Form 4: CFO Boosts FRME Stake with 13,000 Share Acquisition

Sentiment:

Insider Transaction Report 5 August 2025 3:30 PM

First Merchants Corp's CFO, Michele Kawiecki, increased her direct beneficial ownership by 10,853 shares through a recent acquisition.

Better than expectedCFO Michele Kawiecki significantly increased her direct beneficial ownership by a net of 10,853 shares, indicating strong confidence in the company's future.

Summary

Michele Kawiecki, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of First Merchants Corp (FRME), reported changes in her beneficial ownership of common stock.
On August 3, 2025, she disposed of 2,147 shares of common stock at a price of $37.11 per share. This disposition was for the payment of tax liability by withholding securities.
On August 4, 2025, she acquired 13,000 shares of common stock at a price of $37.49 per share.
Following these transactions, her direct beneficial ownership of common stock increased to 62,828.51 shares.
Her direct beneficial ownership includes 42,605.199 shares of Restricted Stock Awards.
She also holds 2,008.148 shares indirectly through a 401(k) Plan.

Sentiment

Score: 9

Explanation: The significant net increase in shares held by a key executive like the CFO signals strong internal confidence in the company's prospects.

Positives

Chief Financial Officer Michele Kawiecki significantly increased her direct beneficial ownership by a net of 10,853 shares, signaling strong confidence in the company's future prospects.
The acquisition of 13,000 shares at $37.49 per share represents a substantial personal investment by a key executive.

Future Outlook

Industry Context

This filing reports an individual insider transaction and does not provide broader industry context or trends.

Stakeholder Impact

Shareholders may view the significant insider buying as a positive signal of management's confidence in the company's future performance and value.

Key Dates

Date	Description
08/03/2025	Disposition of 2,147 common shares by CFO Michele Kawiecki for tax liability.
08/04/2025	Acquisition of 13,000 common shares by CFO Michele Kawiecki.
08/05/2025	Date of filing signature.

Recommendation

buy

The substantial net increase in share ownership by the Chief Financial Officer, a key insider, demonstrates strong conviction in the company's valuation and future prospects, making it an attractive signal for potential investors.

Keywords

First Merchants Corp, FRME, insider trading, Form 4, stock acquisition, CFO, Michele Kawiecki, financial services, banking

Disclaimer:The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, recommendation, or endorsement of any kind. It may contain errors or omissions. You should not rely on this information to make financial decisions. Always seek the advice of a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. Use of this information is at your own risk.