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): March 20, 2007
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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, 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))
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Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
On January 23, 2007, the Board of Directors of First Merchants Corporation
declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.23 per share on its outstanding common
stock. The cash dividend was payable to stockholders of record on March 6, 2007.
The cash dividend was distributed along with a letter to the stockholders on
March 20, 2007. A copy of the stockholder letter is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to
this report and is furnished pursuant to Regulation FD.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Not Applicable.
(b) Not Applicable.
(c) (99.1) Stockholder Letter dated March 20, 2007.
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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 20, 2007
FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Mark K. Hardwick
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Mark K. Hardwick,
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and
Principal Accounting Officer)
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit No. Description
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99.1 Stockholder Letter dated March 20, 2007.
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First Merchants Corporation
Exhibit 99.1
Stockholder Letter, dated March 20, 2007
March 20, 2007
Dear Shareholder:
The First Merchants Corporation Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash
dividend of $0.23 per share to holders of record on March 6, 2007, payable March
20, 2007.
On January 24, 2007, the Corporation announced its intent to combine four of its
bank charters into one existing and continuing charter, and transfer its
Hamilton County assets into another stand-alone charter. As a result of these
changes, we will have four, strong, nationally chartered banks operating in a
regional configuration. This plan is progressing as scheduled and is expected to
become effective with our regulators on April 1, 2007. Also effective on this
date, all of our banks, trust company, and insurance operations will project the
First Merchants' gold shield logo, further enhancing our goal of one company,
one brand. First Merchants Corporation will continue its strong community bank
focus, with local decision-making, in a more cohesive and efficient structure.
Your Board of Directors is pleased to provide this dividend to you, and we are
appreciative of your continued support of our Corporation. Should you have any
questions regarding our company, we welcome them through our internal
shareholder relations department (Telephone: 800-262-4261, ext. 2-7278), or
through direct e-mail link on our website, www.firstmerchants.com, and invite
you to avail yourselves of this service.
Sincerely,
Michael L. Cox
President and Chief Executive Officer
MLC/ch
Enclosure
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