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): August 17, 2004
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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, Indiana 47305-2814
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)
(765) 747-1500
(Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)
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Exhibit Index on Page 3
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(a) Not Applicable.
(b) Not Applicable.
(c) (99.1) Press Release dated August 17, 2004.
ITEM 9. REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.
On August 10, 2004, the Board of Directors of First Merchants
Corporation declared a $.23 dividend on its shares of outstanding common stock.
The dividend is payable to stockholders of record on September 6, 2004. The
dividend will be distributed to stockholders on September 20, 2004. A copy of
the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is furnished
pursuant to Regulation FD.
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.
By: /s/ Larry R. Helms
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Larry R. Helms, Senior Vice President
Dated: August 17, 2004
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit No.
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99.1 Description
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Press Release, dated August 17, 2004, issued by
First Merchants Corporation.
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First Merchants Corporation
Exhibit 99.1
Press Release, dated August 17, 2004
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Mark K. Hardwick, Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, 765-751-1857
FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION ANNOUNCES CASH DIVIDEND
Muncie, Indiana - August 17, 2004 - First Merchants Corporation (Nasdaq: FRME)
has announced that its Board of Directors declared a $.23 per share cash
dividend payable September 20, 2004 to stockholders of record on September 6,
2004. The cash dividend is consistent with previous dividends.
Michael L. Cox, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "this dividend
reflects the continued strength of First Merchants and our affiliate companies.
We are pleased to continue a return of profits to our shareholders at a payout
level exceeding our financial peer group."
About First Merchants Corporation
First Merchants Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in
Muncie, Indiana. Since its organization in 1982, First Merchants Corporation
has grown to include ten affiliate banks with over 70 locations in 18 Indiana
and two Ohio counties, a trust company, a multi-line insurance company, and a
title agency.
Subsidiaries of the Corporation include First Merchants Bank, N.A.; The Madison
Community Bank, N.A.; First United Bank, N.A.; The Union County National Bank of
Liberty; The Randolph County Bank, N.A.; The First National Bank of Portland;
Decatur Bank & Trust Company, N.A.; Frances Slocum Bank & Trust Company, N.A.;
Lafayette Bank and Trust Company, N.A.; and Commerce National Bank. The
Corporation also operates First Merchants Insurance Services, a full-service
property, casualty, personal lines, and health care insurer, and is the majority
owner of the Indiana Title Insurance Company LLC.
Merchants Trust Company unites the trust and asset management services of all
affiliate banks of the Corporation and represents one of the largest trust
companies in the State of Indiana, with assets in excess of $1.5 billion.
For more information, visit www.firstmerchants.com.
Source: First Merchants Corporation
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