How does Independent Bank Corporation describe its merger-related statements?

Independent Bank Corporation characterizes merger-related comments as forward-looking statements covered by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act safe harbor. These statements reflect current plans and expectations, and the company notes they speak only as of their date and are subject to material risks and uncertainties.

Independent Bank–HCB merger wins shareholder nod

Independent Bank Corporation reported that HCB Financial Corp. shareholders approved the companies’ Agreement and Plan of Merger at a special meeting held on June 17, 2026.

Filing Impact

(High)

Filing Sentiment

(Neutral)

Form Type

8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Independent Bank Corporation reported that HCB Financial Corp. shareholders approved the companies’ Agreement and Plan of Merger at a special meeting held on June 17, 2026. The merger between Independent and HCB is now primarily subject to remaining closing conditions and required regulatory approvals.

The parties currently anticipate closing the transaction on July 1, 2026, if those conditions are satisfied. The disclosure emphasizes that statements about the expected completion of the merger are forward-looking and subject to risks that could cause actual results to differ materially.

Insights

Shareholder approval advances the Independent–HCB bank merger toward closing, pending remaining conditions.

HCB Financial Corp. shareholders have approved the Agreement and Plan of Merger with Independent Bank Corporation. This vote clears a key corporate governance hurdle, allowing the parties to focus on satisfying remaining regulatory and contractual closing conditions before the anticipated July 1, 2026 closing.

The companies highlight that completion is still subject to various conditions, including required regulatory approvals, and characterize merger-related statements as forward-looking under safe harbor provisions. Subsequent disclosures from the parties will clarify whether all conditions are met and the merger closes as anticipated.

8-K Event Classification

Item 8.01 — Other Events

1 item

Item 8.01 Other Events Other

Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.

Key Figures

HCB shareholder meeting date: June 17, 2026 Anticipated merger closing date: July 1, 2026 Merger agreement signing date: March 18, 2026 +1 more

4 metrics

HCB shareholder meeting date June 17, 2026 Special meeting to approve merger with Independent Bank Corporation

Anticipated merger closing date July 1, 2026 Targeted closing date for Independent–HCB merger, subject to conditions

Merger agreement signing date March 18, 2026 Date of Agreement and Plan of Merger between Independent and HCB

Form type Form 8-K Current report describing HCB shareholder approval of merger

Key Terms

Agreement and Plan of Merger, special meeting of its shareholders, forward-looking statements, safe harbor provisions, +1 more

5 terms

Agreement and Plan of Merger financial

"to approve that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 18, 2026"

An Agreement and Plan of Merger is a formal document where two companies agree to combine into one, outlining how the process will happen. It’s like a step-by-step plan for merging, and it matters because it shows both sides have agreed on the details before the official transition takes place.

special meeting of its shareholders financial

"HCB Financial Corp. (“HCB”) held a special meeting of its shareholders"

forward-looking statements regulatory

"This document contains certain forward-looking statements about Independent"

Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.

safe harbor provisions regulatory

"covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements"

Safe harbor provisions are rules or legal protections that shield companies or individuals from certain penalties or liabilities when they follow specific guidelines or procedures. They provide a sense of security, encouraging compliance and innovation by reducing the fear of legal repercussions if they act in good faith. For investors, these provisions help ensure that companies are transparent and accountable without the risk of unfair punishment for honest mistakes.

closing conditions financial

"anticipate closing the merger on July 1, 2026, subject to satisfaction of applicable closing conditions"

Closing conditions are specific requirements or steps that must be met before a financial deal or transaction can be finalized. They act like a checklist that ensures all necessary details are confirmed and agreed upon, giving both parties confidence that the deal is ready to be completed. Meeting these conditions is essential for the transaction to move forward smoothly and successfully.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did Independent Bank Corporation (IBCP) announce regarding the HCB merger?

Independent Bank Corporation reported that HCB Financial Corp. shareholders approved the Agreement and Plan of Merger at a special meeting on June 17, 2026, moving the proposed merger forward, subject to satisfaction of remaining closing conditions and required regulatory approvals.

When do Independent Bank Corporation and HCB expect their merger to close?

The parties currently anticipate closing the merger on July 1, 2026, provided applicable closing conditions are satisfied. These conditions include obtaining required regulatory approvals and fulfilling other obligations outlined in the Agreement and Plan of Merger between Independent Bank Corporation and HCB Financial Corp.

What was approved at HCB Financial Corp.’s special shareholder meeting?

At the June 17, 2026 special meeting, HCB Financial Corp. shareholders voted to approve the Agreement and Plan of Merger with Independent Bank Corporation. This approval authorizes HCB’s proposed merger with Independent, allowing the transaction to progress toward closing once remaining conditions are met.

Are there risks that the Independent Bank–HCB merger might not be completed?

Yes. The companies state that the merger’s completion is subject to many risks and uncertainties, including failure to satisfy closing conditions and obtain required regulatory and shareholder approvals. They caution that actual results could differ materially from forward-looking statements about the expected merger completion.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Accepted by SEC EDGAR 06/18/2026 - 04:35 PM

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 (date of earliest event reported): June 17, 2026

INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Michigan	0-7818	38-2032782
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)


4200 East Beltline Grand Rapids, Michigan			49525
(Address of principal executive office)			(Zip Code)

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):


x			Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o			Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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


Title of each class	Trading symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, no par value	IBCP	NASDAQ Global Select Market

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 o

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. o

Item 8.01. Other Events

On June 17, 2026, HCB Financial Corp. (“HCB”) held a special meeting of its shareholders (the “Meeting”) to approve that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 18, 2026 (the “Merger Agreement”) by and between Independent Bank Corporation (“Independent”) and HCB.

HCB disclosed that at the Meeting, shareholders of HCB voted to approve HCB’s proposed merger with Independent, pursuant to the Merger Agreement. The parties anticipate closing the merger on July 1, 2026, subject to satisfaction of applicable closing conditions.

Forward Looking Statements

This document contains certain forward-looking statements about Independent, such as statements about the expected completion of the proposed merger. Independent intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of Independent and HCB, are identified by use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” or similar expressions. Actual results could differ materially from the results indicated by these statements because the realization of those results is subject to many risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, the inability to complete the proposed merger due to the failure to satisfy the various conditions to closing, including failure to obtain the required regulatory and shareholder approvals. Additional information concerning Independent, including additional factors and risks that could materially affect Independent’s financial results, are included in Independent’s filings with the SEC, including its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the proposed merger or other matters attributable to Independent or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Except as required by law, Independent does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this document, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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.

INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION

(Registrant)

Date

June 18, 2026

s/Gavin A. Mohr

Gavin A. Mohr, Principal Financial Officer

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents

Independent Bank–HCB merger wins shareholder nod

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Positive

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