MUNCIE, Ind., Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ - FRME)

Third Quarter 2024 Highlights:

Net income available to common stockholders was $48.7 million and diluted earnings per common share totaled $0.84, compared to $55.9 million and $0.94 in the third quarter of 2023, and $39.5 million and $0.68 in the second quarter of 2024. Excluding the loss from repositioning of the available for sale securities portfolio, adjusted net income was $55.6 million or $0.95 per share for the third quarter of 2024.
Strong capital position with Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 11.25% and Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets Ratio of 8.76%.
Net interest margin was 3.23% compared to 3.16% on a linked quarter basis.
Total loans grew $15.5 million, or 0.5% annualized, on a linked quarter basis, and $385.1 million, or 3.1% during the last twelve months.
Total deposits grew by $83.7 million, or 2.3% annualized, on a linked quarter basis after normalizing for $287.7 million of deposits reclassified to held for sale.
Nonperforming assets to total assets were 35 basis points compared to 36 basis points on a linked quarter basis.
The efficiency ratio totaled 53.76% for the quarter.
Announced sale of five Illinois branches and certain loans and deposits to Old Second National Bank on August 27, 2024.

"We are pleased with our third quarter results and the focused momentum that we are building," said Mark Hardwick, Chief Executive Officer. "The pending sale of five non-core Illinois branches, restructure of the securities portfolio, and successful completion of four major technology initiatives provides us with the opportunity to reprioritize our core markets and introduce innovative customer acquisition strategies."

Third Quarter Financial Results:

First Merchants Corporation (the "Corporation") has reported third quarter 2024 net income available to common stockholders of $48.7 million compared to $55.9 million during the same period in 2023. Diluted earnings per common share for the period totaled $0.84 compared to the third quarter of 2023 result of $0.94. Excluding the $9.1 million pre-tax loss from repositioning of the available for sale securities portfolio, adjusted net income was $55.6 million, or $0.95 diluted earnings per common share for the third quarter of 2024.

During the quarter, the Corporation signed a definitive agreement to sell five Illinois branches along with certain loans and deposits, representing an exit from suburban Chicago markets. Loans of $9.2 million, deposits of $287.7 million and fixed assets of $3.4 million have been moved to held for sale categories as of September 30, 2024. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year.

Total assets equaled $18.3 billion as of quarter-end and loans totaled $12.7 billion. During the past twelve months, total loans grew by $385.1 million, or 3.1%. On a linked quarter basis, loans grew $15.5 million, or 0.5%, with growth primarily in commercial & industrial loans.

Investments totaling $3.7 billion decreased $51.6 million, or 1.4%, during the last twelve months and decreased $90.9 million, or 9.7% annualized, on a linked quarter basis. The decline during the quarter was due to $158.9 million in sales of available for sale securities with a weighted average tax-equivalent yield of 2.85%, partially offset by an increase in the securities portfolio valuation.

Total deposits were $14.4 billion as of quarter-end and decreased by $281.5 million, or 1.9%, over the past twelve months. The decline was primarily due to $287.7 million of deposits being reclassified to held for sale. Excluding this impact, deposits increased by $6.2 million. On a linked quarter basis, deposits grew organically by $83.7 million or 2.3%. The loan to deposit ratio increased to 88.0% at period end from 86.8% in the prior quarter, primarily due to the reclassification of deposits to held for sale as previously described.

The Corporation's Allowance for Credit Losses – Loans (ACL) totaled $187.8 million as of quarter-end, or 1.48% of total loans, a decrease of $1.7 million from prior quarter. Loan charge-offs, net of recoveries totaled $6.7 million and provision for loans of $5.0 million was recorded during the quarter. Reserves for unfunded commitments totaled $19.5 million and remained unchanged from the prior quarter. Non-performing assets to total assets were 35 basis points for the third quarter of 2024, a decrease of one basis point compared to 36 basis points in the prior quarter.

Net interest income totaled $131.1 million for the quarter, an increase of $2.5 million, or 2.0%, compared to prior quarter and a decrease of $2.3 million, or 1.7%, compared to the third quarter of 2023. Fully-tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.23%, an increase of 7 basis points compared to the second quarter of 2024, and a decrease of 6 basis points compared to the third quarter of 2023. The increase in net interest margin compared to the second quarter was due to higher earning asset yields.

Non-interest income totaled $24.9 million for the quarter, a decrease of $6.5 million, or 20.6%, compared to the second quarter of 2024 and a decrease of $3.0 million, or 6.7% from the third quarter of 2023. The decrease from second quarter of 2024 was driven by realized losses on sales of available for sale securities associated with the repositioning of the bond portfolio, partially offset by increases in gains on sales of mortgage loans and earnings on cash surrender value of life insurance.

Non-interest expense totaled $94.6 million for the quarter, an increase of $3.2 million from the second quarter of 2024 and an increase of $0.8 million from the third quarter of 2023. The increase from the linked quarter was from higher salaries and employee benefits primarily driven by higher incentives.

The Corporation's total risk-based capital ratio equaled 13.18%, common equity tier 1 capital ratio equaled 11.25%, and the tangible common equity ratio totaled 8.76%. These ratios continue to reflect the Corporation's strong liquidity and capital positions.

CONFERENCE CALL

First Merchants Corporation will conduct a third quarter earnings conference call and web cast at 11:30 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, October 24, 2024.

To access via phone, participants will need to register using the following link where they will be provided a phone number and access code: (https://register.vevent.com/register/BI34430e309ed545808c7c8195f36e86b6)

To view the webcast and presentation slides, please go to (https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/6grv3upw) during the time of the call. A replay of the webcast will be available until October 24, 2025.

Detailed financial results are reported on the attached pages.

About First Merchants Corporation

First Merchants Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Muncie, Indiana. The Corporation has one full-service bank charter, First Merchants Bank. The Bank also operates as First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors (as a division of First Merchants Bank).

First Merchants Corporation's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market System under the symbol FRME. Quotations are carried in daily newspapers and can be found on the company's Internet web page (http://www.firstmerchants.com).

FIRST MERCHANTS and the Shield Logo are federally registered trademarks of First Merchants Corporation.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements can often, but not always, be identified by the use of words like "believe", "continue", "pattern", "estimate", "project", "intend", "anticipate", "expect" and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "will", "would", "should", "could", "might", "can", "may", or similar expressions. These statements include statements about First Merchants' goals, intentions and expectations; statements regarding the First Merchants' business plan and growth strategies; statements regarding the asset quality of First Merchants' loan and investment portfolios; and estimates of First Merchants' risks and future costs and benefits. These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks, assumptions and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in forward-looking statements, including, among other things: possible changes in monetary and fiscal policies, and laws and regulations; the effects of easing restrictions on participants in the financial services industry; the cost and other effects of legal and administrative cases; possible changes in the credit worthiness of customers and the possible impairment of collectability of loans; fluctuations in market rates of interest; competitive factors in the banking industry; changes in the banking legislation or regulatory requirements of federal and state agencies applicable to bank holding companies and banks like First Merchants' affiliate bank; continued availability of earnings and excess capital sufficient for the lawful and prudent declaration of dividends; changes in market, economic, operational, liquidity (including the ability to grow and maintain core deposits and retain large, uninsured deposits), credit and interest rate risks associated with the First Merchants' business; and other risks and factors identified in each of First Merchants' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. First Merchants does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, relating to the matters discussed in this press release. In addition, First Merchants' past results of operations do not necessarily indicate its anticipated future results.


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars In Thousands)	September 30,
		2024			2023
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	84,719		$	125,173
Interest-bearing deposits		359,126			348,639
Investment securities, net of allowance for credit losses of $245,000 and $245,000		3,662,145			3,713,724
Loans held for sale		40,652			30,972
Loans		12,646,808			12,271,422
Less: Allowance for credit losses - loans		(187,828	)		(205,782	)
Net loans		12,458,980			12,065,640
Premises and equipment		129,582			132,441
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		41,716			41,797
Interest receivable		92,055			90,011
Goodwill and other intangibles		733,601			741,283
Cash surrender value of life insurance		304,613			306,106
Other real estate owned		5,247			6,480
Tax asset, deferred and receivable		86,732			135,521
Other assets		348,384			340,476
TOTAL ASSETS	$	18,347,552		$	18,078,263
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing	$	2,334,197		$	2,554,984
Interest-bearing		12,030,903			12,091,592
Total Deposits		14,365,100			14,646,576
Borrowings:
Federal funds purchased		30,000			—
Securities sold under repurchase agreements		124,894			152,537
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		832,629			713,384
Subordinated debentures and other borrowings		93,562			158,665
Total Borrowings		1,081,085			1,024,586
Deposits and other liabilities held for sale		288,476			—
Interest payable		18,089			16,473
Other liabilities		292,429			297,984
Total Liabilities		16,045,179			15,985,619
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock, $1,000 par value, $1,000 liquidation value:
Authorized -- 600 cumulative shares
Issued and outstanding - 125 cumulative shares		125			125
Preferred Stock, Series A, no par value, $2,500 liquidation preference:
Authorized -- 10,000 non-cumulative perpetual shares
Issued and outstanding - 10,000 non-cumulative perpetual shares		25,000			25,000
Common Stock, $.125 stated value:
Authorized -- 100,000,000 shares
Issued and outstanding - 58,117,115 and 59,398,022 shares		7,265			7,425
Additional paid-in capital		1,192,683			1,234,402
Retained earnings		1,229,125			1,132,962
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(151,825	)		(307,270	)
Total Stockholders' Equity		2,302,373			2,092,644
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$	18,347,552		$	18,078,263


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)	September 30,						September 30,
		2024			2023			2024			2023
INTEREST INCOME
Loans receivable:
Taxable	$	206,680		$	191,705		$	606,116		$	550,314
Tax-exempt		8,622			8,288			25,242			23,757
Investment securities:
Taxable		9,263			8,590			27,062			26,563
Tax-exempt		13,509			13,947			40,733			44,296
Deposits with financial institutions		2,154			5,884			11,642			9,685
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		855			719			2,569			2,281
Total Interest Income		241,083			229,133			713,364			656,896
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits		98,856			85,551			296,292			209,437
Federal funds purchased		329			—			455			1,420
Securities sold under repurchase agreements		700			797			2,377			2,624
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		8,544			6,896			21,715			20,775
Subordinated debentures and other borrowings		1,544			2,506			5,781			7,303
Total Interest Expense		109,973			95,750			326,620			241,559
NET INTEREST INCOME		131,110			133,383			386,744			415,337
Provision for credit losses		5,000			2,000			31,500			2,000
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES		126,110			131,383			355,244			413,337
NONINTEREST INCOME
Service charges on deposit accounts		8,361			7,975			24,482			23,147
Fiduciary and wealth management fees		8,525			7,394			25,550			22,653
Card payment fees		5,121			4,716			14,360			14,425
Net gains and fees on sales of loans		6,764			5,517			15,159			11,548
Derivative hedge fees		736			516			1,488			2,336
Other customer fees		344			384			1,231			1,643
Earnings on cash surrender value of life insurance		2,755			1,761			6,276			5,145
Net realized losses on sales of available for sale securities		(9,114	)		(1,650	)		(9,165	)		(4,613	)
Other income		1,374			1,229			3,457			2,874
Total Noninterest Income		24,866			27,842			82,838			79,158
NONINTEREST EXPENSES
Salaries and employee benefits		55,223			55,566			165,730			167,778
Net occupancy		6,994			6,837			21,052			20,770
Equipment		6,949			5,698			19,774			18,005
Marketing		1,836			2,369			4,807			4,780
Outside data processing fees		7,150			6,573			21,111			19,290
Printing and office supplies		378			333			1,085			1,150
Intangible asset amortization		1,772			2,182			5,500			6,561
FDIC assessments		3,720			2,981			11,285			7,117
Other real estate owned and foreclosure expenses		942			677			1,849			1,575
Professional and other outside services		3,035			3,833			10,809			12,191
Other expenses		6,630			6,805			19,975			20,950
Total Noninterest Expenses		94,629			93,854			282,977			280,167
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX		56,347			65,371			155,105			212,328
Income tax expense		7,160			9,005			18,052			31,021
NET INCOME		49,187			56,366			137,053			181,307
Preferred stock dividends		468			468			1,406			1,406
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$	48,719		$	55,898		$	135,647		$	179,901
Per Share Data:
Basic Net Income Available to Common Stockholders	$	0.84		$	0.95		$	2.32		$	3.04
Diluted Net Income Available to Common Stockholders	$	0.84		$	0.94		$	2.31		$	3.03
Cash Dividends Paid to Common Stockholders	$	0.35		$	0.34		$	1.04		$	1.00
Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding (in thousands)		58,289			59,503			58,629			59,465


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars in thousands)	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
		2024			2023			2024			2023
NET CHARGE-OFFS	$	6,709		$	20,365		$	48,606		$	22,495

AVERAGE BALANCES:
Total Assets	$	18,360,580		$	18,152,239		$	18,374,370		$	18,115,504
Total Loans		12,680,166			12,287,632			12,592,907			12,264,787
Total Earning Assets		16,990,358			16,947,669			17,042,540			16,913,965
Total Deposits		14,702,454			14,735,592			14,826,056			14,627,448
Total Stockholders' Equity		2,251,547			2,154,232			2,232,419			2,126,005

FINANCIAL RATIOS:
Return on Average Assets		1.07	%		1.24	%		0.99	%		1.33	%
Return on Average Stockholders' Equity		8.66			10.38			8.10			11.28
Return on Tangible Common Stockholders' Equity		13.39			16.54			12.64			18.10
Average Earning Assets to Average Assets		92.54			93.36			92.75			93.37
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans as % of Total Loans		1.48			1.67			1.48			1.67
Net Charge-offs as % of Average Loans (Annualized)		0.21			0.66			0.51			0.24
Average Stockholders' Equity to Average Assets		12.26			11.87			12.15			11.74
Tax Equivalent Yield on Average Earning Assets		5.82			5.55			5.72			5.32
Interest Expense/Average Earning Assets		2.59			2.26			2.56			1.90
Net Interest Margin (FTE) on Average Earning Assets		3.23			3.29			3.16			3.42
Efficiency Ratio		53.76			53.91			55.54			52.60
Tangible Common Book Value Per Share	$	26.64		$	22.43		$	26.64		$	22.43


NONPERFORMING ASSETS
(Dollars In Thousands)	September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,			September 30,
		2024			2024			2024			2023			2023
Nonaccrual Loans	$	59,088		$	61,906		$	62,478		$	53,580		$	53,102
Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessions		5,247			4,824			4,886			4,831			6,480
Nonperforming Assets (NPA)		64,335			66,730			67,364			58,411			59,582
90+ Days Delinquent		14,105			1,686			2,838			172			89
NPAs & 90 Day Delinquent	$	78,440		$	68,416		$	70,202		$	58,583		$	59,671

Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans	$	187,828		$	189,537		$	204,681		$	204,934		$	205,782
Quarterly Net Charge-offs		6,709			39,644			2,253			3,148			20,365
NPAs / Actual Assets %		0.35	%		0.36	%		0.37	%		0.32	%		0.33	%
NPAs & 90 Day / Actual Assets %		0.43	%		0.37	%		0.38	%		0.32	%		0.33	%
NPAs / Actual Loans and OREO %		0.51	%		0.53	%		0.54	%		0.47	%		0.48	%
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans / Actual Loans (%)		1.48	%		1.50	%		1.64	%		1.64	%		1.67	%
Net Charge-offs as % of Average Loans (Annualized)		0.21	%		1.26	%		0.07	%		0.10	%		0.66	%


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars In Thousands)	September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,			September 30,
		2024			2024			2024			2023			2023
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	84,719		$	105,372		$	100,514		$	112,649		$	125,173
Interest-bearing deposits		359,126			168,528			410,497			436,080			348,639
Investment securities, net of allowance for credit losses		3,662,145			3,753,088			3,783,574			3,811,364			3,713,724
Loans held for sale		40,652			32,292			15,118			18,934			30,972
Loans		12,646,808			12,639,650			12,465,582			12,486,027			12,271,422
Less: Allowance for credit losses - loans		(187,828	)		(189,537	)		(204,681	)		(204,934	)		(205,782	)
Net loans		12,458,980			12,450,113			12,260,901			12,281,093			12,065,640
Premises and equipment		129,582			133,245			132,706			133,896			132,441
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		41,716			41,738			41,758			41,769			41,797
Interest receivable		92,055			97,546			92,550			97,664			90,011
Goodwill and other intangibles		733,601			735,373			737,144			739,101			741,283
Cash surrender value of life insurance		304,613			306,379			306,028			306,301			306,106
Other real estate owned		5,247			4,824			4,886			4,831			6,480
Tax asset, deferred and receivable		86,732			107,080			101,121			99,883			135,521
Other assets		348,384			367,845			331,006			322,322			340,476
TOTAL ASSETS	$	18,347,552		$	18,303,423		$	18,317,803		$	18,405,887		$	18,078,263
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing	$	2,334,197		$	2,303,313		$	2,338,364		$	2,500,062		$	2,554,984
Interest-bearing		12,030,903			12,265,757			12,546,220			12,321,391			12,091,592
Total Deposits		14,365,100			14,569,070			14,884,584			14,821,453			14,646,576
Borrowings:
Federal funds purchased		30,000			147,229			—			—			—
Securities sold under repurchase agreements		124,894			100,451			130,264			157,280			152,537
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		832,629			832,703			612,778			712,852			713,384
Subordinated debentures and other borrowings		93,562			93,589			118,612			158,644			158,665
Total Borrowings		1,081,085			1,173,972			861,654			1,028,776			1,024,586
Deposits and other liabilities held for sale		288,476			—			—			—			—
Interest payable		18,089			18,554			19,262			18,912			16,473
Other liabilities		292,429			329,302			327,500			289,033			297,984
Total Liabilities		16,045,179			16,090,898			16,093,000			16,158,174			15,985,619
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock, $1,000 par value, $1,000 liquidation value:
Authorized -- 600 cumulative shares
Issued and outstanding - 125 cumulative shares		125			125			125			125			125
Preferred Stock, Series A, no par value, $2,500 liquidation preference:
Authorized -- 10,000 non-cumulative perpetual shares
Issued and outstanding - 10,000 non-cumulative perpetual shares		25,000			25,000			25,000			25,000			25,000
Common Stock, $.125 stated value:
Authorized -- 100,000,000 shares
Issued and outstanding		7,265			7,256			7,321			7,428			7,425
Additional paid-in capital		1,192,683			1,191,193			1,208,447			1,236,506			1,234,402
Retained earnings		1,229,125			1,200,930			1,181,939			1,154,624			1,132,962
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(151,825	)		(211,979	)		(198,029	)		(175,970	)		(307,270	)
Total Stockholders' Equity		2,302,373			2,212,525			2,224,803			2,247,713			2,092,644
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$	18,347,552		$	18,303,423		$	18,317,803		$	18,405,887		$	18,078,263


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)	September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,			September 30,
		2024			2024			2024			2023			2023
INTEREST INCOME
Loans receivable:
Taxable	$	206,680		$	201,413		$	198,023		$	197,523		$	191,705
Tax-exempt		8,622			8,430			8,190			8,197			8,288
Investment securities:
Taxable		9,263			9,051			8,748			8,644			8,590
Tax-exempt		13,509			13,613			13,611			13,821			13,947
Deposits with financial institutions		2,154			2,995			6,493			8,034			5,884
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		855			879			835			771			719
Total Interest Income		241,083			236,381			235,900			236,990			229,133
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits		98,856			99,151			98,285			96,655			85,551
Federal funds purchased		329			126			—			1			—
Securities sold under repurchase agreements		700			645			1,032			827			797
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		8,544			6,398			6,773			6,431			6,896
Subordinated debentures and other borrowings		1,544			1,490			2,747			3,013			2,506
Total Interest Expense		109,973			107,810			108,837			106,927			95,750
NET INTEREST INCOME		131,110			128,571			127,063			130,063			133,383
Provision for credit losses		5,000			24,500			2,000			1,500			2,000
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES		126,110			104,071			125,063			128,563			131,383
NONINTEREST INCOME
Service charges on deposit accounts		8,361			8,214			7,907			7,690			7,975
Fiduciary and wealth management fees		8,525			8,825			8,200			8,187			7,394
Card payment fees		5,121			4,739			4,500			4,437			4,716
Net gains and fees on sales of loans		6,764			5,141			3,254			4,111			5,517
Derivative hedge fees		736			489			263			1,049			516
Other customer fees		344			460			427			237			384
Earnings on cash surrender value of life insurance		2,755			1,929			1,592			3,202			1,761
Net realized losses on sales of available for sale securities		(9,114	)		(49	)		(2	)		(2,317	)		(1,650	)
Other income (loss)		1,374			1,586			497			(152	)		1,229
Total Noninterest Income		24,866			31,334			26,638			26,444			27,842
NONINTEREST EXPENSES
Salaries and employee benefits		55,223			52,214			58,293			60,967			55,566
Net occupancy		6,994			6,746			7,312			9,089			6,837
Equipment		6,949			6,599			6,226			6,108			5,698
Marketing		1,836			1,773			1,198			2,647			2,369
Outside data processing fees		7,150			7,072			6,889			5,875			6,573
Printing and office supplies		378			354			353			402			333
Intangible asset amortization		1,772			1,771			1,957			2,182			2,182
FDIC assessments		3,720			3,278			4,287			7,557			2,981
Other real estate owned and foreclosure expenses		942			373			534			1,743			677
Professional and other outside services		3,035			3,822			3,952			3,981			3,833
Other expenses		6,630			7,411			5,934			7,552			6,805
Total Noninterest Expenses		94,629			91,413			96,935			108,103			93,854
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX		56,347			43,992			54,766			46,904			65,371
Income tax expense		7,160			4,067			6,825			4,425			9,005
NET INCOME		49,187			39,925			47,941			42,479			56,366
Preferred stock dividends		468			469			469			469			468
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$	48,719		$	39,456		$	47,472		$	42,010		$	55,898
Per Share Data:
Basic Net Income Available to Common Stockholders	$	0.84		$	0.68		$	0.80		$	0.71		$	0.95
Diluted Net Income Available to Common Stockholders	$	0.84		$	0.68		$	0.80		$	0.71		$	0.94
Cash Dividends Paid to Common Stockholders	$	0.35		$	0.35		$	0.34		$	0.34		$	0.34
Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding (in thousands)		58,289			58,328			59,273			59,556			59,503
FINANCIAL RATIOS:
Return on Average Assets		1.07	%		0.87	%		1.04	%		0.92	%		1.24	%
Return on Average Stockholders' Equity		8.66			7.16			8.47			7.89			10.38
Return on Tangible Common Stockholders' Equity		13.39			11.29			13.21			12.75			16.54
Average Earning Assets to Average Assets		92.54			92.81			92.91			93.62			93.36
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans as % of Total Loans		1.48			1.50			1.64			1.64			1.67
Net Charge-offs as % of Average Loans (Annualized)		0.21			1.26			0.07			0.10			0.66
Average Stockholders' Equity to Average Assets		12.26			12.02			12.17			11.58			11.87
Tax Equivalent Yield on Average Earning Assets		5.82			5.69			5.65			5.64			5.55
Interest Expense/Average Earning Assets		2.59			2.53			2.55			2.48			2.26
Net Interest Margin (FTE) on Average Earning Assets		3.23			3.16			3.10			3.16			3.29
Efficiency Ratio		53.76			53.84			59.21			63.26			53.91
Tangible Common Book Value Per Share	$	26.64		$	25.10		$	25.07		$	25.06		$	22.43


LOANS
(Dollars In Thousands)	September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,			September 30,
		2024			2024			2024			2023			2023
Commercial and industrial loans	$	4,041,217		$	3,949,817		$	3,722,365		$	3,670,948		$	3,490,953
Agricultural land, production and other loans to farmers		238,743			239,926			234,431			263,414			233,838
Real estate loans:
Construction		814,704			823,267			941,726			957,545			1,022,261
Commercial real estate, non-owner occupied		2,251,351			2,323,533			2,368,360			2,400,839			2,360,596
Commercial real estate, owner occupied		1,152,751			1,174,195			1,137,894			1,162,083			1,153,707
Residential		2,366,943			2,370,905			2,316,490			2,288,921			2,257,385
Home equity		641,188			631,104			618,258			617,571			609,352
Individuals' loans for household and other personal expenditures		158,480			162,089			161,459			168,388			176,523
Public finance and other commercial loans		981,431			964,814			964,599			956,318			966,807
Loans		12,646,808			12,639,650			12,465,582			12,486,027			12,271,422
Allowance for credit losses - loans		(187,828	)		(189,537	)		(204,681	)		(204,934	)		(205,782	)
NET LOANS	$	12,458,980		$	12,450,113		$	12,260,901		$	12,281,093		$	12,065,640


DEPOSITS
(Dollars In Thousands)	September 30,		June 30,		March 31,		December 31,		September 30,
		2024		2024		2024		2023		2023
Demand deposits	$	7,678,510	$	7,757,679	$	7,771,976	$	7,965,862	$	7,952,040
Savings deposits		4,302,236		4,339,161		4,679,593		4,516,433		4,572,162
Certificates and other time deposits of $100,000 or more		1,277,833		1,415,131		1,451,443		1,408,985		1,280,607
Other certificates and time deposits		802,949		889,949		901,280		849,906		761,196
Brokered certificates of deposits¹		303,572		167,150		80,292		80,267		80,571
TOTAL DEPOSITS²	$	14,365,100	$	14,569,070	$	14,884,584	$	14,821,453	$	14,646,576

^{1 -} Total brokered deposits of $838.3 million, which includes brokered CD's of $303.6 million at September 30, 2024.

²- Total deposits at September 30, 2024 excludes $287.7 million of deposits reclassified to Deposits and other liabilities held for sale related to the pending Illinois branch sale.


CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET AND NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS
(Dollars in Thousands)
	For the Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2024						September 30, 2023
	Average Balance		Interest Income / Expense		Average Rate		Average Balance		Interest Income / Expense		Average Rate
ASSETS
Interest-bearing deposits	$	252,113	$	2,154	3.42	%	$	502,967	$	5,884	4.68	%
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		41,730		855	8.20			41,826		719	6.88
Investment Securities: ⁽¹⁾
Taxable		1,789,526		9,263	2.07			1,817,219		8,590	1.89
Tax-exempt ⁽²⁾		2,226,823		17,100	3.07			2,298,025		17,655	3.07
Total Investment Securities		4,016,349		26,363	2.63			4,115,244		26,245	2.55
Loans held for sale		31,991		483	6.04			24,227		386	6.37
Loans: ⁽³⁾
Commercial		8,699,733		164,922	7.58			8,456,527		153,993	7.28
Real estate mortgage		2,183,095		24,333	4.46			2,079,067		21,618	4.16
Installment		832,222		16,942	8.14			827,318		15,708	7.59
Tax-exempt ⁽²⁾		933,125		10,914	4.68			900,493		10,491	4.66
Total Loans		12,680,166		217,594	6.86			12,287,632		202,196	6.58
Total Earning Assets		16,990,358		246,966	5.82	%		16,947,669		235,044	5.55	%
Total Non-Earning Assets		1,370,222						1,204,570
TOTAL ASSETS	$	18,360,580					$	18,152,239
LIABILITIES
Interest-Bearing Deposits:
Interest-bearing deposits	$	5,455,298	$	40,450	2.97	%	$	5,425,829	$	37,780	2.79	%
Money market deposits		2,974,188		25,950	3.49			2,923,798		23,607	3.23
Savings deposits		1,425,047		4,208	1.18			1,641,338		3,844	0.94
Certificates and other time deposits		2,499,655		28,248	4.52			2,106,910		20,320	3.86
Total Interest-Bearing Deposits		12,354,188		98,856	3.20			12,097,875		85,551	2.83
Borrowings		1,071,440		11,117	4.15			1,032,180		10,199	3.95
Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities		13,425,628		109,973	3.28			13,130,055		95,750	2.92
Noninterest-bearing deposits		2,348,266						2,637,717
Other liabilities		335,139						230,235
Total Liabilities		16,109,033						15,998,007
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY		2,251,547						2,154,232
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$	18,360,580		109,973			$	18,152,239		95,750
Net Interest Income (FTE)			$	136,993					$	139,294
Net Interest Spread (FTE) ⁽⁴⁾					2.54	%					2.63	%

Net Interest Margin (FTE):
Interest Income (FTE) / Average Earning Assets					5.82	%					5.55	%
Interest Expense / Average Earning Assets					2.59	%					2.26	%
Net Interest Margin (FTE) ⁽⁵⁾					3.23	%					3.29	%

⁽¹⁾ Average balance of securities is computed based on the average of the historical amortized cost balances without the effects of the fair value adjustments. Annualized amounts are computed using a 30/360 day basis.
⁽²⁾Tax-exempt securities and loans are presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis, using a marginal tax rate of 21 percent for 2024 and 2023. These totals equal $5,883 and $5,911 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
⁽³⁾ Non accruing loans have been included in the average balances.
⁽⁴⁾ Net Interest Spread (FTE) is interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets minus interest expense expressed as a percentage of average interest-bearing liabilities.
⁽⁵⁾ Net Interest Margin (FTE) is interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets minus interest expense expressed as a percentage of average earning assets.


CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET AND NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS
(Dollars in Thousands)
	For the Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2024						September 30, 2023
	Average Balance		Interest Income / Expense		Average Rate		Average Balance		Interest Income / Expense		Average Rate
ASSETS
Interest-bearing deposits	$	383,007	$	11,642	4.05	%	$	340,887	$	9,685	3.79	%
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		41,748		2,569	8.20			41,160		2,281	7.39
Investment Securities: ⁽¹⁾
Taxable		1,787,119		27,062	2.02			1,872,267		26,563	1.89
Tax-exempt ⁽²⁾		2,237,759		51,561	3.07			2,394,864		56,071	3.12
Total Investment Securities		4,024,878		78,623	2.60			4,267,131		82,634	2.58
Loans held for sale		27,735		1,242	5.97			22,398		1,046	6.23
Loans: ⁽³⁾
Commercial		8,659,088		484,979	7.47			8,515,148		444,422	6.96
Real estate mortgage		2,159,738		70,489	4.35			2,008,852		60,354	4.01
Installment		825,060		49,406	7.98			833,133		44,492	7.12
Tax-exempt ⁽²⁾		921,286		31,952	4.62			885,256		30,072	4.53
Total Loans		12,592,907		638,068	6.76			12,264,787		580,386	6.31
Total Earning Assets		17,042,540		730,902	5.72	%		16,913,965		674,986	5.32	%
Total Non-Earning Assets		1,331,830						1,201,539
TOTAL ASSETS	$	18,374,370					$	18,115,504
LIABILITIES
Interest-Bearing deposits:
Interest-bearing deposits	$	5,487,106	$	120,935	2.94	%	$	5,412,482	$	97,016	2.39	%
Money market deposits		3,018,526		80,563	3.56			2,812,891		55,868	2.65
Savings deposits		1,497,620		11,485	1.02			1,730,110		10,693	0.82
Certificates and other time deposits		2,447,684		83,309	4.54			1,821,408		45,860	3.36
Total Interest-Bearing Deposits		12,450,936		296,292	3.17			11,776,891		209,437	2.37
Borrowings		990,022		30,328	4.08			1,144,368		32,122	3.74
Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities		13,440,958		326,620	3.24			12,921,259		241,559	2.49
Noninterest-bearing deposits		2,375,120						2,850,557
Other liabilities		325,873						217,683
Total Liabilities		16,141,951						15,989,499
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY		2,232,419						2,126,005
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$	18,374,370		326,620			$	18,115,504		241,559
Net Interest Income (FTE)			$	404,282					$	433,427
Net Interest Spread (FTE) ⁽⁴⁾					2.48	%					2.83	%

Net Interest Margin (FTE):
Interest Income (FTE) / Average Earning Assets					5.72	%					5.32	%
Interest Expense / Average Earning Assets					2.56	%					1.90	%
Net Interest Margin (FTE) ⁽⁵⁾					3.16	%					3.42	%

⁽¹⁾ Average balance of securities is computed based on the average of the historical amortized cost balances without the effects of the fair value adjustments. Annualized amounts are computed using a 30/360 day basis.
⁽²⁾ Tax-exempt securities and loans are presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis, using a marginal tax rate of 21 percent for 2024 and 2023. These totals equal $17,538 and $18,090 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
⁽³⁾ Non accruing loans have been included in the average balances.
⁽⁴⁾Net Interest Spread (FTE) is interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets minus interest expense expressed as a percentage of average interest-bearing liabilities.
⁽⁵⁾ Net Interest Margin (FTE) is interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets minus interest expense expressed as a percentage of average earning assets.


ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - NON-GAAP
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)	Three Months Ended															Nine Months Ended
	September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2024			2024			2024			2023			2023			2024			2023
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders - GAAP	$	48,719		$	39,456		$	47,472		$	42,010		$	55,898		$	135,647		$	179,901
Adjustments:
PPP loan income		—			—			—			(7	)		(8	)		—			(42	)
Net realized losses on sales of available for sale securities		9,114			49			2			2,317			1,650			9,165			4,613
Non-core expenses^1,2		—			—			3,481			12,682			—			3,481			—
Tax on adjustments		(2,220	)		(12	)		(848	)		(3,652	)		(403	)		(3,081	)		(1,121	)
Adjusted Net Income Available to Common Stockholders - Non-GAAP	$	55,613		$	39,493		$	50,107		$	53,350		$	57,137		$	145,212		$	183,351

Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding (in thousands)		58,289			58,328			59,273			59,556			59,503			58,629			59,465

Diluted Earnings Per Common Share - GAAP	$	0.84		$	0.68		$	0.80		$	0.71		$	0.94		$	2.31		$	3.03
Adjustments:
PPP loan income		—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Net realized losses on sales of available for sale securities		0.15			—			—			0.04			0.03			0.16			0.07
Non-core expenses^1,2		—			—			0.06			0.21			—			0.06			—
Tax on adjustments		(0.04	)		—			(0.01	)		(0.06	)		(0.01	)		(0.05	)		(0.02	)
Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Common Share - Non-GAAP	$	0.95		$	0.68		$	0.85		$	0.90		$	0.96		$	2.48		$	3.08

¹ - Non-core expenses in 4Q23 included $6.3 million from early retirement and severance costs, $4.3 million from the FDIC special assessment, and $2.1 million from a lease termination.

² - Non-core expenses in 1Q24 included $2.4 million from duplicative online banking conversion costs and $1.1 million from the FDIC special assessment.


NET INTEREST MARGIN ("NIM"), ADJUSTED
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
	Three Months Ended															Nine Months Ended
	September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2024			2024			2024			2023			2023			2024			2023
Net Interest Income (GAAP)	$	131,110		$	128,571		$	127,063		$	130,063		$	133,383		$	386,744		$	415,337
Fully Taxable Equivalent ("FTE") Adjustment		5,883			5,859			5,795			5,853			5,911			17,538			18,090
Net Interest Income (FTE) (non-GAAP)	$	136,993		$	134,430		$	132,858		$	135,916		$	139,294		$	404,282		$	433,427

Average Earning Assets (GAAP)	$	16,990,358		$	17,013,984		$	17,123,851		$	17,222,714		$	16,947,669		$	17,042,540		$	16,913,965
Net Interest Margin (GAAP)		3.09	%		3.02	%		2.97	%		3.02	%		3.15	%		3.03	%		3.27	%
Net Interest Margin (FTE) (non-GAAP)		3.23	%		3.16	%		3.10	%		3.16	%		3.29	%		3.16	%		3.42	%


RETURN ON TANGIBLE COMMON EQUITY - NON-GAAP
(Dollars In Thousands)	Three Months Ended															Nine Months Ended
	September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,			September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2024			2024			2024			2023			2023			2024			2023
Total Average Stockholders' Equity (GAAP)	$	2,251,547		$	2,203,361		$	2,242,139		$	2,130,993		$	2,154,232		$	2,232,419		$	2,126,005
Less: Average Preferred Stock		(25,125	)		(25,125	)		(25,125	)		(25,125	)		(25,125	)		(25,125	)		(25,125	)
Less: Average Intangible Assets, Net of Tax		(729,581	)		(730,980	)		(732,432	)		(734,007	)		(735,787	)		(730,993	)		(737,476	)
Average Tangible Common Equity, Net of Tax (Non-GAAP)	$	1,496,841		$	1,447,256		$	1,484,582		$	1,371,861		$	1,393,320		$	1,476,301		$	1,363,404

Net Income Available to Common Stockholders (GAAP)	$	48,719		$	39,456		$	47,472		$	42,010		$	55,898		$	135,647		$	179,901
Plus: Intangible Asset Amortization, Net of Tax		1,399			1,399			1,546			1,724			1,724			4,345			5,182
Tangible Net Income (Non-GAAP)	$	50,118		$	40,855		$	49,018		$	43,734		$	57,622		$	139,992		$	185,083

Return on Tangible Common Equity (Non-GAAP)		13.39	%		11.29	%		13.21	%		12.75	%		16.54	%		12.64	%		18.10	%

For more information, contact:

Nicole M. Weaver, Vice President and Director of Corporate Administration

765-521-7619

http://www.firstmerchants.com

SOURCE: First Merchants Corporation, Muncie, Indiana

First Merchants Corporation Announces Third Quarter 2024 Earnings per Share