First Merchants Corp (NASDAQ: FRME)

First Merchants Corp, known by its ticker symbol FRME, is a financial holding company that operates in the banking industry. Headquartered in Muncie, Indiana, the company was organized in September 1982 and has one full-service bank charter, First Merchants Bank, which opened for business in Muncie, Indiana, in March 1893. The bank operates 116 banking locations in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois, providing a broad range of financial services to its customers.

First Merchants Corp's main business activities revolve around offering financial services, including accepting deposits, making loans, providing personal and corporate trust services, and offering full-service brokerage and private wealth management. The company operates primarily in the community banking segment, which accounts for the majority of its revenue. This segment provides a range of financial services to individuals and businesses in the communities it serves, and it is divided into several sub-segments, including Retail Banking, Commercial Banking, Agri-Business Banking, and Real Estate Banking.

Retail Banking provides a range of financial services to individuals, including deposit accounts, consumer loans, and credit cards. Commercial Banking provides financial services to businesses, including commercial loans, lines of credit, and cash management services. Agri-Business Banking provides financial services to farmers and agri-businesses, including farm loans, crop insurance, and agricultural financing. Real Estate Banking provides financial services to individuals and businesses involved in real estate, including mortgage loans, construction loans, and commercial property financing.

First Merchants Corp's private wealth management segment provides financial services to high-net-worth individuals and families, including investment management, estate planning, and retirement planning. This segment is divided into several sub-segments, including Investment Management, Estate Planning, and Retirement Planning. Investment Management provides investment management services to individuals and families, including portfolio management, investment research, and investment advice. Estate Planning provides estate planning services to individuals and families, including wills, trusts, and estate tax planning. Retirement Planning provides retirement planning services to individuals and families, including retirement savings plans, pension planning, and retirement income planning.

First Merchants Corp operates in a highly competitive industry, with numerous banks and financial institutions competing for market share. The company's competitive advantages include its strong community presence, experienced management team, and commitment to customer service. The company's key competitors include national and regional banks, as well as online and non-bank financial institutions.

The company's customer base is primarily composed of individuals, small businesses, and corporations in the Midwestern United States. The company's community banking segment serves a diverse customer base, including individuals and small businesses, with a smaller portion of its business coming from larger corporations and institutions.

First Merchants Corp's primary products and services include consumer, commercial, agri-business, and real estate mortgage loans, as well as personal and corporate trust services. The company's brand names and/or trade names of its products and services include First Merchants Bank, Retail Banking, Commercial Banking, Agri-Business Banking, Real Estate Banking, Investment Management, Estate Planning, and Retirement Planning.