---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000712534-23-000307"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "FRME"
cik: "0000712534"
company_name: "FIRST MERCHANTS CORP"
filed_at: "2023-12-18T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-07T11:32:19.931727+00:00"
event_type: "other"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.1
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.1
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# First Merchants amends bylaws to add universal proxy card advance notice provisions

## Summary
- Added new Article IV, Section 10 requiring advance notice for director nominations and shareholder business proposals.
- Amendments ensure compliance with SEC Rule 14a-19 universal proxy card rules for contested elections.
- Shareholders must comply with Rule 14a-19 notice and solicitation requirements; nominations disregarded if not met.
- Enhanced disclosure requirements for proposing shareholders, nominees, and related proxy solicitation parties.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000712534-23-000307
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: FRME
- cik: 0000712534
- company_name: FIRST MERCHANTS CORP
- filed_at: 2023-12-18T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: other
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.1
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.1
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.03, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253423000307/0000712534-23-000307-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253423000307/frme-20231109.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000712534-23-000307
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000712534-23-000307.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000712534-23-000307.txt

## Key facts
- Governance Changes
  FIRST MERCHANTS CORP: Added new Article IV, Section 10 with advance notice provisions for director nominations and other business, updated for universal proxy card rules under Rule 14a-19 (effective 2023-11-09).
  - Change: bylaw amendment
  - Effective: 2023-11-09
  source text: On November 9, 2023, the Board of Directors of First Merchants Corporation (the “Corporation”) amended the Corporation’s bylaws to add a new Article IV, Section 10 providing advance notice provisions that apply when a shareholder intends to propose a director nomination or other business at a shareholder meeting.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253423000307/0000712534-23-000307-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.