OLD KENT FINANCIAL CORP /MI/
S-8, 1997-01-24
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>
                                           Registration No. 33-____________
===========================================================================

                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          Washington, D.C. 20549
                            __________________


                                 FORM S-8
                          REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                     UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                      OLD KENT FINANCIAL CORPORATION
            (Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter)
                            __________________

                 MICHIGAN                          38-1986608
      (State or other jurisdiction of           (I.R.S. employer
      incorporation or organization)        identification number)

            One Vandenberg Center, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
            (Address of principal executive offices, zip code)

                    OLD KENT DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
                         (Full title of the plan)

         ALBERT T. POTAS          Copies to:       GORDON R. LEWIS
      SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT                   WARNER NORCROSS & JUDD LLP
          AND CONTROLLER                        900 OLD KENT BUILDING
 OLD KENT FINANCIAL CORPORATION                  111 LYON STREET, N.W.
      ONE VANDENBERG CENTER                GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 49503-2487
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 49503-2487

                  (Name and address of agent for service)

                              (616) 771-1931
       (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
<TABLE>
                      CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<CAPTION>
       TITLE OF                          PROPOSED MAXIMUM      PROPOSED MAXIMUM
   SECURITIES TO BE       AMOUNT TO BE    OFFERING PRICE           AGGREGATE           AMOUNT OF
      REGISTERED           REGISTERED        PER UNIT           OFFERING PRICE      REGISTRATION FEE
<S> <C>                   <C>                 <C>               <C>                     <C>
       DEFERRED            $3,000,000          N.A.              $3,000,000.00           $909.10
     COMPENSATION
      OBLIGATIONS
</TABLE>
                                  Page 1

===========================================================================
<PAGE>
                  INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
                      TO PRIOR REGISTRATION STATEMENT

          This Registration Statement is filed for the purpose of
registering $3,000,000 of additional Deferred Compensation Obligations by
Old Kent Financial Corporation (the "Registrant") for use in connection
with the Old Kent Deferred Compensation Plan.  In accordance with General
Instruction E to Form S-8, the Registrant incorporates by reference the
contents of the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8, file No.
33-52885, filed on March 30, 1994.


EXHIBITS SCHEDULE

Exhibit


5         Opinion of Counsel

23(a)     Consent of Independent Public Accountants

23(b)     Consent of Counsel (Contained in the Opinion filed as Exhibit 5
          to this Registration Statement)

24        Powers of Attorney


























<PAGE>
                                SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of
the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Grand Rapids, State of Michigan,
on the 23rd day of January, 1997.


                              OLD KENT FINANCIAL CORPORATION


                              By  /S/ ALBERT T. POTAS
                                  Albert T. Potas
                                  Senior Vice President and Controller



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:

     SIGNATURE                TITLE                             DATE


/S/ JOHN M. BISSELL          Director                     January 23, 1997
    John M. Bissell

/S/ JOHN D. BOYLES           Director                     January 23, 1997
    John D. Boyles

/S/ DICK DEVOS               Director                     January 23, 1997
    Dick DeVos

/S/ JAMES P. HACKETT         Director                     January 23, 1997
    James P. Hackett

/S/ ERINA HANKA              Director                     January 23, 1997
    Erina Hanka

__________________________   Director                     ________, 1997
    Earl D. Holton

/S/ MICHAEL J. JANDERNOA     Director                     January 23, 1997
    Michael J. Jandernoa

/S/ JOHN P. KELLER           Director                     January 23, 1997
    John P. Keller

<PAGE>
     SIGNATURE                TITLE                             DATE

__________________________   Director                     ________, 1997
    William U. Parfet

__________________________   Director                     ________, 1997
    Percy A. Pierre, Ph.D.

/S/ ROBERT L. SADLER         Director                     January 23, 1997
    Robert L. Sadler

/S/ PETER F. SECCHIA         Director                     January 23, 1997
    Peter F. Secchia

/S/ B. P. SHERWOOD, III      Executive Vice President,    January 23, 1997
    B. P. Sherwood, III.     Treasurer and Director
                             (Principal Financial
                             Officer)

/S/ DAVID J. WAGNER          President, Chief Executive   January 23, 1997
    David J. Wagner            Officer and Director
                               (Principal Executive
                               Officer)

/S/ ALBERT T. POTAS          Senior Vice President and    January 23, 1997
    Albert T. Potas            Controller (Principal
                               Accounting Officer)


*By /S/ ALBERT T. POTAS                                   January 23, 1997
        Albert T. Potas
        Attorney-in-Fact



















<PAGE>
                               EXHIBIT LIST

                                                                      PAGE
                                                                     NUMBER

5        Opinion of Counsel                                              --

23(a)    Consent of Independent Public Accountants                       --

23(b)    Consent of Counsel (Contained in the Opinion filed as
         Exhibit 5 to this Registration Statement)                       --

24       Powers of Attorney                                              --



<PAGE>
                            EXHIBIT 5 AND 23(b)

                         WARNER NORCROSS & JUDD LLP
                              ATTORNEYS AT LAW
                            900 OLD KENT BUILDING
                            111 LYON STREET, N.W.
                      GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 49503-2489

                          TELEPHONE (616) 752-2000
                             FAX (616) 752-2500




                              January 24, 1997



Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

Re: OLD KENT FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    OLD KENT DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

    As general counsel for Old Kent Financial Corporation, a Michigan
corporation (hereinafter called the "Company"), we have examined and are
familiar with the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and
other corporate records and documents and have made such further
examination as we have deemed necessary or advisable in order to enable us
to render this opinion.

    Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

    1.   The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing
under the laws of the State of Michigan.

    2.   The Deferred Compensation Obligations of the Company under
the Plan, when incurred in the manner described in its Form S-8
Registration Statement, are and will be legally issued, fully paid, non-
assessable, binding obligations of the Company.  It is further our opinion
that the provisions of the Plan comply with all requirements of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, pertaining to
such provisions.




<PAGE>
    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion and consent as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 covering the Deferred
Compensation Obligations to be issued pursuant to the Old Kent Deferred
Compensation Plan.

                           WARNER NORCROSS & JUDD LLP


                           By /S/ GORDON R. LEWIS
                                  Gordon R. Lewis
                                  A Partner


<PAGE>
                               EXHIBIT 23(a)



                 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this Registration Statement of our report dated January 15,
1996, included in Old Kent Financial Corporation's Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1995, and to all references to our firm included in this
Registration Statement.


                                   /S/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
                                   ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP




Chicago, Illinois,
January 21, 1997


<PAGE>
                                EXHIBIT 24

                             POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B.P. SHERWOOD, III., ALBERT T. POTAS, and MARY TUUK, and
any of them severally, his or her attorney or attorneys with full power of
substitution to execute in his or her name, in his or her capacity as a
director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial
Corporation, a Form S-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation for the Old Kent Deferred Compensation Plan, any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement and post-effective amendments
thereto, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and all other
documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


January 20, 1997                   /S/ JOHN M. BISSELL
                                   John M. Bissell
                                   Director






























<PAGE>
                             POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B.P. SHERWOOD, III., ALBERT T. POTAS, and MARY TUUK, and
any of them severally, his or her attorney or attorneys with full power of
substitution to execute in his or her name, in his or her capacity as a
director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial
Corporation, a Form S-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation for the Old Kent Deferred Compensation Plan, any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement and post-effective amendments
thereto, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and all other
documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


January 20, 1997                   /S/ JOHN D. BOYLES
                                   John D. Boyles
                                   Director































<PAGE>
                             POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B.P. SHERWOOD, III., ALBERT T. POTAS, and MARY TUUK, and
any of them severally, his or her attorney or attorneys with full power of
substitution to execute in his or her name, in his or her capacity as a
director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial
Corporation, a Form S-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation for the Old Kent Deferred Compensation Plan, any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement and post-effective amendments
thereto, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and all other
documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


January 20, 1997                   /S/ DICK DEVOS
                                   Dick DeVos
                                   Director































<PAGE>
                             POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B.P. SHERWOOD, III., ALBERT T. POTAS, and MARY TUUK, and
any of them severally, his or her attorney or attorneys with full power of
substitution to execute in his or her name, in his or her capacity as a
director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial
Corporation, a Form S-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation for the Old Kent Deferred Compensation Plan, any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement and post-effective amendments
thereto, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and all other
documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


January 20, 1997                   /S/ JAMES P. HACKETT
                                   James P. Hackett
                                   Director































<PAGE>
                             POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B.P. SHERWOOD, III., ALBERT T. POTAS, and MARY TUUK, and
any of them severally, his or her attorney or attorneys with full power of
substitution to execute in his or her name, in his or her capacity as a
director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial
Corporation, a Form S-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation for the Old Kent Deferred Compensation Plan, any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement and post-effective amendments
thereto, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and all other
documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


January 20, 1997                   /S/ ERINA HANKA
                                   Erina Hanka
                                   Director































<PAGE>
                             POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B.P. SHERWOOD, III., ALBERT T. POTAS, and MARY TUUK, and
any of them severally, his or her attorney or attorneys with full power of
substitution to execute in his or her name, in his or her capacity as a
director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial
Corporation, a Form S-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation for the Old Kent Deferred Compensation Plan, any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement and post-effective amendments
thereto, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and all other
documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


__________, 1997                   ________________________________________
                                   Earl D. Holton
                                   Director































<PAGE>
                             POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B.P. SHERWOOD, III., ALBERT T. POTAS, and MARY TUUK, and
any of them severally, his or her attorney or attorneys with full power of
substitution to execute in his or her name, in his or her capacity as a
director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial
Corporation, a Form S-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation for the Old Kent Deferred Compensation Plan, any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement and post-effective amendments
thereto, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and all other
documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


January 20, 1997                   /S/ MICHAEL J. JANDERNOA
                                   Michael J. Jandernoa
                                   Director































<PAGE>
                             POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B.P. SHERWOOD, III., ALBERT T. POTAS, and MARY TUUK, and
any of them severally, his or her attorney or attorneys with full power of
substitution to execute in his or her name, in his or her capacity as a
director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial
Corporation, a Form S-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation for the Old Kent Deferred Compensation Plan, any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement and post-effective amendments
thereto, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and all other
documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


January 20, 1997                   /S/ JOHN P. KELLER
                                   John P. Keller
                                   Director































<PAGE>
                             POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B.P. SHERWOOD, III., ALBERT T. POTAS, and MARY TUUK, and
any of them severally, his or her attorney or attorneys with full power of
substitution to execute in his or her name, in his or her capacity as a
director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial
Corporation, a Form S-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation for the Old Kent Deferred Compensation Plan, any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement and post-effective amendments
thereto, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and all other
documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


__________, 1997                   ________________________________________
                                   William U. Parfet
                                   Director































<PAGE>
                             POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B.P. SHERWOOD, III., ALBERT T. POTAS, and MARY TUUK, and
any of them severally, his or her attorney or attorneys with full power of
substitution to execute in his or her name, in his or her capacity as a
director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial
Corporation, a Form S-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation for the Old Kent Deferred Compensation Plan, any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement and post-effective amendments
thereto, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and all other
documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


__________, 1997                   ________________________________________
                                   Percy A. Pierre, Ph.D.
                                   Director































<PAGE>
                             POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B.P. SHERWOOD, III., ALBERT T. POTAS, and MARY TUUK, and
any of them severally, his or her attorney or attorneys with full power of
substitution to execute in his or her name, in his or her capacity as a
director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial
Corporation, a Form S-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation for the Old Kent Deferred Compensation Plan, any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement and post-effective amendments
thereto, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and all other
documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


January 20, 1997                   /S/ ROBERT L. SADLER
                                   Robert L. Sadler
                                   Director































<PAGE>
                             POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B.P. SHERWOOD, III., ALBERT T. POTAS, and MARY TUUK, and
any of them severally, his or her attorney or attorneys with full power of
substitution to execute in his or her name, in his or her capacity as a
director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial
Corporation, a Form S-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation for the Old Kent Deferred Compensation Plan, any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement and post-effective amendments
thereto, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and all other
documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


January 20, 1997                   /S/ PETER F. SECCHIA
                                   Peter F. Secchia
                                   Director































<PAGE>
                             POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B.P. SHERWOOD, III., ALBERT T. POTAS, and MARY TUUK, and
any of them severally, his or her attorney or attorneys with full power of
substitution to execute in his or her name, in his or her capacity as a
director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial
Corporation, a Form S-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation for the Old Kent Deferred Compensation Plan, any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement and post-effective amendments
thereto, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and all other
documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


January 20, 1997                   /S/ B. P. SHERWOOD, III
                                   B. P. Sherwood, III
                                   Executive Vice President, Treasurer and
                                   Director (Principal Financial Officer)































<PAGE>
                             POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B.P. SHERWOOD, III., ALBERT T. POTAS, and MARY TUUK, and
any of them severally, his or her attorney or attorneys with full power of
substitution to execute in his or her name, in his or her capacity as a
director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial
Corporation, a Form S-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation for the Old Kent Deferred Compensation Plan, any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement and post-effective amendments
thereto, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and all other
documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


January 20, 1997                   /S/ DAVID J. WAGNER
                                   David J. Wagner
                                   President, Chief Executive Officer and
                                   Director (Principal Executive Officer)































<PAGE>
                             POWER OF ATTORNEY


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B.P. SHERWOOD, III., ALBERT T. POTAS, and MARY TUUK, and
any of them severally, his or her attorney or attorneys with full power of
substitution to execute in his or her name, in his or her capacity as a
director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial
Corporation, a Form S-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation for the Old Kent Deferred Compensation Plan, any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement and post-effective amendments
thereto, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and all other
documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


January 21, 1997                   /S/ ALBERT T. POTAS
                                   Albert T. Potas
                                   Senior Vice President and Controller
                                   (Principal Accounting Officer)



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