FEE:  Minimum fee for up                                              Corporate Form No. 101 (Oct. 1981) -
to 1,000 shares . . . . . . . . . . .      $ 36.00                    Page One
                                         . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fee for shares over 1,000                                                       ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
but less than 200,000 @ 2
CENTS per share . . . . . . . . . . .    +$ 3,980.00                  Edwin J. Simcox, Secretary of State of
                                         . . . . . . . . . . . .      Indiana

Fee for shares over
200,000 but less than                                                 Use White Paper - Size 8 1/2 x 11 - For
1,000,000 @ 1 CENT per                                                Inserts
share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    +$ 3,000.00
                                         . . . . . . . . . . . .      Filing Requirements - Present 2
Fee for shares over                                                     originally signed and fully executed
1,000,000 @ 0.2 CENTS per                                               copies to Secretary of State, Room
share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    +$                             155, State House, Indianapolis 46204
                                         . . . . . . . . . . . .
        Total Fee Due                     $ 7,016.00                  Recording Requirements - Recording of
                                         . . . . . . . . . . . .        Articles of Incorporation in the
                                                                        Office of the County Recorder is no
                                                                        longer required by the Indiana
                                                                        General Corporation Act.


                            ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF

                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

     The undersigned incorporator or incorporators, desiring to form a
corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation") pursuant to the
provisions of (Indicate appropriate act)

     /xx/ Indiana General Corporation Act

     /  / Medical Professional Corporation Act

     /  / Dental Professional Corporation Act

     /  / Professional Corporation Act of 1965

     /  / I.C. 23-1-13.5 (Professional Accounting Corporations)
          pursuant to the Indiana General Corporation Act.
            (Professional Accounting Corporations are considered to be
            formed pursuant to the authority of the Indiana General
            Corporation Act, but subject to the provisions of I.C.
            23-1-13.5)

     as amended (hereinafter referred to as the "Act"), execute the following
     Article of Incorporation:

                       ARTICLE I
                         NAME

     The name of the Corporation is      FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
                          . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(The name must contain the word "Corporation" or "Incorporated", or an
abbreviation of one of these words.)

                                   ARTICLE II
                                    PURPOSES

     The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are:

       SECTION 1.   To acquire control of The Merchants National Bank of Muncie
and to operate as a bank holding company.

State Form 4159R
 

     SECTION 2.     GENERAL POWERS.   To possess, exercise, and enjoy all
rights,  powers and privileges conferred upon bank holding companies by the Bank
Holding Company Act of 1956 as amended and as hereafter amended or supplemented,
and all other rights and powers authorized by the laws of the State of Indiana,
and the laws of the United States of America applicable to bank holding
companies and the regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System.

     SECTION 3.     TO DEAL IN REAL PROPERTY.   Subject to the limitations of
Section 2 above, to acquire by purchase, exchange, lease or otherwise, and to
hold, own, use, construct,  improve, equip, manage, occupy, mortgage, sell,
lease, convey, exchange or otherwise dispose of,  alone or in conjunction with
others, real estate and leaseholds of every kind, character and  description
whatsoever and wheresoever situated, and any other interests therein, including,
but without limiting the generality thereof, buildings, factories, warehouses,
offices and structures of all kinds.

     SECTION 4.     CAPACITY TO ACT.   Subject to the limitations of Section 2
above, to have the capacity to act possessed by natural persons and to perform
such acts as are  necessary and advisable to accomplish the purposes, activities
and business of the  Corporation.

     SECTION 5.     TO ACT AS AGENT.   Subject to the limitations of Section 2
above, to act as agent or representative for any firm, association, corporation,
partnership, government  or person, public or private, with respect to any
activity or business of the Corporation.

     SECTION 6.     TO MAKE CONTRACTS AND GUARANTEES.     Subject to the
limitations of Section 2 above, to make, execute and perform, or cancel and
rescind, contracts  of every kind and description, including guarantees and
contracts of suretyship, with any firm, association, corporation, partnership,
government or person, public or private.

     SECTION 7.     TO BORROW FUNDS.   Subject to the limitations of Section 2
above, to borrow moneys for any activity or business of the Corporation and,
from time to time, without limit as to amount, to draw, make, accept, endorse,
execute and issue promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange, warrants, bonds,
debentures, notes, trust receipts, and other negotiable or  non-negotiable
instruments and evidences of indebtedness, and to secure the payment thereof,
and the interest thereon, by mortgage, pledge, conveyance, or assignment in
trust of all or any part  of the assets of the Corporation, real, personal or
mixed, including contract rights, whether at the  time owned or thereafter
acquired, and to sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of such securities  or
other obligations of the Corporation.

     SECTION 8.     TO DEAL IN ITS OWN SECURITIES.     Subject to the
limitations of Section 2 above, to purchase, take, receive or otherwise acquire,
and to hold, own, pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose of shares of its own
capital stock and other securities.  Purchases of the Corporation's own shares,
whether direct or indirect, may be made without shareholder  approval only to
the extent of unreserved and unrestricted earned surplus available therefor.
 

                    Corporate Form No. 101 - Page Two

                    Prescribed by Edwin J. Simcox, Secretary of State
                    (Oct. 1981)

                                   ARTICLE III
                               PERIOD OF EXISTENCE

The period during which the Corporation shall continue is    perpetual.
                                                             . . . . . . . . . .
                                                            (perpetual or a
                                                             stated period of
                                                             time)

                                   ARTICLE IV
                       RESIDENT AGENT AND PRINCIPAL OFFICE

     SECTION 1.     RESIDENT AGENT.   The name and address of the  Corporation's
Resident Agent for service of process is

     Rodney A. Medler                         200 East Jackson Street
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
        (Name)                          (Number and Street or Building)

     Muncie                   Indiana                 47305
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     (City)                   (State)               (Zip Code)

     SECTION 2.     PRINCIPAL OFFICE.  The post office address of the principal
office of the Corporation is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

     200 East Jackson Street       Muncie         Indiana        47305
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Number and Street or Building)     (City)        (State)      (Zip Code)

(THE RESIDENT AGENT AND PRINCIPAL OFFICE ADDRESS MUST BE LOCATED IN INDIANA.)

                                    ARTICLE V
                                AUTHORIZED SHARES

SECTION 1.  NUMBER OF SHARES:

The total number of shares which the Corporation is to have authority to issue
is 500,000.
A.   The number of authorized shares which the corporation designates as having
     par value is    None
                 . . . . . . . .
     with a par value of  $    None
                        . . . . . . . . . .
B.   The number of authorized shares which the corporation designates as without
     par value is    500,000
                 . . . . . . . . . .

SECTION 2.  TERMS OF SHARES (IF ANY):

     SECTION 2.     GENERAL TERMS.    All of the authorized shares will be
designated as "Common Stock", and each share of Common Stock shall be equal to
every other share of Common Stock and shall participate equally in all earnings
and profits of the Corporation and on distribution of assets, either on
dissolution, liquidation or otherwise.

     SECTION 3.     VOTING RIGHTS.    Each holder of the Common Stock shall have
the right to vote on all matters presented to shareholders and shall be entitled
on all matters including elections of directors to one vote for each share of
Common Stock registered in his name on the books of the Corporation.
 

                    Corporate Form No. 101 - Page Three

                    Prescribed by Edwin J. Simcox, Secretary of State
                    (Oct. 1981)

                                   ARTICLE VI
                      REQUIREMENTS PRIOR TO DOING BUSINESS

     The Corporation will not commence business until consideration of the value
of at least $1,000 (one thousand dollars) has been received for the issuance of
shares.

                                   ARTICLE II
                                   DIRECTOR(S)

     SECTION 1.     NUMBER OF DIRECTORS:   The initial Board of Directors is
composed of . . . . . . . . . . 16 . . . . . . . . . . . member(s).  The number
of directors may be from time  to time fixed by the By-Laws of the Corporation
at any number.  In the absence of a By-Law fixing the number of directors, the
number shall be . . . . . . . . . sixteen . . . . . . . . .

     SECTION 2.     NAMES AND POST OFFICE ADDRESSES OF THE DIRECTOR(S):  The
name(s) and post office address(es) of the initial Board of Director(s) of the
Corporation is (are):



    Name                 Number and Street or Building      City        State   Zip Code
. . . . . .              . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    . . . .     . . . . . . . . .
                                                                    
Stefan S. Anderson       2705 W. Twickingham Drive          Muncie      IN      47304
Thomas F. Bluemle        1900 N. Brentwood Lane             Muncie      IN      47304
Frank A. Bracken         1011 E. Parkway Drive              Muncie      IN      47304
Clell W. Douglass        305 Normandy Drive                 Muncie      IN      47304
David A. Galliher        2500 West Berwyn Road              Muncie      IN      47304
William P. Givens        1209 West Beechwood Avenue         Muncie      IN      47303
John W. Hartmeyer        818 West Riverside Avenue          Muncie      IN      47303
David W. Howell          Rural Route #2, Box 174            Middletown  IN      47358
Betty J. Kendall         Rural Route #14, Box 425           Muncie      IN      47302
Don E. Marsh             1250 Warwick Road                  Muncie      IN      47304
Robert H. Mohlman        3405 N. Vienna Woods Dr.           Muncie      IN      47304
Robert R. Park           Rural Route #2, Box 126            Gaston      IN      47342
Peter L. Roesner         2207 W. Wiltshire Rd.              Muncie      IN      47304
Hamer D. Shafer          3500 W. Gatewood Lane              Muncie      IN      47304
Robert W. Smitson        2601 W. Chelsea Drive              Muncie      IN      47304
Reed D. Voran            2308 W. Wiltshire Rd.              Muncie      IN      47304


SECTION 3.     QUALIFICATIONS OF DIRECTORS (IF ANY):

     Directors need not be shareholders of the Corporation.
 

                    Corporate Form No. 101 - Page Four

                    Prescribed by Edwin J. Simcox, Secretary of State
                    (Oct. 1981)

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                 INCORPORATOR(S)

     The name(s) and post office address(es) of the incorporator(s) of the
Corporation is (are):

     Name           Number and Street or Building City      State     Zip Code
 . . . . . .        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     . . . .   . . . . .

Stefan S. Anderson  200 East Jackson Street       Muncie    IN        47305

                                   ARTICLE IX
                      PROVISIONS FOR REGULATION OF BUSINESS
                      AND CONDUCT OF AFFAIRS OF CORPORATION

          ("Powers" of the Corporation, its directors or shareholders)
               (Attach additional pages, if necessary)

     SECTION 1.     MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS.   Meetings of shareholders of the
Corporation shall be held at such place, within or without the State of Indiana,
as may be specified in the notices or waivers of notice of such meetings.

     SECTION 2.     MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS.   Meetings of Directors of the
Corporation shall be held at such place, within or without the State of Indiana,
as may be specified in the notices or waivers of notice of such meetings.

                              (See attached pages.)

     THIS DOCUMENT MUST BE SIGNED BY ALL INCORPORATORS.
I (We) hereby verify subject to penalties of perjury that the facts contained
herein are true, (Notarization is not necessary)

                                            /s/  Stefan S. Anderson
                                               Stefan S. Anderson
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
       (Written Signature)                       (Printed Signature)

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
       (Written Signature)                       (Printed Signature)

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
       (Written Signature)                       (Printed Signature)

This instrument was prepared by  Defur, Voran, Hanley, Radcliff & Reed,
                               . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                                  (Name)

Attorney at Law,    201 East Jackson Street          Muncie    IN       47305
                    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                    (Number and Street or Building)  (City)  (State)  (Zip Code)
 

A member of the Board of Directors or of a committee designated by the Board may
participate in a meeting of the Board or committee by means of a conference
telephone or similar communications equipment by which all persons participating
in the meeting can  communicate with each other, and participation by these
means constitutes presence in person at the meeting.

     SECTION 3.     CONSIDERATION FOR SHARES.   Shares of stock of the
Corporation shall be issued or sold in such manner and for such amount of
consideration as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

     SECTION 4.     BY-LAWS OF THE CORPORATION.   The Board of Directors by a
majority vote of the actual number of Directors elected and qualified from time
to time shall have the power, without the assent or vote of the shareholders, to
make, alter, amend or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation.

     The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the
actual number of Directors elected and qualified, from time to time, designate
from among its members an executive committee and one or more other committees,
each of which, to the extent provided in the resolution, the Articles of
Incorporation, or these By-Laws, may exercise all of the authority of the Board
of Directors of the Corporation, including, but not limited to, the authority to
issue and sell or approve any contract to issue and sell, securities or shares
of the Corporation or designate the terms of a series of a class of securities
or shares of the Corporation.  The terms which may be affixed by each such
committee include, but are not limited to, the price, dividend rate, and
provisions of redemption,  a sinking fund, conversion, voting or preferential
rights or other features of securities or class or series of a class of shares.
Each such committee may have full power to adopt a final resolution which sets
forth those terms and to authorize a statement of such terms to be filed with
the Secretary of State.  However, no such committee has the authority to declare
dividends or distributions, amend the Articles of Incorporation or the By-Laws,
approve a plan of merger or consolidation even if such plan does not require
shareholder approval, reduce earned or capital surplus, authorize or approve the
reacquisition of shares unless pursuant to a general formula or method specified
by the Board of Directors, or recommend to the shareholders a voluntary
dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation thereof.  No member of any such
committee shall continue to be a member thereof after he ceases to be a Director
of the Corporation.  The calling and holding of meetings of any such committee
and its method of procedure shall be determined by the Board of Directors.  A
member of the Board of Directors shall not be liable for any action taken by any
such committee if he is not a member of that committee and has acted in good
faith and in a manner he reasonably believes is in the best interest of the
Corporation.

     SECTION 5.     CONSENT ACTION BY SHAREHOLDERS.   Any action required by
statute to be taken at a meeting of the shareholders, or any action which may be
taken at a meeting of the shareholders, may be taken without a meeting if, prior
to such action, a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall
be signed by all of the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the
subject matter thereof, and such written consent is filed with the minutes of
the proceedings of the shareholders.
 

     SECTION 6.     CONSENT ACTION BY DIRECTORS.   Any action required or
permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors of any committee
thereof may be taken without a meeting, if prior to such action a written
consent to such action is signed by all members of the Board of Directors or
such committee, as the case may be, and such written consent is filed with the
minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee.

     SECTION 7.     INTEREST OF DIRECTORS IN CONTRACTS.   Any contract or  other
transaction between the Corporation or any corporation in which this Corporation
owns  a majority of the capital stock shall be valid and binding,
notwithstanding that the directors or officers of this Corporation are identical
or that some or all of the directors or officers, or both, are also directors or
officers of such other corporation.

     Any contract or other transaction between the Corporation and one or more
of its directors or members or employees, or between the Corporation and any
firm of which one or more of its directors are members or employees or in which
they are interested, or between  the Corporation and any corporation or
association of which one or more of its directors are stockholders, members,
directors, officers, or employees, or in which they are interested, shall be
valid for all purposes notwithstanding the presence of such director or
directors at the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corporation which acts
upon, or in reference to, such contract or transaction and notwithstanding his
or their participation in such action, if the fact of such interest shall be
disclosed or known to the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors  shall
authorize, approve and ratify such contract or transaction by a vote of a
majority of the directors present, such interested director or directors to be
counted in determining whether a quorum is present, but not to be counted in
calculating the majority of such quorum necessary to carry such vote.  This
Section shall not be construed to invalidate any contract or other transaction
which would otherwise be valid under the common and statutory law applicable
thereto.

     SECTION 8.     INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND
AGENTS. Every person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
this Corporation or of any other corporation for which he is or was serving in
any capacity at the request of this Corporation shall be indemnified by this
Corporation against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by
him in connection with or resulting from or arising out of any claim, action,
suit or proceeding, provided that such person is wholly successful with respect
thereto or acted in good faith in what he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interest of this Corporation or such other criminal action
or proceeding in which he had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct
was unlawful.  As used herein, "claim, action, suit or proceeding" shall include
any claim, action, suit or proceeding (whether brought by or in the right of
this Corporation or such other corporation or otherwise), civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, whether actual or threatened or in connection
with an appeal relating thereto, in which a director, officer, employee or agent
of this Corporation may become involved, as a party or otherwise,
 

     (i)  by reason of his being or having been a director, officer, employee,
or agent of this Corporation or such other corporation or arising out of his
status as such or

     (ii) by reason of any past or future action taken or not taken by him in
any such capacity, whether or not he continues to be such at the time such
liability or expense is incurred.

The terms "liability" and "expense" shall include, but shall not be limited to,
attorneys' fees and  disbursements, amounts of judgments, fines or penalties,
and amounts paid in settlement by or on behalf of a director, officer, employee,
or agent, but shall not in any event include any liability or expenses on
account of profits realized by him in the purchase or sale of securities of the
Corporation in violation of the law.  The termination of any claim, action, suit
or proceeding, by judgment, settlement (whether with or without court approval)
or conviction or upon a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere, or its equivalent,
shall not create a presumption that a director, officer, employee, or agent did
not meet the standards of conduct set forth in this paragraph.

     Any such director, officer, employee, or agent who has been wholly
successful with respect to any such claim, action, suit or proceeding shall be
entitled to indemnification as a matter of right.  Except as provided in the
preceding sentence, any indemnification hereunder shall be made only if (i) the
Board of Directors acting by a quorum consisting of Directors who are not
parties to or who have been wholly successful with respect to such claim,
action, suit or proceeding shall find that the director, officer, employee, or
agent has met the standards of conduct set forth in the preceding paragraph; or
(ii) independent legal counsel shall deliver to the Corporation their written
opinion that such director, officer, employee, or agent has met such standards
of conduct.

     If several claims, issues or matters of action are involved, any such
person may be entitled to indemnification as to some matters even though he is
not entitled as to other matters.

     The Corporation may advance expenses to or, where appropriate, may at its
expense undertake the defense of any such director, officer, employee, or agent
upon receipt of an  undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay such
expenses if it should ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to
indemnification hereunder.

     The provisions of this Section shall be applicable to claims, actions,
suits or proceedings made or commenced after the adoption hereof, whether
arising from acts or omissions to act during, before or after the adoption
hereof.

     The rights of indemnification provided hereunder shall be in addition to
any rights to which any person concerned may otherwise be entitled by contract
or as a matter of law and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and
administrators of any such person.
 

     The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person
who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or
was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee
or agent of another corporation against any liability asserted against him and
incurred by him in any capacity or arising out of his status as such, whether or
not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him  against such
liability under the provisions of this Section or otherwise.

     SECTION 9.     DISTRIBUTIONS OUT OF CAPITAL SURPLUS.   The Board of
Directors of the Corporation may from time to time distribute to its
shareholders out of the capital surplus of the Corporation a portion of its
assets, in cash or property, without the assent or vote of the shareholders,
provided that with respect to such a distribution the requirements of the
Indiana General Corporation Act other than shareholder approval are  satisfied.

     SECTION 10.    POWERS OF DIRECTORS.   In addition to the powers and the
authority granted by these Articles or by statute expressly conferred, the Board
of Directors of the Corporation is hereby authorized to exercise all powers and
to do all acts and things as may be exercised or done under the laws of the
State of Indiana by a corporation organized and existing under the provisions of
the Indiana Corporation Act and not specifically prohibited or limited by these
Articles.
 

          ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
(Seal)    State Form 38333R / Corporate Form No. 102 (June 1984)
          Articles of Amendment (Amending Individual Articles Only)
          Prescribe by Edwin J. Simcox. Secretary of State of Indiana

RECORDING REQUIREMENTS-RECORDING OF ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT IN THE OFFICE  OF THE
COUNTY RECORDER IS GENERALLY NO LONGER REQUIRED BY THE INDIANA GENERAL
CORPORATION ACT.  HOWEVER, IF THE NAME OF THE CORPORATION IS CHANGED BY THIS
AMENDMENT, A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT MUST BE FILED WITH
THE RECORDER OF EVERY COUNTY IN WHICH THE CORPORATION OWNS REAL ESTATE.

INSTRUCTIONS:  PRESENT 2 ORIGINALLY SIGNED AND FULLY EXECUTED COPIES TO:

                         SECRETARY OF STATE
                         ROOM 155, STATE HOUSE
                         INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA  46204
                         (317) 232-6576

                         ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
                             OF THE
                      ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                                 OF

                    FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The undersigned officers of
                    FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


(hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation") existing pursuant to the
provisions of:

(INDICATE APPROPRIATE ACT)

     /x/   Indiana General Corporation Act   /  /  Indiana Professional
Corporation Act of 1983 as amended (hereinafter referred to as the "Act"),
desiring to give notice of corporate action effectuating amendment of certain
provisions of its Articles of Incorporation, certify the following facts:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                 ARTICLE I AMENDMENT(S)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1  The date of incorporation of the corporation is:
               September 20, 1982
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 2  The name of the corporation following this amendment to the Articles
of Incorporation is:
                    FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 3

The exact text of Article(s) V, Section 1 of Article VII, Sections 4, 11 and 12
                            . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
of Article IX, and Article X of the Articles of Incorporation is now as
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
follows:

                                 (See Attached)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
               ARTICLE II MANNER OF ADOPTION AND VOTE
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1  Action by Directors:

     The Board of Directors of the Corporation duly adopted a resolution

proposing to amend the terms and provisions of Article(s) V, Section 1 of
                                                      . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article VII, Sections 4, 11 and 12 of Article IX, and Article X of the Articles
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

of Incorporation and directing a meeting of the Shareholders, to be held on

     March 13, 1985
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., allowing such shareholders to vote on the

proposed amendment.

The resolution was adopted by:   (SELECT APPROPRIATE PARAGRAPH)
(a)  Vote of the Board of Directors at a meeting held on February 12, 1985,
     at which a quorum of such Board was present        . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 2  Action by Shareholders:

     The Shareholders of the Corporation entitled to vote in respect of the
     Articles of Amendment adopted the proposed amendment.

The amendment was adopted by:   (SELECT APPROPRIATE PARAGRAPH)

 (a) Vote of such Shareholders during the meeting called by the Board
     of Directors.  The result of such vote is as follows:


                                                       TOTAL
                                             . . . . . . . . . . .

          SHAREHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE:              460,000
                                             . . . . . . . . . . .
          SHAREHOLDERS VOTED IN FAVOR:                360,219
                                             . . . . . . . . . . .
          SHAREHOLDERS VOTED AGAINST:                  10,514
                                             . . . . . . . . . . .


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 3  Compliance with Legal Requirements

     The manner of the adoption of the Articles of Amendment and the vote by
which they were adopted constitute full legal compliance with the provisions of
the Act, the Articles of Incorporation, and the By-Laws of the Corporation.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
      ARTICLE III STATEMENT OF CHANGES MADE WITH RESPECT TO ANY INCREASE
              IN THE NUMBER OF SHARES HERETOFORE AUTHORIZED
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Aggregate Number of Shares
Previously Authorized         500,000
                              . . . . . . . . . . .
Increase (INDICATE "0" OR
"N/A" IF NO INCREASE)         2,000,000  (1,500,000 common, 500,000 preferred)
                              . . . . . . . . . . .
Aggregate Number of Shares
To Be Authorized After Effect 2,500,000  (2,000,000 common, 500,000 preferred)
of This Amendment             . . . . . . . . . . .


I hereby verify subject to the penalties of perjury that the facts contained
herein are true.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current Officer's Signature                  Officer's Name Printed
/s/   Stefan S. Anderson                       Stefan S. Anderson
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Officer's Title
     President
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

                         TEXT OF ARTICLE V (As Amended)

                                    ARTICLE V

                                AUTHORIZED SHARES

     SECTION 1.     NUMBER OF SHARES.   The total number of shares of common
stock which the Corporation is to have authority to issue is 2,000,000, all with
no par value. The total number of shares of preferred stock the Corporation is
to have authority to issue is 500,000, all with no par value.

     SECTION 2.     TERMS OF SHARES.   The authorized shares of "Common Stock"
shall be equal to every other share of Common Stock and shall participate
equally with other shares of Common Stock in all earnings and profits of the
Corporation and on distribution of assets, either on dissolution, liquidation or
otherwise.  The authorized shares of "Preferred Stock" shall be equal to every
other share of Preferred Stock and shall participate equally with other shares
of Preferred Stock.  The terms of the Preferred Stock and its relative rights,
preferences, limitations or restrictions shall be established by the Board of
Directors prior to issuance of any Preferred Stock.

     SECTION 3.     VOTING RIGHTS.   Each holder of Common Stock shall have the
right to vote on all matters presented to shareholders and shall be entitled on
all matters including elections of directors to one vote for each share of
Common Stock registered in his/her name on the books of the Corporation.  The
voting rights of the Preferred Stock, if any, shall be determined by the Board
of Directors prior to issuance of the Preferred Stock.

 

                  TEXT OF ARTICLE VII, Section 1  (As Amended)

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                    DIRECTORS


     SECTION 1.     NUMBER.    The number of Directors of the Corporation shall
not be less than twelve (12) nor more than twenty-one (21), as may be specified
from time to time by the By-Laws.  If and whenever the By-Laws do not contain a
provision specifying the number of Directors, the number shall be sixteen (16).
The Directors shall be classified, with respect to the time for which they
severally hold office, into three (3) classes as nearly equal in number as
possible, as shall be specified in the By-Laws, one class to be originally
elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in
1986, another  class to be originally elected for a term expiring at the annual
meeting of shareholders to be  held in 1987, and another class to be originally
elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting  of shareholders to be held in
1988, with each Director to hold office until his successor is  elected and
qualified.  At each annual meeting of shareholders, the successor of each
Director  whose term expires at that meeting shall be elected to hold office for
a term expiring at the  annual meeting of shareholders held in the third year
following the year of his election, or until  his successor is elected and
qualified.
 

                               TEXT OF ARTICLE IX
                              Sections 4 (Amended),
                              11 (new) and 12 (new)

                                   ARTICLE IX

                      PROVISIONS FOR REGULATION OF BUSINESS
                      AND CONDUCT OF AFFAIRS OF CORPORATION


     SECTION 4.     BY-LAWS OF THE CORPORATION.   The Board of Directors, unless
otherwise provided in the By-Laws or in these Articles of Incorporation, may by
a majority vote of the actual number of Directors elected and qualified from
time to time make, alter, amend or repeal the By-Laws.

     (The balance of Section 4 remains unchanged).

     SECTION 11.    REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS.   Any or all of the Board of Directors
may be removed, with or without cause, at a meeting of the shareholders called
expressly for that purpose by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less
than two-thirds  (2/3) of the outstanding shares of capital stock then entitled
to vote on the election of Directors, except that if the Board of Directors, by
an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the entire Board of
Directors, recommends removal of a Director to the shareholders, such removal
may be effected by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a
majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock then entitled to vote on the
election of Directors at a meeting of a shareholders called expressly for that
purpose.

     SECTION 12.    FAIR PRICE, FORM OF CONSIDERATION AND PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS
FOR CERTAIN BUSINESS COMBINATIONS.

     (A)  The affirmative vote of the holders of not less than three-fourths
(3/4) of the Voting Shares (as hereinafter defined) of the Corporation shall be
required for the authorization or adoption, except as provided in subparagraph
(D) of this section, of the following transactions:
 

     1.   Any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or its subsidiary or
          subsidiaries (as hereinafter defined) with or into either of the
          following:

          (a)  10% Shareholders (as hereinafter defined); or

          (b)  Any other corporation (whether or not itself a 10% Shareholder)
               which, after such merger or consolidation, would be an Affiliate
               (as hereinafter defined) of a 10% Shareholder.

     2.   Any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition (including,
          without limitation, the granting of a mortgage or other security
          interest) to or with any 10% Shareholder of any material part of the
          assets of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries; and

     3.   A liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or any material
          subsidiary thereof or adoption of any plan with respect thereto.

     4.   Any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock
          split), or recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or
          consolidation of the Corporation with any of its subsidiaries or any
          other transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving
          a 10% Shareholder) which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of
          increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any
          class of equity or convertible securities of the Corporation or any
          subsidiary which is directly or indirectly owned by any 10%
          Shareholder; and

     5.   Any agreement, contract or other arrangement providing for any one or
          more of the actions specified in the foregoing clauses (A) 1. through
          (A) 4.

     (B)  Prior to the approval of any of the transactions referred to in
subsection (A) of this section ("Business Combination"), the Board of Directors
of the Corporation shall make an evaluation of all relevant factors and issues
arising out of or in connection with any such Business Combination and shall
report to the shareholders the conclusion which the Board of Directors reaches
from such evaluation.  Relevant factors

                                       2.
 

and issues shall include consideration of the impact which any such Business
Combination will have on the community in which the Corporation or its
subsidiaries conducts business, the employees of the Corporation or any of its
subsidiaries, and the suppliers and customers of the Corporation and its
subsidiaries, and shall also include any and all other factors which the Board
of Directors in its discretion deems relevant.

     (C)  The following definitions shall apply when used in this section:

     1.   "10% Shareholder" shall mean, in respect of any Business Combination,
          any person (other than the Corporation) who or which, as of the record
          date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and
          to vote on such Business Combination or immediately prior to the
          consummation of any such Business Combination:

          (a)  Is the beneficial owner (as determined in accordance with Rule
               13d-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission)
               ("Beneficial Owner"), directly or indirectly, of not less than
               ten percent (10%) or the Voting Shares; or

          (b)  Is an Affiliate (as hereinafter defined) of the Corporation and
               at any time within two years prior thereto was the Beneficial
               Owner, directly or indirectly, of not less than ten percent (10%)
               of the then outstanding Voting Shares; or

          (c)  Any individual, corporation, partnership or other person or
               entity which, together with any of its Affiliates (as hereinafter
               defined), beneficially owns in the aggregate more than ten
               percent (10%) of the Voting Shares of the Corporation.

     2.   "Voting Shares" includes:

          (a)  Any securities of the Corporation which are entitled to vote on
               any matter referred to in this section;

          (b)  Any securities, including but not limited to, preferred stock,
               bonds, debentures, or options, which can be

                                       3.
 

               converted into voting securities at the time of the vote
               referred to in this section; and

          (c)  Security agreements of any nature for which voting securities
               are pledged as collateral.

     3.   "Affiliate" shall include all persons who would be defined as
          affiliates under Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

     4.   "Subsidiary" means any corporation of which a majority of any class of
          equity securities (as defined in Rule 3a 11-1 of the general rules and
          regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) are owned,
          directly or indirectly by the Corporation; provided, however, that for
          the purposes of the definition of a 10% Shareholder set forth above,
          the term  "Subsidiary" shall mean only a corporation of which a
          majority of each class  of equity security is owned, directly or
          indirectly, by the Corporation.

     5.   "Fair Market Value" means:

               (1)  In the case of stock, in the absence of any determination
          price as established on a national, regional, or local exchange or
          over-the-counter market, or in the  absence of any market-maker
          dealing in the stock on a regular basis, the fair market value of such
          stock on the date in question as determined by the Board in good
          faith; and

               (2)  in the case of property other than cash or stock, the fair
          market value of such property on the date in question as determined by
          the Board in good faith.

     (D)  The additional voting requirement set forth in subsection (A) above
shall not be applicable, and any such Business Combination shall require the
affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Voting Shares, if one of the
following occur:

     1.   The Business Combination shall have been approved by two-thirds (2/3)
of the Directors of the Corporation; or

                                       4.
 

     2.   All of the following conditions shall have been set:

          (a)  The aggregate amount of the cash and the Fair Market Value as of
the date of the consummation of the Business Combination of consideration other
than cash to be received per share by holders of Common Stock in such Business
Combination shall be at  least equal to the greater of (i) and (ii), where (i)
is the highest per share price (including any brokerage commissions, transfer
taxes and soliciting dealers' fees) paid by the 10% Shareholder or any other
party for any shares of Common Stock acquired within the two-year period
immediately prior to the first public announcement of the proposal of the
Business Combination (the  "Announcement Date") or, if higher, the per share
price paid in the transaction in which the 10% Shareholder became a 10%
Shareholder, and (ii) is the per share book value of the Corporation reported at
the end of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the later of any public
announcement of any proposed Business Combination or the meeting date on which
the shareholders are to consider the proposed Business Combination;

          (b)  The consideration to be received by holders of a particular class
of outstanding Voting Stock (including Common Stock) shall be in cash or in the
same form as the 10% Shareholder has previously paid for shares of such class of
Voting Stock.  If the 10% Shareholder  has paid for shares of any class of
Voting Stock with varying forms of consideration, the form of consideration for
such class of Voting Stock shall be either cash or the form used to acquire the
largest number of shares of such class of Voting Stock previously acquired by
it;

          (c)  A proxy or information statement describing the proposed merger
or consolidation and complying with the requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder (or any subsequent
provisions replacing such Act, rules or regulations)

                                       5.
 

shall be mailed to Shareholders of the Corporation at least thirty (30) days
prior to the meeting of shareholders called to consider the proposed Business
Combination or, if no meeting, thirty (30) days prior to the consummation of
such Business Combination (whether or not such proxy or information statement is
required to be mailed pursuant to such Act or subsequent provision).

                                       6.
 

                             TEXT OF ARTICLE X (new)

                                    ARTICLE X

                                   AMENDMENTS


     These Articles of Incorporation may be amended at any time, subject to the
provisions of this Article, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote on such
amendment.  No amendment shall be adopted which shall repeal, modify, amend,
alter or diminish in any way the provisions of Article V, Section 1 of Article
VII, Section 4 of Article IX, Section 11 of Article IX, Section 12 of Article
IX, or this Article X without the affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the
outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote on such
amendment.

     The By-Laws of the Corporation may be amended as provided herein and
therein except that no amendment shall in any way repeal, modify, amend, alter,
or diminish the provisions of this Article or the other provisions of the
Articles of Incorporation referenced in this Article.
 

                         ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT

                         (August, 1987)

                         Prescribed by Evan Bayh
                         Secretary of State of Indiana

                         Present Original and One Copy
                         Filing Fee:    $30

                              ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT

                                     OF THE
                            ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF

                           FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                (Corporate Name)

The above corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation") existing
pursuant to the Indiana Business Corporation Law, desiring to give notice of
corporate action effectuating amendment of certain provisions of its Article of
Incorporation, sets forth the following facts:

                                    ARTICLE I
                                  AMENDMENT(S)

SECTION 1:     The name of the Corporation following this amendment is:

               First Merchants Corporation
               . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SECTION 2:     The exact text of Article V, Section 1
                                            . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
               of the Articles of Incorporation is now as follows (Attach
               additional pages if necessary):

                                    ARTICLE V

                                AUTHORIZED SHARES

     SECTION 1.     NUMBER OF SHARES.   The total number of shares of common
stock which the Corporation is to have authority to issue is 5,000,000, all with
no par value. The total number of shares of preferred stock the Corporation is
to have authority to issue is 500,000, all with no par value.

SECTION 3:     The date of each amendment's adoption is:
               March 9, 1988
               . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

SECTION 4:     (Complete this section only if amendment provides for an
               exchange, reclassification or cancellation of issued shares and
               provisions for implementing the amendment are not contained in
               the amendment itself.)

               Provisions for implementing the exchange, reclassification or
               cancellation of issued shares are set forth below (Attach
               additional pages if necessary):

                                       N/A

                                   ARTICLE II

                           MANNER OF ADOPTION AND VOTE
                          (Strike inapplicable section)

SECTION 1:

SECTION 2:     VOTE OF SHAREHOLDERS

               The designation (i.e. common, preferred and any classification
               where different classes of stock exists), number of outstanding
               shares, number of votes entitled to be cast by each voting group
               entitled to vote separately on the amendment and the number of
               votes of each voting group represented at the meeting is set
               forth below:


                                        TOTAL        A         B         C

Designation of Each Voting Group        Common
                                        . . . .   . . . .   . . . .   . . . .
Number of Outstanding Shares            1,840,000
                                        . . . .   . . . .   . . . .   . . . .
Number of Votes Entitled To Be Cast     1,840,000
                                        . . . .   . . . .   . . . .   . . . .
Number of Votes Represented at Meeting  1,635,380
                                        . . . .   . . . .   . . . .   . . . .
Shares Voted in Favor                   1,627,751
                                        . . . .   . . . .   . . . .   . . . .
Shares Voted Against                        7,629
                                        . . . .   . . . .   . . . .   . . . .

 

                                   ARTICLE III
                     STATEMENT OF CHANGES MADE WITH RESPECT
                     TO ANY INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SHARES
                              HERETOFORE AUTHORIZED


     Aggregate Number of Shares         2,000,000 Common
     Previously Authorized                500,000 Preferred

     Increase (indicate "0" or          3,000,000 Common
     "N/A" if no increase)

     Aggregate Number of Shares         5,000,000 Common
     to be Authorized After Effect         500,000 Preferred
     of this Amendment



                                        /s/  Stefan S. Anderson
                                        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                        (Signature)

                                        Stefan S. Anderson
                                        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                        (Printed Name)

                                        Chairman of the Board and President
                                        . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                        (Title)