First Merchants

First Merchants announced a leadership change on October 1, 2026. First Merchants Corporation said bank President Mike Stewart will become President and CEO at the start of 2027, succeeding retiring CEO Mark Hardwick, with a focus on organic growth.

What changed

Mike Stewart was named President and CEO. CEO Mark Hardwick will retire at the end of 2026 after 29 years with the bank.

• Leader: Mike Stewart
• Role: President and CEO
• Effective: At the start of 2027
• Announcement date: October 1, 2026

Leadership background

Stewart is currently President of First Merchants Bank and has been with the bank for more than 18 years. The release describes him as an active community leader currently serving on the Board of the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership, and also lists the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, Indy Chamber, Indiana Chamber, Park Tudor Foundation and Second Presbyterian Foundation among his community involvement. He previously served as Chairman of the Board of Bosma Industries and was a 20-year board member.

The mandate

Stewart said First Merchants will continue its focus on organically growing in the communities it serves with renewed vigor, with a strategy of building on its Midwestern strength through more and deeper relationships, smarter use of technology, and customer-centric products that expand its reach.

Why this matters for GTM teams

Executive appointments can precede changes in strategy, operating cadence, hiring, partnerships, and technology priorities. The useful signal is not the title alone: teams should watch the new leader’s stated mandate, prior playbook, organizational scope, and the initiatives announced during the first two quarters.

Source and methodology

This leadership profile is based on the company’s announcement. Roles, transition timing, and biographical details are presented as announced; SalesTools Research does not infer undisclosed succession plans.

Primary source: First Merchants leadership announcement.