Bank · complaint record
First Merchants complaints
Filed under FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
Consumers have filed 157 complaints about First Merchants since 2020, 40 of them in the last 12 months (+48% on the year before). It answered 100% on time and closed 3% with relief for the customer - less often than a typical bank. The most common problem is problem caused by your funds being low.
Average response record. How it works
- Complaints on record
- 157
- Last 12 months
- 40
- Answered on time
- 100%
- Closed with relief
- 3%
- Last 30 days
- 0
- Rank
- #91 of 188
Since February 2020
+48% vs the year before
Industry: 99.3%
Typical bank: 19%
Newest: Oct 16, 2026
Most complained-about banks & credit unions
First Merchants complaints by month
The busiest month was December 2025 (8 complaints). Complaints in the last 12 months are up 48% on the year before. Complaints rise with a company's size and with news, so compare trends rather than totals.
How First Merchants answered last 12 months
- Closed with monetary relief12.5%
- Closed with explanation3792.5%
- In progress25%
"Closed with explanation" means the company replied but gave no money back and changed nothing. What each answer means
- Answers on time45/45100% on time
- Relief for customers3/402.6% closed with relief
- Complaint trend5/15+48% vs last year
What First Merchants complaints are about
Top First Merchants problems
Inside "Managing an account"
- Deposits and withdrawals 17
- Problem using a debit or ATM card 11
- Problem accessing account 5
- Banking errors 5
- Fee problem 4
- Cashing a check 3
Where First Merchants complaints come from
Most complaints: Indiana (60), Michigan (42), Illinois (22), Ohio (18), Arkansas (3).
First Merchants compared with other banks & credit unions
| # | Company | Score | 12 months | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wafd BankBank accounts | 48 | 45 | D |
| 2 | Payfare InternationalBank accounts | 56 | 44 | C |
| 3 | Wesbanco BankBank accounts | 58 | 42 | C |
| 4 | First MerchantsBank accounts | 53 | 40 | C |
| 5 | Beacon FinancialBank accounts | 77 | 39 | B |
| 6 | Central BancompanyBank accounts | 69 | 39 | B |
| 7 | Eastern BanksharesBank accounts | 75 | 38 | B |
| 8 | Glacier BancorpBank accounts | 35 | 36 | D |
Compare side by side: First Merchants vs Wafd Bank · First Merchants vs Payfare International · First Merchants vs Wesbanco Bank · First Merchants vs Beacon Financial
What people say about First Merchants
All experiencesNo experiences with First Merchants yet. Yours would be the first on the record - and the one the next person reads.
Share yoursLatest First Merchants complaints
Full log| Received | About | Issue | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 16, 2026 | Mortgages | Closing on a mortgageFees or costs after closing | In progress |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Bank accounts | Managing an accountBanking errors | Explained |
| Oct 9, 2026 | Mortgages | Applying for a mortgage or refinancing an existing mortgageDelays in the application process | Explained |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Mortgages | Trouble during payment processPrivate mortgage insurance (PMI) | In progress |
| Sep 3, 2026 | Mortgages | Applying for a mortgage or refinancing an existing mortgageFees or costs during the application process | Explained |
| Aug 14, 2026 | Bank accounts | Managing an accountProblem using a debit or ATM card | Explained |
| Aug 5, 2026 | Bank accounts | Managing an accountProblem using a debit or ATM card | Explained |
| Jul 21, 2026 | Bank accounts | Problem caused by your funds being lowOverdrafts and overdraft fees | Money back |
| Jun 15, 2026 | Auto loans & leases | RepossessionNotice to repossess | Explained |
| Jun 11, 2026 | Money transfers & apps | Wrong amount charged or received | Explained |
| May 17, 2026 | Bank accounts | Managing an accountDeposits and withdrawals | Explained |
| Apr 24, 2026 | Bank accounts | Problem caused by your funds being lowOverdrafts and overdraft fees | Explained |
Questions about First Merchants
How many complaints does First Merchants have?
First Merchants has 157 complaints on record since February 2020, including 40 in the last 12 months and 0 in the last 30 days. That makes it number 760 of every company by complaints this year.
Does First Merchants respond to complaints?
Yes. First Merchants answered 100% of its complaints on time (within 15 days) and closed 3% with relief - money back or a fix; 2.6% ended with money back. The rest were mostly closed with an explanation only. Its Response Score is 53/100 (grade C).
What do people complain about most with First Merchants?
The most common problems are problem caused by your funds being low (22), managing an account (50), closing on a mortgage (4).
Is First Merchants legit?
First Merchants is a real company with a public complaint record: consumers have complained about it 157 times and it answers through the official complaint process. Whether it is right for you depends on the details - see is First Merchants legit? for the signals, red flags and how to protect yourself.
Are complaints about First Merchants going up or down?
Up. There were 40 complaints in the last 12 months against 27 in the 12 before (+48%). See every month.
How do I file a complaint against First Merchants?
Complain to First Merchants in writing first and keep a copy. If it isn't fixed, file an official complaint with the federal consumer financial regulator - the company must answer, usually within 15 days. Our step-by-step guide: how to file a complaint against a company. Then share your experience here so others know.
Where do most First Merchants complaints come from?
Most come from Indiana (60), Michigan (42), Illinois (22). Big states file more complaints, so the map shows complaints per 100,000 people.
Complaint records are public consumer complaints filed with U.S. regulators, checked (newest received Nov 15, 2026). Complaints are consumers' own accounts and are not verified; counts grow with a company's size. How the data works
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