Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Business First Bancshares, Inc. of our report dated March 9, 2017, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Business First Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries which appear in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Business First Bancshares, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2016.
We also consent to the reference to our firm under the captions “Experts” in the prospectus included with the Form S-3.
/s/ Hannis T. Bourgeois, LLP
Hannis T. Bourgeois, LLP
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
February 14, 2018