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 (Date of earliest event reported):  June 27, 2019

INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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

4200 East Beltline Grand Rapids, Michigan (Address of principal executive office) 49525 (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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, no par value	IBCP	NASDAQ Global Select Market

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 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

On June 27, 2019, Independent Bank Corporation issued a press release announcing the pending retirement (on or about January 31, 2020) of its Chief Financial Officer.

The information in this Form 8-K and the attached Exhibits shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall they be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibits.
99.1	Press release dated June 27, 2019.

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	June 28, 2019	By	/s/Robert N. Shuster
		Robert N. Shuster, Principal 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 PENDING RETIREMENT OF ITS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 27, 2019 — Independent Bank Corporation (NASDAQ: IBCP), the holding company of Independent Bank, a Michigan-based community bank, announced that Robert Shuster, the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation and the Bank, has notified the organization of his intention to retire on or about Jan. 31, 2020.

Mr. Shuster has served as the Chief Financial Officer since May 2001 and prior to that served as the President and CEO of a subsidiary bank of the Corporation from September 1999 to May 2001.  Mr. Shuster first joined Independent Bank Corporation in September 1999, when the Corporation acquired Mutual Savings Bank, where he had served as President and CEO since November 1994.  Age 61, Mr. Shuster has worked in the financial services industry since 1983 and began his career in public accounting in 1979.

The Corporation has engaged an executive search firm to assist in finding Mr. Shuster’s replacement.  The Corporation expects to name a replacement by Sept. or Oct. 2019, to ensure a smooth and seamless transition.  Mr. Shuster has agreed to continue his employment through the transition period.

About Independent Bank Corporation

Independent Bank Corporation (NASDAQ: IBCP) is a Michigan-based bank holding company with total assets of approximately $3.4 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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