Exhibit 99.1

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CrossFirst Bankshares, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results

LEAWOOD, Kan., October 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CrossFirst Bankshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: CFB), the bank holding company for CrossFirst Bank, today reported third quarter net income of $19.6 million, or $0.39 per diluted common share. Adjusted net income was $21.9 million, or $0.43 per diluted common share on an adjusted basis, after excluding merger costs related to the proposed transaction with First Busey Corporation (“Busey”) (Nasdaq: BUSE) announced on August 27, 2024.

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“With expanded earnings and continued advancement of our operating leverage while maintaining strong credit quality, CrossFirst delivered another great quarter,” said Mike Maddox, President and CEO of CrossFirst Bankshares, Inc. “We remained focused on scaling our markets and verticals, continuing to reduce our CRE concentration and driving operating leverage with the trough in our NIM behind us. We are advancing toward our transformative partnership with Busey while continuing to gain momentum.”

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CROSSFIRST BANKSHARES, INC.

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Partnership with Busey

On August 27, 2024, the Company and Busey jointly announced a proposed partnership transaction pursuant to which CrossFirst would merge with and into Busey in an all-common stock transaction. The transaction was unanimously approved by each company’s board of directors. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval of both Busey and CrossFirst stockholders and the regulatory approvals for the holding company merger and the bank merger. Subject to obtaining these approvals, the parties currently expect to close the holding company merger in the first or second quarter of 2025. Given the pending transaction, the Company will not host a conference call or webcast to discuss its third quarter 2024 results.

Income from Operations

Net income totaled $19.6 million, or $0.39 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $18.6 million, or $0.37 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2024 and $16.9 million, or $0.34 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2023. On a linked quarter basis, net income was higher due to increases in net interest income and non-interest income, partially offset by higher provision expense and non-interest expense. Compared to the same period in the prior year, the quarter’s results reflect higher net interest income, partially offset by higher non-interest expense and provision expense.  

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The third quarter included merger-related charges of $2.4 million, resulting in adjusted net income of $21.9 million, or $0.43 per diluted common share on an adjusted basis, compared to adjusted net income of $18.6 million, or $0.37 per diluted common share on an adjusted basis, for the third quarter of 2023.

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Net Interest Income

Net interest income – FTE increased $3.2 million compared to the second quarter of 2024 due to higher net interest margin – FTE, which expanded by nine basis points to 3.29%, higher average earning assets and one additional day. The yield on earning assets increased 12 basis points due to stronger yields on both loans and taxable securities. The cost of funds increased just three basis points as the repricing gap on time deposits narrowed while transaction, savings and money market rate increases were moderated by the Federal Reserve interest rate cut in the quarter. The remaining increase in net interest income – FTE was due to one additional day and a $127 million increase in average earning assets from higher average loan balances and higher average cash balances.

CROSSFIRST BANKSHARES, INC.

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Compared to the third quarter of 2023, net interest income – FTE increased $5.8 million due to higher average earning assets and the expansion of net interest margin – FTE by 10 basis points to 3.29%. The yield on earning assets increased 43 basis points due to stronger loan yields and higher yields on taxable securities. The cost of a rate hedge also lowered the earning asset yield by seven basis points. The cost of funds increased 35 basis points compared to the third quarter of 2023 due to pricing pressure on deposits, client migration into higher cost deposit products and a reduction in average non-interest-bearing deposits compared to the prior year. The increase in average earning assets was driven by higher average loan and securities balances.

The balance sheet is slightly liability sensitive with an expected 1.0% increase in net interest income for a 100 bps decrease in interest rates.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income increased $0.3 million compared to the second quarter of 2024 and was flat compared to the same quarter in 2023. The increase compared to the linked quarter was primarily due to increases in client-related other non-interest income and client-related swap fees, partially offset by lower gains on sale of loans. Compared to the same quarter in the prior year, gains on sale of loans were lower but were fully offset by increases in all other categories of non-interest income.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense increased $0.9 million from the second quarter of 2024 and increased $2.3 million from the third quarter of 2023. The third quarter of 2024 included $2.4 million of merger-related expenses with $1.8 million included in professional fees, $0.5 million in salaries and employee benefits, and $0.1 million in other non-interest expense. The third quarter of 2023 included $1.3 million of merger-related expenses with $0.8 million included in professional fees, $0.3 million in salaries and employee benefits, $0.1 million in software and communications, and $0.1 million in other non-interest expense. Excluding these merger-related expenses, non-interest expense decreased $1.5 million compared to the second quarter of 2024 and increased $1.2 million compared to the third quarter of 2023.

The $1.5 million decrease compared to the second quarter of 2024 was primarily due to lower data processing and software and communication costs, which were a combined $1.2 million lower, resulting from the renegotiation of our core system contract. The remaining decrease was due to lower salaries and employee benefits costs and professional fees partially offset by higher advertising due to timing of marketing campaigns and other non-interest expense due to higher travel and meeting expenses in the quarter.

Excluding merger-related expenses in both comparative periods, salaries and employee benefits were higher compared to the third quarter of 2023 primarily due to annual merit increases. Professional fees, excluding merger-related costs, decreased compared to the third quarter of 2023 primarily due to lower consulting and outside services fees. Data processing expenses and software and communication expenses both decreased compared to the third quarter of 2023 related to the renegotiation of our core system contract in the second quarter of 2024. Other non-interest expense, excluding merger-related costs, increased compared to the third quarter of 2023 due to higher travel and meeting expenses and fees related to the implementation of a new digital banking platform.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2024 was 21.4%, compared to 20.7% in the second quarter of 2024 and 21.3% for the third quarter of 2023. The rate for the third quarter of 2024 was slightly higher due to non-deductible merger-related expenses.

Statement of Financial Condition Performance & Analysis

During the third quarter of 2024, total assets decreased $56 million, or 1%, compared to the end of the prior quarter and increased $403 million, or 6%, compared to September 30, 2023. Total assets decreased compared to June 30, 2024, primarily due to decreases in cash, securities and loans. Compared to September 30, 2023, the increase was primarily related to increases in loans and securities. Deposits decreased $100 million compared to June 30, 2024, and increased $302 million compared to September 30, 2023. Total liquidity as a percent of total assets, including liquidity from on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet sources, remained consistent at 34% as of September 30, 2024.

CROSSFIRST BANKSHARES, INC.

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Loan Results

During the third quarter of 2024, loans decreased $13 million compared to June 30, 2024, with small fluctuations in each segment as loan demand was generally weaker in the quarter, primarily due to the interest rate environment. Loans increased $385 million, or 6%, compared to September 30, 2023. The loan increase compared to September 30, 2023, was primarily due to growth in the commercial real estate – non-owner-occupied and commercial and industrial segments.

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Deposit & Other Borrowing Results

During the third quarter of 2024, deposits decreased 1%, compared to June 30, 2024, and increased 5%, compared to September 30, 2023. The deposit decrease compared to June 30, 2024 was due to decreases in savings and money market deposits primarily relating to two clients with large balances at prior quarter end which outflowed during the quarter. In addition, non-interest-bearing deposits were lower, partially offset by increases in time deposits and transaction deposits. The total deposit increase compared to September 30, 2023 was due to increases in time deposits, savings and money market deposits and transaction deposits, partially offset by decreases in non-interest-bearing deposits.

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FHLB and other borrowings were $85 million at both September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024, and $107 million at September 30, 2023. The average borrowings balance was lower this quarter as we utilized borrowings during the prior quarter due to seasonal client cash outflows. Compared to the same period in the prior year, borrowings were reduced due to client deposit growth and the payoff of a line of credit.

CROSSFIRST BANKSHARES, INC.

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Asset Quality and Provision for Credit Losses

The Company recorded $3.5 million of provision expense, compared to $2.4 million in the prior quarter and $3.3 million in the prior year third quarter. The current quarter’s provision expense was primarily driven by an increase in net charge-offs, economic factors and an increase in specific reserves for several smaller commercial and industrial credits.

Non-performing assets increased $9.1 million to $25.8 million, or 0.34% of total assets, at September 30, 2024. The increase was primarily due to increases in loans 90+ days past due and still accruing and foreclosed assets held for sale. Annualized net charge-offs were 0.10% for the quarter compared to 0.07% in the prior quarter and 0.09% in the prior year third quarter. Classified loans decreased in the quarter with the ratio of classified loans to total capital and ACL improving to 10.7%.

The allowance for credit losses was $77.8 million as of September 30, 2024 and increased slightly from the prior quarter to 1.23% of outstanding loans. The combined allowance for credit losses and accrual for off-balance sheet credit risk from unfunded commitments (“RUC”) was $83.4 million or 1.32% of outstanding loans.

The following table provides information regarding asset quality.

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Capital Position

At September 30, 2024, stockholders’ equity totaled $772 million, or $15.65 of book value per common share, compared to $728 million, or $14.78 of book value per common share, at June 30, 2024.

Tangible book value per common share⁽¹⁾ was $14.92 at September 30, 2024, an increase of $0.90, or 6%, from June 30, 2024. The increase was primarily due to net income and the change in other comprehensive loss. The ratio of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets was approximately 10.6%, and the ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets was approximately 11.8% at September 30, 2024.

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CROSSFIRST BANKSHARES, INC.

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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

The financial results in this press release reflect preliminary, unaudited results, which are not final until the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is filed. This earnings release contains forward-looking statements regarding, among other things, our business plans; our expectations regarding our proposed transaction with Busey; growth opportunities; expense control initiatives; anticipated expenses, cash requirements and sources of liquidity; capital allocation strategies and plans; and future financial performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “growth,” “plan,” “guidance,” “future,” “opportunities,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “expected,” “will,” “initiatives,” “focused,” and similar words or phrases of a future or forward-looking nature. The inclusion of forward-looking information herein should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs, certain assumptions made by management, and financial trends that may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy or financial needs, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements.

Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including, without limitation, the following: the possibility that the proposed transaction with Busey will not close when expected or at all because required regulatory, stockholder or other approvals are not received or other conditions to the closing are not satisfied on a timely basis or at all, or are obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated (and the risk that required regulatory approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the proposed transaction); the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction will not be realized when expected or at all; the possibility that the parties may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies in the merger within the expected timeframes or at all and to successfully integrate CrossFirst’s operations and those of Busey; effects of the announcement, pendency or completion of the proposed transaction on the ability of CrossFirst to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with our suppliers, and on our operating results and business generally; uncertain or unfavorable business or economic conditions and any regulatory responses thereto, including uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets, possible slowing or recessionary economic conditions and continuing or increasing inflation; geographic concentration of our markets; changes in market interest rates that affect the pricing of our products and our net interest income; our ability to effectively execute our growth strategy and manage our growth, including entering new lines of business or offering new or enhanced services or products; fluctuations in the fair value of our investments; our ability to successfully manage our credit risk, particularly in our commercial real estate, energy and commercial-based loan portfolios, and the sufficiency of our allowance for credit losses; declines in the values of the real estate and other collateral securing loans in our portfolio; an increase in non-performing assets; borrower and depositor concentration risks; risks associated with originating Small Business Administration loans; our dependence on our management team, including our ability to attract, hire and retain key employees and their client and community relationships; our ability to raise and maintain sufficient liquidity and capital; competition from banks, credit unions, FinTech companies and other financial services providers; the effectiveness of our risk management framework; accounting estimates; our ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting; our ability to keep pace with technological changes; system failures, service denials, cyber incidents or other failures, disruptions or security breaches; employee error, employee or client misconduct, fraud committed against the Company or our clients, or incomplete or inaccurate information about clients and counterparties; disruptions to our business caused by our third-party service providers; our ability to maintain our reputation; environmental liability or failure to comply with regulatory requirements affecting foreclosed properties; costs and effects of litigation, investigations or similar matters to which we may be subject; risk exposure from transactions with financial counterparties; severe weather, natural disasters, pandemics or other health crises, acts of war or terrorism, climate change and responses thereto, or other external events; compliance with (and changes in) laws, rules, regulations, interpretations or policies relating to or affecting financial institutions, including stringent capital requirements, higher FDIC insurance premiums and assessments, consumer protection laws and privacy laws and accounting, tax, trade, monetary and fiscal matters, including the policies of the Federal Reserve and as a result of government initiatives; systemic risks across the banking industry associated with the soundness of other financial institutions; volatility in our stock price and other risks associated with our common stock; changes in our dividend or share repurchase policies and practices or other external events. These and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, as well as a discussion of the risks and uncertainties that may affect our business, can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statement or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements included herein, except as required by law.

CROSSFIRST BANKSHARES, INC.

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About CrossFirst Bankshares, Inc.

CrossFirst Bankshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: CFB) is a Kansas corporation and a registered bank holding company for its wholly owned subsidiary, CrossFirst Bank, a full-service financial institution that offers products and services to businesses, professionals, individuals, and families. CrossFirst Bank, headquartered in Leawood, Kansas, has locations in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed transaction, Busey will file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC. The registration statement will include a joint proxy statement of Busey and CrossFirst, which also constitutes a prospectus of Busey, that will be sent to stockholders of Busey and CrossFirst seeking certain approvals related to the proposed transaction.

The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF BUSEY AND CROSSFIRST AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES ARE URGED TO READ, WHEN AVAILABLE, THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4, THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS TO BE INCLUDED WITHIN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BUSEY, CROSSFIRST AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain a free copy of the registration statement, including the joint proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other relevant documents filed with the SEC containing information about Busey and CrossFirst, without charge, at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of documents filed with the SEC by Busey will be made available free of charge in the “SEC Filings” section of Busey’s website, https://ir.busey.com. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by CrossFirst will be made available free of charge in the “Investor Relations” section of CrossFirst’s website, https://investors.crossfirstbankshares.com.

Participants in Solicitation

Busey, CrossFirst, and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information regarding Busey's directors and executive officers is available in its definitive proxy statement, which was filed with the SEC on April 12, 2024, and certain other documents filed by Busey with the SEC. Information regarding CrossFirst's directors and executive officers is available in its definitive proxy statement, which was filed with the SEC on March 26, 2024, and certain other documents filed by CrossFirst with the SEC. Other information regarding the participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC. Free copies of these documents, when available, may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.

INVESTOR CONTACT

Mike Daley, Chief Accounting Officer and Head of Investor Relations

mike.daley@crossfirstbank.com

(913) 754-9707

https://investors.crossfirstbankshares.com

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CROSSFIRST BANKSHARES, INC.

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TABLE 1. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (UNAUDITED)

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CROSSFIRST BANKSHARES, INC.

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TABLE 2. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

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CROSSFIRST BANKSHARES, INC.

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TABLE 3. YEAR-TO-DATE ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME – FTE (UNAUDITED)

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