8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSIONWashington, 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):  May 13, 2019

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

Nevada	0-15950	37-1078406
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

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

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

 N/A

(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):

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b– 2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b–2 of this chapter). ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.001 par value	BUSE	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On May 13, 2019, First Busey Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), issued a joint press release announcing the execution of an Agreement and Plan of Merger in connection with the proposed acquisition by Busey Bank, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, of Investors’ Security Trust Company, a Florida corporation.  While the proposed acquisition is expected to add to the Company’s wealth management offerings, it is not expected to have any immediate, material impact to the Company’s earnings or overall business.

A copy of the joint press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

The information furnished pursuant to this Item and the related exhibits shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as may be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.  The furnishing of information pursuant to this Item 7.01 will not be deemed an admission as to the materiality of any information in this Current Report on Form 8-K that is required to be disclosed solely by Regulation FD.

Item 9.01Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibit No.                  Description

99.1Press Release, dated May 13, 2019.

Signatures

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:  May 13, 2019 First Busey Corporation

By:       /s/ Robin N. Elliott

Name:  Robin N. Elliott

Title:    Chief Financial Officer

EX-99.1

      

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 13, 2019

First Busey Corporation and Investors’ Security Trust Company Announce Signing of a Definitive Merger AgreementFirst Busey and Investors’ Security Trust Increase Market Presence in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL MSA

CHAMPAIGN, IL and FORT MYERS, FL—First Busey Corporation (“Busey”) (NASDAQ:BUSE), the holding company for Busey Bank, and Investors’ Security Trust Company (“IST”) today jointly announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which IST will be merged with and into the wealth management division of Busey Bank. The partnership will enhance Busey’s and IST’s existing wealth management presence in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Additionally, through a combined pro forma franchise of six locations in the greater Fort Myers area, the combined organization adds a broad range of banking services and delivery systems that complement the service offerings of IST, allowing us to further meet clients’ growing financial needs.

Through this transaction, Busey and IST broaden the expertise and level of service available to clients—from individuals and families to institutions and foundations—and remain committed to their founding principles of being active community stewards and providing the highest level of personal service to clients delivered by experienced, local professionals.

It is anticipated that IST will be merged with and into the wealth management division of Busey Bank in mid to late 2019, subject to customary closing conditions and required approvals, with combined assets under management of more than $9.25 billion. IST currently employs 20 associates and has one location at 5246 Red Cedar Drive #101, Fort Myers, Florida.

Van A. Dukeman, First Busey Corporation president and chief executive officer, said, “Busey has remained steadfast to its commitment of remaining a community-focused, relationship-driven financial services organization serving the comprehensive financial needs of clients—and this partnership is no exception. IST is a premier wealth advisory group, further complementing one another’s strengths to deliver a preeminent bank, trust and wealth advisory solution in Southwest Florida and beyond.”

Charles K. Idelson, president and chief executive officer of Investors’ Security Trust, will continue to serve the Fort Myers community as executive vice president and Florida market chairman at Busey. Mr. Idelson stated, “Busey understands our local market, offers a broad range of financial delivery systems—including a full suite of private banking solutions—to meet customers’ comprehensive needs, and shares an unwavering commitment to service excellence. We are excited Investors’ Security Trust clients will continue experiencing service excellence through the wealth management professionals they know and trust, while benefiting from expanded financial capabilities from a 150-year old organization whose footprint spans Southwest Florida, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri.”

Both companies support and value an engaged and empowered workforce, and are committed to building a premier, service-oriented experience. Busey has been named among American Banker’s Best Banks to Work For in the US; voted as one of the Best Places to Work in Illinois by associates since 2016; recognized among the Best Companies to Work For in Florida since 2017 and the 2018 Best Places to Work in Money Management; as well as listed among the 2018 Best-In-State Banks for Illinois—a first-ever customer nominated recognition by Forbes—in addition to various wellness, training and development, philanthropic and other workplace awards.

Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP served as legal counsel and Raymond James | Silver Lane Advisors served as financial advisor to Busey. Smith Mackinnon, PA served as legal counsel and DD&F Consulting Group served as financial advisor to IST.

Corporate Profile

As of March 31, 2019, First Busey Corporation (Nasdaq: BUSE) was a $9.54 billion financial holding company headquartered in Champaign, Illinois.

Busey Bank, a wholly-owned bank subsidiary with total assets of $7.75 billion as of March 31, 2019, is headquartered in Champaign, Illinois and has forty-four banking centers serving Illinois, thirteen banking centers in the St. Louis, Missouri metropolitan area, five banking centers serving southwest Florida and a banking center in Indianapolis, Indiana. Through the Busey Wealth Management division, the Company provides asset management, investment and fiduciary services to individuals, businesses and foundations. As of March 31, 2019, assets under care were approximately $7.29 billion. Busey Bank owns a retail payment processing subsidiary, FirsTech, Inc., which processes approximately 28 million transactions per year using online bill payment, lockbox processing and walk-in payments at its 4,000 agent locations in 43 states. More information about FirsTech, Inc. can be found at firstechpayments.com.

TheBANK of Edwardsville, a wholly-owned bank subsidiary with total assets of $1.81 billion as of March 31, 2019, is headquartered in Edwardsville, Illinois and has nineteen banking centers and one loan production office in the greater St. Louis, MO-IL MSA. Through TheBANK of Edwardsville Wealth Management division, the Company provides asset management, investment and fiduciary services to individuals, businesses and foundations. As of March 31, 2019, assets under care were approximately $1.59 billion.

Busey Bank was named among Forbes’ 2018 Best-In-State Banks—one of five in Illinois and 124 from across the country, equivalent to 2.2% of all banks. Best-In-State Banks are awarded for exceptional customer experiences as determined by a survey sample of 25,000+ banking customers who rated banks on trust, terms and conditions, branch services, digital services and financial advice.

For more information about us, visit www.busey.com and 4thbank.com.

CONTACTS:

Robin Elliott, CFO                                               Amy Randolph, EVP & Chief of Staff

First Busey Corporation                                    First Busey Corporation

(217) 365-4500                                                       (217) 365-4500

robin.elliott@busey.com                                   amy.randolph@busey.com

Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this report, other than those concerning historical financial information, may be considered 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. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of Busey’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 we undertake no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events. A number of factors, many of which are beyond our ability to control or predict, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, the following: (i) the strength of the local, state, national and international economy (including the impact of tariffs, a U.S. withdrawal from or significant negotiation of trade agreements, trade wars and other changes in trade regulations); (ii) changes in state and federal laws, regulations and governmental policies concerning Busey’s general business; (iii) changes in accounting policies and practices; (iv) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of Busey’s assets; (v) increased competition in the financial services sector and the inability to attract new customers; (vi) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (vii) the loss of key executives or employees; (viii) changes in consumer spending; (ix) unexpected results of current and/or future acquisitions, which may include failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition and the possibility that the transaction costs may be greater than anticipated; (x) unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation involving Busey; (xi) the economic impact of any future terrorist threats or attacks; and (xii) the economic impact of exceptional weather occurrences such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and blizzards. 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 its financial results, is included in Busey’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.