---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000712534-26-000015"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "FRME"
cik: "0000712534"
company_name: "FIRST MERCHANTS CORP"
filed_at: "2026-02-06T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-16T04:12:48.292661+00:00"
event_type: "other_material"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.3
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.3
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# First Merchants adopts 2026 incentive plan for NEOs with EPS-based metrics

## Summary
- CEO Hardwick: threshold 40%, target 80%, maximum 160% of base salary based on diluted GAAP EPS.
- President Stewart and CFO Kawiecki: target 60%, maximum 120% of base salary.
- Chief Credit Officer Martin and Chief Commercial Officer Peterson: target 50%, maximum 100%.
- Peterson's payout weighted 70% on corp EPS and 30% on Commercial line revenue and net contribution.
- All payments subject to clawback if based on materially inaccurate financial statements.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000712534-26-000015
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: FRME
- cik: 0000712534
- company_name: FIRST MERCHANTS CORP
- filed_at: 2026-02-06T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: other_material
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.3
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.3
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253426000015/0000712534-26-000015-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000071253426000015/frme-20260203.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000712534-26-000015
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000712534-26-000015.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000712534-26-000015.txt

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