Business First Bancshares is a financial holding company that operates b1BANK, a state-chartered bank serving small-to-midsized businesses and professionals across Louisiana and Texas. The company generates revenue primarily from interest income on commercial and real estate loans, as well as from customer service fees, deposit account fees, and various ancillary banking services including SBA lending, mortgage origination, and investment activities. The bank funds its lending operations through a customer deposit base and generates profits through the net interest spread between rates earned on loans and securities and rates paid on deposits, supplemented by noninterest income from service charges and fees.