8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report: December 18, 2018

INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Michigan	0-7818	38-2032782
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

4200 East Beltline, Grand Rapids, MI	49525
(Address of principal executive office)	(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone

number, including area

code:

(616) 527-5820

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))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 8.01 Other Events

On December 18, 2018, Independent Bank Corporation issued a press release to announce the adoption of a share repurchase plan for 2019. A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1 Press release issued December 18, 2018, announcing the adoption of a share repurchase plan.

SIGNATURE

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 thereunto duly authorized.

	INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION
	(Registrant)
Date: December 18, 2018	/s/ Robert N. Shuster
	By: Robert N. Shuster
	Its: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

News Release

Independent Bank Corporation

4200 East Beltline

Grand Rapids, MI 49525

616.527.5820

For Release:	Immediately
Contact:	William B. Kessel, President and CEO, 616.447.3933
	Robert N. Shuster, Chief Financial Officer, 616.522.1765

INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION

ANNOUNCES THE ADOPTION OF ITS 2019 SHARE REPURCHASE PLAN

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Dec. 18, 2018 — Independent Bank Corporation (Nasdaq: IBCP), the holding company of Independent Bank, a Michigan-based community bank, announced that its Board of Directors today authorized a 2019 share repurchase plan.  Under the terms of the 2019 share repurchase plan, the Company is authorized to buy back up to 5% of its outstanding common stock.  The 2019 share repurchase plan is authorized to last through Dec. 31, 2019.

The Company intends to accomplish 2019 share repurchases through open market transactions, though the Company could accomplish repurchases through other means, such as privately negotiated transactions.  The timing and amount of any share repurchases will depend on a variety of factors, including, among others, securities law restrictions, the trading price of the Company's common stock, other regulatory requirements, potential alternative uses for capital, and the Company's financial performance. The 2019 share repurchase plan does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock, and it may be modified or suspended at any time at the Company's discretion. The Company expects to fund any repurchases from cash on hand.

The Company’s 2018 share repurchase plan will expire on Dec. 31, 2018.  Through Dec. 17, 2018, the Company has repurchased 433,157 shares of its common stock at an average price (including commissions) of $21.83 per share.  All of these repurchases have occurred in the fourth quarter of 2018.

About Independent Bank Corporation

Independent Bank Corporation (Nasdaq: IBCP) is a Michigan-based bank holding company with total assets of approximately $3.3 billion.  Founded as First National Bank of Ionia in 1864, Independent Bank Corporation operates a branch network across Michigan's Lower Peninsula through one state-chartered bank subsidiary.  This subsidiary (Independent Bank) provides a full range of financial services, including commercial banking, mortgage lending, investments, insurance and title services.  Independent Bank Corporation is committed to providing exceptional personal service and value to its customers, stockholders and the communities it serves.

For more information, please visit our website at:  IndependentBank.com.

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