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Board member Mung Chiang steps down from First Merchants (FRME) board

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

First Merchants Corporation announced that Dr. Mung Chiang resigned from its Board of Directors effective July 1, 2026. The company states his resignation does not stem from any disagreement regarding operations, policies, or practices, but from a change in his professional responsibilities and relocation outside the company’s primary market area.

Following his departure, the size of the Board will be reduced from thirteen to twelve directors. The company expresses appreciation for Dr. Chiang’s service and contributions.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance
Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.
Board size before resignation 13 directors Number of First Merchants board members prior to Dr. Chiang’s departure
Board size after resignation 12 directors Board size upon effectiveness of Dr. Chiang’s resignation
Resignation effective date July 1, 2026 Date Dr. Mung Chiang’s resignation from the board became effective
Filing signature date July 2, 2026 Date the 8-K was signed by the Executive Vice President and CFO
Emerging growth company regulatory
"Emerging growth company"
An emerging growth company is a recently public or smaller public firm that qualifies for temporary, lighter regulatory and disclosure rules to reduce the cost and effort of being public. For investors, it means the company may provide less historical financial detail and face fewer reporting requirements than larger firms, so it can grow more quickly but also carries higher uncertainty—like buying a promising early-stage product with fewer user reviews.
Board of Directors financial
"resignation from the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”)"
The Board of Directors is a group of people chosen by a company's owners to help make big decisions and oversee how the company is run. They act like a team of advisors or managers, making sure the company stays on track and meets its goals. Their choices can influence the company's success and how it grows.
primary market area financial
"relocation outside the Company’s primary market area"
Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A financial
"representing a 1/100th interest in a share of Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A"
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FAQ

Why did Dr. Mung Chiang resign from the First Merchants (FRME) board?

Dr. Mung Chiang resigned due to a change in his professional responsibilities and relocation outside First Merchants’ primary market area. The company specifically notes his resignation was not caused by any disagreement over its operations, policies, or practices.

Did First Merchants (FRME) report any disagreement linked to Dr. Chiang’s resignation?

No. First Merchants states that Dr. Chiang’s resignation is not the result of any disagreement with the company on operations, policies, or practices. The reason given is his changing professional responsibilities and relocation away from the bank’s primary market area.

When did Dr. Mung Chiang’s resignation from First Merchants (FRME) become effective?

His resignation became effective on July 1, 2026. On that date, he notified First Merchants Corporation of his decision to step down from the Board of Directors, and the change took effect immediately according to the company’s disclosure.

How does Dr. Chiang’s resignation affect the size of the First Merchants (FRME) board?

After Dr. Chiang’s resignation becomes effective, First Merchants’ Board of Directors will decrease from thirteen members to twelve. The company explicitly states that board size will be reduced rather than immediately filled, reflecting a modest structural adjustment.

Who signed the First Merchants (FRME) 8-K reporting Dr. Chiang’s resignation?

The 8-K was signed on behalf of First Merchants Corporation by Michele M. Kawiecki, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. She is identified as the principal financial and accounting officer signing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requirements.
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
DATE OF REPORT (Date of earliest event reported): July 1, 2026

FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Indiana
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
001-4134235-1544218
(Commission File Number)(IRS Employer Identification No.)

200 East Jackson Street
P.O. Box 792
Muncie, IN 47305-2814
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
 
(765) 747-1500
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Title of Each ClassTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.125 stated value per shareFRMEThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/100th interest in a share of Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series AFRMEPThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.




ITEM 5.02 DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS.

On July 1, 2026, Dr. Mung Chiang notified First Merchants Corporation (the “Company”) of his resignation from the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), effective immediately.

Dr. Chiang’s resignation is not the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices. Rather, Dr. Chiang is stepping down from the Board in connection with a change in his professional responsibilities that will result in his relocation outside the Company’s primary market area, which will limit his ability to continue to serve on the Board.

The Company thanks Dr. Chiang for his service and contributions to the Board and the Company.

Upon the effectiveness of this resignation, the size of the Company’s Board shall be decreased from thirteen (13) members to twelve (12) members.


Exhibit 104Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)






SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


First Merchants Corporation
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Michele M. Kawiecki
                        
Michele M. Kawiecki

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Dated: July 2, 2026


Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents