Business First Bancshares, Inc. announces the appointment of Zeenat Sidi to its Board of Directors

Rhea-AI Summary

Business First Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: BFST) has appointed Zeenat Sidi to its Board of Directors and its banking subsidiary b1BANK. Sidi brings over 25 years of experience in fintech, consumer banking, and payments industries. Her expertise includes P&L leadership, digital transformation, and risk management. Notable achievements include developing products at loanDepot that gained Wall Street Journal recognition and holding senior executive roles at SoFi and Capital One. Sidi's appointment is expected to enhance the board's digital expertise and customer engagement strategies. She holds advanced degrees from Duke University and Stanford University and has been recognized as one of the Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business in 2022.

Positive

• Appointment of Zeenat Sidi brings extensive fintech and banking experience to the board
• Sidi's expertise in digital transformation and customer engagement could drive growth
• Addition of Sidi diversifies the board's industry expertise
• Potential for new opportunities and positive impact on client services

Negative

• None.

BATON ROUGE, La., Aug. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zeenat Sidi has been appointed to the board of directors of Business First Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: BFST) and its banking subsidiary b1BANK.

Sidi, a C-suite executive in the fintech and consumer banking and payments industry, has over 25 years of experience in profit and loss (P&L) leadership, digital transformation, risk management, operations and strategy in the U.S. and Canada. Most recently, as loanDepot’s President of Digital Products and Services, she led the development of multiple products and digital customer engagement strategies. One product, aimed at increasing affordability for first-time home buyers, led to industry recognition by the Wall Street Journal. She has a proven track record in financial services and the fintech industry, including senior executive roles in the lending businesses at SoFi and Capital One, where she built and led profitable, digitally-enabled businesses. Sidi also has served in executive roles at RBC, FICO and Experian.

“Zeenat’s expertise in building digital platforms and increasing customer engagement will add meaningfully to our board’s strong mix of diverse industry experts,” said Chairman, President and CEO Jude Melville. “Zeenat will provide valuable insight as we explore new opportunities, continuing to grow the positive impact we hope to have on clients’ lives in coming years.”

Sidi earned a Master of Business Administration from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, a Master of Science in Operations Research from Stanford University, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Miami. She has served on the Board of the Texas Women’s Foundation as an executive committee member and as Chair of the Audit Committee. In 2022, the Asian American Business Development Center recognized Sidi as one of the Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business.

"I am truly honored to join the board of directors at Business First Bancshares, Inc,” said Zeenat Sidi. “This is an exciting time for b1BANK, and I look forward to collaborating with the talented management team and my fellow board members to help drive the company's growth and deliver long-term value to the bank’s shareholders and stakeholders."

Chartwell Partners provided executive search services for the fulfillment of this board position.

About Business First Bancshares, Inc.

As of June 30, 2024, Business First Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: BFST), through its banking subsidiary b1BANK, has $6.7 billion in assets, $6.1 billion in assets under management through b1BANK’s affiliate Smith Shellnut Wilson, LLC (SSW) (excludes $0.9 billion of b1BANK assets managed by SSW) and operates Banking Centers and Loan Production Offices in markets across Louisiana and the Dallas and Houston, Texas areas, providing commercial and personal banking products and services. Commercial banking services include commercial loans and letters of credit, working capital lines and equipment financing, and treasury management services. b1BANK was awarded #1 Best-In-State Bank, Louisiana, by Forbes and Statista, and is a multiyear winner of American Banker’s “Best Banks to Work For.” Visit b1BANK.com for more information.

Misty Albrecht
b1BANK
225.286.7879
Misty.Albrecht@b1BANK.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/04d635c1-8aba-4e1f-8d91-123975c43a0e

FAQ

Who is the new board member appointed to Business First Bancshares (BFST)?

Zeenat Sidi, a C-suite executive with over 25 years of experience in fintech and consumer banking, has been appointed to the board of directors of Business First Bancshares, Inc. (BFST) and its banking subsidiary b1BANK.

What experience does Zeenat Sidi bring to Business First Bancshares (BFST)?

Zeenat Sidi brings over 25 years of experience in P&L leadership, digital transformation, risk management, operations, and strategy in the U.S. and Canada. She has held senior executive roles at loanDepot, SoFi, Capital One, RBC, FICO, and Experian.

How might Zeenat Sidi's appointment impact Business First Bancshares (BFST)?

Sidi's expertise in building digital platforms and increasing customer engagement is expected to provide valuable insights as BFST explores new opportunities and aims to grow its positive impact on clients' lives in the coming years.

What notable achievements does Zeenat Sidi have prior to joining BFST's board?

At loanDepot, Sidi led the development of products that gained recognition from the Wall Street Journal. In 2022, she was recognized as one of the Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business by the Asian American Business Development Center.