1 EXHIBIT 13 A-1 APPENDIX Independent Bank Corporation is a bank holding company with total assets of $889 million and a market capitalization of approximately $116 million. Its four subsidiary banks principally serve rural and suburban communities located across Michigan's lower peninsula. The Banks emphasize service and convenience as the principal means of competing in the delivery of financial services. Accordingly, the Company's community banking philosophy vests discretion and authority in the Banks' management while providing financial incentives to align the interests of such managers with those of its shareholders. To support the Banks' service and sales efforts, while providing the internal controls that are consistent with its decentralized structure, the Company has centralized common operations and provides administrative and operational services to the Banks. CONTENTS Management's Discussion and Analysis........................... A-2 Selected Consolidated Financial Data........................... A-11 Independent Auditor's Report................................... A-12 Consolidated Financial Statements.............................. A-13 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................... A-18 Quarterly Data................................................. A-31 Shareholder Information........................................ A-32 Executive Officers & Directors................................. A-32 2 A-2 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. The following section presents additional information to assess the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and the Banks. This section should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and supplemental financial data contained in this appendix. ACQUISITIONS AND FINANCING. Consistent with Management's goal to maintain profitable financial leverage, the Company acquired North Bank Corporation ("NBC") effective May 31, 1996, and on December 13, 1996, one of the Banks purchased eight offices from First of America Bank - Michigan N.A. (the "FoA Branches"). These acquisitions (the "1996 Acquisitions") were financed with an unsecured credit facility (the "Credit Facility") and the issuance of cumulative trust preferred securities. The 1996 Acquisitions and related financing will continue to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition and results of operation. NBC was acquired in exchange for cash consideration totaling $15.8 million. On the effective date of the transaction (the "NBC Acquisition"), NBC's assets and shareholders' equity totaled $152.0 million and $9.5 million, respectively, and the Company recorded goodwill totaling $7.5 million. NBC's sole banking subsidiary, North Bank, was subsequently consolidated with one of the Banks. The FoA Branches are located in communities that are contiguous to markets served by the acquiring Bank. On the date of the transaction (the "FoA Purchase"), the FoA Branches had deposits and loans totaling $121.9 million and $22.1 million, respectively, and the Bank recorded intangible assets of approximately $8.8 million. Real and personal property associated with the FoA Branches was purchased at net book value totaling $1.3 million. The Credit Facility consisted of a $10 million term loan that requires quarterly principal payments of $500,000 and a $7 million revolving credit agreement. Unpaid principal balances at December 31, 1996, totaled $9.0 million and $5.0 million, respectively. On December 18, 1996, IBC Capital Finance, a trust subsidiary of the Company, issued $17.25 million of 9.25% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities ("Preferred Securities"). Net proceeds have been used by the Company to fund a capital contribution to one of the Banks in conjunction with the FoA Purchase and for other corporate purposes. In addition, the transaction will assist the Company in maintaining a Tier 1 capital ratio in excess of 5%. (See "Capital resources.") RESULTS OF OPERATIONS SUMMARY OF RESULTS. Net income totaled $7,852,000 in 1996. The 15.3% increase from $6,810,000 in 1995 represents the thirteenth consecutive increase in the Company's annual earnings. A year earlier, net income increased by 12.9% from $6,031,000 in 1994. These increases in net income principally reflect increases in net interest income that have accompanied the growth in average earning assets. In addition to the NBC Acquisition, the Banks' balance sheet management strategies that combine effective loan origination efforts with disciplined funding strategies have provided an opportunity to profitably deploy capital (See "Deposits and borrowings" and "Asset/liability management.") Net gains on the sale of real estate mortgage loans have also contributed to the increases in net income. Increases in net interest income and net gains on the sale of real estate mortgage loans were, however, partially offset by increases in non-interest expense, the provision for loan losses and federal income taxes. KEY PERFORMANCE RATIOS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 1995 1994 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income to Average equity...................................... 15.74% 15.59% 15.22% Average assets...................................... 1.11 1.25 1.25 Income per common share............................... $2.72 $2.38 $2.09 The increase in the Company's return on average equity, relative to its return on average assets, reflects Management's efforts to maintain or enhance financial leverage. As a result of the NBC Acquisition and the Banks' balance sheet management strategies, the Company's leverage ratio (average assets divided by average shareholders' equity) increased to 14.18 during 1996, compared to 12.44 and 12.16 during 1995 and 1994, respectively. The leverage ratio further increased to 17.14 at December 31, 1996, as a result of the FoA Purchase. 3 A-3 NET INTEREST INCOME. Increases in tax equivalent net interest income are the result of increases in average earning assets. Tax equivalent net interest income increased by 23.3% to $35,779,000 during 1996 and by 10.7% to $29,008,000 in 1995 from $26,205,000 in 1994. Average earning assets increased by 29.5% to $664,718,000 in 1996 and by 15.1% to $513,377,000 in 1995 from $445,971,000 in 1994. The Banks' balance sheet management strategies and the NBC Acquisition each account for approximately 50% of the $151,341,000 increase in average earning assets in 1996. (See "Deposits and borrowings.") The FoA Purchase did not, however, have a material impact on average earning assets. Approximately 90% of the $67,406,000 increase in average earning assets in 1995 can be attributed to the Banks' balance sheet management strategies. 1996 1995 1994 AVERAGE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BALANCES AND TAX AVERAGE YIELD/ AVERAGE YIELD/ AVERAGE YIELD/ EQUIVALENT RATES BALANCE INTEREST COST BALANCE INTEREST COST BALANCE INTEREST COST - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (dollars in thousands) ASSETS Loans-all domestic(1,2)..... $510,434 $49,478 9.69% $382,644 $37,654 9.84% $294,968 $28,936 9.81% Taxable securities.......... 100,945 6,710 6.65 93,064 5,919 6.36 108,905 6,537 6.00 Tax-exempt securities(2).... 39,393 3,433 8.72 31,516 2,914 9.25 29,763 2,857 9.60 Other investments........... 13,946 971 6.96 6,153 421 6.84 12,335 460 3.73 -------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Interest earning assets... 664,718 60,592 9.12 513,377 46,908 9.14 445,971 38,790 8.70 ------- -------- -------- Cash and due from banks..... 21,573 16,091 14,359 Other assets, net........... 21,038 14,115 21,491 -------- -------- -------- Total assets............ $707,329 $543,583 $481,821 ======== ======== ======== LIABILITIES Savings and NOW............. $250,977 6,116 2.44 $217,721 5,515 2.53 $213,590 4,819 2.26 Time deposits............... 187,117 10,022 5.36 141,292 6,955 4.92 150,036 6,273 4.18 Long-term debt.............. 4,875 335 6.87 2,195 120 5.47 Other borrowings............ 144,703 8,340 5.76 89,048 5,430 6.10 28,481 1,373 4.82 -------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Interest bearing liabilities............. 587,672 24,813 4.22 448,061 17,900 4.00 394,302 12,585 3.19 ------- -------- -------- Demand deposits............. 61,161 46,539 41,910 Other liabilities........... 8,597 5,296 5,989 Shareholders' equity........ 49,899 43,687 39,620 -------- -------- -------- Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $707,329 $543,583 $481,821 ======== ======== ======== Net interest income..... $35,779 $29,008 $ 26,205 ======= ======= ======== Net interest income as a percent of earning assets........ 5.38% 5.65% 5.88% ==== ==== ==== (1) Interest on loans includes net origination fees totaling $3,331,000, $2,702,000 and $2,590,000 in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. (2) Interest on tax-exempt securities has been adjusted to reflect preferential taxation. The adjustment assumes a marginal tax rate of 34%. For purposes of analysis, tax-exempt loans are included in tax-exempt securities. Tax equivalent net interest income declined to 5.38% of average earning assets during 1996 from 5.65% and 5.88% in 1995 and 1994, respectively. In addition to the cost of other borrowings utilized to implement the Banks' balance sheet management strategies, the decrease in tax equivalent net interest income as a percent of average earning assets during 1996 reflects the NBC Acquisition and the cost of the Credit Facility. 4 A-4 CHANGE IN TAX EQUIVLENT 1996 COMPARED TO 1995 1995 COMPARED TO 1994 NET INTEREST INCOME VOLUME RATE NET VOLUME RATE NET - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (in thousands) Increase (decrease) in interest income(1) Loans-all domestic................................ $12,395 $(571) $11,824 $ 8,627 $ 91 $ 8,718 Taxable securities................................ 516 275 791 (991) 373 (618) Tax-exempt securities(2).......................... 695 (176) 519 165 (108) 57 Other investments................................. 542 8 550 (303) 264 (39) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Total interest income........................... 14,148 (464) 13,684 7,498 620 8,118 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Increase (decrease) in interest expense(1) Savings and NOW................................... 817 (216) 601 95 601 696 Time deposits..................................... 2,412 655 3,067 (382) 1,064 682 Long-term debt.................................... 335 335 (120) (120) Other borrowings.................................. 3,223 (313) 2,910 3,594 463 4,057 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Total interest expense.......................... 6,787 126 6,913 3,187 2,128 5,315 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Net interest income.......................... $ 7,361 $(590) $ 6,771 $ 4,311 $(1,508) $ 2,803 =================================================================== (1) The change in interest due to changes in both balance and rate has been allocated to change due to balance and change due to rate in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of change in each. (2) Interest on tax exempt securities has been adjusted to reflect preferential taxation. The adjustment assumes a marginal tax rate of 34%. Increases in loans as a percent of average earning assets partially offset the decline in tax equivalent net interest income as a percent of average earning assets. Loans were equal to 76.8% of average earning assets in 1996 compared to 74.5% and 66.1% in 1995 and 1994. Management anticipates that cash proceeds from the FoA Purchase, pending complete deployment into higher yielding loans, as well as distributions paid on the Preferred Securities will depress tax equivalent net interest income as a percent of average earning assets in future accounting periods. COMPOSITION OF AVERAGE EARNING ASSETS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, AND INTEREST PAYING LIABILITIES 1996 1995 1994 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As a percent of average earning assets Loans-all domestic...................................................................... 76.79% 74.53% 66.14% Other earning assets.................................................................... 23.21 25.47 33.86 -------------------------- Average earning assets.............................................................. 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% ========================== Savings and NOW......................................................................... 37.76% 42.41% 47.89% Time deposits........................................................................... 28.15 27.52 33.64 Other borrowings and long-term debt..................................................... 22.50 17.35 6.88 -------------------------- Average interest bearing liabilities................................................ 88.41% 87.28% 88.41% ========================== Earning asset ratio....................................................................... 93.98% 94.44% 92.56% Free-funds ratio.......................................................................... 11.59 12.72 11.59 PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES. In addition to a subjective analysis of general and local economic conditions, Management's assessment of the allowance for loan losses is based upon the aggregate amount and composition of the Banks' loan portfolios, a systematic review of specific credits, historical loss experience as well as the absolute level of non-performing and impaired loans. (See "Loan portfolios.") The provision for loan losses totaled $1,233,000 in 1996 compared to $636,000 in 1995 and $473,000 in 1994. Increases in the provision for loan losses during both years partially reflect increases in the Banks' loan portfolios. The application of Management's allocation methodology to NBC's loan portfolio further contributed to the increase in the provision for loan losses during 1996. NON-INTEREST INCOME. Non-interest income totaled $5,552,000 in 1996. The 47% increase from $3,766,000 in 1995 reflects a $1,143,000 increase in net gains on the sale of real estate mortgage loans. Increases in service charges on deposit accounts and other non-interest income that principally relate to the NBC Acquisition also contributed to the increase in non-interest income. A year earlier, an increase in net gains on the sale of real estate mortgage loans accounted for approximately 72% of the $665,000 increase in non-interest income. Management anticipates that the 1996 Acquisitions will contribute to increases in service charges on deposit accounts and other non-interest income during the coming year. 5 A-5 NON-INTEREST INCOME YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 1995 1994 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Service charges on deposit accounts................................. $2,267,000 $1,919,000 $1,892,000 Net gains (losses) on asset sales Real estate mortgage loans........................................ 1,871,000 728,000 249,000 Securities........................................................ (162,000) (120,000) (174,000) Real estate mortgage loan servicing................................. 412,000 371,000 335,000 PrimeVest commissions............................................... 103,000 73,000 120,000 Other............................................................... 1,061,000 795,000 679,000 ------------------------------------- Total non-interest income...................................... $5,552,000 $3,766,000 $3,101,000 ===================================== Net gains on the sale of real estate mortgage loans totaled $1,871,000 in 1996 compared to $728,000 and $249,000 in 1995 and 1994, respectively. Management attributes a substantial portion of the increase in such net gains to favorable economic and competitive conditions as well as increases in aggregate loans sold. Management estimates, however, that approximately 45% of the $1,143,000 increase during 1996 reflects the implementation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 122, "Accounting for Mortgage Servicing Rights" ("SFAS #122"), as well as an increase in the sale of servicing rights and an increase in the origination and sale of loans underwritten pursuant to government guarantees. NET GAINS ON THE SALE OF REAL ESTATE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, MORTGAGE LOANS 1996 1995 1994 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Real estate mortgage loans originated............................. $227,600,000 $163,500,000 $97,800,000 Real estate mortgage loan sales................................... 108,700,000 52,000,000 38,100,000 Real estate mortgage loan servicing rights sold................... 37,900,000 19,700,000 1,500,000 Net gains on the sale of real estate mortgage loans............... 1,871,000 728,000 249,000 Net gains as a percent of real estate mortgage loan sales......... 1.72% 1.40% 0.65% The Banks' balance sheet management strategies are largely dependent upon the ability to fund rate-sensitive loans with non-deposit sources of funds. (See "Asset/liability management.") Accordingly, the Banks continue to retain the majority of such rate-sensitive real estate mortgage loans and sell the majority of fixed-rate obligations. Consequently, the volume of loans sold is dependent upon consumer demand for fixed-rate loans as well as the Banks' ability to sustain or increase the origination of real estate mortgage loans. Net gains are further subject to economic and competitive factors as well as the ability to effectively manage the Banks' exposure to changes in interest rates. The Banks have historically retained servicing rights on real estate mortgage loans sold to maintain customer relationships. During 1996, however, the Banks sold the related servicing rights on loans totaling $37,900,000 compared to $19,700,000 and $1,500,000 in 1995 and 1994, respectively. The majority of these loans represent loans underwritten pursuant to government guarantees and loans that have been originated in markets that are not served by the Banks' branch networks. Accordingly, the sale of such servicing rights will depend on the ability of the Banks to generate such loans. Net losses on the sale of securities available for sale equaled $162,000 in 1996 compared to $120,000 and $174,000 in 1995 and 1994, respectively. Future gains and losses will be dependent upon the Banks' asset/liability management needs as well as the slope of the yield curve, the level of interest rates and other pertinent factors. (See "Asset/liability management.") NON-INTEREST EXPENSE. Non-interest expense totaled $27,861,000 in 1996 compared to $21,702,000 in 1995 and $19,503,000 in 1994. The $6,159,000 increase during 1996 principally reflects the impact of the NBC Acquisition as well as an increase in salaries and benefits, including performance-based compensation. A year earlier, an increase in salaries and benefits accounted for the majority of the $2,199,000 increase in total non-interest expense. Reductions in deposit insurance assessments, however, partially offset the increase in non-interest expense during both 1996 and 1995. 6 A-6 NON-INTEREST EXPENSE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 1995 1994 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Salaries............................................................. $10,280,000 $ 8,005,000 $ 7,817,000 Performance-based compensation and benefits.......................... 3,106,000 2,351,000 1,052,000 Other benefits....................................................... 2,299,000 1,807,000 1,693,000 ------------------------------------------- Salaries and benefits............................................. 15,685,000 12,163,000 10,562,000 Occupancy, net....................................................... 2,042,000 1,548,000 1,392,000 Furniture and fixtures............................................... 1,864,000 1,345,000 1,248,000 Loan and collection.................................................. 663,000 1,030,000 626,000 Deposit insurance.................................................... 92,000 499,000 966,000 Other................................................................ 7,515,000 5,117,000 4,709,000 ------------------------------------------- Total non-interest expense....................................... $27,861,000 $21,702,000 $19,503,000 =========================================== The Company and the Banks maintain compensation policies and practices that provide incentives for superior performance and align the interests of its officers and employees with those of the Company's shareholders. In addition to annual cash performance awards and commissions related to the origination of real estate mortgage loans, such incentive compensation plans include equity-based plans such as the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, the Employee Stock Option Plan and the Incentive Share Grant Plan. Increases in performance-based compensation accounted for 21.4% of the $3,522,000 increase in salaries and benefits during 1996. A year earlier, performance-based compensation accounted for 81% of the $1,601,000 increase in total compensation. The NBC Acquisition also had a substantial impact on salaries and benefits as well as total non-interest expense. Management estimates that the NBC Acquisition accounts for approximately 35% of the increase in salaries and benefits and approximately 45% of the increase in total non-interest expense. Further, Management anticipates that the 1996 Acquisitions, including the amortization of intangible assets, will contribute to increases in salaries and benefits as well as total non-interest expense during future accounting periods. Costs associated with new branch facilities, a write down of other real estate as well as the introduction of the "EZ Money" check card and related ATM conversion have also contributed to the increase in non-interest expense during 1996. Costs associated with new loan production offices contributed to increases in occupancy, furniture and fixtures and other non-interest expense during 1995. A provision for environmental remediation costs, as estimated by environmental engineers, associated with foreclosed properties contributed approximately $200,000 to the increase in non-interest expense during 1995. FINANCIAL CONDITION SUMMARY. Total assets increased by 51% to $888.6 million at December 31, 1996, from $590.1 million a year earlier. While the 1996 Acquisitions account for more than 85% of the $298.5 million increase, the Banks' balance sheet management efforts continue to make an important contribution to the Company's growth. In addition to proceeds from the sale or maturity of securities, the Banks have relied on other borrowings to fund the increase in Portfolio Loans. The use of such non-deposit funds, principally advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (the "FHLB"), complements the Banks' relatively stable base of core deposits and may further Management's efforts to limit the Banks' exposure to changes in interest rates. (See "Deposits and borrowings.") FHLB advances totaled $111.0 million and $103.0 million at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. SECURITIES. The Banks maintain diversified securities portfolios that include obligations of the U.S. Treasury and government-sponsored agencies as well as securities issued by states and political subdivisions, corporate notes and mortgage-backed securities. Management continually evaluates the Banks' asset/liability management needs and attempts to maintain a portfolio structure that provides sufficient liquidity and cash flow. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value and unrealized gains and losses, after consideration of applicable taxes, are recognized as a separate component of shareholders' equity. Management has the intent and the Banks have the ability to hold other securities to maturity. These securities are carried at amortized cost without adjustment for unrealized gains and losses. 7 A-7 SECURITIES AMORTIZED UNREALIZED FAIR COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Securities Available for Sale December 31, 1996......................... $135,290,000 $1,870,000 $308,000 $136,852,000 December 31, 1995......................... 86,471,000 1,538,000 456,000 87,553,000 Securities Held to Maturity December 31, 1996......................... $26,754,000 $929,000 $38,000 $27,645,000 December 31, 1995......................... 27,906,000 1,157,000 32,000 29,031,000 The Banks sold securities available for sale with an aggregate market value of $18,145,000, in 1996 compared to $14,054,000 and $28,384,000 in 1995 and 1994, respectively. The Banks realized net losses of $162,000 in 1996 compared to $120,000 and $174,000 in 1995 and 1994, respectively, on such sales. LOAN PORTFOLIOS. Management believes that the stable and diversified economies of the Banks' principal lending markets provide attractive lending opportunities. In addition to the communities served by the Banks' branch networks and loan production offices, the principal lending markets include nearby communities and metropolitan areas. Subject to established underwriting criteria, the Banks also participate in commercial lending transactions with certain non-affiliated banks and purchase real estate mortgage loans from third-party originators. LOAN PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION DECEMBER 31, 1996 1995 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Real estate Residential first mortgages.......................................... $275,660,000 $211,690,000 Residential home equity and other junior mortgages................... 35,673,000 19,733,000 Construction and land development.................................... 49,017,000 29,328,000 Other................................................................ 92,253,000 56,675,000 Consumer............................................................... 90,284,000 64,821,000 Commercial............................................................. 45,013,000 23,403,000 Agricultural........................................................... 21,804,000 12,394,000 ------------------------------- Total loans..................................................... $609,704,000 $418,044,000 =============================== Loans, excluding loans held for sale ("Portfolio Loans"), increased to $609.7 million at December 31, 1996, from $418.0 million a year earlier. Management attributes approximately 55% of the $191.7 million increase in Portfolio Loans to the impact of the 1996 Acquisitions. Management believes that the Company's decentralized structure provides the Banks with important advantages in serving the credit needs of its principal lending markets. Although the Management and Board of Directors of each Bank retain authority and responsibility for all credit decisions, each of the Banks has adopted uniform underwriting standards. The Company's loan committee and the centralization of credit services promote compliance with established underwriting standards. The Company's centralized credit services, which include credit analysis and commercial loan review, provide additional internal controls that are consistent with the needs of a decentralized organization. The centralization of retail loan services further provides for consistent service quality and facilitates compliance with applicable consumer protection laws and regulations. NON-PERFORMING ASSETS DECEMBER 31, 1996 1995 1994 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Non-accrual loans................................................................ $1,711,000 $1,886,000 $2,052,000 Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest....................... 1,994,000 427,000 254,000 Restructured loans............................................................... 197,000 247,000 528,000 ------------------------------------ Total non-performing loans..................................................... 3,902,000 2,560,000 2,834,000 Other real estate................................................................ 730,000 760,000 1,381,000 ------------------------------------ Total non-performing assets.............................................. $4,632,000 $3,320,000 $4,215,000 ==================================== As a percent of total loans Non-performing loans........................................................... 0.64% 0.61% 0.84% Non-performing assets.......................................................... 0.76 0.79 1.25 8 A-8 The 1996 Acquisitions account for the $1,342,000 increase in non-performing loans to $3,902,000 at December 31, 1996. Non-performing loans associated with these transactions totaled approximately $1,485,000 at December 31, 1996. The decline in non-performing assets during 1995, to $3,320,000 at December 31, 1995, from $4,215,000 a year earlier, principally reflects a decrease in substandard assets that had been acquired in connection with the acquisition of a bank in 1994 and two banks in 1993. ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 1995 1994 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance at beginning of period ............................................. $5,243,000 $5,054,000 $5,053,000 Allowance on loans acquired............................................... 1,180,000 Provision charged to operating expense.................................... 1,233,000 636,000 473,000 Recoveries credited to allowance.......................................... 440,000 265,000 399,000 Loans charged against allowance........................................... (1,136,000) (712,000) (871,000) ---------------------------------- Balance at end of period.................................................... $6,960,000 $5,243,000 $5,054,000 ================================== Allowance for loan losses as a percent of non-performing loans.............. 178% 205% 178% Loans charged against the allowance, net of recoveries ("Net Losses"), were $696,000 during 1996, compared to $447,000 and $472,000 in 1995 and 1994, respectively. Net Losses on loans that were acquired as a result of the NBC Acquisition totaled approximately $153,000. ALLOCATION OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES DECEMBER 31, 1996 1995 1994 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Commercial and agricultural........................................... $2,176,000 $1,612,000 $1,655,000 Real estate mortgage.................................................. 257,000 162,000 177,000 Installment........................................................... 834,000 597,000 474,000 Unallocated........................................................... 3,693,000 2,872,000 2,748,000 ------------------------------------ Total.......................................................... $6,960,000 $5,243,000 $5,054,000 ==================================== Allocated allowance as a percent of total allowance................... 46.9% 45.2% 45.6% The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level that Management considers appropriate based upon its assessment of relevant circumstances. (See "Provision for loan losses.") In performing its assessment, Management allocates portions of the allowance for loan losses to specific loans and loan portfolios. The allowance for loan losses declined to 1.14% of Portfolio Loans at December 31, 1996, from 1.25% and 1.50% at December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. At those same dates, the unallocated portion of the allowance was equal to 53.1% of the total allowance for loan losses compared to 54.8% and 54.4%, respectively. DEPOSITS AND BORROWINGS. Deposits totaled $672.5 million at December 31, 1996, compared to $411.6 million at December 31, 1995. The 1996 Acquisitions account for substantially all of the $260.9 million increase in total deposits. Other borrowed funds totaled $135.3 million at December 31, 1996, compared to $110.9 million a year earlier. In addition to FHLB advances, other borrowed funds include the Credit Facility and securities sold under repurchase agreements. The Banks' competitive position within many of the markets served by the branch networks limit the ability to materially increase deposits without adversely impacting the weighted-average cost of core deposits. Accordingly, the use of other borrowed funds, principally advances from the FHLB, is an integral component of the Banks' balance sheet management strategies. Such non-deposit sources of funds are structured to complement the Banks' existing interest rate risk profile and may further reduce the Banks' exposure to depositors' options to withdraw funds prior to maturity. (See "Asset/liability management.") CAPITAL RESOURCES. The ability to maintain or enhance financial leverage is critical to Management's mission to create value for the Company's shareholders. Accordingly, the Banks have implemented balance sheet management strategies that combine effective loan origination efforts with disciplined funding strategies to profitably deploy capital within existing markets. Implementation of such strategies have made important contributions to the Company's net income and return on average equity. Management believes that its disciplined acquisition strategy is consistent with its goal to create shareholder value. Although the Banks' balance sheet management strategies continue to provide important opportunities to grow, Management believes that the franchise value associated with core deposits and other customer relationships may provide greater value to the Company's shareholders. 9 A-9 Dividend policies have been an important element of the Company's capital management efforts. Cash dividends declared totaled $2,868,000, equal to 36.5% of net income during 1996. Cash dividends totaled $2,506,000 in 1995 and $2,088,000 in 1994, equal to 36.8% and 34.6% of net income, respectively. The Company's cost of capital is also a critical factor in creating shareholder value. On October 21, 1996, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve approved the use of certain cumulative preferred stock instruments as Tier 1 capital for bank holding companies. Distributions paid to holders of such preferred stock instruments are a tax deductible expense of the issuer. In view of the low cost of such capital, Management elected to fund the FoA Branch Purchase by issuing non-convertible preferred securities. IBC Capital Finance invested the proceeds from the sale of the Preferred Securities into subordinated debentures issued by the Company. The Preferred Securities are presented within the liability section of the consolidated balance sheets as Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial Interests in Company's Subordinated Debentures and are not considered equity under generally accepted accounting principles. The quarterly distributions paid on the Preferred Securities are included in interest expense. In addition to annual tax benefits totaling more than $500,000, the non-convertible structure of the Preferred Securities eliminates potential dilution of the common shareholders' proportionate interest in the Company. CAPITAL RATIOS DECEMBER 31, 1996 1995 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Equity capital............................................... 5.83% 7.97% Average shareholders equity to average assets................ 7.05 8.04 Tier 1 leverage (tangible equity capital).................... 5.72 7.47 Tier 1 risk-based capital.................................... 9.01 11.49 Total risk-based capital..................................... 10.26 12.75 Shareholders' equity totaled $51.8 million at December 31, 1996. The $4.8 million increase from $47.0 million at December 31, 1995, reflects earnings retention as well as the issuance of common stock pursuant to the Incentive Share Grant Plan and the Company's various stock option plans. Principally as a result of the 1996 Acquisitions, shareholders' equity declined to 5.83% of total assets at December 31, 1996, from 7.97% a year earlier. In the absence of those transactions, Management estimates that shareholders' equity would have increased to approximately 8.17% of total assets. The Company's Tier 1 leverage ratio was equal to 5.72% at December 31, 1996, compared to 7.47% a year earlier. ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT. The asset/liability management efforts of the Company and the Banks are intended to identify and evaluate opportunities to structure the balance sheet in a manner that is consistent with Management's mission to maintain profitable financial leverage within established risk parameters. Accordingly, Management's evaluation of business opportunities and alternate strategies carefully consider the likely impact on the Banks' risk profile as well as the anticipated contribution to earnings. Management employs simulation analyses to evaluate the potential changes in the Banks' net interest income and market value of portfolio equity that result from changes in interest rates. Such analyses further anticipate the potential change in the slope of the U.S. Treasury yield curve as well as changes in prepayment rates on certain assets and premature withdrawals of certificates of deposits that will accompany changes in interest rates. Consistent with Management's intent to maintain profitable leverage, the marginal cost of non-deposit funds is a principal consideration in the implementation of the Banks' balance sheet management strategies. Management's ongoing evaluations have determined that the retention of 15- and 30-year fixed-rate real estate mortgage loans is not consistent with its goal to profitably deploy capital or the Banks' asset/liability management needs. Accordingly, the majority of such loans are sold to mitigate exposure to changes in interest rates. Adjustable-rate and balloon real estate mortgage loans may, however, be profitably funded within established risk parameters and the retention of such loans is a principal focus of the Banks' balance sheet management strategies. 10 A-10 INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY DECEMBER 31, 1996 DAYS YEARS ------------------------------------------ ------------------- 0 - 30 31 - 90 91 - 180 181 - 365 1 - 5 5+ TOTAL - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (dollars in thousands) ASSETS Loans and loans held for sale............. $117,030 $39,979 $ 53,062 $ 86,583 $189,020 $135,613 $621,287 Federal funds sold........................ 10,000 10,000 Taxable securities........................ 11,938 2,717 4,730 13,331 75,264 24,656 132,636 Tax-exempt securities..................... 274 1,089 1,840 19,347 19,496 42,046 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Interest earning assets................. 138,968 42,970 58,881 101,754 283,631 179,765 805,969 ------------------------------------------------------------- Non-interest earning assets............... 82,628 -------- Total Assets....................... $888,597 ======== LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Demand, savings and NOW................... 54,879 15,452 22,703 38,000 126,612 154,652 $412,298 Time deposits............................. 23,754 36,062 41,380 54,508 97,833 6,699 260,236 Other borrowings.......................... 30,994 25,000 15,000 22,000 44,000 17,250 154,244 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Total deposits and other borrowings..... 109,627 76,514 79,083 114,508 268,445 178,601 826,778 ------------------------------------------------------------- Shareholders' equity and other liabilities 61,819 -------- Total liabilities and shareholders' equity.............. $888,597 ======== RATE SENSITIVITY GAP AND RATIOS Gap for period............................ $ 29,341 $(33,544) $(20,202) $(12,754) $ 15,186 $ 1,164 ============================================================== Cumulative gap............................ $ 29,341 $ (4,203) $(24,405) $(37,159) $(21,973) $(20,809) ============================================================== Ratio of rate-sensitive assets to rate-sensitive liabilities for period... 126.8% 56.2% 74.5% 88.9% 105.7% 100.7% Cumulative ratio of rate-sensitive assets to rate-sensitive liabilities............. 126.8 97.7 90.8 90.2 96.6 97.5 11 A-11 SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 1995 1994 1993(1) 1992(1) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS Interest income.................................... $ 59,485 $ 45,982 $ 37,820 $ 34,370 $ 36,465 Interest expense................................... 24,813 17,900 12,585 12,305 15,150 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net interest income.............................. 34,672 28,082 25,235 22,065 21,315 Provision for loan losses.......................... 1,233 636 473 657 1,225 Non-interest income................................ 5,552 3,766 3,101 3,898 2,742 Non-interest expense............................... 27,861 21,702 19,503 17,535 15,703 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income before federal income tax expense......... 11,130 9,510 8,360 7,771 7,129 Federal income tax expense......................... 3,278 2,700 2,329 2,165 2,020 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income.................................. $ 7,852 $ 6,810 $ 6,031 $ 5,606 $ 5,109 ============================================================================ PER COMMON SHARE DATA(2) Net income......................................... $ 2.72 $ 2.38 $ 2.09 $ 1.95 $ 1.78 Cash dividends declared............................ 1.00 0.89 0.72 0.50 0.44 Book value......................................... 18.11 16.56 14.12 13.57 12.08 SELECTED BALANCES Assets............................................ $888,597 $590,147 $516,211 $482,027 $403,125 Loans and loans held for sale..................... 621,287 434,091 342,658 288,643 261,634 Allowance for loan losses......................... 6,960 5,243 5,054 5,053 4,023 Deposits.......................................... 672,534 411,624 409,471 423,620 358,874 Shareholders' equity.............................. 51,836 47,025 40,311 39,049 34,467 Long-term debt.................................... 7,000 2,750 SELECTED RATIOS Tax equivalent net interest income to average earning assets....................... 5.38% 5.65% 5.88% 5.85% 5.88% Net income to Average common equity........................... 15.74 15.59 15.22 15.21 15.88 Average assets.................................. 1.11 1.25 1.25 1.33 1.26 Dividend payment ratio............................ 36.53 36.80 34.62 25.54 24.13 Average shareholders'equity to average assets..... 7.05 8.04 8.22 8.72 7.94 Tier 1 leverage (tangible equity capital) ratio... 5.72 7.47 7.76 7.61 8.05 Non-performing loans to total loans............... 0.64 0.61 0.84 1.14 1.24 (1) Restated to reflect an acquisition accounted for as a pooling of interests. (See note 2 to consolidated financial statements.) (2) Per share data has been adjusted to give retroactive effect to 5% stock dividends in 1996 and 1995. 12 A-12 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION IONIA, MICHIGAN We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of Independent Bank Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express our opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Independent Bank Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. As discussed in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for mortgage servicing rights to adopt the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board's Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 122, "Accounting for Mortgage Servicing Rights." As discussed in note 1, the Company changed its method of accounting for investments to adopt the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board's SFAS No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities" at January 1, 1994. As discussed in note 1, the Company changed its method of accounting for impaired loans in 1995 to adopt the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board's SFAS No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan", as amended by SFAS No. 118, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan - Income Recognition and Disclosures." /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP KPMG Peat Marwick LLP Lansing, Michigan February 3, 1997 13 A-13 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION DECEMBER 31, 1996 1995 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSETS Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and due from banks.......................................................... $ 40,631,000 $ 17,208,000 Federal funds sold............................................................... 10,000,000 -------------------------- Total Cash and Cash Equivalents................................................ 50,631,000 17,208,000 -------------------------- Securities available for sale...................................................... 136,852,000 87,553,000 Securities held to maturity (fair value of $27,645,000 at December 31, 1996; $29,031,000 at December 31, 1995)................................................ 26,754,000 27,906,000 Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost.............................................. 11,076,000 7,710,000 Loans held for sale................................................................ 11,583,000 16,047,000 Loans Commercial and agricultural...................................................... 164,304,000 108,879,000 Real estate mortgage............................................................. 331,150,000 225,900,000 Installment...................................................................... 114,250,000 83,265,000 -------------------------- Total Loans................................................................... 609,704,000 418,044,000 Allowance for loan losses........................................................ (6,960,000) (5,243,000) -------------------------- Net Loans..................................................................... 602,744,000 412,801,000 Property and equipment, net........................................................ 18,462,000 9,931,000 Accrued income and other assets.................................................... 30,495,000 10,991,000 -------------------------- Total Assets............................................................... $888,597,000 $590,147,000 ========================== LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Deposits Non-interest bearing............................................................. $ 84,671,000 $ 46,168,000 Savings and NOW.................................................................. 327,627,000 215,336,000 Time............................................................................. 260,236,000 150,120,000 -------------------------- Total Deposits................................................................. 672,534,000 411,624,000 Federal funds purchased............................................................ 1,700,000 13,400,000 Other borrowings................................................................... 135,294,000 110,894,000 Guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in Company's subordinated debentures..... 17,250,000 Accrued expenses and other liabilities............................................. 9,983,000 7,204,000 -------------------------- Total Liabilities................................................................ 836,761,000 543,122,000 -------------------------- Commitments and contingent liabilities Shareholders' Equity Preferred stock, no par value--200,000 shares authorized; none outstanding Common stock, $1.00 par value--14,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: 2,861,535 shares at December 31, 1996 and 2,704,038 shares at December 31, 1995.......................................................... 2,862,000 2,704,000 Capital surplus.................................................................. 23,230,000 19,924,000 Retained earnings................................................................ 24,713,000 23,683,000 Net unrealized gain on securities available for sale, net of related tax effect.. 1,031,000 714,000 -------------------------- Total Shareholders' Equity..................................................... 51,836,000 47,025,000 -------------------------- Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity................................ $888,597,000 $590,147,000 ========================== See notes to consolidated financial statements. 14 A-14 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 1995 1994 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INTEREST INCOME Interest and fees on loans ........................... $ 49,768,000 $ 37,861,000 $29,107,000 Securities available for sale ......................... 6,337,000 2,692,000 2,853,000 Securities held to maturity Taxable ........................................... 1,209,000 3,227,000 3,684,000 Tax-exempt ......................................... 1,200,000 1,781,000 1,716,000 Other investments ..................................... 971,000 421,000 460,000 -------------------------------------------------- Total Interest Income .............................. 59,485,000 45,982,000 37,820,000 -------------------------------------------------- INTEREST EXPENSE Deposits ............................................. 16,138,000 12,470,000 11,092,000 Other borrowings ...................................... 8,675,000 5,430,000 1,493,000 -------------------------------------------------- Total Interest Expense ............................. 24,813,000 17,900,000 12,585,000 -------------------------------------------------- Net Interest Income ................................ 34,672,000 28,082,000 25,235,000 Provision for loan losses ................................. 1,233,000 636,000 473,000 -------------------------------------------------- Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses ........................................... 33,439,000 27,446,000 24,762,000 -------------------------------------------------- NON-INTEREST INCOME Service charges on deposit accounts ................... 2,267,000 1,919,000 1,892,000 Net gains (losses) on asset sales Real estate mortgage loans ......................... 1,871,000 728,000 249,000 Securities ......................................... (162,000) (120,000) (174,000) Other income ......................................... 1,576,000 1,239,000 1,134,000 -------------------------------------------------- Total Non-interest Income ......................... 5,552,000 3,766,000 3,101,000 -------------------------------------------------- NON-INTEREST EXPENSE Salaries and employee benefits ....................... 15,685,000 12,163,000 10,562,000 Occupancy, net ....................................... 2,042,000 1,548,000 1,392,000 Furniture and fixtures ................................ 1,864,000 1,345,000 1,248,000 Other expenses ....................................... 8,270,000 6,646,000 6,301,000 -------------------------------------------------- Total Non-interest Expense ......................... 27,861,000 21,702,000 19,503,000 -------------------------------------------------- Income Before Federal Income Tax ................... 11,130,000 9,510,000 8,360,000 Federal income tax expense ............................. 3,278,000 2,700,000 2,329,000 -------------------------------------------------- Net Income ...................................... $ 7,852,000 $ 6,810,000 $ 6,031,000 ================================================== Income per common share ................................... $ 2.72 $ 2.38 $ 2.09 ================================================== Cash dividends declared per common share ................. $ 1.00 $ 0.89 $ 0.72 ================================================== See notes to consolidated financial statements. 15 A-15 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 1995 1994 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Income .................................................... $ 7,852,000 $ 6,810,000 $ 6,031,000 ------------------------------------------------ ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE NET INCOME TO NET CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale ............... 110,593,000 51,976,000 38,103,000 Disbursements for loans held for sale .................... (101,786,000) (54,262,000) (37,411,000) Provision for loan losses ................................ 1,233,000 636,000 473,000 Deferred federal income tax expense (credit) ............. (230,000) (1,208,000) 474,000 Deferred loan fees ....................................... 334,000 109,000 (179,000) Depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and premiums and accretion of discounts on securities and loans ................................. 2,759,000 2,247,000 2,494,000 Net gains on sales of real estate mortgage loans ......... (1,871,000) (728,000) (249,000) Net losses on sales of securities ....................... 162,000 120,000 174,000 (Increase) decrease in accrued income and other assets ... (7,906,000) 286,000 1,891,000 Increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities ....... 356,000 2,587,000 373,000 ------------------------------------------------ Total Adjustments .................................... 3,644,000 1,763,000 6,143,000 ------------------------------------------------ Net Cash from Operating Activities ................... 11,496,000 8,573,000 12,174,000 ------------------------------------------------ CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale ..... 18,145,000 14,054,000 28,384,000 Proceeds from the maturity of securities available for sale .................................................. 16,385,000 Proceeds from the maturity of securities held to maturity ... 3,015,000 13,920,000 25,094,000 Principal payments received on securities available for sale .................................................. 9,601,000 1,347,000 285,000 Principal payments received on securities held to maturity .. 694,000 5,116,000 8,866,000 Purchases of securities available for sale .................. (60,396,000) (732,000) (34,658,000) Purchases of securities held to maturity .................... (295,000) (19,423,000) (28,299,000) Portfolio loans made to customers, net of principal payments received ......................................... (85,566,000) (88,906,000) (54,751,000) Acquisition of bank, less cash received ..................... 9,478,000 Acquisition of branch offices, less cash received ........... 89,864,000 13,949,000 Capital expenditures ........................................ (3,709,000) (1,642,000) (1,283,000) ------------------------------------------------ Net Cash from Investing Activities ................... (2,784,000) (62,317,000) (56,362,000) ------------------------------------------------ CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net increase (decrease) in total deposits ................... 7,468,000 (12,273,000) (14,149,000) Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings ............ (13,300,000) (347,000) 16,252,000 Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances ............... 63,000,000 104,000,000 44,000,000 Payments of Federal Home Loan Bank advances ................. (55,000,000) (41,000,000) (10,000,000) Proceeds from long-term debt ................................ 10,000,000 Retirement of long-term debt ................................ (1,000,000) (2,750,000) Proceeds from issuance of guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in Company's subordinated debentures ............ 16,220,000 Dividends paid .............................................. (2,736,000) (2,392,000) (1,926,000) Proceeds from issuance of common stock ...................... 59,000 138,000 16,000 Repurchase of common stock .................................. (893,000) (924,000) ------------------------------------------------ Net Cash from Financing Activities ................... 24,711,000 47,233,000 30,519,000 ------------------------------------------------ Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents ........................................ 33,423,000 (6,511,000) (13,669,000) Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period .............. 17,208,000 23,719,000 37,388,000 ------------------------------------------------ Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period ...... $ 50,631,000 $ 17,208,000 $ 23,719,000 ================================================ Cash paid during the period for Interest .................................................... $ 23,736,000 $ 17,604,000 $ 12,696,000 Income taxes ................................................ 3,890,000 3,110,000 2,366,000 Transfer of loans to other real estate ........................ 996,000 555,000 254,000 Transfer of portfolio loans to held for sale .................. 7,100,000 Transfer of securities held to maturity to available for sale ........................................................ 52,601,000 19,283,000 See notes to consolidated financial statements. 16 A-16 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY NET UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON SECURITIES TOTAL COMMON CAPITAL RETAINED AVAILABLE SHAREHOLDERS' STOCK SURPLUS EARNINGS FOR SALE EQUITY - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Balances at January 1, 1994 .................... $2,611,000 $17,471,000 $18,967,000 $ 0 $39,049,000 Impact of change in accounting for securities, net of $46,000 of related tax effect ......... 90,000 90,000 Net Income for 1994 ............................ 6,031,000 6,031,000 Cash dividends declared, $.72 per share ........ (2,088,000) (2,088,000) Issuance of 18,356 shares of common stock ...... 18,000 345,000 363,000 Repurchase of 40,000 shares of common stock ................................. (40,000) (884,000) (924,000) Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale, net of $1,138,000 of related tax effect ............. (2,210,000) (2,210,000) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balances at December 31, 1994 ................ 2,589,000 16,932,000 22,910,000 (2,120,000) 40,311,000 Net income for 1995 ............................ 6,810,000 6,810,000 Cash dividends declared, $.89 per share (2,506,000) (2,506,000) 5% stock dividend .............................. 129,000 3,386,000 (3,531,000) (16,000) Issuance of 22,430 shares of common stock ...... 22,000 463,000 485,000 Repurchase of 35,900 shares of common stock ................................. (36,000) (857,000) (893,000) Transfer of securities held to maturity to available for sale, net of $443,000 of related tax effect ........................... 859,000 859,000 Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale, net of $1,017,000 of related tax effect ............. 1,975,000 1,975,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balances at December 31, 1995 ................ 2,704,000 19,924,000 23,683,000 714,000 47,025,000 Net income for 1996 ............................ 7,852,000 7,852,000 Cash dividends declared, $1.00 per share (2,868,000) (2,868,000) 5% stock dividend .............................. 136,000 3,799,000 (3,954,000) (19,000) Issuance of 21,834 shares of common stock....... 22,000 537,000 559,000 Net issuance costs ............................. (1,030,000) (1,030,000) Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale, net of $163,000 of related tax effect ............... 317,000 317,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balances at December 31, 1996............... $2,862,000 $23,230,000 $24,713,000 $ 1,031,000 $51,836,000 ============================================================================= See notes to consolidated financial statements. 17 (This page intentionally left blank) 18 A-18 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 1 -- SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The accounting and reporting policies and practices of Independent Bank Corporation and subsidiaries conform with generally accepted accounting principles and prevailing practices within the banking industry. The following summaries describe the significant accounting and reporting policies that are employed in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. The Banks transact business in the single industry segment of commercial banking. The Banks' activities cover traditional phases of commercial banking, including checking and savings accounts, commercial and agricultural lending, direct and indirect consumer financing, mortgage lending and deposit box services. The principal markets are the rural and suburban communities across lower Michigan that are served by the Banks' branch networks. Subject to established underwriting criteria, the Banks may also participate in commercial lending transactions with certain non-affiliated banks and purchase real estate mortgage loans from third-party originators. The local economies of the communities served by the Banks are relatively stable and reasonably diversified. Management is required to make estimates and assumptions in the preparation of the financial statements which affect the amounts reported. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to changes in the near-term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses. While Management uses relevant information to recognize losses on loans, additional provisions for related losses may be necessary in the future based on changes in economic conditions and customer circumstances. PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION -- The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Independent Bank Corporation and its subsidiaries. The income, expenses, assets and liabilities of the subsidiaries are included in the respective accounts of the consolidated financial statements, after elimination of all material intercompany accounts and transactions. STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS -- For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, and federal funds sold. Generally, federal funds are sold for one-day periods. The Company reports net cash flows for customer loan and deposit transactions. LOANS HELD FOR SALE -- Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of aggregate amortized cost or market value. Lower of cost or market value adjustments, as well as realized gains and losses, are recorded in current earnings. The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 122, "Accounting for Mortgage Servicing Rights," ("SFAS #122") on January 1, 1996. SFAS #122 requires the Banks to recognize as separate assets the rights to service mortgage loans for others that have been acquired by purchase or the origination and subsequent sale of a loan. The fair value of capitalized originated mortgage servicing rights has been determined based upon market value quotes for similar servicing. These mortgage servicing rights are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net loan servicing income. SFAS #122 also requires the Banks to assess mortgage servicing rights for impairment based on the fair value of those rights. For purposes of measuring impairment, the risk characteristics used by the Banks include the underlying loans' interest rates, term of loan and loan types. SECURITIES -- The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities," ("SFAS #115") effective January 1, 1994. Under SFAS #115, the Company is required to classify its securities as trading, held to maturity or available for sale. Trading securities are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near-term and are reported at fair value with realized and unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. The Company does not have any trading securities. Securities held to maturity represent those securities for which the Banks have the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity and are reported at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts computed on the level yield method. Securities available for sale represent those securities not classified as trading or held to maturity and are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable income taxes reported as a separate component of shareholders' equity. Gains and losses realized on the sale of securities available for sale are determined using the specific identification method and are recognized on a trade-date basis. Premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income computed on the level yield method. LOAN REVENUE RECOGNITION -- Interest on loans is accrued based on the principal amounts outstanding. The accrual of interest income is discontinued when a loan becomes 90 days past due and the borrower's capacity to repay the loan and collateral values appear insufficient. A non-accrual loan may be restored to accrual status when interest and principal payments are current and the loan appears otherwise collectible. 19 A-19 Certain loan fees, net of direct loan origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of yield over the life of the related loan. Fees received in connection with loan commitments are deferred until the loan is advanced and are then recognized over the life of the loan as an adjustment of yield. Fees on commitments that expire unused are recognized at expiration. Fees received for a letter of credit are recognized as fee revenue over its life. ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES -- Some loans may not be repaid in full. Therefore, an allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level which management has determined to be adequate to absorb inherent losses. Management's assessment of the allowance is based on historical loss experience, general economic conditions and trends, as well as the review of specific loans. Increases in the allowance are recorded by a provision for loan losses charged to expense and, although Management periodically allocates portions of the allowance to specific loans and loan portfolios, the entire allowance is available for any charge-offs which occur. Collection efforts may continue and future recoveries may occur after a loan is charged-off. The Company has adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan," ("SFAS #114"). SFAS #114, which has been subsequently amended by SFAS #118, requires the Company to measure its investment in certain impaired loans based on one of three methods: the loan's observable market price, the fair value of the collateral or the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate. This statement does not apply to homogenous residential mortgage and installment loans. The adoption of this Statement in 1995 did not have a significant effect on the allowance for loan losses. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT -- Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is computed using both straight-line and accelerated methods over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. OTHER REAL ESTATE -- Other real estate represents properties acquired through foreclosure or by acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure. The carrying values of these properties are periodically evaluated and are adjusted to the lower of cost or fair value minus estimated costs to sell. Other real estate and repossessed assets totaling $730,000 and $760,000 at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, are included in other assets. INTANGIBLE ASSETS -- Goodwill, which represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net tangible assets acquired, is amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of expected benefit, generally 12 to 20 years. Goodwill totaled $8,289,000 and $1,099,000 as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Other intangible assets are amortized using both straight-line and accelerated methods over 12 to 15 years. Other intangibles amounted to $10,056,000 and $1,407,000 as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. INCOME TAXES -- The Company employs the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. The objective of this method is to establish deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company's assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized or settled. Under the asset and liability method, the effect of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The deferred tax asset is subject to a valuation allowance for that portion of the asset for which it is more likely than not that it will not be realized. The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. Intercompany tax liabilities are settled as if each subsidiary filed a separate return. COMMON STOCK -- At December 31, 1996, 26,769 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance under the Incentive Share Grant Plan, 26,089 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance under the dividend reinvestment plan and 124,967 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance under stock option plans. EARNINGS PER SHARE -- Earnings per share is based on 2,883,995 average shares and equivalents outstanding in 1996, 2,861,898 in 1995 and 2,890,368 in 1994. RETIREMENT PLANS -- The Company maintains an employee stock ownership plan as well as a 401(k) plan for substantially all full-time employees. RECLASSIFICATION -- Certain amounts in the 1995 and 1994 financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 1996 presentation. 20 A-20 NOTE 2 -- ACQUISITIONS In June 1996, the Company acquired North Bank Corporation ("NBC") for cash consideration totaling approximately $15,800,000. At the effective date of the acquisition, NBC's assets totaled $152,000,000 and its loans and deposits totaled $84,000,000 and $131,600,000, respectively. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase and the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed have been recorded at fair value. The Company's results of operations include revenues and expenses relating to NBC since May 31, 1996. Goodwill totaled $7,500,000 and is being amortized over 15 years. NBC's sole banking subsidiary consolidated with an existing subsidiary of the Company during the third quarter of 1996. The pro-forma information presented in the following table is based on historical results of the Company and NBC. The information has been combined to present the results of operations as if the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the periods presented. The following pro-forma results for the years ended December 31 are not necessarily indicative of the results which would have actually been attained if the acquisition had been consummated in the past or what may be attained in the future. 1996 1995 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (unaudited) Total revenue.................................................................. $ 70,200,000 $62,300,000 Net income..................................................................... 7,600,000 5,800,000 Earnings per share............................................................. 2.64 2.03 On December 13, 1996, one of the Banks purchased certain loans as well as real and personal property and assumed deposit liabilities associated with eight branch offices from First of America Bank - Michigan, NA ("FoA Purchase"). On that date, loans purchased and deposit liabilities assumed totaled $22,100,000 and $121,900,000, respectively. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase and the assets purchased and the liabilities assumed have been recorded at fair value. The Company's results of operations include revenues and expenses relating to the FoA Purchase since December 13, 1996. An intangible asset of $8,800,000 is being amortized over 12 years. On March 7, 1994, KSB Financial, Inc., ("KSB") merged with the Company. As a result, The Kingston State Bank became a subsidiary of the Company. The Company issued 225,649 shares of common stock in exchange for all of the outstanding common stock of KSB. The merger was accounted for as a pooling of interests and, accordingly, the accompanying financial statements were restated to include the accounts and operations of KSB for the two months prior to the merger. NOTE 3 -- RESTRICTIONS ON CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS The Banks' legal reserve requirements were satisfied by maintaining average non-interest earning vault cash balances of $4,316,000 in 1996 and $2,661,000 in 1995. The Banks do not maintain compensating balances with correspondent banks. NOTE 4 -- SECURITIES Securities available for sale consist of the following at December 31: AMORTIZED UNREALIZED FAIR COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 U.S. Treasury.............................. $ 27,561,000 $ 174,000 $ 13,000 $ 27,722,000 U.S. Government agencies................... 20,839,000 337,000 17,000 21,159,000 Mortgage-backed securities................. 57,113,000 671,000 256,000 57,528,000 Obligations of states and political subdivisions............................ 21,183,000 688,000 17,000 21,854,000 Other securities........................... 8,594,000 5,000 8,589,000 ------------------------------------------------------------- Total.................................... $ 135,290,000 $ 1,870,000 $ 308,000 $136,852,000 ============================================================= 1995 U.S. Treasury.............................. $ 23,189,000 $ 188,000 $ 105,000 $ 23,272,000 U.S. Government agencies................... 6,557,000 79,000 13,000 6,623,000 Mortgage-backed securities................. 37,238,000 661,000 177,000 37,722,000 Obligations of states and political subdivisions............................ 8,682,000 608,000 9,290,000 Other securities........................... 10,805,000 2,000 161,000 10,646,000 ------------------------------------------------------------- Total.................................... $ 86,471,000 $ 1,538,000 $ 456,000 $ 87,553,000 ============================================================= 21 A-21 Securities held to maturity consist of the following at December 31: AMORTIZED UNREALIZED FAIR COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 U.S. Government agencies........................... $ 1,484,000 $ 13,000 $ 4,000 $ 1,493,000 Mortgage-backed securities......................... 3,688,000 17,000 11,000 3,694,000 Obligations of states and political subdivisions... 21,192,000 899,000 23,000 22,068,000 Other securities................................... 390,000 390,000 --------------------------------------------------------- Total............................................ $ 26,754,000 $ 929,000 $ 38,000 $ 27,645,000 ========================================================= 1995 U.S. Government agencies........................... $ 2,559,000 $ 70,000 $ 2,629,000 Mortgage-backed securities......................... 4,487,000 13,000 $ 18,000 4,482,000 Obligations of states and political subdivisions... 20,142,000 1,074,000 12,000 21,204,000 Other securities................................... 718,000 2,000 716,000 --------------------------------------------------------- Total............................................ $ 27,906,000 $1,157,000 $ 32,000 $ 29,031,000 ========================================================= The amortized cost and approximate fair value of securities at December 31, 1996, by contractual maturity, follow. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. AVAILABLE FOR SALE HELD TO MATURITY AMORTIZED FAIR AMORTIZED FAIR COST VALUE COST VALUE - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Maturing within one year........................... $ 8,453,000 $ 8,526,000 $ 1,972,000 $ 1,977,000 Maturing after one year but within five years...... 38,338,000 39,165,000 12,428,000 12,900,000 Maturing after five years but within ten years..... 24,042,000 24,181,000 5,945,000 6,290,000 Maturing after ten years........................... 6,842,000 6,950,000 2,721,000 2,784,000 ---------------------------------------------------------- 77,675,000 78,822,000 23,066,000 23,951,000 Mortgage-backed securities......................... 57,113,000 57,528,000 3,688,000 3,694,000 Other securities................................... 502,000 502,000 ---------------------------------------------------------- Total.......................................... $135,290,000 $136,852,000 $26,754,000 $27,645,000 ========================================================== A summary of proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale and realized gains and losses follows: REALIZED REALIZED PROCEEDS GAINS LOSSES - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1996............................................................. $ 18,145,000 $ 42,000 $ 204,000 1995............................................................. 14,054,000 8,000 128,000 1994............................................................. 28,384,000 228,000 402,000 Securities with a book value of $14,882,000 and $20,816,000 at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits and for other purposes as required by law. There were no investment obligations of state and political subdivisions that were payable from or secured by the same source of revenue or taxing authority that exceeded 10% of consolidated shareholders' equity at December 31, 1996 or 1995. During November 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a "Guide to Implementation of Statement #115 on Accounting for Certain Investment in Debt and Equity Securities." This guide allowed for a one-time change in the classification of securities pursuant to SFAS #115 as of the date of the implementation guide, but no later than December 31, 1995. As a result, the Banks made a transfer of $52,601,000 to securities available for sale. 22 A-22 NOTE 5 -- LOANS An analysis of the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31 follows: 1996 1995 1994 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance at beginning of period..................................... $5,243,000 $5,054,000 $5,053,000 Allowance on loans acquired...................................... 1,180,000 Provision charged to operating expense........................... 1,233,000 636,000 473,000 Recoveries credited to allowance................................. 440,000 265,000 399,000 Loans charged against allowance.................................. (1,136,000) (712,000) (871,000) ---------------------------------------- Balance at end of period........................................... $6,960,000 $5,243,000 $5,054,000 ======================================== Loans are presented net of deferred income of $1,768,000 at December 31, 1996, and $1,434,000 at December 31, 1995. Loans on non-accrual status, 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest, or restructured amounted to $3,902,000, $2,560,000 and $2,834,000 at December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. If these loans had continued to accrue interest in accordance with their original terms, approximately $288,000, $263,000, and $259,000 of interest income would have been realized in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Interest income realized on these loans was approximately $105,000, $64,000 and $102,000 in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Impaired loans totaled approximately $3,800,000 and $3,200,000 at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The Banks' average investment in impaired loans approximated $2,500,000 and $2,300,000 in 1996 and 1995, respectively. Cash receipts on impaired loans on non-accrual status are generally applied to the principal balance. Interest income recognized on impaired loans in 1996 and 1995 was approximately $130,000 and $70,000, respectively. Certain impaired loans with a balance of approximately $2,300,000 and $700,000 had specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses calculated in accordance with SFAS #114 totaling approximately $500,000 and $250,000 at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The Banks capitalized approximately $370,000 of servicing rights relating to originated loans that were subsequently sold during the year ended December 31, 1996, of which approximately $56,000 has been amortized. The fair value of capitalized servicing rights approximated book value at December 31, 1996, therefore no valuation allowance relating to impairment was considered necessary at that date. At December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, the Banks serviced loans totaling approximately $181,000,000, $124,000,000 and $103,500,000, respectively, for the benefit of third parties. NOTE 6 -- PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT A summary of property and equipment at December 31 follows: 1996 1995 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Land....................................................................... $ 2,969,000 $ 1,662,000 Buildings.................................................................. 15,109,000 9,554,000 Equipment.................................................................. 11,511,000 7,988,000 --------------------------- 29,589,000 19,204,000 Accumulated depreciation and amortization.................................. (11,127,000) (9,273,000) --------------------------- Property and equipment, net.............................................. $18,462,000 $ 9,931,000 =========================== NOTE 7 -- DEPOSITS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A summary of interest expense on deposits for the years ended December 31 follows: 1996 1995 1994 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Savings and NOW.................................................... $ 6,116,000 $ 5,515,000 $ 4,819,000 Time deposits under $100,000....................................... 8,718,000 6,072,000 5,705,000 Time deposits of $100,000 or more.................................. 1,304,000 883,000 568,000 ------------------------------------------ Total............................................................ $ 16,138,000 $12,470,000 $ 11,092,000 ========================================== Aggregate time certificates of deposit and other time deposits in denominations of $100,000 or more amounted to $31,053,000, $19,497,000, and $11,231,000 at December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. 23 A-23 NOTE 8 -- OTHER BORROWINGS A summary of other borrowings at December 31 follows: 1996 1995 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank........................................... $ 111,000,000 $ 103,000,000 Notes payable.................................................................. 14,000,000 U.S. Treasury demand notes..................................................... 1,858,000 1,223,000 Repurchase agreements.......................................................... 8,424,000 6,666,000 Other.......................................................................... 12,000 5,000 ----------------------------- Total........................................................................ $ 135,294,000 $ 110,894,000 ============================= Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") at December 31, 1996 and 1995, are secured by the Banks' unencumbered qualifying mortgage loans as well as U.S. Treasury and government agency securities equal to at least 160% of outstanding advances. Maturities and weighted average interest rates are as follows: 1996 1995 AMOUNT RATE AMOUNT RATE - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fixed rate advances 1996............................................. $ 27,000,000 5.61% 1997............................................. $ 46,000,000 5.92% 34,000,000 6.01 1998............................................. 36,000,000 5.98 16,000,000 5.94 1999............................................. 8,000,000 6.07 ------------------------------------------------------- Total fixed rate advances........................ 90,000,000 5.96 77,000,000 5.86 ------------------------------------------------------- Variable rate advances 1996............................................. 15,000,000 5.76 1997............................................. 12,000,000 5.47 4,000,000 5.86 1998............................................. 9,000,000 5.52 2000............................................. 7,000,000 6.66 ------------------------------------------------------- Total variable rate advances .................... 21,000,000 5.49 26,000,000 6.02 ------------------------------------------------------- Total advances................................ $ 111,000,000 5.87% $ 103,000,000 5.90% ======================================================= Interest expense on advances amounted to $6,757,000, $3,836,000 and $761,000 for the years ending December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. As members of the FHLB system, the Banks must own FHLB stock equal to the greater of 1.0% of the unpaid principal balances of residential mortgage loans, 0.3% of its total assets, or 5.0% of its outstanding advances. At December 31, 1996, the Banks were in compliance with the FHLB stock ownership requirements. The Company has established a $17,000,000 unsecured credit facility comprised of a $10,000,000 five-year term loan, payable in equal quarterly installments and a $7,000,000 revolving credit agreement. At December 31, 1996, the term note had an unpaid principal balance of $9,000,000 and the revolving credit facility had an unpaid principal balance of $5,000,000. The term note and the revolving credit facility accrue interest at LIBOR, plus 1.00% and federal funds, plus .75%, respectively. Maturities of the notes payable follow: 1997............................................................................................. $ 7,000,000 1998............................................................................................. 2,000,000 1999............................................................................................. 2,000,000 2000............................................................................................. 2,000,000 2001............................................................................................. 1,000,000 ------------- Total................................................................................. $ 14,000,000 ============= NOTE 9 -- GUARANTEED PREFERRED BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN COMPANY'S SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES In connection with the FoA Purchase described in Note 2, IBC Capital Finance, a trust subsidiary of the Company, completed the public offering of 690,000 shares of cumulative trust preferred securities ("Preferred Securities") with a liquidation preference of $25 per security. The proceeds of the offering were loaned to the Company in exchange for subordinated debentures with terms that are similar to the Preferred Securities. Distributions on the securities are payable quarterly at the annual rate of 9.25% of the liquidation preference and are included in interest expense in the consolidated financial statements. 24 A-24 The Preferred Securities are subject to mandatory redemption, in whole or in part, upon repayment of the subordinated debentures at maturity or their earlier redemption at the liquidation preference. The subordinated debentures are redeemable prior to the maturity date of December 31, 2026, at the option of the Company on or after December 31, 2001, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, or at any time, in whole, but not in part, upon the occurrence of specific events defined within the trust indenture. The Company has the option to defer distributions on the subordinated debentures from time to time for a period not to exceed 20 consecutive quarters. NOTE 10 -- FEDERAL INCOME TAX The composition of federal income tax expense for the years ended December 31 follows: 1996 1995 1994 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current ............................................................. $ 3,508,000 $ 3,908,000 $ 1,855,000 Deferred ............................................................ (230,000) (1,208,000) 474,000 ----------------------------------------- Federal income tax expense ........................................ $ 3,278,000 $ 2,700,000 $ 2,329,000 ========================================= A reconciliation of federal income tax expense to the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 34% to income before federal income tax for the years ended December 31 follows: 1996 1995 1994 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Statutory rate applied to income before federal income tax .......... $ 3,784,000 $ 3,233,000 $ 2,842,000 Tax-exempt interest income .......................................... (698,000) (587,000) (586,000) Amortization of goodwill ............................................ 150,000 54,000 58,000 Other, net .......................................................... 42,000 15,000 ----------------------------------------- Federal income tax expense ........................................ $ 3,278,000 $ 2,700,000 $ 2,329,000 ========================================= The deferred federal income tax benefit of $230,000 in 1996, $1,208,000 in 1995 and expense of $474,000 in 1994, resulted from the tax effect of temporary differences. There was no impact for changes in tax laws and rates or changes in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31 follow: 1996 1995 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deferred tax assets Allowance for loan losses ....................................................... $1,534,000 $ 961,000 Deferred compensation ........................................................... 691,000 598,000 Purchase discounts .............................................................. 427,000 Deferred loan fees .............................................................. 316,000 486,000 Deferred credit life premiums ................................................... 145,000 145,000 Other ........................................................................... 836,000 555,000 ------------------------- Gross deferred tax assets ..................................................... 3,949,000 2,745,000 ------------------------- Deferred tax liabilities Unrealized gain on securities available for sale ................................ 531,000 368,000 Fixed assets .................................................................... 483,000 Purchase premiums ............................................................... 134,000 ------------------------- Gross deferred tax liabilities ................................................ 1,014,000 502,000 ------------------------- Net deferred tax assets .................................................... $2,935,000 $ 2,243,000 ========================= The Company's aggregate income subject to federal income tax for the three years ended December 31, 1996, totaled approximately $26,500,000. Consequently, Management believes that at December 31, 1996, it is more likely than not that the benefit of the gross deferred tax assets of $3,949,000 will be realized and no valuation allowance is deemed necessary as of December 31, 1996. NOTE 11 -- EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS The Company maintains stock option plans for certain employees of the Company and the Banks and for non-employee directors of the Company. An aggregate of 137,813 shares of common stock has been authorized for issuance under the plans. Options granted under these plans are exercisable not earlier than one year after the date of grant, at a price equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant, and expire five years after the date of grant. 25 A-25 On January 1, 1996, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," ("SFAS #123"). SFAS #123 encourages companies to adopt a fair value method of accounting for stock compensation plans. Companies that do not adopt a fair value method are required to make pro-forma disclosures of net income and earnings per share as if they had adopted the fair value accounting method. The Company has elected the pro-forma disclosure method. The per share weighted average fair value of stock options granted in 1996 and 1995 was obtained using the Black Scholes options pricing model. A summary of the assumptions used and values obtained follows: 1996 1995 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Expected dividend yield ............................................................. 3.64% 3.84% Risk free interest rate ............................................................. 6.53 6.78 Expected life ....................................................................... 5 YEARS 5 years Expected volatility ................................................................. .16262 .15593 Per share weighted average fair value ............................................... $4.65 $3.85 The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting for its plans and, accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for its stock options in the financial statements. The following table summarizes the impact on the Company's net income had compensation cost included the fair value of options at the grant date: 1996 1995 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income As reported ..................................................................... $7,852,000 $6,810,000 Pro-forma ....................................................................... 7,762,000 6,743,000 Net income per share As reported ..................................................................... 2.72 2.38 Pro-forma ....................................................................... 2.69 2.36 A summary of outstanding stock option grants and transactions follows: NUMBER AVERAGE OF EXERCISE SHARES PRICE - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Outstanding at December 31, 1993 ...................................................... 42,997 $16.18 Granted .............................................................................. 23,153 18.14 Exercised ............................................................................ (1,103) 14.29 -------------------- Outstanding at December 31, 1994 ....................................................... 65,047 16.91 Granted .............................................................................. 26,460 22.57 Exercised ............................................................................ (8,435) 16.23 Forfeited ............................................................................ (1,103) 22.22 -------------------- Outstanding at December 31, 1995 ....................................................... 81,969 18.73 Granted .............................................................................. 29,348 27.21 Exercised ............................................................................ (3,308) 17.99 Forfeited ............................................................................ (1,102) 27.14 -------------------- Outstanding at December 31, 1996 ....................................................... 106,907 $21.00 ==================== At December 31, 1996, the range of exercise prices of outstanding options was $13.15 to $27.38. The Company has a 401(k) and an employee stock ownership plan covering substantially all full-time employees of the Company and the Banks. The Company matches employee contributions to the 401(k) up to a maximum of 3% of participating employees' eligible wages. Contributions to the employee stock ownership plan are determined annually and require approval of the Company's Board of Directors. For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, $850,000, $704,000 and $365,000 respectively, was expensed for these retirement plans. Officers of the Company and the Banks participate in various performance-based compensation plans. The Incentive Share Grant Plan provides that the Board of Directors, at its sole discretion, may award restricted shares of common stock to the participants in the Management Incentive Compensation Plan in lieu of cash bonuses. The market value of such incentive shares at the date of grant must equal twice the amount of the cash incentive otherwise payable. Shares of common stock issued pursuant to the Incentive Share Grant Plan vest over four years. For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, amounts expensed for all incentive plans totaled $1,026,000, $876,000, and $633,000, respectively. 26 A-26 The Company also provides certain health care and life insurance programs to substantially all full-time employees. These insurance programs are available to retired employees at their expense. NOTE 12 -- FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK In the normal course of business, the Banks enter into financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of customers or to reduce exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. These financial instruments may include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and interest rate swaps. There were no interest rate swaps in 1996, 1995 and 1994. Financial instruments involve varying degrees of credit and interest rate risk in excess of amounts reflected in the consolidated balance sheets. Exposure to credit risk in the event of non-performance by the counterparties to the financial instruments for loan commitments to extend credit and letters of credit is represented by the contractual amounts of those instruments. Management does not, however, anticipate material losses as a result of these financial instruments. A summary of financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk at December 31 follows: 1996 1995 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Financial instruments whose risk is represented by contract amounts Commitments to extend credit ...................................................... $58,827,000 $50,821,000 Standby letters of credit ......................................................... 2,182,000 2,427,000 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. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and generally require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the commitment amounts do not represent future cash requirements. Commitments are issued subject to similar underwriting standards, including collateral requirements, as are generally involved in the extension of credit facilities. Standby letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party, primarily public and private borrowing arrangements. Standby letters of credit generally extend for periods of less than one year. The credit risk involved in such transactions is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities and, accordingly, standby letters of credit are issued subject to similar underwriting standards, including collateral requirements, as are generally involved in the extension of credit facilities. NOTE 13 -- RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Certain directors and executive officers of the Company and the Banks, including companies in which they are officers or have significant ownership, were loan customers of the Banks during 1996 and 1995. A summary of loans to directors and executive officers whose borrowing relationship exceeds $60,000, and to entities in which they own a 10% or more voting interest for the years ended December 31 follows: 1996 1995 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance at beginning of period .................................................... $ 4,687,000 $ 5,322,000 New loans and advances ........................................................... 3,413,000 3,265,000 Repayments ....................................................................... (4,156,000) (3,900,000) --------------------------- Balance at end of period ........................................................... $ 3,944,000 $ 4,687,000 =========================== NOTE 14 -- OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES Other operating expenses for the years ended December 31 follow: 1996 1995 1994 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Computer processing ............................................... $1,063,000 $ 818,000 $ 786,000 Communications .................................................... 1,007,000 791,000 728,000 Advertising ....................................................... 827,000 344,000 286,000 Supplies .......................................................... 804,000 561,000 498,000 Loan and collection ............................................... 663,000 1,030,000 626,000 State taxes ....................................................... 638,000 537,000 496,000 Intangible amortization ........................................... 583,000 273,000 278,000 Legal and professional ............................................ 339,000 307,000 406,000 Deposit insurance ................................................. 92,000 499,000 966,000 Other ............................................................. 2,254,000 1,486,000 1,231,000 ----------------------------------------- Total ........................................................... $ 8,270,000 $ 6,646,000 $ 6,301,000 ========================================= 27 A-27 NOTE 15 -- REGULATORY MATTERS Capital guidelines adopted by Federal and State regulatory agencies and restrictions imposed by law limit the amount of cash dividends the Banks can pay to the Company. At December 31, 1996, using the most restrictive of these conditions for each Bank, the aggregate cash dividends that the Banks can pay the Company without prior approval is approximately $27,910,000. It is not the intent of Management to have dividends paid in amounts which would reduce the capital of the Banks to levels below those which are considered prudent by management and in accordance with guidelines of regulatory authorities. The Company and the Banks are also subject to various regulatory capital requirements. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly discretionary, actions by regulators that could have a material effect on the Company's financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines the Company and the Banks must meet specific capital requirements that involve quantitative measures as well as qualitative judgments by the regulators. Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require minimum amounts and ratios of total and Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and Tier 1 capital to average assets. Actual capital amounts and ratios for the Company and the Banks at December 31 follow: MINIMUM RATIOS MINIMUM RATIOS FOR FOR ADEQUATELY WELL-CAPITALIZED ACTUAL CAPITALIZED INSTITUTIONS INSTITUTIONS - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AMOUNT RATIO AMOUNT RATIO AMOUNT RATIO - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 Total capital (to risk-weighted assets) Consolidated ........................... $ 57,094,000 10.26% $ 44,502,000 8.00% $ 55,628,000 10.00% Independent Bank ....................... 24,935,000 11.84 16,847,000 8.00 21,059,000 10.00 Independent Bank West Michigan ......... 15,492,000 11.68 10,607,000 8.00 13,259,000 10.00 Independent Bank South Michigan ........ 10,431,000 11.73 7,115,000 8.00 8,894,000 10.00 Independent Bank East Michigan ........ 15,567,000 12.38 10,058,000 8.00 12,573,000 10.00 Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets) Consolidated ........................... $ 50,140,000 9.01% $ 22,251,000 4.00% $ 33,377,000 6.00% Independent Bank ....................... 22,310,000 10.59 8,424,000 4.00 12,635,000 6.00 Independent Bank West Michigan ......... 13,833,000 10.43 5,303,000 4.00 7,955,000 6.00 Independent Bank South Michigan ........ 9,318,000 10.48 3,563,000 4.00 5,336,000 6.00 Independent Bank East Michigan ......... 14,248,000 11.33 5,029,000 4.00 7,544,000 6.00 Tier 1 capital (to average assets) Consolidated ........................... $ 50,140,000 6.31% $ 31,774,000 4.00% $ 39,718,000 5.00% Independent Bank ....................... 22,310,000 6.71 13,294,000 4.00 16,617,000 5.00 Independent Bank West Michigan ......... 13,833,000 6.83 8,098,000 4.00 10,122,000 5.00 Independent Bank South Michigan ........ 9,318,000 7.07 5,274,000 4.00 6,593,000 5.00 Independent Bank East Michigan ......... 14,248,000 10.42 5,472,000 4.00 6,840,000 5.00 1995 Total capital (to risk-weighted assets) Consolidated ........................... $ 49,227,000 12.75% $ 31,124,000 8.00% $ 38,906,000 10.00% Independent Bank ....................... 13,296,000 10.58 10,061,000 8.00 12,577,000 10.00 Independent Bank West Michigan ......... 13,228,000 11.81 9,032,000 8.00 11,289,000 10.00 Independent Bank South Michigan ........ 9,466,000 12.25 6,203,000 8.00 7,753,000 10.00 Independent Bank East Michigan ......... 8,539,000 12.51 5,551,000 8.00 6,939,000 10.00 Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets) Consolidated ........................... $ 44,364,000 11.49% $ 15,562,000 4.00% $ 23,343,000 6.00% Independent Bank ....................... 11,976,000 9.53 5,031,000 4.00 7,546,000 6.00 Independent Bank West Michigan ......... 11,817,000 10.55 4,516,000 4.00 6,774,000 6.00 Independent Bank South Michigan ........ 8,497,000 11.00 3,101,000 4.00 4,652,000 6.00 Independent Bank East Michigan ......... 7,672,000 11.24 2,776,000 4.00 4,163,000 6.00 Tier 1 capital (to average assets) Consolidated ........................... $ 44,364,000 7.52% $ 23,598,000 4.00% $ 29,497,000 5.00% Independent Bank ....................... 11,976,000 6.86 6,983,000 4.00 8,729,000 5.00 Independent Bank West Michigan ......... 11,817,000 6.52 7,250,000 4.00 9,062,000 5.00 Independent Bank South Michigan ........ 8,497,000 6.68 5,088,000 4.00 6,360,000 5.00 Independent Bank East Michigan ......... 7,672,000 7.37 4,164,000 4.00 5,205,000 5.00 28 A-28 NOTE 16 -- FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, "Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments" requires that the Company disclose estimated fair values for its financial instruments. Many of the Company's financial instruments lack an available trading market. Further, it is the Company's general practice and intent to hold the majority of its financial instruments to maturity. Significant estimates and assumptions were used to determine the fair value of financial instruments. These estimates are subjective in nature, involving uncertainties and matters of judgment, and therefore, fair values cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates. Estimated fair values have been determined using available data and an estimation methodology that is considered suitable for each category of financial instrument. For assets and liabilities with floating interest rates which reprice frequently and without significant credit risk, it is presumed that estimated fair values approximate the recorded book balances. Financial instrument assets actively traded in a secondary market, such as securities, have been valued using quoted market prices while recorded book balances have been used for cash and due from banks and federal funds sold. The fair value of loans is calculated by discounting estimated future cash flows using estimated market discount rates that reflect credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loans. Financial instruments with a stated maturity, such as certificates of deposit, have been valued based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows using a discount rate approximating current market rates for liabilities with a similar maturity. Financial instrument liabilities without a stated maturity, such as demand deposits, savings, NOW and money market accounts, have a fair value equal to the amount payable on demand. The estimated fair values and recorded book balances at December 31 follow: 1996 1995 ESTIMATED RECORDED ESTIMATED RECORDED FAIR BOOK FAIR BOOK VALUE BALANCE VALUE BALANCE - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (in thousands) ASSETS Cash and due from banks ....................... $ 40,600 $ 40,600 $ 17,200 $ 17,200 Federal funds sold ........................... 10,000 10,000 Securities available for sale ................. 136,900 136,900 87,600 87,600 Securities held to maturity ................... 27,600 26,800 29,000 27,900 Net loans and loans held for sale ............. 618,000 614,300 432,000 428,800 LIABILITIES Deposits with no stated maturity .............. $ 412,300 $ 412,300 $ 261,500 $ 261,500 Deposits with stated maturity ................. 262,000 260,200 150,300 150,100 Other borrowings .............................. 136,600 137,000 124,400 124,300 The fair values for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are estimated to approximate their aggregate book balance. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale the entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Fair value estimates are based on existing on and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business, the value of future earnings attributable to off-balance sheet activities and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Fair value estimates for deposit accounts do not include the value of the substantial core deposit intangible asset resulting from the low-cost funding provided by the deposit liabilities compared to the cost of borrowing funds in the market. 29 A-29 NOTE 17 -- INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) FINANCIAL INFORMATION Presented below are condensed financial statements for the parent company. CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION DECEMBER 31, 1996 1995 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSETS Cash and due from banks ................................................... $ 2,974,000 $ 2,761,000 Investment in subsidiaries ................................................ 81,057,000 44,212,000 Other assets .............................................................. 2,116,000 1,713,000 --------------------------- Total Assets .......................................................... $ 86,147,000 $ 48,686,000 =========================== LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Notes payable ............................................................. $ 14,000,000 Subordinated debentures ................................................... 17,783,000 Other liabilities ......................................................... 2,528,000 $ 1,661,000 Shareholders' equity ...................................................... 51,836,000 47,025,000 --------------------------- Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity ............................ $ 86,147,000 $ 48,686,000 =========================== CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 1995 1994 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPERATING INCOME Dividends from subsidiaries ................................... $4,425,000 $4,500,000 $5,560,000 Management fees from subsidiaries and other income ............ 5,073,000 4,248,000 4,028,000 ---------------------------------------- Total Operating Income ...................................... 9,498,000 8,748,000 9,588,000 ---------------------------------------- OPERATING EXPENSES Interest expense .............................................. 546,000 120,000 Administrative and other expenses ............................. 6,348,000 5,226,000 4,849,000 ---------------------------------------- Total Operating Expenses .................................... 6,894,000 5,226,000 4,969,000 ---------------------------------------- Income Before Federal Income Tax and Undistributed Net Income of Subsidiaries .......................................... 2,604,000 3,522,000 4,619,000 Federal income tax credit ....................................... 568,000 320,000 310,000 ---------------------------------------- Income Before Equity in Undistributed Net Income of Subsidiaries .............................................. 3,172,000 3,842,000 4,929,000 Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries .............. 4,680,000 2,968,000 1,102,000 ---------------------------------------- Net Income ................................................ $7,852,000 $6,810,000 $6,031,000 ======================================== 30 A-30 CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 1995 1994 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Income ........................................................ $ 7,852,000 $ 6,810,000 $ 6,031,000 ----------------------------------------------- ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE NET INCOME TO NET CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and premiums, and accretion of discounts on securities and loans ............ 336,000 297,000 286,000 (Increase) decrease in other assets ............................. 426,000 (604,000) 547,000 Increase in other liabilities ................................... 688,000 599,000 298,000 Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries .............. (4,680,000) (2,968,000) (1,102,000) ----------------------------------------------- Total Adjustments ............................................. (3,230,000) (2,676,000) 29,000 ----------------------------------------------- Net Cash from Operating Activities ............................ 4,622,000 4,134,000 6,060,000 ----------------------------------------------- CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchase of securities available for sale ....................... (23,000) (241,000) Capital expenditures ............................................ (1,110,000) (127,000) (142,000) Investment in subsidiaries ...................................... (31,352,000) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment .................... 36,000 ----------------------------------------------- Net Cash from Investing Activities ............................ (32,485,000) (91,000) (383,000) ----------------------------------------------- CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from issuance of short-term borrowings ................. 5,000,000 Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt ........................ 10,000,000 Proceeds from issuance of subordinated debentures ............... 16,753,000 Repayment of long-term debt ..................................... (1,000,000) (2,750,000) Dividends paid .................................................. (2,736,000) (2,392,000) (1,926,000) Proceeds from issuance of common stock .......................... 59,000 138,000 16,000 Repurchase of common stock ...................................... (893,000) (924,000) ----------------------------------------------- Net Cash from Financing Activities ............................ 28,076,000 (3,147,000) (5,584,000) ----------------------------------------------- Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents ..................... 213,000 896,000 93,000 Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period .................. 2,761,000 1,865,000 1,772,000 ----------------------------------------------- Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period .................. $ 2,974,000 $ 2,761,000 $ 1,865,000 =============================================== 31 A-31 QUARTERLY SUMMARY REPORTED SALE PRICES OF COMMON SHARES CASH DIVIDENDS 1996 1995 DECLARED --------------------------------------------------------------------------- HIGH LOW CLOSE HIGH LOW CLOSE 1996 1995 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- First quarter ................... $27.00 $24.75 $26.75 $22.50 $21.50 $22.50 $.25 $.22 Second quarter .................. 28.00 26.00 27.00 24.00 21.75 23.75 .25 .22 Third quarter ................... 29.00 27.00 27.75 27.50 23.00 26.25 .25 .22 Fourth quarter .................. 35.25 28.00 34.00 27.00 25.25 25.50 .26 .23 The Company has approximately 1,900 holders of record of its common stock. The common stock trades on the Nasdaq stock market under the symbol "IBCP". The prices shown above are supplied by Nasdaq and reflect the inter-dealer prices and may not include retail markups, markdowns or commissions. There may have been transactions or quotations at higher or lower prices of which the Company is not aware. In addition to the provisions of the Michigan Business Corporations Act, the Company's ability to pay dividends is limited by its ability to obtain funds from the Banks and by regulatory capital guidelines applicable to the Company. (See note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA A summary of selected quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31 follows: THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH JUNE SEPTEMBER DECEMBER 31, 30, 30, 31, - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 Interest income ................................. $ 12,388,000 $13,909,000 $ 16,301,000 $ 16,887,000 Net interest income ............................. 7,371,000 8,401,000 9,278,000 9,622,000 Provision for loan losses ....................... 207,000 482,000 253,000 291,000 Net income before income tax expense ............ 2,681,000 2,801,000 2,803,000 2,845,000 Net income ...................................... 1,890,000 1,952,000 1,977,000 2,033,000 Net income per common share ..................... .66 .67 .69 .70 1995 Interest income ................................. $ 10,412,000 $11,181,000 $ 11,941,000 $ 12,448,000 Net interest income ............................. 6,523,000 6,942,000 7,188,000 7,429,000 Provision for loan losses ....................... 159,000 159,000 159,000 159,000 Net income before income tax expense ............ 2,161,000 2,266,000 2,508,000 2,575,000 Net income ...................................... 1,556,000 1,636,000 1,795,000 1,823,000 Net income per common share ..................... .54 .57 .63 .64 32 A-32 SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION HOW TO ORDER FORM 10-K Shareholders may obtain, without charge, a copy of Form 10-K, the 1996 Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission, by writing to William R. Kohls, Chief Financial Officer, Independent Bank Corporation, P.O. Box 491, Ionia, Michigan 48846. PRESS RELEASES The Company's press releases, including earnings and dividend announcements, are available via facsimile by calling #800/758-5804 and entering 436425. Press releases are also available on the World Wide Web via PR Newswire's Company News On Call (http://www.prnewswire.com). NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING The Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held at 3:00 p.m. on April 15, 1997, in the Ionia Theater located at 205 West Main Street, Ionia, Michigan, 48846. TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR State Street Bank & Trust Company, (P.O. Box 8200, Boston, Massachusetts 02266-8200, 800/426-5523) serves as transfer agent and registrar of the Company's common stock. DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT The Company maintains an Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan which provides an opportunity for shareholders of record to reinvest cash dividends into the Company's common stock. Optional cash purchases are also permitted. A prospectus is available by writing to the Company's Chief Financial Officer. MARKET MAKERS Registered market makers at December 31, 1996 follow: Chicago Capital, Inc. Howe, Barnes Investments, Inc. The Chicago Corporation Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc. First of Michigan Corporation Roney & Company Herzog, Heine, Geduld, Inc. Stifel Nicolaus & Co. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Charles C. Van Loan, President and Chief Executive Officer, Independent Bank Corporation Jeffrey A. Bratsburg, President and Chief Executive Officer, Independent Bank West Michigan Ronald L. Long, President and Chief Executive Officer, Independent Bank East Michigan Michael M. Magee, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, Independent Bank Edward B. Swanson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Independent Bank South Michigan William R. Kohls, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer DIRECTORS Keith E. Bazaire, President, Carter's Food Center, Inc., Retail Grocer, Charlotte Terry L. Haske, Partner, Ricker & Haske, C.P.A.s, P.C., Marlette Thomas F. Kohn, Chief Executive Officer, Belco Industries, Inc., Manufacturer, Belding Robert J. Leppink, President, Leppink's Inc., Retail Grocer, Belding Charles A. Palmer, Professor of Law, Cooley Law School, Lansing Charles C. Van Loan, President and Chief Executive Officer, Independent Bank Corporation, Ionia Arch V. Wright, Jr., President, Charlevoix Development Company, Real Estate Development, Charlevoix