Business First Bancshares Acquires Oakwood Bancshares and Oakwood Bank

Business First Bancshares Acquires Progressive Bancorp and Progressive Bank

January 5, 2026

Financial Services

Business First Bancshares, Inc. (the holding company for b1BANK) completed its acquisition of Progressive Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary Progressive Bank. The deal expands b1BANK's presence across North Louisiana, adding nine locations and increasing Business First's total assets to approximately $8.7 billion.

First Financial Bancorp to Acquire BankFinancial Corporation

January 1, 2026

Financial Services

First Financial Bancorp agreed to acquire Chicago-based BankFinancial Corporation in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $142 million. The deal is intended to expand First Financial’s presence in the Chicago market, adding 18 financial centers and BankFinancial’s consumer, trust/wealth management, and selected commercial lending capabilities.

First Mid Bancshares Acquires Blackhawk Bancorp

March 21, 2023

Financial Services

First Mid Bancshares, Inc. will acquire 100% of Blackhawk Bancorp, Inc. in a stock-for-stock merger in which Blackhawk shareholders will receive 1.15 shares of First Mid common stock for each share of Blackhawk common stock (aggregate consideration of approximately $90.3 million based on First Mid's March 20, 2023 share price). The transaction expands First Mid's footprint with Blackhawk's 10 branches in Wisconsin and Illinois, is expected to close in the second half of 2023 subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals, and is projected to be accretive to EPS with significant cost savings and liquidity benefits.

First Bancorp Acquires GrandSouth Bancorporation

January 1, 2023

Financial Services

First Bancorp (parent of First Bank) completed its acquisition of GrandSouth Bancorporation (the parent of GrandSouth Bank) effective January 1, 2023 in an all-stock merger (0.91 shares of First Bancorp per GrandSouth share). The deal expands First Bank's presence in South Carolina by adding GrandSouth's eight branches and is expected to accelerate First Bancorp's South Carolina growth, creating a combined company with approximately $12 billion in assets and 118 branches.

The First Bancshares Acquires Beach Bancorp, Inc.

April 26, 2022

Financial Services

The First Bancshares, Inc. (The First) entered into and completed a definitive agreement to acquire Beach Bancorp, Inc., the parent of Beach Bank, in an all‑stock transaction valued at approximately $116.7 million based on First Bancshares’ April 25, 2022 closing price. Beach Bank — which operates seven branches across the Florida panhandle and Tampa markets — was merged into The First Bank, expanding The First’s footprint in Northwest Florida and providing an entry into the Tampa market.

Business First Bancshares (b1BANK) Acquires Smith Shellnut Wilson (SSW)

March 22, 2021

Financial Services

Business First Bancshares, Inc. (the holding company for b1BANK) signed a definitive agreement to acquire Smith Shellnut Wilson, LLC (SSW), a registered investment adviser headquartered in Ridgeland, Mississippi. The acquisition will consolidate b1BANK's Wealth Solutions Division with SSW, expanding the bank's investment advisory capabilities and product offering to corporate, foundation and individual clients.