# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000712534
**File Stem:** 0000712534-26-000039
**Filing Date:** 2026-5
**Character Count:** 8640
**Document Hash:** ea491715c94b241aa4f38f42e84c047d
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0000712534-26-000039.hdr.sgml**: 20260519

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0000712534-26-000039

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 13

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20260519

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260519

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260519

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** FIRST MERCHANTS CORP
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000712534
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 02 Finance
- **EIN:** 351544218
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** IN
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-41342
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26998816

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 200 E JACKSON ST
- **STREET 2:** PO BOX 792
- **CITY:** MUNCIE
- **STATE:** IN
- **ZIP:** 47308-0792
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 7657471500

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 200 EAST JACKSON STREET
- **CITY:** MUNCIE
- **STATE:** IN
- **ZIP:** 47305

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'? frme-20260519

**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): May 19, 2026** 

**FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION**

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Indiana | Indiana |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
| 001-41342 | 35-1544218 |
| (Commission File Number) | (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)

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| Common Stock, $0.125 stated value per share | FRME | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
| Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/100th interest in a share of Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A | FRMEP | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |

---

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:

☐ 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 5.02 DEPARTURE OR APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS**

On May 19, 2026, First Merchants Corporation (the "Corporation") announced the retirement of Gary Lehman from the Board of Directors effective immediately. Mr. Lehman has served on the Board since 2011 and was a member of the Compensation and Human Resources Committee. The retirement of Mr. Lehman is not the result of any disagreement with the Corporation on any matter relating to the Corporation's operations, policies, or practices.

Mr. Fultz has been appointed to serve on the Corporation's Audit Committee.

A copy of the Corporation's press release, dated May 19, 2026, announcing the appointment of Mr. Fultz is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

**ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.**

(a) Not applicable.

(b) Not applicable.

(c) Not applicable.

(d) Exhibits.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Exhibit 99.1 | <u>[Press Release dated May 19, 2026 issued by First Merchants Corporation.](pressrelease-lehmanretirem.htm)</u> |
| Exhibit 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: <u>/s/ Michele M. Kawiecki</u><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>Michele M. Kawiecki<br>Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer<br>(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
| Dated: May 19, 2026 |  |

---

## Exhibit 99.1

**N / E / W / S R / E / L / E / A / S / E**

May 19, 2026

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

For more information, contact:

Nicole M. Weaver, First Vice President and Director of Corporate Administration

765-521-7619

<u>http://www.firstmerchants.com</u>

SOURCE: First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ: FRME), Muncie, Indiana

FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION APPOINTS PAUL FULTZ TO ITS BOARDS OF DIRECTORS

First Merchants Corporation (the "Corporation"), a $21 billion financial holding company, has appointed Paul Fultz to the Boards of Directors of First Merchants Corporation and First Merchants Bank. Mr. Fultz, retired Audit and Business Unit Professional Practice Partner for KPMG LLP, brings more than 30 years of experience advising public company boards. His background in financial reporting, risk oversight, and governance will further strengthen First Merchants' board and strategic decision-making.

"First Merchants' Boards of Directors are pleased to welcome Mr. Fultz as our newest Board member," said Board Chair Jean Wojtowicz. "With more than 30 years of experience as a Big Four audit partner and trusted advisor to public company boards and audit committees, he brings deep expertise in financial reporting, risk oversight, and regulatory matters. His extensive background guiding organizations through complex transactions will provide a valuable perspective as we continue to execute our strategic priorities. Mr. Fultz is known for his sound judgment, clear communication, and ability to build strong relationships. We look forward to benefiting from his insight and perspective as we continue to serve our shareholders and communities."

Mr. Fultz expressed his enthusiasm about joining the Boards in this recent statement: "I am honored and excited to join the Boards and to contribute to their continued success. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work closely with boards and management teams to navigate complex financial, regulatory, and strategic matters, and I look forward to bringing that experience to this role. I am particularly drawn to the Corporation's commitment to its stakeholders and communities, and I am eager to collaborate with my fellow directors and leadership team to support the organizations' long-term growth and strong governance."

With the addition of Mr. Fultz, First Merchants will have a 13-member board, including 10 independent outside directors. Mr. Fultz will be on the ballot for continuing terms at the Corporation's Annual Shareholders Meeting in 2027.

###

**About First Merchants Corporation:**

First Merchants Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Muncie, Indiana. The Corporation has one full-service bank charter, First Merchants Bank. The Bank also operates as First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors and First Savings Bank (as divisions of First Merchants Bank). First Merchants Corporation's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market System under the symbol FRME. Quotations are carried in daily newspapers and can be found on the company's website (<u>www.firstmerchants.com</u>). FIRST MERCHANTS and the Shield Logo are federally registered trademarks of First Merchants Corporation.

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