For Release: July 23, 2012

Contact: Lisa Razo, Merchants Bank, at (802) 865-1838

Merchants Bancshares, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2012 Earnings – First half
of 2012 up 9% over the first half of 2011 on steady loan and deposit growth

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT— Merchants Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBVT), the parent company of Merchants Bank, today announced net income of $3.74 million and $7.35 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.60 and $1.17 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. This compares to earnings of $3.63 million and $6.73 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.58 and $1.08 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. The return on average assets was 0.91% and 0.90% for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to 0.98% and 0.91% for the same period in 2011. The return on average equity was 13.31% and 13.23% for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to 14.20% and 13.38% for the same period in 2011. We previously announced the declaration of a dividend of $0.28 per share, payable August 16, 2012, to shareholders of record as of August 2, 2012. This quarter represents our 63^rd consecutive quarterly dividend payment and our 27^th consecutive quarter at the current payout level.

Total assets ended the quarter at $1.60 billion and total shareholders’ equity ended the quarter at $114.06 million. Our book value per share was $18.23 at June 30, 2012. Our Tier 1 leverage ratio was 7.97%, total risk-based capital ratio was 15.85% and tangible capital ratio was 7.12% at June 30, 2012.

“We have seen continued growth in our business during the second quarter. The rate of growth for the past twelve months has added significantly to the core earnings base for our company. The uncertain economic environment will pose some challenges, but we remain confident in our ability to grow and maintain strong asset quality,” commented Michael R. Tuttle, our President and Chief Executive Officer.

Quarterly average loans for the second quarter of 2012 increased to $1.06 billion compared to $1.01 billion for the fourth quarter of 2011, and $945 million for the second quarter of 2011. Ending loan balances at June 30, 2012 were $1.03 billion, unchanged from December 31, 2011 balances of $1.03 billion. During the second quarter, growth in average monthly loan balances was strong with average monthly loan balances for April 2012 at $1.04 billion, increasing to $1.06 billion for May 2012 and $1.07 billion for June 2012. Our strong growth in our commercial, financial and agricultural loan portfolio reflects the acquisition of new customers and expansion of existing relationships; approximately half of the growth is a result of the expansion of one existing relationship. Growth in our residential real estate loan portfolio continues to be driven by increased mortgage refinance volume due to the low interest rate environment. Seasonal fluctuations in municipal cash flows, combined with reduced loan demand by our municipal customers, reduced ending June 30, 2012 municipal loan balances by $57.79 million from ending balances at March 31, 2012; as of July 5, 2012 municipal loan balances had increased to $78.50 million.

The following table summarizes the components of our loan portfolio as of the periods indicated:

We recorded a $200 thousand and $450 thousand provision for credit losses during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, compared to a provision of zero and $250 thousand for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. Although asset quality remains high, our continued loan growth during 2012 was the primary factor for the provision during the second quarter. Our nonperforming asset totals increased to $3.52 million at June 30, 2012, compared to $2.67 million at March 31, 2012 and $2.87 million at December 31, 2011. We booked net recoveries of $14 thousand for the first six months of 2012, and accruing past due loans were 0.01% of total loans at June 30, 2012.

Total deposits at June 30, 2012 were $1.24 billion compared to $1.18 billion at December 31, 2011. Growth during 2012 has been concentrated in our demand deposit and money market categories. Securities sold under agreement to repurchase declined by $108.83 million to $153.70 million at June 30, 2012 from $262.53 million at December 31, 2011, primarily as a result of seasonal fluctuations concentrated in municipal cash flows. We prepaid $10.00 million in long-term Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) debt during June, which will reduce our overall cost of funds going forward. The rate on the borrowing was 2.75% and we paid $686 thousand in prepayment penalties. Short-term borrowings were $52.00 million at June 30, 2012 compared to zero at December 31, 2011.

Our taxable equivalent net interest income was $12.85 million and $25.82 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, compared to $12.95 million and $25.11 million for the same periods in 2011, and $12.97 million for the first quarter of 2012. Our taxable equivalent net interest margin decreased 35 basis points to 3.27% for the second quarter of 2012 compared to 3.62% for the same period in 2011, and decreased 22 basis points to 3.31% for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 3.53% for the same period in 2011. The net interest margin decreased seven basis points for the second quarter of 2012 compared to the first quarter of 2012. Our continued growth in earning assets has helped to offset margin compression and allowed us to increase net interest income for the first half of 2012 compared to the first half of 2011. Average earning assets for the first three and six months of 2012 were $1.58 billion and $1.57 billion, respectively, an increase of $146.07 million and $137.98 million over the same periods in 2011, and an increase of $19.33 million over the first quarter of 2012.

The extended low interest rate environment continues to present a challenge as our assets reprice down at a steady rate, and new assets come on at lower rates. The average rate on our loan portfolio was 4.48% for the second quarter of 2012, compared to 4.94% for the second quarter of 2011, 4.68% for the fourth quarter of 2011 and 4.61% for the first quarter of 2012. The average rate on our investment portfolio for the second quarter of 2012 was 2.37% compared to 3.11% for the second quarter of 2011, 2.57% for the fourth quarter of 2011, and 2.45% for the first quarter of 2012. These decreases were offset, in part, by decreases in the cost of our interest bearing liabilities. The average cost of interest bearing liabilities for the second quarter of 2012 was 58 basis points, a 15 basis point decrease from the second quarter of 2011, a five basis point decrease from the fourth quarter of last year, and a three basis point drop from the first quarter of this year. We expect that the June 2012 prepayment of $10 million in FHLB debt mentioned previously will help offset a portion of future margin compression.

Total noninterest income increased $603 thousand to $3.16 million for the second quarter of 2012 compared to 2011, and increased $871 thousand for the first half of 2012 compared to 2011. During the second quarter of 2012, we recognized a gain of $334 thousand on the sale of the mineral rights we owned on properties in Oklahoma which we acquired in a bank acquisition in 1971. We also recognized pre-tax security gains of $372 thousand and $448 thousand during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. Excluding net gains on security sales and the gain on the sale of the mineral rights, noninterest income increased $34 thousand to $2.46 million for the second quarter of 2012 compared to $2.42 million for the second quarter of 2011, and increased $216 thousand to $4.74 million for the first six months of 2012 compared to $4.53 million for the first six months of 2011. The increase for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 is primarily a result of increases in net debit card income and Trust division income, offset in part by decreased overdraft fee revenue. Trust assets under management have continued to grow through 2012 and now total $518 million.

Total noninterest expense increased $439 thousand to $10.65 million for the second quarter of 2012 compared to 2011, and $431 thousand to $20.75 million for the first half of 2012 compared to 2011. As mentioned previously, we prepaid $10 million in FHLB long-term debt during the quarter and incurred prepayment penalties totaling $686 thousand. Excluding the prepayment penalties, noninterest expense decreased $247 thousand for the second quarter of 2012 compared to 2011 and decreased $255 thousand for the first half of 2012 compared to 2011. Compensation and benefits were lower for both the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2012. Normal salary increases and an increased incentive accrual were offset by credits related to loan origination fees. A change to our health insurance plan for 2012 resulted in a $123 thousand reduction in health and group insurance expense for the first half of 2012 compared to 2011. Occupancy expenses continue to run below 2011 levels, in part a result of our mild winter. Equipment expenses for 2012 are higher than 2011 levels resulting from capital investments made during 2011. Marketing expenses for 2012 are running higher than 2011 as we have added television media to our overall marketing mix.

Michael R. Tuttle, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Janet P. Spitler, our Chief Financial Officer and Geoffrey R. Hesslink, our Senior Lender and Executive Vice President, will host a conference call to discuss these earnings results, business highlights and outlook at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, July 25, 2012. Interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing U.S. number (800) 230-1059; the title of the call is Merchants Bancshares, Inc. Earnings Call. Participants are asked to call a few minutes prior to register. A replay will be available until noon on Wednesday, August 1, 2012. The U.S. replay dial-in telephone number is (800) 475-6701. The international replay telephone number is (320) 365-3844. The replay access code for both replay telephone numbers is 222042.

Merchants Bank was established in 1849 in Burlington, Vermont. Our continuing mission is to provide Vermonters with a statewide community bank that combines a strong technology platform with a genuine appreciation for local markets. We deliver this commitment through a branch-based system that includes 33 community bank offices and 40 ATMs throughout Vermont; local community banking managers and personal bankers dedicated to high-quality customer service; online banking, phone banking, and electronic bill payment services; high-value depositing programs that feature Cash Rewards Checking, Rewards Checking for Business, business cash management, money market accounts, health savings accounts, certificates of deposit, Flexible CD, IRAs, and overdraft assurance; feature-rich loan programs including mortgages, home equity credit, vehicle loans, personal and small business loans and lines of credit; and merchant card processing. We offer a strong set of commercial and government banking solutions, delivered by experienced banking officers in markets throughout the state; these teams provide customized financing for medium-to-large companies, non-profits, cities, towns, and school districts. Our Trust division provides investment management, financial planning and trustee services. Please visit www.mbvt.com for access to our information, programs, and services. Our stock is traded on the NASDAQ National Market system under the symbol MBVT. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure. In addition to results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. In several places net interest income is presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis. Specifically included in interest income was tax-exempt interest income from certain tax-exempt loans. An amount equal to the tax benefit derived from this tax exempt income is added back to the interest income total, to produce net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis. The amount added back was $516 thousand and $1.05 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, and $457 thousand and $866 thousand, respectively, for the same periods in 2011. An additional non-GAAP financial measure we use is the tangible equity ratio. Because we have no intangible assets, our tangible equity is the same as our book equity. We believe that the supplemental non-GAAP information is utilized by regulators and market analysts to evaluate a company’s financial condition and therefore, such information is useful to investors. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures which may be presented by other companies. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies’ non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names.

Certain statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. These statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe Merchants’ future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “plan,” “potential,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “target” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on the current assumptions and beliefs of management and are only expectations of future results. Our actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of, among others, general, national, regional or local economic conditions which are less favorable than anticipated, including continued global recession, impacting the performance of our investment portfolio, quality of credits or the overall demand for services; changes in loan default and charge-off rates which could affect the allowance for credit losses; declines in the equity and financial markets; reductions in deposit levels which could necessitate increased and/or higher cost borrowing to fund loans and investments; declines in mortgage loan refinancing, equity loan and line of credit activity which could reduce net interest and non-interest income; changes in the domestic interest rate environment and inflation; changes in the carrying value of investment securities and other assets; misalignment of our interest-bearing assets and liabilities; increases in loan repayment rates affecting interest income and the value of mortgage servicing rights; changing business, banking, or regulatory conditions or policies, or new legislation affecting the financial services industry, such as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, that could lead to changes in the competitive balance among financial institutions, restrictions on bank activities, changes in costs (including deposit insurance premiums), increased regulatory scrutiny, declines in consumer confidence in depository institutions, or changes in the secondary market for bank loan and other products; and changes in accounting rules, federal and state laws, IRS regulations, and other regulations and policies governing financial holding companies and their subsidiaries which may impact our ability to take appropriate action to protect our financial interests in certain loan situations.

You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, and are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Actual performance and results of operations may differ materially from those projected or suggested in the forward-looking statements due to certain risks and uncertainties, which are included in more detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

Merchants Bancshares, Inc.

Financial Highlights (unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands except share and per share data)

Merchants Bancshares, Inc.

Financial Highlights (unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands except share and per share data)

Merchants Bancshares, Inc.

Financial Highlights (unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands except share and per share data)