Company: FRME
Filing Date: 2025-09-25
Form Type: 425
Source: 0001193125-25-216443
Chunk: 73

Company: FIRST MERCHANTS CORP
Filing Date: 2025-09-25
Form: 425
Chunk 73
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ger (including the proxy statements and
prospectus and other proxy solicitation materials of, and to be filed by, First Savings and First Merchants constituting a part thereof (the “Proxy Statement”) and all related documents). In connection with the Proxy Statement,
First Merchants will obtain the opinion of Dentons Bingham Greenebaum LLP, tax counsel to First Merchants, that (i) the Merger will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code; each of First Savings and
First Merchants will be a party to such reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code; and no gain or loss will be recognized by holders of First Savings Common Stock upon the receipt of shares of First Merchants Common Stock
in exchange for their shares of First Savings Common Stock, except to the extent of any cash received in lieu of fractional shares of First Merchants Common Stock; and (ii) Dentons Bingham Greenebaum LLP confirms that the discussion contained
in the Registration Statement under the caption “Material Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger” subject to the limitations, qualifications and assumptions described therein, constitutes its opinion of the material federal income
tax consequences of the Merger to a stockholder who holds shares of First Savings Common Stock as a capital asset. First Merchants agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as promptly
as practicable after the filing of the Registration Statement and to keep the Registration Statement effective so long as is necessary to consummate the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby. First Merchants agrees to advise First Savings,
promptly after First Merchants receives notice thereof, of the time when the Registration Statement has become effective or any supplement or amendment has been filed, of the issuance of any stop order or the suspension of the qualification of First
Merchants Common Stock for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of the receipt of any comment letters from the SEC regarding, or of any request by the SEC for the amendment or
supplement of, the Registration Statement, or for additional information.

(c) . First Merchants shall, prior
to the Effective Time, cause the shares of First Merchants Common Stock to be issued to the holders of shares of First Savings Common Stock in connection with the Merger to be approved for listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, subject to
official notice of issuance.

8.2 .