8-K

Investar Holding Corp (ISTR)

8-K 2025-01-24 For: 2025-01-23
View Original
Added on April 10, 2026

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): January 23, 2025

Investar Holding Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Louisiana 001-36522 27-1560715
(State or other jurisdiction<br><br> <br>of incorporation) (Commission<br><br> <br>File Number) (I.R.S. Employer<br><br> <br>Identification No.)
10500 Coursey Blvd.<br><br> <br>Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816
---
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrants telephone number, including area code: (225) 227-2222

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
--- ---
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
--- ---
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
--- ---

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $1.00 par value per share ISTR The Nasdaq Global Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

1


Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On January 23, 2025, Investar Holding Corporation (the “Company”), the holding company of Investar Bank, National Association (the “Bank”), issued a press release reporting fourth quarter 2024 results and posted on its website its fourth quarter 2024 earnings release and investor presentation. The materials contain forward-looking statements regarding the Company and include a cautionary note identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Copies of the earnings release and investor presentation are furnished as Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information contained in Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2 of this Current Report, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit Number Description of Exhibit
99.1 Earnings release of Investar Holding Corporation dated January 23, 2025 announcing financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2024
99.2 Investor presentation dated January 23, 2025
104 The cover page of Investar Holding Corporation’s Form 8-K is formatted in Inline XBRL

2


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION
Date: January 24, 2025 By: /s/ John J. D’Angelo
John J. D’Angelo
President and Chief Executive Officer

3

ex_727703.htm

Exhibit 99.1

For Immediate Release

Investar Holding Corporation Announces 2024 Fourth Quarter Results

BATON ROUGE, LA / ACCESSWIRE / January 23, 2025 / Investar Holding Corporation (“Investar”) (NASDAQ:ISTR), the holding company for Investar Bank, National Association (the “Bank”), today announced financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. Investar reported net income of $6.1 million, or $0.61 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to net income of $5.4 million, or $0.54 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, and net income of $3.5 million, or $0.36 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.

On a non-GAAP basis, core earnings per diluted common share for the fourth quarter of 2024 were $0.65 compared to $0.45 for the third quarter of 2024 and $0.39 for the fourth quarter of 2023. Core earnings exclude certain non-operating items including, but not limited to, loss (gain) on call or sale of investment securities, net, loss on sale or disposition of fixed assets, net, loss on sale of other real estate owned, net, change in the fair value of equity securities, income from a legal settlement, loss on early extinguishment of subordinated debt, and legal settlement expense. As previously indicated, Investar’s fourth quarter of 2024 results include $3.1 million in nontaxable noninterest income from bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) death benefit proceeds, which had a favorable impact on our core metrics. Refer to the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures tables for a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP metrics, including the impact of BOLI death benefit proceeds on our core metrics.

Investar’s President and Chief Executive Officer John D’Angelo commented:

“Over the past year, Investar has successfully implemented a strategy of consistent, quality earnings through the optimization of our balance sheet, and the fourth quarter results reflect our continued execution. Our net interest margin has begun to stabilize as our cost of funds has decreased. We remained focused on originating higher yielding loans and securing lower cost funding sources that are accretive to our margin. During the fourth quarter, in accordance with our strategy to remix the loan portfolio, we originated and renewed loans, 84% of which were variable-rate loans, at an 8.2% blended interest rate. We also repaid $109 million in borrowings under the Bank Term Funding Program and redeemed $20 million in principal amount of subordinated debt, which contributed to the decrease in our cost of funds. Additionally, despite inflationary pressures, noninterest expenses are closely monitored and remain well-controlled.

Credit quality remained very solid as nonperforming loans represented 0.42% of total loans at December 31, 2024, and we continued to allow higher risk commercial real estate relationships to run off.

We have closely managed our interest-earning assets and funding costs and are actively evaluating potential opportunities to further optimize our balance sheet mix to improve shareholder returns. Our liability sensitive balance sheet is well-positioned in the event of further rate cuts to benefit from the repricing of deposits and short-term borrowings.

As always, we remain focused on shareholder value and returning capital to shareholders. During the year, we paid quarterly dividends totaling $0.41 per share, which represented a 4% increase from the previous year.”

Fourth Quarter Highlights

Return on average assets increased to 0.88% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to 0.77% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. Core return on average assets, which includes the impact of BOLI death benefit proceeds, increased to 0.93% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to 0.63% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.
Efficiency ratio improved to 71.00% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to 75.61% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. Core efficiency ratio, which includes the impact of BOLI death benefit proceeds, improved to 69.41% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to 79.33% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.
--- ---
Investar received BOLI death benefit proceeds totaling $5.5 million, and recorded a related $3.1 million in nontaxable noninterest income from BOLI, during the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
--- ---
Noninterest expense decreased $0.1 million to $16.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to $16.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. Core noninterest expense remained flat at $15.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024.
--- ---
The overall cost of funds for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 decreased 12 basis points to 3.49% compared to 3.61% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. The cost of deposits decreased five basis points to 3.40% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to 3.45% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.
--- ---
Credit quality remained solid with nonperforming loans comprising 0.42% of total loans at December 31, 2024 compared to 0.19% at September 30, 2024.
--- ---
Variable-rate loans as a percentage of total loans was 32% at December 31, 2024 compared to 30% at September 30, 2024. During the fourth quarter of 2024, we originated and renewed loans, 84% of which were variable-rate loans, at an 8.2% blended interest rate.
--- ---
Consistent with our strategy of optimizing the balance sheet, total loans decreased $30.8 million, or 1.4%, to $2.13 billion at December 31, 2024, compared to $2.16 billion at September 30, 2024. As a result of our strategy, we recognized the benefit of a $0.7 million negative provision for credit losses.
--- ---
Total deposits increased $58.5 million, or 2.6%, to $2.35 billion at December 31, 2024 compared to $2.29 billion at September 30, 2024.
--- ---
Investar redeemed all of the remaining $20.0 million in principal amount of our 5.125% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2029 (the “2029 Notes”). The 2029 Notes were to bear interest at a floating rate higher than the fixed rate beginning on December 31, 2024.
--- ---
During the fourth quarter of 2024, Investar repaid all of the remaining $109.0 million in borrowings under the Federal Reserve’s Bank Term Funding Program (“BTFP”), which contributed to the decrease in our overall cost of funds. The weighted average rate was 4.76% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
--- ---
Investar’s regulatory common equity tier 1 capital ratio increased to 10.85%, or 5.0% at December 31, 2024 compared to 10.33% at September 30, 2024.
--- ---

1


Loans

Total loans were $2.13 billion at December 31, 2024, a decrease of $30.8 million, or 1.4%, compared to September 30, 2024, and a decrease of $85.5 million, or 3.9%, compared to December 31, 2023.

The following table sets forth the composition of the total loan portfolio as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands).

Linked Quarter Change Year/Year Change Percentage of Total Loans
12/31/2024 9/30/2024 12/31/2023 % % 12/31/2024 12/31/2023
Mortgage loans on real estate
Construction and development $ 154,553 $ 166,954 $ 190,371 ) (7.4 )% ) (18.8 )% 7.3 % 8.6 %
1-4 Family 396,815 403,097 413,786 ) (1.6 ) ) (4.1 ) 18.7 18.7
Multifamily 84,576 85,283 105,946 ) (0.8 ) ) (20.2 ) 4.0 4.8
Farmland 6,977 7,173 7,651 ) (2.7 ) ) (8.8 ) 0.3 0.4
Commercial real estate
Owner-occupied 449,259 467,467 449,610 ) (3.9 ) ) (0.1 ) 21.1 20.3
Nonowner-occupied 495,289 499,274 488,098 ) (0.8 ) 1.5 23.3 22.1
Commercial and industrial 526,928 515,273 543,421 2.3 ) (3.0 ) 24.8 24.6
Consumer 10,687 11,325 11,736 ) (5.6 ) ) (8.9 ) 0.5 0.5
Total loans $ 2,125,084 $ 2,155,846 $ 2,210,619 ) (1.4 )% ) (3.9 )% 100 % 100 %

All values are in US Dollars.

At December 31, 2024, Investar’s total business lending portfolio, which consists of loans secured by owner-occupied commercial real estate properties and commercial and industrial loans, was $976.2 million, a decrease of $6.6 million, or 0.7%, compared to the business lending portfolio of $982.7 million at September 30, 2024, and a decrease of $16.8 million, or 1.7%, compared to the business lending portfolio of $993.0 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease in the business lending portfolio compared to September 30, 2024 is primarily driven by loan amortization in owner-occupied commercial real estate, partially offset by increased loan production by our Commercial and Industrial Division. The decrease in the business lending portfolio compared to December 31, 2023 is primarily driven by loan amortization consistent with our strategy of optimizing the balance sheet, partially offset by conversions of construction and development loans to owner-occupied loans upon completion of construction.

Nonowner-occupied loans totaled $495.3 million at December 31, 2024, a decrease of $4.0 million, or 0.8%, compared to $499.3 million at September 30, 2024, and an increase of $7.2 million, or 1.5%, compared to $488.1 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease in nonowner-occupied loans compared to September 30, 2024 is due to loan amortization and aligns with our strategy to optimize the mix of the portfolio. The increase in nonowner-occupied loans compared to December 31, 2023 is primarily due to a reclassification of a $15.9 million multifamily loan to a nonowner-occupied loan and conversions of construction and development loans to nonowner-occupied loans upon completion of construction, partially offset by loan amortization.

Construction and development loans totaled $154.6 million at December 31, 2024, a decrease of $12.4 million, or 7.4%, compared to $167.0 million at September 30, 2024, and a decrease of $35.8 million, or 18.8%, compared to $190.4 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease in construction and development loans compared to September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 is primarily due to conversions to permanent loans upon completion of construction.

Credit Quality

Nonperforming loans were $8.8 million, or 0.42% of total loans, at December 31, 2024, an increase of $4.7 million compared to $4.1 million, or 0.19% of total loans, at September 30, 2024, and an increase of $3.0 million compared to $5.8 million, or 0.26% of total loans, at December 31, 2023. The increase in nonperforming loans compared to September 30, 2024 is mainly attributable to one nonowner-occupied commercial real estate relationship totaling $2.4 million, two owner-occupied commercial real estate relationships totaling $1.3 million, and ten 1-4 family loan relationships totaling $1.3 million, partially offset by paydowns.

The allowance for credit losses was $26.7 million, or 302.8% and 1.26% of nonperforming and total loans, respectively, at December 31, 2024, compared to $28.1 million, or 682.0% and 1.30% of nonperforming and total loans, respectively, at September 30, 2024, and $30.5 million, or 529.3% and 1.38% of nonperforming and total loans, respectively, at December 31, 2023.

Investar recorded a negative provision for credit losses of $0.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to a negative provision for credit losses of $0.9 million and a provision for credit losses of $0.5 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The negative provision for credit losses in the quarter ended December 31, 2024 is primarily attributable to a decrease in total loans, aging of existing loans, and an improvement in the economic forecast. The negative provision for credit losses in the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was primarily due to net recoveries of $0.4 million, a decrease in total loans, aging of existing loans, and an improvement in the economic forecast. The provision for credit losses for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to loan growth resulting from the purchase of commercial and industrial revolving lines of credit, partially offset by an improvement in the economic forecast.

2


Deposits

Total deposits at December 31, 2024 were $2.35 billion, an increase of $58.5 million, or 2.6%, compared to $2.29 billion at September 30, 2024, and an increase of $90.2 million, or 4.0%, compared to $2.26 billion at December 31, 2023.

The following table sets forth the composition of deposits as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands).

Linked Quarter Change Year/Year Change Percentage of Total Deposits
12/31/2024 9/30/2024 12/31/2023 % % 12/31/2024 12/31/2023
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits $ 432,143 $ 437,734 $ 448,752 ) (1.3 )% ) (3.7 )% 18.4 % 19.9 %
Interest-bearing demand deposits 554,777 500,345 489,604 10.9 13.3 23.7 21.7
Money market deposits 191,548 196,710 179,366 ) (2.6 ) 6.8 8.2 8.0
Brokered demand deposits 47,320 2.0
Savings deposits 134,879 128,241 137,606 5.2 ) (2.0 ) 5.7 6.1
Brokered time deposits 245,520 271,684 269,102 ) (9.6 ) ) (8.8 ) 10.5 11.9
Time deposits 739,757 752,694 731,297 ) (1.7 ) 1.2 31.5 32.4
Total deposits $ 2,345,944 $ 2,287,408 $ 2,255,727 2.6 % 4.0 % 100 % 100 %

All values are in US Dollars.

The increase in interest-bearing demand deposits and savings deposits at December 31, 2024 compared to September 30, 2024 is primarily the result of organic growth. The decrease in noninterest-bearing demand deposits and money market deposits at December 31, 2024 compared to September 30, 2024 is primarily due to customers drawing down on their existing deposit accounts. The decrease in time deposits at December 31, 2024 compared to September 30, 2024 is primarily due to a reduced emphasis on time deposits. Brokered time deposits decreased to $245.5 million at December 31, 2024 from $271.7 million at September 30, 2024. Investar utilizes brokered time deposits, entirely in denominations of less than $250,000, to secure fixed cost funding and reduce short-term borrowings. At December 31, 2024, the balance of brokered time deposits remained below 10% of total assets, and the remaining weighted average duration was approximately seven months with a weighted average rate of 4.99%. Investar utilizes brokered demand deposits when pricing is more favorable than other short-term borrowings. For the quarter ended December 31, 2024, brokered demand deposits had a weighted average rate of 4.43%.

The increase in interest-bearing demand deposits, money market deposits, and time deposits at December 31, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023 is primarily the result of organic growth. The decrease in noninterest-bearing demand deposits and savings deposits at December 31, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023 is primarily due to customers drawing down on their existing deposit accounts and shifts into interest-bearing deposit products with higher rates.

Stockholders’ Equity

Stockholders’ equity was $241.3 million at December 31, 2024, a decrease of $4.2 million, or 1.7%, compared to September 30, 2024, and an increase of $14.5 million, or 6.4%, compared to December 31, 2023. The decrease in stockholders’ equity compared to September 30, 2024 is primarily attributable to an increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss due to a decrease in the fair value of the Bank’s available for sale securities portfolio, partially offset by net income for the quarter. The increase in stockholders’ equity compared to December 31, 2023 is primarily attributable to net income for the 12 months ended December 31, 2024, partially offset by an increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss due to a decrease in the fair value of the Bank’s available for sale securities portfolio.

3


Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2024 totaled $17.5 million, a decrease of $0.4 million, or 2.1%, compared to the third quarter of 2024, and a decrease of $1.0 million, or 5.5%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. Total interest income was $35.5 million, $36.8 million and $36.7 million for the quarters ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Total interest expense was $18.0 million, $19.0 million and $18.2 million for the corresponding periods. Included in net interest income for the quarters ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 is $11,000, $13,000, and $25,000, respectively, of interest income accretion from the acquisition of loans. Also included in net interest income for the quarters ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are interest recoveries of $11,000, $79,000 and $1.1 million, respectively.

Investar’s net interest margin was 2.65% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2.67% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 and 2.72% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in net interest margin for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was driven by a 13 basis point decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets, partially offset by a 12 basis point decrease in the overall cost of funds. The decrease in net interest margin for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2023 was driven by a nine basis point increase in the overall cost of funds and a two basis point decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets.

The yield on interest-earning assets was 5.38% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to 5.51% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 and 5.40% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was driven by a 17 basis point decrease in the yield on our loan portfolio. The decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2023 was driven by a six basis point decrease in the yield on our loan portfolio.

Exclusive of the interest income accretion from the acquisition of loans and interest recoveries, discussed above, adjusted net interest margin decreased to 2.64% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2.66% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 and increased from 2.56% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The adjusted yield on interest-earning assets was 5.37% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to 5.50% and 5.23% for the quarters ended September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Refer to the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures table for a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP metrics.

The cost of deposits decreased five basis points to 3.40% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to 3.45% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 and increased 23 basis points compared to 3.17% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in the cost of deposits compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024 resulted primarily from both a lower average balance of, and a decrease in rates paid on, brokered time deposits and a decrease in rates paid on time deposits, partially offset by both a higher average balance of, and an increase in rates paid on, interest-bearing demand deposits. The increase in the cost of deposits compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2023 resulted primarily from both a higher average balance of, and an increase in rates paid on, interest-bearing demand deposits and an increase in rates paid on time deposits, partially offset by both a lower average balance of, and a decrease in rates paid on, brokered time deposits.

The cost of short-term borrowings decreased 68 basis points to 3.91% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to 4.59% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 and decreased 93 basis points compared to 4.84% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. Beginning in the second quarter of 2023, the Bank began utilizing the BTFP to secure fixed rate funding for up to a one-year term and reduce short-term Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances, which are priced daily. The Bank utilized this source of funding due to its lower rate as compared to FHLB advances, the ability to prepay the obligations without penalty, and as a means to lock in funding. During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Bank repaid all of the remaining $109.0 million in borrowings under the BTFP. The decrease in the cost of short-term borrowings compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024 resulted primarily from a lower average balance of borrowings under the BTFP. The decrease in the cost of short-term borrowings compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2023 resulted primarily from both a lower average balance of, and a decrease in rates paid on, borrowings under the BTFP, which were driven by a decrease in the Federal Reserve’s federal funds rate.

The overall cost of funds for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 decreased 12 basis points to 3.49% compared to 3.61% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 and increased nine basis points compared to 3.40% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in the cost of funds for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024 resulted from a decrease in the cost of deposits and both a decrease in the average balance of, and a decrease in the cost of short-term borrowings, partially offset by a higher average balance of deposits. The increase in the cost of funds for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2023 resulted from both a higher average balance of, and an increase in the cost of deposits, partially offset by both a lower average balance of, and a decrease in the cost of short-term borrowings.

4


Noninterest Income

Noninterest income for the fourth quarter of 2024 totaled $5.2 million, an increase of $1.6 million, or 45.7%, compared to the third quarter of 2024 and an increase of $3.4 million, or 194.2%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.

The increase in noninterest income compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024 is driven by a $3.1 million increase in income from BOLI, partially offset by a $1.1 million decrease in income from legal settlement and a $0.4 million increase in loss on call or sale of investment securities. During the fourth quarter, the Bank received BOLI death benefit proceeds totaling $5.5 million and recorded $3.1 million in income from BOLI. During the third quarter, Investar recorded $1.1 million in income from a legal settlement related to one loan relationship that became impaired in the third quarter of 2021 as a result of Hurricane Ida.

The increase in noninterest income compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2023 is driven by a $3.2 million increase in income from BOLI, a $0.1 million increase in change in the fair value of equity securities, and a $0.1 million increase in other operating income. The increase in other operating income is primarily attributable to a $0.1 million increase in distributions from investments.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense for the fourth quarter of 2024 totaled $16.1 million, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 0.6%, compared to the third quarter of 2024, and an increase of $0.6 million, or 4.1%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.

The decrease in noninterest expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024 was driven by a $0.2 million decrease in salaries and employee benefits and a $0.1 million decrease in other operating expenses, partially offset by a $0.2 million increase in loss on early extinguishment of subordinated debt. The decrease in salaries and employee benefits was primarily due to decreases in salaries expense and deferred compensation expense, partially offset by an increase in health insurance claims. During the fourth quarter of 2024, Investar redeemed $20.0 million in principal amount of our 2029 Notes and recognized a loss on early extinguishment of subordinated debt of $0.2 million primarily consisting of unamortized deferred financing costs. The decrease in other operating expenses is primarily due to a decrease in collection and repossession expenses and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) assessments, partially offset by an increase in charitable contributions.

The increase in noninterest expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2023 was driven by a $0.8 million increase in salaries and employee benefits and a $0.2 million increase in loss on early extinguishment of subordinated debt, partially offset by a $0.2 million decrease in depreciation and amortization and a $0.2 million decrease in other operating expenses. The increase in salaries and employee benefits is primarily due to investment in people with an emphasis on our Texas markets to remix and strengthen our balance sheet and an increase in incentive-based compensation. The decrease in depreciation and amortization is primarily due to the closure of one branch location in the first quarter of 2024. The decrease in other operating expenses is primarily due to a decrease in bank shares tax and a decrease in other real estate expense, partially offset by an increase in charitable contributions.

5


Taxes

Investar recorded income tax expense of $1.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, which equates to an effective tax rate of 16.0%, an increase from the effective tax rate of 12.7% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 and a decrease from the effect tax rate of 18.1% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The third quarter 2024 effective tax rate reflected a revision to our estimated 2024 annual effective tax rate to account for the projected increase in nontaxable income from BOLI in the fourth quarter of $3.1 million upon receipt of death benefit proceeds.

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

Investar reported basic and diluted earnings per common share of $0.62 and $0.61, respectively, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to basic and diluted earnings per common share of $0.55 and $0.54, respectively for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, and basic and diluted earnings per common share of $0.36 for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.

About Investar Holding Corporation

Investar, 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 December 31, 2024, the Bank had 331 full-time equivalent employees and total assets of $2.7 billion.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or GAAP. These measures and ratios include “tangible common equity,” “tangible assets,” “tangible equity to tangible assets,” “tangible book value per common share,” “core noninterest income,” “core earnings before noninterest expense,” “core noninterest expense,” “core earnings before income tax expense,” “core income tax expense,” “core earnings,” “core efficiency ratio,” “core return on average assets,” “core return on average equity,” “core basic earnings per share,” and “core diluted earnings per share.” We also present certain average loan, yield, net interest income and net interest margin data adjusted to show the effects of excluding interest recoveries and interest income accretion from the acquisition of loans. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide information useful to investors in understanding Investar’s financial results, and Investar believes that its presentation, together with the accompanying reconciliations, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting Investar’s business and allow investors to view performance in a manner similar to management, the entire financial services sector, bank stock analysts and bank regulators. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP basis measures and results, and Investar strongly encourages investors to review its consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies’ non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures disclosed in this press release to the comparable GAAP financial measures is included at the end of the financial statement tables.

6


Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that reflect Investar’s current views with respect to, among other things, future events and financial performance. Investar generally identifies forward-looking statements by terminology such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” or the negative version of those words or other comparable words.

Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on the historical performance of Investar and its subsidiaries or on Investar’s current plans, estimates and expectations. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by Investar that the future plans, estimates or expectations by Investar will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and assumptions relating to Investar’s operations, financial results, financial condition, business prospects, growth strategy and liquidity. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Investar’s underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, Investar’s actual results may vary materially from those indicated in these statements. Investar does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following, any one or more of which could materially affect the outcome of future events:

the significant risks and uncertainties for our business, results of operations and financial condition, as well as our regulatory capital and liquidity ratios and other regulatory requirements caused by business and economic conditions generally and in the financial services industry in particular, whether nationally, regionally or in the markets in which we operate;
changes in inflation, interest rates, yield curves and interest rate spread relationships that affect our loan and deposit pricing;
--- ---
our ability to successfully execute our near-term strategy to pivot from primarily a growth strategy to a strategy primarily focused on consistent, quality earnings through the optimization of our balance sheet, and our ability to successfully execute a long-term growth strategy;
--- ---
our ability to achieve organic loan and deposit growth, and the composition of that growth;
--- ---
a reduction in liquidity, including as a result of a reduction in the amount of deposits we hold or other sources of liquidity, which may be caused by, among other things, disruptions in the banking industry similar to those that occurred in early 2023 that caused bank depositors to move uninsured deposits to other banks or alternative investments outside the banking industry;
--- ---
our ability to identify and enter into agreements to combine with attractive acquisition candidates, finance acquisitions, complete acquisitions after definitive agreements are entered into, and successfully integrate and grow acquired operations;
--- ---
our adoption on January 1, 2023 of ASU 2016-13, and inaccuracy of the assumptions and estimates we make in establishing reserves for credit losses and other estimates;
--- ---
changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios, including adverse developments in borrower industries or in the repayment ability of individual borrowers;
--- ---
changes in the quality and composition of, and changes in unrealized losses in, our investment portfolio, including whether we may have to sell securities before their recovery of amortized cost basis and realize losses;
--- ---
the extent of continuing client demand for the high level of personalized service that is a key element of our banking approach as well as our ability to execute our strategy generally;
--- ---
our dependence on our management team, and our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;
--- ---
the concentration of our business within our geographic areas of operation in Louisiana, Texas and Alabama;
--- ---
increasing costs of complying with new and potential future regulations;
--- ---
new or increasing geopolitical tensions, including resulting from wars in Ukraine and Israel and surrounding areas;
--- ---
the emergence or worsening of widespread public health challenges or pandemics including COVID-19;
--- ---
concentration of credit exposure;
--- ---
any deterioration in asset quality and higher loan charge-offs, and the time and effort necessary to resolve problem assets;
--- ---
fluctuations in the price of oil and natural gas;
--- ---
data processing system failures and errors;
--- ---
risks associated with our digital transformation process, including increased risks of cyberattacks and other security breaches and challenges associated with addressing the increased prevalence of artificial intelligence;
--- ---
risks of losses resulting from increased fraud attacks against us and others in the financial services industry;
--- ---
our potential growth, including our entrance or expansion into new markets, and the need for sufficient capital to support that growth;
--- ---
the impact of litigation and other legal proceedings to which we become subject;
--- ---
competitive pressures in the commercial finance, retail banking, mortgage lending and consumer finance industries, as well as the financial resources of, and products offered by, competitors;
--- ---
the impact of changes in laws and regulations applicable to us, including banking, securities and tax laws and regulations and accounting standards, as well as changes in the interpretation of such laws and regulations by our regulators;
--- ---
changes in the scope and costs of FDIC insurance and other coverages;
--- ---
governmental monetary and fiscal policies; and
--- ---
hurricanes, tropical storms, tropical depressions, floods, winter storms, droughts and other adverse weather events, all of which have affected Investar’s market areas from time to time; other natural disasters; oil spills and other man-made disasters; acts of terrorism; other international or domestic calamities; acts of God; and other matters beyond our control.
--- ---

7


These factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Additional information on these and other risk factors can be found in Part I Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and in the “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in Part II Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Investar’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For further information contact:

Investar Holding Corporation

John Campbell

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(225) 227-2215

John.Campbell@investarbank.com

8


INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION
SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(Amounts in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)
As of and for the three months ended
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
12/31/2024 9/30/2024 12/31/2023 Linked Quarter Year/Year
EARNINGS DATA **** **** **** **** ****
Total interest income $ 35,505 $ 36,848 $ 36,668 (3.6 )% (3.2 )%
Total interest expense 18,022 18,992 18,177 (5.1 ) (0.9 )
Net interest income 17,483 17,856 18,491 (2.1 ) (5.5 )
Provision for credit losses (701 ) (945 ) 486 25.8 (244.2 )
Total noninterest income 5,163 3,544 1,755 45.7 194.2
Total noninterest expense 16,079 16,180 15,440 (0.6 ) 4.1
Income before income tax expense 7,268 6,165 4,320 17.9 68.2
Income tax expense 1,161 784 782 48.1 48.5
Net income $ 6,107 $ 5,381 $ 3,538 13.5 72.6
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET DATA **** **** **** **** ****
Total assets $ 2,763,734 $ 2,796,969 $ 2,817,388 (1.2 )% (1.9 )%
Total interest-earning assets 2,626,533 2,660,011 2,694,474 (1.3 ) (2.5 )
Total loans 2,129,388 2,159,412 2,214,916 (1.4 ) (3.9 )
Total interest-bearing deposits 1,881,297 1,813,775 1,824,318 3.7 3.1
Total interest-bearing liabilities 2,054,561 2,093,260 2,119,724 (1.8 ) (3.1 )
Total deposits 2,315,730 2,246,901 2,279,211 3.1 1.6
Total stockholders’ equity 247,230 238,778 212,454 3.5 16.4
PER SHARE DATA **** **** **** **** ****
Earnings:
Basic earnings per common share $ 0.62 $ 0.55 $ 0.36 12.7 % 72.2 %
Diluted earnings per common share 0.61 0.54 0.36 13.0 69.4
Core earnings^(1)^:
Core basic earnings per common share^(1)^ 0.66 0.45 0.39 46.7 69.2
Core diluted earnings per common share^(1)^ 0.65 0.45 0.39 44.4 66.7
Book value per common share 24.55 24.98 23.26 (1.7 ) 5.5
Tangible book value per common share^(1)^ 20.31 20.73 18.92 (2.0 ) 7.3
Common shares outstanding 9,828,413 9,827,622 9,748,067 0.0 0.8
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic 9,828,146 9,828,776 9,754,617 0.0 0.8
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted 9,993,790 9,902,448 9,763,296 0.9 2.4
PERFORMANCE RATIOS **** **** **** **** ****
Return on average assets 0.88 % 0.77 % 0.50 % 14.3 % 76.0 %
Core return on average assets^(1)^ 0.93 0.63 0.54 47.6 72.2
Return on average equity 9.83 8.97 6.61 9.6 48.7
Core return on average equity^(1)^ 10.40 7.40 7.16 40.5 45.3
Net interest margin 2.65 2.67 2.72 (0.7 ) (2.6 )
Net interest income to average assets 2.52 2.54 2.60 (0.8 ) (3.1 )
Noninterest expense to average assets 2.31 2.30 2.17 0.4 6.5
Efficiency ratio^(2)^ 71.00 75.61 76.26 (6.1 ) (6.9 )
Core efficiency ratio^(1)^ 69.41 79.33 74.85 (12.5 ) (7.3 )
Dividend payout ratio 16.94 19.09 27.78 (11.3 ) (39.0 )
Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans 0.04 (0.02 ) 300.0
^(1)^ Non-GAAP financial measure. See reconciliation.
---
^(2)^ Efficiency ratio represents noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income (before provision for credit losses) and noninterest income.

9


INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION
SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(Unaudited)
As of and for the three months ended
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
12/31/2024 9/30/2024 12/31/2023 Linked Quarter Year/Year
ASSET QUALITY RATIOS **** **** **** **** ****
Nonperforming assets to total assets 0.52 % 0.32 % 0.36 % 62.5 % 44.4 %
Nonperforming loans to total loans 0.42 0.19 0.26 121.1 61.5
Allowance for credit losses to total loans 1.26 1.30 1.38 (3.1 ) (8.7 )
Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans 302.77 682.03 529.32 (55.6 ) (42.8 )
CAPITAL RATIOS **** **** **** **** ****
Investar Holding Corporation: **** **** **** **** ****
Total equity to total assets 8.86 % 8.76 % 8.06 % 1.1 % 9.9 %
Tangible equity to tangible assets^(1)^ 7.44 7.38 6.65 0.9 11.9
Tier 1 leverage capital 9.27 8.95 8.35 3.6 11.0
Common equity tier 1 capital^(2)^ 10.85 10.33 9.51 5.0 14.1
Tier 1 capital^(2)^ 11.26 10.74 9.90 4.8 13.7
Total capital^(2)^ 13.14 13.48 12.99 (2.5 ) 1.2
Investar Bank: **** **** **** **** ****
Tier 1 leverage capital 9.70 10.06 9.81 (3.6 ) (1.1 )
Common equity tier 1 capital^(2)^ 11.79 12.07 11.64 (2.3 ) 1.3
Tier 1 capital^(2)^ 11.79 12.07 11.64 (2.3 ) 1.3
Total capital^(2)^ 12.94 13.26 12.89 (2.4 ) 0.4
^(1)^ Non-GAAP financial measure. See reconciliation.
---
^(2)^ Estimated for December 31, 2024.

10


INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
ASSETS **** **** ****
Cash and due from banks 26,623 $ 28,869 $ 28,285
Interest-bearing balances due from other banks 1,299 57,471 3,724
Cash and cash equivalents 27,922 86,340 32,009
Available for sale securities at fair value (amortized cost of 392,564, 399,615, and 419,283, respectively) 331,121 350,646 361,918
Held to maturity securities at amortized cost (estimated fair value of 42,144, 18,018, and 20,513, respectively) 42,687 18,302 20,472
Loans 2,125,084 2,155,846 2,210,619
Less: allowance for credit losses (26,721 ) (28,103 ) (30,540 )
Loans, net 2,098,363 2,127,743 2,180,079
Equity securities at fair value 2,593 2,434 1,180
Nonmarketable equity securities 16,502 13,951 13,417
Bank premises and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of 21,853, 21,275, and 19,476, respectively 40,705 41,795 44,183
Other real estate owned, net 5,218 4,739 4,438
Accrued interest receivable 14,423 14,324 14,366
Deferred tax asset 17,120 14,719 16,910
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net 41,696 41,844 42,320
Bank-owned life insurance 59,703 61,667 58,797
Other assets 24,759 24,069 25,066
Total assets 2,722,812 $ 2,802,573 $ 2,815,155
LIABILITIES **** **** ****
Deposits **** **** ****
Noninterest-bearing 432,143 $ 437,734 $ 448,752
Interest-bearing 1,913,801 1,849,674 1,806,975
Total deposits 2,345,944 2,287,408 2,255,727
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank 67,215 63,500 23,500
Borrowings under Bank Term Funding Program 109,000 212,500
Repurchase agreements 8,376 12,994 8,633
Subordinated debt, net of unamortized issuance costs 16,697 36,494 44,320
Junior subordinated debt 8,733 8,709 8,630
Accrued taxes and other liabilities 34,551 38,926 35,077
Total liabilities 2,481,516 2,557,031 2,588,387
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY **** **** ****
Preferred stock, no par value per share; 5,000,000 shares authorized
Common stock, 1.00 par value per share; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 9,828,413, 9,827,622, and 9,748,067 shares issued and outstanding, respectively 9,828 9,828 9,748
Surplus 146,890 146,393 145,456
Retained earnings 132,935 127,860 116,711
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (48,357 ) (38,539 ) (45,147 )
Total stockholders’ equity 241,296 245,542 226,768
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity 2,722,812 $ 2,802,573 $ 2,815,155

All values are in US Dollars.

11


INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Amounts in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)
For the three months ended For the twelve months ended
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
December 31, 2024 September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023 December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023
INTEREST INCOME **** **** **** **** ****
Interest and fees on loans $ 31,438 $ 32,764 $ 33,128 $ 128,498 $ 117,892
Interest on investment securities
Taxable 2,709 2,755 2,970 11,047 12,372
Tax-exempt 569 228 253 1,249 693
Other interest income 789 1,101 317 3,071 2,244
Total interest income 35,505 36,848 36,668 143,865 133,201
INTEREST EXPENSE **** **** **** **** ****
Interest on deposits 16,071 15,729 14,584 61,510 42,072
Interest on borrowings 1,951 3,263 3,593 12,602 16,609
Total interest expense 18,022 18,992 18,177 74,112 58,681
Net interest income 17,483 17,856 18,491 69,753 74,520
Provision for credit losses (701 ) (945 ) 486 (3,480 ) (2,000 )
Net interest income after provision for credit losses 18,184 18,801 18,005 73,233 76,520
NONINTEREST INCOME **** **** **** **** ****
Service charges on deposit accounts 804 828 798 3,241 3,090
(Loss) gain on call or sale of investment securities, net (371 ) 1 (322 ) (753 ) (323 )
(Loss) gain on sale or disposition of fixed assets, net (39 ) 427 (1,323 )
(Loss) gain on sale of other real estate owned, net (25 ) (4 ) 683 (114 )
Gain on sale of loans 75
Servicing fees and fee income on serviced loans 2 14
Interchange fees 407 403 417 1,615 1,697
Income from bank owned life insurance 3,576 459 371 4,886 1,417
Change in the fair value of equity securities 159 174 24 413 (65 )
Legal settlement 1,122 1,122
Other operating income 613 561 504 2,571 2,070
Total noninterest income 5,163 3,544 1,755 14,205 6,538
Income before noninterest expense 23,347 22,345 19,760 87,438 83,058
NONINTEREST EXPENSE **** **** **** **** ****
Depreciation and amortization 736 760 909 3,095 3,780
Salaries and employee benefits 9,792 9,982 9,003 38,615 37,143
Occupancy 647 652 706 2,576 2,994
Data processing 901 880 892 3,611 3,482
Marketing 136 121 68 370 302
Professional fees 434 473 461 1,797 1,933
Loss (gain) on early extinguishment of subordinated debt 210 (292 )
Other operating expenses 3,223 3,312 3,401 13,260 12,996
Total noninterest expense 16,079 16,180 15,440 63,032 62,630
Income before income tax expense 7,268 6,165 4,320 24,406 20,428
Income tax expense 1,161 784 782 4,154 3,750
Net income $ 6,107 $ 5,381 $ 3,538 $ 20,252 $ 16,678
EARNINGS PER SHARE **** **** **** **** ****
Basic earnings per common share $ 0.62 $ 0.55 $ 0.36 $ 2.06 $ 1.69
Diluted earnings per common share 0.61 0.54 0.36 2.04 1.69
Cash dividends declared per common share 0.105 0.105 0.10 0.41 0.395

12


INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET, INTEREST EARNED AND YIELD ANALYSIS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
For the three months ended
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
December 31, 2024 September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
**** Interest **** **** Interest **** **** Interest ****
Average Income/ **** Average Income/ **** Average Income/ ****
Balance Expense Yield/ Rate Balance Expense Yield/ Rate Balance Expense Yield/ Rate
Assets **** **** **** **** **** ****
Interest-earning assets:
Loans $ 2,129,388 $ 31,438 5.87 % $ 2,159,412 $ 32,764 6.04 % $ 2,214,916 $ 33,128 5.93 %
Securities:
Taxable 389,170 2,709 2.77 396,254 2,755 2.77 427,746 2,970 2.75
Tax-exempt 44,544 569 5.08 24,552 228 3.68 28,807 253 3.50
Interest-bearing balances with banks 63,431 789 4.95 79,793 1,101 5.49 23,005 317 5.46
Total interest-earning assets 2,626,533 35,505 5.38 2,660,011 36,848 5.51 2,694,474 36,668 5.40
Cash and due from banks 25,222 26,121 27,214
Intangible assets 41,775 41,927 42,414
Other assets 98,057 97,704 83,447
Allowance for credit losses (27,853 ) (28,794 ) (30,161 )
Total assets $ 2,763,734 $ 2,796,969 $ 2,817,388
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity **** **** **** **** **** ****
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand deposits $ 753,477 $ 4,342 2.29 % $ 676,946 $ 3,440 2.02 % $ 668,277 $ 2,873 1.71 %
Brokered demand deposits 1,312 15 4.43
Savings deposits 130,896 371 1.13 127,536 366 1.14 136,045 318 0.93
Brokered time deposits 246,104 3,103 5.02 255,076 3,335 5.20 275,552 3,590 5.17
Time deposits 749,508 8,240 4.37 754,217 8,588 4.53 744,444 7,803 4.16
Total interest-bearing deposits 1,881,297 16,071 3.40 1,813,775 15,729 3.45 1,824,318 14,584 3.17
Short-term borrowings 68,237 671 3.91 207,539 2,396 4.59 218,977 2,672 4.84
Long-term debt 105,027 1,280 4.85 71,946 867 4.79 76,429 921 4.78
Total interest-bearing liabilities 2,054,561 18,022 3.49 2,093,260 18,992 3.61 2,119,724 18,177 3.40
Noninterest-bearing deposits 434,433 433,126 454,893
Other liabilities 27,510 31,805 30,317
Stockholders’ equity 247,230 238,778 212,454
Total liability and stockholders’ equity $ 2,763,734 $ 2,796,969 $ 2,817,388
Net interest income/net interest margin $ 17,483 2.65 % $ 17,856 2.67 % $ 18,491 2.72 %

13


INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET, INTEREST EARNED AND YIELD ANALYSIS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
For the twelve months ended
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023
**** Interest **** **** Interest ****
Average Income/ **** Average Income/ ****
Balance Expense Yield/ Rate Balance Expense Yield/ Rate
Assets **** **** **** ****
Interest-earning assets:
Loans $ 2,163,161 $ 128,498 5.94 % $ 2,123,234 $ 117,892 5.55 %
Securities:
Taxable 399,855 11,047 2.76 447,442 12,372 2.76
Tax-exempt 29,930 1,249 4.17 22,051 693 3.14
Interest-bearing balances with banks 56,851 3,071 5.40 38,561 2,244 5.82
Total interest-earning assets 2,649,797 143,865 5.43 2,631,288 133,201 5.06
Cash and due from banks 25,890 29,142
Intangible assets 42,006 42,695
Other assets 95,391 86,712
Allowance for credit losses (28,933 ) (30,242 )
Total assets $ 2,784,151 $ 2,759,595
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity **** **** **** ****
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand deposits $ 692,390 $ 14,024 2.03 % $ 688,786 $ 8,941 1.30 %
Brokered demand deposits 455 22 4.76
Savings deposits 130,553 1,418 1.09 134,817 534 0.40
Brokered time deposits 249,668 12,878 5.16 163,873 8,224 5.02
Time deposits 745,002 33,168 4.45 699,648 24,373 3.48
Total interest-bearing deposits 1,818,068 61,510 3.38 1,687,124 42,072 2.49
Short-term borrowings 189,912 8,699 4.58 260,730 12,845 4.93
Long-term debt 81,152 3,903 4.81 82,844 3,764 4.54
Total interest-bearing liabilities 2,089,132 74,112 3.55 2,030,698 58,681 2.89
Noninterest-bearing deposits 430,433 489,175
Other liabilities 28,986 21,220
Stockholders’ equity 235,600 218,502
Total liability and stockholders’ equity $ 2,784,151 $ 2,759,595
Net interest income/net interest margin $ 69,753 2.63 % $ 74,520 2.83 %

14


INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
INTEREST EARNED AND YIELD ANALYSIS ADJUSTED FOR INTEREST RECOVERIES AND ACCRETION
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
For the three months ended
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
December 31, 2024 September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
Interest **** Interest **** Interest ****
Average Income/ **** Average Income/ **** Average Income/ ****
Balance Expense Yield/ Rate Balance Expense Yield/ Rate Balance Expense Yield/ Rate
Interest-earning assets:
Loans $ 2,129,388 $ 31,438 5.87 % $ 2,159,412 $ 32,764 6.04 % $ 2,214,916 $ 33,128 5.93 %
Adjustments: **** **** ****
Interest recoveries 11 79 1,105
Accretion 11 13 25
Adjusted loans 2,129,388 31,416 5.87 2,159,412 32,672 6.02 2,214,916 31,998 5.73
Securities:
Taxable 389,170 2,709 2.77 396,254 2,755 2.77 427,746 2,970 2.75
Tax-exempt 44,544 569 5.08 24,552 228 3.68 28,807 253 3.50
Interest-bearing balances with banks 63,431 789 4.95 79,793 1,101 5.49 23,005 317 5.46
Adjusted interest-earning assets 2,626,533 35,483 5.37 2,660,011 36,756 5.50 2,694,474 35,538 5.23
Total interest-bearing liabilities 2,054,561 18,022 3.49 2,093,260 18,992 3.61 2,119,724 18,177 3.40
Adjusted net interest income/adjusted net interest margin $ 17,461 2.64 % $ 17,764 2.66 % $ 17,361 2.56 %

15


INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(Amounts in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)
December 31, 2024 September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Tangible common equity **** **** ****
Total stockholders’ equity $ 241,296 $ 245,542 $ 226,768
Adjustments:
Goodwill 40,088 40,088 40,088
Core deposit intangible 1,508 1,656 2,132
Trademark intangible 100 100 100
Tangible common equity $ 199,600 $ 203,698 $ 184,448
Tangible assets **** **** ****
Total assets $ 2,722,812 $ 2,802,573 $ 2,815,155
Adjustments:
Goodwill 40,088 40,088 40,088
Core deposit intangible 1,508 1,656 2,132
Trademark intangible 100 100 100
Tangible assets $ 2,681,116 $ 2,760,729 $ 2,772,835
Common shares outstanding 9,828,413 9,827,622 9,748,067
Tangible equity to tangible assets 7.44 % 7.38 % 6.65 %
Book value per common share $ 24.55 $ 24.98 $ 23.26
Tangible book value per common share 20.31 20.73 18.92

16


INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(Amounts in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)
For the three months ended
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
December 31, 2024 September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
Net interest income (a) $ 17,483 $ 17,856 $ 18,491
Provision for credit losses (701 ) (945 ) 486
Net interest income after provision for credit losses 18,184 18,801 18,005
Noninterest income (b) 5,163 3,544 1,755
Loss (gain) on call or sale of investment securities, net 371 (1 ) 322
Loss on sale or disposition of fixed assets, net 39
Loss on sale of other real estate owned, net 25 4
Change in the fair value of equity securities (159 ) (174 ) (24 )
Legal settlement^(1)^ (1,122 )
Change in the net asset value of other investments^(2)^ (25 ) (48 ) (43 )
Core noninterest income^(3)^ (d) 5,375 2,203 2,049
Core earnings before noninterest expense^(3)^ 23,559 21,004 20,054
Total noninterest expense (c) 16,079 16,180 15,440
Loss on early extinguishment of subordinated debt (210 )
Severance^(4)^ (4 )
Loan purchase expense^(5)^ (66 )
Legal settlement expense^(6)^ (267 )
Core noninterest expense (f) 15,865 15,913 15,374
Core earnings before income tax expense^(3)^ 7,694 5,091 4,680
Core income tax expense^(7)^ 1,231 647 847
Core earnings^(3)^ $ 6,463 $ 4,444 $ 3,833
Core basic earnings per common share^(3)^ 0.66 0.45 0.39
Diluted earnings per common share (GAAP) $ 0.61 $ 0.54 $ 0.36
Loss (gain) on call or sale of investment securities, net 0.03 0.03
Loss on sale or disposition of fixed assets, net
Loss on sale of other real estate owned, net
Change in the fair value of equity securities (0.01 ) (0.01 )
Legal settlement^(1)^ (0.10 )
Change in the net asset value of other investments^(2)^
Loss on early extinguishment of subordinated debt 0.02
Severance^(4)^
Loan purchase expense^(5)^
Legal settlement expense^(6)^ 0.02
Core diluted earnings per common share^(3)^ $ 0.65 $ 0.45 $ 0.39
Efficiency ratio (c) / (a+b) 71.00 % 75.61 % 76.26 %
Core efficiency ratio^(3)^ (f) / (a+d) 69.41 79.33 74.85
Core return on average assets^(3)(8)^ 0.93 0.63 0.54
Core return on average equity^(3)(8)^ 10.40 7.40 7.16
Total average assets $ 2,763,734 $ 2,796,969 $ 2,817,388
Total average stockholders’ equity 247,230 238,778 212,454
^(1)^ Adjustment to noninterest income directly attributable to income from a legal settlement related to one loan relationship that became impaired in the third quarter of 2021 as a result of Hurricane Ida.
--- ---
^(2)^ Change in the net asset value of other investments represents unrealized gains or losses on Investar’s investments in Small Business Investment Companies and other investment funds and is included in other operating income in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
^(3)^ Core noninterest income, core earnings before noninterest expense, core earnings before income tax expense and core earnings include $3.1 million in nontaxable noninterest income from BOLI death benefit proceeds recorded during the quarter ended December 31, 2024. Excluding this income, core basic earnings per share, core diluted earnings per share, core efficiency ratio, core return on average assets, and core return on average equity are $0.39, $0.39, 80.35%, 0.55%, and 6.19%, respectively, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
^(4)^ Severance is included in salaries and employee benefits in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
^(5)^ Adjustments to noninterest expense directly attributable to the purchase of loans, consisting of professional fees for legal and consulting services.
^(6)^ Adjustments to noninterest expense directly attributable to the income from a legal settlement, consisting of professional fees for legal services and collection and repossession expenses included in other operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
^(7)^ Core income tax expense is calculated using the effective tax rates of 16.0%, 12.7% and 18.1% for the quarters ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
^(8)^ Core earnings used in calculation. No adjustments were made to average assets or average equity.

17

ex_717789.htm

Exhibit 99.2

slide1.jpg


slide2.jpg


slide3.jpg


slide4.jpg


slide5.jpg


slide6.jpg


slide7.jpg


slide8.jpg


slide9.jpg


slide10.jpg


slide11.jpg


slide12.jpg


slide13.jpg


slide14.jpg


slide15.jpg


slide16.jpg


slide17.jpg


slide18.jpg


slide19.jpg


slide20.jpg


slide21.jpg


slide22.jpg


slide23.jpg


slide24.jpg


slide25.jpg


slide26.jpg


slide27.jpg


slide28.jpg


slide29.jpg


slide30.jpg


slide31.jpg


slide32.jpg


slide33.jpg


slide34.jpg


slide35.jpg


slide36.jpg