FIRST MERCHANTS CORP
10-K405, 1999-03-31
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D. C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

                Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998      Commission file number 0-17071

                          FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
              (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          Indiana                                               35-1544218
(State or other jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)

          200 East Jackson
           Muncie, Indiana                                      47305-2814
(Address of principal executive offices)                        (Zip Code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (317) 747-1500

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

         Common Stock, $.125 stated value per share
                    (Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the 
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements 
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K.  [X]

The aggregate market value (not  necessarily a reliable  indication of the price
at which more than a limited  number of shares  would trade) of the voting stock
held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $231,676,424 as of March 5, 1999.

As of March 5, 1999 there were outstanding 10,072,888 common shares, without par
value, of the registrant.

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

                                                    Part of Form 10-K
      Documents                                  Into Which Incorporated
      ---------                                  -----------------------
1998 Annual Report to Stockholders            Part II (Items 5, 6, 7, 7A, and 8)
Definitive Proxy Statement for
  Annual Meeting of Shareholders
  to be held April 14, 1999                   Part III (Items 10 through 13)


Exhibit Index: Page 26

<PAGE>


FORM 10-K TABLE OF CONTENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Form 10-K
                                                                        Page
                                                                       Number
Part I

  Item 1  - Business.........................................................3

  Item 2  - Properties......................................................19

  Item 3  - Legal Proceedings...............................................19

  Item 4  - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.............19

  Supplemental Information - Executive Officers of the Registrant...........20

Part II

  Item 5  - Market For the Registrant's Common Equity and
            Related Stockholder Matters.....................................21

  Item 6  - Selected Financial Data.........................................21

  Item 7  - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
            Condition and Results of Operations.............................21

  Item 7A - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk......21

  Item 8  - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.....................21

  Item 9  - Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on
            Accounting and Financial Disclosures............................21

Part III

  Item 10  - Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.............21

  Item 11  - Executive Compensation.........................................21

  Item 12  - Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
             Owners and Management..........................................21

  Item 13  - Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.................22

Part IV

  Item 14  - Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and
             Reports on Form 8-K............................................22

Signatures..................................................................24


                                                                         Page 2
<PAGE>

                                     PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GENERAL

First Merchants  Corporation (the  "Corporation") was incorporated under Indiana
law on September 20, 1982, as the bank holding company for First Merchants Bank,
National  Association  ("First  Merchants"),   a  national  banking  association
incorporated in 1893.  Prior to December 16, 1991, First Merchants' name was The
Merchants  National  Bank of Muncie.  On  November  30,  1988,  the  Corporation
acquired Pendleton Banking Company  ("Pendleton"),  a state chartered commercial
bank organized in 1872. On July 31, 1991, the Corporation  acquired First United
Bank ("First United"),  a state chartered  commercial bank organized in 1882. On
August 1, 1996,  the  Corporation  acquired  The Union County  National  Bank of
Liberty ("Union County"),  a national banking association  incorporated in 1872.
On October 2, 1996, the Corporation acquired The Randolph County Bank ("Randolph
County"),  a state chartered  commercial bank founded in 1865. On April 1, 1998,
Pendleton  acquired the Muncie  office of Insurance and Risk  Management,  Inc.,
which was renamed, on April 1, 1998, First Merchants Insurance Services, Inc.

After the holding company was formed in 1982, the Corporation's  practice was to
appoint each of the outside  directors  of First  Merchants as a director of the
Corporation.  However, as the Corporation grew through acquisition of four other
financial  institutions,  it became  apparent that  increased  separation of the
operation  and  direction  of the  Corporation  and  First  Merchants  would  be
desirable,  and that this objective was hindered by the  substantial  overlap in
the  composition of the two Boards of Directors.  Therefore,  the  Corporation's
Board  appointed an ad hoc Committee on Board  Structure to review the structure
and  makeup of the two  Boards.  The  Committee's  report  and  recommendations,
including a plan to restructure the respective Boards effective as of January 1,
1997, were  unanimously  adopted by the Boards of both the Corporation and First
Merchants  on December 10, 1996.  As a result of the  restructuring,  six of the
directors  who were serving on both Boards became  directors of First  Merchants
only, and five of the directors who were serving on both Boards became directors
of the Corporation  only. The size of the  Corporation's  Board was reduced from
eighteen  to  twelve  members,  and the size of the First  Merchants'  Board was
reduced from fifteen to ten members.

As of December 31,  1998,  the  Corporation  had  consolidated  assets of $1.177
billion,  consolidated  deposits of $926.8 million and  stockholders'  equity of
$131.5 million.

The Corporation is headquartered in Muncie, Indiana, and is presently engaged in
conducting  commercial  banking  business  through  the 27  offices  of its five
banking  subsidiaries.  As  of  December  31,  1998,  the  Corporation  and  its
subsidiaries had 492 full-time equivalent employees.

Through its  subsidiaries,  the  Corporation  offers a broad range of  financial
services,  including:  accepting time and transaction deposits; making consumer,
commercial,  agri-business and real estate mortgage loans; issuing credit cards;
renting  safe  deposit  facilities;   providing  personal  and  corporate  trust
services;  and  providing  other  corporate  services,  letters  of  credit  and
repurchase agreements.

ACQUISITION POLICY AND PENDING TRANSACTIONS

The  Corporation  anticipates  that it will  continue  its policy of  geographic
expansion  through   consideration  of  acquisitions  of  additional   financial
institutions.  Management of the Corporation  periodically  engages in reviewing
and analyzing potential acquisitions.

At the  present  time,  management  of the  Corporation  has  signed  definitive
agreements  with both Jay  Financial  Corporation  and Anderson  Community  Bank
regarding their affiliation with the Corporation.

                                                                         Page 3
<PAGE>


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COMPETITION

The  Corporation's  banking  subsidiaries  are  located  in  Delaware,  Fayette,
Hamilton,  Henry, Madison,  Wayne,  Randolph,  and Union counties in Indiana and
Butler  county in Ohio. In addition to the  competition  provided by the lending
and  deposit  gathering  subsidiaries  of  national  manufacturers,   retailers,
insurance companies and investment  brokers,  the banking  subsidiaries  compete
vigorously  with other banks,  thrift  institutions,  credit  unions and finance
companies located within their service areas.

SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

The Corporation is a bank holding  company  ("BHC") subject to regulation  under
the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "Act").  The Act generally
requires a BHC to obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board (the "FRB")
to acquire or hold more than a 5% voting interest in any bank. The Act restricts
the non-banking activities of BHCs to those which are closely related to banking
activities. As a result of the provisions in the Financial Institutional Reform,
Recovery and  Enforcement  Act of 1989, BHCs may now own and operate savings and
loan  associations or savings banks which,  in the past, was  prohibited.  First
Merchants and Union County are national banks and are supervised,  regulated and
examined by the  Comptroller  of the  Currency.  Pendleton,  First  United,  and
Randolph  County are state banks and are  supervised,  regulated and examined by
the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions (the "DFI"). In addition, First
Merchants,  as a  member  of the  Federal  Reserve  System,  is  supervised  and
regulated by the Federal  Reserve.  In addition,  Pendleton,  First United,  and
Randolph  County,  which are not  members of the  Federal  Reserve  System,  are
supervised and regulated by the Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation ("FDIC").
The deposits of First  Merchants,  Union County,  Pendleton,  First United,  and
Randolph  County (the "Banks") are insured by the FDIC.  Each  regulator has the
authority to issue  cease-and-desist  orders if it determines  their  activities
represent an unsafe and unsound practice or violation of law.

Under  the Act  and  under  regulations  of the  FRB,  the  Corporation  and its
subsidiaries  are  prohibited  from engaging in certain tie-in  arrangements  in
connection  with the  extension of credit and are subject to  limitations  as to
certain intercompany transactions.

Subject to certain  limitations,  an Indiana bank may establish branches de novo
and may establish  branches by acquisition  in any location or locations  within
Indiana.  Indiana law permits  intrastate  bank  holding  company  acquisitions,
subject to certain  limitations.  Effective  July 1, 1992,  Indiana bank holding
companies were permitted to acquire banks, and banks and bank holding  companies
in Indiana were permitted to be acquired by bank holding  companies,  located in
any state in the United  States which permits  reciprocal  entry by Indiana bank
holding companies.  Prior to July 1, 1992, such interestate bank holding company
acquisitions were permitted only on a regional,  as opposed to national,  basis.
Neither the Corporation nor its subsidiaries  presently  contemplate engaging in
any non-banking related business activities.

During  1991,   Congress  passed  the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance   Corporation
Improvement  Act  ("FDICIA").  In addition to addressing  the  insurance  fund's
financial  needs,  FDICIA expanded the power of the federal banking  regulators.
FDICIA  introduced  a new  system of  classifying  financial  institutions  with
respect to their capitalization. Effective in 1993, FDICIA also requires certain
financial  institutions,  such as First  Merchants,  to have  annual  audits and
requires management to issue supplemental  reports attesting to an institution's
compliance  with  laws  and  regulations  and to the  adequacy  of its  internal
controls and procedures.

                                                                         Page 4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPERVISION AND REGULATION (continued)

The Riegle Community Development and Regulatory  Improvement Act of 1994 ("Act")
was  signed  into law in 1994.  The Act  contains  seven  titles  pertaining  to
community  development  and home ownership  protection,  small business  capital
formation,  paperwork reduction and regulatory improvement, money laundering and
flood insurance.  The Act grants the authority to several agencies to promulgate
regulations  under  the Act.  No  regulations  have yet  been  promulgated.  The
Corporation  cannot  predict with certainty the impact of the Act on the banking
industry.

In September,  1994, the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency
Act of 1994  ("Interstate  Act")  was  enacted  into  law.  The  Interstate  Act
authorized  interstate  acquisitions,  mergers  and bank  branching  and  agency
banking with affiliates in different states.  The Interstate Act amends the Bank
Holding  Company Act to allow  adequately  capitalized  and managed bank holding
companies to acquire a bank  located in another  state  beginning in  September,
1995. The new act permits full interstate  branching  after June 1, 1997.  After
that date, BHCs may merge existing bank  subsidiaries  into one bank, with banks
also permitted to merge unaffiliated banks across state lines. States may permit
interstate  branching earlier than June 1, 1997, where both states involved with
a bank merger expressly permit it by statute.  The Interstate Act permits states
to enact a law expressly  prohibiting  interstate mergers.  Such laws must apply
equally to all out-of-state banks and be passed before June 1, 1997.

The monetary policies of regulatory  authorities,  including the Federal Reserve
Board,  have a  significant  effect on the  operating  results of banks and bank
holding companies. The nature of future monetary policies and the effect of such
policies  on the  future  business  and  earnings  of the  Corporation  and  its
subsidiary banks cannot be predicted.

The  Corporation  is under  the  jurisdiction  of the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission and state securities  commission for matters relating to the offering
and  sale of its  securities  and is  subject  to the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission's rules and regulations relating to periodic reporting,  reporting to
stockholders, proxy solicitation, and insider trading.

The  Corporation's  income is  principally  derived from  dividends  paid on the
common stock of its subsidiaries.  The payment of these dividends are subject to
certain regulatory restrictions.

CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

The  Corporation  and its  subsidiary  banks must meet certain  minimum  capital
requirements  mandated by the FRB, the FDIC and DFI. These  regulatory  agencies
require BHCs and banks to maintain  certain minimum ratios of primary capital to
total assets and total capital to total assets.  As of January 1, 1991,  the FRB
required bank holding companies to maintain a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio to 3
per cent  capital to total  assets;  however,  for all but the most highly rated
institutions  which do not  anticipate  significant  growth,  the minimum Tier 1
ratio is 3 per cent plus an additional cushion of 100 to 200 basis points. As of
December 31, 1998, the  Corporation's  leverage ratio of capital to total assets
was 11.9 per cent.

The FRB and FDIC each have approved the  imposition of  "risk-adjusted"  capital
ratios on BHCs and financial institutions.  The Corporation and its subsidiaries
had capital to assets ratios and  risk-adjusted  capital  ratios at December 31,
1998, in excess of the applicable regulatory minimum requirements.

                                                                         Page 5
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS (continued)

The following table summarizes the  Corporation's  risk-adjusted  capital ratios
under FRB guidelines at December 31, 1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Corporation's             Regulatory
                                         Consolidated              Minimum
                                             Ratio                Requirement
                                        -------------             -----------
<S>                                         <C>                      <C>    

Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted
  Assets Ratio..................             16.0%                    4.0%
Total Capital to Risk-Weighted
  Assets Ratio..................             16.9%                    8.0%

</TABLE>
                                                                         Page 6

<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATISTICAL DATA

The following tables set forth statistical data relating the Corporation and its
subsidiaries.

DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY; INTEREST RATES AND
INTEREST DIFFERENTIAL

The daily average balance sheet amounts, the related interest income or expense,
and average rates earned or paid are presented in the following table.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                          1998                         1997                         1996
                                               --------------------------   --------------------------   --------------------------
                                                        Interest                     Interest                     Interest
                                               Average   Income/  Average   Average   Income/  Average   Average   Income/  Average
                                               Balance   Expense   Rate     Balance   Expense   Rate     Balance   Expense   Rate
                                               -------   -------  -------   -------   -------  -------   -------   -------  -------
                                                       (Dollars in Thousands on Fully Taxable Equivalent Basis)
<S>                                           <C>        <C>          <C>    <C>       <C>       <C>     <C>        <C>       <C> 
Assets:
  Federal funds sold..........................$  15,172  $   720      4.7%   $  3,127  $   172   5.5%    $  9,359   $   498   5.3%
  Interest-bearing deposits................         598       27      4.5         693       34   4.9          346        16   4.6
  Federal Reserve and                                         
   Federal Home Loan Bank stock............       3,590      278      7.7       3,144      242   7.7        2,800       212   7.6
Securities:(1)                                                             
  Taxable..................................     175,281   10,858      6.2     172,993   10,818   6.3      204,323    12,752   6.2
  Tax-exempt...............................      93,438    7,049      7.5      86,568    6,647   7.7       77,996     5,892   7.6
                                              ---------  -------             --------  -------           --------   -------   
    Total Securities.......................     268,719   17,907      6.7     259,561   17,465   6.7      282,319    18,644   6.6
Mortgage loans held for sale...............         773       98     12.7         406       47  11.6          262        21   8.0
Loans:(2)
  Commercial...............................     296,329   26,737      9.0     272,483   25,125   9.2      230,848    21,232   9.2
  Bankers' acceptance and commercial paper                    
   purchased...............................       1,366       67      4.9       1,193       68   5.7           20         1   5.5
  Real estate mortgage.....................     274,573   22,786      8.3     258,499   21,430   8.3      233,830    19,543   8.4
  Installment..............................     145,379   13,374      9.2     141,290   13,103   9.3      119,379    11,300   9.5
  Tax-exempt...............................       3,511      309      8.8       2,021      178   8.8        1,566       140   8.9
                                              ---------  -------             --------  -------           --------   -------   
    Total loans............................     721,158   63,273      8.8     675,486   59,904   8.9      585,643    52,216   8.9
                                              ---------  -------             --------  -------           --------   -------  
    Total earning assets...................   1,010,010   82,303      8.1     942,417   77,864   8.3      880,729    71,607   8.1
                                              ---------  -------             --------  -------           --------   -------   
Net unrealized gain on securities
  available for sale.......................       2,897                         1,273                         961
Allowance for loan losses..................      (7,020)                       (6,761)                     (6,672)
Cash and due from banks....................      29,249                        30,647                      28,341
Premises and equipment.....................      16,608                        14,950                      14,879
Other assets...............................      12,970                        10,812                      13,906
                                             ----------                      --------                    --------
    Total assets...........................  $1,064,714                      $993,338                    $932,144
                                             ==========                      ========                    ========
Liabilities:
 Interest-bearing deposits:
   NOW accounts............................  $  116,026  $ 2,329      2.0    $104,620  $ 2,450   2.3     $109,792   $ 2,503   2.3   
   Money market deposit accounts...........     140,015    5,810      4.1     105,628    4,188   4.0      100,897     3,701   3.7
   Savings deposits........................      68,016    1,653      2.4      69,633    1,740   2.5       70,875     1,898   2.7
   Certificates and other time deposits....     434,897   23,960      5.5     425,478   23,542   5.5      381,378    21,037   5.5
                                             ----------  -------             --------  -------           --------   -------
    Total interest-bearing deposits........     758,954   33,752      4.4     705,359   31,920   4.5      662,942    29,139   4.4
 Borrowings................................      77,508    4,298      5.5      68,640    3,805   5.5       60,960     3,210   5.3
                                             ----------  -------             --------  -------           --------   -------
    Total interest-bearing liabilities.....     836,462   38,050      4.6     773,999   35,725   4.6      723,902    32,349   4.5
 Noninterest-bearing deposits..............      97,771                        94,759                      90,719
 Other liabilities.........................       3,769                         7,566                       9,429
                                             ----------                      --------                    --------      
    Total liabilities......................     938,002                       876,324                     824,050
 Stockholders' equity......................     126,712                       117,014                     108,094
                                             ----------                      --------                    --------
  Total liabilities and stockholders'equity  $1,064,714   38,050      3.8(3) $993,338   35,725   3.8(3)  $932,144    32,349   3.6(3)
                                             ==========  -------             ======== --------           ========  --------
  Net interest income......................              $44,254      4.3             $ 42,139   4.5               $ 39,258   4.5
                                                         =======                      ========                     ========
  (1) Average  balance of  securities  is  computed  based on the average of the
      historical  amortized cost balances  without the effects of the fair value
      adjustment.
  (2) Nonaccruing  loans have been included in the average  balances.  
  (3) Total interest expense divided by total earning assets
      Adjustment  to convert  tax exempt  investment  securities  to fully  
      taxable equivalent basis, using marginal rate of 35% for 1996, 1997,
      and 1998................................           $ 2,575                      $  2,389                     $  2,111
                                                         =======                      ========                     ========
</TABLE>



                                                                         Page 7
<PAGE>
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STATISTICAL DATA (continued)

ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME

The following table presents net interest income  components on a tax-equivalent
basis and reflects  changes between  periods  attributable to movement in either
the  average  balance  or  average  interest  rate for both  earning  assets and
interest-bearing  liabilities.  The  volume  differences  were  computed  as the
difference in volume  between the current and prior year times the interest rate
of the  prior  year,  while the  interest  rate  changes  were  computed  as the
difference  in rate  between  the current and prior year times the volume of the
prior  year.  Volume/rate  variances  have  been  allocated  on the basis of the
absolute relationship between volume variances and rate variances.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           1998 Compared to 1997           1997 Compared to 1996
                                         Increase (Decrease) Due To      Increase (Decrease) Due To
                                         --------------------------      --------------------------
                                         Volume     Rate     Total       Volume     Rate     Total
                                         ------     ----     -----       ------     ----     -----
                                          (Dollars in Thousands on Fully Taxable Equivalent Basis)
<S>                                     <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>        <C>      <C>
Interest income:
  Federal funds sold................... $  575    $  ( 27)  $  548      $(  343)   $   17   $(  326)
  Interest-bearing deposits............    ( 4)      (  3)    (  7)          17         1        18
  Federal Reserve and Federal
    Home Loan Bank stock...............     35          1       36           26         4        30
  Securities...........................    612       (170)     442       (1,461)      282    (1,179)
  Mortgage loans held for sale.........     46          5       51           14        12        26
  Loans................................  4,013       (644)   3,369        7,966      (278)    7,688
                                        -------   --------  -------     --------   -------  --------
    Totals.............................  5,277       (838)   4,439        6,219        38     6,257
                                        -------   --------  -------     --------   -------  --------

Interest expense:
  NOW accounts.........................    251       (372)    (121)      (  126)       73    (   53)
  Money market deposit                                                                              
    accounts...........................  1,419        203    1,622          179       308       487
  Savings deposits.....................    (40)      ( 47)    ( 87)      (   33)     (125)   (  158)
  Certificates and other
    time deposits......................    519       (101)     418        2,440        65     2,505
  Borrowings...........................    492          1      493          382        44       426
                                        -------   --------  -------     --------   -------  -------- 
    Totals.............................  2,641       (316)   2,325        2,839       537     3,376
                                        -------   --------  -------     --------   -------  -------- 

Change in net interest
  income (fully taxable
  equivalent basis).................... $2,636    $  (522)  $2,114      $ 3,380    $ (449)  $ 2,881
                                        =======   ========              ========   =======

Tax equivalent adjustment
  using marginal rate
  of 35% for 1996, 1997,
  and 1998.............................                       (186)                            (278)
                                                            -------                          ------- 
Change in net interest
  income...............................                     $1,928                           $2,603 
                                                            =======                          =======
</TABLE>


                                                                         Page 8
<PAGE>

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STATISTICAL DATA (continued)

INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The  amortized  cost,  gross  unrealized  gains,  gross  unrealized  losses  and
approximate  market value of the  investment  securities at the dates  indicated
were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Gross         Gross
                                               Amortized      Unrealized    Unrealized     Fair
                                                 Cost           Gains         Losses       Value
                                               ---------      ----------    ----------   ---------
                                                               (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                            <C>              <C>           <C>        <C> 
Available for sale at December 31, 1998:                       
   U.S. Treasury.............................. $  20,269        $   95        $          $  20,364
   Federal agencies...........................    52,598           577            19        53,156
   State and municipal........................    86,537         2,620             4        89,153
   Mortgage-backed securities.................   126,329           424           183       126,570
   Other asset-backed securities..............       265             1            11           255
   Corporate obligations......................    18,624           143             8        18,759
   Marketable equity securities...............       250                                       250
                                               ---------        ------        ------     ---------
     Total available for sale.................   304,872         3,860           225       308,507
                                               ---------        ------        ------     ---------
Held to maturity at December 31, 1998:
   U.S. Treasury..............................       249             4                         253
   Federal agencies...........................       500             1                         501
   State and municipal........................    17,480           348             1        17,827
   Mortgage-backed securities.................       864             3                         867
   Other asset-backed securities..............     1,761             2            27         1,736
                                               ---------        ------        ------     ---------
     Total held to maturity...................    20,854           358            28        21,184
                                               ---------        ------        ------     ---------
     Total investment securities.............. $ 325,726        $4,218        $  253     $ 329,691
                                               =========        ======        ======     =========


Available for sale at December 31, 1997:
   U.S. Treasury.............................. $  19,207        $  104        $   11     $  19,300
   Federal agencies...........................    66,783           405            48        67,140
   State and municipal........................    67,842         1,815            28        69,629
   Mortgage-backed securities.................    36,682           362            86        36,958
   Other asset-backed securities..............       487             2            54           435
   Corporate obligations......................    18,219           139            30        18,328
   Marketable equity securities...............       250                                       250
                                               ---------        ------        ------     ---------
     Total available for sale.................   209,470         2,827           257       212,040
                                               ---------        ------        ------     ---------

Held to maturity at December 31, 1997:
   U.S. Treasury..............................       249                           2           247
   Federal agencies...........................     3,412             6             1         3,417
   State and municipal........................    26,206           252             2        26,456
   Mortgage-backed securities.................     1,255             4             1         1,258
   Other asset-backed securities..............     4,210             7           166         4,051
                                               ---------        ------        ------     ---------
     Total held to maturity...................    35,332           269           172        35,429
                                               ---------        ------        ------     ---------
     Total investment securities.............. $ 244,802        $3,096        $  429     $ 247,469
                                               =========        ======        ======     ========= 

</TABLE>


                                                                         Page 9
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATISTICAL DATA (continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Gross         Gross
                                               Amortized      Unrealized    Unrealized     Fair
                                                 Cost           Gains         Losses       Value
                                               ---------      ----------    ----------   ---------
                                                               (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                            <C>              <C>           <C>        <C> 
Available for sale at December 31, 1996:
   U.S. Treasury.............................. $  21,570        $   92        $   46     $  21,616
   Federal agencies...........................    79,130           540           180        79,490
   State and municipal........................    52,026         1,173           106        53,093
   Mortgage-backed securities.................    35,946           297           145        36,098
   Other asset-backed securities..............     6,204                         130         6,074
   Corporate obligations......................    31,470           156           128        31,498
   Marketable equity securities...............       510                                       510
                                               ---------        ------        ------     --------- 
    Total available for sale..................   226,856         2,258           735       228,379
                                               ---------        ------        ------     ---------

Held to maturity at December 31, 1996:
   U.S. Treasury..............................       249                           7           242
   Federal agencies...........................     5,729            23             5         5,747
   State and municipal........................    36,405           381            21        36,765
   Mortgage-backed securities.................     1,053                                     1,053
   Other asset-backed securities..............     3,791            17           121         3,687
                                               ---------        ------        ------     ---------
     Total held to maturity...................    47,227           421           154        47,494
                                               ---------        ------        ------     ---------
     Total investment securities.............. $ 274,083        $2,679        $  889     $ 275,873
                                               =========        ======        ======     =========

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Cost
                                             ----------------------------------
                                              1998          1997          1996
                                             ------        ------        ------
<S>                                          <C>           <C>           <C>   
Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan
Bank stock at December 31:
  Federal Reserve Bank stock . . . . . . . . $  397        $  397        $  397
  Federal Home Loan Bank stock . . . . . . .  3,326         2,976         2,693
                                             ------        ------        ------
      Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,723        $3,373        $3,090
                                             ======        ======        ======
</TABLE>

The Fair value of Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock  approximates
cost.

The maturity  distribution  (dollars in  thousands)  and average  yields for the
securities portfolio at December 31, 1998 were:

Securities available for sale December 31, 1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                             Within 1 Year          1-5 Years          5-10 Years
                           -----------------    ----------------    ----------------
                             Amount   Yield*     Amount   Yield*     Amount   Yield*
                           ---------  ------    -------   ------    --------  ------
<S>                        <C>         <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>
U.S. Treasury............  $  19,265   5.39%    $ 1,004    6.53%
Federal Agencies.........     13,313   6.35      38,272    5.99     $  1,013   5.53%
State and Municipal......      7,547   5.65      47,767    4.53       25,817   5.14
Corporate Obligations....     12,454   5.50       6,170    6.68      
                           ---------            -------             --------
   Total.................  $  52,579   5.70%    $93,213    5.29%    $ 26,830   5.15%
                           =========            =======             ========
</TABLE>
                                                                        Page 10
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATISTICAL DATA (continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Marketable Equity,
                               Mortgage and Other
                                Due After Ten Years     Asset-Backed Securities            Total
                                -------------------     -----------------------     --------------------
                                 Amount      Yield*       Amount        Yield*      Amount        Yield*
                                -------      ------     --------        -------     ------        ------  
<S>                             <C>          <C>        <C>             <C>         <C>           <C>
U.S. Treasury..................                                                     $ 20,269      5.44%
Federal Agencies...............                                                       52,598      6.07
State and Municipal............ $ 5,406       5.69%                                   86,537      4.88
Corporate Obligations..........                                                       18,624      5.89
Marketable Equity Security.....                         $    250        7.90%            250      7.90
Mortgage-backed securities.....                          126,329        6.23         126,329      6.23
Other asset-backed securities..                              265        6.93             265      6.93
                                -------                 --------                    --------
   Total....................... $ 5,406       5.69%     $126,844        6.23%       $304,872      5.75%
                                =======                 ========                    ========

</TABLE>

Securities held to maturity at December 31, 1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                  Within 1 Year         1-5 Years          5-10 Years
                                 ----------------   -----------------   ----------------
                                 Amount    Yield*    Amount    Yield*   Amount    Yield*
                                 ------    ------   -------    ------   ------    ------
<S>                             <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>
U.S. Treasury..................                     $   249    5.36%
Federal Agencies............... $   500    6.17%
State and Municipal............   4,870    5.15      10,492    4.74     $ 1,638   5.10%
                                -------             -------             -------
   Total....................... $ 5,370    5.24%    $10,741    4.75%    $ 1,638   5.10%
                                =======             =======             =======
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                    Mortgage and other
                             Due After Ten Years       asset-backed              Total
                             -------------------   -------------------     ------------------
                               Amount    Yield*      Amount    Yield*      Amount      Yield*
                              -------    ------      ------    ------      ------      ------
<S>                           <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>          <C> 
U.S. Treasury................                                              $   249      5.36%
Federal Agencies.............                                                  500      6.17
State and Municipal.......... $   480    5.88%                              17,480      4.92
Mortgage-backed securities...                        $   864    6.57%          864      6.57
Other asset-backed securities                          1,761    7.38         1,761      7.38
                              -------                -------               -------   
    Total.................... $   480    5.88%       $ 2,625    7.11%      $20,854      5.23
                              =======                =======               =======

</TABLE>

   *Interest  yields on state and municipal  securities are presented on a fully
   taxable equivalent basis using a 35% rate.

Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock at December 31, 1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                    Amount     Yield
                                                    ------     -----
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>   
Federal Reserve Bank stock........................  $  397     6.00%
Federal Home Loan Bank stock......................   3,326     8.00
                                                    ------
  Total...........................................  $3,723     7.79%
                                                    ======
</TABLE>
                                                                        Page 11
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATISTICAL DATA (continued)

LOAN PORTFOLIO

TYPES OF LOANS

The loan portfolio at the dates indicated is presented below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                          1998         1997         1996         1995         1994
                                          ----         ----         ----         ----         ----
                                                           (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                    <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>    
Loans at December 31:
  Commercial and
    industrial loans.................. $ 169,685    $ 148,281    $ 132,134    $  98,880    $  89,696

  Bankers acceptances and loans
    to financial institutions.........       900          705          625        2,925

  Agricultural production
    financing and other loans
    to farmers........................    16,661       16,764       18,906       17,203       17,255

  Real estate loans:
    Construction......................    26,426       21,389       13,167        9,913        8,126
    Commercial and farmland...........    95,172       97,503       97,596      104,731       95,092
    Residential.......................   302,680      287,072      253,530      215,738      217,148

  Individuals' loans for
    household and other
    personal expenditures.............   128,253      125,706      113,507      102,313       99,812

  Tax-exempt loans....................     2,115        2,598        1,643        1,204        1,514

  Other loans.........................     1,217        3,782        1,672          949        1,608
                                       ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
                                         743,109      703,800      632,780      553,856      530,251
  Unearned interest on loans..........      (137)        (487)      (1,364)      (1,518)      (1,610)
                                       ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------  
        Total loans................... $ 742,972    $ 703,313    $ 631,416    $ 552,338    $ 528,641 
                                       ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========
</TABLE>

Residential  Real Estate Loans Held for Sale at December 31, 1998,  1997,  1996,
1995, and 1994 were $775,800, $471,400, $284,020, 735,522, and $0.


MATURITIES AND SENSITIVITIES OF LOANS TO CHANGES IN INTEREST RATES

Presented in the table below are the maturities of loans  (excluding  commercial
real  estate,  banker  acceptances,   farmland,   residential  real  estate  and
individuals'  loans) outstanding as of December 31, 1998. Also presented are the
amounts due after one year classified according to the sensitivity to changes in
interest rates.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    Maturing
                                             -----------------------------------------------
                                               Within        1-5        Over 5
                                               1 Year       Years       Years        Total
                                             --------     --------     --------     --------
                                                          (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>    
Commercial and industrial loans............  $ 66,367     $ 53,164     $ 50,154     $169,685
Agricultural production financing
  and other loans to farmers...............    12,022        3,333        1,306       16,661
Real estate - Construction.................    13,431        5,677        7,318       26,426
Tax-exempt loans...........................       401          367        1,347        2,115
Other loans................................       978          143           96        1,217
                                             --------     --------     --------     --------
     Total ................................  $ 93,199     $ 62,684     $ 60,221     $216,104
                                             ========     ========     ========     ========

</TABLE>
                                                                        Page 12
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATISTICAL DATA (continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                    Maturing
                             ----------------------
                                 1 - 5      Over
                                 Years    5 Years
                               -------    --------
                             (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                            <C>        <C>    
Loans maturing after one
year with:
 Fixed rates................   $16,407    $26,627
 Variable rate..............    46,277     33,594
                               -------    -------
   Total....................   $62,684    $60,221
                               =======    =======

</TABLE>

RISK ELEMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                        December 31 
                                      ---------------------------------------------
                                        1998     1997      1996     1995     1994
                                      -------   -------  --------  -------  -------
                                                (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                   <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>    
Nonaccruing loans.................... $  735   $ 1,410   $ 2,777   $  576   $  398

Loans contractually past due 90
 days or more other than
 nonaccruing.........................  2,275     1,972     1,699    1,119    1,322

Restructured loans...................    926       282     1,540    1,075    1,242

</TABLE>

Nonaccruing loans are loans which are reclassified to a nonaccruing  status when
in  management's  judgment the collateral  value and financial  condition of the
borrower do not justify accruing interest.  Interest previously recorded but not
deemed  collectible is reversed and charged  against  current  income.  Interest
income on these loans is then recognized when collected.

Restructured  loans are loans for which the  contractual  interest rate has been
reduced  or  other  concessions  are  granted  to  the  borrower  because  of  a
deterioration  in the  financial  condition  of the  borrower  resulting  in the
inability of the borrower to meet the original contractual terms of the loans.

Interest  income of $94,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998, was recognized
on the nonaccruing  and  restructured  loans listed in the table above,  whereas
interest income of $163,000 would have been recognized under their original loan
terms.

POTENTIAL PROBLEM LOANS:

Management has identified certain other loans totaling $7,039,000 as of December
31, 1998, not included in the risk elements table, or impaired loan table, about
which  there are  doubts as to the  borrowers'  ability to comply  with  present
repayment terms.

The Banks  generate  commercial,  mortgage  and  consumer  loans from  customers
located  primarily in central and east central Indiana and Butler County,  Ohio.
The Banks'loans are generally secured by specific items of collateral, including
real property,  consumer assets,  and business  assets.  Although the Banks have
diversified loan portfolio,  a substantial  portion of their debtors' ability to
honor their  contracts is dependent  upon economic  conditions in the automotive
and agricultural industries.
                                                                        Page 13
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATISTICAL DATA (continued)

SUMMARY OF LOAN LOSS EXPERIENCE

The following table summarizes the loan loss experience for the years indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                        1998     1997      1996     1995     1994
                                      -------   -------  --------  -------  -------
                                                 (Dollars in Thousands)  
<S>                                   <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>    
Allowance for loan losses:

  Balance at January 1..............  $ 6,778   $ 6,622   $ 6,696  $ 6,603  $ 6,467

  Chargeoffs:
    Commercial......................      694       443       767      794      973
    Real estate mortgage............       44        31        14        1       53
    Installment.....................    1,143     1,135       855      759      462
                                      -------   -------   -------  -------  -------
     Total chargeoffs...............    1,881     1,609     1,636    1,554    1,488
                                      -------   -------   -------  -------  -------
  Recoveries:
    Commercial......................      217       264       106      127      269
    Real estate mortgage............       20         1         7        4       30
    Installment.....................      294       203       196      128      123
                                      -------   -------   -------  -------  -------
     Total recoveries...............      531       468       309      259      422
                                      -------   -------   -------  -------  -------

  Net chargeoffs....................    1,350     1,141     1,327    1,295    1,066
                                      -------   -------   -------  -------  -------

  Provisions for loan losses........    1,984     1,297     1,253    1,388    1,202
                                      -------   -------   -------  -------  -------  

  Balance at December 31............  $ 7,412   $ 6,778   $ 6,622  $ 6,696  $ 6,603
                                      =======   =======   =======  =======  =======

Ratio of net chargeoffs during the
  period to average loans
  outstanding during the period.....     .18%      .17%      .23%     .24%     .21%

Peer Group..........................      N/A      .29%      .26%     .26%     .25%
</TABLE>
                                                                        Page 14
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATISTICAL DATA (continued)

ALLOCATION OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES AT DECEMBER 31:

Presented  below is an analysis of the  composition  of the  allowance  for loan
losses and per cent of loans in each category to total loans:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        1998                   1997
                                  -------------------    -------------------
                                  Amount     Per Cent    Amount     Per Cent
                                  ------     --------    ------     --------
                                             (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                               <C>          <C>       <C>          <C>    
Balance at December 31:
  Commercial, financial and
    agricultural................. $ 2,375       25.2%    $ 2,594       23.6%
  Real estate - construction.....       3        3.6           3        3.0
  Real estate - mortgage.........   1,057       53.5       1,061       54.7
  Installment....................   2,824       17.4       1,702       18.3
  Tax-exempt loans...............       4         .3           4         .4
  Unallocated....................   1,149        N/A       1,414        N/A
                                  -------      ------    -------      ------
  Totals......................... $ 7,412      100.0%    $ 6,778      100.0%
                                  =======      ======    =======      ======

                                        1996                   1995
                                  -------------------    -------------------
                                  Amount     Per Cent    Amount     Per Cent
                                  ------     --------    ------     --------
                                             (Dollars in Thousands)
Balance at December 31:
  Commercial, financial and
    agricultural................. $ 2,924       24.2%    $ 3,105       21.8%
  Real estate - construction.....       3        2.1           1        1.8
  Real estate - mortgage.........   1,041       55.6       1,121       58.0
  Installment....................   1,576       17.8       1,506       18.2
  Tax-exempt loans...............      16         .3           4         .2
  Unallocated....................   1,062        N/A         959        N/A
                                  -------      ------    -------      ------
  Totals......................... $ 6,622      100.0%    $ 6,696      100.0%
                                  =======      ======    =======      ======

                                        1994                  
                                  -------------------    
                                  Amount     Per Cent   
                                  ------     --------    
                                 (Dollars in Thousands)
Balance at December 31:
  Commercial, financial and
    agricultural................. $ 3,080       20.5%
  Real estate - construction.....       4        1.5
  Real estate - mortgage.........   1,048       59.1
  Installment....................   1,550       18.6
  Tax-exempt loans...............       4         .3
  Unallocated....................     917        N/A
                                  -------      ------
  Totals......................... $ 6,603      100.0%
                                  =======      ======

</TABLE>
                                                                        Page 15
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATISTICAL DATA (continued)

LOAN LOSS CHARGEOFF PROCEDURES

The Banks have  weekly  meetings  at which loan  delinquencies,  maturities  and
problems  are  reviewed.  The Board of Directors  receive and review  reports on
loans monthly.

The Executive  Committee of First Merchants' Board meets bimonthly to approve or
disapprove  all new loans in  excess of  $1,000,000  and the Board  reviews  all
commercial  loans in excess of $50,000  which  were made or  renewed  during the
preceding month.  Pendleton's and First United's loan committees,  consisting of
all loan officers and the  president,  meet as required to approve or disapprove
any loan which is in excess of an individual loan officer's lending limit.

The Loan/Discount  Committee of Union County's Board meets monthly to approve or
disapprove all loans to borrowers  with  aggregate  loans in excess of $300,000.
The Loan  Committee  of  Randolph  County's  Board  meets  weekly to  approve or
disapprove any loan which is in excess of an individual  loan officer's  lending
limit.

All  chargeoffs  are approved by the senior loan officer and are reported to the
Banks' Boards.  The Banks charge off loans when a determination is made that all
or a  portion  of a loan is  uncollectible  or as a result  of  examinations  by
regulators and the independent auditors.

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

In banking,  loan losses are one of the costs of doing  business.  Although  the
Banks' management emphasize the early detection and chargeoff of loan losses, it
is inevitable  that at any time certain losses exist in the portfolio which have
not been specifically identified.  Accordingly, the provision for loan losses is
charged to earnings on an  anticipatory  basis,  and recognized  loan losses are
deducted from the allowance so established.  Over time, all net loan losses must
be charged to earnings.  During the year, an estimate of the loss experience for
the year serves as a starting point in determining the appropriate level for the
provision. However, the amount actually provided in any period may be greater or
less than net loan losses, based on management's  judgment as to the appropriate
level of the allowance for loan losses.  The  determination  of the provision in
any period is based on management's continuing review and evaluation of the loan
portfolio,  and its judgment as to the impact of current economic  conditions on
the portfolio.  The evaluation by management includes consideration of past loan
loss  experience,  changes in the  composition  of the loan  portfolio,  and the
current condition and amount of loans outstanding.

Impaired loans are measured by the present value of expected  future cash flows,
or the fair value of the collateral of the loans, if collateral dependent.
Information on impaired loans is summarized below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1998     1997     1996
                                                     ----     ----     ----
                             (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                                <C>       <C>      <C>    
For the year ending December 31:
  Impaired loans with an allowance................ $ 1,946   $ 1,476  $ 3,124
  Impaired loans for which the discounted
    cash flows or collateral value exceeds the
    carrying value of the loan....................   6,882     1,075      868
                                                   -------   -------  -------
      Total impaired loans........................ $ 8,828   $ 2,551  $ 3,992
                                                   =======   =======  =======

  Allowance for impaired loans (included in the    
    Corporation's allowance for loan losses)...... $   712   $   407  $ 1,092
  Average balance of impaired loans...............   8,318     3,414    5,213
  Interest income recognized on impaired loans....     873       180      311
  Cash basis interest included above..............     745       162      291

</TABLE>
                                                                        Page 16 

<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATISTICAL DATA (continued)

DEPOSITS

The  following  table shows the average  amount of deposits  and average rate of
interest paid thereon for the years indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1998               1997               1996
                                            --------------     --------------     --------------
                                            Amount    Rate     Amount    Rate     Amount    Rate
                                            ------    ----     ------    ----     ------    ----
                                                           (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                        <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>
Balance at December 31:
  Noninterest bearing deposits............ $ 97,771           $ 94,759           $ 90,719
  NOW accounts............................  116,026   2.0%     104,620   2.3%     109,792   2.3%
  Money market deposit accounts...........  140,015   4.1      105,628   4.0      100,897   3.7
  Savings deposits........................   68,016   2.4       69,633   2.5       70,875   2.7
  Certificates of deposit and
   other time deposits....................  434,897   5.5      425,478   5.5      381,378   5.5
                                           --------           --------           --------
     Total deposits....................... $856,725   3.9     $800,118   4.0     $753,661   3.9
                                           ========           ========           ========

</TABLE>

As of December  31,  1998,  certificates  of deposit and other time  deposits of
$100,000 or more mature as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Maturing
                                        ----------------------------------------------
                                        3 Months    3-6      6-12    Over 12   
                                        or less    Months   Months   Months    Total
                                        --------   ------   ------   -------   -----
                                                    (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                     <C>        <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Certificates of deposit and
  other time deposits.................. $ 35,033   $14,426  $22,774  $19,346  $91,579
Per cent...............................       38%       16%      25%      21%     100%
</TABLE>

RETURN ON EQUITY AND ASSETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 1998    1997    1996
                                                 ----    ----    ----
<S>                                             <C>     <C>      <C>  
Return on assets (net income divided by
 average total assets).........................  1.45%   1.45%    1.41%
Return on equity (net income divided by
  average equity).............................. 12.15   12.28    12.16
Dividend payout ratio (dividends per
  share divided by net income per share)....... 50.47   47.93    40.85
Equity to assets ratio (average equity
  divided by average total assets)............. 11.90   11.78    11.60
</TABLE>
                                                                        Page 17
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATISTICAL DATA (continued)

SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 1998      1997      1996
                                                 ----      ----      ----
                                                  (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                            <C>       <C>        <C>     
Balance at December 31:
   Securities sold under repurchase
     agreements(short-term portion).........   $ 20,836  $ 15,398   $ 20,054
   Federal funds purchased..................     17,070     4,070     20,725
   U.S. Treasury demand notes...............      2,226     7,361      4,258
                                               --------  --------   --------
        Total short-term borrowings.........   $ 40,132  $ 26,829   $ 45,037
                                               ========  ========   ========

</TABLE>

Securities sold under repurchase agreements are borrowings maturing within one 
year and are secured by U. S. Treasury and Federal agency obligations.

Pertinent information with respect to short-term borrowings is summarized below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 1998      1997      1996
                                                 ----      ----      ----
                                                  (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                             <C>       <C>       <C>     

Weighted average interest rate on outstanding balance at December 31:
    Securities sold under repurchase
         agreements (short-term portion)....     5.07%     5.13%     4.92%
    Total short-term borrowings ............     5.27      5.38      5.78

Weighted average interest rate during the year:
    Securities sold under repurchase
         agreements (short-term portion)....     5.10      4.99      5.07
    Total short-term borrowings ............     4.99      5.36      5.19

Highest amount outstanding at any month end during the year:
    Securities sold under repurchase
         agreements (short-term portion)....    $27,002   $49,750   $52,221
    Total short-term borrowings ............     61,355    84,860    83,678

Average amount outstanding during the year:
    Securities sold under repurchase
         agreements (short-term portion)....     24,526    31,327    42,140
    Total short-term borrowings ............     37,854    53,185    51,768

</TABLE>
                                                                        Page 18
<PAGE>

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES.                                                            
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The  headquarters  of the  Corporation  and First  Merchants  are  located  in a
five-story building at 200 East Jackson Street,  Muncie,  Indiana. This building
and eight branch buildings are owned by First Merchants; four remaining branches
of First  Merchants  are  located  in leased  premises.  Twelve  automated  cash
dispensers are located in leased premises.  All of the  Corporation's  and First
Merchants' facilities are located in Delaware and Madison Counties of Indiana.

The  principal  offices of  Pendleton  are  located  at 100 West  State  Street,
Pendleton,  Indiana.  Pendleton also operates three branches. All of Pendleton's
properties  are owned by Pendleton and are located in Madison  County,  Indiana.
Two automated dispensers are located in leased premises.

The  principal  offices  of First  United are  located at 790 West Mill  Street,
Middletown,  Indiana.  First  United also  operates two  branches.  All of First
United's  properties  are owned by First United and are located in Henry County,
Indiana.

The  principal  offices of Union  County are  located at 107 West Union  Street,
Liberty,  Indiana.  This building and two branches are owned by Union  National;
one branch is located in leased  premises.  Three  automated cash dispensers are
located in leased premises.  All of Union  National's  facilities are located in
Union, Fayette and Wayne Counties of Indiana.

The  principal  office of  Randolph  County is  located  at 122 West  Washington
Street,  Winchester,  Indiana.  This building is owned by Randolph County and is
located in Randolph County, Indiana.

None of the properties owned by the banks are subject to any major encumbrances.
The net  investment  of the  Corporation  and  subsidiaries  in real  estate and
equipment at December 31, 1998 was $16,954,400.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.                                                     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is no pending legal  proceeding,  other than ordinary  routine  litigation
incidental to the business of the Corporation or its subsidiaries, of a material
nature to which the  Corporation or its  subsidiaries is a party or of which any
of their properties are subject.  Further, there is no material legal proceeding
in which any  director,  officer,  principal  shareholder,  or  affiliate of the
Corporation,  or any  associate  of any  such  director,  officer  or  principal
shareholder, is a party, or has a material interest, adverse to the Corporation.

None of the routine legal  proceedings,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  in
which the  Corporation  or its  affiliates  are  involved are expected to have a
material  adverse impact on the financial  position or the results of operations
of the Corporation.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.                   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No  matters  were  submitted  during  the  fourth  quarter  of 1998 to a vote of
security holders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise.

                                                                        Page 19
<PAGE>


SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.                
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The names,  ages, and positions with the Corporation and subsidiary banks of all
executive officers of the Corporation are listed below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                  <C>                             <C> 
                     Offices with the Corporation    Principal Occupation
Name and Age            And Subsidiary Banks         During Past Five Years
- ------------         ----------------------------    ----------------------
Stefan S. Anderson   Chairman of the Board,          Chairman of the Board of
64                   Chief Executive Officer,        the Corporation and First
                     Corporation; Chairman of the    Merchants since 1987;
                     Board and Chief Executive       Chief Executive Officer of
                     Officer, First Merchants        the Corporation since
                     Bank, N.A.                      1982; President of the
                                                     Corporation from 1982 to
                                                     August 1998, and Chief
                                                     Executive Officer of First
                                                     Merchants Bank since 1979

Michael L. Cox       President, Chief Operating      President and Chief
54                   Officer and Director,           Operating Officer,
                     Corporation;  President,        Corporation since
                     Chief Operating Officer and     August 1998 and May, 1994
                     Director, First Merchants       respectively; President
                     Bank, N.A.                      and Chief Operating
                                                     Officer, First Merchants
                                                     since April, 1996;
                                                     Director, Corporation and
                                                     First Merchants since
                                                     December, 1984; President,
                                                     Information Services
                                                     Group, Ontario Corporation
                                                     prior to May 1994

Larry R. Helms       Senior Vice President,          Senior Vice President,
58                   General Counsel and             Corporation since 1982;
                     Secretary, Corporation;         General Counsel,
                     Senior Vice President, First    Corporation since 1990 and
                     Merchants Bank, N.A.;           Secretary since January 1,
                     Director of First United        1997; Senior Vice
                     Bank; Director of Pendleton     President, First Merchants
                     Banking Company                 since January 1979;
                                                     Director of First United
                                                     Bank since 1991 and
                                                     Pendleton Banking Company
                                                     since 1992

Ted J. Montgomery    Senior Vice President and       Senior Vice President and
59                   Director, Corporation;          Director, Corporation
                     President, Chief Executive      since August 1996;
                     Officer and Director, The       President, Union County
                     Union County National Bank of   National Bank since 1983
                     Liberty                         and Director since 1981

James L. Thrash      Senior Vice President and       Senior Vice President and
49                   Chief Financial Officer,        Chief Financial Officer of
                     Corporation; Senior Vice        the Corporation since
                     President, First Merchants      1990; Senior Vice
                     Bank, N.A.                      President, First Merchants
                                                     since 1990

</TABLE>
                                                                        Page 20
<PAGE>

                                     PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
         MATTERS.                                                               
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The information required under this item is incorporated by reference to page 50
of the  Corporation's  1998  Annual  Report to  Stockholders  under the  caption
"Stockholder Information," Exhibit 13.

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.                                               
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The information required under this item is incorporated by reference to page 18
of the Corporation's 1998 Annual Report to Stockholders - Financial Review under
the caption "Five-Year Summary of Selected Financial Data," Exhibit 13.

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
         RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.                                                 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The information required under this item is incorporated by reference to page 19
through 27 of the  Corporation's  1998 Annual Report to Stockholders - Financial
Review under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis," Exhibit 13.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK             
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The information required under this item is incorporated by reference to page 21
and 22 of the  corporation's  1998  Annual  Report to  Stockholders  - Financial
Review under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis," Exhibit 13.

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.                           
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The financial  statements  and  supplementary  data required under this item are
incorporated  herein  by  reference  to page 17 and pages 28  through  47 of the
Corporation's 1998 Annual Report to Stockholders - Financial Review, Exhibit 13.

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
         FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.                                                  
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In  connection  with its  audits  for the two most  recent  fiscal  years  ended
December  31,  1998,  there have been no  disagreements  with the  Corporation's
independent  certified public accountants on any matter of accounting principles
or practices,  financial statement  disclosure or audit scope or procedure,  nor
have there been any changes in accountants.

                                    PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.                   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The  information  required under this item relating to directors is incorporated
by  reference  to  the  Corporation's  1999  Proxy  Statement  furnished  to its
stockholders in connection with an annual meeting to be held April 14, 1999 (the
"1998 Proxy Statement"),  under the caption "Election of Directors," which Proxy
Statement has been filed with the  Commission.  The  information  required under
this item relating to executive  officers is set forth in Part I,  "Supplemental
Information  - Executive  Officers of the  Registrant"  of this annual report on
Form 10-K.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.                                               
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The  information  required under this item is  incorporated  by reference to the
Corporation's  1999  Proxy  Statement,  under  the  captions,  "Compensation  of
Directors" and  "Compensation of Executive  Officers," which Proxy Statement has
been filed with the Commission.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.       
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The  information  required under this item is  incorporated  by reference to the
Corporation's 1999 Proxy Statement,  under the caption,  "Security  Ownership of
Certain  Beneficial Owners and Management," which Proxy Statement has been filed
with the Commission.
                                                                        Page 21
<PAGE>


ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.                       
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The  information  required under this item is  incorporated  by reference to the
Corporation's 1999 Proxy Statement, under the caption "Interest of Management in
Certain Transactions," which Proxy Statement has been filed with the Commission.

                                     PART IV

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Exhibit 13
                                                                      Page
                                                                     Number
                                                                   ----------
<S>                                                                  <C>        
(a)1.  Financial Statements:
         Independent auditor's report..............................    17
         Consolidated balance sheet at
           December 31, 1998 and 1997..............................    28
         Consolidated statement of income,
           years ended December 31, 1998,
           1997 and 1996...........................................    29
         Consolidated statement of comprehensive income,
           Years ended December 31, 1998, 1997, and 1996...........    30
         Consolidated statement of changes in
           stockholders' equity, years ended
           December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996........................    30
         Consolidated statement of cash flows,
           years ended December 31, 1998,
           1997 and 1996...........................................    31
         Notes to consolidated financial
           statements..............................................   32-47

</TABLE>

(a)2.  Financial statement schedules:
                 All schedules are omitted because
                 they are not applicable or not required,
                 or because the required information is included in the
                 consolidated financial statements or related notes.


(a)3.  Exhibits:


Exhibit No:                       Description of Exhibit:
- -----------                       -----------------------

  3.1       First  Merchants  Corporation  Articles  of  Incorporation  and  the
            Articles  and  amendment  thereto is  incorporated  by  reference to
            registrant's Form 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 1997.

  3.2       First Merchants  Corporation  Bylaws and amendments thereto (same as
            above).

 10.1       First  Merchants  Corporation  and First  Merchants  Bank,  National
            Association  Management  Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference
            to registrant's Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1996.

 10.2       First  Merchants  Bank,  National   Association   Unfunded  Deferred
            Compensation  Plan,  as  amended is  incorporated  by  reference  to
            registrant's Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1996.

 10.3       First Merchants  Corporation  1989 Stock Option Plan is incorporated
            by reference to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (SEC
            File No. 33-28901) effective on May 24, 1989.

 10.4       First Merchants  Corporation  1994 Stock Option Plan is incorporated
            by reference to  Registrant's  Form 10-K for year ended December 31,
            1993.


                                                                        Page 22
<PAGE>

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON 
          FORM 8-K (continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 10.5       First  Merchants   Corporation  Change  of  Control  Agreements  are
            incorporated by reference to  registrant's  Form 10-K for year ended
            December 31, 1996.

 10.6       First Merchants  Corporation Unfunded Deferred  Compensation Plan is
            incorporated by reference to  registrant's  Form 10-K for year ended
            December 31, 1996.

 10.7       First Merchants Corporation  Supplemental  Executive Retirement Plan
            and amendments  thereto is incorporated by reference to registrant's
            Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 1997.

 13         1998  Annual  Report  to  Stockholders  (except  for the  Pages  and
            information thereof expressly incorporated by reference in this Form
            10-K, the Annual Report to  Stockholders  is provided solely for the
            information  of the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission and is not
            deemed "filed" as part of this Form 10-K)

 21         Subsidiaries of Registrant

 23         Consent of Independent Auditors

 27         Financial Data Schedule, year ended December 31, 1998

 99.1       Financial statements and independent auditor's report for First
            Merchants Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan


(b) Reports on Form 8-K:

      None

                                                                        Page 23
<PAGE>


Pursuant to the  requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934,  the  registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on this 31st day of March,
1999.

                                       FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION



                                       By /s/ Stefan S. Anderson
                                         --------------------------------------
                                              Stefan S. Anderson, Chairman

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
on Form  10-K  has  been  signed  by the  following  persons  on  behalf  of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

       Signature                 Capacity                         Date
- ------------------------------   ------------------------------   ----

/s/ Stefan S. Anderson
- ------------------------------   Director,                        March 31, 1999
    Stefan S. Anderson            Principal Executive Officer

/s/ James L. Thrash
- ------------------------------   Principal Financial and          March 31, 1999
    James L. Thrash               Principal Accounting Officer

/s/ Michael L. Cox
- ------------------------------   Director                         March 31, 1999
    Michael L. Cox

/s/ Frank A. Bracken
- ------------------------------   *Director                        March 31, 1999
    Frank A. Bracken

/s/ Thomas B. Clark 
- ------------------------------   *Director                        March 31, 1999
    Thomas B. Clark

 /s/ David A. Galliher
- ------------------------------   *Director                        March 31, 1999
     David A. Galliher

 /s/ Norman M. Johnson
- ------------------------------   *Director                        March 31, 1999
     Norman M. Johnson

/s/ Ted J. Montgomery
- ------------------------------   *Director                        March 31, 1999
    Ted J. Montgomery

/s/ George A. Sissel
- ------------------------------   *Director                        March 31, 1999
    George A. Sissel


                                                                        Page 24
<PAGE>

       Signature                 Capacity                         Date
- ------------------------------   ------------------------------   ----

/s/ Robert M. Smitson  
- ------------------------------   *Director                        March 31, 1999
    Robert M. Smitson

/s/ Michael D. Wickersham 
- ------------------------------   *Director                        March 31, 1999
    Michael D. Wickersham

/s/ John E. Worthen
- ------------------------------   *Director                        March 31, 1999
    John E. Worthen


* By James L. Thrash as Attorney-in-Fact pursuant to a limited Power of Attorney
executed by the directors  listed above,  which Power of Attorney has been filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                       By /s/ James L. Thrash
                                         --------------------------------------
                                              James L. Thrash
                                              As Attorney-in-Fact
                                              March 31, 1999                    
                                                                        Page 25
<PAGE>



INDEX TO EXHIBITS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(a)3.  Exhibits:



Exhibit No:                     Description of Exhibit:
- -----------                     -----------------------

  13        1998  Annual  Report  to  Stockholders  (Except  for the  Pages  and
            information thereof expressly incorporated by reference in this Form
            10-K, the Annual Report to  Stockholders  is provided solely for the
            information  of the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission and is not
            deemed "filed" as part of this Form 10-K.)

  21        Subsidiaries of Registrant

  23        Consent of Independent Auditors

  24        Limited Power of Attorney

  27        Financial Data Schedule, year ended December 31, 1998

  99.1      Financial statements and independent auditor's report for First
            Merchants Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan


                                                                        Page 26

<PAGE>




<PAGE>

Financial
REVIEW

Independent Auditor's Report                       17

Five-Year Summary of
Selected Financial Data                            18

Management's
Discussion & Analysis                              19

Consolidated
Financial Statements                               28

Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements                               32


- ----------------------------
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
- ----------------------------


To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
First Merchants Corporation
Muncie, Indiana

We have audited the  consolidated  balance sheet of First Merchants  Corporation
and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related  consolidated
statements of income,  stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended  December 31, 1998 (pages 28-47).  These  consolidated
financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporation's management. Our
responsibility  is  to  express  an  opinion  on  these  consolidated  financial
statements based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  the consolidated  financial  statements described above present
fairly, in all material respects,  the consolidated  financial position of First
Merchants Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the
results of their  operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended  December 31,  1998,  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted
accounting principles.


                                        OLIVE llp

                                        Indianapolis, Indiana
                                        January 15, 1999




                                                                              17
<PAGE>


FIVE-YEAR SUMMARY of SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
                                                                1998           1997           1996           1995           1994
====================================================================================================================================
<S>                                                          <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
OPERATIONS
Net Interest Income
  Fully Taxable Equivalent Basis ........................    $   44,253     $   42,139     $   39,258     $   37,049     $   35,909
Less Tax Equivalent Adjustment ..........................         2,575          2,389          2,111          1,952          1,971
                                                             ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------
Net Interest Income .....................................        41,678         39,750         37,147         35,097         33,938
Provision for Loan Losses ...............................         1,984          1,297          1,253          1,388          1,202
                                                             ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------
Net Interest Income
  After Provision for Loan Losses .......................        39,694         38,453         35,894         33,709         32,736
Total Other Income ......................................        11,725          9,229          8,342          7,592          6,919
Total Other Expenses ....................................        27,895         25,748         24,135         22,992         22,632
                                                             ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------
  Income Before Income Tax Expense ......................        23,524         21,934         20,101         18,309         17,023
Income Tax Expense ......................................         8,125          7,561          6,959          6,261          5,660
                                                             ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------
Net Income ..............................................    $   15,399     $   14,373     $   13,142     $   12,048     $   11,363
                                                             ==========     ==========     ==========     ==========     ==========

PER SHARE DATA (1)
Basic Net Income ........................................    $     1.53     $     1.44     $     1.33     $     1.23     $     1.15
Diluted Net Income ......................................          1.51           1.43           1.32           1.21           1.15
Cash Dividends Paid (2) .................................           .77            .69            .59            .51            .47
December 31 Book Value ..................................         13.04          12.20          11.38          10.66           9.39
December 31 Market Value (Bid Price) ....................         26.00          24.33          16.83          17.17          13.89

AVERAGE BALANCES
Total Assets ............................................    $1,064,714     $  993,338     $  932,144     $  890,995     $  853,257
Total Loans .............................................       721,931        675,892        585,905        544,457        513,784
Total Deposits ..........................................       856,725        800,118        753,661        728,826        698,644
Securities Sold Under Repurchase Agreements
  (long-term portion) ...................................        16,182
Total Federal Home Loan Bank Advances ...................        26,942         15,455          9,192          9,000          7,692
Total Stockholders' Equity ..............................       126,712        117,014        108,094         99,033         91,466

YEAR-END BALANCES
Total Assets ............................................    $1,177,172     $1,020,136     $  967,993     $  942,156     $  868,153
Total Loans .............................................       743,748        703,784        631,700        553,074        528,641
Total Deposits ..........................................       926,844        843,812        794,451        783,936        720,009
Securities Sold Under Repurchase Agreements
  (long-term portion) ...................................        28,000
Total Federal Home Loan Bank Advances ...................        43,268         20,700          9,150          9,000          8,000
Total Stockholders' Equity ..............................       131,497        121,969        112,687        104,967         92,754

FINANCIAL RATIOS
Return on Average Assets ................................          1.45%          1.45%          1.41%          1.35%          1.33%
Return on Average Stockholders' Equity ..................         12.15          12.28          12.16          12.17          12.42
Average Earning Assets to Total Assets ..................         95.13          94.77          94.48          94.86          94.46
Allowance for Loan Losses as % of Total Loans ...........           .99            .96           1.05           1.21           1.25
Dividend Payout Ratio ...................................         50.47          47.93          40.85          39.49          39.44
Average Stockholders' Equity to Average Assets ..........         11.90          11.78          11.60          11.11          10.72
Tax Equivalent Yield on Earning Assets (3) ..............          8.13           8.27           8.13           8.09           7.41
Cost of Supporting Liabilities ..........................          3.76           3.79           3.67           3.71           2.95
Net Interest Margin on Earning Assets ...................          4.37           4.48           4.46           4.38           4.46
</TABLE>


(1)  Restated for 3-for-2 stock splits distributed October, 1995 and October,
     1998.

(2)  Dividends per share is for First Merchants  Corporation  only, not restated
     for pooling transactions.

(3)  Average earning assets include the average balance of securities classified
     as  available  for sale,  computed  based on the average of the  historical
     amortized cost balances without the effects of the fair value adjustment.



18
<PAGE>


                       Management's
                       Discussion &
                           ANALYSIS

   The Corporation's financial data
for periods prior to mergers, which
   were accounted for as pooling of
      interests, has been restated.

o Return on Average Assets
  (percent)

 [THE FOLLOWING TABLE WAS REPRESENTED BY A BAR CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL.]

                              1996            1.41%
                              1997            1.45%
                              1998            1.45%



o Return on Average Equity
 (percent)

 [THE FOLLOWING TABLE WAS REPRESENTED BY A BAR CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL.]

                              1996           12.16%
                              1997           12.28%
                              1998           12.15%

RESULTS of OPERATIONS

     Net  income  amounted  to  $15,399,000  or $1.53 per share,  a 6.2  percent
increase over 1997 at $1.44 per share.  Diluted net income per share amounted to
$1.51, a 5.6 percent increase over the 1997 figure of $1.43.

     Return on assets was 1.45 percent in 1998 and 1997, up from 1.41 percent in
1996.

     Return on equity was 12.15 percent in 1998, 12.28 percent in 1997 and 12.16
percent in 1996.

     In  1998,  First  Merchants   Corporation   ("Corporation")   recorded  the
twenty-third  consecutive year of improvement in net income on both an aggregate
and per share basis.

CAPITAL

     The Corporation's  capital strength continues to exceed regulatory minimums
and peer group averages.  Management  believes that strong capital is a distinct
advantage in the competitive  environment in which the Corporation  operates and
will provide a solid foundation for continued growth.

     The  Corporation's  Tier I capital to average assets ratio was 11.9 percent
at year-end  1998,  equaling  11.9 percent at December 31, 1997. At December 31,
1998,  the  Corporation  had a Tier I risk-based  capital ratio of 16.0 percent,
total  risk-based  capital ratio of 16.9 percent,  and a leverage  ratio of 11.9
percent. Regulatory capital guidelines require a Tier I risk-based capital ratio
of 4.0 percent and a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0 percent.

     The  Corporation  has an employee stock purchase plan and an employee stock
option  plan.  Activity  under  these  plans  is  described  in  Note  15 to the
Consolidated  Financial Statements.  The transactions under these plans have not
had a material effect on the Corporation's capital position.

ASSET QUALITY/PROVISION for LOAN LOSSES

     The Corporation's  asset quality and loan loss experience have consistently
been superior to that of its peer group,  as  summarized on the following  page.
Asset quality has been a major factor in the  Corporation's  ability to generate
consistent profit improvement.

     The allowance for loan losses is maintained  through the provision for loan
losses, which is a charge against earnings.

     The amount provided for loan losses and the  determination  of the adequacy
of the  allowance  are  based on a  continuous  review  of the  loan  portfolio,
including an internally  administered  loan "watch" list and an independent loan
review  provided  by an  outside  accounting  firm.  The  evaluation  takes into
consideration  identified credit problems,  as well as the possibility of losses
inherent in the loan portfolio that cannot be specifically identified.


                                                                       continued



                                                                              19
<PAGE>


- ----------------------------------
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
- ----------------------------------

The following table summarizes the risk elements for the Corporation.

                                                                December 31,
================================================================================
                                                          1998             1997
================================================================================
                                                          (Dollars in Thousands)

Non-accrual loans .....................................  $  735           $1,410

Loans contractually
  past due 90 days or more
  other than non-accruing .............................   2,275            1,972

Restructured loans ....................................     926              282
                                                         ------           ------
  Total ...............................................  $3,936           $3,664
                                                         ======           ======


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Corporation's  asset quality and loan loss experience have consistently been
superior to that of its peer group. Asset quality has been a major factor in the
Corporation's ability to generate consistent profit improvement.

ASSET QUALITY/PROVISION for LOAN LOSSES  continued

     At December 31, 1998,  non-performing loans totaled $3,936,000, an increase
of $272,000,  and one non-accrual loan totaling  $367,000 was  restructured.  At
December 31, 1998, impaired loans totaled $8,828,000, an increase of $6,277,000,
due to the addition of two loans totaling  $5,402,000.  As of December 31, 1998,
the two businesses were experiencing  negative cash flows.  However,  both loans
are current,  and the Corporation  believes that the underlying  collateral does
not warrant a specific reserve.

     The  Corporation  adopted  Statement  of  Financial   Accounting  Standards
("SFAS") No. 114 and No. 118,  Accounting by Creditors for  Impairment of a Loan
and  Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan - Income  Recognition  and
Disclosures,  on January 1, 1995.  Impaired  loans included in the table at left
totaled $2,222,000 at December 31, 1998. An allowance for losses at December 31,
1998, was not deemed  necessary for impaired loans totaling  $6,882,000,  but an
allowance of $712,000 was recorded for the remaining  balance of impaired  loans
of $1,946,000. The average balance of impaired loans for 1998 was $8,318,000.

     At December 31, 1998,  the  allowance  for loan losses was  $7,412,000,  up
$634,000  from year end 1997.  As a percent  of  loans,  the  allowance  was .99
percent, up from .96 percent at year-end 1997.

     The provision for loan losses in 1998 was $1,984,000 compared to $1,297,000
in 1997.

o Net Loan Losses
  (as a percent of average loans)

 [THE FOLLOWING TABLE WAS REPRESENTED BY A BAR CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL.]

                                 First Merchants Corporation        Peer Group
                                 ---------------------------        ----------
1996                                        .23                        .26
1997                                        .17                        .29
1998                                        .18                         NA

The table  below  presents  loan loss  experience  for the years  indicated  and
compares the Corporation's loss experience to that of its peer group.

================================================================================
                                                      1998      1997      1996
================================================================================
                             (Dollars in Thousands)
Allowance for loan losses:
  Balance at January 1 ...........................   $6,778    $6,622    $6,696
                                                     ------    ------    ------
    Chargeoffs ...................................    1,881     1,609     1,636
    Recoveries ...................................      531       468       309
                                                     ------    ------    ------
    Net chargeoffs ...............................    1,350     1,141     1,327
    Provision for loan losses ....................    1,984     1,297     1,253
                                                     ------    ------    ------
    Balance at December 31 .......................   $7,412    $6,778    $6,622
                                                     ======    ======    ======
Ratio of net chargeoffs during the period to
  average loans outstanding during the period ....      .18%      .17%      .23%

Peer Group .......................................       NA       .29%      .26%



20
<PAGE>

                                              ----------------------------------
                                              MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
                                              ----------------------------------

LIQUIDITY, INTEREST SENSITIVITY and DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     Asset/Liability   Management   has  been  an   important   factor   in  the
Corporation's  ability to record  consistent  earnings growth through periods of
interest rate volatility and product  deregulation.  Management and the Board of
Directors monitor the Corporation's liquidity and interest sensitivity positions
at regular  meetings to ensure that changes in interest rates will not adversely
affect  earnings.  Decisions  regarding  investment  and the pricing of loan and
deposit  products  are made  after  analysis  of  reports  designed  to  measure
liquidity,  rate  sensitivity,  the  Corporation's  exposure  to  changes in net
interest  income given various rate  scenarios and the economic and  competitive
environments.

     It is the objective of the  Corporation to monitor and manage risk exposure
to net interest  income caused by changes in interest  rates.  It is the goal of
the  Corporation's  Asset/Liability  function to provide  optimum and stable net
interest income. To accomplish this,  management uses two asset liability tools.
GAP/Interest  Rate  Sensitivity  Reports  and  Net  Interest  Income  Simulation
Modeling are both constructed, presented and monitored quarterly.

     The Corporation's  liquidity and interest  sensitivity position at December
31, 1998, remained adequate to meet the Corporation's  primary goal of achieving
optimum  interest  margins while  avoiding  undue  interest rate risk. The table
below  presents  the  Corporation's  interest  rate  sensitivity  analysis as of
December 31, 1998.

Asset/Liability  Management  has been an important  factor in the  Corporation's
ability to record  consistent  earnings  growth through periods of interest rate
volatility.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
(Dollars in Thousands)
                                                                                    At December 31, 1998
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           1-180 Days    181-365 Days      1-5 Years    Beyond 5 Years       Total
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Rate-Sensitive Assets:
  Federal funds sold and
    interest-bearing deposits ..........................   $   38,170                                                     $   38,170
  Investment securities ................................       67,950     $   44,812      $  154,855      $   61,744         329,361
  Loans ................................................      319,806         75,404         249,283          99,255         743,748
Federal Reserve and
  Federal Home Loan Bank stock .........................        3,723                                                          3,723
                                                           ----------     ----------      ----------      ----------      ----------
    Total rate-sensitive assets ........................      429,649        120,216         404,138         160,999      $1,115,002
                                                           ----------     ----------      ----------      ----------      ----------
Rate-Sensitive Liabilities:
  Interest-bearing deposits ............................      363,969        179,739         258,564           1,275         803,547
  Securities sold under repurchase agreements ..........       10,936          9,900          28,000                          48,836
  Other short-term borrowings ..........................       19,296                                                         19,296
  Federal Home Loan Bank advances ......................        1,387         17,763          12,000          12,118          43,268
                                                           ----------     ----------      ----------      ----------      ----------
    Total rate-sensitive liabilities ...................      395,588        207,402         298,564          13,393         914,947
                                                           ----------     ----------      ----------      ----------      ----------
Interest rate sensitivity gap by period ................   $   34,061     $  (87,186)     $  105,574      $  147,606
Cumulative rate sensitivity gap ........................       34,061        (53,125)         52,449         200,055
Cumulative rate sensitivity gap ratio
  at December 31, 1998 .................................        108.6%          91.2%          105.8%          121.9%
</TABLE>

The  Corporation  had a cumulative  negative gap of  $53,125,000 in the one-year
horizon  at  December  31,  1998,  just over 4.5  percent of total  assets.  Net
interest income at financial  institutions  with negative gaps tends to increase
when rates decrease and decrease as interest rates increase.



                                                                              21
<PAGE>

- ----------------------------------
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
- ----------------------------------


LIQUIDITY, INTEREST SENSITIVITY AND DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK  continued

     The  Corporation  places  its  greatest  credence  in net  interest  income
simulation  modeling.  The GAP/Interest Rate Sensitivity Report is known to have
two  major  shortfalls.  The  GAP/Interest  Rate  Sensitivity  Report  fails  to
precisely gauge how often an interest rate sensitive  product reprices nor is it
able to measure the magnitude of potential future rate movements.

     The Corporation's  asset liability process monitors  simulated net interest
income under three  separate  interest  rate  scenarios;  rising  (rate  shock),
falling (rate shock) and flat. Net interest income is simulated over an 18-month
horizon.  By policy,  the difference  between the best  performing and the worst
performing  rate  scenarios  are not allowed to show a variance  greater  than 5
percent.

     Assumed interest rate changes are simulated to move  incrementally  over 18
months.  The  total  rate  movement  (beginning  point  minus  ending  point) to
noteworthy interest rate indexes are as follows:

================================================================================
                                           Rising              Falling
================================================================================
Prime                                       300 Basis Points   (300)Basis Points
Federal Funds                               300                (300)
90-Day T-Bill                               310                (275)
One-Year T-Bill                             290                (270)
Three-Year T-Bill                           290                (265)
Five-Year T-Note                            290                (255)
Ten-Year T-Note                             290                (245)
Interest Checking                           100                ( 67)
MMIA Savings                                150                (100)
Money Market Index                          292                (243)
Regular Savings                             100                (267)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Results for the flat,  rising (rate shock),  and falling  (rate shock)  interest
rate  scenarios  are listed  below.  The net interest  income  shown  represents
cumulative  net interest  income over an 18-month  time  horizon.  Balance sheet
assumptions are the same under both scenarios:

================================================================================
                                             Flat/Base    Rising       Falling
================================================================================
Net Interest Income (Dollars in Thousands)   $ 64,520    $ 63,838     $ 62,713
Change vs. Flat/Base Scenario                            $   (682)    $ (1,807)
Percent Change                                              (1.06%)      (2.80%)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



22
<PAGE>

                                              ----------------------------------
                                              MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
                                              ----------------------------------

EARNING ASSETS

     Earning assets increased $151.2 million during 1998.

     The table at right  reflects  the earning  asset mix for the years 1998 and
1997 (at December 31).

     Loans grew by $39.7 million while investment  securities increased by $81.8
million,  reflecting the  Corporation's  strategy to leverage its strong capital
position.

Earning Assets
(Dollars in Millions)
================================================================================
                                                                 December 31,
                                                                  1998      1997
================================================================================
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing time deposits ....    $   38.2    $  9.4
Securities available for sale ............................       308.5     212.0
Securities held to maturity ..............................        20.9      35.3
Mortgage loans held for sale .............................         0.8       0.5
Loans ....................................................       743.0     703.3
Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan
Bank stock ...............................................         3.7       3.4
                                                              --------    ------
  Total ..................................................    $1,115.1    $963.9
                                                              ========    ======

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPOSITS, SECURITIES SOLD UNDER REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS, OTHER SHORT-TERM
BORROWINGS AND FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK ADVANCES

     The  table at right  reflects  the level of  deposits  and  borrowed  funds
(Federal funds purchased,  repurchase agreements, U.S. Treasury demand notes and
Federal Home Loan Bank advances)  based on year-end  levels at December 31, 1998
and 1997.

As of December 31                                          (Dollars in Millions)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     SECURITIES SOLD UNDER   OTHER SHORT-TERM  FEDERAL HOME LOAN
         DEPOSITS    REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS      BORROWINGS      BANK ADVANCES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998      $926.8           $48.8                  $19.3            $43.3
1997      $843.8           $15.4                  $11.4            $20.7

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NET INTEREST INCOME

     Net interest income is the primary source of the Corporation's earnings. It
is a function of net interest margin and the level of average earning assets.

     The table below reflects the Corporation's asset yields,  interest expense,
and  net  interest  income  as a  percent  of  average  earning  assets  for the
three-year period ending in 1998.

     Asset yields declined .14 percent (FTE) in 1998, due primarily to a decline
in interest  rates.  Interest costs  declined by .03 percent  resulting in a .11
percent  decrease in net interest  income (FTE) as a percent of average  earning
assets.  Despite this "spread"  decrease,  net interest income increased by $2.1
million, due to the growth in average earning assets of $71.6 million.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                              (Dollars in Thousands)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              INTEREST INCOME             INTEREST EXPENSE           NET INTEREST INCOME                         NET INTEREST INCOME
           (FTE) as a Percent of          as a Percent of           (FTE) as a Percent of          AVERAGE       on a fully Taxable
           Average Earning Assets      Average Earning Assets       Average Earning Assets     EARNING ASSETS     Equivalent Basis
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                <C>                         <C>                          <C>                  <C>                   <C>
1998               8.13%                       3.76%                        4.37%                $1,012,907            $44,253
1997               8.27                        3.79                         4.48                    941,351             42,139
1996               8.13                        3.67                         4.46                    880,729             39,258

Average earning assets include the average  balance of securities  classified as
available for sale,  computed based on the average of the  historical  amortized
cost balances without the effects of the fair value adjustment.

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>



                                                                              23
<PAGE>

- ----------------------------------
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
- ----------------------------------

OTHER INCOME

     The Corporation has placed emphasis on the growth of non-interest income in
recent years by offering a wide range of fee-based  services.  Fee schedules are
regularly  reviewed  by a pricing  committee  to ensure  that the  products  and
services offered by the Corporation are priced to be competitive and profitable.

     Other income in 1998 amounted to $11,725,000,  or 27 percent higher than in
1997.  The increase of  $2,496,000  is primarily  attributable  to the following
factors:

1.   Revenues from  fiduciary  activity grew $778,000,  or 23.2 percent,  due to
     strong new business activity and markets.

2.   Commission  income  increased  $711,000,  or  230.1  percent,  due  to  the
     acquisition  of the Muncie  office of  Insurance & Risk  Management,  Inc.,
     renamed First Merchants Insurance Services, on April 1, 1998.

3.   Other customer fees increased $453,000,  or 23.7 percent,  due to increased
     electronic delivery methods and some minor price adjustments.

4.   Other income  increased  $483,000,  or 159.9  percent,  due  primarily to a
     $442,000 gain on sale of a Bank building.

     Other income in 1997 amounted to $9,229,000, or 10.6 percent higher than in
1996.  The  increase of  $887,000 is  primarily  attributable  to the  following
factors:

1.   Revenues from  fiduciary  activity grew $388,000,  or 13.1 percent,  due to
     strong new business activity and markets.

2.   Service charges on deposit accounts  increased  $341,000,  or 11.3 percent,
     due to account growth and some minor price adjustments.

3.   Purchase money order agent fees increased $71,000, or 14.6 percent, due to
     increased sales volume.

OTHER EXPENSES

     Total "other expenses"  represent  non-interest  operating  expenses of the
Corporation.  Those expenses amounted to $27,895,000 in 1998, an increase of 8.3
percent from the prior year, or $2,147,000. Four major areas account for most of
the increase:

1.   Salary  and  benefit  expenses,  which  account  for over  one-half  of the
     Corporation's  non-interest operating expenses, grew by $1,319,000,  or 9.2
     percent, due to normal salary increases and staff additions.

2.   Equipment  expenses  increased  $375,000,  or 16.0 percent,  reflecting the
     Corporation's  efforts to improve efficiency and provide electronic service
     delivery to its customers.

3.   Net occupancy expense increased $212,000, or 13.1 percent, due primarily to
     increased branch expansion into new markets.

Operating costs in 1998 included start-up expenses for three banking centers 
opened in new markets.  These banking centers helped implement our strategy of
enlarging our presence in rapidly growing areas and should have a positive
effect on earnings in 1999 and succeeding years.


24
<PAGE>

                                              ----------------------------------
                                              MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
                                              ----------------------------------

OTHER EXPENSES  continued


     Expenses for 1997 amounted to $25,748,000,  an increase of 6.7 percent from
the prior year, or $1,613,000.

     Four major areas account for most of the increase:

1.   Salary  and  benefit  expenses,  which  account  for over  one-half  of the
     Corporation's  non-interest  operating expenses,  grew by $889,000,  or 6.6
     percent, due to normal salary increases and staff additions.

2.   Equipment  expenses  increased  $193,000,  or 9.0 percent,  reflecting  the
     Corporation's  efforts to improve efficiency and provide electronic service
     delivery to its customers.

3.   Marketing expenses rose $145,000, or 20.5 percent, due to more aggressive
     product promotion.

4.   Outside data  processing  fees grew by $176,000,  or 19.5  percent,  due to
     increased debit card, credit card and trust activity.


INCOME TAXES

     The increase in 1998 tax expense of $564,000 is attributable primarily to a
$1,590,000  increase in net  pre-tax  income,  mitigated  somewhat by a $347,000
increase in tax-exempt income.  Likewise, the $602,000 increase in 1997 resulted
primarily from a $1,833,000  increase in pre-tax net income,  mitigated somewhat
by a $514,000 increase in tax-exempt income.

ACCOUNTING MATTERS

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

     During 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.
This Statement requires companies to record derivatives on the balance sheet at
their fair value. Statement No. 133 also acknowledges that the method of
recording a gain or loss depends on the use of the derivative.

     The new Statement  applies to all entities.  If hedge accounting is elected
by the  entity,  the  method  of  assessing  the  effectiveness  of the  hedging
derivative   and  the   measurement   approach   of   determining   the  hedge's
ineffectiveness must be established at the inception of the hedge.

     Statement No. 133 amends Statement No. 52 and supersedes Statements No. 80,
105 and 119. Statement No. 107 is amended to include the disclosure provisions
about the concentrations of credit risk from Statement No. 105. Several Emerging
Issues Task Force consensuses are also changed or nullified by the provisions of
Statement No. 133.

     Statement  No. 133 will be effective for all fiscal years  beginning  after
June 15,  1999.  The  Statement  may not be applied  retroactively  to financial
statements  of prior  periods.  The  adoption  of this  Statement  will  have no
material  impact  on  the  Corporation's   financial   condition  or  result  of
operations.



                                                                              25
<PAGE>


- ----------------------------------
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
- ----------------------------------


ACCOUNTING MATTERS   continued

Accounting for Mortgage-Backed Securities Retained After the
Securitization of Mortgage Loans Held for Sale by a Mortgage Banking Enterprise

     Also in 1998, the FASB issued Statement No. 134, Accounting for
Mortgage-Backed Securities Retained After the Securitization of Mortgage Loans
Held for Sale by a Mortgage Banking Enterprise. It establishes accounting
standards for certain activities of mortgage banking enterprises and for other
enterprises with similar mortgage operations. This Statement amends Statement
No. 65.

     Statement  No. 134, as previously  amended by  Statements  No. 115 and 125,
required a mortgage banking enterprise to classify a mortgage-backed security as
a trading security  following the  securitization  of the mortgage loan held for
sale. This Statement  further amends  Statement No. 65 to require that after the
securitization  of mortgage  loans held for sale, an entity  engaged in mortgage
banking activities must classify the resulting mortgage-backed security or other
retained  interests  based on the  entity's  ability  and intent to sell or hold
those investments.

     The determination of the appropriate classification for securities retained
after the  securitization of mortgage loans by a mortgage banking enterprise now
conforms to Statement No. 115. The only new requirement is that if an entity has
a sales commitment in place, the security must be classified into trading.

     This  Statement is effective for the first fiscal quarter  beginning  after
December 15, 1998. On the date this  Statement is initially  applied,  an entity
may  reclassify   mortgage-backed  securities  and  other  beneficial  interests
retained  after the  securitization  of  mortgage  loans  held for sale from the
trading  category,  except  for those  with sales  commitments  in place.  Those
securities and other interests shall be classified based on the entity's present
ability and intent to hold the investments.  The adoption of this Statement will
have no material impact on the Corporation's  financial  condition and result of
operations.

Reporting on the Costs of Start-Up Activities

     During 1998, the Accounting  Standards  Executive  Committee (AcSEC) issued
Statement  of Position  98-5,  Reporting  on the Costs of  Start-Up  Activities.
Statement of Position 98-5 will affect all non-governmental entities,  including
not-for-profits, reporting start-up costs in their financial statements.

     Some  existing  industry   practices  result  in  the   capitalization  and
amortization  of  start-up  costs.  This  Statement  of Position  requires  that
start-up costs be expensed when incurred.  The Statement of Position  applies to
start-up  activities and  organizational  costs associated with both development
stage and established operating entities.

     According to Statement of Position  98-5,  start-up  activities  are "those
one-time activities related to opening a new facility, introducing a new product
or service,  conducting business in a new territory,  conducting business with a
new class of customer or  beneficiary,  initiating  a new process in an existing
facility,  or  commencing  some  new  operation.   Start-up  activities  include
activities  related  to  organizing  a  new  entity  (commonly  referred  to  as
organizational costs)."

     Statement of Position  98-5 is effective  for fiscal years  beginning on or
after  December 15, 1998.  Earlier  application  is  encouraged  in fiscal years
during which annual financial  statements have not yet been issued. The adoption
of this Statement will not have a material impact on the Corporation's financial
condition or result of operations.


26

<PAGE>


                                              ----------------------------------
                                              MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
                                              ----------------------------------

INFLATION

     Changing  prices  of goods,  services  and  capital  affect  the  financial
position of every business  enterprise.  The level of market  interest rates and
the price of funds  loaned or borrowed  fluctuate  due to changes in the rate of
inflation and various other factors, including government monetary policy.

     Fluctuating  interest rates affect the  Corporation's  net interest income,
loan  volume  and  other  operating  expenses,  such as  employee  salaries  and
benefits,  reflecting  the effects of  escalating  prices,  as well as increased
levels of operations and other factors.  As the inflation  rate  increases,  the
purchasing  power of the dollar  decreases.  Those holding  fixed-rate  monetary
assets incur a loss, while those holding fixed-rate monetary liabilities enjoy a
gain. The nature of a bank holding company's  operations is such that there will
be an excess of monetary  assets over monetary  liabilities,  and,  thus, a bank
holding  company  will tend to suffer from an increase in the rate of  inflation
and benefit from a decrease.

YEAR 2000

     The  Corporation  has  conducted  a  comprehensive  review of its  computer
systems to identify  the  systems  that could be affected by the Year 2000 Issue
and has  developed an  implementation  plan to resolve the issue.  The Year 2000
Issue is the result of computer  programs  being written using two digits rather
than four to define the applicable year. Any of the Corporation's  programs that
have  time-sensitive  software may  recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900
rather  than  the  year  2000.   This  could  result  in  a  system  failure  or
miscalculations.  The  Corporation  is  utilizing  both  internal  and  external
resources  to  identify,  correct  and  test  the  systems  for  the  Year  2000
compliance.  The Corporation began the testing phase during the third quarter of
1998. Core application testing should be completed by March 31, 1999.

     The  Corporation  has contacted  the  companies  that supply or service its
material  operations to certify that their respective  computer systems are Year
2000 compliant.  In addition to possible  expenses related to the  Corporation's
systems and those of the Corporation's service providers,  the Corporation could
incur losses if Year 2000  problems  affect any of its  depositors or borrowers.
Such problems  could include  delayed loan  payments,  due to Year 2000 problems
affecting any of its  significant  borrowers or impairing the payroll systems of
large employers in its market area.  Because the Corporation's loan portfolio to
corporate and individual  borrowers is diversified  and its market area does not
depend  significantly  upon one employer or industry,  the Corporation  does not
expect any such Year 2000 related  difficulties  that may affect its  depositors
and borrowers to significantly affect its net earnings or cash flows.

     The Board of  Directors  reviews,  on a quarterly  basis,  the  progress in
addressing Year 2000 issues. The Corporation  believes that its costs related to
upgrading  systems  and  software  for Year  2000  compliance  will  not  exceed
$900,000.  As of December  31, 1998,  the  Corporation  has spent  approximately
$625,000 in connection with Year 2000 compliance.  Of the $625,000 approximately
$550,000  has  been  capitalized  as  the  Corporation   replaced  and  upgraded
non-compliant  systems.  Although  the  Corporation  believes  it is taking  the
necessary steps to address the Year 2000 compliance  issue, no assurances can be
given that some problems will not occur or that the  Corporation  will not incur
significant additional expenses in future periods.


WEB SITE
     The  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  maintains  a Web site that  
contains reports,  proxy  and  information  statements  and other  information  
regarding registrants with the commission,  including the Corporation;  
http://www.sec.gov is that address.




                                                                              27
<PAGE>


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           December 31,
===================================================================================================================
                                                                                   1998                   1997
===================================================================================================================
<S>                                                                            <C>                     <C>
ASSETS
  Cash and due from banks ..............................................       $    33,908             $    33,127
  Federal funds sold ...................................................            37,315                   9,050
                                                                               -----------             -----------
    Cash and cash equivalents ..........................................            71,223                  42,177
  Interest-bearing time deposits .......................................               855                     385
  Investment securities
    Available for sale .................................................           308,507                 212,040
    Held to maturity (fair value of $21,184 and $35,429) ...............            20,854                  35,332
                                                                               -----------             -----------
      Total investment securities ......................................           329,361                 247,372
  Mortgage loans held for sale .........................................               776                     471
  Loans ................................................................           742,972                 703,313
    Less: Allowance for loan losses ....................................            (7,412)                 (6,778)
                                                                               -----------             -----------
      Net loans ........................................................           735,560                 696,535
  Premises and equipment ...............................................            16,954                  15,382
  Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock .....................             3,723                   3,373
  Interest receivable ..................................................             9,173                   8,968
  Core deposit intangibles and goodwill ................................             3,117                   1,625
  Other assets .........................................................             6,430                   3,848
                                                                               -----------             -----------
    Total assets .......................................................       $ 1,177,172             $ 1,020,136
                                                                               ===========             ===========

LIABILITIES
  Deposits
    Noninterest-bearing ................................................       $   123,297             $   115,613
    Interest-bearing ...................................................           803,547                 728,199
                                                                               -----------             -----------
      Total deposits ...................................................           926,844                 843,812
Borrowings .............................................................           111,400                  47,529
Interest payable .......................................................             3,614                   3,615
Other liabilities ......................................................             3,817                   3,211
                                                                               -----------             -----------
      Total liabilities ................................................         1,045,675                 898,167

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Preferred stock, no-par value
    Authorized and unissued - 500,000 shares
  Common stock, $.125 stated value
    Authorized - 20,000,000 shares
    Issued and outstanding - 10,086,083 and 6,664,439 shares ...........             1,261                     833
  Additional paid-in capital ...........................................            24,969                  24,140
  Retained earnings ....................................................           103,076                  95,449
  Accumulated other comprehensive income ...............................             2,191                   1,547
                                                                               -----------             -----------
    Total stockholders' equity .........................................           131,497                 121,969
                                                                               -----------             -----------
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity .........................       $ 1,177,172             $ 1,020,136
                                                                               ===========             ===========
</TABLE>

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



28
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                                                                                 (In Thousands, Except Share Data)

                                                                              Year Ended December 31,
==================================================================================================================
                                                                   1998                1997                 1996
==================================================================================================================
<S>                                                              <C>                 <C>                  <C>
Interest Income
  Loans receivable
    Taxable ..............................................       $ 63,062            $ 59,773             $ 52,096
    Tax exempt ...........................................            201                 116                   90
  Investment securities
    Taxable ..............................................         10,858              10,818               12,832
    Tax exempt ...........................................          4,582               4,320                3,832
  Federal funds sold .....................................            720                 172                  498
  Deposits with financial institutions ...................             27                  34                   16
  Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock .......            278                 242                  132
                                                                 --------            --------             --------
      Total interest income ..............................         79,728              75,475               69,496
                                                                 --------            --------             --------

Interest Expense
  Deposits ...............................................         33,752              31,920               29,139
  Securities sold under repurchase agreements ............          2,015               1,563                2,137
  Federal Home Loan Bank advances ........................          1,645                 949                  523
  Other borrowings .......................................            638               1,293                  550
                                                                 --------            --------             --------
      Total interest expense .............................         38,050              35,725               32,349
                                                                 --------            --------             --------

Net Interest Incomei .....................................         41,678              39,750               37,147
  Provision for loan losses ..............................          1,984               1,297                1,253
                                                                 --------            --------             --------

Net Interest Income After
Provision for Loan Losses ................................         39,694              38,453               35,894
                                                                 --------            --------             --------

Other Income
  Fiduciary activities ...................................          4,133               3,355                2,967
  Service charges on deposit accounts ....................          3,303               3,365                3,024
  Other customer fees ....................................          2,365               1,912                1,659
  Net realized gains (losses) on
    sales of available-for-sale securities ...............            119                 (14)                 148
  Commission income ......................................          1,020                 309                  344
  Other income ...........................................            785                 302                  200
                                                                 --------            --------             --------
      Total other income .................................         11,725               9,229                8,342
                                                                 --------            --------             --------

Other Expenses
  Salaries and employee benefits .........................         15,641              14,322               13,433
  Net occupancy expenses .................................          1,832               1,620                1,537
  Equipment expenses .....................................          2,720               2,345                2,152
  Marketing expense ......................................            817                 851                  706
  Deposit insurance expense ..............................            100                  97                   12
  Outside data processing fees ...........................          1,061               1,077                  901
  Printing and office supplies ...........................            893               1,021                  923
  Other expenses .........................................          4,831               4,415                4,471
                                                                 --------            --------             --------
      Total other expenses ...............................         27,895              25,748               24,135
                                                                 --------            --------             --------

Income Before Income Tax .................................         23,524              21,934               20,101
  Income tax expense .....................................          8,125               7,561                6,959
                                                                 --------            --------             --------

Net Income ...............................................       $ 15,399            $ 14,373             $ 13,142
                                                                 ========            ========             ========

Net Income Per Share:
  Basic ..................................................       $   1.53            $   1.44             $   1.33
  Diluted ................................................           1.51                1.43                 1.32
</TABLE>


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



                                                                              29
<PAGE>


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollar Amounts In Thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Year Ended December 31,
===========================================================================================================================
                                                                                  1998             1997             1996
===========================================================================================================================
<S>                                                                             <C>              <C>              <C>
Net income ................................................................     $ 15,399         $ 14,373         $ 13,142
                                                                                --------         --------         --------
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
  Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale:
    Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period,
    net of income tax of $(487), $(424) and $601 ..........................          715              623             (882)
    Less: Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses
    included in net income, net of income tax of $48, ($6) and $60 ........          (71)               8              (88)
                                                                                --------         --------         --------
                                                                                     644              631             (970)
                                                                                --------         --------         --------
Comprehensive income ......................................................     $ 16,043         $ 15,004         $ 12,172
                                                                                ========         ========         ========
</TABLE>


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        COMMON STOCK                                       ACCUMULATED
                                                   ----------------------                                     OTHER
                                                                              ADDITIONAL      RETAINED    COMPREHENSIVE
                                                      SHARES       AMOUNT   PAID-IN CAPITAL   EARNINGS        INCOME         TOTAL
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>               <C>                                <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>              <C>          <C>
Balances, January 1, 1996 ......................     6,562,290    $   820       $22,055      $  80,205        $1,886       $104,966
  Net income for 1996 ..........................                                                13,142                       13,142
  Cash dividends ($.59 per share) ..............                                                (5,369)                      (5,369)
  Other comprehensive income, net of tax .......                                                                (970)          (970)
  Stock issued under employee benefit plans ....        15,175          2           296                                         298
  Stock issued under dividend reinvestment
    and stock purchase plan ....................        21,712          3           555                                         558
  Stock options exercised ......................         4,237                       64                                          64
  Cash paid in lieu of issuing fractional shares           (95)                      (2)                                         (2)
                                                   -----------    -------       -------      ---------        ------       --------

Balances, December 31, 1996 ....................     6,603,319        825        22,968         87,978           916        112,687
  Net income for 1997 ..........................                                                14,373                       14,373
  Cash dividends ($.69 per share) ..............                                                (6,902)                      (6,902)
  Other comprehensive income, net of tax .......                                                                 631            631
  Stock issued under employee benefit plans ....        13,690          2           289                                         291
  Stock issued under dividend reinvestment
    and stock purchase plan ....................        23,276          3           723                                         726
  Stock options exercised ......................        24,154          3           160                                         163
                                                   -----------    -------       -------      ---------        ------       --------

Balances, December 31, 1997 ....................     6,664,439        833        24,140         95,449         1,547        121,969
  Net income for 1998 ..........................                                                15,399                       15,399
  Cash dividends ($.77 per share) ..............                                                (7,772)                      (7,772)
  Other comprehensive income, net of tax .......                                                                 644            644
  Stock issued under employee benefit plans ....        14,471          2           383                                         385
  Stock issued under dividend reinvestment
    and stock purchase plan ....................        19,092          2           677                                         679
  Stock options exercised ......................        31,606          4           267                                         271
  Stock redeemed ...............................        (2,000)                     (72)                                        (72)
  Three-for-two stock split ....................     3,358,760        420          (420)
  Cash paid in lieu of issuing fractional shares          (285)                      (6)                                         (6)
                                                   -----------    -------       -------      ---------        ------       --------

Balances, December 31, 1998 ....................    10,086,083    $ 1,261       $24,969      $(103,076        $2,191       $131,497
                                                   ===========    =======       =======      =========        ======       ========
</TABLE>

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



30

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                                                                                                   (In Thousands, Except Share Data)

                                                                                             Year Ended December 31,
====================================================================================================================================
                                                                                    1998                1997                1996
====================================================================================================================================
<S>                                                                               <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Operating Activities:
  Net income ...........................................................          $  15,399           $  14,373           $  13,142
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to
    net cash provided by operating activities:
    Provision for loan losses ..........................................              1,984               1,297               1,253
    Depreciation and amortization ......................................              1,970               1,810               1,626
    Amortization of goodwill and intangibles ...........................                184                  89                 131
    Deferred income tax ................................................                 28                 (35)                401
    Securities amortization, net .......................................                179                 236                 188
    Securities losses (gains), net .....................................               (119)                 14                (148)
    Gain on sale of premises and equipment .............................               (442)
    Mortgage loans originated for sale .................................            (10,251)             (7,139)             (2,501)
    Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans ..............................              9,946               6,952               2,952
    Net change in
      Interest receivable ..............................................               (205)               (325)                357
Interest payable .......................................................                 (1)                239                 (40)
Other adjustments ......................................................             (2,426)             (1,050)               (593)
                                                                                  ---------           ---------           ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities ..............................             16,246              16,461              16,768
                                                                                  ---------           ---------           ---------

Investing Activities:
   Net change in interest-bearing deposits .............................               (470)                (95)                (31)
Purchases of
     Securities available for sale .....................................           (184,585)            (68,524)           (113,473)
Securities held to maturity ............................................                (90)             (2,652)            (22,450)
   Proceeds from maturities of
     Securities available for sale .....................................             83,556              73,786              96,441
     Securities held to maturity .......................................             14,250              15,878              35,715
Proceeds from sales of
     Securities available for sale .....................................              5,886              10,552              13,120
   Net change in loans .................................................            (41,009)            (73,038)            (80,404)
   Acquisition of insurance subsidiary .................................             (1,254)
   Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank stock ............................               (350)               (283)               (389)
Purchases of premises and equipment ....................................             (4,447)             (2,157)             (2,083)
   Proceeds from sale of fixed assets ..................................              1,029
   Other investing activities ..........................................               (104)                236                  71
                                                                                  ---------           ---------           ---------
   Net cash used by investing activities ...............................           (127,588)            (46,297)            (73,483)
                                                                                  ---------           ---------           ---------

Financing Activities:
   Net change in
     Demand and savings deposits .......................................             77,474              16,242             (19,168)
     Certificates of deposit and other time deposits ...................              5,558              33,119              29,683
Repurchase agreements and other borrowings .............................             41,303             (18,208)              7,659
   Federal Home Loan Bank advances .....................................             27,657              11,550               7,150
   Repayment of Federal Home Loan Bank advances ........................             (5,089)                                 (7,000)
   Cash dividends ......................................................             (7,772)             (6,902)             (5,369)
Stock issued under employee benefit plans ..............................                385                 291                 298
Stock issued under dividend reinvestment
     and stock purchase plan ...........................................                679                 726                 558
   Stock options exercised .............................................                271                 163                  64
   Stock redeemed ......................................................                (72)
   Cash paid in lieu of issuing fractional shares ......................                 (6)                                     (2)
                                                                                  ---------           ---------           ---------
Net cash provided by financing activities ..............................            140,388              36,981              13,873
                                                                                  ---------           ---------           ---------

Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents ................................             29,046               7,145             (42,842)

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year ...........................             42,177              35,032              77,874
                                                                                  ---------           ---------           ---------

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year .................................          $  71,223           $  42,177           $  35,032
                                                                                  =========           =========           =========

Additional Cash Flows Information:
   Interest paid .......................................................          $  38,051           $  35,486           $  32,388
Income tax paid ........................................................              8,252               7,602               6,203
</TABLE>

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                                                              31

<PAGE>

NOTES to CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)

================================================================================
NOTE 1
================================================================================

Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies


     The  accounting  and  reporting  policies  of First  Merchants  Corporation
("Corporation"),  and its wholly owned subsidiaries,  First Merchants Bank, N.A.
("First Merchants"), Pendleton Banking Company ("Pendleton"), and its subsidiary
First Merchants  Insurance  Services,  Inc., First United Bank ("First United"),
The Randolph  County Bank  ("Randolph  County"),  and Union County National Bank
("Union  County"),  (collectively  "the Banks"),  conform to generally  accepted
accounting  principles and reporting practices followed by the banking industry.
The more significant of the policies are described below.

     The  preparation  of financial  statements  in  conformity  with  generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions  that  affect the  reported  amounts of assets and  liabilities  and
disclosure of  contingent  assets and  liabilities  at the date of the financial
statements  and the  reported  amounts  of  revenues  and  expenses  during  the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

     The Corporation is a bank holding  company whose principal  activity is the
ownership and management of the Banks.  First Merchants and Union County operate
under national bank charters and provide full banking services,  including trust
services. As national banks, First Merchants and Union County are subject to the
regulation  of the Office of the  Comptroller  of the  Currency  and the Federal
Deposit Insurance  Corporation  ("FDIC").  Pendleton,  First United and Randolph
County  operate  under state bank  charters and provide  full banking  services,
including trust services. As state banks,  Pendleton,  First United and Randolph
County  are  subject  to  the   regulation   of  the   Department  of  Financial
Institutions, State of Indiana, and the FDIC.

     The Banks  generate  commercial,  mortgage,  and consumer loans and receive
deposits from customers  located  primarily in central and east central  Indiana
and Butler  County,  Ohio.  The Banks' loans are  generally  secured by specific
items of  collateral,  including real property,  consumer  assets,  and business
assets.  Although the Banks have a  diversified  loan  portfolio,  a substantial
portion of their  debtors'  ability to honor their  contracts is dependent  upon
economic conditions in the automotive and agricultural industries.

Consolidation

     The  consolidated   financial   statements  include  the  accounts  of  the
Corporation  and the  Banks,  after  elimination  of all  material  intercompany
transactions.

Investment Securities

     Debt securities are classified as held to maturity when the Corporation has
the positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Securities
held to maturity are carried at amortized cost.

     Debt  securities  not  classified  as held to maturity  are  classified  as
available for sale. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value with
unrealized gains and losses reported as accumulated other  comprehensive  income
in stockholders' equity, net of tax.

     Amortization  of  premiums  and  accretion  of  discounts  are  recorded as
interest income from  securities.  Realized gains and losses are recorded as net
security gains (losses).  Gains and losses on sales of securities are determined
on the specific-identification method.

Loans Held for Sale are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or market. Market
is determined using the aggregate  method.  Net unrealized losses are recognized
through a valuation allowance by charges to income.

Loans are carried at the principal amount  outstanding.  Certain  nonaccrual and
substantially  delinquent  loans may be  considered  to be  impaired.  A loan is
impaired when, based on current  information or events,  it is probable that the
Banks  will be unable to  collect  all  amounts  due  (principal  and  interest)
according  to the  contractual  terms of the loan  agreement.  In  applying  the
provisions of Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 114, the
Corporation considers its investment in one-to-four family residential loans and
consumer  installment  loans  to be  homogeneous  and  therefore  excluded  from
separate identification for evaluation of impairment. Interest income is accrued
on the principal  balances of loans,  except for  installment  loans with add-on
interest,  for which a method that  approximates the level yield method is used.
The accrual of interest on impaired loans is discontinued  when, in management's
opinion,  the borrower may be unable to meet  payments as they become due.  When
interest accrual is  discontinued,  all unpaid accrued interest is reversed when
considered uncollectible. Interest income is subsequently recognized only to the
extent cash payments are received.

     Certain loan fees and direct costs are being  deferred and  amortized as an
adjustment of yield on the loans.

Allowance for Loan Losses is maintained to absorb potential loan losses based on
management's  continuing  review and  evaluation  of the loan  portfolio and its
judgment  as to  the  impact  of  economic  conditions  on  the  portfolio.  The
evaluation by management  includes  consideration  of past loan loss experience,
changes in the  composition  of the loan  portfolio,  the current  condition and
amount of loans outstanding,  and the probability of collecting all amounts due.
Impaired loans are measured by the present value of expected  future cash flows,
or the fair value of the collateral of the loans, if collateral dependent.

     The determination of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is based
on estimates that are  particularly  susceptible  to significant  changes in the
economic  environment  and market  conditions.  Management  believes that, as of
December  31,  1998,  the  allowance  for  loan  losses  is  adequate  based  on
information  currently available.  A worsening or protracted economic decline in
the area within which the Corporation  operates would increase the likelihood of
additional  losses due to credit and market  risks and could create the need for
additional loss reserves.



32                                                                     continued



<PAGE>

                                      NOTES to CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                         (Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)s

================================================================================
NOTE 1
================================================================================

Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies continued

Premises  and  Equipment  are carried at cost net of  accumulated  depreciation.
Depreciation is computed using the  straight-line  and declining balance methods
based on the estimated  useful lives of the assets.  Maintenance and repairs are
expensed as incurred,  while major additions and  improvements  are capitalized.
Gains and losses on dispositions are included in current operations.

Federal  Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock are required  investments  for
institutions  that are members of the Federal  Reserve  Bank ("FRB") and Federal
Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") systems.  The required investment in the common stock is
based on a predetermined formula.

Intangible  Assets are being amortized on the  straight-line  basis over periods
ranging  from 7 to 25 years.  Such assets are  periodically  evaluated as to the
recoverability of their carrying value.

Income Tax in the consolidated  statement of income includes deferred income tax
provisions or benefits for all significant  temporary differences in recognizing
income and  expenses  for  financial  reporting  and income  tax  purposes.  The
Corporation files consolidated income tax returns with its subsidiaries.

Stock  Options  are granted for a fixed  number of shares to  employees  with an
exercise  price equal to the fair value of the shares at the date of grant.  The
Corporation accounts for and will continue to account for stock option grants in
accordance  with APB Opinion No. 25,  Accounting  for Stock Issued to Employees,
and accordingly, recognizes no compensation expense for the stock option grants.

Earnings Per Share have been computed based upon the weighted average common and
common equivalent shares  outstanding during each year and have been restated to
give  effect to a  three-for-two  stock split  distributed  to  stockholders  on
October 23, 1998.

Reclassifications  of certain amounts in the prior years consolidated  financial
statements have been made to conform to the 1998 presentation.

================================================================================
NOTE 2
================================================================================

Business Combinations

     On August 20,  1998,  the  Corporation  signed a  definitive  agreement  to
acquire all of the outstanding  shares of Jay Financial  Corporation,  Portland,
Indiana. Under terms of the agreement,  the Corporation will issue approximately
1,099,000  shares of its common  stock.  The  transaction  will be accounted for
under the  pooling-of-interests  method of accounting and is subject to approval
by appropriate  regulatory agencies.  Although the Corporation  anticipates that
the merger will be consummated  during the second quarter of 1999,  there can be
no assurance that the acquisition  will be completed.  At December 31, 1997, Jay
Financial Corporation, had total assets and stockholders' equity of $104,977,000
and $13,627,000, respectively.

     On October 27,  1998,  the  Corporation  signed a  definitive  agreement to
acquire all of the  outstanding  shares of Anderson  Community  Bank,  Anderson,
Indiana. Under terms of the agreement,  the Corporation will issue approximately
811,000 shares of its common stock.  The transaction will be accounted for under
the  pooling-of-interests  method of  accounting  and is subject to  approval by
appropriate regulatory agencies.  Although the Corporation  anticipates that the
merger will be consummated  during the second  quarter of 1999,  there can be no
assurance that the acquisition will be completed. At December 31, 1997, Anderson
Community  Bank had total assets and  stockholders'  equity of  $62,836,000  and
$6,448,000,  respectively. The Anderson Community Bank will merge with Pendleton
to form the Madison Community Bank.

     On August 1, 1996, the Corporation  issued  1,414,028  shares of its common
stock in exchange for all of the outstanding  shares of Union National  Bancorp,
Liberty,  Indiana.  On October 2, 1996, the Corporation issued 848,558 shares of
its common  stock in  exchange  for all of the  outstanding  shares of  Randolph
County Bancorp, Winchester, Indiana. These transactions were accounted for under
the  pooling-of-interests   method  of  accounting.  The  financial  information
contained  herein  reflects the mergers and reports the financial  condition and
results of operations as though the  Corporation had been combined as of January
1, 1996.  Separate  operating  results of Union  National  Bancorp and  Randolph
County Bancorp for the periods prior to the merger were as follows on page 34:


                                                                              33

<PAGE>

NOTES to CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)

================================================================================
NOTE 2
================================================================================

Business Combinations continued

================================================================================
                                                                       1996
================================================================================

Net interest income:

   First Merchants Corporation ............................           $33,060

   Union National Bancorp .................................             2,961

   Randolph County Bancorp ................................             1,126
                                                                      -------

         Combined .........................................           $37,147
                                                                      =======

Net income:

   First Merchants Corporation ............................           $11,556

   Union National Bancorp .................................               974

   Randolph County Bancorp ................................               612
                                                                      -------

         Combined .........................................           $13,142
                                                                      =======

Net income per share:

   Basic:

      First Merchants Corporation .........................           $  1.17

      Union National Bancorp ..............................               .10

      Randolph County Bancorp .............................               .06
                                                                      -------

         Combined .........................................           $  1.33
                                                                      =======

   Diluted:

      First Merchants Corporation .........................           $  1.16

      Union National Bancorp ..............................               .10

      Randolph County Bancorp .............................               .06
                                                                      -------

         Combined .........................................           $  1.32
                                                                      =======

================================================================================
NOTE 3
================================================================================

Restriction on Cash and Due from Banks

The Banks are required to maintain  reserve funds in cash and/or on deposit with
the Federal  Reserve  Bank.  The reserve  required at  December  31,  1998,  was
$12,229,000.


34

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          NOTES to CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                                                              (Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)

====================================================================================================================================
NOTE 4
====================================================================================================================================
Investment Securities

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         GROSS             GROSS
                                                                     AMORTIZED         UNREALIZED        UNREALIZED           FAIR
                                                                        COST             GAINS             LOSSES             VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
Available for sale at December 31, 1998
   U.S. Treasury ...........................................          $ 20,269          $     95                            $ 20,364
   Federal agencies ........................................            52,598               577          $     19            53,156
   State and municipal .....................................            86,537             2,620                 4            89,153
   Mortgage-backed securities ..............................           126,329               424               183           126,570
   Other asset-backed securities ...........................               265                 1                11               255
   Corporate obligations ...................................            18,624               143                 8            18,759
   Marketable equity securities ............................               250                                                   250
                                                                      --------          --------          --------          --------
      Total available for sale .............................           304,872             3,860               225           308,507
                                                                      --------          --------          --------          --------

Held to maturity at December 31, 1998
   U.S. Treasury ...........................................               249                 4                                 253
   Federal agencies ........................................               500                 1                                 501
   State and municipal .....................................            17,480               348                 1            17,827
   Mortgage-backed securities ..............................               864                 3                                 867
   Other asset-backed securities ...........................             1,761                 2                27             1,736
                                                                      --------          --------          --------          --------
      Total held to maturity ...............................            20,854               358                28            21,184
                                                                      --------          --------          --------          --------
      Total investment securities ..........................          $325,726          $  4,218          $    253          $329,691
                                                                      ========          ========          ========          ========

Available for sale at December 31, 1997
   U.S. Treasury ...........................................          $ 19,207          $    104          $     11          $ 19,300
   Federal agencies ........................................            66,783               405                48            67,140
   State and municipal .....................................            67,842             1,815                28            69,629
Mortgage-backed securities .................................            36,682               362                86            36,958
   Other asset-backed securities ...........................               487                 2                54               435
   Corporate obligations ...................................            18,219               139                30            18,328
   Marketable equity securities ............................               250                                                   250
                                                                      --------          --------          --------          --------
      Total available for sale .............................           209,470             2,827               257           212,040
                                                                      --------          --------          --------          --------

Held to maturity at December 31, 1997
   U.S. Treasury ...........................................               249                                   2               247
   Federal agencies ........................................             3,412                 6                 1             3,417
   State and municipal .....................................            26,206               252                 2            26,456
Mortgage-backed securities .................................             1,255                 4                 1             1,258
   Other asset-backed securities ...........................             4,210                 7               166             4,051
                                                                      --------          --------          --------          --------
      Total held to maturity ...............................            35,332               269               172            35,429
                                                                      --------          --------          --------          --------
      Total investment securities ..........................          $244,802          $  3,096          $    429          $247,469
                                                                      ========          ========          ========          ========
</TABLE>

     The  amortized  cost and fair  value of  securities  held to  maturity  and
available for sale at December 31, 1998, by contractual  maturity,  are shown on
the following page. Expected maturities will differ from contractual  maturities
because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without
call or prepayment penalties.

                                                                       continued

                                                                              35

<PAGE>

NOTES to CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)

================================================================================
NOTE 4
================================================================================

Investment Securities   continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      AVAILABLE FOR SALE              HELD TO MATURITY
                                                AMORTIZED COST    FAIR VALUE    AMORTIZED COST    FAIR VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Maturity distribution at December 31, 1998:
     Due in one year or less ..............        $ 52,579        $ 52,837        $  5,370        $  5,397
     Due after one through five years .....          93,213          94,927          10,741          11,003
     Due after five through ten years .....          26,830          28,047           1,638           1,701
     Due after ten years ..................           5,406           5,621             480             480
                                                   --------        --------        --------        --------
                                                    178,028         181,432          18,229          18,581

     Mortgage-backed securities ...........         126,329         126,570             864             867
     Other asset-backed securities ........             265             255           1,761           1,736
     Marketable equity securities .........             250             250
                                                   --------        --------        --------        --------
       Totals .............................        $304,872        $308,507        $ 20,854        $ 21,184
                                                   ========        ========        ========        ========
</TABLE>

Securities with a carrying value of  approximately  $144,863,000 and $92,991,000
were  pledged at December  31, 1998 and 1997,  to secure  certain  deposits  and
securities sold under repurchase agreements, and for other purposes as permitted
or required by law.

     In addition,  all otherwise unpledged  securities are pledged as collateral
for Federal Home Loan Bank advances with qualified first mortgage loans.

     Proceeds from sales of securities  available for sale during 1998, 1997 and
1996 were $5,886,000,  $10,552,000, and $13,120,000. Gross gains of $119,000 and
$148,000 in 1998 and 1996 and gross  losses of $14,000 in 1997 were  realized on
those sales.


================================================================================
NOTE 5
================================================================================

Loans and Allowance
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
============================================================================================
                                                                         1998         1997
============================================================================================
<S>                                                                   <C>          <C>
Loans at December 31:
   Commercial and industrial loans ................................   $ 169,685    $ 148,281
   Bankers' acceptances and loans to financial institutions .......         900          705
   Agricultural production financing and other loans to farmers ...      16,661       16,764
   Real estate loans:
       Construction ...............................................      26,426       21,389
       Commercial and farmland ....................................      95,172       97,503
       Residential ................................................     302,680      287,072
   Individuals' loans for household and other personal expenditures     128,253      125,706
   Tax-exempt loans ...............................................       2,115        2,598
   Other loans ....................................................       1,217        3,782
                                                                      ---------    ---------
                                                                        743,109      703,800
   Unearned interest on loans .....................................        (137)        (487)
                                                                      ---------    ---------
       Total loans ................................................   $ 742,972    $ 703,313
                                                                      =========    =========

<CAPTION>
============================================================================================
                                                         1998           1997           1996
============================================================================================
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>           <C>
Allowance for loan losses:
   Balance, January 1...............................    $ 6,778        $ 6,622       $(6,696)
   Provision for losses.............................      1,984          1,297         1,253
   Recoveries on loans..............................        531            468           309
   Loans charged off................................     (1,881)        (1,609)       (1,636)
                                                        -------        -------       -------
   Balance, December 31.............................    $ 7,412        $ 6,778        $6,622
                                                        =======        =======        ======
</TABLE>

                                                                       continued

36

<PAGE>

                                      NOTES to CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                          (Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)

================================================================================
NOTE 5
================================================================================

Loans and Allowance continued

Information on impaired loans is summarized below:

================================================================================
                                                         1998     1997     1996
================================================================================

As of, and for, the year ending December 31:
   Impaired loans with an allowance .................   $1,946   $1,476   $3,124
   Impaired loans for which the discounted
       cash flows or collateral value exceeds the
       carrying value of the loan ...................    6,882    1,075      868
                                                        ------   ------   ------
         Total impaired loans .......................   $8,828   $2,551   $3,992
                                                        ======   ======   ======

   Allowance for impaired loans (included in the
       Corporation's allowance for loan losses) .....   $  712   $  407   $1,092
   Average balance of impaired loans ................    8,318    3,414    5,213
   Interest income recognized on impaired loans .....      873      180      311
   Cash basis interest included above ...............      745      162      291

     The Banks have entered into transactions with certain directors,  executive
officers, significant stockholders, and their affiliates or associates ("related
parties").  Such  transactions  were made in the ordinary  course of business on
substantially  the same  terms  and  conditions,  including  interest  rates and
collateral,  as those  prevailing at the same time for  comparable  transactions
with other  customers,  and did not, in the opinion of management,  involve more
than normal credit risk or present other unfavorable features.

     The aggregate  amount of loans,  as defined,  to such related parties is as
shown on the right:

================================================================================

================================================================================

Balances, January 1, 1998 ...   $ 12,433
New loans,
   including renewals .......      5,440
Payments, etc.,
   including renewals .......     (5,432)
                                --------
Balances, December 31, 1998 .   $ 12,441
                                ========

================================================================================
NOTE 6
================================================================================

Premises and Equipment

================================================================================
                                                          1998           1997
================================================================================

Cost at December 31:
   Land ..........................................      $  2,991       $  2,826
   Buildings and leasehold improvements ..........        15,660         13,723
   Equipment .....................................        16,385         15,320
                                                        --------       --------
         Total cost ..............................        35,036         31,869
Accumulated depreciation .........................       (18,082)       (16,487)
                                                        --------       --------
         Net .....................................      $ 16,954       $ 15,382
                                                        ========       ========

     The  Corporation is committed under various  noncancelable  lease contracts
for certain subsidiary office facilities. Total lease expense for 1998, 1997 and
1996 was $204,000,  $141,000,  and $134,000,  respectively.  The future  minimum
rental commitments required under the operating leases in effect at December 31,
1998,  expiring at various dates through the year 2016,  follow on the right for
the years ending December 31:

================================================================================

================================================================================

1999 ...........................................................            $180
2000 ...........................................................             159
2001 ...........................................................             116
2002 ...........................................................              99
2003 ...........................................................              48
After 2003 .....................................................             177
                                                                            ----
   Total future minimum obligations ............................            $779
                                                                            ====


                                                                              37

<PAGE>

NOTES to CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)

================================================================================
NOTE 7
================================================================================

Deposits

================================================================================
                                                           1998           1997
================================================================================

Deposits at December 31:

Demand deposits ..................................       $261,708       $234,905
Savings deposits .................................        227,624        176,953
Certificates and other time deposits
  of $100,000 or more ............................         91,579        104,100
Other certificates and time deposits .............        345,933        327,854
                                                         --------       --------
    Total deposits ...............................       $926,844       $843,812
                                                         ========       ========

================================================================================

================================================================================
Certificates and other time deposits maturing in years ending December 31:

   1999...............  $302,973
   2000...............    87,437
   2001...............    26,694
   2002 ..............    13,270
   2003...............     5,863
   After 2003 ........     1,275
                        --------
                        $437,512
                        ========

================================================================================
NOTE 8
================================================================================

Borrowings

================================================================================
                                                             1998          1997
================================================================================
Borrowings at December 31:
   Securities sold under repurchase agreements .......     $ 48,836     $ 15,398
   Federal funds purchased ...........................       17,070        4,070
   U. S. Treasury demand notes .......................        2,226        7,361
   Federal Home Loan Bank advances ...................       43,268       20,700
                                                           --------     --------
       Total borrowings ..............................     $111,400     $ 47,529
                                                           ========     ========

     Securities sold under repurchase  agreements  consist of obligations of the
Banks to other parties.  The obligations are secured by U.S.  Treasury,  Federal
agency obligations and corporate asset-backed securities.  The maximum amount of
outstanding agreements at any month-end during 1998 and 1997 totaled $78,302,000
and  $33,802,000,  and the average of such  agreements  totaled  $36,506,000 and
$31,327,000.

Maturities  of  Federal  Home Loan  Bank  advances  and  securities  sold  under
repurchase agreements as of December 31, 1998 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Federal Home Loan            Securities Sold Under
                                                    Bank Advances              Repurchase Agreements
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         WEIGHTED-AVERAGE               WEIGHTED-AVERAGE
                                                AMOUNT     INTEREST RATE     AMOUNT      INTEREST RATE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>             <C>          <C>              <C>
Maturities in years ending December 31
     1999  .................................    $19,150         5.45%        $20,836          5.07%
     2000  .................................      2,850         5.84          11,700          5.69
     2001  .................................      6,000         5.44           2,500          5.73
     2002  .................................        150         7.07
     2003  .................................      3,000         5.26          13,800          5.80
     After 2003.............................     12,118         6.26
                                                -------         ----         -------          ----
       Total ...............................    $43,268         5.69         $48,836          5.46
                                                =======         ====         =======          ====
</TABLE>

     The terms of a security  agreement with the FHLB require the Corporation to
pledge,  as collateral  for advances,  qualifying  first  mortgage loans and all
otherwise  unpledged  investment  securities  in an amount equal to at least 160
percent of these advances.  Advances are subject to restrictions or penalties in
the event of prepayment.


38

<PAGE>

                                      NOTES to CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                          (Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)

================================================================================
NOTE 9
================================================================================

Loan Servicing

     Mortgage  loans  serviced for others are not  included in the  accompanying
consolidated  balance  sheet.  The loans are serviced  primarily for the Federal
Home Loan Mortgage  Corporation and the unpaid balances totaled  $15,541,000 and
$11,877,000 at December 31, 1998 and 1997.

     The Corporation has adopted SFAS No. 122, Accounting for Mortgage Servicing
Rights. The adoption of this statement has had no material impact on the
Corporation's financial condition and results of operations for all years
presented.

================================================================================
NOTE 10
================================================================================

Income Tax

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==================================================================================================
                                                            1998            1997            1996
==================================================================================================
<S>                                                        <C>             <C>             <C>
Income tax expense, for the year ended December 31:
   Currently payable:
      Federal .....................................        $ 6,090         $ 5,702         $ 4,903
      State .......................................          2,007           1,894           1,655
   Deferred:
      Federal .....................................             38             (21)            336
      State .......................................            (10)            (14)             65
                                                           -------         -------         -------
         Total income tax expense .................        $ 8,125         $ 7,561         $ 6,959
                                                           =======         =======         =======

Reconciliation of federal statutory to actual tax expense:
   Federal statutory income tax at 34% ............        $ 7,998         $ 7,458         $ 6,834
   Tax-exempt interest ............................         (1,311)         (1,257)         (1,140)
   Graduated tax rates ............................            173
   Effect of state income taxes ...................          1,318           1,241           1,135
   Other ..........................................            (53)            119             130
                                                           -------         -------         -------
         Actual tax expense .......................        $ 8,125         $ 7,561         $ 6,959
                                                           =======         =======         =======
</TABLE>

     Tax expense (benefit) applicable to security gains and losses for the years
ended  December 31,  1998,  1997 and 1996,  was  $47,600,  $(5,700) and $60,000,
respectively.

A cumulative net deferred tax asset is included in other assets.  The components
of the asset are as follows:

================================================================================
                                                                 1998      1997
================================================================================
Deferred tax asset at December 31:
Assets:
   Differences in accounting for loan losses ...............    $3,042    $2,692
   Deferred compensation ...................................       344       313
   Differences in accounting for pensions
      and other employee benefits ..........................        84       183
                                                                ------    ------
         Total assets ......................................     3,470     3,188
                                                                ------    ------
Liabilities:
   Differences in depreciation methods .....................       968     1,012
   Differences in accounting for loans and securities ......       206       125
   Differences in accounting for loan fees .................       228        28
   Net unrealized gain on securities available for sale ....     1,444     1,023
   State income tax ........................................       141       146
   Other ...................................................        91        69
                                                                ------    ------
         Total liabilities .................................     3,078     2,403
                                                                ------    ------
         Net deferred tax asset ............................    $  392    $  785
                                                                ======    ======

                                                                              39

<PAGE>

NOTES to CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)

================================================================================
NOTE 11
================================================================================

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

     In the normal course of business,  there are  outstanding  commitments  and
contingent liabilities, such as commitments to extend credit and standby letters
of credit, which are not included in the accompanying financial statements.  The
Banks' exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party
to the  financial  instruments  for  commitments  to extend  credit and  standby
letters of credit is represented by the  contractual or notional amount of those
instruments.  The Banks use the same credit policies in making such  commitments
as they do for instruments that are included in the consolidated balance sheet.

=============================================
                         1998         1997
=============================================

Commitments
to extend credit       $185,879     $138,828
Standby letters
of credit                 4,310        4,649
- ---------------------------------------------

     Financial  instruments  whose contract amount  represents credit risk as of
December 31, were as follows:  Commitments  to extend  credit are  agreements to
lend  to a  customer,  as  long  as  there  is no  violation  of  any  condition
established in the contract.  Commitments  generally have fixed expiration dates
or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the
commitments  are  expected  to  expire  without  being  drawn  upon,  the  total
commitment amounts do not necessarily  represent future cash  requirements.  The
Banks evaluate each customer's  credit  worthiness on a case-by-case  basis. The
amount of collateral  obtained,  if deemed necessary by the Banks upon extension
of credit, is based on management's  credit evaluation.  Collateral held varies,
but may include  accounts  receivable,  inventory,  property and equipment,  and
income-producing commercial properties.

     Standby letters of credit are conditional  commitments  issued by the Banks
to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.

     The  Corporation and  subsidiaries  are also subject to claims and lawsuits
which arise primarily in the ordinary  course of business.  It is the opinion of
management  that the  disposition  or  ultimate  resolution  of such  claims and
lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on the  consolidated  financial
position of the Corporation.

================================================================================
NOTE 12
================================================================================

Year 2000

     Like all entities,  the Corporation and  subsidiaries  are exposed to risks
associated  with the Year  2000  Issue,  which  affects  computer  software  and
hardware;  transactions  with  customers,  vendors and  entities;  and equipment
dependent upon  microchips.  The Company has begun,  but not yet completed,  the
process of remediating  potential Year 2000 problems. It is not possible for any
entity to guarantee the results of its own remediation  efforts or to accurately
predict  the  impact  of the Year 2000  Issue on third  parties  with  which the
Company and subsidiaries do business.  If remediation  efforts of the Company or
third  parties  with which the Company  and  subsidiaries  do  business  are not
successful,  the Year 2000 Issue could have  negative  effects on the  Company's
financial condition and results of operations in the near term.

================================================================================
NOTE 13
================================================================================

Stockholders' Equity

     National and state  banking laws  restrict the maximum  amount of dividends
that a bank may pay in any calendar  year.  National and state banks are limited
to the bank's  retained  net income (as defined) for the current year plus those
for the previous two years. The amount at December 31, 1998,  available for 1999
dividends to the Corporation is $23,878,000. The subsidiaries restrict dividends
to a  lesser  amount  because  of the  need  to  maintain  an  adequate  capital
structure.

     Total  stockholders'  equity for all subsidiaries at December 31, 1998, was
$129,067,000, of which $105,189,000 was restricted from dividend distribution to
the Corporation.

     The  Corporation  has a  Dividend  Reinvestment  and Stock  Purchase  Plan,
enabling  stockholders to elect to have their cash dividends on all shares held,
automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Corporation's common stock.
In addition,  stockholders  may elect to make  optional  cash  payments up to an
aggregate of $2,500 per quarter for the purchase of additional  shares of common
stock.  The stock is credited  to  participant  accounts  at fair market  value.
Dividends are reinvested on a quarterly  basis. At December 31, 1998, there were
543,913 shares of common stock reserved for purchase under the plan.

     On August 11, 1998,  the Board of Directors of the  Corporation  declared a
three-for-two  stock split on its common shares. The new shares were distributed
on October 23, 1998, to holders of record on October 16, 1998.


40

<PAGE>

NOTES to CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)

================================================================================
NOTE 14
================================================================================

Regulatory Capital


     The  Corporation  and Banks  are  subject  to  various  regulatory  capital
requirements  administered by the federal banking agencies and are assigned to a
capital category.  The assigned capital category is largely  determined by three
ratios that are  calculated  according to the  regulations:  total risk adjusted
capital,  Tier 1 capital, and Tier 1 leverage ratios. The ratios are intended to
measure capital  relative to assets and credit risk associated with those assets
and off-balance sheet exposures of the entity.  The capital category assigned to
an entity can also be  affected  by  qualitative  judgments  made by  regulatory
agencies about the risk inherent in the entity's activities that are not part of
the calculated ratios.

     There are five capital categories defined in the regulations,  ranging from
well capitalized to critically undercapitalized. Classification of a bank in any
of the  undercapitalized  categories  can result in actions by  regulators  that
could have a material effect on a bank's operations.

     At December 31, 1998,  the management of the  Corporation  believes that it
meets all capital adequacy  requirements to which it is subject. The most recent
notifications from the regulatory agencies categorized the Corporation and Banks
as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.
To be categorized as well capitalized, the Corporation and Banks must maintain a
minimum total capital to risk-weighted  assets,  Tier I capital to risk-weighted
assets and Tier I capital  to  average  assets of 10  percent,  6 percent  and 5
percent,  respectively.  There  have been no  conditions  or events  since  that
notification that management believes have changed this categorization.

     Actual and required capital amounts and ratios are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
                                                                  1998                                       1997
====================================================================================================================================
                                                                       REQUIRED FOR                                 REQUIRED FOR
                                                        ACTUAL      ADEQUATE CAPITAL (1)            ACTUAL      ADEQUATE CAPITAL (1)
                                                  AMOUNT      RATIO   AMOUNT     RATIO        AMOUNT     RATIO     AMOUNT    RATIO
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>         <C>     <C>          <C>       <C>         <C>     <C>          <C>
December 31
Total Capital (1) (to risk-weighted assets)
   Consolidated...............................   $133,762    16.9%   $ 63,206     8.0%      $125,762    17.9%   $ 56,166     8.0%
   First Merchants ...........................     79,685    15.7      40,678     8.0         75,539    17.4      34,756     8.0
   Pendleton .................................     13,486    18.5       5,844     8.0         12,256    17.4       5,628     8.0
   First United ..............................      8,069    18.5       3,484     8.0          7,570    18.2       3,332     8.0
   Randolph County ...........................     10,574    18.2       4,640     8.0         10,278    15.1       5,448     8.0
   Union County ..............................     19,375    16.4       9,451     8.0         18,075    17.0       8,498     8.0

Tier I Capital (1) (to risk-weighted assets)
   Consolidated...............................   $126,350    16.0%   $ 31,603     4.0%      $118,984    16.9%   $ 28,083     4.0%
   First Merchants ...........................     75,752    14.9      20,338     4.0         71,900    16.6      17,378     4.0
   Pendleton .................................     12,701    17.4       2,922     4.0         11,506    16.4       2,814     4.0
   First United ..............................      7,599    17.5       1,742     4.0          7,133    17.1       1,666     4.0
   Randolph County ...........................      9,848    17.0       2,320     4.0          9,548    14.0       2,724     4.0
   Union County ..............................     17,966    15.2       4,726     4.0         16,852    15.9       4,249     4.0

Tier I Capital (1) (to average assets)
   Consolidated...............................   $126,350    11.9%   $ 42,464     4.0%      $118,984    11.9%   $ 40,010     4.0%
   First Merchants ...........................     75,752    10.8      27,981     4.0         71,900    11.7      24,548     4.0
   Pendleton .................................     12,701    12.4       4,092     4.0         11,506    11.8       3,897     4.0
   First United ..............................      7,599    11.5       2,646     4.0          7,133    11.5       2,481     4.0
   Randolph County ...........................      9,848    13.0       3,042     4.0          9,548    14.0       2,733     4.0
   Union County ..............................     17,966     8.6       8,362     4.0         16,852     9.1       7,438     4.0
</TABLE>

   (1) As defined by regulatory agencies


                                                                 continued    41

<PAGE>

NOTES to CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)

================================================================================
NOTE 15
================================================================================

Employee Benefit Plans

     The Corporation's  defined-benefit pension plans cover substantially all of
the Banks'  employees.  The benefits are based primarily on years of service and
employees' pay near retirement.  Contributions  are intended to provide not only
for benefits  attributed to  service-to-date,  but also for those expected to be
earned in the future.

     The table below sets forth the plans' funded status and amounts  recognized
in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31:

                                                                 December 31
================================================================================
                                                             1998         1997
================================================================================
Change in benefit obligation
     Benefit obligation at beginning of year ...........   $ 14,454    $ 13,060
     Service cost ......................................        688         624
     Interest cost .....................................      1,044         956
     Actuarial gain ....................................        793         388
     Benefits paid .....................................       (660)       (574)
                                                           --------    --------
     Benefit obligation at end of year .................     16,319      14,454
                                                           --------    --------
Change in plan assets
     Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year ....     18,865      15,188
     Actual return of plan assets ......................      1,038       4,251
     Benefits paid .....................................       (660)       (574)
                                                           --------    --------
     Fair value of plan assets at end of year ..........     19,243      18,865
                                                           --------    --------

     Funded status .....................................      2,924       4,411
     Unrecognized net actuarial gain ...................     (2,579)     (4,169)
     Unrecognized prior service cost ...................       (144)       (156)
     Unrecognized transition asset .....................       (480)       (617)
                                                           --------    --------
     Accrued benefit cost ..............................   $   (279)   $   (531)
                                                           ========    ========

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==============================================================================================
                                                                1998         1997         1996
==============================================================================================
<S>                                                            <C>         <C>         <C>
Pension expense (benefit) includes the following components:
   Service cost-benefits earned during the year ............   $   688     $   624     $  (537
   Interest cost on projected benefit obligation ...........     1,044         956         921
   Actual return on plan assets ............................    (1,038)     (4,251)     (1,966)
   Net amortization and deferral ...........................      (946)      2,810         699
                                                               -------     -------     -------
      Total pension expense (benefit) ......................   $  (252)    $   139     $   191
                                                               =======     =======     =======

==============================================================================================
                                                                1998         1997         1996
==============================================================================================
<S>                                                               <C>         <C>         <C>
Assumptions used in the accounting as of December 31 were:
   Discount rate ...........................................      6.77%       7.40%       7.50%
   Rate of increase in compensation ........................      4.00%       4.50%       4.50%
   Expected long-term rate of return on assets .............      9.00%       9.00%       8.75%
</TABLE>

     Randolph County employees  participated in a defined-benefit  pension plan,
which is  included  in the  above  disclosures.  This plan was  merged  with the
Corporation's  plan as of December 31, 1996.  Randolph County's plan assumptions
used in the accounting were different than the  Corporation's  plan assumptions.
However,  the  differences  do not have a  material  impact  on the  disclosures
presented.

     In 1989,  stockholders  approved  the 1989  Stock  Option  Plan,  reserving
253,125  shares of  Corporation  common  stock for the  granting  of  options to
certain  employees.  The  exercise  price of the shares may not be less than the
fair market  value of the shares upon grant of the  option.  Options  become 100
percent vested when granted and are fully exercisable generally six months after
the date of grant, for a period of ten years. There were no shares available for
grant at December 31, 1998.

42                                                                     continued

<PAGE>


                                      NOTES to CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                          (Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)

================================================================================
NOTE 15
================================================================================

Employee Benefit Plans  continued

     On March 31,  1994,  stockholders  approved  the 1994  Stock  Option  Plan,
reserving 472,500 shares of Corporation common stock for the granting of options
to certain  employees  and  non-employee  directors.  The exercise  price of the
shares may not be less than the fair  market  value of the shares upon the grant
of the  option.  Options  become 100 percent  vested when  granted and are fully
exercisable  generally  six months after the date of the grant,  for a period of
ten years. There were 34,829 shares available for grant at December 31, 1998.

     The table  below is a summary  of the  status  of the  Corporation's  stock
option  plans and changes in those plans as of and for the years ended  December
31, 1998,  1997 and 1996.  The number of shares and prices have been restated to
give effect to the Corporation's 1998 stock split.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Year Ended December 31,
==============================================================================================================================
                                                  1998                         1997                           1996
==============================================================================================================================

                                                  WEIGHTED-AVERAGE             WEIGHTED-AVERAGE               WEIGHTED-AVERAGE
       OPTIONS                            SHARES   EXERCISE PRICE     SHARES    EXERCISE PRICE     SHARES      EXERCISE PRICE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>          <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>             <C>
Outstanding, beginning of year ...        447,577      $14.98         408,127       $12.89         334,532         $12.05
Granted ..........................         97,645       28.64          96,375        20.91          79,950          16.18
Exercised ........................        (67,628)      12.99         (56,925)        9.99          (6,355)         10.11
Cancelled ........................           (862)      28.71
                                          -------                     -------                      -------
Outstanding, end of year .........        476,732      $18.04         447,577       $14.98         408,127         $12.89
                                          =======                     =======                      =======

Options exercisable at year end ..        376,949                     348,652                      324,925
Weighted-average fair value of
   options granted during the year                     $ 5.95                       $ 4.21                        $ 3.39
</TABLE>

As of December 31, 1998,  other  information by exercise price range for options
outstanding and exercisable is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                OUTSTANDING                                                  EXERCISABLE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------        ------------------------------
 EXERCISE PRICE     NUMBER     WEIGHTED-AVERAGE        WEIGHTED-AVERAGE              NUMBER       WEIGHTED-AVERAGE
      RANGE        OF SHARES    EXERCISE PRICE   REMAINING CONTRACTURAL LIFE        OF SHARES      EXERCISE PRICE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------        ------------------------------
<S>      <C>        <C>             <C>                    <C>                       <C>               <C>
$ 6.07 - $14.39     166,589         $11.72                 4.4 years                 166,589           $11.72
 15.39 -  20.92     213,360          18.16                 7.7 years                 207,360            18.17
 24.67 -  30.44      96,783          28.63                 9.6 years                   3,000            26.13
                    -------                                                          -------
                    476,732         $18.04                 6.9 years                 376,949           $15.38
                    =======                                                          =======
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

     The  Corporation's  stock option plans are accounted for in accordance with
Accounting  Principles Board Opinion ("APB") No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued
to Employees, and related interpretations. The exercise price of each option was
equal to the  market  price  of the  Corporation's  stock on the date of  grant;
therefore, no compensation expense was recognized.

     Although  the  Corporation  has  elected to follow APB No. 25, SFAS No. 123
requires  pro forma  disclosures  of net income and earnings per share as if the
Corporation  had accounted for its employee stock options under that  Statement.
The fair value of each  option  grant was  estimated  on the grant date using an
option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

================================================================================
                                        1998           1997           1996
================================================================================

Risk-free interest rates ............   5.45%          6.54%          6.66%

Dividend yields .....................   3.25%          3.37%          3.41%

Volatility factors of expected
    market price common stock .......  17.19%         11.20%         12.00%

Weighted-average expected
    life of the options .............   8.50 years     8.50 years     8.50 years

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                       continued

                                                                              43
<PAGE>

NOTES to CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)

================================================================================
NOTE 15
================================================================================

Employee Benefit Plans continued

     Under SFAS No. 123,  compensation  cost is  recognized in the amount of the
estimated  fair value of the options and  amortized to expense over the options'
vesting  period.  The pro forma  effect on net income and  earnings per share of
this statement are shown on the right:

================================================================================
                                      1998             1997             1996
================================================================================
Net Income
    As reported .............       $15,399          $14,373          $13,142
    Pro Forma ...............        14,650           13,948           12,852
Earnings per share
  Basic:
    As reported .............       $  1.53          $  1.44          $  1.33
    Pro forma ...............          1.46             1.40             1.30
  Diluted:
    As reported .............       $  1.51          $  1.43          $  1.32
    Pro forma ...............          1.44             1.38             1.29

     In 1994, the  stockholders  approved the 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan,
enabling eligible employees to purchase the Corporation's  common stock. A total
of 253,125  shares of the  Corporation's  common stock are reserved for issuance
persuant  to the plan.  The price of the  stock to be paid by the  employees  is
determined by the Corporation's compensation committee, but may not be less than
85 percent of the lesser of the fair market  value of the  Corporation's  common
stock  at the  beginning  or at the end of the  offering  period.  Common  stock
purchases are made annually and are paid through advance  payroll  deductions of
up to 20 percent of eligible compensation. Participants under the plan purchased
21,706  shares in 1998 at $17.71 per share.  The fair market  value per share on
the purchase date was $30.44.

     At December 31, 1998, there were 162,977 shares of Corporation common stock
reserved  for purchase  under the plan,  and  $444,000  has been  withheld  from
compensation,  plus interest, toward the purchase of shares after June 30, 1999,
the end of the annual offering period.

     The  Corporation's  Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan  is  accounted  for  in
accordance  with APB No. 25.  Although the Corporation has elected to follow APB
No. 25, SFAS No. 123 requires pro forma  disclosures  of net income and earnings
per share as if the  Corporation  had accounted  for the purchased  shares under
that  statement.  The pro forma  disclosures are included in the table above and
were estimated using an option pricing model with the following  assumptions for
1998,  1997 and  1996,  respectively:  dividend  yield  of  3.25,  3.37 and 3.41
percent;  an expected  life of one year for all years;  expected  volatility  of
17.19,  11.20 and 12.00 percent;  and risk-free interest rates of 5.41, 6.54 and
6.66 percent.  The fair value of those purchase rights granted in 1998, 1997 and
1996 was $12.69, $5.03 and $4.68, respectively.

     The Banks have retirement  savings 401(k) plans in which  substantially all
employees may participate.  The Banks match employees' contributions at the rate
of 25-50  percent  for the first  5-6  percent  of base  salary  contributed  by
participants.  The Banks' expense for the plans was $108,000 for 1998,  $110,000
for 1997, and $92,000 for 1996.

================================================================================
NOTE 16
================================================================================

Net Income Per Share

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Year Ended December 31,
============================================================================================================
                                                  1998                                 1997
============================================================================================================
                                           WEIGHTED-AVERAGE PER SHARE           WEIGHTED-AVERAGE PER SHARE
                                    INCOME      SHARES       AMOUNT      INCOME      SHARES       AMOUNT
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>       <C>            <C>         <C>       <C>            <C>
Basic net income per share:
  Net income available  to
    common stockholders ..........  $15,399   10,045,502     $ 1.53      $14,373    9,950,303     $ 1.44
                                                             ======                               ======
Effect of dilutive stock options .               155,568                              135,157
                                    -------   ----------                 -------   ----------
Diluted net income per share:
  Net income available to
    common stockholders
    and assumed conversions ......  $15,399   10,201,070     $ 1.51      $14,373   10,085,460     $ 1.43
                                    =======   ==========     ======      =======   ==========     ======

<CAPTION>

=====================================================================
                                                1996
=====================================================================
                                           WEIGHTED-AVERAGE PER SHARE
                                    INCOME      SHARES       AMOUNT
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic net income per share:
  Net income available  to
    common stockholders ..........  $13,142    9,871,751     $ 1.33
                                                             ======
Effect of dilutive stock options .                99,556
                                    -------    ---------
Diluted net income per share:
  Net income available to
    common stockholders
    and assumed conversions ......  $13,142    9,971,307     $ 1.32
                                    =======    =========     ======
</TABLE>

44

<PAGE>

                                      NOTES to CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                          (Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)

================================================================================
NOTE 17
================================================================================

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The following  methods and  assumptions  were used to estimate the fair value of
each class of financial instrument:

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates carrying value.

Interest-Bearing Time Deposits

The fair value of interest-bearing time deposits approximates carrying value.

Investment Securities

Fair values are based on quoted market prices.

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale

The fair value of mortgages held for sale approximates carrying values.

Loans

For both short-term loans and  variable-rate  loans that reprice  frequently and
with no  significant  change in credit  risk,  fair values are based on carrying
values.  The fair value for other loans is estimated using  discounted cash flow
analyses,  using interest rates  currently  being offered for loans with similar
terms to borrowers of similar credit quality.

Interest Receivable/Payable

The fair values of interest receivable/payable approximate carrying values.

Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

The fair  value of FRB and FHLB  stock is based on the  price at which it may be
resold to the FRB and FHLB.

Deposits

The fair values of noninterest-bearing demand accounts,  interest-bearing demand
accounts and savings  deposits are equal to the amount  payable on demand at the
balance  sheet  date.  The  carrying  amounts  for  variable  rate,   fixed-term
certificates of deposit approximate their fair values at the balance sheet date.
Fair values for fixed-rate  certificates  of deposit and other time deposits are
estimated using a discounted cash flow  calculation  that applies interest rates
currently  being offered on  certificates  to a schedule of aggregated  expected
monthly maturities on such time deposits.

Federal Funds Purchased and U.S. Treasury Demand Notes

These financial instruments are short-term borrowing arrangements.  The rates at
December  31,  1998 and 1997,  approximate  market  rates,  thus the fair  value
approximates carrying value.

Securities Sold Under Repurchase Agreements and Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

The fair value of the these borrowings is estimated using a discounted cash flow
calculation, based on current rates for similar debt.

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments

Loan commitments and letters-of-credit generally have short-term,  variable-rate
features  and  contain  clauses  which  limit the Banks'  exposure to changes in
customer  credit  quality.   Accordingly,   their  carrying  values,  which  are
immaterial at the respective  balance sheet dates,  are reasonable  estimates of
fair value.

The estimated  fair values of the  Corporation's  financial  instruments  are as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
                                                                                      1998                            1997
====================================================================================================================================
                                                                            CARRYING         FAIR           CARRYING         FAIR
                                                                             AMOUNT          VALUE           AMOUNT          VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                         <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Assets at December 31:
   Cash and cash equivalents .......................................        $ 71,223        $ 71,223        $ 42,177        $ 42,177
   Interest-bearing time deposits ..................................             855             855             385             385
   Investment securities available for sale ........................         308,507         308,507         212,040         212,040
   Investment securities held to maturity ..........................          20,854          21,184          35,332          35,429
   Mortgage loans held for sale ....................................             776             776             471             471
   Loans ...........................................................         742,972         751,589         703,313         704,335
   FRB and FHLB stock ..............................................           3,723           3,723           3,373           3,373
   Interest receivable .............................................           9,173           9,173           8,968           8,968

Liabilities at December 31:
   Deposits ........................................................         926,844         928,712         843,812         845,277
   Borrowings:
      Securities sold under repurchase agreements ..................          48,836          43,903          15,398          15,398
      Federal funds purchased ......................................          17,070          17,070           4,070           4,070
   U.S. Treasury demand notes ......................................           2,226           2,226           7,361           7,361
      FHLB advances ................................................          43,268          43,425          20,700          21,114
   Interest payable ................................................           3,614           3,614           3,615           3,615
</TABLE>

                                                                              45

<PAGE>

NOTES to CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)

================================================================================
NOTE 18
================================================================================

Condensed Financial Information (Parent Company Only)

     Presented  below  is  condensed  financial   information  as  to  financial
position, results of operations, and cash flows of the Corporation:


CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET  
                                                               December 31,
================================================================================
                                                             1998         1997
================================================================================

Assets
   Cash ..............................................     $     84     $    318
   Loans to affiliates ...............................        1,500
   Security purchased with agreement
      to resell to an affiliate ......................                     2,000
   Investment securities available for sale ..........          250          250
   Investment in subsidiaries ........................      129,067      118,732
   Goodwill ..........................................          535          553
   Other assets ......................................          329          230
                                                           --------     --------

      Total assets ...................................     $131,765     $122,083
                                                           ========     ========

Liabilities' .........................................     $    268     $    114

Stockholders' Equityi ................................      131,497      121,969
                                                           --------     --------

      Total liabilities and stockholders' equity .....     $131,765     $122,083
                                                           ========     ========


CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME                Year Ended December 31,

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===============================================================================================================
                                                                       1998            1997             1996
===============================================================================================================
<S>                                                                  <C>              <C>              <C>
Income
  Dividends from subsidiaries ...............................        $  7,772         $  6,903         $  5,420
  Other income ..............................................             105              101               25
                                                                     --------         --------         --------
     Total income ...........................................           7,877            7,004            5,445
                                                                     --------         --------         --------

Expenses
  Amortization of core deposit intangibles,
    goodwill, and fair value adjustments ....................              45               45               43
  Business combination expenses .............................              36                               258
  Other expenses ............................................             500              591              269
                                                                     --------         --------         --------
     Total expenses .........................................             581              636              570
                                                                     --------         --------         --------

Income Before Income Tax Benefit and Equity in
Undistributed Income of Subsidiariesi .......................           7,296            6,368            4,875
  Income tax benefit ........................................            (201)            (193)            (100)
                                                                     --------         --------         --------

Income Before Equity in Undistributed Income of Subsidiaries.           7,497            6,561            4,975
  Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries ...........            7,902            7,812            8,167
                                                                     --------         --------         --------

Net Income  .................................................        $ 15,399         $ 14,373         $ 13,142
                                                                     ========         ========         ========
</TABLE>

                                                                       continued
46

<PAGE>

                                      NOTES to CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                          (Table Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)

================================================================================
NOTE 18
================================================================================

Condensed Financial Information (Parent Company Only) continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS                                                             Year Ended December 31,
===================================================================================================================================
                                                                                     1998                1997                1996
===================================================================================================================================
<S>                                                                                <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Operating Activities:
   Net income ..........................................................           $ 15,399            $ 14,373            $ 13,142
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
     provided by operating activities:
     Amortization ......................................................                 18                  17                  20
     Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries ....................             (7,902)             (7,812)             (8,167)
     Security gains ....................................................                                                        (19)
     Net change in:
        Other assets ...................................................               (131)                 25                 567
        Other liabilities ..............................................                126                  16                (337)
                                                                                   --------            --------            --------
           Net cash provided by operating activities ...................              7,510               6,619               5,206
                                                                                   --------            --------            --------
Investing Activities:
   Security purchased with an agreement to resell to an affiliate ......              2,000              (1,000)             (1,000)
   Net change in loans .................................................             (1,500)
   Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale ................                                      8                 103
   Investment in subsidiary ............................................             (1,729)
   Other investing activities ..........................................                                                        (78)
                                                                                   --------            --------            --------
           Net cash used by investing activities .......................             (1,229)               (992)               (975)
                                                                                   --------            --------            --------
Financing Activities:
   Cash dividends ......................................................             (7,772)             (6,902)             (5,369)
   Stock issued under employee benefit plans ...........................                385                 291                 298
   Stock issued under dividend reinvestment
     and stock purchase plan ...........................................                679                 726                 558
   Stock options exercised .............................................                271                 163                  64
   Stock redeemed ......................................................                (72)
   Cash paid in lieu of issuing fractional shares ......................                 (6)                                     (2)
                                                                                   --------            --------            --------
           Net cash used by financing activities .......................             (6,515)             (5,722)             (4,451)
                                                                                   --------            --------            --------
   Net change in cash ..................................................               (234)                (95)               (220)
Cash, beginning of year ................................................                318                 413                 633
                                                                                   --------            --------            --------
   Cash, end of year ...................................................           $     84            $    318            $    413
                                                                                   ========            ========            ========
</TABLE>


================================================================================
NOTE 19
================================================================================

Quarterly Results of Operations  (Unaudited)

   The following table sets forth certain  quarterly results for the years ended
December 31, 1998 and 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   QUARTER         INTEREST     INTEREST     NET INTEREST  PROVISION FOR    NET      AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING NET INCOME PER SHARE
    ENDED           INCOME       EXPENSE        INCOME      LOAN LOSSES    INCOME        BASIC        DILUTED      BASIC    DILUTED
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                 <C>           <C>          <C>              <C>         <C>       <C>           <C>             <C>     <C>
1998:
March ........      $19,122       $8,970       $10,152          $411        $3,824    10,005,041    10,186,400      $.38    $.38
June .........       19,736        9,431        10,305           411         3,798    10,024,931    10,210,374       .38     .37
Sept .........       20,145        9,687        10,458           446         3,891    10,071,921    10,222,876       .39     .38
Dec ..........       20,725        9,962        10,763           716         3,886    10,080,117    10,217,407       .38     .38
                    -------      -------       -------        ------       -------                                 -----   -----
                    $79,728      $38,050       $41,678        $1,984       $15,399    10,045,502    10,201,070     $1.53   $1.51
                    =======      =======       =======        ======       =======                                 =====   =====

1997:
March ........      $17,884       $8,343        $9,541          $287        $3,429     9,907,518    10,039,461      $.35    $.34
June .........       18,980        8,901        10,079           290         3,707     9,928,085    10,054,069       .37     .37
Sept .........       19,042        9,132         9,910           375         3,536     9,974,990    10,101,611       .35     .35
Dec ..........       19,569        9,349        10,220           345         3,701     9,990,621    10,146,708       .37     .37
                    -------      -------       -------        ------       -------                                 -----   -----
                    $75,475      $35,725       $39,750        $1,297       $14,373     9,950,303    10,085,460     $1.44   $1.43
                    =======      =======       =======        ======       =======                                 =====   =====
</TABLE>


                                                                              47

<PAGE>

Stockholder
INFORMATION

                                   [GRAPHIC]


                           First Merchants Corporation
                           currently provides services
                           through offices located in
                          Delaware, Fayette, Hamilton,
                         Henry, Madison, Wayne, Randolph
                          and Union counties in Indiana
                           and Butler county in Ohio.


                                     [LOGO]
                                 First Merchants
                                   Corporation

                                Corporate Office


                             200 East Jackson Street
                           Muncie, Indiana 47305-2814


                                  765-747-1500
                           http://firstmerchants.com


48

<PAGE>

First  Merchants  Corporation  of Muncie,  Indiana,  was organized in September,
1982, as the bank holding  company for The Merchants  National  Bank,  now First
Merchants Bank, N.A., an institution which has served Muncie and the surrounding
communities since 1893.

In  November  1988,  First  Merchants  acquired  Pendleton  Banking  Company  of
Pendleton, Indiana, a commercial bank which was organized in 1872.

In July 1991, the Corporation acquired First United Bank of Middletown, Indiana,
which was established in 1882.

In August 1996, First Merchants Corporation acquired Union County National Bank,
established in 1872 and based in Liberty, Indiana.

In  October  1996,  the  Corporation   acquired  The  Randolph  County  Bank  of
Winchester, Indiana, which was founded in 1865.

In April 1998,  the  Corporation  acquired the Muncie office of Insurance & Risk
Management, Inc., renamed First Merchants Insurance Services, Inc.

Subsidiaries  of First  Merchants  Corporation  conduct a full  range of banking
operations, including commercial,  industrial, consumer and real estate lending,
deposit and investment  services,  and other banking  services.  First Merchants
Bank,  with more than one billion  dollars in fiduciary  assets at market value,
operates one of the ten largest trust departments in Indiana.

First  Merchants  Corporation  is  committed  to  the  sound  management  of its
subsidiaries  and to leading its east  central  Indiana  marketplace  in meeting
customer banking needs and expectations.


                                    [PHOTO]


Annual
MEETING


The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
First Merchants Corporation
will be held...

Wednesday, April 14, 1999 o 3:30 p.m.

Horizon Convention Center
401 South High Street
Muncie, Indiana 47305




                                                                              49

<PAGE>

                                                         =======================
                                                         STOCKHOLDER INFORMATION
                                                         =======================


                                                                     Stock PRICE
                                                                               &
                                                                        Dividend
                                                                     INFORMATION


================================================================================
PRICE PER SHARE
================================================================================

   QUARTER                   HIGH                LOW          DIVIDENDS DECLARED

                        1998     1997      1998      1997        1998    1997
                       ---------------    ----------------      --------------
First Quarter ........ $27.67   $20.00    $24.50    $16.83      $.187    $.160
Second Quarter .......  31.83    20.50     25.67     18.50       .187     .160
Third Quarter ........  30.83    21.58     24.00     20.00       .200     .187
Fourth Quarter .......  28.75    25.33     21.50     21.42       .200     .187

The table above lists per share  prices and  dividend  payments  during 1998 and
1997.

Prices are as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers.

Automated Quotation - National Market System.

Numbers rounded to nearest cent when applicable.

Restated for 3-for-2 stock split distributed October, 1998.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

==================
STOCK INFORMATION
==================

Common Stock Listing

First  Merchants  Corporation  common  stock is traded  over-the-counter  on the
NASDAQ National Market System.  Quotations are carried in many daily papers. The
NASDAQ symbol is FRME (Cusip #320817-10-9). At the close of business on December
31, 1998,  the number of shares  outstanding  was  10,086,083.  There were 1,555
stockholders of record on that date.


==============
Market Makers
==============

The following firms make a market in First Merchants Corporation stock:

Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc.

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.

Knight Securities, L.P.

Herzog, Heine, Geduld, Inc.

Howe, Barnes & Johnson, Inc.

McDonald Investments Inc.

NatCity Investments, Inc.

Troster Securities, L.P.


General Stockholder Inquiries

Stockholders  and  interested   investors  may  obtain   information  about  the
Corporation upon written request or by calling:

Mr. Douglas B. Harris
Vice President
Investor Services & Bank Investments
First Merchants Corporation
P. O. Box 792
Muncie, Indiana 47308-0792
765-741-7278
1-800-262-4261 Ext. 7278


Stock Transfer Agent and Registrar

First Merchants Bank, N.A.
Corporate Trust Department
P. O. Box 792
Muncie, Indiana 47308-0792


Form 10-k and Financial Information


First  Merchants  Corporation,  upon  request and without  charge,  will furnish
stockholders, security analysts and investors a copy of Form 10-k filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.



Please contact:
Mr. James L. Thrash
Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer

First Merchants Corporation
P. O. Box 792
Muncie, Indiana 47308-0792
765-747-1390
1-800-262-4261 Ext. 1390

<PAGE>



EXHIBIT 21--SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    State of
           Name                                               Incorporation
           ----                                               -------------
<S>                                                           <C>   
First Merchants Bank, National Association........................U.S.

Pendleton Banking Company.......................................Indiana

First United Bank...............................................Indiana

The Union County National Bank of Liberty.........................U.S.

The Randolph County Bank........................................Indiana

</TABLE>




EXHIBIT 23--CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS                 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We hereby consent to the  incorporation by reference to Registration  Statements
on Form S-8, File Number 33-28900 and 33-28901,  of our report dated January 15,
1999, on the consolidated  financial statements of First Merchants  Corporation,
which report is  incorporated  by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of
First Merchants Corporation.





/s/ Olive LLP

Indianapolis, Indiana
March 22, 1999



EXHIBIT 24 -- FORM 10-K, LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE  PRESENTS that the  undersigned  directors and officers of
First  Merchants  Corporation,  an Indiana  corporation,  hereby  constitute and
appoint James L. Thrash, the true and lawful agent and  attorney-in-fact  of the
undersigned with full power and authority in said agent and  attorney-in-fact to
sign for the undersigned and in their respective names as directors and officers
of the  Corporation  the  Form  10-K of the  Corporation  to be  filed  with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission,  Washington,  D.C.,  under the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended,  and to sign any amendment to such Form 10-K,
hereby   ratifying   and   confirming   all  acts   taken  by  such   agent  and
attorney-in-fact, as herein authorized.


Dated: February 9, 1999

     /s/  Stefan S. Anderson                /s/  Stefan S. Anderson
- --------------------------------------   ---------------------------------------
          Stefan S. Anderson   Officer           Stefan S. Anderson     Director


     /s/  James L. Thrash                   /s/  Frank A. Bracken
- --------------------------------------   ---------------------------------------
          James L. Thrash                        Frank A. Bracken       Director


                                            /s/  Thomas B. Clark
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                 Thomas B. Clark        Director


                                            /s/  Michael L. Cox
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                 Michael L. Cox         Director


                                            /s/  David A. Galliher
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                 David A. Galliher      Director


                                            /s/  Norman M. Johnson
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                 Norman M. Johnson      Director


                                            /s/  Ted J. Montgomery
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                 Ted J. Montgomery      Director


                                            /s/  George A. Sissel
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                 George A. Sissel       Director


                                            /s/  Robert M. Smitson
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                 Robert M. Smitson      Director


                                            /s/  Michael D. Wickersham
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                 Michael D. Wickersham  Director


                                            /s/  Dr. John E. Worthen
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                 Dr. John E. Worthen    Director


<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE> 9
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                   JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                     DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                                                33,908
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                                   855
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                                      37,315
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                                           0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                          308,507
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                                20,854
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                                  21,184
<LOANS>                                                              743,748
<ALLOWANCE>                                                            7,412
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                     1,177,172
<DEPOSITS>                                                           926,844
<SHORT-TERM>                                                          59,282
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                                    7,431
<LONG-TERM>                                                           52,118
                                                      0
                                                                0
<COMMON>                                                               1,261
<OTHER-SE>                                                           130,236
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                                     1,177,172
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                                       63,263
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                                     15,440
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                                       1,025
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                                      79,728
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                                    33,752
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                    38,050
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                                 41,678
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                                          1,984
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                                       119
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                                       27,895
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                       23,524
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                                            15,399
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                            0
<CHANGES>                                                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                                                          15,399
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                           1.53
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                           1.51
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                                          4.37
<LOANS-NON>                                                              735
<LOANS-PAST>                                                           2,275
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                                         926
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                                        7,309
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                                       6,778
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                                          1,881
<RECOVERIES>                                                             531
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                                      7,412
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                                   5,763
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                                        0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                                1,649

        


</TABLE>



EXHIBIT 99.1--FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT FOR
              FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN          
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The annual  financial  statements and independent  auditor's  report thereon for
First  Merchants  Corporation  Employee  Stock Purchase Plan for the year ending
June 30, 1999,  will be filed as an amendment to the 1998 Annual  Report on Form
10-K no later than October 28, 1999.



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