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Business First Bank(BFST) - 2025 Q1 - Quarterly Report
2025-05-02 16:14
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION [Financial Statements](index=4&type=section&id=Item%201.%20Financial%20Statements) The company's financial statements show a slight decrease in total assets, a significant increase in net income, and growth in shareholders' equity for the period [Consolidated Balance Sheets](index=4&type=section&id=Consolidated%20Balance%20Sheets) Total assets were $7.78 billion as of March 31, 2025, with a slight decrease in cash and deposits, while shareholders' equity grew to $826.3 million Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights (in thousands) | Account | March 31, 2025 (Unaudited) | December 31, 2024 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Total Assets** | **$7,784,728** | **$7,857,090** | | Loans and Lease Receivable, Net | $5,924,056 | $5,926,559 | | Securities Available for Sale | $920,573 | $893,549 | | **Total Liabilities** | **$6,958,416** | **$7,057,624** | | Total Deposits | $6,458,181 | $6,511,331 | | Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings | $317,352 | $355,875 | | **Total Shareholders' Equity** | **$826,312** | **$799,466** | [Consolidated Statements of Income](index=5&type=section&id=Unaudited%20Consolidated%20Statements%20of%20Income) Net income for Q1 2025 rose to $20.5 million, a 51.4% year-over-year increase, driven by a significant rise in net interest income Consolidated Income Statement Highlights (in thousands, except per share data) | Account | Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Total Interest Income | $113,693 | $96,011 | | Total Interest Expense | $47,710 | $44,480 | | **Net Interest Income** | **$65,983** | **$51,531** | | Provision for Credit Losses | $2,812 | $1,186 | | Total Other Income | $13,226 | $9,386 | | Total Other Expenses | $50,578 | $42,522 | | **Net Income** | **$20,543** | **$13,570** | | **Net Income Available to Common Shareholders** | **$19,193** | **$12,220** | | **Diluted EPS** | **$0.65** | **$0.48** | [Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)](index=6&type=section&id=Unaudited%20Consolidated%20Statements%20of%20Comprehensive%20Income%20(Loss)) Consolidated comprehensive income reached $30.7 million in Q1 2025, a substantial improvement from the prior year, boosted by net income and unrealized gains Comprehensive Income (Loss) (in thousands) | Description | Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Consolidated Net Income | $20,543 | $13,570 | | Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | $10,154 | $(5,049) | | **Consolidated Comprehensive Income** | **$30,697** | **$8,521** | [Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity](index=7&type=section&id=Unaudited%20Consolidated%20Statements%20of%20Changes%20in%20Shareholders'%20Equity) Shareholders' equity increased to $826.3 million at the end of Q1 2025, driven by net income and other comprehensive income - Shareholders' equity increased by **$26.8 million** during Q1 2025, from $799.5 million to $826.3 million[14](index=14&type=chunk) - Key drivers of the equity increase were **net income ($20.5 million)** and **other comprehensive income ($10.2 million)**[14](index=14&type=chunk) - The company declared and paid cash dividends of **$1.35 million on preferred stock** and **$4.11 million on common stock** during the quarter[14](index=14&type=chunk) [Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows](index=8&type=section&id=Unaudited%20Consolidated%20Statements%20of%20Cash%20Flows) Net cash from operating and investing activities was offset by cash used in financing, resulting in a net decrease in cash of $6.2 million Cash Flow Summary (in thousands) | Activity | Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities | $28,726 | $7,603 | | Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities | $71,761 | $(162,154) | | Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities | $(106,698) | $114,347 | | **Net Decrease in Cash and Due From Banks** | **$(6,211)** | **$(40,204)** | [Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements](index=10&type=section&id=Notes%20to%20Unaudited%20Consolidated%20Financial%20Statements) The notes detail accounting policies, the Oakwood acquisition, debt redemption, credit loss allowances, and a subsequent banking center sale - On October 1, 2024, the Company acquired Oakwood Bancshares, Inc. for a total purchase price of **$103.8 million**, which included issuing 3,973,134 shares of common stock and resulted in **$30.2 million in goodwill**[29](index=29&type=chunk)[32](index=32&type=chunk) - The company redeemed **$7.0 million** of its subordinated debt during Q1 2025, resulting in a **$630,000 gain** on extinguishment of debt[81](index=81&type=chunk) - Subsequent to the quarter end, on April 4, 2025, the company sold its Kaplan banking center, which included **$51.2 million in deposits** and **$2.3 million in loans**[122](index=122&type=chunk) - The allowance for credit losses was **$56.9 million** for loans and **$3.5 million** for unfunded commitments as of March 31, 2025[65](index=65&type=chunk)[99](index=99&type=chunk) [Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations](index=34&type=section&id=Item%202.%20Management's%20Discussion%20and%20Analysis%20of%20Financial%20Condition%20and%20Results%20of%20Operations) Management discusses the significant year-over-year growth in net income, driven by the Oakwood acquisition, alongside an increase in nonperforming assets and strong capital ratios [Overview and Recent Developments](index=36&type=section&id=Overview%20and%20Recent%20Developments) The company highlights its operational scale, recent strategic acquisitions and divestitures, and the full repayment of its BTFP loan - As of March 31, 2025, the company had total assets of **$7.8 billion**, total loans of **$6.0 billion**, and total deposits of **$6.5 billion**[131](index=131&type=chunk) - The company fully repaid its **$300.0 million Bank Term Funding Program (BTFP) loan** upon its maturity on March 22, 2024[134](index=134&type=chunk) - Key strategic activities include the **acquisition of Oakwood Bancshares** (October 2024) and the post-quarter **sale of the Kaplan banking center** (April 2025)[137](index=137&type=chunk)[138](index=138&type=chunk) [Results of Operations](index=38&type=section&id=Results%20of%20Operations) Q1 2025 net income rose 57.1% year-over-year, fueled by increased net interest income from the Oakwood acquisition and higher noninterest income Key Performance Metrics (Q1 2025 vs Q1 2024) | Metric | Q1 2025 | Q1 2024 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Net Income to Common Shareholders | $19.2M | $12.2M | | Diluted EPS | $0.65 | $0.48 | | Return on Average Assets (Annualized) | 1.00% | 0.74% | | Return on Average Equity (Annualized) | 10.48% | 8.51% | | Net Interest Margin | 3.68% | 3.32% | - The increase in net interest income was driven by a **$1.02 billion increase in average interest-earning assets**, primarily from the Oakwood acquisition, which contributed to a **$17.0 million increase in loan interest income**[146](index=146&type=chunk)[150](index=150&type=chunk) - The provision for credit losses increased to **$2.8 million** in Q1 2025, primarily due to **$2.3 million in reserves** on two individual commercial lending relationships[151](index=151&type=chunk) - Noninterest income rose by **$3.8 million**, mainly due to a **$1.1 million increase in gain on sales of loans** and a **$630,000 gain on the extinguishment of subordinated debt**[153](index=153&type=chunk) [Financial Condition](index=42&type=section&id=Financial%20Condition) Total assets remained stable at $7.8 billion, while nonperforming assets increased, and the loan loss allowance was strengthened Loan Portfolio Composition (in thousands) | Loan Type | March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Real Estate: Commercial | $2,472,121 | $2,483,223 | | Real Estate: Construction | $633,698 | $670,502 | | Real Estate: Residential | $934,357 | $884,533 | | Commercial | $1,862,176 | $1,868,675 | | Consumer and Other | $78,567 | $74,466 | | **Total Loans Held for Investment** | **$5,980,919** | **$5,981,399** | Nonperforming Assets (in thousands) | Category | March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Total nonperforming loans | $41,550 | $25,007 | | Other real estate owned | $1,282 | $5,529 | | **Total nonperforming assets** | **$42,832** | **$30,536** | | Ratio of NPA to total assets | 0.55% | 0.39% | - The allowance for credit losses increased to **$60.4 million**, or **1.01% of total loans**, at March 31, 2025, up from $58.5 million, or 0.98%, at December 31, 2024[187](index=187&type=chunk) - Total deposits decreased by **$53.2 million (0.8%)** to $6.5 billion in Q1 2025, with noninterest-bearing deposits decreasing by **$48.7 million**[201](index=201&type=chunk)[202](index=202&type=chunk) [Liquidity and Capital Resources](index=55&type=section&id=Liquidity%20and%20Capital%20Resources) The company maintains a strong liquidity position and robust capital ratios, all well exceeding regulatory minimums - The company has significant contingent liquidity sources, including **$1.6 billion in FHLB availability** and **$1.3 billion in Federal Reserve Discount Window availability** as of March 31, 2025[207](index=207&type=chunk) Regulatory Capital Ratios (Company) | Ratio | March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Tier 1 Leverage | 9.70% | 9.53% | | Common Equity Tier 1 | 9.78% | 9.44% | | Tier 1 Risk-based | 10.90% | 10.56% | | Total Risk-based | 13.03% | 12.75% | - The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of **$0.14 per common share** on April 24, 2025[215](index=215&type=chunk) [Interest Rate Sensitivity and Market Risk](index=59&type=section&id=Interest%20Rate%20Sensitivity%20and%20Market%20Risk) The company's balance sheet is asset-sensitive, with net interest income projected to increase by 3.23% in a +100 basis point rate shock scenario Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis (as of March 31, 2025) | Change in Interest Rates (bps) | % Change in Net Interest Income | % Change in Fair Value of Equity | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | +300 | 9.23% | (1.02%) | | +200 | 6.30% | (0.51%) | | +100 | 3.23% | (0.16%) | | -100 | (2.91%) | (0.05%) | | -200 | (6.10%) | (1.86%) | [Non-GAAP Financial Measures](index=61&type=section&id=Non-GAAP%20Financial%20Measures) The company presents non-GAAP metrics, such as core net income and tangible book value per share, to provide additional insight into performance - **Core net income available to common shareholders** was **$19.3 million ($0.65 per diluted share)** for Q1 2025, compared to $12.8 million ($0.50 per diluted share) for Q1 2024[241](index=241&type=chunk)[243](index=243&type=chunk) Tangible Book Value Per Common Share Reconciliation | Metric | March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Book value per common share (GAAP) | $25.51 | $24.62 | | **Tangible book value per common share (Non-GAAP)** | **$20.84** | **$19.92** | Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets Ratio | Metric | March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Common Equity to Total Assets (GAAP) | 9.7% | 9.3% | | **Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets (Non-GAAP)** | **8.1%** | **7.6%** | [Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk](index=64&type=section&id=Item%203.%20Quantitative%20and%20Qualitative%20Disclosures%20About%20Market%20Risk) The company's primary market risks are interest rate, credit, and liquidity, which are managed through board-approved policies - The company's principal financial market risks are identified as **liquidity risk** and **exposures to interest rate movements**[251](index=251&type=chunk) - Risk is controlled and monitored through established policies, procedures, and oversight from management and the board, with the goal of **optimizing profitability within approved limits**[249](index=249&type=chunk) [Controls and Procedures](index=65&type=section&id=Item%204.%20Controls%20and%20Procedures) Management is actively remediating a previously disclosed material weakness related to a third-party service provider's IT controls - A **material weakness** previously identified in a third-party service provider's IT general controls is **under remediation**[252](index=252&type=chunk) - Remediation steps in Q1 2025 included an independent audit firm's agreed-upon procedures (AUP) testing, which confirmed a **segregation of duty control was appropriately remediated**[253](index=253&type=chunk) - The company plans to **convert to a new core system in Q2 2025**, which is expected to further address the issue[253](index=253&type=chunk) PART II - OTHER INFORMATION [Legal Proceedings](index=66&type=section&id=Item%201.%20Legal%20Proceedings) The company is not involved in any material legal proceedings outside the ordinary course of business - The company is party to claims and legal proceedings from time to time in the ordinary course of business, but **none are currently considered material**[257](index=257&type=chunk) [Risk Factors](index=66&type=section&id=Item%201A.%20Risk%20Factors) No material changes to the company's risk factors have occurred since the last annual report - **No material changes** have occurred in the risk factors disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for December 31, 2024[258](index=258&type=chunk) [Other Items (Items 2, 3, 4, 5)](index=66&type=section&id=Other%20Items) The report confirms no unregistered equity sales, defaults, mine safety issues, or new director/officer trading plans during the quarter - During Q1 2025, **no director or officer** of the Company adopted or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading agreement[263](index=263&type=chunk) [Exhibits](index=67&type=section&id=Item%206.%20Exhibits) The report includes required exhibits such as corporate documents, officer certifications, and Inline XBRL files - Key exhibits filed include **CEO and CFO certifications** pursuant to Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act[264](index=264&type=chunk)
Business First Bancshares, Inc. Appoints Alejandro M. Sanchez to its Board of Directors
Globenewswire· 2025-04-30 21:50
Core Insights - Business First Bancshares Inc. has appointed Alejandro M. Sanchez to its Board of Directors and the b1BANK Board, effective March 27, 2025 [1][4] - Sanchez brings extensive experience in guiding financial institutions through regulatory environments and strategic transformations, aligning with the company's growth strategy [4][2] - As of March 31, 2025, Business First Bancshares, Inc. has $7.8 billion in assets and $7.1 billion in assets under management through its affiliate [5] Company Overview - Business First Bancshares, Inc. operates through its banking subsidiary b1BANK, providing commercial and personal banking products and services across Louisiana and Texas [5] - b1BANK has received accolades such as the 2024 Mastercard "Innovation Award" and is a multiyear winner of American Banker Magazine's "Best Banks to Work For" [5] Leadership Background - Alejandro M. Sanchez has served as president and CEO of Salva Financial Group and has held various board positions, contributing expertise in governance and risk management [2][3] - Sanchez's previous leadership roles include president and CEO of the Florida Bankers Association from 1998 to 2023 and appointments to the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board [3]
Business First Bancshares: A Small, Solid, And Undervalued Bank
Seeking Alpha· 2025-04-27 06:56
Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article is that Business First Bancshares (NASDAQ: BFST) has shown significant improvements, including a return to growth in net interest margin (NIM), declining deposit costs, and the acquisition of Oakwood, making it a stronger bank [1]. Group 2 - The bank's NIM has returned to growth, indicating improved profitability from its lending activities [1]. - Deposit costs are declining, which suggests better management of funding expenses and potentially higher margins [1]. - The acquisition of Oakwood is a strategic move that enhances the bank's market position and operational capabilities [1].
Business First Bank(BFST) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-04-25 03:32
Business First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:BFST) Q1 2025 Earnings Call April 24, 2025 5:00 PM ET Company Participants Matt Sealy - Investor Relations Jude Melville - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Greg Robertson - Chief Financial Officer Philip Jordan - Chief Banking Officer Jerry Vascocu - President, b1BANK Conference Call Participants Matt Olney - Stephens Michael Rose - Raymond James Feddie Strickland - Hovde Group Christopher Marinac - Janney Manuel Navas - D.A. Davidson Operator Hello and thank you ...
Business First (BFST) Q1 Earnings: How Key Metrics Compare to Wall Street Estimates
ZACKS· 2025-04-24 23:05
Core Insights - Business First (BFST) reported revenue of $79.21 million for Q1 2025, a 30% year-over-year increase, with an EPS of $0.65 compared to $0.50 a year ago [1] - The revenue exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $76.58 million by 3.44%, while the EPS surpassed the consensus estimate of $0.61 by 6.56% [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Net Interest Margin was reported at 3.7%, slightly above the average estimate of 3.6% from two analysts [4] - Efficiency Ratio stood at 63.9%, better than the average estimate of 65.9% from two analysts [4] - Total other income (Non-Interest Income) was $13.23 million, exceeding the estimated $11.75 million [4] - Net Interest Income reached $65.98 million, surpassing the average estimate of $64.83 million [4] Stock Performance - Business First shares have returned -8.6% over the past month, compared to a -5.1% change in the Zacks S&P 500 composite [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating potential for outperformance in the near term [3]
Business First (BFST) Tops Q1 Earnings and Revenue Estimates
ZACKS· 2025-04-24 22:15
Business First (BFST) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.65 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.61 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.50 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 6.56%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post earnings of $0.46 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.66, delivering a surprise of 43.48%.Over the last four quarters, the company ha ...
Business First Bank(BFST) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-04-24 22:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The first quarter GAAP net income was $19.2 million, with EPS of $0.65, including several non-core items [12][21] - Core ROA exceeded 1%, with core net interest margin expanding by eight basis points from the previous quarter [6][12] - Total deposits decreased by $53.2 million, primarily due to net decreases in non-interest bearing deposits [13][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total loans held for investment remained relatively flat, down just $480,000, with total paydowns and payoffs matching new loan production at approximately $500 million [13][14] - Non-interest revenue contributed significantly to profitability, driven by strong swap fees and SBA loan gains [7][21] - The company experienced modest negative credit migration, with NPAs increasing from 0.42% to 0.69% [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Texas-based loans remained flat at approximately 41% of the overall loan portfolio [13] - The weighted average cost of deposits for the first quarter was 2.69%, down 12 basis points from the previous quarter [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims for continual incremental improvement and is focused on optimizing its branch network [8][11] - The integration of Oakwood Bank is proceeding as expected, with a conversion set for September [8] - The company is open to future acquisitions but prioritizes growth within its current footprint in Louisiana and Texas [62][102] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating challenges and emphasized a strong start to the year, with better capitalized and diversified credit exposure [11][102] - The company expects loan growth in the low to mid-single digits for the upcoming quarters, despite macroeconomic uncertainties [27][86] - Management noted that deposit costs are expected to remain relatively flat in the near term, influenced by competitive pressures [17][82] Other Important Information - The company completed the sale of a branch in Kaplan, Louisiana, which included approximately $51 million in deposits at an 8% premium [9][15] - The company has a strong pipeline for loan growth and is focused on maintaining profitability without relying solely on loan growth [10][27] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the internal expectations for loan growth for Q2 and the back half of the year? - Management expects loan growth in the low to mid-single digits quarter over quarter, potentially landing in the lower single digits by year-end due to a flat first quarter [27][86] Question: Can you provide updated thoughts on core margin progression throughout the year? - Management anticipates continued low single-digit basis point improvements in core margin, but does not expect to achieve the same level of expansion as in the first quarter due to interest rate uncertainties [29][30] Question: What are the expectations for deposit growth in the upcoming quarters? - Management indicated that the second quarter might be muted due to the recent branch sale, which started the quarter with a deposit deficit [44][48] Question: Are there any areas in the loan portfolio being deemphasized due to future credit expectations? - Management stated there are no specific areas being significantly downscoped, but they are monitoring C and D exposure to ensure it remains within comfortable bounds [59][60] Question: What are the current expectations for industry consolidation within the footprint? - Management believes M&A activity may slow temporarily due to current market uncertainties, but they remain prepared for future opportunities [101][102]
Business First Bank(BFST) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-04-24 22:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The first quarter GAAP net income was $19.2 million, with EPS of $0.65, including non-core items [13] - Core net income, excluding non-core items, was $19.3 million, also with EPS of $0.65 [13] - Core return on assets (ROA) exceeded 1%, with core net interest margin expanding by eight basis points [6][17] - Total deposits decreased by $53 million, primarily due to a reduction in non-interest bearing deposits [14][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total loans held for investment remained flat, down $480,000, with total paydowns and payoffs matching new loan production at approximately $500 million [14] - Real estate construction loans decreased by $36.8 million, while real estate residential loans increased by $49.8 million [14] - Non-interest revenue was driven by strong swap fees and SBA loan gains, contributing significantly to profitability [7][22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Texas-based loans remained flat at approximately 41% of the overall loan portfolio [14] - The weighted average total cost of deposits for the first quarter was 2.69%, down 12 basis points from the previous quarter [19] - The company generated approximately $380 million from new deposit account relationships despite the overall decline in deposits [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on optimizing its branch network and managing expenses while investing in IT and infrastructure [8][21] - The acquisition of Oakwood Bank is progressing as planned, with integration set for September [8] - The company aims to maintain profitability without relying on loan growth, emphasizing net interest margin over volume [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating the uncertain economic environment and highlighted a strong pipeline for the second quarter [11][28] - The company anticipates low to mid-single-digit loan growth for the upcoming quarters, with potential for higher growth in Q2 and Q3 [28][90] - Management noted that credit quality remains stable despite some negative migration in specific relationships [23] Other Important Information - The company completed the sale of a branch in Kaplan, Louisiana, which included approximately $51 million in deposits at an 8% premium [9][16] - The company has a contingent liquidity increase of approximately $600 million, enhancing its financial flexibility [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Expectations for loan growth in Q2 and the second half of the year - Management expects loan growth in the low to mid-single digits, with a healthy pipeline for Q2 [28] Question: Updated thoughts on core margin progression - Management anticipates continued low single-digit basis point improvements in core margin, influenced by interest rate uncertainty [30] Question: Expectations for deposit growth and moving pieces on acquired balances - Management indicated that the recent branch sale would impact deposit growth, making Q2 potentially muted [46] Question: Areas of the loan portfolio under closer scrutiny - Management is not significantly downscoping any particular area but is focusing on maintaining a diversified portfolio [61] Question: Thoughts on capital return and potential buybacks - Management is considering capital return options but believes more capital build is needed before executing buybacks [53][55] Question: Current expectations for industry consolidation - Management noted a slowdown in M&A conversations due to recent market uncertainties but remains open to future opportunities [104]
Business First Bank(BFST) - 2025 Q1 - Quarterly Results
2025-04-24 20:01
500 Laurel Street Baton Rouge, LA 70801 Phone: 877.614.7600 April 24, 2025 b1BANK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Misty Albrecht 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 sharehol ...
Business First Bancshares, Inc., Announces Financial Results for Q1 2025
Newsfilter· 2025-04-24 20:01
Core Insights - Business First Bancshares, Inc. reported a net income of $19.2 million or $0.65 per diluted common share for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, reflecting an increase of $4.1 million and $0.14 compared to the previous quarter [1][42] - The company declared a quarterly preferred dividend of $18.75 per share and a common dividend of $0.14 per share, both to be paid on May 31, 2025 [2] Financial Performance - Core net income on a non-GAAP basis for the quarter was $19.3 million or $0.65 per diluted common share, a slight decrease of $0.2 million and $0.01 from the linked quarter [1] - Net interest income totaled $66.0 million, with a net interest margin of 3.68% and a net interest spread of 2.91%, compared to $65.7 million, 3.61%, and 2.77% for the previous quarter [7][14] - Return on average assets was 1.00% and return on common equity was 10.48% for the quarter, compared to 0.78% and 8.23% for the linked quarter [19][36] Loan and Deposit Trends - Loans held for investment remained flat with a slight decrease of $480,000 or 0.01% from the previous quarter, while real estate construction loans decreased by $36.8 million [5] - Deposits decreased by $53.1 million or 0.82%, primarily due to customer withdrawals, although new account openings generated approximately $379.9 million during the quarter [10] Credit Quality - The ratio of nonperforming loans increased by 27 basis points to 0.69% as of March 31, 2025, while nonperforming assets to total assets rose by 16 basis points to 0.55% [6][35] - The company recorded a provision for credit losses of $2.8 million, down from $6.7 million in the previous quarter [16] Capital and Equity - Common equity to total assets increased from 9.26% to 9.69%, and tangible common equity to tangible assets rose from 7.63% to 8.06% [7] - Book value per common share increased to $25.51 at March 31, 2025, compared to $24.62 at December 31, 2024 [12][36] Securities and Investments - The securities portfolio increased by $27.0 million or 3.02%, with positive fair value adjustments contributing $12.9 million to this increase [9] - Noninterest income increased by $1.4 million or 11.55%, driven by gains on loan sales and other income sources [17]