Earnings Releases·Oct 26, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Business First Bancshares, Inc. — Q3 2026 Earnings Summary

Reported net income of $23.2 million ($0.71/share), up $0.4 million and $0.01 from the prior quarter, driven by a 13-basis point expansion in net interest margin to 3.86% and a $2.9 million increase in net interest income.
Balance sheet growth accelerated with total loans and deposits rising 1.82% and 1.95% respectively to $6.78 billion and $7.38 billion, led by commercial real estate and construction portfolios in Houston and Southwest Louisiana.
Capital return activities included $6.3 million in share repurchases (204,160 shares) and a maintained common dividend of $0.15 per share, while borrowings and brokered deposits decreased by $107.8 million and $65.9 million respectively.
Management provided no specific numerical forward guidance, citing a focus on disciplined execution and the successful August 2026 conversion of Progressive Bank's core systems.
Credit quality metrics showed a slight deterioration with net charge-offs rising to 8 basis points due to one fully reserved commercial relationship, though nonperforming loans to total loans decreased to 1.24%.