Every 8-K that Business First Bancshares, Inc. (BFST) has filed with the SEC in the last 24 months is listed below, newest first, and each one links through to the document itself with the summary and the scores our analysis gives it.
A 8-K covers material events a company has to report between its quarterly reports, so if you follow BFST and want that one kind of document rather than the whole filing history, this is the page to keep. The company's other filings, of every form, are on the full BFST filings page.
Business First Bancshares, Inc. (BFST), the parent of b1BANK, reported that b1BANK’s Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer, Philip Jordan, has voluntarily resigned. The company states that his resignation was not due to any disagreement with Business First or b1BANK regarding their operations, policies, or practices.
Business First Bancshares, Inc. reported net income available to common shareholders of $22.8 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, modestly higher than the linked quarter. On a non-GAAP basis, core net income was $23.3 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, slightly below the prior quarter. Net interest margin improved to 3.73%, or 3.68% excluding loan discount accretion, while annualized returns to common shareholders were 1.03% on average assets and 9.83% on average equity, with core returns of 1.05% and 10.05%.
Capital and shareholder returns strengthened. Tangible common equity to tangible assets rose to 8.79%, and book value per common share reached $28.79, with tangible book value at $23.61. The consolidated total risk-based capital ratio increased to 13.77%, aided by an earlier $85.0 million subordinated debt issuance. The company repurchased 176,849 shares for $4.8 million and declared a $0.15 quarterly common dividend and a $18.75 quarterly preferred dividend, both payable on August 31, 2026 to shareholders of record on August 15, 2026.
The balance sheet was actively repositioned. Loans held for investment declined slightly to $6.66 billion, as approximately $96.4 million of organic production was offset by $88.3 million of acquired loan sales and resolution of a $21.0 million nonperforming loan. Deposits decreased $229.4 million to $7.24 billion, largely from interest-bearing balances, while borrowings increased $206.3 million, primarily short-term Federal Home Loan Bank advances. Asset quality improved, with nonperforming loans at 1.26% of loans and nonperforming assets at 1.23% of total assets, and net charge-offs of 0.04% of average loans alongside an allowance for credit losses equal to 1.02% of loans.
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.
Business First Bancshares, Inc. reported strong Q1 2026 results, with net income available to common shareholders of $22.2 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, and core net income of $24.0 million, or $0.73 per diluted share. Net interest income rose to $75.2 million, while core return on average assets reached 1.10% and core return on average common equity was 10.57%. Loans held for investment increased to $6.68 billion and deposits to $7.46 billion, supported by the Progressive Bancorp acquisition and modest organic growth. Credit quality remained manageable, with net charge-offs at 0.01% of average loans and nonperforming loans at 1.53% of total loans. The board declared a quarterly common dividend of $0.15 per share and a preferred dividend of $18.75 per preferred share. Capital levels stayed solid, with a 10.21% common equity Tier 1 ratio and tangible book value per common share of $23.18.
Business First Bancshares, Inc. completed a private placement of $85.0 million of 6.50% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2036 to qualified institutional and accredited investors. The notes are unsecured, subordinated obligations structured to qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes.
The notes bear a fixed interest rate of 6.50% per year from April 2, 2026 through March 30, 2031, then reset quarterly to three-month SOFR plus 300 basis points until maturity or earlier redemption. The company plans to use the proceeds to redeem $66.93 million of outstanding subordinated notes, bolster capital at b1BANK, support growth and strategic opportunities, repay other borrowings, and for general corporate purposes.
Business First Bancshares, Inc. reported that b1BANK Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer Scott Padurean has resigned to pursue another professional opportunity. The company stated his resignation is not due to any conflict or disagreement regarding operations, policies, or practices.
Padurean will continue to serve as Chief Accounting Officer until March 6, 2026, providing a short transition period. Business First has begun a search to identify its next Chief Accounting Officer to oversee the bank’s accounting and financial reporting functions.
Business First Bancshares, Inc. filed an amended current report to update information previously furnished about its recent financial results. The amendment replaces the original press release for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2025 to correct the record and payment dates of the quarterly preferred and common dividends, which had been inadvertently transposed in the earlier version. A revised press release with the corrected dividend dates is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 and is treated as furnished, not filed, under the securities laws.
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.
Business First Bancshares (BFST) amended and restated its executive employment agreement with David R. Melville, III, confirming his continued roles as Chairman, President and CEO of Business First and Chairman and CEO of b1BANK. The agreement carries an initial five‑year term and then renews automatically in one‑year increments unless either party gives 90 days’ notice.
Mr. Melville’s compensation includes a base salary of not less than $827,500, participation in incentive plans and benefits, plus a vehicle allowance and a country club membership. If terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason, he is eligible for a cash payment equal to three times his then‑current base salary plus his three‑year average bonus, along with continued benefits. The same 3x formula applies if such a termination occurs within three months before or 24 months after a change in control, subject to Section 280G/4999 limitations. He also agreed to two‑year non‑compete and non‑solicit covenants.
The Company also executed change‑in‑control agreements with Gregory Robertson, Norman Jerome Vascocu, Jr., Keith Mansfield, and Philip Jordan, generally providing 2x base salary plus three‑year average bonus upon qualifying terminations in the three‑months‑before to 24‑months‑after change‑in‑control window, with two‑year restrictive covenants.
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.
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.