    <SEC-DOCUMENT>0000712534-21-000098-index.html : 20210401
    <SEC-HEADER>0000712534-21-000098.hdr.sgml : 20210401
    <ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20210401100527
    ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000712534-21-000098
    CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	DEF 14A
    PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		6
    CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20210511
    FILED AS OF DATE:		20210401
    DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20210401

    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:		21796409

    	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>a2021proxydefinitive.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>DEF 14A
    <TEXT>
    Document 1 - file: a2021proxydefinitive.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>2
    <FILENAME>chart-5329485713d44cf0afd1.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>PERFORMANCE GRAPH
    <TEXT>
    Document 2 - file: chart-5329485713d44cf0afd1.jpg

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    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>3
    <FILENAME>image1.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>PROXY CARD PAGE 1
    <TEXT>
    Document 3 - file: image1.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>4
    <FILENAME>image2.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>PROXY CARD PAGE 2
    <TEXT>
    Document 4 - file: image2.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>5
    <FILENAME>image3.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>NOTICE CARD PAGE 1
    <TEXT>
    Document 5 - file: image3.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>6
    <FILENAME>image4.jpg
    <DESCRIPTION>NOTICE CARD PAGE 2
    <TEXT>
    Document 6 - file: image4.jpg

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    </SEC-DOCUMENT>