First Merchants director reports 621-share purchase; 8,306 shares owned

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Jason R. Sondhi, a director of First Merchants Corp (FRME), reported an open-market purchase of company stock. The Form 4 shows a transaction on 09/30/2025 acquiring 621 shares at a reported price of $37.7 per share. After the transaction the filing reports 8,306 shares beneficially owned directly and an indirect holding of 489.427 attributed to a spouse IRA. The filing also discloses that the direct total includes 7,822 restricted stock awards. The Form 4 was filed as a single reporting person filing and bears a confirming signature dated 10/02/2025.

Positive

• Director purchase of 621 shares at $37.7 showing continued insider buying
• Direct beneficial ownership reported at 8,306 shares, indicating meaningful insider stake
• Disclosure of 7,822 restricted stock awards provides clarity on the composition of insider holdings

Negative

• None.

Insights

Corporate Governance Analyst

Director acquired additional common stock; ownership disclosure updated.

The filing documents a director purchase of 621 shares at $37.7, increasing reported direct beneficial ownership to 8,306 shares. The statement that 7,822 shares are restricted stock awards clarifies that most of the director's direct stake is subject to vesting or transfer limits.

This is a routine Section 16 disclosure updating insiders' holdings; it is material for ownership transparency but does not by itself disclose operational or financial changes to the company.

SEC Form 4

FORM 4

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

OMB APPROVAL

OMB Number:			3235-0287
Estimated average burden
hours per response:			0.5

Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person^*

Sondhi Jason R

(Last) (First) (Middle)

200 E JACKSON STREET

(Street)

MUNCIE IN 47305

(City) (State) (Zip)

2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
FIRST MERCHANTS CORP [ FRME ]

5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)

X	Director		10% Owner
	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
09/30/2025

4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)

X	Form filed by One Reporting Person
	Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3)	2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)			5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4)	6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
			Code	V	Amount	(A) or (D)	Price
Common	09/30/2025		A		621	A	$37.7	8,306(1)	D
Common Stock								489.427	I	Spouse IRA

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3)	2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security	3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)		6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)		7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4)		8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5)	9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4)	10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
				Code	V	(A)	(D)	Date Exercisable	Expiration Date	Title	Amount or Number of Shares

Explanation of Responses:

1. Includes Restricted Stock Awards totaling 7,822 shares

Remarks:

	Jacob Burkett (Confirming Statement on File)	10/02/2025
	** Signature of Reporting Person	Date
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number.

FAQ

Who filed the Form 4 for FRME?

Jason R. Sondhi, identified as a director, is the reporting person on the Form 4.

What transaction is reported on the FRME Form 4?

A purchase of 621 shares of First Merchants Corp common stock on 09/30/2025 at a reported price of $37.7 per share.

How many FRME shares does the reporting person own after the transaction?

The filing reports 8,306 shares beneficially owned directly after the transaction and an indirect holding listed as 489.427 via a spouse IRA.

Does the filing disclose restricted stock holdings?

Yes. The filing states it includes 7,822 restricted stock awards as part of the direct holdings.

When was the Form 4 confirmed/signed?

A confirming statement is dated 10/02/2025 on the filing.