Opens doors with over $25M in Community Impact

Fitzgerald, Detroit – First Merchants Bank is proud to announce the opening of its new banking center in the Fitzgerald neighborhood, a significant step towards enhancing financial wellness and fostering community development. This new facility is thoughtfully designed to offer a welcoming environment where our attentive bankers can deliver personalized financial services and meaningful support to the diverse communities served by First Merchants

Detroit dignitaries, including Deputy Mayor Melia Howard, Councilwoman Angela Calloway, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) CEO Kevin Johnson, business leaders, and elected officials, gathered for a grand opening ceremony for this community-rooted event.

The Vision

First Merchants’ vision is to enhance the financial wellness of the diverse communities it serves. Building savings, buying a home, and investing in the future can empower individuals, families, and entire communities. First Merchants hopes this branch will bring financial inclusion to the Fitzgerald neighborhood and surrounding communities. Simply put, everyone deserves the opportunity to prosper.

The Fitzgerald Branch is part of First Merchants Bank, which has invested over $25,000,000 in Detroit. These dollars have been utilized as community development loans, down payment assistance, and community impact contributions to organizations such as the Myers Senior Limited & McKinley Development, Detroit Leadership Academy, Mike’s Fresh Market, and Marygrove Conservancy.

“We appreciated partnerships with organizations like NCRC’s Detroit Coalition, the Strategic Neighborhood Fund, and Strategic Community Partners on the front end to help us determine where a banking center is needed and how it can impact the community,” says Scott McKee, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility. “Since our groundbreaking in 2024, we have faithfully walked with our neighbors, engaging with residents and small businesses to listen and connect. We aim to serve, building strong, trusted relationships between our company and our communities.”

The First Merchants team created a Community Advisory Board to offer strategic and community-driven expertise on decisions relating to contributions and investments to the Detroit community. The Board is made up of Turkessa Baldridge from Marygrove Conservancy, Dr. Sonja L. Beasley-Hall at Wellspring Detroit, and La’Shonta Smith at Brilliant Detroit.

Impact of the New Branch

The new branch aligns with the Strategic Neighborhood Fund's (SNF) goals and can have a range of positive effects within the neighborhood. SNF is a collaborative initiative in Detroit that focuses on revitalizing specific neighborhoods. It's a partnership between the city of Detroit, Invest Detroit, and various philanthropic and corporate funders. The SNF aims to create dense, safe, mixed-income neighborhoods with increased economic opportunities and an improved quality of life for residents. Impacts include:

• Increased Access to Financial Services: Providing residents and small businesses with crucial financial services, including checking and savings accounts, and lending services.
• Economic Development: Acting as a catalyst for economic development by providing capital and financial resources.
• Increased Investment: Signaling that the area is becoming more attractive to investors, leading to increased property values and further development.
• Neighborhood Revitalization: Enhancing the physical appearance of the neighborhood and contributing to a sense of pride.
• Community Development: Participating in community development activities, sponsoring local events, providing financial literacy programs, and supporting affordable housing initiatives.

Remarks at the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting were given by:

• Mark Hardwick, First Merchants Bank, CEO
• Kevin Johnson, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, CEO
• Deputy Mayor Melia Howard, City of Detroit
• Councilwoman Angela Calloway, City of Detroit
• Artina Packnett, First Merchants Bank, Banking Center Manager

The event culminated with an additional community investment and check presentation of $77,500 to five impactful Detroit organizations:

• Live6
• McNichols Business Association
• Brilliant Detroit
• Detroit Boys Mentoring Club
• Higginbotham Community Fund

Additional information can be found at: www.firstmerchants.com/fitzgerald.

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About First Merchants Corporation
With $18.4 billion in assets¹, First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ: FRME) is a registered bank holding company offering a full line of commercial and consumer banking services and wealth management services through First Merchants Bank and First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. With more than 130 years of enhancing the financial wellness of the diverse communities it serves, First Merchants makes meaningful contributions through Employee Empowerment, Philanthropy and Charitable Giving, Financial Wellness, Community Home and Business Lending, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The company has been honored for its attentive and knowledgeable service and culture by Forbes, Newsweek, American Banker, Comparably, and S&P Global Intelligence “Best Banks” awards. First Merchants Bank attributes this recognition to a mission-driven team that is passionate about “helping you prosper” through attentiveness as its genuine and unique approach to customer service. To see how First Merchants Bank is making a difference, go to: (www.firstmerchants.com).

¹As of March 31, 2025.