First Busey Corporation Announces 2025 Third Quarter Earnings

Rhea-AI Summary

First Busey Corporation (Nasdaq: BUSE) reported third quarter 2025 results on October 28, 2025. Net income was $57.1 million ($0.58 diluted EPS) and adjusted net income was $57.4 million ($0.64 adjusted EPS). Net interest margin improved to 3.58% and adjusted ROAA was 1.33%. The company reduced high-cost, non-relationship deposits by $794.6 million, lowering spot deposit cost to 2.01%. Wealth management assets under care rose to $14.96 billion. Classified assets fell to 7.0% of capital and net charge-offs were 0.17%.

Positive

• Net income of $57.1 million in Q3 2025
• Adjusted diluted EPS of $0.64 in Q3 2025
• Net interest margin expanded to 3.58%
• Reduced $794.6 million high-cost deposits (4.45% weighted cost)
• Wealth management assets under care increased to $14.96 billion
• Classified assets down to 7.0% of capital

Negative

• Total noninterest income decreased 8.2% vs Q2 2025 due to lower securities gains
• Loan balances declined due to higher-than-anticipated payoffs (no dollar given)
• Total noninterest expense remained elevated at $120.0 million for Q3 2025

Insights

Bank financial analyst

First Busey reported stronger core profitability and margin improvement in the third quarter of 2025.

Business drove higher core earnings as First Busey reported $57.1 million net income and diluted EPS of $0.58 for the third quarter of 2025, with adjusted EPS of $0.64. Net interest margin expanded to 3.58% (up 9 basis points) driven by runoff of $794.6 million of high-cost deposits and falling spot deposit cost to 2.01%. Tangible common equity and CET1 capital rose, supporting capital adequacy while share repurchases continued.

Key dependencies and risks include the sustainability of deposit rebalancing and loan growth: loan balances fell due to higher-than-expected payoffs and the deposit runoff removed $228.2 million of brokered deposits. Credit metrics improved with classified assets at 7.0% of capital and net charge-offs at 0.17%, but future results depend on deposit stabilization and lending flows remaining steady.

Concrete items to watch over the next 3–12 months are quarterly loan balance trends, deposit cost and composition (spot deposit cost and remaining brokered funding), adjusted pre-provision net revenue levels, and any recurring or nonrecurring adjustment items that affect adjusted EPS and provision dynamics.

LEAWOOD, Kan., Oct. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Busey Corporation (Nasdaq: BUSE) Announces 2025 Third Quarter Earnings.

Net Income		Diluted EPS		Net Interest Margin(1)		ROAA(1)		ROATCE(1)
$57.1 million $62.5 million (adj)(2)		$0.58 $0.64 (adj)(2)		3.58% 3.45% (adj)(2)		1.21% 1.33% (adj)(2)		11.96% 13.20% (adj)(2)

MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN & CEO
We continued to optimize our balance sheet to be more efficient and profitable with adjusted return on average assets⁽²⁾ improving to 1.33% and net interest margin⁽²⁾ expanding 9 basis points to 3.58% in the third quarter, driven by the intentional runoff of $794.6 million high-cost, non-relationship deposits with a weighted average cost of 4.45%. Deposit costs continued to fall as spot deposit cost at the end of the quarter improved 21 basis points to 2.01%, an 84% beta versus the September rate cut. Capital remained strong and Common Equity Tier 1 Capital⁽³⁾ grew to 12.33%. Tangible common equity to tangible assets⁽²⁾ grew to 9.9%, with tangible book value per common share⁽²⁾ increasing 10.1% since year end even as we continued to repurchase stock at attractive levels. Credit quality showed improvement with classified assets as a percentage of capital falling to 7.0% and net charge-offs at 0.17%. Loan balances fell modestly as higher than anticipated payoffs impacted the quarter. As we look ahead to the end of the year, we expect our balance sheet optimization to be largely complete and for relative stability in loans and deposits as we continue to execute on our disciplined organic growth strategy.

Van A. Dukeman
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

FINANCIAL RESULTS

Third quarter 2025 net income for First Busey Corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries (“Busey,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,”, or “our”) was $57.1 million, or $0.58 per diluted common share, compared to $47.4 million, or $0.52 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2025, and $32.0 million, or $0.55 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2024. Annualized return on average assets and annualized return on average tangible common equity⁽²⁾ were 1.21% and 11.96%, respectively, for the third quarter of 2025.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)
		Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)		September 30, 2025				June 30, 2025				September 30, 2024				September 30, 2025				September 30, 2024
Total interest income		$	244,505			$	247,446			$	134,606			$	658,766			$	392,365
Total interest expense			89,368				94,263				51,959				246,715				151,332
Net interest income			155,137				153,183				82,647				412,051				241,033
Provision for credit losses1			(985	)			5,700				409				50,308				6,677
Net interest income after provision for credit losses1			156,122				147,483				82,238				361,743				234,356
Total noninterest income			41,198				44,863				35,845				107,284				104,461
Total noninterest expense1			120,018				127,833				75,519				359,881				222,872
Income before income taxes			77,302				64,513				42,564				109,146				115,945
Income taxes			20,204				17,109				10,560				34,634				30,359
Net income			57,098				47,404				32,004				74,512				85,586
Dividends on preferred stock			5,131				155				—				5,286				—
Net income available to common stockholders		$	51,967			$	47,249			$	32,004			$	69,226			$	85,586
Basic earnings per common share		$	0.58			$	0.53			$	0.56			$	0.84			$	1.52
Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.58			$	0.52			$	0.55			$	0.83			$	1.49
Effective income tax rate			26.14	%			26.52	%			24.81	%			31.73	%			26.18	%

___________________________________________

1. Beginning in the second quarter of 2025, Busey revised its presentation, for all periods presented, to reclassify the provision for unfunded commitments so that it is now included within the provision for credit losses; therefore, it is no longer included within total noninterest expense.
   

Busey views certain non-operating items, including acquisition-related expenses, restructuring charges, and nonrecurring strategic events, as adjustments to net income reported under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). We also adjust for net securities gains and losses to align with industry and research analyst reporting. The objective of our presentation of adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings metrics is to allow investors and analysts to more clearly identify quarterly trends in core earnings performance. Pre-tax non-GAAP adjustments were as follows:

		Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)		September 30, 2025				June 30, 2025				September 30, 2024				September 30, 2025				September 30, 2024
Pre-tax non-GAAP adjusting items
Realized net (gains) losses on the sale of mortgage servicing rights		$	—			$	—			$	18			$	—			$	(7,724	)
Net securities (gains) losses			288				(5,997	)			(822	)			10,059				5,906
Other noninterest income			44				—				—				44				—
Provision for credit losses			—				4,030				—				49,602				—
Salaries, wages, and employee benefits			5,610				11,557				73				33,045				1,333
Data processing			424				3,964				90				6,690				534
Net occupancy expense of premises			9				—				—				9				5
Furniture and equipment expenses			66				1				27				67				88
Professional fees			358				317				1,371				7,969				1,908
Other noninterest expense			740				761				374				2,053				687
Total pre-tax non-GAAP adjustments		$	7,539			$	14,633			$	1,131			$	109,538			$	2,737

For more information and a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures—which are identified with the End Note labeled as (2)—in tabular form, see "Non-GAAP Financial Information."

Adjusted net income available to common stockholders,⁽²⁾ which excludes the impact of non-GAAP adjustments, was $57.4 million, or $0.64 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2025, compared to $57.2 million, or $0.63 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2025 and $32.9 million, or $0.57 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2024. Annualized adjusted return on average assets⁽²⁾ and annualized adjusted return on average tangible common equity⁽²⁾ were 1.33% and 13.20%, respectively, for the third quarter of 2025.

During the third quarter of 2025, dividends on preferred stock included the first dividend on Busey’s 8.25% Fixed-Rate Series B Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”). Based on the Certificate of Designation, dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock are calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. This first dividend was calculated from the issuance date of May 20, 2025; therefore, it included additional days that resulted in additional dividends of $0.5 million in the third quarter, which is not expected to recur.

Pre-Provision Net Revenue⁽²⁾

Pre-provision net revenue⁽²⁾ was $76.6 million for the third quarter of 2025, compared to $64.2 million for the second quarter of 2025 and $42.2 million for the third quarter of 2024. Pre-provision net revenue to average assets⁽²⁾ was 1.63% for the third quarter of 2025, compared to 1.35% for the second quarter of 2025, and 1.40% for the third quarter of 2024.

Adjusted pre-provision net revenue⁽²⁾ was $83.9 million for the third quarter of 2025, compared to $80.8 million for the second quarter of 2025 and $44.1 million for the third quarter of 2024. Adjusted pre-provision net revenue to average assets⁽²⁾ was 1.78% for the third quarter of 2025, compared to 1.70% for the second quarter of 2025 and 1.46% for the third quarter of 2024.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin⁽²⁾

Busey’s average balances, annualized yield rates, and net interest margins are presented in the tables below:

		Three Months Ended
		September 30, 2025						June 30, 2025						September 30, 2024
(dollars in thousands)		Average Balance			Yield/ Rate4			Average Balance			Yield/ Rate4			Average Balance			Yield/ Rate4
Assets
Interest-bearing bank deposits and federal funds sold		$	489,730		4.45	%		$	711,629		4.21	%		$	389,005		5.21	%
Investment securities1			2,963,467		3.24	%			3,083,284		3.31	%			2,666,269		2.71	%
Restricted bank stock			77,041		4.49	%			58,354		3.73	%			6,134		6.87	%
Loans held for sale			9,895		6.21	%			6,899		5.93	%			11,539		6.45	%
Portfolio loans1, 2			13,732,229		6.20	%			13,840,190		6.22	%			7,869,798		5.63	%
Total interest-earning assets1			17,272,362		5.63	%			17,700,356		5.63	%			10,942,745		4.91	%
Noninterest-earning assets			1,390,087						1,367,730						1,064,957
Total assets		$	18,662,449					$	19,068,086					$	12,007,702
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Interest-bearing transaction deposits		$	3,256,326		1.97	%		$	3,188,993		1.92	%		$	2,485,443		1.88	%
Savings and money market deposits			6,199,404		2.84	%			6,381,634		2.88	%			3,294,396		2.44	%
Time deposits			2,545,749		3.75	%			2,879,902		3.77	%			1,517,082		3.86	%
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements			150,260		2.58	%			141,978		2.50	%			132,688		2.94	%
Borrowings3			266,643		5.63	%			392,508		5.34	%			301,850		5.73	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities			12,418,382		2.86	%			12,985,015		2.91	%			7,731,459		2.67	%
Noninterest-bearing deposits			3,578,164						3,542,617						2,706,858
Other liabilities			239,995						255,872						205,008
Stockholders’ equity			2,425,908						2,284,582						1,364,377
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	18,662,449					$	19,068,086					$	12,007,702
Net interest margin1, 5					3.58	%					3.49	%					3.02	%

___________________________________________

1. On a tax-equivalent basis and assuming a federal income tax rate of 21.0%.
2. Non-accrual loans have been included in average portfolio loans.
3. Includes, as applicable, short-term borrowings, long-term borrowings, subordinated notes, and junior subordinated debt owed to unconsolidated trusts.
4. Annualized.
5. For a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, see “Non-GAAP Financial Information.”
   

Components of the 9 basis point increase in net interest margin⁽²⁾ during the third quarter of 2025 were as follows:

• New and renewed loans continued to price at higher spreads, contributing +8 basis points
• Reduced funding costs on deposits, as we benefited from actions taken to reduce high-cost, non-relationship deposits, contributed +7 basis points
• Remaining benefit from the May 20, 2025, issuance of preferred stock and the June 1, 2025, subordinated debt redemption contributed +5 basis points
• Reduced rates and volume on cash and securities portfolio contributed -6 basis points
• Reduced purchase accounting accretion contributed -3 basis points
• Impact of fixed borrowing expenses contributed -2 basis points

Based on our most recent Asset Liability Management Committee model, a -100 basis point parallel rate shock is expected to decrease net interest income by 1.3% (relative to a current base rate scenario) over the subsequent twelve-month period. Busey continues to evaluate and execute off-balance sheet hedging and balance sheet strategies as well as embedding rate protection in our asset originations to provide stabilization to net interest income in lower rate environments. Stability in core deposit balances as well as retail time deposit and savings specials have continued to provide sufficient funding flows to allow intentional runoff of brokered and high-cost, non-relationship funding with no incremental short-term borrowing during the quarter. This strategic targeted reduction of $794.6 million deposits bearing a weighted average cost of 4.45% included $228.2 million of brokered deposits. At September 30, 2025, the Bank had $125.4 million, or 0.8% of total deposits, of remaining brokered funding. Total deposit cost of funds decreased, as expected, from 2.21% during the second quarter of 2025 to 2.15% during the third quarter of 2025. At September 30, 2025, our spot rate on total deposits costs was 2.01%, compared to 2.22% at June 30, 2025.

Noninterest Income

	Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2025				June 30, 2025				September 30, 2024				September 30, 2025				September 30, 2024
NONINTEREST INCOME
Wealth management fees	$	17,184			$	16,777			$	15,378			$	51,325			$	46,844
Payment technology solutions		5,092				4,956				5,265				15,121				16,889
Treasury management services		4,598				4,981				2,201				12,596				6,247
Card services and ATM fees		4,799				4,880				3,557				13,388				9,947
Other service charges on deposit accounts		1,617				1,513				2,390				4,663				7,059
Mortgage revenue		657				776				355				1,762				1,579
Income on bank owned life insurance		1,623				1,745				1,189				4,814				4,050
Realized net gains (losses) on the sale of mortgage servicing rights		—				—				(18	)			—				7,724
Net securities gains (losses)		(288	)			5,997				822				(10,059	)			(5,906	)
Other noninterest income		5,916				3,238				4,706				13,674				10,028
Total noninterest income	$	41,198			$	44,863			$	35,845			$	107,284			$	104,461

Total noninterest income decreased by 8.2% compared to the second quarter of 2025 primarily due to a decrease in gains on net securities, as Busey recorded a second quarter gain on its approximately 3% equity ownership of a financial institution that was the target of an announced acquisition at a significant market premium. Compared to the third quarter of 2024, total noninterest income increased by 14.9% as we benefit from the CrossFirst acquisition and extend services into new markets.

Busey continues to benefit from its diverse set of product offerings. Wealth management fees, wealth management referral fees included in other noninterest income, payment technology solutions, treasury management services, and corporate credit card interchange income contributed 67.9% of noninterest income excluding net securities gains and losses⁽²⁾ for the third quarter of 2025.

Noteworthy changes in noninterest income during the quarter include:

• Wealth management fees increased by 2.4% compared to the second quarter of 2025 primarily due to increases in trust and estate fees, partially offset by seasonally lower tax preparation fees. Busey’s Wealth Management division ended the third quarter of 2025 with $14.96 billion in assets under care, compared to $14.10 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2025 and $13.69 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2024. Our portfolio management team continues to focus on long-term returns and managing risk in the face of volatile markets and has outperformed its blended benchmark⁽⁴⁾ over the last three and five years.
• Other noninterest income increased by $2.7 million, or 82.7%, compared to the second quarter of 2025, primarily due to gains on private equity investments and increased swap origination fee income.
  

Operating Efficiency

	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2025			June 30, 2025			September 30, 2024			September 30, 2025			September 30, 2024
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries, wages, and employee benefits	$	74,145		$	78,360		$	44,593		$	220,068		$	130,161
Data processing		9,714			14,021			6,910			33,310			20,560
Net occupancy expense of premises		7,982			7,832			4,633			21,613			13,943
Furniture and equipment expenses		2,143			2,409			1,647			6,296			5,155
Professional fees		2,931			2,874			3,118			15,316			7,866
Amortization of intangible assets		4,507			4,592			2,548			12,182			7,586
Interchange expense		1,336			1,297			1,352			3,976			4,696
FDIC insurance		3,151			2,424			1,413			7,742			4,273
Other noninterest expense1		14,109			14,024			9,305			39,378			28,632
Total noninterest expense1	$	120,018		$	127,833		$	75,519		$	359,881		$	222,872

___________________________________________

1. Beginning in the second quarter of 2025, Busey revised its presentation, for all periods presented, to reclassify the provision for unfunded commitments so that it is now included within the provision for credit losses; therefore, it is no longer included within other noninterest expense or total noninterest expense.
   

Total noninterest expense decreased by 6.1% compared to the second quarter of 2025 and increased by 58.9% compared to the third quarter of 2024. Compared to the prior year, growth in noninterest expense was primarily attributable to nonrecurring acquisition expenses related to the CrossFirst acquisition and increased expense associated with the combined organization and branch network. Annual pre-tax expense synergy estimates resulting from the CrossFirst acquisition remain on track at $25.0 million, and we expect 50% of the identified synergies to be realized in 2025 and 100% in 2026.

Adjusted noninterest expense,⁽²⁾ which excludes acquisition and restructuring expenses and amortization of intangible assets, was $108.3 million in the third quarter of 2025, a 1.6% increase compared to $106.6 million in the second quarter of 2025 and a 52.5% increase compared to $71.0 million in the third quarter of 2024.

Noteworthy changes in noninterest expense during the quarter include:

• Salaries, wages, and employee benefits expenses declined by $4.2 million compared to the second quarter of 2025, with acquisition and restructuring expenses declining by $5.9 million. Compared to the third quarter of 2024, salaries, wages, and employee benefits expenses increased by $29.6 million, of which $5.5 million was attributable to increases in acquisition and restructuring expenses. In connection with the CrossFirst acquisition in March 2025 and the addition of 16 banking centers, Busey’s workforce expanded, with a net addition of 412 full-time equivalent associates over the past year.
• Data processing expense declined by $4.3 million compared to the second quarter of 2025, of which $3.5 million was attributable to decreases in acquisition and restructuring expenses. Additionally, synergies were realized resulting from the bank merger late in the second quarter. When compared with the third quarter of 2024 data processing expense increased by $2.8 million, of which $0.3 million was attributable to increases in acquisition and restructuring expenses. Busey has continued to make investments in technology enhancements and has also experienced inflation-driven price increases.

Busey’s efficiency ratio⁽²⁾ was 58.5% for the third quarter of 2025, compared to 63.9% for the second quarter of 2025 and 61.8% for the third quarter of 2024. Our adjusted efficiency⁽²⁾ ratio was 54.8% for the third quarter of 2025, compared to 55.3% for the second quarter of 2025, and 60.2% for the third quarter of 2024. As our business grows, Busey remains focused on prudently managing our expense base and operating efficiently.

BALANCE SHEET STRENGTH

Busey’s financial strength is built on a long-term conservative operating approach. That focus has endured over time and will continue to guide us in the future.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(unaudited)
	As of
(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2025				June 30, 2025				September 30, 2024
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	385,474			$	752,352			$	553,709
Investment securities		2,900,011				3,036,924				2,667,315
Loans held for sale		8,943				10,497				11,523
Portfolio loans		13,598,266				13,808,619				7,809,097
Allowance for credit losses		(174,181	)			(183,334	)			(84,981	)
Restricted bank stock		77,006				77,112				6,000
Premises and equipment, net		190,721				181,394				120,279
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net		485,203				488,181				368,249
Other assets		717,185				746,995				535,648
Total assets	$	18,188,628			$	18,918,740			$	11,986,839
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities
Total deposits	$	15,070,162			$	15,801,772			$	9,943,241
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		147,152				158,030				128,429
Borrowings		272,971				266,913				302,236
Other liabilities		249,508				279,479				210,049
Total liabilities		15,739,793				16,506,194				10,583,955
Stockholders' equity
Retained earnings		303,077				273,799				279,868
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(136,801	)			(155,311	)			(170,913	)
Other stockholders' equity1		2,282,559				2,294,058				1,293,929
Total stockholders' equity		2,448,835				2,412,546				1,402,884
Total liabilities & stockholders' equity	$	18,188,628			$	18,918,740			$	11,986,839

___________________________________________

1. Net balance of preferred stock ($0.001 par value), common stock ($0.001 par value), additional paid-in capital, and treasury stock.

Investment Securities

Busey’s investment securities were comprised of the following:

		As of
(dollars in thousands)		September 30, 2025			June 30, 2025			September 30, 2024
INVESTMENT SECURITIES
Debt securities available for sale		$	2,099,259		$	2,217,788		$	1,818,117
Debt securities held to maturity			784,821			802,965			838,883
Equity securities			15,931			16,171			10,315
Total investment securities		$	2,900,011		$	3,036,924		$	2,667,315

Portfolio Loans

Busey’s loan portfolio was comprised of the following:

		As of
(dollars in thousands)		September 30, 2025			June 30, 2025			September 30, 2024
PORTFOLIO LOANS
Commercial loans
C&I and other commercial		$	4,395,871		$	4,476,869		$	1,877,497
CRE			5,424,095			5,569,759			3,355,807
Real estate construction			1,099,524			1,041,803			397,977
Total commercial loans			10,919,490			11,088,431			5,631,281
Retail loans
Retail real estate			2,196,246			2,228,959			1,708,771
Retail other			482,530			491,229			469,045
Total retail loans			2,678,776			2,720,188			2,177,816
Total portfolio loans		$	13,598,266		$	13,808,619		$	7,809,097

We remain steadfast in our conservative approach to underwriting and our disciplined approach to pricing. We experienced elevated payoffs during the quarter that outpaced new production momentum. We expect continued pressure, particularly from commercial real estate payoffs through the remainder of 2025.

Asset Quality

Asset quality continues to be strong. Busey Bank maintains a well-diversified loan portfolio and, as a matter of policy and practice, limits concentration exposure in any particular loan segment.

	As of
(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2025				June 30, 2025				September 30, 2024
Total assets	$	18,188,628			$	18,918,740			$	11,986,839
Portfolio loans		13,598,266				13,808,619				7,809,097
Loans 30 – 89 days past due		18,914				42,188				10,141
Non-performing loans:
Non-accrual loans		46,096				53,614				8,192
Loans 90+ days past due and still accruing		1,418				941				25
Non-performing loans		47,514				54,555				8,217
Other non-performing assets		10,210				3,596				64
Non-performing assets		57,724				58,151				8,281
Substandard (excludes 90+ days past due)		103,329				117,580				80,704
Classified assets	$	161,053			$	175,731			$	88,985
Allowance for credit losses	$	174,181			$	183,334			$	84,981
RATIOS
Non-performing loans to portfolio loans		0.35	%			0.40	%			0.11	%
Non-performing assets to total assets		0.32	%			0.31	%			0.07	%
Non-performing assets to portfolio loans and other non-performing assets		0.42	%			0.42	%			0.11	%
Allowance for credit losses to portfolio loans		1.28	%			1.33	%			1.09	%
Coverage ratio of the allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans		3.67	x			3.36	x			10.34	x
Classified assets to Bank Tier 1 capital1and reserves		7.03	%			7.70	%			5.89	%

___________________________________________

1. Capital amounts for the third quarter of 2025 are not yet finalized and are subject to change.
   

Non-performing assets decreased by $0.4 million compared to June 30, 2025, and increased by $49.4 million compared to September 30, 2024, with the increase compared to the prior year due primarily to the loans purchased with credit deterioration (“PCD”) assumed in the CrossFirst acquisition. Non-performing assets represented 0.32% of total assets as of September 30, 2025, a 1 basis point increase from June 30, 2025, and a 25 basis point increase from September 30, 2024.

Classified assets decreased by $14.7 million compared to June 30, 2025, and increased by $72.1 million compared to September 30, 2024, with the increase compared to the prior year due primarily to the PCD loans assumed in the CrossFirst acquisition.

The allowance for credit losses was $174.2 million as of September 30, 2025, representing 1.28% of total portfolio loans outstanding, and providing coverage of 3.67 times our non-performing loans balance.

Busey’s net charge-offs and provision for credit losses were as follows:

	Three Months Ended										Nine Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2025				June 30, 2025			September 30, 2024			September 30, 2025			September 30, 2024
Net charge-offs	$	5,848			$	12,881		$	247		$	50,158		$	15,319
Provision for loan losses1	$	(3,305	)		$	1,005		$	2		$	40,152		$	7,317
Provision for unfunded commitments2		2,320				4,695			407			10,156			(640	)
Provision for credit losses3	$	(985	)		$	5,700		$	409		$	50,308		$	6,677

___________________________________________

1. Amounts reported as provision for loan losses for periods ending prior to June 30, 2025, were previously reported as provision for credit losses. The nine months ended September 30, 2025, included $42.4 million to establish an initial allowance for loan losses for loans purchased without credit deterioration (“non-PCD” loans) following the close of the CrossFirst acquisition.
2. The three months ended June 30, 2025, included a $4.0 million adjustment to the initial provision for unfunded commitments resulting from the adoption of a new CECL model. Including the adjustment recorded in the second quarter, the nine months ended September 30, 2025, included a total of $7.2 million to establish an initial allowance for unfunded commitments following the close of the CrossFirst acquisition.
3. Beginning in the second quarter of 2025, Busey revised its presentation, for all periods presented, to reclassify the provision for unfunded commitments so that it is now included within the provision for credit losses.
   

Net charge-offs decreased by $7.0 million when compared to the second quarter of 2025, and increased by $5.6 million when compared with the third quarter of 2024. Net charge-offs during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, included $35.5 million related to PCD loans acquired from CrossFirst Bank, which were fully reserved at acquisition and did not require recording additional provision expense.

The $3.3 million provision reversal for loan losses recorded in the third quarter of 2025 included a provision release of $7.1 million for PCD loans due to payoffs/paydowns and a provision expense of $3.8 million for non-PCD loans to support charge-offs and qualitative factor adjustments.

Deposits

Busey’s deposits were comprised of the following:

		As of
(dollars in thousands)		September 30, 2025			June 30, 2025			September 30, 2024
DEPOSITS
Noninterest-bearing deposits		$	3,554,936		$	3,590,363		$	2,683,543
Interest-bearing transaction deposits			3,171,255			3,216,601			2,455,217
Savings deposits and money market deposits			5,910,183			6,362,352			3,284,556
Time deposits			2,433,788			2,632,456			1,519,925
Total deposits		$	15,070,162		$	15,801,772		$	9,943,241

In the third quarter of 2025, Busey executed a strategic targeted reduction of high-cost, non-relationship deposits, resulting in the intentional runoff of $794.6 million of deposits, including $228.2 million of brokered deposits, bearing a weighted average cost of 4.45%. Excluding this targeted runoff, deposits grew by $63.0 million during the third quarter of 2025.

Core deposits⁽²⁾ accounted for 93.8% of total deposits as of September 30, 2025. The quality of our core deposit franchise is a critical value driver of our institution. We estimated that 35% of our deposits were uninsured and uncollateralized⁽⁵⁾ as of September 30, 2025, and we have ample on- and off-balance sheet liquidity to manage deposit fluctuations and the liquidity needs of our customers.

We have executed various deposit campaigns to attract term funding and savings accounts at a lower rate than our marginal cost of funds. New certificate of deposit production in the third quarter of 2025 had a weighted average term of 7.6 months at a rate of 3.79%, which was 50 basis points below our average marginal wholesale equivalent-term funding cost during the quarter.

Borrowings

Busey’s borrowings were comprised of the following:

	As of
(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2025			June 30, 2025			September 30, 2024
BORROWINGS
Long-term borrowings	$	92,431		$	86,557		$	—
Subordinated notes, net of unamortized issuance costs		103,283			103,169			227,482
Junior subordinated debt owed to unconsolidated trusts		77,257			77,187			74,754
Total borrowings	$	272,971		$	266,913		$	302,236

Total borrowings increased by 2.3% when compared to the second quarter of 2025, and decreased by 9.7% when compared with the third quarter of 2024. Busey had no short-term borrowings as of September 30, 2025, June 30, 2025, or September 30, 2024.

Subsequent to quarter end, on October 24, 2025, Busey issued a conditional notice of full redemption of its $4.0 million 5.25% Subordinated Note maturing December 4, 2030, which was acquired on April 1, 2024, in connection with the acquisition of Merchants and Manufacturers Bank Corporation. The redemption of the Subordinated Note is subject to and conditioned upon regulatory approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Assuming the requisite approvals are retained, the Subordinated Note will be redeemed on its optional redemption date of December 4, 2025.

Liquidity

As of September 30, 2025, Busey’s available sources of on- and off-balance sheet liquidity⁽⁶⁾ totaled $7.85 billion. Furthermore, Busey’s balance sheet liquidity profile continues to be aided by the cash flows expected from Busey’s relatively short-duration securities portfolio. Those cash flows were approximately $170.3 million in the third quarter of 2025. Cash flows from maturing securities within our portfolio are expected to be approximately $90.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2025, with a current book yield of 2.53%, and approximately $305.9 million for 2026, with a current book yield of 2.66%.

Capital Strength

The strength of our balance sheet is also reflected in our capital foundation. Our capital ratios remain strong, and as of September 30, 2025, our estimated regulatory capital ratios⁽³⁾ continued to provide a buffer of more than $810 million above levels required in order to refrain from restrictions on dividends, equity repurchases, and discretionary bonus payments. The following table presents Busey’s capital estimates⁽³⁾ and tangible equity position:

	As of
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)	September 30, 2025				June 30, 2025				September 30, 2024
Common equity Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets1		12.33	%			12.22	%			13.78	%
Total capital to risk weighted assets1		15.89	%			15.75	%			18.19	%
Tangible common equity2	$	1,748,435			$	1,709,168			$	1,034,635
Tangible common equity to tangible assets2		9.88	%			9.27	%			8.90	%
Tangible book value per common share2	$	19.69			$	19.18			$	18.19

___________________________________________

1. Capital amounts and ratios as of September 30, 2025, are not yet finalized and are subject to change.
2. For a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, see “Non-GAAP Financial Information.”
   

Dividends

Busey's strong capital levels, coupled with its earnings, have allowed the Company to provide a steady return to its stockholders through dividends. During the third quarter of 2025, Busey paid dividends of $0.25 per share on its common stock, $20.00 per share on its Series A Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, which was issued in connection with the CrossFirst acquisition, and $0.578646 per depositary share, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of Busey’s 8.25% Fixed-Rate Series B Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock.

Share Repurchases

During the third quarter of 2025, under its stock repurchase plan, Busey purchased 580,000 shares of its common stock at a weighted average price of $23.36 per share for a total of $13.5 million. As of September 30, 2025, Busey had 2,107,275 shares remaining available for repurchase under the plan.

THIRD QUARTER EARNINGS INVESTOR PRESENTATION

For additional information on Busey’s financial condition and operating results, please refer to our Q3 2025 Earnings Investor Presentation furnished via Form 8‑K on October 28, 2025, in connection with this earnings release.

CORPORATE PROFILE

As of September 30, 2025, First Busey Corporation (Nasdaq: BUSE) was an $18.19 billion financial holding company headquartered in Leawood, Kansas.

Busey Bank, a wholly-owned bank subsidiary of First Busey Corporation headquartered in Champaign, Illinois, had total assets of $18.14 billion as of September 30, 2025. Busey Bank currently has 79 banking centers, with 21 in central Illinois markets, 17 in suburban Chicago markets, 20 in the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area, four in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Statistical Area, three in the Kansas City Metropolitan Statistical Area, three in southwest Florida, three in Oklahoma, three in Colorado, two in Arizona, one in Indianapolis, Indiana, one in Wichita, Kansas, and one in Clayton, New Mexico. More information about Busey Bank can be found at busey.com.

Through Busey’s Wealth Management division, the Company provides a full range of asset management, investment, brokerage, fiduciary, philanthropic advisory, tax preparation, and farm management services to individuals, businesses, and foundations. Assets under care totaled $14.96 billion as of September 30, 2025. More information about Busey’s Wealth Management services can be found at busey.com/wealth-management.

Busey Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary, FirsTech, Inc. (“FirsTech”) specializes in the evolving financial technology needs of small and medium-sized businesses, highly regulated enterprise industries, and financial institutions. FirsTech provides comprehensive and innovative payment technology solutions, including online, mobile, and voice-recognition bill payments; money and data movement; merchant services; direct debit services; lockbox remittance processing for payments made by mail; and walk-in payments at retail agents. Additionally, FirsTech simplifies client workflows through integrations enabling support with billing, reconciliation, bill reminders, and treasury services. More information about FirsTech can be found at firstechpayments.com.

For the fourth consecutive year, Busey was named among Forbes’ 2025’s America’s Best Banks. In 2025, Forbes also recognized Busey as a Best-in-State Bank, based on rankings of customer service, quality of financial advice, fee structures, ease of digital services, accessing help at branch locations and the degree of trust inspired. Busey was also named among the 2024 Best Banks to Work For by American Banker and the 2024 Best Places to Work in Money Management by Pensions and Investments. We are honored to be consistently recognized as an outstanding financial services organization with an engaged culture of integrity and commitment to community development.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION

This earnings release contains certain financial information determined by methods other than GAAP. Management uses these non-GAAP measures, together with the related GAAP measures, in analysis of Busey’s performance and in making business decisions, as well as for comparison to Busey’s peers. Busey believes the adjusted measures are useful for investors and management to understand the effects of certain non-core and non-recurring items and provide additional perspective on Busey’s performance over time.

The following tables present reconciliations between these non-GAAP measures and what management believes to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

These non-GAAP disclosures have inherent limitations and are not audited. They should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating results reported in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. Tax effected numbers included in these non-GAAP disclosures are based on estimated statutory rates, estimated federal income tax rates, or effective tax rates, as noted with the tables below.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (Unaudited)
Pre-Provision Net Revenue and Related Measures
		Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)		September 30, 2025				June 30, 2025				September 30, 2024				September 30, 2025				September 30, 2024
Net interest income (GAAP)		$	155,137			$	153,183			$	82,647			$	412,051			$	241,033
Total noninterest income (GAAP)			41,198				44,863				35,845				107,284				104,461
Net security (gains) losses (GAAP)			288				(5,997	)			(822	)			10,059				5,906
Total noninterest expense (GAAP)1			(120,018	)			(127,833	)			(75,519	)			(359,881	)			(222,872	)
Pre-provision net revenue (Non-GAAP)	[a]		76,605				64,216				42,151				169,513				128,528
Acquisition and restructuring (income) expenses, excluding initial provision expenses			7,251				16,600				1,935				49,877				4,555
Realized net (gains) losses on the sale of mortgage service rights			—				—				18				—				(7,724	)
Adjusted pre-provision net revenue (Non-GAAP)	[b]	$	83,856			$	80,816			$	44,104			$	219,390			$	125,359
Average total assets	[c]	$	18,662,449			$	19,068,086			$	12,007,702			$	17,534,644			$	12,040,414
Pre-provision net revenue to average total assets (Non-GAAP)2	[a÷c]		1.63	%			1.35	%			1.40	%			1.29	%			1.43	%
Adjusted pre-provision net revenue to average total assets (Non-GAAP)2	[b÷c]		1.78	%			1.70	%			1.46	%			1.67	%			1.39	%

___________________________________________

1. Beginning in the second quarter of 2025, Busey revised its presentation, for all periods presented, to reclassify the provision for unfunded commitments so that it is now included within the provision for credit losses; therefore, it is no longer included within total noninterest expense.
2. Annualized measure.
   

Adjusted Net Income, Average Tangible Common Equity, and Related Ratios
		Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)		September 30, 2025				June 30, 2025				September 30, 2024				September 30, 2025				September 30, 2024
Net income (GAAP)	[a]	$	57,098			$	47,404			$	32,004			$	74,512			$	85,586
Day 2 provision for credit losses1			—				—				—				45,572				—
Adjustment of initial provision for unfunded commitments due to adoption of new model2			—				4,030				—				4,030				—
Other acquisition (income) expenses			7,251				16,600				1,935				49,877				4,432
Restructuring expenses			—				—				—				—				123
Net securities (gains) losses			288				(5,997	)			(822	)			10,059				5,906
Realized net (gains) losses on the sale of mortgage servicing rights			—				—				18				—				(7,724	)
Related tax (benefit) expense3			(2,141	)			(4,971	)			(207	)			(29,181	)			(608	)
Non-recurring deferred tax adjustment4			—				328				—				4,919				1,446
Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP)5	[b]		62,496				57,394				32,928				159,788				89,161
Preferred dividends	[c]		5,131				155				—				5,286				—
Adjusted net income available to common stockholders (Non-GAAP)	[d]	$	57,365			$	57,239			$	32,928			$	154,502			$	89,161
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted (GAAP)	[e]		90,218,382				90,883,711				57,967,848				83,609,999				57,411,299
Diluted earnings per common share (GAAP)	[(a-c)÷e]	$	0.58			$	0.52			$	0.55			$	0.83			$	1.49
Adjusted diluted earnings per common share (Non-GAAP)5	[d÷e]	$	0.64			$	0.63			$	0.57			$	1.85			$	1.55
Average total assets	[f]	$	18,662,449			$	19,068,086			$	12,007,702			$	17,534,644			$	12,040,414
Return on average assets (Non-GAAP)6	[a÷f]		1.21	%			1.00	%			1.06	%			0.57	%			0.95	%
Adjusted return on average assets (Non-GAAP)5,6	[b÷f]		1.33	%			1.21	%			1.09	%			1.22	%			0.99	%
Average common equity		$	2,210,711			$	2,180,963			$	1,364,377			$	2,109,046			$	1,324,119
Average goodwill and other intangible assets, net			(486,625	)			(494,473	)			(369,720	)			(464,316	)			(366,331	)
Average tangible common equity (Non-GAAP)	[g]	$	1,724,086			$	1,686,490			$	994,657			$	1,644,730			$	957,788
Return on average tangible common equity (Non-GAAP)6	[(a-c)÷g]		11.96	%			11.24	%			12.80	%			5.63	%			11.94	%
Adjusted return on average tangible common equity (Non-GAAP)5,6	[d÷g]		13.20	%			13.61	%			13.17	%			12.56	%			12.43	%

___________________________________________

1. The Day 2 provision represents the initial provision for credit losses recorded in connection with the CrossFirst acquisition to establish an allowance on non-PCD loans and unfunded commitments and is reflected within the provision for credit losses line on the Statement of Income.
2. In the second quarter of 2025, Busey recorded an adjustment to the initial provision for unfunded commitments for CrossFirst acquisition-date balances based on revised estimates resulting from implementation of a new Current Expected Credit Losses model.
3. Tax benefits were calculated for the year-to-date periods using tax rates of 26.64% and 22.21% for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Tax benefits for the quarterly periods were calculated as the year-to-date tax amounts less the tax reported for previous quarters during the year.
4. A deferred valuation tax adjustment in 2025 was recorded in connection with the CrossFirst acquisition and the expansion of Busey’s footprint into new states. Additionally, 2025 includes a write-off of deferred tax assets related to non-deductible compensation and acquisition-related expenses. A deferred tax valuation adjustment in 2024 resulted from a change to Busey’s Illinois apportionment rate due to recently enacted regulations. Deferred tax adjustments are reflected within the income taxes line on the Statement of Income.
5. Beginning in 2025, Busey revised its calculation of adjusted net income for all periods presented to include, as applicable, adjustments for net securities gains and losses, realized net gains and losses on the sale of mortgage servicing rights, and one-time deferred tax valuation adjustments. In 2024, these adjusting items were presented as further adjustments to adjusted net income.
6. Annualized measure.
   

Tax-Equivalent Net Interest Income, Adjusted Net Interest Income, Net Interest Margin, and Adjusted Net Interest Margin
		Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)		September 30, 2025				June 30, 2025				September 30, 2024				September 30, 2025				September 30, 2024
Net interest income (GAAP)		$	155,137			$	153,183			$	82,647			$	412,051			$	241,033
Tax-equivalent adjustment1			788				791				396				2,116				1,247
Tax-equivalent net interest income (Non-GAAP)	[a]		155,925				153,974				83,043				414,167				242,280
Purchase accounting accretion related to business combinations			(5,854	)			(7,119	)			(1,338	)			(15,701	)			(2,354	)
Adjusted net interest income (Non-GAAP)	[b]	$	150,071			$	146,855			$	81,705			$	398,466			$	239,926
Average interest-earning assets (Non-GAAP)	[c]	$	17,272,362			$	17,700,356			$	10,942,745			$	16,126,422			$	10,982,997
Net interest margin (Non-GAAP)2	[a÷c]		3.58	%			3.49	%			3.02	%			3.43	%			2.95	%
Adjusted net interest margin (Non-GAAP)2	[b÷c]		3.45	%			3.33	%			2.97	%			3.30	%			2.92	%

___________________________________________

1. Tax-equivalent adjustments were calculated using an estimated federal income tax rate of 21%, applied to non-taxable interest income on investments and loans.
2. Annualized measure.
   

Adjusted Noninterest Income, Revenue Measures, Adjusted Noninterest Expense, and Efficiency Ratios
		Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)		September 30, 2025				June 30, 2025				September 30, 2024				September 30, 2025				September 30, 2024
Net interest income (GAAP)	[a]	$	155,137			$	153,183			$	82,647			$	412,051			$	241,033
Tax-equivalent adjustment1			788				791				396				2,116				1,247
Tax-equivalent net interest income (Non-GAAP)	[b]		155,925				153,974				83,043				414,167				242,280
Total noninterest income (GAAP)			41,198				44,863				35,845				107,284				104,461
Net security (gains) losses			288				(5,997	)			(822	)			10,059				5,906
Noninterest income excluding net securities gains and losses (Non-GAAP)	[c]		41,486				38,866				35,023				117,343				110,367
Acquisition and restructuring (gain) loss			44				—				—				44				—
Realized net (gains) losses on the sale of mortgage service rights			—				—				18				—				(7,724	)
Adjusted noninterest income (Non-GAAP)	[d]	$	41,530			$	38,866			$	35,041			$	117,387			$	102,643
Tax-equivalent revenue (Non-GAAP)	[e = b+c]	$	197,411			$	192,840			$	118,066			$	531,510			$	352,647
Adjusted tax-equivalent revenue (Non-GAAP)	[f = b+d]		197,455				192,840				118,084				531,554				344,923
Operating revenue (Non-GAAP)	[g = a+d]		196,667				192,049				117,688				529,438				343,676
Adjusted noninterest income to operating revenue (Non-GAAP)	[d÷g]		21.12	%			20.24	%			29.77	%			22.17	%			29.87	%
Total noninterest expense (GAAP)2		$	120,018			$	127,833			$	75,519			$	359,881			$	222,872
Amortization of intangible assets			(4,507	)			(4,592	)			(2,548	)			(12,182	)			(7,586	)
Noninterest expense excluding amortization of intangible assets (Non-GAAP)2	[h]		115,511				123,241				72,971				347,699				215,286
Acquisition and restructuring (income) expenses, excluding initial provision expenses			(7,207	)			(16,600	)			(1,935	)			(49,833	)			(4,555	)
Adjusted noninterest expense (Non-GAAP)2	[i]	$	108,304			$	106,641			$	71,036			$	297,866			$	210,731
Efficiency ratio (Non-GAAP)2	[h÷e]		58.51	%			63.91	%			61.81	%			65.42	%			61.05	%
Adjusted efficiency ratio (Non-GAAP)2	[i÷f]		54.85	%			55.30	%			60.16	%			56.04	%			61.10	%

___________________________________________

1. Tax-equivalent adjustments were calculated using an estimated federal income tax rate of 21%, applied to non-taxable interest income on investments and loans.
2. Beginning in the second quarter of 2025, Busey revised its presentation, for all periods presented, to reclassify the provision for unfunded commitments so that it is now included within the provision for credit losses; therefore, it is no longer included within total noninterest expense. This change affects all measures and ratios derived from total noninterest expense.
   

Tangible Assets, Tangible Common Equity, and Related Measures and Ratio
		As of
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)		September 30, 2025				June 30, 2025				September 30, 2024
Total assets (GAAP)		$	18,188,628			$	18,918,740			$	11,986,839
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net			(485,203	)			(488,181	)			(368,249	)
Tangible assets (Non-GAAP)1	[a]	$	17,703,425			$	18,430,559			$	11,618,590
Total stockholders' equity (GAAP)		$	2,448,835			$	2,412,546			$	1,402,884
Preferred stock and additional paid in capital on preferred stock			(215,197	)			(215,197	)			—
Common equity	[b]		2,233,638				2,197,349				1,402,884
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net			(485,203	)			(488,181	)			(368,249	)
Tangible common equity (Non-GAAP)1	[c]	$	1,748,435			$	1,709,168			$	1,034,635
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (Non-GAAP)1	[c÷a]		9.88	%			9.27	%			8.90	%
Ending number of common shares outstanding (GAAP)	[d]		88,789,043				89,104,678				56,872,241
Book value per common share (Non-GAAP)	[b÷d]	$	25.16			$	24.66			$	24.67
Tangible book value per common share (Non-GAAP)	[c÷d]	$	19.69			$	19.18			$	18.19

___________________________________________

1. Beginning in 2025, Busey revised its calculation of tangible assets and tangible common equity for all periods presented to exclude any tax adjustment.

Core Deposits and Related Ratio
		As of
(dollars in thousands)		September 30, 2025				June 30, 2025				September 30, 2024
Total deposits (GAAP)	[a]	$	15,070,162			$	15,801,772			$	9,943,241
Brokered deposits, excluding brokered time deposits of $250,000 or more			(125,432	)			(353,614	)			(13,089	)
Time deposits of $250,000 or more			(807,378	)			(827,762	)			(338,808	)
Core deposits (Non-GAAP)	[b]	$	14,137,352			$	14,620,396			$	9,591,344
Core deposits to total deposits (Non-GAAP)	[b÷a]		93.81	%			92.52	%			96.46	%

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to Busey’s financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance, and business. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of Busey’s management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “position,” or other similar expressions. Additionally, all statements in this document, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and Busey undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events.

A number of factors, many of which are beyond Busey’s ability to control or predict, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, the following: (1) the strength of the local, state, national, and international economies and financial markets (including effects of a prolonged government shut-down, inflationary pressures, the threat or implementation of tariffs, trade wars, and changes to immigration policy); (2) changes in, and the interpretation and prioritization of, local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and governmental policies (including those concerning Busey's general business); (3) the economic impact of any future terrorist threats or attacks, widespread disease or pandemics, or other adverse external events that could cause economic deterioration or instability in credit markets (including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East); (4) unexpected results of acquisitions, including the acquisition of CrossFirst, which may include the failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisitions and the possibility that the transaction and integration costs may be greater than anticipated; (5) the imposition of tariffs or other governmental policies impacting the value of products produced by Busey's commercial borrowers; (6) new or revised accounting policies and practices as may be adopted by state and federal regulatory banking agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; (7) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of Busey’s assets (including the impact of sustained elevated interest rates); (8) increased competition in the financial services sector (including from non-bank competitors such as credit unions and fintech companies) and the inability to attract new customers; (9) technological changes implemented by us and other parties, including our third-party vendors, which may have unforeseen consequences to us and our customers, including the development and implementation of tools incorporating artificial intelligence; (10) the loss of key executives or associates, talent shortages, and employee turnover; (11) unexpected outcomes and costs of existing or new litigation, investigations, or other legal proceedings, inquiries, and regulatory actions involving Busey (including with respect to Busey’s Illinois franchise taxes); (12) fluctuations in the value of securities held in Busey’s securities portfolio, including as a result of changes in interest rates; (13) credit risk and risk from concentrations (by type of borrower, geographic area, collateral, and industry), within Busey's loan portfolio and large loans to certain borrowers (including commercial real estate loans); (14) the concentration of large deposits from certain clients who have balances above current Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits and may withdraw deposits to diversify their exposure; (15) the level of non-performing assets on Busey’s balance sheets; (16) interruptions involving information technology and communications systems or third-party servicers; (17) breaches or failures of information security controls or cybersecurity-related incidents; (18) the economic impact on Busey and its customers of climate change, natural disasters, and exceptional weather occurrences such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, blizzards, and droughts; (19) the ability to successfully manage liquidity risk, which may increase dependence on non-core funding sources such as brokered deposits, and may negatively impact Busey's cost of funds; (20) the ability to maintain an adequate level of allowance for credit losses on loans; (21) the effectiveness of Busey’s risk management framework; and (22) the ability of Busey to manage the risks associated with the foregoing. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.

Additional information concerning Busey and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect Busey’s financial results, is included in Busey’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

END NOTES

(1)		Annualized measure.
(2)		Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. For a reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), see "Non-GAAP Financial Information.”
(3)		Capital amounts and ratios as of September 30, 2025, are not yet finalized and are subject to change.
(4)		The blended benchmark consists of 60% MSCI All Country World Index and 40% Bloomberg Intermediate US Government/Credit Total Return Index.
(5)		Estimated uninsured and uncollateralized deposits consist of account balances in excess of the $250,000 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit, less intercompany accounts, fully collateralized accounts (including preferred deposits), and pass-through accounts where clients have deposit insurance at the correspondent financial institution.
(6)		On- and off-balance sheet liquidity is comprised of cash and cash equivalents, debt securities excluding those pledged as collateral, brokered deposits, and Busey’s borrowing capacity through its revolving credit facility, the FHLB, the Federal Reserve Bank, and federal funds purchased lines.

INVESTOR CONTACT: Christopher H.M. Chan, Chief Financial Officer | 913-647-9825

FAQ

What were First Busey (BUSE) Q3 2025 earnings and EPS?

First Busey reported $57.1 million net income and $0.58 diluted EPS for Q3 2025.

How did First Busey’s net interest margin (NIM) change in Q3 2025?

Net interest margin expanded to 3.58% in Q3 2025, up 9 basis points from Q2 2025.

What deposit actions did First Busey (BUSE) take in Q3 2025?

Busey intentionally ran off $794.6 million of high-cost, non-relationship deposits with a 4.45% weighted average cost.

What was First Busey’s adjusted return on average assets in Q3 2025?

Adjusted ROAA was 1.33% for Q3 2025.

How large are First Busey’s wealth management assets under care as of Q3 2025?

Wealth management assets under care were $14.96 billion at quarter end.

Did First Busey report any credit-quality metrics for Q3 2025?

Yes. Classified assets were 7.0% of capital and net charge-offs were 0.17% in Q3 2025.