First Merchants (NASDAQ: FRME) awards 8,000 shares to its CCO

Q: What insider transactions did FRME’s Chief Commercial Officer report?

Chief Commercial Officer Joseph C. Peterson reported a grant of 8,000 FRME common shares at $43.63 on August 3, 2026. He also reported a separate transaction on August 2, 2026 where 919 shares were withheld at $43.14 to pay an exercise price or tax liability.

Q: How many FRME shares were granted to Joseph C. Peterson and at what price?

Joseph C. Peterson received a grant of 8,000 FRME common shares at a price of $43.63 per share . This transaction is coded as a grant, award, or other acquisition and reflects equity compensation awarded in his capacity as Chief Commercial Officer.

Q: Why were 919 FRME shares disposed of in Joseph C. Peterson’s Form 4?

The Form 4 shows 919 FRME shares disposed of at $43.14 per share under code F. This code indicates payment of an exercise price or tax liability by delivering or withholding securities, rather than an open-market sale, and is reported as a direct ownership transaction.

Q: Were Joseph C. Peterson’s FRME transactions under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan?

The filing’s Rule 10b5-1 checkbox is not marked as affirming a trading plan, and no footnote indicates a plan. The reported grant and tax-related withholding therefore appear as standard equity compensation and related withholding transactions, not as trades executed under a pre-arranged 10b5-1 plan.

Q: Is Joseph C. Peterson’s ownership in FRME direct or through another entity?

Both reported transactions are classified as direct ownership for FRME common stock. The Form 4 does not attribute these shares to a trust, LLC, or other entity, and the footnote on 24,908.238 Restricted Stock Awards also relates to his direct holdings.

Filing Impact

(Moderate)

Filing Sentiment

(Neutral)

Form Type

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

FIRST MERCHANTS CORP Chief Commercial Officer Joseph C. Peterson reported equity compensation activity. On August 3, 2026, he received a grant of 8,000 shares of common stock at $43.63 per share. On August 2, 2026, 919 shares were withheld at $43.14 per share to pay an exercise price or tax liability. A footnote states his direct holdings include 24,908.238 Restricted Stock Awards.

Insider Trade Summary

Net Buyer: 7,081 shares

Net Buy 2 txns

Insider Peterson Joseph C

Role Chief Commercial Officer

Type	Security	Shares	Price	Value
Grant/Award	Common Stock ^F1	8,000	$43.63	$349K
Exercise Price or Tax Liability	Common Stock	919	$43.14	$40K

Holdings After Transaction: Common Stock — 45,482.38 shares (Direct)

Footnotes (1)

F1. Includes Restricted Stock Awards totaling 24908.238 shares

Key Figures

Equity grant shares: 8,000 shares Grant price per share: $43.63 Shares withheld: 919 shares +2 more

5 metrics

Equity grant shares 8,000 shares Common Stock grant on 2026-08-03 to Chief Commercial Officer

Grant price per share $43.63 Price per share for 8,000-share Common Stock grant on 2026-08-03

Shares withheld 919 shares Code F transaction on 2026-08-02 for exercise price or tax liability

Withholding price per share $43.14 Per-share value for 919-share tax or exercise-price withholding on 2026-08-02

Restricted Stock Awards 24,908.238 shares Restricted Stock Awards included in Joseph C. Peterson’s direct holdings per footnote

Key Terms

Restricted Stock Awards, exercise-price-or-tax-liability disposition, Grant, award, or other acquisition

3 terms

Restricted Stock Awards financial

"Includes Restricted Stock Awards totaling 24908.238 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.

exercise-price-or-tax-liability disposition financial

"Transaction described as exercise-price-or-tax-liability disposition under code F"

Grant, award, or other acquisition financial

"Transaction code A is described as Grant, award, or other acquisition of securities"

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Form 4 Insider Transactions: What Each Field Means →

Available on EDGAR 08/04/2026 - 05:59 PM Accepted by SEC EDGAR 08/04/2026 - 05:58 PM

FAQ

What insider transactions did FRME’s Chief Commercial Officer report?

Chief Commercial Officer Joseph C. Peterson reported a grant of 8,000 FRME common shares at $43.63 on August 3, 2026. He also reported a separate transaction on August 2, 2026 where 919 shares were withheld at $43.14 to pay an exercise price or tax liability.

How many FRME shares were granted to Joseph C. Peterson and at what price?

Joseph C. Peterson received a grant of 8,000 FRME common shares at a price of $43.63 per share. This transaction is coded as a grant, award, or other acquisition and reflects equity compensation awarded in his capacity as Chief Commercial Officer.

Why were 919 FRME shares disposed of in Joseph C. Peterson’s Form 4?

The Form 4 shows 919 FRME shares disposed of at $43.14 per share under code F. This code indicates payment of an exercise price or tax liability by delivering or withholding securities, rather than an open-market sale, and is reported as a direct ownership transaction.

What do the Restricted Stock Awards footnote in FRME’s Form 4 indicate?

A footnote indicates Joseph C. Peterson’s direct holdings include Restricted Stock Awards totaling 24,908.238 shares. This figure refers specifically to restricted stock awards included in his reported holdings, providing additional detail on the composition of his equity position in FIRST MERCHANTS CORP.

Were Joseph C. Peterson’s FRME transactions under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan?

The filing’s Rule 10b5-1 checkbox is not marked as affirming a trading plan, and no footnote indicates a plan. The reported grant and tax-related withholding therefore appear as standard equity compensation and related withholding transactions, not as trades executed under a pre-arranged 10b5-1 plan.

Is Joseph C. Peterson’s ownership in FRME direct or through another entity?

Both reported transactions are classified as direct ownership for FRME common stock. The Form 4 does not attribute these shares to a trust, LLC, or other entity, and the footnote on 24,908.238 Restricted Stock Awards also relates to his direct holdings.

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).

Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person^*

Peterson Joseph C

(Last)

(First)

(Middle)

200 E JACKSON ST

(Street)

MUNCIE

INDIANA

47305

(City)

(State)

(Zip)

UNITED STATES

(Country)

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

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

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

2a. Foreign Trading Symbol

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
08/02/2026

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

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

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

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)
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3)	2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	Code	V	Amount	(A) or (D)	Price		6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
Common Stock	08/02/2026		F		919	D	$43.14	37,482.38	D
Common Stock	08/03/2026		A		8,000	A	$43.63	45,482.38⁽¹⁾	D

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)
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)	Code	V	(A)	(D)	Date Exercisable	Expiration Date	Title	Amount or Number of Shares	8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5)		10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)

Explanation of Responses:

1. Includes Restricted Stock Awards totaling 24908.238 shares

Remarks:

	Paul Cento (Confirming Statement on File)	08/04/2026
	** 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.
* Form 4: SEC 1474 (03-26)

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR