X0201 4 2003-10-29 0 0000712534 FIRST MERCHANTS CORP FRME 0001012742 ANDERSON STEFAN S 200 E JACKSON ST PO BOX 792 MUNCIE IN 47308-0792 1 0 0 1 Chairman - Board of Directors Common Stock 2003-10-29 4 G 0 621 D 74247 D Non-employee director stock option - right to buy - 5,789. Employee stock option - right to buy - 30,909. 621 shares gifted to Nature Conservancy. Common stock beneficially owned indirect equals 2,169 shares. Nature of beneficial ownership: Spouse On August 12, 2003, the Board of Directors of First Merchants Corporation declared a stock dividend payable to all holders of record of common stock on August 29, 2003 of one share of common stock for each 20 shares of common stock outstanding to be distributed on September 12, 2003. Fractional shares were distributed in cash. Pursuant to anti-dilution provisions of First Merchants Corporation's various stock option plans options previously reported were also adjusted to reflect the stock divi dend. Larry R. Helms (Confirming Statement on File) 2003-10-30