Business First Bancshares (NASDAQ: BFST) sets 2025 common and preferred dividends

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Business First Bancshares, Inc. reported financial results for the year and quarter ended December 31, 2025, and at the same time declared cash dividends on its common and preferred stock. The Board approved a $0.15 per share common dividend for shareholders of record on February 15, 2026, payable on February 28, 2026, or as soon as practicable after that date.

The company also declared a quarterly preferred dividend of $18.75 per share of preferred stock, representing a 1.875% quarterly rate based on a 7.50% per annum dividend rate, payable on February 28, 2026 to preferred shareholders of record on February 15, 2026. A press release with detailed results was furnished as Exhibit 99.1, and an investor presentation with supplemental information was furnished as Exhibit 99.2.

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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): January 22, 2026

BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Louisiana (State of incorporation)

001-38447 (Commission File Number)

20-5340628 (IRS Employer Identification No.)

500 Laurel Street, Suite 101 Baton Rouge,Louisiana (Address of principal executive offices)

70801 (Zip Code)

(225) 248-7600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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 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. o

Item 2.02    Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On January 22, 2026, Business First Bancshares, Inc. (“Business First”), the parent company of b1BANK, issued a press release announcing financial results for the year and quarter ended December 31, 2025. The release also announced that the Board of Directors of Business First declared a common dividend on January 22, 2026, in the amount of $0.15 per share to the common shareholders of record on February 15, 2026. The dividend is to be paid on February 28, 2026, or as soon as practicable thereafter. Also, the board of directors declared a quarterly preferred dividend in the amount of $18.75 per share of preferred stock, which is the full quarterly dividend of 1.875% based on the per annum rate of 7.50%. The dividend will be paid on February 28, 2026, or as soon therefore as practicable, to the preferred shareholders of record as of February 15, 2026. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated by reference herein.

The information in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference.

Item 7.01    Regulation FD Disclosure

On January 22, 2026, Business First made available the supplemental information attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 prepared for use with the press release.

The information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.2, is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference.

Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)Exhibits.

Number						Exhibit
99.1						Press Release of Business First Bancshares, Inc., dated January 22, 2026 announcing results of operations for the year ended 2025
99.2						Investor Presentation, dated January 22, 2026, for the year ended 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 hereunto duly authorized.

			BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.
			By:			/s/ David R. Melville, III
			Name:			David R. Melville, III
			Title:			President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: January 22, 2026

FAQ

What did Business First Bancshares, Inc. (BFST) announce in this 8-K?

Business First Bancshares, Inc. announced its financial results for the year and quarter ended December 31, 2025, and disclosed that its Board of Directors declared cash dividends on both its common and preferred stock. The company also furnished a press release (Exhibit 99.1) and an investor presentation (Exhibit 99.2) with additional details.

What is the new common stock dividend declared by BFST?

The Board of Directors declared a common dividend of $0.15 per share. The dividend is payable on February 28, 2026, or as soon as practicable thereafter, to common shareholders of record as of February 15, 2026.

What dividend was declared on Business First Bancshares, Inc. preferred stock?

The board declared a quarterly preferred dividend of $18.75 per share of preferred stock. This equals the full quarterly dividend of 1.875% based on a 7.50% per annum dividend rate, payable on February 28, 2026 to preferred shareholders of record on February 15, 2026.

When are the record and payment dates for BFST’s declared dividends?

For both the common and preferred dividends, the record date is February 15, 2026. The dividends are scheduled to be paid on February 28, 2026, or as soon as practicable thereafter, to shareholders of record on that date.

Where can investors find the detailed 2025 results for Business First Bancshares, Inc.?

Detailed financial results for the year and quarter ended December 31, 2025 are contained in the company’s press release furnished as Exhibit 99.1. Additional supplemental and investor-oriented information is included in the investor presentation furnished as Exhibit 99.2.

Are the earnings press release and investor presentation considered filed or furnished?

The earnings press release (Exhibit 99.1) and the investor presentation (Exhibit 99.2) are being furnished, not filed, under the Securities Exchange Act sections referenced. As a result, they are not deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act and are not automatically incorporated by reference into Securities Act or Exchange Act filings unless specifically identified as such.