Business First Acquires Consultancy to Expand Banking Services

Business First Bancshares is the Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based parent of b1BANK and had $8.9 billion in assets as of March 31, 2026. The transaction marks its third acquisition in more than five years of a nonbank business serving community banks. It is intended to strengthen the company’s asset-liability management, investment portfolio advisory and outsourced CFO services.

Business First announced on July 7, 2026, that it had completed its acquisition of American Planning Corp., which was founded in 1972. Financial terms were not disclosed. Chief Executive T. Jefferson Fair and his team will join Smith Shellnut Wilson. American Planning serves more than 50 community banks, has helped establish 17 new banks and has participated in more than 80 mergers and acquisitions.