UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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DATE OF REPORT (Date of earliest event reported): March 20, 2006
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FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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INDIANA 0-17071 35-1544218
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission file number) (IRS Employer
of incorporation) Identification No.)
200 East Jackson Street
P.O. Box 792
Muncie, IN 47305-2814
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(765) 747-1500
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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:
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Page 1 of 5
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
On February 14, 2006, the Board of Directors of First Merchants
Corporation declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.23 per share on its
outstanding common stock. The cash dividend was payable to stockholders of
record on March 6, 2006. The cash dividend was distributed along with a letter
to the stockholders on March 20, 2006. A copy of the stockholder letter is
attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is furnished pursuant to Regulation
FD.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Not Applicable.
(b) Not Applicable.
(c) (99.1) Stockholder Letter dated March 20, 2006.
Page 2 of 5
SIGNATURES
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.
DATE: March 20, 2006
FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Mark K. Hardwick
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Mark K. Hardwick,
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and
Principal Accounting Officer)
Page 3 of 5
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit No. Description
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99.1 Stockholder Letter dated March 20, 2006.
Page 4 of 5
First Merchants Corporation
Exhibit 99.1
Stockholder Letter, dated March 20, 2006
March 20, 2006
Dear Shareholder:
The First Merchants Corporation Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash
dividend of 23 cents per share to the shareholders of record on March 6, 2006,
payable March 20, 2006.
During the fourth quarter of 2005, we began preparation activities that would
lead to the merger of First United Bank in Middletown, Indiana into First
Merchants Bank headquartered in Muncie. This strategy was developed to resolve
overlapping market issues and derive benefit from operating cost efficiencies.
The merger was completed and effective on January 1, 2006 and is going very
well. The strength and efficiency of the newly combined bank are being embraced
by clients and employees of both organizations.
Your Board of Directors is pleased to provide this dividend to you, and we are
appreciative of your continued support of our Corporation. Should you have any
questions regarding our company, we welcome them through our internal
shareholder relations department (800-262-4261 ext. 7278) or through direct
e-mail link on our website, www.firstmerchants.com, and invite you to avail
yourselves of this service.
Sincerely,
Michael L. Cox
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Enclosure
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