First Merchants Corporation, Indiana’s second largest financial services holding company, announced Friday it will donate to 90 Greater Indianapolis non-profit organizations supporting area communities negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The donation is part of a $1 million commitment First Merchants made earlier this spring.
“The negative economic impact caused by this pandemic cannot be overstated, and First Merchants is committed to doing everything we can to assist Greater Indianapolis, Hamilton County and our other communities during these difficult times,” said First Merchants CEO Michael C. Rechin. “Our success in recent years is a direct reflection of financial success and opportunity for our clients, teammates and the communities we serve. Our strength stems from the Hamilton County’s strength, and during this time of great need, we stand strong and ready to provide additional support.”
Among the Hamilton County grant recipients are these eight organizations:
- Boys and Girls Club of Noblesville
- Hamilton County Community Foundation
- Janus Developmental Services
- Prevail, Inc.
- Hamilton County Meals on Wheels
- Noblesville Schools Education Foundation
- Fall Creek Township Food Pantry
- Westfield Youth Assistance Program
The $1 million commitment is being distributed across communities within First Merchants regions throughout Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Michigan. Regional presidents in each of the company’s markets requested funds for non-profit organizations in their communities with an emphasis on those serving on the frontlines of the response effort.
“First Merchants was founded to ensure our clients and communities had a trusted place for their money, and after more than 125 years in business, we remain more committed than ever to enhancing the financial well-being of our communities,” said Board Chairman Charles E. Schalliol. “We’re proud to give Hamilton County residents and business owners the financial tools they need to grow and thrive, which often exceeds the transactional. This is one of those times.”
Earlier this year, First Merchants announced several initiatives designed to assist individual clients, including the ability to defer payments on installment and auto loans, mortgage loans and home equity loans for up to 90 days without impacting a credit report or incurring late fees. For the commercial sector, impacted clients are able to request modifications to conventional, SBA 504 and 7A commercial loans. Structures include principal deferrals, interest deferrals and other options.
First Merchants has assets of approximately $12.7 billion and operates approximately 130 banking offices in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Illinois.
About First Merchants Corporation
First Merchants Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Muncie. The Corporation has one full-service bank charter, First Merchants Bank. The Bank also operates as First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors (as a division of First Merchants Bank). First Merchants Corporation’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market System under the symbol FRME. Quotations are carried in daily newspapers and can be found at firstmerchants.com.