Investar Bank is continuing an aggressive expansion strategy across the Gulf South. Earlier this year, it opened branches in three Texas cities—Houston, Texas City and Dickinson—and entered into an agreement to acquire the Alabama-based Bank of York, giving Investar a presence along the Interstate 20 corridor in Alabama.
Since receiving the necessary regulatory approvals several months ago, Investar has been operating as a national bank, with its official name changing to “Investar Bank, National Association.”
Business Report recently chatted with Chief Accounting Officer Rachel P. Cherco about her work and experiences with the company. Read the full Q&A, here’s a sample of what you’ll find:
For those who are not familiar with Investar Bank, tell us a little bit about the company and your role.
“Investar Bank was founded in 2006 by John D’Angelo and is headquartered in Baton Rouge. We started in a trailer on Perkins Road and today the bank has grown to 24 locations across Louisiana and Texas. The bank is approximately $2 billion in asset size and is publicly traded. As the chief accounting officer, I am responsible for the company’s asset liability management, managing the bank’s investment portfolio, supervising the accounting department, serving on various committees and reviewing various financial reports.”
As someone who has been with Investar since its founding in 2006 and has seen the bank’s footprint expand rapidly in recent years, what would you say is behind the growth, and what is the company’s strategy for maintaining it?
“Our people! Exceptional teamwork and customer service is the key to our success. As the bank has grown, we have worked really hard to ensure that this type of culture continues to be spread throughout our entire footprint.”
