SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 ------------------- FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) - January 5, 2004 FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Nevada 0-15950 37-1078406 - ---------------- ------------- ------------------- (State of other (Commission (IRS Employer jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.) incorporation) 201 W. Main Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801 - -------------------------------------------- ---------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (217) 365-4556 ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS Pursuant to Instruction F to Form 8-K, the information contained in the press release filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto is hereby incorporated by reference in answer to Item 5 of this Form 8-K. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS 99.1 Press Release, dated January 6, 2004. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements 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. FIRST BUSEY CORPORATION Date: January 7, 2004 By: /s/ Barbara J. Kuhl --------------------------- Name: Barbara J. Kuhl Title: President and Chief Operating Officer -2- EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION SEQUENTIALLY NUMBERED PAGE 99.1 Press Release, dated January 6, 2004. -3-