Insider Trading February 9, 2026

First Merchants Risk Chief Disposes $136,469 in Stock Ahead of Post-Merger Changes

Eva D. Scurlock sold 3,227 shares as the regional bank reports solid fundamentals and completes a merger

By Caleb Monroe FRME
First Merchants Risk Chief Disposes $136,469 in Stock Ahead of Post-Merger Changes
FRME

First Merchants CORP Chief Risk Officer Eva D. Scurlock sold 3,227 common shares on February 6, 2026, at $42.29 per share, for a total of $136,469. The sale occurred close to the stock's prevailing price and follows a quarter of results that topped estimates and a completed merger with First Savings Financial Group, Inc.

Key Points

  • Insider transaction: Chief Risk Officer Eva D. Scurlock sold 3,227 shares on February 6, 2026 for $136,469.
  • Financials: Q4 2025 results beat estimates with EPS $0.98 versus $0.95 expected and revenue $178.36 million versus $173.17 million expected.
  • Corporate action: First Merchants completed its merger with First Savings Financial Group, Inc. on February 1; Larry Myers joined the board following his announcement to step down as President and CEO of First Savings Bank.

First Merchants CORP (NASDAQ:FRME) reported an insider sale on February 6, 2026, when Chief Risk Officer Eva D. Scurlock disposed of 3,227 shares of common stock at $42.29 per share, producing proceeds of $136,469.

The trade took place near the stock's then-current quote of $42.13. An analysis noted that the regional bank is slightly undervalued relative to its Fair Value.

After the transaction, Scurlock's direct holdings in First Merchants total 20,063.128 shares. That total includes 2,223.109 shares originating from Restricted Stock Awards.

First Merchants operates with a market capitalization of $2.4 billion. Key valuation and income metrics reported include a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.88 and a dividend yield of 3.4%. Additional data indicates the bank has paid dividends for 37 consecutive years and has recorded a year-to-date return of 12.97%.

On the operating-results front, the company released fourth-quarter 2025 earnings that exceeded expectations. First Merchants posted earnings per share of $0.98, above the $0.95 forecast, and reported revenue of $178.36 million compared with an anticipated $173.17 million.

The bank finalized a corporate consolidation on February 1 when it completed a merger with First Savings Financial Group, Inc. As part of the changes associated with that deal, Larry Myers, who had announced plans to step down as President and CEO of First Savings Bank, was named to the Board of Directors of First Merchants Corporation and First Merchants Bank.

These items - the insider sale, recent financial performance and the completed merger - outline the most recent developments at First Merchants. The company presents a mix of steady dividend history and modest valuation metrics alongside recent management and structural changes following the merger.


Summary

  • Chief Risk Officer Eva D. Scurlock sold 3,227 shares on February 6, 2026, at $42.29, netting $136,469.
  • Scurlock now directly owns 20,063.128 shares, including 2,223.109 from Restricted Stock Awards.
  • First Merchants reported Q4 2025 EPS of $0.98 and revenue of $178.36 million, both above expectations, and completed a merger on February 1.

Risks

  • Insider selling can be interpreted in multiple ways and may create uncertainty for investors in the regional banking sector.
  • Post-merger integration carries execution risk as First Merchants absorbs First Savings Financial Group, Inc., which could affect operations and governance in the banking sector.
  • Valuation dynamics: although the bank shows a dividend yield and long dividend history, the assessment that the stock is slightly undervalued introduces ambiguity about near-term price movement for shareholders.

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