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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 20, 2016.

Registration No. 333-                


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Nevada
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  6022
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  37-1078406
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

100 W. University Ave.
Champaign, Illinois 61820
(217) 365-4500
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)

Van A. Dukeman
President and Chief Executive Officer
First Busey Corporation
100 W. University Ave.
Champaign, Illinois 61820
(217) 365-4500
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

Robert M. Fleetwood
Abdul R. Mitha
Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum &
Nagelberg LLP
200 West Madison Street, Suite 3900
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 984-3100

 

Aaron M. Kaslow
Edward G. Olifer
Erich M. Hellmold
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
607 14th Street, NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 508-5800



APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE OF THE SECURITIES TO THE PUBLIC:
As soon as reasonably practicable after the Registration Statement becomes effective and after the conditions to the completion of the proposed
transaction described in the joint proxy statement/prospectus have been satisfied or waived.



           If the securities being registered on this form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box.    o

           If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o

           If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o

           Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o

  Accelerated filer ý   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o



CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

               
 
Title of Each Class of Securities
to be Registered

  Amount to be
Registered(1)

  Proposed Maximum
Offering Price Per
Unit(2)

  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price(2)

  Amount of
Registration Fee(3)

 

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share

  9,624,961   N/A   $183,429,451.53   $18,471.35

 

(1)
The estimated maximum number of shares of First Busey Corporation ("First Busey") common stock to be issuable upon completion of the merger of First Busey and Pulaski Financial Corp. ("Pulaski"), as described herein and pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger between First Busey and Pulaski, dated as of December 3, 2015, and attached to the joint proxy statement/prospectus as Appendix A. Pursuant to Rule 416, this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate number of shares of common stock as may become issuable as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.

(2)
The proposed maximum aggregate offering price of First Busey's common stock was calculated based upon the market value of shares of Pulaski common stock (the securities to be cancelled in the merger) in accordance with Rules 457(c) and 457(f) under the Securities Act as follows: the product of (i) $15.21, the average of the high and low prices per share of Pulaski common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on January 14, 2016, and (ii) the estimated maximum number of shares of Pulaski common stock that may be exchanged in the merger.

(3)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee required by Section 6(b) of the Securities Act and computed pursuant to Rules 457(f) and 457(c) under the Securities Act, based on a rate of $100.70 per $1,000,000 of the proposed maximum aggregate offering price.



           The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.


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The information in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not offer or sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This joint proxy statement/prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

PRELIMINARY COPY—SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY 20, 2016


GRAPHIC
 
GRAPHIC



PROXY STATEMENT OF PULASKI FINANCIAL CORP.



PROXY STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS OF FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION



Merger Proposal—Your Vote Is Important

DEAR PULASKI FINANCIAL CORP. AND FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS:

         The boards of directors of Pulaski Financial Corp. (which we refer to as "Pulaski") and First Busey Corporation (which we refer to as "First Busey") have each unanimously approved a transaction that will result in the merger of Pulaski with and into First Busey (which we refer to as the "merger"). First Busey will be the surviving bank holding company in the merger. If the merger is completed, Pulaski stockholders will receive 0.79 shares of First Busey common stock for each of their Pulaski shares. First Busey stockholders will continue to own their existing First Busey shares. After the merger is completed, we expect that current First Busey stockholders will own approximately 75% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the combined company, and current Pulaski stockholders will own approximately 25% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the combined company.

         First Busey's common stock currently trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "BUSE." Pulaski's common stock currently trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "PULB." Based on the closing price of First Busey common shares of $21.82 on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, on December 3, 2015, the trading day of the public announcement of the merger, the 0.79 exchange ratio represented approximately $17.24 in value for each share of Pulaski common stock. Based on the closing price of First Busey common shares of [    ·    ] on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on [    ·    ], 2016, the latest practicable date before the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, the 0.79 exchange ratio represented approximately $[    ·    ] in value for each share of Pulaski common stock. The shares of First Busey common stock issued pursuant to the merger will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (which we refer to as the "Securities Act"), and will trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

         We cannot complete the merger unless we obtain the necessary governmental approvals and unless the stockholders of both companies approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein. Each of us is asking our stockholders to consider and vote on this merger proposal at our respective company's special meeting of stockholders. Your vote is important, regardless of the number of shares that you own. Whether or not you plan to attend your company's meeting, please take the time to vote by following the voting instructions included in the enclosed proxy card. Submitting a proxy now will not prevent you from being able to vote in person at your company's special meeting. If you do not vote your shares as instructed in the enclosed proxy card, or if you do not instruct your broker how to vote any shares held for you in "street name," the effect will be a vote against the merger and the transactions contemplated therein.

         The places, dates and times of the stockholders' meetings are as follows:

For stockholders of Pulaski:   For stockholders of First Busey:

 

 

 

         This joint proxy statement/prospectus contains a more complete description of the stockholders' meetings and the terms of the merger. We urge you to review this entire document carefully. You may also obtain information about Pulaski and First Busey from documents that each has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (which we refer to as the "SEC").

         The Pulaski and First Busey boards of directors recommend that the Pulaski and First Busey stockholders, respectively, vote "FOR" approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein and "FOR" the other matters to be considered at the special meeting.

Gary W. Douglass
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pulaski Financial Corp.
  Van A. Dukeman
President and Chief Executive Officer
First Busey Corporation

         You should read this entire joint proxy statement/prospectus carefully because it contains important information about the merger. In particular, you should read carefully the information under the section entitled "Risk Factors" beginning on page 23.

         Neither the SEC nor any state securities regulatory body has approved or disapproved of the securities to be issued under this joint proxy statement/prospectus or determined if this joint proxy statement/prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

         The securities to be issued in connection with the merger are not savings or deposit accounts or other obligations of any bank or nonbank subsidiary of any of the parties, and they are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

         This joint proxy statement/prospectus is dated [    ·    ], 2016, and is first being mailed to Pulaski's and First Busey's stockholders on or about [    ·    ], 2016.


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PULASKI FINANCIAL CORP.
12300 Olive Boulevard
St. Louis, Missouri 63141
(314) 878-2210



Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders

Date: [    ·    ], 2016

Time: [    ·    ], local time

Place: [    ·    ]

TO PULASKI STOCKHOLDERS:

        NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Pulaski Financial Corp. ("Pulaski") will hold a special meeting of stockholders on [    ·    ], 2016 at [    ·    ], local time, at [    ·    ]. The purpose of the meeting is to consider and vote on the following matters:

        Holders of record of Pulaski common stock at the close of business on [    ·    ], 2016 are entitled to receive this notice and to vote at the special meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. Approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein requires the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Pulaski common stock entitled to vote. Approval of the Pulaski compensation proposal and the adjournment of the special meeting requires the affirmative vote of the majority of shares entitled to vote and represented in person or by proxy.

        The board of directors of Pulaski unanimously recommends that you vote "FOR" approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein, "FOR" approval of the Pulaski compensation proposal and "FOR" approval to adjourn the special meeting to permit further solicitation in the event that an insufficient number of votes are cast to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein.

        Your vote is important.    Please vote via the Internet, by telephone or by completing and signing the enclosed form of proxy and mailing it promptly in the enclosed envelope. Your proxy will not be used if you attend the meeting and vote in person.

        Under Missouri law, if the merger is completed, Pulaski stockholders of record who do not vote to approve the merger agreement, and otherwise comply with the applicable provisions of Missouri law pertaining to objecting stockholders, will be entitled to exercise rights of appraisal and obtain payment in cash for the fair value of their shares of Pulaski common stock by following the procedures set forth in detail in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. A copy of the section of the General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri pertaining to objecting stockholders' rights of appraisal is included as Appendix B to this joint proxy statement/prospectus.


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        If you have any questions regarding the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus, you may contact [    ·    ], Pulaski's proxy solicitor, by calling toll-free at [    ·    ].

    By Order of the Board of Directors

 

 

Paul J. Milano
Corporate Secretary

St. Louis, Missouri
[    
·    ], 2016


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FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION
100 W. University Ave.
Champaign, Illinois 61820
(217) 365-4500



Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders

Date: [    ·    ], 2016

Time: [    ·    ], local time

Place: [    ·    ]

TO FIRST BUSEY STOCKHOLDERS:

        NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that First Busey Corporation ("First Busey") will hold a special meeting of stockholders on [    ·    ], 2016 at [    ·    ], local time, at [    ·    ]. The purpose of the meeting is to consider and vote on the following matters:

        Holders of record of First Busey common stock at the close of business on [    ·    ], 2016 are entitled to receive this notice and to vote at the special meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. Approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of First Busey common stock entitled to vote. Approval of the adjournment of the special meeting requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast for the proposal.

        The board of directors of First Busey unanimously recommends that you vote "FOR" approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein, including the issuance of First Busey common stock in connection with the merger. Your board of directors also unanimously recommends that you vote "FOR" approval to adjourn the special meeting to permit further solicitation in the event that an insufficient number of votes are cast to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein.

        Your vote is important.    We hope that you will be able to attend the special meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend, please review the attached proxy statement and return the enclosed proxy card or vote by telephone or Internet by following the preprinted instructions set forth on the enclosed proxy card.

  By Order of the Board of Directors

 

Gregory B. Lykins
Chairman of the Board

 

Van A. Dukeman
President and Chief Executive Officer

Champaign, Illinois
[    
·    ], 2016


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REFERENCES TO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

        This joint proxy statement/prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about First Busey and Pulaski from documents filed with the SEC that are not included in or delivered with this joint proxy statement/prospectus. For a listing of the documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus, please see the section entitled "Where You Can Find More Information" beginning on page [    ·    ]. You can obtain any of the documents filed with or furnished to the SEC by First Busey and/or Pulaski at no cost from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also request copies of these documents, including documents incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, at no cost by contacting the appropriate company at the following address:

Pulaski Financial Corp.   First Busey Corporation
12300 Olive Boulevard   100 W. University Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63141   Champaign, Illinois 61820
(314) 878-2210   (217) 365-4544

        You will not be charged for any of these documents that you request. To obtain timely delivery of these documents, you must request them no later than five business days before the date of your special meeting. This means that First Busey stockholders requesting documents must do so by [    ·    ], 2016, in order to receive them before the First Busey special meeting, and Pulaski stockholders requesting documents must do so by [    ·    ], 2016, in order to receive them before the Pulaski special meeting.


ABOUT THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

        This document, which forms part of a registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC by First Busey (File No. 333-[    ·    ]), constitutes a prospectus of First Busey under Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the "Securities Act," with respect to the shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of First Busey, which we refer to as "First Busey common stock," to be issued pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 3, 2015, by and between First Busey and Pulaski, as it may be amended from time to time, which we refer to as the "merger agreement." This document also constitutes a proxy statement of each of First Busey and Pulaski under Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the "Exchange Act." It also constitutes a notice of meeting with respect to the special meeting at which First Busey stockholders will be asked to consider and vote upon the approval of the merger agreement and a notice of meeting with respect to the special meeting at which Pulaski stockholders will be asked to consider and vote upon the approval of the merger agreement.

        First Busey has supplied all information contained or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus relating to First Busey, and Pulaski has supplied all information contained or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus relating to Pulaski.

        You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this document. No one has been authorized to provide you with information that is different from that contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this document. This document is dated [    ·    ], 2016, and you should assume that the information in this document is accurate only as of such date. You should assume that the information incorporated by reference into this document is accurate as of the date of such document. Neither the mailing of this document to Pulaski stockholders or First Busey stockholders nor the issuance by First Busey of shares of First Busey common stock in connection with the merger will create any implication to the contrary.

        This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, or the solicitation of a proxy, in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  PAGE  

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER

    1  

SUMMARY

   
7
 

Information about First Busey and Pulaski

   
7
 

The merger and the merger agreement

    8  

What Pulaski stockholders will receive

    8  

Material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger

    8  

Pulaski's reasons for the merger; Board recommendation to Pulaski's stockholders

    8  

First Busey's reasons for the merger; Board recommendation to First Busey's stockholders

    9  

Interests of officers and directors of Pulaski in the merger may be different from, or in addition to, yours

    9  

Treatment of Pulaski stock options and other equity awards

    9  

Pulaski stockholders will have dissenters' rights in connection with the merger

    10  

The merger and the performance of the combined company are subject to a number of risks

    10  

Stockholder approval will be required to complete the merger and approve the other proposals set forth in the notice

    10  

Completion of the merger is subject to regulatory approvals

    10  

Conditions to the merger

    11  

How the merger agreement may be terminated by First Busey and Pulaski

    12  

Termination fees and expenses may be payable under some circumstances

    13  

Voting and support agreement

    13  

Accounting treatment of the merger

    14  

Certain differences in First Busey stockholder rights and Pulaski stockholder rights

    14  

First Busey shares will be listed on NASDAQ

    14  

Risk Factors

    14  

SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF FIRST BUSEY

   
15
 

SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF PULASKI

   
17
 

SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   
18
 

UNAUDITED COMPARATIVE PER COMMON SHARE DATA

   
20
 

COMPARATIVE PER SHARE MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION

   
21
 

RISK FACTORS

   
23
 

SPECIAL NOTES CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   
30
 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING OF PULASKI STOCKHOLDERS

   
32
 

Purpose

   
32
 

Record date, quorum and vote required

    32  

How to vote your shares

    33  

Participants in Pulaski Bank's KSOP Plan

    33  

Shares held in "street name"

    34  

Revocability of proxies

    34  

Proxy solicitation

    34  

THE PULASKI PROPOSALS

   
35
 

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  PAGE  

Proposal 1—Approval of the Merger Agreement

    35  

Proposal 2—Pulaski Compensation Proposal

    35  

Proposal 3—Adjournment of the Special Meeting

    35  

INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING OF FIRST BUSEY STOCKHOLDERS

   
37
 

Purpose

   
37
 

Record date, quorum and vote required

    37  

How to vote your shares

    38  

Shares held in "street name"

    38  

Revocability of proxies

    39  

Proxy solicitation

    39  

THE FIRST BUSEY PROPOSALS

   
40
 

Proposal 1—Approval of the Merger Agreement and the Share Issuance

   
40
 

Proposal 2—Adjournment of the Special Meeting

    40  

THE MERGER

   
41
 

General

   
41
 

Background of the merger

    41  

Pulaski's reasons for the merger and recommendation of the board of directors

    46  

Opinion of Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P

    49  

First Busey's reasons for the merger and recommendation of the board of directors

    63  

Accounting treatment of the merger

    64  

Material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger

    65  

Regulatory approvals

    68  

Interests of certain persons in the merger

    69  

Merger-related compensation for Pulaski's named executive officers

    71  

Restrictions on resale of First Busey common stock

    72  

Pulaski stockholder dissenters' rights

    72  

DESCRIPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT

   
75
 

General

   
75
 

Closing and effective time

    75  

Consideration to be received in the merger

    75  

Fractional shares

    76  

Voting and support agreement

    76  

Trust preferred securities

    76  

Treatment of Pulaski stock options and other equity awards

    76  

Exchange of certificates

    77  

Conduct of business pending the merger

    77  

Certain covenants of the parties

    79  

No solicitation of or discussions relating to an acquisition proposal

    80  

Representations and warranties

    80  

Conditions to completion of the merger

    81  

Termination

    83  

Termination fees

    83  

Management of First Busey and Pulaski after the merger

    84  

Expenses

    84  

NASDAQ stock listing

    84  

Amendment

    84  

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  PAGE  

SELECTED UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    85  

COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF FIRST BUSEY STOCKHOLDERS AND PULASKI STOCKHOLDERS

   
91
 

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

   
100
 

LEGAL MATTERS

   
100
 

EXPERTS

   
100
 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

   
100
 

Appendix A: Agreement and Plan of Merger

   
A-1
 

Appendix B: Section 455 of the General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri

    B-1  

Appendix C: Form of Voting and Support Agreement

    C-1  

Appendix D: Opinion of Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P. 

    D-1  

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER

        The following questions and answers are intended to briefly address some commonly asked questions regarding the merger, the merger agreement and the special meetings. We urge you to read carefully the remainder of this joint proxy statement/prospectus because the information in this section may not provide all the information that might be important to you in determining how to vote. Additional important information is also contained in the appendices to, and the documents incorporated by reference in, this document.

Q:
What is the proposed transaction?

A:
You are being asked to vote on the approval of a merger agreement that provides for the merger of Pulaski with and into First Busey, with First Busey as the surviving company. The merger is anticipated to be completed in the first half of 2016. At a date following the completion of the merger, First Busey intends to merge Pulaski Bank, National Association (which we refer to as "Pulaski Bank"), Pulaski's wholly-owned bank subsidiary, with and into Busey Bank, First Busey's wholly-owned bank subsidiary, with Busey Bank as the surviving bank (which we refer to as the "bank merger"). At such time, Pulaski Bank's banking offices will become banking offices of Busey Bank. Until the banks are merged, First Busey will own and operate Pulaski Bank and Busey Bank as separate bank subsidiaries.

Q:
What will Pulaski stockholders be entitled to receive in the merger?

A:
If the merger is completed, each share of Pulaski common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger (other than shares owned by Pulaski as treasury stock or otherwise owned by Pulaski or First Busey and any dissenting shares), will be converted into the right to receive 0.79 shares of First Busey common stock. Only whole shares of First Busey common stock will be issued in the merger. As a result, cash will be paid instead of any fractional shares based on the reference price of First Busey common stock as more fully described on page [    ·    ]. Shares of Pulaski common stock held by Pulaski stockholders who elect to exercise their dissenters' rights will not be converted into merger consideration.

Q:
What is the value of the per share merger consideration?

A:
The value of the merger consideration to be received by Pulaski stockholders will fluctuate as the market price of First Busey common stock fluctuates before the completion of the merger. This price will not be known at the time of the Pulaski special meeting and may be more or less than the current price of common stock or the price of First Busey common stock at the time of the special meeting. Based on the closing stock price of First Busey common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on December 3, 2015, the trading day of the public announcement of the merger, of $21.82, the value of the merger consideration was $17.25. Based on the closing stock price of First Busey common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on [    ·    ], 2016, the latest practicable date before the mailing of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, of $[    ·    ], the value of the merger consideration was $[    ·    ]. We urge you to obtain current market quotations for shares of First Busey common stock and Pulaski common stock.

Q:
Why do Pulaski and First Busey want to engage in the merger?

A:
Pulaski believes that the merger will provide Pulaski stockholders with substantial benefits, and First Busey believes that the merger will further its strategic growth plans. To review the reasons for the merger in more detail, see "The Merger—Pulaski's reasons for the merger and recommendation of the board of directors" on page [    ·    ] and "The Merger—First Busey's reasons for the merger and recommendation of the board of directors" on page [    ·    ].

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Q:
In addition to approving the merger agreement, what else are Pulaski stockholders being asked to vote on?

A:
In addition to the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein, Pulaski is soliciting proxies from holders of its common stock with respect to, a proposal to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation that certain executive officers of Pulaski may receive in connection with the merger proposal pursuant to existing agreements or arrangements with Pulaski (which we refer to as the "Pulaski compensation proposal"), a proposal to adjourn the Pulaski special meeting to permit further solicitation in the event that an insufficient number of votes are cast to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein. Completion of the merger is not conditioned upon approval of the Pulaski compensation proposal or the adjournment proposal.

Q:
Why are Pulaski stockholders being asked to vote on the Pulaski compensation proposal?

A:
The SEC, in accordance with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (which we refer to as the "Dodd-Frank Act"), has adopted rules that require Pulaski to seek an advisory (non-binding) vote with respect to certain payments that are payable to Pulaski's named executive officers in connection with the merger.

Q:
What will happen if Pulaski's stockholders do not approve such compensation at the special meeting?

A:
Pulaski stockholders' approval of the compensation payable to certain of Pulaski's executive officers in connection with the merger is not a condition to completion of the merger. The vote with respect to such compensation is an advisory vote and will not be binding on Pulaski (or First Busey after the merger) regardless of whether the merger agreement is approved. Accordingly, because the compensation to be paid to certain Pulaski executive officers in connection with the merger is contractual, such compensation will be payable if the merger is completed regardless of the outcome of the advisory vote.

Q:
In addition to approving the merger agreement, what else are First Busey stockholders being asked to vote on?

A:
In addition to the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein, First Busey is soliciting proxies from holders of its common stock with respect to a proposal to adjourn the First Busey special meeting to permit further solicitation in the event that an insufficient number of votes are cast to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein. Completion of the merger is not conditioned upon approval of the adjournment proposal.

Q:
What does the Pulaski board of directors recommend?

A:
Pulaski's board of directors has determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein are in the best interests of Pulaski and its stockholders. Pulaski's board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote "FOR" the approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein, "FOR" approval of the Pulaski compensation proposal and "FOR" the approval to adjourn the special meeting to permit further solicitation in the event that an insufficient number of votes are cast to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein. To review the reasons for the merger in more detail, see "The Merger—Pulaski's reasons for the merger and recommendation of the board of directors" on page [    ·    ].

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Q:
What does the First Busey board of directors recommend?

A:
First Busey's board of directors has determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein, including the issuance of First Busey common stock in connection with the merger, is in the best interests of First Busey and its stockholders. First Busey's board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote "FOR" the approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein and "FOR" the approval to adjourn the special meeting to permit further solicitation in the event that an insufficient number of votes are cast to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein. To review the reasons for the merger in more detail, see "The Merger—First Busey's reasons for the merger and recommendation of the board of directors" on page [    ·    ].

Q:
What vote is required to approve each proposal at the Pulaski special meeting?

A:
Approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein requires the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Pulaski common stock entitled to vote. Abstentions, shares not voted and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against the merger proposal. Approval of the Pulaski compensation proposal and the proposal to adjourn the special meeting requires the affirmative vote of the majority of shares entitled to vote and represented in person or by proxy. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against these proposals, while broker non-votes will have no effect.

Q:
What vote is required to approve each proposal at the First Busey special meeting?

A:
Approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of First Busey common stock entitled to vote. Abstentions, shares not voted and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against the merger proposal. Approval of the proposal to adjourn the special meeting requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast for the proposal. Abstentions are deemed to be votes cast and thereby have the same effect as a vote against the adjournment proposal. Shares not voted and broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal.

Q:
Why is my vote important?

A:
The merger cannot be completed unless the merger agreement is approved by both First Busey and Pulaski stockholders. If you fail to submit a proxy or vote in person at the special meeting, or vote to abstain, or you do not provide your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee with voting instructions, as applicable, this will have the same effect as a vote against the approval of the merger agreement. The First Busey board of directors and the Pulaski board of directors both unanimously recommend that their company's stockholders for "FOR" the proposal to approve the merger agreement.

Q:
What do I need to do now? How do I vote?

A:
If you are a Pulaski stockholder, you may vote at the special meeting if you own shares of Pulaski common stock of record at the close of business on the record date for the special meeting, [    ·    ], 2016. If you are a First Busey stockholder, you may vote at the special meeting if you own shares of First Busey common stock of record at the close of business on the record date for the special meeting, [    ·    ], 2016. After you have carefully read and considered the information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, please vote by a method described on your proxy card. This will enable your shares to be represented at the special meeting. You may also vote in person at the special meeting. If you do not vote by proxy and do not vote at the special meeting, this will make it more difficult to achieve a quorum for the meeting.

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Q:
How do I vote if I own shares through the Pulaski Bank Savings and Ownership Plan?

A:
If you hold Pulaski common stock through the Pulaski Bank Savings and Ownership Plan (which we refer to as the "KSOP"), you will receive a voting instruction card to reflect all of the shares that you may direct the trustee to vote on your behalf under the plan. Under the terms of the KSOP, all shares held by the KSOP are voted by the KSOP trustee, but each participant in the KSOP may direct the trustee how to vote the shares of Pulaski common stock allocated to his or her account. Allocated shares for which no timely voting instructions are received will be voted by the KSOP trustee in the same proportion as shares for which the trustee has received voting instructions, subject to the exercise of its fiduciary duties.

Q:
If my shares of common stock are held in "street name" by my bank, broker or other fiduciary, will my bank, broker or other fiduciary automatically vote my shares for me?

A:
No. Your bank, broker or other fiduciary cannot vote your shares without instructions from you. If your shares are held in "street name" through a bank, broker or other fiducuary, you must provide the record holder of your shares with instructions on how to vote the shares. Please follow the voting instructions provided by the bank, broker or other fiduciary. You may not vote shares held in street name by returning a proxy card directly to First Busey or Pulaski, or by voting in person at the First Busey special meeting or the Pulaski special meeting, unless you provide a "legal proxy," which you must obtain from your broker, bank or other fiduciary. Further, banks, brokers or other fiduciaries who hold shares of First Busey common stock or Pulaski common stock on behalf of their customers may not give a proxy to First Busey or Pulaski to vote those shares with respect to any of the proposals without specific instructions from their customers, as brokers, banks and other fiduciaries do not have discretionary voting power on these matters. Failure to instruct your bank, broker other fiduciary how to vote will have the same effect as a vote against adoption of the merger agreement.

Q:
How will my proxy be voted?

A:
If you complete, sign, date and mail your proxy form, your proxy will be voted in accordance with your instructions. If you sign, date and send in your proxy form, but you do not indicate how you want to vote, your proxy will be voted "FOR" approval of the merger agreement and the other proposals in the notice.

Q:
Can I revoke my proxy and change my vote?

A:
You may change your vote or revoke your proxy prior to the special meeting by filing with the corporate secretary of Pulaski or First Busey, as appropriate, a duly executed revocation of proxy or submitting a new proxy with a later date. You may also revoke a prior proxy by voting in person at the applicable special meeting.

Q:
Are there risks I should consider in deciding to vote on the approval of the merger agreement?

A:
Yes, in evaluating the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein, you should read this joint proxy statement/prospectus carefully, including the factors discussed in the section titled "Risk Factors" beginning on page [    ·    ].

Q:
What if I oppose the merger? Do I have dissenters' rights?

A:
Pulaski stockholders who do not vote in favor of approval of the merger agreement and otherwise comply with all of the procedures of the General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri, will be entitled to receive payment in cash of the fair value of their shares of Pulaski common stock as ultimately determined under the statutory process. A copy of the applicable section of the General

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Q:
What are the tax consequences of the merger to me?

We expect that Pulaski stockholders will not recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the merger, except to the extent of any cash received in lieu of fractional shares. You should consult with your tax adviser for the specific tax consequences of the merger to you. See "The Merger—Material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger" on page [    ·    ].

Q:
When and where are the special meetings?

A:
The Pulaski special meeting will take place on [    ·    ], 2016, at [    ·    ] local time, at [    ·    ]. The First Busey special meeting will take place on [    ·    ], 2016, at [    ·    ] local time, at [    ·    ].

Q:
Who may attend the Pulaski special meeting?

A:
Only Pulaski stockholders on the record date may attend the special meeting. If you are a stockholder of record, you will need to present the proxy card that you received or another proof of identification in order to be admitted into the meeting.

Q:
Who may attend the First Busey special meeting?

A:
Only First Busey stockholders on the record date may attend the special meeting. If you are a stockholder of record, you will need to present the proxy card that you received or another proof of identification in order to be admitted into the meeting.

Q:
Should I send in my Pulaski stock certificates now?

A:
No. Either at the time of closing or shortly after the merger is completed, the exchange agent for the merger, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., will send you a letter of transmittal with instructions informing you how to send in your stock certificates to the exchange agent. You should use the letter of transmittal to exchange your Pulaski stock certificates for the merger consideration. Do not send in your stock certificates with your proxy form.

Q:
Whom may I contact if I cannot locate my Pulaski stock certificate(s)?

A:
If you are unable to locate your original Pulaski stock certificate(s), you should contact Computershare Trust Company, N.A., Pulaski's transfer agent, at [    ·    ].

Q:
What should I do if I hold my shares of Pulaski common stock in book-entry form?

A:
You are not required to take any special additional actions if your shares of Pulaski common stock are held in book-entry form. After the completion of the merger, shares of Pulaski common stock held in book-entry form automatically will be exchanged for book-entry shares of First Busey common stock, plus cash in lieu of any fractional shares.

Q:
What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?

A:
Pulaski stockholders and First Busey stockholders may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold shares of Pulaski and/or First Busey

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Q:
When is the merger expected to be completed?

A:
We will try to complete the merger as soon as reasonably possible. Before that happens, the merger agreement must be approved by stockholders of both First Busey and Pulaski, and we must obtain the necessary regulatory approvals. Assuming First Busey and Pulaski stockholders vote to approve the merger and adopt the merger agreement and we obtain the other necessary approvals and satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions to the closing described in the merger agreement, we expect to complete the merger in the first half of 2016. See "Description of the Merger Agreement—Conditions to completion of the merger" on page [    ·    ].

Q:
Is completion of the merger subject to any conditions besides stockholder approval?

A:
Yes. The transaction must receive the required regulatory approvals, and there are other standard closing conditions that must be satisfied. See "Description of the Merger Agreement—Conditions to completion of the merger" on page [    ·    ].

Q:
What happens if the merger is not completed?

A:
Pulaski and First Busey expect to complete the merger in the first half of 2016. However, neither Pulaski nor First Busey can assure you of when or if the merger will be completed. Pulaski and First Busey must first obtain the approval of Pulaski stockholders and First Busey stockholders for the merger, as well as obtain necessary regulatory approvals and satisfy certain other standard closing conditions.

Q:
Who can answer my other questions?

A:
If you have more questions about the merger or how to submit your proxy, or if you need additional copies of this joint proxy statement/prospectus or the enclosed proxy form, you should contact:

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SUMMARY

        This summary highlights selected information in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand the merger more fully, you should read this entire joint proxy statement/prospectus carefully, including the Appendixes and the documents referred to or incorporated in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. A copy of the merger agreement is attached as Appendix A to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated by reference herein. See "Where You Can Find More Information" beginning on page [    ·    ].

Information about First Busey and Pulaski

First Busey Corporation
100 W. University Ave.
Champaign, Illinois 61820
(217) 365-4500

        First Busey Corporation is a Nevada corporation and registered financial holding company for Busey Bank, an Illinois-chartered commercial bank headquartered in Champaign, Illinois. Busey Bank has twenty-eight banking centers serving Illinois, a banking center in Indianapolis, Indiana, and six 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.

        As of September 30, 2015, First Busey had total assets of approximately $3.9 billion, total gross loans, including held for sale, of approximately $2.6 billion, total deposits of approximately $3.1 billion and total stockholders' equity of approximately $444.2 million.

        First Busey common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol "BUSE."

Pulaski Financial Corp.
12300 Olive Boulevard
St. Louis, Missouri 63141
(314) 878-2210

        Pulaski Financial Corp. is a Missouri corporation and registered bank holding company for Pulaski Bank, National Association, a national banking association headquartered in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Pulaski Bank provides an array of financial products and services for businesses and retail customers primarily through its thirteen full-service offices in the St. Louis metropolitan area and residential mortgage loan production offices in the St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago and Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan areas, mid-Missouri, southwestern Missouri, eastern Kansas, and Lincoln, Nebraska. Pulaski Bank is primarily engaged in attracting deposits from individuals and businesses and using these deposits, together with borrowed funds, to originate and retain commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loans principally within its St. Louis lending market and one-to-four-family residential mortgage loans principally within its St. Louis, Kansas City and Omaha-Council Bluffs lending markets. In addition, Pulaski Bank originates one- to four-family residential mortgage loans primarily for sale in the secondary market in the other markets identified above.

        As of September 30, 2015, Pulaski had consolidated total assets of approximately $1.5 billion, total loans of approximately $1.2 billion, total deposits of approximately $1.1 billion and total stockholders' equity of approximately $121.5 million.

        Pulaski common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol "PULB."

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The merger and the merger agreement (See page [    ·    ])

        First Busey's acquisition of Pulaski is governed by a merger agreement. The merger agreement provides that, if all of the conditions set forth in the merger agreement are satisfied or waived, Pulaski will be merged with and into First Busey. After the consummation of the merger, Pulaski Bank will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Busey. The merger is anticipated to be completed in the first half of 2016. At a date following the completion of the merger, First Busey intends to merge Pulaski Bank with and into Busey Bank, with Busey Bank as the surviving bank. At such time, Pulaski Bank's banking offices will become banking offices of Busey Bank. Until the banks are merged, First Busey will own and operate Pulaski Bank and Busey Bank as separate bank subsidiaries.

        The merger agreement is included as Appendix A to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated by reference herein. We urge you to read the merger agreement carefully and fully, as it is the legal document that governs the merger.

What Pulaski stockholders will receive (See page [    ·    ])

        If the merger is completed, each share of Pulaski common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger (other than shares owned by Pulaski as treasury stock or otherwise owned by Pulaski or First Busey and any dissenting shares), will be converted into the right to receive 0.79 shares of First Busey common stock. Only whole shares of First Busey common stock will be issued in the merger. As a result, cash will be paid instead of any fractional shares based on the reference price of First Busey common stock. Shares of Pulaski common stock held by Pulaski stockholders who elect to exercise their dissenters' rights will not be converted into merger consideration.

Material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger (See page [    ·    ])

        We expect that Pulaski stockholders will not recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the merger, except to the extent of any cash received in lieu of fractional shares. The completion of the merger is conditioned on receipt of a tax opinion from each of Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP and Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP that the merger qualifies as a tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (which we refer to as the "Internal Revenue Code") and that Pulaski stockholders will not recognize any gain or loss in connection with the exchange of their shares (except with respect to any cash received). The opinion will not bind the Internal Revenue Service, which could take a different view.

        See "The Merger-Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger" for a more detailed discussion of the tax consequences of the merger.

        Determining the actual tax consequences of the merger to you as an individual taxpayer can be complicated. The tax treatment will depend on your specific situation and many variables not within our control. For these reasons, we recommend that you consult your tax advisor concerning the federal and any applicable state, local or other tax consequences of the merger to you.

Pulaski's reasons for the merger; Board recommendation to Pulaski's stockholders (See page [    ·    ])

        The Pulaski board of directors believes that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein are in the best interests of Pulaski and its stockholders. Pulaski's board of directors unanimously recommends that Pulaski stockholders vote "FOR" the proposal to approve the merger agreement, "FOR" the approval, by advisory (non-binding) vote, of certain compensation arrangements for Pulaski's named executive officers in connection with the merger, and "FOR" adjournment of the Pulaski special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if

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there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the merger agreement. See the section entitled "The Merger—Pulaski's reasons for the merger and recommendation of the board of directors" beginning on page [    ·    ] of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

First Busey's reasons for the merger; Board recommendation to First Busey's stockholders (See page [    ·    ])

        First Busey's board of directors believes that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein, including the issuance of First Busey stock in connection with the merger, is in the best interests of First Busey and its stockholders. First Busey's board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote "FOR" the proposal to approve the merger agreement and "FOR" adjournment of the First Busey special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the merger agreement. See the section entitled "The Merger—First Busey's reasons for the merger and recommendation of the board of directors" beginning on page [    ·    ] of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

Interests of officers and directors of Pulaski in the merger may be different from, or in addition to, yours (See page [    ·    ])

        When you consider the Pulaski board of directors' recommendation to vote in favor of approval of the merger agreement, you should be aware that some of Pulaski's directors and officers may have interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, your interests as stockholders. These interests include, among others, retention and employment agreements with First Busey, the treatment of outstanding equity awards pursuant to the merger agreement, certain payments and benefits payable under the employment agreement entered into with Pulaski's chief executive officer, and rights to ongoing indemnification and insurance coverage by the surviving corporation for acts or omissions occurring prior to the merger. These interests also include First Busey's agreement to appoint one member of the Pulaski board of directors to serve as a member of the First Busey board of directors following completion of the merger. The Pulaski board of directors was aware of these interests and took them into account in reaching its decisions to approve and adopt the merger agreement and to recommend the approval of the merger agreement to Pulaski stockholders.

Treatment of Pulaski stock options and other equity awards (see page [    ·    ])

        Pulaski Stock Options.    At the effective time of the merger, each outstanding and unexercised option to purchase shares of Pulaski common stock, whether vested or unvested, will be converted into an option to purchase First Busey common stock equal to the number of shares of Pulaski common stock subject to such Pulaski stock option multiplied by the exchange ratio, 0.79 (rounded down to the nearest whole share), at an exercise price per share equal to the exercise price for each share of Pulaski common stock subject to such Pulaski stock option divided by the exchange ratio, 0.79 (rounded up to the nearest whole cent).

        Pulaski Restricted Stock Awards.    At the effective time of the merger, each restricted stock award in respect of a share of Pulaski common stock, subject solely to service vesting, which is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time shall be fully vested and each holder thereof shall become a holder of Pulaski common stock immediately prior to the effective time.

        Pulaski Performance Stock Awards.    At the effective time of the merger, each Pulaski equity award that is subject to a performance vesting condition that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time shall be deemed earned at target performance and be converted into a service based restricted stock or restricted stock unit award of First Busey common stock that is equal to the number of shares of Pulaski common stock subject to such Pulaski performance stock award multiplied by the exchange ratio, 0.79 (rounded down to the nearest whole share).

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Pulaski stockholders will have dissenters' rights in connection with the merger (See page [    ·    ])

        Pulaski stockholders may assert dissenters' rights in connection with the merger and, upon complying with the requirements of the General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri, receive cash in the amount of the fair value of their shares instead of the merger consideration.

        A copy of the section of the General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri pertaining to dissenters' rights is attached as Appendix B to this joint proxy statement/prospectus. You should read the statute carefully and consult with your legal counsel if you intend to exercise these rights.

The merger and the performance of the combined company are subject to a number of risks (See page [    ·    ])

        There are a number of risks relating to the merger and to the businesses of First Busey, Pulaski and the combined company following the merger. See the "Risk Factors" beginning on page [    ·    ] of this joint proxy statement/prospectus for a discussion of these and other risks relating to the merger. You should also consider the other information in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the other documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See the section of this joint proxy statement/prospectus entitled "Where You Can Find More Information" beginning on page [    ·    ].

Stockholder approval will be required to complete the merger and approve the other proposals set forth in the notice (See page [    ·    ])

        Pulaski.    Approval by Pulaski's stockholders at Pulaski's special meeting of stockholders on [    ·    ], 2016 is required to complete the merger. The presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the shares of Pulaski common stock entitled to vote on the merger agreement is necessary to constitute a quorum at the meeting. Each share of Pulaski common stock outstanding on the record date entitles its holder to one vote on the merger agreement and any other proposal listed in the notice. Approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein requires the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Pulaski common stock entitled to vote. Abstentions, shares not voted and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against the merger proposal. Approval of the Pulaski compensation proposal and the proposal to adjourn the special meeting requires the affirmative vote of the majority of shares entitled to vote and represented in person or by proxy. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against these proposals, while broker non-votes will have no effect.

        First Busey.    Approval by First Busey's stockholders at First Busey's special meeting of stockholders on [    ·    ], 2016 is required to complete the merger. The presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the shares of First Busey common stock entitled to vote on the merger agreement is necessary to constitute a quorum at the meeting. Each share of First Busey common stock outstanding on the record date entitles its holder to one vote on the merger agreement and any other proposal listed in the notice. Approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of First Busey common stock entitled to vote. Abstentions, shares not voted and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against the merger proposal. Approval of the proposal to adjourn the special meeting requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast for the proposal. Abstentions are deemed to be votes cast and thereby have the same effect as a vote against the adjournment proposal. Shares not voted and broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal.

Completion of the merger is subject to regulatory approvals (See page [    ·    ])

        The merger cannot proceed without obtaining all requisite regulatory approvals. First Busey and Pulaski have agreed to take all appropriate actions necessary to obtain the required approvals. The

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merger of First Busey and Pulaski is subject to prior approval of the Federal Reserve. First Busey submitted an application with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago on January 8, 2016 seeking the necessary approvals. The merger may not be consummated until 15 days after receipt of Federal Reserve approval, during which time the United States Department of Justice may challenge the merger on antitrust grounds. The commencement of an antitrust action would stay the effectiveness of the Federal Reserve's approval, unless a court specifically orders otherwise.

        At a date following the completion of the merger, First Busey intends to merge Pulaski Bank with and into Busey Bank, with Busey Bank as the surviving bank. The bank merger will be subject to approval by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (which we refer to as the "IDFPR"). Busey Bank intends to file an application with the IDFPR seeking this approval in the near future.

        While First Busey knows of no reason why the approval of any of the applications would be denied or unduly delayed, it cannot assure you that all regulatory approvals required to consummate the merger and the bank merger will be obtained or obtained in a timely manner.

Conditions to the merger (See page [    ·    ])

        Closing Conditions for the Benefit of First Busey.    First Busey's obligations to close the merger are subject to fulfillment of certain conditions, including:

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        Closing Conditions for the Benefit of Pulaski.    Pulaski's obligations to close the merger are subject to fulfillment of certain conditions, including:

How the merger agreement may be terminated by First Busey and Pulaski (See page [    ·    ])

        First Busey and Pulaski may mutually agree to terminate the merger agreement and abandon the merger at any time. Subject to conditions and circumstances described in the merger agreement, either First Busey or Pulaski may terminate the merger agreement as follows:

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        In addition, a particular party may terminate the merger agreement as follows:

Termination fees and expenses may be payable under some circumstances (See page [    ·    ])

        Termination Fees Payable by Pulaski.    Pulaski has agreed to pay First Busey a termination fee of $9.0 million if the merger agreement is terminated under the following circumstances:

        Termination Fees Payable by First Busey.    First Busey has agreed to pay to Pulaski a termination fee of $9.0 million if the merger agreement is terminated by Pulaski because First Busey breaches its obligations related to holding a stockholder meeting to approve the merger agreement.

Voting and support agreement (See page [    ·    ])

        On December 3, 2015, certain of the directors of Pulaski agreed to vote all of their shares of Pulaski common stock in favor of the merger agreement at the special meeting. The voting and support agreement covers approximately [    ·    ]% of Pulaski's outstanding shares of common stock as of January [    ·    ], 2016. This voting and support agreement terminates if the merger agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms. A copy of the form of voting and support agreement is attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Appendix C.

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Accounting treatment of the merger (See page [    ·    ])

        For accounting and financial reporting purposes, the merger will be accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (which we refer to as "GAAP").

Certain differences in First Busey stockholder rights and Pulaski stockholder rights (See page [    ·    ])

        Because they will receive First Busey common stock, Pulaski stockholders will become First Busey stockholders as a result of the merger. Their rights as stockholders after the merger will be governed by First Busey's articles of incorporation and bylaws. The rights of First Busey stockholders are different in certain respects from the rights of Pulaski's stockholders. The material differences are described later in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

First Busey shares will be listed on NASDAQ (See page [    ·    ])

        The shares of First Busey common stock to be issued pursuant to the merger will be listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "BUSE."

Risk Factors (See page [    ·    ])

        You should consider all the information contained or incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus in deciding how to vote for the proposals presented. In particular, you should consider the factors described under "Risk Factors."

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SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF FIRST BUSEY

        The following table summarizes selected historical consolidated financial data of First Busey for the periods and as of the dates indicated. This information has been derived from First Busey's consolidated financial statements filed with the SEC. Historical financial data as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 are unaudited and include, in management's opinion, all normal recurring adjustments considered necessary to present fairly the results of operations and financial condition of First Busey. You should not assume the results of operations for past periods and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 indicate results for any future period.

        You should read this information in conjunction with First Busey's consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in First Busey's Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014, and in First Busey's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, which are incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The per common share data provided below has been adjusted to reflect First Busey's one-for-three reverse stock split, which became effective on September 8, 2015. First Busey's periodic reports filed prior to the reverse stock split have not been revised to reflect the reverse stock split. See "Where You Can Find More Information" beginning on page [    ·    ] of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

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  As of or for the nine
months ended
September 30,
  As of or for the years ended December 31,  
 
  2015   2014   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010  
 
  (dollars in thousands, except per share information)
 

Results of Operations

                                           

Interest income

 
$

86,903
 
$

80,418
 
$

108,075
 
$

108,696
 
$

116,916
 
$

132,819
 
$

156,183
 

Interest expense

    4,687     4,929     6,499     8,631     14,770     22,426     39,032  

Net interest income

    82,216     75,489     101,576     100,065     102,146     110,393     117,151  

Provision for loan losses

    600     2,000     2,000     7,500     16,500     20,000     42,000  

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

    81,616     73,489     99,576     92,565     85,646     90,393     75,151  

Other income

    48,477     44,202     58,941     62,583     66,852     59,015     62,753  

Other expense

    86,942     79,739     108,209     112,311     119,644     104,565     105,210  

Income before income taxes

    43,151     37,952     50,308     42,837     32,854     44,843     32,694  

Income taxes

    14,828     12,771     17,534     14,111     10,497     14,970     9,464  

Net income

    28,323     25,181     32,774     28,726     22,357     29,873     23,230  

Preferred stock dividends

    545     545     727     3,633     3,633     5,342     5,170  

Net income available to common stockholders

    27,778     24,636     32,047     25,093     18,724     24,531     18,060  

Balance Sheet Items

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Total assets

  $ 3,863,565   $ 3,520,917   $ 3,665,607   $ 3,539,575   $ 3,618,056   $ 3,402,122   $ 3,605,003  

Total gross loans, including loans held for sale

    2,581,014     2,379,915     2,415,690     2,295,300     2,073,110     2,051,344     2,368,777  

Deposits

    3,110,530     2,825,394     2,900,848     2,869,138     2,980,292     2,763,454     2,916,366  

Total liabilities

    3,419,337     3,090,889     3,231,968     3,124,211     3,209,259     2,992,855     3,184,498  

Stockholders' equity

    444,228     430,028     433,639     415,364     408,797     409,267     420,505  

Per Common Share Data

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Basic earnings per common shares

  $ 0.96   $ 0.85   $ 1.11   $ 0.87   $ 0.65   $ 0.86   $ 0.82  

Diluted earnings per common shares

    0.95     0.85     1.10     0.86     0.65     0.86     0.82  

Common dividends declared

    0.45     0.42     0.57     0.36     0.72     0.48     0.48  

Tangible book value(1)

    11.77     11.38     11.52     10.80     10.48     10.39     9.42  

Performance Ratios

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Return on average assets

    0.95 %   0.94 %   0.91 %   0.71 %   0.53 %   0.71 %   0.49 %

Return on average common equity

    10.12 %   9.43 %   9.11 %   7.39 %   5.49 %   7.66 %   7.75 %

Net interest margin

    3.06 %   3.15 %   3.15 %   3.15 %   3.24 %   3.52 %   3.58 %

(1)
Total common equity less goodwill and intangible assets divided by shares outstanding as of period end.

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SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF PULASKI

        The following table summarizes selected historical consolidated financial data of Pulaski for the periods and as of the dates indicated. This information has been derived from Pulaski's consolidated financial statements filed with the SEC. You should not assume the results of operations for past periods indicate results for any future period.

        You should read this information in conjunction with Pulaski's consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in Pulaski's Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended September 30, 2015, which is incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" beginning on page [    ·    ] of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

 
  As of or for the years ended September 30,  
 
  2015   2014   2013   2012   2011  

Results of Operations

                               

Interest income

  $ 50,031   $ 47,427   $ 51,614   $ 55,708   $ 60,253  

Interest expense

    5,653     5,230     6,445     8,678     12,951  

Net interest income

    44,378     42,197     45,169     47,030     47,302  

Provision for loan losses

    2,000     1,210     12,090     14,450     14,800  

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

    42,378     40,987     33,079     32,580     32,502  

Total non-interest income

    17,943     9,542     18,770     15,704     12,998  

Total non-interest expense

    39,246     34,263     37,243     34,191     34,285  

Income before income taxes

    21,075     16,266     14,606     14,093     11,215  

Income taxes

    6,948     5,233     4,797     4,263     3,150  

Net income

    14,127     11,033     9,809     9,830     8,065  

(Premium) benefit from repurchase of preferred stock

        (27 )   22     364      

Preferred stock dividends

        783     1,542     2,048     2,066  

Net income available to common stockholders

    14,127     10,223     8,289     8,146     5,999  

Balance Sheet Items

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Total assets

  $ 1,521,694   $ 1,380,097   $ 1,275,944   $ 1,347,517   $ 1,309,209  

Loans receivable, net

    1,188,369     1,110,861     988,668     975,728     1,021,273  

Mortgage loans held for sale

    112,651     58,139     70,473     180,575     100,719  

Deposits

    1,137,805     1,021,653     1,010,812     1,081,698     1,103,169  

Total liabilities

    1,400,196     1,267,981     1,159,886     1,229,350     1,189,038  

Stockholders' equity

    121,498     112,116     116,058     118,167     120,170  

Per Common Share Data

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Basic earnings per common shares

  $ 1.19   $ 0.92   $ 0.76   $ 0.76   $ 0.57  

Diluted earnings per common shares

    1.17     0.88     0.74     0.74     0.55  

Common dividends declared

    0.38     0.38     0.38     0.38     0.38  

Tangible book value

    10.19     9.31     8.65     8.21     8.07  

Performance Ratios

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Return on average assets

    1.01 %   0.87 %   0.75 %   0.75 %   0.58 %

Return on average common equity

    12.09 %   9.80 %   8.42 %   8.75 %   6.77 %

Net interest margin

    3.40 %   3.54 %   3.71 %   3.86 %   3.67 %

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SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED
FINANCIAL INFORMATION

        The following table shows unaudited pro forma financial information about the financial condition and results of operations, including per share data, after giving effect to the merger and other pro forma adjustments. The unaudited pro forma financial information assumes that the merger is accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations in accordance with GAAP, and that the assets and liabilities of Pulaski will be recorded by First Busey at their respective fair values as of the date the merger is completed. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet gives effect to the merger as if the merger had occurred on September 30, 2015. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined income statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, and the year ended December 31, 2014, give effect to the merger as if the merger had become effective at January 1, 2014. The unaudited selected pro forma combined financial information has been derived from and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes of First Busey, which are incorporated in this joint proxy statement/prospectus by reference, the consolidated financial statements and related notes of Pulaski, which are incorporated in this joint proxy statement/prospectus by reference, and the more detailed unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information, including the notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" on page [    ·    ] of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information" beginning on page [    ·    ].

        The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only and does not indicate the financial results of the combined company had the companies actually been combined at the beginning of each period presented. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information also does not consider any expense efficiencies, increased revenue or other potential financial benefits of the merger. In addition, as explained in more detail in the accompanying notes to the "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Information" beginning on page [    ·    ], the preliminary allocation of the pro forma purchase price reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is subject to adjustment and may vary significantly from the actual purchase price allocation that will be recorded upon completion of the merger.

(dollars in thousands)
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
2015
  Year ended
December 31,
2014
 

Pro forma condensed combined income statement data

             

Interest income

  $ 127,895   $ 160,486  

Interest expense

    8,103     10,624  

Net interest income

    119,791     149,862  

Provision for loan losses

    2,100     3,510  

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

    117,691     146,352  

Non-interest income

    62,705     69,726  

Non-interest expense

    118,196     144,882  

Income before income taxes

    62,200     71,196  

Income taxes

    21,121     24,397  

Net income

    41,079     46,799  

Preferred stock dividends and loss from repurchase

    545     1,243  

Net income available to common stockholders

    40,534     45,556  

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  As of
September 30,
2015
 

Pro forma condensed combined balance sheet data

       

Loans

  $ 3,741,130  

Allowance for loan losses

    47,212  

Investment securities

    1,000,106  

Total assets

    5,452,072  

Deposits

    4,249,587  

Total stockholders' equity

    616,538  

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UNAUDITED COMPARATIVE PER COMMON SHARE DATA

        We have summarized below the per share information for our companies on a historical, pro forma combined and equivalent basis. This information was derived from the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 for First Busey, and from the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 for Pulaski, which should be read in conjunction with this information. First Busey's per common share data has been adjusted to reflect First Busey's one-for-three reverse stock split, which became effective on September 8, 2015. First Busey's periodic reports filed prior to the reverse stock split have not been revised to reflect the reverse stock split. See "Where You Can Find More Information" on page [    ·    ].

        The pro forma combined information gives effect to the merger accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations in accordance with GAAP. The pro forma calculations reflect that each outstanding share of Pulaski common stock immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will be converted into the right to receive 0.79 shares of First Busey common stock.

        We assume that the merger occurred as of the beginning of the fiscal year or period presented (or in the case of book value, as of the date specified). The information is presented for illustrative purposes only. You should not rely on the pro forma information as being indicative of the historical results that we would have had if we had been combined or the future results that we will experience after the merger. The pro forma information, although helpful in illustrating the financial characteristics of the combined company under one set of assumptions, does not reflect the benefits of expected cost savings, opportunities to earn additional revenue, the impact of restructuring and merger-related costs, or other factors that may result as a consequence of the merger and, accordingly, does not attempt to predict or suggest future results.

 
  First
Busey
  Pulaski   First Busey
Pro Forma
Combined(1)
  Pulaski Pro
Forma
Equivalent(2)
 

Basic Earnings(3)

                         

Nine months ended September 30, 2015

  $ 0.96   $ 0.93   $ 1.05   $ 0.83  

Year ended December 31, 2014

    1.11     0.98     1.18     0.93  

Diluted Earnings(3)

                         

Nine months ended September 30, 2015

    0.95     0.91     1.04     0.83  

Year ended December 31, 2014

    1.10     0.95     1.18     0.93  

Cash Dividends Paid

                         

Nine months ended September 30, 2015

    0.45     0.29     0.45     0.36  

Year ended December 31, 2014

    0.57     0.38     0.57     0.45  

Book Value

                         

As of September 30, 2015

    12.95     10.19     14.19     11.21  

(1)
First Busey pro forma combined amounts were based on First Busey's historical amounts.

(2)
Pulaski pro forma equivalent was computed by multiplying the First Busey pro forma combined amounts by the exchange ratio of 0.79.

(3)
Pulaski's fiscal year ends on September 30. To calculate basic and diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, Pulaski subtracted the earnings per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 from earnings per share for the year ended September 30, 2015. To calculate basic and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2014, Pulaski added the earnings per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 to the earnings per share for the year ended September 30, 2014 and subtracted the earnings per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2013.

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COMPARATIVE PER SHARE MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION

        First Busey common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "BUSE" and Pulaski common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "PULB." The following table sets forth the high and low reported trading prices per share of First Busey common stock and Pulaski common stock, and the cash dividends declared per share for the periods indicated. First Busey's per common share data has been adjusted to reflect First Busey's one-for-three reverse stock split, which became effective on September 8, 2015. First Busey's periodic reports filed prior to the reverse stock split have not been revised to reflect the reverse stock split. See "Where You Can Find More Information" on page [    ·    ].


First Busey

Quarter Data
  High   Low   Dividend
Declared
 

First quarter 2014

  $ 18.69   $ 14.13   $ 0.12  

Second quarter 2014

    17.91     16.11     0.15  

Third quarter 2014

    18.00     16.23     0.15  

Fourth quarter 2014

    20.22     16.38     0.15  

First quarter 2015

 
$

20.58
 
$

17.91
 
$

0.15
 

Second quarter 2015

    20.52     18.18     0.15  

Third quarter 2015

    20.83     17.77     0.15  

Fourth quarter 2015

    22.59     18.65     0.17  

First quarter 2016 (through [·], 2016)

   
[
·]
   
[
·]
   
[
·]
 


Pulaski

Quarter Data
  High   Low   Dividend
Declared
 

First quarter fiscal 2014

  $ 11.46   $ 10.42   $ 0.095  

Second quarter fiscal 2014

    11.68     9.99     0.095  

Third quarter fiscal 2014

    11.40     10.32     0.095  

Fourth quarter fiscal 2014

    11.74     11.03     0.095  

First quarter fiscal 2015

 
$

12.33
 
$

11.05
 
$

0.095
 

Second quarter fiscal 2015

    12.65     11.62     0.095  

Third quarter fiscal 2015

    13.35     12.32     0.095  

Fourth quarter fiscal 2015

    13.65     12.74     0.095  

First quarter fiscal 2016

 
$

17.25
 
$

13.27
 
$

0.095
 

Second quarter fiscal 2016 (through [·], 2016)

    [·]     [·]     [·]  

        The following table presents the closing prices of First Busey common stock and Pulaski common stock on December 3, 2015, the trading day of public announcement of the merger agreement, and [    ·    ], 2016, the last practicable trading day prior to the mailing of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The table also shows the estimated equivalent per share consideration with respect to each share of Pulaski common stock on the relevant date.

Date
  First Busey
Closing Price
  Pulaski
Closing Price
  Exchange
Ratio
  Equivalent Per
Share Value
 

December 3, 2015

  $ 21.82   $ 17.01     0.79   $ 17.27  

[·], 2016

    [·]     [·]     0.79     [·]  

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        The above table shows only historical comparisons. These comparisons may not provide meaningful information to First Busey or Pulaski stockholders in determining whether to approve the merger agreement. Pulaski stockholders are urged to obtain current market quotations for shares of First Busey common stock and Pulaski common stock and to review carefully the other information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus or incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus in considering whether to approve the merger agreement. The market prices of First Busey common stock and Pulaski common stock will fluctuate between the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the date of completion of the merger. No assurance can be given concerning the market prices of Pulaski common stock or First Busey common stock before or after the effective time of the merger. Changes in the market price of First Busey common stock prior to the completion of the merger will affect the market value of the merger consideration that Pulaski stockholders will receive upon completion of the merger.

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RISK FACTORS

        In addition to general investment risks and the other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus, including the matters addressed under the section "Special Notes Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" beginning on page [    ·    ] you should carefully consider the following risk factors in deciding how to vote for the proposals presented in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. You should also consider the other information in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the other documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See "References to Additional Information" in the forepart of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the section of this joint proxy statement/prospectus entitled "Where You Can Find More Information" beginning on page [    ·    ].

Risks Related to the Merger and First Busey's Business Upon Completion of the Merger

Because the Market Price of First Busey Common Shares Will Fluctuate, Pulaski Stockholders Cannot Be Sure of the Value of the Merger Consideration They Will Receive.

        Upon completion of the merger, each share of Pulaski common stock will be converted into 0.79 shares of First Busey common shares pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement. The merger consideration that Pulaski stockholders will receive is a fixed number of First Busey common shares; it is not a number of shares with a particular fixed market value. The market value of First Busey common shares and Pulaski common stock at the effective time of the merger may vary significantly from their respective values on the date the merger agreement was executed or at other dates, including the date on which Pulaski stockholders vote on the adoption of the merger agreement. Because the exchange ratio is fixed at 0.79 and will not be adjusted to reflect any changes in the market value of First Busey common shares or Pulaski common stock, the market value of the First Busey common shares issued in connection with the merger and the Pulaski common stock converted in connection with the merger may be higher or lower than the values of those shares on earlier dates, and may be higher or lower than the value used to determine the exchange ratio. The market price of First Busey's common stock could be subject to significant fluctuations due to changes in sentiment in the market regarding First Busey's operations or business prospects, including market sentiment regarding First Busey's entry into the merger agreement. These risks may be affected by:

        Stock price changes may also result from a variety of other factors, many of which are outside of the control of First Busey and Pulaski, including changes in the business, operations or prospects of First Busey or Pulaski, regulatory considerations, and general business, market, industry or economic conditions. Accordingly, at the time of the Pulaski special meeting, Pulaski stockholders will not know or be able to calculate the market value of the First Busey common shares they would receive upon the completion of the merger.

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The Market Price of First Busey Common Stock after the Merger May be Affected by Factors Different from Those Affecting the Shares of Pulaski or First Busey Currently.

        Upon completion of the merger, holders of Pulaski common stock will become holders of First Busey common stock. First Busey's business differs in important respects from that of Pulaski and they currently operate in different markets. Accordingly, the results of operations of the combined company and the market price of First Busey common stock after the completion of the merger may be affected by factors different from those currently affecting the independent results of operations of each of First Busey and Pulaski. For a discussion of the businesses and markets of First Busey and Pulaski and of some important factors to consider in connection with those businesses, please see the documents incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and referred to under "Where You Can Find More Information."

Pulaski Stockholders Will Have a Reduced Ownership and Voting Interest After the Merger and Will Exercise Less Influence Over Management.

        Pulaski stockholders currently have the right to vote in the election of the Pulaski Board of Directors and on other matters requiring stockholder approval under Missouri law and Pulaski's articles of incorporation and bylaws. Upon the completion of the merger, each Pulaski stockholder will become a stockholder of First Busey with a percentage ownership of First Busey that is smaller than such stockholder's percentage ownership of Pulaski. Additionally, only one member of the First Busey Board of Directors after the completion of the merger will be designated by Pulaski upon the completion of the merger. Based on the number of issued and outstanding First Busey common shares and shares of Pulaski common stock on [    ·    ], 2016, and based on the exchange ratio of 0.79, stockholders of Pulaski, as a group, will receive shares in the merger constituting approximately [    ·    ]% of First Busey common shares expected to be outstanding immediately after the merger (without giving effect to any First Busey common shares held by Pulaski stockholders prior to the merger). Because of this, current Pulaski stockholders, as a group, will have less influence on the Board of Directors, management and policies of First Busey (as the combined company following the merger) than they now have on the Board of Directors, management and policies of Pulaski.

First Busey May Fail to Realize the Anticipated Benefits of the Merger.

        First Busey and Pulaski have operated and, until the completion of the merger, will continue to operate, independently. The success of the merger, including anticipated benefits and cost savings, will depend on, among other things, First Busey's ability to combine the businesses of First Busey and Pulaski in a manner that permits growth opportunities, including, among other things, enhanced revenues and revenue synergies, an expanded market reach and operating efficiencies, and does not materially disrupt the existing customer relationships of First Busey or Pulaski nor result in decreased revenues due to any loss of customers. If First Busey is not able to successfully achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the merger may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected. Failure to achieve these anticipated benefits could result in increased costs, decreases in the amount of expected revenues and diversion of management's time and energy and could have an adverse effect on the surviving corporation's business, financial condition, operating results and prospects.

        Certain employees may not be employed by First Busey after the merger. In addition, employees that First Busey wishes to retain may elect to terminate their employment as a result of the merger, which could delay or disrupt the integration process. It is possible that the integration process could result in the disruption of First Busey's or Pulaski's ongoing businesses or cause inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect the ability of First Busey or Pulaski to maintain relationships with customers and employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits and cost savings of the merger.

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        Among the factors considered by the Boards of Directors of First Busey and Pulaski in connection with their respective approvals of the merger agreement were the benefits that could result from the merger. There can be no assurance that these benefits will be realized within the time periods contemplated or at all.

Regulatory Approvals May Not Be Received, May Take Longer than Expected or May Impose Conditions that Are Not Presently Anticipated or Cannot Be Met.

        Before the transactions contemplated in the merger agreement can be completed, various approvals must be obtained from the bank regulatory and other governmental authorities. In deciding whether to grant antitrust or regulatory clearances, the relevant governmental entities will consider a variety of factors, including the regulatory standing of each of the parties. An adverse development in either party's regulatory standing or other factors could result in an inability to obtain one or more of the required regulatory approvals or delay their receipt. The terms and conditions of the approvals that are granted may impose requirements, limitations or costs or place restrictions on the conduct of the combined company's business. First Busey and Pulaski believe that the merger should not raise significant regulatory concerns and that First Busey will be able to obtain all requisite regulatory approvals in a timely manner. Despite the parties' commitments to use their reasonable best efforts to comply with conditions imposed by regulatory entities, under the terms of the merger agreement, First Busey and Pulaski will not be required to take actions that would reasonably be expected to materially restrict or burden First Busey following the merger. There can be no assurance that regulators will not impose conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions and that such conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions will not have the effect of delaying the completion of the merger, imposing additional material costs on or materially limiting the revenues of the combined company following the merger or otherwise reduce the anticipated benefits of the merger if the merger were consummated successfully within the expected timeframe. In addition, neither First Busey nor Pulaski can provide assurance that any such conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions will not result in the delay or abandonment of the merger. Additionally, the completion of the merger is conditioned on the absence of certain orders, injunctions or decrees by any court or regulatory agency of competent jurisdiction that would prohibit or make illegal the completion of the merger.

The Merger Agreement May Be Terminated in Accordance with Its Terms and the Merger May Not Be Completed.

        The merger agreement is subject to a number of conditions which must be fulfilled in order to complete the merger. Those conditions include: approval of the merger agreement and the transactions it contemplates by Pulaski and First Busey stockholders, receipt of certain requisite regulatory approvals, absence of orders prohibiting completion of the merger, effectiveness of the registration statement of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus is a part, approval of the issuance of First Busey common stock, as applicable, for listing on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the accuracy of the representations and warranties by both parties (subject to the materiality standards set forth in the merger agreement) and the performance by both parties of their covenants and agreements, and the receipt by both parties of legal opinions from their respective tax counsels. These conditions to the closing of the merger may not be fulfilled in a timely manner or at all, and, accordingly, the merger may not be completed. In addition, the parties can mutually decide to terminate the merger agreement at any time, before or after stockholder approval, or First Busey or Pulaski may elect to terminate the merger agreement in certain other circumstances.

Termination of the Merger Agreement Could Negatively Impact Pulaski.

        If the merger is not completed for any reason, including as a result of Pulaski stockholders or First Busey stockholders declining to approve the merger agreement, the ongoing business of Pulaski may be

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adversely impacted and, without realizing any of the anticipated benefits of completing the merger, Pulaski would be subject to a number of risks, including the following:

        If the merger agreement is terminated and Pulaski's Board of Directors seeks another merger or business combination, Pulaski stockholders cannot be certain that Pulaski will be able to find a party willing to offer equivalent or more attractive consideration than the consideration First Busey has agreed to provide in the merger, or that such other merger or business combination will be completed. If the merger agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, Pulaski may be required to pay a termination fee of $9.0 million to First Busey.

Pulaski Will Be Subject to Business Uncertainties and Contractual Restrictions While the Merger Is Pending.

        Uncertainty about the effect of the merger on employees and customers may have an adverse effect on Pulaski and, consequently, on First Busey. These uncertainties may impair Pulaski's ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel until the merger is completed, and could cause customers and others that deal with Pulaski to seek to change existing business relationships with Pulaski. Retention of certain employees may be challenging during the pendency of the merger, as certain employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles. If key employees depart because of issues relating to the uncertainty and difficulty of integration or a desire not to remain with the business, First Busey's business following the merger could be negatively impacted. In addition, the merger agreement restricts Pulaski from making certain transactions and taking other specified actions without the consent of First Busey until the merger occurs. These restrictions may prevent Pulaski from pursuing attractive business opportunities that may arise prior to the completion of the merger.

Pulaski Directors and Officers May Have Interests in the Merger Different From the Interests of Pulaski Stockholders.

        The interests of some of the directors and executive officers of Pulaski may be different from those of Pulaski stockholders, and directors and officers of Pulaski may be participants in arrangements that are different from, or are in addition to, those of Pulaski stockholders. The members of the Pulaski's board of directors knew about these additional interests and considered them among other matters, when making its decision to approve the merger agreement, and in recommending that

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Pulaski's common stockholders vote in favor of adopting the merger agreement. Such interests include, among others:

        These interests are more fully described in this joint proxy statement-prospectus under the heading "The Merger—interests of certain persons in the merger" on page [    ·    ].

The Merger Agreement Contains Provisions that May Discourage Other Companies from Trying to Acquire Pulaski for Greater Merger Consideration.

        The merger agreement contains provisions that may discourage a third party from submitting a business combination proposal to Pulaski that might result in greater value to Pulaski's stockholders than the proposed merger with First Busey or may result in a potential competing acquirer proposing to pay a lower per share price to acquire Pulaski than it might otherwise have proposed to pay absent such provisions. These provisions include a general prohibition on Pulaski from soliciting, or, subject to certain exceptions relating to the exercise of fiduciary duties by Pulaski's Board of Directors, entering into discussions with any third party regarding any acquisition proposal or offers for competing transactions. Pulaski also has an unqualified obligation to submit the proposal to approve the merger to a vote by its stockholders, even if Pulaski receives an alternative acquisition proposal that its Board of Directors believes is superior to the merger, unless the merger agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms. In addition, Pulaski may be required to pay First Busey a termination fee of $9.0 million upon termination of the merger agreement in certain circumstances involving acquisition proposals for competing transactions. See "Description of the Merger Agreement—Termination" beginning on page [    ·    ] and "Description of the Merger Agreement—Termination fees" beginning on page [    ·    ].

The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Information Included in This Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus Is Preliminary and the Actual Financial Condition and Results of Operations After the Merger May Differ Materially.

        The unaudited pro forma financial information included in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what the combined company's actual financial position or results of operations would have been had the merger been completed on the date(s) indicated. The preparation of the pro forma financial information is based upon available information and certain assumptions and estimates that First Busey and Pulaski currently believe are reasonable. The unaudited pro forma financial information reflects adjustments, which are based upon preliminary estimates, to allocate the purchase price to Pulaski's net assets. The purchase price allocation reflected in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is preliminary, and the final allocation of the purchase price will be based upon the actual purchase price and the fair value of the assets and liabilities of Pulaski as of the date of the completion of the merger. In addition, following the completion of the merger, there may be further refinements of the purchase price allocation as additional information becomes available. Accordingly, the final purchase accounting adjustments may differ materially from the pro forma adjustments reflected in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

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The Opinions of Pulaski's Financial Advisor Will Not Reflect Changes in Circumstances Between the Signing of the Merger Agreement and the Completion of the Merger.

        Pulaski has not obtained an updated opinion from its financial advisor as of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Changes in the operations and prospects of Pulaski or First Busey, general market and economic conditions and other factors that may be beyond the control of Pulaski or First Busey, and on which Pulaski's financial advisor's opinion was based, may significantly alter the value of Pulaski or the prices of the First Busey common shares or shares of Pulaski common stock by the time the merger is completed. The opinion does not speak as of the time the merger will be completed or as of any date other than the date of such opinion. Because Pulaski does not currently anticipate asking its financial advisor to update its opinion, the opinion will not address the fairness of the merger consideration from a financial point of view at the time the merger is completed.

First Busey and Pulaski Will Incur Transaction and Integration Costs in Connection with the Merger.

        Each of First Busey and Pulaski has incurred and expects that it will incur significant, non-recurring costs in connection with consummating the merger. In addition, First Busey will incur integration costs following the completion of the merger as First Busey integrates the businesses of the two companies, including facilities and systems consolidation costs and employment-related costs. There can be no assurances that the expected benefits and efficiencies related to the integration of the businesses will be realized to offset these transaction and integration costs over time. See the risk factor entitled "—First Busey May Fail to Realize the Anticipated Benefits of the Merger" on page [    ·    ]. First Busey and Pulaski may also incur additional costs to maintain employee morale and to retain key employees. First Busey and Pulaski will also incur significant legal, financial advisor, accounting, banking and consulting fees, fees relating to regulatory filings and notices, SEC filing fees, printing and mailing fees and other costs associated with the merger.

The shares of First Busey common stock to be received by Pulaski common stockholders as a result of the merger will have different rights from the shares of Pulaski common stock.

        Upon completion of the merger, Pulaski common stockholders will become First Busey stockholders and their rights as stockholders will be governed by the Nevada Revised Statutes and the First Busey articles of incorporation and bylaws. The rights associated with Pulaski common stock are different from the rights associated with First Busey common stock. Please see "Comparison of Rights of First Busey Stockholders and Pulaski Stockholders" beginning on page [    ·    ] for a discussion of the different rights associated with First Busey common stock.

The Dodd-Frank Act, among other things, subjects banks with assets in excess of $10 billion to additional costs.

        The Dodd-Frank Act and its implementing regulations subject banks with assets in excess of $10 billion to additional requirements, such as the imposition of higher FDIC premiums, reduced debit card interchange fees, enhanced risk management frameworks and stress testing, all of which increase operating costs and reduce earnings. As First Busey approaches $10 billion in assets, it will be required to incur additional costs to address these additional requirements.

Risks Relating to First Busey's Business

        You should read and consider risk factors specific to First Busey's business that will also affect the combined company after the merger. These risks are described in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" in First Busey's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, and in other documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. Please see the section entitled "Where You Can Find More Information" beginning on page [    ·    ] of this joint proxy statement/prospectus for the location of information incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

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Risks Relating to Pulaski's Business

        You should read and consider risk factors specific to Pulaski's business that will also affect the combined company after the merger. These risks are described in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" in Pulaski's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, and in other documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. Please see the section entitled "Where You Can Find More Information" beginning on page [    ·    ] of this joint proxy statement/prospectus for the location of information incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

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SPECIAL NOTES CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This joint proxy statement/prospectus contains 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 First Busey and Pulaski. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of First Busey's and Pulaski'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 joint proxy statement/prospectus, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and neither First Busey nor Pulaski undertakes any 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 First Busey and Pulaski 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:

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        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 First Busey and Pulaski and their business, including additional factors that could materially affect First Busey's and Pulaski's financial results, are included in First Busey's and Pulaski's filings with the SEC.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING OF PULASKI STOCKHOLDERS

Purpose

        Pulaski stockholders are receiving this joint proxy statement/prospectus because on [    ·    ], 2016, the record date for the special meeting of stockholders to be held on [    ·    ], 2016, at [    ·    ] at [    ·    ], local time, they owned shares of the common stock of Pulaski, and the board of directors of Pulaski is soliciting proxies for the matters to be voted on at this special meeting, as described in more detail below. Each copy of this joint proxy statement/prospectus was mailed to holders of Pulaski common stock on [    ·    ], 2016, and is accompanied by a proxy card for use at the special meeting and at any adjournment(s) of the meeting.

        At the special meeting, Pulaski board of directors will ask you to vote upon the following:

        When you sign the enclosed proxy card or otherwise vote pursuant to the instructions set forth on the proxy card, you appoint the proxy holder as your representative at the special meeting. The proxy holder will vote your shares as you have instructed in the proxy card, thereby ensuring that your shares will be voted whether or not you attend the special meeting. Even if you plan to attend the special meeting, we ask that you instruct the proxies how to vote your shares in advance of the special meeting just in case your plans change.

        If you have not already done so, please complete, date and sign the accompanying proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed, postage paid envelope or otherwise vote pursuant to the instructions set forth on the proxy card. Instead of voting by mailing a proxy card, record stockholders can vote their shares of Pulaski common stock via the Internet or by telephone. The Internet and telephone voting procedures are designed to authenticate stockholders' identities, allow stockholders to provide their voting instructions and confirm that their instructions have been recorded properly. Specific instructions for Internet or telephone voting are set forth on the enclosed proxy card. If you do not vote your shares as instructed on the proxy card, or if you do not attend and cast your vote at the special meeting, the effect will be a vote against the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein.

Record date, quorum and vote required

        The record date for the Pulaski special meeting is [    ·    ], 2016. Pulaski's stockholders of record as of the close of business on that day will receive notice of and will be entitled to vote at the special meeting. As of the record date, there were [    ·    ] shares of Pulaski common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the special meeting. The outstanding shares are held by approximately [    ·    ] holders of record.

        The presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the shares of Pulaski common stock entitled to vote on the merger agreement is necessary to constitute a quorum at the special meeting. Each share of Pulaski common stock outstanding on the record date entitles its holder to one vote on the matters being brought before the special meeting.

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        To determine the presence of a quorum at the special meeting, Pulaski will also count as present at the meeting broker non-votes, the shares of Pulaski common stock present in person but not voting, and the shares of common stock for which Pulaski has received proxies but with respect to which the holders of such shares have abstained or signed without providing instructions. Based on the number of shares of Pulaski common stock outstanding as of the record date, at least[    ·    ] shares need to be present at the special meeting, whether in person or by proxy, to constitute a quorum.

        Approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein requires the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Pulaski common stock entitled to vote. Abstentions, shares not voted and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against the merger agreement. Approval of the Pulaski compensation proposal and the proposal to adjourn the special meeting requires the affirmative vote of the majority of shares entitled to vote and represented in person or by proxy. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against these proposals, while broker non-votes will have no effect.

        As of the record date for the special meeting, Pulaski's directors and executive officers beneficially owned a total of [    ·    ] shares, or approximately [    ·    ]% of the outstanding shares, of Pulaski common stock. We anticipate that these individuals will vote their shares in favor of the merger agreement. Certain of these individuals have entered into a written agreement with First Busey that they will vote their shares in favor of the merger agreement, except as may be limited by their fiduciary obligations.

How to vote your shares

        Instead of voting by completing, signing and returning the enclosed proxy card, stockholders of record can also vote their shares of Pulaski common stock via the Internet or by telephone. The Internet and telephone voting procedures are designed to authenticate stockholders' identities, allow stockholders to provide their voting instructions and confirm that their instructions have been recorded properly. Specific instructions for Internet or telephone voting are set forth on the enclosed proxy card. The deadline for voting by telephone or via the Internet is [    ·    ], [    ·    ] time, on [    ·    ], 2016.

        If you properly complete and timely submit your proxy, your shares will be voted as you have directed. You may vote for, against, or abstain with respect to the matter brought before the special meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares and submit your proxy without specifying a voting instruction, your shares will be voted as the Pulaski board of directors recommends and will be voted "FOR" approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein, "FOR" the Pulaski compensation proposal and "FOR" the adjournment of the special meeting to permit further solicitation in the event that an insufficient number of votes are cast to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein. If you do not vote your shares as instructed on the proxy card, or if you do not attend and cast your vote at the special meeting, the effect will be a vote against the merger agreement.

        You should not send any stock certificates with your proxy card. If the merger is approved, you will receive instructions for exchanging your stock certificates after the merger has been completed.

Participants in Pulaski Bank's KSOP Plan

        If you hold Pulaski common stock through the KSOP, you will receive a voting instruction card to reflect all of the shares that you may direct the trustee to vote on your behalf under the plan. Under the terms of the KSOP, all shares held by the KSOP are voted by the KSOP trustee, but each participant in the KSOP may direct the trustee how to vote the shares of Pulaski common stock allocated to his or her account. Allocated shares for which no timely voting instructions are received will be voted by the KSOP trustee in the same proportion as shares for which the trustee has received voting instructions, subject to the exercise of its fiduciary duties.

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Shares held in "street name"

        If you hold shares in "street name" with a broker, bank or other fiduciary, you will receive voting instructions from the holder of record of your shares. Under the rules of various national and regional securities exchanges, brokers, banks and other fiduciaries may generally vote your shares on routine matters, such as the ratification of an independent registered public accounting firm, even if you provide no instructions, but may not vote on non-routine matters, such as the matters being brought before the special meeting, unless you provide voting instructions. Shares for which a broker does not have the authority to vote are recorded as "broker non-votes" and are not counted in the vote by stockholders, but will count for purposes of a quorum. As a result, any broker non-votes will have the practical effect of a vote against the merger proposal but will not affect the adjournment proposal.

        We therefore encourage you to provide directions to your broker, bank or other fiduciary as to how you want your shares voted on all matters to be brought before the special meeting. You should do this by carefully following the instructions your broker gives you concerning its procedures. Your broker, bank or other fiduciary may allow you to deliver your voting instructions via the telephone or the Internet. Please see the instruction form provided by your broker, bank or other fiduciary that accompanies this proxy statement. If you wish to change your voting instructions after you have returned your voting instruction form to your broker, bank or other fiduciary, you must contact your broker, bank or other fiduciary. If you want to vote your shares of Pulaski common stock held in street name in person at the special meeting, you will need to obtain a written proxy in your name from your broker, bank or other fiduciary.

Revocability of proxies

        You may revoke your proxy at any time before the vote is taken at the special meeting, regardless of whether you submitted your original proxy by mail, the Internet or telephone. To revoke your proxy, you must either advise the Corporate Secretary of Pulaski in writing before your Pulaski common stock has been voted at the special meeting, deliver a later dated proxy or attend the special meeting and vote your shares in person. Attendance at the special meeting will not in itself constitute revocation of your proxy.

        All written notices of revocation and other communication with respect to the revocation of proxies should be addressed to: Pulaski Financial Corp., Corporate Secretary, 12300 Olive Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63141. If you hold your shares in the name of a broker, bank or other fiduciary and desire to revoke your proxy, you will need to contact your broker, bank or other fiduciary to revoke your proxy.

Proxy solicitation

        Pulaski will pay the costs associated with the solicitation of proxies for the special meeting. Pulaski will reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred by them in sending proxy materials to the beneficial owners of Pulaski. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, directors, officers and employees of Pulaski may solicit proxies personally or by telephone. None of these persons will receive additional compensation for these activities. Pulaski has retained [    ·    ] to assist in the solicitation of proxies, which firm will, by agreement, receive compensation of $[    ·    ], plus reimbursement of expenses, for these services.

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THE PULASKI PROPOSALS

Proposal 1—Approval of the Merger Agreement

        At the Pulaski special meeting, stockholders of Pulaski will be asked to approve the merger agreement, pursuant to which Pulaski will merge with and into First Busey, and the transactions contemplated therein. Stockholders of Pulaski should read this joint proxy statement/prospectus carefully and in its entirety, including the appendices, for more detailed information concerning the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein. A copy of the merger agreement is attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Appendix A.

        For the reasons discussed in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, the board of directors of Pulaski unanimously determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein are in the best interests of Pulaski and its stockholders, and unanimously adopted and approved the merger agreement. The board of directors of Pulaski unanimously recommends that Pulaski stockholders vote "FOR" approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein.


Proposal 2—Pulaski Compensation Proposal

        In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act, Pulaski is providing its stockholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory (non-binding) vote on certain compensation that may become payable to its named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the merger, the value of which is set forth in the table included in the section of this joint proxy statement/prospectus entitled "The Merger—Merger-related compensation for Pulaski's named executive officers." As required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act, and the applicable SEC rules issued thereunder, Pulaski is asking its stockholders to vote on the approval of the following resolution:

        "RESOLVED, that the compensation that may be paid or become payable to Pulaski's named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the merger, as disclosed in the table and associated narrative discussion in the section of the proxy statement and prospectus entitled "The Merger—Merger-related compensation for Pulaski's named executive officers," is hereby APPROVED."

        Approval of the Pulaski compensation proposal requires the affirmative vote of the majority of shares entitled to vote and represented in person or by proxy at the special meeting. The vote on the Pulaski compensation proposal is a vote separate and apart from the vote on the merger. Accordingly, a Pulaski stockholder may vote to approve the merger and vote not to approve the Pulaski compensation proposal and vice versa.

        Because the vote on the Pulaski compensation proposal is advisory in nature only, it will not be binding on either Pulaski or First Busey. Accordingly, because Pulaski is contractually obligated to pay the compensation described in the section of this proxy statement and prospectus entitled "The Merger—Merger-related compensation for Pulaski's named executive officers," such compensation will be payable, subject only to the conditions applicable thereto, if the merger is approved and the merger is completed, regardless of the outcome of the advisory vote.

        The Board of Directors of Pulaski unanimously recommends a vote "FOR" the Pulaski compensation proposal.


Proposal 3—Adjournment of the Special Meeting

        If, at the Pulaski special meeting, the number of shares of Pulaski common stock cast in favor of the merger agreement is insufficient to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein, Pulaski intends to move to adjourn the Pulaski special meeting in order to enable the board of directors of Pulaski to solicit additional proxies for approval of the merger

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agreement and the transactions contemplated therein. In this proposal, Pulaski is asking its stockholders to authorize the holder of any proxy solicited by the board of directors of Pulaski, on a discretionary basis, to vote in favor of adjourning the Pulaski special meeting to another time and place for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies.

        The board of directors of Pulaski unanimously recommends a vote "FOR" the proposal to adjourn the special meeting.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING OF FIRST BUSEY STOCKHOLDERS

Purpose

        First Busey stockholders are receiving this joint proxy statement/prospectus because on [    ·    ], 2016, the record date for a special meeting of stockholders to be held on [    ·    ], 2016, at [    ·    ] at [    ·    ], local time, they owned shares of the common stock of First Busey, and the board of directors of First Busey is soliciting proxies for the matters to be voted on at this special meeting, as described in more detail below. Each copy of this joint proxy statement/prospectus was mailed to holders of First Busey common stock on [    ·    ], 2016, and is accompanied by a proxy card for use at the meeting and at any adjournment(s) of the meeting.

        At the special meeting, First Busey board of directors will ask you to vote upon the following:

        When you sign the enclosed proxy card or otherwise vote pursuant to the instructions set forth on the proxy card, you appoint the proxy holder as your representative at the special meeting. The proxy holder will vote your shares as you have instructed in the proxy card, thereby ensuring that your shares will be voted whether or not you attend the special meeting. Even if you plan to attend the special meeting, we ask that you instruct the proxies how to vote your shares in advance of the special meeting just in case your plans change.

        If you have not already done so, please complete, date and sign the accompanying proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed, postage paid envelope or otherwise vote pursuant to the instructions set forth on the proxy card. Instead of voting by mailing a proxy card, record stockholders can vote their shares of First Busey common stock via the Internet or by telephone. The Internet and telephone voting procedures are designed to authenticate stockholders' identities, allow stockholders to provide their voting instructions and confirm that their instructions have been recorded properly. Specific instructions for Internet or telephone voting are set forth on the enclosed proxy card. If you do not vote your shares as instructed on the proxy card, or if you do not attend and cast your vote at the special meeting, the effect will be a vote against the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein.

Record date, quorum and vote required

        The record date for the First Busey special meeting is [    ·    ]. First Busey's stockholders of record as of the close of business on that day will receive notice of and will be entitled to vote at the special meeting. As of the record date, there were [    ·    ] shares of First Busey common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting. The outstanding shares are held by approximately [    ·    ] holders of record.

        The presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the shares of First Busey common stock entitled to vote on the merger agreement is necessary to constitute a quorum at the meeting. Each share of First Busey common stock outstanding on the record date entitles its holder to one vote on the matters being brought before the special meeting.

        To determine the presence of a quorum at the meeting, First Busey will also count as present at the meeting broker non-votes, the shares of First Busey common stock present in person but not voting, and the shares of common stock for which First Busey has received proxies but with respect to which the holders of such shares have abstained or signed without providing instructions. Based on the

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number of shares of First Busey common stock outstanding as of the record date, at least [    ·    ] shares need to be present at the special meeting, whether in person or by proxy, to constitute a quorum.

        Approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of First Busey common stock entitled to vote. Abstentions, shares not voted and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against the merger proposal. Approval of the proposal to adjourn the special meeting requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast for the proposal. Abstentions are deemed to be votes cast and thereby have the same effect as a vote against the adjournment proposal. Shares not voted and broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal.

        As of the record date for the meeting, First Busey's directors and executive officers beneficially owned a total of [    ·    ] shares, or approximately [    ·    ]% of the outstanding shares, of First Busey common stock. We anticipate that these individuals will vote their shares in favor of the merger agreement.

How to vote your shares

        Instead of voting by completing, signing and returning the enclosed proxy card, stockholders of record can vote their shares of First Busey common stock via the Internet or by telephone. The Internet and telephone voting procedures are designed to authenticate stockholders' identities, allow stockholders to provide their voting instructions and confirm that their instructions have been recorded properly. Specific instructions for Internet or telephone voting are set forth on the enclosed proxy card. The deadline for voting by telephone or via the Internet is [    ·    ], [    ·    ] time, on [    ·    ], 2016.

        If you properly complete and timely submit your proxy, your shares will be voted as you have directed. You may vote for, against, or abstain with respect to the approval of the merger and the other proposals. If you are the record holder of your shares and submit your proxy without specifying a voting instruction, your shares will be voted as the First Busey board of directors recommends and will be voted "FOR" approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein, including the issuance of First Busey stock in connection with the merger, and "FOR" the adjournment of the special meeting to permit further solicitation in the event that an insufficient number of votes are cast to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein. If you do not vote your shares as instructed on the proxy card, or if you do not attend and cast your vote at the special meeting, it will have no effect.

Shares held in "street name"

        If you hold shares in "street name" with a broker, bank or other fiduciary, you will receive voting instructions from the holder of record of your shares. Under the rules of various national and regional securities exchanges, brokers, banks and other fiduciaries may generally vote your shares on routine matters, such as the ratification of an independent registered public accounting firm, even if you provide no instructions, but may not vote on non-routine matters, such as the matters being brought before the special meeting, unless you provide voting instructions. Shares for which a broker does not have the authority to vote are recorded as "broker non-votes" and are not counted in the vote by stockholders, but will count for purposes of a quorum. As a result, any broker non-votes will have the practical effect of a vote against the merger proposal but will not affect the adjournment proposal.

        We therefore encourage you to provide directions to your broker, bank or other fiduciary as to how you want your shares voted on all matters to be brought before the special meeting. You should do this by carefully following the instructions your broker gives you concerning its procedures. Your broker, bank or other fiduciary may allow you to deliver your voting instructions via the telephone or the Internet. Please see the instruction form provided by your broker, bank or other fiduciary that

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accompanies this proxy statement. If you wish to change your voting instructions after you have returned your voting instruction form to your broker, bank or other fiduciary, you must contact your broker, bank or other fiduciary. If you want to vote your shares of First Busey common stock held in street name in person at the special meeting, you will need to obtain a written proxy in your name from your broker, bank or other fiduciary.

Revocability of proxies

        You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted by filing with the Secretary of First Busey a duly executed revocation of proxy, submitting a new proxy with a later date; or voting in person at the special meeting. Attendance at the special meeting will not, in and of itself, constitute a revocation of a proxy. All written notices of revocation and other communication with respect to the revocation of proxies should be addressed to: First Busey Corporation, Corporate Secretary, 100 W. University Avenue, Champaign, Illinois 61820.

Proxy solicitation

        In addition to this mailing, proxies may be solicited by directors, officers or employees of First Busey in person or by telephone or electronic transmission. None of such directors, officers or employees will be directly compensated for such services. First Busey will pay the costs associated with the solicitation of proxies for the special meeting.

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THE FIRST BUSEY PROPOSALS

Proposal 1—Approval of the Merger Agreement and the Share Issuance

        At the First Busey special meeting, stockholders of First Busey will be asked to approve the merger agreement, pursuant to which Pulaski will merge with and into First Busey, and the transactions contemplated therein, including the issuance of First Busey common stock in connection with the merger. Stockholders of First Busey should read this joint proxy statement/prospectus carefully and in its entirety, including the appendices, for more detailed information concerning the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein. A copy of the merger agreement is attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Appendix A.

        For the reasons discussed in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, the board of directors of First Busey unanimously determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein, including the issuance of First Busey common stock in connection with the merger, are in the best interests of First Busey and its stockholders, and unanimously adopted and approved the merger agreement. The board of directors of First Busey unanimously recommends that First Busey stockholders vote "FOR" approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein, including the issuance of First Busey common stock in connection with the merger.


Proposal 2—Adjournment of the Special Meeting

        If, at the First Busey special meeting, the insufficient number of shares of First Busey common stock cast in favor of the merger agreement is insufficient to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein, First Busey intends to move to adjourn the First Busey special meeting in order to enable the board of directors of First Busey to solicit additional proxies for approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated therein. In this proposal, First Busey is asking its stockholders to authorize the holder of any proxy solicited by the board of directors of First Busey, on a discretionary basis, to vote in favor of adjourning the First Busey special meeting to another time and place for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies.

        The board of directors of First Busey unanimously recommends a vote "FOR" the proposal to adjourn the special meeting.

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THE MERGER

        This section of the joint proxy statement/prospectus describes material aspects of the merger. While First Busey and Pulaski believe that the description covers the material terms of the merger and the related transactions, this summary may not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should carefully read this entire joint proxy statement/prospectus, the attached Appendixes and the other documents to which this joint proxy statement/prospectus refers for a more complete understanding of the merger. The agreement and plan of merger attached hereto as Appendix A, not this summary, is the legal document which governs the merger.

General

        The First Busey and Pulaski board of directors are using this joint proxy statement/prospectus to solicit proxies from the holders of First Busey and Pulaski common stock for use at the First Busey and Pulaski special meetings of stockholders, at which First Busey and Pulaski stockholders will be asked to vote on approval of the merger agreement and thereby approve the merger. When the merger is consummated, Pulaski will merge with and into First Busey and will cease to exist, which will result in Pulaski Bank being a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Busey. The merger is anticipated to be completed in the first half of 2016. At a date following the completion of the merger, First Busey intends to merge Pulaski Bank with and into Busey Bank, with Busey Bank as the surviving bank. At such time, Pulaski Bank's banking offices will become banking offices of Busey Bank. Until the banks are merged, First Busey will own and operate Pulaski Bank and Busey Bank as separate bank subsidiaries.

        Each share of Pulaski common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger (other than shares owned by Pulaski as treasury stock or otherwise owned by Pulaski or First Busey and any dissenting shares), will be converted into the right to receive 0.79 shares of First Busey common stock. Only whole shares of First Busey common stock will be issued in the merger. As a result, cash will be paid instead of any fractional shares based on the reference price of First Busey common stock. Shares of Pulaski common stock held by Pulaski stockholders who elect to exercise their dissenters' rights will not be converted into merger consideration.

Background of the merger

        The Pulaski board of directors has regularly reviewed and discussed Pulaski's business strategy, performance and prospects in the context of the economic environment, developments in the regulation of financial institutions and the competitive landscape. Among other things, these discussions have included possible strategic alternatives available to Pulaski, such as potential acquisitions or business combinations involving other financial institutions. In connection with the evaluation of these strategic alternatives, Gary Douglass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pulaski, has had, from time to time, discussions with representatives of other financial institutions and has regularly updated the board regarding such discussions.

        First Busey's executive team and board of directors have also regularly and actively considered First Busey's business and strategic direction. Through the past several years, First Busey's board of directors and executive management team had consistently maintained that they believed it was in the best interests of First Busey's stockholders to remain an independent entity and focus on First Busey's asset quality, capital position and the communities that it serves. As the economy in its market areas stabilized and showed indications of sustained recovery, they continued to emphasize First Busey's asset quality and they also began to explore ways to take advantage of the different opportunities to grow, both organically and through strategic transactions, particularly in new markets in the Midwestern United States, including the St. Louis market. In this regard, First Busey's executive management has regularly met from time to time with financial advisors, including representatives from FIG

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Partners, LLC (which we refer to as "FIG Partners"), to discuss various trends in the industry, the merger and acquisition market and particular financial institutions that could be strategic partners. The executive management team regularly reported this information to the full board of directors to keep the directors properly knowledgeable and informed on First Busey's strategic alternatives.

        In April 2014, at the invitation of Van Dukeman, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Busey, Mr. Douglass met with Mr. Dukeman and Robin Elliott, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of First Busey. At this meeting, they discussed First Busey's level of interest in the St. Louis market, the state of the banking industry and the general merger and acquisition market. Mr. Douglass updated the Pulaski board of directors on his meeting with Mr. Dukeman at the regular meeting of the Pulaski board of directors on April 30, 2014.

        Over the remainder of 2014, Mr. Douglass spoke periodically with Mr. Dukeman. At the regular meeting of the Pulaski board of directors on October 29, 2014, Stanley J. Bradshaw, Chairman of the Board, informed the directors that three institutions in addition to First Busey had contacted Pulaski to express an interest in an introductory meeting. Over the next several weeks, Mr. Bradshaw and Mr. Douglass met with each of the four institutions, including First Busey. All of the discussions were general in nature and none of the four institutions offered to engage in a business transaction with Pulaski. Mr. Bradshaw provided an update to the Pulaski board of directors with respect to these discussions at their regular meeting on December 10, 2014. A representative of Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P. (which we refer to as "Sandler O'Neill") also made a presentation to the Pulaski board of directors at the meeting on December 10, 2014 that addressed the current state of the banking industry, Pulaski, and preliminary views on valuation and potential merger partners.

        Mr. Dukeman and Mr. Douglass remained in contact in early 2015. On March, 25, 2015, Mr. Bradshaw and Mr. Douglass met with Mr. Dukeman and the Chairman of First Busey. Mr. Dukeman expressed an interest in exploring a possible business combination between First Busey and Pulaski, but did not provide any specific terms for a transaction. At the regular meetings of the Pulaski board of directors held on March 25, 2015 and April 29, 2015, Mr. Douglass reported to the directors on the continuing communications he had been receiving from larger out-of-market institutions that were exploring the St. Louis market, including First Busey, and the meetings that he had with representatives of those institutions.

        Through April and May, Mr. Douglass spoke periodically with Mr. Dukeman and Mr. Elliott as First Busey developed a proposal for the acquisition of Pulaski. On May 26, 2015, Mr. Douglass met with Mr. Dukeman and Mr. Elliott to discuss the financial model that they had developed with respect to the transaction.

        On June 1, 2015, First Busey provided Pulaski with a written indication of interest with respect to a business combination in which First Busey would acquire Pulaski for consideration of between $15.00 and $15.50 per share in the form of First Busey stock, depending on the results of First Busey's due diligence. The closing price of Pulaski common stock on June 1, 2015, was $12.60.

        On June 10, 2015, the Pulaski board of directors held a special meeting that was also attended by representatives of Sandler O'Neill and a representative of Pulaski's legal counsel, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, which we refer to as "Kilpatrick Townsend." The representative of Kilpatrick Townsend discussed the directors' fiduciary duties in connection with the First Busey proposal and the representatives of Sandler O'Neill discussed with the directors the financial terms of First Busey's proposal and an overview of Pulaski's and First Busey's business, performance and valuation metrics. Following discussion of other potential merger partners, the Pulaski board of directors authorized Sandler O'Neill to solicit initial indications of interest with respect to a potential transaction from nine financial institutions, including First Busey. The nine financial institutions were selected based on likelihood of interest, financial capacity and perceived potential to obtain required regulatory approvals, and included those institutions that had previously contacted Pulaski regarding a

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possible business combination. At this meeting, the Pulaski board of directors selected Sandler O'Neill as its financial advisor based on, among other factors, Sandler O'Neill's reputation, experience in mergers and acquisitions, and familiarity with Pulaski and Pulaski's strategic goals and the industry in which it operates. On June 17, 2015, Pulaski formally engaged Sandler O'Neill.

        Following the meeting of Pulaski board of directors on June 10, 2015, Sandler O'Neill contacted the nine financial institutions on Pulaski's behalf regarding a potential acquisition of Pulaski. Of the nine financial institutions contacted, five declined to engage in consideration of a transaction and four, including First Busey, signed non-disclosure agreements with customary and waivable standstill provisions and were given access to an electronic data room that contained non-public information regarding Pulaski's loans and deposits, credit quality, vendor contracts, and operating expenses. Of the four financial institutions that signed non-disclosure agreements, none other than First Busey provided indications of interest for an acquisition of Pulaski.

        On July 15, 2015, the Pulaski board of directors held a special meeting to review the results of Sandler O'Neill's efforts. A representative of Sandler O'Neill provided an overview of the process conducted to date and informed the directors that one party (which we refer to as "Party A") indicated that it would not be providing an indication of interest because it was not able to offer a significant premium to Pulaski's current market price, but would be interested in discussing a transaction if the Pulaski board of directors was not satisfied with the results of its process. Mr. Douglass informed the directors of his communication from First Busey that First Busey was withdrawing from discussions regarding a business combination with Pulaski, but may be willing to resume discussions in the near future. First Busey did not communicate any reasons for its withdrawal from negotiations.

        Following the special meeting of the Pulaski board of directors on July 15, 2015, Mr. Douglass contacted the chief executive officer of Party A. Their discussions confirmed Party A's continuing interest in pursuing a business combination with Pulaski and, as a result, Pulaski provided additional due diligence information to Party A.

        On July 29, 2015, the Pulaski board of directors met at a regularly scheduled meeting. At this meeting, Mr. Douglass informed the directors of his discussions with representatives of Party A and Party A's continuing consideration of a business combination with Pulaski. Mr. Douglass also informed the directors of an upcoming meeting with representatives of Party A, scheduled for the following day.

        On July 30, 2015, representatives of Pulaski met with several executives from Party A in St. Louis and engaged in detailed discussions regarding various aspects of Pulaski's business and Party A's growth strategy.

        On August 13, 2015, Party A submitted a written, non-binding indication of interest for the acquisition of Pulaski. Party A's proposal included merger consideration payable 100% in the form of Party A common stock with an indicative value of $14.73 based on Party A's closing stock price on August 13, 2015 and requested a 90-day period of exclusivity within which to negotiate a definitive merger agreement. The closing price of Pulaski common stock on August 13, 2015 was $13.30.

        Over the next several days, representatives of Pulaski, Sandler O'Neill and Kilpatrick Townsend reviewed Party A's indication of interest and communicated comments to Party A, including a request to increase the number of shares of Party A common stock offered. The Pulaski directors were kept apprised of developments through regular email correspondence.

        On August 18, 2015, Party A provided an updated indication of interest letter that increased the number of shares constituting the merger consideration. Party A's updated proposal provided for merger consideration with an indicative value of $15.80 based on Party A's closing stock price on August 17, 2015. The closing price of Pulaski common stock on August 17, 2015 was $13.40.

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        On August 20, 2015, the Pulaski board of directors held a special meeting that was attended by representatives of Sandler O'Neill and Kilpatrick Townsend. At the meeting, the directors discussed the original and updated indications of interest from Party A, including the request for a period of exclusivity. Mr. Douglass informed the directors that, prior to the meeting, he had received a communication from Mr. Dukeman that First Busey would like to re-engage in discussions regarding a business combination. The Pulaski board of directors discussed the ability of First Busey to increase its offer and the fact that Party A required a period of exclusivity before moving forward with a transaction. Following detailed review and discussion of Party A's proposal, the Pulaski board of directors unanimously approved continuing negotiations with Party A, subject to reduction in the requested 90 day exclusivity period.

        On August 21, 2015, Party A provided an updated indication of interest that provided for an exclusivity period of 45 days, which Pulaski accepted.

        In late August 2015, Party A provided Pulaski with its due diligence information request. Over the next several weeks, Pulaski provided non-public information to Party A and representatives of Pulaski and Party A met to discuss in detail Pulaski's loan portfolios, underwriting practices, mortgage banking operations and other aspects of Pulaski's business.

        In late September and into October 2015, Pulaski and Party A continued their reciprocal due diligence efforts. On October 9, 2015, representatives of Pulaski, Sandler O'Neill and Kilpatrick Townsend met with representatives of Party A and Party A's financial advisor for the purpose of reverse due diligence.

        On October 15, 2015, Mr. Dukeman contacted Mr. Douglass to reiterate his interest in a business combination between First Busey and Pulaski.

        On October 19, 2015, Party A informed Pulaski that it had decided to withdraw from further discussions regarding a transaction with Pulaski citing concerns regarding the cultural fit between the management teams and risks associated with its entry into a new market. On that same day, Mr. Douglass informed Mr. Dukeman that Pulaski was no longer exclusively negotiating with Party A.

        Mr. Bradshaw and Mr. Douglass updated the Pulaski directors on the developments with Party A and First Busey through a conference call on October 21, 2015 and via email on October 23, 2015.

        On October 23, 2015, First Busey provided Pulaski with an updated indication of interest letter, which increased its offer from First Busey's previous proposal and provided for merger consideration of between $16.00 and $16.25 per share in First Busey common stock. The closing price of Pulaski common stock on October 23, 2015 was $15.05.

        On October 28, 2015, the Pulaski board of directors met at a regularly scheduled meeting. At this meeting, the directors discussed Party A's withdrawal from negotiations and First Busey's updated indication of interest letter.

        On October 30, 2015, Pulaski confirmed that Party A would not re-engage in discussions, and on November 2, 2015, Pulaski provided First Busey access to the electronic data room previously made available to Party A.

        On November 9, 2015, First Busey and its legal advisor, Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP, which we refer to as "Barack Ferrazzano", provided Pulaski and Kilpatrick Townsend with an initial draft merger agreement for the proposed transaction. Over the course of the following weeks, the parties and their respective legal advisors exchanged drafts of the merger agreement and worked towards finalizing the terms of the transaction, including the exchange ratio. At the same time, the parties and their representatives continued to conduct reciprocal due diligence.

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        On December 1, 2015, First Busey and Pulaski agreed on a fixed exchange ratio of 0.79 of a share of First Busey common stock for each share of Pulaski common stock, which had an indicative value of $17.52 based on First Busey's closing stock price on December 1, 2015. The closing price of Pulaski common stock on December 1, 2015 was $16.45.

        On December 2, 2015, the First Busey board of directors held a special meeting to discuss the proposed transaction and to review the merger agreement. Representatives of Barack Ferrazzano reviewed in detail the terms of the agreement and also discussed a possible timetable for the transaction based on final approval of the agreement, as well as other legal issues including the board's fiduciary duties to the First Busey stockholders. Management also reported to the board the results of First Busey's due diligence investigation of Pulaski. Further, representatives of FIG Partners reviewed with the board of directors its analysis of the financial terms contained in the merger agreement. The board discussed the advantages and rationales for proceeding with the transaction and determined that it was still in the best interests of First Busey's stockholders to proceed with the transaction on the terms provided in the merger agreement. Based on this and its previous discussions, the First Busey board of directors unanimously approved the merger agreement and the issuance of shares contemplated in the agreement. Representatives of First Busey reported the board's actions to Pulaski's representatives following the meeting.

        On December 3, 2015, the Pulaski board of directors held a special meeting, together with representatives of Sandler O'Neill and Kilpatrick Townsend, during which representatives of management, Sandler O'Neill and Kilpatrick Townsend reviewed for the Pulaski board of directors the final terms of the transaction documents. Sandler O'Neill rendered its oral opinion, which was subsequently confirmed in writing, to the Pulaski board of directors that, as of that date, and based upon and subject to the factors, assumptions and limitations set forth in its written opinion, the exchange ratio was fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Pulaski common stock. The Pulaski board of directors discussed at length the transaction and pricing terms and noted that the trading price for Pulaski common stock had increased significantly since early June and had steadily risen since mid-September. The Pulaski board of directors also noted that the price performance of Pulaski common stock appeared to diverge from the general market and bank indices and did not appear to be driven by any reports or releases by Pulaski and that the implied consideration per share of Pulaski common stock in the transaction with First Busey was only slightly above the closing price per share for Pulaski common stock on the date of the meeting. The Pulaski board of directors noted its view, and that of its financial advisor, that the recent increase in the trading price of Pulaski common stock might reflect market speculation about a potential transaction and in the absence of such speculation the trading price of Pulaski common stock would likely be significantly lower. In this regard, the Pulaski board of directors considered the financial analyses of Sandler O'Neill regarding the valuation of Pulaski as a stand-alone entity. Following extensive discussion and questions and answers, including consideration of the factors described under "Pulaski's reasons for the merger and recommendation of Pulaski's board of directors", the Pulaski board of directors determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, were in the best interest of Pulaski and its stockholders and to recommend that the Pulaski stockholders approve the adoption of the merger agreement.

        Following the respective board meetings of First Busey and Pulaski, in the afternoon of December 3, 2015, First Busey and Pulaski executed the merger agreement and First Busey and Pulaski executed the voting agreements entered into with the directors of Pulaski. Shortly thereafter, on December 3, 2015, First Busey and Pulaski issued a joint press release announcing the execution of the merger agreement.

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Pulaski's reasons for the merger and recommendation of the board of directors

        After careful consideration, at a meeting held on December 3, 2015, the Pulaski board of directors unanimously determined that the merger agreement, including the merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby, is in the best interests of Pulaski and its stockholders and approved the merger agreement.

        In reaching its decision to approve the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and recommend that its stockholders vote "FOR" the merger agreement, the Pulaski board of directors consulted with Pulaski management, as well as its independent financial and legal advisors, and considered a number of factors, including the following material factors:

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        The Pulaski board of directors also considered a number of potential risks and uncertainties associated with the merger in connection with its deliberation of the proposed transaction, including, without limitation, the following:

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        The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by the Pulaski board of directors is not intended to be exhaustive, but includes the material factors considered by the Pulaski board of directors. In reaching its decision to approve the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, the Pulaski board of directors did not quantify or assign any relative weights to the factors considered, and individual directors may have given different weights to different factors. The Pulaski board of directors considered all these factors as a whole, including discussions with, and questioning of Pulaski's management and Pulaski's independent financial and legal advisors, and overall considered the factors to be favorable to, and to support, its determination.

        Pulaski's board of directors unanimously recommends that Pulaski's stockholders vote "FOR" the approval of the merger proposal, "FOR" the Pulaski compensation proposal and "FOR" the adjournment proposal. Pulaski stockholders should be aware that Pulaski's directors and executive officers have interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, those of other Pulaski stockholders. The Pulaski board of directors was aware of and considered these interests, among other matters, in evaluating and negotiating the merger agreement, and in recommending that the merger proposal be approved by the stockholders of Pulaski. See "Description of the Merger—interests of certain persons in the merger."

        This summary of the reasoning of Pulaski's board of directors and other information presented in this section is forward-looking in nature and, therefore, should be read in light of the factors discussed under the heading "Special Notes Concerning Forward-Looking Statements."

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Opinion of Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P.

        By letter dated June 17, 2015, Pulaski retained Sandler O'Neill to act as an independent financial advisor to the Pulaski board of directors in connection with Pulaski's consideration of a possible business combination. Sandler O'Neill is a nationally recognized investment banking firm whose principal business specialty is financial institutions. In the ordinary course of its investment banking business, Sandler O'Neill is regularly engaged in the valuation of financial institutions and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions. The Pulaski board of directors also considered the fact that Sandler O'Neill is familiar with Pulaski and its business, as Sandler O'Neill has provided investment banking services to Pulaski in the past.

        Sandler O'Neill acted as financial advisor in connection with the proposed merger and participated in certain of the negotiations leading to the execution of the merger agreement. At the December 3, 2015 meeting at which the Pulaski board of directors considered and approved the merger agreement and the merger, Sandler O'Neill delivered to the Pulaski board of directors its oral opinion, which was subsequently confirmed in writing, that, as of such date, the exchange ratio was fair to the holders of Pulaski's common stock from a financial point of view. The full text of Sandler O'Neill's opinion is attached as Appendix D to this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The opinion outlines the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by Sandler O'Neill in rendering its opinion. The description of the opinion set forth below is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the opinion. Holders of Pulaski common stock are urged to read the entire opinion carefully in connection with their consideration of the proposed merger.

        Sandler O'Neill's opinion speaks only as of the date of the opinion. The opinion was directed to the Pulaski board of directors in connection with its consideration of the merger and is directed only to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the exchange ratio to the holders of Pulaski common stock. Sandler O'Neill's opinion does not constitute a recommendation to any holder of Pulaski common stock as to how such holder of Pulaski common stock should vote with respect to the merger or any other matter. It does not address the underlying business decision of Pulaski to engage in the merger, the relative merits of the merger as compared to any other alternative business strategies that might exist for Pulaski or the effect of any other transaction in which Pulaski might engage. Sandler O'Neill did not express any opinion as to the fairness of the amount or nature of the compensation to be received in the merger by Pulaski's officers, directors, or employees, or class of such persons, relative to the exchange ratio to be received by Pulaski's common stockholders. Sandler O'Neill's opinion was approved by Sandler O'Neill's fairness opinion committee.

        In connection with rendering its opinion, Sandler O'Neill reviewed and considered, among other things:

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        Sandler O'Neill also discussed with certain members of senior management of Pulaski the business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of Pulaski and held similar discussions with the senior management of First Busey regarding the business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of First Busey.

        In performing its review, Sandler O'Neill relied upon the accuracy and completeness of all of the financial and other information that was available to it from public sources, that was provided to it by Pulaski and First Busey or that was otherwise reviewed by it, and Sandler O'Neill assumed such accuracy and completeness for purposes of preparing its opinion. Sandler O'Neill further relied on the assurances of the senior management of Pulaski and First Busey that they were not aware of any facts or circumstances that would have made any of such information inaccurate or misleading in any material respect. Sandler O'Neill was not asked to undertake, and did not undertake, an independent verification of any such information and does not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy and completeness thereof. Sandler O'Neill did not make an independent evaluation or appraisal of the specific assets, the collateral securing assets or the liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of Pulaski or First Busey, nor did Sandler O'Neill review any individual credit files of Pulaski or First Busey. Sandler O'Neill did not make an independent evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses of Pulaski or First Busey and Sandler O'Neill assumed, with Pulaski's consent, that the respective allowances for loan losses for both Pulaski and First Busey were adequate to cover such losses and would be adequate on a pro forma basis for the combined entity.

        In preparing its analyses, Sandler O'Neill used publicly available median analyst earnings per share estimates for Pulaski for the years ending December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016, and an estimated long-term annual earnings per share growth rate for the years thereafter, as provided by the senior management of Pulaski. In addition, Sandler O'Neill used publicly available median analyst earnings per share estimates for First Busey for the years ending December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2017, and an estimated long-term earnings per share growth rate for the years thereafter, as provided by the senior management of First Busey. Sandler O'Neill also received and used in its analyses certain assumptions related to transaction expenses, purchase accounting adjustments, as well as certain cost savings, as provided by the senior management of First Busey. With respect to those estimates, the senior management teams of Pulaski and First Busey confirmed to Sandler O'Neill that they reflected the best currently available estimates of the senior management teams of Pulaski and First Busey, respectively, and Sandler O'Neill assumed that such estimates would be achieved. Sandler O'Neill expressed no opinion as to any such estimates or the assumptions on which they were based.

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Sandler O'Neill assumed that there had been no material change in the respective assets, financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects of Pulaski or First Busey since the date of the most recent financial statements made available to Sandler O'Neill. Sandler O'Neill also assumed in all respects material to its analysis that Pulaski and First Busey would remain as going concerns for all periods relevant to its analyses.

        Sandler O'Neill also assumed, with Pulaski's consent, that (i) each of the parties to the merger agreement would comply in all material respects with all material terms of the merger agreement, that all of the representations and warranties contained in the merger agreement were true and correct in all material respects, that each of the parties to the merger agreement would perform in all material respects all of the covenants required to be performed by such party under the merger agreement and that the conditions precedent in the merger agreement were not waived, (ii) in the course of obtaining the necessary regulatory or third party approvals, consents and releases with respect to the merger, no delay, limitation, restriction or condition would be imposed that would have an adverse effect on Pulaski, First Busey or the merger in any respect that would be material to Sandler O'Neill's analyses, (iii) the merger and any related transaction would be consummated in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement without any waiver, modification or amendment of any material term, condition or agreement thereof and in compliance with all applicable laws and other requirements, and (iv) the merger would qualify as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes. Sandler O'Neill expressed no opinion as to any of the legal, accounting or tax matters relating to the merger or any other transactions contemplated in connection therewith.

        Sandler O'Neill's analyses and the views expressed therein were necessarily based on financial, economic, regulatory, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to Sandler O'Neill as of, the date of its opinion. Events occurring after the date of the opinion could materially affect Sandler O'Neill's views. Sandler O'Neill has not undertaken to update, revise, reaffirm or withdraw its opinion or otherwise comment upon events occurring after the date thereof. Sandler O'Neill expressed no opinion as to the trading values of Pulaski common stock after the date of its opinion or what the value of First Busey common stock will be once it is actually received by the holders of Pulaski common stock.

        In rendering its opinion, Sandler O'Neill performed a variety of financial analyses. The summary below is not a complete description of all the analyses underlying Sandler O'Neill's opinion or the presentation made by Sandler O'Neill to the Pulaski board of directors, but is a summary of the material analyses performed and presented by Sandler O'Neill. The summary includes information presented in tabular format. In order to fully understand the financial analyses, these tables must be read together with the accompanying text. The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the financial analyses. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process involving subjective judgments as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial analysis and the application of those methods to the particular circumstances. The process, therefore, is not necessarily susceptible to a partial analysis or summary description. Sandler O'Neill believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of the factors and analyses to be considered without considering all factors and analyses, or attempting to ascribe relative weights to some or all such factors and analyses, could create an incomplete view of the evaluation process underlying its opinion. Also, no company included in Sandler O'Neill's comparative analyses described below is identical to Pulaski or First Busey and no transaction is identical to the merger. Accordingly, an analysis of comparable companies or transactions involves complex considerations and judgments concerning differences in financial and operating characteristics of the companies and other factors that could affect the public trading values or merger transaction values, as the case may be, of Pulaski and First Busey and the companies to which they are being compared. In arriving at its opinion, Sandler O'Neill did not attribute any particular weight to any analysis or factor that it considered. Rather, Sandler O'Neill made qualitative judgments as to the significance and relevance of each analysis and factor. Sandler O'Neill did not form

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an opinion as to whether any individual analysis or factor (positive or negative) considered in isolation supported or failed to support its opinion, rather, Sandler O'Neill made its determination as to the fairness of the exchange ratio on the basis of its experience and professional judgment after considering the results of all its analyses taken as a whole.

        In performing its analyses, Sandler O'Neill also made numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, business and economic conditions and various other matters, many of which cannot be predicted and are beyond the control of Pulaski, First Busey and Sandler O'Neill. The analyses performed by Sandler O'Neill are not necessarily indicative of actual values or future results, both of which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by such analyses. Sandler O'Neill prepared its analyses solely for purposes of rendering its opinion and provided such analyses to the Pulaski board of directors at its December 3, 2015 meeting. Estimates on the values of companies do not purport to be appraisals or necessarily reflect the prices at which companies or their securities may actually be sold. Such estimates are inherently subject to uncertainty and actual values may be materially different. Accordingly, Sandler O'Neill's analyses do not necessarily reflect the value of Pulaski common stock or the prices at which Pulaski or First Busey common stock may be sold at any time. The analyses of Sandler O'Neill and its opinion were among a number of factors taken into consideration by the Pulaski board of directors in making its determination to approve the merger agreement and the analyses described below should not be viewed as determinative of the decision of the Pulaski board of directors or management with respect to the fairness of the merger.

        Summary of Proposed Merger Consideration and Implied Transaction Metrics.    Sandler O'Neill reviewed the financial terms of the proposed merger. As described in the merger agreement, each share of Pulaski common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, other than certain shares described in the merger agreement, will be converted into the right to receive 0.79 of a share of common stock of First Busey. Based upon First Busey's price per share of common stock of $21.99 as of November 30, 2015, Sandler O'Neill calculated an aggregate implied transaction value of approximately $212.4 million, or $17.37 per share. The aggregate implied transaction value was calculated assuming, at the direction of Pulaski, 11,918,861 outstanding shares of Pulaski common stock, 151,000 shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units, and 445,144 outstanding Pulaski common stock options with a weighted average strike price of $11.13 per share. Based upon financial information for Pulaski as of or for the period ending September 30, 2015 (unless otherwise indicated), Sandler O'Neill calculated the following implied transaction metrics:

Transaction Price / Tangible Book Value Per Share:

    176 %

Transaction Price / Book Value Per Share:

    170 %

Transaction Price / LTM Earnings Per Share:

    14.8x  

Transaction Price / LTM Core Earnings Per Share(1):

    16.4x  

Transaction Price / 2016 Earnings Per Share(2):

    15.5x  

Tangible Book Premium / Core Deposits(3):

    11.1 %

Market Premium(4):

    5.9 %

(1)
Excludes non-recurring revenue from gains on insurance recovery, 11 cents per share, per Pulaski's management.

(2)
Based on median quarterly analyst estimates.

(3)
Core deposits defined as total deposits less time deposits greater than $100k and brokered deposits.

(4)
Based on November 30, 2015 closing price.

        Stock Trading History.    Sandler O'Neill reviewed the history of the publicly reported trading prices of Pulaski common stock and First Busey common stock for the one-year period ended November 30,

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2015. Sandler O'Neill then compared the relationship between the movements in the price of Pulaski and First Busey common stock, respectively, to movements in their respective peer groups (as described on pages [    ·    ] and [    ·    ]) as well as certain stock indices.


One-Year Stock Performance

 
  Beginning Value
November 28, 2014
  Ending Value
November 30, 2015
 

Pulaski

    100 %   139.8 %

First Busey

    100 %   111.9 %

SNL U.S. Bank & Thrift Index

    100 %   106.1 %

Pulaski Peer Group

    100 %   117.8 %

First Busey Peer Group

    100 %   127.9 %

        Comparable Company Analysis.    Sandler O'Neill used publicly available information to compare selected financial information for Pulaski with a group of financial institutions selected by Sandler O'Neill. Pulaski's peer group consisted of Midwest banks whose securities trade on a major exchange with assets between $1.0 billion and $2.0 billion, with nonperforming assets/total assets less than 5.0% and a return on average assets greater than 0.50%. The Pulaski peer group excluded announced merger targets, Cass Information Systems, and Internet-only banks. The Pulaski peer group consisted of the following companies:

Farmers Capital Bank Corporation   Ames National Corporation
First Business Financial Services, Inc.   Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc.
West Bancorporation, Inc.   MBT Financial Corp.
Farmers National Banc Corp.   Civista Bancshares, Inc.
Macatawa Bank Corporation   LCNB Corp.
Your Community Bankshares, Inc.   Hawthorne Bancshares, Inc.
MutualFirst Financial, Inc.   First Community Financial Partners, Inc.
Equity Bancshares, Inc.    

        The analysis compared publicly available financial information for Pulaski with corresponding data for the Pulaski peer group as of or for the period ending September 30, 2015 (unless otherwise indicated), with pricing data as of November 30, 2015. The table below sets forth the data for Pulaski and the median, mean, high and low data for the Pulaski peer group. Certain financial data prepared by Sandler O'Neill, as referenced in the table presented below, may not correspond to the data presented in Pulaski's historical financial statements as a result of the different periods and methods used by Sandler O'Neill to compute the financial data presented.

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Comparable Company Analysis

 
  Pulaski   Pulaski
Peer
Group
Median
  Pulaski
Peer
Group
Mean
  Pulaski
Peer
Group
High
  Pulaski
Peer
Group
Low
 

Total assets (in millions)

  $ 1,522   $ 1,400   $ 1,457   $ 1,765   $ 1,023  

Tangible common equity/Tangible assets

    7.75 %   8.61 %   8.59 %   11.40 %   5.60 %

Leverage ratio

    9.83 %   9.70 %   10.02 %   12.27 %   7.94 %

Total risk-based capital ratio

    11.99 %   14.22 %   14.61 %   20.12 %   11.29 %

LTM Return on average assets

    1.01 %   0.88 %   0.88 %   1.33 %   0.54 %

LTM Return on average tangible common equity

    12.5 %   10.2 %   10.7 %   15.5 %   6.4 %

LTM Net interest margin

    3.40 %   3.67 %   3.56 %   4.03 %   2.98 %

LTM Efficiency ratio

    65.0 %   67.9 %   65.0 %   75.7 %   47.7 %

Loan loss reserves/Gross loans

    1.20 %   1.18 %   1.15 %   2.08 %   0.39 %

Non-performing assets(1)/Total assets

    2.53 %   1.10 %   1.54 %   4.09 %   0.22 %

Net charge-offs/Average loans

    0.26 %   0.04 %   0.10 %   0.65 %   (0.10 )%

Price/Tangible book value

    166 %   144 %   142 %   223 %   96 %

Price/Book value

    161 %   130 %   130 %   223 %   84 %

Price/LTM Earnings per share

    14.0x     14.2x     14.8x     24.0x     9.8x  

Price/2015 Estimated Earnings per share(2)

    14.3x     14.1x     13.9x     16.4x     9.3x  

Price/2016 Estimated Earnings per share(2)

    14.7x     13.9x     13.2x     15.5x     9.1x  

Current Dividend Yield

    2.3 %   1.6 %   1.6 %   3.9 %   0.0 %

LTM Dividend Ratio

    32.5 %   23.3 %   22.6 %   52.5 %   0.0 %

Market value (in millions)

  $ 196   $ 176   $ 181   $ 333   $ 84  

(1)
Nonperforming assets include nonaccrual loans and leases, renegotiated loans and leases and real estate owned.

(2)
Based on fiscal year ending December 31st; assumes Pulaski estimated earnings per share of $1.15 and $1.12 for the years ending December 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

        Sandler O'Neill used publicly available information to perform a similar analysis for First Busey and a group of financial institutions, as selected by Sandler O'Neill. The First Busey peer group consisted of Midwest banks whose securities trade on a major exchange with assets between $3.0 billion and $7.0 billion and a return on average assets greater than 0.50%. The First Busey peer group excluded announced merger targets. The First Busey peer group consisted of the following companies:

Heartland Financial USA, Inc.   Republic Bancorp, Inc.
Talmer Bancorp, Inc.   Community Trust Bancorp, Inc.
First Merchants Corporation   Lakeland Financial Corporation
1st Source Corporation   Enterprise Financial Services Corp.
Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.   MainSource Financial Group, Inc.

        The analysis compared publicly available financial information for First Busey with corresponding data for the First Busey peer group as of or for the period ending September 30, 2015 (unless otherwise indicated), with pricing data as of November 30, 2015. The table below sets forth the data for First Busey and the median, mean, high and low data for the First Busey peer group. Certain financial data prepared by Sandler O'Neill, as referenced in the table presented below, may not correspond to the data presented in First Busey's historical financial statements as a result of the different periods and methods used by Sandler O'Neill to compute the financial data presented.

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Comparable Company Analysis

 
  First
Busey
  First
Busey
Peer
Group
Median
  First
Busey
Peer
Group
Mean
  First
Busey
Peer
Group
High
  First
Busey
Peer
Group
Low
 

Total assets (in millions)

  $ 3,864   $ 4,053   $ 4,704   $ 6,806   $ 3,337  

Tangible common equity/Tangible assets

    8.82 %   9.93 %   10.02 %   14.02 %   6.50 %

Leverage ratio

    11.81 %   10.98 %   11.34 %   15.15 %   9.67 %

Total risk-based capital ratio

    17.07 %   14.68 %   15.20 %   20.78 %   12.55 %

LTM Return on average assets

    0.94 %   1.08 %   1.07 %   1.29 %   0.85 %

LTM Return on average tangible common equity

    11.2 %   11.8 %   11.3 %   14.4 %   5.9 %

LTM Net interest margin

    3.07 %   3.78 %   3.78 %   4.71 %   3.22 %

LTM Efficiency ratio

    63.6 %   62.5 %   62.2 %   71.1 %   49.3 %

Loan loss reserves/Gross loans

    1.83 %   1.23 %   1.33 %   2.21 %   0.81 %

Non-performing assets(1)/Total assets

    0.43 %   0.84 %   1.13 %   2.43 %   0.30 %

Net charge-offs/Average loans

    0.10 %   0.04 %   0.09 %   0.31 %   (0.11 )%

Price/Tangible book value

    187 %   176 %   171 %   209 %   100 %

Price/Book value

    170 %   146 %   152 %   207 %   97 %

Price/LTM Earnings per share

    18.2x     15.4x     16.5x     23.4x     13.6x  

Price/2015 Estimated Earnings per share

    16.7x     15.6x     15.8x     19.3x     13.5x  

Price/2016 Estimated Earnings per share

    14.7x     15.2x     14.9x     16.6x     12.9x  

Current Dividend Yield

    3.1 %   1.9 %   1.9 %   3.4 %   0.2 %

LTM Dividend Ratio

    49.6 %   27.5 %   27.4 %   48.7 %   5.1 %

Market value (in millions)

  $ 631   $ 746   $ 764   $ 1,208   $ 497  

(1)
Nonperforming assets include nonaccrual loans and leases, renegotiated loans and leases and real estate owned.

        Analysis of Selected Merger Transactions.    Sandler O'Neill reviewed two groups of recent merger and acquisition transactions consisting of a nationwide group and a regional group. The nationwide group consisted of bank transactions announced between July 1, 2014 and November 30, 2015 with target assets between $1.0 billion and $2.0 billion (the "Nationwide Precedent Transactions"). The regional group consisted of Midwest bank transactions announced between July 1, 2013 and November 30, 2015 with target assets between $800 million and $2.25 billion (the "Regional Precedent Transactions").

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        The Nationwide Precedent Transactions group was composed of the following transactions:

Buyer
  Target
Great Western Bancorp, Inc.    HF Financial Corp.
United Bankshares Inc.    Bank of Georgetown
Bank of the Ozarks Inc.    C1 Financial Inc.
Valley National Bancorp   CNLBancshares Inc.
Green Bancorp Inc.    Patriot Bancshares Inc.
United Community Banks Inc.    Palmetto Bancshares Inc.
Atlanta Capital Bancshares Inc.    First Security Group Inc.
Western Alliance Bancorp   Bridge Capital Holdings
Chemical Financial Corporation   Lake Michigan Financial Corporation
UMB Financial Corporation   Marquette Financial Companies
Northwest Bancshares, Inc.    LNB Bancorp Inc.
IBERIABANK Corp.    Georgia Commerce Bancshares
MidWestOne Financial Group Inc.    Central Bancshares Inc.
IBERIABANK Corp.    Old Florida Bancshares Inc.
BB&T Corp.    Bank of Kentucky
Bank of the Ozarks Inc.    Intervest Bancshares Corp.

        Using then latest publicly available information prior to the announcement of the relevant transaction, Sandler O'Neill reviewed the following transaction metrics: transaction price to last-twelve-months earnings per share, transaction price to estimated earnings per share, transaction price to tangible book value per share, tangible book premium to core deposits, and 1-day, 5-day and 1-month market premiums. Sandler O'Neill compared the indicated transaction metrics for the merger to the median, mean, high and low metrics of the Nationwide Precedent Transactions group.

 
  Pulaski /
First Busey
  Median
Nationwide
Precedent
Transactions
  Mean
Nationwide
Precedent
Transactions
  High
Nationwide
Precedent
Transactions
  Low
Nationwide
Precedent
Transactions
 

Transaction price/LTM earnings per share(1)

    16.4x     23.5x     22.9x     36.3x     13.7x  

Transaction price/Estimated earnings per share(2):

    15.1x     20.9x     21.0x     25.8x     17.6x  

Transaction price/Book value per share:

    170 %   176 %   176 %   222 %   111 %

Transaction price/Tangible book value per share:

    176 %   186 %   183 %   222 %   111 %

Core deposit premium(3):

    11.1 %   11.3 %   11.6 %   20.5 %   2.8 %

1-Day market premium:

    5.9% (4)   20.8 %   23.9 %   72.1 %   (3.2 )%

5-Day market premium:

    10.5% (4)   19.5 %   23.5 %   72.1 %   (4.7 )%

1-Month market premium:

    17.0% (4)   22.1 %   31.6 %   95.0 %   (0.6 )%

(1)
Price / LTM earnings per share multiple based on Pulaski's LTM core earnings per share of $1.06, per Pulaski management, excludes gains on insurance recovery of 11 cents per share.

(2)
Price / Estimated earnings per share based on estimated 2015 calendar year-end earnings per share of $1.15, per median quarterly analyst estimates.

(3)
Tangible book premium to core deposits calculated as (deal value – tangible equity) / (core deposits); core deposits defined as total deposits less time deposits greater than $100 thousand and brokered deposits.

(4)
Based on the closing price for Pulaski common stock on November 30, 2015.

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        The Regional Precedent Transactions group was composed of the following transactions:

Buyer
  Target
Great Western Bancorp, Inc.    HF Financial Corp.
Nicolet Bankshares Inc.    Baylake Corp.
Chemical Financial Corporation   Lake Michigan Financial Corporation
UMB Financial Corporation   Marquette Financial Companies
Northwest Bancshares, Inc.    LNB Bancorp Inc.
MidWestOne Financial Grp Inc.    Central Bancshares Inc.
BB&T Corp.    Bank of Kentucky
Simmons First National Corp.    Liberty Bancshares Inc.
Community Bank Shares of IN   First Financial Services Corp.
Old National Bancorp   United Bancorp Inc.
Mercantile Bank Corp.    Firstbank Corp.

        Using then latest publicly available information prior to the announcement of the relevant transaction, Sandler O'Neill reviewed the following transaction metrics: transaction price to last-twelve-months earnings per share, transaction price to estimated earnings per share, transaction price to tangible book value per share, tangible book premium to core deposits, and 1-day, 5-day and 1-month market premiums. Sandler O'Neill compared the indicated transaction metrics for the merger to the median, mean, high and low metrics of the Regional Precedent Transactions group.

 
  Pulaski /
First Busey
  Median
Regional
Precedent
Transactions
  Mean
Regional
Precedent
Transactions
  High
Regional
Precedent
Transactions
  Low
Regional
Precedent
Transactions
 

Transaction price/LTM earnings per share(1)

    16.4x     17.4x     18.8x     25.8x     13.2x  

Transaction price/Estimated earnings per share(2):

    15.1x     17.6x     17.3x     22.7x     13.1x  

Transaction price/Book value per share:

    170 %   157 %   165 %   221 %   116 %

Transaction price/Tangible book value per share:

    176 %   174 %   178 %   221 %   133 %

Core deposit premium(3):

    11.1 %   10.3 %   9.3 %   18.0 %   0.7 %

1-Day market premium:

    5.9% (4)   16.9 %   22.6 %   75.7 %   (7.4 )%

5-Day market premium:

    10.5% (4)   17.1 %   24.0 %   82.2 %   (4.9 )%

1-Month market premium:

    17.0% (4)   22.1 %   28.2 %   74.5 %   (9.5 )%

(1)
Price / LTM earnings per share multiple based on Pulaski's LTM core earnings per share of $1.06, per Pulaski management, excludes gains on insurance recovery of 11 cents per share.

(2)
Price / Estimated earnings per share based on estimated 2015 calendar year-end earnings per share of $1.15, per median quarterly analyst estimates.

(3)
Tangible book premium to core deposits calculated as (deal value – tangible equity) / (core deposits); core deposits defined as total deposits less time deposits greater than $100 thousand and brokered deposits.

(4)
Based on the closing price for Pulaski common stock on November 30, 2015.

        Net Present Value Analyses.    Sandler O'Neill performed an analysis that estimated the net present value per share of Pulaski common stock, assuming Pulaski performed in accordance with publicly available median analyst earnings per share estimates for Pulaski for the years ending December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016 and an estimated long-term annual earnings per share growth rate for the

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years thereafter, as provided by the senior management of Pulaski. To approximate the terminal value of Pulaski common stock at December 31, 2019, Sandler O'Neill applied price to 2019 earnings multiples ranging from 12.0x to 17.0x and multiples of December 31, 2019 tangible book value ranging from 100% to 175%. The resulting implied terminal values and the estimated future dividends to be paid by Pulaski during 2016 and through the end of 2019 were then discounted to present values using different discount rates ranging from 10.0% to 16.0% when applied to 2019 earnings multiples and 10.0% to 16.0% when applied to multiples of December 31, 2019 tangible book value, which were chosen to reflect different assumptions regarding required rates of return of holders or prospective buyers of Pulaski common stock. As illustrated in the following tables, the analysis indicated an imputed range of values per share of Pulaski common stock of $10.59 to $17.69 when applying multiples of earnings and $8.86 to $17.75 when applying multiples of tangible book value.


Earnings Per Share Multiples

Discount
Rate
  12.0x   13.0x   14.0x   15.0x   16.0x   17.0x  
  10.0 % $ 12.92   $ 13.88   $ 14.83   $ 15.78   $ 16.74   $ 17.69  
  11.0 % $ 12.49   $ 13.41   $ 14.33   $ 15.25   $ 16.17   $ 17.09  
  12.0 % $ 12.08   $ 12.96   $ 13.85   $ 14.74   $ 15.63   $ 16.52  
  13.0 % $ 11.68   $ 12.54   $ 13.39   $ 14.25   $ 15.11   $ 15.96  
  14.0 % $ 11.30   $ 12.13   $ 12.96   $ 13.78   $ 14.61   $ 15.44  
  15.0 % $ 10.94   $ 11.74   $ 12.54   $ 13.34   $ 14.13   $ 14.93  
  16.0 % $ 10.59   $ 11.36   $ 12.13   $ 12.91   $ 13.68   $ 14.45  


Tangible Book Value Multiples

Discount
Rate
  100%   115%   130%   145%   160%   175%  
  10.0 % $ 10.78   $ 12.18   $ 13.57   $ 14.96   $ 16.36   $ 17.75  
  11.0 % $ 10.43   $ 11.77   $ 13.12   $ 14.46   $ 15.80   $ 17.15  
  12.0 % $ 10.09   $ 11.38   $ 12.68   $ 13.98   $ 15.27   $ 16.57  
  13.0 % $ 9.76   $ 11.01   $ 12.26   $ 13.52   $ 14.77   $ 16.02  
  14.0 % $ 9.45   $ 10.66   $ 11.86   $ 13.07   $ 14.28   $ 15.49  
  15.0 % $ 9.15   $ 10.32   $ 11.48   $ 12.65   $ 13.82   $ 14.98  
  16.0 % $ 8.86   $ 9.99   $ 11.12   $ 12.24   $ 13.37   $ 14.50  

        Sandler O'Neill also considered and discussed with the Pulaski board of directors how this analysis would be affected by changes in the underlying assumptions, including variations with respect to net income. To illustrate this impact, Sandler O'Neill performed a similar analysis, assuming Pulaski's net income varied from 20% above estimates to 20% below estimates. This analysis resulted in the following range of per share values for Pulaski common stock, applying the price to 2019 earnings multiples range of 12.0x to 17.0x referred to above and a discount rate of 13.00%.

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Earnings Per Share Multiples

Annual
Estimate
Variance
  12.0x   13.0x   14.0x   15.0x   16.0x   17.0x  
  (20.0 )% $ 9.62   $ 10.31   $ 10.99   $ 11.68   $ 12.37   $ 13.05  
  (15.0 )% $ 10.14   $ 10.87   $ 11.59   $ 12.32   $ 13.05   $ 13.78  
  (10.0 )% $ 10.65   $ 11.42   $ 12.19   $ 12.97   $ 13.74   $ 14.51  
  (5.0 )% $ 11.17   $ 11.98   $ 12.79   $ 13.61   $ 14.42   $ 15.24  
  0.0 % $ 11.68   $ 12.54   $ 13.39   $ 14.25   $ 15.11   $ 15.96  
  5.0 % $ 12.19   $ 13.09   $ 13.99   $ 14.89   $ 15.79   $ 16.69  
  10.0 % $ 12.71   $ 13.65   $ 14.59   $ 15.54   $ 16.48   $ 17.42  
  15.0 % $ 13.22   $ 14.21   $ 15.19   $ 16.18   $ 17.16   $ 18.15  
  20.0 % $ 13.74   $ 14.77   $ 15.79   $ 16.82   $ 17.85   $ 18.88  

        Sandler O'Neill also performed an analysis that estimated the net present value per share of First Busey common stock, assuming that First Busey performed in accordance with publicly available median analyst earnings per share estimates for First Busey for the years ending December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2017 and an estimated long-term annual earnings per share growth rate for the years thereafter, as provided by the senior management of First Busey. To approximate the terminal value of First Busey common stock at December 31, 2019, Sandler O'Neill applied price to 2019 earnings multiples ranging from 13.0x to 18.0x and multiples of December 31, 2019 tangible book value ranging from 150% to 200%. The resulting implied terminal values and the estimated future dividends to be paid by First Busey during 2016 through the end of 2019 were then discounted to present values using different discount rates ranging from 9.0% to 14.0% when applied to 2019 earnings multiples and 9.0% to 14.0% when applied to multiples of December 31, 2019 tangible book value, which were chosen to reflect different assumptions regarding required rates of return of holders or prospective buyers of First Busey common stock. As illustrated in the following tables, the analysis indicated an imputed range of values per share of First Busey common stock of $16.99 to $26.67 when applying earnings multiples and $16.58 to $25.13 when applying multiples of tangible book value.


Earnings Per Share Multiples

Discount
Rate
  13.0x   14.0x   15.0x   16.0x   17.0x   18.0x  
  9.0 % $ 20.08   $ 21.40   $ 22.71   $ 24.03   $ 25.35   $ 26.67  
  10.0 % $ 19.41   $ 20.68   $ 21.95   $ 23.22   $ 24.49   $ 25.75  
  11.0 % $ 18.76   $ 19.99   $ 21.21   $ 22.44   $ 23.66   $ 24.88  
  12.0 % $ 18.14   $ 19.33   $ 20.51   $ 21.69   $ 22.87   $ 24.05  
  13.0 % $ 17.55   $ 18.69   $ 19.83   $ 20.98   $ 22.12   $ 23.26  
  14.0 % $ 16.99   $ 18.09   $ 19.19   $ 20.29   $ 21.39   $ 22.49  


Tangible Book Value Multiples

Discount
Rate
  150%   160%   170%   180%   190%   200%  
  9.0 % $ 19.59   $ 20.70   $ 21.81   $ 22.92   $ 24.02   $ 25.13  
  10.0 % $ 18.93   $ 20.00   $ 21.07   $ 22.14   $ 23.21   $ 24.28  
  11.0 % $ 18.31   $ 19.34   $ 20.37   $ 21.40   $ 22.43   $ 23.46  
  12.0 % $ 17.70   $ 18.70   $ 19.69   $ 20.69   $ 21.68   $ 22.68  
  13.0 % $ 17.13   $ 18.09   $ 19.05   $ 20.01   $ 20.97   $ 21.93  
  14.0 % $ 16.58   $ 17.51   $ 18.43   $ 19.36   $ 20.29   $ 21.21  

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        Sandler O'Neill also considered and discussed with the Pulaski board of directors how this analysis would be affected by changes in the underlying assumptions, including variations with respect to net income. To illustrate this impact, Sandler O'Neill performed a similar analysis assuming First Busey's net income varied from 20% above estimates to 20% below estimates. This analysis resulted in the following range of per share values for First Busey common stock, applying the price to 2019 earnings multiples range of 13.0x to 18.0x referred to above and a discount rate of 12.00%.


Earnings Per Share Multiples

Annual
Estimate
Variance
  13.0x   14.0x   15.0x   16.0x   17.0x   18.0x  
  (20.0 )% $ 15.07   $ 16.02   $ 16.96   $ 17.91   $ 18.85   $ 19.80  
  (15.0 )% $ 15.84   $ 16.84   $ 17.85   $ 18.85   $ 19.86   $ 20.86  
  (10.0 )% $ 16.61   $ 17.67   $ 18.74   $ 19.80   $ 20.86   $ 21.93  
  (5.0 )% $ 17.38   $ 18.50   $ 19.62   $ 20.74   $ 21.87   $ 22.99  
  0.0 % $ 18.14   $ 19.33   $ 20.51   $ 21.69   $ 22.87   $ 24.05  
  5.0 % $ 18.91   $ 20.15   $ 21.39   $ 22.63   $ 23.87   $ 25.12  
  10.0 % $ 19.68   $ 20.98   $ 22.28   $ 23.58   $ 24.88   $ 26.18  
  15.0 % $ 20.45   $ 21.81   $ 23.17   $ 24.52   $ 25.88   $ 27.24  
  20.0 % $ 21.22   $ 22.63   $ 24.05   $ 25.47   $ 26.89   $ 28.31  

        In connection with its analyses, Sandler O'Neill considered and discussed with the Pulaski board of directors how the present value analyses would be affected by changes in the underlying assumptions. Sandler O'Neill noted that the net present value analysis is a widely used valuation methodology, but the results of such methodology are highly dependent upon the numerous assumptions that must be made, and the results thereof are not necessarily indicative of actual values or future results.

        Pro Forma Merger Analysis.    Sandler O'Neill analyzed certain potential pro forma effects of the merger, based on the following assumptions: (i) the merger closes in the second calendar quarter of 2016; (ii) 100% of the outstanding shares of Pulaski common and restricted stock are converted into the stock consideration at the fixed exchange ratio; (iii) all outstanding Pulaski stock options will convert into First Busey options in accordance with the merger agreement; and (iv) a core deposit intangible asset amortized over 10 years straight line. Sandler O'Neill also utilized the following assumptions provided by the senior management of First Busey: (a) purchase accounting adjustments consisting of a credit mark on loans; (b) estimated cost savings; and (c) estimated costs and expenses associated with the merger. The analysis indicated that the merger could be accretive to First Busey's estimated earnings per share (excluding one-time transaction costs and expenses) in 2016 and dilutive to estimated tangible book value per share at close and at the year-end of 2016.

        In connection with this analysis, Sandler O'Neill considered and discussed with the Pulaski board of directors how the analysis would be affected by changes in the underlying assumptions, including the impact of final purchase accounting adjustments determined at the closing of the transaction, and noted that the actual results achieved by the combined company may vary from projected results and the variations may be material.

        Sandler O'Neill's Relationship.    Sandler O'Neill is acting as Pulaski's financial advisor in connection with the merger and Pulaski has agreed to pay Sandler O'Neill a fee for such services in an amount equal to 1.0% of the aggregate merger consideration, which fee is due and payable upon the closing of the merger. Sandler O'Neill also received a fee from Pulaski in an amount equal to $250,000 as a result of rendering its opinion, which opinion fee will be credited in full towards the fee that will become payable on the day of closing of the merger. Pulaski has also agreed to indemnify Sandler O'Neill

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against certain liabilities arising out of Sandler O'Neill's engagement and to reimburse Sandler O'Neill for certain of its out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with its engagement.

        In the two years preceding the date of its opinion, Sandler O'Neill provided certain investment banking services to First Busey for which no compensation was received and may provide, and receive compensation for, such services in the future. In addition, in the ordinary course of Sandler O'Neill's business as a broker-dealer, Sandler O'Neill may purchase securities from and sell securities to Pulaski and First Busey and their respective affiliates. Sandler O'Neill may also actively trade the equity and debt securities of Pulaski, First Busey or their affiliates for its own account and for the accounts of its customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities.

        Certain First Busey and Pulaski Unaudited Prospective Financial Information.    First Busey and Pulaski do not as a matter of course make public projections as to future performance due to, among other reasons, the inherent difficulty of accurately predicting financial performance for future periods and the uncertainty of underlying assumptions and estimates. However, First Busey and Pulaski are including in this joint proxy statement/prospectus certain limited unaudited financial information for First Busey and Pulaski on a stand-alone basis, without giving effect to the merger, which was discussed with Pulaski's financial advisor in connection with the merger.

        Specifically, for purposes of the financial analyses performed in connection with Sandler O'Neill's opinion, Pulaski discussed with Sandler O'Neill and Sandler O'Neill used, publicly available median "street estimates" of Pulaski's earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2015 and for 2016. For purposes of these financial analysis, Pulaski management also provided to and discussed with Sandler O'Neill an estimated annual earnings growth rate of 8% per year, in each case, for 2017, 2018 and 2019. Based on discussions with Pulaski management, Sandler O'Neill assumed no change in Pulaski's current annual dividend of $0.38 per share through the end of 2019. Taking into account these earnings per share and dividend estimates, estimated tangible book value per share for Pulaski at December 31, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were also extrapolated from Pulaski's historical tangible book value per share at September 30, 2015 for purposes of the financial analyses performed in connection with Sandler O'Neill's opinion. The following table presents unaudited prospective earnings per share and dividends per share estimates for Pulaski for the years ended December 31, 2015 through 2019 and unaudited prospective tangible book value per share estimates at December 31, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, as described above.

 
  Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2015   2016   2017   2018   2019  

Earnings per share

  $ 1.15   $ 1.12   $ 1.21   $ 1.30   $ 1.40  

Dividends per share

  $ 0.38   $ 0.38   $ 0.38   $ 0.38   $ 0.38  

Tangible book value per share

  $ 10.05   $ 10.80   $ 11.64   $ 12.57   $ 13.61  

        In addition, for purposes of the financial analyses performed in connection with Sandler O'Neill's opinion, First Busey discussed with Sandler O'Neill and Sandler O'Neill used, publicly available median "street estimates" of First Busey's earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2015 and for 2016 and 2017. For purposes of these financial analysis, First Busey management also provided to and discussed with Sandler O'Neill an estimated annual earnings growth rate of 8% per year, in each case, for 2018 and 2019. Based on discussions with First Busey management, Sandler O'Neill used estimated dividends per share for 2016 through 2019 based on an assumed dividend payout ratio equal to First Busey's dividend payout ratio for 2015. Taking into account these earnings per share and dividend estimates, estimated tangible book value per share for First Busey at December 31, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were also extrapolated from First Busey's historical tangible book value per share at September 30, 2015 for purposes of the financial analyses performed in connection with Sandler O'Neill's opinion. The following table presents unaudited prospective earnings per share and dividends per share estimates for First Busey for the years ended December 31, 2015 through 2019 and unaudited

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prospective tangible book value per share estimates at December 31, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, as described above.

 
  Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2015   2016   2017   2018   2019  

Earnings per share

  $ 1.35   $ 1.50   $ 1.60   $ 1.72   $ 1.86  

Dividends per share

  $ 0.60   $ 0.72   $ 0.80   $ 0.86   $ 0.93  

Tangible book value per share

  $ 12.03   $ 12.90   $ 13.77   $ 14.69   $ 15.65  

        The extrapolated unaudited prospective financial information included above for First Busey and Pulaski was calculated solely for purposes of the financial analyses performed in connection with Sandler O'Neill's opinion. The inclusion of any unaudited prospective financial information for First Busey or Pulaski, including "street estimates", should not be regarded as an indication that any of First Busey, Pulaski, Sandler O'Neill, their respective representatives or any other recipient of this information considered, or now considers, it to be necessarily predictive of actual future results, or that it should be construed as financial guidance, and it should not be relied on as such. This information was prepared solely for internal use and is subjective in many respects. While presented with numeric specificity, the unaudited prospective financial information reflects numerous estimates and assumptions made with respect to business, economic, market, competition, regulatory and financial conditions and matters specific to First Busey's and Pulaski's respective businesses, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond First Busey's and Pulaski's control.

        The unaudited prospective financial information reflects both assumptions as to certain business decisions that are subject to change and, in many respects, subjective judgment, and thus is susceptible to multiple interpretations and periodic revisions based on actual experience and business developments. Neither First Busey nor Pulaski can give assurance that the unaudited prospective financial information and the underlying estimates and assumptions will be realized. In addition, since the unaudited prospective financial information covers multiple years, such information by its nature becomes less predictive with each successive year. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth above, and important factors that may affect actual results and cause the unaudited prospective financial information to be inaccurate include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to First Busey's and Pulaski's respective businesses, industry performance, general business and economic conditions, customer requirements, competition and adverse changes in applicable laws, regulations or rules. For other factors that could cause actual results to differ, please see the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Special Notes Concerning Forward-Looking Statements."

        The unaudited prospective financial information was not prepared with a view toward public disclosure, nor was it prepared with a view toward compliance with GAAP, published guidelines of the SEC or the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for preparation and presentation of prospective financial information. Neither First Busey's nor Pulaski's independent registered public accounting firm, nor any other independent accountants, have compiled, examined or performed any procedures with respect to the unaudited prospective financial information contained herein, nor have they expressed any opinion or any other form of assurance on such information or its achievability. The prospective financial information with respect to Pulaski included in this registration statement has been provided by Pulaski's management and the prospective financial information with respect to First Busey included in this registration statement has been provided by First Busey's management. Neither RSM US LLP (formerly McGladrey LLP) nor KPMG LLP has examined, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to the accompanying prospective financial information and, accordingly, neither RSM US LLP nor KPMG LLP expresses an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto. The RSM US LLP report incorporated by reference relates to First Busey's historical financial information, and the KPMG LLP report incorporated by

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reference relates to Pulaski's historical financial information. Such reports do not extend to the prospective financial information and should not be read to do so.

        Furthermore, the unaudited prospective financial information does not take into account any circumstances or events occurring after the date it was prepared. Neither First Busey nor Pulaski can give assurance that, had the unaudited prospective financial information been prepared either as of the date of the merger agreement or as of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, similar estimates and assumptions would be used. First Busey and Pulaski do not intend to, and disclaim any obligation to, make publicly available any update or other revision to the unaudited prospective financial information to reflect circumstances existing since their preparation or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, even in the event that any or all of the underlying assumptions are shown to be in error, or to reflect changes in general economic or industry conditions.

        The unaudited prospective financial information does not take into account the possible financial and other effects on First Busey or Pulaski of the merger and does not attempt to predict or suggest future results of the combined company. The unaudited prospective financial information does not give effect to the merger, including the impact of negotiating or executing the merger agreement, the expenses that may be incurred in connection with consummating the merger, the potential synergies that may be achieved by the combined company as a result of the merger, the effect on First Busey or Pulaski of any business or strategic decision or action that has been or will be taken as a result of the merger agreement having been executed, or the effect of any business or strategic decisions or actions which would likely have been taken if the merger agreement had not been executed, but which were instead altered, accelerated, postponed or not taken in anticipation of the merger. Further, the unaudited prospective financial information does not take into account the effect on First Busey or Pulaski of any possible failure of the merger to occur. None of First Busey, Pulaski, Sandler O'Neill or their respective affiliates, officers, directors, advisors or other representatives has made, makes or is authorized in the future to make any representation to any stockholder of First Busey or Pulaski or other person regarding First Busey's or Pulaski's ultimate performance compared to the information contained in the unaudited prospective financial information or that the forecasted results will be achieved. The inclusion of the unaudited prospective financial information herein should not be deemed an admission or representation by First Busey, Pulaski, Sandler O'Neill or any other person that it is viewed as material information of First Busey or Pulaski, particularly in light of the inherent risks and uncertainties associated with such forecasts. The unaudited prospective financial information included above is not being included to influence your decision whether to vote in favor of the merger proposal or any other proposal to be considered at the special meeting, but is being provided solely because it was made available to Pulaski's financial advisor in connection with the merger.

        In light of the foregoing, and considering that the special meetings will be held several months after the unaudited prospective financial information was prepared, as well as the uncertainties inherent in any forecasted information, First Busey and Pulaski stockholders are cautioned not to place unwarranted reliance on such information, and First Busey and Pulaski urge their respective stockholders to review their most recent SEC filings for a description of their reported financial results. See "Where You Can Find More Information."

First Busey's reasons for the merger and recommendation of the board of directors

        First Busey's board of directors believes that the merger is in the best interests of First Busey and its stockholders. In deciding to approve the merger, First Busey's board of directors after consulting with its management as well as its legal and financial advisors, considered a number of factors, including the following, which are not presented in order of priority:

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        The above discussion of the information and factors considered by First Busey's board of directors is not intended to be exhaustive, but includes a description of material factors considered by First Busey's board. In view of the wide variety of factors considered by the First Busey board of directors in connection with its evaluation of the merger, the First Busey board did not consider it practical to, nor did it attempt to, quantify, rank or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors that it considered. In considering the factors described above, individual directors may have given differing weights to different factors. First Busey's board of directors collectively made its determination with respect to the merger based on the conclusion reached by its members, based on the factors that each of them considered appropriate, that the merger is in the best interests of First Busey's stockholders.

        First Busey's board of directors believes that the merger is in the best interests of First Busey and its stockholders. First Busey's board of directors unanimously approved the merger agreement and recommends that stockholders vote "FOR" approval of the merger agreement.

Accounting treatment of the merger

        For accounting and financial reporting purposes, the merger will be accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations in accordance with GAAP. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the assets (including identifiable intangible assets) and liabilities (including executory contracts and other commitments) of Pulaski as of the effective time of the merger will be recorded at their respective fair values and added to those of First Busey. Any excess of

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purchase price over the fair values is recorded as goodwill. Consolidated financial statements of First Busey issued after the merger will reflect these fair values and will not be restated retroactively to reflect the historical consolidated financial position or results of operations of Pulaski.

Material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger

        The following summary describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger to U.S. holders (as defined below) of Pulaski common stock. The summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code, applicable Treasury Regulations, judicial decisions and administrative rulings and practice, all as in effect as of the date hereof, and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This summary does not address any tax consequences of the merger under state, local or foreign laws, or any federal laws other than those pertaining to income tax.

        For purposes of this discussion, the term "U.S. holder" means a beneficial owner that is: an individual citizen or resident of the United States; a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized under the laws of the United States or any of its political subdivisions; a trust that (1) is subject to the supervision of a court within the United States and the control of one or more U.S. persons or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person; or an estate that is subject to U.S. federal income taxation on its income regardless of its source.

        This discussion addresses only those U.S. holders of Pulaski common stock that hold their Pulaski common stock as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code and does not address all the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to particular holders of Pulaski common stock in light of their individual circumstances or to holders of Pulaski common stock that are subject to special rules, such as:

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        If a partnership (or other entity that is taxed as a partnership for federal income tax purposes) holds Pulaski common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in that partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships and partners in partnerships should consult their own tax advisors about the tax consequences of the merger to them.

        The parties intend for the merger to be treated as a "reorganization" for U.S. federal income tax purposes. It is a condition to Pulaski's obligation to complete the merger that Pulaski receive an opinion from Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP dated the closing date of the merger, and it is a condition to First Busey's obligation to complete the merger that First Busey receive an opinion from Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP, dated the closing date of the merger, each to the effect that (i) the merger will constitute a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, and (ii) Pulaski and First Busey will each be a party to such reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. These conditions are waivable, and First Busey and Pulaski undertake to recirculate and resolicit if either of these conditions is waived and the change in tax consequences is material. These opinions are and will be based upon representation letters provided by First Busey and Pulaski and upon customary factual assumptions. Neither First Busey nor Pulaski has sought, and neither of them will seek, any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service regarding any matters relating to the merger, and the opinions described above will not be binding on the Internal Revenue Service or any court. Consequently, there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service will not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the conclusions set forth below. In addition, if any of the representations or assumptions upon which the opinions are based are inconsistent with the actual facts, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger could be adversely affected.

        The actual tax consequences of the merger to you may be complex and will depend upon your specific situation and upon factors that are not within the control of First Busey or Pulaski. You should consult with your own tax advisor as to the tax consequences of the merger in light of your particular circumstances, including the applicability and effect of the alternative minimum tax and any state, local or foreign and other tax laws.

        If you are a participant in the Pulaski Bank KSOP please also refer to the KSOP Participant Voting Instruction Statement that will be provided to you by the trustee of the KSOP, for a discussion of the tax consequences of the merger to you.

        The following discussion summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger to U.S. holders, assuming the merger qualifies as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code:

        Tax Consequences of the Merger Generally.    The material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger will be as follows:

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        If a U.S. holder of Pulaski common stock acquired different blocks of Pulaski common stock at different times or at different prices, any gain or loss will be determined separately with respect to each block of Pulaski common stock, and the cash and shares of First Busey common stock received will be allocated pro rata to each such block of stock. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors with regard to identifying the bases or holding periods of the particular shares of First Busey common stock received in the merger.

        Medicare Tax on Unearned Income.    A U.S. holder that is an individual is subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (i) his or her "net investment income" for the relevant taxable year or (ii) the excess of his or her modified gross income for the taxable year over a certain threshold (between $125,000 and $250,000 depending on the individual's U.S. federal income tax filing status). A similar regime applies to estates and trusts. Net investment income generally would include any capital gain incurred in connection with the merger.

        Backup Withholding and Information Reporting.    Payments of cash to a U.S. holder of Pulaski common stock pursuant to the merger may, under certain circumstances, be subject to information reporting and backup withholding (currently at a rate of 28%) unless the holder provides proof of an applicable exemption satisfactory to First Busey and the exchange agent or, in the case of backup withholding, furnishes its taxpayer identification number and otherwise complies with all applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. Any amounts withheld from payments to a U.S. holder under the backup withholding rules are not additional tax and generally will be allowed as a refund or credit against the U.S. holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

        A U.S. holder of Pulaski common stock, as a result of having received First Busey common stock in the merger, will be required to retain records pertaining to the merger. In addition, each U.S. holder of Pulaski common stock who is a "significant holder" will be required to file a statement with such holder's U.S. federal income tax return in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-3(b) setting forth such holder's basis in the Pulaski common stock surrendered and the fair market value of the First Busey common stock and cash received in the merger. A "significant holder" is a holder of Pulaski common stock who, immediately before the merger, owned at least 5% of the vote or value of the outstanding stock of Pulaski or securities of Pulaski with a basis for federal income taxes of at least $1 million.

        Tax Implications to Non-U.S. Stockholders.    For purposes of this discussion, the term "non-U.S. holder" means a beneficial owner of Pulaski common stock (other than an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is not a U.S. holder. The rules governing the U.S. federal income taxation of non-U.S. holders are complex, and no attempt will be made herein to provide more than a limited summary of those rules. Any gain a non-U.S. holder recognizes from the exchange of Pulaski common stock for First Busey common stock and cash in the merger generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation unless (a) the gain is effectively connected with a trade

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or business conducted by the non-U.S. holder in the United States, or (b) in the case of a non- U.S. holder who is an individual, such stockholder is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale and other conditions are met. Non-U.S. holders described in (a) above will be subject to tax on gain recognized at applicable U.S. federal income tax rates and, in addition, non-U.S. holders that are corporations (or treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes) may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or a lesser rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on their effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, which would include such gain. Non-U.S. holders described in (b) above will be subject to a flat 30% tax on any gain recognized, which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses.

        This discussion does not address tax consequences that may vary with, or are contingent upon, individual circumstances. Moreover, it does not address any non-income tax or any foreign, state or local tax consequences of the merger. Tax matters are very complicated, and the tax consequences of the merger to you will depend upon the facts of your particular situation. Accordingly, we strongly urge you to consult with a tax advisor to determine the particular federal, state, local or foreign income or other tax consequences to you of the merger.

Regulatory approvals

        The merger cannot proceed without obtaining all requisite regulatory approvals. First Busey and Pulaski have agreed to take all appropriate actions necessary to obtain the required approvals. The merger of First Busey and Pulaski is subject to prior approval of the Federal Reserve. First Busey submitted an application with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago on January 8, 2016 seeking the necessary approvals.

        In reviewing that application, the Federal Reserve is required to consider the following:

        The application process includes publication and opportunity for comment by the public. The Federal Reserve may receive, and must consider, properly filed comments and protests from community groups and others regarding (among other issues) each institution's performance under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, as amended. The merger may not be consummated until 15 days after receipt of Federal Reserve approval, during which time the United States Department of Justice may challenge the merger on antitrust grounds. The commencement of an antitrust action would stay the effectiveness of the Federal Reserve's approval, unless a court specifically orders otherwise.

        At a date following the completion of the merger, First Busey intends to merge Pulaski Bank with and into Busey Bank, with Busey Bank as the surviving bank. The bank merger will be subject to

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approval by the IDFPR. Busey Bank intends to file an application with the IDFPR seeking this approval in the near future.

        While First Busey knows of no reason why the approval of any of the applications would be denied or unduly delayed, it cannot assure you that all regulatory approvals required to consummate the merger will be obtained or obtained in a timely manner.

Interests of certain persons in the merger

        In considering the recommendations of the Pulaski board of directors, Pulaski stockholders should be aware that certain directors and executive officers of Pulaski and Pulaski Bank may have interests in the merger that are different from, or are in addition to, the interests of Pulaski stockholders generally. The Pulaski board of directors was aware of these interests to the extent these interests existed at the time the Pulaski board of directors approved the merger agreement and considered them, among other matters, in approving the merger agreement and determining to recommend to Pulaski stockholders to vote for approval of the merger agreement.

        Stock Ownership.    As of January [    ·    ], 2016, Pulaski's directors controlled, in the aggregate, [    ·    ] shares of Pulaski's common stock, representing approximately [    ·    ]% of Pulaski's outstanding shares of common stock. Additionally, as of January [    ·    ], 2016, Pulaski's directors, executive officers and their affiliates collectively controlled [    ·    ] shares, constituting approximately [    ·    ]% of the shares then outstanding.

        Appointment to the Boards of Directors of First Busey Corporation and Busey Bank.    Under the merger agreement, First Busey will appoint one current director of Pulaski to the First Busey board of directors and, upon completion of the bank merger, to the Busey Bank board of directors.

        Prior Employment Agreement between Pulaski and Gary Douglass.    Pulaski and Pulaski Bank previously entered into an employment agreement with Gary Douglass, its President and Chief Executive Officer, that provides for change in control payments, if following a change in control, Mr. Douglass voluntarily terminates his employment for good reason or Mr. Douglass suffers an involuntary termination of employment. In either case, Mr. Douglass would be entitled to a lump sum payment of approximately $1.5 million, based on two times his annual compensation, along with continued medical insurance benefits for 24 months following his termination of employment. Annual compensation includes Mr. Douglass' base salary at the time of the change in control plus his most recent cash bonus.

        If Mr. Douglass' employment is terminated following a change in control, he would also be entitled to receive a tax indemnification payment if payments under the employment agreement or other payments triggered liability under the Internal Revenue Code as an excise tax on payments constituting "excess parachute payments." Under applicable law, the excise tax is triggered by the executive's receipt of payments that are contingent on a change in control that equal or exceed three times the executive's average annual compensation over the five years preceding the change in control, or such lesser time if the executive is not employed by the employer for five years. The excise tax equals 20% of the amount of the payment in excess of the executive's average compensation over the preceding five-year period, or such lesser period. The indemnification payment provides the executive with a net amount sufficient to pay the excise tax. Per the merger agreement, Pulaski agreed to take necessary steps to ensure that payments to Mr. Douglass will not trigger any such excise taxes.

        See "—Merger-related compensation for Pulaski's named executive officers" below for quantification of the amount payable to Mr. Douglass.

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        First Busey has extended offers of continued employment for varying time periods to each of the Pulaski executive officers. First Busey has presented an employment agreement, or terms of a proposed employment agreement, to each of Messrs. Bjorkman and Reeves, and discussions are ongoing between the parties. In addition, First Busey and Pulaski Bank have presented retention and severance agreements to each of Ms. Blierfenich and Messrs. Milano, and Greiff, and discussions are ongoing between the parties.

        As of the date hereof, First Busey has not entered into the new arrangements described above with the Pulaski Bank executive officers. However, the terms and conditions, and compensation levels as presented, are reasonably consistent with their current compensation and severance structure with Pulaski Bank and are reasonably consistent with First Busey's compensation philosophy and structure.

        Continued Director and Officer Liability Coverage.    Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, First Busey agreed to maintain, for up to six years following the effective time, insurance coverage under the current policy of directors' and officers' liability insurance maintained by Pulaski for actions taken prior to the effective time of the merger. If a six-year term of insurance coverage is not available, the term for the insurance will be such other maximum period of time for which coverage is available

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at a cost not to exceed 250% of the premiums Pulaski paid for its current policy term. Following the effective time, to the extent permitted by applicable law, First Busey has agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the current and former directors, officers and employees of Pulaski and its subsidiaries for all actions taken by them prior to the effective time of the merger.

Merger-related compensation for Pulaski's named executive officers

        The information set forth in the table below is intended to comply with Item 402(t) of the SEC's Regulation S-K, which requires disclosure of information about certain compensation for each named executive officer of Pulaski that is based on, or otherwise relates to, the merger (which we refer to as "merger-related compensation").

        As described above in "—Retention and employment agreements with First Busey," certain of Pulaski's named executive officers have entered into a retention or employment agreement with First Busey that will become effective upon the effective time of the merger. The merger-related compensation described below payable by Pulaski upon the effective time is based on the existing agreements with Pulaski, and does not include amounts payable under the new retention or employment agreements with First Busey following the effective time of the merger. For additional details regarding the terms of the payments that the named executive officers may be entitled to receive under the new retention or employment agreements with First Busey, as well as terms of the payments and benefits described below, see the discussion under the heading "Interests of certain persons in the merger" above.

        The table below sets forth the amount of payments and benefits that each of Pulaski's named executive officers would receive in connection with the merger, based on multiple assumptions that may or may not actually occur or be accurate on the relevant date, including the assumptions described below and in the footnotes to the table. For purposes of calculating such amounts, in addition to the assumptions described in the footnotes to the table below, the following assumptions were used:

Name
  Cash
($)(1)
  Equity
($)(2)
  Perquisites/
Benefits
($)(3)
  Tax
Reimbursement
($)(4)
  Total
($)
 

Gary W. Douglass

  $ 1,538,000   $ 439,294   $ 36,480       $ 2,013,774  

Paul J. Milano

        70,863             70,863  

W. Thomas Reeves

        184,216             184,216  

Brian J. Bjorkman

        155,878             155,878  

Stephan R. Greiff

        125,475             125,475  

(1)
The employment agreement between Pulaski and Mr. Douglass provides for a lump sum cash severance payment in the event of a qualifying termination following a change in control of Pulaski equal to two times his annual compensation, which is defined as base salary at the time of the change in control plus his most recent cash bonus. The severance amount in this column is a "double trigger" in nature, which means that payment of this amount is conditioned upon a change in control and a qualifying termination of employment. Amounts do not include any potential tax reimbursements resulting from excess parachute payments under Mr. Douglass' employment agreement.

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(2)
All unvested performance-based restricted stock units will be converted into a service-based restricted stock or stock unit award of First Busey common stock that will vest without regard to any performance metrics on the earlier to occur of September 30, 2017 or the award holders' involuntary termination of employment for reasons other than cause or voluntary termination of employment for good reason, as specified in the award agreement (i.e., "double-trigger" vesting). The Pulaski named executive officers hold no outstanding restricted stock awards or unvested stock options.

(3)
Represents the estimated value of the continued participation in certain welfare benefit plans to which Mr. Douglass would be entitled upon a qualifying termination pursuant to his employment agreements. These benefits are double trigger, in that they would only be paid upon a change in control and a subsequent qualifying termination of employment.

(4)
The employment agreement between Pulaski and Mr. Douglass provides for an additional amount, if any, necessary to cover excise taxes imposed on payments to Mr. Douglass by reason of Sections 4999 and 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. No tax reimbursement payment would be required based on the amounts set forth in the table. None of the other named executive officers of Pulaski have a right to tax reimbursement payments.

Restrictions on resale of First Busey common stock

        The shares of First Busey common stock to be issued in connection with the merger will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, and will be freely transferable, except for shares issued to any stockholder who may be deemed to be an "affiliate" of First Busey for purposes of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of First Busey include individuals or entities that control, are controlled by, or are under common control with First Busey and may include the executive officers, directors and significant stockholders of First Busey.

Pulaski stockholder dissenters' rights

        General.    Dissenters' rights with respect to Pulaski common stock are governed by Section 351.455 R.S.Mo. Pulaski stockholders have the right to dissent from the merger and to obtain payment of the fair value of their shares in the event the merger is consummated. Strict compliance with the dissent procedures is mandatory. Subject to the terms of the merger agreement, the parties could elect to terminate the merger agreement even if it is approved by First Busey and Pulaski stockholders, thus terminating dissenters' rights available to Pulaski stockholders.

        Pulaski urges any Pulaski stockholder who contemplates exercising his, her or its right to dissent to read carefully the provisions of Section 351.455 R.S.Mo., which is attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Appendix B. A more detailed discussion of the provisions of the statute is included below. This discussion describes the steps that each Pulaski stockholder must take to exercise his, her or its right to dissent. Each Pulaski stockholder who wishes to dissent should read both the summary and the full text of the law. Pulaski cannot give any Pulaski stockholder legal advice. To completely understand this law, each Pulaski stockholder may want, and Pulaski encourages any Pulaski stockholder seeking to dissent, to consult with his, her or its legal counsel. Any Pulaski stockholder who wishes to dissent should not send in a signed proxy unless he, she or it marks his, her or its proxy to vote against the merger, or marks his, her or its proxy to abstain with respect to the merger, or such stockholder will lose the right to dissent.

        If you desire to submit the written objection required by Section 351.455 R.S.Mo. prior to the Pulaski special meeting, send or deliver such objection to Pulaski Financial Corp., Corporate Secretary, 12300 Olive Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63141. Pulaski urges any stockholder who wishes to dissent to act carefully. Pulaski cannot and does not accept the risk of late or undelivered written objections. If a dissenting Pulaski stockholder's written objection is not timely received by Pulaski prior to or at the

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Pulaski special meeting, then he, she or it will not be entitled to exercise his, her or its dissenters' rights. Pulaski's stockholders bear the risk of non-delivery and of untimely delivery.

        Summary of Section 351.455 R.S.Mo.—Dissenters' Rights.    The following is a summary of Section 351.455 R.S.Mo. and the procedures that a stockholder must follow to dissent from the proposed merger and to perfect his, her or its dissenters' rights and receive cash rather than shares of First Busey common stock if the merger is completed. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to Section 351.455 R.S.Mo., which is reprinted in full as Appendix B to this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Appendix B should be reviewed carefully by any stockholder who wishes to perfect his, her or its dissenters' rights. Failure to strictly comply with the procedures set forth in Section 351.455 R.S.Mo. will, by law, result in the loss of dissenters' rights. It may be prudent for a person considering whether to dissent to obtain legal counsel.

        If the proposed merger of Pulaski with and into First Busey is completed, any Pulaski stockholder who has properly perfected his, her or its statutory dissenters' rights in accordance with Section 351.455 R.S.Mo. has the right to obtain, in cash, payment of the fair value of such stockholder's shares of Pulaski common stock.

        To exercise dissenters' rights under Section 351.455 R.S.Mo. and be entitled to appraisal and payment of the fair value of his, her or its shares under the General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri, a Pulaski stockholder must:

        A Pulaski stockholder of record who fails to satisfy these requirements is not entitled to payment for his her or its shares of Pulaski common stock under Section 351.455 R.S.Mo. In addition, any stockholder who returns a signed proxy but fails to provide instructions as to the manner in which such shares are to be voted will be deemed to have voted in favor of approving and adopting the merger and will not be entitled to assert dissenters' rights.

        If, within 30 days after the effective time of the merger, the value of the dissenting stockholder's shares of Pulaski common stock is agreed upon between the dissenting Pulaski stockholder and First Busey, then payment for such shares must be made by First Busey within 90 days after the effective time, upon the surrender of the dissenting Pulaski stockholder's stock certificates representing such stockholder's shares. Upon payment of the agreed value, the dissenting Pulaski stockholder ceases to have any interest in the shares or in First Busey.

        If, within 30 days after the effective date of the Pulaski merger, there is no such agreement as to the fair value of the dissenting stockholder's shares of Pulaski common stock between the dissenting Pulaski stockholder and First Busey, then the dissenting Pulaski stockholder may, within 60 days after the expiration of the 30-day period, file a petition in any court of competent jurisdiction within the county in which the registered office of the surviving corporation is situated, asking for a finding and determination of the fair value of such stockholder's shares. The dissenting Pulaski stockholder will be entitled to judgment against First Busey for an amount equal to the fair value of such stockholder's shares measured as of the day prior to the Pulaski special meeting, together with interest thereon to

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the date of the judgment. Investment banker opinions as to fairness from a financial point of view of the consideration payable in a transaction are not opinions as to, and do not address, fair value under the General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri.

        The judgment will only be payable upon and simultaneously with the surrender to First Busey of the stock certificates representing the shares of Pulaski common stock owned by the dissenting Pulaski stockholder. Upon payment of the judgment, such stockholder will cease to have any interest in the shares or in First Busey. Further, unless the dissenting stockholder files the petition with the court within the 60-day time limit described above, such stockholder and all persons claiming under such stockholder shall be conclusively presumed to have approved or ratified the merger and shall be bound by the terms thereof. The right of a dissenting stockholder to be paid the fair value of such stockholder's shares as provided above ceases if and when Pulaski abandons the merger.

        The foregoing does not purport to be a complete statement of the provisions of the General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri relating to statutory dissenters' rights and is qualified in its entirety to the dissenters rights provisions, which are reproduced in full in Appendix B to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and which are incorporated herein by reference.

        If any Pulaski stockholder intends to dissent, or if such stockholder believes that dissenting might be in his, her or its best interests, such stockholder should read Appendix B carefully.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT

        The following is a summary of the material terms of the merger agreement. This summary does not purport to describe all the terms of the merger agreement and is qualified by reference to the complete text of the merger agreement, which is attached as Appendix A to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. You should read the merger agreement completely and carefully as it, rather than this description, is the legal document that governs the merger.

        The text of the merger agreement has been included to provide you with information regarding its terms. The terms of the merger agreement (such as the representations and warranties) are intended to govern the contractual rights and relationships, and allocate risks, between the parties in relation to the merger. The merger agreement contains representations and warranties First Busey and Pulaski made to each other as of specific dates. The representations and warranties were negotiated between the parties with the principal purpose of setting forth their respective rights with respect to their obligations to complete the merger. The statements embodied in those representations and warranties may be subject to important limitations and qualifications as set forth therein, including a contractual standard of materiality different from that generally applicable under federal securities laws.

General

        The merger agreement provides for the merger of Pulaski with and into First Busey, with First Busey as the surviving company. The merger is anticipated to be completed in the first half of 2016. At a date following the completion of the merger, First Busey intends to merge Pulaski Bank, Pulaski's wholly-owned bank subsidiary, with and into Busey Bank, First Busey's wholly-owned bank subsidiary, with Busey Bank as the surviving bank. At such time, Pulaski Bank's banking offices will become banking offices of Busey Bank. Until the banks are merged, First Busey will own and operate Pulaski Bank and Busey Bank as separate bank subsidiaries.

Closing and effective time

        Closing.    The closing of the merger will take place on the fifth business day following the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to closing set forth in the merger agreement, or at another time that both parties mutually agree upon. See "Description of the Merger Agreement—Conditions to completion of the merger" on page [    ·    ] for a more complete description of the conditions that must be satisfied prior to closing. The date of the completion of the merger sometimes is referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the closing date.

        Completion of the Merger.    The merger will become effective as of the date and time specified in the articles of merger that will be filed with the Nevada Secretary of State. The time at which the merger becomes effective is sometimes referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as the effective time.

Consideration to be received in the merger

        If the merger is completed, each share of Pulaski common stock which Pulaski stockholders own immediately before the completion of the merger will be converted into the right to receive 0.79 shares of common stock of First Busey. Based on First Busey's closing share price of $21.82 on December 3, 2015, the trading day of the public announcement of the merger, the implied merger consideration that a Pulaski stockholder would be entitled to receive for each share of Pulaski common stock would be $17.24 in cash for each share of Pulaski common stock owned.

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Fractional shares

        No fractional shares of First Busey common stock will be issued in the merger. Instead, First Busey will pay to each holder of Pulaski common stock who would otherwise be entitled to a fractional share of First Busey common stock an amount in cash (without interest) rounded to the nearest whole cent, determined by multiplying the fraction of a share to which such Pulaski stockholder would otherwise be entitled by the volume weighted average closing price of First Busey common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market over the 10 trading day period ending on the second trading day prior to the closing date.

Voting and support agreement

        On December 3, 2015, certain directors of Pulaski entered into a voting and support agreement with First Busey. Under this agreement, these stockholders have each agreed to vote, subject to their fiduciary duties, their respective shares of Pulaski common stock:

        Furthermore, each of these stockholders has also agreed not to sell, assign or transfer any shares of Pulaski common stock that they own. The shares subject to the voting and support agreement represent approximately [    ·    ]% of Pulaski's outstanding shares of common stock as of January [    ·    ], 2016. The voting obligations under the voting and support agreement will automatically terminate upon the earlier of the favorable vote of Pulaski stockholders with respect to the approval of the merger agreement or termination of the merger agreement in accordance with its terms. A copy of the form of voting and support agreement is attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Appendix C.

Trust preferred securities

        As of the effective time of the merger, First Busey will assume and discharge Pulaski's covenants, agreements and obligations under and relating to Pulaski's trust preferred securities, including the due and punctual payment of interest on all of the Pulaski's obligations pursuant to the subordinated notes issued by Pulaski to its subsidiaries Pulaski Financial Statutory Trust I and Pulaski Financial Statutory Trust II (which we collectively refer to as the "Pulaski Trusts"). Additionally, First Busey will cause the Pulaski Trusts to discharge their obligations arising after the effective time of the merger with respect to the trust preferred securities. Finally, First Busey and Pulaski shall execute and deliver a supplemental indenture, in a form satisfactory to the trustee of each Pulaski Trust, to effectuate First Busey's assumption of Pulaski's trust preferred securities, whereby First Busey shall assume all of Pulaski's covenants, agreements and obligations under and relating to Pulaski's trust preferred securities.

Treatment of Pulaski stock options and other equity awards

        Pulaski Stock Options.    At the effective time of the merger, each outstanding and unexercised option to purchase shares of Pulaski common stock, whether vested or unvested, will be converted into an option to purchase First Busey common stock with respect to the number of whole shares of First Busey common stock that is equal to the number of shares of Pulaski common stock subject to such

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Pulaski stock option immediately prior to the effective time multiplied by the exchange ratio, 0.79 (rounded down to the nearest whole share), at an exercise price per share of First Busey common stock equal to the exercise price for each share of Pulaski common stock subject to such Pulaski stock option immediately prior to the effective time divided by the exchange ratio, 0.79 (rounded up to the nearest whole cent), subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Pulaski stock plan, if any, pursuant to which such Pulaski stock option was granted and/or any associated award agreement.

        Pulaski Restricted Stock Awards.    At the effective time of the merger, each Pulaski restricted stock award, subject solely to service vesting, which is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time shall be fully vested and each holder thereof shall become a holder of Pulaski common stock immediately prior to the effective time.

        Pulaski Performance Stock Awards.    At the effective time of the merger, each Pulaski equity award that is subject to a performance vesting condition, in whole or in part, including, but not limited to, performance stock or performance stock units, that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time shall be deemed earned at target performance and be converted into a service based restricted stock or restricted stock unit award of First Busey common stock with respect to the number of whole shares of First Busey common stock that is equal to the number of shares of Pulaski common stock subject to such Pulaski performance stock award immediately prior to the effective time multiplied by the exchange ratio, 0.79 (rounded down to the nearest whole share), subject to the terms and conditions of the Pulaski stock plan, if any, pursuant to which such performance stock award was granted and/or any associated award agreement.

Exchange of certificates

        First Busey has engaged Computershare Trust Company, N.A. to act as its exchange agent to handle the exchange of Pulaski common stock for the merger consideration and the payment of cash for any fractional share interests. Within five business days after the closing date, the exchange agent will send to each Pulaski stockholder a letter of transmittal for use in the exchange with instructions explaining how to surrender Pulaski common stock certificates to the exchange agent. Pulaski stockholders who surrender their certificates to the exchange agent, together with a properly completed letter of transmittal, will receive the merger consideration. Pulaski stockholders that do not exchange their Pulaski common stock will not be entitled to receive the merger consideration or any dividends or other distributions by First Busey until their certificates are surrendered. After surrender of the certificates representing Pulaski shares, any unpaid dividends or distributions with respect to the First Busey common stock represented by the certificates will be paid without interest.

Conduct of business pending the merger

        Conduct of Business of Pulaski.    Under the merger agreement, Pulaski has agreed to certain restrictions on its activities and the activities of its subsidiaries until the merger is completed or the merger agreement is terminated. In general, Pulaski and its subsidiaries are required to conduct their business in the ordinary course of business and use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain and preserve intact its business organization and advantageous business relationships.

        The following is a summary of the more significant restrictions imposed upon Pulaski, subject to the exceptions set forth in the merger agreement. Pulaski will not, without First Busey's prior written consent:

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        Conduct of Business of First Busey.    Under the merger agreement, First Busey has agreed to certain restrictions on its activities and the activities of its subsidiaries until the merger is completed or the merger agreement is terminated. In general, First Busey and its subsidiaries are required to conduct

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their business in the ordinary course of business and use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain and preserve intact its business organization and advantageous business relationships.

        The following is a summary of the more significant restrictions imposed upon First Busey, subject to the exceptions set forth in the merger agreement. First Busey will not, without Pulaski's prior written consent:

Certain covenants of the parties

        Both parties have agreed to cooperate with the other in connection with obtaining the regulatory approvals for the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. Both parties agree, among other things:

        Pulaski has also agreed to the following:

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        The merger agreement also contains certain covenants relating to employee benefits and other matters pertaining to officers and directors. See "The Merger—Interests of certain persons in the merger" on page [    ·    ].

No solicitation of or discussions relating to an acquisition proposal

        The merger agreement contains provisions prohibiting Pulaski from initiating, soliciting, encouraging or knowingly facilitating an alternative proposal to the merger. Pulaski agreed to immediately cease and terminate any activities, discussions or negotiations conducted before the date of the merger agreement with any persons other than First Busey with respect to any acquisition proposal. Moreover, Pulaski has agreed that it will not, and will cause each of its subsidiaries not to, initiate, solicit, encourage or knowingly facilitate any inquiry or proposal or enter into any negotiations or discussions with any person or entity concerning any proposed acquisition of Pulaski or its subsidiaries, or furnish any nonpublic information to any person or entity proposing or seeking such an acquisition.

        However, the merger agreement provides that Pulaski may furnish such information pursuant to a customary confidentiality agreement and engage in such negotiations or discussions in response to an unsolicited acquisition proposal received prior to the approval of Pulaski's stockholders of the merger and merger agreement, if the board of directors of Pulaski determines in good faith and after consultation with outside counsel that such proposal constitutes or is reasonably likely to result in a superior proposal, and the failure to take action with respect to such proposal is reasonably likely to result in a breach of the board of directors' fiduciary duties. If the board of directors of Pulaski determines that it is necessary to pursue a superior proposal in order to act in a manner consistent with its fiduciary duties, the board may withhold, withdraw, qualify or adversely modify the board's recommendation with respect to the merger and the merger agreement, and/or terminate the merger agreement. However, the Pulaski board of directors may not terminate the merger agreement for a superior proposal unless it has first notified First Busey and otherwise negotiated with First Busey so that the merger may be effected.

        Under the merger agreement, a "superior proposal" means any acquisition proposal which the board of directors of Pulaski concludes in good faith to be more favorable from a financial point of view to its stockholders than the merger, after (i) receiving the advice of its financial advisors, (ii) taking into account the likelihood and timing of consummation of the proposed transaction on its terms, and (iii) taking into account all legal, financial, regulatory and other aspects of such proposal. If First Busey terminates the merger agreement because Pulaski breaches its covenant not to solicit an acquisition proposal from a third party or if Pulaski terminates the merger agreement in order to enter into an agreement for a superior proposal, Pulaski will pay to First Busey a termination fee equal to $9.0 million. See "Description of the Merger Agreement—Termination fees" on page [    ·    ].

Representations and warranties

        The merger agreement contains representations and warranties made by Pulaski and First Busey. These include, among other things, representations relating to:

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        Pulaski made additional representations and warranties to First Busey in the merger agreement relating to, among other things:

Conditions to completion of the merger

        Closing Conditions for the Benefit of First Busey.    First Busey's obligations are subject to fulfillment of certain conditions, including:

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        Closing Conditions for the Benefit of Pulaski.    Pulaski's obligations are subject to fulfillment of certain conditions, including:

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Termination

        First Busey and Pulaski may mutually agree to terminate the merger agreement and abandon the merger at any time. Subject to conditions and circumstances described in the merger agreement, either First Busey or Pulaski may terminate the merger agreement as follows:

        In addition, a particular party may terminate the merger agreement as follows:

        Any termination of the merger agreement will not relieve the breaching party from liability resulting from its fraud or any willful and material beach by that party of the merger agreement.

Termination fees

        Termination Fees Payable by Pulaski.    Pulaski has agreed to pay First Busey a termination fee of $9.0 million if the merger agreement is terminated under the following circumstances:

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        Termination Fees Payable by First Busey.    First Busey has agreed to pay to Pulaski a termination fee of $9.0 million if the merger agreement is terminated by Pulaski because First Busey breaches its obligations related to holding a stockholder meeting to approve the merger agreement.

Management of First Busey and Pulaski after the merger

        First Busey has agreed to take all appropriate action to appoint one individual serving on the Pulaski board of directors and mutually agreeable to the parties, to the First Busey board of directors, effective immediately upon the effective time of the merger. Moreover, First Busey has agreed to take all appropriate action to appoint one individual serving on the Pulaski Bank board of directors and mutually agreeable to the parties, to the Busey Bank board of directors, effective immediately upon the effectiveness of the bank merger. The First Busey and the Busey Bank boards of directors will otherwise remain the same after the mergers.

Expenses

        All expenses incurred in connection with the merger agreement will be paid by the party incurring the expenses.

NASDAQ stock listing

        First Busey common stock currently is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "BUSE." The shares to be issued to Pulaski's stockholders as merger consideration also will be eligible for trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

Amendment

        The merger agreement may be amended in writing by the parties.

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SELECTED UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

        The following tables show unaudited pro forma financial information about the financial condition and results of operations of First Busey, including per share data, after giving effect to the merger with Pulaski and other pro forma adjustments. The unaudited pro forma financial information assumes that the merger is accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations in accordance with GAAP, and that the assets and liabilities of Pulaski will be recorded by First Busey at their respective fair values as of the date the merger is completed. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet gives effect to the merger as if the merger had occurred on September 30, 2015. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined income statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, and the year ended December 31, 2014, give effect to the merger as if the merger had become effective at January 1, 2014. The unaudited selected pro forma combined financial information has been derived from and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes of First Busey and Pulaski, which are each incorporated in this joint proxy statement/prospectus by reference. First Busey's per common share data has been adjusted to reflect First Busey's one-for-three reverse stock split, which became effective on September 8, 2015. First Busey's periodic reports filed prior to the reverse stock split have not been revised to reflect the reverse stock split. See "Where You Can Find More Information" on page [    ·    ].

        The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only and does not indicate the financial results of the combined company had the companies actually been combined at the beginning of each period presented. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information also does not consider any expense efficiencies, increased revenue or other potential financial benefits of the merger. In addition, as explained in more detail in the accompanying notes, the preliminary allocation of the pro forma purchase price reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is subject to adjustment and may vary significantly from the actual purchase price allocation that will be recorded upon completion of the merger.

        Pulaski's fiscal year end is September 30 and First Busey's is December 31. In order to provide stockholders with comparable information, for purposes of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of income, certain financial information for Pulaski has been completed as if Pulaski's year end is December 31. To calculate operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, First Busey subtracted the operating results for Pulaski's quarter ended December 31, 2014 from the operating results for Pulaski's year ended September 30, 2015. To calculate operating results for the year ended December 31, 2014, First Busey added the operating results for Pulaski's quarter ended December 31, 2014 to the operating results for Pulaski's year ended September 30, 2014 and subtracted the operating results for Pulaski's quarter ended December 31, 2013.

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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2015
(in thousands, except per share data)

 
  First Busey   Pulaski   Pro Forma
Adjustments
   
  First Busey
Pro Forma
Combined
 

Assets

                             

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 175,145   $ 79,784           $ 254,929  

Investment securities

    952,578     47,528             1,000,106  

Residential mortgage loans held for sale

    15,694     112,651             128,345  

Loans

    2,565,320     1,204,168     (28,358 ) (1)     3,741,130  

Allowance for loan losses

    (47,212 )   (15,799 )   15,799   (2)     (47,212 )

Net loans

    2,518,108     1,188,369               3,693,918  

Premises and equipment, net

    63,880     17,590     577   (3)     82,047  

Goodwill

    25,510     3,939     62,242   (4)(5)     91,691  

Other intangible assets, net

    8,240         17,553   (6)     25,793  

Other assets

    104,410     71,833     (1,000 ) (7)     175,243  

Total assets

  $ 3,863,565   $ 1,521,694             $ 5,452,072  

Liabilities

                             

Deposits

  $ 3,110,530   $ 1,137,805     1,252   (8)   $ 4,249,587  

Borrowings

    226,961     219,854     722   (9)     447,537  

Trust preferred securities

    55,000     19,589     (3,918 ) (10)     70,671  

Other liabilities

    26,846     22,948     17,945   (11)(12)     67,739  

Total liabilities

    3,419,337     1,400,196               4,835,534  

Preferred stockholders' equity

    72,664                 72,664  

Common stockholders' equity

    371,564     121,498     50,812   (13)(14)     543,874  

Total stockholders' equity

    444,228     121,498               616,538  

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

  $ 3,863,565   $ 1,521,694             $ 5,452,072  

Book value per common share

  $ 12.95   $ 10.19             $ 14.19  

Shares outstanding

    28,693     11,921     (2,296 ) (14)     38,318  

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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Income for the
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
(in thousands, except per share data)

 
  First Busey   Pulaski   Pro Forma
Adjustments
   
  First Busey
Pro Forma
Combined
 

Total interest income

  $ 86,903   $ 37,807     3,185   (15)(16)   $ 127,895  

Total interest expense

    4,687     4,280     (864 ) (17)(18)(19)     8,103  

Net interest income

    82,216     33,527     4,048         119,791  

Provision for loan losses

    600     1,500               2,100  

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

    81,616     32,027     4,048         117,691  

Non-interest income

    48,477     14,228             62,705  

Non-interest expense

    86,942     29,920     1,334   (20)(21)     118,196  

Income before income taxes

    43,151     16,335     2,714         62,200  

Income taxes

    14,828     5,343     950   (22)     21,121  

Net income

    28,323     10,992     1,764         41,079  

Preferred stock dividends

    545                 545  

Net income available to common shareholders

  $ 27,778   $ 10,992             $ 40,534  

Basic

  $ 0.96   $ 0.93             $ 1.05  

Diluted

  $ 0.95   $ 0.91           $ 1.04  

Shares for basic earnings per share

    28,992     11,862     9,527         38,519  

Shares for diluted earnings per share

    29,163     12,065     9,625         38,788  

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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Income for the Year Ended
December 31, 2014
(in thousands, except per share data)

 
  First Busey   Pulaski   Pro Forma
Adjustments
   
  First Busey
Pro Forma
Combined
 

Total interest income

  $ 108,075   $ 48,153     4,258   (15)(16)   $ 160,486  

Total interest expense

    6,499     5,280     (1,155 ) (17)(18)(19)     10,624  

Net interest income

    101,576     42,873     5,413         149,862  

Provision for loan losses

    2,000     1,510             3,510  

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

    99,576     41,363     5,413         146,352  

Non-interest income

    58,941     10,785             69,726  

Non-interest expense

    108,209     34,889     1,784   (20)(21)     144,882  

Income before income taxes

    50,308     17,259     3,629         71,196  

Income taxes

    17,534     5,593     1,270   (22)     24,397  

Net income

    32,774     11,666     2,359         46,799  

Loss from repurchase of preferred stock

        27             27  

Preferred stock dividends

    727     489             1,216  

Net income available to common shareholders

  $ 32,047   $ 11,150             $ 45,556  

Basic

  $ 1.11   $ 0.98             $ 1.18  

Diluted

  $ 1.10   $ 0.95             $ 1.18  

Shares for basic earnings per share

    28,969     11,348     9,527         38,496  

Shares for diluted earnings per share

    29,097     11,783     9,625         38,722  

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Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet and Statement of Income

Note 1—Basis of Presentation

        First Busey has agreed to acquire Pulaski for a fixed exchange ratio of 0.79 shares of First Busey common stock for each share of Pulaski common stock. The acquisition will be accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, the assets and liabilities of Pulaski have been marked to estimated fair value upon conditions as of September 30, 2015 and as if the transaction had been effective on January 1, 2014 for statement of income data. Since these are pro forma statements, we cannot assure that the amounts reflected in these financial statements would have been representative of the actual amounts earned had the companies been combined at that time.

Note 2—Pro Forma Adjustments Footnotes

(1)
To adjust Pulaski's loans to fair value which includes a $30.0 million discount to adjust for credit deterioration of the acquired portfolio and a $1.6 million premium for interest rates. Of the $30.0 million credit mark, $12.0 million is expected to be accreted over an estimated 4 year remaining life of the respective loans in a manner that approximates level yield.

(2)
To eliminate Pulaski's allowance for loan loss of $15.8 million.

(3)
To adjust Pulaski's fixed assets to fair value by $0.6 million related to premises. Amount to be accreted straight-line over a 20 year weighted average remaining useful life.

(4)
To record goodwill of $66.2 million resulting from difference of the purchase price and identifiable net assets.

(dollars in thousands)
   
 

Total Purchase Price

  $ 187,975  

Allocated to:

       

Historical book value of Pulaski's assets and liabilities

    121,498  

Adjustments to record assets and liabilities at fair value:

       

Loans, credit mark

    (30,000 )

Eliminate Pulaski's allowance for losses

    15,799  

Loans, interest rate mark

    1,642  

Premises and equipment mark

    577  

Core deposits intangible

    17,553  

Other real estate owned

    (1,000 )

Eliminate Pulaski's goodwill

    (3,939 )

Deposits interest rate mark

    (1,252 )

Borrowings for interest rate mark

    (722 )

Deferred taxes

    (2,280 )

Trust preferred securities

    3,918  

Goodwill

  $ 66,181  

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Any change in the price of First Busey common stock would change the purchase price allocated to goodwill. The following table presents the sensitivity of the purchase price and resulting goodwill to changes in the price of Busey common stock of $19.53, the closing price of Busey common stock on January 15, 2016:

 
  Purchase Price   Goodwill  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Up 20%

  $ 226,599   $ 104,805  

Up 10%

    207,238     85,444  

As presented in pro forma financial information

    187,975      

Down 10%

    168,713     46,919  

Down 20%

    149,352     27,558  
(5)
To eliminate Pulaski's existing goodwill of $3.9 million.

(6)
To record core deposit asset of $17.6 million. Amount to be amortized straight-line over a 10 year useful life. This asset was determined based upon the present value of the estimated future cash flows of core deposits discounted using a weighted average market rate.

(7)
To record the fair value decrease to other real estate owned of $1.0 million.

(8)
To adjust Pulaski's time deposits to fair value by an increase of $1.3 million. Amount to be accreted straight-line over 12 months.

(9)
To adjust Pulaski's borrowings to fair value by an increase of $0.7 million. Amount to be accreted straight-line over weighted average remaining life of six years.

(10)
To adjust Pulaski's trust preferred securities to fair value by a decrease of $3.9 million. Amount to be accreted straight-line over weighted average remaining life of 18 years.

(11)
To record accrual of transaction costs of $22.0 million, net of tax of $15.7 million for Pulaski and First Busey. Pulaski's and First Busey's transaction costs are estimated at $11.5 million and $4.2 million, net of tax, respectively. Pulaski's significant costs include $5.5 million of vendor termination costs, $2.8 million of employee related costs, net of tax, and $2.9 million of professional fees, not deductible for tax. First Busey's significant costs include $2.0 million of employee related costs, $1.1 million of vendor termination costs, net of tax, and $1.0 million of professional fees not deductible for tax. For purposes of the pro forma presentation, the aggregate amount of these transaction costs are excluded from the pro forma income statements, as consistent with applicable guidance.

(12)
To record a net deferred tax liability related to the fair value adjustments and core deposit intangible of $2.3 million.

(13)
To eliminate Pulaski's equity accounts of $121.5 million. The adjustment also includes a $15.7 million decrease to retained earnings to record transactions costs, net of tax.

(14)
To record the issuance of 9.6 million shares of First Busey at $19.53 per share totaling $188.0 million. Includes 97,000 shares of equivalent roll over option for Pulaski's existing option awards.

(15)
To record accretion on credit mark on loan portfolio.

(16)
To record accretion on interest rate mark on loan portfolio.

(17)
To record accretion on interest rate mark on time deposits.

(18)
To record accretion on interest rate mark on borrowings.

(19)
To record accretion on interest rate mark on trust preferred securities.

(20)
To record accretion on mark on premises.

(21)
To record amortization of core deposit intangible.

(22)
To record tax effects at an effective rate of 35%.

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COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF FIRST BUSEY STOCKHOLDERS AND PULASKI STOCKHOLDERS

        As a stockholder of Pulaski, your rights are governed by Pulaski's articles of incorporation, as amended, and its bylaws, as amended, each as currently in effect. Upon completion of the merger, the rights of Pulaski stockholders who receive shares of First Busey common stock in exchange for their shares of Pulaski common stock will be governed by First Busey's amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, as well as the rules and regulations applying to public companies. First Busey is incorporated in Nevada and subject to the Nevada Revised Statutes and Pulaski is incorporated in Missouri and is subject to the Missouri Revised Statutes.

        The following discussion summarizes material similarities and differences between the rights of Pulaski stockholders and First Busey stockholders and is not a complete description of all of the differences. This discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Nevada Revised Statutes and the Missouri Revised Statutes and First Busey's and Pulaski's respective, articles of incorporation and bylaws, each as amended and restated from time to time.

 
  First Busey Stockholder Rights   Pulaski Stockholder Rights

Authorized Capital Stock:

  First Busey is authorized to issue 66,666,667 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and one million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (which we refer to as "First Busey preferred stock").

As of December 31, 2015, First Busey had 28,694,851 shares of common stock outstanding and no shares of preferred stock outstanding. Issuances of shares of First Busey's preferred stock may affect the relative rights of the holders of its common stock, depending upon the exact terms, qualifications, limitations and relative rights and preferences, if any, of the shares of the preferred stock as determined by First Busey's board of directors.
  Pulaski is authorized to issue 18,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and one million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.

As of December 31, 2015, Pulaski had 11,920,567 shares of common stock outstanding and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

Dividends:

 

Subject to any rights of holders of First Busey preferred stock, First Busey may pay dividends if, as and when declared by its board of directors.

 

Pulaski's board of directors may, from time to time, declare, and Pulaski may pay, dividends on its outstanding shares in the manner, and upon the terms and conditions provided by applicable law and Pulaski's articles of incorporation.

Voting Limitations:

 

First Busey's articles of incorporation and bylaws do not impose voting restrictions on shares held in excess of a beneficial ownership threshold.

 

Pulaski's articles of incorporation impose voting restrictions on shares held in excess of a 10% beneficial ownership limit.

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  First Busey Stockholder Rights   Pulaski Stockholder Rights

Number of Directors; Classification:

 

First Busey's board of directors currently consists of 12 members. First Busey's bylaws provide that the number of directors constituting the entire board of directors shall be determined by the board of directors or by First Busey's stockholders at an annual meeting and shall be not less than five nor more than twenty.

First Busey's board of directors is not classified and each director is elected for a one-year term.

 

Pulaski's board of directors currently consists of seven members, which number is subject to increase or decrease by resolution of the board of directors, but in no event shall be less than five nor more than fifteen. No decrease in the number of directors will have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director and no action will be taken to increase or decrease the number of directors unless at least two-thirds of the directors then in office concur in such action.

Pulaski's board of directors is divided into three classes. The number of directors in each class shall not exceed the number of director in any other class by more than one director. Directors are elected for three-year terms, with one class of directors up for election at each annual meeting of stockholders.

Election of Directors; Vacancies:

 

Each First Busey stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of the voting stock held by such stockholder.

First Busey's articles of incorporation and bylaws do not provide for cumulative voting.

First Busey's bylaws provide that any vacancy on the board of directors may be may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office.

 

Each Pulaski stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of the voting stock held by such stockholder.

Pulaski's articles of incorporation and bylaws do not provide for cumulative voting.

Pulaski's articles of incorporation provide that that any vacancy on the board of directors may be filled by a vote of two-thirds of the directors then in office.

Removal of Directors:

 

Subject to any rights of holders of First Busey preferred stock with respect to any director elected thereby, First Busey's bylaws provide that any director or the entire board of directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.

 

Notwithstanding the rights of any holders of Pulaski preferred shares, Pulaski's articles of incorporation provide that any director or the entire board may be removed, only for cause, by the affirmative vote of 80% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.

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  First Busey Stockholder Rights   Pulaski Stockholder Rights

Call of Special Meeting of Directors:

 

First Busey's bylaws provide that a special meeting of the board of directors may be called by the chairman of the board, chief executive officer or president or on the written request of a majority of the directors.

 

Pulaski's bylaws provide that a special meeting of the board of directors may be called by, or at the request of, the chairman of the board, the president or by one-third of the directors.

Limitation on Director Liability:

 

First Busey's articles of incorporation and bylaws provide that no director or officer shall be liable to First Busey or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of his or her fiduciary duty, provided that liability is not eliminated or limited with respect to: (i) acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law; or (ii) the payment of distributions in violation of Section 78.300 of the Nevada Revised Statutes.

 

Pulaski's articles of incorporation provides that a director of Pulaski shall not be personally liable to Pulaski or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except: (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to Pulaski or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in subjective good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 351.245 of the General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri, or (iv) for any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit.

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  First Busey Stockholder Rights   Pulaski Stockholder Rights

Indemnification:

 

First Busey's articles of incorporation provide that First Busey shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Section 78.751 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, indemnify any and all persons whom it shall have power to indemnify under said section from and against any and all of the expenses, liabilities or other matters referred to in or covered by Section 78.751.

First Busey's bylaws provide further that, subject to the limits of applicable federal law and regulation, every person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of First Busey or is or was serving at the request of First Busey or for its benefit as a director or officer of another corporation, or as its representative in a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall be indemnified and held harmless to the fullest extend legally permissible under the general corporation law of the State of Nevada against all expenses, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by him or her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding.

First Busey's board of directors may, in its discretion, cause the expenses of officers and directors incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding to be paid by First Busey as they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by First Busey.

 

Pulaski's articles of incorporation provides that Pulaski will indemnify any person who is or was a director or executive officer of Pulaski or any subsidiary against any and all expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgements, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit, proceeding or claim (including any action by or in the right of Pulaski or any subsidiary) by reason of the fact that such a person is or was serving in such capacity to the fullest extent permitted by the General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri.

Pulaski may, to the extent the board of directors deems appropriate, indemnify any person who is or was a non-executive officer, or employee or agent of Pulaski or any subsidiary or who is or was serving at the request of Pulaski as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any and all expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgements, fines and amounts paid in settlement and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit, proceeding or claim (including any action by or in the right of Pulaski or any subsidiary) by reason of the fact that such a person is or was serving in such capacity to the fullest extent permitted by the General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri.

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  First Busey Stockholder Rights   Pulaski Stockholder Rights

Call of Special Meetings of Stockholders:

 

First Busey's bylaws provide that only the chairman of the board, chief executive officer or president may call a special meeting of stockholders and he or she may call a special meeting only after receiving the written request to hold a meeting from: (i) a majority of the board of directors; or (ii) stockholders owning at least 50% of the outstanding shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote.

Such a request must state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. Written notice of a special meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called must be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting. Only business set forth in the notice shall be addressed at the special meeting.

 

Pulaski's bylaws provide that a special meeting of the stockholders may only be called by Pulaski's board of directors in their sole discretion.

Written notice stating the place, day, hour and purpose or purposes for which the special meeting is called, shall, unless otherwise prescribed by statute, be delivered not less than 10 nor more than 70 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. Only business set forth in such notice shall be addressed at the special meeting.

Quorum of Stockholders:

 

First Busey's bylaws provide that the holders of a majority of the shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, constitutes a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by the Nevada Revised Statutes.

 

Pulaski's bylaws provide that a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, constitutes a quorum at a stockholders' meeting.

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  First Busey Stockholder Rights   Pulaski Stockholder Rights

Advance Notice Regarding Stockholders Proposals (other than Nomination of Candidates for Election to the Board of Directors):

 

First Busey's bylaws provide that, for any new business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to First Busey's secretary and such proposed business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed to and received by the secretary at First Busey's principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 60th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting.

The stockholder's notice must set forth: (i) as to any business the stockholder proposed to bring before the annual meeting; (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting; (B) the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting; (C) any material interest in such business of such stockholder; and (D) the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposed business is to be brought; (A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on First Busey's books, and the name and address of such beneficial owner; and (B) the class and number of shares of First Busey's shares that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner.

 

Pulaski's bylaws provide that, for business properly to be brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to Pulaski's secretary.

To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at Pulaski's principal executive offices not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the meeting; provided, however, that in the event less than 70 days' notice or public disclosure of the date of the meeting was made to stockholders, a stockholder's notice will be timely if received by the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which the notice of the date of the meeting was provided to stockholders.

To be in proper written form, a stockholder's notice to the secretary shall set forth in writing as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting; (ii) the name and address, as they appear on Pulaski's books, of the stockholder proposing such business; (iii) the class and number of Pulaski's shares which are beneficially owned by the stockholder; and (iv) any material interest of the stockholder in such business.

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  First Busey Stockholder Rights   Pulaski Stockholder Rights

Advance Notice Regarding Stockholders Nomination of Candidates for Election to the Board of Directors:

 

First Busey's bylaws provide that nominations, other than those made by, or at the direction of, the board of directors, may only be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to First Busey's secretary.

To be timely, a stockholder's notice shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by First Busey's secretary not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days in advance of the first anniversary date of the previous year's annual meeting, and for a special meeting, not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days in advance of the date of the special meeting, regardless of any postponements or adjournments of that meeting to a later date.

 

Pulaski's bylaws provide that all director nominations by stockholders shall be made pursuant to timely notice in proper written form to Pulaski's secretary. To be timely, a stockholder's notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received at Pulaski's principal executive offices not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the meeting; provided, however, that in the event less than 70 days' notice or public disclosure of the date of the meeting was made to stockholders, a stockholder's notice will be timely if received by the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which the notice of the date of the meeting was provided to stockholders.

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  First Busey Stockholder Rights   Pulaski Stockholder Rights

 

The stockholder's notice must include: (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director: (A) the name, age, business address and residential address of such person; (B) the principal occupation or employment of such person; (C) the class and number of shares of First Busey's stock which are beneficially owned by such person on the date of such stockholder notice; and (D) any other information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed on Schedule 13D pursuant to Regulation 13D-G under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), in connection with the acquisition of stock, and pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, in connection with the solicitation of proxies with respect to nominees for election as directors, regardless of whether such person is subject to the provisions of such regulations; and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice: (A) the name and address, as they appear on First Busey's books, of such stockholder and the name and principal business or residential address of any other beneficial stockholders known by such stockholder to support such nominee(s); and (B) the class and number of shares of First Busey's stock which are beneficially owned by such stockholder on the date of such stockholder notice and the number of shares owned beneficially by any other record or beneficial stockholders known by such stockholder to be supporting such nominees on the date of such stockholder notice.

 

To be in proper written form, such stockholder's notice must set forth in writing: (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations or proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, as amended; and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice (A) the name and address, as they appear on Pulaski's books, of such stockholder and (B) the class and number of Pulaski's shares which are beneficially owned by such stockholder.

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  First Busey Stockholder Rights   Pulaski Stockholder Rights

Stockholder Action by Written Consent:

 

First Busey's bylaws provide that any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.

 

Pulaski's bylaws provide that any action required to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders, or any action which may be taken at a meeting of the stockholders, may be taken without a meeting if consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the stockholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof.

Appointment and Removal of Officers:

 

First Busey's bylaws provide that each officer shall be appointed by the board of directors and that such officer shall hold office until his or her successor is appointed and qualifies.

Any officer may be removed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the board of directors.

 

Pulaski's bylaws provide that the officers shall be elected annually by the board of directors at the first regular meeting of the board of directors held after each annual meeting of stockholders. Each officer will hold office until a successor is duly elected or until the officer's death, resignation or removal.

Any officer may be removed by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the board of directors.

Amendment to Charter and Bylaws:

 

Under its articles of incorporation, First Busey reserves the right at any time and from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in its articles of incorporation and to add or insert any other provision authorized by the laws of the State of Nevada in any manner prescribed by law.

The bylaws of First Busey may be altered, amended or repealed, or new bylaws may be adopted, by the stockholders or by the board of directors when such power is conferred upon the board of directors by the articles of incorporation at any regular or special meeting of the stockholders or of the board of directors (provided that notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new bylaws is contained in the notice of any such special meeting).

 

Under its articles of incorporation, Pulaski reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in its articles of incorporation, and amendments to the articles of incorporation shall be made in the manner prescribed by the General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri.

Pursuant to Pulaski's bylaws, the bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed and new bylaws adopted by the affirmative vote or consent of two-thirds of the number of authorized directors.

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STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

        It is presently anticipated that First Busey's annual meeting of stockholders will be held in May 2016. The deadline has passed for a stockholder to present a proposal at First Busey's 2016 annual meeting to be included in First Busey's proxy statement and form of proxy for that meeting. As to any proposal that a stockholder intends to present to stockholders without inclusion in First Busey's proxy statement for the 2016 annual meeting, First Busey's Corporate Secretary must receive notice of such matter between February 20, 2016 and March 21, 2016. The notice must otherwise comply with First Busey's bylaws.

        Pursuant to Pulaski's Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders filed on December 23, 2015, Pulaski's annual meeting of stockholders will be held on January 28, 2016. The deadline has passed for a stockholder to present a proposal at Pulaski's 2016 annual meeting to be included in Pulaski's proxy statement and form of proxy for that meeting. Pulaski's bylaws require a stockholder to deliver written notice of nominations for the election of directors or proposals for business to be brought before a meeting of stockholders not less than 60 nor more than 90 days before the date of the meeting.


LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the First Busey common stock to be issued in connection with the merger will be passed upon for First Busey by its special counsel in the state of Nevada, Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP. Certain U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the merger will be passed upon for First Busey by Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP and for Pulaski by Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP.


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements of Pulaski Financial Corp. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, and for each of the years in the three year period ended September 30, 2015, and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2015, which appear in the 2015 Annual Report to Stockholders incorporated by reference in the September 30, 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pulaski Financial Corp., have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference therein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

        The consolidated financial statements of First Busey appearing in its Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2014, and 2013, and for the three year period ended December 31, 2014, and the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, have been audited by RSM US LLP (formerly McGladrey LLP), independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in its reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        First Busey has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC that registers the First Busey common stock to be issued in the merger to Pulaski stockholders. This joint proxy statement/prospectus is a part of that registration statement and constitutes a prospectus of First Busey and a joint proxy statement of Pulaski and First Busey for their respective special meetings. As allowed by SEC rules and regulations, this joint proxy statement/prospectus does not contain all of the information in the registration statement.

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        Each of First Busey and Pulaski file reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC under the Exchange Act. The SEC maintains a web site that contains such reports, proxy statements and other information about public companies, including Pulaski's and First Busey's filings. The Internet address of that site is http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any materials filed with the SEC by Pulaski and First Busey at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. First Busey's Internet address is www.Busey.com. Pulaski's Internet address is www.pulaskibank.com. The information on First Busey's and Pulaski's websites is not part of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. You may obtain copies of the information that First Busey files with the SEC, free of charge by accessing First Busey's website at www.busey.com under the tab "Investor Relations" and then under "SEC Filings" or by accessing Pulaski's website at www.pulaskibank.com under the tab "Our Story" and then under "Shareholder Relations" and "SEC Filings". Alternatively, these documents, when available, can be obtained free of charge from First Busey upon written request to First Busey Corporation, Corporate Secretary, 100 W. University Avenue, Champaign, Illinois 61820 or by calling (217) 365-4544, or from Pulaski, upon written request to Pulaski Financial Corp., Corporate Secretary, 12300 Olive Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63141 or by calling (314) 878-2210.

        The SEC allows First Busey and Pulaski to "incorporate by reference" the information that each files with the SEC, which means that First Busey and Pulaski can disclose important information to you by referring to their respective filings with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered a part of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, and certain information that First Busey and Pulaski file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

        First Busey incorporates by reference the following documents First Busey has filed with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, other than information in these documents that is not deemed to be filed with the SEC:

        Pulaski incorporates by reference the following documents Pulaski has filed with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, other than information in these documents that is not deemed to be filed with the SEC:

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        In addition, First Busey and Pulaski are incorporating by reference any documents they may file under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and prior to the date of the respective special meetings of the First Busey stockholders and the Pulaski stockholders, provided, however, that First Busey and Pulaski are not incorporating by reference any information furnished (but not filed), except as otherwise specified herein.

        If you would like to request documents, please do so by [    ·    ] to receive them before the First Busey special meeting, or by [    ·    ] to receive them before the Pulaski special meeting.

        First Busey has supplied all of the information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus relating to First Busey and its subsidiary bank. Pulaski has supplied all of the information relating to Pulaski and its subsidiary bank.

        You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus to vote on the proposals to First Busey and Pulaski stockholders in connection with the merger. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from what is contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. This joint proxy statement/prospectus is dated [    ·    ]. You should not assume that the information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is accurate as of any other date other than such date, and neither the mailing of this joint proxy statement/prospectus nor the issuance by First Busey of shares of First Busey common stock in connection with the merger will create any implication to the contrary.

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Appendix A

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

BETWEEN

FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION

AND

PULASKI FINANCIAL CORP.

DECEMBER 3, 2015


Table of Contents


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Article 1 THE MERGER

    A-1  
 

Section 1.1

 

The Merger

    A-1  
 

Section 1.2

 

Effective Time; Closing

    A-1  
 

Section 1.3

 

Effects of the Merger

    A-2  
 

Section 1.4

 

Organizational Documents of the Surviving Entity

    A-2  
 

Section 1.5

 

Bank Merger

    A-2  
 

Section 1.6

 

Alternative Structure

    A-2  
 

Article 2 CONVERSION OF SECURITIES IN THE MERGER

   
A-2
 
 

Section 2.1

 

Consideration

    A-2  
 

Section 2.2

 

Cancellation of Shares

    A-3  
 

Section 2.3

 

No Fractional Shares

    A-3  
 

Section 2.4

 

Exchange of Certificates

    A-3  
 

Section 2.5

 

Company Equity Awards

    A-4  
 

Section 2.6

 

Dissenting Shares

    A-5  
 

Article 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

   
A-6
 
 

Section 3.1

 

Company Organization

    A-6  
 

Section 3.2

 

Company Subsidiary Organizations

    A-6  
 

Section 3.3

 

Authorization; Enforceability

    A-7  
 

Section 3.4

 

No Conflict

    A-7  
 

Section 3.5

 

Company Capitalization

    A-8  
 

Section 3.6

 

Company Subsidiary Capitalization

    A-9  
 

Section 3.7

 

Company SEC Reports; Financial Statements and Reports; Regulatory Filings

    A-9  
 

Section 3.8

 

Books and Records

    A-10  
 

Section 3.9

 

Properties

    A-10  
 

Section 3.10

 

Loans; Loan Loss Reserve

    A-11  
 

Section 3.11

 

Taxes

    A-12  
 

Section 3.12

 

Employee Benefits

    A-13  
 

Section 3.13

 

Compliance with Legal Requirements

    A-14  
 

Section 3.14

 

Legal Proceedings; Orders

    A-15  
 

Section 3.15

 

Absence of Certain Changes and Events

    A-15  
 

Section 3.16

 

Material Contracts

    A-15  
 

Section 3.17

 

No Defaults

    A-16  
 

Section 3.18

 

Insurance

    A-17  
 

Section 3.19

 

Compliance with Environmental Laws

    A-17  
 

Section 3.20

 

Transactions with Affiliates

    A-17  
 

Section 3.21

 

Brokerage Commissions

    A-17  
 

Section 3.22

 

Approval Delays

    A-18  
 

Section 3.23

 

Labor Matters

    A-18  
 

Section 3.24

 

Intellectual Property

    A-18  
 

Section 3.25

 

Investments

    A-18  
 

Section 3.26

 

Trust Preferred Securities

    A-19  
 

Section 3.27

 

No Other Representations or Warranties

    A-19  
 

Article 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR

   
A-20
 
 

Section 4.1

 

Acquiror Organization

    A-20  
 

Section 4.2

 

Acquiror Subsidiary Organizations

    A-20  
 

Section 4.3

 

Authorization; Enforceability

    A-20  
 

Section 4.4

 

No Conflict

    A-21  

A-i


Table of Contents

 

Section 4.5

 

Acquiror Capitalization

    A-21  
 

Section 4.6

 

Acquiror Subsidiary Capitalization

    A-22  
 

Section 4.7

 

Acquiror SEC Reports; Financial Statements and Reports; Regulatory Filings

    A-23  
 

Section 4.8

 

Books and Records

    A-24  
 

Section 4.9

 

Properties

    A-24  
 

Section 4.10

 

Loans; Loan Loss Reserve

    A-25  
 

Section 4.11

 

Taxes

    A-25  
 

Section 4.12

 

Employee Benefits

    A-26  
 

Section 4.13

 

Compliance with Legal Requirements

    A-27  
 

Section 4.14

 

Legal Proceedings; Orders

    A-27  
 

Section 4.15

 

Absence of Certain Changes and Events

    A-28  
 

Section 4.16

 

Compliance with Environmental Laws

    A-28  
 

Section 4.17

 

Brokerage Commissions

    A-28  
 

Section 4.18

 

Approval Delays

    A-28  
 

Section 4.19

 

No Other Representations or Warranties

    A-28  
 

Article 5 THE COMPANY'S COVENANTS

   
A-29
 
 

Section 5.1

 

Access and Investigation

    A-29  
 

Section 5.2

 

Operation of the Company and Company Subsidiaries

    A-29  
 

Section 5.3

 

Notice of Changes

    A-32  
 

Section 5.4

 

Stockholders' Meeting

    A-32  
 

Section 5.5

 

Information Provided to Acquiror

    A-33  
 

Section 5.6

 

Operating Functions

    A-33  
 

Section 5.7

 

Company Benefit Plans

    A-33  
 

Section 5.8

 

Acquisition Proposals

    A-33  
 

Section 5.9

 

Release of Security Interest

    A-34  
 

Article 6 ACQUIROR'S COVENANTS

   
A-34
 
 

Section 6.1

 

Access and Investigation

    A-34  
 

Section 6.2

 

Operation of Acquiror and Acquiror Subsidiaries

    A-35  
 

Section 6.3

 

Stockholders' Meeting

    A-36  
 

Section 6.4

 

Information Provided to the Company

    A-36  
 

Section 6.5

 

Operating Functions

    A-36  
 

Section 6.6

 

Indemnification

    A-37  
 

Section 6.7

 

Board Representation

    A-37  
 

Section 6.8

 

Authorization and Reservation of Acquiror Common Stock

    A-38  
 

Section 6.9

 

Stock Exchange Listing

    A-38  
 

Section 6.10

 

Assumption of Debt Instruments

    A-38  
 

Article 7 COVENANTS OF ALL PARTIES

   
A-38
 
 

Section 7.1

 

Regulatory Approvals

    A-38  
 

Section 7.2

 

SEC Registration

    A-38  
 

Section 7.3

 

Publicity

    A-39  
 

Section 7.4

 

Reasonable Best Efforts; Cooperation

    A-39  
 

Section 7.5

 

Tax Free Reorganization

    A-39  
 

Section 7.6

 

Employees and Employee Benefits

    A-40  
 

Section 7.7

 

Section 16 Matters

    A-41  
 

Section 7.8

 

Stockholder Litigation

    A-41  
 

Section 7.9

 

TRUPS Assumption

    A-42  
 

Section 7.10

 

Dividends

    A-42  
 

Article 8 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF ACQUIROR

   
A-42
 
 

Section 8.1

 

Accuracy of Representations and Warranties

    A-42  

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Table of Contents

 

Section 8.2

 

Performance by the Company

    A-42  
 

Section 8.3

 

Stockholder Approvals

    A-42  
 

Section 8.4

 

No Injunctions or Restraints; Illegality

    A-43  
 

Section 8.5

 

Regulatory Approvals

    A-43  
 

Section 8.6

 

Registration Statement

    A-43  
 

Section 8.7

 

Officers' Certificate

    A-43  
 

Section 8.8

 

Tax Opinion

    A-43  
 

Section 8.9

 

Stock Exchange Listing

    A-43  
 

Section 8.10

 

No Material Adverse Effect

    A-43  
 

Article 9 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY

   
A-43
 
 

Section 9.1

 

Accuracy of Representations and Warranties

    A-43  
 

Section 9.2

 

Performance by Acquiror

    A-44  
 

Section 9.3

 

Stockholder Approvals

    A-44  
 

Section 9.4

 

No Injunctions or Restraints; Illegality

    A-44  
 

Section 9.5

 

Regulatory Approvals

    A-44  
 

Section 9.6

 

Registration Statement

    A-44  
 

Section 9.7

 

Officers' Certificate

    A-44  
 

Section 9.8

 

Tax Opinion

    A-44  
 

Section 9.9

 

Stock Exchange Listing

    A-44  
 

Section 9.10

 

No Material Adverse Effect

    A-44  
 

Article 10 TERMINATION

   
A-45
 
 

Section 10.1

 

Termination of Agreement

    A-45  
 

Section 10.2

 

Effect of Termination or Abandonment

    A-46  
 

Section 10.3

 

Fees and Expenses

    A-46  
 

Article 11 MISCELLANEOUS

   
A-47
 
 

Section 11.1

 

Survival

    A-47  
 

Section 11.2

 

Governing Law

    A-47  
 

Section 11.3

 

Assignments, Successors and No Third Party Rights

    A-47  
 

Section 11.4

 

Modification

    A-47  
 

Section 11.5

 

Extension of Time; Waiver

    A-48  
 

Section 11.6

 

Notices

    A-48  
 

Section 11.7

 

Entire Agreement

    A-49  
 

Section 11.8

 

Severability

    A-49  
 

Section 11.9

 

Further Assurances

    A-49  
 

Section 11.10

 

Counterparts

    A-49  
 

Article 12 DEFINITIONS

   
A-50
 
 

Section 12.1

 

Definitions

    A-50  
 

Section 12.2

 

Principles of Construction

    A-56  
 

Exhibit

 

 

   
 
 
 

A    Form of Voting and Support Agreement

       

A-iii


Table of Contents


INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

Acquiror

    1  

Acquiror Adverse Recommendation

    45  

Acquiror Articles of Incorporation

    62  

Acquiror Bank

    63  

Acquiror Benefit Plan

    63  

Acquiror Board

    63  

Acquiror Bylaws

    63  

Acquiror Capital Stock

    63  

Acquiror Capitalization Date

    27  

Acquiror Common Stock

    63  

Acquiror Common Stock Price

    63  

Acquiror Disclosure Schedules

    71  

Acquiror Equity Award

    63  

Acquiror ERISA Affiliate

    63  

Acquiror Evaluation Date

    29  

Acquiror Financial Statements

    29  

Acquiror Loans

    31  

Acquiror Preferred Stock

    27  

Acquiror SEC Reports

    63  

Acquiror Stock Issuance

    64  

Acquiror Stock Plans

    64  

Acquiror Stockholder Approval

    64  

Acquiror Stockholders' Meeting

    45  

Acquiror Trust

    64  

Acquiror Trusts

    64  

Acquisition Proposal

    64  

Affiliate

    64  

Agreement

    1  

Bank

    64  

Bank Merger

    64  

Borrowing Affiliate

    38  

Business Day

    65  

CIC Payment

    51  

Closing

    2  

Closing Date

    2  

Code

    1  

Company

    1  

Company Adverse Recommendation

    41  

Company Articles of Incorporation

    65  

Company Benefit Plan

    65  

Company Board

    65  

Company Bylaws

    65  

Company Capital Stock

    65  

Company Capitalization Date

    9  

Company Common Stock

    65  

Company Disclosure Schedules

    71  

Company Employees

    39  

Company Equity Award

    65  

Company ERISA Affiliate

    65  

A-iv


Table of Contents

Company Evaluation Date

    12  

Company Financial Statements

    11  

Company Investment Securities

    23  

Company Loans

    14  

Company Material Contract

    19  

Company Performance Stock Award

    6  

Company Permitted Exceptions

    14  

Company Preferred Stock

    10  

Company Restricted Stock Award

    6  

Company SEC Reports

    65  

Company Stock Certificates

    4  

Company Stock Option

    6  

Company Stock Plans

    66  

Company Stockholder Approval

    66  

Company Stockholders' Meeting

    40  

Company Trust

    66  

Company Trust Debentures

    52  

Company Trust Preferred Securities

    52  

Company Trusts

    66  

Confidentiality Agreement

    37  

Contemplated Transactions

    66  

Contract

    66  

Control, Controlling or Controlled

    66  

Conversion Fund

    4  

Covered Employees

    50  

CRA

    67  

Deposit Insurance Fund

    67  

Derivative Transactions

    67  

DOL

    67  

Effective Time

    2  

Environment

    67  

Environmental Laws

    67  

ERISA

    67  

Exchange Act

    67  

Exchange Agent

    4  

Exchange Ratio

    3  

FDIC

    67  

Federal Reserve

    67  

GAAP

    67  

GBCL

    67  

Hazardous Materials

    67  

Indemnified Party

    46  

Intangible Assets

    68  

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

    12  

IRS

    68  

IRS Guidelines

    50  

Joint Proxy Statement

    68  

Knowledge

    68  

Legal Requirement

    68  

Letter of Transmittal

    4  

Material Adverse Effect

    68  

A-v


Table of Contents

Merger

    1  

Merger Consideration

    3  

Missouri Articles of Merger

    2  

NASDAQ Rules

    69  

Nevada Articles of Merger

    2  

New Plans

    50  

NRS

    69  

Old Plans

    51  

Order

    69  

Ordinary Course of Business

    69  

OREO

    69  

Outstanding Company Shares

    69  

PBGC

    69  

Person

    69  

Previously Disclosed

    72  

Proceeding

    69  

Registration Statement

    69  

Regulatory Authority

    70  

Representative

    70  

Requisite Regulatory Approvals

    70  

Schedules

    71  

SEC

    70  

Securities Act

    70  

Subsidiary

    70  

Superior Proposal

    70  

Surviving Entity

    1  

Tax

    70  

Tax Return

    71  

Termination Date

    57  

Termination Fee

    58  

Total Payments

    51  

Transition Date

    71  

TRUPS Assumption

    52  

U.S. 

    71  

A-vi


Table of Contents


AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

        THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (together with all exhibits and schedules, this "Agreement") is entered into as of December 3, 2015, by and between First Busey Corporation, a Nevada corporation ("Acquiror"), and Pulaski Financial Corp., a Missouri corporation (the "Company").


RECITALS

        A.    The boards of directors of the Company and Acquiror have determined that it is in the best interests of their respective companies and their stockholders to consummate the strategic business combination transaction provided for herein, pursuant to which the Company will, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, merge with and into Acquiror (the "Merger"), with Acquiror as the surviving entity in the Merger (sometimes referred to in such capacity as the "Surviving Entity").

        B.    The parties intend that the Merger qualify as a "reorganization" under the provisions of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and that this Agreement be and hereby is adopted as a "plan of reorganization" within the meaning of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code.

        C.    As an inducement to Acquiror to enter into this Agreement, certain of the directors of the Company in office as of the date of this Agreement have, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, entered into a Voting and Support Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

        D.    The parties desire to make certain representations, warranties and agreements in connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the parties also agree to certain prescribed conditions to the Merger and other transactions.


AGREEMENTS

        In consideration of the foregoing premises and the following mutual promises, covenants and agreements, the parties hereby agree as follows:


ARTICLE 1
THE MERGER

        Section 1.1    The Merger.    Provided that this Agreement shall not prior thereto have been terminated in accordance with its express terms, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the NRS and the GBCL, at the Effective Time, the Company shall be merged with and into Acquiror pursuant to the provisions of, and with the effects provided in, the NRS and the GBCL, the separate corporate existence of the Company shall cease and Acquiror will be the Surviving Entity.


        
Section 1.2    Effective Time; Closing.     

A-1


Table of Contents


        
Section 1.3    Effects of the Merger.    At and after the Effective Time, the Merger shall have the effects set forth in the applicable provisions of the NRS and the GBCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, at the Effective Time, all of the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Company shall be vested in the Surviving Entity, and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Company shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Entity.


        
Section 1.4    Organizational Documents of the Surviving Entity.     The articles of incorporation and bylaws of Acquiror, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Entity until thereafter amended in accordance with the provisions thereof and applicable Legal Requirements.


        
Section 1.5    Bank Merger.     The parties will cooperate and use their reasonable best efforts to effect the Bank Merger at a time to be determined following the Merger. At the effective time of the Bank Merger, the separate corporate existence of the Bank will terminate. Acquiror Bank will be the surviving bank and will continue its corporate existence under applicable Legal Requirements. The Bank Merger shall be accomplished pursuant to a merger agreement containing such terms and conditions as are ordinary and customary for affiliated bank merger transactions of such type.


        
Section 1.6    Alternative Structure.    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, before the Effective Time, the parties may mutually agree to change the method of effecting the Contemplated Transactions if and to the extent that they deem such a change to be desirable; provided, that: (a) any such change shall not affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger to holders of Company Common Stock; and (b) no such change shall (i) alter or change the amount or kind of the consideration to be issued to holders of Company Common Stock as consideration in the Merger or (ii) materially impede or delay consummation of the Merger. If the parties agree to make such a change, they shall execute appropriate documents to reflect the change.


ARTICLE 2
CONVERSION OF SECURITIES IN THE MERGER

        Section 2.1    Consideration.     

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Section 2.2    Cancellation of Shares.    At the Effective Time, the shares of Company Common Stock will no longer be outstanding and will automatically be cancelled and will cease to exist. Certificates (it being understood that any reference herein to a "certificate" shall be deemed to include reference to a book-entry account statements relating to the ownership of Company Common Stock) that represented Company Common Stock before the Effective Time will be deemed for all purposes to represent only the right to receive: (a) a certificate (or evidence of book-entry as determined by Acquiror in its sole discretion) representing the number of whole shares of Acquiror Common Stock into which they were converted pursuant to this Article 2; (b) cash in lieu of fractional shares which the shares of Company Common Stock represented by such certificate have been converted into the right to receive pursuant to Section 2.1 and Section 2.3, without any interest thereon; and (c) any dividends or distributions that the holder thereof has the right to receive pursuant to Section 2.4(f).


        
Section 2.3    No Fractional Shares.    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, no fractional shares of Acquiror Common Stock shall be issued as Merger Consideration in the Merger. Each holder of Company Common Stock who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fractional share of Acquiror Common Stock pursuant to this Article 2 shall instead be entitled to receive an amount in cash (without interest) rounded to the nearest whole cent, determined by multiplying the Acquiror Common Stock Price by the fractional share of Acquiror Common Stock to which such former holder would otherwise be entitled.


        
Section 2.4    Exchange of Certificates.     

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Section 2.5    Company Equity Awards.     

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Section 2.6    Dissenting Shares.     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, shares of Company Common Stock that are outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and which are held by stockholders who shall have not voted in favor of the Merger or consented thereto in writing and who properly shall have demanded payment of the fair value for such shares in accordance with the GBCL (collectively, the "Dissenters' Shares") shall not be converted into or represent the right to receive the Merger Consideration. Such stockholders instead shall be entitled to

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receive payment of the fair value of such shares held by them in accordance with the provisions of the GBCL, except that all Dissenters' Shares held by stockholders who shall have failed to perfect or who effectively shall have withdrawn or otherwise lost their rights as dissenting shareholders under the GBCL shall thereupon be deemed to have been converted into and to have become exchangeable, as of the Effective Time, for the right to receive, without any interest thereon, the Merger Consideration upon surrender in the manner provided in Section 2.4 of the certificate(s) that, immediately prior to the Effective Time, evidenced such shares. The Company shall give Acquiror: (a) prompt notice of any written demands for payment of fair value of any shares of Company Common Stock, attempted withdrawals of such demands and any other instruments served pursuant to the GBCL and received by the Company relating to stockholders' dissenters' rights; and (b) the opportunity to participate in all negotiations and proceedings with respect to demands under the GBCL consistent with the obligations of the Company thereunder. The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of Acquiror, (x) make any payment with respect to such demand, (y) offer to settle or settle any demand for payment of fair value or (z) waive any failure to timely deliver a written demand for payment of fair value or timely take any other action to perfect payment of fair value rights in accordance with the GBCL.


ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

        Except as Previously Disclosed, the Company hereby represents and warrants to Acquiror as follows:


        
Section 3.1    Company Organization.    The Company: (a) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Missouri and is also in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or the properties or assets owned or leased by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company; (b) is registered with the Federal Reserve as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended; and (c) has full power and authority, corporate and otherwise, to operate as a bank holding company and to own, operate and lease its properties as presently owned, operated and leased, and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. The copies of the Company Articles of Incorporation and Company Bylaws and all amendments thereto set forth in the Company SEC Reports are true, complete and correct, and in full force and effect as of the date of this Agreement. The Company has no subsidiary other than the subsidiaries listed on Exhibit 21 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014.


        
Section 3.2    Company Subsidiary Organizations.     The Bank is a national bank duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the U.S. Each Company Subsidiary is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and is also in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or the properties or assets owned or leased by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. Each Subsidiary of the Company has full power and authority, corporate and otherwise, to own, operate and lease its properties as presently owned, operated and leased, and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. The deposit accounts of the Bank are insured by the FDIC through the Deposit Insurance Fund to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Legal Requirements, and all premiums and assessments required to be paid in connection therewith have been paid when due. The Company has delivered or made available to Acquiror copies of the charter (or similar organizational documents) and bylaws of each Subsidiary of the Company and all amendments thereto, each of which are true, complete and correct and in full force and effect as of the date of this Agreement.

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Section 3.3    Authorization; Enforceability.    The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by the Company Board. The Company Board has determined that the Merger, on substantially the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and that this Agreement and transactions contemplated hereby are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Company Board has directed the Merger, on substantially the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, be submitted to the Company's stockholders for consideration at a duly held meeting of such stockholders and has resolved to recommend that the Company's stockholders vote in favor of the adoption and approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company, and the consummation by it of its obligations under this Agreement, have been authorized by all necessary corporate action, subject to the Company Stockholder Approval, and, subject to the receipt of the Requisite Regulatory Approvals, this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other Legal Requirements affecting creditors' rights generally and subject to general principles of equity.


        
Section 3.4    No Conflict.    Neither the execution nor delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions will, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time): (a) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of the articles of incorporation, certificate of formation or charter (or similar organizational documents) or bylaws or operating agreement, each as in effect on the date hereof, or any currently effective resolution adopted by the board of directors, stockholders, manager or members of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (b) assuming receipt of the Requisite Regulatory Approvals, contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any Legal Requirement or any Order to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective assets that are owned or used by them, may be subject, except for any contravention, conflict or violation that is permissible by virtue of obtaining the Requisite Regulatory Approvals; or (c) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of, or give any Person the right to declare a default or exercise any remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to cancel, terminate or modify, or which would result in the creation of any material lien, charge or encumbrance upon or with respect to any of the assets owned or used by the Company or its Subsidiaries under, any Company Material Contract, except (in case of clause (c)) for such contraventions, conflicts, breaches or defaults that, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. Except for: (a) the filing of applications, filings and notices, as applicable, with the Federal Reserve and approval of such applications, filings and notices; (b) the filing of applications, filings and notices, as applicable, with the Illinois State Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Banking and approval of such applications, filings and notices; (c) the filing of any required applications, filings or notices with the FDIC and approval of such applications, filings and notices; (d) the filing with the SEC of the Joint Proxy Statement in definitive form and of the Registration Statement and declaration of effectiveness of the Registration Statement; (e) the filing of the Nevada Articles of Merger with the Nevada Secretary of State pursuant to the NRS and the filing of the Missouri Articles of Merger with the Missouri Secretary of State pursuant to the GBCL; and (f) such filings and approvals as are required to be made or obtained under the securities or "Blue Sky" laws of various states in connection with the issuance of the shares of Acquiror Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement and the listing of additional shares of Acquiror Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, no consents or approvals of or filings or registrations with any court, administrative agency or commission or other governmental authority or instrumentality are necessary in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions.

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Section 3.5    Company Capitalization.     

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        Section 3.6    Company Subsidiary Capitalization.     All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity ownership interests of each Subsidiary of the Company are owned by the Company, directly or indirectly, free and clear of any material liens, pledges, charges, claims and security interests and similar encumbrances, and all of such shares or equity ownership interests are duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. No Subsidiary of the Company has or is bound by any outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, commitments or agreements of any character calling for the purchase or issuance of any shares of capital stock or any other equity security of such Subsidiary or any securities representing the right to purchase or otherwise receive any shares of capital stock or any other equity security of such Subsidiary. No Subsidiary of the Company owns or has any Contract to acquire, any equity interests or other securities of any Person or any direct or indirect equity or ownership interest in any other business.


        
Section 3.7    Company SEC Reports; Financial Statements and Reports; Regulatory Filings.     

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Section 3.8    Books and Records.     The books of account, minute books, stock record books and other records of the Company and its Subsidiaries are complete and correct in all material respects and have been maintained in accordance with the Company's business practices and all applicable Legal Requirements, including the maintenance of an adequate system of internal controls required by such Legal Requirements. The minute books of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries fairly reflect the substance of events and transactions included therein.


        
Section 3.9    Properties.     

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Section 3.10    Loans; Loan Loss Reserve.     

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Section 3.11    Taxes.     

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Section 3.12    Employee Benefits.     

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Section 3.13    Compliance with Legal Requirements.     The Company and each of its Subsidiaries hold all material licenses, certificates, permits, franchises and rights from all appropriate Regulatory Authorities necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is, and at all times since January 1, 2013, has been, in compliance with each Legal Requirement that is or was applicable to it or to the conduct or operation of its respective businesses or the ownership or use of any of its respective assets, except where noncompliance would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received, at any time since January 1, 2013, any notice or other communication (whether oral or written) from any Regulatory Authority or any other Person regarding: (a) any actual, alleged, possible, or potential violation of, or failure to comply with, any Legal Requirement; or (b) any actual, alleged, possible, or potential obligation on the part of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to undertake, or to bear all or any portion of the cost of, any remedial action of any nature in connection with a failure to comply with any Legal Requirement.

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        Section 3.14    Legal Proceedings; Orders.     


        
Section 3.15    Absence of Certain Changes and Events.     Since September 30, 2014, the Company and its Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses only in the Ordinary Course of Business and no event or events have occurred that had or would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.


        
Section 3.16    Material Contracts.     Except for Contracts evidencing Company Loans made by the Bank in the Ordinary Course of Business, Section 3.16 of the Company Disclosure Schedules lists or describes the following with respect to the Company and each of its Subsidiaries (each such agreement or document, a "Company Material Contract") as of the date of this Agreement, true, complete and correct copies of each of which have been delivered or made available to Acquiror:

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Section 3.17    No Defaults.     Each Company Material Contract is in full force and effect and is valid and enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other Legal Requirements affecting creditors' rights generally and subject to general principles of equity. To the Knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that (with or without notice or lapse of time) may contravene, conflict with or result in a material violation or breach of, or give the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or other Person the right to declare a default or exercise any remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to cancel, terminate or modify, any Company Material Contract. Except in the Ordinary Course of Business with respect to any Company Loan, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has given to or received from any other Person, at any time since January 1, 2013, any notice or other communication (whether oral or written) regarding any actual, alleged, possible or potential violation or breach of, or default under, any Company Material Contract, that has not been terminated or satisfied prior to the date of this Agreement. Other than in the Ordinary Course of Business, there are no renegotiations of, attempts to renegotiate or outstanding rights to renegotiate,

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any material amounts paid or payable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under current or completed Company Material Contracts with any Person, and no such Person has made written demand for such renegotiation.


        
Section 3.18    Insurance.     Section 3.18 of the Company Disclosure Schedules lists all insurance policies and bonds owned or held as of the date of this Agreement by the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to their respective business, operations, properties or assets (including bankers' blanket bond and insurance providing benefits for employees), true, complete and correct copies of each of which have been delivered or made available to Acquiror. The Company and its Subsidiaries are insured with reputable insurers against such risks and in such amounts as the management of the Company reasonably has determined to be prudent and consistent with industry practice. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with their insurance policies and are not in default under any of the terms thereof. Each such policy is outstanding and in full force and effect and, except for policies insuring against potential liabilities of officers, directors and employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries, the Company or the relevant Subsidiary thereof is the sole beneficiary of such policies. All premiums and other payments due under any such policy have been paid, and all claims thereunder have been filed in due and timely fashion. Section 3.18 of the Company Disclosure Schedules lists and briefly describes all claims that have been filed under such insurance policies and bonds within the past two (2) years prior to the date of this Agreement that individually or in the aggregate exceed $100,000 and the current status of such claims. All such claims have been filed in due and timely fashion. None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has had any insurance policy or bond cancelled or nonrenewed by the issuer of the policy or bond within the past two (2) years.


        
Section 3.19    Compliance with Environmental Laws.     There are no actions, suits, investigations, liabilities, inquiries, Proceedings or Orders involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets that are pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, nor to the Knowledge of the Company, is there any factual basis for any of the foregoing, as a result of any asserted failure of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of, or any predecessor thereof, to comply with any Environmental Law. No environmental clearances or other governmental approvals are required for the conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions. To the Knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is the owner of any interest in real estate on which any substances have been generated, used, stored, deposited, treated, recycled or disposed of, which substances if known to be present on, at or under such property, would require notification to any Regulatory Authority, clean up, removal or some other remedial action under any Environmental Law at such property or any impacted adjacent or down gradient property, except where such action would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. The Company and each Subsidiary of the Company has complied in all material respects with all Environmental Laws applicable to it and its business operations.


        
Section 3.20    Transactions with Affiliates.     No transaction, or series of related transactions, is currently proposed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Knowledge of the Company, by any other Person, to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries would be a participant that would be required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act if consummated.


        
Section 3.21    Brokerage Commissions.     Except for fees payable to Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P. pursuant to an engagement letter that has been Previously Disclosed, none of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective Representatives, has incurred any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokerage or finders' fees or agents' commissions or other similar payment in connection with this Agreement.

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Section 3.22    Approval Delays.     To the Knowledge of the Company, there is no reason why the granting of any of the Requisite Regulatory Approvals would be denied or unduly delayed. The Bank's most recent CRA rating was "satisfactory" or better.


        
Section 3.23    Labor Matters.     


        
Section 3.24    Intellectual Property.     Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has the unrestricted right and authority, and the Surviving Entity and its Subsidiaries will have the unrestricted right and authority from and after the Effective Time, to use all patents, trademarks, copyrights, service marks, trade names or other intellectual property owned by them as is necessary to enable them to conduct and to continue to conduct all material phases of the businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries in the manner presently conducted by them, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, such use does not, and will not, conflict with, infringe on or violate any patent, trademark, copyright, service mark, trade name or any other intellectual property right of any Person.


        
Section 3.25    Investments.     

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Section 3.26    Trust Preferred Securities.     The Company has performed, or has caused each Company Trust to perform, all of the obligations required to be performed by it and is not in default under the terms of the Company Trust Debentures or the Company Trust Preferred Securities or any agreements related thereto.


        
Section 3.27    No Other Representations or Warranties.     

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ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR

        Except as Previously Disclosed, Acquiror hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows:


        
Section 4.1    Acquiror Organization.     Acquiror: (a) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Nevada and is also in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or the properties or assets owned or leased by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror; (b) is registered with the Federal Reserve as a financial holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended; and (c) has full power and authority, corporate and otherwise, to operate as a bank holding company and to own, operate and lease its properties as presently owned, operated and leased, and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. The copies of the Acquiror Articles of Incorporation and Acquiror Bylaws and all amendments thereto set forth in the Acquiror SEC Reports are true, complete and correct, and in full force and effect as of the date of this Agreement. Acquiror has no subsidiary other than the subsidiaries listed on Exhibit 21 to Acquiror's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.


        
Section 4.2    Acquiror Subsidiary Organizations.     Acquiror Bank is an Illinois state chartered bank duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Illinois. Each Acquiror Subsidiary is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and is also in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or the properties or assets owned or leased by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror. Each Subsidiary of Acquiror has full power and authority, corporate and otherwise, to own, operate and lease its properties as presently owned, operated and leased, and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. The deposit accounts of Acquiror Bank are insured by the FDIC through the Deposit Insurance Fund to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Legal Requirements, and all premiums and assessments required to be paid in connection therewith have been paid when due. Acquiror has delivered or made available to the Company copies of the charter (or similar organizational documents) and bylaws of each Subsidiary of Acquiror and all amendments thereto, each of which are true, complete and correct and in full force and effect as of the date of this Agreement.


        
Section 4.3    Authorization; Enforceability.     Acquiror has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by the Acquiror Board. The Acquiror Board has determined that the Merger, on substantially the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, is in the best interests of Acquiror and its stockholders, and that this Agreement and transactions contemplated hereby are in the best interests of Acquiror and its stockholders. The Acquiror Board has directed the Acquiror Stock Issuance be submitted to Acquiror's stockholders for consideration at a duly held meeting of such stockholders and has resolved to recommend that Acquiror's stockholders vote in favor of the Acquiror Stock Issuance. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Acquiror, and the consummation by it of its obligations under this Agreement, have been authorized by all necessary corporate action, subject to the Acquiror Stockholder Approval, and subject to the receipt of the Requisite Regulatory Approvals, this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of

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Acquiror enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other Legal Requirements affecting creditors' rights generally and subject to general principles of equity.


        
Section 4.4    No Conflict.     Neither the execution nor delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions will, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time): (a) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of the articles of incorporation, certificate of formation or charter (or similar organizational documents) or bylaws or operating agreement, each as in effect on the date hereof, or any currently effective resolution adopted by the board of directors, stockholders, manager or members of, Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries; or (b) assuming receipt of the Requisite Regulatory Approvals, contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any Legal Requirement or any Order to which Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective assets that are owned or used by them, may be subject, except for any contravention, conflict or violation that is permissible by virtue of obtaining the Requisite Regulatory Approvals. Except for: (a) the filing of applications, filings and notices, as applicable, with the Federal Reserve and approval of such applications, filings and notices; (b) the filing of applications, filings and notices, as applicable, with the Illinois State Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Banking and approval of such applications, filings and notices; (c) the filing of any required applications, filings or notices with the FDIC and approval of such applications, filings and notices; (d) the filing with the SEC of the Joint Proxy Statement in definitive form and of the Registration Statement and declaration of effectiveness of the Registration Statement; (e) the filing of the Nevada Articles of Merger with the Nevada Secretary of State pursuant to the NRS and the filing of the Missouri Articles of Merger with the Missouri Secretary of State pursuant to the GBCL; and (f) such filings and approvals as are required to be made or obtained under the securities or "Blue Sky" laws of various states in connection with the issuance of the shares of Acquiror Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement and the listing of additional shares of Acquiror Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, no consents or approvals of or filings or registrations with any court, administrative agency or commission or other governmental authority or instrumentality are necessary in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions.


        
Section 4.5    Acquiror Capitalization.     

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Section 4.6    Acquiror Subsidiary Capitalization.     All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity ownership interests of each Subsidiary of Acquiror are owned by Acquiror, directly or indirectly, free and clear of any material liens, pledges, charges, claims and security interests and similar encumbrances, and all of such shares or equity ownership interests are duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. No Subsidiary of Acquiror has or is bound by any outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, commitments or agreements of any character calling for the purchase or issuance of any shares of capital stock or any other equity security of such Subsidiary or any securities representing the right to purchase or otherwise receive any shares of capital stock or any other equity security of such Subsidiary. No Subsidiary of Acquiror owns or has any Contract to acquire, any equity interests or other securities of any Person or any direct or indirect equity or ownership interest in any other business.

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Section 4.7    Acquiror SEC Reports; Financial Statements and Reports; Regulatory Filings.     

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Section 4.8    Books and Records.     The books of account, minute books, stock record books and other records of Acquiror and its Subsidiaries are complete and correct in all material respects and have been maintained in accordance with Acquiror's business practices and all applicable Legal Requirements, including the maintenance of an adequate system of internal controls required by such Legal Requirements. The minute books of Acquiror and each of its Subsidiaries fairly reflect the substance of events and transactions included therein.


        
Section 4.9    Properties.     Acquiror and each of its Subsidiaries has good and marketable title to all assets and properties, whether real or personal, tangible or intangible, that it purports to own, subject to no liens, mortgages, security interests, encumbrances or charges of any kind except: (i) as noted in the most recent Acquiror Financial Statements; (ii) statutory liens for Taxes not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate Proceedings and for which appropriate reserves have been established and reflected in the Acquiror Financial Statements; (iii) pledges or liens required to be granted in connection with the acceptance of government deposits, granted in connection with repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements or otherwise incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business; (iv) easements, rights of way, and other similar encumbrances that do not materially affect the present use of the properties or assets subject thereto or affected thereby or otherwise materially impair the present business operations at such properties; (v) minor defects and irregularities in title and encumbrances that do not materially impair the use thereof for the purposes for which they are held as of the date of this Agreement; (vi) liens or deposits in connection with worker's compensation, unemployment insurance, social security or other insurance; (vii) liens existing on any asset of any Person at the time such Person is acquired by or is combined with Acquiror or any of Acquiror's Subsidiaries, provided the lien was not created in contemplation of that event; (viii) liens on property required by Regulation W promulgated by the Federal Reserve; and (ix) liens incidental to the conduct of business or ownership of property of Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries which do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of the property or materially impair the use thereof as of the date of this Agreement. Acquiror and each of its Subsidiaries as lessee has the right under valid and existing leases to occupy, use, possess and control any and all of the respective property leased by

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it, and each such lease is valid and without default thereunder by the lessee or, to the Knowledge of Acquiror, the lessor.


        
Section 4.10    Loans; Loan Loss Reserve.     


        
Section 4.11    Taxes.     

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Section 4.12    Employee Benefits.     

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Section 4.13    Compliance with Legal Requirements.     Acquiror and each of its Subsidiaries hold all material licenses, certificates, permits, franchises and rights from all appropriate Regulatory Authorities necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses. Acquiror and each of its Subsidiaries is, and at all times since January 1, 2013, has been, in compliance with each Legal Requirement that is or was applicable to it or to the conduct or operation of its respective businesses or the ownership or use of any of its respective assets, except where noncompliance would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror. Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror, neither Acquiror nor any of its Subsidiaries has received, at any time since January 1, 2013, any notice or other communication (whether oral or written) from any Regulatory Authority or any other Person regarding: (a) any actual, alleged, possible, or potential violation of, or failure to comply with, any Legal Requirement; or (b) any actual, alleged, possible, or potential obligation on the part of Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries to undertake, or to bear all or any portion of the cost of, any remedial action of any nature in connection with a failure to comply with any Legal Requirement.


        
Section 4.14    Legal Proceedings; Orders.     

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Section 4.15    Absence of Certain Changes and Events.     Since December 31, 2014, no event or events have occurred that had or would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror.


        
Section 4.16    Compliance with Environmental Laws.     There are no actions, suits, investigations, liabilities, inquiries, Proceedings or Orders involving Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets that are pending or, to the Knowledge of Acquiror, threatened, nor to the Knowledge of Acquiror, is there any factual basis for any of the foregoing, as a result of any asserted failure of Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries of, or any predecessor thereof, to comply with any Environmental Law. No environmental clearances or other governmental approvals are required for the conduct of the business of Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries or the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions. To the Knowledge of Acquiror, neither Acquiror nor any of its Subsidiaries is the owner of any interest in real estate on which any substances have been generated, used, stored, deposited, treated, recycled or disposed of, which substances if known to be present on, at or under such property, would require notification to any Regulatory Authority, clean up, removal or some other remedial action under any Environmental Law at such property or any impacted adjacent or down gradient property, except where such action would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. Acquiror and each Subsidiary of Acquiror has complied in all material respects with all Environmental Laws applicable to it and its business operations.


        
Section 4.17    Brokerage Commissions.     Except for fees payable to FIG Partners, LLC pursuant to an engagement letter that has been Previously Disclosed, none of Acquiror or its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective Representatives, has incurred any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokerage or finders' fees or agents' commissions or other similar payment in connection with this Agreement.


        
Section 4.18    Approval Delays.     To the Knowledge of Acquiror, there is no reason why the granting of any of the Requisite Regulatory Approvals would be denied or unduly delayed. Acquiror Bank's most recent CRA rating was "satisfactory" or better.


        
Section 4.19    No Other Representations or Warranties.     

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ARTICLE 5
THE COMPANY'S COVENANTS

        Section 5.1    Access and Investigation.     


        
Section 5.2    Operation of the Company and Company Subsidiaries.     

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Section 5.3    Notice of Changes.     The Company will give prompt notice to Acquiror of any fact, event or circumstance known to it that: (a) is reasonably likely, individually or taken together with all other facts, events and circumstances known to it, to result in a Material Adverse Effect on the Company; or (b) would cause or constitute a material breach of any of the Company's representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained herein that reasonably could be expected to give rise, individually or in the aggregate, to the failure of a condition in Article 8.


        
Section 5.4    Stockholders' Meeting.     Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement and unless there has been a Company Adverse Recommendation, the Company shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable after the date the Registration Statement is declared effective, take all action necessary, including as required by and in accordance with the GBCL, Company Articles of Incorporation and Company Bylaws to duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its stockholders (the "Company Stockholders' Meeting") for the purpose of obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval. The Company and Company Board will use their reasonable best efforts to obtain from its stockholders the votes in favor of the adoption of this Agreement required by the GBCL, including by recommending that its stockholders vote in favor of this Agreement, and the Company and Company Board will not withhold, withdraw, qualify or adversely modify (or publicly propose or resolve to

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withhold, withdraw, qualify or adversely modify) Company Board's recommendation to the Company's stockholders that the Company's stockholders vote in favor of the adoption and approval of this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions, including the Merger (a "Company Adverse Recommendation"). However, if, prior to the time the Company Stockholder Approval is obtained, the Company Board, after consultation with outside counsel, determines in good faith it is reasonably likely that to, or to continue to, recommend this Agreement to its stockholders would result in a violation of its fiduciary duties under applicable law, then the Company Board may make a Company Adverse Recommendation or publicly propose or resolve to make a Company Adverse Recommendation.


        
Section 5.5    Information Provided to Acquiror.     The Company agrees that the information concerning the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is provided or to be provided by the Company to Acquiror for inclusion or that is included in the Registration Statement or Joint Proxy Statement and any other documents to be filed with any Regulatory Authority in connection with the Contemplated Transactions will: (a) at the respective times such documents are filed and, in the case of the Registration Statement, when it becomes effective and, with respect to the Joint Proxy Statement, when mailed, not be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or (b) in the case of the Joint Proxy Statement or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, at the time of the Company Stockholders' Meeting, not be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication with respect to the solicitation of any proxy for the meeting in connection with which the Joint Proxy Statement shall be mailed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no responsibility for the truth or accuracy of any information with respect to Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates contained in the Registration Statement or the Joint Proxy Statement or in any document submitted to, or other communication with, any Regulatory Authority.


        
Section 5.6    Operating Functions.     The Company and the Bank shall cooperate with Acquiror and Acquiror Bank in connection with planning for the efficient and orderly combination of the parties and the operation of the Bank and Acquiror Bank, and in preparing for the consolidation of the banks' appropriate operating functions to be effective on the Effective Date or such later date as the parties may mutually agree.


        
Section 5.7    Company Benefit Plans.     


        
Section 5.8    Acquisition Proposals.     

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        Section 5.9    Release of Security Interest.     Prior to the Effective Time, Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to pay, in full, all principal and interest payments due on Company's outstanding debt obligation to First Bank, St. Louis, Missouri, and use its reasonable best efforts to seek the release of First Bank's security interest on the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Bank pledged to First Bank in connection with such debt obligation.


ARTICLE 6
ACQUIROR'S COVENANTS

        Section 6.1    Access and Investigation.     

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Section 6.2    Operation of Acquiror and Acquiror Subsidiaries.     

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Section 6.3    Stockholders' Meeting.     Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement and unless there has been a Acquiror Adverse Recommendation, Acquiror shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable after the date the Registration Statement is declared effective, take all action necessary, including as required by and in accordance with NASDAQ Rule 5635(a), the Acquiror Articles of Incorporation and the Acquiror Bylaws to duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its stockholders (the "Acquiror Stockholders' Meeting") for the purpose of obtaining the Acquiror Stockholder Approval. Acquiror and the Acquiror Board will use their reasonable best efforts to obtain from its stockholders the votes in favor of the Acquiror Stock Issuance required by NASDAQ Rule 5635(a), including by recommending that its stockholders vote in favor of the Acquiror Stock Issuance, and Acquiror and the Acquiror Board will not withhold, withdraw, qualify or adversely modify (or publicly propose or resolve to withhold, withdraw, qualify or adversely modify) such recommendation to Acquiror's stockholders (a "Acquiror Adverse Recommendation"). However, if, prior to the time the Acquiror Stockholder Approval is obtained, the Acquiror Board, after consultation with outside counsel, determines in good faith it is reasonably likely that to, or to continue to, recommend this Agreement to its stockholders would result in a violation of its fiduciary duties under applicable law, then the Acquiror Board may make an Acquiror Adverse Recommendation or publicly propose or resolve to make an Acquiror Adverse Recommendation.


        
Section 6.4    Information Provided to the Company.     Acquiror agrees that the information concerning Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries that is provided or to be provided by Acquiror to the Company for inclusion or that is included in the Registration Statement or Joint Proxy Statement and any other documents to be filed with any Regulatory Authority in connection with the Contemplated Transactions will: (a) at the respective times such documents are filed and, in the case of the Registration Statement, when it becomes effective and, with respect to the Joint Proxy Statement, when mailed, not be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or (b) in the case of the Joint Proxy Statement or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, at the time of the Acquiror Stockholders' Meeting, not be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication with respect to the solicitation of any proxy for the meeting in connection with which the Joint Proxy Statement shall be mailed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Acquiror shall have no responsibility for the truth or accuracy of any information with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates contained in the Registration Statement or the Joint Proxy Statement or in any document submitted to, or other communication with, any Regulatory Authority.


        
Section 6.5    Operating Functions.     Acquiror and Acquiror Bank shall cooperate with the Company and the Bank in connection with planning for the efficient and orderly combination of the parties and the operation of the Bank and Acquiror Bank, and in preparing for the consolidation of the banks' appropriate operating functions to be effective on the Effective Date or such later date as the parties may mutually agree.

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Section 6.6    Indemnification.     


        
Section 6.7    Board Representation.     Subject to any necessary approval by the appropriate Regulatory Authorities, Acquiror shall take all appropriate action, subject to and in accordance with the respective bylaws of Acquiror and Acquiror Bank, to appoint: (a) one individual serving on the Company Board and mutually agreeable to the parties, to the Acquiror Board, effective immediately upon the Effective Time; and (b) one individual serving on the board of directors of the Bank and mutually agreeable to the parties, to the board of directors of Acquiror Bank, effective immediately upon the effectiveness of the Bank Merger.

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Section 6.8    Authorization and Reservation of Acquiror Common Stock.     The Acquiror Board shall, as of the date hereof, authorize and reserve the maximum number of shares of Acquiror Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement and take all other necessary corporate action to consummate the Contemplated Transactions.


        
Section 6.9    Stock Exchange Listing.     Acquiror shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause all shares of Acquiror Common Stock issuable or to be reserved for issuance under this Agreement to be approved for listing on the NASDAQ Global Select Market prior to the Closing Date.


        
Section 6.10    Assumption of Debt Instruments.     Except as provided in Section 5.9, Acquiror agrees to execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, by or on behalf of the Surviving Entity, at or prior to the Effective Time, one or more supplemental indentures, guarantees, and other instruments required for the due assumption of the Company's outstanding debt, subordinated debentures, guarantees, securities, and other agreements to the extent required by the terms of such debt, subordinated debentures, guarantees, securities, and other agreements.


ARTICLE 7
COVENANTS OF ALL PARTIES

        Section 7.1    Regulatory Approvals.     Acquiror and the Company and their respective Subsidiaries will cooperate and use all reasonable best efforts to as promptly as possible prepare, file, effect and obtain all Requisite Regulatory Approvals, and the parties will comply with the terms of such Requisite Regulatory Approvals. Each of Acquiror and the Company will have the right to review in advance, and to the extent practicable each will consult with the other, in each case subject to applicable Legal Requirements relating to the exchange of information, with respect to all substantive written information submitted to any Regulatory Authority in connection with the Requisite Regulatory Approvals. In exercising the foregoing right, each of the parties will act reasonably and as promptly as practicable. Each party agrees that it will consult with the other party with respect to obtaining all permits, consents, approvals and authorizations of all Regulatory Authorities necessary or advisable to consummate the Contemplated Transactions, and each party will keep the other party apprised of the status of material matters relating to completion of the Contemplated Transactions. Acquiror and the Company will, upon request, furnish the other party with all information concerning itself, its Subsidiaries, directors, officers and stockholders and such other matters as may be reasonably necessary or advisable in connection with any filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of such other party or any of its Subsidiaries with or to any Regulatory Authority in connection with the Contemplated Transactions.


        
Section 7.2    SEC Registration.     As soon as practicable following the date of this Agreement, the Company and Acquiror shall prepare and file with the SEC the Joint Proxy Statement and Acquiror shall prepare and file with the SEC the Registration Statement, in which the Joint Proxy Statement will be included. Acquiror shall use its reasonable best efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing and to keep the Registration Statement effective as long as is necessary to consummate the Merger and the Contemplated Transactions. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Joint Proxy Statement to be mailed to the Company's stockholders, and Acquiror will use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Joint Proxy Statement to be mailed to Acquiror's stockholders, in each case as promptly as practicable after the Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act. Acquiror shall also take any action required to be taken under any applicable Legal Requirement in connection with the Acquiror Stock Issuance, and each party shall furnish all information concerning itself and its stockholders as may be reasonably requested in connection with any such action. Acquiror will advise the Company, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when the Registration Statement has become effective or any supplement or amendment has been filed, the issuance of any stop order, the suspension of the qualification of Acquiror Capital Stock issuable in connection with the Merger

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for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or any request by the SEC to amend the Joint Proxy Statement or the Registration Statement or comments thereon and responses thereto or requests by the SEC for additional information, and the Company will advise Acquiror, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of any request by the SEC to amend the Joint Proxy Statement or comments thereon and responses thereto or requests by the SEC for additional information. The parties shall use reasonable best efforts to respond (with the assistance of the other party) as promptly as practicable to any comments of the SEC with respect thereto. If prior to the Effective Time any event occurs with respect to the Company, Acquiror or any Subsidiary of the Company or Acquiror, respectively, or any change occurs with respect to information supplied by or on behalf of the Company or Acquiror, respectively, for inclusion in the Joint Proxy Statement or the Registration Statement that, in each case, is required to be described in an amendment of, or a supplement to, the Joint Proxy Statement or the Registration Statement, the Company or Acquiror, as applicable, shall promptly notify the other of such event, and the Company or, Acquiror, as applicable, shall cooperate in the prompt filing with the SEC of any necessary amendment or supplement to the Joint Proxy Statement and the Registration Statement and, as required by applicable Legal Requirements, in disseminating the information contained in such amendment or supplement to the Company's stockholders and to Acquiror's stockholders.


        
Section 7.3    Publicity.     Neither the Company nor Acquiror shall, and neither the Company nor Acquiror shall permit any of its Subsidiaries to, issue or cause the publication of any press release or other public announcement with respect to, or otherwise make any public statement or, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, any disclosure of nonpublic information to a third party, concerning, the Contemplated Transactions without the prior consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of Acquiror, in the case of a proposed announcement, statement or disclosure by the Company, or the Company, in the case of a proposed announcement, statement or disclosure by Acquiror; provided, however, that either party may, without the prior consent of the other party (but after prior consultation with the other party to the extent practicable under the circumstances), issue or cause the publication of any press release or other public announcement to the extent required by applicable Legal Requirements or by the NASDAQ Rules.


        
Section 7.4    Reasonable Best Efforts; Cooperation.     Each of Acquiror and the Company agrees to exercise good faith and use its reasonable best efforts to satisfy the various covenants and conditions to Closing in this Agreement, and to consummate the Contemplated Transactions as promptly as practicable. Neither Acquiror nor the Company will intentionally take or intentionally permit to be taken any action that would be a breach of the terms or provisions of this Agreement. Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, each of Acquiror and the Company will, and will cause each Subsidiary of Acquiror and the Company, respectively, and all of their respective Affiliates and Representatives to, cooperate with respect to all filings that any party is required by any applicable Legal Requirements to make in connection with the Contemplated Transactions. Subject to applicable Legal Requirements and the instructions of any Regulatory Authority, each party shall keep the other party reasonably apprised of the status of matters relating to the completion of the Contemplated Transactions, including promptly furnishing the other party with copies of notices or other written communications received by it or any of its Subsidiaries from any Regulatory Authority with respect to such transactions.


        
Section 7.5    Tax Free Reorganization.     

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Section 7.6    Employees and Employee Benefits.     

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Section 7.7    Section 16 Matters.     Prior to the Effective Time, the parties will each take such steps as may be necessary or appropriate to cause any disposition of shares of Company Capital Stock or conversion of any derivative securities in respect of shares of Company Capital Stock in connection with the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.


        
Section 7.8    Stockholder Litigation.     Each of the Company and Acquiror shall give the other the reasonable opportunity to consult concerning the defense of any stockholder litigation against the

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Company or Acquiror, as applicable, or any of their respective directors or officers relating to the Contemplated Transactions.


        
Section 7.9    TRUPS Assumption.     As of the Effective Time and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein: (a) Acquiror will assume and discharge all of the Company's covenants, agreements and obligations under and relating to the trust preferred securities (the "Company Trust Preferred Securities ") issued by the Company Trusts, including the due and punctual payment of interest on all of the obligations of the Company pursuant to the junior subordinated debentures issued by the Company to the Company Trusts (such obligations, the "Company Trust Debentures "and such transfer and assumption as described in clause (a), the "TRUPS Assumption "); (b) Acquiror will cause the Company Trusts to discharge their obligations with respect to the Company Trust Preferred Securities arising after the Effective Time in accordance with the terms and conditions of the agreements related to the Company Trust Preferred Securities and the TRUPS Assumption; and (c) Acquiror and the Company shall execute and deliver, or cause to be delivered, a supplemental indenture, in a form satisfactory to the trustee of the Company Trusts, to effectuate the TRUPS Assumption, for each Company Trust, whereby the Company shall assign, and Acquiror shall assume, all of the Company's covenants, agreements and obligations under the Company Trust Debentures, signed by a duly authorized officer of each of the Company and Acquiror, and any and all other documentation and consents, including opinions of counsel, required by the trustee of the Company Trusts to make such assumptions effective.


        
Section 7.10    Dividends.     After the date of this Agreement, each of Acquiror and the Company shall coordinate with the other the declaration of any dividends in respect of Acquiror Common Stock and Company Common Stock and the record dates and payment dates relating thereto, it being the intention of the parties hereto that holders of Company Common Stock shall not receive two dividends, or fail to receive one dividend, in any quarter with respect to their shares of Company Common Stock and any shares of Acquiror Common Stock any such holder receives in exchange therefor in the Merger.


ARTICLE 8
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF ACQUIROR

        The obligations of Acquiror to consummate the Contemplated Transactions and to take the other actions required to be taken by Acquiror at the Closing are subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions (any of which may be waived by Acquiror in whole or in part):

        Section 8.1    Accuracy of Representations and Warranties.    For purposes of this Section 8.1, the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement shall be assessed as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date (or such other date(s) as specified, to the extent any representation or warranty speaks as of a specific date). The representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.3 and Section 3.5(a) shall be true and correct (except for inaccuracies which are de minimis in amount and effect). There shall not exist inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement (including the representations set forth in Section 3.3 and Section 3.5(a)) such that the aggregate effect of such inaccuracies has, or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect; provided, that, for purposes of this sentence only, those representations and warranties which are qualified by references to "material" or "Material Adverse Effect" shall be deemed not to include such qualifications.


        
Section 8.2    Performance by the Company.     The Company shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all of the covenants and obligations to be performed or complied with by it under the terms of this Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date.


        
Section 8.3    Stockholder Approvals.     Each of the Company Stockholder Approval and the Acquiror Stockholder Approval shall have been obtained.

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        Section 8.4    No Injunctions or Restraints; Illegality.     No order, injunction or decree issued by any court or agency of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Merger or any of the other Contemplated Transactions shall be in effect. No statute, rule, regulation, order, injunction or decree shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any governmental authority which prohibits or makes illegal consummation of the Merger.


        
Section 8.5    Regulatory Approvals.     All Requisite Regulatory Approvals shall have been obtained and shall remain in full force and effect and all statutory waiting periods in respect thereof shall have expired or been terminated and no such Requisite Regulatory Approval shall have imposed a restriction or condition on, or requirement of, such approval that would, after the Effective Time, reasonably be expected by the Acquiror Board to materially restrict or burden the Surviving Entity.


        
Section 8.6    Registration Statement.     The Registration Statement shall have become effective under the Securities Act. No stop order shall have been issued or threatened by the SEC that suspends the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and no Proceeding shall have been commenced or be pending or threatened for such purpose.


        
Section 8.7    Officers' Certificate.     Acquiror shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by an executive officer of the Company certifying as to the matters set forth in Sections 8.1 and 8.2.


        
Section 8.8    Tax Opinion.     Acquiror shall have received a written opinion of Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP, tax counsel to Acquiror, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company and Acquiror, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that: (a) the Merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code; and (b) each of the Company and Acquiror will be a party to such reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code.


        
Section 8.9    Stock Exchange Listing.     Acquiror shall have filed with the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC a notification form for the listing of all shares of Acquiror Common Stock to be delivered in the Merger, and the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC shall not have objected to the listing of such shares of Acquiror Common Stock.


        
Section 8.10    No Material Adverse Effect.     From the date of this Agreement to the Closing, there shall be and have been no change in the financial condition, assets or business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.


ARTICLE 9
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY

        The obligations of the Company to consummate the Contemplated Transactions and to take the other actions required to be taken by the Company at the Closing are subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions (any of which may be waived by the Company, in whole or in part):


        
Section 9.1    Accuracy of Representations and Warranties.     For purposes of this Section 9.1, the accuracy of the representations and warranties of Acquiror set forth in this Agreement shall be assessed as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date (or such other date(s) as specified, to the extent any representation or warranty speaks as of a specific date). The representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.3 and Section 4.5(a) shall be true and correct (except for inaccuracies which are de minimis in amount and effect). There shall not exist inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of Acquiror set forth in this Agreement (including the representations set forth in Section 4.3 and Section 4.5(a)) such that the aggregate effect of such inaccuracies has, or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect; provided, that, for purposes of this sentence only,

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those representations and warranties which are qualified by references to "material" or "Material Adverse Effect" shall be deemed not to include such qualifications.


        
Section 9.2    Performance by Acquiror.     Acquiror shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all of the covenants and obligations to be performed or complied with by it under the terms of this Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date.


        
Section 9.3    Stockholder Approvals.     Each of the Company Stockholder Approval and the Acquiror Stockholder Approval shall have been obtained.


        
Section 9.4    No Injunctions or Restraints; Illegality.     No order, injunction or decree issued by any court or agency of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Merger or any of the other Contemplated Transactions shall be in effect. No statute, rule, regulation, order, injunction or decree shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any governmental authority which prohibits or makes illegal consummation of the Merger.


        
Section 9.5    Regulatory Approvals.     All Requisite Regulatory Approvals shall have been obtained and shall remain in full force and effect and all statutory waiting periods in respect thereof shall have expired or been terminated and no such Requisite Regulatory Approval shall have imposed a restriction or condition on, or requirement of, such approval that would, after the Effective Time, reasonably be expected by the Company Board to materially restrict or burden the Surviving Entity.


        
Section 9.6    Registration Statement.     The Registration Statement shall have become effective under the Securities Act. No stop order shall have been issued or threatened by the SEC that suspends the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and no Proceeding shall have been commenced or be pending or threatened for such purpose.


        
Section 9.7    Officers' Certificate.     The Company shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of Acquiror by an executive officer of Acquiror certifying as to the matters set forth in Sections 9.1 and 9.2.


        
Section 9.8    Tax Opinion.     The Company shall have received a written opinion of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, tax counsel to the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company and Acquiror, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that: (a) the Merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code; and (b) each of the Company and Acquiror will be a party to such reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code.


        
Section 9.9    Stock Exchange Listing.     Acquiror shall have filed with the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC a notification form for the listing of all shares of Acquiror Common Stock to be delivered in the Merger, and the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC shall not have objected to the listing of such shares of Acquiror Common Stock.


        
Section 9.10    No Material Adverse Effect.     From the date of this Agreement to the Closing, there shall be and have been no change in the financial condition, assets or business of Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror.

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ARTICLE 10
TERMINATION

        Section 10.1    Termination of Agreement.     This Agreement may be terminated only as set forth below, whether before or after approval of the matters presented in connection with the Merger by the stockholders of the Company or Acquiror:

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Section 10.2    Effect of Termination or Abandonment.     In the event of the termination of this Agreement and the abandonment of the Merger pursuant to Section 10.1, this Agreement shall become null and void, and there shall be no liability of one party to the other or any restrictions on the future activities on the part of any party to this Agreement, or its respective directors, officers or stockholders, except that: (i) the Confidentiality Agreement, this Section 10.2, Section 10.3 and Article 11 shall survive such termination and abandonment; and (ii) no such termination shall relieve the breaching party from liability resulting from its fraud or any willful and material breach by that party of this Agreement.


        
Section 10.3    Fees and Expenses.     

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ARTICLE 11
MISCELLANEOUS

        Section 11.1    Survival.     Except for covenants that are expressly to be performed after the Closing, none of the representations, warranties and covenants contained herein shall survive beyond the Closing.


        
Section 11.2    Governing Law.     All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement and the performance of the obligations imposed by this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of Illinois applicable to Contracts made and wholly to be performed in such state without regard to conflicts of laws.


        
Section 11.3    Assignments, Successors and No Third Party Rights.     Neither party to this Agreement may assign any of its rights under this Agreement (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other party. Any purported assignment in contravention hereof shall be null and void. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement and every representation, warranty, covenant, agreement and provision hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Except for Section 6.6, nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement will be construed to give any Person other than the parties to this Agreement any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement. The representations and warranties in this Agreement are the product of negotiations among the parties hereto and are for the sole benefit of the parties. Any inaccuracies in such representations and warranties are subject to waiver by the parties hereto in accordance with Section 11.5 without notice or liability to any other Person. In some instances, the representations and warranties in this Agreement may represent an allocation among the parties hereto of risks associated with particular matters regardless of the knowledge of any of the parties hereto. Consequently, persons other than the parties may not rely upon the representations and warranties in this Agreement as characterizations of actual facts or circumstances as of the date of this Agreement or as of any other date.


        
Section 11.4    Modification.     This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented by the parties at any time before or after the Company Stockholder Approval and/or the Acquiror Stockholder Approval is obtained; provided, however, that after the Company Stockholder Approval and/or the Acquiror Stockholder Approval is obtained, there may not be, without further approval of the Company's and/or Acquiror's stockholders, respectively, any amendment of this Agreement that

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requires further approval under applicable Legal Requirements. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties.


        
Section 11.5    Extension of Time; Waiver.     At any time prior to the Effective Time, the parties may, to the extent permitted by applicable Legal Requirements: (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other party; (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to this Agreement; or (c) waive compliance with or amend, modify or supplement any of the agreements or conditions contained in this Agreement which are for the benefit of the waiving party. Any agreement on the part of a party to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in a written instrument signed on behalf of such party. Neither the failure nor any delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement or the documents referred to in this Agreement will operate as a waiver of such right, power or privilege, and no single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege will preclude any other or further exercise of such right, power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. Except as provided in Article 10, the rights and remedies of the parties to this Agreement are cumulative and not alternative. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable Legal Requirements: (x) no claim or right arising out of this Agreement or the documents referred to in this Agreement can be discharged by one party, in whole or in part, by a waiver or renunciation of the claim or right unless in writing signed by the other party; (y) no waiver that may be given by a party will be applicable except in the specific instance for which it is given; and (z) no notice to or demand on one party will be deemed to be a waiver of any obligation of such party or of the right of the party giving such notice or demand to take further action without notice or demand as provided in this Agreement or the documents referred to in this Agreement.


        
Section 11.6    Notices.     All notices, consents, waivers and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing (which shall include facsimile communication and electronic mail) and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered by hand or by nationally recognized overnight delivery service (receipt requested), mailed by registered or certified U.S. mail (return receipt requested) postage prepaid or sent by facsimile (with confirmation) or electronic mail (with confirmation) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

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or to such other Person or place as the Company shall furnish to Acquiror or Acquiror shall furnish to the Company in writing. Except as otherwise provided herein, all such notices, consents, waivers and other communications shall be effective: (a) if delivered by hand, when delivered; (b) if delivered by overnight delivery service, on the next Business Day after deposit with such service; (c) if mailed in the manner provided in this Section 11.6, five (5) Business Days after deposit with the U.S. Postal Service; and (d) if by facsimile, on the next Business Day.


        
Section 11.7    Entire Agreement.     This Agreement, the Schedules and any documents executed by the parties pursuant to this Agreement and referred to herein, together with the Confidentiality Agreement, constitute the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto and supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, written or oral, relating to such subject matter between the parties.


        
Section 11.8    Severability.     Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Legal Requirements, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable Legal Requirements, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement unless the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions is adversely affected thereby.


        
Section 11.9    Further Assurances.     The parties agree: (a) to furnish upon request to each other such further information; (b) to execute and deliver to each other such other documents; and (c) to do such other acts and things; all as the other party may reasonably request for the purpose of carrying out the intent of this Agreement and the documents referred to in this Agreement.


        
Section 11.10    Counterparts.     This Agreement and any amendments thereto may be executed in any number of counterparts (including by facsimile or other electronic means), each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other party, it being understood that each party need not sign the same counterpart.

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ARTICLE 12
DEFINITIONS

        Section 12.1    Definitions.    In addition to those terms defined throughout this Agreement, the following terms, when used herein, shall have the following meanings:

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Section 12.2    Principles of Construction.     

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[
SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

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        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers on the day and year first written above.

ACQUIROR:   COMPANY:

FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION

 

PULASKI FINANCIAL CORP.

By:

 

/s/ VAN A. DUKEMAN


 

By:

 

/s/ GARY W. DOUGLASS  
    Name:   Van A. Dukeman       Name:   Gary W. Douglass
    Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer       Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

   

[Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]

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Appendix B

Section 455 of the General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri

R.S.Mo. § 351.455. Shareholder entitled to appraisal and payment of fair value, when—remedy exclusive, when.

        1.     Any shareholder shall be deemed a dissenting shareholder and entitled to appraisal under this section if such shareholder:

        2.     The surviving or new corporation shall pay to each such dissenting shareholder, upon surrender of his or her certificate or certificates representing said shares in the case of certificated shares, the fair value thereof. Such demand shall state the number and class of the shares owned by such dissenting shareholder. Any shareholder who:

        3.     Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 1 of section 351.230, notice under the provisions of subsection 1 of section 351.230 stating the purpose for which the meeting is called shall be given to each shareholder owning stock as of the record date for the meeting of shareholders at which the plan of merger or consolidation is submitted to a vote, whether or not such shareholder is entitled to vote.

        4.     If within thirty days after the date on which such merger or consolidation was effected the value of such shares is agreed upon between the dissenting shareholder and the surviving or new corporation, payment therefor shall be made within ninety days after the date on which such merger or consolidation was effected, upon the surrender of his or her certificate or certificates representing said shares in the case of certificated shares. Upon payment of the agreed value the dissenting shareholder shall cease to have any interest in such shares or in the corporation.

        5.     If within such period of thirty days the shareholder and the surviving or new corporation do not so agree, then the dissenting shareholder may, within sixty days after the expiration of the thirty-day period, file a petition in any court of competent jurisdiction within the county in which the registered office of the surviving or new corporation is situated, asking for a finding and determination of the fair value of such shares, and shall be entitled to judgment against the surviving or new corporation for the amount of such fair value as of the day prior to the date on which such vote was taken approving such merger or consolidation, together with interest thereon to the date of such judgment. The judgment shall be payable only upon and simultaneously with the surrender to the

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surviving or new corporation of the certificate or certificates representing said shares in the case of certificated shares. Upon the payment of the judgment, the dissenting shareholder shall cease to have any interest in such shares, or in the surviving or new corporation. Such shares may be held and disposed of by the surviving or new corporation as it may see fit. Unless the dissenting shareholder shall file such petition within the time herein limited, such shareholder and all persons claiming under such shareholder shall be conclusively presumed to have approved and ratified the merger or consolidation, and shall be bound by the terms thereof.

        6.     The right of a dissenting shareholder to be paid the fair value of such shareholder's shares as herein provided shall cease if and when the corporation shall abandon the merger or consolidation.

        7.     When the remedy provided for in this section is available with respect to a transaction, such remedy shall be the exclusive remedy of the shareholder as to that transaction, except in the case of fraud or lack of authorization for the transaction.

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Appendix C

FORM OF VOTING AND SUPPORT AGREEMENT

        THIS VOTING AND SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is entered into as of December 3, 2015, among FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION, a Nevada corporation ("Acquiror"), PULASKI FINANCIAL CORP., a Missouri corporation (the "Company"), and those directors of the Company whose names appear on the signature page of this Agreement and who own or control the voting of any shares of common stock of the Company (such stockholders collectively referred to in this Agreement as the "Principal Stockholders," and individually as a "Principal Stockholder").


RECITALS

        A.    As of the date hereof, each Principal Stockholder is the owner or controls the vote of the number of shares of the Company's common stock, $0.01 par value per share ("Company Stock"), as is set forth opposite such Principal Stockholder's name on the signature page attached hereto.

        B.    Acquiror is contemplating the acquisition of the Company by means of a merger (the "Merger") of the Company with and into Acquiror, all pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 3, 2015 (the "Merger Agreement"), among Acquiror and the Company.

        C.    Acquiror and the Company are unwilling to expend the substantial time, effort and expense necessary to implement the Merger, including applying for and obtaining necessary approvals of regulatory authorities, unless all of the Principal Stockholders enter into this Agreement.

        D.    Each Principal Stockholder believes it is in his or her best interest as well as the best interest of the Company for Acquiror and the Company to consummate the Merger.


AGREEMENTS

        In consideration of the foregoing premises, which are incorporated herein by this reference, and the covenants and agreements of the parties herein contained, and as an inducement to Acquiror and the Company to enter into the Merger Agreement and to incur the expenses associated with the Merger, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:


        
Section 1.    Definitions; Construction.     All terms that are capitalized and used herein (and are not otherwise specifically defined herein) shall be used in this Agreement as defined in the Merger Agreement. The parties hereby incorporate by this reference the principles of construction set forth in Section 12.2 of the Merger Agreement.


        
Section 2.    Representations and Warranties.     Each Principal Stockholder represents and warrants that as of the date hereof, he or she:

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Section 3.    Voting Agreement.     Each Principal Stockholder hereby agrees that at any meeting of the Company's stockholders however called, and in any action by written consent of the Company's stockholders, such Principal Stockholder shall vote, or cause to be voted, all shares of Company Stock now or at any time hereafter owned or controlled by him or her:


        
Section 4.    Additional Covenants.    Except as required by law, each Principal Stockholder agrees that he or she will:


        
Section 5.    No Economic Benefit.     Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to vest in Acquiror any direct or indirect ownership or incidence of ownership of or with respect to any of the Company Stock. All rights, ownership and economic benefits of and relating to the Company Stock shall remain and belong to the applicable stockholder and Acquiror shall have no power or authority to direct any stockholder in the voting of any of the Company Stock or the performance by any stockholder of its duties or responsibilities as a stockholder of the Company, except as otherwise provided herein.


        
Section 6.    Termination.     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, this Agreement shall automatically terminate on the earlier of: (i) the date of termination of the Merger Agreement as set forth in Article 10 thereof, as such termination provisions may be amended by Acquiror and the Company from time to time; or (ii) the favorable vote of Company stockholders with respect to approval of the Merger Agreement.


        
Section 7.    Amendment and Modification.     This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented at any time by the written approval of such amendment, modification or supplement by the Company, Acquiror and all of the Principal Stockholders.


        
Section 8.    Entire Agreement.    This Agreement evidences the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the matters provided for herein and there are no agreements, representations or warranties with respect to the matters provided for herein other than those set forth herein and in the Merger Agreement and any written agreements related thereto. Except for the Merger Agreement, this

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Agreement supersedes any agreements among any of the Company, its stockholders or Acquiror concerning the acquisition, disposition or control of any Company Stock.


        
Section 9.    Absence of Control.    Subject to any specific provisions of this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties to this Agreement that Acquiror by reason of this Agreement shall not be deemed (until consummation of the Contemplated Transactions) to control, directly or indirectly, the Company and shall not exercise, or be deemed to exercise, directly or indirectly, a controlling influence over the management or policies of the Company.


        
Section 10.    Informed Action.    Each Principal Stockholder acknowledges that he or she has had an opportunity to be advised by counsel of his or her choosing with regard to this Agreement and the transactions and consequences contemplated hereby. Each Principal Stockholder further acknowledges that he or she has received a copy of the Merger Agreement and is familiar with its terms.


        
Section 11.    Severability.    The parties agree that if any provision of this Agreement shall under any circumstances be deemed invalid or inoperative, this Agreement shall be construed with the invalid or inoperative provisions deleted and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced accordingly.


        
Section 12.    Counterparts; Facsimile/PDF Signatures.    This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement may be executed and accepted by facsimile or portable data file (pdf) signature and any such signature shall be of the same force and effect as an original signature.


        
Section 13.    Governing Law.    All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement and the performance of the obligations imposed by this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of Illinois applicable to agreements made and wholly to be performed in such state without regard to conflicts of laws.


        
Section 14.    Successors; Assignment.    This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and Acquiror, and their successors and permitted assigns, and the Principal Stockholders and their respective spouses, executors, personal representatives, administrators, heirs, legatees, guardians and other legal representatives. This Agreement shall survive the death or incapacity of any Principal Stockholder. This Agreement may be assigned only by Acquiror, and then only to an Affiliate of Acquiror.


        
Section 15.    Directors' Duties.     The parties hereto acknowledge that each Principal Stockholder is entering into this Agreement solely in his or her capacity as a stockholder of the Company and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to require any Principal Stockholder, in his or her capacity as a director of the Company, to act or fail to act in accordance with his or her fiduciary duties in such director capacity. Furthermore, no Principal Stockholder makes any agreement or understanding herein in his or her capacity as a director of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section shall in any way limit, modify or abrogate any of the obligations of the Principal Stockholders hereunder to vote the shares owned by him or her in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and not to transfer any shares except as permitted by this Agreement.


        
Section 16.    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.     EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE THAT MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE CONTEMPLATED TRANSACTIONS. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT: (A) NO

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REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER; (B) EACH SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER; (C) EACH SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY; AND (D) EACH SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS OF THIS SECTION.

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[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

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        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement individually, or have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers, on the day and year first written above.

ACQUIROR:   COMPANY:

FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION

 

PULASKI FINANCIAL CORP.

By:

 

  


 

By:

 

    
    Name:   Van A. Dukeman       Name:   Gary W. Douglass
    Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer       Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

   

[Signature Page to Voting and Support Agreement]

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PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
 
SHARES OWNED

 

 

 
  

Signature
   

 

Name

 

 

  

Signature

 

 

 

Name

 

 

  

Signature

 

 

 

Name

 

 

  

Signature

 

 

 

Name

 

 

  

Signature

 

 

 

Name

 

 

   

[Signature Page of Voting and Support Agreement Continued]

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PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
 
SHARES OWNED

 

 

 
  

Signature
   

 

Name

 

 

  

Signature

 

 

 

Name

 

 

  

Signature

 

 

 

Name

 

 

  

Signature

 

 

 

Name

 

 

  

Signature

 

 

 

Name

 

 

   

[Signature Page of Voting and Support Agreement Continued]

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Appendix D

[LETTERHEAD OF SANDLER O'NEILL & PARTNERS, L.P.]

December 3, 2015

Board of Directors
Pulaski Financial Corp.
12300 Olive Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63141

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        Pulaski Financial Corp. (the "Company") and First Busey Corporation ("Acquiror") intend to enter into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Agreement") pursuant to which the Company will merge with and into Acquiror with Acquiror being the surviving entity (the "Merger"). Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, upon the Effective Time of the Merger, each share of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time ("Company Common Stock"), other than certain shares described in the Agreement, will be converted into the right to receive 0.79 fully paid and nonassessable shares of the common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of Acquiror (the "Exchange Ratio"). Cash will be paid in lieu of fractional shares. The other terms and conditions of the Merger are more fully set forth in the Agreement, and capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Agreement. You have requested our opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Exchange Ratio to the holders of Company Common Stock.

        Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P., as part of its investment banking business, is regularly engaged in the valuation of financial institutions and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions. In connection with this opinion, we have reviewed, among other things: (i) a draft of the Agreement, dated November 30, 2015; (ii) certain publicly available financial statements and other historical financial information of the Company that we deemed relevant; (iii) certain publicly available financial statements and other historical financial information of Acquiror that we deemed relevant; (iv) publicly available median analyst earnings per share estimates for the Company for the years ending December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016, and an estimated long-term annual earnings per share growth rate for the years thereafter, as provided by the senior management of the Company; (v) publicly available median analyst earnings per share estimates for Acquiror for the years ending December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2017, and an estimated long-term annual earnings per share growth rate for the years thereafter, as provided by the senior management of Acquiror; (vi) the pro forma financial impact of the Merger on Acquiror based on assumptions related to transaction expenses, purchase accounting adjustments as well as certain cost savings, as provided by the senior management of Acquiror; (vii) the publicly reported historical price and trading activity for the Company and Acquiror common stock, including a comparison of certain financial and stock market information for the Company and Acquiror common stock and similar publicly available information for certain other similar companies, the securities of which are publicly traded; (viii) a comparison of certain financial information for the Company and Acquiror with similar bank institutions for which publicly available information is available; (ix) the financial terms of certain other recent merger and acquisition transactions in the commercial banking industry (on a regional and national basis), to the extent publicly available; (x) the current market environment generally and the commercial banking environment in particular; and (xi) such other information, financial studies, analyses and investigations and financial, economic and market criteria as we considered relevant. We also discussed with certain members of the senior management of the Company the business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of the Company and held similar discussions with the senior management of Acquiror regarding the business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of Acquiror.

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        In performing our review, we have relied upon the accuracy and completeness of all of the financial and other information that was available to us from public sources, that was provided to us by the Company and Acquiror, or that was otherwise reviewed by us and we have assumed such accuracy and completeness for purposes of preparing this letter. We have further relied on the assurances of the senior management of the Company and Acquiror that they are not aware of any facts or circumstances that would make any of such information inaccurate or misleading in any material respect. We have not been asked to undertake, and have not undertaken, an independent verification of any of such information and we do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness thereof. We did not make an independent evaluation or appraisal of the specific assets, the collateral securing assets or the liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of the Company or Acquiror, nor have we reviewed any individual credit files of the Company or Acquiror. We did not make an independent evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses of the Company or Acquiror and we have assumed, with your consent, that the respective allowances for loan losses for both the Company and Acquiror are adequate to cover such losses and will be adequate on a pro forma basis for the combined entity.

        In preparing its analyses, Sandler O'Neill used publicly available median analyst earnings per share estimates for the Company for the years ending December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016, and an estimated long-term annual earnings per share growth rate for the years thereafter, as provided by the senior management of the Company. In addition, Sandler O'Neill used publicly available median analyst earnings per share estimates for Acquiror for the years ending December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2017, and an estimated long-term annual earnings per share growth rate for the years thereafter, as provided by the senior management of Acquiror. Sandler O'Neill also received and used in its analyses certain assumptions related to transaction expenses, purchase accounting adjustments as well as certain cost savings, as provided by the senior management of Acquiror. With respect to those estimates, the senior management of the Company and Acquiror confirmed to us that they reflected the best currently available estimates of the senior managements of the Company and Acquiror, respectively, and we assumed that such estimates would be achieved. We express no opinion as to any such estimates or the assumptions on which they are based. We have also assumed that there has been no material change in the respective assets, financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company or Acquiror since the date of the most recent financial statements made available to us. We have assumed in all respects material to our analysis that the Company and Acquiror will remain as going concerns for all periods relevant to our analyses.

        We have also assumed, with your consent, that (i) each of the parties to the Agreement will comply in all material respects with all material terms of the Agreement, that all of the representations and warranties contained in the Agreement are true and correct in all material respects, that each of the parties to the Agreement will perform in all material respects all of the covenants required to be performed by such party under the Agreement and that the conditions precedent in the Agreement are not waived, (ii) in the course of obtaining the necessary regulatory or third party approvals, consents and releases with respect to the Merger, no delay, limitation, restriction or condition will be imposed that would have an adverse effect on the Company, Acquiror or the Merger in any respect that would be material to our analyses, (iii) the Merger and any related transactions will be consummated in accordance with the terms of the Agreement without any waiver, modification or amendment of any material term, condition or agreement thereof and in compliance with all applicable laws and other requirements, and (iv) the Merger will qualify as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes. We express no opinion as to any of the legal, accounting or tax matters relating to the Merger or any other transactions contemplated in connection therewith.

        Our analyses and the views expressed herein are necessarily based on financial, economic, regulatory, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to us as of, the date hereof. Events occurring after the date hereof could materially affect our views. We have not

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undertaken to update, revise, reaffirm or withdraw this letter or otherwise comment upon events occurring after the date hereof.

        We have acted as financial advisor to the Board of Directors of the Company in connection with the Merger and a significant portion of our fee is contingent upon the closing of the Merger. We will also receive a fee for rendering this opinion which opinion fee will be credited in full towards the fee payable to Sandler O'Neill upon the closing of the Merger. The Company has also agreed to indemnify us against certain liabilities arising out of our engagement and to reimburse us for certain of our out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with our engagement. In the ordinary course of our business as a broker-dealer, we may purchase securities from or sell securities to the Company, Acquiror or their respective affiliates. We may also actively trade the securities of the Company or Acquiror for our own account and for the accounts of our customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities.

        This letter is directed to the Board of Directors of the Company in connection with its consideration of the Merger and does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder of the Company as to how such stockholder should vote at any meeting of stockholders called to consider and vote upon the Merger. Our opinion is directed only to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Exchange Ratio to the holders of Company Common Stock and does not address the underlying business decision of the Company to engage in the Merger, the form or structure of the Merger, the relative merits of the Merger as compared to any other alternative business strategies that might exist for the Company or the effect of any other transaction in which the Company might engage. We also do not express any opinion as to the fairness of the amount or nature of the compensation to be received in the Merger by the Company's officers, directors, or employees, or class of such persons, relative to the compensation to be received in the Merger by any other shareholders of the Company. This opinion has been approved by Sandler O'Neill's fairness opinion committee. This opinion shall not be reproduced without Sandler O'Neill's prior written consent, provided, however, Sandler O'Neill will provide its consent for the opinion to be included in regulatory filings to be completed in connection with the Merger.

        Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, the Exchange Ratio is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Company Common Stock.

    Very truly yours,

 

 

/s/ Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P.

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PART II
Information Not Required in Prospectus

Item 20.    Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

        Subsection 1 of Section 78.7502 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, or the "NRS", empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, except an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the action, suit or proceeding if that person acted in good faith and in a manner that he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, does not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner that he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or that, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he or she had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

        Subsection 2 of Section 78.7502 of the NRS empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses, including amounts paid in settlement and attorneys' fees actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of the action or suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner that he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation. Indemnification may not be made for any claim, issue or matter as to which such a person has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals therefrom, to be liable to the corporation or for amounts paid in settlement to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines upon application that in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper.

        Section 78.7502 of the NRS further provides that to the extent a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections 1 and 2 of Section 78.7502, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, a corporation shall indemnify him or her against expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense.

        Section 78.751 of the NRS provides that any discretionary indemnification under Section 78.7502, unless ordered by a court or advanced, may be made by a corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances. The determination must be made: (a) by the stockholders; (b) by the board of directors by majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding; (c) if a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding so orders, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion; or (d) if a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding cannot be obtained, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion.

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        Section 78.751 of the NRS further provides that the indemnification provided for by Section 78.7502 shall not be deemed exclusive or exclude any other rights to which the indemnified party may be entitled and that the scope of indemnification shall continue as to directors, officers, employees or agents who have ceased to hold such positions, and to their heirs, executors and administrators. Section 78.752 of the NRS empowers a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person or incurred by him or her in any such capacity or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the authority to indemnify such person against such liabilities under Section 78.7502.

        Article Tenth of First Busey's amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended, provides that no director or officer shall be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, except for liability for: (a) acts or omissions that involve intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law; or (b) the payment of distributions in violation of Section 78.300 of the NRS.

        First Busey's amended and restated by-laws provide that we shall have the power to indemnify and hold harmless any person, subject to the limits of applicable federal law and regulation and to the fullest extent permissible under the NRS, who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative of, is or was a director or officer or is or was serving at our request or for our benefit as a director or officer of another corporation, or as our representative in a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against all expenses, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by him or her in connection therewith. The board of directors of First Busey may in its discretion cause the expenses of officers and directors incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding to be paid by the corporation as they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. Any such right of indemnification is not exclusive of any other right which such directors, officers or representatives may have or hereafter acquire and, without limiting the generality of such statement, they shall be entitled to their respective rights of indemnification under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders, provision of law or otherwise.

        Additionally, First Busey has purchased director and officer liability insurance.

Item 21.    Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

        (a)   Exhibits:

Exhibit
Number
  Description of Exhibit
  2.1   Agreement and Plan of Merger between First Busey Corporation and Pulaski Financial Corp., dated as of December 3, 2015 (included as Appendix A to this proxy statement/prospectus).
 
   

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Exhibit
Number
  Description of Exhibit
  3.1   Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of First Busey Corporation, together with: (i) the Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, dated July 31, 2007; (ii) the Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, dated December 3, 2009; (iii) the Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, dated May 21, 2010; (iv) the Certificate of Designation for Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C, dated August 23, 2011; and (v) the Certificate of Change Pursuant to Nevada Revised Statutes Section 78.209, dated September 8, 2015. (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to First Busey's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, filed with the Commission on November 6, 2015 (Commission File No. 0-15950), and incorporated herein by reference).
        
  3.2   Certificate of Designation for Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series T, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada on March 4, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to First Busey's Form 8-K dated March 4, 2009, filed with the Commission on March 9, 2009 (Commission File No. 0-15950), and incorporated herein by reference).
        
  3.3   Certificate of Designation for Convertible Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to First Busey's Form 8-K dated and filed with the Commission on October 27, 2009 (Commission File No. 0-15950), and incorporated herein by reference).
        
  3.4   Certificate of Designation for Convertible Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to First Busey's Form 8-K dated December 28, 2010, filed with the Commission on December 29, 2010 (Commission File No. 0-15950), and incorporated herein by reference).
        
  3.5   First Busey Corporation Amended and Restated By-Laws (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to First Busey's Form 8-K dated November 18, 2008, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2008 (Commission File No. 0-15950), and incorporated herein by reference).
        
  4.1   Form of Stock Certificate for Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to First Busey's Form 8-K dated August 25, 2011, filed with the Commission on August 25, 2011 (Commission File No. 0-15950), and incorporated herein by reference).
        
  4.2   Warrant to Purchase Common Stock, dated March 6, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to First Busey's Form 8-K dated March 4, 2009, filed with the Commission on March 9, 2009 (Commission File No. 0-15950), and incorporated herein by reference).
        
  5.1 * Opinion of Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP.
        
  8.1 * Tax Opinion of Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP.
        
  8.2 * Tax Opinion of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP.
        
  21.1   List of Subsidiaries of First Busey Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 of First Busey Corporation's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the Commission on March 10, 2015 (Commission No. 0-15950)).
        
  23.1 * Consent of RSM US LLP.
        
  23.2 * Consent of KPMG LLP.
        
  23.3 * Consent of Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
        
  23.4 * Consent of Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1).
        
  23.5 * Consent of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP (included in Exhibit 8.2).
        
  24.1 * Powers of Attorney (contained in signature page to this Registration Statement).
 
   

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Exhibit
Number
  Description of Exhibit
  99.1 * Form of proxy card of First Busey Corporation.
        
  99.2 * Form of proxy card of Pulaski Financial Corp.
        
  99.3 * Form of proxy card of Pulaski Bank Savings and Ownership Plan.

*
Filed herewith.

Item 22:    Undertakings.

        (a)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

        (b)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

        (c)    (1)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows: that prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the issuer/registrant undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form.

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        (d)   Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

        (e)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request.

        (f)    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective.

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Champaign, State of Illinois, on this 20th day of January, 2016.

    FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION

 

 

By:

 

/s/ VAN A. DUKEMAN

Van A. Dukeman
President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

By:

 

/s/ ROBIN N. ELLIOT

Robin N. Elliot
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Van A. Dukeman and Robin N. Elliott, with full power to act without the other, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full and several power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments, including post-effective amendments to this registration statement and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable securities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as they or he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents as his, her or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Name
 
Title
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ VAN A. DUKEMAN

Van A. Dukeman
  Director; President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)   January 20, 2016

/s/ ROBIN N. ELLIOTT

Robin N. Elliott

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)

 

January 20, 2016

/s/ GREGORY B. LYKINS

Gregory B. Lykins

 

Chairman

 

January 20, 2016

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Name
 
Title
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ JOSEPH M. AMBROSE

Joseph M. Ambrose
  Director   January 20, 2016

/s/ DAVID J. DOWNEY

David J. Downey

 

Director

 

January 20, 2016

/s/ STEPHEN V. KING

Stephen V. King

 

Director

 

January 20, 2016

/s/ E. PHILLIPS KNOX

E. Phillips Knox

 

Director

 

January 20, 2016

/s/ V.B. LEISTER, JR

V.B. Leister, Jr.

 

Director

 

January 20, 2016

/s/ AUGUST C. MEYER, JR.

August C. Meyer, Jr.

 

Director

 

January 20, 2016

/s/ GEORGE T. SHAPLAND

George T. Shapland

 

Director

 

January 20, 2016

/s/ THOMAS G. SLOAN

Thomas G. Sloan

 

Director

 

January 20, 2016

/s/ JON D. STEWART

Jon D. Stewart

 

Director

 

January 20, 2016

/s/ PHYLLIS M. WISE

Phyllis M. Wise

 

Director

 

January 20, 2016

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number
  Description of Exhibit
  2.1   Agreement and Plan of Merger between First Busey Corporation and Pulaski Financial Corp., dated as of December 3, 2015 (included as Appendix A to this proxy statement/prospectus).
        
  3.1   Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of First Busey Corporation, together with: (i) the Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, dated July 31, 2007; (ii) the Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, dated December 3, 2009; (iii) the Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, dated May 21, 2010; (iv) the Certificate of Designation for Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C, dated August 23, 2011; and (v) the Certificate of Change Pursuant to Nevada Revised Statutes Section 78.209, dated September 8, 2015. (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to First Busey's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, filed with the Commission on November 6, 2015 (Commission File No. 0-15950), and incorporated herein by reference).
        
  3.2   Certificate of Designation for Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series T, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada on March 4, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to First Busey's Form 8-K dated March 4, 2009, filed with the Commission on March 9, 2009 (Commission File No. 0-15950), and incorporated herein by reference).
        
  3.3   Certificate of Designation for Convertible Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to First Busey's Form 8-K dated and filed with the Commission on October 27, 2009 (Commission File No. 0-15950), and incorporated herein by reference).
        
  3.4   Certificate of Designation for Convertible Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to First Busey's Form 8-K dated December 28, 2010, filed with the Commission on December 29, 2010 (Commission File No. 0-15950), and incorporated herein by reference).
        
  3.5   First Busey Corporation Amended and Restated By-Laws (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to First Busey's Form 8-K dated November 18, 2008, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2008 (Commission File No. 0-15950), and incorporated herein by reference).
        
  4.1   Form of Stock Certificate for Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to First Busey's Form 8-K dated August 25, 2011, filed with the Commission on August 25, 2011 (Commission File No. 0-15950), and incorporated herein by reference).
        
  4.2   Warrant to Purchase Common Stock, dated March 6, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to First Busey's Form 8-K dated March 4, 2009, filed with the Commission on March 9, 2009 (Commission File No. 0-15950), and incorporated herein by reference).
        
  5.1 * Opinion of Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP.
        
  8.1 * Tax Opinion of Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP.
        
  8.2 * Tax Opinion of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP.
        
  21.1   List of Subsidiaries of First Busey Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 of First Busey Corporation's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the Commission on March 10, 2015 (Commission No. 0-15950)).
        
  23.1 * Consent of RSM US LLP.
        
  23.2 * Consent of KPMG LLP.
        
  23.3 * Consent of Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
 
   

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Exhibit
Number
  Description of Exhibit
  23.4 * Consent of Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1).
        
  23.5 * Consent of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP (included in Exhibit 8.2).
        
  24.1 * Powers of Attorney (contained in signature page to this Registration Statement).
        
  99.1 * Form of proxy card of First Busey Corporation.
        
  99.2 * Form of proxy card of Pulaski Financial Corp.
        
  99.3 * Form of proxy card of Pulaski Bank Savings and Ownership Plan.

*
Filed herewith.

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