Business Context and Reporting Period
This Form 8-K was filed by First Merchants Corporation on January 16, 2026. The report details the receipt of the final regulatory approval required for the Company's pending merger with First Savings Financial Group, Inc. ("First Savings").
Key Financial Metrics
This filing is a current report regarding a corporate event and does not provide specific financial metrics such as revenue, profit, cash flow, margins, debt, or liquidity figures for the reporting period.
Material Changes and Regulatory Status
- Final Regulatory Approval: On January 15, 2026, the Company received a non-objection from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago regarding a waiver of application related to the merger.
- Complete Approval Package: The Company has now secured all necessary regulatory approvals, including prior approvals from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions.
- Shareholder and Board Approvals: The merger was approved by the First Savings Board of Directors (September 24, 2025), First Savings shareholders (December 19, 2025), and the First Merchants Board of Directors (September 22, 2025).
Outlook, Guidance, and Risks
Expected Closing: The Company and First Savings anticipate the merger will become effective as of February 1, 2026, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
Risks and Contingencies: The filing includes a cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements. Key risks include:
- Failure to satisfy closing conditions on a timely basis.
- Events or circumstances that could trigger the right to terminate the Merger Agreement.
- Potential changes in banking legislation or regulatory requirements.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Verify the satisfaction of all customary closing conditions prior to the anticipated February 1, 2026, effective date.
- Monitor for any announcements regarding the termination of the Merger Agreement due to unforeseen events.
- Review the original Merger Agreement (dated September 24, 2025) for specific details on the exchange ratio and transaction structure.
- Confirm the final regulatory status remains unchanged following the Federal Reserve's non-objection.