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): September 20, 2004
------------------------------
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
Exhibit Index on Page 4
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
On August 10, 2004, the Board of Directors of First Merchants Corporation
declared a $.23 dividend on its shares of outstanding common stock. The dividend
was payable to shareholders of record on September 6, 2004. The dividend was
distributed along with a letter to the shareholders on September 20, 2004. A
copy of the shareholder letter is attached as Exhibit 99 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) Shareholder Letter dated September 20, 2004.
Page 2
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: September 20, 2004
FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
By: /s/ Larry R. Helms
---------------------------
Larry R. Helms,
Senior Vice President
Page 3
EXHIBIT INDEX
(99) Shareholder Letter dated September 20, 2004.
Page 4
Exhibit 99
September 20, 2004
Dear Shareholder:
The First Merchants Corporation Board of Directors at its quarterly meeting,
August 10, 2004, declared a quarterly dividend of $.23 per share to holders of
record September 6, 2004, payable September 20, 2004.
Through the first half of 2004, we see continued reasons for optimism. The
economy continues to improve slowly, and unemployment and inflation are held in
check. The Federal Reserve has increased the Fed Funds target rate on two
occasions by .25% each time. While we believe that further modest increases may
be in store, they will not dampen the economic recovery that is under way. As we
stated in our mid-year earnings release, loan and deposit growth continues to
improve steadily; and we are hopeful that the second half of the year will
deliver further positive results.
Your continued support of our Corporation is appreciated, and the Board of
Directors is pleased to provide this dividend to you. Should you have any
questions regarding our company, we welcome them through our internal
shareholder relations department (Telephone: 800/262-4261, ext. 7278) or through
direct e-mail link on our Web site, www.firstmerchants.com, and invite you to
avail yourselves of this service.
Sincerely,
/s/Michael L. Cox
MLC/ch
Enclosure
Page 5