Business First Bancshares, Inc.

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition. On October 26, 2026, Business First Bancshares, Inc. (“Business First”), the parent company of b1BANK, issued a press release announcing financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2026. The release also announced that the Board of Directors of Business First declared a common dividend on October 22, 2026, in the amount of $0.15 per share to the common shareholders of record on November 15, 2026. The dividend is to be paid on November 30, 2026, or as soon as practicable thereafter. Also, the board of directors declared a quarterly preferred dividend in the amount of $18.75 per share of preferred stock, which is the full quarterly dividend of 1.875% based on the per annum rate of 7.50%. The dividend will be paid on November 30, 2026, or as soon therefore as practicable, to the preferred shareholders of record as of November 15, 2026. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated by reference herein. The information in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure On October 26, 2026, Business First made available the supplemental information attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 prepared for use with the press release. The information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.2, is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference.