News Release Details

First Merchants Corporation Announces 3rd Quarter Year-to-Date Net Income of $20.4 Million

10/22/2008

MUNCIE, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ: FRME) has reported third quarter 2008 diluted earnings per share of $.32, a decline from 2007 third quarter earnings per share of $.46. Net Income for the quarter totaled $5.7 million, a decrease from the 3rd quarter 2007 total of $8.3 million.

Year-to-date diluted earnings per share totaled $1.13, a decrease of 7.4 percent, from 2007 earnings per share of $1.22. Net Income totaled $20.4 million, a decline of $1.9 million from the prior year total of $22.3 million.

Total assets reached $3.8 billion at quarter-end, an increase of $110 million, or 2.9 percent, from September 30, 2007. Loans and investments, the Corporation's primary earning assets, totaled $3.47 billion, an increase of $122 million, or 3.6 percent, over the prior year. Loans accounted for $208 million of the increase as investment securities declined by $86 million as spreads between investment securities and borrowings remain below historical levels. At September 30, 2008, the Corporation's tangible capital was 5.9%, tier 1 capital was 7.3%, tier 1 risk based capital was 8.5% and total risk based capital was 11.2%.

Net-Interest margin expanded by 39 basis points from 3.52 percent in the third quarter of 2007 to 3.91 percent in 2008. As a result, net-interest income increased by $4.7 million, or 16.5 percent. Year-to-date net interest margin improved by 32 basis points as net interest income increased by $13 million or 15.6 percent.

Provision expense totaled $7.1 million for the quarter, an increase of $4.3 million, as net charge-offs totaled $3.7 million. Year-to-date provision expense totaled $18 million, an increase of $12 million over the prior year, as charge-off's totaled $11.2 million. Non-performing assets increased from 84 basis points of total assets to 142 basis points during the year.

The Corporation's allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans increased from .96 to 1.14 percent since September 30, 2007. The increase totals $7.4 million in additional reserves. The increased allowance for loan losses total is comprised of a $2.0 million increase in the general historical loss component, a $6.3 increase in environmental factors and a decline in specific reserves of $924,000.

Total non-interest income decreased by $1.6 million, during the quarter, due primarily to a $1.5 million write-off of FHLMC preferred stock. Total expenses increased during the quarter by $2.1 million totaling $27.1 million. Year-to-date non-interest income declined by $337,000 and non-interest expense increased $2,857,000.

Michael C. Rechin, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated that, "First Merchants has the people, strategies, capital, liquidity, and commitment to weather the current environment. While our short-term earnings have been impacted by credit costs, the strengthening of our balance sheet by building our loan loss reserve is prudent for the future and warranted by the economic trends we see in the Midwest. The volatility in our local markets and the capital markets does create opportunity and we have been successful in the strategic building of relationships and revenues."

Rechin continued, "First Merchants exceeds the Federal Reserve's capital adequacy requirements and continues to meet their definition of 'well capitalized.' Despite prudent provisioning, the Corporation's earnings and liquidity remain strong." Rechin also added that, "We look forward to the conclusion of our announced acquisition of Lincoln Bancorp. All required applications for approval have been filed and, at this time, no delays are expected in completing the transaction by our announced target date of December 31, 2008."

CONFERENCE CALL

First Merchants Corporation will conduct a conference call at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Wednesday, October 22, 2008. To participate, dial (Toll Free) 800-860-2442 and reference First Merchants Corporation's third quarter earnings. A replay will be available until October 29, 2008. To access replay, US/Canada participants should dial (Toll Free) 877-344-7529, or for International participants, dial 412-317-0088. The replay will require the passcode is 420850.

During the call, we may make Forward-Looking Statements about our relative business outlook. These Forward-Looking Statements and all other statements made during the call that do not concern historical facts are subject to risks and uncertainties that may materially affect actual results.

Specific Forward-Looking Statements include, but are not limited to, any indications regarding the Financial Services industry, the economy and future growth of the balance sheet or income statement.

Detailed financial results are reported on the attached pages:

First Merchants Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Muncie, Indiana. Subsidiaries of the Corporation include First Merchants Bank, N.A., and First Merchants Bank of Central Indiana, N.A., Lafayette Bank & Trust Company, N.A., Commerce National 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 and is a majority member of Indiana Title Insurance Company, LLC, a title 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).

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)                                      September 30,
                                                  2008        2007
Assets
   Cash and due from banks                        $69,846     $83,845
   Federal funds sold                               7,818       1,800
                                               ----------  ----------
   Cash and cash equivalents                       77,664      85,645
   Interest-bearing time deposits                  15,623      22,295
   Investment securities                          388,808     474,613
   Mortgage loans held for sale                     2,062       4,328
   Loans                                        3,078,768   2,869,001
      Less: Allowance for loan losses             (34,985)    (27,635)
                                               ----------  ----------
         Net loans                              3,043,783   2,841,366
   Premises and equipment                          44,402      44,255
   Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank
    stock                                          25,494      25,050
   Interest receivable                             21,569      25,954
   Core deposit intangibles and goodwill          135,701     136,266
   Cash surrender value of life insurance          73,448      70,082
   Other real estate owned                         16,916       2,081
   Other assets                                    18,604      22,365
                                               ----------  ----------
         Total assets                          $3,864,074  $3,754,300
                                               ==========  ==========
Liabilities
   Deposits
      Noninterest-bearing                         384,928     355,339
      Interest-bearing                          2,529,355   2,403,836
                                               ----------  ----------
         Total deposits                         2,914,283   2,759,175
   Borrowings
      Fed funds purchased                          57,600      95,697
      Securities sold under repurchase
       agreements                                 100,227     103,846
      Federal Home Loan Bank advances             237,225     310,100

      Subordinated debentures, revolving
       credit lines and term loans                176,256     110,826
                                               ----------  ----------
         Total borrowings                         571,308     620,469
   Interest payable                                 6,529       9,170
   Other liabilities                               19,861      32,745
                                               ----------  ----------
         Total liabilities                      3,511,981   3,421,559
Stockholders' equity
   Preferred stock, no-par value
      Authorized and unissued - 500,000 shares
   Cumulative Preferred Stock, $1,000 par
    value:
      Authorized - 600 shares
      Issued and outstanding - 125 shares             125
   Common stock, $.125 stated value
      Authorized - 50,000,000 shares
      Issued and outstanding - 18,125,090 and
       18,153,828 shares                            2,266       2,269
   Additional paid-in capital                     141,777     140,642
   Retained earnings                              210,605     197,609
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss            (2,680)     (7,779)
                                               ----------  ----------
         Total stockholders' equity               352,093     332,741
                                               ----------  ----------
         Total liabilities and stockholders'
          equity                               $3,864,074  $3,754,300
                                               ==========  ==========
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                         Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
(in thousands)              September 30,           September 30,
                          2008        2007        2008        2007

NET CHARGE OFF'S           $3,706      $2,783     $11,230      $4,962

AVERAGE BALANCES
   Total Assets        $3,844,905  $3,696,382  $3,791,362  $3,607,367
   Total Loans          3,045,672   2,835,639   2,975,957   2,768,146
   Total Deposits       2,929,774   2,776,346   2,867,237   2,732,117
   Total Stockholders'
    Equity                349,652     329,474     348,396     329,147

FINANCIAL RATIOS

   Return on Average
    Assets                    .60%        .90%        .72%        .83%
   Return on Avg.
    Stockholders'
    Equity                   6.58       10.14        7.81        9.05
   Avg. Earning Assets
    to Avg. Assets          91.02       90.88       90.78       90.98
   Allowance for Loan
    Losses as % of
    Total Loans              1.14         .96        1.14         .96
   Net Charge Off's as
    % of Avg. Loans
    (Annualized)              .49         .39         .50         .24
   Dividend Payout
    Ratio                   72.80       50.00       61.27       56.56
   Avg. Stockholders'
    Equity to Avg.
    Assets                   9.09        8.91        9.19        9.12
   Tax Equivalent
    Yield on Earning
    Assets                   6.39        7.17        6.52        7.09
   Cost of Supporting
    Liabilities              2.48        3.65        2.69        3.58
   Net Int. Margin
    (FTE) on Earning
    Assets                   3.91        3.52        3.83        3.51
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


(in thousands, except share
 data)                           Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
                                   September 30,      September 30,
                                    2008     2007     2008      2007
Interest income
   Loans receivable
      Taxable                      $49,828  $53,081 $149,952  $153,930
      Tax exempt                       321      368      664       818
   Investment securities
      Taxable                        2,943    3,581    9,139    10,257
      Tax exempt                     1,379    1,613    4,344     4,925
   Federal funds sold                   10       41       21       133
   Deposits with financial
    institutions                       146      145      561       388
   Federal Reserve and Federal
    Home Loan Bank stock               351      328    1,056       955
                                 ---------  ------- --------  --------
         Total interest income      54,978   59,157  165,737   171,406
                                 ---------  ------- --------  --------
Interest expense
   Deposits                         16,213   23,327   51,943    67,523
   Federal funds purchased             502      996    1,748     2,897
   Securities sold under
    repurchase agreements              650    1,195    2,098     2,674
   Federal Home Loan Bank
    advances                         2,724    3,302    8,585     9,247

   Subordinated debentures,
    revolving credit lines and
    term loans                       1,635    1,802    5,127     5,840
                                 ---------  ------- --------  --------
      Total interest expense        21,724   30,622   69,501    88,181
                                 ---------  ------- --------  --------
Net interest income                 33,254   28,535   96,236    83,225
   Provision for loan losses         7,094    2,810   17,987     6,057
                                 ---------  ------- --------  --------

Net interest income
   After provision for loan
    losses                          26,160   25,725   78,249    77,168
                                 ---------  ------- --------  --------
Other income
   Services charges on deposit
    accounts                         3,568    3,241    9,656     9,215
   Fiduciary activities              1,932    1,985    6,200     6,278
   Other customer fees               1,696    1,767    5,142     4,793
   Commission income                 1,457    1,175    4,553     4,082
   Earnings on cash surrender
    value of life insurance            519      998    1,863     2,465
   Net gains and fees on sales
    of loans                           648      749    1,959     1,892
   Net realized gains (losses)
    on sale of available-for-
    sale securities                 (1,255)           (1,169)
   Other income                        655      933    1,877     1,693
                                 ---------  ------- --------  --------
         Total other income          9,220   10,848   30,081    30,418
                                 ---------  ------- --------  --------
Other expenses
   Salaries and employee
    benefits                        15,330   14,583   47,126    44,105
   Net occupancy                     1,857    1,818    5,412     5,028
   Equipment                         1,649    1,645    4,946     5,150
   Marketing                           605      560    1,701     1,700
   Outside data processing fees      1,068      972    2,959     2,959
   Printing and office supplies        281      394      853     1,081
   Core deposit amortization           809      789    2,407     2,370
   Write-off of unamortized
    underwriting expense                                         1,771
   Other expenses                    5,516    4,241   14,388    12,771
                                 ---------  ------- --------  --------
      Total other expenses          27,115   25,002   79,792    76,935
                                 ---------  ------- --------  --------


Income before income tax             8,265   11,571   28,538    30,651
   Income tax expense                2,516    3,221    8,121     8,322
                                 ---------  ------- --------  --------
Net income                          $5,749   $8,350  $20,417   $22,329
                                 =========  ======= ========  ========


Per Share Data

   Basic Net Income                    .32      .46     1.13      1.22
   Diluted Net Income                  .32      .46     1.13      1.22
   Cash Dividends Paid                 .23      .23      .69       .69
   Average Diluted Shares
      Outstanding (in thousands)    18,196   18,276   18,129    18,375
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



(in thousands)                  September 30,  June 30,    March 31,
                                    2008         2008        2008

Assets
   Cash and due from banks           $69,846     $80,996     $89,961
   Federal funds sold                  7,818
                                ------------  ----------- -----------
   Cash and cash equivalents          77,664      80,996      89,961
   Interest-bearing time
    deposits                          15,623       7,267      21,280
   Investment securities             388,808     408,324     426,055
   Mortgage loans held for sale        2,062       3,234       3,494
   Loans                           3,078,768   3,018,596   2,937,710
      Less: Allowance for loan
       losses                        (34,985)    (31,597)    (29,094)
                                ------------  ----------  ----------
         Net loans                 3,043,783   2,986,999   2,908,616
   Premises and equipment             44,402      44,232      44,526
   Federal Reserve and Federal
    Home Loan Bank Stock              25,494      25,455      25,345
   Interest receivable                21,569      19,680      21,212
   Core deposit intangibles and
    goodwill                         135,701     136,230     135,056
   Cash surrender value of life
    insurance                         73,448      72,948      71,663
   Other real estate owned            16,916      17,243       7,372
   Other assets                       18,604      19,852      12,578
                                ------------  ----------  ----------
         Total assets             $3,864,074  $3,822,460  $3,767,158
                                ============  ==========  ==========
Liabilities
   Deposits
      Noninterest-bearing            384,928     403,152     380,364
      Interest-bearing             2,529,355   2,460,483   2,432,763
                                ------------  ----------  ----------
         Total deposits            2,914,283   2,863,635   2,813,127
   Borrowings
      Fed funds purchased             57,600     151,356     111,144
      Securities sold under
       repurchase agreements         100,227      90,872     103,024
      Federal Home Loan Bank
       advances                      237,225     228,196     244,468
      Subordinated debentures,
       revolving credit, lines
       and term loans                176,256     115,826     115,826
                                ------------  ----------  ----------
         Total borrowings            571,308     586,250     574,462
   Interest payable                    6,529       6,658       7,621
   Other liabilities                  19,861      18,525      23,107
                                ------------  ----------  ----------
         Total liabilities         3,511,981   3,475,068   3,418,317
Stockholders' equity
   Preferred stock, no-par
    value
      Authorized and unissued -
       500,000 shares
   Cumulative Preferred Stock,
    $1,000 par value:
      Authorized - 600 shares            125         125         125
      Issued and outstanding
   Common stock, $.125 stated
    value
      Authorized - 50,000,000
       shares
      Issued and outstanding           2,266       2,258       2,247
   Additional paid-in capital        141,777     140,258     137,633
   Retained earnings                 210,605     209,059     206,710
   Accumulated other
    comprehensive loss                (2,680)     (4,308)      2,126
                                ------------  ----------  ----------
       Total stockholders'
        equity                       352,093     347,392     348,841
                                ------------  ----------  ----------
       Total liabilities and
        stockholders' equity      $3,864,074  $3,822,460  $3,767,158
                                ============  ==========  ==========


(in thousands)                              December 31, September 30,
                                                2007         2007

Assets
   Cash and due from banks                     $134,188       $83,845
   Federal funds sold                               495         1,800
                                            -----------  ------------
   Cash and cash equivalents                    134,683        85,645
   Interest-bearing time deposits                24,931        22,295
   Investment securities                        451,167       474,613
   Mortgage loans held for sale                   3,735         4,328
   Loans                                      2,876,843     2,869,001
      Less: Allowance for loan losses           (28,228)      (27,635)
                                            -----------  ------------
         Net loans                            2,848,615     2,841,366
   Premises and equipment                        44,445        44,255
   Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan
    Bank Stock                                   25,250        25,050
   Interest receivable                           23,402        25,954
   Core deposit intangibles and goodwill        135,856       136,266
   Cash surrender value of life insurance        70,970        70,082
   Other real estate owned                        2,573         2,081
   Other assets                                  16,460        22,365
                                            -----------  ------------
         Total assets                        $3,782,087    $3,754,300
                                            ===========  ============
Liabilities
   Deposits
      Noninterest-bearing                       370,397       355,339
      Interest-bearing                        2,473,724     2,403,836
                                            -----------  ------------
         Total deposits                       2,844,121     2,759,175
   Borrowings
      Fed funds purchased                        52,350        95,697
      Securities sold under repurchase
       agreements                               106,497       103,846
      Federal Home Loan Bank advances           294,101       310,100
      Subordinated debentures, revolving
       credit, lines and term loans             115,826       110,826
                                            -----------  ------------
         Total borrowings                       568,774       620,469
   Interest payable                               8,325         9,170
   Other liabilities                             20,931        32,745
                                            -----------  ------------
         Total liabilities                    3,442,151     3,421,559
Stockholders' equity
   Preferred stock, no-par value
      Authorized and unissued - 500,000
       shares
   Cumulative Preferred Stock, $1,000 par
    value:
      Authorized - 600 shares
      Issued and outstanding
   Common stock, $.125 stated value
      Authorized - 50,000,000 shares
      Issued and outstanding                      2,250         2,269
   Additional paid-in capital                   137,801       140,642
   Retained earnings                            202,750       197,609
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss          (2,865)       (7,779)
                                            -----------  ------------
       Total stockholders' equity               339,936       332,741
                                            -----------  ------------
       Total liabilities and stockholders'
        equity                               $3,782,087    $3,754,300
                                            ===========  ============
NON-PERFORMING ASSETS


                                     September 30, June 30, March 31,
                                         2008        2008     2008


Non Accrual Loans                          37,879   34,410    27,465
Renegotiated Loans                            135      136       142
                                     ------------  -------  --------
Non Performing Loans (NPL)                 38,014   34,546    27,607
Real Estate Owned and Repossessed
 Assets                                    16,916   17,243     7,372
                                     ------------  -------  --------
Non Performing Assets (NPA)                54,930   51,789    34,979
90+ Days Delinquent                         8,056    3,538     4,996
                                     ------------  -------  --------
NPAs & 90 Day Delinquent                   62,986   55,327    39,975

Loan Loss Reserve                          34,985   31,597    29,094
YTD Charge-offs                            11,230    7,524     2,957

NPAs / Actual Assets %                       1.42%    1.35%     0.93%
NPAs & 90 Day / Actual Assets %              1.63%    1.45%     1.06%
NPAs / Actual Loans & REO (%)                1.77%    1.70%     1.19%
Loan Loss Reserves / Actual Loans
 (%)                                         1.14%    1.05%     0.99%
NCOs / YTD Average Loans (%)                 0.38%    0.26%     0.10%


                                            December 31, September 30,
                                                2007         2007


Non Accrual Loans                                29,031        30,165
Renegotiated Loans                                  145            58
                                            -----------  ------------
Non Performing Loans (NPL)                       29,176        30,223
Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets          2,573         2,081
                                            -----------  ------------
Non Performing Assets (NPA)                      31,749        32,304
90+ Days Delinquent                               3,578         3,132
                                            -----------  ------------
NPAs & 90 Day Delinquent                         35,327        35,436

Loan Loss Reserve                                28,228        27,635
YTD Charge-offs                                   6,819         4,962

NPAs / Actual Assets %                             0.84%         0.86%
NPAs & 90 Day / Actual Assets %                    0.93%         0.94%
NPAs / Actual Loans & REO (%)                      1.10%         1.12%
Loan Loss Reserves / Actual Loans (%)              0.98%         0.96%
NCOs / YTD Average Loans (%)                       0.24%         0.18%
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


                                     September 30, June 30, March 31,
(in thousands, except share data)        2008        2008     2008

   Loans receivable
      Taxable                             $49,828  $49,023   $51,101
      Tax exempt                              321      178       165
   Investment securities
      Taxable                               2,943    2,947     3,249
      Tax exempt                            1,379    1,452     1,513
   Federal funds sold                          10        3         8
   Deposits with financial
    institutions                              146      133       282

   Federal Reserve and Federal Home
    Loan Bank stock                           351      370       335
                                     ------------  -------  --------
       Total interest income               54,978   54,106    56,653
                                     ------------  -------  --------
Interest expense
   Deposits                                16,213   16,297    19,433
   Federal funds purchased                    502      577       669
   Securities sold under repurchase
    agreements                                650      632       816
   Federal Home Loan Bank advances          2,724    2,825     3,036

   Subordinated debentures,
    revolving credit lines and term
    loans                                   1,635    1,602     1,890
                                     ------------  -------  --------
       Total interest expense              21,724   21,933    25,844
                                     ------------  -------  --------
Net interest income                        33,254   32,173    30,809
   Provision for loan losses                7,094    7,070     3,823
                                     ------------  -------  --------

Net interest income
   After provision for loan losses         26,160   25,103    26,986

Other income
   Service charges on deposit
    accounts                                3,568    3,157     2,931
   Fiduciary activities                     1,932    2,126     2,142
   Other customer fees                      1,696    1,767     1,679
   Commission income                        1,457    1,427     1,669
   Earnings on cash surrender value
    of life insurance                         519      606       738
   Net gains and fees on sales of
    loans                                     648      668       643
   Net realized gains (losses) on
    sales of available-for-sale
    securities                             (1,255)      13        73
   Other income                               655      570       652
                                     ------------  -------  --------
       Total other income                   9,220   10,334    10,527
                                     ------------  -------  --------

Other expenses
   Salaries and employee benefits          15,330   15,698    16,098
   Net occupancy                            1,857    1,750     1,805
   Equipment                                1,649    1,643     1,654
   Marketing                                  605      612       484
   Outside data processing fees             1,068    1,009       882
   Printing and office supplies               281      291       281
   Core deposit amortization                  809      808       790
   Other expenses                           5,516    4,593     4,279
                                     ------------  -------  --------
       Total other expenses                27,115   26,404    26,273
                                     ------------  -------  --------

Income before income tax                    8,265    9,033    11,240
   Income tax expense                       2,516    2,491     3,114
                                     ------------  -------  --------
Net income                                 $5,749   $6,542    $8,126
                                     ============  =======  ========

Per Share Data

   Basic Net Income                           .32      .37       .45
   Diluted Net Income                         .32      .36       .45
   Cash Dividends Paid                        .23      .23       .23
   Average Diluted Shares
      Outstanding (in thousands)           18,196   18,159    18,055

FINANCIAL RATIOS
   Return on Average Assets                   .60%     .69%      .86%
   Return on Average Stockholders'
    Equity                                   6.58     7.46      9.43
   Avg. Earning Assets to Avg.
    Assets                                  91.02    90.94     90.38
   Allowance for Loan Losses as % of
    Total Loans                              1.14     1.05       .99
   Net Charge Off's as % of Average
    Loans (Annualized)                        .49      .61       .41
   Dividend Payout Ratio                    72.80    63.85     51.10
   Average Stockholders' Equity to
    Average Assets                           9.09     9.30      9.17
   Tax Equivalent Yield on Earning
    Assets                                   6.39     6.41      6.78
   Cost of Supporting Liabilities            2.48     2.56      3.04
   Net Interest Margin (FTE) on
    Earning Assets                           3.91     3.85      3.74


                                            December 31, September 30,
(in thousands, except share data)               2007         2007

   Loans receivable
      Taxable                                   $53,338       $53,081
      Tax exempt                                    302           368
   Investment securities
      Taxable                                     3,487         3,581
      Tax exempt                                  1,623         1,613
   Federal funds sold                                39            41
   Deposits with financial institutions             194           145

   Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan
    Bank stock                                      344           328
                                            -----------  ------------
       Total interest income                     59,327        59,157
                                            -----------  ------------
Interest expense
   Deposits                                      22,398        23,327
   Federal funds purchased                          692           996
   Securities sold under repurchase
    agreements                                    1,182         1,195
   Federal Home Loan Bank advances                3,250         3,302

   Subordinated debentures, revolving
    credit lines and term loans                   1,910         1,802
                                            -----------  ------------
       Total interest expense                    29,432        30,622
                                            -----------  ------------
Net interest income                              29,895        28,535
   Provision for loan losses                      2,450         2,810
                                            -----------  ------------

Net interest income
   After provision for loan losses               27,445        25,725

Other income
   Service charges on deposit accounts            3,206         3,241
   Fiduciary activities                           2,094         1,985
   Other customer fees                            1,686         1,767
   Commission income                              1,031         1,175
   Earnings on cash surrender value of
    life insurance                                1,186           998
   Net gains and fees on sales of loans             546           749
   Net realized gains (losses) on sales of
    available-for-sale securities                     1
   Other income                                     383           933
                                            -----------  ------------
       Total other income                        10,133        10,848
                                            -----------  ------------

Other expenses
   Salaries and employee benefits                14,738        14,583
   Net occupancy                                  1,619         1,818
   Equipment                                      1,619         1,645
   Marketing                                        505           560
   Outside data processing fees                     872           972
   Printing and office supplies                     329           394
   Core deposit amortization                        789           789
   Other expenses                                 4,776         4,241
                                            -----------  ------------
       Total other expenses                      25,247        25,002
                                            -----------  ------------

Income before income tax                         12,331        11,571
   Income tax expense                             3,021         3,221
                                            -----------  ------------
Net income                                       $9,310        $8,350
                                            ===========  ============

Per Share Data

   Basic Net Income                                 .51           .46
   Diluted Net Income                               .51           .46
   Cash Dividends Paid                              .23           .23
   Average Diluted Shares
      Outstanding (in thousands)                 18,138        18,276

FINANCIAL RATIOS
   Return on Average Assets                        1.00%          .90%
   Return on Average Stockholders' Equity         11.10         10.14
   Avg. Earning Assets to Avg. Assets             90.70         90.88
   Allowance for Loan Losses as % of Total
    Loans                                           .98           .96
   Net Charge Off's as % of Average Loans
    (Annualized)                                    .26           .39
   Dividend Payout Ratio                          45.10         50.00
   Average Stockholders' Equity to Average
    Assets                                         8.98          8.91
   Tax Equivalent Yield on Earning Assets          7.13          7.17
   Cost of Supporting Liabilities                  3.47          3.65
   Net Interest Margin (FTE) on Earning
    Assets                                         3.66          3.52
LOANS


(in thousands, except share    September 30,   June 30,    March 31,
 data)                             2008          2008        2008

Commercial and industrial
 loans                             $851,233     $815,137    $724,643
Agricultural production
 financing and other loans to
 farmers                            136,176      125,125     123,314
Real estate loans:
   Construction                     167,512      181,598     178,171
   Commercial and farmland          966,259      954,672     961,431
   Residential                      731,065      718,065     728,956
Individuals' loans for
 household and other personal
 expenditures                       145,345      161,387     174,857
Tax exempt loans                     34,010       22,553      11,646
   Lease financing
    receivables, net of
    unearned income                   9,262        9,158       8,438
Other loans                          37,906       30,901      26,254
                               ------------   ----------  ----------
                                  3,078,768    3,018,596   2,937,710
Allowance for loan losses           (34,985)     (31,597)    (29,094)
                               ------------   ----------  ----------
         Total loans             $3,043,783   $2,986,999  $2,908,616
                               ============   ==========  ==========


(in thousands, except share data)           December 31, September 30,
                                                2007         2007

Commercial and industrial loans                $662,701      $626,301
Agricultural production financing and
 other loans to farmers                         114,324       113,132
Real estate loans:
   Construction                                 165,425       160,624
   Commercial and farmland                      947,234       912,063
   Residential                                  744,627       769,890
Individuals' loans for household and other
 personal expenditures                          187,880       194,181
Tax exempt loans                                 16,423        28,726
   Lease financing receivables, net of
    unearned income                               8,351         8,932
Other loans                                      29,878        55,152
                                            -----------  ------------
                                              2,876,843     2,869,001
Allowance for loan losses                       (28,228)      (27,635)
                                            -----------  ------------
         Total loans                         $2,848,615    $2,841,366
                                            ===========  ============
DEPOSITS

                                  September 30,  June 30,  March 31,
                                      2008         2008       2008
(in thousands)

Demand deposits                        $921,034   $932,017   $881,498
Savings deposits                        540,596    546,951    562,942
Certificates and other time
 deposits of $100,000 or more           469,426    444,967    459,038
Other certificates and time
 deposits                               983,227    939,700    909,649
                                  ------------- ---------- ----------
         Total deposits              $2,914,283 $2,863,635 $2,813,127
                                  ============= ========== ==========

                                            December 31, September 30,
                                                2007         2007
(in thousands)

Demand deposits                                 $903,380      $825,185
Savings deposits                                 552,379       508,139
Certificates and other time deposits of
 $100,000 or more                                470,733       472,842
Other certificates and time deposits             917,629       953,009
                                            ------------ -------------
         Total deposits                       $2,844,121    $2,759,175
                                            ============ =============

Source: First Merchants Corporation

Contact: First Merchants Corporation Mark K. Hardwick, 765-751-1857 Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer http://www.firstmerchants.com
  • First Merchants Corporation

    200 East Jackson Street
    P.O. Box 792
    Muncie, IN 47305-2814

    (765) 747-1500

  • Investor Relations Contact

    Nicole M. Weaver
    765.521.7619 or
    800.262.4261, Ext. 47619

    nweaver@firstmerchants.com

  • Shareholder Relations Contact

    Cindy Holaday
    765.741.7278 or
    800.262.4261, Ext. 27278

    shareholderrelations
    @firstmerchants.com

  • Transfer Agent

    Broadridge
    PO Box 1342
    Brentwood, NY 11717-0718
    (888) 401-4448