First Merchants Names Company Veteran Jeff Parsons as New Muncie Market President

Jeff ParsonsJeff Parsons

By First Merchants—

Muncie, IN– First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) has announced Jeff Parsons as its new president for the company’s Muncie market. Parsons will oversee all market operations and build upon the company’s recent growth and success in the city it has called home for more than 125 years.

Parsons joined First Merchants Bank in 1989 and has served in various operational and customer relationship roles. He currently leads a team of commercial banking professionals focused on providing financial solutions and advice to First Merchants clients. Parsons will continue in this role in addition to serving as Market President.

“I am confident Jeff will continue to reinforce First Merchants’ identity as a market leader in Muncie and Delaware County, with client and community service as top priorities,” said First Merchants President Mike Stewart. “Jeff’s history and personal investment in the market provides established connectivity to many of our longtime partners, delivering familiarity and important continuity.”

Parsons is a graduate of Ball State University as well as the ABA Graduate School of Banking. He is active in the local community, serving on numerous non-profit boards including Youth Opportunity Center and Youth Opportunity Center Foundation, Muncie Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, Secret Families, Inc., Inside Out Community Development Corporation and Ball State University Entrepreneurship Program. Parsons and his wife, Jenni are active members of Union Chapel Ministries and have three children.

“The First Merchants legacy continues to develop in partnership with the City of Muncie,” said Parsons. “I see new opportunities for growth as the city and local leaders continue their commitment to developing a sustainable community. The same can be said for First Merchants, and I am excited to continue our leadership role in this market.”

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 website (www.firstmerchants.com). FIRST MERCHANTS and the Shield Logo are federally registered trademarks of First Merchants Corporation.