SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Nature of Operations	Nature of Operations First Busey Corporation, a Nevada corporation organized in 1980, is a $19.46 billion financial holding company headquartered in Leawood, Kansas. Busey’s common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “BUSE.” Busey operates and reports its business in three segments: Banking, Wealth Management, and FirsTech. •The Banking operating segment provides a full range of banking services to individual and corporate customers through its banking center network in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Busey currently operates through two wholly-owned bank subsidiaries, Busey Bank and CrossFirst Bank. For additional information about the CrossFirst acquisition, see “Note 2. Mergers and Acquisitions.” •The Wealth Management operating segment provides a full range of asset management, investment, brokerage, fiduciary, philanthropic advisory, tax preparation, and farm management services to individuals, businesses, and foundations. •The FirsTech operating segment provides comprehensive and innovative payment technology solutions including online, mobile, and voice-recognition bill payments; money management and credit card networks; direct debit services; lockbox remittance processing for payments made by mail; and walk-in payments. FirsTech also provides additional tools to help clients with billing, reconciliation, bill reminders, and treasury services. For additional information about First Busey's operating segments, see “Note 16. Operating Segments and Related Information.”
Basis of Financial Statement Presentation	Basis of Financial Statement Presentation These unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read together with the audited consolidated financial statements included in Busey's 2024 Annual Report. These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements serve to update Busey’s 2024 Annual Report and may not include all information and notes necessary to constitute a complete set of financial statements. Busey’s unaudited consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP, and reflect the elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications did not have a material impact on Busey’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations. In the opinion of Busey’s management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all normal, recurring adjustments needed to present fairly Busey’s results for the interim periods. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or any other interim period.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates In preparing the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, Busey’s management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates which are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, goodwill, income taxes, and the determination of the ACL.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, cash items in process of collection, amounts due from other banks, and interest-bearing deposits held with other financial institutions. The carrying amount of these instruments is considered a reasonable estimate of fair value.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Busey is subject to income taxes in U.S. federal and various state jurisdictions. First Busey Corporation and its subsidiaries file consolidated federal and state income tax returns with each subsidiary computing its taxes on a separate entity basis. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations, which requires significant judgment. As of March 31, 2025, Busey Bank was under examination by the Florida Department of Revenue for its 2020 to 2022 corporate income tax filings. Busey Bank accrued $0.1 million related to potential assessment adjustments and interest. Other than this, Busey had no accruals for payments of interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions at March 31, 2025, or 2024. As of March 31, 2025, Busey was also under examination by the Illinois Department of Revenue for M&M’s tax filings for the tax years 2022 and 2023.
Impact of Recently Adopted Accounting Standards and Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted	Impact of Recently Adopted Accounting Standards In March 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-01 “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope Application of Profits Interest and Similar Awards” to clarify that certain “profits interests” are within the scope of Topic 718 by amending the language and providing illustrative examples on how the scope guidance in paragraph 718-10-15-3 should be applied. This update is intended to improve clarity of the accounting standards codification, not to change the guidance. This update was adopted on a prospective basis for annual and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2025. Busey does not currently have any Profit Interest and Similar Awards, so adoption of this ASU did not have any impact on its financial position and results of operations. In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023‑07 “Segment Reporting (Topic 820): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” requiring enhanced disclosures related to significant segment expenses. This standard was adopted on a retrospective basis beginning with the annual reporting period ending December 31, 2024, and for interim reporting periods within fiscal years starting January 1, 2025. Adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on Busey’s financial position or results of operations, but resulted in enhanced disclosures. Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-04 “Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20): Induced Conversions of Convertible Debt Instruments” to clarify when certain settlements of convertible debt instruments should be accounted for as an induced conversion. The amendments in this update may be applied on either a prospective or retrospective basis and will be effective for Busey for annual and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2026. Because Busey does not currently have any convertible debt, the Company does not expect adoption of this ASU to have any impact on its financial position or results of operations. In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03 “Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses” to require additional disclosures within the notes to the financial statements abut certain expense items. Specifically, disaggregation of income statement captions that contain expenses within the following five categories is required: (1) purchases of inventory, (2) employee compensation, (3) depreciation, (4) intangible asset amortization, and (5) depreciation, depletion, and amortization (“DD&A”) costs recognized as part of oil- and gas-producing activities or other amounts of depletion expense. Further, this update requires disclosure the total amount of selling expenses and the entity’s definition selling expenses. This update provides a practical expedient for banks and bank holding companies to continue presenting salaries and employee benefits in conformity with SEC Rule 210.9-04 instead of requiring those entities to apply the employee compensation definition included in Subtopic 220-40. The amendments in this update may be applied on either a prospective or retrospective basis and will be effective for Busey beginning with the annual reporting period ending December 31, 2027, and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2028. Early adoption is permitted. Because this update relates only to disclosure, Busey does not expect adoption of this ASU to have any impact on its financial position or results of operations. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023‑09 “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,” which requires more detailed disclosures of income taxes paid net of refunds received, income from continuing operations before income tax expense or benefit, and income tax expense from continuing operations. This standard is to be applied on a prospective basis, with retrospective application permitted, and will be effective for Busey for annual reporting periods beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. Busey does not expect adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations. In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023‑06 “Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative” which aligns certain GAAP disclosure requirements with the SEC’s disclosure requirements, in order to better facilitate comparisons between entities that are subject to the SEC’s existing disclosures with entities that were not previously subject to the SEC’s requirements. Amendments in this update should be applied prospectively, and the effective date for Busey for each amendment in this ASU will be the date on which the SEC removes the related disclosure from Regulation S‑X or Regulation S‑K. Early adoption is prohibited. If the SEC has not removed the related disclosures from Regulation S‑X or Regulation S‑K by June 30, 2027, the pending content of this update will be removed from the ASC and will not become effective for any entity. Busey does not expect adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events Busey has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and/or disclosure through the date the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report were issued. On April 30, 2025, Busey issued a conditional notice of full redemption of its 5.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes, which it intends to redeem on June 1, 2025. The aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon up to, but excluding, June 1, 2025, is $128.3 million. Other than this, there were no significant events subsequent to the quarter ended March 31, 2025, through the filing date of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Fair Value Measurements	NOTE 13. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS The fair value of an asset or liability is the price that would be received by selling that asset or paid in transferring that liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction occurring in the principal market (or most advantageous market in the absence of a principal market) for such asset or liability. ASC Topic 820 “Fair Value Measurement” establishes a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows: •Level 1 Inputs—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. •Level 2 Inputs—Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatility, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data by correlation or other means. •Level 3 Inputs—Unobservable inputs for estimating the fair values of assets or liabilities that reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities. A description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below. These valuation methodologies were applied to Busey’s assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value. In general, fair value estimates are based upon quoted market prices, when available. If such quoted market prices are not available, fair values are estimated utilizing independent valuation techniques that consider identical or similar securities for which significant assumptions are derived primarily from or corroborated by observable data. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at their estimated fair values. These adjustments may include amounts to reflect, among other things, counterparty credit quality and the company's creditworthiness as well as unobservable parameters. Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time. While management believes Busey's valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to estimate the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Debt Securities Available for Sale Debt securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair value, which is estimated using Level 2 inputs. Busey obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The independent pricing service utilizes evaluated pricing models that vary by asset class and incorporate available trade, bid, and other market information. Because many fixed income securities do not trade on a daily basis, the independent pricing service applies available information to prepare evaluations, with a focus on observable market data such as benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings, and matrix pricing. The independent pricing service uses model processes, such as the Option Adjusted Spread model, to assess interest rate impact and develop prepayment scenarios. Models and processes take into account market conventions. For each asset class, a team of evaluators gathers information from market sources and integrates relevant credit information, perceived market movements, and sector news into the evaluated pricing applications and models. Market inputs that the independent pricing service normally seeks for evaluations of securities, listed in approximate order of priority, include: benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data including market research publications. The independent pricing service also monitors market indicators, industry, and economic events. For certain security types, additional inputs may be used or some of the market inputs may not be applicable. Evaluators may prioritize inputs differently on any given day for any security based on market conditions, and not all inputs listed are available for use in the evaluation process for each security evaluation on a given day. Because the data utilized was observable, the securities have been classified as Level 2. Equity Securities Equity securities are reported at fair value, which is estimated using Level 1 or Level 2 inputs. Fair value measurements of mutual funds or stock in active markets are estimated using unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets at the measurement date and are classified as Level 1. Fair value measurements of stock that are not active use quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets and are classified as Level 2. Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities Busey’s derivative assets and derivative liabilities are reported at fair value, which is measured using Level 2 or Level 3 inputs. Fair values of derivative assets and liabilities are estimated based on prices that are obtained from a third-party which uses observable market inputs and, with the exception of risk participation agreements, are classified as Level 2. Due to the significance of unobservable inputs, derivative assets and liabilities related to risk participation agreements are classified as Level 3. Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis Certain financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at estimated fair value on a non-recurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at estimated fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). Loans Evaluated Individually Busey does not record portfolio loans at estimated fair value on a recurring basis. However, periodically, a loan is evaluated individually and is reported at the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral, less estimated costs to sell, if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. If the estimated collateral value is not sufficient, a specific reserve is recorded. Collateral values are estimated using a combination of observable inputs, including recent appraisals, and unobservable inputs based on customized discounting criteria. Due to the significance of unobservable inputs, fair values of individually evaluated collateral dependent loans have been classified as Level 3.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2025

First Busey Corporation, a Nevada corporation organized in 1980, is a $19.46 billion financial holding company headquartered in Leawood, Kansas. Busey’s common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “BUSE.”

Busey operates and reports its business in three segments: Banking, Wealth Management, and FirsTech.

•The Banking operating segment provides a full range of banking services to individual and corporate customers through its banking center network in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Busey currently operates through two wholly-owned bank subsidiaries, Busey Bank and CrossFirst Bank. For additional information about the CrossFirst acquisition, see “Note 2. Mergers and Acquisitions.”

•The Wealth Management operating segment provides a full range of asset management, investment, brokerage, fiduciary, philanthropic advisory, tax preparation, and farm management services to individuals, businesses, and foundations.

•The FirsTech operating segment provides comprehensive and innovative payment technology solutions including online, mobile, and voice-recognition bill payments; money management and credit card networks; direct debit services; lockbox remittance processing for payments made by mail; and walk-in payments. FirsTech also provides additional tools to help clients with billing, reconciliation, bill reminders, and treasury services.

For additional information about First Busey's operating segments, see “Note 16. Operating Segments and Related Information.”

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation

These unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read together with the audited consolidated financial statements included in Busey's 2024 Annual Report. These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements serve to update Busey’s 2024 Annual Report and may not include all information and notes necessary to constitute a complete set of financial statements.

Busey’s unaudited consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP, and reflect the elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications did not have a material impact on Busey’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

In the opinion of Busey’s management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all normal, recurring adjustments needed to present fairly Busey’s results for the interim periods. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or any other interim period.

Use of Estimates

In preparing the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, Busey’s management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates which are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, goodwill, income taxes, and the determination of the ACL.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, cash items in process of collection, amounts due from other banks, and interest-bearing deposits held with other financial institutions. The carrying amount of these instruments is considered a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Income Taxes

Busey is subject to income taxes in U.S. federal and various state jurisdictions. First Busey Corporation and its subsidiaries file consolidated federal and state income tax returns with each subsidiary computing its taxes on a separate entity basis. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations, which requires significant judgment.

As of March 31, 2025, Busey Bank was under examination by the Florida Department of Revenue for its 2020 to 2022 corporate income tax filings. Busey Bank accrued $0.1 million related to potential assessment adjustments and interest. Other than this, Busey had no accruals for payments of interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions at March 31, 2025, or 2024.

As of March 31, 2025, Busey was also under examination by the Illinois Department of Revenue for M&M’s tax filings for the tax years 2022 and 2023.

Impact of Recently Adopted Accounting Standards and Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Impact of Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In March 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-01 “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope Application of Profits Interest and Similar Awards” to clarify that certain “profits interests” are within the scope of Topic 718 by amending the language and providing illustrative examples on how the scope guidance in paragraph 718-10-15-3 should be applied. This update is intended to improve clarity of the accounting standards codification, not to change the guidance. This update was adopted on a prospective basis for annual and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2025. Busey does not currently have any Profit Interest and Similar Awards, so adoption of this ASU did not have any impact on its financial position and results of operations.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023‑07 “Segment Reporting (Topic 820): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” requiring enhanced disclosures related to significant segment expenses. This standard was adopted on a retrospective basis beginning with the annual reporting period ending December 31, 2024, and for interim reporting periods within fiscal years starting January 1, 2025. Adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on Busey’s financial position or results of operations, but resulted in enhanced disclosures.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-04 “Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20): Induced Conversions of Convertible Debt Instruments” to clarify when certain settlements of convertible debt instruments should be accounted for as an induced conversion. The amendments in this update may be applied on either a prospective or retrospective basis and will be effective for Busey for annual and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2026. Because Busey does not currently have any convertible debt, the Company does not expect adoption of this ASU to have any impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03 “Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses” to require additional disclosures within the notes to the financial statements abut certain expense items. Specifically, disaggregation of income statement captions that contain expenses within the following five categories is required: (1) purchases of inventory, (2) employee compensation, (3) depreciation, (4) intangible asset amortization, and (5) depreciation, depletion, and amortization (“DD&A”) costs recognized as part of oil- and gas-producing activities or other amounts of depletion expense. Further, this update requires disclosure the total amount of selling expenses and the entity’s definition selling expenses. This update provides a practical expedient for banks and bank holding companies to continue presenting salaries and employee benefits in conformity with SEC Rule 210.9-04 instead of requiring those entities to apply the employee compensation definition included in Subtopic 220-40. The amendments in this update may be applied on either a prospective or retrospective basis and will be effective for Busey beginning with the annual reporting period ending December 31, 2027, and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2028. Early adoption is permitted. Because this update relates only to disclosure, Busey does not expect adoption of this ASU to have any impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023‑09 “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,” which requires more detailed disclosures of income taxes paid net of refunds received, income from continuing operations before income tax expense or benefit, and income tax expense from continuing operations. This standard is to be applied on a prospective basis, with retrospective application permitted, and will be effective for Busey for annual reporting periods beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. Busey does not expect adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023‑06 “Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative” which aligns certain GAAP disclosure requirements with the SEC’s disclosure requirements, in order to better facilitate comparisons between entities that are subject to the SEC’s existing disclosures with entities that were not previously subject to the SEC’s requirements. Amendments in this update should be applied prospectively, and the effective date for Busey for each amendment in this ASU will be the date on which the SEC removes the related disclosure from Regulation S‑X or Regulation S‑K. Early adoption is prohibited. If the SEC has not removed the related disclosures from Regulation S‑X or Regulation S‑K by June 30, 2027, the pending content of this update will be removed from the ASC and will not become effective for any entity. Busey does not expect adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

Subsequent Events

Busey has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and/or disclosure through the date the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report were issued. On April 30, 2025, Busey issued a conditional notice of full redemption of its 5.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes, which it intends to redeem on June 1, 2025. The aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon up to, but excluding, June 1, 2025, is $128.3 million. Other than this, there were no significant events subsequent to the quarter ended March 31, 2025, through the filing date of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value Measurements

NOTE 13. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The fair value of an asset or liability is the price that would be received by selling that asset or paid in transferring that liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction occurring in the principal market (or most advantageous market in the absence of a principal market) for such asset or liability. ASC Topic 820 “Fair Value Measurement” establishes a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

•Level 1 Inputs—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

•Level 2 Inputs—Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatility, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data by correlation or other means.

•Level 3 Inputs—Unobservable inputs for estimating the fair values of assets or liabilities that reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities.

A description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below. These valuation methodologies were applied to Busey’s assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value.

In general, fair value estimates are based upon quoted market prices, when available. If such quoted market prices are not available, fair values are estimated utilizing independent valuation techniques that consider identical or similar securities for which significant assumptions are derived primarily from or corroborated by observable data. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at their estimated fair values. These adjustments may include amounts to reflect, among other things, counterparty credit quality and the company's creditworthiness as well as unobservable parameters. Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time. While management believes Busey's valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to estimate the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Debt Securities Available for Sale

Debt securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair value, which is estimated using Level 2 inputs. Busey obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The independent pricing service utilizes evaluated pricing models that vary by asset class and incorporate available trade, bid, and other market information. Because many fixed income securities do not trade on a daily basis, the independent pricing service applies available information to prepare evaluations, with a focus on observable market data such as benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings, and matrix pricing.

The independent pricing service uses model processes, such as the Option Adjusted Spread model, to assess interest rate impact and develop prepayment scenarios. Models and processes take into account market conventions. For each asset class, a team of evaluators gathers information from market sources and integrates relevant credit information, perceived market movements, and sector news into the evaluated pricing applications and models.

Market inputs that the independent pricing service normally seeks for evaluations of securities, listed in approximate order of priority, include: benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data including market research publications. The independent pricing service also monitors market indicators, industry, and economic events. For certain security types, additional inputs may be used or some of the market inputs may not be applicable. Evaluators may prioritize inputs differently on any given day for any security based on market conditions, and not all inputs listed are available for use in the evaluation process for each security evaluation on a given day. Because the data utilized was observable, the securities have been classified as Level 2.

Equity Securities

Equity securities are reported at fair value, which is estimated using Level 1 or Level 2 inputs. Fair value measurements of mutual funds or stock in active markets are estimated using unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets at the measurement date and are classified as Level 1. Fair value measurements of stock that are not active use quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets and are classified as Level 2.

Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities

Busey’s derivative assets and derivative liabilities are reported at fair value, which is measured using Level 2 or Level 3 inputs. Fair values of derivative assets and liabilities are estimated based on prices that are obtained from a third-party which uses observable market inputs and, with the exception of risk participation agreements, are classified as Level 2. Due to the significance of unobservable inputs, derivative assets and liabilities related to risk participation agreements are classified as Level 3.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Certain financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at estimated fair value on a non-recurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at estimated fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment).

Loans Evaluated Individually

Busey does not record portfolio loans at estimated fair value on a recurring basis. However, periodically, a loan is evaluated individually and is reported at the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral, less estimated costs to sell, if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. If the estimated collateral value is not sufficient, a specific reserve is recorded. Collateral values are estimated using a combination of observable inputs, including recent appraisals, and unobservable inputs based on customized discounting criteria. Due to the significance of unobservable inputs, fair values of individually evaluated collateral dependent loans have been classified as Level 3.