SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT--(Marketwired - May 6, 2013) - Merchants Bank (NASDAQ: [ MBVT ]) ranked #10 in American Banker Magazine's list of "best performers" published in the May 2013 issue, and was the second highest ranked bank in the New England area. Based upon data from SNL Financial, American Banker posted the top performing 200 financial institutions from a peer group of 851 banks across the country.

"Merchants Bank is in a great position to serve our customers; large enough to be financially sound and offer sophisticated banking technology, while remaining focused on our local commitment to community," stated Mike Tuttle, President and CEO of Merchants Bank. "Every employee at Merchants Bank feels great pride in knowing we are one of the finest banks in America."

SNL Financial ranked banks with less than $2 billion in total assets as of Dec. 31, 2012, based upon data from GAAP and/or regulatory filings. The best performers are based on their average return on equity over the past three years.

Established in 1849, Merchants Bank is the largest Vermont-based bank, independent and locally operated. Consumer, business, municipal and investment customers enjoy personalized relationships, sophisticated online and mobile banking options, more than 30 community bank locations statewide, plus a nationwide network of over 55,000 surcharge-free Allpoint ATMs. Merchants Bank (Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, NASDAQ "MBVT"), and Merchants Trust Company employ approximately 300 full-time employees and 40 part-time employees statewide. [ www.mbvt.com ]