Mercantile Bank Corporation

05/02/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/02/2025 06:02

Quarterly Report for Quarter Ending March 31, 2025 (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2025

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to .

Commission File No. 000-26719

MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Michigan

38-3360865

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

310 Leonard Street, NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(616) 406-3000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock

MBWM

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ☐

Accelerated filer ☒

Non-accelerated filer ☐

Smaller reporting company ☐

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.

Yes ☐ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ☐ No ☒

At April 30, 2025, there were 16,235,208 shares of common stock outstanding.

Table of Contents

MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

INDEX

PART I.

Financial Information

Page No.

Item 1. Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024

1

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) - Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024

2

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) - Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024

3

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) - Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024

4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024

6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

8

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

44

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

59

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

61

PART II.

Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

62

Item 1A. Risk Factors

62

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

62

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

62

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

62

Item 5. Other Information

62

Item 6. Exhibits

63

Signatures

64

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

PART I --- FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

March 31,

December 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2025 2024

ASSETS

Cash and due from banks

$ 70,320 $ 56,991

Interest-earning deposits

315,140 336,019

Total cash and cash equivalents

385,460 393,010

Securities available for sale

787,583 730,352

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

21,513 21,513

Mortgage loans held for sale

15,192 15,824

Loans

4,636,549 4,600,781

Allowance for credit losses

(56,666 ) (54,454 )

Loans, net

4,579,883 4,546,327

Premises and equipment, net

53,693 53,427

Bank owned life insurance

94,417 93,839

Goodwill

49,473 49,473

Other assets

153,986 148,396

Total assets

$ 6,141,200 $ 6,052,161

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Deposits

Noninterest-bearing

$ 1,173,499 $ 1,264,523

Interest-bearing

3,508,286 3,433,843

Total deposits

4,681,785 4,698,366

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

242,102 121,521

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

366,221 387,083

Subordinated debentures

50,501 50,330

Subordinated notes

89,400 89,314

Accrued interest and other liabilities

102,845 121,021

Total liabilities

5,532,854 5,467,635

Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 9)

Shareholders' equity

Preferred stock, nopar value; 1,000,000shares authorized; noneissued

0 0

Common stock, nopar value; 40,000,000shares authorized; 16,235,660shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2025 and 16,146,374shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2024

300,732 299,705

Retained earnings

348,281 334,646

Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss)

(40,667 ) (49,825 )

Total shareholders' equity

608,346 584,526

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$ 6,141,200 $ 6,052,161

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

1
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

Three Months

Three Months

Ended

Ended

(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2024

Interest income

Loans, including fees

$ 71,992 $ 71,270

Securities, taxable

4,239 2,444

Securities, tax-exempt

1,172 977

Interest-earning deposits

2,935 2,033

Total interest income

80,338 76,724

Interest expense

Deposits

25,192 22,224

Short-term borrowings

1,763 1,654

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

2,898 3,399

Subordinated debt and other borrowings

1,937 2,086

Total interest expense

31,790 29,363

Net interest income

48,548 47,361

Provision for credit losses

2,100 1,300

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

46,448 46,061

Noninterest income

Service charges on deposit and sweep accounts

1,839 1,531

Mortgage banking income

2,651 2,343

Credit and debit card income

2,201 2,121

Interest rate swap fees

80 1,339

Payroll services income

1,040 896

Earnings on bank owned life insurance

543 1,172

Other income

348 1,466

Total noninterest income

8,702 10,868

Noninterest expense

Salaries and benefits

19,557 18,237

Occupancy

2,118 2,289

Furniture and equipment depreciation, rent and maintenance

787 929

Data processing costs

3,770 3,289

Charitable foundation contributions

3 703

Other expense

4,869 4,497

Total noninterest expense

31,104 29,944

Income before federal income tax expense

24,046 26,985

Federal income tax expense

4,509 5,423

Net income

$ 19,537 $ 21,562

Basic earnings per share

$ 1.21 $ 1.34

Diluted earnings per share

$ 1.21 $ 1.34

Average basic shares outstanding

16,197,978 16,118,858

Average diluted shares outstanding

16,197,978 16,118,858

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

2
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

Three Months

Three Months

Ended

Ended

(Dollars in thousands)

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2024

Net income

$ 19,537 $ 21,562

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities available for sale

11,593 (3,150 )

Tax effect of unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities available for sale

(2,435 ) 662

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

9,158 (2,488 )

Comprehensive income (loss)

$ 28,695 $ 19,074

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF

CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Unaudited)

Accumulated

Other

Total

Preferred

Common

Retained

Comprehensive

Shareholders'

(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

Stock

Stock

Earnings

Income (Loss)

Equity

Balances, January 1, 2025

$ 0 $ 299,705 $ 334,646 $ (49,825 ) $ 584,526

Employee stock purchase plan (276shares)

12 12

Dividend reinvestment plan (4,570shares)

203 203

Stock grants to directors for retainer fees (600shares)

26 26

Stock-based compensation expense

786 786

Cash dividends ($0.37per common share)

(5,902 ) (5,902 )

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2025

19,537 19,537

Change in net unrealized holding gain (loss) on securities available for sale, net of tax effect

9,158 9,158

Balances, March 31, 2025

$ 0 $ 300,732 $ 348,281 $ (40,667 ) $ 608,346

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF

CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Continued)

(Unaudited)

Accumulated

Other

Total

Preferred

Common

Retained

Comprehensive

Shareholders'

(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

Stock

Stock

Earnings

Income (Loss)

Equity

Balances, January 1, 2024

$ 0 $ 295,106 $ 277,526 $ (50,487 ) $ 522,145

Employee stock purchase plan (290shares)

11 11

Dividend reinvestment plan (5,567shares)

204 204

Stock grants to directors for retainer fees (69shares)

2 2

Stock-based compensation expense

742 742

Cash dividends ($0.35per common share)

(5,534 ) (5,534 )

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2024

21,562 21,562

Change in net unrealized holding gain (loss) on securities available for sale, net of tax effect

(2,488 ) (2,488 )

Balances, March 31, 2024

$ 0 $ 296,065 $ 293,554 $ (52,975 ) $ 536,644

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

Three Months

Three Months

Ended

Ended

(Dollars in thousands)

March 31, 2025 March 31, 2024

Cash flows from operating activities

Net income

$ 19,537 $ 21,562

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities

Depreciation and amortization

1,647 2,773

Provision for credit losses

2,100 1,300

Stock-based compensation expense

786 742

Stock grants to directors for retainer fees

26 2

Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans held for sale

84,337 65,603

Origination of mortgage loans held for sale

(81,241 ) (59,297 )

Net gain from sales of mortgage loans held for sale

(2,464 ) (2,092 )

Net gain from sales and valuation write-downs of foreclosed assets

0 (79 )

Earnings on bank owned life insurance

(543 ) (1,172 )

Net (gain) loss on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives

94 (83 )

Net change in:

Accrued interest receivable

(1,500 ) (1,875 )

Other assets

(9,493 ) 1,849

Accrued interest payable and other liabilities

(16,262 ) 11,004

Net cash from (for) operating activities

(2,976 ) 40,237

Cash flows from investing activities

Loan originations and payments, net

(35,656 ) (17,824 )

Purchases of securities available for sale

(51,657 ) (591 )

Proceeds from maturities, calls and repayments of securities available for sale

6,825 5,271

Proceeds from sales of foreclosed assets

0 79

Proceeds from bank owned life insurance claims

0 1,357

Net purchases of premises and equipment and lease activity

(1,537 ) (1,461 )

Net cash for investing activities

(82,025 ) (13,169 )

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

Three Months

Three Months

Ended

Ended

(Dollars in thousands)

March 31, 2025 March 31, 2024

Cash flows from financing activities

Net increase in time deposits

6,796 55,606

Net increase (decrease) in all other deposits

(23,377 ) 51,286

Net increase (decrease) in securities sold under agreements to repurchase

120,581 (1,116 )

Payoffs and paydowns of Federal Home Loan Bank advances

(20,862 ) (30,827 )

Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances

0 10,000

Employee stock purchase plan

12 11

Dividend reinvestment plan

203 204

Payment of cash dividends to common shareholders

(5,902 ) (5,534 )

Net cash from financing activities

77,451 79,630

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

(7,550 ) 106,698

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

393,010 130,533

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$ 385,460 $ 237,231

Supplemental disclosures of cash flows information

Cash paid during the period for:

Interest

$ 32,465 $ 28,268

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation: The unaudited financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2025 include the consolidated results of operations of Mercantile Bank Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. These subsidiaries include Mercantile Community Partners, LLC ("MCP") and Mercantile Bank ("our bank") and its subsidiaries, including Mercantile Insurance Center, Inc. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Item 303(b) of Regulation S-K and do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for a complete presentation of our financial condition and results of operations. In the opinion of management, the information reflects all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which are necessary in order to make the financial statements not misleading and for a fair presentation of the results of operations for such periods. The results for the period ended March 31, 2025 should not be considered as indicative of results for a full year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.

We have fiveseparate business trusts that were formed to issue trust preferred securities. Subordinated debentures were issued to the trusts in return for the proceeds raised from the issuance of the trust preferred securities. The trusts are not consolidated, but instead we report the subordinated debentures issued to the trusts as a liability.

Operating Segments:We conduct our operations through a single business segment, which derives interest and noninterest income through our banking products and services and investment securities. All of our income relates to our operations in the United States. Segment assets represent total assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and segment net income represents net income on our Consolidated Statements of Income.

Earnings Per Share: Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares and participating securities outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share include the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares issuable under our stock-based compensation plans and are determined using the treasury stock method. Our unvested restricted shares, which contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends whether paid or accrued (i.e., participating securities), are included in the number of shares outstanding for both basic and diluted earnings per share calculations. In the event of a net loss, our unvested restricted shares are excluded from the calculation of both basic and diluted earnings per share.

Approximately 278,000 unvested restricted shares were included in determining both basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Approximately 327,000 unvested restricted shares were included in determining both basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Debt Securities: Debt securities classified as held to maturity are carried at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Debt securities available for sale consist of bonds which might be sold prior to maturity due to a number of factors, including changes in interest rates, prepayment risks, yield, availability of alternative investments or liquidity needs. Debt securities classified as available for sale are reported at their fair value. For available for sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, we first assess whether we intend to sell, or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the debt security's amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income with the establishment of an allowance. For debt securities available for sale that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, we evaluate whether any decline in fair value is due to credit loss factors. In making this assessment, we consider any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency and adverse conditions specifically related to the issuer of the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).

Changes in the allowance are recorded as provisions for (or reversals of) credit losses. Losses are charged against the allowance when the collectability of an available for sale debt security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. At March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, there was no allowance related to the available for sale debt securities portfolio.

Interest income includes amortization of purchase premiums and accretion of discounts. Premiums on debt securities are amortized to the initial call date, if applicable, or to the maturity date, on the level-yield method. Discounts on debt securities are accreted to the maturity date on the level-yield method. Premiums and discounts on mortgage-backed securities are amortized or accreted based on anticipated prepayments on the level-yield method. Gains and losses on sales are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method.

Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis ("FHLBI") stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security, and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value.

(Continued)

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Loans: Loans that we have the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of deferred loan fees and costs. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income using the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments. Net unamortized deferred loan costs amounted to $2.3 million and $2.2 million at March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, respectively.

Interest income on commercial loans and mortgage loans is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the loan is well-secured and in process of collection. Consumer and credit card loans are typically charged off no later than when they are 120 days past due. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal and interest is considered doubtful.

Accrued interest is included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. All interest accrued but not received for loans placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income. Interest received on such loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Loans Held for Sale: Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value, as determined by outstanding commitments from investors. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recorded as a valuation allowance and charged to earnings. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we determined that the fair value of our mortgage loans held for sale totaled $15.5 million and $16.0 million, respectively.

Mortgage loans held for sale are generally sold with servicing rights retained. Gains and losses on sales of mortgage loans are based on the difference between the selling price, which includes a gain or loss on the interest rate commitment coverage position, and the carrying value of the related loan sold, which is reduced by the cost allocated to the servicing right. Market rate risk on interest rate commitments with borrowers prior to loan closing is mitigated through forward commitments referred to as to-be-announced mortgage-backed securities. These mortgage banking activities are not designated as hedges and are carried at fair value. The net gain or loss on mortgage banking derivatives, which is generally nominal in dollar amount, is included in the gain on sale of loans and recorded as part of mortgage banking income.

(Continued)

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Allowance for Credit Losses ("allowance"): The allowance is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans' amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. The allowance is increased by a provision for credit losses and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries of amounts previously charged-off. Loans are charged-off against the allowance when we believe the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. The allowance is measured on a collective pool basis when similar risk characteristics exist and on an individual basis when a loan exhibits unique risk characteristic which differentiate the loan from other loans within the loan segments. Loan segments are further discussed in Note 3 - Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses.

The "remaining life methodology" is utilized for substantially all loan pools. This non-discounted cash flow approach projects an estimated future amortized cost basis based on current loan balance and repayment terms. Our historical loss rate is then applied to future loan balances at the instrument level based on remaining contractual life adjusted for amortization, prepayment and default to develop a baseline lifetime loss. The baseline lifetime loss is adjusted for changes in macroeconomic conditions over the reasonable and supportable forecast and reversion periods via a series of macroeconomic forecast inputs, such as gross domestic product, unemployment rates, interest rates, credit spreads, stock market volatility and property price indices, to quantify the impact of current and forecasted economic conditions on expected loan performance.

Reasonable and supportable economic forecasts have to be incorporated in determining expected credit losses. The forecast period represents the time frame from the current period end through the point in time that we can reasonably forecast and support entity and environmental factors that are expected to impact the performance of our loan portfolio. Ideally, the economic forecast period would encompass the contractual terms of all loans; however, the ability to produce a forecast that is considered reasonable and supportable becomes more difficult or may not be possible in later periods. The contractual term generally excludes potential extensions, renewals and modifications.

Subsequent to the end of the forecast period, we revert to historical loan data based on an ongoing evaluation of each economic forecast in relation to then current economic conditions as well as any developing loan loss activity and resulting historical data. We are not required to develop and use our own economic forecast model, and we elect to utilize economic forecasts from third-party providers that analyze and develop forecasts of the economy for the entire United States at least quarterly.

During each reporting period, we also consider the need to adjust the historical loss rates as determined to reflect the extent to which we expect current conditions and reasonable and supportable economic forecasts to differ from the conditions that existed for the period over which the historical loss information was determined. These qualitative adjustments may increase or decrease our estimate of expected future credit losses.

Our qualitative factors include:

o Changes in lending policies and procedures

o Changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio and in the terms of loans

o Changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff

o Changes in the volume and severity of past due loans, nonaccrual loans and adversely classified loans

o Changes in the quality of the loan review program

o Changes in the value of underlying collateral dependent loans

o Existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and any changes in such

o Effect of other factors such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements

o Local or regional conditions that depart from the conditions and forecasts for the entire country

(Continued)

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)


The estimation of future credit losses should reflect consideration of all significant factors that affect the collectability of the loan portfolio at each evaluation date. While our methodology considers both the historical loss rates as well as the traditional qualitative factors, there may be instances or situations where additional qualitative factors need to be considered. Due to the relatively low level of loan losses during the look-back period, we have established a historical loss information factor that has been included in the qualitative factors that are included in the estimation of future credit losses in the periods presented.

We recorded a provision for credit losses of $2.1 million during the first three months of 2025. The provision for credit losses primarily reflected an increased allocation necessitated by changes to the economic forecast and loan growth.

Accrued interest receivable on loans totaling $17.2 million and $17.3 million as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, is included in other assetson the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We elected not to measure an allowance for accrued interest receivable and instead elected to reverse interest income on loans that are placed on nonaccrual status, which is generally when loans become 90 days past due, or earlier if we believe the collection of interest is doubtful. We believe this policy results in the timely reversal of uncollectable interest. Identified problem loans, which exhibit characteristics (financial or otherwise) that could cause the loans to become nonperforming or require restructuring in the future, are included on an internal watch list. Senior management and the Board of Directors review this list regularly. In some cases, we may determine that an individual loan exhibits unique risk characteristics which differentiate the loan from other loans within the loan segments. In such cases, the loans are evaluated for expected credit losses on an individual basis and excluded from the collective evaluation. Specific reserve allocations of the allowance for credit losses are determined by analyzing the borrower's ability to repay amounts owed and collateral deficiencies, among other things.

For individually analyzed loans which are deemed to be collateral dependent loans, we adopted the practical expedient to measure the allowance based on the fair value of collateral. The allowance is calculated on an individual loan basis based on the shortfall between the fair value of the loan's collateral and the recorded principal balance. If the fair value of the collateral exceeds the recorded principal balance, no allowance is required. Fair value estimates of collateral on individually analyzed loans, as well as on foreclosed and repossessed assets, are reviewed periodically. We also have a process in place to monitor whether value estimates at each quarter-end are reflective of current market conditions. Our credit policies establish criteria for obtaining appraisals and determining internal value estimates. We may also adjust outside and internal valuations based on identifiable trends within our markets, such as recent sales of similar properties or assets, listing prices and offers received. In addition, we may discount certain appraised and internal value estimates to address distressed market conditions.

We are also required to consider expected credit losses associated with loan commitments over the contractual period in which we are exposed to credit risk on the underlying commitments unless the obligation is unconditionally cancellable by us. Any allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposures is reported as an other liability on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and is increased or decreased via other noninterest expense on our Consolidated Statements of Income. The calculation includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and forecasted credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over their estimated lives. The allowance is calculated using the same aggregate reserve rates calculated for the funded portion of loans at the portfolio level applied to the amount of commitments expected to be funded.

(Continued)

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Mortgage Banking Activities: Mortgage loans serviced for others totaled $1.56 billion and $1.55 billion as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Mortgage loan servicing rights are recognized as assets based on the allocated value of retained servicing rights on mortgage loans sold and totaled $12.5 million as of both March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. Mortgage loan servicing rights are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value and are expensed in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing revenues. Impairment is evaluated based on the fair value of the rights using groupings of the underlying mortgage loans as to interest rates. Any impairment of a grouping is reported as a valuation allowance. The fair value of mortgage servicing rights totaled $21.6 million and $21.0 million as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

Servicing fee income is recorded for fees earned for servicing mortgage loans. The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal or a fixed amount per loan and are recorded as income when earned. Amortization of mortgage loan servicing rights is netted against mortgage loan servicing income and recorded in mortgage banking activities in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Derivatives: Derivative financial instruments are recognized as assets or liabilities at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the use of the derivatives and whether the derivatives qualify for hedge accounting. Used as part of our asset and liability management to help manage interest rate risk, our derivatives have generally consisted of interest rate swap agreements that qualified for hedge accounting. We do not use derivatives for trading purposes.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated, for accounting purposes, as a hedge of the variability of cash flows to be received on various assets and liabilities and are effective are reported in other comprehensive income (loss). They are later reclassified into earnings in the same periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings and are included in the line item in which the hedged cash flows are recorded. If hedge accounting does not apply, changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognized immediately in current earnings as interest income or expense. We had no derivative instruments designated as hedges as of March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024.

Goodwill: The acquisition method of accounting requires that assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination be recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date. The valuation of assets and liabilities often involves estimates based on third-party valuations or internal valuations based on discounted cash flow analyses or other valuation techniques, all of which are inherently subjective. This typically results in goodwill, the amount by which the cost of net assets acquired in a business combination exceeds their fair value, which is subject to impairment testing at least annually. We review goodwill for impairment on an annual basis as of October 1 or more often if events or circumstances indicate that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value. Based on our annual impairment analysis of goodwill as of October 1, it was determined that the fair value was in excess of its respective carrying value as of October 1, 2024; therefore, goodwill is considered notimpaired.

(Continued)

12
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Revenue from Contracts with Customers: We record revenue from contracts with customers in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("Topic 606"). Under Topic 606, we must identify the contract with a customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy a performance obligation. Significant revenue has not been recognized in the current reporting period that results from performance obligations satisfied in previous periods.

Our primary sources of revenue are derived from interest and dividends earned on loans, securities and other financial instruments that are not within the scope of Topic 606. We have evaluated the nature of our contracts with customers and determined that further disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers into more granular categories beyond what is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income was not necessary.

We generally satisfy our performance obligations on contracts with customers as services are rendered, and the transaction prices are typically fixed and charged either on a periodic basis (generally monthly) or based on activity. Because performance obligations are satisfied as services are rendered and the transaction prices are fixed, there is little judgment involved in applying Topic 606 that significantly affects the determination of the amount and timing of revenue from contracts with customers.

(Continued)

13
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

The following table depicts our sources of noninterest income presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income that are scoped within Topic 606:

Three Months

Three Months

Ended

Ended

(Dollars in thousands)

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2024

Service charges on deposit and sweep accounts

$ 1,839 $ 1,531

Credit and debit card income

2,201 2,121

Interest rate swap fees

80 1,339

Payroll services income

1,040 896

Customer service fees

197 198

Service Charges on Deposit and Sweep Accounts: We earn fees from deposit and sweep customers for account maintenance, transaction-based and overdraft services. Account maintenance fees, which relate primarily to monthly maintenance, are earned over the course of the month reflecting the period over which we satisfy the performance obligation. Transaction-based fees, which include services such as stop payment and returned item charges, are recognized at the time the transaction is executed as that is the point in time we fulfill the customer request. Service charges on deposit and sweep accounts are withdrawn from the customer account balance.

Credit and Debit Card Income: We earn interchange income on our cardholder debit and credit card usage. Interchange income is primarily comprised of fees whenever our debit and credit cards are processed through card payment networks such as Visa. Interchange fees from cardholder transactions represent a percentage of the underlying transaction value and are recognized daily, concurrently with the transaction processing services provided to the cardholder.

Interest Rate Swap Fees: We offer a loan swap program to certain commercial loan customers. Through this program, we originate a variable rate loan with the customer. We and the swap customer will then enter into a fixed interest rate swap. Separately, an identical offsetting swap is entered into by the Company with a counterparty. These "back-to-back" swap arrangements are intended to offset each other and allow us to book a variable rate loan, while providing the customer with a contract for fixed interest payments. Through this program, we receive an upfront, non-refundable fee from the counterparty, dependent upon the pricing, which is recognized upon receipt from the counterparty.

Payroll Services Income: We earn fees from providing payroll processing services for our commercial clients. Fees are assessed for processing weekly or bi-weekly payroll files, reports and documents, as well as year-end tax-related files, reports and documents. Fees are recognized and collected as payroll processing services are completed for each payroll run and year-end processing activities.

Customer Service Fees: We earn fees by providing a variety of other services to our customers, such as wire transfers, check ordering, sales of cashier checks and money orders, and rentals of safe deposit boxes. Generally, fees are recognized and collected daily, concurrently with the point in time we fulfill the customer request. Safe deposit box rentals are on annual contracts, with fees generally earned at the time of the contract signing or renewal. Customer service fees are recorded as other noninterest income on our Consolidated Statements of Income.

(Continued)

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

2. SECURITIES

The amortized cost and fair value of available for sale securities and the related pre-tax gross unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:

Gross

Gross

Amortized

Unrealized

Unrealized

Fair

(Dollars in thousands)

Cost Gains Losses Value

March 31, 2025

U.S. Government agency debt obligations

$ 583,732 $ 1,380 $ (37,703 ) $ 547,409

Mortgage-backed securities

30,848 8 (5,674 ) 25,182

Municipal general obligation bonds

192,160 483 (7,853 ) 184,790

Municipal revenue bonds

31,820 119 (2,237 ) 29,702

Other investments

500 0 0 500
$ 839,060 $ 1,990 $ (53,467 ) $ 787,583

December 31, 2024

U.S. Government agency debt obligations

$ 542,676 $ 131 $ (47,226 ) $ 495,581

Mortgage-backed securities

31,696 4 (6,332 ) 25,368

Municipal general obligation bonds

187,484 513 (7,827 ) 180,170

Municipal revenue bonds

31,066 89 (2,422 ) 28,733

Other investments

500 0 0 500
$ 793,422 $ 737 $ (63,807 ) $ 730,352

Securities with unrealized losses at March 31, 2025, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position, are as follows:

Less than 12 Months

12 Months or More

Total

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

(Dollars in thousands)

Value Loss Value Loss Value Loss

March 31, 2025

U.S. Government agency debt obligations

$ 76,302 $ 685 $ 361,528 $ 37,018 $ 437,830 $ 37,703

Mortgage-backed securities

12 0 24,625 5,674 24,637 5,674

Municipal general obligation bonds

52,177 1,486 101,963 6,367 154,140 7,853

Municipal revenue bonds

2,369 21 20,967 2,216 23,336 2,237

Other investments

0 0 0 0 0 0
$ 130,860 $ 2,192 $ 509,083 $ 51,275 $ 639,943 $ 53,467

(Continued)

15
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

2. SECURITIES (Continued)

Securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2024, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position, are as follows:

Less than 12 Months

12 Months or More

Total

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

Fair

Unrealized

(Dollars in thousands)

Value Loss Value Loss Value Loss

December 31, 2024

U.S. Government agency debt obligations

$ 113,942 $ 2,379 $ 361,171 $ 44,847 $ 475,113 $ 47,226

Mortgage-backed securities

194 1 24,865 6,331 25,059 6,332

Municipal general obligation bonds

63,387 1,117 92,153 6,710 155,540 7,827

Municipal revenue bonds

2,840 28 21,865 2,394 24,705 2,422

Other investments

0 0 0 0 0 0
$ 180,363 $ 3,525 $ 500,054 $ 60,282 $ 680,417 $ 63,807

We evaluate securities in an unrealized loss position at least quarterly. Consideration is given to the financial condition of the issuer and the intent and ability we have to retain our investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. For those debt securities whose fair value is less than their amortized cost basis, we also consider our intent to sell the security, whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery and if we do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. In analyzing an issuer's financial condition, we may consider whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred and the results of reviews of the issuer's financial condition.

At March 31, 2025, 799 debt securities with estimated fair values totaling $640 million had unrealized losses aggregating $53.5 million. At December 31, 2024, 843 debt securities with estimated fair values totaling $680 million had unrealized losses aggregating $63.8 million. At March 31, 2025, unrealized losses aggregating $43.4 million were attributable to bonds issued or guaranteed by agencies of the U.S. Federal Government, while unrealized losses totaling $10.1 million were associated with bonds issued by state-based municipalities. For available for sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, we first assess whether we intend to sell, or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the debt security's amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income with the establishment of an allowance. For debt securities available for sale that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, we evaluate whether any decline in fair value is due to credit loss factors. In making this assessment, we consider any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency and adverse conditions specifically related to the issuer of the security, among other factors.

(Continued)

16
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

2. SECURITIES (Continued)

The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities at March 31, 2025, by maturity, are shown in the following table. The contractual maturity is utilized for U.S. Government agency debt obligations and municipal bonds. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date, primarily mortgage-backed securities, are shown separately.

Amortized

Fair

(Dollars in thousands)

Cost

Value

Due in 2025

$ 51,895 $ 51,218

Due in 2026 through 2030

456,080 432,090

Due in 2031 through 2035

253,116 232,846

Due in 2036 and beyond

46,621 45,747

Mortgage-backed securities

30,848 25,182

Other investments

500 500

Total available for sale securities

$ 839,060 $ 787,583

No securities were sold during the first three months of 2025 or the full-year 2024.

Securities issued by the State of Michigan and all its political subdivisions had combined amortized costs of $224 million and $219 million as of March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, respectively, with estimated market values of $215 million and $209 million at the respective dates. We had no securities issued by all other states and their political subdivisions as of March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024. Total securities of any other specific issuer, other than the U.S. Government and its agencies and the State of Michigan and all its political subdivisions, did not exceed 10% of shareholders' equity.

The carrying value of U.S. Government agency debt obligation securities that are pledged to secure repurchase agreements was $242 million and $122 million at March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, respectively. The carrying value of U.S. Government agency debt obligation securities that are pledged to secure specific customer deposits was $12.1 million and $11.7 million at March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, respectively.

(Continued)

17
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

Commercial loans are divided among five segments based primarily on collateral type, risk characteristics, and primary and secondary sources of repayment. These segments are then further stratified based on the commercial loan grade that is assigned using our standard loan grading paradigm. Retail loans are divided into one of two groups based on risk characteristics and source of repayment. Our allowance for credit loss pools are consistent with those used for loan note disclosure purposes.

Our loan portfolio segments as of both March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 were as follows:

o

Commercial Loans

Commercial and Industrial: Risks to this loan category include industry concentration and the practical limitations associated with monitoring the condition of the collateral which often consists of inventory, accounts receivable, and other non-real estate assets. Equipment and inventory obsolescence can also pose a risk. Declines in general economic conditions and other events can cause cash flows to fall to levels insufficient to service debt.

Owner Occupied Commercial Real Estate: Risks to this loan category include industry concentration and the inability to monitor the condition of the collateral. Declines in general economic conditions and other events can cause cash flows to fall to levels insufficient to service debt. Also, declines in real estate values and lack of suitable alternative use for the properties are risks for loans in this category.

Non-Owner Occupied Commercial Real Estate: Loans in this category are susceptible to declines in occupancy rates, business failure, and general economic conditions. Also, declines in real estate values and lack of suitable alternative use for the properties are risks for loans in this category.

Multi-Family and Residential Rental: Risks to this loan category include industry concentration and the inability to monitor the condition of the collateral. Loans in this category are susceptible to weakening general economic conditions and increases in unemployment rates, as well as market demand and supply of similar property and the resulting impact on occupancy rates, market rents, cash flow, and income-based real estate values. Also, the lack of a suitable alternative use for the properties is a risk for loans in this category.

Vacant Land, Land Development and Residential Construction: Risks common to commercial construction loans are cost overruns, changes in market demand for property, inadequate long-term financing arrangements, and declines in real estate values. Residential construction loans are susceptible to those same risks as well as those associated with residential mortgage loans. Changes in market demand for property could lead to longer marketing times resulting in higher carrying costs, declining values, and higher interest rates.

o

Retail Loans

1-4 Family Mortgages: Residential mortgage loans are susceptible to weakening general economic conditions and increases in unemployment rates and declining real estate values.

Other Consumer Loans: Risks common to these loans include regulatory risks, unemployment, and changes in local economic conditions as well as the inability to monitor collateral consisting of personal property.

(Continued)

18
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (Continued)

Our total loans at March 31, 2025 were $4.64 billion compared to $4.60 billion at December 31, 2024, an increase of $35.8 million, or 0.8%. The components of our loan portfolio disaggregated by class of loan within the loan portfolio segments at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, and the percentage change in loans from the end of 2024 to the end of the first quarter of 2025, are as follows:

Percent

March 31, 2025

December 31, 2024

Increase

(Dollars in thousands)

Balance

%

Balance

%

(Decrease)

Commercial:

Commercial and industrial

$ 1,314,383 28.3 % $ 1,287,308 28.0 % 2.1 %

Vacant land, land development, and residential construction

68,790 1.5 66,936 1.5 2.8

Real estate - owner occupied

705,645 15.2 748,837 16.3 (5.8 )

Real estate - non-owner occupied

1,183,728 25.5 1,128,404 24.5 4.9

Real estate - multi-family and residential rental

479,045 10.3 475,819 10.3 0.7

Total commercial

3,751,591 80.8 3,707,304 80.6 1.2

Retail:

1-4 family mortgages

817,212 17.6 827,597 18.0 (1.3 )

Other consumer loans

67,746 1.6 65,880 1.4 2.8

Total retail

884,958 19.2 893,477 19.4 (1.0 )

Total loans

$ 4,636,549 100.0 % $ 4,600,781 100.0 % 0.8 %

(Continued)

19
Table of Contents
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (Continued)

An age analysis of past due loans is as follows as of March 31, 2025:

Recorded

Greater

Balance

30 - 59 60 - 89

Than 89

> 89

Days

Days

Days

Total

Total

Days and

(Dollars in thousands)

Past Due Past Due Past Due Past Due Current Loans Accruing

Commercial:

Commercial and industrial

$ 0 $ 4 $ 274 $ 278 $ 1,314,105 $ 1,314,383 $ 0

Vacant land, land development, and residential construction

4 0 0 4 68,786 68,790 0

Real estate - owner occupied

0 0 0 0 705,645 705,645 0

Real estate - non- owner occupied

0 0 0 0 1,183,728 1,183,728 0

Real estate - multi-family and residential rental

0 0 0 0 479,045 479,045 0

Total commercial

4 4 274 282 3,751,309 3,751,591 0

Retail:

1-4 family mortgages

57 136 662 855 816,357 817,212 0

Other consumer loans

24 0 0 24 67,722 67,746 0

Total retail

81 136 662 879 884,079 884,958 0

Total past due loans

$ 85 $ 140 $ 936 $ 1,161 $ 4,635,388 $ 4,636,549 $ 0

(Continued)

20
Table of Contents
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (Continued)

An age analysis of past due loans is as follows as of December 31, 2024:

Recorded

Greater

Balance

30 - 59 60 - 89

Than 89

> 89

Days

Days

Days

Total

Total

Days and

(Dollars in thousands)

Past Due Past Due Past Due Past Due Current Loans Accruing

Commercial:

Commercial and industrial

$ 5 $ 0 $ 864 $ 869 $ 1,286,439 $ 1,287,308 $ 0

Vacant land, land development, and residential construction

12 0 0 12 66,924 66,936 0

Real estate - owner occupied

0 0 0 0 748,837 748,837 0

Real estate - non-owner occupied

0 0 0 0 1,128,404 1,128,404 0

Real estate - multi-family and residential rental

0 0 0 0 475,819 475,819 0

Total commercial

17 0 864 881 3,706,423 3,707,304 0

Retail:

1-4 family mortgages

2,365 713 182 3,260 824,337 827,597 0

Other consumer loans

112 0 0 112 65,768 65,880 0

Total retail

2,477 713 182 3,372 890,105 893,477 0

Total past due loans

$ 2,494 $ 713 $ 1,046 $ 4,253 $ 4,596,528 $ 4,600,781 $ 0

(Continued)

21
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (Continued)

Nonaccrual loans as of March 31, 2025 were as follows:

Recorded

Principal

Related

(Dollars in thousands)

Balance Allowance

With no allowance recorded:

Commercial:

Commercial and industrial

$ 25 $ 0

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

0 0

Real estate - owner occupied

41 0

Real estate - non-owner occupied

0 0

Real estate - multi-family and residential rental

0 0

Total commercial

66 0

Retail:

1-4 family mortgages

1,280 0

Other consumer loans

0 0

Total retail

1,280 0

Total with no allowance recorded

$ 1,346 $ 0

With an allowance recorded:

Commercial:

Commercial and industrial

$ 2,232 $ 1,850

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

0 0

Real estate - owner occupied

0 0

Real estate - non-owner occupied

0 0

Real estate - multi-family and residential rental

0 0

Total commercial

2,232 1,850

Retail:

1-4 family mortgages

1,783 523

Other consumer loans

0 0

Total retail

1,783 523

Total with an allowance recorded

$ 4,015 $ 2,373

Total nonaccrual loans:

Commercial

$ 2,298 $ 1,850

Retail

3,063 523

Total nonaccrual loans

$ 5,361 $ 2,373

Nonaccrual loans represent the entire balance of collateral dependent loans. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, all collateral dependent loans were secured by real estate, with the exception of those classified as commercial and industrial, which were secured by accounts receivable, inventory, and equipment. Interest income recognized on nonaccrual loans totaled $0.3 million and $0.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, reflecting the collection of interest at the time of principal pay-off.

(Continued)

22
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (Continued)

Nonaccrual loans as of December 31, 2024 were as follows:

Recorded

Principal

Related

(Dollars in thousands)

Balance Allowance

With no allowance recorded:

Commercial:

Commercial and industrial

$ 615 $ 0

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

0 0

Real estate - owner occupied

42 0

Real estate - non-owner occupied

0 0

Real estate - multi-family and residential rental

0 0

Total commercial

657 0

Retail:

1-4 family mortgages

1,167 0

Other consumer loans

0 0

Total retail

1,167 0

Total with no allowance recorded

$ 1,824 $ 0

With an allowance recorded:

Commercial:

Commercial and industrial

$ 2,110 $ 1,732

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

0 0

Real estate - owner occupied

0 0

Real estate - non-owner occupied

0 0

Real estate - multi-family and residential rental

0 0

Total commercial

2,110 1,732

Retail:

1-4 family mortgages

1,808 402

Other consumer loans

0 0

Total retail

1,808 402

Total with an allowance recorded

$ 3,918 $ 2,134

Total nonaccrual loans:

Commercial

$ 2,767 $ 1,732

Retail

2,975 402

Total nonaccrual loans

$ 5,742 $ 2,134

(Continued)

23
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (Continued)

Credit Quality Indicators. We utilize a comprehensive grading system for our commercial loans. All commercial loans are graded on a ten grade rating system. The rating system utilizes standardized grade paradigms that analyze several critical factors such as cash flow, operating performance, financial condition, collateral, industry condition and management. All commercial loans are graded at inception and reviewed and, if appropriate, re-graded at various intervals thereafter. The primary risk elements with respect to commercial loans are the financial condition of the borrower, sufficiency of collateral, and timeliness of scheduled payments. We have a policy of requesting and reviewing periodic financial statements from commercial loan customers and employ a disciplined and formalized review of the existence of collateral and its value. All commercial loans are graded using the following criteria:

Grade 1.

"Exceptional" Loans with this rating contain very little, if any, risk.

Grade 2.

"Outstanding" Loans with this rating have excellent and stable sources of repayment and conform to bank policy and regulatory requirements.

Grade 3.

"Very Good" Loans with this rating have strong sources of repayment and conform to bank policy and regulatory requirements. These are loans for which repayment risks are acceptable.

Grade 4.

"Good" Loans with this rating have solid sources of repayment and conform to bank policy and regulatory requirements. These are loans for which repayment risks are modest.

Grade 5.

"Acceptable" Loans with this rating exhibit acceptable sources of repayment and conform with most bank policies and all regulatory requirements. These are for loans for which repayment risks are satisfactory.

Grade 6.

"Monitor" Loans with this rating are considered to have emerging weaknesses which may include negative current cash flow, high leverage, or operating losses. Generally, if further deterioration is observed, these credits will be downgraded to the criticized asset report.

Grade 7.

"Special Mention" Loans with this rating have potential weaknesses that deserve management's close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan at some future date.

Grade 8.

"Substandard" Loans with this rate are inadequately protected by current sound net worth, paying capacity of the obligor, or of the pledged collateral, if any. A Substandard loan normally has one or more well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the repayment of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility of loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Grade 9.

"Doubtful" Loans with this rating exhibit all the weaknesses inherent in the Substandard classification and where collection or liquidation in full is highly questionable and improbable.

Grade 10.

"Loss" Loans with this rating are considered uncollectable, and of such little value that continuance as an active asset is not warranted.

The primary risk element with respect to each residential real estate loan and consumer loan is the timeliness of scheduled payments. We have a reporting system that monitors past due loans and have adopted policies to pursue creditors' rights in order to preserve our collateral position. Retail loans that reach 90 days or more past due are generally placed into nonaccrual status and are categorized as nonperforming.

(Continued)

24
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (Continued)

The following table reflects amortized cost basis of loans and year-to-date loan charge-offs as of March 31, 2025 based on year of origination:

Revolving

Grand

(Dollars in thousands)

2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 Prior Term Total Loans Total

Commercial:

Commercial and Industrial:

Grades 1 - 4

$ 15,017 $ 101,104 $ 61,386 $ 16,904 $ 43,365 $ 16,307 $ 254,083 $ 369,025 $ 623,108

Grades 5 - 7

48,282 164,251 71,099 38,836 13,329 4,326 340,123 314,148 654,271

Grades 8 - 9

0 6,244 374 1,202 258 47 8,125 28,879 37,004

Total

$ 63,299 $ 271,599 $ 132,859 $ 56,942 $ 56,952 $ 20,680 $ 602,331 $ 712,052 $ 1,314,383

Year-to-date gross write offs

$ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0

Vacant Land, Land Development and Residential Construction:

Grades 1 - 4

$ 5,571 $ 14,277 $ 2,003 $ 779 $ 506 $ 385 $ 23,521 $ 0 $ 23,521

Grades 5 - 7

6,650 30,658 5,724 1,632 173 428 45,265 0 45,265

Grades 8 - 9

0 0 4 0 0 0 4 0 4

Total

$ 12,221 $ 44,935 $ 7,731 $ 2,411 $ 679 $ 813 $ 68,790 $ 0 $ 68,790

Year-to-date gross write offs

$ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0

Real Estate - Owner Occupied:

Grades 1 - 4

$ 22,307 $ 166,418 $ 70,497 $ 86,006 $ 70,936 $ 31,187 $ 447,351 $ 0 $ 447,351

Grades 5 - 7

26,557 77,992 55,246 52,417 23,391 15,859 251,462 0 251,462

Grades 8 - 9

0 3,771 0 3,030 0 31 6,832 0 6,832

Total

$ 48,864 $ 248,181 $ 125,743 $ 141,453 $ 94,327 $ 47,077 $ 705,645 $ 0 $ 705,645

Year-to-date gross write offs

$ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0

Real Estate - Non-Owner Occupied:

Grades 1 - 4

$ 35,110 $ 91,945 $ 95,902 $ 75,498 $ 89,377 $ 96,203 $ 484,035 $ 0 $ 484,035

Grades 5 - 7

21,954 222,630 203,640 84,198 91,472 75,799 699,693 0 699,693

Grades 8 - 9

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total

$ 57,064 $ 314,575 $ 299,542 $ 159,696 $ 180,849 $ 172,002 $ 1,183,728 $ 0 $ 1,183,728

Year-to-date gross write offs

$ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0

Real Estate - Multi-Family and Residential Rental:

Grades 1 - 4

$ 10,757 $ 17,826 $ 45,408 $ 9,768 $ 60,249 $ 35,555 $ 179,563 $ 0 $ 179,563

Grades 5 - 7

36,971 73,373 146,773 29,676 5,620 6,466 298,879 0 298,879

Grades 8 - 9

0 47 0 0 0 556 603 0 603

Total

$ 47,728 $ 91,246 $ 192,181 $ 39,444 $ 65,869 $ 42,577 $ 479,045 $ 0 $ 479,045

Year-to-date gross write offs

$ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0

Total Commercial

$ 229,176 $ 970,536 $ 758,056 $ 399,946 $ 398,676 $ 283,149 $ 3,039,539 $ 712,052 $ 3,751,591

Total Commercial year-to-date gross write offs

$ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0

Retail:

1-4 Family Mortgages:

Performing

$ 9,550 $ 73,355 $ 117,133 $ 299,888 $ 198,136 $ 116,087 $ 814,149 $ 0 $ 814,149

Nonperforming

0 179 88 1,604 365 827 3,063 0 3,063

Total

$ 9,550 $ 73,534 $ 117,221 $ 301,492 $ 198,501 $ 116,914 $ 817,212 $ 0 $ 817,212

Year-to-date gross write offs

$ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 61 $ 0 $ 61 $ 0 $ 61

Other Consumer Loans:

Performing

$ 1,688 $ 4,800 $ 2,631 $ 1,157 $ 576 $ 838 $ 11,690 $ 56,056 $ 67,746

Nonperforming

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total

$ 1,688 $ 4,800 $ 2,631 $ 1,157 $ 576 $ 838 $ 11,690 $ 56,056 $ 67,746

Year-to-date gross write offs

$ 0 $ 0 $ 2 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 2 $ 0 $ 2

Total Retail

$ 11,238 $ 78,334 $ 119,852 $ 302,649 $ 199,077 $ 117,752 $ 828,902 $ 56,056 $ 884,958

Total Retail year-to-date gross write offs

$ 0 $ 0 $ 2 $ 0 $ 61 $ 0 $ 63 $ 0 $ 63

Total

$ 240,414 $ 1,048,870 $ 877,908 $ 702,595 $ 597,753 $ 400,901 $ 3,868,441 $ 768,108 $ 4,636,549

Total year-to-date gross write offs

$ 0 $ 0 $ 2 $ 0 $ 61 $ 0 $ 63 $ 0 $ 63

There were lines of credit with principal balances of $0.3 million that were converted to term loans during the first three months of 2025.

(Continued)

25
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (Continued)

The following table reflects amortized cost basis of loans as of December 31, 2024 and loan charge-offs during the three months ended March 31, 2024 based on year of origination:

Revolving

Grand

(Dollars in thousands)

2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 Prior Term Total Loans Total

Commercial:

Commercial and Industrial:

Grades 1 - 4

$ 102,898 $ 68,536 $ 41,609 $ 47,534 $ 9,551 $ 8,412 $ 278,540 $ 351,311 $ 629,851

Grades 5 - 7

188,267 88,471 31,755 13,513 3,298 2,019 327,323 309,860 637,183

Grades 8 - 9

4,813 401 3,436 262 69 0 8,981 11,293 20,274

Total

$ 295,978 $ 157,408 $ 76,800 $ 61,309 $ 12,918 $ 10,431 $ 614,844 $ 672,464 $ 1,287,308

Year-to-date gross write offs

$ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 6 $ 6

Vacant Land, Land Development and Residential Construction:

Grades 1 - 4

$ 18,536 $ 4,997 $ 610 $ 645 $ 177 $ 226 $ 25,191 $ 0 $ 25,191

Grades 5 - 7

31,692 7,681 1,855 49 0 463 41,740 0 41,740

Grades 8 - 9

0 5 0 0 0 0 5 0 5

Total

$ 50,228 $ 12,683 $ 2,465 $ 694 $ 177 $ 689 $ 66,936 $ 0 $ 66,936

Year-to-date gross write offs

$ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0

Real Estate - Owner Occupied:

Grades 1 - 4

$ 179,763 $ 84,641 $ 88,794 $ 75,702 $ 34,031 $ 3,469 $ 466,400 $ 0 $ 466,400

Grades 5 - 7

108,316 61,998 52,072 21,833 12,386 5,611 262,216 13,290 275,506

Grades 8 - 9

714 0 6,184 0 33 0 6,931 0 6,931

Total

$ 288,793 $ 146,639 $ 147,050 $ 97,535 $ 46,450 $ 9,080 $ 735,547 $ 13,290 $ 748,837

Year-to-date gross write offs

$ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0

Real Estate - Non-Owner Occupied:

Grades 1 - 4

$ 84,773 $ 79,911 $ 76,468 $ 93,034 $ 84,355 $ 13,703 $ 432,244 $ 0 $ 432,244

Grades 5 - 7

194,634 220,681 84,897 91,569 85,828 10,569 688,178 0 688,178

Grades 8 - 9

7,982 0 0 0 0 0 7,982 0 7,982

Total

$ 287,389 $ 300,592 $ 161,365 $ 184,603 $ 170,183 $ 24,272 $ 1,128,404 $ 0 $ 1,128,404

Year-to-date gross write offs

$ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0

Real Estate - Multi-Family and Residential Rental:

Grades 1 - 4

$ 16,271 $ 46,870 $ 10,107 $ 62,744 $ 33,337 $ 3,780 $ 173,109 $ 0 $ 173,109

Grades 5 - 7

81,919 174,468 32,506 4,559 5,626 2,985 302,063 37 302,100

Grades 8 - 9

47 0 0 0 563 0 610 0 610

Total

$ 98,237 $ 221,338 $ 42,613 $ 67,303 $ 39,526 $ 6,765 $ 475,782 $ 37 $ 475,819

Year-to-date gross write offs

$ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0

Total Commercial

$ 1,020,625 $ 838,660 $ 430,293 $ 411,444 $ 269,254 $ 51,237 $ 3,021,513 $ 685,791 $ 3,707,304

Total Commercial year-to-date gross write offs

$ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 6 $ 6

Retail:

1-4 Family Mortgages:

Performing

$ 72,349 $ 122,718 $ 307,161 $ 203,052 $ 73,052 $ 46,290 $ 824,622 $ 0 $ 824,622

Nonperforming

0 89 1,626 439 0 821 2,975 0 2,975

Total

$ 72,349 $ 122,807 $ 308,787 $ 203,491 $ 73,052 $ 47,111 $ 827,597 $ 0 $ 827,597

Year-to-date gross write offs

$ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0

Other Consumer Loans:

Performing

$ 5,863 $ 3,008 $ 1,428 $ 732 $ 361 $ 653 $ 12,045 $ 53,835 $ 65,880

Nonperforming

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total

$ 5,863 $ 3,008 $ 1,428 $ 732 $ 361 $ 653 $ 12,045 $ 53,835 $ 65,880

Year-to-date gross write offs

$ 0 $ 1 $ 0 $ 8 $ 0 $ 0 $ 9 $ 0 $ 9

Total Retail

$ 78,212 $ 125,815 $ 310,215 $ 204,223 $ 73,413 $ 47,764 $ 839,642 $ 53,835 $ 893,477

Total Retail year-to-date gross write offs

$ 0 $ 1 $ 0 $ 8 $ 0 $ 0 $ 9 $ 0 $ 9

Total

$ 1,098,837 $ 964,475 $ 740,508 $ 615,667 $ 342,667 $ 99,001 $ 3,861,155 $ 739,626 $ 4,600,781

Total year-to-date gross write offs

$ 0 $ 1 $ 0 $ 8 $ 0 $ 0 $ 9 $ 6 $ 15

There were lines of credit with principal balances of $9.1 million as of December 31, 2023 that were converted to term loans during 2024.

(Continued)

26
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (Continued)

We use a migration to loss methodology to determine historical loss rates for commercial loans given the comprehensive loan grading process employed by our bank for over two decades, while an open pool approach is best suited for retail loans given the smaller dollar size of the segments. A baseline loss rate is produced at each reporting date for each loan portfolio segment using bank-specific loan charge-off and recovery data over a defined historical look-back period. The look-back period represents the number of data periods that will be used to calculate a baseline loss rate for each loan portfolio segment. We determined that the look-back period commencing on January 1, 2011 through the current reporting date was reasonable and appropriate, which was used in the calculation of both the March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024 allowance for credit losses.

Our historical loss rate is then applied to future loan balances at the instrument level based on remaining contractual life adjusted for amortization, prepayment and default to develop a baseline lifetime loss. Our prepayment speed assumptions are developed at the loan segment level based upon the consideration of all relevant data which we believe could impact anticipated customer behavior, including changes in interest rates, economic conditions, and underlying property valuations. For the commercial portfolio segments, we assumed a 2.0% prepayment speed as of both March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 as we deemed there to be no considerable changes from historical experience. For the retail 1-4 family mortgage and retail other consumer portfolios, we used a prepayment speed of 7.8% as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.


During each reporting period, we also consider the need to adjust the historical loss rates as determined to reflect the extent to which we expect current conditions and reasonable and supportable economic forecasts to differ from the conditions that existed for the period over which the historical loss information was determined. These qualitative adjustments may increase or decrease our estimate of expected future credit losses. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we used a one-year reasonable and supportable economic forecast period, with a six-month straight-line reversion period for all loan segments. The economic forecasts used for our March 31, 2025 allowance calculation reflected less than a $0.1 million allowance balance reduction. The forecasts used for our December 31, 2024 allowance calculation reflected a $2.2 million allowance balance reduction.

Individual loans exhibiting unique risk characteristics, which differentiated the loans from other loans within the loan segments and were evaluated for expected credit losses on an individual basis, totaled $7.0 million and $7.4 million as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Individual allowance allocations totaled $2.4 million and $2.2 million as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

(Continued)

27
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (Continued)

Activity in the allowance for credit losses during the three months ended March 31, 2025 is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)

Commercial and industrial Commercial vacant land, land development and residential construction Commercial real estate - owner occupied Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied Commercial real estate - multi-family and residential rental

1-4 family mortgages

Other consumer loans

Unallocated

Total

Balance at 12-31-24

$ 11,165 $ 367 $ 7,671 $ 10,919 $ 3,667 $ 18,702 $ 1,936 $ 27 $ 54,454

Provision for credit losses

598 18 6 1,027 206 186 83 (24 ) 2,100

Charge-offs

0 0 0 0 0 (61 ) (2 ) 0 (63 )

Recoveries

35 1 2 0 5 47 85 0 175

Ending balance

$ 11,798 $ 386 $ 7,679 $ 11,946 $ 3,878 $ 18,874 $ 2,102 $ 3 $ 56,666

Activity in the allowance for credit losses during the three months ended March 31, 2024 is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)

Commercial and industrial

Commercial vacant land, land development and residential construction

Commercial real estate - owner occupied

Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied

Commercial real estate - multi-family and residential rental

1-4 family mortgages

Other consumer loans

Unallocated

Total

Balance at 12-31-23

$ 7,441 $ 384 $ 7,186 $ 9,852 $ 3,184 $ 18,986 $ 2,881 $ 0 $ 49,914

Provision for credit losses

1,466 2 (151 ) 289 232 (476 ) (77 ) 15 1,300

Charge-offs

(6 ) 0 0 0 0 0 (9 ) 0 (15 )

Recoveries

277 1 57 0 4 70 30 0 439

Ending balance

$ 9,178 $ 387 $ 7,092 $ 10,141 $ 3,420 $ 18,580 $ 2,825 $ 15 $ 51,638

(Continued)

28
Table of Contents
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (Continued)

There were no loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the three months ended March 31, 2025. The following table presents the period-end amortized cost basis of modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty by type of modification made during the three months ended March 31, 2024:

Interest Rate

Principal

(Dollars in thousands)

Reduction

Term Extension

Forgiveness

Commercial:

Commercial and industrial

$ 0 $ 500 $ 0

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

0 0 0

Real estate - owner occupied

0 0 0

Real estate - non-owner occupied

0 0 0

Real estate - multi-family and residential rental

0 0 0

Total commercial

$ 0 $ 500 $ 0

Retail:

1-4 family mortgages

0 0 0

Other consumer loans

0 0 0

Total retail

$ 0 $ 0 $ 0

Total loans

$ 0 $ 500 $ 0

Loans listed under Term Extension were generally granted a series of short-term maturity extensions as part of the workout process and associated forbearance agreements.

The following table presents the amortized cost basis of loans that have been modified in the past twelve months to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty by payment status and loan segment as of March 31, 2025:

30 - 89 Days

90 + Days

(Dollars in thousands)

Current

Past Due

Past Due

Total

Commercial:

Commercial and industrial

$ 7,100 $ 0 $ 0 $ 7,100

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

0 0 0 0

Real estate - owner occupied

41 0 0 41

Real estate - non-owner occupied

0 0 0 0

Real estate - multi-family and residential rental

0 0 0 0

Total commercial

$ 7,141 $ 0 $ 0 $ 7,141

Retail:

1-4 family mortgages

0 0 0 0

Other consumer loans

0 0 0 0

Total retail

$ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0

Total loans

$ 7,141 $ 0 $ 0 $ 7,141

(Continued)

29
Table of Contents
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

4. PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Premises and equipment are comprised of the following:

March 31,

December 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2025 2024

Land and improvements

$ 14,043 $ 14,021

Buildings

63,331 62,365

Furniture and equipment

27,189 26,657
104,563 103,043

Less: accumulated depreciation

50,870 49,616

Premises and equipment, net

$ 53,693 $ 53,427

Depreciation expense totaled $1.3 million and $1.6 million during the first quarters of 2025 and 2024, respectively.

We enter into facility leases in the normal course of business. As of March 31, 2025, we were under lease contracts for eleven of our banking facilities. The leases have maturity dates ranging from November, 2025 through May, 2048, with a weighted average life of 9.3 years as of March 31, 2025. All of our leases have multiple three- to five-year extensions; however, these were not factored in the lease maturities and weighted average lease term as it was not reasonably certain we would exercise the options on the dates we entered into the lease agreements.

Leases are classified as either operating or finance leases at the lease commencement date, with all of our current leases determined to be operating leases. Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Right-of-use assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, while lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date at the estimated present value of lease payments over the lease term. We use our incremental borrowing rate, on a collateralized basis, at lease commencement to calculate the present value of lease payments. The weighted average discount rate for leases was 6.53% as of March 31, 2025.

The right-of-use assets, included in premises and equipment, neton our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the lease liabilities, included in other liabilitieson our Consolidated Balance Sheets, totaled $4.5 million and $4.4 million as of March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, respectively. As permitted by applicable accounting standards, we have elected not to recognize short-term leases with original terms of twelve months or less on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Total operating lease expense associated with the leases aggregated $0.3 million during the first quarter of 2025 and $0.4 million during the first quarter of 2024.

(Continued)

30
Table of Contents
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

4. PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Continued)

Future lease payments were as follows as of March 31, 2025:

(Dollars in thousands)

2025

$ 895

2026

1,159

2027

1,089

2028

913

2029

713

Thereafter

1,215

Total undiscounted lease payments

5,984

Less effect of discounting

(1,526 )

Present value of future lease payments (lease liability)

$ 4,458

5. DEPOSITS

Our total deposits at March 31, 2025 totaled $4.68 billion, a decrease of $16.6 million, or 0.4%, from December 31, 2024. The components of our outstanding balances at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, and percentage change in deposits from the end of 2024 to the end of the first quarter of 2025, are as follows:

Percent

March 31, 2025

December 31, 2024

Increase

(Dollars in thousands)

Balance

%

Balance

%

(Decrease)

Noninterest-bearing checking

$ 1,173,499 25.1 % $ 1,264,523 26.9 % (7.2 )%

Interest-bearing checking

751,344 16.0 738,291 15.7 1.8

Money market

1,566,569 33.5 1,516,436 32.3 3.3

Savings

226,361 4.8 221,900 4.7 2.0

Time, under $100,000

213,281 4.6 207,534 4.4 2.8

Time, $100,000 and over

601,036 12.8 599,983 12.8 0.2

Total local deposits

4,532,090 96.8 4,548,667 96.8 (0.4 )

Out-of-area time, $100,000 and over

149,695 3.2 149,699 3.2 (0.0 )

Total deposits

$ 4,681,785 100.0 % $ 4,698,366 100.0 % (0.4 )%

(Continued)

31
Table of Contents
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

6. SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase ("repurchase agreements") are offered principally to certain large deposit customers. Information relating to our repurchase agreements is as follows:

Three Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

(Dollars in thousands)

March 31, 2025

December 31, 2024

Outstanding balance at end of period

$ 242,102 $ 121,521

Average interest rate at end of period

3.47 % 2.17 %

Average daily balance during the period

$ 221,288 $ 224,878

Average interest rate during the period

3.23 % 3.43 %

Maximum daily balance during the period

$ 283,757 $ 278,227

Repurchase agreements have maturities of onebusiness day. Repurchase agreements are treated as financings, and the obligations to repurchase securities sold are reflected as liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Repurchase agreements are secured by U.S. Government agency securities with an aggregate fair value equal to the aggregate outstanding balance of the repurchase agreements. The securities, which are included in securities available for sale on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, are held in safekeeping by a correspondent bank.

7. FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF INDIANAPOLIS ADVANCES

FHLBI bullet advances totaled $340 million at March 31, 2025, and were scheduled to mature at varying dates from April 2025 through January 2029, with fixed rates of interest from 0.70% to 4.54% and averaging 3.18%. FHLBI bullet advances totaled $360 million at December 31, 2024, and were scheduled to mature at varying dates from January 2025 through January 2029, with fixed rates of interest from 0.70% to 4.54% and averaging 3.10%.

Maturities of FHLBI bullet advances as of March 31, 2025 were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)

2025

$ 60,000

2026

80,000

2027

100,000

2028

90,000

2029

10,000

Thereafter

0

FHLBI amortizing advances totaled $26.2 million as of March 31, 2025, with an average rate of 2.52% and with final maturities in 2042. FHLBI amortizing advances totaled $27.1 million as of December 31, 2024, with an average rate of 2.52% and with final maturities in 2042. FHLBI amortizing advances are obtained periodically to assist in managing interest rate risk associated with certain longer-term fixed rate commercial loans, with annual principal payments that closely align with the scheduled amortization of the underlying commercial loans.

(Continued)

32
Table of Contents
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

7. FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF INDIANAPOLIS ADVANCES (Continued)

Scheduled principal payments on FHLBI amortizing advances as of March 31, 2025 were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)

2025

$ 0

2026

899

2027

938

2028

979

2029

1,021

Thereafter

22,384

Each advance is payable at its maturity date, and is subject to a prepayment fee if paid prior to the maturity date. The advances are collateralized by residential mortgage loans, first mortgage liens on multi-family residential property loans, first mortgage liens on commercial real estate property loans, and substantially all other assets of our bank under a blanket lien arrangement. Our borrowing line of credit as of March 31, 2025 totaled $1.06 billion, with remaining availability based on collateral of $674 million.

8. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock-based compensation plans are used to provide directors and employees with an increased incentive to contribute to our long-term performance and growth, to align the interests of directors and employees with the interests of our shareholders through the opportunity for increased stock ownership and to attract and retain directors and employees. Stock-based compensation expense, reported as noninterest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income, totaled $0.8 million and $0.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
The Stock Incentive Plan of 2020 was approved by shareholders in May, 2020, and was effectively replaced with the Stock Incentive Plan of 2023 that was approved by shareholders in May, 2023. Under the Stock Incentive Plan of 2023, incentive awards may include, but are not limited to, stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights and stock awards. Price, vesting and expiration date parameters are determined by Mercantile's Compensation Committee on a grant-by-grant basis. No payments are required from employees for restricted stock awards. The restricted stock awards granted through the plan fully vest after threeyears and, in the case of performance-based restricted stock issued to executive officers issued under the plan, are subject to the attainment of pre-determined performance goals. There were no restricted stock grants during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

A summary of restricted stock activity during the three months ended March 31, 2025, is as follows:

Weighted

Average

Shares

Fair Value

Nonvested at beginning of the period

228,646 $ 35.84

Grants

84,685 $ 50.34

Vested

(34,053 ) 34.79

Forfeited

(845 ) 34.42

Nonvested at end of the period

278,433 $ 40.38

(Continued)

33
Table of Contents
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

8. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued)

Of the restricted stock shares granted during the three months ended March 31, 2024, 24,910 shares are performance-based awards made to our Named Executive Officers at the target level and are subject to the attainment of pre-determined performance goals. As of March 31, 2025, there were approximately 298,000 shares authorized for future incentive awards, and as of December 31, 2024, there were approximately 383,000 shares authorized for future incentive awards.

We periodically grant shares of common stock to our Corporate and Bank Board Directors for retainer payments with the related expense being recorded over the period of the Directors' service, as summarized below:

Total Cost

Grant Year

Shares Granted

(in thousands)

Covered Period

2023

11,529

350

June 1, 2023 - May 31, 2024

2024

11,316

423

June 1, 2024 - May 31, 2025

9. COMMITMENTS AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK

We are a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of our customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Loan commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by our bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized, if any, in the balance sheet. Our maximum exposure to loan loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual notional amount of those instruments. We use the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as we do for on-balance sheet instruments. Collateral, such as accounts receivable, securities, inventory, and property and equipment, is generally obtained based on management's credit assessment of the borrower.

We are required to consider expected credit losses associated with loan commitments over the contractual period in which we are exposed to credit risk on the underlying commitments unless the obligation is unconditionally cancellable by us. Any allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposures is reported as an other liability on our Consolidated Balance Sheet and is increased or decreased via other noninterest expense on our Consolidated Statement of Income. The calculation includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and forecasted credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over their estimated lives. The allowance is calculated using the same aggregate reserve rates calculated for the funded portion of loans at the portfolio level applied to the amount of commitments expected to be funded.

For commercial lines of credit, retail lines of credit and credit card average outstanding balances, we determined allowance requirements by calculating the difference between the average percent outstanding of the funded commitments over the past several years to actual percent outstanding at the end of the period and applying the respective expected loss allocation factors to the difference as this difference represents the average of unfunded commitments we expect to eventually be drawn upon. For commitments to make loans, we determine an allowance by applying the expected loss allocation factor to the amount expected to be funded. The calculated allowance aggregated $0.3 million and $1.0 million as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. We do not reserve for residential mortgage construction loans, as the loans are for one year or less and draws are governed by the receipt and satisfactory review of contractor and subcontractor sworn statements, lien waivers and title insurance company endorsements. Letters of credit are rarely drawn.

At March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, the rates on existing off-balance sheet instruments were substantially equivalent to current market rates, considering the underlying credit standing of the counterparties.

(Continued)

34
Table of Contents
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

9. COMMITMENTS AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK (Continued)

A summary of the contractual amounts of our financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 is as follows:

March 31,

December 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2025 2024

Commercial unused lines of credit

$ 1,474,577 $ 1,488,782

Unused lines of credit secured by 1-4 family residential properties

86,113 84,298

Credit card unused lines of credit

181,546 172,273

Other consumer unused lines of credit

33,852 33,892

Commitments to make loans

233,847 295,566

Standby letters of credit

27,177 26,491
$ 2,037,112 $ 2,101,302

10. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

We are exposed to certain risks arising from both business operations and economic conditions. We principally manage the exposure to a wide variety of operational risks through core business activities. Economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity and credit risk, are primarily administered via the amount, sources and duration of assets and liabilities. Derivative financial instruments may also be used to assist in managing economic risks.

Derivatives not designated as hedges are not speculative and result from a service provided to certain commercial loan borrowers. We execute interest rate swaps with commercial banking customers desiring longer-term fixed rate loans, while simultaneously entering into interest rate swaps with correspondent banks to offset the impact of the interest rate swaps with the commercial banking customers. The net result is the desired floating rate loans and a minimization of the risk exposure of the interest rate swap transactions.

As the interest rate swaps associated with this program do not meet the strict hedge accounting requirements, changes in the fair value of both the commercial banking customer interest rate swaps and the offsetting interest rate swaps with the correspondent banks are recognized directly to earnings. Fees paid to us by the correspondent banks are recognized as noninterest income on our Consolidated Statements of Income on the settlement date.

The fair values of derivative instruments as of March 31, 2025, are reflected in the following table.

Balance Sheet

(Dollars in thousands)

Notional Amount

Location

Fair Value

Derivative Assets

Interest rate swaps

$ 890,944

Other Assets

$ 24,722

Derivative Liabilities

Interest rate swaps

888,917

Other Liabilities

25,073

(Continued)

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

10. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued)

The effect of interest rate swaps that are not designated as hedging instruments resulted in expense of $0.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2025 that was recorded in other noninterest expense on our Consolidated Statements of Income. We have master netting arrangements with our correspondent banks that allow us to net receivables and payables. The netting agreement also allows us to net related cash collateral received and transferred up to the fair value exposure amount. We have elected to not offset these transactions on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The netting of derivative instruments as of March 31, 2025 is presented in the following table.

Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet

(Dollars in thousands)

Net Amounts Recognized

Financial Instruments

Cash Collateral Received or Posted

Net Amount

Derivative Assets

Interest rate swaps

$ 24,722 $ 6,655 $ 9,100 $ 8,967

Derivative Liabilities

Interest rate swaps

25,073 6,639 3,110 15,324

The fair values of derivative instruments as of December 31, 2024, are reflected in the following table.

Balance Sheet

(Dollars in thousands)

Notional Amount

Location

Fair Value

Derivative Assets

Interest rate swaps

$ 866,157

Other Assets

$ 26,793

Derivative Liabilities

Interest rate swaps

864,130

Other Liabilities

27,050

The effect of interest rate swaps that are not designated as hedging instruments resulted in expense of $0.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024 that was recorded in other noninterest expense on our Consolidated Statements of Income. The netting of derivative instruments as of December 31, 2024 is presented in the following table.

Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet

(Dollars in thousands)

Net Amounts Recognized

Financial Instruments

Cash Collateral Received or Posted

Net Amount

Derivative Assets

Interest rate swaps

$ 26,793 $ 3,064 $ 19,040 $ 4,689

Derivative Liabilities

Interest rate swaps

27,050 2,915 1,640 22,495

(Continued)

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

11. FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The carrying amounts, estimated fair values and level within the fair value hierarchy of financial instruments were as follows as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024:

Level in

March 31, 2025

December 31, 2024

Fair

Value

Carrying

Fair

Carrying

Fair

(Dollars in thousands)

Hierarchy Values Values Values Values

Financial assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

Level 1

$ 385,460 $ 385,460 $ 393,010 $ 393,010

Securities available for sale

(1) 787,583 787,583 730,352 730,352

FHLBI stock

(2) 21,513 21,513 21,513 21,513

Loans, net

Level 3

4,579,883 4,597,149 4,546,327 4,558,628

Mortgage loans held for sale

Level 2

15,192 15,525 15,824 16,047

Accrued interest receivable

Level 2

22,901 22,901 21,401 21,401

Interest rate swaps

Level 2

24,722 24,722 26,793 26,793

Financial liabilities:

Deposits

Level 2 4,681,785 4,547,926 4,698,366 4,541,896

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

Level 2

242,102 242,102 121,521 121,521

FHLBI advances

Level 2 366,221 357,003 387,083 374,499

Subordinated debentures

Level 2 50,501 50,507 50,330 50,336

Subordinated notes

Level 2 89,400 82,724 89,314 81,825

Accrued interest payable

Level 2

9,527 9,527 10,201 10,201

Interest rate swaps

Level 2

25,073 25,073 27,050 27,050

(1)

See Note 12 for a description of the fair value hierarchy as well as a disclosure of levels for classes of financial assets and liabilities.

(2)

It is not practical to determine the fair value of FHLBI stock due to transferability restrictions; therefore, fair value is estimated at carrying amount.

Carrying amount is the estimated fair value for cash and cash equivalents, FHLBI stock, accrued interest receivable and payable, noninterest-bearing checking accounts and securities sold under agreements to repurchase. Security fair values are based on market prices or dealer quotes, and if no such information is available, on the rate and term of the security and information about the issuer. Fair value for loans is based on an exit price model as required by ASU 2016-01, taking into account inputs such as discounted cash flows, probability of default and loss given default assumptions. The fair value for deposit accounts other than noninterest-bearing checking accounts is based on discounted cash flows using current market rates applied to the estimated life. The fair values of subordinated debentures, subordinated notes, and FHLBI advances are based on current rates for similar financing. The fair values of interest rate swaps are based on discounted cash flows using forecasted yield curves, along with insignificant unobservable inputs, such as borrower credit spreads. The fair value of other off-balance sheet items is estimated to be nominal.

(Continued)

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
12. FAIR VALUES

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. The price of the principal (or most advantageous) market used to measure the fair value of the asset or liability is not adjusted for transaction costs. An orderly transaction is a transaction that assumes exposure to the market for a period prior to the measurement date to allow for marketing activities that are usual and customary for transactions involving such assets and liabilities; it is not a forced transaction. Market participants are buyers and sellers in the principal market that are (i) independent, (ii) knowledgeable, (iii) able to transact and (iv) willing to transact.

We are required to use valuation techniques that are consistent with the market approach, the income approach and/or the cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts, such as cash flows or earnings, to a single present amount on a discounted basis. The cost approach is based on the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost). Valuation techniques should be consistently applied. Inputs to valuation techniques refer to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Inputs may be observable, meaning those that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources, or unobservable, meaning those that reflect our own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. In that regard, we utilize a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that we have the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be derived from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect our own conclusions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

The following is a description of our valuation methodologies used to measure and disclose the fair values of our financial assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis:

Securities available for sale. Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurement is based on quoted prices, if available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models. Level 2 securities include U.S. Government agency debt obligations, mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies, and municipal general obligation and revenue bonds. Level 3 securities include bonds issued by certain relatively small municipalities located within our markets that have very limited marketability due to their size and lack of ratings from a recognized rating service. We carry these bonds at historical cost, which we believe approximates fair value, unless our periodic financial analysis or other information that becomes known to us necessitates an impairment. There was no such impairment as of March 31, 2025, or December 31, 2024. We have no Level 1 securities available for sale.

Derivatives. We measure fair value utilizing models that use primarily market observable inputs, such as forecasted yield curves. Insignificant unobservable inputs, such as borrower credit spreads, are also utilized.

(Continued)

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

12. FAIR VALUES (Continued)

Mortgage loans held for sale. Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or market, as determined by outstanding commitments from investors, and are measured on a nonrecurring basis. Fair value is based on independent quoted market prices, where applicable, or the prices for other mortgage whole loans with similar characteristics. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we determined the fair value of our mortgage loans held for sale to be $15.5 million and $16.0 million, respectively.

Loans. We do not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. However, from time to time, we record nonrecurring fair value adjustments to collateral dependent loans to reflect partial write-downs or specific reserves that are based on the observable market price or current estimated value of the collateral. These loans are reported in the nonrecurring table below at initial recognition of significant borrower distress and on an ongoing basis until recovery or charge-off. The fair values of distressed loans are determined using either the sales comparison approach or income approach; respective unobservable inputs for the approaches consist of adjustments for differences between comparable sales and the utilization of appropriate capitalization rates.

Foreclosed Assets. At time of foreclosure or repossession, foreclosed and repossessed assets are adjusted to fair value less costs to sell upon transfer of the loans to foreclosed and repossessed assets, establishing a new cost basis. We subsequently adjust estimated fair value of foreclosed assets on a nonrecurring basis to reflect write-downs based on revised fair value estimates. The fair values of parcels of other real estate owned are determined using either the sales comparison approach or income approach; respective unobservable inputs for the approaches consist of adjustments for differences between comparable sales and the utilization of appropriate capitalization rates.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2025 are as follows:

Quoted

Prices in

Active

Markets

Significant

for

Other

Significant

Identical

Observable

Unobservable

Assets

Inputs

Inputs

(Dollars in thousands)

Total (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3)

Available for sale securities

U.S. Government agency debt obligations

$ 547,409 $ 0 $ 547,409 $ 0

Mortgage-backed securities

25,182 0 25,182 0

Municipal general obligation bonds

184,790 0 184,396 394

Municipal revenue bonds

29,702 0 29,702 0

Other investments

500 0 500 0

Interest rate swaps

24,722 0 24,722 0

Total assets

$ 812,305 $ 0 $ 811,911 $ 394

Interest rate swaps

25,073 0 25,073 0

Total liabilities

$ 25,073 $ 0 $ 25,073 $ 0

(Continued)

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

12. FAIR VALUES (Continued)

There were no sales, purchases or transfers in or out of Level 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2025. The insignificant reduction in Level 3 municipal general obligation bonds during the three months ended March 31, 2025 reflects the scheduled maturities of such bonds.

The balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2024 are as follows:

Quoted

Prices in

Active

Markets

Significant

for

Other

Significant

Identical

Observable

Unobservable

Assets

Inputs

Inputs

(Dollars in thousands)

Total

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Available for sale securities

U.S. Government agency debt obligations

$ 495,581 $ 0 $ 495,581 $ 0

Mortgage-backed securities

25,368 0 25,368 0

Municipal general obligation bonds

180,170 0 179,777 393

Municipal revenue bonds

28,733 0 28,733 0

Other investments

500 0 500 0

Interest rate swaps

26,793 0 26,793 0

Total assets

$ 757,145 $ 0 $ 756,752 $ 393

Interest rate swaps

27,050 0 27,050 0

Total liabilities

$ 27,050 $ 0 $ 27,050 $ 0

There were no sales, purchases or transfers in or out of Level 3 during 2024.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

The balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of March 31, 2025 are as follows:

Quoted

Prices in

Active

Significant

Markets for

Other

Significant

Identical

Observable

Unobservable

Assets

Inputs

Inputs

(Dollars in thousands)

Total (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3)

Collateral dependent loans

$ 1,642 $ 0 $ 0 $ 1,642

Total

$ 1,642 $ 0 $ 0 $ 1,642

(Continued)

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

12. FAIR VALUES (Continued)

The balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2024 are as follows:

Quoted

Prices

in Active

Significant

Markets for

Other

Significant

Identical

Observable

Unobservable

Assets

Inputs

Inputs

(Dollars in thousands)

Total (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3)

Collateral dependent loans

$ 2,173 $ 0 $ 0 $ 2,173

Total

$ 2,173 $ 0 $ 0 $ 2,173

The carrying values are based on the estimated value of the property or other assets. Fair value estimates of collateral on nonperforming loans and foreclosed assets are reviewed periodically. Our credit policies establish criteria for obtaining appraisals and determining internal value estimates. We may also adjust outside appraisals and internal evaluations based on identifiable trends within our markets, such as sales of similar properties or assets, listing prices and offers received. In addition, we may discount certain appraised and internal value estimates to address current distressed market conditions. We generally assign a discount factor range of 25% to 35% for commercial real estate dependent loans and foreclosed assets, and a discount factor range of 25% to 50% for residential-related properties. In a vast majority of cases, we assign a 10% discount factor for estimated selling costs.

13. REGULATORY MATTERS

We are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and prompt corrective action regulations involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors, and the regulators can lower classifications in certain cases. Failure to meet various capital requirements can initiate regulatory action that could have a direct material effect on the financial statements.

The prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications, including well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If an institution is not well capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. Subject to limited exceptions, no institution may make a capital distribution if, after making the distribution, it would be undercapitalized. If an institution is undercapitalized, it is subject to close monitoring by its principal federal regulator, its asset growth and expansion are restricted, and plans for capital restoration are required. In addition, further specific types of restrictions may be imposed on the institution at the discretion of the federal regulator. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, our bank was in the well capitalized category under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since March 31, 2025, that we believe have changed our bank's categorization.

(Continued)

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

13. REGULATORY MATTERS (Continued)

Our actual capital levels and the minimum levels required to be categorized as adequately and well capitalized were:

Minimum Required

to be Well

Minimum Required

Capitalized Under

for Capital

Prompt Corrective

Actual

Adequacy Purposes

Action Regulations

(Dollars in thousands)

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

March 31, 2025

Total capital (to risk weighted assets)

Consolidated

$ 794,143 14.4 % $ 439,924 8.0 %

$ NA

NA%

Bank

762,135 14.0 435,901 8.0 544,877 10.0

Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)

Consolidated

647,795 11.8 329,943 6.0

NA

NA

Bank

705,187 12.9 326,926 6.0 435,901 8.0

Common equity tier 1 (to risk weighted assets)

Consolidated

599,540 10.9 247,458 4.5

NA

NA

Bank

705,187 12.9 245,195 4.5 354,170 6.5

Tier 1 capital (to average assets)

Consolidated

647,795 10.8 241,144 4.0

NA

NA

Bank

705,187 11.8 239,314 4.0 299,142 5.0

December 31, 2024

Total capital (to risk weighted assets)

Consolidated

$ 777,857 14.2 % $ 439,031 8.0 %

$ NA

NA%

Bank

759,146 13.9 435,793 8.0 544,741 10.0

Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)

Consolidated

633,134 11.5 329,274 6.0

NA

NA

Bank

703,737 12.9 326,845 6.0 435,793 8.0

Common equity tier 1 (to risk weighted assets)

Consolidated

584,879 10.7 246,955 4.5

NA

NA

Bank

703,737 12.9 245,134 4.5 354,082 6.5

Tier 1 capital (to average assets)

Consolidated

633,134 10.6 238,934 4.0

NA

NA

Bank

703,737 11.9 237,447 4.0 296,808 5.0

(Continued)

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

13. REGULATORY MATTERS (Continued)

Our consolidated capital levels as of both March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 include $48.3 million of trust preferred securities. Under applicable Federal Reserve guidelines, the trust preferred securities constitute a restricted core capital element. The guidelines provide that the aggregate amount of restricted core elements that may be included in our Tier 1 capital must not exceed 25% of the sum of all core capital elements, including restricted core capital elements, net of goodwill less any associated deferred tax liability. Our ability to include the trust preferred securities in Tier 1 capital in accordance with the guidelines is not affected by the provision of the Dodd-Frank Act generally restricting such treatment, because (i) the trust preferred securities were issued before May 19, 2010, and (ii) our total consolidated assets as of December 31, 2009 were less than $15.0 billion. As of both March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, all $48.3 million of the trust preferred securities were included in our consolidated Tier 1 capital.

Under the final BASEL III capital rules that became effective on January 1, 2015, there is a requirement for a common equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets which is in addition to the other minimum risk-based capital standards in the rule. Institutions that do not meet this required capital buffer will become subject to progressively more stringent limitations on the percentage of earnings that can be paid out in cash dividends or used for stock repurchases and on the payment of discretionary bonuses to senior executive management. The capital buffer requirement was phased in over three years beginning in 2016. The capital buffer requirement raised the minimum required common equity Tier 1 capital ratio to 7.0%, the Tier 1 capital ratio to 8.5% and the total capital ratio to 10.5% on a fully phased-in basis on January 1, 2019. We believe that, as of March 31, 2025, our bank meets all capital adequacy requirements under the BASEL III capital rules on a fully phased-in basis.

Our and our bank's ability to pay cash and stock dividends is subject to limitations under various laws and regulations and to prudent and sound banking practices. On January 16, 2025, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend on our common stock in the amount of $0.37 per share that was paid on March 19, 2025, to shareholders of record as of March 7, 2025.

As of March 31, 2025, we had the ability to repurchase up to $6.8 million in common stock shares from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices or by other means in accordance with applicable regulations as part of a $20.0 million common stock repurchase program announced in May 2021. No shares were repurchased during the first three months of 2025. Historically, stock repurchases have been funded from cash dividends paid to us from our bank. Additional repurchases may be made in future periods under the authorized plan or a new plan, which would also likely be funded from cash dividends paid to us from our bank. The actual timing, number and value of shares repurchased will be determined by us in our discretion and will depend on a number of factors, including the stock price, capital position, financial performance, general market and economic conditions, alternative uses of capital and applicable legal requirements.

14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On April 17, 2025, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend on our common stock in the amount of $0.37 per share that will be paid on June 18, 2025, to shareholders of record as of June 6, 2025.

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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements that are based on management's beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the financial services industry, the economy, and our company. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "indicates," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "will," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions ("Future Factors") that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. Therefore, actual results and outcomes may materially differ from what may be expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update, amend, or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events (whether anticipated or unanticipated), or otherwise.

Future Factors include, among others, adverse changes in interest rates and interest rate relationships; increasing rates of inflation and slower growth rates or recession; significant declines in the value of commercial real estate; market volatility; demand for products and services; climate impacts; labor markets; the degree of competition by traditional and non-traditional financial services companies; changes in banking regulation or actions by bank regulators; changes in tax laws and other laws and regulations applicable to us; changes in prices, levies, and assessments; the impact of technological advances; potential cyber-attacks, information security breaches, and other criminal activities; litigation liabilities; governmental and regulatory policy changes; the outcomes of existing or future contingencies; trends in customer behavior as well as their ability to repay loans; changes in local real estate values; damage to our reputation resulting from adverse publicity, regulatory actions, litigation, operational failures, and the failure to meet client expectations and other facts; changes in the national and local economies; unstable political and economic environments; disease outbreaks, such as the Covid-19 pandemic or similar public health threats, and measures implemented to combat them; and other risk factors, including those described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. These are representative of the Future Factors that could cause a difference between an ultimate actual outcome and a forward-looking statement.

Introduction

The following discussion compares the financial condition of Mercantile Bank Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Mercantile Community Partners, LLC ("MCP") and Mercantile Bank ("our bank") and its subsidiaries, including Mercantile Insurance Center, Inc. at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 and the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the interim consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in this report. Unless the text clearly suggests otherwise, references in this report to "us," "we," "our" or "the company" include Mercantile Bank Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries referred to above.

Critical Accounting Policies

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") are complex and require us to apply significant judgment to various accounting, reporting and disclosure matters. We must use assumptions and estimates to apply these principles where actual measurements are not possible or practical. This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited financial statements included in this report. For a discussion of our significant accounting estimates, see Note 1 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 (Commission file number 000-26719). Our critical accounting policies are highly dependent upon subjective or complex judgments, assumptions and estimates. Changes in such estimates may have a significant impact on the financial statements, and actual results may differ from those estimates. We have reviewed the application of these policies with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.

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Allowance for Credit Losses ("allowance"): The allowance is maintained at a level we believe is adequate to absorb estimated credit losses identified and expected in the loan portfolio. Our evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance is an estimate based on historical credit loss experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, guidance from bank regulatory agencies, and assessments of the impact of current and anticipated economic conditions on the loan portfolio. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in our judgment, should be charged-off. Credit losses are charged against the allowance when we believe the uncollectability of a loan is likely. The balance of the allowance represents our best estimate, but significant downturns in circumstances relating to loan quality or economic conditions could result in a requirement for an increased allowance in the future. Likewise, an upturn in loan quality or improved economic conditions may result in a decline in the required allowance in the future. In either instance, unanticipated changes could have a significant impact on the allowance and operating results. The allowance is increased through a provision charged to operating expense. Uncollectable loans are charged-off through the allowance, while recoveries of loans previously charged-off are added to the allowance.

See Note 1- Significant Accounting Policies in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further detailed descriptions of our estimation process and methodology related to the allowance. See also Note 3 - Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information regarding our loan portfolio and allowance.

Mortgage Servicing Rights: Mortgage servicing rights are recognized as assets based on the allocated fair value of retained servicing rights on loans sold. Servicing rights are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value and are expensed in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing income. We utilize a discounted cash flow model to determine the value of our servicing rights. The valuation model utilizes mortgage loan prepayment speeds, the remaining life of the mortgage loan pool, delinquency rates, our cost to service loans, and other factors to determine the cash flow that we will receive from servicing each grouping of loans. These cash flows are then discounted based on current interest rate assumptions to arrive at the fair value of the right to service those loans. Impairment is evaluated quarterly based on the fair value of the servicing rights, using groupings of the underlying loans classified by interest rates. Any impairment of a grouping is reported as a valuation allowance.

Goodwill: Accounting rules require us to determine the fair value of all the assets and liabilities of an acquired entity, and to record their fair value on the date of acquisition. We employ a variety of means in determining fair value, including the use of discounted cash flow analysis, market comparisons and projected future revenue streams. For those items for which we conclude that we have the appropriate expertise to determine fair value, we may choose to use our own calculation of fair value. In other cases, where the fair value is not readily determined, consultation with outside parties is used to determine fair value. Once valuations have been determined, the net difference between the price paid for the acquired entity and the fair value of the balance sheet is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is assessed at least annually for impairment, with any such impairment recognized in the period identified. A more frequent assessment is performed if there are material changes in the market place or within the organizational structure.

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Financial Overview

We reported net income of $19.5 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2025, compared with net income of $21.6 million, or $1.34 per diluted share, during the first quarter of 2024. Although net interest income increased, net income was negatively impacted by lower noninterest income, increased noninterest costs and a higher provision expense.

Commercial loans increased $44.3 million during the first three months of 2025, providing for an annualized growth rate of about 5%. Non-owner occupied commercial real estate ("CRE") loans grew $55.3 million, commercial and industrial loans increased $27.1 million, multi-family and residential rental property loans were up $3.2 million and land development and construction loans expanded by $1.9 million, while owner occupied CRE loans declined $43.2 million. As a percent of total commercial loans, commercial and industrial loans and owner occupied CRE loans combined equaled 53.8% as of March 31, 2025, compared to 54.9% as of December 31, 2024. While the "in discussion" segment of our commercial loan pipeline remains strong, the "committed and accepted" segment is relatively low, the latter generally reflecting customer reaction to the uncertain economic environment associated with United States tariff changes and negotiations. As of March 31, 2025, we had $210 million in unfunded loan commitments on commercial construction and development loans that are in the construction phase.

Residential mortgage loans decreased $10.4 million during the first three months of 2025, as aggregate payoffs and scheduled monthly payments exceeded new loans added to the portfolio during the first quarter. Residential mortgage loan originations totaled $100 million during the first three months of 2025, of which about 80% were originated with the intent to sell.

The overall quality of our loan portfolio remains strong, with nonperforming loans equaling only 0.12% of total loans as of March 31, 2025. Accruing loans past due 30 to 89 days remain very low, and we had no foreclosed properties at quarter end. Gross loan charge-offs totaled $0.1 million during the first three months of 2025, while recoveries of prior period loan charge-offs aggregated $0.2 million, providing for a net loan recovery of $0.1 million. We recorded a provision expense of $2.1 million during the first three months of 2025, primarily reflecting an increased allocation necessitated by changes to the economic forecast and loan growth.

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Interest-earning deposits, a vast majority of which is comprised of funds on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, averaged $267 million during the first three months of 2025, compared to $150 million during the first three months of 2024. The higher average balance primarily reflects our strategy to reduce the loan-to-deposit ratio via local deposit growth exceeding loan and investment growth, as well as our desire to maintain higher levels of on-balance sheet liquidity.

Total deposits declined $16.6 million during the first three months of 2025. Aggregate net growth in almost all interest-bearing deposit types offset a significant portion of the reduction in business noninterest-bearing checking accounts primarily reflecting the customary level of customers' tax and bonus payments and partnership distributions during the early part of each first quarter. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase ("sweep accounts") increased $121 million during the first quarter of 2025, largely reflecting the return of funds that had been withdrawn during the fourth quarter of 2024. Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis ("FHLBI") advances declined $20.9 million during the first three months of 2025. Wholesale funds, comprised of out-of-area deposits and FHLBI advances, totaled $516 million, or about 10% of total funds, as of March 31, 2025.

Net interest income increased $1.2 million during the first three months of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2024, reflecting the net impact of $3.6 million and $2.4 million increases in interest income and interest expense, respectively. Our net interest margin during the first quarter of 2025 was 27 basis points lower than during the first quarter of 2024. Our yield on earning assets declined 32 basis points while our cost of funds was down 5 basis points during that time period. The lower yield on earning assets largely reflected the aggregate 100 basis point reduction in the federal funds rate during the last four months of 2024. Despite the reduction in the net interest margin, net interest income increased primarily due to significant loan growth between the first quarters of 2024 and 2025. Total loans averaged $4.63 billion and $4.30 billion during the first quarters of 2025 and 2024, respectively, reflecting growth of $330 million, or about 8%.

Noninterest income totaled $8.7 million during the first three months of 2025, compared to $10.9 million during the first quarter of 2024. Growth in treasury management fees, mortgage banking income and payroll service fees was more than offset by lower levels of interest rate swap income, revenue generated from a private equity fund investment and bank owned life insurance income.

Noninterest expense totaled $31.1 million during the first three months of 2025, compared to $29.9 million during the first quarter of 2024. The higher level of noninterest expense primarily resulted from increased compensation and benefit costs along with higher data processing expenses.

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Financial Condition

Our total assets increased $89.0 million during the first three months of 2025, and totaled $6.14 billion as of March 31, 2025. Securities available for sale grew $57.2 million and total loans increased $35.8 million, while interest-earning deposits declined $20.9 million during the first quarter of 2025. Sweep accounts grew $121 million, while total deposits declined $16.6 million and FHLBI advances decreased $20.9 million during the first three months of 2025.

Commercial loans totaled $3.75 billion, or 80.9% of total loans, as of March 31, 2025. Commercial loans increased $44.3 million during the first three months of 2025, providing for an annualized growth rate of about 5%. Non-owner occupied CRE loans grew $55.3 million, commercial and industrial loans increased $27.1 million, multi-family and residential rental property loans were up $3.2 million and land development and construction loans expanded by $1.9 million, while owner occupied CRE loans declined $43.2 million. As a percent of total commercial loans, commercial and industrial loans and owner occupied CRE loans combined equaled 53.8% as of March 31, 2025, compared to 54.9% as of December 31, 2024.

As of March 31, 2025, we had $210 million in unfunded loan commitments on commercial construction and development loans that are in the construction phase, which we expect to be drawn over the next 12 to 18 months. While the "in discussion" segment of our commercial loan pipeline remains strong, the "committed and accepted" segment is relatively low, the latter generally reflecting customer reaction to the uncertain economic environment associated with United States tariff changes and negotiations. Our current pipeline reports indicate approximately $234 million in new lending opportunities of which we expect a majority to be accepted and funded over the next 12 to 18 months. We remain committed to prudent underwriting standards that provide for an appropriate yield and risk relationship, as well as concentration limits we have established within our commercial loan portfolio. Usage of existing commercial lines of credit averaged about 45% during the first three months of 2025, compared to approximately 42% during all of 2024.

Residential mortgage loans totaled $817 million, or 17.6% of total loans, as of March 31, 2025. Residential mortgage loans decreased $10.4 million during the first three months of 2025, as aggregate payoffs and scheduled monthly payments exceeded new loans added to the portfolio during the first quarter. Residential mortgage loan originations totaled $100 million during the first three months of 2025, of which about 80% were originated with the intent to sell.

Other consumer-related loans totaled $67.7 million, or 1.5% of total loans, as of March 31, 2025, compared to $65.9 million, or 1.4% of total loans, as of December 31, 2024. We expect this loan portfolio segment to remain relatively stable in dollar amount but decline as a percentage of total loans in future periods as the commercial loan segment grows.

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Our credit policies establish guidelines to manage credit risk and asset quality. These guidelines include loan review and early identification of problem loans to provide effective loan portfolio administration. The credit policies and procedures are meant to minimize the risk and uncertainties inherent in lending. In following these policies and procedures, we must rely on estimates, appraisals and evaluations of loans and the possibility that changes in these could occur quickly because of changing economic conditions or other factors. Identified problem loans, which exhibit characteristics (financial or otherwise) that could cause the loans to become nonperforming or require modification in the future, are included on an internal watch list. Senior management and the Board of Directors review this list regularly. Market value estimates of collateral on nonperforming loans, as well as on foreclosed and repossessed assets, are reviewed periodically. We also have a process in place to monitor whether value estimates at each quarter end are reflective of current market conditions. Our credit policies establish criteria for obtaining appraisals and determining internal value estimates. We may also adjust outside and internal valuations based on identifiable trends within our markets, such as recent sales of similar properties or assets, listing prices and offers received. In addition, we may discount certain appraised and internal value estimates to address distressed market conditions.

Nonperforming assets, comprised of nonaccrual loans, loans past due 90 days or more and accruing interest and foreclosed properties, totaled $5.4 million (0.1% of total assets) as of March 31, 2025, compared to $5.7 million (0.1% of total assets) as of December 31, 2024. The volume of nonperforming assets has remained under 0.3% of total assets since year-end 2015. Given the low levels of nonperforming loans and accruing loans 30 to 89 days delinquent, combined with what we believe are strong credit administration practices, we are pleased with the overall quality of the loan portfolio.

Loan charge-offs totaled $0.1 million, while recoveries of prior period loan charge-offs equaled $0.2 million, providing for a net loan recovery of $0.1 million during the first three months of 2025. We continue our collection efforts on charged-off loans and expect to record recoveries in future periods; however, given the nature of these efforts, it is not practical to forecast the dollar amount and timing of the recoveries. We recorded a provision expense of $2.1 million during the first three months of 2025, primarily reflecting an increased allocation necessitated by changes to the economic forecast and loan growth.

The primary risk elements with respect to commercial loans are the financial condition of the borrower, the sufficiency of collateral, and timeliness of scheduled payments. We have a policy of requesting and reviewing periodic financial statements from commercial loan customers, and we have a disciplined and formalized review of the existence of collateral and its value. The primary risk element with respect to each residential mortgage loan and consumer loan is the timeliness of scheduled payments. We have a reporting system that monitors past due loans and have adopted policies to pursue creditors' rights in order to preserve our collateral position.

See Note 1- Significant Accounting Policies in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further detailed descriptions of our estimation process and methodology related to the allowance. See also Note 3 - Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information regarding our loan portfolio and allowance.

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The allowance equaled $56.7 million, or 1.22% of total loans and 1,057% of nonperforming loans, as of March 31, 2025. The allowance was comprised of $54.3 million in general reserves relating to performing loans and $2.4 million in specific reserves on other loans, primarily nonperforming loans, as of March 31, 2025. Loans with an aggregate carrying value of $0.3 million as of March 31, 2025 had been subject to previous partial charge-offs aggregating $4.1 million over the past several years. There were no specific reserves allocated to loans that had been subject to a previous partial charge-off as of March 31, 2025.

Although we believe the allowance is adequate to absorb loan losses in our loan portfolio as they arise, there can be no assurance that we will not sustain loan losses in any given period that could be substantial in relation to, or greater than, the size of the allowance.

The following table reflects the composition of our allowance for credit losses, nonaccrual loans, and net charge-offs as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

(Dollars in thousands)

Allowance for Credit Losses

Total Loans

Allowance for Credit Losses to Total Loans Nonaccrual Loans Nonaccrual Loans to Total Loans Allowance for Credit Losses to Nonaccrual Loans Net Charge-Offs Annualized Net Charge-Offs to Average Loans

Commercial:

Commercial and industrial

$ 11,798 $ 1,314,383 0.90 % $ 2,257 0.17 % 522.73 % $ (35 ) (0.01 )%

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

386 68,790 0.56 0 0

NA

(1 ) (0.01 )

Real estate - owner occupied

7,679 705,645 1.09 41 0.01 18,729.27 (2 ) (0.00 )

Real estate - non-owner occupied

11,946 1,183,728 1.01 0 0

NA

0 0.00

Real estate - multi-family and residential rental

3,878 479,045 0.81 0 0

NA

(5 ) (0.00 )

Total commercial

35,687 3,751,591 0.95 2,298 0.06 1,552.96 (43 ) (0.00 )

Retail:

1-4 family mortgages

18,874 817,212 2.31 3,063 0.37 616.19 14 0.01

Other consumer

2,102 67,746 3.10 0 0 NA (83 ) (0.50 )

Total retail

20,976 884,958 2.37 3,063 0.35 684.82 (69 ) (0.03 )

Unallocated

3 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

Total

$ 56,666 $ 4,636,549 1.22 % $ 5,361 0.12 % 1,057.00 % $ (112 ) (0.01 )%
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Securities available for sale increased $57.2 million during the first three months of 2025, totaling $788 million as of March 31, 2025. Purchases of U.S. Government agency bonds during the first three months of 2025 aggregated $46.0 million, while proceeds from maturities totaled $6.0 million. There were no purchases of U.S. Government agency guaranteed mortgage-backed securities during the first three months of 2025, while proceeds from principal paydowns aggregated $0.8 million. Purchases of municipal bonds totaled $5.7 million during the first three months of 2025; there were no maturities. As of March 31, 2025, the portfolio was primarily comprised of U.S. Government agency bonds (70%), municipal bonds (27%) and U.S. Government agency guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (3%). All of our securities are currently designated as available for sale, and are therefore stated at fair value. The fair value of securities designated as available for sale as of March 31, 2025, totaled $788 million, including a net unrealized loss of $51.5 million. The net unrealized loss equaled $63.1 million as of December 31, 2024. After we considered whether the securities were issued by the federal government or its agencies and whether downgrades by bond rating agencies had occurred, we determined that the unrealized losses were due to changing interest rate environments. We maintain the securities portfolio at levels to provide adequate pledging and secondary liquidity for our daily operations. In addition, the securities portfolio serves a primary interest rate risk management function. We expect any upcoming purchases to generally consist of U.S. Government agency bonds and municipal bonds, with the securities portfolio maintained at about 13% to 16% of total assets.

Market values on our U.S. Government agency bonds, mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and municipal bonds are generally determined on a monthly basis with the assistance of a third-party vendor. Evaluated pricing models that vary by type of security and incorporate available market data are utilized. Standard inputs include issuer and type of security, benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes and issuer spreads. The market value of certain non-rated securities issued by relatively small municipalities generally located within our markets is estimated at carrying value. We believe our valuation methodology provides for a reasonable estimation of market value, and that it is consistent with the requirements of accounting guidelines.

FHLBI stock totaled $21.5 million as of March 31, 2025, unchanged from December 31, 2024. Our investment in FHLBI stock is necessary to engage in the FHLBI's advance and other financing programs. We have regularly received quarterly cash dividends, and we expect a cash dividend will continue to be paid in future quarterly periods.

Interest-earning deposits, a vast majority of which is comprised of funds on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, averaged $267 million during the first three months of 2025, compared to $150 million during the first three months of 2024. The higher average balance primarily reflects our strategy to reduce the loan-to-deposit ratio via local deposit growth exceeding loan and investment growth, as well as our desire to maintain higher levels of on-balance sheet liquidity.

Net premises and equipment equaled $53.7 million as of March 31, 2025, compared to $53.4 million as of December 31, 2024. Depreciation expense totaled $1.3 million during the first three months of 2025, while investments associated with renovations of existing facilities and equipment purchases aggregated $1.6 million.

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Total deposits declined $16.6 million during the first three months of 2025. Aggregate net growth in almost all interest-bearing deposit types offset a significant portion of the reduction in business noninterest-bearing checking accounts primarily reflecting the expected large withdrawal of funds that had been deposited in late 2024 and the customary level of customers' tax and bonus payments and partnership distributions during the early part of each first quarter. Out-of-area deposits were unchanged, while FHLBI advances declined $20.9 million during the first three months of 2025. Wholesale funds, comprised of out-of-area deposits and FHLBI advances, totaled $516 million, or about 10% of total funds, as of March 31, 2025.

Uninsured deposits totaled approximately $2.5 billion, or about 53% of total deposits, as of March 31, 2025, compared to approximately $2.2 billion, or 46% of total deposits, as of December 31, 2024. The uninsured amounts are estimates based on the methodologies and assumptions we use for regulatory reporting requirements.

Sweep accounts increased $121 million during the first quarter of 2025, largely reflecting the return of funds that had been withdrawn during the fourth quarter of 2024. In addition, the aggregate balance of sweep accounts is subject to relatively large daily fluctuations given the nature of the customers utilizing this product and the sizable balances that many of the customers maintain. The average balance of sweep accounts equaled $221 million during the first three months of 2025, with a high daily balance of $284 million and a low daily balance of $115 million. Our sweep account program entails transferring collected funds from certain business noninterest-bearing checking accounts and savings deposits into overnight interest-bearing repurchase agreements. Such sweep accounts are not deposit accounts and are not afforded federal deposit insurance. All of our repurchase agreements are accounted for as secured borrowings.

FHLBI advances declined $20.9 million during the first three months of 2025, totaling $366 million as of March 31, 2025. Bullet advance maturities aggregated $20.0 million, while no new bullet advances were obtained, during the first three months of 2025. Payments on amortizing FHLBI advances totaled $0.9 million. Bullet FHLBI advances are generally obtained to provide funds for loan growth and are used to assist in managing interest rate risk, while amortizing FHLBI advances are generally acquired to match-fund specific longer-term fixed rate commercial loans, with the dollar amount and amortization structure of the underlying advances reflective of the associated commercial loans. FHLBI advances are collateralized by residential mortgage loans, first mortgage liens on multi-family residential property loans, first mortgage liens on commercial real estate property loans, and substantially all other assets of our bank, under a blanket lien arrangement. Our borrowing line of credit totaled $1.06 billion, with remaining availability based on collateral equaling $674 million, as of March 31, 2025.

Shareholders' equity increased $23.8 million during the first three months of 2025, equaling $608 million as of March 31, 2025. Positively impacting shareholders' equity during the first three months of 2025 was net income of $19.5 million, which was partially offset by the payment of cash dividends totaling $5.9 million. Activity relating to the issuance and sale of common stock through various stock-based compensation programs and our dividend reinvestment plan positively impacted shareholders' equity by $1.0 million. A $9.2 million after-tax increase in the market value of our available for sale securities portfolio, reflecting a decline in market interest rates, positively impacted shareholders' equity during the first three months of 2025.

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Liquidity

Liquidity is measured by our ability to raise funds through deposits, borrowed funds, and capital, or cash flow from the repayment of loans and securities. These funds are used to fund loans, meet deposit withdrawals, and operate our company. Liquidity is primarily achieved through local and out-of-area deposits and liquid assets such as securities available for sale, matured and called securities, federal funds sold and interest-earning deposits. Asset and liability management is the process of managing our balance sheet to achieve a mix of earning assets and liabilities that maximizes profitability, while providing adequate liquidity.

To assist in providing needed funds and managing interest rate risk, we periodically obtain monies from wholesale funding sources. Wholesale funds, comprised of out-of-area deposits and FHLBI advances, totaled $516 million, or about 10% of total funds, as of March 31, 2025, compared to $537 million, or about 10% of total funds, as of December 31, 2024.

Sweep accounts increased $121 million during the first quarter of 2025, largely reflecting the return of funds that had been withdrawn during the fourth quarter of 2024. In addition, the aggregate balance of sweep accounts is subject to relatively large daily fluctuations given the nature of the customers utilizing this product and the sizable balances that many of the customers maintain. The average balance of sweep accounts equaled $221 million during the first three months of 2025, with a high daily balance of $284 million and a low daily balance of $115 million. Our sweep account program entails transferring collected funds from certain business noninterest-bearing checking accounts and savings deposits into overnight interest-bearing repurchase agreements. Such sweep accounts are not deposit accounts and are not afforded federal deposit insurance. All of our repurchase agreements are accounted for as secured borrowings.

Information regarding our repurchase agreements as of March 31, 2025 and during the first three months of 2025 is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)

Outstanding balance at March 31, 2025

$ 242,102

Weighted average interest rate at March 31, 2025

3.47 %

Maximum daily balance three months ended March 31, 2025

$ 283,757

Average daily balance for three months ended March 31, 2025

$ 221,288

Weighted average interest rate for three months ended March 31, 2025

3.23 %

FHLBI advances declined $20.9 million during the first three months of 2025, totaling $366 million as of March 31, 2025. Bullet advance maturities aggregated $20.0 million, while no new bullet advances were obtained, during the first three months of 2025. Payments on amortizing FHLBI advances totaled $0.9 million. Bullet FHLBI advances are generally obtained to provide funds for loan growth and are used to assist in managing interest rate risk, while amortizing FHLBI advances are generally acquired to match-fund specific longer-term fixed rate commercial loans, with the dollar amount and amortization structure of the underlying advances reflective of the associated commercial loans. FHLBI advances are collateralized by residential mortgage loans, first mortgage liens on multi-family residential property loans, first mortgage liens on commercial real estate property loans, and substantially all other assets of our bank, under a blanket lien arrangement. Our borrowing line of credit totaled $1.06 billion, with remaining availability based on collateral equaling $674 million, as of March 31, 2025.

We also have the ability to borrow up to an aggregate $70.0 million on a daily basis through correspondent banks using established unsecured federal funds purchased lines of credit. We did not access these lines of credit during the first three months of 2025. In contrast, our interest-earning deposit balance with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago averaged $248 million during the first three months of 2025. We also have a line of credit through the Discount Window of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Using certain municipal bonds as collateral, we could have borrowed up to $153 million as of March 31, 2025. We did not utilize this line of credit during the first three months of 2025 or at any time during the previous 16 fiscal years, and do not plan to access this line of credit in future periods.

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The following table reflects, as of March 31, 2025, significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations to third parties by payment date, excluding accrued interest:

One Year

One to

Three to

Over

(Dollars in thousands)

or Less Three Years Five Years Five Years Total

Deposits without a stated maturity

$ 3,717,773 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3,717,773

Time deposits

699,938 252,780 11,294 0 964,012

Short-term borrowings

242,102 0 0 0 242,102

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

90,899 181,917 72,087 21,318 366,221

Subordinated debentures

0 0 0 50,501 50,501

Subordinated notes

0 0 0 89,400 89,400

Other borrowed money

0 0 0 1,486 1,486

Premises and equipment leases

1,186 2,207 1,401 1,188 5,982

The balance of certificates of deposit exceeding the FDIC insured limit and their maturity profile as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)

March 31, 2025

December 31, 2024

Up to three months

$ 75,397 $ 101,062

Three months to six months

146,367 66,314

Six months to twelve months

62,033 161,409

Over twelve months

82,060 20,476

Total certificates of deposit

$ 365,857 $ 349,261

In addition to normal loan funding and deposit flow, we must maintain liquidity to meet the demands of certain unfunded loan commitments and standby letters of credit. As of March 31, 2025, we had a total of $2.01 billion in unfunded loan commitments and $27.2 million in unfunded standby letters of credit. Of the total unfunded loan commitments, $1.78 billion were commitments available as lines of credit to be drawn at any time as customers' cash needs vary, and $234 million were for loan commitments generally expected to close and become funded within the next 12 to 18 months. We regularly monitor fluctuations in loan balances and commitment levels and include such data in our overall liquidity management.

We monitor our liquidity position and funding strategies on an ongoing basis, but recognize that unexpected events, changes in economic or market conditions, a reduction in earnings performance, declining capital levels or situations beyond our control could cause liquidity challenges. We have developed contingency funding plans that provide a framework for meeting liquidity disruptions.

Capital Resources

Shareholders' equity increased $23.8 million during the first three months of 2025, equaling $608 million as of March 31, 2025. Positively impacting shareholders' equity during the first three months of 2025 was net income of $19.5 million, which was partially offset by the payment of cash dividends totaling $5.9 million. Activity relating to the issuance and sale of common stock through various stock-based compensation programs and our dividend reinvestment plan positively impacted shareholders' equity by $1.0 million. A $9.2 million after-tax increase in the market value of our available for sale securities portfolio, reflecting a decline in market interest rates, positively impacted shareholders' equity during the first three months of 2025.

We and our bank are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by state and federal banking agencies. Failure to meet the various capital requirements can initiate regulatory action that could have a direct material effect on the financial statements. As of March 31, 2025, our bank's total risk-based capital ratio was 14.0%, compared to 13.9% as of December 31, 2024. Our bank's total regulatory capital increased $3.0 million during the first three months of 2025, in large part reflecting net income totaling $22.3 million, which was partially offset by cash dividends paid to us aggregating $20.8 million. As of March 31, 2025, our bank's total regulatory capital equaled $762 million, or $217 million in excess of the 10.0% minimum that is among the requirements to be categorized as "well capitalized." Our and our bank's capital ratios as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 are disclosed in Note 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Results of Operations

We recorded net income of $19.5 million, or $1.21 per basic and diluted share, for the first quarter of 2025, compared with net income of $21.6 million, or $1.34 per basic and diluted share, for the first quarter of 2024. Diluted earnings per share decreased $0.13, or 9.7%, during the first quarter of 2025, compared with the prior-year first quarter.

The decrease in net income during the first three months of 2025 compared to the respective 2024 period reflected lower noninterest income and higher levels of noninterest expense and provisions for credit losses, which more than offset increased net interest income. Net interest income increased as earning asset expansion and a decrease in the cost of funds outpaced a lower yield on earning assets and growth in interest-bearing liabilities. Noninterest income declined as increases in treasury management fees, mortgage banking income, and payroll service fees were outweighed by reductions in interest rate swap income, revenue generated from an investment in a private equity fund, and bank owned life insurance income. Noninterest expense was up primarily due to increased salary and benefit and data processing costs. The provision expense recorded during the current-year first quarter mainly reflected an increased allocation necessitated by changes to the economic forecast.

Interest income during the first quarter of 2025 was $80.3 million, an increase of $3.6 million, or 4.7%, from the $76.7 million earned during the first quarter of 2024. The increase resulted from growth in average earning assets, which more than offset a lower yield on average earning assets. Average earning assets equaled $5.68 billion during the first quarter of 2025, up $597 million, or 11.7%, from the level of $5.08 billion during the prior-year first quarter; average loans were up $330 million, average securities increased $150 million, and average interest-earning deposits grew $117 million. The yield on average earning assets was 5.74% during the current-year first quarter, a decrease from 6.06% during the respective 2024 period. The lower yield mainly resulted from a decreased yield on loans and a change in earning asset mix, which more than offset an enhanced yield on securities stemming from reinvestment and portfolio expansion activities in a higher interest rate environment. The yield on loans was 6.31% during the first quarter of 2025, down from 6.65% during the first quarter of 2024 primarily due to lower interest rates on variable-rate commercial loans resulting from the Federal Open Market Committee ("FOMC") lowering the targeted federal funds rate. The FOMC decreased the targeted federal funds rate by 50 basis points in September of 2024 and 25 basis points in each of November and December of 2024, during which time average variable-rate commercial loans represented approximately 73% of average total commercial loans. Signifying the success of a strategic initiative to reduce the loan-to-deposit ratio and increase on-balance sheet liquidity, higher-yielding loans represented a reduced percentage of earning assets and lower-yielding securities and interest-earning deposits accounted for increased percentages of earning assets in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2024. The yield on securities equaled 2.79% during the first three months of 2025, up from 2.20% during the first three months of 2024.

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Interest expense during the first quarter of 2025 was $31.8 million, an increase of $2.4 million, or 8.3%, from the $29.4 million expensed during the first quarter of 2024. The higher level of interest expense resulted from growth in average interest-bearing liabilities, which more than offset a decline in the weighted average cost of these funds. Average interest-bearing liabilities totaled $4.18 billion during the first three months of 2025, compared to $3.61 billion during the respective 2024 period, representing an increase of $575 million, or 15.9%. The average weighted cost of interest-bearing liabilities declined from 3.27% during the first quarter of 2024 to 3.08% during the first quarter of 2025 mainly due to lower rates paid on money market accounts, reflecting the decreased interest rate environment that began in September of 2024 in conjunction with the FOMC's lowering of the targeted federal funds rate. A change in funding mix, primarily consisting of a decrease in average noninterest-bearing checking accounts and growth in average higher-cost money market accounts and time deposits, negatively impacted the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities during the first three months of 2025. The increases in money market accounts and time deposits reflected new deposit relationships, growth in existing deposit relationships, and deposit migration.

Net interest income during the first quarter of 2025 was $48.5 million, an increase of $1.2 million, or 2.5%, from the $47.3 million earned during the respective 2024 period. The increase reflected growth in earning assets, which more than offset a lower net interest margin. The net interest margin was 3.47% in the first quarter of 2025, down from 3.74% in the prior-year first quarter due to a decreased yield on earning assets, which more than offset a decline in the cost of funds. The lower yield on average earning assets mainly resulted from a decreased yield on commercial loans, largely reflecting the impact of the previously mentioned FOMC rate cuts. The cost of funds equaled 2.27% in the first quarter of 2025, down from 2.32% in the first quarter of 2024 primarily due to lower costs of money market accounts, reflecting the decreasing interest rate environment over the last four months of 2024.

The following table sets forth certain information relating to our consolidated average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and reflects the average yield on assets and average cost of liabilities for the first quarters of 2025 and 2024. Such yields and costs are derived by dividing income or expense by the average daily balance of assets or liabilities, respectively, for the period presented. Tax-exempt securities interest income and yield for the first quarters of 2025 and 2024 have been computed on a tax equivalent basis using a marginal tax rate of 21.0%. Securities interest income was increased by $60,000 in the first quarters of 2025 and 2024 for this non-GAAP, but industry standard, adjustment. These adjustments equated to increases in our net interest margin of less than one basis point for both periods.

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Quarters ended March 31,

2025

2024

Average

Average

Average

Average

Balance

Interest

Rate

Balance

Interest

Rate

(dollars in thousands)

ASSETS

Loans

$ 4,629,098 $ 71,992 6.31 % $ 4,299,163 $ 71,270 6.65 %

Investment securities

784,608 5,471 2.79 634,099 3,481 2.20

Interest-earning deposits

266,871 2,935 4.40 150,234 2,033 5.35

Total interest - earning assets

5,680,577 80,398 5.74 5,083,496 76,784 6.06

Allowance for credit losses

(55,657 ) (51,046 )

Other assets

393,238 352,225

Total assets

$ 6,018,158 $ 5,384,675

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Interest-bearing deposits

$ 3,443,770 $ 25,192 2.97 % $ 2,790,307 $ 22,224 3.19 %

Short-term borrowings

221,288 1,763 3.23 216,674 1,654 3.06

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

376,211 2,898 3.08 460,251 3,399 2.92

Other borrowings

141,129 1,937 5.49 139,923 2,086 5.90

Total interest-bearing liabilities

4,182,398 31,790 3.08 3,607,155 29,363 3.27

Noninterest-bearing deposits

1,144,781 1,175,884

Other liabilities

96,834 74,455

Shareholders' equity

594,145 527,181

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$ 6,018,158 $ 5,384,675

Net interest income

$ 48,608 $ 47,421

Net interest rate spread

2.66 % 2.79 %

Net interest spread on average assets

3.28 % 3.53 %

Net interest margin on earning assets

3.47 % 3.74 %
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Provisions for credit losses of $2.1 million and $1.3 million were recorded during the first quarters of 2025 and 2024, respectively. The provision expense recorded during the first three months of 2025 mainly reflected an increased allocation dictated by changes to the economic forecast. The provision expense recorded during the first three months of 2024 primarily reflected an individual allocation for a nonperforming commercial loan relationship, allocations necessitated by net loan growth, and a change in a commercial loan environmental factor, which more than offset the impacts of an improved economic forecast and changes to the loan portfolio composition. Sustained strength in loan quality metrics and the recording of net loan recoveries during both periods largely mitigated additional reserves associated with loan growth.

Noninterest income totaled $8.7 million during the first quarter of 2025, down from $10.9 million during the respective 2024 period as growth in treasury management fees, mortgage banking income, and payroll service fees was more than offset by lower levels of interest rate swap income, revenue generated from an investment in a private equity fund, and bank owned life insurance income. The increase in treasury management fees mainly reflected customers' expanded use of products and services and the successful marketing of these offerings to existing and new clients. The higher level of mortgage banking income primarily resulted from increases in the percentage of loans originated with the intent to sell, which equaled approximately 80% during the current-year first quarter compared to approximately 74% during the first quarter of 2024, and total loan originations, which were up approximately 26% during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the corresponding 2024 period. During the first quarter of 2025, interest rate swap income, which sometimes varies greatly from period to period due to the timing of closing transactions, was negatively impacted by the ongoing uncertainty surrounding economic and operating conditions and the associated reduction in commercial loan activity. Noninterest income during the first three months of 2024 included bank owned life insurance claims totaling $0.7 million.

Noninterest expense totaled $31.1 million during the first quarter of 2025, compared to $29.9 million during the prior-year first quarter. The increase primarily resulted from higher salary and benefit costs, largely reflecting annual merit pay increases and market adjustments. A higher level of data processing costs, mainly reflecting increased software support costs, also contributed to the rise in noninterest expense. Lower depreciation expense, largely reflecting facility expansion and leasehold improvement projects becoming fully depreciated during 2024, and a reduced reserve for commercial loan commitments positively impacted noninterest expense during the first three months of 2025. Noninterest expense during the first quarter of 2024 included contributions to The Mercantile Bank Foundation totaling $0.7 million.

During the first quarter of 2025, we recorded income before federal income tax of $24.0 million and a federal income tax expense of $4.5 million. During the first quarter of 2024, we recorded income before federal income tax of $27.0 million and a federal income tax expense of $5.4 million. The $0.9 million decrease in federal income tax expense in the first three months of 2025 compared to the respective 2024 period primarily resulted from the lower level of income before federal income tax. The aforementioned bank owned life insurance claims, substantially all of which were nontaxable, positively impacted the effective tax rate in the first three months of 2024.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our primary market risk exposure is interest rate risk and, to a lesser extent, liquidity risk. All of our transactions are denominated in U.S. dollars with no specific foreign exchange exposure. We have only limited agricultural-related loan assets and therefore have no significant exposure to changes in commodity prices. Any impact that changes in foreign exchange rates and commodity prices would have on interest rates is assumed to be insignificant. Interest rate risk is the exposure of our financial condition to adverse movements in interest rates. We derive our income primarily from the excess of interest collected on our interest-earning assets over the interest paid on our interest-bearing liabilities. The rates of interest we earn on our assets and owe on our liabilities generally are established contractually for a period of time. Since market interest rates change over time, we are exposed to lower profitability if we cannot adapt to interest rate changes. Accepting interest rate risk can be an important source of profitability and shareholder value; however, excessive levels of interest rate risk could pose a significant threat to our earnings and capital base. Accordingly, effective risk management that maintains interest rate risk at prudent levels is essential to our safety and soundness.

Evaluating the exposure to changes in interest rates includes assessing both the adequacy of the process used to control interest rate risk and the quantitative level of exposure. Our interest rate risk management process seeks to ensure that appropriate policies, procedures, management information systems and internal control procedures are in place to maintain interest rate risk at prudent levels with consistency and continuity. In evaluating the quantitative level of interest rate risk, we assess the existing and potential future effects of changes in interest rates on our financial condition, including capital adequacy, earnings, liquidity and asset quality.

We use two interest rate risk measurement techniques. The first, which is commonly referred to as GAP analysis, measures the difference between the dollar amounts of interest sensitive assets and liabilities that will be refinanced or repriced during a given time period. A significant repricing gap could result in a negative impact to our net interest margin during periods of changing market interest rates.

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The following table depicts our GAP position as of March 31, 2025:

Within

Three to

One to

After

Three

Twelve

Five

Five

(Dollars in thousands)

Months Months Years Years Total

Assets:

Loans (1)

$ 2,932,924 $ 163,911 $ 1,058,971 $ 480,743 $ 4,636,549

Securities available for sale (2)

40,379 42,900 342,767 383,050 809,096

Interest-earning deposits

310,634 506 4,000 0 315,140

Mortgage loans held for sale

15,192 0 0 0 15,192

Allowance for credit losses

0 0 0 0 (56,666 )

Other assets

0 0 0 0 421,889

Total assets

$ 3,299,129 $ 207,317 $ 1,405,738 $ 863,793 $ 6,141,200

Liabilities:

Interest-bearing deposits

2,788,229 455,984 264,073 0 3,508,286

Short-term borrowings

242,102 0 0 0 242,102

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

30,000 60,899 254,004 21,318 366,221

Other borrowed money

51,987 0 89,400 0 141,387

Noninterest-bearing checking

0 0 0 0 1,173,499

Other liabilities

0 0 0 0 101,359

Total liabilities

3,112,318 516,883 607,477 21,318 5,532,854

Shareholders' equity

0 0 0 0 608,346

Total liabilities & shareholders' equity

$ 3,112,318 $ 516,883 $ 607,477 $ 21,318 $ 6,141,200

Net asset (liability) GAP

$ 186,811 $ (309,566 ) $ 798,261 $ 842,475

Cumulative GAP

$ 186,811 $ (122,755 ) $ 675,506 $ 1,517,981

Percent of cumulative GAP to total assets

3.0 % (2.0 )% 11.0 % 24.7 %

(1)

Floating rate loans that are currently at interest rate floors are treated as fixed rate loans and are reflected using maturity date and not repricing frequency.

(2) Mortgage-backed securities are categorized by expected maturities based upon prepayment trends as of March 31, 2025.
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The second interest rate risk measurement we use is commonly referred to as net interest income simulation analysis. We believe that this methodology provides a more accurate measurement of interest rate risk than the GAP analysis, and therefore, it serves as our primary interest rate risk measurement technique. The simulation model assesses the direction and magnitude of variations in net interest income resulting from potential changes in market interest rates.

Key assumptions in the model include prepayment speeds on various loan and investment assets; cash flows and maturities of interest sensitive assets and liabilities; and changes in market conditions impacting loan and deposit volume and pricing. These assumptions are inherently uncertain, subject to fluctuation and revision in a dynamic environment; therefore, the model cannot precisely estimate net interest income or exactly predict the impact of higher or lower interest rates on net interest income. Actual results will differ from simulated results due to timing, magnitude, and frequency of interest rate changes and changes in market conditions and our strategies, among other factors.

We conducted multiple simulations as of March 31, 2025, in which it was assumed that changes in market interest rates occurred ranging from up 300 basis points to down 400 basis points in equal quarterly instalments over the next twelve months. The following table reflects the suggested dollar and percentage changes in net interest income over the next twelve months in comparison to the $225 million in net interest income projected using our balance sheet amounts and anticipated replacement rates as of March 31, 2025. The resulting estimates are generally within our policy parameters established to manage and monitor interest rate risk.

(Dollars in thousands)

Dollar Change Percent Change

In Net

In Net

Interest Rate Scenario

Interest Income

Interest Income

Interest rates down 400 basis points

$ (29,500 ) (13.1 )%

Interest rates down 300 basis points

(17,800 ) (7.9 )

Interest rates down 200 basis points

(13,800 ) (6.1 )

Interest rates down 100 basis points

(6,600 ) (2.9 )

Interest rates up 100 basis points

6,300 2.8

Interest rates up 200 basis points

12,800 5.7

Interest rates up 300 basis points

18,900 8.4

The resulting estimates have been significantly impacted by the current interest rate and economic environments, as adjustments have been made to critical model inputs with regards to traditional interest rate relationships. This is especially important as it relates to floating rate commercial loans, which comprise a sizable portion of our balance sheet.

In addition to changes in interest rates, the level of future net interest income is also dependent on a number of other variables, including: the growth, composition and absolute levels of loans, deposits, and other earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities; level of nonperforming assets; economic and competitive conditions; potential changes in lending, investing, and deposit gathering strategies; client preferences; and other factors.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of March 31, 2025, an evaluation was performed under the supervision of and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2025.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2025 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

From time to time, we may be involved in various legal proceedings that are incidental to our business. In our opinion, we are not a party to any current legal proceedings that are material to our financial condition, either individually or in the aggregate.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those previously disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

We made no unregistered sales of equity securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

On May 27, 2021, we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized a program to repurchase up to $20.0 million of our common stock from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices or by other means in accordance with applicable regulations. 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 our stock, general market and economic conditions, our capital position, financial performance and alternative uses of capital, and applicable legal requirements. The program may be discontinued at any time. No shares were repurchased during the first three months of 2025. Historically, stock repurchases have been funded from cash dividends paid to us from our bank. Additional repurchases may be made in future periods under the authorized plan or a new plan, which would also likely be funded from cash dividends paid to us from our bank. As of March 31, 2025, repurchases aggregating $6.8 million were available to be made under the current repurchase program.

Repurchases made during the first quarter of 2025 are detailed in the table below.

Maximum Number

of Shares or

Approximate Dollar

Total Number of

Value that May Yet

Total

Shares Purchased as

Be

Number of

Average

Part of Publicly

Purchased Under the

Shares

Price Paid Per

Announced Plans or

Plans or Programs

Period

Purchased

Share

Programs

(Dollars in thousands)

January 1 - 31

0 $ 0 0 $ 6,818

February 1 - 28

0 0 0 6,818

March 1 - 31

0 0 0 6,818

Total

0 $ 0 0 $ 6,818

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

Notapplicable.

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Item 6. Exhibits

EXHIBIT NO.

EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION

3.1

Articles of Incorporation of Mercantile Bank Corporation, including all amendments thereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of our Form S-4 Registration Statement filed February 16, 2022

3.2

Our Amended and Restated Bylaws dated as of February 26, 2015 are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 26, 2015

4.1 Instruments defining the Rights of Security Holders - reference is made to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2. In accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(b)(4), Mercantile Bank Corporation is not filing copies of instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt because none of those instruments authorizes debt in excess of 10% of the total assets of Mercantile Bank Corporation and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. Mercantile Bank Corporation hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
4.2 Subordinated indenture, dated December 15, 2021, by and between Mercantile Bank Corporation and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 17, 2021
4.3 First Supplemental Indenture to Subordinated indenture, dated December 15, 2021, by and between Mercantile Bank Corporation and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 17, 2021
4.4 Form of 3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Note due 2032, incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 17, 2021
4.5 Form of Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement dated December 15, 2021, by and among Mercantile Bank Corporation and the Purchasers, incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 17, 2021
4.6 Form of Registration Rights Agreement dated December 15, 2021, by and among Mercantile Bank Corporation and the Purchasers, incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 17, 2021
10.1 Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Award Agreement, in connection with the Mercantile Bank Corporation Stock Incentive Plan of 2023, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 on our Form 8-K filed February 6, 2025
10.2 Form of Standard Restricted Stock Award Agreement, in connection with the Mercantile Bank Corporation Stock Incentive Plan of 2023, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 on our Form 8-K filed February 6, 2025
10.3 2025 Mercantile Executive Officer Bonus Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 on our Form 8-K filed March 20, 2025

31

Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications

32.1

Section 1350 Chief Executive Officer Certification

32.2

Section 1350 Chief Financial Officer Certification

101

The following financial information from Mercantile's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, formatted in Inline XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

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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, thereunto duly authorized, on May 2, 2025.

MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

By: /s/ Raymond E. Reitsma

Raymond E. Reitsma

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

By: /s/ Charles E. Christmas

Charles E. Christmas

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

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