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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Date of report (Date of earliest event reported<font style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">): <b>March 15, 2018</b></font></p>

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

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

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

			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Baton Rouge, Louisiana</b></p>
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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>7080</b><font style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>1</b></font></p>
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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, 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: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">(Zip code)</p>
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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Registrant<font style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, 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;">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="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&#9744;<font style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, 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: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

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

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

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&#9744;<font style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, 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: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&#9744;<font style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, 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: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">&nbsp;</p>

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

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: right; text-indent: 69.2%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><font style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Emerging growth company&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9746;</font></p>

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<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, 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: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&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: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>5.05</b><font style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</b><b>Amendment to </b><b>Registrant&rsquo;s Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics</b><b>.</b></font></p>

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

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">On March<font style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> 15, 2018, the Board of Directors (the &ldquo;Board&rdquo;) of Business First Bancshares, Inc. (&ldquo;Business First&rdquo;) approved amendments to the Company&rsquo;s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the &ldquo;Code&rdquo;) to reflect Business First&rsquo;s anticipated listing on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and consequent reporting obligations under Section 16 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &ldquo;Exchange Act&rdquo;). The Code, as amended, is available on Business First&rsquo;s corporate website at www.b1bank.com.</font></p>

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

<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The amendments to the Code are effective immediately. The text of the Code, as amended, is attached hereto as Exhibit 14.1 and incorporated herein by reference. This description of the amendments is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text thereof.</p>

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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>9.01<font style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </font></b></p>
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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b><font style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Financial Statements and Exhibits</font></b><font style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>.</b></font></p>
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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">(d)<font style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </font></p>
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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><font style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Exhibits.</font></p>
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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><font style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">The following exhibits are filed herewith.</font></p>
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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Exhibit No.</p>
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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Description of Exhibit</p>
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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">14<font style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">.1</font></p>
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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="ex_108148.htm" style="-sec-extract: exhibit;">Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of Business First Bancshares, Inc.</a></p>
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<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, 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: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the <font style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, 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: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Dated: <font style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">March 16, 2018</font></p>

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			<td colspan="2" style="width: 9%; vertical-align: top;"><font style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b>Business First bancshares, inc.</b></font></td>
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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: left; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;By:</p>
			</td>
			<td style="width: 91%; vertical-align: top; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-width: thin; border-bottom-style: solid;">
			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: left; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">/s/ David R. Melville, III</p>
			</td>
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			<td style="width: 9%; vertical-align: top;">&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="width: 91%; vertical-align: top;">
			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: left; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">David R. Melville, III</p>
			</td>
		</tr>
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			<td style="width: 9%; vertical-align: top;">&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="width: 91%; vertical-align: top;">
			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: left; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">President and Chief Executive Officer</p>
			</td>
		</tr>

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

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

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			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Exhibit No.</p>
			</td>
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			<td style="width: 92%; vertical-align: top; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-width: thin; border-bottom-style: solid;">
			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Description of Exhibit</p>
			</td>
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			<td colspan="2" style="width: 7%; vertical-align: top;">
			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">14.1</p>
			</td>
			<td style="width: 92%; vertical-align: top;">
			<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of Business First Bancshares, Inc.</p>
			</td>
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<p style="margin: 0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
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bfbi20180316_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
):
March 15, 2018
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.
☒
5.05
Amendment to
Registrant's Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics
.
On March
15, 2018, the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Business First Bancshares, Inc. ("Business First") approved amendments to the Company's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the "Code") to reflect Business First's anticipated listing on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and consequent reporting obligations under Section 16 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). The Code, as amended, is available on Business First's corporate website at www.b1bank.com.
The amendments to the Code are effective immediately. The text of the Code, as amended, is attached hereto as Exhibit 14.1 and incorporated herein by reference. This description of the amendments is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text thereof.
9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
.
(d)
Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed herewith.
Exhibit No.
Description of Exhibit
14
.1
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of Business First Bancshares, Inc.
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:
March 16, 2018
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
14.1
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of Business First Bancshares, Inc.