First Merchants Corporation announced consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2015. For the fourth quarter, the company reported total interest income was $56,514,000 against $53,053,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $50,074,000 against $47,160,000 a year ago. Net interest income after provision for loan losses was $50,074,000 against $46,200,000 a year ago. Income before income tax was $18,595,000 against $20,898,000 a year ago. Net income available to common stockholders of $14,177,000 compared to $15,260,000 in the fourth quarter of 2014. Diluted earnings per share available to common stockholders were $0.37, compared to $0.41 per share in the fourth quarter of 2014. Return on average assets was 0.90% against 1.06% a year ago. Return on average stockholders equity was 7.32% against 8.55% a year ago. Return on average common stockholders equity was 7.32% against 8.56% a year ago.

For the year, the company has recorded total interest income of $221,198,000 against $208,879,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $196,404,000 against $187,037,000 a year ago. Net interest income after provision for loan losses was $195,987,000 against $184,477,000 a year ago. Income before income tax was $91,049,000 against $82,285,000 a year ago. Net income available to common stockholders of $65,384,000 compared with $60,162,000 a year ago. Diluted earnings per share totaled available to common stockholders was $1.72 compared with $1.65 a year ago. Return on average assets was 1.07% against 1.08% a year ago. Return on average stockholders equity was 8.67% against 8.91% a year ago. Return on average common stockholders equity was 8.68% against 8.91% a year ago. Tangible book value per share was $14.68 as on December 31, 2015 against $13.65 as on December 31, 2014.

The company reported net charge-offs of $408,000 for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2015.

The company is anticipating that its net interest income will essentially mirror organic loan growth on a core basis. So the company is expecting its net interest income to grow at a very similar rate as the organic loan growth in the mid to high-single digits, plus proximately an additional $15 million that will be the result of the addition of Ameriana Bank into the company for a full 12 months in 2016.