Company: FRME
Filing Date: 2025-11-14
Form Type: 425
Source: 0000712534-25-000202
Chunk: 1

Company: FIRST MERCHANTS CORP
Filing Date: 2025-11-14
Form: 425
Chunk 1
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 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 8.01 OTHER EVENTS
On November 14, 2025, First Merchants Corporation issued a press release announcing the declaration of a cash dividend of $0.36 per common share. The cash dividend is payable on December 19, 2025 to common stockholders of record as of December 5, 2025. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information in this Form 8-K and the attached exhibit shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

#### ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(a) Not applicable.

(b) Not applicable.

(c) Not applicable.

(d) Exhibits.

| Exhibit 99.1 |     | Press Release datedNovember14, 2025 issued by First Merchants Corporation.  |
|:-------------|:----|:----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 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: November 14, 2025 |     |                                                   |