UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ---------------- FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED): APRIL 8, 2004 -------------------- MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) MICHIGAN 000-26719 38-3360865 (State or other jurisdiction (Commission File (IRS Employer of incorporation) Number) Identification Number) 5650 BYRON CENTER AVENUE SW, WYOMING, MICHIGAN 49509 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code 616-406-3777 ITEM 12. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION. Earnings Release. On April 8, 2004, Mercantile Bank Corporation issued a press release reporting earnings and other financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated here by reference. The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933. 2 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION By: /s/ Charles E. Christmas --------------------------------------- Charles E. Christmas Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Date: April 8, 2004 3 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number Description -------------- ----------- 99.1 Press release of Mercantile Bank Corporation reporting financial results and earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. 4