SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 --------------------- FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 December 10, 2002 (Date of earliest event reported) Commission file number: 0-20167 NORTH COUNTRY FINANCIAL CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) MICHIGAN 38-2062816 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No) 1011 NOTEWARE DRIVE, TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49686 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (906) 341-8401 ITEM 4. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT The firm of Plante & Moran of Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been engaged to perform an audit of the Registrant's financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2002. 1 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 hereunto duly authorized. NORTH COUNTRY FINANCIAL CORPORATION Date: December 16, 2002 By: /s/ Sherry Littlejohn ------------------------------------ Sherry Littlejohn, President 2