Note 13 - Business Combination

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]

13. BUSINESS COMBINATION

On August 14, 2013, Mercantile Bank Corporation (“Mercantile”) and Firstbank Corporation (“Firstbank”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “merger agreement”). Under the terms of the merger agreement, Firstbank will be merged with and into Mercantile, with Mercantile as the surviving corporation. Both Mercantile and Firstbank shareholders approved the merger effective December 12, 2013. Approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is required to complete the merger. Approval has not yet been obtained. Mercantile and Firstbank have each agreed to take actions in order to obtain regulatory clearance required to consummate the merger. On April 14, 2014, we filed an updated election to become a financial holding company with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. We anticipate the election will become effective upon consummation of the planned merger with Firstbank.