Scroll To Top

Level One Bank

  • Home
  • Level One Bank

Level One Bank Is Now First Merchants Bank

Welcome to First Merchants Bank! Effective April 1, 2022, Level One and First Merchants legally merged. We would like to extend a warm welcome to Level One customers as they join our extended banking community.

Below, you will find important information on the merger, including the official press release, a welcome letter from First Merchants CEO Mark Hardwick, and detailed FAQs covering everything you need to know about the transition.

If you have any questions please call us at 1.800.205.3464 or visit any of our banking centers.


IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT:

Weekend of August 26-29

Your account number(s) will not change when it transitions to First Merchants. You do not need to order new checks.

Your new First Merchants Debit and Health Savings Account Cards were mailed the week of August 8. Continue to use your Level One Bank cards through Sunday, August 28. Beginning Monday, August 29 you may activate and use your new First Merchants cards. Do not cut up your Level One Bank card until after you activate your First Merchants Debit card on Monday, August 29. If you haven’t received your First Merchants card by Monday, August 22, please contact Customer Service at 1.800.205.3464

Level One Bank Online Banking users may begin logging into the First Merchants system on Monday, August 29. Please watch your email for more details on logging in to the First Merchants system.

Level One Bank Mobile users will need to log in to First Merchants’ Online Banking System to activate First Merchants Mobile Banking on Monday, August 29.

Level One Bank Bill Pay users will need to re-enroll for E-bills on Tuesday, September 6.


Important Information Packet



Friday, August 26

Level One Bank Bill Pay will no longer be available beginning at 9 a.m.

  • Make a note of any payment reminders, payment memos, and payee notes, as these will not transition to First Merchants Bill Pay.

Level One Bank Online Banking, Mobile Banking and Telephone Banking will become unavailable at 7:00 p.m. EST.

  • Don’t forget to save or print any statements you may need for future reference.
  • Download all transaction history as a CSV or Quicken/ QuickbooksTM file if needed.
  • Don’t forget to uninstall the Level One Bank mobile app from your mobile device.

A final Level One Bank statement will be printed and mailed, including transactions and interest paid through Friday, August 26.

Payees and payments will be transitioned to First Merchants Bill Pay and processed as scheduled.

Bill Pay history will transition and be available on September 2.


Saturday & Sunday, August 27-28

All Level One Bank locations, including Customer Service, will be closed.

Continue to use Level One Bank Debit Cards for purchases and cash withdrawals through Sunday, August 28.


Monday, August 29

Online, Mobile & Telephone Banking

Debit Cards

Activate and begin using your First Merchants Debit Card by following the instructions included with your new card.

Cut up your Level One Bank Debit Card.

Update any automatic or recurring charges you were paying with your Level One Bank Debit Card with your new First Merchants card number.

FAQs

Will I receive a new First Merchants debit card?

  • Yes, your card will be reissued. Please contact Customer Service 800.205.3464 if you have not received your new debit card by August 22nd.


Will my credit card login information change?

  • No, your login information will remain the same. You can access the credit card portal through the “sign in to online services” menu at firstmerchants.com. Choose Personal Credit Card to be directed to the appropriate login page.


Can I still make payments from my First Merchants checking account in the banking center?

  • Yes, you will still be able to make payments at the banking center.


Will my current Level One credit card still work?

  • Yes, continue to use your current Level One branded card until later this year.


How do I register for DMI mortgage payments online?

  • If your mortgage was previously serviced by Midwest Loan services, you should have received an informational packet in the mail from our sub-servicing partner, Dovenmuehle Mortgage Inc. (DMI). This information contains new instructions for making payments online with DMI or through the mail beginning August 1, 2022.

    To register for online mortgage payments with DMI:

    Register Online Payments with DMI

    For additional information about making mortgage payments:

    Learn More about Mortgage Payments


Why is First Merchants expanding in southern Michigan?

  • First Merchants already operates several banking centers in southern Michigan, and, through the merger with Level One Bank, will expand its footprint farther into this area. Together, our companies can offer a wider array of services, better access, and improved banking experience to the region. Both First Merchants and Level One leaders are confident that our planned partnership will benefit our customers, communities, and teammates. And we think that’s something worth talking about. 

Do I need to update direct deposits and automatic payments to avoid disruption?

  • No. You do not need to make any changes to your direct deposits or automatic payments, and there should be no disruption in these services.

Does First Merchants Bank operate under any other affiliate names?
Will Level One Bank signage change?

  • Yes. You will see Level One signage transition to First Merchants signage beginning in late summer 2022.

Is First Merchants Bank a ‘big bank?’

  • First Merchants Bank may be larger than Level One Bank, but it is not a “big bank.” The four largest banks in the U.S. have asset sizes ranging from $1.6 to $3.3 trillion, and the largest 100 banks in the U.S. have assets averaging $193 billion.

    In comparison, the combined assets of First Merchants and Level One only totals $17.6 billion, making your average Top 100 bank 10 times our size.

    So, while we’re not a big bank, we’re not small, either – in fact, we’re unique. First Merchants is large enough to offer the at-your-fingertips services you may expect from a larger bank while embodying the friendly, trusted nature a small community bank. That’s because we are a community bank.

    We emphasize building trusted relationships with our patrons, greeting our clients by name, and improving the financial wellbeing of our diverse communities. Whether you’re looking for a top-rated mobile banking app, enhanced commercial lending limits, access to comprehensive wealth management and private banking, or for a bank that prioritizes initiatives supporting under-invested communities and local causes, we’re the bank for you. That’s because, at First Merchants, we’re committed to making banking accessible for every member of the communities we serve through our service philosophy, “Helping you prosper.”

    We’re not too small, we’re not too large: we’re just right to deliver needed services in a personal, individually tailored way.

If I have deposit accounts at Level One Bank and First Merchants Bank with combined totals more than the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000, what is the FDIC insurance impact?

  • If you have deposit accounts at both banks, the FDIC will insure your funds for six months after the legal merger date – in this case, six months after April 1, 2022. This is to provide you time to restructure your accounts if necessary.

    Should you need further assistance, First Merchants also operates under the trade name First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors. We would be happy to assist you through this process and help you find the right solution for your hard-won earnings.

    If you have questions about your deposit insurance, please feel free to visit any Level One Bank location or call the FDIC directly at 1-877-ASK-FDIC.

When can I begin to use First Merchants Bank locations, products and services?

  • We will communicate the exact dates in the coming months; however, you can look forward to having access to First Merchants banking centers in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, including 16 in southeast Michigan, along with expanded product and service offerings, leading mobile apps and extended commercial lending limits later this summer.

Should I continue to use my Level One Bank checks, online banking, telephone banking, bill payment and debit/ATM cards?

  • Yes, for now! Level One Bank will go through a system conversion later this year. We will communicate further information and instructions to you ahead of time in preparation for this system conversion. Please watch your mailbox and inbox closely throughout the summer for more information and instructions.

How can I get the most current information about changes that may impact me?

  • We will contact clients directly as we identify changes which could impact individual accounts or access – so keep an eye on your mailbox and inbox!

    We will also post important information and answers to frequently asked questions on our website at firstmerchants.com/level-one-bank.

    Our goal is to make this process a seamless one, and to ensure that your banking experience remains as easy and worry-free as it is today. We look forward to working with you as we continue to build a strong financial future, together. 

Will my account numbers change?

  • No.  Be assured that unless you are contacted directly, your account number will remain the same and you will continue to access your account as you do today.

Should I continue to make loan payments to Level One Bank?

  • Yes. Your loan payment process will not change at this time. Please continue to make loan payments in the same manner as you do today.