Community Impact

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Community Impact

We don't wait for solutions. Working together, we create them.

First Merchants was founded to ensure our friends and neighbors had a trusted place for their money. After more than 125 years, we’re still committed to enhancing the ﬁnancial well-being of the communities we serve.

First Merchants continues to invest in our Community pillars:

Community Investment

We offer an environment where customers bank with their neighbors, realizing that our business is people. We work alongside our community partners to develop programs and services that meet, and exceed, the needs of our communities.

In partnership with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), First Merchants is making a historic $1.4 billion investment in our communities.

Learn more about our new Community Benefits Agreement
Read our press release

Volunteerism

Each day our employees dedicate themselves to their communities and offer superior service to our clients. In 2019, associates volunteered 20,276 hours for a total of more than $515,000. With time and effort, we can help our communities thrive.

Philanthropy

Our goal is to promote the welfare of others through donations to good causes, ultimately strengthening communities. We’re devoted to investing in grants and sponsorships built to support our neighborhoods and those who bank with us.

Financial Wellness

We’re committed to empowering individuals to make informed ﬁnancial decisions. Our ﬁnancial literacy seminars and classes give our communities tools to better their ﬁnancial health.

Quality of Place

Improving the quality of life for individuals and families in our communities is important. That’s why we contribute time and invest in various programs and activities that support our neighbors.

In communities big and small in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, and now Michigan, First Merchants gives individuals and business owners the ﬁnancial tools they need to grow and thrive. We are here to help you. Your success is First Merchants’ success. While what we offer may be products and transactions, and while these traditional banking products certainly assist each community, our mission goes beyond the transactional.

In each of our regions, we give our time and finances in efforts to reinvest in our neighborhoods and improve financial outcomes. Just like when we started in 1893, we don’t wait for solutions. Working together, we create them.