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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

Current Report

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  October 21, 2014

First Busey Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

100 W. University Ave.
Champaign, Illinois  61820
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

(217) 365-4544
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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On Tuesday, October 21, 2014, First Busey Corporation ("First Busey") issued a press release disclosing financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.  The press release is made part of this Form 8-K and is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

The press release made a part of this Current Report on Form 8-K includes forward looking statements that are intended to be covered by the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward looking statements include but are not limited to comments with respect to the objectives and strategies, financial condition, results of operations and business of the Registrant.

These forward looking statements involve numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and the risk that predictions and other forward looking statements will not be achieved.  First Busey cautions you not to place undue reliance on these forward looking statements as a number of important factors could cause actual future results to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward looking statements.

99.1

Press Release issued by the Company, dated October 21, 2014.

 

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Signature

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date:  October 21, 2014

First Busey Corporation

 

October 21, 2014

 

First Busey Announces 2014 Third Quarter Earnings

Champaign, IL – (Nasdaq: BUSE)

Message from our President & CEO

 

 

Significant progress from the third quarter of 2013:

 

First Busey Corporation's net income for the third quarter of 2014 was $9.1 million and net income available to common stockholders was $8.9 million, or $0.10 per fully-diluted common share.  Net income increased from the third quarter of 2013, when the Company reported net income of $7.9 million and net income available to common stockholders of $7.0 million, or $0.08 per fully-diluted common share.  Net income available to common stockholders also grew 12% on a linked-quarter basis.  For the second quarter of 2014, the Company reported net income of $8.2 million and net income available to common stockholders of $8.0 million, or $0.09 per fully-diluted common share.

The Company's year-to-date net income through September 30, 2014 was $25.2 million and net income available to common stockholders was $24.6 million, or $0.28 per fully-diluted common share, compared to net income of $21.8 million and net income available to common stockholders of $19.1 million, or $0.22 per fully-diluted common share, for the comparable period of 2013.

Net interest income of $25.9 million in the third quarter of 2014 increased from $25.0 million in the second quarter of 2014, and $25.2 million recorded in the third quarter of 2013.  Net interest income for the first nine months of 2014 was $75.5 million compared to $75.1 million for the same period of 2013.  Gross loans at September 30, 2014 increased $55.8 million from June 30, 2014, despite a drop in held for sale loans of $8.2 million during the period.  Gross loans increased to $2.380 billion at September 30, 2014 from $2.324 billion at June 30, 2014 and $2.251 billion at September 30, 2013, led by growth in commercial loans.

Robust loan growth during 2013 pushed Small Business Lending Fund qualified credits above certain thresholds required to meaningfully reduce costs of the Company's preferred stock dividend beginning in 2014.  Dividends paid on the preferred stock totaled $0.5 million for the first nine months of 2014 compared to $2.7 million for the comparable period of 2013.  In addition, credit quality and related costs continued to improve.  As net charge-offs and non-performing loans trended significantly lower, the provision for loan loss fell to zero in the third quarter of 2014, a decrease from $1.0 million in the second quarter of 2014 and $2.0 million in the third quarter of 2013.  For the first nine months of 2014, the provision for loan loss was $2.0 million, compared to $6.0 million for the same period of 2013.  With a continued commitment to the quality of assets and the strength of our balance sheet, near-term losses are expected to remain at notable lows.

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Overall deposit levels have continued a relatively steady course totaling $2.825 billion at September 30, 2014 compared to $2.862 billion at June 30, 2014 and $2.880 billion at September 30, 2013.  For the three months ended September 30, 2014, average total deposits were $2.867 billion compared to $2.869 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2013, moderating by less than 0.1% or $0.002 billion over the prior year.  Average deposit costs decreased to 17 basis points for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to 18 basis points for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 23 basis points for the three months ended September 30, 2013.  Non-interest bearing deposits of $579.6 million at September 30, 2014 decreased from $605.3 million at June 30, 2014 but rose from $543.7 million at September 30, 2013.  The Company remained strongly core deposit funded at 76.1% of total assets as of September 30, 2014, with solid liquidity and significant market share in the communities it serves.

During the third quarter of 2014, as part of ongoing balance sheet strategy, the Company undertook a modest level of long-term debt due to low interest rates and attractive funding options available in the market.  The Company executed $30.0 million in FHLB overnight discount note indexed advances with an average cost of 8 basis points for the three months ended September 30, 2014.  The variable rate notes range in maturity from seven to ten years with options to prepay at par prior to maturity.

 

Capital Strength:  At the end of the third quarter of 2014, Busey Bank continued to exceed the capital adequacy requirements necessary to be considered "well-capitalized" under regulatory guidance.  Further, First Busey Corporation's Tangible Common Equity (TCE) increased to $332.3 million at September 30, 2014 from $328.7 million at June 30, 2014 and from $314.9 million at September 30, 2013.  TCE represented 9.51% of tangible assets at September 30, 2014 compared to 9.44% at June 30, 2014 and 8.98% at September 30, 2013.¹

The Company's strong capital levels have allowed it to provide a steady return to its shareholders through dividends, and also allowed it to raise its quarterly dividend earlier this year.  The Company will pay a cash dividend on October 24, 2014 of $0.05 per common share to stockholders of record as of October 17, 2014, which represents a 25% increase from the quarterly dividend of $0.04 per common share paid in October 2013. First Busey Corporation has consistently paid dividends to its common stockholders since the bank holding company was originally organized in 1980.

Asset Quality:  While much internal focus has been directed toward organic growth, the Company's commitment to credit quality remains strong, as evidenced by another quarter of meaningful progress across a range of credit indicators.  As of September 30, 2014, the Company reported non-performing loans of $8.7 million, which reflected the lowest level in over six years.  Net charge-offs for the third quarter of 2014 also reflected yet another low at $0.4 million for the quarter, compared to $1.0 million for second quarter of 2014 and $2.5 million for the third quarter of 2013.  Net charge-offs for the first nine months of 2014 were $2.6 million, compared to $6.0 million for the same period of 2013.  In addition, the Company recorded a $2.0 million recovery early in the fourth quarter of 2014 that was considered when determining whether to record a third quarter provision expense, along with other standard GAAP measures.  While these improvements are encouraging, many asset quality metrics remain dependent upon market-specific economic conditions, and specific measures may fluctuate from quarter to quarter.

Fee-based Businesses:  Busey Wealth Management's net income of $1.2 million for the third quarter of 2014 seasonally declined from $1.4 million for the second quarter of 2014 but was comparable to the third quarter of 2013.  Busey Wealth Management's net income for the first nine months of 2014 was $3.6 million as compared to $3.1 million for the first nine months of 2013.  Assets under care increased to $5.0 billion as of September 30, 2014 compared to $4.7 billion at September 30, 2013.  FirsTech's net income of $0.3 million for the third quarter of 2014 was comparable to the second quarter of 2014 and increased from the third quarter of 2013 by 24.3%.  FirsTech's year-to-date net income of $1.0 million increased from $0.8 million for the comparable period of 2013, primarily on growth in electronic processing revenues, including online and mobile services.

Revenues from trust, brokerage and commissions and remittance processing activities - which are primarily generated through Busey Wealth Management and FirsTech - represented 54.3% of the Company's non-interest income for the first nine months of 2014, providing a balance to traditional banking activities.  Furthermore, the Company believes the boutique services offered to ultra-high net worth clients by Trevett Capital Partners within its suite of wealth services broadens its business base and enhances its ability to further develop revenue sources.

 

¹Tangible Common Equity, a non-GAAP metric, is defined as common equity less tax-effected goodwill and intangibles at the end of the reporting period. Tangible assets, a non-GAAP metric, is defined as total assets less tax-effected goodwill and intangibles at the end of the reporting period.

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Trust fees decreased to $4.2 million for the third quarter of 2014 compared to $5.1 million for the second quarter of 2014, but increased from $4.0 million for the third quarter of 2013. The decline from the second quarter of 2014 was due to seasonal farm management and tax preparation fees realized in the second quarter; however, farm income is expected to seasonally increase in the fourth quarter of 2014. Trust fees for the first nine months of 2014 were $14.9 million compared to $14.0 million in the same period of 2013.

 

Operating Performance:  The Company continues to prioritize strengthening its balance sheet, diversifying revenue streams and developing appropriate platforms to sustain profitable organic growth.  An active business outreach across the Company's footprint continues to support ongoing business expansion, while further improvement in operating expenses reflects the important focus on cost control and productivity.  Specific areas of operating performance are detailed as follows:

Overview and Strategy:

During the third quarter of 2014, First Busey announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Herget Financial Corp. ("Herget"), headquartered in Pekin, Illinois, with the completion of the transaction subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval.  We believe the merger with Herget will allow us to further increase our presence through a proven organization that has a one-hundred year history of providing premier customer service to diverse industry sectors.  By acquiring organizations with a similar philosophy in markets which complement our existing customer base, we intend to expand our franchise through balanced, integrated growth strategies that generate value.  Please reference our Form 8-K, filed on September 26, 2014 for additional information regarding our pending acquisition of Herget.

We are pleased with the sustained earnings momentum and strong performances across a broad spectrum of our businesses.  Net income in each of our operating segments was up by over 14% from the prior year-to-date period.  Comprehensive expense discipline continues to drive improvement in operating costs and efficiency ratios.  Sound asset quality management supported further balance sheet strength, and credit cost reductions benefited our bottom line.

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For the second consecutive year, First Busey Corporation was named by Forbes as one of America's most trustworthy companies.  Our associates take great pride in the Company being selected by Forbes as one of America's 50 Most Trustworthy Financial Companies²  for 2014.  This ratings process suggests that its 50 Most Trustworthy Financial Companies have consistently demonstrated clear and conservative accounting practices and solid corporate governance, management and board supervision.  Also in August 2014, Busey was recognized with the StormReady accreditation by the National Weather Service, which recognizes organizations that excel in communication, local warning dissemination, community preparedness, and administration in regards to severe weather.

Our emphasis on maximizing stockholder value is evidenced by the continued growth in earnings per share and our increased quarterly dividend earlier this year.  With our strong capital position, a stable core funding base, and a sound credit foundation, we are actively engaged in growing our Company through both organic and external measures.  As we take pride in our past and look confidently towards our future, we thank our associates for their efforts, our customers for their business and you, our shareholders, for your continued support.

/s/ Van A. Dukeman

President & Chief Executive Officer

First Busey Corporation

^{2 ©}2014, Forbes Media LLC.  Used with Permission.

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Corporate Profile

First Busey Corporation (Nasdaq: BUSE) is a $3.5 billion financial holding company headquartered in Champaign, Illinois. Busey Bank, First Busey Corporation's wholly-owned bank subsidiary, is also headquartered in Champaign, Illinois and has twenty-eight banking centers serving Illinois, a banking center in Indianapolis, Indiana, and seven banking centers serving southwest Florida.  Trevett Capital Partners, a wealth management division of Busey Bank, provides asset management, investment and fiduciary services to high net worth clients in southwest Florida.  The wealth management professionals of Trevett Capital Partners can be reached through trevettcapitalpartners.com.  Busey Bank had total assets of $3.5 billion as of September 30, 2014.

In addition, First Busey Corporation owns a retail payment processing subsidiary, FirsTech, Inc., through Busey Bank, which processes over 22 million transactions per year using online bill payment, lockbox processing and walk-in payments at its 3,000 agent locations in 36 states.  More information about FirsTech, Inc. can be found at firstechinc.com.

Busey Wealth Management is a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Busey Corporation.  Through Busey Trust Company, Busey Wealth Management provides asset management, investment and fiduciary services to individuals, businesses and foundations.  As of September 30, 2014, Busey Wealth Management's assets under care were approximately $5.0 billion.

Busey Bank and Busey Wealth Management deliver financial services through busey.com.

Contact:

Robin N. Elliott, CFO

217-365-4120

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 the Company.  Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the Company'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 the Company undertakes no 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 the Company to control or predict, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in its forward-looking statements.  These factors include, among others, the following: (i) the strength of the local and national economy; (ii) changes in state and federal laws, regulations and governmental policies concerning the Company's general business (including the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the extensive regulations to be promulgated thereunder, as well as the rules adopted by the federal bank regulatory agencies to implement Basel III); (iii) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of the Company's assets; (iv) increased competition in the financial services sector and the inability to attract new customers; (v) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (vi) the loss of key executives or employees; (vii) changes in consumer spending; (viii) unexpected results of acquisitions; (ix) unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation involving the Company; (x) the economic impact of any future terrorist threats or attacks; (xi) the economic impact of exceptional weather occurrences such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and blizzards; and (xii) changes in accounting policies and practices.  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 the Company and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect the Company's financial results, is included in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.