STURGIS, Mich., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sturgis Bancorp, Inc. (OTC:STBI) (BULLETIN BOARD: STBI) today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.03 per common share, payable December 15, 2009 to stockholders of record November 30, 2009. In making this announcement, Eric L. Eishen, President and CEO, noted that the payment marks the 80th consecutive quarter that Sturgis Bancorp, Inc. or Sturgis Bank & Trust Company, its predecessor, has paid a cash dividend. The cash dividend was reduced from prior quarters to reflect the decrease in earnings and maintain internal dividend payout guidelines. President Eishen also stated, "In exceptionally good years we have declared special cash dividends to reward our shareholders. With the difficulty of the Michigan economy and the banking industry as a whole, we have determined this is a time to preserve and build capital levels. There is also uncertainty related to possible Regulatory changes that may be in play and their impact on capital levels. While the Bank exceeds the statutory definitions of well-capitalized and is adding to capital levels, we are uncertain of how this politically volatile time in the banking industry may impact capital requirements. The Bank intends to maintain its well-capitalized status and believes the reduction in the dividend is prudent at this time." Sturgis Bancorp is the holding company for Sturgis Bank & Trust Company, and its subsidiaries Oakleaf Financial Services, Inc. and Oak Mortgage, LLC. Sturgis Bancorp provides a full array of trust, commercial and consumer-banking services from 12 banking centers in Sturgis, Bronson, Centreville, Climax, Coldwater, Colon, South Haven, Three Rivers and White Pigeon, Mich. Oakleaf Financial Services offers a complete range of investment and financial-advisory services. Oak Mortgage offers residential mortgages in all banking centers of the Bank. For Sturgis Bank & Trust Company updates, visit http://www.sturgisbank.com/. This release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. These statements appear in several places in this release and include statements regarding intent, belief, outlook, objectives, efforts, estimates or expectations of Bancorp, primarily with respect to future events and the future financial performance of the Bancorp. Any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future events or performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statement. Factors that could cause a difference between an ultimate actual outcome and a preceding forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to, 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 laws and regulations; changes in tax laws; changes in prices, levies, and assessments; the impact of technological advances; government and regulatory policy changes; the outcome of any pending and future litigation and contingencies; trends in consumer behavior and ability to repay loans; and changes of the world, national and local economies. Bancorp undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. The numbers presented herein are unaudited. DATASOURCE: Sturgis Bancorp, Inc. CONTACT: Eric Eishen, President & CEO, or Brian P. Hoggatt, CFO, both of Sturgis Bancorp, Inc., +1-269-651-9345 Web Site: http://www.sturgisbank.com/

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