FIRSTBANK CORP
10-Q, 1999-05-13
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q


[X]      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES
         AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended MARCH 31, 1999

                                       or

[ ]     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES
        EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transaction period from ______ to _______.

Commission file number:  0-14209

                              FIRSTBANK CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


     Michigan                                                  38-2633910
     (State or other jurisdiction                              (I.R.S. Employer
     of incorporation or organization)                         Identification
                                                               Number)

     311 Woodworth Avenue, Alma, Michigan                        48801
     (Address of principal executive offices)                  (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (517) 463-3131

     Indicate  by check mark  whether the  registrant  (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities  Exchange Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant  was  required  to file such  reports),  and (2) has been  subject to
filing requirements for the past 90 days. [X] Yes [ ] No

     Indicate the number of shares  outstanding of each of the issuer's  classes
of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

        Common stock...4,497,017 shares outstanding as of April 30, 1999.
<PAGE>
                                      INDEX


PART I.       FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.       Financial Statements (UNAUDITED)                           page 3

Item 2.       Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
              Condition and Results of Operations.                       page 7

Item 3.       Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about
              Market Risk.                                               page 15


PART II.      OTHER INFORMATION

Item 2.       Changes in Securities                                      page 16

Item 6.       Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                           page 16


SIGNATURES                                                               page 17


EXHIBITS

Exhibit 27 -- Financial Data Schedule                                    page 18



                                     Page 2
<PAGE>
                              FIRSTBANK CORPORATION
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                   AS OF MARCH 31, 1999, AND DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
                                                                                    March 31,             December 31,
                                                                                      1999                   1998
                                                                                  (unaudited)
<S>                                                                              <C>                     <C>
 ASSETS
 Cash and due from banks                                                          $17,547,312            $22,203,430
 Short term investments                                                             7,120,071             13,288,206
                                                                                 ------------            -----------
                                           Total cash and cash equivalents         24,667,383             35,491,636

 Securities available for sale                                                     98,164,436            101,711,023
 Loans
  Loans held for sale                                                               5,729,088              5,454,928
  Portfolio loans
    Commercial                                                                    195,790,713            192,212,168
    Real estate mortgage                                                          172,251,770            171,554,004
    Consumer                                                                       71,650,911             71,806,822
                                                                                 ------------           ------------
                                                               Total loans        445,422,482            441,027,922
   Less allowance for loan losses                                                  (8,966,000)            (9,048,000)
                                                                                 ------------          -------------
                                                                 Net loans        436,456,482            431,979,922
 Premises and equipment, net                                                       14,188,315             14,057,619
 Acquisition intangibles                                                            9,352,507              9,534,210
 Accrued interest receivable                                                        3,762,885              3,463,572
 Other assets                                                                       7,489,485              6,775,852
                                                                                 ------------          -------------
                                                              TOTAL ASSETS       $594,081,493           $603,013,834
                                                                                  ===========            ===========
 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 LIABILITIES
 Deposits:
  Noninterest bearing accounts                                                    $60,260,533            $68,887,968
  Interest bearing accounts:
    Demand                                                                        147,555,164            146,741,509
    Savings                                                                        71,499,153             69,514,970
    Time                                                                          208,850,970            208,908,518
                                                                                  -----------            -----------
                                                            Total deposits        488,165,820            494,052,965
 Securities sold under agreements to
    repurchase and overnight borrowings                                            22,352,968             26,577,527
 Notes payable                                                                     14,302,423             14,316,550
 Accrued interest and other liabilities                                             9,112,012              8,291,848
                                                                                -------------          -------------
                                                        Total liabilities         533,933,223            543,238,890
 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 Preferred stock; no par value, 300,000
   shares authorized, none issued
 Common stock; 10,000,000 shares authorized, 4,513,404 shares issued and
   outstanding as of March 31, 1999 (4,527,256 as of  December 31, 1998)           52,303,398             52,796,743
 Retained earnings                                                                  7,089,980              5,874,601
 Unrealized gain on available for sale securities                                     754,892              1,103,600
                                                                               --------------          -------------
                                                Total shareholders' equity         60,148,270             59,774,944
                                                                                 ------------           ------------
                                TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY       $594,081,493           $603,013,834
                                                                                  ===========            ===========
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>
                                     Page 3
<PAGE>
                              FIRSTBANK CORPORATION
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
                             MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998
<TABLE>
                                                                                   Three months ended March 31,
                                                                                   1999                  1998
<S>                                                                             <C>                     <C>
 Interest income:
  Interest and fees on loans                                                      $9,536,995            $9,491,632
  Investment securities
    Taxable                                                                          898,301               809,201
    Exempt from Federal Income Tax                                                   452,579               443,866
  Short term investments                                                             120,165               119,684
                                                                                ------------          ------------
                                                 Total interest income            11,008,040            10,864,383

 Interest expense:
  Deposits                                                                         4,305,611             4,410,938
  Notes payable and other                                                            432,901               340,618
                                                                                 -----------           -----------
                                                Total interest expense             4,738,512             4,751,556
                                                   Net interest income             6,269,528             6,112,827
 Provision  for  loan  losses                                                        126,000               370,000
                                                                                 -----------           -----------
                   Net interest income after provision for loan losses             6,143,528             5,742,827
 Noninterest income:
  Gain  on  sale   of mortgage   loans                                               331,326               561,463
  Service charges on deposit accounts                                                356,954               346,357
  Trust fees                                                                          96,812                67,627
  Gain on sale of securities                                                               0                   820
  Mortgage servicing                                                                  19,707               (18,778)
  Other                                                                              615,743               327,103
                                                                                  ----------           -----------
                                              Total noninterest income             1,420,542             1,284,592
 Noninterest expense:
  Salaries and employee benefits                                                   2,528,472             2,361,215
  Occupancy                                                                          764,766               673,591
  Amortization of intangibles                                                        181,703               184,716
  FDIC Insurance premium                                                              19,549                18,257
  Michigan Single Business Tax                                                       111,700                99,500
  Other                                                                            1,189,057             1,200,353
                                                                                  ----------            ----------
                                             Total noninterest expense             4,795,247             4,537,632
 Income before  federal income taxes                                               2,768,823             2,489,787
 Federal income taxes                                                                833,000               742,000
                                                                                 -----------            ----------
                                                          NET   INCOME           $ 1,935,823           $ 1,747,787
Other comprehensive income:
  Change in unrealized loss on securities, net of tax                               (348,708)             (102,463)
                                                                                  ----------            ----------
                                                  COMPREHENSIVE INCOME           $ 1,587,115            $1,645,324
                                                                                  ==========            ==========

                                              Basic earnings per share                 $0.43                 $0.39
                                                                                        ====                  ====

                                            Diluted earnings per share                 $0.41                 $0.37
                                                                                        ====                  ====

                                                   Dividends per share                 $0.16                 $0.14
                                                                                        ====                  ====
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                     Page 4
<PAGE>
                              FIRSTBANK CORPORATION
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                   (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
                                                                                                    Net unrealized
                                                                                                      appreciation
                                                                                                   (depreciation) on
                                                                  Common            Retained       available for sale
                                                                   Stock            Earnings          securities           TOTAL
                                                              ==============     ==============     ==============     =============
<S>                                                           <C>                 <C>               <C>                 <C>
BALANCES AT  DECEMBER 31, 1997                                 $46,223,949          $7,420,886           $887,059       $54,531,894
  Cash dividends - $.55 per share                                                   (2,494,909)                          (2,494,909)
  Issuance of 14,395 shares of common stock                                                                            
     through exercise of stock options                             251,492                                                  251,492
  Issuance of 21,997  shares of common stock                                                                           
     through dividend reinvestment plan                            635,966                                                  635,966
  Issuance of 16,747 shares of common stock                                                                            
     through supplemental purchase under                                                                               
     dividend reinvestment plan                                    482,354                                                  482,354
  5% stock dividend - 215,388 shares                             6,353,282          (6,353,946)                                (664)
  Net change in unrealized appreciation                                                                                
    (depreciation) on available for                                                                                    
    sale securities                                                                                       216,541           216,541
  Purchase of 34,990 shares of stock                            (1,213,670)                                              (1,213,670)
  Issuance of 1,509 shares of stock                                 63,370                                                   63,370
  Net income for 1998                                                                7,302,570                            7,302,570
BALANCES AT  DECEMBER 31, 1998                                 $52,796,743          $5,874,601         $1,103,600       $59,774,944
                                                               -----------          ----------        -----------       -----------
  Cash dividends - $.16 per share                                                     (720,444)                            (720,444)
  Issuance of 5,073 shares of common stock                                                                             
     through exercise of stock options                              84,312                                                   84,312
  Issuance of 9,863 shares of common stock                                                                             
     through dividend reinvestment plan                            274,088                                                  274,088
  Issuance of 6,107 shares of common stock
     through supplemental purchase under                   
     dividend reinvestment plan                                    177,845                                                  177,845
  Net change in unrealized appreciation
    (depreciation) on available for
    sale securities                                                                                      (348,708)         (348,708)
  Purchase of 35,980 shares of stock                            (1,061,308)                                              (1,061,308)
  Issuance of 1,085 shares of stock                                 31,718                                                   31,718
  Net income year to date                                                            1,935,823                            1,935,823
                                                               -----------          ----------         ----------       -----------
BALANCES AT  MARCH 31, 1999                                    $52,303,398          $7,089,980           $754,892       $60,148,270
                                                               ===========          ==========         ==========       ===========
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                     Page 5
<PAGE>
                              FIRSTBANK CORPORATION
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                           FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
                             MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998
                                   (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
                                                                                       Three months ended March 31,
                                                                                            1999                   1998
<S>                                                                                  <C>                    <C>
 OPERATING ACTIVITIES
     Net income                                                                       $1,935,823             $1,747,787
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
        by operating activities
        Provision for loan losses                                                        126,000                370,000
        Depreciation of premises and equipment                                           319,784                320,419
        Net amortization (accretion) of security premiums/discounts                       86,202                (11,500)
        Gain on sale of securities                                                                                 (820)
        Amortization of goodwill and other intangibles                                   181,703                186,216
        Gain on sale of mortgage loans                                                  (331,326)              (561,463)
        Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans                                         19,156,051             37,802,164
        Loans originated for sale                                                    (19,098,885)           (37,921,674)
        Increase in accrued interest receivable and other assets                        (833,311)            (1,003,642)
        Increase in accrued interest payable and other liabilities                       820,164              1,479,817
                                                                                    ------------           ------------
                                    NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING  ACTIVITIES         2,362,205              2,407,304

 INVESTING ACTIVITIES
     Proceeds from sale of securities available for sale                                 350,000                610,235
     Proceeds from maturities of securities available for sale                         8,923,988              7,822,353
     Purchases of securities available for sale                                       (6,341,946)           (16,853,995)
     Net (increase) decrease in portfolio loans                                       (4,328,400)             1,832,579
     Net purchases of premises and equipment                                            (450,480)              (296,456)
                                                                                    ------------           ------------
                                         NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES        (1,846,838)            (6,885,284)

 FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    Net increase (decrease) in deposits                                               (5,887,145)            10,739,553
    Decrease in securities sold under agreements                                                     
     to repurchase and other short term borrowings                                    (4,224,559)            (3,052,441)
    Increase (decrease) of note payable                                                  (14,127)             1,486,673
    Cash proceeds from issuance of common stock                                          567,963                495,829
    Purchase of common stock                                                          (1,061,308)
    Cash dividends                                                                      (720,444)              (623,157)
                                                                                    ------------           ------------
                          NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING  ACTIVITIES       (11,339,620)             9,046,457

                              INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS       (10,824,253)             4,568,477
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                     35,491,636             24,115,503
                                                                                    ------------           ------------
                                CASH  AND CASH  EQUIVALENTS  AT END OF  PERIOD     $  24,667,383           $ 28,683,980
                                                                                    ============           ============

 Supplemental Disclosure
     Interest Paid                                                                    $4,700,188             $4,609,350
     Income Taxes Paid                                                                        $0                     $0

</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                     Page 6
<PAGE>
                              FIRSTBANK CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 MARCH 31, 1999


NOTE A - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim
financial  information and with the  instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of
Regulation  S-X.  Accordingly,  they do not include all of the  information  and
footnotes  required by generally  accepted  accounting  principles  for complete
financial statements. In the opinion of management,  all adjustments (consisting
of normal recurring accruals)  considered necessary for a fair presentation have
been  included.  Operating  results for the three month  period  ended March 31,
1999, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the
year ending December 31, 1999.  The balance sheet at December 31, 1998, has been
derived  from  the  audited  financial  statements  at that  date.  For  further
information,  refer  to the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  footnotes
thereto  included in the  Corporation's  annual report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1998.

Under a new accounting  standard,  comprehensive  income is now reported for all
periods.  Comprehensive  income includes both net income and other comprehensive
income.  Other comprehensive  income includes the change in unrealized gains and
losses on securities available for sale.


NOTE B - SECURITIES

Individual   securities  held  in  the  security  portfolio  are  classified  as
securities available for sale. Securities might be sold prior to maturity due to
changes in interest rates,  prepayment risks,  yield,  availability of alternate
investments,   liquidity  needs  or  other  factors.  Securities  classified  as
available  for sale are reported at their fair value and the related  unrealized
holding  gain or loss is  reported,  net of  related  income tax  effects,  as a
separate component of shareholders' equity until realized.


NOTE C - LOAN COMMITMENTS

Loan  commitments  (including  unused lines of credit and letters of credit) are
made to accommodate the financial needs of the Banks' customers. The commitments
have credit risk  essentially  the same as that  involved in extending  loans to
customers,  and are subject to the Banks' normal credit  policies and collateral
requirements.  Loan commitments, which are predominately at variable rates, were
approximately  $66,663,234  and  $64,674,655 at March 31, 1999, and December 31,
1998, respectively.

                                     Page 7
<PAGE>
NOTE D - NONPERFORMING LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

Nonperforming Loans and Assets
The following table summarizes nonaccrual and past due loans at the dates 
indicated:
<TABLE>
                                                                      March 31,        December 31,
              (Dollars in thousands)                                    1999              1998      
         --------------------------------------------------          -----------       ------------
         <S>                                                          <C>                <C>
         Nonperforming loans:
                  Nonaccrual loans                                       $708             $  790
                  Loans 90 days or more past due                          303                621
                  Renegotiated loans                                       79                 86
                                                                       ------             ------
                                    Total nonperforming loans          $1,090             $1,497
                                                                        =====              =====
         Property from defaulted loans                                 $  704            $   527
                                                                        =====             ======
         Nonperforming loans as a percent of:
                  Total loans                                            .24%               .34%
                                                                         ====               ====
                  Allowance for loan losses                            12.16%             16.55%
                                                                       ======             ======
</TABLE>

Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses
The following table summarizes  changes in the allowance for loan losses arising
from  loans  charged  off,  recoveries  on loans  previously  charged  off,  and
additions to the allowance which have been charged to expense.
<TABLE>
                                                                Three               Twelve              Three
                                                                months              months              months
                                                                ended               ended               ended
                                                               March 31,         December 31,         March 31,
         (Dollars in thousands)                                  1999                 1998               1998      
- -----------------------------------------------------      ----------------     ---------------   --------------
<S>                                                           <C>                  <C>                <C>
Balance at beginning of period                                  $ 9,048              $  8,114          $ 8,114

Charge-offs                                                        (324)                 (712)            (160)
Recoveries                                                          116                   469               95
                                                                -------               -------           ------
         Net charge-offs                                           (208)                 (243)             (65)
         Additions to allowance for
           loan losses                                              126                 1,177              370
                                                                -------               -------           ------
         Balance at end of period                               $ 8,966               $ 9,048           $8,419
                                                                =======               =======           ======

Average loans outstanding
         during the period                                     $443,071              $414,322         $403,195
                                                               ========               =======          =======
Loans outstanding at end of period                             $445,422              $441,028         $403,591
                                                               ========               =======          =======
Allowance as a percent of:
         Total loans at end of period                              2.01%                 2.05%            2.09%
                                                                   ====                  ====             ====
         Nonperforming loans at end of period                       822%                  604%             597%
                                                                    ===                   ===              ===

Net charge-offs as a percent of:
         Average loans outstanding                                  .05%                  .06%             .02%
                                                                    ===                   ===              ===
         Average Allowance for loan losses                         2.29%                 1.67%             .79%
                                                                   ====                  ====             ====
</TABLE>

                                     Page 8
<PAGE>
NOTE E - RECLASSIFICATION

Certain 1998 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 1999 presentation.









                                     Page 9
<PAGE>
Item 2. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations.

The consolidated  financial  information  presented is for Firstbank Corporation
("Corporation") and its wholly owned subsidiaries,  Bank of Alma, Firstbank (Mt.
Pleasant), 1st Bank (West Branch), and Bank of Lakeview (Lakeview) (collectively
the "Banks").

Financial Condition

Total assets of the Corporation  decreased by $8.9 million,  or 1.5%, during the
first quarter of 1999.

During the first three months of 1999, cash and cash equivalents decreased $10.8
million,  or 30.5%,  and  securities  available for sale declined  3.49% or $3.5
million. This decrease is the result of maturing investment securities that were
short term investments used to offset municipal deposits.

Net loans grew $4.5  million  or 1.04%  during  the first  quarter of 1999.  The
allowance  for loan  losses  decreased  $82,000 or .91%  during the first  three
months of 1999.  At March 31, 1999,  the  allowance as a percent of  outstanding
loans was 2.01%,  compared to 2.05% at December  31,  1998.  The  allowance as a
percent of nonperforming  loans was 822% at the end of the first quarter of 1999
compared  to 604% at year end  1998.  During  the  first  quarter  of 1999,  the
allowance  was  decreased  by net charge offs of  $208,000  and  increased  by a
provision of $126,000.  Management  continues to maintain the allowance for loan
losses at a level considered appropriate to absorb losses in the portfolio.  The
allowance  balance is established  after  considering past loan loss experience,
current  economic  conditions,  volume,  growth  and  composition  of  the  loan
portfolio, delinquencies, and other relevant factors.

Total deposits decreased 1.19%, or $5.9 million, in the period from December 31,
1998,  to  March  31,  1999.  Each  of the  Corporation's  affiliate  banks  has
experienced a reduction in balances in noninterest  bearing accounts.  The total
decline in  noninterest  bearing  accounts of $8.6  million  represents a 12.52%
reduction  during  the  first  quarter  of 1999.  A  portion  of the  reduction,
approximately  50%, is explained by municipal deposits that were in accounts for
only a short period at the end of 1998.  Interest  bearing  demand  deposits and
savings  have  grown  during  the  first  quarter,   while  time  deposits  have
experienced a slight decline.

Securities  sold under  agreements  to repurchase  increased  3.3%, or $625,000,
during the first quarter of 1999 while  overnight  borrowings  have decreased by
61% or $4.9 million.

Total shareholders' equity increased $373,000,  or .62%, in the first quarter of
1999.  Net income of $1,936,000  and stock  issuances of $567,000 have increased
shareholders'  equity  while  stock  repurchases  of  $1,061,000,  dividends  of
$720,000 and net  unrealized  loss on available for sale  securities of $349,000
have  decreased  shareholders'  equity.  In January 1999, the Board of Directors
authorized a stock  repurchase plan to acquire up to 200,000 shares of Firstbank
Corporation stock. At March 31, 1999, the Corporation had acquired 35,571 shares
as a result of this  repurchase  plan.  Book value was $13.28 per share at March
31, 1999, and $12.98 per share at December 31, 1998.

                                     Page 10
<PAGE>
On April 1, 1999,  one of the  affiliate  banks sold  their 100%  interest  in a
general  insurance agency to an unrelated party. The affiliate bank financed the
transaction.  The $224,000 gain from the transaction will be recognized over the
10 year financing period.

The  following  table  discloses  compliance  with  current  regulatory  capital
requirements on a consolidated basis:
<TABLE>
                                                                                               Total
                                                                                 Tier 1     Risk-based
                  (Dollars in thousands)                           Leverage      Capital      Capital
<S>                                                                <C>          <C>          <C>
Capital balances at March 31, 1999                                 $49,923      $49,923      $55,445
Required Regulatory Capital                                         23,385       17,534       35,067
Capital in excess of regulatory minimums                            26,538       32,389       20,378

Capital ratios at March 31, 1999                                     8.54%       11.39%       12.65%
Regulatory capital ratios -- "well capitalized"                      5.00%        6.00%       10.00%
         definition
Regulatory capital ratios -- minimum requirement                     4.00%        4.00%        8.00%
</TABLE>
Results of Operations

For the first quarter of 1999,  net income was  $1,936,000,  basic  earnings per
share was $.43 and diluted earnings per share was $.41,  compared to $1,748,000,
$.39 and $.37 for the first quarter of 1998.  Average  earning assets  increased
$53 million,  or 10.67%,  for the quarter  ended March 31, 1999  compared to the
first  quarter  of 1998.  The yield on  earning  assets  was 8.27% for the first
quarter of 1999 compared to 9.02% for the same period in 1998, a reduction of 75
basis points.  The cost of funding rate related  liabilities  decreased 37 basis
points in the comparable  periods, a cost of 3.66% for the first quarter of 1999
compared to 4.03% for the first  quarter of 1998.  Net  interest  margin for the
first quarter of 1999 was 4.76% compared to 5.13% for the  comparable  period in
1998, a decrease of 37 basis points.

The provision for loan losses was $126,000 in the first quarter of 1999 compared
to $370,000 for the same period in 1998.

Total noninterest income increased $136,000,  or 10.58%, in the first quarter of
1999 compared to the same period in 1998. The  Corporation has experienced a net
decrease in gain on sale of mortgage  loans and mortgage  servicing of $192,000.
As mortgage  rates have risen or  stabilized,  mortgage  activity has  decreased
substantially.  Trust fees have increased 43.16%, or $29,000, when comparing the
first  quarters of 1999 and 1998. The increase  resulted from offering  employee
benefit record keeping  services and a fee increase to market rates have created
this  change.  The  majority  of the  increase  in other  income,  offset  by an
identical  entry in other expense,  is the  recognition of an increase in market
value of $117,000 in deferred  compensation assets. These entries have no effect
on net income.

                                     Page 11
<PAGE>
Noninterest  expense  increased a modest 5.68%, or $258,000,  when comparing the
first quarter of 1999 with the same period in 1998. The increase in salaries and
employee  benefits  reflects the annual salary  adjustments  and the addition of
staff.  Occupancy  expenses rose 13.54%,  or $91,000,  when  comparing the first
three months of 1999 and 1998.  Since the first quarter of 1998, the Corporation
has added an updated  communication  system,  updated its mainframe computer and
completed and occupied a new operations center. Depreciation on these items will
continue to increase the 1999 costs in comparison to the 1998 results.

YEAR 2000 READINESS DISCLOSURE

The  Corporation  is currently in the process of addressing a potential  problem
that is facing all users of automated  information  systems. The problem is that
many computer systems that process transactions based on two digits representing
the year of transaction  may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather
than the year  2000.  The  problem  could  affect a wide  variety  of  automated
information systems,  such as mainframe  applications,  personal computers,  and
communication   systems,   in  the  form  of  software   failure,   errors,   or
miscalculations.  By nature, the banking and financial  services  industries are
highly  dependent  upon  computer  systems  because of  significant  transaction
volumes and a date dependency for interest measurements on financial instruments
such as loans and deposits.  The  Corporation's  business is also dependent upon
the  error  free  operation  of  computer  systems  of  its   telecommunications
providers,  operators of electronic  payment systems,  and vendors who provide a
variety of products and services needed by the Corporation and its  subsidiaries
to  conduct  their  businesses.  Data  processing  system  failures,  errors  or
miscalculations  could  affect the  ability  of some  borrowers  to make  timely
payment of amounts due, and could  affect the long term  financial  viability of
some borrowers.

The Corporation developed a plan to prepare for the year 2000 in 1997. This plan
began  with  the   performance   of  an  inventory  of  software   applications,
communicating   with  third  party   vendors  and   suppliers,   and   obtaining
certification  of compliance with third party  providers.  The Corporation has a
comprehensive,  written  plan,  which is  regularly  updated  and  monitored  by
technical  personnel.  Plan status is regularly  reviewed by  management  of the
Corporation.  As  of  March  31,  1999,  it  is  estimated  that  this  plan  is
approximately 85% complete. The Corporation's subsidiaries have also initiated a
program of informing  relevant  customers of the Year 2000 issue and encouraging
them to address it in their own businesses.

The Corporation will continue to assess the impact of the Year 2000 issue on the
remainder of its computer based systems and applications. The Corporation's goal
is to have all systems and applications compliant with the century change by mid
1999, allowing the rest of 1999 to be used for full validation and testing.

The Corporation  estimates it will spend approximately  $330,000 during 1998 and
1999 to remediate its Year 2000 issues.  These costs will  primarily  consist of
personnel  expense for staff dedicated to the effort and professional  fees paid
to third party  providers of remedial  services.  Costs to date  associated with
Year 2000  issues  total  $278,000  which  include  expenditures  of $21,000 and
projected salary costs of $257,000.  It is the  Corporation's  policy to expense
such costs as  incurred.  The  Corporation  may also  invest in new or  upgraded
technology  which has definable  value lasting beyond 2000. In these  instances,
where Year

                                     Page 12
<PAGE>
2000  compliance  is  merely  ancillary,  the  Corporation  may  capitalize  and
depreciate  such an  asset  over its  estimated  useful  life.  In  addition  to
reviewing its own computer  operating systems and applications,  the Corporation
has initiated  formal  communications  with its significant  suppliers and large
customers to determine the extent to which the  Corporation's  interface systems
are  vulnerable to those third  parties'  failure to resolve their own Year 2000
issues.  There is no assurance that the systems of other  companies on which the
Corporation's  systems rely will be timely converted.  If such modifications and
conversions are not made, or are not completed timely, the Year 2000 issue could
have an adverse impact on the operations of the Corporation. The Corporation has
identified  its critical  systems that are dependent on outside  providers.  For
each critical  system,  extensive  testing has either been scheduled or has been
completed.  To date,  all tested  systems  have been able to  accommodate  dates
subsequent to January 1, 2000. The  Corporation  has contracted  with an offsite
location to provide a backup  site for its core  application  processing  in the
event the  Corporation's  hardware of  software  should not  function.  Based on
testing of the Corporation's  core processing  hardware and software  management
believes that both are Year 2000 compliant.

Based  on  currently  available  information,   management  does  not  presently
anticipate that the costs to address the Year 2000 issues will have a materially
adverse impact on the Corporation's financial conditions, results of operations,
or liquidity.  Nevertheless,  the inability of the  Corporation to  successfully
address  Year 2000 issues  could result in  interruptions  of the  Corporation's
business and could have a materially adverse effect on the Corporation's results
of operations.

The costs of the project and the date on which the Corporation  believes it will
complete the Year 2000  modifications  are based on management's best estimates.
There can be no  guarantee  that these  estimates  will be  achieved  and actual
results could differ from those  anticipated.  Specific factors that might cause
differences  include,  but are not limited to, the ability of other companies on
which the  Corporation's  systems rely to modify or convert  their systems to be
Year 2000  compliant,  the ability to locate and correct all  relevant  computer
codes, and similar uncertainties.

This  Year  2000  Readiness  Disclosure  is  based  upon and  partially  repeats
information  provided  by the  Corporation's  outside  consultants,  vendors and
others  regarding the Year 2000 readiness of the  Corporation and its customers,
vendors,  and other parties.  Although the Corporation believes this information
to be accurate, it has not in each case independently verified such information.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains  forward-looking  statements that are based on management's
beliefs, assumptions, current expectations,  estimates and projections about the
financial  services  industry,  the economy,  and about the Corporation  itself.
Words  such  as  "anticipate,"  "believe,"  "determine,"  "estimate,"  "expect,"
"forecast,"  "intend," "is likely," "plan," "project,"  "opinion," variations of
such   terms,   and  similar   expressions   are   intended  to  identify   such
forward-looking   statements.   The  Year   2000   Readiness   Disclosure,   the
presentations  and  discussions  of the provision and allowance for loan losses,
and determinations as to the need for other allowances  presented in this report
are inherently  forward-looking  statements in that they involve  judgements and
statements of belief as to the outcome of future  events.  These  statements are
not guarantees of future  performance and involve certain risks,  uncertainties,
and assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent,

                                     Page 13
<PAGE>
likelihood, and degree of occurrence. Therefore, actual results and outcomes may
materially   differ  from  what  may  be   expressed  or   forecasted   in  such
forward-looking statements.  Internal and external factors that may cause such a
difference  include  changes in interest rates and interest rate  relationships;
demand for products and services;  the degree of competition by traditional  and
non-traditional  competitors;  changes  in banking  regulations;  changes in tax
laws; changes in prices,  levies,  and assessments;  the impact of technological
advances;  governmental and regulatory  policy changes;  the outcomes of pending
and  future  litigation  and  contingencies;  trends in  customer  behavior  and
customer ability to repay loans;  software failure,  errors or  miscalculations;
the ability of other companies on which the  Corporation  relies to be Year 2000
compliant;  the  ability  of the  Corporation  to locate  and  correct  all data
sensitive  computer  code; and the  vicissitudes  of the national  economy.  The
Corporation undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.





                                     Page 14
<PAGE>
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Information  under the headings,  "Liquidity and Interest Rate  Sensitivity"  on
pages 8 and 9 and "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk" on
pages 9 through 11 in the  registrant's  annual report to  shareholders  for the
year ended  December 31, 1998, is here  incorporated  by reference.  Firstbank's
annual  report is filed as  Exhibit  13 to its Form 10-K  annual  report for its
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.

Firstbank faces market risk to the extent that both earnings and the fair values
of its  financial  instruments  are affected by changes in interest  rates.  The
Corporation manages this risk with static GAP analysis and simulation  modeling.
Throughout  the  first  quarter  of  1999,  the  results  of  these  measurement
techniques were within the Corporation's policy guidelines. The Corporation does
not  believe  that  there  has  been a  material  change  in the  nature  of the
Corporation's primary market risk exposures,  including the categories of market
risk to which the Corporation is exposed and the particular markets that present
the primary  risk of loss to the  Corporation.  As of the date of this Form 10-Q
Quarterly  Report,  the  Corporation  does not know of or expect there to be any
material change in the general nature of its primary market risk exposure in the
near term.

The methods by which the Corporation  manages its primary market risk exposures,
as  described  in the sections of its Form 10-K Annual  Report  incorporated  by
reference  in response  to this item,  have not  changed  materially  during the
current year. As of the date of this Form 10-Q quarterly report, the Corporation
does not  expect  to  change  those  methods  in the  near  term.  However,  the
Corporation  may  change  those  methods  in the  future to adapt to  changes in
circumstances or to implement new techniques.

The Corporation's  market risk exposure is mainly comprised of its vulnerability
to interest rate risk. Prevailing interest rates and interest rate relationships
in the future will be primarily  determined by market  factors which are outside
of  Firstbank's  control.  All  information  provided  in  response to this item
consists  of  forward  looking  statements.  Reference  is made  to the  section
captioned  "Forward  Looking  Statements" on page 13 of this Form 10-Q quarterly
report for a discussion of the  limitations  on Firstbank's  responsibility  for
such statements.


                                     Page 15
<PAGE>
                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION



Item 2.  Changes in Securities

At  various  times  in  the  first  quarter  of  1999,  the  Corporation  issued
unregistered  shares of its common  stock  totaling 880 shares to members of the
board of directors of the Corporation and the  Corporation's  subsidiary  banks.
The shares were issued as  retainers  and/or  director  fees for the  directors'
services on the Boards.  The Corporation  claims an exemption from  registration
for the issuances  under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
which exempts  transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering.  The
issuance did not involve any general solicitation.


Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

        (a)     Exhibits:

                 Exhibit 27 -- Financial Data Schedule






                                     Page 16
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES

     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.



                                      FIRSTBANK CORPORATION
                                      (Registrant)




Date:   May 12, 1999                  \s\ John  McCormack                
                                      John McCormack
                                      President, Chief Executive Officer and
                                      Director (Principal Executive Officer)


Date:   May 12, 1999                  \s\ Mary D. Deci                   
                                      Mary D. Deci
                                      Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
                                      (Principal Accounting Officer)





                                     Page 17

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                            9
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Firstbank
Corporation's financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to such financial statements as of March 31, 1999.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          17,547
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           2,546
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 4,574
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     98,164
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                        445,423
<ALLOWANCE>                                     (8,966)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 594,081
<DEPOSITS>                                     488,166
<SHORT-TERM>                                     3,050
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              9,112
<LONG-TERM>                                     33,605
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                        52,303
<OTHER-SE>                                       7,845
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 594,081
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  9,537
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                1,471
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                11,008
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               4,306
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,739
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            6,270
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      126
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  4,795
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,769
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       2,769
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,936
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.41
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.76
<LOANS-NON>                                        708
<LOANS-PAST>                                       303
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                    79
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                    917
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 9,048
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      324
<RECOVERIES>                                       116
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                8,966
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             7,313
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          1,653
        

</TABLE>


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