Business First (NASDAQ: BFST) investors back 16 directors and executive pay

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Business First Bancshares, Inc. reported results from its annual shareholder meeting held on May 21, 2026. Shareholders elected sixteen directors to serve until the 2027 annual meeting, with each nominee receiving more votes for than against.

Shareholders also approved, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of the company’s named executive officers and ratified the appointment of Forvis Mazars, LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2026. A total of 23,741,697 shares, representing approximately 72.62% of shares entitled to vote, were present in person, virtually, or by proxy.

Key Figures

Shares represented at meeting: 23,741,697 shares Voting participation: 72.62% of shares Say-on-pay votes for: 17,895,672 votes +5 more

8 metrics

Shares represented at meeting 23,741,697 shares Present in person, virtually, or by proxy at the May 21, 2026 annual meeting

Voting participation 72.62% of shares Issued and outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at the annual meeting

Say-on-pay votes for 17,895,672 votes Non-binding advisory approval of named executive officer compensation (Proposal 2)

Say-on-pay votes against 230,620 votes Non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation (Proposal 2)

Say-on-pay abstentions 154,024 votes Non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation (Proposal 2)

Broker non-votes on pay 5,461,381 shares Broker non-votes recorded on executive compensation proposal

Auditor ratification votes for 23,609,260 votes Ratification of Forvis Mazars, LLP as independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal 3)

Auditor ratification votes against 123,613 votes Ratification of Forvis Mazars, LLP for fiscal year ending December 31, 2026

Key Terms

non-binding, advisory basis, broker non-vote, independent registered public accounting firm, Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, +1 more

5 terms

non-binding, advisory basis financial

"approved on a non-binding, advisory basis the compensation paid to Business First’s named executive officers"

broker non-vote financial

"Broker Non-Vote 17,895,672 | | 230,620 | | 154,024 | | 5,461,381"

independent registered public accounting firm financial

"ratified the appointment of Forvis Mazars, LLP as Business First’s independent registered public accounting firm"

An independent registered public accounting firm is an outside accounting company officially registered with the government regulator to examine and report on a public company's financial records and controls. Investors treat its reports like an impartial inspector’s certificate — they add credibility to financial statements, help spot errors or misleading claims, and reduce the risk that shareholders are relying on unchecked or biased numbers.

Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A regulatory

"described in more detail in Business First’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed"

emerging growth company regulatory

"Emerging growth company On May 21, 2026, Business First Bancshares, Inc."

An emerging growth company is a recently public or smaller public firm that qualifies for temporary, lighter regulatory and disclosure rules to reduce the cost and effort of being public. For investors, it means the company may provide less historical financial detail and face fewer reporting requirements than larger firms, so it can grow more quickly but also carries higher uncertainty—like buying a promising early-stage product with fewer user reviews.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

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UNITED STATES

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): May 21, 2026

BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Louisiana	001-38447	20-5340628
(State of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
500 Laurel Street, Suite 101 Baton Rouge, Louisiana		70801
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (225) 248-7600

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share	BFST	NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company         ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.                  ☐

5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

On May 21, 2026, Business First Bancshares, Inc. (“Business First”) held its annual meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”). At the Annual Meeting, the shareholders of Business First: (i) elected sixteen (16) directors; (ii) approved on a non-binding, advisory basis the compensation paid to Business First’s named executive officers; and (iii) ratified the appointment of Forvis Mazars, LLP as Business First’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2026. The proposals presented at the Annual Meeting are described in more detail in Business First’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 8, 2026.

Holders of 23,741,697 shares of Business First common stock, or approximately 72.62% of Business First’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock that were entitled to vote, were present in person, virtually, or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting.

Below are the final voting results on the proposals presented to Business First’s shareholders at the Annual Meeting.

Proposal 1:         Election of Directors

The shareholders elected the individuals nominated by the Board of Directors of Business First to serve as directors until the 2027 annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified:

		For		Against		Abstain		Broker Non-Vote
George W. Cummings III		12,073,961		6,167,145		39,210		5,461,381
Ricky D. Day		17,978,734		300,814		768		5,461,381
John P. Ducrest		18,009,045		269,601		1,670		5,461,381
Mark P. Folse		11,841,843		6,399,363		39,110		5,461,381
William G. Hall		18,035,139		243,026		2,151		5,461,381
J. Vernon Johnson		18,024,598		254,068		1,650		5,461,381
Rolfe H. McCollister, Jr.		17,463,579		815,368		1,369		5,461,381
David R. Melville, III		17,934,816		344,151		1,349		5,461,381
Patrick E. Mockler		17,928,153		350,814		1,349		5,461,381
David A. Montgomery, Jr.		17,736,466		542,200		1,650		5,461,381
Arthur J. Price		18,000,864		277,802		1,650		5,461,381
Aimee Quirk		18,032,667		246,688		961		5,461,381
Alejandro Sanchez		17,975,270		299,877		5,169		5,461,381
Zeenat Sidi		18,024,890		254,164		1,262		5,461,381
Keith A. Tillage		17,950,257		324,502		5,557		5,461,381
Steven G. White		17,360,104		918,462		1,750		5,461,381

Proposal 2:         Non-Binding, Advisory Vote Regarding the Compensation of Business First’s Named Executive Officers

The shareholders approved, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of Business First’s named executive officers. The table below sets forth the voting results for Proposal 2:

For		Against		Abstain		Broker Non-Vote
17,895,672		230,620		154,024		5,461,381

Proposal 3:         Ratification of Forvis Mazars, LLP as Business First’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The shareholders ratified the Audit Committee’s appointment of Forvis Mazars, LLP as Business First’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. The table below sets forth the voting results for Proposal 3:

For		Against		Abstain
23,609,260		123,613		8,824

SIGNATURES

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.

Dated: May 27, 2026

	BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.
	By:	/s/ David R. Melville III
		David R. Melville III
		President and Chief Executive Officer

FAQ

What did Business First (BFST) shareholders decide at the 2026 annual meeting?

Shareholders elected 16 directors, approved executive compensation on a non-binding advisory basis, and ratified Forvis Mazars, LLP as independent auditor for 2026. All proposals received sufficient support to pass under the company’s stated voting standards.

How many Business First (BFST) shares were represented at the 2026 annual meeting?

A total of 23,741,697 shares of common stock were represented, equal to approximately 72.62% of issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote. This reflects the quorum used for validating the director elections and the advisory and ratification proposals.

How did Business First (BFST) shareholders vote on executive compensation in 2026?

Shareholders approved the compensation of named executive officers on a non-binding advisory basis, with 17,895,672 votes for, 230,620 against, and 154,024 abstentions. There were 5,461,381 broker non-votes recorded on this say-on-pay proposal.

Which auditor did Business First (BFST) shareholders ratify for the 2026 fiscal year?

Shareholders ratified the Audit Committee’s appointment of Forvis Mazars, LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2026, with 23,609,260 votes for, 123,613 against, and 8,824 abstentions recorded on this proposal.

How many directors were elected to Business First (BFST)’s board at the 2026 meeting?

Sixteen directors were elected to serve until the 2027 annual meeting or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each nominee received more votes for than against, with additional abstentions and broker non-votes reported for context.

What is a broker non-vote in the Business First (BFST) 2026 voting results?

Broker non-votes occur when brokers submit proxies for shares they hold but do not have instructions on certain proposals. For several items, including director elections and say-on-pay, the company reported 5,461,381 broker non-vote shares in the tabulated results.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA 3.5 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE 11.2 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE 15.0 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE 11.3 KB