<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-19-182611.txt : 20190626
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-19-182611.hdr.sgml : 20190626
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20190626162600
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-19-182611
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	S-8
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		6
FILED AS OF DATE:		20190626
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20190626
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20190626

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:		S-8
		SEC ACT:		1933 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-232362
		FILM NUMBER:		19921914

	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>S-8
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d746560ds8.htm
<DESCRIPTION>S-8
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>S-8</TITLE>
</HEAD>
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<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333- </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:4pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:4pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FORM <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>UNDER </I></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 </I></B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:24pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt" ALIGN="center">


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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Indiana</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">35-1544218</FONT></B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(State or Other Jurisdiction of</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Incorporation or Organization)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(IRS Employer</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Identification Number)</B></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>200 East Jackson Street </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Muncie, Indiana 47305 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(765) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">747-1500</FONT> </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant&#146;s Principal Executive Offices) </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>First Merchants Corporation 2019 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>First Merchants Corporation 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>First Merchants Corporation Equity Compensation Plan for <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Directors </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Full Titles of Plans) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Mark K.
Hardwick </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Executive Vice President, </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>First Merchants Corporation </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>200 East Jackson Street </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Muncie, Indiana 47305 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(765) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">747-1500</FONT> </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service) </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


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<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3" ALIGN="center"><B><I>With copies to:</I></B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Jeremy E. Hill, Esq.</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Bradley C. Arnett, Esq.</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>2700 Market Tower</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>10 W.
Market Street</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Indianapolis, Indiana 46204</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(317) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">635-8900</FONT></B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Brian T. Hunt, Esq.</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>First Vice President &#150; General Counsel</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>First Merchants Corporation</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>200 East Jackson Street</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Muncie, Indiana 47305</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(765) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">747-1500</FONT></B></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
</DIV></Center>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">


<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">non-accelerated</FONT> filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of &#147;large accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;smaller reporting
company,&#148; and &#147;emerging growth company&#148; in Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">12b-2</FONT> of the Exchange Act. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


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<TD WIDTH="60%"></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="1%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Large&nbsp;accelerated&nbsp;filer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9745;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Accelerated&nbsp;filer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9744;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Non-accelerated filer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9744;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Smaller&nbsp;reporting&nbsp;company</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9744;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Emerging growth company</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9744;</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended
transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) of the Exchange Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9744; </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="44%"></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="13%"></TD>
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<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD COLSPAN="9" VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"><B>Title of Securities <BR>to be Registered</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Amount</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>to be</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Registered&nbsp;(1)(2)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Proposed</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Maximum</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Offering
Price</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Per Share(3)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Proposed</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Maximum</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Aggregate</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Offering Price(3)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Amount of</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Registration Fee</B></P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Common Stock, no par value</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">2,750,000</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">$36.12</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">$99,330,000</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000">$12,039</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD COLSPAN="9" VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px; ">
<TD COLSPAN="9" VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-top:1.00px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(1)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Represents 1,250,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the First Merchants Corporation 2019 Long-Term
Equity Incentive Plan, 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the First Merchants Corporation 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and 500,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the First Merchants Corporation Equity Compensation Plan for <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Directors. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(2)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), this
Registration Statement also covers any additional shares of Common Stock that may become issuable under the employee benefit plans described herein by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation or reorganization
of or by the registrant that results in an increase in the number of the registrant&#146;s shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such plans. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(3)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(c) and
(h)&nbsp;under the Securities Act based on the average of the high and low sales prices of the registrant&#146;s Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market as of June&nbsp;20, 2019. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
</DIV></Center>


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<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">


<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>EXPLANATORY NOTE </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This Registration Statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> of First Merchants Corporation (the &#147;Registrant&#148;) is
being filed by the Registrant to register 1,250,000 shares of the Registrant&#146;s common stock, no par value (the &#147;Common Stock&#148;), issuable under the First Merchants Corporation 2019 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan, 1,000,000 shares of
Common Stock issuable under the First Merchants Corporation 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and 500,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the First Merchants Corporation Equity Compensation Plan for
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Directors. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PART I </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;1.</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><B>Plan Information. </B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The information required by Part I to be contained in this Item is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with the Introductory
Note to Part I of Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8.</FONT> A document containing the information specified in Part I will be sent or given to participants in each of the employee benefit plans described herein as specified by Rule 428(b)(1)
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;). Each such document and the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this Form
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8,</FONT> taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section&nbsp;10(a) of the Securities Act. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;2.</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><B>Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information. </B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The information required by Part I to be contained in this Item is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with the Introductory
Note to Part I of Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8.</FONT> </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PART II </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;3.</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><B>Incorporation of Documents by Reference. </B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The following documents previously filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) pursuant to
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), are incorporated herein by reference (other than Current Reports on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K,</FONT> or portions thereof, &#147;furnished&#148; pursuant
to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K,</FONT> including any exhibits included with such information, unless otherwise indicated therein): </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(a)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">the Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253419000032/frme-12312018x10k.htm">Form
 <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT></A> for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2018; </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(b)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">the Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253419000108/frmeq12019.htm">Form
 <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-Q</FONT></A> for the quarter ended March&nbsp;31, 2019; </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(c)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">the Registrant&#146;s Current Reports on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> filed on <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253419000022/a8k-1stqtr2019dividendanno.htm">February&nbsp;5,
 2019</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253419000104/a8k-2ndqtr2019dividendanno.htm">May&nbsp;
9, 2019</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253419000106/a8-k2019annualshareholderm.htm">May&nbsp;10, 2019</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000119312519147404/d746616d8k.htm">May&nbsp;15,
2019</A> and <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253419000122/a8-ksettlementagreementand.htm">June&nbsp;13, 2019</A>; and </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(d)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">the description of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock set forth in the registration statement filed by the
Registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;12 of the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed with the Commission for the purpose of updating such description. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">All documents filed by the Registrant with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to
the filing of this Registration Statement, and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated
by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents; provided, however, that the Registrant is not incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof that are not considered to be
&#147;filed&#148; with the Commission. </P>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Any statement contained in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement. </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;4.</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><B>Description of Securities. </B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Not applicable. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;5.</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><B>Interests of Named Experts and Counsel. </B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Not applicable. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;6.</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><B>Indemnification of Directors and Officers. </B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Indiana Business Corporation Law permits a corporation to indemnify directors and officers against liabilities asserted against or incurred
by them while serving as such or while serving at the corporation&#146;s request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or
other enterprise if (i)&nbsp;the individual&#146;s conduct was in good faith, and (ii)&nbsp;the individual reasonably believed (A)&nbsp;in the case of conduct in the individual&#146;s official capacity, that the individual&#146;s conduct was in the
corporation&#146;s best interests and (B)&nbsp;in all other cases, that the individual&#146;s conduct was at least not opposed to the corporation&#146;s best interests, and (iii)&nbsp;in the case of any criminal proceeding, the individual either
(A)&nbsp;had reasonable cause to believe the individual&#146;s conduct was lawful or (B)&nbsp;had no reasonable cause to believe the individual&#146;s conduct was unlawful.&nbsp;The Registrant&#146;s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that
the Registrant will indemnify any person satisfying the standard of conduct outlined above as determined by (a)&nbsp;the the Registrant&#146;s Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to or who have been
wholly successful with respect to such claim, action, suit or proceeding; or (b)&nbsp;independent legal counsel chosen by the Registrant. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In addition, the Indiana Business Corporation Law requires a corporation, unless limited by its articles of incorporation, to indemnify a
director or officer who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding in which the director or officer was a party because the director or officer was serving the corporation in such capacity against reasonable
expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding. The Registrant&#146;s Articles of Incorporation do not contain any provision limiting such indemnification. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Indiana Business Corporation Law also permits the Registrant to purchase and maintain on behalf of its directors and officers insurance
against liabilities asserted against or incurred by an individual in such capacity, whether or not the Registrant otherwise has the power to indemnify the individual against the same liability under the Indiana Business Corporation Law.&nbsp;Under a
directors&#146; and officers&#146; liability insurance policy, directors and officers of the Registrant are insured against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the federal securities laws, which might be incurred by them in such
capacity. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;7.</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><B>Exemption from Registration Claimed. </B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Not applicable. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">-2- </P>

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<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;8.</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><B>Exhibits. </B></P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="5%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Number</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; display:table-cell; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="center"><B>Description</B></P></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>&nbsp;&nbsp;4.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253417000163/amendedfmcarticlesofincorp.htm">First Merchants Corporation Articles of Incorporation, as amended, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant&#146;s
 Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> filed May&nbsp;2, 2017 (SEC File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;000-17071)</FONT> </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>&nbsp;&nbsp;4.2</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253417000095/exhibit32-201610k.htm">Bylaws of First Merchants Corporation dated August&nbsp;
11, 2016 are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT> filed March&nbsp;1, 2017 (SEC File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;000-17071)</FONT>
</A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>&nbsp;&nbsp;4.3</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000119312519147404/d746616dex101.htm">First Merchants Corporation 2019 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant&#146;s Form
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> filed May&nbsp;15, 2019 (SEC File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;000-17071)</FONT> </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>&nbsp;&nbsp;4.4</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000119312519147404/d746616dex102.htm">First Merchants Corporation 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant&#146;s Form <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> filed May&nbsp;15, 2019 (SEC File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;000-17071)</FONT> </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>&nbsp;&nbsp;4.5</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d746560dex45.htm">First Merchants Corporation Equity Compensation Plan for <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Directors </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>&nbsp;&nbsp;5.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d746560dex51.htm">Opinion of Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP as to the validity of the securities registered hereunder </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>23.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d746560dex231.htm">Consent of BKD LLP </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>23.2</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d746560dex51.htm">Consent of Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) </A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>24.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="#poa">Power of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto) </A></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(a) The Registrant hereby undertakes: </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration
statement: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(A)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">to include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(B)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement
(or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in
volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus
filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20&nbsp;percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the &#147;Calculation of Registration
Fee&#148; table in the effective registration statement; and </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(C)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>provided,
however</I>, that paragraphs (A), (B) and (C)&nbsp;above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant
pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall
be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain
unsold at the termination of the offering. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(b) The Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
</P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">-3- </P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial <I>bona fide</I> offering thereof. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of
any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">* * * * * </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">-4- </P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SIGNATURES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Muncie, State of Indiana,
on June 26th, 2019. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="40%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">


<TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"><B>FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION</B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">By:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">/s/ Michael C. Rechin</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Michael C. Rechin, Chief Executive Officer and President</TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">-5- </P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><A NAME="poa"></A>POWER OF ATTORNEY </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Michael C. Rechin and Mark K. Hardwick, and each of them, as such
person&#146;s true and lawful <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">attorney-in-fact</FONT></FONT> and agent, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in his or her name, place and stead,
in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement (including any post-effective amendments thereto), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">attorney-in-fact</FONT></FONT> and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">attorney-in-fact</FONT></FONT> and agent, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed as of the 26th day of June, 2019 by
the following persons in the capacities indicated. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">


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<TD WIDTH="37%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="58%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Michael C. Rechin</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Michael C. Rechin</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Chief Executive Officer, President and</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Director (Principal Executive Officer)</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Mark K. Hardwick</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Mark K. Hardwick</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Charles E. Schalliol</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Charles E. Schalliol</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Chairman of the Board and Director</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Michael R. Becher</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Michael R. Becher</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Director</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Michael J. Fisher</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Michael J. Fisher</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Director</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ F. Howard Halderman</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">F. Howard Halderman</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Director</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ William L. Hoy</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">William L. Hoy</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Director</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Gary J. Lehman</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Gary J. Lehman</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Director</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Michael C. Marhenke</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Michael C. Marhenke</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Director</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Patrick A. Sherman</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Patrick A. Sherman</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Director</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Terry L. Walker</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Terry L. Walker</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Director</P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Jean L. Wojtowicz</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Jean L. Wojtowicz</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Director</P></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">-6- </P>

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<DESCRIPTION>EX-4.5
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<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right"><B>Exhibit 4.5 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN FOR <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">NON-EMPLOYEE</FONT> DIRECTORS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>ARTICLE I </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>ESTABLISHMENT
AND PURPOSE </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;1.01. <I>Establishment of Plan</I>. First Merchants Corporation, an Indiana corporation (the
&#147;Company&#148;), hereby establishes the First Merchants Corporation Equity Compensation Plan for <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Directors (the &#147;Plan&#148;), effective as of June&nbsp;30, 2019 (the &#147;Effective
Date&#148;), subject to the approval of the Plan at the Company&#146;s 2019 annual meeting of shareholders by the holders of a majority of the shares of the Company&#146;s common stock present and voting at that meeting in person or by proxy. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;1.02. <I>Purpose</I>. The purpose of the Plan is to promote the interests of the Company and its shareholders by more closely
aligning the interests of the Company and its <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Directors (as hereinafter defined) by requiring the payment of at least <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">one-half</FONT> (1/2) of the Compensation (as
defined in Section&nbsp;3.01) payable to <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Directors for their service in that capacity in Restricted Shares (as defined in Section&nbsp;3.04) of the Company&#146;s common stock. A <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&#147;Non-Employee</FONT> Director&#148; means any member of the board of directors of the Company (the &#147;Board&#148;) who is not an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (as hereinafter defined). A
&#147;Subsidiary&#148; means a corporation or other form of business association of which shares (or other ownership interests) having fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting power are, or in the future become, owned or controlled, directly or
indirectly, by the Company. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>ARTICLE II </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>ADMINISTRATION </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Plan
shall be administered by the Compensation and Human Resources Committee of the Board (the &#147;Committee&#148;), which shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Committee shall have full authority to administer the Plan, including authority to
interpret and construe any provision of the Plan and to adopt such rules and regulations for administering the Plan as it may deem necessary to comply with the requirements of the Plan or any applicable law. All actions taken and interpretations
made in good faith by the Committee, or taken or made by any other person or persons to whom the Committee has delegated authority, in the administration of the Plan shall be final and binding upon all interested persons. All decisions by the
Committee shall be made with the approval of not less than a majority of its members. No member of the Committee shall be liable for anything done or omitted to be done by him or her or by any other member of the Committee or the Board in connection
with the Plan, except for his or her own willful misconduct or as expressly provided by statute. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>ARTICLE III </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PARTICIPATION; <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">NON-EMPLOYEE</FONT> DIRECTOR COMPENSATION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;3.01. <I>Participation</I>. All <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Directors shall automatically become
participants in the Plan with respect to all Compensation payable to them for calendar quarters ending after the Effective Date, until the Plan is terminated in accordance with the provisions of Article VII. &#147;Compensation&#148; means any
retainer, fee or other payment of any kind to which a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director is entitled for services performed in that capacity, including, without limitation, any additional amount payable to a <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director for chairing a Board committee; provided, however, fees for service on a regional advisory board will not be included. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;3.02. <I><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director Compensation</I>. The Board shall annually, or at other
times as the Board shall deem appropriate, determine the amount of Compensation to be payable for services performed by <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Directors, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Such
Compensation shall be paid quarterly, as of the last business day of each calendar quarter. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">1 </P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;3.03. <I>Fraction Payable in Restricted Shares</I>. A fraction of all
Compensation payable to <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Directors for calendar quarters ending after the Effective Date, as determined by the Board from time to time, which fraction shall not be less than <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">one-half</FONT> (1/2), shall be paid in Restricted Shares. In the absence of such determination, this fraction shall be five-eighths (5/8). The number of Restricted Shares to be issued to each <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director shall be determined on the basis of the Fair Market Value (as hereinafter defined) of such Restricted Shares as of the date (i.e., the last business day of the calendar quarter) for which the
Compensation is payable. The &#147;Fair Market Value&#148; of a Restricted Share means the last reported sale price of a share of the Company&#146;s common stock on the relevant date, or if no sale took place, the last reported sale price of a share
of the Company&#146;s common stock on the most recent day on which a sale of a share of the Company&#146;s common stock took place as reported by NASDAQ or a national securities exchange on which the Company&#146;s common stock is listed on such
date. The Restricted Shares shall be issued as of the last business day of the relevant calendar quarter and shall be credited to the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director&#146;s stock account as soon as administratively
feasible thereafter, but in no event shall any such payment be made later than the March&nbsp;15 of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which such Restricted Shares were earned. To the extent Compensation payable in Restricted
Shares to a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director under this Section&nbsp;3.03 would result in a fractional share of common stock being issuable to such <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director, cash
shall be paid to the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director in lieu of such fractional share. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;3.04.
<I>Restrictions on Shares</I>. A &#147;Restricted Share&#148; means a share of the Company&#146;s common stock that is nontransferable and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, to the extent provided in this Section&nbsp;3.04. The Restricted
Shares issued to a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director in accordance with Section&nbsp;3.03 may be registered in the name of a nominee or held in such other manner as the Committee determines to be appropriate. A book entry
stock account will be established in the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director&#146;s name. The <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director will be the beneficial owner of the Restricted Shares issued and
credited to his or her stock account and, subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section&nbsp;3.04, he or she will have all rights of beneficial ownership in such Restricted Shares including the right to vote the Restricted Shares and receive
all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect thereto. The Company or its nominee will retain custody of the Restricted Shares issued under this Plan until (i)&nbsp;all of the restrictions have lapsed in accordance with Subsection
3.04(a), and (ii)&nbsp;the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director makes a specific request in writing to the Company for such Restricted Shares which have become unrestricted shares of common stock to be sold, transferred or
delivered; provided, however, at any time following the lapse of such restrictions, a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director may request that a stock certificate, representing all or part of the shares credited to his or her
stock account on which the restrictions have lapsed, be issued and delivered to the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director. None of the Restricted Shares issued under this Plan may be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged,
encumbered or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, unless and until, and then only to the extent that, these restrictions have lapsed in accordance with Subsection 3.04(a). </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(a)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><I>Lapse of Restrictions</I>. Subject to Subsection 3.04(b), the restrictions set forth in the first paragraph
of Section&nbsp;3.04 shall lapse on the earliest of the following dates: (i)&nbsp;the third anniversary of the date as of which the Restricted Shares were issued if, as of the date the restrictions are to lapse, the
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director has continued to serve in that capacity from the date as of which the Restricted Shares were issued to the date of lapse; (ii)&nbsp;the date of the
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director&#146;s death; (iii)&nbsp;the date the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director is determined to be Disabled (as hereinafter defined), or (iv)&nbsp;in the event of a
&#147;Change of Control,&#148; as defined in the First Merchants Corporation 2019 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan, if within two (2)&nbsp;years after the effective date of the Change of Control, the
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director is removed or replaced as a member of the Board of the Company, then all restrictions and conditions applicable to the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director&#146;s
Restricted Shares shall be deemed to have lapsed as of the date of such removal or replacement. &#147;Disabled&#148; means total and permanent disability as defined in Section&nbsp;22(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
&#147;Code&#148;). </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(b)<I></I></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><I>Minimum Period for Restrictions</I>. At a minimum, the restrictions set forth in the first paragraph of
Section&nbsp;3.04 shall begin at the time of issuance of the Restricted Shares and continue for a period of one (1)&nbsp;year from the issuance of the Restricted Shares. Such minimum period may only be accelerated pursuant to Subsection
3.04(a)(ii)-(iv) and may not be accelerated at the discretion of the Committee. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">2 </P>

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<TD WIDTH="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(c)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><I>Forfeiture of Restricted Shares</I>. Except in the case of Retirement (as defined below), in the event a <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director&#146;s service as a member of the Board terminates prior to the date the restrictions on all or part of the Restricted Shares issued pursuant to the Plan have lapsed in accordance with
Subsection 3.04(a), all Restricted Shares still subject to the restrictions shall be returned to or canceled by the Company and shall be deemed to have been forfeited by the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director. If a <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director&#146;s engagement as a member of the Board of the Company terminates due to the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director&#146;s Retirement, the <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director shall not forfeit any Restricted Shares, to which he or she was entitled as of the date of his or her Retirement; however, any Restricted Shares shall continue to be the subject to the
restrictions that were applicable to such Restricted Shares as of such date, and such restrictions shall lapse in accordance with Subsection 3.04(a) of the Plan. &#147;Retirement&#148; means the termination of service as a member of the Board of the
Company other than the <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director&#146;s removal as provided in the Bylaws of the Company. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>ARTICLE IV </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SHARES
ISSUABLE UNDER PLAN </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;4.01. <I>Number of Shares</I>. The Restricted Shares issuable under the Plan shall be the
Company&#146;s authorized but unissued, or reacquired, common stock, or shares purchased in the open market. The maximum number of Restricted Shares of common stock that may be issued under the Plan shall be 500,000, as adjusted pursuant to
Section&nbsp;4.02. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;4.02. <I>Adjustment</I>. If the Company shall at any time increase or decrease the number of its
outstanding shares of common stock or change in any way the rights and privileges of such shares by means of a payment of a stock dividend or any other distribution upon such shares payable in common stock, or through a stock split, reverse stock
split, subdivision, consolidation, combination, reclassification, or recapitalization involving common stock, then the numbers, rights and privileges of the Restricted Shares issuable under Section&nbsp;4.01 shall be increased, decreased or changed
in like manner. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>ARTICLE V </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;5.01. <I>No Right to be Elected</I>. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director any right to be elected or <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">re-elected</FONT> as a director of the Company. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;5.02. <I><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Assignment</FONT></I>. A participant&#146;s rights and interest under the Plan may
not be assigned or transferred, hypothecated or encumbered, in whole or in part, either directly or by operation of law or otherwise (except, in the event of a participant&#146;s death, by will or the laws of descent and distribution), including,
without limitation, execution, levy, garnishment, attachment, pledge, bankruptcy, or in any other manner; and no such right or interest of any participant in the Plan shall be subject to any obligation or liability of such participant. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;5.03. <I>Compliance with Applicable Laws</I>. No Restricted Shares shall be issued hereunder unless counsel for the Company shall
be satisfied that such issuance will be in compliance with applicable federal, state, local and foreign securities, securities exchange, and other applicable laws and regulations. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;5.04. <I>Withholding</I>. It shall be a condition to the obligation of the Company to issue Restricted Shares hereunder that the
participant pay to the Company, to the extent required by law and upon its demand, such amount as may be requested by the Company for the purpose of satisfying any liability to withhold federal, state, local or foreign income or other taxes. A
participant in the Plan may satisfy the withholding obligation, in whole or in part, by electing to have the Company withhold shares of common stock, otherwise issuable under the Plan, having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be
withheld. If the amount requested is not paid, the Company shall have no obligation to issue, and the participant shall have no right to receive, Restricted Shares. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;5.05. <I>Unfunded Plan</I>. The Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be required to establish any special or separate
fund or to make any other segregation of assets to assure the issuance of Restricted Shares hereunder. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">3 </P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;5.06. <I>Ratification of Actions Taken</I>. By accepting any payment of <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director Compensation hereunder or other benefit under the Plan, each participant, and each person claiming under or through him or her, shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated his or her
acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, any action taken under the Plan by the Company, the Board, or the Committee. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;5.07. <I>Registration</I>. The appropriate officers of the Company shall cause to be filed any registration statement required by
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any reports, returns or other information regarding any Restricted Shares issued pursuant to the Plan as may be required by Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
&#147;Exchange Act&#148;), or any other applicable statute, rule or regulation. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;5.08. <I>Governing Law</I>. The
interpretation, validity and enforcement of this Plan shall, to the extent not otherwise governed by the Code or the securities laws of the United States, be governed by the laws of the State of Indiana. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;5.09. <I>Headings</I>. Headings are given to the sections of this Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such
headings, numbering and paragraphing shall not in any case be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction of this Plan or any provisions hereof. The use of the singular shall also include within its meaning the plural, where
appropriate, and vice versa. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;5.10. <I>Share Counting Restriction</I>. Common stock may not be added back to the Plan reserve
for future grants in the following circumstances: (i)&nbsp;common stock withheld to cover taxes; and (ii)&nbsp;stock-settled awards where only the actual common stock delivered with respect to an award are counted against the Plan reserve. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Section&nbsp;5.11. <I>Clawback</I>. Any Restricted Shares granted to a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Director under
this plan is subject to recover or &#147;clawback&#148; by the Company if the grant of Restricted Shares was based on materially inaccurate financial statements (which includes, but is not limited to, statements of earnings, revenues or gains). The
Committee will determine whether a financial statement is materially inaccurate based on all the facts and circumstances. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>ARTICLE VI
</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>AMENDMENT </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The
Board may amend the Plan at any time and from time to time, as it deems advisable; provided, however, that no amendment shall become effective without shareholder approval if such shareholder approval is required by any applicable federal or state
law, rule or regulation, or by the rules of NASDAQ or any national exchange on which the Company&#146;s common stock is listed; and provided, further, that any such amendment shall comply with applicable provisions of Rule <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">16b-3</FONT> under Section&nbsp;16 of the Exchange Act, as in effect from time to time, the Code and the rules thereunder as in effect from time to time, and, to the extent applicable, the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules thereunder as in effect from time to time. No amendment of the Plan shall materially and adversely affect any right of any participant with respect to any shares of common stock of the Company
theretofore issued without such participant&#146;s written consent. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>ARTICLE VII </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>TERMINATION </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This Plan
shall terminate upon the earlier of (a)&nbsp;the Board&#146;s adoption of a resolution terminating the Plan, or (b)&nbsp;June&nbsp;30, 2024, which is five (5)&nbsp;years from the date the Plan was initially approved and adopted by the shareholders
of the Company in accordance with Article VIII. No termination of the Plan shall materially and adversely affect any of the rights or obligations of any person without his or her written consent with respect to any shares of common stock of the
Company theretofore earned and issuable under the Plan. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">4 </P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>ARTICLE VIII </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The
Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date, contingent upon shareholder approval and adoption at the 2019 annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company. The shareholders shall be deemed to have approved and adopted the Plan only if it is
approved and adopted at a meeting of the shareholders duly held by vote taken in the manner required by the securities laws of the United States, the Code, and the laws of the State of Indiana, as applicable. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">* * * * * </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Approved and adopted
by the shareholders of First Merchants Corporation on May&nbsp;9, 2019. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">5 </P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right"><B>Exhibit 5.1 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">


<IMG SRC="g746560g69y45.jpg" ALT="LOGO">
 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">June&nbsp;26, 2019 </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">First Merchants Corporation </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">200 East Jackson Street </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Muncie, Indiana 47305 </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">Re:</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><U>Registration Statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT></U> </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Ladies and Gentlemen: </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We have acted as special
counsel to First Merchants Corporation, an Indiana corporation (&#147;First Merchants&#148;), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> (together with all exhibits thereto, the
&#147;Registration Statement&#148;) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;), relating to the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), of (a)&nbsp;up to
1,250,000 shares (the &#147;LTIP Shares&#148;) of common stock, no par value, of First Merchants (the &#147;Common Stock&#148;), issuable under the First Merchants Corporation 2019 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (the &#147;LTIP&#148;), (b) up to
1,000,000 shares (the &#147;ESPP Shares&#148;) of Common Stock issuable under the First Merchants Corporation 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the &#147;ESPP&#148;), and (c)&nbsp;up to 500,000 shares (the &#147;Directors&#146; Shares&#148;) of
Common Stock issuable under the First Merchants Corporation Equity Compensation Plan for <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Non-Employee</FONT> Directors (the &#147;Directors&#146; Plan&#148;). </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">For purposes of the opinions contained herein, we have examined and relied upon the originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to
our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records, certificates of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary. As to any facts material to our opinion which we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied
upon oral and written representations of officers and representatives of First Merchants and certificates of public officials and officers and representatives of First Merchants. In our examination, we have assumed with respect to all documents
examined by us the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, photostatic or telefacsimile copies. We
also have assumed with respect to all documents examined by us which contained facsimile signatures that such signatures were the original signature of the party and have the same force and effect as an original signature. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Based on and subject to the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion
that: </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" ALIGN="right">


<IMG SRC="g746560g38l81.jpg" ALT="LOGO">
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<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">First Merchants Corporation </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">June&nbsp;26, 2019 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Page 2 </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">1. The LTIP Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued by First Merchants in accordance with the LTIP, will be validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">2. The ESPP Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued by First Merchants in accordance with the ESPP,
will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">3. The Directors&#146; Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued by First
Merchants in accordance with the Directors&#146; Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The foregoing opinions are
limited to the Federal laws of the United States and the laws of the State of Indiana as in effect on the date hereof, and we are expressing no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This opinion is limited to the matters expressly stated herein and no opinion is inferred or may be implied beyond the matters expressly
stated herein. We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinions expressed herein after the date hereof. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit
that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section&nbsp;7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:54%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Very truly yours, </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:54%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:54%; text-indent:-2%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>B<SMALL>INGHAM</SMALL> G<SMALL>REENEBAUM</SMALL> D<SMALL>OLL</SMALL> LLP </B></P>
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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23.1
<SEQUENCE>4
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<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>EX-23.1</TITLE>
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<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right"><B>Exhibit 23.1 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> of our reports
dated February&nbsp;27, 2019, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements of First Merchants Corporation (the &#147;Corporation&#148;) as of December&nbsp;31, 2018 and 2017, and for each of the three years in the period ended
December&nbsp;31, 2018, and on our audit of the internal control over financial reporting of the Corporation as of December&nbsp;31, 2018, which reports are included in the Corporation&#146;s Annual Report on Form
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT> for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2018. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/S/ BKD, LLP </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Indianapolis, Indiana </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">June&nbsp;26, 2019 </P>
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end
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
