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

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

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

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

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

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

<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:center;">Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): <b>October 23, 2019</b></p>

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

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

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

			<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:center;"><b>Baton Rouge, Louisiana</b></p>
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			<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:center;"><b>7080</b><b>1</b></p>
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			<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:center;">Registrant&#8217;s telephone number, including area code:<b>&nbsp;</b><b>(225) 248-7600</b></p>
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<p style="margin: 0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:</p>

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			<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:center;">Trading Symbol(s)</p>
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			<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:center;">Name of each exchange on which registered</p>
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			<p style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt; text-align: center;">Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share</p>
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			<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:center;">BFST&nbsp;</p>
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			<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:center;">NASDAQ Global Select Market&nbsp;</p>
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<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:justify;">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>

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

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

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

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

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<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:justify;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 40 of the Securities Act of 1933 (&#167;230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (&#167;240.12b-2 of this chapter).</p>

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

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

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<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:justify;"><b>2.02&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Results of Operations and Financial Condition</b><b>.</b></p>

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<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:justify;">On October 23, 2019, Business First Bancshares, Inc. (&#8220;Business First&#8221;), the parent company of Business First Bank, issued a press release announcing financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2019. The release also announced that the Board of Directors of Business First declared a dividend on October 17, 2019, in the amount of $0.10 to the shareholders of record of the company on November 15, 2019. The dividend is to be paid on November 30, 2019, or as soon as practicable thereafter. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated by reference herein.</p>

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<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:justify;">The information in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed &#8220;filed&#8221; for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference.</p>

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<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:justify;"><b>9.01&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Financial Statements and Exhibits</b><b>.</b></p>

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

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<p style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">The following exhibits are filed herewith.</p>

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			<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:justify;">Exhibit No.</p>
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			<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:justify;">Description of Exhibit</p>
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			<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:justify;">99.1</p>
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			<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:justify;"><a href="ex_160677.htm" style="-sec-extract:exhibit;">Press release dated October 23, 2019</a></p>
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<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:justify;"><b>SIGNATURES</b></p>

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

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<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt;">Dated: October 23, 2019</p>

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			<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><font style="text-transform:uppercase;"><b>Business First bancshares, inc.</b></font></p>
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			<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp; By: </font></p>
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			<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;/s/&nbsp;</font>David R. Melville, III</p>
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			<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</font></p>
			</td>
			<td style="width: 4%;" valign="top" width="3%">
			<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</font></p>
			</td>
			<td style="width: 32%;" valign="top" width="35%">
			<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</font>David R. Melville, III</p>
			</td>
			<td style="width: 9%;" valign="top" width="12%">
			<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</font></p>
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			<td style="width: 55%;" valign="top" width="50%">
			<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</font></p>
			</td>
			<td style="width: 4%;" valign="top" width="3%">
			<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</font></p>
			</td>
			<td style="width: 32%;" valign="top" width="35%">
			<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</font>President and Chief Executive Officer</p>
			</td>
			<td style="width: 9%;" valign="top" width="12%">
			<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;"><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0pt; text-align: left">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:center;"><u><b>EXHIBIT INDEX</b></u></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:0pt;text-align:justify;">Exhibit No.</p>
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 1%;">&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 91%; border-bottom: thin solid rgb(0, 0, 0);">
			<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:justify;">Description of Exhibit</p>
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			<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 8%;">
			<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:justify;">99.1</p>
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 1%;">&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 91%;">
			<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:justify;">Press release dated October 23, 2019</p>
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<p style="font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:center;">&nbsp;</p>


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bfbi20191021_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):
October 23, 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
7080
1
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(225) 248-7600
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
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.          ☒
2.02         Results of Operations and Financial Condition
.
On October 23, 2019, Business First Bancshares, Inc. ("Business First"), the parent company of Business First Bank, issued a press release announcing financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2019. The release also announced that the Board of Directors of Business First declared a dividend on October 17, 2019, in the amount of $0.10 to the shareholders of record of the company on November 15, 2019. The dividend is to be paid on November 30, 2019, or as soon as practicable thereafter. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated by reference herein.
The information in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference.
9.01         Financial Statements and Exhibits
.
(d)           Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed herewith.
Exhibit No.
Description of Exhibit
99.1
Press release dated October 23, 2019
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: October 23, 2019
Business First bancshares, inc.
By:
/s/
David R. Melville, III
David R. Melville, III
President and Chief Executive Officer
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description of Exhibit
99.1
Press release dated October 23, 2019