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<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>&nbsp;</b></p>

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b><b><font style="text-transform: uppercase; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">UNITED STATES</font></b></b></p>

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMMISSION</b></p>

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Washington, D.C. 20549</b></p>

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<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 18pt;"><b>FORM 8-K</b></p>

<p style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

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<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>CURRENT REPORT</b></p>

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the<font style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></b></p>

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Date of report (Date of earliest event reported<font style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">): <b>December 12, 2017</b></font></p>

<p style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

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<p style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 18pt;"><b>BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.</b></p>

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</p>

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;</p>

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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Louisiana</b></p>
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			<td style="width: 28.8%; vertical-align: top;">
			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>333-200112</b></p>
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			<td style="width: 35.4%; vertical-align: top;">
			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>20-5340628</b></p>
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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">(State of incorporation)</p>
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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">(I.R.S. Employer Identification <font style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">No.)</font></p>
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			<td style="width: 35.8%; vertical-align: top;">&nbsp;</td>
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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>500 Laurel Street</b><font style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>, Suite 101</b></font></p>

			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Baton Rouge, Louisiana</b></p>
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			<td style="width: 28.8%; vertical-align: bottom;">&nbsp;</td>
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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>7080</b><font style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>1</b></font></p>
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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">(Address of principal executive offices)</p>
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			<td style="width: 28.8%; vertical-align: top;">&nbsp;</td>
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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">(Zip code)</p>
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			<td style="width: 35.8%; vertical-align: top;">&nbsp;</td>
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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Registrant<font style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&rsquo;s telephone number, including area code:<b>&nbsp;</b><b>(225) 248-7600</b></font></p>
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<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">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):</p>

<p style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&#9744;<font style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></p>

<p style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&#9744;<font style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></p>

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<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&#9744;<font style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></p>

<p style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&#9744;<font style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</font></p>

<p style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 40 of the Securities Act of 1933 (&sect;230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (&sect;240.12b-2 of this chapter).</p>

<p style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: right; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Emerging growth company&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9746;</font></p>

<p style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">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.<font style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9746;</font></p>

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<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>8</b><font style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>.01&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</b><b>&nbsp; Other Events</b><b>.</b></font></p>

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<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">On December 12, 2017, Business First Bancshares, Inc. (&ldquo;Business First&rdquo;) announced that the shareholders of Minden Bancorp, Inc. (&ldquo;MBI&rdquo;) approved the previously announced Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated October 5, 2017, by and among Business First, MBI, and BFB Acquisition Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Business First, which provides for the acquisition of MBI by Business First. Prior to that date, Business First received all requisite regulatory approvals and waivers for the acquisition of MBI and the merger of MBI and Business First&rsquo;s respective banking subsidiaries, MBL Bank and Business First Bank.</font></p>

<p style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The acquisition of MBI and the merger of MBL Bank and Business First Bank is expected to be consummated on or about January 1, 2018.</font></p>

<p style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Forward-Looking Statements</b></p>

<p style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">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 &ldquo;may,&rdquo; &ldquo;will,&rdquo; &ldquo;anticipate,&rdquo; &ldquo;estimate,&rdquo; &ldquo;expect,&rdquo; &ldquo;project,&rdquo; &ldquo;intend,&rdquo; &ldquo;plan,&rdquo; &ldquo;believe,&rdquo; &ldquo;target,&rdquo; &ldquo;forecast,&rdquo; 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. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the proposed merger involving Business First and MBI, including future financial and operating results; Business First&rsquo;s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions; the expected timing of completion of the transaction and other statements that are not historical facts. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties relating to: (i) the risk that a condition to closing may not be satisfied; (ii) the timing to consummate the proposed merger; (iii) the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; (iv) the risk that the cost savings and any other synergies from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; (v) disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or vendors; (vi) the diversion of management time on merger-related issues; and (ix) other factors which Business First discusses or refers to in the &ldquo;Risk Factors&rdquo; section of its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission. 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.<b>&nbsp;</b></font></p>

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<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>SIGNATURES</b></p>

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<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the <font style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.</font></p>

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<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Dated: <font style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">December 14, 2017</font></p>

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			<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b>Business First bancshares, inc.</b></font></p>
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			<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt;">/s/&nbsp;</font>David R. Melville, II<font style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">I</font></p>
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			<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;</font>David R. Melville, II<font style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">I</font></p>
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bfbi20171214b_8k.htm
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
):
December 12, 2017
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
7080
1
(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))
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 December 12, 2017, Business First Bancshares, Inc. ("Business First") announced that the shareholders of Minden Bancorp, Inc. ("MBI") approved the previously announced Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated October 5, 2017, by and among Business First, MBI, and BFB Acquisition Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Business First, which provides for the acquisition of MBI by Business First. Prior to that date, Business First received all requisite regulatory approvals and waivers for the acquisition of MBI and the merger of MBI and Business First's respective banking subsidiaries, MBL Bank and Business First Bank.
The acquisition of MBI and the merger of MBL Bank and Business First Bank is expected to be consummated on or about January 1, 2018.
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. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the proposed merger involving Business First and MBI, including future financial and operating results; Business First's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions; the expected timing of completion of the transaction and other statements that are not historical facts. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties relating to: (i) the risk that a condition to closing may not be satisfied; (ii) the timing to consummate the proposed merger; (iii) the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; (iv) the risk that the cost savings and any other synergies from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; (v) disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or vendors; (vi) the diversion of management time on merger-related issues; and (ix) other factors which Business First discusses or refers to in the "Risk Factors" section of its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission. 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.
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:
December 14, 2017
Business First bancshares, inc.
By:
/s/
David R. Melville, II
I
David R. Melville, II
I
President and Chief Executive Office
r