First Merchants (NASDAQ: FRME) CIO granted 5,000 shares, 1,532 withheld for taxes
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
First Merchants Corp’s Chief Information Officer Stephan Fluhler reported equity compensation and related withholding. On August 3, 2026 he acquired 5,000 shares of common stock as a grant at $43.63 per share. On August 2, 2026, 1,532 shares of common stock were withheld at $43.14 per share to satisfy exercise price or tax liabilities. He also reports 1,652.904 phantom stock units, each economically equivalent to one FRME share and settled in cash or stock at separation, and 3,765.688 shares held indirectly through a 401(k) plan. Restricted Stock Awards total 15,567.651 shares.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insider Trade Summary
Net Buyer: 3,468 shares
Net Buy
4 txns
Insider
FLUHLER STEPHAN
Role
Chief Information Officer
| Type | Security | Shares | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant/Award | Common Stock F1 | 5,000 | $43.63 | $218K |
| Exercise Price or Tax Liability | Common Stock | 1,532 | $43.14 | $66K |
| holding | Phantom Stock F2 | -- | -- | -- |
| holding | Common Stock | -- | -- | -- |
Holdings After Transaction:
Common Stock — 25,773.717 shares (Direct);
Phantom Stock — 1,652.904 shares (Direct);
Common Stock — 3,765.688 shares (Indirect, 401(k) Plan)
Footnotes (2)
- F1. Includes Restricted Stock Awards totaling 15,567.651 shares
- F2. Each share of phantom stock is the economic equivalent of one share of FRME common stock. The shares of phantom stock will be settled in cash or shares of FRME common stock, at the reporting person's election, upon separation from First Merchants.
Key Figures
Stock grant: 5,000 shares
Grant price: $43.63 per share
Shares withheld: 1,532 shares
+4 more
7 metrics
Stock grant
5,000 shares
Common Stock awarded on August 3, 2026 at $43.63 per share
Grant price
$43.63 per share
Price used to value 5,000-share Common Stock grant
Shares withheld
1,532 shares
Common Stock withheld on August 2, 2026 for exercise price or tax liability
Withholding price
$43.14 per share
Value of 1,532 shares withheld for exercise price or tax liability
Phantom stock units
1,652.904 units
Phantom Stock economically equivalent to FRME common stock, settled at separation
401(k) holdings
3,765.688 shares
Common Stock held indirectly through a 401(k) Plan
Restricted Stock Awards
15,567.651 shares
Restricted Stock Awards referenced in footnote F1
Key Terms
Phantom Stock, Restricted Stock Awards, 401(k) Plan
3 terms
Phantom Stock financial
"Each share of phantom stock is the economic equivalent of one share"
A phantom stock is a form of compensation that gives employees or executives the benefits of stock ownership, such as the increase in stock value, without actually giving them real shares. It acts like a promise to pay the employee the equivalent value of company stock later, often as a bonus or incentive. This allows companies to motivate and reward staff without diluting ownership or transferring actual shares.
Restricted Stock Awards financial
"Includes Restricted Stock Awards totaling 15,567.651 shares"
Restricted stock awards are company shares given to employees or executives that cannot be sold or transferred until certain conditions — like staying with the company for a set time or meeting performance targets — are met, like a gift that is locked in a safe until rules are satisfied. Investors care because these awards tie management’s pay to company performance, can increase the number of shares outstanding when they become tradable (dilution), and may signal expected future selling pressure or commitment to long-term growth.
401(k) Plan financial
"Common Stock held indirectly through a 401(k) Plan"
A 401(k) plan is a workplace retirement account that lets employees set aside part of their pay into a tax-advantaged savings pot, often with employers adding matching contributions — like a workplace piggy bank for future income. It matters to investors because the amount people save and how employers fund these plans influence consumer spending, corporate payroll costs and the flow of money into financial markets, which can affect stock prices and company valuations.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
FAQ
What insider transactions did FRME executive Stephan Fluhler report?
Stephan Fluhler reported a grant of 5,000 common shares at $43.63 on August 3, 2026 and 1,532 shares withheld at $43.14 on August 2, 2026 to cover exercise price or tax obligations, plus updated phantom stock and 401(k) holdings.
What phantom stock holdings does Stephan Fluhler report at FRME?
Stephan Fluhler reports 1,652.904 phantom stock units, each economically equivalent to one share of FRME common stock. These units will be settled in cash or FRME shares, at his election, upon separation from First Merchants.
Were Stephan Fluhler’s FRME transactions under a Rule 10b5-1 plan?
The Form 4’s Rule 10b5-1 checkbox is not affirmed (set to false), indicating these transactions were not reported as made under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. No footnote in this filing states they were pre-arranged.