A New Chapter for First Busey as CrossFirst Merger Finalizes

Investors searching for CrossFirst Bankshares stock on the exchange will no longer find it listed. The institution’s independence concluded nearly a year ago when it was fully absorbed into First Busey Corporation. This strategic move creates a significantly larger regional banking entity, reshaping its competitive footprint.

Transaction Details and Market Impact

The merger, initially announced in August 2024, was formally completed on March 1, 2025. This date marked the final trading day for CrossFirst Bankshares equity on the NASDAQ, which occurred on February 28, 2025. All combined operations now trade under the First Busey ticker symbol “BUSE.”

Key details of the deal are as follows:

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying CrossFirst Bankshares?

• Acquiring Entity: First Busey Corporation
• Merger Effective Date: March 1, 2025
• Listing Symbol: BUSE (NASDAQ)
• Combined Total Assets: Approximately $20 billion
• Ownership Stake: Former CrossFirst shareholders now hold an estimated 36.5% of the merged company.

Expanded Footprint and Strategic Rationale

The consolidation has resulted in a financial institution operating 77 banking centers across ten U.S. states. A primary strategic benefit was the immediate enhancement of First Busey’s presence in key metropolitan areas, specifically Kansas City and Dallas/Fort Worth, leveraging CrossFirst’s established network. To streamline operations, the corporate headquarters has been relocated to Leawood, Kansas.

For previous CrossFirst shareholders, the transaction involved an exchange of shares. They are now direct stakeholders in First Busey Corporation and, consequently, eligible for any future dividend distributions from the enlarged group.

The merger was pursued to bolster capabilities in regional markets and diversify revenue streams. All relevant financial results and operational updates for the integrated business segments are now reported exclusively through First Busey Corporation’s publications.