8-K 1 f8kprmc061606.txt PRESS RELEASE 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): June 21, 2006 ------------------------------ FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) ------------------------------- INDIANA 0-17071 35-1544218 (State or other jurisdiction (Commission file number) (IRS Employer of incorporation) 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: [ ] 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)) Page 1 of 5 ITEM 5.02 DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS. By press release dated June 21, 2006, First Merchants Corporation ("Corporation") announced that Michael L. Cox, President and Chief Executive Officer, has returned from a temporary medical leave of absence. The Corporation's Board of Directors had appointed Michael C. Rechin, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, to perform the duties of the Corporation's President and Chief Executive Officer during Mr. Cox's absence. ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS. (a) Not applicable. (b) Not applicable. (c) Exhibits. Exhibit 99.1 Press Release, dated June 21, 2006, regarding the matter referenced in Item 5.02. Page 2 of 5 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 and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Principal Accounting Officer) Dated: June 21, 2006 Page 3 of 5 EXHIBIT INDEX ------------- Exhibit No. ----------- 99.1 Description ----------- Press Release, dated June 21, 2006, regarding the matter referenced in Item 5.02. Page 4 of 5 First Merchants Corporation Exhibit No. 99.1 Press Release, dated June 21, 2006 N / E / W / S R / E / L / E / A / S / E June 21, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, contact: Mark K. Hardwick, Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, 765-751-1857 http://firstmerchants.com SOURCE: First Merchants Corporation, Muncie, Indiana FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION ANNOUNCES CEO RETURNS FROM TEMPORARY MEDICAL LEAVE First Merchants Corporation announced today that Michael L. Cox has returned from his temporary medical leave of absence and has resumed his normal duties as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. During Mr. Cox's absence, Michael C. Rechin, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, performed the President and CEO duties. Mr. Cox stated, "I am happy to be back at work and am grateful to Mr. Rechin for taking on these extra responsibilities while I was on leave." Forward Looking Statement In our press releases, we may make Forward Looking Statements about our relative business outlook. These Forward Looking Statements and all other statements, made in our communications that do not concern historical facts, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may materially affect actual results. Specific Forward Looking Statements include but are not limited to any indications regarding the financial services industry, the economy and future growth of the Corporation's balance sheet or income statement. About First Merchants Corporation First Merchants Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Muncie, Indiana. Subsidiaries of the Corporation include First Merchants Bank, NA, Madison Community Bank, United Communities National Bank, First National Bank, Decatur Bank & Trust Company, Frances Slocum Bank, Lafayette Bank & Trust Company, Commerce National Bank and First Merchants Trust Company. The Corporation also operates First Merchants Insurance Services, a full-service property casualty, personal lines, and healthcare insurance agency and is a majority member of Indiana Title Insurance Company, LLC, a title insurance agency. First Merchants Corporation's common stock is traded over-the-counter on the NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol FRME. Quotations are carried in daily newspapers and can be found on the company's Internet web page (http:/www.firstmerchants.com). * * * *