Question 1

What are First Merchants Bank's average closing costs?

Accepted Answer

Based on 3,115 homebuyer-submitted Closing Disclosures, First Merchants Bank's median total closing costs are $3,435. This is about 5% above the $3,275 national peer median for comparable lenders. Actual costs vary by loan type, loan amount, property state, and individual borrower profile. This data is informational only and not financial advice.

Question 2

Does First Merchants Bank charge junk fees?

Accepted Answer

None of the 3,115 Closing Disclosures we've analyzed for First Merchants Bank included fees flagged as potentially excessive — a strong sign. That said, every loan is different. Fair Closing Check can review your specific disclosure to confirm there are no hidden charges on your loan.

Question 3

How do First Merchants Bank's fees compare to other lenders?

Accepted Answer

First Merchants Bank currently holds a grade of A on Fair Closing Check, placing them well below the national average — one of the most competitive lenders in our database. Their median closing costs of $3,435 are about 5% above the $3,275 national peer median. Grades are based on real homebuyer-submitted Closing Disclosures and scale from A (well below average) to F (significantly above average). This is informational only; individual loans vary by state, loan type, and borrower circumstances.

Question 4

Can I negotiate closing costs with First Merchants Bank?

Accepted Answer

Yes — closing costs are almost always negotiable to some degree. Lender-controlled fees like origination, processing, and underwriting charges can often be reduced or waived, especially if you have a strong credit profile or are comparing offers from multiple lenders. Third-party fees such as title insurance and settlement services can sometimes be shopped around for better rates — you are generally entitled to choose your own providers. Fair Closing Check analyzes your specific Closing Disclosure and identifies which fees to challenge and how much room there is to negotiate. This is informational only and not legal or financial advice.

Question 5

What fees on First Merchants Bank's Closing Disclosures run above peer averages?

Accepted Answer

Across homebuyer-submitted Closing Disclosures for First Merchants Bank, three fee categories tend to run above comparable lenders: lender credits (avg $783 vs $442 peer avg, +$341). These are the line items most worth scrutinizing or challenging on your own disclosure. "Junk fees" is industry shorthand for charges that are inflated beyond the peer norm or provide little discernible value — the CFPB recommends shopping title, settlement, and pest-inspection services independently when possible. This data is informational only and not financial advice.

Question 6

How much do First Merchants Bank's closing costs vary by state?

Accepted Answer

First Merchants Bank's closing costs vary significantly by state. Based on the 16 states in our database with at least 3 reports, median total closing costs range from $2,872 in Indiana to $6,421 in Arizona — a $3,549 spread. Variation reflects state-specific transfer taxes, title insurance regulation, attorney requirements, and recording-fee schedules rather than lender policy. See state-level data on this page to compare your own state. This is informational only and not financial advice.

Fee Category	This Lender (avg)	National Avg	Verdict
Origination Fee	$1,657	$1,708	🟡 Average
discount_points	$1,221	$2,319	🟢 Below Avg
lender_credits	$783	$442	🔺 High

First Merchants Bank

First Merchants Bank Closing Cost Breakdown

Compare with similar lenders

Borrower Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guides