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Get filing alertsFirst Merchants appoints retired KPMG audit partner Paul Fultz to board, replacing retiring director
Filed May 19, 2026 · Period ending May 19, 2026 · ~1 min read
Key Changes
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Paul Fultz, a retired KPMG audit partner with 30+ years advising public company boards, appointed to both holding company and bank boards and to the Audit Committee.
Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation verify on EDGAR → -
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Gary Lehman retired from the board after 15 years of service; the filing states his departure was not due to any disagreement with the company.
Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation verify on EDGAR → -
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Board now has 13 members including 10 independent directors; Fultz will stand for election at the 2027 annual meeting.
Exhibit 99.1 view on EDGAR →
Summary
First Merchants Corporation, a $21 billion financial holding company, appointed Paul Fultz to its board of directors and Audit Committee, filling the vacancy created by Gary Lehman's retirement after 15 years of service. Fultz brings over 30 years of Big Four audit experience from KPMG, where he served as an Audit and Business Unit Professional Practice Partner advising public company boards on financial reporting, risk oversight, and governance. The appointment maintains the board's governance profile at 13 members with 10 independent directors.
Fultz's audit expertise and experience with complex transactions and regulatory matters align with typical skill sets banks seek for audit committee roles. His initial term runs until the 2027 annual meeting, when he will stand for shareholder election. The filing explicitly states Lehman's retirement was not due to any disagreement with the company, a standard disclosure for routine board transitions.
Section-by-Section Diff
Event · Exhibit 99.1
Added in current filing · verify on EDGAR →
First Merchants Corporation (the “Corporation”), a $21 billion financial holding company, has appointed Paul Fultz to the Boards of Directors of First Merchants Corporation and First Merchants Bank. Mr. Fultz, retired Audit and Business Unit Professional Practice Partner for KPMG LLP, brings more than 30 years of experience advising public company boards.
First Merchants appointed Paul Fultz to both the holding company and bank boards. Fultz is a retired KPMG audit partner with over 30 years of experience advising public company boards on financial reporting, risk oversight, and governance. The appointment expands the board to 13 members, including 10 independent outside directors.
Show 1 minor / wording change
Added in current filing · view on EDGAR →
With the addition of Mr. Fultz, First Merchants will have a 13-member board, including 10 independent outside directors. Mr. Fultz will be on the ballot for continuing terms at the Corporation’s Annual Shareholders Meeting in 2027.
The board now has 13 members with 10 independent directors, maintaining strong governance standards. Fultz will stand for election at the 2027 annual meeting. His Big Four audit background and expertise in complex transactions and regulatory matters are expected to support the company's strategic priorities.
Event · Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Compensation
Board member Gary Lehman retired; Paul Fultz appointed to fill the vacancy and join the Audit Committee.
Added in current filing · verify on EDGAR →
Also, on May 19, 2026, the Corporation's Board of Directors appointed Paul Fultz to fill the vacancy on the Board created by Mr. Lehman's retirement. Mr. Fultz's initial term will continue until the 2027 Annual Meeting of the Shareholders, at which time he will be considered for election for a one (1) year term.
Paul Fultz was appointed to the Board to fill the vacancy created by Lehman's retirement. His initial term runs until the 2027 Annual Meeting, when he will stand for election for a one-year term.
Added in current filing · verify on EDGAR →
Mr. Fultz has been appointed to serve on the Corporation’s Audit Committee.
Paul Fultz was appointed to serve on the Audit Committee, a key oversight committee responsible for financial reporting and internal controls.
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Figures/quotes linked to EDGAR · Narrative written by AI · Jul 15, 2026 · How we verify