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Upturn AI SWOT - About
BFST 
Business First Bancshares Inc (BFST)
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Upturn Advisory Summary
08/28/2025: BFST (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Upturn Star Rating
Not Recommended Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.
Number of Analysts
5 Analysts rated it
Limited analyst coverage, niche firm, research info may be scarce.
1 Year Target Price $30.75
1 Year Target Price $30.75
| 4 | Strong Buy |
| 1 | Buy |
| 0 | Hold |
| 0 | Sell |
| 0 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -7.26% | Avg. Invested days 38 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  3.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 08/28/2025 |
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 752.21M USD | Price to earnings Ratio 9.99 | 1Y Target Price 30.75 |
Price to earnings Ratio 9.99 | 1Y Target Price 30.75 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 5 | Beta 0.84 | 52 Weeks Range 19.84 - 29.66 | Updated Date 08/28/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 19.84 - 29.66 | Updated Date 08/28/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 2.20% | Basic EPS (TTM) 2.51 |
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 26.44% | Operating Margin (TTM) 36.09% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 1.05% | Return on Equity (TTM) 10.18% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 9.99 | Forward PE 9.68 | Enterprise Value 899325504 | Price to Sales(TTM) 2.58 |
Enterprise Value 899325504 | Price to Sales(TTM) 2.58 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 4.63 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA - | Shares Outstanding 29603000 | Shares Floating 28108316 |
Shares Outstanding 29603000 | Shares Floating 28108316 | ||
Percent Insiders 4.79 | Percent Institutions 51.64 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Business First Bancshares Inc
Company Overview
History and Background
Business First Bancshares, Inc. was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It operates as the holding company for b1BANK, providing commercial banking services in Louisiana and Texas. The bank focuses on serving small to medium-sized businesses and their owners, expanding through organic growth and strategic acquisitions.
Core Business Areas
- Commercial Banking: Offers a range of commercial lending products, including commercial real estate loans, equipment loans, and working capital lines of credit.
- Retail Banking: Provides deposit accounts, consumer loans, and other retail banking services to individuals and small businesses.
- Wealth Management: Offers wealth management, investment advisory, and trust services to individuals and businesses.
Leadership and Structure
Jude Melville serves as the President and CEO. The organizational structure includes various departments such as commercial lending, retail banking, wealth management, and operations, all overseen by a board of directors.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Commercial Real Estate Loans: Loans secured by commercial properties, tailored to meet the financing needs of businesses for acquisition, development, or refinancing. Market share data is difficult to isolate specifically for this product for Business First, but commercial real estate lending is a significant part of their overall loan portfolio. Competitors include large national banks like JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, as well as regional banks such as Hancock Whitney and Regions Bank.
- Commercial and Industrial Loans: Loans to businesses for working capital, equipment purchases, and other operational needs. This constitutes a significant portion of loan revenue. Competitors are regional and national banks.
- Deposit Accounts: Checking, savings, and money market accounts for businesses and individuals. No specific market share data. Competitors include all banks offering deposit services.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The banking industry is currently characterized by increasing interest rates, regulatory changes, and technological advancements. Competition is high, with many banks vying for market share. Economic conditions, particularly in the Southern US, significantly impact performance.
Positioning
Business First Bancshares focuses on relationship banking, targeting small to medium-sized businesses in Louisiana and Texas. This niche allows them to offer personalized service and compete effectively with larger institutions. Their competitive advantages are local market knowledge and responsiveness.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The TAM for banking services in Louisiana and Texas is substantial, estimated to be in the billions of dollars. Business First is positioned to capture a portion of this market by focusing on its core markets and client base.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Strong local presence in Louisiana and Texas
- Experienced management team
- Focus on relationship banking
- Solid asset quality
Weaknesses
- Limited geographic diversification
- Smaller scale compared to national banks
- Reliance on specific regional economies
- Higher cost structure than larger competitors
Opportunities
- Expansion into new markets within Louisiana and Texas
- Increased adoption of digital banking services
- Strategic acquisitions of smaller banks
- Growth in wealth management services
Threats
- Increased competition from national banks and fintech companies
- Economic downturns in Louisiana and Texas
- Rising interest rates impacting loan demand
- Regulatory changes increasing compliance costs
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- Hancock Whitney Corporation (HWC)
- Regions Financial Corporation (RF)
- Cadence Bank (CADE)
Competitive Landscape
BFST competes with larger regional and national banks. BFST's advantage lies in its local presence and relationship-based banking. Disadvantages stem from its smaller scale and limited geographic diversification compared to national competitors.
Major Acquisitions
Texas Citizens Bancorp
- Year: 2021
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 130
- Strategic Rationale: Expanded the bank's presence in the attractive Texas market.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Business First Bancshares has experienced consistent growth in assets, loans, and deposits over the past decade, driven by organic growth and strategic acquisitions.
Future Projections: Analysts project continued growth in revenue and earnings over the next few years, driven by expansion into new markets and increased lending activity. EPS growth is projected to be in the range of 8-12% annually.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include expanding digital banking capabilities, opening new branches in strategic locations, and pursuing potential acquisition targets.
Summary
Business First Bancshares is a solid regional bank with a strong presence in Louisiana and Texas. Its focus on relationship banking and strategic acquisitions has fueled consistent growth. However, limited geographic diversification and competition from larger banks pose challenges. Continued expansion and technological advancements are crucial for future success.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company SEC Filings (10-K, 10-Q)
- Company Investor Relations
- Analyst Reports
- Industry Reports
Disclaimers:
This analysis is based on publicly available information and analyst estimates. It is not financial advice. Investment decisions should be based on individual research and consultation with a financial advisor.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Business First Bancshares Inc
Exchange NASDAQ | Headquaters Baton Rouge, LA, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 2018-04-09 | Chairman, President & CEO Mr. David R. Melville III | ||
Sector Financial Services | Industry Banks - Regional | Full time employees 849 | Website https://www.b1bank.com |
Full time employees 849 | Website https://www.b1bank.com | ||
Business First Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for b1BANK that provides various banking products and services in Louisiana and Texas. It offers various deposit products and services, including checking, demand, money market, time, and savings accounts; and certificates of deposits, remote deposit capture, and direct deposit services. The company also provides commercial and industrial loans, such as working capital, term, equipment financing, asset acquisition, expansion and development, borrowing base, and other loan products, as well as commercial lines of credit, accounts receivable factoring, agricultural financing, and letters of credit; construction and development loans; commercial real estate loans; residential real estate loans comprising first and second lien 1-4 family mortgage loans, and home equity lines of credit; and consumer loans, including secured and unsecured installment, and term loans. In addition, it offers wealth management products, including mutual funds, annuities, individual retirement accounts, and other financial products, as well as other fiduciary and private banking products and services. Further, the company provides a range of other financial services comprising debit and credit cards, treasury and cash management, merchant, automated clearing house, lock-box, receivables factoring, correspondent banking, and other treasury services, as well as employee and payroll benefits solutions; and drive-through banking facilities, automated teller machines, night depository, personalized checks, electronic funds transfer, domestic and foreign wire transfer, traveler's checks, vault, loan and deposit sweep accounts, interest-rate swaps, small business administration products, online and mobile banking, e-statements, and bank-by-mail services. Business First Bancshares, Inc. was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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