    <SEC-DOCUMENT>0000712534-19-000065-index.html : 20190321
    <SEC-HEADER>0000712534-19-000065.hdr.sgml : 20190321
    <ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20190321092958
    ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000712534-19-000065
    CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	DEF 14A
    PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		7
    CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20190509
    FILED AS OF DATE:		20190321
    DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20190321
    EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20190321

    FILER:

    	COMPANY DATA:
    		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FIRST MERCHANTS CORP
    		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000712534
    		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
    		IRS NUMBER:				351544218
    		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IN
    		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

    	FILING VALUES:
    		FORM TYPE:		DEF 14A
    		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
    		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-17071
    		FILM NUMBER:		19696066

    	BUSINESS ADDRESS:
    		STREET 1:		200 E JACKSON ST
    		STREET 2:		PO BOX 792
    		CITY:			MUNCIE
    		STATE:			IN
    		ZIP:			47308-0792
    		BUSINESS PHONE:		7657471500

    	MAIL ADDRESS:
    		STREET 1:		200 EAST JACKSON STREET
    		CITY:			MUNCIE
    		STATE:			IN
    		ZIP:			47305
    </SEC-HEADER>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>DEF 14A
    <SEQUENCE>1
    <FILENAME>a2019proxydefinitive.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>FIRST MERCHANTS CORP - 2019 PROXY
    <TEXT>
    Document 1 - file: a2019proxydefinitive.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>2
    <FILENAME>proxycardpage1.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>PROXY CARD
    <TEXT>
    Document 2 - file: proxycardpage1.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>3
    <FILENAME>proxycardpage2.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>NOTICE REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
    <TEXT>
    Document 3 - file: proxycardpage2.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>4
    <FILENAME>napage1.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE
    <TEXT>
    Document 4 - file: napage1.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>5
    <FILENAME>napage2.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>BEFORE YOU VOTE-HOW YOU VOTE (PAGE 1)
    <TEXT>
    Document 5 - file: napage2.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>6
    <FILENAME>napage3.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>BEFORE YOU VOTE-HOW YOU VOTE (PAGE 2)
    <TEXT>
    Document 6 - file: napage3.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>7
    <FILENAME>chart-04b07b82426157eb9e6.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>SNL GRAPH
    <TEXT>
    Document 7 - file: chart-04b07b82426157eb9e6.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    </SEC-DOCUMENT>