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): February 9, 2009
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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))
ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS.
On February 9, 2009 First Merchants Corporation issued a press release to report
its preliminary approval to participate in the voluntary Capital Purchase Plan.
A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report
on Form 8-K.
The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit No.
99.1 hereto, shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability
of that section. The information in this Current Report shall not be
incorporated by reference into any filing or other document pursuant to the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by
specific reference in such filing or document.
ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) Exhibits.
Exhibit 99.1 Press Release, dated February 9, 2008, issued by
First Merchants Corporation
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.
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)
Dated: February 9, 2009
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit No. Description
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99.1 Press Release, dated February 9, 2009, issued by
First Merchants Corporation.
First Merchants Corporation
Exhibit No. 99.1
Press Release, dated February 9, 2009
N/E/W/S R/E/L/E/A/S/E
February 9, 2009
For further information, contact:
Mark Hardwick, Executive VP and Chief Financial Officer 765-751-1857
First Merchants Corporation Selected to Participate in Voluntary Capital
Purchase Program
(Muncie, Ind., February 9, 2009) First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ: FRME)
today announced that is has received preliminary approval for $116 million from
the U.S. Treasury Department to participate in the Capital Purchase Program
(CPP).
Mark K. Hardwick, Chief Financial Officer stated, "Receiving preliminary
approval for this preferred stock investment is a strong vote of confidence in
First Merchants and if deployed, would enhance our capital position. We believe
the Treasury's plan of providing additional capital for high performing
financial institutions to deploy in their local market is an effective way to
stimulate the U.S. economy and strengthen confidence in the U.S. banking
system."
"As a company with a record of strong performance, the strengthening of our
capital position would enable us to retain our role as active lenders to our
Indiana and Ohio customers. Our first priority for the use of these funds would
be to continue the investment in our markets, lending to qualified borrowers,"
stated Michael C. Rechin, President and Chief Executive Officer.
"We continue to focus on what has served us best. The board is committed to our
model of local banking focused on local customers in our community markets,
providing exceptional service by developing comprehensive financial
relationships. Our company is strong, well capitalized and focused on the
acceleration of our strategic plan of growth and profitability. Our bank
subsidiaries, First Merchants Bank, First Merchants Bank of Central Indiana,
Lincoln Bank, Lafayette Bank & Trust and Commerce National Bank each have
targeted plans for capital deployment opportunities within each of their served
markets."
About First Merchants Corporation
First Merchants Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in
Muncie, Indiana. Subsidiaries of the Corporation include First Merchants Bank,
N.A., First Merchants Bank of Central Indiana, N.A., Lafayette Bank & Trust
Company, N.A., Commerce National Bank, Lincoln Bank and First Merchants Trust
Company, N.A. The Corporation also operates First Merchants Insurance Services,
a full-service property casualty, personal lines, and healthcare insurance
agency.
First Merchants Corporation's common stock is traded over-the-counter on the
NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol FRME. Quotations are carried in
daily newspapers and can be found on the company's Internet web page
(http://www.firstmerchants.com).
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