Reported Earlier, Business First Bancshares Merger With Oakwood Bancshares Approved, b1BANK To Gain Five New Branches Across Texas

Upon completion, it is expected that b1BANK's assets will increase to approximately $7.6 billion, with over $5.9 billion in consolidated total loans. This will also add four full-service banking centers to b1BANK's footprint in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, as well as one branch in each of Snyder and Oakwood, Texas. Roy J. Salley, chairman and chief executive officer of Oakwood Bank, will join b1BANK as regional chairman, Dallas, and William G. Hall, chairman of Oakwood Bancshares, Inc., will be appointed to the boards of directors of Business First and b1BANK.

The merger is expected to be completed on October 1, 2024, and remains subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.