Business First Bancshares, Inc.

Business First Bancshares, Inc.

BATON ROUGE, La., April 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Business First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: BFST) (Business First), parent company of b1BANK, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, today announced its unaudited results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, including net income of $8.7 million or $0.41 per diluted share, decreases of $3.3 million and $0.18, respectively, from the quarter ended December 31, 2021. On a non-GAAP basis, core net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, which excludes certain income and expenses, was $10.3 million or $0.49 per diluted share, decreases of $1.4 million and $0.08, respectively, from the quarter ended December 31, 2021.

“Over the first quarter we completed both the acquisition of Texas Citizens Bank in Houston and organically grew overall loans across our pre-acquisition footprint at a strong 25% annualized rate,” said Jude Melville, president and CEO. “The investments we’ve made in personnel and systems over the past few quarters are beginning to show returns. We are excited that our combination of healthy growth, stabilization of net interest margin and continued strong credit metrics put us in a solid position to help our clients continue navigating the uncertain times we are experiencing as a country.”

On April 26, 2022, Business First’s board of directors declared a quarterly dividend based upon financial performance for the first quarter in the amount of $0.12 per share, same as the prior quarter, to the common shareholders of record as of May 15, 2022. The dividend will be paid on May 31, 2022, or as soon thereafter as practicable.

Quarterly Highlights

  • Completed Texas Citizens Acquisition. Business First completed its previously announced acquisition of Texas Citizens Bancorp, Inc. (Texas Citizens), based in Pasadena, Texas on March 1, 2022. As of February 28, 2022, Texas Citizens had consolidated total assets of $534.2 million, loans of $349.5 million, and deposits of $477.2 million.

  • Strong Loan Growth. Business First continued its strong organic loan growth in Texas and New Orleans due to the investments made over the course of 2021. Total loans held for investment at March 31, 2022, were $3.7 billion, an increase of $558.9 million compared to December 31, 2021, or 17.52% for the quarter. Excluding the decrease in Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and loans acquired from Texas Citizens on March 1, 2022, total loans held for investment increased from the quarter ended December 31, 2021, by 6.43% or 25.71% annualized, of which 71.4% was attributable to Texas and 18.4% from our New Orleans market based on unpaid principal balance. As of March 31, 2022, approximately 31% of Business First’s loan portfolio resides in Texas based on unpaid principal balances.

  • Stabilized Net Interest Margin. For the quarter ended March 31, 2022, net interest income totaled $40.5 million and net interest margin and net interest spread were 3.51% and 3.35%, respectively, compared to $38.3 million, 3.57% and 3.38% for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. Non-GAAP net interest margin and net interest spread (excluding loan discount accretion of $920,000) were 3.43% and 3.27%, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to 3.42% and 3.24% (excluding loan discount accretion of $1.6 million) for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. Non-GAAP net interest margin rose one basis point over the linked quarter despite the negative impact of two fewer days during the quarter ended March 31, 2022.

  • Continued Strong Credit Quality. Credit quality remained relatively stable from the linked quarter. Ratios of nonperforming loans compared to loans held for investment and nonperforming assets compared to total assets decreased from 0.41% and 0.31%, respectively, at December 31, 2021, to 0.29% and 0.23% at March 31, 2022. The reduction was partially attributable to charge-offs during the quarter ended March 31, 2022, and the addition of Texas Citizens. Excluding the charge-offs and the addition of Texas Citizens, credit quality slightly improved over the linked quarter.

Financial Condition

March 31, 2022, Compared to December 31, 2021

Loans

Loans held for investment increased $558.9 million or 17.52% for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. The increase was attributable to the acquisition of Texas Citizens on March 1, 2022, and new loan originations during the quarter.

Excluding the net decrease in SBA PPP loans and loans acquired from Texas Citizens on March 1, 2022, total loans held for investment increased for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, by $226.9 million or 6.43% or 25.71% annualized.

Credit Quality

Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans held for investment decreased from 0.41% as of December 31, 2021, to 0.29% as of March 31, 2022. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets decreased from 0.31% as of December 31, 2021, to 0.23% as of March 31, 2022. The reductions were partially attributable to charge-offs during the quarter ended March 31, 2022, and the addition of Texas Citizens. Excluding the charge-offs and Texas Citizens addition, credit quality slightly improved for the quarter ended March 31, 2022.

Total Shareholders’ Equity

Book value per common share was $20.25 at March 31, 2022, compared to $21.24 at December 31, 2021.

On a non-GAAP basis, tangible book value per share was $15.57 at March 31, 2022, compared to $17.71 at December 31, 2021. Tangible book value per share was impacted by the acquisition of Texas Citizens on March 1, 2022, resulting in dilution of $0.55, and a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income of $38.6 million attributable to fair value adjustments on Business First’s available for sale investment portfolio, resulting in dilution of $1.88.

March 31, 2022, Compared to March 31, 2021

Loans

Total loans held for investment increased by $706.5 million or 23.23% compared to March 31, 2021. Excluding SBA PPP loans and loans acquired from Texas Citizens on March 1, 2022, loans increased $741.5 million, or 27.92%.

Credit Quality

Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans held for investment decreased from 0.44% as of March 31, 2021, to 0.29% as of March 31, 2022. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets decreased from 0.52% as of March 31, 2021, to 0.23% as of March 31, 2022, largely due to the sales of nonperforming assets.

Total Shareholders’ Equity

Book value per common share was $20.25 at March 31, 2022, compared to $20.03 at March 31, 2021. On a non-GAAP basis, tangible book value per share was $15.57 at March 31, 2022, compared to $16.99 at March 31, 2021. Tangible book value per share was impacted by the acquisition of Texas Citizens on March 1, 2022, and more significantly by a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income of $45.9 million attributable to fair value adjustments on Business First’s available-for-sale investment portfolio.

Results of Operations

First Quarter 2022 Compared to Fourth Quarter
2021

Net Income and Diluted Earnings Per Share

For the quarter ended March 31, 2022, net income was $8.7 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, compared to net income of $12.1 million or $0.59 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, decreases of $3.3 million and $0.18, respectively. The decrease was largely attributable to a $2.3 million increase in salaries and benefits (approximately $530,000 attributable to salaries of Texas Citizens, $114,000 related to production bonuses, and $360,000 related to bonus payments/taxes attributable to 2021), and a decrease in other income attributable to $708,000 losses on disposals of other assets on former premises and equipment during the quarter ended March 31, 2022. Further, a $492,000 gain on sale of the Oak Grove Banking Center, $444,000 gain on sales of securities, and $555,000 in Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) income occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2021. These amounts were partially offset by a $2.1 million increase in net interest income during the quarter ended March 31, 2022.

On a non-GAAP basis, core net income, which excludes certain income and expenses, for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, was $10.3 million or $0.49 per diluted share, compared to core net income of $11.7 million or $0.57 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. Notable noncore events impacting earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, included $717,000 losses in disposals of former bank premises and equipment in other income, $811,000 of expenses attributable to acquisition-related expenses, and $231,000 of expenses attributable to hurricane repairs, compared to $444,000 in gains on sale of securities, a $492,000 gain on sale of the Oak Grove Banking Center, and $266,000 of expenses attributable to acquisition-related expenses, for the quarter ended December 31, 2021.

Interest Income

For the quarter ended March 31, 2022, net interest income totaled $40.5 million and net interest margin and net interest spread were 3.51% and 3.35%, respectively, compared to $38.3 million, 3.57% and 3.38% for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. The average yield on total interest-earning assets was 3.83% for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to 3.93% for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. The increase in interest income was largely attributable to loan growth during the fourth quarter of 2021 and first quarter of 2022. The average yield on the loan portfolio (excluding SBA PPP loans) was 4.75% for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to 4.93% for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, largely due to two fewer days and $639,000 less discount accretion for the quarter ended March 31, 2022.

Non-GAAP net interest margin and net interest spread (excluding loan discount accretion of $920,000) were 3.43% and 3.27%, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to 3.42% and 3.24% (excluding loan discount accretion of $1.6 million) for the quarter ended December 31, 2021.

Interest Expense

For the quarter ended March 31, 2022, overall cost of funds (which includes noninterest-bearing deposits) decreased by five basis points, from 0.38% to 0.33%, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2021, due to increased noninterest deposits, lower yielding interest-bearing deposits, and two fewer days.

Other Income

For the quarter ended March 31, 2022, other income was lower by $1.8 million compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2021. The decrease was largely attributable to a $708,000 increase on losses related to disposal of other assets of former premises and equipment during the quarter ended March 31, 2022, and the $492,000 gain on sale related to the sale of the Oak Grove Banking Center, $444,000 gain on sales of securities, and $440,000 decrease in SBIC income during the quarter ended December 31, 2021.

Other Expenses

For the quarter ended March 31, 2022, other expense increased by $3.6 million compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2021. The increase was largely attributable to increases in salaries and benefits, $2.3 million, merger and conversion-related expenses, $545,000, and occupancy and bank premises, $530,000. The majority of the increases were attributable to the acquisition of Texas Citizens on March 1, 2022; however, salaries and benefits also increased largely due to additional staffing and merit increases during the quarter ended March 31, 2022.

Provision for Loan Losses

During the quarter ended March 31, 2022, Business First recorded a provision for loan losses of $1.6 million, compared to $1.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. The reserve for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, was driven primarily by new loan growth and charge-offs recorded, partially offset by improvement in the qualitative factors (attributed to the general economy and energy sector).

Return on Assets and Equity

Return on average assets and equity, each on an annualized basis, were 0.71% and 7.83%, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to 1.05% and 11.20%, respectively, for the quarter ended December 31, 2021.

First Quarter 2022 Compared to First Quarter 2021

Net Income and Diluted Earnings Per Share

For the quarter ended March 31, 2022, net income was $8.7 million or $0.41 per diluted share, compared to net income of $12.3 million or $0.59 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The decreases in net income and diluted earnings per share were largely attributable to the $7.0 million increase in other expenses, partially offset by $1.0 million in additional other income and $1.7 million less in provision for loan losses.

On a non-GAAP basis, core net income, which excludes certain income and expenses, for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, was $10.3 million or $0.49 per diluted share, compared to core net income of $12.6 million or $0.61 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. Notable noncore events impacting earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, included $717,000 in losses on disposals of former bank premises and equipment in other income, $811,000 of expenses attributable to acquisition-related expenses, and $231,000 of expenses attributable to hurricane repairs, compared to the incurrence of $350,000 in losses attributed to former bank premises and equipment in other expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

Interest Income

For the quarter ended March 31, 2022, net interest income totaled $40.5 million and net interest margin and net interest spread were 3.51% and 3.35%, respectively, compared to $40.3 million, 4.23% and 4.06% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The average yield on the loan portfolio (excluding SBA PPP loans) was 4.75% for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to 5.53% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The quarter ended March 21, 2021, included additional loan discount accretion of $2.1 million. Excluding SBA PPP interest income and loan discount accretion, loan interest income increased $5.8 million from the prior year quarter.

Average yield on total interest-earning assets, net interest margin, and net interest spread were negatively impacted for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2021, by lower yielding loans, including SBA PPP loans, and securities, offset partially by lower deposit and borrowing yields.

Non-GAAP net interest margin and net interest spread (excluding loan discount accretion of $920,000) were 3.43% and 3.27%, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to 3.91% and 3.73% (excluding loan discount accretion of $3.1 million) for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

Interest Expense

For the quarter ended March 31, 2022, overall cost of funds (which includes noninterest-bearing deposits) decreased by eight basis points, from 0.41% to 0.33%, compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The decrease in cost of funds was primar
ily attributable to an overall reduction in interest rates on deposit offerings and increase in noninterest-bearing deposits, offset by an increase associated with higher subordinated debt balances.

Other Income

For the quarter ended March 31, 2022, the increase in other income of $1.0 million, compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2021, was largely attributable to the $1.3 million increase in fees and brokerage commissions related to the acquisition of Smith Shellnut Wilson, LLC on April 1, 2021, and a $238,000 increase in service charges for deposit accounts, offset by a $834,000 increase on losses on disposal of other assets mainly attributable to former premises and equipment.

Other Expenses

For the quarter ended March 31, 2022, the increase in other expense was $7.0 million compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2021. Notable increases include an increase in salaries and employee benefits of $4.8 million, attributable to an increase in employees, including the acquisition of Texas Citizens on March 1, 2022, merger and conversion-related expense increase of $801,000 attributable to the Texas Citizens acquisition, and other expenses increase of $613,000.

Provision for Loan Losses

During the quarter ended March 31, 2022, Business First recorded a provision for loan losses of $1.6 million compared to $3.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The reserve for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, was affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the qualitative factors at the time.

Return on Assets and Equity

Return on average assets and return on average equity, each on an annualized basis, were 0.71% and 7.83%, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, from 1.15% and 11.86%, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

About Business First Bancshares, Inc.

Business First Bancshares, Inc., (Nasdaq: BFST) through its banking subsidiary b1BANK, has $5.4 billion in assets, $5.7 billion in assets under management through b1BANK’s affiliate Smith Shellnut Wilson, LLC (SSW) (excludes $1.0 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 three-time recipient of Baton Rouge Business Report’s “Best Places to Work in Baton Rouge.” 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
[email protected]

Business First Bancshares, Inc.

Selected Financial Information

(Unaudited)

For the Quarter Ended

March 31,

December 31,

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2022

2021

2021

Balance Sheet Ratios

Loans (HFI) to Deposits

80.48

%

78.23

%

78.83

%

Shareholders’ Equity to Assets Ratio

8.52

%

9.17

%

9.38

%

Loans Receivable Held for Investment

Commercial (1)

$

817,093

$

721,385

$

962,099

Real Estate:

Construction and Land

581,661

548,528

418,234

Farmland

149,270

87,463

52,861

1-4 Family Residential

485,067

467,699

460,907

Multi-Family Residential

109,773

97,508

77,390

Nonfarm Nonresidential

1,481,046

1,144,426

966,416

Total Real Estate

2,806,817

2,345,624

1,975,808

Consumer and Other (1)

124,588

122,599

104,071

Total Loans (Held for Investment)

$

3,748,498

$

3,189,608

$

3,041,978

Allowance for Loan Losses

Balance, Beginning of Period

$

29,112

$

28,146

$

22,024

Charge-offs – Quarterly

(1,668

)

(385

)

(309

)

Recoveries – Quarterly

184

51

177

Provision for Loan Losses – Quarterly

1,617

1,300

3,359

Balance, End of Period

$

29,245

$

29,112

$

25,251

Allowance for Loan Losses to Total Loans (HFI)

0.78

%

0.91

%

0.83

%

Net Charge-offs to Average Total Loans

0.04

%

0.01

%

0.00

%

Remaining Loan Purchase Discount

$

40,623

$

27,573

$

32,517

Nonperforming Assets

Nonperforming Loans:

Nonaccrual Loans (2)

$

10,784

$

12,868

$

11,956

Loans Past Due 90 Days or More (2)

26

222

1,479

Total Nonperforming Loans

10,810

13,090

13,435

Other Nonperforming Assets:

Other Real Estate Owned

1,369

1,427

8,851

Other Nonperforming Assets

84

623

Total Other Nonperforming Assets

1,453

1,427

9,474

Total Nonperforming Assets

$

12,263

$

14,517

$

22,909

Nonperforming Loans to Total Loans (HFI)

0.29

%

0.41

%

0.44

%

Nonperforming Assets to Total Assets

0.23

%

0.31

%

0.52

%

(1) Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans accounted for $6.0 million

of the commercial portfolio as of March 31, 2022.

SBA PPP loans accounted for $5.4 million of the commercial portfolio as of December 31, 2021.

SBA PPP loans accounted for $385.8 million and $0.1 million of the commercial

and consumer portfolios, respectively, as of March 31, 2021.

(2) Past due and nonaccrual loan amounts exclude acquired impaired loans, even if contractually past due or if

the Company does not expect to receive payment in full, as the Company is currently accreting interest income

over the expected life of the loans.

Business First Bancshares, Inc.

Selected Financial Information

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

March 31,

December 31,

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

2022

2021

2021

Per Share Data

Basic Earnings per Common Share

$

0.42

$

0.59

$

0.60

Diluted Earnings per Common Share

0.41

0.59

0.59

Dividends per Common Share

0.12

0.12

0.10

Book Value per Common Share

20.25

21.24

20.03

Average Common Shares Outstanding

21,019,716

20,299,704

20,621,930

Average Diluted Shares Outstanding

21,162,482

20,462,317

20,738,013

End of Period Common Shares Outstanding

22,564,607

20,400,349

20,804,753

Annualized Performance Ratios

Return on Average Assets

0.71

%

1.05

%

1.15

%

Return on Average Equity

7.83

%

11.20

%

11.86

%

Net Interest Margin

3.51

%

3.57

%

4.23

%

Net Interest Spread

3.35

%

3.38

%

4.06

%

Efficiency Ratio (1)

72.67

%

66.07

%

59.19

%

Total Quarterly Average Assets

$

4,920,105

$

4,584,460

$

4,276,430

Total Quarterly Average Equity

446,003

430,834

415,896

Other Expenses

Salaries and Employee Benefits

$

19,703

$

17,355

$

14,926

Occupancy and Bank Premises

2,052

1,522

1,811

Depreciation and Amortization

1,569

1,476

1,358

Data Processing

2,116

2,032

1,823

FDIC Assessment Fees

743

668

509

Legal and Other Professional Fees

543

480

741

Advertising and Promotions

531

999

477

Utilities and Communications

779

586

575

Ad Valorem Shares Tax

813

449

700

Directors’ Fees

202

207

188

Other Real Estate Owned Expenses and Write-Downs

14

76

379

Merger and Conversion-Related Expenses

811

266

10

Other

3,844

3,982

3,231

Total Other Expenses

$

33,720

$

30,098

$

26,728

Other Income

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts

$

1,805

$

1,800

$

1,567

Gain (Loss) on Sales of Securities

(31

)

444

(5

)

Debit Card and ATM Fee Income

1,501

1,554

1,336

Bank-Owned Life Insurance Income

369

367

318

Gain on Sales of Loans

65

3

(21

)

Mortgage Origination Income

209

169

229

Fees and Brokerage Commission

1,835

1,721

543

Gain (Loss) on Sales of Other Real Estate Owned

8

(35

)

46

Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Other Assets

(717

)

(9

)

117

Gain on Sale of Branch

492

Pass-Through Income from SBIC Partnerships

115

555

53

Other

737

597

665

Total Other Income

$

5,896

$

7,658

$

4,848

(1) Non-GAAP: 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)

2022

2021

2021

Assets

Cash and Due From Banks

$

282,074

$

68,375

$

355,257

Federal Funds Sold

67,822

227,044

105,595

Securities Available for Sale, at Fair Values

961,358

1,021,061

721,224

Loans Held for Sale

13,559

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale

1,354

1,200

2,298

Loans and Lease Receivable

3,748,498

3,189,608

3,041,978

Allowance for Loan Losses

(29,245

)

(29,112

)

(25,251

)

Net Loans and Lease Receivable

3,719,253

3,160,496

3,016,727

Premises and Equipment, Net

63,003

58,155

57,931

Accrued Interest Receivable

20,146

19,597

25,910

Other Equity Securities

23,034

16,619

12,584

Other Real Estate Owned

1,369

1,427

8,851

Cash Value of Life Insurance

72,896

60,380

60,348

Deferred Taxes, Net

23,040

8,822

5,536

Goodwill

89,911

59,894

53,753

Core Deposit and Customer Intangibles

15,617

12,203

9,406

Other Assets

7,799

11,105

8,166

Total Assets

$

5,362,235

$

4,726,378

$

4,443,586

Liabilities

Deposits

Noninterest-Bearing

$

1,544,197

$

1,291,036

$

1,186,625

Interest-Bearing

3,113,541

2,786,247

2,672,109

Total Deposits

4,657,738

4,077,283

3,858,734

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

23,345

19,121

21,419

Short-Term Borrowings

20

20

20

Subordinated Debt

111,209

81,427

77,500

Subordinated Debt – Trust Preferred Securities

5,000

5,000

5,000

Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings

79,957

82,022

33,073

Accrued Interest Payable

895

1,354

1,941

Other Liabilities

27,234

26,783

29,198

Total Liabilities

4,905,398

4,293,010

4,026,885

Shareholders’ Equity

Common Stock

22,565

20,400

20,805

Additional Paid-In Capital

345,858

292,271

300,282

Retained Earnings

128,168

121,874

89,441

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(39,754

)

(1,177

)

6,173

Total Shareholders’ Equity

456,837

433,368

416,701

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

$

5,362,235

$

4,726,378

$

4,443,586

Business First Bancshares, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

March 31,

December 31,

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2022

2021

2021

Interest Income:

Interest and Fees on Loans

$

40,183

$

38,337

$

41,419

Interest and Dividends on Securities

3,844

3,904

2,802

Interest on Federal Funds Sold and Due From Banks

95

50

41

Total Interest Income

44,122

42,291

44,262

Interest Expense:

Interest on Deposits

2,263

2,645

3,243

Interest on Borrowings

1,384

1,302

718

Total Interest Expense

3,647

3,947

3,961

Net Interest Income

40,475

38,344

40,301

Provision for Loan Losses:

1,617

1,300

3,359

Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses

38,858

37,044

36,942

Other Income:

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts

1,805

1,800

1,567

Gain (Loss) on Sales of Securities

(31

)

444

(5

)

Gain (Loss) on Sales of Loans

65

3

(21

)

Other Income

4,057

5,411

3,307

Total Other Income

5,896

7,658

4,848

Other Expenses:

Salaries and Employee Benefits

19,703

17,355

14,926

Occupancy and Equipment Expense

4,413

3,857

3,717

Merger and Conversion-Related Expense

811

266

10

Other Expenses

8,793

8,620

8,075

Total Other Expenses

33,720

30,098

26,728

Income Before Income Taxes:

11,034

14,604

15,062

Provision for Income Taxes:

2,303

2,536

2,733

Net Income:

$

8,731

$

12,068

$

12,329

Business First Bancshares, Inc.

Consolidated Net Interest Margin

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2022

December 31, 2021

March 31, 2021

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 (Excluding SBA PPP)

$

3,382,325

$

40,174

4.75

%

$

3,106,477

$

38,318

4.93

%

$

2,643,668

$

36,538

5.53

%

SBA PPP Loans

3,725

9

1.00

%

7,733

19

1.00

%

374,958

4,881

5.21

%

Securities Available for Sale

1,005,252

3,844

1.53

%

1,041,437

3,904

1.50

%

691,476

2,802

1.62

%

Interest-Bearing Deposit in Other Banks

221,148

95

0.17

%

143,488

50

0.14

%

101,233

41

0.16

%

Total Interest-Earning Assets

4,612,450

44,122

3.83

%

4,299,135

42,291

3.93

%

3,81
1,335

44,262

4.65

%

Allowance for Loan Losses

(29,260

)

(28,379

)

(22,709

)

Noninterest-Earning Assets

336,915

313,704

487,804

Total Assets

$

4,920,105

$

44,122

$

4,584,460

$

42,291

$

4,276,430

$

44,262

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

Interest-Bearing Liabilities:

Interest-Bearing Deposits

$

2,882,838

$

2,263

0.31

%

$

2,653,041

$

2,645

0.40

%

$

2,584,263

$

3,243

0.50

%

Subordinated Debt

91,354

1,115

4.88

%

81,427

1,026

5.04

%

28,450

459

6.45

%

Subordinated Debt – Trust Preferred Securities

5,000

42

3.36

%

5,000

42

3.36

%

5,000

42

3.36

%

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB)

80,375

223

1.11

%

83,374

229

1.10

%

37,022

111

1.20

%

Other Borrowings

19,666

4

0.08

%

25,774

5

0.08

%

31,696

106

1.34

%

Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities

3,079,233

3,647

0.47

%

2,848,616

3,947

0.55

%

2,686,431

3,961

0.59

%

Noninterest-Bearing Liabilities:

Noninterest-Bearing Deposits

$

1,370,015

$

1,276,279

$

1,146,950

Other Liabilities

24,854

28,731

27,153

Total Noninterest-Bearing Liabilities

1,394,869

1,305,010

1,174,103

Shareholders’ Equity

446,003

430,834

415,896

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

$

4,920,105

$

4,584,460

$

4,276,430

Net Interest Spread

3.35

%

3.38

%

4.06

%

Net Interest Income

$

40,475

$

38,344

$

40,301

Net Interest Margin

3.51

%

3.57

%

4.23

%

Overall Cost of Funds

0.33

%

0.38

%

0.41

%

NOTE: Average outstanding balances are determined utilizing monthly averages and average yield/rate is calculated utilizing a 30/360 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)

2022

2021

2021

Interest Income:

Interest income

$

44,122

$

42,291

$

44,262

Core interest income

44,122

42,291

44,262

Interest Expense:

Interest expense

3,647

3,947

3,961

Core interest expense

3,647

3,947

3,961

Provision for Loan Losses: (b)

Provision for loan losses

1,617

1,300

3,359

Core provision expense

1,617

1,300

3,359

Other Income:

Other income

5,896

7,658

4,848

Losses on former bank premises and equipment

717

78

(Gains) 1osses on sale of securities

31

(444

)

5

(Gains) on sale of branch

(492

)

Core other income

6,644

6,800

4,853

Other Expense:

Other expense

33,720

30,098

26,728

Acquisition-related expenses (2)

(811

)

(266

)

(10

)

Occupancy and bank premises – hurricane repair

(231

)

(57

)

(350

)

Core other expense

32,678

29,775

26,368

Pre-Tax Income: (a)

Pre-tax income

11,034

14,604

15,062

Losses on former bank premises and equipment

717

78

(Gains) 1osses on sale of securities

31

(444

)

5

(Gains) on sale of branch

(492

)

Acquisition-related expenses (2)

811

266

10

Occupancy and bank premises – hurricane repair

231

57

350

Core pre-tax income

12,824

14,069

15,427

Provision for Income Taxes: (1)

Provision for income taxes

2,303

2,536

2,733

Tax on losses on former bank premises and equipment

151

16

Tax on (gains) losses on sale of securities

7

(93

)

1

Tax on (gains) on sale of branch

(138

)

Tax on acquisition-related expenses (2)

48

62

2

Tax on occupancy and bank premises – hurricane repair

49

12

74

Core provision for income taxes

2,558

2,395

2,810

Net Income:

Net income

8,731

12,068

12,329

Losses on former bank premises and equipment, net of tax

566

62

(Gains) losses on sale of securities, net of tax

24

(351

)

4

(Gains) on sale of branch

(354

)

Acquisition-related expenses (2), net of tax

763

204

8

Occupancy and bank premises – hurricane repair, net of tax

182

45

276

Core net income

$

10,266

$

11,674

$

12,617

Pre-tax, pre-provision earnings (a+b)

$

12,651

$

15,904

$

18,421

Losses on former bank premises and equipment

717

78

(Gains) losses on sale of securities

31

(444

)

5

(Gains) on sale of branch

(492

)

Acquisition-related expenses (2)

811

266

10

Occupancy and bank premises – hurricane repair

231

57

350

Core pre-tax, pre-provision earnings

$

14,441

$

15,369

$

18,786

Average Diluted Shares Outstanding

21,162,482

20,462,317

20,738,013

Diluted Earnings Per Share:

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.41

$

0.59

$

0.59

Losses on former bank premises and equipment, net of tax

0.03

0.00

(Gains) losses on sale of securities, net of tax

0.00

(0.01

)

0.00

(Gains) on sale of branch

(0.02

)

Acquisition-related expenses (2), net of tax

0.04

0.01

0.00

Occupancy and bank premises – hurricane repair, net of tax

0.01

0.00

0.02

Core diluted earnings per share

$

0.49

$

0.57

$

0.61

Pre-tax, pre-provision profit diluted earnings per share

$

0.60

$

0.78

$

0.89

Losses on former bank premises and equipment

0.03

0.00

(Gains) losses on sale of securities

0.00

(0.02

)

0.00

(Gains) on sale of branch

(0.02

)

Acquisition-related expenses (2)

0.04

0.01

0.00

Occupancy and bank premises – hurricane repair

0.01

0.00

0.02

Core pre-tax, pre-provision diluted earnings per share

$

0.68

$

0.75

$

0.91

(1) Tax rates, exclusive of certain nondeductible merger-related expenses and goodwill, utilized were 21.00% for 2022 and 2021. 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)

Three Months Ended

March 31,

December 31,

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

2022

2021

2021

Total Quarterly Average Assets

$

4,920,105

$

4,584,460

$

4,276,430

Total Quarterly Average Equity

$

446,003

$

430,834

$

415,896

Net Income:

Net income

$

8,731

$

12,068

$

12,329

Losses on former bank premises and equipment, net of tax

566

62

(Gains) losses on sale of securities, net of tax

24

(351

)

4

(Gains) on sale of branch, net of tax

(354

)

Acquisition-related expenses, net of tax

763

204

8

Occupancy and bank premises – hurricane repair, net of tax

182

45

276

Core net income

$

10,266

$

11,674

$

12,617

Return on average assets

0.71

%

1.05

%

1.15

%

Core return on average assets

0.83

%

1.02

%

1.18

%

Return on equity

7.83

%

11.20

%

11.86

%

Core return on average equity

9.21

%

10.84

%

12.14

%

Interest Income:

Interest income

$

44,122

$

42,291

$

44,262

Core interest income

44,122

42,291

44,262

Interest Expense:

Interest expense

3,647

3,947

3,961

Core interest expense

3,647

3,947

3,961

Other Income:

Other income

5,896

7,658

4,848

Losses on former bank premises and equipment

717

78

(Gains) losses on sale of securities

31

(444

)

5

(Gains) on sale of branch

(492

)

Core other income

6,644

6,800

4,853

Other Expense:

Other expense

33,720

30,098

26,728

Acquisition-related expenses

(811

)

(266

)

(10

)

Occupancy and bank premises – hurricane repair

(231

)

(57

)

(350

)

Core other expense

$

32,678

$

29,775

$

26,368

Efficiency Ratio:

Other expense (a)

$

33,720

$

30,098

$

26,728

Core other expense (c)

$

32,678

$

29,775

$

26,368

Net interest and other income (1) (b)

$

46,402

$

45,558

$

45,154

Core net interest and other income (1) (d)

$

47,119

$

45,144

$

45,154

Efficiency ratio (a/b)

72.67

%

66.07

%

59.19

%

Core efficiency ratio (c/d)

69.35

%

65.96

%

58.40

%

Total Average Interest-Earnings Assets

$

4,612,450

$

4,299,135

$

3,811,335

Net Interest Income:

Net interest income

$

40,475

$

38,344

$

40,301

Loan discount accretion

(920

)

(1,559

)

(3,063

)

Net interest income excluding loan discount accretion

$

39,555

$

36,785

$

37,238

Net interest margin (2)

3.51

%

3.57

%

4.23

%

Net interest margin excluding loan discount accretion (2)

3.43

%

3.42

%

3.91

%

Net interest spread

3.35

%

3.38

%

4.06

%

Net interest spread excluding loan discount accretion

3.27

%

3.24

%

3.73

%

(1) Excludes gains/losses on sales of securities.

(2) Calculated utilizing a 30/360 day count convention.

Business First Bancshares, Inc.

Non-GAAP Measures

(Unaudited)

March 31,

December 31,

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

2022

2021

2021

Total Shareholders’ (Common) Equity:

Total shareholders’ equity

$

456,837

$

433,368

$

416,701

Goodwill

(89,911

)

(59,894

)

(53,753

)

Core deposit and customer intangible

(15,617

)

(12,203

)

(9,406

)

Total tangible common equity

$

351,309

$

361,271

$

353,542

Total Assets:

Total assets

$

5,362,235

$

4,726,378

$

4,443,586

Goodwill

(89,911

)

(59,894

)

(53,753

)

Core deposit and customer intangible

(15,617

)

(12,203

)

(9,406

)

Total tangible assets

$

5,256,707

$

4,654,281

$

4,380,427

Common shares outstanding

22,564,607

20,400,349

20,804,753

Book value per common share

$

20.25

$

21.24

$

20.03

Tangible book value per common share

$

15.57

$

17.71

$

16.99

Common equity to total assets

8.52

%

9.17

%

9.38

%

Tangible common equity to tangible assets

6.68

%

7.76

%

8.07

%