ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS
On October 29, 2008, First Merchants Corporation issued a press release announcing the declaration of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.23 per share. The cash dividend is payable on December 19, 2008 to stockholders of record as of December 5, 2008. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
The information in this Form 8-K and the attached exhibit shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(a) Not applicable. (b) Not applicable. (c) Exhibits. Exhibit 99.1 Press Release, dated October 29, 2008, issued by Frst Merchants Corporation Page 2 of 5 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the

undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
First Merchants Corporation (Registrant)
By: /s/ Mark K. Hardwick
Mark K. Hardwick Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Dated: October 29, 2008

Page 3 of 5