Business First B - BFST STOCK NEWS

Business First Bancshares (NASDAQ: BFST) reported strong Q1 2025 financial results with net income of $19.2 million or $0.65 per diluted share, marking increases of $4.1 million and $0.14 respectively from Q4 2024. The company showed solid performance with:

- Net interest income of $66.0 million
- Net interest margin expansion to 3.68%
- Noninterest income growth driven by $1.3 million in loan sales
- Capital growth with tangible book value increasing to $20.84 per share

Notable metrics include:
- Return on average assets: 1.00%
- Common equity to total assets: 9.69%
- Quarterly common dividend declared: $0.14 per share

Credit quality showed some regression with nonperforming loans ratio increasing 27 bps to 0.69%. Deposits decreased by $53.1 million (0.82%), while the securities portfolio grew by $27.0 million (3.02%).

Business First Bancshares (Nasdaq: BFST), parent company of b1BANK, has scheduled its first quarter 2025 earnings release for Thursday, April 24, 2025, after market close. The company will host a conference call and webcast on the same day at 4:00 p.m. CST to discuss the results.

Interested participants can join the call by dialing 1-800-715-9871 (North America only) with conference ID 8825623. A live webcast will be available, and the accompanying slide presentation will be accessible on the b1BANK website's shareholder information section.

b1BANK has appointed Senna Bayasgalan as Chief Marketing Officer to lead brand and marketing technology initiatives. With over 16 years of experience in marketing leadership, international brand building, communications, and customer acquisition across private capital, technology, and media industries, Bayasgalan will focus on supporting the bank's growth and deepening client relationships.

Chairman and CEO Jude Melville emphasized the bank's commitment to building a strong culture that attracts top talent nationwide. Bayasgalan's expertise in launching international campaigns, building online communities, and developing customer retention strategies aligns with b1BANK's goals of expanding their reach through technology-enabled branding and distribution tools.

Business First Bancshares (NASDAQ: BFST) reported Q4 2024 net income of $15.1 million ($0.51 per diluted share), down $1.4 million from Q3 2024. Core net income was $19.5 million ($0.66 per diluted share). For full-year 2024, net income was $59.7 million ($2.26 per diluted share), decreasing $5.9 million from 2023.

Key Q4 highlights include the completion of Oakwood Bancshares acquisition, which added approximately $863.6 million in total assets. The quarter saw strong deposit growth of $870.4 million (15.43% increase) and loan growth of $761.3 million (14.58% increase). Net interest margin expanded to 3.61% from 3.51% in Q3.

The board declared a quarterly preferred dividend of $18.75 per share and a common dividend of $0.14 per share, payable February 28, 2025. Credit quality remained solid with nonperforming loans ratio decreasing to 0.42%.

Business First Bancshares (Nasdaq: BFST), parent company of b1BANK, has announced its schedule for the fourth quarter 2024 earnings release. The company will release its earnings report after market close on Thursday, January 23, 2025.

Following the release, executive management will host a conference call and webcast at 4:00 p.m. CDT on the same day. Investors can participate by dialing 1-800-715-9871 (North America only) with conference ID 3805642. A live webcast and slide presentation will be available on the b1BANK website.

Business First Bancshares (NASDAQ: BFST) reported Q3 2024 results with net income of $16.5 million or $0.65 per diluted share, up $0.6 million from Q2. Core net income reached $17.2 million or $0.68 per diluted share. The quarter showed improvements with net interest margin expanding to 3.51%, loan growth of 1.11%, and deposit growth of 1.39%. The company declared a quarterly preferred dividend of $18.75 per share and a common dividend of $0.14 per share. Notable developments include the completion of Oakwood acquisition on October 1, 2024, adding approximately $863.6 million in total assets, and the appointment of Jerry Vascocu Jr. as b1BANK president.

b1BANK, the banking subsidiary of Business First Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: BFST), has announced the promotion of N. Jerome "Jerry" Vascocu Jr. to the position of president. Vascocu, who joined b1BANK in 2022 as chief administrative officer, will report to Jude Melville, who retains his role as chairman and CEO.

Vascocu's responsibilities include overseeing banking, operations, risk, and credit functions. He has also led correspondent banking, wealth management, human resources, and marketing, introducing new products and technology. With a 30-year career in banking, Vascocu previously worked at First Horizon Bank and IBERIABANK, holding leadership positions across Louisiana and Arkansas.

The appointment aims to leverage Vascocu's extensive experience as b1BANK continues to grow its impact across its operating regions. Vascocu expressed excitement about the opportunity and remains committed to community development, economic growth, education, and healthcare initiatives.

Business First Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: BFST), the parent company of b1BANK, has announced its schedule for releasing third quarter 2024 earnings. The earnings will be released after market close on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. Following the release, the company's executive management will host a conference call and webcast at 4:00 p.m. CDT on the same day to discuss the results.

Interested parties can participate in the call by dialing 1-800-715-9871 (toll-free for North America) with the conference ID 5274174. The live webcast will be available at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/a2ui6eo8. Additionally, the corresponding slide presentation will be accessible on the b1BANK website at https://www.b1bank.com/shareholder-info on the day of the presentation.

Business First Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: BFST), the holding company for b1BANK, has completed its acquisition of Oakwood Bancshares, Inc., the holding company for Oakwood Bank, effective Oct. 1, 2024. This strategic move strengthens b1BANK's presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, enhancing its ability to serve small and growing companies in the region.

Post-acquisition, b1BANK now boasts approximately $7.6 billion in assets, with $5.9 billion in loans and $6.3 billion in deposits. The bank's network has expanded to 55 full-service Banking Centers and two Loan Production Offices across Louisiana and Texas. Key leadership changes include Roy J. Salley joining as regional chairman for Dallas, and William G. Hall joining the boards of directors of Business First and b1BANK.