First Merchants Corporation reported consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2012. For the quarter, the company's total interest income was $42,964,000 against $44,073,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $38,265,000 against $36,180,000 a year ago. Income before income tax was $13,463,000 against $9,860,000 a year ago. Net income available to common stockholders was $9,175,000 or $0.32 per basic and diluted share against $6,426,000 or $0.24 per basic and diluted share a year ago. Return on average assets was 0.85% against 0.61% a year ago. Return on average stockholders' equity was 6.66% against 5.01% a year ago.

For the full year, the company's total interest income was $175,949,000 against $181,245,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $152,336,000 against $143,355,000 a year ago. Income before income tax was $60,989,000 against $33,907,000 a year ago. Net income available to common stockholders was $40,583,000 or $1.41 per diluted share against $9,013,000 or $0.34 per basic and diluted share a year ago. Return on average assets was 0.96% against 0.22% a year ago. Return on average stockholders' equity was 7.58% against 1.88% a year ago. Within the $1.41 earnings per share, $0.21 is related to the one-time gain on the Corporation's FDIC purchase and assumption agreement with SCB Bank in Shelbyville, Indiana, during the first quarter of 2012. The balance of 2012 results represent increased levels of earnings from relationship-driven banking model that produced higher levels of revenue from multiple income sources.