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

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Business First Bancshares (BFST) announced financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, and declared quarterly dividends. The Board approved a $0.15 per-share common dividend for shareholders of record on November 15, 2025, payable on November 30, 2025, or as soon as practicable thereafter.

The Board also declared a preferred dividend of $18.75 per share, representing the full quarterly dividend of 1.875% based on a 7.50% per annum rate, payable on November 30, 2025 to preferred shareholders of record as of November 15, 2025. The company furnished a press release (Exhibit 99.1) and supplemental investor materials (Exhibit 99.2) alongside this update.

Insights

Banking equity analyst

Routine earnings update with declared common and preferred dividends.

Business First Bancshares reported quarterly results and maintained regular capital returns. The Board declared a common dividend of $0.15 per share and a preferred dividend of $18.75 per share, reflecting a quarterly rate of 1.875% from a 7.50% annual rate.

This indicates continued distribution policy rather than a strategic shift. Cash outflows go to shareholders on November 30, 2025 for holders of record on November 15, 2025. Actual operating performance details reside in Exhibit 99.1; supplemental metrics appear in Exhibit 99.2.

Without disclosed revenue or margin figures in this excerpt, the investment impact is neutral; valuation implications depend on the detailed results in the furnished exhibits.

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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 23, 2025

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 October 23, 2025, Business First Bancshares, Inc. (“Business First”), the parent company of b1BANK, issued a press release announcing financial results for the first quarter ended September 30, 2025. The release also announced that the Board of Directors of Business First declared a common dividend on October 23, 2025, in the amount of $0.15 per share to the common shareholders of record on November 15, 2025. The dividend is to be paid on November 30, 2025, 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 November 30, 2025, or as soon therefore as practicable, to the preferred shareholders of record as of November 15, 2025. 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 October 23, 2025, 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 October 23, 2025 announcing results of operations for the third quarter 2025
99.2						Investor Presentation, dated October 23, 2025, for the third quarter of 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: October 23, 2025