First Merchants Releases First Comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility Publication – Muncie Journal

By the first merchants—

Increased engagement focuses on positive local impact as the bank grows

MUNCIE, Ind. – Today, First Merchants Bank highlighted its importance to local communities with the release of its first corporate social responsibility report, “Elevating Communities”. The press release underscores the bank’s commitment to making lasting change in all of its communities and making a meaningful and positive difference in people’s lives.

“Our success will be defined by the real and lasting impact we make in the communities we serve,” said Mark Hardwick, CEO of First Merchants. “This publication illustrates our corporate social responsibility agenda and our commitment to helping our communities thrive.

“Elevating Communities” highlights First Merchants’ continued and increased commitment to corporate social responsibility priorities in five key areas: Employee Empowerment, Community Investments and Charitable Giving, Financial Well-Being, Lending community real estate and diversity, equity and inclusion.

Beyond essential banking services, the “Elevating Communities” publication reflects a high level of community engagement by providing truly caring experiences and mutually beneficial relationships with everyone we serve. This is one of the main reasons that First Merchants is different as a community bank. At its core, First Merchants exists to help the people it serves to prosper.

“We are now a $ 15.1 billion bank,” said First Merchants President Mike Stewart. “This program highlights our work as a nearly 130-year-old community bank. Our long history allows us to take our resources and structure and focus them with our vision of advancing financial well-being within the diverse communities we serve.

Among the many targeted initiatives, such as volunteerism and corporate giving, First Merchants is currently investing $ 1.4 billion in the low and moderate income communities it serves over five years through a partnership with the National Community. Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC).

First Merchants management remains committed to communicating its strategic goals and showcasing the bank’s efforts to provide essential banking services while strengthening communities. To view the full publication, visit www.FirstMerchants.com.

First Merchants has 106 banking centers in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. Last month, the company announced plans to acquire Farmington Hills, Michigan-based Level One Bancorp. Pending regulatory approvals, the deal will be concluded in the first quarter of 2022.

About First Merchants Corporation

First Merchants Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Muncie, Indiana. The company has a full service banking charter, First Merchants Bank. The Bank also operates as First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors (as a division of First Merchants Bank). The common shares of First Merchants Corporation trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market System under the symbol FRME. The quotes are published in the daily newspapers and can be viewed on the company’s website (www.firstmerchants.com). FIRST MERCHANTS and the Shield logo are federally registered trademarks of First Merchants Corporation.