First Merchants Corporation
First Merchants Corporation (Nasdaq: FRME) is the largest financial holding company based in Central Indiana.[1] Since its organization in 1982, the Corporation has grown to include banks with more than 100 locations in 27 Indiana, 2 Ohio, and 2 Illinois counties, and a wealth management company. As of December 31, 2015, total asset size of First Merchants Corporation was $6.8 billion. Bank divisions within the corporation include:
- First Merchants Bank, in Adams, Brown, Delaware, Fayette, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Henry, Jay, Johnson, Lake, Madison, Marion, Miami, Morgan, Porter, Randolph, Shelby, Union, Wabash, and Wayne counties in Indiana; Butler and Franklin counties in Ohio; and Cook, and DuPage counties in Illinois
- Lafayette Bank and Trust Company, A Division of First Merchants Bank, in Carroll, Clinton, Jasper, Montgomery, Tippecanoe and White counties
- First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors, A Division of First Merchants Bank, is one of the largest wealth management companies in the state of Indiana and provides a full complement of Trust, Investment Management, Retirement Plans, Private Banking and Brokerage solutions.
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Nasdaq: FRME | |
| Founded | 1982 (First Merchants Corporation) |
| Headquarters | Muncie, Indiana, United States |
Key people | Michael Rechin, President & CEO |
| Products | Banking, Trust |
| Total assets |  $6.8 billion USD (2015) |
Number of employees | 1,400 (2013) |
| Website | https://www.firstmerchants.com |
History
First Merchants Bank was originally known as the Merchants National Bank of Muncie, Indiana, and it was organized during the Panic of 1893 by a group of service-minded businessmen who recognized a need in their community and acted to fulfill that need.[2] Spearheaded by Hardin Roads, a former successful wholesale grocer, the enterprising men invested capital of $100,000. This was the only time it was necessary to raise capital through outside sources.
References
- ^ "Investors | First Merchants". www.firstmerchants.com. Retrieved 2016-05-05.
- ^ http://www.indianahistory.org/our-services/books-publications/hbr/first-merchants-bank.pdf