<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000712534-21-000118.txt : 20210402
<SEC-HEADER>0000712534-21-000118.hdr.sgml : 20210402
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20210402175511
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000712534-21-000118
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20210331
FILED AS OF DATE:		20210402
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20210402

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CHAFFIN H DOUGLAS
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001244299

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-17071
		FILM NUMBER:		21803170

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4215 BREST ROAD
		CITY:			NEWPORT
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48166

ISSUER:		

	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

	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>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>wf-form4_161740044834075.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2021-03-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000712534</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FIRST MERCHANTS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FRME</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001244299</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CHAFFIN H DOUGLAS</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>200 E JACKSON STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MUNCIE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>47305</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2021-03-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>403</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>46.50</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>36754</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes Restricted Stock Awards totaling 2,611 shares</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Exhibit 24; Confirming Statement</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Logan Edon (Confirming Statement on File)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2021-04-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-24
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>chaffin2020.htm
<DESCRIPTION>CONFIRMING STATEMENT, CHAFFIN 12112020
<TEXT>
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<pre>
CONFIRMING STATEMENT

    This statement confirms that the undersigned, H Douglas Chaffin, has authorized and designated, Jennifer Mainord, Melanie Bowling and Logan Edon, to execute and file on the undersigned's behalf, all Form 3, 4, and 5 (including amendments thereto) that the undersigned may be required to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as a result of the undersigned's ownership of or transactions in securities of First Merchants Corporation.  The authority of Jennifer Mainord, Melanie Bowling and Logan Edon under this statement shall continue until the undersigned is no longer required to file Form 3, 4, and 5 with regard to the undersigned ownership or transactions in securities of First Merchants Corporation, unless earlier revoked in writing.  The undersigned acknowledges Jennifer Mainord, Melanie Bowling and Logan Edon are not assuming any of the undersigned's responsibilities to comply with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

                        ____/s/H Douglas Chaffin______________________________________
                        H Douglas Chaffin

Date: December 11, 2020
</pre>
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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
