FIRST BUSEY CORP NV

Changes in government policies and regulatory frameworks could adversely affect operations and profitability.

Changes in policy and at banking agencies, including changes in interpretation and prioritization, occur over time through policy and personnel changes following federal- and state-level elections, which lead to changes involving the level of oversight and focus on the financial services industry. The nature, timing, and economic and political effects of potential changes to the current legal and regulatory framework affecting financial institutions remain highly uncertain in connection with a change in presidential administration.

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Economic conditions, including interest rates, inflation, and consumer spending, may be influenced by shifts in government leadership and policies, affecting Busey’s operations. Additionally, heightened regulatory scrutiny, particularly in consumer compliance, anti-money laundering, and cybersecurity increases operational and compliance burdens for Busey.

As Busey continues to grow in asset size and complexity, regulatory expectations and scrutiny will increase and could have a potential impact on Busey’s operations and business.

As Busey’s assets grow, so do regulatory expectations. The planned acquisition of CrossFirst amplifies the complexity of compliance. Certain regulations and laws have embedded asset thresholds that increase scrutiny, reporting requirements, and operational demands. For example, the Dodd-Frank Act includes thresholds for asset size that trigger enhanced oversight. Busey’s continued expansion necessitates adapting its compliance frameworks to meet these increasing demands. Failure to manage compliance risks effectively could result in regulatory violations, leading to significant fines, penalties, and legal costs. Additionally, non-compliance could damage Busey's reputation, erode customer trust, and undermine investor confidence, resulting in a negative impact to Busey’s market valuation. It could also lead to further scrutiny from regulators, potentially hindering future growth opportunities.

Evolving privacy, data protection, and information security laws and regulations present operational and legal challenges.

In the normal course of business, Busey collects, processes, and retains sensitive and confidential information regarding its customers, and Busey’s collection and handling of such information is subject to regulatory scrutiny. There has been a heightened legislative and regulatory focus on privacy, data protection, and information security. New or revised laws and regulations, including with the respect to the use of artificial intelligence by financial institutions and service providers, may significantly impact Busey’s current and planned privacy, data protection, and information security-related practices; the collection, use, retention, and safeguarding of customer and employee information; and current or planned business activities. Compliance with current or future privacy, data protection, and information security laws could result in higher compliance and technology costs and could restrict Busey’s ability to provide certain products and services, which could adversely affect Busey’s business.

Laws impacting cannabis-related businesses may have an impact on Busey’s operations and risk profile.

The Controlled Substances Act makes it illegal under federal law to manufacture, distribute, or dispense marijuana. Starting January 1, 2020, however, the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act began permitting adults 21 years or older to legally purchase marijuana for recreational use from licensed dispensaries. Further, voters in Missouri approved an amendment to the state constitution that began permitting adults 21 years and older to legally purchase marijuana for recreational use from licensed dispensaries starting February 3, 2023. It is Busey Bank’s current practice to avoid knowingly providing banking products or services to entities or individuals that: (1) directly or indirectly manufacture, distribute, or dispense marijuana or hemp products, or those with a significant financial interest in such entities; or (2) derive a material amount of revenue from providing products or services to, or other involvement with, such entities. Busey Bank uses reasonable measures, including appropriate new account screening and customer due diligence measures, to ensure that existing and potential customers that operate in the states in which the Bank operates do not engage in any such activities. Nonetheless, shifts in Illinois and Missouri law legalizing cannabis use, along with shifts in Florida law allowing medicinal use and decriminalizing possession, have increased the number of direct and indirect cannabis-related businesses in some of the states in which Busey operates, and therefore increases the likelihood that Busey Bank could interact with such businesses, as well as their owners and employees. Such interactions could create additional legal, regulatory, strategic, and reputational risk to Busey Bank and First Busey Corporation.

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Busey is or may become involved from time to time in suits, legal proceedings, information-gathering requests, investigations, and proceedings by governmental and self-regulatory agencies that may lead to adverse consequences.

Busey may be subject to lawsuits, governmental inquiries, or self-regulatory reviews. These proceedings could result in penalties, adverse judgments, or operational restrictions. While accruals are established for legal contingencies when losses are probable and estimable, outcomes may exceed these amounts, and accordingly, Busey’s ultimate losses may be higher, possibly significantly so, than the amounts accrued for legal loss contingencies, which could adversely affect Busey’s financial condition and results of operations.

See“Note 18. Outstanding Commitments and Contingent Liabilities” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding an inquiry from the Illinois Secretary of State, pursuant to which the Illinois Secretary of State asked for additional information regarding certain of Busey’s franchise tax filings and the calculation of amounts due thereunder.