Dear Fellow Stockholder:

                 On behalf of the Board of Directors of Grand Premier Financial, Inc., we cordially invite you to attend the Special Meeting of Stockholders of Grand Premier Financial, Inc. to be held on February 22, 2000 at 9:00 a.m., local time, at Grand National Bank, 3 Nelson C. White Parkway, Mundelein, Illinois 60060 for the purpose of considering and acting upon:

                 Only holders of Grand Premier common stock as of the close of business on December 31, 1999 are entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. Under Delaware law, holders of record of Grand Premier preferred stock as of that date are entitled to dissent from the merger and obtain an appraisal of their shares, as more fully explained in the attached prospectus and proxy statement.

                 The terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, as well as other important information relating to Old Kent, Grand Premier, and the combined company, are contained in the attached prospectus and proxy statement. Please give this document your careful attention. The Board of Directors of Grand Premier has approved the Agreement and Plan of Merger and unanimously recommends that Grand Premier's common stockholders vote "FOR" the approval and adoption.

                 Because of the significance of the proposed merger to Grand Premier, your vote at the special meeting, either in person or by proxy, is especially important. Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, please complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. You may revoke your proxy at any time before the special meeting, as more fully explained in the attached prospectus and proxy statement. Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,