Business First Bancshares, Inc.

false 0001624322 0001624322 2026-05-21 2026-05-21 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): May 21, 2026 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Louisiana 001-38447 20-5340628 (State of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 500 Laurel Street, Suite 101 Baton Rouge , Louisiana 70801 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: ( 225 ) 248-7600 Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: ☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) ☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share BFST NASDAQ Global Select Market Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ☐ If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐ 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders On May 21, 2026, Business First Bancshares, Inc. (“Business First”) held its annual meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”). At the Annual Meeting, the shareholders of Business First: (i) elected sixteen (16) directors; (ii) approved on a non-binding, advisory basis the compensation paid to Business First’s named executive officers; and (iii) ratified the appointment of Forvis Mazars, LLP as Business First’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2026. The proposals presented at the Annual Meeting are described in more detail in Business First’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 8, 2026. Holders of 23,741,697 shares of Business First common stock, or approximately 72.62% of Business First’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock that were entitled to vote, were present in person, virtually, or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting. Below are the final voting results on the proposals presented to Business First’s shareholders at the Annual Meeting. Proposal 1: Election of Directors The shareholders elected the individuals nominated by the Board of Directors of Business First to serve as directors until the 2027 annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified: For Against Abstain Broker Non-Vote George W. Cummings III 12,073,961 6,167,145 39,210 5,461,381 Ricky D. Day 17,978,734 300,814 768 5,461,381 John P. Ducrest 18,009,045 269,601 1,670 5,461,381 Mark P. Folse 11,841,843 6,399,363 39,110 5,461,381 William G. Hall 18,035,139 243,026 2,151 5,461,381 J. Vernon Johnson 18,024,598 254,068 1,650 5,461,381 Rolfe H. McCollister, Jr. 17,463,579 815,368 1,369 5,461,381 David R. Melville, III 17,934,816 344,151 1,349 5,461,381 Patrick E. Mockler 17,928,153 350,814 1,349 5,461,381 David A. Montgomery, Jr. 17,736,466 542,200 1,650 5,461,381 Arthur J. Price 18,000,864 277,802 1,650 5,461,381 Aimee Quirk 18,032,667 246,688 961 5,461,381 Alejandro Sanchez 17,975,270 299,877 5,169 5,461,381 Zeenat Sidi 18,024,890 254,164 1,262 5,461,381 Keith A. Tillage 17,950,257 324,502 5,557 5,461,381 Steven G. White 17,360,104 918,462 1,750 5,461,381 Proposal 2: Non-Binding, Advisory Vote Regarding the Compensation of Business First ’ s Named Executive Officers The shareholders approved, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of Business First’s named executive officers. The table below sets forth the voting results for Proposal 2: For Against Abstain Broker Non-Vote 17,895,672 230,620 154,024 5,461,381 Proposal 3: Ratification of Forvis Mazars, LLP as Business First ’ s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The shareholders ratified the Audit Committee’s appointment of Forvis Mazars, LLP as Business First’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. The table below sets forth the voting results for Proposal 3: For Against Abstain 23,609,260 123,613 8,824 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. Dated: May 27, 2026 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. By: /s/ David R. Melville III David R. Melville III President and Chief Executive Officer