FORM 10-Q

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

          [x] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE

                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2002

                                       OR
         [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE

                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

               For the Transition Period from _______ to _______

                         Commission File Number 0-17071

                           First Merchants Corporation

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           Indiana                                               35-1544218

(State or other jurisdiction of                               (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                               Identification No.)

   200 East Jackson Street
         Muncie, IN                                                47305-2814

(Address of principal executive office)                            (Zip code)

                                 (765) 747-1500

              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                 Not Applicable

               (Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
                         if changed since last report)



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed  by  Section  13 or 15 (d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter  period that the  registrant
was  required  to file such  reports),  and (2) has been  subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined
in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes [x] No [ ]

As of October 31, 2002, there were 16,309,848 outstanding common shares,
without par value, of the registrant.




                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q

                                      INDEX

                                                                        Page No.
PART I.  Financial information:

 Item 1.          Financial Statements:

                  Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets........................3

                  Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income..................4

                  Consolidated Condensed Statements of
                  Comprehensive Income.........................................5

                  Consolidated Condensed Statements of
                  Stockholders' Equity.........................................5

                  Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows..............6

                  Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.........8

 Item 2.          Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                  Condition and Results of Operations.........................16

 Item 3.          Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
                  Market Risk.................................................26

 Item 4.          Disclosure Controls and Procedures..........................26

PART II. Other Information:

 Item 1.          Legal Proceedings...........................................27

 Item 2.          Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds...................27

 Item 3.          Defaults Upon Senior Securities.............................27

 Item 4.          Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.........27

 Item 5.          Other Information...........................................27

 Item 6.          Exhibits and Reports of Form 8-K............................28

 Signatures...................................................................30

 Certifications Pursuant to Section 302 of
   The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.............................................31

 Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
   as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of
   The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.............................................33

 Exhibit Index................................................................34

                                                                          Page 2




                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q
                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                          Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                      CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                                                  September 30,       December 31,
                                                                                      2002                2001
                                                                                   ----------         -----------
                                                                                  (Unaudited)
                                                                                                 
   ASSETS:
     Cash and due from banks....................................................   $   73,223         $    68,743
     Federal funds sold.........................................................        8,750              34,285
                                                                                   -----------        -----------
       Cash and cash equivalents................................................       81,973             103,028
     Interest-bearing deposits..................................................       10,222               3,871
     Investment securities available for sale...................................      335,968             231,668
     Investment Securities held to maturity.....................................        9,484               8,654
     Mortgage loans held for sale...............................................       14,089                 307
     Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $22,147 and $15,141.............    1,971,891           1,344,445
     Premises and equipment.....................................................       39,179              27,684
     Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock...........................       11,097               8,350
     Interest receivable........................................................       18,622              12,024
     Goodwill...................................................................       86,424              26,081
     Core deposit intangibles...................................................       20,329               6,096
     Cash surrender value of life insurance.....................................       14,143               6,470
     Other assets...............................................................       16,065               8,357
                                                                                   -----------        -----------
         Total assets...........................................................   $2,629,486         $ 1,787,035
                                                                                   ===========        ===========
   LIABILITIES:
     Deposits:
       Noninterest-bearing......................................................   $  246,410         $   186,987
       Interest-bearing.........................................................    1,773,325           1,234,264
                                                                                   -----------        -----------
         Total deposits.........................................................    2,019,735           1,421,251
     Borrowings.................................................................      328,933             174,404
     Interest payable...........................................................        6,813               5,488
     Other liabilities..........................................................       14,132               6,764
                                                                                   -----------        -----------
         Total liabilities......................................................    2,369,613           1,607,907

   STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
     Perferred stock, no-par value:
       Authorized and unissued-500,000 shares...................................
     Common Stock, $.125 stated value:
       Authorized --- 50,000,000 shares.........................................
       Issued and outstanding - 16,309,442 and 13,303,822 shares................        2,039               1,663
     Additional paid-in capital.................................................      116,204              50,563
     Retained earnings..........................................................      135,266             124,304
     Accumulated other comprehensive income ....................................        6,364               2,598
                                                                                   -----------        -----------
         Total stockholders' equity.............................................      259,873             179,128
                                                                                   -----------        -----------
         Total liabilities and stockholders' equity.............................   $2,629,486         $ 1,787,035
                                                                                   ===========        ===========
   See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

                                                                          Page 3





                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q
                   CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                   (Unaudited)

                                                                                       Three Months Ended        Nine Months Ended
                                                                                          September 30             September 30
                                                                                       -------------------      -------------------
                                                                                        2002        2001          2002       2001
                                                                                       -------     -------       -------    -------
                                                                                                                
Interest Income:
  Loans receivable
    Taxable.....................................................................       $35,362     $27,152       $94,504    $77,322
    Tax exempt..................................................................           169         106           403        310
  Investment securities
    Taxable.....................................................................         2,442       3,027         6,986      9,343
    Tax exempt..................................................................         1,793       1,032         4,450      3,083
  Federal funds sold............................................................           123         109           388        404
  Deposits with financial institutions..........................................            53          12           159         32
  Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock..............................           206         120           527        419
                                                                                       -------     -------       -------    -------
      Total interest income.....................................................        40,148      31,558       107,417     90,913
                                                                                       -------     -------       -------    -------
Interest expense:
  Deposits......................................................................        10,696      11,670        29,766     35,817
  Borrowings....................................................................         4,124       2,626         9,863      7,874
                                                                                       -------     -------       -------    -------
      Total interest expense....................................................        14,820      14,296        39,629     43,691
                                                                                       -------     -------       -------    -------
Net Interest Income.............................................................        25,328      17,262        67,788     47,222
Provision for loan losses.......................................................         1,821       1,023         4,297      2,371
                                                                                       -------     -------       -------    -------
Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses.............................        23,507      16,239        63,491     44,851
                                                                                       -------     -------       -------    -------

Other Income:
    Net realized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities................           162        (167)          570       (167)
    Other Income................................................................         7,484       4,798        19,291     13,809
                                                                                       -------     -------       -------    -------
Total other income..............................................................         7,646       4,631        19,861     13,642
Total other expenses............................................................        19,187      11,980        51,129     32,959
                                                                                       -------     -------       -------    -------
Income before income tax........................................................        11,966       8,890        32,223     25,534
Income tax expense..............................................................         4,139       2,870        10,983      8,834
                                                                                       -------     -------       -------    -------
Net Income......................................................................       $ 7,827     $ 6,020       $21,240    $16,700
                                                                                       =======     =======       =======    =======

Per share:

    Basic Net Income(1).........................................................           .49         .45         1.39       1.29
    Diluted Net Income(1).......................................................           .48         .44         1.37       1.28
    Cash Dividends Paid.........................................................           .23         .23          .69        .69

(1) Prior period per share amounts have been restated for the 5% stock
dividend paid in September, 2002.

See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.


                                                                          Page 4






                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q
            CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
                             (Dollars in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)

                                                                                   Three Months Ended           Nine Months Ended
                                                                                      September 30                 September 30
                                                                                 ----------------------       ----------------------
                                                                                    2002         2001            2002         2001
                                                                                 ---------    ---------       ---------    ---------
                                                                                                               
Net Income...................................................................... $  7,827     $  6,020        $ 21,240     $ 16,700

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
  Unrealized gains on securities available for sale:
    Unrealized holding gains arising during the period, net of income
      tax expense of $1,563, $1,219, $2,739, and $2,448.........................    2,345        1,827           4,109        3,670
    Less:  Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net
      income, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $(65), $66, $(228) and $66.       97         (101)            342         (101)
                                                                                 ---------    ---------       ---------    ---------
                                                                                    2,248        1,928           3,767        3,771
                                                                                 ---------    ---------       ---------    ---------
Comprehensive income............................................................ $ 10,075     $  7,948        $ 25,007     $ 20,471
                                                                                 =========    =========       =========    =========






                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q
            CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                             (Dollars in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)


                                                                      2002         2001
                                                                   ---------    ---------
                                                                          
Balances, January 1 ............................................   $ 179,128    $ 156,063

Net income .....................................................      21,240       16,700

Cash dividends .................................................     (10,243)      (8,233)

Other comprehensive income, net of tax..........................       3,767        3,771

Stock issued under employee benefits plans......................         658          504

Stock issued under dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan         686          583

Stock options exercised ........................................         458          176

Stock Redeemed .................................................      (4,333)      (6,580)

Issuance of stock in acquisitions...............................      68,547       14,601

Cash paid in lieu of fractional shares..........................         (35)
                                                                   ---------    ---------

Balances, September 30 .........................................   $ 259,873    $ 177,585
                                                                   =========    =========

   See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements

                                                                          Page 5





                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q
                 CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                             (Dollars in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)


                                                                                               Nine Months Ended
                                                                                                 September 30,
                                                                                      ------------------------------------
                                                                                            2002                2001
                                                                                      ----------------    ----------------
                                                                                                    
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
  Net income........................................................................  $        21,240     $        16,700
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
    Provision for loan losses.......................................................            4,297               2,371
    Depreciation and amortization...................................................            4,969               3,430
    Securities amortization,  net...................................................              259                (127)
    Securities losses (gains), net..................................................             (570)                167
    Gains on sale of premises and equipment.........................................                                  (70)
    Mortgage loans originated for sale..............................................          (78,607)            (14,285)
    Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans...........................................           72,384              13,455
    Change in interest receivable...................................................             (513)                982
    Change in interest payable......................................................             (524)               (622)
    Other adjustments   ............................................................           (6,346)               (981)
                                                                                      ----------------    ----------------
      Net cash provided by operating activities.....................................  $        16,589     $        21,020
                                                                                      ----------------    ----------------


Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
  Net change in interest-bearing deposits...........................................            4,075              (2,236)
  Purchases of
    Securities available for sale...................................................         (105,594)            (15,933)
  Proceeds from maturities of
    Securities available for sale...................................................           91,640              82,347
    Securities held to maturity.....................................................            2,935               3,295
  Proceeds from sales of
    Securities available for sale...................................................           16,908                 770
  Net change in loans...............................................................          (87,704)            (51,465)
  Purchase of FHLB stock............................................................             (403)                (98)
  Purchases of premises and equipment...............................................           (4,179)             (1,256)
  Proceeds from sale of fixed assets................................................                                  162
  Net cash received (paid) in acquisitions..........................................          (12,532)              5,261
                                                                                      ----------------    ----------------
    Net cash provided (used) by investing activities................................          (94,854)             20,847
                                                                                      ----------------    ----------------




(continued)
                                                                          Page 6




                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q
                 CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                          (Dollars in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)


                                                                                         Nine Months Ended
                                                                                           September 30,
                                                                                -----------------------------------
                                                                                      2002                2001
                                                                                ----------------    ---------------
                                                                                              
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
  Net change in
    Demand and savings deposits...........................................      $        (27,333)   $        (21,959)
    Certificates of deposit and other time deposits.......................                18,536             (28,021)
    Borrowings............................................................                78,816              18,874
  Cash dividends..........................................................               (10,243)             (8,233)
  Stock issued under employee benefit plans...............................                   658                 504
  Stock issued under dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan........                   686                 583
  Stock options exercised.................................................                   458                 176
  Stock repurchased.......................................................                (4,333)             (6,580)
  Cash paid in lieu of fractional shares..................................                   (35)
                                                                                ----------------    ----------------
   Net cash provided (used) by financing activities......................                57,210             (44,656)
                                                                                ----------------    ----------------
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents...................................               (21,055)             (2,789)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, January 1......................................               103,028              67,463
                                                                                ----------------    ----------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents, September 30...................................      $         81,973    $         64,674
                                                                                ================    ================


See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
                                                                          Page 7

                          FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q
              NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                          (Table dollars in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)

NOTE 1.  General

The significant  accounting  policies  followed by First  Merchants  Corporation
("Corporation")   and  its  wholly  owned  subsidiaries  for  interim  financial
reporting  are  consistent  with the  accounting  policies  followed  for annual
financial  reporting,  except for the change in method of accounting or adoption
of accounting  pronouncements  discussed  more fully in Note 2. All  adjustments
which are of a normal, recurring  nature and are in the  opinion  of  management
necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods reported have been
included in the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements.

The consolidated  condensed  balance sheet of the Corporation as of December 31,
2001 has  been  derived  from the  audited  consolidated  balance  sheet of the
Corporation as of that date. Certain  information and note disclosures  normally
included in the Corporation's annual financial statements prepared in accordance
with accounting  principles  generally  accepted in the United States of America
have  been  condensed  or  omitted.   These  consolidated   condensed  financial
statements  should  be read  in  conjunction  with  the  consolidated  financial
statements  and notes  thereto  included in the  Corporation's  Form 10-K annual
report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The results of operations for the period are not  necessarily  indicative of the
results to be expected for the year.

NOTE 2.  Accounting Matters

ACCOUNTING FOR A BUSINESS COMBINATION

     Statement  of  Financial  Accounting Standards  ("SFAS") No. 141 requires
that most all business  combinations  should be accounted for using the purchase
method of accounting; use of the pooling method is prohibited.

     This Statement requires that goodwill be initially recognized as an asset
in the financial statement and measured as the excess of the cost of an acquired
entity over the net of the amounts assigned to identifiable  assets acquired and
liabilities  assumed. In addition,  SFAS No. 141 requires all other intangibles,
such as core deposit intangibles for a financial institution, to be identified.

     The  provisions of Statement No. 141 were effective for any business
combination that was initiated after June 30, 2001.

ACCOUNTING FOR GOODWILL

     Under the provisions of SFAS No. 142,  goodwill should not be  amortized
but should be tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. Impairment test
of goodwill  should be done on an annual  basis unless  events or  circumstances
indicate  impairment has occurred in the interim period.  The annual  impairment
test can be  performed  at any time  during the year as long as the  measurement
date is used consistently from year to year.

     Impairment testing is a two step process, as outlined within the statement.
If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than its carrying value,  then the
goodwill  is  deemed  impaired  and  a  loss  recognized.  Any  impairment  loss
recognized as a result of completing the transitional  impairment test should be
treated as a change in accounting  principle and recognized in the first interim
period financial statements.

     The Corporation  adopted  these  new  accounting  rules on January 1, 2002.
As a result, the Corporation will not amortize the goodwill it has recorded, but
will make an annual  assessment of any impairment in goodwill and, if necessary,
recognize  an  impairment  loss at that time.  The  Corporation  had goodwill of
$86,424,000 at September 30, 2002 and identified no impairment loss.

                                                                          Page 8

                          FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q
              NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                          (Table dollars in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)

NOTE 2.  Accounting Matters (continued)

ACQUISITIONS OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

     SFAS No. 147, "Acquisitions of Certain Financial Institutions" became
effective October 1, 2002. This standard requires any unidentifiable  intangible
assets  previously  recorded  as the  result  of a  business  combination  to be
reclassified as goodwill,  and the  amortization of this asset will cease.  This
standard  has no  immediate  impact on the  financial  position  and  results of
operations  of the  Corporation,  as the  Corporation  did not have any recorded
unidentified intangible assets or goodwill that had continued to be amortized.

NOTE 3.  Business Combinations

Effective  September 6, 2002,  the  Corporation  acquired  Stephenson  Insurance
Service, Inc. ("SIS"), which was merged into First Merchants Insurance Services,
Inc. , a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation. The Corporation issued
36,276 shares of its common stock at a cost of $27.47 per share to complete the
transaction.  This acquisition was deemed to be an immaterial acquisition.

On August 28, 2002,  the  Corporation  signed a definitive  agreement to acquire
CNBC Bancorp  ("CNBC"),  Columbus ,Ohio.  The  acquisition will be accounted for
under the purchase method of accounting.  Under the terms of the agreement,  the
Corporation  will  exchange  1.01 shares of the  Corporation's  common  stock or
$29.57 in cash for each of the outstanding shares of CNBC. However, no more than
$24,562,000  aggregate  cash  may  be  paid  in the  merger,  and  there  may be
allocations of stock to certain shareholders if this threshold is exceeded.  The
transaction  is subject to approval by  stockholders  of CNBC,  and  appropriate
regulatory  agencies.  The  Corporation  anticipates  amortizing  core  deposit
intangibles  over ten years.  As of December  31, 2001 CNBC had total assets and
shareholders' equity of $296,184,000 and $23,284,000 respectively.

On April 1, 2002,  the  Corporation  acquired 100% of the  outstanding  stock of
Lafayette  Bancorporation,  the  holding  company  of  Lafayette  Bank and Trust
Company, Lafayette,  Indiana ("Lafayette").  Lafayette is a state chartered bank
with branches located in central Indiana.  Lafayette  Bancorporation  was merged
into the Corporation, and Lafayette maintained its state charter as a subsidiary
of First Merchants Corporation.  The Corporation issued approximately  2,911,712
shares  of its  common  stock at a cost of $22.36  per  share and  approximately
$50,867,000 in cash to complete the transaction. As a result of the acquisition,
the  Corporation  will have an  opportunity  to increase its  customer  base and
continue to increase its market share.  The purchase had a recorded  acquisition
price  of  $115,978,000,  including  goodwill  of  $57,893,000  none of which is
deductible for tax purposes.  Additionally,  core deposit  intangibles  totaling
$15,458,000  were  recognized and will be amortized over 10 years using the 150%
declining balance method.

The combination  was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.  All
assets and  liabilities  were recorded at their fair values as of April 1, 2002.
The  purchase  accounting  adjustments  will be  amortized  over the life of the
respective asset or liability. Lafayette's results of operations are included in
the  Corporation's  consolidated  income statement  beginning April 1, 2002. The
following table  summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and
liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition.

        Investments.......................     $104,717
        Loans.............................      552,016
        Premises and equipment............       10,447
        Core deposit intangibles..........       15,458
        Goodwill..........................       57,893
        Other.............................       64,490
                                               --------
           Total assets acquired..........      805,021
                                               --------
        Deposits..........................      607,281
        Other.............................       81,762
                                               --------
           Total liabilities acquired.....      689,043
                                               --------
           Net assets acquired............     $115,978
                                               --------
                                                                          Page 9

                          FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q
              NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                          (Table dollars in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)

NOTE 3.  Business Combinations (continued)

The  following  proforma  disclosures,  including  the  effect  of the  purchase
accounting adjustments, depict the results of operations as though the Lafayette
merger had taken place at the beginning of each period.


                                                        Three Months Ended           Nine Months Ended
                                                           September 30,               September 30,

                                                        2002           2001         2002           2001
                                                    -----------    -----------  -----------    -----------
                                                                                   
      Net Interest Income:........................  $   25,328     $   23,139   $   73,720     $   64,046

      Net Income:.................................       7,827          7,718       21,420         21,281
      Per share - combined:
        Basic Net Income..........................         .49            .54         1.31           1.34
        Diluted Net Income........................         .48            .54         1.30           1.34


Effective  January 1, 2002, the  Corporation  acquired  Delaware County Abstract
Company, Inc. and Beebe & Smith Title Insurance Company, Inc., which were merged
into  Indiana  Title  Insurance  Company,  a  wholly-owned   subsidiary  of  the
Corporation.  The Corporation issued approximately  108,919 shares of its common
stock at a cost of  $22.38  per share to  complete  the  transaction.  The title
insurance  operations were  subsequently  contributed to Indiana Title Insurance
Company,  LLC in which the Corporation  has a 52.12%  ownership  interest.  This
acquisition was deemed to be an immaterial acquisition.

                                                                         Page 10


                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q
              NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                          (Table dollars in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)


NOTE 4.  Investment Securities
                                                        Gross       Gross
                                           Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized    Fair
                                              Cost       Gains      Losses     Value
                                                                 

Available for sale at September 30, 2002
  U.S. Treasury ........................   $    125                         $    125
  Federal agencies......................     29,267   $    829   $    (31)    30,065
  State and municipal ..................    143,817      7,378        (10)   151,185
  Mortgage-backed securities ...........    124,767      2,279        (91)   126,955
  Other asset-backed securities.........      7,879        114                 7,993
  Corporate obligations.................     12,083        439                12,522
  Marketable equity securities..........      7,153         69        (99)     7,123
                                           --------   --------   --------   --------
      Total available for sale .........    325,091     11,108       (231)   335,968


Held to maturity at September 30, 2002
  State and municipal...................      9,350        514         (5)     9,859
  Mortgage-backed securities............        134                              134
                                           --------   --------   --------   --------
      Total held to maturity ...........      9,484        514         (5)     9,993
                                           --------   --------   --------   --------
      Total investment securities ......   $334,575   $ 11,622   $   (236)  $345,961
                                           ========   ========   ========   ========




                                                                         Page 11




                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q
              NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                          (Table dollars in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)



                                                        Gross       Gross
                                           Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized    Fair
                                              Cost       Gains      Losses     Value
                                                                 
Available for sale at December 31, 2001
   U.S. Treasury ......................  $    124                            $    124
   Federal agencies ...................    30,808    $    767    $     (2)     31,573
   State and municipal ................    74,776       1,644        (215)     76,205
   Mortgage-backed securities .........   100,811       1,710          (1)    102,520
   Other asset-backed securities ......    10,116         167                  10,283
   Corporate obligations ..............     3,498         116                   3,614
   Marketable equity securities .......     7,472                    (123)      7,349
                                         --------    --------    --------    --------
      Total available for sale ........   227,605       4,404        (341)    231,668
                                         --------    --------    --------    --------

Held to maturity at December 31, 2001
   State and municipal ................     8,426         166         (58)      8,534
   Mortgage-backed securities .........       228                                 228
                                         --------    --------    --------    --------
      Total held to maturity ..........     8,654         166         (58)      8,762
                                         --------    --------    --------    --------
      Total investment securities .....  $236,259    $  4,570    $   (399)   $240,430
                                         ========    ========    ========    ========


                                                                         Page 12




                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q
              NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                          (Table dollars in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)

NOTE 5.  Loans and Allowance


                                                                                   September 30,  December 31,
                                                                                        2002         2001
                                                                                        ----         ----
                                                                                            
Loans:
  Commercial and industrial loans ..............................................   $   396,517    $   301,962
  Agricultural production financing and other loans to farmers .................        89,246         29,645
  Real estate loans:
    Construction ...............................................................       130,066         58,316
    Commercial and farmland ....................................................       461,723        230,233
    Residential ................................................................       681,367        544,028
  Individuals' loans for household and other personal expenditures .............       210,321        179,325
  Other loans ..................................................................        24,798         16,077
                                                                                   -----------    -----------
                                                                                     1,994,038      1,359,586
  Allowance for loan losses.....................................................       (22,147)       (15,141)
                                                                                   -----------    -----------
      Total Loans...............................................................   $ 1,971,891    $ 1,344,445
                                                                                   ===========    ===========

                                                                                        Nine Months Ended
                                                                                           September 30,

                                                                                       2002           2001
                                                                                   -----------    -----------
Allowance for loan losses:
  Balances, January 1 ..........................................................   $    15,141    $    12,454

  Allowance acquired in acquisition.............................................         6,902          2,085

  Provision for losses .........................................................         4,297          2,371

  Recoveries on loans ..........................................................           959            464

  Loans charged off ............................................................        (5,152)        (2,467)
                                                                                   -----------    -----------
  Balances, September 30........................................................   $    22,147    $    14,907
                                                                                   ===========    ===========

                                                                         Page 13

                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q
              NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
             (Table dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                   (Unaudited)

NOTE 6.  Net Income Per Share


                                                                     Three Months Ended September 30,
                                                           2002                                           2001
                                        -------------------------------------------    -------------------------------------------
                                                        Weighted-                                      Weighted-
                                                         Average        Per Share                       Average        Per Share
                                         Income           Shares         Amount         Income           Shares         Amount
                                         ------           ------         ------         ------           ------         ------
                                                                                                     
Basic net income per share:
  Net income available to
    common stockholders................. $    7,827        16,265,998    $     .49      $    6,020        13,346,954    $     .45
                                                                         ==========                                     ==========
Effect of dilutive stock options........                      138,152                                         97,264
                                         ----------       ------------                  ----------       ------------
Diluted net income per share:
  Net income available to
    common stockholders
    and assumed conversions............. $    7,827        16,404,150    $     .48      $    6,020        13,444,218    $     .44
                                         ==========       ============   ==========     ==========       ============   ==========


Options  to  purchase  226,223  and  108,772  share for the three  months  ended
September  30,  2002 and 2001  were  not  included  in the  earnings  per  share
calculation because the exercise price exceded the average market price.



                                                                    Nine Months Ended September 30,
                                                           2002                                          2001
                                        -------------------------------------------   -------------------------------------------
                                                        Weighted-                                     Weighted-
                                                         Average        Per Share                      Average        Per Share
                                         Income           Shares         Amount        Income           Shares         Amount
                                         ------           ------         ------        ------           ------         ------
                                                                                                    
Basic net income per share:
  Net income available to
    common stockholders................. $   21,240        15,340,528    $    1.39     $   16,700        12,922,043    $    1.29
                                                                         ==========                                    ==========
Effect of dilutive stock options........                      142,159                                        87,606
                                         ----------       ------------                 ----------       ------------
Diluted net income per share:
  Net income available to
    common stockholders
    and assumed conversions............. $   21,240        15,482,687    $    1.37     $   16,700        13,009,649    $    1.28
                                         ==========       ============   ==========    ==========       ============   ==========


Options  to  purchase  127,944  and  113,741  share  for the nine  months  ended
September  30,  2002 and 2001  were  not  included  in the  earnings  per  share
calculation because the exercise price exceded the average market price.

                                                                         Page 14

                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q
              NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                          (Table dollars in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)

Note 7. Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities

On April 12, 2002,  the  Corporation  and First  Merchants  Capital Trust I (the
"Trust") entered into an Underwriting Agreement with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company,
Incorporated and RBC Dain Rauscher Inc. for themselves and as co-representatives
for several other underwriters (the "Underwriting Agreement"). On April 17, 2002
and pursuant to the  Underwriting  Agreement,  the Trust issued  1,850,000 8.75%
Cumulative  Trust  Preferred  Securities  (liquidation  amount $25 per Preferred
Security) (the "Preferred  Securities")  with an aggregate  liquidation value of
$46,250,000.  On April 23, 2002 and pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement,  the
Trust  issued an  additional  277,500  Preferred  Securities  with an  aggregate
liquidation value of $6,937,500 to cover over-allotments.  The proceeds from the
sale of the Preferred Securities were invested by the Trust in the Corporation's
8.75% Junior Subordinated  Debentures due June 30, 2032 (the "Debentures").  The
proceeds from the issuance of the  Debentures  were used by the  Corporation  to
fund a  portion  of the  cash  consideration  payable  to  the  shareholders  of
Lafayette  Bancorporation in connection with the acquisition  referenced in Note
3. The Preferred  Securities  are recorded as  borrowings  in the  Corporation's
consolidated September 30, 2002, balance sheet.

                                                                         Page 15

                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
of Operations
- -------------

Forward-Looking Statements

     The Corporation from time to time includes forward-looking statements in
its oral and written communication.  The Corporation may include forward-looking
statements in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,  such as this
Form 10-Q, in other  written  materials  and in oral  statements  made by senior
management to analysts, investors,  representatives of the media and others. The
Corporation intends these  forward-looking  statements to be covered by the safe
harbor  provisions  for  forward-looking  statements  contained  in the  Private
Securities  Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and the Corporation is including this
statement  for  purposes  of  these  safe  harbor  provisions.   Forward-looking
statements  can  often  be  identified  by the  use of  words  like  "estimate,"
"project,"  "intend,"  "anticipate,"  "expect"  and similar  expressions.  These
forward-looking statements include:

     *  statements of the Corporation's goals, intentions and expectations;

     *  statements regarding the Corporation's business plan and growth
        strategies;

     *  statements regarding the asset quality of the Corporation's loan and
        investment portfolios; and

     *  estimates of the Corporation's risks and future costs and benefits.

     These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks,
assumptions and uncertainties, including, among other things, the following
important factors which could affect the actual outcome of future events:

     *  fluctuations in market rates of interest and loan and deposit pricing,
        which could negatively affect the Corporation's net interest margin,
        asset valuations and expense expectations;

     *  adverse changes in the Indiana economy, which might affect the
        Corporation's business prospects and could cause credit-related losses
        and expenses;

     *  adverse developments in the Corporation's loan and investment
        portfolios;

     *  competitive factors in the banking industry, such as the trend towards
        consolidation in the Corporation's market; and

     *  changes in the banking legislation or the regulatory requirements of
        federal and state agencies applicable to bank holding companies and
        banks like the Corporation's affiliate banks.

     Because of these and other uncertainties, the Corporation's actual future
results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-
looking statements.  In addition, the Corporation's past results of operations
do not necessarily indicate its future results.

Critical Accounting Policy

        Certain policies are important to the portrayal of the Corporation's
financial condition, since they require management to make difficult, complex or
subjective  judgments,  some of which may relate to matters that are  inherently
uncertain.  Management  believes that it's critical  accounting  policy includes
determining  the allowance  for loan losses,  ("ALL").  The Critical  Accounting
Policy should be read in conjunction with the consolidated  financial statements
and notes thereto  included in the  Corporation's  Form 10-K annual report filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
                                                                         Page 16

                          FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
of Operations (continued)
- -------------------------

Allowance for Loan Losses

The ALL is a significant estimate that can and does change based on management's
assumptions about specific  borrowers and applicable  economic and environmental
conditions, among other factors. The ALL is maintained to absorb losses inherent
in the loan portfolio. The allowance is based on ongoing,  quarterly assessments
of the probable  estimated losses inherent in the loan portfolio.  The allowance
is increased by the provision for loan losses,  which is charged against current
period  operating  results and  decreased  by the amount of  chargeoffs,  net of
recoveries.  The Corporation's  methodology for assessing the appropriateness of
the  allowance  consists  of several  key  elements,  which  include the formula
allowance, specific allowances for identified problem loans, and the unallocated
allowance.

The formula  allowance is  calculated  by applying  loss factors to  outstanding
loans and certain  unused  commitments,  in each case based on the internal risk
grade of such loans,  pools of loans or  commitments.  Changes in risk grades of
both  performing  and  nonperforming  loans  affect  the  amount of the  formula
allowance.  Loss factors are based on our historical  loss experience and may be
adjusted for  significant  factors that, in management's  judgement,  affect the
collectibility of the portfolio as of the evaluation date.

Specific  allowances are  established  in cases where  management has identified
significant  conditions  or  circumstances  related to a credit that  management
believes indicate the probability that a loss has been incurred in excess of the
amount determined by the application of the formula allowance.

The  unallocated  allowance  is based upon  management's  evaluation  of various
conditions,  the effects of which are not directly measured in the determination
of the formula and specific allowances. The evaluation of the inherent loss with
respect to these conditions is subject to a higher degree of uncertainty because
they are not  identified  with specific  credits.  The  conditions  evaluated in
connection with the unallocated  allowance may include existing general economic
and business  conditions  affecting the Banks' key lending areas, credit quality
trends,  collateral values,  loan volumes and  concentrations,  seasoning of the
loan portfolio,  specific industry conditions within portfolio segments,  recent
loss experience in particular segments of the portfolio, duration of the current
business  cycle,  bank  regulatory  examination  results,  and  findings  of  an
independent third party conducting reviews of the loan portfolio.

Results of Operations

         Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2002, was
$7,827,000,  compared to $6,020,000  earned in the same period of 2001.  Diluted
earnings per share were $.48 an increase of $.04 over the $.44  reported for the
third quarter 2001.

        Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, was
$21,240,000, compared to $16,700,000 during the same period in 2001.  Diluted
earnings per share were $1.37, a 7.0% increase over $1.28 in 2001.

         Annualized returns on average assets and average stockholders' equity
for nine months ended September 30, 2002 were 1.22 percent and 12.45 percent,
respectively, compared with 1.35 percent and 13.66 percent for the same period
of 2001.

                                                                         Page 17



                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q

Capital

         The Corporation's capital continues to exceed regulatory
minimums and management believes that its capital levels continue to be a
distinct advantage in the competitive environment in which the Corporation
operates.

         The Corporation's Tier I capital to average assets ratio was 8.7
percent at year-end  2001 and 7.91 percent at September  30, 2002.  At September
30, 2002, the Corporation had a Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 10.28 percent
and  total  risk-based  capital  ratio  of  11.41  percent.  Regulatory  capital
guidelines  require a Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 4.0 percent and a total
risk-based  capital ratio of 8.0 percent.  Banks with Tier I risk-based  capital
ratios of 6.0 percent and total  risk-based  capital  ratios of 10.0 percent are
considered "well capitalized."

Asset Quality/Provision for Loan Losses

Asset quality has been a major factor in the  Corporation's  ability to generate
consistent  profit  improvement.  The  allowance  for loan losses is  maintained
through the provision for loan losses,  which is a charge against earnings.  The
amount  provided  for loan losses and the  determination  of the adequacy of the
allowance are based on a continuous  review of the loan portfolio,  including an
internally  administered  loan  "watch"  list  and an  independent  loan  review
provided by an outside  accounting firm. The evaluation takes into consideration
identified credit problems, as well as the possibility of losses inherent in the
loan   portfolio  that  cannot  be   specifically   identified.   However,   the
Corporation's  adequacy  of the  allowance  for loan  losses  reflects increased
non-performing loans,  increased specific reserves and increased impaired loans,
resulting in increased  provision  expense of $1,926,000  during the nine months
ended September 30, 2002, as compared to the same period in 2001.  $1,260,000 of
this  increase  is a result  of the  acquisitions  of  Frances  Slocum  Bank and
Lafayette  Bank &  Trust  Company.  Current  non-performing  and  impaired  loan
balances  indicate  that some decline in loan asset  quality has occured,  which
management  believes  is  a  result  of  current  economic   conditions.   Total
non-performing loans as a percent of total assets and total loans have increased
from .82% to .96% and from 1.08% to 1.27% respectively, at September 30, 2002 as
compared to the same period in 2001.

     The following table summarizes the non-accrual, contractually past due 90
days or more other than non-accruing and restructured loans for the Corporation.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in Thousands)                       September 30,        December 31,
                                                 2001                 2001
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               
Non-accrual loans ..................            $13,285               $ 6,327
Loans contractually past due 90 days
  Or more other than nonaccruing
                                                  9,786                 4,828
Restructured loans .................              2,326                 3,511
                                                -------               -------
              Total ................            $25,397               $14,666
                                                =======               =======

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     At September 30, 2002, non-performing loans totaled $25,397,000, an
increase of $10,731,000 from December 31, 2001.  This increase was primarily due
to the addition of $5,015,000 in non-performing loans related to the acquisition
of Lafayette Bancorporation and the general downturn in the economy.

     At September 30, 2002, impaired loans totaled $46,726,000.  In addition, an
allowance  for losses was not  deemed  necessary  for  impaired  loans  totaling
$22,158,000,  but an allowance  of  $6,577,000  was  recorded for the  remaining
balance of impaired  loans of $24,568,000 and is included in the  Corporation's
allowance for loan losses.  The average balance of impaired loans for the third
quarter ended September 30, 2002  was $46,740,000.  After  consideration  of  an
additional $14,800,000 of impaired loans  as of September 30,  2002,  due to the
acquisition  of  Lafayette  Bancorporation,  the  Corporation's  impaired  loans
increased by $10,765,000  from year end 2001.  This increase is  attributable to
management  classifying  several  loans  that had not been  identified  as being
impaired at December 31, 2001.  The increase in impaired loans is a contributing
factor as to management  increasing the loan losses  provision,  as discussed in
the following paragraph.

     At December 31, 2001, impaired loans totaled $21,161,000.  In addition,
an allowance for losses was not deemed necessary for impaired loans totaling
$10,780,000, but an allowance of $3,251,000 was recorded for the remaining
balance of impaired loans of $10,381,000 and is included in the Corporation's
allowance for loan losses.  The average balance of impaired loans for 2001 was
$22,327,000.
                                                                        Page 18

                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q

        At September 30, 2002, the allowance for loan losses increased by
$7,006,000,  to $22,147,000,  from year end 2001. The increase was primarily due
to the allowance acquired in the acquisition of Lafayette Bancorporation,  which
totaled $6,902,000. As a percent of loans, the allowance was 1.10 percent, which
remains approximately the same as the 1.11 percent at year end 2001.

        The nine month 2002 provision of $4,297,000 was up $1,926,000 from
$2,371,000 for the same period in 2001. Net charge offs  amounted to  $4,193,000
during the  period,  an increase of  $2,190,000  from  $2,003,000  for the same
period in 2001.  The increased  provision  has helped  maintain the allowance to
total loans at an adequate level as compared to the same period of 2001.



                                                               Nine Months Ended
                                                                 September 30,
                                                               ------------------
                                                               ------------------
                                                              2002           2001
                                                              ----           ----
                                                            (Dollars in Thousands)
                                                                     
  Balance at beginning of period .........................   $15,141       $12,454
                                                             -------       -------
  Chargeoffs .............................................    (5,152)       (2,467)
  Recoveries .............................................       959           464
                                                             -------       -------
  Net chargeoffs .........................................    (4,193)       (2,003)
  Provision for loan losses ..............................     4,297         2,371
  Allowance acquired in acquisition.......................     6,902         2,085
                                                             -------       -------
  Balance at end of period................................   $22,147       $14,907
                                                             =======       =======

Ratio of net chargeoffs during the period to average loans
  outstanding during the period...........................       .32%(1)       .21%(1)

(1) First nine months annualized.




Liquidity, Interest Sensitivity, and Disclosures About Market Risk

         Asset/Liability Management has been an important factor in the
Corporation's  ability to record  consistent  earnings growth through periods of
interest rate volatility and product  deregulation.  Management and the Board of
Directors monitor the Corporation's liquidity and interest sensitivity positions
at regular meetings to review how changes in interest rates may affect earnings.
Decisions regarding  investment and the pricing of loan and deposit products are
made after analysis of reports designed to measure liquidity,  rate sensitivity,
the Corporation's  exposure to changes in net interest income given various rate
scenarios and the economic and competitive environments.

         It is the objective of the Corporation to monitor and manage risk
exposure to net interest  income caused by changes in interest  rates. It is the
goal of the Corporation's Asset Liability function to provide optimum and stable
net interest  income.  To accomplish  this,  management uses two asset liability
tools.  GAP/Interest Rate Sensitivity Reports and Net Interest Income Simulation
Modeling are both constructed, presented, and monitored quarterly.

         Management believes that the Corporation's liquidity and interest
sensitivity position  at  September 30, 2002,  remained  adequate  to  meet  the
Corporation's  primary goal of achieving optimum interest margins while avoiding
undue interest rate risk.

                                                                        Page 19


                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q

         The Corporation places its greatest credence in net interest income
simulation modeling. The GAP/Interest Rate Sensitivity Report is believed by the
Corporation's  management to have two major  shortfalls.  The GAP/Interest  Rate
Sensitivity Report fails to precisely gauge how often an interest rate sensitive
product reprices, nor is it able to measure the  magnitude  of potential  future
rate movements.

         Net interest income simulation modeling, or earnings-at-risk, measures
the sensitivity of net interest income to various  interest rate movements.  The
Corporation's  asset liability  process  monitors  simulated net interest income
under  three  separate  interest  rate  scenarios;  base,  rising  and  falling.
Estimated net interest  income for each  scenario is calculated  over a 12-month
horizon. The immediate and parallel changes to the base case scenario used in
the model are presented  below.  The interest rate scenarios are used for
analytical purposes and do not  necessarily  represent  management's  view of
future market movements.  Rather,  these are  intended  to  provide a measure of
the degree of volatility  interest  rate  movements  may  introduce  into the
earnings of the Corporation.

         The base scenario is highly dependent on numerous assumptions embedded
in the model, including assumptions related to future interest rates.  While the
base sensitivity analysis incorporates management's best estimate of interest
rate and balance sheet dynamics under various market rate movements, the actual
behavior and resulting earnings impact will likely differ from that projected.
For mortgage-related assets, the base simulation model captures the expected
prepayment behavior under changing interest rate environments.  Assumptions and
methodologies regarding the interest rate or balance behavior of indeterminate
maturity products, e.g., savings, money market, NOW and demand deposits reflect
management's best estimate of expected future behavior.

The comparative rising and falling  scenarios for the period ended September 30,
2003 assume  further  interest  rate changes in addition to the base  simulation
discussed  above.  These changes are immediate and parallel  changes to the base
case senario.  In addition,  total rate movements  (beginning point minus ending
point) to each of the various  driver rates  utilized by  management in the base
simulation for the period ended September 30, 2003 are as follows:

Driver Rates                      RISING              FALLING
================================================================================
Prime                             200 Basis Points   (200)Basis Points
Federal Funds                     200                 (75)
One-Year T-Bill                   200                 (42)
Two-Year T-Bill                   200                 (68)
Interest Checking                 100                  -
MMIA Savings                      100                 (26)
Money Market Index                100                 (40)
CD's                              200                (145)
FHLB Advances                     200                (182)

Results for the base,  rising and falling  interest  rate  scenarios  are listed
below, based upon the Corporation's rate sensitive assets at September 30, 2002.
The net interest income shown  represents  cumulative net interest income over a
12-month time horizon.  Balance sheet assumptions used for the base scenario are
the same for the rising and falling simulations.

                                                BASE        RISING     FALLING
================================================================================
Net Interest Income (dollars in thousands)    $  96,321   $  94,382   $  92,313

Variance from base                                        $  (1,939)  $  (4,008)

Percent of change from base                                   (2.01)%    (4.16)%

                                                                        Page 20

                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q

The  comparative  rising and falling  scenarios for the year ended  December 31,
2002 assume  further  interest  rate changes in addition to the base  simulation
discussed  above.  These changes are immediate and parallel  changes to the base
case senario.  In addition,  total rate movements  (beginning point minus ending
point) to each of the various  driver rates  utilized by  management in the base
simulation for the year ended December 31, 2002 are as follows:

Driver Rates                      RISING              FALLING
================================================================================
Prime                             200 Basis Points   (150)Basis Points
Federal Funds                     200                (100)
One-Year T-Bill                   200                (100)
Two-Year T-Bill                   200                (100)
Interest Checking                 100                 (25)
MMIA Savings                       75                 (25)
Money Market Index                200                (100)
CD's                              170                (130)
FHLB Advances                     200                (100)

Results for the base,  rising and falling  interest  rate  scenarios  are listed
below,  based upon the Corporation's rate sensitive assets at December 31, 2001.
The net interest income shown  represents  cumulative net interest income over a
12-month time horizon.  Balance sheet assumptions used for the base scenario are
the same for the rising and falling simulations.

                                                BASE        RISING     FALLING
================================================================================
Net Interest Income (dollars in thousands)    $ 74,029    $ 74,356    $ 71,540

Variance from base                                        $    327    $ (2,489)

Percent of change from base                                    .44%      (3.36)%

                                                                        Page 21


                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q

Earning Assets

         The following table presents the earning asset mix as of September 30,
2002, and December 31, 2001.  At September 30, 2002, earning assets increased by
$736.8 million from year end 2001.  This increase was primarily due to the
addition of $712,000 million in earnings assets related to the acquisition of
Lafayette Bancorporation.

         Excluding increases due to the acquisition of Lafayette Bancorporation,
loans grew by  over $35  million from  December 31, 2001 to September  30, 2002.
Commercial  and  farmland  related  real estate  loans  increased  $47  million.
Residential  real estate loans  decreased by $35 million,  while  commercial and
industrial loans increased by more than $38 million.


- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EARNING ASSETS
(Dollars in Millions)                                           September 30,          December 31,
                                                                   2001                   2001
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits               $    19.0             $     38.2

Investment securities available for sale .......                   336.0                  231.7

Investment securities held to maturity .........                     9.5                    8.7

Mortgage loans held for sale ...................                    14.1                     .3

Loans ..........................................                 1,994.0                1,359.6

Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock                    11.1                    8.4
                                                               ----------            ----------

                     Total .....................               $ 2,383.7             $  1,646.9
                                                               ==========            ==========

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deposits and Borrowings

         The following table presents the level of deposits and borrowed funds
(Federal funds purchased  (FFP),  repurchase  agreements,  U.S.  Treasury demand
notes,  Federal Home Loan Bank advances,  trust  preferred  securities and other
borrowed funds)at September 30, 2002 and December 31, 2001.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(Dollars in Millions)                              September 30,       December 31,
                                                       2002                2001
                                                    ----------         ------------
                                                                  
Deposits ........................................   $  2,019.7          $  1,421.3
Securities sold under repurchase agreements......         71.1                45.6
FFP and U.S. Treasury demand notes...............         11.9                16.8
Federal Home Loan Bank advances .................        173.4               103.5
Trust preferred securities.......................         53.2
Other borrowed funds ............................         19.3                 8.5



         The Corporation has continued to leverage its capital position with
Federal Home Loan Bank advances,  as well as,  repurchase  agreements  which are
pledged against acquired investment securities as collateral for the borrowings.
Trust preferred  securities are classified as Tier I Capital when computing risk
based capital ratios due to the long-term nature of the investment. The interest
rate risk is included as part of the Corporation's interest simulation discussed
in Management's  Discussion and Analysis under the heading  Liquidity,  Interest
Sensitivity, and Disclosures about Market Risk.

                                                                        Page 22


                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q

Net Interest Income

         Net Interest Income is the primary source of the Corporation's
earnings. It is a function of net interest margin and the level of average
earning  assets.  The table  below  presents  the  Corporation's  asset  yields,
interest expense, and net interest income as a percent of average earning assets
for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001.

         Annualized net interest income (FTE) for the nine months ended
September  30, 2002  increased  by  $28,459,000,  or 43.5  percent over the same
period  in 2001,  due to an  increase  in  average  earning  assets of over $736
million. For the same period, interest income and interest expense, as a percent
of average  earning  assets,  decreased  106 basis points and 127 basis  points,
respectively.



- --------------------------- ------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------- --------------------
(Dollars in Thousands)
                             Interest Income                         Net Interest Income                     Annualized
                            (FTE) as a Percent   Interest Expense    (FTE) as a Percent                  Net Interest Income
                                of Average         as a Percent          of Average          Average             On a
                              Earning Assets        of Average         Earning Assets        Earning        Fully Taxable
                                                  Earning Assets                             Assets        Equivalent Basis
- --------------------------- ------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------- --------------------
For the three months
  Ended September 30,
                                                                                                
           2002                   6.92%                2.49%                4.43%          $2,379,092          $105,536

           2001                   7.79%                3.46%                4.33%          $1,652,318          $ 71,526

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


- -------------------------- ------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------- ---------------------
(Dollars in Thousands)
                             Interest Income                         Net Interest Income                     Annualized
                            (FTE) as a Percent   Interest Expense    (FTE) as a Percent                  Net Interest Income
                                of Average         as a Percent          of Average          Average             On a
                              Earning Assets        of Average         Earning Assets        Earning        Fully Taxable
                                                  Earning Assets                             Assets        Equivalent Basis
- -------------------------- ------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------- ---------------------
For the nine months
 Ended September30,
                                                                                                
           2002                   6.94%                2.50%                4.44%          $2,112,777          $93,867

           2001                   8.00%                3.77%                4.23%          $1,545,820          $65,408

Average earning assets include the average balance of securities classified as
available for sale, computed based on the average of the historical amortized
cost balances without the effects of the fair value adjustment.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                        Page 23


                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q
Other Income

         The Corporation has placed emphasis on the growth of non-interest
income in recent years by offering a wide range of fee-based services. Fee
schedules are regularly reviewed by a pricing committee to ensure that the
products and services offered by the Corporation are priced to be competitive
and profitable.

         Other income in the third quarter of 2002 exceeded the same quarter in
the prior year by $3,015,000, or 65.1 percent.

Four major areas account for most of the increase:

1.       Service charges on deposit accounts increased $1,122,000 or 74.6
         percent due to increased number of accounts, price adjustments and
         approximately $1,045,000 of additional service charge income related to
         the April 1, 2002 acquisition of Lafayette Bank and Trust Company
         ("Lafayette").

2.       Revenues from fiduciary activities increased $303,000 or 22.5 percent
         due primarily to additional fees received related to the acquisition of
         Lafayette.

3.       Net realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities totaled
         $162,000 in the third quarter of 2002, while net realized losses on
         sales of availiable-for-sale securities totaled $(167,000) for the same
         period in 2001.

4.       The Corporation sold its Purchase Money Order ("PMO) business in the
         third quarter of 2002, resulting in a net gain on sale of $514,000.

         Other income in the first nine months of 2002 exceeded the same period
in the prior year by $6,219,000 or 45.6 percent.

Five major areas account for most of the increase:

1.       Service charges on deposit accounts increased $2,529,000 or 61.6
         percent due to increased number of accounts, price adjustments and
         approximately $2,050,000 of additional service charge income related to
         the April 1, 2002 acquisition of Lafayette.

2.       Net realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities totaled
         $570,000 in the first nine months of 2002, while net realized losses
         on sales of availiable-for-sale securities totaled $(167,000) during
         the same period in 2001.

3.       Revenues from fidicuiary activities increased $654,000 or 15.9 percent
         due primarily to additional fees received related to the acquisition
         of Lafayette.

4.       The Corporation sold its PMO business in the first nine months of 2002,
         resulting in a net gain on sale of $514,000.

5.       Abstract, title insurance and other related income increased $628,000
         in the first nine months of 2002, related to the January 1, 2002
         acquisition of Delaware County Abstract Company, Inc. and Beebe & Smith
         Title Insurance Company, Inc.

                                                                         Page 24

                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q

Other Expenses

         Total other expenses represent non-interest operating expenses of the
Corporation. Total other expense during the third quarter of 2002 exceeded the
same period of the prior year by $7,207,000, or 60.2 percent.

Four major areas account for most of the increase:

1.       Salaries  and benefit  expense grew $4,156,000 or 64.4 percent,  due to
         normal salary increases, staff additions and additional salary cost
         related to the April 1, 2002 acquisition of Lafayette.

2.       Core deposit intangible amortization increased by $304,000, due to
         utilization of the purchase method of accounting for the Corporation
         related to the April 1, 2002 acquisition of Lafayette.

3.       Equipment expense increased by $739,000 or 64.8%, primarily related to
         the April 1, 2002 acquisition of Lafayette.

4.       Telephone expenses increased by $507,000 or 192.0%, primarily due to
         additional telephone costs related to the acquisition of Lafayette.
         In addition, increased service contract charges related to greater
         usage of telephone lines, contributed to this increase.

         Total other expenses during the first nine months in 2002 exceeded the
same period of the prior year by $18,170,000, or 55.1 percent.

Five major areas account for most of the increase:

1.       Salaries and benefit expense grew $10,207,000, or 56.4 percent, due to
         normal salary increases, staff additions and additional salary cost of
         $6,403,000 related to the April 1, 2002 acquisition of Lafayette.

2.       Telephone expenses increased by $1,174,000 or 146.9%, primarily due to
         additional telephone costs related to the acquisition of Lafayette.  In
         addition, increased service contract charges related to greater usage
         of telephone lines, contributed to this increase.

3.       Equipment expenses increased by $1,566,000 or 47.7%, primarily related
         to the April 1, 2002 acquisition of Lafayette.

4.       Core deposit intangible amortization increased by $656,000, due to
         utilization of the purchase method of accounting for the Corporation
         related to the April 1, 2002 acquisition of Lafayette.

5.       Data processing fees increased by $759,000, or 38.6 percent, primarily
         due to increases in processing expenses related to greater usage of
         debit/ATM cards by customers and increases in loans originated and
         processed during the first nine months in 2002.

                                                                         Page 25



                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q

Income Taxes

        Income tax expense, for the nine months ended September 30, 2002,
increased by $2,149,000 over the same period in 2001. The effective tax rate was
34.1 and 35.0 percent for the 2002 and 2001 periods.  The .9 percent decrease
is primarily a result of the Lafayette Bank and Trust Company tax strategy
benefits obtained as a result of its April 1, 2002 acquisition by the
Corporation.

Other

         The Securities and Exchange Commission maintains a Web site that
contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission, including
the Corporation, and that address is (http://www.sec.gov).


Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
- -------------------------------------------------------------------

The information required under this item is included as part of Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, under
the heading Liquidity, Interest Sensitivity, and Disclosures About Market Risk.

Item 4.  Disclosure Controls and Procedures
- -------------------------------------------------------------------

Within the 90 days  prior to the filing  date of this  report,  the  Corporation
carried out an evaluation,  under the supervision and with the  participation of
the  Corporation's  management,  including  the  Corporation's  Chief  Executive
Officer and Chief  Financial  Officer,  of the  effectiveness  of the design and
operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation,
the Corporation's  Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded
that  the  Corporation's  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  are  effective.
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and procedures that are designed
to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Corporation reports filed
or submitted under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded,  processed,
summarized and reported within the time periods  specified in the Securities and
Exchange Commission's rules and forms.

There have been no  significant  changes in our  internal  controls  or in other
factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date
we carried out this evaluation.

                                                                         Page 26



                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q

                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
- --------------------------

         None

Item 2.  Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
- --------------------------------------------------

         a.  None

         b.  None

         c.  On September 6, 2002, the Corporation issued a total of 36,276
             unregistered shares of its common stock pursuant to a Merger
             Agreement dated September 6, 2002, between the Corporation and SIS,
             as previously discussed in Note 3 to the notes to consolidated
             condensed financial statements.  The Corporation issued the
             unregistered shares to the sole shareholder of SIS, at a value of
             $27.47 per share, in exchange for all the common stock of SIS.
             The issuance by the Corporation of its shares of common stock were
             not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
             ("Securities Act").  The shares were issued pursuant to the
             exemption contemplated in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, for
             transactions not involving a public offering.

             On July 1, 2002, the Corporation issued nonqualified stock options
             to acquire 7,718 shares of common stock of the Corporation to
             directors of its founding subsidiary bank, First Merchants Bank,
             National Association.  The stock option exercise price was $28.28,
             and no consideration was paid by the directors for such stock
             options.  The options, which have a ten year life, become 100
             percent vested after six months from the date of grant and are
             fully exercisable when vested.

             The stock options were issued without registration under the
             Securities Act in reliance on an exemption under Section 3 (a) (11)
             of the Securities Act and Rule 147 promulgated thereunder.  As
             provided under Rule 147, both the Corporation and directors are
             deemed to be a resident of the State of Indiana.  In addition, the
             Corporation is deemed to be doing business in the State of Indiana,
             and the Rule 147 resale limitations and precautions against
             interstate offers and sales are being strictly adhered to.

         d.  None

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities
- ----------------------------------------

         None

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
- ------------------------------------------------------------

         None


Item 5.  Other Information
- --------------------------

         None
                                                                         Page 27


                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q

                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
- -----------------------------------------

         a.  Exhibits

             Exhibit No.:       Description of Exhibit:      Form 10-Q Page No.:
             ------------       -------------------------    -------------------
                 2              Agreement of Reorganization          *
                                and Merger between First
                                Merchants Corporation and
                                CNBC Bancorp


                10a             First Merchants Corporation         35
                                Change of Control Agreement
                                with Robert R. Connors dated
                                August 26, 2002

                10b             First Merchants Corporation         41
                                Change of Control Agreement
                                with James L. Thrash dated
                                June 18, 2002

* Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
August 28, 2002.
                                                                         Page 28

                          FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q

                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K (continued)
- -----------------------------------------------------

         b.  Reports on Form 8-K

             A report on Form 8-K, dated August 13, 2002, was filed on August
             16, 2002 under report item number 5, concerning the Corporation's
             declaration of a five percent (5%) stock dividend on its shares of
             common stock.  The dividend was payable to shareholders of record
             on August 30, 2002.  The date of delivery of shares to be issued
             pursuant to the stock dividend was September 13, 2002.

             Under report item number 7, the following exhibit was included in
             this Form 8-K.


             (c) Exhibit.

                      (99)  Press release dated August 16, 2002


             A report on Form 8-K dated August 28, 2002, was filed on August 28,
             2002, under report item number 5, concerning the Corporation and
             CNBC Bancorp ("CNBC") jointly announcing the signing of a
             definitive agreement pursuant to which CNBC will be merged with and
             into the Corporation.  The Agreement of Reorganization and Merger
             between the Corporation and CNBC dated August 28, 2002, was
             filed as an exhibit to this Form 8-K.

                                                                         Page 29


                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q

                                   SIGNATURES

                  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
         1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
         behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                          First Merchants Corporation
                                          ---------------------------
                                                   (Registrant)


Date   11/14/02                         by /s/ Michael L. Cox
    ---------------------------            -------------------------------------
                                           Michael L. Cox
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer


Date   11/14/02                         by /s/ Mark K. Hardwick
    ---------------------------            -------------------------------------
                                           Mark K. Hardwick
                                           Senior Vice President and
                                           Chief Financial Officer
                                           (Principal Financial and Chief
                                           Accounting Officer)


                                                                         Page 30

                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                   FORM 10-Q
                           CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO
                                 SECTION 302 OF
                         THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

CERTIFICATION

I, Michael L. Cox, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of First Merchants
Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly
report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.  The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

     a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material
     information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
     subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities,
     particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being
     prepared;

     b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure
     controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing
     date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

     c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the
     effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our
     evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our
most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of
registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

     a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal
     controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record,
     process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the
     registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

     b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
     employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal
     controls; and

6. The  registrant's  other  certifying  officer  and I have  indicated in this
quarterly  report  whether or not there  were  significant  changes in  internal
controls or in other factors that could  significantly  affect internal controls
subsequent to the date of our most recent  evaluation,  including any corrective
actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date: November 14, 2002


by: /s/ Michael L. Cox
    ----------------------
        Michael L. Cox
        President and Chief Executive Officer
                                                                         Page 31



CERTIFICATION
- -------------
I, Mark K. Hardwick, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of First Merchants
Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly
report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.  The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

     a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material
     information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
     subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities,
     particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being
     prepared;

     b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure
     controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing
     date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

     c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the
     effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our
     evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our
most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of
registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

     a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal
     controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record,
     process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the
     registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

     b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
     employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal
     controls; and

6. The  registrant's  other  certifying  officer  and I have  indicated in this
quarterly  report  whether or not there  were  significant  changes in  internal
controls or in other factors that could  significantly  affect internal controls
subsequent to the date of our most recent  evaluation,  including any corrective
actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date: November 14, 2002

by: /s/ Mark K. Hardwick
    --------------------
        Mark K. Hardwick
        Senior Vice President and
        Chief Financial Officer
        (Principal Financial and Chief
        Accounting Officer)
                                                                         Page 32


                           CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO
                            18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                 SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection  with the quarterly  report of First  Merchants  Corporation  (the
"Corporation") on Form 10-Q for the period  ending  September  30, 2002 as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I
Michael L. Cox,  President  & Chief  Executive  Officer of the  Corporation,  do
hereby certify,  in accordance with 18 U.S.C.  Section 1350, as adopted pursuant
to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

        (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o (d)); and

        (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
material  respects,  the  financial  condition  and results of operations of the
Corporation.

Date   11/14/02                         by /s/ Michael L. Cox
    ---------------------------            -------------------------------------
                                           Michael L. Cox
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer


In connection  with the quarterly  report of First  Merchants  Corporation  (the
"Corporation") on Form 10-Q for the period  ending  September  30, 2002 as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I
Mark K.  Hardwick,  Senior Vice  President  and Chief  Financial  Officer of the
Corporation,  do hereby certify,  in accordance with 18 U.S.C.  Section 1350, as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

        (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o (d)); and

        (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
material  respects,  the  financial  condition  and results of operations of the
Corporation.

Date   11/14/02                         by /s/ Mark K. Hardwick
    ---------------------------            -------------------------------------
                                           Mark K. Hardwick
                                           Senior Vice President and
                                           Chief Financial Officer
                                           (Principal Financial and Chief
                                           Accounting Officer)

                                                                         Page 33

                          FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                    FORM 10-Q

                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

      (a)3.  Exhibits:

             Exhibit No.:       Description of Exhibit:      Form 10-Q Page No.:
             ------------       -------------------------    -------------------
                 2              Agreement of Reorganization          *
                                and Merger between First
                                Merchants Corporation and
                                CNBC Bancorp


                10a             First Merchants Corporation          35
                                Change of Control Agreement
                                with Robert R. Connors dated
                                August 26, 2002

                10b             First Merchants Corporation          41
                                Change of Control Agreement
                                with James L. Thrash dated
                                June 18, 2002

* Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
August 28, 2002.

                                                                         Page 34



                          FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                   Exhibit 10a

                           CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT

         This  Agreement is made and entered into as of August 14, 2002, by and
between  First  Merchants  Corporation,   an  Indiana  corporation  (hereinafter
referred to as  "Corporation"),  with its principal  office  located at 200 East
Jackson Street,  Muncie, Indiana, and Robert R. Connors (hereinafter referred to
as 'Executive'), of Indianapolis, Indiana.

         WHEREAS,  the  Corporation  considers the  continuance  of  proficient
and experienced  management to be essential to protecting and enhancing the best
interests of the Corporation and its shareholders; and

         WHEREAS,  the  Corporation  desires to assure the  continued  services
of the Executive on behalf of the Corporation; and

         WHEREAS,  the  Corporation  recognizes  that  if  faced  with a
proposal for a Change of Control,  as  hereinafter  defined,  the Executive will
have a significant role in helping the Board of Directors assess the options and
advising  the  Board  of  Directors  on what  is in the  best  interests  of the
Corporation  and its  shareholders;  and it is necessary for the Executive to be
able to  provide  this  advice  and  counsel  without  being  influenced  by the
uncertainties of the Executive's own situation; and

         WHEREAS,  the  Corporation  desires to provide fair and reasonable
benefits to the Executive on the terms and subject to the  conditions  set forth
in this Agreement.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the mutual  covenants and
undertakings  herein contained and the continued  employment of the Executive by
the  Corporation as its Senior Vice President of Operations and Technology,  the
Corporation and the Executive,  each intending to be legally bound, covenant and
agree as follows:

         1.       Term of Agreement.

         This Agreement shall continue in effect through December 31, 2003;
provided,  however,  that  commencing  on December 31, 2003 and each December 31
thereafter,  the term of this Agreement shall  automatically be extended for one
additional  year  unless,  not  later  than  October  31,  2003  or  October  31
immediately  preceding any December 31 thereafter,  the  Corporation  shall have
given the Executive  notice that it does not wish to extend this Agreement;  and
provided further, that if a Change of Control of the Corporation,  as defined in
Section 2, shall have  occurred  during the  original or  extended  term of this
Agreement, this Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of not less than
twenty-four  (24)  months  beyond  the month in which  such  Change  of  Control
occurred.

         2.       Definitions.

         For purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions shall apply:

                  A.       Cause:  "Cause" shall mean:

                           (1)      professional incompetence;

                           (2)      willful misconduct;

                           (3)      personal dishonesty;

                           (4)      breach of fiduciary duty involving personal
                                    profit;

                           (5)      intentional failure to perform stated
                                    duties;

                           (6)      willful   violation  of  any  law,  rule  or
                                    regulation  (other  than  traffic violations
                                    or similar offenses) or final cease and
                                    desist orders; and

                           (7)      any  intentional  material  breach of any
                                    term,  condition  or covenant of this
                                    Agreement.
                                                                         Page 35


                  (B)      Change of Control:  "Change of Control" shall mean:

                           (1)      any person (as such term is used in Sections
                                    13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange
                                    Act of 1934  ["Exchange  Act"]),  other than
                                    the  Corporation,  is or becomes the
                                    Beneficial  Owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3
                                    under the Exchange Act) directly  or
                                    indirectly  of   securities  of  the
                                    Corporation representing twenty-five percent
                                    (25%)  or  more  of  the  combined  voting
                                    power  of the Corporation=s then outstanding
                                    securities;

                           (2)      persons constituting a majority of the Board
                                    of Directors of the  Corporation were not
                                    directors  of the  Corporation  for at
                                    least  the  twenty-four  (24)
                                    preceding months;

                           (3)      the  stockholders of the Corporation approve
                                    a merger or consolidation of the Corporation
                                    with  any  other   corporation,  other  than
                                    (a)  a  merger or consolidation  which would
                                    result in the voting  securities of the
                                    Corporation outstanding  immediately  prior
                                    thereto  continuing  to  represent  (either
                                    by remaining  outstanding  or by being
                                    converted  into voting  securities  of the
                                    surviving  entity) more than fifty percent
                                    (50%) of the combined  voting power of  the
                                    voting   securities  of  the  Corporation
                                    or  such  surviving  entity outstanding
                                    immediately after such a merger or
                                    consolidation,  or (b) a merger or
                                    consolidation  effected to implement a
                                    recapitalization  of the Corporation (or
                                    similar  transaction)  in which no person
                                    acquires  fifty percent (50%) or more  of
                                    the  combined  voting  power  of the
                                    Corporation's  then  outstanding securities;
                                    or

                           (4)      the stockholders of the Corporation  approve
                                    a plan of complete  liquidation of the
                                    Corporation or an agreement for the sale or
                                    disposition by the Corporation of all or
                                    substantially all of the Corporation's
                                    assets.

                  (C)      Date of  Termination:  "Date of  Termination"  shall
                           mean the date  stated in the Notice of Termination
                           (as  hereinafter  defined) or thirty (30) days from
                           the date of delivery of such notice, as hereinafter
                           defined, whichever comes first.

                  (D)      Disability:  "Disability"  shall  mean the definition
                           of  such  term  as  used in the disability  policy
                           then in effect  for the  Corporation,  and a
                           determination of full disability  by the Corporation;
                           provided  that in the  event  there  is no disability
                           insurance then in force,  "disability"  shall mean
                           incapacity due to physical or mental illness  which
                           will have caused the  Executive to have been unable
                           to perform his duties with the  Corporation  on a
                           full time basis for one  hundred  eighty  (180)
                           consecutive calendar days.

                  (E)      Notice  of  Termination:   "Notice  of   Termination"
                           shall  mean  a  written  notice, communicated   to
                           the  other  parties   hereto,   which  shall
                           indicate  the  specific termination  provisions  of
                           this  Agreement  relied  upon and set  forth  in
                           reasonable detail the facts and  circumstances
                           claimed to provide a basis for  termination  of the
                           Executive's employment under the provisions so
                           indicated.

                  (F)      Retirement:  "Retirement"  shall mean  termination of
                           employment  by the  Executive in accordance with the
                           Corporation's  normal retirement policy generally
                           applicable to its salaried employees in effect at the
                           time of a Change of Control.

                                                                         Page 36

         3.       Termination.

                  (A)      General. If any of the events  described in Section 2
                           constituting a Change in Control of the  Corporation
                           shall  have  occurred,  the  Executive  shall  be
                           entitled  to the benefits  described  in Section 4
                           upon the  subsequent  termination of the  Executive's
                           employment  during the term of this  Agreement,
                           unless such  termination is (a) because of the death
                           or Disability of the Executive,  (b) by the
                           Corporation  for Cause, or (c) by the  Executive
                           other than on account of  Constructive  Termination
                           (as  hereinafter defined).

                  (B)      If,  following a Change of Control,  the Executive's
                           employment shall be terminated for Cause,  the
                           Corporation  shall pay him his salary through the
                           Date of Termination at the rate in  effect on the
                           date of the  Notice of  Termination,  and the
                           Corporation  shall have no further  obligations
                           under this Agreement.  If,  following a Change of
                           Control, the  Executive=s  employment  shall be
                           terminated  as a result of death or  Disability,
                           compensation  to  the  Executive  shall  be  made
                           pursuant  to the  Corporation's  then existing
                           policies on death or  Disability,  and the
                           Corporation  shall have no further obligations  under
                           this Agreement.  If,  following a Change of Control,
                           the Executive's employment  is  terminated  by and at
                           the  request  of the  Executive  as a  result  of
                           Retirement,  compensation to the Executive  shall be
                           made pursuant to the  Corporation's normal retirement
                           policy generally  applicable to its salaried
                           employees at the time of the Change of  Control,  and
                           the  Corporation  shall have no further  obligations
                           under this Agreement.

                  (C)      Constructive  Termination.  The Executive  shall be
                           entitled to terminate his employment upon the
                           occurrence  of  Constructive  Termination.  For
                           purposes  of this  Agreement, "Constructive
                           Termination" shall mean, without the Executive's
                           express written consent, the occurrence,  after a
                           Change of Control of the  Corporation,  of any of the
                           following circumstances:

                           (1)      the  assignment  to the  Executive  of any
                                    duties  inconsistent  (unless in the
                                    nature of a promotion) with the position in
                                    the Corporation  that the Executive held
                                    immediately  prior to the  Change of Control
                                    of the  Corporation,  or a significant
                                    adverse  reduction  or  alteration  in the
                                    nature or status of the Executive's
                                    position,  duties or  responsibilities  or
                                    the  conditions  of the Executive's
                                    employment from those in effect  immediately
                                    prior to such Change of Control;

                           (2)      a reduction in the  Executive's  annual base
                                    salary,  as in effect  immediately prior  to
                                    the  Change  of  Control  of the Corporation
                                    or as the  same may be adjusted  from time
                                    to time,  except  for  across-the-board
                                    salary  reductions similarly affecting all
                                    management personnel of the Corporation;

                           (3)      the Corporation  requires the Executive to
                                    be relocated anywhere other than its
                                    offices in Muncie, Indiana;

                           (4)      the  taking of any action to  deprive  the
                                    Executive  of any  material  fringe benefit
                                    enjoyed by him at the time of the Change of
                                    Control,  or the failure to provide  him
                                    with the number of paid  vacation  days to
                                    which he is entitled on the basis of years
                                    of service with the  Corporation  and in
                                    accordance with the Corporation's  normal
                                    vacation  policy in effect at the time of
                                    the  Change of Control;

                                                                         Page 37

                           (5)      the failure to continue to provide the
                                    Executive  with  benefits  substantially
                                    similar to those enjoyed by the Executive
                                    under any of the  Corporation's  life
                                    insurance,  medical,  health and  accident,
                                    or  disability  plans in which the
                                    Executive  was  participating  at the  time
                                    of the  Change  of  Control  of the
                                    Corporation,  or the taking of any action
                                    which would  directly or  indirectly
                                    materially reduce any of such benefits; or

                           (6)      the failure of the  Corporation  to continue
                                    this  Agreement in effect,  or to obtain a
                                    satisfactory  agreement  from any  successor
                                    to assume  and agree to perform this
                                    Agreement, as contemplated in Section 5
                                    hereof.

         4.       Compensation Upon Termination.

         Following a Change of Control,  if his employment by the Corporation
shall be terminated by the Executive on account of  Constructive  Termination or
by the Corporation other than for Cause,  death,  Disability,  or Retirement (by
and at the request of the  Executive),  then the Executive  shall be entitled to
the benefits provided below:

                  (A)      No later than the fifth day following the Date of
                           Termination,  the  Corporation  shall pay to the
                           Executive his full base salary through the Date of
                           Termination,  at the rate in effect at the time
                           Notice of  Termination  is given,  plus all other
                           amounts to which the Executive is entitled under any
                           incentive,  bonus or other  compensation plan of the
                           Corporation in effect at the time such payments are
                           due;

                  (B)      In lieu of any further  salary  payments to the
                           Executive for periods  subsequent to the Date of
                           Termination,  no later than the fifth day  following
                           the Date of  Termination, the  Corporation  shall pay
                           to the  Executive  a lump sum  severance  payment,
                           in cash, equal to two (2.00) times the sum of (a) the
                           Executive's  annual base salary rate as in effect on
                           the date of the Notice of  Termination,  and (b) the
                           largest bonus received by the Executive  during the
                           two (2) years  immediately  preceding the Date of
                           Termination under the Corporation's Management
                           Incentive Plan covering the Executive;

                  (C)      During the period  beginning with the  Executive's
                           Date of  Termination  and continuing until the
                           earlier of (a) the second  anniversary  of such Date
                           of  Termination,  or (b) Executive's  sixty-fifth
                           (65th) birthday,  the Corporation shall arrange to
                           provide the Executive with life,  disability,
                           accident and health insurance benefits  substantially
                           similar to those which the Executive was  receiving
                           immediately  prior to the Notice of Termination  and
                           shall  pay the same  percentage  of the cost of such
                           benefits  as the Corporation was paying on the
                           Executive's behalf on the date of such Notice;

                  (D)      In lieu of shares of common stock of the  Corporation
                           ("Corporation  Shares")  issuable upon the exercise
                           of outstanding options  ("Options"),  if any, granted
                           to the Executive under any  Corporation  stock option
                           plan (which  Options  shall be  cancelled  upon the
                           making of the  payment  referred to below),  the
                           Executive  shall  receive an amount in cash  equal to
                           the  product  of (a) the  excess of the  higher of
                           the  closing price of Corporation  Shares as reported
                           on the NASDAQ  National  Market  System,  the
                           American Stock Exchange or the New York Stock
                           Exchange,  wherever listed,  on or nearest the Date
                           of Termination or the highest per share price for
                           Corporation  Shares  actually paid in connection
                           with any Change of Control of the  Corporation,  over
                           the per share exercise price of each Option  held by
                           the  Executive  (whether  or not then fully
                           exercisable), times (b) the number of Corporation
                           Shares covered by each such Option;

                                                                         Page 38

                  (E)      If the  payments or  benefits,  if any,  received  or
                           to be  received  by the  Executive (whether  under
                           this  Agreement  or under any other  plan,
                           arrangement,  or  agreement between  the  Executive
                           and  the  Corporation),   in  connection  with
                           termination  or Constructive  Termination of the
                           Executive's employment following a Change of Control,
                           constitute  an "excess  parachute  payment"  within
                           the meaning of '280G of the Internal Revenue Code
                           ("Code"),  the  Corporation  shall pay to the
                           Executive,  no later than the fifth day following the
                           Date of  Termination,  an  additional  amount (as
                           determined by the  Corporation's  independent  public
                           accountants)  equal to the excise  tax, if any,
                           imposed on the "excess parachute  payment" under
                           '4999 of the Code;  provided,  however, if the amount
                           of such  excise  tax is  finally  determined  to be
                           more or less than the amount  paid to the  Executive
                           hereunder,  the  Corporation  (or the  Executive  if
                           the finally  determined  amount  is less  than  the
                           original  amount  paid)  shall  pay the difference
                           between the amount originally paid and the finally
                           determined amount to the other party no later than
                           the fifth day following the date such final
                           determination  is made;

                  (F)      The  Corporation  shall pay to the  Executive  all
                           reasonable  legal fees and  expenses incurred by the
                           Executive as a result of such  termination (including
                           all such fees and expenses,  if any,  incurred in
                           contesting  or  disputing  any such  termination  or
                           in seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit
                           provided by this  Agreement),  unless the
                           decision-maker  in any proceeding,  contest,  or
                           dispute arising  hereunder makes a formal finding
                           that the Executive did not have a reasonable  basis
                           for instituting such proceeding, contest, or dispute;

                  (G)      The Corporation  shall provide the Executive with
                           individual  out-placement  services in accordance
                           with the general custom and practice  generally
                           accorded to an executive of the Executive's position.

         5.       Successors; Binding Agreement.

                  (A)      The Corporation  shall require any successor (whether
                           direct or indirect,  by purchase,
                           merger,  consolidation or otherwise) to all or
                           substantially  all of the business and/or assets of
                           the  Corporation  to expressly  assume and agree to
                           perform this  Agreement in the same  manner  and to
                           the same  extent  that the  Corporation  would be
                           required  to perform  it if no such  succession  had
                           taken  place.  Failure  of the  Corporation  to
                           obtain such assumption and agreement prior to the
                           effectiveness  of any such succession shall be a
                           breach of this  Agreement  and shall  entitle the
                           Executive to  compensation from the  Corporation  in
                           the same  amount and on the same terms to which the
                           Executive would be entitled  hereunder if the
                           Executive  terminates  his  employment on account of
                           Constructive  Termination following a Change of
                           Control of the Corporation,  except that for the
                           purposes of  implementing  the foregoing,  the date
                           on which any such succession becomes  effective shall
                           be deemed the Date of  Termination.  As used in this
                           Agreement, "the  Corporation"  shall mean the
                           Corporation and any successor to its business and/or
                           assets as aforesaid  which  assumes and agrees to
                           perform this  Agreement,  by operation of law or
                           otherwise.

                  (B)      This  Agreement  shall inure to the benefit of and be
                           enforceable  by the Executive and his personal or
                           legal representatives,  executors,  administrators,
                           successors,  heirs, distributees,  devisees  and
                           legatees.  If the  Executive  should  die while any
                           amount would still be payable to the Executive
                           hereunder had the Executive  continued to live,  all
                           such amounts,  unless otherwise  provided  herein,
                           shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this
                           Agreement to the devisee,  legatee or other  designee
                           or, if there is no such designee, to his estate.

                                                                         Page 39

         6.       Miscellaneous.

         No provision of this Agreement may be modified,  waived or discharged
unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed
by the  Executive  and such  officer as may be  specifically  designated  by the
Corporation.  No waiver by either  party hereto at the time of any breach by the
other party hereto of, or  compliance  with,  any condition or provision of this
Agreement  to be  performed  by such  other  party  shall be  deemed a waiver of
similar or  dissimilar  provisions  or conditions at the same or at any prior or
subsequent time. No agreement or representations,  oral or otherwise, express or
implied,  with  respect to the  subject  matter  hereof have been made by either
party  which  are not  expressly  set  forth in this  Agreement.  The  validity,
interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed
by the laws of the  State of  Indiana  without  regard to its  conflicts  of law
principles. All references to a section of the Exchange Act or the Code shall be
deemed also to refer to any successor  provisions to such section.  Any payments
provided for hereunder shall be paid net of any applicable  withholding required
under  federal,  state or local law. The  obligations of the  Corporation  under
Section 4 shall survive the expiration of the term of this Agreement.

         7.       Validity.

          The invalidity or  unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement
shall not affect the validity or  enforceability  of any other provision of this
Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

         8.       Counterparts.

         This Agreement may be executed in several  counterparts,  each of which
shall be deemed to be an original,  but all of which together  shall  constitute
one and the same instrument.

         9.       Arbitration.

         Any  dispute  or  controversy  arising  under or in  connection  with
this Agreement shall be settled  exclusively by arbitration,  conducted before a
panel of three (3)  arbitrators in Muncie,  Indiana in accordance with the rules
of the American Arbitration  Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered
on the arbitrator's award in any court having jurisdiction;  provided,  however,
that the Executive  shall be entitled to seek specific  performance of his right
to be paid until the Date of  Termination  during the pendency of any dispute or
controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement.

         10.      Entire Agreement.

         This  Agreement  sets forth the entire  agreement of the parties
hereto in respect of the subject  matter  contained  herein and  supersedes  all
prior   agreements,   promises,   covenants,    arrangements,    communications,
representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by any officer, employee
or  representative  of any party hereto;  and any prior agreement of the parties
hereto in respect of the subject matter  contained  herein is hereby  terminated
and cancelled.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Corporation and the Bank have caused this
Agreement to be executed by their duly  authorized  officers,  and the Executive
has hereunder subscribed his name, as of the day and year first above written.


"CORPORATION"                                        "EXECUTIVE"

FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

By ______________________________           By ______________________________
   Stefan S. Anderson,                         Robert R. Connors
   Chairman of the Board
                                                                        Page 40

                          FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                   Exhibit 10b

                           CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT

         This  Agreement is made and entered into as of June 18, 2002, by and
between  First  Merchants  Corporation,   an  Indiana  corporation  (hereinafter
referred to as "Corporation"),  and First Merchants Bank,  National  Association
(hereinafter  referred  to  as  "Bank"),  and  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  the
Corporation,  both with their  principal  offices  located  at 200 East  Jackson
Street,  Muncie,  Indiana,  and  James L.  Thrash  (hereinafter  referred  to as
'Executive'), of Muncie, Indiana.

         WHEREAS,  the  Corporation and the Bank  considers the  continuance  of
proficient  and  experienced  management  to  be  essential  to  protecting  and
enhancing the best interests of the Corporation, the Bank, and the Corporation's
shareholders; and

         WHEREAS,  the  Corporation and the Bank desires to assure the continued
services of the Executive on behalf of the Corporation and the Bank; and

         WHEREAS, the Corporation and the Bank recognizes that if  faced  with a
proposal for a Change of Control,  as  hereinafter  defined,  the Executive will
have a significant role in helping the Board of Directors assess the options and
advising  the  Board  of  Directors  on what  is in the  best  interests  of the
Corporation,  the Bank, and the Corporation's shareholders:  and it is necessary
for the  Executive to be able to provide this advice and counsel  without  being
influenced by the uncertainties of the Executive's own situation; and

         WHEREAS,  the  Corporation and the Bank desires to provide fair and
reasonable benefits to the Executive on the terms and subject to the  conditions
set forth in this Agreement.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the mutual  covenants and
undertakings  herein contained and the continued  employment of the Executive by
the Bank as its Senior  Vice  President,  the  Corporation  and the Bank and the
Executive, each intending to be legally bound, covenant and agree as follows:

         1.       Term of Agreement.

         This Agreement shall continue in effect through December 31, 2003;
provided,  however,  that  commencing  on December 31, 2003 and each December 31
thereafter,  the term of this Agreement shall  automatically be extended for one
additional  year  unless,  not  later  than  October  31,  2003  or  October  31
immediately  preceding any December 31 thereafter,  the  Corporation or the Bank
shall  have  given the  Executive  notice  that it does not wish to extend  this
Agreement;  and provided further, that if a Change of Control of the Corporation
or the Bank, as defined in Section 2, shall have occurred during the original or
extended term of this  Agreement,  this Agreement shall continue in effect for a
period of not less than  twenty-four  (24) months beyond the month in which such
Change of Control occurred.

         2.       Definitions.

         For purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions shall apply:

                  A.       Cause:  "Cause" shall mean:

                           (1)      professional incompetence;

                           (2)      willful misconduct;

                           (3)      personal dishonesty;

                           (4)      breach of fiduciary duty involving personal
                                    profit;

                           (5)      intentional failure to perform stated
                                    duties;

                           (6)      willful   violation  of  any  law,  rule  or
                                    regulation  (other  than  traffic violations
                                    or similar offenses) or final cease and
                                    desist orders; and

                           (7)      any  intentional  material  breach of any
                                    term,  condition  or covenant of this
                                    Agreement.
                                                                         Page 41


                  (B)      Change of Control:  "Change of Control" shall mean:

                           (1)      any person (as such term is used in Sections
                                    13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange
                                    Act of 1934  ["Exchange  Act"]),  other than
                                    the  Corporation or the Bank,  is or becomes
                                    the Beneficial  Owner (as defined in Rule
                                    13d-3 under the Exchange Act) directly  or
                                    indirectly  of   securities  of  the
                                    Corporation representing twenty-five percent
                                    (25%)  or  more  of  the  combined  voting
                                    power  of the Corporation's or the Bank's
                                    then outstanding securities;

                           (2)      persons constituting a majority of the Board
                                    of Directors of the Corporation and the Bank
                                    were not directors  of the respective Board
                                    for at least  the  twenty-four  (24)
                                    preceding months;

                           (3)      the  stockholders of the Corporation or the
                                    Bank approve a merger or consolidation of
                                    the Corporation or the Bank with  any  other
                                    corporation,  other  than (a)  a  merger or
                                    consolidation  which would result in the
                                    voting  securities of the Corporation or the
                                    Bank outstanding  immediately  prior
                                    thereto  continuing  to  represent  (either
                                    by remaining  outstanding  or by being
                                    converted  into voting  securities  of the
                                    surviving  entity) more than fifty percent
                                    (50%) of the combined  voting power of  the
                                    voting   securities  of  the  Corporation's
                                    or  the Bank's then  outstanding securities;
                                    or

                           (4)      the stockholders of the Corporation  approve
                                    a plan of complete  liquidation of the
                                    Corporation or the Bank or an agreement for
                                    the sale or disposition by the Corporation
                                    or the Bank of all or substantially all of
                                    the Corporation's or the Bank's assets.

                  (C)      Date of  Termination:  "Date of  Termination"  shall
                           mean the date  stated in the Notice of Termination
                           (as  hereinafter  defined) or thirty (30) days from
                           the date of delivery of such notice, as hereinafter
                           defined, whichever comes first.

                  (D)      Disability:  "Disability"  shall  mean the definition
                           of  such  term  as  used in the disability  policy
                           then in effect  for the  Corporation or the Bank, and
                           a determination of full disability by the Corporation
                           or the Bank; provided  that in the  event  there  is
                           no disability insurance then in force,  "disability"
                           shall mean incapacity due to physical or mental
                           illness  which will have caused the Executive to have
                           been unable to perform his duties with the
                           Corporation and/or the Bank on a full time basis for
                           one  hundred  eighty (180) consecutive calendar days.

                  (E)      Notice  of  Termination:   "Notice  of   Termination"
                           shall  mean  a  written  notice, communicated   to
                           the  other  parties   hereto,   which  shall
                           indicate  the  specific termination  provisions  of
                           this  Agreement  relied  upon and set  forth  in
                           reasonable detail the facts and  circumstances
                           claimed to provide a basis for  termination  of the
                           Executive's employment under the provisions so
                           indicated.

                  (F)      Retirement:  "Retirement"  shall mean  termination of
                           employment  by the  Executive in accordance with the
                           Corporation's or the Bank's normal retirement policy
                           generally applicable to its salaried employees in
                           effect at the time of a Change of Control.

                                                                         Page 42

         3.       Termination.

                  (A)      General. If any of the events  described in Section 2
                           constituting a Change in Control of the  Corporation
                           or the Bank shall  have  occurred,  the  Executive
                           shall  be entitled  to the benefits  described  in
                           Section 4 upon the  subsequent  termination of the
                           Executive's employment  during the term of this
                           Agreement, unless such  termination is (a) because of
                           the death or Disability of the Executive,  (b) by the
                           Corporation  or the Bank for Cause, or (c) by the
                           Executive other than on account of  Constructive
                           Termination (as  hereinafter defined).

                  (B)      If,  following a Change of Control,  the Executive's
                           employment shall be terminated for Cause,  the
                           Corporation and/or the Bank shall pay him his salary
                           through the Date of Termination at the rate in effect
                           on the date of the  Notice of  Termination,  and the
                           Corporation and the Bank shall have no further
                           obligations under this Agreement.  If,  following a
                           Change of Control, the  Executive's  employment shall
                           be terminated  as a result of death or  Disability,
                           compensation  to  the  Executive  shall  be  made
                           pursuant  to the  Corporation's and the Bank's then
                           existing policies on death or  Disability,  and the
                           Corporation and the Bank shall have no further
                           obligations  under this Agreement.  If,  following a
                           Change of Control, the Executive's employment  is
                           terminated  by and at the  request  of the  Executive
                           as a  result  of Retirement,  compensation to the
                           Executive shall be made pursuant to the Corporation's
                           and the Bank's normal retirement policy generally
                           applicable to its salaried employees at the time of
                           the Change of  Control,  and the  Corporation and the
                           Bank shall have no further  obligations under this
                           Agreement.

                  (C)      Constructive  Termination.  The Executive  shall be
                           entitled to terminate his employment upon the
                           occurrence  of  Constructive  Termination.  For
                           purposes  of this  Agreement, "Constructive
                           Termination" shall mean, without the Executive's
                           express written consent, the occurrence,  after a
                           Change of Control of the  Corporation or the Bank, of
                           any of the following circumstances:

                           (1)      the  assignment  to the  Executive  of any
                                    duties  inconsistent  (unless in the
                                    nature of a promotion) with the position in
                                    the Corporation or the Bank that the
                                    Executive held immediately  prior to the
                                    Change of Control of the  Corporation or the
                                    Bank,  or a significant adverse  reduction
                                    or  alteration  in the nature or status of
                                    the Executive's position,  duties or
                                    responsibilities  or the  conditions  of the
                                    Executive's employment from those in effect
                                    immediately prior to such Change of Control;

                           (2)      a reduction in the  Executive's  annual base
                                    salary,  as in effect  immediately prior  to
                                    the  Change  of  Control  of the Corporation
                                    or the Bank or as the  same may be adjusted
                                    from time to time,  except  for  across-the-
                                    board salary  reductions similarly affecting
                                    all management personnel of the Corporation
                                    or the Bank;

                           (3)      the Bank and/or the Corporation  requires
                                    the Executive to be relocated anywhere other
                                    than its offices in Muncie, Indiana;

                           (4)      the  taking of any action to  deprive  the
                                    Executive  of any  material  fringe benefit
                                    enjoyed by him at the time of the Change of
                                    Control,  or the failure to provide  him
                                    with the number of paid  vacation  days to
                                    which he is entitled on the basis of years
                                    of service with the  Corporation and/or the
                                    Bank and in accordance with the
                                    Corporation's or the Bank's normal vacation
                                    policy in effect at the time of the  Change
                                    of Control;

                                                                         Page 43

                           (5)      the failure to continue to provide the
                                    Executive  with  benefits  substantially
                                    similar to those enjoyed by the Executive
                                    under any of the Corporation's or the Bank's
                                    life insurance,  medical,  health and
                                    accident, or  disability  plans in which the
                                    Executive  was  participating  at the  time
                                    of the  Change  of  Control  of the
                                    Corporation or the Bank,  or the taking of
                                    any action which would  directly or
                                    indirectly materially reduce any of such
                                    benefits; or

                           (6)      the failure of the  Corporation or the Bank
                                    to continue this  Agreement in effect, or to
                                    obtain a satisfactory  agreement  from any
                                    successor to assume and agree to perform
                                    this Agreement, as contemplated in Section 5
                                    hereof.

         4.       Compensation Upon Termination.

         Following a Change of Control,  if his employment by the Corporation or
the Bank shall be terminated by the Executive on account of  Constructive
Termination or the Corporation or the Bank other than for Cause,  death,
Disability,  or Retirement (by and at the request of the  Executive),  then the
Executive  shall be entitled to the benefits provided below:

                  (A)      No later than the fifth day following the Date of
                           Termination,  the  Corporation or the Bank shall pay
                           to the Executive his full base salary through the
                           Date of Termination, at the rate in effect at the
                           time Notice of  Termination  is given, plus all other
                           amounts to which the Executive is entitled under any
                           incentive,  bonus or other  compensation plan of the
                           Corporation or the Bank in effect at the time such
                           payments are due;

                  (B)      In lieu of any further  salary  payments to the
                           Executive for periods  subsequent to the Date of
                           Termination,  no later than the fifth day  following
                           the Date of Termination, the  Corporation or the Bank
                           shall pay to the  Executive  a lump sum  severance
                           payment, in cash, equal to two (2.00) times the sum
                           of (a) the Executive's  annual base salary rate as in
                           effect on the date of the Notice of  Termination, and
                           (b) the largest bonus received by the Executive
                           during the two (2) years  immediately  preceding the
                           Date of Termination under the Corporation's
                           Management Incentive Plan covering the Executive;

                  (C)      During the period  beginning with the  Executive's
                           Date of  Termination  and continuing until the
                           earlier of (a) the second  anniversary  of such Date
                           of  Termination,  or (b) Executive's  sixty-fifth
                           (65th) birthday,  the Corporation or the Bank shall
                           arrange to provide the Executive with life,
                           disability, accident and health insurance benefits
                           substantially similar to those which the Executive
                           was  receiving immediately  prior to the Notice of
                           Termination  and shall  pay the same  percentage  of
                           the cost of such benefits  as the Corporation or the
                           Bank was paying on the Executive's behalf on the date
                           of such Notice;

                  (D)      In lieu of shares of common stock of the  Corporation
                           ("Corporation  Shares")  issuable upon the exercise
                           of outstanding options  ("Options"),  if any, granted
                           to the Executive under any  Corporation  stock option
                           plan (which  Options  shall be  cancelled  upon the
                           making of the  payment  referred to below),  the
                           Executive  shall  receive an amount in cash  equal to
                           the  product  of (a) the  excess of the  higher of
                           the  closing price of Corporation  Shares as reported
                           on the NASDAQ  National  Market  System,  the
                           American Stock Exchange or the New York Stock
                           Exchange,  wherever listed,  on or nearest the Date
                           of Termination or the highest per share price for
                           Corporation  Shares  actually paid in connection
                           with any Change of Control of the  Corporation,  over
                           the per share exercise price of each Option  held by
                           the  Executive  (whether  or not then fully
                           exercisable), times (b) the number of Corporation
                           Shares covered by each such Option;

                                                                         Page 44

                  (E)      If the  payments or  benefits,  if any,  received  or
                           to be  received  by the  Executive (whether  under
                           this  Agreement  or under any other  plan,
                           arrangement,  or  agreement between  the  Executive
                           and  the  Corporation or the Bank),   in  connection
                           with termination  or Constructive  Termination of the
                           Executive's employment following a Change of Control,
                           constitute  an "excess  parachute  payment"  within
                           the meaning of '280G of the Internal Revenue Code
                           ("Code"),  the  Corporation or the Bank  shall pay to
                           the Executive,  no later than the fifth day following
                           the Date of  Termination,  an  additional  amount (as
                           determined by the  Corporation's  independent  public
                           accountants)  equal to the excise  tax, if any,
                           imposed on the "excess parachute  payment" under
                           '4999 of the Code;  provided,  however, if the amount
                           of such  excise  tax is  finally  determined  to be
                           more or less than the amount  paid to the  Executive
                           hereunder,  the  Corporation or the Bank (or the
                           Executive  if the finally  determined  amount is less
                           than  the original  amount  paid)  shall  pay the
                           difference between the amount originally paid and the
                           finally determined amount to the other party no later
                           than the fifth day following the date such final
                           determination  is made;

                  (F)      The  Corporation or the Bank shall pay to the
                           Executive  all reasonable  legal fees and  expenses
                           incurred by the Executive as a result of such
                           termination (including all such fees and expenses, if
                           any,  incurred in contesting  or  disputing  any such
                           termination  or in seeking to obtain or enforce any
                           right or benefit provided by this  Agreement), unless
                           the decision-maker  in any proceeding,  contest,  or
                           dispute arising  hereunder makes a formal finding
                           that the Executive did not have a reasonable  basis
                           for instituting such proceeding, contest, or dispute;

                  (G)      The Corporation or the Bank shall provide the
                           Executive with individual  out-placement  services in
                           accordance with the general custom and practice
                           generally accorded to an executive of the Executive's
                           position.

         5.       Successors; Binding Agreement.

                  (A)      The Corporation or the Bank shall require any
                           successor (whether direct or indirect,  by purchase,
                           merger,  consolidation or otherwise) to all or
                           substantially  all of the business and/or assets of
                           the  Corporation or the Bank to expressly  assume and
                           agree to perform this  Agreement in the same  manner
                           and to the same  extent  that the  Corporation or the
                           Bank would be required  to perform  it if no such
                           succession  had taken  place.  Failure  of the
                           Corporation or the Bank to obtain such assumption and
                           agreement prior to the effectiveness  of any such
                           succession shall be a breach of this  Agreement  and
                           shall  entitle the Executive to compensation from the
                           Corporation or the Bank in the same  amount and on
                           the same terms to which the Executive would be
                           entitled  hereunder if the Executive  terminates  his
                           employment on account of Constructive  Termination
                           following a Change of Control of the Corporation or
                           the Bank,  except that for the purposes of
                           implementing  the foregoing,  the date on which any
                           such succession becomes  effective shall be deemed
                           the Date of  Termination.  As used in this
                           Agreement, "the  Corporation or the Bank"  shall mean
                           the Corporation or the Bank and any successor to its
                           business and/or assets as aforesaid  which  assumes
                           and agrees to perform this  Agreement,  by operation
                           of law or otherwise.

                  (B)      This  Agreement  shall inure to the benefit of and be
                           enforceable  by the Executive and his personal or
                           legal representatives,  executors,  administrators,
                           successors,  heirs, distributees,  devisees  and
                           legatees.  If the  Executive  should  die while any
                           amount would still be payable to the Executive
                           hereunder had the Executive  continued to live,  all
                           such amounts,  unless otherwise  provided  herein,
                           shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this
                           Agreement to the devisee,  legatee or other  designee
                           or, if there is no such designee, to his estate.

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         6.       Guarantee by Corporation and Bank.

         In consideration of the value of the continued employment of the
Executive  by the  Corporation  or the Bank,  and the  benefits  derived  by the
Corporation  and the Bank from the Executives  employment by the  Corporation or
the  Bank,  the  Corporation  and the  Bank  hereby  unconditionally  and  fully
guarantee and endorse the  obligations of the other  hereunder,  and agree to be
fully bound by the terms of this  Agreement in the event that the other fails to
perform, honor, or otherwise complete fully its obligations hereunder.

         7.       Miscellaneous.

         No provision of this Agreement may be modified,  waived or discharged
unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed
by the  Executive  and such  officer as may be  specifically  designated  by the
Corporation.  No waiver by either  party hereto at the time of any breach by the
other party hereto of, or  compliance  with,  any condition or provision of this
Agreement  to be  performed  by such  other  party  shall be  deemed a waiver of
similar or  dissimilar  provisions  or conditions at the same or at any prior or
subsequent time. No agreement or representations,  oral or otherwise, express or
implied,  with  respect to the  subject  matter  hereof have been made by either
party  which  are not  expressly  set  forth in this  Agreement.  The  validity,
interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed
by the laws of the  State of  Indiana  without  regard to its  conflicts  of law
principles. All references to a section of the Exchange Act or the Code shall be
deemed also to refer to any successor  provisions to such section.  Any payments
provided for hereunder shall be paid net of any applicable  withholding required
under federal,  state or local law. The  obligations of the  Corporation and the
Bank under Section 4 shall survive the expiration of the term of this Agreement.

         8.       Validity.

          The invalidity or  unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement
shall not affect the validity or  enforceability  of any other provision of this
Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

         9.       Counterparts.

         This Agreement may be executed in several  counterparts,  each of which
shall be deemed to be an original,  but all of which together  shall  constitute
one and the same instrument.

        10.       Arbitration.

         Any  dispute  or  controversy  arising  under or in  connection  with
this Agreement shall be settled  exclusively by arbitration,  conducted before a
panel of three (3)  arbitrators in Muncie,  Indiana in accordance with the rules
of the American Arbitration  Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered
on the arbitrator's award in any court having jurisdiction;  provided,  however,
that the Executive  shall be entitled to seek specific  performance of his right
to be paid until the Date of  Termination  during the pendency of any dispute or
controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement.

         11.      Entire Agreement.

         This  Agreement  sets forth the entire  agreement of the parties
hereto in respect of the subject  matter  contained  herein and  supersedes  all
prior   agreements,   promises,   covenants,    arrangements,    communications,
representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by any officer, employee
or  representative  of any party hereto;  and any prior agreement of the parties
hereto in respect of the subject matter  contained  herein is hereby  terminated
and cancelled.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Corporation and the Bank have caused this
Agreement to be executed by their duly  authorized  officers,  and the Executive
has hereunder subscribed his name, this _____ day of ___________, 2002.


"CORPORATION"                               "EXECUTIVE"

FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

By ______________________________           By ______________________________
   Stefan S. Anderson,                         James L. Thrash
   Chairman of the Board

"BANK"                                      "EXECUTIVE"

FIRST MERCHANTS BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

By ______________________________
   Stefan S. Anderson,
   Chairman of the Board
                                                                         Page 46