Acadiana Business

Investar Bank snags respected exec Keith Short

by Patrick Flanagan

Investar Bank hire marks return to Lafayette for former IberiaBank executive.

Former Lafayette banker Keith Short, who most recently worked for IberiaBank in Florida, is returning to the Hub City to head Investar Bank's expansion into this market. The Baton Rouge-based bank's Lafayette branch is scheduled to open in September.

Last summer, ABiz reported the bank's purchase of property on Ambassador Caffery Parkway, next to the Courtesy dealership, for its first Lafayette location. According to new information from Investar, plans consist of a two-story, 6,300-square-foot building that will house the branch and bank offices. Investar had $375 million in assets at the end of 2012.

Keith Short

Short, a 24-year veteran of the banking industry, comes to Investar from IberiaBank. No reason was given for his departure from the bank several weeks ago, and an Investar spokesman says Short already has a contract on a home in Lafayette and will be moving his family here.

While at IberiaBank, he was president of the Naples, Fort Myers and Keys markets in Florida. Before that, Short, a Baton Rouge native, helped IberiaBank's transformation from a traditional savings and loan into a commercial franchise bank, according to a Tuesday press release from Investar.

"As Lafayette regional president, Keith will assemble and manage a team of local bankers who understand Acadiana and its economy and serve customers with the kind of exceptional service possible only through a community bank like ours," Investar CEO and President John D'Angelo says in a prepared statement.

Short will also lead Investar Bank's new private banking division throughout its franchise. "We look forward to his energy and enthusiasm as we develop relationships with Lafayette-area customers and introduce private banking in all of our markets," D'Angelo adds.

Investar's arrival in Lafayette represents the bank's ongoing expansion throughout Louisiana, following the recent openings of branches in Metairie and Mandeville. Investar's pending acquisition of First Community Bank will add two branches in Hammond and Mandeville, giving the bank a total of 10 locations along the Interstate 10/12 corridor, according to Tuesday's release.

Short, who previously worked in the Lafayette region during his time with IberiaBank, describes the Hub City as a "vibrant market filled with an entrepreneurial spirit that is the envy of bankers everywhere." He continues: "For small businesses, larger firms, homeowners and families, Investar will impress Lafayette with its attention to detail and local decision-making. That's a banking model that always works best for customers, and it's one that forms the basis for Investar's customer promise. My family and I are excited for the opportunity to return to such a great community."