Investar expanding into New Orleans, Northshore markets

Baton Rouge-based Investar Bank this morning announced new officers to lead the bank’s recent expansion into the New Orleans/Northshore market, and also says it plans to enter the Lafayette market next year. Stephen Wessel has been named regional president of Investar’s new franchise serving the New Orleans and Northshore areas. In June, Investar acquired a branch in Mandeville, which it hopes to have open early next year; in April it announced plans to purchase a three-story building in Metairie to convert into a branch, which is expected to open in October. Wessel, with 27 years of banking experience, will be responsible for the development, expansion and management of all branching, commercial, consumer and mortgage banking activity for the New Orleans area. Meanwhile, Kevin Dobson has been tapped to serve as chief lending officer for the market. Dobson, who has 17 years of banking experience, will lead the bank’s commercial, small-business and private banking team. Investar says it hopes to open a Lafayette branch next year, pending regulatory approval.