MONROE, La. — ULM Athletics and b1BANK announced a five-year partnership naming b1BANK the Official Bank of ULM Athletics through its MMR partner Van Wagner on Tuesday (August 4). This announcement establishes a broad collaboration focused on athletics, education and investment in the Monroe community.

As part of the agreement with ULM/Van Wagner, Fant-Ewing Coliseum will now bear the name b1BANK Fant Coliseum. The newly named venue will continue to serve as home to ULM basketball and volleyball and as a gathering place for the university and North Louisiana community.

"We are grateful to b1BANK for their investment in our university and this community," said ULM President Dr. Carrie L. Castille. "Partnerships like these help move our university forward by increasing opportunities for our student-athletes, not only on the field and the court, but by helping prepare them for their future careers. We look forward to years of successful collaboration with b1BANK."

The collaboration extends beyond athletics and the naming of the coliseum. b1BANK will work with ULM Athletics and other departments on campus to connect students with practical financial knowledge and professional experience. Planned initiatives include financial education programming, internship opportunities and career development support designed to help prepare students for life and careers beyond the university.

"We are thrilled to begin this long-term partnership with b1BANK," said Director of Athletics SJ Tuohy, "Their commitment to ULM and Monroe is clear, and this partnership will create meaningful opportunities for our student-athletes beyond competition. We look forward to working together and seeing the impact of this collaboration across our university and community."

The agreement reflects b1BANK's deepening presence in Monroe and North Louisiana following its acquisition of Progressive Bank. As the bank grows across the region, its focus is not simply on expanding its footprint, but on investing in the institutions, people and opportunities that help communities thrive.

"Monroe isn't just a market in which we do business — we are part of this community, and with that comes a responsibility to invest in its future," said Jude Melville, chairman and CEO of b1BANK. "ULM plays an important role in the life and future of this region. Supporting the university, investing in students, and creating opportunities for emerging talent are tangible ways we are putting our commitment to Monroe and the surrounding area into action. Becoming the official bank of ULM Athletics is just one part of our much broader commitment to this community and its continued growth."

The partnership builds on b1BANK's investment across North Louisiana, where the bank serves individuals and businesses throughout the region, and further strengthens the bank's ties to Monroe.
Van Wagner, ULM Athletics' multimedia rights partner, assisted in the development and negotiation of this partnership. The renaming is pending the approval of the UL System Board.

There will be a press conference and reception celebrating the partnership on August 26 at 4 p.m. in b1Bank Fant Coliseum with more details to come. Contact Emma Grace ReVille with any questions regarding that day.

About b1BANK
b1BANK, a wholly owned subsidiary of Business First Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: BFST), had $8.9 billion in assets as of June 30, 2026. The bank operates banking centers and loan production offices across Louisiana and Texas, providing commercial and personal banking products and services. b1BANK is a 2024 Mastercard Innovation Award winner and a multiyear recipient of American Banker's Best Banks to Work For recognition. For more information, visit b1BANK.com.

About Van Wagner
Van Wagner is a leading sports advertising and entertainment agency, with global expertise in live events, sponsorship sales, multimedia rights and aerial advertising. Van Wagner creates, advises and sells on behalf of world-class teams, leagues, brands and properties. An innovator in the sports and media business, Van Wagner is a global leader in high-impact broadcast visible signage throughout the NCAA, MLB, NBA, and international soccer, as well as collegiate multimedia rights and in-venue content production at the world's biggest sporting events. For more information, visit www.vanwagner.com.