Business First Bank Establishes New West Central Market in Beauregard and Vernon Parishes Naming Kirk Pellerin President of the New Market and Director of Consumer Lending

LAKE CHARLES, La., May 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Philip Jordan, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the western region of Business First Bank, today announced Kirk Pellerin as President of a newly created west central market in Beauregard and Vernon Parishes. Pellerin will also serve in the newly created position of Director of Consumer Lending for the bank. Pellerin formerly served as President of the bank's Lake Charles market. 

"Business First Bank is excited about making a further commitment to southwest Louisiana, and we are confident that Kirk is the right person to develop the increasing opportunities in Beauregard and Vernon Parishes. In addition, his depth of experience in consumer lending makes him the right candidate to lead that function for the bank statewide," said Jordan.

Pellerin is a former two-term President of the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Lions Club, and a member of the Krewe de la Famille and Krewe de la Noblesse, both of Lake Charles. Prior to joining Business First Bank in 2015, he served for 11 years as President and CEO of The Vernon Bank in Leesville, Louisiana.   

About Business First Bank
Business First Bank operates 18 offices, including 16 banking centers, one loan production office and one wealth solutions office in seven markets across Louisiana. Business First Bank provides commercial and personal banking, treasury management and wealth solutions services to private businesses and their owners, operators, executives and employees. It was chosen as one of American Banker magazine's Top 40 Banks to Work For in 2014. Business First Bank was also chosen as one of Baton Rouge Business Report's Top Companies to Work For in 2014 and 2015. 

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this news release may not be based on historical facts and are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements may be identified by their reference to a future period or periods or by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "may," "might," "will," "would," "could," or "intend." We caution you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, in that actual results could differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. We undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this news release.

SOURCE Business First Bank