News Release Details

First Merchants Corporation Announces 4th Quarter 2009 Earnings and 1st Quarter 2010 Dividends

02/1/2010

MUNCIE, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ: FRME) has reported a fourth quarter 2009 net loss of $11.7 million, or $.55 per fully diluted common share. The Corporation's fourth quarter loss contributed to an annual fully diluted common share loss of $2.17, down from the prior year income of $1.14.

Michael C. Rechin, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated that, "2009 proved to be a challenge and a disappointment by many measures including net income, EPS and our stock price. The earnings shortfall is nearly 100 percent the result of credit costs including provision, OREO and legal expense totaling $135 million. The magnitude of the provisioning was a function of charge-offs and the building of our loan loss reserve given the protracted recessionary environment. The net affect of the 2009 experience produced positive strides in process, underwriting and policy.

"Our core business remains very healthy, and we are satisfied with many aspects of our operations. Our deposit mix improved materially through the year driving our net-interest margin higher for each of the last three quarters. We grew demand deposits and savings balances by 10% over year-end 2008 and 7% over September 30, 2009. The liquidity we built allowed for brokered deposits and non-customer borrowings to be reduced in excess of $370 million, contributing to our net-interest margin strength. Our efficiency also improved through the year having successfully integrated the acquisition of Lincoln Bancorp and combining four bank charters into First Merchants Bank."

The loss for the quarter was primarily due to provision for loan losses of $26 million with net charge-offs of $21 million. The Corporation's allowance for loan losses increased to $92 million, or 2.81 percent of total loans as of year-end from 1.33 percent, as of December 31, 2008, a $43 million increase. The Corporation's coverage ratio of allowance to non-accrual loans improved to 78 percent, the highest level in five quarters.

Non-performing assets (NPA) plus 90 days delinquent loans declined for the first time in eight quarters totaling $146 million, or 3.26 percent of total assets. The six percent decline in overall NPAs included a reduction in non-accrual loans despite the addition of two large credit relationships totaling $28 million.

Net-Interest margin remained strong up three basis points (bps) linked quarter-over-quarter to 3.86 percent as net interest income totaled nearly $38 million, reflecting the strength of ongoing operations. Interest reversals on non-accrual loans totaled $2.9 million for the year and $592,000 for the quarter depressing net-interest margin by six bps for both periods.

Total non-interest income totaled $10.6 million for the quarter, after adjusting for gains from the sale of securities totaling $2.0 million and other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) charges of $3.0 million. The expected decline linked quarter-over-quarter is consistent with prior years as mortgage banking fees and insurance commissions are seasonal. For the year, non-interest income, excluding bond gains and losses and a one time mortgage portfolio sale gain, totaled $46.5 million.

Total non-interest expense, for the fourth quarter, increased by $662,000 as salary and benefits expense increased by $735,000 linked quarter-over-quarter. The increase in salary and benefits expense is the result of two items including $407,000 of severance expense in the fourth quarter and a $500,000 bonus accrual reversal in the third quarter. When normalized, the Corporation's salary and benefit costs are actually down another $172,000. The positive impact of the severance expense will be reflected in first quarter 2010 operating results.

The Corporation's pre-tax, pre-provision earnings totaled $7.5 million for the quarter and $53 million for the full year. When normalized for a fully taxable equivalent net interest income and extraordinary items, the pre-tax, pre-provision earnings totaled $15.7 million for the quarter and $70.9 million for the full year. Extraordinary items include bond gains, OTTI expense, ORE write-downs, professional services related to credit losses and FHLB prepayment penalties.

For the year 2009, the Corporation experienced a combination of extraordinary expenses associated with credit-related OREO write-downs of $9.8 million, professional services related to credit losses totaling $3.0 million, FDIC special assessment fees of $2.2 million and $1.9 million of prepayment penalties related to FHLB advances. When adjusted for the extraordinary levels of these expenses the Corporation's operating costs totaled $134.7 million.

As of December 31, 2009, the Corporation's total risk-based capital measured 13.04 percent, Tier 1 risk-based capital totaled 10.32 percent, Tier 1 leverage ratio totaled 8.20 percent, and tangible common equity ratio totaled 4.54 percent. All regulatory capital ratios exceed the regulatory definitions of "well capitalized".

The Corporation's management and Board of Directors believe that retaining capital to protect and strengthen the Corporation is one of its highest priorities. As a result, the board of directors, on January 29, 2010, declared a reduced cash dividend of $.01 payable on March 19, 2010, to shareholders of record as of March 5, 2010.

Rechin continued, "We are pleased to have started a new year and there is evidence of a return towards profitability based on our NPA, impaired asset levels and delinquency trends. Our non-performing asset reduction in the fourth quarter and the slowing of migration in delinquency suggests a peak in provisioning. Our feeling is that absent a reversal in the current recovery, we are nearing the end of our reserve building. We look forward to fully maximizing our pre-tax pre-provision earnings run rate of nearly $70 million in the future as the expense of loan losses begins to slow."

CONFERENCE CALL

First Merchants Corporation will conduct a fourth quarter earnings conference call and web cast at 2:30 p.m. (ET) on Monday, February 1, 2010.

To participate, dial (Toll Free) 800-860-2442 and reference First Merchants Corporation's fourth quarter earnings release. International callers please call +1 412-858-4600. A replay of the call will be available until February 9, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. (ET). To access a replay of the call, US/Canada participants should dial (Toll Free) 877-344-7529 or for International participants, dial +1 412-317-0088. The replay passcode is 436868.

In order to view the web cast and presentation slides, please go to http://www.talkpoint.com/viewer/starthere.asp?Pres=129270 during the time of the call.

During the call, Forward-Looking Statements about the relative business outlook may be made. 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:

About First Merchants Corporation

First Merchants Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Muncie, Indiana. The Corporation is comprised of First Merchants Bank, N.A., which also operates as Lafayette Bank & Trust, A Division of First Merchants Bank, N.A., Commerce National Bank, A Division of First Merchants Bank, N.A., as well as First Merchants Trust Company, N.A., and 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).

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)                               December 31,

                                                     2009          2008

ASSETS

Cash and due from banks                              $ 76,801      $ 84,249

Federal funds sold                                     102,346       66,237

Cash and cash equivalents                              179,147       150,486

Interest-bearing time deposits                         74,025        38,823

Investment securities                                  563,117       481,984

Mortgage loans held for sale                           8,036         4,295

Loans                                                  3,269,788     3,721,952

Less: Allowance for loan losses                        (92,131   )   (49,543   )

Net loans                                              3,177,657     3,672,409

Premises and equipment                                 55,804        59,641

Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock       38,576        34,319

Interest receivable                                    20,818        23,976

Core deposit intangibles and goodwill                  158,740       165,974

Cash surrender value of life insurance                 94,636        93,222

Other real estate owned                                14,879        18,458

Tax asset, deferred and receivable                     64,394        26,738

Other assets                                           31,123        13,830

TOTAL ASSETS                                         $ 4,480,952   $ 4,784,155

LIABILITIES

Deposits:

Noninterest-bearing                                  $ 516,487     $ 460,519

Interest-bearing                                       3,020,049     3,258,292

Total Deposits                                         3,536,536     3,718,811

Borrowings:

Securities sold under repurchase agreements            125,687       122,311

Federal Home Loan Bank advances                        129,749       360,217

Subordinated debentures, revolving credit lines and    194,790       135,826
term loans

Total Borrowings                                       450,226       618,354

Interest payable                                       5,711         8,844

Other liabilities                                      24,694        42,243

Total Liabilities                                      4,017,167     4,388,252

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Preferred Stock, no-par value:

Authorized -- 500,000 shares

Series A, Issued and outstanding - 116,000 shares      112,373

Cumulative Preferred Stock, $1,000 par value,
$1,000 liquidation value:

Authorized -- 600 shares

Issued and outstanding - 125 shares                    125           125

Common Stock, $.125 stated value:

Authorized -- 50,000,000 shares

Issued and outstanding - 21,227,741 and 21,178,123     2,653         2,647
shares

Additional paid-in capital                             206,600       202,299

Retained earnings                                      150,860       206,496

Accumulated other comprehensive loss                   (8,826    )   (15,664   )

Total Stockholders' Equity                             463,785       395,903

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY           $ 4,480,952   $ 4,784,155



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS

(Dollars in thousands, except     Three Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended
per share amounts)

                                  December 31,           December 31,

                                  2009        2008       2009        2008

INTEREST INCOME

Loans receivable:

Taxable                           $ 48,297    $ 48,433   $ 205,616   $ 198,385

Tax exempt                          296         349        1,038       1,013

Investment securities:

Taxable                             2,348       2,907      12,335      12,046

Tax exempt                          2,668       1,511      9,587       5,855

Federal funds sold                  37          7          118         28

Deposits with financial             75          194        366         755
institutions

Federal Reserve and Federal Home    348         335        1,379       1,391
Loan Bank stock

Total Interest Income               54,069      53,736     230,439     219,473

INTEREST EXPENSE

Deposits                            12,445      15,638     58,391      67,581

Federal funds purchased                         108        28          1,856

Securities sold under repurchase    511         502        1,997       2,600
agreements

Federal Home Loan Bank advances     1,627       2,583      9,232       11,168

Subordinated debentures,
revolving credit lines and term     1,921       1,757      7,445       6,884
loans

Total Interest Expense              16,504      20,588     77,093      90,089

NET INTEREST INCOME                 37,565      33,148     153,346     129,384

Provision for loan losses           26,020      10,251     122,176     28,238

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER           11,545      22,897     31,170      101,146
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

OTHER INCOME

Service charges on deposit          3,735       3,346      15,128      13,002
accounts

Fiduciary activities                1,826       1,831      7,409       8,031

Other customer fees                 1,969       1,634      7,922       6,776

Commission income                   1,181       1,271      6,397       5,824

Earnings on cash surrender value    569         (2,130 )   1,614       (267    )
of life insurance

Net gains and fees on sales of      1,744       531        6,849       2,490
loans

Net realized and unrealized
gains on sales of available for     1,984       328        11,141      599
sale securities

Other-than-temporary impairment     (2,979  )   (1,242 )   (6,729  )   (2,682  )
on available for sale securities

Other income                        (472    )   717        1,470       2,594

Total Other Income                  9,557       6,286      51,201      36,367

OTHER EXPENSES

Salaries and employee benefits      18,680      15,880     76,325      63,006

Net occupancy                       2,816       2,299      10,250      7,711

Equipment                           1,935       1,713      7,595       6,659

Marketing                           513         610        2,134       2,311

Outside data processing fees        1,488       1,128      6,186       4,087

Printing and office supplies        359         361        1,419       1,214

Core deposit amortization           1,277       809        5,109       3,216

FDIC assessments                    3,203       530        10,394      857

Other expenses                      9,386       5,670      32,146      19,731

Total Other Expenses                39,657      29,000     151,558     108,792

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX     (18,555 )   183        (69,187 )   28,721

Income tax expense (benefit)        (8,334  )   (38    )   (28,424 )   8,083

NET INCOME (LOSS)                   (10,221 )   221        (40,763 )   20,638

Preferred stock dividends and       1,451                  4,979
discount accretion

NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO    $ (11,672 ) $ 221      $ (45,742 ) $ 20,638
COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

Per Share Data:

Basic Net Income (Loss)           $ (0.55   ) $ 0.01     $ (2.17   ) $ 1.14
Available to Common Stockholders

Diluted Net Income (Loss)         $ (0.55   ) $ 0.01     $ (2.17   ) $ 1.14
Available to Common Stockholders

Cash Dividends Paid               $ 0.08      $ 0.23     $ 0.47      $ 0.92

Average Diluted Shares              21,211      18,257     21,117      18,162
Outstanding (in thousands)



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(Dollars in            Three Months Ended           Twelve Months Ended
thousands)

                       December 31,                 December 31,

                       2009           2008          2009           2008

NET CHARGE OFF'S       $ 20,807       $ 4,372       $ 81,628       $ 15,602

AVERAGE BALANCES:

Total Assets           $ 4,503,078    $ 3,870,148   $ 4,674,590    $ 3,811,166

Total Loans              3,345,086      3,082,061     3,546,316      3,002,628

Total Deposits           3,544,233      3,009,123     3,603,509      2,902,902

Total Stockholders'      473,014        353,159       477,148        349,594
Equity

FINANCIAL RATIOS:

Return on Average        (1.04     )%   0.02      %   (0.98     )%   0.54      %
Assets

Return on Average        (9.87     )    0.25          (9.59     )    5.90
Stockholders' Equity

Average Earning
Assets to Average        90.28          91.15         90.81          90.88
Assets

Allowance for Loan
Losses as % of Total     2.81           1.33          2.81           1.33
Loans

Net Charge Off's as %
of Average Loans         2.49           0.57          2.30           0.52
(Annualized)

Dividend Payout Ratio    (14.55    )    2,300.00      (21.66    )    80.70

Average Stockholders'
Equity to Average        10.50          9.13          10.21          9.17
Assets

Tax Equivalent Yield     5.48           6.21          5.56           6.44
on Earning Assets

Cost of Supporting       1.62           2.33          1.82           2.60
Liabilities

Net Interest Margin
(FTE) on Earning         3.86           3.88          3.74           3.84
Assets



NON-PERFORMING ASSETS

(Dollars in     December    September   June 30,    March 31,   December 31,
thousands)      31,         30,

                2009        2009        2009        2009        2008

Non-Accrual     $ 118,409   $ 123,290   $ 112,220   $ 108,546   $ 87,546
Loans

Renegotiated      8,833       5,595       4,216                   130
Loans

Non-Performing    127,242     128,885     116,436     108,546     87,676
Loans (NPL)

Real Estate
Owned and         14,879      21,778      20,227      22,077      18,458
Repossessed
Assets

Non-Performing    142,121     150,663     136,663     130,623     106,134
Assets (NPA)

90+ Days          3,967       5,422       3,596       7,732       5,982
Delinquent

NPAS & 90 Day   $ 146,088   $ 156,085   $ 140,259   $ 138,355   $ 112,116
Delinquent

Loan Loss       $ 92,131    $ 86,918    $ 77,119    $ 58,502    $ 49,543
Reserve

YTD               81,628      60,821      46,380      6,002       15,602
Charge-offs

NPAs / Actual     3.17    %   3.37    %   2.90    %   2.67    %   2.22       %
Assets %

NPAs & 90 Day
/ Actual          3.26    %   3.49    %   2.97    %   2.83    %   2.34       %
Assets %

NPAs / Actual
Loans and REO     4.32    %   4.37    %   3.80    %   3.54    %   2.83       %
%

Loan Loss
Reserves /        2.81    %   2.54    %   2.16    %   1.60    %   1.33       %
Actual Loans
(%)

NCOs / YTD
Average Loans     2.30    %   1.68    %   1.27    %   0.16    %   0.52       %
(%)



CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in          December      September     June 30,      March 31,     December
thousands)           31,           30,                                       31,

                     2009          2009          2009          2009          2008

ASSETS

Cash and due from    $ 76,801      $ 66,887      $ 73,668      $ 96,606      $ 84,249
banks

Federal funds sold     102,346       52,828                      89,282        66,237

Cash and cash          179,147       119,715       73,668        185,888       150,486
equivalents

Interest-bearing       74,025        44,312        44,595        158,295       38,823
time deposits

Investment             563,117       489,010       630,958       446,316       481,984
securities

Mortgage loans held    8,036         25,173        23,070        8,659         4,295
for sale

Loans                  3,269,788     3,398,722     3,554,229     3,654,074     3,721,952

Less: Allowance for    (92,131   )   (86,918   )   (77,119   )   (58,502   )   (49,543   )
loan losses

Net loans              3,177,657     3,311,804     3,477,110     3,595,572     3,672,409

Premises and           55,804        58,482        58,692        58,948        59,641
equipment

Federal Reserve and
Federal Home Loan      38,576        38,576        34,441        34,420        34,319
Bank stock

Interest receivable    20,818        22,359        20,778        20,783        23,976

Core deposit
intangibles and        158,740       160,017       161,294       162,571       165,974
goodwill

Cash surrender
value of life          94,636        94,267        93,876        93,544        93,222
insurance

Other real estate      14,879        21,778        20,227        22,077        18,458
owned

Tax asset, deferred    64,394        59,244        62,183        36,543        26,738
and refundable

Other assets           31,123        31,747        16,153        63,281        13,830

TOTAL ASSETS         $ 4,480,952   $ 4,476,484   $ 4,717,045   $ 4,886,897   $ 4,784,155

LIABILITIES

Deposits:

Noninterest-bearing  $ 516,487     $ 477,040     $ 512,368     $ 462,167     $ 460,519

Interest-bearing       3,020,049     3,035,455     3,078,555     3,222,797     3,258,292

Total Deposits         3,536,536     3,512,495     3,590,923     3,684,964     3,718,811

Borrowings:

Federal funds                                      15,042
purchased

Securities sold
under repurchase       125,687       125,045       115,011       113,106       122,311
agreements

Federal Home Loan      129,749       130,024       268,938       278,583       360,217
Bank advances

Subordinated
debentures,
revolving credit       194,790       194,787       194,783       204,779       135,826
lines and term
loans

Total Borrowings       450,226       449,856       593,774       596,468       618,354

Interest payable       5,711         5,722         7,351         8,278         8,844

Other liabilities      24,694        32,511        51,619        89,082        42,243

Total Liabilities      4,017,167     4,000,584     4,243,667     4,378,792     4,388,252

STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY

Preferred Stock,
no-par value:

Authorized --
500,000 shares

Series A, Issued
and outstanding -      112,373       112,190       112,009       111,831
116,000 shares

Cumulative
Preferred Stock,
$1,000 par value,
$1,000 liquidation
value:

Authorized -- 600
shares

Issued and
outstanding - 125      125           125           125           125           125
shares

Common Stock, $.125
stated value:

Authorized --
50,000,000 shares

Issued and
outstanding -          2,653         2,648         2,633         2,632         2,647
21,227,741 and
21,178,123 shares

Additional paid-in     206,600       205,759       204,403       203,889       202,299
capital

Retained earnings      150,860       164,419       172,688       205,616       206,496

Accumulated other      (8,826    )   (9,241    )   (18,480   )   (15,988   )   (15,664   )
comprehensive loss

Total Stockholders'    463,785       475,900       473,378       508,105       395,903
Equity

TOTAL LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS'    $ 4,480,952   $ 4,476,484   $ 4,717,045   $ 4,886,897   $ 4,784,155
EQUITY



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in           December     September                 March      December
thousands, except     31,          30,          June 30,     31,        31,
per share amounts)

                      2009         2009         2009         2009       2008

INTEREST INCOME

Loans receivable:

Taxable               $ 48,297     $ 50,683     $ 52,843     $ 53,793   $ 48,433

Tax exempt              296          280          247          215        349

Investment
securities:

Taxable                 2,348        2,963        3,261        3,763      2,907

Tax exempt              2,668        2,788        2,362        1,769      1,511

Federal funds sold      37           27           42           12         7

Deposits with
financial               75           73           116          102        194
institutions

Federal Reserve and
Federal Home Loan       348          359          199          473        335
Bank stock

Total Interest          54,069       57,173       59,070       60,127     53,736
Income

INTEREST EXPENSE

Deposits                12,445       13,666       15,569       16,711     15,638

Federal funds                        6                         22         108
purchased

Securities sold
under repurchase        511          512          507          467        502
agreements

Federal Home Loan       1,627        2,209        2,447        2,949      2,583
Bank advances

Subordinated
debentures,             1,921        1,932        2,113        1,479      1,757
revolving credit
lines and term loans

Total Interest          16,504       18,325       20,636       21,628     20,588
Expense

NET INTEREST INCOME     37,565       38,848       38,434       38,499     33,148

Provision for loan      26,020       24,240       58,995       12,921     10,251
losses

NET INTEREST INCOME
(LOSS) AFTER            11,545       14,608       (20,561 )    25,578     22,897
PROVISION FOR LOAN
LOSSES

OTHER INCOME

Service charges on      3,735        3,963        3,888        3,542      3,346
deposit accounts

Fiduciary activities    1,826        1,844        1,680        2,059      1,831

Other customer fees     1,969        2,004        1,946        2,003      1,634

Commission income       1,181        1,459        1,698        2,059      1,271

Earnings on cash
surrender value of      569          391          331          323        (2,130   )
life insurance

Net gains and fees      1,744        1,997        1,678        1,430      531
on sales of loans

Net realized and
unrealized gains on     1,984        5,211        1,154        2,792      328
sales of available
for sale securities

Other-than-temporary
impairment on           (2,979  )    (1,227  )    (2,045  )    (478   )   (1,242   )
available for sale
securities

Other income            (472    )    41           1,160        741        717

Total Other Income      9,557        15,683       11,490       14,471     6,286

OTHER EXPENSES

Salaries and            18,680       17,945       19,685       20,015     15,880
employee benefits

Net occupancy           2,816        2,422        2,443        2,569      2,299

Equipment               1,935        1,875        1,909        1,876      1,713

Marketing               513          508          564          549        610

Outside data            1,488        1,360        1,405        1,933      1,128
processing fees

Printing and office     359          300          397          363        361
supplies

Core deposit            1,277        1,277        1,278        1,277      809
amortization

FDIC assessments        3,203        3,121        3,494        576        530

Other expenses          9,386        10,187       7,017        5,556      5,670

Total Other Expenses    39,657       38,995       38,192       34,714     29,000

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE    (18,555 )    (8,704  )    (47,263 )    5,335      183
INCOME TAX

Income tax expense      (8,334  )    (3,774  )    (17,534 )    1,218      (38      )
(benefit)

NET INCOME (LOSS)       (10,221 )    (4,930  )    (29,729 )    4,117      221

Preferred stock
dividends and           1,451        1,450        1,450        628
discount accretion

NET INCOME (LOSS)
AVAILABLE TO COMMON   $ (11,672 )  $ (6,380  )  $ (31,179 )  $ 3,489    $ 221
STOCKHOLDERS

PER SHARE:

Basic Net Income
(Loss) Available to   $ (0.55   )  $ (0.30   )  $ (1.49   )  $ 0.17     $ 0.01
Common Stockholders

Diluted Net Income
(Loss) Available to   $ (0.55   )  $ (0.30   )  $ (1.49   )  $ 0.17     $ 0.01
Common Stockholders

Cash Dividends Paid   $ 0.08       $ 0.08       $ 0.08       $ 0.23     $ 0.23

Average Diluted
Shares Outstanding      21,211       21,170       21,120       21,093     18,257
(in thousands)

FINANCIAL RATIOS:

Return on Average       (1.04   )%   (0.55   )%   (2.59   )%   0.30   %   0.02     %
Assets

Return on Average       (9.87   )    (5.35   )    (24.58  )    3.10       0.25
Stockholders' Equity

Average Earning
Assets to Average       90.28        90.82        91.07        91.07      91.15
Assets

Allowance for Loan
Losses as % of Total    2.81         2.54         2.16         1.60       1.33
Loans

Net Charge Off's as
% of Average Loans      2.49         1.64         4.44         0.65       0.57
(Annualized)

Dividend Payout         (14.55  )    (26.67  )    (5.41   )    135.29     2,300.00
Ratio

Average
Stockholders' Equity    10.50        10.23        10.54        9.55       9.13
to Average Assets

Tax Equivalent Yield    5.48         5.56         5.52         5.69       6.21
on Earning Assets

Cost of Supporting      1.62         1.73         1.88         2.01       2.33
Liabilities

Net Interest Margin
(FTE) on Earning        3.86         3.83         3.64         3.68       3.88
Assets



LOANS

(Dollars in   December      September     June 30,      March 31,     December
thousands)    31,           30,                                       31,

              2009          2009          2009          2009          2008

Commercial
and           $ 675,860     $ 806,289     $ 874,671     $ 891,393     $ 904,646
industrial
loans

Agricultural
production
financing       121,031       124,601       121,361       120,462       135,099
and other
loans to
farmers

Real estate
loans:

Construction    158,725       147,343       162,765       208,145       252,487

Commercial      1,254,115     1,228,983     1,231,986     1,246,450     1,202,372
and farmland

Residential     841,584       855,931       930,714       949,259       956,245

Individuals'
loans for
household       154,132       177,338       174,363       193,109       201,632
and other
personal
expenditures

Tax exempt      22,049        23,846        23,596        18,121        28,070
loans

Lease
financing
receivables,    7,135         7,797         8,095         8,178         8,996
net of
unearned
income

Other loans     35,157        26,594        26,678        18,957        32,405

                3,269,788     3,398,722     3,554,229     3,654,074     3,721,952

Allowance
for loan        (92,131   )   (86,918   )   (77,119   )   (58,502   )   (49,543   )
losses

TOTAL LOANS   $ 3,177,657   $ 3,311,804   $ 3,477,110   $ 3,595,572   $ 3,672,409



DEPOSITS

(Dollars in   December 31,  September    June 30,     March 31,    December 31,
thousands)                  30,

              2009          2009         2009         2009         2008

Demand        $ 1,308,741   $ 1,178,372  $ 1,197,646  $ 1,166,205  $ 1,136,267
deposits

Savings         733,142       726,894      740,340      743,812      721,387
deposits

Certificates
and other
time            438,264       492,875      503,971      511,873      546,081
deposits of
$100,000 or
more

Other
certificates    781,509       803,173      835,899      853,149      837,793
and time
deposits

Brokered        274,880       311,181      313,067      409,925      477,283
deposits

TOTAL         $ 3,536,536   $ 3,512,495  $ 3,590,923  $ 3,684,964  $ 3,718,811
DEPOSITS



    Source: First Merchants Corporation
Contact: First Merchants Corporation Mark K. Hardwick, Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, 765-751-1857 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