Company: FRME
Filing Date: 2025-10-10
Form Type: S-4
Source: 0001193125-25-237211
Chunk: 60

Company: FIRST MERCHANTS CORP
Filing Date: 2025-10-10
Form: S-4
Chunk 60
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 stock has been lost,
stolen, or destroyed, First Merchants will issue the consideration properly payable under the Merger Agreement to the registered owner of such certificate upon receipt of an affidavit of lost stock certificate, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to First Merchants, and upon compliance by the First Savings’ shareholder with all procedures historically required by First Savings in connection with lost, stolen, or destroyed certificates.

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Effect of the Merger on First Merchants Shareholders

The approval of the First Merchants shareholders of the Merger Agreement is not required in order to complete the Merger. First Merchants
shareholders will also not be entitled to exchange their shares of First Merchant common stock for any consideration as a result of the Merger. After the Merger, First Merchants shareholders will continue to own the same number of First Merchants
shares they owned before the Merger.

Background of the Merger

Since First Savings completed its initial public offering in October 2008, its board of directors and senior management have periodically
reviewed and assessed First Savings’ strategic alternatives and the business and regulatory environments facing First Savings and First Savings Bank. As part of this process, First Savings has periodically reviewed and discussed strategic
alternatives, including continued independence and potentially engaging in a merger or acquisition transaction, and the perceived advantages and disadvantages of each alternative in light of the then prevailing market and economic conditions and
other factors, and has consulted periodically with representatives of investment banking firms, including Piper Sandler, regarding strategic planning matters. Piper Sandler is a nationally recognized investment banking firm with substantial
experience advising financial institutions with respect to mergers and acquisitions and other matters. First Savings’ board of directors determined that Piper Sandler’s existing relationships as disclosed to First Savings would not
interfere with its ability to provide investment banking services to First Savings. Piper Sandler has a long-standing relationship with First Savings and has presented various strategic planning topics to First Savings’ board of directors and
senior management.

Over approximately the last 18 months, senior management of First Savings and representatives of Piper Sandler, with
authorization from First Savings’ board of directors, contacted nine Midwest bank holding companies, including First Merchants, to gauge their interest in a potential merger or acquisition transaction with First Savings. In addition, senior
management of First Savings, with authorization from First Savings’ board of directors, contacted four additional Midwest bank holding companies to gauge their interest in a potential merger-of-equals transaction with First Savings. The results of these