First Busey Corporation Announces 2026 Second Quarter Earnings
LEAWOOD, Kan., July 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Busey Corporation (Nasdaq: BUSE) Announces 2026 Second Quarter Earnings.
FINANCIAL RESULTS
Second quarter 2026 net income for First Busey Corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries (“Busey,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) was $63.2 million, or $0.69 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $50.0 million, or $0.52 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2026, and $47.4 million, or $0.52 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2025. Annualized return on average assets 2 and annualized return on average tangible common equity 2 were 1.42% and 14.49%, respectively, for the second quarter of 2026.
Pre-provision net revenue 2 was $81.6 million for the second quarter of 2026, compared to $67.7 million for the first quarter of 2026 and $64.2 million for the second quarter of 2025. Pre-provision net revenue to average assets 2 was 1.83% for the second quarter of 2026, compared to 1.52% for the first quarter of 2026, and 1.35% for the second quarter of 2025.
Adjusted Financial Results
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:
Adjusted net income, 2 which excludes the impact of non-GAAP adjustments, was $63.7 million, or $0.69 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2026, compared to $63.2 million, or $0.67 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2026 and $57.4 million, or $0.63 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2025. Annualized adjusted return on average assets 2 and annualized adjusted return on average tangible common equity 2 were 1.43% and 14.61%, respectively, for the second quarter of 2026.
Adjusted pre-provision net revenue 2 was $84.8 million for the second quarter of 2026, compared to $84.4 million for the first quarter of 2026 and $80.8 million for the second quarter of 2025. Adjusted pre-provision net revenue to average assets 2 was 1.90% for the second quarter of 2026, compared to 1.89% for the first quarter of 2026 and 1.70% for the second quarter of 2025.
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
Net interest income decreased by $1.6 million in the second quarter of 2026, compared to the first quarter of 2026, driven largely by lower purchase accounting accretion of $1.2 million. Lower average loan balances led to a decrease in average earning assets during the quarter. Deposit funding costs were 1 basis point lower during the quarter largely due to continued tailwinds from time deposit repricing. Based on our most recent Asset Liability Management Committee model, a +100 basis point parallel rate shock is expected to increase net interest income by 1.8% (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 predictable net interest income performance across different interest rate environments. Deposit balances increased by $392.7 million, or 2.7%, as a result of seasonal public funds inflows and strategic efforts to grow core customer deposits. At June 30, 2026, Busey Bank had $60.0 million of brokered funding, comprising 0.4% of total deposits, consistent with last quarter. Total deposit cost of funds decreased from 1.81% during the first quarter of 2026 to 1.80% during the second quarter of 2026. Deposit inflows allowed for reduction of borrowings by $184.6 million compared to the first quarter of 2026. Busey’s average total cost of funds was 1.89% for the second quarter of 2026, and spot total cost of funds was 1.92% at June 30, 2026.
Net Interest Margin 2
Busey’s average balances, annualized yield rates, and net interest margins are presented in the table below:
Noninterest Income
Busey continues to benefit from its diverse set of product offerings. Total noninterest income increased by 4.8% compared to the first quarter of 2026, primarily due to increases in income from wealth management fees, treasury management services, and net securities gains, partially offset by declines in other noninterest income. Compared to the second quarter of 2025, total noninterest income decreased by 1.2%, primarily due to declines in net securities gains and other noninterest income, partially offset by increases in income from wealth management fees.
Noteworthy changes in noninterest income during the quarter include:
Operating Efficiency
Busey remains focused on prudently managing our expense base and operating efficiency. Total noninterest expense decreased by 13.0% compared to the first quarter of 2026, and by 11.9% compared to the second quarter of 2025. Decreases were primarily attributable to declines in expense for salaries and employee benefits and data processing, which were partially offset by increases in other noninterest expense.
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 54.0% for the second quarter of 2026, compared to 54.8% for the first quarter of 2026, and 55.3% for the second quarter of 2025.
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 41.3% of Busey’s total loan portfolio as of June 30, 2026, and CRE properties were 26.3% 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 increased by $20.4 million compared to March 31, 2026, and increased by $12.2 million compared to June 30, 2025. The quarter-over-quarter increase was driven by one commercial credit where a partial charge-off was taken and a specific reserve was allocated; the sponsor remains engaged and is working towards a resolution. Non-performing assets represented 0.39% of total assets as of June 30, 2026, an 11 basis point increase from March 31, 2026, and an 8 basis point increase from June 30, 2025.
Classified assets increased by $9.6 million compared to March 31, 2026, and increased by $50.3 million compared to June 30, 2025.
The allowance for credit losses was $164.2 million as of June 30, 2026, equal to 2.4 times the balance of non-performing loans and representing 1.24% of total portfolio loans.
Busey’s net charge-offs and provision for credit losses were as follows:
Net charge-offs decreased by $1.0 million when compared to the first quarter of 2026, and decreased by $6.5 million when compared with the second quarter of 2025. Net charge-offs during the six months ended June 30, 2026, included $11.3 million related to PCD loans acquired in the CrossFirst acquisition, which were previously reserved for.
Deposits
Busey’s deposits were comprised of the following:
Busey’s loan to deposit ratio improved to 87.2% as of June 30, 2026, compared to 91.3% as of March 31, 2026. Core deposits 2 accounted for 93.7% of total deposits as of June 30, 2026. The quality of our core deposit franchise is a critical value driver of our institution. In addition to the $3.50 billion of noninterest-bearing deposits, we also have $1.91 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.
Borrowings
In June 2026, Busey completed the previously announced redemption of its trust preferred securities issued by First Busey Statutory Trust II.
Liquidity
As of June 30, 2026, Busey’s available sources of on- and off-balance sheet liquidity 5 totaled $8.85 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 $103.2 million in the second quarter of 2026. Cash flows from our securities portfolio are expected to be approximately $171.9 million for the remainder of 2026, with a current book yield of 3.04%.
Capital Strength
The strength of our balance sheet is also reflected in our robust capital foundation. 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 second quarter of 2026, Busey paid dividends of $0.26 per share on its outstanding shares of common stock. Busey also paid dividends of $20.00 per share on its outstanding shares of Series A Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock 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
On May 20, 2026, Busey's board of directors approved an amendment to Busey’s previously adopted share repurchase program to increase the number of shares of Busey’s common stock available for repurchase by 4,000,000 shares. During the second quarter of 2026, under its stock repurchase plan, Busey purchased 2,340,000 shares of its common stock at a weighted average price of $26.98 per share for a total of $63.1 million (excluding excise taxes). As of June 30, 2026, Busey had 3,898,775 shares remaining available for repurchase under the plan.
SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS INVESTOR PRESENTATION
For additional information on Busey’s financial condition and operating results, please refer to our Q2 2026 Earnings Investor Presentation furnished via Form 8‑K on July 28, 2026, in connection with this earnings release.
CORPORATE PROFILE
As of June 30, 2026, 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 $18.15 billion as of June 30, 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 $16.51 billion as of June 30, 2026. More information about Busey’s Wealth Management services can be found at busey.com/wealthmanagement.
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 increase levels of political and economic unpredictability, contribute to rising energy and commodity prices, affect global supply chains, increase the volatility of financial markets, and other matters beyond our control (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 availability of future equity and debt issuances and other capital raising opportunities on favorable terms; (20) 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; (21) 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; (22) the ability to maintain an adequate level of allowance for credit losses on loans; (23) the effectiveness of Busey’s risk management framework; and (24) 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: Tate McKay, Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Development | 217-351-6709