Investar Bank Adds Two Veteran Bankers

BATON ROUGE, La., April 03, 2017 -- Investar Bank, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Investar Holding Corporation (NASDAQ:ISTR), recently hired two veteran bankers: Mr. Fred V. Beebe as the new Market President in Ascension Parish, and Ms. Anita L. Coyle as the new East Baton Rouge Market President.

Mr. Beebe has more than 35 years’ experience in banking and Ms. Coyle has more than 25 years’ banking experience, both specializing in commercial lending with a focus in real estate and commercial and industrial (C&I) business. Mr. Beebe joins Investar from First NBC Bank where he led a team of lenders with a robust deposit and lending portfolio. Ms. Coyle joins Investar from Regions Bank where she grew loan and deposit production year over year for the past 16 years.

“With a combined experience of 60 years, the Investar team just gained two of the top bankers in South Louisiana. I am so thrilled to have both Fred and Anita join our team,” Holly Hidalgo-DeKeyzer, Regional President, Investar Bank, said. “With our focus on expanding in Ascension Parish, I look forward to seeing Fred’s expertise grow business there. With Anita’s extensive experience in banking operating companies, this will provide great diversification for Investar Bank’s portfolio,” continued DeKeyzer.

As Market Presidents, Mr. Beebe and Ms. Coyle are each responsible for managing and growing a team of lenders. Mr. Beebe’s community involvement ranges from supporting the Baton Rouge United Way to the Big Buddy Program. He resides in Donaldsonville with his wife and enjoys having his daughter’s family nearby. As a Baton Rouge resident, Ms. Coyle is a current Manship Theatre Board Member and has served on the Safety Council Board, the ABC Financial Committee, and as a teacher with Junior Achievement.

About Investar

Investar Holding Corporation, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, provides full banking services, excluding trust services, through its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Investar Bank, a state chartered bank. Investar's primary market is South Louisiana and it currently operates 10 full service banking offices located throughout its market. At December 31, 2016, Investar had 152 full-time equivalent employees.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and assumptions about our business that are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those described in this press release. You should not rely on forward-looking statements as a prediction of future events.

Additional information regarding factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in any forward-looking statements are described in reports and registration statements we file with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, copies of which are available on Investar's internet website http://www.investarbank.com.

Investar disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any forward-looking statement may be based except as required by law.

Contact:
Investar Holding Corporation
Chris Hufft
Chief Financial Officer
(225) 227-2215
[email protected]