Business First Bancshares, Inc. Files DEF 14A Proxy Statement

TL;DR

<b>Business First Bancshares, Inc. has filed a Definitive Proxy Statement (DEF 14A) for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.</b>

AI Summary

Business First Bancshares, Inc. (BFST) filed a Proxy Statement (DEF 14A) with the SEC on April 10, 2024. Filing type: DEF 14A (Definitive Proxy Statement). Reporting period: Fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. Filed as of date: April 10, 2024. Company SIC code: 6022 (State Commercial Banks). Incorporated in: Louisiana (LA).

Why It Matters

For investors and stakeholders tracking Business First Bancshares, Inc., this filing contains several important signals. This filing is a standard proxy statement, indicating that the company is seeking shareholder approval for various matters, likely including director elections and executive compensation, which are typical for DEF 14A filings. The filing provides detailed financial information and disclosures related to executive compensation and corporate governance, crucial for investors to understand the company's management and decision-making processes.

Risk Assessment

Risk Level: low — Business First Bancshares, Inc. shows low risk based on this filing. The filing is a routine DEF 14A, providing standard disclosures rather than announcing significant new events or financial performance, thus posing a low immediate risk.

Analyst Insight

Review the executive compensation details and any shareholder proposals within the DEF 14A to understand management incentives and potential governance changes.

Key Numbers

• 2023-12-31 — Fiscal Year End (Reporting period for the DEF 14A)
• 2024-04-10 — Filed As Of Date (Date the DEF 14A was filed)

Key Players & Entities

• Business First Bancshares, Inc. (company) — Filer of the DEF 14A
• Louisiana (location) — State of Incorporation

FAQ

Industry Context

Business First Bancshares, Inc. operates within the commercial banking sector, focusing on providing financial services.

Regulatory Implications

As a publicly traded company, Business First Bancshares, Inc. is subject to SEC regulations, including the requirement to file proxy statements (DEF 14A) for shareholder meetings.

What Investors Should Do

1. Analyze the executive compensation structure and any changes proposed.
2. Review director nominations and qualifications presented in the proxy statement.
3. Identify any shareholder proposals and the company's recommendation.

Year-Over-Year Comparison

This is a DEF 14A filing, which is a routine disclosure for the fiscal year end, and does not represent a change from previous filing types.

Filing Documents

• bfbi20240401_def14a.htm (DEF 14A) — 1517KB
• bfbi20240401_def14aimg002.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 3KB
• bfbi20240401_def14aimg008.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 26KB
• bfbi20240401_def14aimg009.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 24KB
• bfbi20240401_def14aimg010.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 23KB
• bfstlogo.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 24KB
• graph01.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 19KB
• graph02.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 20KB
• pc01.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 108KB
• pc02.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 96KB
• 0001437749-24-011572.txt (&nbsp;) — 3203KB
• bfst-20231231.xsd (EX-101.SCH) — 8KB
• bfst-20231231_def.xml (EX-101.DEF) — 11KB
• bfst-20231231_lab.xml (EX-101.LAB) — 23KB
• bfst-20231231_pre.xml (EX-101.PRE) — 11KB
• bfbi20240401_def14a_htm.xml (XML) — 150KB

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 26 PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE 54 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS 59

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS 60 PROPOSAL TWO – THE SAY-ON-PAY PROPOSAL 62 PROPOSAL THREE – RATIFICATION OF AUDIT FIRM 63 PROPOSAL FOUR – APPROVAL OF THE 2024 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN 64 REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 73 SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR 2025 ANNUAL MEETING 74 OTHER MATTERS 74 COST OF ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY SOLICITATION 74 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K 75 Table of Contents BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. 500 Laurel Street, Suite 101 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70801 PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS to be held Thursday, May 23, 2024 The date of this proxy statement is April 5, 2024 In this proxy statement, when we refer to " Business First, " " the Company, " " our Company, " " we, " " our " and " us, " we are referring to Business First Bancshares, Inc. When we refer to " the Bank, " we are referring to b1BANK, formerly known as Business First Bank. This proxy statement contains information about the 2024 annual meeting of the shareholders of Business First Bancshares, Inc. The meeting is scheduled to be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024, beginning at 8:00 a.m. local time. We are holding an in-person meeting with a virtual option. In-person or virtually, we hope that you will attend the meeting. If you choose to attend virtually, you will be able to vote your shares electronically, and submit your questions prior to and during the meeting by visiting: www.meetnow.global/MV6Z47Q, at 8:00 a.m. Central Time. To participate in the annual meeting at www.meetnow.global/MV6Z47Q, you must enter the control number found on the notice of internet availability you previously received. Questions or statements that we receive from shareholders which are relevant to the business to be conducted at the annual meeting will be read aloud on the webcast and, if appropriate, answered during the meeting. You als

View Full Filing

View this DEF 14A filing on SEC EDGAR