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): June 21, 2006
------------------------------
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)
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))
Page 1 of 5
ITEM 5.02 DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS;
APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS.
By press release dated June 21, 2006, First Merchants Corporation
("Corporation") announced that Michael L. Cox, President and Chief Executive
Officer, has returned from a temporary medical leave of absence. The
Corporation's Board of Directors had appointed Michael C. Rechin, Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer, to perform the duties of the
Corporation's President and Chief Executive Officer during Mr. Cox's absence.
ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) Exhibits.
Exhibit 99.1 Press Release, dated June 21, 2006, regarding the
matter referenced in Item 5.02.
Page 2 of 5
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
--------------------------------------------
Mark K. Hardwick
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and
Principal Accounting Officer)
Dated: June 21, 2006
Page 3 of 5
EXHIBIT INDEX
-------------
Exhibit No.
- -----------
99.1 Description
-----------
Press Release, dated June 21, 2006, regarding the
matter referenced in Item 5.02.
Page 4 of 5
First Merchants Corporation
Exhibit No. 99.1
Press Release, dated June 21, 2006
N / E / W / S R / E / L / E / A / S / E
June 21, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Mark K. Hardwick, Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, 765-751-1857
http://firstmerchants.com
SOURCE: First Merchants Corporation, Muncie, Indiana
FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION ANNOUNCES CEO RETURNS FROM TEMPORARY MEDICAL LEAVE
First Merchants Corporation announced today that Michael L. Cox has returned
from his temporary medical leave of absence and has resumed his normal duties as
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. During Mr. Cox's
absence, Michael C. Rechin, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer, performed the President and CEO duties. Mr. Cox stated, "I am happy to
be back at work and am grateful to Mr. Rechin for taking on these extra
responsibilities while I was on leave."
Forward Looking Statement
In our press releases, we may make Forward Looking Statements about our relative
business outlook. These Forward Looking Statements and all other statements,
made in our communications 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 Corporation's balance sheet or income statement.
About First Merchants Corporation
First Merchants Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in
Muncie, Indiana. Subsidiaries of the Corporation include First Merchants Bank,
NA, Madison Community Bank, United Communities National Bank, First National
Bank, Decatur Bank & Trust Company, Frances Slocum Bank, Lafayette Bank & Trust
Company, Commerce National Bank and First Merchants Trust Company. 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).
* * * *