Welcome to our dedicated page for Business First B SEC filings (Ticker: BFST), a comprehensive resource for investors and traders seeking official regulatory documents including 10-K annual reports, 10-Q quarterly earnings, 8-K material events, and insider trading forms.
Business First Bancshares, Inc. filings document the regulatory record of a bank holding company and parent of b1BANK. Its 8-K reports cover operating and financial results, common and preferred dividend disclosures, Regulation FD materials, stock repurchase authorization, officer and compensation matters, and material-event reporting.
The filing record also includes proxy materials for shareholder voting, board governance, executive compensation and equity-award disclosures. Capital-structure filings describe BFST's NASDAQ-listed common stock and subordinated note financing, including private placement terms, direct financial obligations and related regulatory-capital purposes.
Business First Bancshares, Inc. director George W. Cummings III reported an open-market sale of 11,595 shares of common stock at $27.92 per share. After the sale, he directly holds 296,180 shares, which include 223,669 shares pledged as collateral, and indirectly holds 3,911 shares through his spouse.
BFST reports proposed/resale transactions of Common Shares by an affiliate via a Form 144 notice. The filing lists multiple proposed sales by George W. Cummings, with reported sale transactions of 200 shares on 03/02/2026, 9,800 shares on 03/03/2026, 11,000 shares on 03/04/2026, 11,000 shares on 03/05/2026, and 10,000 shares on 05/22/2026.
The filing shows the securities were originally acquired from the issuer in private transactions on various dates (examples include 07/06/2016, 01/21/2014, 06/20/2012, 07/07/2011). The notice identifies Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC as an intermediary on the filing cover. The document lists past sales and the seller's address; it does not state proceeds use or outstanding share totals.
Business First Bancshares, Inc. director George W. Cummings III reported an open-market sale of 10,000 shares of common stock on May 22, 2026 at $27.99 per share. After this sale, he directly owned 307,775 shares of common stock and indirectly owned 3,911 shares through his spouse. The filing notes that the direct holdings include 223,669 pledged shares of common stock.
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.
BFST filed a Form 144 notice reporting proposed sales of Common Shares. The filing lists multiple recent dispositions by George W. Cummings, including 02/25/2026 (20,000 shares), 03/03/2026 (9,800 shares) and other sales in late February–early March 2026. The submission includes acquisition dates for lots being sold.
Business First Bancshares, Inc. delivered modestly higher earnings while expanding its balance sheet through acquisition and loan growth in Q1 2026.
Net income available to common shareholders rose to $22.2 million, or $0.68 per share, up from $19.2 million and $0.65 a year earlier. Total assets reached $8.9 billion, loans held for investment were $6.7 billion, and deposits were $7.5 billion, all helped by the January 1 acquisition of Progressive Bancorp, Inc., which added $773.8 million in assets.
Net interest income increased to $75.2 million, though net interest margin edged down to 3.65%. Credit costs remained manageable, but the allowance for credit losses increased to 1.03% of loans and nonperforming loans rose to 1.53% of loans. Shareholders’ equity improved to $991.2 million, or $28.18 book value per share, despite a $4.6 million other comprehensive loss from securities. After quarter-end, the company issued $85.0 million of subordinated notes to refinance debt and support future growth.
Business First Bancshares Inc is reported to be 5.12% owned by Vanguard Capital Management, which beneficially owns 1,675,898 shares of Common Stock as of 03/31/2026. The filing shows Vanguard has sole dispositive power over 1,675,898 shares and sole voting power over 244,736 shares.
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. is asking shareholders to vote at its May 21, 2026 annual meeting on electing 16 directors, approving executive pay on an advisory basis, and ratifying Forvis Mazars, LLP as independent auditor.
The proxy highlights strong 2025 performance, including core return on average assets of 1.06% and a core efficiency ratio of 61.84%, which drove above-target annual bonuses. CEO David R. Melville III received a 2025 base salary of $827,500 and both time-based and performance-based restricted stock units, aligning pay with multi-year results.
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. 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.