BENEFIT PLANS	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
BENEFIT PLANS	NOTE 12 – BENEFIT PLANS We have a 401(k) benefit plan that covers substantially all of our employees. The percent of our matching contributions to the 401(k) benefit plan is determined annually by the Board of Directors. Effective May 1, 2011 we reinstated our matching contribution to the 401(k) benefit plan at 2% after having suspended matching contributions effective April 1, 2009. We raised the matching contribution to 3% as of January 1, 2012, and then up to 4% as of October 1, 2012. Effective January 1, 2014, the matching contribution was increased to 4.25%. Matching contributions, if made, are immediately vested. Our 2013, 2012 and 2011 matching 401(k) contributions charged to expense were $0.5 million, $0.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively. We have a deferred compensation plan in which all persons serving on the Board of Directors may defer all or portions of their annual retainer and meeting fees, with distributions to be paid upon termination of service as a director or specific dates selected by the director. We also have a non-qualified deferred compensation program in which selected officers may defer all or portions of salary and bonus payments. The deferred amounts are categorized as other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, and are paid interest at a rate equal to the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate. Interest expense is insignificant for all periods presented. The Mercantile Bank Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan of 2002 (“Stock Purchase Plan”) is a non-compensatory plan intended to encourage full- and part-time employees of Mercantile and its subsidiaries to promote our best interests and to align employees’ interests with the interests of our shareholders by permitting employees to purchase shares of our common stock through regular payroll deductions. Shares are purchased on the last business day of each calendar quarter at a price equal to the consolidated closing bid price of our common stock reported on The Nasdaq Stock Market. A total of 55,000 shares of common stock may be issued under the Stock Purchase Plan; however, the number of shares has been adjusted, and may continue to be adjusted in the future, to reflect stock dividends and other changes in our capitalization. The number of shares issued under the Stock Purchase Plan totaled 1,098 and 2,400 in 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, there were 3,942 shares available under the Stock Purchase Plan. As provided for in the merger agreement with Firstbank Corporation, the Stock Purchase Plan was suspended effective August 14, 2013, and is expected to be reinstated after the merger is consummated (see Note 23).

NOTE 12 – BENEFIT PLANS

We have a 401(k) benefit plan that covers substantially all of our employees. The percent of our matching contributions to the 401(k) benefit plan is determined annually by the Board of Directors. Effective May 1, 2011 we reinstated our matching contribution to the 401(k) benefit plan at 2% after having suspended matching contributions effective April 1, 2009. We raised the matching contribution to 3% as of January 1, 2012, and then up to 4% as of October 1, 2012. Effective January 1, 2014, the matching contribution was increased to 4.25%. Matching contributions, if made, are immediately vested. Our 2013, 2012 and 2011 matching 401(k) contributions charged to expense were $0.5 million, $0.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

We have a deferred compensation plan in which all persons serving on the Board of Directors may defer all or portions of their annual retainer and meeting fees, with distributions to be paid upon termination of service as a director or specific dates selected by the director. We also have a non-qualified deferred compensation program in which selected officers may defer all or portions of salary and bonus payments. The deferred amounts are categorized as other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, and are paid interest at a rate equal to the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate. Interest expense is insignificant for all periods presented.

The Mercantile Bank Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan of 2002 (“Stock Purchase Plan”) is a non-compensatory plan intended to encourage full- and part-time employees of Mercantile and its subsidiaries to promote our best interests and to align employees’ interests with the interests of our shareholders by permitting employees to purchase shares of our common stock through regular payroll deductions. Shares are purchased on the last business day of each calendar quarter at a price equal to the consolidated closing bid price of our common stock reported on The Nasdaq Stock Market. A total of 55,000 shares of common stock may be issued under the Stock Purchase Plan; however, the number of shares has been adjusted, and may continue to be adjusted in the future, to reflect stock dividends and other changes in our capitalization. The number of shares issued under the Stock Purchase Plan totaled 1,098 and 2,400 in 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, there were 3,942 shares available under the Stock Purchase Plan. As provided for in the merger agreement with Firstbank Corporation, the Stock Purchase Plan was suspended effective August 14, 2013, and is expected to be reinstated after the merger is consummated (see Note 23).