UNITED STATES


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Washington, DC 20549





FORM 8-K





CURRENT REPORT


PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE


SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934





DATE OF REPORT (Date of earliest event reported): January 31, 2019





Commission File Number 0-17071


FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)





INDIANA35-1544218(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)(IRS Employer Identification No.)





200 East Jackson Street


P.O. Box 792


Muncie, IN 47305-2814


(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)





(765) 747-1500


(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)





Not Applicable


(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)





Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:





o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)


o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)


o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))


o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))





Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).


Emerging growth company o





If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o











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ITEM 2.02 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.





On January 31, 2019, First Merchants Corporation issued a press release to report its financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2018.  A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.





The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including  Exhibit No. 99.1 hereto, shall not be deemed "filed"  for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability of  that section.  The information in this Current Report shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing or other  document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing or document.





ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.





(a)    Not applicable.





(b)    Not applicable.





(c)    Not applicable.





(d)    Exhibits.





Exhibit 99.1 Press Release, dated January 31, 2019, issued by First Merchants Corporation





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SIGNATURES





Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.





First Merchants Corporation


(Registrant)





By: /s/ Mark K. Hardwick


Mark K. Hardwick


Executive Vice President,


Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer











Dated: January 31, 2019





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EXHIBIT INDEX





|            |            
|----------- | -----------
|Exhibit No. | Description







99.1  Press Release, dated January 31, 2019, issued by First Merchants Corporation