Insider Trading February 26, 2026

First Merchants Director Disposes $207,500 in Company Stock

Larry W. Myers sells 5,000 shares as the bank posts a quarterly beat and declares a cash dividend

By Ajmal Hussain FRME
First Merchants Director Disposes $207,500 in Company Stock
FRME

Larry W. Myers, a director and First Vice President at First Merchants Corporation, sold 5,000 shares on February 26, 2026, for $41.50 per share. The sale follows the company's stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter results and a declared quarterly dividend. Myers retains substantial direct and indirect holdings and joined the First Merchants board following a merger.

Key Points

  • Director Larry W. Myers sold 5,000 shares on February 26, 2026, at $41.50 per share, generating $207,500 in proceeds.
  • First Merchants reported Q4 2025 EPS of $0.98 and revenue of $178.36 million, both above analyst expectations, and declared a $0.36 quarterly dividend payable March 20, 2026 to shareholders of record March 6, 2026.
  • The company is presented as a $2.34 billion bank holding company trading at a P/E of 10.6, with a 3.51% dividend yield and a streak of 14 consecutive annual dividend increases.

Transaction details

According to a Form 4 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Larry W. Myers, who serves as a Director and First Vice President at First Merchants Corp (NASDAQ:FRME), sold 5,000 shares of common stock on February 26, 2026. The shares were sold at $41.50 apiece, producing proceeds of $207,500.


Post-sale ownership

After completing the transaction, Myers directly holds 109,491 shares of First Merchants Corp. He also retains indirect stakes: 71,983 shares held via a Spousal IRA and 181,728 shares held through a 401k.


Valuation, dividend profile and investor tools

The bank holding company trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.6. InvestingPro’s Fair Value analysis classifies the stock as undervalued. First Merchants is described as a $2.34 billion bank holding company that offers a dividend yield of 3.51% and has increased its dividend for 14 consecutive years. The article notes that InvestingPro subscribers can access more than 10 additional tips and detailed financial metrics for FRME.


Quarterly results and dividend declaration

First Merchants reported fourth-quarter 2025 results that topped analyst expectations. The company posted earnings per share of $0.98 versus a forecast of $0.95, and reported revenue of $178.36 million compared with the $173.17 million analysts had anticipated. In connection with its financial results, First Merchants declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.36 per common share. Shareholders of record as of March 6, 2026, are scheduled to receive the dividend on March 20, 2026.


Board appointment and background

Following a merger, Myers joined the Board of Directors of First Merchants Corporation and First Merchants Bank. The filing notes that Myers recently announced his departure as President and CEO of First Savings Bank and that he brings nearly 20 years of experience to the First Merchants board.


Context and takeaways

The filing documents a routine insider transaction alongside recent corporate developments: an earnings beat, a dividend declaration with set record and payment dates, and a board appointment tied to a merger. Myers continues to hold meaningful direct and indirect equity positions in the company.

Risks

  • The motive behind the insider sale is not disclosed in the filing, leaving the market to interpret the transaction without explicit context - impacts market perception in the financials and banking sectors.
  • The report cites InvestingPro’s Fair Value assessment labeling the shares undervalued; reliance on a single valuation source introduces uncertainty about broader market consensus - affects valuation views in equity markets.
  • While Myers joined the board following a merger and brings nearly 20 years of experience, the long-term operational impact of his board membership and the merger is not detailed in the filing - creates uncertainty for corporate governance and integration outcomes in the banking sector.

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