First Merchants CorporationNASDAQ: FRME

First Merchants Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter 2025 Earnings Per Share

· Issued by First Merchants Corporation via GlobeNewswire

MUNCIE, Ind., Jan. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ - FRME) (the "Corporation")

Achieved record full‑year results, including net income available to common stockholders of $224.1 million and diluted EPS of $3.88 for 2025.

Fourth Quarter 2025 Highlights:

  • Net income available to common stockholders was $56.6 million and diluted earnings per common share totaled $0.99, compared to $56.3 million and $0.98 in the third quarter of 2025, and $63.9 million and $1.10 in the fourth quarter of 2024. Adjusted net income available to common stockholders1 was $56.4 million and adjusted diluted earnings per common share1 totaled $0.98, compared to $57.0 million and $0.99 in the third quarter of 2025, and $58.1 million and $1.00 per common share for the fourth quarter of 2024.

  • Robust capital position with Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 11.70% and Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets Ratio of 9.38%.

  • Repurchased 1,211,224 shares totaling $46.9 million year-to-date; repurchased 271,953 shares totaling $10.4 million during the fourth quarter.

  • Total loans grew $197.4 million, or 5.8% annualized, on a linked quarter basis, and $938.8 million, or 7.3%, during the last twelve months.

  • Total deposits increased $424.9 million, or 11.4% annualized, on a linked quarter basis, and $773.2 million, or 5.3%, during the last twelve months.

  • Nonperforming assets to total assets were 38 basis points compared to 36 basis points on a linked quarter basis and 43 basis points as of the fourth quarter of 2024.

  • The efficiency ratio totaled 54.52% for the quarter.

  • Received regulatory approval of the acquisition of First Savings Financial Group, Inc. adding approximately $2.4 billion in assets and expanding the Corporation's presence into Southern Indiana and the Louisville MSA. Closing is expected on February 1, 2026.

"First Merchants delivered record double-digit earnings and high single-digit loan growth in 2025. Our capital, liquidity and credit positions remain very strong and position us for continued success," said Mark Hardwick, Chief Executive Officer. "The pending completion of the First Savings Bank acquisition on February 1st will further enhance our state-wide Indiana presence. We value the continued trust of our clients, teammates and shareholders."

Fourth Quarter Financial Results:

First Merchants Corporation (the “Corporation”) reported fourth quarter 2025 net income available to common stockholders of $56.6 million compared to $63.9 million during the same period in 2024. Diluted earnings per common share for the period totaled $0.99 compared to $1.10 in the fourth quarter of 2024. During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Corporation completed the sale of five Illinois branches, including $7.4 million of loans and $267.4 million of deposits, generating a $20.0 million gain recorded in noninterest income. Excluding non-core income and expenses incurred in each period, adjusted earnings per common share1 for the fourth quarter 2025 totaled $0.98 compared to $1.00 in the prior year period.

Total assets of the Corporation equaled $19.0 billion as of quarter-end and loans totaled $13.8 billion.   During the past twelve months, total loans grew by $938.8 million, or 7.3%. On a linked quarter basis, loans grew $197.4 million, or 5.8% annualized.

Investments, totaling $3.4 billion, decreased $82.1 million, or 2.4%, during the last twelve months and were flat on a linked quarter basis. Investments declined during the quarter due to principal paydowns and maturities; however, the decline was offset by an increase in the securities portfolio valuation.

Total deposits equaled $15.3 billion as of quarter-end and increased by $773.2 million, or 5.3%, over the past twelve months. On a linked quarter basis, deposits increased $424.9 million, or 11.4% annualized.   The loan to deposit ratio decreased to 90.3% at period end from 91.6% in the prior quarter.

The Corporation’s Allowance for Credit Losses – Loans (ACL) totaled $195.6 million as of quarter-end, or 1.42% of total loans, an increase of $1.1 million from prior quarter. Net charge-offs totaled $6.0 million and provision for credit losses of $7.2 million was recorded during the quarter. Reserves for unfunded commitments totaled $18.0 million and remained unchanged from the prior quarter. Non-performing assets to total assets were 0.38% for the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to 0.36% in the prior quarter, reflecting stable credit performance.

Net interest income, totaling $139.1 million for the quarter, increased $5.4 million, or 4.0%, compared to prior quarter and increased $4.7 million, or 3.5%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. Positively impacting net interest income was an interest recovery of $3.3 million recorded during the current quarter from the successful resolution of a nonaccrual commercial real estate loan. Fully tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.29%, an increase of five basis points compared to prior quarter, and an increase of one basis point compared to the fourth quarter of 2024.

Noninterest income totaled $33.1 million for the quarter, an increase of $0.6 million compared to the third quarter of 2025 and a decrease of $9.6 million from the fourth quarter of 2024. The linked quarter increase was driven by higher customer-related fees including wealth management and card payment fees, as well as higher gains on the sales of mortgage loans. The decrease from the fourth quarter of prior year was driven by a gain on the sale of five Illinois branches to Old Second National Bank on December 6, 2024. Customer-related fees increased $0.7 million over the fourth quarter of prior year.

Noninterest expense totaled $99.5 million for the quarter, an increase of $3.0 million from the third quarter of 2025 and an increase of $3.2 million from the fourth quarter of 2024. The linked quarter increase was from higher health insurance, software and credit costs. Additionally, $0.5 million of acquisition-related costs were recorded in the current quarter. Offsetting these increases was a $0.7 million reduction of an FDIC special assessment accrual that was originally recorded in the first quarter of 2024 following the bank failures of 2023. The increase from the fourth quarter of 2024 was due to higher salaries, employee benefits and data processing costs offset by the reduction of the FDIC special assessment accrual.

The Corporation’s total risk-based capital ratio equaled 13.41%, common equity tier 1 capital ratio equaled 11.70%, and the tangible common equity ratio totaled 9.38%. These ratios continue to reflect the Corporation’s strong capital position.

1 See “Non-GAAP Financial Information” for reconciliation

CONFERENCE CALL

First Merchants Corporation will conduct a fourth quarter earnings conference call and webcast at 9:00 a.m. (ET) on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

To access via phone, participants will need to register using the following link where they will be provided a phone number and access code: (https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI2b60181d46504632aa732ea584590460)

To view the webcast and presentation slides, please go to (https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/o68enev5) during the time of the call. A replay of the webcast will be available until January 27, 2027.

Detailed financial results are reported on the attached pages.

About First Merchants Corporation

First Merchants Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Muncie, Indiana. The Corporation has one full-service bank charter, First Merchants Bank. The Bank also operates as First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors (as a division of First Merchants Bank).

First Merchants Corporation’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market System under the symbol FRME. Quotations are carried in daily newspapers and can be found on the company’s Internet web page (http://www.firstmerchants.com).

FIRST MERCHANTS and the Shield Logo are federally registered trademarks of First Merchants Corporation.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements can often, but not always, be identified by the use of words like “believe”, “continue”, “pattern”, “estimate”, “project”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “expect” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will”, “would”, “should”, “could”, “might”, “can”, “may”, or similar expressions. These forward- looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the expected timing and benefits of the proposed merger between First Merchants and First Savings, including future financial and operating results, cost savings, enhanced revenues, and accretion/dilution to reported earnings that may be realized from the proposed merger, as well as other statements of expectations regarding the proposed merger, and other statements of First Merchants’ goals, intentions and expectations; statements regarding the First Merchants’ business plan and growth strategies; statements regarding the asset quality of First Merchants’ loan and investment portfolios; and estimates of First Merchants’ risks and future costs and benefits, whether with respect to the proposed merger or otherwise. These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks, assumptions and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in forward-looking statements, including, among other things: the risk that the businesses of First Merchants and First Savings will not be integrated successfully or such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; expected revenue synergies and cost savings from the proposed merger may not be fully realized or realized within the expected time frame; revenues following the proposed merger may be lower than expected; customer and employee relationships and business operations may be disrupted by the proposed merger; the ability to complete the proposed merger on the expected timeframe; possible changes in monetary and fiscal policies, and laws and regulations; the effects of easing restrictions on participants in the financial services industry; the cost and other effects of legal and administrative cases; possible changes in the credit-worthiness of customers and the possible impairment of collectability of loans; fluctuations in market rates of interest; competitive factors in the banking industry; changes in the banking legislation or regulatory requirements of federal and state agencies applicable to bank holding companies and banks like First Merchants’ affiliate bank; continued availability of earnings and excess capital sufficient for the lawful and prudent declaration of dividends; changes in market, economic, operational, liquidity (including the ability to grow and maintain core deposits and retain large uninsured deposits), credit and interest rate risks associated with First Merchants’ business; the impacts of epidemics, pandemics or other infectious disease outbreaks; and other risks and factors identified in each of First Merchants’ filings with the SEC. Neither First Merchants nor First Savings undertakes any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, relating to the matters discussed in this news release. In addition, the companies’ respective past results of operations do not necessarily indicate their anticipated future results, whether or not the proposed merger is completed.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This news release contains non-GAAP financial measures. For purposes of Regulation G, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of the registrant’s historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statement of income, balance sheet or statement of cash flows (or equivalent statements) of the issuer; or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts, that are excluded from the most directly comparable measure so calculated and presented. In this regard, GAAP refers to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Pursuant to the requirements of Regulation G, First Merchants Corporation has provided reconciliations within this news release, as necessary, of the non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

December 31,

2025

2024

ASSETS

Cash and due from banks

$

84,158

$

87,616

Interest-bearing deposits

196,300

298,891

Investment securities available for sale

1,407,102

1,386,475

Investment securities held to maturity, net of allowance for credit losses

1,971,539

2,074,220

Loans held for sale

20,079

18,663

Loans

13,791,707

12,854,359

Less: Allowance for credit losses - loans

(195,597

)

(192,757

)

Net loans

13,596,110

12,661,602

Premises and equipment

121,058

129,743

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

47,245

41,690

Interest receivable

93,374

91,829

Goodwill

712,002

712,002

Other intangibles

13,800

19,828

Cash surrender value of life insurance

308,438

304,906

Other real estate owned

658

4,948

Tax asset, deferred and receivable

78,664

92,387

Other assets

374,574

387,169

TOTAL ASSETS

$

19,025,101

$

18,311,969

LIABILITIES

Deposits:

Noninterest-bearing

$

2,137,262

$

2,325,579

Interest-bearing

13,157,593

12,196,047

Total Deposits

15,294,855

14,521,626

Borrowings:

Federal funds purchased

40,000

99,226

Securities sold under repurchase agreements

103,755

142,876

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

798,549

822,554

Subordinated debentures and other borrowings

57,630

93,529

Total Borrowings

999,934

1,158,185

Interest payable

18,235

16,102

Other liabilities

245,410

311,073

Total Liabilities

16,558,434

16,006,986

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Preferred Stock, $1,000 par value, $1,000 liquidation value:

Authorized -- 600 cumulative shares

Issued and outstanding - 125 cumulative shares

125

125

Preferred Stock, Series A, no par value, $2,500 liquidation preference:

Authorized -- 10,000 non-cumulative perpetual shares

Issued and outstanding - 10,000 non-cumulative perpetual shares

25,000

25,000

Common Stock, $0.125 stated value:

Authorized -- 100,000,000 shares

Issued and outstanding - 56,951,939 and 57,974,535 shares

7,119

7,247

Additional paid-in capital

1,150,816

1,188,768

Retained earnings

1,413,742

1,272,528

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(130,135

)

(188,685

)

Total Stockholders' Equity

2,466,667

2,304,983

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

$

19,025,101

$

18,311,969

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

December 31,

December 31,

2025

2024

2025

2024

INTEREST INCOME

Loans:

Taxable

$

203,120

$

197,536

$

786,427

$

803,652

Tax-exempt

10,905

9,020

43,415

34,262

Investment securities:

Taxable

7,736

9,024

32,662

36,086

Tax-exempt

12,459

12,754

49,952

53,487

Deposits with financial institutions

2,187

5,350

8,127

16,992

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

1,037

958

4,209

3,527

Total Interest Income

237,444

234,642

924,792

948,006

INTEREST EXPENSE

Deposits

88,670

89,835

344,279

386,127

Federal funds purchased

218

26

2,219

481

Securities sold under repurchase agreements

405

680

2,464

3,057

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

8,047

8,171

35,763

29,886

Subordinated debentures and other borrowings

1,040

1,560

4,054

7,341

Total Interest Expense

98,380

100,272

388,779

426,892

NET INTEREST INCOME

139,064

134,370

536,013

521,114

Provision for credit losses

7,150

4,200

21,250

35,700

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES

131,914

130,170

514,763

485,414

NONINTEREST INCOME

Service charges on deposit accounts

8,704

8,124

34,263

32,606

Fiduciary and wealth management fees

9,175

8,665

35,492

34,215

Card payment fees

5,325

4,957

19,790

19,317

Net gains and fees on sales of loans

5,421

5,681

21,275

20,840

Derivative hedge fees

1,053

1,594

3,385

3,082

Other customer fees

315

316

1,545

1,547

Earnings on bank-owned life insurance

1,854

2,188

7,613

8,464

Net realized losses on sales of available for sale securities

—

(11,592

)

(8

)

(20,757

)

Gain on branch sale

—

19,983

—

19,983

Other income

1,259

2,826

3,579

6,283

Total Noninterest Income

33,106

42,742

126,934

125,580

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

Salaries and employee benefits

58,254

55,437

225,080

221,167

Net occupancy

7,283

7,335

28,401

28,387

Equipment

7,681

7,028

28,614

26,802

Marketing

2,324

2,582

7,794

7,389

Outside data processing fees

7,509

6,029

27,488

27,140

Printing and office supplies

450

377

1,380

1,462

Intangible asset amortization

1,498

1,771

6,028

7,271

FDIC assessments

2,684

3,744

13,410

15,029

Other real estate owned and foreclosure expenses

775

227

1,525

2,076

Professional and other outside services

3,774

3,777

14,494

14,586

Other expenses

7,290

7,982

28,369

27,957

Total Noninterest Expense

99,522

96,289

382,583

379,266

Income Before Income Taxes

65,498

76,623

259,114

231,728

Income tax expense

8,433

12,274

33,113

30,326

NET INCOME

57,065

64,349

226,001

201,402

Preferred stock dividends

469

469

1,875

1,875

NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

$

56,596

$

63,880

$

224,126

$

199,527

PER SHARE DATA:

Basic Net Income Available to Common Stockholders

$

0.99

$

1.10

$

3.90

$

3.42

Diluted Net Income Available to Common Stockholders

$

0.99

$

1.10

$

3.88

$

3.41

Cash Dividends Paid to Common Stockholders

$

0.36

$

0.35

$

1.43

$

1.39

Tangible Common Book Value Per Share

$

30.18

$

26.78

$

30.18

$

26.78

Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding (in thousands)

57,442

58,247

57,726

58,533

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(Dollars In Thousands)

Three Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

December 31,

2025

2024

2025

2024

NET CHARGE-OFFS

$

6,021

$

771

$

18,410

$

49,377

AVERAGE BALANCES:

Total Assets

$

19,039,989

$

18,478,303

$

18,633,952

$

18,400,495

Total Loans

13,717,822

12,757,676

13,320,678

12,634,324

Total Earning Assets

17,648,233

17,089,198

17,264,588

17,054,267

Total Deposits

15,294,518

14,788,294

14,816,114

14,816,564

Total Stockholders' Equity

2,452,005

2,312,270

2,375,500

2,252,491

FINANCIAL RATIOS:

Return on Average Assets

1.20

%

1.39

%

1.21

%

1.09

%

Return on Average Stockholders' Equity

9.23

11.05

9.43

8.86

Return on Tangible Common Stockholders' Equity

13.57

16.75

14.08

13.71

Average Earning Assets to Average Assets

92.69

92.48

92.65

92.68

Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans as % of Total Loans

1.42

1.50

1.42

1.50

Net Charge-offs as % of Average Loans (Annualized)

0.18

0.02

0.14

0.39

Average Stockholders' Equity to Average Assets

12.88

12.51

12.75

12.24

Fully Taxable Equivalent (FTE) Yield on Average Earning Assets

5.52

5.63

5.50

5.69

Interest Expense/Average Earning Assets

2.23

2.35

2.25

2.50

Net Interest Margin FTE

3.29

3.28

3.25

3.19

Efficiency Ratio

54.52

48.48

54.54

53.55

ASSET QUALITY

(Dollars In Thousands)

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

2025

2025

2025

2025

2024

Nonaccrual Loans

$

71,773

$

65,740

$

67,358

$

81,922

$

73,773

Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessions

658

1,270

177

4,966

4,948

Nonperforming Assets (NPA)

72,431

67,010

67,535

86,888

78,721

90+ Days Delinquent

2,042

1,925

4,443

4,280

5,902

NPAs & 90+ Days Delinquent

$

74,473

$

68,935

$

71,978

$

91,168

$

84,623

Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans

$

195,597

$

194,468

$

195,316

$

192,031

$

192,757

Quarterly Net Charge-offs

6,021

5,148

2,315

4,926

771

NPAs / Actual Assets %

0.38

%

0.36

%

0.36

%

0.47

%

0.43

%

NPAs & 90 Day / Actual Assets %

0.39

%

0.37

%

0.39

%

0.49

%

0.46

%

NPAs / Actual Loans and OREO %

0.52

%

0.49

%

0.51

%

0.67

%

0.61

%

Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans / Actual Loans (%)

1.42

%

1.43

%

1.47

%

1.47

%

1.50

%

Quarterly Net Charge-offs as % of Average Loans (Annualized)

0.18

%

0.15

%

0.07

%

0.15

%

0.02

%

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

2025

2025

2025

2025

2024

ASSETS

Cash and due from banks

$

84,158

$

88,079

$

81,567

$

86,113

$

87,616

Interest-bearing deposits

196,300

168,706

223,343

331,534

298,891

Investment securities available for sale

1,407,102

1,386,903

1,358,130

1,378,489

1,386,475

Investment securities held to maturity, net of allowance for credit losses

1,971,539

1,995,488

2,022,826

2,048,632

2,074,220

Loans held for sale

20,079

23,190

28,783

23,004

18,663

Loans

13,791,707

13,591,174

13,296,759

13,004,905

12,854,359

Less: Allowance for credit losses - loans

(195,597

)

(194,468

)

(195,316

)

(192,031

)

(192,757

)

Net loans

13,596,110

13,396,706

13,101,443

12,812,874

12,661,602

Premises and equipment

121,058

121,771

122,808

128,749

129,743

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

47,245

47,264

47,290

45,006

41,690

Interest receivable

93,374

89,102

93,258

88,352

91,829

Goodwill

712,002

712,002

712,002

712,002

712,002

Other intangibles

13,800

15,298

16,797

18,302

19,828

Cash surrender value of life insurance

308,438

306,583

305,695

304,918

304,906

Other real estate owned

658

1,270

177

4,966

4,948

Tax asset, deferred and receivable

78,664

89,758

97,749

87,665

92,387

Other assets

374,574

369,509

380,909

369,181

387,169

TOTAL ASSETS

$

19,025,101

$

18,811,629

$

18,592,777

$

18,439,787

$

18,311,969

LIABILITIES

Deposits:

Noninterest-bearing

$

2,137,262

$

2,100,570

$

2,197,416

$

2,185,057

$

2,325,579

Interest-bearing

13,157,593

12,769,409

12,600,162

12,276,921

12,196,047

Total Deposits

15,294,855

14,869,979

14,797,578

14,461,978

14,521,626

Borrowings:

Federal funds purchased

40,000

199,370

85,000

185,000

99,226

Securities sold under repurchase agreements

103,755

122,226

114,758

122,947

142,876

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

798,549

798,626

898,702

972,478

822,554

Subordinated debentures and other borrowings

57,630

57,632

62,617

62,619

93,529

Total Borrowings

999,934

1,177,854

1,161,077

1,343,044

1,158,185

Interest payable

18,235

18,240

16,174

13,304

16,102

Other liabilities

245,410

333,154

269,996

289,247

311,073

Total Liabilities

16,558,434

16,399,227

16,244,825

16,107,573

16,006,986

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Preferred Stock, $1,000 par value, $1,000 liquidation value:

Authorized -- 600 cumulative shares

Issued and outstanding - 125 cumulative shares

125

125

125

125

125

Preferred Stock, Series A, no par value, $2,500 liquidation preference:

Authorized -- 10,000 non-cumulative perpetual shares

Issued and outstanding - 10,000 non-cumulative perpetual shares

25,000

25,000

25,000

25,000

25,000

Common Stock, $0.125 stated value:

Authorized -- 100,000,000 shares

Issued and outstanding

7,119

7,149

7,159

7,226

7,247

Additional paid-in capital

1,150,816

1,158,026

1,163,170

1,183,263

1,188,768

Retained earnings

1,413,742

1,377,966

1,342,473

1,306,911

1,272,528

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(130,135

)

(155,864

)

(189,975

)

(190,311

)

(188,685

)

Total Stockholders' Equity

2,466,667

2,412,402

2,347,952

2,332,214

2,304,983

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

$

19,025,101

$

18,811,629

$

18,592,777

$

18,439,787

$

18,311,969

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)

(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

2025

2025

2025

2025

2024

INTEREST INCOME

Loans:

Taxable

$

203,120

$

200,406

$

195,173

$

187,728

$

197,536

Tax-exempt

10,905

11,173

10,805

10,532

9,020

Investment securities:

Taxable

7,736

8,288

8,266

8,372

9,024

Tax-exempt

12,459

12,460

12,516

12,517

12,754

Deposits with financial institutions

2,187

1,676

1,892

2,372

5,350

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

1,037

1,092

1,083

997

958

Total Interest Income

237,444

235,095

229,735

222,518

234,642

INTEREST EXPENSE

Deposits

88,670

90,821

84,241

80,547

89,835

Federal funds purchased

218

224

965

812

26

Securities sold under repurchase agreements

405

654

663

742

680

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

8,047

8,638

9,714

9,364

8,171

Subordinated debentures and other borrowings

1,040

1,093

1,138

783

1,560

Total Interest Expense

98,380

101,430

96,721

92,248

100,272

NET INTEREST INCOME

139,064

133,665

133,014

130,270

134,370

Provision for credit losses

7,150

4,300

5,600

4,200

4,200

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES

131,914

129,365

127,414

126,070

130,170

NONINTEREST INCOME

Service charges on deposit accounts

8,704

8,921

8,566

8,072

8,124

Fiduciary and wealth management fees

9,175

8,842

8,831

8,644

8,665

Card payment fees

5,325

5,007

4,932

4,526

4,957

Net gains and fees on sales of loans

5,421

4,983

5,849

5,022

5,681

Derivative hedge fees

1,053

1,097

831

404

1,594

Other customer fees

315

414

401

415

316

Earnings on bank-owned life insurance

1,854

1,667

1,913

2,179

2,188

Net realized losses on sales of available for sale securities

—

—

(1

)

(7

)

(11,592

)

Gain on branch sale

—

—

—

—

19,983

Other income (loss)

1,259

1,546

(19

)

793

2,826

Total Noninterest Income

33,106

32,477

31,303

30,048

42,742

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

Salaries and employee benefits

58,254

57,317

54,527

54,982

55,437

Net occupancy

7,283

7,057

6,845

7,216

7,335

Equipment

7,681

6,998

6,927

7,008

7,028

Marketing

2,324

2,120

1,997

1,353

2,582

Outside data processing fees

7,509

6,943

7,107

5,929

6,029

Printing and office supplies

450

311

272

347

377

Intangible asset amortization

1,498

1,499

1,505

1,526

1,771

FDIC assessments

2,684

3,526

3,552

3,648

3,744

Other real estate owned and foreclosure expenses

775

121

29

600

227

Professional and other outside services

3,774

3,718

3,741

3,261

3,777

Other expenses

7,290

6,951

7,096

7,032

7,982

Total Noninterest Expense

99,522

96,561

93,598

92,902

96,289

Income Before Income Taxes

65,498

65,281

65,119

63,216

76,623

Income tax expense

8,433

8,516

8,287

7,877

12,274

NET INCOME

57,065

56,765

56,832

55,339

64,349

Preferred stock dividends

469

468

469

469

469

NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

$

56,596

$

56,297

$

56,363

$

54,870

$

63,880

PER SHARE DATA:

Basic Net Income Available to Common Stockholders

$

0.99

$

0.98

$

0.98

$

0.95

$

1.10

Diluted Net Income Available to Common Stockholders

$

0.99

$

0.98

$

0.98

$

0.94

$

1.10

Cash Dividends Paid to Common Stockholders

$

0.36

$

0.36

$

0.36

$

0.35

$

0.35

Tangible Common Book Value Per Share

$

30.18

$

29.08

$

27.90

$

27.34

$

26.78

Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding (in thousands)

57,442

57,448

57,773

58,242

58,247

FINANCIAL RATIOS:

Return on Average Assets

1.20

%

1.22

%

1.23

%

1.21

%

1.39

%

Return on Average Stockholders' Equity

9.23

9.51

9.63

9.38

11.05

Return on Tangible Common Stockholders' Equity

13.57

14.21

14.49

14.12

16.75

Average Earning Assets to Average Assets

92.69

92.73

92.71

92.47

92.48

Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans as % of Total Loans

1.42

1.43

1.47

1.47

1.50

Net Charge-offs as % of Average Loans (Annualized)

0.18

0.15

0.07

0.15

0.02

Average Stockholders' Equity to Average Assets

12.88

12.71

12.64

12.76

12.51

Fully Taxable Equivalent (FTE) Yield on Average Earning Assets

5.52

5.58

5.50

5.39

5.63

Interest Expense/Average Earning Assets

2.23

2.34

2.25

2.17

2.35

Net Interest Margin FTE

3.29

3.24

3.25

3.22

3.28

Efficiency Ratio

54.52

55.09

53.99

54.54

48.48

LOANS

(Dollars In Thousands)

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

2025

2025

2025

2025

2024

Commercial and industrial loans

$

4,478,282

$

4,604,895

$

4,440,924

$

4,306,597

$

4,114,292

Agricultural land, production and other loans to farmers

283,125

275,817

265,172

243,864

256,312

Real estate loans:

Construction

804,775

789,021

836,033

793,175

792,144

Commercial real estate, non-owner occupied

2,338,666

2,304,889

2,171,092

2,177,869

2,274,016

Commercial real estate, owner occupied

1,237,100

1,232,117

1,226,797

1,214,739

1,157,944

Residential

2,420,310

2,412,783

2,397,094

2,389,852

2,374,729

Home equity

710,980

687,021

673,961

650,499

659,811

Individuals' loans for household and other personal expenditures

155,436

138,703

141,045

140,954

166,028

Public finance and other commercial loans

1,363,033

1,145,928

1,144,641

1,087,356

1,059,083

Loans

13,791,707

13,591,174

13,296,759

13,004,905

12,854,359

Allowance for credit losses - loans

(195,597

)

(194,468

)

(195,316

)

(192,031

)

(192,757

)

NET LOANS

$

13,596,110

$

13,396,706

$

13,101,443

$

12,812,874

$

12,661,602

DEPOSITS

(Dollars In Thousands)

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

2025

2025

2025

2025

2024

Demand deposits

$

7,770,473

$

7,645,698

$

7,798,695

$

7,786,554

$

7,980,061

Savings deposits

5,481,785

5,164,707

4,984,659

4,791,874

4,522,758

Certificates and other time deposits of $100,000 or less

603,690

627,828

617,857

625,203

692,068

Certificates and other time deposits of $100,000 or more

915,293

910,337

891,139

896,143

1,043,068

Brokered certificates of deposits(1)

523,614

521,409

505,228

362,204

283,671

TOTAL DEPOSITS

$

15,294,855

$

14,869,979

$

14,797,578

$

14,461,978

$

14,521,626

(1) Total brokered deposits of $1.5 billion, which includes brokered CD's of $523.6 million at December 31, 2025.

CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET AND NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS

(Dollars In Thousands)

Three Months Ended

December 31, 2025

December 31, 2024

Average Balance

Interest
Income /
Expense

Average
Rate

Average Balance

Interest
Income /
Expense

Average
Rate

ASSETS

Interest-bearing deposits

$

313,018

$

2,187

2.79

%

$

522,868

$

5,350

4.09

%

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

47,251

1,037

8.78

41,703

958

9.19

Investment Securities:(1)

Taxable

1,535,025

7,736

2.02

1,677,554

9,024

2.15

Tax-exempt(2)

2,035,117

15,771

3.10

2,089,397

16,144

3.09

Total Investment Securities

3,570,142

23,507

2.63

3,766,951

25,168

2.67

Loans held for sale

32,272

494

6.12

36,219

550

6.07

Loans:(3)

Commercial

9,417,302

160,949

6.84

8,753,723

156,414

7.15

Real estate mortgage

2,236,769

26,019

4.65

2,177,351

24,401

4.48

HELOC and installment

870,199

15,658

7.20

841,537

16,171

7.69

Tax-exempt(2)

1,161,280

13,778

4.75

948,846

11,418

4.81

Total Loans

13,717,822

216,898

6.32

12,757,676

208,954

6.55

Total Earning Assets

17,648,233

243,629

5.52

%

17,089,198

240,430

5.63

%

Total Non-Earning Assets

1,391,756

1,389,105

TOTAL ASSETS

$

19,039,989

$

18,478,303

LIABILITIES

Interest-Bearing Deposits:

Interest-bearing deposits

$

5,652,753

$

34,573

2.45

%

$

5,564,228

$

37,049

2.66

%

Money market deposits

4,144,256

31,813

3.07

3,189,334

25,463

3.19

Savings deposits

1,261,173

2,399

0.76

1,362,705

3,102

0.91

Certificates and other time deposits

2,077,545

19,885

3.83

2,313,284

24,221

4.19

Total Interest-Bearing Deposits

13,135,727

88,670

2.70

12,429,551

89,835

2.89

Borrowings

973,364

9,710

3.99

1,049,677

10,437

3.98

Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities

14,109,091

98,380

2.79

13,479,228

100,272

2.98

Noninterest-bearing deposits

2,158,791

2,358,743

Other liabilities

320,102

328,062

Total Liabilities

16,587,984

16,166,033

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

2,452,005

2,312,270

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

$

19,039,989

$

18,478,303

Net Interest Income (FTE)

$

145,249

$

140,158

Net Interest Spread (FTE)(4)

2.73

%

2.65

%

Net Interest Margin (FTE):

Interest Income (FTE) / Average Earning Assets

5.52

%

5.63

%

Interest Expense / Average Earning Assets

2.23

%

2.35

%

Net Interest Margin (FTE)(5)

3.29

%

3.28

%

(1)Average balance of securities is computed based on the average of the historical amortized cost balances without the effects of the fair value adjustments. Annualized amounts are computed using a 30/360 day basis.

(2)Tax-exempt securities and loans are presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis, using a marginal tax rate of 21 percent for 2025 and 2024. These totals equal $6.2 million and $5.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

(3)Non accruing loans have been included in the average balances.

(4)Net Interest Spread (FTE) is interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets minus interest expense expressed as a percentage of average interest-bearing liabilities.

(5)Net Interest Margin (FTE) is interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets minus interest expense expressed as a percentage of average earning assets.

CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET AND NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS

(Dollars In Thousands)

Twelve Months Ended

December 31, 2025

December 31, 2024

Average Balance

Interest
Income /
Expense

Average
Rate

Average Balance

Interest
Income /
Expense

Average
Rate

ASSETS

Interest-bearing deposits

$

272,164

$

8,127

2.99

%

$

418,163

$

16,992

4.06

%

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

46,289

4,209

9.09

41,736

3,527

8.45

Investment Securities:(1)

Taxable

1,585,375

32,662

2.06

1,759,578

36,086

2.05

Tax-exempt(2)

2,040,082

63,230

3.10

2,200,466

67,705

3.08

Total Investment Securities

3,625,457

95,892

2.64

3,960,044

103,791

2.62

Loans held for sale

26,199

1,603

6.12

29,650

1,792

6.04

Loans:(3)

Commercial

9,091,847

621,298

6.83

8,687,638

641,393

7.38

Real estate mortgage

2,211,726

101,203

4.58

2,158,743

94,890

4.40

HELOC and installment

846,430

62,323

7.36

830,079

65,577

7.90

Tax-exempt(2)

1,144,476

54,857

4.79

928,214

43,370

4.67

Total Loans

13,320,678

841,284

6.32

12,634,324

847,022

6.70

Total Earning Assets

17,264,588

949,512

5.50

%

17,054,267

971,332

5.69

%

Total Non-Earning Assets

1,369,364

1,346,228

TOTAL ASSETS

$

18,633,952

$

18,400,495

LIABILITIES

Interest-Bearing deposits:

Interest-bearing deposits

$

5,580,592

$

141,945

2.54

%

$

5,506,492

$

157,984

2.87

%

Money market deposits

3,762,100

118,188

3.14

3,061,461

106,026

3.46

Savings deposits

1,278,138

9,962

0.78

1,463,707

14,587

1.00

Certificates and other time deposits

2,016,857

74,184

3.68

2,413,900

107,530

4.45

Total Interest-Bearing Deposits

12,637,687

344,279

2.72

12,445,560

386,127

3.10

Borrowings

1,138,760

44,500

3.91

1,005,017

40,765

4.06

Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities

13,776,447

388,779

2.82

13,450,577

426,892

3.17

Noninterest-bearing deposits

2,178,427

2,371,004

Other liabilities

303,578

326,423

Total Liabilities

16,258,452

16,148,004

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

2,375,500

2,252,491

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

$

18,633,952

$

18,400,495

Net Interest Income (FTE)

$

560,733

$

544,440

Net Interest Spread (FTE)(4)

2.68

%

2.52

%

Net Interest Margin (FTE):

Interest Income (FTE) / Average Earning Assets

5.50

%

5.69

%

Interest Expense / Average Earning Assets

2.25

%

2.50

%

Net Interest Margin (FTE)(5)

3.25

%

3.19

%

(1)Average balance of securities is computed based on the average of the historical amortized cost balances without the effects of the fair value adjustments. Annualized amounts are computed using a 30/360 day basis.

(2)Tax-exempt securities and loans are presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis, using a marginal tax rate of 21 percent for 2025 and 2024. These totals equal $24.7 million and $23.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

(3)Non accruing loans have been included in the average balances.

(4)Net Interest Spread (FTE) is interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets minus interest expense expressed as a percentage of average interest-bearing liabilities.

(5)Net Interest Margin (FTE) is interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets minus interest expense expressed as a percentage of average earning assets.

ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - NON-GAAP

(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

Three Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

2025

2025

2025

2025

2024

2025

2024

Net Income Available to Common Stockholders - GAAP

$

56,596

$

56,297

$

56,363

$

54,870

$

63,880

$

224,126

$

199,527

Adjustments:

Net realized losses on sales of available for sale securities

—

—

1

7

11,592

8

20,757

Gain on branch sale

—

—

—

—

(19,983

)

—

(19,983

)

Acquisition-related expenses

524

276

—

—

—

800

—

Non-core expenses(1)(2)(3)(4)

(743

)

633

—

—

762

(110

)

4,243

Tax on adjustments

53

(220

)

—

(2

)

1,851

(169

)

(1,229

)

Adjusted Net Income Available to Common Stockholders - Non-GAAP

$

56,430

$

56,986

$

56,364

$

54,875

$

58,102

$

224,655

$

203,315

Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding (in thousands)

57,442

57,448

57,773

58,242

58,247

57,726

58,533

Diluted Earnings Per Common Share - GAAP

$

0.99

$

0.98

$

0.98

$

0.94

$

1.10

$

3.88

$

3.41

Adjustments:

Net realized losses on sales of available for sale securities

—

—

—

—

0.20

—

0.35

Gain on branch sale

—

—

—

—

(0.34

)

—

(0.34

)

Acquisition-related expenses

—

—

—

—

—

0.01

—

Non-core expenses(1)(2)(3)(4)

(0.01

)

0.01

—

—

0.01

—

0.07

Tax on adjustments

—

—

—

—

0.03

—

(0.02

)

Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Common Share - Non-GAAP

$

0.98

$

0.99

$

0.98

$

0.94

$

1.00

$

3.89

$

3.47

(1) Non-core expenses in the Three Months Ended December 31, 2025 included a $0.7 million reduction in the FDIC special assessment
(2) Non-core expenses in the Three Months Ended September 30, 2025 included $0.6 million of severance costs
(3) Non-core expenses in the Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 included $0.8 million of costs directly related to the branch sale
(4) Non-core expenses in the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024 included $2.4 million from duplicative online banking conversion costs, $1.1 million from the FDIC special assessment, and $0.8 million of costs directly related to the branch sale

NET INTEREST MARGIN (FTE) - NON-GAAP

(Dollars in Thousands)

Three Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

2025

2025

2025

2025

2024

2025

2024

Net Interest Income (GAAP)

$

139,064

$

133,665

$

133,014

$

130,270

$

134,370

$

536,013

$

521,114

Fully Taxable Equivalent ("FTE") Adjustment

6,185

6,209

6,199

6,127

5,788

24,720

23,326

Net Interest Income (FTE) (Non-GAAP)

$

145,249

$

139,874

$

139,213

$

136,397

$

140,158

$

560,733

$

544,440

Average Earning Assets (GAAP)

$

17,648,233

$

17,282,901

$

17,158,984

$

16,960,475

$

17,089,198

$

17,264,588

$

17,054,267

Net Interest Margin (GAAP)

3.15

%

3.09

%

3.10

%

3.07

%

3.15

%

3.10

%

3.06

%

FTE Adjustment

0.14

%

0.15

%

0.15

%

0.15

%

0.13

%

0.15

%

0.13

%

Net Interest Margin (FTE) (Non-GAAP)

3.29

%

3.24

%

3.25

%

3.22

%

3.28

%

3.25

%

3.19

%

RETURN ON TANGIBLE COMMON EQUITY - NON-GAAP

(Dollars In Thousands)

Three Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

2025

2025

2025

2025

2024

2025

2024

Total Average Stockholders' Equity (GAAP)

$

2,452,005

$

2,367,971

$

2,340,010

$

2,340,874

$

2,312,270

$

2,375,500

$

2,252,491

Less: Average Preferred Stock

(25,125

)

(25,125

)

(25,125

)

(25,125

)

(25,125

)

(25,125

)

(25,125

)

Less: Average Intangible Assets, Net of Tax

(723,466

)

(724,619

)

(725,813

)

(726,917

)

(728,218

)

(725,193

)

(730,295

)

Average Tangible Common Equity, Net of Tax (Non-GAAP)

$

1,703,414

$

1,618,227

$

1,589,072

$

1,588,832

$

1,558,927

$

1,625,182

$

1,497,071

Net Income Available to Common Stockholders (GAAP)

$

56,596

$

56,297

$

56,363

$

54,870

$

63,880

$

224,126

$

199,527

Plus: Intangible Asset Amortization, Net of Tax

1,183

1,185

1,188

1,206

1,399

4,762

5,744

Tangible Net Income (Non-GAAP)

$

57,779

$

57,482

$

57,551

$

56,076

$

65,279

$

228,888

$

205,271

Return on Tangible Common Equity (Non-GAAP)

13.57

%

14.21

%

14.49

%

14.12

%

16.75

%

14.08

%

13.71

%

EFFICIENCY RATIO - NON-GAAP

(Dollars In Thousands)

Three Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

2025

2025

2025

2025

2024

2025

2024

Noninterest Expense (GAAP)

$

99,522

$

96,561

$

93,598

$

92,902

$

96,289

$

382,583

$

379,266

Less: Intangible Asset Amortization

(1,498

)

(1,499

)

(1,505

)

(1,526

)

(1,771

)

(6,028

)

(7,271

)

Less: OREO and Foreclosure Expenses

(775

)

(121

)

(29

)

(600

)

(227

)

(1,525

)

(2,076

)

Adjusted Noninterest Expense (Non-GAAP)

$

97,249

$

94,941

$

92,064

$

90,776

$

94,291

$

375,030

$

369,919

Net Interest Income (GAAP)

$

139,064

$

133,665

$

133,014

$

130,270

$

134,370

$

536,013

$

521,114

Plus: Fully Taxable Equivalent Adjustment

6,185

6,209

6,199

6,127

5,788

24,720

23,326

Net Interest Income on a Fully Taxable Equivalent Basis (Non-GAAP)

$

145,249

$

139,874

$

139,213

$

136,397

$

140,158

$

560,733

$

544,440

Noninterest Income (GAAP)

$

33,106

$

32,477

$

31,303

$

30,048

$

42,742

$

126,934

$

125,580

Less: Investment Securities (Gains) Losses

—

—

1

7

11,592

8

20,757

Adjusted Noninterest Income (Non-GAAP)

$

33,106

$

32,477

$

31,304

$

30,055

$

54,334

$

126,942

$

146,337

Adjusted Revenue (Non-GAAP)

$

178,355

$

172,351

$

170,517

$

166,452

$

194,492

$

687,675

$

690,777

Efficiency Ratio (Non-GAAP)

54.52

%

55.09

%

53.99

%

54.54

%

48.48

%

54.54

%

53.55

%

Adjusted Noninterest Expense (Non-GAAP)

$

97,249

$

94,941

$

92,064

$

90,776

$

94,291

$

375,030

$

369,919

Less: Acquisition-related Expenses

(524

)

(276

)

—

—

—

(800

)

—

Less: Non-core Expenses(1)(2)(3)(4)

743

(633

)

—

—

(762

)

110

(4,243

)

Adjusted Noninterest Expense Excluding Non-core Expenses (Non-GAAP)

$

97,468

$

94,032

$

92,064

$

90,776

$

93,529

$

374,340

$

365,676

Adjusted Revenue (Non-GAAP)

$

178,355

$

172,351

$

170,517

$

166,452

$

194,492

$

687,675

$

690,777

Less: Gain on Branch Sale

—

—

—

—

(19,983

)

—

(19,983

)

Adjusted Revenue Excluding Gain on Branch Sale (Non-GAAP)

$

178,355

$

172,351

$

170,517

$

166,452

$

174,509

$

687,675

$

670,794

Adjusted Efficiency Ratio (Non-GAAP)

54.65

%

54.56

%

53.99

%

54.54

%

53.60

%

54.44

%

54.51

%

(1) Non-core expenses in the Three Months Ended December 31, 2025 included a $0.7 million reduction in the FDIC special assessment
(2) Non-core expenses in the Three Months Ended September 30, 2025 included $0.6 million of severance costs
(3) Non-core expenses in the Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 included $0.8 million of costs directly related to the branch sale
(4) Non-core expenses in the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024 included $2.4 million from duplicative online banking conversion costs, $1.1 million from the FDIC special assessment, and $0.8 million of costs directly related to the branch sale

For more information, contact:
Nicole M. Weaver, First Vice President and Director of Corporate Administration
765-521-7619
http://www.firstmerchants.com