EX-99.1 2 exhibit991_earningsrelease.htm EX-99.1

			500 Laurel Street
			Baton Rouge, LA 70801
			Phone: 877.614.7600

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			Media Contact: Misty Albrecht
April 24, 2025			b1BANK
			225.286.7879
			Misty.Albrecht@b1BANK.com

Business First Bancshares, Inc., Announces Financial Results for Q1 2025

Baton Rouge, La. (April 24, 2025) – Business First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: BFST) (Business First), parent company of b1BANK, today announced its unaudited results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. Business First reported net income available to common shareholders of $19.2 million or $0.65 per diluted common share, increases of $4.1 million and $0.14, respectively, compared to the linked quarter ended Dec. 31, 2024. On a non-GAAP basis, core net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, which excludes certain income and expenses, was $19.3 million or $0.65 per diluted common share, a decrease of $0.2 million and $0.01, from the linked quarter.

“We are excited to start the year off with solid earnings,” said Jude Melville, chairman, president and CEO of Business First Bancshares. “We increased our capital, our reserves, and our per share tangible book value at healthy rates, while demonstrating diversity of our revenue streams and growth of margins in our core spread business. We are also proud of our less tangible development, continuing to integrate our latest acquisition and implementing a number of technological initiatives including preparation for our core conversion in the second quarter, investments that will enable us to provide high quality and more efficient service for our client base into the future.”

On Thursday, April 24, 2025, Business First’s board of directors declared a quarterly preferred dividend in the amount of $18.75 per share, which is the full quarterly dividend of 1.875% based on the per annum rate of 7.50%. Additionally, the board of directors declared a quarterly common dividend based upon financial performance for the first quarter in the amount of $0.14 per share of common stock. The preferred and common dividends will be paid on May 31, 2025, or as soon thereafter as practicable, to the shareholders of record as of May 15, 2025.

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Quarterly Highlights

•Solid Core Performance. Return to common shareholders on average assets, on an annualized basis, was 1.00% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, or 1.01% on a non-GAAP basis, compared to 0.78% or 1.00% on a non-GAAP basis for the linked quarter.

•Net Interest Margin (NIM) Expansion. Net interest income totaled $66.0 million and net interest margin and net interest spread were 3.68% and 2.91%, respectively, compared to $65.7 million, 3.61% and 2.77% for the linked quarter. Non-GAAP net interest margin and net interest spread (excluding loan discount accretion of $0.8 million) were 3.64% and 2.86% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to 3.56% and 2.72% (excluding loan discount accretion of $1.0 million) for the linked quarter. The increases of 8 basis points (bps) and 14 bps were driven by a reduction in Business First's overall cost of funding.

•Noninterest Income Investments. Various noninterest income channels produced solid aggregate returns. Loan sales, mostly attributable to Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, produced income of $1.3 million, an increase of $1.0 million when compared to the linked quarter, along with continued consistent performance in the swap business with revenue of $739,000. Appreciation and income from our equity investments also produced income of $751,000 for the quarter.

•Capital Growth. Common equity to total assets increased from 9.26% to 9.69% compared to the linked quarter. Tangible common equity to tangible assets increased from 7.63% to 8.06%, 5.64% or 22.89% annualized, compared to the linked quarter. The increase was largely driven by quarterly earnings, which accounted for approximately 69.9%, or 32 bps. On a non-GAAP basis, tangible book value per common share increased from $19.92 at Dec. 31, 2024, to $20.84 at March 31, 2025, 4.62% or 18.73% annualized.

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Statement of Financial Condition

Loans

Loans held for investment were flat compared to the linked quarter with a decrease of $480,000 or .01%, .03% annualized. Real estate - construction loans decreased $36.8 million from the linked quarter, compared to an increase of $49.8 million from the linked quarter in real estate - residential loans, largely due to the conversion of multi-family construction to permanent financing. Based on unpaid principal balances, Texas-based loans represented approximately 41% of the overall loan portfolio as of March 31, 2025, no change from the linked quarter.

Credit Quality

Credit quality metrics regressed with isolated credit migration occurring during the quarter. The ratio of nonperforming loans compared to loans held for investment increased 27 bps to 0.69% at March 31, 2025, while the ratio of nonperforming assets compared to total assets increased 16 bps to 0.55% compared to the linked quarter.

The increase in loans past due 90 days and accruing is attributable to a single $4.6 million relationship. The increase in nonaccrual loans is largely attributable to two relationships with outstanding balances of $8.4 million for which Business First reserved a total of $2.3 million during the quarter.

Securities

The securities portfolio increased $27.0 million, or 3.02%, from the linked quarter, impacted by $12.9 million in positive fair value adjustments and the remainder of the increase was primarily attributed to purchases of mortgage-backed securities. The securities portfolio, based on estimated fair value, represented 11.83% of total assets as of March 31, 2025.

Deposits

Deposits decreased $53.1 million or 0.82%, 3.31% annualized, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to the linked quarter. Noninterest bearing deposits decreased $48.7 million, with the decline driven primarily by customer withdrawals as opposed to full account closures. New account openings continued in the quarter led

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by our Houston, Dallas, and Southwest Louisiana regions. Business First generated approximately $379.9 million from new deposit accounts during the quarter.

Borrowings

Borrowings decreased $49.2 million, or 10.17%, from the linked quarter due primarily to a reduction in short-term Federal Home Loan Bank advances and a $7.0 million redemption of subordinated debt by Business First.

Shareholders’ Equity

Shareholders' equity increased $26.8 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2025. Accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) increased $10.1 million or 16.12%, during the quarter due to positive after-tax fair value adjustments in the securities portfolio. Book value per common share increased to $25.51 at March 31, 2025, compared to $24.62 at Dec. 31, 2024 due to strong earnings and positive fair value adjustments attributable to the securities portfolio. On a non-GAAP basis, tangible book value per common share increased from $19.92 at Dec. 31, 2024, to $20.84 at March 31, 2025, 4.62% or 18.73% annualized.

Results of Operations

Net Interest Income

For the quarter ended March 31, 2025, net interest income totaled $66.0 million, compared to $65.7 million from the linked quarter. Loan and interest-earning asset yields of 6.99% and 6.35%, decreased 6 and 3 bps, respectively, compared to 7.05% and 6.38% from the linked quarter. However, net interest margin and net interest spread were 3.68% and 2.91% compared to 3.61% and 2.77% for the linked quarter. The overall cost of funds, which included noninterest-bearing deposits, declined 11 bps from 2.93% from the linked quarter to 2.82% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, through continued management of deposit costs.

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Non-GAAP net interest income (excluding loan discount accretion of $0.8 million) totaled $65.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to $64.7 million (excluding loan discount accretion of $1.0 million) for the linked quarter. Non-GAAP net interest margin and net interest spread (excluding loan discount accretion of $0.8 million) were 3.64% and 2.86%, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to 3.56% and 2.72% (excluding loan discount accretion of $1.0 million) for the linked quarter. Excluding loan discount accretion, loan yields decreased 4 bps to 6.94% from 6.98%, and interest earnings asset yields decreased 3 bps to 6.30% from 6.33%, compared to the linked quarter.

Provision for Credit Losses

During the quarter ended March 31, 2025, Business First recorded a provision for credit losses of $2.8 million, compared to $6.7 million from the linked quarter. The linked quarter's reserve was primarily associated with the Oakwood acquisition on October 1, 2024. The current quarter’s reserve was largely associated with $2.3 million in additional individual reserves for two commercial lending relationships, resulting in a 30.7% coverage ratio of their remaining book balances as of March 31, 2025.

Other Income

For the quarter ended March 31, 2025, other income increased $1.4 million or 11.55%, compared to the linked quarter. The net increase was largely attributable to a $1.0 million increase in gain on sales of loans, attributable to SBA sales, a $630,000 gain on extinguishment of debt related to an early redemption of $7.0 million in subordinated debt, and a $565,000 increase in pass-through income on equity investments, offset by a $549,000 reduction in swap fee income.

Other Expenses

For the quarter ended March 31, 2025, other expenses increased by $1.0 million or 2.03%, compared to the linked quarter. The increase was largely attributable to a $1.4 million increase in salaries and benefits, of which $430,000 were associated with acquisition-related expenses attributable to retention, severance, and stay payments, and the remainder largely associated with merit increases and annual reset in FICA taxes and bonus accruals.

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Return on Assets and Common Equity

Return to common shareholders on average assets and common equity, each on an annualized basis, were 1.00% and 10.48% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to 0.78% and 8.23%, respectively, for the linked quarter. Non-GAAP return to common shareholders on average assets and common equity, each on an annualized basis, were 1.01% and 10.53% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to 1.00% and 10.58%, for the linked quarter.

Conference Call and Webcast

Executive management will host a conference call and webcast to discuss results on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Central Time. Interested parties may attend the call by dialing toll-free 1-800-715-9871 (North America only), conference ID 8825623, or asking for the Business First Bancshares conference call. The live webcast can be found at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/ziae6qsd. On the day of the presentation, the corresponding slide presentation will be available to view on the b1BANK website at https://www.b1bank.com/shareholder-info.

About Business First Bancshares, Inc.

Business First Bancshares, Inc., (Nasdaq: BFST) through its banking subsidiary b1BANK, has $7.8 billion in assets, $7.1 billion in assets under management through b1BANK’s affiliate Smith Shellnut Wilson, LLC (SSW) (excludes $0.9 billion of b1BANK assets managed by SSW) and operates Banking Centers and Loan Production Offices in markets across Louisiana and Texas providing commercial and personal banking products and services. b1BANK is a 2024 Mastercard “Innovation Award” winner and multiyear winner of American Banker Magazine’s “Best Banks to Work For.” Visit b1BANK.com for more information.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures (e.g., referenced as “core” or “tangible”) intended to supplement, not substitute for, comparable GAAP measures. “Core” measures typically adjust income available to common shareholders for certain significant activities or transactions that, in management’s opinion, can distort period-to-period comparisons of Business First’s performance. Transactions that are typically excluded from non-GAAP “core” measures include realized and unrealized gains/losses on former bank premises and equipment, investment sales, acquisition-related expenses (including, but not limited to, legal costs, system conversion costs, severance and retention payments, etc.). “Tangible” measures adjust common equity by subtracting goodwill, core deposit intangibles, and customer intangibles, net of accumulated amortization. Management believes presentations of these non-GAAP

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financial measures provide useful supplemental information that is essential to a proper understanding of the operating results of Business First’s core business. These non-GAAP disclosures are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP measures that may be presented by other companies. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures are provided at the end of the tables below.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this release may not be based on historical facts and are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements may be identified by their reference to a future period or periods or by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “would,” “could,” or “intend.” We caution you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, in that actual results could differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those factors specified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other public filings. We undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this news release.

Additional Information

For additional information about Business First, you may obtain Business First’s reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) free of charge by using the SEC’s EDGAR service on the SEC’s website at www.SEC.gov or by contacting the SEC for further information at 1-800-SEC-0330. Alternatively, these documents can be obtained free of charge from Business First by directing a request to: Business First Bancshares, Inc., 500 Laurel Street, Suite 101, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70801, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

No Offer or Solicitation

This release does not constitute or form part of any offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any securities of Business First. There will be no sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

Investor Relations Contact:

Gregory Robertson

Matt Sealy

337.721.2701

225.388.6116

Gregory.Robertson@b1bank.com

Matt.Sealy@b1bank.com

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Business First Bancshares, Inc.
Selected Financial Information
(Unaudited)
						Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)						March 31, 2025			December 31, 2024			March 31, 2024
Balance Sheet Ratios
Loans (HFI) to Deposits						92.61		%	91.86		%	91.32		%
Shareholders' Equity to Assets Ratio						10.61		%	10.18		%	9.69		%
Loans Receivable Held for Investment (HFI)
Commercial						$	1,862,176		$	1,868,675		$	1,426,957
Real Estate:
Commercial						2,472,121			2,483,223			2,215,889
Construction						633,698			670,502			662,013
Residential						934,357			884,533			717,007
Total Real Estate						4,040,176			4,038,258			3,594,909
Consumer and Other						78,567			74,466			66,973
Total Loans (Held for Investment)						$	5,980,919		$	5,981,399		$	5,088,839
Allowance for Loan Losses
Balance, Beginning of Period						$	54,840		$	42,154		$	40,414
Oakwood - PCD ALLL						—			8,410			—
Charge-Offs - Quarterly						(1,648)			(2,290)			(533)
Recoveries - Quarterly						671			654			141
Provision for Loan Losses - Quarterly						3,000			5,912			1,143
Balance, End of Period						$	56,863		$	54,840		$	41,165
Allowance for Loan Losses to Total Loans (HFI)						0.95		%	0.92		%	0.81		%
Allowance for Credit Losses to Total Loans (HFI)/(1)						1.01		%	0.98		%	0.88		%
Net Charge-Offs (Recoveries) to Average Quarterly Total Loans						0.02		%	0.03		%	0.01		%
Remaining Loan Purchase Discount						$	11,322		$	12,121		$	11,411
Nonperforming Assets
Nonperforming
Nonaccrual Loans						$	35,915		$	24,147		$	20,778
Loans Past Due 90 Days or More						5,635			860			855
Total Nonperforming Loans						41,550			25,007			21,633
Other Nonperforming Assets:
Other Real Estate Owned						1,282			5,529			1,339
Other Nonperforming Assets						—			—			—
Total other Nonperforming Assets						1,282			5,529			1,339
Total Nonperforming Assets						$	42,832		$	30,536		$	22,972
Nonperforming Loans to Total Loans (HFI)						0.69		%	0.42		%	0.43		%
Nonperforming Assets to Total Assets						0.55		%	0.39		%	0.34		%
(1) Allowance for Credit Losses includes the Allowance for Loan Loss and Reserve for Unfunded Commitments.

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Business First Bancshares, Inc.
Selected Financial Information
(Unaudited)
						Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)						March 31, 2025			December 31, 2024			March 31, 2024
Per Share Data
Basic Earnings per Common Share						$	0.65		$	0.52		$	0.49
Diluted Earnings per Common Share						0.65			0.51			0.48
Dividends per Common Share						0.14			0.14			0.14
Book Value per Common Share						25.51			24.62			22.64
Average Common Shares Outstanding						29,329,668			29,311,111			25,127,187
Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding						29,545,921			29,520,781			25,429,194
End of Period Common Shares Outstanding						29,572,297			29,552,358			25,485,383
Annualized Performance Ratios
Return to Common Shareholders on Average Assets (1)						1.00		%	0.78		%	0.74		%
Return to Common Shareholders on Average Common Equity (1)						10.48		%	8.23		%	8.51		%
Net Interest Margin (1)						3.68		%	3.61		%	3.32		%
Net Interest Spread (1)						2.91		%	2.77		%	2.36		%
Efficiency Ratio (2)						63.85		%	63.91		%	69.80		%
Total Quarterly/Year-to-Date Average Assets						$	7,750,982		$	7,721,338		$	6,667,527
Total Quarterly/Year-to-Date Average Common Equity						742,930			731,820			577,643
Other Expenses
Salaries and Employee Benefits						$	29,497		$	28,101		$	25,416
Occupancy and Bank Premises						3,401			3,166			2,514
Depreciation and Amortization						2,152			2,278			1,676
Data Processing						3,236			3,856			2,579
FDIC Assessment Fees						1,184			1,009			828
Legal and Other Professional Fees						1,013			975			866
Advertising and Promotions						1,291			1,710			1,145
Utilities and Communications						733			775			674
Ad Valorem Shares Tax						1,125			1,357			900
Directors' Fees						279			290			282
Other Real Estate Owned Expenses and Write-Downs						23			182			37
Merger and Conversion-Related Expenses						250			168			340
Other						6,394			5,703			5,265
Total Other Expenses						$	50,578		$	49,570		$	42,522

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Business First Bancshares, Inc.
Selected Financial Information
(Unaudited)
						Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)						March 31, 2025			December 31, 2024			March 31, 2024
Other Income
Service Charges on Deposit Accounts						$	2,860		$	2,878		$	2,439
Gain (Loss) on Sales of Securities						(1)			21			(1)
Debit Card and ATM Fee Income						1,858			2,069			1,776
Bank-Owned Life Insurance Income						808			990			579
Gain on Sales of Loans						1,256			252			139
Mortgage Origination Income						110			36			69
Fees and Brokerage Commission						2,148			2,063			1,937
Gain (Loss) on Sales of Other Real Estate Owned						(268)			40			63
Losses on Disposal of Other Assets						155			—			—
Gain on Extinguishment of Debt						630			—			—
Swap Fee Income						739			1,288			229
Pass-Through Income (Loss) from Other Investments						751			186			294
Other						2,180			2,034			1,862
Total Other Income						$	13,226		$	11,857		$	9,386
(1) Average outstanding balances are determined utilizing daily averages and average yield/rate is calculated utilizing an actual day count convention.
(2) Noninterest expense (excluding provision for loan losses) divided by noninterest income (excluding security sales gains/losses) plus net interest income less gain/loss on sales of securities.

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Business First Bancshares, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)						March 31, 2025			December 31, 2024			March 31, 2024
Assets
Cash and Due From Banks						$	312,887		$	319,098		$	185,906
Federal Funds Sold						117,422			197,669			211,292
Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell						50,589			50,835			—
Securities Available for Sale, at Fair Values						920,573			893,549			872,903
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale						—			717			77
Loans and Lease Receivable						5,980,919			5,981,399			5,088,839
Allowance for Loan Losses						(56,863)			(54,840)			(41,165)
Net Loans and Lease Receivable						5,924,056			5,926,559			5,047,674
Premises and Equipment, Net						81,582			81,953			68,716
Accrued Interest Receivable						33,741			35,872			29,326
Other Equity Securities						40,947			41,100			34,940
Other Real Estate Owned						1,282			5,529			1,339
Cash Value of Life Insurance						117,950			117,645			100,056
Deferred Taxes, Net						25,289			29,591			26,800
Goodwill						121,691			121,572			91,527
Core Deposit and Customer Intangibles						16,538			17,252			11,372
Other Assets						20,181			18,149			13,630
Total Assets						$	7,784,728		$	7,857,090		$	6,695,558
Liabilities
Deposits
Noninterest-Bearing						$	1,308,312		$	1,357,045		$	1,295,050
Interest-Bearing						5,149,869			5,154,286			4,277,700
Total Deposits						6,458,181			6,511,331			5,572,750
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase						19,046			22,621			17,207
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings						317,352			355,875			308,206
Subordinated Debt						92,702			99,760			99,933
Subordinated Debt - Trust Preferred Securities						5,000			5,000			5,000
Accrued Interest Payable						5,356			5,969			3,930
Other Liabilities						60,779			57,068			39,498
Total Liabilities						6,958,416			7,057,624			6,046,524
Shareholders' Equity
Preferred Stock						71,930			71,930			71,930
Common Stock						29,572			29,552			25,485
Additional Paid-In Capital						501,609			500,024			398,511
Retained Earnings						276,045			260,958			224,742
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss						(52,844)			(62,998)			(71,634)
Total Shareholders' Equity						826,312			799,466			649,034
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity						$	7,784,728		$	7,857,090		$	6,695,558

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Business First Bancshares, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
						Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)						March 31, 2025			December 31, 2024			March 31, 2024
Interest Income:
Interest and Fees on Loans						$	102,992		$	104,697		$	85,947
Interest and Dividends on Securities						7,265			7,310			5,599
Interest on Federal Funds Sold and Due From Banks						3,436			4,135			4,465
Total Interest Income						113,693			116,142			96,011
Interest Expense:
Interest on Deposits						42,439			44,862			38,029
Interest on Borrowings						5,271			5,551			6,451
Total Interest Expense						47,710			50,413			44,480
Net Interest Income						65,983			65,729			51,531
Provision for Credit Losses						2,812			6,712			1,186
Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses						63,171			59,017			50,345
Other Income:
Service Charges on Deposit Accounts						2,860			2,878			2,439
(Loss) Gain on Sales of Securities						(1)			21			(1)
Gain on Sales of Loans						1,256			252			139
Other Income						9,111			8,706			6,809
Total Other Income						13,226			11,857			9,386
Other Expenses:
Salaries and Employee Benefits						29,497			28,101			25,416
Occupancy and Equipment Expense						7,356			7,087			5,357
Merger and Conversion-Related Expense						250			168			340
Other Expenses						13,475			14,214			11,409
Total Other Expenses						50,578			49,570			42,522
Income Before Income Taxes						25,819			21,304			17,209
Provision for Income Taxes						5,276			4,816			3,639
Net Income						20,543			16,488			13,570
Preferred Stock Dividends						1,350			1,350			1,350
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders						$	19,193		$	15,138		$	12,220

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Business First Bancshares, Inc.
Consolidated Net Interest Margin
(Unaudited)
			Three Months Ended
			March 31, 2025												December 31, 2024												March 31, 2024
(Dollars in thousands)			Average Outstanding Balance			Interest Earned/Interest Paid			Average Yield/Rate						Average Outstanding Balance			Interest Earned/Interest Paid			Average Yield/Rate						Average Outstanding Balance			Interest Earned/Interest Paid			Average Yield/Rate
Assets
Interest Earning Assets:
Total Loans			$	5,972,120		$	102,992		6.99		%				$	5,911,183		$	104,697		7.05		%				$	5,026,937		$	85,947		6.88		%
Securities			924,693			6,614			2.90		%				936,314			6,707			2.85		%				888,933			5,599			2.53		%
Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell			50,836			651			5.19		%				44,252			603			5.42		%				—			—			—		%
Interest-Bearing Deposit in Other Banks			315,750			3,436			4.41		%				346,035			4,135			4.75		%				330,260			4,465			5.44		%
Total Interest Earning Assets			7,263,399			113,693			6.35		%				7,237,784			116,142			6.38		%				6,246,130			96,011			6.18		%
Allowance for Loan Losses			(54,711)						.						(52,130)												(40,526)
Noninterest- Earning Assets			542,294												535,684												461,923
Total Assets			$	7,750,982		$	113,693								$	7,721,338		$	116,142								$	6,667,527		$	96,011
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
Interest-Bearing Deposits			$	5,141,498		$	42,439		3.35		%				$	5,053,759		$	44,862		3.53		%				$	4,072,600		$	38,029		3.76		%
Subordinated Debt			97,251			1,262			5.26		%				99,797			1,331			5.31		%				99,972			1,356			5.46		%
Subordinated Debt - Trust Preferred Securities			5,000			99			8.03		%				5,000			107			8.51		%				5,000			113			9.09		%
Bank Term Funding Program			—			—			—		%				—			—			—		%				260,440			2,788			4.31		%
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB)			362,092			3,797			4.25		%				373,236			3,975			4.24		%				223,501			2,094			3.77		%
Other Borrowings			18,321			113			2.50		%				21,569			138			2.55		%				16,116			100			2.50		%
Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities			$	5,624,162		$	47,710		3.44		%				$	5,553,361		$	50,413		3.61		%				$	4,677,629		$	44,480		3.82		%
																											4455535			40905			0.0364
Noninterest-Bearing Liabilities:
Noninterest-Bearing Deposits			$	1,244,793											$	1,292,623											$	1,282,815
Other Liabilities			67,167												71,604												57,510
Total Noninterest-Bearing Liabilities			1,311,960												1,364,227												1,340,325
Shareholders' Equity:
Common Shareholders' Equity			742,930												731,820												577,643
Preferred Equity			71,930												71,930												71,930
Total Shareholders' Equity			814,860												803,750												649,573
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity			$	7,750,982											$	7,721,338											$	6,667,527
Net Interest Spread									2.91		%										2.77		%										2.36		%
Net Interest Income						$	65,983											$	65,729											$	51,531
Net Interest Margin									3.68		%										3.61		%										3.32		%
Overall Cost of Funds									2.82		%										2.93		%										3.00		%
Note: Average outstanding balances are determined utilizing daily averages and an actual day count convention.

b1BANK.com

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15

Business First Bancshares, Inc.
Non-GAAP Measures
(Unaudited)
			Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)			March 31, 2025			December 31, 2024			March 31, 2024
Interest Income:
Interest income			$	113,693		$	116,142		$	96,011
Core interest income			113,693			116,142			96,011
Interest Expense:
Interest expense			47,710			50,413			44,480
Core interest expense			47,710			50,413			44,480
Provision for Credit Losses: (b)
Provision for credit losses			2,812			6,712			1,186
CECL Oakwood impact (3)			—			(4,824)			—
Core provision expense			2,812			1,888			1,186
Other Income:
Other income			13,226			11,857			9,386
Gain on former bank premises and equipment			(155)			—			(50)
Loss (Gain) on sale of securities			1			(21)			1
Gain on extinguishment of debt			(630)			—			—
Core other income			12,442			11,836			9,337
Other Expense:
Other expense			50,578			49,570			42,522
Acquisition-related expenses (2)			(679)			(168)			(715)
Core conversion expenses			(216)			(463)			—
Core other expense			49,683			48,939			41,807
Pre-Tax Income: (a)
Pre-tax income			25,819			21,304			17,209
CECL Oakwood impact (3)			—			4,824			—
Gain on former bank premises and equipment			(155)			—			(50)
Loss (Gain) on sale of securities			1			(21)			1
Gain on extinguishment of debt			(630)			—			—
Acquisition-related expenses (2)			679			168			715
Core conversion expenses			216			463			—
Core pre-tax income			25,930			26,738			17,875
Provision for Income Taxes: (1)
Provision for income taxes			5,276			4,816			3,639
Tax on CECL Oakwood impact (3)			—			1,019			—
Tax on gain on former bank premises and equipment			(33)			—			(11)

b1BANK.com

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16

Business First Bancshares, Inc.
Non-GAAP Measures
(Unaudited)
			Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)			March 31, 2025			December 31, 2024			March 31, 2024
Tax on loss (gain) on sale of securities			—			(4)			—
Gain on extinguishment of debt			(133)			—			—
Tax on acquisition-related expenses (2)			143			6			89
Tax on core conversion expenses			46			97			—
Core provision for income taxes			5,299			5,934			3,717
Preferred Dividends:
Preferred dividends			1,350			1,350			1,350
Core preferred dividends			1,350			1,350			1,350
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders
Net income available to common shareholders			19,193			15,138			12,220
CECL Oakwood impact (3), net of tax			—			3,805			—
Gain on former bank premises and equipment, net of tax			(122)			—			(39)
Loss (Gain) on sale of securities, net of tax			1			(17)			1

b1BANK.com

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17

Business First Bancshares, Inc.
Non-GAAP Measures
(Unaudited)
			Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)			March 31, 2025			December 31, 2024			March 31, 2024
Gain on extinguishment of debt, net of tax			(497)			—			—
Acquisition-related expenses (2), net of tax			536			162			626
Core conversion expenses, net of tax			170			366			—
Core net income available to common shareholders			$	19,281		$	19,454		$	12,808
Pre-tax, Pre-provision Earnings Available to Common Shareholders (a+b)			$	28,631		$	28,016		$	18,395
CECL Oakwood impact (3)			—			4,824			—
Gain on former bank premises and equipment			(155)			—			(50)
Loss (Gain) on sale of securities			1			(21)			1
Gain on extinguishment of debt			(630)			—			—
Acquisition-related expenses (2)			679			168			715
Core conversion expenses			216			463			—
Core pre-tax, pre-provision earnings			$	28,742		$	33,450		$	19,061
Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding			29,545,921			29,520,781			25,429,194
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
Diluted earnings per common share			$	0.65		$	0.51		$	0.48
CECL Oakwood impact (3), net of tax			—			0.13			—
Gain on former bank premises and equipment, net of tax			—			—			—
Loss (Gain) on sale of securities, net of tax			—			—			—
Gain on extinguishment of debt, net of tax			(0.02)			—			—
Acquisition-related expenses (2), net of tax			0.02			0.01			0.02
Core conversion expenses,net of tax			—			0.01			—
Core diluted earnings per common share			$	0.65		$	0.66		$	0.50
Pre-tax, Pre-provision Diluted Earnings per Common Share			$	0.97		$	0.95		$	0.72
CECL Oakwood impact (3)			—			0.16			—
Gain on former bank premises and equipment			(0.01)			—			—

b1BANK.com

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18

Business First Bancshares, Inc.
Non-GAAP Measures
(Unaudited)
			Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)			March 31, 2025			December 31, 2024			March 31, 2024
Loss (gain) on sale of securities			—			—			—
Gain on extinguishment of debt			(0.02)			—			—
Acquisition-related expenses (2)			0.02			0.01			0.03
Core conversion expenses			0.01			0.02			—
Core pre-tax, pre-provision diluted earnings per common share			$	0.97		$	1.14		$	0.75
(1) Tax rates, exclusive of certain nondeductible merger-related expenses and goodwill, utilized were 21.129% for 2025 and 2024. These rates approximated the marginal tax rates.
(2) Includes merger and conversion-related expenses and salary and employee benefits.
(3) CECL non-purchased credit deteriorated (PCD) provision/unfunded commitment expense attributable to Oakwood

b1BANK.com

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19

Business First Bancshares, Inc.
Non-GAAP Measures
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)			March 31, 2025			December 31, 2024			March 31, 2024
Total Shareholders' (Common) Equity:
Total shareholders' equity			$	826,312		$	799,466		$	649,034
Preferred stock			(71,930)			(71,930)			(71,930)
Total common shareholders' equity			754,382			727,536			577,104
Goodwill			(121,691)			(121,572)			(91,527)
Core deposit and customer intangible			(16,538)			(17,252)			(11,372)
Total tangible common equity			$	616,153		$	588,712		$	474,205
Total Assets:
Total assets			$	7,784,728		$	7,857,090		$	6,695,558
Goodwill			(121,691)			(121,572)			(91,527)
Core deposit and customer intangible			(16,538)			(17,252)			(11,372)
Total tangible assets			$	7,646,499		$	7,718,266		$	6,592,659
Common shares outstanding			29,572,297			29,552,358			25,485,383
Book value per common share			$	25.51		$	24.62		$	22.64
Tangible book value per common share			$	20.84		$	19.92		$	18.61
Common equity to total assets			9.69		%	9.26		%	8.62		%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets			8.06		%	7.63		%	7.19		%

b1BANK.com

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20

Business First Bancshares, Inc.
Non-GAAP Measures
(Unaudited)
			Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)			March 31, 2025			December 31, 2024			March 31, 2024
Total Quarterly Average Assets			$	7,750,982		$	7,721,338		$	6,667,527
Total Quarterly Average Common Equity			$	742,930		$	731,820		$	577,643
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders:
Net income available to common shareholders			$	19,193		$	15,138		$	12,220
CECL Oakwood impact (3), net of tax			—			3,805			—
Gain on former bank premises and equipment, net of tax			(122)			—			(39)
Loss (gain) on sale of securities, net of tax			1			(17)			1
Gain on extinguishment of debt, net of tax			(497)			—			—
Acquisition-related expenses, net of tax			536			162			626
Core conversion expenses, net of tax			170			366			—
Core net income available to common shareholders			$	19,281		$	19,455		$	12,808
Return to common shareholders on average assets (annualized) (2)			1.00		%	0.78		%	0.74		%
Core return on average assets (annualized) (2)			1.01		%	1.00		%	0.77		%
Return to common shareholders on average common equity (annualized) (2)			10.48		%	8.23		%	8.51		%
Core return on average common equity (annualized) (2)			10.53		%	10.58		%	8.92		%
Interest Income:
Interest income			$	113,693		$	116,142		$	96,011
Core interest income			113,693			116,142			96,011
Interest Expense:
Interest expense			47,710			50,413			44,480
Core interest expense			47,710			50,413			44,480
Other Income:
Other income			13,226			11,857			9,386
Gain on former bank premises and equipment			(155)			—			(50)
Loss (Gain) on sale of securities			1			(21)			1
Gain on extinguishment of debt			(630)			—			—			—
Core other income			12,442			11,836			9,337
Other Expense:
Other expense			50,578			49,570			42,522
Acquisition-related expenses			(679)			(168)			(715)
Core conversion expenses			(216)			(463)			—

b1BANK.com

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21

Business First Bancshares, Inc.
Non-GAAP Measures
(Unaudited)
			Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)			March 31, 2025			December 31, 2024			March 31, 2024
Core other expense			$	49,683		$	48,939		$	41,807
Efficiency Ratio:
Other expense (a)			$	50,578		$	49,570		$	42,522
Core other expense (c)			$	49,683		$	48,939		$	41,807
Net interest and other income (1) (b)			$	79,210		$	77,565		$	60,918
Core net interest and other income (1) (d)			$	78,425		$	77,565		$	60,868
Efficiency ratio (a/b)			63.85		%	63.91		%	69.80		%
Core efficiency ratio (c/d)			63.35		%	63.09		%	68.68		%
Total Average Interest-Earnings Assets			$	7,263,399		$	7,237,784		$	6,246,130
Net Interest Income:
Net interest income			$	65,983		$	65,729		$	51,531
Loan discount accretion			$	(793)		$	(997)		$	(785)
Net interest income excluding loan discount accretion			$	65,190		$	64,732		$	50,746
Net interest margin (2)			3.68		%	3.61		%	3.32		%
Net interest margin excluding loan discount accretion (2)			3.64		%	3.56		%	3.27		%
Net interest spread (2)			2.91		%	2.77		%	2.36		%
Net interest spread excluding loan discount accretion (2)			2.86		%	2.72		%	2.31		%
(1) Excludes gains/losses on sales of securities.
(2) Calculated utilizing an actual day count convention.
(3) CECL non-PCD provision/unfunded commitment expense attributable to Oakwood

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