Company: FRME
Filing Date: 2025-04-01
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0000712534-25-000077
Chunk: 0

Company: FIRST MERCHANTS CORP
Filing Date: 2025-04-01
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 0
---
### UNITED STATES

### SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

#### Washington, D.C. 20549

#### SCHEDULE 14A
<div align='center'>Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</div>

Filed by the Registrant [X]

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]

Check the appropriate box:

[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement

[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only [as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)]

[X] Definitive Proxy Statement

[ ] Definitive Additional Materials

[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12

### FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
<div align='center'>(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)</div>

#### _____________________________________

<div align='center'>(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement

if other than the Registrant)</div>

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

[X] No fee required.

[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

[ ] Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-b(i)(1) and 0-11.

### FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
<div align='center'>200 EAST JACKSON STREET

MUNCIE, INDIANA 47305</div>

### NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

#### TO BE HELD MAY 16, 2025
The annual meeting of the shareholders of First Merchants Corporation (" FMC" or the " Company ") will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 8:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time. This year's annual meeting will again be a completely "virtual meeting" of shareholders. You will be able to attend the meeting, as well as vote and submit your questions during the live webcast of the meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/FRME2025 and entering the 16-digit control number included in our notice of internet availability of the proxy materials, on your proxy card or in the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. The meeting shall be held for the following purposes:

(1) To elect four (4) directors to hold office for terms of one (1) year, all to serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

(2) To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the