Company: FRME
Filing Date: 2025-04-01
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0000712534-25-000077
Chunk: 1

Company: FIRST MERCHANTS CORP
Filing Date: 2025-04-01
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 1
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 Company's named executive officers.

(3) To ratify the appointment of the firm Forvis Mazars, LLP as the independent auditor for 2025.

(4) To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

Only those shareholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2025, shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.

By Order of the Board of Directors

Brian T. Hunt

Secretary

Muncie, Indiana

April 1, 2025

#### YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
<div align='center'>EVEN IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND OUR VIRTUAL MEETING, YOU ARE URGED TO SUBMIT YOUR PROXY VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, OR TO SIGN, DATE AND RETURN YOUR PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT YOUR SHARES CAN BE VOTED AT THE MEETING IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR INSTRUCTIONS.</div>

### FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

### PROXY STATEMENT FOR

### ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

#### TO BE HELD MAY 16, 2025

### TABLE OF CONTENTS
| I.   | VOTING YOUR SHARES                                                                                      |     |  1 |
|      | VOTING BY PROXY                                                                                         |     |  1 |
| II.  | SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT                                          |     |  2 |
|      | SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS                                                         |     |  2 |
|      | SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT                                                                        |     |  3 |
| III. | THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS                                                                                  |     |  5 |
|      | VOTING ITEM 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS                                                                    |     |  5 |
|      | DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS ARE NOT EXPIRING                                                                  |     |  9 |
| IV.  | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE                                                                                    |     | 15 |
|      | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES                                                                         |     | 15 |
|      | CODE OF CONDUCT                                                                                         |     | 15 |
|      | DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE                                                                                   |     | 15 |
|      | BOARD MEETINGS                                                                                          |     | 15 |
|      | DIRECTORS’ ATTENDANCE AT ANNUAL