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NEWS RELEASE
Independent Bank Corporation
4200 East Beltline
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
616.527.5820
For Release:Immediately
Contact:
William B. Kessel, President and CEO, 616.447.3933
Gavin A. Mohr, Chief Financial Officer, 616.447.3929
INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION REPORTS 2026 FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS OF $0.81 PER DILUTED SHARE

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 23, 2026 - Independent Bank Corporation (NASDAQ: IBCP) reported first quarter 2026 net income of $16.9 million, or $0.81 per diluted share, versus net income of $15.6 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, in the prior-year period.
Highlights for the first quarter of 2026 include:
A net interest margin of 3.65% (three basis point increase from the linked quarter);
Increase in net interest income of $0.5 million (or 1.1% ) over the fourth quarter of 2025;
Increase in tangible common equity per share of common stock of $0.33 (or 5.9% annualized) from December 31, 2025;
A return on average assets and a return on average equity of 1.24% and 13.43%, respectively;
Net growth in total deposits, less brokered time deposits, of $80.4 million (or 6.9% annualized) from December 31, 2025;
Net growth in loans of $31.8 million (or 3.0% annualized) from December 31, 2025;
An increase in the tangible common equity ratio to 8.7%; and
The payment of a $0.28 per share quarterly dividend on common stock on February 13, 2026.

William B. (“Brad”) Kessel, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Independent Bank Corporation, commented: “Our first quarter results reflect the strength of our core fundamentals, including growth in net interest income, expansion in our net interest margin to 3.65%, and continued growth in both loans and core deposits. Balance sheet growth remained disciplined, with $80.4 million in core deposit growth and $31.8 million in total loan growth, including $53.8 million, or 9.9% annualized, in commercial loans, reflecting continued execution of our strategic plan. Credit quality remains sound, and while geopolitical uncertainty has increased, we have not seen a direct impact on our customers and continue to monitor conditions closely. Profitability remained strong, with a return on average assets of 1.24% and a return on average equity of 13.43%. We remain encouraged by our momentum, optimistic about our opportunities, and confident in the benefits our recently announced merger with HCB Financial Corp. will provide to enhancing shareholder value.”
Significant items impacting comparable first quarter 2026 and 2025 results include the following:
Changes in the fair value due to price of capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights (the “MSR Changes”) of $0.9 million ($0.04 per diluted share, after taxes) for the three-month period ended March 31, 2026, as
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compared to $(1.5) million ($(0.06) per diluted share, after taxes) for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025.

Operating Results
The Company’s net interest income totaled $46.9 million during the first quarter of 2026, an increase of $3.2 million, or 7.3% from the year-ago period, and an increase of $0.5 million, or 1.1%, from the fourth quarter of 2025 which had two additional days of earnings. The Company’s tax equivalent net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets (the “net interest margin”) was 3.65% during the first quarter of 2026, compared to 3.49% in the year-ago period, and 3.62% in the fourth quarter of 2025. The increase in the net interest margin from the prior quarter was supported by a 16 basis point decrease in the cost of deposits. The year-over-year quarter and linked quarter increases in net interest income were due to both an increase in average interest-earning assets and the higher net interest margin. Average interest-earning assets were $5.21 billion in the first quarter of 2026, compared to $5.08 billion in the year-ago quarter and $5.16 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Non-interest income totaled $12.0 million for the first quarter of 2026, compared to $10.4 million in the comparable prior year period. This change was primarily due to variances in mortgage banking related revenues.
Net gains on mortgage loans in the first quarters of 2026 and 2025 were approximately $1.3 million and $2.3 million, respectively. The comparative quarterly decrease in net gains on mortgage loans was due to a decrease in the gain on sale margin that was partially offset by an increase in the volume of mortgage loans sold.
Mortgage loan servicing, net, generated income (expense) of $1.6 million and $(0.6) million in the first quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively. The significant variance in mortgage loan servicing, net is primarily due to changes in the fair value of capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights associated with changes in interest rates and the associated expected future prepayment levels and expected float rates partially offset by a decline in servicing revenue. The decline in servicing revenue is attributed to the sale of approximately $931 million of mortgage servicing rights on January 31, 2025. Capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights totaled $32.2 million and $31.5 million at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively.

Mortgage loan servicing, net activity is summarized in the following table:
Three months ended
3/31/20263/31/2025
(In thousands)
Mortgage loan servicing, net:
Revenue, net$1,636 $1,882 
Fair value change due to price933 (1,533)
Fair value change due to pay-downs(923)(891)
Loss on sale of originated servicing rights$— $(94)
Total$1,646 $(636)
Non-interest expenses totaled $38.3 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared to $34.3 million in the year-ago period. The increase in non-interest expense is primarily due to increases in compensation and employee benefits, advertising and merger related expenses as well as a $1.5 million litigation expense recorded during the quarter.
The Company recorded income tax expense of $3.4 million in the first quarter of 2026. This compares to an income tax expense of $3.5 million in the first quarter of 2025. The 2026 first quarter income tax expense includes a $0.2 million benefit from transferable energy tax credits.
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Asset Quality
A breakdown of non-performing loans by loan type is as follows (1):
3/31/202612/31/20253/31/2025
Loan Type(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial$27,077 $23,531 $127 
Mortgage9,953 8,683 8,080 
Installment745 860 819 
Sub total37,775 33,074 9,026 
Less - government guaranteed loans10,202 9,947 1,940 
Total non-performing loans$27,573 $23,127 $7,086 
Ratio of non-performing loans to total portfolio loans0.64 %0.54 %0.17 %
Ratio of non-performing assets to total assets0.51 %0.44 %0.14 %
Ratio of allowance for credit losses to total non-performing loans231.09 %274.33 %847.23 %
(1) Non performing loans include non-accrual loans and loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest.

The provision for credit losses was an expense of $0.36 million and $0.72 million in the first quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively. The Company recorded loan net charge offs of $0.27 million and $0.07 million in the first quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively. At March 31, 2026, the allowance for credit losses for loans totaled $63.7 million, or 1.48% of total portfolio loans compared to $63.4 million, or 1.48% of total portfolio loans at December 31, 2025.
Balance Sheet, Capital and Liquidity
Total assets were $5.56 billion at March 31, 2026, an increase of $51.8 million from December 31, 2025. Loans, excluding loans held for sale, were $4.31 billion at March 31, 2026, compared to $4.28 billion at December 31, 2025.  Deposits totaled $4.88 billion at March 31, 2026, an increase of $119.0 million from December 31, 2025. This increase is primarily due to increases in savings and interest-bearing checking, reciprocal, and brokered time deposits that were partially offset by a decrease in time deposits.
Cash and cash equivalents totaled $174.9 million at March 31, 2026, versus $138.4 million at December 31, 2025. Securities available for sale (“AFS”) totaled $482.3 million at March 31, 2026, versus $495.9 million at December 31, 2025.

Total shareholders’ equity was $510.6 million at March 31, 2026, or 9.19% of total assets compared to $503.0 million or 9.14% at December 31, 2025. Tangible common equity totaled $481.4 million at March 31, 2026, or $23.38 per share compared to $473.7 million or $23.05 per share at December 31, 2025. The increases in shareholders’ equity as well as tangible common equity are primarily the result of earnings retention that was partially offset by an increase in the accumulated other comprehensive loss.

The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Independent Bank, remains significantly above “well capitalized” for regulatory purposes with the following ratios:
Regulatory Capital Ratios3/31/202612/31/2025Well
Capitalized
Minimum
Tier 1 capital to average total assets9.43 %9.36 %5.00 %
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets11.43 %11.24 %6.50 %
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets11.43 %11.24 %8.00 %
Total capital to risk-weighted assets12.68 %12.49 %10.00 %

At March 31, 2026, in addition to liquidity available from our normal operating, funding, and investing activities, we had unused credit lines with the FHLB and FRB of approximately $785.5 million and $1.36 billion, respectively. We also had approximately $440.7 million in fair value of unpledged securities AFS and HTM at March 31, 2026 which could be pledged for an estimated additional borrowing capacity at the FHLB and FRB of approximately $414.0 million.
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Share Repurchase Plan
On December 16, 2025, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the 2026 share repurchase plan. Under the terms of the 2026 share repurchase plan, the Company is authorized to purchase up to 1,100,000 shares, or approximately 5% of its then outstanding common stock. The repurchase plan is authorized to last through December 31, 2026. During the three month period ended March 31, 2026, there were no shares of common stock repurchased.
Earnings Conference Call
Brad Kessel, President and CEO, Gavin Mohr, CFO and Joel Rahn, EVP – Commercial Banking will review the quarterly results in a conference call for investors and analysts beginning at 11:00 am ET on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
To access via phone, participants will need to register using the following link where they will be provided a phone number and access code: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BId259863bf9e8463883aeddb939de1580.

In order to view the webcast and presentation slides, please go to https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/989vrdc9 during the time of the call. A replay of the webcast will be available until April 23, 2027.
About Independent Bank Corporation
Independent Bank Corporation (NASDAQ: IBCP) is a Michigan-based bank holding company with total assets of approximately $5.6 billion. Founded as First National Bank of Ionia in 1864, Independent Bank Corporation operates a branch network across Michigan's Lower Peninsula through one state-chartered bank subsidiary. This subsidiary (Independent Bank) provides a full range of financial services, including commercial banking, mortgage lending, consumer banking, investments and insurance. Independent Bank Corporation is committed to providing exceptional personal service and value to its customers, stockholders and the communities it serves.
For more information, please visit our Web site at: IndependentBank.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This presentation contains forward-looking statements, which are any statements or information that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements include statements about our anticipated future revenue and expenses and our future plans and prospects.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. For example, deterioration in general business and economic conditions or turbulence in domestic or global financial markets could adversely affect our revenues and the values of our assets and liabilities, reduce the availability of funding to us, lead to a tightening of credit, and increase stock price volatility. Our results could also be adversely affected by changes in interest rates; increases in unemployment rates; deterioration in the credit quality of our loan portfolios or in the value of the collateral securing those loans; deterioration in the value of our investment securities; the outcome of pending litigation; legal and regulatory developments; changes in customer behavior and preferences; breaches in data security; and management’s ability to effectively manage the multitude of risks facing our business. Key risk factors that could affect our future results are described in more detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and the other reports we file with the SEC, including under the heading “Risk Factors.” Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of our future results.

In addition, this release contains forward-looking statements regarding the proposed merger with HCB Financial Corp. ("HCB"). Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated include: the risk that the merger may not be completed in a timely manner or at all; the failure to satisfy the conditions to the completion of the merger, including the receipt of all required regulatory and shareholder approvals; the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstance that could give rise to the right of one or both parties to terminate the merger agreement; the risk that the anticipated benefits and cost savings of the merger may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the risk of business disruption during the pendency of the merger; diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations; the risk that the integration of HCB's operations with ours will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected; and the potential for reputational risk related to the merger and integration.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.


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Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed acquisition of HCB, we expect to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include a preliminary proxy statement of HCB and a preliminary prospectus of Independent Bank Corporation. Shareholders are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available because it will contain important information about the proposed transaction. Free copies of these documents, when available, may be obtained at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov) or upon written request to Independent Bank Corporation, 4200 East Beltline, Grand Rapids, MI 49525, Attention: Investor Relations, or HCB Financial Corp., 150 West Court Street, Hastings, MI 49058, Attention: Amanda Belcher-Currier, CFO. A final proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to the shareholders of HCB.

No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
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INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
March 31, 2026December 31, 2025
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share
amounts)
Assets
Cash and due from banks$48,475 $52,235 
Interest bearing deposits126,440 86,152 
Cash and Cash Equivalents174,915 138,387 
Securities available for sale482,295 495,909 
Securities held to maturity (fair value of $271,452 at March 31, 2026 and $282,830 at December 31, 2025)
301,007 309,523 
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock, at cost18,102 18,102 
Loans held for sale, carried at fair value19,714 9,031 
Loans
Commercial2,267,369 2,213,557 
Mortgage1,520,358 1,524,821 
Installment520,372 537,907 
Total Loans4,308,099 4,276,285 
Allowance for credit losses(63,719)(63,445)
Net Loans4,244,380 4,212,840 
Other real estate and repossessed assets, net767 896 
Property and equipment, net42,319 38,972 
Bank-owned life insurance54,072 53,750 
Capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights, carried at fair value32,233 31,493 
Other intangibles, net886 1,001 
Goodwill28,300 28,300 
Accrued income and other assets158,519 167,516 
Total Assets$5,557,509 $5,505,720 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Deposits
Non-interest bearing$991,140 $991,984 
Savings and interest-bearing checking2,146,403 2,113,260 
Reciprocal1,028,874 974,921 
Time657,043 662,858 
Brokered time57,220 18,659 
Total Deposits4,880,680 4,761,682 
Other borrowings27,010 77,003 
Subordinated debentures39,881 39,864 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities99,385 124,220 
Total Liabilities5,046,956 5,002,769 
Shareholders’ Equity
Preferred stock, no par value, 200,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding
— — 
Common stock, no par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: 20,585,805 shares at March 31, 2026 and 20,548,893 shares at December 31, 2025
307,679 307,845 
Retained earnings263,898 252,794 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(61,024)(57,688)
Total Shareholders’ Equity510,553 502,951 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity$5,557,509 $5,505,720 
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INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2026
December 31, 2025March 31,
2025
(Unaudited)
Interest Income(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Interest and fees on loans$59,249 $60,205 $57,768 
Interest on securities
Taxable3,354 3,513 4,036 
Tax-exempt2,522 2,633 2,770 
Other investments1,044 1,074 1,570 
Total Interest Income66,169 67,425 66,144 
Interest Expense
Deposits18,397 20,109 20,955 
Other borrowings and subordinated debt and debentures917 962 1,504 
Total Interest Expense19,314 21,071 22,459 
Net Interest Income46,855 46,354 43,685 
Provision for credit losses362 1,923 721 
Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses46,493 44,431 42,964 
Non-interest Income
Interchange income3,234 3,186 3,127 
Service charges on deposit accounts2,935 3,096 2,814 
Net gains (losses) on assets
Mortgage loans1,308 1,372 2,303 
Securities available for sale(26)(15)(330)
Mortgage loan servicing, net1,646 899 (636)
Other2,951 3,420 3,146 
Total Non-interest Income12,048 11,958 10,424 
Non-interest Expense
Compensation and employee benefits21,829 22,563 20,383 
Data processing3,952 3,428 3,729 
Occupancy, net2,413 2,171 2,223 
Litigation expense
1,500 — — 
Advertising1,210 991 861 
Interchange expense1,191 1,165 1,119 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment894 897 885 
FDIC deposit insurance799 861 711 
Loan and collection752 589 786 
Communications593 471 591 
Legal and professional591 787 479 
Merger related expense
300 — — 
Other2,287 2,155 2,495 
Total Non-interest Expense38,311 36,078 34,262 
Income Before Income Tax20,230 20,311 19,126 
Income tax expense3,355 1,739 3,536 
Net Income$16,875 $18,572 $15,590 
Net Income Per Common Share
Basic$0.82 $0.90 $0.74 
Diluted$0.81 $0.89 $0.74 
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INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Selected Financial Data
March 31,
2026
December 31,
2025
September 30,
2025
June 30,
2025
March 31,
2025
(unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
Three Months Ended
Net interest income$46,855 $46,354 $45,361 $44,615 $43,685 
Provision for credit losses362 1,923 1,991 1,500 721 
Non-interest income12,048 11,958 11,937 11,325 10,424 
Non-interest expense38,311 36,078 34,131 33,762 34,262 
Income before income tax20,230 20,311 21,176 20,678 19,126 
Income tax expense3,355 1,739 3,674 3,801 3,536 
Net income$16,875 $18,572 $17,502 $16,877 $15,590 
Basic net income per common share$0.82 $0.90 $0.85 $0.81 $0.74 
Diluted net income per common share0.81 0.89 0.84 0.81 0.74 
Cash dividend per share0.28 0.26 0.26 0.26 0.26 
Average shares outstanding20,574,50620,639,75820,702,23520,749,92520,943,094
Average diluted shares outstanding20,780,18820,848,63420,904,85720,945,52221,150,550
Performance Ratios
Return on average assets1.24 %1.35 %1.27 %1.27 %1.18 %
Return on average equity13.43 14.75 14.57 14.66 13.71 
Efficiency ratio (1)64.33 61.18 58.86 59.67 62.20 
As a Percent of Average Interest-Earning Assets (1)
Interest income5.15 %5.24 %5.38 %5.35 %5.28 %
Interest expense1.50 1.62 1.84 1.77 1.79 
Net interest income3.65 3.62 3.54 3.58 3.49 
Average Balances
Loans$4,315,371 $4,249,389 $4,201,557 $4,128,771 $4,060,941 
Securities796,251 815,269 826,362 846,052 883,676 
Total earning assets5,209,360 5,162,381 5,159,681 5,036,090 5,078,596 
Total assets5,522,244 5,449,518 5,451,922 5,324,959 5,378,022 
Deposits4,832,089 4,774,179 4,786,408 4,646,639 4,715,331 
Interest bearing liabilities3,892,702 3,846,367 3,862,024 3,763,477 3,799,852 
Shareholders' equity509,523 499,445 476,422 461,720 461,291 
(1)Presented on a fully tax equivalent basis assuming a marginal tax rate of 21%.















INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Selected Financial Data (continued)
March 31,
2026
December 31,
2025
September 30,
2025
June 30,
2025
March 31,
2025
(unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
End of Period
Capital
Tangible common equity ratio8.71 %8.65 %8.44 %8.16 %8.26 %
Tangible common equity ratio excluding accumulated other comprehensive loss9.61 9.51 9.35 9.24 9.31 
Average equity to average assets9.23 9.16 8.74 8.67 8.58 
Total capital to risk-weighted assets (2)13.79 13.59 13.67 14.20 14.51 
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets (2)12.54 12.33 12.42 12.23 12.34 
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets (2)11.70 11.49 11.55 11.36 11.45 
Tier 1 capital to average assets (2)10.34 10.27 10.07 10.07 9.89 
Common shareholders' equity per share of common stock$24.80 $24.48 $23.72 $22.65 $22.28 
Tangible common equity per share of common stock23.38 23.05 22.29 21.23 20.87 
Total shares outstanding20,585,80520,548,89320,691,60420,715,65020,970,115
Selected Balances
Loans$4,308,099 $4,276,285 $4,198,283 $4,164,367 $4,072,691 
Securities783,302 805,432 824,033 838,813 866,604 
Total earning assets5,255,657 5,195,002 5,204,380 5,105,579 5,031,975 
Total assets5,557,509 5,505,720 5,493,113 5,418,519 5,328,428 
Deposits4,880,680 4,761,682 4,859,155 4,659,359 4,633,931 
Interest bearing liabilities3,956,431 3,886,565 3,897,487 3,832,845 3,768,435 
Shareholders' equity510,553 502,951 490,742 469,250 467,277 
(2)March 31, 2026 are Preliminary.
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Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Independent Bank Corporation
Independent Bank Corporation believes non-GAAP measures are meaningful because they reflect adjustments commonly made by management, investors, regulators and analysts to evaluate the adequacy of common equity and performance trends.  Tangible common equity is used by the Company to measure the quality of capital.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Three Months Ended March 31,
20262025
(Dollars in thousands)
Net Interest Margin, Fully Taxable Equivalent ("FTE")
Net interest income$46,855 $43,685 
Add:  taxable equivalent adjustment445 452 
Net interest income - taxable equivalent$47,300 $44,137 
Net interest margin (GAAP) (1)3.61 %3.46 %
Net interest margin (Non-GAAP FTE) (1)3.65 %3.49 %
(1)Annualized.
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Tangible Common Equity Ratio
March 31,
2026
December 31, 2025September 30, 2025June 30, 2025March 31, 2025
(Dollars in thousands)
Common shareholders' equity$510,553$502,951$490,742$469,250$467,277
Less:
Goodwill28,30028,30028,30028,30028,300
Other intangibles, net8861,0011,1231,2441,366
Tangible common equity481,367473,650461,319439,706437,611
Addition:
Accumulated other comprehensive loss for regulatory purposes55,22651,89154,83364,08961,285
Tangible common equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive loss adjustments$536,593$525,541$516,152$503,795$498,896
Total assets$5,557,509$5,505,720$5,493,113$5,418,519$5,328,428
Less:
Goodwill28,30028,30028,30028,30028,300
Other intangibles, net8861,0011,1231,2441,366
Tangible assets5,528,3235,476,4195,463,6905,388,9755,298,762
Addition:
Net unrealized losses on available for sale securities and derivatives, net of tax55,22651,89154,83364,08961,285
Tangible assets excluding accumulated other comprehensive loss adjustments$5,583,549$5,528,310$5,518,523$5,453,064$5,360,047
Common equity ratio9.19 %9.14 %8.93 %8.66 %8.77 %
Tangible common equity ratio8.71 %8.65 %8.44 %8.16 %8.26 %
Tangible common equity ratio excluding accumulated other comprehensive loss9.61 %9.51 %9.35 %9.24 %9.31 %
Tangible Common Equity per Share of Common Stock:
Common shareholders' equity$510,553 $502,951 $490,742 $469,250 $467,277 
Tangible common equity$481,367 $473,650 $461,319 $439,706 $437,611 
Shares of common stock outstanding (in thousands)20,586 20,549 20,692 20,716 20,970 
Common shareholders' equity per share of common stock$24.80 $24.48 $23.72 $22.65 $22.28 
Tangible common equity per share of common stock$23.38 $23.05 $22.29 $21.23 $20.87 
The tangible common equity ratio removes the effect of goodwill and other intangible assets from capital and total assets.  Tangible common equity per share of common stock removes the effect of goodwill and other intangible assets from common shareholders’ equity per share of common stock.
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