<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-21
<SEQUENCE>5
<FILENAME>k82542exv21.txt
<DESCRIPTION>SUBSIDIARIES
<TEXT>
<PAGE>
                                                                      EXHIBIT 21



                   SUBSIDIARIES OF MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION


Mercantile Bank of West Michigan, a Michigan banking corporation
         Wholly-owned bank subsidiary of Mercantile Bank Corporation


MBWM Capital Trust I
         A Delaware business trust subsidiary of Mercantile Bank Corporation


Mercantile Bank Mortgage Company, LLC, a Michigan limited liability company 99%
         owned by Mercantile Bank of West Michigan and 1% owned by Mercantile
         BIDCO, Inc.


Mercantile BIDCO, Inc, a Michigan Business and Industrial Development Company
         Wholly-owned subsidiary of Mercantile Bank of West Michigan


Mercantile Insurance Center, Inc, a Michigan business corporation
         Wholly-owned subsidiary of Mercantile Bank of West Michigan


Mercantile Bank Real Estate Co., LLC, a Michigan limited liability company 99%
         owned by Mercantile Bank of West Michigan and 1% owned by Mercantile
         BIDCO, Inc.



All of the subsidiaries named above were organized under the laws of the State
of Michigan except for MBWM Capital Trust I which was organized under the laws
of the State of Delaware.



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