    <SEC-DOCUMENT>0000712534-20-000083-index.html : 20200401
    <SEC-HEADER>0000712534-20-000083.hdr.sgml : 20200401
    <ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20200401150014
    ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000712534-20-000083
    CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	DEF 14A
    PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		7
    CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20200513
    FILED AS OF DATE:		20200401
    DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20200401
    EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20200401

    FILER:

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

    	FILING VALUES:
    		FORM TYPE:		DEF 14A
    		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
    		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-17071
    		FILM NUMBER:		20765024

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

    	MAIL ADDRESS:
    		STREET 1:		200 EAST JACKSON STREET
    		CITY:			MUNCIE
    		STATE:			IN
    		ZIP:			47305
    </SEC-HEADER>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>DEF 14A
    <SEQUENCE>1
    <FILENAME>a2020proxydefinitive.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>FIRST MERCHANTS CORP - 2020 PROXY
    <TEXT>
    Document 1 - file: a2020proxydefinitive.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>2
    <FILENAME>frmeproxycardpg1.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>PROXY CARD
    <TEXT>
    Document 2 - file: frmeproxycardpg1.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>3
    <FILENAME>frmeproxycardpg2.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>NOTICE REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
    <TEXT>
    Document 3 - file: frmeproxycardpg2.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>4
    <FILENAME>frmenoticecardpg1.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE
    <TEXT>
    Document 4 - file: frmenoticecardpg1.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>5
    <FILENAME>frmenoticecardpg2.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>BEFORE YOU VOTE-HOW YOU VOTE (PAGE 1)
    <TEXT>
    Document 5 - file: frmenoticecardpg2.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>6
    <FILENAME>frmenoticecardpg3.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>BEFORE YOU VOTE-HOW YOU VOTE (PAGE 2)
    <TEXT>
    Document 6 - file: frmenoticecardpg3.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>7
    <FILENAME>chart-64b2b979c414513dafb.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>GRAPH
    <TEXT>
    Document 7 - file: chart-64b2b979c414513dafb.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    </SEC-DOCUMENT>