mbwm20150630_10q.htm Table Of Contents

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015

 

[ ] 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

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

incorporation or organization)

 

 

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)

 

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   X   

 

No ___

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).

Yes   X  

 

No ___

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer ___

Accelerated filer   X   

Non-accelerated filer ___

Smaller reporting company ___

 

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

Yes ___

 

No   X  

 

At August 7, 2015, there were 16,459,841 shares of common stock outstanding.

 

 
 

Table Of Contents
 

 

MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

INDEX

 


 

 

PART I.

Financial Information

Page No.

         
 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

   
         
 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014  

1

 
         
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) - Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014

2

 
         
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014

3

 
         
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited) - Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014

4  
         
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014

6

 
         
 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

8

 
         
 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

70

 
         
 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

88

 
         
 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

91

 
         

PART II.

Other Information

   
         
 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

92

 
         
 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

92

 
         
 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

92

 
         
 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

92

 
         
 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

92

 
         
 

Item 5.

Other Information

92

 
         
 

Item 6.

Exhibits

93

 
         
 

Signatures

94

 

 

 

Table Of Contents
 

 

MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

PART I --- FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 


 

   

June 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2015

   

2014

 
                 

ASSETS

               

Cash and due from banks

  $ 44,811,000     $ 43,754,000  

Interest-bearing deposits

    83,774,000       117,777,000  

Federal funds sold

    9,846,000       11,207,000  

Total cash and cash equivalents

    138,431,000       172,738,000  
                 

Securities available for sale

    373,446,000       432,912,000  

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

    7,567,000       13,699,000  
                 

Loans

    2,171,832,000       2,089,277,000  

Allowance for loan losses

    (16,561,000 )     (20,041,000 )

Loans, net

    2,155,271,000       2,069,236,000  
                 

Premises and equipment, net

    47,902,000       48,812,000  

Bank owned life insurance

    58,409,000       57,861,000  

Goodwill

    49,473,000       49,473,000  

Core deposit intangible

    14,061,000       15,624,000  

Other assets

    31,384,000       33,024,000  
                 

Total assets

  $ 2,875,944,000     $ 2,893,379,000  
                 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

               

Deposits

               

Noninterest-bearing

  $ 612,222,000     $ 558,738,000  

Interest-bearing

    1,666,572,000       1,718,177,000  

Total deposits

    2,278,794,000       2,276,915,000  
                 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

    152,081,000       167,569,000  

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

    48,000,000       54,022,000  

Subordinated debentures

    54,813,000       54,472,000  

Accrued interest and other liabilities

    13,285,000       12,263,000  

Total liabilities

    2,546,973,000       2,565,241,000  
                 

Shareholders' equity

               

Preferred stock, no par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued

    0       0  

Common stock, no par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 16,571,474 shares outstanding at June 30, 2015 and 16,976,839 shares outstanding at December 31, 2014

    310,136,000       317,904,000  

Retained earnings

    18,766,000       10,218,000  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    69,000       16,000  

Total shareholders’ equity

    328,971,000       328,138,000  
                 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

  $ 2,875,944,000     $ 2,893,379,000  

 


 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
1

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

 


 

   

Three Months

   

Three Months

   

Six Months

   

Six Months

 
   

Ended

   

Ended

   

Ended

   

Ended

 
   

June 30, 2015

   

June 30, 2014

   

June 30, 2015

   

June 30, 2014

 
                                 

Interest income

                               

Loans, including fees

  $ 25,587,000     $ 16,657,000     $ 50,898,000     $ 28,756,000  

Securities, taxable

    1,489,000       1,393,000       3,174,000       2,627,000  

Securities, tax-exempt

    523,000       374,000       1,060,000       557,000  

Other interest-earning assets

    64,000       58,000       120,000       130,000  

Total interest income

    27,663,000       18,482,000       55,252,000       32,070,000  
                                 

Interest expense

                               

Deposits

    1,775,000       2,272,000       3,675,000       4,307,000  

Short-term borrowings

    39,000       27,000       76,000       49,000  

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

    151,000       156,000       303,000       306,000  

Other borrowings

    657,000       474,000       1,308,000       791,000  

Total interest expense

    2,622,000       2,929,000       5,362,000       5,453,000  
                                 

Net interest income

    25,041,000       15,553,000       49,890,000       26,617,000  
                                 

Provision for loan losses

    (600,000 )     (700,000 )     (1,000,000 )     (2,600,000 )
                                 

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

    25,641,000       16,253,000       50,890,000       29,217,000  
                                 

Noninterest income

                               

Services charges on accounts

    812,000       522,000       1,582,000       887,000  

Credit and debit card income

    1,079,000       593,000       2,291,000       894,000  

Mortgage banking activities

    999,000       349,000       1,687,000       412,000  

Earnings on bank owned life insurance

    262,000       282,000       548,000       581,000  

Other income

    869,000       542,000       1,607,000       1,020,000  

Total noninterest income

    4,021,000       2,288,000       7,715,000       3,794,000  
                                 

Noninterest expense

                               

Salaries and benefits

    11,074,000       7,037,000       21,158,000       12,267,000  

Occupancy

    1,479,000       914,000       3,052,000       1,626,000  

Furniture and equipment

    596,000       368,000       1,220,000       615,000  

Data processing costs

    1,872,000       1,440,000       3,642,000       2,376,000  

FDIC insurance costs

    483,000       224,000       960,000       401,000  

Merger-related costs

    0       3,453,000       0       3,830,000  

Other expense

    4,846,000       2,630,000       9,559,000       4,158,000  

Total noninterest expenses

    20,350,000       16,066,000       39,591,000       25,273,000  
                                 

Income before federal income tax expense

    9,312,000       2,475,000       19,014,000       7,738,000  
                                 

Federal income tax expense

    2,754,000       966,000       5,810,000       2,649,000  
                                 

Net income

  $ 6,558,000     $ 1,509,000     $ 13,204,000     $ 5,089,000  
                                 

Basic earnings per share

  $ 0.39     $ 0.13     $ 0.78     $ 0.50  

Diluted earnings per share

  $ 0.39     $ 0.13     $ 0.78     $ 0.50  

Cash dividends per share

  $ 0.14     $ 2.12     $ 0.28     $ 2.24  
                                 

Average basic shares outstanding

  $ 16,767,393     $ 11,406,908     $ 16,852,002     $ 10,080,242  

Average diluted shares outstanding

  $ 16,803,846     $ 11,435,867     $ 16,887,702     $ 10,094,725  

 


 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
2

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

 


 

   

Three Months

   

Three Months

   

Six Months

   

Six Months

 
   

Ended

   

Ended

   

Ended

   

Ended

 
   

June 30, 2015

   

June 30, 2014

   

June 30, 2015

   

June 30, 2014

 
                                 
                                 

Net income

  $ 6,558,000     $ 1,509,000     $ 13,204,000     $ 5,089,000  
                                 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                               

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities available for sale

    (2,722,000 )     1,537,000       165,000       4,148,000  

Fair value of interest rate swap

    71,000       (140,000 )     (126,000 )     (126,000 )
      (2,651,000 )     1,397,000       39,000       4,022,000  
                                 

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

    981,000       (568,000 )     (30,000 )     (1,481,000 )

Tax effect of fair value of interest rate swap

    (25,000 )     49,000       44,000       45,000  
      956,000       (519,000 )     14,000       (1,436,000 )
                                 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

    (1,695,000 )     878,000       53,000       2,586,000  
                                 

Comprehensive income

  $ 4,863,000     $ 2,387,000     $ 13,257,000     $ 7,675,000  

 


 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
3

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF

CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

 


 

                            Accumulated    

 

 
                   

Retained

   

Other

   

Total

 

($ in thousands)

 

Preferred

   

Common

   

Earnings

   

Comprehensive

   

Shareholders’

 
   

Stock

   

Stock

   

(Deficit)

   

Income (Loss)

   

Equity

 
                                         

Balances, January 1, 2015

  $ 0     $ 317,904     $ 10,218     $ 16     $ 328,138  
                                         

Employee stock purchase plan (1,110 shares)

            23                       23  
                                         

Dividend reinvestment plan (13,788 shares)

            283                       283  
                                         

Stock option exercises (26,375 shares)

            275                       275  
                                         

Stock grants to directors for retainer fees (20,094 shares)

            402                       402  
                                         

Stock-based compensation expense

            359                       359  
                                         

Share repurchase program (463,060 shares)

            (9,110 )                     (9,110 )
                                         

Cash dividends ($0.28 per common share)

                    (4,656 )             (4,656 )
                                         

Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2015

                    13,204               13,204  
                                         

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

                            135       135  
                                         

Change in fair value of interest rate swap, net of tax effect

                            (82 )     (82 )
                                         

Balances, June 30, 2015

  $ 0     $ 310,136     $ 18,766     $ 69     $ 328,971  

  


 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
4

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF

CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 


 

                            Accumulated    

 

 
                   

Retained

   

Other

   

Total

 

($ in thousands)

 

Preferred

   

Common

   

Earnings

   

Comprehensive

   

Shareholders’

 
   

Stock

   

Stock

   

(Deficit)

   

Income (Loss)

   

Equity

 
                                         

Balances, January 1, 2014

  $ 0     $ 162,999     $ (4,101 )   $ (5,573 )   $ 153,325  
                                         

Stock option exercises (5,920 shares)

            75                       75  
                                         

Stock grants to directors for retainer fees (7,375 shares)

            155                       155  
                                         

Stock-based compensation expense

            351                       351  
                                         

Cash dividends ($2.24 per common share)

            (20,102 )     (315 )             (20,417 )
                                         

Common stock issued in connection with Firstbank merger (8,087,272 shares)

            173,310                       173,310  
                                         

Stock options issued to replace existing Firstbank options at merger date

            1,664                       1,664  
                                         

Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2014

                    5,089               5,089  
                                         

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

                            2,667       2,667  
                                         

Change in fair value of interest rate swap, net of tax effect

                            (81 )     (81 )
                                         

Balances, June 30, 2014

  $ 0     $ 318,452     $ 673     $ (2,987 )   $ 316,138  

 


 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
5

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 


 

   

Six Months

   

Six Months

 
   

Ended

   

Ended

 
   

June 30, 2015

   

June 30, 2014

 

Cash flows from operating activities

               

Net income

  $ 13,204,000     $ 5,089,000  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities

               

Depreciation and amortization

    5,588,000       1,967,000  

Accretion of acquired loans

    (2,910,000 )     (512,000 )

Provision for loan losses

    (1,000,000 )     (2,600,000 )

Stock-based compensation expense

    359,000       351,000  

Stock grants to directors for retainer fee

    402,000       155,000  

Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans held for sale

    57,735,000       16,958,000  

Origination of mortgage loans held for sale

    (56,853,000 )     (16,525,000 )

Net gain from sales of mortgage loans held for sale

    (1,706,000 )     (383,000 )

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

    (71,000 )     (605,000 )

Net gain from sales of fixed assets

    (10,000 )     0  

Net gain from sales of available for sale securities

    (5,000 )     0  

Earnings on bank owned life insurance

    (548,000 )     (581,000 )

Net change in:

               

Accrued interest receivable

    212,000       312,000  

Other assets

    (188,000 )     (1,678,000 )

Accrued interest and other liabilities

    896,000       6,884,000  

Net cash from operating activities

    15,105,000       8,832,000  
                 

Cash flows from investing activities

               

Cash received in merger

    0       91,806,000  

Loan originations and payments, net

    (82,399,000 )     (75,655,000 )

Purchases of securities available for sale

    (4,868,000 )     (11,679,000 )

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

    62,135,000       22,800,000  

Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale

    665,000       0  

Proceeds from sales of foreclosed assets

    1,131,000       1,940,000  

Proceeds from FHLB stock redemption

    6,132,000       0  

Purchases of premises and equipment

    (589,000 )     (874,000 )

Net cash from (for) investing activities

    (17,793,000 )     28,338,000  
                 

Cash flows from financing activities

               

Net decrease in time deposits

    (84,451,000 )     (15,516,000 )

Net increase (decrease) in all other deposits

    87,505,000       (29,743,000 )

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

    (15,488,000 )     319,000  

Maturities of Federal Home Loan Bank advances

    (6,000,000 )     0  

Proceeds from stock option exercises

    275,000       75,000  

Employee stock purchase plan

    23,000       0  

Dividend reinvestment plan

    283,000       0  

Repurchase of common stock shares

    (9,110,000 )     0  

Payment of cash dividends to common shareholders

    (4,656,000 )     (20,417,000 )

Net cash for financing activities

    (31,619,000 )     (65,282,000 )
                 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

    (34,307,000 )     (28,112,000 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    172,738,000       146,965,000  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 138,431,000     $ 118,853,000  

 


 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
6

Table Of Contents
 

 

MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 


 

   

Six Months

   

Six Months

 
   

Ended

   

Ended

 
   

June 30, 2015

   

June 30, 2014

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flows information

               

Cash paid during the period for:

               

Interest

  $ 5,564,000     $ 5,336,000  

Federal income tax

    5,700,000       1,400,000  

Noncash financing and investing activities:

               

Transfers from loans to foreclosed assets

    1,098,000       175,000  

 


 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
7

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

1.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation: The unaudited financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2015 include the consolidated results of operations of Mercantile Bank Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. These subsidiaries include Mercantile Bank of Michigan (“our bank”) and our bank’s two subsidiaries, Mercantile Bank Real Estate Co., LLC (“our real estate company”) and Mercantile Insurance Center, Inc. (“our insurance center”). 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 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 June 30, 2015 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, 2014.

 

We have five separate 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.

 

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 100,000 unvested restricted shares were included in determining both basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015. In addition, stock options for approximately 108,000 shares of common stock were included in determining diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015. Stock options for approximately 91,000 shares of common stock were antidilutive and not included in determining diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015.

 

Stock options for approximately 159,000 shares of common stock were included in determining diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014. Stock options for approximately 177,000 shares of common stock were antidilutive and not included in determining diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

1.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

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 are classified as available for sale when they might be sold prior to maturity. Equity securities with readily determinable fair values are classified as available for sale. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income, net of tax. Federal Home Loan Bank stock is carried at cost.

 

Interest income includes amortization of purchase premiums and accretion of discounts. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized or accreted on the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments, except for mortgage-backed securities where prepayments are anticipated. Gains and losses on sales are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method.

 

Declines in the fair value of debt securities below their amortized cost that are other than temporary (“OTTI”) are reflected in earnings or other comprehensive income, as appropriate. For those debt securities whose fair value is less than their amortized cost, we 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 whether we expect to recover the entire amortized cost of the security based on our assessment of the issuer’s financial condition. In analyzing an issuer’s financial condition, we consider whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, and whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the entire difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized as impairment through earnings. For debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the amount of impairment is split into two components as follows: 1) OTTI related to credit loss, which must be recognized in the income statement, and 2) OTTI related to other factors, such as liquidity conditions in the market or changes in market interest rates, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. The credit loss is defined as the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost.

 

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 and an allowance for loan losses. 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

1.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

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. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recorded as a valuation allowance and charged to earnings. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we determined that the fair value of our mortgage loans held for sale approximated the recorded cost of $2.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively. Loans held for sale are reported as part of our total loans on the balance sheet.

 

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 and the carrying value of the related loan sold, which is reduced by the cost allocated to the servicing right. We generally lock in the sale price to the purchaser of the loan at the same time we make a rate commitment to the borrower. These mortgage banking activities are not designated as hedges and are carried at fair value. The net gain or loss on mortgage banking derivatives is included in the gain on sale of loans. Mortgage loans serviced for others totaled approximately $594 million as of June 30, 2015.

 

Mortgage Banking Activities: Mortgage loan servicing rights are recognized as assets based on the allocated value of retained servicing rights on mortgage loans sold. 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.

 

Servicing fee income is recorded for fees earned for serving 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 income statement.

 

Troubled Debt Restructurings: A loan is accounted for as a troubled debt restructuring if we, for economic or legal reasons, grant a concession to a borrower considered to be experiencing financial difficulties that we would not otherwise consider. A troubled debt restructuring may involve the receipt of assets from the debtor in partial or full satisfaction of the loan, or a modification of terms such as a reduction of the stated interest rate or balance of the loan, a reduction of accrued interest, an extension of the maturity date or renewal of the loan at a stated interest rate lower than the current market rate for a new loan with similar risk, or some combination of these concessions. Troubled debt restructurings can be in either accrual or nonaccrual status. Nonaccrual troubled debt restructurings are included in nonperforming loans. Accruing troubled debt restructurings are generally excluded from nonperforming loans as it is considered probable that all contractual principal and interest due under the restructured terms will be collected.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

1.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

In accordance with current accounting guidance, loans modified as troubled debt restructurings are, by definition, considered to be impaired loans. Impairment for these loans is measured on a loan-by-loan basis similar to other impaired loans as described above under “Allowance for Loan Losses.” Certain loans modified as troubled debt restructurings may have been previously measured for impairment under a general allowance methodology (i.e., pooling), thus at the time the loan is modified as a troubled debt restructuring the allowance will be impacted by the difference between the results of these two measurement methodologies. Loans modified as troubled debt restructurings that subsequently default are factored into the determination of the allowance in the same manner as other defaulted loans.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses: The allowance for loan losses (“allowance”) is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when we believe the uncollectability of a loan is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. We estimate the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions and other factors. 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.

 

A loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable we will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. We determine the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of delay, the reasons for delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial and construction loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price or the fair value of collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

1.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

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. In February 2012, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement that qualifies for hedge accounting. The current outstanding interest rate swap is discussed in more detail in Note 10. 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 loans and are effective are reported in other comprehensive income. 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.

 

If designated as a hedge, we formally document the relationship between derivatives as hedged items, as well as the risk-management objective and the strategy for undertaking hedge transactions. This documentation includes linking cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. If designated as a hedge, we also formally assess, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivative instruments that are used are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items. Ineffective hedge gains and losses are recognized immediately in current earnings as noninterest income or expense. We discontinue hedge accounting when we determine the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative is settled or terminates, or treatment of the derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate or intended.

 

Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangible: Goodwill results from business acquisitions and represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of acquired tangible assets and liabilities and identifiable intangible assets. Goodwill is assessed at least annually for impairment and any such impairment is recognized in the period identified. A more frequent assessment is performed if conditions in the market place or changes in the company’s organizational structure occur. We use a discounted income approach and a market valuation model, which compares the inherent value of our company to valuations of recent transactions in the market place to determine if our goodwill has been impaired.

 

The core deposit intangible that arose from the Firstbank Corporation acquisition was initially measured at fair value and is being amortized into noninterest expense over a ten-year period using the sum-of-the-years-digits methodology.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

1.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Adoption of New Accounting Standards: In January of 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-04, Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure. This ASU clarifies that an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, upon either (1) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure or (2) the borrower conveying all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy that loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. The ASU also requires additional related interim and annual disclosures. The guidance in this ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU establishes a comprehensive revenue recognition standard for virtually all industries under U.S. GAAP, including those that previously followed industry-specific guidance such as the real estate, construction and software industries. The revenue standard’s core principle is built on the contract between a vendor and a customer for the provision of goods and services. It attempts to depict the exchange of rights and obligations between the parties in the pattern of revenue recognition based on the consideration to which the vendor is entitled. To accomplish this objective, the standard requires five basic steps: i) identify the contract with the customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with three transition methods available – full retrospective, retrospective and cumulative effect approach. Adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-11, Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. This ASU requires two accounting changes. First, repurchase-to-maturity transactions will be accounted for as secured borrowing transactions on the balance sheet, rather than sales. Second, for repurchase financing arrangements, the ASU requires separate accounting for a transfer of a financial asset executed contemporaneously with (or in contemplation of) a repurchase agreement with the same counterparty, which also will generally result in secured borrowing accounting for the repurchase agreement. The ASU also introduces new disclosures to increase transparency about the types of collateral pledged for repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions, and repurchase-to-maturity transactions that are accounted for as secured borrowings. The ASU also requires a transferor to disclose information about transactions accounted for as a sale in which the transferor retains substantially all of the exposure to the economic return on the transferred financial assets through an agreement with the transferee. The accounting changes and disclosure for certain transactions accounted for as a sale are effective for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2014. The disclosure for transactions accounted for as secured borrowings is required for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and for interim periods beginning after March 15, 2015. The required disclosures under the ASU are included in Note 7. Adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

1.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-14, Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans Upon Foreclosure. This ASU requires that certain government-guaranteed mortgage loans, including those guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration, be derecognized and that a separate other receivable be recognized upon foreclosure if certain conditions are met. Upon foreclosure on the loans that meet these criteria, a separate receivable should be recorded based on the amount of the loan balance expected to be recovered from the guarantor. The amendments are effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 

 

2.

BUSINESS COMBINATION

 

We completed the merger of Firstbank Corporation (“Firstbank”), a Michigan corporation with approximately $1.5 billion in total assets and 46 branch locations, into Mercantile Bank Corporation as of June 1, 2014 (“Merger Date”). The results of operations due to the Firstbank transaction have been included in Mercantile’s financial results since the Merger Date. All of Firstbank’s common stock was converted into the right to receive one share of Mercantile common stock for each share of Firstbank common stock. The conversion of Firstbank’s common stock into Mercantile’s common stock resulted in Mercantile issuing 8,087,272 shares of its common stock. The merger provided an expanded geographic footprint for the Company and increased the size of the balance sheet.

 

The Firstbank transaction was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and accordingly, assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration exchanged were recorded at estimated fair value on the Merger Date. Preliminary goodwill of $49.5 million was calculated as the purchase premium after adjusting for the fair value of net assets acquired and represents the value expected from the synergies created from combining the two banking organizations as well as the economies of scale expected from combining the operations of the two companies. None of the goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes as the merger is accounted for as a tax-free exchange.

 

The following table provides the unaudited pro forma information for the results of operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2014 as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2014. These adjustments reflect the impact of certain purchase accounting fair value measurements, primarily comprised of Firstbank’s loan and deposit portfolios. We expect to achieve further operating cost savings and other business synergies as a result of the merger which are not reflected in the pro forma amounts. These unaudited pro forma results are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to represent or be indicative of the actual results of operations of the combined banking organization that would have been achieved had the merger occurred at the beginning of each period presented, nor are they intended to represent or be indicative of future results of operations.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

2.

BUSINESS COMBINATION (Continued)

 

   

Three Months

   

Six Months

 
   

Ended

   

Ended

 
   

June 30, 2014

   

June 30, 2014

 
                 

Net interest income

  $ 24,051,000     $ 47,934,000  

Noninterest expense

    19,698,000       39,716,000  

Net income

    5,708,000       11,965,000  

Net income per diluted share

    0.34       0.71  

 

In most instances, determining the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities required us to estimate cash flows expected to result from those assets and liabilities and to discount those cash flows at appropriate rates of interest. The most significant of those determinations relates to the valuation of acquired loans. For such loans, the excess of cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value is recognized as interest income over the remaining lives of the loans. The difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition reflects the impact of estimated credit losses and other factors, such as prepayments. In accordance with the applicable accounting guidance for business combinations, there was no carry-over of Firstbank’s previously established allowance for loan losses.

 

The acquired loans were divided into loans with evidence of credit quality deterioration, which are accounted for under ASC 310-30 (“acquired impaired”), and loans that do not meet this criteria, which are accounted for under ASC 310-20 (“acquired non-impaired”). In addition, the loans are further categorized into different loan pools based primarily on the type and purpose of the loan.

 

We also assumed obligations under junior subordinated debentures with an aggregate balance of $36.1 million and an aggregate fair value of $21.1 million as of the Merger Date, payable to four unconsolidated trusts (Firstbank Capital Trust I, Firstbank Capital Trust II, Firstbank Capital Trust III, and Firstbank Capital Trust IV) that have issued trust preferred securities. The junior subordinated debentures are the sole assets of each trust. Interest rates on all trust preferred securities issued by the trusts are tied to the 90 Day Libor rate with spreads ranging from 127 basis points to 199 basis points, and reset quarterly. The trust preferred securities have maturity dates ranging from October, 2034 to July, 2037, and are callable by us in whole or in part quarterly. The junior subordinated debentures are unsecured obligations of Mercantile, who has guaranteed that interest payments on the junior subordinated debentures made to the trust will be distributed by the trust to the holders of the trust preferred securities. The trust preferred securities currently fully qualify as Tier 1 Capital, and under current risk-based capital guidelines, will remain fully qualified as Tier 1 Capital until maturity unless called by us at an earlier date.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

3.

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 are as follows:

 

           

Gross

   

Gross

         
   

Amortized

   

Unrealized

   

Unrealized

   

Fair

 
   

Cost

   

Gains

   

Losses

   

Value

 

June 30, 2015

                               

U.S. Government agency debt obligations

  $ 162,342,000     $ 1,702,000     $ (2,336,000 )   $ 161,708,000  

Mortgage-backed securities

    79,018,000       1,083,000       (260,000 )     79,841,000  

Municipal general obligation bonds

    119,609,000       824,000       (622,000 )     119,811,000  

Municipal revenue bonds

    10,051,000       102,000       (4,000 )     10,149,000  

Other investments

    1,940,000       0       (3,000 )     1,937,000  
                                 
    $ 372,960,000     $ 3,711,000     $ (3,225,000 )   $ 373,446,000  
                                 

December 31, 2014

                               

U.S. Government agency debt obligations

  $ 194,894,000     $ 1,612,000     $ (3,038,000 )   $ 193,468,000  

Mortgage-backed securities

    92,656,000       1,123,000       (218,000 )     93,561,000  

Municipal general obligation bonds

    132,347,000       1,042,000       (307,000 )     133,082,000  

Municipal revenue bonds

    10,769,000       117,000       (13,000 )     10,873,000  

Other investments

    1,925,000       3,000       0       1,928,000  
                                 
    $ 432,591,000     $ 3,897,000     $ (3,576,000 )   $ 432,912,000  

 

Securities with unrealized losses at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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

 
   

Value

   

Loss

   

Value

   

Loss

   

Value

   

Loss

 

June 30, 2015

                                               

U.S. Government agency debt obligations

  $ 2,986,000     $ 13,000     $ 74,876,000     $ 2,323,000     $ 77,862,000     $ 2,336,000  

Mortgage-backed securities

    6,048,000       33,000       19,822,000       227,000       25,870,000       260,000  

Municipal general obligation bonds

    9,001,000       164,000       65,947,000       458,000       74,948,000       622,000  

Municipal revenue bonds

    0       0       2,305,000       4,000       2,305,000       4,000  

Other investments

    1,431,000       3,000       0       0       1,431,000       3,000  
                                                 
    $ 19,466,000     $ 213,000     $ 162,950,000     $ 3,012,000     $ 182,416,000     $ 3,225,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

3.

SECURITIES (Continued)

 

   

Less than 12 Months

   

12 Months or More

   

Total

 
   

Fair

   

Unrealized

   

Fair

   

Unrealized

   

Fair

   

Unrealized

 
   

Value

   

Loss

   

Value

   

Loss

   

Value

   

Loss

 

December 31, 2014

                                               

U.S. Government agency debt obligations

  $ 81,891,000     $ 202,000     $ 74,120,000     $ 2,836,000     $ 156,011,000     $ 3,038,000  

Mortgage-backed securities

    49,940,000       218,000       0       0       49,940,000       218,000  

Municipal general obligation bonds

    54,104,000       307,000       0       0       54,104,000       307,000  

Municipal revenue bonds

    4,644,000       13,000       0       0       4,644,000       13,000  

Other investments

    0       0       0       0       0       0  
                                                 
    $ 190,579,000     $ 740,000     $ 74,120,000     $ 2,836,000     $ 264,699,000     $ 3,576,000  

 

We evaluate securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis. Consideration is given to the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects 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 June 30, 2015, 316 debt securities and one mutual fund with fair values totaling $182.4 million have unrealized losses aggregating $3.2 million. 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 unrealized losses were due to changing interest rate environments. As we do not intend to sell our debt securities before recovery of their cost basis and we believe it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell our debt securities before recovery of the cost basis, no unrealized losses are deemed to be other-than-temporary.

 

The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities at June 30, 2015, 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. Weighted average yields are also reflected, with yields for municipal securities shown at their tax equivalent yield.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

3.

SECURITIES (Continued)

 

   

Weighted

                 
   

Average

   

Amortized

   

Fair

 
   

Yield

   

Cost

   

Value

 
                         

Due in 2015

    0.88 %   $ 6,702,000     $ 6,707,000  

Due in 2016 through 2020

    1.42       135,850,000       135,897,000  

Due in 2021 through 2025

    3.13       65,615,000       65,485,000  

Due in 2026 and beyond

    3.55       83,835,000       83,579,000  

Mortgage-backed securities

    1.68       79,018,000       79,841,000  

Other investments

    2.52       1,940,000       1,937,000  
                         
      2.18 %   $ 372,960,000     $ 373,446,000  

 

Securities issued by the State of Michigan and all its political subdivisions had a combined amortized cost of $103.1 million and $113.1 million at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, with estimated market values of $103.0 million and $113.9 million, respectively. Securities issued by all other states and their political subdivisions had a combined amortized cost of $26.6 million and $30.0 million at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, with estimated market values of $27.0 million and $30.0 million, respectively. 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 obligations and mortgage-backed securities that are pledged to secure repurchase agreements was $152.1 million and $167.6 million at June 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively. Investments in Federal Home Loan Bank stock are restricted and may only be resold or redeemed by the issuer.

 

 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

 

Loans originated for investment are stated at their principal amount outstanding adjusted for partial charge-offs, the allowance, and net deferred loan fees and costs. Interest income on loans is accrued over the term of the loans primarily using the simple interest method based on the principal balance outstanding. Interest is not accrued on loans where collectability is uncertain. Accrued interest is presented separately in the consolidated balance sheet. Loan origination fees and certain direct costs incurred to extend credit are deferred and amortized over the term of the loan or loan commitment period as an adjustment to the related loan yield.

 

Acquired loans are those purchased in the Firstbank merger (See Note 2 – Business Combination for further information). These loans were recorded at estimated fair value at the Merger Date with no carryover of the related allowance. The acquired loans were segregated between those considered to be performing (“acquired non-impaired loans”) and those with evidence of credit deterioration (“acquired impaired loans”). Acquired loans are considered impaired if there is evidence of credit deterioration and if it is probable, at acquisition, all contractually required payments will not be collected. Acquired loans restructured after acquisition are not considered or reported as troubled debt restructurings if the loans evidenced credit deterioration as of the Merger Date and are accounted for in pools.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
18

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

The fair value estimates for acquired loans are based on expected prepayments and the amount and timing of discounted expected principal, interest and other cash flows. Credit discounts representing the principal losses expected over the life of the loan are also a component of the initial fair value. In determining the Merger Date fair value of acquired impaired loans, and in subsequent accounting, we have generally aggregated acquired commercial and consumer loans into pools of loans with common risk characteristics.

 

The difference between the fair value of an acquired non-impaired loan and contractual amounts due at the Merger Date is accreted into income over the estimated life of the loan. Contractually required payments represent the total undiscounted amount of all uncollected principal and interest payments. Acquired non-impaired loans are placed on nonaccrual status and reported as nonperforming or past due using the same criteria applied to the originated loan portfolio.

 

The excess of an acquired impaired loan’s undiscounted contractually required payments over the amount of its undiscounted cash flows expected to be collected is referred to as the non-accretable difference. The non-accretable difference, which is neither accreted into income nor recorded on the consolidated balance sheet, reflects estimated future credit losses and uncollectible contractual interest expected to be incurred over the life of the acquired impaired loan. The excess cash flows expected to be collected over the carrying amount of the acquired loan is referred to as the accretable yield. This amount is accreted into interest income over the remaining life of the acquired loans or pools using the level yield method. The accretable yield is affected by changes in interest rate indices for variable rate loans, changes in prepayment speed assumptions and changes in expected principal and interest payments over the estimated lives of the acquired impaired loans.

 

We evaluate quarterly the remaining contractual required payments receivable and estimate cash flows expected to be collected over the lives of the impaired loans. Contractually required payments receivable may increase or decrease for a variety of reasons, for example, when the contractual terms of the loan agreement are modified, when interest rates on variable rate loans change, or when principal and/or interest payments are received. Cash flows expected to be collected on acquired impaired loans are estimated by incorporating several key assumptions similar to the initial estimate of fair value. These key assumptions include probability of default, loss given default, and the amount of actual prepayments after the Merger Date. Prepayments affect the estimated lives of loans and could change the amount of interest income, and possibly principal, expected to be collected. In re-forecasting future estimated cash flows, credit loss expectations are adjusted as necessary. The adjustments are based, in part, on actual loss severities recognized for each loan type, as well as changes in the probability of default. For periods in which estimated cash flows are not re-forecasted, the prior reporting period’s estimated cash flows are adjusted to reflect the actual cash received and credit events that transpired during the current reporting period.

 

Increases in expected cash flows of acquired impaired loans subsequent to the Merger Date are recognized prospectively through adjustments of the yield on the loans or pools over their remaining lives, while decreases in expected cash flows are recognized as impairment through a provision for loan losses and an increase in the allowance.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
19

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Our total loans at June 30, 2015 were $2.17 billion compared to $2.09 billion at December 31, 2014, an increase of $82.6 million, or 4.0%. The components of our loan portfolio disaggregated by class of loan within the loan portfolio segments at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and the percentage change in loans from the end of 2014 to the end of the second quarter of 2015, are as follows:

 

                                   

Percent

 
   

June 30, 2015

   

December 31, 2014

   

Increase

 
   

Balance

   

%

   

Balance

   

%

   

(Decrease)

 

Originated loans

                                       

Commercial:

                                       

Commercial and industrial

  $ 487,440,000       34.1 %   $ 384,570,000       30.8 %     26.7 %

Vacant land, land development, and residential construction

    28,853,000       2.0       29,826,000       2.4       (3.3 )

Real estate – owner occupied

    297,694,000       20.8       291,758,000       23.4       2.0  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    469,433,000       32.9       410,977,000       33.0       14.2  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    38,968,000       2.7       36,058,000       2.9       8.1  

Total commercial

    1,322,388,000       92.5       1,153,189,000       92.5       14.7  
                                         

Retail:

                                       

Home equity and other

    60,417,000       4.2       50,059,000       4.0       20.7  

1-4 family mortgages

    46,818,000       3.3       42,868,000       3.5       9.2  

Total retail

    107,235,000       7.5       92,927,000       7.5       15.4  
                                         

Total originated loans

  $ 1,429,623,000       100.0 %   $ 1,246,116,000       100.0 %     14.7 %

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
20

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

                                   

Percent

 
   

June 30, 2015

   

December 31, 2014

   

Increase

 
   

Balance

   

%

   

Balance

   

%

   

(Decrease)

 

Acquired loans

                                       

Commercial:

                                       

Commercial and industrial

  $ 134,633,000       18.1 %   $ 166,037,000       19.7       (18.9% )

Vacant land, land development, and residential construction

    18,769,000       2.5       22,148,000       2.6       (15.3 )

Real estate – owner occupied

    124,660,000       16.8       138,630,000       16.4       (10.1 )

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    134,291,000       18.1       148,597,000       17.6       (9.6 )

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    85,690,000       11.6       86,702,000       10.3       (1.2 )

Total commercial

    498,043,000       67.1       562,114,000       66.6       (11.4 )
                                         

Retail:

                                       

Home equity and other

    89,077,000       12.0       109,219,000       13.0       (18.4 )

1-4 family mortgages

    155,089,000       20.9       171,828,000       20.4       (9.7 )

Total retail

    244,166,000       32.9       281,047,000       33.4       (13.1 )
                                         

Total acquired loans

  $ 742,209,000       100.0 %   $ 843,161,000       100.0 %     (12.0% )

 

 

                                   

Percent

 
   

June 30, 2015

   

December 31, 2014

   

Increase

 
   

Balance

   

%

   

Balance

   

%

   

(Decrease)

 

Total loans

                                       

Commercial:

                                       

Commercial and industrial

  $ 622,073,000       28.7 %   $ 550,607,000       26.4 %     13.0 %

Vacant land, land development, and residential construction

    47,622,000       2.2       51,974,000       2.5       (8.4 )

Real estate – owner occupied

    422,354,000       19.4       430,388,000       20.5       (1.9 )

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    603,724,000       27.8       559,574,000       26.8       7.9  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    124,658,000       5.7       122,760,000       5.9       1.5  

Total commercial

    1,820,431,000       83.8       1,715,303,000       82.1       6.1  
                                         

Retail:

                                       

Home equity and other

    149,494,000       6.9       159,278,000       7.6       (6.1 )

1-4 family mortgages

    201,907,000       9.3       214,696,000       10.3       (6.0 )

Total retail

    351,401,000       16.2       373,974,000       17.9       (6.0 )
                                         

Total loans

  $ 2,171,832,000       100.0 %   $ 2,089,277,000       100.0 %     4.0 %

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
21

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

The total outstanding balance and carrying value of acquired impaired loans was $29.4 million and $15.9 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2015. Changes in the accretable yield for acquired impaired loans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 were as follows:

 

Balance at March 31, 2015

  $ 5,241,000  

Additions

    0  

Accretion income

    (681,000 )

Net reclassification from nonaccretable to accretable

    708,000  

Reductions (1)

    (153,000 )
         

Ending balance

  $ 5,115,000  
         

Balance at December 31, 2014

  $ 4,998,000  

Additions

    0  

Accretion income

    (1,327,000 )

Net reclassification from nonaccretable to accretable

    1,649,000  

Reductions (1)

    (205,000 )
         

Ending balance

  $ 5,115,000  

 

 

(1)

Reductions primarily reflect the result of exit events, including loan payoffs and charge-offs.

 

 

Nonperforming originated loans as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

   

June 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2015

   

2014

 
                 

Loans past due 90 days or more still accruing interest

  $ 0     $ 0  

Nonaccrual loans

    2,893,000       26,048,000  
                 

Total nonperforming originated loans

  $ 2,893,000     $ 26,048,000  

 

 

Nonperforming acquired loans as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

   

June 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2015

   

2014

 
                 

Loans past due 90 days or more still accruing interest

  $ 0     $ 26,000  

Nonaccrual loans

    5,210,000       3,358,000  
                 

Total nonperforming acquired loans

  $ 5,210,000     $ 3,384,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
22

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

The recorded principal balance of nonperforming loans was as follows:

 

   

June 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2015

   

2014

 

Commercial:

               

Commercial and industrial

  $ 278,000     $ 6,478,000  

Vacant land, land development, and residential construction

    183,000       209,000  

Real estate – owner occupied

    2,558,000       18,062,000  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    246,000       378,000  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    2,580,000       106,000  

Total commercial

    5,845,000       25,233,000  
                 

Retail:

               

Home equity and other

    749,000       800,000  

1-4 family mortgages

    1,509,000       3,399,000  

Total retail

    2,258,000       4,199,000  
                 

Total nonperforming loans

  $ 8,103,000     $ 29,432,000  

 

Acquired impaired loans are not reported as nonperforming loans based on acquired impaired loan accounting. Acquired non-impaired loans are placed on nonaccrual status and reported as nonperforming or past due using the same criteria applied to the originated loan portfolio.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
23

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

An age analysis of past due loans is as follows as of June 30, 2015:

 

                   

Greater

                           

Recorded

 
   

30 – 59

   

60 – 89

   

Than 89

                           

Balance > 89

 
   

Days

   

Days

   

Days

   

Total

           

Total

   

Days and

 
   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Current

   

Loans

   

Accruing

 

Originated loans

                                                       

Commercial:

                                                       

Commercial and industrial

  $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 487,440,000     $ 487,440,000     $ 0  

Vacant land, land development, and residential construction

    0       0       0       0       28,853,000       28,853,000       0  

Real estate – owner occupied

    0       1,182,000       20,000       1,202,000       296,492,000       297,694,000       0  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    0       0       0       0       469,433,000       469,433,000       0  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    0       0       0       0       38,968,000       38,968,000       0  

Total commercial

    0       1,182,000       20,000       1,202,000       1,321,186,000       1,322,388,000       0  
                                                         

Retail:

                                                       

Home equity and other

    64,000       0       0       64,000       60,353,000       60,417,000       0  

1-4 family mortgages

    0       73,000       312,000       385,000       46,433,000       46,818,000       0  

Total retail

    64,000       73,000       312,000       449,000       106,786,000       107,235,000       0  
                                                         

Total past due loans

  $ 64,000     $ 1,255,000     $ 332,000     $ 1,651,000     $ 1,427,972,000     $ 1,429,623,000     $ 0  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
24

Table Of Contents
 

 

MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

                   

Greater

                           

Recorded

 
   

30 – 59

   

60 – 89

   

Than 89

                           

Balance > 89

 
   

Days

   

Days

   

Days

   

Total

           

Total

   

Days and

 
   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Current

   

Loans

   

Accruing

 

Acquired loans

                                                       

Commercial:

                                                       

Commercial and industrial

  $ 135,000     $ 0     $ 755,000     $ 890,000     $ 133,743,000     $ 134,633,000     $ 0  

Vacant land, land development, and residential construction

    0       0       0       0       18,769,000       18,769,000       0  

Real estate – owner occupied

    76,000       18,000       825,000       919,000       123,741,000       124,660,000       0  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    85,000       0       246,000       331,000       133,960,000       134,291,000       0  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    14,000       2,476,000       162,000       2,652,000       83,038,000       85,690,000       0  

Total commercial

    310,000       2,494,000       1,988,000       4,792,000       493,251,000       498,043,000       0  
                                                         

Retail:

                                                       

Home equity and other

    198,000       33,000       162,000       393,000       88,684,000       89,077,000       0  

1-4 family mortgages

    929,000       136,000       530,000       1,595,000       153,494,000       155,089,000       0  

Total retail

    1,127,000       169,000       692,000       1,988,000       242,178,000       244,166,000       0  
                                                         

Total past due loans

  $ 1,437,000     $ 2,663,000     $ 2,680,000     $ 6,780,000     $ 735,429,000     $ 742,209,000     $ 0  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
25

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

An age analysis of past due loans is as follows as of December 31, 2014:

 

                   

Greater

                           

Recorded

 
   

30 – 59

   

60 – 89

   

Than 89

                           

Balance > 89

 
   

Days

   

Days

   

Days

   

Total

           

Total

   

Days and

 
   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Current

   

Loans

   

Accruing

 

Originated loans

                                                       

Commercial:

                                                       

Commercial and industrial

  $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 384,570,000     $ 384,570,000     $ 0  

Vacant land, land development, and residential construction

    0       0       0       0       29,826,000       29,826,000       0  

Real estate – owner occupied

    0       0       120,000       120,000       291,638,000       291,758,000       0  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    0       0       116,000       116,000       410,861,000       410,977,000       0  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    0       0       0       0       36,058,000       36,058,000       0  

Total commercial

    0       0       236,000       236,000       1,152,953,000       1,153,189,000       0  
                                                         

Retail:

                                                       

Home equity and other

    38,000       3,000       0       41,000       50,018,000       50,059,000       0  

1-4 family mortgages

    0       0       366,000       366,000       42,502,000       42,868,000       0  

Total retail

    38,000       3,000       366,000       407,000       92,520,000       92,927,000       0  
                                                         

Total past due loans

  $ 38,000     $ 3,000     $ 602,000     $ 643,000     $ 1,245,473,000     $ 1,246,116,000     $ 0  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
26

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

                   

Greater

                           

Recorded

 
   

30 – 59

   

60 – 89

   

Than 89

                           

Balance > 89

 
   

Days

   

Days

   

Days

   

Total

           

Total

   

Days and

 
   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Current

   

Loans

   

Accruing

 

Acquired Loans

                                                       

Commercial:

                                                       

Commercial and industrial

  $ 29,000     $ 32,000     $ 76,000     $ 137,000     $ 165,900,000     $ 166,037,000     $ 0  

Vacant land, land development, and residential construction

    0       38,000       0       38,000       22,110,000       22,148,000       0  

Real estate – owner occupied

    51,000       425,000       1,625,000       2,101,000       136,529,000       138,630,000       0  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    68,000       598,000       395,000       1,061,000       147,536,000       148,597,000       0  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    37,000       0       105,000       142,000       86,560,000       86,702,000       0  

Total commercial

    185,000       1,093,000       2,201,000       3,479,000       558,635,000       562,114,000       0  
                                                         

Retail:

                                                       

Home equity and other

    445,000       419,000       155,000       1,019,000       108,200,000       109,219,000       26,000  

1-4 family mortgages

    1,087,000       408,000       750,000       2,245,000       169,583,000       171,828,000       0  

Total retail

    1,532,000       827,000       905,000       3,264,000       277,783,000       281,047,000       26,000  
                                                         

Total past due loans

  $ 1,717,000     $ 1,920,000     $ 3,106,000     $ 6,743,000     $ 836,418,000     $ 843,161,000     $ 26,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
27

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Impaired originated loans as of June 30, 2015, and average originated impaired loans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, were as follows:

 

                           

Second Quarter

   

Year-To-Date

 
   

Unpaid

                   

Average

   

Average

 
   

Contractual

   

Recorded

           

Recorded

   

Recorded

 
   

Principal

   

Principal

   

Related

   

Principal

   

Principal

 
   

Balance

   

Balance

   

Allowance

   

Balance

   

Balance

 
                                         

With no related allowance recorded

                                       

Commercial:

                                       

Commercial and industrial

  $ 1,923,000     $ 1,923,000             $ 1,930,000     $ 1,674,000  

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

    0       0               98,000       135,000  

Real estate – owner occupied

    312,000       124,000               1,062,000       1,342,000  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    5,761,000       5,761,000               2,937,000       2,362,000  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    360,000       302,000               306,000       309,000  

Total commercial

    8,356,000       8,110,000               6,333,000       5,822,000  

Retail:

                                       

Home equity and other

    206,000       188,000               189,000       190,000  

1-4 family mortgages

    1,309,000       697,000               615,000       597,000  

Total retail

    1,515,000       885,000               804,000       787,000  
                                         

Total with no related allowance recorded

  $ 9,871,000     $ 8,995,000             $ 7,137,000     $ 6,609,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
28

Table Of Contents
 

 

MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

                           

Second Quarter

   

Year-To-Date

 
   

Unpaid

                   

Average

   

Average

 
   

Contractual

   

Recorded

           

Recorded

   

Recorded

 
   

Principal

   

Principal

   

Related

   

Principal

   

Principal

 
   

Balance

   

Balance

   

Allowance

   

Balance

   

Balance

 

With an allowance recorded

                                       

Commercial:

                                       

Commercial and industrial

  $ 513,000     $ 460,000     $ 436,000     $ 2,812,000     $ 3,617,000  

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

    2,530,000       2,184,000       376,000       2,092,000       2,061,000  

Real estate – owner occupied

    6,646,000       2,094,000       637,000       8,806,000       11.095,000  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    4,955,000       4,955,000       206,000       10,319,000       12,195,000  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    1,305,000       1,305,000       492,000       1,321,000       1,338,000  

Total commercial

    15,949,000       10,998,000       2,147,000       25,350,000       30,306,000  

Retail:

                                       

Home equity and other

    198,000       163,000       126,000       165,000       138,000  

1-4 family mortgages

    165,000       132,000       51,000       217,000       811,000  

Total retail

    363,000       295,000       177,000       382,000       949,000  
                                         

Total with an allowance recorded

  $ 16,312,000     $ 11,293,000     $ 2,324,000     $ 25,732,000     $ 31,255,000  
                                         

Total impaired loans:

                                       

Commercial

  $ 24,305,000     $ 19,108,000     $ 2,147,000     $ 31,683,000     $ 36,128,000  

Retail

    1,878,000       1,180,000       177,000       1,186,000       1,736,000  

Total impaired loans

  $ 26,183,000     $ 20,288,000     $ 2,324,000     $ 32,869,000     $ 37,864,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
29

Table Of Contents
 

 

MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Impaired acquired loans as of June 30, 2015, and average impaired acquired loans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, were as follows:

 

                           

Second Quarter

   

Year-To-Date

 
   

Unpaid

                   

Average

   

Average

 
   

Contractual

   

Recorded

           

Recorded

   

Recorded

 
   

Principal

   

Principal

   

Related

   

Principal

   

Principal

 
   

Balance

   

Balance

   

Allowance

   

Balance

   

Balance

 
                                         

With no related allowance recorded

                                       

Commercial:

                                       

Commercial and industrial

  $ 1,565,000     $ 1,532,000             $ 1,244,000     $ 1,356,000  

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

    0       0               0       0  

Real estate – owner occupied

    492,000       429,000               317,000       249,000  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    586,000       545,000               427,000       393,000  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    3,152,000       3,133,000               2,037,000       1,520,000  

Total commercial

    5,795,000       5,639,000               4,025,000       3,518,000  

Retail:

                                       

Home equity and other

    485,000       361,000               365,000       456,000  

1-4 family mortgages

    803,000       680,000               801,000       823,000  

Total retail

    1,288,000       1,041,000               1,166,000       1,279,000  
                                         

Total with no related allowance recorded

  $ 7,083,000     $ 6,680,000             $ 5,191,000     $ 4,797,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
30

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

                           

Second Quarter

   

Year-To-Date

 
   

Unpaid

                   

Average

   

Average

 
   

Contractual

   

Recorded

           

Recorded

   

Recorded

 
   

Principal

   

Principal

   

Related

   

Principal

   

Principal

 
   

Balance

   

Balance

   

Allowance

   

Balance

   

Balance

 

With an allowance recorded

                                       

Commercial:

                                       

Commercial and industrial

  $ 80,000     $ 80,000     $ 9,000     $ 97,000     $ 65,000  

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

    0       0       0       0       0  

Real estate – owner occupied

    1,177,000       1,086,000       561,000       1,256,000       1,338,000  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    0       0       0       0       0  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    26,000       27,000       1,000       28,000       19,000  

Total commercial

    1,283,000       1,193,000       571,000       1,381,000       1,422,000  

Retail:

                                       

Home equity and other

    0       0       0       0       0  

1-4 family mortgages

    342,000       282,000       13,000       283,000       189,000  

Total retail

    342,000       282,000       13,000       283,000       189,000  
                                         

Total with an allowance recorded

  $ 1,625,000     $ 1,475,000     $ 584,000     $ 1,664,000     $ 1,611,000  
                                         

Total impaired loans:

                                       

Commercial

  $ 7,078,000     $ 6,832,000     $ 571,000     $ 5,406,000     $ 4,940,000  

Retail

    1,630,000       1,323,000       13,000       1,449,000       1,468,000  

Total impaired loans

  $ 8,708,000     $ 8,155,000     $ 584,000     $ 6,855,000     $ 6,408,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
31

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Impaired originated loans as of December 31, 2014, and average impaired originated loans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, were as follows:

 

                           

Second Quarter

   

Year-To-Date

 
   

Unpaid

                   

Average

   

Average

 
   

Contractual

   

Recorded

           

Recorded

   

Recorded

 
   

Principal

   

Principal

   

Related

   

Principal

   

Principal

 
   

Balance

   

Balance

   

Allowance

   

Balance

   

Balance

 
                                         

With no related allowance recorded

                                       

Commercial:

                                       

Commercial and industrial

  $ 1,170,000     $ 1,164,000             $ 169,000     $ 283,000  

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

    540,000       209,000               171,000       235,000  

Real estate – owner occupied

    3,609,000       1,901,000               662,000       703,000  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    1,210,000       1,210,000               1,169,000       1,024,000  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    375,000       317,000               1,000       1,000  

Total commercial

    6,904,000       4,801,000               2,172,000       2,246,000  

Retail:

                                       

Home equity and other

    207,000       191,000               647,000       585,000  

1-4 family mortgages

    1,144,000       560,000               585,000       606,000  

Total retail

    1,351,000       751,000               1,232,000       1,191,000  
                                         

Total with no related allowance recorded

  $ 8,255,000     $ 5,552,000             $ 3,404,000     $ 3,437,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
32

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

                           

Second Quarter

   

Year-To-Date

 
   

Unpaid

                   

Average

   

Average

 
   

Contractual

   

Recorded

           

Recorded

   

Recorded

 
   

Principal

   

Principal

   

Related

   

Principal

   

Principal

 
   

Balance

   

Balance

   

Allowance

   

Balance

   

Balance

 

With an allowance recorded

                                       

Commercial:

                                       

Commercial and industrial

  $ 5,299,000     $ 5,226,000     $ 1,578,000     $ 882,000     $ 1,068,000  

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

    2,000,000       2,000,000       151,000       3,604,000       3,782,000  

Real estate – owner occupied

    15,745,000       15,674,000       2,200,000       1,974,000       1,820,000  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    16,033,000       15,949,000       4,779,000       18,591,000       19,418,000  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    1,371,000       1,371,000       666,000       1,319,000       1,774,000  

Total commercial

    40,448,000       40,220,000       9,374,000       26,370,000       27,862,000  

Retail:

                                       

Home equity and other

    115,000       84,000       84,000       91,000       157,000  

1-4 family mortgages

    2,194,000       2,000,000       694,000       2,136,000       2,168,000  

Total retail

    2,309,000       2,084,000       778,000       2,227,000       2,325,000  
                                         

Total with an allowance recorded

  $ 42,757,000     $ 42,304,000     $ 10,152,000     $ 28,597,000     $ 30,187,000  
                                         

Total impaired loans:

                                       

Commercial

  $ 47,352,000     $ 45,021,000     $ 9,374,000     $ 28,542,000     $ 30,108,000  

Retail

    3,660,000       2,835,000       778,000       3,459,000       3,516,000  

Total impaired loans

  $ 51,012,000     $ 47,856,000     $ 10,152,000     $ 32,001,000     $ 33,624,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
33

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Impaired acquired loans as of December 31, 2014, and average impaired acquired loans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, were as follows:

 

                           

Second Quarter

   

Year-To-Date

 
   

Unpaid

                   

Average

   

Average

 
   

Contractual

   

Recorded

           

Recorded

   

Recorded

 
   

Principal

   

Principal

   

Related

   

Principal

   

Principal

 
   

Balance

   

Balance

   

Allowance

   

Balance

   

Balance

 
                                         

With no related allowance recorded

                                       

Commercial:

                                       

Commercial and industrial

  $ 1,586,000     $ 1,579,000             $ 0     $ 0  

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

    0       0               0       0  

Real estate – owner occupied

    113,000       113,000               0       0  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    326,000       326,000               0       0  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    487,000       487,000               0       0  

Total commercial

    2,512,000       2,505,000               0       0  

Retail:

                                       

Home equity and other

    641,000       639,000               0       0  

1-4 family mortgages

    866,000       866,000               0       0  

Total retail

    1,507,000       1,505,000               0       0  
                                         

Total with no related allowance recorded

  $ 4,019,000     $ 4,010,000             $ 0     $ 0  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
34

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

                           

Second Quarter

   

Year-To-Date

 
   

Unpaid

                   

Average

   

Average

 
   

Contractual

   

Recorded

           

Recorded

   

Recorded

 
   

Principal

   

Principal

   

Related

   

Principal

   

Principal

 
   

Balance

   

Balance

   

Allowance

   

Balance

   

Balance

 

With an allowance recorded

                                       

Commercial:

                                       

Commercial and industrial

  $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0  

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

    0       0       0       0       0  

Real estate – owner occupied

    1,516,000       1,502,000       605,000       0       0  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    0       0       0       0       0  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    0       0       0       0       0  

Total commercial

    1,516,000       1,502,000       605,000       0       0  

Retail:

                                       

Home equity and other

    0       0       0       0       0  

1-4 family mortgages

    0       0       0       0       0  

Total retail

    0       0       0       0       0  
                                         

Total with an allowance recorded

  $ 1,516,000     $ 1,502,000     $ 605,000     $ 0     $ 0  
                                         

Total impaired loans:

                                       

Commercial

  $ 4,028,000     $ 4,007,000     $ 605,000     $ 0     $ 0  

Retail

    1,507,000       1,505,000       0       0       0  

Total impaired loans

  $ 5,535,000     $ 5,512,000     $ 605,000     $ 0     $ 0  

 

 

Impaired loans for which no allocation of the allowance for loan losses has been made generally reflect situations whereby the loans have been charged-down to estimated collateral value. No acquired loans were considered impaired as of June 30, 2014. Interest income recognized on accruing troubled debt restructurings totaled $0.4 million during both the second quarter of 2015 and 2014, while interest income recognized on accruing troubled debt restructurings totaled $0.8 million during both the first six months of 2015 and 2014. No interest income was recognized on nonaccrual loans during the second quarter and first six months of 2015 or during the respective 2014 periods.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN 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 risk assessment for retail loans is primarily based on the type of collateral and payment activity.

 

Credit quality indicators were as follows as of June 30, 2015:

 

Originated loans

 

Commercial credit exposure – credit risk profiled by internal credit risk grades:

 

           

Commercial

                   

Commercial

 
           

Vacant Land,

   

Commercial

   

Commercial

   

Real Estate -

 
    Commercial    

Land Development,

   

Real Estate -

   

Real Estate -

   

Multi-Family

 
   

and

   

and Residential

   

Owner

   

Non-Owner

   

and Residential

 
   

Industrial

   

Construction

   

Occupied

   

Occupied

   

Rental

 
                                         
                                         

Internal credit risk grade groupings:

                                       

Grades 1 – 4

  $ 348,542,000     $ 15,243,000     $ 211,066,000     $ 342,030,000     $ 16,044,000  

Grades 5 – 7

    136,948,000       11,426,000       83,907,000       121,726,000       21,619,000  

Grades 8 – 9

    1,950,000       2,184,000       2,721,000       5,677,000       1,305,000  

Total commercial

  $ 487,440,000     $ 28,853,000     $ 297,694,000     $ 469,433,000     $ 38,968,000  

 

 

Retail credit exposure – credit risk profiled by collateral type:

 

   

Retail

   

Retail

 
   

Home Equity

   

1-4 Family

 
   

and Other

   

Mortgages

 
                 

Total retail

  $ 60,417,000     $ 46,818,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
36

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Acquired loans

 

Commercial credit exposure – credit risk profiled by internal credit risk grades:

 

           

Commercial

                   

Commercial

 
           

Vacant Land,

   

Commercial

   

Commercial

   

Real Estate -

 
   

Commercial

   

Land Development,

   

Real Estate -

   

Real Estate -

   

Multi-Family

 
   

and

   

and Residential

   

Owner

   

Non-Owner

   

and Residential

 
   

Industrial

   

Construction

   

Occupied

   

Occupied

   

Rental

 
                                         

Internal credit risk grade groupings:

                                       

Grades 1 – 4

  $ 59,441,000     $ 5,382,000     $ 44,922,000     $ 67,258,000     $ 41,488,000  

Grades 5 – 7

    71,999,000       12,177,000       73,383,000       63,716,000       40,329,000  

Grades 8 – 9

    3,193,000       1,210,000       6,355,000       3,317,000       3,873,000  

Total commercial

  $ 134,633,000     $ 18,769,000     $ 124,660,000     $ 134,291,000     $ 85,690,000  

 

 

Retail credit exposure – credit risk profiled by collateral type:

 

   

Retail

   

Retail

 
   

Home Equity

   

1-4 Family

 
   

and Other

   

Mortgages

 
                 

Total retail

  $ 89,077,000     $ 155,089,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
37

Table Of Contents
 

 

MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Credit quality indicators were as follows as of December 31, 2014:

 

Originated loans

 

Commercial credit exposure – credit risk profiled by internal credit risk grades:

 

           

Commercial

                   

Commercial

 
           

Vacant Land,

   

Commercial

   

Commercial

   

Real Estate -

 
   

Commercial

   

Land Development,

   

Real Estate -

   

Real Estate -

   

Multi-Family

 
   

and

   

and Residential

   

Owner

   

Non-Owner

   

and Residential

 
   

Industrial

   

Construction

   

Occupied

   

Occupied

   

Rental

 
                                         

Internal credit risk grade groupings:

                                       

Grades 1 – 4

  $ 266,631,000     $ 11,242,000     $ 190,656,000     $ 285,035,000     $ 12,394,000  

Grades 5 – 7

    109,639,000       16,375,000       83,123,000       113,982,000       22,282,000  

Grades 8 – 9

    8,300,000       2,209,000       17,979,000       11,960,000       1,382,000  

Total commercial

  $ 384,570,000     $ 29,826,000     $ 291,758,000     $ 410,977,000     $ 36,058,000  

 

 

Retail credit exposure – credit risk profiled by collateral type:

 

   

Retail

   

Retail

 
   

Home Equity

   

1-4 Family

 
   

and Other

   

Mortgages

 
                 

Total retail

  $ 50,059,000     $ 42,868,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
38

Table Of Contents
 

 

MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Acquired loans

 

Commercial credit exposure – credit risk profiled by internal credit risk grades:

 

           

Commercial

                   

Commercial

 
           

Vacant Land,

   

Commercial

   

Commercial

   

Real Estate -

 
   

Commercial

   

Land Development,

   

Real Estate -

   

Real Estate -

   

Multi-Family

 
   

and

   

and Residential

   

Owner

   

Non-Owner

   

and Residential

 
   

Industrial

   

Construction

   

Occupied

   

Occupied

   

Rental

 
                                         

Internal credit risk grade groupings:

                                       

Grades 1 – 4

  $ 72,411,000     $ 5,875,000     $ 39,496,000     $ 65,886,000     $ 35,858,000  

Grades 5 – 7

    90,320,000       14,472,000       92,212,000       78,103,000       49,781,000  

Grades 8 – 9

    3,306,000       1,801,000       6,922,000       4,608,000       1,063,000  

Total commercial

  $ 166,037,000     $ 22,148,000     $ 138,630,000     $ 148,597,000     $ 86,702,000  

 

 

Retail credit exposure – credit risk profiled by collateral type:

 

   

Retail

   

Retail

 
   

Home Equity

   

1-4 Family

 
   

and Other

   

Mortgages

 
                 

Total retail

  $ 109,219,000     $ 171,828,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
39

Table Of Contents
 

 

MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

All commercial loans are graded using the following criteria:

 

 

Grade 1.

Excellent credit rating that contain very little, if any, risk of loss.

 

 

Grade 2.

Strong sources of repayment and have low repayment risk.

 

 

Grade 3.

Good sources of repayment and have limited repayment risk.

 

 

Grade 4.

Adequate sources of repayment and acceptable repayment risk; however, characteristics are present that render the credit more vulnerable to a negative event.

 

 

Grade 5.

Marginally acceptable sources of repayment and exhibit defined weaknesses and negative characteristics.

 

 

Grade 6.

Well defined weaknesses which may include negative current cash flow, high leverage, or operating losses. Generally, if the credit does not stabilize or if further deterioration is observed in the near term, the loan will likely be downgraded and placed on the Watch List (i.e., list of lending relationships that receive increased scrutiny and review by the Board of Directors and senior management).

 

 

Grade 7.

Defined weaknesses or negative trends that merit close monitoring through Watch List status.

 

 

Grade 8.

Inadequately protected by current sound net worth, paying capacity of the obligor, or pledged collateral, resulting in a distinct possibility of loss requiring close monitoring through Watch List status.

 

 

Grade 9.

Vital weaknesses exist where collection of principal is highly questionable.

 

 

Grade 10.

Considered uncollectable and of such little value that continuance as an asset is not warranted.

 

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 employ a disciplined and formalized review of the existence of collateral and its value. 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 creditor’s rights in order to preserve our collateral position.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
40

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Activity in the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investments in originated loans as of and during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

   

Commercial

   

Retail

                 
   

Loans

   

Loans

   

Unallocated

   

Total

 
                                 

Allowance for loan losses:

                               

Balance at March 31, 2015

  $ 18,977,000     $ 1,235,000     $ 39,000     $ 20,251,000  

Provision for loan losses

    (1,151,000 )     513,000       (5,000 )     (643,000 )

Charge-offs

    (4,199,000 )     (154,000 )     0       (4,353,000 )

Recoveries

    365,000       120,000       0       485,000  

Ending balance

  $ 13,992,000     $ 1,714,000     $ 34,000     $ 15,740,000  
                                 
                                 

Allowance for loan losses:

                               

Balance at December 31, 2014

  $ 17,736,000     $ 1,487,000     $ 76,000     $ 19,299,000  

Provision for loan losses

    (1,651,000 )     592,000       (42,000 )     (1,101,000 )

Charge-offs

    (4,277,000 )     (517,000 )     0       (4,794,000 )

Recoveries

    2,184,000       152,000       0       2,336,000  

Ending balance

  $ 13,992,000     $ 1,714,000     $ 34,000     $ 15,740,000  
                                 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

  $ 2,146,000     $ 178,000     $ 0     $ 2,324,000  
                                 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

  $ 11,846,000     $ 1,536,000     $ 34,000     $ 13,416,000  
                                 
                                 

Total loans:

                               

Ending balance

  $ 1,322,388,000     $ 107,235,000             $ 1,429,623,000  
                                 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

  $ 19,108,000     $ 1,180,000             $ 20,288,000  
                                 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

  $ 1,303,280,000     $ 106,055,000             $ 1,409,335,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
41

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Activity in the allowance for loan losses for acquired loans during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 is as follows:

 

   

Commercial

   

Retail

                 
   

Loans

   

Loans

   

Unallocated

   

Total

 
                                 

Allowance for loan losses:

                               

Balance at March 31, 2015

  $ 622,000     $ 177,000     $ 0     $ 799,000  

Provision for loan losses

    (31,000 )     74,000       0       43,000  

Charge-offs

    (30,000 )     0       0       (30,000 )

Recoveries

    0       9,000       0       9,000  

Ending balance

  $ 561,000     $ 260,000     $ 0     $ 821,000  
                                 
                                 

Allowance for loan losses:

                               

Balance at December 31, 2014

  $ 681,000     $ 61,000     $ 0     $ 742,000  

Provision for loan losses

    (90,000 )     191,000       0       101,000  

Charge-offs

    (31,000 )     (7,000 )     0       (38,000 )

Recoveries

    1,000       15,000       0       16,000  

Ending balance

  $ 561,000     $ 260,000     $ 0     $ 821,000  

 

In accordance with acquisition accounting rules, acquired loans were recorded at fair value at the Merger Date and the prior allowance was eliminated.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
42

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Activity in the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investments in originated loans as of and during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 are as follows:

 

   

Commercial

   

Retail

                 
   

Loans

   

Loans

   

Unallocated

   

Total

 
                                 

Allowance for loan losses:

                               

Balance at March 31, 2014

  $ 19,001,000     $ 1,957,000     $ (4,000 )   $ 20,954,000  

Provision for loan losses

    (334,000 )     (345,000 )     (21,000 )     (700,000 )

Charge-offs

    (98,000 )     (5,000 )     0       (103,000 )

Recoveries

    538,000       167,000       0       705,000  

Ending balance

  $ 19,107,000     $ 1,774,000     $ (25,000 )   $ 20,856,000  
                                 
                                 

Allowance for loan losses:

                               

Balance at December 31, 2013

  $ 20,455,000     $ 2,358,000     $ 8,000     $ 22,821,000  

Provision for loan losses

    (1,788,000 )     (779,000 )     (33,000 )     (2,600,000 )

Charge-offs

    (684,000 )     (7,000 )     0       (691,000 )

Recoveries

    1,124,000       202,000       0       1,326,000  

Ending balance

  $ 19,107,000     $ 1,774,000     $ (25,000 )   $ 20,856,000  
                                 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

  $ 9,440,000     $ 922,000     $ 0     $ 10,362,000  
                                 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

  $ 9,667,000     $ 852,000     $ (25,000 )   $ 10,494,000  
                                 
                                 

Total loans:

                               

Ending balance

  $ 1,076,609,000     $ 68,488,000             $ 1,145,097,000  
                                 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

  $ 27,199,000     $ 3,405,000             $ 30,604,000  
                                 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

  $ 1,049,410,000     $ 65,083,000             $ 1,114,493,000  

 

No allowance was established for acquired loans as of June 30, 2014.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
43

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Loans modified as troubled debt restructurings during the three months ended June 30, 2015 were as follows:

 

           

Pre-

   

Post-

 
           

Modification

   

Modification

 
           

Recorded

   

Recorded

 
   

Number of

   

Principal

   

Principal

 
   

Contracts

   

Balance

   

Balance

 

Originated loans

                       

Commercial:

                       

Commercial and industrial

    4     $ 1,308,000     $ 1,308,000  

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 originated commercial

    4       1,308,000       1,308,000  
                         

Retail:

                       

Home equity and other

    0       0       0  

1-4 family mortgages

    0       0       0  

Total originated retail

    0       0       0  
                         

Total originated loans

    4     $ 1,308,000     $ 1,308,000  
                         

Acquired loans

                       

Commercial:

                       

Commercial and industrial

    2     $ 286,000     $ 286,000  

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

    0       0       0  

Real estate – owner occupied

    3       119,000       119,000  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    1       302,000       302,000  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    3       265,000       265,000  

Total acquired commercial

    9       972,000       972,000  
                         

Retail:

                       

Home equity and other

    1       161,000       161,000  

1-4 family mortgages

    0       0       0  

Total acquired retail

    1       161,000       161,000  
                         

Total acquired loans

    10     $ 1,133,000     $ 1,133,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
44

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Loans modified as troubled debt restructurings during the six months ended June 30, 2015 were as follows:

 

           

Pre-

   

Post-

 
           

Modification

   

Modification

 
           

Recorded

   

Recorded

 
   

Number of

   

Principal

   

Principal

 
   

Contracts

   

Balance

   

Balance

 

Originated loans

                       

Commercial:

                       

Commercial and industrial

    10     $ 1,876,000     $ 1,901,000  

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 originated commercial

    10       1,876,000       1,901,000  
                         

Retail:

                       

Home equity and other

    0       0       0  

1-4 family mortgages

    0       0       0  

Total originated retail

    0       0       0  
                         

Total originated loans

    10     $ 1,876,000     $ 1,901,000  
                         

Acquired loans

                       

Commercial:

                       

Commercial and industrial

    2     $ 286,000     $ 286,000  

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

    0       0       0  

Real estate – owner occupied

    5       169,000       169,000  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    1       302,000       302,000  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    3       265,000       265,000  

Total acquired commercial

    11       1,022,000       1,022,000  
                         

Retail:

                       

Home equity and other

    1       161,000       161,000  

1-4 family mortgages

    0       0       0  

Total acquired retail

    1       161,000       161,000  
                         

Total acquired loans

    12     $ 1,183,000     $ 1,183,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
45

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.     LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Loans modified as troubled debt restructurings during the three months ended June 30, 2014 were as follows:

 

           

Pre-

   

Post-

 
           

Modification

   

Modification

 
           

Recorded

   

Recorded

 
   

Number of

   

Principal

   

Principal

 
   

Contracts

   

Balance

   

Balance

 

Originated loans

                       

Commercial:

                       

Commercial and industrial

    0     $ 0     $ 0  

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

    0       0       0  

Real estate – owner occupied

    1       996,000       996,000  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    0       0       0  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    0       0       0  

Total originated commercial

    1       996,000       996,000  
                         

Retail:

                       

Home equity and other

    0       0       0  

1-4 family mortgages

    0       0       0  

Total originated retail

    0       0       0  
                         

Total originated loans

    1     $ 996,000     $ 996,000  
                         

Acquired loans

                       

Commercial:

                       

Commercial and industrial

    0     $ 0     $ 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 acquired commercial

    0       0       0  
                         

Retail:

                       

Home equity and other

    0       0       0  

1-4 family mortgages

    0       0       0  

Total acquired retail

    0       0       0  
                         

Total acquired loans

    0     $ 0     $ 0  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
46

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Loans modified as troubled debt restructurings during the six months ended June 30, 2014 were as follows:

 

           

Pre-

   

Post-

 
           

Modification

   

Modification

 
           

Recorded

   

Recorded

 
   

Number of

   

Principal

   

Principal

 
   

Contracts

   

Balance

   

Balance

 

Originated loans

                       

Commercial:

                       

Commercial and industrial

    1     $ 14,000     $ 14,000  

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

    0       0       0  

Real estate – owner occupied

    1       996,000       996,000  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    1       146,000       146,000  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    0       0       0  

Total originated commercial

    3       1,156,000       1,156,000  
                         

Retail:

                       

Home equity and other

    0       0       0  

1-4 family mortgages

    0       0       0  

Total originated retail

    0       0       0  
                         

Total originated loans

    3     $ 1,156,000     $ 1,156,000  
                         

Acquired loans

                       

Commercial:

                       

Commercial and industrial

    0     $ 0     $ 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 acquired commercial

    0       0       0  
                         

Retail:

                       

Home equity and other

    0       0       0  

1-4 family mortgages

    0       0       0  

Total acquired retail

    0       0       0  
                         

Total acquired loans

    0     $ 0     $ 0  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
47

Table Of Contents
 

 

MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

The following originated loans, modified as troubled debt restructurings within the previous twelve months, became over 30 days past due within the three months ended June 30, 2015 (amounts as of period end):

 

           

Recorded

 
   

Number of

   

Principal

 
   

Contracts

   

Balance

 

Commercial:

               

Commercial and industrial

    0     $ 0  

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

    0       0  

Real estate – owner occupied

    1       1,182,000  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    0       0  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    0       0  

Total commercial

    1       1,182,000  
                 

Retail:

               

Home equity and other

    0       0  

1-4 family mortgages

    0       0  

Total retail

    0       0  
                 

Total

    1     $ 1,182,000  

 

The following originated loans, modified as troubled debt restructurings within the previous twelve months, became over 30 days past due within the six months ended June 30, 2015 (amounts as of period end):

 

           

Recorded

 
   

Number of

   

Principal

 
   

Contracts

   

Balance

 

Commercial:

               

Commercial and industrial

    0     $ 0  

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

    0       0  

Real estate – owner occupied

    1       1,182,000  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    0       0  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    0       0  

Total commercial

    1       1,182,000  
                 

Retail:

               

Home equity and other

    0       0  

1-4 family mortgages

    0       0  

Total retail

    0       0  
                 

Total

    1     $ 1,182,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
48

Table Of Contents
 

 

MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

The following acquired loans, modified as troubled debt restructurings within the previous twelve months, became over 30 days past due within the three months ended June 30, 2015 (amounts as of period end):

 

           

Recorded

 
   

Number of

   

Principal

 
   

Contracts

   

Balance

 

Commercial:

               

Commercial and industrial

    0     $ 0  

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

    0       0  

Real estate – owner occupied

    1       18,000  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    0       0  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    0       0  

Total commercial

    1       18,000  
                 

Retail:

               

Home equity and other

    0       0  

1-4 family mortgages

    0       0  

Total retail

    0       0  
                 

Total

    1     $ 18,000  

 

The following acquired loans, modified as troubled debt restructurings within the previous twelve months, became over 30 days past due within the six months ended June 30, 2015 (amounts as of period end):

 

           

Recorded

 
   

Number of

   

Principal

 
   

Contracts

   

Balance

 

Commercial:

               

Commercial and industrial

    0     $ 0  

Vacant land, land development and residential construction

    0       0  

Real estate – owner occupied

    1       18,000  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    0       0  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    0       0  

Total commercial

    1       18,000  
                 

Retail:

               

Home equity and other

    0       0  

1-4 family mortgages

    0       0  

Total retail

    0       0  
                 

Total

    1     $ 18,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
49

Table Of Contents
 

 

MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

The following originated loans, modified as troubled debt restructurings within the previous twelve months, became over 30 days past due within the three months ended June 30, 2014 (amounts as of period end):

 

           

Recorded

 
   

Number of

   

Principal

 
   

Contracts

   

Balance

 

Commercial:

               

Commercial and industrial

    0     $ 0  

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

    0       0  
                 

Retail:

               

Home equity and other

    0       0  

1-4 family mortgages

    0       0  

Total retail

    0       0  
                 

Total

    0     $ 0  

 

The following originated loans, modified as troubled debt restructurings within the previous twelve months, became over 30 days past due within the six months ended June 30, 2014 (amounts as of period end):

 

           

Recorded

 
   

Number of

   

Principal

 
   

Contracts

   

Balance

 

Commercial:

               

Commercial and industrial

    0     $ 0  

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

    0       0  
                 

Retail:

               

Home equity and other

    0       0  

1-4 family mortgages

    0       0  

Total retail

    0       0  
                 

Total

    0     $ 0  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
50

Table Of Contents
 

 

MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Activity for originated loans categorized as troubled debt restructurings during the three months ended June 30, 2015 is as follows:

 

           

Commercial

                   

Commercial

 
           

Vacant Land,

   

Commercial

   

Commercial

   

Real Estate -

 
   

Commercial

   

Land Development,

   

Real Estate -

   

Real Estate -

   

Multi-Family

 
   

and

   

and Residential

   

Owner

   

Non-Owner

   

and Residential

 
   

Industrial

   

Construction

   

Occupied

   

Occupied

   

Rental

 
                                         

Commercial Loan Portfolio:

                                       

Beginning Balance

  $ 6,556,000     $ 2,654,000     $ 16,966,000     $ 16,063,000     $ 498,000  

Charge-Offs

    0       0       (4,198,000 )     0       0  

Payments

    (5,380,000 )     (22,000 )     (10,550,000 )     (4,981,000 )     (7,000 )

Transfers to ORE

    0       0       0       0       0  

Net Additions/Deletions

    1,266,000       0       0       0       0  

Ending Balance

  $ 2,442,000     $ 2,632,000     $ 2,218,000     $ 11,082,000     $ 491,000  

 

 

   

Retail

   

Retail

 
   

Home Equity

   

1-4 Family

 
   

and Other

   

Mortgages

 

Retail Loan Portfolio:

               

Beginning Balance

  $ 0     $ 302,000  

Charge-Offs

    0       (23,000 )

Payments

    0       (9,000 )

Transfers to ORE

    0       0  

Net Additions/Deletions

    0       0  

Ending Balance

  $ 0     $ 270,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
51

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Activity for acquired loans categorized as troubled debt restructurings during the three months ended June 30, 2015 is as follows:

 

           

Commercial

                   

Commercial

 
           

Vacant Land,

   

Commercial

   

Commercial

   

Real Estate -

 
   

Commercial

   

Land Development,

   

Real Estate -

   

Real Estate -

   

Multi-Family

 
   

and

   

and Residential

   

Owner

   

Non-Owner

   

and Residential

 
   

Industrial

   

Construction

   

Occupied

   

Occupied

   

Rental

 
                                         

Commercial Loan Portfolio:

                                       

Beginning Balance

  $ 1,519,000     $ 0     $ 1,492,000     $ 62,000     $ 333,000  

Charge-Offs

    0       0       (31,000 )     0       0  

Payments

    (275,000 )     0       (292,000 )     0       (6,000 )

Transfers to ORE

    0       0       0       0       0  

Net Additions/Deletions

    277,000       0       181,000       299,000       253,000  

Ending Balance

  $ 1,521,000     $ 0     $ 1,350,000     $ 361,000     $ 580,000  

 

 

   

Retail

   

Retail

 
   

Home Equity

   

1-4 Family

 
   

and Other

   

Mortgages

 

Retail Loan Portfolio:

               

Beginning Balance

  $ 0     $ 177,000  

Charge-Offs

    0       0  

Payments

    0       0  

Transfers to ORE

    0       0  

Net Additions/Deletions

    152,000       0  

Ending Balance

  $ 152,000     $ 177,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
52

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Activity for originated loans categorized as troubled debt restructurings during the six months ended June 30, 2015 is as follows:

 

           

Commercial

                   

Commercial

 
           

Vacant Land,

   

Commercial

   

Commercial

   

Real Estate -

 
   

Commercial

   

Land Development,

   

Real Estate -

   

Real Estate -

   

Multi-Family

 
   

and

   

and Residential

   

Owner

   

Non-Owner

   

and Residential

 
   

Industrial

   

Construction

   

Occupied

   

Occupied

   

Rental

 
                                         

Commercial Loan Portfolio:

                                       

Beginning Balance

  $ 7,026,000     $ 2,680,000     $ 17,160,000     $ 17,439,000     $ 505,000  

Charge-Offs

    0       0       (4,198,000 )     0       0  

Payments

    (6,535,000 )     (48,000 )     (10,744,000 )     (6,357,000 )     (14,000 )

Transfers to ORE

    0       0       0       0       0  

Net Additions/Deletions

    1,951,000       0       0       0       0  

Ending Balance

  $ 2,442,000     $ 2,632,000     $ 2,218,000     $ 11,082,000     $ 491,000  

 

 

   

Retail

   

Retail

 
   

Home Equity

   

1-4 Family

 
   

and Other

   

Mortgages

 

Retail Loan Portfolio:

               

Beginning Balance

  $ 0     $ 1,967,000  

Charge-Offs

    0       (148,000 )

Payments

    0       (1,549,000 )

Transfers to ORE

    0       0  

Net Additions/Deletions

    0       0  

Ending Balance

  $ 0     $ 270,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
53

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Activity for acquired loans categorized as troubled debt restructurings during the six months ended June 30, 2015 is as follows:

 

           

Commercial

                   

Commercial

 
           

Vacant Land,

   

Commercial

   

Commercial

   

Real Estate -

 
   

Commercial

   

Land Development,

   

Real Estate -

   

Real Estate -

   

Multi-Family

 
   

and

   

and Residential

   

Owner

   

Non-Owner

   

and Residential

 
   

Industrial

   

Construction

   

Occupied

   

Occupied

   

Rental

 
                                         

Commercial Loan Portfolio:

                                       

Beginning Balance

  $ 1,439,000     $ 0     $ 1,569,000     $ 64,000     $ 381,000  

Charge-Offs

    0       0       (31,000 )     0       0  

Payments

    (275,000 )     0       (471,000 )     (2,000 )     (54,000 )

Transfers to ORE

    0       0       0       0       0  

Net Additions/Deletions

    357,000       0       283,000       299,000       253,000  

Ending Balance

  $ 1,521,000     $ 0     $ 1,350,000     $ 361,000     $ 580,000  

 

 

   

Retail

   

Retail

 
   

Home Equity

   

1-4 Family

 
   

and Other

   

Mortgages

 

Retail Loan Portfolio:

               

Beginning Balance

  $ 26,000     $ 178,000  

Charge-Offs

    0       0  

Payments

    (26,000 )     (1,000 )

Transfers to ORE

    0       0  

Net Additions/Deletions

    152,000       0  

Ending Balance

  $ 152,000     $ 177,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
54

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Activity for originated loans categorized as troubled debt restructurings during the three months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows:

 

           

Commercial

                   

Commercial

 
           

Vacant Land,

   

Commercial

   

Commercial

   

Real Estate -

 
   

Commercial

   

Land Development,

   

Real Estate -

   

Real Estate -

   

Multi-Family

 
   

and

   

and Residential

   

Owner

   

Non-Owner

   

and Residential

 
   

Industrial

   

Construction

   

Occupied

   

Occupied

   

Rental

 
                                         

Commercial Loan Portfolio:

                                       

Beginning Balance

  $ 1,404,000     $ 4,250,000     $ 1,756,000     $ 21,629,000     $ 732,000  

Charge-Offs

    (67,000 )     0       0       0       0  

Payments

    (161,000 )     (464,000 )     (42,000 )     (2,966,000 )     (13,000 )

Transfers to ORE

    0       0       0       0       0  

Net Additions/Deletions

    0       0       997,000       0       0  

Ending Balance

  $ 1,176,000     $ 3,786,000     $ 2,711,000     $ 18,663,000     $ 719,000  

 

 

   

Retail

   

Retail

 
   

Home Equity

   

1-4 Family

 
   

and Other

   

Mortgages

 

Retail Loan Portfolio:

               

Beginning Balance

  $ 0     $ 2,122,000  

Charge-Offs

    0       0  

Payments

    0       (45,000 )

Transfers to ORE

    0       0  

Net Additions/Deletions

    0       0  

Ending Balance

  $ 0     $ 2,077,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
55

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

Activity for originated loans categorized as troubled debt restructurings during the six months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows:

 

           

Commercial

                   

Commercial

 
           

Vacant Land,

   

Commercial

   

Commercial

   

Real Estate -

 
   

Commercial

   

Land Development,

   

Real Estate -

   

Real Estate -

   

Multi-Family

 
   

and

   

and Residential

   

Owner

   

Non-Owner

   

and Residential

 
   

Industrial

   

Construction

   

Occupied

   

Occupied

   

Rental

 
                                         

Commercial Loan Portfolio:

                                       

Beginning Balance

  $ 1,656,000     $ 4,501,000     $ 1,816,000     $ 22,311,000     $ 2,620,000  

Charge-Offs

    (67,000 )     0       (11,000 )     0       (420,000 )

Payments

    (427,000 )     (3,613,000 )     (90,000 )     (3,967,000 )     (1,481,000 )

Transfers to ORE

    0       0       0       0       0  

Net Additions/Deletions

    14,000       2,898,000       996,000       319,000       0  

Ending Balance

  $ 1,176,000     $ 3,786,000     $ 2,711,000     $ 18,663,000     $ 719,000  

 

 

   

Retail

   

Retail

 
   

Home Equity

   

1-4 Family

 
   

and Other

   

Mortgages

 

Retail Loan Portfolio:

               

Beginning Balance

  $ 0     $ 2,191,000  

Charge-Offs

    0       0  

Payments

    0       (114,000 )

Transfers to ORE

    0       0  

Net Additions/Deletions

    0       0  

Ending Balance

  $ 0     $ 2,077,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
56

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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

4.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)

 

The allowance related to originated loans categorized as troubled debt restructurings was as follows: 

 

   

June 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2015

   

2014

 
                 

Commercial:

               

Commercial and industrial

  $ 252,000     $ 16,000  

Vacant land, land development, and residential construction

    288,000       151,000  

Real estate – owner occupied

    120,000       182,000  

Real estate – non-owner occupied

    206,000       4,778,000  

Real estate – multi-family and residential rental

    492,000       666,000  

Total commercial

    1,358,000       5,793,000  
                 

Retail:

               

Home equity and other

    0       0  

1-4 family mortgages

    0       0  

Total retail

    0       0  
                 

Total related allowance

  $ 1,358,000     $ 5,793,000  

 

In general, our policy dictates that a renewal or modification of an 8- or 9-rated commercial loan meets the criteria of a troubled debt restructuring, although we review and consider all renewed and modified loans as part of our troubled debt restructuring assessment procedures. Loan relationships rated 8 contain significant financial weaknesses, resulting in a distinct possibility of loss, while relationships rated 9 reflect vital financial weaknesses, resulting in a highly questionable ability on our part to collect principal; we believe borrowers warranting such ratings would have difficulty obtaining financing from other market participants. Thus, due to the lack of comparable market rates for loans with similar risk characteristics, we believe 8- or 9-rated loans renewed or modified were done so at below market rates. Loans that are identified as troubled debt restructurings are considered impaired and are individually evaluated for impairment when assessing these credits in our allowance for loan losses calculation.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

5.

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

Premises and equipment are comprised of the following:

 

   

June 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2015

   

2014

 
                 

Land and improvements

  $ 16,579,000     $ 16,579,000  

Buildings

    39,166,000       38,761,000  

Furniture and equipment

    16,795,000       16,622,000  
      72,540,000       71,962,000  

Less: accumulated depreciation

    24,638,000       23,150,000  
                 

Premises and equipment, net

  $ 47,902,000     $ 48,812,000  

 

Depreciation expense totaled $0.8 million during the second quarter of 2015, compared to $0.5 million during the second quarter of 2014. Depreciation expense totaled $1.5 million during the first six months of 2015, compared to $0.8 million during the first six months of 2014.

 

 

6.

DEPOSITS

 

Our total deposits at June 30, 2015 totaled $2.28 billion, an increase of $1.9 million, or 0.1%, from December 31, 2014. The components of our outstanding balances at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and percentage change in deposits from the end of 2014 to the end of the second quarter of 2015, are as follows:

 

                                   

Percent

 
   

June 30, 2015

   

December 31, 2014

   

Increase

 
   

Balance

   

%

   

Balance

   

%

   

(Decrease)

 

Noninterest-bearing checking

  $ 612,222,000       26.9 %   $ 558,738,000       24.5 %     9.6 %

Interest-bearing checking

    393,933,000       17.3       413,382,000       18.2       (4.7 )

Money market

    272,225,000       12.0       235,587,000       10.3       15.6  

Savings

    347,292,000       15.2       330,459,000       14.5       5.1  

Time, under $100,000

    170,104,000       7.5       181,026,000       8.0       (6.0 )

Time, $100,000 and over

    347,148,000       15.2       382,120,000       16.8       (9.2 )
      2,142,924,000       94.1       2,101,312,000       92.3       2.0  

Out-of-area time, under $100,000

    842,000       <0.1       2,422,000       0.1       (65.2 )

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

    135,028,000       5.9       173,181,000       7.6       (22.0 )
      135,870,000       5.9       175,603,000       7.7       (22.6 )
                                         

Total deposits

  $ 2,278,794,000       100.0 %   $ 2,276,915,000       100.0 %     0.1 %

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

7.

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 follows:

 

   

Six Months Ended

   

Twelve Months Ended

 
   

June 30, 2015

   

December 31, 2014

 
                 

Outstanding balance at end of period

  $ 152,081,000     $ 167,569,000  

Average interest rate at end of period

    0.10 %     0.11 %
                 

Average daily balance during the period

  $ 144,598,000     $ 105,474,000  

Average interest rate during the period

    0.10 %     0.12 %
                 

Maximum daily balance during the period

  $ 168,211,000     $ 178,042,000  

 

 

Repurchase agreements generally have maturities of one business day. Repurchase agreements are treated as financings and the obligations to repurchase securities sold are reflected as liabilities. Securities involved with the agreements are recorded as assets of our bank and are held in safekeeping by a correspondent bank. Repurchase agreements are secured by securities with an aggregate market value equal to the aggregate outstanding balance.

 

 

8.

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF INDIANAPOLIS ADVANCES

 

Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (“FHLBI”) advances totaled $48.0 million at June 30, 2015, and mature at varying dates from December 2016 through September 2017, with fixed rates of interest from 1.22% to 1.51% and averaging 1.33%. FHLBI advances totaled $54.0 million at December 31, 2014, and were expected to mature at varying dates ranging from January 2015 through September 2017, with fixed rates of interest from 0.62% to 1.51% and averaging 1.26%.

 

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 June 30, 2015 totaled about $531 million, with availability based on collateral approximating $483 million.

 

Maturities of currently outstanding FHLBI advances are as follows:

 

2015

  $ 0  

2016

    3,000,000  

2017

    45,000,000  

2018

    0  

2019

    0  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

9.

COMMITMENTS AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK

 

Our bank is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its 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 bank’s 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. Our bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. Collateral, such as accounts receivable, securities, inventory, and property and equipment, is generally obtained based on our credit assessment of the borrower. If required, estimated loss exposure resulting from these instruments is expensed and is generally recorded as a liability. There was no reserve or liability balance for these instruments as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

A summary of the contractual amounts of our financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 follows:

 

   

June 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2015

   

2014

 
                 

Commercial unused lines of credit

  $ 487,753,000     $ 554,856,000  

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

    60,911,000       60,983,000  

Credit card unused lines of credit

    12,911,000       11,649,000  

Other consumer unused lines of credit

    7,321,000       8,673,000  

Commitments to make loans

    243,013,000       110,126,000  

Standby letters of credit

    34,774,000       35,461,000  
    $ 846,683,000     $ 781,748,000  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

9.

COMMITMENTS AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK (Continued)

 

Certain of our commercial loan customers have entered into interest rate swap agreements directly with our correspondent banks. To assist our commercial loan customers in these transactions, and to encourage our correspondent banks to enter into the interest rate swap transactions with minimal credit underwriting analyses on their part, we have entered into risk participation agreements with the correspondent banks whereby we agree to make payments to the correspondent banks owed by our commercial loan customers under the interest rate swap agreement in the event that our commercial loan customers do not make the payments. We are not a party to the interest rate swap agreements under these arrangements. As of June 30, 2015, the total notional amount of the underlying interest rate swap agreements was $15.0 million, with a net fair value from our commercial loan customers’ perspective of negative $2.3 million. These risk participation agreements are considered financial guarantees in accordance with applicable accounting guidance and are therefore recorded as liabilities at fair value, generally equal to the fees collected at the time of their execution. These liabilities are accreted into income during the term of the interest rate swap agreements, generally ranging from four to fifteen years.

 

 

10.

HEDGING ACTIVITIES

 

Our interest rate risk policy includes guidelines for measuring and monitoring interest rate risk. Within these guidelines, parameters have been established for maximum fluctuations in net interest income. Possible fluctuations are measured and monitored using net interest income simulation. Our policy provides for the use of certain derivative instruments and hedging activities to aid in managing interest rate risk to within the policy parameters. To help mitigate the negative impact to our net interest income in an increasing interest rate environment resulting from our cost of funds likely increasing at a higher rate than the yield on our assets, we may periodically enter into derivative financial instruments.

 

In February 2012, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a correspondent bank to hedge the floating rate on our subordinated debentures, which became effective in January 2013 and matures in January 2018. Our $32.0 million of subordinated debentures have a rate equal to the 90-Day Libor Rate plus a fixed spread of 218 basis points, and are subject to repricing quarterly. The interest rate swap agreement provides for us to pay our correspondent bank a fixed rate, while our correspondent bank will pay us the 90-Day Libor Rate on a $32.0 million notional amount. The quarterly re-set dates for the floating rate on the interest rate swap agreement are the same as the re-set dates for the floating rate on the subordinated debentures. The interest rate swap agreement does qualify for hedge accounting; therefore, monthly fluctuations in the present value of the interest rate swap agreement, net of tax effect, are recorded to other comprehensive income. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair value of the interest rate swap agreement was recorded as a liability in the amount of $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED 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 June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

 

   

Level in

   

June 30, 2015

   

December 31, 2014

 
   

Fair Value

   

Carrying

   

Fair

   

Carrying

   

Fair

 
   

Hierarchy

   

Values

   

Values

   

Values

   

Values

 
                                         

Financial assets:

                                       

Cash

 

Level 1

    $ 14,608     $ 14,608     $ 13,261     $ 13,261  

Cash equivalents

 

Level 2

      123,823       123,823       159,477       159,477  

Securities available for sale

 

(1)

      373,446       373,446       432,912       432,912  

FHLBI stock

 

(2)

      7,567       7,567       13,699       13,699  

Loans, net

 

Level 3

      2,152,874       2,153,142       2,067,662       2,062,566  

Loans held for sale

 

Level 2

      2,397       2,397       1,574       1,574  

Bank owned life insurance

 

Level 2

      58,409       58,409       57,861       57,861  

Accrued interest receivable

 

Level 2

      7,822       7,822       8,033       8,033  
                                         

Financial liabilities:

                                       

Deposits

 

Level 2

      2,278,794       2,246,661       2,276,915       2,254,749  

Repurchase agreements

 

Level 2

      152,081       152,081       167,569       167,569  

FHLBI advances

 

Level 2

      48,000       48,371       54,022       54,720  

Subordinated debentures

 

Level 2

      54,813       54,813       54,472       54,508  

Accrued interest payable

 

Level 2

      1,740       1,740       1,942       1,942  

Interest rate swap

 

(1)

      379       379       253       253  

 

 

(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.

 

Carrying amount is the estimated fair value for cash and cash equivalents, accrued interest receivable and payable, bank owned life insurance, noninterest checking deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and variable rate loans and deposits that reprice frequently and fully. 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. For fixed rate loans and deposits and for variable rate loans and deposits with infrequent repricing or repricing limits, fair value is based on discounted cash flows using current market rates applied to the estimated life and credit risk. Fair value of subordinated debentures and FHLBI advances is based on current rates for similar financing. Fair value of the interest rate swap is determined primarily utilizing market-consensus forecasted yield curves. Fair value of off-balance sheet items is estimated to be nominal.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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NOTES TO CONDENSED 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.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

12.

FAIR VALUES (Continued)

 

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 bonds, mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies, municipal general obligation and revenue bonds and mutual funds. 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 becomes known which necessitates a valuation allowance. There was no such valuation allowance as of June 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014. We have no Level 1 securities available for sale.

 

Derivatives. The interest rate swap is measured at fair value on a recurring basis. We measure fair value utilizing models that use primarily market observable inputs, such as forecasted yield curves, and accordingly, the interest rate swap agreement is classified as Level 2.

 

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 June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we determined that the fair value of our mortgage loans held for sale approximated the recorded cost of $2.4 million and $1.6 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 impairment and on an ongoing basis until recovery or charge-off.

 

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.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

12.

FAIR VALUES (Continued)

 

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 June 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

           

Quoted

                 
           

Prices in

                 
           

Active

   

Significant

         
           

Markets for

   

Other

   

Significant

 
           

Identical

   

Observable

   

Unobservable

 
           

Assets

   

Inputs

   

Inputs

 
   

Total

   

(Level 1)

   

(Level 2)

   

(Level 3)

 

Available for sale securities

                               

U.S. Government agency debt obligations

  $ 161,708,000     $ 0     $ 161,708,000     $ 0  

Mortgage-backed securities

    79,841,000       0       79,841,000       0  

Municipal general obligation bonds

    119,811,000       0       111,022,000       8,789,000  

Municipal revenue bonds

    10,149,000       0       10,149,000       0  

Other investments

    1,937,000       0       1,937,000       0  

Interest rate swap

    (379,000 )     0       (379,000 )     0  

Total

  $ 373,067,000     $ 0     $ 364,278,000     $ 8,789,000  

 

There were no transfers in or out of Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 during the first six months of 2015.

 

The balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 are as follows:

 

           

Quoted

                 
           

Prices in

                 
           

Active

   

Significant

         
           

Markets for

   

Other

   

Significant

 
           

Identical

   

Observable

   

Unobservable

 
           

Assets

   

Inputs

   

Inputs

 
   

Total

   

(Level 1)

   

(Level 2)

   

(Level 3)

 

Available for sale securities

                               

U.S. Government agency debt obligations

  $ 193,468,000     $ 0     $ 193,468,000     $ 0  

Mortgage-backed securities

    93,561,000       0       93,561,000       0  

Municipal general obligation bonds

    133,082,000       0       122,801,000       10,281,000  

Municipal revenue bonds

    10,873,000       0       10,873,000       0  

Other investments

    1,928,000       0       1,928,000       0  

Interest rate swap

    (253,000 )     0       (253,000 )     0  

Total

  $ 432,659,000     $ 0     $ 422,378,000     $ 10,281,000  

 

There were no transfers in or out of Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 during 2014.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

12.

FAIR VALUES (Continued)

 

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 June 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

           

Quoted

                 
           

Prices in

                 
           

Active

   

Significant

         
           

Markets for

   

Other

   

Significant

 
           

Identical

   

Observable

   

Unobservable

 
           

Assets

   

Inputs

   

Inputs

 
   

Total

   

(Level 1)

   

(Level 2)

   

(Level 3)

 
                                 

Impaired loans (1)

  $ 9,623,000     $ 0     $ 0     $ 9,623,000  

Foreclosed assets (1)

    2,033,000       0       0       2,033,000  

Total

  $ 11,656,000     $ 0     $ 0     $ 11,656,000  

 

 

The balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2014 are as follows:

 

           

Quoted

                 
           

Prices in

                 
           

Active

   

Significant

         
           

Markets for

   

Other

   

Significant

 
           

Identical

   

Observable

   

Unobservable

 
           

Assets

   

Inputs

   

Inputs

 
   

Total

   

(Level 1)

   

(Level 2)

   

(Level 3)

 
                                 

Impaired loans (1)

  $ 17,097,000     $ 0     $ 0     $ 17,097,000  

Foreclosed assets (1)

    1,995,000       0       0       1,995,000  

Total

  $ 19,092,000     $ 0     $ 0     $ 19,092,000  

 

(1)   Represents carrying value and related write-downs for which adjustments are based on the estimated value of the property or other assets.

 

 

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 our financial statements.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

13.

REGULATORY MATTERS (Continued)

 

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. At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our bank was in the well capitalized category under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since June 30, 2015 that we believe have changed our bank’s categorization.

 

Our actual capital levels (dollars in thousands) 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

 
   

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

 

June 30, 2015

                                               

Total capital (to risk weighted assets)

                                               

Consolidated

  $ 341,865       13.6 %   $ 200,721       8.0 %   $ NA       NA  

Bank

    345,719       13.8       200,822       8.0       251,028       10.0 %

Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)

                                               

Consolidated

    325,304       13.0       150,541       6.0       NA       NA  

Bank

    329,158       13.1       150,617       6.0       200,822       8.0  

Common equity tier 1 (to risk weighted assets)

                                               

Consolidated

    274,601       10.9       112,997       4.5       NA       NA  

Bank

    329,158       13.1       112,963       4.5       163,168       6.5  

Tier 1 capital (to average assets)

                                               

Consolidated

    325,304       11.6       112,364       4.0       NA       NA  

Bank

    329,158       11.7       112,487       4.0       140,608       5.0  

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

13.

REGULATORY MATTERS (Continued)

 

                                   

Minimum Required

 
                                   

to be Well

 
                   

Minimum Required

   

Capitalized Under

 
                   

for Capital

   

Prompt Corrective

 
   

Actual

   

Adequacy Purposes

   

Action Regulations

 
   

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

 

December 31, 2014

                                               

Total capital (to risk weighted assets)

                                               

Consolidated

  $ 334,793       14.4 %   $ 185,553       8.0 %   $ NA       NA  

Bank

    332,749       14.4       185,309       8.0       231,636       10.0 %

Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)

                                               

Consolidated

    314,752       13.6       92,777       4.0       NA       NA  

Bank

    312,708       13.5       92,655       4.0       138,982       6.0  

Tier 1 capital (to average assets)

                                               

Consolidated

    314,752       11.2       112,949       4.0       NA       NA  

Bank

    312,708       11.1       112,856       4.0       141,070       5.0  

 

Our consolidated capital levels as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 include $52.7 million and $52.4 million, respectively, of trust preferred securities subject to certain limitations. 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 June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, all $52.7 million and $52.4 million, respectively, of the trust preferred securities were included in our consolidated Tier 1 capital.

 

Our regulatory capital calculations and the minimum requirements to be categorized as well capitalized and adequately capitalized under the prompt corrective action regulations were impacted by BASEL III, which became effective January 1, 2015 and are included in the June 30, 2015 table above. The net impact on our regulatory capital ratios and our overall capital position was not material.

 

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 15, 2015, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend on our common stock in the amount of $0.14 per share that was paid on March 25, 2015 to shareholders of record as of March 13, 2015. On April 16, 2015, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend on our common stock in the amount of $0.14 per share that was paid on June 24, 2015 to shareholders of record as of June 12, 2015. On July 16, 2015, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend on our common stock in the amount of $0.15 per share that will be paid on September 23, 2015 to shareholders of record as of September 11, 2015.

 


 

(Continued)

 

 
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 


 

13.

REGULATORY MATTERS (Continued)

 

In addition, on January 30, 2015, we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized a new 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. We expect to fund a majority of such repurchases from cash dividends paid to us from our Bank. During the first six months of 2015, we purchased approximately 463,000 shares of common stock at an average price of $19.67, totaling about $9.1 million, under the stock repurchase program. The purchased shares were retired effective on the acquisition date.

 


 

 
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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,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “is likely,” “plans,” “projects,” 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, changes in interest rates and interest rate relationships; demand for products and services; the degree of competition by traditional and non-traditional competitors; changes in banking regulation or actions by bank regulators; changes in tax laws; changes in prices, levies, and assessments; our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of our merger with Firstbank Corporation; the ability of the combined company to compete in the highly competitive banking and financial services industry; the impact of technological advances; governmental and regulatory policy changes; the outcomes of contingencies; trends in customer behavior as well as their ability to repay loans; changes in local real estate values; changes in the national and local economies; and risk factors described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 or in this report. 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 Bank of Michigan (“our bank”) and our bank’s two subsidiaries, Mercantile Bank Real Estate Co., LLC (“our real estate company”) and Mercantile Insurance Center, Inc. (“our insurance company”), at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and the results of operations for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014. 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 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. 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 policies, see Note 1 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements included on pages F-45 through F-51 in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 (Commission file number 000-26719). Our allowance for loan losses policy and accounting for income taxes 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 Loan Losses: The allowance for loan losses (“allowance”) is maintained at a level we believe is adequate to absorb probable incurred losses identified and inherent in the originated loan portfolio. Our evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance is an estimate based on past loan 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. Loan 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. Recoveries of loans previously charged-off are added to the allowance. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that contractual interest and principal payments will not be collected either for the amounts or by the dates as scheduled in the loan agreement. Impairment is evaluated in aggregate for smaller-balance loans of similar nature such as residential mortgage, consumer and credit card loans, and on an individual loan basis for other loans. If a loan is impaired, a portion of the allowance is allocated so that the loan is reported, net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or at the fair value of collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. The timing of obtaining outside appraisals varies, generally depending on the nature and complexity of the property being evaluated, general breadth of activity within the marketplace and the age of the most recent appraisal. For collateral dependent impaired loans, in most cases we obtain and use the “as is” value as indicated in the appraisal report, adjusting for any expected selling costs. In certain circumstances, we may internally update outside appraisals based on recent information impacting a particular or similar property, or due to identifiable trends (e.g., recent sales of similar properties) within our markets. The expected future cash flows exclude potential cash flows from certain guarantors. To the extent these guarantors provide repayments, a recovery would be recorded upon receipt. Loans are evaluated for impairment when payments are delayed, typically 30 days or more, or when serious deficiencies are identified within the credit relationship. Our policy for recognizing income on impaired loans is to accrue interest unless a loan is placed on nonaccrual status. We put loans into nonaccrual status when the full collection of principal and interest is not expected.

 

Income Tax Accounting: Current income tax assets and liabilities are established for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year. In the preparation of income tax returns, tax positions are taken based on interpretation of federal and state income tax laws for which the outcome may be uncertain. We periodically review and evaluate the status of our tax positions and make adjustments as necessary. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are also established for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. A deferred income tax asset or liability is recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences that can be carried forward (used) in future years. The valuation of our net deferred income tax asset is considered critical as it requires us to make estimates based on provisions of the enacted tax laws. The assessment of the realizability of the net deferred income tax asset involves the use of estimates, assumptions, interpretations and judgments concerning accounting pronouncements, federal and state tax codes and the extent of future taxable income. There can be no assurance that future events, such as court decisions, positions of federal and state tax authorities, and the extent of future taxable income will not differ from our current assessment, the impact of which could be significant to the consolidated results of operations and reported earnings.

 

 
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Accounting guidance requires that we assess whether a valuation allowance should be established against our deferred tax assets based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard. In making such judgments, we consider both positive and negative evidence and analyze changes in near-term market conditions as well as other factors which may impact future operating results. Significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. During 2011, we returned to pre-tax profitability for four consecutive quarters. Additionally, we experienced lower provision expense, continued declines in nonperforming assets and problem asset administration costs, a higher net interest margin, a further strengthening of our regulatory capital ratios and additional reductions in wholesale funding. This positive evidence allowed us to conclude that, as of December 31, 2011, it was more likely than not that we returned to sustainable profitability in amounts sufficient to allow for realization of our deferred tax assets in future years. Consequently, we reversed the valuation allowance that we had previously determined necessary to carry against our entire net deferred tax asset starting on December 31, 2009.

 

Securities and Other Financial Instruments: Securities available for sale consist of bonds and notes which might be sold prior to maturity due to changes in interest rate, prepayment risks, yield and availability of alternative investments, liquidity needs or other factors. Securities classified as available for sale are reported at their fair value. Declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that are other than temporary are reflected as realized losses. In estimating other than temporary losses, management considers: (1) the length of time and extent that fair value has been less than carrying value; (2) the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer; and (3) the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. Fair values for securities available for sale are obtained from outside sources and applied to individual securities within the portfolio. The difference between the amortized cost and the current fair value of securities is recorded as a valuation adjustment and reported in other comprehensive income.

 

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 prepayment speeds, the remaining life of the mortgage pool, delinquency rates, our cost to service loans, and other factors to determine the cash flow that we will receive from serving 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: Generally accepted accounting principles require us to determine the fair value of all of the assets and liabilities of an acquired entity, and record their fair value on the date of acquisition. We employ a variety of means in determination of the fair value, including the use of discounted cash flow analysis, market comparisons, and projected future revenue streams. For certain items that we believe we have the appropriate expertise to determine the fair value, we may choose to use our own calculation of the value. In other cases, where the value is not easily determined, we consult with outside parties to determine the fair value of the asset or liability. Once valuations have been adjusted, the net difference between the price paid for the acquired company and the value of its balance sheet is recorded as goodwill.

 


 

 
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Goodwill results from business acquisitions and represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of acquired tangible assets and liabilities and identifiable intangible assets. Goodwill is assessed at least annually for impairment and any such impairment is recognized in the period identified. A more frequent assessment is performed if conditions in the market place or changes in the company’s organizational structure occur. We use a discounted income approach and a market valuation model, which compares the inherent value of our company to valuations of recent transactions in the market place to determine if our goodwill has been impaired.

 

Financial Overview

We reported net income of $6.6 million for the second quarter of 2015, and net income of $13.2 million for the first six months of 2015. On a diluted earnings per share basis, we earned $0.39 per share during the second quarter and $0.78 per share during the first six months of 2015. Given the merger with Firstbank Corporation (“Firstbank”) that was effective on June 1, 2014, comparisons between the second quarter and first six months of 2015 with the respective periods in 2014 are difficult to make; however, we believe, for the reasons detailed in the paragraphs below, that our 2015 results reflect the successful integration of the two banking organizations and the leveraging of the strengths that each organization provided to the newly combined company.

 

The overall quality of our loan portfolio remains strong, with nonperforming loans equaling only 0.37% of total loans as of June 30, 2015. The strength of our loan portfolio, combined with recoveries of prior loan charge-offs and the eliminations of and reductions in specific reserves, have produced a positive impact on our allowance calculations and allowed us to make no or negative provisions in ten consecutive quarters and in thirteen out of the last fourteen quarters. We recorded a negative provision expense of $0.6 million during the second quarter of 2015, and negative $1.0 million during the first six months of 2015. Gross loan charge-offs equaled $4.4 million during the second quarter of 2015, and totaled $4.8 million for the first six months of the year. A vast majority of the gross loan charge-offs during the second quarter was associated with a large commercial loan relationship that was resolved during that time period. The specific reserve we had established for that particular lending relationship during the past few quarters was more than sufficient to absorb the charge-off amount. Recoveries of prior period loan charge-offs equaled $0.5 million during the second quarter of 2015, and totaled $2.4 million for the first half of the year. Net loan charge-offs, as a percent of average total loans, equaled an annualized 0.73% and 0.23% during the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively. We have recorded a net loan recovery during eight out of the last thirteen quarters. 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.

 

New term loan originations totaled approximately $120 million during the second quarter of 2015, bringing the year-to-date total to about $220 million. We also experienced net increases in commercial lines of credit during those time periods, in large part reflecting lines that are part of new commercial lending relationships established during recent quarterly periods. Loan growth equaled $51.1 million and $82.6 million during the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, reflecting the impact of scheduled monthly payments as well as expected and unexpected commercial loan payoffs. The new loan pipeline remains strong, and at June 30, 2015, we had over $125 million in unfunded loan commitments on commercial construction and development loans that are in the construction phase. We believe our loan portfolio is well diversified, with commercial and industrial loans equaling 29%, commercial real estate non-owner occupied loans comprising 28%, commercial real estate owner occupied loans comprising 19% and residential mortgage and consumer loans aggregating 16% of total loans at June 30, 2015. As a percent of total commercial loans, commercial and industrial loans and commercial real estate owner occupied loans equaled 57% at June 30, 2015.

 


 

 
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Our funding structure is also well diversified. As of June 30, 2015, noninterest-bearing checking accounts comprised 25% of total funds, interest-bearing checking and sweep accounts combined for 22%, savings deposits and money market accounts aggregated to 25% and local time deposits accounted for 21%. Wholesale funds, comprised of brokered deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (“FHLBI”) advances, represented 7% of total funds.

 

Financial Condition

Our total assets decreased $17.4 million during the first six months of 2015, and totaled $2.88 billion as of June 30, 2015. Total loans increased $82.6 million, while securities available for sale declined $59.5 million and cash and cash equivalents decreased $34.3 million. Total deposits increased $1.9 million, while securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“sweep accounts”) were down $15.5 million during the first six months of 2015. For the remainder of 2015 and into 2016, we expect further loan growth to continue to be primarily funded by cash flow from our securities portfolio and other interest-bearing assets, with total deposits remaining relatively stable.

 

Commercial loans increased $105.1 million during the first six months of 2015, and at June 30, 2015 totaled $1.82 billion, or 83.8% of the loan portfolio. As of December 31, 2014, the commercial loan portfolio comprised 82.1% of total loans. The increase in commercial loans during the first six months of 2015 primarily reflects new commercial term loans to existing and new borrowers. Commercial and industrial loans were up $71.4 million, non-owner occupied commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans increased $44.2 million, owner occupied CRE loans decreased $8.0 million, multi-family and residential rental loans increased $1.9 million and vacant land, land development and residential construction loans were down $4.4 million. As a percent of total commercial loans, commercial and industrial loans and commercial real estate owner occupied loans equaled 57.4% as of June 30, 2015, compared to 57.2% at December 31, 2014.

 

We significantly enhanced our commercial loan sales efforts over the past few years. We are very pleased with the approximately $885 million in new commercial term loan fundings since the beginning of 2012, including about $220 million during the first six months of 2015. As of June 30, 2015, availability on existing construction and development loans totaled over $125 million, with most of those funds expected to be drawn over the next twelve months. In addition, our current pipeline reports indicate continued strong commercial loan funding opportunities in future periods, including approximately $243 million in new lending commitments, a majority of which we expect to be accepted and funded over the next 12 to 18 months. Our commercial lenders also report substantial additional opportunities they are currently discussing with existing and potentially new borrowers.

 

We continue to experience commercial loan principal paydowns and payoffs. While a portion of the principal paydowns and payoffs received have been welcomed, such as on stressed loan relationships, we have also experienced instances where well-performing relationships have been refinanced at other financial institutions or non-bank entities, and other situations where the borrower has sold the underlying asset. In many of those instances where the loans were refinanced elsewhere, we believed the terms and conditions of the new lending arrangements were too aggressive, generally reflecting the very competitive banking environment in our markets. We remain committed to prudent underwriting standards that provide for an appropriate yield and risk relationship. In addition, we continue to receive accelerated principal paydowns from certain borrowers who have elevated deposit balances generally resulting from profitable operations and an apparent unwillingness to expand their businesses and/or replace equipment primarily due to economic- and tax-related uncertainties. Usage of existing commercial lines of credit has remained relatively steady.

 


 

 
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One-to-four family mortgage loans and other consumer loans declined a combined $22.6 million during the first six months of 2015, and at June 30, 2015, totaled $351 million, or 16.2% of total loans. One-to-four family mortgage loans and other consumer loans combined equated to 17.9% of total loans as of December 31, 2014.

 

The following table summarizes our loan portfolio over the past twelve months:

 

   

6/30/15

   

3/31/15

   

12/31/14

   

9/30/14

   

6/30/14

 

Commercial:

                                       

Commercial & Industrial

  $ 622,073,000     $ 587,675,000     $ 550,607,000     $ 541,805,000     $ 538,791,000  

Land Development & Construction

    47,622,000       56,050,000       51,974,000       52,218,000       55,948,000  

Owner Occupied Commercial RE

    422,354,000       431,995,000       430,388,000       412,470,000       411,116,000  

Non-Owner Occupied Commercial RE

    603,724,000       566,152,000       559,574,000       584,422,000       588,752,000  

Multi-Family & Residential Rental

    124,658,000       117,477,000       122,760,000       95,649,000       93,939,000  

Total Commercial

    1,820,431,000       1,759,349,000       1,715,303,000       1,686,564,000       1,688,546,000  
                                         

Retail:

                                       

1-4 Family Mortgages

    201,907,000       208,425,000       214,696,000       217,751,000       215,908,000  

Home Equity & Other Consumer Loans

    149,494,000       152,986,000       159,278,000       163,950,000       169,028,000  
      351,401,000       361,411,000       373,974,000       381,701,000       384,936,000  
                                         

Total

  $ 2,171,832,000     $ 2,120,760,000     $ 2,089,277,000     $ 2,068,265,000     $ 2,073,482,000  

 

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. 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. Market value estimates of collateral on impaired loans, as well as on foreclosed and repossessed assets, are reviewed periodically; however, we 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 $10.1 million (0.4% of total assets) as of June 30, 2015, compared to $31.4 million (1.1% of total assets) as of December 31, 2014. One commercial loan relationship, which was placed on nonaccrual during the fourth quarter of 2014, accounted for approximately 70% of total nonperforming assets as of year-end 2014. This relationship was resolved during the second quarter.

 


 

 
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The following tables provide a breakdown of nonperforming assets by collateral type:

 

NONPERFORMING LOANS

 

   

6/30/15

   

3/31/15

   

12/31/14

   

9/30/14

   

6/30/14

 

Residential Real Estate:

                                       

Land Development

  $ 27,000     $ 54,000     $ 84,000     $ 107,000     $ 36,000  

Construction

    0       0       0       0       0  

Owner Occupied / Rental

    2,384,000       2,578,000       4,229,000       4,350,000       3,898,000  
      2,411,000       2,632,000       4,313,000       4,457,000       3,934,000  
                                         

Commercial Real Estate:

                                       

Land Development

    184,000       197,000       209,000       222,000       235,000  

Construction

    0       0       0       0       0  

Owner Occupied

    2,587,000       17,495,000       18,089,000       733,000       1,176,000  

Non-Owner Occupied

    2,677,000       360,000       378,000       330,000       129,000  
      5,448,000       18,052,000       18,676,000       1,285,000       1,540,000  
                                         

Non-Real Estate:

                                       

Commercial Assets

    212,000       5,565,000       6,401,000       296,000       267,000  

Consumer Assets

    32,000       18,000       42,000       33,000       0  
      244,000       5,583,000       6,443,000       329,000       267,000  
                                         

Total

  $ 8,103,000     $ 26,267,000     $ 29,432,000     $ 6,071,000     $ 5,741,000  

 

 

OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED & REPOSSESSED ASSETS

 

   

6/30/15

   

3/31/15

   

12/31/14

   

9/30/14

   

6/30/14

 

Residential Real Estate:

                                       

Land Development

  $ 353,000     $ 329,000     $ 329,000     $ 329,000     $ 427,000  

Construction

    0       0       0       0       22,000  

Owner Occupied / Rental

    932,000       646,000       722,000       902,000       968,000  
      1,285,000       975,000       1,051,000       1,231,000       1,417,000  
                                         

Commercial Real Estate:

                                       

Land Development

    0       0       0       0       92,000  

Construction

    0       0       0       0       0  

Owner Occupied

    139,000       139,000       247,000       173,000       300,000  

Non-Owner Occupied

    609,000       550,000       697,000       1,255,000       1,069,000  
      748,000       689,000       944,000       1,428,000       1,461,000  
                                         

Non-Real Estate:

                                       

Commercial Assets

    0       0       0       0       0  

Consumer Assets

    0       0       0       0       0  
      0       0       0       0       0  
                                         

Total

  $ 2,033,000     $ 1,664,000     $ 1,995,000     $ 2,659,000     $ 2,878,000  

 


 

 
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The following tables provide a reconciliation of nonperforming assets:

 

NONPERFORMING LOANS RECONCILIATION

 

   

2nd Qtr

   

1st Qtr

   

4th Qtr

   

3rd Qtr

   

2nd Qtr

 
   

2015

   

2015

   

2014

   

2014

   

2014

 
                                         

Beginning balance

  $ 26,267,000     $ 29,432,000     $ 6,071,000     $ 5,741,000     $ 6,342,000  

Additions, net of transfers to ORE

    2,486,000       414,000       24,513,000       1,194,000       (11,000 )

Returns to performing status

    0       (5,000 )     (779,000 )     0       0  

Principal payments

    (16,414,000 )     (3,203,000 )     (228,000 )     (864,000 )     (523,000 )

Loan charge-offs

    (4,236,000 )     (371,000 )     (145,000 )     0       (67,000 )
                                         

Total

  $ 8,103,000     $ 26,267,000     $ 29,432,000     $ 6,071,000     $ 5,741,000  

 

 

OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED & REPOSSESSED ASSETS RECONCILIATION

 

   

2nd Qtr

   

1st Qtr

   

4th Qtr

   

3rd Qtr

   

2nd Qtr

 
   

2015

   

2015

   

2014

   

2014

   

2014

 
                                         

Beginning balance

  $ 1,664,000     $ 1,995,000     $ 2,659,000     $ 2,878,000     $ 2,350,000  

Additions

    652,000       277,000       380,000       851,000       1,362,000  

Sale proceeds

    (220,000 )     (538,000 )     (982,000 )     (910,000 )     (790,000 )

Valuation write-downs

    (63,000 )     (70,000 )     (62,000 )     (160,000 )     (44,000 )
                                         

Total

  $ 2,033,000     $ 1,664,000     $ 1,995,000     $ 2,659,000     $ 2,878,000  

 

Gross loan charge-offs equaled $4.4 million during the second quarter of 2015, and totaled $4.8 million for the first six months of 2015. A vast majority of the gross loan charge-offs during the second quarter was associated with the aforementioned large commercial loan relationship that was resolved during the quarter. The specific reserve we established for that credit relationship during the past few quarters was more than sufficient to absorb the charged-off amount. Recoveries of prior period charge-offs equaled $0.5 million during the second quarter, and totaled $2.4 million for the first six months of 2015. Net loan charge-offs, as a percent of average total loans, equaled an annualized 0.73% and 0.23% during the second quarter and year-to-date 2015, respectively. We have recorded a net loan recovery during eight out of the last thirteen quarters. 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.

 

In each accounting period, we adjust the allowance to the amount we believe is necessary to maintain the allowance at an adequate level. Through the loan review and credit departments, we establish portions of the allowance based on specifically identifiable problem loans. The evaluation of the allowance is further based on, but not limited to, consideration of the internally prepared Allowance Analysis, loan loss migration analysis, composition of the loan portfolio, third party analysis of the loan administration processes and portfolio, and general economic conditions.

 


 

 
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The Allowance Analysis applies reserve allocation factors to non-impaired outstanding loan balances, the result of which is combined with specific reserves to calculate an overall allowance dollar amount. For non-impaired commercial loans, reserve allocation factors are based on the loan ratings as determined by our standardized grade paradigms and by loan purpose. Our commercial loan portfolio is segregated into five classes: 1) commercial and industrial loans; 2) vacant land, land development and residential construction loans; 3) owner occupied real estate loans; 4) non-owner occupied real estate loans; and 5) multi-family and residential rental property loans. The reserve allocation factors are primarily based on the historical trends of net loan charge-offs through a migration analysis whereby net loan losses are tracked via assigned grades over various time periods, with adjustments made for environmental factors reflecting the current status of, or recent changes in, items such as: lending policies and procedures; economic conditions; nature and volume of the loan portfolio; experience, ability and depth of management and lending staff; volume and severity of past due, nonaccrual and adversely classified loans; effectiveness of the loan review program; value of underlying collateral; loan concentrations; and other external factors such as competition and regulatory environment. Adjustments for specific lending relationships, particularly impaired loans, are made on a case-by-case basis. Non-impaired retail loan reserve allocations are determined in a similar fashion as those for non-impaired commercial loans, except that retail loans are segmented by type of credit and not a grading system. We regularly review the Allowance Analysis and make needed adjustments based upon identifiable trends and experience.

 

A migration analysis is completed quarterly to assist us in determining appropriate reserve allocation factors for non-impaired commercial loans. Our migration analysis takes into account various time periods, with most weight placed on a twenty-quarter time frame as of June 30, 2015. We believe the twenty-quarter period represents an appropriate range of economic conditions, and that it provides for an appropriate basis in determining reserve allocation factors given current economic conditions and the general consensus of economic conditions in the near future. Over the past few years, leading up to and including December 31, 2014, we had placed most weight on a twelve-quarter look back period.

 

Although the migration analysis provides a historical accounting of our net loan losses, it is not able to fully account for environmental factors that will also very likely impact the collectability of our commercial loans as of any quarter-end date. Therefore, we incorporate the environmental factors as adjustments to the historical data. Environmental factors include both internal and external items. We believe the most significant internal environmental factor is our credit culture and the relative aggressiveness in assigning and revising commercial loan risk ratings, with the most significant external environmental factor being the assessment of the current economic environment and the resulting implications on our commercial loan portfolio.

 

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 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 creditor’s rights in order to preserve our collateral position.

 

Our allowance totaled $16.6 million as of June 30, 2015, with $15.7 million established for originated loans and $0.9 million for acquired loans. The allowance for originated loans equaled 1.1% of total originated loans outstanding as of June 30, 2015, compared to $19.3 million, or 1.5% of total originated loans outstanding at December 31, 2014. The allowance for acquired loans equaled $0.7 million as of December 31, 2014. The allowance equaled 204.4% of nonperforming loans as of June 30, 2015, compared to 68.1% as of December 31, 2014. The increase in this ratio during the first six months of 2015 reflects a decline in total nonperforming loans.

 


 

 
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As of June 30, 2015, the allowance for originated loans was comprised of $13.4 million in general reserves relating to non-impaired loans, $1.0 million in specific reserve allocations relating to nonaccrual loans, and $1.3 million in specific reserves on other loans, primarily accruing loans designated as troubled debt restructurings. Troubled debt restructurings totaled $23.3 million at June 30, 2015, consisting of $3.3 million that are on nonaccrual status and $20.0 million that are on accrual status. The latter, while considered and accounted for as impaired loans in accordance with accounting guidelines, is not included in our nonperforming loan totals. The aforementioned large nonaccrual commercial loan relationship was categorized as a nonperforming troubled debt restructuring at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and as a performing troubled debt restructuring as of September 30, 2014. Impaired loans with an aggregate carrying value of $0.8 million as of June 30, 2015 had been subject to previous partial charge-offs aggregating $0.7 million. Those partial charge-offs were recorded as follows: $0.1 million during the first six months of 2015, less than $0.1 million in both 2013 and 2012, $0.4 million in 2011, and $0.2 million in 2010. As of June 30, 2015, there were no specific reserves allocated to impaired loans that had been subject to a previous partial charge-off.

 

The following table provides a breakdown of our originated and acquired loans categorized as troubled debt restructurings:

 

   

6/30/15

   

3/31/15

   

12/31/14

   

9/30/14

   

6/30/14

 
                                         

Performing

  $ 20,031,000     $ 23,350,000     $ 24,001,000     $ 47,385,000     $ 24,900,000  

Nonperforming

    3,245,000       23,272,000       26,433,000       3,371,000       4,232,000  
                                         

Total

  $ 23,276,000     $ 46,622,000     $ 50,434,000     $ 50,756,000     $ 29,132,000  

 

Although we believe the allowance is adequate to absorb loan losses in our originated 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.

 

Securities available for sale decreased $59.5 million during the first six months of 2015, totaling $373 million as of June 30, 2015. Purchases during the first six months of 2015, generally consisting of municipal bonds, totaled $4.9 million. Proceeds from matured and called U.S. Government agency bonds and municipal bonds during the first six months of 2015 totaled $32.1 million and $17.0 million, respectively, with another $13.0 million from principal paydowns on mortgage-backed securities. In addition, proceeds from the sales of municipal bonds totaled $0.7 million. At June 30, 2015, the portfolio was primarily comprised of U.S. Government agency bonds (43%), municipal bonds (35%) and U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (21%). 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 at June 30, 2015 totaled $373 million, including a net unrealized gain of $0.5 million. 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 future purchases during the remainder of 2015 to be generally limited to the occasional acquisition of municipal bonds, as a majority of the cash flow from maturities and calls on U.S. Government agency and municipal bonds and from paydowns on mortgage-backed securities is expected to be used to fund anticipated loan growth.

 

FHLB of Indianapolis (“FHLBI”) stock totaled $7.6 million as of June 30, 2015, compared to $13.7 million as of December 31, 2014. The $6.1 million decline reflects the impact of an involuntary excess stock repurchase program by the FHLBI during the second quarter. Our investment in FHLBI stock is necessary to engage in their 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.

 


 

 
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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.

 

Federal funds sold, consisting of excess funds sold overnight to a correspondent bank, along with investments in interest-bearing deposits at correspondent and other banks, are used to manage daily liquidity needs and interest rate sensitivity. During the first six months of 2015, the average balance of these funds equaled $88.5 million, or 3.3% of average earning assets. We expect the level of these funds to average approximately 1% to 2% of average earning assets in future quarters, as we use approximately one half of the average amount during the first six months of 2015 to fund anticipated loan growth.

 

Net premises and equipment equaled $47.9 million at June 30, 2015, a decrease of $0.9 million during the first six months of 2015. Purchases during the first six months of 2015 totaled $0.6 million, while depreciation expense aggregated to $1.5 million. Foreclosed and repossessed assets equaled $2.0 million as of June 30, 2015, unchanged from December 31, 2014. Sale proceeds during the first six months of 2015 totaled $0.8 million, while transfers in from the loan portfolio totaled $0.9 million. Valuation write-downs totaled $0.1 million. While we expect further transfers from loans to foreclosed and repossessed assets in future periods reflecting our collection efforts on some impaired lending relationships, we believe the overall strong quality of our loan portfolio will limit any overall increase in, and average balance of, this particular nonperforming asset category in future periods.

 

Total deposits increased $1.9 million during the first six months of 2015, totaling $2.28 billion at June 30, 2015. Out-of-area deposits decreased $39.7 million during the first six months of 2015, and as a percent of total deposits, equaled 5.9% as of June 30, 2015, compared to 7.7% as of December 31, 2014.

 

Noninterest-bearing checking accounts increased $53.5 million during the first six months of 2015, generally due to deposit account openings as part of recently established commercial lending relationships and transfers from business-related interest-bearing checking accounts to new noninterest-bearing checking accounts. Interest-bearing checking accounts decreased $19.4 million, money market deposit accounts grew $36.6 million and savings deposits increased $16.8 million during the first six months of 2015. Local time deposits declined $45.9 million, generally reflecting a combination of transfers to non-time deposits at maturity and the non-renewal of certain public unit time deposits at maturity. The former is a continuation of a trend over the past several years due to the very low interest rate environment, and we expect this trend to continue at least until short term interest rates start to increase.

 

Sweep accounts decreased $15.5 million during the first six months of 2015, totaling $152 million as of June 30, 2015. The decrease was expected, as we generally see a decline during the first part of the year as businesses use funds to make tax and bonus payments. Our sweep account program entails transferring collected funds from certain business noninterest-bearing checking accounts and savings deposits into over-night interest-bearing repurchase agreements. Such sweep accounts are not deposit accounts and are not afforded federal deposit insurance, and are accounted for as secured borrowings.

 


 

 
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FHLBI advances decreased $6.0 million during the first six months of 2015, reflecting $6.0 million in maturities. As of June 30, 2015, FHLBI advances totaled $48.0 million. The FHLBI advances are generally collateralized by a blanket lien on our residential mortgage loan portfolio. Our borrowing line of credit as of June 30, 2015 totaled about $531 million, with availability approximating $483 million.

 

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, maintain reserve requirements 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-bearing balances. 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, we have obtained monies from wholesale funding sources. Wholesale funds, primarily comprised of deposits from customers outside of our market areas and advances from the FHLBI, totaled $184 million, or 7.4% of combined deposits and borrowed funds, as of June 30, 2015, compared to $230 million, or 9.2% of combined deposits and borrowed funds, as of December 31, 2014.

 

Sweep accounts decreased $15.5 million during the first six months of 2015, totaling $152 million as of June 30, 2015. The decrease was expected, as we generally see a decline during the first part of the year as businesses use funds to make tax and bonus payments. Our sweep account program entails transferring collected funds from certain business noninterest-bearing checking accounts and savings deposits into over-night interest-bearing repurchase agreements. Such sweep accounts are not deposit accounts and are not afforded federal deposit insurance, and are accounted for as secured borrowings. Information regarding our repurchase agreements as of June 30, 2015 and during the first six months of 2015 is as follows:

 

Outstanding balance at June 30, 2015

  $ 152,081,000  

Weighted average interest rate at June 30, 2015

    0.10 %

Maximum daily balance six months ended June 30, 2015

  $ 168,211,000  

Average daily balance for six months ended June 30, 2015

  $ 144,598,000  

Weighted average interest rate for six months ended June 30, 2015

    0.10 %

 

As a member of FHLBI, we have access to FHLBI advance borrowing programs. FHLBI advances decreased $6.0 million during the first six months of 2015, and as of June 30 2015, totaled $48.0 million. Based on available collateral at March 31, 2015, we could borrow an additional $483 million.

 

We also have the ability to borrow up to $63.0 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 first six months of 2015; in fact, we have not accessed the lines of credit since January of 2010. In contrast, federal funds sold averaged $10.8 million and interest-bearing deposit balances with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago averaged $74.8 million during the first six months of 2015. 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 $18.1 million as of June 30, 2015. We did not utilize this line of credit during the first six months of 2015 or at any time during the previous six 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 June 30, 2015, significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations to third parties by payment date, excluding accrued interest:

 

   

One Year

   

One to

   

Three to

   

Over

         
   

or Less

   

Three Years

   

Five Years

   

Five Years

   

Total

 
                                         

Deposits without a stated maturity

  $ 1,625,672,000     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 1,625,672,000  

Certificates of deposit

    347,337,000       210,670,000       95,115,000       0       653,122,000  

Short-term borrowings

    152,081,000       0       0       0       152,081,000  

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

    0       48,000,000       0       0       48,000,000  

Subordinated debentures

    0       0       0       54,813,000       54,813,000  

Other borrowed money

    3,705,000       0       0       0       3,705,000  

Property leases

    380,000       766,000       378,000       89,000       1,613,000  

 

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 June 30, 2015, we had a total of $812 million in unfunded loan commitments and $34.8 million in unfunded standby letters of credit. Of the total unfunded loan commitments, $569 million were commitments available as lines of credit to be drawn at any time as customers’ cash needs vary, and $243 million were for loan commitments generally expected to close and become funded within the next twelve 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. While we believe it is unlikely that a funding crisis of any significant degree is likely to materialize, we have developed a comprehensive contingency funding plan that provides a framework for meeting liquidity disruptions.

 

Capital Resources

Shareholders’ equity was $329 million at June 30, 2015, compared to $328 million at December 31, 2014. The $0.8 million increase during the first six months of 2015 primarily reflects the combined positive impact of net income totaling $13.2 million and the negative impact of cash dividends on common shares totaling $4.7 million and our share repurchase program aggregating $9.1 million.

 


 

 
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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. The Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation approved final rules, commonly referred to as “BASEL III,” implementing the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s capital guidelines for U.S. banks. Under the final rules, which became effective January 1, 2015, minimum requirements have increased for both the quantity and quality of capital held by us and our bank. The final rules include a new common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets minimum ratio of 4.5%, raise the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets from 4.0% to 6.0%, require a minimum ratio of Total Capital to risk-weighted assets of 8.0% and require a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4.0%. A new capital conservation buffer, comprised of common equity Tier 1 capital, is also established above the regulatory minimum capital requirements. This capital conservation buffer will be phased-in beginning January 1, 2016 at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets and increase each subsequent year by an additional 0.625% until reaching its final level of 2.5% on January 1, 2019. Strict eligibility criteria for regulatory capital instruments were also implemented under the final rules. The final rules also revised the definition and calculation of Tier 1 capital, Total Capital and risk-weighted assets.

 

As of June 30, 2015, our bank’s total risk-based capital ratio was 13.8%, with our bank’s total regulatory capital equaling $346 million, or approximately $94 million in excess of the 10.0% minimum which is among the requirements to be categorized as “well capitalized.” Our and our bank’s capital ratios as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are disclosed in Note 13 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Results of Operations

We recorded net income of $6.6 million for the second quarter of 2015 ($0.39 per basic and diluted share), compared to net income of $1.5 million ($0.13 per basic and diluted share) recorded during the second quarter of 2014. We recorded net income of $13.2 million ($0.78 per basic and diluted share) for the first six months of 2015, compared to net income of $5.1 million ($0.50 per basic and diluted share) recorded during the first six months of 2014. The results for the second quarter of 2015 and the first six months of 2015 reflect the full realization of projected cost savings as disclosed at the time the merger with Firstbank was announced; the projected cost savings were $5.5 million annually, or approximately $1.4 million quarterly. The results for the second quarter and the first six months of 2014 were impacted by the merger with Firstbank, which was consummated on June 1, 2014; operating results for the second quarter of 2014 and the first six months of 2014 include one month of operations as a combined organization. After-tax merger-related costs totaled $2.4 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, during the second quarter of 2014 and $2.7 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, during the first six months of 2014.

 

The improved earnings performance in the second quarter of 2015 and the first six months of 2015 compared to the respective prior-year periods primarily resulted from increased net interest income, which more than offset increased overhead costs. The increased net interest income primarily resulted from the higher level of average earning assets associated with the completion of the merger; an increased net interest margin, resulting from a decreased cost of funds, also contributed to the higher level of net interest income. The decreased cost of funds in large part reflects the absorption of Firstbank’s lower-costing deposit base; the full benefit of the lower-costing deposit base was realized during the 2015 periods, while the 2014 periods received partial benefit in light of the effective date of the merger. The increased noninterest expense was mainly attributable to higher costs necessary to operate the combined company.

 


 

 
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Interest income during the second quarter of 2015 was $27.7 million, an increase of $9.2 million, or 49.7%, from the $18.5 million earned during the second quarter of 2014. Interest income during the first six months of 2015 was $55.3 million, an increase of $23.2 million, or 72.3%, from the $32.1 million earned during the first six months of 2014. The increase in interest income in the 2015 periods compared to the respective 2014 periods is attributable to an increase in earning assets. Average earning assets equaled $2.64 billion during the second quarter of 2015, up $906 million, or 52.2%, from the level of $1.74 billion during the second quarter of 2014. Average earning assets equaled $2.64 billion during the first six months of 2015, up $1.12 billion, or 73.9%, from the level of $1.52 billion during the first six months of 2014. Average earning assets include Firstbank’s assets from the date of acquisition. The yield on average earning assets was 4.23% during the second quarter of 2015, compared to 4.30% during the second quarter of 2014. The decreased yield on average earning assets primarily resulted from decreased yields on securities and loans, which more than offset the impact of a change in earning asset mix. The decline in the yield on securities mainly reflects the boarding of Firstbank’s lower-yielding portfolio and the ongoing low interest rate environment, while the decreased yield on loans reflects competitive pressure and loans being renewed at lower rates. Low-yielding average overnight funds represented 3.4% of average earning assets during the second quarter of 2015, compared to 5.2% during the prior-year second quarter. The yield on average assets was 4.24% during the first six months of 2015, compared to 4.25% during the respective 2014 period; the yield remained virtually unchanged as a decreased yield on securities was substantially offset by an increased yield on loans and a change in earning asset mix. Accretion of acquired loans totaled $2.9 million during the first six months of 2015, compared to $0.5 million during the first six months of 2014. Low-yielding average overnight investments represented 3.3% of average earning assets during the six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to 6.1% during the respective 2014 period. The yield on average earning assets, which equaled 4.23% and 4.25% during the first and second quarters of 2015, respectively, remained relatively stable during the first half of 2015 as earning assets were shifted out of low-yielding securities and overnight funds into the higher-yielding loan portfolio, capitalizing on an opportunity presented by the merger with Firstbank. Average loans represented about 81% of average earning assets during the second quarter of 2015, up from approximately 80% during the first quarter of 2015.

 

Interest expense during the second quarter of 2015 was $2.6 million, a decrease of $0.3 million, or 10.5%, from the $2.9 million expensed during the second quarter of 2014. Interest expense during the first six months of 2015 was $5.4 million, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 1.7%, from the $5.5 million expensed during the first six months of 2014. The decrease in interest expense in the 2015 periods compared to the respective 2014 periods is attributable to a decrease in the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities, which more than offset an increase in the volume of average interest-bearing liabilities. The decline in the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities in the 2015 periods primarily reflects the absorption of Firstbank’s lower-costing interest-bearing liability base, maturing fixed-rate certificates of deposit being renewed at lower rates, replaced by lower-costing funds, or allowed to runoff during 2014 and the first six months of 2015, and the lowering of interest rates on certain deposit account categories during the first six months of 2015. The weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities, equaling 0.56% and 0.54% during the first and second quarters of 2015, respectively, remained relatively stable during the first half of 2015.

 


 

 
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Net interest income during the second quarter of 2015 was $25.1 million, an increase of $9.5 million, or 61.0%, from the $15.6 million earned during the second quarter of 2014. Net interest income during the first six months of 2015 was $49.9 million, an increase of $23.3 million, or 87.4%, from the $26.6 million earned during the first six months of 2014. The increase in net interest income in the 2015 periods compared to the respective 2014 periods was primarily due to an increase in earning assets; an increase in the net interest margin from 3.62% during the second quarter of 2014 to 3.83% during the current-year second quarter and 3.53% during the first six months of 2014 to 3.83% during the first six months of 2015, also contributed to the higher level of net interest income. The higher net interest margin in the 2015 periods reflects the reduction in the cost of funds, which decreased from 0.68% in the second quarter of 2014 to 0.40% in the current-year second quarter and 0.72% during the first six months of 2014 to 0.41% in the respective 2015 period, in large part due to the absorption of Firstbank’s lower-costing interest-bearing liability base. The net interest margin remained stable during the first half of 2015, reflecting the successful and ongoing strategy of funding a large portion of net loan growth with monies from the lower-yielding securities portfolio and other interest-earning assets. As expected, net interest income and the net interest margin were affected during the second quarter and first six months of 2015 by purchase accounting accretion and amortization entries associated with the fair value measurements recorded effective June 1, 2014. Purchase accounting entries related to deposits and FHLB advances, currently resulting in decreased interest expense, will no longer occur after July of 2015 in accordance with our fair value measurements at the time of the merger. The resulting increase in interest expense will negatively impact the net interest margin by approximately eight to ten basis points after July 31, 2015. We expect to partially mitigate this negative impact by continuing to reallocate the earning asset mix by investing excess lower-yielding overnight funds and cash flows from lower-yielding securities into higher-yielding loans.

 

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 second quarter of 2015 and 2014. 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 have been computed on a tax equivalent basis using a marginal tax rate of 35%. Securities interest income was increased by $157,000 and $100,000 in the second quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively, for this adjustment.

 


 

 
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Quarters ended June 30,

 
    2015     2014  
   

Average

           

Average

   

Average

           

Average

 
   

Balance

   

Interest

   

Rate

   

Balance

   

Interest

   

Rate

 
   

(dollars in thousands)

 

ASSETS

                                               

Loans

  $ 2,147,040     $ 25,587       4.78 %   $ 1,377,986     $ 16,657       4.85 %

Investment securities

    404,311       2,169       2.15       267,273       1,867       2.79  

Other interest-bearing assets

    89,357       64       0.25       89,741       58       0.26  

Total interest - earning assets

    2,640,708       27,820       4.23       1,735,000       18,582       4.30  
                                                 

Allowance for loan losses

    (19,165 )                     (21,138 )                

Other assets

    243,884                       168,756                  
                                                 

Total assets

  $ 2,865,427                     $ 1,882,618                  
                                                 
                                                 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                                               

Interest-bearing deposits

  $ 1,681,438     $ 1,775       0.42 %   $ 1,169,862     $ 2,272       0.78 %

Short-term borrowings

    145,661       39       0.10       81,565       27       0.12  

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

    48,005       151       1.24       48,971       156       1.26  

Other borrowings

    58,329       657       4.46       46,410       474       4.04  

Total interest-bearing liabilities

    1,933,433       2,622       0.54       1,346,808       2,929       0.87  
                                                 

Noninterest-bearing deposits

    591,500                       318,632                  

Other liabilities

    10,369                       11,620                  

Shareholders’ equity

    330,125                       205,558                  
                                                 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

  $ 2,865,427                     $ 1,882,618                  
                                                 

Net interest income

          $ 25,198                     $ 15,653          
                                                 

Net interest rate spread

                    3.69 %                     3.43 %

Net interest spread on average assets

                    3.53 %                     3.33 %

Net interest margin on earning assets

                    3.83 %                     3.62 %

 

A negative loan loss provision expense of $0.6 million was recorded during the second quarter of 2015, compared to a negative provision expense of $0.7 million during the second quarter of 2014. A negative loan loss provision expense of $1.0 million was recorded during the first six months of 2015, compared to a negative provision expense of $2.6 million during the first six months of 2014. The negative provision expense reflects recoveries of previously charged-off loans, reversals of specific reserves, a reduced level of loan-rating downgrades, and ongoing loan-rating upgrades as the quality of the loan portfolio continued to improve. Continued progress in the stabilization of economic and real estate market conditions and resulting collateral valuations also positively impacted provision expense.

 


 

 
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Net loan charge-offs of $3.9 million were recorded during the second quarter of 2015, compared to net loan recoveries of $0.6 million during the prior-year second quarter. Net loan charge-offs of $2.5 million were recorded during the first six months of 2015, compared to net loan recoveries of $0.6 million during the same time period in 2014. Of the $4.4 million in gross loan charge-offs recorded during the second quarter of 2015, $4.2 million was related to one commercial loan relationship; the charge-off was less than the amount of the specific reserve that had been established against this commercial loan relationship in prior quarters. The allowance for originated loans, as a percentage of total originated loans, was 1.1% as of June 30, 2015, compared to 1.8% as of June 30, 2014. Our allowance for acquired loans totaled $0.8 million as of June 30, 2015.

 

Noninterest income during the second quarter of 2015 was $4.0 million, an increase of $1.7 million, or 75.7%, from the $2.3 million earned during the prior-year second quarter. Noninterest income during the first six months of 2015 was $7.7 million, an increase of $3.9 million, or 103.3%, from the $3.8 million earned during the same time period in 2014. Substantially all categories of fee income were higher in the current-year periods compared to the respective 2014 periods as a result of the merger, most notably mortgage banking income, credit and debit card income, and service charges on accounts. Compared to the first quarter of 2015, mortgage banking income increased approximately 45%, primarily reflecting a seasonal increase in purchase activity. During the first six months of 2015, additional interchange income on credit and debit cards in the amount of $0.2 million was recorded, reflecting a one-time change in the timing of receipt of such income.

 

Noninterest expense during the second quarter of 2015 was $20.4 million, an increase of $4.3 million, or 26.7%, from the $16.1 million expensed during the second quarter of 2014. Noninterest expense during the first six months of 2015 was $39.6 million, an increase of $14.3 million, or 56.7%, from the $25.3 million expensed during the same time period in 2014. The increase in noninterest expense in the 2015 periods compared to the respective 2014 periods was mainly attributable to higher costs necessary to operate the combined company, as second quarter and year-to-date 2014 results included only one month of costs operating as a combined company. During the second quarter and first six months of 2015, we recorded $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively, in costs related to an embezzlement committed by an employee at a branch location that was discovered through our internal audit procedures near the end of the first quarter of 2015. We do not expect to record any additional expense related to this situation; however, we expect to receive some payments from our insurance carrier in future periods, which will be recorded as reductions in noninterest expense. Core deposit intangible amortization expense totaled $0.8 million in the second quarter of 2015 and $1.6 million during the first six months of 2015, compared to $0.3 million in each of the respective 2014 periods. Merger-related costs of $3.5 million and $3.8 million were recorded during the second quarter of 2014 and the first six months of 2014, respectively.

 

During the second quarter of 2015, we recorded income before federal income tax of $9.3 million and a federal income tax expense of $2.8 million. During the second quarter of 2014, we recorded income before federal income tax of $2.5 million and a federal income tax expense of $1.0 million. Our effective tax rate was 29.6% in the second quarter of 2015, down from 39.0% in the prior-year second quarter. During the first six months of 2015, we recorded income before federal income tax of $19.0 million and a federal income tax expense of $5.8 million. During the first six months of 2014, we recorded income before federal income tax of $7.7 million and a federal income tax expense of $2.6 million. Our effective tax rate was 30.6% during the first six months of 2015, down from 34.2% during the respective 2014 period. The increase in federal income tax expense in the 2015 periods resulted from higher levels of income before federal income tax, which more than offset decreases in our effective tax rate. The elevated effective tax rates in the 2014 periods primarily resulted from the recording of nondeductible merger-related expenses.

 


 

 
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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 June 30, 2015:

 

   

Within

   

Three to

   

One to

   

After

         
   

Three

   

Twelve

   

Five

   

Five

         
   

Months

   

Months

   

Years

   

Years

   

Total

 

Assets:

                                       

Commercial loans (1)

  $ 457,134,000     $ 193,343,000     $ 927,184,000     $ 204,426,000     $ 1,782,087,000  

Residential real estate loans

    35,210,000       14,912,000       139,840,000       141,437,000       331,399,000  

Consumer loans

    2,604,000       1,688,000       42,598,000       11,456,000       58,346,000  

Securities (2)

    11,488,000       25,697,000       203,432,000       140,396,000       381,013,000  

Other interest-bearing assets

    92,621,000       499,000       500,000       0       93,620,000  

Allowance for loan losses

    0       0       0       0       (16,561,000 )

Other assets

    0       0       0       0       246,040,000  

Total assets

    599,057,000       236,139,000       1,313,554,000       497,715,000     $ 2,875,944,000  
                                         

Liabilities:

                                       

Interest-bearing checking

    393,933,000       0       0       0       393,933,000  

Savings deposits

    347,292,000       0       0       0       347,292,000  

Money market accounts

    272,225,000       0       0       0       272,225,000  

Time deposits under $100,000

    27,791,000       67,632,000       75,523,000       0       170,946,000  

Time deposits $100,000 & over

    89,549,000       162,365,000       230,262,000       0       482,176,000  

Short-term borrowings

    152,081,000       0       0       0       152,081,000  

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

    0       0       48,000,000       0       48,000,000  

Other borrowed money

    58,518,000       0       0       0       58,518,000  

Noninterest-bearing checking

    0       0       0       0       612,222,000  

Other liabilities

    0       0       0       0       9,580,000  

Total liabilities

    1,341,389,000       229,997,000       353,785,000       0       2,546,973,000  

Shareholders' equity

    0       0       0       0       328,971,000  

Total liabilities & shareholders' equity

    1,341,389,000       229,997,000       353,785,000       0     $ 2,875,944,000  
                                         

Net asset (liability) GAP

  $ (742,332,000 )   $ 6,142,000     $ 959,769,000     $ 497,715,000          
                                         

Cumulative GAP

  $ (742,332,000 )   $ (736,190,000 )   $ 223,579,000     $ 721,294,000          
                                         

Percent of cumulative GAP to total assets

    (25.8% )     (25.6% )     7.8 %     25.1 %        

 

(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 average life calculations based upon prepayment trends as of June 30, 2015.

 

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.

 


 

 
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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 June 30, 2015, in which it was assumed that changes in market interest rates occurred ranging from up 400 basis points to down 400 basis points in equal quarterly instalments over the next twelve months. The following table reflects the suggested impact on net interest income over the next twelve months in comparison to estimated net interest income based on our balance sheet structure, including the balances and interest rates associated with our specific loans, securities, deposits and borrowed funds, as of June 30, 2015. The resulting estimates are well within our policy parameters established to manage and monitor interest rate risk.

 

   

Dollar Change

   

Percent Change

 
   

In Net

   

In Net

 

Interest Rate Scenario

 

Interest Income

   

Interest Income

 
                 

Interest rates down 400 basis points

  $ (8,650,000 )     (9.2% )

Interest rates down 300 basis points

    (7,730,000 )     (8.2 )

Interest rates down 200 basis points

    (6,520,000 )     (6.9 )

Interest rates down 100 basis points

    (4,270,000 )     (4.5 )

No change in interest rates

    30,000       <0.1  

Interest rates up 100 basis points

    1,480,000       1.6  

Interest rates up 200 basis points

    2,780,000       3.0  

Interest rates up 300 basis points

    3,890,000       4.1  

Interest rates up 400 basis points

    4,660,000       5.0  

 

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.

 


 

 
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

As of June 30, 2015, 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 June 30, 2015.

 

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2015 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, 2014, and incorporated therein by reference.

 

 

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

We made no unregistered sales of equity securities during the quarter ended June 30, 2015.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

As previously reported, on January 30, 2015, our Board of Directors authorized a new 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. During the second quarter of 2015, we repurchased shares of common stock as follows:

 

Period

 

(a) Total Number of Shares

Purchased

   

(b) Average Price Paid

Per Share

   

(c) Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs

   

(d) Maximum Number of Shares or Approximate Dollar Value that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs

 

April 1 – 30

    4,982     $ 20.30       4,982     $ 17,914,900  

May 1 – 31

    289,053       19.80       289,053       12,191,700  

June 1 – 30

    65,044       19.99       65,044       10,891,500  

Total

    359,079     $ 19.84       359,079     $ 10,891,500  

 

The purchased shares were retired effective on the acquisition date.

 

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

Not applicable.

 

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

 

 

Item 5. Other Information.

Not applicable.

 


 

 
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Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION

   

2.1

Agreement and Plan of Merger dated August 14, 2013, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2013

   

2.2

First Amendment to Merger Agreement dated February 20, 2014, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 21, 2014

   

3.1

Our Articles of Incorporation are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009

   

3.2

Our Amended and Restated Bylaws dated as of January 16, 2003 are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Commission File No. 333-103376) that became effective on February 21, 2003

   

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 June 30, 2015, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 


 

 
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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 August 7, 2015.

 

 

MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION

 
       
       
       
       
       
 

By:

/s/ Michael H. Price

 
 

Michael H. Price

 
 

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

 
 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 
       
       
       
 

By:

/s/ Charles E. Christmas

 
 

Charles E. Christmas

 
 

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 
 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 


 

 
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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

Exhibit No.

EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION

   

2.1

Agreement and Plan of Merger dated August 14, 2013, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2013

   

2.2

First Amendment to Merger Agreement dated February 20, 2014, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 21, 2014

   

3.1

Our Articles of Incorporation are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009

   

3.2

Our Amended and Restated Bylaws dated as of January 16, 2003 are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Commission File No. 333-103376) that became effective on February 21, 2003

   

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 June 30, 2015, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements