-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, RbCzKpMFbqF0ihkc2XhNPCg369AgplA/0RpmqGvGj5QRbok4BlT3Tjj/rk5A1kL1 KnGI89FnK0S0YSFlJIomcw== 0000712534-07-000060.txt : 20070320 0000712534-07-000060.hdr.sgml : 20070320 20070320110038 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000712534-07-000060 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20070320 ITEM INFORMATION: Regulation FD Disclosure ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20070320 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20070320 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FIRST MERCHANTS CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000712534 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021] IRS NUMBER: 351544218 STATE OF INCORPORATION: IN FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-17071 FILM NUMBER: 07705403 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 8-K 1 f8kshareholderletter032007.txt 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): March 20, 2007 ------------------------------ 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 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure. On January 23, 2007, the Board of Directors of First Merchants Corporation declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.23 per share on its outstanding common stock. The cash dividend was payable to stockholders of record on March 6, 2007. The cash dividend was distributed along with a letter to the stockholders on March 20, 2007. A copy of the stockholder letter is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is furnished pursuant to Regulation FD. Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits. (a) Not Applicable. (b) Not Applicable. (c) (99.1) Stockholder Letter dated March 20, 2007. 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. DATE: March 20, 2007 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) Page 3 of 5 EXHIBIT INDEX ------------- Exhibit No. Description - ----------- ----------- 99.1 Stockholder Letter dated March 20, 2007. Page 4 of 5 First Merchants Corporation Exhibit 99.1 Stockholder Letter, dated March 20, 2007 March 20, 2007 Dear Shareholder: The First Merchants Corporation Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.23 per share to holders of record on March 6, 2007, payable March 20, 2007. On January 24, 2007, the Corporation announced its intent to combine four of its bank charters into one existing and continuing charter, and transfer its Hamilton County assets into another stand-alone charter. As a result of these changes, we will have four, strong, nationally chartered banks operating in a regional configuration. This plan is progressing as scheduled and is expected to become effective with our regulators on April 1, 2007. Also effective on this date, all of our banks, trust company, and insurance operations will project the First Merchants' gold shield logo, further enhancing our goal of one company, one brand. First Merchants Corporation will continue its strong community bank focus, with local decision-making, in a more cohesive and efficient structure. Your Board of Directors is pleased to provide this dividend to you, and we are appreciative of your continued support of our Corporation. Should you have any questions regarding our company, we welcome them through our internal shareholder relations department (Telephone: 800-262-4261, ext. 2-7278), or through direct e-mail link on our website, www.firstmerchants.com, and invite you to avail yourselves of this service. Sincerely, Michael L. Cox President and Chief Executive Officer MLC/ch Enclosure Page 5 of 5 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----