<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-22-093136.txt : 20220401
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-22-093136.hdr.sgml : 20220401
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20220401114454
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-22-093136
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	S-8 POS
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		7
FILED AS OF DATE:		20220401
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20220401
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20220401

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 POS
		SEC ACT:		1933 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-261869
		FILM NUMBER:		22796673

	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 POS
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d340076ds8pos.htm
<DESCRIPTION>S-8 POS
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<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>S-8 POS</TITLE>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April&nbsp;1, 2022 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right"><B>Registration Statement <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-261869</FONT> </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>POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.1</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>ON FORM <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8,</FONT> TO FORM <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-4</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&nbsp;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>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>INDIANA</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>6712</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>(Primary Standard Industrial</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Classification Code Number)</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>(I.R.S. Employer</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Identification No.)</B></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <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="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Level One Bancorp, Inc. 2007 Stock Option Plan </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Full title of the plan) </B></P>
<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>Chief
Executive 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="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>With copies to: </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Jeremy E. Hill </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Bradley
C. Arnett </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Dentons Bingham Greenebaum 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:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(317) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">635-8900</FONT> </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; 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 definition 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>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom">Large&nbsp;accelerated&nbsp;filer</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&#9746;</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">
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<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>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Emerging&nbsp;growth&nbsp;company</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;7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9744; </P> <P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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 <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">First Merchants Corporation (&#147;First Merchants&#148; or the &#147;Registrant&#148;) hereby amends its Registration Statement on Form <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-4</FONT> (File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-261869)</FONT> filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) on December&nbsp;23, 2021, as amended by Amendment No.&nbsp;1
filed with the Commission on January&nbsp;10, 2022 (the &#147;Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-4&#148;),</FONT> which was declared effective at 4:00 pm Eastern Time on January&nbsp;13, 2022, by filing this Post-Effective Amendment No.&nbsp;1
on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> (this &#147;Post-Effective Amendment&#148; and, together with the Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-4,</FONT> the &#147;Registration Statement&#148;). </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">First Merchants filed the Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-4</FONT> in connection with the merger contemplated by that certain
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November&nbsp;4, 2021 (the &#147;Merger Agreement&#148;), by and between First Merchants and Level One Bancorp, Inc. (&#147;Level One&#148;), pursuant to which, on April&nbsp;1, 2022, Level One and First
Merchants merged with First Merchants as the surviving company (the &#147;Merger&#148;). </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement,
at the effective time of the Merger (the &#147;Effective Time&#148;), certain outstanding options to acquire Level One common stock (collectively, the &#147;Level One Options&#148;) granted and outstanding under the Level One Bancorp, Inc. 2007
Stock Option Plan as amended and restated April&nbsp;15, 2015 and also amended on August&nbsp;29, 2017 (collectively, the &#147;2007 Option Plan&#148;) were converted into corresponding awards with respect to shares of First Merchants&#146;s common
stock, no par value (&#147;Common Stock&#148;). The number of shares and exercise price of each converted First Merchants option corresponding to a Level One option were adjusted pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This Registration Statement is being filed for the purpose of registering, under the Securities Act, 139,523 shares of Common Stock issuable
following the Merger upon the exercise of the converted Level One Options originally granted under the 2007 Option Plan. Such shares were previously registered on the Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-4</FONT> but will be subject to issuance
pursuant to this Post-Effective Amendment. </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="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;1. Plan Information. </B></P> <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 beneifit 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="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information. </B></P>
<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="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference. </B></P>
<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 Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
&#147;Exchange Act&#148;), are incorporated herein by reference (other than any portion of a Current Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> &#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, or any other information deemed to have been &#147;furnished&#148; rather than filed in accordance with the
Commission&#146;s rules): </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="5%" 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 Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT> for the fiscal year
ended December&nbsp;31, 2021, filed on <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253422000044/frme-20211231.htm">March&nbsp;1, 2022</A> (the &#147;Annual Report&#148;); </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD WIDTH="5%" 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 Current Reports on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> filed on <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253422000038/frme-20220202.htm">February&nbsp;8,
 2022</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253422000040/frme-20220208.htm">February&nbsp;
9, 2022</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000119312522050499/d291755d8k.htm">February&nbsp;
24, 2022</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253422000050/frme-20220321.htm">March&nbsp;
22, 2022</A>, <A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/../../../ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000119312522083737/d323935d8k.htm">March&nbsp;24, 2022</A> and April&nbsp;1, 2022; </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD WIDTH="5%" 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">all other reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the
end of the fiscal year covered by the Annual Report; and </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="5%" 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 Form
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-4,</FONT> 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> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; 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="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities. </B></P>
<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:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of
Named Experts and Counsel. </B></P> <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:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Registrant is an Indiana corporation. 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>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed. </B></P>
<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:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.
</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Exhibit Index immediately preceding the exhibits is incorporated herein by reference. </P>
<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="9%">&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="9%">&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="9%">&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)&nbsp;and (B) 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. </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 <I>bona fide</I> 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
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>
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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 this Post-Effective Amendment to Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-4</FONT> 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 April&nbsp;1, 2022. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
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<TD WIDTH="7%"></TD>

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<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>


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<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3">FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION</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">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Mark K. Hardwick</P></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="top">Mark K. Hardwick, Chief Executive Officer</TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; 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 1st day of April, 2022 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" ALIGN="center">


<TR>

<TD WIDTH="51%"></TD>

<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <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"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Chief Executive Officer and</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; 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="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Michele M. Kawiecki</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Michele M. Kawiecki</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">Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Financial and Accounting 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="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">*</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">Chairman of the Board and Director</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"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">*</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">Director</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"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">*</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Susan W.
Brooks</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Director</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"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">*</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">Director</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"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">*</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">Director</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"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">*</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">Director</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"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">*</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Clark C.
Kellogg</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Director</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"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">*</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">Director</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"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">*</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">Director</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"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">*</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">Director</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"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">*</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">Director</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="11%"></TD>

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<TD WIDTH="88%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">*&nbsp;By:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ Mark K. Hardwick</P></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="top">Mark K. Hardwick</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="top"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Attorney-in-fact</FONT></FONT></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="top">April&nbsp;1, 2022</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Item&nbsp;21. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules. </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">(a) The following Exhibits are being filed as part of this Registration Statement except those which are incorporated by reference: </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"><B>Exhibit<BR>No.</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Description of Exhibit</B></P></TD></TR>


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<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>3.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000119312522083737/d323935dex31.htm">First Merchants Corporation Articles of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> filed on March&nbsp;24, 2022) </A></TD></TR>
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<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>3.2</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, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of First Merchants&#146; Form <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT> filed on March&nbsp;1, 2017) </A></TD></TR>
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<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>4.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253407000122/f8ktrustpreferred0707.txt">First Merchants Corporation Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of First Merchants Capital Trust II (incorporated by reference to
 Exhibit 4.1 of First Merchants&#146; Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> filed on July&nbsp;3, 2007) </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>4.2</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253407000122/f8ktrustpreferred0707.txt">Indenture of First Merchants Capital Trust II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of First Merchants&#146; Form <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> filed on July&nbsp;3, 2007) </A></TD></TR>
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<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>4.3</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253407000122/f8ktrustpreferred0707.txt">Guarantee Agreement of First Merchants Capital Trust II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of First Merchants&#146; Form <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> filed on July&nbsp;3, 2007) </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>4.4</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253407000122/f8ktrustpreferred0707.txt">Form of Capital Securities Certificate of First Merchants Capital Trust II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of First Merchants&#146;
 Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> filed on July&nbsp;3, 2007) </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>4.5</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000119312522076253/d299406ds3asr.htm">First Merchants Corporation Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to First Merchants&#146; Prospectus included
 with First Merchants&#146; Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-3ASR</FONT> on March&nbsp;15, 2022 &#150; SEC <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-263584)</FONT> </A></TD></TR>
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<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>4.6</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Upon request, the registrant agrees to furnish supplementally to the Commission a copy of the instruments defining the rights of holders of its (a) 5.00%
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Fixed-to-Floating</FONT></FONT> Rate Senior Notes due 2028 in the aggregate principal amount of $5&nbsp;million and (b) 6.75% <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Fixed-to-Floating</FONT></FONT> Rate Subordinated Notes due 2028 in aggregate principal amount of $65&nbsp;million</TD></TR>
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<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>4.7</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253417000308/exhibit4710q2017q3.htm">Description of Assumed Junior Subordinated Debt Securities of Independent Alliance Banks, Inc. and Agreement to Furnish Copies of Related
 Instruments and Documents (incorporated by reference to Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-Q</FONT> filed on November&nbsp;9, 2017) </A></TD></TR>
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<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>4.8</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253420000060/exhibit48-201910k.htm">Description of the First Merchants&#146; Securities Registered under Section&nbsp;
12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (incorporated by reference to registrant&#146;s Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT> filed on February&nbsp;28, 2020) </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>4.9</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000119312522089951/d310530dex41.htm">Deposit Agreement, as amended, among First Merchants Corporation, Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc., as depositary, and holders from
 time to time of the depositary receipts described therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-A</FONT> filed by First Merchants Corporation on March&nbsp;30, 2022) </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>4.10</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000119312522089951/d310530dex41.htm">Form of Depositary Receipt (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-A</FONT> filed by First Merchants
 Corporation on March&nbsp;30, 2022) </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>4.11</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1412707/000104746918002039/a2234767zex-10_5.htm">Level One Bancorp, Inc. 2007 Stock Option Plan as amended and restated April&nbsp;
15, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Level One Bancorp, Inc.&#146;s registration statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-1</FONT> (File no. <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">333-223866)</FONT> filed March&nbsp;23, 2018)
</A></TD></TR>
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<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>4.12</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1412707/000104746918002039/a2234767zex-10_6.htm">Amendment to the Level One Bancorp, Inc. 2007 Stock Option Plan, dated August&nbsp;
29, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Level One Bancorp, Inc.&#146;s registration statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-1</FONT> (File no. <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">333-223866)</FONT> filed March&nbsp;23, 2018)
</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>5.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d340076dex51.htm">Opinion of Dentons Bingham Greenebaum LLP as to legality </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="d340076dex231.htm">Consent of BKD, LLP (with respect to First Merchants Corporation) </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="d340076dex232.htm">Consent of Plante&nbsp;&amp; Moran, PLLC (with respect to Level One Bancorp, Inc.) </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>23.3</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d340076dex51.htm">Consent of Dentons Bingham Greenebaum LLP (legality) (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="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000119312521366220/d197770ds4.htm#ii197770_3">Power of Attorney (previously filed as Exhibit 24.1 to the Registration Statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-4</FONT> (File
 no. 333-261869) filed on December&nbsp;23, 2021 included on the signature page with respect to certain directors and officers) </A></TD></TR>
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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>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:7pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">Dentons Bingham Greenebaum LLP</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:7pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">2700 Market Tower</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:7pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">10 West Market
Street</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:7pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">Indianapolis, IN 46204</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:7pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">United States</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" align="left">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:7pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">dentons.com</P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">April&nbsp;1, 2022 </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; 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:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">Re:<U></U></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:6pt; 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 Post-Effective Amendment No.&nbsp;1 on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> to Form
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-4</FONT> Registration Statement (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 [&#149;] shares (the &#147;Option Shares&#148;) of common stock, no par value, of First Merchants (the &#147;Common Stock&#148;), issuable
under the Level One Bancorp, Inc. 2007 Stock Option Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;) which First Merchants assumed as of the date hereof pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger with Level One Bancorp, Inc., dated November&nbsp;4, 2021. </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; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Fernanda Lopes&nbsp;&amp; Associados &gt; Guevara&nbsp;&amp; Gutierrez &gt; Paz Horowitz Abogados &gt; Sirote &gt; Adepetun Caxton-Martins Agbor&nbsp;&amp;
Segun &gt; Davis Brown &gt; East African Law Chambers &gt; Eric Silwamba, Jalasi and Linyama &gt; Durham Jones&nbsp;&amp; Pinegar &gt; LEAD Advogados &gt; Rattagan Macchiavello Arocena &gt; Jim&eacute;nez de Ar&eacute;chaga, Viana&nbsp;&amp; Brause
&gt; Lee International &gt; Kensington Swan &gt; Bingham Greenebaum &gt; Cohen&nbsp;&amp; Grigsby &gt; For more information on the firms that have come together to form Dentons, go to dentons.com/legacyfirms </B></P>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">April 1, 2022</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Page 2</P></TD>
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</TABLE> <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 the Option Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued by First Merchants in accordance with the 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 opinion is 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="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
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<TD VALIGN="top">Very truly yours,</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top">/s/ Dentons Bingham Greenebaum LLP</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><B>D<SMALL>ENTONS</SMALL> B<SMALL>INGHAM</SMALL> G<SMALL>REENEBAUM</SMALL> LLP</B></TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">JEH/BCA </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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<TYPE>EX-23.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>d340076dex231.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EX-23.1
<TEXT>
<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:24pt; 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; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Post-Effective Amendment No.&nbsp;1 on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> to the
Registration Statement of First Merchants Corporation (the &#147;Corporation&#148;) on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-4</FONT> <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">(333-261869)</FONT> of our reports dated March&nbsp;1, 2022, on our audits of
the consolidated financial statements of the Corporation as of December&nbsp;31, 2021 and 2020, and for each of the three-years in the period ended December&nbsp;31, 2021, and on our audit of internal control over financial reporting of the
Corporation as of December&nbsp;31, 2021, which reports are included in the Corporation&#146;s Annual Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K.</FONT> </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>/s/ BKD,&nbsp;<SMALL>LLP</SMALL> </B></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">April&nbsp;1, 2022 </P>
</DIV></Center>

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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23.2
<SEQUENCE>4
<FILENAME>d340076dex232.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EX-23.2
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>EX-23.2</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 23.2 </B></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="51%"></TD>

<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">


<IMG SRC="g340076g16a44.jpg" ALT="LOGO">
</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right"><B>Plante &amp; Moran, PLLC</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">Suite 500</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">2601 Cambridge Court</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">Auburn Hills, MI 48326</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">Tel:
248.375.7100</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">Fax: 248.375.7101</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">plantemoran.com</P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <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; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We consent to the use in this Post-Effective Amendment No.&nbsp;1 on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-8</FONT> to the Registration Statement of First
Merchants Corporation (the &#147;Corporation&#148;) on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-4</FONT> <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">(333-261869)</FONT> of our report dated March&nbsp;11, 2022 relating to the consolidated financial statements of
Level One Bancorp, Inc. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" ALIGN="center">


<IMG SRC="g340076g0331044123158.jpg" ALT="LOGO">
 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Auburn Hills, Michigan </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">April&nbsp;1, 2022 </P>
</DIV></Center>

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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>GRAPHIC
<SEQUENCE>5
<FILENAME>g340076dsp11.jpg
<DESCRIPTION>GRAPHIC
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end
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
