July 7 (Reuters) - Business First Bancshares Inc ( BFST )

:

* BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. ( BFST ) ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO

ACQUIRE

PROGRESSIVE BANCORP, INC. AND PROGRESSIVE BANK

* BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES ( BFST ): ONCE COMPLETED, ACQUISITION IS

EXPECTED TO INCREASE BUSINESS FIRST'S TOTAL ASSETS TO ABOUT $8.5

BILLION

* BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES ( BFST ) - PROGRESSIVE SHAREHOLDERS WILL

OWN

AROUND 9.3 PERCENT OF COMBINED COMPANY AFTER CLOSING

* BUSINESS FIRST BANCSHARES ( BFST )- UNDER DEAL, BUSINESS FIRST

EXPECTS TO

ISSUE ABOUT 3.1 MILLION SHARES OF COMMON STOCK TO PROGRESSIVE

SHAREHOLDERS

Source text:

Further company coverage: