8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMMISSION

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): July 22, 2019

BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Louisiana	333-200112	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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ 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 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 40 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.          ☒

8.01     Other Events.

On July 22, 2019, Business First Bank, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Business First Bancshares, Inc., announced the hiring of Mimi Singer Lee as Chief Human Resources Officer of the bank. Dr. Lee has over 20 years’ experience in human resource management, most recently serving as interim Chief Human Resources Officer for Louisiana State University. Dr. Lee earned her PhD in Human Resources Education from Louisiana State University and has experience in recruitment, employment, selection, retention, employee relations, policy administration, and training and development. She also holds the Certified Professional designation by the Society for Human Resource Management. In addition to overseeing training and development, she will lead recruitment efforts and culture implementation.

Business First Bank also announced the promotion of Heather Roemer, previous head of human resources for the bank, to oversee the launch of a new division that will be announced next year. Ms. Roemer will continue to oversee corporate governance matters and to serve as corporate secretary to both the company and the bank.

A copy of the press release regarding the hiring of Dr. Lee and promotion of Ms. Roemer that was issued on July 22, 2019 is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

9.01     Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibit Number	Description of Exhibit
99.1	Press Release issued by Business First Bancshares, Inc., dated July 22, 2019

Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “target,” “forecast,” and other words and terms of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Business First cautions readers that any forward-looking statement is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement and Business First undertakes no obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice, including, without limitation, those risks and uncertainties described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, and otherwise in our reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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: July 25, 2019

Business First bancshares, inc.
By:	/s/ David R. Melville, III
	David R. Melville, III
	President and Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description of Exhibit
99.1	Press Release issued by Business First Bancshares, Inc., dated July 22, 2019

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Misty Albrecht
July 22, 2019	Business First Bank
	225.286.7879
	Misty.Albrecht@b1BANK.com

Business First Bank Names Mimi Singer Lee Chief Human Resources Officer and Announces Heather Roemer Promotion

Baton Rouge, LA – Jude Melville, president and CEO of Business First Bank, announced Mimi Singer Lee as Chief Human Resources Officer of the company. Lee has over 20 years’ experience in human resource management, most recently serving as interim Chief Human Resources Officer for Louisiana State University. Heather Roemer has been with Business First Bank for 10 years leading human resources and training. Roemer also serves as Corporate Secretary for the bank and holding company. Roemer will continue to lead corporate governance and will oversee the launch of a new division that will be announced next year.

“We have had tremendous growth in the past two years, both geographically and with staff additions,” said Melville. “Mimi’s extensive background in talent acquisition and engagement along with policy administration will enhance current training and development programs while further evolving our culture as we continue to grow. With this change, Heather will be able to focus on corporate governance and spearhead a new corporate initiative that I’m really excited about.”

Dr. Lee earned her PhD in Human Resources Education from Louisiana State University and has experience in recruitment, employment, selection, retention, employee relations, policy administration, and training and development. She also holds the Certified Professional designation by the Society for Human Resource Management. In addition to overseeing training and development, she will lead recruitment efforts and culture implementation.

“I’m excited to join Business First Bank during this time of growth,” said Lee. “I’m looking forward to working with the executive team and the entire group of banking professionals, to help continue this forward momentum in the coming years.”

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Roemer is a graduate of Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University where she served as class president, is a graduate of Louisiana State University, and holds the Certified Professional designation by the Society for Human Resource Management. She has led recruiting, employee relations, benefits administration, compensation and training for the past ten years in addition to overseeing corporate governance for the bank. In her new role, Roemer will be expanding corporate governance and leading initiatives that will increase the bank’s community involvement and employee engagement.

“As part of the executive team I’ve had the privilege of being a part of our growth which includes, among other things, the bank’s headcount and total assets quadrupling. I’m excited the Bank is of a size now to make a significant impact on the communities we serve and I’m looking forward to the launch of our new division.”

About Business First Bancshares, Inc.

Business First Bancshares, Inc., through its banking subsidiary Business First Bank, operates 25 banking centers in markets across Louisiana and in Dallas, Texas. Business First Bank provides commercial and personal banking, treasury management and wealth solutions services to small to midsize businesses and their owners and employees. Visit www.b1BANK.com for more information. Business First’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “BFST.”

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this release may not be based on historical facts and are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements may be identified by their reference to a future period or periods or by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “would,” “could” or “intend.” We caution you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, in that actual results could differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. We undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this news release.

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