f10k-aespp10282011.htm
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

_______________________________

FORM 10-K/A
(Amendment No. 1)

[Mark One]
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010
OR
[  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________to_________

Commission file number 0-17071

FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Indiana
 35-1544218

(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
 
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)

200 East Jackson
47305-2814
 
Muncie, Indiana   
(Zip Code)
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
  

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (765)747-1500

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class
Name of each exchange on which registered
 
Common Stock, $0.125 stated value per share
The NASDAQ Stock Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [ ] No [X]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes [ ] No [X]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant(1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every interactive data file required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files) Yes [  ] No [ ]

Indicate  by check  mark if disclosure of delinquent filers  pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained, to the best of  registrant’s  knowledge,  in  definitive  proxy  or  information statements  incorporated  by  reference  in Part  III of this  Form  10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated filer[X] Non-accelerated filer [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [  ] No[X]

The aggregate market value (not necessarily a reliable indication of the price at which more than a limited number of shares would trade) of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $216,452,000 as of the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter (June 30, 2010).

As of February 24, 2011 there were 25,864,976 outstanding common shares, without par value, of the registrant.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Documents                                                                                                   Part of Form 10-K into which incorporated
Portions of the Registrant’s Definitive                                                                                    Part III (Items 10 through 14)
Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held May 3, 2011
 

 
 
 
 


EXPLANATORY NOTE

First Merchants Corporation is filing this Amendment No. 1 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for the sole purpose of satisfying the requirements of Rule 15d-21 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), with respect to the First Merchants Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan (2009).  This Amendment also serves to update the exhibit description and index in connection therewith.

In addition, as required by Rule 12b-15 under the Exchange Act, new certifications by the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer are filed as exhibits to this Amendment. This Amendment does not reflect events occurring after the date of the initial Annual Report on Form 10-K or modify or update any disclosures that may have been affected by subsequent events. Other than the changes referred to above, all other information in the initial Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, remains unchanged.

PART IV

ITEM 15.  FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS.
___________________________________________________

(a) 3.           Exhibits:

Exhibit No:       Description of Exhibits:

3.1
First Merchants Corporation Articles of Incorporation, as amended (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 10-K/A filed on March 31, 2009)
3.2
Bylaws of First Merchants Corporation dated October 28, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 10-Q filed on November 9, 2009)
4.1
First Merchants Corporation Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of First Merchants Capital Trust II dated as of July 2, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on July 3, 2007)
4.2
Indenture dated as of July 2, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on July 3, 2007)
4.3
Guarantee Agreement dated as of July 2, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on July 3, 2007)
4.4
Form of Capital Securities Certification of First Merchants Capital Trust II (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on July 3, 2007)
4.5
Form of Certificate for the First Merchants Corporation Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A dated February 20, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2009)
4.6
Warrant to Purchase Common Stock of First Merchants Corporation dated February 20, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2009)
4.7
First Merchants Corporation Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 filed on August 21, 2009)
4.8
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of June 30, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2010)
4.9
Indenture, dated as of June 30, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2010)
4.10
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 30, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2010)
4.11
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2010)
4.12
Form of Capital Securities Certificate of First Merchants Capital Trust III (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2010)
10.1
First Merchants Corporation Senior Management Incentive Compensation Program, dated February 11, 2011 (1) (2)
10.2
First Merchants Corporation Equity Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, effective April 29, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to the registrant's Form 10-Q filed on August 11, 2008) (1)
10.3
First Merchants Corporation Change of Control Agreement, as amended, with Mark K. Hardwick dated February 14, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on March 9, 2006) (1)
10.4
First Merchants Corporation Change of Control Agreement with Michael C. Rechin dated December 13, 2005 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on December 19, 2005) (1)
10.5
First Merchants Corporation Change of Control Agreement with Robert R. Connors dated August 26, 2002 as amended on January 1, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2008) (1)


 
 
 

 (a) 3.           Exhibits continued:

Exhibit No:                      Description of Exhibits:


10.6
First Merchants Corporation Change of Control Agreement with Kimberly J. Ellington dated January 1, 2005 as amended on January 1, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2008) (1)
10.7
First Merchants Corporation Change of Control Agreement with Jami L. Bradshaw dated October 23, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on October 29, 2007) (1)
10.8
First Merchants Corporation Change of Control Agreement with Jeffrey B. Lorentson dated October 23, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on October 29, 2007) (1)
10.9
First Merchants Corporation Change of Control Agreement with Michael J. Stewart dated April 28, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on May 5, 2008.) (1)
10.10
First Merchants Corporation Change of Control Agreement with John J. Martin dated July 28, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s form 8-K filed on August 3, 2009) (1)
10.11
Resolution of the Board of Directors of First Merchants Corporation on director compensation dated December 4, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to the registrant's Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 2007) (1)
10.12
First Merchants Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and amendments thereto (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1997) (1)
10.13
First Merchants Corporation 2009 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan effective May 6, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's form 8-K filed on May 11, 2009) (1)
10.14
First Merchants Corporation Defined Contribution Supplemental Retirement Plan dated January 1, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on February 6, 2007) (1)
10.15
First Merchants Corporation Participation Agreement of Michael C. Rechin dated January 26, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on February 6, 2007) (1)
10.16
First Merchants Corporation 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan effective July 1, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on May 11, 2009) (1)
10.17
Letter Agreement dated February 20, 2009, between First Merchants Corporation and the United States Department of the Treasury, which includes the Securities Purchase Agreement-Standard Terms attached thereto (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2009)
10.18
Form of Senior Executive Officer Letter Agreement dated February 20, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2009)
10.19
Form of Waiver dated February 20, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2009)
10.20
ARRA Letter Agreement dated February 20, 2009, between First Merchants Corporation and the United States Department of the Treasury (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2009)
10.21
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement between First Merchants Corporation and six groups of institutional investors, dated March 30, 2010 (incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8K filed on March 30, 2010
10.22
Exchange Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2010)
21
Subsidiaries of Registrant (2)
23
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (2)
24
Limited Power of Attorney (2)
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002 (2)
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002 (2)
32
Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (2)
99.1
Financial statements and independent registered public accounting firm's report for First Merchants Corporation 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (2004) (2)
99.2
Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer required under §111(b)(4) of the EESA
 
(1) Management contract or compensatory plan.
 
(2) Filed herewith
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on this 28th day of October, 2011.

FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION


By: /s/ Michael C. Rechin
Michael C. Rechin, President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Amendment No. 1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated, on this 28th day of October, 2011.

/s/ Michael C. Rechin
/s/ Mark K. Hardwick
Michael C. Rechin, President and
Mark K. Hardwick, Executive Vice
   
Chief Executive
President and Chief
   
Officer (Principal
Financial Officer
   
Executive Officer)
(Principal Financial
     
and Accounting Officer)
   
__________________
/s/ Michael C. Rechin
 
Thomas B. Clark, Director
Michael C. Rechin, Director
   
/s/ Jerry R. Engle*
/s/ Charles E. Schalliol*
 
Jerry R. Engle, Director
Charles E. Schalliol, Director
   
/s/ Roderick English*
/s/ Patrick A. Sherman*
 
Roderick English, Director
Patrick A. Sherman, Director
   
/s/ Dr. Jo Ann Gora*
__________________
 
Dr. Jo Ann M. Gora, Director
Terry L. Walker, Director
   
/s/ William L. Hoy*
/s/ Jean L. Wojtowicz*
 
William L. Hoy, Director
Jean L. Wojtowicz, Director
   
/s/ Barry J. Hudson*
  
 
Barry J. Hudson, Director
  


* By Mark K. Hardwick as Attorney-in Fact pursuant to a Limited Power of Attorney executed by the directors listed above, which Power of Attorney was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the initial Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed March 16, 2011.

 
By: /s/ Mark K. Hardwick
Mark K. Hardwick
As Attorney-in-Fact
October 28, 2011
 

 
 
 
 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 (a) 3.           Exhibits:

Exhibit No:       Description of Exhibits:

3.1
First Merchants Corporation Articles of Incorporation, as amended (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 10-K/A filed on March 31, 2009)
3.2
Bylaws of First Merchants Corporation dated October 28, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 10-Q filed on November 9, 2009)
4.1
First Merchants Corporation Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of First Merchants Capital Trust II dated as of July 2, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on July 3, 2007)
4.2
Indenture dated as of July 2, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on July 3, 2007)
4.3
Guarantee Agreement dated as of July 2, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on July 3, 2007)
4.4
Form of Capital Securities Certification of First Merchants Capital Trust II (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on July 3, 2007)
4.5
Form of Certificate for the First Merchants Corporation Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A dated February 20, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2009)
4.6
Warrant to Purchase Common Stock of First Merchants Corporation dated February 20, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2009)
4.7
First Merchants Corporation Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 filed on August 21, 2009)
4.8
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of June 30, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2010)
4.9
Indenture, dated as of June 30, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2010)
4.10
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 30, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2010)
4.11
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2010)
4.12
Form of Capital Securities Certificate of First Merchants Capital Trust III (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2010)
10.1
First Merchants Corporation Senior Management Incentive Compensation Program, dated February 11, 2011 (1) (2)
10.2
First Merchants Corporation Equity Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, effective April 29, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to the registrant's Form 10-Q filed on August 11, 2008) (1)
10.3
First Merchants Corporation Change of Control Agreement, as amended, with Mark K. Hardwick dated February 14, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on March 9, 2006) (1)
10.4
First Merchants Corporation Change of Control Agreement with Michael C. Rechin dated December 13, 2005 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on December 19, 2005) (1)
10.5
First Merchants Corporation Change of Control Agreement with Robert R. Connors dated August 26, 2002 as amended on January 1, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2008) (1)



 
 
 

(a) 3.           Exhibits continued:

Exhibit No:                      Description of Exhibits:

10.6
First Merchants Corporation Change of Control Agreement with Kimberly J. Ellington dated January 1, 2005 as amended on January 1, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2008) (1)
10.7
First Merchants Corporation Change of Control Agreement with Jami L. Bradshaw dated October 23, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on October 29, 2007) (1)
10.8
First Merchants Corporation Change of Control Agreement with Jeffrey B. Lorentson dated October 23, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on October 29, 2007) (1)
10.9
First Merchants Corporation Change of Control Agreement with Michael J. Stewart dated April 28, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on May 5, 2008.) (1)
10.10
First Merchants Corporation Change of Control Agreement with John J. Martin dated July 28, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s form 8-K filed on August 3, 2009) (1)
10.11
Resolution of the Board of Directors of First Merchants Corporation on director compensation dated December 4, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to the registrant's Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 2007) (1)
10.12
First Merchants Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and amendments thereto (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1997) (1)
10.13
First Merchants Corporation 2009 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan effective May 6, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's form 8-K filed on May 11, 2009) (1)
10.14
First Merchants Corporation Defined Contribution Supplemental Retirement Plan dated January 1, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on February 6, 2007) (1)
10.15
First Merchants Corporation Participation Agreement of Michael C. Rechin dated January 26, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on February 6, 2007) (1)
10.16
First Merchants Corporation 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan effective July 1, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to registrant's Form 8-K filed on May 11, 2009) (1)
10.17
Letter Agreement dated February 20, 2009, between First Merchants Corporation and the United States Department of the Treasury, which includes the Securities Purchase Agreement-Standard Terms attached thereto (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2009)
10.18
Form of Senior Executive Officer Letter Agreement dated February 20, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2009)
10.19
Form of Waiver dated February 20, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2009)
10.20
ARRA Letter Agreement dated February 20, 2009, between First Merchants Corporation and the United States Department of the Treasury (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2009)
10.21
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement between First Merchants Corporation and six groups of institutional investors, dated March 30, 2010 (incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8K filed on March 30, 2010
10.22
Exchange Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to registrant’s Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2010)
21
Subsidiaries of Registrant (2)
23
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (2)
24
Limited Power of Attorney (2)
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002 (2)
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002 (2)
32
Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (2)
99.1
Financial statements and independent registered public accounting firm's report for First Merchants Corporation 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (2004) (2)
99.2
Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer required under §111(b)(4) of the EESA
 
(1) Management contract or compensatory plan.
 
(2) Filed herewith