NEWS

MUNCIE, Ind. – First Merchants Bank celebrates Monday’s announcement by the American Banker who named it among the “2022 Best Banks to Work For” across the nation.

First Merchants Bank authentically strives to put employees first to create an inspiring and inviting workplace, seeking to meet their career advancement needs. This recognition reflects genuine and continuous efforts to improve employee career advancement and to link daily work to a meaningful “larger purpose” in helping the financial wellness of the communities served by the bank. First Merchants does this with an inclusively diverse mindset toward teamwork and collaboration. Our workplace environment reinforces a sense of belonging where people can thrive while providing a “Helping you prosper” approach to serving customers. Through straight talk, sound advice, and actions reflecting honesty & fair-dealing, First Merchants believes in strong character qualities to attract talented people and to attract customers who desire to be positively served by such people.

“We are dedicated to helping you prosper,” said CEO Mark Hardwick. “By prioritizing our employees and attentively listening to their needs, collectively, we are better equipped to serve you. I am grateful to our incredible employees for their hard work and commitment to being partners in the financial well-being of the communities we serve.”

Additionally, First Merchants has launched a variety of initiatives to strengthen its ties with the communities it serves. It recently amended the 2022 Community Benefits Agreement to center the whole corporation around goals to help underserved businesses and consumers in its communities. According to Hardwick, giving employees a common mission encourages them to work as a team and sharpens their efforts to create stronger connections with clients and one another.

For the American Banker recognition, First Merchants employees were asked to complete the Best Companies Group Employer Benefits & Policies Questionnaire. Employees also answered a confidential 77-question employee engagement and satisfaction survey to help assess their workplace experience and culture. Winners were then determined by the American Banker based on the size of the company and an in-depth analysis of responses to the two assessments.

This recognition is just one of many for First Merchants this year. The bank received two Comparably awards in 2022, one for “Best Leadership Team” and a second for “Best Work-Life Balance”. Additional awards include being ranked among the top 20 banks by S&P Global Market Intelligence, as a “Best Bank by Newsweek” for a third year in a row, fourth on the list of “2022 Great Employers to Work for in Indiana” by Best Companies Group, and a ”Best in-State Bank” in Indiana for customer satisfaction by Forbes.

If you would like to learn more about joining one of the American Banker Best Banks to Work For, check out First Merchants Bank Career Opportunities.

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About First Merchants Corporation
First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ: FRME), with assets of more than $18 billion and operating in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan, is the parent company of First Merchants Bank. The Muncie, Indiana-based bank is committed to providing exceptional financial services while making meaningful contributions in each community it serves. First Merchants Bank promotes economic mobility through its five community pillars: Employee Empowerment; Community Investments and Charitable Giving; Financial Wellness; Community Home Lending; and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The company has been honored for its excellence in banking by Forbes, Newsweek and S&P Global Intelligence and attributes this recognition to a mission-driven team passionate about helping you prosper. To see how First Merchants Bank is making a difference, go to (www.firstmerchants.com).