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Upturn AI SWOT - About
Business First Bancshares Inc (BFST)
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Upturn Advisory Summary
04/01/2025: 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.
AI Based Fundamental Rating
Below Average Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, often underperform the market, warranting careful consideration before investing.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -10.89% | Avg. Invested days 34 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  2.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 04/01/2025 |
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 723.74M USD | Price to earnings Ratio 10.82 | 1Y Target Price 32.7 |
Price to earnings Ratio 10.82 | 1Y Target Price 32.7 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 87094 | Beta 1.03 | 52 Weeks Range 18.66 - 30.00 | Updated Date 03/31/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 18.66 - 30.00 | Updated Date 03/31/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 2.29% | Basic EPS (TTM) 2.25 |
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 24.97% | Operating Margin (TTM) 30.3% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 0.9% | Return on Equity (TTM) 9.02% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 10.82 | Forward PE 9.68 | Enterprise Value 735505920 | Price to Sales(TTM) 2.78 |
Enterprise Value 735505920 | Price to Sales(TTM) 2.78 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 4.46 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA - | Shares Outstanding 29552400 | Shares Floating 27962737 |
Shares Outstanding 29552400 | Shares Floating 27962737 | ||
Percent Insiders 5.2 | Percent Institutions 47.92 |
Analyst Ratings
Rating 4.4 | Target Price 32.8 | Buy 1 | Strong Buy 3 |
Buy 1 | Strong Buy 3 | ||
Hold 1 | Sell - | Strong Sell - | |
Strong Sell - |
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 and personal banking products and services. The bank has grown organically and through acquisitions, expanding its presence across Louisiana and into Texas.
Core Business Areas
- Commercial Banking: Offers a range of lending products, including commercial real estate, construction, and equipment loans. Also provides deposit accounts and cash management services to businesses.
- Personal Banking: Provides checking and savings accounts, mortgage loans, and other consumer lending products to individuals.
- Wealth Management: Offers financial planning, investment management, and trust services.
Leadership and Structure
Jude Melville is the President and CEO. The organizational structure consists of various departments overseen by senior management, reporting to the board of directors.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Commercial Loans: Loans to businesses for various purposes such as real estate, equipment, and working capital. Market share data is not publicly available for b1BANK specifically, making precise estimation challenging. Competitors include large national banks and regional banks like Hancock Whitney (HBHC) and Cadence Bank (CADE).
- Mortgage Loans: Residential mortgage loans for home purchase and refinancing. Market share data is fragmented and difficult to determine specifically for b1BANK. Competitors include national mortgage lenders and other regional banks.
- Deposit Accounts: Checking, savings, and money market accounts for individuals and businesses. Market share data is not publicly available for b1BANK specifically. Competitors include all banks operating in their markets.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The banking industry is currently facing challenges such as rising interest rates, increased regulatory scrutiny, and growing competition from fintech companies. Regional banks are navigating these challenges while striving to maintain profitability and manage credit risk.
Positioning
Business First Bancshares positions itself as a relationship-focused community bank, emphasizing local decision-making and personalized service. Their competitive advantage lies in their deep understanding of the local markets they serve.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The total addressable market for banking services in Louisiana and Texas is substantial, estimated in the billions of dollars. Business First Bancshares is positioned to capture a portion of this market through its community banking model.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Strong local presence
- Relationship-focused banking model
- Experienced management team
- Solid asset quality
Weaknesses
- Limited geographic diversification
- Smaller scale compared to larger banks
- Higher cost of funds relative to peers
- Reliance on traditional banking services
Opportunities
- Expansion into new markets
- Increased adoption of digital banking technologies
- Growing demand for wealth management services
- Potential for strategic acquisitions
Threats
- Rising interest rates
- Increased competition from fintech companies
- Economic downturn
- Regulatory changes
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- HBHC
- CADE
- FFBC
- IBOC
Competitive Landscape
Business First Bancshares faces competition from larger regional banks and community banks. Its advantage lies in its local market knowledge and customer relationships. Disadvantages include limited scale and geographic diversification.
Major Acquisitions
LINK Bancorp, Inc.
- Year: 2022
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 137.5
- Strategic Rationale: Expanded footprint in Louisiana market.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Business First Bancshares has achieved growth through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions.
Future Projections: Future growth projections are best obtained from analyst reports, which consider various factors.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include investments in digital banking and expansion into new markets.
Summary
Business First Bancshares is a regionally focused bank with a strong community presence. Its growth has been fueled by strategic acquisitions and a focus on local relationships. Rising interest rates and competition from larger banks are key challenges, but initiatives in digital banking and wealth management offer growth opportunities.
Similar Companies
- HBHC
- CADE
- FFBC
- IBOC
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company Website
- SEC Filings
- Analyst Reports
- FDIC Data
Disclaimers:
This analysis is based on available information and is not financial advice. Market share estimations are approximate due to limited publicly available data. Investment decisions should be made after consulting with a qualified 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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