Investar Holding Business Summary

Investar Holding Corp (ISTR) is a financial holding company that generates revenue primarily through its subsidiary, Investar Bank, National Association, with net interest income (NII) comprising approximately 88% of its total revenue stream. Its business model is segmented into commercial and industrial (C&I) lending, commercial real estate (CRE), and retail banking, supplemented by non-interest income from treasury management, mortgage services, and service charges. The company recently completed a transformational expansion via the January 1, 2026, acquisition of Wichita Falls Bancshares, Inc., which increased total assets to over $4 billion and significantly deepened its footprint in the North Texas and Dallas markets. Compared to regional peers such as Cathay General Bancorp (CATY), Origin Bancorp (OBK), and Byline Bancorp (BY), Investar positions itself as a nimble, relationship-focused competitor targeting the underserved small-to-medium enterprise (SME) segment across the Gulf South and Texas. The company is led by Founder, President, and CEO John J. D’Angelo, who established the bank in 2006 following a tenure as President of Aegis Lending Corporation and a management role at Hibernia National Bank. The executive leadership team includes EVP and CFO John R. Campbell, a former Laitram LLC and Hibernia executive whose employment agreement was renewed through 2028 in late 2025, and EVP and COO Linda M. Crochet, who joined in 2019 with extensive credit risk experience from Capital One. Jeffrey W. Martin serves as EVP and Chief Risk Officer, maintaining the firm's tight credit quality standards. The Board of Directors, chaired by William Hidalgo, was recently strengthened by the appointments of James Dunkerley and Dr. David Flack following the 2026 merger, and includes notable member Scott Ginn, the COO and CFO of Amedisys, Inc.