Business First Bancshares, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2019 June (Form 10-Q)

bfbi20190630_10q.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2019

☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURUSANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number: 333-200112

BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Louisiana	20-5340628
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

500 Laurel Street, Suite 101 Baton Rouge, Louisiana	70801
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(225) 248-7600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☒

Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☒

		Emerging growth company	☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by a 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. ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

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

As of August 2, 2019, the issuer has outstanding 13,366,482 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share.

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Financial Statements	4

	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2019 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2018	4

	Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018	5

	Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018	6

	Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018	7

	Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018	8

	Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements	10

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	32

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	60

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	60

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	61

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	61

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	61

Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	61

Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	61

Item 5.	Other Information	61

Item 6.	Exhibits	61

Signatures		62

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements

BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

ASSETS
	June 30, 2019		December 31,
	(Unaudited)		2018
Cash and Due from Banks	$	64,043	$	96,072
Federal Funds Sold		20,809		41,836
Securities Available for Sale, at Fair Values		294,981		309,516
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale		443		58
Loans and Lease Receivable, Net of Allowance for Loan Losses of $11,603 at June 30, 2019 and $11,220 at December 31, 2018		1,630,970		1,517,249
Premises and Equipment, Net		27,577		15,114
Accrued Interest Receivable		7,957		8,223
Other Equity Securities		11,717		9,282
Other Real Estate Owned		2,324		1,909
Cash Value of Life Insurance		32,223		31,882
Deferred Taxes		2,527		3,848
Goodwill		48,503		49,488
Core Deposit Intangible		7,139		7,885
Other Assets		2,395		2,534
Total Assets	$	2,153,608	$	2,094,896

LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Noninterest Bearing	$	394,848	$	382,354
Interest Bearing		1,308,054		1,351,580
Total Deposits		1,702,902		1,733,934
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase		16,096		12,229
Subordinated Debt		25,000		25,000
Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings		108,000		55,000
Accrued Interest Payable		1,924		1,374
Other Liabilities		22,217		7,301
Total Liabilities		1,876,139		1,834,838

Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 7)

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock, No Par Value; 5,000,000 Shares Authorized		-		-
Common Stock, $1 Par Value; 50,000,000 Shares Authorized; 13,361,482 and 13,213,280 Shares Issued and Outstanding at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively		13,361		13,213
Additional Paid-in Capital		213,823		212,332
Retained Earnings		48,087		37,982
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		2,198		(3,469	)
Total Shareholders' Equity		277,469		260,058
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	2,153,608	$	2,094,896

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

	For The Three Months Ended June 30,				For The Six Months Ended June 30,
	2019		2018		2019		2018
Interest Income:
Interest and Fees on Loans	$	23,870	$	16,549	$	46,293	$	32,225
Interest and Dividends on Securities		1,829		1,414		3,703		2,837
Interest on Federal Funds Sold and Due From Banks		197		128		487		255
Total Interest Income		25,896		18,091		50,483		35,317
Interest Expense:
Interest on Deposits		5,038		2,555		9,795		4,853
Interest on Borrowings		665		560		1,375		988
Total Interest Expense		5,703		3,115		11,170		5,841
Net Interest Income		20,193		14,976		39,313		29,476
Provision for Loan Losses		1,302		474		1,935		948
Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses		18,891		14,502		37,378		28,528
Other Income:
Service Charges on Deposit Accounts		1,034		636		1,972		1,246
Gain (Loss) on Sales of Securities		58		-		58		-
Other Income		3,127		1,370		4,500		2,495
Total Other Income		4,219		2,006		6,530		3,741
Other Expenses:
Salaries and Employee Benefits		8,756		6,524		17,308		13,228
Occupancy and Equipment Expense		1,884		1,402		3,778		2,820
Other Expenses		3,937		4,099		7,281		7,921
Total Other Expenses		14,577		12,025		28,367		23,969
Income Before Income Taxes		8,533		4,483		15,541		8,300
Provision for Income Taxes		1,690		845		3,039		1,554
Net Income	$	6,843	$	3,638	$	12,502	$	6,746
Earnings Per Share:
Basic	$	0.51	$	0.34	$	0.94	$	0.65
Diluted	$	0.50	$	0.33	$	0.91	$	0.62

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollars in thousands)

	For The Three Months Ended June 30,						For The Six Months Ended June 30,
	2019			2018			2019			2018
Consolidated Net Income	$	6,843		$	3,638		$	12,502		$	6,746

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investment Securities		3,142			(247	)		7,115			(3,717	)
Reclassification Adjustment for Gains (Loss) included in Net Income		58			-			58			-
Income Tax Effect		(672	)		52			(1,506	)		781
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		2,528			(195	)		5,667			(2,936	)
Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$	9,371		$	3,443		$	18,169		$	3,810

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

										Accumulated
				Additional						Other			Total
	Common			Paid-In			Retained			Comprehensive			Shareholders'
	Stock			Capital			Earnings			Income (Loss)			Equity
Balances at December 31, 2017	$	10,232		$	144,172		$	27,175		$	(1,644	)	$	179,935
Comprehensive Income:
Net Income		-			-			6,746			-			6,746
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		-			-			-			(2,936	)		(2,936	)
Cash Dividends Declared, $0.14 Per Share		-			-			(1,435	)		-			(1,435	)
Stock Issuance		1,257			26,527			-			-			27,784
Stock Based Compensation Cost		48			569			-			-			617
Surrendered Shares of Stock Based Compensation		(4	)		(75	)		(3	)		-			(82	)
Balances at June 30, 2018	$	11,533		$	171,193		$	32,483		$	(4,580	)	$	210,629

Balances at December 31, 2018	$	13,213		$	212,332		$	37,982		$	(3,469	)	$	260,058
Comprehensive Income:
Net Income		-			-			12,502			-			12,502
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		-			-			-			5,667			5,667
Cash Dividends Declared, $0.18 Per Share		-			-			(2,397	)		-			(2,397	)
Stock Issuance		114			1,154			-			-			1,268
Stock Based Compensation Cost		44			535			-			-			579
Surrendered Shares of Stock Based Compensation		(10	)		(198	)		-			-			(208	)
Balances at June 30, 2019	$	13,361		$	213,823		$	48,087		$	2,198		$	277,469

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

	For The Six Months Ended June 30,
	2019			2018
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Consolidated Net Income	$	12,502		$	6,746
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities:
Provision for Loan Losses		1,935			948
Depreciation and Amortization		801			566
Net Accretion of Purchase Accounting Valuations		(957	)		(464	)
Noncash Compensation Expense		371			535
Net Amortization of Securities		854			1,085
Gain on Sales of Securities		(58	)		-
Noncash (Income) Loss on Other Equity Securities		(1,338	)		(258	)
(Gain) Loss on Sale of Other Real Estate Owned, Net of Writedowns		51			(28	)
Increase in Cash Value of Life Insurance		(341	)		(334	)
Credit for Deferred Income Taxes		(185	)		(146	)
Gain on Sale of Branch		(593	)		-
Changes in Assets and Liabilities:
(Increase) Decrease in Accrued Interest Receivable		266			(3	)
Decrease in Other Assets		65			1,144
Increase in Accrued Interest Payable		550			77
Increase (Decrease) in Other Liabilities		1,735			(303	)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities		15,658			9,565

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Purchases of Securities Available for Sale		(14,662	)		(2,015	)
Proceeds from Maturities / Sales of Securities Available for Sale		17,822			7,704
Proceeds from Paydowns of Securities Available for Sale		17,752			16,385
Net Cash Paid in Merger		-			(49,796	)
Net Cash Paid in Sale of Branch		(17,436	)		-
Purchases of Other Equity Securities		(2,109	)		(818	)
Redemption of Other Equity Securities		1,012			196
Net Increase in Loans		(120,570	)		(65,154	)
Purchases of Premises and Equipment		(966	)		(694	)
Proceeds from Sales of Other Real Estate		610			123
Net (Increase) Decrease in Federal Funds Sold		21,027			(14,202	)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities		(97,520	)		(108,271	)

(CONTINUED)

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	For The Six Months Ended June 30,
	2019			2018
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Net Increase (Decrease) in Deposits		(5,905	)		10,009
Net Increase (Decrease) in Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase		3,867			(4,382	)
Net Advances on Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings		53,000			5,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock		392			27,784
Proceeds from Exercise of Stock Warrants		876			-
Payment of Dividends on Common Stock		(2,397	)		(1,435	)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities		49,833			36,976
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents		(32,029	)		(61,730	)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period		96,072			107,591
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	64,043		$	45,861

Supplemental Disclosures for Cash Flow Information:
Cash Payments for:
Interest on Deposits	$	9,604		$	4,571
Interest on Borrowings	$	1,016		$	963
Income Tax Payments	$	2,200		$	1,240

Supplemental Schedule for Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
Change in the Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities Available for Sale	$	7,173		$	(3,717	)
Change in Deferred Tax Effect on the Unrealized (Gain) Loss on Securities Available for Sale	$	(1,506	)	$	781
Transfer of Loans to Other Real Estate	$	1,105		$	92
Transfer of Premises and Equipment to Other Real Estate	$	-		$	1,049

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 – Basis of Presentation –

The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Business First Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Business First Bank (the “Bank”), and the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Business First Insurance, LLC. The Bank operates out of branch locations in markets across Louisiana and Texas. As a state bank, it is subject to regulation by the Office of Financial Institutions, State of Louisiana, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and undergoes periodic examinations by these agencies. The Company is also regulated by the Federal Reserve and is subject to periodic examinations.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial results for the periods presented, and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. All material intercompany transactions are eliminated. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.

These interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared according to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and, therefore, certain information and footnote disclosures normally presented in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been omitted or abbreviated. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures for the Company’s previously filed Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying disclosures. These estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions the Company may undertake in the future. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other items, the allowance for loan losses, useful lives for depreciation and amortization, fair value of financial instruments, deferred taxes, and contingencies. Estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change for the Company include the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the assessment of deferred tax assets and liabilities and, therefore, are critical accounting policies. Management does not anticipate any material changes to estimates in the near term. Factors that may cause sensitivity to the aforementioned estimates include but are not limited to: external market factors such as market interest rates and employment rates, changes to operating policies and procedures, economic conditions in our markets, and changes in applicable banking regulations. Actual results may ultimately differ from estimates, although management does not generally believe such differences would materially affect the consolidated financial statements in any individual reporting period presented.

Note 2 – Reclassifications –

Certain reclassifications may have been made to conform to the classifications adopted for reporting in 2019. These reclassifications have no effect on previously reported net income.

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 3 – Mergers and Acquisitions –

On January 1, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of Minden Bancorp, Inc. (MBI), and its wholly-owned subsidiary, MBL Bank, located in Minden, Louisiana, further increasing its presence in the Northwest Louisiana region. The Company paid an aggregate cash consideration equal to $56.2 million, or approximately $23.20 in exchange for each share of MBI common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the acquisition. At December 31, 2017, MBI had fair values of approximately $317.4 million in total assets, $192.7 million in net loans, $264.0 million in total deposits, and $30.6 million in total shareholders’ equity, and was the leading financial institution in Webster Parish, part of the Shreveport-Bossier City MSA, through its two banking center locations.

Cost and Allocation of Purchase Price for Minden Bancorp, Inc. (MBI):
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Purchase Price:
MBI Shares Outstanding at December 31, 2017	2,407,627
MBI Restricted Stock Awards Outstanding at December 31, 2017	1,480
MBI Shares Cashed Out Under Terms of Merger			2,409,107
Exchange Ratio			23.20
Cash Paid to Shareholders for Shares of Common Stock		$	55,891
MBI Stock Options Outstanding at December 31, 2017 17,822 Shares at $31.50 Less Strike Price
Cash Paid on MBI Options			296
Total Purchase Price		$	56,187
Net Assets Acquired:
Cash and Cash Equivalents		$	15,891
Securities Available for Sale			99,867
Loans and Leases Receivable			192,714
Premises and Equipment, Net			2,678
Cash Value of Life Insurance			741
Core Deposit Intangible			2,494
Other Assets			3,055
Total Assets			317,440

Deposits			263,951
Borrowings			21,047
Other Liabilities			1,858
Total Liablilities			286,856
Net Assets Acquired			30,584
Goodwill Resulting from Merger		$	25,603

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

After the close of business on November 30, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of Richland State Bancorp, Inc. (RSBI), and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Richland State Bank, located in Richland, Louisiana. The Company issued 1,679,559 shares of its common stock to the RSBI shareholders for a purchase price of $42.4 million. At November 30, 2018, RSBI had provisional fair values of approximately $316.5 million in total assets, $191.0 million in net loans, $290.0 million in total deposits, and $25.4 million in total shareholders’ equity.

Cost and Allocation of Purchase Price for Richland State Bancorp, Inc. (RSBI):
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Purchase Price:
Shares Issued to RSBI Shareholders on December 1, 2018		1,679,559
Closing Stock Price on November 30, 2018		25.29
Total Purchase Price	$	42,476
Net Assets Acquired:
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	40,648
Securities Available for Sale		63,823
Loans and Leases Receivable		190,964
Premises and Equipment, Net		5,282
Cash Value of Life Insurance		7,260
Core Deposit Intangible		3,947
Other Assets		4,498
Total Assets		316,422

Deposits		289,979
Other Liabilities		1,074
Total Liabilities		291,053
Net Assets Acquired		25,369
Goodwill Resulting from Merger	$	17,107

On June 28, 2019, the Company sold a branch that was acquired from Richland State Bank. The sale resulted in a net gain of $593,000 and reduced goodwill and core deposit intangible by $1.3 million.

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 4 – Earnings per Common Share –

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) represents income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding; no dilution for any potentially convertible shares is included in the calculation. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the Company. The potential common shares that may be issued by the Company relate to outstanding stock warrants and stock options.

	For The Three Months Ended June 30,				For The Six Months Ended June 30,
	2019		2018		2019		2018
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Numerator:
Net Income Available to Common Shares	$	6,843	$	3,638	$	12,502	$	6,746
Denominator:
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding		13,361,482		10,607,369		13,324,725		10,421,185
Dilutive Effect of Stock Options and Warrants		379,455		457,269		379,455		457,269
Weighted Average Dilutive Common Shares		13,740,937		11,064,638		13,704,180		10,878,454

Basic Earnings Per Common Share From Net Income Available to Common Shares	$	0.51	$	0.34	$	0.94	$	0.65

Diluted Earnings Per Common Share From Net Income Available to Common Shares	$	0.50	$	0.33	$	0.91	$	0.62

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 5 – Securities –

The amortized cost and fair values of securities available for sale as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are summarized as follows:

	June 30, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
U.S. Government Agencies	$	18,364	$	478	$	-	$	18,842
Corporate Securities		13,039		103		209		12,933
Mortgage-Backed Securities		158,297		1,946		775		159,468
Municipal Securities		102,499		1,272		33		103,738
Total Securities Available for Sale	$	292,199	$	3,799	$	1,017	$	294,981

	December 31, 2018
	(Dollars in thousands)
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
U.S. Government Agencies	$	17,529	$	54	$	144	$	17,439
Corporate Securities		13,052		76		436		12,692
Mortgage-Backed Securities		168,854		328		3,564		165,618
Municipal Securities		114,472		250		955		113,767
Total Securities Available for Sale	$	313,907	$	708	$	5,099	$	309,516

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following tables present a summary of securities with gross unrealized losses and fair values at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, aggregated by investment category and length of time in a continued unrealized loss position. Due to the nature of these investments and current prevailing market prices, these unrealized losses are considered a temporary impairment of the securities.

	June 30, 2019
	Less Than 12 Months				12 Months or Greater				Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
			Gross				Gross				Gross
	Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
	Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses
U.S. Government Agencies	$	-	$	-	$	889	$	-	$	889	$	-
Corporate Securities		3,941		86		2,377		123		6,318		209
Mortgage-Backed Securities		2,568		3		57,234		772		59,802		775
Municipal Securities		1,598		4		9,434		29		11,032		33
Total Securities Available for Sale	$	8,107	$	93	$	69,934	$	924	$	78,041	$	1,017

	December 31, 2018
	Less Than 12 Months				12 Months or Greater				Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
			Gross				Gross				Gross
	Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
	Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses
U.S. Government Agencies	$	4,399	$	28	$	4,610	$	116	$	9,009	$	144
Corporate Securities		6,274		260		2,324		176		8,598		436
Mortgage-Backed Securities		67,770		1,264		61,271		2,300		129,041		3,564
Municipal Securities		40,473		484		29,782		471		70,255		955
Total Securities Available for Sale	$	118,916	$	2,036	$	97,987	$	3,063	$	216,903	$	5,099

Management evaluates securities for other than temporary impairment when economic and market conditions warrant such evaluations. Consideration is given to the extent and length of time the fair value has been below cost, the reasons for the decline in value, and the Company’s intent to sell a security or whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost. The Company has developed a process to identify securities that could potentially have a credit impairment that is other than temporary. This process involves evaluating each security for impairment by monitoring credit performance, collateral type, collateral geography, loan-to-value ratios, credit scores, loss severity levels, pricing levels, downgrades by rating agencies, cash flow projections and other factors as indicators of potential credit issues. When the Company determines that a security is deemed to be other than temporarily impaired, an impairment loss is recognized.

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The amortized cost and fair values of securities available for sale as of June 30, 2019 by contractual maturity are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities in mortgage-backed securities because the mortgages underlying the securities may be called or repaid without any penalties.

	Amortized		Fair
	Cost		Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
Less Than One Year	$	13,122	$	13,162
One to Five Years		65,464		66,043
Over Five to Ten Years		132,100		133,450
Over Ten Years		81,513		82,326
Total Securities Available for Sale	$	292,199	$	294,981

Note 6 – Loans and the Allowance for Loan Losses –

Loans receivable at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are summarized as follows:

	June 30,			December 31,
	2019			2018
	(Dollars in thousands)
Real estate loans:
Construction and land	$	227,102		$	211,054
Farmland		47,245			45,989
1-4 family residential		278,610			270,583
Multi-family residential		38,698			39,273
Nonfarm nonresidential		561,149			518,660
Commercial		411,256			363,640
Consumer		78,513			79,270
Total loans held for investment		1,642,573			1,528,469

Less:
Allowance for loan losses		(11,603	)		(11,220	)
Net loans	$	1,630,970		$	1,517,249

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The performing 1-4 family residential, multi-family residential, commercial real estate, and commercial loans are pledged, under a blanket lien, as collateral securing advances from the FHLB at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

Net deferred loan origination fees were $2.2 million and $1.7 million at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, and are netted in their respective loan categories above. In addition to loans issued in the normal course of business, the Company considers overdrafts on customer deposit accounts to be loans, and reclassifies overdrafts as loans in its consolidated balance sheets. At June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, overdrafts of $292,000 and $858,000, respectively, have been reclassified to loans.

The Bank is the lead lender on participations sold, without recourse, to other financial institutions which amounts are not included in the consolidated balance sheets. The unpaid principal balances of mortgages and other loans serviced for others were approximately $168.9 million and $147.0 million at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

The Bank grants loans and extensions of credit to individuals and a variety of businesses and corporations located in its general market areas throughout Louisiana and Texas. Management segregates the loan portfolio into portfolio segments which is defined as the level at which the Bank develops and documents a systematic method for determining its allowance for loan losses. The portfolio segments are segregated based on loan types and the underlying risk factors present in each loan type. Such risk factors are periodically reviewed by management and revised as deemed appropriate.

Loans acquired in business combinations are initially recorded at fair value, which includes an estimate of credit losses expected to be realized over the remaining lives of the loans and, therefore, no corresponding allowance for loan losses is recorded for these loans at acquisition. Methods utilized to estimate any subsequently required allowance for loan losses for acquired loans not deemed credit-impaired at acquisition are similar to originated loans; however, the estimate of loss is based on the unpaid principal balance and then compared to any remaining unaccreted purchase discount. To the extent the calculated loss is greater than the remaining unaccreted discount, an allowance is recorded for such difference.

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Loans acquired in business combinations were recorded at estimated fair value at the acquisition date with no carryover of the related allowance for loan losses.

Total loans held for investment at June 30, 2019 includes $249.5 million of loans acquired in acquisitions that were recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date. Included in the acquired balances at June 30, 2019 were acquired impaired loans accounted for under the Financial Accounting Standard Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality (“ASC 310-30”) with a net carrying amount of $7.8 million and acquired performing loans not accounted for under ASC 310-30 totaling $244.3 million with a related purchase discount of $2.6 million.

Total loans held for investment at December 31, 2018 includes $334.8 million of loans acquired in acquisitions that were recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date. Included in the acquired balances at December 31, 2018 were acquired impaired loans with a net carrying amount of $10.7 million and acquired performing loans totaling $327.3 million with a related purchase discount of $3.2 million.

The following tables set forth, as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the balance of the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment, disaggregated by impairment methodology, which is then further segregated by amounts evaluated for impairment collectively and individually. The allowance for loan losses allocated to each portfolio segment is not necessarily indicative of future losses in any particular portfolio segment and does not restrict the use of the allowance to absorb losses in other portfolio segments.

Allowance for Credit Losses and Recorded Investment in Loans Receivable

	June 30, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Real Estate:						Real Estate:			Real Estate:		Real Estate:
	Construction			Real Estate:			1-4 Family			Multi-family		Nonfarm
	and Land			Farmland			Residential			Residential		Nonresidential			Commercial			Consumer			Total
Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning Balance	$	1,590		$	104		$	1,538		$	236	$	2,715		$	4,453		$	584		$	11,220
Charge-offs		(2	)		(2	)		(54	)		-		(10	)		(1,540	)		(14	)		(1,622	)
Recoveries		-			-			9			-		-			33			28			70
Provision		204			90			221			7		706			724			(17	)		1,935
Ending Balance	$	1,792		$	192		$	1,714		$	243	$	3,411		$	3,670		$	581		$	11,603
Ending Balance:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	-		$	3		$	19		$	-	$	11		$	277		$	23		$	333
Collectively evaluated for impairment	$	1,792		$	189		$	1,695		$	243	$	3,400		$	3,393		$	558		$	11,270
Purchased Credit Impaired (1)	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-
Loans receivable:
Ending Balance	$	227,102		$	47,245		$	278,610		$	38,698	$	561,149		$	411,256		$	78,513		$	1,642,573
Ending Balance:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	56		$	192		$	2,357		$	-	$	3,192		$	3,792		$	235		$	9,824
Collectively evaluated for impairment	$	227,046		$	46,809		$	276,160		$	38,698	$	550,905		$	407,036		$	78,278		$	1,624,932
Purchased Credit Impaired (1)	$	-		$	244		$	93		$	-	$	7,052		$	428		$	-		$	7,817

(1) Purchased credit impaired loans are evaluated for impairment on an individual basis.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

	December 31, 2018
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Real Estate:					Real Estate:			Real Estate:		Real Estate:
	Construction			Real Estate:		1-4 Family			Multi-family		Nonfarm
	and Land			Farmland		Residential			Residential		Nonresidential		Commercial		Consumer			Total
Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning balance	$	1,421		$	76	$	1,284		$	144	$	2,323	$	3,147	$	370		$	8,765
Charge-offs		(90	)		-		(294	)		-		-		-		(88	)		(472	)
Recoveries		398			-		18			-		13		28		80			537
Provision		(139	)		28		530			92		379		1,278		222			2,390
Ending Balance	$	1,590		$	104	$	1,538		$	236	$	2,715	$	4,453	$	584		$	11,220
Ending Balance:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	-		$	-	$	96		$	-	$	47	$	1,112	$	25		$	1,280
Collectively evaluated for impairment	$	1,590		$	104	$	1,442		$	236	$	2,668	$	3,341	$	559		$	9,940
Purchased Credit Impaired (1)	$	-		$	-	$	-		$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-		$	-
Loans receivable:
Ending Balance	$	211,054		$	45,989	$	270,583		$	39,273	$	518,660	$	363,640	$	79,270		$	1,528,469
Ending Balance:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	32		$	112	$	2,728		$	-	$	4,155	$	5,208	$	125		$	12,360
Collectively evaluated for impairment	$	211,022		$	45,713	$	267,761		$	39,273	$	507,506	$	354,985	$	79,145		$	1,505,405
Purchased Credit Impaired (1)	$	-		$	164	$	94		$	-	$	6,999	$	3,447	$	-		$	10,704

(1) Purchased credit impaired loans are evaluated for impairment on an individual basis.

Management further disaggregates the loan portfolio segments into classes of loans, which are based on the initial measurement of the loan, risk characteristics of the loan and the method for monitoring and assessing the credit risk of the loan.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the credit quality indicators, disaggregated by class of loan, are as follows:

Credit Quality Indicators

	June 30, 2019
	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Real Estate Loans:
Construction and land	$	224,062	$	1,799	$	1,185	$	56	$	227,102
Farmland		46,227		812		14		192		47,245
1-4 family residential		269,416		3,718		3,136		2,340		278,610
Multi-family residential		38,664		-		34		-		38,698
Nonfarm nonresidential		538,718		12,554		4,676		5,201		561,149
Commercial		396,324		5,921		7,647		1,364		411,256
Consumer		76,882		1,283		113		235		78,513
Total	$	1,590,293	$	26,087	$	16,805	$	9,388	$	1,642,573

	December 31, 2018
	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Real Estate Loans:
Construction and land	$	209,027	$	718	$	1,277	$	32	$	211,054
Farmland		45,563		153		161		112		45,989
1-4 family residential		260,325		4,601		2,929		2,728		270,583
Multi-family residential		39,237		-		36		-		39,273
Nonfarm nonresidential		494,698		14,421		3,510		6,031		518,660
Commercial		347,839		5,690		7,448		2,663		363,640
Consumer		77,731		1,180		234		125		79,270
Total	$	1,474,420	$	26,763	$	15,595	$	11,691	$	1,528,469

The above classifications follow regulatory guidelines and can generally be described as follows:

●

Pass loans are of satisfactory quality.

●

Special mention loans have an existing weakness that could cause future impairment, including the deterioration of financial ratios, past due status, questionable management capabilities and possible reduction in the collateral values.

●

Substandard loans have an existing specific and well defined weakness that may include poor liquidity and deterioration of financial ratios. The loan may be past due and related deposit accounts experiencing overdrafts. Immediate corrective action is necessary.

●

Doubtful loans have specific weaknesses that are severe enough to make collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable.

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following tables reflect certain information with respect to the loan portfolio delinquencies by loan class and amount as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. All loans greater than 90 days past due are generally placed on nonaccrual status.

Aged Analysis of Past Due Loans Receivable

	June 30, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
													Recorded
					Greater								Investment Over
	30-59 Days		60-89 Days		Than 90 Days		Total				Total Loans		90 Days Past Due
	Past Due		Past Due		Past Due		Past Due		Current		Receivable		and Still Accruing
Real Estate Loans:
Construction and land	$	30	$	18	$	4	$	52	$	227,050	$	227,102	$	-
Farmland		-		-		107		107		47,138		47,245		107
1-4 family residential		1,137		319		1,011		2,467		276,143		278,610		45
Multi-family residential		-		-		-		-		38,698		38,698		-
Nonfarm nonresidential		407		1,004		3,055		4,466		556,683		561,149		135
Commercial		179		633		1,223		2,035		409,221		411,256		341
Consumer		318		37		210		565		77,948		78,513		99
Total	$	2,071	$	2,011	$	5,610	$	9,692	$	1,632,881	$	1,642,573	$	727

	December 31, 2018
	(Dollars in thousands)
													Recorded
					Greater								Investment Over
	30-59 Days		60-89 Days		Than 90 Days		Total				Total Loans		90 Days Past Due
	Past Due		Past Due		Past Due		Past Due		Current		Receivable		and Still Accruing
Real Estate Loans:
Construction and land	$	325	$	13	$	89	$	427	$	210,627	$	211,054	$	60
Farmland		-		96		-		96		45,893		45,989		-
1-4 family residential		1,596		588		1,400		3,584		266,999		270,583		270
Multi-family residential		36		-		-		36		39,237		39,273		-
Nonfarm nonresidential		2,437		-		3,967		6,404		512,256		518,660		450
Commercial		328		287		3,241		3,856		359,784		363,640		1,038
Consumer		237		89		106		432		78,838		79,270		58
Total	$	4,959	$	1,073	$	8,803	$	14,835	$	1,513,634	$	1,528,469	$	1,876

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following is a summary of information pertaining to impaired loans as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. Acquired non-impaired loans are placed on nonaccrual status and reported as impaired using the same criteria applied to the originated portfolio. Purchased impaired credits are excluded from this table. The interest income recognized for impaired loans was $118,000 and $83,000 for the six months ending June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

	June 30, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
			Unpaid				Average
	Recorded		Principal		Related		Recorded
	Investment		Balance		Allowance		Investment
With an allowance recorded:
Real Estate Loans:
Construction and land	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	1
Farmland		21		22		3		21
1-4 family residential		84		117		19		184
Multi-family residential		-		-		-		-
Nonfarm nonresidential		155		166		11		484
Other Loans:
Commercial		348		413		277		1,381
Consumer		90		94		23		88
Total	$	698	$	812	$	333	$	2,159

With no allowance recorded:
Real Estate Loans:
Construction and land	$	56	$	80	$	-	$	84
Farmland		171		256		-		183
1-4 family residential		2,273		3,218		-		2,674
Multi-family residential		-		-		-		-
Nonfarm nonresidential		3,037		3,327		-		3,916
Other Loans:
Commercial		3,444		4,301		-		4,560
Consumer		145		193		-		148
Total	$	9,126	$	11,375	$	-	$	11,565

Total Impaired Loans:
Real Estate Loans:
Construction and land	$	56	$	80	$	-	$	85
Farmland		192		278		3		204
1-4 family residential		2,357		3,335		19		2,858
Multi-family residential		-		-		-		-
Nonfarm nonresidential		3,192		3,493		11		4,400
Other Loans:
Commercial		3,792		4,714		277		5,941
Consumer		235		287		23		236
Total	$	9,824	$	12,187	$	333	$	13,724

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

	December 31, 2018
	(Dollars in thousands)
			Unpaid				Average
	Recorded		Principal		Related		Recorded
	Investment		Balance		Allowance		Investment
With an allowance recorded:
Real Estate Loans:
Construction and land	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	22
Farmland		-		-		-		-
1-4 family residential		363		451		96		303
Multi-family residential		-		-		-		-
Nonfarm nonresidential		447		501		47		367
Other Loans:
Commercial		1,883		2,935		1,112		547
Consumer		25		25		25		2
Total	$	2,718	$	3,912	$	1,280	$	1,241

With no allowance recorded:
Real Estate Loans:
Construction and land	$	32	$	56	$	-	$	15
Farmland		112		193		-		9
1-4 family residential		2,365		3,975		-		2,708
Multi-family residential		-		-		-		-
Nonfarm nonresidential		3,708		3,833		-		5,240
Other Loans:
Commercial		3,325		4,198		-		5,350
Consumer		100		144		-		261
Total	$	9,642	$	12,399	$	-	$	13,583

Total Impaired Loans:
Real Estate Loans:
Construction and land	$	32	$	56	$	-	$	37
Farmland		112		193		-		9
1-4 family residential		2,728		4,426		96		3,011
Multi-family residential		-		-		-		-
Nonfarm nonresidential		4,155		4,334		47		5,607
Other Loans:
Commercial		5,208		7,133		1,112		5,897
Consumer		125		169		25		263
Total	$	12,360	$	16,311	$	1,280	$	14,824

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company elected to account for certain loans acquired in business combinations as acquired impaired loans under ASC 310-30 due to evidence of credit deterioration at acquisition and the probability that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments. The expected cash flows approximated fair value as of the date of mergers.

The following table presents the changes in the carrying amount of the purchased impaired credits accounted for under ASC 310-30 for the periods presented.

	Purchased
	Impaired Credits
	(Dollars in thousands)

Carrying amount - December 31, 2017	$	696
Carrying amount of purchased impaired credits acquired in MBI acquisition		5,798
Carrying amount of purchased impaired credits acquired in RSBI acquisition		4,533
Payments received, net of discounts realized		(507	)
Purchased impaired credit participation interest sales proceeds, net of discount realized		210
Charge-offs		(26	)
Carrying amount - December 31, 2018		10,704
Payments received, net of discounts realized		(2,887	)
Carrying amount - June 30, 2019	$	7,817

The Bank seeks to assist customers that are experiencing financial difficulty by renegotiating loans within lending regulations and guidelines. The Bank makes loan modifications, primarily utilizing internal renegotiation programs via direct customer contact, that manage customers’ debt exposures held only by the Bank. Additionally, the Bank makes loan modifications with customers who have elected to work with external renegotiation agencies and these modifications provide solutions to customers’ entire unsecured debt structures. During the periods ended June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the concessions granted to certain borrowers included extending the payment due dates, lowering the contractual interest rate, reducing accrued interest, and reducing the debt’s face or maturity amount.

Once modified in a troubled debt restructuring, a loan is generally considered impaired until its contractual maturity. At the time of the restructuring, the loan is evaluated for an asset-specific allowance for credit losses. The Bank continues to specifically reevaluate the loan in subsequent periods, regardless of the borrower’s performance under the modified terms. If a borrower subsequently defaults on the loan after it is restructured, the Bank provides an allowance for credit losses for the amount of the loan that exceeds the value of the related collateral.

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following tables present informative data regarding troubled debt restructurings as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. The Bank had $79,000 in troubled debt restructurings that had subsequently defaulted during the year ended December 31, 2018 and none that had subsequently defaulted during the six months ended June 30, 2019.

Modifications as of June 30, 2019:
			Pre-Modification		Post-Modification
	Number		Outstanding		Outstanding
	of		Recorded		Recorded
	Contracts		Investment		Investment
	(Dollars in thousands)
Troubled Debt Restructuring
Real Estate Loans:
1-4 family residential		2	$	17	$	16
Nonfarm nonresidential		3		2,411		2,156
Other Loans:
Commercial		6		5,914		2,878
Total		11	$	8,342	$	5,050

Modifications as of December 31, 2018:
			Pre-Modification		Post-Modification
	Number		Outstanding		Outstanding
	of		Recorded		Recorded
	Contracts		Investment		Investment
	(Dollars in thousands)
Troubled Debt Restructuring
Real Estate Loans:
1-4 family residential		1	$	-	$	-
Nonfarm nonresidential		3		2,412		2,308
Other Loans:
Commercial		6		5,914		3,512
Total		10	$	8,326	$	5,820

Note 7 – Commitments and Contingencies –

In the normal course of business, the Bank is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby and commercial letters of credit which are not included in the accompanying financial statements. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet.

The Bank’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby and commercial letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Bank’s policy for obtaining collateral, and the nature of such collateral, is essentially the same as that involved in making commitments to extend credit. The Bank uses the same credit policies in making such commitments and conditional obligations as it does for instruments that are included in the balance sheet. In the normal course of business, the Bank has made commitments to extend credit of approximately $329.7 million and standby and commercial letters of credit of approximately $22.9 million at June 30, 2019.

The Bank leases certain branch offices through non-cancelable operating leases with terms that range from one to ten years and contain various renewal options for certain of the leases. Rental expense under these agreements was $1.4 million and $1.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Future minimum lease payments under these leases are as follows:

	(Dollars in thousands)
6 months remaining in 2019	$	1,226
2020		2,006
2021		1,736
2022		1,545
2023		1,401
After 2023		6,927
Total Future Minimum Lease Payments		14,841
Imputed Interest		(1,870	)
Present Value of Lease Liabilities	$	12,971

In the normal course of business, the Bank is involved in various legal proceedings. In the opinion of management and counsel, the disposition or ultimate resolution of such proceedings would not have a material adverse effect on the Bank’s financial statements.

Note 8 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments –

Fair Value Disclosures

The Company groups its financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in three levels. Fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to develop those assumptions and measure fair value. The hierarchy requires companies to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

●

Level 1 – Includes the most reliable sources, and includes quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

●

Level 2 – Includes observable inputs. Observable inputs include inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (for example, interest rates and yield curves at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates) as well as inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market-corroborated inputs).

●

Level 3 – Includes unobservable inputs and should be used only when observable inputs are unavailable.

Recurring Basis

Fair values of investment securities available for sale were primarily measured using information from a third-party pricing service. This pricing service provides information by utilizing evaluated pricing models supported with market data information. Standard inputs include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data from market research publications.

The fair values of mortgage loans held for sale are based on commitments on hand from investors within the secondary market for loans with similar characteristics.

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following tables present the balance of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. The Company did not record any liabilities at fair value for which measurement of the fair value was made on a recurring basis.

	Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(Dollars in thousands)
June 30, 2019
Available for Sale:
U.S. Government Agency Securities	$	18,842	$	-	$	18,842	$	-
Corporate Securities		12,933		-		12,933		-
Mortgage-Backed Securities		159,468		-		159,468		-
Municipal Securities		103,738		-		95,759		7,979
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale		443		-		443		-
Total	$	295,424	$	-	$	287,445	$	7,979


December 31, 2018
Available for Sale:
U.S. Government Agency Securities	$	17,439	$	-	$	17,439	$	-
Corporate Securities		12,692		-		12,692		-
Mortgage-Backed Securities		165,618		-		165,618		-
Municipal Securities		113,767		-		105,383		8,384
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale		58		-		58		-
Total	$	309,574	$	-	$	301,190	$	8,384

Nonrecurring Basis

The Company has segregated all financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine the fair value at the measurement date in the tables below. The Company did not record any liabilities at fair value for which measurement of the fair value was made on a nonrecurring basis.

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The fair value of the impaired loans is measured at the fair value of the collateral for collateral-dependent loans. Impaired loans are Level 2 assets measured using appraisals from external parties of the collateral less any prior liens. Repossessed assets are initially recorded at fair value less estimated cost to sell. The fair value of repossessed assets is based on property appraisals and an analysis of similar properties available. As such, the Bank records repossessed assets as Level 2.

	Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(Dollars in thousands)
June 30, 2019
Assets:
Impaired Loans	$	17,018	$	-	$	17,018	$	-
Repossessed Assets		2,330		-		2,330		-
Total	$	19,348	$	-	$	19,348	$	-

December 31, 2018
Assets:
Impaired Loans	$	21,557	$	-	$	21,557	$	-
Repossessed Assets		1,920		-		1,920		-
Total	$	23,477	$	-	$	23,477	$	-

Fair Value Financial Instruments

The fair value of a financial instrument is the current amount that would be exchanged between willing parties, other than in a forced liquidation. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, certain financial instruments and all non-financial instruments are excluded from these disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

Cash and Short-Term Investments – For those short-term instruments, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Securities – Fair value of securities is based on quoted market prices. If a quoted market price is not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities.

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Loans – The fair value for loans is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, with interest rates currently being offered for similar loans to borrowers with similar credit rates. Loans with similar classifications are aggregated for purposes of the calculations. The allowance for loan losses, which was used to measure the credit risk, is subtracted from loans.

Cash Value of Bank-Owned Life Insurance (“BOLI”) – The carrying amount approximates its fair value.

Other Equity Securities – The carrying amount approximates its fair value.

Deposits – The fair value of demand deposits and certain money market deposits is the amount payable at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, with interest rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

Borrowings – The fair value of FHLB advances and other long-term borrowings is estimated using the rates currently offered for advances of similar maturities. The carrying amount of short-term borrowings maturing within ninety days approximates the fair value.

Commitments to Extend Credit and Standby and Commercial Letters of Credit – The fair values of commitments to extend credit and standby and commercial letters of credit do not differ significantly from the commitment amount and are therefore omitted from this disclosure.

The estimated approximate fair values of the Bank’s financial instruments as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are as follows:

	Carrying		Total
	Amount		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(Dollars in thousands)
June 30, 2019
Financial Assets:
Cash and Short-Term Investments	$	84,852	$	84,852	$	84,852	$	-	$	-
Securities		294,981		294,981		-		287,002		7,979
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale		443		443		-		443		-
Loans - Net		1,630,970		1,615,233		-		-		1,615,233
Cash Value of BOLI		32,223		32,223		-		32,223		-
Other Equity Securities		11,717		11,717		-		-		11,717
Total	$	2,055,186	$	2,039,449	$	84,852	$	319,668	$	1,634,929

Financial Liabilities:
Deposits	$	1,702,902	$	1,704,944	$	-	$	-	$	1,704,944
Borrowings		149,096		164,902		-		164,902		-
Total	$	1,851,998	$	1,869,846	$	-	$	164,902	$	1,704,944

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

	Carrying		Total
	Amount		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2018
Financial Assets:
Cash and Short-Term Investments	$	137,908	$	137,908	$	137,908	$	-	$	-
Securities		309,516		309,516		-		301,132		8,384
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale		58		58		-		58		-
Loans - Net		1,517,249		1,495,454		-		-		1,495,454
Cash Value of BOLI		31,882		31,882		-		31,882		-
Other Equity Securities		9,282		9,282		-		-		9,282
Total	$	2,005,895	$	1,984,100	$	137,908	$	333,072	$	1,513,120

Financial Liabilities:
Deposits	$	1,733,934	$	1,717,698	$	-	$	-	$	1,717,698
Borrowings		92,229		104,930		-		104,930		-
Total	$	1,826,163	$	1,822,628	$	-	$	104,930	$	1,717,698

Note 9 – Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements –

Accounting Standards Adopted in Current Period

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), Conforming Amendments Related to Leases. This ASU amends the codification regarding leases in order to increase transparency and comparability. The ASU requires companies to recognize lease assets and liabilities on the statement of condition and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. A lessee would recognize a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the leased asset for the lease term. The ASU was effective on January 1, 2019. The Company recognized a right-of-use asset and lease liability of approximately $13.0 million as of June 30, 2019. The right-of-use asset and lease liability are recorded within premises and equipment and other liabilities, respectively.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The amendments introduce an impairment model that is based on current expected credit losses (“CECL”), rather than incurred losses, to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments (ex. loans and held to maturity securities), including certain off-balance sheet financial instruments (ex. commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit that are not unconditionally cancellable). The CECL should consider historical information, current information, and reasonable and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments, over the contractual term. An entity must use judgment in determining the relevant information and estimation methods that are appropriate in its circumstances. Financial instruments with similar risk characteristics may be grouped together when estimating the CECL. The allowance for credit losses for purchased financial assets with a more-than-insignificant amount of credit deterioration since origination that are measured at amortized cost basis is determined in a similar manner to other financial assets measured at amortized cost basis; however, the initial estimate of expected credit loss would be recognized through an allowance for credit losses with an offset (i.e. increase) to the purchase price at acquisition. Only subsequent changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as a credit loss expense for these assets. The ASU also amends the current available for sale security impairment model for debt securities whereby credit losses relating to available for sale debt securities should be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2019. The amendments will be applied through a modified retrospective approach, resulting in a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. The Company is currently planning for the implementation of this ASU. Management is currently evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2016-13 on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The adoption of this ASU may have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On January 26, 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment. The guidance in this ASU removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. The goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. All other goodwill impairment guidance will remain largely unchanged. Entities will continue to have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary. The same one-step impairment test will be applied to goodwill at all reporting units, even those with zero or negative carrying amounts. Entities will be required to disclose the amount of goodwill at reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. The revised guidance will be applied prospectively, and is effective for calendar year-end ending in 2020 for public business entities. Early adoption is permitted for any impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. Based on recent goodwill impairment tests, which did not require the application of Step 2, the Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have any immediate impact on the consolidated financial statements.

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Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

When we refer in this Form 10-Q to “we,” “our,” “us,” the “Company” and “Business First,” we are referring to Business First Bancshares, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Business First Bank, which we sometimes refer to as “the Bank,” unless the context indicates otherwise.

The information contained in this Form 10-Q is accurate only as of the date of this form and the dates specified herein.

All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Report”) and other periodic reports filed by the Company, and other written or oral statements made by us or on our behalf, are “forward-looking statements,” as defined by (and subject to the “safe harbor” protections under) the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include statements that reflect the current views of our senior management with respect to our financial performance and future events with respect to our business and the banking industry in general. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “will likely result,” “expect,” “will continue,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “would” and “outlook,” and similar expressions of a future or forward-looking nature. These statements involve estimates, assumptions, and risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements.

We believe these factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

●

risks related to the integration of any acquired businesses, including exposure to potential asset quality and credit quality risks and unknown or contingent liabilities, the time and costs associated with integrating systems, technology platforms, procedures and personnel, the need for additional capital to finance such transactions, and possible failures in realizing the anticipated benefits from acquisitions;

	●	changes in the strength of the United States (“U.S.”) economy in general and the local economy in our local market areas adversely affecting our customers and their ability to transact profitable business with us, including the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans according to their terms or a change in the value of the related collateral;

	●	economic risks posed by our geographic concentration in Louisiana and the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex;

	●	the ability to sustain and continue our organic loan and deposit growth, and manage that growth effectively;

	●	market declines in industries to which we have exposure, such as the volatility in oil prices and downturn in the energy industry that impact certain of our borrowers and investments that operate within, or are backed by collateral associated with, the energy industry;

	●	volatility and direction of interest rates and market prices, which could reduce our net interest margins, asset valuations and expense expectations;

	●	interest rate risk associated with our business;

	●	changes in the levels of loan prepayments and the resulting effects on the value of our loan portfolio;

	●	increased competition in the financial services industry, particularly from regional and national institutions;

	●	increased credit risk in our assets and increased operating risk caused by a material change in commercial, consumer and/or real estate loans as a percentage of our total loan portfolio;

	●	changes in the value of collateral securing our loans;

	●	deteriorating asset quality and higher loan charge-offs, and the time and effort required to resolve problem assets;

	●	the failure of assumptions underlying the establishment of and provisions made to our allowance for credit losses;

	●	changes in the availability of funds resulting in increased costs or reduced liquidity;

	●	our ability to maintain important deposit customer relationships and our reputation;

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	●	a determination or downgrade in the credit quality and credit agency ratings of the securities in our securities portfolio;

	●	increased asset levels and changes in the composition of assets and the resulting impact on our capital levels and regulatory capital ratios;

	●	our ability to prudently manage our growth and execute our strategy;

	●	risks associated with our acquisition and de novo branching strategy;

	●	the loss of senior management or operating personnel and the potential inability to hire qualified personnel at reasonable compensation levels;

	●	legislative or regulatory developments, including changes in the laws, regulations, interpretations or policies relating to financial institutions, accounting, tax, trade, monetary and fiscal matters;

	●	government intervention in the U.S. financial system;

	●	changes in statutes and government regulations or their interpretations applicable to us, including changes in tax requirements and tax rates;

	●	natural disasters and adverse weather, acts of terrorism, an outbreak of hostilities or other international or domestic calamities, and other matters beyond our control; and

	●	other risks and uncertainties listed from time to time in our reports and documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with the other cautionary statements included in this Report. Additional information on these and other risk factors can be found in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of this Report and in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In the event that one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what we anticipate. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which will arise. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF BUSINESS FIRST

The following discussion and analysis focuses on significant changes in the financial condition of Business First from December 31, 2018 to June 30, 2019, and its results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019. This discussion and analysis is intended to highlight and supplement information presented elsewhere in this report and should be read in conjunction with (i) the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto (the “Notes”) and (ii) our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, including the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, management’s discussion and analysis, and the risk factor disclosures contained therein. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and are based on certain assumptions that Business First believes are reasonable but may prove to be inaccurate. Certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those set forth under “Forward-Looking Statements,” “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report, may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected results discussed in the forward-looking statements appearing in this discussion and analysis. Business First assumes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.

Overview

We are a registered bank holding company headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Business First Bank, a Louisiana state chartered bank, we provide a broad range of financial services tailored to meet the needs of small to medium-sized businesses and professionals. Since our inception in 2006, our priority has been and continues to be creating shareholder value through the establishment of an attractive commercial banking franchise in Louisiana and across our region. We consider our primary market to include the State of Louisiana and Dallas, Texas. We currently operate out of 25 banking centers in markets across Louisiana and Dallas, Texas. As of June 30, 2019, we had total assets of $2.2 billion, total loans of $1.6 billion, total deposits of $1.7 billion, and total shareholders’ equity of $277.4 million.

As a bank holding company operating through one market segment, community banking, we generate most of our revenues from interest income on loans, customer service and loan fees, and interest income from securities. We incur interest expense on deposits and other borrowed funds and noninterest expense, such as salaries and employee benefits and occupancy expenses. We analyze our ability to maximize income generated from interest earning assets and expense of our liabilities through our net interest margin. Net interest margin is a ratio calculated as net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets. Net interest income is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings, which are used to fund those assets.

Changes in the market interest rates and the interest rates we earn on interest-earning assets or pay on interest-bearing liabilities, as well as the volume and types of interest-earning assets, interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing liabilities and shareholders’ equity, are usually the largest drivers of periodic changes in net interest spread, net interest margin and net interest income. Fluctuations in market interest rates are driven by many factors, including governmental monetary policies, inflation, deflation, macroeconomic developments, changes in unemployment, the money supply, political and international conditions, and conditions in domestic and foreign financial markets. Periodic changes in the volume and types of loans in our loan portfolio are affected by, among other factors, economic and competitive conditions in Louisiana, as well as developments affecting the real estate, technology, financial services, insurance, transportation, manufacturing and energy sectors within our markets.

Financial Highlights

The financial highlights as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 include:

	•	Total assets of $2.2 billion, a $58.7 million, or 2.8%, increase from December 31, 2018.

	•	Total loans held for investment of $1.6 billion, a $114.1 million, or 7.5%, increase from December 31, 2018.

	•	Total deposits of $1.7 billion, a $31.0 million, or 1.8%, decrease from December 31, 2018.

	•	Net income of $6.8 million, a $3.2 million, or 88.1%, increase from the quarter ended June 30, 2018.

	•	Net interest income of $20.2 million, an increase of $5.2 million, or 34.8%, from the three months ended June 30, 2018.

	•	Allowance for loan and lease losses of 0.71% of total loans held for investment, compared to 0.73% as of December 31, 2018, and a ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans held for investment of 0.61%, compared to 0.89% as of December 31, 2018.

	•	Earnings per share for the first six months of 2019 of $0.94 per basic share and $0.91 per diluted share, compared to $0.65 per basic share and $0.62 per diluted share for the first six months of 2018.

	•	Return on average assets of 1.20% over the first six months of 2019, compared to 0.83% for the first six months of 2018.

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•

Return on average equity of 9.38% over the first six months of 2019, compared to 7.35% for the first six months of 2018.

•

Capital ratios for Tier 1 Leverage, Common Equity Tier 1, Tier 1 Risk-based and Total Risk-based Capital of 10.74%, 11.73%, 11.73% and 13.69%, respectively, compared to 11.66%, 11.83%, 11.83%, and 13.91%, respectively as of December 31, 2018.

•

Book value per share of $20.77, an increase of 5.5% from $19.68 at December 31, 2018.

Results of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 and 2018

Performance Summary

For the three months ended June 30, 2019, net income was $6.8 million, or $0.51 per basic share and $0.50 per diluted share, compared to net income of $3.6 million, or $0.34 per basic share and $0.33 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2018. Return on average assets, on an annualized basis, increased to 1.30% for the three months ended June 30, 2019, from 0.90% for the three months ended June 30, 2018. Return on average equity, on an annualized basis, increased to 10.13% for the three months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to 7.75% for the three months ended June 30, 2018.

For the six months ended June 30, 2019, net income was $12.5 million, or $0.94 per basic share and $0.91 per diluted share, compared to net income of $6.7 million, or $0.65 per basic share and $0.62 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2018. Return on average assets, on an annualized basis, increased to 1.20% for the six months ended June 30, 2019, from 0.83% for the six months ended June 30, 2018. Return on average equity, on an annualized basis, increased to 9.38% for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to 7.35% for the six months ended June 30, 2018.

Net Interest Income

Our operating results depend primarily on our net interest income, calculated as the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Fluctuations in market interest rates impact the yield and rates paid on interest sensitive assets and liabilities. Changes in the amount and type of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities also impact net interest income. The variance driven by the changes in the amount and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities is referred to as a “volume change.” Changes in yields earned on interest-earning assets and rates paid on interest-bearing deposits and other borrowed funds are referred to as a “rate change.”

To evaluate net interest income, we measure and monitor (1) yields on our loans and other interest-earning assets, (2) the costs of our deposits and other funding sources, (3) our net interest spread and (4) our net interest margin. Net interest spread is the difference between rates earned on interest-earning assets and rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest margin is calculated as net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets. Because noninterest-bearing sources of funds, such as noninterest-bearing deposits and shareholders’ equity also fund interest-earning assets, net interest margin includes the benefit of these noninterest-bearing sources. We calculate average assets, liabilities, and capital using a monthly average, and average yield / rate utilizing a 30/360 day count convention.

For the three months ended June 30, 2019, net interest income totaled $20.2 million, and net interest margin and net interest spread were 4.19% and 3.75%, respectively, compared to $15.0 million, 3.98%, and 3.70%, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2018. The average yield on the loan portfolio was 5.96% for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to 5.46% for the three months ended June 30, 2018, and the average yield on total interest-earning assets was 5.37% for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to 4.81% for the three months ended June 30, 2018. For the three months ended June 30, 2019, overall cost of funds (which includes noninterest-bearing deposits) increased 39 basis points compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, primarily due to our issuance of subordinated debt in December 2018 and increasing rates. While we experienced significant loan growth in average loan balances, we anticipate continued pressure on our net interest margin and net interest spread.

For the six months ended June 30, 2019, net interest income totaled $39.3 million, and net interest margin and net interest spread were 4.11% and 3.69%, respectively, compared to $29.5 million, 3.97%, and 3.72%, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The average yield on the loan portfolio was 5.87% for the six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to 5.39% for the six months ended June 30, 2018, and the average yield on total interest-earning assets was 5.27% for the six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to 4.76% for the six months ended June 30, 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, overall cost of funds (which includes noninterest-bearing deposits) increased 42 basis points compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, primarily due to our issuance of subordinated debt in December 2018 and increasing rates. While we experienced significant loan growth in average loan balances, we anticipate continued pressure on our net interest margin and net interest spread.

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The following tables present, for the periods indicated, an analysis of net interest income by each major category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, the average amounts outstanding and the interest earned or paid on such amounts. The tables also set forth the average rate earned on interest-earning assets, the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, and the net interest margin on average total interest-earning assets for the same periods. Interest earned on loans that are classified as nonaccrual is not recognized in income; however the balances are reflected in average outstanding balances for the period. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, interest income not recognized on nonaccrual loans was not material. Any nonaccrual loans have been included in the table as loans carrying a zero yield. The average total loans reflected below is net of deferred loan fees and discounts. Acquired loans were recorded at fair value at acquisition and accrete interest income over the remaining lives of the respective loans. Averages presented in the tables below, and throughout this report, are monthly averages.

	For the Three Months Ended June 30,
	2019								2018
	Average Outstanding Balance			Interest Earned/ Interest Paid		Average Yield/ Rate			Average Outstanding Balance			Interest Earned/ Interest Paid		Average Yield/ Rate
	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
Assets
Interest-earning assets:
Total loans	$	1,602,087		$	23,870		5.96	%	$	1,212,977		$	16,549		5.46	%
Securities available for sale		303,232			1,829		2.41			263,108			1,414		2.15
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks		23,716			197		3.32			29,204			128		1.75
Total interest-earning assets		1,929,035			25,896		5.37			1,505,289			18,091		4.81
Allowance for loan losses		(11,702	)							(9,638	)
Noninterest-earning assets		185,359								128,544
Total assets	$	2,102,692		$	25,896				$	1,624,195		$	18,091

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits	$	1,335,630		$	5,038		1.51	%	$	1,014,520		$	2,555		1.01	%
Subordinated debt		25,000			429		6.86			—			—		—
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”)		36,856			224		2.43			94,222			507		2.15
Other borrowings		14,390			12		0.33			16,220			53		1.31
Total interest-bearing liabilities		1,411,876			5,703		1.62			1,124,962			3,115		1.11

Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing deposits		396,793								306,042
Other liabilities		23,761								5,427
Total noninterest-bearing liabilities		420,554								311,469
Shareholders’ equity		270,262								187,764
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,102,692							$	1,624,195

Net interest rate spread⁽¹⁾							3.75	%							3.70	%
Net interest income				$	20,193							$	14,976
Net interest margin⁽²⁾							4.19	%							3.98	%

(1)	Net interest spread is the average yield on interest-earning assets minus the average rate on interest-bearing liabilities.

(2)	Net interest margin is equal to net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

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	For the Six Months Ended June 30,
	2019								2018
	Average Outstanding Balance			Interest Earned/ Interest Paid		Average Yield/ Rate			Average Outstanding Balance			Interest Earned/ Interest Paid		Average Yield/ Rate
	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
Assets
Interest-earning assets:
Total loans	$	1,575,988		$	46,293		5.87	%	$	1,195,564		$	32,225		5.39	%
Securities available for sale		306,501			3,703		2.42			254,104			2,837		2.23
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks		31,897			487		3.05			33,419			255		1.53
Total interest-earning assets		1,914,386			50,483		5.27			1,483,087			35,317		4.76
Allowance for loan losses		(11,546	)							(9,301	)
Noninterest-earning assets		186,348								145,688
Total assets	$	2,089,188		$	50,483				$	1,619,474		$	35,317

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits	$	1,335,522		$	9,795		1.47	%	$	1,020,266		$	4,853		0.95	%
Subordinated debt		25,000			845		6.76			—			—		—
Advances from FHLB		37,191			505		2.72			84,665			880		2.08
Other borrowings		13,436			25		0.37			18,975			108		1.14
Total interest-bearing liabilities		1,411,149			11,170		1.58			1,123,906			5,841		1.04

Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing deposits		395,304								306,733
Other liabilities		16,242								5,380
Total noninterest-bearing liabilities		411,546								312,113
Shareholders’ equity		266,493								183,455
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,089,188							$	1,619,474

Net interest rate spread⁽¹⁾							3.69	%							3.72	%
Net interest income				$	39,313							$	29,476
Net interest margin⁽²⁾							4.11	%							3.97	%

(1)	Net interest spread is the average yield on interest-earning assets minus the average rate on interest-bearing liabilities.

(2)	Net interest margin is equal to net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

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The following tables present information regarding the dollar amount of changes in interest income and interest expense for the periods indicated for each major component of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and distinguishes between the changes attributable to changes in volume and changes attributable to changes in interest rates. For purposes of these tables, changes attributable to both rate and volume that cannot be segregated have been allocated to rate.

	For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 compared to the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
	Increase (Decrease) due to change in
	Volume			Rate			Total
	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
Interest-earning assets:
Total loans	$	5,797		$	1,524		$	7,321
Securities available for sale		242			173			415
Interest-earning deposits in other banks		(46	)		115			69
Total increase in interest income	$	5,993		$	1,812		$	7,805

Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits	$	1,211		$	1,272		$	2,483
Subordinated debt		429			—			429
Advances from FHLB		(349	)		66			(283	)
Other borrowings		(2	)		(39	)		(41	)
Total increase in interest expense		1,289			1,299			2,588
Increase in net interest income	$	4,704		$	513		$	5,217

	For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
	Increase (Decrease) due to change in
	Volume			Rate			Total
	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
Interest-earning assets:
Total loans	$	11,175		$	2,893		$	14,068
Securities available for sale		633			233			866
Interest-earning deposits in other banks		(23	)		255			232
Total increase in interest income	$	11,785		$	3,381		$	15,166

Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits	$	2,312		$	2,630		$	4,942
Subordinated debt		845			—			845
Advances from FHLB		(645	)		270			(375	)
Other borrowings		(10	)		(73	)		(83	)
Total increase in interest expense		2,502			2,827			5,329
Increase in net interest income	$	9,283		$	554		$	9,837

Provision for Loan Losses

Our provision for loan losses is a charge to income in order to bring our allowance for loan losses to a level deemed appropriate by management. For a description of the factors taken into account by management in determining the allowance for loan losses see “—Financial Condition—Allowance for Loan Losses.” The provision for loan losses was $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and $474,000 for the same period in 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, the provision for loan losses was $1.9 million and $948,000, respectively. The higher provision for both the three months and six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 was generally attributable to a previously identified impaired loan as well as higher loan balances.

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Noninterest Income

Our primary sources of noninterest income are service charges on deposit accounts, debit card and automated teller machine (“ATM”) fee income, income from bank-owned life insurance, and brokerage commissions. The following tables present, for the periods indicated, the major categories of noninterest income:

	For the Three Months Ended June 30,				Increase
	2019		2018		(Decrease)
	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
Noninterest income:
Service charges on deposit accounts	$	1,034	$	636	$	398
Debit card and ATM fee income		492		255		237
Bank-owned life insurance income		174		165		9
Gain on sales of investment securities		58		—		58
Brokerage commissions		9		278		(269	)
Mortgage origination income		98		67		31
Correspondent bank income		17		81		(64	)
Rental income		165		165		—
Gain on sale of banking center		593		—		593
Pass-through income from SBIC partnerships		1,266		222		1,044
Other		313		137		176
Total noninterest income	$	4,219	$	2,006	$	2,213

	For the Six Months Ended June 30,				Increase
	2019		2018		(Decrease)
	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
Noninterest income:
Service charges on deposit accounts	$	1,972	$	1,246	$	726
Debit card and ATM fee income		937		505		432
Bank-owned life insurance income		342		334		8
Gain on sales of investment securities		58		—		58
Brokerage commissions		43		512		(469	)
Mortgage origination income		188		114		74
Correspondent bank income		225		162		63
Rental income		329		329		—
Gain on sale of banking center		593		—		593
Pass-through income from SBIC partnerships		1,266		222		1,044
Other		577		317		260
Total noninterest income	$	6,530	$	3,741	$	2,789

Noninterest income for the three months ended June 30, 2019 increased $2.2 million, or 110.3%, to $4.2 million compared to noninterest income of $2.0 million for the same period in 2018. Noninterest income for the six months ended June 30, 2019 increased $2.8 million, or 74.6%, to $6.5 million compared to noninterest income of $3.7 million for the same period in 2018. The primary components of noninterest income were as follows:

Service charges on deposit accounts. We earn fees from our customers for deposit-related services, and these fees constitute a significant and predictable component of our noninterest income. Service charges on deposit accounts were $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, an increase of $398,000 over the same period in 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, service charges on deposit accounts were $2.0 million, an increase of $726,000 over the same period in 2018. The increase for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, over the same period in 2018, was primarily due to increases in deposit balances and accounts from the acquisition of Richland State Bancorp, Inc. (“RSBI”) in November 2018 and organic growth.

Debit card and ATM fee income. We earn fees from our customers based upon card activity, and these fees constitute a significant recurring component of our noninterest income. Fee income was $492,000 and $255,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, representing an increase of $237,000, or 92.9%. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, fee income was $937,000 and $505,000, respectively, representing an increase of $432,000, or 85.5%. The increase for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, over the same period in 2018, was primarily due to the additional accounts from the acquisition of RSBI and organic growth.

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Brokerage commissions. We earn commissions from brokerage services provided by our Wealth Solutions Group. Brokerage commissions were $9,000 and $278,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, brokerage commissions were $43,000 and $512,000, respectively. The decrease for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 over the same period in 2018, was primarily due to restructuring our brokerage activities.

Gain on sale of banking center. We sold a banking center located in Mangham, Louisiana that resulted in a gain of $593,000 during the second quarter of 2019.

Pass-through income from SBIC partnerships. During the quarter, we recognized investment income (largely related to a dividend recapitalization) which increased both our three months and six months ended June 30, 2019 income, compared to the same period in 2018.

Other. This category includes a variety of other income producing activities, including wire transfer fees, mortgage-related income, insurance commissions, credit card income and participation fee income. Other income increased $176,000, or 128.5%, for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, other income increased $260,000, or 82.0%. The increase for both the three months and six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to the same periods in 2018, was primarily due to increases in the use of these services by legacy RSBI customers. We also received a grant for the six months ended June 30, 2019 in the amount of $113,000 that represented part of the increase.

Noninterest Expense

Generally, noninterest expense is composed of all employee expenses and costs associated with operating our facilities, obtaining and retaining customer relationships, and providing bank services. The largest component of noninterest expense is salaries and employee benefits. Noninterest expense also includes operational expenses, such as occupancy expenses, depreciation and amortization, professional and regulatory fees, including Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) assessments, data processing expenses, and advertising and promotion expenses.

The following tables present, for the periods indicated, the major categories of noninterest expense:

	For the Three Months Ended June 30,				Increase
	2019		2018		(Decrease)
	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
Salaries and employee benefits	$	8,756	$	6,524	$	2,232
Non-staff expenses:
Occupancy of bank premises		1,079		861		218
Depreciation and amortization		633		407		226
Data processing		576		355		221
FDIC assessment fees		248		331		(83	)
Legal and other professional fees		353		509		(156	)
Advertising and promotions		279		298		(19	)
Utilities and communications		323		269		54
Ad valorem shares tax		345		322		23
Directors’ fees		125		92		33
Other real estate owned expenses and write-downs		72		7		65
Merger and conversion related expenses		235		415		(180	)
Other		1,553		1,635		(82	)
Total noninterest expense	$	14,577	$	12,025	$	2,552

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	For the Six Months Ended June 30,					Increase
	2019			2018		(Decrease)
	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
Salaries and employee benefits	$	17,308		$	13,228	$	4,080
Non-staff expenses:
Occupancy of bank premises		2,182			1,718		464
Depreciation and amortization		1,261			829		432
Data processing		1,192			765		427
FDIC assessment fees		398			724		(326	)
Legal and other professional fees		671			911		(240	)
Advertising and promotions		606			527		79
Utilities and communications		621			541		80
Ad valorem shares tax		690			644		46
Directors’ fees		330			251		79
Other real estate owned expenses and write-downs		99			9		90
Merger and conversion related expenses		(19	)		927		(946	)
Other		3,028			2,895		133
Total noninterest expense	$	28,367		$	23,969	$	4,398

Noninterest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2019 increased $2.6 million, or 21.2%, to $14.6 million, compared to noninterest expense of $12.0 million for the same period in 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, noninterest expense increased $4.4 million, or 18.3%, to $28.4 million, compared to noninterest expense of $24.0 million for the same period in 2018. The most significant components of the increases were as follows:

Salaries and employee benefits. Salaries and employee benefits are the largest component of noninterest expense and include payroll expense, the cost of incentive compensation, stock-based compensation, benefit plans, health insurance and payroll taxes. Salaries and employee benefits were $8.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, an increase of $2.2 million, or 34.2%, compared to the same period in 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, salaries and benefits were $17.3 million, an increase of $4.1 million, or 30.8%, compared to the same period in 2018. The increases were primarily due to additional hires for new positions, our merit increase cycle, and the acquisition of RSBI (including severance and retention payments related to the acquisitions) and its legacy operations and employees. As of June 30, 2019, we had 348 full-time equivalent employees, compared to 241 as of June 30, 2018.

Occupancy of bank premises. Expenses associated with occupancy of premises were $1.1 million and $861,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, occupancy and bank premises expenses were $2.2 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The increase for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018, is primarily due to increased rent expense on our corporate office location and the acquisition of RSBI and its legacy branch locations.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization costs were $633,000 and $407,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, depreciation and amortization costs were $1.3 million and $829,000, respectively. This category includes leasehold, furniture, fixtures and equipment depreciation totaling $403,000 and $275,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, depreciation expense totaled $801,000 and $566,000, respectively. The amortization of intangible assets was $230,000 and $132,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, amortization of intangible assets was $460,000 and $263,000, respectively.

FDIC assessment fees. FDIC assessment fees were $248,000 and $331,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, FDIC assessment fees were $398,000 and $724,000, respectively. The decrease for both the three months and six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018, is primarily due to increased capital ratios.

Legal and other professional fees. Other professional fees include audit, loan review, compliance, and other consultants. Legal and other professional fees were $353,000 and $509,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, legal and other professional fees were $671,000 and $911,000, respectively. The decrease for both the three months and six months ended June 30, 2019 was due to legal fees in 2018 related to acquisitions and our listing on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

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Merger and conversion related expenses. Merger and conversion related expenses for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 were related to the acquisitions of RSBI and Minden Bancorp, Inc. (“MBI”), respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, we had a merger related termination fee downward adjustment of $469,000 from the original estimate.

Other. This category includes various operating and administrative expenses, including business development expenses (i.e. travel and entertainment, donations and club dues), insurance, supplies and printing, equipment rent, and software support and maintenance. Other noninterest expense decreased $82,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. Other noninterest expense increased $133,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in other expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018, is due to being able to utilize some common vendors to cut down on expenses. The increase in other expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018, was primarily due to the acquisition of RSBI and its legacy operations.

Income Tax Expense

The amount of income tax expense is influenced by the amounts of our pre-tax income, tax-exempt income and other nondeductible expenses. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected at currently enacted income tax rates in effect for the period in which the deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the provision for income taxes. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

For the three months ended June 30, 2019, income tax expense totaled $1.7 million, an increase of $845,000, or 100.0%, compared to the same period in 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, income tax expense totaled $3.0 million, an increase of $1.5 million, or 95.6%, compared to the same period in 2018. Our effective tax rates for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 were 19.8% and 18.8%, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, our effective tax rates were 19.6% and 18.7%, respectively. The increase in our effective tax rate for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 is primarily due to higher taxable income. Our effective tax rate for both periods was affected by tax-exempt income generated by municipal securities and BOLI and by other nondeductible expenses.

Financial Condition

Our total assets increased $58.7 million, or 2.8%, from December 31, 2018 to June 30, 2019.

Loan Portfolio

Our primary source of income is interest on loans to individuals, professionals and small to medium-sized businesses located in our markets. Our loan portfolio consists primarily of commercial loans and real estate loans secured by commercial real estate properties located in our primary market areas. Our loan portfolio represents the highest yielding component of our earning asset base.

As of June 30, 2019, total loans held for investment were $1.6 billion, an increase of $114.1 million, or 7.5%, compared to December 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to our continued loan penetration in our primary market areas. Additionally, $443,000 and $58,000 in mortgage loans were classified as loans held for sale as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Total loans held for investment as a percentage of total deposits were 96.5% and 88.2% as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Total loans held for investment as a percentage of total assets were 76.3% and 73.0% as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

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The following table summarizes our loan portfolio by type of loan as of the dates indicated:

	As of June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)					As of December 31, 2018
	Amount		Percent			Amount		Percent
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial	$	411,256		25.0	%	$	363,640		23.8	%
Real estate:
Construction and land		227,102		13.8			211,054		13.8
Farmland		47,245		2.9			45,989		3.0
1-4 family residential		278,610		17.0			270,583		17.7
Multi-family residential		38,698		2.3			39,273		2.6
Nonfarm nonresidential		561,149		34.2			518,660		33.9
Consumer		78,513		4.8			79,270		5.2
Total loans held for investment	$	1,642,573		100.0	%	$	1,528,469		100.0	%

Commercial loans. Commercial loans are underwritten after evaluating and understanding the borrower’s ability to operate profitably and effectively. These loans are made based primarily on the identified cash flows of the borrower and, secondarily, on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower. Most commercial loans are secured by the assets being financed or other business assets, such as accounts receivable or inventory, and generally include personal guarantees.

Commercial loans increased $47.6 million, or 13.1%, to $411.3 million as of June 30, 2019 from $363.6 million as of December 31, 2018, primarily due to the efforts of our bankers who attracted new clients and leveraged existing bank relationships to fund expansion and growth opportunities.

Construction and land. Construction and land development loans are comprised of loans to fund construction, land acquisition and land development construction. The properties securing the portfolio are located primarily throughout Louisiana and Dallas, Texas, and are generally diverse in terms of type.

Construction and land loans increased $16.0 million, or 7.6%, to $227.1 million as of June 30, 2019 from $211.1 million as of December 31, 2018, primarily due to opportunities to fund small residential land development projects with proven developers who are existing customers of the Bank and have demonstrated a successful track record for many years.

1-4 family residential. Our 1-4 family residential loan portfolio is comprised of loans secured primarily by single family homes, which are both owner-occupied and investor owned. Our 1-4 family residential loans have a relatively small average balance spread between many individual borrowers.

1-4 family residential loans increased $8.0 million, or 3.0%, to $278.6 million as of June 30, 2019 from $270.6 million as of December 31, 2018.

Nonfarm nonresidential. Nonfarm nonresidential loans are underwritten primarily based on projected cash flows and, secondarily, as loans secured by real estate. These loans may be more adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the general economy. The properties securing the portfolio are located throughout Louisiana and Texas and are generally diverse in terms of type. This diversity helps reduce the exposure to adverse economic events that affect any single industry.

Nonfarm nonresidential loans increased $42.5 million, or 8.2%, to $561.1 million as of June 30, 2019 from $518.7 million as of December 31, 2018.

Other loan categories. Other categories of loans included in our loan portfolio include farmland and agricultural loans made to farmers and ranchers relating to their operations, multi-family residential loans, and consumer loans. None of these categories of loans represent a significant portion of our total loan portfolio.

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The contractual maturity ranges of loans in our loan portfolio and the amount of such loans with fixed and floating interest rates in each maturity range as of date indicated are summarized in the following tables:

	As of June 30, 2019
	One Year or Less		One Through Five Years		After Five Years		Total
	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
Commercial	$	156,290	$	192,041	$	62,925	$	411,256
Real estate:
Construction and land		110,148		102,341		14,613		227,102
Farmland		9,375		28,732		9,138		47,245
1-4 family residential		40,253		153,826		84,531		278,610
Multi-family residential		16,399		8,184		14,115		38,698
Nonfarm nonresidential		74,105		319,733		167,311		561,149
Consumer		29,057		46,183		3,273		78,513
Total loans held for investment	$	435,627	$	851,040	$	355,906	$	1,642,573
Amounts with fixed rates	$	150,034	$	617,587	$	265,799	$	1,033,420
Amounts with floating rates		285,593		233,453		90,107		609,153

	As of December 31, 2018
	One Year or Less		One Through Five Years		After Five Years		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial	$	137,581	$	161,874	$	64,185	$	363,640
Real estate:
Construction and land		104,033		74,730		32,291		211,054
Farmland		12,340		31,755		1,894		45,989
1-4 family residential		40,613		137,617		92,353		270,583
Multi-family residential		12,253		12,945		14,075		39,273
Nonfarm nonresidential		61,561		294,683		162,416		518,660
Consumer		36,129		37,161		5,980		79,270
Total loans held for investment	$	404,510	$	750,765	$	373,194	$	1,528,469
Amounts with fixed rates	$	147,087	$	541,076	$	267,748	$	955,911
Amounts with floating rates		257,423		209,689		105,446		572,558

Nonperforming Assets

Loans are considered past due if the required principal and interest payments have not been received as of the date such payments were due. Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to meet payment obligations as they become due, as well as when required by regulatory provisions. Loans may be placed on nonaccrual status regardless of whether or not such loans are considered past due. When interest accrual is discontinued, all unpaid accrued interest is reversed. Interest income is subsequently recognized only to the extent cash payments are received in excess of principal due. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

We have several procedures in place to assist in maintaining the overall quality of our loan portfolio. We have established underwriting guidelines to be followed by our bankers, and we also monitor our delinquency levels for any negative or adverse trends. There can be no assurance, however, that our loan portfolio will not become subject to increasing pressures from deteriorating borrower credit due to general economic conditions.

We believe our conservative lending approach and focused management of nonperforming assets has resulted in sound asset quality and timely resolution of problem assets. We had $12.4 million and $15.5 million in nonperforming assets as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. We had $10.1 million in nonperforming loans as of June 30, 2019 compared to $13.6 million as of December 31, 2018. The decrease in nonperforming assets from December 31, 2018 to June 30, 2019 is primarily due to the reduction in nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 or more days.

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The following tables present information regarding nonperforming loans at the dates indicated:

	As of June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)			As of December 31, 2018
	(Dollars in thousands)
Nonaccrual loans	$	9,363		$	11,691
Accruing loans 90 or more days past due		727			1,876
Total nonperforming loans		10,090			13,567
Repossessed assets		6			11
Other real estate owned:
Commercial real estate, construction, land and land development		2,247			1,568
Residential real estate		77			341
Total other real estate owned		2,324			1,909
Total nonperforming assets	$	12,420		$	15,487
Restructured loans-nonaccrual	$	2,247		$	2,900
Restructured loans-accruing		2,803			2,920
Ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans held for investment		0.61	%		0.89	%
Ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets		0.58			0.74

	As of June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)		As of December 31, 2018
	(Dollars in thousands)
Nonaccrual loans by category:
Real estate:
Construction and land	$	56	$	32
Farmland		192		112
1-4 family residential		2,340		2,728
Multi-family residential		—		—
Nonfarm nonresidential		5,201		6,031
Commercial		1,363		2,663
Consumer		211		125
Total	$	9,363	$	11,691

Potential Problem Loans

From a credit risk standpoint, we classify loans in our portfolio in one of four categories: pass, special mention, substandard or doubtful. Loans classified as loss are charged-off. The classifications of loans reflect a judgment about the risks of default and loss associated with the loan. Ratings are adjusted to reflect the degree of risk and loss that is believed to be inherent in each credit. Our methodology is structured so that specific allocations are increased in accordance with deterioration in credit quality (and a corresponding increase in risk of loss) or decreased in accordance with improvement in credit quality (and a corresponding decrease in risk of loss).

Credits rated special mention show clear signs of financial weaknesses or deterioration in credit worthiness; however, such concerns are not so pronounced that we generally expect to experience significant loss within the short-term. These credits typically maintain the ability to perform within standard credit terms and credit exposure is not as prominent as credits with a lower rating.

Credits rated substandard are those in which the normal repayment of principal and interest may be, or has been, jeopardized by reason of adverse trends or developments of a financial, managerial, economic or political nature, or important weaknesses which exist in collateral. A protracted workout on these credits is a distinct possibility. Prompt corrective action is therefore required to reduce exposure and to assure that adequate remedial measures are taken by the borrower. Credit exposure becomes more likely in such credits and a serious evaluation of the secondary support to the credit is performed.

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Credits rated doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those rated substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.

The following tables summarize our internal ratings of loans held for investment as of the dates indicated.

	As of June 30, 2019
	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
Real estate:
Construction and land	$	224,062	$	1,799	$	1,185	$	56	$	227,102
Farmland		46,227		812		14		192		47,245
1-4 family residential		269,416		3,718		3,136		2,340		278,610
Multi-family residential		38,664		—		34		—		38,698
Nonfarm nonresidential		538,718		12,554		4,676		5,201		561,149
Commercial		396,324		5,921		7,647		1,364		411,256
Consumer		76,882		1,283		113		235		78,513
Total	$	1,590,293	$	26,087	$	16,805	$	9,388	$	1,642,573

	As of December 31, 2018
	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Real estate:
Construction and land	$	209,027	$	718	$	1,277	$	32	$	211,054
Farmland		45,563		153		161		112		45,989
1-4 family residential		260,325		4,601		2,929		2,728		270,583
Multi-family residential		39,237		—		36		—		39,273
Nonfarm nonresidential		494,698		14,421		3,510		6,031		518,660
Commercial		347,839		5,690		7,448		2,663		363,640
Consumer		77,731		1,180		234		125		79,270
Total	$	1,474,420	$	26,763	$	15,595	$	11,691	$	1,528,469

Allowance for Loan Losses

We maintain an allowance for loan losses that represents management’s best estimate of the loan losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. In determining the allowance for loan losses, we estimate losses on specific loans, or groups of loans, where the probable loss can be identified and reasonably determined. The balance of the allowance for loan losses is based on internally assigned risk classifications of loans, historical loan loss rates, changes in the nature of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, industry concentrations, delinquency trends, current economic factors and the estimated impact of current economic conditions on certain historical loan loss rates. For additional information, see Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements.

In connection with our review of the loan portfolio, we consider risk elements attributable to particular loan types or categories in assessing the quality of individual loans. Some of the risk elements we consider include:

•

for commercial and industrial loans, the operating results of the commercial, industrial or professional enterprise, the borrower’s business, professional and financial ability and expertise, the specific risks and volatility of income and operating results typical for businesses in that category, and the value, nature and marketability of collateral;

•

for commercial mortgage loans and multifamily residential loans, the debt service coverage ratio (income from the property in excess of operating expenses compared to loan payment requirements), operating results of the owner in the case of owner occupied properties, the loan to value ratio, the age and condition of the collateral, and the volatility of income, property value and future operating results typical for properties of that type;

•

for 1-4 family residential mortgage loans, the borrower’s ability to repay the loan, including a consideration of the debt to income ratio and employment and income stability, the loan to value ratio, and the age, condition and marketability of the collateral; and

•

for construction, land development and other land loans, the perceived feasibility of the project including the ability to sell developed lots or improvements constructed for resale or the ability to lease property constructed for lease, the quality and nature of contracts for presale or prelease, if any, the experience and ability of the developer, and the loan to value ratio.

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As of June 30, 2019, the allowance for loan losses totaled $11.6 million, or 0.71%, of total loans held for investment. As of December 31, 2018, the allowance for loan losses totaled $11.2 million, or 0.73%, of total loans held for investment.

The following table presents, as of and for the periods indicated, an analysis of the allowance for loan losses and other related data:

	As of and For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)			As of and For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
	(Dollars in thousands)
Average loans outstanding⁽¹⁾	$	1,575,988		$	1,258,178
Gross loans held for investment outstanding at end of period	$	1,642,573		$	1,528,469
Allowance for loan losses at beginning of period	$	11,220		$	8,765
Provision for loan losses		1,935			2,390
Charge-offs:
Real estate:
Construction, land and farmland		4			90
Residential		54			294
Nonfarm non-residential		10			—
Commercial		1,540			—
Consumer		14			88
Total charge-offs		1,622			472
Recoveries:
Real estate:
Construction, land and farmland		—			398
Residential		9			18
Nonfarm non-residential		—			13
Commercial		33			28
Consumer		28			80
Total recoveries		70			537
Net charge-offs (recoveries)		1,552			(65	)
Allowance for loan losses at end of period	$	11,603		$	11,220
Ratio of allowance to end of period loans held for investment		0.71	%		0.73	%
Ratio of net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans		0.10	%		—

(1)	Excluding loans held for sale.

Although we believe that we have established our allowance for loan losses in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and that the allowance for loan losses was adequate to provide for known and inherent losses in the portfolio at all times shown above, future provisions will be subject to ongoing evaluations of the risks in our loan portfolio. If we experience economic declines or if asset quality deteriorates, material additional provisions could be required.

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The following table shows the allocation of the allowance for loan losses among loan categories and certain other information as of the dates indicated. The allocation of the allowance for loan losses as shown in the table should neither be interpreted as an indication of future charge-offs, nor as an indication that charge-offs in future periods will necessarily occur in these amounts or in the indicated proportions. The total allowance is available to absorb losses from any loan category.

	As of June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)					As of December 31, 2018
	Amount		Percent to Total			Amount		Percent to Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Real estate:
Construction and land	$	1,792		15.4	%	$	1,590		14.2	%
Farmland		192		1.7			104		0.9
1-4 family residential		1,714		14.8			1,538		13.7
Multi-family residential		243		2.1			236		2.1
Nonfarm nonresidential		3,411		29.4			2,715		24.2
Total real estate		7,352		63.4			6,183		55.1
Commercial		3,670		31.6			4,453		39.7
Consumer		581		5.0			584		5.2
Total allowance for loan losses	$	11,603		100.0	%	$	11,220		100.0	%

Securities

We use our securities portfolio to provide a source of liquidity, an appropriate return on funds invested, manage interest rate risk, meet collateral requirements, and meet regulatory capital requirements. As of June 30, 2019, the carrying amount of investment securities totaled $295.0 million, a decrease of $14.5 million, or 4.7%, compared to $309.5 million as of December 31, 2018. Our securities portfolio represented 13.7% and 14.8% of total assets as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Our investment portfolio consists entirely of securities classified as available for sale. As a result, the carrying values of our investment securities are adjusted for unrealized gain or loss, and any gain or loss is reported on an after-tax basis as a component of other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity. The following tables summarize the amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities as of the dates shown:

	As of June 30, 2019
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
U.S. government agencies	$	18,364	$	478	$	—	$	18,842
Corporate bonds		13,039		103		209		12,933
Mortgage-backed securities		158,297		1,946		775		159,468
Municipal securities		102,499		1,272		33		103,738
Total	$	292,199	$	3,799	$	1,017	$	294,981

	As of December 31, 2018
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
U.S. government agencies	$	17,529	$	54	$	144	$	17,439
Corporate bonds		13,052		76		436		12,692
Mortgage-backed securities		168,854		328		3,564		165,618
Municipal securities		114,472		250		955		113,767
Total	$	313,907	$	708	$	5,099	$	309,516

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All of our mortgage-backed securities are agency securities. We do not hold any Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac preferred stock, corporate equity, collateralized debt obligations, collateralized loan obligations, structured investment vehicles, private label collateralized mortgage obligations, subprime, Alt-A, or second lien elements in our investment portfolio. As of June 30, 2019, the investment portfolio did not contain any securities that are directly backed by subprime or Alt-A mortgages.

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment, at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation.

The following tables set forth the fair value, maturities and approximated weighted average yield based on estimated annual income divided by the average amortized cost of the securities portfolio as of the dates indicated. The contractual maturity of a mortgage-backed security is the date at which the last underlying mortgage matures.

	As of June 30, 2019
	Within One Year					After One Year but Within Five Years					After Five Years but Within Ten Years					After Ten Years					Total
	Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield			Total		Yield
	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
U.S. government agencies	$	—		—	%	$	6,849		2.86	%	$	11,993		2.89	%	$	—		—	%	$	18,842		2.88	%
Corporate bonds		—		—	%		8,488		3.79	%		4,445		5.22	%		—		—	%		12,933		4.28	%
Mortgage-backed securities		111		—	%		10,782		2.41	%		79,078		2.17	%		69,497		2.76	%		159,468		2.44	%
Municipal securities		13,051		2.07	%		39,924		2.16	%		37,934		2.28	%		12,829		2.89	%		103,738		2.28	%
Total	$	13,162		2.05	%	$	66,043		2.48	%	$	133,450		2.37	%	$	82,326		2.78	%	$	294,981		2.49	%

	As of December 31, 2018
	Within One Year					After One Year but Within Five Years					After Five Years but Within Ten Years					After Ten Years					Total
	Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield			Total		Yield
	(Dollars in thousands)
U.S. government agencies	$	997		1.11	%	$	6,915		2.85	%	$	9,527		2.85	%	$	—		—	%	$	17,439		2.75	%
Corporate bonds		—		—	%		8,316		3.78	%		4,376		5.22	%		—		—	%		12,692		4.28	%
Mortgage-backed securities		71		1.27	%		13,308		2.45	%		82,754		2.16	%		69,485		2.82	%		165,618		2.46	%
Municipal securities		14,227		1.98	%		45,674		2.09	%		38,222		2.20	%		15,644		2.77	%		113,767		2.21	%
Total	$	15,295		1.92	%	$	74,213		2.42	%	$	134,879		2.32	%	$	85,129		2.81	%	$	309,516		2.46	%

The contractual maturity of mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and asset backed securities is not a reliable indicator of their expected life because borrowers have the right to prepay their obligations at any time. Mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are typically issued with stated principal amounts and are backed by pools of mortgage loans and other loans with varying maturities. The term of the underlying mortgages and loans may vary significantly due to the ability of a borrower to pre-pay. Monthly pay downs on mortgage-backed securities tend to cause the average life of the securities to be much different than the stated contractual maturity. During a period of increasing interest rates, fixed rate mortgage-backed securities do not tend to experience heavy prepayments of principal and, consequently, the average life of this security will be lengthened. If interest rates begin to fall, prepayments may increase, thereby shortening the estimated life of this security. The weighted average life of our investment portfolio was 4.31 years with an estimated effective duration of 41.65 months as of June 30, 2019.

As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we did not own securities of any one issuer for which aggregate adjusted cost exceeded 10% of our consolidated shareholders’ equity as of such respective dates.

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Deposits

We offer a variety of deposit accounts having a wide range of interest rates and terms including demand, savings, money market and time accounts. We rely primarily on competitive pricing policies, convenient locations and personalized service to attract and retain these deposits.

Total deposits decreased by $31.0 million between December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2019 primarily due to the sale of a banking center and $24.9 million in associated deposits.

Noninterest-bearing deposits as of June 30, 2019 were $394.8 million, compared to $382.4 million as of December 31, 2018, an increase of $12.5 million, or 3.3%.

Average deposits for the six months ended June 30, 2019 were $1.7 billion, an increase of $359.3 million, or 26.2%, over the average deposits for the year ended December 31, 2018 of $1.4 billion. The average rate paid on total interest-bearing deposits increased over this period from 1.12% for the year ended December 31, 2018 to 1.47% for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in average rates during the six months ended June 30, 2019 over the average for the year ended December 31, 2018 was primarily due to the increase in deposit pricing from rising interest rates. In addition, the stability and continued growth of noninterest-bearing demand accounts served to reduce the cost of deposits to 1.13% for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 0.86% for the year ended December 31, 2018.

The following table presents the monthly average balances and weighted average rates paid on deposits for the periods indicated:

	For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)					For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
	Average Balance		Average Rate			Average Balance		Average Rate
	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-bearing demand accounts	$	35,579		1.26	%	$	37,178		0.88	%
Negotiable order of withdrawal (“NOW”) accounts		276,686		0.91	%		183,705		0.57	%
Limited access money market accounts and savings		437,543		1.01	%		356,880		0.74	%
Certificates and other time deposits > $250k		191,245		2.02	%		152,159		1.60	%
Certificates and other time deposits < $250k		394,469		2.11	%		322,010		1.67	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		1,335,522		1.47	%		1,051,932		1.12	%
Noninterest-bearing demand accounts		395,304		—			319,623		—
Total deposits	$	1,730,826		1.13	%	$	1,371,555		0.86	%

The ratio of average noninterest-bearing deposits to average total deposits for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2018 was 22.8% and 23.3%, respectively.

The following tables set forth the certificates of deposit by time remaining until maturity:

	As of June 30, 2019
	Certificates of Deposit More Than $250,000		Certificates of Deposit of $100,000 Through $250,000		Certificates of Deposit Less Than $100,000		Total
	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
1 year or less	$	98,226	$	202,962	$	67,469	$	368,657
More than 1 year but less than 3 years		62,315		89,696		37,027		189,038
3 years or more but less than 5 years		6,334		7,062		5,967		19,363
5 years or more		—		—		—		—
Total	$	166,875	$	299,720	$	110,463	$	577,058

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	As of December 31, 2018
	Certificates of Deposit More Than $250,000		Certificates of Deposit of $100,000 Through $250,000		Certificates of Deposit Less Than $100,000		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
1 year or less	$	89,045	$	214,470	$	71,097	$	374,612
More than 1 year but less than 3 years		60,161		69,613		36,438		166,212
3 years or more but less than 5 years		10,939		12,226		7,121		30,286
5 years or more		—		—		—		—
Total	$	160,145	$	296,309	$	114,656	$	571,110

Borrowings

We utilize short-term and long-term borrowings to supplement deposits in funding our lending and investment activities. In addition, we use short-term borrowings to periodically repurchase outstanding shares of our common stock and for general corporate purposes. Each of these relationships are discussed below.

FHLB advances. The Federal Home Loan Bank, or FHLB, allows us to borrow on a blanket floating lien status collateralized by certain securities and loans. We utilize these borrowings to meet liquidity needs and to fund certain fixed rate loans in our portfolio. As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, total borrowing capacity of $603.1 million and $544.0 million, respectively, was available under this arrangement, and $108.0 million and $55.0 million, respectively, was outstanding with a weighted average stated interest rate of 2.14% as of June 30, 2019 and 2.47% as of December 31, 2018. Our current FHLB advances mature within five years.

The following table presents our FHLB borrowings at the dates indicated.

	FHLB Advances
	(Dollars in Thousands)
June 30, 2019
Amount outstanding at quarter-end	$	108,000
Weighted average stated interest rate at quarter-end		2.14	%
Maximum month-end balance during the quarter	$	108,000
Average balance outstanding during the quarter	$	36,856
Weighted average interest rate during the quarter		2.43	%

December 31, 2018
Amount outstanding at year-end	$	55,000
Weighted average stated interest rate at year-end		2.47	%
Maximum month-end balance during the year	$	105,000
Average balance outstanding during the year	$	84,187
Weighted average interest rate during the year		2.20	%

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Subordinated Debt. On December 17, 2018 we entered into a subordinated debt agreement with EJF Capital, LLC for $25.0 million in subordinated notes due in 2033. This subordinated debt is due at maturity with quarterly interest payments bearing a 6.75% fixed-to-floating rate. The balance outstanding at both June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was $25.0 million. This subordinated debt agreement was established for the purpose of paying off the FNBB long term advance and line of credit and to gain additional Tier 2 capital.

The following table presents the subordinated debt at the dates indicated.

	Subordinated Debt
	(Dollars in Thousands)
June 30, 2019
Amount outstanding at quarter-end	$	25,000
Weighted average stated interest rate at quarter-end		6.75	%
Maximum month-end balance during the quarter	$	25,000
Average balance outstanding during the quarter	$	25,000
Weighted average interest rate during the quarter		6.86	%

December 31, 2018
Amount outstanding at year-end	$	25,000
Weighted average stated interest rate at year-end		6.75	%
Maximum month-end balance during the year	$	25,000
Average balance outstanding during the year	$	1,027
Weighted average interest rate during the year		6.75	%

Correspondent Bank Federal Funds Purchased Relationships

We maintain Federal Funds Purchased Relationships with the following financial institutions and limits as of June 30, 2019:

	Fed Funds Limits
	(Dollars in Thousands)
FNBB	$	35,000
Compass Bank	$	30,000
The Independent Bankers Bank	$	25,000
FTN	$	17,000
ServisFirst Bank	$	10,000
Center State Bank	$	9,000

The following table represents combined Federal Funds Purchased for all relationships at the dates indicated.

	Fed Funds Purchased
	(Dollars in Thousands)
June 30, 2019
Amount outstanding at quarter-end	$	—
Weighted average interest rate at quarter-end		—	%
Maximum month-end balance during the quarter	$	—
Average balance outstanding during the quarter	$	85
Weighted average interest rate during the quarter		3.05	%

December 31, 2018
Amount outstanding at year-end	$	—
Weighted average interest rate at year-end		—	%
Maximum month-end balance during the year	$	—
Average balance outstanding during the year	$	114
Weighted average interest rate during the year		2.44	%

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

Liquidity involves our ability to utilize funds to support asset growth and acquisitions or reduce assets to meet deposit withdrawals and other payment obligations, to maintain reserve requirements and otherwise to operate on an ongoing basis and manage unexpected events. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2018, liquidity needs were primarily met by core deposits, security and loan maturities, and amortizing investment and loan portfolios. Although access to brokered deposits, purchased funds from correspondent banks and overnight advances from the FHLB have been utilized on occasion to take advantage of investment opportunities, we do not generally rely on these external funding sources. As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we maintained six lines of credit with commercial banks which provided for extensions of credit with an availability to borrow up to an aggregate of $126.0 million. There were no funds under these lines of credit outstanding as of June 30, 2019 or December 31, 2018.

The following table illustrates, during the periods presented, the mix of our funding sources and the average assets in which those funds are invested as a percentage of average total assets for the periods indicated. Average total assets equaled $2.1 billion and $1.7 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2018, respectively.

	For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2019			For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
	(Unaudited)
Sources of Funds:
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing		18.9	%		19.0	%
Interest-bearing		63.9	%		62.5	%
Subordinated debt		1.2	%		0.1	%
Advances from FHLB		1.8	%		5.0	%
Other borrowings		0.6	%		1.1	%
Other liabilities		0.8	%		0.4	%
Shareholders’ equity		12.8	%		11.9	%
Total		100.0	%		100.0	%

Uses of Funds:
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses		74.9	%		74.2	%
Securities available for sale		14.7	%		15.3	%
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks		1.5	%		1.9	%
Other noninterest-earning assets		8.9	%		8.6	%
Total		100.0	%		100.0	%
Average noninterest-bearing deposits to average deposits		22.8	%		23.3	%
Average loans to average deposits		91.1	%		91.7	%

Our primary source of funds is deposits, and our primary use of funds is loans. We do not expect a change in the primary source or use of our funds in the foreseeable future. Our average loans increased 31.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018, primarily due to the acquisition of RSBI and organic growth. We predominantly invest excess deposits in overnight deposits with the Federal Reserve, securities, interest-bearing deposits at other banks or other short-term liquid investments until needed to fund loan growth. Our securities portfolio had a weighted average life of 4.31 years and an effective duration of 41.65 months as of June 30, 2019. As of December 31, 2018, our securities portfolio had a weighted average life of 4.50 years and an effective duration of 44.69 months.

As of June 30, 2019, we had outstanding $329.7 million in commitments to extend credit and $22.9 million in commitments associated with outstanding standby and commercial letters of credit. As of December 31, 2018, we had outstanding $322.5 million in commitments to extend credit and $11.5 million in commitments associated with outstanding standby and commercial letters of credit. Because commitments associated with letters of credit and commitments to extend credit may expire unused, the total outstanding may not necessarily reflect the actual future cash funding requirements.

As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had no exposure to future cash requirements associated with known uncertainties or capital expenditures of a material nature. As of June 30, 2019, we had cash and cash equivalents of $64.0 million compared to $96.1 million as of December 31, 2018.

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Capital Resources

Total shareholders’ equity increased to $277.5 million as of June 30, 2019, compared to $260.1 million as of December 31, 2018, an increase of $17.4 million, or 6.7%. This increase was primarily due to $12.5 million in net income and a $5.7 million change in unrealized gains (losses) on our investment portfolio, offset with $2.4 million in paid dividends.

On July 23, 2019, our Board of Directors (the “Board”) declared a quarterly dividend based upon our financial performance for the three months ended June 30, 2019 in the amount of $0.10 per share to the common shareholders of record as of August 15, 2019. The dividend is to be paid on August 31, 2019, or as soon as practicable thereafter.

The declaration and payment of dividends to our shareholders, as well as the amounts thereof, are subject to the discretion of the Board and depend upon our results of operations, financial condition, capital levels, cash requirements, future prospects and other factors deemed relevant by the Board. As a bank holding company, our ability to pay dividends is largely dependent upon the receipt of dividends from our subsidiary, Business First Bank. There can be no assurance that we will declare and pay any dividends to our shareholders.

Capital management consists of providing equity to support current and future operations. Banking regulators view capital levels as important indicators of an institution’s financial soundness. As a general matter, FDIC-insured depository institutions and their holding companies are required to maintain minimum capital relative to the amount and types of assets they hold. We are subject to regulatory capital requirements at the bank holding company and bank levels. As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we and Business First Bank were in compliance with all applicable regulatory capital requirements, and Business First Bank was classified as “well-capitalized,” for purposes of prompt corrective action regulations. As we employ our capital and continue to grow our operations, our regulatory capital levels may decrease depending on our level of earnings. However, we expect to monitor and control our growth in order to remain in compliance with all applicable regulatory capital standards applicable to us.

The following table presents the actual capital amounts and regulatory capital ratios for us and Business First Bank as of the dates indicated.

	As of June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)					As of December 31, 2018
	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
	(Dollars in thousands)
Business First Bancshares, Inc. (Consolidated)
Total capital (to risk weighted assets)	$	256,102		13.69	%	$	242,144		13.91	%
Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)		219,499		11.73	%		205,924		11.83	%
Common Equity Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)		219,499		11.73	%		205,924		11.83	%
Tier 1 Leverage capital (to average assets)		219,499		10.74	%		205,924		11.66	%

Business First Bank
Total capital (to risk weighted assets)	$	240,566		12.87	%	$	224,356		12.90	%
Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)		228,963		12.25	%		213,136		12.26	%
Common Equity Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)		228,963		12.25	%		213,136		12.26	%
Tier 1 Leverage capital (to average assets)		228,963		11.21	%		213,136		12.08	%

Long Term Debt

For information on our borrowings for the subordinated debt, please refer to “Borrowings.”

Contractual Obligations

The following tables summarize contractual obligations and other commitments to make future payments as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (other than non-maturity deposit obligations), which consist of future cash payments associated with our contractual obligations pursuant to our FHLB short term advances, subordinated debt, and non-cancelable future operating leases. Payments related to leases are based on actual payments specified in underlying contracts. Advances from the FHLB totaled approximately $108.0 million and $55.0 million at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the FHLB short term advances were collateralized by a blanket floating lien on certain securities and loans, had a weighted average stated rate of 2.14% and 2.47%, respectively, and maturing within five years. The subordinated debt agreement totaled $25.0 million at both June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. This subordinated debt was secured by a pledge of and security interest in the common stock of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Business First Bank, bearing interest at a fixed-to-floating rate of 6.75%, and maturing in 2033.

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	As of June 30, 2019
	1 year or less		More than 1 year but less than 3 years		3 years or more but less than 5 years		5 years or more		Total
	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
Non-cancelable future operating leases	$	1,867	$	2,934	$	2,366	$	5,804	$	12,971
Time deposits		368,657		189,038		19,363		—		577,058
Subordinated debt		—		—		—		25,000		25,000
Advances from FHLB		25,000		30,000		53,000		—		108,000
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		16,096		—		—		—		16,096
Standby and commercial letters of credit		22,278		671		—		—		22,949
Commitments to extend credit		186,882		95,057		21,780		25,936		329,655
Total	$	620,780	$	317,700	$	96,509	$	56,740	$	1,091,729

	As of December 31, 2018
	1 year or less		More than 1 year but less than 3 years		3 years or more but less than 5 years		5 years or more		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Non-cancelable future operating leases	$	2,366	$	3,087	$	2,294	$	4,751	$	12,498
Time deposits		374,612		166,212		30,286		—		571,110
Subordinated debt		—		—		—		25,000		25,000
Advances from FHLB		25,000		—		30,000		—		55,000
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		12,229		—		—		—		12,229
Standby and commercial letters of credit		8,691		2,816		—		—		11,507
Commitments to extend credit		171,113		113,441		16,696		21,216		322,466
Total	$	594,011	$	285,556	$	79,276	$	50,967	$	1,009,810

Off-Balance Sheet Items

In the normal course of business, we enter into various transactions which, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, are not included in our consolidated balance sheets. We enter into these transactions to meet the financing needs of our customers. These transactions include commitments to extend credit and standby and commercial letters of credit which involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.

Our commitments associated with outstanding standby and commercial letters of credit and commitments to extend credit expiring by period as of the dates indicated are summarized below. Because commitments associated with letters of credit and commitments to extend credit may expire unused, the amounts shown do not necessarily reflect the actual future cash funding requirements.

	As of June 30, 2019
	1 year or less		More than 1 year but less than 3 years		3 years or more but less than 5 years		5 years or more		Total
	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
Standby and commercial letters of credit	$	22,278	$	671	$	—	$	—	$	22,949
Commitments to extend credit		186,882		95,057		21,780		25,936		329,655
Total	$	209,160	$	95,728	$	21,780	$	25,936	$	352,604

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	As of December 31, 2018
	1 year or less		More than 1 year but less than 3 years		3 years or more but less than 5 years		5 years or more		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Standby and commercial letters of credit	$	8,691	$	2,816	$	—	$	—	$	11,507
Commitments to extend credit		171,113		113,441		16,696		21,216		322,466
Total	$	179,804	$	116,257	$	16,696	$	21,216	$	333,973

Standby and commercial letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by us to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. In the event of nonperformance by the customer, we have rights to the underlying collateral, which can include commercial real estate, physical plant and property, inventory, receivables, cash and/or marketable securities. The credit risk to us in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to our customers.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Because many of the commitments are expected to expire without being fully drawn upon, the total commitment amounts disclosed above do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. We evaluate each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if considered necessary by us, upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer.

Interest Rate Sensitivity and Market Risk

As a financial institution, our primary component of market risk is interest rate volatility. Our asset liability and funds management policy provides management with the guidelines for effective funds management, and we have established a measurement system for monitoring our net interest rate sensitivity position. We manage our sensitivity position within our established guidelines.

Fluctuations in interest rates will ultimately impact both the level of income and expense recorded on most of our assets and liabilities, and the market value of all interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, other than those which have a short term to maturity. Interest rate risk is the potential of economic losses due to future interest rate changes. These economic losses can be reflected as a loss of future net interest income and/or a loss of current fair market values. The objective is to measure the effect on net interest income and to adjust the balance sheet to minimize the inherent risk while at the same time maximizing income.

We manage our exposure to interest rates by structuring our balance sheet in the ordinary course of business. We do not enter into instruments such as leveraged derivatives, interest rate swaps, financial options, financial futures contracts or forward delivery contracts for the purpose of reducing interest rate risk. Based upon the nature of our operations, we are not subject to foreign exchange or commodity price risk. We do not own any trading assets.

Our exposure to interest rate risk is managed by the asset-liability committee of Business First Bank, in accordance with policies approved by our board of directors. The committee formulates strategies based on appropriate levels of interest rate risk. In determining the appropriate level of interest rate risk, the committee considers the impact on earnings and capital of the current outlook on interest rates, potential changes in interest rates, regional economies, liquidity, business strategies and other factors. The committee meets regularly to review, among other things, the sensitivity of assets and liabilities to interest rate changes, the book and market values of assets and liabilities, unrealized gains and losses, purchase and sale activities, commitments to originate loans and the maturities of investments and borrowings. Additionally, the committee reviews liquidity, cash flow flexibility, maturities of deposits and consumer and commercial deposit activity. Management employs methodologies to manage interest rate risk which include an analysis of relationships between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and an interest rate shock simulation model.

We use interest rate risk simulation models and shock analysis to test the interest rate sensitivity of net interest income and fair value of equity, and the impact of changes in interest rates on other financial metrics. Contractual maturities and re-pricing opportunities of loans are incorporated in the model as are prepayment assumptions, maturity data and call options within the investment portfolio. Average lives of non-maturity deposit accounts are based on standard regulatory decay assumptions and are also incorporated into the model. Model assumptions are revised and updated as more accurate information becomes available. The assumptions used are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the model cannot precisely measure future net interest income or precisely predict the impact of fluctuations in market interest rates on net interest income. Actual results will differ from the model’s simulated results due to timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes, as well as changes in market conditions and the application and timing of various management strategies.

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On at least a quarterly basis, we run two simulation models including a static balance sheet and dynamic growth balance sheet. These models test the impact on net interest income and fair value of equity from changes in market interest rates under various scenarios. Under the static and dynamic growth models, rates are shocked instantaneously based upon parallel and non-parallel yield curve shifts. Parallel shock scenarios assume instantaneous parallel movements in the yield curve compared to a flat yield curve scenario. Non-parallel simulation involves analysis of interest income and expense under various changes in the shape of the yield curve. Internal policy regarding interest rate risk simulations currently specifies that for instantaneous parallel shifts of the yield curve, estimated net interest income at risk for the subsequent one-year period should not decline by more than 5.0% for a 100 basis point shift, 10% for a 200 basis point shift, and 12.5% for a 300 basis point shift. Internal policy regarding interest rate simulations currently specifies that for instantaneous parallel shifts of the yield curve, estimated fair value of equity at risk for the subsequent one-year period should not decline by more than 10.00% for a 100 basis point shift, 15.00% for a 200 basis point shift, and 25.00% for a 300 basis point shift.

The following table summarizes the simulated change in net interest income and fair value of equity over a 12-month horizon as of the dates indicated:

	As of June 30, 2019						As of December 31, 2018
Change in Interest Rates (Basis Points)	Percent Change in Net Interest Income			Percent Change in Fair Value of Equity			Percent Change in Net Interest Income			Percent Change in Fair Value of Equity
+300		8.00	%		(1.45	%)		5.20	%		(2.07	%)
+200		5.30	%		(0.71	%)		3.10	%		(1.24	%)
+100		2.60	%		(0.26	%)		1.10	%		(0.64	%)
Base		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%
-100		(4.20	%)		(0.61	%)		(4.40	%)		(0.29	%)

The results are primarily due to the behavior of demand, money market and savings deposits during such rate fluctuations. We have found that, historically, interest rates on these deposits change more slowly than changes in the discount and federal funds rates. This assumption is incorporated into the simulation model and is generally not fully reflected in a gap analysis.

Impact of Inflation

Our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this statement have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. These require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars, without considering changes in the relative value of money over time due to inflation or recession.

Unlike many industrial companies, substantially all of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on our performance than the effects of general levels of inflation. Interest rates may not necessarily move in the same direction or in the same magnitude as the prices of goods and services. However, other operating expenses do reflect general levels of inflation.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Our accounting and reporting policies conform to GAAP, and the prevailing practices in the banking industry. However, we also evaluate our performance based on certain additional non-GAAP financial measures. We classify a financial measure as being a non-GAAP financial measure if that financial measure excludes or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding or including amounts, that are included or excluded, as the case may be, in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time in the United States in our statements of income, balance sheets or statements of cash flows. Non-GAAP financial measures do not include operating and other statistical measures or ratios or statistical measures calculated using exclusively either financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, operating measures or other measures that are not non-GAAP financial measures or both.

This discussion and analysis section includes certain non-GAAP financial measures (e.g., referenced as “core” or “tangible”) intended to supplement, not substitute for, comparable GAAP measures. These measures typically adjust income available to common shareholders for certain significant activities or transactions that in management’s opinion can distort period-to-period comparisons of Business First’s performance. Transactions that are typically excluded from non-GAAP measures include realized and unrealized gains/losses on former bank premises and equipment, impaired loan sales, and acquisition-related expenses (including, but not limited to, legal costs, system conversion costs, severance and retention payments, etc.). The measures also typically adjust goodwill and intangible assets from book value and shareholders’ equity.

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Management believes presentations of these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information that is essential to a proper understanding of the operating results of the Company’s core business. These non-GAAP disclosures are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP measures that may be presented by other companies. You should understand how such other banking organizations calculate their financial metrics or with names similar to the non-GAAP financial measures we have discussed in this statement when comparing such non-GAAP financial measures.

Core Net Income. Core net income, which excludes noncore income and expenses, for the three months ended June 30, 2019 was $6.6 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, compared to core net income of $4.1 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2018. As adjusted, core return on average assets and core return on average equity, in each case on an annualized basis, were 1.26% and 9.77% for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to 1.00% and 8.69% for the three months ended June 30, 2018. Core net income, which excludes noncore income and expenses, for the six months ended June 30, 2019 was $12.2 million, or $0.89 per diluted share, compared to core net income of $7.6 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2018. As adjusted, core return on average assets and core return on average equity, in each case on an annualized basis, were 1.17% and 9.18% for the six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to 0.94% and 8.33% for the six months ended June 30, 2018. Notable noncore events impacting earnings for the three months ended June 30, 2019 include noninterest income of $91,000 in gains on the sale of impaired credits, $58,000 in gains on the sale of securities, $593,000 in gains on the sale of a banking center and noninterest expense of $436,000 related to acquisition-related activities (including, but not limited to, severance and retention, system conversion, legal costs, etc.). Notable noncore events impacting earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2019 include the same noninterest income impact as the three months ended June 30, 2019 and additional noninterest expense of $386,000 related to acquisition-related activities (including, but not limited to, severance and retention, system conversion, legal costs, etc.). Notable noncore events impacting earnings for the quarter for the three months ended June 30, 2018 include noninterest expense of $415,000 related to acquisition-related activities (including, but not limited to, severance and retention, system conversion, legal costs, etc.) and $118,000 associated with share awards granted to all nonexecutives in connection with Business First Bancshares, Inc.’s listing on NASDAQ. Notable noncore events impacting earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2018 include additional noninterest expense of $512,000 related to acquisition-related activities (including, but not limited to, severance and retention, system conversion, legal costs, etc.).

	For the Three Months Ended June 30, (Unaudited)						For the Six Months Ended June 30, (Unaudited)
	2019			2018			2019			2018
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Core Net Income
Net income	$	6,843		$	3,638		$	12,502		$	6,746
Adjustments:⁽¹⁾
Income
Sale of Impaired Credit		(91	)		—			(91	)		—
Tax impact		19			—			19			—
(Gains) Losses on Sale of Securities		(58	)		—			(58	)		—
Tax impact		12			—			12			—
(Gains) Losses on Sale of Banking Center		(593	)		—			(593	)		—
Tax impact		125			—			125			—
Expense
Employee Share Awards – NASDAQ Listing		—			118			—			118
Tax impact		—			(25	)		—			(25	)
Acquisition-related expenses		436			415			386			927
Tax impact		(91	)		(68	)		(75	)		(123	)
Core net income	$	6,602		$	4,078		$	12,227		$	7,643

Average common shares outstanding		13,361,482			10,607,369			13,324,725			10,421,185
Average diluted shares outstanding		13,740,937			11,064,638			13,704,180			10,878,454
Core earnings per share - basic	$	0.49		$	0.38		$	0.92		$	0.73
Core earnings per share - diluted	$	0.48		$	0.37		$	0.89		$	0.70
Total quarterly average assets		2,102,692			1,624,195			2,089,188			1,619,474
Total quarterly average equity		270,262			187,764			266,493			183,455
Core return on average assets		1.26	%		1.00	%		1.17	%		0.94	%
Core return on average equity		9.77	%		8.69	%		9.18	%		8.33	%

(1)	Tax rates, exclusive of certain nondeductible acquisition-related expenses, utilized were 21% for both 2019 and 2018. These rates approximated the marginal tax rates for the applicable periods.

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Tangible Book Value Per Common Share. Tangible book value per common share is a non-GAAP measure generally used by financial analysts and investment bankers to evaluate financial institutions. We calculate (1) tangible common equity as shareholders’ equity less goodwill and core deposit intangible and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization, and (2) tangible book value per common share as tangible common equity divided by shares of common stock outstanding. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure for tangible book value per common share is book value per common share.

The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, total shareholders’ equity to tangible common equity and presents tangible book value per common share compared to book value per common share:

	As of June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)			As of December 31, 2018
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Tangible Common Equity
Total shareholders’ equity	$	277,469		$	260,058
Adjustments:
Goodwill		(48,503	)		(49,488	)
Core deposit and other intangibles		(7,139	)		(7,885	)
Total tangible common equity	$	221,827		$	202,685

Common shares outstanding⁽¹⁾		13,361,482			13,213,280
Book value per common share⁽¹⁾	$	20.77		$	19.68
Tangible book value per common share⁽¹⁾		16.60			15.34

(1)	Excludes the dilutive effect, if any, of 754,027 and 867,705 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets. Tangible common equity to tangible assets is a non-GAAP measure generally used by financial analysts and investment bankers to evaluate financial institutions. We calculate tangible common equity, as described above, and tangible assets as total assets less goodwill, core deposit intangible and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure for tangible common equity to tangible assets is total common shareholders’ equity to total assets.

The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, total shareholders’ equity to tangible common equity and total assets to tangible assets:

	As of June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)			As of December 31, 2018
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Tangible Common Equity
Total shareholders’ equity	$	277,469		$	260,058
Adjustments:
Goodwill		(48,503	)		(49,488	)
Core deposit and other intangibles		(7,139	)		(7,885	)
Total tangible common equity	$	221,827		$	202,685

Tangible Assets
Total assets	$	2,153,608		$	2,094,896
Adjustments:
Goodwill		(48,503	)		(49,488	)
Core deposit and other intangibles		(7,139	)		(7,885	)
Total tangible assets	$	2,097,966		$	2,037,523

Common Equity to Total Assets		12.9	%		12.4	%
Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets		10.6			9.9

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Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Risk identification and management are essential elements for the successful management of our business. In the normal course of business, we are subject to various types of risk, including interest rate, credit, and liquidity risk. We control and monitor these risks with policies, procedures, and various levels of managerial and board oversight. Our objective is to optimize profitability while managing and controlling risk within board approved policy limits. Interest rate risk is the sensitivity of net interest income and the market value of financial instruments to the magnitude, direction, and frequency of changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk results from various repricing frequencies and the maturity structure of assets and liabilities. We use our asset liability management policy to control and manage interest rate risk. See Item 2. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Interest Rate Sensibility and Market Risk” for additional discussion of interest rate risk.

Liquidity risk represents the inability to generate cash or otherwise obtain funds at reasonable rates to satisfy commitments to borrowers, as well as, the obligations to depositors. We use our asset liability management policy and contingency funding plan to control and manage liquidity risk.

Credit risk represents the possibility that a customer may not perform in accordance with contractual terms. Credit risk results from extending credit to customers, purchasing securities, and entering into certain off-balance sheet loan funding commitments. Our primary credit risk is directly related to our loan portfolio. We use our credit policy and disciplined approach to evaluate the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses to control and manage credit risk. Our investment policy limits the degree of the amount of credit risk that we may assume in our investment portfolio. Our principal financial market risks are liquidity risks and exposures to interest rate movements.

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a – 15(e) and 15d – 15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Report to provide reasonable assurance that the information we are required to disclose in reports that are filed or furnished under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, including to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The effectiveness of our or any system of disclosure controls and procedures is subject to certain limitations, including the exercise of judgment in designing, implementing and evaluating the controls and procedures, the assumptions used in identifying the likelihood of future events, and the inability to eliminate misconduct completely. As a result, we cannot assure you that our disclosure controls and procedures will detect all errors or fraud.

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this Report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are a party to claims and legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Management evaluates our exposure to these claims and proceedings individually and in the aggregate, and provides for potential losses on such litigation if the amount of the loss is estimable and the loss is probable. We are not currently involved in any pending legal proceedings other than routine, nonmaterial proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business.

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this Report, we refer you to Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC.

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

Item 3.

Defaults upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5.

Other Information

Not applicable.

Item 6.

Exhibits


Number	Description

3.1	Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Business First Bancshares, Inc., adopted September 28, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Business First Bancshares, Inc. on October 2, 2017 (File No. 333-200112)).

3.2	Amended and Restated Bylaws of Business First Bancshares, Inc., adopted August 23, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2017 filed by Business First Bancshares, Inc. on November 9, 2017 (File No. 333-200112)).

4.1	Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by Business First Bancshares, Inc. on November 12, 2014 (File No. 333-200112)).

4.2	Form of 6.75% Fixed-to-Floating Subordinated Note due 2033 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Business First Bancshares, Inc. on December 19, 2018 (File No. 001-38447)).

31.1	Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

31.2	Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

32.1	Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

101.INS	XBRL Instance Document*

101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document*

101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document*

101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document*

101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document*

101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document*

*	Filed herewith.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant hereby duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

		BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

August 8, 2019		/s/ David R. Melville, III
		David R. Melville, III
		President and Chief Executive Officer

August 8, 2019		/s/ Gregory Robertson
		Gregory Robertson
		Chief Financial Officer