-----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, CHJxdL0STZKCEWCJknLA7zEeEnS5AAFUAn0rRNgaR8Y7ivPVzw0Mts17hm6Vo2ts hdtly4ph+2/HuRMYEitNGA== 0001169232-04-003404.txt : 20040622 0001169232-04-003404.hdr.sgml : 20040622 20040622164814 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001169232-04-003404 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20040618 ITEM INFORMATION: Financial statements and exhibits ITEM INFORMATION: Regulation FD Disclosure FILED AS OF DATE: 20040622 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: 04875273 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 d59964_8-k.txt CURRENT REPORT 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 18, 2004 ------------------------------ 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) Page 1 of 5 Exhibit Index on Page 4 Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits. (a) Not Applicable. (b) Not Applicable. (c) (99) Shareholder Letter dated June 18, 2004. Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure. On April 22, 2004, the Board of Directors of First Merchants Corporation declared a $.23 dividend on its shares of outstanding common stock. The dividend is payable to shareholders of record on June 4, 2004. The dividend was distributed along with a letter to the shareholders on June 18, 2004. A copy of the shareholder letter is attached as Exhibit 99 to this report and is furnished pursuant to Regulation FD. Page 2 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: June 22, 2004. FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION By: /s/ Larry R. Helms --------------------------- Larry R. Helms, Senior Vice President Page 3 EXHIBIT INDEX (99) Shareholder Letter dated June 18, 2004. EX-99 2 d59964_ex99.txt SHAREHOLDER LETTER DATED JUNE 18, 2004 Exhibit 99 June 18, 2004 Dear Shareholder: The First Merchants Corporation Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $.23 per share to holders of record June 4, 2004, payable June 18, 2004. We are pleased to share this dividend with you, and also pleased to report that operating performance continues to show improvement. On April 22, 2004, we reported first quarter 2004 earnings per share of $.37, a 15.6% increase from the prior year. Overall operations in April and May continue to show similar improvement. As 2004 progresses, we will no doubt encounter further challenges. The economy through East Central Indiana and Central Ohio continues to improve modestly with some encouragement on the job front. As this trend continues, we expect loan demand, both commercial and consumer, to progress steadily. We have devoted extensive time and effort to the ongoing analysis of our asset quality. This effort, coupled with safety and soundness examinations from our regulators, leads us to conclude that loan problems are fully identified and adequately reserved. On April 22, 2004, we held a very successful annual meeting of shareholders in Muncie, Indiana. Attended by over 300 people, the turnout, responses, and acknowledgement of our progress were quite positive. Your continued support of our Corporation is appreciate, and the Board of Directors is pleased to provide this dividend to you. Should you have any questions regarding our company, we welcome them through our internal Shareholder Relations Department (800/262-4261, ext. 7278), or through direct e-mail link on our Web site (www.firstmerchants.com) and invite you to avail yourselves of this service. Sincerely, /s/ Michael L. Cox - ------------------- Michael L. Cox President and Chief Executive Officer MLC/ch -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----