Business
Mercantile Bank Corporation Named Crain's Grand Rapids Business M&A Deal of the Year in Finance and Banking
Mercantile Bank Corporation ("Mercantile") has been recognized by Crain's Grand Rapids Business with a 2026 M&A Award for Deal of the Year in the Finance and Banking category. The award highlights the company's successful acquisition of Eastern Michigan Financial Corporation, which closed on December 31, 2025.
About this update from Mercantile Bank Corporation
[{"type":"text","content":"GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercantile Bank Corporation ("Mercantile") has been recognized by Crain's Grand Rapids Business with a 2026 M&A Award for Deal of the Year in the Finance and Banking category. The award highlights the company's successful acquisition of Eastern Michigan Financial Corporation, which closed on December 31, 2025.","length":390,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"image","alt":"Mercantile Bank Corporation Logo (PRNewsfoto/Mercantile Bank of Michigan)","displaySize":"","headline":null,"caption":"Mercantile Bank Corporation Logo (PRNewsfoto/Mercantile Bank of Michigan)","className":"","disableSlideshowImg":false,"size":{"original":{"width":400,"height":105,"url":"https://media.zenfs.com/en/prnewswire.com/ae418804819d23260ffadb2817278345"},"resized":{"url":"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/EgaxctcXWEQo608I9paepA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTcwNTtoPTE4NTtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/prnewswire.com/ae418804819d23260ffadb2817278345","width":400,"height":105}},"href":"https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2374489/Mercantile_Bank_Corporation_Logo.html","hrefExternal":true,"rel":"nofollow"},{"type":"text","content":"Crain's M&A Awards celebrate the sophistication and caliber of West Michigan dealmaking, recognizing transactions that drive innovation, resilience, and long‑term economic growth. Mercantile's acquisition of Eastern Michigan Financial Corporation was selected for its transformational impact, strong financial performance, and commitment to preserving local leadership while expanding opportunity across Michigan.","length":425,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"The cash and stock transaction, valued at approximately $95.8 million, combined two Michigan‑founded financial institutions with shared values and a deep commitment to serving families, businesses, and communities. As of closing, the combined organization reported $6.8 billion in total assets, strengthening Mercantile's position as the largest bank founded, headquartered, and operated in Michigan by total assets.","length":420,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":""We're grateful to Crain's Grand Rapids for this recognition and proud of what our teams accomplished together, which reflects both the strategic intent behind this partnership and the disciplined execution tha...