EXHIBIT 12 - RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

OLD KENT FINANCIAL CORRPORATION
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

|                                                                                                       | Nine Months Ended
September 30 |  | Years Ended December 31
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------ |  | -----------------------
|                                                                                                       | (dollar amounts in thousands) 
|                                                                                                       | 2000                           |  | 1999                   
|Earnings:                                                                                              |                                |  |                        
|Income before income taxes                                                                             | $284,994                       |  | $317,252               
|Add back fixed charges                                                                                 | 157,400                        |  | 103,095                
|                                                                                                       | $442,394                       |  | $420,347               
|Fixed charges:                                                                                         |                                |  |                        
|Interest expense                                                                                       |                                |  |                        
|(other than interest on
   deposits)                                                                   | $157,400                       |  | $103,095               
|Interest factor in rent expense                                                                        | --                             |  | --                     
|Total fixed charges                                                                                    | $157,400                       |  | $103,095               
|                                                                                                       |                                |  |                        
|Preferred stock dividend
   (gross up to pre-tax basis
   based on 34% effective
   tax rate)          | 841                            |  | 841                    
|Total fixed charges and
   preferred stock dividend                                                    | $158,241                       |  | $103,936               
|                                                                                                       |                                |  |                        
|Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges, excluding interest
  on deposits                                 | 2.81                           |  | 4.08                   
|                                                                                                       |                                |  |                        
|Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges and preferred stock
  dividends, excluding interest
  on deposits | 2.80                           |  | 4.04                   
|                                                                                                       |                                |  |                        
|Including Interest on Deposits                                                                         |                                |  |                        
|                                                                                                       |                                |  |                        
|Earnings:                                                                                              |                                |  |                        
|Income before income taxes                                                                             | $284,994                       |  | $317,252               
|Add back fixed charges                                                                                 | 644,423                        |  | 510,125                
|                                                                                                       | $929,417                       |  | $827,377               
|Fixed charges:                                                                                         |                                |  |                        
|                                                                                                       |                                |  |                        
|Interest expense                                                                                       | $644,423                       |  | $510,125               
|Interest factor in rent expense                                                                        | --                             |  | --                     
|Total fixed charges                                                                                    | $644,423                       |  | $510,125               
|                                                                                                       |                                |  |                        
|Preferred stock dividend
   (gross up to pre-tax basis
   based on 34% effective
   tax rate)          | 841                            |  | 841                    
|Total fixed charges and
   preferred stock dividend                                                    | $645,264                       |  | $510,966               
|                                                                                                       |                                |  |                        
|Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges, including interest
  on deposits                                 | 1.44                           |  | 1.62                   
|                                                                                                       |                                |  |                        
|Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges and preferred stock
  dividends, including interest
  on deposits | 1.44                           |  | 1.62