The circle of banking life

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COMMUNITY PLAN:

Scott Gaudin, chief lending officer for Currency Bank, believes carving out niches in the agriculture and small business markets will boost the community bank’s Baton Rouge profile.

The circle of banking life

After a round of mergers and acquisitions by Baton Rouge-based banks, the next step in the cycle begins: the arrival of new community banks to the market.

BY JULIA-CLAIRE EVANS

DON KADAIR

BANK MERGERS AND acquisitions in the Baton Rouge area were occurring at a steady clip before the pandemic. The deals have since slowed, and some say there remains a space for community banks to fill.

The trend over the past few years has been mergers and acquisitions of smaller banks, says John D’Angelo, CEO of Investar Bank, although at the end of 2020 and beginning of 2021 there were numerous big bank mergers.

A lot of the acquisitions have come from Louisiana banks venturing outside of the state, like IberiaBank’s recent acquisition in Florida, says Woody Briggs, vice chairman of Chaffe and Associates

This trend was a direct result of banks seeking synergies and expense savings to improve financial metrics tracked by Wall Street, D’Angelo says. This also allows these much larger banks to invest more heavily in financial technology, or fintech, like mobile banking and cryptocurrency.

Mergers and acquisitions came to a near halt during COVID-19 due to the amount of uncertainty brought on by the pandemic, says b1BANK CEO Jude Melville. Banks were not going to make a deal decision during that period.

Melville says b1BANK was able to partner with Pedestal Bank in south Louisiana during that period, but it was challenging. It was also one of the last mergers announced in Louisiana during the pandemic. Investar Bank had to postpone its acquisition of Alabama-based Cheaha Bank, D’Angelo says, but was able to close the transaction in April.

The pandemic was one of those unpredictable things, says Scott Gaudin, chief lending officer for Currency Bank, which prior to a late August name change, was known as Commerce Community Bank. Some banks had deals in the pipeline and ready to go and had to pause.

But the deals are coming back, Melville says, as the economy recovers. Banking stocks are not what they were, but they are higher than they were during the pandemic.

The maneuvers and sector conditions have convinced at least two small community banks— Currency Bank from Oak Grove and Ruston’s Louisiana National Bank—that there’s room to grow in the Baton Rouge market.

An investor group bought Delta Bancshares, parent of Currency in October, and followed a familiar script: hiring banking veterans like Gaudin, who is overseeing lending efforts, and then hoping to boost the bank’s financials— and the group’s ROI—through loans to small- and medium-sized businesses.

The bank’s board is a who’s who of familiar names. The board chairman is Robert Daigrepont Jr., a certified public accountant and treasurer of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. Other high-profile directors include Guaranty Broadcasting CEO Flynn Foster, Reliant Technologies Inc. founder Barry Hugghins, Phelps Dunbar partner Dennis Blunt, Beverly Moore Haydel, president and CEO of Sequitur Consulting, and Supreme Construction commercial contractor leader Ravi Patel, who also owns a family-run hotel. The group has injected additional capital into Currency to bolster its Baton Rouge expansion.

In a move anyone familiar with the banking cycle will recognize, Currency’s legacy is in agriculture, primarily in smaller, more rural parts of the state and region. Over time, growth begins to slow, so what often happens next is a rural bank goes looking for well-heeled business investors in a larger market in which it can expand.

In Baton Rouge, they found that banks were selling and growing and there was a space for a community bank like theirs, Gaudin says.

“We plan to continue to serve the agriculture industry and grow our space in this geography,” he says, hoping to find a niche with sugarcane farmers in Iberville and Pointe Coupee parishes. “We’re unique compared to others, because our bank ownership is comprised of business owners. A lot of farmers also work for themselves, and we feel like our cultures align pretty well.”

They are focusing on improving technology at the bank, Gaudin says, and have done more tech upgrades in three months than most banks do in a year. There used to be a wide technology gap between big and small banks, he says, but that gap has closed significantly, allowing for more community banks to operate on a level closer to that of larger banks.

Louisiana National Bank, previously First National Bank, has been around for more than 100 years, says Alex Mahon, VPmarket leader. The bank changed its name when it moved to Baton

Rouge in early May.

The bank’s ownership and board have ties to Baton Rouge, he says, and were looking at moving for about five years.

The cycle of these community institutions is driven by a locale’s need for a small bank to cater to a niche group—usually smaller business owners, not unlike the people who usually own the banks.

“I think there is a need now and an opportunity and space that needs to be filled by small community banks, where decisions are made locally,” Mahon says.

It’s a cycle that begins when too many banks operate in a market, and competitive forces naturally result in consolidation, D’Angelo says. Other factors include: fears of tax changes, regulatory requirements, changes in economic conditions and investors’ desire to receive return on their initial investment.

Investar began as a result of a void in the market for a smaller community bank, yet over the last 15 years it has seen steady growth both organically as well as through mergers and acquisitions. Rather than selling, Investar’s leadership made the decision to take the bank public and give investors a choice to stay in or get out.

Other Louisiana banks that started small and grew include IberiaBank, b1BANK, Home Bank and Red River Bank.

Missing from the cycle, and have been since the turn of the century, are de novo banks— newly created banks that are not acquired through a purchase.

B1BANK rode one of the last waves of de novos when it was created, Melville says. Since then, tougher federal regulations and a changing economy have made starting from scratch a far more difficult proposition.

Consequently, investors today are more interested in buying existing banks, rather than chartering new ones.

So what’s next for the Baton Rouge market?

There are a lot of business opportunities in suburban Baton Rouge, says Briggs of Chaffe and Associates. Livingston has one of the strongest economies in the state, and he predicts the suburban surge will be strong.

More small charters are being acquired and moved, Melville says, like Currency did. He says he would not be surprised to see more of that happen in the region, as buying something that already exists gives the owner a head start.

A lot of banks are coming to the Baton Rouge area because it is a beacon, Gaudin says. It is the capital and has a consistent economy. Banks see the population growth Baton Rouge has had since Katrina and they see an opportunity to grow their bank and their revenues.

“I do think there will continue to be a consolidation of banks, and I don’t think it will ever stop,” Gaudin says. “I think people forget that banks have been investment vehicles since forever. They sell, buy and merge, and it will never change.”

BANKING ON IT: Flynn Foster of Guaranty Media Group is an investor and sits on the board of Currency Bank.

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PEOPLE IN BANKING & FINANCE

Consumers are looking for bankers and financial advisors who have their best interests at heart when it comes to their financial needs and concerns. These professionals, along with their experience, will help you to navigate the financial waters.

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Claiborne Duval

Baton Rouge Market President

South Louisiana Bank CELEBRATING 16 YEARS of banking experience, Claiborne Duval is the Baton Rouge Market President for South Louisiana Bank. With an undergraduate degree in finance and a MBA, Claiborne is a current member and past board member of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Baton Rouge and the Houma Rotary Club. He excels in making each customer feel that their interests are well taken care of by the bank. Contact Claiborne at South Louisiana Bank/5379 Highland Road Baton Rouge, LA 70808/225-408-5020.

This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2021. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329 Abby Pudlewski Financial Center Leader Fidelity Bank WORKING FOR Fidelity Bank has been the most rewarding experience of my 22 year banking career. Helping all of the people in our community reach their financial goals is an honor and a privilege, and I’m truly thankful to work with a bank that holds the same value. We work hard to make sure that every client feels like the most important client that we have, because they are! I believe that excellent service is the key to building great relationships, and I am Here For Good! Issue Date: Sept 2021 Ad proof #1 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

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This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2021. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329 Murlonda Webb Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion EFCU Financial EVERYONE SHOULD feel like they belong. Whether they are a staff member or a member of our credit union, it is my charge to make that happen. As the newly promoted Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) for EFCU Financial, I will put my MA from Southern New Hampshire University and my Diversity & Inclusion certification from Cornell University to good use with all DEI efforts in new hire recruiting, staff training and development, purchasing and contracts. Issue Date: Sept 2021 Ad proof #1 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received by the close of business today. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

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Brian Nizzo

Issue Date: SEPT 2021 Ad proof #1 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received by the close of business today. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees. Sr. Vice President & Chief Lending Officer First American Bank and Trust BRIAN NIZZO began his banking career soon after he graduated from LSU. In 2006, Brian joined First American Bank and Trust as a lending officer and then graduated from the Graduate School of Banking where he gained a broader knowledge of banking. Since then, Brian has been promoted several times. He now oversees a team of 26 lenders among 25 branches. His focus is for his team to be among the best in the field by offering exceptional customer service while providing the right products based on the customer’s needs. Contact Brian at bnizzo@fabt.com.

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Levar Anderson

Senior Commercial Banker

Home Bank THE NEWEST ADDITION to Home Bank’s business lending team, Senior Commercial Lender Levar Anderson is no stranger to the financial industry. With 16 years of lending experience, Anderson is a trusted advisor to his clients, offering a personal touch to banking. With expertise in fields including medical, manufacturing, and distributing, Anderson’s clients keep the economy moving – and that keeps him motivated. His personal motto is, “You become what you exchange your time for.”

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Scott Cobb

Mortgage Lender Home Bank THE AMERICAN DREAM of owning a home is still very much alive, and Scott Cobb says he takes pride in helping his customers make the dream a reality by finding home loans that fit their needs. With over 30 years of lending experience, Cobb enjoys sharing his knowledge with clients and getting to know them on a personal level. He says community banking is key to building customer relationships: “I treat them the way I would want to be treated when making such a big life decision.” Issue Date: SEPT 2021 Ad proof #1 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received by the close of business today. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

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Layne Dodd

Senior Commercial Banker Home Bank AS A FORMER BUSINESS OWNER, Layne Dodd has insights into his customers’ needs that come from experience. With 27 years in banking, Dodd takes pride in his role as a “traditional community banker,” one who can be counted on to answer his phone when needed and come through with a solution to fit each client. He says Home Bank has a distinction in business banking and lending with its capacity to provide solutions for businesses of all sizes. Issue Date: SEPT 2021 Ad proof #2 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received by the close of business today. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

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This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2021. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329 Chris Harrell Baton Rouge Market President Home Bank WITH OVER 30 YEARS of experience in banking in Baton Rouge, Market President Chris Harrell leads a team of business bankers and lenders with an eye toward not only the bottom line, but also what’s right for the customer. He empowers his bankers to look outside of cookie cutter solutions and find a custom fit for each business. A native of Baton Rouge, Harrell understands the challenges of the Capital Region and celebrates Home Bank’s role in helping businesses grow and thrive. Issue Date: SEPT 2021 Ad proof #1 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received by the close of business today. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees. Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS

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Anita Kennedy

Senior Commercial Banker Home Bank FUELING THE ECONOMY by putting funds in the hands of business owners is what motivates Anita Kennedy. With over 34 years in banking, she adds value to her relationships with clients through her in-depth knowledge of financing, lending and cash flow. She says, “Numbers and lending can be scary for people, but I can help. I read spreadsheets like other people read a novel. I love it. Business owners already have so many hats to wear. I strive to relieve some of that stress by providing real solutions.” Issue Date: SEPT 2021 Ad proof #1 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received by the close of business today. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

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Sherie Lagarde

Banking Center Manager Home Bank BANKING CENTER MANAGER Sherie Lagarde loves the feeling of working at a community bank where she knows her customers by name and can celebrate their successes and encourage them when they are down. Whether it’s solving a problem or getting a loan approved, she takes pride in knowing she’s made a customer’s day better. Lagarde has been with Home Bank for 13 years and loves to cheer on her coworkers - almost as much as she loves cheering for the Tigers. Visit Lagarde and her banking teams at Home Bank on Corporate Boulevard and Bluebonnet. Issue Date: SEPT 2021 Ad proof #1 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received by the close of business today. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

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This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2021. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329 Kelvin Luster Community Development Director Home Bank IN HIS NEW ROLE as Community Development Director at Home Bank, Kelvin Luster is excited to do more of what he loves – connecting with people and improving lives. With 16 years in retail banking, Luster’s new role will allow him to expand his network and his impact – working to ensure equitable home lending opportunities and getting involved in nonprofits across Home Bank’s footprint. Luster is also involved locally, including with 100 Black Men of Baton Rouge, the Knights of St. Peter Claver, and Junior Achievement. Issue Date: SEPT 2021 Ad proof #1 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received by the close of business today. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees. Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS

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Olivia Hayes

Banking Center Manager

Home Bank BANKING CENTER MANAGER Olivia Hayes splits her time between the bustling retail areas at Long Farm Village and Sherwood Forest Boulevard in Baton Rouge. With 10 years of banking experience, she was recently promoted to Assistant Vice President and took on a new role of managing two teams of bankers. Hayes says she’s up to the task and uses the motto “Do one thing every day that scares you,” by Eleanor Roosevelt, as inspiration to take on whatever challenges she meets.

Debbie Mire

Senior Commercial Banker

Home Bank UNDERSTANDING WHAT MAKES a business unique is Senior Commercial Banker Debbie Mire’s secret to success. Whether meeting with an entrepreneur or an operating company, Mire says it’s important to take time to really listen to her customers’ needs and develop a plan for success. At Home Bank, she embraces her role as a community banker and appreciates that loan decisions are made locally – providing opportunities for her to extend service that keeps customers coming back as their needs change and businesses grow.

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Mark Juneau

Vice President and Commercial Lender United Community Bank MARK RECEIVED his BS from SLU and has more than 25 years in banking. He has been in Commercial Lending since 2004 and is a graduate of the American Bankers Association Commercial Lending School. In addition to banking, he’s a US Army Veteran attached to the 82nd Airborne ‘Operation Enduring Freedom’ in Afghanistan. Mark is a member of Junior Achievement of Baton Rouge where he educates young students on the importance of money management. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and other outdoor sports with his son. Issue Date: SEPT 2021 Ad proof #2 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received by the close of business today. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

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Heath Mire

Sr. Vice President and Commercial Lender United Community Bank HEATH RECEIVED his BS in Finance from the University of South Alabama and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at LSU. Heath has been in banking for over 20 years and a Commercial Lender for more than 15 years. “I’ve made my home at UCB, a local community bank. We offer the same products and services of larger financial institutions but have the flexibility to customize our loans to fit specific needs of our clients. We give personalized attention to all of our customers and are actively involved within our communities.” Issue Date: September 2021 Ad proof #1 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received by the close of business today. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

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This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2021. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329 Jane G. Verret President and CEO Campus Federal Credit Union CAMPUS FEDERAL is committed to providing excellent member experiences by continually investing in our digital and physical presence. Our Interaction Center in Long Farm Village opened earlier this year and a new Mortgage & Business Lending Center is coming in 2022. The Video Call Center provides access to financial experts via personal devices, and Campus Connect Interactive Teller Machines are rolling out to all of our locations statewide. We are our members’ trusted financial partner for every stage of life. Issue Date: MONTH 2021 Ad proof #2 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received by the close of business today. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees. Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS

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Clay Hebert

Vice President/Branch Manager

Louisiana Land Bank CLAY HEBERT has recently been promoted to Vice President & Branch Manager for Louisiana Land Bank. Clay, a native of Brusly and Catholic High School alumnus, began his career with Louisiana Land Bank shortly after graduating from LSU in 2012. Louisiana Land Bank is a rural real estate lender established over 100 years ago. Clay’s office, located in Port Allen, specializes in financing hunting property & timberland. Contact Clay at (225) 7493522 or (225) 252-8872, cell. www.louisianalandbank.com

This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2021. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329 Ryan Elliott, CCIM Vice President Citizens Bank & Trust CITIZENS BANK & TRUST has been deeply rooted in our community for over a century and I am fortunate to have represented them for the last 16 years. As a lender, it’s my priority to offer a pleasant banking experience while making sound decisions that our best for the customer and bank. We provide our customers friendly service through six locations in the capital region and a host of electronic options to make the banking experience pleasant and convenient. Issue Date: OCT 2020 Piper. Ad proof #2 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received by the close of business today. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

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Denage Piper

Commercial Relationship Manager Citizens Bank & Trust COMMUNITY BANKING is more than deposits and lending. It’s about building long standing relationships that create customer advocates. Helping our customers “live the dream” is our goal. Whether it’s funding purchasing a new building, building a new construction, purchasing equipment or investing in real estate–we are here to help. As a Business Partner at Citizens Bank & Trust we find value in meeting our customers where they are, in the thick of business. During these trying times we are devoted to helping businesses through this pandemic. Issue Date: Sept 2021 Ad proof #1 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received by the close of business today. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

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Adam Foy

CEO Louisiana USA Federal Credit Union FOLLOWING IN HIS FATHER’S footsteps, in January 2020, Adam Foy filled the role as CEO of Louisiana USA Federal Credit Union. With a 20-year-long career in the credit union industry, Foy understands the significance credit unions have on the lives of others and the importance of their role in a community. As a natural leader, Foy’s relentless passion fuels his desire to provide dedicated service and reliable solutions, day in and day out. Issue Date: SEPT 2021 Ad proof #1 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received by the close of business today. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees. Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS

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Eddie Bertoniere

SVP, Commercial Banker

b1BANK EDDIE HAS over 15 years of banking experience specializing in business lending, is a veteran of the US Army, and a graduate of LSU’s Graduate School of Banking. He is also a member of Groups TipMaster and EBR Lions Club. At b1BANK, Eddie is helping local clients build their business with working capital loans, equipment financing, and lines of credit that help manage cash flow gaps and cover everyday expenses. b1BANK also offers a full range of treasury management products and services to help simplify your banking and manage your company’s cash flow.