Business First Bancshares Inc., the holding company for B1Bank, has acquired Smith Shellnut Wilson LLC, a registered investment advisor specializing in managing investment portfolios for corporations, foundations and individuals.

“B1Bank has worked closely with SSW since the day we chartered 15 years ago. We value the quantifiable impact they’ve had on the management of our investment portfolio, we respect the sophistication of their capabilities as specialists, and we trust them as people,” said Jude Melville, president and CEO of B1Bank. “Bringing SSW under the B1Bank umbrella will allow us to expand the set of products and services we offer through our financial institutions group while also strengthening the investment services we offer to our individual clients.” 

“B1Bank and SSW operate with similar values, including a personalized, structured style to portfolio management and innovative methods of product development,” said Frank W. Smith III, SSW Principal. “This merger will provide both SSW and B1Bank teams with more options to customize client services,” said Smith. 

Fenimore, Kay, Harrison & Ford LLP acted as legal advisor to B1Bank, while Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes PLLC advised SSW.