First Busey Corporation Announces 2026 First Quarter Earnings
LEAWOOD, Kan., April 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Busey Corporation (Nasdaq: BUSE) Announces 2026 First Quarter Earnings.
FINANCIAL RESULTS
First quarter 2026 net income for First Busey Corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries (“Busey,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,”, or “our”) was $50.0 million, or $0.52 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $60.8 million, or $0.63 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2025, and a net loss of $(30.0) million, or $(0.44) per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2025. Annualized return on average assets 2 and annualized return on average tangible common equity 2 were 1.12% and 11.10%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2026. During the first quarter of 2026, salaries, wages, and employee benefits expenses were elevated as Busey identified, and executed on, additional synergies related to the CrossFirst Bankshares, Inc. (“CrossFirst”) acquisition and also due to the previously announced departure of Michael J. Maddox.
Adjusted net income available to common stockholders, 2 which excludes the impact of non-GAAP adjustments, was $58.6 million, or $0.67 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2026, compared to $60.6 million, or $0.68 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2025 and $39.9 million, or $0.57 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2025. Annualized adjusted return on average assets 2 and annualized adjusted return on average tangible common equity 2 were 1.42% and 14.12%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2026.
Pre-provision net revenue 2 was $67.7 million for the first quarter of 2026, compared to $80.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2025 and $28.7 million for the first quarter of 2025. Pre-provision net revenue to average assets 2 was 1.52% for the first quarter of 2026, compared to 1.75% for the fourth quarter of 2025, and 0.78% for the first quarter of 2025.
Adjusted pre-provision net revenue 2 was $84.4 million for the first quarter of 2026, compared to $85.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2025 and $54.7 million for the first quarter of 2025. Adjusted pre-provision net revenue to average assets 2 was 1.89% for the first quarter of 2026, compared to 1.85% for the fourth quarter of 2025 and 1.50% for the first quarter of 2025.
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 to net income were as follows:
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."
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:
Net interest income decreased by $3.6 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, primarily resulting from two fewer calendar days in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the fourth quarter of 2025. Deposit funding cost reduction during the quarter of 10 basis points represents a 37% beta relative to the quarterly move in the fed funds target average rate.
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 consistent and predicable net interest income performance across different interest rate environments. Deposit balances remained largely stable outside of seasonal public fund and business outflows that contributed to an overall $169.9 million, or 1.1%, decrease in the deposit base. Retail time deposit and savings specials have continued to provide stable funding flows allowing for only minimum utilization of wholesale funding during the quarter. At March 31, 2026, Busey Bank had $60.1 million of brokered funding, comprising 0.4% of total deposits. Total deposit cost of funds decreased from 1.91% during the fourth quarter of 2025 to 1.81% during the first quarter of 2026. Busey’s spot rate on total deposits costs increased by 1 basis point to 1.81% at March 31, 2026, compared to 1.80% at December 31, 2025.
Noninterest Income
Total noninterest income decreased by 1.0% compared to the fourth quarter of 2025 primarily due to declines in other noninterest income. Compared to the first quarter of 2025, total noninterest income increased by 99.1%, due in large part to the strategic balance sheet repositioning executed by Busey in the first quarter of 2025, resulting in a securities loss of $15.5 million. Additionally the first quarter of 2026 included a full quarter of income as a larger organization after the acquisition of CrossFirst, in contrast to the first quarter of 2025, which included only one month of income from CrossFirst following the acquisition, completed on March 1, 2025. Busey continues to benefit from its diverse set of product offerings.
Noteworthy changes in noninterest income during the quarter include:
Operating Efficiency
Total noninterest expense increased by 7.6% compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, due to increases in salaries, wages, and employee benefits, which were partially offset by decreases in other noninterest expense. Compared to the first quarter of 2025, total noninterest expense increased by 15.6%, with the increases primarily attributable to increased salaries, wages, and employee benefits and other noninterest expense, partially offset by declines in professional fees.
Adjusted noninterest expense, 2 which excludes acquisition and restructuring expenses, was as follows:
Noteworthy changes in noninterest expense during the quarter include:
The efficiency ratio 2 was 54.8% for the first quarter of 2026, compared to 55.0% for the fourth quarter of 2025, and 58.7% for the first quarter of 2025. As the business grows, Busey remains focused on prudently managing its 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.
Portfolio Loans
Busey remains steadfast in its conservative approach to underwriting and disciplined approach to pricing. Busey’s loan portfolio was comprised of the following:
CRE loans comprised 41.4% of Busey’s total loan portfolio as of March 31, 2026, and CRE properties were 25.9% owner occupied. Owner occupied commercial real estate is generally dependent on the performance of the borrowers’ businesses, whereas non-owner occupied commercial real estate is generally reliant on property cash flows generated by third-party tenants.
Asset Quality
Asset quality continues to be strong. Busey maintains a well-diversified loan portfolio and, as a matter of policy and practice, limits concentration exposure in any particular loan segment.
Non-performing assets decreased by $8.2 million compared to December 31, 2025, and decreased by $9.5 million compared to March 31, 2025. Non-performing assets represented 0.28% of total assets as of March 31, 2026, a 4 basis point decrease from December 31, 2025, and a 3 basis point decrease from March 31, 2025.
Classified assets increased by $41.9 million compared to December 31, 2025, and increased by $25.9 million compared to March 31, 2025, as a few larger commercial credits that Busey has been monitoring shifted to substandard still accruing.
The allowance for credit losses was $169.1 million as of March 31, 2026, 3.63 times our non-performing loans balance and representing 1.26% of total portfolio loans.
Busey’s net charge-offs and provision for credit losses were as follows:
Net charge-offs increased by $1.6 million when compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, and decreased by $24.1 million when compared with the first quarter of 2025. Net charge-offs during the three months ended March 31, 2026, included $6.7 million related to PCD loans acquired in the CrossFirst acquisition, which were previously reserved for.
Deposits
Busey’s deposits were comprised of the following:
Core deposits 2 accounted for 93.7% of total deposits as of March 31, 2026. The quality of our core deposit franchise is a critical value driver of our institution. In addition to the $3.53 billion of noninterest-bearing deposits, we also have $1.99 billion of interest-bearing non-maturity deposits that are priced at 1 basis point providing stable rate inelastic funding. Busey has 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 first quarter of 2026 had a weighted average term of 7.4 months at a rate of 3.28%, which was 39 basis points below our average marginal wholesale equivalent-term funding cost during the quarter.
Liquidity
As of March 31, 2026, Busey’s available sources of on- and off-balance sheet liquidity 5 totaled $8.63 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 $96.6 million in the first quarter of 2026. Cash flows from our securities portfolio are expected to be approximately $302.5 million for the remainder of 2026, with a current book yield of 3.21%.
Capital Strength
The strength of our balance sheet is also reflected in our capital foundation. Our capital ratios remain strong, and as of March 31, 2026, our estimated regulatory capital ratios 3 continued to provide a buffer of more than $800 million above minimum levels that would otherwise restrict dividends, equity repurchases, and discretionary bonus payments. The following table presents Busey’s capital estimates 3 and tangible equity position:
Dividends
Busey's strong capital levels, coupled with its earnings, have allowed it to provide a steady return to its stockholders through dividends. During the first quarter of 2026, Busey paid dividends of $0.26 per share on its outstanding shares of common stock, which represents a 4.0% increase from the previous quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share. Busey also paid dividends of $20.00 per share on its outstanding shares of Series A Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, which was issued in connection with the CrossFirst acquisition, and $0.515625 per share on its outstanding depositary shares, 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 first quarter of 2026, under its stock repurchase plan, Busey purchased 2,617,400 shares of its common stock at a weighted average price of $25.07 per share for a total of $65.6 million (excluding excise taxes). As of March 31, 2026, Busey had 2,238,775 shares remaining available for repurchase under the plan.
FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS INVESTOR PRESENTATION
For additional information on Busey’s financial condition and operating results, please refer to our Q1 2026 Earnings Investor Presentation furnished via Form 8‑K on April 28, 2026, in connection with this earnings release.
CORPORATE PROFILE
As of March 31, 2026, First Busey Corporation (Nasdaq: BUSE) was an $18.04 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 $18.01 billion as of March 31, 2026. Busey Bank currently has 80 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, three 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 $15.65 billion as of March 31, 2026. More information about Busey’s Wealth Management services can be found at busey.com/wealth-management.
Busey Bank’s payment technology solutions specialize in the evolving financial technology needs of small and medium-sized businesses, highly regulated enterprise industries, and financial institutions. Busey 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, Busey simplifies client workflows through integrations enabling support with billing, reconciliation, bill reminders, and treasury services.
Busey is honored to be consistently recognized as an outstanding financial services organization with an engaged culture of integrity and commitment to community development. Nationally, American Banker has named Busey a Best Bank to Work For since 2016 while Pensions and Investments has recognized Busey as a Best Place to Work in Money Management since 2018. At the local level, Busey is continually honored among the Best Places to Work in Illinois (since 2016), Best Companies to Work For in Florida (since 2017) and Best Places to Work in Indiana (since 2024).
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 in the tables below.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, 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 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, military conflicts, acts of war or threats thereof, or other adverse external events that could cause economic deterioration or instability in credit markets (including the conflicts in the Middle East and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine); (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) the impact of bank failures or adverse developments at other banks and related negative publicity about the banking industry, including investor and depositor sentiment regarding bank stability and liquidity; (7) 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; (8) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of Busey’s assets (including the impact of sustained elevated interest rates); (9) increased competition in the financial services sector (including from non-bank competitors such as credit unions, digital asset service providers, private credit, and fintech companies) and the inability to attract new customers; (10) 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; (11) the loss of key executives or associates, talent shortages, and employee turnover; (12) 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); (13) fluctuations in the value of securities held in Busey’s securities portfolio, including as a result of changes in interest rates; (14) 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); (15) 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; (16) the level of non-performing assets on Busey’s balance sheets; (17) interruptions involving information technology and communications systems or third-party servicers; (18) breaches or failures of information security controls or cybersecurity-related incidents; (19) 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; (20) 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; (21) the ability to maintain an adequate level of allowance for credit losses on loans; (22) the effectiveness of Busey’s risk management framework; and (23) 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
INVESTOR CONTACT: Christopher H.M. Chan, Chief Financial Officer | 913-647-9825