FIRST BUSEY CORP /NV/
10-K, 1998-03-23
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

              [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                   For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997

              [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                         Commission file number 0-15950

                             FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)


                   Nevada                                  37-1078406
       (State or other jurisdiction of                  (I.R.S. Employer
       incorporation of organization)                  Identification No.)
 
            201 West Main Street           
              Urbana, Illinois                                61801
  (Address of principal executive offices)                 (Zip Code)

                                  (217) 365-4513
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
                                      None
           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
                     Class A Common Stock without par value

     Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes  X                  No 
    ---                    ---

     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained to the
best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ ]

     As of March 6, 1998, the aggregate market value of the Class A Common Stock
held by non-affiliates was $112,351,170.  The market value of the Class A Common
Stock is based on the "Bid" price for such stock as reported in the OTC Bulletin
Board on that date.  Affiliates include all directors, executive officers and
beneficial holders owning 5% or more of the shares.

     Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant's
classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            Class                                               Outstanding at March 6, 1998
            ---------------------------------------             ----------------------------
            <S>                                                 <C>        
            Class A Common Stock, without par value                      6,895,174
</TABLE>

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement dated March 23, 1998 for First Busey
Corporation's Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held April 27, 1998,  (the
"1998 Proxy Statement") are incorporated by reference into Part III.
<PAGE>

                             FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION
                             Form 10-K Annual Report

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                Table of Contents



PART 1
<S>       <C>                                                              <C>
Item 1    Business                                                          3
Item 2    Properties                                                       10
Item 3    Legal Proceedings                                                11
Item 4    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders              11

PART II

Item 5    Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder    
          Matters                                                          11
Item 6    Selected Financial Data                                          13
Item 7    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition      
          and Results of Operations                                        14
Item 8    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                      29
Item 9    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting      
          and Financial Disclosure                                         29

PART III

Item 10   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant               29
Item 11   Executive Compensation                                           29
Item 12   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management   29
Item 13   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions                   29

PART IV

Item 14   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K  30
</TABLE>




                                        2

<PAGE>
                                     PART I


ITEM 1. BUSINESS

INTRODUCTION
     First Busey Corporation ("First Busey"), a Nevada corporation, is a
multi-bank holding company located in Urbana,  Illinois.  As of December 31,
1997, First Busey owned one community bank subsidiary, and acquired a second one
as of January 12, 1998, a trust company subsidiary, a securities broker-dealer
subsidiary, an insurance subsidiary, a real estate subsidiary, and, effective
January 2, 1998, a travel agency subsidiary.  First Busey is engaged primarily
in commercial, retail and correspondent banking and provides trust services,
insurance services, and travel services.  Based on assets of $916 million as of
December 31, 1997, First Busey, with deposits of $811 million and stockholders'
equity of $81 million, is one of the largest financial institutions
headquartered in east central Illinois.  First Busey's largest subsidiary, Busey
Bank, with continuous operations since 1868, is one of the oldest banks
chartered in Illinois.

     First Busey's strategic plan is to provide a full range of financial
services including commercial, retail and correspondent banking services through
its banking subsidiaries, with emphasis on commercial and retail services.  The
strategic plan also emphasizes the operation of its banking centers
autonomously, allowing them to tailor their service and products to the
particular market they serve while consolidating back-room operations.  First
Busey intends to continue its expansion and growth in the three counties it
currently serves in Illinois, Champaign, McLean and Ford County, its second
banking center in Indianapolis, Indiana, and its Loan Production Office in Ft.
Myers.  First Busey engages in exploratory discussions regarding potential
acquisitions from time to time; however, First Busey does not currently have any
commitments to acquire or merge with any financial institution.

     First Busey Corporation's operations are conducted primarily through its
lead bank, Busey Bank (eighteen locations),   the trust company and the
securities broker-dealer subsidiary.  First Busey provides its subsidiaries with
both financial and managerial support.  Each subsidiary operates under the
direction of its own Board of Directors.

BUSEY BANK
     Busey Bank was established on January 13, 1868 and is a state-chartered
bank.  As of December 31, 1997,  Busey Bank had total assets of 
$900.8 million, representing 98% of First Busey's assets, and had 
total revenues of $70.9 million, representing 96% of First Busey's 
revenues.  Busey Bank provides a full range of banking services 
including commercial and retail banking products.  The services available 
to its commercial and retail customers include a broad selection of
depository and lending activities.  In the commercial lending area, Busey Bank
is designated a Small Business Administration Preferred Lender authorized to
fund government guaranteed loans on an expedited basis and is also an approved
lender under the Federal National Mortgage Association Program, permitting
expedited origination of single- and multi-family mortgage loans. Busey Bank's
other commercial lending activities consist primarily of secured loans to
borrowers in many different industries.  Busey Bank's retail services include
consumer lending, numerous types of deposit accounts and certain specialized
programs such as the Fortune Five-O  Program for the mature market.

     Management's philosophy continues to be to develop programs tailored to 
specific market segments of its customer base with particular emphasis on retail
services.  The Busey organization emphasizes establishing strong relationships
with its customers.  Busey Bank has adopted a strategy to increase other income
by emphasizing fee-based services, including transaction accounts, full service
brokerage, mortgage origination and other loan services generating fees.

                                        3

<PAGE>
     Guidelines for Busey Bank for various collateral advance ratios are set 
forth in the Loan Review Grading System under "Collateral Position."  Loan 
Officers are required to use the grading system in determining an acceptable 
collateral position on any given credit request.  Collateral coverage 
percentages for various types of credit are set forth in the following table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Collateral Type           Coverage Ratio
                                  ---------------------       ---------------
     <S>                          <C>                          <C>
     Commercial Loans:            Real Estate                       125%
                                  Accounts Receivable               125%
                                  Inventory & Equipment             200%

     Consumer Real Estate Loans:  Real Estate                       125%

     Installment Loans:           Cash or Equivalent                110%
                                  Vehicle                           140%
                                  Mobile Homes                      150%
                                  Other Collateral                  160%
</TABLE>



     All commercial loans must be supported by a completed and signed financial
statement which should include a minimum of a balance sheet and income
statement.  Loan Officers are encouraged to require borrowers to provide annual
statements prepared by a CPA firm.  Where possible, an audit should be obtained,
however, a review or compilation is acceptable.  The Credit Analysis Department
tracks delinquent financial statements and provides weekly reports to the
Commercial Loan Department.  In addition, the Senior Loan Committee receives a
monthly report detailing delinquent financial statements for customers with
large loan balances.

     A borrower's financial position including cash flow is monitored at least
annually through an annual review process.


OTHER  SUBSIDIARIES
     First Busey Trust & Investment Co. began operation on January 1, 1987 as a
successor to the combined trust departments of Busey Bank and Champaign County
Bank & Trust Co., which began trust operations in 1967 and 1947, respectively.
Through First Busey Trust & Investment Co., First Busey plans to expand its
trust activities by increasing assets under control, currently approximating
$660 million, and by developing new financial services.  During 1997, revenues
from trust activities were $3.2 million.  First Busey Resources, Inc.,
previously an inactive subsidiary of First Busey Corporation, became active on
January 7, 1997.  This subsidiary currently owns and manages Busey Plaza, a
90,000 square foot building which is the location of the headquarters of First
Busey Trust & Investment Co.

     First Busey Corporation acquired Busey Business Bank on January 12, 1998.
This is a de novo bank established in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Upon the
establishment of this chartered bank, Busey Bank closed its Loan Production
Office in Indianapolis.  It is anticipated that this banking center will serve
the financial needs of the customers who were previously being served by the
Loan Production Office.

     Busey Bank established a full service securities broker-dealer subsidiary,
First Busey Securities,  Inc., on April 1, 1991.  Through the offering of full
service brokerage, along with various insurance and annuity products, new
sources of fee income are available to Busey Bank.

                                        4

<PAGE>
     In October of 1997, Busey Bank established an insurance subsidiary, Busey
Insurance Services, Inc., to further enhance the services available to its
customers.  This subsidiary serves primarily the McLean County market.  During
1997, Busey Bank established a subsidiary, BAT.  This subsidiary owns and
operates automated teller machines.  In January of 1998, Busey Bank acquired
Busey Carter Travel, a travel agency serving primarily Champaign County.  This
acquisition was also completed to enhance the services available to the
customers of Busey Bank.

COMPETITION
     First Busey faces intense competition in all phases of its banking business
from other banks and financial institutions.  First Busey's subsidiary banks
compete for deposits with a large number of depository institutions including
commercial banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions,  money market
funds and other financial institutions and financial intermediaries serving
Champaign County, McLean County, Illinois, and Hamilton County, Indiana.
Principal competitive factors with respect to deposits include interest rates
paid on deposits, customer service, convenience and location.

     First Busey's subsidiary banks compete for loans with other banks
headquartered in Illinois and Indiana, with loan production offices of large
money center banks headquartered in other states, as well as with savings and
loan associations, credit unions, finance companies, mortgage bankers, leasing
companies and other institutions.  Competitive factors with respect to loans
include interest rates charged, customer service and responsiveness in tailoring
financial products to the needs of customers.  First Busey's subsidiary banks
compete for loans primarily by designing their products for and directing their
marketing efforts to businesses in the markets they serve which are locally
owned, well-capitalized and well-managed.

     Many of the entities that compete with First Busey's subsidiary banks are
substantially larger in size than First Busey and First Busey's subsidiary
banks, and many non-bank financial intermediaries are not subject to the
regulatory restrictions applicable to First Busey's bank subsidiaries.  First
Busey and its subsidiary banks have experienced an increase in the level of
competition as well as the number of competitors in recent years.  See
"Supervision and Regulation."

EMPLOYEES
     First Busey and its subsidiaries employed 393 employees (full-time
equivalent) on December 31, 1997.  Management considers its relationship with
its employees to be good.

SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

GENERAL
     Financial institutions and their holding companies are extensively
regulated under federal and state laws.  As a result, the business, financial
condition and prospects of First Busey and its subsidiary banks can be
materially affected not only by management decisions and general economic
conditions, but also by applicable statutes and regulations and other regulatory
pronouncements and policies promulgated by regulatory agencies with jurisdiction
over First Busey and its subsidiary banks, such as the Federal Reserve Board
("FRB"), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") and the State of
Illinois Office of Banks and Real Estate, and the effect of such statutes,
regulations and other pronouncements and policies can be significant, cannot be
predicted with a high degree of certainty and can change over time.
Furthermore, such statutes, regulations and other pronouncements and policies
are intended to protect the depositors and the FDIC's deposit insurance funds,
not to protect stockholders.

     Bank holding companies and banks are subject to enforcement actions by
their regulators for regulatory violations. In addition to compliance with
statutory and regulatory limitations and requirements concerning financial and
operating matters, regulated financial institutions such as First Busey and its
subsidiary banks must file periodic and other reports and information with their
regulators and are subject to examination by each of their regulators.

                                        5

<PAGE>
     The statutory requirements applicable to and regulatory supervision of bank
holding companies and banks have increased significantly and have undergone
substantial change in recent years.  To a great extent, these changes are
embodied in the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act
("FIRREA"), enacted in August 1989, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Improvement Act of 1991 ("FDICIA"), enacted in December 1991, and the
regulations promulgated under FIRREA and FDICIA.

     The following discussion and other references to and descriptions of the
regulation of financial institutions contained herein constitute brief summaries
thereof.  This discussion is not intended to constitute and does not purport to
be a complete statement of all legal restrictions and requirements applicable to
First Busey and its subsidiary banks and all such descriptions are qualified in
their entirety by reference to applicable statutes, regulations and other
regulatory pronouncements.

INTERSTATE BANKING AND BRANCHING LEGISLATION
     On September 29, 1994, the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Efficiency
Act of 1994 (the "Interstate Banking Act") was enacted.  Under the Interstate
Banking Act, adequately capitalized and adequately managed bank holding
companies will be allowed to acquire banks across state lines subject to certain
limitations.  In addition, under the Interstate Banking Act, since June 1, 1997,
banks have been permitted, under some circumstances, to merge with one another
across state lines and thereby create a main bank with branches in separate
states.  After establishing branches in a state through an interstate merger
transaction, a bank may establish and acquire additional branches at any
location in the state where any bank involved in the interstate merger could
have established or acquired branches under applicable federal and state law.

     Under the Interstate Banking Act, states could adopt legislation permitting
interstate mergers before June 1, 1997.  Alternatively, states could adopt
legislation before June 1, 1997, subject to certain conditions, opting out of
interstate branching.  Illinois adopted legislation, effective September 29,
1995, permitting interstate mergers beginning on June 1, 1997.  It is
anticipated that this interstate merger and branching ability will increase
competition and further consolidate the financial institutions industry.

REGULATION OF BANK HOLDING COMPANIES AND THEIR NON-BANK SUBSIDIARIES
     First Busey is a registered bank holding company within the meaning of the
Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended ("BHCA").  As such, First Busey is
subject to regulation, supervision and examination by the FRB.  First Busey is
also subject to the limitations and requirements of the Illinois Bank Holding
Company Act ("IBHCA").  These limitations and requirements, however, are no more
restrictive in most instances than those imposed by the BHCA and the FRB.  The
business and affairs of First Busey are regulated in a variety of ways,
including limitations on acquiring control of other banks and bank holding
companies, limitations on activities and investments, limitations on interstate
acquisitions, regulatory capital requirements and limitations on payment of
dividends.  In addition, it is the FRB's policy that a bank holding company is
expected to act as a source of financial strength to banks that it owns or
controls and, as a result, the FRB could require First Busey to commit resources
to support its subsidiary bank in circumstances in which First Busey might not
do so absent the FRB's policy.

     First Busey Trust & Investment Co. is subject to regulation and examination
by the State of Illinois Office of Banks and Real Estate and the FRB.  The
federal and state laws generally applicable to a trust company subsidiary of a
bank holding company regulate, among other things, the scope of its business,
investments and other activities.  Busey Insurance Services, Inc. is regulated
by the Illinois Department of Insurance.  First Busey Securities, Inc. is
regulated by the National Association of Securities Dealers ("NASD").

                                        6

<PAGE>
ACQUISITION OF BANKS AND BANK HOLDING COMPANIES
     The BHCA generally prohibits a bank holding company from (1) acquiring,
directly or indirectly, more than 5% of the outstanding shares of any class of
voting securities of a bank or bank holding company,  (2) acquiring control of a
bank or another bank holding company, (3) acquiring all or substantially all the
assets of a bank, or (4) merging or consolidating with another bank holding
company, without first obtaining FRB approval.  In considering an application
with respect to any such transaction, the FRB is required to consider a variety
of factors, including the potential anti-competitive effects of the transaction,
the financial condition and future prospects of the combining and resulting
institutions, the managerial resources of the resulting institution, the
convenience and needs of the communities the combined organization would serve,
the record of performance of each combining organization under the Community
Reinvestment Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act,  and the prospective
availability to the FRB of information appropriate to determine ongoing
regulatory compliance with applicable banking laws.

     In addition, both the federal Change in Bank Control Act and the Illinois
Banking Act ("IBA") impose limitations on the ability of one or more individuals
or other entities to acquire control of First Busey or its subsidiary bank.

     The BHCA generally imposes certain limitations on extensions of credit and
other transactions by and between banks that are members of the Federal Reserve
System and other banks and non-bank companies in the same holding company.
Under the BHCA and the FRB's regulations, a bank holding company and its
subsidiaries are prohibited from engaging in certain tie-in arrangements in
connection with any extension of credit, lease or sale of property or furnishing
of services.

     The BHCA prohibits a bank holding company from acquiring control of a bank
whose principal office is located outside of the state in which its principal
place of business is located unless specifically authorized by applicable state
law.  The IBHCA permits Illinois bank holding companies to acquire control of
banks in any state and permits bank holding companies whose principal place of
business is in another state to acquire control of Illinois banks or bank
holding companies if  that state affords reciprocal rights to Illinois bank
holding companies and certain other requirements are met.

     The restrictions described above represent limitations on expansion by
First Busey and its subsidiary bank, the acquisition of control of First Busey
by another company and the disposition by First Busey of all or a portion of the
stock of its subsidiary banks or by its subsidiary banks of all or a substantial
portion of its assets.

Permitted Non-Banking Activities
     The BHCA generally prohibits a bank holding company from engaging in
activities or acquiring or controlling, directly  or  indirectly,  the  voting
securities  or assets  of any  company  engaged in  any activity  other  than
banking, managing or controlling banks and bank subsidiaries or another activity
that the FRB has determined, by regulation or otherwise, to be so closely
related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident
thereto.  Subject to certain exceptions, before making any such acquisition or
engaging in any such activity, a bank holding company must obtain the prior
approval of the FRB as provided in applicable regulations.

     In evaluating such applications, the FRB will consider, among other
relevant factors, whether permitting the bank holding company to engage in the
activity in question can reasonably be expected to produce benefits to the
public (such as increased convenience, competition or efficiency) that outweigh
any possible adverse effects (such as undue concentration of resources,
decreased or unfair competition, conflicts of interest or safety and soundness
concerns).  Those activities that the FRB has determined by regulation to be
closely related to banking include making, acquiring and servicing loans or
other extensions of credit by consumer finance companies.

                                        7

<PAGE>
     Notwithstanding applicable restrictions on acquisition or control of banks,
bank assets, bank holding companies and companies engaged in permitted
non-banking activities, a bank holding company  may acquire, without the prior
approval of the FRB, 5% or less of the outstanding shares of any class of voting
securities of a company assuming the investment does not otherwise result in
control of such company.  The BHCA prohibits bank holding companies, with
certain exceptions, from acquiring direct or indirect ownership of more than
five percent of the voting securities of any company that is not a bank or does
not engage in any of the activities described in the preceding paragraph.

Capital Requirements
     Regulatory capital requirements applicable to all regulated financial
institutions, including bank holding companies and banks, have increased
significantly in recent years and further increases are possible in future
periods.  The FRB has adopted risk-based capital standards for bank holding
companies.  The articulated objectives of Congress and the FRB in establishing a
risk-based method of measuring capital adequacy are (i) to make regulatory
capital requirements applicable to bank holding companies more sensitive to
differences in risk profiles among bank holding companies, (ii) to factor
off-balance sheet liabilities into the assessment of capital adequacy, (iii) to
reduce disincentives for bank holding companies to hold liquid, low risk assets
and (iv) to achieve greater consistency in the evaluation of capital adequacy of
major banking organizations throughout the world by conforming to the framework
developed jointly by supervisory authorities from countries that are parties to
the so-called "Basle Accord" adopted by such supervisory authorities in July
1988.

     The FRB requires bank holding companies to maintain a minimum ratio of
risk-weighted capital to total risk-adjusted assets.  Banking organizations,
however, generally are expected to operate well above the minimum risk-based
ratios.  Risk-adjusted assets include a "credit equivalent amount" of
off-balance sheet items, determined in accordance with conversion formulae set
forth in the FRB's regulations.  Each asset and off-balance sheet item, after
certain adjustments, is assigned to one of four risk-weighting categories, 0%,
20%, 50% or 100%, and the risk-adjusted values are then added together to
determine risk-weighted assets.

     A bank holding company must meet two risk-based capital standards, a "core"
or "Tier 1" capital requirement and a total capital requirement.  The current
regulations require that a bank holding company maintain Tier 1 capital equal to
4% of risk-adjusted assets and total capital equal to 8% of risk-adjusted
assets.  Tier 1 capital must represent at least 50% of total capital and may
consist of those items defined in applicable regulations as core capital
elements. Core capital elements include common stockholders' equity; qualifying
noncumulative, nonredeemable perpetual preferred stock; qualifying (i.e., up to
25% of total Tier 1 capital) cumulative, nonredeemable perpetual preferred
stock; and minority interests in the equity accounts of consolidated
subsidiaries.  Core capital excludes goodwill and other intangible assets
required to be deducted in accordance with applicable regulations.

     Total capital represents the sum of Tier 1 capital plus "Tier 2" capital,
less certain deductions.  Tier 2 or "supplementary" capital consists of
allowances for loan and lease losses; perpetual preferred stock (to the extent
not included in Tier 1 capital); hybrid capital instruments; perpetual debt;
mandatory convertible debt securities; term subordinated debt; and intermediate
term preferred stock, in each case subject to applicable regulatory limitations.
The maximum amount of Tier 2 capital that may be included in an organization's
qualifying  total  capital cannot exceed 100%  of  Tier 1 capital.  In
determining  total  capital, a bank holding company  must deduct  from the sum
of Tier 1 and Tier 2  capital  its  investments  in unconsolidated
subsidiaries;   reciprocal  holdings  of certain  securities  of  banking
organizations; and other deductions required by regulation or determined on a
case-by-case basis by the appropriate supervisory authority.

                                        8

<PAGE>
     Another capital measure, the Tier 1 leverage ratio, is defined as Tier 1
capital divided by average total assets (net of allowance for losses and
goodwill).  The minimum leverage ratio is 3% for banking organizations that do
not anticipate significant growth and that have well-diversified risk (including
no undue interest rate risk), excellent asset quality, high liquidity and good
earnings.  Other banking organizations are expected to have ratios of at least
4% to 5%, depending upon their particular condition and growth plans.  Higher
capital ratios could be required if warranted by the particular circumstances or
risk profile of a given banking organization.  The FRB has not advised First
Busey of any specific minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio applicable to it.

     As of December 31, 1997,  First Busey's Tier 1 and total risk-based
capital ratios were 11.81% and 13.01%, respectively, and its Tier 1 leverage
ratio was 7.61%.

     The failure of a bank holding company to meet its risk-weighted
capital ratios may result in supervisory action, as well as inability to obtain
approval of any regulatory applications and, potentially, increased frequency of
examination.  The nature and intensity of the supervisory action will depend
upon the level of noncompliance.  Under the IBHCA, no bank holding company may
acquire control of a bank if, at the time it applies for approval or at the time
the transaction is consummated, its ratio of total capital to total assets, as
determined in accordance with then applicable FRB regulations, is or will be
less than 7%.

     Risk-based capital ratios focus principally on broad categories of credit
risk and do not incorporate factors that can affect the Company's financial
condition, such as overall interest rate risk exposure, liquidity, funding and
market risks, the quality and level of earnings, investment or loan portfolio
concentrations, the quality of loans and investments, the effectiveness of loan
and investment policies and management's ability to monitor and control
financial and operating risks.  For this reason, the overall financial health of
First Busey and its subsidiary bank and the assessment of First Busey and its
subsidiary bank by various regulatory agencies may differ from conclusions that
might be drawn solely from the level of First Busey or its subsidiary bank's
risk-based capital ratios.

     During 1994, the federal banking regulators announced a joint decision not
to modify risk-based capital and leverage requirements for regulatory capital to
reflect the impact of unrealized gains and losses for securities classified as
"available for sale."  This decision was made in response to the Financial
Accounting Standards Board's issuance of Statement No. 115 "Accounting for
Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities."

                               Regulation of Banks

     First Busey's bank subsidiary is a banking corporation organized under
the IBA.  As such, it is subject to regulation, supervision and examination by
the State of Illinois Office of Banks and Real Estate.  The deposit accounts of
the bank subsidiary are insured up to applicable limits by the FDIC's Bank
Insurance Fund (the "BIF").  Thus, the bank subsidiary is also subject to
regulation, supervision and examination by the FDIC.  In certain instances, the
statutes administered by and regulations promulgated by certain of these
agencies are more stringent than those of other agencies with jurisdiction.  In
these instances, the bank subsidiary must comply with the more stringent
restrictions, prohibitions or requirements.

     The business and affairs of the bank subsidiary are regulated in a
variety of ways.  Regulations apply to, among other things, insurance of deposit
accounts, capital ratios, payment of dividends, liquidity requirements, the
nature and amount of the investments that the bank subsidiary may make,
transactions with affiliates, community and consumer lending laws, internal
policies and controls, reporting by and examination of the bank subsidiary and
changes in control of the bank subsidiary.

                                        9

<PAGE>
                                    Dividends

     The FRB has issued a policy statement on the payment of cash dividends
by bank holding companies. In the policy statement, the FRB expressed its view
that a bank holding company experiencing weak earnings should not pay cash
dividends  which  exceed  its  net  income  or  which  could  only  be funded in
ways  that  would  weaken  its  financial health, such as by borrowing.  The FRB
also may impose limitations on the payment of dividends as a condition to its
approval of certain applications, including applications for approval of mergers
and acquisitions.  First Busey uses funds derived primarily from the payment of
dividends by its largest banking subsidiary for, among other purposes, the
payment of dividends to First Busey's stockholders.  Under provisions of the
IBA, dividends may not be declared by banking subsidiaries except out of the
bank's net profit (as defined), and unless the bank has transferred to surplus
at least one-tenth of its net profits since the date of the declaration of the
last preceding dividend, until the amount of its surplus is at least equal to
its capital.  Presently, the surplus of Busey Bank exceeds its capital.

     All dividends paid by First Busey's banking subsidiaries are
restricted by capital adequacy requirements imposed by federal regulators
regarding the maintenance of the risk-weighted asset ratios and the leverage
ratio (as defined by regulatory agencies).  At December 31, 1997,  Busey Bank
had $25,754,000 available for the payment of dividends to First Busey.  Sound
banking practices require the maintenance of adequate levels of capital.  State
and federal regulatory authorities have adopted standards for the maintenance of
capital by banks and adherence to such standards further limits the ability of
banks to pay dividends.

     First Busey Trust & Investment Co., as an Illinois corporation, is
permitted to make distributions to its stockholder as authorized by its Board of
Directors, except that as long as it continues in a fiduciary business, it may
not withdraw for purposes of payment of dividends or otherwise any portion of
its capital account except with the approval of the State of Illinois Office of
Banks and Real Estate.


MONETARY POLICY AND ECONOMIC CONDITION
     The earnings of commercial banks and bank holding companies are affected
not only by general economic conditions but also by the policies of various
governmental regulatory authorities.  In particular, the FRB influences
conditions in the money and capital markets, which affect interest rates and the
growth in bank credit and deposits.  FRB monetary policies have had a
significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks in the past and
this is expected to continue in the future.  The general effect, if any, of such
policies upon the future business and earnings of First Busey and its subsidiary
bank cannot be predicted.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

     As of March 6, 1998,  First Busey and its subsidiaries conduct
business in twenty-one locations.  Busey Bank has its headquarters at the Busey
Bank Building, a 40,000 square foot building owned by Busey Bank.  In addition
to the Busey Bank Building, First Busey and/or its subsidiaries own the land and
building for twelve locations, own the building and lease the land for two
locations and lease six locations.   Two supermarket locations, the Bloomington
facility, the Busey Plaza Building and the Indianapolis location are the only
facilities not fully occupied by First Busey or its subsidiaries.  The Busey
Plaza Building, a five-story 90,000 square foot office building, is the location
of the headquarters of First Busey Trust & Investment Co., with the remainder
leased to unaffiliated tenants.

                                       10

<PAGE>
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     There are no material pending legal proceedings, other than routine
litigation incidental to the business, to which First Busey or its subsidiaries
are a part of or which any of their property is the subject.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

     Not  applicable.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     Name                      Office (year first elected as an officer)      Age
     ---------------------  ------------------------------------------------  ---
     <S>                    <C>                                               <C>
     Douglas C. Mills*      Chairman of the Board, President and Chief         57
                            Executive Officer of First Busey (1971)

     Edwin A. Scharlau II*  Chairman of the Board of First Busey Trust &       53
                            Investment Co. and First Busey Securities, Inc.
                            (1967)

     P. David Kuhl*         President and Chief Executive                      48
                            Officer of Busey Bank (1979)

<FN>
*Director
</TABLE>

                                     PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

     Since July 1, 1988, First Busey Class A Common Stock has been traded
in the over-the-counter market and quoted in the National Quotation Bureau's
"Pink Sheets." The "Pink Sheets" include approximately 14,000 thinly traded
stocks.  In 1997, First Busey Corporation began trading on the OTC Bulletin
Board.   The market quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without
retail-markup, markdown or commission and may not necessarily represent actual
transactions.  The investment banking firm of Stephens Inc., Little Rock,
Arkansas, is the principal market maker for First Busey Class A Common Stock.
The last reported "Bid" price for First Busey Class A Common Stock is reported
daily in the News-Gazette, a Champaign-Urbana newspaper.  Prior to July 1, 1988,
there was no public market for First Busey Class A Common Stock.  Although a
limited trading market for shares of First Busey Class A Common Stock has
developed recently, there can be no assurance that it will continue.

     The following table presents for the periods indicated the high and
low "Bid" quotations for First Busey Class A Common Stock as provided by the
Corporation's market maker Stephens, Inc. and reported on the OTC Bulletin
Board.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       1997           1996
                                  --------------  --------------
   Market Prices of Common Stock   High    Low     High    Low
   -----------------------------  ------  ------  ------  ------
   <S>                            <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
   First Quarter                  $23.75  $22.25  $19.17  $18.00
   Second Quarter                 $24.25  $23.75  $21.00  $18.50
   Third Quarter                  $25.75  $24.25  $22.00  $20.00
   Fourth Quarter                 $27.75  $25.75  $23.75  $21.25
</TABLE>


                                       11

<PAGE>
During 1997 and 1996, First Busey, declared cash dividends per share as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              CLASS A                   CLASS B
     1997                   COMMON STOCK              COMMON STOCK
     -------                ------------              ------------     
     <S>                    <C>                       <C>
     January                $    .1700                $    .1546
     April                  $    .1700                $    .1546
     July                   $    .1800                $    .1636
     October                $    .1800                $    .1636

     1996
     -------                                            
     January                $    .1667                $    .1515
     April                  $    .1667                $    .1515
     July                   $    .1600                $    .1455
     October                $    .1600                $    .1455
</TABLE>

     Three-for-two stock splits on both Class A and Class B Common Stock
occurred on May 7, 1996, and May 7, 1993.

     For a discussion of restrictions on dividends, please see the discussion of
dividend restrictions under Item 1, Business, Dividends on page 10.

     As of March 6, 1998 there were approximately 1,012 holders of First Busey
Class A Common Stock.




                                       12

<PAGE>
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     The following selected financial data for each of the five years in the
period ended December 31, 1997, have been derived from First Busey's annual
consolidated financial statements audited by McGladrey & Pullen, LLP,
independent certified public accountants, whose report on the financial position
as of December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, and the results of operations for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997, appears elsewhere
in this report.  This financial data should be read in conjunction with the
financial statements and the related notes thereto appearing in this report.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      1997      1996      1995      1994      1993
                                    --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
BALANCE SHEET ITEMS                   (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
- ----------------------------------                                              
<S>                                 <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
   Securities                       $215,514  $226,350  $284,517  $210,525  $230,359
   Loans, net of unearned interest   602,937   569,500   481,772   451,051   412,905
   Allowance for loan losses           6,860     6,131     5,473     5,235     5,205
   Total assets                      915,540   864,918   844,666   728,459   709,257
   Total deposits                    811,453   766,927   744,897   635,694   636,418
   Long-term debt                     10,000     5,000     5,000     5,000     6,645
   Stockholders' equity               81,279    73,417    67,778    59,016    56,332

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
- ----------------------------------                                                  
   Interest income                  $ 63,831  $ 61,197  $ 54,494  $ 47,126  $ 46,003
   Interest expense                   31,119    30,033    26,515    20,212    20,363
                                    --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
   Net interest income                32,712    31,164    27,979    26,914    25,640
   Provision for loan losses           1,075     1,100       395       240     1,125
   Net income                       $ 10,371  $  9,306  $  8,775  $  8,238  $  7,364
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     1997     1996     1995     1994     1993
                                    ------   ------   ------   ------   ------

                                    (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
PER SHARE DATA(1)
- ----------------------------------                                             
<S>                                 <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>    
   Diluted earnings                 $ 1.48   $ 1.34   $ 1.27   $ 1.19   $ 1.07 
   Cash dividends (Class A)            .70      .65     0.59     0.53     0.53 
   Book value                        11.84    10.72     9.95     8.64     8.13 
   Closing "Bid" price               27.50    22.25    18.00    16.17    14.33 

OTHER INFORMATION
- ----------------------------------                                             
   Return on average assets           1.18%    1.08%    1.15%    1.14%    1.07%
   Return on average equity          13.42%   13.40%   13.86%   14.16%   13.87%
   Net interest margin (2)            4.20%    4.13%    4.20%    4.30%    4.33%
   Stockholders' equity to assets     8.88%    8.49%    8.02%    8.10%    7.94%

<FN>
(1) Per share amounts have been restated to give retroactive effect to the
    three-for-two stock splits which occurred May 7, 1996, and May 7, 1993.
(2) Calculated as a percent of average earning assets.
</TABLE>

                                       13

<PAGE>
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS

     The following is management's discussion and analysis of the financial
condition and results of operations of First Busey Corporation and Subsidiaries
(the "Corporation") for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.  It
should be read in conjunction with "Business", "Selected Financial Data", the
consolidated financial statements and the related notes to the consolidated
financial statements and other data included in this Annual Report.  All per
share amounts have been restated to give retroactive effect to the three-for-two
stock splits which occurred May 7, 1996, and May 7, 1993.

GENERAL

     The Corporation's consolidated income is generated primarily by the
financial services activities of its subsidiaries.  Since January 1, 1982, the
Corporation has acquired eleven banks and sold two; acquired six savings and
loan branches and two bank branches; acquired a bank branch in an FDIC assisted
acquisition of a failed bank; formed a trust company subsidiary; formed an
insurance agency subsidiary; and formed a non-bank ATM subsidiary.  All of the
banks acquired during those years were accounted for using the purchase method
of accounting, except for Bank of Urbana which was accounted for using the
pooling of interests method.  All subsidiary banks owned by the Corporation as
of November 1991 were merged with Busey Bank.  Under the purchase method of
accounting, the earnings of the acquired subsidiaries are included in the
Corporation's earnings only for the periods subsequent to acquisition.  The
following table illustrates the amounts of net income contributed by each
subsidiary (on a pre-consolidation basis) since January 1, 1995, less purchase
accounting adjustments.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Subsidiary                              Acquired        1997             1996           1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                (dollars in thousands)
<S>                                     <C>       <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Busey Bank (1)                           3/20/80  $ 9,645    88.3%  $8,980   91.8%  $8,664   92.8%
First Busey Trust & Investment Co. (2)        --      987     9.0%     651    6.7%     596    6.4%
First Busey Securities, Inc (3)               --      234     2.1%     148    1.5%      76    0.8%
First Busey Resources, Inc. (4)               --      102     0.9%      --     --       --     -- 
Busey Insurance Services, Inc. (5)            --      (26)  - 0.2%      --     --       --     -- 
BAT, Inc. (6)                                 --      (12)  - 0.1%      --     --       --     -- 
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------
Total                                             $10,930   100.0%  $9,779  100.0%  $9,336  100.0%
                                        ==========================================================

<FN>
(1) City Bank of Champaign and Champaign County Bank & Trust were merged into Busey Bank as
    of January 1, 1987.  First National Bank of Thomasboro was merged into Busey Bank as of January 1,
    1988.  State Bank of St. Joseph was merged into Busey Bank as of November 3, 1989.  The Bank of
    Urbana, Citizens Bank of Tolono, and the assets of Community Bank of Mahomet subject to its
    liabilities were merged into Busey Bank as of November 16, 1991.  Busey Bank of McLean County was
    merged into Busey Bank as of January 1, 1996.
(2) Formed as a subsidiary of the Corporation as of January 1, 1987 as a successor to the
    combined trust departments of Busey Bank and Champaign County Bank & Trust.
(3) Formed as a subsidiary of Busey Bank as of April 1, 1991.
(4) Reactivated as a subsidiary of First Busey Corporation as of January 1, 1997.  Real estate
    and certain other assets previously carried on the parent company's balance sheet were transferred
    to subsidiary as of that date.
(5) Formed as a subsidiary of Busey Bank as of October 1, 1997.
(6) Reactivated as a subsidiary of Busey Bank as of July 1, 1997.
</TABLE>

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS-THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997

Summary
     The Corporation reported net income of $10,371,000 in 1997, up 11.4% from
$9,306,000 in 1996, which had increased 6.1% from $8,775,000 in 1995.  Diluted
earnings per share in 1997 increased 10.4% to $1.48 from $1.34 in 1996, which
was a 5.5% increase from $1.27 in 1995.  Contributing to the 1997 increase in
net income were increases in net interest income, trust fees, commissions and
brokers fees, and other service charges and fees.  The main factor contributing
to the increase in net income for 1996 was the increase in net interest income
resulting from the large increase in loans outstanding.  Operating earnings,
which exclude security gains and the gain on sales of loans and the related tax

                                       14

<PAGE>
expense, were $9,748,000 or $1.39 per share for 1997; $8,965,000, or $1.29 per
share for 1996; and $8,217,000, or $1.19 per share for 1995.

     There were no material changes in average shares outstanding from 1995 to
1997 to affect earnings per share.

     Security gains after the related tax expense were $338,000 or 3.3% of net
income in 1997; $166,000 or 1.8% of net income in 1996; and $134,000 or 1.5% of
net income in 1995.

     The Corporation's return on average assets was 1.18%, 1.08% and 1.15% for
1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively, and return on average equity  was 13.42%,
13.40%, and 13.86% for 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.  On an operating
earnings basis, return on average assets was 1.11%, 1.04%, and 1.08% for 1997,
1996, and 1995, respectively, and return on average equity was 12.61%, 12.91%
and 12.98% for 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.

Net Interest Income
     Net interest income on a tax equivalent basis for 1997 increased 4.6% to
$34,075,000 from $32,574,000 for 1996, which reflected an 11.0% increase from
$29,349,000 in 1995. Net interest income increased in 1997 as investment
security maturities and sales were reinvested in higher yielding loans.  Net
interest income increased in 1996 because of a large increase in average loans
outstanding.

     Average interest-earning assets increased to $811,010,000 in 1997 from
$788,158,000 and $699,567,000 in 1996 and 1995, respectively.   Modest
internally generated growth accounted for the increase in average
interest-earning assets in 1997.   The growth in 1996 was primarily due to the
effect of the investment in loans and securities that resulted from the
assumption of $77,988,000 of deposits in December 1995.

     The net interest margin was 4.20% in 1997, 4.13% in 1996, and 4.20% in
1995.  The increase in the net interest margin for 1997 was due to an increase
in average loan balances of $59,016,000 at an average rate one basis point lower
than the same rate for 1996, partially offset by increases in the average
balance of interest-bearing liabilities and the rates paid on those balances.
The decrease in net interest margin for 1996 was due to a 6 basis point decline
in the net interest spread which resulted from a decline in the yield on
interest-earning assets and an increase in the weighted rate paid on
interest-bearing liabilities when comparing the year ended December 31, 1996, to
the prior year period.

     During 1997 and 1996, interest rate trends had a significant impact on the
Corporation's yields and costs.   In 1997, the average yield on interest earning
assets increased 10 basis points while the average cost of interest-bearing
liabilities also increased by 10 basis points.  This resulted in the net
interest margin increasing to 4.20% for 1997 from 4.13% in 1996.   In 1996, the
average yield on interest-earning assets decreased 5 basis points, while the
average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 1 basis point.  This
resulted in the net interest margin declining to 4.13% for 1996 from 4.20% for
1995. [See "Selected Statistical Information, Consolidated Average Balance
Sheets and Interest Rates."]

Provision for Loan Losses
     The provision for loan losses, which is a current charge against income,
represents an amount which management believes is sufficient to maintain an
adequate allowance for future loan losses.  In assessing the adequacy of the
allowance for loan losses, management considers the size and quality of the loan
portfolio measured against prevailing economic conditions and historical loan
loss experience.  When a determination is made by management to charge off a
loan balance, such write-off is charged against the allowance for loan losses.

                                       15

<PAGE>
     The provision for loan losses decreased to $1,075,000 in 1997 from
$1,100,000 in 1996 when it increased from  $395,000 in 1995.  Net charge-offs
decreased to $346,000 in 1997 from $442,000 in 1996 which had increased from
$157,000 in 1995.  The provision for 1997 was large relative to net charge-offs
to restore the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans.
The increase in the provision for 1996 was primarily made in order to fund the
reserve for the $87,728,000 increase in loans during the year.

Other Income
     Other income increased 18.4% in 1997 to $10,379,000 from $8,769,000 in
1996, which reflected a 2.5% increase from $8,559,000 in 1995.  The increase in
1997 is due primarily to increases in trust fee income, commission income, and
other service charges.  As a percentage of total income, other income was 14.0%,
12.5%, and 13.6% in 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.  Gains on the sale of
securities, as a component of other income, totaled $520,000  (5.0%) in 1997,
$256,000  (2.9%) in 1996, and $206,000 (2.4%) in 1995.  Other income also
includes gains on sales of loans, as a component of other income, of $439,000
(4.2%),  $268,000 (3.1%), and $653,000 (7.6%) in 1997, 1996, and 1995,
respectively.

     Additional components of other income were fee income and trust fees.
Service charges and other fee income increased 12.6% to $5,290,000 in 1997 from
$4,698,000 in 1996, which was an 18.2% increase from $3,973,000 in 1995.   The
growth in fee income in 1997 and 1996 was due to increases in service charges on
deposit accounts. Trust fees increased 19.0% in 1997 and 3.9% in 1996;  revenues
were $3,156,000 in 1997, $2,651,000 in 1996, and $2,551,000 in 1995.  Increases
in trust department revenues in each year were primarily due to increases in
assets under  care to $660,846,000 at December 31, 1997 from $518,367,000 at
December 31, 1996.   Remaining other income decreased 2.4% to $972,000 in 1997
from $996,000 in 1996 which was a 13.4%  decrease from $1,150,000 in 1995.

Other Expenses
     Other expenses increased 5.7% in 1997 to $27,266,000 from $25,786,000 in
1996, which reflected an increase from $24,069,000 in 1995.  As a percentage of
total income, other expenses were 36.7%, 36.9%, and 38.2% in 1997, 1996, and
1995, respectively.  Employee related expenses, including salaries and wages and
employee benefits, increased 5.4% in 1997 to $14,615,000, as compared to
$13,868,000 in 1996, which was a 10.5% increase from $12,546,000 in 1995.  As a
percent of average assets, employee related expenses were 1.66%,  1.61% and
1.64%, in 1997,  1996, and 1995, respectively.  The Corporation had 393, 383,
and 375 full-time equivalent employees at December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995,
respectively.  Net occupancy expense of bank premises and furniture and
equipment expenses increased 13.3% in 1997 to $4,063,000 as compared to
$3,587,000 in 1996 and $3,559,000 in 1995.   The increases were primarily due to
expenses associated with remodeling of existing facilities.  As a percent of
average assets, occupancy and equipment expenses were .46%, .42%, and .46% in
1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.

     Excluding foreclosed property write-down and expense, remaining other
expenses increased 4.8% to $8,576,000 in 1997 from  $8,181,000 in 1996 which was
a 5.7% increase from $7,738,000 in 1995.  The increase in 1997 was primarily due
to increased data processing expense. This increase was partially offset by
reduced FDIC insurance expense.  The increase in 1996 was primarily due to
increased amortization expenses related to acquisitions in December 1995, and
was partially offset by reduced data processing expenses.

Income Taxes
     Income tax expense in 1997 was $4,379,000 as compared to $3,741,000 in 1996
and $3,299,000 in 1995.  The provision for income taxes as a percent of income
before income taxes was 29.7%, 28.7%, and  27.3%, for 1997, 1996, and 1995,
respectively.  The slightly lower rate  in 1995 was due to the  reclassification
of expenses of certain acquisition costs.

                                       16

<PAGE>
STATEMENTS OF CONDITION-DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND DECEMBER 31, 1996

     Total assets on December 31, 1997 were $915,540,000 an increase of 5.9%
from  $864,918,000, on December 31, 1996.  Total loans, net of unearned
interest, increased 5.9% to $602,937,000 on December 31, 1997 as compared  to
$569,500,000 on December 31, 1996.  Deposits increased 5.8% to $811,453,000 on
December 31, 1997 as compared to $766,927,000 on December 31, 1996.  Interest
bearing deposits increased $30,513,000 or 4.4% during 1997. Non-interest bearing
deposits increased $14,013,000 or 17.9% during 1997.  Total stockholders' equity
increased 10.7% to $81,279,000 on December 31, 1997, as compared to $73,417,000
on December 31, 1996.

Earning Assets
     The average interest-earning assets of the Corporation were 92.1%, 91.7%,
and 91.6%, of average total assets for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996,
and 1995, respectively.

     The Corporation has classified all investment securities as securities
available for sale.  These securities are held with the option of their disposal
in the foreseeable future to meet investment objectives or for other operational
needs.  Securities available for sale are carried at fair value.  As of December
31, 1997, the fair value of these securities was $215,514,000 and the amortized
cost was $206,589,000.  There were $9,097,000 of gross unrealized gains and
$172,000 of gross unrealized losses for a net unrealized gain of $8,925,000.
The after-tax effect ($5,801,000) of this unrealized gain has been included in
stockholders' equity as called for in Statement No. 115. The increase in market
value for the debt securities in this classification was a result of falling
interest rates.  The fair value increase in the equity securities was primarily
due to a $2,142,000 increase in the value of 54,200 shares of Student Loan
Marketing Association (SLMA) common stock owned by the Corporation throughout
the year.

The composition of securities available for sale is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             Years ended December 31,
                                               ----------------------------------------------------
                                                 1997       1996       1995       1994       1993
                                               ----------------------------------------------------
                                                               (dollars in thousands)
<S>                                            <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
U.S. Treasuries and Agencies                   $161,762   $159,044   $213,862   $137,724         - 
Equity securities                                11,994      9,065      7,589      5,156     1,037 
States and political subdivisions                32,351      1,253        202          -         - 
Other                                             9,407      1,881      1,363      1,138         - 
                                               ----------------------------------------------------
Fair value of securities available for sale    $215,514   $171,243   $223,016   $144,018   $ 1,037 
                                               ====================================================
Fair value of securities under LOCOM(1)               -          -          -          -   $ 3,052 
                                               ====================================================
Amortized cost                                 $206,589   $166,189   $218,257   $145,293   $ 1,037 
                                               ====================================================
Fair value as a percentage of amortized cost     104.32%    103.04%    102.18%     99.12%   294.31%
                                               ====================================================
<FN>
(1) Lower of cost or market
</TABLE>





                                       17

<PAGE>

The maturities, fair values and weighted average yields of securities available
for sale as of December 31, 1997 are:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                       Due in 1 year or less     Due after 1 year        Due after 5 years        Due after
                                                                 through 5 years         through 10 years         10 years
                                       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Fair    Weighted          Fair    Weighted       Fair    Weighted       Fair   Weighted
                                        Value    Average         Value     Average       Value    Average      Value    Average
Investment Securities(1)                          Yield                     Yield                  Yield                 Yield
                                       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            (dollars in thousands)
<S>                                    <C>      <C>             <C>       <C>           <C>      <C>           <C>     <C>
U.S. Treasuries and Agencies           $76,011      5.66%       $ 83,210      5.93%     $ 2,541      5.89%          -         - 
States and political subdivisions (2)    5,010      9.15%         12,228      8.72%      11,823      7.84%      3,290      8.46%
Other                                    1,210      5.60%          5,097      6.33%         748      7.19%          -         - 
                                       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                  $82,231      5.87%       $100,535      6.29%     $15,112      7.48%     $3,290      8.46%
                                       =========================================================================================
<FN>
(1) Excludes equity securities and mortgage backed securities.
(2) On a tax-equivalent basis, assuming a federal income tax rate of 35% (the effective federal income tax rate as
    of December 31, 1996)
</TABLE>

     The securities held to maturity portfolio consisted of debt securities 
which provided the Corporation with a relatively stable source of income.
Additionally, the investment portfolio provides a balance to interest rate and
credit risk in other categories of the balance sheet while providing a vehicle
for the investment of available funds and supplying securities to pledge as
required collateral for certain deposits.  All remaining securities were
transferred to the available for sale portfolio as of December 31, 1997.

The composition of securities held to maturity was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Years ended December 31,
                                               -------------------------------------------------
                                                 1997      1996      1995      1994      1993
                                               -------------------------------------------------
                                                             (dollars in thousands)
<S>                                            <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
U.S. Treasuries and Agencies                          -  $ 8,635   $13,198   $17,031   $174,581 
States and political subdivisions                     -   36,607    37,043    32,957     34,507 
Other                                                 -    9,865    11,260    16,519     20,234 
                                               -------------------------------------------------
Amortized cost of securities held to maturity         -  $55,107   $61,501   $66,507   $229,322 
                                               =================================================
Fair value of securities held to maturity             -  $55,800   $62,625   $65,386   $236,264 
                                               =================================================
Fair value as a percentage of book value              -   101.26%   101.83%    98.31%    103.03%
                                               =================================================
</TABLE>

     The Corporation also uses its investment portfolio to manage its tax
position.  Depending upon projected levels of taxable income for the
Corporation, periodic changes are made in the mix of tax-exempt and taxable
securities to achieve maximum yields on a tax-equivalent basis.  U.S. government
and agency securities as a percentage of total securities increased to 75.1% at
December 31, 1997 from 74.1% at December 31, 1996 while obligations of state and
political subdivisions (tax-exempt obligations) as a percentage of total
securities decreased to 15.0% at December 31, 1997, from 16.7% at December 31,
1996.

                                       18

<PAGE>
Loan Portfolio
     Loans, before allowance for loan losses, increased 5.9%  to $602,937,000 in
1997 from  $569,500,000 in 1996.  Non-farm non-residential real estate mortgage
loans increased $8,303,000, or 6.3%, to $139,653,000 in 1997 from  $131,350,000
in 1996.  This increase reflects management's emphasis on commercial loans
secured by mortgages.  Also, 1 to 4 family residential real estate mortgage
loans (not held for sale) increased $14,160,000, or 6.9%, to $220,659,000 in
1997 from  $206,499,000 in 1996.  It is intended that residential mortgage loan
origination will generate income and develop retail and other banking
relationships.  The Corporation has no loans to customers engaged in oil and gas
exploration or to foreign companies or governments.  Commitments under standby
letters of credit, unused lines of credit and other conditionally approved
credit lines, totaled approximately $131,060,000 as of December 31, 1997.

The composition of loans is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Years ended December 31,
                                  ----------------------------------------------------
                                    1997      1996       1995       1994       1993
                                  ----------------------------------------------------
                                                (dollars in thousands)
<S>                               <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Commercial and financial          $ 63,861  $ 62,065   $ 55,687   $ 57,878   $ 44,419 
Agricultural                        17,403    16,537     12,594     12,750     11,735 
Real estate-farmland                11,782    11,468     11,162     11,769     10,777 
Real estate-construction            31,306    26,184     25,566     21,759     16,228 
Real estate-mortgage               439,660   413,541    334,417    303,046    276,404 
Installment loans to individuals    38,925    39,707     42,353     43,854     53,483 
                                  ----------------------------------------------------
                                  $602,937  $569,502   $481,779   $451,056   $413,046 
Unearned interest                        -        (2)        (7)        (5)      (141)
                                  ----------------------------------------------------
Loans                             $602,937  $569,500   $481,772   $451,051   $412,905 
                                  ====================================================
</TABLE>

     The following table sets forth remaining maturities of selected loans
(excluding certain real estate-farmland, real estate-mortgage  loans and
installment loans to individuals) at December 31, 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             1 Year or Less   1 to 5 Years   Over 5 Years        Total
                                             -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                            (dollars in thousands)
<S>                                          <C>              <C>            <C>            <C>
Commercial, financial and agricultural       $        63,136  $      17,463  $         665  $     81,264
Real estate-construction                              25,843          4,359          1,104        31,306
                                             -----------------------------------------------------------
Total                                        $        88,979         21,822  $       1,769  $    112,570
                                             -----------------------------------------------------------
Interest rate sensitivity of selected loans
Fixed rate                                   $        13,748          9,324  $       1,769  $     24,841
Adjustable rate                                       75,231         12,498              -        87,729
                                             -----------------------------------------------------------
Total                                        $        88,979  $      21,822  $       1,769  $    112,570
                                             -----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Allowance for Loan Losses
     Management has established an allowance for loan losses which reduces the
total loans outstanding by an estimate of uncollectible loans.  Loans deemed
uncollectible are charged against and reduce the allowance.  Periodically, a
provision for loan losses is charged to current expense.  This provision acts to
replenish the allowance for loan losses and to maintain the allowance at a level
that management deems adequate.

     There is no precise method of predicting specific loan losses or amounts
which ultimately may be charged off on segments of the loan portfolio.  The
determination that a loan may become uncollectible, in whole or in part, is a
matter of judgment.  Similarly, the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses
can be determined only on a judgmental basis, after full review, including (a)
consideration of economic conditions and their effect on particular industries
and specific borrowers; (b) a review of borrowers'

                                       19

<PAGE>

financial data, together with industry data, the competitive situation, the
borrowers' management capabilities and other factors; (c) a continuing
evaluation of the loan portfolio, including monitoring by lending officers and
staff credit personnel of all loans which are identified as being of less than
acceptable quality; (d) an in-depth appraisal, on a monthly basis, of all loans
judged to present a possibility of loss (if, as a result of such monthly
appraisals, the loan is judged to be not fully collectible, the carrying value
of the loan is reduced to that portion considered collectible); and (e) an
evaluation of the underlying collateral for secured lending, including the use
of independent appraisals of real estate properties securing loans.

     Periodic provisions for loan losses are determined by management based upon
the size and the quality of the loan portfolio measured against prevailing
economic conditions and historical loan loss experience and also based on
specific exposures in the portfolio.  Management has instituted a formal loan
review system supported by an effective credit analysis and control process.
The Corporation will maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level
sufficient to absorb estimated uncollectible loans and, therefore, expects to
make periodic additions to the allowance for loan losses.

The following table shows activity affecting the allowance for loan losses:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Years ended December 31
                                          -----------------------------------------------------
                                            1997       1996       1995       1994       1993
                                          -----------------------------------------------------
                                                         (dollars in thousands)
<S>                                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Average loans outstanding during period   $584,327   $525,311   $453,915   $421,337   $366,859 
                                          =====================================================
Allowance for loan losses:
  Balance at beginning of period          $  6,131   $  5,473   $  5,235   $  5,205   $  4,456 
                                          -----------------------------------------------------

Loans charged-off:
  Commercial, financial and agricultural  $    192   $    227   $    339   $     99   $    397 
  Real estate-construction                       -         19          -          -          - 
  Real estate-mortgage                          50         32         55        153        405 
  Installment loans to individuals             317        404        286        253        329 
                                          -----------------------------------------------------
Total charge-offs                         $    559   $    682   $    680   $    505   $  1,131 
                                          -----------------------------------------------------
Recoveries:
  Commercial, financial and agricultural  $     13   $     43   $    414   $     62   $     66 
  Real estate-construction                       -         50          -          -          - 
  Real estate-mortgage                         110          -          3        128        156 
  Installment loans to individuals              90        147        106        105        111 
                                          -----------------------------------------------------
Total recoveries                          $    213   $    240   $    523   $    295   $    333 
                                          -----------------------------------------------------
Net loans charged-off                     $    346   $    442   $    157   $    210   $    798 
                                          -----------------------------------------------------
Provision for loan losses                 $  1,075   $  1,100   $    395   $    240   $  1,125 
                                          -----------------------------------------------------
Net additions (due to acquisitions)              -          -          -          -        422 
                                          -----------------------------------------------------
Balance at end of period                  $  6,860   $  6,131   $  5,473   $  5,235   $  5,205 
                                          =====================================================
Ratios:
  Net charge-offs to average loans            0.06%      0.08%      0.03%      0.05%      0.22%
                                          =====================================================
  Allowance for loan losses to total
  loans at period end                         1.14%      1.08%      1.14%      1.16%      1.26%
                                          =====================================================
</TABLE>



                                       20

<PAGE>
     The following table sets forth the allowance for loan losses by loan 
categories as of December 31 for each of the years indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1997             1996             1995             1994             1993
                                    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              % of             % of             % of             % of             % of
                                             Total            Total            Total            Total            Total
                                    Amount   Loans   Amount   Loans   Amount   Loans   Amount   Loans   Amount   Loans
                                    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    (dollars in thousands)
<S>                                 <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>
Commercial, financial, agri-
cultural  and real estate-farmland    1,059   15.4%  $   766   15.8%  $   785   16.5%  $ 1,122   18.3%  $ 3,513   16.2%
Real estate-construction                  -    5.2%        -    4.6%        -    5.3%        -    4.8%        -    3.9%
Real estate-mortgage                  4,456   72.9%    3,505   72.6%    3,476   69.4%    3,013   67.2%      779   67.0%
Installment loans to individuals      1,045    6.5%    1,189    7.0%    1,097    8.8%      943    9.7%      785   12.9%
Unallocated                             300    N/A       671    N/A       115    N/A       157    N/A       128    N/A
                                    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                               $ 6,860    100%  $ 6,131    100%  $ 5,473    100%  $ 5,235    100%  $ 5,205    100%
                                    ===================================================================================
</TABLE>

Non-performing loans
     It is management's policy to place commercial and mortgage loans on
non-accrual status when interest or principal is 90 days or more past due.  Such
loans may continue on accrual status only if they are both well-secured and in
the process of collection.

The following table sets forth information concerning non-performing loans at
December 31 for each of the years indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Years ended December 31,
                                                   -------------------------------------------
                                                    1997     1996     1995     1994     1993
                                                   -------------------------------------------
                                                             (dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Non-accrual loans                                  $  628   $    -   $  532   $  636   $  247 
Loans 90 days past due and still accruing           1,033    1,002      897    1,336    1,450 
Restructured loans                                      -        -        -        -        - 
                                                   -------------------------------------------
Total non-performing loans                         $1,661   $1,002   $1,429   $1,972   $1,697 
                                                   -------------------------------------------
Repossessed assets                                 $  516   $  805   $1,380   $1,645   $1,180 
Other assets acquired in satisfaction of debts
      previously contracted                             5        1        1        1        1 
                                                   -------------------------------------------
Total non-performing other assets                  $  521   $  806   $1,381   $1,646   $1,181 
                                                   -------------------------------------------
Total non-performing loans and non-
      performing other assets                      $2,182   $1,808   $2,810   $3,618   $2,878 
                                                   ===========================================
Non-performing loans to loans, before
      Allowance for loan losses                      0.28%    0.18%    0.30%    0.44%    0.41%
                                                   ===========================================
Non-performing loans and non-performing
      other assets to loans, before allowance for
      loan losses, and repossessed assets            0.36%    0.32%    0.58%    0.80%    0.70%
                                                   ===========================================
</TABLE>

     On January 1, 1995, the Corporation adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a
Loan," as amended by Statement No. 118, which requires loans to be considered
impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable the
Corporation will not be able to collect all amounts due.  The accrual of
interest income on impaired loans is discontinued when there is reasonable doubt
as to the borrower's ability to meet contractual payments of interest or
principal.  Interest income on these loans is recognized to the extent interest
payments are received and the principal is considered fully collectible.  For
the year ended December 31, 1997, $8,000 of interest was recognized from
impaired loans, while no interest was recognized for the year ended December 31,
1996.

     The gross interest income that would have been recorded in the years ended
December 31, 1994 and 1993 if the non-accrual and restructured loans had been
current in accordance with their original terms was $47,000 and $22,000,
respectively.  The amount of interest collected on those loans that was

                                       21

<PAGE>
included in interest income for the year ended December 31, 1994 was $38,000.
There was no interest collected on these loans for the year ended December 31,
1993.

Potential Problem Loans
     Potential  problem loans are those loans which are not categorized  as
impaired,  non-accrual,  past  due or  restructured, but  where current
information  indicates that  the  borrower  may  not be able to comply with
present loan repayment terms.  Management assesses the potential for loss on
such loans as it would with other problem loans and has considered the effect of
any potential loss in determining its provision for possible loan losses.
Potential problem loans totaled $640,000 at December 31, 1997. There are no
other loans identified which management believes represent or result from trends
or uncertainties which management reasonably expects will materially impact
future operating results, liquidity or capital resources.  There are no other
credits identified about which management is aware of any information which
causes management to have serious doubts as to the ability of such borrower(s)
to comply with the loan repayment terms.

Deposits
     As indicated in the following table, average interest bearing deposits as a
percentage of average total deposits have decreased to 90.6% for the year ended
December 31, 1997 from 90.9% for the year ended December 31, 1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             December 31,
                         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     1997                          1996                         1995
                         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         (dollars in thousands)
                         Average   % Total   Average   Average   % Total   Average   Average   % Total   Average
                         Balance               Rate    Balance               Rate    Balance               Rate
                         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Non-interest bearing
demand deposits          $ 73,345      9.4%        -%  $ 69,562      9.1%        -%  $ 63,165      9.5%        -%
Interest bearing demand
deposits                  110,940     14.2%     1.97%   130,365     17.1%     1.62%   123,369     18.4%     1.79%
Savings/Money Market      234,865     30.1%     3.32%   216,498     28.4%     3.57%   193,658     29.0%     3.49%
Time deposits             360,968     46.3%     5.54%   345,726     45.4%     5.46%   288,125     43.1%     5.44%
                         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                    $780,118    100.0%     4.24%  $762,151    100.0%     4.15%  $668,317    100.0%     4.07%
                         ========================================================================================
</TABLE>

Certificates of deposit of $100,000 and over and other time deposits of $100,000
and over at December 31, 1997, had the following maturities (dollars in
thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          <S>             <C>
          Under 3 months  $47,774
          3 to 6 months    19,678
          6 to 12 months   17,510
          Over 12 months   11,575
                          -------
          Total           $96,537
                          =======
</TABLE>



                                       22

<PAGE>
Short-term Borrowings
     The following table sets forth the distribution of short-term borrowings
and weighted average interest rates thereon at the end of each of the last three
years.  Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to
repurchase generally represent overnight borrowing transactions.  Other
short-term borrowings consist of various demand notes and notes with maturities
of less than one year.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Federal funds purchased and
                                                  securities sold under agreements     Other short-term
                                                           to repurchase                  borrowings
                                                  -----------------------------------------------------
                                                                     (dollars in thousands)
<S>                                               <C>                                  <C>
1997
Balance, December 31, 1997                                            --                    $ 6,550 
Weighted average interest rate at end of period                       --                       7.35%
Maximum outstanding at any month end                             $13,550                    $ 8,000 
Average daily balance                                            $ 1,678                    $ 6,542 
Weighted average interest rate during period (1)                    6.14%                      7.21%

1996
Balance, December 31, 1996                                       $ 6,405                    $ 8,000 
Weighted average interest rate at end of period                     7.19%                      7.39%
Maximum outstanding at any month end                             $20,072                    $ 9,250 
Average daily balance                                            $ 8,804                    $ 8,092 
Weighted average interest rate during period (1)                    5.34%                      7.10%

1995
Balance, December 31, 1995                                       $12,101                    $ 9,573 
Weighted average interest rate at end of period                     5.75%                      7.35%
Maximum outstanding at any month end                             $19,648                    $10,573 
Average daily balance                                            $14,269                    $ 8,428 
Weighted average interest rate during period(1)                     6.23%                      8.50%

<FN>
(1) The weighted average interest rate is computed by dividing total interest for
    the year by the average daily balance outstanding.
</TABLE>

Market Risk
     Market risk is the risk of change in asset values due to movements in
underlying market rates and prices.  Interest rate risk is the risk to earnings
and capital arising from movements in interest rates.  Interest rate risk is the
most significant market risk affecting the Corporation as other types of market
risk, such as foreign currency exchange rate risk and commodity price risk, do
not arise in the normal course of the Corporation's business activities.

     The Corporation's banking subsidiary, Busey Bank, has an asset-liability
committee which meets monthly to review current market conditions and attempts
to structure the bank's balance sheet to ensure stable net interest income
despite potential changes in interest rates with all other variables constant.

     The asset-liability committee uses gap analysis to identify mismatches in 
the dollar value of assets and liabilities subject to repricing within specific
time periods.    The Funds Management Policy established by the asset liability
committee and approved by the Corporation's board of directors establishes
guidelines for maintaining the ratio of cumulative rate-sensitive assets to
rate-sensitive liabilities within prescribed ranges at certain intervals.  A
summary of the Corporation's gap analysis is summarized on page 25.

     The committee does not rely solely on gap analysis to manage interest-rate
risk as interest rate changes do not impact all categories of assets and
liabilities equally or simultaneously.  The asset-liability committee
supplements gap analysis with balance sheet and income simulation analysis to
determine the

                                       23

<PAGE>
potential impact on net interest income of changes in market interest rates.
In these simulation models the balance sheet is projected out over a one-year
period and net interest income is calculated under current market rates, and
then assuming permanent instantaneous shifts in the yield curve of +/- 100 basis
point and +/- 200 basis points.  These interest-rate scenarios indicate the
interest rate risk of the Corporation over a one-year time horizon due to
changes in interest rates, as of December 31, 1997, is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Basis Point Changes
                                                          ---------------------------------
                                                          -200    -100     +100      +200
                                                          ---------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>
Percentage change in net interest income due to an
immediate change in interest over a one-year period       8.23%   3.97%   (5.26%)  (11.43%)
</TABLE>


Liquidity
     Liquidity is the availability of funds to meet all present and future cash
flow obligations arising in the daily operations of the business at a minimal
cost.  These financial obligations consist of needs for funds to meet extensions
of credit, deposit withdrawals and debt servicing.

     The sources of short-term liquidity utilized by the Corporation consist of
asset maturities, sales, deposits and capital funds.  Additional liquidity is
provided by bank lines of credit, repurchase agreements and the ability to
borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank.  The
Corporation does not deal in or use brokered deposits as a source of liquidity.
The Corporation purchases federal funds as a service to its correspondent banks,
but does not rely upon these purchases for liquidity needs.  Long-term liquidity
needs will be satisfied primarily through retention of capital funds.  An
additional source of liquidity that can be managed for short-term and long-term
needs is the Corporation's ability to securitize or package loans (primarily
mortgage loans) for sale.

     The objective of liquidity management by the Corporation is to ensure that
funds will be available to meet demand in a timely and efficient manner.  Based
upon the level of investment securities that reprice within 30 days and 90 days,
management believes that adequate liquidity exists to meet all projected cash
flow obligations.

     The Corporation achieves a satisfactory degree of liquidity through 
actively managing both assets and liabilities.  Asset management guides the 
proportion of liquid assets to total assets, while liability management 
monitors future funding requirements and prices liabilities accordingly.  
Average liquid assets are shown in the table below:

Liquid Assets

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Years Ended December 31,
                                    --------------------------
Average Balances                     1997     1996      1995
                                    --------------------------
                                      (dollars in thousands)
<S>                                 <C>      <C>      <C>
Federal funds sold                  $8,899   $8,159   $15,000 
                                    ==========================
Percentage of average total assets    1.01%    0.95%     1.96%
                                    ==========================
</TABLE>

Rate Sensitive Assets and Liabilities
     Interest rate sensitivity is a measure of the volatility of the net
interest margin as a consequence of changes in market rates.  The
rate-sensitivity chart shows the interval of time in which given volumes of
rate-sensitive earning assets and rate-sensitive interest bearing liabilities
would be responsive to changes in market interest rates based on their
contractual maturities or terms for repricing.  It is however, only a static,
single-day depiction of the Corporation's rate sensitivity structure, which can
be adjusted in response to changes in forecasted interest rates.

                                       24

<PAGE>
The following table sets forth the static rate-sensitivity analysis of the
Corporation as of December 31, 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      Rate Sensitive Within
                                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1-30 Days    31-90 Days    91-180 Days    181 Days-1 Yr    Over 1 Yr    Total
                                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      (dollars in thousands)
<S>                                     <C>          <C>           <C>            <C>              <C>          <C>
Federal funds sold                      $   18,800             -              -                -            -   $ 18,800
Investment securities
    U.S. Treasuries and Agencies             9,635   $    29,622   $      8,731   $       29,022   $   84,752    161,762
    States and political subdivisions        1,103             -            260            4,312       26,676     32,351
    Other securities                         2,475           200            401              300       18,025     21,401
Loans (net of unearned interest)           196,285        25,435         37,733           82,188      261,296    602,937
                                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total rate-sensitive assets         $  228,298   $    55,257   $     47,125   $      115,822   $  390,749   $837,251
                                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest bearing transaction deposits   $   13,715             -              -                -            -   $ 13,715
Savings deposits                            78,393             -              -                -            -     78,393
Money market deposits                      254,193             -              -                -            -    254,193
Time deposits                               49,990        54,059         71,043           87,209      110,761    373,062
Short-term borrowings                        6,550             -              -                -            -      6,550
Long-term debt                                   -             -          5,000                -        5,000     10,000
                                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total rate-sensitive liabilities    $  402,841   $    54,059   $     76,043   $       87,209   $  115,761   $735,913
                                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rate-sensitive assets less rate-        $ (174,543)
sensitive liabilities                                $     1,198   $    (28,918)  $       28,613   $  274,988   $101,338
                                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cumulative Gap                          $ (174,543)  $  (173,345)  $   (202,263)  $     (173,650)  $  101,338 
                                        ======================================================================          
Cumulative amounts as a percentage
of total rate-sensitive assets              -20.85%       -20.70%        -24.16%          -20.74%       12.10%
                                        ======================================================================          
Cumulative Ratio                              0.57X         0.62X          0.62X            0.72X        1.14X 
                                        ======================================================================          
</TABLE>

     The foregoing table shows a negative (liability sensitive) cumulative
unadjusted gap of approximately $175 million in the 1-30 day repricing category.
The gap from 31 to 90 days is nearly matched, and beyond 90 days becomes less
liability sensitive as rate-sensitive assets that reprice beyond 91 days
gradually become greater in volume than rate-sensitive liabilities that are
subject to repricing in the same respective time periods.  The composition of
the gap structure at December 31, 1997 will benefit the Corporation more if
interest rates fall during the next 30 days by allowing the net interest margin
to grow as liability rates would reprice more quickly than rates on
rate-sensitive assets.

Capital Resources
     Other than from the issuance of common stock, the Corporation's primary
source of capital is net income retained by the Corporation.  During the year
ended December 31, 1997, the Corporation earned $10,371,000 and paid dividends
of $4,762,000 to stockholders, resulting in a retention of current earnings of
$5,609,000.

     The Federal Reserve Board uses capital adequacy guidelines in its
examination and regulation of bank holding companies and their subsidiary banks.
Risk-based capital ratios are established by allocating assets and certain
off-balance sheet commitments into four risk-weighted categories.  These
balances are then multiplied by the factor appropriate for that risk-weighted
category.  The guidelines require bank holding companies and their subsidiary
banks to maintain a total capital to total risk-weighted asset ratio of not less
than 8.00%, of which at least one half must be Tier 1 capital, and a Tier 1
leverage ratio of not less than 4.00%.  As of December 31, 1997, the Corporation
had a total capital to total risk-weighted asset ratio of 13.01%, a Tier 1
capital to risk-weighted asset ratio of 11.81% and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of
7.61%; the Corporation's bank subsidiary, Busey Bank, had ratios of 12.59%,
11.37%, and 7.27%, respectively.  As these ratios show, the Corporation and its
bank subsidiary significantly exceed the regulatory capital guidelines.

                                       25

<PAGE>
Regulatory Considerations
     It is management's belief that there are no current recommendations by the
regulatory authorities which if implemented, would have a material effect on the
Corporation's liquidity, capital resources, or operations.

New Accounting Pronouncements
     The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," in
June 1997.  This statement is effective for financial statement periods
beginning after December 15, 1997.  The effect on the  Corporation's financial
position and results of operations will not be material.

     In June 1997 the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 
No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information."
This statement is effective for financial statement periods beginning after
December 15, 1997.  The effect on the Corporation's consolidated financial
statements will not be material.

Effects of Inflation
     The effect of inflation on a financial institution differs significantly
from the effect on an industrial company.  While a financial institution's
operating expenses, particularly salary and employee benefits, are affected by
general inflation, the asset and liability structure of a financial institution
consists largely of monetary items.  Monetary items, such as cash, loans and
deposits, are those assets and liabilities which are or will be converted into a
fixed number of dollars regardless of changes in prices.  As a result, changes
in interest rates have a more significant impact on a financial institution's
performance than does general inflation.  For additional information regarding
interest rates and changes in net interest income see "Selected Statistical
Information."

Year 2000 Compliance

     The Corporation has developed an all encompassing plan to address Year 2000
related issues.  The plan has five phases that included (1) awareness of Year
2000 issues, (2) identification and inventory of Year 2000 issues, (3)
development of solutions including contingency plans, (4) implementation of
solutions, and (5) testing.  Approximately 300 different issues and software
systems have been inventoried as having possible Year 2000 impact.  These issues
range from forms to alarm systems to core applications software.  Plans are
being put in place to test and address each of these items.  To ensure
compliance for the bank core data processing systems, there will be a conversion
from the current outsourced solution to an in-house solution in the fall of
1998.  This will encompass all loan, deposit and financial reporting aspects of
the banking operation.  There will be costs of approximately $3,800,000 for
equipment and software which will be partially offset by the elimination of many
of the outsourcing costs.  Some of these costs will be capitalized as they
related to equipment purchased for an in-house data processing solution.

     This risk goes beyond the internal items and also involves all of our
vendors and customers.  We will be conducting education sessions for our
customers in 1998 to alert them to the potential problems they could encounter.
This will not eliminate this type of Year 2000 risk and the Corporation could be
adversely affected if the vendors and customers do not adequately address their
own Year 2000 issues.

     Contingency plans are being developed for critical business applications in
order to mitigate potential problems and/or delays associated with
implementation of new solutions or delivery of products and services from
vendors.

                                       26

<PAGE>
Selected Statistical Information
     The following tables contain information concerning the consolidated
financial condition and operations of the Corporation for the periods, or as of
the dates, shown.  All average information is provided on a daily average basis.

     The following table shows the consolidated average balance sheets, 
detailing the major categories of assets and liabilities, the interest income 
earned on interest-earning assets, the interest expense paid for interest-
bearing liabilities, and the related interest rates:

Consolidated Average Balance Sheets and Interest Rates

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Years Ended December 31,
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       1997                         1996                          1995
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Average   Income/   Yield/    Average   Income/   Yield/    Average   Income/   Yield/
                                           Balance   Expense    Rate     Balance   Expense    Rate     Balance   Expense    Rate
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          (dollars in thousands)
<S>                                       <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>
Assets
Federal funds sold                        $  8,899   $    488    5.49%  $  8,159   $    441    5.40%  $ 15,000   $    884    5.89%
Investment securities:
    U.S. Treasuries and Agencies           160,394      9,309    5.80%   193,295     11,427    5.91%   172,960     10,452    6.04%
    States and political
    subdivisions(1)                         36,064      3,022    8.38%    38,794      3,248    8.37%    36,668      3,126    8.52%
    Other securities                        21,326      1,008    4.73%    22,599      1,270    5.62%    21,024      1,361    6.47%
Loans (net of unearned discount)(1), (2)   584,327     51,367    8.79%   525,311     46,221    8.80%   453,915     40,041    8.82%
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest-earning assets(1)          $811,010   $ 65,194    8.04%  $788,158   $ 62,607    7.94%  $699,567   $ 55,864    7.99%
                                          ========================================================================================
Cash and due from banks                     35,695                        34,784                        30,694 
Premises and equipment                      22,535                        21,555                        21,501 
Allowance for loan losses                   (6,480)                       (5,619)                       (5,421)
Other assets                                18,139                        20,392                        17,604 
                                          ---------                     ---------                     ---------                   
Total assets                              $880,899                      $859,270                      $763,945 
                                          =========                     =========                     =========                   

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Interest bearing transaction deposits     $110,940   $  2,182    1.97%  $130,365   $  2,105    1.62%  $123,369   $  2,209    1.79%
Savings deposits                            79,888      2,617    3.28%    80,516      2,554    3.17%    57,073      1,659    2.91%
Money market deposits                      154,977      5,192    3.35%   135,982      5,167    3.80%   136,585      5,095    3.73%
Time deposits                              360,968     20,011    5.54%   345,726     18,884    5.46%   288,125     15,670    5.44%
Short-term borrowings:
    Federal funds purchased and
    repurchase agreements                    1,678        103    6.14%     8,804        470    5.34%    14,269        889    6.23%
    Other                                    6,542        472    7.21%     8,092        575    7.10%     8,428        716    8.50%
Long-term debt                               9,301        542    5.83%     5,000        278    5.55%     5,000        277    5.54%
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest-bearing liabilities        $724,294   $ 31,119    4.30%  $714,485   $ 30,033    4.20%  $632,849   $ 26,515    4.19%
                                          ========================================================================================
Net interest spread                                              3.74%                         3.74%                         3.80%
                                                               =======                       =======                       =======
Demand deposits                             73,345                        69,562                        63,165 
Other liabilities                            5,954                         5,798                         4,630 
    Stockholders' equity                    77,306                        69,425                        63,301 
                                          ---------                     ---------                     ---------                   
Total liabilities and
    stockholders' equity                  $880,899                      $859,270                      $763,945 
                                          =========                     =========                     =========                   
Interest income/earning assets(1)         $811,010   $ 65,194    8.04%  $788,158   $ 62,607    7.94%  $699,567   $ 55,864    7.99%
Interest expense/earning assets            811,010     31,119    3.84%   788,158     30,033    3.81%   699,567     26,515    3.79%
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest margin(1)                               $ 34,075    4.20%             $ 32,574    4.13%             $ 29,349    4.20%
                                                     =================             =================             =================

<FN>
(1) On a tax equivalent basis, assuming a federal income tax rate of 35%
(2) Non-accrual loans have been included in average loans, net of unearned discount
</TABLE>



                                       27

<PAGE>
Changes In Net Interest Income

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995
                                               --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Year 1997 vs 1996 Change due to(1)     Year 1996 vs 1995 Change due to(1)
                                               --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Average     Average      Total          Average     Average      Total
                                                Volume     Yield/Rate    Change         Volume     Yield/Rate    Change
                                               --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       (dollars in thousands)
<S>                                            <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>        <C>           <C>
Increase (decrease) in interest income:
    Federal funds sold                         $     40   $         7   $    47        $   (375)  $       (68)  $  (443)
    Investment securities:
        U.S. Treasuries and Agencies             (1,913)         (205)   (2,118)          1,196          (221)      975 
        States and political subdivisions(2)       (229)            3      (226)            177           (55)      122 
        Other securities                            (69)         (193)     (262)            119          (210)      (91)
    Loans(2)                                      5,188           (42)    5,146           6,282          (102)    6,180 
                                               --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in interest income(2)                   $  3,017   $      (430)  $ 2,587        $  7,399   $      (656)  $ 6,743 
                                               ==========================================================================

Increase (decrease) in interest expense:
    Interest bearing transaction deposits      $   (166)  $       243   $    77        $     42   $      (246)  $  (104)
    Savings deposits                                (20)           83        63             732           163       895 
    Money market deposits                           167          (142)       25             (22)           94        72 
    Time deposits                                   842           285     1,127           3,146            68     3,214 
    Federal funds purchased and
      repurchase agreements                        (450)           83      (367)           (305)         (114)     (419)
    Other                                          (112)            9      (103)            (28)         (113)     (141)
    Long-term debt                                  250            14       264               -             1         1 
                                               --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in interest expense                     $    511   $       575   $ 1,086        $  3,665   $      (147)  $ 3,518 
                                               --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in net interest income(2)  $  2,506   $    (1,005)  $ 1,501        $  3,734   $      (509)  $ 3,225 
                                               ==========================================================================

Percentage increase in net interest income
over prior period                                                           4.6%                                   11.0%
                                                                        ========                                ========

<FN>
(1) Changes due to both rate and volume have been allocated proportionally
(2) On a tax equivalent basis, assuming a federal income tax rate of 35%
</TABLE>





                                       28

<PAGE>
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
     The financial statements are presented beginning on page 35.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
Not applicable.

                                    PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

(a) Directors of the Registrant.  Incorporated by reference is the information
set forth on pages 5 and 6 of the 1998 Proxy Statement.

(b) Executive Officers of the Registrant.  Please refer to Part I of this Form
10-K.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Incorporated by reference is the information set forth on pages 9 and 10 of the
1998 Proxy Statement (except the information set forth in the sections "Report
of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation").

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

Incorporated by reference is the information set forth on pages 7 and 8 of the
1998 Proxy Statement.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Incorporated by reference is the information set forth on page 13 of the 1998
Proxy Statement.



                                       29

<PAGE>
                                     PART IV

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBITS

Exhibit                                  Description of Exhibit                                      Sequentially
Number                                                                                               Numbered Page
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>             <C>                                                                                  <C>
3.1             Certificate of Incorporation of First Busey Corporation (filed as Appendix B to
                First Busey's definitive proxy statement filed with the Commission on April 5,
                1993 (Commission File No. 0-15950), and incorporated herein by reference)

3.2             By-Laws of First Busey Corporation (filed as Appendix C to First Busey's
                definitive proxy statement filed with the Commission on April 5, 1993
                (Commission File No. 0-15950), and incorporated herein by reference)

10.1            First Busey Corporation 1993 Restricted Stock Award Plan (filed as Appendix E
                to First Busey's definitive proxy statement filed with the Commission on April 5,
                1993 (Commission File No. 0-15950), and incorporated herein by reference)

10.2            First Busey Corporation 1986 Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to First
                Busey's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-13973), and
                incorporated herein by reference)

10.3            First Busey Corporation Profit Sharing Plan and Trust (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to
                First Busey's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-13973),
                and incorporated herein by reference)

10.4            Mortgage on County Plaza Building (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to First Busey's
                Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-13973), and
                incorporated herein by reference)

10.5            Affiliation Agreement dated October l3, 1988 between Community Bank of
                Mahomet and CBM Bank, Mahomet and joined in by First Busey Corporation
                (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to First Busey's Registration Statement on Form S-4
                (Registration No. 33-25159), and incorporated herein by reference)

10.6            Merger Agreement dated October 13, 1988 between Community Bank of
                Mahomet and CBM Bank, Mahomet and joined in by Busey Corporation (filed as
                Exhibit 2.2 to First Busey's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No.
                33-25159), and incorporated herein by reference)

10.7            First Busey Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to
                First Busey's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                1988 (Registration No. 2-66201), and incorporated herein by reference)

10.8            First Busey Corporation 1988 Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.8 to First
                Busey's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988
                (Registration No. 2-66201), and incorporated herein by reference)

10.9            Affiliation Agreement dated as of April 10, 1989 between First Busey Corporation
                and St. Joseph Bancorp, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to First Busey's Corporation
                Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 33-28926), and incorporated herein by
                reference)
</TABLE>

                                       30

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit                                  Description of Exhibit                                      Sequentially
Number                                                                                               Numbered Page
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>             <C>                                                                                  <C>
10.10           Agreement and Plan of Merger dated April 10, 1989 between First Busey Corporation
                and St. Joseph Bancorp, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 2.2 to First Busey's Registration
                Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No 33-28926), and incorporated herein by
                reference)

10.11           Affiliation Agreement dated as of October 2, 1992 between First Busey Corporation
                and Empire Capital Corporation (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to First Busey's Registration
                Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 33-54664), and incorporated herein by
                reference)

21.1            List of Subsidiaries of First Busey Corporation

23.1            Consent of Independent Public Accountants
</TABLE>


FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

Financial statement schedules not included in this Form 10-K have been omitted
because they are not applicable for the required information shown in the
financial statements or notes thereto.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                                                Page
                                                                -----
          <S>                                                   <C>
          Independent Auditor's Report                             37
          Consolidated Balance Sheets                              38
          Consolidated Statements of Income                        39
          Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity       40-43
          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                 44-46
          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements            47-74
          Management Report                                        75
          Independent Accountant's Report                          76
</TABLE>

REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
No reports on Form 8-K have been filed for or on behalf of First Busey
Corporation during the last quarter or the period covered by this Form 10-K.

FORM S-8 UNDERTAKING
     For the purposes of complying with the amendments to the rules governing
Form S-8 (effective July 13, 1990) under the Securities Act of 1933, the
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows, which undertaking shall be
incorporated by reference into the registrant's Registration Statement on Form
S-8 File No. 33-30095.

     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 Securities Act
of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of the 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

                                       31

<PAGE>
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.

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Urbana,
Illinois on March 23, 1998.

                                               FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION
                                               BY //DOUGLAS C. MILLS//
                                                  -----------------------------
                                               Douglas C. Mills
                                               Chairman of the Board, President
                                               and Chief Executive Officer

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant
and in the capacities indicated on March 23, 1998.

          Signature                          Title
          //DOUGLAS C. MILLS//               Chairman of the Board,  President 
          -----------------------            and Chief Executive Officer
          Douglas C. Mills                   (Principal Executive Officer)

          // SCOTT L. HENDRIE//              Senior Vice President and Chief
          -----------------------            Financial Officer
          Scott L. Hendrie                   (Principal Financial Officer)
                         

          //JOSEPH M. AMBROSE//              Director
          -----------------------                                 
          Joseph M. Ambrose

          //SAMUEL P. BANKS//                Director
          -----------------------                                 
          Samuel P. Banks

          //T.O. DAWSON//                    Director
          -----------------------                                 
          T. O. Dawson

          //VICTOR F. FELDMAN//              Director
          -----------------------                                 
          Victor F. Feldman

          //KENNETH M. HENDREN//             Director
          -----------------------                                 
          Kenneth M. Hendren

          //JUDITH L. IKENBERRY//            Director
          -----------------------                                 
          Judith L. Ikenberry

          //E. PHILLIPS KNOX//               Director
          -----------------------                                 
          E. Phillips Knox

          //P. DAVID KUHL//                  Director
          -----------------------                                 
          P. David Kuhl


                                       32

<PAGE>
          //V. B. LEISTER, JR.//             Director
          -----------------------                                 
          V. B. Leister, Jr.

          //LINDA M. MILLS//                 Director
          -----------------------                                 
          Linda M. Mills

          //ROBERT C. PARKER//               Director
          -----------------------                                 
          Robert C. Parker

          //EDWIN A. SCHARLAU//              Director
          -----------------------                                 
          Edwin A. Scharlau II

          //BEN SNYDER//                     Director
          -----------------------                                 
          Ben Snyder

          //DAVID C. THIES//                 Director
          -----------------------                                 
          David C. Thies

          //ARTHUR R. WYATT//      Director
          -----------------------                                 
          Arthur R. Wyatt







                                       33

<PAGE>













                      (This page intentionally left blank)













                                       34

<PAGE>











                    FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                        CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                DECEMBER 31, 1997











                                       35

<PAGE>





                    FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    CONTENTS

<S>                                                                    <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT                                              37
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  Consolidated balance sheets                                             38

  Consolidated statements of income                                       39

  Consolidated statements of stockholders' equity                      40-43

  Consolidated statements of cash flows                                44-46

  Notes to consolidated financial statements                           47-74

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

INTERNAL CONTROL STRUCTURE REPORTS

  Management Report - Effectiveness of the Internal Control Structure     75

  Independent Accountant's Report                                         76

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>





                                       36
<PAGE>





                          INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT


To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
First Busey Corporation
Urbana, Illinois

We  have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated balance sheets of First Busey
Corporation  and  Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related
consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each
of  the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997.  These financial
statements  are  the  responsibility  of  the  Corporation's  management.    Our
responsibility  is  to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our  audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing  the  accounting  principles  used  and  significant estimates made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We  believe  that  our  audits  provide  a  reasonable  basis  for  our opinion.

In  our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly,  in  all  material  respects,  the  financial  position  of  First Busey
Corporation  and  Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results
of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

/s/  McGladrey + Pullen, LLP

Champaign, Illinois
January 30, 1998



                                       37

<PAGE>

FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          1997        1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                                     <C>        <C>
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks                                                 $ 43,299   $ 33,738 
Federal funds sold                                                        18,800          - 
Securities available for sale                                            215,514    171,243 
Securities held to maturity (fair value 1996 $55,800)                          -     55,107 
Loans held for sale (fair value 1997 $5,016; 1996 $1,457)                  4,963      1,447 
Loans (net of allowance for loan losses 1997 $6,860; 1996 $6,131)        591,114    561,922 
Premises and equipment                                                    22,834     21,588 
Other assets                                                              19,016     19,873 
                                                                        ----------------------
          TOTAL ASSETS                                                  $915,540   $864,918 
                                                                        ======================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities
  Deposits:
    Noninterest bearing                                                 $ 92,090   $ 78,077 
    Interest bearing                                                     719,363    688,850 
                                                                        ----------------------
          TOTAL DEPOSITS                                                 811,453    766,927 
  Short-term borrowings                                                    6,550     14,405 
  Long-term debt                                                          10,000      5,000 
  Other liabilities                                                        6,258      5,169 
                                                                        ----------------------
          TOTAL LIABILITIES                                              834,261    791,501 
                                                                        ----------------------

Stockholders' Equity
  Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, no
    shares issued                                                              -          - 
  Common stock:
    Class A common stock, no par value, authorized 40,000,000 shares;
      7,077,353 shares issued 1997 and 5,952,353 issued 1996               6,291      5,291 
    Class B common stock, no par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares;
      no shares issued 1997 and 1,125,000 issued 1996                          -      1,000 
  Surplus                                                                 20,729     20,594 
  Retained earnings                                                       53,011     47,402 
  Unrealized gain on securities available for sale, net                    5,801      3,285 
                                                                        ----------------------

          TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY BEFORE TREASURY STOCK, UNEARNED
             ESOP SHARES AND DEFERRED COMPENSATION FOR
             STOCK GRANTS                                                 85,832     77,572 
  Treasury stock, at cost, 201,960 shares 1997; 230,641 shares 1996       (3,922)    (3,489)
  Unearned ESOP shares and deferred compensation for restricted
    stock awards                                                            (631)      (666)
                                                                        ----------------------
          TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                      81,279     73,417 
                                                                        ----------------------
          TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                    $915,540   $864,918 
                                                                        ======================

<FN>
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
</TABLE>

                                       38

<PAGE>


<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1997     1996      1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                (Dollars in thousands, 
                                                                except per share amounts)
<S>                                                            <C>      <C>       <C>
Interest income:
  Interest and fees on loans                                   $51,061  $45,948   $39,763
  Interest and dividends on securities
    Taxable interest income                                     10,208   12,579    11,681
    Nontaxable interest income                                   1,964    2,111     2,034
    Dividends                                                      110      118       132
  Interest on federal funds sold                                   488      441       884
                                                               ---------------------------
          TOTAL INTEREST INCOME                                 63,831   61,197    54,494
                                                               ---------------------------

Interest expense:
  Interest on deposits                                          30,002   28,710    24,632
  Interest on short-term borrowings                                575    1,045     1,606
  Interest on long-term debt                                       542      278       277
                                                               ---------------------------
          TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE                                31,119   30,033    26,515
                                                               ---------------------------
          NET INTEREST INCOME                                   32,712   31,164    27,979
Provision for loan losses                                        1,075    1,100       395
                                                               ---------------------------
          NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES   31,637   30,064    27,584
                                                               ---------------------------

Other income:
  Service charges on deposit accounts                            2,947    2,937     2,705
  Trust fees                                                     3,156    2,651     2,551
  Commissions and brokers fees, net                              1,051      812       628
  Other service charges and fees                                 1,292      949       640
  Security gains, net                                              520      256       206
  Trading security gains (losses), net                               2     (100)       26
  Gain on sales of loans                                           439      268       653
  Other                                                            972      996     1,150
                                                               ---------------------------
          TOTAL OTHER INCOME                                    10,379    8,769     8,559
                                                               ---------------------------

Other expenses:
  Salaries and wages                                            12,134   11,662    10,462
  Employee benefits                                              2,481    2,206     2,084
  Net occupancy expense of premises                              2,225    1,936     1,977
  Furniture and equipment expenses                               1,838    1,651     1,582
  Data processing                                                1,760    1,476     1,745
  FDIC insurance expense                                           133      568       874
  Amortization of intangible assets                              1,328    1,321       860
  Stationery, supplies and printing                                704      715       690
  Foreclosed property write-down and expense                        12      150       226
  Other                                                          4,651    4,101     3,569
                                                               ---------------------------
          TOTAL OTHER EXPENSES                                  27,266   25,786    24,069
                                                               ---------------------------
          INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                            14,750   13,047    12,074
Income taxes                                                     4,379    3,741     3,299
                                                               ---------------------------
          NET INCOME                                           $10,371  $ 9,306   $ 8,775
                                                               ===========================
Basic earnings per share                                       $  1.50  $  1.37   $  1.29
                                                               ===========================
Diluted earnings per share                                     $  1.48  $  1.34   $  1.27
                                                               ===========================

<FN>
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
</TABLE>

                                       39

<PAGE>

FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                   Class A    Class B
                                                    Common     Common
                                                    Stock      Stock     Surplus
                                                  -------------------------------
                                                   (Dollars in thousands except 
                                                         per share amounts)
<S>                                               <C>        <C>        <C>
Balance, December 31, 1994                        $   5,291  $   1,000  $  20,299

  Net income                                              -          -          -
  Purchase of 42,144 shares for the treasury              -          -          -
  Issuance of 27,000 shares of treasury stock             -          -         81
  Cash dividends:
    Class A common stock $.59 per share                   -          -          -
    Class B common stock $.53 per share                   -          -          -
  Principal payments on employee stock ownership
    plan debt                                             -          -          -
  Release of restricted stock issued under
    restricted stock award plan                           -          -          -
  Change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities
    available for sale, net                               -          -          -
                                                  -------------------------------

Balance, December 31, 1995                            5,291      1,000     20,380

  Net income                                              -          -          -
  Purchase of 31,134 shares for the treasury              -          -          -
  Issuance of 65,888 shares of treasury stock             -          -        214
  Cash dividends:
    Class A common stock $.65 per share                   -          -          -
    Class B common stock $.59 per share                   -          -          -
  Principal payments on employee stock ownership
    plan debt                                             -          -          -
  Release of restricted stock issued under
    Restricted stock award plan                           -          -          -
  Change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities
    Available for sale, net                               -          -          -
                                                  -------------------------------

Balance, December 31, 1996                        $   5,291  $   1,000  $  20,594
</TABLE>




                                       40

<PAGE>





<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Unrealized                                Deferred
                          Gain (Loss)                             Compensation
                        on Securities                Unearned    for Restricted
            Retained      Available      Treasury      ESOP          Stock
            Earnings       for Sale       Stock       Shares         Awards          Total
           ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          (Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

<S>        <C>          <C>             <C>         <C>          <C>              <C>
[align     $  37,639        $    (842)  $  (3,226)  $  (1,000)     $    (145)     $  59,016 
with
previous       8,775                -           -                                     8,775 
page]              -                -        (705)          -              -           (705)
                   -                -         272           -              -            353 

              (3,340)               -           -           -              -         (3,340)
                (600)               -           -           -              -           (600)

                   -                -           -         250              -            250 

                   -                -           -           -             94             94 

                   -            3,935           -           -              -          3,935 
           ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              42,474            3,093       (3659)       (750)           (51)        67,778 

               9,306                -           -           -              -          9,306 
                   -                -        (605)          -              -           (605)
                   -                -         775                       (192)           797 

              (3,710)               -           -           -              -         (3,710)
                (668)               -           -           -              -           (668)

                   -                -           -         250              -            250 

                   -                -           -           -             77             77 

                   -              192           -           -              -            192 
           ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

           $  47,402        $   3,285   $  (3,489)  $    (500)     $    (166)     $  73,417 
</TABLE>



                                       41

<PAGE>

FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                     Class A    Class B
                                                      Common     Common
                                                      Stock      Stock      Surplus
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                    (Dollars in thousands except 
                                                           per share amounts)
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>         <C>
Balance, December 31, 1996                          $   5,291  $   1,000   $  20,594

  Net income                                                -          -           -
  Purchase of 121,732 shares for the treasury               -          -           -
  Issuance of 150,413 shares of treasury stock              -          -         135
  Cash dividends:
    Class A common stock $.70 per share                     -          -           -
    Class B common stock $.6364 per share                   -          -           -
  Proceeds from employee stock ownership plan debt          -          -           -
  Principal payments on employee stock ownership
    plan debt                                               -          -           -
  Forfeiture of restricted stock issued under
    restricted stock award plan                             -          -           -
  Release of restricted stock issued under
    restricted stock award plan                             -          -           -
  Conversion of Class B common stock to
    Class A common stock                                1,000     (1,000)          -
  Change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities
    available for sale, net                                 -          -           -
                                                    --------------------------------

Balance, December 31, 1997                          $   6,291  $       -   $  20,729
                                                    ================================


<FN>
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
</TABLE>





                                       42

<PAGE>





<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Unrealized                              Deferred
                       Gain (Loss)                            Compensation
                      on Securities               Unearned   for Restricted
           Retained      Available    Treasury      ESOP          Stock
           Earnings      for Sale       Stock      Shares         Awards        Total
          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 (Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

<S>       <C>         <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>             <C>
[align    $   47,402    $     3,285  $  (3,489)  $    (500)    $      (166)  $  73,417 
with
previous      10,371              -            -           -             -      10,371 
page]              -              -       (3,127)          -             -      (3,127)
                   -              -        2,699           -             -       2,834 

              (4,046)             -            -           -             -      (4,046)
                (716)             -            -           -             -        (716)
                   -              -            -        (250)            -        (250)

                   -              -            -         200             -         200 

                   -              -           (5)          -             5           - 

                   -              -            -           -            80          80 

                   -              -            -           -             -           - 


                   -          2,516            -           -             -        2516 
          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

          $   53,011    $     5,801    $  (3,922)  $    (550)  $       (81)  $  81,279 
          =============================================================================
</TABLE>








                                       43

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          1997         1996        1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                    <C>         <C>         <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
  Net income                                           $  10,371   $   9,306   $   8,775 
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
    provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                          3,532       3,355       2,801 
    Provision for loan losses                              1,075       1,100         395 
    Provision for deferred income taxes                     (463)       (373)       (705)
    Accretion of security discounts                         (293)     (1,000)       (820)
    Gain on sales of securities, net                        (520)       (256)       (206)
    Proceeds from sales of loans                          42,004      34,742      34,223 
    Loans originated for sale                            (45,081)    (34,118)    (27,139)
    Gain on sales of loans, net                             (439)       (268)       (653)
    (Gain) loss on sales and dispositions of premises
      and equipment                                           (1)         (6)          8 
    Change in assets and liabilities:
      (Increase) decrease in other assets                 (1,114)      1,457      (4,682)
      Increase (decrease) in other liabilities             1,247        (148)      2,128 
                                                       ----------------------------------
          NET CASH PROVIDED BY
             OPERATING ACTIVITIES                         10,318      13,791      14,125 
                                                       ----------------------------------

Cash Flows from Investing Activities
  Securities available for sale:
     Purchases                                          (100,964)   (357,712)   (229,274)
     Proceeds from sales                                  12,292      15,948      55,189 
     Proceeds from maturities                             93,826     395,149     101,722 
  Securities held to maturity:
     Purchases                                            (1,375)    (20,556)     (8,929)
     Proceeds from maturities                             11,741      26,889      14,360 
  (Increase) decrease in federal funds sold              (18,800)        650        (650)
  Increase in loans                                      (30,674)    (88,922)    (37,998)
  Purchases of premises and equipment                     (3,370)     (1,713)     (1,788)
  Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment                1          31           - 
                                                       ----------------------------------
          NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES          (37,323)    (30,236)   (107,368)
                                                       ----------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                                                     (Continued)

                                       44

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1997      1996       1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                      <C>       <C>       <C>
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
  Net increase in certificates of deposit                $26,200   $ 1,102   $ 24,233 
  Net increase in demand deposits, money market and
    savings accounts                                      18,326    20,928      6,982 
  Certificates of deposit assumed from First
    of America                                                 -         -     67,506 
  Demand deposits, money market and savings accounts
    assumed from First of America                              -         -     10,482 
  Cash dividends paid                                     (4,762)   (4,378)    (3,940)
  Purchase of treasury stock                              (3,127)     (605)      (705)
  Proceeds from sales of treasury stock                    2,834       797        353 
  Proceeds from short-term notes payable                   2,500     1,000      5,750 
  Principal payments on short-term notes payable          (4,000)   (2,000)    (1,250)
  Proceeds from long-term debt                             5,000         -          - 
  Net decrease in federal funds purchased, repurchase
    agreements and federal reserve discount obligations   (6,405)   (6,019)    (8,136)
                                                         -----------------------------
          NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES       36,566    10,825    101,275 
                                                         -----------------------------

          NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND
             DUE FROM BANKS                                9,561    (5,620)     8,032 

Cash and due from banks, beginning                        33,738    39,358     31,326 
                                                         -----------------------------

Cash and due from banks, ending                          $43,299   $33,738   $ 39,358 
                                                         =============================

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
  Cash payments for:
    Interest                                             $30,981   $30,573   $ 25,795 
                                                         =============================

    Income taxes                                         $ 4,388   $ 3,661   $  3,894 
                                                         =============================
</TABLE>


                                                                     (Continued)

                                       45

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           1997     1996     1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                      <C>       <C>     <C>
Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Investing and
  Financing Activities
  Other real estate acquired in settlement of loans      $   407   $ 396   $   689 
                                                         ==========================

  Principal payments on ESOP debt                        $   200   $ 250   $   250 
                                                         ==========================

  Proceeds from ESOP debt                                $   250   $   -   $     - 
                                                         ==========================

  Change in unrealized gain on investment
    securities available for sale                        $ 3,871   $ 295   $ 6,034 
                                                         ==========================

  Decrease in deferred income tax assets attributable
    to the unrealized gain on investment securities
    available for sale                                   $(1,355)  $(103)  $(2,099)
                                                         ==========================

  Transfer of securities held to maturity to securities
    available for sale                                   $44,812   $   -   $     - 
                                                         ==========================


<FN>
See  Accompanying  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements.
</TABLE>





                                       46

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

NOTE 1.          SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of business:
- -----------------------

First  Busey  Corporation  (the  Corporation)  is  a  holding company whose bank
subsidiary,  Busey Bank, provides a full range of banking services to individual
and  corporate  customers  through  its  seventeen  locations throughout central
Illinois.   The bank is subject to competition from other financial institutions
and  nonfinancial  institutions  providing  financial  products.    First  Busey
Securities, Inc. offers security broker/dealer services, and First Busey Trust &
Investment  Co.  provides  investment  management  and  fiduciary  services  to
institutional,  corporate  and personal trust clients.  First Busey Corporation,
Busey  Bank, First Busey Securities, Inc. and First Busey Trust & Investment Co.
are  subject  to  the  regulations  of  certain  regulatory agencies and undergo
periodic  examinations  by  those  regulatory  agencies.

The  significant  accounting  and reporting policies for First Busey Corporation
and  its  subsidiaries  follow:

Basis  of  consolidation
- ------------------------

The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  accounts  of First Busey
Corporation and its subsidiaries:  Busey Bank and its subsidiaries:  First Busey
Securities,  Inc.,  Busey  Insurance  Services,  Inc. and BAT, Inc.; First Busey
Trust  &  Investment  Co.;  and  First  Busey  Resources,  Inc.    All  material
intercompany  balances  and  transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The  consolidated  financial  statements  of  First  Busey Corporation have been
prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and conform
to  predominant  practice  within  the  banking  industry.

Use  of  estimates
- ------------------

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Corporation's management
is  required  to  make  estimates and assumptions which significantly affect the
amounts  reported  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements.    Significant
estimates which are particularly susceptible to change in a short period of time
include the determination of the allowance for loan losses and valuation of real
estate  and  other  properties  acquired  in  connection with foreclosures or in
satisfaction  of  amounts  due  from  borrowers  on loans.  Actual results could
differ  from  those  estimates.

Trust  assets
- -------------

Other  than  trust  cash  on deposit at the Corporation's bank subsidiary, trust
assets  are  not  included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements
because  they  are  not  assets  of  the  Corporation.

Cash  flows
- -----------

For  purposes  of  reporting cash flows, cash and due from banks include cash on
hand  and  amounts  due from banks.  Cash flows from federal funds purchased and
sold  are  reported  net,  since  their  original maturities are less than three
months.

                                       47

<PAGE>
- ------
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

Securities
- ----------

Securities  classified  as available for sale are those debt securities that the
Corporation  intends  to  hold  for  an  indefinite  period  of  time,  but  not
necessarily to maturity, and marketable equity securities.  Any decision to sell
a  security  classified as available for sale would be based on various factors,
including  significant  movements in interest rates, changes in the maturity mix
of the Corporation's assets and liabilities, liquidity needs, regulatory capital
considerations  and  other  similar  factors.  Securities available for sale are
carried  at  fair  value.   The difference between fair value and amortized cost
results  in an unrealized gain or loss.  Unrealized gains or losses are reported
as  increases  or decreases in stockholders' equity, net of the related deferred
tax  effect.    Realized gains or losses, determined on the basis of the cost of
specific  securities  sold,  are  included  in  earnings.    Where  applicable,
amortization  of  premiums and accretion of discounts are recognized in interest
income  using  the  interest  method  over  the  period  to  maturity.

Securities  classified  as  held  to  maturity  are  those  debt  securities the
Corporation  has  both  the  positive  intent  and  ability  to hold to maturity
regardless  of  changes  in  market  conditions,  liquidity  needs or changes in
general  economic conditions.  These securities are carried at cost adjusted for
amortization  of  premium  and  accretion  of  discount  which are recognized in
interest  income  using  the  interest  method  over  the  period  to  maturity.

Securities  purchased  with  the intent to earn a profit by trading or reselling
them  in  a  short  period  of time are classified as trading securities and are
carried at fair value.  Realized and unrealized gains and losses are included in
income.    At December 31, 1997 and 1996, there were no securities classified in
this  category.

Loans
- -----

Loans  are  stated at the principal amount outstanding, net of unearned interest
and  the  allowance  for  loan  losses.

Interest  is  credited  to  income  as  earned  using the simple interest method
applied  to  the  daily  balances  of  principal  outstanding.

The  accrual of interest income on loans is discontinued when, in the opinion of
management,  there  is  reasonable  doubt  as  to the borrower's ability to meet
payments  of interest or principal when they become due.  Upon discontinuance of
interest accrual, unpaid accrued interest is reversed.  Interest income on these
loans  is  recognized  to  the  extent  interest  payments  are received and the
principal  is  considered  fully  collectible.

For  collateralized  impaired  loans,  loan balances in excess of net realizable
value  are  deemed  impaired.  In the determination of the valuation, historical
charge-offs  for  each  category  of loans, local economic trends, the source of
loans  and  concentrations  of  credit  in  specific  industries,  if  any,  are
considered.


                                       48

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

Allowance  for  loan  losses
- ----------------------------

The  allowance  for  loan losses is maintained at a level considered adequate by
management  to  provide for known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio.  The
allowance  is  increased through a provision charged to operating expense and by
recoveries  applicable  to  loans  previously  charged  to the allowance, and is
reduced  by  loan balances which are considered uncollectible.  The allowance is
based upon continuous credit reviews of the loan portfolio and considers changes
in  the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, loan
concentrations,  specific  problem  loans,  current  and  anticipated  economic
conditions  that  may affect the borrowers' ability to pay, historical loan loss
experience  and  other  factors, which, in management's opinion, deserve current
recognition  in  estimating  loan  losses.

In  addition,  various regulatory agencies periodically review the allowance for
loan  losses,  and may require the Bank to make additions to the allowance based
on  their  judgment  of collectibility based on information available to them at
the  time  of  their  examination.

Loans  held  for  sale
- ----------------------

Loans  held  for  sale  consist  of  fixed  rate  mortgage  loans  conforming to
established guidelines and held for sale to investors and the secondary mortgage
market.  Mortgage loans held for sale are carried at the lower of aggregate cost
or  estimated  fair  value.

Premises  and  equipment
- ------------------------

Premises  and  equipment  are  stated  at  cost  less  accumulated depreciation.
Depreciation  is  computed  principally  by  the  straight-line  method over the
estimated  useful  lives  of  the  assets.

Other  real  estate  owned
- --------------------------

Other  real  estate  owned  (OREO)  represents  properties  acquired  through
foreclosure  or other proceedings in settlement of loans.  OREO is held for sale
and  is  recorded at the date of foreclosure at the fair value of the properties
less  estimated  costs of disposal.  Any write-down to fair value at the time of
transfer  to  OREO  is  charged  to  the allowance for loan losses.  Property is
evaluated  regularly  to  ensure the recorded amount is supported by its current
fair  value and valuation allowances to reduce the carrying amount to fair value
less  estimated  costs  to  dispose  are  recorded  as  necessary.

Amortization
- ------------

The  excess  of  the  purchase  price  of  subsidiaries  over  the fair value of
identifiable assets acquired, which excess aggregated approximately $10,480,000,
is amortized using the straight-line method over 15 years.  Amortization of this
excess is $692,000, $691,000 and $479,000 for the years ended December 31, 1997,
1996  and 1995, respectively.  Accumulated amortization at December 31, 1997, is
$4,684,000.


                                       49

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

Core  deposit  and  other  identifiable  intangible  assets  which  aggregated
approximately  $5,267,000  are  amortized  on  an  accelerated  basis  over  the
estimated  periods  benefited.    Amortization of these intangibles is $636,000,
$630,000  and  $381,000  for  the  years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.    Accumulated  amortization  at  December 31, 1997 is $3,097,000.

The  Corporation  reviews  its  intangible  assets  periodically  to  determine
potential impairment by comparing the carrying value of the intangibles with the
anticipated  future  cash  flows  of  the  related  businesses.

Income  taxes
- -------------

The  Corporation and its subsidiaries file consolidated Federal and State income
tax  returns  with  each  organization  computing its taxes on a separate entity
basis.    The  provision  for income taxes is based on income as reported in the
financial  statements.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed annually for differences
between  the  financial  statement  and tax bases of assets and liabilities that
will  result  in  taxable or deductible amounts in the future.  The deferred tax
assets  and  liabilities  are  computed  based  on  enacted  tax  laws and rates
applicable  to  the  periods  in  which  the  differences are expected to affect
taxable  income.   Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce
deferred tax assets to an amount expected to be realized.  Income tax expense is
the tax payable or refundable for the period plus or minus the change during the
period  in  deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities.

Earnings  per  share
- --------------------

In  1997,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards Board issued Statement No. 128,
"Earnings  per  Share."    Statement 128 replaced the calculation of primary and
fully  diluted  earnings  per  share  with basic and diluted earnings per share.
Unlike  primary  earnings  per  share,  basic  earnings  per  share excludes any
dilutive  effects  of  options,  warrants  and  convertible securities.  Diluted
earnings  per  share  is  very  similar to the previously reported fully diluted
earnings  per  share.   All earnings per share amounts for all periods have been
presented,  and  where  appropriate,  restated  to  conform to the Statement 128
requirements.

Basic  earnings per share is computed by dividing net income for the year by the
weighted  average  number  of  shares  outstanding  of 6,901,773, 6,804,160, and
6,815,738  for  1997,  1996,  and  1995,  respectively.

Diluted  earnings per share is determined by dividing net income for the year by
the  weighted  average  number  of  shares  of  common  stock  and  common stock
equivalents  outstanding.    Common  stock  equivalents assume exercise of stock
options  and  use  of  proceeds to purchase treasury stock at the average market
price  for  the period.  The weighted average shares outstanding were 6,998,988,
6,936,508,  and  6,911,246  for  1997,  1996,  and  1995,  respectively.

Stock  split
- ------------

In  April  1996, the Board of Directors approved a three-for-two stock split for
stockholders  of  record on April 26, 1996 and was effected on May 7, 1996.  All
share  amounts  in  the  consolidated financial statements have been restated to
reflect  the  stock  split.

                                       50

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

Reclassifications
- -----------------

Certain  reclassifications have been made to the balances as of and for the year
ended  December  31,  1996  and  1995  to be consistent with the classifications
adopted  for  1997.

Recent  accounting  pronouncements
- ----------------------------------

Reporting  Comprehensive  Income
- --------------------------------

In  June  1997,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  130  (SFAS 130), "Reporting Comprehensive
Income."    SFAS  130  establishes  standards  for  reporting  and  display  of
comprehensive  income  and  its  components  in  a  full  set of general purpose
financial  statements.    Comprehensive  income  is defined as the change in net
assets  of  a  business  enterprise  during a period from transactions and other
events  and circumstances from nonowner sources.  In addition to an enterprise's
net  income,  changes  in equity components under comprehensive income reporting
would  also  include  such items as the net change in unrealized gain or loss on
available for sale securities and foreign currency translation adjustments.  The
purpose  of  reporting  comprehensive income is to measure all changes in equity
that result from recognized transactions and other economic events of the period
other  than  transactions  with  owners  in  their  capacity  as  owners.

SFAS  130  is effective for financial statement periods beginning after December
15,  1997.    The  Corporation believes the adoption of SFAS 130 will not have a
material  impact  on  its  consolidated  financial  statements.

Disclosures  about  Segments  of  an  Enterprise  and  Related  Information
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In  June  1997,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial  Accounting Standards No. 131  (SFAS 131), "Disclosures about Segments
of  an  Enterprise and Related Information."  SFAS 131 establishes standards for
the manner in which public business enterprises report certain information about
operating  segments of their business in both their annual and interim financial
reports  provided to shareholders.  The information required to be disclosed for
an  entity's  operating segments not only consists of financial information, but
also  certain  related  disclosures  of  the  segment's  products  and services,
geographic areas, and major customers.  The requirements of the new standard may
result  in  identification  of  different  segments  than  those now used by the
Corporation.

SFAS  131  is effective for financial statement periods beginning after December
15,  1997.    In  the  initial  year of application, comparative information for
earlier  years  is  to  be  restated,  unless  impracticable.   In addition, the
provisions  of  SFAS  131  need  not  be applied to interim financial statements
issued  in  the  initial  year  of  application.    The Corporation believes the
adoption  of  SFAS  131  will  not  have  a  material impact on its consolidated
financial  statements.


                                       51

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

NOTE 2.          SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

In  December  1997,  the  Corporation was granted a charter by the Department of
Financial  Institutions of the State of Indiana to establish a bank.  On January
12,  1998,  the  Corporation capitalized the bank, named Busey Business Bank, at
$10,000,000  and  was  granted  FDIC insurance coverage for the deposits of that
bank.    This  bank  has  been  established  to further expand the Corporation's
presence  in Indianapolis where it previously operated a loan production office.
The Corporation provided the capital for the subsidiary by obtaining $10,000,000
in  short-term  borrowings  from a third party lender at rates comparable to its
existing  borrowings.

On  January 2, 1998, the Corporation, through its Busey Bank subsidiary, entered
into  an  agreement  to  acquire  The Busey Corporation, parent company of Busey
Carter  Travel,  an  independent  travel  agency,  for  common  stock  totaling
approximately  $825,000.   As of January 2, 1998, Busey Carter Travel had assets
totaling  approximately  $877,000  and  equity of $647,000.  The majority of the
stock of The Busey Corporation was held by individuals who are also stockholders
or  insiders  of  the Corporation.  This acquisition is expected to be accounted
for  using  the  purchase  method.

NOTE 3.          CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

The  Corporation's  banking  subsidiary  is  required  to  maintain certain cash
reserve  balances  with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, which may be offset
by cash on hand.  The required reserve balances as of December 31, 1997 and 1996
were  approximately  $5,045,000  and  $14,474,000,  respectively.

In  October  1997,  the  Corporation's  bank  subsidiary  established a clearing
balance  requirement  of  $2,000,000 with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to
use  Federal  Reserve  Bank  services.   These deposited funds generate earnings
credits  at  market rates which offset service charges resulting from the use of
Federal  Reserve Bank services.  The clearing balance requirement is included in
the  required  reserve  balance  referred  to  above  and  may  be increased, or
otherwise  adjusted,  on approval of the Federal Reserve Bank based on estimated
service  charges; however, such adjustments will be made no more frequently than
once  per  month.

NOTE 4.          SECURITIES

As  of  December  31,  1997,  the  Corporation's bank subsidiary transferred its
entire  category  of  held  to  maturity  securities into the available for sale
securities  category.    In  accordance  with  Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards  No.  115  (SFAS 115), "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and
Equity  Securities,"  this  transfer  was  accounted  for  at market value.  The
aggregate  amortized cost and fair values of these securities as of the transfer
date  was  $44,812,000 and $45,707,000, respectively.  The gross unrealized gain
of  $895,000,  net  of  the deferred tax liability of $313,000, is included as a
component  of  stockholders'  equity.


                                       52

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

The  amortized  cost  and  fair  values  of  securities  available  for sale are
summarized  as  follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Gross        Gross
                                           Amortized    Unrealized   Unrealized      Fair
                                              Cost        Gains        Losses       Value
                                          --------------------------------------------------
AVAILABLE FOR SALE SECURITIES:                        (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
December 31, 1997:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations
  of U.S. government corporations and
  agencies                                $   161,617  $       277  $       132  $   161,762
Obligations of states and political
  subdivisions                                 31,452          919           20       32,351
Corporate securities                            6,177           20            1        6,196
Equity securities                               4,132        7,881           19       11,994
Other debt securities                             859            -            -          859
Mortgage backed securities                      2,352            -            -        2,352
                                          --------------------------------------------------

                                          $   206,589  $     9,097  $       172  $   215,514
                                          ==================================================


December 31, 1996:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations
  of U.S. government corporations and
  agencies                                $   159,354  $       255  $       565  $   159,044
Obligations of states and political
  subdivisions                                  1,250            4            1        1,253
Corporate securities                            1,025            6            3        1,028
Equity securities                               3,707        5,417           59        9,065
Other debt securities                             853            -            -          853
                                          --------------------------------------------------

                                          $   166,189  $     5,682  $       628  $   171,243
                                          ==================================================
</TABLE>




                                       53

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

The amortized cost and fair values of securities held to maturity are summarized
as  follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Gross        Gross
                                           Amortized    Unrealized   Unrealized      Fair
                                              Cost        Gains        Losses       Value
                                          --------------------------------------------------
HELD TO MATURITY SECURITIES:                             (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
December 31, 1996:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations
  of U.S. government corporations and
  agencies                                $     8,635  $         -  $       119  $     8,516
Obligations of states and political
  subdivisions                                 36,607          789          153       37,243
Corporate securities                            6,640           80            -        6,720
Mortgage-backed securities                      3,225           98            2        3,321
                                          --------------------------------------------------

                                          $    55,107  $       967  $       274  $    55,800
                                          ==================================================
</TABLE>


The  amortized  cost and fair value of securities, other than equity securities,
as  of  December  31,  1997, by contractual maturity, are shown below.  Expected
maturities  may  differ  from contractual maturities because the mortgage-backed
securities  may  be  called  or  prepaid  without  penalty.    Therefore,  these
securities are not included in the maturity categories in the following maturity
summary.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Available for Sale
                                             -----------------------
                                             Amortized        Fair
                                               Cost          Value
                                             -----------------------
                                             (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                          <C>            <C>
Due in one year or less                      $ 82,142       $ 82,231
Due after one year through five years          99,984        100,535
Due after five years through ten years         14,722         15,112
Due after ten years                             3,257          3,290
                                             -----------------------
                                              200,105        201,168
Mortgage-backed securities                      2,352          2,352
                                             -----------------------

                                             $202,457       $203,520
                                             =======================
</TABLE>




                                       54

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

Gains and losses related to sales of securities for the years ended December 31,
1997,  1996  and  1995  are  summarized  as  follows  (in  thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   1997    1996   1995
                                   --------------------
<S>                                <C>    <C>    <C>
Gross security gains               $595   $258   $ 351 
Gross security losses               (75)    (2)   (145)
                                   --------------------

          NET SECURITY GAINS       $520   $256   $ 206 
                                   ====================
</TABLE>

Investment  securities  with carrying values of $154,451,000 and $127,955,000 on
December  31,  1997 and 1996, respectively, were pledged as collateral on public
deposits  and  for  other  purposes  as  required  or  permitted  by  law.

NOTE 5.          LOANS

The composition of loans is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       December 31,
                                                  ----------------------
                                                    1997         1996
                                                  ----------------------
                                                  (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                               <C>          <C>
Commercial                                        $ 63,861     $ 62,065
Real estate construction                            31,306       26,184
Real estate - farmland                              11,782       11,468
Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential mortgage   220,659      206,499
Real estate - multifamily mortgage                  74,385       74,245
Real estate - non-farm nonresidential mortgage     139,653      131,350
Installment                                         38,925       39,705
Agricultural                                        17,403       16,537
                                                  ----------------------
                                                   597,974      568,053
Less:
  Allowance for loan losses                          6,860        6,131
                                                  ----------------------

          NET LOANS                               $591,114     $561,922
                                                  ======================
</TABLE>


The amount of loans serviced by the Corporation for the benefit of others is not
included  in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  The unpaid principal
balances  of  these  loans were $113,506,000 and $101,344,000 as of December 31,
1997  and  1996,  respectively.

The  loan portfolio includes a concentration of loans for commercial real estate
amounting to approximately $214,038,000 and $205,595,000 as of December 31, 1997
and  1996,  respectively.  Generally these loans are collateralized by assets of
the  borrowers.    The  loans  are expected to be repaid from cash flows or from
proceeds  from  the  sale  of  selected  assets of the borrowers.  Credit losses
arising  from  lending  transactions  for  commercial  real  estate entities are
comparable  with  the  Corporation's  credit

                                       55

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

loss  experience  on  its  loan  portfolio  as  a  whole.

The  Corporation's opinion as to the ultimate collectibility of loans is subject
to  estimates  regarding  future  cash  flows  from  operations and the value of
property,  real  and  personal,  pledged  as  collateral.    These estimates are
reflected  by  changing  economic  conditions  and  the  economic  prospects  of
borrowers.

The following table presents data on impaired loans:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1997          1996
                                                                 ----------------------
                                                                 (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                              <C>           <C>
Impaired loans for which an allowance has been provided          $  -          $  -
Impaired loans for which no allowance has been provided           226             -
                                                                 ----------------------

Total loans determined to be impaired                            $226          $  -
                                                                 ======================

Allowance for loan loss for impaired loans included in the
  Allowance for loan losses                                      $  -          $  -
                                                                 ======================
Average recorded investment in impaired loans                    $254          $201
                                                                 ======================
Interest income recognized from impaired loans                   $  8          $  -
                                                                 ======================
Cash basis interest income recognized from impaired loans        $ 25          $  -
                                                                 ======================
</TABLE>




NOTE 6.          ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

Changes in the allowance for loan losses were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Years Ended December 31,
                                                     -------------------------
                                                       1997     1996     1995
                                                     -------------------------
                                                        (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                  <C>      <C>      <C>
Balance, beginning of year                           $6,131   $5,473   $5,235 
  Provision for loan losses                           1,075    1,100      395 
  Recoveries applicable to loan balances previously
    charged off                                         213      240      523 
                                                     -------------------------
                                                      7,419    6,813    6,153 
  Loan balances charged off                            (559)    (682)    (680)
                                                     -------------------------

Balance, ending of year                              $6,860   $6,131   $5,473 
                                                     =========================
</TABLE>




                                       56

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

NOTE 7.          PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

Premises and equipment are summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     December 31,
                               -----------------------
                                  1997          1996
                               -----------------------
                                (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                            <C>           <C>
Land                           $ 4,899       $ 4,899
Buildings and improvements      23,294        21,781
Furniture and equipment         10,720         8,633
                               -----------------------
                                38,913        35,313
Less accumulated depreciation   16,079        13,725
                               -----------------------

                               $22,834       $21,588
                               =======================
</TABLE>


Depreciation  expense  was  $2,124,000,  $1,957,000 and $1,847,000 for the years
ending  December  31,  1997,  1996  and  1995,  respectively.

NOTE 8.          DEPOSITS

The aggregate amount of time deposits with a minimum denomination of $100,000,
was approximately $96,537,000 and $65,462,000 at December 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.

As of December 31, 1997, the scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit, in
thousands, are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                  <C>
1998                 $262,299
1999                   61,379
2000                   27,857
2001                   11,399
2002 and thereafter    10,128
                     --------
                     $373,062
                     ========
</TABLE>




                                       57

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

NOTE 9.          SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

Short-term borrowings are summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           December 31,
                                                                        -------------------
                                                                        1997          1996
                                                                        -------------------
                                                                        (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                                     <C>         <C>
Notes payable, American National Bank of Chicago, due January 31,
1998, interest payable quarterly at LIBOR plus 1.50% (effective rate
of 7.37375% at December 31, 1997, except as noted):


    $10,000,000 line of credit, collateralized by all of the capital
    stock of Busey Bank.                                                $5,000      $ 7,500

    Note payable, collateralized by all of the capital stock of Busey
    Bank (effective rate of 7.21875% at December 31, 1997)               1,000            -

    Collateralized by 22,143 shares of First Busey Corporation
    Class A common stock owned by employee stock ownership
    plan                                                                   150          250

    Collateralized by 22,143 shares of First Busey Corporation
    Class A common stock owned by employee stock ownership
    plan                                                                   150          250

    Collateralized by 10,000 shares of First Busey Corporation
    Class A common stock owned by employee stock ownership
    plan (effective rate of 7.3125% at December 31, 1997)                  250            -

Federal funds purchased                                                      -        6,400

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase                               -            5
                                                                        -------------------
                                                                        $6,550      $14,405
                                                                        ===================
</TABLE>


In  accordance with the consensus reached on Issue Number 89-10 at the June 1989
meeting  of  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board's Emerging Issues Task
Force,  the  Company  has  recorded  the  pre-1993  debt  of  the employee stock
ownership  plan (ESOP), which totaled $300,000 and $500,000 at December 31, 1997
and 1996, respectively as short-term borrowings and a reduction of stockholders'
equity.


                                       58

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

In  August  1997, the employee stock ownership plan borrowed $250,000 to acquire
additional  shares.    In accordance with AICPA Statement of Position 93-6, this
debt has been recorded as short-term borrowings and a reduction of stockholders'
equity.

NOTE 10.     LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt is summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    December 31,
                                                                                 1997          1996
                                                                                ---------------------
                                                                                (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                                             <C>           <C>
Note payable, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, 5.46%, monthly
  installments of interest through June 25, 1998, balance due June 25,
  1998, collateralized by all unpledged U.S. Treasury and U.S. Agency
  securities, first mortgages on residential real estate and Federal Home
  Loan Bank stock                                                               $ 5,000       $5,000

Note payable, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, 6.08%, monthly
  installments of interest through February 21, 2000, balance due
  February 21, 2000, collateralized by all unpledged U.S. Treasury
  and U.S. Agency securities, first mortgages on residential real
  estate and Federal Home Loan Bank stock                                         5,000            -
                                                                                ---------------------
                                                                                $10,000       $5,000
                                                                                =====================
</TABLE>


NOTE 11.     INCOME TAXES

The components of income tax expense consist of:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Years Ended December 31,
                                    -------------------------
                                      1997     1996     1995
                                    -------------------------
                                     (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                 <C>      <C>      <C>
Current                             $4,842   $4,114   $4,004 
Deferred                              (463)    (373)    (705)
                                    -------------------------
          TOTAL INCOME TAX EXPENSE  $4,379   $3,741   $3,299 
                                    =========================
</TABLE>




                                       59

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

A  reconciliation of federal income taxes at statutory rates to the income taxes
included  in  the  statements  of  income  is  as  follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          Years ended December 31,
                    -------------------------------------------------------------------
                               1997                  1996                 1995
                    -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    % of                   % of                   % of
                                   Pretax                 Pretax                 Pretax
                       Amount      Income      Amount     Income     Amount      Income
                    -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                 <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>
Income tax at
  statutory rate    $   5,163       35.0%  $   4,566       35.0%  $   4,226       35.0%
Effect of:
  Benefit of
    income taxed
    at lower rates       (100)      (0.7)       (100)      (0.8)       (100)      (0.9)
  Tax-exempt
    interest, net        (777)      (5.3)       (805)      (6.2)       (788)      (6.5)
  Amortization
    of intangibles        170        1.2         170        1.3         170        1.4 
  Other                   (77)      (0.5)        (90)      (0.6)       (209)      (1.7)
                    -------------------------------------------------------------------
                    $   4,379       29.7%  $   3,741       28.7%  $   3,299       27.3%
                    ===================================================================
</TABLE>

Income  taxes  related  to  realized gains on sales of securities were $182,000,
$90,000  and  $72,000  for  the  years  ended  December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.

The  net  deferred  tax  asset,  included in other assets or liabilities, in the
accompanying  balance  sheets  includes  the  following  amounts of deferred tax
assets  and  liabilities:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 1997         1996
                                              ----------------------
                                              (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                           <C>           <C>
Deferred tax liability                        $(3,828)      $(2,446)
Deferred tax asset                              4,344         3,686 
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets      (674)         (507)
                                              ----------------------
          NET DEFERRED TAX ASSET (LIABILITY)  $  (158)      $   733 
                                              ======================
</TABLE>




                                       60

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

The  tax  effects  of principal temporary differences are shown in the following
table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1997          1996
                                                    ----------------------
                                                    (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>
Investment securities:
  Unrealized gain on securities available for sale  $(3,124)      $(1,769)
  Other                                                 219           219 
Basis in premises and equipment                        (567)         (564)
Allowance for loan losses                             2,721         2,432 
Property acquired in settlement of loans                (24)           41 
Loans held for sale                                      22             4 
Basis in deposit intangibles                            552           419 
Deferred compensation                                   528           388 
Performance/restricted stock                             24            10 
State net operating loss carryforward                   278           173 
Other                                                  (113)         (113)
                                                    ----------------------
                                                        516         1,240 
Valuation allowance                                    (674)         (507)
                                                    ----------------------
                                                    $  (158)      $   733 
                                                    ======================
</TABLE>

State net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $5,962,000 are available
to  offset  future taxable income.  The carryforwards expire as follows:  2005 -
$2,047,000;  2006  -  $3,007,000;  2007  -  $860,000  and  2008  -  $48,000.

NOTE 12.     EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The  Corporation  established  the  First  Busey  Corporation  Employees'  Stock
Ownership  Plan  (ESOP) as of January 1, 1984.  All full time employees who meet
certain  age  and  length of service requirements are eligible to participate in
the  ESOP which purchased common shares of the Corporation using the proceeds of
bank  borrowings  secured  by  the stock.  The borrowings are to be repaid using
fully  deductible  contributions  to  the  trust  fund.   As the ESOP makes each
payment  of  principal,  an appropriate percentage of stock will be allocated to
eligible employee's accounts in accordance with applicable regulations under the
Internal Revenue Code.  Allocations of common stock released and forfeitures are
based  on the eligible compensation of each participant.  Dividends on allocated
shares  of  common  stock  are  distributed  directly  to  the  participants and
dividends  on  unallocated  shares are used to service the bank borrowings.  All
shares held by the ESOP are included in the computation of average common shares
and  common share equivalents.  This accounting treatment is grandfathered under
Statement  of Position 93-6, "Employers' Accounting for Employee Stock Ownership
Plans"  for  shares  purchased  prior  to  December  31,  1992.


                                       61

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

During  the  year  ended December 31, 1997, $200,000 of compensation expense was
recognized for the ESOP, releasing 29,524 common shares to participant accounts,
and  is reflected in the chart below under "Employee Benefits."  The Corporation
does  not  have  any  repurchase  obligation.

As permitted by AICPA Statement of Position (SOP) 93-6, compensation expense for
shares  released  during 1997 and 1996 is equal to the original acquisition cost
of the shares if they were acquired prior to December 31, 1992.  There have been
no  shares released that were acquired by the ESOP after December 31, 1992.  For
such shares, compensation expense would be equal to the fair market value of the
shares  released.    Compensation expense related to the ESOP plan was $243,000,
$297,000  and  $327,000  in  1997,  1996  and  1995,  respectively.

Outstanding  ESOP  shares  as of December 31 by loans acquired prior to December
31,  1992  were  as  follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1997        1996
                                               -----------------------
<S>                                            <C>          <C>
Allocated shares                                   385,927     366,960
Unallocated shares                                  44,286      73,810
                                               -----------------------

TOTAL                                              430,213     440,770
                                               =======================

Fair value of allocated shares at December 31  $11,831,000  $9,807,000
                                               =======================
</TABLE>

Outstanding  ESOP  shares  acquired  under  the  August 1997 loan and their fair
market  values  were  as  follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               1997
                    ------------------------
                                      Fair
                                     Market
                    Shares           Value
                    ------------------------
<S>                 <C>             <C>
Unallocated shares  10,000          $275,000
                    ========================
</TABLE>


All  full-time employees who meet certain age and length of service requirements
are  eligible  to  participate  in  the  Corporation's profit-sharing plan.  The
contributions,  if  any, are determined solely by the Boards of Directors of the
Corporation  and its subsidiaries and in no case may the annual contributions be
greater  than  the  amounts  deductible for federal income tax purposes for that
year.    The  rights  of the participants vest ratably over a seven-year period.


                                       62

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

Employer  contributions  to  the  employee  benefit  plans  are  included in the
statements  of  income  as  follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                ------------------------
                                                Years Ended December 31,
                                                 1997     1996     1995
                                                ------------------------
                                                (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                             <C>      <C>      <C>
Employee benefits                                $809     $703     $623
Interest on employee stock ownership plan debt     43       47       77
                                                ------------------------
          TOTAL EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS           $852     $750     $700
                                                ========================
</TABLE>

NOTE 13.     STOCK INCENTIVE PLANS

Stock Option Plan:
- ------------------

In  March  1989,  the Corporation adopted the 1988 Stock Option Plan pursuant to
which  incentive  stock options and nonqualified stock options for up to 450,000
shares  of  Class A common stock may be granted by the Compensation Committee of
the  Board of Directors to certain executive officers and key personnel of First
Busey  Corporation  and its subsidiaries.  In March 1996, the Board of Directors
approved  an  increase  in  the  number of shares reserved for issuance as stock
options  from  450,000  to  750,000.

A  summary  of  the status of the Corporation's stock option plan as of December
31,  1997,  1996 and 1995 and the changes during the years ending on those dates
is  as  follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 1997                  1996                 1995
                       -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Weighted-               Weighted-             Weighted-
                                     Average                 Average               Average
                                    Exercise                Exercise              Exercise
                         Shares       Price     Shares       Price     Shares      Price
                       -------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>
Outstanding at begin-
  ning of year           338,341   $   14.39    393,917   $   13.62    264,957   $   10.73
Granted                   97,825       24.98      6,000       18.50    163,500       17.50
Exercised                (95,413)      10.07    (56,813)       9.33    (27,000)       9.31
Terminated and
  reissuable             (10,950)      17.32     (4,763)      16.37     (7,540)      11.67
                       ----------             ----------             ----------           
Outstanding at end
  of year                329,803       18.69    338,341       14.39    393,917       13.62
                       ===================================================================

Exercisable at end
  of year                 43,653   $   10.10      4,500   $    9.44     60,750   $    9.33

Weighted-average fair
  value per option of
  options granted
  during the year      $    4.92              $    5.37              $    1.88 
</TABLE>


                                       63

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

The  following  table  summarizes information about stock options outstanding at
December  31,  1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Options
                       Options Outstanding                   Exercisable
                    ----------------------------------------------------
Exercise              Number          Weighted-Average         Number
 Prices             Outstanding  Remaining Contractual Life  Outstanding
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                 <C>          <C>                         <C>
$  10.00              18,000              2 years              18,000
   10.11              25,314              2 years              25,314
   14.33                 339              2 years                 339
   16.50              31,950              2 years                   -
   17.50             151,500              4 years                   -
   18.50               6,000              4 years                   -
   24.25              69,700              6 years                   -
   27.50               1,000              2 years                   -
   27.50              26,000              4 years                   -
                    ----------------------------------------------------
                     329,803              4 years              43,653
                    ====================================================
</TABLE>

Grants  under  the above plan are accounted for following APB No. 25 and related
Interpretations.    Accordingly,  no  compensation  cost has been recognized for
grants under this plan.  Had compensation cost for stock-based compensation been
determined  based  on the grant date fair values of awards (the method described
in  SFAS 123), reported net income and earnings per common share would have been
reduced  to  the  pro  forma  amounts  shown  below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               1997    1996    1995
                             -----------------------
<S>                          <C>      <C>     <C>
Net Income (in thousands):
  As reported                $10,371  $9,306  $8,775
  Pro forma                  $10,262  $9,262  $8,735

Basic earnings per share:
  As reported                $  1.50  $ 1.37  $ 1.29
  Pro forma                  $  1.49  $ 1.36  $ 1.28

Diluted earnings per share:
  As reported                $  1.48  $ 1.34  $ 1.27
  Pro forma                  $  1.47  $ 1.34  $ 1.26
</TABLE>

The  Black-Scholes  option pricing model was developed for use in estimating the
fair  value  of traded options which have no vesting restrictions.  In addition,
such  models  require the use of subjective assumptions, included expected stock
price  volatility.    In  management's  opinion,  such  valuation models may not
necessarily  provide  the  best  single  measure  of  option  value.


                                       64

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

The  fair  value  of  the  stock  options  granted  has been estimated using the
Black-Scholes  option  pricing  model  with  the  following  weighted  average
assumptions.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             1997
                                 ---------------------------
                                 Block 1   Block 2   Block 3    1996     1995
                                 --------  --------  -------  -------  ---------
<S>                              <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>
Number of options granted         69,700    26,000    1,000    6,000    163,500 
Risk-free interest rate             5.76%     5.74%    5.64%    6.21%      5.40%
Expected life, in years                6         4        2        5          6 
Expected volatility                  6.3%      6.3%     6.3%     6.1%       6.5%
Expected dividend yield              2.9%      2.9%     2.9%     3.1%       3.7%
Estimated fair value per option  $  5.77   $  2.78   $ 1.68   $ 5.37   $   1.88 
</TABLE>

An additional 1,125 options granted in 1997 vested and were exercised during the
year  ended  December  31,  1997.

Restricted  Stock  Award  Plan:
- ------------------------------

In  January  1993,  the Corporation adopted the 1993 Restricted Stock Award Plan
pursuant  to  which  restricted stock awards for up to 225,000 shares of Class A
common  stock  may  be  granted  by  the  Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors  to  certain  executive  officers  and  key  personnel  of First Busey
Corporation  and its subsidiaries.  Shares vest over a period established by the
Compensation  Committee  at  grant  date  and  are  based  on  the attainment of
specified  earnings  per  share  and  earnings growth.  As of December 31, 1997,
there were 6,600 shares under grant with performance restrictions allowed by the
plan which expire as follows:  1998 - 2,200 shares, 1999 - 2,200 shares and 2000
- -  2,200  shares.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          Number of Shares
                                      -------------------------
                                       1997     1996     1995
                                      -------------------------
<S>                                   <C>      <C>      <C>
Under restriction, beginning of year    9,000    8,250   14,250
  Granted                                   -    9,000        -
  Restrictions released                 2,200    8,250    6,000
  Forfeited and reissuable                200        -        -
                                      -------------------------

Under restriction, end of year          6,600    9,000    8,250
                                      =========================

Available to grant, end of year       201,950  201,750  210,750
                                      =========================
</TABLE>

Compensation  expense  is  recognized  for financial statement purposes over the
period  of  performance.   Compensation expense of $80,000, $77,000, and $94,000
was  recognized for financial statement purposes during the years ended December
31,  1997,  1996,  and  1995, respectively.  Compensation expense of $61,000 and
$184,000 was recognized for income tax purposes for the years ended December 31,
1997  and  1996,  respectively.

                                       65

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

NOTE 14.     TRANSACTIONS WITH DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The  Corporation  and  its subsidiaries have had, and may be expected to have in
the  future,  banking  transactions  in  the  ordinary  course  of business with
directors, executive officers, their immediate families and affiliated companies
in  which  they  have  10% or more beneficial ownership (commonly referred to as
related parties), on the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as
those  prevailing  at  the  time  for  comparable  transactions  with  others.

The  following  is an analysis of the changes in loans to related parties during
the  year  ended  December  31,  1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                               <C>
Balance at the beginning of year  $ 5,378 
  New loans                         4,970 
  Repayments                       (5,486)
  Other                                13 
                                  --------
Balance at end of year            $ 4,875 
                                  ========
</TABLE>

NOTE 15.     COMMON STOCK

The  holders  of  Class  A common stock are entitled to cash dividends per share
which  are 10% greater than the cash dividends per share with respect to Class B
common  stock.    Class  A  stockholders have one vote per share whereas Class B
stockholders have ten votes per share.  Class B common stock may be converted to
Class  A  common  stock  at  any time on a one-for-one basis.  All of the issued
Class B common stock was converted to Class A common stock on December 31, 1997.
There  were  no  other  differences  between  the  two  classes of common stock.

NOTE 16.     CAPITAL RATIOS

The  ability of the Corporation to pay cash dividends to its stockholders and to
service  its  debt  is  dependent  on  the  receipt  of  cash dividends from its
subsidiaries.    State  chartered  banks  have  certain statutory and regulatory
restrictions  on  the  amount  of  cash  dividends they may pay.  As a practical
matter,  dividend  payments  are  restricted because of the desire to maintain a
strong  capital  position  in  the  subsidiaries.

The  Corporation  and  the  Bank  are  subject  to  various  regulatory  capital
requirements  administered  by  federal  and state banking agencies.  Failure to
meet  minimum  capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly
additional  discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have
a  direct  material  effect  on  the  Corporation's  or  the  Bank's  financial
statements.   Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for
prompt  corrective  action,  the  Corporation  and  the  Bank must meet specific
capital  guidelines  that  involve  quantitative  measures  of  their  assets,
liabilities,  and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory
accounting  practices.    The  Corporation's  and the Bank's capital amounts and
classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about
components,  risk  weightings,  and  other  factors.


                                       66

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

Quantitative  measures  established  by  regulation  to  ensure capital adequacy
require the Corporation and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set
forth  in  the  table  below)  of  total  and  Tier I capital (as defined in the
regulations)  to  risk-weighted  assets  (as  defined),  and  Tier 1 capital (as
defined)  to  average  assets (as defined).  Management believes, as of December
31,  1997,  that  the  Corporation  and  the  Bank  meet  all  capital  adequacy
requirements  to  which  it  is  subject.

As of December 31, 1997, the most recent notification from the federal and state
regulatory  agencies  categorized  the  Bank  as  well  capitalized  under  the
regulatory  framework  for  prompt corrective action.  To be categorized as well
capitalized, the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based,
and  Tier  I leverage ratios as set forth in the table.  There are no conditions
or  events  since  that  notification  that management believes have changed the
Bank's  categories.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             To Be Well
                                                                          Capitalized Under
                                                       For Capital        Prompt Corrective
                                    Actual          Adequacy Purposes     Action Provisions
                            ----------------------------------------------------------------
                              Amount      Ratio     Amount      Ratio     Amount      Ratio
                            ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                               (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
As of December 31,  1997:
  Total Capital (to Risk
    Weighted Assets)
    Consolidated            $  74,372     13.01%  $  45,726       8.0%     N/A         N/A
    Busey Bank              $  70,604     12.59%  $  44,850       8.0%  $  56,063      10.0%

  Tier I Capital (to Risk
    Weighted Assets)
    Consolidated            $  67,512     11.81%  $  22,863       4.0%     N/A         N/A
    Busey Bank              $  63,744     11.37%  $  22,425       4.0%  $  33,638       6.0%

  Tier I Capital (to
    Average Assets)
    Consolidated            $  67,512      7.61%  $  35,495       4.0%     N/A         N/A
    Busey Bank              $  63,744      7.27%  $  35,068       4.0%  $  43,835       5.0%

As of December 31,  1996:
  Total Capital (to Risk
    Weighted Assets)
    Consolidated            $  67,321     12.48%  $  43,142       8.0%     N/A         N/A
    Busey Bank              $  65,077     12.28%  $  42,399       8.0%  $  52,998      10.0%

  Tier I Capital (to Risk
    Weighted Assets)
    Consolidated            $  61,190     11.35%  $  21,571       4.0%     N/A         N/A
    Busey Bank              $  58,946     11.12%  $  21,199       4.0%  $  31,799       6.0%

  Tier I Capital (to
    Average Assets)
    Consolidated            $  61,190      7.14%  $  34,279       4.0%     N/A         N/A
    Busey Bank              $  58,946      6.93%  $  34,010       4.0%  $  42,512       5.0%
</TABLE>


                                       67

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

NOTE 17.     COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND CREDIT RISK

The Corporation and its subsidiaries are parties to legal actions which arise in
the  normal  course of their business activities.  In the opinion of management,
the  ultimate  resolution  of  these  matters is not expected to have a material
effect on the financial position or the results of operations of the Corporation
and  its  subsidiaries.

The  Corporation  and its subsidiaries are parties to financial instruments with
off-balance-sheet  risk  in  the normal course of business to meet the financing
needs  of  its  customers.    These financial instruments include commitments to
extend  credit,  standby  letters  of  credit  and  financial guarantees.  Those
instruments  involve,  to  varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate
risk.   The contract or notional amounts of those instruments reflect the extent
of  involvement  the  Corporation  has  in  particular  classes  of  financial
instruments.

The  Corporation  and  its subsidiaries' exposure to credit loss in the event of
nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to
extend  credit and standby letters of credit and financial guarantees written is
represented by the contractual amount of those instruments.  The Corporation and
its  subsidiaries  use  the  same  credit  policies  in  making  commitments and
conditional  obligations  as  it  does  for  on-balance-sheet  instruments.

Unless  noted  otherwise,  the  Corporation  and its subsidiaries do not require
collateral  or other security to support financial instruments with credit risk.

A  summary  of  the  contractual  amount  of  the  Corporation's  exposure  to
off-balance-sheet  risk  as  of  December  31,  1997  and  1996,  is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1997         1996
                                                                     ----------------------
                                                                     (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                                  <C>          <C>
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk:
  Commitments to extend credit                                       $126,280     $120,525
  Standby letters of credit                                             4,780        5,243
</TABLE>

Commitments  to  extend  credit  are agreements to lend to a customer as long as
there  is  no  violation  of  any  condition established in the contract.  These
commitments  are  generally  at variable interest rates and generally have fixed
expiration  dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.
Since  many  of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon,
the  total  commitment  amounts  do  not  necessarily  represent  future  cash
requirements.   The Corporation evaluates each customer's credit worthiness on a
case-by-case  basis.    The  amount  of  collateral  obtained,  if  it is deemed
necessary  by the Corporation upon extension of credit, is based on management's
credit  evaluation  of the counterparty.  Collateral held varies but may include
accounts  receivable,  inventory,  property  and  equipment and income-producing
commercial  properties.


                                       68

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

Standby  letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Corporation
to  guarantee  the performance of a customer to a third party.  Those letters of
credit  are  primarily  issued  to  support  public  and  private  borrowing
arrangements, including bond financing and similar transactions. The credit risk
involved  in  issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved
in  extending  loan  facilities  to  customers.

As  of  December 31, 1997, the Corporation has no significant futures, forwards,
swaps  or  option  contracts,  or  other  financial  instruments  with  similar
characteristics.

NOTE 18.     DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The  following  methods  and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of
each  class of financial instrument for which it is practicable to estimate that
value:

Cash  and  cash  equivalents
- ----------------------------

The  carrying  amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and due from banks
and  federal  funds  sold  approximate  those  assets'  fair  values.

Securities
- ----------

For securities held to maturity and available for sale, fair values are based on
quoted  market  prices  or  dealer  quotes, where available.  If a quoted market
price  is  not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for
similar  securities.    The  carrying  amount  of  accrued  interest  receivable
approximates  fair  value.

Loans
- -----

For certain homogeneous categories of loans, such as some residential mortgages,
fair  value is estimated using the quoted market prices for securities backed by
similar loans, adjusted for differences in loan characteristics.  The fair value
of  other types of loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using
the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar
credit  ratings  and  for the same remaining maturities.  The carrying amount of
accrued  interest  receivable  approximates  fair  value.

Deposits
- --------

The  fair  value of demand deposits, savings accounts, NOW accounts, and certain
money  market  deposits  is  defined  as  the  amount  payable  on demand at the
reporting  date.    The  fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit is
estimated  using  the  rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining
maturities.    The carrying amount of accrued interest payable approximates fair
value.


                                       69

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

Short-term  borrowings  and  long-term  debt
- --------------------------------------------

Rates  currently  available  to  the Corporation for debt with similar terms and
remaining  maturities  are  used  to  estimate fair value of existing debt.  The
carrying  amount  of  accrued  interest  payable  approximates  fair  value.

Commitments  to  extend  credit  and  standby  letters  of  credit
- ------------------------------------------------------------------

The  fair  value of commitments is estimated using the fees currently charged to
enter  into  similar  agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the
agreements  and  the  present  creditworthiness  of  the  counterparties.    For
fixed-rate  loan  commitments,  fair value also considers the difference between
current  levels  of  interest  rates and the committed rates.  The fair value of
letters  of  credit is based on fees currently charged for similar agreements or
on the estimated cost to terminate them or otherwise settle the obligations with
the  counterparties at the reporting date.  As of December 31, 1997, these items
are  immaterial  in  nature.

The  estimated  fair  values  of  the Corporation's financial instruments are as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       1997               1996
                               --------------------------------------
                               Carrying     Fair    Carrying    Fair
                                Amount     Value     Amount    Value
                               --------------------------------------
                                      (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                            <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Financial assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents    $ 62,099  $ 62,099  $ 33,738  $ 33,738
  Securities                    215,514   215,514   226,350   227,043
  Loans, net                    596,077   596,802   563,369   568,480
  Accrued interest receivable     7,464     7,464     7,412     7,412

Financial liabilities:
  Deposits                      811,453   811,198   766,927   768,090
  Short-term borrowings           6,550     6,550    14,405    14,405
  Long-term debt                 10,000     9,982     5,000     4,956
  Accrued interest payable        3,586     3,586     3,448     3,448
</TABLE>

In  addition,  other  assets  and  liabilities  of  the Corporation that are not
defined as financial instruments are not included in the above disclosures, such
as  property  and  equipment.    Also,  nonfinancial  instruments  typically not
recognized  in  financial  statements  nevertheless  may  have value but are not
included  in  the  above  disclosures.    These  include, among other items, the
estimated  earnings  power  of  core deposit accounts, the earnings potential of
loan  servicing  rights,  the  earnings  potential  of the trust operations, the
trained  work  force,  customer  goodwill  and  similar  items.


                                       70

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

NOTE 19.     PARENT COMPANY ONLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Condensed  financial  data  for  First  Busey  Corporation  is  presented below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  BALANCE SHEETS

                                                                    December 31,
                                                               ----------------------
                                                                 1997         1996
                                                               ----------------------
ASSETS                                                         (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                            <C>           <C>
Cash and due from subsidiary bank                              $   131       $ 1,254 
Securities available for sale                                    1,602         1,258 
Investments in subsidiaries:
  Bank                                                          73,485        66,521 
  Non-bank                                                       8,334         2,295 
Premises and equipment, net                                         48         4,931 
Other assets                                                     5,515         6,177 
                                                               ----------------------
          TOTAL ASSETS                                         $89,115       $82,436 
                                                               ======================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
  Short-term corporate borrowings                              $ 6,000       $ 7,500 
  Short-term ESOP borrowings                                       550           500 
  Other liabilities                                              1,286         1,019 
                                                               ----------------------
          TOTAL LIABILITIES                                      7,836         9,019 
                                                               ----------------------

Stockholders' equity before unearned ESOP shares and deferred
  compensation for stock grants                                 81,910        74,083 
Unearned ESOP shares and deferred compensation for restricted
  stock awards                                                    (631)         (666)
                                                               ----------------------
          STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                  81,279        73,417 
                                                               ----------------------
          TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY           $89,115       $82,436 
                                                               ======================
</TABLE>




                                       71

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                                                Years Ended December 31,
                                                ------------------------
                                                   1997    1996    1995
                                                ------------------------
                                                  (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                             <C>       <C>     <C>
Operating income:
  Dividends from subsidiaries:
    Bank                                         $ 6,000  $6,000  $5,400
    Non-bank                                         500     400     300
  Interest and dividend income                        10      12      27
  Other income                                       788     579     451
                                                ------------------------
          TOTAL OPERATING INCOME                   7,298   6,991   6,178
                                                ------------------------

Expenses:
  Salaries and employee benefits                   1,124   1,057   1,025
  Interest expense                                   429     527     740
  Operating expense                                1,425   1,064   1,109
                                                ------------------------
          TOTAL EXPENSES                           2,978   2,648   2,874
                                                ------------------------

          INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX BENEFIT AND
             EQUITY IN UNDISTRIBUTED INCOME OF
             SUBSIDIARIES                          4,320   4,343   3,304

Income tax benefit                                   767     730     980
                                                ------------------------

          INCOME BEFORE EQUITY IN UNDISTRIBUTED
             INCOME OF SUBSIDIARIES                5,087   5,073   4,284

Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries:
  Bank                                             4,696   3,983   4,195
  Non-bank                                           588     250     296
                                                ------------------------

          NET  INCOME                            $10,371  $9,306  $8,775
                                                ========================
</TABLE>




                                       72

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                              STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                          Years Ended December 31,
                                                        ----------------------------
                                                          1997      1996      1995
                                                        ----------------------------
                                                          (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                     <C>       <C>       <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
  Net income                                            $10,371   $ 9,306   $ 8,775 
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
    provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                           972     1,206     1,226 
    Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries   (5,284)   (4,233)   (4,491)
    Gain on sales of securities                             (62)        -       (54)
    (Gain) loss on disposal of premises and equipment        (1)        6         - 
    Changes in assets and liabilities:
      Increase in other assets                             (320)     (445)     (739)
      Increase in other liabilities                         267       277        27 
                                                        ----------------------------
          NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES       5,943     6,117     4,744 
                                                        ----------------------------

Cash Flows from Investing Activities
  Proceeds from sales of securities
    available for sale                                      556       136       259 
  Purchases of securities available for sale               (473)     (186)      (10)
  Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment               1         -         - 
  Purchases of premises and equipment                        (2)      (66)     (184)
  Capital contribution to subsidiary                       (593)        -         - 
  Proceeds from capital distribution of subsidiary            -         -        91 
                                                        ----------------------------
          NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY
             INVESTING ACTIVITIES                          (511)     (116)      156 
                                                        ----------------------------

Cash Flows from Financing Activities
  Purchases of treasury stock                            (3,127)     (605)     (705)
  Proceeds from sales of treasury stock                   2,834       797       353 
  Proceeds from short-term borrowings                     2,500     1,000     5,750 
  Dividends paid                                         (4,762)   (4,378)   (3,940)
  Principal payments on short-term borrowings            (4,000)   (2,000)   (1,250)
  Principal payments on long-term debt                        -         -    (4,891)
                                                        ----------------------------
          NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES          (6,555)   (5,186)   (4,683)
                                                        ----------------------------

          NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND
             DUE FROM BANKS                              (1,123)      815       217 

Cash and due from banks, beginning                        1,254       439       222 
                                                        ----------------------------

Cash and due from banks, ending                         $   131   $ 1,254   $   439 
                                                        ============================
</TABLE>




                                       73

<PAGE>
FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                      STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)

                                                   Years Ended December 31,
                                                   ------------------------
                                                      1997   1996     1995
                                                   ------------------------
                                                    (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                <C>       <C>    <C>
Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Investing and
  Financing Activities
    Principal payments on ESOP debt                 $  200   $250   $  250 
                                                   ========================

    Proceeds from ESOP debt                         $  250   $  -   $    - 
                                                   ========================

    Transfer of premises and equipment and other
      assets to subsidiary                          $5,441   $  -   $    - 
                                                   ========================

    Change in unrealized gain on securities
      available for sale - holding company          $  365   $174   $  259 
                                                   ========================

    Increase in deferred income taxes attributable
      to the unrealized gain on securities
      available for sale - holding company          $ (127)  $(61)  $  (91)
                                                   ========================

    Change in unrealized gain on securities
      available for sale - subsidiaries             $2,278   $ 79   $3,767 
                                                   ========================
</TABLE>




                                       74

<PAGE>




                                MANAGEMENT REPORT
                                   BUSEY BANK
                             AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997


FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS
Management  of Busey Bank is responsible for the preparation, integrity and fair
presentation  of its published financial statements as of December 31, 1997, and
for  the  year  then  ended.    The  financial  statements have been prepared in
accordance  with  generally accepted accounting principles and, as such, include
amounts,  some  of  which  are  based  on judgments and estimates of management.

INTERNAL  CONTROLS
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an effective internal
control  structure  over  financial  reporting.   The system contains monitoring
mechanisms,  and  actions  are  taken  to  correct  deficiencies  identified.

There  are  inherent  limitations in the effectiveness of any system of internal
control,  including  the  possibility  of  human  error and the circumvention or
overriding  of controls.  Accordingly, even an effective internal control system
can  provide  only  reasonable  assurance  with  respect  to financial statement
preparation.  Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of an
internal  control  system  may  vary  over  time.

Management  assessed  its internal control structure over financial reporting as
of  December  31,  1997.    This  assessment was based on criteria for effective
internal  control  over  financial  reporting  described  in "Internal Control -
Integrated Framework" issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway  Commission.   Based on this assessment, management believes that Busey
Bank maintained an effective internal control structure over financial reporting
as  of  December  31,  1997.

DESIGNATED  LAWS
Management  is  also  responsible for compliance with the federal and state laws
and  regulations  relating  to  safety and soundness, including those designated
laws  and  regulations  regarding  dividend  restrictions and loans to insiders.
Based  on  our  assessment,  management  believes  Busey  Bank  complied, in all
material respects, with those designated laws and regulations for the year ended
December  31,  1997.



                         ___________________________________
                         Douglas  C.  Mills,  Chairman  of  the  Board
                         First  Busey  Corporation  (Holding  Company)



                         ___________________________________
                         P.  David  Kuhl,  President
                         Busey  Bank


                                       75

<PAGE>





                         INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT



To  the  Board  of  Directors
Busey  Bank
Urbana,  Illinois

We  have  examined management's assertion that Busey Bank maintained a system of
internal  control  over  financial  reporting  which  is  designed  to  provide
reasonable  assurance  to the Bank's management and Board of Directors regarding
the  preparation  of  reliable published financial statements as of December 31,
1997,  included  in  the  accompanying  management  report.

Our  examination  was  made  in  accordance  with  standards  established by the
American  Institute  of  Certified Public Accountants and, accordingly, included
obtaining  an  understanding  of  the  internal control structure over financial
reporting,  testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of the
internal control structure, and such other procedures as we considered necessary
in  the  circumstances.    We believe that our examination provides a reasonable
basis  for  our  opinion.

Because  of  inherent  limitations  in any internal control structure, errors or
irregularities  may  occur  and  not  be  detected.    Also,  projections of any
evaluation  of the internal control structure over financial reporting to future
periods  are  subject to the risk that the internal control structure may become
inadequate  because  of  changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance
with  the  policies  or  procedures  may  deteriorate.

In  our  opinion, management's assertions that Busey Bank maintained a system of
internal  control  over  financial  reporting  which  is  designed  to  provide
reasonable  assurance  to the Bank's management and Board of Directors regarding
the  preparation  of  reliable published financial statements as of December 31,
1997,  is  fairly  stated,  in  all  material  respects,  based  upon  criteria
established in "Internal Control - Integrated Framework" issued by the Committee
of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission  (COSO).


/s/  McGladrey + Pullen, LLP

Champaign, Illinois
January 30, 1998




                                       76

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 21.1

                 LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES OF FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION
                                  March 6, 1998



                                   Busey Bank

                               Busey Business Bank

                       First Busey Trust & Investment Co.

                           First Busey Resources, Inc.







                       LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES OF BUSEY BANK
                                  March 6, 1998



                          First Busey Securities, Inc.

                         Busey Insurance Services, Inc.

                           Busey Carter Travel Agency

                                    BAT, Inc.











                                       77

<PAGE>










                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on
Form S-8 (No. 33-30095) of our report, dated January 30, 1998, with respect to
the financial statements of First Busey Corporation and Subsidiaries, appearing
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

/s/ McGladrey + Pullen, LLP

Champaign, Illinois
March 18, 1998








                                       78






<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          43,299
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                18,800
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    215,514
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                        602,937
<ALLOWANCE>                                      6,860
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 915,540
<DEPOSITS>                                     811,453
<SHORT-TERM>                                     6,550
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              6,258
<LONG-TERM>                                     10,000
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         6,291
<OTHER-SE>                                      74,988
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 915,540
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 51,061
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               12,282
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   488
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                63,831
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              30,002
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              31,119
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           32,712
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    1,075
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 520
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 27,266
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,750
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      10,371
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,371
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.48
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    8.04
<LOANS-NON>                                        628
<LOANS-PAST>                                     1,033
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                    640
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 6,131
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      559
<RECOVERIES>                                       213
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                6,860
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                            300
        

</TABLE>


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