8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report:  October 20, 2020

INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant's telephone number,

including area code:

(616) 527-5820

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company          ☐

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. ☐

Item 5.02(b) section – Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory

      Arrangements of Certain Officers.

The Board of Directors of Independent Bank Corporation (the "Corporation"), the holding company of Independent Bank, a Michigan-based community bank, announced today the appointment of Dennis W. Archer Jr. to the Boards of the Corporation and the Bank effective October 20, 2020. Mr. Archer was appointed to a term expiring on the date of the Corporation’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders in April 2022. In conjunction with Mr. Archer’s appointment, the Board increased the size of the Board to eleven members.

Mr. Archer is the CEO of Ignition Media Group, a leading integrated marketing agency, and President and founding partner of Archer Corporate Services, one of the nation’s leading marketing fulfillment service firms.  Mr. Archer’s hospitality holding company, Congress Hospitality, is creator and managing partner of Central Kitchen + Bar, one of Detroit’s top restaurants.

In addition to the aforementioned entrepreneurial endeavors, Mr. Archer is also a real estate developer who is dedicated to giving back to Detroit and the surrounding areas.  He has participated in several high-profile projects.  His civic and philanthropic involvement includes Chair Emeritus of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors where he sits on the executive committee.  Mr. Archer also sits on the boards of the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, Dennis W, Archer Foundation and Citizen Detroit.  Corporately, Mr. Archer serves on the General Motors Supplier Council.

Mr. Archer  received both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Michigan.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

Exhibit 99.1

News Release

Independent Bank Corporation

Appoints Dennis W. Archer Jr.

To Its Board of Directors

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., October 23, 2020 – Independent Bank Corporation (NASDAQ: IBCP), the holding company of Independent Bank, a Michigan-based community bank, announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Dennis W. Archer Jr. to the boards of the Corporation and the Bank.  Mr. Archer is the CEO of Ignition Media Group, a leading integrated marketing agency, and President and founding partner of Archer Corporate Services, one of the nation’s leading marketing fulfillment service firms.  Mr. Archer’s hospitality holding company, Congress Hospitality, is creator and managing partner of Central Kitchen + Bar, one of Detroit’s top restaurants.

In addition to the aforementioned entrepreneurial endeavors, Mr. Archer is also a real estate developer who is dedicated to giving back to Detroit and the surrounding areas.  He has participated in several high-profile projects.  His civic and philanthropic involvement includes Chair Emeritus of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors where he sits on the executive committee.  Mr. Archer also sits on the boards of the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, Dennis W. Archer Foundation and Citizen Detroit.  Corporately, Mr. Archer serves on the General Motors Supplier Council.

William B. (“Brad”) Kessel, the President and CEO of Independent Bank Corporation, commented: “We are very excited to add Dennis Archer Jr. to the Boards of Directors of both our parent company and the Bank.  He is a talented executive with a wide range of business and entrepreneurial experience as well as having previously served on a community bank board.  He also has a deep understanding of and commitment to the Detroit area, Michigan’s largest market.  He is an important addition to our organization.”

Dennis Archer Jr. commented: “I am honored with the opportunity to join the Boards of Directors of Independent Bank Corporation and Independent Bank.  I believe that my experience in marketing and developing new businesses as well as my educational background will be beneficial to the organization.  I look forward to working with such a talented Board and management team.”

Mr. Archer received both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Michigan.

About Independent Bank Corporation

Independent Bank Corporation (NASDAQ: IBCP) is a Michigan-based bank holding company with total assets of approximately $4.2 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, 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.