Investar Holding Corporation Announces Acquisition Approvals

Rhea-AI Summary

Investar Holding Corporation (Nasdaq: ISTR) announced shareholder and federal banking regulator approvals for its previously announced acquisition of Wichita Falls Bancshares, the holding company for First National Bank (FNB).

At September 30, 2025, FNB reported $1.3 billion in total assets, $1.1 billion in net loans, and $1.1 billion in total deposits. Shareholder votes occurred on October 23–24, 2025. Closing remains subject to customary conditions; the company anticipates closing on or about January 1, 2026.

Positive

• Regulatory approvals received from federal banking regulators
• Shareholders of both companies approved the merger on October 23–24, 2025
• Acquisition adds a bank with $1.3B total assets (as of Sept 30, 2025)

Negative

• Completion subject to customary closing conditions, creating timing uncertainty
• Closing only anticipated on or about January 1, 2026, not guaranteed

Insights

M&A Banking Strategist

Approved regulators and shareholders clear Investar's acquisition of First National Bank; close expected on or about January 1, 2026.

Investar Holding Corporation gains a full-service community bank with $1.3 billion in total assets, $1.1 billion in net loans, and $1.1 billion in deposits as of September 30, 2025. The deal expands the acquirer's balance sheet and customer base while adding digital channels through First National Bank's online and mobile platforms.

Completion depends on customary closing conditions despite regulatory and shareholder approvals. Integration risks include retaining FNB customers and staff and combining loan and deposit systems; those risks will affect near-term operational metrics. Watch for the formal closing around January 1, 2026 and any disclosed terms about retention, asset quality, or purchase accounting in the next filings.

BATON ROUGE, LA / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / Investar Holding Corporation (the "Company") (Nasdaq:ISTR), the holding company of Investar Bank, National Association (the "Bank"), today announced that it has received the necessary shareholder and regulatory approvals for its previously announced, pending acquisition of Wichita Falls Bancshares, Inc. ("Wichita Falls"), the holding company for First National Bank ("FNB") headquartered in Wichita Falls, Texas.

On July 1, 2025, the Company announced that it had entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Agreement") to acquire Wichita Falls. At September 30, 2025, FNB had $1.3 billion in total assets, $1.1 billion in net loans and $1.1 billion in total deposits. FNB, chartered in 1986, operates as a full-service community bank, providing banking solutions including personal and business checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, personal and business loans, and mortgage solutions and services. Additionally, FNB offers online and mobile banking platforms. FNB serves small business owners, taxing authorities, cities, counties, school districts, water districts, hospital districts, and government entities.

The Company is now pleased to announce that the shareholders of Wichita Falls and the Company have approved the Agreement and the related acquisition at special meetings on October 23, 2025 and October 24, 2025, respectively. The Company has also received the necessary approvals for the acquisition from its federal banking regulators. Completion of the acquisition remains subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions under the terms of the Agreement. Upon satisfaction of all closing conditions, the Company anticipates it will close the Wichita Falls acquisition on or about January 1, 2026.

John D'Angelo, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are excited to have received the approvals of our federal bank regulators and approvals from both shareholder bases, and are enthusiastic to add First National Bank's customers and colleagues to the Investar family. We look forward to closing the acquisition early in the first quarter, creating an even stronger, customer-focused community bank."

About Investar Holding Corporation

Investar Holding Corporation, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, provides full banking services, excluding trust services, through its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Investar Bank, National Association. The Bank currently operates 29 branch locations serving Louisiana, Texas, and Alabama. At September 30, 2025, the Bank had 326 full-time equivalent employees and total assets of $2.8 billion.

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 the Investar website at www.investarbank.com.

We disclaim 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
John R. Campbell
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(225) 227-2215
John.Campbell@investarbank.com

SOURCE: Investar Holding Corporation

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

What did Investar (Nasdaq: ISTR) announce on October 30, 2025 about Wichita Falls acquisition?

Investar announced it received shareholder and federal banking regulator approvals for the pending acquisition of Wichita Falls Bancshares and expects to close on or about January 1, 2026.

How large was First National Bank (FNB) at September 30, 2025 in Investar's acquisition filing?

FNB reported $1.3 billion in total assets, $1.1 billion in net loans, and $1.1 billion in total deposits as of September 30, 2025.

When did shareholders vote to approve the Investar and Wichita Falls merger (Nasdaq: ISTR)?

Shareholders of Wichita Falls approved the Agreement on October 23, 2025 and Investar shareholders approved it on October 24, 2025.

Has Investar (ISTR) received regulatory clearance to close the Wichita Falls deal?

Yes. Investar reported it has received the necessary approvals from its federal banking regulators, though closing remains subject to customary conditions.

What is Investar's expected closing date for the Wichita Falls acquisition (Nasdaq: ISTR)?

The company anticipates closing the acquisition on or about January 1, 2026, pending satisfaction of customary closing conditions.