CHAMPAIGN, Ill., Jan. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Busey Corporation (Nasdaq: BUSE)

Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights

• Adjusted net income¹ at $29.1 million, or $0.52 per diluted common share
• Entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Merchants & Manufacturers Bank Corporation (“M&M”), the holding company for Merchants & Manufacturers Bank (“M&M Bank”)
• Executed a two-part balance sheet repositioning related to the securities portfolio, expected to be both capital and earnings accretive
• Non-performing assets declined 34.4% during the fourth quarter of 2023, to $7.9 million, now representing 0.06% of total assets
• Annualized quarterly net charge-off ratio of 0.02% and full year net charge-off ratio of 0.03%
• Tangible book value per common share¹ of $16.62 at December 31, 2023, compared to $15.07 at September 30, 2023, and $14.14 at December 31, 2022, an increase of 17.5% year-over-year

For additional information, please refer to the 4Q23 Earnings Investor Presentation

Message from our Chairman & CEO

Fourth Quarter Financial Results
Net income for First Busey Corporation (“Busey,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) was $25.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, or $0.46 per diluted common share, compared to $30.7 million, or $0.54 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2023, and $34.4 million, or $0.61 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2022. Adjusted net income¹ was $29.1 million, or $0.52 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $30.7 million, or $0.55 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2023, and $36.3 million, or $0.65 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2022. Annualized return on average assets and annualized return on average tangible common equity¹ were 0.83% and 12.06%, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2023. Annualized adjusted return on average assets¹ and annualized adjusted return on average tangible common equity¹ were 0.94% and 13.64%, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2023. Fourth quarter results included $0.8 million in net securities gains, a majority of which were unrealized. Excluding these gains, adjusted net income¹ would have been $28.5 million, equating to adjusted diluted earnings per common share¹ of $0.51.

Pre-provision net revenue¹ was $32.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $38.1 million for the third quarter of 2023 and $46.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. Pre-provision net revenue to average assets¹ was 1.06% for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 1.24% for the third quarter of 2023, and 1.49% for the fourth quarter of 2022. The decline in pre-provision net revenue in the fourth quarter, compared to the third quarter, was the result of a $0.7 million decrease in net interest income, which is primarily the result of deposits migrating into higher cost offerings, as well as an increase of $4.0 million in noninterest expense, resulting from $4.2 million in non-recurring expenses related to corporate restructuring and acquisition related activities.

Adjusted pre-provision net revenue¹ was $40.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $40.5 million for the third quarter of 2023 and $50.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. Adjusted pre-provision net revenue to average assets¹ was 1.30% for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 1.32% for the third quarter of 2023 and 1.61% for the fourth quarter of 2022.

Taking into account our fourth quarter results, full year 2023 pre-provision net revenue¹ and adjusted pre-provision net revenue¹ were $158.5 million and $172.3 million, respectively. Net income and adjusted net income¹ were $122.6 million, or $2.18 per diluted common share, and $126.0 million, or $2.24 per diluted common share, respectively. For the full year of 2023, return on average assets and return on average tangible common equity¹ were 1.00% and 14.62%, respectively. Based on adjusted net income¹, return on average assets was 1.03% and return on average tangible common equity¹ was 15.03%. Full year 2023 net income and adjusted net income¹ include the impact of net securities losses of $1.8 million², which are primarily related to unrealized losses recognized on equity securities. Excluding the impact of these securities losses, adjusted net income¹ would have been $127.8 million, equating to adjusted diluted earnings per common share¹ of $2.27.

Our fee-based businesses continue to add revenue diversification. Noninterest income excluding net securities gains and losses¹ was $30.8 million, or 28.5% of operating revenue³, during the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $31.3 million, or 28.7% of total operating revenue, for the third quarter of 2023 and $28.9 million, or 24.1% of total operating revenue, for the fourth quarter of 2022. For the full year 2023, noninterest income excluding net securities gains and losses was $124.6 million, or 28.1% of operating revenue. Busey wealth management fees and FirsTech payment technology solutions contributed $57.3 million and $21.2 million, respectively, to our reported consolidated noninterest income for 2023, representing 64.1% on a combined basis. For FirsTech, both the fourth quarter 2023 and full-year 2023 represented record revenue quarterly and annual reporting periods for the company.

Busey views certain non-operating items, including acquisition-related and other restructuring charges, as adjustments to net income reported under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Non-operating pretax adjustments for acquisition and other restructuring charges in the fourth quarter of 2023 were $4.2 million. Busey believes that non-GAAP measures—including pre-provision net revenue, adjusted pre-provision net revenue, pre-provision net revenue to average assets, adjusted pre-provision net revenue to average assets, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted return on average assets, return on average tangible common equity, adjusted return on average tangible common equity, adjusted net interest income, adjusted net interest margin, adjusted noninterest expense, adjusted core expense, efficiency ratio, adjusted efficiency ratio, adjusted core efficiency ratio, tangible book value per common share, tangible common equity, tangible common equity to tangible assets, core loans, core loans to portfolio loans, core deposits, core deposits to total deposits, and core loans to core deposits—facilitate the assessment of its financial results and peer comparability. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures is included in tabular form at the end of this release (see "Non-GAAP Financial Information").

We have effectively managed our noninterest expense during a time of decades-high inflation, and have been purposeful in our efforts to rationalize our expense base given our economic outlook and our view on the future of banking. In the fourth quarter, Busey completed an executive reorganization and executed a targeted efficiency optimization plan, expected to generate annual salary and benefit savings of approximately $5.6 million. Busey incurred one-time pre-tax severance and other related restructuring costs of $4.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2023 related to the executive reorganization and targeted efficiency optimization plan. We expect to reinvest approximately half of the anticipated savings to support ongoing growth initiatives across our franchise over the next several quarters.

Noninterest expense was $75.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $70.9 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $73.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Adjusted core expense¹ decreased to $65.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $66.0 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $67.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. As we enter 2024, we expect to continue to prudently manage our expenses.

Fourth quarter 2023 results were negatively impacted by an increase in income tax expense as a result of adjusting our estimated annual effective tax rate ("AETR"). Busey estimates income tax expense for the year based on amounts expected to be owed to federal and state tax jurisdictions. An estimated AETR is established based on this estimate and is used to calculate our quarterly income tax provision. The fourth quarter effective tax rate increased to 22.5% compared to 18.2% in the third quarter, bringing our effective tax rate for the full year 2023 to 20.4%.

Acquisition of Merchants and Manufacturers Bank Corporation Planned for The Second Quarter of 2024
On November 27, 2023, Busey announced the signing of a definitive agreement with M&M, pursuant to which Busey will acquire M&M and its wholly-owned subsidiary, M&M Bank, through a merger transaction. This partnership will add M&M’s Life Equity Loan^® products to Busey’s existing suite of services, and expand Busey’s presence in the Chicago Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, M&M’s stockholders will have the right to receive for each share of M&M common stock, at the election of each stockholder and subject to proration, either (i) $117.74 in cash, (ii) 5.7294 shares of Busey common stock, or (iii) mixed consideration of $34.55 in cash and 4.0481 shares of Busey common stock, with total consideration to consist of approximately 71% stock and 29% cash. Based upon Busey’s 20‑day volume-weighted average closing price as of November 24, 2023, the aggregate implied transaction value is approximately $41.6 million.

The merger is expected to be finalized in the second quarter of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions and required approvals, including the approval of M&M’s stockholders. At the time of the merger, M&M Bank’s banking centers will become banking centers of Busey Bank. It is anticipated that M&M Bank will be merged with and into Busey Bank at a date following the completion of the merger. Busey incurred one-time acquisition-related expenses of $0.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Busey executed a two-part balance sheet repositioning strategy
During the fourth quarter of 2023, Busey sold all 16,878 shares of Visa Class B common stock it previously held (the “Visa Sale”) for a pre-tax gain of approximately $5.5 million.

Busey also executed a balance sheet repositioning of its available-for-sale securities portfolio (the “Repositioning”) during the fourth quarter of 2023. Busey sold securities with a carrying value of approximately $110 million yielding 1.56%, resulting in an approximate pre-tax loss of $5.3 million. The proceeds were deposited into an interest-bearing account at the Federal Reserve yielding 5.40%.

The increased net interest spread as a result of the Visa Sale and the Repositioning is expected to increase net interest income by approximately $4.3 million on an annualized basis and improve our net interest margin run rate by 4 basis points. In addition, execution of these transactions further bolsters Busey’s liquidity position and balance sheet flexibility, while also strengthening its capital position. Busey anticipates reinvesting the proceeds into loan and investment security opportunities over time.

The combined impact of the gain generated from the Visa Sale and the loss generated from the Repositioning will have an immediate positive impact on consolidated stockholders’ equity and book value per share. Risk-based regulatory capital ratios will increase modestly as a result of the Repositioning proceeds rotating into lower risk-weighted assets. Busey expects the above transactions to be accretive to capital and earnings per share in future periods.

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

The quality of our core deposit franchise is a critical value driver of our institution. Since March 31, 2023, our deposit base has grown by $490.0 million, allowing us to reduce our higher cost Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) borrowings to zero. Our granular deposit base continues to position us well, and as of December 31, 2023, our estimated uninsured and uncollateralized deposits⁴ percentage was 27%, and 96.2% of our deposits were core deposits¹. Our retail deposit base was comprised of more than 257,000 accounts with an average balance of $22 thousand and an average tenure of 16.5 years as of December 31, 2023. Our commercial deposit base was comprised of more than 33,000 accounts with an average balance of $102 thousand and an average tenure of 12.4 years as of December 31, 2023. We have sufficient on- and off-balance sheet liquidity to manage deposit fluctuations and the liquidity needs of our customers.

Asset quality remains strong by both Busey’s historical and current industry trends. Non-performing assets saw a further 34.4% decline during the fourth quarter of 2023 to $7.9 million, now representing only 0.06% of total assets. Busey’s results for the fourth quarter of 2023 include a $0.5 million provision expense for credit losses and a $0.8 million provision expense for unfunded commitments. The allowance for credit losses was $91.7 million as of December 31, 2023, representing 1.20% of total portfolio loans outstanding, and 1,173.7% of non-performing loans. Busey recorded net charge offs of $0.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, which equates to 0.02% of average loans on an annualized basis. As of December 31, 2023, our commercial real estate loan portfolio of investor-owned office properties within Central Business District⁵ areas remained low at $9.4 million. Our credit performance continues to reflect our highly diversified, conservatively underwritten loan portfolio, which has been originated predominantly to established customers with tenured relationships with our company.

The strength of our balance sheet is also reflected in our capital foundation. In the fourth quarter, Common Equity Tier 1 and Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets ratios⁶ increased to 13.09% and 17.44%, respectively. In fact, our regulatory capital ratios continue to provide a buffer of more than $520 million above levels required to be designated well-capitalized. Our Tangible Common Equity ratio¹ increased to 7.75% during the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 7.06% for the third quarter of 2023 and 6.60% for the fourth quarter of 2022. Busey’s tangible book value per common share¹ increased to $16.62 at December 31, 2023, from $15.07 at September 30, 2023 and $14.14 at December 31, 2022, reflecting a 17.5% year-over-year increase. During the fourth quarter of 2023, we paid a common share dividend of $0.24 and repurchased 117,812 shares of our common stock at a weighted average price of $19.30 per share.

Community Banking
Busey’s Community Banking team now offers new, second chance checking and savings products—which are proudly BankON certified—offering hassle-free, affordable options with digital banking access designed to provide peace of mind. With a suite of online tools that make it easy to track and manage money, these products offer qualified customers tools to build financial strength, improve banking history, and avoid monthly maintenance fees.

As we reflect back on 2023 and look ahead to 2024, we remain cognizant of the evolving economic outlook and extremely focused on balance sheet strength, profitability, and growth, in that order. The pending M&M transaction fits with our acquisition strategy and we are excited to welcome our M&M colleagues into the Busey family. We are grateful for the opportunities to earn the business of our customers, based on the contributions of our talented associates and the continued support of our loyal shareholders.

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

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

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

___________________________________________

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

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

Balance Sheet Strength

Our balance sheet remains a source of strength. Total assets were $12.28 billion as of December 31, 2023, compared to $12.26 billion as of September 30, 2023, and $12.34 billion as of December 31, 2022.

As has been our practice, we remain steadfast in our conservative approach to underwriting and disciplined approach to pricing, particularly given our outlook for the economy in the coming quarters, and this approach has impacted loan growth as predicted. Portfolio loans totaled $7.65 billion at December 31, 2023, compared to $7.86 billion at September 30, 2023, and $7.73 billion at December 31, 2022. The $205.1 million decline in portfolio loans during the fourth quarter of 2023 resulted from customer payoffs, reduced customer line utilization, and lower new origination volume.

Average portfolio loans were $7.74 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $7.83 billion for the third quarter of 2023 and $7.62 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022. Average interest-earning assets were $11.23 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $11.12 billion for the third quarter of 2023, and $11.24 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022.

Total deposits were $10.29 billion at December 31, 2023, compared to $10.33 billion at September 30, 2023, and $10.07 billion at December 31, 2022. Average deposits were $10.37 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $10.14 billion for the third quarter of 2023 and $10.34 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022. Deposit fluctuations over the last several quarters were driven by a number of elements, including (1) seasonal factors, including ordinary course public fund flows and fluctuations in the normal course of business operations of certain core commercial customers, (2) the macroeconomic environment, including prevailing interest rates and anticipated future Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) rate moves, as well as inflationary pressures, (3) depositors moving some funds to accounts at competitors offering above-market rates, including state-sponsored investment programs that provide rates in excess of where we can borrow in the wholesale marketplace, and (4) deposits moving within the Busey ecosystem from deposit accounts to our wealth management group. Core deposits¹ accounted for 96.2% of total deposits as of December 31, 2023. Cost of deposits was 1.74% in the fourth quarter of 2023, which represents a 29 basis point increase from the third quarter of 2023. Excluding time deposits, Busey’s cost of deposits was 1.31% in the fourth quarter of 2023, a 22 basis point increase from the third quarter of 2023.

Short term borrowings were $12.0 million at both December 31, 2023, and September 30, 2023, compared to $351.1 million at December 31, 2022. We had no borrowings from the FHLB at the end of the third or fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $339.1 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2022. We have sufficient on- and off-balance sheet liquidity⁷ to manage deposit fluctuations and the liquidity needs of our customers. As of December 31, 2023, our available sources of on- and off-balance sheet liquidity totaled $6.77 billion. We increased deposit campaigns starting in the first quarter of 2023 to attract term funding and savings accounts at a lower rate than our marginal cost of funds. In addition, we instituted a company-wide incentive campaign to drive new customer account openings. Our time deposit campaigns generated increased traction and production beginning in the second quarter and we expect to continue to implement prudent and measured strategies to generate deposit growth. New certificate of deposit production in the fourth quarter of 2023 had a weighted average term of 9.3 months at a rate of 4.34%, 101 basis points below our average marginal wholesale funding cost during the quarter. In total, our deposit initiatives contributed $192 million of retail deposit growth in the fourth quarter of 2023 and $289 million for the full year 2023. Furthermore, our balance sheet liquidity profile continues to be aided by the cash flows we expect from our relatively short-duration securities portfolio. Those cash flows were $83.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. For 2024, cash flows from our securities portfolio are expected to be approximately $342.0 million with a yield of 1.57%.

Asset Quality

Credit quality continues to be exceptionally strong. Loans 30-89 days past due totaled $5.8 million as of December 31, 2023, compared to $5.9 million as of September 30, 2023, and $6.5 million as of December 31, 2022. Non-performing loans were $7.8 million as of December 31, 2023, compared to $12.0 million as of September 30, 2023, and $15.7 million as of December 31, 2022. Continued disciplined credit management resulted in non-performing loans as a percentage of portfolio loans of 0.10% as of December 31, 2023, 0.15% as of September 30, 2023, and 0.20% as of December 31, 2022. Non-performing assets were 0.06% of total assets for fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 0.10% for the third quarter of 2023 and 0.13% for the fourth quarter of 2022. Our total classified assets increased to $72.3 million at December 31, 2023, from $59.6 million at September 30, 2023, while remaining significantly below the level of $107.1 million reported at December 31, 2022.

Net charge-offs were $0.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $0.3 million for the third quarter of 2023, and net recoveries of an immaterial amount for the fourth quarter of 2022. Our ratio of net charge-offs to average loans was 0.02% during the fourth quarter of 2023 and 0.03% for the full year. The allowance as a percentage of portfolio loans was 1.20% as of December 31, 2023, compared to 1.17% as of September 30, 2023, and 1.19% as of December 31, 2022. The allowance as a percentage of non-performing loans was 1,173.7% as of December 31, 2023, compared to 763.8% as of September 30, 2023, and 582.0% as of December 31, 2022.

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

ASSET QUALITY (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)

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

Net Interest Margin¹ and Net Interest Income

Net interest margin was 2.74% for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 2.80% for the third quarter of 2023 and 3.24% for the fourth quarter of 2022. Excluding purchase accounting accretion, adjusted net interest margin¹ was 2.73% for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 2.79% in the third quarter of 2023 and 3.22% in the fourth quarter of 2022. Net interest income was $77.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $77.8 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $91.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

The FOMC raised rates by a total of 525 basis points since the onset of the current FOMC tightening cycle that began in the first quarter of 2022, with no further increases during the fourth quarter of 2023. Rising rates initially have a positive impact on net interest margin, as assets, in particular commercial loans, reprice more quickly and to a greater extent than liabilities. As deposit and funding costs increase in response to the tightening rate cycle, and we experience deposit migration into higher cost offerings and funding alternatives, some of the net interest margin expansion is reversed, which we began to experience in the first quarter of 2023. Components of the 6 basis point decrease in net interest margin during the fourth quarter of 2023 include:

• Increases in the cash and securities portfolio yield contributed +15 basis points
• Reduced borrowing costs contributed +6 basis points
• Increased income from our held for sale and portfolio loans contributed +2 basis points
• Increased non-maturity deposit funding costs contributed -17 basis points
• Increased time deposit funding costs contributed -12 basis points

Based on our most recent Asset Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) model, a 100 basis point parallel rate shock is expected to increase net interest income by 1.8% over the subsequent twelve-month period. Market competition for deposits continues and deposit betas are likely to rise marginally during the first half of 2024, which is factored into our ALCO model and margin forecast. Busey continues to evaluate off-balance sheet hedging and balance sheet restructuring strategies as well as embedding rate protection in our asset originations to provide stabilization to net interest income in lower rate environments. Time deposit specials and retail incentive campaigns continue to provide sufficient funding flows and we maintained excess earning cash levels throughout the quarter. Since the onset of the current FOMC tightening cycle that began in the first quarter of 2022, our cumulative interest-bearing non-maturity deposit beta has been 36%. Our cycle-to-date total deposit beta has been 31% through December 31, 2023. Deposit betas are calculated based on an average federal funds rate of 5.50% during the fourth quarter of 2023, which is a 7 basis point increase over the third quarter of 2023 average federal funds rate of 5.43%.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income was $31.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to $31.0 million for the third quarter of 2023 and $29.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. Revenues from wealth management fees and payment technology solutions activities represented 60.7% of Busey’s noninterest income for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, providing a balance to spread-based revenue from traditional banking activities.

Consolidated wealth management fees were $13.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $14.2 million for the third quarter of 2023 and $13.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. On a segment basis, Wealth Management generated $13.8 million in revenue during the fourth quarter of 2023, a 6.6% increase over the $13.0 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2022. The Wealth Management operating segment generated net income of $4.2 million in fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $4.8 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $3.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Busey’s Wealth Management division ended the fourth quarter of 2023 with $12.1 billion in assets under care, compared to $11.5 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2023 and $11.1 billion at the end of the fourth quarter of 2022. Our portfolio management team continues to focus on long-term returns and managing risk in the face of volatile markets, and has outperformed its blended benchmark⁸ over the last three and five years.

Payment technology solutions revenue was $5.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $5.2 million for the third quarter of 2023 and $5.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. Excluding intracompany eliminations, the FirsTech operating segment generated revenue of $5.8 million during the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $5.7 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $5.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Fourth quarter of 2023 results marked a new record high reported quarterly revenue for FirsTech. The FirsTech operating segment generated net income of $0.3 million in both the third and fourth quarters of 2023 and net losses of $0.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Fees for customer services were $7.5 million for both the third and fourth quarters of 2023 and $7.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Net securities gains were $0.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, which were comprised of $0.2 million in realized net gains and a $0.6 million unrealized gain on equity securities.

Other noninterest income was $2.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $3.0 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $2.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Primary contributors to other noninterest income include swap origination fees, gains on commercial loans sales, and changes in venture capital investment valuations.

Operating Efficiency

Noninterest expense was $75.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $70.9 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $73.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. The efficiency ratio¹ was 66.9% for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 62.4% for the third quarter of 2023, and 58.8% for the fourth quarter of 2022. The adjusted core efficiency ratio¹ was 60.1% for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 60.2% for the third quarter of 2023 and 55.8% for the fourth quarter of 2022. Busey remains focused on expense discipline.

Noteworthy components of noninterest expense are as follows:

• Salaries, wages, and employee benefits expenses were $42.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $39.7 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $41.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Busey recorded $3.8 million of non-operating salaries, wages, and employee benefit expenses in the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to none in the third quarter of 2023 and $2.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Excluding these items, salaries, wages, and employee benefits expenses were $38.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $39.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Our associate-base consisted of 1,479 full-time equivalents as of December 31, 2023, compared to 1,484 as of September 30, 2023, and 1,497 as of December 31, 2022.
• Data processing expense was $6.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $5.9 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $5.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The year-over-year increase was related to Company-wide investments in technology enhancements, as well as inflation-driven price increases.
• Professional fees were $2.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $1.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Busey recorded $0.4 million of non-operating Professional fees in the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to $0.1 million in the third quarter of 2023 and an immaterial amount in the fourth quarter of 2022. The quarter-over-quarter increase was driven by seasonally higher audit and accounting fees and increased consulting expenses.
• Amortization of intangible assets was $2.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $2.6 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $2.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• FDIC insurance expense was $1.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $1.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Increases in 2023 were a result of an FDIC final rule to increase the initial base deposit insurance assessment rate applicable to all FDIC-insured depository institutions by two basis points.
• Other operating expenses were $12.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $11.7 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $12.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The quarter-over-quarter increase is attributable to multiple items, including increases in the provision for unfunded commitments, marketing, and business development expenses.

Busey's effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2023 was 22.5%, bringing the full year effective tax rate for 2023 to 20.4%, which was lower than the combined federal and state statutory rate of approximately 28.0% due to tax exempt interest income, such as municipal bond interest, bank owned life insurance income, and investments in various federal and state tax credits.

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

Capital Strength

Busey's strong capital levels, coupled with its earnings, have allowed the Company to provide a steady return to its stockholders through dividends. On January 26, 2024, Busey will pay a cash dividend of $0.24 per common share to stockholders of record as of January 19, 2024. Busey has consistently paid dividends to its common stockholders since the bank holding company was organized in 1980.

As of December 31, 2023, Busey continued to exceed the capital adequacy requirements necessary to be considered “well-capitalized” under applicable regulatory guidelines. Busey’s Common Equity Tier 1 ratio is estimated⁶ to be 13.09% at December 31, 2023, compared to 12.52% at September 30, 2023, and 11.96% at December 31, 2022. Our Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets ratio is estimated⁶ to be 17.44% at December 31, 2023, compared to 16.72% at September 30, 2023, and 16.12% at December 31, 2022.

Busey’s tangible common equity¹ was $925.0 million at December 31, 2023, compared to $841.2 million at September 30, 2023, and $790.5 million at December 31, 2022. Tangible common equity¹ represented 7.75% of tangible assets at December 31, 2023, compared to 7.06% at September 30, 2023, and 6.60% at December 31, 2022. Busey’s tangible book value per common share¹ increased to $16.62 at December 31, 2023, from $15.07 at September 30, 2023 and $14.14 at December 31, 2022, reflecting a 17.5% year-over-year increase. The ratios of tangible common equity to tangible assets¹ and tangible book value per common share have been impacted by the fair market valuation adjustment of Busey’s securities portfolio as a result of the current rate environment, which is reflected in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component of shareholder’s equity.

During the fourth quarter of 2023, Busey purchased 117,812 shares of its common stock at a weighted average price of $19.30 per share for a total of $2.3 million under the Company’s stock repurchase plan. Repurchases were executed due to favorable pricing of Busey’s shares during the fourth quarter of 2023. As of December 31, 2023, Busey had 1,919,275 shares remaining on its stock repurchase plan available for repurchase.

4Q23 Earnings Investor Presentation

For additional information on Busey’s financial condition and operating results, please refer to the 4Q23 Earnings Investor Presentation furnished via Form 8-K on January 23, 2024, in connection with this earnings release.

Corporate Profile

As of December 31, 2023, First Busey Corporation (Nasdaq: BUSE) was a $12.28 billion financial holding company headquartered in Champaign, Illinois.

Busey Bank, a wholly-owned bank subsidiary of First Busey Corporation, had total assets of $12.25 billion as of December 31, 2023, and is headquartered in Champaign, Illinois. Busey Bank currently has 46 banking centers serving Illinois, eight banking centers serving Missouri, three banking centers serving southwest Florida, and one banking center in Indianapolis, Indiana. More information about Busey Bank can be found at busey.com.

Through Busey’s Wealth Management division, the Company provides a full range of asset management, investment, brokerage, fiduciary, philanthropic advisory, tax preparation, and farm management services to individuals, businesses, and foundations. Assets under care totaled $12.14 billion as of December 31, 2023. More information about Busey’s Wealth Management services can be found at busey.com/wealth-management.

Busey Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary, FirsTech, specializes in the evolving financial technology needs of small and medium-sized businesses, highly regulated enterprise industries, and financial institutions. FirsTech provides comprehensive and innovative payment technology solutions including online, mobile, and voice-recognition bill payments; money and data movement; merchant services; direct debit services; lockbox remittance processing for payments made by mail; and walk-in payments at retail agents. Additionally, FirsTech simplifies client workflows through integrations enabling support with billing, reconciliation, bill reminders, and treasury services. More information about FirsTech can be found at firstechpayments.com.

Busey Bank is honored to be named among America’s Best Banks by Forbes magazine for the second consecutive year. Ranked 26th overall in 2023, compared to 52nd in 2022, Busey was once again the top-ranked bank headquartered in Illinois. Busey is humbled to be named among the 2023 Best Banks to Work For by American Banker, the 2023 Best Places to Work in Money Management by Pensions and Investments, the 2023 Best Places to Work in Illinois by Daily Herald Business Ledger, and the 2023 Best Companies to Work For in Florida by Florida Trend magazine. We are honored to be consistently recognized nationally and locally for our engaged culture of integrity and commitment to community development.

For more information about us, visit busey.com.

Category: Financial
Source: First Busey Corporation

Contacts:

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

Non-GAAP Financial Information

This earnings release contains certain financial information determined by methods other than U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). Management uses these non-GAAP measures, together with the related GAAP measures, in analysis of Busey’s performance and in making business decisions, as well as for comparison to the Company’s peers. Busey believes the adjusted measures are useful for investors and management to understand the effects of certain non-core and non-recurring noninterest items and provide additional perspective on the Company’s performance over time.

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

These non-GAAP disclosures have inherent limitations and are not audited. They should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating results reported in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. Tax effected numbers included in these non-GAAP disclosures are based on estimated statutory rates or effective rates as appropriate.

Reconciliation Of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (unaudited)

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1. For quarterly periods, measures are annualized.

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1. Full year tax benefits were calculated by multiplying full year acquisition expenses and other restructuring expenses by the annual effective tax rates for the full year periods. The annual effective tax rates used in these calculations were 20.4% for the year ended December 31, 2023, and 20.7% for the year ended December 31, 2022. Quarterly tax benefits were calculated as the full year amounts less the sum of amounts applied to previous quarters within the year.
2. For quarterly periods, measures are annualized.

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1. Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP measure. See the table on the previous page for a reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measure.
2. Tax effects for net securities gains and losses were calculated by multiplying net securities gains and losses by the effective income tax rates for the periods indicated. Effective tax rates were 22.5%, 18.2%, and 24.7% for the three months ended December 31, 2023, September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively, and were 20.4% and 20.7% for the years ended December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively.
3. Tax-effected measure.

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1. Tax-equivalent adjustments were calculated using an estimated federal income tax rate of 21%, applied to non-taxable interest income on investments and loans.
2. For quarterly periods, measures are annualized.

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

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

Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This document may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of Busey and M&M. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of Busey’s and M&M’s management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should” or other similar expressions. Additionally, all statements in this document, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and neither Busey nor M&M undertakes any obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events. A number of factors, many of which are beyond the ability of Busey and M&M to control or predict, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, the following: (1) the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction between Busey and M&M will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; (2) the risk that integration of operations of M&M with those of Busey will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected; (3) the inability to complete the proposed transaction due to the failure of the required approval of M&M’s stockholders; (4) the failure to satisfy other conditions to completion of the proposed transaction, including receipt of required regulatory and other approvals; (5) the failure of the proposed transaction to close for any other reason; (6) the effect of the announcement of the transaction on customer relationships and operating results; (7) the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; (8) the strength of the local, state, national, and international economy (including effects of inflationary pressures and supply chain constraints); (9) the economic impact of any future terrorist threats or attacks, widespread disease or pandemics (including the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic), or other adverse external events that could cause economic deterioration or instability in credit markets (including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict); (10) changes in state and federal laws, regulations, and governmental policies concerning Busey's or M&M's general business (including changes in response to the recent failures of other banks); (11) changes in accounting policies and practices; (12) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of Busey’s or M&M's assets (including the impact of the London Interbank Offered Rate phase-out and the recent and potential additional rate increases by the Federal Reserve); (13) increased competition in the financial services sector (including from non-bank competitors such as credit unions and fintech companies) and the inability to attract new customers; (14) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (15) the loss of key executives or associates; (16) changes in consumer spending; (17) unexpected results of acquisitions, including the acquisition of M&M and the performance of M&M’s life equity loan business; (18) unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation involving Busey or M&M; (19) fluctuations in the value of securities held in Busey’s or M&M’s securities portfolio; (20) concentrations within Busey’s or M&M’s loan portfolio, large loans to certain borrowers, and large deposits from certain clients; (21) the concentration of large deposits from certain clients who have balances above current FDIC insurance limits and may withdraw deposits to diversify their exposure; (22) the level of non-performing assets on Busey’s or M&M’s balance sheets; (23) interruptions involving information technology and communications systems or third-party servicers; (24) breaches or failures of information security controls or cybersecurity-related incidents; and (25) the economic impact of exceptional weather occurrences such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, blizzards, and droughts. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Additional information concerning Busey and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect Busey’s financial results, is included in Busey’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Additional Information
Busey filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC on January 12, 2024, in connection with the proposed transaction. The registration statement includes a proxy statement of M&M that also constitutes a prospectus of Busey, which will be sent to the stockholders of M&M. M&M’s stockholders are advised to read the proxy statement/prospectus because it contains important information about Busey, M&M, and the proposed transaction. This document and other documents relating to the proposed transaction filed by Busey and M&M can be obtained free of charge from the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

These documents also can be obtained free of charge by accessing the Investor Relations page on Busey’s website at ir.busey.com, then under the tab “SEC Filings.” Alternatively, these documents, when available, can be obtained free of charge from Busey upon written request to First Busey Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 100 W. University Avenue, Champaign, Illinois 61820 or by calling (217) 365‑4630, or from M&M, upon written request to M&M and Manufacturers Bank Corporation, Attention: Brad Butler, 25140 W. Channon Dr., P.O. Box 200, Channahon, Illinois 60410 or by calling (630) 575‑9700.

This document shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Participants in this Transaction
Busey, M&M, and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information about these participants may be found in Busey’s definitive proxy statement relating to its 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed with the SEC on April 14, 2023. This definitive proxy statement can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Additional information regarding the interests of these participants are included in the proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction.

End Notes