Skip to main content

FIRST BUSEY CORP NV

For the period ended Mar 31, 2024. Filed May 7, 2024.

View on SEC.gov

About this filing

A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.

Mar 31, 2024 · Filed May 7, 2024

BUSE$29.15+1.8%Stored close · as of Nov 9, 2026

Extracted filing text, with the paragraph anchors used by the comparison.

See the whole filing, with its images and exhibits

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

NOTE 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations

First Busey Corporation, a Nevada corporation organized in 1980, is a $11.9 billion financial holding company headquartered in Champaign, Illinois. Busey’s common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “BUSE.”

First Busey operates and reports its business inthree segments: Banking, Wealth Management, and FirsTech.

The Banking operating segment provides a full range of banking services to individual and corporate customers through its banking center network in Illinois; the St. Louis, Missouri metropolitan area; southwest Florida; and Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Wealth Management operating segment provides a full range of asset management, investment, brokerage, fiduciary, philanthropic advisory, tax preparation, and farm management services to individuals, businesses, and foundations.

The FirsTech operating segment provides comprehensive and innovative payment technology solutions including online, mobile, and voice-recognition bill payments; money management and credit card networks; direct debit services; lockbox remittance processing for payments made by mail; and walk-in payments. FirsTech also provides additional tools to help clients with billing, reconciliation, bill reminders, and treasury services.

For additional information about First Busey's operating segments, see“Note 15. Operating Segments and Related Information.”

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation

These unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with theaudited consolidated financial statements included in Busey's 2023 Annual Report. These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements serve to update our 2023 Annual Report and may not include all information and notes necessary to constitute a complete set of financial statements.

We prepared these unaudited consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP. We have eliminated intercompany accounts and transactions. We have also reclassified certain prior year amounts to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

In our opinion, the unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all normal, recurring adjustments needed to present fairly our results for the interim periods. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or any other interim period.

Use of Estimates

In preparing the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, Busey’s management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates which are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the fair value of debt securities available for sale, fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, goodwill, income taxes, and the determination of the ACL.

Impact of Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023‑02“Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323),” permitting an election to use the proportional amortization method to account for equity investments made primarily for the purpose of receiving income tax credits and other income tax benefits, regardless of the tax credit program from which the income tax credits are received, provided that 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. Busey adopted this standard on a modified retrospective basis on January 1, 2024. Upon adoption, Busey recorded an after-tax decrease to retained earnings of $1.4 million for the cumulative effect of adopting ASU 2023‑02. This transition adjustment included a $2.4 million decrease in other assets, a $0.5 million decrease in other liabilities, and a $0.5 million increase in deferred tax assets.

In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023‑01 “Leases (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements,” which requires amortization over the useful life of leasehold improvements (not the lease term) when the lease is between entities under common control, and any value of such leasehold improvements remaining at the end of the lease term is to be accounted for as a transfer between entities under common control. Busey adopted this standard on a prospective basis on January 1, 2024. Adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on Busey’s financial position or results of operations.

In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03“Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions,” which clarifies that contractual restrictions on the sale of equity securities are not considered in measuring the fair value of those equity securities, and further that contractual sale restrictions cannot be recognized and measured as a separate unit of account. Busey adopted this standard on a prospective basis on January 1, 2024. Adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on Busey’s financial position or results of operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In March 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-01 “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope Application of Profits Interest and Similar Awards” to clarify that certain “profits interests” are within the scope of Topic 718 by amending the language and providing illustrative examples on how the scope guidance in paragraph 718-10-15-3 should be applied. This update is intended to improve clarity of the accounting standards codification, not to change the guidance. This update may be applied on a retrospective or prospective basis and will be effective for Busey for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2025. Early adoption is permitted. Busey is currently evaluating the potential effects of adoption of this ASU on its financial position and results of operations.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023‑09 “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,” which requires more detailed disclosures of income taxes paid net of refunds received, income from continuing operations before income tax expense or benefit, and income tax expense from continuing operations. This standard is to be applied on a prospective basis, with retrospective application permitted, and will be effective for Busey for annual reporting periods beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. Busey does not expect adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023‑07 “Segment Reporting Topic 820): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” requiring enhanced disclosures related to significant segment expenses. This standard is to be applied on a retrospective basis and is effective for Busey for annual reporting periods beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, and for interim reporting periods within fiscal years starting January 1, 2025. Busey does not expect adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023‑06 “Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative” which aligns certain GAAP disclosure requirements with the SEC’s disclosure requirements, in order to better facilitate comparisons between entities that are subject to the SEC’s existing disclosures with entities that were not previously subject to the SEC’s requirements. Amendments in this update should be applied prospectively, and the effective date for Busey for each amendment in this ASU will be the date on which the SEC removes the related disclosure from Regulation S‑X or Regulation S‑K. Early adoption is prohibited. Busey does not expect adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

Subsequent Events

Busey has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and/or disclosure through the date the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report were issued. Busey issued a Form 8‑K on April 1, 2024, announcing completion of its acquisition of M&M on that date. Merger consideration paid to M&M common stockholders was comprised of an aggregate of 1,429,304 shares of Busey common stock and an aggregate of $12.2 million in cash. For additional information about Busey’s acquisition of M&M, see“Note. 16 Acquisition.” There were no other significant events subsequent to the quarter ended March 31, 2024, through the filing date of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2. DEBT SECURITIES

Busey's portfolio of debt securities includes both available for sale and held to maturity securities. The tables below provide the amortized cost, unrealized gains and losses, and fair values of debt securities summarized by major category(dollars in thousands):

As of March 31, 2024
AmortizedCost · Unrealized · FairValue
Gross GainsGross Losses
Debt securities available for sale
U.S. Treasury securities$749$—$(7)$742
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies5,7771(35)5,743
Obligations of states and political subdivisions1168,99720(18,091)150,926
Asset-backed securities1,2462,082—(384)461,698
Commercial mortgage-backed securities108,006—(15,443)92,563
Residential mortgage-backed securities1,223,4532(201,722)1,021,733
Corporate debt securities177,21285(12,630)164,667
Total debt securities available for sale$2,146,276$108$(248,312)$1,898,072
AmortizedCost · Unrecognized · FairValue
Gross GainsGross Losses
Debt securities held to maturity
Commercial mortgage-backed securities$424,946$—$(74,590)$350,356
Residential mortgage-backed securities437,272—(74,597)362,675
Total debt securities held to maturity$862,218$—$(149,187)$713,031
  1. Includes securities marked at par, with no gain or loss to report.

  2. Gross gains were insignificant, rounding to zero thousand.

As of December 31, 2023
AmortizedCost · Unrealized · FairValue
Gross Gains · Gross Losses
Debt securities available for sale
U.S. Treasury securities$16,031$—$(85)$15,946
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies5,8891(58)5,832
Obligations of states and political subdivisions1190,81952(18,026)172,845
Asset-backed securities470,046—(1,823)468,223
Commercial mortgage-backed securities119,044—(15,535)103,509
Residential mortgage-backed securities11,306,8545(195,547)1,111,312
Corporate debt securities225,947128(16,171)209,904
Total debt securities available for sale$2,334,630$186$(247,245)$2,087,571
AmortizedCost · Unrecognized · FairValue
Gross GainsGross Losses
Debt securities held to maturity
Commercial mortgage-backed securities$428,526$—$(71,000)$357,526
Residential mortgage-backed securities444,102—(71,231)372,871
Total debt securities held to maturity$872,628$—$(142,231)$730,397
  1. Includes securities marked at par, with no gain or loss to report.

Maturities of Debt Securities

Amortized cost and fair value of debt securities, by contractual maturity or pre-refunded date, are shown below. Mortgages underlying mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities may be called or prepaid; therefore, actual maturities could differ from the contractual maturities. All mortgage-backed securities were issued by U.S. government corporations and agencies(dollars in thousands):

As of March 31, 2024
AmortizedCostFairValue
Debt securities available for sale
Due in one year or less$262,012$222,566
Due after one year through five years752,610666,718
Due after five years through ten years529,926469,029
Due after ten years601,728539,759
Debt securities available for sale$2,146,276$1,898,072
Debt securities held to maturity
Due in one year or less$104,797$88,589
Due after one year through five years263,376216,744
Due after five years through ten years241,243198,562
Due after ten years252,802209,136
Debt securities held to maturity$862,218$713,031

Gains and Losses on Debt Securities Available for Sale

Realized gains and losses related to sales and calls of debt securities available for sale are summarized as follows(dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended March 31,
20242023
Realized gains and losses on debt securities
Gross gains on debt securities$1$10
Gross (losses) on debt securities1(6,803)(6)
Realized net gains (losses) on debt securities$(6,802)$4
  1. During the first quarter of 2024, Busey sold available-for-sale debt securities with a book value of approximately $108.2 million for a pre-tax loss of $6.8 million, as part of a balance sheet repositioning strategy. The loss on the sale of securities was offset by a pre-tax gain of $7.5 million realized on the sale of mortgage servicing rights on approximately $923.5 million of one- to four-family mortgage loans.

Debt securities with carrying amounts of $787.5 million on March 31, 2024, and $837.4 million on December 31, 2023, were pledged as collateral for public deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and for other purposes as required.

Debt Securities in an Unrealized or Unrecognized Loss Position

The following information pertains to debt securities with gross unrealized or unrecognized losses, aggregated by investment category and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position(dollars in thousands):

As of March 31, 2024
Less than 12 months12 months or moreTotal
FairValueUnrealizedLossesFairValueUnrealizedLossesFairValueUnrealizedLosses
Debt securities available for sale
U.S. Treasury securities$—$—$742$(7)$742$(7)
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies——5,629(35)5,629(35)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions8,524(68)134,945(18,023)143,469(18,091)
Asset-backed securities——253,231(384)253,231(384)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities——92,563(15,443)92,563(15,443)
Residential mortgage-backed securities165(1)1,021,383(201,721)1,021,548(201,722)
Corporate debt securities4,313(102)152,739(12,528)157,052(12,630)
Debt securities available for sale with gross unrealized losses$13,002$(171)$1,661,232$(248,141)$1,674,234$(248,312)
12 months or moreTotal
FairValueUnrecognizedLossesFairValueUnrecognizedLosses
Debt securities held to maturity
Commercial mortgage-backed securities$350,356$(74,590)$350,356$(74,590)
Residential mortgage-backed securities362,675(74,597)362,675(74,597)
Debt securities held to maturity with gross unrecognized losses$713,031$(149,187)$713,031$(149,187)
As of December 31, 2023
Less than 12 months12 months or moreTotal
FairValueUnrealizedLossesFairValueUnrealizedLossesFairValueUnrealizedLosses
Debt securities available for sale
U.S. Treasury securities$—$—$15,946$(85)$15,946$(85)
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies——5,709(58)5,709(58)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions11,442(54)146,797(17,972)158,239(18,026)
Asset-backed securities——468,223(1,823)468,223(1,823)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities——103,509(15,535)103,509(15,535)
Residential mortgage-backed securities141(1)1,110,906(195,546)1,111,047(195,547)
Corporate debt securities1,450(10)198,694(16,161)200,144(16,171)
Debt securities available for sale with gross unrealized losses$13,033$(65)$2,049,784$(247,180)$2,062,817$(247,245)
12 months or moreTotal
FairValueUnrecognizedLossesFairValueUnrecognizedLosses
Debt securities held to maturity
Commercial mortgage-backed securities$357,526$(71,000)$357,526$(71,000)
Residential mortgage-backed securities372,871(71,231)372,871(71,231)
Debt securities held to maturity with gross unrecognized losses$730,397$(142,231)$730,397$(142,231)

Additional information about debt securities in an unrealized or unrecognized loss position is presented in the tables below(dollars in thousands):

As of March 31, 2024
Available for SaleHeld to MaturityTotal
Debt securities with gross unrealized or unrecognized losses, fair value$1,674,234$713,031$2,387,265
Gross unrealized or unrecognized losses on debt securities248,312149,187397,499
Ratio of gross unrealized or unrecognized losses to debt securities with gross unrealized or unrecognized losses14.8%20.9%16.7%
Count of debt securities70855763
Count of debt securities in an unrealized or unrecognized loss position65455709
As of December 31, 2023
Available for SaleHeld to MaturityTotal
Debt securities with gross unrealized or unrecognized losses, fair value$2,062,817$730,397$2,793,214
Gross unrealized or unrecognized losses on debt securities247,245142,231389,476
Ratio of gross unrealized or unrecognized losses to debt securities with gross unrealized or unrecognized losses12.0%19.5%13.9%
Count of debt securities83555890
Count of debt securities in an unrealized or unrecognized loss position77955834

Unrealized and unrecognized losses were related to changes in market interest rates and market conditions that do not represent credit-related impairments. Unless part of a corporate strategy or restructuring plan, Busey does not intend to sell securities that are in an unrealized or unrecognized loss position, and it is more likely than not that the Company will recover the amortized cost prior to being required to sell the debt securities. Full collection of the amounts due according to the contractual terms of the debt securities is expected; therefore, no ACL was recorded in relation to debt securities, and the impairment related to noncredit factors on debt securities available for sale is recognized in AOCI, net of applicable taxes. As of March 31, 2024, Busey did not hold general obligation bonds of any single issuer, the aggregate of which exceeded 10% of Busey’s stockholders’ equity.

NOTE 3. PORTFOLIO LOANS

Loan Categories

Busey’s lending can be summarized in two primary categories: commercial and retail. Lending is further classified into five primary areas of loans: C&I and other commercial loans, commercial real estate loans, real estate construction loans, retail real estate loans, and retail other loans. Distributions of the loan portfolio by loan category and class is presented in the following table(dollars in thousands):

As of
March 31,2024December 31,2023
Commercial loans
C&I and other commercial$1,828,711$1,835,994
Commercial real estate3,331,6703,337,337
Real estate construction445,860461,717
Total commercial loans5,606,2415,635,048
Retail loans
Retail real estate1,708,6631,720,455
Retail other273,173295,531
Total retail loans1,981,8362,015,986
Total portfolio loans7,588,0777,651,034
ACL(91,562)(91,740)
Portfolio loans, net$7,496,515$7,559,294

Net deferred loan origination costs included in the balances above were $13.4 million as of March 31, 2024, compared to $13.5 million as of December 31, 2023. Net accretable purchase accounting adjustments included in the balances above reduced loans by $4.3 million as of March 31, 2024, and $4.5 million as of December 31, 2023.

Busey didnot purchase any retail real estate loans during the three months ended March 31, 2024 or 2023.

Pledged Loans

The principal balance of loans Busey has pledged as collateral to the FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank for liquidity as set forth in the table below(dollars in thousands):

As of
March 31,2024December 31,2023
Pledged loans
FHLB$4,821,485$4,865,481
Federal Reserve Bank724,971722,914
Total pledged loans$5,546,456$5,588,395

Risk Grading

Busey utilizes a loan grading scale to assign a risk grade to all of its loans. A description of the general characteristics of each grade is as follows:

Pass– This category includes loans that are all considered acceptable credits, ranging from investment or near investment grade, to loans made to borrowers who exhibit credit fundamentals that meet or exceed industry standards.

Watch– This category includes loans that warrant a higher-than-average level of monitoring to ensure that weaknesses do not cause the inability of the credit to perform as expected. These loans are not necessarily a problem due to other inherent strengths of the credit, such as guarantor strength, but have above average concern and monitoring.

Special mention– This category is for “Other Assets Specially Mentioned” loans that have potential weaknesses, which may, if not checked or corrected, weaken the asset or inadequately protect Busey’s credit position at some future date.

Substandard– This category includes “Substandard” loans, determined in accordance with regulatory guidelines, for which the accrual of interest has not been stopped. Assets so classified must have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that Busey will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Substandard non-accrual– This category includes loans that have all the characteristics of a “Substandard” loan with additional factors that make collection in full highly questionable and improbable. Such loans are placed on non-accrual status and may be dependent on collateral with a value that is difficult to determine.

All loans are graded at their inception. Commercial lending relationships that are $1.0 million or less are usually processed through an expedited underwriting process. Most commercial loans greater than $1.0 million are included in a portfolio review at least annually. Commercial loans greater than $0.35 million that have a grading of special mention or worse are typically reviewed on a quarterly basis. Interim reviews may take place if circumstances of the borrower warrant a more frequent review.

The following table is a summary of risk grades segregated by category and class of portfolio loans(dollars in thousands):

As of March 31, 2024
PassWatchSpecialMentionSubstandardSubstandardNon-accrualTotal
Commercial loans
C&I and other commercial$1,491,166$243,635$37,711$42,853$13,346$1,828,711
Commercial real estate2,797,374447,31349,93236,987643,331,670
Real estate construction410,08922,4837,7435,301244445,860
Total commercial loans4,698,629713,43195,38685,14113,6545,606,241
Retail loans
Retail real estate1,692,0139,3719222,6893,6681,708,663
Retail other273,030———143273,173
Total retail loans1,965,0439,3719222,6893,8111,981,836
Total portfolio loans$6,663,672$722,802$96,308$87,830$17,465$7,588,077
As of December 31, 2023
PassWatchSpecialMentionSubstandardSubstandardNon-accrualTotal
Commercial loans
C&I and other commercial$1,462,755$296,416$46,488$27,733$2,602$1,835,994
Commercial real estate2,827,030431,42748,54529,4928433,337,337
Real estate construction448,0118,135—5,327244461,717
Total commercial loans4,737,796735,97895,03362,5523,6895,635,048
Retail loans
Retail real estate1,702,89711,1441,0241,7953,5951,720,455
Retail other295,374———157295,531
Total retail loans1,998,27111,1441,0241,7953,7522,015,986
Total portfolio loans$6,736,067$747,122$96,057$64,347$7,441$7,651,034

Risk grades of portfolio loans and gross charge-offs are presented in the tables below by loan class, further sorted by origination year(dollars in thousands):

Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year · RevolvingLoans · Total
Risk Grade Ratings · 2024 · 2023 · 2022 · 2021 · 2020 · Prior
C&I and other commercial
Pass$92,898$261,771$214,944$156,831$66,161$154,099$544,462$1,491,166
Watch4,86958,91349,67114,38923,22627,75964,808243,635
Special Mention6652397,9642,6546773,26422,24837,711
Substandard8,3715,7001,3868195252,34823,70442,853
Substandard non-accrual—75—117661,38811,70013,346
Total commercial106,803326,698273,965174,81090,655188,858666,9221,828,711
Gross charge-offs—5,130———88—5,218
Commercial real estate
Pass77,146362,541845,621676,837384,545433,21617,4682,797,374
Watch58,049131,05935,873111,99832,96473,8463,524447,313
Special Mention1,4058,64613,12612,5785,0159,162—49,932
Substandard1,3625,6262,67718,8213,3375,1145036,987
Substandard non-accrual—44——20——64
Total commercial real estate137,962507,916897,297820,234425,881521,33821,0423,331,670
Gross charge-offs—————96—96
Real estate construction
Pass58,333177,43772,32575,2822,4583,33220,922410,089
Watch—3,67818,030455320——22,483
Special Mention—7,743—————7,743
Substandard—5,301—————5,301
Substandard non-accrual—————244—244
Total real estate construction58,333194,15990,35575,7372,7783,57620,922445,860
Gross charge-offs————————
Retail real estate
Pass19,533240,662376,623378,955153,995313,080209,1651,692,013
Watch8058322,8732,2429374011,2819,371
Special Mention—191354——377—922
Substandard—1361,0495194593552,689
Substandard non-accrual——527652531,9828413,668
Total retail real estate20,338241,821381,426381,781155,230316,775211,2921,708,663
Gross charge-offs—————52—52
Retail other
Pass1,45878,00683,89120,2055,4383,54680,486273,030
Substandard non-accrual——9349—1—143
Total retail other1,45878,00683,98420,2545,4383,54780,486273,173
Gross charge-offs—3—23—68—94
Total portfolio loans$324,894$1,348,600$1,727,027$1,472,816$679,982$1,034,094$1,000,664$7,588,077
Total gross charge-offs$—$5,133$—$23$—$304$—$5,460
Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year · RevolvingLoans · Total
Risk Grade Ratings · 2023 · 2022 · 2021 · 2020 · 2019 · Prior
C&I and other commercial
Pass$306,578$220,847$159,130$71,025$35,927$143,078$526,170$1,462,755
Watch78,60365,70321,42123,9197,03521,29378,442296,416
Special Mention7928,2242,9171,0766863,27429,51946,488
Substandard8,7157659424263,7341,85911,29227,733
Substandard non-accrual166—117841284071,7002,602
Total commercial394,854295,539184,52796,53047,510169,911647,1231,835,994
Gross charge-offs284—420—3161,409—2,429
Commercial real estate
Pass395,644824,506720,052399,195271,078199,66216,8932,827,030
Watch166,79547,07092,84834,01068,19619,3963,112431,427
Special Mention14,31310,50712,4464,9683,2973,014—48,545
Substandard1,79618818,8622,9381,8023,8565029,492
Substandard non-accrual47798523—609—843
Total commercial real estate578,595882,350844,293441,134344,373226,53720,0553,337,337
Gross charge-offs—————953—953
Real estate construction
Pass204,952128,46285,0862,6161,3232,93422,638448,011
Watch2,8594,40650732241——8,135
Substandard5,327——————5,327
Substandard non-accrual—————244—244
Total real estate construction213,138132,86885,5932,9381,3643,17822,638461,717
Gross charge-offs————————
Retail real estate
Pass243,400376,922411,723156,76270,099256,571187,4201,702,897
Watch1,0964,1372,4429545362341,74511,144
Special Mention286358———380—1,024
Substandard697229249809972361,795
Substandard non-accrual—5281212671001,9606193,595
Total retail real estate244,851382,017414,578158,03270,815260,142190,0201,720,455
Gross charge-offs—5—2972301—407
Retail other
Pass88,88592,93123,0196,7014,59785478,387295,374
Substandard non-accrual—9362——2—157
Total retail other88,88593,02423,0816,7014,59785678,387295,531
Gross charge-offs57117253373—629
Total portfolio loans$1,520,323$1,785,798$1,552,072$705,335$468,659$660,624$958,223$7,651,034
Total gross charge-offs$289$76$592$34$391$3,036$—$4,418

Past Due and Non-accrual Loans

An analysis of the amortized cost basis of portfolio loans that are past due and still accruing, or on a non-accrual status, is as follows(dollars in thousands):

As of March 31, 2024
Loans past due, still accruing · Non-accrualLoans
30-59 Days · 60-89 Days · 90+Days
Past due and non-accrual loans
Commercial loans:
C&I and other commercial$43$—$—$13,346
Commercial real estate3,174338—64
Real estate construction———244
Past due and non-accrual commercial loans3,217338—13,654
Retail loans:
Retail real estate2,869385773,668
Retail other53010211143
Past due and non-accrual retail loans3,399487883,811
Total past due and non-accrual loans$6,616$825$88$17,465
As of December 31, 2023
Loans past due, still accruing · Non-accrualLoans
30-59 Days · 60-89 Days · 90+Days
Past due and non-accrual loans
Commercial loans:
C&I and other commercial$—$214$—$2,602
Commercial real estate752——843
Real estate construction24——244
Past due and non-accrual commercial loans776214—3,689
Retail loans:
Retail real estate2,7819273663,595
Retail other8861959157
Past due and non-accrual retail loans3,6671,1223753,752
Total past due and non-accrual loans$4,443$1,336$375$7,441

Gross interest income recorded on 90+ days past due loans, and that would have been recorded on non-accrual loans if they had been accruing interest in accordance with their original terms, was $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, and was $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The amount of interest collected on those loans and recognized on a cash basis that was included in interest income wasimmaterial for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

Loan Modifications for Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty

The following tables present the amortized cost basis of loans that were modified—specifically in the form of (1) principal forgiveness, (2) an interest rate reduction, (3) an other-than-insignificant payment deferral, and/or (4) a term extension—for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the periods indicated, disaggregated by class of financing receivable and type of concession granted(dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Payment Deferral1% of Total Class of Financing ReceivableTerm Extension2% of Total Class of Financing Receivable
Modified Loans
C&I and other commercial$10,0000.5%$17,1550.9%
Commercial real estate——%1,7050.1%
Total of loans modified during the period$10,0000.1%$18,8600.2%
  1. One loan was modified and classified as non-accrual during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

  2. Modifications to extend loan terms also included, in some cases, interest rate increases during the extension period. All modifications were for loans classified as substandard.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Payment Deferral1% of Total Class of Financing Receivable2Term Extension3% of Total Class of Financing Receivable
Modified Loans
C&I and other commercial$489—%$25,1551.3%
Commercial real estate——%12,6980.4%
Total of loans modified during the period4$489—%$37,8530.5%
  1. Loans with payment deferrals were modified to defer all principal payments until the end of the loan terms, which were shortened. Regular interest payments continue to be required during the deferral period.

  2. Loans with payment deferrals represent an insignificant portion of commercial loans and total loans, rounding to zero percent.

  3. Modifications to extend loan terms also included, in most cases, interest rate increases during the extension period.

  4. All modifications were for loans classified as substandard.

Three Months Ended March 31,
20242023
Weighted Average Term ExtensionWeighted Average Term Extension
Effects of Loan Modifications
C&I and other commercial19.1 months9.1 months
Commercial real estate2.0 months5.8 months
Total effect17.6 months8.0 months

No loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty had a payment default during the three months ended March 31, 2024 or 2023, after having been modified during the 12 months before that default. A default occurs when a loan is 90 days or more past due or transferred to non-accrual status.

Busey closely monitors the performance of the loans that are modified to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty to understand the effectiveness of its modification efforts. The following table depicts the payment performance of loans modified during the last twelve months(dollars in thousands):

As of March 31, 2024
Current30-89 Days90+ DaysNon-accrual
Modified Loans
C&I and other commercial$21,641$—$—$10,000
Commercial real estate3,009———
Real estate construction5,301———
Amortized cost of modified loans$29,951$—$—$10,000

Collateral Dependent Loans

Management's evaluation as to the ultimate collectability of loans includes estimates regarding future cash flows from operations and the value of property, real and personal, pledged as collateral. These estimates are affected by changing economic conditions and the economic prospects of borrowers. Collateral dependent loans are loans in which repayment is expected to be provided solely by the operation or sale of the underlying collateral and there are no other available and reliable sources of repayment. Loans are written down to the lower of cost or fair value of the underlying collateral, less estimated costs to sell. Busey had $14.2 million and $6.1 million of collateral dependent loans secured by real estate or business assets as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Foreclosures

As of March 31, 2024, Busey had $0.9 million of residential real estate loans in the process of foreclosure. Busey follows Federal Housing Finance Agency guidelines on single-family foreclosures and real estate owned evictions on portfolio loans.

Loans Evaluated Individually

Busey evaluates loans with disparate risk characteristics on an individual basis. The following tables provide details of loans evaluated individually, segregated by loan category and class. The unpaid principal balance represents customer outstanding contractual principal balances excluding any partial charge-offs. Recorded investment represents the amortized cost of customer balances net of any partial charge-offs recognized on the loan. Average recorded investment is calculated using the most recent four quarters(dollars in thousands):

As of March 31, 2024
UnpaidPrincipalBalance · Recorded Investment · AverageRecordedInvestment
With NoAllowance · WithAllowance · Total · RelatedAllowance
Loans evaluated individually
Commercial loans:
C&I and other commercial$20,372$2,197$10,920$13,117$7,498$6,553
Commercial real estate—————2,618
Commercial loans evaluated individually20,3722,19710,92013,1177,4989,171
Retail loans:
Retail real estate21361258625289
Retail loans evaluated individually21361258625289
Total loans evaluated individually$20,585$2,258$10,945$13,203$7,523$9,460
As of December 31, 2023
UnpaidPrincipalBalance · Recorded Investment · AverageRecordedInvestment
With NoAllowance · WithAllowance · Total · RelatedAllowance
Loans evaluated individually
Commercial loans:
C&I and other commercial$7,283$585$1,785$2,370$785$5,244
Commercial real estate2,60061085695853,865
Real estate construction—————49
Commercial loans evaluated individually9,8831,1951,8703,0658709,158
Retail loans:
Retail real estate21361258625790
Retail loans evaluated individually21361258625790
Total loans evaluated individually$10,096$1,256$1,895$3,151$895$9,948

Allowance for Credit Losses

The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from the portfolio loans’ amortized cost bases to present the net amount expected to be collected on the portfolio loans. Portfolio loans are charged off against the ACL when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Recoveries will be recognized up to the aggregate amount of previously charged-off balances. The ACL is established through the provision for credit loss charged to income.

Management estimates the ACL balance using relevant available information from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. The cumulative loss rate used as the basis for the estimate of credit losses is comprised of Busey’s historical loss experience beginning in 2010. Due to the continued economic uncertainty in the markets in which the Company operates, Busey will continue to utilize a forecast period of 12 months with an immediate reversion to historical loss rates beyond this forecast period in its ACL estimate.

The following tables summarize activity in the ACL attributable to each loan class. Allocation of a portion of the ACL to one loan class does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other loan classes(dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
C&I and Other CommercialCommercialReal EstateReal EstateConstructionRetailReal EstateRetail OtherTotal
ACL balance, December 31, 2023$21,256$35,465$5,163$26,298$3,558$91,740
Provision for credit losses10,125(1,864)(491)(2,093)(639)5,038
Charged-off(5,218)(96)—(52)(94)(5,460)
Recoveries44—4112831244
ACL balance, March 31, 2024$26,207$33,505$4,713$24,281$2,856$91,562
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
C&I and Other CommercialCommercialReal EstateReal EstateConstructionRetailReal EstateRetail OtherTotal
ACL balance, December 31, 2022$23,860$38,299$6,457$18,193$4,799$91,608
Provision for credit losses695(3,359)(1,329)5,948(1,002)953
Charged-off(400)(539)—(5)(237)(1,181)
Recoveries121203111956347
ACL balance, March 31, 2023$24,276$34,421$5,159$24,255$3,616$91,727

The following tables present the ACL and amortized cost of portfolio loans by loan category and class(dollars in thousands):

As of March 31, 2024
Portfolio LoansACL Attributed to Portfolio Loans
CollectivelyEvaluated forImpairmentIndividuallyEvaluated forImpairmentTotalCollectivelyEvaluated forImpairmentIndividuallyEvaluated forImpairmentTotal
Portfolio loans and related ACL
Commercial loans:
C&I and other commercial$1,815,594$13,117$1,828,711$18,709$7,498$26,207
Commercial real estate3,331,670—3,331,67033,505—33,505
Real estate construction445,860—445,8604,713—4,713
Commercial loans and related ACL5,593,12413,1175,606,24156,9277,49864,425
Retail loans:
Retail real estate1,708,577861,708,66324,2562524,281
Retail other273,173—273,1732,856—2,856
Retail loans and related ACL1,981,750861,981,83627,1122527,137
Portfolio loans and related ACL$7,574,874$13,203$7,588,077$84,039$7,523$91,562
As of December 31, 2023
Portfolio LoansACL Attributed to Portfolio Loans
CollectivelyEvaluated forImpairmentIndividuallyEvaluated forImpairmentTotalCollectivelyEvaluated forImpairmentIndividuallyEvaluated forImpairmentTotal
Portfolio loans and related ACL
Commercial loans:
C&I and other commercial$1,833,624$2,370$1,835,994$20,471$785$21,256
Commercial real estate3,336,6426953,337,33735,3808535,465
Real estate construction461,717—461,7175,163—5,163
Commercial loans and related ACL5,631,9833,0655,635,04861,01487061,884
Retail loans:
Retail real estate1,720,369861,720,45526,2732526,298
Retail other295,531—295,5313,558—3,558
Retail loans and related ACL2,015,900862,015,98629,8312529,856
Portfolio loans and related ACL$7,647,883$3,151$7,651,034$90,845$895$91,740

NOTE 4. LEASES

Busey as the Lessee

Busey has operating leases consisting primarily of equipment leases and real estate leases for banking centers, ATM locations, and office space. The following table summarizes lease-related information and balances Busey reported in its Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) for the periods presented(dollars in thousands):

As of
March 31,2024December 31,2023
Lease balances
Right of use assets$10,590$11,027
Lease liabilities10,89611,308
Supplemental information
Year through which lease terms extend20372037
Weighted average remaining lease term8.26 years8.39 years
Weighted average discount rate3.61%3.59%

The following table represents lease costs and cash flows related to leases for the periods presented(dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended March 31,
20242023
Lease costs
Operating lease costs$535$628
Variable lease costs145
Short-term lease costs136
Total lease cost1$562$639
Cash flows related to leases
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating lease cash flows – Fixed payments$507$570
Operating lease cash flows – Liability reduction411479
Right of use assets obtained during the period in exchange for operating lease liabilities—4
  1. Lease costs are included in net occupancy and equipment expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited).

Busey was obligated under noncancelable operating leases for office space and other commitments. Future undiscounted lease payments with initial terms of one year or more, are as follows(dollars in thousands):

As of March 31, 2024
Rent commitments
Remainder of 2024$1,515
20251,768
20261,443
20271,277
20281,255
20291,278
Thereafter4,200
Total undiscounted cash flows12,736
Less: Amounts representing interest1,840
Present value of net future minimum lease payments$10,896

Busey as the Lessor

Busey occasionally leases parking lots and office space to outside parties. Revenues recorded in connection with these leases, reported in Other income on our Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited), are summarized as follows(dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended March 31,
20242023
Rental income$202$191

NOTE 5. DEPOSITS

The composition of Busey’s deposits is as follows(dollars in thousands):

As of
March 31,2024December 31,2023
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits$2,784,338$2,834,655
Interest-bearing transaction deposits2,397,9372,717,139
Saving deposits and money market deposits3,200,7382,920,088
Time deposits1,577,1781,819,274
Total deposits$9,960,191$10,291,156

Additional information about Busey’s deposits follows(dollars in thousands):

As of
March 31,2024December 31,2023
Brokered savings deposits and money market deposits$6,001$6,001
Brokered time deposits—285
Aggregate amount of time deposits with a minimum denomination of $100,000898,4331,072,189
Aggregate amount of time deposits with a minimum denomination that meets or exceeds the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000326,794386,286

Scheduled maturities of time deposits are as follows(dollars in thousands):

As of March 31, 2024
Time deposits by schedule of maturities
Remainder of 2024$1,371,431
2025156,304
202622,905
202713,209
202810,150
20292,743
Thereafter436
Time deposits$1,577,178

NOTE 6. BORROWINGS

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, which are classified as secured borrowings, generally mature daily. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are reflected at the amount of cash received in connection with the transaction. The underlying securities are held by Busey’s safekeeping agent. Busey may be required to provide additional collateral based on fluctuations in the fair value of the underlying securities. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase were as follows(dollars in thousands):

As of
March 31,2024December 31,2023
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase$147,175$187,396
Weighted average rate for securities sold under agreements to repurchase2.96%3.26%

Term Loan

On May 28, 2021, Busey entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, pursuant to which Busey has access to (1) a $40.0 million revolving line of credit with an initial termination date of April 30, 2022, and (2) a $60.0 million Term Loan with a maturity date of May 31, 2026. The loans had an annual interest rate of 1.75% plus the one-month LIBOR rate. On April 30, 2022, the agreement was amended, effecting an extension of the termination date for the revolving line of credit to April 30, 2023, and providing for the transition from a LIBOR-indexed interest rate to a SOFR-indexed interest rate. Under the terms of the amendment, the loans now have an annual interest rate of 1.80% plus the one-month forward-looking term rate based on SOFR. The agreement has subsequently been amended twice to extend the termination date for the revolving line of credit, which is currently April 30, 2025. During the first quarter of 2024, Busey paid the full $30.0 million balance remaining on the Term Loan, at which time the Term Loan carried interest at a rate of 7.13%.

As of March 31, 2024, there wasno balance outstanding on the revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility incurs a non-usage fee based on any undrawn amounts.

Short-term Borrowings

Busey’s short-term borrowings include loans maturing within one year of the loan origination date and, when applicable, the current portion of long-term debt that is due within 12 months. Short-term borrowings are summarized as follows(dollars in thousands):

As of
March 31,2024December 31,2023
Short-term borrowings
Term Loan, current portion due within 12 months$—$12,000
Total short-term debt$—$12,000

Federal funds purchased are short-term borrowings that generally mature betweenone day and 90 days. During the first quarter of 2024, Busey purchased federal funds to test operational availability to access funds if needed. Busey hadno federal funds purchased as of March 31, 2024, or December 31, 2023.

Long-term Debt

Busey’s long-term debt consists of loans maturing more than one year from the loan origination date, excluding the current portion that is due within 12 months. Long-term debt is summarized as follows(dollars in thousands):

As of
March 31,2024December 31,2023
Long-term debt
Term Loan$—$18,000
Total long-term debt$—$18,000

Subordinated Notes

On June 1, 2020, Busey issued $125.0 million of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes that mature on June 1, 2030. The subordinated notes, which qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes, bear interest at an annual rate of 5.25% for the first five years after issuance and thereafter bear interest at a floating rate equal to a three-month benchmark rate plus a spread of 5.11%, as calculated on each applicable determination date. Interest on the subordinated notes is payable semi-annually on each June 1 and December 1 during thefive-year fixed-term, and thereafter on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1 of each year, commencing on September 1, 2025. The subordinated notes have an optional redemption, in whole or in part, on any interest payment date on or after June 1, 2025. The subordinated notes are unsecured obligations of the Company.

On June 2, 2022, Busey issued $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.000% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes maturing June 15, 2032, which qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes. The price to the public for the subordinated notes was 100% of the principal amount of the subordinated notes. Interest on the subordinated notes accrues at a rate equal to (i)5.000% per annum from the original issue date to, but excluding, June 15, 2027, payable semiannually in arrears, and (ii) a floating rate per annum equal to a benchmark rate, which is expected to be the Three-Month Term SOFR (as defined in the subordinated notes), plus a spread of 252 basis points from and including June 15, 2027, payable quarterly in arrears. The subordinated notes have an optional redemption, in whole or in part, on any interest payment date on or after June 15, 2027.

Unamortized debt issuance costs related to Busey’s subordinated notes are presented in the following table(dollars in thousands):

As of
March 31,2024December 31,2023
Unamortized debt issuance costs
Subordinated notes issued in 2020$610$735
Subordinated notes issued in 20221,2901,383
Total unamortized debt issuance costs$1,900$2,118

NOTE 7. REGULATORY CAPITAL

Busey and Busey Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory—and possibly additional discretionary—actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on Busey's consolidated financial statements. Capital amounts and classification also are subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

Banking regulations identify five capital categories for insured depository institutions: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized. As of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, all capital ratios of Busey and Busey Bank exceeded well capitalized levels under the applicable regulatory capital adequacy guidelines. Management believes that no events or changes have occurred subsequent to March 31, 2024, that would change this designation.

Current Expected Credit Loss Model

On August 26, 2020, the FDIC and other federal banking agencies adopted a final rule which provided banking organizations that adopted CECL during 2020 with the option to delay for two years the estimated impact of CECL on regulatory capital and to phase in the aggregate impact of the deferral on regulatory capital over a subsequent three-year period. Under this final rule, because Busey elected to use the deferral option, the regulatory capital impact of our transition adjustments recorded on January 1, 2020, arising from the adoption of CECL, was deferred for two years. In addition, 25 percent of the ongoing impact of CECL on our ACL, retained earnings, and average total consolidated assets from January 1, 2020, through the end of the two-year deferral period, each as reported for regulatory capital purposes, has been added to the deferred transition amounts (“adjusted transition amounts”) and deferred for the two-year period. On January 1, 2022, at the conclusion of the two-year period, the adjusted transition amounts began to be phased-in for regulatory capital purposes at a rate of 25 percent per year, with the phased-in amounts included in regulatory capital at the beginning of each year.

Capital Amounts and Ratios

The following tables summarize regulatory capital requirements applicable to Busey and Busey Bank(dollars in thousands):

As of March 31, 2024
ActualMinimumCapital RequirementMinimumTo Be WellCapitalized
AmountRatioAmountRatioAmountRatio
Common equity Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
First Busey$1,166,91913.45%$390,4334.50%$563,9586.50%
Busey Bank$1,365,03315.79%$389,1134.50%$562,0526.50%
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
First Busey$1,240,91914.30%$520,5776.00%$694,1038.00%
Busey Bank$1,365,03315.79%$518,8176.00%$691,7568.00%
Total capital to risk weighted assets
First Busey$1,557,13717.95%$694,1038.00%$867,62810.00%
Busey Bank$1,456,25016.84%$691,7568.00%$864,69510.00%
Leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital to average assets
First Busey$1,240,91910.46%$474,6784.00%N/AN/A
Busey Bank$1,365,03311.53%$473,4224.00%$591,7775.00%
As of December 31, 2023
ActualMinimumCapital RequirementMinimumTo Be WellCapitalized
AmountRatioAmountRatioAmountRatio
Common equity Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
First Busey$1,155,97313.09%$397,3314.50%$573,9236.50%
Busey Bank$1,362,96215.48%$396,1284.50%$572,1856.50%
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
First Busey$1,229,97313.93%$529,7756.00%$706,3678.00%
Busey Bank$1,362,96215.48%$528,1716.00%$704,2288.00%
Total capital to risk weighted assets
First Busey$1,540,31817.44%$706,3678.00%$882,95810.00%
Busey Bank$1,448,30716.45%$704,2288.00%$880,28510.00%
Leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital to average assets
First Busey$1,229,97310.08%$488,3154.00%N/AN/A
Busey Bank$1,362,96211.19%$487,1034.00%$608,8795.00%

Capital Conservation Buffer

In July 2013, U.S. federal banking authorities approved the Basel III Rule for strengthening international capital standards. The Basel III Rule introduced a capital conservation buffer, composed entirely of common equity Tier 1 capital, which is added to the minimum risk-weighted asset ratios. The capital conservation buffer is not a minimum capital requirement; however, banking institutions with a ratio of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets below the capital conservation buffer will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases, and discretionary bonus payments based on the amount of the shortfall. In order to refrain from restrictions on dividends, equity repurchases, and discretionary bonus payments, banking institutions must maintain minimum ratios of (1) common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 7.0%, (2) Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.5%, and (3) total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 10.5%.

NOTE 8. TAX CREDIT AND OTHER INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES

Busey has invested in certain tax-advantaged projects promoting affordable housing, new markets, and historic rehabilitation. These investments are designed to generate returns primarily though the realization of federal and state income tax credits and other tax benefits, such as tax deductions from operating losses of the investments, over specified time periods. These investments are considered to be variable interest entities, and are accounted for under the equity, deferral, or proportional amortization practical expedient methods, as appropriate. Busey is not required to consolidate variable interest entities in which it has concluded it does not have a controlling financial interest, and is not the primary beneficiary. Busey’s maximum exposure to loss related to its investments in these unconsolidated variable interest entities is limited to the carrying amount of the investment, net of any unfunded capital commitments and previously recorded tax credits which remain subject to recapture by taxing authorities based on compliance features required to be met at the project level. Busey believes potential losses from these investments are remote.

In addition, Busey has private equity investments, which are primarily in funds that invest in small businesses across diverse sectors including, but not limited to, financial technology, business services, manufacturing, agribusiness, healthcare, software as a service, and environmental, or supporting the preservation of affordable housing.

Busey’s investments in these unconsolidated entities and related unfunded investment obligations are reflected in other assets and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited), and are summarized in the table below for the periods indicated(dollars in thousands):

As of
LocationMarch 31,2024December 31,2023
Investments in unconsolidated entities
Funded investmentsOther assets$64,516$68,516
Unfunded investmentsOther assets56,36258,552
Investments in unconsolidated entities$120,878$127,068
Unfunded investment obligationsOther liabilities$56,362$58,552

Upon adoption of ASU 2023-02 on January 1, 2024, Busey elected to apply the proportional amortization method in accounting for investments in tax-advantaged projects. Income tax credits and other tax benefits, net of investment amortization, were included as a component of our estimated annual effective tax rate used for the calculation of income taxes presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited). These income tax credits and other benefits, along with the investment amortization, are presented in the table below(dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Tax effects of investments in tax-advantaged projects
Income tax credits and other tax benefits$4,101
Amortization of investments in tax-advantaged projects3,647

NOTE 9. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock Options

Busey has outstanding stock options assumed from acquisitions. A summary of the status of, and changes in, the Company's stock option awards for the three months ended March 31, 2024, follows:

OptionsSharesWeighted-AverageExercisePriceWeighted-AverageRemainingContractualLife
Outstanding at December 31, 202321,266$23.532.88 years
Forfeited(880)23.53
Outstanding at March 31, 202420,38623.532.63 years
Exercisable at March 31, 202420,38623.532.63 years

2020 Equity Plan

The 2020 Equity Plan was originally approved by stockholders at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. A description of the 2020 Equity Plan, as originally approved, can be found in Appendix A within Busey’s Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed on April 9, 2020. An amendment and restatement of the 2020 Equity Plan was approved by stockholders at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Terms of the amended and restated 2020 Equity Plan are substantially identical to those of the originally approved 2020 Equity Plan, other than a 1,350,000 increase in the number of shares authorized for issuance under the plan. More information can be found in Appendix A within Busey’s Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed on April 14, 2023.

Busey has granted RSU, PSU, and DSU awards under the terms of the 2020 Equity Plan. Upon vesting and delivery, shares are expected, though not required, to be issued from treasury stock. There were 1,333,769 shares available for issuance under the 2020 Equity Plan as of March 31, 2024.

A description of RSU, PSU, and DSU awards granted in 2024 under the terms of the 2020 Equity Plan is provided below. Further information related to awards granted in prior years has been presented in the Annual Reports previously filed with the SEC corresponding to the year of each award grant.

RSU Awards

Busey grants RSU awards to members of management periodically throughout the year. RSU awards are stock-based awards for which vesting is conditional upon meeting established service criteria. Each RSU is equivalent toone share of Busey’s common stock. Busey’s RSUs have requisite service periods ranging fromone year tofive years, and are subject to accelerated vesting upon eligible retirement from Busey. Recipients earn quarterly dividend equivalents on their respective RSUs, which entitle the recipients to additional units. Therefore, dividends earned each quarter compound based upon the updated unit balances.

On March 20, 2024, under the terms of the 2020 Equity Plan, Busey granted 189,179 RSUs to members of management. The grant date fair value of the award was $4.4 million, which will be recognized as compensation expense over the requisite service period ranging fromone year tofive years. The terms of these awards included an accelerated vesting provision upon eligible retirement from Busey, after aone-year minimum requisite service period. Subsequent to the requisite service period, the awards will become 100% vested.

A summary of changes in Busey’s RSU awards for the three months ended March 31, 2024, is as follows:

RSU AwardsSharesWeighted-AverageGrant DateFair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 20231,041,444$22.05
Granted189,17923.35
Dividend equivalents earned10,21924.46
Vested(7,681)23.23
Forfeited(5,347)23.38
Nonvested at March 31, 20241,227,81422.25

PSU Awards

Busey grants PSU awards to members of management periodically throughout the year. PSU awards are stock-based awards for which vesting is conditional upon meeting established performance criteria. Each PSU is equivalent toone share of Busey’s common stock. The number of PSUs that ultimately vest will be determined based on the extent to which market or other performance goals are achieved. Busey’s PSUs are subject to accelerated service-based vesting conditions upon eligible retirement from Busey. After performance determination, dividend equivalents are compounded based upon the updated PSU balances at each dividend date during the performance period.

On March 20, 2024, under the terms of the 2020 Equity Plan, Busey granted a target of 94,604 PSUs with a maximum award of 151,366 units. The actual number of units issued at the vesting date could range from 0% to 160% of the initial grant, depending on attaining a market-based total stockholder return performance goal. The estimated grant date fair value of the award was $2.2 million, which will be recognized in compensation expense over the performance period ending December 31, 2026. Busey expects to finalize the grant date fair value of these awards in the second quarter of 2024.

On March 20, 2024, under the terms of the 2020 Equity Plan, Busey granted a target of 94,604 PSUs with a maximum award of 151,366 units. The actual number of units issued at the vesting date could range from 0% to 160% of the initial grant, depending on attaining an adjusted return on average tangible common equity performance goal. The grant date fair value of the award was $2.2 million, which will be recognized in compensation expense over the performance period ending December 31, 2026. The actual amount of compensation expense recognized for these awards may vary, subject to achievement of the performance goal.

A summary of changes in Busey’s PSU awards for the three months ended March 31, 2024, is as follows:

PSU AwardsShares1Weighted-AverageGrant DateFair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 2023341,700$22.67
Granted189,20823.35
Dividend equivalents earned24,26422.95
Vested2(4,264)22.95
Forfeited(1,754)22.76
Nonvested at March 31, 2024529,154$22.91
  1. Shares for PSU awards represent target shares at the grant date.

  2. PSUs granted in 2021 vested on December 31, 2023, with performance determination and settlement activity in the first quarter of 2024. Final performance was determined to be at 50% of target.

DSU Awards

Busey grants DSU awards to its directors and advisory directors. DSU awards are stock-based awards with a deferred settlement date. Each DSU is equivalent toone share of Busey’s common stock. DSUs vest over aone-year period following the grant date. Under the 2020 Equity Plan, DSUs are generally subject to the same terms as RSUs, except that following vesting of DSUs, settlement occurs within 30 days following the earlier of separation from the board or a change in control of the Company. After vesting and prior to delivery, DSUs will continue to earn dividend equivalents.

On March 20, 2024, under the terms of the 2020 Equity Plan, Busey granted 35,847 DSUs to directors and advisory directors. The grant date fair value of the award totaled $0.8 million and will be recognized as compensation expense over the requisite service period ofone year. Subsequent to the requisite service period, the awards will become 100% vested.

A summary of changes in Busey’s DSU awards for the three months ended March 31, 2024, is as follows:

DSU AwardsSharesWeighted-AverageGrant DateFair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 202343,026$20.41
Granted35,84723.35
Dividend equivalents earned1,83624.46
Vested(44,862)20.57
Nonvested at March 31, 202435,84723.35
Vested and outstanding at March 31, 2024189,00022.82

2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The First Busey Corporation 2021 ESPP was approved at Busey’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and details can be found in Appendix A within Busey’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on April 8, 2021. The purpose of the 2021 ESPP is to provide a means through which our employees may acquire a proprietary interest in Busey by purchasing shares of our common stock at a 15% discount through voluntary payroll deductions, to assist us in retaining the services of our employees and securing and retaining the services of new employees, and to provide incentives for our employees to exert maximum efforts toward our success.

The 2021 ESPP initially reserved for issuance and purchase an aggregate of 600,000 shares of Busey’s common stock. The first offering under the 2021 ESPP began on July 1, 2021. There were 429,074 shares available for issuance under the 2021 ESPP as of March 31, 2024.

Stock-based Compensation Expense

Busey didnot record any stock option compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024, or 2023. Busey didnot have any unrecognized stock option compensation expense as of March 31, 2024.

Busey recognized compensation expense related to nonvested RSU, PSU, and DSU awards, as well as the 2021 ESPP, as summarized in the table below(dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended March 31,
20242023
Stock-based compensation expense
RSU awards$894$1,020
PSU awards11,210360
DSU awards215196
2021 ESPP8493
Total stock-based compensation expense$2,403$1,669
  1. Expense for PSU awards with a market-based total stockholder return performance goal represents amounts based on target shares at the grant date. Expense for PSU awards with return on average tangible common equity and compounded annual revenue growth rate performance goals represents amounts based on target shares at the grant date, adjusted for performance expectations as of the date indicated.

Unamortized compensation expense related to nonvested RSU, PSU, and DSU awards is summarized in the table below(dollars in thousands):

As of
March 31,2024December 31,2023
Unamortized stock-based compensation
RSU awards$10,259$6,842
PSU awards18,7433,607
DSU awards812190
Total unamortized stock-based compensation$19,814$10,639
Weighted average period over which expense is to be recognized2.7 years2.4 years
  1. Unamortized expense for PSU awards with a market-based total stockholder return performance goal represents amounts based on target shares at grant date. Unamortized expense for PSU awards with return on average tangible common equity and compounded annual revenue growth rate performance goals represents amounts based on target shares at grant date, adjusted for performance expectations as of the date indicated.

NOTE 10. OUTSTANDING COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Legal Matters

Busey is a party to legal actions which arise in the normal course of its business activities. Legal and administrative proceedings are subject to inherent uncertainties, and while unfavorable outcomes could occur, Busey does not believe at this time that any potential liabilities relating to pending or potential legal matters are likely to have a material impact on Busey's results of operations or financial position.

Credit Commitments and Contingencies

A summary of the contractual amount of Busey’s exposure to off-balance-sheet risk relating to the Company’s commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit follows(dollars in thousands):

As of
March 31,2024December 31,2023
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk
Commitments to extend credit$2,118,621$2,132,500
Standby letters of credit46,96743,996
Total commitments$2,165,588$2,176,496

Franchise Tax Matter

In 2021, Busey received an inquiry from the Illinois Secretary of State (“ISOS”), pursuant to which the ISOS asked for additional information regarding certain of our franchise tax filings and the calculation of amounts due thereunder. The franchise tax is established by the Illinois Business Corporation Act (“BCA”) 805 ILCS 5/1 et seq., and is a tax imposed on foreign and domestic corporations for the privilege of conducting business in Illinois. Busey has been cooperating with the inquiry and has agreed to prepare additional BCA forms requested by the ISOS, with a full reservation of rights by Busey, including seeking judicial relief, if necessary, with respect to any potential dispute regarding Busey’s preparation of the BCA forms and the calculation of the franchise taxes due. Where a loss is believed to be reasonably possible, but not probable, or the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, as is the case with this matter, no accrual is required. It is reasonably possible that this matter could require us to pay additional taxes, including potential penalties and interest, or make other expenditures or accrue liabilities in amounts that could not be reasonably estimated as of March 31, 2024. If the likelihood of potential liabilities elevates, requiring an accrual, the potential future liabilities could be material in the period(s) in which they are recorded.

NOTE 11. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Busey utilizes interest rate swap agreements as part of its asset liability management strategy to help manage its interest rate risk position. Additionally, Busey enters into derivative financial instruments, including interest rate lock commitments issued to residential loan customers for loans that will be held for sale; forward sales commitments to sell residential mortgage loans to investors; and interest rate swaps, risk participation agreements, and foreign currency exchange contracts with customers and other third parties. See “Note 12: Fair Value Measurements” for further discussion of the fair value measurement of such derivatives.

To secure its obligations under derivative contracts, Busey pledged cash and held collateral as follows(dollars in thousands):

As of
March 31,2024December 31,2023
Cash pledged to secure obligations under derivative contracts$34,210$34,210
Collateral held to secure obligations under derivative contracts24,86019,280

Derivative Instruments Designated as Hedges

Busey entered into derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges. For a derivative instrument that is designated and qualifies as a cash flow hedge, the change in fair value of the derivative instrument is reported as a component of OCI and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Changes in fair value of components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings.

Interest Rate Swaps Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

Interest rate swaps with notional amounts totaling $450.0 million as of March 31, 2024, and $350.0 million as of December 31, 2023, were designated as cash flow hedges. Busey entered into one $50.0 million interest rate swap to hedge the risks of variability in cash flows for future interest payments attributable to changes in the 3-month CME Term SOFR benchmark interest rate on Busey’s junior subordinated debt owed to unconsolidated trusts (Debt Swap). In addition, Busey entered into one $300.0 million receive fixed pay floating interest rate swap to reduce Busey’s asset sensitivity (Prime Loan Swap). Duration was added to our loan portfolio by fixing a portion of floating prime-based loans. Interest rates had risen above their historical lows allowing Busey to lock in a portion of its loan portfolio to reduce asset sensitivity while creating a more stable margin in a volatile rate market. These hedges were determined to be highly effective during the period, and Busey expects its hedges to remain highly effective during the remaining terms of the swaps. Further, in 2024 Busey entered into one $100.0 million one year forward-starting SOFR-based receive-fixed pay-floating interest rate swap, with an effective date of March 5, 2025, to reduce Busey’s asset sensitivity (SOFR Loan Swap). Changes in fair value were recorded net of tax in OCI.

A summary of the interest-rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges is presented below(dollars in thousands):

As of
Location · March 31,2024 · December 31,2023
Debt Swap
Notional amount$50,000$50,000
Weighted average fixed pay rates1.79%1.79%
Weighted average variable 3-month Fallback Rate (SOFR) receive rates5.62%5.61%
Weighted average maturity0.46 years0.71 years
Prime Loan Swap
Notional amount$300,000$300,000
Weighted average fixed receive rates4.81%4.81%
Weighted average variable Prime pay rates8.50%8.50%
Weighted average maturity4.85 years5.10 years
SOFR Loan Swap
Notional amount$100,000$—
Weighted average fixed receive rates3.72%—
Weighted average maturity4.93 years—
Gross aggregate fair value of the swaps
Gross aggregate fair value of swap assetsOther assets$1,178$1,293
Gross aggregate fair value of swap liabilitiesOther liabilities30,30325,411
Balances carried in AOCI
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net of taxAOCI$(20,272)$(16,694)

Busey expects to reclassify unrealized gains and losses from OCI to interest income and interest expense as shown in the following table, during the next 12 months(dollars in thousands). Amounts actually recognized could differ from these expectations due to changes in interest rates, hedge de-designations, and the addition of other hedges subsequent to March 31, 2024.

As of March 31, 2024
Unrealized gains (losses) in OCI expected to be recognized in income
Unrealized losses expected to be reclassified from OCI to interest income$(952)
Unrealized gains expected to be reclassified from OCI to interest expense483
Net unrealized gains (losses) in OCI expected to be recognized in net interest income$(469)

Interest expense recorded on these swap transactions was as follows for the periods presented(dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended March 31,
20242023
Interest on swap transactions
Increase (decrease) in interest income on swap transactions$(2,796)$(2,192)
(Increase) decrease in interest expense on swap transactions483383
Net increase (decrease) in net interest income on swap transactions$(2,313)$(1,809)

The following table reflects the net gains (losses) relating to cash flow derivative instruments that were recorded in AOCI and the Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) during the periods presented(dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended March 31,
20242023
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges
Net gain (loss) recognized in OCI, net of tax$(5,232)$3,050
(Gain) loss reclassified from OCI to interest income, net of tax1,9991,567
(Gain) loss reclassified from OCI to interest expense, net of tax(345)(274)
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net of tax$(3,578)$4,343

Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedges

Interest Rate Swaps Not Designated as Hedges

Busey may offer derivative contracts to its customers in connection with their risk management needs. Busey manages the risk associated with these contracts by entering into equal and offsetting derivative agreements with third-party dealers. These contracts supported variable rate, commercial loan relationships totaling $678.3 million as of March 31, 2024, and $663.1 million as of December 31, 2023. These derivatives generally worked together as an economic interest rate hedge, but Busey did not designate them for hedge accounting treatment. Consequently, changes in fair value of the corresponding derivative financial asset or liability were recorded as either a charge or credit to current earnings during the period in which the changes occurred.

Amounts and fair values of derivative assets and liabilities related to customer interest rate swaps recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):

As of March 31, 2024
Derivative AssetDerivative Liability
NotionalAmountFairValueNotionalAmountFairValue
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Interest rate swaps – pay floating, receive fixed$71,472$868$606,862$33,552
Interest rate swaps – pay fixed, receive floating606,86233,55271,472868
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments$678,334$34,420$678,334$34,420
As of December 31, 2023
Derivative AssetDerivative Liability
NotionalAmountFairValueNotionalAmountFairValue
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Interest rate swaps – pay floating, receive fixed$177,883$2,375$485,253$26,289
Interest rate swaps – pay fixed, receive floating485,25326,289177,8832,375
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments$663,136$28,664$663,136$28,664

Changes in fair value of these derivative assets and liabilities were recorded in noninterest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) and are summarized as follows(dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended March 31,
Location20242023
Interest rate swaps
Pay floating, receive fixedNoninterest expense$5,480$(7,667)
Pay fixed, receive floatingNoninterest expense(5,480)7,667
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps$—$—

Risk Participation Agreements

To manage the credit risk exposure related to customer-facing swaps, Busey entered into risk participation agreements in conjunction with loan participation arrangements with other financial institutions. Under these risk participation agreements, Busey purchased a portion of the credit exposure, paying an up-front fee, and will receive a payment from the counterparty if the loan customer defaults on its obligations.

Busey also entered into a risk participation agreement under which Busey sold a portion of its credit exposure, receiving an up-front fee, and will be required to make a payment to the counterparty if the loan customer defaults on its obligations.

The notional amount of the risk participation agreements reflect Busey's pro-rata share of the derivative instrument, consistent with its share of the related participated loan. The risk participation agreements mature between June 2024 and January 2029, and are summarized as follows(dollars in thousands):

As of
March 31,2024December 31,2023
Risk participation agreements purchased
Number of risk participation agreements43
Notional amount$35,097$34,251
Fair value915
Risk participation agreements sold
Number of risk participation agreements11
Notional amount$20,00120,001
Fair value——

Mortgage Banking Derivatives

Interest Rate Lock Commitments

Interest rate lock commitments that meet the definition of derivative financial instruments under ASC Topic 815“Derivatives and Hedging” are carried at their fair values in other assets or other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited), with changes in the fair values of the corresponding derivative financial assets or liabilities recorded as either a charge or credit to current earnings during the period in which the changes occurred.

Forward Sales Commitments

Busey economically hedges mortgage loans held for sale and interest rate lock commitments issued to its residential loan customers related to loans that will be held for sale by obtaining corresponding forward sales commitments with an investor to sell the loans at an agreed-upon price at the time the interest rate locks are issued to the customers. Forward sales commitments that meet the definition of derivative financial instruments under ASC Topic 815“Derivatives and Hedging” are carried at their fair values in other assets or other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited). While such forward sales commitments generally served as an economic hedge to mortgage loans held for sale and interest rate lock commitments, Busey did not designate them for hedge accounting treatment. Changes in fair value of the corresponding derivative financial asset or liability were recorded as either a charge or credit to current earnings during the period in which the changes occurred.

Amounts and fair values of mortgage banking derivatives included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) are summarized as follows(dollars in thousands):

As of March 31, 2024 · As of December 31, 2023
LocationNotionalAmountFairValueNotionalAmountFairValue
Mortgage banking derivative assets
Interest rate lock commitmentsOther assets$9,123$133$3,477$25
Forward sales commitmentsOther assets2,77291,76111
Mortgage banking derivative assets$11,895$142$5,238$36
Mortgage banking derivative liabilities
Interest rate lock commitmentsOther liabilities$268$3$1,615$10
Forward sales commitmentsOther liabilities6,619515,21647
Mortgage banking derivative liabilities$6,887$54$6,831$57

Gains (losses) relating to these derivative instruments are summarized as follows for the periods presented(dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended March 31,
Location20242023
Gains (losses)
Interest rate lock commitmentsMortgage revenue$267$37
Forward sales commitmentsMortgage revenue9(54)
Interest rate lock commitmentsOther expense5—
Forward sales commitmentsOther expense51—

NOTE 12. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The fair value of an asset or liability is the price that would be received by selling that asset or paid in transferring that liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction occurring in the principal market (or most advantageous market in the absence of a principal market) for such asset or liability. ASC Topic 820“Fair Value Measurement” establishes a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

Level 1 Inputs—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 Inputs—Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data by correlation or other means.

Level 3 Inputs—Unobservable inputs for determining the fair values of assets or liabilities that reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities.

A description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below. These valuation methodologies were applied to Busey’s assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value.

In general, fair value is based upon quoted market prices, when available. If such quoted market prices are not available, fair values are measured utilizing independent valuation techniques of identical or similar securities for which significant assumptions are derived primarily from or corroborated by observable data. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. These adjustments may include amounts to reflect, among other things, counterparty credit quality and the company's creditworthiness as well as unobservable parameters. Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time. While management believes Busey's valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Debt Securities Available for Sale

Debt securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. Busey obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The independent pricing service utilizes evaluated pricing models that vary by asset class and incorporate available trade, bid, and other market information. Because many fixed income securities do not trade on a daily basis, the independent pricing service applies available information to prepare evaluations, with a focus on observable market data such as benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings, and matrix pricing.

The independent pricing service uses model processes, such as the Option Adjusted Spread model, to assess interest rate impact and develop prepayment scenarios. Models and processes take into account market conventions. For each asset class, a team of evaluators gathers information from market sources and integrates relevant credit information, perceived market movements, and sector news into the evaluated pricing applications and models.

Market inputs that the independent pricing service normally seeks for evaluations of securities, listed in approximate order of priority, include: benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data including market research publications. The independent pricing service also monitors market indicators, industry, and economic events. For certain security types, additional inputs may be used or some of the market inputs may not be applicable. Evaluators may prioritize inputs differently on any given day for any security based on market conditions, and not all inputs listed are available for use in the evaluation process for each security evaluation on a given day. Because the data utilized was observable, the securities have been classified as Level 2.

Equity Securities

Equity securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 or Level 2 inputs. Fair value measurements of mutual funds, when held, are determined using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets at the measurement date and are classified as Level 1. Fair value measurements of stock utilize quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active and are classified as Level 2.

Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities

Busey’s derivative assets and derivative liabilities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 or Level 3 inputs. Fair values of derivative assets and liabilities are determined based on prices that are obtained from a third-party which uses observable market inputs and, with the exception of our risk participation agreements, are classified as Level 2. Due to the significance of unobservable inputs, derivative assets related to our risk participation agreements are classified as Level 3.

The following tables summarize financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value(dollars in thousands):

As of March 31, 2024
Level 1InputsLevel 2InputsLevel 3InputsTotalFair Value
Debt securities available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities$—$742$—$742
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies—5,743—5,743
Obligations of states and political subdivisions—150,926—150,926
Asset-backed securities—461,698—461,698
Commercial mortgage-backed securities—92,563—92,563
Residential mortgage-backed securities—1,021,733—1,021,733
Corporate debt securities—164,667—164,667
Equity securities—9,790—9,790
Derivative assets—35,740935,749
Derivative liabilities—64,777—64,777
As of December 31, 2023
Level 1InputsLevel 2InputsLevel 3InputsTotalFair Value
Debt securities available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities$—$15,946$—$15,946
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies—5,832—5,832
Obligations of states and political subdivisions—172,845—172,845
Asset-backed securities—468,223—468,223
Commercial mortgage-backed securities—103,509—103,509
Residential mortgage-backed securities—1,111,312—1,111,312
Corporate debt securities—209,904—209,904
Equity securities4489,364—9,812
Derivative assets—29,9931530,008
Derivative liabilities—54,132—54,132

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Certain financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment).

Loans Evaluated Individually

Busey does not record portfolio loans at fair value on a recurring basis. However, periodically, a loan is evaluated individually and is reported at the fair value of the underlying collateral, less estimated costs to sell, if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. If the collateral value is not sufficient, a specific reserve is recorded. Collateral values are estimated using a combination of observable inputs, including recent appraisals, and unobservable inputs based on customized discounting criteria. Due to the significance of unobservable inputs, fair values of individually evaluated collateral dependent loans have been classified as Level 3.

Bank Property Held for Sale

Bank property held for sale represents certain banking center office buildings which Busey has closed and consolidated with other existing banking centers. Bank property held for sale is measured at the lower of amortized cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Fair values were based upon discounted appraisals or real estate listing prices. Due to the significance of unobservable inputs, fair values of all bank property held for sale have been classified as Level 3.

The following tables summarize assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for the periods presented, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value(dollars in thousands):

As of March 31, 2024
Level 1InputsLevel 2InputsLevel 3InputsTotalFair Value
Loans evaluated individually, net of related allowance$—$—$3,422$3,422
Bank property held for sale with impairment——4,2384,238
As of December 31, 2023
Level 1InputsLevel 2InputsLevel 3InputsTotalFair Value
Loans evaluated individually, net of related allowance$—$—$1,000$1,000
Bank property held for sale with impairment——4,2864,286

The following table presents additional quantitative information about assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value(dollars in thousands):

As of March 31, 2024
Fair ValueValuationTechniquesUnobservableInputRange(Weighted Average)
Loans evaluated individually, net of related allowance$3,422Appraisal of collateralAppraisal adjustments-25.0% to -100.0%(-68.7)%
Bank property held for sale with impairment4,238Appraisal of collateral or real estate listing priceAppraisal adjustments-9.0% to -64.9%(-39.1)%
As of December 31, 2023
Fair ValueValuationTechniquesUnobservableInputRange(Weighted Average)
Loans evaluated individually, net of related allowance$1,000Appraisal of collateralAppraisal adjustments-41.2% to -100.0%(-47.2)%
Bank property held for sale with impairment4,286Appraisal of collateral or real estate listing priceAppraisal adjustments-6.2% to -64.9%(-38.4)%

Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities That Are Not Carried at Fair Value

Estimated fair values of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value in Busey’s Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited), segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value, were as follows(dollars in thousands):

As of March 31, 2024As of December 31, 2023
CarryingAmountFairValueCarryingAmountFairValue
Financial assets
Level 1 inputs:
Cash and cash equivalents$591,071$591,071$719,581$719,581
Level 2 inputs:
Debt securities held to maturity862,218713,031872,628730,397
Loans held for sale6,8276,8342,3792,401
Accrued interest receivable46,53046,53045,28845,288
Level 3 inputs:
Portfolio loans, net7,496,5157,293,8717,559,2947,276,905
Mortgage servicing rights9895,4683,28918,079
Other servicing rights1,5732,0081,5972,062
Financial liabilities
Level 2 inputs:
Time deposits$1,577,178$1,559,643$1,819,274$1,804,905
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase147,175147,175187,396187,396
Short-term borrowings——12,00012,034
Long-term debt——18,00018,020
Junior subordinated debt owed to unconsolidated trusts72,04058,77671,99357,153
Accrued interest payable26,70726,70728,41828,418
Level 3 inputs:
Subordinated notes, net of unamortized issuance costs223,100204,750222,882200,000

NOTE 13. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, which include DSUs that are vested but not delivered. Diluted earnings per common share is computed using the treasury stock method and reflects the potential dilution that could occur if Busey’s outstanding stock options and warrants were exercised, stock units were vested, and ESPP shares were issued.

Earnings per common share have been computed as follows(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

Three Months Ended March 31,
20242023
Net income$26,225$36,786
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic55,416,58955,397,989
Dilutive effect of common stock equivalents:
Warrants—1,296
RSU awards653,437651,777
PSU awards293,38990,645
DSU awards33,48124,345
2021 ESPP9,60413,554
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted56,406,50056,179,606
Basic earnings per common share$0.47$0.66
Diluted earnings per common share$0.46$0.65

Average shares that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per common share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive are summarized in the table below for the periods presented:

Three Months Ended March 31,
20242023
Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents
Options20,38622,806
PSU awards108,671265,459
Total anti-dilutive common stock equivalents129,057288,265

NOTE 14. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The following tables present changes in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the periods indicated(dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended March 31,
20242023
Before TaxTax EffectNet of TaxBefore TaxTax EffectNet of Tax
Unrealized/Unrecognized gains (losses) on debt securities
Balance at beginning of period$(282,688)$80,579$(202,109)$(352,878)$100,585$(252,293)
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on debt securities available for sale, net(7,947)2,266(5,681)30,693(8,749)21,944
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net6,802(1,939)4,863(4)1(3)
Amortization of unrecognized losses on securities transferred to held to maturity1,411(402)1,0091,693(483)1,210
Balance at end of period(282,422)80,504(201,918)(320,496)91,354(229,142)
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges
Balance at beginning of period(23,348)6,654(16,694)(29,350)8,365(20,985)
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net(7,318)2,086(5,232)4,264(1,214)3,050
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net2,313(659)1,6541,809(516)1,293
Balance at end of period(28,353)8,081(20,272)(23,277)6,635(16,642)
Total AOCI$(310,775)$88,585$(222,190)$(343,773)$97,989$(245,784)

NOTE 15. OPERATING SEGMENTS AND RELATED INFORMATION

Busey hasthree reportable operating segments: Banking, Wealth Management, and FirsTech. Busey’sthree operating segments are strategic business units that are separately managed, as they offer different products and services and have different marketing strategies.

The Banking Operating Segment

The Banking operating segment provides a full range of banking services to individual and corporate customers through First Busey Corporation’s wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Busey Bank, with 58 banking centers in Illinois; the St. Louis, Missouri, metropolitan area; southwest Florida; and Indianapolis, Indiana.

Banking services offered to individual customers include customary types of demand and savings deposits, money transfers, safe deposit services, individual retirement accounts and other fiduciary services, automated teller machines, and technology-based networks, as well as a variety of loan products including residential real estate, home equity lines of credit, and consumer loans. Banking services offered to corporate customers include commercial, commercial real estate, real estate construction, and agricultural loans, as well as commercial depository services such as cash management.

The Wealth Management Operating Segment

The Wealth Management operating segment provides a full range of asset management, investment, brokerage, fiduciary, philanthropic advisory, tax preparation, and farm management services to individuals, businesses, and foundations. Services are provided through Busey Capital Management, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Busey Bank, and Busey Wealth Management, a division of Busey Bank.

Wealth management services tailored to individuals include trust and estate advisory services and financial planning. Business services include business succession planning and employee retirement plan services. Services for foundations include investment strategy consulting and fiduciary services.

The FirsTech Operating Segment

The FirsTech operating segment provides comprehensive and innovative payment technology solutions through Busey Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary, FirsTech. FirsTech's multi-channel payment platform allows businesses to collect payments from their customers in a variety of ways to enable fast, frictionless payments. Payment method vehicles include, but are not limited to, text-based mobile bill pay; interactive voice response; electronic payment concentration delivered to Automated Clearing House networks, money management, and credit card networks; walk-in payment processing for customers at retail pay agents; customer service payments made over a telephone; direct debit services; and lockbox remittance processing for customers to make payments by mail. FirsTech also provides additional tools to help clients with billing, reconciliation, bill reminders, and treasury services.

FirsTech's client base represents a diverse set of industries, with a higher concentration in highly regulated industries, such as financial institutions, utility, insurance, and telecommunications industries.

Segment Financial Information

The segment financial information provided below has been derived from information used by management to monitor and manage Busey’s financial performance. The accounting policies of thethree operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in “Note 1. Significant Accounting Policies” of Busey’s 2023 Annual Report. Busey accounts for intersegment revenue and transfers at current market value.

Following is a summary of selected financial information for Busey’s operating segments. The “other” category included in the tables below consists of the parent company, First Busey Risk Management, Inc. until its dissolution on December 18, 2023, and the elimination of intercompany transactions (dollars in thousands):

Goodwill · Total Assets
As ofAs of
March 31,2024December 31,2023March 31,2024December 31,2023
Operating segment
Banking$294,773$294,773$11,722,919$12,125,298
Wealth Management14,10814,108107,251103,147
FirsTech8,9928,99250,64351,600
Other——6,6453,370
Consolidated total$317,873$317,873$11,887,458$12,283,415
Three Months Ended March 31,
20242023
Net interest income
Banking$79,533$89,890
FirsTech1313
Other(3,779)(4,046)
Total net interest income$75,767$85,857
Noninterest income
Banking$13,472$12,421
Wealth Management15,71214,926
FirsTech5,9715,674
Other(155)(1,173)
Total noninterest income$35,000$31,848
Noninterest expense
Banking$52,387$54,651
Wealth Management9,1368,534
FirsTech5,8665,739
Other3,3801,479
Total noninterest expense$70,769$70,403
Income before income taxes
Banking$35,580$46,707
Wealth Management6,5766,392
FirsTech118(52)
Other(7,314)(6,698)
Total income before income taxes$34,960$46,349
Net income
Banking$26,492$36,835
Wealth Management4,9984,858
FirsTech86(38)
Other(5,351)(4,869)
Total net income$26,225$36,786

NOTE 16. ACQUISITION

Merchants and Manufacturers Bank Corporation

Effective April 1, 2024, Busey completed its previously announced acquisition of M&M, pursuant to which Busey acquired M&M and its wholly-owned subsidiary, M&M Bank, through a merger transaction. This partnership adds M&M’s Life Equity Loan® products to Busey’s existing suite of services and expands Busey’s presence in the suburban Chicago market.

Busey will operate M&M Bank as a separate banking subsidiary of Busey until it is merged with Busey Bank, which is expected to occur in June 2024. At the time of the bank merger, M&M Bank’s banking centers will become banking centers of Busey Bank, except for M&M’s banking center located at 990 Essington Rd., Joliet, Illinois, which is expected to be closed in connection with the bank merger.

At the effective time of the Merger, each share of M&M common stock converted to the right to receive, at the election of each stockholder and subject to proration and adjustment as provided in the Merger Agreement, either (1) $117.74 in cash (“Cash Election”), (2)5.7294 shares of Busey common stock (“Share Election”), or (3) mixed consideration of $34.55 in cash and 4.0481 shares of Busey common stock (“Mixed Election”).

Most of the M&M common stockholders who submitted an election form by the election deadline made the Share Election to receive their Merger consideration solely in the form of shares of Busey common stock. As a result of the elections of M&M common stockholders, and in accordance with the proration and adjustment provisions of the Merger Agreement, the Merger consideration paid to M&M common stockholders was comprised of an aggregate of approximately 1,429,304 shares of Busey common stock and an aggregate of approximately $12.2 million in cash, allocated as follows for each share of M&M stock: (1) $117.74 in cash for the Cash Election, (2) $5.3966 in cash and 5.4668 shares of Busey common stock for the Share Election, and (3) $34.55 in cash and 4.0481 shares of Busey common stock for the Mixed Election. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, M&M common stockholders that did not make an election or submit a properly completed election form by the election deadline of March 29, 2024, received cash consideration of $117.74 for each share of M&M common stock held. No fractional shares of Busey common stock were issued in the Merger. Fractional shares were paid in cash at the rate of $23.32 per share.

This transaction was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and consideration exchanged was recorded at estimated fair values on April 1, 2024, the date of acquisition. Fair values will be subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date as additional information regarding the closing date fair values becomes available. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, Busey incurred $0.3 million in pre-tax acquisition expenses, comprised primarily of legal expenses, related to the acquisition of M&M.

ContentsView on SEC.gov

The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.