Exhibit 2
                                                                       ---------


                     AGREEMENT OF REORGANIZATION AND MERGER

                                     BETWEEN

                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION

                                       AND

                            LAFAYETTE BANCORPORATION



         THIS  AGREEMENT  OF  REORGANIZATION  AND MERGER (the  "Agreement"),  is
entered  into as of  this  14th  day of  October,  2001,  by and  between  First
Merchants   Corporation   ("First   Merchants")  and  Lafayette   Bancorporation
("Lafayette").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS,  First Merchants is a corporation  duly organized and existing
under the laws of the State of Indiana and a  registered  bank  holding  company
under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, with its principal place
of business in Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana;

         WHEREAS,  Lafayette is a corporation  duly organized and existing under
the laws of the State of Indiana and a registered bank holding company under the
Bank  Holding  Company Act of 1956,  as  amended,  with its  principal  place of
business in Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana;

         WHEREAS,  Lafayette  Bank and Trust Company (the "Bank") is a bank duly
organized and existing under the laws of the State of Indiana and a wholly-owned
subsidiary  of  Lafayette  with  its  principal  banking  office  in  Lafayette,
Tippecanoe County, Indiana;

         WHEREAS,  it is the desire of First Merchants and Lafayette to effect a
transaction  whereby the Bank will  become a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of First
Merchants through a statutory merger of Lafayette with and into First Merchants;
and

         WHEREAS, a majority of the entire Board of Directors of First Merchants
and a majority of the entire Board of Directors of Lafayette  have approved this
Agreement,  designated it as a plan of  reorganization  within the provisions of
Section  368(a)(1)(A)  of the  Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended (the
"Code"), and authorized its execution.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, and
agreements  herein  contained  and other good and  valuable  consideration,  the
receipt of which is hereby  acknowledged,  First Merchants and Lafayette  hereby
make this  Agreement  and  prescribe  the terms and  conditions of the merger of
Lafayette with and into First Merchants and the mode of carrying the transaction
into effect as follows:

                                    SECTION 1

                                   The Merger

         1.01. Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, on
the Effective Date (as defined in Section 11 hereof),  Lafayette shall be merged
into and under the Articles of Incorporation of First Merchants,  which shall be
the "Continuing  Company" and which shall continue its corporate existence under
the laws of the State of  Indiana,  pursuant to the  provisions  of and with the
effect provided in the Indiana Business Corporation Law and particularly Indiana
Code Chapter 23-1-40 (the "Merger").

         1.02. Right to Revise Merger.  First Merchants may, at any time, change
the method of effecting  the Merger if and to the extent First  Merchants  deems
such  change  to  be  desirable;   provided,   however,  that  no  such  change,
modification  or amendment shall (a) provide for the merger of the Bank with and
into a subsidiary of First Merchants or another entity;  (b) alter or change the
amount or kind of  consideration to be received by the shareholders of Lafayette
specified  in Section 3 hereof as a result of the Merger,  except in  accordance
with the terms of Section 3 hereof;  (c)  adversely  affect the tax treatment to
the shareholders of Lafayette;  or (d) materially impede or delay receipt of any
approvals  referred to in this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.


                                    SECTION 2

                              Effect Of The Merger

         Upon the Merger becoming effective:

         2.01.  General  Description.  The separate existence of Lafayette shall
cease and the  Continuing  Company  shall possess all of the assets of Lafayette
including all of the issued and outstanding  shares of capital stock of the Bank
and all of its rights, privileges,  immunities, powers, and franchises and shall
be subject to and assume all of the duties and liabilities of Lafayette.

         2.02. Name, Offices, and Management. The name of the Continuing Company
shall continue to be "First Merchants Corporation." Its principal banking office
shall be located at 200 E. Jackson Street, Muncie,  Indiana. Except as otherwise
provided  in Section  8.07  hereof,  the Board of  Directors  of the  Continuing
Company,  until such time as their  successors  have been elected and qualified,
shall  consist of the current Board of Directors of First  Merchants.  Except as
otherwise  provided in Section  8.08  hereof,  the  officers of First  Merchants
immediately  prior to the Effective  Date shall  continue as the officers of the
Continuing Company.

         2.03. Capital Structure.  The amount of capital stock of the Continuing
Company shall not be less than the capital stock of First Merchants  immediately
prior to the Effective  Date  increased by the amount of capital stock issued in
accordance with Section 3 hereof.

         2.04.   Articles  of   Incorporation   and  Bylaws.   The  Articles  of
Incorporation  and the Bylaws of the Continuing  Company shall be those of First
Merchants  immediately  prior to the  Effective  Date  until  the same  shall be
further amended as provided by law.

         2.05. Assets and Liabilities.  The title to all assets, real estate and
other  property  owned  by  First  Merchants  and  Lafayette  shall  vest in the
Continuing Company without reversion or impairment. All liabilities of Lafayette
shall be assumed by the Continuing Company.

         2.06. Additional Actions. If, at any time after the Effective Date, the
Continuing  Company  shall  consider  or be  advised  that  any  further  deeds,
assignments  or  assurances  in law or any other acts are necessary or desirable
(a) to vest,  perfect or  confirm,  of record or  otherwise,  in the  Continuing
Company  its  right,  title  or  interest  in,  to or under  any of the  rights,
properties or assets of Lafayette or the Bank,  or (b)  otherwise  carry out the
purposes of this Agreement, Lafayette and the Bank and their respective officers
and  directors  shall be deemed to have  granted  to the  Continuing  Company an
irrevocable power of attorney to execute and deliver all such deeds, assignments
or assurances in law and to do all acts necessary or proper to vest,  perfect or
confirm  title to and  possession  of such rights,  properties  or assets in the
Continuing  Company and  otherwise to carry out the purposes of this  Agreement,
and the officers and directors of the  Continuing  Company are authorized in the
name of Lafayette or the Bank or otherwise to take any and all such action.


                                    SECTION 3

                               Consideration To Be
                    Distributed To Shareholders Of Lafayette

         3.01.  Consideration.  Upon  and  by  reason  of  the  Merger  becoming
effective,  the  shareholders  of Lafayette of record on the Effective  Date who
have not dissented to the Merger in accordance with Indiana Code ss. 23-1-44, as
amended,  shall be entitled to receive in exchange for the shares of Lafayette's
common  stock  held  and at  their  election  (subject  to the  limitations  and
prorations set forth in this Section 3) either (i) 1.11 (the "Conversion Ratio")
shares of First  Merchants'  common stock for each share of  Lafayette's  common
stock held  ("Option 1"), or (ii) cash in the amount of $30.00 for each share of
Lafayette's  common stock held,  subject to the  provisions  and  limitations of
Section 3.07  ("Option 2"). A Lafayette  shareholder  shall be entitled to elect
Option 1 for all shares  held of record,  Option 2 for all shares held of record
or Option 1 for a  portion  of the  shares  held of  record  and  Option 2 for a
portion of the shares held of record.  The Conversion  Ratio shall be subject to
adjustment as set forth in Sections 3.03 and 3.04.

         3.02. No Fractional  First Merchants  Common Shares.  Certificates  for
fractional  shares of  common  stock of First  Merchants  shall not be issued in
respect  of  fractional  interests  arising  from  the  Conversion  Ratio.  Each
Lafayette  shareholder who would otherwise have been entitled to a fraction of a
First  Merchants  share,  upon  surrender  of  all of  his/her/its  certificates
representing Lafayette's common shares, shall be paid in cash (without interest)
in an amount  equal to the  fraction of the First  Merchants  Average  Price (as
defined below). No such shareholder of Lafayette shall be entitled to dividends,
voting rights or any other rights in respect of any fractional share.

         3.03. Recapitalization.  If, between the date of this Agreement and the
Effective  Date,  First  Merchants  issues a stock  dividend with respect to its
shares of  common  stock,  combines,  subdivides,  or splits up its  outstanding
shares or takes any similar  recapitalization  action, then the Conversion Ratio
shall be adjusted so that each  Lafayette  shareholder  electing  Option 1 shall
receive such number of First Merchants  shares as represents the same percentage
of outstanding  shares of First Merchants  common stock at the Effective Date as
would have been represented by the number of shares such shareholder  would have
received if the recapitalization had not occurred.

         3.04. Conversion Ratio Adjustment.

                  (a) As used in this Section  3.04,  the term "First  Merchants
         Average  Price" shall mean the average of the mid point between the bid
         and ask prices of the common  stock of First  Merchants  as reported in
         Bloomberg,  L.P. for the thirty (30) days that First  Merchants  common
         stock trades on NASDAQ  preceding the fifth (5th) calendar day prior to
         the Effective  Date (the  "Determination  Date").  The First  Merchants
         Average Price shall be appropriately  and  proportionately  adjusted to
         reflect any share adjustment as contemplated by Section 3.03 hereof.

                  (b)  Lafayette may  terminate  this  Agreement if its Board of
         Directors so  determines  by a vote of a majority of the members of its
         entire Board of Directors if the First Merchants Average Price shall be
         less than $22.05; subject, however, to the following two provisions. If
         Lafayette  elects to exercise its right of termination  pursuant to the
         immediately  preceding sentence,  it shall give written notice to First
         Merchants  within  twenty-four  (24) hours of the  Determination  Date.
         Within two (2) business  days after the date of receipt of such notice,
         First Merchants shall have the option of adjusting the Conversion Ratio
         to equal a number  equal to a quotient,  the  numerator of which is the
         product of $22.05 and the Conversion  Ratio (as then in effect) and the
         denominator of which is the First  Merchants  Average  Price.  If First
         Merchants makes an election  contemplated by the preceding sentence, it
         shall give prompt  written notice to Lafayette of such election and the
         revised Conversion Ratio,  whereupon no termination shall have occurred
         pursuant to this  Section  3.04(b) and this  Agreement  shall remain in
         effect in  accordance  with its terms (except as the  Conversion  Ratio
         shall have been so modified),  and any  references in this Agreement to
         "Conversion   Ratio"  shall  thereafter  be  deemed  to  refer  to  the
         Conversion Ratio as adjusted pursuant to this Section 3.04(b).

                  (c) First  Merchants may terminate this Agreement if its Board
         of  Directors so  determines  by a vote of a majority of the members of
         its entire  Board of  Directors if the First  Merchants  Average  Price
         shall be greater than $26.95;  subject,  however,  to the following two
         provisions.  If  First  Merchants  elects  to  exercise  its  right  of
         termination  pursuant to the immediately  preceding sentence,  it shall
         give written notice to Lafayette  within  twenty-four (24) hours of the
         Determination  Date.  Within  two (2)  business  days after the date of
         receipt of such  notice,  Lafayette  shall have the option of adjusting
         the  Conversion  Ratio  to  equal a number  equal  to a  quotient,  the
         numerator  of which is the product of $26.95 and the  Conversion  Ratio
         (as then in effect) and the denominator of which is the First Merchants
         Average  Price.  If  Lafayette  makes an election  contemplated  by the
         preceding  sentence,  it shall  give  prompt  written  notice  to First
         Merchants of such election and the revised Conversion Ratio,  whereupon
         no termination shall have occurred pursuant to this Section 3.04(c) and
         this  Agreement  shall  remain in effect in  accordance  with its terms
         (except as the Conversion  Ratio shall have been so modified),  and any
         references in this Agreement to "Conversion  Ratio" shall thereafter be
         deemed to refer to the  Conversion  Ratio as adjusted  pursuant to this
         Section 3.04(c).

         3.05. Election.  An election form (the "Election Form") shall be mailed
to each record  holder of  Lafayette's  common stock as of the record date fixed
for the special shareholders' meeting at which the Merger will be submitted to a
vote of  Lafayette's  shareholders  (the "Special  Record  Date").  In addition,
reasonable  efforts  will be made to make the  Election  Form  available  to all
persons who become shareholders of Lafayette between the Special Record Date and
the Election  Deadline (as defined  below).  Lafayette and First Merchants shall
also  establish a deadline  for receipt of such  Election  Forms (the  "Election
Deadline"),  which  deadline  shall be the close of business on the first day on
which the  administrative  offices of First  Merchants  are  generally  open for
business  after the special  meeting at which the Merger will be  submitted to a
vote of  Lafayette's  shareholders.  The Election  Forms shall be mailed to each
record holder of  Lafayette's  common stock as of the Special  Record Date along
with the proxy  materials  for the  special  shareholders'  meeting at which the
Merger will be submitted  to a vote of  Lafayette's  shareholders.  The Election
Form will  permit each holder of record of  Lafayette's  common  stock as of the
Special  Record  Date to elect,  subject  to Section  3.07,  to have all of such
holder's  shares  converted  in the Merger into  either  Option 1, Option 2 or a
combination of Option 1 and Option 2. The Election Form shall also permit direct
deposit of cash in each holder's  account in either the Bank or First  Merchants
Bank,  National  Association.  An election  shall be duly made by completing the
Election  Form  and  any  other  required   documents  in  accordance  with  the
instructions  set forth therein and  delivering  them to the Election  Agent (as
defined  below) or to such  other  person or  persons  mutually  agreed  upon by
Lafayette  and First  Merchants  to receive  elections,  to receive  outstanding
Lafayette  shares, to deliver cash or cash and shares of First Merchants' common
stock and to carry out the other procedures set forth herein.

         3.06.  Election Agent. First Merchants and Lafayette hereby appoint the
Trust Department of First Merchants Bank,  National  Association to act as agent
(the "Election  Agent") of Lafayette's  shareholders for the purposes of mailing
and receiving the Election  Forms,  tabulating  the results and notifying  First
Merchants and Lafayette of the results.


         3.07. All Cash Payments.

                  (a) In the event the  number  of  shares of  Lafayette  common
         stock  covered  by  Option  2  elections   would  entitle   Lafayette's
         shareholders  to receive less than  $50,329,248 in cash (including cash
         payments   for   fractional   shares   and   payments   to   dissenting
         shareholders),  all Option 1 and Option 2  elections  of the holders of
         Lafayette's  common stock shall be honored (each in its  entirety).  In
         the event that the amount of cash to be  received  by  shareholders  of
         Lafayette  pursuant to the terms of the Agreement  would result in cash
         payments of $50,329,248 or more (including cash payments for fractional
         shares and payments to dissenting shareholders), the Option 2 elections
         shall be honored in the following  order:  the Option 2 election  which
         covers the largest number of shares of  Lafayette's  common stock shall
         be converted into an Option 1 election first,  followed by the election
         which covers the next largest  number of shares (each in its  entirety)
         being  converted into an Option 1 election and continuing  this process
         until the total  remaining  number of  outstanding  Lafayette's  shares
         covered by Option 2  elections  is such that the Merger will (i) result
         in cash payments of no more than  $50,329,248  (including cash payments
         for  fractional  shares and payments to dissenting  shareholders),  and
         (ii) satisfy the  "continuity  of interest"  requirement  applicable to
         tax-free  reorganizations  under the Code. Option 2 elections which are
         not  converted  into  Option  1  elections  shall  remain  as  Option 2
         elections.

                  (b) Shares of  Lafayette's  common stock with respect to which
         no Election  Form is timely  received or ever received or which are the
         subject of otherwise invalid elections (the "Non-Electing Shares") will
         be treated as if the holders  thereof  elected  Option 1 for all shares
         held of record. This Section 3.07(b) shall be given effect prior to the
         reallocation provided for in Section 3.07(a).

                  (c) Lafayette and First Merchants shall mutually determine the
         validity of elections submitted by Lafayette's shareholders.

                  (d) A  holder  of  Lafayette's  shares  that is a bank,  trust
         company, security broker-dealer or other recognized nominee, may submit
         one or more Election  Forms for the persons for whom it holds shares as
         nominee provided that such bank, trust company,  security broker-dealer
         or  nominee  certifies  to the  satisfaction  of  Lafayette  and  First
         Merchants  the names of the  persons  for whom it is so holding  shares
         (the "Beneficial Owners"). In such case, each Beneficial Owner for whom
         an Election Form is submitted  shall be treated as a separate owner for
         purposes of the election  procedure and  allocation of shares set forth
         herein.

                  (e) First Merchants and Lafayette may, upon mutual  agreement,
         apply  the  adjustments  set  forth in this  Section  3.07 only to such
         extent and to such number of Lafayette's  shareholders  as is necessary
         to  accomplish  the  objectives of this Section 3.07 to assure that the
         Merger will qualify as a tax-free reorganization.

         3.08.  Distribution of First Merchants' Common Stock and Cash.

                  (a) Each share of common stock of First Merchants  outstanding
         immediately  prior  to the  Effective  Date  shall  remain  outstanding
         unaffected by the Merger.

                  (b) Following the Effective Date, First Merchants shall mail
         to each Lafayette shareholder a letter of transmittal (the "Letter of
         Transmittal") providing instructions as to the transmittal to the
         conversion agent, First Merchants Bank, National Association (the
         "Conversion Agent"), of certificates representing shares of Lafayette's
         common stock and the issuance of shares of First Merchants' common
         stock and cash in exchange therefor pursuant to the terms of this
         Agreement. Distribution of stock certificates representing First
         Merchants' common stock and cash payments for Lafayette's common stock
         and for fractional shares shall be made by First Merchants to each
         former shareholder of Lafayette within fifteen (15) business days of
         the later of the Effective Date or the date of such shareholder's
         delivery to the Conversion Agent of his/her/its certificates
         representing common stock of Lafayette, accompanied by a properly
         completed and executed Letter of Transmittal. Certificates surrendered
         for exchange by a person who is deemed to be an "affiliate" (as defined
         in Section 7.06 hereof) of Lafayette shall not be exchanged until First
         Merchants has received a written agreement from such affiliate as
         required pursuant to Section 7.06 hereof. Interest shall not accrue or
         be payable with respect to any cash payments.

                  (c)   Following  the  Effective   Date,   stock   certificates
         representing  Lafayette's common stock shall be deemed to evidence only
         the right to receive cash and/or ownership of First  Merchants'  common
         stock (for all corporate  purposes other than the payment of dividends)
         and cash for fractional  shares,  as applicable.  No dividends or other
         distributions  otherwise  payable  subsequent to the Effective  Date on
         stock of First Merchants  shall be paid to any shareholder  entitled to
         receive the same until such  shareholder  has  surrendered  his/her/its
         certificates  for Lafayette's  common stock to the Conversion  Agent in
         exchange for certificates  representing  First Merchants'  common stock
         and/or  cash.  Upon  surrender or  compliance  with the  provisions  of
         Section  3.08(f),  there shall be paid to the record  holder of the new
         certificate(s)  evidencing  shares of First Merchants' common stock the
         amount of all  dividends  and  other  distributions,  without  interest
         thereon, withheld with respect to such common stock.

                  (d)  At  or  after  the  Effective  Date,  there  shall  be no
         transfers on the stock transfer books of Lafayette of any shares of the
         common stock of Lafayette.  If, after the Effective Date,  certificates
         are  presented for transfer to Lafayette,  such  certificates  shall be
         cancelled and exchanged for the consideration set forth in Section 3.01
         hereof, as adjusted pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

                  (e) First  Merchants  shall be entitled to rely upon the stock
         transfer  books of  Lafayette  to  establish  the  persons  entitled to
         receive  cash and  shares of  common  stock of First  Merchants,  which
         books,  in the absence of actual  knowledge  by First  Merchants of any
         adverse  claim  thereto,  shall  be  conclusive  with  respect  to  the
         ownership of such stock.

                  (f) With respect to any  certificate for shares of Lafayette's
         common stock which has been lost, stolen, or destroyed, First Merchants
         shall be  authorized to issue common stock to the  registered  owner of
         such   certificate   upon   receipt  of  an  affidavit  of  lost  stock
         certificate, in form and substance satisfactory to First Merchants, and
         upon  compliance by the  Lafayette's  shareholder  with all  procedures
         historically  required by Lafayette in connection with lost, stolen, or
         destroyed certificates.


                                    SECTION 4

                             Dissenting Shareholders

         Shareholders  of Lafayette shall have the rights accorded to dissenting
shareholders under Indiana Code ss. 23-1-44,  as amended.  Shareholders of First
Merchants  are not entitled to any  dissenters'  rights  under  Indiana Code ss.
23-1-44  since First  Merchants  common stock is quoted and traded on the NASDAQ
National Market System.


                                    SECTION 5

                               Representations and
                             Warranties of Lafayette

         Lafayette  represents  and warrants to First  Merchants with respect to
itself and the Bank as follows: (For the purposes of this Section, a "Disclosure
Letter" is defined as a letter  referencing  Section 5 of this  Agreement  which
shall be prepared and executed by an authorized  executive  officer of Lafayette
and  delivered to and  initialed  by an  authorized  executive  officer of First
Merchants contemporaneous with the execution of this Agreement.)

         5.01.  Organization  and  Authority.  Lafayette is a  corporation  duly
organized and validly  existing under the laws of the State of Indiana,  and the
Bank is a bank duly  organized and validly  existing under the laws of the State
of Indiana.  Lafayette and the Bank have the power and authority  (corporate and
other) to conduct  their  respective  businesses  in the manner and by the means
utilized as of the date hereof.  Except as set forth in the  Disclosure  Letter,
Lafayette's only subsidiary is the Bank, and the Bank has no  subsidiaries.  The
Bank is subject to primary federal regulatory  supervision and regulation by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

         5.02. Authorization.

                  (a) Lafayette  has the corporate  power and authority to enter
         into this Agreement and to carry out its obligations  hereunder subject
         to certain required  regulatory  approvals and Lafayette's  shareholder
         approval. This Agreement,  when executed and delivered,  will have been
         duly authorized and will  constitute a valid and binding  obligation of
         Lafayette,  enforceable  in  accordance  with its  terms  except to the
         extent limited by insolvency, reorganization, liquidation, readjustment
         of debt or other laws of general  application  relating to or affecting
         the enforcement of creditors' rights.

                  (b) Except as set forth in the Disclosure Letter,  neither the
         execution of this Agreement,  nor the  consummation of the transactions
         contemplated hereby, does or will (i) conflict with, result in a breach
         of, or constitute a default under Lafayette's Articles of Incorporation
         or By-Laws;  (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute a
         default  under  any  federal,  foreign,  state or local  law,  statute,
         ordinance, rule, regulation or court or administrative order or decree,
         or any note,  bond,  indenture,  loan,  mortgage,  security  agreement,
         contract,  arrangement or commitment, to which Lafayette or the Bank is
         subject  or bound,  the  result of which  would  materially  affect the
         business or financial  condition of Lafayette or the Bank; (iii) result
         in the creation of or give any person, corporation or entity, the right
         to create any lien,  charge,  encumbrance,  security  interest,  or any
         other  rights of  others  or other  adverse  interest  upon any  right,
         property or asset of Lafayette or the Bank;  (iv) terminate or give any
         person, corporation or entity, the right to terminate,  amend, abandon,
         or refuse  to  perform  any  note,  bond,  indenture,  loan,  mortgage,
         security  agreement,  contract,  arrangement  or  commitment  to  which
         Lafayette or the Bank is subject or bound; or (v) accelerate or modify,
         or give any party thereto the right to  accelerate or modify,  the time
         within which, or the terms according to which, Lafayette or the Bank is
         to perform any duties or  obligations or receive any rights or benefits
         under any note, bond,  indenture,  loan, mortgage,  security agreement,
         contract, arrangement or commitment.

                  (c)  Other  than  in  connection  or in  compliance  with  the
         provisions of the Bank Holding  Company Act of 1956,  federal and state
         securities laws and applicable Indiana banking and corporate  statutes,
         all as amended, and the rules and regulations  promulgated  thereunder,
         no notice to, filing with,  authorization  of, exemption by, or consent
         or  approval  of, any public body or  authority  is  necessary  for the
         consummation  by Lafayette  of the  transactions  contemplated  by this
         Agreement.

                  (d) Other than those  filings,  authorizations,  consents  and
         approvals  referenced in Section  5.02(c) above and except as set forth
         in the Disclosure  Schedule,  no notice to, filing with,  authorization
         of,  exemption  by, or  consent  or  approval  of,  any third  party is
         necessary  for  the  consummation  by  Lafayette  of  the  transactions
         contemplated by this Agreement.

         5.03. Capitalization.

                  (a) The  authorized  capital stock of Lafayette as of the date
         hereof consists,  and on the Effective Date will consist,  of 5,000,000
         shares of common stock,  without par value,  3,961,589  shares of which
         are issued and  outstanding.  Such  issued  and  outstanding  shares of
         Lafayette's  common stock have been duly and validly  authorized by all
         necessary corporate action of Lafayette, are validly issued, fully paid
         and  nonassessable  and  have  not  been  issued  in  violation  of any
         preemptive rights of any  shareholders.  Lafayette has no capital stock
         authorized,  issued or  outstanding  other  than as  described  in this
         Section 5.03(a) and, except as set forth in the Disclosure  Letter, has
         no  intention or  obligation  to authorize or issue any other shares of
         capital stock.

                  (b) The  authorized  capital  stock of the Bank as of the date
         hereof  consists,  and on the  Effective  Date will  consist,  of 2,000
         shares of common stock,  $100.00 par value per share,  all 2,000 shares
         of which are issued  and  outstanding  to  Lafayette.  Such  issued and
         outstanding  shares of Bank  common  stock  have been duly and  validly
         authorized by all necessary  corporate  action of the Bank, are validly
         issued,  fully  paid and  nonassessable,  and have not been  issued  in
         violation of any preemptive  rights of any Bank  shareholders.  All the
         issued  and  outstanding  shares  of Bank  common  stock  are  owned by
         Lafayette,  free and  clear of all  liens,  pledges,  charges,  claims,
         encumbrances,  restrictions, security interests, options and preemptive
         rights  and of all other  rights of any other  person,  corporation  or
         entity with respect thereto.  The Bank has no capital stock authorized,
         issued or outstanding  other than as described in this Section  5.03(b)
         and has no  intention  or  obligation  to  authorize or issue any other
         shares of capital stock.

                  (c) Except as set forth in the Disclosure Letter, there are no
         options, commitments, calls, agreements,  understandings,  arrangements
         or subscription rights regarding the issuance,  purchase or acquisition
         of capital stock,  or any securities  convertible  into or representing
         the right to purchase  or  otherwise  receive the capital  stock or any
         debt  securities,  of Lafayette nor the Bank by which  Lafayette or the
         Bank is or may become  bound.  Neither  Lafayette  nor the Bank has any
         outstanding  contractual or other  obligation to repurchase,  redeem or
         otherwise acquire any of its respective  outstanding  shares of capital
         stock.

                  (d)  Except  as set  forth in the  Disclosure  Letter,  to the
         knowledge of  Lafayette,  no person or entity  beneficially  owns 5% or
         more of Lafayette's outstanding shares of common stock.

                  (e) As of the date hereof, there are 38,104 stock appreciation
         rights (an "SAR") granted and unexercised under the Lafayette Officers'
         Stock Appreciation Rights Plan. Other than such granted and unexercised
         SARs, there are, and at the Effective Date there will be, no other such
         rights that have been granted by Lafayette or which could be exercised.
         The Base  Price (as such term is  defined  in the  Lafayette  Officers'
         Stock  Appreciation  Rights Plan) for each such granted and unexercised
         SAR is $3.66.

         5.04.    Organizational   Documents.   The   respective   Articles   of
Incorporation and By-Laws of Lafayette and the Bank have been delivered to First
Merchants and represent  true,  accurate and complete  copies of such  corporate
documents of Lafayette and the Bank in effect as of the date of this Agreement.

         5.05.  Compliance  with  Law.  Except  as set  forth in the  Disclosure
Letter,  neither Lafayette nor the Bank has engaged in any activity nor taken or
omitted to take any action which has resulted or, to the  knowledge of Lafayette
could  result,  in the  violation of any local,  state,  federal or foreign law,
statute, rule, regulation or ordinance or of any order, injunction,  judgment or
decree of any court or government  agency or body,  the violation of which could
materially affect the business, prospects, condition (financial or otherwise) or
results of operations  of Lafayette or the Bank.  Lafayette and the Bank possess
all licenses,  franchises,  permits and other  authorizations  necessary for the
continued conduct of their respective  businesses without material  interference
or interruption and such licenses,  franchises, permits and authorizations shall
be transferred to First Merchants on the Effective Date without any restrictions
or limitations thereon or the need to obtain any consents of third parties.  All
agreements  and  understandings  with,  and all  orders and  directives  of, all
regulatory  agencies or government  authorities  with respect to the business or
operations   of   Lafayette   or  the  Bank,   including   all   correspondence,
communications and commitments related thereto,  are set forth in the Disclosure
Letter.  Except as set forth in the Disclosure  Letter, the Bank has received no
inquiries from any  regulatory  agency or government  authority  relating to its
compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act, the  Truth-in-Lending Act or the Community
Reinvestment  Act or any laws with respect to the protection of the  environment
or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.  Except as set forth in the
Disclosure  Letter,  Lafayette  has  received no inquiries  from any  regulatory
agency or government  authority  relating to its compliance  with any securities
laws applicable to Lafayette.

         5.06.  Accuracy of  Statements.  Neither this Agreement nor any report,
statement,  list,  certificate or other information furnished or to be furnished
by Lafayette or the Bank to First  Merchants  pursuant to or in connection  with
this  Agreement or the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  (including,  without
limitation,  any information which has been or shall be supplied by Lafayette or
the Bank with respect to their  businesses,  operations and financial  condition
for inclusion in the proxy statement and registration  statement relating to the
Merger)  contains or shall contain (in the case of  information  relating to the
proxy statement at the time it is mailed and for the  registration  statement at
the time it becomes  effective) any untrue statement of a material fact or omits
or  shall  omit to  state a  material  fact  necessary  to make  the  statements
contained  herein or therein,  in light of the  circumstances  in which they are
made, not misleading.

         5.07.  Litigation and Pending  Proceedings.  Except as set forth in the
Disclosure  Letter,  there are no claims of any  kind,  nor any  action,  suits,
proceedings,  arbitrations  or  investigations  pending or, to the  knowledge of
Lafayette or the Bank,  threatened in any court or before any government  agency
or body, arbitration panel or otherwise (nor does Lafayette or the Bank have any
knowledge of a basis for any claim,  action,  suit,  proceeding,  arbitration or
investigation)  against,  by or materially  adversely affecting Lafayette or the
Bank  or  their  respective  businesses,  prospects,  conditions  (financial  or
otherwise),  results  of  operations  or  assets,  or which  would  prevent  the
performance  of this  Agreement  or  declare  the same  unlawful  or  cause  the
rescission hereof. There are no material uncured violations,  or violations with
respect to which material refunds or restitutions may be required,  cited in any
compliance  report to Lafayette or the Bank as a result of an examination by any
regulatory agency or body.

         5.08. Financial Statements.

                  (a) Lafayette's  consolidated  balance sheets as of the end of
         the two fiscal  years ended  December 31, 1999 and 2000 and for the six
         (6) month  period  ended  June 30,  2001 and the  related  consolidated
         statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the years
         or period  then  ended  (hereinafter  collectively  referred  to as the
         "Financial  Information")  present  fairly the  consolidated  financial
         condition or position of Lafayette as of the  respective  dates thereof
         and  the  consolidated  results  of  operations  of  Lafayette  for the
         respective periods covered thereby and have been prepared in conformity
         with generally accepted  accounting  principles applied on a consistent
         basis. The Financial Information as of and for the two (2) fiscal years
         ended 1999 and 2000 are audited financial statements.

                  (b) All loans reflected in the Financial Information and which
         have been made, extended or acquired since June 30, 2001, (i) have been
         made for good,  valuable  and  adequate  consideration  in the ordinary
         course of  business;  (ii)  constitute  the  legal,  valid and  binding
         obligation of the obligor and any guarantor  named  therein;  (iii) are
         evidenced by notes,  instruments  or other  evidences  of  indebtedness
         which are true,  genuine  and what they  purport to be; and (iv) to the
         extent  that  the Bank  has a  security  interest  in  collateral  or a
         mortgage  securing  such  loans,  are  secured  by  perfected  security
         interests  or  mortgages  naming  the  Bank  as the  secured  party  or
         mortgagee,  except for such unperfected security interests or mortgages
         naming the Bank as secured party or mortgagee  which,  on an individual
         loan basis, would not materially adversely affect the value of any such
         loan and the  recovery  of  payment on any such loan if the Bank is not
         able to enforce any such security interest or mortgage.

         5.09.  Absence of  Certain  Changes.  Except for events and  conditions
relating to the business and interest  rate  environment  in general  (including
consequences  of the  terrorist  attack on the United  States on  September  11,
2001), the accrual or payment of Merger-related expenses, or as set forth in the
Disclosure Letter, since June 30 2001, no events or conditions of any character,
whether actual, threatened or contemplated,  have occurred, or, to the knowledge
of Lafayette,  can reasonably be expected to occur,  which materially  adversely
affect Lafayette's or the Bank's business,  prospects,  conditions (financial or
otherwise),  assets or  results  of  operations  or which  have  caused,  or can
reasonably  be  expected  to cause,  Lafayette's  or the Bank's  business  to be
conducted in a materially  less  profitable  manner than prior to June 30, 2001.
Between the period from June 30, 2001 to the date of this  Agreement,  Lafayette
and the Bank have  carried on their  respective  businesses  in the ordinary and
usual course  consistent with their past practices  (excluding the incurrence of
fees and expenses of  professional  advisors  related to this  Agreement and the
transactions  contemplated  hereby)  and  there  has not been  any  declaration,
setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash,
stock or property) with respect to  Lafayette's  common stock (other than normal
quarterly cash dividends) or any split,  combination or  reclassification of any
stock of  Lafayette  or the Bank or any  issuance  or the  authorization  of any
issuance of any securities in respect of, or in lieu of, or in substitution  for
shares of Lafayette's common stock.

         5.10.  Absence of Undisclosed  Liabilities.  Neither  Lafayette nor the
Bank  is a party  to any  agreement,  contract,  loan,  obligation,  commitment,
arrangement,  liability, lease or license which individually exceeds $50,000 per
year or  which  may not be  terminated  within  one  year  from the date of this
Agreement,  except as set forth in the Disclosure Letter and except for unfunded
loan commitments  made in the ordinary course of the Bank's business  consistent
with past  practices,  nor to the  knowledge of  Lafayette  does there exist any
circumstances  resulting from transactions  effected or to be effected or events
which have occurred or may occur or from any action taken or omitted to be taken
which could  reasonably be expected to result in any such  agreement,  contract,
loan, obligation, commitment, arrangement, liability, lease or license.

         5.11. Title to Assets.

                  (a) Except as set forth in the  Disclosure  Letter,  Lafayette
         and the Bank have good and marketable  title in fee simple  absolute to
         all  personal  property  reflected  in  the  June  30,  2001  Financial
         Information,  good and  marketable  title to all other  properties  and
         assets which  Lafayette or the Bank purport to own, good and marketable
         title to or right to use by terms of any  lease or  contract  all other
         property  used in  Lafayette's  or the  Bank's  business,  and good and
         marketable  title to all  property and assets  acquired  since June 30,
         2001, free and clear of all mortgages,  liens,  pledges,  restrictions,
         security interests, charges, claims or encumbrances of any nature.

                  (b) All furniture,  fixtures,  machinery,  equipment, computer
         software and hardware,  and all other tangible  personal property owned
         or used by Lafayette or the Bank,  including any such items leased as a
         lessee,  are in good working order and free of known  defects,  subject
         only to normal wear and tear. The operation by Lafayette or the Bank of
         such properties and assets is in compliance  with all applicable  laws,
         ordinances,  rules and  regulations  of any  governmental  authority or
         third  party  having  jurisdiction  over  such  use,  except  for  such
         noncompliance  that  would not have a  material  adverse  effect on the
         business of Lafayette or the Bank.

         5.12. Loans and Investments.

                  (a) Except as set forth in the Disclosure Letter,  there is no
         loan of the Bank in excess of $100,000 that has been classified by bank
         regulatory   examiners   as   "Other   Loans   Specially    Mentioned,"
         "Substandard,"  "Doubtful" or "Loss," nor is there any loan of the Bank
         in  excess  of  $100,000  that  has  been   identified  by  management,
         accountants or auditors  (internal or external) as having a significant
         risk of  uncollectibility.  The Bank's loan watch list and all loans in
         excess of $100,000  that the Bank's  management  has  determined  to be
         ninety (90) days or more past due with respect to principal or interest
         or has  placed on  nonaccrual  status  are set forth in the  Disclosure
         Letter.

                  (b) Each of the reserves  and  allowances  for  possible  loan
         losses and the carrying  value for real estate owned which are shown on
         the Financial Information is, in the opinion of Lafayette and the Bank,
         adequate in all material  respects under the  requirements of generally
         accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis to provide
         for possible  losses on loans  outstanding  and real estate owned as of
         the date of such Financial Information.

                  (c) Except as set forth in the Disclosure Letter,  none of the
         investments  reflected  in the  Financial  Information  and none of the
         investments  made by  Lafayette  or the Bank  since  June  30,  2001 is
         subject to any restrictions,  whether  contractual or statutory,  which
         materially  impairs  the  ability of  Lafayette  or the Bank to dispose
         freely  of such  investment  at any  time.  Except  as set forth in the
         Disclosure  Letter,  neither  Lafayette nor the Bank are a party to any
         repurchase agreements with respect to securities.

         5.13. Employee Benefit Plans.

                  (a) The Disclosure  Letter  contains a list  identifying  each
         "employee  benefit  plan," as defined in Section  3(3) of the  Employee
         Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), which (i)
         is  subject  to  any  provision  of  ERISA,  and  (ii)  is  maintained,
         administered  or contributed to by Lafayette or the Bank and covers any
         employee,  director or former  employee or director of Lafayette or the
         Bank under which  Lafayette  or the Bank has any  liability.  Copies of
         such plans (and, if applicable,  related trust  agreements or insurance
         contracts)  and all  amendments  thereto  and  written  interpretations
         thereof have been furnished to First Merchants  together with the three
         most recent annual  reports  prepared in connection  with any such plan
         and the current summary plan  descriptions.  Such plans are hereinafter
         referred to individually as an "Employee Plan" and  collectively as the
         "Employee Plans." The Employee Plans which individually or collectively
         would  constitute  an  "employee  pension  benefit  plan" as defined in
         Section 3(2)(A) of ERISA are identified in the list referred to above.

                  (b) The Employee  Plans comply with and have been  operated in
         accordance  with all applicable  laws,  regulations,  rulings and other
         requirements the breach or violation of which could  materially  affect
         Lafayette,  the Bank, or an Employee Plan.  Each Employee Plan has been
         administered in substantial  conformance with such requirements and all
         reports and  information  required  with respect to each  Employee Plan
         have been timely given.

                  (c) No "prohibited  transaction," as defined in Section 406 of
         ERISA  or  Section  4975  of  the  Code,  for  which  no  statutory  or
         administrative  exemption exists, and no "reportable event," as defined
         in  Section  4043(b)  of ERISA,  for which a notice is  required  to be
         filed,  has  occurred  with  respect  to  any  Employee  Plan.  Neither
         Lafayette  nor the Bank has any  outstanding  liability  to the Pension
         Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC"), or any liability to the Internal
         Revenue  Service  ("IRS"),  to the Department of Labor ("DOL") or to an
         employee or Employee Plan beneficiary under Section 502 of ERISA.

                  (d) To the  best  knowledge  of  Lafayette  and the  Bank,  no
         "fiduciary,"  as defined in Section 3(21) of ERISA, of an Employee Plan
         has failed to comply with the requirements of Section 404 of ERISA.

                  (e)  Each  of the  Employee  Plans  which  is  intended  to be
         qualified  under Code Section  401(a) has been amended to comply in all
         material  respects  with  the  applicable  requirements  of  the  Code,
         including  the Tax Reform Act of 1986,  the  Revenue  Act of 1987,  the
         Technical and  Miscellaneous  Revenue Act of 1988,  the Omnibus  Budget
         Reconciliation Act of 1989, the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990, the
         Tax Extension Act of 1991, the Unemployment  Compensation Amendments of
         1992, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, and the Retirement
         Protection Act of 1994 and any rules, regulations or other requirements
         promulgated  thereunder (the "Acts").  In addition,  each such Employee
         Plan has been and is being operated in substantial conformance with the
         applicable  provisions  of ERISA and the Code,  as amended by the Acts,
         including operational compliance with the Uruguay Round Agreements Act,
         the Uniformed Services  Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994,
         the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, the Taxpayer  Relief Act
         of 1997, and the Internal Revenue Service  Restructuring and Reform Act
         of 1998 (even  though  actual  plan  amendments  do not have to be made
         until the last day of the 2001 plan  year).  Except as set forth in the
         Disclosure Letter, Lafayette and/or the Bank, as applicable, sought and
         received  favorable  determination  letters  from  the IRS  within  the
         applicable  remedial  amendment periods under Code Section 401(b),  and
         has  furnished  to  First  Merchants  copies  of the  most  recent  IRS
         determination letters with respect to any such Employee Plan.

                  (f) No Employee  Plan owns any  security of  Lafayette  or the
         Bank,  except the Bank's  Employees'  Pension  Plan which holds  44,781
         shares of Lafayette common stock.

                  (g) Except as set forth in the Disclosure  Letter, no Employee
         Plan has incurred an  "accumulated  funding  deficiency," as determined
         under Code Section 412 and ERISA Section 302.

                  (h) Except as set forth in the Disclosure  Letter, no Employee
         Plan has been  terminated  or  incurred a partial  termination  (either
         voluntarily or involuntarily).

                  (i) No claims against an Employee Plan, Lafayette or the Bank,
         with respect to an Employee Plan,  (other than normal  benefit  claims)
         have been asserted or, to the best  knowledge of Lafayette or the Bank,
         threatened.

                  (j) Except as set forth in the Disclosure Letter,  there is no
         contract,   agreement,  plan  or  arrangement  covering  any  employee,
         director or former  employee or director of Lafayette or the Bank that,
         individually  or  collectively,  could give rise to the  payment of any
         amount  that  would not be  deductible  by reason  of  Section  280G or
         Section 162(a)(1) of the Code.

                  (k) To the best  knowledge of Lafayette and the Bank, no event
         has occurred  that would cause the  imposition  of the tax described in
         Code Section  4980B.  To the best  knowledge of Lafayette and the Bank,
         all requirements of ERISA Section 601 have been met.

                  (l) The Disclosure  Letter contains a list of each employment,
         severance or other  similar  contract,  arrangement  or policy and each
         plan or arrangement  (written or oral) providing for insurance coverage
         (including  any  self-insured  arrangements),   workers'  compensation,
         disability  benefits,   supplemental  unemployment  benefits,  vacation
         benefits, retirement benefits or deferred compensation, profit sharing,
         bonuses,  stock options,  stock  appreciation  rights or other forms of
         incentive  compensation or post-retirement  insurance,  compensation or
         benefits  which (i) is not an Employee  Plan,  (ii) was  entered  into,
         maintained or  contributed  to, as the case may be, by Lafayette or the
         Bank,  and (iii) covers any  employee,  director or former  employee or
         director  of  Lafayette  or  the  Bank.  Such   contracts,   plans  and
         arrangements as are described  above,  copies or descriptions of all of
         which  have  been  furnished   previously  to  First   Merchants,   are
         hereinafter  referred to  collectively  as the "Benefit  Arrangements."
         Each of the Benefit  Arrangements  has been  maintained in  substantial
         compliance with its terms and with the  requirements  prescribed by any
         and all statutes, orders, rules and regulations which are applicable to
         such Benefit Arrangements.

                  (m)  Except as set  forth in the  Disclosure  Letter,  neither
         Lafayette  nor the Bank has any present or future  liability in respect
         of post-retirement  health and medical benefits for former employees or
         directors of Lafayette or the Bank.

                  (n) Except as set forth in the  Disclosure  Letter,  there has
         been no amendment to, written  interpretation or announcement  (whether
         or not  written) by  Lafayette  or the Bank  relating  to, or change in
         employee  participation or coverage under, any Employee Plan or Benefit
         Arrangement which would increase  materially the expense of maintaining
         such  Employee  Plans or  Benefit  Arrangements  above the level of the
         expense  incurred in respect thereof for the fiscal year ended December
         31, 2000.

                  (o) For purposes of this Section 5.13, references to Lafayette
         or the Bank are deemed to include (i) all  predecessors of Lafayette or
         the Bank,  (ii) any  subsidiary  of  Lafayette  or the Bank,  (iii) all
         members of any  controlled  group (as  determined  under  Code  Section
         414(b)  or (c))  that  includes  Lafayette  or the  Bank,  and (iv) all
         members  of any  affiliated  service  group (as  determined  under Code
         Section 414(m) or (n)) that includes Lafayette or the Bank.

         5.14.  Obligations to Employees.  Except as set forth in the Disclosure
Letter,  all accrued  obligations  and  liabilities  of Lafayette  and the Bank,
whether arising by operation of law, by contract or by past custom, for payments
to trust or other funds,  to any government  agency or body or to any individual
director,   officer,  employee  or  agent  (or  his  heirs,  legatees  or  legal
representative)  with respect to  unemployment  compensation  or social security
benefits and all pension,  retirement,  savings,  stock  purchase,  stock bonus,
stock ownership, stock option, stock appreciation rights or profit sharing plan,
any  employment,   deferred  compensation,   consultant,   bonus  or  collective
bargaining agreement or group insurance contract or other incentive,  welfare or
employee benefit plan or agreement maintained by Lafayette or the Bank for their
current or former  directors,  officers,  employees and agents have been and are
being  paid  to the  extent  required  by law or by the  plan or  contract,  and
adequate  actuarial accruals and/or reserves for such payments have been and are
being  made by  Lafayette  or the Bank in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting  and actuarial  principles,  except where the failure to pay any such
accrued  obligations  or  liabilities or to maintain  adequate  accruals  and/or
reserves for payment thereof would not materially  adversely affect Lafayette or
the Bank or their respective  businesses,  prospects,  conditions  (financial or
otherwise),  results of operations or assets. All obligations and liabilities of
Lafayette and the Bank, whether arising by operation of law, by contract,  or by
past custom,  for all forms of compensation which are or may be payable to their
current or former  directors,  officers,  employees  or agents have been and are
being paid, and adequate accruals and/or reserves for payment therefor have been
and are being made in accordance with generally accepted accounting  principles,
except  where the  failure to pay any such  obligations  and  liabilities  or to
maintain  adequate  accruals  and/or  reserves  for  payment  thereof  would not
materially   adversely   affect  Lafayette  or  the  Bank  or  their  respective
businesses,   prospects,   conditions  (financial  or  otherwise),   results  of
operations or assets. All accruals and reserves referred to in this Section 5.14
are  correctly  and  accurately  reflected  and  accounted  for  in  the  books,
statements  and records of Lafayette  and the Bank,  except where the failure to
correctly  and  accurately  reflect and account for such  accruals  and reserves
would not materially  adversely affect Lafayette or the Bank or their respective
businesses,   prospects,   conditions  (financial  or  otherwise),   results  of
operations or assets.

         5.15. Taxes, Returns and Reports.  Lafayette and the Bank have (a) duly
filed all federal,  state,  local and foreign tax returns of every type and kind
required to be filed as of the date  hereof,  and each return is true,  complete
and accurate in all  material  respects;  (b) paid in all material  respects all
taxes,  assessments and other governmental charges due or claimed to be due upon
them or any of their  income,  properties  or assets;  and (c) not  requested an
extension  of time for any such  payments  (which  extension is still in force).
Except for taxes not yet due and payable, the reserve for taxes on the Financial
Information  is  adequate  to  cover  all of  Lafayette's  and  the  Bank's  tax
liabilities  (including,  without  limitation,  income taxes and franchise fees)
that may  become  payable  in future  years  with  respect  to any  transactions
consummated prior to June 30, 2001.  Neither Lafayette nor the Bank has, or will
have, any liability for taxes of any nature for or with respect to the operation
of their business,  including the assets of any subsidiary,  from June 30, 2001,
up to and including the Effective Date,  except to the extent reflected on their
Financial  Information  or on  financial  statements  of  Lafayette  or the Bank
subsequent  to such  date and as set  forth in the  Disclosure  Letter.  Neither
Lafayette nor the Bank is currently  under audit by any state or federal  taxing
authority.  Except as set forth in the Disclosure  Letter,  neither the federal,
state,  or local tax returns of  Lafayette  or the Bank have been audited by any
taxing authority during the past five (5) years.

         5.16.  Deposit  Insurance.  The deposits of the Bank are insured by the
Federal Deposit  Insurance  Corporation  ("FDIC") in accordance with the Federal
Deposit  Insurance Act, and the Bank has paid all premiums and assessments  with
respect to such deposit insurance.

         5.17.  Reports.  Since January 1, 1995,  each of Lafayette and the Bank
have timely filed all reports,  registrations and statements,  together with any
required amendments thereto,  that it was required to file with (i) the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve Board"),  (ii) the
Indiana  Department  of  Financial  Institutions,  (iii) the FDIC,  and (iv) any
federal,   state,   municipal   or  local   government,   securities,   banking,
environmental, insurance and other governmental or regulatory authority, and the
agencies and staffs thereof (collectively, the "Regulatory Authorities"), having
jurisdiction  over the affairs of either Lafayette or the Bank. All such reports
filed by Lafayette and the Bank  complied in all material  respects with all the
rules and regulations  promulgated by the applicable Regulatory  Authorities and
are true,  accurate and complete in all material  respects and were  prepared in
conformity with generally accepted regulatory accounting principles applied on a
consistent  basis.  Except as set forth in the  Disclosure  Letter,  there is no
unresolved   violation,   criticism  or  exception  by  any  of  the  Regulatory
Authorities   with  respect  to  any  report  or  statement  filed  by,  or  any
examinations of, Lafayette or the Bank.

         5.18.  Absence  of  Defaults.  Neither  Lafayette  nor  the  Bank is in
violation of its charter  documents or By-Laws or in default  under any material
agreement,  commitment,  arrangement,  loan,  lease,  insurance  policy or other
instrument, whether entered into in the ordinary course of business or otherwise
and whether written or oral, and there has not occurred any event that, with the
lapse of time or  giving of notice or both,  would  constitute  such a  default,
except  for  defaults  which  would not have a  material  adverse  effect on the
business of Lafayette or the Bank.

         5.19. Tax and Regulatory  Matters.  Neither  Lafayette nor the Bank has
taken  or  agreed  to take  any  action  or has  any  knowledge  of any  fact or
circumstance  that would (i) prevent the transactions  contemplated  hereby from
qualifying as a reorganization  within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code or
(ii) materially impede or delay receipt of any regulatory  approval required for
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.


         5.20. Real Property.

                  (a) A list of the  locations  of each parcel of real  property
         owned by  Lafayette or the Bank (other than real  property  acquired in
         foreclosure  or in lieu of  foreclosure in the course of the collection
         of loans and being held by  Lafayette  or the Bank for  disposition  as
         required  by law) is set  forth  in the  Disclosure  Letter  under  the
         heading of "Owned  Real  Property"  (such real  property  being  herein
         referred to as the "Owned Real  Property").  A list of the locations of
         each parcel of real  property  leased by  Lafayette or the Bank is also
         set forth in the  Disclosure  Letter  under the heading of "Leased Real
         Property"  (such real property being herein  referred to as the "Leased
         Real  Property").  Lafayette shall update the Disclosure  Letter within
         ten (10) days after  acquiring or leasing any real  property  after the
         date hereof. Collectively,  the Owned Real Property and the Leased Real
         Property are herein referred to as the "Real Property."

                  (b) There is no pending action involving Lafayette or the Bank
         as to the title of or the right to use any of the Real Property.

                  (c)  Neither  Lafayette  nor the Bank has any  interest in any
         other real property except interests as a mortgagee, and except for any
         real property  acquired in foreclosure  or in lieu of  foreclosure  and
         being held for disposition as required by law.

                  (d) None of the  buildings,  structures or other  improvements
         located  on the Real  Property  encroaches  upon or over any  adjoining
         parcel of real estate or any easement or right-of-way or "setback" line
         and all such  buildings,  structures and  improvements  are located and
         constructed  in conformity  with all applicable  zoning  ordinances and
         building codes. The  representation  made in the immediately  preceding
         sentence  shall  be  deemed  to  have  been  made to the  knowledge  of
         Lafayette and the Bank, except with respect to the main downtown office
         of the Bank located at 133 North Fourth Street,  Lafayette,  Indiana to
         which office such knowledge qualifier shall not be applicable.

                  (e) None of the buildings,  structures or improvements located
         on the Real  Property  are the  subject of any  official  complaint  or
         notice by any  governmental  authority of  violation of any  applicable
         zoning  ordinance or building code,  and there is no zoning  ordinance,
         building code, use or occupancy  restriction or condemnation  action or
         proceeding pending, or, to the best knowledge of Lafayette, threatened,
         with respect to any such building,  structure or improvement.  The Real
         Property is in good condition for its intended  purpose,  ordinary wear
         and  tear  excepted,   and  has  been  maintained  in  accordance  with
         reasonable   and  prudent   business   practices   applicable  to  like
         facilities.  The Real Property has been used and operated in compliance
         with all applicable laws, statutes,  rules,  regulations and ordinances
         applicable thereto.

                  (f) Except as may be reflected in the Financial Information or
         with respect to such  easements,  liens,  defects or encumbrances as do
         not  individually or in the aggregate  materially  adversely affect the
         use or value of the Owned Real  Property,  Lafayette and the Bank have,
         and at the Closing Date will have,  good and marketable  title to their
         respective Owned Real Property, free and clear of all liens, mortgages,
         security  interests,  encumbrances  and  restrictions  of any  kind  or
         character.

                  (g) Neither  Lafayette  nor the Bank has caused or allowed the
         generation,  treatment,  storage,  disposal  or  release  at  any  Real
         Property  of  any  Toxic  Substance,  except  in  accordance  with  all
         applicable  federal,  state  and  local  laws and  regulations.  "Toxic
         Substance"   means  any  hazardous,   toxic  or  dangerous   substance,
         pollutant,  waste,  gas or  material,  including,  without  limitation,
         petroleum and  petroleum  products,  metals,  liquids,  semi-solids  or
         solids,  that are regulated under any federal,  state or local statute,
         ordinance,  rule,  regulation or other law pertaining to  environmental
         protection, contamination, quality, waste management or cleanup.

                  (h) Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Letter, there are no
         underground  storage  tanks  located  on, in or under  any  Owned  Real
         Property and no such Owned Real  Property has  previously  contained an
         underground storage tank. Neither Lafayette nor the Bank own or operate
         any  underground  storage tank at any Leased Real  Property and no such
         Leased Real Property has previously  contained an  underground  storage
         tank. No Real Property is or has been listed on the CERCLIS.

                  (i) No Toxic Substance has been released,  spilled, discharged
         or  disposed  at, in, on or under any Real  Property  nor are there any
         other conditions or circumstances  affecting any Real Property, in each
         case,  which would pose a significant  risk to the  environment  or the
         health  or safety of  persons  or  otherwise  pose a  material  risk of
         liability for remediation, corrective action or clean-up.

                  (j) The Real Property is not "property"  within the definition
         of Indiana Code 13-11-2-174. Neither Lafayette nor the Bank is required
         to provide a  "disclosure  document" to First  Merchants as a result of
         the Merger pursuant to the Indiana  Responsible  Property  Transfer Law
         (I.C. ss. 13-25-3-1 et seq.).

                  (k) Except as set forth in the Disclosure Letter, there are no
         mechanic's or  materialman's  liens against the Real  Property,  and no
         unpaid  claims for labor  performed,  materials  furnished  or services
         rendered in connection  with  constructing,  improving or repairing the
         Real  Property in respect of which liens may or could be filed  against
         the Real Property.

         5.21. Securities Law Compliance.  Lafayette's common stock is traded on
the  over-the-counter  bulletin board of the National  Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. under the symbol of "LAYB." Lafayette has complied in all material
respects with all state,  federal or foreign securities laws,  statutes,  rules,
regulations or orders,  injunctions or decrees of any government agency relating
thereto.  Lafayette  has  complied  in all  material  respects  with all  rules,
regulations,  orders,  injunctions  or decrees of the  National  Association  of
Securities  Dealers,  Inc. and all entities related or affiliated  therewith and
has filed all reports  and  documents  required to be filed with such  entities.
Lafayette has filed all reports and other  documents  required to be filed by it
under  the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934  and the  Securities  Act of 1933,
including Lafayette's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2000,  and  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter  ended June 30, 2001,
copies of which have  previously  been  delivered to First  Merchants.  All such
Securities and Exchange  Commission filings were true,  accurate and complete in
all  material  respects  as of the  dates of the  filings,  and no such  filings
contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material
fact necessary in order to make the statements,  at the time and in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not false or misleading.

         5.22.  Broker's or Finder's Fees. Except for Dain Rauscher  Wessels,  a
division of Dain Rauscher Incorporated,  no agent, broker or other person acting
on behalf of  Lafayette  or the Bank or under any  authority of Lafayette or the
Bank is or shall be entitled to any commission,  broker's or finder's fee or any
other form of compensation or payment from any of the parties hereto, other than
attorneys' or  accountants'  fees, in  connection  with any of the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

         5.23.   Shareholder  Rights  Plan.  Except  as  otherwise  provided  in
Lafayette's Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws,  Lafayette has no shareholder
rights  plan or any other plan,  program or  agreement  involving,  restricting,
prohibiting or  discouraging a change in control or merger of Lafayette or which
may be considered an anti-takeover mechanism.

         5.24. Indemnification Agreements. Except as set forth in the Disclosure
Letter,  neither  Lafayette  nor the  Bank is a  party  to any  indemnification,
indemnity or reimbursement agreement,  contract,  commitment or understanding to
indemnify any present or former  director,  officer,  employee,  shareholder  or
agent against any liability or hold the same harmless from liability  other than
as expressly  provided in the Articles of  Incorporation or By-Laws of Lafayette
and the Bank.

         5.25 Bring Down of Representations and Warranties.  All representations
and  warranties of Lafayette  and the Bank  contained in this Section 5 shall be
true, accurate and correct on and as of the Effective Date except as affected by
the  transactions  contemplated  by and  specified  within  the  terms  of  this
Agreement.

         5.26.    Nonsurvival   of   Representations    and   Warranties.    The
representations  and warranties  contained in this Section 5 shall expire on the
Effective  Date or the earlier  termination  of this  Agreement,  and thereafter
Lafayette  and the Bank and all directors and officers of Lafayette and the Bank
shall have no further liability with respect thereto unless a court of competent
jurisdiction should determine that any misrepresentation or breach of a warranty
was willfully or intentionally made or is deemed to be fraudulent.







                                    SECTION 6

                               Representations and
                          Warranties of First Merchants

         First Merchants hereby represents and warrants to Lafayette as follows.
(For the purposes of this Section, a "Disclosure  Letter" is defined as a letter
referencing  Section 6 of this Agreement which shall be prepared and executed by
an  authorized  executive  officer  of  First  Merchants  and  delivered  to and
initialed by an authorized  executive officer of Lafayette  contemporaneous with
the execution of this Agreement).

         6.01. Organization and Qualification.  First Merchants is a corporation
organized  and  existing  under  the laws of the  State of  Indiana  and has the
corporate  power and  authority to conduct its business in the manner and by the
means utilized as of the date hereof.

         6.02. Authorization.

                  (a) First  Merchants has the corporate  power and authority to
         enter into this  Agreement and to carry out its  obligations  hereunder
         subject to certain required  regulatory  approvals and First Merchants'
         shareholder approval. The Agreement,  when executed and delivered, will
         have been  duly  authorized  and will  constitute  a valid and  binding
         obligation  of First  Merchants,  enforceable  in  accordance  with its
         terms,  except to the  extent  limited by  insolvency,  reorganization,
         liquidation, readjustment of debt, or other laws of general application
         relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditor's rights.

                  (b)  Neither  the  execution  of  this   Agreement,   nor  the
         consummation of the transactions  contemplated hereby, does or will (i)
         conflict  with,  result in a breach of, or  constitute a default  under
         First Merchants'  Articles of  Incorporation or By-laws;  (ii) conflict
         with, result in a breach of, or constitute a default under any federal,
         foreign, state or local law, statute,  ordinance,  rule, regulation, or
         court or administrative order or decree, or any note, bond,  indenture,
         mortgage, security agreement, contract,  arrangement, or commitment, to
         which First  Merchants  is subject or bound,  the result of which would
         materially  affect  the  business  or  financial   condition  of  First
         Merchants;  (iii)  result  in  the  creation  of or  give  any  person,
         corporation  or entity,  the right to create any lien,  charge,  claim,
         encumbrance,  security interest, or any other rights of others or other
         adverse interest upon any right,  property or asset of First Merchants;
         (iv)  terminate or give any person,  corporation or entity the right to
         terminate,  amend,  abandon,  or refuse  to  perform  any  note,  bond,
         indenture,  mortgage,  security agreement,  contract,  arrangement,  or
         commitment  to which  First  Merchants  is a party  or by  which  First
         Merchants is subject or bound; or (v) accelerate or modify, or give any
         party thereto the right to accelerate or modify, the time within which,
         or the terms  according  to which,  First  Merchants  is to perform any
         duties or obligations or receive any rights or benefits under any note,
         bond, indenture, mortgage, security agreement,  contract,  arrangement,
         or commitment.

                  (c)  Other  than  in  connection  or in  compliance  with  the
         provisions of the Bank Holding  Company Act of 1956,  federal and state
         securities laws, and applicable Indiana banking and corporate statutes,
         all as amended, and the rules and regulations  promulgated  thereunder,
         no notice to, filing with,  authorization  of, exemption by, or consent
         or  approval  of, any public body or  authority  is  necessary  for the
         consummation  by First  Merchants of the  transactions  contemplated by
         this Agreement.

                  (d) Other than those  filings,  authorizations,  consents  and
         approvals referenced in Section 6.02(c) above and filings and approvals
         relating to the listing of the shares of First  Merchants  common stock
         to be issued in the Merger on the National  Market System of NASDAQ and
         certain other filings and approvals with NASDAQ  relating to the change
         in the number of shares of First  Merchants  outstanding as a result of
         the Merger, no notice to, filing with,  authorization of, execution by,
         or  consent  or  approval  of,  any third  party is  necessary  for the
         consummation  by First  Merchants of the  transactions  contemplated by
         this Agreement.

         6.03. Capitalization.

                  (a) As of October 14, 2001,  First  Merchants  had  50,000,000
         shares of common stock  authorized,  no par value, of which  12,675,468
         shares were issued and outstanding.  Such issued and outstanding shares
         of First Merchants' common stock have been duly and validly  authorized
         by all  necessary  corporate  action of First  Merchants,  are  validly
         issued,  fully  paid and  nonassessable  and have  not been  issued  in
         violation of any preemptive rights of any shareholders.

                  (b) First  Merchants  has 500,000  shares of  Preferred  Stock
         authorized,  no par value,  no shares of which have been  issued and no
         commitments exist to issue any of such shares.

                  (c) The shares of First  Merchants'  common stock to be issued
         pursuant  to  the  Merger  will  be  fully  paid,  validly  issued  and
         nonassessable.

         6.04.  Organizational  Documents.  The  Articles of  Incorporation  and
By-laws of First Merchants in force as of the date hereof have been delivered to
Lafayette.  The documents  delivered by it represent true, accurate and complete
copies of the corporate documents of First Merchants in effect as of the date of
this Agreement.

         6.05.  Litigation and Pending  Proceedings.  Except as set forth in the
Disclosure  Letter,  there are no claims of any  kind,  nor any  action,  suits,
proceedings,  arbitrations  or  investigations  pending or, to the  knowledge of
First  Merchants  threatened,  in any court or before any  government  agency or
body,  arbitration  panel  or  otherwise  (nor  does  First  Merchants  have any
knowledge of a basis for any claim,  action,  suit,  proceeding,  arbitration or
investigation)  against  First  Merchants or any of its  subsidiaries  which are
material to the business, prospects, condition (financial or otherwise), results
of  operations  or assets of First  Merchants  and its  subsidiaries  taken as a
whole. There are no material uncured  violations,  or violations with respect to
which material refunds or restitutions may be required,  cited in any compliance
report to First  Merchants or its subsidiary,  First  Merchants  Bank,  National
Association, as a result of an examination by any regulatory agency or body.

         6.06. Financial Statements. First Merchants consolidated balance sheets
as of the end of the two fiscal  years ended  December 31, 1999 and 2000 and the
six (6) months ended June 30, 2001 and the related  consolidated  statements  of
income,  shareholders'  equity and cash flows for the years or period then ended
("First  Merchants  Financial  Information")  present  fairly  the  consolidated
financial  condition or position of First  Merchants as of the respective  dates
thereof and the  consolidated  results of operations of First  Merchants for the
respective  periods  covered  thereby and have been prepared in conformity  with
generally  accepted  accounting  principles  applied on a consistent  basis. The
First  Merchants  financial  statements  as of and for the two (2) fiscal  years
ended December 31, 1999 and 2000 are audited financial statements.

         6.07. Loans and Investments.

                  (a) Except as set forth in the Disclosure  Letter,  as of June
         30,  2001,  there  was  no  loan  of  First  Merchants  Bank,  National
         Association  ("Bank  Subsidiary")  in excess of $100,000  that had been
         classified  by bank  regulatory  examiners  as "Other  Loans  Specially
         Mentioned,"  "Substandard,"  "Doubtful"  or "Loss."  All loans of First
         Merchants Bank, National  Association as of June 30, 2001, in excess of
         $100,000 that  management has determined to be ninety (90) days or more
         past due with  respect  to  principal  or  interest  or has  placed  on
         nonaccrual status are set forth in the Disclosure Letter.

                  (b) Each of the reserves  and  allowances  for  possible  loan
         losses and the carrying  value for real estate owned which are shown on
         the First Merchants  Financial  Information is, in the opinion of First
         Merchants,  adequate in all material respects under the requirements of
         generally accepted accounting  principles applied on a consistent basis
         to provide for  possible  losses on loans  outstanding  and real estate
         owned as of the date of such First Merchants Financial Information.

                  (c) Except as set forth in the Disclosure Letter,  none of the
         investments  reflected in the First Merchants Financial Information and
         none of the  investments  made by First  Merchants  or its  subsidiary,
         First  Merchants  Bank,  National  Association,  since June 30, 2001 is
         subject to any restrictions,  whether  contractual or statutory,  which
         materially  impairs the ability of First  Merchants or its  subsidiary,
         First Merchants Bank, National  Association,  to dispose freely of such
         investment at any time.  Except as set forth in the Disclosure  Letter,
         neither  First  Merchants nor its  subsidiary,  First  Merchants  Bank,
         National  Association,  is a party to any  repurchase  agreements  with
         respect to securities.

         6.08. Employee Benefit Plans.

                  (a) The Disclosure  Letter  contains a list  identifying  each
         "employee  benefit  plan," as defined in Section  3(3) of the  Employee
         Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), which (i)
         is  subject  to  any  provision  of  ERISA,  and  (ii)  is  maintained,
         administered or contributed to by First  Merchants or its  subsidiaries
         and covers any  employee,  director  or former  employee or director of
         First Merchants or its subsidiaries  under which First Merchants or any
         of its  subsidiaries  has any liability.  Copies of such plans (and, if
         applicable,  related trust  agreements or insurance  contracts) and all
         amendments  thereto  and  written  interpretations  thereof  have  been
         furnished  to  Lafayette  together  with the three most  recent  annual
         reports  prepared  in  connection  with any such  plan and the  current
         summary  plan  descriptions.  Such plans are  hereinafter  referred  to
         individually as a "First  Merchants  Employee Plan" and collectively as
         the "First  Merchants  Employee  Plans." The First  Merchants  Employee
         Plans which  individually or collectively would constitute an "employee
         pension  benefit  plan" as  defined  in  Section  3(2)(A)  of ERISA are
         identified in the list referred to above.

                  (b) The First  Merchants  Employee  Plans comply with and have
         been  operated in accordance  with all  applicable  laws,  regulations,
         rulings and other  requirements  the breach or violation of which could
         materially affect First Merchants, any of its subsidiaries,  or a First
         Merchants  Employee Plan. Each First  Merchants  Employee Plan has been
         administered in substantial  conformance with such requirements and all
         reports and  information  required with respect to each First Merchants
         Employee Plan have been timely given.

                  (c) No "prohibited  transaction," as defined in Section 406 of
         ERISA  or  Section  4975  of  the  Code,  for  which  no  statutory  or
         administrative  exemption exists, and no "reportable event," as defined
         in  Section  4043(b)  of ERISA,  for which a notice is  required  to be
         filed, has occurred with respect to any First Merchants  Employee Plan.
         Neither First Merchants nor any of its subsidiaries has any outstanding
         liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation  ("PBGC"), or any
         liability to the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), to the Department of
         Labor  ("DOL")  or to an  employee  or First  Merchants  Employee  Plan
         beneficiary under Section 502 of ERISA.

                  (d) To the best knowledge of First Merchants,  no "fiduciary,"
         as defined in Section  3(21) of ERISA,  of a First  Merchants  Employee
         Plan has  failed to comply  with the  requirements  of  Section  404 of
         ERISA.

                  (e)  Each of the  First  Merchants  Employee  Plans  which  is
         intended to be qualified  under Code Section 401(a) has been amended to
         comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the
         Code,  including  the Tax Reform Act of 1986,  the Revenue Act of 1987,
         the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, the Omnibus Budget
         Reconciliation Act of 1989, the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990, the
         Tax Extension Act of 1991, the Unemployment  Compensation Amendments of
         1992, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, and the Retirement
         Protection Act of 1994 and any rules, regulations or other requirements
         promulgated  thereunder  (the  "Acts").  In  addition,  each such First
         Merchants  Employee Plan has been and is being  operated in substantial
         conformance  with the  applicable  provisions of ERISA and the Code, as
         amended by the Acts, including operational  compliance with the Uruguay
         Round   Agreements   Act,  the  Uniformed   Services   Employment   and
         Reemployment  Rights Act of 1994, the Small Business Job Protection Act
         of 1996,  the Taxpayer  Relief Act of 1997,  and the  Internal  Revenue
         Service  Restructuring  and Reform Act of 1998 (even though actual plan
         amendments  do not have to be made  until the last day of the 2001 plan
         year).  Except as set forth in the Disclosure  Letter,  First Merchants
         and/or its subsidiaries,  as applicable,  sought and received favorable
         determination  letters  from the IRS  within  the  applicable  remedial
         amendment  periods  under Code Section  401(b),  and have  furnished to
         Lafayette  copies of the most  recent IRS  determination  letters  with
         respect to any such First Merchants Employee Plan.

                  (f)  No  First   Merchants   Employee  Plan  has  incurred  an
         "accumulated  funding deficiency," as determined under Code Section 412
         and ERISA Section 302.

                  (g) No First  Merchants  Employee Plan has been  terminated or
         incurred a partial termination (either voluntarily or involuntarily).

                  (h) No claims against a First Merchants  Employee Plan,  First
         Merchants,  or  any  of  its  subsidiaries,  with  respect  to a  First
         Merchants  Employee Plan (other than normal benefit claims),  have been
         asserted or, to the best knowledge of First Merchants, threatened.

                  (i) To the best  knowledge  of First  Merchants,  no event has
         occurred  that would cause the  imposition of the tax described in Code
         Section  4980B.  To  the  best  knowledge  of  First   Merchants,   all
         requirements of ERISA Section 601 have been met.

                  (j) Except as set forth in the  Disclosure  Letter,  there has
         been no amendment to, written  interpretation or announcement  (whether
         or not written) by First Merchants or any of its subsidiaries  relating
         to, or change in employee  participation  or coverage under,  any First
         Merchants Employee Plan which would increase  materially the expense of
         maintaining such First Merchants  Employee Plans above the level of the
         expense  incurred in respect thereof for the fiscal year ended December
         31, 2000.

                  (k) For purposes of this  Section  6.08,  references  to First
         Merchants   or  its   subsidiaries   are  deemed  to  include  (i)  all
         predecessors of First Merchants or its  subsidiaries,  (ii) all members
         of any  controlled  group (as  determined  under Code Section 414(b) or
         (c)) that  includes  First  Merchants or any of its  subsidiaries,  and
         (iii) all members of any affiliated  service group (as determined under
         Code Section 414(m) or (n)) that includes First Merchants or any of its
         subsidiaries.

         6.09. Taxes, Returns and Reports.  First Merchants and its subsidiaries
have (a) duly filed all federal,  state,  local and foreign tax returns of every
type and kind  required  to be filed as of the date  hereof,  and each return is
true,  complete and accurate in all material respects;  (b) paid in all material
respects all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges due or claimed to
be due upon  them or any of their  income,  properties  or  assets;  and (c) not
requested an extension of time for any such payments  (which  extension is still
in force).  Except for taxes not yet due and  payable,  the reserve for taxes on
the First  Merchants  Financial  Information  is  adequate to cover all of First
Merchants' and its subsidiaries' tax liabilities (including, without limitation,
income taxes and  franchise  fees) that may become  payable in future years with
respect to any transactions  consummated  prior to June 30, 2001.  Neither First
Merchants not any of its subsidiaries has, or will have, any liability for taxes
of any nature for or with respect to the operation of their business,  including
the  assets of any  subsidiary,  from June 30,  2001,  up to and  including  the
Effective  Date,  except  to the  extent  reflected  on  their  First  Merchants
Financial  Information or on financial  statements of First Merchants subsequent
to such date and as set forth in the Disclosure Letter.  Neither First Merchants
nor any of its  subsidiaries  is  currently  under audit by any state or federal
taxing  authority.  Except as set forth in the  Disclosure  Letter,  neither the
federal, state, or local tax returns of First Merchants or its subsidiaries have
been audited by any taxing authority during the past five (5) years.

         6.10.  Reports.   Since  January  1,  1995,  First  Merchants  and  its
subsidiaries  have  timely  filed all  reports,  registrations  and  statements,
together with any required amendments thereto, that it was required to file with
the Regulatory  Authorities having jurisdiction over the affairs of either First
Merchants or its subsidiaries. All such reports filed by First Merchants and its
subsidiaries   complied  in  all  material  respects  with  all  the  rules  and
regulations  promulgated by the applicable Regulatory  Authorities and are true,
accurate and complete in all material  respects and were  prepared in conformity
with generally accepted regulatory accounting principles applied on a consistent
basis.  Except as set forth in the  Disclosure  Letter,  there is no  unresolved
violation,  criticism  or exception by any of the  Regulatory  Authorities  with
respect to any  report or  statement  filed by, or any  examinations  of,  First
Merchants or its subsidiary, First Merchants Bank, National Association.

         6.11.  Absence of Defaults.  First Merchants is not in violation of its
charter  documents  or  By-Laws  or in  default  under any  material  agreement,
commitment,  arrangement,  loan,  lease,  insurance policy or other  instrument,
whether entered into in the ordinary course of business or otherwise and whether
written or oral,  and there has not occurred  any event that,  with the lapse of
time or giving of notice or both,  would  constitute such a default,  except for
defaults which would not have a material adverse effect on the business of First
Merchants or its subsidiaries.

         6.12.  Accuracy of  Statements.  Neither this Agreement nor any report,
statement,  list,  certificate or other information furnished or to be furnished
by First Merchants to Lafayette pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement
or the transactions  contemplated  hereby (including,  without  limitation,  any
information  which has been or shall be supplied by First Merchants with respect
to its business,  operations and financial  condition for inclusion in the proxy
statement and registration  statement  relating to the Merger) contains or shall
contain (in the case of information  relating to the proxy statement at the time
it is mailed and to the registration statement at the time it becomes effective)
any  untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or omits  or shall  omit to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements  contained herein or therein,  in
light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading.

         6.13.  Compliance  With Law.  First  Merchants  has not  engaged in any
activity  nor taken or omitted to take any action  which has resulted or, to the
knowledge of First Merchants, could result in the violation of any local, state,
federal or foreign law, statute,  rule, regulation or ordinance or of any order,
injunction,  judgment or decree of any court or government  agency or body,  the
violation of which could materially  adversely  affect the business,  prospects,
condition  (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of First Merchants.
First  Merchants   possesses  all  licenses,   franchises,   permits  and  other
authorizations  necessary  for the  continued  conduct of its  business  without
material interference or interruption. There are no agreements or understandings
with,  nor any orders or directives  of, any  regulatory  agencies or government
authorities,  which  would have a material  adverse  effect on the  consolidated
financial  position of First Merchants.  First Merchants has received no written
inquiries from any  regulatory  agency or government  authority  relating to its
compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act, the  Truth-in-Lending Act or the Community
Reinvestment  Act or any laws with respect to the protection of the  environment
or the  rules  and  regulations  promulgated  thereunder.  First  Merchants  has
received  no  inquiries  from any  regulatory  agency  or  government  authority
relating  to its  compliance  with  any  securities  laws  applicable  to  First
Merchants.

         6.14.  Absence of  Certain  Changes.  Except for events and  conditions
relating to the business and interest  rate  environment  in general  (including
consequences of the terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001)
and the accrual or payment of Merger-related  expenses,  since June 30, 2001, no
events  or  conditions  of  any  character,   whether   actual,   threatened  or
contemplated,  have  occurred,  or can  reasonably  be expected to occur,  which
materially adversely affect First Merchants  consolidated  business,  prospects,
conditions  (financial or  otherwise),  assets or results of operations or which
have caused, or can reasonably be expected to cause,  First Merchants  business,
on a consolidated  basis, to be conducted in a materially less profitable manner
than prior to June 30, 2001.

         6.15. First Merchants Securities and Exchange Commission Filings. First
Merchants  has  complied in all  material  respects  with all state,  federal or
foreign securities laws, statutes, rules, regulations or orders,  injunctions or
decrees of any government agency relating thereto. First Merchants has filed all
reports  and other  documents  required  to be filed by it under the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and the Securities Act of 1933,  including First Merchants'
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 2000,  and Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter  ended June 30,  2001,  copies of which have
previously  been  delivered  to  Lafayette.  All such  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission  ("SEC")  filings  were true,  accurate  and complete in all material
respects  as of the dates of the  filings,  and no such  filings  contained  any
untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or  omitted  to  state a  material  fact
necessary in order to make the  statements,  at the time and in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not false or misleading.

         6.16. Environmental Matters.

                  (a) Neither First  Merchants nor any of its  subsidiaries  has
         caused or allowed  the  generation,  treatment,  storage,  disposal  or
         release  at any real  property  owned or  leased  by them of any  Toxic
         Substance,  except in accordance with all applicable federal, state and
         local laws and regulations.

                  (b) Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Letter, there are no
         underground  storage  tanks  located on, in or under any real  property
         owned by First Merchants or any of its  subsidiaries  and no such owned
         real property has  previously  contained an  underground  storage tank.
         Neither First Merchants nor any of its  subsidiaries own or operate any
         underground  storage  tank at any real  property  leased by them and no
         such leased real  property  has  previously  contained  an  underground
         storage  tank.  No such owned or leased  real  property  is or has been
         listed on the CERCLIS.

                  (c) No Toxic Substance has been released,  spilled, discharged
         or disposed  at, in, on or under any real  property  owned or leased by
         First  Merchants  or any of its  subsidiaries  nor are  there any other
         conditions or circumstances affecting any real property owned or leased
         by First  Merchants  or any of its  subsidiaries,  in each case,  which
         would  pose a  significant  risk to the  environment  or the  health or
         safety of persons or otherwise  pose a material  risk of liability  for
         remediation, corrective action or clean-up.

         6.17. Bring Down of Representations and Warranties. All representations
and  warranties  of First  Merchants  contained in this Section 6 shall be true,
accurate and correct on and as of the  Effective  Date except as affected by the
transactions contemplated by and specified within the terms of this Agreement.

         6.18.    Nonsurvival   of   Representations    and   Warranties.    The
representations  and warranties  contained in this Section 6 shall expire on the
Effective  Date or the earlier  termination  of this  Agreement,  and thereafter
First  Merchants and all directors and officers of First Merchants shall have no
further liability with respect thereto unless a court of competent  jurisdiction
should  determine  that  any  misrepresentation  or  breach  of a  warranty  was
willfully or intentionally made or is deemed to be fraudulent.


                                    SECTION 7

                             Covenants of Lafayette

         Lafayette covenants and agrees with First Merchants,  and covenants and
agrees to cause the Bank to act, as follows:

         7.01.  Shareholder  Approval.  Lafayette shall submit this Agreement to
its  shareholders  for approval at a meeting to be called and held in accordance
with applicable law and the Articles of  Incorporation  and By-Laws of Lafayette
at the earliest  possible  reasonable date, and, subject to Section 7.05 hereof,
the Board of Directors  of Lafayette  shall  recommend  to the  shareholders  of
Lafayette that such shareholders approve this Agreement and shall not thereafter
withdraw or modify its recommendation. The Board of Directors of Lafayette shall
use its best efforts to obtain any vote of its  shareholders  necessary  for the
approval of this Agreement.

         7.02.   Other   Approvals.   Lafayette   and  the  Bank  shall  proceed
expeditiously,  cooperate  fully and use their  best  efforts  to  procure  upon
reasonable  terms  and  conditions  all  consents,  authorizations,   approvals,
registrations and certificates,  to complete all filings and applications and to
satisfy  all  other  requirements  prescribed  by law which  are  necessary  for
consummation  of the  Merger  on the  terms  and  conditions  provided  in  this
Agreement at the earliest possible reasonable date.

         7.03. Conduct of Business.

                  (a) On and  after  the date of this  Agreement  and  until the
         Effective  Date or until this  Agreement  shall be terminated as herein
         provided,  neither  Lafayette  nor the Bank  shall,  without  the prior
         written consent of First  Merchants,  (i) make any material  changes in
         their capital  structure;  (ii) authorize a class of stock or issue, or
         authorize  the  issuance  of,  stock  other than or in  addition to the
         outstanding  stock as set forth in Section 5.03 hereof;  (iii) declare,
         distribute  or pay any  dividends on their shares of common  stock,  or
         authorize  a stock  split,  or make  any  other  distribution  to their
         shareholders,  except  for (a) the  payment by  Lafayette  prior to the
         Effective  Date of quarterly  cash dividends on its common stock in the
         amount of $.11 per share plus a year-end special dividend of up to $.05
         per share  (provided the  declaration of the last dividend by Lafayette
         prior  to  the  Effective  Date  and  the  payment   thereof  shall  be
         coordinated  with First  Merchants  so that the  holders  of  Lafayette
         common stock do not receive  dividends on both  Lafayette  common stock
         and First  Merchants  common stock received in the Merger in respect of
         such  quarter  or fail to  receive  a  dividend  on at least one of the
         Lafayette  common stock or First Merchants common stock received in the
         Merger in respect of such quarter),  and (b) the payment by the Bank to
         Lafayette of dividends to pay  Lafayette's  expenses of operations  and
         its business and payment of fees and  expenses  incurred in  connection
         with the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement;  (iv) except as
         set forth in the Disclosure Letter,  merge, combine or consolidate with
         or sell their assets or any of their  securities  to any other  person,
         corporation or entity,  effect a share exchange or enter into any other
         transaction not in the ordinary  course of business;  (v) except as set
         forth in the Disclosure Letter, incur any liability or obligation, make
         any  commitment,  payment or  disbursement,  enter  into any  contract,
         agreement,  understanding  or arrangement or engage in any transaction,
         or acquire or dispose of any  property  or asset  having a fair  market
         value in excess of  $10,000.00  (except for  personal or real  property
         acquired or disposed of in connection with foreclosures on mortgages or
         enforcement of security interests and loans made or sold by the Bank in
         the ordinary course of business);  (vi) subject any of their properties
         or assets to a mortgage,  lien,  claim,  charge,  option,  restriction,
         security interest or encumbrance; (vii) promote or increase or decrease
         the rate of  compensation  or enter  into any  agreement  to promote or
         increase or decrease the rate of compensation of any director,  officer
         or employee of Lafayette or the Bank (except for year end bonuses in an
         aggregate   amount  not  to  exceed   $550,000,   and   promotions  and
         non-material  increases  in the  ordinary  course  of  business  and in
         accordance  with  past  practices);  (viii)  except as set forth in the
         Disclosure  Letter,  execute,  create,  institute,  modify or amend any
         pension,  retirement,  savings,  stock  purchase,  stock  bonus,  stock
         ownership,  stock option,  stock  appreciation or depreciation right or
         profit   sharing  plans,   any   employment,   deferred   compensation,
         consultant,  bonus or collective bargaining agreement,  group insurance
         contract  or other  incentive,  welfare  or  employee  benefit  plan or
         agreement  for current or former  directors,  officers or  employees of
         Lafayette or the Bank,  change the level of benefits or payments  under
         any  of  the  foregoing  or  increase  or  decrease  any  severance  or
         termination pay benefits or any other fringe or employee benefits other
         than as  required  by law or  regulatory  authorities  or  specifically
         provided  for  in  this   Agreement;   (ix)  amend  their  Articles  of
         Incorporation  or  By-Laws  from  those in  effect  on the date of this
         Agreement;  (x) modify,  amend or institute new employment  policies or
         practices,  or enter into,  renew or extend any employment or severance
         agreements  with  respect to any  present or former  Lafayette  or Bank
         directors,  officers or employees;  (xi) give,  dispose,  sell, convey,
         assign, hypothecate,  pledge, encumber or otherwise transfer or grant a
         security  interest in any common stock of the Bank;  (xii) fail to make
         additions to the Bank's  reserve for loan losses,  or any other reserve
         account,  in the  ordinary  course of business and in  accordance  with
         sound banking  practices;  (xiii) other than in the ordinary  course of
         business  consistent  with past practice,  incur any  indebtedness  for
         borrowed  money  or  assume,  guarantee,  endorse  or  otherwise  as an
         accommodation  become  responsible or liable for the obligations of any
         other  individual,  corporation  or other  entity;  and (xiv)  agree in
         writing or otherwise to take any of the foregoing actions.

                  (b)  Lafayette  and the Bank  shall  maintain,  or cause to be
         maintained,  in full force and effect  insurance on its  properties and
         operations  and  fidelity  coverage  on  its  directors,  officers  and
         employees  in such  amounts  and with  regard to such  liabilities  and
         hazards as  customarily  are  maintained by other  companies  operating
         similar businesses.

                  (c)  Lafayette  and the Bank shall  continue  to give to First
         Merchants  and  its   employees,   accountants,   attorneys  and  other
         authorized  representatives  reasonable  access during regular business
         hours and other  reasonable  times to all their  premises,  properties,
         statements, books and records.

         7.04. Preservation of Business. On and after the date of this Agreement
and until the  Effective  Date or until this  Agreement is  terminated as herein
provided,  Lafayette  and the Bank  each  shall  (a)  carry  on  their  business
diligently, substantially in the same manner as heretofore conducted, and in the
ordinary  course of  business;  (b) use their  best  efforts to  preserve  their
business  organizations intact, to keep their present officers and employees and
to preserve their present relationship with customers and others having business
dealings  with them;  and (c) not do or fail to do  anything  which will cause a
material breach of, or material default in, any contract, agreement, commitment,
obligation,  understanding,  arrangement,  lease or  license to which they are a
party or by which they are or may be subject or bound.

         7.05. Other  Negotiations.  On and after the date of this Agreement and
until the Effective Date, Lafayette and the Bank shall not, and shall not permit
or  authorize  their  respective  directors,   officers,  employees,  agents  or
representatives to, directly or indirectly,  initiate,  solicit,  encourage,  or
engage in  discussions  or  negotiations  with, or provide  information  to, any
corporation,   association,   partnership,  person  or  other  entity  or  group
concerning any proposal by such corporation, association, partnership, person or
other entity or group for a merger, consolidation,  share exchange, combination,
purchase  or sale of  substantial  assets,  sale of shares of capital  stock (or
securities  convertible or  exchangeable  into or otherwise  evidencing,  or any
agreement or instrument evidencing the right to acquire,  capital stock), tender
offer,  acquisition  of control of Lafayette or the Bank or similar  transaction
involving Lafayette or the Bank (all such transactions  hereinafter  referred to
as  an  "Acquisition  Transaction").  Lafayette  and  the  Bank  shall  promptly
communicate to First Merchants the terms of any proposal, written or oral, which
either may receive with respect to an Acquisition Transaction and any request by
or  indication  of  interest  on the part of any third  party  with  respect  to
initiation of any Acquisition  Transaction or discussion  with respect  thereto.
The above provisions of this Section 7.05 notwithstanding,  nothing contained in
this Agreement shall prohibit (i) Lafayette from  furnishing  information to, or
entering into discussions or negotiations  with, any person or entity that makes
an unsolicited proposal of an Acquisition  Transaction if and to the extent that
(a) the Board of Directors of Lafayette,  after  consultation with legal counsel
and its investment banker, determines in good faith that such action is required
for the directors of Lafayette to fulfill their fiduciary duties and obligations
to Lafayette's  shareholders and other constituencies under Indiana law, and (b)
prior to  furnishing  such  information  to, or  entering  into  discussions  or
negotiations  with, such person or entity,  Lafayette provides immediate written
notice to First Merchants to the effect that it is furnishing information to, or
entering into discussions or negotiations  with, such person or entity,  or (ii)
notwithstanding  the  provisions  of Section  7.01,  the Board of  Directors  of
Lafayette from failing to make,  withdrawing or modifying its  recommendation to
shareholders  regarding  the  Merger  following  receipt  of a  proposal  for an
Acquisition   Transaction  if  the  Board  of  Directors  of  Lafayette,   after
consultation  with and based upon the advice of legal counsel and its investment
banker,  determines in good faith that such action is required for the directors
of Lafayette to fulfill their  fiduciary  duties and  obligations to Lafayette's
shareholders and other constituencies under Indiana law.

         7.06. Restrictions Regarding Affiliates. Lafayette shall, within thirty
(30) days after the date of this  Agreement  and promptly  thereafter  until the
Effective  Date to reflect any changes or upon the  reasonable  request of First
Merchants,  provide First Merchants with a list  identifying each person who may
reasonably  be deemed to be an  "affiliate"  of Lafayette  within the meaning of
such term as used in Rule 145 under the  Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"1933  Act").  Each  director,  executive  officer  and other  person  who is an
"affiliate"  of Lafayette  for  purposes of the 1933 Act shall  deliver to First
Merchants,  at least thirty-one (31) days prior to the Effective Date, a written
agreement,  in form and substance  satisfactory  to counsel to First  Merchants,
regarding compliance by each such person with the provisions of such Rule 145.

         7.07. Press Release.  Except as required by law, neither  Lafayette nor
the Bank shall issue any press  releases or make any other public  announcements
or  disclosures  relating  to the Merger  without  the prior  approval  of First
Merchants, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld.

         7.08. Disclosure Letter. Lafayette shall promptly supplement, amend and
update monthly and as of the Effective  Date the Disclosure  Letter with respect
to any matters hereafter arising which, if in existence or having occurred as of
the  date of this  Agreement,  would  have  been  required  to be set  forth  or
described in the Disclosure Letter.

         7.09  Confidentiality.  Lafayette  agrees  to abide by the terms of the
Confidentiality  Agreement between Lafayette and First Merchants  executed as of
August 28, 2001.  This provision shall survive the Effective Date or the earlier
termination of this Agreement.

         7.10.  Cooperation.  Lafayette  shall  generally  cooperate  with First
Merchants and its officers, employees, attorneys,  accountants and other agents,
and,  generally,  do  such  other  acts  and  things  in  good  faith  as may be
reasonable,  necessary  or  appropriate  to timely  effectuate  the  intents and
purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby, including,  without limitation, (i) Lafayette shall cooperate and assist
First Merchants in preparation of and/or filing of all regulatory  applications,
the registration  statement for registration of First Merchants' shares, and all
other  documentation  required to be prepared for consummation of the Merger and
obtaining  all  necessary  approvals,  and (ii)  Lafayette  shall  furnish First
Merchants  with  all  information  concerning  itself  and the Bank  that  First
Merchants may request in connection  with the  preparation of the  documentation
referenced  above.  Prior to the  Closing  (as  defined in  Section 12  hereof),
Lafayette agrees to disclose to First Merchants any fact or matter that comes to
the attention of Lafayette that might  indicate that any of the  representations
or  warranties  of Lafayette  may be untrue,  incorrect,  or  misleading  in any
material respect.

         7.11. Letter to Lafayette's Shareholders. Within five (5) business days
after  execution of this Agreement by Lafayette and First  Merchants,  Lafayette
shall deposit in the United States mail a letter to each of the  shareholders of
record of Lafayette as of the date of execution of this Agreement informing each
shareholder  about the execution of this Agreement and the proposed Merger.  The
terms  of such  letter  to the  shareholders  of  Lafayette  shall  be in a form
mutually agreed to by First Merchants and Lafayette.

         7.12.  Exercise of Options  and Stock  Appreciation  Rights.  Lafayette
shall cause the stock options disclosed pursuant to Section 5.03(c) hereof to be
exercised and the related shares of Lafayette's  common stock to be issued on or
immediately  before the Effective Date.  Lafayette commits that no cash shall be
paid to option holders in connection  with the exercise of such options and that
immediately  prior to the Effective Date of the Merger,  Lafayette shall have no
more than 4,194,104 shares of common stock outstanding.  Thereafter, each option
to which this Section 7.12 applies will be exercised  and cease to exist.  Prior
to the Effective Date,  Lafayette shall take all action  necessary to cause each
SAR  outstanding  at  the  Effective  Date  under  Lafayette's  Officers'  Stock
Appreciation  Rights Plan as disclosed pursuant to Section 5.03(e),  without any
action on the part of the  holder  thereof,  to be  converted  into the right to
receive from  Lafayette,  at the Effective  Date,  cash equal to the  difference
between the Base Price and $30.00 times the number of shares of Lafayette common
stock to  which  such SAR  relates;  provided,  however,  that the  payer  shall
withhold from such cash payment any taxes  required to be withheld by applicable
law.  Each SAR to which this  Section 7.12 applies will be canceled and cease to
exist by virtue of such payment.  On or prior to the Effective  Date,  Lafayette
shall take all action  necessary to terminate  all stock option and SAR plans of
Lafayette.  From  and  after  the  date  hereof,  Lafayette  covenants  that  no
additional  stock options or SARs shall be granted by Lafayette  under any stock
option or SAR plans of Lafayette or otherwise.

         7.13.  SEC and Other  Reports.  Promptly  upon its becoming  available,
Lafayette  shall  furnish  to First  Merchants  one (1)  copy of each  financial
statement,  report,  notice,  or  proxy  statement  sent  by  Lafayette  to  its
shareholders  generally  and of each  regular or periodic  report,  registration
statement  or  prospectus  filed  by  Lafayette  with  NASDAQ  or the SEC or any
successor  agency,  of any order  issued by any  Governmental  Authority  in any
proceeding  to which  Lafayette is a party,  and of any notice or  communication
received by Lafayette  from NASDAQ or the SEC.  For purposes of this  provision,
"Governmental Authority" shall mean any government (or any political subdivision
or jurisdiction  thereof),  court,  bureau,  agency or other governmental entity
having  or  asserting  jurisdiction  over  Lafayette  or any  of its  respective
businesses, operations or properties.

         7.14.  Adverse  Actions.  Lafayette shall not (a) take any action while
knowing that such action would,  or is reasonably  likely to,  prevent or impede
the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368
of the Code; or (b) knowingly  take any action that is intended or is reasonably
likely to result in (i) any of its  representations  and warranties set forth in
this Agreement  being or becoming  untrue in any respect at any time at or prior
to the  Effective  Date,  (ii) any of the  conditions to the Merger set forth in
Section 9 not being  satisfied,  (iii) a material  violation of any provision of
this Agreement,  or (iv) a delay in the  consummation  of the Merger except,  in
each case, as may be required by applicable law or regulation.


                                    SECTION 8

                          Covenants of First Merchants

         First Merchants covenants and agrees with Lafayette as follows:

         8.01. Shareholder Approval. First Merchants shall submit this Agreement
to its  shareholders  for  approval  at a  meeting  to be  called  and  held  in
accordance with applicable law and the Articles of Incorporation  and By-Laws of
First  Merchants  at the earliest  possible  reasonable  date,  and the Board of
Directors  of First  Merchants  shall  recommend  to the  shareholders  of First
Merchants that such shareholders approve this Agreement and shall not thereafter
withdraw or modify its recommendation. The Board of Directors of First Merchants
shall use its best efforts to obtain any vote of its shareholders  necessary for
the approval of this Agreement.

         8.02. Approvals. First Merchants shall proceed expeditiously, cooperate
fully and use its best efforts to procure upon  reasonable  terms and conditions
all consents,  authorizations,  approvals,  registrations and  certificates,  to
complete  all filings  and  applications  and to satisfy all other  requirements
prescribed  by law which are  necessary  for  consummation  of the Merger on the
terms  and  conditions  provided  in this  Agreement  at the  earliest  possible
reasonable  date.  First  Merchants  agrees to use its best efforts to raise any
additional  capital  which might be required to obtain any  required  regulatory
approvals of the Merger.  First Merchants shall provide Lafayette with copies of
proposed  regulatory  filings in connection with the Merger and afford Lafayette
the opportunity to offer comment on the filings before filing. Not in limitation
of the foregoing,  First Merchants agrees to prepare a registration statement on
Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement"), to be filed by First Merchants with the
SEC in  connection  with the  issuance of First  Merchants  common  stock in the
Merger   (including  the  proxy   statements  and  prospectus  and  other  proxy
solicitation  materials of Lafayette  and First  Merchants  constituting  a part
thereof (the "Proxy Statement") and all related documents).  The Proxy Statement
shall fully disclose that Lafayette's shareholders have dissenters' rights under
IND.  CODE ss.  23-1-44 et. seq.  First  Merchants  agrees to advise  Lafayette,
promptly after First Merchants  receives  notice  thereof,  of the time when the
Registration  Statement has become  effective or any supplement or amendment has
been  filed,  of the  issuance  of any  stop  order  or  the  suspension  of the
qualification  of First  Merchants  common  stock  for  offering  or sale in any
jurisdiction,  of the  initiation  or  threat  of any  proceeding  for any  such
purpose,  or of any request by the SEC for the  amendment or  supplement  of the
Registration Statement or for additional information.  First Merchants agrees to
use its  reasonable  best efforts to list,  prior to the Effective  Date, on the
National Market System of NASDAQ  (subject to official notice of issuance),  the
shares of First Merchants  common stock to be issued to the holders of Lafayette
common stock in the Merger.

         8.03. Employee Benefit Plans.

                  (a)  General.  Except as  otherwise  provided in this  Section
         8.03, on a date no later than January 1, 2004 (the "Entry Date"), First
         Merchants  will make  available to the  employees of Lafayette  and the
         Bank who continue as employees of First  Merchants or any subsidiary of
         First  Merchants  no  less  favorable   employee  benefits  than  First
         Merchants  offers  to  similarly  situated  employees  of  its  banking
         subsidiaries  from time to time.  Except as otherwise  provided in this
         Section 8.03, as of the Entry Date, First Merchants will amend or cause
         to be amended each  employee  benefit plan of First  Merchants  and its
         subsidiaries  in which former  Lafayette or Bank employees are eligible
         to participate,  to the extent  necessary,  so that as of such date (i)
         such plans take into account for purposes of eligibility,  vesting, and
         benefit  accrual,  the service of such employees with Lafayette and the
         Bank as if such service were with First Merchants and its subsidiaries,
         to the same extent that such  service was  credited  under a comparable
         plan  of  Lafayette  and the  Bank,  (ii)  former  Lafayette  and  Bank
         employees  are not  subject  to any  waiting  periods  or  pre-existing
         condition  limitations  under the  medical,  dental and health plans of
         First  Merchants  or its  subsidiaries  in which they are  eligible  to
         participate  and  may  commence  participation  in  such  plans  on the
         specified date,  (iii) former  Lafayette and Bank employees will retain
         credit for unused sick leave and vacation pay which has been accrued as
         of the Entry Date, and (iv) for purposes of determining the entitlement
         of former  Lafayette and Bank  employees to sick leave and vacation pay
         following the Entry Date,  the service of such employees with Lafayette
         and the Bank  shall be  treated  as if such  service  were  with  First
         Merchants.  Until such time as the  employees  of Lafayette or the Bank
         become covered by First  Merchants  employee  benefit plans,  they will
         remain  covered by the benefit plans of Lafayette or the Bank,  subject
         to the terms of such plans.

                  (b) Employees'  Salary  Savings Plan.  Following the Effective
         Date,  First  Merchants  agrees to cause the Bank,  or any successor in
         interest to the Bank, to maintain and honor all obligations  (including
         the Bank's matching contributions to the Lafayette employees at no less
         than  its  current  level of 50% of up to 4% of  employee  compensation
         contributed by employees)  under the Bank's  Employees'  Salary Savings
         Plan (the  "Lafayette  401(k)  Plan").  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,
         First  Merchants may amend or merge the Lafayette  401(k) Plan with its
         existing 401(k) Plan provided it continues an employer match at a level
         no less than the level set forth above for former  Lafayette  employees
         for at least five years  following the Effective Date, to the extent it
         is permitted to do so under ERISA or the Code.

                  (c) Group  Insurance.  Following  the  Effective  Date,  First
         Merchants agrees to cause the Bank, or any successor in interest to the
         Bank, to honor all obligations under the Bank's group insurance program
         for health,  life,  dental and accident and  disability  insurance (the
         "Bank Insurance Program"),  including  obligations owed under such plan
         to present retirees, to employees of the Bank who retire before January
         1, 2005, and to two former  directors and a widow of a former  director
         of  the  Bank  ("Retirees").   Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,   First
         Merchants may replace the Bank Insurance  Program with its own program,
         subject to modifications it deems appropriate,  provided that it agrees
         (and agrees to cause any successor in interest to agree) to continue in
         effect for all Retirees a comparable level of insurance  coverage at no
         greater cost (as determined by the same  methodology as currently being
         used by the Bank) than that being  received or paid by such Retirees at
         the Effective Date.

                  (d)  Employees'  Pension Plan.  On the Entry Date,  the Bank's
         Employees'  Pension Plan (the "Bank Pension Plan") will be frozen,  and
         all  accrued  benefits  of  participants  in that  Bank  Pension  Plan,
         including cost of living  increases  provided for in the Plan as of the
         date of  freezing of such Plan,  shall  thereupon  be fully  vested and
         shall become payable at the times and in the amounts provided for under
         that Plan. No amendments  except those required by law shall be made to
         the Bank Pension Plan prior to the Entry Date.  All  Lafayette and Bank
         employees  satisfying  eligibility  requirements of such plan as of the
         Entry Date will be entitled to become  eligible to participate in First
         Merchants  retirement plan on the Entry Date, receiving credit for past
         service  with  Lafayette  and the Bank  for  vesting,  eligibility  and
         benefit purposes under the First Merchants  retirement  plan.  Benefits
         payable under the First Merchants  retirement plan to former  Lafayette
         or Bank  employees  shall be offset (but not below  zero) by  actuarial
         equivalent  present values (as determined  using the actuarial  factors
         set forth in the Bank Pension Plan) of the accrued  benefit  payable to
         them  under  the  Bank  Pension  Plan  (excluding  any  cost of  living
         adjustments accruing on or after the Entry Date). First Merchants shall
         be responsible for freezing of the Bank Pension Plan and for making any
         required  or  appropriate  application  to the IRS for a  determination
         letter to the effect that such freezing  will not adversely  affect the
         tax-qualified  status of such plan and for providing any notices to the
         Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation  or other  governmental  entity
         regarding the withdrawal.

                  (e) Director Emeritus  Supplemental  Retirement Benefits Plan.
         As  of  the  Effective  Date,  First  Merchants  agrees  to  honor  all
         obligations  (and to cause any successor in interest to First Merchants
         to honor all obligations) to the following individuals participating in
         Lafayette's  Director Emeritus  Supplemental  Retirement  Benefits Plan
         (the  "SDRP"):  Robert T.  Jeffares,  Roy D. Meeks,  Vernon N.  Furrer,
         Joseph A. Bonner, Wilbur L. Hancock, Eric P. Meister, Robert J. Weeder,
         Richard A. Boehning,  Jeffrey L. Kessler,  Gordon G. Beemer,  George H.
         DeVault,  and  Charles  E. Maki;  provided,  however,  that  subject to
         obtaining  the  necessary  consents to such action by Mr.  Beemer,  Mr.
         DeVault  and Mr.  Maki,  the SDRP  shall be  amended  on or before  the
         Effective Date to provide for the payment to each  participant  therein
         of  the  present  value  of  future   director  fees  payable  to  such
         participant  under the SDRP based on the directors  fees payable at the
         Effective  Date as to  directors  of the Bank who have not yet  retired
         from the Board and based on the life  expectancies of the  participants
         in the SDRP. In  determining  the present value and life  expectancies,
         the  same  actuarial   assumptions  currently  used  by  the  actuaries
         administering  the Bank Pension Plan shall be used.  Such present value
         amount as determined  for each  participant  as of the  Effective  Date
         shall  be  paid  in  three   substantially  equal  annual  installments
         commencing  with the first payment  payable 30 days after the Effective
         Date.  The unpaid  installments  shall bear  interest at an annual rate
         equal to the discount rate applied in determining  the present value of
         the benefits.

                  (f)  Director  Deferred   Compensation  Plan.   Following  the
         Effective  Date,  First  Merchants  agrees to cause  the  Bank,  or any
         successor  in interest  to the Bank,  to honor all  obligations  to the
         following   individuals   participating   in  the   Director   Deferred
         Compensation  Plan of the Bank,  until the obligations are paid in full
         thereunder  to such  individuals  or  their  beneficiaries:  Robert  T.
         Jeffares,  Roy D. Meeks, Vernon N. Furrer,  Joseph A. Bonner, Wilbur L.
         Hancock, Eric P. Meister, Robert J. Weeder, and Richard A. Boehning.

                  (g)  Severance.  First  Merchants does not intend to terminate
         any employees of Lafayette or the Bank in  connection  with the Merger.
         However, should it decide to do so, it shall consult with the President
         and Chief  Executive  Officer of the Bank about  appropriate  severance
         benefits  payable in connection with any such  termination.  Nothing in
         this  Section  8.03(g)  shall  be  deemed  to  limit  or  modify  First
         Merchants' at will employment policy.

                  (h) COBRA.  First Merchants shall be responsible for providing
         COBRA  continuation  coverage  to  any  qualified  employee  or  former
         employee of  Lafayette  or the Bank and to their  respective  qualified
         beneficiaries,  on and after the Effective Date, regardless of when the
         qualifying event occurred.

         8.04.  Press Release.  Except as required by law, First Merchants shall
not  issue  any  press  releases  or make  any  other  public  announcements  or
disclosures  relating  to the Merger  without the prior  approval of  Lafayette,
which approval will not be unreasonably withheld.

         8.05. Confidentiality.  First Merchants agrees to abide by the terms of
the Confidentiality  Agreement between Lafayette and First Merchants executed as
of August 28, 2001.  This  provision  shall  survive the  Effective  Date or the
earlier termination of this Agreement.

         8.06.  Covenants  Regarding the Bank. Upon  consummation of the Merger,
the Bank shall be a state bank organized  under the laws of the State of Indiana
and the directors of the Bank in office immediately prior to the consummation of
the Merger shall be the directors of the Bank at the Effective Date and entitled
to  directors  fees that are no lower than the  directors  fees in effect at the
Effective Date.  Thereafter,  the Bank directors who desire to continue to serve
in that  capacity  shall do so for at least the  remainder of the terms to which
they  have  been  elected,  subject  to First  Merchants'  policy  of  mandatory
retirement as described below.  First Merchants will cause these directors to be
renominated to the Board of the Bank for additional  terms which would extend to
at least a date five (5) years  following the Effective  Date,  subject to First
Merchants' policy of mandatory retirement as described in the next sentence. The
Bank  directors  will  be  subject  to  First  Merchants'  policy  of  mandatory
retirement  at age seventy  (70);  provided,  however,  the policy of  mandatory
retirement  will  not  apply  to any  of  the  Bank's  current  directors  until
twenty-four (24) months after the Effective Date. First Merchants shall continue
to operate the Bank as an operating subsidiary of First Merchants under the name
"Lafayette Bank and Trust Company" or a name substantially similar thereto for a
period of at least five (5) years following the Effective Date.

         8.07 Board of Directors of First Merchants. First Merchants shall cause
all  necessary  action to be taken to cause  Richard A.  Boehning  and Robert T.
Jeffares,  or such other  replacements for such persons as shall be agreed to by
First  Merchants  and  Lafayette,  to either (i) be  nominated  for  election as
members of the First  Merchants' Board of Directors for a three (3) year term at
the first annual meeting of the  shareholders of First  Merchants  following the
Effective Date; or (ii) to be appointed as members of the First Merchants' Board
of  Directors  at the next  meeting of the First  Merchants'  Board of Directors
following  the  Effective  Date to serve until the first  annual  meeting of the
shareholders  of First  Merchants  following the  Effective  Date and then to be
nominated for election as members of the First Merchants' Board of Directors for
a three (3) year term at the first annual meeting of the  shareholders  of First
Merchants  following  the  Effective  Date,  whichever  can  be  effected  first
depending on the timing of the  occurrence  of the Effective  Date.  The two (2)
individuals  from the Board of Directors  of  Lafayette  elected to the Board of
Directors  of First  Merchants  shall be subject to First  Merchants'  policy of
mandatory  retirement  at age seventy  (70);  provided,  however,  the policy of
mandatory  retirement will not apply to such individuals  until twenty-four (24)
months after the Effective Date.  First Merchants shall cause one of the two (2)
individuals  from the Board of Directors  of  Lafayette  elected to the Board of
Directors of First Merchants to be elected as the Vice Chairman of the Executive
Committee of First Merchants. In addition,  First Merchants agrees that it shall
make a good  faith  effort to expand the size of the Board of  Directors  of the
Bank and the Board of Directors of First Merchants within one (1) year following
the Effective  Date to add two (2)  additional  members to each such board.  The
same two (2) individuals  shall be added to both the Board of Directors of First
Merchants  and the Board of  Directors  of the Bank.  Such  individuals  must be
residents of  Tippecanoe  County,  Indiana.  The Bank may recommend the names of
potential  candidates to be elected to the Board of Directors of First Merchants
and the Bank;  provided,  however,  that First Merchants shall have the ultimate
authority  to choose the two (2)  individuals  to be added to such boards in its
sole discretion. If First Merchants is unable to appoint (2) individuals who are
residents  of  Tippecanoe  County to serve as Board  members  of the Bank and of
First  Merchants  within one (1) year following the Effective Date, it agrees to
appoint two of the Bank's  directors of its choosing not  currently on the First
Merchants Board to those positions on the Board of First Merchants.

         8.08 Officers of the Bank and First  Merchants.  At the Effective Date,
the officers of the Bank in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date shall
remain the officers of the Bank. Robert J. Weeder, currently President and Chief
Executive   Officer  of  the  Bank,   shall  remain  in  such  position  earning
compensation  no less than what he is earning at the Effective  Date (subject to
normal and customary  increases  and bonuses)  until he attains 65 years of age.
Effective  upon Joseph A.  Bonner's  retirement  as Chairman of the Board of the
Bank,  First  Merchants  shall use its best efforts to cause the Bank's Board of
Directors  to select  Robert J.  Weeder as  Chairman of the Board of the Bank to
serve in such position,  at compensation  and customary  bonuses of no less than
that which was being received at the Effective  Date by Joseph A. Bonner,  until
Mr. Weeder  attains 70 years of age.  Consideration  will be given for the chief
executive  officer  replacement  for Mr. Weeder upon his attainment of age 65 to
all qualified  candidates,  both internal and external.  At the Effective  Date,
Robert  J.  Weeder  shall  also be  appointed  Senior  Vice  President  of First
Merchants  and in that capacity  shall be invited to attend all First  Merchants
Board of Directors meetings.

         8.09. Directors and Officers Insurance.

                  (a) For a period of at least  three  years from the  Effective
         Date,  First  Merchants shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain
         an  endorsement to its  director's  and officer's  liability  insurance
         policy to cover the  present  and  former  officers  and  directors  of
         Lafayette  and the Bank  (determined  as of the  Effective  Date)  with
         respect to claims  against such  directors  and  officers  arising from
         facts or  events  which  occurred  before  the  Effective  Date,  which
         insurance  shall  contain at least the same  coverage and amounts,  and
         contain  terms and  conditions no less  advantageous,  as that coverage
         currently  provided  by  Lafayette;  provided  however,  that if  First
         Merchants  is unable to obtain such  endorsement,  then  Lafayette  may
         purchase  tail  coverage  under  its  existing   director  and  officer
         liability insurance policy for such claims; provided further that in no
         event shall  First  Merchants  be  required to expend in the  aggregate
         during each such three-year period more than one and one-half times the
         current  annual amount spent by Lafayette (the  "Insurance  Amount") to
         maintain or procure  its current  directors'  and  officers'  insurance
         coverage;  provided  further,  that if First  Merchants  is  unable  to
         maintain or obtain the insurance called for by this Section 8.09, First
         Merchants  shall  use its  reasonable  best  efforts  to obtain as much
         comparable   insurance  as  is  available  for  the  Insurance  Amount;
         provided, further, that officers and directors of Lafayette or the Bank
         may  be   required   to  make   application   and   provide   customary
         representations  and warranties to First Merchants'  insurance  carrier
         for the purpose of obtaining such insurance.

                  (b) For six years after the  Effective  Date,  the  Continuing
         Company  shall  indemnify,  defend and hold  harmless  the  present and
         former  officers and  directors  of Lafayette  and the Bank against all
         losses,  expenses  (including  attorneys'  fees),  claims,  damages  or
         liabilities  arising out of actions or omissions  occurring on or prior
         to the Effective Date (including,  without limitation, the transactions
         contemplated by this Agreement) to the full extent then permitted under
         the  Indiana  Business  Corporation  Law  and by  First  Merchants'  or
         Lafayette's  Articles of  Incorporation as in effect on the date hereof
         (whichever is more favorable to the officers and directors of Lafayette
         and the Bank),  including  provisions  relating to advances of expenses
         incurred in the defense of any action or suit.

                  (c) Following the Effective Date, First Merchants will provide
         any  Lafayette or Bank  officers,  directors  and  employees who become
         officers,  directors  and  employees of the  Continuing  Company or its
         subsidiaries with the same directors and officers  liability  insurance
         coverage and indemnification  protections that First Merchants provides
         to other  officers,  directors and employees of First  Merchants or its
         subsidiaries.

                  (d) If First  Merchants shall  consolidate  with or merge into
         any other entity and shall not be the continuing or surviving entity of
         such consolidation or merger or shall transfer all or substantially all
         of its assets to any entity (a "Change of  Control"),  then and in each
         case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns
         of First  Merchants  shall  assume  the  obligations  set forth in this
         Section 8.09.

         8.10.  SEC and Other  Reports.  Promptly  upon its becoming  available,
First  Merchants  shall  furnish  to  Lafayette  one (1) copy of each  financial
statement,  report,  notice,  or proxy  statement sent by First Merchants to its
shareholders  generally  and of each  regular or periodic  report,  registration
statement or prospectus  filed by First  Merchants with the SEC or any successor
agency,  of any order issued by any Governmental  Authority in any proceeding to
which First Merchants is a party, and of any notice or communication received by
First  Merchants  from the SEC.  For purposes of this  provision,  "Governmental
Authority"   shall  mean  any  government  (or  any  political   subdivision  or
jurisdiction thereof), court, bureau, agency or other governmental entity having
or  asserting  jurisdiction  over  First  Merchants  or any  of  its  respective
businesses, operations or properties.

         8.11.  Disclosure  Letter.  First Merchants shall promptly  supplement,
amend and update monthly and as of the Effective Date the Disclosure Letter with
respect to any  matters  hereafter  arising  which,  if in  existence  or having
occurred as of the date of this  Agreement,  would have been  required to be set
forth or described in the Disclosure Letter.

         8.12.  Adverse  Actions.  First Merchants shall not (a) take any action
while knowing that such action would,  or is  reasonably  likely to,  prevent or
impede the Merger  from  qualifying  as a  reorganization  within the meaning of
Section 368 of the Code; or (b) knowingly take any action that is intended or is
reasonably likely to result in (i) any of its representations and warranties set
forth in this Agreement  being or becoming  untrue in any respect at any time at
or prior to the  Effective  Date,  (ii) any of the  conditions to the Merger set
forth in  Section 9 not  being  satisfied,  (iii) a  material  violation  of any
provision of this Agreement,  or (iv) a delay in the  consummation of the Merger
except, in each case, as may be required by applicable law or regulation.


                                    SECTION 9

                       Conditions Precedent To The Merger

         The  obligation  of  each  of the  parties  hereto  to  consummate  the
transactions  contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the  satisfaction and
fulfillment  of each of the  following  conditions  on or prior to the Effective
Date:

         9.01.  Shareholder  Approval.  The  shareholders of Lafayette and First
Merchants shall have approved, ratified and confirmed this Agreement as required
by applicable law.

         9.02.  Registration  Statement  Effective.  First  Merchants shall have
registered its shares of common stock to be issued to  shareholders of Lafayette
in accordance with this Agreement with the SEC pursuant to the 1933 Act, and all
state securities and "blue sky" approvals and  authorizations  required to offer
and  sell  such  shares  shall  have  been  received  by  First  Merchants.  The
registration  statement with respect thereto shall have been declared  effective
by the SEC and no stop order shall have been issued or threatened. The shares of
First  Merchants  common  stock shall have been listed for trading on the Nasdaq
National Market System (subject to official notice of issuance).

         9.03.  Tax  Opinion.  The  parties  shall have  obtained  an opinion of
Bingham  Summers Welsh & Spilman,  LLP,  dated on or about the  Effective  Date,
which  shall be in form and  content  satisfactory  to counsel  for all  parties
hereto,  to the effect that the Merger effected pursuant to this Agreement shall
constitute  a  tax-free  transaction  (except  to the  extent  cash  or  boot is
received) to each party hereto and to the  shareholders of each party,  and that
no gain or loss will be  recognized by  shareholders  of Lafayette to the extent
they receive  shares of First  Merchants  common stock in the Merger in exchange
for their shares of Lafayette  common  stock.  Such opinion  shall be based upon
factual  representations  received  by such  counsel  from  the  parties,  which
representations may take the form of written certifications.

         9.04.  Affiliate  Agreements.  First  Merchants shall have obtained (a)
from Lafayette, a list identifying each affiliate of Lafayette and (b) from each
affiliate of Lafayette, the agreements contemplated by Section 7.06 hereof.

         9.05. Regulatory  Approvals.  The Federal Reserve Board and the Indiana
Department  of Financial  Institutions  shall have  authorized  and approved the
Merger and the  transactions  related  thereto.  In  addition,  all  appropriate
orders,  consents,  approvals and clearances from all other regulatory  agencies
and governmental authorities whose orders, consents, approvals or clearances are
required  by law  for  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement shall have been obtained.

         9.06. Officer's  Certificate.  First Merchants and Lafayette shall have
delivered to each other a certificate  signed by their Chairman or President and
their  Secretary,  dated  the  Effective  Date,  certifying  that  (a)  all  the
representations  and  warranties  of their  respective  corporations  are  true,
accurate and correct on and as of the Effective  Date;  (b) all the covenants of
their  respective  corporations  have been  complied  with from the date of this
Agreement  through  and as of the  Effective  Date;  and  (c)  their  respective
corporations have satisfied and fully complied with all conditions  necessary to
make this Agreement effective as to them.

         9.07.  Fairness Opinion.  Lafayette shall have obtained an opinion from
Dain Rauscher Wessels,  a division of Dain Rausher  Incorporated,  to the effect
that  the  consideration  paid in the  Merger  is fair  to the  shareholders  of
Lafayette  from a financial  viewpoint.  Such  opinion  shall be (a) in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Lafayette, (b) dated as of a date not later
than the  mailing  date of the Proxy  Statement  relating  to the Merger and (c)
included in the Proxy Statement.

         9.08. No Judicial  Prohibition.  Neither Lafayette,  the Bank nor First
Merchants  shall be  subject to any order,  decree or  injunction  of a court or
agency of competent  jurisdiction which enjoins or prohibits the consummation of
the Merger.

         9.09.  Other Consents and Approvals.  All consents and other  approvals
required for the transfer of any contracts, agreements, leases, loans, etc. as a
result of the Merger shall have been obtained.

         9.10 Options.  All of the options  disclosed in Section  5.03(c) of the
Disclosure Letter shall have been exercised  pursuant to Section 7.12 hereof and
Lafayette  shall have no more than  4,194,104  shares of common stock issued and
outstanding.  Lafayette shall have no commitment to issue any additional  shares
of common stock. All stock option plans of Lafayette shall have been terminated.

         9.11 SARs.  All of the SARs  disclosed in Section  5.03(e) hereof shall
have been  exercised  pursuant  to  Section  7.12  hereof and such SARs shall be
canceled  and  cease to  exist.  All SAR  plans of  Lafayette  shall  have  been
terminated.

                                   SECTION 10

                              Termination of Merger

         10.01.  Manner of  Termination.  This  Agreement  and the  transactions
contemplated hereby may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective Date by
written  notice  delivered  by First  Merchants  to Lafayette or by Lafayette to
First Merchants only for the following reasons:

                  (a) By  Lafayette  or First  Merchants,  if  there  has been a
         material breach of any representation, warranty or covenant on the part
         of any party in the  representations,  warranties,  and  covenants  set
         forth  herein,  which breach  cannot be or has not been cured within 30
         days after the giving of written notice to the breaching  party of such
         breach;  provided  that the  party in  default  shall  have no right to
         terminate for its own default;

                  (b) By Lafayette or First Merchants,  if it shall determine in
         its  sole  discretion  that  the  transactions   contemplated  by  this
         Agreement  have  become  inadvisable  or  impracticable  by  reason  of
         commencement or credible  threat of material  litigation or proceedings
         against any of the parties;

                  (c)  By  Lafayette  or  First  Merchants,   if  the  financial
         condition,  business,  assets,  or results of  operations  of the other
         party shall have been  materially  and  adversely  changed from that in
         existence  at  June  30,  2001  (for  reasons  other  than  events  and
         conditions  relating to the business and interest rate  environment  in
         general  (including  consequences of the terrorist attack on the United
         States on September 11, 2001), the accrual or payment of Merger-related
         expenses, or matters set forth in the parties' Disclosure Letters);

                  (d) By  Lafayette  or  First  Merchants,  if  the  transaction
         contemplated herein has not been consummated by June 30, 2002 (provided
         that  the  terminating  party  is not then in  material  breach  of any
         representation,   warranty,   covenant  or  other  agreement  contained
         herein);

                  (e)  By  First  Merchants  if  any of  the  items,  events  or
         information  set forth in any update to the Disclosure  Letter provided
         by Lafayette has had or may have (as  determined by First  Merchants in
         good  faith) a  material  adverse  effect on the  financial  condition,
         results of operations, business, or prospects of Lafayette or the Bank;

                  (f) By  Lafayette if any of the items,  events or  information
         set forth in any  update to the  Disclosure  Letter  provided  by First
         Merchants  has had or may  have (as  determined  by  Lafayette  in good
         faith) a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of
         operations,   business,   or  prospects  of  First  Merchants  and  its
         subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis.

                  (g) By First  Merchants  or  Lafayette  if, in the  opinion of
         counsel to First Merchants or Lafayette, the Merger will not constitute
         a tax-free reorganization under the Code;

                  (h)  By  First  Merchants  or  Lafayette   pursuant  to  their
         respective termination rights set forth in Section 3.04 hereof;

                  (i) By Lafayette if the appropriate discharge of the fiduciary
         duties of the Board of Directors of Lafayette  consistent  with Section
         7.05 requires that Lafayette terminate this Agreement;

                  (j) By First  Merchants  if it receives  written  notice under
         Section 7.05 that Lafayette intends to furnish  information to or enter
         into discussions or negotiations  with a third party in connection with
         a proposed Acquisition Transaction, if Lafayette fails to give any such
         written notice as required in Section 7.05 or if  Lafayette's  Board of
         Directors fails to make,  withdraws or modifies its  recommendation  to
         Lafayette's  shareholders  to vote in  favor  of the  Merger  following
         receipt of a proposal for an Acquisition Transaction; or

                  (k) By either party  (provided that the  terminating  party is
         not then in material breach of any representation or warranty contained
         in this  Agreement  or in  material  breach  of any  covenant  or other
         agreement  contained  in this  Agreement)  in the event that any of the
         conditions precedent to the obligations of such party to consummate the
         Merger  cannot be  satisfied  or  fulfilled  by the date  specified  in
         Section 10.1(d) of this Agreement.

         10.02.  Effect of  Termination.  Except as provided below, in the event
that this  Agreement is terminated  pursuant to the  provisions of Section 10.01
hereof,  no party  shall  have any  liability  to any  other  party  for  costs,
expenses,  damages or otherwise;  provided,  however,  that  notwithstanding the
foregoing,  in the event that this  Agreement is terminated  pursuant to Section
10.01(a) hereof on account of a willful breach of any of the representations and
warranties  set forth  herein or any breach of any of the  agreements  set forth
herein,  then the non-breaching  party shall be entitled to recover  appropriate
damages from the breaching party, including,  without limitation,  reimbursement
to  the  non-breaching   party  of  its  costs,  fees  and  expenses  (including
attorneys',  accountants'  and  advisors'  fees and  expenses)  incident  to the
negotiation,   preparation   and   execution  of  this   Agreement  and  related
documentation;  provided,  however, that nothing in this proviso shall be deemed
to constitute  liquidated damages for the willful breach by a party of the terms
of this  Agreement or  otherwise  limit the rights of the  non-breaching  party.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of termination by First Merchants in
accordance  with Section  10.01(j) or by Lafayette  in  accordance  with Section
10.01(i),  Lafayette  shall  pay  First  Merchants  the  sum  of  $2,500,000  as
liquidated damages.  Such liquidated damages shall be in lieu of costs, expenses
and damages  otherwise  recoverable  under the first  sentence  of this  Section
10.02.  Such payment shall be made within ten (10) days of the date of notice of
termination.  Lafayette  acknowledges the reasonableness of such amount in light
of the  considerable  time and  expense  invested  and to be  invested  by First
Merchants and its  representatives in furtherance of the Merger. Such amount was
agreed upon by First  Merchants and Lafayette as compensation to First Merchants
for its time and expense and not as a penalty to Lafayette,  it being impossible
to  ascertain  the exact  value of the time and  expense to be  invested.  First
Merchants  shall also be  entitled  to recover  from  Lafayette  its  reasonable
attorneys' fees incurred in the enforcement of this Section.


                                   SECTION 11

                            Effective Date Of Merger

         Subject to the terms and upon  satisfaction of all  requirements of law
and the  conditions  specified  in  this  Agreement,  the  Merger  shall  become
effective  at the close of  business  on the day  specified  in the  Articles of
Merger of Lafayette with and into First Merchants as filed with the Secretary of
State of the State of Indiana (the "Effective  Date").  The Effective Date shall
occur no later  than the last  business  day of the month in which  any  waiting
period  following  the  last  approval  of the  Merger  by a  state  or  federal
regulatory agency or governmental authority expires,  unless otherwise agreed to
by First Merchants and Lafayette.


                                   SECTION 12

                                     Closing

         12.01.  Closing  Date  and  Place.  The  closing  of  the  Merger  (the
"Closing")  shall  take  place at the main  office  of  First  Merchants  on the
Effective Date or at such other place as mutually  agreed to by First  Merchants
and Lafayette.

         12.02. Articles of Merger. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement,
on or prior to the  Effective  Date,  the Articles of Merger shall be duly filed
with the Secretary of State of the State of Indiana  specifying  that the Merger
shall be effective as of the Effective Date.

         12.03. Opinions of Counsel. At the Closing,  Lafayette shall deliver an
opinion  of its  counsel,  Barnes &  Thornburg,  to First  Merchants,  and First
Merchants  shall  deliver an opinion of its  counsel,  Bingham  Summers  Welsh &
Spilman,  LLP, to  Lafayette,  dated as of the date of the Closing.  The form of
such  opinions  shall be as mutually  agreed to by the parties  hereto and their
respective counsel.


                                   SECTION 13

                                  Miscellaneous

         13.01.  Effective  Agreement.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their  respective  successors and
permitted  assigns but,  except for Sections  8.03,  8.06,  8.07,  8.08 and 8.09
(which are intended to be for the benefit of those present and former  officers,
directors and  employees of Lafayette  and the Bank affected  thereby and may be
enforced by such  persons),  none of the  provisions  thereof shall inure to the
benefit of any other  person,  firm,  or  corporation  whomsoever.  Neither this
Agreement nor any of the rights,  interests,  or obligations  hereunder shall be
assigned or transferred by either party hereto without the prior written consent
of the other party.

         13.02. Waiver; Amendment.

                  (a) First  Merchants  and  Lafayette  may, by an instrument in
         writing  executed in the same manner as this Agreement:  (i) extend the
         time for the  performance  of any of the covenants or agreements of the
         other party under this  Agreement;  (ii) waive any  inaccuracies in the
         representations  or  warranties  of the other party  contained  in this
         Agreement  or in any  document  delivered  pursuant  hereto or thereto;
         (iii) waive the  performance by the other party of any of the covenants
         or  agreements to be performed by it or them under this  Agreement;  or
         (iv)  waive  the  satisfaction  or  fulfillment  of any  condition  the
         nonsatisfaction  or nonfulfillment of which is a condition to the right
         of the party so waiving to terminate this Agreement.  The waiver by any
         party hereto of a breach of any provision of this  Agreement  shall not
         operate or be construed as a waiver of any other or  subsequent  breach
         hereunder.

                  (b)  Notwithstanding the prior approval by the shareholders of
         Lafayette or First Merchants,  this Agreement may be amended,  modified
         or  supplemented  by the  written  agreement  of  Lafayette  and  First
         Merchants without further approval of such shareholders, except that no
         such amendment,  modification or supplement  shall result in a decrease
         in  the  consideration   specified  in  Section  3  hereof,  except  in
         accordance  with the terms of  Section 3  hereof,  or shall  materially
         adversely  affect the rights of the  shareholders of Lafayette or First
         Merchants without the further approval of such shareholders.

         13.03. Notices. Any and all notices or other communications required or
permitted  under this  Agreement  shall be in writing  and shall be deemed to be
given (i) when delivered in person,  or (ii) on the day of  transmission if sent
via  facsimile  transmission  to the  facsimile  number  given  below,  provided
telephonic  confirmation  of receipt is obtained  promptly  after  completion of
transmission,  or (iii) on the  fifth  (5th)  day  after  sent by  certified  or
registered  mail,  postage  prepaid,  return  receipt  requested,  addressed  as
follows:

         If to First Merchants:             With a copy to:

         200 E. Jackson Street, Box 792     Bingham Summers Welsh & Spilman, LLP
         Muncie, IN  47305                  2700 Market Tower
         Attn:  Larry L. Helms,                    10 West Market Street
         Senior Vice President and          Indianapolis, Indiana  46204-2982
         General Counsel                    Attn:  David R. Prechtel, Esq.
         (765) 741-7283                     (317) 236-9907

         If to Lafayette:                          With a copy to:

         133 North 4th Street               Barnes & Thornburg
         P.O. Box 1130                             11 South Meridian Street
         Lafayette, IN  47902               Indianapolis, IN  46204
         Attn: Robert J. Weeder,            Attn:  Claudia V. Swhier, Esq.
         President and Chief                (317) 231-7433
         Executive Officer
         (765) 423-7137

or to such  substituted  address  as any of them  have  given  to the  other  in
writing.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  all  notices  required  to be  given
pursuant to  Sections  3.04(b)  and  3.04(c)  hereof  shall be given in the time
periods  specified  in such  sections  by  either  hand  delivery  or  facsimile
transmission to the specified parties.

         13.04.  Headings.  The headings in this  Agreement  have been  inserted
solely  for  the  ease  of  reference  and  should  not  be  considered  in  the
interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

         13.05.  Severability.  In  case  any  one or  more  of  the  provisions
contained  herein  shall,  for any reason,  be held to be invalid,  illegal,  or
unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity,  illegality,  or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement, but this Agreement shall
be  construed  as if  such  invalid,  illegal,  or  unenforceable  provision  or
provisions had never been contained herein.

         13.06.  Counterparts.  This  Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts,  each of which shall be an original,  but such counterparts  shall
together constitute one and the same instrument. In addition, this Agreement and
the documents to be delivered  hereunder  may be executed by the parties  hereto
either manually or by facsimile  signatures,  each of which shall  constitute an
original signature.

         13.07.  Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  is  executed  in and shall be
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana, without regard to
choice of law principles.

         13.08.  Entire  Agreement.   This  Agreement  and  the  Confidentiality
Agreement supersedes any other agreement, whether oral or written, between First
Merchants  and  Lafayette  relating  to the  matters  contemplated  hereby,  and
constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto.

         13.09. Expenses. First Merchants and Lafayette shall each pay their own
expenses  incidental to the transactions  contemplated  hereby. It is understood
that the  fees of Dain  Rauscher  Wessels,  including  the cost of the  fairness
opinion  referenced in Section 9.07, shall be borne by Lafayette  whether or not
the Merger is  consummated.  This provision  shall survive the Effective Date or
the earlier termination of this Agreement.

         13.10.  Survival of Contents.  The provisions of Sections  7.09,  8.05,
10.02, 13.09 and this Section 13.10 shall survive beyond the termination of this
Agreement.  The provisions of Sections 7.09, 8.03, 8.05, 8.06, 8.07, 8.08, 8.09,
13.09 and this Section 13.10 shall survive beyond the Effective Date.



                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]






         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, First Merchants and Lafayette have made and entered
into this  Agreement as of the day and year first above  written and have caused
this Agreement to be executed and attested by their duly authorized officers.


                                        FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
ATTEST:


/s/ Larry R. Helms                      By:/s/ Michael L. Cox
---------------------------------          -----------------------------------
Larry R. Helms, Secretary                  Michael L. Cox, President and Chief
                                           Executive Officer





                                        LAFAYETTE BANCORPORATION
ATTEST:


/s/ Michelle D. Turnpaugh               By:/s/ Robert J. Weeder
---------------------------------          -----------------------------------
Michelle D. Turnpaugh, Secretary           Robert J. Weeder,
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer