Ms. Kaercher is not currently a director of the Company and was nominated for election to the Board in February 2026. Ms. Kaercher has served as the Executive Director of Merchants Foundation, the charitable arm of the Company, since 2022. Prior to that, Ms. Kaercher was the Vice President of Program Development at RDOOR Housing Corporation, an affordable housing non-profit located in the Indianapolis area. She is a founding board member of the National Women s Affordable Housing Network, a nationwide non-profit led by women which advances leadership, equity, and connection in the affordable housing industry, and the Indiana Women s Affordable Housing Network, a similar statewide non-profit. Ms. Kaercher previously served on the Board of Directors of our Illinois bank subsidiary, Farmers-Merchants Bank of Illinois, from 2022 until its sale in 2024. Ms. Kaercher attended the University of Dayton and earned a degree in sport management. Ms. Kaercher brings to the Board, among other skills and qualifications, extensive non-profit experience, particularly with respect to affordable housing, and knowledge and an understanding of the Company and its charitable activities.