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): April 28, 2006
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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 5.02 DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS;
APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS.
By press release dated April 28, 2006, First Merchants Corporation
("Corporation") announced that Michael L. Cox, President and Chief Executive
Officer, is taking a temporary medical leave of absence. The Corporation's Board
of Directors has appointed Michael C. Rechin, Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer, to perform the duties of the Corporation's President and
Chief Executive Officer until such time as Mr. Cox returns to work.
ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) Exhibits.
Exhibit 99.1 Press Release, dated April 28, 2006, regarding the
matter referenced in Item 5.02.
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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.
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)
Dated: April 28, 2006
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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 April 28, 2006, regarding the
matter referenced in Item 5.02.
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First Merchants Corporation
Exhibit No. 99.1
Press Release, dated April 28, 2006
N / E / W / S R / E / L / E / A / S / E
April 28,2006
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 TEMPORARY MEDICAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE
First Merchants Corporation announced today that Michael L. Cox, President and
Chief Executive Officer, will be taking a temporary medical leave of absence. It
is expected that Mr. Cox will be on leave for approximately 4 to 6 weeks and
will resume his normal duties upon his return. In his absence, the Board of
Directors has appointed Michael C. Rechin, Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer, to perform the duties of President and Chief Executive
Officer.
Mr. Rechin joined the Corporation as Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer in November 2005. He most recently served as Executive Vice
President of Corporate Banking for National City Bank, managing its Indiana
operations. During his tenure with National City, Rechin had responsibility for
all commercial banking activities involving commercial lending, treasury
management, investment real estate, and international divisions.
Mr. Cox stated, "I am pleased that we have someone with Mike Rechin's competence
and experience to fulfill my responsibilities during my absence. I look forward
to returning to work as soon as possible." The Corporation's Chairman, Robert M.
Smitson stated, "The Board of Directors express their full confidence that the
Corporation will continue its progress towards meeting its 2006 goals under Mr.
Rechin's direction while Mr. Cox is absent."
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).
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