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Will Dividend Hike And Board Expansion Around First Savings Deal Change First Merchants' (FRME) Narrative

Simply Wall St·02/15/2026 02:29:22
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  • In February 2026, First Merchants Corporation declared a cash dividend of $0.36 per common share, payable on March 20, 2026 to stockholders of record as of March 6, 2026.
  • The concurrent appointment of veteran community banker Larry Myers to an expanded board underscores how First Merchants is tying governance to its recent First Savings acquisition and ongoing capital return plans.
  • We’ll now examine how the new $0.36 dividend and Larry Myers’ board appointment shape First Merchants’ broader investment narrative.

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First Merchants Investment Narrative Recap

To own First Merchants, you need to be comfortable with a Midwestern community bank thesis that leans on steady earnings, disciplined capital return, and integration of recent acquisitions. The new US$0.36 dividend and Larry Myers’ board appointment reinforce that story but do not materially change the key near term catalyst, which remains delivering on post acquisition earnings growth while managing the biggest current risk around funding costs and deposit competition.

Among recent developments, the appointment of long time community banker Larry Myers to the expanded board stands out as most relevant here. His background at First Savings and in regional banking circles closely ties into First Merchants’ growth-through-acquisition efforts and the need to balance dividend commitments with the risks of higher funding costs, brokered deposits approaching internal limits, and concentrated exposure to Midwestern economic trends.

Yet even with a higher dividend and new board experience, investors should still be aware of how rising funding costs and growing brokered deposits could...

Read the full narrative on First Merchants (it's free!)

First Merchants’ narrative projects $790.6 million revenue and $221.9 million earnings by 2028. This requires 7.4% yearly revenue growth and a slight earnings decrease of about $1.9 million from $223.8 million today.

Uncover how First Merchants' forecasts yield a $46.83 fair value, a 11% upside to its current price.

Exploring Other Perspectives

FRME 1-Year Stock Price Chart
FRME 1-Year Stock Price Chart

Simply Wall St Community members currently place fair value for First Merchants between US$46.83 and US$81.33, across 2 different views. You can weigh these against the risk that higher funding costs and growing brokered deposits pressure margins and ultimately shape how the bank’s performance unfolds.

Explore 2 other fair value estimates on First Merchants - why the stock might be worth as much as 93% more than the current price!

Build Your Own First Merchants Narrative

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.