Business First Bancshares, Inc. Appoints Alejandro M. Sanchez to its Board of Directors

Rhea-AI Summary

Business First Bancshares (Nasdaq: BFST), parent company of b1BANK, welcomes Alejandro M. Sanchez to its Board of Directors, effective March 27, 2025. Sanchez, currently president and CEO of Salva Financial Group of Florida, brings extensive financial sector expertise to the role.

Sanchez's impressive background includes serving as an executive advisor to Nasdaq and holding board positions with Popular (BPOP) and Republic Bancorp (RBCAA). His 25-year tenure as president and CEO of the Florida Bankers Association (1998-2023) and presidential appointments to the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board under both Bush and Obama administrations highlight his regulatory experience.

A U.S. Air Force veteran (1976-1981), Sanchez holds a Doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law. Chairman and CEO Jude Melville emphasized that Sanchez's expertise in regulatory environments and strategic transformations aligns with b1BANK's growth strategy and governance goals.

Positive

• Appointment of highly experienced financial executive with strong regulatory background
• New director brings expertise in strategic planning and crisis management from Salva Financial Group
• Board member has previous experience with major financial institutions (Popular Inc, Republic Bancorp)
• Addition of director with extensive regulatory compliance knowledge (25-year Florida Bankers Association leadership)
• New director brings federal-level experience (Presidential appointee to Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board)

Negative

• None.

News Market Reaction

+0.22%

1 alert

+0.22% News Effect

On the day this news was published, BFST gained 0.22%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

BATON ROUGE, La., April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Business First Bancshares Inc. (Nasdaq: BFST), the holding company for b1BANK, has announced the appointment of Alejandro M. Sanchez to the Business First Bancshares, Inc. Board of Directors and b1BANK Board of Directors, effective March 27, 2025.

Sanchez is the president and CEO of Salva Financial Group of Florida, a consulting group advising financial institutions on strategic planning, regulatory compliance and crisis management. He also serves as an executive advisor to Nasdaq and holds board positions with Popular, Inc. (Nasdaq: BPOP), the holding company for Popular Bank and Republic Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: RBCAA), the holding company for Republic Bank & Trust, contributing expertise in governance, risk management and audit oversight.

Sanchez led the Florida Bankers Association as president and CEO from 1998 to 2023, advocating for the state's banking industry. He was nominated by President George W. Bush as one of three Presidential appointees for the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board from 2002 to 2010 and was invited by President Obama to serve an additional two years.

“Alex's deep experience guiding financial institutions through complex regulatory environments and strategic transformations aligns closely with our growth strategy and governance objectives,” said Jude Melville, chairman and CEO of b1BANK. “His leadership and seasoned perspective will help us thoughtfully navigate opportunities and challenges, enhancing our capacity to serve our clients and communities effectively.”

“It is an honor to join the Business First Bancshares board,” said Sanchez. “I look forward to contributing to the company’s strategic vision and ongoing success.”

Sanchez holds a Doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law and a Bachelor of Science from Troy University. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1976 to 1981.

About Business First Bancshares Inc.

As of March 31, 2025, Business First Bancshares, Inc., (Nasdaq: BFST) through its banking subsidiary b1BANK, has $7.8 billion in assets, $7.1 billion in assets under management through b1BANK’s affiliate Smith Shellnut Wilson, LLC (SSW) (excludes $0.9 billion of b1BANK assets managed by SSW) and operates Banking Centers and Loan Production Offices in markets across Louisiana and Texas providing commercial and personal banking products and services. b1BANK is a 2024 Mastercard “Innovation Award” winner and multiyear winner of American Banker Magazine’s “Best Banks to Work For.” Visit b1BANK.com for more information.

Media Contact: Misty Albrecht
b1BANK
225.286.7879
Misty.Albrecht@b1BANK.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1b9e3cc0-4786-4497-9e7c-ce188ece6be6

FAQ

Who is Alejandro Sanchez joining on the Business First Bancshares (BFST) board in 2025?

Alejandro Sanchez is joining both the Business First Bancshares (BFST) and b1BANK boards of directors, effective March 27, 2025. He will serve alongside Chairman and CEO Jude Melville.

What experience does Alejandro Sanchez bring to Business First Bancshares (BFST)?

Sanchez brings extensive financial leadership experience as CEO of Salva Financial Group, former CEO of Florida Bankers Association (1998-2023), and current board positions at Popular Inc. and Republic Bancorp. He specializes in strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and crisis management.

How long did Alejandro Sanchez serve on the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board?

Alejandro Sanchez served on the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board for 10 years total - from 2002 to 2010 under President Bush's appointment, plus an additional two years under President Obama.

What other public company boards does BFST's new director Alejandro Sanchez serve on?

Alejandro Sanchez currently serves on the boards of Popular Inc. (BPOP) and Republic Bancorp (RBCAA), where he contributes expertise in governance, risk management, and audit oversight.

What is Alejandro Sanchez's current role at Salva Financial Group?

Alejandro Sanchez is the president and CEO of Salva Financial Group of Florida, where he leads consulting services for financial institutions on strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and crisis management.