8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): January 30, 2015

Mercantile Bank Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Michigan	000-26719	38-3360865
(State or other jurisdiction	(Commission File	(IRS Employer
of incorporation)	Number)	Identification Number)
310 Leonard Street NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan		49504
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code                616-406-3000     

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01     Other Events.

The Board of Directors of Mercantile Bank Corporation has authorized a new program to repurchase up to $20.0 million of the Company’s common stock from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices or by other means in accordance with applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A press release issued by the Company announcing the program is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated into this Item 8.01 by reference.

Item 9.01     Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press release of Mercantile Bank Corporation dated January 30, 2015, announcing new $20.0 million stock repurchase program

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Mercantile Bank Corporation
By:	/s/ Charles E. Christmas
	Charles E. Christmas
	Senior Vice President, Chief
	Financial Officer and Treasurer

Date: January 30, 2015

2 

Exhibit Index

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press release of Mercantile Bank Corporation dated January 30, 2015, announcing new $20.0 million stock repurchase program

3

EX-99

Exhibit 99.1

Mercantile Bank Corporation Announces
New $20.0 Million Stock Repurchase Program

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., January 30, 2015 – Mercantile Bank Corporation (NASDAQ: MBWM) ("Mercantile") announced today that its Board of Directors has authorized a new stock repurchase program of up to $20.0 million of the company's outstanding common stock.

"With the successful integration of the Mercantile/Firstbank merger behind us, we continue to execute our growth strategy, both organically and possibly through strategic acquisitions,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Price. “We believe the adoption of this stock repurchase program provides us with an additional tool with which to enhance shareholder value. We plan to implement the program at such time and price as repurchases are considered beneficial to the company and our shareholders."

The shares may be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices or by other means in accordance with federal securities laws. The actual timing, number and value of shares repurchased under the program will be determined by management in its discretion and will depend on a number of factors, including the market price of Mercantile’s stock, general market and economic conditions, Mercantile’s capital position, financial performance and alternative uses of capital, and applicable legal requirements. The program may be discontinued at any time.

About Mercantile Bank Corporation

Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mercantile Bank Corporation is the bank holding company for Mercantile Bank of Michigan.  Mercantile provides banking services to businesses, individuals and governmental units, and differentiates itself on the basis of service quality and the expertise of its banking staff. Mercantile has assets of approximately $2.9 billion and operates 53 banking offices serving communities in central and western 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; 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; ability to compete in the highly competitive banking and financial services industry; impact of technological advances; governmental and regulatory policy changes; 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

AT MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION:

Michael Price	Charles Christmas
President & Chief Executive Officer	Chief Financial Officer
616-726-1600	616-726-1202
mprice@mercbank.com	cchristmas@mercbank.com
Samuel Stone
Executive Vice President of
Corporate Finance and Strategic Planning
616-233-2342
sstone@mercbank.com