UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                         ______________________________

       DATE OF REPORT (Date of earliest event reported): September 9, 2008

                         ______________________________

                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

                         _______________________________

         INDIANA                     0-17071                   35-1544218
(State or other jurisdiction  (Commission File Number)       (IRS Employer
     of incorporation)                                    Identification No.)


                             200 East Jackson Street
                                  P.O. Box 792
                              Muncie, IN 47305-2814
          (Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)


                                 (765) 747-1500
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)


         Check the appropriate  box  below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously  satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425)

[ ] Soliciting  material  pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Item 7.01         Regulation FD Disclosure

                  In  response  to  questions from investors and analysts, First
Merchants  Corporation has provided additional  information beyond what has been
released.  The information provided was an estimated $8 million cost savings off
of Lincoln Bancorp's expense base. The Corporation  anticipates realizing 75% of
the cost savings in 2009 and 100% in 2010.




                                   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 hereunto duly authorized.

         DATE:  September 9, 2008

                                By: /s/  Mark K. Hardwick
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                         Mark K. Hardwick
                                         Executive Vice President and
                                         Chief Financial Officer
                                         (Principal Financial and
                                         Principal Accounting Officer)