GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Jan. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercantile Bank Corporation (NASDAQ: MBWM) ("Mercantile") reported net income attributable to common shares of $3.0 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2012, compared with net income attributable to common shares of $30.0 million, or $3.37 per diluted share, for the prior-year period. For the full year 2012, Mercantile reported net income attributable to common shares of $11.5 million, or $1.30 per diluted share, compared with net income attributable to common shares of $36.1 million, or $4.07 per diluted share, for the full year 2011.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, net income attributable to common shares was positively impacted by the reversal of the previously established net deferred tax asset valuation allowance resulting in a federal income tax benefit of $27.4 million. On a pre-tax basis, 2012 income was $4.3 million in the fourth quarter and $18.2 million for the full year, compared to 2011 income of $3.0 million in the fourth quarter and $10.1 million for the full year.

2012 was highlighted by:


    --  Improved asset quality and pre-tax earnings performance
    --  Nonperforming assets declined 57 percent from a year ago; currently less
        than 2 percent of total assets
    --  Level of loans in the 30- to 89-days delinquent category were virtually
        zero throughout 2012
    --  New loan originations of approximately $64 million during the fourth
        quarter and $176 million during the full year
    --  Net interest margin remained relatively steady and well above historical
        average level
    --  Regulatory capital ratios remained significantly above minimum
        requirements for "well-capitalized" institutions
    --  Reinstatement of a quarterly cash dividend in the fourth quarter
    --  Exit from the TARP Program with the repurchase of preferred stock and
        common stock warrant

"2012 marked the 15(th) anniversary of Mercantile Bank, and we are very pleased to recognize this milestone during a year filled with many successes and accomplishments," said Michael Price, Chairman and CEO of Mercantile. "Throughout the year, we remained focused on improving asset quality, increasing core profitability, protecting our net interest margin and further strengthening our balance sheet. Because of our success in all these areas, we exited the TARP Program by repurchasing our preferred stock and common stock warrant entirely with internally-generated funds, and reinstated our quarterly cash dividend. As a result of our strengthened position, we feel very confident about the opportunities available to us in the coming year."

Operating Results

Total revenue, which consists of net interest income and noninterest income, was $13.8 million during the fourth quarter of 2012, down $0.6 million or 3.9 percent from the $14.4 million generated during the prior-year fourth quarter. Total revenue was $54.7 million during the full year 2012, down $3.8 million or 6.5 percent from the $58.5 million generated during 2011. The declines in total revenue during the 2012 periods compared to the 2011 periods resulted from decreased net interest income. Net interest income during the fourth quarter of 2012 was $11.7 million, down $0.6 million or 4.8 percent from the fourth quarter of 2011, reflecting a 4.3 percent decrease in average earning assets and a slight decline in the net interest margin. Net interest income was $46.7 million in 2012, down $4.5 million or 8.9 percent from the $51.2 million earned in the prior year, reflecting a 10.7 percent decrease in average earning assets, which was partially offset by an increased net interest margin. The reduction in average earning assets in the 2012 periods compared to the respective 2011 periods primarily resulted from the continuation of management's strategic initiative to reduce commercial real estate exposure and migrate certain high risk loans out of the loan portfolio. The net interest margin during 2012 was 3.67 percent, up from 3.60 percent during 2011 and well above the historical average level.

Noninterest income during the fourth quarter of 2012 was $2.1 million, up slightly from $2.0 million during the prior-year fourth quarter. Noninterest income for 2012 was $8.0 million, up $0.7 million or 9.8 percent from 2011. The increase in noninterest income during the 2012 periods compared to the respective 2011 periods primarily resulted from higher residential mortgage banking fee income and rental income on foreclosed properties.

Provision expense was $0.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to $1.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. Mercantile recorded a negative $3.1 million provision for loan losses during 2012 compared to a provision expense of $6.9 million for 2011. The negative provision expense is the result of several factors, including continued progress towards loan recoveries and collections as well as a reduced level of loan-rating downgrades and ongoing loan-rating upgrades.

Noninterest expense totaled $9.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2012, down $0.3 million or 3.3 percent from the prior-year fourth quarter. Noninterest expense for 2012 was $39.6 million, down $1.9 million or 4.5 percent from 2011. Salaries and benefits totaled $5.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2012 and $19.4 million during 2012, up $0.5 million and $1.5 million from the respective 2011 periods. The increased salary and benefit costs primarily reflect expense associated with reinstating certain employee benefit programs that had been suspended or reduced in prior years. Costs associated with the administration and resolution of problem assets, including legal expenses, property tax payments, appraisal costs and write-downs on foreclosed properties, totaled $0.9 million during the fourth quarter of 2012, down $0.7 million or 43.7 percent from the $1.6 million expensed during the fourth quarter of 2011, and $5.9 million during 2012, down $2.4 million or 29.3 percent from the $8.3 million expensed during 2011. The reduction in nonperforming asset costs reflects the continuation of Mercantile's aggressive approach to managing and resolving problem assets. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insurance premiums were $0.3 million during the current-year fourth quarter, down $0.3 million or 46.2 percent from the 2011 fourth quarter, and $1.2 million in 2012, down $1.6 million or 57.8 percent from 2011. The decreased FDIC insurance premiums primarily resulted from a lower assessment rate that reflects Mercantile's improved financial condition and operating performance.

Mr. Price continued: "Our fourth quarter financial results cap another full year of impressive performance for Mercantile, and provide strong momentum for 2013. Our improved financial condition and strong capital position have added to our ability to be flexible and opportunistic as we pursue disciplined growth for long-term performance."

Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2012, total assets were $1.42 billion, down $10.3 million or 0.7 percent from December 31, 2011; total loans decreased $31.2 million, or 2.9 percent, to $1.04 billion over the same period. While efforts to reduce certain segments of the commercial real estate portfolio continue, total loans increased $5.9 million during the fourth quarter of 2012. Continued relationship building efforts have led to increased lending opportunities, and despite competitive pressures, $63.8 million in loans to existing and new borrowers were originated in the fourth quarter of 2012 and $176 million were originated during the full year of 2012.

Real estate loans comprise a majority of Mercantile's loan portfolio. At December 31, 2012, real estate loans, excluding residential mortgage loans representing permanent financing of owner-occupied dwellings and home equity lines of credit, were $677 million or approximately 65 percent of total loans, representing a decline of $45.9 million, or 6.3 percent, from $723 million, or 67.4 percent of total loans, at December 31, 2011.

Non-owner-occupied commercial real estate ("CRE") loans totaled $354 million as of December 31, 2012 (34.0 percent of total loans), a decline of $22.7 million over the past 12 months. Owner-occupied CRE loans were $262 million at the end of 2012, a decrease of $6.4 million from a year ago. Vacant land, land development and construction ("C&D") loans, including both residential and commercial projects, totaled $55.2 million at December 31, 2012, down $15.3 million from a year ago. The commercial and industrial ("C&I") segment of the loan portfolio was $285 million at December 31, 2012, an increase of approximately $18 million since year-end 2011. The average balance of commercial lines of credit has remained relatively stable since early 2011.


                                                                              LOANS SECURED BY REAL ESTATE

    ($000s)                                                                     12/31/12                9/30/12              6/30/12            3/31/12            12/31/11
                                                                                --------                -------              -------            -------            --------
    Residential-Related:
       Vacant Land                                                                            $5,517                $6,042             $5,435             $5,591              $5,679
       Land Development                                                                         12,496                14,639             15,256             16,173              17,007
       Construction                                                                              3,440                 4,031              4,055              4,318               4,923
                                                                                                 -----                 -----              -----              -----               -----
                                                                                                21,453                24,712             24,746             26,082              27,609

    Comm'l Non-Owner Occupied:
       Vacant Land                                                                             7,903                 8,793              8,827              9,255              10,555
       Land Development                                                                       13,153                13,798             14,355             14,418              14,486
       Construction                                                                            7,723                 9,877             15,424             16,936              13,615
       Commercial Buildings                                                                  354,061               333,407            350,762            357,128             376,805
                                                                                             -------               -------            -------            -------             -------
                                                                                             382,840               365,875            389,368            397,737             415,461

    Comm'l Owner Occupied:
       Construction                                                                            4,939                 5,316              3,751              6,198               4,213
       Other                                                                                   6,040                 6,617              6,811              7,246               7,445
       Commercial Buildings                                                                  262,045               271,364            281,519            273,376             268,479
                                                                                             -------               -------            -------            -------             -------
                                                                                             273,024               283,297            292,081            286,820             280,137
                                                                                             -------               -------            -------            -------             -------

          Total                                                                             $677,317              $673,884           $706,195           $710,639            $723,207



    Note --- Excludes residential mortgage loans representing permanent financing of owner occupied dwellings and home
                    equity lines of credit.

Since December 2008, Mercantile has focused on improving liquidity by reducing wholesale funding and growing local deposits, especially interest-bearing checking and money market deposit accounts. As of December 31, 2012, total deposits were $1.14 billion, a decline of $464 million since year-end 2008. By comparison, local deposits increased $395 million to $866 million since year-end 2008, representing 76.2 percent of total deposits compared to 29.4 percent at December 31, 2008. Approximately 65 percent, or $258 million, of local deposit growth since year-end 2008 occurred in the interest-bearing checking and money market deposit account categories, while DDA checking accounted for $79.5 million, or about 20 percent of total growth. Growth in local deposits was driven primarily by the introduction of innovative new products, various deposit-gathering initiatives, enhanced advertising and branding campaigns, and transfers from maturing time deposit accounts.

Wholesale funds were $305 million, or 24.7 percent of total funds, as of December 31, 2012, compared to $1.41 billion, or 71.5 percent of total funds, as of December 31, 2008. The $1.11 billion decline in wholesale funding since the end of 2008 reflects both the shift toward local deposits, as well as an $816 million decline in total loans. This strategy has allowed Mercantile to reduce brokered deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank advances as they matured since year-end 2008.

Short-term investments, consisting of federal funds sold and interest-bearing bank deposits, averaged $129 million during the fourth quarter of 2012. In addition to its short-term investments, Mercantile had approximately $155 million of borrowing capacity through various established lines of credit to meet potential funding needs, as well as about $37 million of U.S. Government securities available to sell, as of December 31, 2012.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets ("NPAs") at December 31, 2012 were $25.9 million, or 1.8 percent of total assets, compared to $60.4 million as of December 31, 2011, or 4.2 percent of total assets. This represents a decline of $34.5 million or 57.0 percent from the end of 2011.

Robert B. Kaminski, Jr., Mercantile's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, noted: "We are very pleased with our efforts to improve asset quality and believe the actions taken throughout 2012 and especially during the fourth quarter, continue to reflect our aggressive stance to move troubled assets off our balance sheet. Our nonperforming assets now represent less than two percent of our total assets - a level we haven't witnessed since early 2008, and our 30-to 89-day delinquent loans remain virtually at zero. We believe our results compare favorably when judged against those of other recovering Midwest and Michigan banks. While there remains work yet to be done, we feel strongly that many of the challenges from the past several years are now behind us. We continue to be grateful to the entire Mercantile team for all their hard work on this initiative, while staying true to our community banking roots and maintaining a steady focus on meeting the needs of our existing customers and driving the growth of new relationships in our market. Mercantile is well-positioned for growth, and while the market remains competitive, we are benefiting from our robust sales programs and marketing initiatives as evidenced by the $64 million in new loans we originated in the fourth quarter and the $176 million originated during all of 2012."

Nonperforming loans ("NPLs") totaled $19.0 million as of December 31, 2012, down $26.1 million from a year ago, while foreclosed real estate and repossessed assets declined $8.3 million from December 31, 2011. CRE loans represented 61.5 percent of NPLs, or $11.7 million at December 31, 2012. Investor-owned nonperforming CRE loans accounted for $9.1 million of total CRE nonperforming loans (2.6 percent of $354 million investor-owned CRE loans), while owner-occupied CRE nonperforming loans accounted for $2.6 million (1.0 percent of $262 million owner-occupied CRE loans).

Nonperforming C&D loans were $2.2 million as of December 31, 2012, a decrease of $1.7 million from a year ago. Nonperforming C&I loans were $0.7 million as of December 31, 2012, a decline of $2.3 million since December 31, 2011. Owner-occupied and rental residential NPLs were $4.3 million as of December 31, 2012, down $1.7 million since year-end 2011.


                                        NONPERFORMING ASSETS

    ($000s)                    12/31/12                9/30/12 6/30/12 3/31/12 12/31/11
                               --------                ------- ------- ------- --------
    Residential Real Estate:
       Land Development          $2,362                 $3,318  $3,946  $3,762   $5,479
       Construction                 476                    645     965   1,242    1,397
       Owner Occupied / Rental    4,812                  5,426   5,982   6,437    7,138
                                  -----                  -----   -----   -----    -----
                                  7,650                  9,389  10,893  11,441   14,014

    Commercial Real Estate:
       Land Development             789                  1,158   1,174   1,531    2,111
       Construction                   0                      0       0     403      409
       Owner Occupied             3,534                  6,395   6,850   7,687   10,642
       Non-Owner Occupied        13,232                 17,613  19,386  28,954   30,106
                                 ------                 ------  ------  ------   ------
                                 17,555                 25,166  27,410  38,575   43,268

    Non-Real Estate:
       Commercial Assets            734                  1,386   1,765   2,144    3,060
       Consumer Assets                1                      1       1      14       14
                                    ---                    ---     ---     ---      ---
                                    735                  1,387   1,766   2,158    3,074
                                    ---                  -----   -----   -----    -----

          Total                 $25,940                $35,942 $40,069 $52,174  $60,356
                                =======                ======= ======= =======  =======

During the fourth quarter of 2012, Mercantile added $3.7 million of NPAs to its problem asset portfolio, while disposing of $13.7 million through a combination of principal payments, asset sales and returns to performing status ($11.9 million), loan charge-offs ($1.2 million), and foreclosed asset valuation write-downs ($0.6 million). In total, NPAs decreased by a net $10.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2012.

Improvement in asset quality is also apparent on a full-year basis. During the 12-month period ended December 31, 2012, Mercantile added $16.8 million of problem assets to its NPA portfolio, successfully disposed of $42.8 million, and charged off or wrote down an additional $8.4 million. In total, NPAs declined by a net $34.4 million since December 31, 2011.


                                           NONPERFORMING ASSETS RECONCILIATION

    ($000s)               4Q 2012                   3Q 2012                    2Q 2012          1Q 2012          4Q 2011
                          -------                   -------                    -------          -------          -------

    Beginning balance             $35,942                   $40,069                    $52,174          $60,356          $56,827
    Additions                       3,691                       158                      3,306            9,651           10,188
    Returns to performing
       status                         (37)                        0                          0             (737)               0
    Principal payments             (6,960)                   (1,245)                   (11,357)          (5,533)          (2,115)
    Sale proceeds                  (4,858)                   (1,190)                    (1,586)          (9,282)          (3,038)
    Loan charge-offs               (1,202)                   (1,003)                    (1,337)          (1,691)            (890)
    Valuation write-downs            (636)                     (847)                    (1,131)            (590)            (616)
                                     ----                      ----                     ------             ----             ----

          Total                   $25,940                   $35,942                    $40,069          $52,174          $60,356
                                  =======                   =======                    =======          =======          =======

Net loan recoveries were $0.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2012, or an annualized negative 0.2 percent of average loans, compared with net loan charge-offs of $1.5 million (0.6 percent annualized) and net loan charge-offs of $4.7 million (1.8 percent annualized) for the linked and prior-year quarters, respectively.


                                              NET LOAN CHARGE-OFFS (RECOVERIES)

    ($000s)                    4Q 2012                    3Q 2012               2Q 2012          1Q 2012         4Q 2011
                               -------                    -------               -------          -------         -------
    Residential Real Estate:
       Land Development                $(119)                         $77                 $(110)            $38             $15
       Construction                        0                            0                    10               0             (90)
       Owner Occupied / Rental            16                          166                    50             237           1,176
                                         ---                          ---                   ---             ---           -----
                                        (103)                         243                   (50)            275           1,101

    Commercial Real Estate:
       Land Development                   55                           16                    (7)            103             (75)
       Construction                        0                            0                     0               0               0
       Owner Occupied                    515                           86                  (164)            793              68
       Non-Owner Occupied               (112)                       1,317                (1,525)          4,341           4,060
                                        ----                        -----                ------           -----           -----
                                         458                        1,419                (1,696)          5,237           4,053

    Non-Real Estate:
       Commercial Assets                (935)                        (148)                  (14)             81            (435)
       Consumer Assets                   (35)                          13                    14              (4)              0
                                         ---                          ---                   ---             ---             ---
                                        (970)                        (135)                    0              77            (435)
                                        ----                         ----                   ---             ---            ----

          Total                        $(615)                      $1,527               $(1,746)         $5,589          $4,719
                                       =====                       ======               =======          ======          ======

Capital Position

Shareholders' equity totaled $147 million as of December 31, 2012, a decrease of $18.4 million from December 31, 2011. During the second quarter of 2012, Mercantile repurchased the entire $21.0 million of preferred stock that was sold to the U.S. Department of the Treasury on May 15, 2009. On July 3, 2012 Mercantile repurchased, for $7.5 million, the warrant it sold to the U.S. Department of the Treasury on May 15, 2009. The warrant provided for the purchase of 616,438 shares of Mercantile common stock at a price of $5.11 per share. To fund the repurchases, the Bank paid cash dividends to the Company in approximately the same amounts. The Bank remains "well-capitalized" with a total risk-based capital ratio of 14.7 percent as of December 31, 2012, compared to 15.5 percent at December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2012, the Bank had approximately $55.5 million in excess of the 10.0 percent minimum regulatory threshold required to be considered a "well-capitalized" institution. Mercantile reported 8,706,251 total shares outstanding at December 31, 2012.

With the continued strength of Mercantile's operating performance and capital position, on January 10, 2013, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per common share, which is payable in the first quarter of 2013. The $0.10 cash dividend represents an increase of 11 percent from the $0.09 cash dividend paid to common shareholders during the fourth quarter of 2012.

Mr. Price concluded: "We have come a long way on our 15-year journey, and we have grown steadily through lessons learned along the way. We have emerged from the Great Recession a stronger and more efficient organization. Armed with improved financial performance, a strong capital position and sustained earnings momentum, we are optimistic about the next stage on our Company's path towards disciplined growth and increasing value for our shareholders."

About Mercantile Bank Corporation

Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mercantile Bank Corporation is the bank holding company for Mercantile Bank of Michigan. Founded in 1997 to provide banking services to businesses, individuals and governmental units, the Bank differentiates itself on the basis of service quality and the expertise of its banking staff. Mercantile has seven full-service banking offices in Grand Rapids, Holland and Lansing, Michigan. Mercantile Bank Corporation's common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "MBWM."

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains comments or information that constitute forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results expressed in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include changes in interest rates and interest rate relationships; demand for products and services; the degree of competition by traditional and nontraditional competitors; changes in banking regulation or actions by bank regulators; 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 factors, including risk factors, disclosed from time to time in filings made by Mercantile with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mercantile undertakes no obligation to update or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


    Mercantile Bank Corporation
    Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
                                                      MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
                                                      CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                                         DECEMBER 31,              DECEMBER 31,              DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                             2012                      2011                      2010
                                                                                             ----                      ----                      ----
                                                                          (Unaudited)                (Audited)                 (Audited)
    ASSETS
       Cash and due from banks                                                        $20,302,000               $12,402,000                $6,674,000
       Interest-bearing deposit balances                                               10,822,000                 9,641,000                 9,600,000
       Federal funds sold                                                             104,879,000                54,329,000                47,924,000
                                                                                      -----------                ----------                ----------
          Total cash and cash equivalents                                             136,003,000                76,372,000                64,198,000

       Securities available for sale                                                  138,314,000               172,992,000               220,830,000
       Federal Home Loan Bank stock                                                    11,961,000                11,961,000                14,345,000

       Loans                                                                        1,041,189,000             1,072,422,000             1,262,630,000
       Allowance for loan losses                                                      (28,677,000)              (36,532,000)              (45,368,000)
                                                                                      -----------               -----------               -----------
          Loans, net                                                                1,012,512,000             1,035,890,000             1,217,262,000

       Premises and equipment, net                                                     25,919,000                26,802,000                27,873,000
       Bank owned life insurance                                                       50,048,000                48,520,000                46,743,000
       Accrued interest receivable                                                      3,874,000                 4,403,000                 5,942,000
       Other real estate owned and repossessed assets                                   6,970,000                15,282,000                16,675,000
       Deferred tax asset                                                              22,015,000                26,013,000                         0
       Other assets                                                                    15,310,000                14,994,000                18,553,000
                                                                                       ----------                ----------                ----------

          Total assets                                                             $1,422,926,000            $1,433,229,000            $1,632,421,000
                                                                                   --------------            --------------            --------------


    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
       Deposits:
          Noninterest-bearing                                                        $190,241,000              $147,031,000              $112,944,000
          Interest-bearing                                                            944,963,000               965,044,000             1,160,888,000
                                                                                      -----------               -----------             -------------
             Total deposits                                                         1,135,204,000             1,112,075,000             1,273,832,000

       Securities sold under agreements to repurchase                                  64,765,000                72,569,000               116,979,000
       Federal Home Loan Bank advances                                                 35,000,000                45,000,000                65,000,000
       Subordinated debentures                                                         32,990,000                32,990,000                32,990,000
       Other borrowed money                                                             1,444,000                 1,434,000                11,804,000
       Accrued interest and other liabilities                                           6,933,000                 4,162,000                 5,880,000
                                                                                        ---------                 ---------                 ---------
             Total liabilities                                                      1,276,336,000             1,268,230,000             1,506,485,000

    SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
       Preferred stock, net of discount                                                         0                20,331,000                20,077,000
       Common stock                                                                   166,074,000               173,979,000               173,815,000
       Retained earnings (deficit)                                                    (21,134,000)              (32,639,000)              (68,781,000)
       Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)                                    1,650,000                 3,328,000                   825,000
                                                                                        ---------                 ---------                   -------
          Total shareholders' equity                                                  146,590,000               164,999,000               125,936,000
                                                                                      -----------               -----------               -----------

          Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                               $1,422,926,000            $1,433,229,000            $1,632,421,000
                                                                                   --------------            --------------            --------------

    Mercantile Bank Corporation
    Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
                                                                                       MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
                                                                                    CONSOLIDATED REPORTS OF OPERATIONS

                                            THREE MONTHS ENDED THREE MONTHS ENDED         TWELVE MONTHS ENDED          TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
                                            December 31, 2012   December 31, 2011          December 31, 2012            December 31, 2011
                                            -----------------   -----------------          -----------------            -----------------
                                                (Unaudited)                                   (Unaudited)                                       (Unaudited)              (Audited)
    Interest income
       Loans, including fees                                                $13,245,000                                            $14,502,000              $53,898,000            $62,356,000
       Investment securities                                                  1,338,000                                              1,837,000                5,798,000              8,490,000
       Federal funds sold                                                        76,000                                                 61,000                  192,000                199,000
       Interest-bearing deposit balances                                          7,000                                                  6,000                   29,000                 24,000
                                                                                  -----                                                  -----                   ------                 ------
          Total interest income                                              14,666,000                                             16,406,000               59,917,000             71,069,000

    Interest expense
       Deposits                                                               2,556,000                                              3,377,000               11,137,000             16,384,000
       Short-term borrowings                                                     27,000                                                 55,000                  157,000                405,000
       Federal Home Loan Bank advances                                          122,000                                                410,000                  993,000              2,033,000
       Other borrowed money                                                     224,000                                                229,000                  929,000              1,010,000
                                                                                -------                                                -------                  -------              ---------
          Total interest expense                                              2,929,000                                              4,071,000               13,216,000             19,832,000
                                                                              ---------                                              ---------               ----------             ----------

          Net interest income                                                11,737,000                                             12,335,000               46,701,000             51,237,000

    Provision for loan losses                                                   300,000                                              1,900,000               (3,100,000)             6,900,000
                                                                                -------                                              ---------               ----------              ---------

          Net interest income after
             provision for loan losses                                       11,437,000                                             10,435,000               49,801,000             44,337,000

    Noninterest income
       Service charges on accounts                                              381,000                                                411,000                1,523,000              1,640,000
       Other income                                                           1,682,000                                              1,612,000                6,471,000              5,642,000
                                                                              ---------                                              ---------                ---------              ---------
          Total noninterest income                                            2,063,000                                              2,023,000                7,994,000              7,282,000

    Noninterest expense
       Salaries and benefits                                                  4,973,000                                              4,520,000               19,367,000             17,891,000
       Occupancy                                                                554,000                                                664,000                2,501,000              2,780,000
       Furniture and equipment                                                  288,000                                                294,000                1,176,000              1,206,000
       Nonperforming asset costs                                                931,000                                              1,654,000                5,862,000              8,290,000
       FDIC insurance costs                                                     306,000                                                569,000                1,200,000              2,843,000
       Other expense                                                          2,128,000                                              1,796,000                9,518,000              8,485,000
                                                                              ---------                                              ---------                ---------              ---------
          Total noninterest expense                                           9,180,000                                              9,497,000               39,624,000             41,495,000
                                                                              ---------                                              ---------               ----------             ----------

          Income before federal income
             tax expense (benefit)                                            4,320,000                                              2,961,000               18,171,000             10,124,000

    Federal income tax expense (benefit)                                      1,271,000                                            (27,361,000)               5,636,000            (27,361,000)
                                                                              ---------                                            -----------                ---------            -----------

          Net income                                                          3,049,000                                             30,322,000               12,535,000             37,485,000

    Preferred stock dividends and accretion                                           0                                                331,000                1,030,000              1,343,000
                                                                                    ---                                                -------                ---------              ---------

          Net income attributable to
             common shares                                                   $3,049,000                                            $29,991,000              $11,505,000            $36,142,000
                                                                             ----------                                            -----------              -----------            -----------

       Basic earnings per share                                                   $0.35                                                  $3.49                    $1.33                  $4.20
       Diluted earnings per share                                                 $0.35                                                  $3.37                    $1.30                  $4.07

       Average basic shares outstanding                                       8,662,034                                              8,604,240                8,625,198              8,602,845
       Average diluted shares outstanding                                     8,674,342                                              8,888,900                8,849,627              8,878,180

    Mercantile Bank Corporation
    Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
                                                                   MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
                                                                CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                                                                           (Unaudited)

                                                                                               Quarterly                                             Year-To-Date
                                                                                               ---------                                             ------------
                                                       2012                   2012                      2012                2012                2011
    (dollars in thousands except per share data)  4th Qtr                 3rd Qtr                   2nd Qtr             1st Qtr             4th Qtr                 2012            2011
                                                  -------                 -------                   -------             -------             -------                 ----            ----

    EARNINGS
       Net interest income                                     $11,737                    11,584                11,511              11,869                  12,335          46,701          51,237
       Provision for loan losses                                  $300                      (400)               (3,000)                  0                   1,900          (3,100)          6,900
       Noninterest income                                       $2,063                     2,057                 1,940               1,934                   2,023           7,994           7,282
       Noninterest expense                                      $9,180                    10,185                10,604               9,654                   9,497          39,624          41,495
       Net income before federal income
          tax expense (benefit)                                 $4,320                     3,856                 5,847               4,149                   2,961          18,171          10,124
       Net income                                               $3,049                     2,616                 3,991               2,880                  30,322          12,535          37,485
       Net income common shares                                 $3,049                     2,616                 3,288               2,552                  29,991          11,505          36,142
       Basic earnings per share                                  $0.35                      0.30                  0.38                0.30                    3.49            1.33            4.20
       Diluted earnings per share                                $0.35                      0.30                  0.36                0.28                    3.37            1.30            4.07
       Average basic shares outstanding                      8,662,034                 8,622,719             8,610,181           8,605,484               8,604,240       8,625,198       8,602,845
       Average diluted shares outstanding                    8,674,342                 8,653,751             9,043,791           8,991,422               8,888,900       8,849,627       8,878,180

    PERFORMANCE RATIOS
       Return on average assets                                   0.85%                     0.75%                 0.94%               0.73%                   8.22%           0.82%           2.36%
       Return on average common equity                            8.27%                     7.19%                 8.46%               6.14%                  85.19%           7.51%          27.28%
       Net interest margin (fully tax-equivalent)                 3.62%                     3.67%                 3.63%               3.73%                   3.65%           3.67%           3.60%
       Efficiency ratio                                          66.52%                    74.66%                78.83%              69.94%                  66.14%          72.45%          70.91%
       Full-time equivalent employees                              232                       230                   231                 225                     232             232             232

    CAPITAL
       Period-ending equity to assets                            10.30%                    10.41%                10.80%              11.92%                  11.51%          10.30%          11.51%
       Tier 1 leverage capital ratio                             11.31%                    11.40%                11.42%              12.66%                  12.09%          11.31%          12.09%
       Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio                           13.37%                    13.34%                13.33%              14.87%                  14.19%          13.37%          14.19%
       Total risk-based capital ratio                            14.64%                    14.61%                14.59%              16.14%                  15.46%          14.64%          15.46%
       Book value per common share                              $16.84                     16.74                 17.38               16.97                   16.73           16.84           16.73
       Cash dividend per common share                            $0.09                      0.00                  0.00                0.00                    0.00            0.09            0.00

    ASSET QUALITY
       Gross loan charge-offs                                   $1,469                     1,891                 1,708               7,576                   5,791          12,644          19,897
       Net loan charge-offs                                      $(615)                    1,527                (1,746)              5,589                   4,719           4,755          15,736
       Net loan charge-offs to average loans                    (0.24%)                     0.58%               (0.66%)               2.10%                   1.75%           0.45%           1.37%
       Allowance for loan losses                               $28,677                    27,762                29,689              30,943                  36,532          28,677          36,532
       Allowance for loan losses to total loans                   2.75%                     2.68%                 2.80%               2.94%                   3.41%           2.75%           3.41%
       Nonperforming loans                                     $18,970                    24,782                28,524              38,668                  45,074          18,970          45,074
       Other real estate and repossessed assets                 $6,970                    11,160                11,545              13,506                  15,282           6,970          15,282
       Nonperforming assets to total assets                       1.82%                     2.59%                 2.89%               3.72%                   4.21%           1.82%           4.21%

    END OF PERIOD BALANCES
       Loans                                                $1,041,189                 1,035,288             1,060,996           1,051,674               1,072,422       1,041,189       1,072,422
       Total earning assets (before allowance)              $1,307,165                 1,271,593             1,264,609           1,284,982               1,321,345       1,307,165       1,321,345
       Total assets                                         $1,422,926                 1,388,364             1,385,245           1,401,596               1,433,229       1,422,926       1,433,229
       Deposits                                             $1,135,204                 1,107,566             1,105,630           1,093,434               1,112,075       1,135,204       1,112,075
       Shareholders' equity                                   $146,590                   144,558               149,662             167,084                 164,999         146,590         164,999

    AVERAGE BALANCES
       Loans                                                $1,022,047                 1,042,370             1,067,933           1,065,285               1,072,851       1,049,315       1,148,671
       Total earning assets (before allowance)              $1,299,623                 1,269,836             1,290,066           1,294,380               1,358,585       1,288,456       1,443,485
       Total assets                                         $1,417,621                 1,387,519             1,407,400           1,409,953               1,448,000       1,405,606       1,530,031
       Deposits                                             $1,127,706                 1,109,817             1,109,160           1,095,147               1,152,001       1,110,512       1,219,094
       Shareholders' equity                                   $146,244                   144,251               155,931             166,846                 139,676         153,274         132,463

SOURCE Mercantile Bank Corporation