Earnings summaries and quarterly performance for Business First Bancshares.
Executive leadership at Business First Bancshares.
David Melville
Detailed
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
CEO
CC
Chad Carter
Detailed
Executive Vice President, Correspondent Banking
GR
Gregory Robertson
Detailed
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
JV
Jerry Vascocu
Detailed
President (b1BANK)
KM
Kathryn Manning
Detailed
Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer
KM
Keith Mansfield
Detailed
Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer
MP
Mike Pelletier
Detailed
Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer
PJ
Philip Jordan
Detailed
Executive Vice President, Chief Banking Officer
SS
Saundra Strong
Detailed
Corporate Secretary
WM
Warren McDonald
Detailed
Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer
Board of directors at Business First Bancshares.
AQ
Aimee Quirk
Detailed
Director
AS
Alejandro Sanchez
Detailed
Director
AP
Arthur Price
Detailed
Director
CC
Carol Calkins
Detailed
Director
DM
David Montgomery Jr.
Detailed
Director
JV
J. Vernon Johnson
Detailed
Director
JD
John Ducrest
Detailed
Director
KT
Keith Tillage
Detailed
Director
MF
Mark Folse
Detailed
Director
PM
Patrick Mockler
Detailed
Director
RD
Ricky Day
Detailed
Director
RM
Rolfe McCollister Jr.
Detailed
Lead Independent Director
SW
Steven White
Detailed
Director
WH
William Hall
Detailed
Director
ZS
Zeenat Sidi
Detailed
Director
Research analysts who have asked questions during Business First Bancshares earnings calls.
Feddie Strickland
Hovde Group
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MO
Matt Olney
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MR
Michael Rose
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Christopher Marinac
Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
7 questions for BFST
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Manuel Navas
D.A. Davidson & Co.
4 questions for BFST
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Recent press releases and 8-K filings for BFST.
Business First Bancshares Reports Strong Q4 2025 Results and Outlines 2026 Strategy
BFST
Earnings
Share Buyback
Guidance Update
- Business First Bancshares (BFST) reported a 1.16% core ROAA for Q4 2025 and a 20% year-over-year EPS improvement in the same quarter, with full-year core ROAA reaching 1.06% and EPS increasing 14%. The core efficiency ratio for Q4 was 59.7%.
- The company bolstered its capital ratios, with tangible common equity increasing 90 basis points and consolidated CET1 capital increasing 50 basis points year over year, while tangible book value grew 17.3%. BFST also initiated share buybacks in Q4 2025, repurchasing approximately 150,000 shares at an average price of around $24.70, and increased its common stock dividend for the seventh consecutive year.
- Total loans held for investment increased $168.4 million (or 11.1% annualized) and total deposits increased $191.7 million in Q4 2025. The core net interest margin for Q4 was 3.64%, up one basis point linked quarter, despite a $1 million interest income reversal impacting the margin by five basis points.
- For 2026, management plans to focus on optimizing systems, deepening existing relationships, and daily execution, rather than new major projects or aggressive M&A, expecting near-term quarterly non-interest income in the mid- to high-$13 million range. The company aims for a reserve ratio of 1% or higher and anticipates annualized losses in the lower to mid-teens (10-12 basis points) for the upcoming year.
Jan 22, 2026, 10:00 PM
BFST Reports Strong Q4 2025 Results and Outlines 2026 Strategy
BFST
Earnings
M&A
Guidance Update
- BFST reported strong financial performance in Q4 and full-year 2025, achieving a 1.16% core ROAA in Q4 and 1.06% for the full year, a 20% year-over-year EPS improvement in Q4, and a 59.7% core efficiency ratio.
- The company demonstrated significant balance sheet growth, with tangible book value increasing by 17.3% and total loans held for investment growing 11.1% annualized in Q4 2025, alongside bolstered capital ratios.
- BFST closed the acquisition of Progressive Bank in North Louisiana and expects a $1 million quarterly contribution to non-interest income from this acquisition, while also initiating share repurchases and increasing its common stock dividend for the seventh consecutive year.
- For 2026, the company forecasts mid-single-digit loan growth and aims for an ROA over 1.2% by year-end, shifting focus from new M&A to optimizing systems, deepening existing relationships, and organic growth.
Jan 22, 2026, 10:00 PM
BFST Reports Strong Q4 and Full-Year 2025 Results, Shifts Focus to Optimization and Organic Growth
BFST
Earnings
Share Buyback
M&A
- Business First Bancshares (BFST) reported a 14% increase in EPS for the full year 2025 and a 20% year-over-year improvement in Q4 2025, achieving a 1.06% core Return on Average Assets (ROAA) for the year and 1.16% in Q4. The core efficiency ratio fell to 59.7% in Q4.
- The company is shifting its focus in 2026 from major projects and M&A to optimizing existing systems and deepening relationships, with a target of achieving an ROA over 1.2% by the end of 2026. BFST expects mid-single-digit loan growth throughout 2026.
- BFST bolstered capital ratios, grew tangible book value by 17.3%, and increased loans and deposits in tandem, particularly in Q4 2025. The company also began purchasing shares back, buying approximately 150,000 shares in Q4 at an average price around $24.70s, and increased its common stock dividend for the seventh consecutive year.
- The acquisition of Progressive Bank closed at the turn of the year, with cost savings expected to be recognized post-conversion in Q3 2026, and is projected to contribute approximately $1 million quarterly to non-interest income.
Jan 22, 2026, 10:00 PM
BFST Announces Q4 and Full-Year 2025 Financial Results
BFST
Earnings
M&A
Share Buyback
- Business First Bancshares reported a Core Diluted EPS of $0.79 for Q4 2025 and $2.83 for the full year 2025, with Core Net Income of $23.5 million and $83.5 million respectively.
- As of December 31, 2025, the company's total assets reached $8.2 billion, with $6.2 billion in total gross loans and $6.7 billion in total deposits.
- The company maintained strong capital ratios with a Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio of 9.94% and a Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 12.93% at year-end 2025, and a Tangible Book Value Per Common Share of $23.36.
- Strategic actions include the acquisition of Progressive Bank (adding $752 million in assets) which closed on January 1, 2026, and the completion of two core conversions in 2025.
- The company returned value to shareholders with a $0.57 FY 2025 common stock dividend and repurchased $3.7 million in common shares during Q4 2025.
Jan 22, 2026, 10:00 PM
Business First Bancshares, Inc. Announces Q4 and Full Year 2025 Financial Results
BFST
Earnings
Dividends
Share Buyback
- Business First Bancshares, Inc. reported net income available to common shareholders of $21.0 million or $0.71 per diluted common share for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, and $82.5 million or $2.79 per diluted common share for the full year 2025.
- On a non-GAAP basis, core net income was $23.5 million or $0.79 per diluted common share for Q4 2025, and $83.5 million or $2.83 per diluted common share for the full year 2025.
- The board of directors declared a quarterly common dividend of $0.15 per share for the fourth quarter, payable on February 15, 2026, to shareholders of record as of February 28, 2026.
- During Q4 2025, the company repurchased 150,504 shares with a market value of $3.7 million at a weighted average price of $24.79 per share, and tangible book value per common share increased to $23.36 at December 31, 2025.
- Loans held for investment increased $168.4 million or 2.80% (11.10% annualized), and deposits increased $191.7 million or 2.95% (11.69% annualized) during the quarter ended December 31, 2025.
Jan 22, 2026, 9:09 PM
Business First Bancshares, Inc. Announces Q4 and Full-Year 2025 Financial Results
BFST
Earnings
Dividends
Share Buyback
- Business First Bancshares, Inc. reported core net income of $23.5 million or $0.79 per diluted common share for Q4 2025, and $83.5 million or $2.83 per diluted common share for the full year 2025.
- The company's board of directors declared a quarterly common dividend of $0.15 per share and repurchased $3.7 million in common shares at a weighted average price of $24.79 per share during Q4 2025.
- As of December 31, 2025, total assets reached $8.2 billion, with total gross loans at $6.2 billion and total deposits at $6.7 billion. The Tangible Book Value Per Common Share was $23.36, and the consolidated total risk-based capital ratio stood at 12.93%. The acquisition of Progressive Bank was completed on January 1, 2026.
Jan 22, 2026, 9:01 PM
Business First Bancshares, Inc. Completes Acquisition of Progressive Bancorp, Inc.
BFST
M&A
Board Change
Management Change
- Business First Bancshares, Inc. (BFST) completed its acquisition of Progressive Bancorp, Inc. on January 5, 2026, with the merger becoming effective on January 1, 2026.
- The acquisition significantly expands BFST's scale, increasing its total assets to approximately $8.7 billion, total loans to $6.6 billion, and deposits to $7.2 billion.
- As part of the transaction, George Cummings III, former chairman and CEO of Progressive, was appointed to both the Business First Bancshares, Inc. Board of Directors and the b1BANK Board of Directors.
- Progressive shareholders received 6.6300 shares of BFST common stock for each share of Progressive common stock, with approximately 3,197,185 shares of BFST common stock issued as total aggregate consideration.
Jan 5, 2026, 3:23 PM
Business First Bancshares Completes Acquisition of Progressive Bank
BFST
M&A
- Business First Bancshares, Inc. (BFST) completed its acquisition of Progressive Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Progressive Bank, on January 5, 2026.
- The acquisition increases Business First's total assets to approximately $8.7 billion, with more than $6.6 billion in total loans and $7.2 billion in deposits.
- This transaction expands b1BANK's presence across Louisiana, adding nine additional North Louisiana locations.
- George Cummings III, Progressive's chairman and CEO, joined both the b1BANK and Business First Bancshares, Inc. boards of directors upon completion of the transaction.
Jan 5, 2026, 2:00 PM
Business First Bancshares, Inc. announces stock repurchase program
BFST
Share Buyback
- Business First Bancshares, Inc. (BFST) announced that its Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program on October 28, 2025.
- The program authorizes the company to repurchase shares of its common stock with an aggregate purchase price of up to $30 million.
- The repurchase program is effective immediately, beginning on October 28, 2025, and will continue until October 28, 2027.
- Repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, but the program does not obligate Business First to repurchase any shares.
Oct 28, 2025, 8:30 PM
Business First Bancshares Reports Q3 2025 Earnings, Announces Dividend Increase, and Provides M&A Updates
BFST
Earnings
Dividends
M&A
- Business First Bancshares reported Q3 2025 GAAP net income of $21.5 million and GAAP EPS of $0.73 per share, with non-GAAP core net income at $21.2 million and core EPS at $0.72. The company achieved a 1.06% core ROAA and a core efficiency ratio of 60.45%, attributing this to strong expense control with essentially flat core non-interest expenses for three quarters.
- Total loans held for investment declined $26.6 million (1.7% annualized) in Q3 2025, while total deposits increased $87.2 million. Management anticipates loan growth to rebound to low to mid-single digits in Q4 2025 and expects a couple of basis points of margin expansion.
- The company successfully completed the core conversion of Oakwood Bank systems in Q3 2025 and expects to close the Progressive Bank acquisition early in Q1 2026, with asset conversion scheduled for August 2026. BFST also announced a $0.01 increase in its quarterly common stock dividend, marking its ninth consecutive year of increases, and indicated openness to considering share buybacks in the future.
Oct 23, 2025, 9:00 PM
Quarterly earnings call transcripts for Business First Bancshares.
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