The following information is furnished under Item 2.02 - "Results of Operations and Financial Condition" and such information, including the exhibits attached hereto, shall not be deemed "filed" for any purpose, including for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section. The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

On October 16, 2008 Merchants Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors had declared a quarterly dividend of 28 cents per share on the Company's common stock. A copy of that press release, which is incorporated herein by reference, is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

(c). The following exhibits are included with this Report:

     Exhibit No.                     Description
     -----------------------         -----------
     99.1                            Press Release dated October 16, 2008