EXHIBIT 99


                  Shoreline to Commence Stock Repurchase

BENTON HARBOR, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 30, 1998--Shoreline Financial
Corporation (NASDAQ:SLFC -news) announced today that it has been authorized
by its board of directors to purchase up to 225,000 shares of the
corporation's common stock. It is anticipated that these shares will be
purchased by the corporation in a systematic program of open market and
privately negotiated purchases, and that they will be reserved for later
reissue in connection with possible future stock dividends, employee
benefit plans, the company's dividend reinvestment plan, and other general
corporate purposes.

Dan L. Smith, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Office
of Shoreline stated: "Under current conditions, we believe that purchasing
our own stock is an effective use of our funds, which will result in a
positive benefit to our shareholders. Our decision to allow our recently
completed acquisition of The State Bank of Coloma to be accounted for as a
purchase will allow us to begin purchasing our own stock immediately."

Shoreline Financial Corporation is a bank holding company which owns
Shoreline Bank. Shoreline Bank is headquartered in Benton Harbor, Michigan,
and operates 30 banking offices in southwestern Michigan. At June 30, 1998,
Shoreline had total assets of approximately $889 million.

Contact:

     Shoreline Bank, Benton Harbor
     Wayne R. Koebel, 616/927-2251 ext. 2132