242.8 million on December 31, 2008 to $257.4 million at December 31, 2009. During 2009, the securities portfolio equaled 11.9% of average earning assets. The increase in the securities portfolio reflects increased collateral requirements for our repurchase agreements and certain correspondent bank activities, as well as enhanced on-balance sheet liquidity. Proceeds from called U.S. Government agency bonds totaled $34.1 during 2009, with another $16.5 million received from principal paydowns on mortgage-backed securities. In addition, $6.3 million was received from matured and called tax-exempt municipal securities. The proceeds were generally invested back into the securities portfolio, with $68.8 million invested in U.S. Government agency bonds, $3.9 million invested in mortgage-backed securities and $1.0 million invested in tax-exempt municipal securities. We also purchased $0.1 million in bonds issued through the Michigan Strategic Fund during 2009, although we received $1.7 million from scheduled maturities. These bonds are purchased and sold at par value and are sellable back to the re-marketing brokerage firm weekly. We maintain the securities portfolio at levels to provide adequate pledging for the repurchase agreement program and secondary liquidity for our daily operations. In addition, the portfolio serves a primary interest rate risk management function. At December 31, 2009, the portfolio was comprised of high credit quality U.S. Government agency issued bonds (37%), U.S. Government agency issued and guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (25%), tax-exempt municipal general obligation and revenue bonds (23%), Michigan Strategic Fund bonds (8%), Federal Home Loan Bank stock (6%) and mutual funds (1%).

The following table reflects the composition of the securities portfolio, excluding Federal Home Loan Bank stock:

		12/31/09								12/31/08								12/31/07
		Carrying								Carrying								Carrying
		Value				Percent				Value				Percent				Value				Percent
U.S. Government agency debt obligations		$	95,544,000				39.6	%		$	62,382,000				27.5	%		$	80,945,000				40.1	%
Mortgage-backed securities			64,982,000				26.9				77,026,000				33.9				54,619,000				27.0
Municipal general obligations			49,892,000				20.6				54,066,000				23.8				57,668,000				28.5
Municipal revenue bonds			9,319,000				3.9				10,371,000				4.6				7,662,000				3.8
Michigan Strategic Fund bonds			20,550,000				8.5				22,105,000				9.7				0				0.0
Mutual funds			1,416,000				0.5				1,156,000				0.5				1,109,000				0.6
Totals		$	241,703,000				100.0	%		$	227,106,000				100.0	%		$	202,003,000				100.0	%