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 August 18, 2003 (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) 130 SOUTH CEDAR STREET, MANISTIQUE, MI 49854 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (800) 200-7032 ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS AND REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE On August 21, 2003, North Country Financial Corporation, the holding company for North Country Bank and Trust, issued a press release announcing that, effective August 18, 2003, Mr. Joseph E. Petterson was appointed as executive vice president of the Corporation and the Bank. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to the signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. NORTH COUNTRY FINANCIAL CORPORATION Date: August 28, 2003 By: /s/ William T. Fitzgerald, Jr. -------------------------------------- William T. Fitzgerald, Jr. Chief Financial Officer