Business First Bancshares
Annual Report 2015

Plain-text annual report

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 Commission file number: 333-200112 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Louisiana (State of incorporation or organization) 8440 Jefferson Highway, Suite 101 Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Address of principal executive offices) 20-5340628 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) 70809 (Zip code) Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (225) 248-7600 Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: None Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: None Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes (cid:133) No ⌧ Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes (cid:133) No ⌧ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (i) 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, and (ii) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ⌧ No (cid:133) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Date File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ⌧ No (cid:133) Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ⌧ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer (cid:133) Non-accelerated filer (cid:133) (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Accelerated filer (cid:133) Smaller reporting company ⌧ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes (cid:133) No ⌧ There is no established public trading market for the registrant’s common stock. As of March 21, 2016, there were 7,037,413 outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock, $1.00 par value per share. PART I TABLE OF CONTENTS Business ITEM 1. ITEM 1A. Risk Factors ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments ITEM 2. ITEM 3. ITEM 4. Properties Legal Proceedings Mine Safety Disclosures PART II Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Selected Financial Data Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ITEM 5. ITEM 6. ITEM 7. ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk ITEM 8. ITEM 9. ITEM 9A. Controls and Procedures ITEM 9B. Other Information Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures PART III ITEM 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance ITEM 11. Executive Compensation ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence ITEM 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services PART IV ITEM 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules Signatures 3 16 27 27 29 29 30 31 31 55 56 105 105 105 106 111 116 116 117 118 120 NOTE: When we refer in this Report to “we,” “our,” “us,” “Business First” and the “Company,” we are referring to Business First Bancshares, Inc., unless the context indicates otherwise. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This Annual Report on Form 10-K, or the “Report,” contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). 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: • changes in the strength of the United States 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; • • • • • • • • • • • • • • changes in interest rates and market prices, which could reduce our net interest margins, asset valuations and expense expectations; changes in the levels of loan prepayments and the resulting effects on the value of our loan portfolio; increased competition for deposits and loans adversely affecting rates and terms; 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 the total loan portfolio; 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; 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; 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 laws and regulations concerning taxes, banking, securities, insurance and other aspects of the financial securities industry, such as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), and the extensive rule making required to be undertaken by various regulatory agencies under the Dodd-Frank Act; further 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; acts of terrorism, an outbreak of hostilities or other international or domestic calamities, weather or other acts of God and other matters beyond our control; and other risks and uncertainties listed from time to time in our reports and documents filed with the SEC. 1 The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with the other cautionary statements included in this Report. If 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. 2 ITEM 1. Business. General PART I We are a registered bank holding company headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We were incorporated on July 20, 2006 to serve as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the “BHC Act”) for our wholly-owned subsidiary, Business First Bank. We became the parent company of Business First Bank on April 1, 2007, and we currently own all of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of Business First Bank. As of December 31, 2015, on a consolidated basis, we had total assets of $1.1 billion, total loans of $772.4 million, total deposits of $904.2 million and shareholders’ equity of $112.4 million. Business First Bank is a Louisiana state non-member bank that was established in February of 2006. Business First Bank serves the state of Louisiana with sixteen banking centers, with offices located in the Louisiana cities of Baton Rouge, Brusly, Covington, Denham Springs, Erwinville, Gonzales, Houma, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Port Allen, Shreveport and Zachary. Business First Bank also has a Loan Production Office in the New Orleans Metro area. Business First is organized into three regions, each of which is led by an experienced Regional Chief Executive Officer. Within each region, Business First Bank has experienced bankers led by a local market president who are all involved in the community and industry. Business First Bank’s principal office is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Business First Bank offers a full range of banking services, including commercial and consumer banking. As of December 31, 2015, Business First Bank had total assets of $1.1 billion, total loans of $772.4 million, total deposits of $904.6 million and shareholders’ equity of $113.3 million. Our principal executive office is located at Business First Bank Plaza, 8440 Jefferson Highway, Suite 101, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809. Our telephone number is (225) 248-7600 and our website address is www.b1bank.com. Our Business Strategy Our mission is to be the financial institution of choice for Louisiana enterprises and their owners and employees. To achieve this mission, we concentrate our resources on two fronts: convenience-enhancing technology and products and recruitment, retention and empowerment of world class employees. We believe a bank should be measured by the value it adds to its customer’s business processes. The focus of our strategy has been, and continues to be, the establishment and enhancement of an attractive commercial banking franchise by maximizing long-term shareholder value through growth in our loans, investments, deposits and net income in a manner consistent with safe, sound and prudent banking practices while providing personalized customer service consistent with the needs of small- and mid-sized businesses, their owners and employees. To accomplish this goal, we utilize the following business strategy: • • • • Offering competitive products and services at fair prices to expand loan and deposit market share and increase interest and non-interest income; Providing high quality personal service delivered by skilled and experienced professionals who have a long-term commitment to the communities in which we conduct business; Enhancing the banking options available to customers by offering a wide array of financial products with the latest technology; and Maintaining asset quality and control operating expense. We focus on providing private banking services primarily to small businesses and professionals. Rather than attempt to compete for customers with larger financial institutions on a transaction-by-transaction basis, we work to build robust, lasting partnerships with our customers. By locating in seven metropolitan areas and decentralizing as much decision-making authority as sound banking practices will permit, we endeavor to capture both the stability of geographic diversification within Louisiana and the loyalties of a customer base that only a locally-owned community bank can provide. Each market we serve has a local president and our director’s loan committee is comprised of community leaders who have a stake in the institution. We believe that one of our greatest competitive advantages is the depth of our statewide network of entrepreneurial directors. 3 Consistent with our focus on service, we have invested heavily in people and technology, not just brick and mortar infrastructure. We operate with a limited number of more experienced personnel, while also limiting the number of our offices, providing universal ATM and internet account access, digital deposits, and personalized, flexible, name-recognizing service. We also endeavor to serve our constituent communities in unique ways—hosting non-profit board meetings, for example, or encouraging our employees to participate in financially-centered volunteer efforts, whether that be serving as board members themselves or participating in school-based educational activities. Through these activities, we strive to foster relationships with community leaders and a reputation of positive involvement in our communities. Expansion With the exception of our March 31, 2015 acquisition of American Gateway Financial Corporation (“AGFC”) and its subsidiary, American Gateway Bank, we have historically grown organically by targeting markets in Louisiana that we believe provide attractive banking opportunities. Within these markets, we engage a local advisory board and hire local management. The purpose of these advisors and management is to build our banking franchise within their respective markets. We believe this structure provides many of the benefits of smaller, locally-owned banks while permitting us to serve multiple markets. While we continue to prioritize organic growth, we also seek to capitalize upon other opportunities as they arise. In particular, we will consider opportunities such as the 2015 acquisition of AGFC, which has enhanced our core deposits and provided cost savings through economies of scale. Other than some preliminary plans regarding possible expansion into the New Orleans, Louisiana market, we do not have any immediate plans for other acquisitions or expansion into new markets. We will, however, continue to evaluate growth opportunities and may add other markets to our geographic footprint as opportunities arise. Products and Services We are a full-service financial services company with a focus on small- to mid-sized businesses, their officers and employees. We satisfy our commercial and retail customers’ banking needs with an encompassing range of financial services. Business First Bank is an independent financial institution that is engaged in substantially all of the business operations customarily conducted by financial institutions in Louisiana. It offers, among other products, checking, savings and money market accounts, certificates of deposit, commercial and consumer loans, mortgage loans, real estate loans, and other installment and term loans. In addition, Business First Bank offers its customers wealth management products, drive-through banking facilities, automated teller machines, night depository, personalized checks, credit cards, debit cards, internet banking, electronic funds transfers through ACH services, domestic and foreign wire transfers, traveler’s checks, cash management, vault services, loan and deposit sweep accounts, and lock box services. Subsidiaries We have three wholly-owned subsidiaries. Business First Bank is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Business First. Business First Insurance LLC and American Gateway Insurance Agency, L.L.C. are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Business First Bank, and are, therefore, indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Business First. Business First Insurance LLC and American Gateway Insurance Agency L.L.C. are currently inactive, and do not engage in any material business activities. Competition We compete with several local and regional commercial banks, thrifts, credit unions and mortgage companies for deposits, loans, and other banking-related financial services. There is intense competition in our market areas from other financial institutions as well as other “non-bank” companies that engage in similar activities. Some of our competitors are not subject to the degree of regulatory review and restrictions that apply to us. In addition, we must compete with much larger financial institutions that have greater financial resources than we do, and that compete aggressively for market share. These competitors attempt to gain market share through their financial product mix, pricing strategies and banking center locations. We also compete with insurance companies, savings banks, consumer finance companies, investment banking firms, brokerage houses, mutual fund managers, investment advisors, and credit unions. Retail establishments compete for loans by offering credit cards and retail installment contracts for the purchase of goods and merchandise. 4 We anticipate that competition from both bank and non-bank entities will continue to grow. Accordingly, we build and implement strategic plans to address competitive factors in the various markets we serve. We have been able to compete effectively with other financial institutions by emphasizing customer service and local office decision-making, by establishing long-term customer relationships and building customer loyalty, and by providing products and services designed to address the specific needs of our customers. Employees As of December 31, 2015, we had 184 full-time equivalent employees, 75 of whom are officers of Business First Bank. We are committed to hiring and retaining high quality employees to execute our strategic plan, and we consider our relations with employees to be very good. Supervision and Regulation General The U.S. banking industry is highly regulated under federal and state law. Banking laws, regulations and policies affect our operations and those of our subsidiaries. As a bank holding company, we are subject to inspection, examination, supervision and regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). Business First Bank is subject to extensive regulation and examination by the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions (the “Louisiana OFI”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). Statutes, regulations and policies limit the activities in which we may engage and how we conduct certain permitted activities. The system of supervision and regulation applicable to us and our subsidiaries establishes a comprehensive framework for our respective operations and is intended primarily for the protection of the FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund, Business First Bank’s depositors and the public, rather than our shareholders or creditors. Further, the bank regulatory system imposes reporting and information collection obligations. We incur significant costs relating to compliance with these laws and regulations. Banking statutes, regulations and policies are continually under review by Congress and state legislatures and regulatory agencies, and a change in them, including changes in how they are interpreted or implemented, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The material statutory and regulatory requirements that are applicable to us and to Business First Bank are summarized below. This description is not intended to describe all laws and regulations applicable to us and our subsidiaries, and the description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the statutes, regulations, policies, interpretive letters and other written guidance that are described herein. Business First Bancshares, Inc. We are a bank holding company registered under the BHC Act, and we are subject to supervision, regulation and examination by the Federal Reserve. The BHC Act and other federal laws subject bank holding companies to particular restrictions on the types of activities in which they may engage and to a range of supervisory requirements and activities, including regulatory enforcement actions for violations of laws and regulations. Banking statutes, regulations and policies could restrict our ability to diversify into other areas of financial services, acquire depository institutions and make distributions or pay dividends on our equity securities. They may also require us to provide financial support to any bank that we control, maintain capital balances in excess of those desired by management and pay higher deposit insurance premiums as a result of a general deterioration in the financial condition of Business First Bank. Business First Bank Business First Bank is a commercial bank chartered under the laws of the State of Louisiana and it is not a member of the Federal Reserve. In addition, its deposits are insured to the maximum extent permitted by law by the FDIC. As such, Business First Bank is subject to extensive regulation and examination by the Louisiana OFI and the FDIC. The federal and state laws and regulations which are applicable to Business First Bank regulate, among other things, the scope of its business, its investments, its reserves against deposits, the timing of the availability of deposited funds and the nature and amount of and collateral for certain loans. In addition to the impact of such regulations, commercial banks are affected significantly by the actions of the Federal Reserve in connection with its economic policy. 5 Broad Supervision and Enforcement Powers A principal objective of the U.S. bank regulatory system is to protect depositors by ensuring the financial safety and soundness of banking organizations. To that end, the banking regulators have broad regulatory, examination and enforcement authority. The regulators regularly examine the operations of banking organizations. In addition, banking organizations are subject to periodic reporting requirements. The regulators have various remedies available if they determine that the financial condition, capital resources, asset quality, earnings prospects, management, liquidity or other aspects of a banking organization’s operations are unsatisfactory. The regulators may also take action if they determine that the banking organization or its management is violating or has violated any law or regulation. The regulators have the power to, among other things: • • • • • • • • • • enjoin “unsafe or unsound” practices; require affirmative actions to correct any violation or practice; issue administrative orders that can be judicially enforced; direct increases in capital; direct the sale of subsidiaries or other assets; limit dividends and distributions; restrict growth; assess civil monetary penalties; remove officers and directors; and terminate deposit insurance. The FDIC may terminate a depository institution’s deposit insurance upon a finding that the institution’s financial condition is unsafe or unsound or that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices or has violated any applicable rule, regulation, order or condition enacted or imposed by the institution’s regulatory agency. Engaging in unsafe or unsound practices or failing to comply with applicable laws, regulations and supervisory agreements could subject us and our subsidiaries or their officers, directors and institution-affiliated parties to the remedies described above and other sanctions. The Dodd-Frank Act On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act became law. The Dodd-Frank Act is having a broad impact on the financial services industry, and imposes significant regulatory and compliance requirements, including the designation of certain financial companies as systemically important financial companies, the changing roles of credit rating agencies, the imposition of increased capital, leverage, and liquidity requirements, and numerous other provisions designed to improve supervision and oversight of, and strengthen safety and soundness within, the financial services sector. Additionally, the Dodd-Frank Act establishes a new framework of authority to conduct systemic risk oversight within the financial system to be distributed among new and existing federal regulatory agencies. The following items provide a brief description of certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act that are most relevant to us and to Business First Bank. • Source of strength. Under Federal Reserve policy, bank holding companies have historically been required to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to each of their banking subsidiaries. The Dodd-Frank Act codified this policy as a statutory requirement. The Dodd-Frank Act requires all companies, including bank holding companies that directly or indirectly control an insured depository institution, to serve as a source of strength for the institution. Under this requirement, in the future we could be required to provide financial assistance to Business First Bank should it experience financial distress. 6 • • • • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The Dodd-Frank Act created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) as a new, independent regulatory agency. The CFPB is tasked with establishing and implementing rules and regulations under certain federal consumer protection laws governing the conduct of providers of certain consumer financial products and services. The CFPB has rulemaking authority over many of the statutes governing products and services offered to bank and thrift consumers. For banking organizations with assets of $10 billion or more, the CFPB has exclusive rule making and examination, and primary enforcement authority under federal consumer financial laws. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act permits states to adopt consumer protection laws and regulations that are stricter than those regulations promulgated by the CFPB. Compliance with any such new regulations would increase our cost of operations. Mortgage loan origination rules. The Dodd-Frank Act authorized the CFPB to establish certain minimum standards for the origination of residential mortgages, including requirements for lenders to affirmatively determine that their borrowers have the ability to repay their mortgage loans. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, financial institutions may not make a residential mortgage loan unless they make a “reasonable and good faith determination” that the consumer has a “reasonable ability” to repay the loan. The Dodd-Frank Act allows borrowers to bring civil claims and raise certain defenses to foreclosure if the lender does not make an appropriate ability-to-repay determination. The CFBP’s rules, however, provide a full or partial safe harbor from such liability and defenses for loans that are “qualified mortgages.” The ability-to-repay rule is just one among many of the CFPB’s new rules that will affect origination, disclosure and servicing in connection with consumer mortgages. Many of the CFPB’s new rules governing mortgage loan origination became effective in January of 2014. Additional regulations revising disclosure and timing requirements in connection with mortgage loan origination became effective in October of 2015. Compliance with all of the CFPB’s new mortgage rules will increase our cost of operations. Deposit insurance. The Dodd-Frank Act made permanent the increased $250,000 deposit insurance limit for insured deposits. Amendments to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“FDI Act”), also revised the assessment base against which an insured depository institution’s deposit insurance premiums paid to the Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC will be calculated. Under the amendments, the assessment base is no longer the institution’s deposit base, but rather its average consolidated total assets less its average tangible equity. Additionally, the Dodd-Frank Act made changes to the minimum designated reserve ratio of the Deposit Insurance Fund, increasing the minimum from 1.15% to 1.35% of the estimated amount of total insured deposits, and eliminating the requirement that the FDIC pay dividends to depository institutions when the reserve ratio exceeds certain thresholds. Several of these provisions may impact the FDIC deposit insurance premiums paid by Business First Bank. Transactions with affiliates and insiders. The Dodd-Frank Act generally enhanced the restrictions on transactions with affiliates under Section 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, including an expansion of the definition of “covered transactions” and clarification regarding the amount of time for which collateral requirements regarding covered credit transactions must be satisfied. Insider transaction limitations are expanded through the strengthening of loan restrictions to insiders and the expansion of the types of transactions subject to the various limits, including derivatives transactions, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements and securities lending or borrowing transactions. Restrictions are also placed on certain asset sales to and from an insider to an institution, including requirements that such sales be on market terms and, in certain circumstances, approved by the institution’s board of directors. • Corporate governance. The Dodd-Frank Act addresses many investor protection, corporate governance and executive compensation matters that will affect most U.S. publicly traded companies. The Dodd-Frank Act (1) grants shareholders of U.S. publicly traded companies an advisory vote on executive compensation; (2) enhances independence requirements for compensation committee members; (3) requires companies listed on national securities exchanges to adopt incentive-based compensation clawback policies for executive officers and (4) provides the SEC with authority to adopt proxy access rules that would allow shareholders of publicly traded companies to nominate candidates for election as a director and have those nominees included in a company’s proxy materials. For so long as we are an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of the provisions of the JOBS Act allowing us to not seek a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements, but we will remain subject to many of the other provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act relating to investor protection and corporate governance. The requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act are in the process of being implemented over time and most will be subject to regulations implemented over the course of several years. Given the uncertainty associated with the manner in which the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act will be implemented by the various regulatory agencies and through regulations, the full extent of the impact such requirements will have on our operations is unclear. The changes resulting from the Dodd-Frank Act could negatively impact the 7 profitability of our business activities, require changes to certain of our business practices, impose upon us more stringent capital, liquidity and leverage requirements or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. These changes may also require us to invest significant management attention and resources to evaluate and make any changes necessary to comply with new statutory and regulatory requirements. Failure to comply with the new requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Regulatory Notice and Approval Requirements Related to Control Banking laws impose notice, approval and ongoing regulatory requirements on any shareholder or other party that seeks to acquire direct or indirect “control” of an FDIC-insured depository institution. These laws include the BHC Act and the Change in Bank Control Act. Among other things, these laws require regulatory filings by a shareholder or other party that seeks to acquire direct or indirect “control” of an FDIC-insured depository institution. The determination whether an investor “controls” a depository institution is based on all of the facts and circumstances surrounding the investment. As a general matter, a party is deemed to control a depository institution or other company if the party owns or controls 25% or more of any class of voting stock. Subject to rebuttal, a party may be presumed to control a depository institution or other company if the investor owns or controls 10% or more of any class of voting stock. Ownership by affiliated parties, or parties acting in concert, is typically aggregated for these purposes. If a party’s ownership of Business First were to exceed certain thresholds, the investor could be deemed to “control” Business First for regulatory purposes. This could subject the investor to regulatory filings or other regulatory consequences. In addition, except under limited circumstances, bank holding companies are prohibited from acquiring, without prior approval, (1) control of any other bank or bank holding company or all or substantially all the assets thereof or (2) more than 5% of the voting shares of a bank or bank holding company which is not already a subsidiary. Branching Louisiana law provides that a Louisiana state bank can establish a branch anywhere in Louisiana provided that the branch is approved in advance by the Louisiana OFI. The branch also must be approved by the FDIC. When considering whether to approve the establishment of a branch, the Louisiana OFI and the FDIC consider a number of factors, including financial history, capital adequacy, earnings prospects, character of management, needs of the community and consistency with corporate powers. The Dodd-Frank Act permits insured state banks to engage in de novo interstate branching if the laws of the state where the new branch is to be established would permit the establishment of the branch if the branching bank were chartered by such state. Limits on Transactions with Affiliates Federal law restricts the amount and the terms of both credit and noncredit transactions (generally referred to as “covered transactions”) between a bank and its nonbank affiliates. Covered transactions with any single affiliate may not exceed 10% of the capital stock and surplus of a bank, and covered transactions with all affiliates may not exceed, in the aggregate, 20% of a bank’s capital stock and surplus. For a bank, capital stock and surplus refers to the bank’s Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital, as calculated under the risk-based capital guidelines, plus the balance of the allowance for credit losses excluded from Tier 2 capital. A bank’s transactions with all of its affiliates in the aggregate are limited to 20% of the foregoing capital. In addition, in connection with covered transactions that are extensions of credit, a bank may be required to hold collateral to provide added security to the bank and the types of permissible collateral may be limited. The Dodd-Frank Act generally enhances the restrictions on transactions with affiliates, including an expansion of what types of transactions are covered transactions to include credit exposures related to derivatives, repurchase agreements and securities lending arrangements and an increase in the amount of time for which collateral requirements regarding covered transactions must be satisfied. Loans to Insiders Sections 22(g) and (h) of the Federal Reserve Act and its implementing regulation, Regulation O, place restrictions on loans by a bank to executive officers, directors and principal shareholders. Under Section 22(h), loans to a director, an executive officer and to a greater than 10.0% shareholder of a bank and certain of their related interests or insiders and insiders of affiliates, may not exceed, together with all other outstanding loans to such person and related interests, a bank’s loans-to-one-borrower limit (generally equal to 15.0% of the institution’s unimpaired capital and surplus). Section 22(h) also requires that loans to insiders and to insiders of affiliates be made on terms substantially the same as offered in comparable transactions to other persons, unless the loans are made pursuant to a benefit or compensation program that (1) is widely available to employees of the bank and (2) does not give preference to insiders over other employees of the bank. Section 22(h) also requires prior board of directors’ approval for certain loans and the aggregate amount of extensions of credit by a bank to all insiders cannot exceed the institution’s unimpaired capital and surplus. Furthermore, Section 22(g) places additional restrictions on loans to executive officers. 8 Depositor Preference The FDI Act provides that, in the event of the “liquidation or other resolution” of an insured depository institution, the claims of depositors of the institution (including the claims of the FDIC as subrogee of insured depositors) and certain claims for administrative expenses of the FDIC as a receiver will have priority over other general unsecured claims against the institution. Therefore, if an insured depository institution like Business First Bank fails, insured and uninsured depositors, along with the FDIC, will have priority in payment ahead of unsecured, nondeposit creditors, including us, with respect to any extensions of credit they have made to such insured depository institution. Dividend Restrictions We have not historically paid any dividends on our common stock. Although our board of directors has made a preliminary decision to commence payment of regular quarterly dividends beginning in the first quarter of 2016, we are not required to pay dividends. Our shareholders will be entitled to receive dividends out of legally available funds as and when declared by our board of directors, in its sole discretion. As a Louisiana corporation, we are subject to certain restrictions on dividends under the Louisiana Business Corporation Act. Generally, under Louisiana law, we may not pay a dividend if (i) after giving effect to the dividend, we would not be able to pay our debts as they become due in the usual course of business, (ii) after giving effect to the dividend, our total assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed, if we were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy any preferential rights upon dissolution of shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution, or (iii) the declaration or payment thereof would be contrary to any restrictions contained in our articles of incorporation. Also, as a bank holding company, we are required by the Federal Reserve to serve as a source of financial strength for Business First Bank. The Federal Reserve has stated that, as a matter of prudent banking, a bank holding company generally should not maintain a rate of dividends to shareholders unless its net income available has been sufficient to fully fund the dividends, and the prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent with the bank holding company’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. We do not engage in separate business activities of a material nature. As a result, our ability to pay dividends depends upon the dividends received from Business First Bank. As a Louisiana state bank, Business First Bank’s ability to pay dividends is restricted by certain laws and regulations. Under the Louisiana Banking Law, Business First Bank may not declare or pay cash or property dividends unless it has unimpaired surplus that equals or exceeds 50% of its outstanding capital stock. Business First Bank’s unimpaired surplus may not be reduced below 50% as a result of the payment of any combination of cash or property dividends, or the purchase or redemption of any shares of its capital stock. In addition, Business First Bank must obtain the prior approval of the Louisiana Banking Commissioner to pay dividends to us if the total of all year-to-date cash or property dividends declared and paid by Business First Bank, when added to any amounts used by Business First Bank to redeem or purchase shares of its capital stock, would exceed the total of its year-to-date net income combined with its net income from the immediately preceding year, after deducting all of the following: (i) amounts paid or accrued for the payments of cash dividends, (ii) the value of all property paid in dividends, and (iii) amounts paid or accrued to redeem or purchase shares of Business First Bank’s capital stock over the calculation period. In addition to Louisiana law restrictions on Business First Bank’s ability to pay dividends, under FDICIA, Business First Bank may not pay any dividend if the payment of the dividend would cause Business First Bank to become undercapitalized or if Business First Bank is “undercapitalized.” The FDIC may further restrict the payment of dividends by requiring that Business First Bank maintain a higher level of capital than would otherwise be required to be “adequately capitalized” for regulatory purposes. Moreover, if, in the opinion of the FDIC, Business First Bank is engaged in an unsound practice (which could include the payment of dividends), the FDIC may require, generally after notice and hearing, that Business First Bank cease such practice. The FDIC has indicated that paying dividends that deplete a depository institution’s capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsafe banking practice. Moreover, the FDIC has also issued policy statements providing that insured depository institutions generally should pay dividends only out of current operating earnings. Under regulatory capital guidelines, Business First Bank must maintain a Tier 1 capital to adjusted total assets ratio of at least 4.0%, a Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets ratio of at least 6.0%, and a total risk based capital to risk weighted assets ratio of at least 8.0%. As of December 31, 2015, Business First Bank had a ratio of Tier 1 capital to adjusted total assets of 10.17%, a ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets of 11.41% and a ratio of total risk based capital to risk weighted assets of 12.17%. The Dodd-Frank Act and Basel III (described below) impose additional restrictions on the ability of banking institutions to pay dividends. 9 Regulatory Capital Requirements The Federal Reserve monitors our capital adequacy, on a consolidated basis, and the FDIC and the Louisiana OFI monitor the capital adequacy of Business First Bank. The bank regulators use a combination of risk-based guidelines and a leverage ratio to evaluate capital adequacy. The risk-based capital guidelines applicable to us and our bank are based on the Basel Committee’s December 2010 final capital framework, known as Basel III, as implemented by the federal bank regulators. The risk-based guidelines are intended to make regulatory capital requirements sensitive to differences in credit and market risk profiles among banks and bank holding companies, to account for off-balance sheet exposure and to minimize disincentives for holding liquid assets. Assets and off-balance sheet items are assigned to weighted risk categories, and capital is classified in one of the following tiers depending on its characteristic: Common Equity Tier 1 (“CET1”) Capital. CET1 capital generally includes common equity, surplus and retained earnings less goodwill, most intangible assets and certain other assets. The capital rules require bank holding companies and banks to include Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”) into CET1 unless the bank and bank holding company use a one-time election to exclude AOCI from its regulatory capital metrics on January 1, 2015. We elected to exclude AOCI from CET1. Tier 1 (Core) Capital. Tier 1 capital generally includes CET1 and qualifying trust preferred securities at the holding company level, less goodwill, most intangible assets and certain other assets. Tier 2 (Supplementary) Capital. Tier 2 capital generally includes qualifying subordinated debt and a limited amount of allowances for loan and lease losses. Bank holding companies and banks are also currently required to comply with minimum leverage requirements, measured based on the ratio of a bank holding company’s or a bank’s, as applicable, Tier 1 capital to adjusted quarterly average total assets (as defined for regulatory purposes). These requirements generally necessitate a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4% for all bank holding companies and banks. To be considered “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, Business First Bank must maintain minimum Tier 1 leverage ratios of at least 5%. See “—Prompt Corrective Action Framework.” Basel III and the Capital Rules. In July 2013, the federal bank regulators approved final rules, or the Capital Rules, implementing the Basel Committee’s December 2010 final capital framework for strengthening international capital standards, known as Basel III, and various provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Capital Rules substantially revise the risk-based capital requirements applicable to bank holding companies and banks, including us and Business First Bank, compared to the previous risk- based capital rules. The Capital Rules revise the components of capital and address other issues affecting the numerator in regulatory capital ratio calculations. The Capital Rules also address risk weights and other issues affecting the denominator in regulatory capital ratio calculations, including by replacing the existing risk-weighting approach derived from Basel I with a more risk-sensitive approach based, in part, on the standardized approach adopted by the Basel Committee in its 2004 capital accords, known as Basel II. The Capital Rules also implement the requirements of Section 939A of the Dodd-Frank Act to remove references to credit ratings from the federal bank regulators’ rules. Subject to a phase-in period for various provisions, the Capital Rules became effective for us and for Business First Bank beginning on January 1, 2015. Under the Basel III Capital Rules, the minimum capital ratios are (i) 4.5% CET1 to risk-weighted assets, (ii) 6% Tier 1 capital (that is, CET1 plus Additional Tier 1 capital) to risk-weighted assets and (iii) 8% total capital (that is, Tier 1 capital plus Tier 2 capital) to risk-weighted assets. The current capital rules also include a capital conservation buffer designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. The capital conservation buffer is composed entirely of CET1, on top of these minimum risk-weighted asset ratios. In addition, the Capital Rules provide for a countercyclical capital buffer applicable only to certain covered institutions. We do not expect the countercyclical capital buffer to be applicable to us or to Business First Bank. Banking institutions with a ratio of CET1 to risk- weighted assets above the minimum but below the capital conservation buffer (or below the combined capital conservation buffer and countercyclical capital buffer, when the latter is applied) will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall. The implementation of the capital conservation buffer began on January 1, 2016 at the 0.625% level and will be phased in over a three-year period (increasing by 0.625% on each subsequent January 1, until it reaches 2.5% on January 1, 2019). When fully phased-in, the Capital Rules will require us, and Business First Bank, to maintain an additional capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of CET1, effectively resulting in minimum ratios of: (i) 7.0% CET1 to risk-weighted assets, (ii) 8.5% Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, and (iii) 10.5% total capital to risk-weighted assets. 10 The Capital Rules provide for a number of deductions from and adjustments to CET1. These include, for example, the requirement that mortgage servicing rights, certain deferred tax assets and significant investments in non-consolidated financial entities be deducted from CET1 to the extent that any one such category exceeds 10% of CET1 or all such categories in the aggregate exceed 15% of CET1. Implementation of the deductions and other adjustments to CET1 began on January 1, 2015, and will be phased in over a four-year period (beginning at 40% on January 1, 2015 and an additional 20% per year thereafter). The Capital Rules also generally preclude certain hybrid securities, such as trust preferred securities, from being counted as Tier 1 capital for most bank holding companies. However, bank holding companies such as us who had less than $15 billion in assets as of December 31, 2009 (and who continue to have less than $15 billion in assets) are permitted to include trust preferred securities issued prior to May 19, 2010 as Additional Tier 1 capital under the Capital Rules. The Capital Rules also prescribed a new standardized approach for risk weightings that expanded the risk-weighting categories from the current four Basel I-derived categories (0%, 20%, 50% and 100%) to a much larger and more risk-sensitive number of categories, depending on the nature of the assets, generally ranging from 0%, for U.S. government and agency securities, to 600%, for certain equity exposures, and resulting in higher risk weights for a variety of asset categories. With respect to Business First Bank, the Capital Rules also revised the prompt corrective action regulations pursuant to Section 38 of the FDI Act. See “—Prompt Corrective Action Framework.” We believe that, as of December 31, 2015, we and Business First Bank would meet all capital adequacy requirements under the Capital Rules on a fully phased-in basis as if such requirements were then in effect. Liquidity Requirements Historically, the regulation and monitoring of bank and bank holding company liquidity has been addressed as a supervisory matter, without required formulaic measures. The Basel III final framework requires banks and bank holding companies to measure their liquidity against specific liquidity tests that, although similar in some respects to liquidity measures historically applied by banks and regulators for management and supervisory purposes, going forward would be required by regulation. One test, referred to as the liquidity coverage ratio, or LCR, is designed to ensure that the banking entity maintains an adequate level of unencumbered high-quality liquid assets equal to the entity’s expected net cash outflow for a 30-day time horizon (or, if greater, 25% of its expected total cash outflow) under an acute liquidity stress scenario. The other test, referred to as the net stable funding ratio, or NSFR, is designed to promote more medium- and long-term funding of the assets and activities of banking entities over a one-year time horizon. These requirements will incentivize banking entities to increase their holdings of U.S. Treasury securities and other sovereign debt as a component of assets and increase the use of long-term debt as a funding source. In September 2015, the federal bank regulators approved final rules implementing the LCR for advanced approaches banking organizations (i.e., banking organizations with $250 billion or more in total consolidated assets or $10 billion or more in total on-balance sheet foreign exposure) and a modified version of the LCR for bank holding companies with at least $50 billion in total consolidated assets that are not advanced approach banking organizations, neither of which would apply to us or Business First Bank. The federal bank regulators have not yet proposed rules to implement the NSFR, but the Federal Reserve has stated its intent to adopt a version of this measure as well. Prompt Corrective Action Framework The FDI Act requires the federal bank regulators to take prompt corrective action in respect of depository institutions that fail to meet specified capital requirements. The FDI Act establishes five capital categories (“well-capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized”), and the federal bank regulators are required to take certain mandatory supervisory actions, and are authorized to take other discretionary actions, with respect to institutions that are undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized or critically undercapitalized. The severity of these mandatory and discretionary supervisory actions depends upon the capital category in which the institution is placed. Generally, subject to a narrow exception, the FDI Act requires the regulator to appoint a receiver or conservator for an institution that is critically undercapitalized. An institution may be downgraded to, or deemed to be in, a capital category that is lower than indicated by its capital ratios if it is determined to be in an unsafe or unsound condition or if it receives an unsatisfactory examination rating with respect to certain matters. A bank’s capital category is determined solely for the purpose of applying prompt corrective action regulations, and the capital category may not constitute an accurate representation of the bank’s overall financial condition or prospects for other purposes. The Capital Rules revised the current prompt corrective action requirements effective January 1, 2015 by (i) introducing a CET1 ratio requirement at each level (other than critically undercapitalized), with the required CET1 ratio being 6.5% for well- capitalized status; (ii) increasing the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio requirement for each category (other than critically 11 undercapitalized), with the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio for well-capitalized status being 8% (as compared to the current 6%); and (iii) eliminating the provision that provided that a bank with a composite supervisory rating of 1 may have a 3% leverage ratio and still be adequately capitalized. The Capital Rules do not change the total risk-based capital requirement for any prompt corrective action category. As of December 31, 2015, we and Business First Bank were well capitalized with Tier 1 capital ratios of 11.30% and 11.41%, respectively, total capital ratios of 12.06% and 12.17%, respectively, Tier 1 leverage ratios of 10.08% and 10.17%, respectively, and a CET1 ratio of 11.30% and 11.41%, respectively, as calculated under Basel III which went into effect on January 1, 2015. For more information on these financial measures, including reconciliations to our and Business First Bank’s Tier 1 capital ratio, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” An institution that is categorized as undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized or critically undercapitalized is required to submit an acceptable capital restoration plan to its appropriate federal bank regulator. Under the FDI Act, in order for the capital restoration plan to be accepted by the appropriate federal banking agency, a bank holding company must guarantee that a subsidiary depository institution will comply with its capital restoration plan, subject to certain limitations. The bank holding company must also provide appropriate assurances of performance. The obligation of a controlling bank holding company under the FDI Act to fund a capital restoration plan is limited to the lesser of 5.0% of an undercapitalized subsidiary’s assets or the amount required to meet regulatory capital requirements. An undercapitalized institution is also generally prohibited from increasing its average total assets, making acquisitions and capital distributions, establishing any branches or engaging in any new line of business, except in accordance with an accepted capital restoration plan or with the approval of the FDIC. Institutions that are undercapitalized or significantly undercapitalized and either fail to submit an acceptable capital restoration plan or fail to implement an approved capital restoration plan may be subject to a number of requirements and restrictions, including orders to sell sufficient voting stock to become adequately capitalized, requirements to reduce total assets and cessation of receipt of deposits from correspondent banks. Critically undercapitalized depository institutions failing to submit or implement an acceptable capital restoration plan are subject to appointment of a receiver or conservator. Reserve Requirements Pursuant to regulations of the Federal Reserve, all banks are required to maintain average daily reserves at mandated ratios against their transaction accounts. In addition, reserves must be maintained on certain nonpersonal time deposits. These reserves must be maintained in the form of vault cash or in an account at a Federal Reserve Bank. Brokered Deposits The FDI Act restricts the use of brokered deposits by certain depository institutions. Under the applicable regulations, (i) a well capitalized insured depository institution may solicit and accept, renew or roll over any brokered deposit without restriction, (ii) an adequately capitalized insured depository institution may not accept, renew or roll over any brokered deposit unless it has applied for and been granted a waiver of this prohibition by the FDIC, and (iii) an undercapitalized insured depository institution may not accept, renew or roll over any brokered deposit. The FDIC may, on a case-by-case basis and upon application by an adequately capitalized insured depository institution, waive the restriction on brokered deposits upon a finding that the acceptance of brokered deposits does not constitute an unsafe or unsound practice with respect to such institution. A depository institution that is adequately capitalized and accepts brokered deposits under a waiver from the FDIC may not pay an interest rate on any deposit in excess of 75 basis points over certain prevailing market rates. Concentrated Commercial Real Estate Lending Guidance The federal banking agencies, including the FDIC, have promulgated guidance governing financial institutions with concentrations in commercial real estate lending. The guidance provides that a bank has a concentration in commercial real estate lending if (1) total reported loans for construction, land development and other land represent 100% or more of total capital or (2) total reported loans secured by multifamily and nonfarm nonresidential properties and loans for construction, land development and other land represent 300% or more of total capital and the bank’s commercial real estate loan portfolio has increased 50% or more during the prior 36 months. Owner occupied commercial real estate loans are excluded from this second category. If a concentration is present, management must employ heightened risk management practices that address the following key elements: including board and management oversight and strategic planning, portfolio management, development of underwriting standards, risk assessment and monitoring through market analysis and stress testing and maintenance of increased capital levels as needed to support the level of commercial real estate lending. 12 Examination and Examination Fees The FDIC periodically examines and evaluates state non-member banks. Based on such an evaluation, Business First Bank, among other things, may be required to revalue its assets and establish specific reserves to compensate for the difference between Business First Bank’s assessment and that of the FDIC. The Louisiana OFI also conducts examinations of state banks but may accept the results of a federal examination in lieu of conducting an independent examination. In addition, the FDIC and Louisiana OFI may elect to conduct a joint examination. The Louisiana OFI charges fees to recover the costs of examining Louisiana chartered banks. The FDIC assesses fees in the form of deposit insurance premiums (discussed below). The Dodd-Frank Act provides various agencies with the authority to assess additional supervision fees. Deposit Insurance Assessments As an FDIC-insured bank, Business First Bank must pay deposit insurance assessments to the FDIC based on its average total assets minus its average tangible equity. As an institution with less than $10 billion in assets, Business First Bank’s assessment rates are based on its risk classification (i.e., the level of risk it poses to the FDIC’s deposit insurance fund). Institutions classified as higher risk pay assessments at higher rates than institutions that pose a lower risk. For institutions with $10 billion or more in assets, the FDIC uses a performance score and a loss-severity score that are used to calculate an initial assessment rate. In calculating these scores, the FDIC uses a bank’s capital level and regulatory supervisory ratings and certain financial measures to assess an institution’s ability to withstand asset-related stress and funding-related stress. The FDIC also has the ability to make discretionary adjustments to the total score based upon significant risk factors that are not adequately captured in the calculations. In addition to ordinary assessments described above, the FDIC has the ability to impose special assessments in certain instances. The FDIC’s deposit insurance fund is currently underfunded, and the FDIC has raised assessment rates and imposed special assessments on certain institutions during recent years to raise funds. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the minimum designated reserve ratio for the deposit insurance fund is 1.35% of the estimated total amount of insured deposits. In October 2010, the FDIC adopted a restoration plan to ensure that the fund reserve ratio reaches 1.35% by September 30, 2020, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. At least semi-annually, the FDIC will update its loss and income projections for the fund and, if needed, will increase or decrease assessment rates, following notice-and-comment rulemaking if required. Under the FDI Act, the FDIC may terminate deposit insurance upon a finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe and unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC. Continued action by the FDIC to replenish the Deposit Insurance Fund as well as changes contained in the Dodd-Frank Act may result in higher assessment rates. Business First Bank may be able to pass part or all of this cost on to its customers, including in the form of lower interest rates on deposits or fees to some depositors, depending on market conditions. Permitted Activities and Investments by Financial Holding Companies The BHC Act generally prohibits a financial holding company from engaging, directly or indirectly, in activities other than banking or managing or controlling banks, except for activities determined by the Federal Reserve to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. Activities that the Federal Reserve Board has found to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident to the business of banking include: • • • • • • • factoring accounts receivable; making, acquiring, brokering or servicing loans and usual related activities; leasing personal or real property; operating a nonbank depository institution, such as a savings association; trust company functions; financial and investment advisory activities; conducting discount securities brokerage activities; 13 • • • • • underwriting and dealing in government obligations and money market instruments; providing specified management consulting and counseling activities; performing selected data processing services and support services; acting as agent or broker in selling credit life insurance and other types of insurance in connection with credit transactions; and performing selected insurance underwriting activities. Provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act expanded the permissible activities of a financial holding company that qualifies as and elects to become a financial holding company. Under the regulations implementing the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, a financial holding company may engage in additional activities that are “financial in nature” or incidental or complementary to financial activity. Among other things, to qualify as a financial holding company, all of the subsidiary banks controlled by the financial holding company must be and remain at all times “well-capitalized” and “well-managed.” We are not currently a financial holding company. Privacy and Security Federal law establishes a minimum federal standard of financial privacy by, among other provisions, requiring banks to adopt and disclose privacy policies with respect to consumer information and setting forth certain rules with respect to the disclosure to third parties of consumer information. Business First Bank has adopted and disseminated privacy policies pursuant to applicable law. Regulations adopted under federal law set standards for protecting the security, confidentiality and integrity of customer information, and require notice to regulators, and in some cases, to customers, in the event of security breaches. A number of states have also adopted statutes concerning financial privacy and requiring notification of security breaches. Anti-Money Laundering Requirements Under federal law, including the Bank Secrecy Act and the PATRIOT Act, certain types of financial institutions, including insured depository institutions, must maintain anti-money laundering programs that include established internal policies, procedures and controls, a designated compliance officer, an ongoing employee training program and testing of the program by an independent audit function. Among other things, these laws are intended to strengthen the ability of U.S. law enforcement agencies and intelligence communities to work together to combat terrorism on a variety of fronts. Financial institutions are prohibited from entering into specified financial transactions and account relationships and must meet enhanced standards for due diligence, customer identification and recordkeeping, including in their dealings with non-U.S. financial institutions and non-U.S. customers. Financial institutions must take reasonable steps to conduct enhanced scrutiny of account relationships to guard against money laundering and to report any suspicious information maintained by financial institutions. Bank regulators routinely examine institutions for compliance with these obligations and they must consider an institution’s anti-money laundering compliance when considering regulatory applications filed by the institution, including applications for banking mergers and acquisitions. The regulatory authorities have imposed “cease and desist” orders and civil money penalty sanctions against institutions found to be violating these obligations. Office of Foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”) is responsible for helping to insure that U.S. entities do not engage in transactions with certain prohibited parties, as defined by various executive orders by the President of the United States and acts of Congress. OFAC publishes lists of persons, organizations and countries suspected of aiding, harboring or engaging in terrorist acts, known as Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. If we or Business First Bank finds a name on any transaction, account or wire transfer that is on an OFAC list, we or Business First Bank must freeze or block such account or transaction, file a suspicious activity report and notify the appropriate authorities. Consumer Laws and Regulations Banks and other financial institutions are subject to numerous laws and regulations intended to protect consumers in their transactions with banks. These laws include, among others, laws regarding unfair and deceptive acts and practices and usury laws, as well as the federal consumer protection statutes set forth below. Many states and local jurisdictions have consumer protection laws analogous and in addition, to those listed below. These federal, state and local laws regulate the manner in which financial institutions deal with customers when taking deposits, making loans or conducting other types of transactions. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations could give rise to regulatory sanctions, customer rescission rights, action by state and local attorneys general and civil or criminal liability. 14 Federal Laws Applicable to Credit Transactions. The loan operations of Business First Bank are also subject to federal laws and regulations applicable to credit transactions, including, among others, the: • • • • • • • • Truth-In-Lending Act, governing disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers; Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975, requiring financial institutions to provide information to enable the public and public officials to determine whether a financial institution is fulfilling its obligation to help meet the housing needs of the community it serves; Equal Credit Opportunity Act, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, creed or other prohibited factors in extending credit; Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1978, governing the use and provision of information to credit reporting agencies; Fair Debt Collection Act, governing the manner in which consumer debts may be collected by collection agencies; the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, requiring lenders to give borrowers certain disclosures with respect to the origination and servicing of one-to-four family mortgage loans; Service Members Civil Relief Act, which amended the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940, governing the repayment terms of and property rights underlying, secured obligations of persons in military service; and the rules and regulations of the various federal agencies charged with the responsibility of implementing these federal laws and regulations, which continue to be extensively amended and revised. Federal Laws Applicable to Deposit Operations. Among other laws and regulations, the deposit operations of Business First Bank are subject to the following federal laws and their related regulations: • • • • • the Right to Financial Privacy Act, which imposes a duty to maintain confidentiality of consumer financial records and prescribes procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of financial records; the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, which governs automatic deposits to and withdrawals from deposit accounts and customers’ rights and liabilities arising from the use of automated teller machines and other electronic banking services; the Expedited Funds Availability Act, which standardizes hold periods for deposits and regulates financial institutions’ use of deposit holds; Truth-in-Savings Act, which requires uniform disclosure of terms and conditions regarding interest and fees when giving out information on or opening a new savings account; and the rules and regulations of the various federal agencies charged with the responsibility of implementing these federal laws, which continue to be extensively amended and revised. The Community Reinvestment Act The Community Reinvestment Act, or the CRA, is intended to encourage banks to help meet the credit needs of their entire communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound operations. The regulators examine banks and assign each bank a public CRA rating. The CRA then requires bank regulators to take into account the bank’s record in meeting the needs of its community when considering certain applications by a bank, including applications to establish a branch or to conduct certain mergers or acquisitions. The Federal Reserve is required to consider the CRA records of a bank holding company’s controlled banks when considering an application by the bank holding company to acquire a bank or to merge with another bank holding company. When Business First applies for regulatory approval to make certain investments, the regulators will consider the CRA record of the target institution and Business First Bank. An unsatisfactory CRA record could substantially delay approval or result in denial of an application. The regulatory agency’s assessment of the institution’s record is made available to the public. The FDIC conducted its most recent CRA exam of Business First Bank in April 2014, and Business First Bank received an “Outstanding” rating. 15 In addition, federal law requires the disclosure of agreements reached with community groups that relate to the CRA, and contains various other provisions designed to improve the delivery of financial services to consumers while maintaining an appropriate level of safety in the financial services industry. Federal Home Loan Bank System Business First Bank is a member of the Dallas FHLB, which is one of the 12 regional FHLB’s composing the FHLB system. Each FHLB provides a central credit facility primarily for its member institutions as well as other entities involved in home mortgage lending. Any advances from a FHLB must be secured by specified types of collateral. As a member of the FHLB of Dallas, Business First Bank is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in the FHLB of Dallas. Changes in Laws, Regulations or Policies Congress and state legislatures may introduce from time to time measures or take actions that would modify the regulation of banks or bank holding companies. In addition, federal and state regulatory agencies also periodically propose and adopt changes to their regulations or change the manner in which existing regulations are applied. Such changes could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities or affect the competitive balance among banks and other financial institutions, all of which could adversely affect our investment opportunities and our assessment of how attractive such opportunities may be. We cannot predict whether potential legislation will be enacted and, if enacted, the effect that it or any implementing regulations would have on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Effect on Economic Environment The policies of regulatory authorities, including the monetary policy of the Federal Reserve, have a significant effect on the operating results of bank holding companies and their subsidiaries. Among the means available to the Federal Reserve to affect the money supply are open market operations in U.S. government securities, changes in the discount rate on member bank borrowings and changes in reserve requirements against member bank deposits. These means are used in varying combinations to influence overall growth and distribution of bank loans, investments and deposits, and their use may affect interest rates charged on loans or paid for deposits. Federal Reserve monetary policies have materially affected the operating results of commercial banks in the past and are expected to continue to do so in the future. We cannot predict the nature of future monetary policies and the effect of such policies on our business, financial condition or results of operations. ITEM 1A. Risk Factors. In evaluating our business, you should consider carefully the factors described below. The occurrence of one or more of these events could significantly and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. You should also consider the cautionary statement regarding the use of forward-looking statements elsewhere in this Report. Risks Relating to our Business We may not be able to adequately measure and limit our credit risk, which could lead to unexpected losses. The business of lending is inherently risky, including risks that the principal of or interest on any loan will not be repaid timely or at all or that the value of any collateral supporting the loan will be insufficient to cover our outstanding exposure. These risks may be affected by the strength of the borrower’s business sector and local, regional and national market and economic conditions. Our risk management practices, such as monitoring the concentration of our loans within specific industries and our credit approval practices, may not adequately reduce credit risk, and our credit administration personnel, policies and procedures may not adequately adapt to changes in economic or any other conditions affecting customers and the quality of our loan portfolio. Finally, many of our loans are made to small and midsized businesses that may be less able to withstand competitive, economic and financial pressures than larger borrowers. A failure to effectively measure and limit the credit risk associated with our loan portfolio could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our allowance for loan losses may prove to be insufficient to absorb losses inherent in our loan portfolio, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. We maintain an allowance for loan losses that represents management’s judgment of probable losses and risks inherent in our loan portfolio. The level of the allowance reflects management’s continuing evaluation of general economic conditions, diversification and seasoning of the loan portfolio, historic loss experience, identified credit problems, delinquency levels and adequacy of collateral. The determination of the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses is inherently subjective and 16 requires us to make significant estimates of and assumptions regarding current credit risks and future trends, all of which may undergo material changes. Inaccurate management assumptions, continuing deterioration of economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside of our control, may require us to increase our allowance for loan losses. In addition, our regulators, as an integral part of their periodic examination, review the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses and may direct us to make additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination. Further, if actual charge-offs in future periods exceed the amounts allocated to the allowance for loan losses, we may need additional provisions for loan losses to restore the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses. If we are required to materially increase our level of allowance for loan losses for any reason, such increase could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We rely heavily on our executive management team and other key employees, and an unexpected loss of their service could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our success depends in large part on the performance of our key personnel, as well as on our ability to attract, motivate and retain highly qualified senior and middle management and other skilled employees. Competition for employees is intense, and the process of locating key personnel with the combination of skills and attributes required to execute our business plan may be lengthy. We may not be successful in retaining our key employees, and the unexpected loss of services of one or more of our key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business given their skills, knowledge of the primary markets, years of industry experience and the difficulty of promptly finding qualified replacement personnel. If the services of any of our key personnel should become unavailable for any reason, we may not be able to identify and hire qualified persons on terms acceptable to us, or at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our ability to retain bankers and recruit additional successful bankers is critical to the success of our business strategy, and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our ability to retain and grow our loans, deposits and fee income depends upon the business generation capabilities, reputation and relationship management skills of our bankers. If we were to lose the services of any of our bankers, including successful bankers employed by banks that we may acquire, to a new or existing competitor or otherwise, we may not be able to retain valuable relationships and some of our customers could choose to use the services of a competitor instead. Our growth strategy also relies on our ability to attract and retain additional profitable bankers. We may face difficulties in recruiting and retaining bankers of our desired caliber, including as a result of competition from other financial institutions. In particular, many of our competitors are significantly larger with greater financial resources, and may be able to offer more attractive compensation packages and broader career opportunities. Additionally, we may incur significant expenses and expend significant time and resources on training, integration and business development before we are able to determine whether a new banker will be profitable or effective. If we are unable to attract and retain successful bankers, or if our bankers fail to meet our expectations in terms of customer relationships and profitability, we may be unable to execute our business strategy, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our business has grown rapidly, and we may not be able to maintain our historical rate of growth, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to successfully implement our business strategy. We have grown rapidly since Business First Bank’s inception in 2006. Although rapid business growth can be a favorable business condition, financial institutions that grow rapidly can experience significant difficulties as a result of rapid growth. Failure to build infrastructure sufficient to support rapid growth and suffering loan losses in excess of reserves for such losses, as well as other risks associated with rapidly growing financial institutions, could materially and adversely impact our operations. We may not be able to sustain our historical rate of growth or continue to grow our business at all. Because of the uncertainty in the general economy and the government intervention in the credit markets, it may be difficult for us to continue our historical earnings growth as we continue to expand. Failure to grow or failure to manage our growth effectively could adversely affect our ability to successfully implement our business strategy, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Difficult market conditions and economic trends have adversely affected the banking industry and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We are operating in a challenging and uncertain economic environment, including generally uncertain conditions nationally and locally in our industry and market. Although economic conditions have improved in recent years, financial institutions continue to be affected by depressed oil prices, volatility in the real estate market in some parts of the country, and uncertain regulatory and interest rate conditions. We retain direct exposure to the oil and gas markets, and also to the residential and commercial real estate market in Louisiana. Consequently, we are affected by related market conditions. 17 Our ability to assess the creditworthiness of customers and to estimate the losses inherent in our loan portfolio is made more complex by uncertain market and economic conditions. Our risk management practices, such as monitoring the concentration of our loans within specific industries and our credit approval practices, may not adequately reduce credit risk, and our credit administration personnel, policies and procedures may not adequately adapt to changes in economic or any other conditions affecting customers and the quality of the loan portfolio. Another national economic recession or deterioration of conditions in our market could drive losses beyond those which are provided for in our allowance for loan losses and result in the following consequences: • • • • increases in loan delinquencies; increases in nonperforming assets and foreclosures; decreases in demand for products and services, which could adversely affect our liquidity position; and decreases in the value of the collateral securing our loans, especially real estate, which could reduce customers’ borrowing power and repayment ability. While economic conditions in Louisiana and the U.S. continue to show signs of recovery, there can be no assurance that these conditions will continue to improve. A continued decline in oil and gas prices or a resumption of declines in real estate values, volume of home sales and financial stress on borrowers as a result of the uncertain economic environment, including job losses, could have a material adverse effect on our borrowers and/or their customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. A large portion of our loan portfolio is comprised of commercial loans secured by equipment or other collateral, the deterioration in value of which could increase our exposure to future probable losses. As of December 31, 2015, approximately $185.3 million, or approximately 24.0% of our total loans, was comprised of commercial loans to businesses collateralized by general business assets including, among other things, accounts receivable, inventory and equipment. These commercial and industrial loans are typically larger in amount than loans to individual consumers and, therefore, have the potential for larger losses on an individual loan basis. Additionally, asset-based borrowers are often highly leveraged and have inconsistent historical earnings. Significant adverse changes in various industries could cause rapid declines in values and collectability associated with those business assets resulting in inadequate collateral coverage that may expose us to future losses. An increase in specific reserves and charge-offs related to our commercial and industrial loan portfolio could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The small to medium-sized businesses that we lend to may have fewer resources to weather adverse business developments, which may impair a borrower’s ability to repay a loan, and such impairment could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We focus our business development and marketing strategy primarily on small to medium-sized businesses. Small to medium-sized businesses frequently have smaller market shares than their competition, may be more vulnerable to economic downturns, often need substantial additional capital to expand or compete and may experience substantial volatility in operating results, any of which may impair a borrower’s ability to repay a loan. In addition, the success of a small and medium-sized business often depends on the management skills, talents and efforts of one or two people or a small group of people, and the death, disability or resignation of one or more of these people could have a material adverse impact on the business and its ability to repay its loan. If general economic conditions negatively impact the markets in which we operate and small to medium-sized businesses are adversely affected or our borrowers are otherwise harmed by adverse business developments, this, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Because a significant portion of our loan portfolio is comprised of real estate loans, negative changes in the economy affecting real estate values and liquidity could impair the value of collateral securing our real estate loans and result in loan and other losses. As of December 31, 2015, $558.0 million, or 72.2% of our total loans, was comprised of loans with real estate as a primary or secondary component of collateral. As a result, adverse developments affecting real estate values in the state of Louisiana could increase the credit risk associated with our real estate loan portfolio. Real estate values in many Louisiana markets have experienced periods of fluctuation over the last five years. The market value of real estate can fluctuate significantly in a short period of time. 18 Adverse changes affecting real estate values and the liquidity of real estate in one or more of our banking markets could increase the credit risk associated with our loan portfolio, and could result in losses that adversely affect credit quality, financial condition, and results of operations. Negative changes in the economy affecting real estate values and liquidity in our market areas could significantly impair the value of property pledged as collateral on loans and affect our ability to sell the collateral upon foreclosure without a loss or additional losses. Collateral may have to be sold for less than the outstanding balance of the loan, which could result in losses on such loans. Such declines and losses could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. If real estate values decline, it is also more likely that we would be required to increase our allowance for loan losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our commercial real estate portfolio exposes us to credit risks that could be greater than the risks related to other types of loans. As of December 31, 2015, approximately $445.0 million, or 57.6% of our loan portfolio is secured by commercial real estate. Commercial real estate loans typically involve repayment dependent upon income generated, or expected to be generated, by the property securing the loan in amounts sufficient to cover operating expenses and debt service. The availability of such income for repayment may be adversely affected by changes in the economy or local market conditions. These loans expose a lender to greater credit risk than loans secured by other types of collateral because the collateral securing these loans is typically more difficult to liquidate due to the fluctuation of real estate values. Additionally, non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans generally involve relatively large balances to single borrowers or related groups of borrowers. Unexpected deterioration in the credit quality of our non- owner occupied commercial real estate loan portfolio could require us to increase our allowance for loan losses, which would reduce our profitability and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our business concentration in the State of Louisiana imposes risks and may magnify the consequences of any regional or local economic downturn affecting Louisiana, including any downturn in the real estate sector. We conduct our operations exclusively in the State of Louisiana. As of December 31, 2015, the substantial majority of the loans in our loan portfolio were made to borrowers who live and/or conduct business in Louisiana and the substantial majority of our secured loans were secured by collateral located in the State of Louisiana. Accordingly, we are exposed to risks associated with a lack of geographic diversification. The economic conditions in Louisiana are highly dependent on the real estate sector as well as the technology, financial services, insurance, transportation, manufacturing and energy sectors. Any downturn or adverse development in these sectors, particularly the real estate and energy sectors in Louisiana, could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations, and future prospects. Any adverse economic developments, among other things, could negatively affect the volume of loan originations, increase the level of nonperforming assets, increase the rate of foreclosure losses on loans and reduce the value of our loans. Any regional or local economic downturn that affects Louisiana, our existing or prospective borrowers or property values in our market area may affect us and our profitability more significantly and more adversely than our competitors whose operations are less geographically focused. Our portfolio contains many large loans, and deterioration in the financial condition of these large loans could have a material adverse impact on our asset quality. Our growth over the past several years has been partially attributable to our ability to originate and retain relatively large loans given our asset size. As of December 31, 2015, our average loan size was approximately $329 thousand. Further, as of December 31, 2015, our 20 largest borrowing relationships ranged from approximately $8.5 million to $22.0 million (including unfunded commitments) and averaged approximately $11.7 million in total commitments and $8.0 million in principal balance, respectively. Along with other risks inherent in our loans, such as the deterioration of the underlying businesses or property securing these loans, the higher average size of our loans presents a risk to our lending operations. Because we have a large average loan size, if only a few of our largest borrowers become unable to repay their loan obligations as a result of economic or market conditions or personal circumstances, our nonperforming loans and our provision for loan losses could increase significantly, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our lending limit may restrict our growth and prevent us from effectively implementing our business strategy. We are limited in the amount we can loan to a single borrower by the amount of our capital. Generally, under applicable Louisiana law, we may lend up to 20% of our capital stock and surplus to any one borrower on an unsecured basis and up to 50% of our capital stock and surplus on a secured basis, when aggregated with all unsecured loans to such borrower. Based upon our current capital levels, the amount we may lend is significantly less than that of many of our competitors and may discourage potential borrowers who have credit needs in excess of our lending limit from doing business with us. We accommodate larger loans by selling participations in those loans to other financial institutions, but this strategy may not always be available. If we are unable to compete effectively for loans from our target customers, we may not be able to effectively implement our business strategy, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 19 A lack of liquidity could impair our ability to fund operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Liquidity is essential to our operations. We rely upon our ability to generate deposits and effectively manage the repayment and maturity schedules of our loans and investment securities, respectively, to ensure we have adequate liquidity to fund our operations. An inability to raise funds through deposits, borrowings, the sale of our investment securities, the sale of loans, and other sources could have a substantial negative effect on our liquidity. Our most important source of funds is deposits. Deposit balances can decrease when customers perceive alternative investments as providing a better risk/return tradeoff. If customers move money out of bank deposits and into other investments such as money market funds, we would lose a relatively low-cost source of funds, increasing our funding costs and reducing our net interest income and net income. Other primary sources of funds for us consist of cash flows from operations, and maturities and sales of investment securities. Additional liquidity is provided by our ability to borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (“FHLB”). We also may borrow funds from third-party lenders, such as other financial institutions. Our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance or capitalize our activities, or on terms that are acceptable to us, could be impaired by factors that affect us directly or the financial services industry or economy in general, such as disruptions in the financial markets or negative views and expectations about the prospects for the financial services industry. Our access to funding sources could also be affected by a decrease in the level of our business activity as a result of a downturn in the economy in our primary market area or by one or more adverse regulatory actions against us. Any decline in available funding could adversely impact our ability to originate loans, invest in securities, meet our expenses, or to fulfill obligations such as repaying our borrowings or meeting deposit withdrawal demands, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our liquidity and could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may have difficulty fully integrating the operations of AGFC with our business, or such integration may be more difficult, costly or time-consuming than we had expected. Prior to our 2015 acquisition of AGFC, we and AGFC operated independently. The integration process is ongoing, and it is possible that the business combination could ultimately result in the loss of key employees or disruption of our ongoing business or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with customers and employees or to achieve the expected benefits of the acquisition. As with any merger of banking institutions, there also may be business disruptions that cause us to lose customers or cause customers to take their deposits out of our Bank. The continued success of our combined company will depend in large part on our ability to continue to integrate the two businesses, business models and cultures. If we are not able to fully integrate our operations or if we are unable to do so in a timely manner, the expected benefits of the merger may not be realized. We may need to raise additional capital in the future, and if we fail to maintain sufficient capital, we may not be able to maintain regulatory compliance, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We face significant capital and other regulatory requirements as a financial institution. We may need to raise additional capital in the future to provide us with sufficient capital resources and liquidity to meet our commitments and business needs, which could include the possibility of financing acquisitions. In addition, we, on a consolidated basis, and Business First Bank, on a stand- alone basis, must meet certain regulatory capital requirements and maintain sufficient liquidity. Importantly, regulatory capital requirements could increase from current levels, which could require us to raise additional capital or downsize our operations. Our ability to raise additional capital depends on conditions in the capital markets, economic conditions and a number of other factors, including investor perceptions regarding the banking industry, market conditions and governmental activities, and upon our financial condition and performance. Accordingly, we may not be able to raise additional capital if needed or on terms acceptable to us. If we fail to maintain capital to meet regulatory requirements, we could be subject to enforcement actions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Interest rate shifts could reduce net interest income and otherwise have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. The majority of our banking assets are monetary in nature and subject to risk from changes in interest rates. Like most financial institutions, our earnings and cash flows depend to a great extent upon the level of our net interest income, or the difference between the interest income we earn on loans, investments and other interest-earning assets, and the interest we pay on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Changes in interest rates can increase or decrease our net interest income, because different types of assets and liabilities may react differently, and at different times, to market interest rate changes. When 20 interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice more quickly, or to a greater degree than interest-earning assets in a period, an increase in interest rates could reduce net interest income. Similarly, when interest-earning assets mature or reprice more quickly, or to a greater degree than interest-bearing liabilities, falling interest rates could reduce net interest income. As of December 31, 2015, 55.0% of our earning assets and 56.2% of our interest-bearing liabilities are variable rate. Our interest sensitivity profile was asset sensitive as of December 31, 2015, meaning that we estimate our net interest income would increase more from rising interest rates than from falling interest rates. Additionally, an increase in interest rates may, among other things, reduce the demand for loans and our ability to originate loans and decrease loan repayment rates. A decrease in the general level of interest rates may affect us through, among other things, increased prepayments on our loan portfolio and increased competition for deposits. Accordingly, changes in the level of market interest rates affect our net yield on interest-earning assets, loan origination volume, loan portfolio and our overall results. Although our asset-liability management strategy is designed to control and mitigate exposure to the risks related to changes in market interest rates, those rates are affected by many factors outside of our control, including governmental monetary policies, inflation, deflation, recession, changes in unemployment, the money supply, international disorder and instability in domestic and foreign financial markets. We face significant competitive pressures that could impair our growth, decrease our profitability or reduce our market share. We operate in the highly competitive banking industry and face significant competition for customers from bank and non- bank competitors, particularly regional and nationwide institutions, in originating loans, attracting deposits and providing other financial services. Our competitors are generally larger and may have significantly more resources, greater name recognition, and more extensive and established branch networks or geographic footprints than us. Because of their scale, many of these competitors can be more aggressive than we can on loan and deposit pricing. Also, many of our non-bank competitors have fewer regulatory constraints and may have lower cost structures. We expect competition to continue to intensify due to financial institution consolidation; legislative, regulatory and technological changes; and the emergence of alternative banking sources. Our ability to compete successfully will depend on a number of factors, including, among other things: • • • • • • • our ability to develop, maintain and build long-term customer relationships based on top quality service, high ethical standards and safe, sound assets; our scope, relevance and pricing of products and services offered to meet customer needs and demands; the rate at which we introduce new products and services relative to our competitors; customer satisfaction with our level of service; our ability to expand our market position; industry and general economic trends; and our ability to keep pace with technological advances and to invest in new technology. Increased competition could require us to increase the rates we pay on deposits or lower the rates we offer on loans, which could reduce our profitability. Our failure to compete effectively in our primary markets could cause us to lose market share and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our ability to maintain our reputation is critical to the success of our business. Our business plan emphasizes relationship banking. We have benefitted from strong relationships with and among our customers. As a result, we consider our reputation to be one of the most valuable components of our business. Our growth over the past several years has depended on attracting new customers from competing financial institutions and increasing our market share, primarily through involvement in our primary markets and word-of-mouth advertising, rather than on growth in the market for banking services in our primary markets. As such, we strive to enhance our reputation by recruiting, hiring and retaining employees who share our core values of being an integral part of the communities we serve and delivering superior service to our customers. If our reputation is negatively affected by the actions of our employees or otherwise, our existing relationships may be damaged. We could lose some of our existing customers, and we may not be successful in attracting new customers. Any of these developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 21 The fair value of our investment securities can fluctuate due to factors outside of our control. As of December 31, 2015, the fair value of our investment securities portfolio was approximately $210.9 million, which included a net unrealized loss of approximately $1.2 million. Factors beyond our control can significantly influence the fair value of securities in our portfolio and can cause potential adverse changes to the fair value of these securities. These factors include, but are not limited to, rating agency actions in respect of the securities, defaults by the issuer or with respect to the underlying securities, and changes in market interest rates and continued instability in the capital markets. Any of these factors, among others, could cause other-than-temporary impairments and realized or unrealized losses in future periods and declines in other income, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and future prospects. The process for determining whether impairment of a security is other-than-temporary often requires complex, subjective judgments about whether there has been a significant deterioration in the financial condition of the issuer, whether management has the intent or ability to hold a security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value, the future financial performance and liquidity of the issuer and any collateral underlying the security, and other relevant factors. If we fail to maintain an effective system of disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. Ensuring that we have adequate disclosure controls and procedures, including internal controls over financial reporting, in place so we can produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis is costly and time-consuming and needs to be reevaluated frequently. As a public company, we are subject to the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes- Oxley Act”), which require annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and, when we cease to be an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act, will require a report by our independent auditors addressing these assessments. Our management may conclude that our internal controls over financial reporting are not effective due to our failure to cure any identified material weakness or otherwise. Moreover, even if our management concludes that our internal controls over financial reporting are effective, our independent registered public accounting firm may not conclude that our internal controls over financial reporting are effective. In the future, our independent registered public accounting firm may not be satisfied with our internal controls over financial reporting or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or we and our accounting firm may have differences in opinion regarding the applicable requirements. In addition, during the course of the evaluation, documentation and testing of our internal controls over financial reporting, we may identify deficiencies that we may not be able to remediate in time to meet the deadline imposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), for compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Any such deficiencies may also subject us to adverse regulatory consequences. If we fail to achieve and maintain the adequacy of our internal controls over financial reporting, as these standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis, we may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and we may suffer adverse regulatory consequences. There could also be a decline in investor confidence as to the reliability our financial statements, which could result in a decline in the value of our capital stock. Our financial results depend on management’s selection of accounting methods and certain assumptions and estimates. Our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accounting Principles Accepted in the United States, (“GAAP”), and with general practices within the financial services industry. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amount of related revenues and expenses. Certain accounting policies inherently are based to a greater extent on estimates, assumptions and judgments of management and, as such, have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported. They require management to make subjective or complex judgments, estimates or assumptions, and changes in those estimates or assumptions could have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements. These critical accounting policies include the allowance for loan losses, accounting for income taxes, the determination of fair value for financial instruments and accounting for stock-based compensation. Because of the uncertainty of estimates involved in these matters, we may be required to significantly increase our allowance for loan losses or sustain loan losses that are significantly higher than the reserve provided, significantly increase our accrued tax liability or otherwise incur charges that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 22 We have a continuing need for technological change, and we may not have the resources to effectively implement new technology, or we may experience operational challenges when implementing new technology. The financial services industry is undergoing rapid technological changes with frequent introductions of new technology- driven products and services. In addition to better serving customers, the effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to reduce costs. Our future success will depend, at least in part, upon our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands for convenience as well as to create additional efficiencies in our operations as we continue to grow and expand our products and service offerings. We may experience operational challenges as we implement these new technology enhancements or products, which could result in our not fully realizing the anticipated benefits from such new technology or require us to incur significant costs to remedy any such challenges in a timely manner. Many of our larger competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. As a result, they may be able to offer additional or superior products compared to those that we will be able to provide, which would put us at a competitive disadvantage. Accordingly, we may lose customers seeking new technology-driven products and services to the extent we are unable to provide such products and services. We rely on third parties to provide key components of our business infrastructure, and a failure of these parties to perform for any reason could disrupt our operations. Third parties provide key components of our operational infrastructure such as data processing, internet connections, network access, core application processing, statement production and account analysis. Our operations depend on the successful and uninterrupted functioning of our information technology and telecommunications systems and third-party servicers. The failure of these systems, or the termination of a third-party software license or service agreement on which any of these systems is based, could interrupt our operations. Because our information technology and telecommunications systems interface with and depend on third- party systems, we could experience service denials if demand for such services exceeds capacity or such third-party systems fail or experience interruptions. Replacing vendors or addressing other issues with our third-party service providers could entail significant delay and expense. If we are unable to efficiently replace ineffective service providers, or if we experience a significant, sustained or repeated, system failure or service denial, it could compromise our ability to operate effectively, damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, and subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We could be subject to losses, regulatory action or reputational harm due to fraudulent and negligent acts on the part of loan applicants, our employees and vendors. In deciding whether to extend credit or enter into other transactions with customers and counterparties, we may rely on information furnished by or on behalf of clients and counterparties, including financial statements, property appraisals, title information, employment and income documentation, account information and other financial information. We may also rely on representations of customers and counterparties as to the accuracy and completeness of that information and, with respect to financial statements, on reports of independent auditors. Any such misrepresentation or incorrect or incomplete information may not be detected prior to funding. In addition, one or more of our employees or vendors could cause a significant operational breakdown or failure, either as a result of human error or where an individual purposefully sabotages or fraudulently manipulates our loan documentation, operations or systems. Any of these developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Unauthorized access, cyber-crime and other threats to data security may require significant resources, harm our reputation, and otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We necessarily collect, use and hold personal and financial information concerning individuals and businesses with which we have a banking relationship. Threats to data security, including unauthorized access, and cyber-attacks, rapidly emerge and change, exposing us to additional costs for protection or remediation and competing time constraints to secure our data in accordance with customer expectations and statutory and regulatory privacy and other requirements. It is difficult or impossible to defend against every risk being posed by changing technologies, as well as criminal intent on committing cyber-crime. Increasing sophistication of cyber-criminals and terrorists make keeping up with new threats difficult and could result in a breach. Controls employed by our information technology department and our other employees and vendors could prove inadequate. We could also experience a breach due to intentional or negligent conduct on the part of employees or other internal sources, software bugs or other technical malfunctions, or other causes. As a result of any of these threats, our customer accounts may become vulnerable to account takeover schemes or cyber-fraud. Our systems and those of our third-party vendors may also become vulnerable to damage or disruption due to circumstances beyond our or their control, such as from catastrophic events, power anomalies or outages, natural disasters, network failures, and viruses and malware. A breach of our security that results in unauthorized access to our data could expose us to a disruption or challenges relating to our daily operations as well as to data loss, litigation, damages, fines and penalties, significant increases in compliance costs, and reputational damage, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and future prospects. 23 The market in which we operate is susceptible to hurricanes and other natural disasters and adverse weather which could result in a disruption of our operations and increases in loan losses. A significant portion of our business is generated from markets that have, and may continue to be, damaged by major hurricanes, floods, tropical storms and other natural disasters and adverse weather. Natural disasters can disrupt our operations, cause widespread property damage, and severely depress the local economies in which we operate. If the economies in our primary markets experience an overall decline as a result of a natural disaster, adverse weather, or other disaster, demand for loans and our other products and services could be reduced. In addition, the rates of delinquencies, foreclosures, bankruptcies and losses on loan portfolios may increase substantially, as uninsured property losses or sustained job interruption or loss may materially impair the ability of borrowers to repay their loans. Moreover, the value of real estate or other collateral that secures the loans could be materially and adversely affected by such a disaster. Such a disaster could, therefore, result in decreased revenue and loan losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. If the goodwill that we recorded in connection with the recent AGFC merger, or if goodwill that we record in connection with future business acquisitions becomes impaired, it could require charges to earnings, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Goodwill represents the amount by which the cost of an acquisition exceeded the fair value of net assets we acquired in connection with the purchase of another financial institution. We review goodwill for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if a triggering event occurs which indicates that the carrying value of the asset might be impaired. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss must be recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Any such adjustments are reflected in our results of operations in the periods in which they become known. There can be no assurance that our future evaluations of our existing goodwill or goodwill we may acquire in the future will not result in findings of impairment and related write-downs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We are subject to environmental liability risk associated with our lending activities. In the course of our business, we may purchase real estate, or we may foreclose on and take title to real estate. As a result, we could be subject to environmental liabilities with respect to these properties. We may be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up costs incurred by these parties in connection with environmental contamination, or we may be required to investigate or clean up hazardous or toxic substances or chemical releases at a property. The costs associated with investigation or remediation activities could be substantial. In addition, if we are the owner or former owner of a contaminated site, we may be subject to common law claims by third parties based on damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the property. Any significant environmental liabilities could cause a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Risks Associated with our Common Stock Our stock is not listed or traded on any established securities market and is less liquid than most securities traded in those markets. Our stock is not listed or traded on any established securities exchange or market and we have no plans to seek to list our stock on any recognized exchange or qualify it for trading in any market. Accordingly, our stock has substantially fewer trades than the average securities listed on any national securities exchange. Most transactions in our stock are privately negotiated trades and our stock is very thinly traded. There is no dealer for our stock and no “market maker.” Our shares do not have a trading symbol. The lack of a liquid market can produce downward pressure on our stock price and can reduce the marketability of our stock. The obligations associated with being a public company require significant resources and management attention. As a company with stock registered with the SEC, we face increased legal, accounting, administrative and other costs and expenses that we did not previously incur as a private company. These costs will increase after we are no longer an emerging growth company. We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, which require that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition and proxy and other information statements, and the rules and regulations implemented by the SEC, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the Dodd-Frank Act, each of which imposes additional reporting and other obligations on public companies. 24 We expect these rules and regulations, and changes in these laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, which have created uncertainty for public companies, to increase legal and financial compliance costs and make some activities more time consuming and costly. These laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. Our investment in compliance with existing and evolving regulatory requirements will result in increased administrative expenses and a diversion of management’s time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. These increased costs could require us to divert a significant amount of money that we could otherwise use to expand our business and achieve our strategic objectives. The rights of our common shareholders are subordinate to the rights of any debt that we may issue and may be subordinate to the holders of any other class of preferred stock that we may issue in the future. Our board of directors has the authority to issue debt, or an aggregate of up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, on the terms it determines without shareholder approval. Accordingly, you should assume that any shares of preferred stock that we may issue in the future will be senior to our common stock. Because our decision to issue debt or equity, or to incur other borrowings in the future will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, the amount, timing, nature or success of our future capital raising efforts is uncertain. Thus, common shareholders bear the risk that our future issuances of debt or equity securities or our incurrence of other borrowings will negatively affect the market price of our common stock. We are an “emerging growth company,” and the reduced reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make our common stock less attractive to investors. We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. For as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies.” These include, without limitation, exemption from the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced financial reporting requirements, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non- binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years following the February 2015 registration of our common stock, but we could lose that status sooner if our gross revenues exceed $1.0 billion, if we issue more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt in a three year period, or if the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of any June 30 before that time, in which case we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31. Investors may find our common stock less attractive if we rely on the exemptions, which may decrease the price at which our shareholders may be able to sell their shares. We are dependent upon Business First Bank for cash flow, and the Bank’s ability to make cash distributions is subject to regulatory and legal restrictions which could impact our ability to satisfy our obligations. Our primary asset is Business First Bank. As such, we depend upon Business First Bank for cash distributions through dividends on its stock to pay our operating expenses and satisfy our obligations, including debt obligations. There are numerous laws and banking regulations that limit Business First Bank’s ability to pay dividends to us. If Business First Bank is unable to pay dividends to us, we will not be able to satisfy our obligations. Federal and state statutes and regulations restrict the Bank’s ability to make cash distributions to us. These statutes and regulations require, among other things, that Business First Bank maintain certain levels of capital in order to pay a dividend. Further, federal and state banking authorities have the ability to restrict the Bank’s payment of dividends through supervisory action. We have not historically paid dividends on our common stock and our ability to pay dividends is subject to regulatory limitations. We have not historically paid dividends on our common stock. Although our board of directors has made a preliminary determination to begin paying quarterly dividends in the first quarter of 2016, there can be no guarantee that we will pay dividends at any time in the future. All future determinations relating to dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on a number of factors, including earnings and financial condition, liquidity and capital requirements, the general economic and regulatory climate, ability to service any equity or debt obligations senior to the common stock and other factors deemed relevant by the board of directors. In addition, as a bank holding company, we are subject to general regulatory restrictions on the payment of cash dividends. Federal bank regulatory agencies have the authority to prohibit bank holding companies from engaging in unsafe or unsound practices in conducting their business, which depending on the financial condition and liquidity of the holding company at the time, could include the payment of dividends. 25 Our corporate governance documents, and certain corporate and banking laws applicable to us could make a takeover more difficult. Certain provisions of our articles of incorporation, bylaws and corporate and federal banking laws, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of our organization or conduct a proxy contest, even if those events were perceived by many of our shareholders as beneficial to their interests. These provisions, and the corporate and banking laws and regulations applicable to us: • • • empower our board of directors, without shareholder approval, to issue preferred stock, the terms of which, including voting power, are set by our board of directors; do not provide for cumulative voting in elections of directors; and require prior regulatory application and approval of any transaction involving control of our organization. These provisions may discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control of Business First, including under circumstances in which our shareholders might otherwise receive a premium over the market price of our shares. An investment in Business First’s common stock is not an insured deposit and is subject to risk of loss. Your investment in our common stock will not be a bank deposit and will not be insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. Your investment will be subject to investment risk, and you must be capable of affording the loss of your entire investment. Risks Relating to the Regulation of our Industry We operate in a highly regulated environment, which could restrain our growth and profitability. We are subject to extensive regulation and supervision that governs almost all aspects of our operations. These laws and regulations, and the supervisory framework that oversees the administration of these laws and regulations, are primarily intended to protect consumers, depositors, the Deposit Insurance Fund and the banking system as a whole, and not shareholders and counterparties. These laws and regulations, among other matters, affect our lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policy, operations and growth. Compliance with the myriad laws and regulations applicable to our organization can be difficult and costly. In addition, these laws, regulations and policies are subject to continual review by governmental authorities, and changes to these laws, regulations and policies, including changes in interpretation or implementation of these laws, regulations and policies, could affect us in substantial and unpredictable ways and often impose additional compliance costs. Further, any new laws, rules and regulations, such as the Dodd-Frank Act, could make compliance more difficult or expensive. All of these laws and regulations, and the supervisory framework applicable to our industry, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. 26 Federal and state regulators periodically examine our business, and we may be required to remediate adverse examination findings. The Federal Reserve, the FDIC and the Louisiana OFI periodically examine various aspects our business, including our compliance with laws and regulations. If, as a result of an examination, our regulators were to determine that our financial condition, capital resources, asset quality, earnings prospects, management, liquidity or other aspects of any of our operations had become unsatisfactory, or that we were in violation of any law or regulation, our regulators may take a number of different remedial actions as they deems appropriate. These actions include the power to enjoin “unsafe or unsound” practices, to require affirmative action to correct any conditions resulting from any violation or practice, to issue an administrative order that can be judicially enforced, to direct an increase in our capital, to restrict our growth, to assess civil monetary penalties against our officers or directors, to remove officers and directors and, if it is concluded that such conditions cannot be corrected or there is an imminent risk of loss to depositors, to terminate our deposit insurance and place us into receivership or conservatorship. Any regulatory action against us could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. Our FDIC deposit insurance premiums and assessments may increase. Our deposits are insured by the FDIC up to legal limits and, accordingly, we are subject to FDIC deposit insurance assessments. Our regular assessments are determined by our risk classification, which is based on our regulatory capital levels and the level of supervisory concern that we pose. High levels of bank failures since the beginning of the financial crisis and increases in the statutory deposit insurance limits have increased resolution costs to the FDIC and put significant pressure on the Deposit Insurance Fund. In order to maintain a strong funding position and restore the reserve ratios of the Deposit Insurance Fund, the FDIC has increased deposit insurance assessment rates and charged special assessments to all FDIC-insured financial institutions. Further increases in assessment rates or special assessments may occur in the future, especially if there are significant additional financial institution failures. Any future special assessments, increases in assessment rates or required prepayments in FDIC insurance premiums could reduce our profitability or limit our ability to pursue certain business opportunities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. We are subject to numerous laws designed to protect consumers, including the Community Reinvestment Act and fair lending laws, and failure to comply with these laws could lead to a wide variety of sanctions. The Community Reinvestment Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act and other fair lending laws and regulations impose nondiscriminatory lending requirements on financial institutions. The Department of Justice and other federal agencies are responsible for enforcing these laws and regulations. A successful regulatory challenge to an institution’s performance under the Community Reinvestment Act or fair lending laws and regulations could result in a wide variety of sanctions, including damages and civil money penalties, injunctive relief, restrictions on mergers and acquisitions activity, restrictions on expansion, and restrictions on entering new business lines. Private parties may also have the ability to challenge an institution’s performance under fair lending laws in private class action litigation. Such actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. We face a risk of noncompliance and enforcement action with the Bank Secrecy Act and other anti-money laundering statutes and regulations. The Bank Secrecy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, and other laws and regulations require financial institutions, among other duties, to institute and maintain an effective anti-money laundering program and file suspicious activity and currency transaction reports as appropriate. The federal Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is authorized to impose significant civil money penalties for violations of those requirements and has recently engaged in coordinated enforcement efforts with the individual federal banking regulators, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Internal Revenue Service. We are also subject to increased scrutiny of compliance with the rules enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. If our policies, procedures and systems are deemed deficient, we would be subject to liability, including fines and regulatory actions, which may include restrictions on our ability to pay dividends and the necessity to obtain regulatory approvals to proceed with certain aspects of our business plan, including our acquisition plans. Failure to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing could also have serious reputational consequences for us. Any of these results could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments. Not applicable. ITEM 2. Properties. Our current principal offices are located at 8440 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. All of our banking offices are located in the State of Louisiana. The following table provides information about all of our banking locations. We believe that our facilities are adequately covered by insurance and that these facilities are adequate to meet our needs. Location Principal Executive Office: 8440 Jefferson Highway Baton Rouge, Louisiana Banking Centers: Northwest Louisiana Banking Center 800 Spring Street, Suite 120 Shreveport, Louisiana Date Opened Own/ Lease Square Footage 2/1/2006 Lease 23,253 8/28/2006 Lease 8,267 27 Location Northshore Banking Center 1675 N. Highway 190 Covington, Louisiana Lafayette Banking Center CDT Plaza 900 East St. Mary Boulevard, Suite 100 Lafayette, Louisiana Southwest Louisiana Banking Center 728 Ryan Street Lake Charles, Louisiana Bayou Region Banking Center 435 Corporate Drive, Suite 102 Houma, Louisiana Gonzales Banking Center 1821 West Highway 30 Gonzales, Louisiana Florida Boulevard Banking Center 4944 Florida Street Baton Rouge, Louisiana Jefferson Highway Banking Center 7880 Jefferson Highway Baton Rouge, Louisiana Perkins Road Banking Center 10725 Perkins Road Baton Rouge, Louisiana Coursey Boulevard Banking Center 11307 Coursey Boulevard Baton Rouge, Louisiana Zachary Banking Center 1858 Church Street Zachary, Louisiana Denham Springs Banking Center 31635 Louisiana Hwy. 16 Denham Springs, Louisiana Brusly Banking Center 729 South Vaughan Street Brusly, Louisiana Erwinville Banking Center 4610 Poydras Bayou Rd. Erwinville, Louisiana Port Allen Banking Center 320 North Alexander Ave Port Allen, Louisiana New Orleans Loan Production Office 3838 N. Causeway Blvd Metairie, Louisiana Date Opened Own/ Lease Square Footage 10/18/2007 Lease 4,909 5/22/2008 Lease 4,723 3/9/2009 Lease 6,065 11/17/2010 Lease 2,800 12/18/2008* Own 3,360 4/6/1992* Own 2,167 12/7/2004* Lease 2,330 6/9/2003* Lease 4,000 11/18/2004* Own 11,092 12/10/2009* Own 2,868 8/16/2005* Own 3/26/1979* Own 1/26/1981* Own 3,682 1,943 750 1/1/1905* Own 21,444 9/1/2015 Lease 1,867 * Acquired in the merger transaction with AGFC, completed following the close of business on March 31, 2015. In addition to the above-described banking center locations, on June 30, 2015, we entered into a lease for additional office space located in a historic building at 500 Laurel Street in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, Business First Bank plans to relocate its main office to the leased Laurel Street location. Business First Bank will occupy four of the building’s six floors, which is nearly 20,000 square feet of the building’s total 28,000 square feet. The new downtown headquarters is expected to house a full service banking center including banking, treasury management, and wealth solutions services, as well as bank operations and corporate offices. 28 ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings. We and our subsidiaries are defendants in various lawsuits arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of our management, the ultimate resolution of such matters should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Litigation is, however, inherently uncertain, and we cannot make assurances that we will prevail in any of these actions, nor can we estimate with reasonable certainty the amount of damages that we might incur. In conjunction with the AGFC merger, certain shareholders exercised their statutory rights of appraisal. As of December 31, 2015, there were 53,094 unsettled AGFC shares. The AGFC purchase price reflected in the financial statements included in this Report assumes a cash payment of $155 per AGFC share to the unsettled former AGFC shareholders, which represents the amount estimated to be the fair value of the former AGFC shareholders’ AGFC shares. The former AGFC shareholders are disputing our determination of fair value, and have requested a cash merger consideration payment of $263 per AGFC share. As calculated in accordance with the merger agreement, the actual AGFC merger consideration to the former AGFC shareholders was valued at $219.94 per AGFC share, with $10 paid in cash and the remainder in shares of our common stock. As a result, the fair value of the AGFC shares relative to the unsettled appraisal rights shares is currently in litigation. We filed suit August 28, 2015 in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court for the Parish of East Baton Rouge, and a trial date has been set for May 2016. Discovery is ongoing and the amount of the ultimate settlement cannot be reasonably estimated as of the date of the financial statements. ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures. Not applicable. 29 PART II ITEM 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. There is no established public trading market for our common stock, and no market for our common stock is expected to develop. No registered broker/dealer makes a market in our common stock, and our common stock is not listed or quoted on any stock exchange or automated quotation system. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC acts as register and transfer agent for our shares of common stock. From time to time, we become aware of trades of shares of our common stock. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices (to the extent known to our management) for trades of our common stock for the periods shown: By Quarter 2015 First Second Third Fourth By Quarter 2014 First Second Third Fourth High $ N/A $ N/A $16.50 $16.00 High $17.00 $16.00 $17.25 $16.00 Low $ N/A $ N/A $15.75 $15.00 Low $16.00 N/A $15.94 $15.00 Common Stock As of March 21, 2016, there were 7,037,413 issued and outstanding shares of our common stock held of record by approximately 820 shareholders. In addition, we had outstanding warrants to purchase 87,625 shares of our common stock, which were issued to our organizers in connection with our organization. All outstanding warrants have an exercise price of $10.00 per share and were recently extended to expire on February 2, 2019. Dividends We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock since our inception. Although our board of directors has made a preliminary determination to begin paying dividends during the first quarter of 2016, we are not obligated to pay dividends. The payment of future dividends and our dividend policy will depend on our earnings, capital requirements and financial condition, as well as other factors that our board of directors deems relevant. For additional discussion of legal and regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends, see “PART I - ITEM 1. Business – Supervision and Regulation.” Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans In 2006, our board of directors adopted the 2006 Stock Option Plan pursuant to which certain of our officers, directors and employees became eligible to receive options to purchase shares of our common stock. Our Stock Option Plan, as amended, permits a maximum number of 1,500,000 shares to be issued upon the exercise of awards granted under the plan. The plan authorizes the issuance of options that qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as well as non-qualified stock options. However, the plan permits us to issue all of the stock options as incentive stock options. As of December 31, 2015, we had issued 953,280 stock options to our executive officers and key personnel. The remainder of the options under the plan is available for grant at the discretion of our board of directors. 30 The following table summarizes information as of December 31, 2015 relating to the number of securities to be issued upon the exercise of the outstanding options and warrants and their weighted-average exercise price. Number of Securities to Be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights Number of Securities Remaining Available For Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans 953,280 89,125 1,042,405 $ $ 12.59 10.00 12.37 542,890 — 542,890 Equity compensations plans approved by security holders Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders Total equity compensation plans Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities We did not sell any equity securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 during 2015. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers Neither we nor any “affiliated purchaser” made any repurchases of our equity securities during the fourth quarter of 2015. ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data. As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide the information required by this Item. ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. This discussion presents management’s analysis of our results of operations and financial condition over each of the last two most recent fiscal years. The discussion should be read in conjunction with our Financial Statements and the notes related thereto which appear elsewhere in this Report. The following discussion and analysis is to focus on significant changes in the financial condition of Business First and its subsidiaries from December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2015 and its results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015. This discussion and analysis is intended to highlight and supplement information presented elsewhere in this report, particularly the consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing in Item 8. 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 statement, 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 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. We consider our primary market to include the State of Louisiana. We currently operate out of our main office, fifteen branch locations and one loan production office, all of which are located in Louisiana. As of December 31, 2015, we had total assets of $1.1 billion, total loans of $772.4 million, total deposits of $904.2 million, and total stockholders’ equity of $112.4 million. After the close of business on March 31, 2015, we merged with AGFC, parent bank holding company for American Gateway Bank, pursuant to which the operations of AGFC were merged with us. Our financial condition and results of operations as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015 were impacted as a result of this merger, as 10 former American Gateway branches were added to our branch network. Total assets acquired were $372.0 million, which included loans of $143.2 million, investment securities of $108.4 million, and deposits of $283.3 million. Shareholders of AGFC received merger consideration of $10 cash and 11.88 shares of our common stock in exchange for each share of AGFC common stock. See Note 3 to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding this merger. 31 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 stockholders’ 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 target market and throughout the state of Louisiana. Financial Highlights The financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2015 include: • • • • • • • • • • Total assets of $1.1 billion, a $391.6 million or 57.2% increase from December 31, 2014. Total loans of $772.4 million, a $214.0 million or 38.3% increase from December 31, 2014. Total deposits of $904.2 million, a $317.0 million or 54.0% increase from December 31, 2014. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2015 of $4.1 million, a $63 thousand or 1.6% increase from the year ended December 31, 2014. Net interest income of $34.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, a year-over-year increase of $10.6 million or 45.2%, from the year ended December 31, 2014. An allowance for loan and lease losses of 0.94% of total loans and a ratio of non-performing loans to total loans of 1.03% as of December 31, 2015. Return on average assets of 0.41% for the year ended December 31, 2015. Return on average equity of 3.89% for the year ended December 31, 2015. Capital ratios for Tier 1 Leverage, Common Equity Tier 1, Tier 1 Risk-based and Total Risk-based Capital of 10.08%, 11.30%, 11.30% and 12.06%, respectively as of December 31, 2015. Book value per share of $15.98 as of December 31, 2015, an increase of 7.8% from $14.83 at December 31, 2014. Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 Performance Summary For the year ended December 31, 2015, net income was $4.1 million, or $0.61 per basic share and $0.59 per diluted share, compared to net income of $4.0 million, or $0.76 per basic share and $0.72 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2014. While net income for the year ended December 31, 2015 was flat compared to the prior year, the decline in basic and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the prior year was in large part due to the increase in outstanding shares of common stock as a result of the shares issued in conjunction with the merger with AGFC. Return on average assets declined to 0.41% for the year ended December 31, 2015 from 0.58% for the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily because of the increase in assets as a result of the AGFC merger in 2015. Return on average equity was 3.89% for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to 5.49% for the year ended December 31, 2014. This decrease was attributable to the increase in average equity in 2015 as a result of the merger with AGFC. 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 stockholders’ 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. 32 For the year ended December 31, 2015, net interest income totaled $34.2 million, and net interest margin and net interest spread were 3.68% and 3.51%, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2014 net interest income totaled $23.5 million and net interest margin and net interest spread were 3.55% and 3.35%, respectively. The change in net interest margin and net interest spread were primarily attributable to the change in rate environment where the average rate on the loan portfolio increased twenty-three basis points from 4.80% as of December 31, 2014 to 5.03% as of December 31, 2015. In addition, we experienced a decrease in borrowing costs of fourteen basis points for the same period. While we experienced significant growth in average loan balances, the market yields on new loan originations were below the average yield of amortizing or paid-off loans. However, this declining yield on new originations was partially offset by the accretion of the purchase discount related to the AGFC loan portfolio which positively impacted average loan yields for the year ended December 31, 2015. In addition, the amortization of the market value adjustment for the AGFC FHLB advances for the year ended December 31, 2015 served to lower our borrowing costs compared to the prior year periods. Due to the continued impact of new loan growth and the runoff of higher yielding loan balances, we anticipate continued pressure on our net interest margin and net interest spread. The following table presents, 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 years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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. Assets Interest-earning assets: Total loans Securities available for sale Interest-bearing deposits in other banks Total interest-earning assets Allowance for loan losses Noninterest-earning assets Total assets Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity Interest-bearing liabilities: Interest-bearing deposits Advances from FHLB Other borrowings Total interest-bearing liabilities Noninterest-bearing liabilities: Noninterest-bearing deposits Other liabilities Total noninterest-bearing liabilities Stockholders’ equity Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity Net interest rate spread(1) Net interest income Net interest margin(2) For the Years Ended December 31, Average Outstanding Balance 2015 Interest Earned/ Interest Paid Average Yield/ Rate Average Outstanding Balance (Dollars in thousands) 2014 Interest Earned/ Interest Paid Average Yield/ Rate $ 700,952 $35,244 3,186 187 38,617 178,915 47,617 927,484 (7,144) 79,147 $ 999,487 $38,617 5.03% $ 535,725 $25,731 1,673 80,803 1.78% 46,608 0.39% 71 663,136 27,475 4.16% (6,293) 40,052 $ 696,895 $27,475 4.80% 2.07% 0.15% 4.14% $ 632,755 $ 3,858 566 43 4,467 54,942 3,069 690,766 0.61% $ 485,717 $ 3,641 308 15,000 1.03% 1.40% 2 174 3,951 500,891 0.65% 0.75% 2.05% 1.15% 0.79% 188,995 14,423 203,418 105,303 $ 999,487 118,883 3,708 122,591 73,413 $ 696,895 $34,150 3.51% 3.68% $23,524 3.35% 3.55% (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. 33 The following table presents 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 Year Ended December 31, 2015 compared to the Year ended December 31, 2014 Increase (Decrease) due to change in Rate (Dollars in thousands) Total Volume Interest-earning assets: Total loans Securities available for sale Interest-earning deposits in other banks Total increase (decrease) in interest income Interest-bearing liabilities: Interest-bearing deposits Advances from FHLB Other borrowings Total increase (decrease) in interest expense Increase (decrease) in net interest income $ 8,308 1,747 4 $ 10,059 $ 1,205 (234) 112 $ 1,083 $ 9,513 1,513 116 $ 11,142 $ $ 897 411 41 1,349 8,710 $ (680) (153) — (833) $ 1,916 $ 217 258 41 516 $ 10,626 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 $1.2 million and $700 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Noninterest Income Our primary sources of recurring noninterest income are service charges on deposit accounts, gains on the sale of securities, and income from bank-owned life insurance. The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the major categories of noninterest income: Noninterest income: Service charges on deposit accounts Debit card fee income ATM fees Gain (Loss) on sales of other real estate owned Bank-owned life insurance income Gain (Loss) on sales of investment securities Other Total noninterest income 34 For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Increase (Decrease) (Dollars in thousands) $ 1,553 467 153 54 637 (15) 331 $ 3,180 $ 587 86 — 262 569 13 211 $ 1,728 $ 966 381 153 (208) 68 (28) 120 $ 1,452 Noninterest income for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased $1.5 million or 84.0% to $3.2 million compared to noninterest income of $1.7 million for the same period in 2014. The primary components of the increase 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 $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $966 thousand over the same period in 2014. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the number of deposit accounts as a result of the merger with AGFC. Debit card fee income. We earn fees from our customers based upon debit card activity, and these fees constitute a significant recurring component of our noninterest income. Debit card fee income was $467 thousand and $86 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, representing an increase of $381 thousand or 443.0%. The increase was primarily due to increased customer volume as a result of the merger with AGFC. ATM fees. We earn fee income as a result of our customers ATM activity as well as from noncustomer activity at our ATM machines, and these fees represent a significant and predictable component of our noninterest income. ATM fees were $153 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2015. These fees were a new revenue source in 2015 as a result of the AGFC merger, as previously we did not own any ATM machines. Gain (Loss) on sales of other real estate owned. Gain (Loss) on sales of other real estate owned was $54 thousand and $262 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. There was minimal activity during both time periods. Bank-owned life insurance income. We invest in bank-owned life insurance due to its attractive nontaxable return and protection against the loss of our key employees. We record income based on the growth of the cash surrender value of these policies as well as the annual yield. Income from bank-owned life insurance was $637 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to $569 thousand for the same time period in 2014, an increase of $68 thousand. The increase was primarily due to the merger with AGFC. Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investment Securities. The loss on sale of investment securities was $15 thousand and a gain of $13 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. There was minimal trading activity for both time periods. Other. This category includes a variety of other income producing activities, including wire transfer fees, mortgage related income, insurance commissions, credit card income, participation fee income and other real estate rental income. Other income increased $120 thousand or 56.9% for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014. The increases were primarily due to the merger with AGFC and the resulting increase in customer volume as well as increased rental income associated with other real estate. 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 major 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 FDIC assessments, data processing expenses, and advertising and promotion expenses. The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the major categories of noninterest expense: Salaries and employee benefits Non-staff expenses: Occupancy of bank premises Depreciation and amortization Data processing FDIC assessment fees Legal and other professional fees Advertising and promotions Utilities and communications Other real estate owned expenses and write-downs Other Total noninterest expense 35 For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands) $11,196 $16,145 Increase (Decrease) $ 4,949 2,097 1,398 1,141 790 1,980 805 575 111 5,467 $30,509 1,343 810 699 327 1,193 526 307 39 2,715 $19,155 754 588 442 463 787 279 268 72 2,752 $ 11,354 Noninterest expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased $11.4 million or 59.3% to $30.5 million compared to noninterest expense of $19.2 million for the same period in 2014. The most significant components of the increase 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, benefit plans, health insurance and payroll taxes. Salaries and employee benefits were $16.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $4.9 million or 44.2% compared to the same period in 2014. The increase was primarily attributable to employees acquired in the AGFC merger, as well as additional hires for new positions, and our merit increase cycle. As of December 31, 2015, we had 184 full-time equivalent employees. Salaries and employee benefits included stock-based compensation expense of $198 thousand and $485 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Occupancy of bank premises. Expense associated with occupancy of premises was $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 and $1.3 million for the same period in 2014. The increase of $800 thousand can primarily be attributed to the addition of 10 banking centers in conjunction with the merger with AGFC. Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization costs were $1.4 million and $810 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. This category includes leasehold, furniture, fixtures and equipment depreciation totaling $1.2 million and $810 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The amortization of intangible assets was $207 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2015. There was no amortization of intangible assets for 2014. Data processing. Data processing expenses were $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 and $699 thousand for the same period in 2014. The increase of $442 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2015 was attributable to the merger with AGFC. FDIC assessment fees. FDIC assessment fees were $790 thousand and $327 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increase of $463 thousand or 141.6% for the year ended December 31, 2015 is primarily due to the merger with AGFC. Legal and other professional fees. Other professional fees include audit, loan review, compliance, and other consultants. Legal and other professional fees were $2.0 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increase of $787 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2015 can be attributed to our merger with AGFC and ongoing reporting obligations in connection with the registration of our common stock. Other real estate owned expenses and write-downs. Expenses and write-downs related to other real estate owned were $111 thousand and $39 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. There was very little new activity during both time periods. The increase of $72 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2015 was due primarily due to expenses incurred relating to the properties acquired in the merger with AGFC as well as expenses associated with one existing property. Other. This category includes operating and administrative expenses including business development expenses (i.e. travel and entertainment, donations and club memberships), directors’ fees, insurance, security expenses, as well as nonrecurring post-merger and conversion related costs. Other noninterest expense increased $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. The increase was primarily due to the merger with AGFC, with post-merger and conversion related costs totaling $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. 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 year ended December 31, 2015, income tax expense totaled $1.5 million, an increase of $161 thousand or 11.8% compared to $1.4 million for the same period in 2014. The increase in income tax expense can be attributed primarily to an increase in taxable income associated with the merger with AGFC. Our effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were 27.1% and 25.3%, respectively. Our effective tax rate for both years were affected primarily by tax-exempt income generated by municipal securities and bank-owned life insurance and by other nondeductible expenses. 36 Financial Condition Our assets increased $391.6 million or 57.2% from $684.5 million as of December 31, 2014 to $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2015. Our asset growth was primarily driven by the merger with AGFC and loan growth. Loan Portfolio Our primary source of income is interest on loans to individuals, professionals, small to medium-sized businesses and commercial companies located in Louisiana. Our loan portfolio consists primarily of commercial loans and real estate loans secured by commercial real estate properties located in our primary market area. Our loan portfolio represents the highest yielding component of our earning asset base. As of December 31, 2015, total loans were $772.4 million, an increase of $214.0 million compared to $558.4 million as of December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily due to the merger with AGFC and our continued loan penetration in our primary market area. There were no loans held for sale as of December 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014. Total loans as a percentage of deposits were 85.4% and 95.1% as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 respectively. Total loans as a percentage of assets were 71.8% and 81.6% as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The following table summarizes our loan portfolio by type of loan as of the dates indicated: Commercial Real estate: Construction and land Farmland 1-4 family residential Multi-family residential Nonfarm nonresidential Consumer Total loans held for investment As of December 31, 2015 Amount Percent As of December 31, 2014 Amount Percent (Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands) $ 185,276 24.0% $ 185,291 33.2% 97,872 8,897 112,954 26,058 312,207 29,128 772,392 12.7% 1.1% 14.6% 3.4% 40.4% 3.8% 100% 61,062 16,097 41,552 11,369 215,797 27,218 558,386 10.9% 2.9% 7.4% 2.0% 38.7% 4.9% 100% $ $ Commercial loans. Commercial loans are underwritten after evaluating and understanding the borrower’s ability to operate profitably and effectively. These loans are primarily made based 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 loan volumes were flat for the year with $185.3 million outstanding at both of the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. As a result of the merger with AGFC and the efforts of our bankers who leveraged existing bank relationships to fund expansion and growth opportunities, commercial loan growth was experienced during the first nine months of 2015. However, that growth was moderated during the 4th quarter 2015 as a result of workout efforts related to two credits which totaled $7.5 million. 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 throughout Louisiana and are generally diverse in terms of type. Construction and land loans increased $36.8 million or 60.3% to $97.9 million as of December 31, 2015 from $61.1 million as of December 31, 2014. The increase was attributable to loans acquired in the merger with AGFC and the 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 by single family homes, which are both owner-occupied and investor owned. Our 1-4 family residential loans have a relatively small balance spread between many individual borrowers. 37 1-4 family residential loans increased $71.4 million or 171.8% to $113.0 million as of December 31, 2015 from $41.6 million as of December 31, 2014. This increase resulted from loans acquired in the merger with AGFC as well as both the conversion of residential construction to in-house financed owner-occupied term debt and new financing of existing 1-4 family residential. 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 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 $96.4 million or 44.7% to $312.2 million as of December 31, 2015 from $215.8 million as of December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily driven by opportunities from existing customers to fund well supported loans as well as the merger with AGFC. 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 represents a significant portion of our total loan portfolio. 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 December 31, 2015 Commercial Real estate: Construction and land Farmland 1-4 family residential Multi-family residential Nonfarm nonresidential Consumer Total loans Amounts with fixed rates Amounts with floating rates Commercial Real estate: Construction and land Farmland 1-4 family residential Multi-family residential Nonfarm nonresidential Consumer Total loans Amounts with fixed rates Amounts with floating rates 38 One Through Five Years One Year or Less After Five Years (Dollars in thousands) $ 68,158 $ 82,765 $ 34,353 $185,276 Total 52,242 2,560 13,524 1,408 37,802 14,600 38,415 5,470 52,639 12,086 128,039 12,034 97,872 8,897 112,954 26,058 312,207 29,128 $190,294 $331,448 $250,650 $772,392 $ 85,246 $216,675 $151,589 $453,510 $105,048 $114,773 $ 99,061 $318,882 7,215 867 46,791 12,564 146,366 2,494 As of December 31, 2014 One Through Five Years One Year or Less After Five Years (Dollars in thousands) $ 69,025 $ 77,459 $ 38,807 $185,291 Total 32,493 6,733 4,780 1,338 43,420 11,747 21,203 2,719 32,103 7,304 104,275 13,537 61,062 16,097 41,552 11,369 215,797 27,218 $169,536 $258,600 $130,250 $558,386 $ 75,376 $166,007 $102,878 $344,261 $ 94,160 $ 92,593 $ 27,372 $214,125 7,366 6,645 4,669 2,727 68,102 1,934 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 $10.0 million and $6.1 million in nonperforming assets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We had $8.0 million in nonperforming loans as of December 31, 2015 compared to $3.0 million as of December 31, 2014. The increase in nonperforming assets and nonperforming loans from December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2015 is directly attributable to loans acquired in the merger with AGFC. The following table presents information regarding nonperforming loans at the dates indicated: As of December 31, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) As of December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Nonaccrual loans Accruing loans 90 or more days past due Total nonperforming loans Nonaccrual debt securities Other real estate owned: Commercial real estate, construction, land and land development Residential real estate Total other real estate owned Total nonperforming assets Restructured loans-nonaccrual Restructured loans-accruing Ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans Ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets $ $ $ $ 7,957 — 7,957 — 1,373 660 2,033 9,990 811 5,054 1.03% 0.93% $ $ $ $ 3,028 — 3,028 — 2,057 971 3,028 6,056 1,106 8,781 0.54% 0.88% Nonaccrual loans by category: Real estate: Construction and land 1-4 family residential Multi-family residential Nonfarm nonresidential Commercial Consumer Total As of December 31, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) As of December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) 1,738 3,205 229 1,806 979 — 7,957 $ $ 1,611 152 — 1,219 46 — 3,028 $ $ 39 Potential Problem Loans From a credit risk standpoint, we classify loans 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. We review the ratings on credits monthly. Ratings are adjusted to reflect the degree of risk and loss that is believed to be inherent in each credit as of each monthly reporting period. Our methodology is structured so that specific allocations are increased in accordance with deterioration in credit quality (and a corresponding increase in risk and loss) or decreased in accordance with improvement in credit quality (and a corresponding decrease in risk and 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. Such 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. The following table summarizes our internal ratings of our loans as of the dates indicated. Real estate: Construction and land Farmland 1-4 family residential Multi-family residential Nonfarm nonresidential Commercial Consumer Total Real estate: Construction and land Farmland 1-4 family residential Multi-family residential Nonfarm nonresidential Commercial Consumer Total Allowance for loan losses Pass As of December 31, 2015 Special Mention Substandard Doubtful (Dollars in thousands) Total $ 93,740 $ 8,897 104,720 24,884 281,503 157,734 28,702 $700,180 $ 1,300 $ — 1,824 945 12,727 22,222 396 39,414 $ — 3,205 — 16,171 4,341 30 1,094 $ 1,738 $ 97,872 8,897 — 112,954 3,205 26,058 229 312,207 1,806 185,276 979 29,128 — 24,841 $ 7,957 $772,392 Pass As of December 31, 2014 Special Mention Substandard Doubtful (Dollars in thousands) Total $ 56,740 $ 16,097 39,702 10,463 190,356 161,904 26,654 $501,916 $ 2,069 $ — 912 906 16,410 12,087 517 32,901 $ 642 $ 1,611 $ 61,062 16,097 — — 41,552 786 152 11,369 — — 215,797 7,812 1,219 185,291 11,254 46 27,218 47 — 20,541 $ 3,028 $558,386 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 discussion of our methodology, please refer to “—Critical Accounting Policies— Allowance for loan losses.” 40 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 of 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, experience and ability of the developer and loan to value ratio. As of December 31, 2015, the allowance for loan losses totaled $7.2 million or 0.94% of total loans. As of December 31, 2014, the allowance for loan losses totaled $6.6 million or 1.19% of total loans. The decline in the allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans is primarily as a result of the merger with AGFC. 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. The following table presents, as of and for the periods indicated, an analysis of the allowance for loan losses and other related data: Average loans outstanding(1) Gross loans outstanding at end of period(1) Allowance for loan losses at beginning of period Provision for loan losses Charge-offs: Real estate: Construction, land and farmland Residential Nonfarm non-residential Commercial Consumer Total charge-offs Recoveries: Real estate: Construction, land and farmland Residential Nonfarm non-residential Commercial Consumer Total recoveries Net charge-offs (recoveries) Allowance for loan losses at end of period Ratio of allowance to end of period loans Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans As of December 31, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) $ 700,952 As of December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) 535,725 $ $ 772,392 $ 558,386 6,632 1,200 102 144 44 695 — 985 34 94 13 164 92 397 588 6,043 700 — 174 — 10 — 184 — 29 — 16 28 73 111 $ 7,244 $ 6,632 0.94% 0.08% 1.19% 0.02% (1) Excluding loans held for sale. 41 Although we believe that we have established our allowance for loan losses in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 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. 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. Real estate: Construction and land Farmland 1-4 family residential Multi-family residential Nonfarm nonresidential Total real estate Commercial Consumer Total allowance for loan losses Securities As of December 31, 2015 Amount Percent to Total (Dollars in thousands) As of December 31, 2014 Amount Percent to Total (Dollars in thousands) $ 600 30 1,021 101 1,416 3,168 3,618 458 $7,244 8.3% 0.4% 14.1% 1.4% 19.6% 43.8% 49.9% 6.3% 100% $ 525 19 775 35 1,140 2,494 3,813 325 $6,632 7.9% 0.3% 11.7% 0.5% 17.2% 37.6% 57.5% 4.9% 100% We use our securities portfolio to provide a source of liquidity, provide an appropriate return on funds invested, manage interest rate risk, meet collateral requirements and meet regulatory capital requirements. As of December 31, 2015, the carrying amount of investment securities totaled $210.9 million, an increase of $136.4 million or 183.0% compared to $74.5 million as of December 31, 2014. Securities represented 19.6%, and 10.9% of total assets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increase in securities from December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2015 is directly attributable to securities acquired in the merger with AGFC. 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 stockholders’ equity. The following table summarizes the amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities as of the dates shown: U.S. government agencies Corporate bonds Municipal securities Mortgage-backed securities Other securities Total Amortized Cost $ 13,656 11,177 65,679 120,599 942 $212,053 As of December 31, 2015 Gross Gross Unrealized Unrealized Gains Losses (Dollars in thousands) $ $ 43 — 874 39 — 956 $ 32 105 112 1,568 335 $ 2,152 Fair Value $ 13,667 11,072 66,441 119,070 607 $210,857 42 U.S. government agencies Corporate bonds Municipal securities Mortgage-backed securities Other securities Total Amortized Cost $ 9,260 — 30,324 34,591 1,302 $ 75,477 As of December 31, 2014 Gross Gross Unrealized Unrealized Gains Losses (Dollars in thousands) $ $ 31 — 562 51 — 644 $ 149 — 226 616 627 $ 1,618 Fair Value $ 9,142 — 30,660 34,026 675 $ 74,503 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 December 31, 2015, 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 table sets 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. Within One Year Amount Yield After One Year but Within Five Years Amount Yield As of December 31, 2015 After Five Years but Within Ten Years Yield Amount (Dollars in thousands) After Ten Years Amount Yield Total Total Yield U.S. government agencies Corporate bonds Municipal securities Mortgage-backed securities Other securities Total 4,827 2.52% $ 1,997 1.49% $ 13,667 1.90% $ — — % $ 6,843 1.58% $ — — % 11,072 1.62% 4,491 1.46% — — % 6,581 1.73% 20,527 2.36% 66,441 2.08% 20,681 2.22% 2,038 1.15% 23,195 1.80% 86,496 1.69% 119,070 1.65% 27,665 1.50% 3 (2.75)% 4,906 1.72% 607 1.84% — % — — % — — % $2,041 1.14% $ 41,525 1.74% $ 57,664 1.84% $109,627 1.81% $210,857 1.80% 607 1.84% — Within One Year Amount Yield After One Year but Within Five Years Yield Amount As of December 31, 2014 After Five Years but Within Ten Years Yield Amount (Dollars in thousands) After Ten Years Amount Yield Total Total Yield U.S. government agencies Corporate bonds Municipal securities Mortgage-backed securities Other securities Total $ — — — % $ — — % — — % $ — % 262 1.29% 9,236 2.00% — % — % 7,179 2.12% $ 1,963 1.49% $ 9,142 1.99% — % 11,606 2.71% 30,660 2.35% 29,511 1.72% 34,026 1.64% — — 675 1.53% $ 262 1.29% $ 9,236 2.00% $ 21,250 1.95% $43,755 1.97% $74,503 1.96% — % 9,556 2.25% 4,515 1.05% — % — % — — % — — — % — 675 1.53% — — 43 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 5.31 years with an estimated effective duration of 51.22 months as of December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, we did not own securities of any one issuer for which aggregate adjusted cost exceeded 10% of the consolidated stockholders’ equity as of such respective dates. 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 as of December 31, 2015 were $904.2 million, an increase of $317.0 million compared to $587.3 million as of December 31, 2014. Deposit growth was primarily due to merger with AFGC and our continued deposit penetration in our primary market area. Noninterest-bearing deposits as of December 31, 2015 were $222.5 million compared to $109.0 million as of December 31, 2014, an increase of $113.5 million or 104.2%. Average deposits for the year ended December 31, 2015 were $821.8 million, an increase of $217.2 million or 35.9% over the full year average for the year ended December 31, 2014 of $604.6 million primarily due to the merger with AGFC. The average rate paid on total interest-bearing deposits decreased over this period from 0.75% for the year ended December 31, 2014 to 0.61% for the year ended December 31, 2015. The decrease in average rates was driven by a combination of strategic reductions in deposit pricing as well as higher volumes of lower priced interest-bearing demand and NOW accounts during this time period. In addition, the continued growth of noninterest-bearing demand accounts resulted in further reductions to the cost of deposits from 0.60% for the year ended December 31, 2014 to 0.47% for the year ended December 31, 2015. The following table presents the daily average balances and weighted average rates paid on deposits for the periods indicated: Interest-bearing demand accounts NOW accounts Limited access money market accounts and savings Certificates and other time deposits > $100k Certificates and other time deposits < $100k Total interest-bearing deposits Noninterest-bearing demand accounts Total deposits For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 Average Average Balance Rate (Dollars in thousands) $ 28,491 103,157 218,991 195,086 87,030 632,755 188,995 $821,750 0.25% 0.20% 0.41% 0.88% 1.13% 0.61% — % 0.47% For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 Average Average Balance Rate (Dollars in thousands) $ 8,641 60,991 173,335 194,456 48,294 485,717 118,883 $ 604,600 0.58% 0.24% 0.42% 0.99% 1.63% 0.75% — % 0.60% The ratio of average noninterest-bearing deposits to average total deposits for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was 23.0% and 19.7%, respectively. 44 The following table sets forth the amount of certificates of deposit that are $100 thousand or greater by time remaining until maturity: 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 As of December 31, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) $ $ 134,384 39,214 6,530 4,008 184,136 $ $ 123,299 24,255 15,453 3,764 166,771 Borrowings We utilize short-term and long-term borrowings to supplement deposits to fund 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 is discussed below. Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances. The FHLB allows us to borrow on a blanket floating lien status collateralized by certain securities and loans. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, total borrowing capacity of $317.9 million and $211.0 million, respectively, was available under this arrangement and $49.1 million and $15.0 million, respectively, was outstanding with a weighted average stated interest rate of 2.66% as of December 31, 2015 and 1.90% as of December 31, 2014. Our current FHLB advances mature within five years. We utilize these borrowings to meet liquidity needs and to fund certain fixed rate loans in our portfolio. As a result of the merger with AGFC, we assumed the outstanding FHLB advances of American Gateway Bank. These advances were recorded at fair value as of acquisition which totaled $41.2 million, resulting in a market value adjustment of $2.0 million which will be accreted over the life of the respective advances as a reduction of interest expense on borrowings. The following table presents our FHLB borrowings at the dates indicated. December 31, 2015 Amount outstanding at year-end Weighted average stated interest rate at year-end Maximum month-end balance during the year Average balance outstanding during the year Weighted average interest rate during the year December 31, 2014 Amount outstanding at year-end Weighted average stated interest rate at year-end Maximum month-end balance during the year Average balance outstanding during the year Weighted average interest rate during the year FHLB Advances (Dollars in Thousands) $ 49,144 2.66% $ 79,658 $ 54,942 1.03% $ 15,000 1.90% $ 15,000 $ 15,112 1.90% First Tennessee Bank National Association (FTN) advances. FTN allows us to borrow on a revolving basis up to $3.0 million. This line of credit, established on September 3, 2015, is unsecured, but we have agreed that we will not pledge any of the capital stock of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Business First Bank, to secure any other obligation. As of December 31, 2015, there was no borrowing capacity available under the line, and $3.0 million was outstanding at a variable rate of 3-month LIBOR plus 2.5%. The rate was 2.93% at December 31, 2015, and adjusts quarterly. The FTN line matures in one year and was established for the sole purpose of repurchasing shares of our common stock from certain of our shareholders and for general corporate purposes. There was not a similar lending relationship in place as of December 31, 2014. 45 The following table presents the FTN advances at the dates indicated. December 31, 2015 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 Weighted average interest rate during the year FTN Advances (Dollars in Thousands) $ $ $ 3,000 2.93% 3,000 986 2.86% Correspondent Bank Federal Funds Purchased Relationships We maintain Federal Funds Purchased Relationships with the following financial institutions and limits as of December 31, 2015: The Independent Banker’s Bank TIB First Tennessee National Bank First National Bankers Bank ServisFirst Bank Center State Bank (Dollars in Thousands) $ 25,000 $ 17,000 $ 26,700 6,000 $ 9,000 $ The following table represents combined Federal Funds Purchased for all relationships at the dates indicated. December 31, 2015 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 Weighted average interest rate during the year December 31, 2014 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 Weighted average interest rate during the year Fed Funds Purchased (Dollars in Thousands) $ — $ $ — % 6,493 732 1.35% $ — — % $ — $ — — % In February 2016, the Bank obtained an additional federal funds line accommodation in the amount of $22.5 million from Compass Bank. 46 Liquidity and Capital Resources Liquidity Liquidity involves our ability to raise 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 years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 are available and have been utilized on occasion to take advantage of investment opportunities, we do not generally rely on these external funding sources. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, we maintained 5 lines of credit with commercial banks which provide for extensions of credit with an availability to borrow up to an aggregate $83.7 million and $84.7 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. There were no funds under these lines of credit outstanding as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. 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 period indicated. Average assets totaled $999.5 million and $696.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 Sources of Funds: Deposits: Noninterest-bearing Interest-bearing Advances from FHLB Other borrowings Other liabilities Stockholders’ equity Total Uses of Funds: Loans Securities available for sale Interest-bearing deposits in other banks Other noninterest-earning assets Total Average noninterest-bearing deposits to average deposits Average loans to average deposits 18.9% 63.3% 5.5% 0.3% 1.4% 10.6% 100% 69.4% 17.9% 4.8% 7.9% 100% 23.0% 85.3% 17.1% 69.7% 2.1% 0.0% 0.5% 10.6% 100% 76.0% 11.6% 6.7% 5.7% 100% 19.7% 88.6% 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 30.8% for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. We predominantly invest excess funds 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 5.31 years and an effective duration of 51.22 months as of December 31, 2015 and a weighted average life of 7.21 years and an effective duration of 56.06 months as of December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2015, we had outstanding $176.8 million in commitments to extend credit and $9.2 million in commitments associated with outstanding standby and commercial letters of credit. As of December 31, 2014, we had outstanding $134.4 million in commitments to extend credit and $8.2 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 December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had no exposure to future cash requirements associated with known uncertainties or capital expenditures of a material nature. As of December 31, 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents of $40.9 million compared to $26.0 million as of December 31, 2014. 47 Capital Resources Total stockholders’ equity increased to $112.4 million as of December 31, 2015, compared to $78.8 million as of December 31, 2014, an increase of $33.6 million or 42.6%. This increase was primarily the result of the merger with AGFC and $4.1 million in net income. To date, we have not declared or paid dividends on our common stock. 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 December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 the 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 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. Business First Bancshares, Inc. Total capital (to risk weighted assets) Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets) Common Equity Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets) Tier 1 capital (to average assets) Business First Bank Total capital (to risk weighted assets) Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets) Common Equity Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets) Tier 1 capital (to average assets) Contractual Obligations As of December 31, 2015 Ratio Amount (Dollars in thousands) As of December 31, 2014 Ratio Amount $ 115,012 107,768 107,768 107,768 $ 115,828 108,584 108,584 108,584 12.06% 11.30% 11.30% 10.08% 12.17% 11.41% 11.41% 10.17% $ 86,437 79,805 N/A 79,805 13.36% 12.33% N/A 11.24% $ 83,637 77,005 N/A 77,005 12.96% 11.94% N/A 10.87% The following table summarizes contractual obligations and other commitments to make future payments as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (other than deposit obligations), which consist of future cash payments associated with our contractual obligations pursuant to our FHLB advances, FTN revolving line of credit, and non-cancelable future operating leases. Payments related to leases are based on actual payments specified in underlying contracts. Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank totaled approximately $49.1 million and $15.0 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the advances were collateralized by a blanket floating lien on certain securities and loans, had a weighted average stated rate of 2.66% and maturities ranging from 2017 through 2018. The advances under the FTN revolving line of credit totaled $3.0 million at December 31, 2015. These advances were unsecured bearing interest at a variable rate of 2.93% at December 31, 2015 and maturing in 2016. 1 year or less As of December 31, 2015 More than 1 year but less than 3 years 3 years or more but less than 5 years (Dollars in thousands) 5 years or more Total Non-cancelable future operating leases Time deposits Advances from FHLB Advances from FTN Securities sold under agreements to repurchase Standby and commercial letters of credit Commitments to extend credit $ 1,344 $ 1,157 $ 192,047 731 3,000 2,435 8,563 74,766 67,000 48,413 — — 676 55,132 Total $ 282,886 $ 172,378 $ 2,011 $ 5,794 $ 10,306 5,967 273,323 8,309 — 49,144 — — 3,000 — — 2,435 — 9,239 — — 19,223 176,820 27,699 29,543 $39,460 $524,267 48 1 year or less As of December 31, 2014 More than 1 year but less than 3 years 3 years or more but less than 5 years (Dollars in thousands) 5 years or more Total Non-cancelable future operating leases Time deposits Advances from FHLB Other borrowings Standby and commercial letters of credit Commitments to extend credit Total Off-Balance Sheet Items $ 1,121 $ 165,669 — — 7,731 69,503 $ 244,024 $ 983 $ 33,756 — — 455 40,454 75,648 $ 559 $ 1,669 $ 4,332 224,102 4,760 19,917 15,000 — 15,000 — — — 8,186 — — 10,417 134,365 13,991 47,003 $19,310 $385,985 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 date 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. Standby and commercial letters of credit Commitments to extend credit Total Standby and commercial letters of credit Commitments to extend credit Total 1 year or less As of December 31, 2015 More than 1 year but less than 3 years 3 years or more but less than 5 years (Dollars in thousands) 5 years or more Total $ $ 8,563 $ 74,766 83,329 $ 676 $ 55,132 55,808 $ — $ — $ 9,239 19,223 176,820 27,699 19,223 $27,699 $186,059 1 year or less As of December 31, 2014 More than 1 year but less than 3 years 3 years or more but less than 5 years (Dollars in thousands) 5 years or more Total $ $ 7,731 $ 69,503 77,234 $ 455 $ 40,454 40,909 $ — $ — $ 8,186 10,417 134,365 13,991 10,417 $13,991 $142,551 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. Since 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. 49 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 life of non-maturity deposit accounts are based on standard regulatory decay assumptions and are incorporated into the model. 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. 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 internal rate risk simulations currently specifies that for instantaneous parallel shifts of the yield curve, estimated net 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. 50 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: Change in Interest Rates (Basis Points) +300 +200 +100 Base -100 As of December 31, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 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 6.90% 4.80% 1.40% 0.00% (2.40%) (11.70%) (6.18%) (2.87%) 0.00% 1.66% 7.33% 7.80% 3.76% 0.00% 0.76% (12.35%) (7.71%) (3.73%) 0.00% 2.46% The results are primarily due to 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. The assumptions incorporated into the model 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 strategies. 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. The non-GAAP financial measures that we discuss should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable or other financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, the manner in which we calculate the non- GAAP financial measures may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names. You should understand how such other banking organizations calculate their financial measures similar or with names similar to the non-GAAP financial measures we have discussed in this statement when comparing such non-GAAP financial measures. 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 stockholders’ 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. We believe this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in changes from period to period in book value per common share exclusive of changes in intangible assets. Goodwill and other intangible assets have the effect of increasing total book value while not increasing tangible book value. 51 The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, total stockholders’ equity to tangible common equity and presents tangible book value per common share compared to book value per common share: Tangible Common Equity Total stockholders’ equity Adjustments: Goodwill Core deposit and other intangibles Total tangible common equity Common shares outstanding(1) Book value per common share Tangible book value per common share As of December 31, 2015 2014 2013 2012 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) $ 112,449 $ 78,845 $ 71,923 $ 71,014 (3,376) (2,555) $ 106,518 7,035,913 15.98 $ 15.14 $ — — 78,845 $ 5,314,925 14.83 $ 14.83 $ — — 71,923 $ 5,314,925 13.53 $ 13.53 $ — (521) 70,493 $ 5,302,870 13.39 $ 13.29 $ (1) Excludes the dilutive effect, if any, of 953,280, 952,120, 919,350 and 962,910 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options as of December 31, 2015, December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and December 31, 2012, 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 stockholders’ equity to total assets. We believe this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in the relative changes from period to period in common equity and total assets, each exclusive of changes in intangible assets. Goodwill and other intangible assets have the effect of increasing both total stockholders’ equity and assets while not increasing our tangible common equity or tangible assets. The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, total stockholders’ equity to tangible common equity and total assets to tangible assets: Tangible Common Equity Total stockholders’ equity Adjustments: Goodwill Core deposit and other intangibles Total tangible common equity Tangible Assets Total assets Adjustments: Goodwill Core deposit and other intangibles Total tangible assets 2015 As of December 31, 2014 2013 2012 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) $ 112,449 $ 78,845 $ 71,923 $ 71,014 (3,376) (2,555) $ 106,518 — — $ 78,845 — — $ 71,923 — (521) $ 70,493 $1,076,089 $684,502 $684,180 $681,062 (3,376) (2,555) $1,070,158 — — $684,502 — — $684,180 — (521) $680,541 Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets 10.0% 11.5% 10.5% 10.4% 52 Critical Accounting Policies Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and with general practices within the financial services industry. Application of these principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under current circumstances. These assumptions form the basis for our judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily available from independent, objective sources. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis. Use of alternative assumptions may have resulted in significantly different estimates. Actual results may differ from these estimates. We have identified the following accounting policies and estimates that, due to the difficult, subjective or complex judgments and assumptions inherent in those policies and estimates and the potential sensitivity of our financial statements to those judgments and assumptions, are critical to an understanding of our financial condition and results of operations. We believe that the judgments, estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our financial statements are appropriate. Investment Securities Securities are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them until maturity. Securities to be held for indefinite periods of time are classified as available for sale and carried at fair value, with the unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income, net of tax. Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase. Interest income includes amortization of purchase premiums and discounts. Realized gains and losses are derived from the amortized cost of the security sold. Credit related declines in the fair value of held to maturity and available for sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses, with the remaining unrealized loss recognized as a component of other comprehensive income. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers, among other things, (i) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (iii) the intent and ability of us to retain our investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses Loans, excluding certain purchased loans which have shown evidence of deterioration since origination as of the date of the acquisition, that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are stated at the amount of unpaid principal, reduced by unearned income and an allowance for loan losses. Interest on loans is recognized using the simple-interest method on the daily balances of the principal amounts outstanding. Fees associated with the originating of loans and certain direct loan origination costs are netted, and the net amount is deferred and recognized over the life of the loan as an adjustment of yield. 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 losses 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 amount. Certain acquired impaired loans, where there is evidence of credit deterioration since origination and it is probable we will be unable to collect all contractually required payments, are accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC 310-30 Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. The expected cash flows for each loan meeting this criteria are estimated to determine the excess of the contractually required principal and interest at acquisition as an amount that should not be accreted (nonaccretable difference). The expected cash flows for the AGFC purchased impaired credits approximated fair value as of the merger date and, as a result, no accretable yield was recognized at acquisition. A discount was recorded on these loans at acquisition to record them at their estimated fair values. As a result, the AGFC purchased impaired credits are excluded from the calculation of the allowance for loan losses as of the acquisition date. Under current accounting principles, if we determine that losses arose after the acquisition date, the additional losses will be reflected as a provision to the allowance for loan losses. 53 The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when there is a clear indication that the borrower’s cash flow may not be sufficient to meet payments as they become due, which is generally when a loan is 90 days past due. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, all previously accrued and unpaid interest is reversed. Interest income is subsequently recognized on a cash basis as long as the remaining book balance of the asset is deemed to be collectible. If collectability is questionable, then cash payments are applied to principal. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement. The allowance for loan losses is an estimated amount management believes is adequate to absorb inherent losses on existing loans that may be uncollectible based upon review and evaluation of the loan portfolio. Management’s periodic evaluation of the allowance is based on general economic conditions, the financial condition of borrowers, the value and liquidity of collateral, delinquency, prior loan loss experience, and the results of periodic reviews of the portfolio. The allowance for loan losses is comprised of two components. The first component, the general reserve, is determined in accordance with current authoritative accounting guidance that considers historical loss rates for the eight quarter lookback period beginning four quarters in arrears adjusted for qualitative factors based upon general economic conditions and other qualitative risk factors both internal and external to us. Such qualitative factors include current local economic conditions and trends including unemployment, changes in lending staff, policies and procedures, changes in credit concentrations, changes in the trends and severity of problem loans, and changes in trends in volume and terms of loans. These qualitative factors serve to compensate for additional areas of uncertainty inherent in the portfolio that are not reflected in our historical loss factors. For purposes of determining the general reserve, the loan portfolio, less cash secured loans, government guaranteed loans and impaired loans, is multiplied by our adjusted historical loss rate. The second component of the allowance for loan losses, the specific reserve, is determined in accordance with current authoritative accounting guidance based on probable losses on specific classified loans. The allowance for loan losses is increased by charges to income and decreased by charge-offs (net of recoveries). Due to our growth over the past several years, a portion of the loans in our portfolio and our lending relationships are of relatively recent origin. The new loan portfolios have limited delinquency and credit loss history and have not yet exhibited an observable loss trend. The credit quality of loans in these loan portfolios are impacted by delinquency status and debt service coverage generated by the borrowers’ business, and fluctuations in the value of real estate collateral. Management considers delinquency status to be the most meaningful indicator of the credit quality of one-to-four single family residential, home equity loans and lines of credit and other consumer loans. In general, loans do not begin to show signs of credit deterioration or default until they have been outstanding for some period of time, a process we refer to as “seasoning”. As a result, a portfolio of older loans will usually behave more predictably than a portfolio of newer loans. Because the majority of our portfolio is relatively new, the current level of delinquencies and defaults may not be representative of the level that will prevail when the portfolio becomes more seasoned, which may be higher than current levels. If delinquencies and defaults increase, we may be required to increase our provision for loan losses, which would adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Delinquency statistics are updated at least monthly. Internal risk ratings are considered the most meaningful indicator of credit quality for new commercial, construction, and commercial real estate loans. Internal risk ratings are a key factor in identifying loans that are individually evaluated for impairment and impact management’s estimates of loss factors used in determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses. Internal risk ratings are updated on a continuous basis. Loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable we will be unable to collect all amounts due in accordance with the original contractual terms of the loan agreement, including scheduled principal and interest payments. If a loan is impaired, a specific valuation allowance is allocated, if necessary. Interest payments on impaired loans are typically applied to principal unless collectability of the principal amount is reasonably assured, in which case interest is recognized on a cash basis. Impaired loans, or portions thereof, are charged off when deemed uncollectible. Our policy requires measurement of the allowance for an impaired collateral dependent loan based on the fair value of the collateral. Other loan impairments are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows or the loan’s observable market price. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, all significant impaired loans have been determined to be collateral dependent and the allowance for loss has been measured utilizing the estimated fair value of the collateral. 54 From time to time, we modify our loan agreement with a borrower. A modified loan is considered a troubled debt restructuring when two conditions are met: (i) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and (ii) concessions are made by us that would not otherwise be considered for a borrower with similar credit risk characteristics. Modifications to loan terms may include a lower interest rate, a reduction of principal, or a longer term to maturity. We review each troubled debt restructured loan and determine on a case by case basis if the loan is subject to impairment and the need for a specific allowance for loan loss allocation. An allowance for loan loss allocation is based on either the present value of estimated future cash flows or the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral. We have certain lending policies and procedures in place that are designed to maximize loan income with an acceptable level of risk. Management reviews and approves these policies and procedures on a regular basis and makes changes as appropriate. Management receives frequent reports related to loan originations, quality, concentrations, delinquencies, non-performing and potential problem loans. Diversification in the loan portfolio is a means of managing risk associated with fluctuations in economic conditions, both by type of loan and geography. Commercial loans are underwritten after evaluating and understanding the borrower’s ability to operate profitably and effectively. Underwriting standards are designed to determine whether the borrower possesses sound business ethics and practices and to evaluate current and projected cash flows to determine the ability of the borrower to repay their obligations as agreed. Commercial loans are primarily made based 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 include personal guarantees. Real estate loans are also subject to underwriting standards and processes similar to commercial loans. These loans are underwritten primarily based on projected cash flows and, secondarily, as loans secured by real estate. The repayment of real estate loans is generally largely dependent on the successful operation of the property securing the loans or the business conducted on the property securing the loan. Real estate loans may be more adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the general economy. The properties securing our real estate portfolio are generally diverse in terms of type and geographic location, throughout the state of Louisiana. This diversity helps reduce the exposure to adverse economic events that affect any single market or industry. We utilize methodical credit standards and analysis to supplement our policies and procedures in underwriting consumer loans. Our loan policy addresses types of consumer loans that may be originated and the collateral, if secured, which must be perfected. The relatively smaller individual dollar amounts of consumer loans that are spread over numerous individual borrowers also minimizes risk. Emerging Growth Company The JOBS Act permits an “emerging growth company” to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies. However, we have “opted out” of this provision. As a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards to the same extent that compliance is required for non-emerging growth companies. This decision to opt out of the extended transition period under the JOBS Act is irrevocable. ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk. The disclosure contemplated by Item 7A is not required because we are a smaller reporting company. 55 ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data CONTENTS Annual Audited Financial Statements: Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Consolidated Balance Sheets Consolidated Statements of Income Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 - 63 64 - 104 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Business First Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries Baton Rouge, Louisiana We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Business First Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015. The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three- year period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Hannis T. Bourgeois, LLP Baton Rouge, Louisiana March 17, 2016 57 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollars in thousands) ASSETS Cash and Due from Banks Federal Funds Sold Securities Available for Sale, at Fair Values Loans and Lease Receivable, Net of Allowance for Loan Losses of $7,244 in 2015 and $6,632 in 2014 Premises and Equipment, Net Accrued Interest Receivable Other Equity Securities Other Real Estate Owned Cash Value of Life Insurance Goodwill Core Deposit Intangible Other Assets $ December 31, 2015 2014 40,911 $ 26,015 817 2,496 74,503 210,857 551,754 765,148 2,180 9,234 1,772 2,823 1,799 5,350 3,028 2,033 17,376 22,339 — 3,376 — 2,555 5,258 8,967 Total Assets $1,076,089 $684,502 LIABILITIES Deposits: Noninterest Bearing Interest Bearing Total Deposits Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase Short Term Borrowings Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings Accrued Interest Payable Other Liabilities Total Liabilities Common Stock, $1 Par Value; 10,000,000 Shares Authorized; 7,035,913 and 5,314,925 Shares Issued and Outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Additional Paid-in Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Total Stockholders’ Equity $ 222,488 $108,965 478,287 681,748 904,236 587,252 2,435 3,000 49,144 566 4,259 — — 15,000 416 2,989 963,640 605,657 7,036 85,913 20,289 (789) 5,315 57,225 16,948 (643) 112,449 78,845 Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $1,076,089 $684,502 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 58 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Dollars in thousands) Years Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2015 Interest Income: Interest and Fees on Loans Interest and Dividends on Securities Interest on Federal Funds Sold and Due From Banks Total Interest Income Interest Expense: Interest on Deposits Interest on Borrowings Total Interest Expense Net Interest Income Provision for Loan Losses Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses Other Income: Service Charges on Deposit Accounts Gain (Loss) on Sales of Securities Other Income Total Other Income Other Expenses: Salaries and Employee Benefits Occupancy and Equipment Expense Other Expenses Total Other Expenses Income Before Income Taxes Provision for Income Taxes Consolidated Net Income from Continuing Operations Discontinued Operations: Loss from Disposal of Insurance Subsidiaries Income from Operations of Discontinued Subsidiaries Income Tax Expense Gain from Discontinued Operations Consolidated Net Income Net Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interest Net Income Earnings Per Share: Basic Diluted The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 59 $35,244 $25,731 $25,593 3,374 10 28,977 1,673 71 27,475 3,186 187 38,617 3,858 609 4,467 3,641 310 3,951 3,649 1,051 4,700 34,150 23,524 24,277 1,200 700 751 32,950 22,824 23,526 1,553 (15) 1,642 3,180 587 13 1,128 1,728 595 871 705 2,171 16,145 3,941 10,423 30,509 11,196 2,469 5,490 19,155 10,982 2,358 6,736 20,076 5,621 5,397 5,621 1,525 1,364 1,016 4,096 4,033 4,605 — — — — — — (565) 1,359 (270) — — 524 4,096 4,033 5,129 — — 344 $ 4,096 $ 4,033 $ 4,785 $ 0.61 $ 0.76 $ 0.90 $ 0.59 $ 0.72 $ 0.87 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Dollars in thousands) Years Ended December 31, 2014 2015 2013 Consolidated Net Income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss): Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investment Securities Reclassification Adjustment for Gains (Loss) included in Net Income Income Tax Effect Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interest $4,096 $ 4,033 $ 5,129 (206) (15) 75 3,630 13 (1,239) (7,667) 871 2,311 (146) 2,404 (4,485) 3,950 6,437 — — 644 344 Comprehensive Income Attributable to Business First Bancshares, Inc. $3,950 $ 6,437 $ 300 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 60 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Dollars in thousands) Balances at December 31, 2012 Comprehensive Income: Net Income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Issuance of Common Stock Reissuance of Treasury Stock Sale of Subsidiaries Stock Based Compensation Cost Balances at December 31, 2013 Comprehensive Income: Net Income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Stock Based Compensation Cost Balances at December 31, 2014 Comprehensive Income: Net Income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Merger Consideration - net Stock Based Compensation Cost Stock Repurchase Balances at December 31, 2015 Additional Common Paid-In Stock Capital $ 5,311 $ 56,413 $ 8,113 $ Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Non-Controlling Interest in Equity Total Equity Stockholders’ 1,438 $ (121) $ (140) $ 71,014 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) — — — — 4 (3) — — (172) — — 502 5,315 56,740 — — — — 485 — 5,315 57,225 — — — — 1,891 30,519 49 — (170) (1,880) 4,785 — — — 17 — 12,915 4,033 — — 16,948 4,096 — — — (755) $ 7,036 $ 85,913 $20,289 $ — — (4,485) — — 121 — — (3,047) — — — — — — — — 2,404 — — (643) — — — (146) — — — — — — — (789) $ — $ 344 — — — (204) — — — — — — 5,129 (4,485) 1 121 (359) 502 71,923 4,033 2,404 485 78,845 4,096 — (146) — 32,410 — 49 — — (2,805) — $ 112,449 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 61 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Dollars in thousands) Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Consolidated Net Income Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating $ 4,096 $ 4,033 $ 5,129 Years Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2015 Activities: Provision for Loan Losses Depreciation and Amortization Amortization of Purchase Accounting Valuations Noncash Compensation Expense Net Amortization of Securities (Gain) Loss on Sales of Securities (Gain) Loss on Sale of Other Real Estate Owned Net of Writedowns Loss on Sales of Other Assets Increase in Cash Value of Life Insurance Credit for Deferred Income Taxes Non-Controlling Interest in Net Income of Consolidated Entity Changes in Assets and Liabilities: (Increase) Decrease in Accrued Interest Receivable (Increase) Decrease in Other Assets Decrease in Accrued Interest Payable Increase (Decrease) in Other Liabilities Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Cash Flows From Investing Activities: Purchases of Securities Available for Sale Proceeds from Maturities / Sales of Securities Available for Sale Proceeds from Paydowns of Securities Available for Sale Net Cash Received in Merger Purchases of Other Equity Securities Proceeds from Sales of Other Equity Securities Net Increase in Loans Purchases of Premises and Equipment Proceeds from Sales of Other Real Estate Net (Increase) Decrease in Federal Funds Sold Cash Paid in Dissenter Settlement Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities (CONTINUED) 62 1,200 1,192 (2,332) 49 1,511 15 (58) 157 (637) (74) — (314) (971) (76) (350) 3,408 (58,648) 9,528 19,376 87,377 (3,385) 1,912 (70,443) (962) 2,697 (1,339) (243) (14,130) 700 810 — 485 493 (13) (262) — (569) (764) — 134 1,521 (37) 361 6,892 (3,699) 28,846 5,799 — (681) 1,866 (24,655) (218) 337 8,378 — 15,973 751 848 — 502 1,259 (871) 208 — (529) (493) (344) 337 2,059 (113) (525) 8,218 (27,789) 80,543 11,343 — (2,818) 1,885 (77,506) (328) 167 2,630 — (11,873) Years Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2015 Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Net Increase (Decrease) in Deposits Net Increase (Decrease) in Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase Net Advances (Repayments) on Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings Net Increase in Short Term Borrowings Issuance of Common Stock Proceeds from Reissuance of Treasury Stock Repurchase of Common Stock Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period 33,775 (1,841) (6,511) 3,000 — — (2,805) 25,618 (6,924) — — — — — — (6,924) 27,847 — (25,000) — 1 121 — 2,969 14,896 15,941 (686) 26,015 10,074 10,760 Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period $40,911 $26,015 $ 10,074 Supplemental Disclosures for Cash Flow Information: Cash Payments for: Interest on Deposits Interest on Borrowings Income Tax Payments Supplemental Schedule for Noncash Investing and Financing Activities: Change in the Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities Available for Sale Change in Deferred Tax Effect on the Unrealized (Gain) Loss on Securities Available for Sale Transfer of Loans to Other Real Estate The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 63 $ 3,813 $ 3,679 $ 3,690 $ 467 $ 309 $ 1,123 $ 2,513 $ 1,976 $ 1,857 $ (222) $ 3,643 $ (6,797) $ 75 $ (1,239) $ 2,311 $ 1,033 $ 2,203 $ 1,105 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Note 1 – Nature of Operations – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – The accounting principles followed by Business First Bancshares, Inc. (the Company or Bancshares) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Business First Bank (the Bank), and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Business First Insurance, LLC, and American Gateway Insurance Agency, LLC, are those which are generally practiced within the banking industry. The methods of applying those principles conform with generally accepted accounting principles and have been applied on a consistent basis. The principles which significantly affect the determination of financial position, results of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows are summarized below. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Business First Bancshares, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Business First Bank (the Bank), and the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Business First Insurance, LLC and American Gateway Insurance Agency, LLC (collectively, the Company). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Nature of Operations The Bank operates in sixteen full service locations and one loan production office in Louisiana (Baton Rouge metro region, Shreveport, Covington, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Houma and New Orleans (LPO)). 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. Estimates Preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. 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. The Bank’s loans are generally secured by specific items of collateral including real property, business assets, and consumer assets. Although the Bank has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of its debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is dependent on local economic conditions in the Bank’s market area. 64 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, further reductions in the carrying amounts of loans may be necessary based on changes in local economic conditions. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the estimated losses on loans. Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize additional losses based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination. Because of these factors, it is reasonably possible that the estimated losses on loans may change materially in the near term. However, the amount of the change that is reasonably possible cannot be estimated. Acquisition Accounting Acquisitions are accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. Purchased assets and assumed liabilities are recorded at their respective acquisition date fair values, and identifiable intangible assets are recorded at fair value. If the consideration given exceeds the fair value of the net assets received, goodwill is recognized. Fair values are subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of an acquisition as information relative to closing date fair values becomes available. Securities Management determines the appropriate classification of debt securities (held to maturity, available for sale or trading) at the time of purchase and re-evaluates this classification periodically. Securities classified as available for sale are those debt securities the Bank intends to hold for an indefinite period of time but not necessarily to maturity. Any decision to sell a security classified as available for sale would be based on various factors, including significant movements in interest rates, changes in the maturity mix of the Bank’s assets and liabilities, liquidity needs, regulatory capital considerations, and other similar factors. Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value. Unrealized gains or losses are reported as a component of comprehensive income. Realized gains or losses, determined on the basis of the cost of specific securities sold, are included in earnings. Securities classified as held to maturity are those debt securities the Bank has both the intent and ability to hold to maturity regardless of changes in market conditions, liquidity needs or changes in general economic conditions. These securities are recorded at cost adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, computed by various methods approximating the interest method over their contractual lives. The Bank has no securities classified as held to maturity at December 31, 2015 and 2014. Securities classified as trading are those securities held for resale in anticipation of short-term market movements. These securities are recorded at market value with any market adjustments included in earnings. The Bank has no securities classified as trading at December 31, 2015 and 2014. The Bank has invested in Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock which is reflected at cost in these financial statements. As a member of the FHLB System, the Bank is required to purchase and maintain stock in an amount determined by the FHLB. The FHLB stock is redeemable at par value at the discretion of the FHLB. 65 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Loans Loans are stated at principal amounts outstanding less the allowance for loan losses. Interest on commercial and individual loans is accrued daily based on the principal outstanding. Generally, the Bank discontinues the accrual of interest income when a loan becomes 90 days past due as to principal or interest. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, previously recognized but uncollected interest is reversed to income or charged to the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent cash receipts on non-accrual loans are accounted for on the cost recovery method until the loans qualify for return to accrual status. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. The Bank classifies loans as impaired when it is probable the Bank will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The measurement of impaired loans is based on the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the loan’s observable market price, or based on the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Acquired Loans Purchased loans acquired in a business combination are recorded at their estimated fair value as of the acquisition date and there is no carryover of the seller’s allowance for loan losses. The Company accounts for acquired impaired loans in accordance with ASC 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality (“ASC 310-30”). An acquired loan is considered impaired when there is evidence of credit deterioration since origination and it is probable at the date of acquisition that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments. Purchased credit impaired loans are accounted for individually. The Company estimates the amount and timing of undiscounted expected cash flows for each loan, and the expected cash flows in excess of fair value is recorded as interest income over the remaining life of the loan (accretable yield). The excess of the loan’s contractual principal and interest over the expected cash flows is not recorded (nonaccretable difference). Over the life of the loan, expected cash flows continue to be estimated. If the expected cash flows decrease, a provision for loan losses and the establishment of an allowance for loan losses with respect to the acquired impaired loan is recorded. If the expected cash flows increase, it is recognized as part of future interest income. The performing loans are accounted for under ASC 310-20, Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (“ASC 310-20”), with the related discount being adjusted for over the life of the loan and recognized as interest income. 66 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Allowance for Loan Losses The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level which, in management’s judgment, is adequate to absorb credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses is based upon management’s review and evaluation of the loan portfolio. Factors considered in the establishment of the allowance for loan losses include management’s evaluation of specific loans; the level and composition of classified loans; historical loss experience; results of examinations by regulatory agencies; an internal asset review process; expectations of future economic conditions and their impact on particular borrowers; and other judgmental factors. Allowances for impaired loans are generally determined based on collateral values or the present value of estimated cash flows. Management obtains independent appraisals for significant collateral in determining collateral values. Although management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, because of uncertainties associated with local economic conditions, collateral values, and future cash flows on impaired loans, it is reasonably possible that a material change could occur in the allowance for loan losses in the near term. However, the amount of the change that is reasonably possible cannot be estimated. 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. The allowance for loan losses is based on estimates of potential future losses, and ultimate losses may vary from the current estimates. These estimates are reviewed periodically and as adjustments become necessary, the effect of the change in estimate is charged to operating expenses in the period incurred. All losses are charged to the allowance for loan losses when the loss actually occurs or when management believes that the collectability of the principal is unlikely. Recoveries are credited to the allowance at the time of recovery. Premises and Equipment Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates based upon estimated useful service lives using the straight-line method for financial reporting and accelerated methods for tax reporting purposes. The costs of assets retired or otherwise disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts in the year of disposal and the resulting gains or losses are included in current operations. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Costs of major additions and improvements are capitalized. 67 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Other Real Estate Owned Real estate properties acquired through or in lieu of loan foreclosure or negotiated settlement are initially recorded at the fair value less estimated selling cost at the date of acquisition. Any write-downs based on the asset’s fair value at the date of acquisition are charged to the allowance for loan losses. After foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and property held for sale is carried at the lower of the new cost basis or fair value less cost to sell. Impairment losses on property to be held and used are measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a property exceeds its fair value. Costs of significant property improvements are capitalized, whereas costs relating to holding property are expensed. Valuations are periodically performed by management, and any subsequent write-downs are recorded as a charge to operations, if necessary, to reduce the carrying value of a property to the lower of its costs or fair value less cost to sell. The carrying amount of residential real estate included in other real estate owned was $660 thousand at December 31, 2015. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill and other intangible assets deemed to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized but instead are subject to review for impairment annually, or more frequently if deemed necessary. Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives and reviewed for impairment. If impaired, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value. Core deposit intangibles representing the value of the acquired core deposit base are generally recorded in connection with business combinations involving banks and branch locations. The Company’s policy is to amortize core deposit intangibles on a straight line basis over their estimated useful life of 10 years. Core deposit intangibles are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable from future undiscounted cash flows. Income Taxes The provision for income taxes is based on amounts reported in the statement of income after exclusion of nontaxable income such as interest on state and municipal securities. Also, certain items of income and expense are recognized in different time periods for financial statement purposes than for income tax purposes. Thus, provisions for deferred taxes are recorded in recognition of such temporary differences. Deferred taxes are provided utilizing a liability method whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the reported amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment. The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return. Consolidated income tax expense is allocated on the basis of each entity’s income adjusted for permanent differences. 68 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) The Company evaluates all significant tax positions as required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. As of December 31, 2015, the Company does not believe it has taken any positions that would require the recording of any additional tax liability, nor does it believe there are any unrealized tax benefits that would either increase or decrease within the next year. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and the state of Louisiana. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to federal and state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2012. Any interest and penalties assessed by income taxing authorities are not significant, and are included in other expenses in these financial statements, as applicable. Stock Based Compensation As described in Note 16, the Company has issued stock warrants and stock options that incorporate stock based compensation. The Company has adopted a fair value based method of accounting for these awards. The compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the required service period, which is usually the vesting period. Statements of Cash Flows For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and deposits in other financial institutions. Comprehensive Income Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities, are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the balance sheet, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income. The components of comprehensive income are disclosed on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for all periods presented. Advertising The Company expenses all costs of advertising and promotion the first time the advertising or promotion takes place. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company expensed costs of $437 thousand, $190 thousand and $258 thousand, respectively. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-04, Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors – Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans Upon Foreclosure, which clarifies when an in-substance repossession or foreclosure is deemed to occur, that is when a creditor should be considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, and the loan should be derecognized and the real estate property should be recognized. This ASU clarifies that an in-substance repossession or foreclosure has occurred when either the creditor obtains legal title to the property or the borrower conveys all interest in the property to the creditor to satisfy the loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or similar legal agreement. ASU 2014-04 also requires the Company to disclose both the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held and the investment in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate that are in the process of foreclosure. This ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 69 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805), Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments, which require an acquiring Company to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. GAAP requires that during the measurement period, the acquirer retrospectively adjust the provisional amounts recognized at the acquisition date with a corresponding adjustment to goodwill. Those adjustments are required when new information is obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts initially recorded. To simplify the accounting for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination, the amendments in the update eliminate the requirement to retrospectively account for those adjustments. This ASU is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those years. Disclosure of the nature and reason for the change should be made in the first period, including interim periods, there is a measurement period adjustment. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The provisions of the update require equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, an entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment. The update also simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. It also eliminates the requirement to disclose the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost for entities that are not public business entities, and eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet. ASU No. 2016-16 requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes. It also requires an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments. The update requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by category and form on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements. In addition, the update clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. For public business entities, the amendments in the update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Note 2 – Reclassifications – Certain reclassifications may have been made to the prior years’ financial statements in order to conform to the classifications adopted for reporting in 2015. These reclassifications have no effect on previously reported net income. 70 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Note 3 – Mergers and Acquisitions – After the close of business on March 31, 2015, the Company merged with American Gateway Financial Corporation (AGFC), parent bank holding company for American Gateway Bank, into which the operations of AGFC merged with the Company. Prior to the merger, AGFC was a full service bank with 10 branches located in the Baton Rouge metro region. As part of the merger, the Company issued common stock, as well as cash, for the outstanding shares of AGFC. The Company believes with this merger, it will not only increase its presence in the Baton Rouge region, but also in Louisiana statewide, by being able to offer more services to its customers. The Company also believes that the merger with AGFC will increase the Company’s core deposits and allow the opportunity to further increase the loan portfolio. Results of operations include the revenues and expenses of the acquired operations from the acquisition date forward. The following table provides the purchase price calculation as of the merger date and the identifiable assets purchased and the liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values. The purchase price calculation is an estimate, as the cash consideration to shareholders who have exercised their statutory rights of appraisal has not yet been finalized. The fair value measurements are subject to refinement for up to one year after the merger date based on additional information that may be obtained by us that existed as of the merger date. Cost and Allocation of Purchase Price for American Gateway Financial Corporation (AGFC): (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Purchase Price: AGFC Shares Outstanding at March 31, 2015 Gross Business First Shares Issued for AGFC Shares Exchange Ratio Less: Shares Cashed Out Under Terms of Merger Net Business First Shares to be Issued for AGFC Shares Market Value per Share of Business First Stock Aggregate Pro Forma Value of Business First Stock Issued in Merger Aggregate Cash Consideration Paid in Merger Cash Paid to Shareholders Exercising Appraisal Rights through December 31, 2015 * Total Pro Forma Purchase Price 217,944 2,589,174 11.88 698,186 Net Assets Acquired: Cash and Cash Equivalents Securities Available for Sale Loans and Leases Receivable Premises and Equipment, Net Cash Value of Life Insurance Other Real Estate Owned Core Deposit Intangible Other Assets Total Assets Noninterest Bearing Deposits Interest Bearing Deposits Total Deposits Borrowings Other Liabilities Total Liabilities Net Assets Acquired Goodwill Resulting from Merger * - Unsettled Appraisal Rights Shares at December 31, 2015 was 53,094. 71 1,890,988 17.66 $ $ $ $ 33,395 1,595 9,419 44,409 98,489 108,358 143,223 7,395 4,326 593 2,762 6,375 371,521 80,865 202,442 283,307 45,509 1,672 330,488 41,033 3,376 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) The following table provides the unaudited pro forma results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, as if the acquisition occurred on January 1 of each year. These adjustments reflect the impact of certain purchase accounting fair value measurements, primarily comprised of AGFC’s loan, securities and deposit portfolios. The pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have occurred had the transaction been effected on the assumed date. Interest Income Interest Expense Net Interest Income Provision for Loan Losses Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses Noninterest Income Noninterest Expense Income Before Income Taxes Income Tax Expense Net Income Earnings Per Common Share Basic Diluted 72 Years Ended December 31, 2014 2015 (Dollars in thousands) (except per share data) $ 41,272 4,640 36,632 1,200 35,432 3,884 32,154 7,162 2,065 5,097 $ $ 39,861 5,476 34,385 950 33,435 4,501 30,272 7,664 1,555 6,109 $ $ $ 0.71 0.68 $ $ 0.85 0.81 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Note 4 – Earnings per Common Share – Basic earnings per share (EPS) represents income available to common stockholders 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. 2015 Years Ended December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2013 Numerator: Net Income Available to Common Shares From Continuing Operations Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Shares From Discontinued Operations Net Income Available to Common Shares Denominator: $ $ 4,096 — 4,096 $ $ 4,033 — 4,033 $ $ 4,261 524 4,785 Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding Dilutive Effect of Stock Options and Warrants Weighted Average Dilutive Common Shares 6,694,075 288,981 6,983,056 5,314,925 293,600 5,608,525 5,311,826 194,888 5,506,714 Basic Earnings Per Common Share From Net Income Available to Common Shares From Continuing Operations Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share From Net Income Available to Common Shares From Discontinued Operations Basic Earnings Per Common Share From Net Income Available to Common Shares Diluted Earnings Per Common Share From Net Income Available to Common Shares From Continuing Operations Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share From Net Income Available to Common Shares From Discontinued Operations Diluted Earnings Per Common Share From Net Income Available to Common Shares $ 0.61 $ 0.76 $ 0.80 — 0.61 0.59 $ $ — 0.76 0.72 $ $ 0.10 0.90 0.77 $ $ — — 0.10 $ 0.59 $ 0.72 $ 0.87 Note 5 – Cash and Due From Bank – The Bank is required to maintain funds in cash or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank. There were no required reserves at December 31, 2015 and 2014. 73 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Note 6 – Securities – The amortized cost and fair values of securities available for sale as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are summarized as follows: U.S. Government Agencies Corporate Securities Mortgage-Backed Securities Municipal Securities Other Securities U.S. Government Agencies Corporate Securities Mortgage-Backed Securities Municipal Securities Other Securities December 31, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) Gross Gross Unrealized Unrealized Gains Losses $ 43 — 39 874 — $ 32 105 1,568 112 335 Fair Value $ 13,667 11,072 119,070 66,441 607 Amortized Cost $ 13,656 11,177 120,599 65,679 942 $212,053 $ 956 $ 2,152 $210,857 December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses $ 31 — 51 562 — 149 $ — 616 226 627 Fair Value $ 9,142 — 34,026 30,660 675 Amortized Cost $ 9,260 — 34,591 30,324 1,302 $ 75,477 $ 644 $ 1,618 $74,503 74 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) The following table is a summary of securities with gross unrealized losses and fair values at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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. U.S. Government Agencies Corporate Securities Mortgage-Backed Securities Municipal Securities Other Securities U.S. Government Agencies Corporate Securities Mortgage-Backed Securities Municipal Securities Other Securities Less Than 12 Months Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value $ 8,840 $ December 31, 2015 12 Months or Greater (Dollars in thousands) Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Total Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses 32 $ — $ — $ 8,840 $ 11,072 91,384 13,983 — 105 — 1,029 23,386 2,498 607 43 — — 11,072 539 114,770 69 16,481 607 335 32 105 1,568 112 335 $125,279 $ 1,209 $26,491 $ 943 $151,770 $ 2,152 Less Than 12 Months Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses December 31, 2014 12 Months or Greater (Dollars in thousands) Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Total Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses $ — $ — $ 8,003 $ — — 4,703 — — — 32,714 9,687 20 675 — — — — 616 32,714 206 14,390 675 627 149 $ 8,003 $ 149 — 616 226 627 $4,703 $ 20 $51,079 $ 1,598 $55,782 $ 1,618 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 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. 75 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) The amortized cost and fair values of securities available for sale as of December 31, 2015 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. Less Than One Year One to Five Years Over Five to Ten Years Over Ten Years Fair Amortized Cost Value (Dollars in thousands) $ 2,040 41,353 57,727 110,933 $ 2,041 41,525 57,664 109,627 $212,053 $210,857 Securities available for sale with a fair value of $107.9 million and $31.5 million, respectively, were pledged as collateral on public deposits and for other purposes as required or permitted by law as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. There were $3 thousand, $530 thousand and $1.2 million realized gross gains from sales or redemptions of securities for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. There were $18 thousand, $517 thousand and $279 thousand realized gross losses from sales or redemptions of securities for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Bank has invested in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas which is included in other equity securities and reflected at cost in these financial statements. The cost of these securities of $3.5 million and $916 thousand, respectively, approximates fair value at December 31, 2015 and 2014. The Federal Home Loan Bank stock is pledged to secure advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas at both December 31, 2015 and 2014. The Bank also has investments of $100 thousand and $100 thousand in The Independent Banker’s Bank, $1.3 million and $647 thousand in McLarty Capital Partners SBIC, L.P., and $254 thousand and $136 thousand in Bluehenge Capital Secured Debt SBIC, L.P. at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. At December 31, 2015, the Bank also had a $243 thousand investment in Bankers Insurance, LLC which was acquired in the AGFC merger. 76 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Note 7 – Loans and the Allowance for Loan Losses – Loans receivable at December 31, 2015 and 2014 are summarized as follows: Real estate loans: Construction and land Farmland 1-4 family residential Multi-family residential Nonfarm nonresidential Commercial Consumer Total loans held for investment Less: Allowance for loan losses Net loans December 31, 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands) $ 97,872 $ 61,062 16,097 41,552 11,369 215,797 185,291 27,218 8,897 112,954 26,058 312,207 185,276 29,128 772,392 558,386 (7,244) (6,632) $765,148 $551,754 The performing one-to-four 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 December 31, 2015 and 2014. Net deferred loan origination fees were $740 thousand and $529 thousand at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 December 31, 2015 and 2014, overdrafts of $150 thousand and $10 thousand, 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 Balance Sheet. The unpaid principal balances of mortgages and other loans serviced for others were approximately $44.7 million and $37.8 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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. 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. 77 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 December 31, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) Real Estate: Construction and Land Real Estate: Farmland Real Estate: 1-4 Family Residential Real Estate: Multi-family Residential Real Estate: Nonfarm Nonresidential Commercial Consumer Total $ $ 525 $ (102) 34 143 600 $ 19 $ — — 11 30 $ 775 $ (144) 94 296 1,021 $ 35 $ — — 66 101 $ 1,140 $ (44) 13 307 1,416 $ 325 $ 6,632 3,813 $ (985) (695) — 397 92 164 336 1,200 41 458 $ 7,244 3,618 $ Allowance for credit losses: Beginning Balance Charge-offs Recoveries Provision Ending Balance Ending Balance: Individually evaluated for impairment $ 504 $ — $ 129 $ — $ — $ 475 $ — $ 1,108 Collectively evaluated for impairment $ 96 $ 30 $ 838 $ 57 $ 1,416 $ 3,143 $ 458 $ 6,038 Purchased Credit Impaired (1) Loans receivable: Ending Balance $ — $ — $ 54 $ 44 $ — $ — $ — $ 98 $ 97,872 $ 8,897 $112,954 $ 26,058 $ 312,207 $ 185,276 $29,128 $772,392 Ending Balance: Individually evaluated for impairment $ 1,732 $ — $ 3,666 $ — $ 4,172 $ 2,226 $ — $ 11,796 Collectively evaluated for impairment $ 96,046 $ 8,897 $108,778 $ 25,829 $ 305,234 $ 183,050 $29,128 $756,962 Purchased Credit Impaired (1) $ 94 $ — $ 510 $ 229 $ 2,801 $ — $ — $ 3,634 (1) Purchased credit impaired loans are evaluated for impairment on an individual basis. 78 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Real Estate: Construction and Land Real Estate: Farmland Real Estate: 1-4 Family Residential Real Estate: Multi-family Residential Real Estate: Nonfarm Nonresidential Commercial Consumer Total December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Allowance for credit losses: Beginning balance Charge-offs Recoveries Provision Ending Balance Ending Balance: Individually evaluated for impairment Collectively evaluated for impairment $ $ $ $ 315 $ — — 210 525 $ 6 $ — — 13 19 $ 836 $ (174) 29 84 775 $ 22 $ — — 13 35 $ 946 $ — — 194 1,140 $ 3,647 $ 271 $ 6,043 (184) (10) — 73 28 16 700 26 160 325 $ 6,632 3,813 $ 505 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 41 $ — $ 546 20 $ 19 $ 775 $ 35 $ 1,140 $ 3,772 $ 325 $ 6,086 Loans receivable: Ending Balance Ending Balance: Individually evaluated for impairment Collectively evaluated for impairment $ 61,062 $ 16,097 $ 41,552 $ 11,369 $ 215,797 $ 185,291 $27,218 $558,386 $ 2,772 $ — $ 977 $ — $ 4,358 $ 3,714 $ 47 $ 11,868 $ 58,290 $ 16,097 $ 40,575 $ 11,369 $ 211,439 $ 181,577 $27,171 $546,518 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. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the credit quality indicators, disaggregated by class of loan, are as follows: Credit Quality Indicators Real Estate Loans: Construction and land Farmland 1-4 family residential Multi-family residential Nonfarm nonresidential Commercial Consumer Total Pass December 31, 2015 Special Mention Substandard Doubtful (Dollars in thousands) Total $ 93,740 $ 8,897 104,720 24,884 281,503 157,734 28,702 $700,180 $ 79 1,300 $ — 1,824 945 12,727 22,222 396 1,094 $ 1,738 $ 97,872 8,897 112,954 26,058 312,207 185,276 29,128 39,414 $ 24,841 $ 7,957 $772,392 — 3,205 229 1,806 979 — — 3,205 — 16,171 4,341 30 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Pass December 31, 2014 Special Mention Substandard Doubtful (Dollars in thousands) Total Real Estate Loans: Construction and land Farmland 1-4 family residential Multi-family residential Nonfarm nonresidential Commercial Consumer Total $ 56,740 $ 16,097 39,702 10,463 190,356 161,904 26,654 $501,916 $ 2,069 $ — 912 906 16,410 12,087 517 642 $ 1,611 $ 61,062 16,097 — 41,552 786 11,369 — 215,797 7,812 185,291 11,254 27,218 47 32,901 $ 20,541 $ 3,028 $558,386 — 152 — 1,219 46 — 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. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, loan balances outstanding more than 90 days past due and still accruing interest amounted to $0 and $5 thousand, respectively. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, loan balances outstanding on non-accrual status amounted to $8.0 million and $3.0 million, respectively. The Bank considers all loans more than 90 days past due as nonperforming loans. 80 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) The following table reflects certain information with respect to the loan portfolio delinquencies by loan class and amount as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. All loans greater than 90 days past due are generally placed on non-accrual status. Aged Analysis of Past Due Loans Receivable December 31, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) 30-59 Days Past Due 60-89 Days Past Due Greater Than 90 Days Past Due Total Past Due Current Total Loans Receivable Recorded Investment Over 90 Days Past Due and Still Accruing Real Estate Loans: Construction and land Farmland 1-4 family residential Multi-family residential Nonfarm nonresidential Commercial Consumer Total $ — $ 10 $ — — 289 132 — — 178 1,185 78 13 — — $ 1,552 $ 333 $ 1,086 384 $ 394 $ 97,478 $ 97,872 $ 8,897 — — 8,897 1,507 111,447 112,954 26,058 26,058 1,672 310,535 312,207 91 185,185 185,276 29,128 29,128 1,779 $ 3,664 $768,728 $772,392 $ — — 309 — — — — — — — — — — — December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) 30-59 Days Past Due 60-89 Days Past Due Greater Than 90 Days Past Due Total Past Due Current Total Loans Receivable Recorded Investment Over 90 Days Past Due and Still Accruing Real Estate Loans: Construction and land Farmland 1-4 family residential Multi-family residential Nonfarm nonresidential Commercial Consumer $ — $ — $ — — — — 41 — — — — — — — Total $ 41 $ — $ Loan Receivables on Nonaccrual Status Real Estate Loans: Construction Farmland 1-4 family residential Multi-family residential Nonfarm nonresidential Commercial Consumer Total 81 182 $ 182 $ 60,880 $ 61,062 $ — 63 — 311 — — 556 $ 597 $557,789 $558,386 $ 16,097 41,552 11,369 215,797 185,291 27,218 16,097 41,489 11,369 215,486 185,250 27,218 — 63 — 311 41 — — — 5 — — — — 5 December 31, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) 2014 $ 1,738 — 3,205 229 1,806 979 — $ 7,957 $ 1,611 — 152 — 1,219 46 — $ 3,028 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) The following is a summary of information pertaining to impaired loans as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. 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 $386 thousand and $533 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. With an allowance recorded: Real Estate Loans: Construction and land Farmland 1-4 family residential Multi-family residential Nonfarm nonresidential Other Loans: Commercial Consumer With no allowance recorded: Real Estate Loans: Construction and land Farmland 1-4 family residential Multi-family residential Nonfarm nonresidential Other Loans: Commercial Consumer Total Impaired Loans: Real Estate Loans: Construction and land Farmland 1-4 family residential Multi-family residential Nonfarm nonresidential Other Loans: Commercial Consumer December 31, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance Average Recorded Investment Recorded Investment $ 1,336 — 305 — — $ 1,514 — 313 — — 504 $ — 129 — — $ 1,392 — 78 — — 975 — $ 2,616 1,653 — $ 3,480 475 — $ 1,108 908 — $ 2,378 $ 396 — 3,361 — 4,172 $ 401 — 3,898 — 5,588 $ — — — — — $ 1,530 — 1,933 — 4,062 1,251 — $ 9,180 1,255 — $11,142 — — $ — 3,368 14 $ 10,907 $ 1,732 — 3,666 — 4,172 $ 1,915 — 4,211 — 5,588 $ 504 — 129 — — $ 2,922 — 2,011 — 4,062 2,226 — $ 11,796 2,908 — $14,622 475 — $ 1,108 4,276 14 $ 13,285 82 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) With an allowance recorded: Real Estate Loans: Construction and land Farmland 1-4 family residential Multi-family residential Nonfarm nonresidential Other Loans: Commercial Consumer With no allowance recorded: Real Estate Loans: Construction and land Farmland 1-4 family residential Multi-family residential Nonfarm nonresidential Other Loans: Commercial Consumer Total Impaired Loans: Real Estate Loans: Construction and land Farmland 1-4 family residential Multi-family residential Nonfarm nonresidential Other Loans: Commercial Consumer December 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance Average Recorded Investment Recorded Investment $ 1,428 — — — — $ 1,428 — — — — $ 505 — — — — $ 1,345 — 83 — — 41 — $ 1,469 41 — $ 1,469 41 — 546 $ 3 — $ 1,431 $ 1,344 — 977 — 4,358 $ 1,344 — 1,020 — 5,264 $ — — — — — $ 1,905 — 1,090 — 5,069 3,673 47 $ 10,399 3,673 47 $11,348 — — $ — 3,753 205 $ 12,022 $ 2,772 — 977 — 4,358 $ 2,772 — 1,020 — 5,264 505 $ — — — — $ 3,250 — 1,173 — 5,069 3,714 47 $ 11,868 3,714 47 $12,817 41 — 546 $ 3,756 205 $ 13,453 83 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) The Company elected to account for certain loans acquired in the AGFC merger as acquired impaired loans under FASB ASC 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality (“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 following table presents the fair value of loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality as of the date of the AGFC merger. The expected cash flows approximated fair value as of the date of merger and, as a result, no accretable yield was recognized at acquisition. Purchased Impaired Credits: Contractually required principal and interest Nonaccretable difference Cash flows expected to be collected Accretable yield Fair value of Purchased Impaired Credits April 1, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) $ $ 11,294 6,375 4,919 — 4,919 The following table presents the changes in the carrying amount of the purchased impaired credits from the April 1, 2015 merger date to December 31, 2015. Carrying amount - April 1, 2015 (acquisition) Payments received, net Carrying amount - December 31, 2015 Purchased Impaired Credits (Dollars in thousands) $ $ 4,919 (1,285) 3,634 Total loans acquired in the AGFC merger included $142.8 million of performing loans not accounted for under ASC 310-30 which had an estimated fair value of $138.1 million as of the date of acquisition. As of December 31, 2015, the AGFC performing loans totaled $93.1 million with a related unaccreted purchase discount of $3.2 million. 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 December 31, 2015 and 2014, 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. 84 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) The following tables present informative data regarding troubled debt restructurings as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. Modifications as of December 31, 2015: Troubled Debt Restructing Real Estate Loans: 1-4 family residential Nonfarm nonresidential Other Loans: Commercial Total Loans Modifications as of December 31, 2014: Troubled Debt Restructing Real Estate Loans: Construction and land 1-4 family residential Nonfarm nonresidential Other Loans: Commercial Consumer Number of Contracts Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment (Dollars in thousands) Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment 5 3 3 11 $ $ 1,568 5,143 1,736 8,447 $ $ 1,008 3,623 1,234 5,865 Number of Contracts Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment (Dollars in thousands) Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment $ $ 1 5 5 6 2 1,586 1,519 7,201 3,888 139 1,162 973 4,047 3,658 47 9,887 Total Loans 19 $ 14,333 $ The Bank had $54 thousand in troubled debt restructurings that subsequently defaulted during the year ended December 31, 2015 and none that subsequently defaulted during the year ended December 31, 2014. 85 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Note 8 – Premises and Equipment – Bank premises and equipment at December 31, 2015 and 2014 consist of the following: Land Buildings and Leasehold Improvements Furniture and Equipment Less: Accumulated Depreciation 2015 (Dollars in thousands) 2014 $ 2,126 6,446 5,128 $ — 2,156 3,869 13,700 6,025 (4,466) (3,845) $ 9,234 $ 2,180 The provision for depreciation and amortization charged to operating expenses was $1.2 million, $810 thousand and $848 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Note 9 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets – Goodwill was acquired during the year ended December 31, 2015 as a result of the AGFC merger effective after the close of business March 31, 2015. The carrying amount of goodwill as of December 31, 2015 was $3.4 million. As discussed in Note 3, there were 53,094 unsettled appraisal rights shares as of December 31, 2015. As a result, the final cash consideration to shareholders has not been finalized. Consequently, as of December 31, 2015 goodwill is subject to refinement for up to one year after the merger date based upon additional information that may be obtained by us that existed as of the merger date. Core deposit intangibles were acquired in conjunction with the AGFC merger. A summary of the core deposit intangible asset as of December 31, 2015 is as follows: Balance, Beginning of Period Acquisition Total Core Deposit Intangible Less: Accumulated Amortization Balance, End of Period 86 December 31, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) — $ 2,762 2,762 (207) 2,555 $ BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Amortization expense on the core deposit intangible asset recorded in other expenses totaled approximately $207 thousand during the year ended December 31, 2015. The following table presents the estimated aggregate amortization expense for the periods indicated: December 31, 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Thereafter Note 10 – Deposits – Deposit accounts at December 31, 2015 and 2014 are summarized as follows: Noninterest Bearing - DDA Noninterest Bearing - Money Market Account Noninterest Bearing Deposits Interest Bearing - DDA NOW and Super NOW Accounts Money Market Accounts Savings Accounts Certificates of Deposit Over $100,000 Other Certificates of Deposit Interest Bearing Deposits Total Deposits (Dollars in thousands) $ $ 276 276 276 276 276 1,175 2,555 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands) $ 44,024 178,464 $ 35,650 73,315 222,488 108,965 26,928 15,405 329,955 36,137 184,136 89,187 9,869 3,229 241,087 — 166,771 57,331 681,748 478,287 $904,236 $587,252 Approximately 70.3% of certificates of deposit as of December 31, 2015 have stated maturity dates during 2016 and the remaining 29.7% have stated maturity dates during 2017 and beyond. Interest expense on certificates of deposit over $100 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 amounted to $1.7 million, $1.8 million and $1.6 million, respectively. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, total deposits for the top three customer relationships was approximately $126.3 million and $93.1 million, respectively, which represented 14.0% and 15.9% of total deposits, respectively. Brokered deposits were approximately $74.6 million and $86.8 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Included in these brokered deposits are public fund deposits of approximately $20.8 million and $20.9 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Other public fund deposits were approximately $146.4 million and $43.3 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 87 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Note 11 – Borrowings – The Bank had outstanding advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of $47.7 million and $15 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, consisting of: Three fixed rate loans totaling $30.0 million, at December 31, 2015, with interest rates ranging from 2.92% to 3.07%, paid monthly. Principal is due at maturity in November 2017 with quarterly call options beginning in 2008. One fixed rate loan of $2.7 million, at December 31, 2015, with interest at 3.18% paid monthly. Principal is paid monthly and matures in December 2017. One fixed rate loan of $15.0 million, at December 31, 2015 and 2014, with interest at 1.90% paid monthly. Principal is due at maturity in December 2018 with quarterly call options beginning in 2013. These advances are collateralized by the Bank’s investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock and a blanket lien on qualifying loans in the Bank’s loan portfolio consisting of performing 1-4 family mortgages and certain small business, small farm and small agriculture loans. The blanket lien totaled approximately $317.9 million at December 31, 2015 with unused availability for advances and letters of credit of approximately $194.2 million. As a result of the merger with AGFC, the Bank assumed the outstanding FHLB advances of American Gateway Bank. These advances were recorded at fair value as of acquisition, which totaled $41.2 million, and resulted in a market value adjustment of $2.0 million which is being accreted over the life of the respective advances as a reduction of interest expense on borrowings. The unaccreted market value adjustment totaled $1.4 million at December 31, 2015. The Bank has outstanding lines of credit with several of its correspondent banks available to assist in the management of short- term liquidity. These agreements provide for interest based upon the federal funds rate on the outstanding balance. Total available lines of credit as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 were $83.7 million and $84.7 million, respectively. There was no balance on these lines at December 31, 2015 and 2014. In February 2016, the Bank obtained an additional federal funds line accommodation from another correspondent bank in the amount of $22.5 million. First Tennessee Bank National Association (FTN) allows the Company to borrow on a revolving basis up to $3.0 million. This line of credit, established on September 3, 2015, is unsecured, but the Company has agreed that it will not pledge any of the capital stock of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Business First Bank, to secure any other obligation. As of December 31, 2015, there was no borrowing capacity available under the line, and $3.0 million was outstanding at a variable rate of 3-month LIBOR plus 2.5%. The rate was 2.93% as December 31, 2015, and adjusts quarterly. The FTN line matures in one year and was established for the sole purpose of repurchasing shares of the Company’s common stock from certain of its shareholders and for general corporate purposes. There was not a similar lending relationship in place as of December 31, 2014. 88 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Note 12 – Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase – At December 31, 2015, the Bank had sold various investment securities with an agreement to repurchase these securities at various times within one year. These securities generally remain under the Bank’s control and are included in securities available for sale. These securities have coupon rates of 2.0% and maturity dates in 2020. The related liability to repurchase these securities was $2.4 million at December 31, 2015. There was not a similar arrangement in place as of December 31, 2014. Note 13 – Income Taxes – The consolidated provision (credit) for income taxes consists of the following at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013: 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in thousands) Continuing Operations: Provision (Credit) for Current Taxes - Federal Provision (Credit) for Deferred Taxes $1,599 $2,128 $1,509 (493) (764) (74) Discontinued Operations: Provision (Credit) for Current Taxes - Federal $ — $ — $ 270 $1,525 $1,364 $1,016 Total Taxes: Provision (Credit) for Current Taxes - Federal Provision (Credit) for Deferred Taxes $1,599 $2,128 $1,779 (493) (764) (74) The provision (credit) for federal income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying federal statutory rates to income from operations as indicated in the following analysis at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013: $1,525 $1,364 $1,286 2015 2014 2013 Federal Statutory Income Tax at 34% Tax Exempt Income Other - Net (Dollars in thousands) $1,911 $1,835 $2,064 (719) (59) (707) 236 (559) 173 $1,525 $1,364 $1,286 89 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The net deferred tax asset at December 31, 2015 and 2014 is included in other assets. The components of the deferred tax assets (liabilities) are as follows: Allowance for Loan Losses Acquried Loans Fair Market Value Adjustment Acquired Securities Difference in Basis Amortization of Start-Up Costs Stock Warrants and Options Depreciation Interest on Acquired Nonaccrual Loans Unrealized (Gain) Loss on Securities Other Real Estate Core Deposit Intangible Acquired FHLB Debt Fair Market Value Adjustment Deferred Compensation Alternative Minimum Tax Credit Net Operating Loss Carryforward 2014 2015 (Dollars in thousands) $ 2,463 $ 2,255 — — 82 1,055 (172) — 331 73 — — 679 — — 2,631 (826) 69 1,063 (804) 47 406 147 (869) 476 907 984 88 Net Deferred Tax Asset $ 6,782 $ 4,303 The Company acquired certain deferred tax attributes and liabilities as a result of its merger with AGFC, including a net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward of $287 thousand and alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) credit carryforwards of $984 thousand. The Company is limited in the amount it may deduct against current taxable income each year. As of December 31, 2015 the NOL carryforward was $259 thousand and expires in 2033. The AMT credit carryforward was $984 thousand as of December 31, 2015 and can be carried forward indefinitely as a credit against the Company’s regular tax liability. 90 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Note 14 – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) – The following is a summary of the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014: Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities Available for Sale: Balance at Beginning of Year $ (643) $ (3,047) 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications - Net of Tax Reclassification Adjustment for (Gains) Losses Realized - Net of Tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance at End of Year (136) 2,395 (10) 9 (146) 2,404 $ (789) $ (643) Note 15 – Stockholders’ Equity and Regulatory Matters – Stockholders’ Equity of the Company includes the undistributed earnings of the Bank. The Company pays dividends from its assets, which are provided primarily by dividends from the Bank. Certain restrictions exist regarding the ability of the Bank to pay cash distributions. Louisiana statutes require approval to pay distributions in excess of a bank’s earnings in the current year plus retained net profits for the preceding year. There were no dividends declared or paid by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal and state banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum regulatory capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators, that if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s and the Bank’s financial statements. Under the regulatory capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines involving quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification under the prompt corrective action guidelines are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. Prompt corrective action provisions are not applicable to bank holding companies. Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios. As detailed below, as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Bank met all of the capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject. 91 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Bank was categorized as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To maintain categorized as well capitalized, the Bank will have to maintain minimum total capital, Tier I capital, risk-based common equity Tier I, and Tier I leverage ratios as disclosed in the table below. There are no conditions or events since the most recent notification that management believes have changed the prompt corrective action category. The following is a summary of the Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios at December 31, 2015 and 2014 which approximate the amounts and ratios for the Company (consolidated) at December 31, 2015 and 2014: Actual Amount Ratio For Capital Adequacy Purposes Amount Ratio (Dollars in thousands) To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Ratio Amount $115,828 12.17% $ 76,159 8.00% $95,199 10.00% 8.00% $108,584 11.41% $ 57,120 6.00% $76,159 6.50% $108,584 11.41% $ 42,840 4.50% $61,879 5.00% $108,584 10.17% $ 42,703 4.00% $53,379 $ 83,637 12.96% $ 51,615 8.00% $64,519 10.00% 6.00% $ 77,005 11.94% $ 25,808 4.00% $38,711 5.00% $ 77,005 10.87% $ 28,341 4.00% $35,426 December 31, 2015: Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) Tier I Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) Tier I Leveraged Capital (to Average Assets) December 31, 2014: Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) Tier I Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) Tier I Leveraged Capital (to Average Assets) Note 16 – Stock Based Compensation – Stock Warrants In connection with the organization of the Company and the Bank, stock warrants were issued to organizers. The warrants may be exercised by the holders for the purchase of 101,000 shares of common stock of the Company at the exercise price of $10 per share (warrant). The warrants were fully vested on February 1, 2011 and were to expire in 2016. The warrant agreements were subsequently amended effective February 1, 2016 to extend the expiration time to February 2, 2019, with $48 thousand of compensation cost to be recognized on the effective date. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, warrants for 89,125 shares at a weighted average exercise price of $10.00 were outstanding. At December 31, 2015, warrants for 89,125 shares were exercisable, and there were no nonvested shares and no unrecognized compensation. Using the Black-Scholes pricing model for the 89,125 shares (warrants) outstanding, the calculated value of $2.50 per share (warrant) was estimated on the date of grant using the following assumptions: expected dividends of 1%, expected life or term of 6.5 years, risk-free interest rate of 5.04%, and expected volatility of 13.19%. The expected volatility was estimated considering the historical volatility of an appropriate industry sector. 92 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Stock Options The Company has a stock option plan with 1,500,000 shares available to be granted as options under the plan. Under the provisions of the plan, the option price cannot be less than the fair value of the underlying common stock as of option grant date, and the maximum option term cannot exceed ten years. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, total options of 42,800 and 45,900 were granted, respectively, to officers and other key employees. The stock options granted were issued at an exercise price of $17.11 per share with a vesting period of three years. Compensation expense of approximately $198 thousand and $485 thousand was recognized in 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the calculated value of the various share-based awards with the following assumptions for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Risk-Free Interest Rate Expected Dividend Yield Expected Volatility Expected Life in Years Weighted Average Calculated Value of Options Granted 2015 1.44% 0.00% 29.39% 5 years 4.87 $ 2014 1.66% - 1.76% 0.00% 29.38% - 31.10% 5 years $5.20 The following is an analysis of the activity related to the stock options: Outstanding Options, December 31, 2014 Granted Exercised Forfeited or Expired Number of Options 952,120 42,800 — (41,640) Outstanding Options, December 31, 2015 953,280 $ Weighted Average Exercise Price 12.50 17.11 $ 15.21 12.59 At December 31, 2015, options for 814,530 shares at a weighted average exercise price of $12.26 were vested and exercisable, and there were 138,750 nonvested options and approximately $541 thousand of unrecognized compensation costs related to these options which is expected to be recognized in the future. 93 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Note 17 – Employee Benefit Plans – Defined Contribution Plan The Bank has a defined contribution plan qualified under Internal Revenue Code 401(K) for those employees who meet the eligibility requirements. Contributions may be made by eligible employees subject to Internal Revenue Service limits. The Bank contributes a matching contribution up to 4% of wages which totaled $351 thousand, $274 thousand and $283 thousand and is included in salaries and employees benefits for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Deferred Compensation The Company has established certain unfunded nonqualified deferred compensation agreements for the purpose of providing deferred compensation as retirement benefits for a select group of management. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had recorded accrued liabilities of $2.4 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The expense related to the deferred compensation agreements was $336 thousand, $300 thousand and $250 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Note 18 – Other Expenses – An analysis of Other Expenses is as follows for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014: Business Development Communications Ad Valorem Shares Tax Data Processing Fees Directors Fees Insurance Legal and Professional Fees Office Supplies and Printing Regulatory Assessments Taxes and Licenses Nonrecurring Merger and Conversion Costs Other 94 2015 2014 2013 (Dollars in thousands) $ 805 469 669 1,141 325 284 1,980 437 880 10 1,149 2,274 $ 526 286 540 699 366 168 1,193 147 425 21 — 1,119 $ 499 326 551 601 235 183 1,034 260 1,094 28 — 1,925 $10,423 $5,490 $6,736 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Note 19 – Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk – 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 $176.8 million and standby and commercial letters of credit of approximately $9.2 million at December 31, 2015. Note 20 – Concentrations of Credit – The majority of the Bank’s business activities are with customers in the Bank’s market area, which consists primarily of East and West Baton Rouge, Bossier, Caddo, St. Tammany, Lafayette, Calcasieu, Terrebonne, Jefferson and adjacent parishes. The majority of such customers are depositors of the Bank. The concentrations of credit by type of loan are shown in Note 7. The Bank, as a matter of policy, does not extend credit to any single borrower or group of related borrowers in excess of the Bank’s legal lending limits. Most of the Bank’s credits are to individuals and businesses secured by real estate. A substantial portion of their ability to pay on their debt is dependent on the local economy and industries in the areas. Within the loan portfolio, the Bank has a concentration of credits secured by real estate. The Bank had extended credit secured by non-farm non-residential real estate totaling approximately $312.2 million and $215.8 million, which accounted for 40.4% and 38.6% of total loans at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Additionally, the Bank had extended credit secured by construction and land development totaling approximately $97.9 million and $61.1 million, respectively; these loans represented 12.7% and 10.9% of total loans at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Bank maintains amounts on deposit and federal funds sold with correspondent banks which may periodically exceed the federally insured amount. Note 21 – Commitments – Leases The Bank leases certain branch offices through non-cancelable operating leases with terms that range from four to ten years and contain various renewal options for certain of the leases. Rental expense under these agreements was $1.4 million, $1.2 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 95 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Future minimum lease payments under these leases are as follows: December 31, 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 and Thereafter (Dollars in thousands) 1,344 $ 1,157 1,063 948 5,794 $ 10,306 SBIC Capital Commitment The SBIC is a program initiated by the Small Business Administration (SBA) in 1958 to assist in the funding of small business loans. The program is a joint venture between investors with venture capital, the SBA, and small business borrowers. Investors are responsible for funding the first portion of the capital requirements with the remaining requirement being funded by the SBA. The funds are then lent to small business borrowers. The Bank has agreed to participate as an investor with McLarty Capital Partners SBIC, L.P. (McLarty) and Bluehenge Capital Secured Debt SBIC, L.P. (Bluehenge); details of these commitments at December 31, 2015 are below. Total Capital Commitment Capital Called Remaining Unfunded Capital Commitment Federal Home Loan Bank Letters of Credit McLarty Bluehenge (Dollars in thousands) $2,000 $1,272 $ 728 $ 1,500 $ 254 $ 1,246 The Bank had outstanding letters of credit on behalf of others from the FHLB of $76.0 million and $16.0 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The outstanding letters of credit as of December 31, 2015 are as follows: One letter of credit of $11.0 million expires in March 2016. One letter of credit of $5.0 million expires in May 2016. One letter of credit of $35.0 million expires in June 2016. One letter of credit of $25.0 million expires in June 2016. 96 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Note 22 – Related Party Transactions – In the ordinary course of business, the Bank has granted loans to directors, officers and their affiliates. Such loans were made on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other customers. Such loans amounted to $22.0 million and $28.7 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The activity in loans to directors, officers and their affiliates is as follows: Balance - Beginning of Year New Loans Repayments Balance - End of Year 2014 2015 (Dollars in thousands) $ 28,664 5,602 (12,262) $ 39,202 18,756 (29,294) $ 22,004 $ 28,664 Related party deposits totaled $10.0 million and $19.3 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Note 23 – 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. 97 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) 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 following tables present the balance of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. The Company did not record any liabilities at fair value for which measurement of the fair value was made on a recurring basis. December 31, 2015 Available for Sale: U.S. Government Agency Securities Corporate Securities Mortgage-Backed Securities Municipal Securities Other Securities Total December 31, 2014 Available for Sale: U.S. Government Agency Securities Corporate Securities Mortgage-Backed Securities Municipal Securities Other Securities Fair Value $ 13,667 11,072 119,070 66,441 607 $210,857 $ 9,142 — 34,026 30,660 675 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) (Dollars in thousands) $ $ $ $ $ $ — — — — — $ 13,667 11,072 119,070 66,441 607 — $210,857 — — — — — $ 9,142 — 34,026 30,660 675 — — — — — — — — — — — — Total $ 74,503 $ — $ 74,503 $ 98 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) 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 table below. The Company did not record any liabilities at fair value for which measurement of the fair value was made on a nonrecurring basis. 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. December 31, 2015 Assets: Impaired Loans Repossessed Assets Total December 31, 2014 Assets: Impaired Loans Repossessed Assets Total Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) (Dollars in thousands) $ $ $ $ — — $ 14,224 2,033 — $ 16,257 — — $ 11,322 3,028 — $ 14,350 $ $ $ $ — — — — — — Fair Value $ 14,224 2,033 $ 16,257 $ 11,322 3,028 $ 14,350 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. 99 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) 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. 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. 100 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) The estimated approximate fair values of the Bank’s financial instruments as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: Carrying Amount Total Fair Value Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) (Dollars in thousands) Significant Other Significant Observable Unobservable Inputs (Level 2) Inputs (Level 3) December 31, 2015 Financial Assets: Cash and Short-Term Investments Securities Loans - Net Cash Value of BOLI Other Equity Securities $ 43,407 $ 210,857 765,148 22,339 5,350 43,407 $ 210,857 761,241 22,339 5,350 43,407 $ — $ — — — — 210,857 — 22,339 — — — 761,241 — 5,350 Financial Liabilities: Deposits Borrowings December 31, 2014 Financial Assets: $1,047,101 $1,043,194 $ 43,407 $233,196 $ 766,591 $ 904,236 $ 897,771 $ 54,579 54,561 — $ — $ 897,771 — — 54,561 $ 958,815 $ 952,332 $ — $ 54,561 $ 897,771 Cash and Short-Term Investments Securities Loans - Net Cash Value of BOLI Other Equity Securities $ 26,832 $ 74,503 551,754 17,376 1,799 26,832 $ 74,503 551,037 17,376 1,799 26,832 $ — $ — — — — 74,503 — 17,376 — — — 551,037 — 1,799 Financial Liabilities: Deposits Borrowings $ 672,264 $ 671,547 $ 26,832 $ 91,879 $ 552,836 $ 587,252 $ 581,239 $ 15,000 14,986 — $ — $ 581,239 — — 14,986 $ 602,252 $ 596,225 $ — $ 14,986 $ 581,239 101 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Note 24 – Litigation and Contingencies – In conjunction with the AGFC merger, certain shareholders exercised their statutory rights of appraisal. As of December 31, 2015 there were 53,094 unsettled AGFC shares. The AGFC purchase price reflected in these financial statements includes a cash payment of $155 per AGFC share to the unsettled former AGFC shareholders, which represents the amount the Company estimated to be the fair value of the former AGFC shareholders’ AGFC shares. The former AGFC shareholders are disputing the Company’s determination of fair value, and have requested a cash merger consideration payment of $263 per AGFC share. As calculated in accordance with the merger agreement, the actual AGFC merger consideration to the former AGFC shareholders was valued at $219.94 per AGFC share, with $10 paid in cash and the remainder in shares of the Company’s common stock. As a result, the fair value of the AGFC shares relative to the unsettled appraisal rights shares is currently in litigation, with a trial date set for May 2016. Discovery is ongoing and the amount of the ultimate settlement cannot be reasonably estimated as of the date of these financial statements. Any legal costs associated with defense of this litigation are being expensed as incurred. Other 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 25 – Subsequent Events – The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date which the financial statements were available to be issued. This evaluation did not result in any subsequent events that required disclosures and /or adjustments under general accounting standards. 102 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) Note 26 – Financial Statements – Parent Company Only – The balance sheets and statements of income for Business First Bancshares, Inc. (Parent Company) are as follows: BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2015 AND 2014 (Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Assets: Cash Investment in Subsidiaries Other Assets Total Assets Liabilities: Short Term Borrowings Accrued Interest Payable Other Liabilities Total Liabilities Stockholders’ Equity: Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Retained Earnings Total Stockholders’ Equity Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity 103 $ 359 $ 113,265 1,906 950 76,362 1,533 $115,530 $78,845 $ 3,000 $ — — 21 — 60 3,081 — 7,036 85,913 19,500 5,315 57,225 16,305 112,449 78,845 $115,530 $78,845 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands) STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015, 2014 AND 2013 (Dollars in thousands) Income: Interest Expenses: Other Operating Expenses 2015 2014 2013 $ 1 $ 4 $ 4 1,437 1,095 653 Income (Loss) before Income Taxes and Equity in Undistributed Net Income of Subsidiaries (1,436) (1,091) Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (474) (371) (649) (221) Income (Loss) before Equity in Undistributed Net Income of Subsidiaries Equity in Undistributed Net Income of Subsidiaries Net Income (962) (720) (428) 5,058 4,753 5,213 $ 4,096 $ 4,033 $4,785 104 ITEM 9. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures. Not applicable. ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. Disclosure Controls and Procedures Our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2015. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2015. Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include a report of management’s assessment regarding internal control over financial reporting or an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm as permitted due to a transition period established by rules of the SEC for newly public companies. Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting There were no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d- 15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2015, that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting. ITEM 9B. Other Information. Not applicable. 105 ITEM 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance. General PART III Our board of directors and the board of directors of Business First Bank are each made up of the same 16 individuals. Our directors are elected by shareholders at our annual shareholders’ meeting. The elected directors hold office until the next annual meeting, or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Our executive officers are appointed by and serve at the discretion of our board of directors. The directors of Business First Bank are elected by us, as the sole shareholder of Business First Bank, each year and they hold office for a term of one year or until their successors are chosen and qualified. The executive officers of Business First Bank are appointed by and serve at the discretion of its board of directors. The following table sets forth the current directors and executive officers of Business First and Business First Bank: Name (Age) Lloyd Benny Alford (70) John Graves (74) Robert S. Greer Jr. (68) David L. Laxton III (66) Rolfe Hood McCollister Jr. (60) Andrew D. McLindon (55) David R. (“Jude”) Melville III (41) Patrick E. Mockler (47) David A. Montgomery (55) Arthur Price (50) Fayez K. Shamieh (70) C. Stewart Slack (60) Kenneth Smith (53) Thomas Everett Stewart Jr. (61) Steve White (56) Robert Yarborough (62) Robert Bond (54) Title/Position with Business First Director Director Director, Chairman Director Director Director Director, President and Chief Executive Officer Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director None Position Since May 2012 May 2012 May 2012 June 2015 August 2005 May 2012 March 2011 (1) May 2012 May 2012 May 2012 May 2012 May 2012 May 2012 August 2005 May 2012 May 2012 N/A Steven Champney (50) Treasurer January 2009 Don Hingle (55) Gregory Robertson (44) Philip Jordan (43) None None None N/A N/A N/A Title/Position with Business First Bank Director Director Director, Chairman Director Director Director Director, President and Chief Executive Officer Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Executive Vice President, Capital Region Chief Executive Officer Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Executive Vice President, Southeastern Region Chief Executive Officer Executive Vice President, Chief Banking Officer Executive Vice President, Western Region Chief Executive Officer Position Since February 2006 July 2006 April 2010 June 2015 August 2005 April 2006 March 2011(1) March 2006 December 2007 December 2008 January 2010 December 2007 December 2011 August 2005 April 2010 August 2006 June 2009 August 2008 July 2009 July 2015 July 2015(2) (1) Mr. Melville has been with the bank since its inception in February 2006, previously serving as its Chief Administrative Officer. He was promoted to the position of Chief Executive Officer in March 2011. (2) The board of directors reviewed the current duties and responsibility of Mr. Jordan as Executive Vice President, Western Region Chief Executive Officer, and designated him as an “executive officer” of Business First in February 2016. Board of Directors and Executive Officers A brief description of the background of each of our directors and executive officers is set forth below. There are no arrangements between us and any person pursuant to which such person has been elected as a director. No director or executive officer has any family relationship, as defined in Item 401 of Regulation S-K, with any other director or executive officer or director. Since the filing of our Special Financial Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, there have been no material changes to the procedures by which our shareholders may recommend nominees to our board of directors. 106 Lloyd Benny Alford. Benny Alford serves as a director for Business First and Business First Bank. Mr. Alford owns and operates Benny’s Car Wash & Oil Change, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was first employed by the car wash in 1964, and took over the operation from his father in 1970. He has since expanded services to include convenience stores and has opened six locations and anticipates opening a seventh location in the near future. Mr. Alford brings to our board of directors valuable knowledge and experience relating to the ownership and management of small businesses. John Graves. John Graves serves as a director for Business First and Business First Bank. Mr. Graves is President of Evans-Graves Engineers, Inc., in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and has served as the firm’s President since 1986. Mr. Graves holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Louisiana State University. He previously represented East Baton Rouge Parish on the Regional Planning Commission for 26 years, and he presently serves as Chairman of the Civil and Environmental Engineering External Advisory Board at LSU. He also currently serves on the board of directors for Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation. Mr. Graves brings entrepreneurial and business building skills and experience to our board of directors. He also provides valuable insight and experience as a result of his service on the boards of directors for other companies and institutions. Robert S. Greer, Jr. Mr. Greer serves as Chairman of the Board of Business First and Business First Bank. Mr. Greer previously served as President of multiple insurance companies during his career. He retired in 2013 from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer of LEMIC Insurance Company, a workers’ compensation insurer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Greer served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of LEMIC Insurance Company since 2001. Mr. Greer holds a bachelor’s degree in insurance from Louisiana State University. Mr. Greer also currently serves as a director of Starmount Life Insurance and as a director of Woman’s Hospital. Mr. Greer benefits our board of directors through his extensive business knowledge and experience in the insurance industry as well as with valuable insight gained through his service on other boards of directors. His commitment to our success is also demonstrated by his service as its Chairman of the Board. David L. Laxton, III. David L. Laxton, III serves as a director for Business First and Business First Bank. Mr. Laxton has over 35 years of experience in the energy and distribution industries. He was one of the founders of Edgen Group Inc., a global supplier of specialty pipe, fittings, plates, valves and structural steels to the energy industry. He served from its founding in 1996 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer until his retirement in 2014. During his tenure, he supervised the acquisition of more than a dozen companies located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Dubai and Singapore. He also co-led Edgen’s initial public offering and listing on the New York Stock Exchange, and managed over $2.0 billion in company, bank and public market debt offerings. In addition to his experience in the energy industry, Mr. Laxton served on the board of directors of American Gateway Bank from 1996 until its 2015 merger with Business First Bank. While on that board, he served as Chairman for five years and also as Chairman of the Audit Committee. Our board of directors believes that it will benefit from Mr. Laxton’s valuable corporate and banking experience, as well as from his specific knowledge regarding the markets and customers served by the recently acquired American Gateway Bank. Rolfe Hood McCollister, Jr. Rolfe McCollister, Jr. serves as a director for Business First and Business First Bank. Mr. McCollister is the founder of Louisiana Business, Inc., which publishes Greater Baton Rouge Business Report (started in 1982), 225 magazine, inRegister magazine, Daily Report online news, Louisiana NEXT, Welcome magazine, 10/12 Industry Report and other specialty publications. Louisiana Business, Inc., also produces the Baton Rouge Business Awards and Hall of Fame, Influential Women in Business, the Louisiana Business Symposium, Forty Under 40 and several other annual events. Mr. McCollister is a graduate of Louisiana State University and currently serves as a board member of the LSU System Board of Supervisors. His business management experience, previous service on the board of directors of three banks, and many community contacts enable him to make valuable contributions to our board of directors. Andrew D. McLindon. Andrew McLindon serves as a director for Business First and Business First Bank. Mr. McLindon has served since 1989 as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mainspring Companies, LLC, a management firm that oversees operations for the following companies: MBD Construction, a commercial construction firm; MBD Maintenance, a commercial building maintenance company; MBD Automation, a automated equipment installation provider; Genlease, a provider of emergency power solutions; McLindon Development, a real estate development company; and 4 Real Estate Services, a property management company. Mr. McLindon earned a bachelor’s degree in construction management from Louisiana State University. Mr. McLindon brings executive decision-making, leadership and risk assessment skills to our board of directors as a result of his experience in the construction industry. His experience in real estate development and construction also benefit our board of directors. David R. Melville III. David R. “Jude” Melville, III serves as a director, president, and Chief Executive Officer of Business First and Business First Bank. Mr. Melville has served in these capacities since 2011 and has served in various management roles since the Bank’s inception in 2006. Prior to serving in the banking industry, Mr. Melville served as a captain in the United States Air Force. Mr. Melville earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies from Harvard College and a Master’s of Science degree in Management from the London School of Economics. Mr. Melville is also a 2007 graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. He is active in the not for profit community, serving at various times as Treasurer of the United Way of Northwest Louisiana, Vice-Chairman of Woody’s Home for Veterans, Treasurer of Iris Women’s Domestic Violence Shelter, and as a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), the Committee of 100, and on the board of Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI). 107 Patrick E. Mockler. Patrick Molker serves as a director for Business First and Business First Bank. Mr. Mockler has served as President of Mockler Beverage Company, ALP since 2007, and has been a partner of Mockler Beverage Company, ALP since 1995. Mr. Mockler holds a bachelor’s degree in international trade and finance from Louisiana State University. He has also served as a partner of New Orleans Eagle Investments, LLC since 2009. Mr. Mockler is an active participant in his community, having served in various capacities on over a dozen non-profit boards. Currently Mr. Mockler serves on the Louisiana Workers Compensation Corporation board and as the Treasurer and Secretary of the Baton Rouge Area Sports Foundation board. Mr. Mockler brings valuable business management skills and key relationships to our board of directors. David A. Montgomery. David Montgomery serves as a director for Business First and Business First Bank. Mr. Montgomery has served as Vice President of Montgomery Agency, Inc., an independent insurance agency, since 1990. Mr. Montgomery is a Certified Public Accountant and he is currently a councilman at large with Bossier City, Louisiana. He also served for 14 years as the Chairman of the Budget Committee for the Bossier City Council. Since 1996, Mr. Montgomery has served on the Finance Committee for North Louisiana Volunteers of America. Mr. Montgomery holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Louisiana State University. Mr. Montgomery brings extensive knowledge of the insurance and accounting industries to our board of directors. He also provides valuable knowledge and insight derived from his service for civic and governmental organizations. Arthur Price. Arthur Price serves as a director for Business First and Business First Bank. Mr. Price has served as Vice President, Finance / CFO for Badger Oil Corporation for over twenty years. Badger Oil and its affiliates participate in the exploration, drilling and production of crude oil and natural gas, with primary operations in the Louisiana Gulf Coast region and the Outer Continental Shelf of the Gulf of Mexico. Prior to joining Badger Oil, Mr. Price worked as an oil and gas accountant with a specialized firm located in Lafayette, Louisiana. As a senior member of the oil and gas community, Mr. Price is an active board member of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, where he is a current member of the Executive Committee. Mr. Price is also a former member of the board of The Lafayette Petroleum Club, having served as Treasurer and President. Mr. Price received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now The University of Louisiana, Lafayette) in 1989 and is a Certified Public Accountant. Fayez K. Shamieh, M.D. Dr. Fayez Shamieh serves as a director for Business First and Business First Bank. Dr. Shamieh is a physician specializing in neurology. In 1979, Dr. Shamieh founded Neuro Associates in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and has been a senior member at the clinic since that time. Dr. Shamieh earned a degree in medicine from Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt. He completed his Neurology Residency and a fellowship in Neurophysiology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Dr. Shamieh has been a member of a nonprofit organization called Physicians for Peace, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, where for the past 22 years the volunteer members from all over the United States provide and enhance the up to date advances and the teaching to the medical communities of the needy countries all over the world. In addition to treating the most difficult and complicated cases, these volunteers carry with them donated equipment and huge amount of medicine. Dr. Shamieh concentrated and led the medical missions to the Palestinian West Bank and the area of the Holy Land at least once or twice a year. He currently serves as a counselor for Southern Medical Associates and has previously served on the board of directors for the Louisiana State Medical Society. Dr. Shamieh brings entrepreneurial and business building skills and experience to our board of directors, having successfully managed his own medical clinic for over thirty years. He also has valuable connections within the business and medical communities we serve. C. Stewart Slack. Stewart Slack serves as a director for Business First and Business First Bank. Mr. Slack currently serves as Vice President of Business Development for KDC Real Estate Development & Investments, a national real estate development company. From 1998 to 2013 Mr. Slack was a partner in Slack-Alost Development, a regional real estate development company. Mr. Slack also served as founder and President of Slack Alost Architecture from 1985 to 2013. Mr. Slack served as a director for Premier Bank, later Bank One, from 1989 to 2000. Mr. Slack serves on the board of directors for the LSU Honors College, and was the state- wide fund raising chairman for the national “Forever LSU” endowment fund campaign. For almost 20 years he served on the board of directors for The One Foundation, a North Louisiana philanthropic fund supporting non-profits. Mr. Slack was also a long time board member and past President of The Strand Theater Corporation, board of directors for the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, Committee of 100, and the LSU Health Sciences Center Foundation Board. In 2000, Mr. Slack was appointed to a six year term on the LSU Board of Supervisors and was elected Chairman in 2004. Mr. Slack obtained a professional degree in Architecture from Louisiana State University. He has extensive business knowledge and experience in real estate, architecture and construction. His experience, combined with his service on other boards of directors, benefits us. Most notably, Mr. Slack brings to our board of directors over ten years of prior experience as a bank director. Kenneth Smith. Kenneth Smith serves as a director for Business First and Business First Bank. Mr. Smith is President and Chief Executive Officer of T. Baker Smith, LLC, a professional services firm that provides planning, environmental, surveying, engineering, and construction management services. Mr. Smith has been with T. Baker Smith, LLC since 1980. He also serves as 108 Managing Partner for the following companies: TBS Holding, LLC, a real-estate holding company; Four C’s of Houma, LLC, a personal investment company; and Mega Beast Commercial Realty, a commercial real estate company. Mr. Smith serves as President for the Louisiana Pipeliners Association, past President of South Central Industrial Association, and he currently serves as a member of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association and Louisiana Association of Business & Industry. Mr. Smith earned a degree in civil engineering from Louisiana Tech University. He brings extensive business skills and experience to our board of directors, having successfully managed his own business for many years. Mr. Smith is also an active leader in his community and serves on the boards of many civic organizations. His many professional and community contacts benefit our board of directors. Thomas Everett Stewart, Jr. Everett Stewart serves as a director for Business First and Business First Bank. Mr. Stewart has been retired since 2009. From 1988 to 2009, he served as President of Interstate Logos, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lamar Advertising Company. Mr. Stewart also served as a board member of Lamar Advertising Company for several years, and he served on the board of The Business Bank of Baton Rouge for two years. Mr. Stewart earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Auburn University. He has extensive business knowledge and brings years of experience managing a subsidiary of a publicly-traded company to our board of directors. Steve White. Steve White serves as a director for Business First and Business First Bank. Mr. White has served as the Business Manager for the William A. Robinson Trust since January of 2009. He also serves as a member of the board of directors of Bear Creek Services, an oil and gas venture with development and production in an approximate four-state area. Mr. White’s previous work experiences include serving in roles as President, Senior Vice President, and other executive roles in U.S. and international logistic businesses. He also served as a Chief Operations Officer in the home health and hospice industry. Mr. White graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor of Science degree in petroleum engineering in 1985. Mr. White’s experience in asset management and his knowledge of the oil and gas industry are valuable to our board of directors. Robert Yarborough. Mr. Yarborough serves as a director for Business First and Business First Bank. Mr. Yarborough is the Chief Executive Officer and co-owner of Manda Fine Meats, a meat processing company headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Mr. Yarborough has been with Manda Fine Meats since 1976. He earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Louisiana State University. Mr. Yarborough has served as a director for a number of non-profits and business associations, and currently serves as a board member of the LSU System Board of Supervisors. Mr. Yarborough brings leadership, business knowledge and valuable community contacts to our board of directors through his long experience in managing a business and through his service on various other boards. Steven Champney. Steven Champney has served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Business First Bank since 2008. He has worked in financial management positions within the banking industry since 1990, including four years as a consultant to Louisiana area banks for Arthur Andersen, LLP. Mr. Champney earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA from the University of Southern Mississippi. Robert Bond. Mr. Bond is the Executive Vice President and Capital Region Chief Executive Officer of Business First Bank. He has been with Business First Bank since 2009. Prior to joining Business First Bank, Mr. Bond worked for JP Morgan Chase Bank, NA for 14 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business and public administration and an MBA from Louisiana State University. Gregory Robertson. Mr. Robertson serves as the Chief Banking Officer of Business First Bank. He has been in the banking business since 1996. Mr. Robertson worked at City Savings Bank and Trust Co. from 1996 to 2011, where he served in many capacities, including branch manager, commercial lender, program manager for City Savings Financial Services, and Senior Vice President. As Chief Banking Officer for Business First Bank, he leads the unified production team that includes the bank’s three geographic regions, as well as wealth management, treasury management, mortgage lending, credit administration, and loan documentation functions. Mr. Robertson graduated from Northwestern State University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Don Hingle. Don Hingle has been with Business First Bank since July 2009 and currently serves as the Executive Vice President of the Southeastern Region, which includes Houma, Covington and New Orleans. Prior to his promotion to Executive Vice President in February of 2014, Mr. Hingle served as the Regional President of Business First Bank’s Bayou Region (Houma Market). Mr. Hingle manages all aspects of the banking centers in the above-described markets, and all market Presidents report to him. Mr. Hingle is also responsible for managing business development and operations in the markets he oversees. Mr. Hingle holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of New Orleans. Philip Jordan. Mr. Jordan has been with Business First Bank since August 2008 and currently serves as the Western Region Chief Executive Officer which includes the southwest, northwest and Lafayette areas of Louisiana. Prior to his promotion to Executive Vice President in July 2015, Mr. Jordan served as Regional President of Business First Bank’s Northwest Louisiana division. Mr. Jordan manages all aspects of the banking centers within the Western Region, and all market Presidents report to him. He is also responsible for managing all business development activities and operations for the markets within his region. Mr. Jordan holds a Finance degree from Louisiana Tech University. 109 Corporate Governance Principles and Code of Ethics We are committed to having sound corporate governance principles, both at the holding company level and at Business First Bank. Such principles are essential to running our business efficiently and to maintaining our integrity in the marketplace. We have adopted a set of corporate governance guidelines that embodies these principles. We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all officers, directors, and employees, in accordance with applicable SEC rules. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted on our Internet website (www.b1bank.com) under the Shareholder Information page. Director Independence The Audit Committee of our board of directors has determined that a majority of our directors are independent, as that term is defined below. The Audit Committee has determined that Mr. Melville is not independent, because he is an employee of Business First Bank. The Audit Committee annually reviews relationships that exist between Business First and each director and his or her related interests for the purpose of determining whether the director is independent. The full board conducts this review on directors serving as members of the Audit Committee. A director is presumed to be independent unless the director (or his or her immediate family members): • • • has been an employee or executive of Business First or Business First Bank at any time during the last three years; has been an employee or partner of Business First’s independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the last three years; is an owner, partner, employee or director of an entity with material relationships (i.e., makes payments to, or receives payments from, Business First or Business First Bank which exceed the greater of $500,000 or 2% of the entity’s gross revenues) with Business First or Business First Bank, either as a vendor or customer, except in situations where revenues are generated as a result of a competitive bid process in which the board of directors determines the business relationship is in the best interest of Business First; or • receives more than $100,000 per year in direct compensation from Business First, other than director and related fees. The Audit Committee does not consider any additional transactions below the threshold amount of $100,000 in determining whether any director is independent. Audit Committee Our board of directors has established an Audit Committee to assist it in fulfilling its responsibilities for general oversight of the integrity of our consolidated financial statements, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independent auditors’ qualifications and independence, the performance of independent auditors and our internal audit function, and risk assessment and risk management. Our board of directors has determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee satisfies the independence and other composition requirements of the SEC. Members of our audit committee include: • • • • • Patrick E. Mockler David A. Montgomery Thomas Everett Stewart, Jr. Steve White Robert Yarborough Our board of directors has determined that David Montgomery qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, and has the requisite accounting or related financial expertise required by applicable SEC rules. 110 ITEM 11. Executive Compensation. Business First’s named executive officers for 2015, which consist of its principal executive officer and the two other most highly compensated executive officers, are: • • • David R. (“Jude”) Melville III, Business First’s and Business First Bank’s President and Chief Executive Officer; Steven Champney, Business First’s Treasurer and Business First Bank’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; and Robert Bond, Business First Bank’s Executive Vice President, Capital Region Chief Executive Officer. Summary Compensation Table The following table provides information regarding the compensation of our named executive officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. The compensation shown on the table below is paid to such employees by Business First Bank. Name and Principal Position David R. (“Jude”) Melville III President and Chief Executive Officer Steven Champney Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Robert Bond Executive Vice President, Capital Region Chief Executive Officer Year ($) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Salary ($) $ 350,000 274,500 $ $ 252,585 247,632 $ 2015 2014 250,000 $ 230,000 $ Option Awards ($) — — — — — — $ $ $ $ $ $ Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) 210,000 100,000 (2) (3) All Other Comp.(1) ($) 42,665 43,242 $ $ 63,250 62,000 (2) (3) $ $ 42,665 43,235 Total ($) 602,665 417,742 $ $ $ $ 358,500 352,867 65,000 62,000 (2) (3) $ $ 39,764 32,923 $ $ 354,764 324,923 1. All Other Compensation for the named executive officers includes the total of the benefits and perquisites in the table below. 2. 3. Paid in 2016 for service in 2015. Paid in 2015 for service in 2014. Named Executive Officer David R. (“Jude”) Melville III Steven Champney Robert Bond 111 Year ($) 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 Car Allowance $ $ $ $ $ $ 10,728 10,728 10,728 10,728 10,728 10,728 Health & Welfare Plan Premiums 19,937 $ 20,514 $ 19,937 $ 20,506 $ 17,036 $ 17,695 $ Club Dues $ 12,000 $ 12,000 12,000 $ 12,000 $ 12,000 $ 4,500 $ Total $ 42,665 43,242 $ 42,665 $ 43,234 $ $ 39,764 32,923 $ Outstanding equity awards at 2015 fiscal year-end The following table provides information regarding outstanding equity awards held by each of our named executive officers on December 31, 2015. Options Awards Name David R. (“Jude”) Melville III Steven Champney Robert Bond Grant Date 05/17/2011 12/22/2006 7/17/2006(3) 09/01/2008 05/17/2011 07/19/2010 06/15/2009 Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#) 100,000 85,600 500 40,000 40,000 11,250 4,500 Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable (#) — 6,800 — 10,000 — 11,250 3,000 (1) Options vest over a period of 4 years following the date of grant. (2) Options vest over a period of ten years following the date of grant. (3) Represents warrants to purchase shares of our common stock. (4) Warrants vest over a period of 5 years following the date of grant. Employment Agreements Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) 100,000(1) $ 92,400(2) $ 500(4) $ 50,000(2) $ 40,000(1) $ 22,500(2) $ 7,500(2) $ Option Exercise Price ($) Option Expiration Date 15 05/17/2021 10 12/22/2016 10 02/01/2016 12 09/01/2018 15 05/17/2021 15 07/19/2020 15 06/15/2019 Business First Bank is a party to employment agreements with certain of its named executive officers and certain of its other employees. With respect to its named executive officers, Business First Bank has entered into an employment agreement with each of David (“Jude”) Melville III and Steven Champney. A summary description of the employment agreements with each of these named executive officers is set forth below. David Melville, III. Business First Bank has entered into an employment agreement with David (“Jude”) Melville, III regarding his service as its Chief Executive Officer. The employment agreement with Mr. Melville provides for an automatically renewing one- year term unless Business First Bank gives notice to Mr. Melville at least 90 days prior to the end of the term that the term will not be extended. The agreement, as amended, provides for Mr. Melville to receive a base salary of not less than $274,500 annually, as well as for Mr. Melville’s participation in benefit plans and incentive bonus plans offered by Business First Bank. Mr. Melville is also entitled to paid vacation, a vehicle allowance, a country club membership and health insurance. If Mr. Melville’s employment is terminated by Business First Bank without cause (as defined in the agreement) during the term of the agreement or if Mr. Melville terminates is his employment for good reason (as defined in the agreement), he will be entitled to payment of an amount equal to two times his then current annual base salary, plus certain continued benefits to which he would otherwise be entitled in accordance with the terms and provisions of any such plans or programs. In addition, if, following a change- in-control (as defined in the agreement) of Business First or Business First Bank, Mr. Melville remains employed for a 12 month period, he will be permitted to terminate his employment for any reason within 90 days of the end of such 12 month period and receive compensation as if he had terminated his employment for good reason. Mr. Melville would also be provided with a tax “gross-up” payment if any of the payments above subject him to certain excise taxes. Steven Champney. Business First Bank has entered into an employment agreement with Steven Champney regarding his service as its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. The employment agreement with Mr. Champney provides for a term ending August 31, 2018; provided, that the agreement renews for an additional two years at the end of the term (and each extension of the term) unless Business First Bank gives notice to Mr. Champney at least 60 days prior to the end of the term that the term will not be extended. The agreement, as amended, provides for Mr. Champney to receive a base salary of not less than $239,200 annually, as well as for Mr. Champney’s participation in benefit plans and incentive bonus plans offered by Business First Bank. Mr. Champney is also entitled to paid vacation, a vehicle allowance, membership in a country club and health insurance. The agreement further provides for the issuance of options to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock, which options continue to vest in equal increments over a term of ten years from the date they were granted. The agreement also provides for Mr. Champney’s participation in future grants of stock options to Business First Bank’s senior executives. 112 Mr. Champney’s employment agreement, as amended, provides for severance equal to that of other senior executive officers, other than the Chief Executive Officer and/or one other designee of Business First Bank. Other Employment Arrangements. In addition to the employment agreements described above, Business First Bank has entered into employment and/or compensation arrangements with certain of its officers with varying terms taking into consideration the nature of the position and the particular individual’s skills and experience. Our overall executive compensation program is designed to attract, motivate, reward and retain key members of our management. A major goal of our compensation program is to align the compensation structure for our executives with shareholders’ interests and current market practices. All of our officers serve at the pleasure of our board of directors. If any of these individuals leaves his or her respective position, our business, financial condition, results of operations may suffer. Equity Incentive Plans In 2006, our board of directors adopted the 2006 Stock Option Plan pursuant to which certain of our officers, directors and employees became eligible to receive options to purchase shares of our common stock. Our Stock Option Plan, as amended, permits a maximum number of 1,500,000 shares to be issued upon the exercise of awards granted under the plan. As of December 31, 2015, we had granted total options to purchase 953,280 shares of our common stock, of which 814,530 were vested, and an additional 542,890 shares of our common stock remained available for issuance under the plan. At December 31, 2015, the weighted average exercise price of the stock options issued under our Stock Option Plan was $12.59. Our Stock Option Plan is intended to provide certain of our officers, directors and employees the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in our success by granting stock option awards to such individuals. Specifically, the plans are intended to advance our interests by (1) enabling us to attract and retain the best available individuals for positions of substantial responsibility; (2) providing additional incentive to such persons by affording them an opportunity for equity participation in our business; and (3) rewarding officers, directors and employees for their contributions. Our Stock Option Plan is administered by our board of directors. Our board of directors has authority with respect to the plan to: • • • modify the requirements of the plan to conform with the law or to meet special circumstances not anticipated or covered in the plan; establish policies; and adopt rules and regulations and prescribe forms for carrying out the purposes and provisions of the plan. Both “Incentive Stock Options” and “Non-Qualified Options” may be granted under our Stock Option Plan from time to time. Incentive Stock Options are stock options intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Non-Qualified Options are stock options that do not satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Under the plan, the aggregate fair market value (determined as of the date an option is granted) of the shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any optionee during any calendar year may not exceed $100,000. The option price to be paid upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Option is determined by our board of directors, but in no event may such price be less than the fair market value per share of our common stock on the date of the grant. Our board of directors has the discretion to fix the period during which any option (including Incentive Stock Options and Non- Qualified Options) may be exercised, provided that no options may be exercised more than 10 years after the date of grant. Each option may be exercised upon such terms and conditions as our board of directors determines. In making any determination as to whom options shall be granted, and as to the number of shares to be covered by such options, our board of directors considers the duties of the respective officers, directors and employees, their present and potential contributions to our success, profitability and growth, and such other factors as the board deems relevant in connection with accomplishing the purposes of the Stock Option Plan. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Business First Bank maintains a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) which provides a select group of management with salary continuation benefits upon their retirement, or death benefits to their named beneficiary in the event of their death. The SERP, which was established August 1, 2009, is an unfunded nonqualified deferred compensation plan where certain executives of Business First Bank are selected to participate in the plan at the discretion of the board of directors. SERP benefits are based upon the position and salary of the executive officer at retirement, disability or death. Normal retirement benefits under the plan 113 for Tier I executive officers are equal to 50% of the participant’s average compensation, payable over the longer of 180 months or the participant’s life. Normal retirement benefits under the plan for Tier II executives are equal to 25% of the participant’s average compensation, payable over 180 months. The SERP is administered by The Pangburn Group, who also provide guidance to Business First Bank relating to the valuation method and assumptions. Benefits are also available in the event of death, disability or early retirement. Under the early retirement provisions for certain executives, if separation from service occurs after reaching early retirement age and prior to normal retirement age, Business First Bank will pay the executive a reduced benefit equal to the vested accrued benefit calculated as of the early retirement date, payable in 180 equal monthly installments beginning on the normal retirement date. For other executives, instead of an early retirement benefit, the separation from service benefit prior to normal retirement age provides the executive with a separation from service benefit equal to the participant’s vested accrued benefit payable in 180 equal monthly installments commencing within 30 days of the date of separation. The early retirement age means the date the executive attained age fifty-five and completed 10 years of service. The normal retirement age is the date the executive attained age sixty-five. In the event the participant dies prior to the commencement of benefits under the plan, the executive’s beneficiary will be entitled to a survivor’s benefit which equals the amount of the vested accrued benefit, calculated as of the date of death, and payable in a single lump sum within 90 days following the date of death. If the executive dies after the commencement of benefits but prior to receiving all such payments due and owing under the plan, the unpaid balance of the payments will continue to be paid to the executive’s beneficiary for the remainder of the payout period. If the participant becomes disabled prior to commencement of benefits under the plan, a disability benefit equal to the executive’s vested accrued benefit calculated as of the disability date shall be payable in 180 equal monthly installments commencing within 30 days of the disability determination date. Upon a change of control prior to separation from service, the participant shall become 100% vested in his or her accrued benefit, calculated as of the effective date of the change of control. Business First Bank will pay the executive the change of control benefit in a single lump sum amount within 30 days following that date. For purposes of calculating the participant’s vested accrued benefit, the executive shall become 100% vested upon completion of ten years of service and the attainment of age fifty-five. Prior to the completion of ten years of service and the attainment of age fifty-five, the participant shall be zero percent vested. However, in the event of a participant’s death or disability, or a change in control, the executive shall become one hundred percent vested. The benefits under the SERP will be paid out of the general unrestricted assets of Business First Bank. The Bank has elected to purchase life insurance contracts, more specifically Bank Owned Life Insurance (“BOLI”), each of which may be used as a source of liquidity to fund these future benefits. Business First Bank is the owner and beneficiary of these life insurance policies, which are general assets of the Bank. Split-Dollar Agreement Business First Bank owns two split-dollar endorsement policies covering the life of the Chairman Emeritus. Under the terms of the August 1, 2009 agreement, the Bank will be entitled to a share of the policy proceeds equal to the dollar amount of cumulative premiums paid for the policies. The remainder of the policy proceeds will be paid to the Chairman Emeritus’ beneficiaries. Director Compensation Each of our directors who is not also an executive officer of Business First Bank receives compensation for attending various board of directors and committee meetings. Our directors who are not executive officers of Business First Bank receive $500.00 for their attendance at each board meeting as well as a monthly retainer. Our Chairman of the Board receives a monthly retainer of $11,333.34 and an auto allowance of $894.00. Each director receives a monthly retainer of $416.67 and each Committee Chairperson receives an additional monthly retainer of $333.33, except if the Chairman of the Board is a Committee Chairperson, no additional monthly retainer is paid. The members of the Directors Loan Committee, including the Chairperson, receive $250.00 for each meeting attended on a non-board meeting day. 114 The following table sets forth compensation paid, earned or awarded during 2015 to each of our directors and the directors of Business First Bank, other than directors who are also named executive officers, whose compensation is described in the ”Summary Compensation Table” above. Name Lloyd Benny Alford John Graves Robert S. Greer Jr. David L. Laxton III(1) Rolfe Hood McCollister Jr. Andrew D. McLindon Patrick E. Mockler David A. Montgomery Nanette Noland(2) Arthur Price Fayez K. Shamieh Stewart Slack Kenneth Smith Thomas Everett Stewart Jr. Steve White Robert Yarborough Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) 16,167 16,167 158,728 5,500 15,750 16,167 11,917 16,250 11,417 16,167 10,917 19,000 15,167 10,917 11,417 13,750 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Option Awards ($) — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — Total ($) $ 16,167 $ 16,167 $158,728 $ 5,500 $ 15,750 $ 16,167 $ 11,917 $ 16,250 $ 11,417 $ 16,167 $ 10,917 $ 19,000 $ 15,167 $ 10,917 $ 11,417 $ 13,750 (1) Appointed to the board of directors effective June 26, 2015. (2) Resigned from the board of directors effective September 30, 2015. Directors have been and will continue to be reimbursed for travel, food, lodging and other expenses directly related to their activities as directors. Directors are also entitled to the protection provided by the indemnification provisions in our current articles of incorporation and bylaws. Risk Assessment of Compensation Policies and Practices In connection with its evaluation and review of our policies and practices of compensating employees, including executives and nonexecutive employees, as such policies and practices relate to risk management practices and risk-taking, the Compensation Committee of our board of directors has determined that our compensation plans and practices are not likely to have a material adverse effect on Business First. 115 ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters. The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 21, 2016, by (1) our directors and executive officers, (2) each person who is known by us to own beneficially 5% or more of the our common stock and (3) all directors and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, based on information furnished by such shareholders, our management believes that each person has sole voting and dispositive power over the shares indicated as owned by such person. Unless otherwise indicated below, the address for each of the listed beneficial owners is 8440 Jefferson Highway, Suite 101, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809. Name of Beneficial Owner Directors and Executive Officers Lloyd Benny Alford John Graves Robert S. Greer, Jr. Rolfe Hood McCollister Jr. David L. Laxton, III Andrew D. McLindon David R. Melville, III Patrick E. Mockler David A. Montgomery Arthur Price Fayez K. Shamieh Stewart Slack Kenneth Smith Thomas Everett Stewart Jr. Robert Yarborough Steven Champney Robert Bond Gregory Robertson Don Hingle Philip Jordan Directors and Executive Officers as a group (20 persons) Number of Shares Beneficially Owned Percentage Beneficially Owned(1) 30,000 29,000 3,500 82,500(2) 20,328 20,000 186,200(3) 3,633 5,000 10,000(4) 23,218 10,000 37,000 127,500(5) 30,000 40,000(6) 55,750(7) 15,000(8) 20,000(9) 23,750(10) 772,379 * * * 1.2% * * 2.6% * * * * * * 1.8% * * * * * * 10.4%(11) * (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Indicates ownership which does not exceed 1.0%. The percentage beneficially owned was calculated based on 7,037,413 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding as of March 21, 2016 (rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent). Includes (i) 53,750 shares held directly by Mr. McCollister, (ii) 5,000 shares held by Mr. McCollister’s spouse, and (iii) warrants to purchase 23,750 shares of common stock. Includes (i) 600 shares held directly by Mr. Melville, and (ii) vested options to purchase 185,600 shares of common stock. Includes 10,000 shares held by PEMP Investments, LLC, a company controlled by Mr. Price. Includes (i) 103,750 shares held jointly by Mr. Stewart and his spouse, and (ii) warrants to purchase 23,750 shares of common stock. Includes vested options to purchase 40,000 shares of common stock. Includes vested options to purchase 55,750 shares of common stock. Includes vested options to purchase 15,000 shares of common stock. Includes vested options to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock. Includes vested options to purchase 23,750 shares of common stock. (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) Calculation of percentage ownership is based upon 7,425,013 shares of our common stock outstanding, which assumes the exercise of all options and warrants held by the above-listed individuals. ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence. In addition to the compensation arrangements with directors and executive officers described in the “Executive Compensation” section above, the following is a description of each transaction since January 1, 2015, and each proposed transaction in which: • • • we have been or are to be a participant; the amount involved exceeds or will exceed $120,000; and any of our directors, executive officers, or beneficial holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, or any immediate family member of or person sharing the household with any of these individuals (other than tenants or employees), had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. Ordinary Banking Relationships Certain of our officers, directors and principal shareholders, as well as their immediate family members and affiliates, are customers of, or have participated in transactions with, Business First Bank or us in the ordinary course of business. These transactions include deposits, loans and other financial services related transactions. Such related party transactions are made in the ordinary course of business, on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral (where applicable), as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with persons not related to us, and do not involve more than normal risk of 116 collectability or present other features unfavorable to us. As of the date of this Report, no related party loans were categorized as nonaccrual, past due, restructured or potential problem loans. We expect to continue to enter into transactions in the ordinary course of business on similar terms with our officers, directors and principal shareholders, as well as their immediate family members and affiliates. ITEM 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services. Fees to Hannis T. Bourgeois, LLP The following table presents fees for professional services rendered by Hannis T. Bourgeois, LLP for 2015 and 2014: Audit fees Audit-related fees Tax fees All other fees Total 2015 $154,551 9,526 21,100 — $185,177 2014 $121,451 — 11,350 — $132,801 As defined by the SEC, (i) “audit fees” are fees for professional services rendered by the independent registered public accounting firm for the audit of our annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in our Form 10-Q, or for services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years; (ii) “audit-related fees” are fees for assurance and related services by our principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “audit fees;” such services include an audit of our 401(k) plan; (iii) “tax fees” are fees for professional services rendered by our principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning; and (iv) “all other fees” are fees for products and services provided by our principal accountant, other than the services reported under “audit fees,” “audit-related fees,” and “tax fees.” The Audit Committee of our board of directors pre-approves all audit and non-audit services performed by our independent registered public accounting firm to assure that the provision of such services does not impair their independence. 117 PART IV ITEM 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules. (a) List of documents filed as part of this Report (1) Financial Statements The following financial statements are included in Item 8 of this Report: Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Consolidated Balance Sheets Consolidated Statements of Income Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (2) Financial Statement Schedules Financial statement schedules are omitted either because they are not required or are not applicable, or because the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto. (3) Exhibits NUMBER 2.1 2.2 3.1 3.2 4.1 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 DESCRIPTION Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of July 23, 2014, by and among, Business First Bancshares, Inc., AGFC and B1B Interim Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by Business First Bancshares, Inc. on November 12, 2014 (File No. 333-200112)). First Amendment, dated November 10, 2014, to the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of July 23, 2014, by and among, Business First Bancshares, Inc., AGFC and B1B Interim Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by Business First Bancshares, Inc. on November 12, 2014 (File No. 333-200112)). Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Business First Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by Business First Bancshares, Inc. on November 12, 2014 (File No. 333-200112)). Bylaws of Business First Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by Business First Bancshares, Inc. on November 12, 2014 (File No. 333-200112)). 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)). Executive Employment Agreement by and between Business First Bank and David R. Melville, III, dated August 6, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by Business First Bancshares, Inc. on November 12, 2014 (File No. 333-200112)). Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement by and between Business First Bank and David R. Melville, III, dated April 1, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by Business First Bancshares, Inc. on November 12, 2014 (File No. 333-200112)). Executive Employment Agreement by and between Business First Bank and Steven Champney, dated September 1, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by Business First Bancshares, Inc. on November 12, 2014 (File No. 333-200112)). Memorandum Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement between Business First Bank and Steven Champney, dated March 5, 2010. ** Business First Bancshares, 2006 Stock Option Plan (“2006 Stock Option Plan”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by Business First Bancshares, Inc. on November 12, 2014 (File No. 333-200112)). 118 10.6 10.7 10.8 10.9 Form of Incentive Stock Option Award Agreement under 2006 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by Business First Bancshares, Inc. on November 12, 2014 (File No. 333-200112)) Form of Incentive Stock Option Award Agreement (As Amended), under 2006 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by Business First Bancshares, Inc. on November 12, 2014 (File No. 333-200112)) Form of Warrant Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by Business First Bancshares, Inc. on November 12, 2014 (File No. 333-200112)). Amendment No. 1 to the 2006 Stock Option Plan, dated December 17, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by Business First Bancshares, Inc. on November 12, 2014 (File No. 333-200112)). 10.10 Business First, Amendment No. 2 to Warrant Agreement, dated February 1, 2016* 21.1 24.1 31.1 31.2 32.1 List of subsidiaries of Business First Bancshares, Inc.* Power of Attorney (contained on the signature page hereto).* Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002* Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002* Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer provided 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. * ** A new Memorandum Amendment to the Executive Employment Agreement between Business First Bank and Steven Champney, dated March 5, 2010, is filed herewith. This Exhibit supersedes and replaces the version of the Memorandum Amendment that was included as Exhibit 10.4 to the Registration Statement filed by Business First with the SEC on November 12, 2014. The new Exhibit 10.4 is filed herewith for the purpose of correcting an inadvertent error on the version of the Exhibit 10.4 that was included in the Registration Statement. 119 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. SIGNATURES March 21, 2016 BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. By: /s/ David R. Melville, III David R. Melville, III President and Chief Executive Officer The undersigned directors and officers do hereby constitute and appoint David R. Melville, III and Steven Champney and either of them, our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to do any and all acts and things in our name and behalf in our capacities as directors and officers, and to execute any and all instruments for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below, that such person may deem necessary or advisable to enable Business First Bancshares, Inc. to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, including specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for us, or any of us, in the capacities indicated below, any and all amendments hereto; and we do hereby ratify and confirm all that such person or persons shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 21st day of March, 2016. Signature Title Date By: /s/ David R. Melville, III David R. Melville, III By: /s/ Steven Champney Steven Champney By /s/ Lloyd Benny Alford Lloyd Benny Alford By: /s/ John Graves John Graves By: /s/ Robert S. Greer Jr. Robert S. Greer Jr. By /s/ David L. Laxton, III David L. Laxton, III President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) March 21, 2016 Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) Director Director March 21, 2016 March 21, 2016 March 21, 2016 Chairman of the Board and Director March 21, 2016 Director March 21, 2016 120 Signature By /s/ Rolfe Hood McCollister Jr. Rolfe Hood McCollister Jr. By: /s/ Andrew D. McLindon Andrew D. McLindon By: /s/ Patrick E. Mockler Patrick E. Mockler By: /s/ David A. Montgomery David A. Montgomery By: /s/ Arthur Price Arthur Price By: /s/ Fayez K. Shamieh Fayez K. Shamieh By: /s/ Stewart Slack Stewart Slack By: /s/ Kenneth Smith Kenneth Smith By: /s/ Thomas Everett Stewart Jr. Thomas Everett Stewart Jr. By: /s/ Steve White Steve White By: /s/ Robert Yarborough Robert Yarborough Title Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director 121 Date March 21, 2016 March 21, 2016 March 21, 2016 March 21, 2016 March 21, 2016 March 21, 2016 March 21, 2016 March 21, 2016 March 21, 2016 March 21, 2016 March 21, 2016 EXHIBIT 10.4 M E M O R A N D U M TO: Steven Champney EVP – Chief Financial Officer FROM: Jude Melville EVP – Chief Strategy Officer DATE: March 5, 2010 RE: Executive Employment Agreement Amendment This memorandum serves as an amendment to your existing “Executive Employment Agreement” dated September 1, 2008. This amendment is effective immediately upon execution between BUSINESS FIRST BANK and Steven Champney. Steven Champney agrees to amend the “Executive Employment Agreement - 3. Position and Duties” and begin reporting directly to Jude Melville instead of the CEO and the Board of Directors of the Bank. This amendment is intended to streamline organizational reporting and efficiencies and is in no way a reduction of authority or change in duties of any kind. In consideration of this amendment, the Bank agrees to maintain all compensation of any kind at or above those levels of all other senior executive officers with the exception of the CEO and/or a single designee of Business First Bank. Compensation components include, but are not limited to: Base Salary Bonus Stock Options and other Bank ownership Car allowance Benefits Severance Provision BUSINESS FIRST BANK $239,200.17 To be determined annually Future grants only $894 (standard executive benefits to include country club membership and dues) Equal to other senior executives By: /s/ Jude Melville Jude Melville – Executive Vice President /s/ Steven Champney Steven Champney – CFO and Executive Vice President Date: 3-5-10 Date: 3-5-10 EXHIBIT 10.10 AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO WARRANT AGREEMENT This Amendment No. 2 (this “Amendment No. 2”) is entered into as of the 1st day of February, 2016, by Business First Bancshares, Inc., a Louisiana corporation (the “Company”), in favor of the individual set forth on the signature page attached hereto (the “Holder”) as follows: WHEREAS, the Holder is the holder of a Warrant Certificate (the “Warrant”) issued pursuant to that certain Warrant Agreement, dated as of July 17, 2006 (as amended, the “Warrant Agreement”), that entitles the Holder to purchase a number of shares of common stock of the Company at an exercise price of $10.00 per share; WHEREAS, the terms of the Warrant provide, in part, that the Warrant will expire upon the 10th anniversary of the date the Warrant was first issued to Holder (the “Expiration Time”); WHEREAS, the Company and the Holder desire to amend the Warrant to extend the Expiration Time, however, because the Warrant is currently in-the-money and any extension would likely cause certain compliance issues under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 409A”), the Company and the Holder desire to amend the Warrant to comply with Section 409A; NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of such consideration being hereby acknowledged, the Company and Holder agree as follows: 1. Expiration Time. Section 3(a) of the Warrant Agreement and the third paragraph of the Warrant are hereby amended to provide that the Expiration Time shall be the earlier of: (i) February 2, 2019, and (ii) the date provided in Section 3(b) of the Warrant Agreement. 2. Exercise of Warrants. Section 4(a) of the Warrant Agreement shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: (a) The purchase price per Share to be paid by a Holder for Shares subject to the Warrants shall be $10.00, subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 11 of this Agreement (the Exercise Price). Subject to Section 4(b) below, a Holder must exercise the Warrants subject to this Agreement upon the earlier of the following or the Warrant shall automatically and unilaterally terminate: (i) immediately prior to the Expiration Time, (ii) a Change in Control of the Company or the Bank, (iii) the Holder’s death, (iv) the Holder becoming “disabled,” and (v) the Holder incurring a “separation from service” from the Company or the Bank (if the Holder is an employee of the Company or the Bank). For purposes of this Section 4 (a), if the fair market value of the Company’s common stock as of the earlier of subsections 4(a)(i)-(v) is greater than $10.00, then, and notwithstanding anything in the Warrant to the contrary, an exercise shall be presumed for the full amount of the shares subject to the Warrant and shall be exercised automatically without any affirmative action by the Holder. Upon any such exercise, Holder shall deliver to the Secretary of the Company (A) the Warrant Certificate and (B) a check for the full amount of the aggregate Exercise Price of the Shares being acquired. For purposes of this Section 4(a): (1) The term “disabled” shall mean the earlier of: (i) Holder is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months; (ii) Holder is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than 3 months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Company, the Bank or their respective affiliate; (iii) Holder is determined to be disabled by the Social Security Administration; and (iv) Holder is determined to be disabled in accordance with a disability insurance program sponsored by the Company, the Bank or their respective affiliate. Whether Holder is disabled shall be determined by the Company in its sole and absolute discretion. Additionally, and notwithstanding the foregoing, Holder shall not be considered to have incurred a disability unless he or she furnishes proof of such impairment sufficient to satisfy the Company in its sole discretion. (2) The term “separation from service” shall mean as such term is defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h). (3) Application of Section 409A. A new Section 15 shall be added to the Warrant Agreement as follows: (15) Application of Section 409A. The Warrant, as amended by this Amendment No. 2, is intended to comply with Section 409A and shall at all times be interpreted in a manner that is consistent with Section 409A. Any payment following a separation from service that would be subject to Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) as a distribution following a separation from service of a specified employee (as defined under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) shall be made on the earlier of: (i) 10 days after the expiration of the 6-month period following such separation from service, (ii) death or (iii) such earlier date that complies with Section 409A. Each payment that Holder may receive under the Warrant shall be treated as a “separate payment” for purposes of Section 409A. (4) Effect on the Warrant Agreement. Except as provided by this Amendment No. 2, all other terms of the Warrant Agreement, as amended by Amendment No.1, and the Warrant shall remain in full force and effect. (5) Effective Date of this Amendment No. 2. This Amendment No. 2 shall become effective as of February 1, 2016. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company (by its duly authorized officer) and Holder have executed effective as of the date set forth above. BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. /s/ David R. Melville, III David R. Melville, III President and Chief Executive Officer HOLDER: Signature: Print Name: EXHIBIT 21.1 SUBSIDIARIES OF BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. Name Business First Bank Business First Insurance, LLC American Gateway Insurance Agency, L.L.C. Jurisdiction of Incorporation Louisiana Louisiana Louisiana EXHIBIT 31.1 CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER I, David R. Melville, III, certify that: 1. 2. 3. 4. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Report”) of Business First Bancshares, Inc.; Based on my knowledge, this Report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this Report; Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this Report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this Report; The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to me by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this Report is being prepared; (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles; (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this Report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this Report based on such evaluation; and (d) Disclosed in this Report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. Date: March 21, 2016 /s/ David R. Melville, III David R. Melville, III President and Chief Executive Officer EXHIBIT 31.2 CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER I, Steven Champney, certify that: 1. 2. 3. 4. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Report”) of Business First Bancshares, Inc.; Based on my knowledge, this Report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this Report; Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this Report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this Report; The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to me by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this Report is being prepared; (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles; (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this Report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this Report based on such evaluation; and (d) Disclosed in this Report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. Date: March 21, 2016 /s/ Steven Champney Steven Champney Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer EXHIBIT 32.1 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(b) 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, As adopted pursuant to SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 In connection with the accompanying Annual Financial Report on Form 10-K of Business First Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) for the year ended December 31, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), we, David R. Melville, III, as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Steven Champney, as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as added by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of our knowledge: 1. the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 2. the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of and for the period covered by the Report. Date: March 21, 2016 /s/ David R. Melville, III David R. Melville, III President Chief Executive Officer /s/ Steven Champney Steven Champney Chief Financial Officer 

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