Business First Bancshares Acquires Progressive Bancorp and Progressive Bank

Business First Bancshares Acquires Oakwood Bancshares and Oakwood Bank

April 25, 2024

Financial Services

Business First Bancshares, Inc. (b1BANK) agreed to acquire Oakwood Bancshares, Inc. and its banking subsidiary Oakwood Bank in an all‑stock transaction valued at approximately $85.7 million. The deal — expected to close in Q4 2024 and subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals — expands b1BANK's Texas footprint (adding six branches, including four in Dallas) and increases its consolidated assets to about $7.4 billion.

First Financial Bancorp Acquires BankFinancial Corporation

January 1, 2026

Financial Services

First Financial Bancorp completed its all-stock acquisition of Chicago-based BankFinancial Corporation, adding 18 retail financial centers and expanding First Financial’s presence in the Chicago market. The acquisition brings BankFinancial’s commercial lending, equipment finance and deposit franchise onto First Financial’s platform and increases the combined company’s assets to approximately $22 billion.

BancPlus Corporation Acquires First Trust Corporation (First Bank and Trust)

March 1, 2022

Financial Services

BancPlus Corporation completed its acquisition of First Trust Corporation, the parent company of First Bank and Trust, with First Bank and Trust merged into BankPlus effective March 1, 2022. The deal expands BankPlus’s presence in Louisiana—notably New Orleans—creating the seventh-largest bank by deposit market share in that market and resulting in a combined company with approximately $6.4 billion in assets, $5.7 billion in deposits and $4.5 billion in gross loans.

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.

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.

Bank First Corporation Acquires Centre 1 Bancorp (First National Bank and Trust)

January 2, 2026

Financial Services

Bank First Corporation (Nasdaq: BFC) has completed its acquisition of Centre 1 Bancorp, Inc., the parent company of The First National Bank and Trust Company. The deal brings First National’s trust and wealth management capabilities into Bank First, expands the combined footprint to 38 branches across Wisconsin and the Stateline area of Illinois, and creates a combined organization with approximately $6 billion in assets.