UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
| Commission file number | |||||
| (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. employer identification no.) | |||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||||
| Registrant's telephone number, including area code | ( | ||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated Filer x Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. Yes x No o
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. o
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant's executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b of the Act).
Yes o No x
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2023, was $347,018,642 .
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock as of March 7, 2024 was 20,905,513 .
Documents incorporated by reference: Portions of our definitive proxy statement and annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 23, 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, are incorporated by reference into Part I, Part II, Part III, and Part IV of this Form 10-K.
The Exhibit Index appears on Pages 24-25
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not statements of historical fact, including statements that include terms such as "will," "may," "should," "believe," "expect," "forecast," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "intend," "likely," "optimistic" and "plan" and statements about future or projected financial and operating results, plans, projections, objectives, expectations, and intentions, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, descriptions of plans and objectives for future operations, products or services; projections of our future revenue, earnings or other measures of economic performance; forecasts of credit losses and other asset quality trends; statements about our business and growth strategies; and expectations about economic and market conditions and trends. These forward-looking statements express our current expectations, forecasts of future events, or long-term goals. They are based on assumptions, estimates, and forecasts that, although believed to be reasonable, may turn out to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including:
•economic, market, operational, liquidity, credit, and interest rate risks associated with our business;
•economic conditions generally and in the financial services industry, particularly economic conditions within Michigan and the regional and local real estate markets in which our bank operates;
•the failure of assumptions underlying the establishment of, and provisions made to, our allowance for credit losses;
•increased competition in the financial services industry, either nationally or regionally;
•our ability to achieve loan and deposit growth;
•volatility and direction of market interest rates;
•the continued services of our management team; and
•implementation of new legislation, which may have significant effects on us and the financial services industry.
This list provides examples of factors that could affect the results described by forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, but the list is not intended to be all-inclusive. The risk factors disclosed in Part I – Item 1A below include those risks our management believes could materially affect the results described by forward-looking statements in this report. However, those risks are not the only risks we face. Our results of operations, cash flows, financial position, and prospects could also be materially and adversely affected by additional factors that are not presently known to us, that we currently consider to be immaterial, or that develop after the date of this report. We cannot assure you that our future results will meet our current expectations. While we believe the forward-looking statements in this report are reasonable, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. In addition, these statements speak only as of the date made. We do not undertake, and expressly disclaim, any obligation to update or alter any statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Independent Bank Corporation was incorporated under the laws of the State of Michigan on September 17, 1973, for the purpose of becoming a bank holding company. We are registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and own all of the outstanding stock of Independent Bank (the "bank"), which is also organized under the laws of the State of Michigan. The bank was founded as First National Bank in Ionia in 1864. Over the years, we have grown both organically and as the result of acquisitions of community banks, bank branches, and other organizations within the financial services industry. Our most recent acquisition was our acquisition of Traverse City State Bank in April 2018.
Aside from the stock of our bank, we have no other substantial assets. We conduct no business except for the collection of dividends or returns of capital from our bank and the payment of dividends to our shareholders and the payment of interest on subordinated debt and debentures. We have established certain employee retirement plans, including an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) and deferred compensation plans, as well as health and other insurance programs, the cost of which is borne by our subsidiaries. We have no material patents, trademarks, licenses or franchises except the corporate charter of our bank, which permits it to engage in commercial banking pursuant to Michigan law.
Our bank transacts business in the single industry of commercial banking. It offers a broad range of banking services to individuals and businesses, including checking and savings accounts, commercial lending, direct and indirect consumer financing, mortgage lending, and safe deposit box services. Our bank does not offer trust services. Our principal markets are the rural and suburban communities across Lower Michigan, which are served by the bank's main office in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a total of 56 branches, two drive-thru facilities, and five Michigan based loan production offices. We also have one loan production facility in Ohio (Fairlawn). Most of our bank's branches provide full-service lobby and drive-thru services, as well as automatic teller machines (ATMs). In addition, we provide internet and mobile banking capabilities to our customers. We continue to see customer transaction volume declining at our bank offices and increasing through our electronic channels.
Our bank competes with other commercial banks, savings banks, credit unions, mortgage banking companies, fintech companies, securities brokerage companies, insurance companies, and money market mutual funds. Many of these competitors have substantially greater resources than we do and offer certain services that we do not currently provide. Such competitors may also have greater lending limits than our bank. In addition, non-bank competitors are generally not subject to the extensive regulations applicable to us. Price (the interest charged on loans and paid on deposits) remains a principal means of competition within the financial services industry. Our bank also competes on the basis of service and convenience in providing financial services.
As of December 31, 2023, our bank had total loans (excluding loans held for sale) of $3.791 billion and total deposits of $4.623 billion.
As of December 31, 2023, we had 741 full-time employees and 91 part-time employees. We compete for talent and human resources with other financial services organizations within our geographic market, which is largely the lower peninsula of Michigan. The market for residential mortgage loan officers and support staff is particularly competitive given the competitive nature of those products. We strive to be an employer of choice by offering competitive compensation and benefits as well as fostering strong employee relations through our culture, training and growth opportunities, and similar measures. As a community-oriented bank, we believe it is especially important for our employees to engage with the communities in our market areas, and we encourage and provide opportunities for our employees to volunteer with local organizations in the markets served by our bank branches.
In addition to general banking services, we also offer investment services through a third party agreement with Cetera Investment Services LLC and title insurance services.
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)
On a consolidated basis, our principal sources of revenue are interest and fees on loans, other interest income, and non-interest income. The sources of revenue for the three most recent years are as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Interest and fees on loans | 68.1 | % | 60.2 | % | 54.3 | % | |||||||||||
| Other interest income | 14.4 | 13.0 | 10.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-interest income | 17.5 | 26.8 | 35.7 | ||||||||||||||
| 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||
Supervision and Regulation
The following is a summary of certain statutes and regulations affecting us. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular statutes and regulations. A change in applicable laws or regulations may have a material effect on us and our bank.
General
Financial institutions and their holding companies are extensively regulated under federal and state law. Consequently, our growth and earnings performance can be affected not only by management decisions and general and local economic conditions, but also by the statutes administered by, and the regulations and policies of, various governmental regulatory authorities. Those authorities include, but are not limited to, the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"), the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services ("Michigan DIFS"), the Internal Revenue Service, and state taxing authorities. The effect of such statutes, regulations and policies and any changes thereto can be significant and cannot necessarily be predicted.
Federal and state laws and regulations generally applicable to financial institutions and their holding companies regulate, among other things, the scope of business, investments, reserves against deposits, capital levels, lending activities and practices, the nature and amount of collateral for loans, the establishment of branches, mergers, consolidations and dividends. The system of supervision and regulation applicable to us establishes a comprehensive framework for our operations and is intended primarily for the protection of the FDIC's deposit insurance fund, our depositors, and the public, rather than our shareholders.
Independent Bank Corporation
We are a bank holding company and, as such, are registered with, and subject to regulation by, the Federal Reserve under the Bank Holding Company Act, as amended (the "BHCA"). Under the BHCA, we are subject to periodic examination by the Federal Reserve and are required to file periodic reports of operations and such additional information as the Federal Reserve may require.
Federal law requires bank holding companies to act as a source of strength to their bank subsidiaries and to commit capital and financial resources to support those subsidiaries. Such support may be required by the Federal Reserve at times when we might otherwise determine not to provide it.
In addition, if the Michigan DIFS deems a bank's capital to be impaired, it may require a bank to restore its capital by special assessment upon the bank holding company, as the bank's sole shareholder. If the bank holding company failed to pay such assessment, the directors of that bank would be required, under Michigan law, to sell the shares of bank stock owned by the bank holding company to the highest bidder at either public or private auction and use the proceeds of the sale to restore the bank's capital.
Any capital loans by a bank holding company to a subsidiary bank are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary bank. In the event of a bank holding company's bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment.
Investments and Activities. Federal law places restrictions on the ability of our holding company to engage in certain transactions, make investments, and participate (directly or indirectly through a subsidiary) in various activities.
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)
In general, any direct or indirect acquisition by a bank holding company of any voting shares of any bank which would result in the bank holding company's direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of any class of voting shares of such bank, and any merger or consolidation of the bank holding company with another bank holding company, will require the prior written approval of the Federal Reserve under the BHCA. In acting on such applications, the Federal Reserve must consider various statutory factors including the effect of the proposed transaction on competition in relevant geographic and product markets and each party's financial condition, managerial resources, and record of performance under the Community Reinvestment Act.
The merger or consolidation of an existing bank subsidiary of a bank holding company with another bank, or the acquisition by such a subsidiary of the assets of another bank, or the assumption of the deposit and other liabilities by such a subsidiary requires the prior written approval of the responsible federal regulatory agency under the Bank Merger Act, based upon a consideration of statutory factors similar to those outlined above with respect to the BHCA. In addition, in certain cases, an application to, and the prior approval of, the Federal Reserve under the BHCA and/or Michigan DIFS under Michigan banking laws, may be required.
With certain limited exceptions, the BHCA prohibits any bank holding company from engaging, either directly or indirectly through a subsidiary, in any activity other than managing or controlling banks unless the proposed non-banking activity is one the Federal Reserve has determined to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident thereto. Under current Federal Reserve regulations, such permissible non-banking activities include such things as mortgage banking, equipment leasing, securities brokerage, and consumer and commercial finance company operations. Well-capitalized and well-managed bank holding companies may, however, engage de novo in certain types of non-banking activities without prior notice to, or approval of, the Federal Reserve, provided that written notice of the new activity is given to the Federal Reserve within 10 business days after the activity is commenced. If a bank holding company wishes to engage in a non-banking activity by acquiring a going concern, prior notice and/or prior approval will be required, depending upon the activities in which the company to be acquired is engaged, the size of the company to be acquired and the financial and managerial condition of the acquiring bank holding company.
Eligible bank holding companies that elect to operate as financial holding companies may engage in, or own shares in companies engaged in, a wider range of non-banking activities, including securities and insurance activities and any other activity the Federal Reserve, in consultation with the U.S. Department of Treasury, (the "Treasury") determines by regulation or order is financial in nature, incidental to any such financial activity or complementary to any such financial activity and does not pose a substantial risk to the safety or soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally. The BHCA generally does not place territorial restrictions on the domestic activities of non-bank subsidiaries of bank or financial holding companies. We have not applied for approval to operate as a financial holding company and have no current intention of doing so.
Capital Requirements. The Federal Reserve uses capital adequacy guidelines in its examination and regulation of bank holding companies. If capital falls below minimum guidelines, a bank holding company may, among other things, be denied approval to acquire or establish additional banks or non-bank businesses.
Under current federal regulations, our holding company is required to maintain the following minimum capital ratios: (1) a minimum ratio of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 4.5%, (2) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 6%, (3) a minimum ratio of total capital to total risk-weighted assets of 8%, and (4) a minimum leverage ratio of 4%. A 2.5% common equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer is also required. As of December 31, 2023, our holding company's capital ratios exceeded minimum requirements for the well-capitalized category.
It is important to note that these regulatory capital rules provide minimum requirements, and higher capital levels may be required if warranted by the particular circumstances or risk profiles of individual banking organizations. In addition, the federal bank regulatory agencies are required biennially to review risk-based capital standards to ensure that they adequately address interest rate risk, concentration of credit risk and risks from non-traditional activities.
Our Tier 1 capital as of December 31, 2023 includes $39.5 million of trust preferred securities (classified on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as "Subordinated debentures"). The Federal Reserve has issued rules regarding trust preferred securities as a component of the Tier 1 capital of bank holding companies. The aggregate amount of trust preferred securities and certain other capital elements is limited to 25 percent of Tier 1 capital elements, net of goodwill (net of any associated deferred tax liability). The amount of trust preferred securities and certain other elements in excess of the limit could be included in the Tier 2 capital, subject to restrictions. The provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act adopted in 2010 (the "Dodd-Frank Act") imposed additional limitations on the
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)
ability to include trust preferred securities as Tier 1 capital; however, these additional limitations do not apply to our outstanding trust preferred securities.
Our Tier 2 capital as of December 31, 2023 includes $40.0 million of subordinated notes that were issued during 2020 and mature May, 2030. Generally, for subordinated debt with a minimum maturity of five years, there is no limit on the amount of subordinated debt that can be included in Tier 2 capital.
Dividends. Historically, most of our revenues have been received in the form of dividends paid by our bank. We can also make requests for returns of capital from our bank; however, such requests require the approval of the Michigan DIFS. Thus, our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders is indirectly limited by restrictions on the ability of our bank to pay dividends or return capital to us, as described below. Further, in a policy statement, the Federal Reserve has expressed its view that a bank holding company experiencing earnings weaknesses should not pay cash dividends exceeding its net income or that can only be funded in ways that weaken the bank holding company's financial health, such as by borrowing. The Federal Reserve possesses enforcement powers over bank holding companies and their non-bank subsidiaries to prevent or remedy actions that represent unsafe or unsound practices or violations of applicable statutes and regulations. Among these powers is the ability to proscribe the payment of dividends by banks and bank holding companies. The "prompt corrective action" provisions of federal law and regulation authorize the Federal Reserve to restrict the amount of dividends that can be paid by an insured bank that fails to meet specified capital levels.
In addition to the restrictions on dividends imposed by the Federal Reserve, the Michigan Business Corporation Act provides that dividends may be legally declared or paid only if, after the distribution, the corporation can pay its debts as they come due in the usual course of business and its total assets equal or exceed the sum of its liabilities plus the amount that would be needed to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of any holders of preferred stock whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution.
Change in Control Limitations. Subject to certain exceptions, the Change in the Bank Control Act ("Control Act") and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Federal Reserve, require any person acting directly or indirectly, or through or in concert with one or more persons, to give the Federal Reserve 60 days' written notice before acquiring control of a bank holding company. Pursuant to the Control Act, the Federal Reserve has the authority to prevent any such acquisition. Transactions that are presumed to constitute the acquisition of control include the acquisition of any voting securities of a bank holding company having securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, if, after the transaction, the acquiring person (or persons acting in concert) owns, controls or holds with power to vote 10% or more of any class of voting securities of the institution.
Federal Securities Regulation. Our common stock is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). We are therefore subject to the information, proxy solicitation, insider trading and other restrictions and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the Exchange Act.
Independent Bank
Independent Bank is a Michigan banking corporation and a member of the Federal Reserve System, and its deposit accounts are insured by the FDIC's Deposit Insurance Fund ("DIF"). As a member of the Federal Reserve System and a Michigan-chartered bank, our bank is subject to the examination, supervision, reporting and enforcement requirements of the Federal Reserve as its primary federal regulator and the Michigan DIFS as the chartering authority for Michigan banks. These agencies and the federal and state laws applicable to our bank and its operations extensively regulate various aspects of the banking business including, among other things, permissible types and amounts of loans, investments and other activities, capital adequacy, branching, interest rates on loans and on deposits, the maintenance of non-interest bearing reserves on deposit accounts, and the safety and soundness of banking practices.
Deposit Insurance. As an FDIC-insured institution, our bank is required to pay deposit insurance premium assessments to the FDIC. Under the FDIC’s current risk-based assessment system for deposit insurance premiums, our bank’s assessment rate is based on a formula using financial data and supervisory ratings.
Michigan DIFS Assessments. Michigan banks are required to pay supervisory fees to the Michigan DIFS to fund their operations. The amount of supervisory fees paid by a bank is based upon the bank's total assets, with surcharges imposed for certain banks with lower supervisory ratings.
Capital Requirements. The Federal Reserve has established the following minimum capital standards for state-chartered, FDIC-insured member banks, such as our bank: (1) a minimum ratio of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)
assets of 4.5%, (2) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 6%, (3) a minimum ratio of total capital to total risk-weighted assets of 8%, and (4) a minimum leverage ratio of 4%. A 2.5% common equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer is also required. It is important to note that these regulatory capital rules provide minimum requirements, and higher capital levels may be required if warranted by the particular circumstances or risk profiles of individual banking organizations. In addition, the federal bank regulatory agencies are required biennially to review risk-based capital standards to ensure that they adequately address interest rate risk, concentration of credit risk and risks from non-traditional activities.
Federal law provides the federal banking regulators with broad power to take prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of undercapitalized institutions. The extent of the regulators' powers depends on whether the institution in question is "well capitalized," "adequately capitalized," "undercapitalized," "significantly undercapitalized," or "critically undercapitalized." Federal regulations define these capital categories as follows:
| Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio | Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio | Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio | Leverage Ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Well capitalized | 10% or above | 8% or above | 6.5% or above | 5% or above | |||||||||||||||||||
| Adequately capitalized | 8% or above | 6% or above | 4.5% or above | 4% or above | |||||||||||||||||||
| Undercapitalized | Less than 8% | Less than 6% | Less than 4.5% | Less than 4% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Significantly undercapitalized | Less than 6% | Less than 4% | Less than 3% | Less than 3% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Critically undercapitalized | Tangible equity to total assets of 2% or less | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2023, our bank's ratios exceeded minimum requirements for the well-capitalized category.
Depending upon the capital category to which an institution is assigned, the regulators' corrective powers include: requiring the submission of a capital restoration plan; placing limits on asset growth and restrictions on activities; requiring the institution to issue additional capital stock (including additional voting stock) or to be acquired; restricting transactions with affiliates; restricting the interest rates the institution may pay on deposits; ordering a new election of directors of the institution; requiring that senior executive officers or directors be dismissed; prohibiting the institution from accepting deposits from correspondent banks; requiring the institution to divest certain subsidiaries; prohibiting the payment of principal or interest on subordinated debt and debentures; and ultimately, appointing a receiver for the institution.
In general, a depository institution may be reclassified to a lower category than is indicated by its capital levels if the appropriate federal depository institution regulatory agency determines the institution to be otherwise in an unsafe or unsound condition or to be engaged in an unsafe or unsound practice. This could include a failure by the institution to correct the deficiency following receipt of a less-than-satisfactory rating on its most recent examination report.
Dividends. Under Michigan law, banks are restricted as to the maximum amount of dividends they may pay on their common stock. Our bank may not pay dividends except out of its net income after deducting its losses and provision for credit losses. In addition, a Michigan bank may not declare or pay a dividend unless the bank will have a surplus amounting to at least 20 percent of its capital after the payment of the dividend.
In addition, as a member of the Federal Reserve System, our bank is required to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve for the declaration or payment of a dividend if the total of all dividends declared in any year will exceed the total of (a) the bank's retained net income (as defined by federal regulation) for that year, plus (b) the bank's retained net income for the preceding two years.
Federal law also generally prohibits a depository institution from making any capital distribution (including payment of a dividend) or paying any management fee to its holding company if the depository institution would thereafter be undercapitalized. In addition, the Federal Reserve may prohibit the payment of dividends by a bank if such payment is determined, by reason of the financial condition of the bank, to be an unsafe and unsound banking practice or if the bank is in default of payment of any assessment due to the FDIC.
Insider Transactions. Our bank is subject to certain restrictions imposed by the Federal Reserve Act on "covered transactions" with us or our subsidiaries, which include investments in our stock or other securities issued by us or our
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)
subsidiaries, the acceptance of our stock or other securities issued by us or our subsidiaries as collateral for loans, and extensions of credit to us or our subsidiaries. Certain limitations and reporting requirements are also placed on the deposit rates paid, and the amounts and terms of extensions of credit, by our bank to the directors and officers of the holding company, the bank, and the subsidiaries of the bank; to the principal shareholders of the holding company; and to "related interests" of such directors, officers, and principal shareholders. In addition, federal law and regulations may affect the terms upon which any person becoming one of our directors or officers or a principal shareholder may obtain credit from banks with which our bank maintains a correspondent relationship.
Safety and Soundness Standards. Pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 ("FDICIA"), the FDIC adopted guidelines to establish operational and managerial standards to promote the safety and soundness of federally-insured depository institutions. The guidelines establish standards for internal controls, information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, compensation, fees and benefits, asset quality, and earnings.
Investment and Other Activities. Under federal law and regulations, FDIC-insured state banks are prohibited, subject to certain exceptions, from making or retaining equity investments of a type, or in an amount, that are not permissible for a national bank. FDICIA, as implemented by FDIC regulations, also prohibits FDIC-insured state banks and their subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions, from engaging as a principal in any activity that is not permitted for a national bank or its subsidiary, respectively, unless the bank meets, and continues to meet, its minimum regulatory capital requirements and the bank's primary federal regulator determines the activity would not pose a significant risk to the DIF. Impermissible investments and activities must be otherwise divested or discontinued within certain time frames set by the bank's primary federal regulator in accordance with federal law. These restrictions are not currently expected to have a material impact on the operations of our bank.
Consumer Banking. Our bank's business includes making a variety of types of loans to individuals. In making these loans, our bank is subject to state usury and other consumer protection laws and to various federal statutes, including provisions of the Gramm Leach-Bliley Act aimed at protecting the privacy of consumer financial information, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, and the regulations promulgated under these statutes, which (among other things) prohibit discrimination, specify disclosures to be made to borrowers regarding credit and settlement costs, and regulate the mortgage loan servicing activities of our bank, including the maintenance and operation of escrow accounts and the transfer of mortgage loan servicing. In receiving deposits, our bank is subject to extensive regulation under state and federal law and regulations, including the Truth in Savings Act, the Expedited Funds Availability Act, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. Violation of these laws could result in the imposition of significant damages and fines upon our bank and its directors and officers.
A number of consumer protection laws were implemented following the 2008 recession, including the Dodd-Frank Act, adopted in 2010. The Dodd-Frank Act created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB"), which was given the power to issue and enforce certain consumer protection laws. The CFPB has issued a number of consumer protection regulations, including regulations that impact residential mortgage lending and servicing.
We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, increased costs and expenses related to compliance with these consumer protection regulations as well as new regulations that may be implemented in the future.
Anti-Money Laundering and the USA PATRIOT Act. The bank is subject to a number of financial recordkeeping and anti-money laundering laws and regulations including the Bank Secrecy Act and the USA PATRIOT Act, as well as similar rules and guidelines implemented and enforced by the Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network ("FinCEN") and the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council ("FFIEC"). These laws and regulations require the bank to take certain steps to prevent the use of the bank or its systems from facilitating the flow of illegal or illicit money or terrorist funds. These regulations include FinCEN's Customer Due Diligence Requirements for Financial Institutions, which is designed to identify and verify the identity of natural persons (known as beneficial owners) of legal entity customers who own, control and profit from companies when those companies open accounts.
2018 Regulatory Reform. In May 2018, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act (the "2018 Act") was enacted to modify or remove certain financial reform rules and regulations, including some of those implemented under the Dodd-Frank Act. While the 2018 Act maintained most of the regulatory structure established by the Dodd-Frank Act, it amended certain aspects of the regulatory framework for small depository institutions with assets of less than $10 billion and for large banks with assets of more than $50 billion.
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)
The 2018 Act also included regulatory relief for community banks regarding regulatory examination cycles, call reports, the Volcker Rule (proprietary trading prohibitions), mortgage disclosures, and risk weights for certain high-risk commercial real estate loans.
Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (the "NDAA") enacted January 1, 2021 over a presidential veto, includes a number of significant new requirements intended to enhance U.S. anti-money laundering efforts. These provisions, many of which are contained within a section of the NDAA known as the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 (the "AMLA"), include establishment of a beneficial ownership registration database, the creation of two new criminal offenses regarding money laundering, new penalties for Bank Secrecy Act violations, and increased whistleblower rewards and protections. Under these new laws, various government agencies will also be tasked with identification of policy priorities, establishment of streamlined processes, creation of information sharing programs, and regular reporting to Congress in an effort to modernize anti-money laundering enforcement.
Branching Authority. Michigan banks, such as our bank, have the authority under Michigan law to establish branches anywhere in the State of Michigan, subject to receipt of all required regulatory approvals. Banks may establish interstate branch networks through acquisitions of other banks. The establishment of de novo interstate branches or the acquisition of individual branches of a bank in another state (rather than the acquisition of an out-of-state bank in its entirety) is allowed only if specifically authorized by state law.
Michigan permits both U.S. and non-U.S. banks to establish branch offices in Michigan. The Michigan Banking Code permits, in appropriate circumstances and with the approval of the Michigan DIFS, (1) the acquisition of Michigan banks by FDIC-insured banks or savings banks located in other states, (2) the sale by a Michigan bank of branches to an FDIC-insured bank or savings bank located in a state in which a Michigan bank could purchase branches of the purchasing entity, (3) the consolidation of Michigan banks and FDIC-insured banks or savings banks located in other states having laws permitting such consolidation, (4) the establishment of branches in Michigan by FDIC-insured banks located in other states, the District of Columbia or U.S. territories or protectorates having laws permitting a Michigan bank to establish a branch in such jurisdiction, and (5) the establishment by foreign banks of branches located in Michigan.
Replacement of LIBOR. In 2017, the Chief Executive of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), announced that it intended to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit rates for the calibration of LIBOR after 2021. On March 5, 2021, LIBOR’s administrator announced end dates for publication of LIBOR: December 31, 2021 for one-week and two-month USD LIBOR maturities and non-USD LIBOR maturities, and June 30, 2023 for all other tenors. Federal bank regulators issued guidance indicating that banks should "cease entering into new contracts that use USD LIBOR as a reference rate as soon as practicable and in any event by December 31, 2021."
The Federal Reserve and the Alternative Reference Rates Committee ("ARRC"), a steering committee comprised primarily of large U.S. financial institutions, have identified the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), a broad measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight collateralized by Treasury securities, as a potential alternative to LIBOR, and the Federal Reserve announced final plans for the production of SOFR. In July 2021, the ARRC formally recommended the CME SOFR Term Rates. Whether SOFR will become a LIBOR replacement and the ultimate future of LIBOR remain uncertain. Some financial institutions have indicated an intent to use other rates in addition to SOFR. However, both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced in 2020 that they would cease purchasing and issuing LIBOR-based products by the end of 2020 and began accepting mortgages based on SOFR.
We formed a cross-functional project team to lead this transition from LIBOR to an adoption of reference rates that include SOFR. Implementation of successor indices may lead to additional documentation requirements, compliance measures, financial impacts, and technology-related challenges, as well as potential disputes or litigation with customers and creditors. We utilized the timeline guidance published by the ARRC to develop and achieve internal milestones during this transitional period. We discontinued the use of new LIBOR-based loans and interest rate derivatives as of December 31, 2021, according to regulatory guidelines.
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 was signed into law. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes a 1% excise tax on net stock repurchases, effective January 1, 2023. We do not expect that this new excise tax will have a material impact on our operations or results.
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)
Future Legislation
Various other legislative and regulatory initiatives, including proposals to overhaul the bank regulatory system, are from time to time introduced in Congress and state legislatures, as well as regulatory agencies. Such future legislation regarding financial institutions may change banking statutes and our operating environment in substantial and unpredictable ways and could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities, or affect the competitive balance among organizations within the industry. The nature and extent of future legislative and regulatory changes affecting financial institutions is very unpredictable. We cannot determine the ultimate effect that any such potential legislation, if enacted, would have upon our financial condition or results of operations.
Available Information
Our annual reports on Forms 10-K, quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q, current reports on Forms 8-K, and all amendments to those reports are available free of charge through our website at www.IndependentBank.com as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with the SEC.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Investing in our common stock involves risks, including (among others) the following factors:
Risk Factors Relating to the Financial Services Industry
Pressures from various global and national macroeconomic events, including recessionary concerns, heightened inflation, uncertainty regarding future interest rates, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, recent adverse weather conditions, escalating tensions in the Middle East, the continuation of the Russia-Ukraine war, and potential governmental responses to these events have created, and continue to create, significant economic uncertainty and could materially and adversely impact our financial condition and performance.
The extent to which these macroeconomic pressures may impact our business, results of operations, asset valuations, financial condition, and customers will depend on future developments, which continue to be highly uncertain and difficult to predict. Material adverse impacts may include all or a combination of valuation impairments on our intangible assets, securities available for sale, securities held to maturity, loans, capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights or deferred tax assets.
In particular, economic downturns and other adverse impacts from these macroeconomic factors could result in the delinquency of outstanding loans, which could have a material adverse impact on our earnings. We continue to closely monitor and analyze the higher risk segments within our portfolio in light of the high degree of uncertainty that exists with respect to the impact of the fluid global economic conditions on the future performance of our loan portfolio.
Governmental monetary and fiscal policies may adversely affect the financial services industry and therefore impact our financial condition and results of operations.
Monetary and fiscal policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve, affect the financial services industry, directly and indirectly. The Federal Reserve regulates the supply of money and credit in the U.S., and its monetary and fiscal policies determine in a large part our cost of funds for lending and investing and the return that can be earned on such loans and investments. Changes in such policies, including changes in interest rates, will influence the origination of loans, the value of investments, the value of capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights, the generation of deposits, and the rates received on loans and investment securities and paid on deposits. Changes in monetary and fiscal policies are beyond our control and difficult to predict. Our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely impacted by changes in governmental monetary and fiscal policies.
Volatility and disruptions in global capital and credit markets may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Even though we operate in a distinct geographic region in the U.S., we are impacted by global capital and credit markets, which are sometimes subject to periods of extreme volatility and disruption. Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the capital and credit markets may limit our ability to access capital and manage liquidity, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, our customers may be adversely impacted by such conditions, which could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Adverse developments affecting the financial services industry, including bank failures and the resulting liquidity concerns, may have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
Recent developments and events within the financial services industry, including the closures of several banks in 2023 due to large-scale deposit withdrawals over a short period of time, created liquidity risks and concerns within the industry, as well as decreased confidence in banks among depositors, investors, and other counterparties. In general, these events have caused volatility and disruption in the capital markets, as well as reduced valuations of equity and other securities of banks, which may increase the risk of a potential recession. These failures also highlighted the importance of maintaining diversified funding sources. These market conditions and related factors may impact the competitive landscape for deposits in the financial services industry in an unpredictable manner.
Specifically, these developments and events may materially adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, and/or cash flows, including through potential liquidity pressures, reduced net interest margins, and potential increased credit losses. They may also adversely impact the market price and volatility of our common stock. Government responses to these events may also adversely impact us. Our deposits are insured up to applicable limits by FDIC and are subject to deposit insurance premiums and assessments. The FDIC may increase premiums or impose special assessments on all banks to replenish the Deposit Insurance Fund to ensure that all depositors in failed banks are made whole at no cost to taxpayers. The 2023 bank failures may also prompt changes to laws or regulations governing banks, which could impact our profitability and business.
The soundness of other financial institutions could adversely affect us.
Our ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty and other relationships. We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and we routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial industry. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial services institutions, or the financial services industry generally, can lead to market-wide liquidity problems and losses or defaults by us or by other institutions. Many of these transactions could expose us to credit risk in the event of default by a counterparty. In addition, our credit risk may be impacted when the collateral held by us cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the financial instrument exposure due to us. There is no assurance that any such losses would not adversely affect us and possibly be material in nature.
Changes in regulation or oversight may have a material adverse impact on our operations.
We are subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, the Michigan DIFS, the SEC and other regulatory bodies. Such regulation and supervision govern the activities in which we may engage. Regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the imposition of restrictions on our operations, limitations related to our securities, the classification of our assets, and the determination of the level of our allowance for credit losses. Any change in such regulation and oversight, whether in the form of regulatory policy, regulations, legislation or supervisory action, may have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Additional regulatory focus on the financial services industry is common in connection with an economic downturn, as the industry experienced following the most recent financial crisis. As a result, the adverse effects on our business relating to a future economic downturn could be exacerbated by additional regulations and regulatory scrutiny that accompanied or followed any such downturn. We can neither predict when or whether future regulatory or legislative reforms will be enacted nor what their contents will be. The impact of any future legislation or regulatory actions on our businesses or operations cannot be determined at this time, and such impact may adversely affect us.
We are subject to liquidity risk in our operations, which could adversely impact our ability to fund various obligations.
Liquidity risk is the possibility of being unable to meet obligations as they come due or capitalize on growth opportunities as they arise because of an inability to liquidate assets or obtain adequate funding on a timely basis, at a reasonable cost and within acceptable risk tolerances. Liquidity is required to fund various obligations, including credit obligations to borrowers, loan originations, withdrawals by depositors, repayment of debt, dividends to shareholders, operating expenses and capital expenditures. Liquidity is derived primarily from retail deposit growth and earnings retention, principal and interest payments on loans and investment securities, net cash provided from operations and access to other funding. If we are unable to maintain adequate liquidity, then our business, financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted.
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We face cybersecurity risks, including attacks targeting our systems and customers' systems.
Our business involves the collection, transmission, and storage of large amounts of sensitive data, including personally identifiable information of our customers and employees. The cybersecurity risks our business face include cyberattacks, other unauthorized access to data, loss or destruction of data, unavailability of service, and similar events. We are also susceptible to cybersecurity risks faced by third party vendors on which we rely for components of our business infrastructure and data processing and which often have access to the sensitive data of our customers.
While we have not to date experienced a security breach that has had a material impact on us, our business is very susceptible to cybersecurity risks, and it is possible we could experience a significant breach in the future that could materially impact our financial condition or results of operations. A material data breach or other cybersecurity incident affecting our business could result in significant reputational risk, loss of customers, legal claims, additional costs, financial loss, regulatory penalties, and similar damages. Risks and exposures related to cybersecurity attacks are expected to remain high for the foreseeable future due to the rapidly evolving nature and sophistication of these threats, the continuing expansion of internet and mobile banking, and similar factors.
Operational difficulties, including failure of technology infrastructure, could adversely affect our business and operations.
We are exposed to many types of operational risk, including reputational risk, legal and compliance risk, the risk of fraud or theft by employees or outsiders, failure of our controls and procedures and unauthorized transactions by employees or operational errors, including clerical or recordkeeping errors or those resulting from computer or telecommunications systems malfunctions. Given the high volume of transactions we process, certain errors may be repeated or compounded before they are identified and resolved. In particular, our operations rely on the secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information on our technology systems and networks. Any failure, interruption or breach in security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in our customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan and other systems.
We also face the risk of operational disruption, failure or capacity constraints due to our dependency on third party vendors for components of our business infrastructure, including our core data processing systems which are largely outsourced. While we have selected these third party vendors carefully, we do not control their operations. As such, any failure on the part of these business partners to perform their various responsibilities could also adversely affect our business and operations.
We may also be subject to disruptions of our operating systems arising from events that are wholly or partially beyond our control, which may include, for example, computer viruses, cyberattacks, spikes in transaction volume and/or customer activity, electrical or telecommunications outages, or natural disasters. Although we have programs in place related to business continuity, disaster recovery and information security to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our systems, business applications and customer information, such disruptions may give rise to interruptions in service to customers and loss or liability to us.
The occurrence of any failure or interruption in our operations or information systems could cause reputational damage, jeopardize the confidentiality of customer information, result in a loss of customer business, subject us to regulatory intervention or expose us to civil litigation and financial loss or liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us.
Changes in the financial markets, including fluctuations in interest rates and their impact on deposit pricing, could adversely affect our net interest income and financial condition.
The operations of financial institutions such as us are dependent to a large degree on net interest income, which is the difference between interest income from loans and investments and interest expense on deposits and borrowings. Prevailing economic conditions; the trade, fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government; and the policies of various regulatory agencies all affect market rates of interest and the availability and cost of credit, which in turn significantly affect financial institutions' net interest income. Volatility in interest rates can also result in disintermediation, which is the flow of funds away from financial institutions into direct investments, such as federal government and corporate securities and other investment vehicles, which, because of the absence of federal insurance premiums and reserve requirements, generally pay higher rates of return than financial institutions. Our financial results could be materially adversely impacted by changes in financial market conditions.
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Legal and regulatory proceedings and related matters with respect to the financial services industry, including those directly involving us, could adversely affect us or the financial services industry in general.
We have been, and may in the future be, subject to various legal and regulatory proceedings. It is inherently difficult to assess the outcome of these matters, and there can be no assurance that we will prevail in any proceeding or litigation. Any such matter could result in substantial cost and diversion of our efforts, which by itself could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results. Further, adverse determinations in such matters could result in actions by our regulators that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Methods of reducing risk exposures might not be effective.
Instruments, systems and strategies used to hedge or otherwise manage exposure to various types of credit, market and liquidity, operational, compliance, business risks and enterprise-wide risk could be less effective than anticipated. As a result, we may not be able to effectively mitigate our risk exposures in particular market environments or against particular types of risk, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Risk Factors More Specific to Our Business
We have credit risk inherent in our loan portfolios, and our allowance for credit losses may not be sufficient to cover actual credit losses.
Our loan customers may not repay their loans according to their respective terms, and the collateral securing the payment of these loans may be insufficient to cover any losses we may incur. We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of our loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of many of our loans. Non-performing loans amounted to $5.2 million and $3.7 million at December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively. Our allowance for credit losses coverage ratio of non-performing loans was 1,044.69% and 1,409.16% at December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively. The decrease in this coverage ratio in 2023 was primarily due to an increase in non-performing loans that was partially offset by an increase in the allowance for credit losses. In determining the size of the allowance for credit losses, we rely on our experience and our evaluation of current economic conditions. If our assumptions or judgments prove to be incorrect, our current allowance for credit losses may not be sufficient to cover certain credit losses inherent in our loan portfolio, and adjustments may be necessary to account for different economic conditions or adverse developments in our loan portfolio. Material additions to our allowance for credit losses would adversely impact our operating results.
In addition, federal and state regulators periodically review our allowance for credit losses and may require us to increase our provision for credit losses or recognize additional loan charge-offs, notwithstanding any internal analysis that has been performed. Any increase in our allowance for credit losses or loan charge-offs required by these regulatory agencies could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
We have credit risk in our securities portfolio.
We maintain diversified securities portfolios, which include obligations of the Treasury and government-sponsored agencies as well as securities issued by states and political subdivisions, mortgage-backed securities, corporate securities and asset-backed securities. We seek to limit credit losses in our securities portfolios by principally purchasing highly rated securities (generally rated "AA" or higher by a major debt rating agency) and by conducting due diligence on the issuer. However, gross unrealized losses on securities available for sale and securities held to maturity in our portfolio totaled approximately $65.2 million and $55.9 million, respectively as of December 31, 2023 (compared to approximately $87.3 million and $62.6, respectively as of December 31, 2022). We believe these unrealized losses are temporary in nature and are expected to be recovered within a reasonable time period as we believe we have the ability to hold the securities to maturity or until such time as the unrealized losses reverse. We evaluate securities available for sale for other impairment related to credit at least quarterly and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation. Those evaluations may result in a provision for credit losses recorded in our earnings. We measure expected credit losses on securities held to maturity ("HTM") on a collective basis by major security type with each type sharing similar risk characteristics, and we consider historical credit loss information. We may, in the future, experience losses in our securities portfolios which may result in credit losses that could materially adversely affect our results of operations.
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Our mortgage-banking revenues are susceptible to substantial variations, due in part to factors we do not control, such as market interest rates.
A portion of our revenues are derived from net gains on mortgage loans. These net gains primarily depend on the volume of loans we sell, which in turn depends on our ability to originate real estate mortgage loans and the demand for fixed-rate obligations and other loans that are outside of our established interest-rate risk parameters. Net gains on mortgage loans are also dependent upon economic and competitive factors as well as our ability to effectively manage exposure to changes in interest rates. Consequently, they can often be a volatile part of our overall revenues. We realized net gains of $7.4 million on mortgage loans during 2023 compared to $6.4 million during 2022 and $35.9 million during 2021.
Our parent company must rely on dividends or returns of capital from our bank for most of its cash flow.
Our parent company is a separate and distinct legal entity from our bank. Generally, our parent company receives substantially all of its cash flow from dividends or returns of capital from our subsidiary bank. These dividends or returns of capital are the principal source of funds to pay our parent company’s operating expenses and for cash dividends on our common stock. Various federal and/or state laws and regulations limit the amount of dividends that the bank may pay to the parent company.
Any future strategic acquisitions or divestitures may present additional risks to our business and operations.
Difficulties in capitalizing on the opportunities presented by a future acquisition may prevent us from fully achieving the expected benefits from the acquisition or may cause the achievement of such expectations to take longer to realize than expected. Further, the assimilation of the acquired entity's customers and markets could result in higher than expected deposit attrition, loss of key employees, disruption of our businesses or the businesses of the acquired entity or otherwise adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with customers and employees or achieve the anticipated benefits of the acquisition. These matters could have an adverse effect on us for an undetermined period. We will be subject to similar risks and difficulties in connection with any future decisions to downsize, sell or close units or otherwise change our business mix.
Compliance with capital requirements may adversely affect us.
The capital requirements applicable to banks and bank holding companies have been substantially revised in recent years. These more stringent capital requirements, and any other new regulations, could adversely affect our ability to pay dividends in the future, or could require us to reduce business levels or to raise capital, including in ways that may adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition and/or existing shareholders. Maintaining higher levels of capital may reduce our profitability and otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Declines in the businesses or industries of our customers could cause increased credit losses, which could adversely affect us.
Our business customer base consists, in part, of customers in businesses and industries that are sensitive to global economic conditions and supply chain factors, including businesses that operate within the automotive, real estate, retail, commercial and industrial (C&I), hotel, entertainment, and food service industries. Any decline in any of these industries or business sectors could cause increased credit losses, which in turn could adversely affect us.
The introduction, implementation, withdrawal, success and timing of business initiatives and strategies may be less successful or may be different than anticipated, which could adversely affect our business.
We make certain projections and develop plans and strategies for our banking and financial products. If we do not accurately determine demand for or changes in our banking and financial product needs, it could result in us incurring significant expenses without the anticipated increases in revenue, which could result in a material adverse effect on our business.
We may not be able to utilize technology to efficiently and effectively develop, market, and deliver new products and services to our customers.
The financial services industry experiences rapid technological change with regular introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The efficient and effective utilization of technology enables financial institutions to better serve
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customers and to reduce costs. Our future success depends, in part, upon our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to market and deliver products and services that will satisfy customer demands, meet regulatory requirements, and create additional efficiencies in our operations. We may not be able to effectively develop or offer new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing or supporting these products and services to our customers, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Competitive product and pricing pressures among financial institutions within our markets may change.
We operate in a very competitive environment, which is characterized by competition from a number of other financial institutions in each market in which we operate. We compete with large national and regional financial institutions and with smaller financial institutions, including credit unions, in terms of products and pricing. We also compete with fintech companies, securities brokerage firms, insurance companies, and other non-depository institutions with respect to some of the products and services we offer. If we are unable to compete effectively in products and pricing in our markets, business could decline, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Changes in customer behavior may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We use a variety of methods to anticipate customer behavior as a part of our strategic planning and to meet certain regulatory requirements. Individual, economic, political, industry-specific conditions and other factors outside of our control, such as fuel prices, energy costs, real estate values or other factors that affect customer income levels, could alter predicted customer borrowing, repayment, investment and deposit practices. Such a change in these practices could materially adversely affect our ability to anticipate business needs and meet regulatory requirements.
Further, difficult economic conditions may negatively affect consumer confidence levels. A decrease in consumer confidence levels would likely aggravate the adverse effects of these difficult market conditions on us, our customers and others in the financial institutions industry.
Our ability to maintain and expand customer relationships may differ from expectations.
The financial services industry is very competitive. We not only vie for business opportunities with new customers, but also compete to maintain and expand the relationships we have with our existing customers. While we believe that we can continue to grow many of these relationships, we will continue to experience pressures to maintain these relationships as our competitors attempt to capture our customers, particularly as financial products and services similar to those we offer become more widely available and accessible via the internet and other technology. Failure to create new customer relationships and to maintain and expand existing customer relationships to the extent anticipated may adversely impact our earnings.
Our ability to retain key officers and employees may change.
Our future operating results depend substantially upon the continued service of our executive officers and key personnel. Our future operating results also depend in significant part upon our ability to attract and retain qualified management, financial, technical, marketing, sales and support personnel. Competition for qualified personnel is intense, and we cannot ensure success in attracting or retaining qualified personnel. There may be only a limited number of persons with the requisite skills to serve in these positions, and it may be increasingly difficult for us to hire personnel over time.
Further, our ability to retain key officers and employees may be impacted by legislation and regulation affecting the financial services industry. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by the loss of any key employees, or our inability to attract and retain skilled employees.
Catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, floods, and pandemic outbreaks may adversely affect the general economy, financial and capital markets, specific industries, and us.
We have significant operations and a significant customer base in Michigan where natural and other disasters may occur, such as tornadoes and floods. These types of natural catastrophic events at times have disrupted the local economy, our business, and our customers and have posed physical risks to our property. In addition, catastrophic events occurring in other regions of the world may have an impact on our customers and in turn, on us. A significant catastrophic event could materially adversely affect our operating results.
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Our failure to appropriately apply certain critical accounting policies could result in our misstatement of our financial results and condition.
Accounting policies and processes are fundamental to how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations. We must exercise judgment in selecting and applying many of these accounting policies and processes so they comply with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). In some cases, we must select the accounting policy or method to apply from two or more alternatives, any of which may be reasonable under the circumstances, yet may result in our reporting materially different results than would have been reported under a different alternative.
We have identified certain accounting policies as being critical because they require us to make difficult, subjective or complex judgments about matters that are uncertain. Materially different amounts could be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions or estimates. We have established detailed policies and control procedures that are intended to ensure these critical accounting estimates and judgments are subject to internal controls and applied consistently. In addition, the policies and procedures are intended to ensure that the process for changing methodologies occurs in an appropriate manner. Because of the uncertainty surrounding management's judgments and the estimates pertaining to these matters, we cannot guarantee that we will not be required to adjust accounting policies or restate prior period financial statements. See note #1, "Accounting Policies" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 23, 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K).
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY
Cybersecurity Risk Assessment, Identification, and Management Processes
Our cybersecurity processes have been integrated into our risk management system.
We employ a comprehensive cybersecurity risk assessment program designed to evaluate threats, vulnerabilities, and the potential impact on our operations, data, and financial condition. This program is regularly reviewed and updated to address emerging risks. Our process for addressing risk is based on banking industry best practices outlined in FFIEC and National Institute of Standards and Technology (“NIST”) frameworks.
We engage various third-party service providers in connection with our cybersecurity processes.
We routinely engage consultants and other third parties to assist in the continued improvement and maintenance of our cybersecurity risk assessment program. These engagements are designed to enhance our cybersecurity posture, and we work closely with these experts to help us identify and address risks and vulnerabilities. Examples of these engagements include third party security assessments, security monitoring, and program review.
We closely oversee and monitor third-party cybersecurity service providers.
We maintain policies and procedures to oversee and identify cybersecurity risks associated with our third-party service providers, especially those with access to customer and employee data. Our selection and oversight of these providers incorporate cybersecurity considerations, including contractual and other mechanisms to mitigate risks. Our third-party oversight process follows published frameworks from NIST and FFIEC to account for risks throughout the entire engagement with our third-party vendors.
We consistently engage in proactive measures aimed at preventing, detecting, and effectively minimizing the impact of cybersecurity incidents. We maintain an incident response plan to swiftly respond to breaches, protect customer data, and minimize disruption to our operations. The incident response process is consistently tested and reviewed through simulated incidents and tabletop exercises with key stakeholders. To bolster our incident response process, we have robust business continuity, contingency, and recovery plans to ensure operational resilience during a cybersecurity incident.
We have not experienced a material cybersecurity breach, but risks from cybersecurity threats may impact our business strategy, results of operations, and financial condition.
No risks from any current or previous cybersecurity threats have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition, except to the extent that such strategy, operations, and conditions are affected by our employment of the cybersecurity risk assessment programs and procedures discussed in
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this Item. We have not, as of the date of this filing, experienced a cybersecurity breach that has materially affected our business or financial condition. However, because our business involves the collection, transmission, and storage of sensitive customer and employee data, we are susceptible to various cybersecurity threats, including cyberattacks, unauthorized access, and similar events. We employ ongoing processes and strategies to guard against those threats, as discussed in this Item.
Cybersecurity Governance
We recognize the value and importance of cybersecurity and data protection and understand the potential harm to our business from cybersecurity incidents. Accordingly, we place a high priority on mitigating risks associated with cybersecurity threats and any cybersecurity incidents.
Our Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, in collaboration with our Chief Information Officer and Chief Risk Officer, oversee cybersecurity processes, risks, and threats.
Rather than designate one specific board committee to cybersecurity risk management, our entire Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing our risk management. Our Chief Risk Officer is responsible for overseeing our risk management generally, working closely with our internal audit department. Our Chief Risk Officer regularly reports directly to the Board of Directors with respect to all areas of risk management.
With regard to cybersecurity specifically, we have a Cyber Information Security Officer who reports to our Chief Information Officer, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to our Chief Executive Officer, and collaborates regularly with our Chief Risk Officer and Risk Team. Our Cyber Information Security Officer meets with the Chief Executive Officer on a standard cadence and chairs a committee focused on cybersecurity with monthly reports made to our Risk Committee. Minutes from these meetings as well as select materials are shared with the full Board of Directors, and our Cyber Information Security Officer delivers an annual report to our Board of Directors.
In addition, our entire management team is actively engaged in assessing and managing material risks from cybersecurity threats. We have established a robust framework for identifying, preventing, mitigating, and remediating such risks.
We have an extensive and experienced team responsible for cybersecurity risk management.
Our current Cyber Information Security Officer has a comprehensive information technology background with over 20 years of experience in managing or assisting in managing cybersecurity risks.
To support the Cyber Information Security Officer in managing cybersecurity and our Chief Risk Officer in managing cybersecurity risks, we have established a cross-functional cybersecurity team that includes experts in various aspects of information security. This team of employees includes individuals with many years of prior combined work experience in cybersecurity and data protection. These individuals are responsible for the day-to-day implementation of our cybersecurity program, including providing immediate notice to our Cyber Information Security Officer and our Chief Risk Officer of any potential cybersecurity incidents.
We employ robust and comprehensive processes to respond to cybersecurity risks.
We employ a comprehensive set of processes to monitor and mitigate cybersecurity risks. These processes include:
a.24x7x365 Security Alert Monitoring
b.Network Monitoring
c.Firewalls
d.Vulnerability Assessment
e.Internal and External Security Assessments
f.Security Awareness Training Programs
g.Identity Management
h.Incident Response Plans
i.Data Encryption
These processes are regularly reviewed and updated to adapt to evolving cybersecurity threats.
Our cybersecurity personnel provide regular reports to the Board of Directors.
As noted above, our Chief Risk Officer, Cyber Information Security Officer, and cybersecurity team provide regular reports to the Board regarding cybersecurity risks, as well as a review of the processes described above. In particular, our Chief Risk Officer provides reports at every regularly scheduled Board meeting regarding our most material risks and the degree of exposure to these risks. Our management personnel are also required to provide more frequent updates to the Enterprise Risk Committee on major developments regarding cybersecurity matters. The Committee, in turn, provides regular updates to the Board on these matters.
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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We and our bank operate a total of 83 facilities in Michigan and one leased facility in Ohio. We own 61 and lease 22 of the facilities in Michigan.
With the exception of the potential remodeling of certain facilities to provide for the efficient use of workspace or to maintain an appropriate appearance, each property is considered reasonably adequate for current and anticipated needs.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are involved in various litigation matters in the ordinary course of business. At the present time, we do not believe any of these matters will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. The aggregate amount we have accrued for losses we consider probable as a result of these litigation matters is immaterial. However, because of the inherent uncertainty of outcomes from any litigation matter, we believe it is reasonably possible we may incur losses in addition to the amounts we have accrued. At this time, we estimate the maximum amount of additional losses that are reasonably possible is insignificant. However, because of a number of factors, including the fact that certain of these litigation matters are still in their early stages, this maximum amount may change in the future.
The litigation matters described in the preceding paragraph primarily include claims that have been brought against us for damages, but do not include litigation matters where we seek to collect amounts owed to us by third parties (such as litigation initiated to collect delinquent loans). These excluded, collection-related matters may involve claims or counterclaims by the opposing party or parties, but we have excluded such matters from the disclosure contained in the preceding paragraph in all cases where we believe the possibility of us paying damages to any opposing party is remote.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ADDITIONAL ITEM - EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Our executive officers are appointed annually by our Board of Directors at the meeting of directors preceding the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. There are no family relationships among these officers and/or our directors nor any arrangement or understanding between any of these officers and any other person pursuant to which the officer was appointed.
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The following sets forth certain information with respect to our executive officers at March 8, 2024.
| Name (Age) | Position | First elected as an executive officer | ||||||
William B. Kessel (59) | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | 2004 | ||||||
Gavin A. Mohr (40) | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer(1) | 2020 | ||||||
Stefanie M. Kimball (64) | Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer | 2007 | ||||||
Joel Rahn (57) | Executive Vice President, Commercial Banking(2) | 2021 | ||||||
Larry R. Daniel (60) | Executive Vice President, Operations and Retail Banking | 2017 | ||||||
Patrick J. Ervin (58) | Executive Vice President, Mortgage Banking | 2017 | ||||||
James J. Twarozynski (58) | Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer | 2002 | ||||||
(1)Mr. Mohr joined Independent Bank in September 2020, as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Independent Bank, Mr. Mohr served as the Chief Financial Officer of STAR Financial Bank, ("STAR"), a $2.1 billion bank, located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Prior to joining STAR, Mr. Mohr served as Treasurer of Yadkin Bank and Trust (Statesville, North Carolina) from 2013 to 2014.
(2)Mr. Rahn joined Independent Bank in April of 2018 as Senior Vice President Commercial Lending. He was promoted to Executive Vice President Commercial Banking in January, 2021. He has 34 years of commercial banking experience and has served in senior leadership positions for the past 17 years.
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PART II.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR OUR COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The information set forth under the caption "Quarterly Summary" in our annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 23, 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K), is incorporated herein by reference.
We maintain a Deferred Compensation and Stock Purchase Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the "Plan") pursuant to which non-employee directors can elect to receive shares of our common stock in lieu of fees otherwise payable to the director for his or her service as a director. A director can elect to receive shares on a current basis or to defer receipt of the shares, in which case the shares are issued to a trust to be held for the account of the director and then generally distributed to the director after his or her retirement from the Board. Pursuant to this Plan, during the fourth quarter of 2023, we issued 483 shares of common stock to non-employee directors on a current basis and 4,619 shares of common stock to the trust for distribution to directors on a deferred basis. These shares were issued on October 1, 2023, representing aggregate fees of $0.09 million. The shares issued on a current basis were issued at a price of $18.34 per share and the shares to be issued on a deferred basis were issued at a price of $16.51 per share, representing 90% of the fair value of the shares on the credit date. The per-share value used was the consolidated closing bid price per share of our common stock as of the date of issuance, as determined in accordance with NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. We issued the shares pursuant to an exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 due to the fact that the issuance of the shares was made on a private basis pursuant to the Plan.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The following table shows certain information relating to purchases of common stock for the three- months ended December 31, 2023:
| Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) | Average Price Paid Per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of a Publicly Announced Plan | Remaining Number of Shares Authorized for Purchase Under the Plan(2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 2023 | 13,870 | $ | 18.94 | 10,200 | 801,399 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| November 2023 | 294 | 21.05 | — | 801,399 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 2023 | 84 | 22.61 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 14,248 | $ | 19.00 | 10,200 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Each of October, November and December include 3,670 shares, 294 shares and 84 shares, respectively, withheld from the shares that would otherwise have been issued to certain officers in order to satisfy the tax withholding obligations and/or stock option exercise price resulting from the exercise of stock options.
(2) The share repurchase plan we had in place for 2023 was announced on December 21, 2022, and expired on December 31, 2023. It authorized the repurchase during 2023 of up to 1,100,000 shares of our outstanding common stock.
ITEM 6. [RESERVED]
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The information set forth under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 23, 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K), is incorporated herein by reference.
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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The information set forth in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" under the caption "Asset/liability management" in our annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 23, 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K), is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The following consolidated financial statements and the independent auditor's report are set forth in our annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 23, 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K), and are incorporated herein by reference.
| Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting | ||
| Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | ||
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at December 31, 2023 and 2022 | ||
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 | ||
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 | ||
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 | ||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 | ||
| Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | ||
The supplementary data required by this item set forth under the caption "Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)" in our annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 23, 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K), is incorporated herein by reference.
The portions of our annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 23, 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K), which are not specifically incorporated by reference as part of this Form 10-K are not deemed to be a part of this report.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
1.Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. With the participation of management, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a – 15e and 15d – 15e) as of the year ended December 31, 2023 (the "Evaluation Date"), have concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
2.Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. "Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting" and our independent registered public accounting firm's audit of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 included within the "Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm," each as set forth in our annual report, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 23, 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K) are incorporated herein by reference.
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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
During the fourth quarter of 2023, no director or officer of the Company adopted terminated
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
PART III.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
DIRECTORS - The information with respect to our directors set forth under the caption "Proposal I Submitted for Your Vote -- Election of Directors" in our definitive proxy statement, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 23, 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, is incorporated herein by reference.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING – The information set forth under the caption "Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports" in our definitive proxy statement, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 23, 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, is incorporated herein by reference.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS - Reference is made to the additional item under Part I of this report on Form 10-K.
CODE OF ETHICS - We have adopted a "Code of Ethics for Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers" that applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller. A copy of our Code of Ethics is posted on our website at www.IndependentBank.com, under Investor Relations, and a printed copy is available upon request by writing to our Chief Financial Officer, Independent Bank Corporation, 4200 East Beltline, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE – Information relating to our audit committee, set forth under the captions "Board Committees and Functions" and "Determination of Independence of Board Members" in our definitive proxy statement, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 23, 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information set forth under the captions "Executive Compensation," "Director Compensation," “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” and “Compensation Committee Report” in our definitive proxy statement, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 23, 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information set forth under the captions "Voting Securities and Record Date", "Proposal I Submitted for Your Vote -- Election of Directors" and "Securities Ownership of Management" in our definitive proxy statement, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 23, 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, is incorporated herein by reference.
We maintain certain equity compensation plans under which our common stock is authorized for issuance to employees and directors, including our Deferred Compensation and Stock Purchase Plan for Non-employee Directors and our Long-Term Incentive Plan.
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The following sets forth certain information regarding our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2023.
| Plan Category | (a) Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | (b) Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | (c) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) | |||||||||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 11,724 | $ | 11.73 | 496,362 | ||||||||||||||||
| Equity compensation plan not approved by security holders | None | N/A | 74,941 | |||||||||||||||||
The equity compensation plan not approved by security holders referenced above is our Deferred Compensation and Stock Purchase Plan for Non-employee Directors. This plan allows our non-employee directors to defer payment of all or a part of their director fees and to receive shares of common stock in lieu of cash for these fees. Under the plan, each non-employee director may elect to participate in a Current Stock Purchase Account, a Deferred Cash Investment Account, or a Deferred Stock Account. A Current Stock Purchase Account is credited with shares of our common stock having a fair market value equal to the fees otherwise payable. A Deferred Cash Investment Account is credited with an amount equal to the fees deferred and on each quarterly credit date with an appreciation factor that may not exceed the prime rate of interest charged by our bank. A Deferred Stock Account is credited with the amount of fees deferred and converted into stock units based on 90% of the fair market value of our common stock at the time of the deferral. Amounts in the Deferred Stock Account are credited with cash dividends and other distributions on our common stock. Fees credited to a Deferred Cash Investment Account or a Deferred Stock Account are deferred for income tax purposes. This plan does not provide for distributions of amounts deferred prior to a participant's termination as a non-employee director. Participants may generally elect either a lump sum or installment distribution.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information set forth under the captions "Transactions Involving Management" and "Determination of Independence of Board Members" in our definitive proxy statement, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 23, 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information set forth under the caption "Disclosure of Fees Paid to our Independent Auditors" in our definitive proxy statement, to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 23, 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, is incorporated herein by reference.
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PART IV.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
| (a) | 1. | Financial Statements All of our financial statements are incorporated herein by reference as set forth in the annual report to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the April 23, 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (filed as exhibit 13 to this report on Form 10-K.) | ||||||
| 2. | Exhibits (Numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K) The Exhibit Index is located below. | |||||||
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit number and description
EXHIBITS FILED HEREWITH
Form of Restricted Share Agreement as executed with certain executive officers. | |||||
Annual report, relating to the April 23, 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. This annual report will be delivered to our shareholders in compliance with Rule 14(a)-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. | |||||
| List of Subsidiaries. | |||||
| Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Crowe LLP). | |||||
| Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of Independent Bank Corporation pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |||||
| Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of Independent Bank Corporation pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |||||
| Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of Independent Bank Corporation pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |||||
| Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of Independent Bank Corporation pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |||||
Independent Bank Corporation Clawback Policy | |||||
101.INS Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104 Cover page interactive data file (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
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EXHIBITS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
| Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed November 3, 2017). | |||||
| Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated here by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to our annual report on Form 10-K filed March 7, 2017). | |||||
| Description of Registrant’s Common Stock (incorporated here by reference to Exhibit 4 to our annual report on Form 10-K filed March 6, 2020). | |||||
| Form of 5.95% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Note due 2030 (included as Exhibit A to the Form of Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.8 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K). | |||||
| The form of Indemnity Agreement, as executed with all of the directors of the registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Form S-4 we filed on December 29, 2017). | |||||
| The form of Management Continuity Agreement as executed with executive officers and certain senior managers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Form S-4 we filed on December 29, 2017). | |||||
| 2021 Independent Bank Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan, effective April 20, 2021 (incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to our proxy statement filed on Schedule 14A on March 5, 2021). | |||||
| Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation and Stock Purchase Plan for Nonemployee Directors, as amended through March 19, 2019 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed May 3, 2019). | |||||
| Form of TSR Performance Share Award Agreement as executed with certain executive officers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to our annual report on Form 10-K filed March 7, 2014). | |||||
| Summary of Independent Bank Corporation Management Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to our annual report on Form 10-K filed March 6, 2015). | |||||
| Form of Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement dated May 27, 2020, by and among Independent Bank Corporation and the Purchasers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 27, 2020). | |||||
Form of Long-Term Incentive Plan Performance Share Award Agreement as executed with certain executive officers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to our annual report on Form 10-K filed March 3, 2023). | |||||
*Represents a compensation plan.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
Not applicable.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION
| s/Gavin A. Mohr | By: Gavin A. Mohr, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | March 8, 2024 | ||||||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Each director whose signature appears below hereby appoints William B. Kessel and Gavin A. Mohr and each of them severally, as his or her attorney-in-fact, to sign in his or her name and on his or her behalf, as a director, and to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
| William B. Kessel, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director (Principal Executive Officer) | s/William B. Kessel | March 8, 2024 | ||||||
| Gavin A. Mohr, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | s/Gavin A. Mohr | March 8, 2024 | ||||||
| James J. Twarozynski, Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) | s/James J. Twarozynski | March 8, 2024 | ||||||
| Michael M. Magee, Jr. Chairperson and Director | s/Michael M. Magee, Jr. | March 8, 2024 | ||||||
| Dennis W. Archer, Jr., Director | s/Dennis W. Archer, Jr. | March 8, 2024 | ||||||
| Terance L. Beia, Director | s/Terance L. Beia | March 8, 2024 | ||||||
| William J. Boer, Director | s/William J. Boer | March 8, 2024 | ||||||
| Joan A. Budden, Director | s/Joan A. Budden | March 8, 2024 | ||||||
| Michael J. Cok, Director | s/Michael J. Cok | March 8, 2024 | ||||||
| Stephen L. Gulis, Jr., Director | s/Stephen L. Gulis, Jr. | March 8, 2024 | ||||||
| Christina L. Keller, Director | s/Christina L. Keller | March 8, 2024 | ||||||
| William B. Kessel, Director | s/William B. Kessel | March 8, 2024 | ||||||
| Ronia F. Kruse, Director | s/Ronia F. Kruse | March 8, 2024 | ||||||
| Matthew J. Missad, Director | s/Matthew J. Missad | March 8, 2024 | ||||||
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