Business First Bancshares, Inc., Announces Financial Results for Q1 2024

Business First Bancshares, Inc.

BATON ROUGE, La., April 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Business First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: BFST) (Business First), parent company of b1BANK, today announced its unaudited results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, including net income available to common shareholders of $12.2 million or $0.48 per diluted common share, decreases of $2.3 million and $0.09, respectively, compared to the linked quarter ended December 31, 2023. On a non-GAAP basis, core net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, which excludes certain income and expenses, was $12.8 million or $0.50 per diluted common share, decreases of $4.0 million and $0.16, respectively, from the linked quarter.

“We didn’t earn as much in the first quarter as I would have liked,” said Jude Melville, president and CEO, “but we did accomplish core foundational work that will lead to greater earnings power over the course of the year. We improved the funding side of our balance sheet, achieving stability in non-interest bearing accounts, increasing liquidity though the raising of core deposits, and paying down debt. We deepened the production side of our house by acquiring and integrating Waterstone, a Loan Service Provider that facilitates SBA production for banks around the country.  And we grew loans at a healthy, normalized rate, further diversifying our credit exposure by product type and geography.”

On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 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. The preferred and common dividends will be paid on May 31, 2024, or as soon thereafter as practicable, to the shareholders of record as of May 15, 2024.

Quarterly Highlights

• Deposit Growth. Deposits increased $324.0 million or 6.17%, 24.82% annualized, for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to the linked quarter. During the quarter ended March 31, 2024, noninterest-bearing deposits remained stable with a decrease of $4.0 million or 0.31% and interest-bearing deposits increased $328.0 million or 8.30%, compared to the linked quarter. Highlighting quarterly deposit growth were the Capital and Dallas markets with $55.8 million and $45.5 million, respectively. The Capital and Dallas markets opened 758 and 296 new accounts during the quarter. All new deposit generations for Business First had a weighted average rate of 4.32% as of March 31, 2024, a decrease of 0.29% from the linked quarter.
  
  

• Loan Growth. Loans held for investment increased $96.1 million or 1.92%, 7.74% annualized, from the linked quarter. Loan growth was mostly attributable to the $68.1 million increase in the commercial and industrial (C&I) portfolio. Business First continued the trend of reducing construction and development (C&D) portfolio exposure, with a decrease of $7.8 million from the linked quarter. The loan to deposit ratio decreased from 95.12% to 91.32% from the linked quarter.
  
  

• Waterstone LSP Acquisition. On January 31, 2024, Business First acquired Waterstone LSP, a company which provides other financial institutions nationwide comprehensive support and lending solutions under the Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) loan program.
  
  

Statement of Financial Condition

Loans

Loans held for investment increased $96.1 million or 1.92%, 7.74% annualized, from the linked quarter. Loan growth from the linked quarter was largely attributable to net growth in the C&I portfolio of $68.1 million and in the residential real estate portfolio of $34.6 million, offset by a $7.8 million reduction in the C&D portfolio.

The Dallas Fort Worth region produced 43.75% of net loan growth from the linked quarter based on unpaid principal balance, while the Southwest Louisiana region produced 28.55% and Capital region produced 14.47%. Based on unpaid principal balances, Texas-based loans represent approximately 37% of the overall loan portfolio as of March 31, 2024.

Credit Quality

The ratios of nonperforming loans compared to loans held for investment and nonperforming assets compared to total assets increased from 0.34% and 0.28%, respectively, at December 31, 2023, to 0.43% and 0.34% at March 31, 2024. The increase was attributable to an additional $4.6 million in nonaccrual loans, largely comprised of two lending relationships.

Securities

The securities portfolio decreased $6.7 million or 0.76%, from the linked quarter. The increase was driven by negative fair value adjustments of $6.4 million. The securities portfolio, based on estimated fair value, represented 13.04% of total assets as of March 31, 2024.

Deposits

Deposits increased $324.0 million or 6.17%, 24.82% annualized, for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to the linked quarter. During the quarter ended March 31, 2024, noninterest-bearing deposits remained stable with a decrease of $4.0 million or 0.31% compared to the linked quarter and interest-bearing deposits increased $328.0 million or 8.30%, with certificate of deposit (CD) accounts declining $31.4 million or 2.41%.

The Capital and Dallas markets led the franchise with $55.8 million and $45.5 million in deposit growth. The Capital and Dallas markets opened 758 and 296 new accounts, respectively, during the quarter. All new deposit generations for Business First had a weighted average rate of 4.32% as of March 31, 2024, a decrease of 0.29% from the linked quarter.

Money market accounts increased $448.8 million or 33.41% from the linked quarter with a total portfolio weighted average of 4.10%, up slightly from 4.07% at December 31, 2023. However, lower rate demand deposit accounts of $32.0 million were also opened in connection with these money market accounts during the quarter ended March 31, 2024. This represented an 18.43% increase from the linked quarter and an increase of 28.23% from the last twelve months beginning April 1, 2023.

New money market account openings in March 2024 totaled $94.0 million with a weighted average rate of 4.29% as of March 31, 2024, compared to $84.0 million in new account openings during February 2024 with a weighted average rate of 5.03% as of February 29, 2024. Money market account balances increased from $1.34 billion as of December 31, 2023, to $1.79 billion as of March 31, 2024.

Borrowings

Borrowings decreased $204.7 million or 32.24%, from the linked quarter due to a full repayment of the $300.0 million Federal Reserve’s Bank Term Funding Program (BFTP) in March 2024. The repayment was funded through additional advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of approximately $100.0 million, brokered CDs of $52.0 million and the remaining $148.0 million from cash.

Shareholders’ Equity

Accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) decreased $5.0 million during the first quarter due to negative after-tax fair value adjustments in the securities portfolio. Book value per common share increased to $22.64 at March 31, 2024, compared to $22.58 at December 31, 2023. On a non-GAAP basis, tangible book value per common share decreased slightly from $18.62 at December 31, 2023, to $18.61 at March 31, 2024.

Results of Operations

Net Interest Income

For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, net interest income totaled $51.5 million, compared to $53.8 million from the linked quarter. Loan and interest-earning asset yields of 6.88% and 6.18%, respectively, increased one basis point each compared to 6.87% and 6.17% from the linked quarter. Both ratios were negatively impacted by $1.1 million less in loan discount accretion. Net interest margin and net interest spread were 3.32% and 2.36% compared to 3.50% and 2.53%, respectively, for the linked quarter. The overall cost of funds, which include noninterest-bearing deposits, increased from 2.79% to 3.00% or 21 basis points, from the linked quarter due to higher cost deposits and less average noninterest bearing deposits; however, ending noninterest bearing deposits only decreased $4.0 million from the linked quarter.

Non-GAAP net interest income (excluding loan discount accretion of $0.8 million) totaled $50.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to $51.8 million (excluding loan discount accretion of $1.9 million) from the linked quarter. Non-GAAP net interest margin and net interest spread (excluding loan discount accretion of $0.8 million) were 3.27% and 2.31%, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to 3.38% and 2.40% (excluding loan discount accretion of $1.9 million) for the linked quarter. Excluding loan discount accretion, loan yields increased nine basis points to 6.81% from 6.72%, and interest earnings asset yields increased eight basis points to 6.13% from 6.05%, compared to the linked quarter.

Provision for Credit Losses

During the quarter ended March 31, 2024, Business First recorded a provision for credit losses of $1.2 million, compared to $119,000 from the linked quarter. The current quarter’s reserve increased largely due to loan growth.

Other Income

For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, other income increased $2.9 million or 46.36%, compared to the linked quarter. The net increase was largely attributable to a $2.5 million loss on sale of securities due to Business First’s security repositioning initiative and a $1.0 million loss in equity investment income which both occurred during the linked quarter, partially offset by a $735,000 reduction in back-to-back customer swap fee income compared to the linked quarter.

Other Expenses

For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, other expenses increased by $2.8 million or 7.07%, compared to the linked quarter. The net increase was attributable to a $2.8 million increase in salaries and employee benefits compared to the linked quarter. The increase was largely associated with the Waterstone LSP acquisition, bonus-related expenses and cost of living adjustments.

Return on Assets and Common Equity

Return to common shareholders on average assets and common equity, each on an annualized basis, were 0.74% and 8.51% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to 0.88% and 10.54%, respectively, for the linked quarter. Non-GAAP return to common shareholders on average assets and common equity, each on an annualized basis, were 0.77% and 8.92% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to 1.03% and 12.27%, respectively, for the linked quarter.

Conference Call and Webcast

Executive management will host a conference call and webcast to discuss results on
Thursday, April 25, 2024, 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 5574541, or asking for the Business First Bancshares conference call. The live webcast can be found at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/kqiwvpsh. 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 $6.7 billion in assets, $6.1 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 the Dallas and Houston, Texas areas, providing commercial and personal banking products and services. Commercial banking services include commercial loans and letters of credit, working capital lines and equipment financing, and treasury management services. b1BANK was awarded #1 Best-In-State Bank, Louisiana, by Forbes and Statista, and is a multiyear winner of American Banker’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 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.

Misty Albrecht
b1BANK
225.286.7879
Misty.Albrecht@b1BANK.com                                                          

Business First Bancshares, Inc.
Selected Financial Information
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,			December 31,			March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)		2024			2023			2023
Balance Sheet Ratios
Loans (HFI) to Deposits		91.32	%		95.12	%		99.94	%
Shareholders' Equity to Assets Ratio		9.69	%		9.78	%		9.50	%
Loans Receivable Held for Investment (HFI)
Commercial	$	1,426,957		$	1,358,838		$	1,239,333
Real Estate:
Commercial		2,215,889			2,217,928			2,055,500
Construction		662,013			669,798			787,634
Residential		717,007			682,394			659,967
Total Real Estate		3,594,909			3,570,120			3,503,101
Consumer and Other		66,973			63,827			60,626
Total Loans (Held for Investment)	$	5,088,839		$	4,992,785		$	4,803,060
Allowance for Loan Losses
Balance, Beginning of Period	$	40,414		$	41,129		$	38,178
CECL Adoption/Implementation		-			-			2,660
Charge-offs – Quarterly		(533	)		(1,039	)		(2,278	)
Recoveries – Quarterly		141			152			103
Provision for Loan Losses – Quarterly		1,143			172			3,167
Balance, End of Period	$	41,165		$	40,414		$	41,830
Allowance for Loan Losses to Total Loans (HFI)		0.81	%		0.81	%		0.87	%
Allowance for Credit Losses to Total Loans (HFI) (1)		0.88	%		0.88	%		0.95	%
Net Charge-offs (Recoveries) to Average Quarterly Total Loans		0.01	%		0.02	%		0.05	%
Remaining Loan Purchase Discount	$	11,411		$	12,286		$	19,234
Nonperforming Assets
Nonperforming Loans:
Nonaccrual Loans	$	20,778		$	16,943		$	16,952
Loans Past Due 90 Days or More		855			127			127
Total Nonperforming Loans		21,633			17,070			17,079
Other Nonperforming Assets:
Other Real Estate Owned		1,339			1,685			1,365
Other Nonperforming Assets		-			-			57
Total Other Nonperforming Assets		1,339			1,685			1,422
Total Nonperforming Assets	$	22,972		$	18,755		$	18,501
Nonperforming Loans to Total Loans (HFI)		0.43	%		0.34	%		0.36	%
Nonperforming Assets to Total Assets		0.34	%		0.28	%		0.29	%
(1) Allowance for Credit Losses includes the Allowance for Loan Loss and Reserve for Unfunded Commitments.

Business First Bancshares, Inc.
Selected Financial Information
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,			December 31,			March 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)		2024			2023			2023
Per Share Data
Basic Earnings per Common Share	$	0.49		$	0.58		$	0.55
Diluted Earnings per Common Share		0.48			0.57			0.54
Dividends per Common Share		0.14			0.14			0.12
Book Value per Common Share		22.64			22.58			20.77
Average Common Shares Outstanding		25,127,187			25,116,688			24,979,955
Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding		25,429,194			25,333,913			25,222,308
End of Period Common Shares Outstanding		25,485,383			25,351,809			25,319,520
Annualized Performance Ratios
Return to Common Shareholders on Average Assets (1)		0.74	%		0.88	%		0.91	%
Return to Common Shareholders on Average Common Equity (1)		8.51	%		10.54	%		10.73	%
Net Interest Margin (1)		3.32	%		3.50	%		3.75	%
Net Interest Spread (1)		2.36	%		2.53	%		2.96	%
Efficiency Ratio (2)		69.80	%		63.36	%		63.27	%
Total Quarterly/Year-to-Date Average Assets	$	6,667,527		$	6,494,861		$	6,123,063
Total Quarterly/Year-to-Date Average Common Equity		577,643			544,628			516,659
Other Expenses
Salaries and Employee Benefits	$	25,416		$	22,609		$	23,176
Occupancy and Bank Premises		2,514			2,387			2,297
Depreciation and Amortization		1,676			1,647			1,710
Data Processing		2,579			2,490			1,485
FDIC Assessment Fees		828			841			933
Legal and Other Professional Fees		866			833			613
Advertising and Promotions		1,145			1,052			1,148
Utilities and Communications		674			700			721
Ad Valorem Shares Tax		900			265			965
Directors' Fees		282			262			269
Other Real Estate Owned Expenses and Write-Downs		37			504			130
Merger and Conversion-Related Expenses		340			63			103
Other		5,265			6,061			5,129
Total Other Expenses	$	42,522		$	39,714		$	38,679
Other Income
Service Charges on Deposit Accounts	$	2,439		$	2,470		$	2,281
Loss on Sales of Securities		(1	)		(2,503	)		(1	)
Debit Card and ATM Fee Income		1,776			1,793			1,570
Bank-Owned Life Insurance Income		579			572			524
Gain on Sales of Loans		139			546			611
Mortgage Origination Income		69			47			74
Fees and Brokerage Commission		1,937			1,710			1,813
Gain on Sales of Other Real Estate Owned		63			338			209
Loss on Disposal of Other Assets		-			(1	)		(5	)
Gain on Sale of Branch		-			13			-
Gain on Extinguishment of Debt		-			-			-
Swap Fee Income		229			964			6
Pass-Through Income (Loss) from Other Investments		294			(1,028	)		173
Other		1,862			1,492			1,133
Total Other Income	$	9,386		$	6,413		$	8,388
(1) Average outstanding balances are determined utilizing monthly averages and average yield/rate is calculated utilizing an Actual/365/366 day count convention.
(2) Noninterest expense (excluding provision for loan losses) divided by noninterest income plus net interest income less gain/loss on sales of securities.

Business First Bancshares, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
	March 31,			December 31,			March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)		2024			2023			2023
Assets
Cash and Due From Banks	$	185,906		$	226,110		$	159,767
Federal Funds Sold		211,292			151,134			104,250
Securities Available for Sale, at Fair Values		872,903			879,571			903,945
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale		77			835			423
Loans and Lease Receivable		5,088,839			4,992,785			4,803,060
Allowance for Loan Losses		(41,165	)		(40,414	)		(41,830	)
Net Loans and Lease Receivable		5,047,674			4,952,371			4,761,230
Premises and Equipment, Net		68,716			69,480			64,065
Accrued Interest Receivable		29,326			29,916			25,446
Other Equity Securities		34,940			33,942			36,739
Other Real Estate Owned		1,339			1,685			1,365
Cash Value of Life Insurance		100,056			96,478			94,755
Deferred Taxes, Net		26,800			27,323			28,680
Goodwill		91,527			88,391			88,543
Core Deposit and Customer Intangibles		11,372			11,895			13,517
Other Assets		13,630			15,419			7,256
Total Assets	$	6,695,558		$	6,584,550		$	6,289,981
Liabilities
Deposits
Noninterest-Bearing	$	1,295,050		$	1,299,090		$	1,475,782
Interest-Bearing		4,277,700			3,949,700			3,330,396
Total Deposits		5,572,750			5,248,790			4,806,178
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase		17,207			18,885			16,669
Federal Funds Purchased		-			-			14,622
Bank Term Funding Program		-			300,000			310,000
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings		308,206			211,198			395,134
Subordinated Debt		99,933			99,990			110,596
Subordinated Debt - Trust Preferred Securities		5,000			5,000			5,000
Accrued Interest Payable		3,930			14,841			3,513
Other Liabilities		39,498			41,587			30,579
Total Liabilities		6,046,524			5,940,291			5,692,291
Shareholders' Equity
Preferred Stock		71,930			71,930			71,930
Common Stock		25,485			25,352			25,320
Additional Paid-In Capital		398,511			397,447			394,677
Retained Earnings		224,742			216,115			173,761
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		(71,634	)		(66,585	)		(67,998	)
Total Shareholders' Equity		649,034			644,259			597,690
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	6,695,558		$	6,584,550		$	6,289,981

Business First Bancshares, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,			December 31,			March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)		2024			2023			2023
Interest Income:
Interest and Fees on Loans	$	85,947		$	85,761		$	73,768
Interest and Dividends on Securities		5,599			5,193			4,782
Interest on Federal Funds Sold and Due From Banks		4,465			3,711			942
Total Interest Income		96,011			94,665			79,492
Interest Expense:
Interest on Deposits		38,029			34,190			18,928
Interest on Borrowings		6,451			6,715			7,815
Total Interest Expense		44,480			40,905			26,743
Net Interest Income		51,531			53,760			52,749
Provision for Credit Losses		1,186			119			3,222
Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses		50,345			53,641			49,527
Other Income:
Service Charges on Deposit Accounts		2,439			2,470			2,281
Loss on Sales of Securities		(1	)		(2,503	)		(1	)
Gain on Sales of Loans		139			546			611
Other Income		6,809			5,900			5,497
Total Other Income		9,386			6,413			8,388
Other Expenses:
Salaries and Employee Benefits		25,416			22,609			23,176
Occupancy and Equipment Expense		5,357			5,301			5,001
Merger and Conversion-Related Expense		340			63			103
Other Expenses		11,409			11,741			10,399
Total Other Expenses		42,522			39,714			38,679
Income Before Income Taxes		17,209			20,340			19,236
Provision for Income Taxes		3,639			4,516			4,211
Net Income		13,570			15,824			15,025
Preferred Stock Dividends		1,350			1,350			1,350
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders	$	12,220		$	14,474		$	13,675

Business First Bancshares, Inc.
Consolidated Net Interest Margin
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2024								December 31, 2023								March 31, 2023
	Average								Average								Average
	Outstanding			Interest Earned/		Average			Outstanding			Interest Earned/		Average			Outstanding			Interest Earned/		Average
(Dollars in thousands)	Balance			Interest Paid		Yield / Rate			Balance			Interest Paid		Yield / Rate			Balance			Interest Paid		Yield / Rate
Assets
Interest-Earning Assets:
Total Loans	$	5,026,937		$	85,947	6.88	%		$	4,949,954		$	85,761	6.87	%		$	4,719,906		$	73,768	6.34	%
Securities		888,933			5,599	2.53	%			865,372			5,193	2.38	%			927,491			4,782	2.09	%
Interest-Bearing Deposit in Other Banks		330,260			4,465	5.44	%			271,004			3,711	5.43	%			57,478			942	6.65	%
Total Interest-Earning Assets		6,246,130			96,011	6.18	%			6,086,330			94,665	6.17	%			5,704,875			79,492	5.65	%
Allowance for Loan Losses		(40,526	)							(40,996	)							(41,533	)
Noninterest-Earning Assets		461,923								449,527								459,721
Total Assets	$	6,667,527		$	96,011				$	6,494,861		$	94,665				$	6,123,063		$	79,492
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
Interest-Bearing Deposits	$	4,072,600		$	38,029	3.76	%		$	3,816,474		$	34,190	3.55	%		$	3,339,493		$	18,928	2.30	%
Subordinated Debt		99,972			1,356	5.46	%			100,009			1,320	5.24	%			110,647			1,389	5.09	%
Subordinated Debt - Trust Preferred Securities		5,000			113	9.09	%			5,000			113	8.97	%			5,000			98	7.95	%
Bank Term Funding Program		260,440			2,788	4.31	%			300,000			3,202	4.23	%			34,444			380	4.47	%
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB)		223,501			2,094	3.77	%			213,280			1,947	3.62	%			517,934			5,842	4.57	%
Other Borrowings		16,116			100	2.50	%			20,772			133	2.54	%			20,886			106	2.06	%
Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities		4,677,629			44,480	3.82	%			4,455,535			40,905	3.64	%			4,028,404			26,743	2.69	%
Noninterest-Bearing Liabilities:
Noninterest-Bearing Deposits	$	1,282,815							$	1,368,452							$	1,473,186
Other Liabilities		57,510								54,316								32,884
Total Noninterest-Bearing Liabilities		1,340,325								1,422,768								1,506,070
Shareholders' Equity:
Common Shareholders' Equity		577,643								544,628								516,659
Preferred Equity		71,930								71,930								71,930
Total Shareholders' Equity		649,573								616,558								588,589
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	6,667,527							$	6,494,861							$	6,123,063
Net Interest Spread						2.36	%							2.53	%							2.96	%
Net Interest Income				$	51,531							$	53,760							$	52,749
Net Interest Margin						3.32	%							3.50	%							3.75	%
Overall Cost of Funds						3.00	%							2.79	%							1.97	%
NOTE: Average outstanding balances are determined utilizing monthly averages and average yield/rate is calculated utilizing an Actual/365/366 day count convention.

Business First Bancshares, Inc.
Non-GAAP Measures
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,			December 31,			March 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)		2024			2023			2023
Interest Income:
Interest income	$	96,011		$	94,665		$	79,492
Core interest income		96,011			94,665			79,492
Interest Expense:
Interest expense		44,480			40,905			26,743
Core interest expense		44,480			40,905			26,743
Provision for Credit Losses:(b)
Provision for credit losses		1,186			119			3,222
Core provision expense		1,186			119			3,222
Other Income:
Other income		9,386			6,413			8,388
Gain on former bank premises and equipment		(50	)		-			-
Loss on sale of securities		1			2,503			1
Gain on sale of branch		-			(13	)		-
Core other income		9,337			8,903			8,389
Other Expense:
Other expense		42,522			39,714			38,679
Acquisition-related expenses (2)		(715	)		(63	)		(103	)
Write-down on former bank premises		-			(432	)		-
Core other expense		41,807			39,219			38,576
Pre-Tax Income:(a)
Pre-tax income		17,209			20,340			19,236
Gain on former bank premises and equipment		(50	)		-			-
Loss on sale of securities		1			2,503			1
Gain on sale of branch		-			(13	)		-
Acquisition-related expenses (2)		715			63			103
Write-down on former bank premises		-			432			-
Core pre-tax income		17,875			23,325			19,340
Provision for Income Taxes:(1)
Provision for income taxes		3,639			4,516			4,211
Tax on gain on former bank premises and equipment		(11	)		-			-
Tax on loss on sale of securities		0			529			-
Tax on gain on sale of branch		-			(3	)		-
Tax on acquisition-related expenses (2)		89			1			6
Tax on write-down on former bank premises		-			91			-
Core provision for income taxes		3,717			5,134			4,217
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		12,220			14,474			13,675
Gain on former bank premises and equipment, net of tax		(39	)		-			-
Loss on sale of securities, net of tax		1			1,974			1
Gain on sale of branch, net of tax		-			(10	)		-
Acquisition-related expenses (2), net of tax		626			62			97
Write-down on former bank premises, net of tax		-			341			-
Core net income available to common shareholders	$	12,808		$	16,841		$	13,773
Pre-tax, pre-provision earnings available to common shareholders (a+b)	$	18,395		$	20,459		$	22,458
Gain on former bank premises and equipment		(50	)		-			-
Loss on sale of securities		1			2,503			1
Gain on sale of branch		-			(13	)		-
Acquisition-related expenses (2)		715			63			103
Write-down on former premises		-			432			-
Core pre-tax, pre-provision earnings	$	19,061		$	23,444		$	22,562
Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding		25,429,194			25,333,913			25,222,308
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share:
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.48		$	0.57		$	0.54
Gain on former bank premises and equipment, net of tax		(0.00	)		-			-
Loss on sale of securities, net of tax		0.00			0.08			-
Gain on sale of branch, net of tax		-			-			-
Acquisition-related expenses (2), net of tax		0.02			-			0.01
Write-down on former premises, net of tax		-			0.01			-
Core diluted earnings per common share	$	0.50		$	0.66		$	0.55
Pre-tax, pre-provision profit diluted earnings per common share	$	0.72		$	0.81		$	0.89
Gain on former bank premises and equipment		(0.00	)		-			-
Loss on sale of securities		0.00			0.10			-
Gain on sale of branch		-			-			-
Acquisition-related expenses (2)		0.03			-			-
Write-down on former premises		-			0.02			-
Core pre-tax, pre-provision diluted earnings per common share	$	0.75		$	0.93		$	0.89
(1) Tax rates, exclusive of certain nondeductible merger-related expenses and goodwill, utilized were 21.129% for 2024 and 2023. These rates approximated the marginal tax rates.
(2) Includes merger and conversion-related expenses and salary and employee benefits.

Business First Bancshares, Inc.
Non-GAAP Measures
(Unaudited)
	March 31,			December 31,			March 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)		2024			2023			2023
Total Shareholders' (Common) Equity:
Total shareholders' equity	$	649,034		$	644,259		$	597,690
Preferred stock		(71,930	)		(71,930	)		(71,930	)
Total common shareholders' equity		577,104			572,329			525,760
Goodwill		(91,527	)		(88,391	)		(88,543	)
Core deposit and customer intangible		(11,372	)		(11,895	)		(13,517	)
Total tangible common equity	$	474,205		$	472,043		$	423,700
Total Assets:
Total assets	$	6,695,558		$	6,584,550		$	6,289,981
Goodwill		(91,527	)		(88,391	)		(88,543	)
Core deposit and customer intangible		(11,372	)		(11,895	)		(13,517	)
Total tangible assets	$	6,592,659		$	6,484,264		$	6,187,921
Common shares outstanding		25,485,383			25,351,809			25,319,520
Book value per common share	$	22.64		$	22.58		$	20.77
Tangible book value per common share	$	18.61		$	18.62		$	16.73
Common equity to total assets		8.62	%		8.69	%		8.36	%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets		7.19	%		7.28	%		6.85	%

Business First Bancshares, Inc.
Non-GAAP Measures
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,			December 31,			March 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)		2024			2023			2023
Total Quarterly Average Assets	$	6,667,527		$	6,494,861		$	6,123,063
Total Quarterly Average Common Equity	$	577,643		$	544,628		$	516,659
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	12,220		$	14,474		$	13,675
Gain on former bank premises and equipment, net of tax		(39	)		-			-
Loss on sale of securities, net of tax		1			1,974			1
Gain on sale of branch, net of tax		-			(10	)		-
Acquisition-related expenses, net of tax		626			62			97
Write-down on former bank premises, net of tax		-			341			-
Core net income available to common shareholders	$	12,808		$	16,841		$	13,773
Return to common shareholders on average assets (annualized) (2)		0.74	%		0.88	%		0.91	%
Core return on average assets (annualized) (2)		0.77	%		1.03	%		0.91	%
Return to common shareholders on average common equity (annualized) (2)		8.51	%		10.54	%		10.73	%
Core return on average common equity (annualized) (2)		8.92	%		12.27	%		10.81	%
Interest Income:
Interest income	$	96,011		$	94,665		$	79,492
Core interest income		96,011			94,665			79,492
Interest Expense:
Interest expense		44,480			40,905			26,743
Core interest expense		44,480			40,905			26,743
Other Income:
Other income		9,386			6,413			8,388
Gain on former bank premises and equipment		(50	)		-			-
Loss on sale of securities		1			2,503			1
Gain on sale of branch		-			(13	)		-
Core other income		9,337			8,903			8,389
Other Expense:
Other expense		42,522			39,714			38,679
Acquisition-related expenses		(715	)		(63	)		(103	)
Write-down on former bank premises		-			(432	)		-
Core other expense	$	41,807		$	39,219		$	38,576
Efficiency Ratio:
Other expense (a)	$	42,522		$	39,714		$	38,679
Core other expense (c)	$	41,807		$	39,219		$	38,576
Net interest and other income (1) (b)	$	60,918		$	62,676		$	61,138
Core net interest and other income (1) (d)	$	60,868		$	62,663		$	61,138
Efficiency ratio (a/b)		69.80	%		63.36	%		63.27	%
Core efficiency ratio (c/d)		68.68	%		62.59	%		63.10	%
Total Average Interest-Earnings Assets	$	6,246,130		$	6,086,330		$	5,704,875
Net Interest Income:
Net interest income	$	51,531		$	53,760		$	52,749
Loan discount accretion		(785	)		(1,921	)		(2,912	)
Net interest income excluding loan discount accretion	$	50,746		$	51,839		$	49,837
Net interest margin (2)		3.32	%		3.50	%		3.75	%
Net interest margin excluding loan discount accretion (2)		3.27	%		3.38	%		3.54	%
Net interest spread (2)		2.36	%		2.53	%		2.96	%
Net interest spread excluding loan discount accretion (2)		2.31	%		2.40	%		2.75	%
(1) Excludes gains/losses on sales of securities.
(2) Calculated utilizing an Actual/365/366 day count convention.