Investar Holding stock posts stronger third-quarter earnings
Published on 11/10/2026 at 01:17 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSInvestar reports stronger third quarter
- Net income available to common shareholders rose to 11.1 million US dollars in the third quarter.
- Net interest income increased 59.6 percent year over year to 33.8 million US dollars.
- The bank completed a 65.0 million US dollar purchase of variable-rate commercial and industrial revolving lines on October 1.
Investar Holding Corporation reported stronger third-quarter results on October 22, 2026, as the Louisiana-based bank benefited from its Wichita Falls Bancshares acquisition and continued balance-sheet repositioning. According to Fidelity's report on the company release, net income available to common shareholders reached 11.1 million US dollars, compared with 5.7 million US dollars a year earlier.
Profit and lending momentum
Diluted earnings per common share rose to 0.74 US dollars from 0.54 US dollars in the third quarter of 2025. Core diluted earnings, a non-GAAP measure that excludes selected items including acquisition expense and certain investment effects, reached 0.77 US dollars, compared with 0.54 US dollars a year earlier.
Net interest income increased 59.6 percent year over year to 33.8 million US dollars. The net interest margin reached 3.73 percent, compared with 3.16 percent a year earlier and 3.67 percent in the second quarter. Excluding loan-acquisition accretion and interest recoveries, the adjusted margin was 3.40 percent.
Commercial banking takes priority
Total loans stood at 3.07 billion US dollars at September 30, 2026, up 42.6 percent from a year earlier, largely reflecting the Wichita Falls transaction. The business lending portfolio increased 3.1 percent from the second quarter to 1.25 billion US dollars, while total deposits reached 3.18 billion US dollars.
Investar said it was allowing acquired consumer mortgage loans to run off while expanding commercial and industrial lending. On October 1, the company purchased variable-rate revolving lines with approximately 65.0 million US dollars in unpaid principal and 81.9 million US dollars in total commitments.
Investar's banking footprint
Investar Holding provides full banking services through its wholly owned Investar Bank subsidiary, excluding trust services. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the bank operates 36 branches across Louisiana, Texas and Alabama and had 415 full-time equivalent employees at September 30, 2026.
The group is a smaller, regional lender focused on commercial banking, real estate lending, deposits and treasury services across its southern US footprint. Its stated strategy emphasizes organic loan and deposit growth, balance-sheet optimization and potential acquisitions.
Investar Holding at a glance
- Company: Investar Holding Corporation
- ISIN: US46134L1052
- Ticker: ISTR
- Listing: Nasdaq
- Reporting period: Third quarter ended September 30, 2026
- Net income available to common shareholders: 11.1 million US dollars
- Diluted earnings per common share: 0.74 US dollars
- Net interest margin: 3.73 percent
Investar operates in a market shaped by interest rates, deposit pricing, credit quality and acquisition integration. Current US market reports provide the broader market setting.
