Acquisition of Eastern Michigan Bank Completed
Purchase of Eastern Michigan Bank consummated 12/31/2025; management cites strategic execution around PASA, loan growth and margin stability; acquisition contributed positively to liquidity, deposit mix and margin outlook.
Net Income and EPS Growth
Q4 2025 net income $22.8M ($1.40 diluted) vs $19.6M ($1.22 prior year); FY2025 net income $88.8M ($5.47) vs $79.6M ($4.93) in 2024 — year-over-year EPS growth of 11%.
Net Interest Income and Margin Stability
Net interest income up $2.7M in Q4 and $10.0M for FY2025 vs prior year; net interest margin increased 2 basis points to 3.43% (five-quarter trend) and averaged 3.46% over recent quarters despite a 68-basis-point drop in SOFR 90-day average.
Strong Deposit and Loan Growth Rates
Five-year deposit compounded annual growth rate of 9.2% and loan CAGR of 8.6%; average deposits grew to $4.83B in 2025 (up $302M vs 2024).
Improved Liquidity and Loan-to-Deposit Ratio
Loan-to-deposit ratio improved to 91% at 12/31/2025 versus 98% a year earlier (and 110% at 12/31/2023); deposit mix includes 25% noninterest-bearing and 24% lower-cost deposits (up from 20% prior quarter).
Fee Income and Mortgage Performance
Treasury/fee income growth: service charges on accounts increased 19% in 2025; payroll services grew 14%; mortgage banking income up 6% vs 2024 driven by mortgage market share and saleable loan production.
Strong Capital and Balance Sheet Metrics
Total risk-based capital ratio 13.8% at year-end 2025 (Mercantile) — $213M above well-capitalized minimum; Eastern reported 15.3% — $520M above minimum; tangible book value per share rose $3.64 (~11%) during 2025.
High Levels of Loan Commitments
As of 12/31/2025 commitments to make loans totaled $297M, with $271M committed to commercial and residential construction — described as historically high.
Asset Quality and Credit Coverage
Days past due loans remain low (11 basis points of total loans); six-year average nonperforming loans of 12 bps; allowance for credit losses 1.21% of total loans at year-end 2025 (up from 1.18% prior year).