[8-K] Business First Bancshares, Inc. Reports Material Event

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Business First Bancshares (BFST) announced a stock repurchase program authorizing the company to buy back up to $30,000,000 of its common stock. The program is effective immediately and will continue until October 28, 2027.

Repurchases may occur through open market or privately negotiated transactions, with any open market activity conducted in accordance with Rule 10b-18 and other legal requirements. Management will determine the number, price, and timing of any repurchases based on market conditions, regulatory and financial considerations, and liquidity needs. The authorization does not obligate the company to repurchase shares, and there is no assurance that it will do so.

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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): October 28, 2025

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 ☐

8.01 Other Events.

On October 28, 2025, the Board of Directors of Business First Bancshares, Inc. (“Business First”) approved a stock repurchase program which authorizes Business First to repurchase shares of its common stock with an aggregate purchase price of up to $30,000,000 from time to time, subject to certain limitations and conditions. The stock repurchase program is effective immediately and will continue until October 28, 2027. The stock repurchase program does not obligate Business First to repurchase any shares of its common stock, and there is no assurance that Business First will do so.

Repurchases under the program may be effected through open market or privately negotiated transactions. Any open market repurchases will be conducted in accordance with the limitations set forth in Rule 10b-18 of the Securities and Exchange Commission and other applicable legal requirements. The number, price and timing of the repurchases, if any, will be at the sole discretion of Business First’s management and will depend on a number of factors, including compliance with applicable laws and regulations, general market and economic conditions, the financial and regulatory condition of Business First and b1BANK, Business First’s liquidity needs, and other factors.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

99.1 Press Release of Business First Bancshares, Inc., dated October 28, 2025.

104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL Document).

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: October 28, 2025

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

FAQ

What did Business First Bancshares (BFST) announce?

BFST authorized a stock repurchase program for up to $30,000,000 of its common stock.

How long will the BFST buyback program run?

The program is effective immediately and continues until October 28, 2027.

How will BFST execute repurchases?

Through open market or privately negotiated transactions, with open market activity conducted under Rule 10b-18.

Is BFST required to repurchase shares under this program?

No. The authorization does not obligate repurchases, and there is no assurance any will occur.

Who decides the timing and pricing of BFST repurchases?

BFST management, considering market conditions, legal and regulatory factors, and liquidity needs.

What exchange does BFST trade on and under what symbol?

BFST trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol BFST.