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
______________________________
DATE OF REPORT (Date of earliest event reported): March 3, 2009
______________________________
FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
_______________________________
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)
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 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors;
Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain
Officers
(b) On March 3, 2009, Michael L. Cox, a director of First Merchants
Corporation (the "Corporation"), delivered his written resignation to
the Corporation, effective as of the 2009 Annual Meeting of the
Corporation's shareholders. Mr. Cox's resignation was in fulfillment
of his obligations under his letter agreement with the Corporation,
dated January 23, 2007.
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 5, 2009.
FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
By: /s/ Mark K. Hardwick
----------------------------
Mark K. Hardwick,
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer