FIRST BUSEY CORP /NV/ (BUSE)

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

SCOPE OF DISCUSSION

The following discussion and analysis are intended to assist readers in understanding Busey’s financial condition and results of operations during the three months ended March 31, 2026, and should be read in conjunction with Busey’s Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) and the related Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) included in this Quarterly Report, as well as Busey’s 2025 Annual Report.

BUSINESS

First Busey Corporation is an $18.04 billion financial holding company headquartered in Leawood, Kansas. First Busey Corporation’s common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “BUSE,” and its Series B preferred stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “BUSEP.”

Busey provides a full range of banking, wealth management, and payment technology solutions to individuals and corporate clients through its subsidiaries, Busey Bank and FirsTech.

Banking Center Markets

Busey Bank, headquartered in Champaign, Illinois, serves the banking needs of its customers through 80 banking centers located across five geographical regions and verticals spanning 10 states.

East Region – Busey Bank serves its East Region through 17 banking centers in the suburban Chicago market and three banking centers located in southwest Florida.

Midwest Region – Busey Bank serves its Midwest Region through 21 banking centers in central Illinois, including six in the Chicago MSA; 20 banking centers in the St. Louis MSA, including eight banking centers in eastern Missouri and 12 banking centers in western Illinois; and one banking center in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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Central Region – Busey Bank serves its Central Region through three banking centers in the Kansas City MSA, including two locations in Leawood, Kansas and one in Kansas City, Missouri; one banking center in Wichita, Kansas; and three banking centers in Oklahoma, including two in Oklahoma City and one in Tulsa.

Texas Region – Busey Bank serves its Texas Region through four banking centers across the Dallas-Fort Worth MSA, including locations in Dallas, Frisco, and Fort Worth, Texas.

West Region – Busey Bank serves its West region through three banking centers in Arizona, located in Phoenix and Tucson; three banking centers in Colorado, located in Denver and Colorado Springs; and one banking center in Clayton, New Mexico.

Verticals – Transcending geographical boundaries, Busey operates in several industry verticals, including Life Equity Lending, Structured Finance, Energy Banking, and SBA Lending.

Busey's Conservative Banking Strategy

Busey’s financial strength is built on a long-term conservative operating approach. The quality of Busey’s core deposit1 franchise is a critical value driver of the institution. Busey remains substantially core deposit funded, with robust liquidity. As of March 31, 2026, Busey’s loan to deposit ratio was 91.3% and core deposits represented 93.7% of total deposits. Busey maintains sufficient on- and off-balance sheet liquidity to manage deposit fluctuations and the liquidity needs of its customers.

Busey’s credit performance reflects its highly diversified, conservatively underwritten loan portfolio. Busey’s approach to lending and its underwriting standards are designed to emphasize relationship banking rather than transactional banking. In addition, as a matter of both policy and practice, Busey limits concentration exposures in any particular loan segment.

Busey’s conservative banking strategy is reflected in the strength of its capital base. Busey strives to consistently maintain capital ratios well in excess of thresholds required to be designated as well capitalized by applicable regulatory guidelines, thereby ensuring financial strength and flexibility across economic and operating cycles. As of March 31, 2026, Busey’s leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital to average assets was 11.9%, its common equity Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets ratio was 12.3%, and its total capital to risk weighted assets ratio was 15.9%.

Business Combinations

CrossFirst Bankshares, Inc.

On March 1, 2025, Busey completed its acquisition of CrossFirst and its wholly-owned subsidiary, CrossFirst Bank. This transformative partnership helped create a premier commercial bank spanning 10 states.

CrossFirst Bank’s results of operations were included in Busey’s results of operations beginning March 1, 2025. Busey operated CrossFirst Bank as a separate banking subsidiary until it was merged with and into Busey Bank on June 20, 2025. At the time of the bank merger, CrossFirst Bank’s banking centers became banking centers of Busey Bank.

Further information regarding Busey’s acquisitions is provided in Note 2. Business Combinations in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

1 Core deposits is a non-GAAP financial measure. For a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, see “Non-GAAP Financial Information” included in this MD&A.

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2026

Net Income

Results of Busey’s operations, by operating segment, are presented below:

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

Non-GAAP Adjusting Items and Non-GAAP Measures

Busey views certain non-operating items, including acquisition-related expenses, restructuring charges, and nonrecurring strategic events, as adjustments to net income reported under GAAP. Busey also adjusts for net securities gains and losses to align with industry and research analyst reporting. The objective of Busey’s presentation of adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings metrics is to allow investors and analysts to more clearly identify quarterly trends in core earnings performance. Pre-tax non-GAAP adjustments were as follows:

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1.Beginning in the second quarter of 2025, Busey revised its presentation, for all periods presented, to reclassify the provision for unfunded commitments from other noninterest expense to the provision for credit losses.

2.During the three months ended March 31, 2025, Busey sold available for sale debt securities with a book value of approximately $205.6 million for a pre-tax loss of $15.5 million and related estimated tax benefit of $4.3 million, as part of a balance sheet repositioning strategy.

3.During the three months ended March 31, 2025, in connection with the CrossFirst acquisition, Busey’s recorded expense for the initial provision for credit losses consisting of a Day 2 provision for loan losses of $42.4 million, and a Day 2 provision for unfunded commitments of $3.1 million.

4.Other acquisition expenses related to the acquisition of CrossFirst, which was completed on March 1, 2025. Final expenses for the acquisition of M&M were also included for 2025.

5.Restructuring expenses were incurred in connection with the execution on additional synergies identified in the first quarter of 2026 related to the CrossFirst acquisition and also in connection with the previously announced departure of Michael J. Maddox.

A reconciliation of non-GAAP measures, which Busey believes facilitates the assessment of its financial results and peer comparability, is included in tabular form in this MD&A. See “Non-GAAP Financial Information.”

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

Operating Performance Metrics

Operating performance metrics presented in the table below have been derived from information used by management to monitor and manage Busey’s financial performance:

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

Contents of Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Unaudited) (“MD&A”)

SCOPE OF DISCUSSION

The following is management’s discussion and analysis of the financial condition as of December 31, 2025, and 2024, and the results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, of First Busey Corporation and its subsidiaries. It should be read in conjunction with “Item 1. Business,” the Consolidated Financial Statements, and the related Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.

Detailed discussion and analysis of Busey’s financial condition and results of operation for 2025 as compared to 2024 can be found below. Comparison of 2024 to 2023 can be found in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of Busey's 2024 Annual Report.

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Contents of Item 7. MD&A

BUSEY’S CONSERVATIVE BANKING STRATEGY

Busey’s financial strength is built on a long-term conservative operating approach. The quality of Busey’s core deposit1 franchise is a critical value driver of the institution. Busey remains substantially core deposit funded, with robust liquidity. As of December 31, 2025, Busey’s loan to deposit ratio was 91.0% and core deposits1 represented 93.7% of total deposits. Furthermore, Busey has sufficient on- and off-balance sheet liquidity to manage deposit fluctuations and the liquidity needs of its customers.

Busey’s credit performance reflects its highly diversified, conservatively underwritten loan portfolio. Busey’s approach to lending and its underwriting standards are designed to emphasize relationship banking rather than transactional banking. In addition, as a matter of both policy and practice, Busey limits concentration exposures in any particular loan segment. While impacted by loans acquired as a result of the CrossFirst acquisition, asset quality remains strong by both Busey’s historical and current industry trends.

Busey’s conservative banking strategy is reflected in the strength of its capital base. Busey strives to consistently maintain capital ratios well in excess of thresholds required to be designated as well capitalized by applicable regulatory guidelines, thereby ensuring financial strength and flexibility across economic and operating cycles. At December 31, 2025, Busey’s leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital to average assets was 11.9%, its common equity Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets ratio was 12.4%, and its total capital to risk weighted assets ratio was 15.9%.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Busey has established various accounting policies that govern the application of GAAP in the preparation of its Consolidated Financial Statements. Significant accounting policies are described in “Note 1. Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Critical accounting estimates are those that are critical to the portrayal and understanding of Busey’s financial condition and results of operations and require management to make assumptions that are subjective or complex. These estimates involve judgments, assumptions, and uncertainties that are susceptible to change. In the event that different assumptions or conditions were to prevail, and depending on the severity of such changes, the possibility of a materially different financial condition or materially different results of operations is a reasonable likelihood. Further, changes in accounting standards could impact Busey’s critical accounting estimates. Management has reviewed these critical accounting estimates and related disclosures with Busey’s Audit Committee. The following estimates could be deemed critical:

Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in Business Combinations

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Under the acquisition method of accounting, assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their estimated fair value on the date of acquisition. Fair values are determined based on the definition of “fair value” defined in ASC Topic 820 “Fair Value Measurement” as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.” The determination of fair values is based on valuations using management’s assumptions of future growth rates, future attrition, discount rates, multiples of earnings or other relevant factors. In addition, Busey engages third party specialists to assist in the development of fair values.

The fair value of a loan portfolio acquired in a business combination generally requires greater levels of management estimates and judgment than other assets acquired or liabilities assumed. Acquired loans are within the scope of ASC Topic 326 “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses.” However, the offset to record the allowance on acquired loans at the date of acquisition depends on whether or not the loan is classified as PCD. The allowance for PCD loans is recorded through a gross-up effect, while the allowance for acquired non-PCD loans is recorded through provision expense, consistent with originated loans. Thus, the determination of which loans are PCD and non-PCD can have a significant effect on the accounting for these loans.

1 Core deposits is a non-GAAP financial measure. For a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, see “Item 1. Business—Non-GAAP Financial Information.”

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Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired using the acquisition method of accounting. Goodwill is not amortized; instead, Busey assesses the potential for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. Management applies significant judgment when testing goodwill for impairment, such as the valuation approach chosen, market multiples for competitors used in the calculation, and forecasts of business outlook.

Income Taxes

Busey is subject to the income tax laws of the U.S., as well as the tax laws of the individual states and municipalities in which the Company conducts its operations. These laws are often complex and subject to nuanced interpretations.

Income taxes are estimated for the tax effects of the transactions reported on Busey’s Consolidated Financial Statements and consist of an expense for taxes currently due plus assets and/or liabilities for deferred taxes. Deferred taxes represent the future tax consequences of differences between the tax basis and accounting basis of certain assets and liabilities, which will either be taxable or deductible when the assets and liabilities are recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are estimates that are reflected at income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. Deferred taxes are reported in other assets or other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Estimated income tax expense is reported on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

In establishing its provision for income taxes and its estimates of deferred tax assets and liabilities, Busey must make judgments and interpretations about the application of inherently complex tax laws. Busey must also make estimates about when in the future certain items will affect taxable income. Disputes over interpretations of the tax laws may be subject to review and adjudication by the court systems of the various tax jurisdictions or may be settled with the taxing authority upon examination or audit. Although Busey’s management believes that its judgments are sound and its tax estimates are reasonable, interpretations of tax law applied by the taxing jurisdictions could differ. As such, Busey may be exposed to losses or gains, which could be material. An unfavorable tax settlement would result in an increase in Busey’s effective income tax rate in the period of resolution. A favorable tax settlement would result in a reduction in Busey’s effective income tax rate in the period of resolution.

Allowance for Credit Losses

Busey calculates the ACL at each reporting date. Busey recognizes an allowance for the lifetime expected credit losses for the amount it does not expect to collect. Measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported book value. The calculation also contemplates that Busey may not be able to make or obtain such forecasts for the entire life of the financial assets and requires a reversion to historical credit loss information.

In determining the ACL, management relies predominantly on a disciplined credit review and approval process that extends to the full range of Busey’s credit exposure. The ACL must be determined on a collective (pool) basis when similar risk characteristics exist. On a case-by-case basis, Busey may conclude that a loan should be evaluated on an individual basis based on disparate risk characteristics.

Loans deemed uncollectible are charged-off against and reduce the ACL. A provision for credit losses is charged to current expense and acts to replenish the ACL in order to maintain the ACL at a level that management deems adequate.

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Determining the ACL involves significant judgments and assumptions. Macroeconomic forecasts provided by a third party and the economic indices sourced are significant judgments used in determining the allowance. Changes in these economic forecasts could significantly affect the ACL and lead to materially different amounts from one period to the next. Additionally, prepayment assumptions impact model output. Further, Busey completes a quarterly evaluation of several qualitative factors to determine if there should be adjustments made to the ACL. These factors include economic conditions, collateral, concentrations, delinquency trends, portfolio composition, underwriting, and certain other risks. Significant downturns relating to loan quality and economic conditions could result in a requirement for an additional allowance. Likewise, an upturn in loan quality and improved economic conditions may allow for a reduction in the required allowance. Because of the nature of the judgments and assumptions made by management, actual results may differ from these judgments and assumptions.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025

Net Income

Results of Busey’s operations are presented below, segregated by operating segment:

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Non-GAAP Adjusting Items and Non-GAAP Measures

Busey views certain non-operating items, including acquisition-related expenses, restructuring charges, and nonrecurring strategic events, as adjustments to net income reported under GAAP. Busey also adjusts for net securities gains and losses to align with industry and research analyst reporting. The objective of Busey’s presentation of adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings metrics is to allow investors and analysts to more clearly identify quarterly trends in core earnings performance. Pre-tax non-GAAP adjustments were as follows:

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1.During the year ended December 31, 2024, Busey executed a two-part balance sheet repositioning strategy in which it sold mortgage servicing rights on approximately $923.5 million of one-to-four family mortgage loans for a pre-tax gain of $7.7 million and sold available-for-sale debt securities with a book value of approximately $108.2 million for a pre-tax loss of $6.8 million.

2.During the year ended December 31, 2025, in connection with the CrossFirst acquisition, Busey’s recorded expense for the initial provision for credit losses consisting of a Day 2 provision for loan losses of $42.4 million, a Day 2 provision for unfunded commitments of $3.1 million, and an adjustment to the initial provision for unfunded commitments of $4.0 million that was recorded based on revised estimates resulting from implementation of a new CECL model.

3.Other acquisition expenses related to the acquisition of CrossFirst, which was completed on March 1, 2025, and the acquisition of M&M, which was completed on April 1, 2024.

4.Restructuring expenses were related to previously disclosed restructuring and efficiency plans and to corporate strategy advisement.

A reconciliation of non-GAAP measures, which Busey believes facilitates the assessment of its financial results and peer comparability, is included in tabular form in this Annual Report. See “Item 1. Business—Non-GAAP Financial Information.”

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Operating Performance Metrics

Operating performance metrics presented in the table below have been derived from information used by management to monitor and manage Busey’s financial performance:

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1.For a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, see “Item 1. Business—Non-GAAP Financial Information” included in this Annual Report.

2.Beginning in 2025, Busey revised its calculation of adjusted net income for all periods presented to include, as applicable, adjustments for net securities gains and losses, realized net gains and losses on the sale of mortgage servicing rights, and non-recurring deferred tax adjustments.

3.Beginning in 2025, Busey revised its presentation, for all periods presented, to reclassify the provision for unfunded commitments so that it is now included within the provision for credit losses, affecting the calculation of pre-provision net revenue and related measures and ratios.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income is the difference between interest income and fees earned on loans and investments (“interest-earning assets”) and interest expense incurred on deposits and borrowings (“interest-bearing liabilities”). Interest rate levels and volume fluctuations within interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities impact net interest income. Net interest margin is tax-equivalent net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets.

Certain assets with tax-favorable treatment are evaluated on a tax-equivalent basis, assuming a federal income tax rate of 21.0%. Tax-favorable assets generally have lower contractual pre-tax yields than fully taxable assets. A tax-equivalent analysis is performed by adding the tax savings to the earnings on tax-favorable assets. After factoring in the tax-favorable effects of these assets, the yields may be more appropriately evaluated against alternative earning assets. In addition to yield, various other risks are factored into the evaluation process.

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The tables below present Busey’s Consolidated Average Balance Sheets, summarizing average balances for each major category of assets and liabilities, the interest income earned on interest-earning assets, the interest expense paid for interest-bearing liabilities, and the related interest yields for the periods indicated. Average information is provided on a daily average basis:

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1.On a tax-equivalent basis, assuming a federal income tax rate of 21.0%.

2.Non-accrual loans have been included in average portfolio loans.

3.Interest income includes tax-equivalent adjustments of $3.0 million.

4.Borrowings include, as applicable, short-term borrowings, long-term borrowings, senior notes, and subordinated notes. Interest expense includes a non-usage fee on the revolving credit facility.

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1.On a tax-equivalent basis, assuming a federal income tax rate of 21.0%.

2.Non-accrual loans have been included in average portfolio loans.

3.Interest income includes tax-equivalent adjustments of $1.7 million.

4.Borrowings include, as applicable, short-term borrowings, long-term borrowings, senior notes, and subordinated notes. Interest expense includes a non-usage fee on the revolving credit facility.

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1.On a tax-equivalent basis, assuming a federal income tax rate of 21.0%.

2.Non-accrual loans have been included in average portfolio loans.

3.Interest income includes tax-equivalent adjustments of $2.2 million.

4.Borrowings include short-term borrowings, long-term debt, senior notes, and subordinated notes. Interest expense includes a non-usage fee on the revolving credit facility.

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The following tables present, for the major components of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, a breakout of changes in interest income and interest expense attributable to (1) changes in average volume and (2) changes in average yield. For purposes of this table, changes attributable to both rate and volume, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated proportionately, based on changes due to rate and changes due to volume:

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Notable changes in average assets and average liabilities are summarized as follows for the periods presented:

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Changes in net interest income and net interest margin are summarized as follows for the periods presented:

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1.Assuming a federal income tax rate of 21.0%.

2.Net interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets, stated on a tax-equivalent basis.

Busey continues to evaluate and execute off-balance sheet hedging and balance sheet strategies as well as embedding rate protection in our asset originations to provide stabilization to net interest income in lower rate environments. Stability in core deposit balances, as well as retail time deposit and savings specials, have continued to provide sufficient funding flows to allow intentional runoff of brokered and high-cost, non-relationship funding.

Net interest spread represents the difference between the average rate earned on earning assets and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, and is presented in the table below for the periods indicated:

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1.Calculated on a tax-equivalent basis.

Annualized net interest margins for the quarterly periods indicated were as follows:

Management attempts to mitigate the effects of an unpredictable interest-rate environment through effective portfolio management, prudent loan underwriting and pricing discipline, and operational efficiencies.

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Noninterest Income

Changes in noninterest income are summarized in the tables below for the periods presented:

Total noninterest income was $150.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, an increase of 7.4% when compared with $139.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. Total noninterest income represented 20.8% of total revenue2 in 2025, compared to 30.2% in 2024. The year ended December 31, 2025, includes ten months of income from the CrossFirst acquisition.

Revenues from wealth management fees and payment technology solutions provide a complement to spread-based revenue from traditional banking activities.

Wealth management fees increased by 9.1% to $69.4 million for 2025, compared to $63.6 million for 2024. Busey’s Wealth Management division had $15.66 billion in assets under care as of December 31, 2025, compared to $13.83 billion as of December 31, 2024. Busey’s portfolio management team continues to focus on long-term returns and managing risk in the face of volatile markets.

Income from payment technology solutions derives from Busey’s payment processing company, FirsTech. This income decreased by 9.0% to $20.0 million for 2025, compared to $22.0 million for 2024, primarily due to decreases in income from online bill payments.

Treasury management services consist primarily of business analysis charges and wire transfer fees on commercial accounts. Income from treasury management services increased by 106.8% compared to 2024 due to the addition of CrossFirst commercial services.

Card services and ATM fees, which include both commercial and consumer accounts, increased by 34.4% compared to 2024 primarily due to the addition of CrossFirst corporate card services.

2 Total revenue consists of net interest income plus noninterest income.

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Other service charges on deposit accounts were $6.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, a decline of 33.5% from the comparable period in 2024. Declines were largely related to lower non-sufficient fund charges, reflecting changes Busey made to its fee structure in 2025.

Mortgage revenue was $2.6 million for 2025, compared to $2.1 million for 2024. General economic conditions and interest rate volatility may impact future mortgage revenue.

Income on bank owned life insurance increased by 28.6% to $6.6 million for 2025, compared to $5.1 million for 2024, resulting from a $1.9 million increase in the cash surrender value of the insurance policies partially offset by a $0.4 million decrease in earnings on death proceeds.

During the year ended December 31, 2025, Busey did not record any realized gains on the sale of mortgage servicing rights. In comparison, during the year ended December 31, 2024, Busey recognized a $7.7 million gain on the sale of mortgage servicing rights in connection with a strategic two-part balance sheet repositioning. For more information, see “Busey executed a two-part balance sheet repositioning strategy” in the Management Discussion and Analysis included in Busey’s Quarterly Report for the first quarter of 2024, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2024.

Net securities losses of $10.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2025, were greater than the net securities losses realized during the comparable period in 2024. Losses for the year ended December 31, 2025, were comprised of $15.2 million of realized net losses on securities resulting from a strategic balance sheet repositioning completed in the first quarter of 2025, partially offset by unrealized net gains on Busey’s approximately 3% equity ownership of a financial institution that was the target of an acquisition at a significant market premium.

Other income increased by 46.1% to $20.5 million for 2025, compared to $14.0 million for 2024. Increases in other income were primarily attributable to increases in commercial loan servicing income and swap origination fees.

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Noninterest Expense

Changes in noninterest expense are summarized in the tables below for the periods presented:

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1.For a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, see “Item 1. Business—Non-GAAP Financial Information” included in the Annual Report.

Total noninterest expense increased to $480.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $301.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, representing a year-over-year increase of 59.3%. Growth in noninterest expense was primarily attributable to acquisition expenses related to the CrossFirst acquisition, added costs for operating expenses for two banks from March 1, 2025, until the banks were merged on June 20, 2025, and increased expenses associated with Busey’s larger organization and expanded branch network. Acquisition and restructuring expenses contributed $54.6 million to total noninterest expense for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $8.1 million for the comparable period in 2024. Annual pre-tax expense synergy estimates resulting from the CrossFirst acquisition remain on track at $25.0 million with 100% realization of identified synergies in 2026.

Salaries, wages, and employee benefits increased to $289.1 million for 2025, compared to $175.6 million for 2024. Excluding acquisition and restructuring expenses, which include severance, retention, and stock-based compensation expenses related to the CrossFirst acquisition, salaries, wages, and employee benefits were $252.0 million for 2025, compared to $174.0 million for 2024, representing an increase of 44.8%. During 2025, Busey added 17 banking centers, largely in connection with the CrossFirst acquisition, resulting in the expansion of Busey’s workforce, including the addition of 405 full-time equivalent associates.

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Data processing expense increased to $43.2 million for 2025, compared to $27.1 million for 2024. Excluding acquisition and restructuring expenses, data processing expense was $36.2 million for 2025, compared to $26.6 million for 2024, representing an increase of 36.2%. Increases were primarily attributable to Company-wide investments in technology enhancements, as well as inflation-driven price increases.

Combined, net occupancy expense of premises and furniture and equipment expenses increased to $38.0 million for 2025, compared to $25.5 million for 2024. The CrossFirst acquisition added 16 banking centers. Further, on August 18, 2025, Busey opened its second Denver service center, located in the Cherry Creek North neighborhood. Primary cost drivers in these expense categories include lease costs, repairs and maintenance, depreciation expense, real estate taxes, and utilities.

Professional fees increased to $18.8 million for 2025, compared to $12.8 million for 2024. Excluding acquisition and restructuring expenses, professional fees were $10.7 million for 2025, compared to $7.9 million for 2024, representing an increase of 35.3%. Primary cost drivers in this expense category include legal, audit and accounting, and consulting expenses.

Amortization of intangible assets increased to $16.6 million for 2025, compared to $10.1 million for 2024. The CrossFirst acquisition added an estimated $81.8 million of finite-lived intangible assets with amortization of $7.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2025. Busey uses an accelerated amortization methodology.

Interchange expense decreased to $5.2 million for 2025, compared to $6.0 million for 2024. Fluctuations in interchange expense relate to payment and volume activity at FirsTech.

FDIC insurance expense increased to $10.4 million for 2025, compared to $5.6 million for 2024. Additional FDIC insurance assessments were the result of Busey’s growth in average assets in connection with the CrossFirst acquisition.

Other noninterest expense increased to $59.0 million for 2025, compared to $38.7 million for 2024. Excluding acquisition and restructuring expenses, other noninterest expense was $56.5 million for 2025, compared to $37.8 million for 2024, representing an increase of 49.8%. Increases in other noninterest expense were attributable to multiple items, including increased costs on loans, marketing, business development, and office supplies.

Efficiency Ratio

The efficiency ratio3 is calculated as total noninterest expense, less amortization charges, as a percentage of tax-equivalent net interest income plus noninterest income, less security gains and losses. The efficiency ratio, which is a measure commonly used by management and the banking industry, measures the amount of expense incurred to generate a dollar of revenue. Busey’s efficiency ratio was 63.2% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 62.0% for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Operating costs have been influenced by acquisition expenses and other restructuring costs, and the adjusted efficiency ratio3 was 55.8% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 61.3% for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Income Taxes

Effective income tax rates, calculated by dividing income taxes by income before taxes, were 27.5%, 25.8%, and 20.4% for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. Busey's effective tax rate increased in 2025 primarily due to the deferred tax impact of the lower blended state tax rates resulting in (1) a one-time revaluation of deferred tax assets; and (2) a higher disallowance related to Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) limited compensation. These results were partially offset by increased tax credit investments and tax-exempt interest. Following the acquisition of CrossFirst Bank, and the inclusion of the CrossFirst entities within the Busey consolidated group, the deferred tax attributes were revalued to reflect the new consolidated group's state tax rates. As such, there was a significant rate change adjustment recognized against deferred tax assets in 2025, which increased Busey's effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2025.

3 The efficiency ratio and adjusted efficiency ratio are both non-GAAP financial measures. For a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, see “Item 1. Business—Non-GAAP Financial Information.”

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Busey continues to monitor evolving federal and state tax legislation and its potential impact on operations on an ongoing basis. As of December 31, 2025, Busey remains under examination by the Illinois Department of Revenue for Merchant & Manufacturers Bank's tax filings for the tax years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023. The Florida Department of Revenue examination of Busey Bank's tax years 2020 to 2022 corporate income tax filings was completed with no additional income tax assessments.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Balance Sheet

Changes in significant items included on Busey’s Consolidated Balance Sheets are summarized in the table below:

Investment Securities

The primary purposes of Busey’s investment securities portfolio are to provide a source of earnings by deploying funds that are not needed to fulfill loan demand, deposit redemptions, or other liquidity purposes; to serve as a tool for interest rate risk positioning; and to provide collateral for pledging purposes against public deposits and repurchase agreements, all while providing a source of liquidity.

Busey considers many factors in determining the composition of its investment portfolio including, but not limited to, credit quality, duration, interest rate risk, liquidity, tax-equivalent yield, regulatory considerations, and overall portfolio allocation. As of December 31, 2025, Busey did not hold general obligation bonds of any single issuer, the aggregate of which exceeded 10% of Busey’s stockholders’ equity.

Pledged securities totaled $744.2 million, or 25.6% of total debt securities, as of December 31, 2025, and $871.4 million, or 33.0% of total debt securities, as of December 31, 2024.

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Debt Securities Available for Sale

Debt securities available for sale are carried at fair value. Net unrealized gains or losses, net of tax, are recorded in stockholders’ equity, through AOCI. As of December 31, 2025, the fair value of debt securities available for sale was $2.16 billion, and the amortized cost was $2.30 billion. There were $13.9 million of gross unrealized gains and $152.2 million of gross unrealized losses, resulting in a net unrealized loss of $138.3 million.

The composition of debt securities available for sale was as follows:

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By maturity date, fair values and weighted average yields of debt securities available for sale as of December 31, 2025, are presented in the following table:

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1.Securities are presented based upon final contractual maturity or pre-refunded date.

2.Weighted average yield calculated on a tax-equivalent basis, assuming a federal income tax rate of 21.0%.

Debt Securities Held to Maturity

Debt securities held to maturity are carried at amortized cost. Unrecognized losses related to securities that were transferred in 2022 are included in OCI, net of taxes, and amortized into income over the contractual lives of the securities. An ACL balance will be established for debt securities held to maturity when applicable. No ACL was recorded for Busey’s portfolio of debt securities held to maturity as of December 31, 2025 or 2024.

As of December 31, 2025, the amortized cost of debt securities held to maturity was $746.4 million, and the fair value was $626.0 million. There were no gross unrecognized gains and $120.4 million of gross unrecognized losses.

The composition of debt securities held to maturity was as follows:

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By maturity date, fair values and weighted average yields of debt securities held to maturity as of December 31, 2025, are presented in the following table:

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1.Securities are presented based upon final contractual maturity or pre-refunded date.

Equity Securities

Equity securities are carried at fair value. The fair value of equity securities was $14.9 million as of December 31, 2025, compared to $15.9 million as of December 31, 2024.

Portfolio Loans

Busey believes that making sound and profitable loans is a necessary and desirable means of employing funds available for investment. Busey maintains lending policies and procedures designed to focus lending efforts on the types, locations, and duration of loans most appropriate for its business model and markets. While not specifically limited, Busey attempts to focus its lending on short to intermediate-term loans (0-10 years) in states where Busey maintains lending offices. Busey attempts to utilize government-assisted lending programs, such as the SBA and U.S. Department of Agriculture lending programs, when prudent. Generally, loans are collateralized by assets, primarily real estate, and guaranteed by individuals. Loans are expected to be repaid primarily from cash flows of the borrowers or from proceeds from the sale of selected assets of the borrowers.

Management reviews and approves Busey Bank’s lending policies and procedures on a regular basis. Management routinely—at least quarterly—reviews the ACL in conjunction with reports related to loan production, loan quality, concentrations of credit, loan delinquencies, non-performing loans, and potential problem loans. Busey’s underwriting standards are designed to encourage relationship banking rather than transactional banking. Relationship banking implies a primary banking relationship with the borrower that includes, at a minimum, an active deposit banking relationship in addition to the lending relationship. Significant underwriting factors in addition to location, duration, a sound and profitable cash flow basis, and the borrower’s character, include the quality of the borrower’s financial history, the liquidity of the underlying collateral, and the reliability of the valuation of the underlying collateral.

At no time is a borrower’s total borrowing relationship permitted to exceed Busey Bank’s regulatory lending limit. Busey generally limits such relationships to amounts substantially less than the regulatory limit. Loans to related parties, including executive officers and directors of First Busey Corporation and its subsidiaries, are reviewed for compliance with regulatory guidelines.

Busey maintains an independent loan review department that reviews loans for compliance with Busey’s loan policy on a periodic basis. In addition, the loan review department reviews risk assessments made by Busey’s credit department, lenders, and loan committees. Results of these reviews are presented to management and the audit committee at least quarterly.

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Busey Bank’s lending can be summarized into five primary lending activities, which can be further categorized as either commercial or retail lending. Commercial lending activities consist of C&I and other commercial loans, CRE loans, and real estate construction loans while retail lending activities consist of retail real estate loans and retail other loans.

C&I and Other Commercial Loans

C&I and other commercial loans typically comprise working capital loans or business expansion loans, including loans for asset purchases and other business loans. C&I and other commercial loans will generally be guaranteed, in full or a material percentage, by the primary owners of the business. C&I and other commercial loans are made based primarily on the borrower’s historical and projected cash flows and secondarily on the underlying assets pledged as collateral by the borrower. Cash flows of the borrower, however, may not perform consistently with historical or projected information. Further, collateral securing loans may fluctuate in value due to individual economic or other factors. Busey Bank has established minimum standards and underwriting guidelines for all C&I and other commercial loan types.

Commercial Real Estate Loans

The commercial environment, along with the academic presence in some of the markets in which Busey operates, provides for the majority of Busey’s commercial lending opportunities to be CRE related, including multi-unit housing. As the majority of Busey’s loan portfolio is within the CRE class, Busey’s goal is to maintain a high quality, geographically diverse portfolio of CRE loans. CRE loans are subject to underwriting standards and guidelines similar to commercial loans. CRE loans are generally guaranteed, in full or a material percentage, by the primary owners of the business. Repayment of these loans is primarily dependent on the cash flows of the underlying property. Nevertheless, CRE loans generally must be supported by an adequate underlying collateral value. The performance and the value of the underlying property may be adversely affected by economic factors or geographical and/or industry specific factors. These loans are subject to other industry guidelines which Busey closely monitors.

Real Estate Construction Loans

Real estate construction loans are primarily commercial in nature. Loan proceeds are monitored by Busey and advanced for the improvement of real estate in which Busey holds a mortgage. Real estate construction loans will generally be guaranteed, in full or a material percentage, by the developer or primary owners of the business. These loans are subject to underwriting standards and guidelines similar to commercial loans and generally must be supported by an adequate “as completed” value of the underlying project. In addition to the underlying project, the financial history of the developer and business owners weighs significantly in determining approval. Repayment of these loans is typically through permanent financing following completion of the construction. Real estate construction loans are inherently more risky than loans on completed properties as the unimproved nature and the financial risks of construction significantly enhance the risks of commercial real estate loans. These loans are closely monitored and subject to other industry guidelines.

Retail Real Estate Loans

Retail real estate loans are comprised of direct consumer loans that include residential real estate, home equity lines of credit, and home equity loans. In 2025, Busey retained a smaller percentage of originated retail real estate loans in its portfolio, electing to sell a larger percentage to secondary market purchasers. As retail real estate loan underwriting is subject to specific regulations, Busey typically underwrites retail real estate loans to conform to widely accepted standards. Several factors are considered in underwriting including the debt-to-income ratio and credit history of the borrower, as well as the value of the underlying real estate.

Retail Other Loans

Retail other loans consist of installment loans to individuals, including automotive loans and indirect lending. These loans are centrally underwritten utilizing the borrower’s financial history, including credit scores, as well as information about the underlying collateral. Retail other loans also include whole-life loans which are secured by the cash value of underlying life insurance policies. Repayment of retail other loans is expected from the borrower’s cash flows.

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Portfolio Composition

The composition of Busey’s loan portfolio as of the dates indicated, as well as changes in portfolio loan balances, were as follows:

Portfolio loan growth in 2025 was primarily attributable to the CrossFirst acquisition. Busey remains steadfast in its conservative approach to underwriting and disciplined approach to pricing. During 2025, Busey experienced elevated payoffs that outpaced new production momentums.

Concentration of Credit Risk

As a matter of policy and practice, Busey limits the level of concentration exposure in any particular loan segment with the goal of maintaining a well-diversified loan portfolio. The following table presents the percentage of total portfolio loans for each lending activity.

Busey Bank originates loans across its regional operating model and through its specialty product lines, as described below:

•East – Suburban Chicago markets, the St. Louis MSA, and southwest Florida

•Midwest – Central Illinois and Indianapolis, Indiana

•Central – The Kansas City MSA, Central Kansas, and Oklahoma

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•Texas – The Dallas-Fort Worth MSA

•West – Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona

•Verticals – Busey’s Life Equity Lending, Sponsor Finance, Energy Lending, and SBA Lending products

The distribution of Busey Bank loans outstanding as of December 31, 2025, that were originated in each of these markets is presented in the table below:

Prior to the CrossFirst acquisition on March 1, 2025, Busey Bank’s loan origination occurred in the Illinois, Missouri, Florida, and Indiana markets. The geographic distribution of Busey Bank loans outstanding as of December 31, 2024, that were originated in each of these markets is presented in the table below:

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Commercial Real Estate Loans

CRE loans made up 40.9% of Busey’s total loan portfolio as of December 31, 2025, and CRE properties were approximately 25.8% owner occupied. Owner occupied commercial real estate is generally dependent on the performance of the borrowers’ businesses, whereas non-owner occupied commercial real estate is generally reliant on property cash flows generated by third-party tenants.

CRE loans are made across a variety of industries, as depicted in the table below. Balances reflected in the table below do not include loan origination fees or costs, purchase accounting adjustments, SBA discounts, or negative escrow amounts.

Loan Commitments

Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit increased by $2.27 billion, or 89.2%, to a total of $4.82 billion as of December 31, 2025, compared to $2.55 billion as of December 31, 2024.

Loan Maturities

The determination of loan maturities is based on contractual loan terms. Demand loans, loans having no stated schedule of repayments and no stated maturity, and overdrafts are considered to mature within one year.

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The following table sets forth the remaining maturities of portfolio loans at December 31, 2025:

Interest Rate Structure

Portfolio loans maturing after one year are summarized below by interest rate structure and lending activity, as of December 31, 2025:

Allowance for Credit Losses and Provision for Credit Losses

The ACL is a significant estimate on Busey’s Consolidated Financial Statements, affecting both earnings and capital. The methodology adopted influences, and is influenced by, Busey’s overall credit risk management processes. The ACL is recorded in accordance with GAAP to provide an adequate reserve for expected credit losses that is reflective of management’s best estimate of what is expected to be collected. Estimates of credit losses are based on a careful consideration of all significant factors affecting the collectability as of the evaluation date. The ACL is established through the provision for credit loss charged to income. Provision expenses for loan losses were recorded as follows for each of the years indicated:

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1.The year ended December 31, 2025, included $42.4 million provision expense that was recorded to establish an initial allowance for loan losses on non-PCD loans immediately following the close of the CrossFirst acquisition in accordance with ASC 326‑20‑30‑15.

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The following table summarizes, by lending activity, net charge-off and recovery activity affecting the ACL balance, together with average portfolio loans outstanding and the related ratios of net charge-offs (recoveries) to average portfolio loans: