---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-26-402604"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "FRME"
cik: "0000712534"
company_name: "FIRST MERCHANTS CORP"
filed_at: "2026-09-25T18:10:16+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-10-12T13:20:55.940956+00:00"
event_type: "debt"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.45
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.45
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# First Merchants issues $100M of 6.750% subordinated notes due 2036 as Tier 2 capital

## Summary
- $100 million aggregate principal of 6.750% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due October 1, 2036, issued under an indenture dated September 25, 2026 with U.S. Bank Trust Company as trustee.
- Fixed rate of 6.750% paid semi-annually on April 1 and October 1, starting April 1, 2027; from October 1, 2031 the rate floats at Three-Month Term SOFR plus 202 basis points, reset quarterly.
- Notes are redeemable at 100% of principal plus accrued interest, in whole or in part, beginning October 1, 2031 and on any interest payment date thereafter.
- Pre-2031 the notes are callable only in whole on a Tax Event, a loss of Tier 2 capital treatment, or an Investment Company Act registration requirement, subject to Federal Reserve approval.
- Offering was made under First Merchants' effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR (File No. 333-298983); proceeds use was not disclosed in the filing.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-26-402604
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: FRME
- cik: 0000712534
- company_name: FIRST MERCHANTS CORP
- filed_at: 2026-09-25T18:10:16+00:00
- event_type: debt
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.45
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.45
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 1.01, 2.03, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000119312526402604/0001193125-26-402604-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/712534/000119312526402604/d154643d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-402604
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-402604.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-402604.txt

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