Investar expanding Greater New Orleans footprint

Baton Rouge-based Investar Bank announced today that it will open Thursday its first branch in Mandeville, furthering plans laid out in September to expand its presence along the Northshore and in the Greater New Orleans market. The Mandeville location, at 2929 Hwy. 190, is the second Investar branch opening in the Greater New Orleans market this week. The bank says a Metairie branch at 500 Veterans Blvd. opened earlier this week; its first in the market. Both locations provide consumer, small business, mortgage and commercial banking services. “By strengthening our southeast Louisiana franchise, we’re able to introduce even more clients to the personalized service that is the hallmark of our locally owned, locally managed and locally staffed community bank,” says Stephen Wessel, the bank’s New Orleans regional president, in a prepared statement. Investar has five branches in Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, Port Allen and Prairieville. Pending regulatory approval, its first branch in Lafayette is expected to open next year. Investar Bank reported total assets of $342 million at Sept. 30.