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CORPORATE PROFILE
First Busey Corporation is a finan-
cial holding company headquartered
in Urbana, Illinois. First Busey
Corporation has three wholly-owned
banking subsidiaries with locations
in three states. Busey Bank is head-
quartered in Urbana, I l h o i s and has
seventeen banking centers serving
Champaign, McLean and Ford
Counties in Illinois. Busey Bank
also has a banking center in
Indianapolis, Indiana and loan pro-
duction offices in Ft. Myers and
Naples, Florida. Total assets of
Busey Bank were $1.5 billion as of
December 31,2004. Busey Bank
Florida is a federal thrift headquar-
tered in Ft. Myers, Florida with two
additional banking centers in Cape
Cord, Florida. Total assets Of Busey
Bank Florida Were $176 million as Of
D ~ e m b e r 31,2004. On June 1,20047
First Busey Corporation completed
its acquisition O f First Capital Bank
in Peoria, Illinois. First Capital
Bank has three banking centers in
Peoria and one in Pekin, Illinois.
Total assets of First Capital Bank
as of December 31,2004 were $250
million. Busey provides electronic
delivery of financial services
through Busey e-bank, at
www.bwey.com.
Busey Investment Group is a whol-
ly-owned subsidiary of First Busey
Corporation and owns three sub-
sidiaries. First Busey Trust &
Investment Co. specializes in asset
management and trust services.
First Busey Securities, Inc. (mem-
ber NASDISIPC) is a full-service
brokerldealer subsidiary. Busey
Insurance Services, Inc. provides
personal insurance products and
specializes in long-term healthcare
insurance. Busey Investment Group
has approximately $2 billion in
assets under care.
First ~ u s e y Corporation Common
Stock is traded on the Na&q
National Market under the symbol
BUSE. First Busey Corporation has
a Repurchase Bogram in effect
under which it is authorized to pur-
chase up to 750,000 shares of stock.
BUSE closed on December 31,2004
at $20.87, an increase of 15.9% from
the closing price of $18.00 on
December 31,2003.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
..................................................
~ t t e r
to Shareholders
........................................ Champaign & Ford Counties
............................................................... McLean County
......................................... Peoria & Tazewell Counties
.....................................................................
Indianapolis
.............................................................................. Florida
....................................................... Boar~s of Directors
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
Corporate Headquarters
First Busey Corporation,
201 W. Main Street, Urbana,
Illinois 61801, (217) 365-4556.
Visit Busey’s world wide web
site at www.v.busey.com.
Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders
of First Busey Corporation will be
held on Tuesday, April 26,2005, at
Champaign Country Club, 1211 S.
Prospect, Champaign, Illinois.
First Busey Corporation
Common Stock
First Busey Corporation Common
Stock is traded on the Nasdaq
National Market under the symbol
“BUSE.” First Busey Corporation’s
market makers are Howe Barnes
Investments, Inc., Chicago; Stephens
Inc., Little Rock; and Stifel, Nicolaus
& Company, Inc., St. Louis.
Annual Report on Form 10-K
A copy of the Annual Report on
Form 10-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission may be
obtained at www.busey.com on
March 17,2005 - click on
Investor Relations.
Stock Transfer Agent
First Busey Corporation acts as its
own transfer agent.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This presentation 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 fonvard looking statements include, but are not limited to,
comments with respect to the objectives and strategies, financial condition, results of operations and business of First
Busey.
These fonvard looking statements involve numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and
specific, and the risk that predictions and other forward looking statements dl not be achieved. First Busey cautions
you not to place undue reliance on these fonvard looking statements as a number of important factors could cause actu
a l future results to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions
such forward looking statements.
These risks, uncertainties and other factors include:
The general state of the economy, both on a local and national level;
The abllity of First Busey to complete acquisitions successfully;
0 The continued growth in the geographic area in which the b a g subsidiaries operate; and
0 The retention of individuals who currently are very important in the management structure of
* The results for Busey Bank for 2004 showed a modest
increase of 4.7% in net income. Though Busey has
historically experienced greater increases, we are
comfortable with the 2004 results given the signifi-
cant decrease in mortgage loan activity. In 2003,
Busey Bank recognized $5,950,000 in gains on the
sale of first real estate mortgages, while in 2004, that
figure dropped to $2,352,000. Busey Bank’s credit
quality continues to be excellent with non-performing
loans at .26% of outstanding loans.
ank Florida had a record-setting year in 2004.
k started the year with $113,441,000 in total
bank also enhanced its bottom line. Net income €or
Busey Bank Florida increased 448.7% to $1,573,000
compared to $287,000 in 2003. We continue to explore
the tremendous growth opportunities in the markets
we serve in Florida.
The Busey organization achieved another
2004 when Busey Investment Group (BIG
$2 billion in assets under care. Net income for BIG in
2004 climbed 22.8% to end the year
compared to $1,620,000. We continue to expand the
services and locations of our asset management team.
I performer due to our top-notch associates. They
embrace our blueprint for the future, Vision 2010.
They strive to provide the finest in financial services
to our clients. They contribute tremendously to the
communities we serve. They are the reasun for
our success!
Thanks to each and every one of you, our Shareholders,
for the continued confidence you show in the Busey
Organization. As we look to 2005, we continue our
commitment to k
Throughout 2004 there was always something new on the
horizon to attract customers to Busey and to enhance
existing relationships. The results were a record-setting
year and a platform of new services along with improved
facilities and infrastructure.
In 2004 we reaffirmed our commitment to branch bank-
ing. While we have more than 20,000 customers who regu-
larly use Busey’s electronic banking product, ebank, we
know that customers still want the opportunity to interact
with people. We are committed to drawing customers into
our branches to serve their financial needs. In this age of
Internet banking, service is more important than ever.
In 2005 we continue to evaluate ways to enhance customer
service, including upgrading our banking facilities. We
dy begun remodeling our Cham
* Check images on CD
ACH processing system
Enhanced cash management and luck box services
The results were outstanding! Our sales team called on
more than 2,000 business customers and prospects and
generated a substantial volume in new deposits and fee
$813 million in our well-diversified portfolio. Perhaps
most importantly, the quality of our assets is excellent,
with the average monthly percentage of past-due loan
the lowest level in 5 years. Operating in strong and sta
economic environments contributes to the quality of our
loan portfolio. Tu meet the demand for commercial loans,
we added lenders in Champaign and McLean Counties.
Because loan demand in Southwest Florida remains
robust, w e have also added two experienced commercial
lenders in our Florida Loan Production Office.
With interest rates above the record lows set in 2003,
mortgage refinancing declined from the previous year.
Busey was able to retain its position as the number one
mortgage lender in Champaign County. Mortgage lending
The year 2004 was also a record-setting one for Busey
Investment Group, the parent company for First Busey
Trust & Investment Co., First Busey Securities, Inc. and
Busey Insurance Services, Inc. Profits exceeded $1.9 mil-
lion, and assets under care reached $2 billion. The follow-
ing strategies helped us to increase the number of both
individual and business customers:
Established office hours at Clark-Lindsey
Village in Urbana
Expanded tax return service for trust customers
Introduced Busey Capital Management for fully
managed accounts
Offered First Busey Securities’ customers the
-.
option of online statements
-
* Capitalized on employee referrals which generated
more than 400 new customers
Referred more than $6.2 million in deposits and
$1 million in loans to Busey Bank
Expanded the marketing of Physician
Advisory Resources, LLC
First Busey Securities, Inc. selected as the only firm
south of Interstate 80 in Illinois to offer
Morningstar’s Management Portfolios
I
I
I
In 2003 we formed Physician Advisory Resources, LLC,
a joint venture with Cozad Asset Management, Inc. to
serve the financial and investment needs of physicians.
In 2004, three PAR principals were recognized amung the
tributed to the
in farmland sale
division of Busey Bank, also con-
of the organization in 2004. While
ore business of farm management,
s involved in more than $8 million
s group also expanded its appraisal
Record yields for both corn and
Busey’s investment in technology is significant and
impacts every aspect of our business. In 2004 we made
technology investments to ensure compriance with the
USA Patriot Act and Graham-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA).
We used technology to educate our employees about these
measures so they coufd answer all customer questions.
images, have not yet been set, we
are working with our major banking
correspondents and the Federal
Reserve System to implement this
new procedure.
Community service is at the heart of
the Busey organization each and every
004 was no exception. This
past year our associates continu
the Busey tradition of being ac
community volunteers in a wide range
s. Moreover, Busey contin-
significant donor to organi-
ions in the communities we serve.
ociates were also involved
52nd Economic Seminar in Champaign
County and expanded seminar locations to
include Rantoul, Gibson City, and
Bloomington-Normal. Busey Investment
Group hosted seminars in McLean County
and Peoria in addition to its annual series in
Champaign County. Our community service
and high level of visibility helped us reach
new customers and reaffirm with our exist-
ing customers that they have made the right
choice with Busey.
“Little Horse on the Prairie” was
Busey’s entry in the United Way of
Champaign County‘s Carousel of Caring
fund raiser. Busey Sr. Graphic Artist,
Lonna Pruitt, designed and created
this e m which featured numerous
We truly expanded our horizons in 2004 with
enhanced facilities, customer service inno-
vations, and a host of new financial services.
The sun rises each day on a bigger and ever-
changing marketplace where Busey stands
With its robust economy and above-average household
income, McLean County continues to be a bright spot on
the Central Illinois horizon for Busey. In 2004, we invest-
ed additional resources so that we can better serve this
important market.
The total renovation of our office on Fairway Drive in
Bloomington was completed in 2004 and included an
innovative approach to customer service -the Financial
Service Counter. As customers walk in the front door,
they are greeted by Busey Associates who can immedi-
ately assist them with a number of banking transactions
or direct them to the appropriate personnel. We’ve
learned that customers want efficient, personal service,
and the Financial Service Counter enables us to respond
to their wishes. The Financial Service Counter allows us
to use technology to support a high level of customer
service. The completely remodeled Fairway Drive office
also features new and improved facilities for o w com-
mercial and mortgage lending customers.
On the horizon for 2005 is a new office in Normal at the
corner of F’t. Jesse Road and Towanda Avenue, a rapidly
growing area that will also see the addition of a Home
Depot and Walgreen Drug Store in 2005, Other plans
include additional ATMs at key locations throughout
Bloomington-Normal.
In 2004 we also rdocated the office of First Busey Trust
& Investment Co. and First Busey Securities to a new
office complex on Eastland Drive. As we continue to
expand our presence in this fast-growing area, we antici-
pate adding more trust, investment, and brokerage asso-
ciates.
Busey’s investment in McLean County is more than brick
and mortar. In expanding our horizons to the west, we
brought along our commitment to invest in the communi-
ties we serve. In addition to loans to businesses and indi-
viduals, we contributed to several significant community
projects such as:
Prairie Aviation Museum
Challenger Learning Center
Children’s Discovery Museum
Ed Scharlau’s Economic Seminar,
which is sponsored by the McLean
County Chamber of Commerce, has
also become an annual event with
attendance growing every year.
These 2004 highlights demonstrate
Busey’s commitment to staying ahead
of the curve while maintaining our tra-
dition of excellent customer service
and community involvement. In
McLean County, we are committed to
growing our business by making it
more convenient than ever to bank
with us and by adding innovative
approaches to customer service. We
strive to be highly visible in the com-
munities we serve through our work
and our service as active community
Our innovative Financial Service Counter
at the Fairway Drive, Bhmington branch.
Bloomington-Normal is home to a
number of emerging entrepreneurial
ventures that resulted from research
projects at Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan
University, and Heartland Community College. Busey’s
expertise in working with technology transfer from the
university setting to the private sector enables us to serve
v o h t e e r s . These values guide us as we expand our hori-
Eons in our current locations and develop new markets
and opportunities.
I
PEORIA & TAZEWELL COUNTIES
Busey started the year by expanding our horizons along
the 1-74 corridor with the acquisition of First Capital
Bankshares, Inc. of Peoria. The acquisition closed on June
merged into Busey Ban
First Capital attracted u
Peoria’s status as an international port of entry
$800 million invested annually in research by Peoria
businesses and universities
25 million expansion of St. Francis
tution. During &e past deca
ter the Peoria market
rowing financial insti-
economy has been
expansion in the Midwest. Following our successful move
into McLean County, Peoria was the logical next step.
Located approximately 30 miles apart, Bloomington-
market for both
extremely high level of personal service along with inno-
vative products, such as a courier service and over-night
sweep accounts. One of First Capital’s four branches is
located in a business incubator office building in an area
undergoing a major urban renewal effort. In short, First
Capital is focused, innovative, and aggressive, and we like
the way they do business.
Peoria. In 2004, we added a seas
expand the financial services available to our Peoria
clients. We will utilize our proven marketing approach
of seminars and personal calls to attract new clients.
Another major emphasis in the Peoria market is to
continue to focus on serving the needs of the commercial
customer. Busey’s full array of commercial pro
In First Capital we also found a bank that shared Busey’s
commitment to community service. First Capital manage-
ment and associates are active volunteers, and the bank
supports a number of important civic initiatives. Our
corporate cultures
atch.
it ge
004 with total assets of
lation with more than 26,000 new residents in 2004 and
Busey Bank was there to meet the financial needs of this
rapidly growing population.
The performance of Busey Bank Florida in 2004 reflects
this dynamic market:
Total assets grew 55.0% from
$113.4 million to $175.8 million
Total loans grew 80.5% from
$88.1 million to $159.0 million
Total deposits grew 55.4% from
$97.4 million to $151.4 million
Total profits grew 448.1% from
$287,000 to $1,573,000
Innovative products such as Active Interest Checking and
Business Manager, an accounts-receivable financing
program, attracted new retail and commercial customers.
The Bank also took a giant step forward in meeting the
needs of the first-time homebuyer by expanding our resi-
dential construction lending program. This new program
generated an average of 70 new home loans per month,
representing $12,000,000 in new monthly loan volume.
Even the hurricanes that hit Florida's West Coast did not
slow us down.
Busey Bank is headquartered in F't. Myers with two loca-
tions in Cape Coral. In 2005, we will expand our horizons
once again with the construction of a 12,000 square foot
financial center in Cape Coral. The following economic
and demographic data show some of the reasons why we
view Southwest Florida as having additional significant
growth potential.
e The population of Lee County has grown from
440,000 to over 520,000 since 2000, an increase
of 18%
The number of single-family
home permits issued in Lee
County increased from 5,165 to
over 12,700 since 2000
The Southwest Florida
International Airport located in
Ft. Myers is the eighth fastest-
growing airport in the U.S. and
will open a new $438 million
facility in 2005
Lee County plans to construct
7 new public schools in 2005
Busey Bank on Surnmerlin Lakes Dr. in
Ft. Myers received damage to signage and
landscapingfrom Humc~ne Charley in August.
Fortunately, the devastating stonns that ravaged
Florida during the summer of 2004 did not harm
any Busey associates or theirfamilies.
Busey Bank Florida has experienced
tremendous success in its first four
years. Competing with national and regional money cen-
ter banks, Busey offers a welcome environment to indi-
viduals and small businesses looking for personal service,
local decision making and a vast menu of banking prod-
ucts and services. Larger businesses appreciate the f
cia1 resources
that Busey has th
and expertise of a
tion through its pa
sister banks in Illino
Southwest Florida is home to thousands
of entrepreneurial business people who
nities .
First Busey Corporation
Board of Directors
Busey Bank Florida
Board of Directors
Joseph M. Ambrose
Dr. David L. Ikenberry
E. Phillips Knox
V.B. Leister, Jr.
Douglas C. Mills
Joseph E. O'Brien
Arthur R.Wyatt
Todd A. Caruso
Carol Conway
Michael J. Frye
Michael P. Gem1
Robert Greco
Edwin A. Scharlau, I1
Busey Bank and Busey Investment Group
Board of Directors
First Capital Bank
Board of Directors
Samuel P. Banks
T.O. Dawson
Victor F. Feldman, MD
Patrick T. Fitzgerald
Kenneth M. Hendren
E. Phillips Knox
Barbara J. Kuhl
P. David Kuhl
Daniel P. Daly
Jonathan E. Michael
V.B. Leister, Jr.
James R. Debord, MD
Douglas C. Mills
E. Lee Hofmann
Barbara J. Kuhl
Joseph E. O'Brien
Matthew J. Vonachen
David D. Mills
Linda M. Mills
Edwin A. Scharlau, I1
David C. Thies
Steven J. Wannemacher
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION
BUSEY BANK
Douglas C. Mills, Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
Edwin A. Scharlau 11, Vice Chairman
Barbara J. Kuhl, President, Chief Operating Officer,
Corporate Secretary and Treasurer
Barbara J. Harrington, Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
Thomas M. Good, Executive Vice President
Lisa A. Davis, Senior Vice President
Carol A. Slough, Senior Vice President
FIRST CAPITAL BANK
Daniel P. Daly, President and Chief Executive Officer
Anthony Lees, Senior Vice President
BUSEY BANK FLORIDA
Michael P. Geml, President
Randy C. Eddy, Senior Vice President
Pamela J. Irvin, Senior Vice President
FIRST BUSEY TRUST & INVESTMENT, CO.
Glen C. Paine, Chairman
R. Scott MacAdam, President & Chief Executive Officer
Elizabeth B. Czys, Senior Vice President
Gregory W. Fink, Senior Vice President
Elizabeth A. Krchak, Senior Vice President
Gregg McElroy, Senior Vice President
R. Michael Murphy, Senior Vice President
FIRST BUSEY SECURITIES, INC.
Curt A. Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer
Pamela S. Zimrnerrnan, Senior Vice President
P. David Kuhl, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
David D. Mills, President and Chief Operating Officer
Susan E. Abbott, Executive Vice President
Don A. Monteith, Executive Vice President
Lee H. O’Neill, Executive Vice President
Donald J. Schlorff, Executive Vice President
David R. Wampler, Executive Vice Preisdent
Eric E. Eberhardt, Senior Vice President
Robert B. Fazzini, Senior Vice President
Jeffrey C. Gaines, Senior Vice President
David W. Gillon, Senior Vice President
Donna J. Gragg , Senior Vice President
Kirk L. Harney, Senior Vice President
Bruce K. Hatfield, Senior Vice President
Louis S. Hensley 111, Senior Vice Resident
Richard A, Holiner, Senior Vice President
Charles W. Huber, Senior Vice President
Jeffrey J. Jacob, Senior Vice President
Alan G. Jones, Senior Vice President
John A. Kahle, Senior Vice President
J. Rod Kirby, Senior Vice President
Janis R. Koller, Senior Vice President
Larry C. McCIellan, Senior Vice President
Dennis R. McMillan, Senior Vice President
Steven S. Myers, Senior Vice President
James D. Owens, Senior Vice President
Edward G. Paine, Senior Vice Presidnet
Mary Ann Pankau, Senior Vice President
Allan S. Penwell, Senior Vice President
Douglas E. Roesch, Senior Vice President
Thomas W. Scharlau, Senior Vice President
Michael A. Stevenson, Senior Vice President
David E. Strang, Senior Vice President
Cheryle A. Turner, Senior Vice President
Ronald Wesbecher, Senior Vice President
Thomas L. Wiggins, Senior Vice President