Business First Bancshares, Inc. filed a Form 8-K on October 29, 2026, disclosing that its Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program authorizing up to $30,000,000 in common stock repurchases, effective immediately and running through October 28, 2028.

Key Highlights

  • New program authorized: The Board approved repurchases of common stock with an aggregate purchase price of up to $30,000,000, effective October 29, 2026.
  • Program duration: The new repurchase program will continue until October 28, 2028.
  • Prior program replaced: The new program replaces the program that became effective October 28, 2025, and no further repurchases will be made under the prior program.
  • Remaining balance on prior program: As of October 29, 2026, approximately $12.4 million remained available under the prior $30.0 million program.
  • No repurchase obligation: According to the filing, the program "does not obligate Business First to repurchase any shares of its common stock, and there is no assurance that Business First will do so."
  • Repurchase methods: Repurchases may be made through Rule 10b5-1 plans, open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, or other compliant means.

Business First Bancshares Launches New Two-Year $30 Million Repurchase Program

Business First Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:BFST), a Louisiana-incorporated bank holding company headquartered in Baton Rouge, disclosed in an October 29, 2026 Form 8-K that its Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the company to buy back shares of its common stock with an aggregate purchase price of up to $30,000,000. The program is effective immediately and is set to run through October 28, 2028.

According to the filing, the new program is intended to replace the prior repurchase program, which became effective on October 28, 2025, and had authorized repurchases of up to $30.0 million. As of October 29, 2026, approximately $12.4 million remained available under the prior program. The filing states that no further repurchases will be made under that prior program.

The filing notes that repurchases may be conducted through one or more Rule 10b5-1 plans, open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, or other means intended to comply with applicable federal securities laws. Any open market repurchases are to be conducted in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing also states that the number, price, and timing of any repurchases "will be at the sole discretion of Business First's management" and will depend on factors including market and economic conditions, the financial and regulatory condition of Business First and b1BANK, and liquidity needs. The Board retains the ability to modify, terminate, or renew the program, or change its end date.

What Was Disclosed

Business First Bancshares disclosed the Board approval of a new $30,000,000 stock repurchase program effective October 29, 2026, replacing a prior $30.0 million program that had approximately $12.4 million remaining as of that date. The new program runs through October 28, 2028.