Business First to acquire Progressive Bancorp.

Business First, a bank holding company for b1BANK, agreed to acquire Progressive Bancorp, a bank holding company that owns Progressive Bank. Financial terms were not disclosed. "This partnership combines companies with shared values, similar cultures and complementary strategies. We are adding talented bankers who are well-established in communities that are important to us. It deepens our Louisiana footprint, strengthens our deposit and liquidity profiles, and results in an economically strengthened shared franchise. We will together more thoroughly serve our respective clients in what is an increasingly competitive arena," Jude Melville, Business First Chairman, President and CEO.