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): December 20, 2005
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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 October 11, 2005, 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 December 6,
2005. The cash dividend was distributed along with a letter to the stockholders
on December 20, 2005. 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 December 20, 2005.
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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: December 20, 2005
FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Mark K. Hardwick
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Mark K. Hardwick,
Executive Vice President
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit No. Description
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99.1 Stockholder Letter dated December 20, 2005.
Page 4 of 5
First Merchants Corporation
Exhibit 99.1
Stockholder Letter, dated December 20, 2005
December 20, 2005
Dear Shareholder:
The First Merchants Corporation Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash
dividend of $.23 per share to holders of record December 6, 2005, payable
December 20, 2005.
We announced on November 3, 2005, that Michael C. Rechin would be joining our
executive staff as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Mike
has an extensive banking career spanning 22 years and most recently was
Executive Vice President of Corporate Banking for National City Bank, managing
its Indiana operations. In his role as Chief Operating Officer, he will oversee
the activities of our nine banking affiliates located in Indiana and Ohio.
The 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 (800/262-4261, ext. 7278), or through direct
e-mail link on our Web site, and invite you to avail yourselves of this service.
Sincerely,
Michael L. Cox
President and Chief Executive Officer
MLC/ch
Enclosure