Investar Welcomes Brian Abshire as Southwest Louisiana Market President and Lacy Viator Commercial Portfolio Administrator

July 28, 2022

Lake Charles, La. – Investar Bank, National Association (“Investar”) hired Brian Abshire as its new Southwest Louisiana Market President and Senior Vice President. Abshire has 28 years of banking experience. He joins Investar most recently from First Horizon Bank where he was a Commercial Relationship Manager in Lake Charles for the past 10 years.

As the Southwest Louisiana Market President, Abshire will oversee Investar’s current and future Lake Charles market area footprint. He will be based in the Country Club Road branch. Abshire will be responsible for growing the Bank’s market share through expanding existing relationships while developing new opportunities with prospective clients.

“Brian is a respected banker who does an incredible job of developing and fostering relationships. With extensive knowledge in commercial lending and private banking, he brings expertise and leadership to a team of bankers who stand ready to welcome him into the Investar culture,” Jeff Blum, Western Region President, EVP, Investar, said. “We are very excited to welcome Brian to our team,” continued Blum.

Abshire attended McNeese State University in Lake Charles. He is active in the SWLA Community, and volunteers his time with various civic and non-profit organizations for which he has held leadership positions with many. Abshire is actively involved at Immaculate Conception Cathedral School and St Louis Catholic High School, where his children attend.

Joining Abshire as a Commercial Portfolio Administrator is Lacy Viator. She has 14 years of banking experience, and has worked in various retail roles as a Teller, Assistant Branch Manager and Relationship Banker. Most recently Viator has been a Commercial Relationship Administrator for the past five years at First Horizon Bank alongside Abshire. She will continue supporting Abshire and their client relationships. Viator currently serves as a Board Member for Big Brothers Big Sister of Southwest Louisiana. She enjoys volunteering her time, and is very active with the youth softball league.

Photo Caption: Brian Abshire, Southwest Louisiana Market President/SVP

 

Photo Caption: Lacy Viator, Commercial Portfolio Administrator/AVP

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Investar Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: ISTR), parent company of wholly-owned subsidiary Investar Bank, National Association (“Investar”), had total assets of approximately $2.6 billion as of June 30, 2022. Investar is a full-service community bank headquartered in Baton Rouge, La. offering extensive banking products and services for individuals and businesses for 15 years. The Bank has 31 branches serving several markets across South Louisiana, Texas and Alabama. Investar Bank NMLS ID# 481188. Equal Housing Lender. Member FDIC. To learn more, visit www.InvestarBank.com.