0000712534false00007125342026-07-012026-07-010000712534us-gaap:CommonStockMember2026-07-012026-07-010000712534frme:DepositarySharesMember2026-07-012026-07-01
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): July 1, 2026
FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | | | | |
| Indiana |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
| 001-41342 | 35-1544218 |
| (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer 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)
| | | | | | | | |
| Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| Common Stock, $0.125 stated value per share | FRME | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
| Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/100th interest in a share of Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A | FRMEP | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
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))
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
ITEM 5.02 DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS.
On July 1, 2026, Dr. Mung Chiang notified First Merchants Corporation (the “Company”) of his resignation from the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), effective immediately.
Dr. Chiang’s resignation is not the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices. Rather, Dr. Chiang is stepping down from the Board in connection with a change in his professional responsibilities that will result in his relocation outside the Company’s primary market area, which will limit his ability to continue to serve on the Board.
The Company thanks Dr. Chiang for his service and contributions to the Board and the Company.
Upon the effectiveness of this resignation, the size of the Company’s Board shall be decreased from thirteen (13) members to twelve (12) members.
| | | | | |
| Exhibit 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
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/ Michele M. Kawiecki Michele M. Kawiecki
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
Dated: July 2, 2026 | |