EXHIBIT 99(a)(1)(vii)

                                    FirstBank
                                   CORPORATION
                                     [LOGO]

June 15, 2004

Dear Shareholder:

      We are offering to purchase up to 500,000 of our common shares
(approximately 8.9% of our currently outstanding shares) from our shareholders
at a cash price of $30.00 per share. A copy of the Offer to Purchase and the
related materials are enclosed.

      If you own less than 100 shares and tender all of your shares, you will
receive priority and have all of your shares purchased even if more than 500,000
shares are tendered. No brokerage fees or commissions will be charged to you if
you tender your shares.

      Our Board of Directors has determined that the purchase of our own shares
at this time presents an effective way to utilize our current strong capital
base and increase value to our shareholders. Additionally, we believe that this
offer is beneficial to our shareholders because it will provide liquidity by
giving shareholders an opportunity to sell all or a part of their investment in
us on potentially more favorable terms than would otherwise be the case.

      We encourage each shareholder to read carefully the Offer to Purchase and
related materials before making any decision with respect to the tender offer.
Neither we nor our Board of Directors make any recommendation whether to tender
shares to us. You should make your decision independently after consulting with
your advisors. To assist us with this offer, we have engaged Howe Barnes
Investments, Inc. to serve as the Information Agent and Dealer Manager.

      Representatives from Howe Barnes Investments, Inc. may contact you by
phone to make sure you have received the Offer to Purchase and related materials
and to answer any questions you may have. If you need information or additional
forms, please call Howe Barnes Investments, Inc., toll free, at (800) 929-4693.
If you intend to deliver documents to the depositary, Registrar and Transfer
Company, by mail, we recommend that you use registered mail with return receipt
requested, properly insured.

      Unless otherwise extended, the offer will expire at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time
on Friday, July 30, 2004. We again encourage you to read carefully the enclosed
materials.

                                                 Sincerely,


                                                 Thomas R. Sullivan
                                                 Chief Executive Officer
                                                 and President