CHAMPAIGN, Ill., Oct. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Busey Corporation (Nasdaq: BUSE)

Third Quarter 2023 Highlights

• Net income excluding net securities losses¹ of $30.9 million and adjusted diluted EPS excluding net securities gains and losses¹ of $0.55
• Total deposits increased $269.6 million, or 2.7%, quarter-over-quarter, to $10.33 billion
• Short-term borrowings decreased to $12.0 million, compared to $212.0 million at the end of the second quarter of 2023 and $615.9 million at the end of the first quarter of 2023
• Non-performing assets declined 23.6% during the third quarter of 2023, to $12.1 million, now representing 0.10% of total assets
• Classified assets declined to $59.6 million, compared to $81.9 million at the close of the second quarter of 2023 and $103.9 million at the end of the first quarter of 2023
• Annualized net charge-off ratio of 0.01% in the quarter and 0.02% over the last twelve months²
• Noninterest income excluding net securities losses¹ increased to $31.3 million, from $30.1 million in the second quarter of 2023, representing 28.7% of total revenue
• Wealth management segment revenue of $14.4 million in the third quarter of 2023, a 14.7% increase over the comparable period in 2022
• Annualized return on average assets of 1.0%, return on average tangible common equity¹ of 14.3% and adjusted core efficiency ratio¹ of 60.23%
• For additional information, please refer to the 3Q23 Earnings Investor Presentation

Message from our Chairman & CEO

Third Quarter Financial Results
Net income for First Busey Corporation (“Busey,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) was $30.7 million for the third quarter of 2023, or $0.54 per diluted common share, compared to $29.4 million, or $0.52 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2023, and $35.7 million, or $0.64 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2022. Adjusted net income¹ was $30.7 million, or $0.55 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2023. Non-operating adjustments to net income for the second quarter of 2023 were immaterial. Adjusted net income¹ was $36.4 million, or $0.65 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2022.

Net income includes net losses on securities of $0.3 million for the third quarter of 2023, $2.1 million for the second quarter of 2023, which are largely unrealized, and an immaterial net gain for the third quarter of 2022. Net income excluding net securities losses¹ for the third quarter of 2023 would have been $30.9 million, resulting in adjusted diluted EPS excluding net securities gains and losses¹ of $0.55.

Annualized return on average assets and annualized return on average tangible common equity¹ were 1.00% and 14.31%, respectively, for the third quarter of 2023.

Pre-provision net revenue¹ was $38.1 million for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $39.5 million for the second quarter of 2023 and $46.5 million for the third quarter of 2022. Adjusted pre-provision net revenue¹ was $40.5 million for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $42.1 million for the second quarter of 2023 and $48.8 million for the third quarter of 2022. Pre-provision net revenue to average assets³ was 1.24% for the third quarter of 2023, compared to 1.30% for the second quarter of 2023, and 1.47% for the third quarter of 2022. Adjusted pre-provision net revenue to average assets³ was 1.32% for the third quarter of 2023, compared to 1.38% for the second quarter of 2023 and 1.54% for the third quarter of 2022.

The decline in pre-provision net revenue in the third quarter, compared to the second quarter, was largely the result of a $0.9 million decrease in net interest income, which is primarily the result of deposits migrating into higher cost offerings. Net interest margin declined from 2.86% in the second quarter of 2023 to 2.80% in the third quarter of 2023.

Our fee-based businesses continue to add revenue diversification. Noninterest income excluding net securities gains and losses¹ was $31.3 million, or 28.7% of operating revenue³, during the third quarter of 2023, compared to $30.1 million, or 27.7% of total operating revenue, for the second quarter of 2023 and $30.9 million, or 26.4% of total operating revenue, for the third quarter of 2022.

During a time of decades-high inflation, we have effectively managed our noninterest expense, and have been purposeful in our efforts to rationalize our expense base given our economic outlook and our view on the future of banking. Noninterest expense was $70.9 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to $69.2 million in the second quarter of 2023 and $70.7 million in the third quarter of 2022. Adjusted core expense¹ was $66.0 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to $64.0 million in the second quarter of 2023 and $65.6 million in the third quarter of 2022, reflecting a less than 1% year-over-year increase in quarterly adjusted core expenses. As we enter the last quarter of 2023, we expect to continue to prudently manage our expenses.

Busey’s Conservative Banking Strategy
Busey’s financial strength is built on a long-term conservative operating approach. That focus will not change now or in the future.

Busey's growth trend for portfolio loans continued during the third quarter of 2023, with loans being originated at attractive spreads while maintaining our prudent underwriting standards. Loan growth was $50.9 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to growth of $21.5 million in the second quarter of 2023 and $172.3 million in the third quarter of 2022. Over the last four quarters, Busey has generated $186.0 million in portfolio loan growth, equating to a year-over-year growth rate of 2.4%. Our reported loan growth has been reduced by a $22.2 million reduction in classified assets during the third quarter of 2023, largely attributable to pay-offs from customers in the manufacturing, nursing home, and senior housing industries, and a $47.5 million reduction in classified assets since the beginning of the year, a positive development and consistent with our prudent credit risk management philosophy, particularly given our outlook for the economy. Our loan to deposit ratio was 76.0% at the end of the third quarter of 2023, compared to 77.6% for the second quarter of 2023 and 72.4% for the third quarter of 2022.

The quality of our core deposit franchise is a critical value driver of our institution. Over the last two quarters our deposit base has grown by more than $530 million, allowing us to substantially reduce our exposure to higher cost wholesale borrowings. Our granular deposit base continues to position us well, and as of September 30, 2023 our estimated uninsured and uncollateralized deposits⁴ percentage was 28% and 96.6% of our deposits were core deposits¹. Our retail deposit base was comprised of more than 257,000 accounts with an average balance of $21 thousand and an average tenure of 16.4 years as of September 30, 2023. Our commercial deposit base was comprised of more than 33,000 accounts with an average balance of $105 thousand and an average tenure of 12.3 years as of September 30, 2023. Furthermore, we have sufficient on- and off-balance sheet liquidity to manage deposit fluctuations and the liquidity needs of our customers.

Asset quality remains strong by both Busey’s historical and current industry trends. Non-performing assets saw a further 23.6% decline during the third quarter of 2023 to $12.1 million, now representing only 0.10% of total assets. We experienced our third consecutive quarter of declines in total classified assets. Total classified assets of $59.6 million at the end of the third quarter of 2023 now represent a historically low 3.9% of consolidated total capital. Busey’s results for the third quarter of 2023 include a $0.4 million provision expense for credit losses and an immaterial provision expense for unfunded commitments. The allowance for credit losses was $91.7 million as of September 30, 2023, representing 1.17% of total portfolio loans outstanding, and 763.8% of non-performing loans. Busey recorded net charge offs of $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2023, which equates to 0.01% of average loans on an annualized basis. As of September 30, 2023, our commercial real estate loan portfolio of investor-owned office properties within Central Business District⁵ areas remained low at $9.5 million. Our credit performance continues to reflect our highly diversified, conservatively underwritten loan portfolio, which has been originated predominantly to established customers with tenured relationships with our company.

The strength of our balance sheet is also reflected in our capital foundation. In the third quarter, Common Equity Tier 1 and Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets ratios⁶ increased to 12.52% and 16.72%, respectively. In fact, our regulatory capital ratios continue to provide a buffer of more than $480 million above levels required to be designated well-capitalized. Our Tangible Common Equity ratio¹ declined modestly to 7.06% during the third quarter of 2023 as a result of the impact of rising rates on the market value of our securities portfolio, but remains substantially above the 6.17% reported for the third quarter of 2022. During the third quarter of 2023, we paid a common share dividend of $0.24 and repurchased 65,123 shares of our common stock at a weighted average price of $19.63 per share.

Community Banking
Busey’s goal of being a strong community bank begins with outstanding associates. Busey is humbled to be named among the 2023 Best Banks to Work For by American Banker, the 2022 Best Places to Work in Money Management by Pensions and Investments, the 2023 Best Places to Work in Illinois by Daily Herald Business Ledger, and the 2023 Best Companies to Work For in Florida by Florida Trend magazine.

We are grateful for the opportunities to earn the business of our customers, based on the contributions of our talented associates and the continued support of our loyal shareholders. We remain cognizant of the evolving economic outlook and extremely focused on balance sheet strength, profitability, and growth, in that order. With our strong capital position, an attractive core funding base, and a sound credit foundation, we feel confident that we are well positioned to continue producing quality growth and profitability as we move into the final quarter of 2023 and into 2024.

SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

___________________________________________

1. Net interest income plus noninterest income, excluding securities gains and losses, less noninterest expense.
2. See “Non-GAAP Financial Information” for reconciliation.
3. Revenue consists of net interest income plus noninterest income, excluding securities gains and losses.
4. On a tax-equivalent basis, assuming a federal income tax rate of 21%.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

___________________________________________

1. See “Non-GAAP Financial Information” for reconciliation.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Balance Sheet Strength

Our balance sheet remains a source of strength. Total assets were $12.26 billion as of September 30, 2023, compared to $12.21 billion as of June 30, 2023, and $12.50 billion as of September 30, 2022. Portfolio loans totaled $7.86 billion at September 30, 2023, compared to $7.81 billion at June 30, 2023, and $7.67 billion at September 30, 2022. During the third quarter of 2023, Busey Bank experienced its tenth consecutive quarter of core loan¹ growth. Growth of $50.9 million in core loans was driven primarily by our northern and central regions. Overall, growth was tempered by a $22.2 million reduction of classified assets, largely attributable to pay-offs from customers in the manufacturing, nursing home, and senior housing industries. As has been our practice, we remain steadfast in our conservative approach to underwriting and disciplined approach to pricing, particularly given our outlook for the economy in the coming quarters. This posture will impact loan growth in subsequent quarters.

Average portfolio loans were $7.83 billion for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $7.76 billion for the second quarter of 2023 and $7.62 billion for the third quarter of 2022. Average interest-earning assets were $11.12 billion for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $11.13 billion for the second quarter of 2023, and $11.50 billion for the third quarter of 2022.

Total deposits were $10.33 billion at September 30, 2023, compared to $10.06 billion at June 30, 2023, and $10.60 billion at September 30, 2022. Average deposits were $10.14 billion for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $9.85 billion for the second quarter of 2023 and $10.58 billion for the third quarter of 2022. Deposit growth in the third quarter of 2023 over the second quarter of 2023 was primarily driven by retail and business customers, and to a smaller extent public funds. Deposit fluctuations over the last several quarters were driven by a number of elements, including (1) seasonal factors, including ordinary course public fund flows and fluctuations in the normal course of business operations of certain core commercial customers, (2) the macroeconomic environment, including prevailing interest rates and anticipated future Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) rate moves, as well as inflationary pressures, (3) depositors moving some funds to accounts at competitors offering above-market rates, including state-sponsored investment programs that provide rates in excess of where we can borrow in the wholesale marketplace, and (4) deposits moving within the Busey ecosystem from deposit accounts to our wealth management group. Core deposits¹ accounted for 96.6% of total deposits as of September 30, 2023. Cost of deposits was 1.45% in the third quarter of 2023, which represents a 36 basis point increase from the second quarter of 2023. Excluding time deposits, Busey’s cost of deposits was 1.09% in the third quarter of 2023, a 28 basis point increase from June 30, 2023.

Short term borrowings decreased to $12.0 million as of September 30, 2023, compared to $212.0 million as of June 30, 2023 and $615.9 million as of March 31, 2023. We had no borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) at the end of the third quarter of 2023, compared to $200.0 million at the end of the second quarter and $603.9 million at the end of the first quarter. Average short-term borrowings decreased to $139.2 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to $443.8 million in the second quarter of 2023. We have sufficient on- and off-balance sheet liquidity⁷ to manage deposit fluctuations and the liquidity needs of our customers. As of September 30, 2023, our available sources of on- and off-balance sheet liquidity totaled $6.49 billion. We increased deposit campaigns starting in the first quarter of 2023 to attract term funding and savings accounts at a lower rate than our marginal cost of funds. In addition, we instituted a company-wide incentive campaign to drive new customer account openings. Our time deposit campaigns generated increased traction and production throughout the second and third quarters and we expect to continue to implement prudent and measured strategies to generate deposit growth. New certificate of deposit production in the third quarter of 2023 had a weighted average term of 9.2 months at a rate of 4.45%, 82 basis points below our average marginal wholesale funding cost during the quarter. Furthermore, our balance sheet liquidity profile continues to be aided by the cash flows we expect from our relatively short-duration securities portfolio. Those cash flows were $72.9 million in the third quarter of 2023 and are expected to be approximately $82.6 million over the remainder of 2023 with a yield of 1.56%. For 2024, cash flows from our securities portfolio are expected to be approximately $355.9 million with a yield of 1.67%.

Asset Quality

Credit quality continues to be exceptionally strong. Loans 30-89 days past due totaled $5.9 million as of September 30, 2023, compared to $5.2 million as of June 30, 2023, and $6.3 million as of September 30, 2022. Non-performing loans were $12.0 million as of September 30, 2023, compared to $15.8 million as of June 30, 2023, and $16.7 million as of September 30, 2022. Continued disciplined credit management resulted in non-performing loans as a percentage of portfolio loans of 0.15% as of September 30, 2023, 0.20% as of June 30, 2023, and 0.22% as of September 30, 2022. Non-performing assets were 0.10% of total assets for third quarter of 2023, compared to 0.13% for the second quarter of 2023 and 0.14% for the third quarter of 2022. Our total classified assets declined from $81.9 million at June 30, 2023, to $59.6 million at September 30, 2023. The quarter-over-quarter decline in classified assets is largely attributable to pay-offs from customers in the manufacturing, nursing home, and senior housing industries. This $22.2 million reduction in classified assets during the third quarter of 2023 follows a reduction of $22.0 million during the second quarter of 2023. During the first three quarters of 2023, classified asset balances have declined by a total of $47.5 million, and total classified assets now represent only 3.9% of consolidated total capital.

Net charge-offs were $0.3 million for the third quarter of 2023, $0.7 million for the second quarter of 2023, and $0.4 million for the third quarter of 2022. Our ratio of net charge-offs to average loans was 0.01% during the third quarter of 2023 and 0.02% over the last twelve months². The allowance as a percentage of portfolio loans was 1.17% as of both September 30, 2023 and June 30, 2023, compared to 1.18% as of September 30, 2022. The allowance as a percentage of non-performing loans was 763.8% as of September 30, 2023, compared to 580.8% as of June 30, 2023, and 544.7% as of September 30, 2022.

Busey maintains a well-diversified loan portfolio and, as a matter of policy and practice, limits concentration exposure in any particular loan segment.

ASSET QUALITY (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)

NET CHARGE-OFFS (RECOVERIES) AND PROVISION EXPENSE (RELEASE) (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)

Net Interest Margin¹ and Net Interest Income

Net interest margin was 2.80% for the third quarter of 2023, compared to 2.86% for the second quarter of 2023 and 3.00% for the third quarter of 2022. Excluding purchase accounting accretion, adjusted net interest margin¹ was 2.79% for the third quarter of 2023, compared to 2.84% in the second quarter of 2023 and 2.97% in the third quarter of 2022. Net interest income was $77.8 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to $78.7 million in the second quarter of 2023 and $86.3 million in the third quarter of 2022.

The FOMC raised rates by 25 basis points during the third quarter of 2023, and by a total of 525 basis points since the onset of the current FOMC tightening cycle that began in the first quarter of 2022. Rising rates initially have a positive impact on net interest margin, as assets, in particular commercial loans, reprice more quickly and to a greater extent than liabilities. As deposit and funding costs increase in response to the tightening rate cycle, and we experience deposit migration into higher cost offerings and funding alternatives, some of the net interest margin expansion is reversed, which we began to experience in the first quarter of 2023. Components of the 6 basis point decrease in net interest margin during the third quarter of 2023 include:

• Increased loan portfolio income contributed +16 basis points
• Reduced borrowing costs contributed +13 basis points
• Increases in the cash and securities portfolio yield contributed +2 basis points
• Increased non-maturity deposit funding costs contributed -22 basis points
• Increased time deposit funding costs contributed -14 basis points
• Reduced recognition of purchase accounting accretion contributed -1 basis points

Based on our most recent Asset Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) model, a 100 basis point parallel rate shock is expected to increase net interest income by 1.6% over the subsequent twelve-month period. Market competition for deposits remains significant and deposit betas are likely to rise further, which is factored into our ALCO model. Busey continues to evaluate off-balance sheet hedging and balance sheet restructuring strategies as well as embedding rate protection in our asset originations to provide stabilization to net interest income in lower rate environments. We are committed to protecting our quality core deposit franchise and are in regular contact with our customers to proactively address their needs and concerns. Time deposit specials and retail incentive campaigns continue to provide sufficient funding flows and we maintained excess earning cash levels the majority of the quarter. As the tightening cycle advances and rotation into these higher cost of fund products has accelerated, deposit beta expectations have increased marginally. Since the onset of the current FOMC tightening cycle that began in the first quarter of 2022, our cumulative interest-bearing non-maturity deposit beta has been 31%. Our cycle-to-date total deposit beta has been 26% through September 30, 2023. Deposit betas are calculated based on an average federal funds rate of 5.43% during the third quarter of 2023, which is a 27 basis point increase over the second quarter of 2023 average federal funds rate of 5.16%.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income was $31.0 million for the third quarter of 2023, as compared to $28.0 million for the second quarter of 2023 and $30.9 million for the third quarter of 2022. Revenues from wealth management fees and payment technology solutions activities represented 62.8% of Busey’s noninterest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, providing a balance to spread-based revenue from traditional banking activities.

Consolidated wealth management fees were $14.2 million for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $14.6 million for the second quarter of 2023 and $12.5 million for the third quarter of 2022. On a segment basis, Wealth Management generated $14.4 million in revenue during the third quarter of 2023, a 14.7% increase over the $12.5 million reported in the third quarter of 2022. The Wealth Management operating segment generated net income of $4.8 million in third quarter of 2023, compared to $4.9 million in the second quarter of 2023 and $3.8 million in the third quarter of 2022. Busey’s Wealth Management division ended the third quarter of 2023 with $11.55 billion in assets under care, compared to $11.48 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2023 and $10.75 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2022. Our portfolio management team continues to produce solid results in the face of volatile markets, and has outperformed its blended benchmark⁸ over the last twelve months, as well as over the last three years and the last five years.

Payment technology solutions revenue from FirsTech was $5.2 million for both the second and third quarters of 2023, compared to $5.1 million for the third quarter of 2022. Excluding intracompany eliminations, FirsTech generated revenue of $5.7 million during the third quarter of 2023, compared to $5.6 million in both the second quarter of 2023 and the third quarter of 2022. The FirsTech operating segment generated net income of $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to $0.2 million in the second quarter of 2023 and $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2022.

Fees for customer services were $7.5 million for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $7.2 million in the second quarter of 2023 and $7.6 million in the third quarter of 2022.

Net securities losses were $0.3 million for the third quarter of 2023, which were comprised of an immaterial amount of realized net losses and $0.3 million of unrealized net losses on equity securities.

Other noninterest income was $3.0 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to $1.7 million in the second quarter of 2023 and $4.3 million in the third quarter of 2022. Fluctuations between the second quarter of 2023 and the third quarter of 2023 were primarily the result of increases in venture capital investment values and gains on commercial loans sales.

Operating Efficiency

Noninterest expense was $70.9 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to $69.2 million in the second quarter of 2023 and $70.7 million for the third quarter of 2022. The efficiency ratio¹ was 62.38% for the third quarter of 2023, compared to 60.87% for the second quarter of 2023, and 57.62% for the third quarter of 2022. The adjusted core efficiency ratio¹ was 60.23% for the third quarter of 2023, compared to 58.55% for the second quarter of 2023 and 55.67% for the third quarter of 2022. Busey remains focused on expense discipline.

Noteworthy components of noninterest expense are as follows:

• Salaries, wages, and employee benefits expenses were $39.7 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to $39.9 million in the second quarter of 2023 and $39.8 million in the third quarter of 2022. Our associate-base consisted of 1,484 full-time equivalents as of September 30, 2023, compared to 1,477 as of June 30, 2023, and 1,513 as of September 30, 2022.

• Data processing expense was $5.9 million in the both the second and third quarters of 2023, compared to $5.4 million in the third quarter of 2022. The year-over-year increase was related to Company-wide investments in technology enhancements, as well as inflation-driven price increases.

• Professional fees were $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to $1.0 million in the second quarter of 2023 and $1.6 million in the third quarter of 2022. The quarter-over-quarter increase resulted primarily from a second quarter recapture of legal expenses related to the pay-off of a large classified asset, partially offset by declines in consulting fees.

• Amortization of intangible assets was $2.6 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to $2.7 million in the second quarter of 2023 and $2.9 million in the third quarter of 2022.

• FDIC insurance expense was $1.5 million in both the second and third quarter of 2023, compared to $0.9 million in the third quarter of 2022, as a result of an FDIC final rule to increase the initial base deposit insurance assessment rate applicable to all FDIC-insured depository institutions by two basis points beginning in 2023.
• Other operating expenses were $11.7 million for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $10.2 million in the second quarter of 2023 and $12.1 million in the third quarter of 2022. The quarter-over-quarter increase is attributable to multiple items, including fraud losses and card service expenses.

Busey's effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2023 was 18.2%, which was lower than the combined federal and state statutory rate of approximately 28.0% due to tax exempt interest income, such as municipal bond interest, bank owned life insurance income, and investments in various federal and state tax credits.

Beginning in 2024, Busey intends to adopt ASU 2023-02, which allows entities to elect to account for equity investments made primarily for the purpose of receiving income tax credits using the proportional amortization method, regardless of the tax credit program through which the investment earns income tax credits, if certain conditions are met. The proportional amortization method results in the cost of the investment being amortized in proportion to the income tax credits and other income tax benefits received, with the amortization of the investment and the income tax credits being presented net in the income statement as a component of income tax expense as opposed to being presented on a gross basis on the income statement as a component of noninterest expense and income tax expense.

Capital Strength

Busey's strong capital levels, coupled with its earnings, have allowed the Company to provide a steady return to its stockholders through dividends. On October 27, 2023, Busey will pay a cash dividend of $0.24 per common share to stockholders of record as of October 20, 2023. Busey has consistently paid dividends to its common stockholders since the bank holding company was organized in 1980.

As of September 30, 2023, Busey continued to exceed the capital adequacy requirements necessary to be considered “well-capitalized” under applicable regulatory guidelines. Busey’s Common Equity Tier 1 ratio is estimated⁶ to be 12.52% at September 30, 2023, compared to 12.35% at June 30, 2023, and 11.79% at September 30, 2022. Our Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets ratio is estimated⁶ to be 16.72% at September 30, 2023, compared to 16.56% at June 30, 2023, and 15.98% at September 30, 2022.

Busey’s tangible common equity¹ was $841.2 million at September 30, 2023, compared to $850.9 million at June 30, 2023, and $748.9 million at September 30, 2022. Tangible common equity¹ represented 7.06% of tangible assets at September 30, 2023, compared to 7.18% at June 30, 2023, and 6.17% at September 30, 2022. Busey’s tangible book value per common share¹ decreased from $15.25 at June 30, 2023, to $15.07 at September 30, 2023. The ratios of tangible common equity to tangible assets¹ and tangible book value per common share have been impacted by the fair market valuation adjustment of Busey’s securities portfolio as a result of the current rate environment, which is reflected in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component of shareholder’s equity.

During the third quarter of 2023, Busey purchased 65,123 shares of its common stock at a weighted average price of $19.63 per share for a total of $1.3 million under the Company’s stock repurchase plan. Repurchases were executed due to favorable pricing of Busey’s shares during the third quarter of 2023. As of September 30, 2023, Busey had 2,037,087 shares remaining on its stock repurchase plan available for repurchase.

3Q23 Earnings Investor Presentation

For additional information on Busey’s financial condition and operating results, please refer to the 3Q23 Earnings Investor Presentation furnished via Form 8-K on October 24, 2023, in connection with this earnings release.

Corporate Profile

As of September 30, 2023, First Busey Corporation (Nasdaq: BUSE) was a $12.26 billion financial holding company headquartered in Champaign, Illinois.

Busey Bank, a wholly-owned bank subsidiary of First Busey Corporation, had total assets of $12.23 billion as of September 30, 2023, and is headquartered in Champaign, Illinois. Busey Bank currently has 46 banking centers serving Illinois, eight banking centers serving Missouri, three banking centers serving southwest Florida, and one banking center in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Through Busey’s Wealth Management division, the Company provides asset management, investment, and fiduciary services to individuals, businesses, and foundations. Assets under care totaled $11.55 billion as of September 30, 2023.

Busey Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary, 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.

Busey Bank is honored to be named among America’s Best Banks by Forbes magazine for the second consecutive year. Ranked 26th overall in 2023, compared to 52nd in last year's rankings, Busey was once again the top-ranked bank headquartered in Illinois. Additionally, for the first time in 2023, Busey was named among DiversityInc’s Top Regional Companies. The DiversityInc Top 50 survey is the external validator for large U.S. employers that model fairness in their talent strategy, workplace and supplier diversity practices, and philanthropic engagement. We are honored to be consistently recognized nationally and locally for our engaged culture of integrity and commitment to community development.

For more information about us, visit busey.com.

Category: Financial
Source: First Busey Corporation

Contacts:

Jeffrey D. Jones, Chief Financial Officer
217-365-4130

Ted Rosinus, EVP Investor Relations & Corporate Development
847-832-0392

Non-GAAP Financial Information

This earnings release contains certain financial information determined by methods other than U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“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 the Company’s peers. Busey believes the adjusted measures are useful for investors and management to understand the effects of certain non-core and non-recurring noninterest items and provide additional perspective on the Company’s performance over time.

A reconciliation to what management believes to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures—specifically, net interest income, total noninterest income, net security gains and losses, and total noninterest expense in the case of pre-provision net revenue, adjusted pre-provision net revenue, pre-provision net revenue to average assets, and adjusted pre-provision net revenue to average assets; net income in the case of adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted return on average assets, average tangible common equity, return on average tangible common equity, and adjusted return on average tangible common equity; net income and net security gains and losses in the case of net income excluding net securities gains and losses and diluted earnings per share excluding net securities gains and losses; net interest income in the case of adjusted net interest income and adjusted net interest margin; net interest income, total noninterest income, and total noninterest expense in the case of adjusted noninterest expense, noninterest expense excluding non-operating adjustments, adjusted core expense, efficiency ratio, adjusted efficiency ratio, and adjusted core efficiency ratio; total assets and goodwill and other intangible assets in the case of tangible assets; total stockholders’ equity in the case of tangible book value per common share; total assets and total stockholders’ equity in the case of tangible common equity and tangible common equity to tangible assets; portfolio loans in the case of core loans and core loans to portfolio loans; total deposits in the case of core deposits and core deposits to total deposits; and portfolio loans and total deposits in the case of core loans to core deposits—appears below.

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 or effective rates as appropriate.

Reconciliation Of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (unaudited)

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1. Annualized measure.

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1. The year-to-date tax benefits were calculated by multiplying year-to-date acquisition expenses and other restructuring expenses by the effective tax rates for the year-to-date periods. The annual effective tax rates used in this calculation were 19.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and 19.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. Quarterly tax benefits were calculated as the year-to-date amounts less the sum of amounts applied to previous quarters.
2. Annualized measure.

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1. The tax effects for net securities gains and losses were calculated by multiplying net securities gains and losses by the effective income tax rates for the periods indicated. Effective tax rates were 18.2%, 20.3%, and 19.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2023, June 30, 2023, and September 30, 2022, respectively, and were 19.8% and 19.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and September 30, 2022, respectively.
2. Tax-effected measure.

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1. The 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.

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

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1. Net of estimated deferred tax liability, calculated using the estimated statutory tax rate of 28%.
2. Tax-effected measure.

Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this document, other than those concerning historical financial information, may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the 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,” 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 Busey’s forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, the following: (i) the strength of the local, state, national, and international economy (including effects of inflationary pressures and supply chain constraints); (ii) the economic impact of any future terrorist threats or attacks, widespread disease or pandemics (including the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic), or other adverse external events that could cause economic deterioration or instability in credit markets (including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict); (iii) changes in state and federal laws, regulations, and governmental policies concerning Busey's general business (including changes in response to the recent failures of other banks); (iv) changes in accounting policies and practices; (v) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of Busey’s assets (including the impact of the London Interbank Offered Rate phase-out and the recent and potential additional rate increases by the Federal Reserve); (vi) 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; (vii) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (viii) the loss of key executives or associates; (ix) changes in consumer spending; (x) unexpected results of current and/or future acquisitions, which may include failure to realize the anticipated benefits of any acquisition and the possibility that transaction costs may be greater than anticipated; (xi) unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation involving Busey; (xii) fluctuations in the value of securities held in our securities portfolio; (xiii) concentrations within our loan portfolio, large loans to certain borrowers, and large deposits from certain clients; (xiv) the concentration of large deposits from certain clients who have balances above current FDIC insurance limits and may withdraw deposits to diversify their exposure; (xv) the level of non-performing assets on our balance sheets; (xvi) interruptions involving our information technology and communications systems or third-party servicers; (xvii) breaches or failures of our information security controls or cybersecurity-related incidents; and (xviii) the economic impact of exceptional weather occurrences such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, blizzards, and droughts. 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 its financial results, is included in Busey’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

End Notes