<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000712534-19-000104.txt : 20190509
<SEC-HEADER>0000712534-19-000104.hdr.sgml : 20190509
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20190509150841
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000712534-19-000104
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20190509
ITEM INFORMATION:		Other Events
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20190509
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20190509

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:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-17071
		FILM NUMBER:		19810171

	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>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a8k-2ndqtr2019dividendanno.htm
<DESCRIPTION>8-K 2ND QTR 2019 DIVIDEND ANNOUNCEMENT
<TEXT>
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<div><a name="s2D2F0ED6A3AE566CA7FA7856E3A9A98C"></a></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;-sec-extract:summary;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED STATES</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Washington, DC 20549</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:13.5pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:13.5pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM 8-K</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">CURRENT REPORT</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">DATE OF REPORT (Date of earliest event reported): May 9, 2019</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;">&#160;</font><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Commission File Number 0-17071</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:10px;text-align:center;font-size:18pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:18pt;font-weight:bold;">FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:678px;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:338px;"></td><td style="width:338px;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #00000a;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #00000a;border-right:1px solid #00000a;border-top:1px solid #00000a;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;">INDIANA</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #00000a;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #00000a;border-right:1px solid #00000a;border-top:1px solid #00000a;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;">35-1544218</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #00000a;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #00000a;border-right:1px solid #00000a;border-top:1px solid #00000a;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #00000a;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #00000a;border-right:1px solid #00000a;border-top:1px solid #00000a;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">(IRS Employer Identification No.)</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">200 East Jackson Street</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">P.O. Box 792</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Muncie, IN 47305-2814</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">(765) 747-1500</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Not Applicable</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:7pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:99.609375%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:33%;"></td><td style="width:33%;"></td><td style="width:34%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:7pt;">Title of Each Class</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:7pt;">Trading Symbol(s)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:7pt;">Name of each exchange on which registered</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:7pt;">Common Stock, $0.125 state value per share</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:7pt;">FRME</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:7pt;">The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:9.5pt;"><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:9.5pt;">o</font><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;">&#32;Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:9.5pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;text-indent:-48px;font-size:9.5pt;"><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:9.5pt;">o</font><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;">&#32;Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;text-indent:-48px;font-size:9.5pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;text-indent:-48px;font-size:9.5pt;"><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:9.5pt;">o</font><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;">&#32;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;text-indent:-48px;font-size:9.5pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;text-indent:-48px;font-size:9.5pt;"><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:9.5pt;">o</font><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:9.5pt;">&#32;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (&#167;230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (&#167;240.12b-2 of this chapter). </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">Emerging growth company </font><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;">o</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">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 13(a) of the Exchange Act. </font><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">o</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:20px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">On May 9, 2019, First Merchants Corporation issued a press release announcing the declaration of a cash dividend of $0.26 per share. The cash dividend is payable on June 21, 2019 to stockholders of record as of May 20, 2019.  A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:20px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">The information in this Form 8-K and the attached exhibit shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:17px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:20px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">(a)        Not applicable.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">(b)        Not applicable.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">(c)        Not applicable.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">(d)        Exhibits.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:90.0390625%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:19%;"></td><td style="width:81%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">Exhibit 99.1</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-bottom:1px;font-size:10pt;"><a style="text-decoration:underline;color:#0000FF;-sec-extract:exhibit;" href="pressrelease-2ndqtr2019div.htm"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">Press Release dated May 9, 2019 issued by First Merchants Corporation</font></a></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;text-decoration:underline;">SIGNATURES</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;">DATE: May 9, 2019</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:288px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;">FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:288px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;">By: </font><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;text-decoration:underline;">/s/ Mark K. Hardwick</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:288px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;">Mark K. Hardwick</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:288px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;">Executive Vice President,</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:240px;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;">Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:240px;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;">(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div>	</body>
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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>pressrelease-2ndqtr2019div.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FIRST MERCHANTS CORP - PRESS RELEASE 2ND QTR 2019 DIVIDEND
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<div><a name="sE0BD684C07905AB59397BE1174F95B20"></a></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:14pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14pt;font-weight:bold;">N / E / W / S  R / E / L / E / A / S / E</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;">May 9, 2019</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:3px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:3px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:1px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;">For more information, contact:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;">Nicole M. Weaver, Vice President and Director of Corporate Administration </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;">765-521-7619</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:0px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;color:#0000ff;text-decoration:underline;">http://www.firstmerchants.com</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:3px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;">SOURCE: First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ: FRME), Muncie, Indiana</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:3px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION ANNOUNCES CASH DIVIDEND</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">First Merchants Corporation declared a cash dividend on May 9, 2019 of $0.26 per share.  The dividend is payable on June 21, 2019, to shareholders of record as of May 20, 2019.  For purposes of broker trading, the ex-date of the cash dividend is May 17, 2019.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;text-decoration:underline;">About First Merchants Corporation:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">First Merchants Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Muncie, Indiana. The Corporation has one full-service bank charter, First Merchants Bank.  The Bank also operates as First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors (as a division of First Merchants Bank).</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">First Merchants Corporation&#8217;s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market System under the symbol FRME. Quotations are carried in daily newspapers and can be found on the company&#8217;s Internet web page (</font><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;color:#0563c1;text-decoration:underline;">http://www.firstmerchants.com</font><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">).</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">FIRST MERCHANTS and the Shield Logo are federally registered trademarks of First Merchants Corporation.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;">* * * *</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div>	</body>
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