Company: FRME
Filing Date: 2025-10-10
Form Type: S-4
Source: 0001193125-25-237211
Chunk: 47

Company: FIRST MERCHANTS CORP
Filing Date: 2025-10-10
Form: S-4
Chunk 47
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 and First Merchants will, as a condition to closing, obtain an opinion from its respective legal counsel that the Merger will constitute a “reorganization” for federal tax purposes. Such opinions will comply with the
regulations and guidance of the SEC with respect to the persons entitled to rely on tax opinions contained in the Registration Statement on Form S-4, of which this proxy and prospectus is a part. These
opinions do not bind the IRS or prevent the IRS from adopting a contrary position. If the Merger does not qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, then a U.S. holder of First Savings common
stock may be required to recognize any gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the fair market value of First Merchants common stock received by the U.S. holder of First Savings common stock and the amount of cash, if any,
received by the U.S. holder of First Savings common stock, and (ii) the adjusted tax basis of such U.S. holder in the First Savings common stock.

29

THE FIRST SAVINGS SPECIAL MEETING General Information We are furnishing this document to the shareholders of First Savings in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of First Savings of proxies for use at the First Savings special meeting of shareholders to be held on [●], at [●] p.m., local time, at the First Savings Bank Center – Community Room, located at 702 North Shore Drive, Jeffersonville, Indiana 47130. This document is first being mailed to First Savings shareholders on [●], and includes the notice of First Savings special meeting, and is accompanied by a form of proxy. Matters To Be Considered The purposes of the special meeting are as follows:

| 1. | Merger Proposal. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Merger Agreement, pursuant to which                                                                                                                                     
 First Savings will merge with and into First Merchants and, immediately thereafter, First Savings Bank will be consolidated and merged with and into First Merchants Bank, as discussed under the section titled “MERGER PROPOSAL” beginning 
 on page [●].                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |

| 2. | Merger-Related Compensation Proposal. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation to be paid to First Savings’ named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the Merger, as discussed under the section titled “MER