# Mike Rechin

> Michael C. “Mike” Rechin is board vice-chair and a former president and CEO of First Merchants Corporation. He joined the Muncie-based bank in 2005 after a career at BancOhio and National City, led First Merchants from 2007 through 2020 as its assets grew from roughly $3 billion to $13 billion, and remained involved as a director. He lives in the Indianapolis metropolitan area and has served on several Indiana cultural and civic boards.

- **Role:** Vice-Chair of the Board at First Merchants Corporation
- **Organizations:** First Merchants Corporation, First Merchants Bank, National City Bank, BancOhio National Bank, Sheehan Family Foundation, Hageman Group, Conner Prairie (former board member), The Center for the Performing Arts (former board member), Indiana Bankers Association (former board member), Minnetrista (historical trustee), Arts Council of Indianapolis (former director)
- **Education:** Bachelor’s degree in English, Miami University, Ohio, MBA in finance, Miami University, Ohio
- **Known for:** Led First Merchants from 2007 to the end of 2020 while assets increased from approximately $3 billion to $13 billion, using rounded figures in the retirement announcement., Helped expand First Merchants’ Indianapolis presence from 43rd in local deposit market share in 2005 to 10th in June 2014., Indiana Bankers Association Leaders in Banking Excellence, class of 2021.

## Career timeline

- **1983** — Began as a corporate banking trainee at BancOhio National Bank in Columbus, Ohio.
- **1984** — Joined National City through its acquisition of BancOhio.
- **1995** — Relocated to Indianapolis to lead National City’s Indiana commercial banking operations.
- **2005** — Joined First Merchants as executive vice president and chief operating officer; became a director.
- **2007** — Became president and CEO of First Merchants Corporation in April.
- **2013** — Led First Merchants during the CFS Bancorp/Citizens Financial Bank merger, which closed in November.
- **2019** — Led First Merchants during the Monroe Bank & Trust merger, effective September 1.
- **2020** — Announced retirement September 29; retired as president and CEO December 31.
- **2021** — Remained a director; began a two-year consulting agreement and received an Indiana Bankers Association Leaders in Banking Excellence honor.
- **2026** — Current official biography lists him as board vice-chair and a member of the Risk and Credit Policy and Trust Oversight committees.

## Achievements

- Led First Merchants from 2007 to the end of 2020 while assets increased from approximately $3 billion to $13 billion, using rounded figures in the retirement announcement.
- Helped expand First Merchants’ Indianapolis presence from 43rd in local deposit market share in 2005 to 10th in June 2014.
- Indiana Bankers Association Leaders in Banking Excellence, class of 2021.
- GonzoBanker Lifetime Achievement Award, 2020.
- Oversaw acquisitions including Citizens Financial Bank and Monroe Bank & Trust.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — First Merchants’ October 1 announcement says Mark Hardwick will retire at year-end and Mike Stewart will become president and CEO at the start of 2027. Both received new leadership roles when Rechin retired as CEO in 2020.
- **2026-10** — At the research date, the official director biography lists Rechin as board vice-chair, serving on the Risk and Credit Policy and Trust Oversight committees. This is a current-role verification, not a newly announced appointment.

## Links

- Website: https://ir.firstmerchants.com/board-member/michael-rechin
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-rechin-8a82728

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/mike-rechin
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22