UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORTPURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THESECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DATE OF REPORT (Date of earliest event reported): July 26, 2022FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)Indiana(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)001-4134235-1544218(Commission File Number)(IRS Employer Identification No.)200 East Jackson StreetP.O. Box 792Muncie, IN47305-2814(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)Title of Each ClassTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registeredCommon Stock, $0.125 stated value per shareFRMEThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLCDepositary Shares, each representing a 1/100th interest in a share of Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series AFRMEPThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLCCheck 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:☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))☐ 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 ☐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. ☐ITEM 2.02 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.On July 26, 2022, First Merchants Corporation issued a press release to report its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022.  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 July 26, 2022, issued by First Merchants CorporationExhibit 104       Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)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/ Michele M. Kawiecki                        Michele M. KawieckiExecutive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)Dated: July 26, 2022EXHIBIT INDEXExhibit No.    Description99.1            Press Release, dated July 26, 2022, issued by First Merchants Corporation104            Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)