ISTR 10-Q Quarterly Report Sept. 30, 2023

INVESTAR HOLDING CORP

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istr20230930_10q.htm

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

_____________________________________

FORM 10-Q

_____________________________________

(Mark One)

☒

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023

☐

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number: 001-36522

Investar Holding Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Louisiana			27-1560715
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)			(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

10500 Coursey Boulevard , Baton Rouge , Louisiana 70816

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

( 225 ) 227-2222

(Registrant ’ s telephone number, including area code)

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 (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☒
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☒
		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. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

The number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s class of common stock, as of the latest practicable date, is as follows: Common stock, $1.00 par value, 9,759,688 shares outstanding as of October 30, 2023.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited)	3
	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022	3
	Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022	4
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022	5
	Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022	6
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022	8
	Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements	10
	Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	10
	Note 2. Earnings Per Share	12
	Note 3. Investment Securities	13
	Note 4. Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses	16
	Note 5. Borrowings Under Bank Term Funding Program	26
	Note 6. Stockholders’ Equity	26
	Note 7. Derivative Financial Instruments	27
	Note 8. Fair Values of Financial Instruments	28
	Note 9. Income Taxes	32
	Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies	32
	Note 11. Leases	33
	Note 12. Subsequent Events	33
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	34
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	59
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	59

Part II. Other Information

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	60
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities, Use of Proceeds, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	60
Item 6.	Exhibits	62
Signatures		63

Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

	*September 30, 2023*			*December 31, 2022*
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	27,084		$	30,056
Interest-bearing balances due from other banks		36,584			10,010
Federal funds sold		—			193
Cash and cash equivalents		63,668			40,259

Available for sale securities at fair value (amortized cost of $ 481,296 and $ 467,316 , respectively)		404,485			405,167
Held to maturity securities at amortized cost (estimated fair value of $ 19,815 and $ 7,922 , respectively)		20,044			8,305
Loans		2,103,022			2,104,767
Less: allowance for credit losses		( 29,778	)		( 24,364	)
Loans, net		2,073,244			2,080,403
Equity securities		13,334			27,254
Bank premises and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $ 21,646 and $ 22,025 , respectively		44,764			49,587
Other real estate owned, net		4,438			682
Accrued interest receivable		13,633			12,749
Deferred tax asset		20,989			16,438
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net		42,496			43,147
Bank owned life insurance		58,425			57,379
Other assets		30,013			12,437
Total assets	$	2,789,533		$	2,753,807

LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing	$	459,519		$	580,741
Interest-bearing		1,749,914			1,501,624
Total deposits		2,209,433			2,082,365
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank		23,500			387,000
Borrowings under Bank Term Funding Program		235,800			—
Repurchase agreements		13,930			—
Subordinated debt, net of unamortized issuance costs		44,296			44,225
Junior subordinated debt		8,602			8,515
Accrued taxes and other liabilities		45,255			15,920
Total liabilities		2,580,816			2,538,025

Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)

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; 9,779,688 and 9,901,847 shares issued and outstanding, respectively		9,780			9,902
Surplus		145,241			146,587
Retained earnings		114,148			108,206
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		( 60,452	)		( 48,913	)
Total stockholders’ equity		208,717			215,782
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,789,533		$	2,753,807

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

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INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

	*Three months ended September 30,*						*Nine months ended September 30,*
	*2023*			*2022*			*2023*			*2022*
INTEREST INCOME
Interest and fees on loans	$	28,892		$	23,924		$	84,764		$	67,415
Interest on investment securities:
Taxable		3,055			2,769			9,402			6,817
Tax-exempt		216			105			440			375
Other interest income		997			204			1,927			590
Total interest income		33,160			27,002			96,533			75,197

INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest on deposits		11,733			1,315			27,488			3,198
Interest on borrowings		3,958			2,220			13,016			4,733
Total interest expense		15,691			3,535			40,504			7,931
Net interest income		17,469			23,467			56,029			67,266

Provision for credit losses		( 34	)		1,162			( 2,486	)		1,654
Net interest income after provision for credit losses		17,503			22,305			58,515			65,612

NONINTEREST INCOME
Service charges on deposit accounts		806			820			2,292			2,291
(Loss) gain on call or sale of investment securities, net		—			—			( 1	)		6
Loss on sale or disposition of fixed assets, net		( 367	)		( 103	)		( 1,284	)		( 191	)
Gain (loss) on sale of other real estate owned, net		23			50			( 114	)		7
Swap termination fee income		—			—			—			8,077
Gain on sale of loans		—			—			75			37
Servicing fees and fee income on serviced loans		2			17			12			61
Interchange fees		399			511			1,280			1,544
Income from bank owned life insurance		357			341			1,046			959
Change in the fair value of equity securities		22			( 27	)		( 89	)		( 102	)
Other operating income		395			1,056			1,566			2,220
Total noninterest income		1,637			2,665			4,783			14,909
Income before noninterest expense		19,140			24,970			63,298			80,521

NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Depreciation and amortization		900			1,087			2,871			3,364
Salaries and employee benefits		9,463			9,345			28,140			27,429
Occupancy		618			810			2,288			2,202
Data processing		888			861			2,590			2,594
Marketing		83			84			234			188
Professional fees		516			460			1,472			1,338
Loss on early extinguishment of subordinated debt		—			—			—			222
Other operating expenses		3,306			3,320			9,595			9,615
Total noninterest expense		15,774			15,967			47,190			46,952
Income before income tax expense		3,366			9,003			16,108			33,569
Income tax expense		585			1,699			2,968			6,758
Net income	$	2,781		$	7,304		$	13,140		$	26,811

EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share	$	0.28		$	0.74		$	1.33		$	2.64
Diluted earnings per share		0.28			0.73			1.33			2.62
Cash dividends declared per common share		0.10			0.095			0.295			0.27

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

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INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

(Amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

	*Three months ended September 30,*						*Nine months ended September 30,*
	*2023*			*2022*			*2023*			*2022*
Net income	$	2,781		$	7,304		$	13,140		$	26,811
Other comprehensive loss:
Investment securities:
Unrealized loss, available for sale, net of tax benefit of $ 3,054 , $ 4,739 , $ 3,123 and $ 13,210 , respectively		( 11,287	)		( 17,829	)		( 11,540	)		( 49,709	)
Reclassification of realized loss (gain), available for sale, net of tax expense of $ 0 , $ 0 , $ 0 and $ 1 , respectively		—			—			1			( 5	)
Unrealized loss, transfer from available for sale to held to maturity, net of tax benefit of $ 0 for all respective periods		—			—			—			( 1	)
Derivative financial instruments:
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges, net of tax expense of $ 0 , $ 0 , $ 0 and $ 1,151 , respectively		—			—			—			4,329
Reclassification of realized gain, interest rate swap termination, net of tax expense of $ 0 , $ 0 , $ 0 and $ 1,697 , respectively		—			—			—			( 6,380	)
Total other comprehensive loss		( 11,287	)		( 17,829	)		( 11,539	)		( 51,766	)
Total comprehensive (loss) income	$	( 8,506	)	$	( 10,525	)	$	1,601		$	( 24,955	)

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

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INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS ’ EQUITY

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

										*Accumulated*
										*Other*			*Total*
	*Common*						*Retained*			*Comprehensive*			*Stockholders’*
	*Stock*			*Surplus*			*Earnings*			*Loss*			*Equity*
Three months ended:
September 30, 2022
Balance at beginning of period	$	10,025		$	148,230		$	93,888		$	( 32,774	)	$	219,369
Surrendered shares		( 1	)		( 5	)		—			—			( 6	)
Options exercised		3			32			—			—			35
Dividends declared, $ 0.095 per share		—			—			( 945	)		—			( 945	)
Stock-based compensation		1			501			—			—			502
Shares repurchased		( 127	)		( 2,603	)		—			—			( 2,730	)
Net income		—			—			7,304			—			7,304
Other comprehensive loss, net		—			—			—			( 17,829	)		( 17,829	)
Balance at end of period	$	9,901		$	146,155		$	100,247		$	( 50,603	)	$	205,700

September 30, 2023
Balance at beginning of period	$	9,831		$	145,347		$	112,344		$	( 49,165	)	$	218,357
Surrendered shares		—			( 7	)		—			—			( 7	)
Dividends declared, $ 0.10 per share		—			—			( 977	)		—			( 977	)
Stock-based compensation		2			525			—			—			527
Shares repurchased		( 53	)		( 624	)		—			—			( 677	)
Net income		—			—			2,781			—			2,781
Other comprehensive loss, net		—			—			—			( 11,287	)		( 11,287	)
Balance at end of period	$	9,780		$	145,241		$	114,148		$	( 60,452	)	$	208,717

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS ’ EQUITY, CONTINUED

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

										*Accumulated*
										*Other*			*Total*
	*Common*						*Retained*			*Comprehensive*			*Stockholders’*
	*Stock*			*Surplus*			*Earnings*			*Income (Loss)*			*Equity*
Nine months ended:
September 30, 2022
Balance at beginning of period	$	10,343		$	154,932		$	76,160		$	1,163		$	242,598
Surrendered shares		( 20	)		( 369	)		—			—			( 389	)
Options exercised		10			123			—			—			133
Dividends declared, $ 0.27 per share		—			—			( 2,724	)		—			( 2,724	)
Stock-based compensation		77			1,294			—			—			1,371
Shares repurchased		( 509	)		( 9,825	)		—			—			( 10,334	)
Net income		—			—			26,811			—			26,811
Other comprehensive loss, net		—			—			—			( 51,766	)		( 51,766	)
Balance at end of period	$	9,901		$	146,155		$	100,247		$	( 50,603	)	$	205,700

September 30, 2023
Balance at beginning of period	$	9,902		$	146,587		$	108,206		$	( 48,913	)	$	215,782
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2016-13, net		—			—			( 4,295	)		—			( 4,295	)
Surrendered shares		( 21	)		( 330	)		—			—			( 351	)
Options exercised		8			97			—			—			105
Dividends declared, $ 0.295 per share		—			—			( 2,903	)		—			( 2,903	)
Stock-based compensation		82			1,384			—			—			1,466
Shares repurchased		( 191	)		( 2,497	)		—			—			( 2,688	)
Net income		—			—			13,140			—			13,140
Other comprehensive loss, net		—			—			—			( 11,539	)		( 11,539	)
Balance at end of period	$	9,780		$	145,241		$	114,148		$	( 60,452	)	$	208,717

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

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INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

	*Nine months ended September 30,*
	*2023*			*2022*
Net income	$	13,140		$	26,811
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		2,871			3,364
Provision for credit losses		( 2,486	)		1,654
Net accretion of purchase accounting adjustments		( 233	)		( 131	)
Net (accretion) amortization of securities		( 62	)		899
Loss (gain) on call or sale of investment securities, net		1			( 6	)
Loss on sale or disposition of fixed assets, net		1,284			191
Loss (gain) on sale of other real estate owned, net		114			( 7	)
Gain on sale of loans to First Community Bank		( 75	)		—
Loss on early extinguishment of subordinated debt		—			222
FHLB stock dividend		( 591	)		( 50	)
Stock-based compensation		1,466			1,371
Deferred taxes		( 286	)		( 588	)
Net change in value of bank owned life insurance		( 1,046	)		( 959	)
Amortization of subordinated debt issuance costs		71			42
Change in the fair value of equity securities		89			102
Loans held for sale:
Originations		—			( 624	)
Proceeds from sales		—			1,281
Gain on sale of loans		—			( 37	)
Net change in:
Accrued interest receivable		( 756	)		( 560	)
Other assets		5,375			( 1,646	)
Accrued taxes and other liabilities		7,075			2,220
Net cash provided by operating activities		25,951			33,549

Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale		2,364			—
Purchases of securities available for sale		( 107,904	)		( 180,590	)
Purchases of securities held to maturity		( 12,556	)		—
Proceeds from maturities, prepayments and calls of investment securities available for sale		91,630			49,271
Proceeds from maturities, prepayments and calls of investment securities held to maturity		808			868
Proceeds from redemption or sale of equity securities		17,150			326
Purchases of equity securities		( 2,728	)		( 10,204	)
Net decrease (increase) in loans		22,312			( 125,988	)
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned		1,484			4,145
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets		42			4,692
Purchases of loans		( 35,887	)		—
Purchases of fixed assets		( 904	)		( 743	)
Purchases of bank owned life insurance		—			( 5,000	)
Purchases of other investments		( 552	)		( 643	)
Distributions from investments		225			25
Cash paid for branch sale to First Community Bank, net of cash received		( 596	)		—
Net cash used in investing activities		( 25,112	)		( 263,841	)

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INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, CONTINUED

(Amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase (decrease) in customer deposits		141,787			( 67,859	)
Net increase in federal funds purchased		—			168
Net increase (decrease) in repurchase agreements		13,930			( 5,783	)
Net (decrease) increase in short-term FHLB advances		( 333,500	)		279,600
Net increase in borrowings under the Bank Term Funding Program		235,800			—
Repayment of long-term FHLB advances		( 30,000	)		( 25,000	)
Cash dividends paid on common stock		( 2,864	)		( 2,609	)
Proceeds from stock options exercised		105			133
Payments to repurchase common stock		( 2,688	)		( 10,334	)
Proceeds from subordinated debt, net of issuance costs		—			19,548
Extinguishment of subordinated debt		—			( 18,600	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		22,570			169,264
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		23,409			( 61,028	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		40,259			97,041
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	63,668		$	36,013

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Transfer from loans to other real estate owned	$	3,930		$	3,317
Transfer from bank premises and equipment to other real estate owned		1,425			525

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

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INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Investar Holding Corporation (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10 -Q and Article 10 of Regulation S- X. Accordingly, they do not include information or footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in conformity with GAAP. However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements have been included. The results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year. These statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022 , including the notes thereto, which were included as part of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10 -K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 8, 2023.

Nature of Operations

The Company is a financial holding company, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that provides full banking services, excluding trust services, through its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Investar Bank, National Association (the “Bank”), a national bank, primarily to meet the needs of individuals, professionals and small to me dium-sized businesses. The Company’s primary markets are in south Louisiana, southeast Texas and Alabama. At September 30, 2023 , the Company operated 20 full service branches located in Louisiana, two full service branches located in Texas and seven full service branches located in Alabama and had 328 full-time e quivalent employees.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bank. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences could be material.

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses. While management uses available information to recognize credit losses on loans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions, changes in conditions of our borrowers’ industries or changes in the condition of individual borrowers. As described below under “Accounting Standards Adopted in 2023,” the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016 - 13 effective January 1, 2023, which changed how the Company accounts for the allowance for credit losses. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for credit losses. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination. Because of these factors, it is reasonably possible that the allowance for credit losses may change materially in the near term. However, the amount of the change that is reasonably possible cannot be estimated.

Other estimates that are susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the allowance for off-balance sheet credit losses, the fair value of stock-based compensation awards, the determination of other-than-temporary impairments of securities, and the fair value of financial instruments and goodwill. Rapidly changing inflation rates and rising interest rates have made certain estimates more challenging, including those discussed above.

Acquisition Accounting - Loan Purchase Agreement

In August 2023, the Company entered into a loan purchase agreement to acquire commercial and industrial revolving lines of credit, and related accrued interest, with an unpaid principal balance of $ 162.7 million in two tranches. The purchase of the first tranche, consisting of revolving lines of credit with an unpaid principal balance of $ 35.8 million and total commitments of $ 61.1 million, was completed on September 15, 2023. The purchase of the second tranche, consisting of revolving lines of credit with an unpaid principal balance of $ 127.0 million and total commitments of $ 176.7 million, was completed on October 3, 2023. The revolving lines of credit are variable-rate and short-term in nature with varying renewal terms. See Note 12. Subsequent Events.

The Company follows the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805, “Business Combinations” (“ASC 805” ) to determine the appropriate accounting treatment for an acquisition. ASC 805 prescribes an initial fair value screen to determine if substantially all of the fair value of the assets acquired is concentrated in a single asset or group of similar assets. If the initial screen test is met, the assets acquired represent an asset acquisition rather than a business combination. If the transaction is deemed to be an asset acquisition, the cost accumulation and allocation model is used in which the cost of the acquisition is allocated on a relative fair value basis to the assets acquired. The Company concluded that the loan purchase agreement did not qualify as a business combination as substantially all of the fair value of the assets acquired is concentrated in a single group of similar assets and accounted for it as an asset acquisition in accordance with ASC 805 using a cost accumulation and allocation model.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period balances to conform to the current period presentation.

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INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2023

FASB ASC Topic 326 “ Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ” Update No. 2016 - 13 ( “ ASU 2016 - 13 ” ) . ASU 2016 - 13 became effective for the Company as a smaller reporting company on January 1, 2023. ASU 2016 - 13, also referred to as the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) standard, requires financial assets measured on an amortized cost basis, including loans and held to maturity (“HTM”) debt securities, to be presented at an amount net of an allowance for credit losses, which reflects expected losses for the full life of the financial asset. Unfunded lending commitments are also within the scope of this topic.

CECL requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts and requires enhanced disclosures related to the significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an organization’s portfolio. The CECL methodology requires that lifetime expected credit losses be recorded at the time the financial asset is originated or acquired and be adjusted each period as a provision for credit losses for changes in expected lifetime credit losses. Under prior GAAP, credit losses were not recognized until the occurrence of the loss was probable, and entities, in general, did not attempt to estimate credit losses for the full life of financial assets.

ASU 2016 - 13 does not specify the method for measuring expected credit losses, and an entity is allowed to apply methods that reasonably reflect its expectations of the lifetime credit loss estimate. The Company developed a CECL model methodology that calculates expected credit losses over the life of the portfolio by analyzing the composition, characteristics and quality of the loan and securities portfolios, as well as prevailing economic conditions and forecasts. The Company’s CECL calculation estimates loan losses using a combination of discounted cash flow and remaining life analyses. To the extent the lives of the loans in the portfolio extend beyond the period for which a reasonable and supportable forecast can be made, when necessary, the model reverts back to the historical loss rates adjusted for qualitative factors related to current conditions using a four -quarter reversion period. The Company adopted ASU 2016 - 13 using the modified retrospective approach for all loans and off-balance sheet credit exposures measured at amortized cost, other than purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) financial assets. Results for reporting periods beginning after December 31, 2022 are presented in accordance with A SU 2016 - 13 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP.

ASU 2016 - 13 also amended the accounting model for purchased financial assets and replaced the guidance for purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) financial assets with the concept of PCDs. For PCD assets, the CECL estimate is recognized through the allowance for credit losses with an offset to the amortized cost basis of the PCD asset at the date of acquisition. Subsequent changes in the allowance for credit losses for PCD assets are recognized through a provision for credit losses on loans. The Company used the prospective transition approach for PCD loans that were previously classified as PCI and accounted for under ASC 310 - 30, “Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality” (“ASC 310 - 30” ). As permitted under ASU 2016 - 13, the Company did not reassess whether PCI assets meet the criteria of PCD assets as of the date of adoption.

The Company adopted ASU 2016 - 13 on January 1, 2023, and recorded a one -time, cumulative effect adjustment as shown in the table below (dollars in thousands).

	*December 31, 2022*			*Impact of ASU 2016-13 Adoption*			*January 1, 2023*
Assets:
Allowance for credit losses	$	( 24,364	)	$	( 5,865	)	$	( 30,229	)
Deferred tax asset		16,438			1,142			17,580
Remaining purchase discount on loans ⁽¹⁾		( 818	)		422			( 396	)
Liabilities:
Reserve for unfunded loan commitments ⁽²⁾		372			( 6	)		366
Stockholders’ Equity
Retained earnings		108,206			( 4,295	)		103,911

^{(

1

)} For PCD loans, formerly classified as PCI, the Company applied the guidance under CECL using the prospective transition approach. As a result, the Company adjusted the amortized cost basis of the PCD loans to reclassify the purchase discount to the allowance for credit losses on January 1, 2023.

^{(

2

)} The allowance for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments is included in “Accrued taxes and other liabilities” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The related provision for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments is included in “Provision for credit losses” in the accompanying consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 .

In addition, ASU 2016 - 13 amends the accounting for credit losses on available for sale (“AFS”) securities, requiring expected credit losses on AFS securities to be recorded in an allowance for credit losses rather than as a write-down of the securities’ amortized cost basis when management does not intend to sell or believes that it is not more likely than not that they will be required to sell the securities prior to recovery of the securities’ amortized cost basis. If management has the intent to sell or believes it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell an impaired available for sale security before recovery of the amortized cost basis, the credit loss is recorded as a direct write-down of the amortized cost basis. Declines in the fair value of AFS securities that are not considered credit related are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. In addition, expected credit losses on HTM securities are required to be recorded in an allowance for credit losses rather than as a write-down of the securities’ amortized cost basis. T he Company ’ s AFS and HTM securities portfolios were not materially impacted by the adoption of ASU 2016 - 13 due to the composition of the portfolios, which consists primarily of U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies and corporations securities and mortgage-backed securities. Due to the nature of the investments, current market prices, and the current interest rate environment, t he Company determined that the declines in the fair values of the HTM and AFS securities portfolio were not attributable to credit losses. The Company will apply the provisions of ASU 2016 - 13 to debt securities that have an other-than-temporary impairment on a prospective basis. Accordingly, there was no adjustment made to the amortized cost basis upon adoption. T he adoption of ASU 2016 - 13 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s regulatory capital ratios.

The allowance for credit losses is measured on a pool basis when similar risk characteristics exist and is maintained at an amount which management believes is a current estimate of the expected credit losses for the full life of the relevant pool of loans and related unfunded lending commitments. For modeling purposes, loan pools include: agriculture and farmland, automotive, commercial and industrial, construction and development, commercial real estate - nonowner-occupied and multifamily, commercial real estate - owner-occupied, credit cards, home equity lines of credit and junior liens, consumer, residential senior liens, and other loans, which primarily consist of public finance. Management periodically reassesses each pool to confirm the loans within the pool continue to share similar characteristics and risk profiles and to determine whether further segmentation is necessary. The loss rates computed for each pool and expected pool-level funding rates are applied to the related unfunded lending commitments to calculate an allowance for credit losses.

Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics with other loans are excluded from the loan pools and individually evaluated for impairment. Individually evaluated loans are loans for which it is probable that all the amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan will not be collected.

FASB ASC Topic 326 “ Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures ” Update No. 2022 - 02 (“ASU 2022 - 02” ). ASU 2022 - 02 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2023 and is applied prospectively. ASU 2022 - 02 amends Topic 326 to elim inate the accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) by creditors that have adopted ASU 2016 - 13 and, instead, requires that an entity evaluate whether the modification represents a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan. The amendment also requires that public business entities disclose current-period gross charge-offs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investments in leases. The adoption of ASU 2022 - 02 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC Topic 848 “ Reference Rate Reform: Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting ” Update No. 2020 - 04 ( “ ASU 2020 - 04 ” ) and FASB ASC Topic 848 “ Reference Rate Reform: Deferral of the Sunset Date ” Update No. 2022 - 06 ( “ ASU 2022 - 06 ” ) . In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020 - 04, which is intended to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens related to the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. ASU 2020 - 04 became effective as of March 12, 2020 and could be adopted any time during the period of January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2022. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022 - 06, which deferred the sunset date of ASU 2020 - 04 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. The Company implemented a plan to transition all loans and other financial instruments, including certain indebtedness, with attributes that are either directly or indirectly influenced by LIBOR to its preferred replacement index, the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). As of September 30, 2023, the Company has transitioned all loans and certain indebtedness. The adoption of ASU 2022 - 06 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 2. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following is a summary of the information used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands, except share data).

	*Three months ended September 30,*					*Nine months ended September 30,*
	*2023*		*2022*			*2023*			*2022*
Earnings per common share - basic
Net income	$	2,781	$	7,304		$	13,140		$	26,811
Less: income allocated to participating securities		—		( 5	)		( 2	)		( 27	)
Net income allocated to common shareholders		2,781		7,299			13,138			26,784
Weighted average basic shares outstanding		9,814,727		9,965,374			9,867,781			10,148,630
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.28	$	0.74		$	1.33		$	2.64

Earnings per common share - diluted
Net income allocated to common shareholders	$	2,781	$	7,299		$	13,138		$	26,784
Weighted average basic shares outstanding		9,814,727		9,965,374			9,867,781			10,148,630
Dilutive effect of securities		2,880		120,875			8,042			80,540
Total weighted average diluted shares outstanding		9,817,607		10,086,249			9,875,823			10,229,170
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.28	$	0.73		$	1.33		$	2.62

The weighted average shares that have an antidilutive effect in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share and have been excluded from the computations above are shown below.

	*Three months ended September 30,*				*Nine months ended September 30,*
	*2023*		*2022*		*2023*		*2022*
Stock options		—		17,966		8,886		9,995
Restricted stock awards		—		—		—		67
Restricted stock units		58,153		1,884		70,267		26,717

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INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 3. INVESTMENT SECURITIES

Debt Securities

The amortized cost and approximate fair value of investment securities classified as AFS are summarized below as of the dates presented (dollars in thousands).

			*Gross*		*Gross*
			*Unrealized*		*Unrealized*			*Fair*
	*Amortized Cost*		*Gains*		*Losses*			*Value*
September 30, 2023
Obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies and corporations	$	66,500	$	128	$	( 808	)	$	65,820
Obligations of state and political subdivisions		19,864		—		( 3,071	)		16,793
Corporate bonds		33,749		—		( 4,240	)		29,509
Residential mortgage-backed securities		282,660		4		( 58,339	)		224,325
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		78,523		157		( 10,642	)		68,038
Total	$	481,296	$	289	$	( 77,100	)	$	404,485

			*Gross*		*Gross*
			*Unrealized*		*Unrealized*			*Fair*
	*Amortized Cost*		*Gains*		*Losses*			*Value*
December 31, 2022
Obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies and corporations	$	30,370	$	134	$	( 699	)	$	29,805
Obligations of state and political subdivisions		21,098		7		( 2,727	)		18,378
Corporate bonds		33,477		—		( 3,535	)		29,942
Residential mortgage-backed securities		298,867		10		( 47,026	)		251,851
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		83,504		179		( 8,492	)		75,191
Total	$	467,316	$	330	$	( 62,479	)	$	405,167

The Company calculates realized gains and losses on sales of debt securities under the specific identification method. Procee ds from sales of investment securities classified as AFS and gross gains and losses are summarized below for the periods presented (dollars in thousands).

	*Three months ended September 30,*				*Nine months ended September 30,*
	*2023*		*2022*		*2023*			*2022*
Proceeds from sales	$	—	$	—	$	2,364		$	—
Gross gains	$	—	$	—	$	1		$	—
Gross losses	$	—	$	—	$	( 2	)	$	—

The amortized cost and approximate fair value of investment securities classified as HTM are summarized below as of the dates presented (dollars in thousands).

			*Gross*		*Gross*
			*Unrealized*		*Unrealized*			*Fair*
	*Amortized Cost*		*Gains*		*Losses*			*Value*
September 30, 2023
Obligations of state and political subdivisions	$	17,708	$	199	$	( 110	)	$	17,797
Residential mortgage-backed securities		2,336		—		( 318	)		2,018
Total	$	20,044	$	199	$	( 428	)	$	19,815

			*Gross*		*Gross*
			*Unrealized*		*Unrealized*			*Fair*
	*Amortized Cost*		*Gains*		*Losses*			*Value*
December 31, 2022
Obligations of state and political subdivisions	$	5,538	$	1	$	( 127	)	$	5,412
Residential mortgage-backed securities		2,767		—		( 257	)		2,510
Total	$	8,305	$	1	$	( 384	)	$	7,922

Securities are classified in the consolidated balance sheets according to management’s intent. The Company had no securities classified as trading as of September 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022 .

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INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The approximate fair value of AFS securities and unrealized losses, aggregated by investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, are summarized below as of the dates presented (dollars in thousands).

	*Less than 12 Months*					*12 Months or More*					*Total*
			*Unrealized*					*Unrealized*					*Unrealized*
	*Fair Value*		*Losses*			*Fair Value*		*Losses*			*Fair Value*		*Losses*
September 30, 2023
Obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies and corporations	$	1,220	$	( 7	)	$	14,072	$	( 801	)	$	15,292	$	( 808	)
Obligations of state and political subdivisions		627		( 33	)		16,166		( 3,038	)		16,793		( 3,071	)
Corporate bonds		450		( 45	)		28,809		( 4,195	)		29,259		( 4,240	)
Residential mortgage-backed securities		3,097		( 580	)		220,582		( 57,759	)		223,679		( 58,339	)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		3,880		( 61	)		50,728		( 10,581	)		54,608		( 10,642	)
Total	$	9,274	$	( 726	)	$	330,357	$	( 76,374	)	$	339,631	$	( 77,100	)

	*Less than 12 Months*					*12 Months or More*					*Total*
			*Unrealized*					*Unrealized*					*Unrealized*
	*Fair Value*		*Losses*			*Fair Value*		*Losses*			*Fair Value*		*Losses*
December 31, 2022
Obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies and corporations	$	16,017	$	( 688	)	$	1,013	$	( 11	)	$	17,030	$	( 699	)
Obligations of state and political subdivisions		13,695		( 1,427	)		4,524		( 1,300	)		18,219		( 2,727	)
Corporate bonds		19,606		( 1,170	)		10,085		( 2,365	)		29,691		( 3,535	)
Residential mortgage-backed securities		134,419		( 18,122	)		116,132		( 28,904	)		250,551		( 47,026	)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		27,181		( 2,632	)		32,432		( 5,860	)		59,613		( 8,492	)
Total	$	210,918	$	( 24,039	)	$	164,186	$	( 38,440	)	$	375,104	$	( 62,479	)

At September 30, 2023 , 776 of the Company’s AFS debt securities had unrealized losses totaling 18.5 % of the individual securities’ amortized cost basis and 16.0 % of the Company’s total amortized cost basis of the AFS investment securities portfolio. At such date, 746 of the 776 securities had been in a continuous loss position for over 12 months.

The approximate fair value of HTM securities, and unrealized losses, aggregated by investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, are summarized below as of the dates presented (dollars in thousands).

	*Less than 12 Months*				*12 Months or More*					*Total*
			*Unrealized*				*Unrealized*					*Unrealized*
	*Fair Value*		*Losses*		*Fair Value*		*Losses*			*Fair Value*		*Losses*
September 30, 2023
Obligations of state and political subdivisions	$	—	$	—	$	3,168	$	( 110	)	$	3,168	$	( 110	)
Residential mortgage-backed securities		—		—		2,018		( 318	)		2,018		( 318	)
Total	$	—	$	—	$	5,186	$	( 428	)	$	5,186	$	( 428	)

	Less than 12 Months					12 Months or More				Total
			Unrealized					Unrealized				Unrealized
	Fair Value		Losses			Fair Value		Losses		Fair Value		Losses
December 31, 2022
Obligations of state and political subdivisions	$	3,536	$	( 127	)	$	—	$	—	$	3,536	$	( 127	)
Residential mortgage-backed securities		2,510		( 257	)		—		—		2,510		( 257	)
Total	$	6,046	$	( 384	)	$	—	$	—	$	6,046	$	( 384	)

Unrealized losses are generally due to changes in market interest rates. The Company has the intent to hold these securities either until maturity or a forecasted recovery, and it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell the securities before the recovery of their amortized cost basis. Due to the nature of the investments, current market prices, and the current interest rate environment, the Company determined that these declines were not attributable to credit losses at September 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022 .

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INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The amortized cost and approximate fair value of investment debt securities, by contractual maturity, are shown below as of the dates presented (dollars in thousands). Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities due to mortgage-backed securities whereby borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties and certain callable bonds whereby the issuer has the option to call the bonds prior to contractual maturity.

	*Securities Available For Sale*				*Securities Held To Maturity*
	*Amortized*		*Fair*		*Amortized*		*Fair*
	*Cost*		*Value*		*Cost*		*Value*
September 30, 2023
Due within one year	$	43,839	$	43,800	$	915	$	915
Due after one year through five years		33,618		32,205		3,516		3,518
Due after five years through ten years		47,106		42,294		3,277		3,168
Due after ten years		356,733		286,186		12,336		12,214
Total debt securities	$	481,296	$	404,485	$	20,044	$	19,815

	*Securities Available For Sale*				*Securities Held To Maturity*
	*Amortized*		*Fair*		*Amortized*		*Fair*
	*Cost*		*Value*		*Cost*		*Value*
December 31, 2022
Due within one year	$	1,082	$	1,072	$	915	$	915
Due after one year through five years		32,452		31,394		960		961
Due after five years through ten years		52,093		48,229		3,663		3,536
Due after ten years		381,689		324,472		2,767		2,510
Total debt securities	$	467,316	$	405,167	$	8,305	$	7,922

Accrued interest receivable on the Company ’ s investment securities was $ 1.9 million and $ 1.7 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , respectively, and is included in “ Accrued interest receivable ” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

At September 30, 2023 , securities with a carrying value of $ 322.4 million were pledged to secure certain deposits, borrowings, and other liabilities, compared to $ 165.7 million in pledged securities at December 31, 2022 .

Equity Securities

Equity securities primarily consist of Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock and Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (“FRB”) stock. Members of the FHLB and FRB are required to own a certain amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors and may invest in additional amounts. FHLB stock and FRB stock is carried at cost, is restricted as to redemption, and is periodically evaluated for impairment based on the ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income. Equity securities also include investments in our other correspondent banks including Independent Bankers Financial Corporation and First National Bankers Bank stock. These investments are carried at cost which approximates fair value. The balance of equity securities in our correspondent banks at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was $ 12.2 million and $ 26.0 million, respectively.

In addition, equity securities include marketable securities in corporate stocks and mutual funds and totaled $ 1.2 million at both September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 .

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INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 4. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

The Company’s loan portfolio consists of the following categories of loans as of the dates presented (dollars in thousands).

	*September 30, 2023*		*December 31, 2022*
Construction and development	$	211,390	$	201,633
1-4 Family		415,162		401,377
Multifamily		102,974		81,812
Farmland		8,259		12,877
Commercial real estate		941,857		958,243
Total mortgage loans on real estate		1,679,642		1,655,942
Commercial and industrial		411,290		435,093
Consumer		12,090		13,732
Total loans	$	2,103,022	$	2,104,767

Interest on loans is calculated by using the simple interest method on daily balances of the principal amount outstanding. Loan origination fees, net of direct loan origination costs and commitment fees, are deferred and amortized as an adjustment to yield over the life of the loan, or over the commitment period, as applicable. Unamortized premiums and discounts on loans, included in the total loans balances above, were $ 0.2 million and $ 0.8 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , respectively, and unearned income, or deferred fees, on loans was $ 1.2 million and $ 1.3 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , respectively and is also included in the total loans balance in the table above.

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INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The table below provides an analysis of the aging of loans as of September 30, 2023 (dollars in thousands).

	*September 30, 2023*
	*Current*		*30 - 59 Days Past Due*		*60 - 89 Days Past Due*		*90 Days or More Past Due*		*Total*		*> 90 Days and Accruing*
Construction and development	$	210,819	$	308	$	—	$	263	$	211,390	$	225
1-4 Family		411,949		1,884		91		1,238		415,162		—
Multifamily		102,974		—		—		—		102,974		—
Farmland		8,259		—		—		—		8,259		—
Commercial real estate		939,777		1,147		172		761		941,857		—
Total mortgage loans on real estate		1,673,778		3,339		263		2,262		1,679,642		225
Commercial and industrial		409,580		459		40		1,211		411,290		100
Consumer		11,902		57		82		49		12,090		—
Total loans	$	2,095,260	$	3,855	$	385	$	3,522	$	2,103,022	$	325

The table below provides an analysis of nonaccrual loans as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (dollars in thousands).

	*September 30, 2023*						December 31, 2022 ⁽¹⁾
	*Nonaccrual with No Allowance for Credit Loss*		*Nonaccrual with an Allowance for Credit Loss*		*Total Nonaccrual Loans*		*Total Nonaccrual Loans*
Construction and development	$	38	$	212	$	250	$	372
1-4 Family		1,372		747		2,119		1,207
Multifamily		—		—		—		—
Farmland		—		—		—		62
Commercial real estate		1,665		—		1,665		6,032
Total mortgage loans on real estate		3,075		959		4,034		7,673
Commercial and industrial		1,090		61		1,151		2,183
Consumer		12		54		66		130
Total loans	$	4,177	$	1,074	$	5,251	$	9,986

^{(

1

)} Nonaccrual loans previously reported as of December 31, 2022 excluded $ 0.5 million of nonaccrual acquired impaired loans being accounted for under ASC 310 - 30.

The table below provides an analysis of the aging of loans as of December 31, 2022 (dollars in thousands).

	*December 31, 2022*
	*Accruing*
	*Current*		*30-59 Days Past Due*		*60-89 Days Past Due*		*90 Days or More Past Due*		*Nonaccrual*		*Total Past Due & Nonaccrual*		*Acquired Impaired Loans*		*Total Loans*
Construction and development	$	201,048	$	101	$	—	$	112	$	372	$	585	$	—	$	201,633
1-4 Family		394,846		2,614		1,220		1,188		1,207		6,229		302		401,377
Multifamily		81,812		—		—		—		—		—		—		81,812
Farmland		12,601		152		62		—		62		276		—		12,877
Commercial real estate		951,908		181		22		—		5,523		5,726		609		958,243
Total mortgage loans on real estate		1,642,215		3,048		1,304		1,300		7,164		12,816		911		1,655,942
Commercial and industrial		432,438		406		15		51		2,183		2,655		—		435,093
Consumer		13,347		171		27		—		130		328		57		13,732
Total loans	$	2,088,000	$	3,625	$	1,346	$	1,351	$	9,477	$	15,799	$	968	$	2,104,767

Nonaccrual and Past Due Loans

Loans are considered past due if the required principal and interest payments have not been received as of the date such payments were due. Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to meet payment obligations as they become due, as well as when required by regulatory provisions. In determining whether or not a borrower may be unable to meet payment obligations for each class of loans, the borrower’s debt service capacity is considered through the analysis of current financial information, if available, and/or current information with regard to the collateral position. Regulatory provisions would typically require the placement of a loan on nonaccrual status if (i) principal or interest has been in default for a period of 90 days or more unless the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection or (ii) full payment of principal and interest is not expected. Loans may be placed on nonaccrual status regardless of whether or not such loans are considered past due. When interest accrual is discontinued, all unpaid accrued interest is reversed. Interest income on nonaccrual loans is recognized only to the extent that cash payments are received in excess of principal due. A loan may be returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and payment of future principal and interest amounts contractually due are reasonably assured, which is typically evidenced by a sustained period (at least six months) of repayment performance by the borrower . No material interest income was recognized in the consolidated statements of income on nonaccrual loans f or the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 .

Collateral Dependent Loans

Collateral dependent loans are loans for which the repayments, on the basis of our assessment at the reporting date, are expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral and the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. Loans that do not share risk characteristics are excluded from the loan pools and evaluated on an individual basis, and the Company has determined to evaluate collateral dependent loans individually for impairment. The allowance for credit losses for collateral dependent loans is measured based on the difference between the fair value of the collateral and the amortized cost basis of the asset as of the measurement date. When repayment is expected to be from the operation of the collateral, expected credit losses are calculated as the amount by which the amortized cost basis of the financial asset exceeds the present value of expected cash flows from the operation of the collateral. When repayment is expected to be from the sale of the collateral, expected credit losses are calculated as the amount by which the amortized costs basis of the financial asset exceeds the fair value of the underlying collateral less estimated cost to sell. The Company ’ s collateral dependent loans include all nonaccrual loans shown in the table above. The types of collateral that secure collateral dependent loans are discussed under “Portfolio Segment Risk Factors” below.

Table of Contents

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Portfolio Segment Risk Factors

The following describes the risk characteristics relevant to each of the Company’s loan portfolio segments.

Constructio n and Development - Construction and development loans are generally made for the purpose of acquisition and development of land to be improved through the construction of commercial and residential buildings. The successful repayment of these types of loans is generally dependent upon a commitment for permanent financing from the Company, or from the sale of the constructed property. These loans carry more risk than commercial or residential real estate loans due to the dynamics of construction projects, changes in interest rates, the long-term financing market, and state and local government regulations. One such risk is that loan funds are advanced upon the security of the property under construction, which is of uncertain value prior to the completion of construction. Thus, it is more difficult to evaluate accurately the total loan funds required to complete a project and to calculate related loan-to-value ratios. The Company attempts to minimize the risks associated with construction lending by limiting loan-to-value ratios as described above. In addition, as to speculative development loans, the Company generally makes such loans only to borrowers that have a positive pre-existing relationship with us. The Company manages risk by using specific underwriting policies and procedures for these types of loans and by avoiding excessive concentrations in any one business or industry. Construction and development loans are primarily secured by residential and commercial properties, which are under construction and/or redevelopment.

1 - 4 Family - The 1 - 4 family portfolio mainly consists of residential mortgage loans to consumers to finance a primary residence. The majority of these loans are secured by first liens on residential properties located in the Company’s market areas and carry risks associated with the creditworthiness of the borrower and changes in the value of the collateral and loan-to-value-ratios. The Company manages these risks through policies and procedures such as limiting loan-to-value ratios at origination, employing experienced underwriting personnel, requiring standards for appraisers, and not making subprime loans.

Multifamily - Multifamily loans are normally made to real estate investors to support permanent financing for multifamily residential income producing properties that rely on the successful operation of the property for repayment. This management mainly involves property maintenance and collection of rents due from tenants. This type of lending carries a lower level of risk, as compared to other commercial lending. In addition, underwriting requirements for multifamily properties are stricter than for other non-owner-occupied property types. The Company manages this risk by avoiding concentrations with any particular customer. Multifamily loans are primarily secured by first liens on multifamily real estate.

Farmland - Farmland loans are often for land improvements related to agricultural endeavors and may include construction of new specialized facilities. These loans are usually repaid through the conversion to permanent financing, or if scheduled loan amortization begins, for the long-term benefit of the borrower’s ongoing operations. Underwriting generally involves intensive analysis of the financial strength of the borrower and guarantor, liquidation value of the subject collateral, the associated unguaranteed exposure, and any available secondary sources of repayment, with the greatest emphasis given to a borrower’s capacity to meet cash flow coverage requirements as set forth by Bank policies. Farmland loans are primarily secured by raw land.

Commercial Real Estate - Commercial real estate loans are extensions of credit secured by owner occupied and nonowner-occupied collateral. Underwriting generally involves intensive analysis of the financial strength of the borrower and guarantor, liquidation value of the subject collateral, the associated unguaranteed exposure, and any available secondary sources of repayment, with the greatest emphasis given to a borrower’s capacity to meet cash flow coverage requirements as set forth by Bank policies. Commercial real estate loans typically depend on the successful operation and management of the businesses that occupy these properties or the financial stability of tenants occupying the properties. Nonowner-occupied commercial real estate loans typically are dependent, in large part, on the owner’s ability to rent the property and the ability of the tenants to pay rent, whereas owner-occupied commercial real estate loans typically are dependent, in large part, on the success of the owner’s business. General market conditions and economic activity may impact the performance of these types of loans, including fluctuations in the value of real estate, new job creation trends, and tenant vacancy rates. The Company attempts to limit risk by analyzing a borrower’s cash flow and collateral value on an ongoing basis. The Company also typically requires personal guarantees from the principal owners of the property, supported by a review of their personal financial statements, as an additional means of mitigating our risk. The Company manages risk by avoiding concentrations in any one business or industry. Commercial real estate loans are primarily secured by office and industrial buildings, warehouses, retail shopping facilities and various special purpose commercial properties.

Table of Contents

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Com mercial and Industrial - Commercial and industrial loans receive similar underwriting treatment as commercial real estate loans in that the repayment source is analyzed to determine its ability to meet cash flow coverage requirements as set forth by Bank policies. Repayment of these loans generally comes from the generation of cash flow as the result of the borrower’s business operations. Commercial lending generally involves different risks from those associated with commercial real estate lending or construction lending. Although commercial loans may be collateralized by equipment or other business assets (including real estate, if available as collateral), the repayment of these types of loans depends primarily on the creditworthiness and projected cash flow of the borrower (and any guarantors). Thus, the general business conditions of the local economy and the borrower’s ability to sell its products and services, thereby generating sufficient operating revenue to repay us under the agreed upon terms and conditions, are the chief considerations when assessing the risk of a commercial loan. The liquidation of collateral, if any, is considered a secondary source of repayment because equipment and other business assets may, among other things, be obsolete or of limited resale value. The Company actively monitors certain financial measures of the borrower, including advance rate, cash flow, collateral value and other appropriate credit factors. Commercial and industrial loans also include public finance loans made to governmental entities, which can be taxable or tax-exempt, and are generally repaid using pledged revenue sources including income tax, property tax, sales tax, and utility revenue, among other sources. Commercial and industrial loans are primarily secured by accounts receivable, inventory and equipment.

Consumer - Consumer loans are offered by the Company in order to provide a full range of retail financial services to its customers and include auto loans, credit cards, and other consumer installment loans. Typically, the Company evaluates the borrower’s repayment ability through a review of credit scores and an evaluation of debt to income ratios. Repayment of consumer loans depends upon key consumer economic measures and upon the borrower’s financial stability and is more likely to be adversely affected by divorce, job loss, illness and personal hardships than repayment of other loans. A shortfall in the value of any collateral also may pose a risk of loss to the Company for these types of loans. Consumer loans include loans primarily secured by vehicles and unsecured loans.

Refer to Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Accounting Standards Adopted in 2023 for loan pools used for modeling purposes, which are aggregated into the portfolio segments shown above.

Credit Quality Indicators

Loans are categorized into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt, such as current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors. The following definitions are utilized for risk ratings, which are consistent with the definitions used in supervisory guidance:

Pass - Loans not meeting the criteria below are considered pass. These loans have high credit characteristics and financial strength. The borrowers at least generate profits and cash flow that are in line with peer and industry standards and have debt service coverage ratios above loan covenants and our policy guidelines. For some of these loans, a guaranty from a financially capable party mitigates characteristics of the borrower that might otherwise result in a lower grade.

Special Mention - Loans classified as special mention possess some credit deficiencies that need to be corrected to avoid a greater risk of default in the future. For example, financial ratios relating to the borrower may have deteriorated. Often, a special mention categorization is temporary while certain factors are analyzed or matters addressed before the loan is re-categorized as either pass or substandard.

Substandard - Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the borrower or the liquidation value of any collateral. If deficiencies are not addressed, it is likely that this category of loan will result in the Bank incurring a loss. Where a borrower has been unable to adjust to industry or general economic conditions, the borrower’s loan is often categorized as substandard.

Doubtful - Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.

Loss - Loans classified as loss are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as recorded assets is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the assets have absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off these assets.

Table of Contents

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The table below presents the Company’s loan portfolio by year of origination, category, and credit quality indicator as of September 30, 2023 (dollars in thousands).

	*September 30, 2023*
	*2023*			*2022*			*2021*			*2020*			*2019*			*Prior*			*Revolving Loans*			*Revolving Loans Converted to Term Loans*		*Total*
Construction and development
Pass	$	8,828		$	7,515		$	5,135		$	3,523		$	1,101		$	4,225		$	178,871		$	376	$	209,574
Special Mention		—			—			773			—			—			—			568			—		1,341
Substandard		—			—			173			—			—			8			294			—		475
Total construction and development	$	8,828		$	7,515		$	6,081		$	3,523		$	1,101		$	4,233		$	179,733		$	376	$	211,390

Current-period gross charge-offs	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—

1-4 Family
Pass	$	35,578		$	94,349		$	80,886		$	58,936		$	28,546		$	61,356		$	43,575		$	8,532	$	411,758
Special Mention		—			—			478			—			—			—			—			—		478
Substandard		—			151			257			130			576			1,717			95			—		2,926
Total 1-4 family	$	35,578		$	94,500		$	81,621		$	59,066		$	29,122		$	63,073		$	43,670		$	8,532	$	415,162

Current-period gross charge-offs	$	( 22	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	( 21	)	$	( 3	)	$	—		$	—	$	( 46	)

Multifamily
Pass	$	3,926		$	65,310		$	16,094		$	4,416		$	635		$	7,175		$	4,715		$	703	$	102,974
Special Mention		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—		—
Substandard		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—		—
Total multifamily	$	3,926		$	65,310		$	16,094		$	4,416		$	635		$	7,175		$	4,715		$	703	$	102,974

Current-period gross charge-offs	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—

Farmland
Pass	$	1,585		$	1,365		$	736		$	947		$	939		$	1,468		$	1,144		$	—	$	8,184
Special Mention		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—		—
Substandard		—			—			—			—			—			75			—			—		75
Total farmland	$	1,585		$	1,365		$	736		$	947		$	939		$	1,543		$	1,144		$	—	$	8,259

Current-period gross charge-offs	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—

Commercial real estate
Pass	$	60,877		$	218,429		$	210,851		$	177,117		$	83,819		$	113,837		$	18,094		$	50,999	$	934,023
Special Mention		—			—			182			—			—			—			—			—		182
Substandard		478			—			—			1,510			172			5,305			187			—		7,652
Total commercial real estate	$	61,355		$	218,429		$	211,033		$	178,627		$	83,991		$	119,142		$	18,281		$	50,999	$	941,857

Current-period gross charge-offs	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	( 2	)	$	( 25	)	$	—		$	—	$	( 27	)

Commercial and industrial
Pass	$	27,571		$	139,117		$	32,501		$	15,026		$	7,823		$	15,093		$	168,405		$	1,301	$	406,837
Special Mention		50			—			—			—			—			—			3,010			—		3,060
Substandard		—			80			161			8			1,018			39			56			31		1,393
Total commercial and industrial	$	27,621		$	139,197		$	32,662		$	15,034		$	8,841		$	15,132		$	171,471		$	1,332	$	411,290

Current-period gross charge-offs	$	—		$	—		$	( 190	)	$	—		$	( 7	)	$	—		$	( 193	)	$	—	$	( 390	)

Consumer
Pass	$	4,197		$	2,720		$	1,875		$	853		$	306		$	1,314		$	704		$	—	$	11,969
Special Mention		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—		—
Substandard		2			10			1			18			4			85			1			—		121
Total consumer	$	4,199		$	2,730		$	1,876		$	871		$	310		$	1,399		$	705		$	—	$	12,090

Current-period gross charge-offs	$	( 96	)	$	( 15	)	$	( 10	)	$	( 10	)	$	( 5	)	$	( 53	)	$	( 16	)	$	—	$	( 205	)

Total loans
Pass	$	142,562		$	528,805		$	348,078		$	260,818		$	123,169		$	204,468		$	415,508		$	61,911	$	2,085,319
Special Mention		50			—			1,433			—			—			—			3,578			—		5,061
Substandard		480			241			592			1,666			1,770			7,229			633			31		12,642
Total loans	$	143,092		$	529,046		$	350,103		$	262,484		$	124,939		$	211,697		$	419,719		$	61,942	$	2,103,022

Current-period gross charge-offs	$	( 118	)	$	( 15	)	$	( 200	)	$	( 10	)	$	( 35	)	$	( 81	)	$	( 209	)	$	—	$	( 668	)

The table below presents the Company’s loan portfolio by category and credit quality indicator as of December 31, 2022 (dollars in thousands) under the previous incurred loss methodology.

	*December 31, 2022*
			*Special*
	*Pass*		*Mention*		*Substandard*		*Doubtful*		*Total*
Construction and development	$	198,967	$	1,593	$	1,073	$	—	$	201,633
1-4 Family		399,143		—		2,234		—		401,377
Multifamily		81,812		—		—		—		81,812
Farmland		12,815		—		62		—		12,877
Commercial real estate		942,927		6,101		9,215		—		958,243
Total mortgage loans on real estate		1,635,664		7,694		12,584		—		1,655,942
Commercial and industrial		427,430		5,140		2,336		187		435,093
Consumer		13,636		—		96		—		13,732
Total loans	$	2,076,730	$	12,834	$	15,016	$	187	$	2,104,767

The Company had no loans that were classified as doubtful or loss at September 30, 2023 . The Company had no loans that were classified as loss at December 31, 2022 .

Table of Contents

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Loan Participations and Sold Loans

Loan participations and whole loans sold to and servic ed for others are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The balance of the participations and whole loans sold was $ 28.0 million and $ 16.9 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , respectively. The unpaid principal balance of these loans was approximately $ 108.5 million and $9 2.9 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , respectively.

Loans to Related Parties

In the ordinary course of business, the Company makes loans to related parties including its executive officers, principal stockholders, directors and their immediate family members, as well as to companies of which these individuals are principal owners. Loans outstanding to such related party borrowers amounted to approximately $ 49.7 million and $ 97.0 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , respectively.

The table below shows the aggregate principal balance of loans to such related parties as of the dates presented (dollars in thousands).

	*September 30, 2023*			*December 31, 2022*
Balance, beginning of period	$	96,977		$	97,606
New loans/changes in relationship		2,274			14,570
Repayments/changes in relationship		( 49,583	)		( 15,199	)
Balance, end of period	$	49,668		$	96,977

Table of Contents

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Allowance for Credit Losses

Effective January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2016 - 13, which uses the CECL accounting methodology for the allowance for credit losses. The CECL methodology requires that lifetime expected credit losses be recorded at the time the financial asset is originated or acquired, and be adjusted each period as a provision for credit losses for changes in expected lifetime credit losses. The Company developed a CECL model methodology that calculates expected credit losses over the life of the portfolio by analyzing the composition, characteristics and quality of the loan portfolio, as well as prevailing economic conditions and forecasts. The CECL calculation estimates credit losses using a combination of discounted cash flow and remaining life analyses. The Company evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on a quarterly basis.

The allowance for credit losses is comprised of reserves measured on a collective (pool) basis based on a lifetime loss-rate model when similar risk characteristics exist. For each pool of loans, the Company evaluates and applies qualitative adjustments to the calculated allowance for credit losses based on several factors, including, but not limited to, changes in current and expected future economic conditions, changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio, changes in levels of concentrations, changes in the volume and severity of past due loans, changes in lending policies and personnel and changes in the competitive and regulatory environment of the banking industry. Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics with other loans are excluded from the loan pools and individually evaluated for impairment. For collateral dependent loans where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, which we evaluate independently from the loan pool, the expected credit loss is measured as the difference between the amortized cost basis of the loan and the fair value of the collateral, which is based on third party appraisals. Individually evaluated loans that are not collateral dependent are evaluated based on a discounted cash flow methodology. Credits deemed uncollectible are charged to the allowance for credit losses. Provisions for credit losses and recoveries on loans previously charged off are adjustments to the allowance for credit losses.

Refer to Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for more information on the adoption of ASU 2016 - 13.

The Company made the accounting policy election to exclude accrued interest receivable from the amortized cost of loans and the estimate of the allowance for credit losses. Accrued interest receivable on the Company’s loan s was $ 11.6 million and $ 10.8 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , respectively, and is included in “Accrued interest receivable” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The table below shows a summary of the activity in the allowance for credit losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in thousands).

	*Three months ended September 30,*						*Nine months ended September 30,*
	*2023*			*2022*			*2023*			*2022*
Balance, beginning of period	$	30,044		$	21,954		$	24,364		$	20,859
ASU 2016-13 adoption impact ⁽¹⁾		—			—			5,865			—
Provision for credit losses on loans ⁽²⁾		( 417	)		1,162			( 2,694	)		1,654
Charge-offs		( 33	)		( 51	)		( 668	)		( 511	)
Recoveries		184			99			2,911			1,162
Balance, end of period	$	29,778		$	23,164		$	29,778		$	23,164

^{(

1

)} On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2016 - 13, which introduced a new model known as CECL. Refer to Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for more information on the adoption of ASU 2016 - 13.

^{(

2

)} For the three months ended September 30, 2023 , the $ 34,000 negative provision for credit losses on the consolidated statement of income includes a $ 0.4 million negative provision for loan losses and a $ 0.4 million provision for unfunded loan commitments. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 , the $ 2.5 million negative provision for credit losses on the consolidated statement of income includes a $ 2.7 million negative provision for loan losses and a $ 0.2 million provision for unfunded loan commitments.

The following tables outline the activity in the allowance for credit losses by collateral type for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 , and show both the allowance and portfolio balances for loans individually and collectively evaluated for impairment as of September 30, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in thousands).

	*Three months ended September 30, 2023*
	*Construction & Development*		*1-4 Family*			*Multifamily*		*Farmland*		*Commercial Real Estate*			*Commercial & Industrial*			*Consumer*			*Total*
Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning balance	$	2,977	$	9,293		$	866	$	3	$	11,221		$	5,469		$	215		$	30,044
Provision for credit losses on loans		18		( 125	)		239		—		( 252	)		( 310	)		13			( 417	)
Charge-offs		—		—			—		—		( 1	)		1			( 33	)		( 33	)
Recoveries		5		4			—		—		12			137			26			184
Ending balance	$	3,000	$	9,172		$	1,105	$	3	$	10,980		$	5,297		$	221		$	29,778

	*Three months ended September 30, 2022*
	*Construction & Development*		*1-4 Family*		*Multifamily*		*Farmland*			*Commercial Real Estate*			*Commercial & Industrial*		*Consumer*			*Total*
Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning balance	$	2,630	$	3,623	$	640	$	313		$	9,633		$	4,776	$	339		$	21,954
Provision for credit losses on loans		67		204		30		( 257	)		378			626		114			1,162
Charge-offs		—		—		—		—			( 23	)		9		( 37	)		( 51	)
Recoveries		6		5		—		67			2			5		14			99
Ending balance	$	2,703	$	3,832	$	670	$	123		$	9,990		$	5,416	$	430		$	23,164

	*Nine months ended September 30, 2023*
	*Construction & Development*			*1-4 Family*			*Multifamily*			*Farmland*			*Commercial Real Estate*			*Commercial & Industrial*			*Consumer*			*Total*
Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning balance	$	2,555		$	3,917		$	999		$	113		$	10,718		$	5,743		$	319		$	24,364
ASU 2016-13 adoption impact		( 75	)		4,712			( 84	)		( 99	)		676			793			( 58	)		5,865
Provision for credit losses on loans		472			570			190			( 11	)		( 2,632	)		( 1,382	)		99			( 2,694	)
Charge-offs		—			( 46	)		—			—			( 27	)		( 390	)		( 205	)		( 668	)
Recoveries		48			19			—			—			2,245			533			66			2,911
Ending balance	$	3,000		$	9,172		$	1,105		$	3		$	10,980		$	5,297		$	221		$	29,778
Ending allowance balance for loans individually evaluated for impairment		212			100			—			—			—			44			30			386
Ending allowance balance for loans collectively evaluated for impairment		2,788			9,072			1,105			3			10,980			5,253			191			29,392
Loans receivable:
Balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment		250			2,119			—			—			1,665			1,151			66			5,251
Balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment		211,140			413,043			102,974			8,259			940,192			410,139			12,024			2,097,771
Total period-end balance	$	211,390		$	415,162		$	102,974		$	8,259		$	941,857		$	411,290		$	12,090		$	2,103,022

	*Nine months ended September 30, 2022*
	*Construction & Development*		*1-4 Family*		*Multifamily*			*Farmland*			*Commercial Real Estate*		*Commercial & Industrial*			*Consumer*			*Total*
Allowance for credit losses:
Beginning balance	$	2,347	$	3,337	$	673		$	383		$	9,354	$	4,411		$	354		$	20,859
Provision for credit losses on loans		329		388		( 3	)		( 273	)		597		442			174			1,654
Charge-offs		—		—		—			( 54	)		35		( 360	)		( 132	)		( 511	)
Recoveries		27		107		—			67			4		923			34			1,162
Ending balance	$	2,703	$	3,832	$	670		$	123		$	9,990	$	5,416		$	430		$	23,164
Ending allowance balance for loans individually evaluated for impairment		—		—		—			—			—		118			71			189
Ending allowance balance for loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality		—		—		—			—			—		—			—			—
Ending allowance balance for loans collectively evaluated for impairment		2,703		3,832		670			123			9,990		5,298			359			22,975
Loans receivable:
Balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment		538		1,213		—			64			8,170		4,621			144			14,750
Balance of loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality		—		310		—			—			629		—			58			997
Balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment		220,071		390,334		57,306			14,138			901,392		393,138			13,551			1,989,930
Total period-end balance	$	220,609	$	391,857	$	57,306		$	14,202		$	910,191	$	397,759		$	13,753		$	2,005,677

Loan Modifications to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty

In January 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2022 - 02, which eliminated the accounting guidance for TDRs while enhancing disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancing and restructurings by creditors when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. ASU 2022 - 02 became effective for us on January 1, 2023. See Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Accounting Standards Adopted in 2023.

Occasionally, the Company modifies loans to borrowers in financial distress by providing certain concessions, such as principal forgiveness, term extension, an other-than-insignificant payment delay, an interest rate reduction, or a combination of such concessions. When principal forgiveness is provided, the amount of forgiveness is charged-off against the allowance for credit losses. Upon the Company’s determination that a modified loan (or portion of a loan) has subsequently been deemed uncollectible, the loan (or portion of the loan) is written off. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 , the Company did not provide any modifications under these circumstances to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty.

Table of Contents

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The following disclosures are presented under GAAP in effect prior to the adoption of CECL that are no longer applicable or required. The Company has included these disclosures to address the applicable prior periods.

Pre-Adoption of CECL - Impaired Loans

The Company considered a loan to be impaired when, based on current information and events, the Company determined that it was probable that it would not be able to collect all amounts due according to the loan agreement, including scheduled interest payments. Determination of impairment was treated the same across all classes of loans. When the Company identified a loan as impaired, it measured the impairment based on the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, except when the sole (remaining) source of repayment for the loans was the operation or liquidation of the collateral. In these cases when foreclosure was probable, the Company used the current fair value of the collateral, less selling costs, instead of discounted cash flows. If the Company determined that the value of the impaired loan was less than the recorded investment in the loan (net of previous charge-offs, deferred loan fees or costs, and unamortized premium or discount), the Company recognized impairment through an allowance estimate or a charge-off to the allowance.

When the ultimate collectability of the total principal of an impaired loan was in doubt and the loan was on nonaccrual, all payments were applied to principal, under the cost recovery method. When the ultimate collectability of the total principal of an impaired loan was not in doubt and the loan was on nonaccrual, contractual interest was credited to interest income when received, under the cash basis method.

The following table contains information on the Company’s impaired loans at December 31, 2022 ( dollars in thousands).

	*December 31, 2022*
	*Recorded Investment*		*Unpaid Principal Balance*		*Related Allowance*
With no related allowance recorded:
Construction and development	$	366	$	375	$	—
1-4 Family		1,005		1,082		—
Farmland		62		70		—
Commercial real estate		5,746		21,016		—
Total mortgage loans on real estate		7,179		22,543		—
Commercial and industrial		1,996		2,530		—
Consumer		34		45		—
Total		9,209		25,118		—

With related allowance recorded:
Construction and development		225		498		26
1-4 Family		474		484		46
Commercial real estate		190		190		36
Total mortgage loans on real estate		889		1,172		108
Commercial and industrial		245		292		112
Consumer		96		123		63
Total		1,230		1,587		283

Total loans:
Construction and development		591		873		26
1-4 Family		1,479		1,566		46
Farmland		62		70		—
Commercial real estate		5,936		21,206		36
Total mortgage loans on real estate		8,068		23,715		108
Commercial and industrial		2,241		2,822		112
Consumer		130		168		63
Total	$	10,439	$	26,705	$	283

Table of Contents

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Presented in the table below is the average recorded investment of the impaired loans and the related amount of interest income recognized during the time within the period that the loans were impaired. The average recorded investment is calculated based on the month-end balance of the loans during the period reported (dollars in thousands).

	*Three months ended September 30, 2022*				*Nine months ended September 30, 2022*
	*Average*		*Interest*		*Average*		*Interest*
	*Recorded*		*Income*		*Recorded*		*Income*
	*Investment*		*Recognized*		*Investment*		*Recognized*
With no related allowance recorded:
Construction and development	$	525	$	4	$	512	$	11
1-4 Family		1,001		3		939		13
Farmland		64		—		70		—
Commercial real estate		10,315		6		11,821		18
Total mortgage loans on real estate		11,905		13		13,342		42
Commercial and industrial		4,550		22		8,134		72
Consumer		41		—		56		—
Total		16,496		35		21,532		114

With related allowance recorded:
Commercial and industrial		329		—		417		—
Consumer		100		—		102		—
Total		429		—		519		—

Total loans:
Construction and development		525		4		512		11
1-4 Family		1,001		3		939		13
Farmland		64		—		70		—
Commercial real estate		10,315		6		11,821		18
Total mortgage loans on real estate		11,905		13		13,342		42
Commercial and industrial		4,879		22		8,551		72
Consumer		141		—		158		—
Total	$	16,925	$	35	$	22,051	$	114

Table of Contents

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Pre-Adoption of CECL - Troubled Debt Restructurings

In situations where, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Company granted a concession for other than an insignificant period of time to the borrower that the Company would not otherwise consider, the related loan was classified as a TDR. The Company strived to identify borrowers in financial difficulty early and work with them to modify their loans to more affordable terms before such loans reach nonaccrual status. These modified terms included rate reductions, principal forgiveness, payment forbearance and other actions intended to minimize the economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of the collateral. In cases in which the Company granted the borrower new terms that provided for a reduction of either interest or principal, or otherwise included a concession, the Company identified the loan as a TDR and measured any impairment on the restructuring as previously noted for impaired loans.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022 , three loans were modified as TDRs through adjustments to m aturity. There were no loans modified as TDRs during the previous twelve month period that subsequently defaulted during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 .

At December 31, 2022 , there wer e no a vailable balances on loans classified as TDRs that the Company was committed to lend.

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INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 5. BORROWINGS UNDER BANK TERM FUNDING PROGRAM

On March 12, 2023, the Federal Reserve established the Bank Term Funding Program (“BTFP”). The BTFP is a one -year program which provides additional liquidity through borrowings with a term of up to one year secured by the pledging of certain qualifying securities and other assets, valued at par value. At September 30, 2023 , outstanding borrowings under the BTFP were $ 235.8 million.

NOTE 6. STOCKHOLDERS ’ EQUITY

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

Activity within the balances in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income is shown in the tables below (dollars in thousands).

	*Three months ended September 30,*
	*2023*									*2022*
	*Beginning of Period*			*Net Change*			*End of Period*			*Beginning of Period*			*Net Change*			*End of Period*
Unrealized loss, available for sale, net	$	( 43,390	)	$	( 11,287	)	$	( 54,677	)	$	( 26,998	)	$	( 17,829	)	$	( 44,827	)
Reclassification of realized gain, available for sale, net		( 5,776	)		—			( 5,776	)		( 5,777	)		—			( 5,777	)
Unrealized gain, transfer from available for sale to held to maturity, net		1			—			1			1			—			1
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges, net		7,830			—			7,830			7,830			—			7,830
Reclassification of realized gain, interest rate swap termination, net		( 7,830	)		—			( 7,830	)		( 7,830	)		—			( 7,830	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	( 49,165	)	$	( 11,287	)	$	( 60,452	)	$	( 32,774	)	$	( 17,829	)	$	( 50,603	)

	*Nine months ended September 30,*
	*2023*									*2022*
	*Beginning of Period*			*Net Change*			*End of Period*			*Beginning of Period*			*Net Change*			*End of Period*
Unrealized (loss) gain, available for sale, net	$	( 43,137	)	$	( 11,540	)	$	( 54,677	)	$	4,882		$	( 49,709	)	$	( 44,827	)
Reclassification of realized (gain) loss, available for sale, net		( 5,777	)		1			( 5,776	)		( 5,772	)		( 5	)		( 5,777	)
Unrealized gain (loss), transfer from available for sale to held to maturity, net		1			—			1			2			( 1	)		1
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges, net		7,830			—			7,830			3,501			4,329			7,830
Reclassification of realized gain, interest rate swap termination, net		( 7,830	)		—			( 7,830	)		( 1,450	)		( 6,380	)		( 7,830	)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	$	( 48,913	)	$	( 11,539	)	$	( 60,452	)	$	1,163		$	( 51,766	)	$	( 50,603	)

Table of Contents

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 7. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

As part of its liability management, the Company has historically utilized pay-fixed interest rate swaps to manage exposure against the variability in the expected future cash flows (future interest payments) attributable to changes in the 1 -month LIBOR associated with the forecasted issuances of 1 -month fixed rate debt arising from a rollover strategy. To mitigate credit risk, securities were pledged to the Company by the counterparties in an amount greater than or equal to the gain position of the derivative contracts. Conversely, securities were pledged to the counterparties by the Company in an amount greater than or equal to the loss position of the derivative contracts, if applicable. The derivative contracts were between the Company and two counterparties. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , the Company had no current or forward starting interest rate swap agreements, other than interest rate swaps related to customer loans, described below. The interest rate swaps were determined to be fully effective during the periods presented, and therefore no amount of ineffectiveness has been included in net income.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company voluntarily terminated interest rate swap agreements with a total notional amount of $ 115.0 million in response to market conditions. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, an unrealized gain of $ 6.4 million, net of tax expense of $ 1.7 million, was reclassified from “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” and recorded as “Swap termination fee income” in noninterest income in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, a gain of $ 4.3 million, net of tax expense of $ 1.2 million, has been recognized in “Other comprehensive loss” in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income for the change in fair value of the interest rate swaps.

There were no assets or liabilities recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022 associated with the swap contracts, other than interest rate swaps related to customer loans, described below.

Customer Derivatives – Interest Rate Swaps

The Company enters into interest rate swaps that allow commercial loan customers to effectively convert a variable-rate commercial loan agreement to a fixed-rate commercial loan agreement. Under these agreements, the Company enters into a variable-rate loan agreement with a customer in addition to an interest rate swap agreement, which serves to effectively swap the customer’s variable-rate loan into a fixed-rate loan. The Company then enters into a corresponding swap agreement with a third party in order to economically hedge its exposure through the customer agreement. The interest rate swaps with both the customers and third parties are not designated as hedges under FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” , and are marked to market through earnings. As the interest rate swaps are structured to offset each other, changes to the underlying benchmark interest rates considered in the valuation of these instruments do not result in an impact to earnings; however, there may be fair value adjustments related to credit quality variations between counterparties, which may impact earnings as required by FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure” (“ASC 820” ). The Company did not recognize any gains or losses in other operating income resulting from fair value adjustments of these swap agreements during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 . A t September 30, 2023 , the Company had notional amounts of $ 143.3 million in interest rate swap contracts with customers and $ 143.3 million in offsetting interest rate swap contracts with other financial institutions. The fair value of the swap contracts consisted of gross assets of $ 21.9 million and gross liabilities of $ 21.9 million reco rded in “Other assets” and “Accrued taxes and other liabilities”, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2023 .

Table of Contents

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 8. FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

In accordance with ASC 820, disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, is required. The fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices or exit prices. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows, and the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instruments. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company.

If there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability, a change in valuation technique or the use of multiple valuation techniques may be appropriate. In such instances, determining the price at which willing market participants would transact at the measurement date under current market conditions depends on the facts and circumstances and requires use of significant judgment. The fair value is a reasonable point within the range that is most representative of fair value under current market conditions.

The Company holds Small Business Investment Company qualified funds and other investment funds that do not have a readily determinable fair value. In accordance with ASC 820, these investments are measured at fair value using the net asset value practical expedient and are not required to be classified in the fair value hierarchy. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , the fair values of these investments were $ 3.3 million and $ 2.8 million, respectively, and are included in “Other assets” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Fair Value Hierarchy

In accordance with ASC 820, the Company groups its financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded, and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value.

Level 1 – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets.

Level 2 – Valuation is based upon observable inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 – Valuation is based upon unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of assets and liabilities valued on a recurring basis:

AFS Investment Securities and Exchange-Traded Equity Securities – Where quoted prices are available in an active market, the Company classifies the securities within level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Securities are defined as both long and short positions. Level 1 securities include exchange-traded equity securities.

If quoted market prices are not available, the Company estimates fair values using pricing models and discounted cash flows that consider standard input factors such as observable market data, benchmark yields, interest rate volatilities, broker/dealer quotes, and credit spreads. Examples of such instruments, which would generally be classified within level 2 of the valuation hierarchy if observable inputs are available, include obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies and corporations, obligations of state and political subdivisions, corporate bonds, residential mortgage-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. In certain cases where there is limited activity or less transparency around inputs to the valuation, the Company classifies those securities in level 3.

Management monitors the current placement of securities in the fair value hierarchy to determine whether transfers between levels may be warranted based on market reference data, which may include reported trades; bids, offers or broker/dealer quotes; benchmark yields and spreads; as well as other reference data. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , the majority of our level 3 investments were obligations of state and political subdivisions. The Company estimated the fair value of these level 3 investments using discounted cash flow models, the key inputs of which are the coupon rate, current spreads to the yield curves, and expected repayment dates, adjusted for illiquidity of the local municipal market and sinking funds, if applicable. Option-adjusted models may be used for structured or callable notes, as appropriate.

Derivative Financial Instruments – The fair value for interest rate swap agreements is based upon the amounts required to settle the contracts. These derivative instruments are classified in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Table of Contents

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized in the table below as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands).

	*Estimated*		*Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets*		*Significant Other Observable Inputs*		*Significant Unobservable Inputs*
	*Fair Value*		*(Level 1)*		*(Level 2)*		*(Level 3)*
September 30, 2023
Assets:
Obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies and corporations	$	65,820	$	—	$	65,820	$	—
Obligations of state and political subdivisions		16,793		—		11,618		5,175
Corporate bonds		29,509		—		29,061		448
Residential mortgage-backed securities		224,325		—		224,325		—
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		68,038		—		68,038		—
Equity securities		1,156		1,156		—		—
Interest rate swaps - gross assets		21,868		—		21,868		—
Total assets	$	427,509	$	1,156	$	420,730	$	5,623
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps - gross liabilities	$	21,868	$	—	$	21,868	$	—

December 31, 2022
Assets:
Obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies and corporations	$	29,805	$	—	$	29,805	$	—
Obligations of state and political subdivisions		18,378		—		12,413		5,965
Corporate bonds		29,942		—		29,463		479
Residential mortgage-backed securities		251,851		—		251,851		—
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		75,191		—		75,191		—
Equity securities		1,245		1,245		—		—
Total assets	$	406,412	$	1,245	$	398,723	$	6,444

The Company reviews fair value hierarchy classifications on a quarterly basis. Changes in the Company’s ability to observe inputs to the valuation may cause reclassification of certain assets or liabilities within the fair value hierarchy. The tables below provide a reconciliation for assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs, or level 3 inputs, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in thousands).

	*Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions*			*Corporate Bonds*
Balance at December 31, 2022	$	5,965		$	479
Realized gains (losses) included in earnings		—			—
Unrealized losses included in other comprehensive loss		( 764	)		( 31	)
Purchases		—			—
Sales		—			—
Maturities, prepayments, and calls		( 26	)		—
Transfers into level 3		—			—
Transfers out of level 3		—			—
Balance at September 30, 2023	$	5,175		$	448

Table of Contents

INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

	*Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions*			*Corporate Bonds*
Balance at December 31, 2021	$	22,114		$	488
Realized gains (losses) included in earnings		—			—
Unrealized losses included in other comprehensive loss		( 1,468	)		( 11	)
Purchases		—			—
Sales		—			—
Maturities, prepayments, and calls		( 4,840	)		—
Transfers into level 3		—			—
Transfers out of level 3		( 9,835	)		—
Balance at September 30, 2022	$	5,971		$	477

There were no liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using level 3 inputs at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 . For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 , there were no gains or losses included in earnings related to the change in fair value of the assets measured on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs held at the end of the period.

The following table provides quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurements of level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (dollars in thousands).

	*Estimated Fair Value*		*Valuation Technique*	*Unobservable Inputs*	*Range of Discounts*
September 30, 2023
Obligations of state and political subdivisions	$	5,175	Option-adjusted discounted cash flow model; present value of expected future cash flow model	Bond appraisal adjustment ⁽¹⁾	0 % - 13 %
Corporate bonds		448	Option-adjusted discounted cash flow model; present value of expected future cash flow model	Bond appraisal adjustment ⁽¹⁾	11 %

December 31, 2022
Obligations of state and political subdivisions	$	5,965	Option-adjusted discounted cash flow model; present value of expected future cash flow model	Bond appraisal adjustment ⁽¹⁾	0 % - 12 %
Corporate bonds		479	Option-adjusted discounted cash flow model; present value of expected future cash flow model	Bond appraisal adjustment ⁽¹⁾	4 %

^{(

1

)} Fair values determined through valuation analysis using coupon, yield (discount margin), liquidity and expected repayment dates.

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis

Certain financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment).

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of assets and liabilities valued on a nonrecurring basis:

Loans Individually Evaluated – For collateral dependent loans where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty the expected credit loss is measured as the difference between the amortized cost basis of the loan and the fair value of the collateral, which is based on third party appraisals. Individually evaluated loans that are not collateral dependent are evaluated based on a discounted cash flow methodology. Credits deemed uncollectible are charged to the allowance for credit losses. Since not all valuation inputs are observable, these nonrecurring fair value determinations are classified as Level 3.

Quantitative information about assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis based on significant unobservable inputs (level 3 ) is summarized below as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 . There were no liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis at September 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022 (dollars in thousands).

Estimated Fair Value

Valuation Technique

Unobservable Inputs

Range of Discounts

Weighted Average Discount ⁽²⁾

September 30, 2023

Loans individually evaluated for impairment ⁽¹⁾

633

Discounted cash flows; underlying collateral value

Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell

7 % - 100 %

38 %

December 31, 2022

Impaired loans

4,033

Discounted cash flows; underlying collateral value

Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell

4 % - 100 %

53 %

^{(

1

)} Loan s individually evaluated that were re-measured during the period had a carrying value of $ 1.0 million and $ 4.2 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , respectively, with related allowance for credit losses of $ 0.4 million and $ 0.2 million as of s uch dates.

^{(

2

)} Weighted by relative fair value.

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INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Financial Instruments

Accounting guidance requires the disclosure of estimated fair value information about certain on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments, including those financial instruments that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. The significant methods and assumptions used by the Company to estimate the fair value of financial instruments are discussed below.

Cash and Due from Banks – For these short-term instruments, fair value is the carrying value. Cash and due from banks is classified in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Federal Funds Sold – The fair value is the carrying value. The Company classifies these assets in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Investment Securities and Equity Securities – The fair value measurement techniques and assumptions for AFS securities and exchange-traded equity securities is discussed earlier in the note. The same measurement techniques and assumptions were applied to the valuation of HTM securities and other equity securities including equity in correspondent banks.

Loans – The fair value of portfolio loans, net is determined using an exit price methodology. The exit price methodology is based on a discounted cash flow analysis, in which projected cash flows are based on contractual cash flows adjusted for prepayments for certain loan types (e.g. residential mortgage loans and multifamily loans) and the use of a discount rate based on expected relative risk of the cash flows. The discount rate selected considers loan type, maturity date, a liquidity premium, cost to service, and cost of capital, which is a level 3 fair value estimate.

Loans held for sale are measured using quoted market prices when available. If quoted market prices are not available, comparable market values or discounted cash flow analyses may be utilized. The Company classifies these assets in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Deposit Liabilities – The fair values disclosed for noninterest-bearing demand deposits are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (that is, their carrying amounts). These noninterest-bearing deposits are classified in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. All interest-bearing deposits are classified in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The carrying amounts of variable-rate accounts (for example, interest-bearing checking, savings, and money market accounts), fixed-term money market accounts, and certificates of deposit approximate their fair values at the reporting date. Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis that applies market interest rates on comparable instruments to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits.

Short-Term Borrowings – The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased, borrowings under repurchase agreements, and other short-term borrowings approximate their fair values. The Company classifies these borrowings in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Long-Term Borrowings, including Junior Subordinated Debt Securities – The fair values of long-term borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is therefore classified in level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Subordinated Debt Securities – The fair value of subordinated debt is estimated based on current market rates on similar debt in the market. The Company classifies this debt in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Derivative Financial Instruments – The fair value measurement techniques and assumptions for derivative financial instruments is discussed earlier in the note.

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are summarized in the table below as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands).

	*September 30, 2023*
	*Carrying Amount*		*Estimated Fair Value*		*Level 1*		*Level 2*		*Level 3*
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	63,668	$	63,668	$	63,668	$	—	$	—
Investment securities		424,529		424,300		—		400,880		23,420
Equity securities		13,334		13,334		1,156		12,178		—
Loans, net of allowance		2,073,244		1,921,790		—		—		1,921,790
Interest rate swaps - gross assets		21,868		21,868		—		21,868		—

Financial liabilities:
Deposits, noninterest-bearing	$	459,519	$	459,519	$	—	$	459,519	$	—
Deposits, interest-bearing		1,749,914		1,641,806		—		—		1,641,806
Borrowings under BTFP and repurchase agreements		249,730		249,730		—		249,730		—
FHLB long-term advances		23,500		22,669		—		—		22,669
Junior subordinated debt		8,602		8,622		—		—		8,622
Subordinated debt		45,000		43,216		—		43,216		—
Interest rate swaps - gross liabilities		21,868		21,868		—		21,868		—

	*December 31, 2022*
	*Carrying Amount*		*Estimated Fair Value*		*Level 1*		*Level 2*		*Level 3*
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	40,066	$	40,066	$	40,066	$	—	$	—
Federal funds sold		193		193		193		—		—
Investment securities		413,472		413,089		—		401,233		11,856
Equity securities		27,254		27,254		1,245		26,009		—
Loans, net of allowance		2,080,403		1,997,287		—		—		1,997,287

Financial liabilities:
Deposits, noninterest-bearing	$	580,741	$	580,741	$	—	$	580,741	$	—
Deposits, interest-bearing		1,501,624		1,314,407		—		—		1,314,407
FHLB short-term advances		333,500		333,500		—		333,500		—
FHLB long-term advances		53,500		52,147		—		—		52,147
Junior subordinated debt		8,515		8,515		—		—		8,515
Subordinated debt		45,000		42,980		—		42,980		—

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INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 9. INCOME TAXES

The income tax expense and the effective tax rate included in the consolidated statements of income are shown in the table below for the periods presented (dollars in thousands).

	*Three months ended September 30,*						*Nine months ended September 30,*
	*2023*			*2022*			*2023*			*2022*
Income tax expense	$	585		$	1,699		$	2,968		$	6,758
Effective tax rate		17.4	%		18.9	%		18.4	%		20.1	%

For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 , the effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate of 21 % primarily du e to tax exempt interest income earned on certain loans and investment securities and income from bank owned life insurance .

NOTE 10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Unfunded Commitments

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk entered into in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit consisting of loan commitments and standby letters of credit, which are not included in the accompanying financial statements. Such financial instruments are recorded in the financial statements when they become payable. The credit risk associated with these commitments is evaluated in a manner similar to the allowance for credit losses on loans. The reserve for unfunded loan commitments was $ 0.6 million and $ 0.4 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , respectively, and is included in “Accrued taxes and other liabilities” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend money with fixed expiration dates or termination clauses. The Company applies the same credit standards used in the lending process when extending these commitments and periodically reassesses the customer’s creditworthiness through ongoing credit reviews. Since some commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Collateral is obtained based on the Company’s assessment of the transaction. Substantially all standby letters of credit issued have expiration dates within one year.

The table below shows the approximate amounts of the Company’s commitments to extend credit as of the dates presented (dollars in thousands).

	*September 30, 2023*		*December 31, 2022*
Loan commitments	$	542,189	$	333,040
Standby letters of credit		14,170		11,379

Loan commitments at September 30, 2023 include commitments of $ 202.0 million related to the purchase of commercial and industrial revolving lines of credit in two tranches, the second tranche of which closed in the fourth quarter of 2023. For additional information, see Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Acquisition Accounting - Loan Purchase Agreement.

Additionally, at September 30, 2023 , the Company had unfunded commitments of $ 1.4 million for its investments in Small Business Investment Company qualified funds and other investment funds.

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INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 11. LEASES

The Company’s primary leasing activities relate to certain real estate leases entered into in support of the Company’s branch operations. The Company’s lease agreements under which its branch locations are operated have all been designated as operating leases. The Company does not lease equipment under operating leases, nor does it have leases designated as finance leases.

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases, with the exception of short-term leases, are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities in “Bank premises and equipment, net” and “Accrued taxes and other liabilities”, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Operating lease ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and operating lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease pre-payments made and excludes lease incentives. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease. When it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise an option to extend a lease, the extension is included in the lease term when calculating the present value of lease payments.

Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which the Company has elected to account for separately, as the non-lease component amounts are readily determinable.

Quantitative information regarding the Company’s operating leases is presented below as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in thousands).

	*September 30,*
	*2023*			*2022*
Total operating lease cost	$	332		$	457
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years)		7.3			7.2
Weighted-average discount rate		3.1	%		2.9	%

At September 30, 2023 , the Company’s operating lease ROU assets and related liabilities were $ 2.1 million and $ 2.2 million, respectively, and have remaining terms ranging from less than 1 year to 8 years, including extension options if the Company is reasonably certain they will be exercised.

Future minimum lease payments due under non-cancelable operating leases at September 30, 2023 are presented below (dollars in thousands).

Remainder of 2023	$	96
2024		325
2025		336
2026		339
2027		341
Thereafter		1,012
Total	$	2,449

At September 30, 2023 , the Company had not entered into any material leases that have not yet commenced.

The Bank owns its corporate headquarters building, the first floor of which is occupied by multiple tenants. The Bank, as lessor, also leases a portion of one of its branch locations. All tenant leases are operating leases. The Bank, as lessor, recognized lease income of $ 0.1 million and $ 0.3 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 , respectively.

On January 27, 2023, the Bank completed the sale of certain assets, deposits and other liabilities associated with the Alice and Victoria, Texas branch locations to First Community Bank. Upon the completion of the sale, the Bank recorded $ 0.3 million of occupancy expense to terminate the remaining contractually obligated lease payments due under non-cancelable operating leases.

NOTE 12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

In August 2023, the Company entered into a loan purchase agreement to acquire commercial and industrial revolving lines of credit and related accrued interest in two tranches. The purchase of the second tranche of loans, with an unpaid principal balance of $ 127.0 million and total commitments of $ 176.7 million, closed on October 3, 2023.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT ’ S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

When included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or in other documents that Investar Holding Corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or in statements made by or on behalf of the Company, words like “may,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “think,” “will likely result,” “expect,” “continue,” “will,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “would,” “outlook” and similar expressions or the negative version of those words are intended to identify forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described therein. The Company’s forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and estimates that management believes to be reasonable in light of the information available at the time such statements are made. However, many of the matters addressed by these statements are inherently uncertain and could be affected by many factors beyond management’s control. 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, including risks and uncertainties caused by disruptions in the banking industry discussed herein, potential continued higher inflation and interest rates, supply and labor constraints, the wars in Ukraine and Israel, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic;

	•	changes (or the lack of changes) in interest rates, yield curves and interest rate spread relationships that affect our loan and deposit pricing, including potential continued increases in interest rates in 2023 and thereafter;

	•	our ability to successfully execute our near-term strategy pivot from primarily a growth strategy to primarily a focus 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;

•

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 FASB ASC Topic 326 “ Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ” Update No. 2016-13 (“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 portfolio, including adverse developments in borrower industries or in the repayment ability of individual borrowers;

•

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 continue to be adversely impacted by the disruptions in the banking industry earlier this year causing bank depositors to move uninsured deposits to other banks or alternative investments outside the banking industry;

•

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;

•

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;

•

cyberattacks and other security breaches;

•

potential impairment of our goodwill and other intangible assets;

•

our potential growth, including our entrance or expansion into new markets, and the need for sufficient capital to support that growth;

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•

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 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance and other coverages;

•

governmental monetary and fiscal policies, including the potential for the Federal Reserve Board to raise target interest rates additional times during 2023 and thereafter;

•

hurricanes, tropical storms, tropical depressions, floods, winter storms, droughts and other adverse weather events, all of which have affected the Company’s market areas from time to time; other natural disasters; oil spills and other man-made disasters; acts of terrorism, an outbreak or intensifying of hostilities including the wars in Ukraine and Israel or other international or domestic calamities, acts of God and other matters beyond our control; and

•

other circumstances, many of which are beyond our control.

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 Part II. Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 , filed with the SEC on March 8, 2023 (the “Annual Report”) and in Part II. Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of this report.

Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, you should not rely on any forward-looking statement as a prediction of future events. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update our forward-looking statements, and we do not intend to release publicly any updates or changes in our expectations concerning the 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.

Company Overview

This section presents management’s perspective on the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Investar Bank, National Association (the “Bank”). The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included herein, and the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022 , including the notes thereto, and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Annual Report.

Through the Bank, we provide full banking services, excluding trust services, tailored primarily to meet the needs of individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses. Our primary areas of operation are south Louisiana, including Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette, Lake Charles, and their surrounding areas; southeast Texas, primarily Houston and its surrounding area; and Alabama, including York and Oxford and their surrounding areas. Our Bank commenced operations in 2006, and we completed our initial public offering in July 2014. On July 1, 2019, the Bank changed from a Louisiana state bank charter to a national bank charter and its name changed to Investar Bank, National Association. We are beginning to pivot our near-term strategy from primarily a growth strategy to primarily a focus on consistent, quality earnings through the optimization of our balance sheet. O ur long-term strate gy includes organic growth through high quality loans and growth through acquisitions, including whole-bank acquisitions, strategic branch acquisitions and asset acquisitions. At September 30, 2023 , we operated 29 full service branches comprised of 20 full service branches in Louisiana, two full service branches in Texas, and seven full service branches in Alabama. We have completed seven whole-bank acquisitions since 2011 and regularly review acquisition opportunities. In addition to our branches acquired through acquisitions, during our last three fiscal years and year-to-date September 30, 2023 , we opened two de novo branch locations and in the third quarter of 2023 converted an existing loan and deposit production office in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to a cashless branch designed to provide a digital banking experience. During the third quarter of 2023, we entered into a loan purchase agreement to acquire commercial and industrial revolving lines of credit with an unpaid principal balance of $162.7 million in two tranches, described below .

We closed five branches during our last three fiscal years, and one in Louisiana during the first quarter of 2023, as we continued to evaluate opportunities to improve our branch network efficiency, leverage our digital initiatives and further reduce costs. Four of the branches had been acquired, and the closures involved anticipated synergies that resulted in significant cost savings. In 2022, we sold these five former branch locations and three tracts of land that were being held for future branch locations. On January 27, 2023, we completed the sale of certain assets, deposits and other liabilities associated with our Alice, Texas and Victoria, Texas branch locations to First Community Bank in order to focus more on our core markets. Of the Bank’s entire branch network, these two locations were geographically the most distant from our Louisiana headquarters. During the third quarter of 2023, we ceased operation of 14 automated teller machines (“ATMs”).

In an effort to focus more on our core business and optimize profitability, in the third quarter of 2023, we made the strategic decision to exit the consumer mortgage origination business. We intend to retain and continue to service the existing consumer mortgage loan portfolio. Consumer mortgage loan products are typically long-term and fixed-rate and generally require a higher relative allowance for credit losses than other loan products. Consumer mortgage volumes have decreased to historical lows due to the combination of rising housing prices and interest rates and constriction of housing supply. As a result of this decision, we further optimized our workforce and will continue to dedicate resources to our more profitable business lines. Related severance expense was $0.1 million. The consumer mortgage portfolio was approximately $264.1 million at September 30, 2023, substantially all of which is included in the 1-4 family loan category.

Our principal business is lending to and accepting deposits from individuals and small to medium-sized businesses in our areas of operation. We generate our income principally from interest on loans and, to a lesser extent, our securities investments, as well as from fees charged in connection with our various loan and deposit services. Our principal expenses are interest expense on interest-bearing customer deposits and borrowings, salaries and employee benefits, occupancy costs, data processing and other operating expenses. We measure our performance through our net interest margin, return on average assets, and return on average equity, among other metrics, while seeking to maintain appropriate regulatory leverage and risk-based capital ratios.

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Certain Events That Affect Period-over-Period Comparability

Rising Inflation and Interest Rates . During the entirety of 2021, the federal funds target rate was 0% to 0.25%, and it remained at that rate until March 2022. In flation reached a near 40-year high in late 2021, driven in large part by economic recovery from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and continued rising through June 2022. Since June 2022, the rate of inflation has generally decelerated; however, it has remained at historically high levels through November 1, 2023. In response, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates seven times during 2022, twice in the first quarter of 2023, once in the second quarter of 2023, and once in the third quarter of 2023. Through these incremental increases to the target rate, the Federal Reserve has raised, on a cumulative basis, the target rate from 0% to 0.25% by 525 basis p oints to 5.25% to 5.50%.

The Federal Reserve decided not to increase the target rate in September 2023 or November 2023 but may increase rates again during the remainder of 2023 and thereafter.

Recent Disruptions in the Banking Industry . Between March 10, 2023 and March 12, 2023, state banking supervisors closed Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”) and Signature Bank and named the FDIC as receiver. At the time of closure, they were among the 30 largest U.S. banks. While the reasons for their failure are complex and have not been fully investigated, reports indicate that, among other things, both banks had grown in asset size in recent periods at a faster rate than their peers, had large proportions of uninsured deposits (approximately 87.5% and 89.7% of total deposits, respectively) and high unrealized losses on investment securities. SVB’s business strategy focused on serving the technology and venture capital sectors, and Signature Bank had significant exposure to deposits from the digital asset industry. Prior to their closure, both banks experienced sudden and rapid deposit withdrawals. These events caused bank deposit customers, particularly those with uninsured deposits, to become concerned regarding the safety of their deposits, and in some cases caused customers to withdraw deposits. In response to the disruptions, among other things, the Federal Reserve announced a new Bank Term Funding Program (“BTFP”) to provide eligible banks with loans of up to one-year maturity backed by collateral pledged at par value. On April 24, 2023, San Francisco-based First Republic Bank, also among the 30 largest U.S. banks, reported a large deposit outflow and substantially reduced net income. First Republic Bank also had a large proportion of uninsured deposits (67% as of December 31, 2022). On May 1, 2023, regulators seized First Republic Bank and sold all of its deposits and most of its assets to JPMorgan Chase Bank.

In response to the disruptions and related publicity, we formed an internal task force that included members of our Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”). The task force met frequently to review our liquidity position and liquidity sources, and oversaw the Bank’s process to qualify for the BTFP. In addition, we took steps to inform our customers about our financial position, liquidity and insured deposit products. During the second quarter of 2023, we utilized the BTFP and reduced Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances. The Bank utilized this source of funding due to its lower rate, the ability to prepay the obligations without penalty, and as a means to lock in funding. As of September 30, 2023 , estimated uninsured deposits represented approximately 34% of our total deposits. For additional information, see “Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition – Deposits, Borrowings, Liquidity and Capital Resources” and Part II. Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Adoption of ASU 2016-13. As discussed throughout this report, we adopted ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2023, and recorded a one-time, cumulative effect adjustment that increased the allowance for credit losses by $5.9 million and decreased retained earnings, net of tax, by $4.3 million.

Loan Purchase Agreement. In August 2023, we entered into a loan purchase agreement to acquire commercial and industrial revolving lines of cre dit, and related accrued interest, wi th an unpaid principal balance of $162.7 million and total commitments of $237.8 million in two tranches. The first and second tranches consist of unpaid principal balances of $35.8 million and $127.0 million, respectively, and total commitments of $61.1 million and $176.7 million, respectively. The purchase of the first tranche was completed on September 15, 2023, and the purchase of the second tranche was completed on October 3, 2023. The revolving lines of credit are variable-rate and shorter-term in nature with varying renewal terms. The loans are to consumer finance lending companies that possess a history of high credit quality and that we believe provide us with opportunities to deepen the relationships through our services such as treasury management. We also hired two individuals with significant experience in lending in this area.

Sale of Two Branches to First Community Bank. On January 27, 2023, we completed the sale of certain assets, deposits and other liabilities associated with the Alice and Victoria, Texas locations to First Community Bank, a Texas state bank located in Corpus Christi, Texas. We sold approximately $13.9 million in loans and $14.5 million in deposits.

Branch Closures. We closed one branch location in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and one branch location in Westlake, Louisiana in May 2022. We closed one branch in Central, Louisiana in March 2023.

COVID-19 Pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic and related governmental control measures severely disrupted financial markets and overall economic conditions in 2020 and 2021. While the impact of the pandemic and the associated uncertainties remained in 2022 and 2023, there has been significant progress made with COVID-19 vaccination levels, which has resulted in the easing of restrictive measures in the United States. At the same time, many industries continue to experience supply chain disruptions and labor shortages. Inflation also increased significantly during 2021 and 2022, and in response the Federal Reserve has raised the federal funds target rate multiple times in 2022 and 2023, as discussed above. Oil and gas prices have also been volatile due in part to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine and, more recently, Israel. On April 10, 2023, the COVID-19 national emergency was ended by Congress, and the national public health emergency ended on May 11, 2023. For additional information, see our Annual Report, Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors, Risks Related to our Business “ The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, or a similar health crisis, may adversely affect our business, employees, borrowers, depositors, counterparties and third-party service providers .”

Subordinated Debt Issuance and Redemption. In April 2022, we completed a private placement of $20.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 5.125% Fixed-to-Floating Subordinated Notes due 2032 (the “2032 Notes”). In June 2022, we used the majority of the proceeds to redeem $18.6 million of our 2017 issuance of 6.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2027 (the “2027 Notes”). We utilized the remaining proceeds for share repurchases and for general corporate purposes.

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Overview of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 , net income was $13.1 million, or $1.33 per basic and diluted common share, compared to net income of $26.8 million, or $2.64 and $2.62 per basic and diluted common share, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 . Net income decreased primarily due to an $11.2 million decrease in net interest income and a $10.1 million decrease in n oninterest income. The decrease in n et interest income was a result of a $32.6 million increase in interest expense partially offset by a $21.3 million increase in interest income, as the Bank experienced margin compression due to rising market interest rates. The decrease in noninterest income is mainly attributable to $8.1 million in swap termination fees recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and the loss on sale or disposition of fixed assets of $1.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 , primarily resulting from the sale of the Alice and Victoria, Texas branches, compared to a loss on sale or disposition of fixed assets of $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. At September 30, 2023 , the Company and Bank each were in compliance with all regulatory capital requirements, and the Bank was considered “well-capitalized” under the FDIC’s prompt corrective action regulations. Other key components of our performance for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022 are summarized below.

●

Credit quality metrics improved as nonperforming loans were 0.27% of total loans at September 30, 2023 , compared to 0.54% at December 31, 2022 .

●

We recognized net recoveries of $2.2 million in the loan portfolio during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily attributable to recoveries on one loan relationship that became impaired in the third quarter of 2021 as a result of Hurricane Ida.

●

Total deposits increased $127.1 million, or 6.1% , to $2.21 billion at September 30, 2023 , compared to $2.08 billion at December 31, 2022 . Noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $121.2 million, or 20.9% , to $459.5 million at September 30, 2023 , compared to $580.7 million at December 31, 2022 . Time deposits and brokered time deposits increased, and other deposit categories decreased. As of September 30, 2023 , estimated uninsured deposits represented approximately 34% of our total deposits.

●

Total loans decreased $1.7 million, or 0.1% , to $2.10 billion at September 30, 2023 , compared to $2.10 billion at December 31, 2022 . Excluding approximately $13.9 million in loans associated with the Alice and Victoria, Texas branches sold to First Community Bank in January 2023 and approximately $35.8 million in revolving lines of credit purchased in September 2023, total loans decreased $23.6 million, or 1.1%, to $2.07 billion at September 30, 2023 , compared to $2.09 billion at December 31, 2022 .

●

On January 1, 2023, Investar adopted ASU 2016-13. Also referred to as the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) standard, ASU 2016-13 requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Upon adoption, we recorded a one-time, cumulative effect adjustment to increase the allowance for credit losses by $5.9 million and reduce retained earnings, net of tax, by $4.3 million.

●

Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $56.0 million, a decrease of $11.2 million, or 16.7% , compared to $67.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 , driven primarily by an increase in the rates paid on interest-bearing deposits partially offset primarily by an increase in the yield earned on loans.

●

We experienced pressure on our net interest margin as interest rates rose rapidly and we raised rates offered on deposits and incurred higher costs on our borrowings. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 , our net interest margin was 2.87% , compared to 3.73% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 .

●

Return on average assets decreased to 0.64% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 , compared to 1.39% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 . Return on average equity was 7.97% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to 15.30% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 .

●

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 , we paid $2.7 million to repur chase 190,682 shares of common stock, compared to paying $10.3 million to repurchase 508,780 shar es of common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 , and we paid $2.9 million in cash dividends on our common stock, compared to $2.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 .

●

Accumulated other comprehensive loss increased $11.5 million, or 23.6% , to $60.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 , compared to $48.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 primarily due to unrealized losses in our available for sale (“AFS”) securities portfolio.

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Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition

Loans

General . Loans constitute our most significant asset, comprising 75% and 76% of our total assets at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , respectively. Total loans decreased $1.7 million, or 0.1% , to $2.10 billion at September 30, 2023 , compared to $2.10 billion at December 31, 2022 . The decrease in loans was primarily the result of lower demand and the sale of approximately $13.9 million in loans associated with the sale of the Alice and Victoria, Texas branches, partially offset by the purchase of approximately $35.8 million in revolving lines of credit in September 2023 as described in Cert ain Events that Affect Year-Over-Year Comparability – Loan Purchase Agreement . Given the rising interest rate environment, we are emphasizing origination of high margin loans that promote long-term profitability and proactively exiting credit relationships that do not fit this strategy.

The table below sets forth the balance of loans outstanding by loan type as of the dates presented, and the percentage of each loan type to total loans (dollars in thousands).

	September 30, 2023					December 31, 2022
			Percentage of					Percentage of
	Amount		Total Loans			Amount		Total Loans
Construction and development	$	211,390		10.0	%	$	201,633		9.6	%
1-4 Family		415,162		19.7			401,377		19.1
Multifamily		102,974		4.9			81,812		3.9
Farmland		8,259		0.4			12,877		0.6
Commercial real estate
Owner-occupied		440,208		20.9			445,148		21.1
Nonowner-occupied		501,649		23.9			513,095		24.4
Total mortgage loans on real estate		1,679,642		79.8			1,655,942		78.7
Commercial and industrial		411,290		19.6			435,093		20.7
Consumer		12,090		0.6			13,732		0.6
Total loans	$	2,103,022		100	%	$	2,104,767		100	%

At September 30, 2023 , the Company’s business lending portfolio, which consists of loans secured by owner-occupied commercial real estate properties and commercial and industrial loans, was $851.5 million, a decrease of $28.7 million, or 3.3% , compared to $880.2 million at December 31, 2022 . The decrease in the business lending portfolio is primarily driven by lower demand due to higher rates and economic pressures, partially offset by the purchase of commercial and industrial revolving lines of credit during the third quarter of 2023 as described above. We also experienced an $11.4 million decrease in nonowner-occupied loans primarily due to a reclassification of approximately $24.1 million nonowner-occupied loans to multifamily loans due to a change to the primary use of the property, partially offset by organic growth. As discussed above, during the third quarter of 2023 we decided to exit the consumer mortgage loan origination business. The consumer mortgage portfolio was approximately $264.1 million at September 30, 2023, substantially all of which is included in the 1-4 family category.

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The following table sets forth loans outstanding at September 30, 2023 , which, based on remaining scheduled repayments of principal, are due in the periods indicated. Loans with balloon payments and longer amortizations are often repriced and extended beyond the initial maturity when credit conditions remain satisfactory. Demand loans, loans having no stated schedule of repayments and no stated maturity and overdrafts are reported below as due in one year or less (dollars in thousands).

	One Year or Less		After One Year Through Five Years		After Five Years Through Ten Years		After Ten Years Through Fifteen Years		After Fifteen Years		Total
Construction and development	$	107,474	$	49,968	$	27,393	$	10,979	$	15,576	$	211,390
1-4 Family		56,551		75,877		49,652		21,921		211,161		415,162
Multifamily		4,117		82,380		14,842		550		1,085		102,974
Farmland		2,168		4,448		1,643		—		—		8,259
Commercial real estate
Owner-occupied		30,337		99,384		192,972		108,844		8,671		440,208
Nonowner-occupied		30,747		249,255		178,658		42,776		213		501,649
Total mortgage loans on real estate		231,394		561,312		465,160		185,070		236,706		1,679,642
Commercial and industrial		170,970		80,837		93,403		66,080		—		411,290
Consumer		2,680		7,825		1,061		433		91		12,090
Total loans	$	405,044	$	649,974	$	559,624	$	251,583	$	236,797	$	2,103,022

Loan Concentrations . Loan concentrations are considered to exist when there are amounts loaned to multiple borrowers engaged in similar activities that would cause them to be similarly impacted by economic or other conditions. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , we had no concentrations of loans exceeding 10% of total loans other than loans in the categories listed in the table above.

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Investment Securities

We purchase investment securities primarily to provide a source for meeting liquidity needs, with return on investment a secondary consideration. We also use investment securities as collateral for certain deposits and other types of borrowings. Investment securities represented 15% of our total assets and totaled $424.5 million at September 30, 2023 , an increase of $11.1 million, or 2.7% , from $413.5 million at December 31, 2022 . The increase in investment securities at September 30, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022 was driven primarily by a $36.0 million increase in obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies and corporations and a $10.6 million increase in obligations of state and political subdivisions, partially offset by a $28.0 million decrease in residential mortgage-backed securities and a $7.2 million decrease in commercial mortgage-backed securities. We utilized excess funds in the third quarter of 2023 to purchase $40.0 million in obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies and corporations, which matured in October 2023.

The table below shows the carrying value of our investment securities portfolio by investment type and the percentage that such investment type comprises of our entire portfolio as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands).

	September 30, 2023					December 31, 2022
	Balance		Percentage of Portfolio			Balance		Percentage of Portfolio
Obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies and corporations	$	65,820		15.5	%	$	29,805		7.2	%
Obligations of state and political subdivisions		34,501		8.1			23,916		5.8
Corporate bonds		29,509		7.0			29,942		7.2
Residential mortgage-backed securities		226,661		53.4			254,618		61.6
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		68,038		16.0			75,191		18.2
Total	$	424,529		100	%	$	413,472		100	%

The investment portfolio consists of AFS and held to maturity (“HTM”) securities. We classify debt securities as HTM if management has the positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. HTM debt securities are stated at amortized cost. Securities not classified as HTM are classified as AFS. As of September 30, 2023 , AFS securities comprised 95% of our total investment securities.

We adopted ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2023. Due to the nature of the investments, current market prices, and the current interest rate environment, we determined that the declines in the fair values of the AFS and HTM securities portfolio were not attributable to credit losses. Accordingly, there was no adjustment made to the amortized cost basis upon adoption. The carrying values of our AFS securities are adjusted for unrealized gains or losses not attributable to credit losses as valuation allowances, and any gains or losses are reported on an after-tax basis as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). For additional information regarding accounting for our investment securities upon the adoption of ASU 2016-13, see Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Accounting Standards Adopted in 2023 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part I. Item 1. “Financial Statements” included herein.

The table below sets forth the stated maturities and weighted average yields of our investment debt securities based on the amortized cost of our investment portfolio at September 30, 2023 (dollars in thousands).

	One Year or Less					After One Year Through Five Years					After Five Years Through Ten Years					After Ten Years
	Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield
Held to maturity:
Obligations of state and political subdivisions	$	915		4.90	%	$	3,516		5.20	%	$	3,277		3.85	%	$	10,000		5.82	%
Residential mortgage-backed securities		—		—			—		—			—		—			2,336		3.09
Available for sale:
Obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies and corporations		42,619		5.08			11,894		4.53			11,987		6.35			—		—
Obligations of state and political subdivisions		27		2.92			1,834		2.45			9,464		2.57			8,539		2.77
Corporate bonds		850		4.24			14,094		3.60			16,055		4.49			2,750		2.80
Residential mortgage-backed securities		—		—			—		—			6,413		2.88			276,247		2.25
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		343		2.79			5,796		3.95			3,187		3.27			69,197		3.60
	$	44,754				$	37,134				$	50,383				$	369,069

The maturity of mortgage-backed securities reflects scheduled repayments based upon the contractual maturities of the securities. Weighted average yields on tax-exempt obligations have been computed on a fully tax equivalent basis assuming a federal tax rate of 21%.

As of September 30, 2023 , we had $77.1 million in gross unrealized losses, primarily attributable to investment debt securities with contractual maturities due after 10 years, and $0.3 million in gross unrealized gains in our AFS investment securities portfolio. For additional information, see Note 3. Investment Securities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part I. Item 1. “Financial Statements” herein.

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Deposits

The following table sets forth the composition of our deposits and the percentage of each deposit type to total deposits at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (dollars in thousands).

	September 30, 2023					December 31, 2022
	Amount		Percentage of Total Deposits			Amount		Percentage of Total Deposits
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits	$	459,519		20.8	%	$	580,741		27.9	%
Interest-bearing demand deposits		482,706		21.8			565,598		27.1
Money market deposit accounts		186,478		8.4			208,596		10.0
Savings accounts		131,743		6.0			155,176		7.5
Brokered time deposits		197,747		9.0			9,990		0.5
Time deposits		751,240		34.0			562,264		27.0
Total deposits	$	2,209,433		100	%	$	2,082,365		100	%

Total deposits were $2.21 billion at September 30, 2023 , an increase of $127.1 million, or 6.1% , compared to $2.08 billion at December 31, 2022 . Time deposits and brokered time deposits increased, and other deposit categories decreased. The majority of the increase in time deposits at September 30, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022 is due to organic growth and existing customer funds migrating from other deposit categories due to higher rates offered. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2022 and through the third quarter of 2023, management utilized brokered time deposits, entirely in denominations of less than $250,000, to secur e fixed cost funding and reduce FHLB advances. We were able to offset core deposit decreases with increases in time deposits and brokered time deposits. The remaining weighted average duration of brokered time deposits at September 30, 2023 was approximately 13 months with a weighted average rate of 5.02%.

Our deposit mix shifted as interest rates rose, as noninterest-bearing deposits as a percentage of total deposits decreased to 20.8% at September 30, 2023 compared to 27.9% at December 31, 2022 . Brokered time deposits and time deposits as a percentage of total deposits increased to 9.0% and 34.0% , respectively, at September 30, 2023 compared to 0.5% and 27.0% , respectively, at December 31, 2022 .

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Borrowings

At September 30, 2023 , total borrowings include securities s old under agreements to repurchase, FHLB advances, borrowings under the BTFP, subordinated debt issued in 2019 and 2022, an d junior subordinated debentures assumed through acquisitions.

We had $13.9 million of securities sold under agreements to repurchase at September 30, 2023 and none at December 31, 2022 . Our advances from the FHLB were $23.5 million at September 30, 2023 , a decrease of $363.5 million, or 93.9% , from FHLB advances of $387.0 million at December 31, 2022 . Based on original maturities, at September 30, 2023 , all of our $23.5 million of FHLB advances were long-term, compared to $333.5 million short-term and $53.5 million long-term FHLB advances at December 31, 2022 . FHLB advances are used to fund increased loan and investment activity that is not funded by deposits or other borrowings.

On March 12, 2023, the Federal Reserve established the BTFP. The BTFP is a one-year program which provides additional liquidity through borrowings secured by the pledging of certain qualifying securities and other assets valued at par. During the second quarter, we utilized the BTFP to secure fixed rate funding for a one-year term and reduce short-term FHLB advances, which are priced daily. We utilized this source of funding due to its lower rate and the ability to prepay the obligations without penalty. At September 30, 2023 , outstanding borrowings under the BTFP were $235.8 million.

The carrying value of the subordinated debt was $44.3 million and $44.2 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , respectively. The $8.6 million and $8.5 million in junior subordinated debt at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , respectively, represent the junior subordinated debentures that we assumed through acquisitions.

The average balances and cost of short-term borrowings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 are summarized in the table below (dollars in thousands).

	Average Balances				Average Balances				Cost of Short-term Borrowings						Cost of Short-term Borrowings
	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,				Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
	2023		2022		2023		2022		2023			2022			2023			2022
Federal funds purchased, short-term FHLB advances and other short-term borrowings	$	56	$	191,146	$	165,893	$	81,587		6.28	%		2.40	%		4.93	%		2.14	%
Borrowings under BTFP		235,800		—		106,036		—		5.11			—			5.10			—
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		6,507		64		2,871		1,990		0.13			0.15			0.13			0.15
Total short-term borrowings	$	242,363	$	191,210	$	274,800	$	83,577		4.97	%		2.40	%		4.95	%		2.09	%

Typically, the main source of our short-term borrowings are advances from the FHLB. The rate charged for these advances is directly tied to the Federal Reserve Bank’s federal funds target rate. As previously discussed, the Federal Reserve has raised the federal funds target rate multiple times in 2022 and 2023. As of September 30, 2023 , the federal funds target rate was 5.25% to 5.50%. The rates on the borrowings under the BTFP are fixed for one year from the day each borrowing is made.

2032 Notes. On April 6, 2022, we entered into a Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement with certain institutional accredited investors and qualified institutional buyers (the “Purchasers”) under which we issued $20.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2032 Notes to the Purchasers at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2032 Notes. The 2032 Notes were issued under an indenture, dated April 6, 2022 (the “Indenture”), by and among the Company and UMB Bank, National Association, as trustee.

The 2032 Notes have a stated maturity date of April 15, 2032 and will bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.125% per year from and including April 6, 2022 to but excluding April 15, 2027 or earlier redemption date. From April 15, 2027 to but excluding the stated maturity date or earlier redemption date, the 2032 Notes will bear interest at a floating rate equal to the then current three-month term secured overnight financing rate (“SOFR”), plus 277 basis points. As provided in the 2032 Notes, the interest rate on the 2032 Notes during the applicable floating rate period may be determined based on a rate other than three-month term SOFR. The 2032 Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, on or after April 15, 2027 or, in whole but not in part, under certain other limited circumstances set forth in the Indenture. Any redemption we made would be at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal balance being redeemed, together with any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.

Principal and interest on the 2032 Notes are subject to acceleration only in limited circumstances in the case of certain bankruptcy and insolvency-related events with respect to us. The 2032 Notes are the unsecured, subordinated obligations of the Company and rank junior in right of payment to our current and future senior indebtedness and to our obligations to our general creditors. The 2032 Notes are intended to qualify as tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes.

We used the majority of the net proceeds to redeem our 2027 Notes in June 2022 and utilized the remaining proceeds for share repurchases and general corporate purposes.

For a description of our 2029 Notes, which are outstanding at September 30, 2023 , and our 2027 Notes, which have been redeemed as of September 30, 2023 , see our Annual Report, Part II. Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition – Borrowings – 2029 Notes and 2027 Notes” and Note 11 to the financial statements included in such report.

Stockholders ’ Equity

Stockholders’ equity was $208.7 million at September 30, 2023 , a decrease of $7.1 million compared to December 31, 2022 . The decrease is primarily attributable to an $11.5 million increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss due to a decrease in the fair value of the Bank’s AFS securities portfolio and the adoption of the CECL standard, reflected as a one-time, cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings that decreased retained earnings by $4.3 million after tax, partially offset by $13.1 million of net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 . Stockholders’ equity was also reduced during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 by payments of $2.9 million in dividends and $2.7 million to repurchase shares.

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Results of Operations

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income, our principal source of earnings, is the difference between the interest income generated by interest-earning assets and the total interest cost of the deposits and borrowings obtained to fund those assets. Factors affecting the level of net interest income include the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, yields earned on loans and investments and rates paid on deposits and other borrowings, the level of nonperforming loans, the amount of noninterest-bearing liabilities supporting interest-earning assets, and the interest rate environment.

The primary factors affecting net interest margin are changes in interest rates, competition, and the shape of the interest rate yield curve. The Federal Reserve Board sets various benchmark rates, including the federal funds rate, and thereby influences the general market rates of interest, including the deposit and loan rates offered by financial institutions. The Federal Reserve increased the federal funds target rate a total of seven times during 2022 and, as of September 30, 2023 , four times during 2023 to 5.25% to 5.50%, as dis cussed in Certain Events That Affect Period-over-Period Comparability – Rising Inflation and Interest Rates.

Three months ended September 30, 2023 vs. three months ended September 30, 2022 . Net interest income decreased 25.6% to $17.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $23.5 million for the same period in 2022 . The decrease is primarily due to an increase in the rates paid on deposits partially offset primarily by an increase in the yield earned on loans. Average time deposits increased $353.4 million primarily due to organic growth and customer funds migrating from other deposit categories due to higher rates offered , which resulted in a $6.4 million increase in interest expense compared to the same period in 2022 . Average brokered time deposits were $159.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to none during the three months ended September 30, 2022 , which resulted in a $2.0 million increase in interest expense compared to the same period in 2022. Average interest-bearing demand deposits decreased $218.3 million, but increases in rates led to a $1.9 million increase in interest expense compared to the same period in 2022. Average noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $150.3 million. Average short-term borrowings increased $51.2 million, as we utilized borrowings under the BTFP to fund loan growth and reduce FHLB advances. The higher rates paid on short-term borrowings, along with the increase in short-term borrowings resulted in a $1.9 million increase in interest expense compared to the same period in 2022 . Average loans increased $118.1 million primarily due to organic growth which, in addition to higher loan yields, resulted in a $5.0 million increase in interest income compared to the same period in 2022 . Our yield on interest-earning assets increased as did our rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities primarily as a result of the overall increase in prevailing interest rates.

Interest income was $33.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 , compared to $27.0 million for the same period in 2022 . Loan interest income made up substantially all of our interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 , although interest on investment securities contributed 9.9% of interest income during the third quarter of 2023 compared to 10.6% during the third quarter of 2022 . Of the $6.2 million increase in interest income, an increase of $4.6 million can be attributed to an increase in the yield earned on interest-earning assets, and an increase in interest income of $1.6 million can be attributed to the change in the volume of interest-earnings assets. We also increased our average interest-earning balances with banks by $31.8 million, with the balances having an average yield of 6.26% during the three months ended September 30, 2023 . The overall yield on interest-earning assets was 5.05% and 4.34% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 , respectively. The loan portfolio yielded 5.53% and 4.86% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 , respectively, while the yield on the investment portfolio was 2.77% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to 2.36% for the three months ended September 30, 2022 . The increase in the overall yield on interest-earning assets compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2022 was primarily driven by a 67 basis point increase in the yield on the loan portfolio and a 41 b asis point increase in the yield on the investment securities portfolio.

Interest expense was $15.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 , an increase of $12.2 million compared to interest expense of $3.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022 . An increase of $9.8 million resulted from the increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, primarily time deposits, interest-bearing demand deposits, and short-term borrowings. An increase in interest expense of $2.4 million resulted from an increase in volume of interest-bearing liabilities, primarily brokered time deposits. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $253.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 , as average interest-bearing deposits increased by $251.0 million, as discussed in further detail above. Also as discussed above, average short-term borrowings increased by $51.2 million. Average long-term borrowings decreased by $48.5 million. As previously discussed, the federal funds target rate was 5.25% to 5.50% as of September 30, 2023 , which affects the rate we pay for immediately available overnight funds, long-term borrowings, and deposits. We increased rates offered on our interest-bearing products in order to remain competitive in our markets. The cost of deposits increased 237 basis points to 2.73% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to 0.36% for the three months ended September 30, 2022 as a result of the utilization of brokered time deposits to secure fixed cost funding and reduce FHLB advances, increases in both the average balance of and rates paid for time deposits, and an increase in rates paid for interest-bearing demand deposits. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 228 basis points to 3.07% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to 0.79% for the same period in 2022 , primarily due to an increase in the cost and higher average balance of deposits and an increased cost of short-term borrowings, the cost of which is primarily driven by the Federal Reserve’s federal funds rate, along with a higher average balance of short-term borrowings.

Net interest margin was 2.66% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 , a decrease of 111 basis points from 3.77% for the three months ended September 30, 2022 . The decrease in net interest margin was primarily driven by a 228 basis point increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities partially offset by a 71 basis point increase in the yield on interest-ear ning assets. We experienced margin pressure beginning late in 2022, which has continued in 2023. We raised rates offered on deposits and incurred higher costs on our borrowings compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022 . We may experience additional pressure on our net interest margin if our cost of funds increases faster than the yield on our interest-earning assets.

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Average Balances and Yields . The following table sets forth average balance sheet data, including all major categories of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, together with the interest earned or paid and the average yield or rate paid on each such category for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 . Averages presented in the table below are daily averages (dollars in thousands).

	Three months ended September 30,
	2023								2022
				Interest								Interest
	Average			Income/					Average			Income/
	Balance			Expense ⁽¹⁾		Yield/ Rate ⁽¹⁾			Balance			Expense ⁽¹⁾		Yield/ Rate ⁽¹⁾
Assets
Interest-earning assets:
Loans	$	2,072,617		$	28,892		5.53	%	$	1,954,493		$	23,924		4.86	%
Securities:
Taxable		442,556			3,055		2.74			466,012			2,769		2.36
Tax-exempt		25,493			216		3.35			16,528			105		2.50
Interest-earning balances with banks		63,171			997		6.26			31,324			204		2.58
Total interest-earning assets		2,603,837			33,160		5.05			2,468,357			27,002		4.34
Cash and due from banks		27,734								33,291
Intangible assets		42,595								43,472
Other assets		92,108								98,936
Allowance for credit losses		(29,916	)							(22,445	)
Total assets	$	2,736,358							$	2,621,611
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand deposits	$	668,732		$	2,462		1.46	%	$	887,040		$	594		0.27	%
Savings deposits		130,262			179		0.54			173,582			20		0.05
Brokered time deposits		159,244			1,990		4.96			—			—		—
Time deposits		749,610			7,102		3.76			396,204			701		0.70
Total interest-bearing deposits		1,707,848			11,733		2.73			1,456,826			1,315		0.36
Short-term borrowings ⁽²⁾		242,363			3,039		4.97			191,210			1,156		2.40
Long-term debt		76,376			919		4.77			124,924			1,064		3.38
Total interest-bearing liabilities		2,026,587			15,691		3.07			1,772,960			3,535		0.79
Noninterest-bearing deposits		462,525								612,777
Other liabilities		26,853								9,250
Stockholders’ equity		220,393								226,624
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,736,358							$	2,621,611
Net interest income/net interest margin				$	17,469		2.66	%				$	23,467		3.77	%

⁽¹⁾	Interest income and net interest margin are expressed as a percentage of average interest-earning assets outstanding for the indicated periods. Interest expense is expressed as a percentage of average interest-bearing liabilities for the indicated periods.
⁽²⁾	For additional information, see Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition – Borrowings.

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	Three months ended September 30, 2023 vs.
	Three months ended September 30, 2022
	Volume			Rate			Net ⁽¹⁾
Interest income:
Loans	$	1,446		$	3,522		$	4,968
Securities:
Taxable		(139	)		425			286
Tax-exempt		57			54			111
Interest-earning balances with banks		207			586			793
Total interest-earning assets		1,571			4,587			6,158
Interest expense:
Interest-bearing demand deposits		(146	)		2,014			1,868
Savings deposits		(5	)		163			158
Brokered time deposits		1,990			—			1,990
Time deposits		625			5,777			6,402
Short-term borrowings		309			1,574			1,883
Long-term debt		(414	)		269			(145	)
Total interest-bearing liabilities		2,359			9,797			12,156
Change in net interest income	$	(788	)	$	(5,210	)	$	(5,998	)

⁽¹⁾	Changes in interest due to both volume and rate have been allocated entirely to rate.

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Nine months ended September 30, 2023 vs. nine months ended September 30, 2022 . Net interest income decreased 16.7% to $56.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $67.3 million for the same period in 2022 . The decrease is primarily due to an increase in the rates paid on interest-bearing deposits partially offset primarily by an increase in the yield earned on loans. Average time deposits increased $281.3 million primarily due to organic growth and customer funds migrating from other deposit categories due to higher rates offered , which resulted in a $14.8 million increase in interest expense compared to the same period in 2022 . Average short-term borrowings increased $191.2 million, as we utilized advances from the FHLB and borrowings under the BTFP to fund loan growth and investment activity, which along with higher rates paid, resulted in an $8.9 million increase in interest expense compared to the same period in 2022 . Average interest-bearing demand deposits decreased $230.8 million but increases in rates led to a $4.7 million increase in interest expense compared to the same period in 2022. Average brokered time deposits were $126.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to none during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 , adding $4.6 million to interest expense. Average noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $103.0 million. Average loans increased $187.4 million primarily due to organic growth, which in addition to higher loan yields, resulted in a $17.3 million increase in interest income compared to the same period in 2022 . Our yield on interest-earning assets increased as did our rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities primarily as a result of the overall increase in prevailing interest rates.

Interest income was $96.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 , compared to $75.2 million for the same period in 2022 . Loan interest income made up substantially all of our interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 , although interest on investment securities contributed 10.2% of interest income during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to 9.6% during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 . Of the $21.3 million increase in interest income, an increase of $14.5 million can be attributed to an increase in the yield earned on interest-earning assets, and an increase in interest income of $6.9 million can be attributed to the change in the volume of interest-earning assets. The overall yield on interest-earning assets was 4.94% and 4.18% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 , respectively. The loan portfolio yielded 5.42% and 4.73% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 , respectively, while the yield on the investment portfolio was 2.78% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to 2.12% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 . The increase in the overall yield on interest-earning assets compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2022 was primarily driven by a 69 basis point increase in the yield on the loan portfolio and a 67 basis point increase in the yield on the taxable investment securities portfolio.

Interest expense was $40.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 , an increase of $32.6 million compared to interest expense of $7.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 . An increase of $25.3 million resulted from the increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, primarily time deposits, interest-bearing demand deposits, and short-term borrowings. An increase in interest expense of $7.3 million resulted from an increase in volume of interest-bearing liabilities, primarily brokered time deposits and short-term borrowings. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $272.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 . Average interest-bearing deposits increased by $130.7 million, as discussed in further detail above. Average short-term borrowings increased by $191.2 million, and average long-term borrowings decreased by $49.4 million As previously discussed, the federal funds target rate wa s 5.25% to 5.50% as of September 30, 2023 , which affects the rate we pay for immediately available overnight funds, long-term borrowings, and deposits. We increased rates offered on our interest-bearing products in order to remain competitive in our markets. The cost of deposits increased 196 basis points to 2.24% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to 0.28% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 primarily as a result of the utilization of brokered time deposits to secure fixed cost funding and reduce FHLB advances, and an increase in rates paid for time deposits and interest-bearing demand deposits. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 210 basis points to 2.71% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to 0.61% for the same period in 2022 , primarily due to an increase in the cost and average balance of deposits and an increased cost and higher average balance of short-term borrowings, the cost of which is primarily driven by the Federal Reserve’s federal funds rate, partially offset by a lower average balance of long-term borrowings.

Net interest margin was 2.87% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 , a decrease of 86 basis points from 3.73% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 . The decrease in net interest margin was primarily driven by a 210 basis point increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities partially offset by a 76 basis point increase in the yield on interest-ear ning assets. We experienced margin pressure beginning late in 2022, which continued in 2023. We raised rates offered on deposits and incurred higher costs on our borrowings compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022 . We may experience additional pressure on our net interest margin if our cost of funds increases faster than the yield on our interest-earning assets.

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Average Balances and Yields . The following table sets forth average balance sheet data, including all major categories of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, together with the interest earned or paid and the average yield or rate paid on each such category for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 . Averages presented in the table below are daily averages (dollars in thousands).

	Nine months ended September 30,
	2023								2022
				Interest								Interest
	Average			Income/					Average			Income/
	Balance			Expense ⁽¹⁾		Yield/ Rate ⁽¹⁾			Balance			Expense ⁽¹⁾		Yield/ Rate ⁽¹⁾
Assets
Interest-earning assets:
Loans	$	2,092,337		$	84,764		5.42	%	$	1,904,950		$	67,415		4.73	%
Securities:
Taxable		454,080			9,402		2.77			434,642			6,817		2.10
Tax-exempt		19,774			440		2.97			19,348			375		2.59
Interest-earning balances with banks		43,803			1,927		5.88			48,928			590		1.61
Total interest-earning assets		2,609,994			96,533		4.94			2,407,868			75,197		4.18
Cash and due from banks		29,792								34,652
Intangible assets		42,789								43,698
Other assets		87,813								114,407
Allowance for credit losses		(30,269	)							(21,639	)
Total assets	$	2,740,119							$	2,578,986
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand deposits	$	695,697		$	6,068		1.17	%	$	926,535		$	1,326		0.19	%
Brokered demand deposits		—			—		—			2,370			7		0.41
Savings deposits		134,403			217		0.22			177,980			62		0.05
Brokered time deposits		126,238			4,634		4.91			—			—		—
Time deposits		684,552			16,569		3.24			403,284			1,803		0.60
Total interest-bearing deposits		1,640,890			27,488		2.24			1,510,169			3,198		0.28
Short-term borrowings ⁽²⁾		274,800			10,173		4.95			83,577			1,308		2.09
Long-term debt		85,006			2,843		4.47			134,389			3,425		3.41
Total interest-bearing liabilities		2,000,696			40,504		2.71			1,728,135			7,931		0.61
Noninterest-bearing deposits		500,728								603,746
Other liabilities		18,155								12,883
Stockholders’ equity		220,540								234,222
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,740,119							$	2,578,986
Net interest income/net interest margin				$	56,029		2.87	%				$	67,266		3.73	%

⁽¹⁾	Interest income and net interest margin are expressed as a percentage of average interest-earning assets outstanding for the indicated periods. Interest expense is expressed as a percentage of average interest-bearing liabilities for the indicated periods.
⁽²⁾	For additional information, see Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition – Borrowings.

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	Nine months ended September 30, 2023 vs.
	Nine months ended September 30, 2022
	Volume			Rate			Net ⁽¹⁾
Interest income:
Loans	$	6,631		$	10,718		$	17,349
Securities:
Taxable		305			2,280			2,585
Tax-exempt		8			57			65
Interest-earning balances with banks		(62	)		1,399			1,337
Total interest-earning assets		6,882			14,454			21,336
Interest expense:
Interest-bearing demand deposits		(330	)		5,072			4,742
Brokered demand deposits		(7	)		—			(7	)
Savings deposits		(15	)		170			155
Brokered time deposits		4,634			—			4,634
Time deposits		1,257			13,509			14,766
Short-term borrowings		2,992			5,873			8,865
Long-term debt		(1,259	)		677			(582	)
Total interest-bearing liabilities		7,272			25,301			32,573
Change in net interest income	$	(390	)	$	(10,847	)	$	(11,237	)

⁽¹⁾	Changes in interest due to both volume and rate have been allocated entirely to rate.

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Noninterest Income

Noninterest income includes, among other things, service charges on deposit accounts, gains and losses on calls or sales of investment securities, gains and losses on sales or dispositions of fixed assets and other real estate owned, swap termination fee income, servicing fees and fee income on serviced loans, interchange fees, income from bank owned life insurance, and changes in the fair value of equity securities. We expect to continue to develop new products that generate noninterest income, and enhance our existing products, in order to diversify our revenue sources.

Three months ended September 30, 2023 vs. three months ended September 30, 2022 . Total noninterest income decreased $1.0 million, or 38.6% , to $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022 . The decrease in noninterest income is mainly attributable to a $0.3 million increase in loss on sale or disposition of fixed assets and a $0.7 million decrease in other operating income. The increase in the loss on sale or disposition of fixed assets resulted primarily from the disposition of ATMs and a reclassification of bank premises and equipment to other real estate owned during the three months ended September 30, 2023 . The decrease in other operating income is primarily attributable to a $0.4 million decrease in the change in the net asset value of other investments, which represents unrealized net gains on investments in Small Business Investment Company qualified funds and other investment funds, and a $0.3 million decrease in derivative fee income.

Nine months ended September 30, 2023 vs. nine months ended September 30, 2022 . Total noninterest income decreased $10.1 million, or 67.9% , to $4.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $14.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 . The decrease in noninterest income is mainly attributable to $8.1 million in swap termination fees recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and a loss on sale or disposition of fixed assets of $1.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 , resulting from the sale of the Alice and Victoria, Texas branches, the disposition of ATMs, and a reclassification of bank premises and equipment to other real estate owned compared to a loss on sale or disposition of fixed assets of $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 . There was also a $0.3 million decrease in interchange fees due to a decrease in the volume of debit and credit card transactions and a $0.7 million decrease in other operating income primarily attributable to a $0.4 million decrease in the change in the net asset value of other investments and a $0.4 million decrease in derivative fee income.

No swap termination fees were recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 . Swap termination fees of $8.1 million were recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 when the Bank voluntarily terminated a number of its interest rate swap agreements in response to market conditions. We had no remaining current or forward starting interest rate swap agreements at September 30, 2023 , other than interest rate swaps related to customer loans described in Note 7. Derivative Financial Instruments in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part I. Item 1. “Financial Statements” included herein.

Noninterest Expense

Three months ended September 30, 2023 vs. three months ended September 30, 2022 . Total noninterest expense was $15.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 , a decrease of $0.2 million, or 1.2% , compared to the same period in 2022 . The decrease is primarily a result of a $0.2 million decrease in depreciation and amortization and a $0.2 million decrease in occupancy, partially offset by a $0.1 million increase in salaries and employee benefits. The decreases in depreciation and amortization and occupancy compared to the same period in 2022 are due to the sale of the Alice and Victoria, Texas branches in January 2023 and the closure of one branch location in the first quarter of 2023.The increase in salaries and employee benefits is primarily due to severance related to Investar’s exit from its consumer mortgage origination business. We continue to closely monitor expenses, implement technology solutions and evaluate opportunities to reduce our physical branch and ATM footprint to deliver products and services to our customers more efficiently.

Nine months ended September 30, 2023 vs. nine months ended September 30, 2022 . Total noninterest expense was $47.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 , an increase of $0.2 million, or 0.5% , compared to the same period in 2022 . The increase is primarily a result of $0.7 million in expenses as a result of the sale of the Alice and Victoria, Texas branch locations in the first quarter of 2023. As a result of the sale of the Alice and Victoria, Texas branches, we recorded $0.4 million of occupancy expense primarily to terminate the remaining contractually obligated lease payments, $0.1 million of salaries and employee benefits for severance, $0.1 million of professional fees for legal and consulting services, and $0.1 million of depreciation and amortization to accelerate the amortization of the remaining core deposit intangible. Excluding the expenses incurred related to the sale of the Alice and Victoria branches, there was a $0.6 million increase in salaries and employee benefits, a $0.6 million decrease in depreciation and amortization, a $0.3 million decrease in occupancy expense, and a $0.2 million decrease in loss on early extinguishment of subordinated debt as a result of the redemption of the 2027 Notes in the second quarter of 2022. The remaining increase in salaries and employee benefits compared to the same period in 2022 is primarily due to an increase in health insurance claims . The remaining decreases in depreciation and amortization and occupancy expense compared to the same period in 2022 are primarily due to the closure of two branch locations in 2022, the sale of the Alice and Victoria branches in January 2023, and the closure of one branch location in the first quarter of 2023.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 was $0.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 was 17.4% and 18.9% , respectively. Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 was $3.0 million and $6.8 million, respectively. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 was 18.4% and 20.1% , respectively.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 , the effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to tax exempt interest income earned on certain loans and investment securities and income from bank owned life insurance .

Risk Management

The primary risks associated with our operations are credit, interest rate and liquidity risk. Higher inflation also presents risk. Credit, inflation and interest rate risk are discussed below, while liquidity risk is discussed in this section under the heading Liquidity and Capital Resources below.

Credit Risk and the Allowance for Credit Losses

General. The risk of loss should a borrower default on a loan is inherent in any lending activity. Our portfolio and related credit risk are monitored and managed on an ongoing basis by our risk management department, the board of directors’ loan committee and the full board of directors. We utilize a ten point risk-rating system, which assigns a risk grade to each borrower based on a number of quantitative and qualitative factors associated with a loan transaction. The risk grade categorizes the loan into one of five risk categories, based on information about the ability of borrowers to service the debt. The information includes, among other factors, current financial information about the borrower, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information and current economic trends. These categories assist management in monitoring our credit quality. The following describes each of the risk categories, which are consistent with the definitions used in guidance promulgated by federal banking regulators.

•

Pass (grades 1-6) – Loans not falling into one of the categories below are considered pass. These loans have high credit characteristics and financial strength. The borrowers at least generate profits and cash flow that are in line with peer and industry standards and have debt service coverage ratios above loan covenants and our policy guidelines. For some of these loans, a guaranty from a financially capable party mitigates characteristics of the borrower that might otherwise result in a lower grade.

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•

Special Mention (grade 7) – Loans classified as special mention possess some credit deficiencies that need to be corrected to avoid a greater risk of default in the future. For example, financial ratios relating to the borrower may have deteriorated. Often, a special mention categorization is temporary while certain factors are analyzed or matters addressed before the loan is re-categorized as either pass or substandard.

•

Substandard (grade 8) – Loans rated as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the borrower or the liquidation value of any collateral. If deficiencies are not addressed, it is likely that this category of loan will result in the Bank incurring a loss. Where a borrower has been unable to adjust to industry or general economic conditions, the borrower’s loan is often categorized as substandard.

•

Doubtful (grade 9) – Doubtful loans are substandard loans with one or more additional negative factors that makes full collection of amounts outstanding, either through repayment or liquidation of collateral, highly questionable and improbable.

•

Loss (grade 10) – Loans classified as loss have deteriorated to such a point that it is not practicable to defer writing off the loan. For these loans, all efforts to remediate the loan’s negative characteristics have failed and the value of the collateral, if any, has severely deteriorated relative to the amount outstanding. Although some value may be recovered on such a loan, it is not significant in relation to the amount borrowed.

At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , there were no loans classified as loss. There were no loans classified as doubtful at September 30, 2023 , compared to $0.2 million at December 31, 2022 . At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , there were $12.6 million and $15.0 million, respectively, of loans classified as substandard, and $5.1 million and $12.8 million, respectively, of loans classified as special mention.

An independent loan review is conducted annually, whether internally or externally, on at least 40% of commercial loans utilizing a risk-based approach designed to maximize the effectiveness of the review. Internal loan review is independent of the loan underwriting and approval process. In addition, credit analysts periodically review certain commercial loans to identify negative financial trends related to any one borrower, any related groups of borrowers, or any industry. All loans not categorized as pass are put on an internal watch list, with quarterly reports to the board of directors. In addition, a written status report is maintained by our special assets division for all commercial loans categorized as substandard or worse. We use this information in connection with our collection efforts.

If our collection efforts are unsuccessful, collateral securing loans may be repossessed and sold or, for loans secured by real estate, foreclosure proceedings initiated. The collateral is generally sold at public auction for fair market value, with fees associated with the foreclosure being deducted from the sales price. The purchase price is applied to the outstanding loan balance. If the loan balance is greater than the sales proceeds, the deficient balance is charged-off.

Allowance for Credit Losses . Effective January 1, 2023, we adopted ASU 2016-13, which uses the CECL accounting methodology for the allowance for credit losses. Upon adoption, we recorded a one-time, cumulative effect adjustment to increase the allowance for credit losses by $5.9 million. The allowance for credit losses was $29.8 million and $24.4 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , respectively. The CECL methodology requires that lifetime expected credit losses be recorded at the time the financial asset is originated or acquired.

Under ASU 2016-13, the allowance for credit losses on loans is measured on a pool basis when similar risk characteristics exist. The Company’s CECL calculation estimates credit losses using a combination of the discounted cash flow and remaining life methods, as appropriate, depending on the certain portfolio factors including but not limited to size, complexity, and history. The discounted cash flow analysis estimates future cash flows for the loan pool and discounts the cash flows to produce a net present value and ultimately the allowance requirement for the pool. The remaining life method applies a loss rate to a given pool of loans over the estimated remaining life of the given pool. The loss rates computed for each pool and expected pool-level funding rates are applied to the related unfunded lending commitments to calculate an allowance for credit losses on unfunded amounts. For each pool of loans, management also evaluates and applies qualitative adjustments to the calculated allowance for credit losses based on several factors, including, but not limited to, changes in current and expected future economic conditions, changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio, changes in levels of concentrations, changes in the volume and severity of past due loans, changes in lending policies and personnel and changes in the competitive and regulatory environment of the banking industry.

Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics are individually evaluated and are excluded from the pooled loan analysis. The allowance for credit losses on loans that are individually evaluated is based on a comparison of the recorded investment in the loan with either the expected cash flows discounted using the loan’s original effective interest rate, observable market price for the loan or the fair value of the collateral underlying certain collateral dependent loans. We evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on a quarterly basis. This evaluation is complex and inherently subjective, as it requires estimates by management that are inherently uncertain and therefore susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. In future periods evaluations of the overall loan portfolio, in light of the factors and forecasts then prevailing, may result in significant changes in the allowance and provision for credit loss on loans in those future periods.

We maintain a separate allowance for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments, which is included in “Accrued taxes and other liabilities” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The allowance for credit losses is increased by the provision for credit losses and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 , the provision for credit losses was negative $2.5 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The negative provision for credit losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily driven by net recoveries of $2.2 million in the loan portfolio primarily attributable to recoveries on one loan relationship that became impaired in the third quarter of 2021 as a result of Hurricane Ida.

Refer to Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Accounting Standards Adopted in 2023 for information regarding our adoption of ASU 2016-13. Results for reporting periods beginning after December 31, 2022 are presented in accordance with ASU 2016-13 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable U.S. GAAP as discussed in the Annual Report in the section captioned “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Estimates.”

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The following table presents the allocation of the allowance for credit losses by loan category and the percentage of loans in each loan category to total loans as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands).

	September 30, 2023					December 31, 2022
	Allowance for Credit Losses		% of Loans in each Category to Total Loans			Allowance for Credit Losses		% of Loans in each Category to Total Loans
Mortgage loans on real estate:
Construction and development	$	3,000		10.0	%	$	2,555		9.6	%
1-4 Family		9,172		19.7			3,917		19.1
Multifamily		1,105		4.9			999		3.9
Farmland		3		0.4			113		0.6
Commercial real estate		10,980		44.8			10,718		45.5
Commercial and industrial		5,297		19.6			5,743		20.7
Consumer		221		0.6			319		0.6
Total	$	29,778		100	%	$	24,364		100	%

The following table presents the amount of the allowance for credit losses allocated to each loan category as a percentage of total loans as of the dates indicated.

	September 30, 2023			December 31, 2022
Mortgage loans on real estate:
Construction and development		0.14	%		0.12	%
1-4 Family		0.44			0.18
Multifamily		0.05			0.05
Farmland		—			0.01
Commercial real estate		0.53			0.51
Commercial and industrial		0.25			0.27
Consumer		0.01			0.02
Total		1.42	%		1.16	%

As discussed above, the balance in the allowance for credit losses is principally influenced by the provision for credit losses on loans and net loan loss experience. Additions to the allowance for credit losses are charged to the provision for credit losses on loans. Losses are charged to the allowance as incurred and recoveries on losses previously charged to the allowance are credited to the allowance at the time the recovery is collected.

The table below reflects the activity in the allowance for credit losses and key ratios for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands).

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
	2023			2022			2023			2022
Allowance at beginning of period	$	30,044		$	21,954		$	24,364		$	20,859
ASU 2016-13 adoption impact		—			—			5,865			—
Provision for credit losses on loans ⁽¹⁾		(417	)		1,162			(2,694	)		1,654
Net recoveries ⁽²⁾		151			48			2,243			651
Allowance at end of period	$	29,778		$	23,164		$	29,778		$	23,164
Total loans - period end		2,103,022			2,005,677			2,103,022			2,005,677
Nonaccrual loans - period end		5,251			12,719			5,251			12,719

Key ratios:
Allowance for credit losses to total loans - period end		1.42	%		1.15	%		1.42	%		1.15	%
Allowance for credit losses to nonaccrual loans - period end		567.09	%		182.12	%		567.09	%		182.12	%
Nonaccrual loans to total loans - period end		0.25	%		0.63	%		0.25	%		0.63	%

⁽¹⁾ For the three months ended September 30, 2023 , the negative provision for credit losses of $34,000 on the consolidated statement of income inclu des a negative provision for loan losses of $0.4 million and a provision for unfunded loan commitments of $0.4 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 , the negative provision for credit losses of $2.5 million on the consolidated statement of income includ es a negative provision for loan losses of $2.7 million and a provisio n for unfunded loan commitments of $0.2 million .

⁽²⁾ We recognized net recoveries of $0.2 million and $2.2 million in the loan port folio during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, primarily attributable to recoveries on one loan relationship that became impaired in the third quarter of 2021 as a result of Hurricane Ida.

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The allowance for credit losses to total loans increased to 1.42% at September 30, 2023 compared to 1.15% at September 30, 2022 , and the allowance for credit losses to nonaccrual loans ratio increased to 567% at September 30, 2023 compared to 182% at September 30, 2022 . The increases in the allowance for credit losses to total loans and allowance for credit losses to nonaccrual loans compared to September 30, 2022 , is primarily due to th e one-time, cumulative effect adjustment to increase the allowance for credit losses by $5.9 million recorded upon adoption of ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2023. Nonaccrual loans were $5.3 million, or 0.25% of total loans, at September 30, 2023 , a decrease of $7.5 million compared to $12.7 million, or 0.63% of total loans at September 30, 2022 . The decrease in nonaccrual loans is primarily due to large paydowns on one loan relationship impacted by Hurricane Ida in the third quarter of 2021. Many of the loans comprising the total relationship were placed on nonaccrual following the impairment in the third quarter of 2021.

The following table presents the allocation of net (charge-offs) recoveries by loan category for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands).

	Three months ended September 30,
	2023								2022
	Net Recoveries (Charge-offs)			Average Balance		Ratio of Net Charge-offs to Average Loans			Net Recoveries (Charge-offs)			Average Balance		Ratio of Net Charge-offs to Average Loans
Mortgage loans on real estate:
Construction and development	$	5		$	198,595		(0.00	)%	$	6		$	220,316		(0.00	)%
1-4 Family		4			414,490		(0.00	)		5			388,174		(0.00	)
Multifamily		—			80,229		—			—			57,635		—
Farmland		—			8,358		—			67			14,881		(0.45	)
Commercial real estate		11			967,824		(0.00	)		(21	)		890,204		0.00
Commercial and industrial		138			390,920		(0.04	)		14			369,137		(0.00	)
Consumer		(7	)		12,201		0.06			(23	)		14,146		0.16
Total	$	151		$	2,072,617		(0.01	)%	$	48		$	1,954,493		(0.00	)%

	Nine months ended September 30,
	2023								2022
	Net Recoveries (Charge-offs)			Average Balance		Ratio of Net Charge-offs to Average Loans			Net Recoveries (Charge-offs)			Average Balance		Ratio of Net Charge-offs to Average Loans
Mortgage loans on real estate:
Construction and development	$	48		$	201,657		(0.02	)%	$	27		$	212,680		(0.01	)%
1-4 Family		(27	)		408,702		0.01			107			375,624		(0.03	)
Multifamily		—			80,413		—			—			56,251		—
Farmland		—			9,628		—			13			16,946		(0.08	)
Commercial real estate		2,218			967,918		(0.23	)		39			891,786		(0.00	)
Commercial and industrial		143			411,520		(0.03	)		563			336,420		(0.17	)
Consumer		(139	)		12,499		1.11			(98	)		15,243		0.64
Total	$	2,243		$	2,092,337		(0.11	)%	$	651		$	1,904,950		(0.03	)%

Charge-offs reflect the realization of losses in the portfolio that were recognized previously through the provision for credit losses on loans. Net charge-offs include recoveries of amounts previously charged off. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 , net recoveries were $0.2 million and $2.2 million, or 0.01% and 0.11% , respectively, of the average loan balances for the periods. Net recoveries during nine months ended September 30, 2023 were primarily attributable to recoveries on one loan relationship that became impaired in the third quarter of 2021 as a result of Hurricane Ida. Net recoveries for the three months ended September 30, 2022 were $48,000 , or less than 0.01% , of the average loan balance for the period. Net recoveries for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 were $0.7 million, or 0.03%, of the average loan balance for the period.

Management believes the allowance for credit losses at September 30, 2023 is sufficient to provide adequate protection against losses in our portfolio. However, there can be no assurance that this allowance will prove to be adequate over time to cover ultimate losses in connection with our loans. This allowance may prove to be inadequate due to higher inflation and interest rates than anticipated, other unanticipated adverse changes in the economy, unanticipated effects of the current geopolitical and domestic political conflicts, the scope and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and its continued influence on the economy, or discrete events adversely affecting specific customers or industries. Our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected to the extent that the allowance is insufficient to cover such changes or events. Effective January 1, 2023, we adopted ASU 2016-13, which uses the CECL accounting methodology for the calculating the allowance for credit losses. The CECL methodology requires that lifetime expected credit losses be recorded at the time the financial asset is originated or acquired, and be adjusted each period for changes in expected lifetime credit losses. The CECL methodology replaces multiple prior impairment models under U.S. GAAP that generally required that a loss be “incurred” before it was recognized, and represents a significant change from prior U.S. GAAP. Please refer to Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Accounting Standards Adopted in 2023, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding our adoption of ASU 2016-13, effective January 1, 2023.

Nonperforming Asse ts . No nperforming assets consist of nonperforming loans and other real estate owned. Nonperforming loans are those on which the accrual of interest has stopped or loans which are contractually 90 days past due on which interest continues to accrue. Loans are ordinarily placed on nonaccrual when a loan is specifically determined to be impaired or when principal and interest is delinquent for 90 days or more. Additionally, management may elect to continue the accrual when the estimated net available value of collateral is sufficient to cover the principal balance and accrued interest. It is our policy to discontinue the accrual of interest income on any loan for which we have reasonable doubt as to the payment of interest or principal. A loan may be returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future principal and interest amounts contractually due are reasonably assured, which is typically evidenced by a sustained period of repayment performance by the borrower. Nonperforming loans were $5.6 million, or 0.27% of total loans, at September 30, 2023 , a decrease of $5.7 million compared to $11.3 million, or 0.54% of total loans, at December 31, 2022 . The decrease in nonperforming loans compared to December 31, 2022 is mainly attributable to large paydowns on one loan relationship impacted by Hurricane Ida.

Restructured Loans. Effective January 1, 2023, we adopted ASU 2022-02, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures” , which eliminated the accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”). Prior to our adoption of ASU 2022-02, we accounted for a modification to the contractual terms of a loan that resulted in granting a concession to a borrower experiencing financial difficulties as a TDR.

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Other Real Estate Owned. Other real estate owned consists of properties acquired through foreclosure or acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure. These properties are initially recorded at fair value at the time of foreclosure, less estimated selling cost. Losses arising at the time of foreclosure of properties are charged to the allowance for credit losses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 , additions to other real estate owned were $3.9 million, which were primarily driven by transfers of properties related to one loan relationship that became impaired in the third quarter of 2021 as a result of Hurricane Ida. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 , we closed one branch and one stand-alone interactive teller machine and transferred the associated land and building from bank premises and equipment to other real estate owned, as we did not intend to use the properties for banking operations. O ther real estate owned with a co st basis of $0.1 million and $1.6 million was sold during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 , respectively, resulting in a gain of $23,000 and a loss of $0.1 million, respectively, for the perio ds. Other real estate owned with a cost basis of $2.7 million and $4.2 million was sold during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 , respectively, resulting in gains of $0.1 million and $7,000, respectively, for the periods. At September 30, 2023 , approximately $0.1 million of loans secured by 1-4 family residential property were in the process of foreclosure.

The table below provides details of our other real estate owned as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands).

	September 30, 2023		December 31, 2022
1-4 Family	$	—	$	682
Commercial real estate		4,323		—
Commercial and industrial		115		—
Total other real estate owned	$	4,438	$	682

Changes in our other real estate owned are summarized in the table below for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands).

	Nine months ended September 30,
	2023			2022
Balance, beginning of period	$	682		$	2,653
Additions		3,930			3,317
Transfers from bank premises and equipment		1,425			525
Sales of other real estate owned		(1,599	)		(4,169	)
Balance, end of period	$	4,438		$	2,326

Impact of Inflation . Inflation reached a near 40-year high in late 2021 primarily due to effects of the ongoing pandemic and continued rising through June 2022. Since June 2022, the rate of inflation has generally decelerated; however, it has remained at historically high levels through October 2023. When the rate of inflation accelerates, there is an erosion of consumer and customer purchasing power. Accordingly, this has impacted and may continue to impact our business by reducing our tolerance for extending credit, and our customer’s desire to obtain credit, or causing us to incur additional provisions for credit losses resulting from a possible increased default rate. Inflation may lead to lower loan re-financings. Inflation may also increase the costs of goods and services we purchase, including the costs of salaries and benefits. In response to higher inflation, the Federal Reserve increased the federal funds target rate during 2022 and 2023 as discussed in Certain Events That Affect Period-over-Period Comparability – Rising Inflation and Interest Rates. For additional information, see Interest Rate Risk below, and Part I. Item 1A. “Risk Factors – Risks Related to our Business – Changes in interest rates could have an adverse effect on our profitability,” in our Annual Report.

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Interest Rate Risk

Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and rates. Since the majority of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature, our market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in our lending and deposit activities. A sudden and substantial change in interest rates may adversely impact our earnings and profitability because the interest rates borne by assets and liabilities do not change at the same speed, to the same extent, or on the same basis. Accordingly, our ability to proactively structure the volume and mix of our assets and liabilities to address anticipated changes in interest rates, as well as to react quickly to such fluctuations, can significantly impact our financial results. To that end, management actively monitors and manages our interest rate risk exposure.

The ALCO has been authorized by the board of directors to implement our asset/liability management policy, which establishes guidelines with respect to our exposure to interest rate fluctuations, liquidity, loan limits as a percentage of funding sources, exposure to correspondent banks and brokers and reliance on non-core deposits. The goal of the policy is to enable us to maximize our interest income and maintain our net interest margin without exposing the Bank to excessive interest rate risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. Within that framework, the ALCO monitors our interest rate sensitivity and makes decisions relating to our asset/liability composition.

Net interest income simulation is the Bank’s primary tool for benchmarking near term earnings exposure. Given the ALCO’s objective to understand the potential risk/volatility embedded within the current mix of assets and liabilities, standard rate scenario simulations assume total assets remain static (i.e. no growth). The Bank may also use a standard gap report in its interest rate risk management process. The primary use for the gap report is to provide supporting detailed information to the ALCO’s discussion.

The Bank has particular concerns with the utility of the gap report as a risk management tool because of difficulties in relating gap directly to changes in net interest income. Hence, the income simulation is the key indicator for earnings-at-risk since it expressly measures what the gap report attempts to estimate.

Short-term interest rate risk management tactics are decided by the ALCO where risk exposures exist out into the 1 to 2 year horizon. Tactics are formulated and presented to the ALCO for discussion, modification, and/or approval. Such tactics may include asset and liability acquisitions of appropriate maturities in the cash market, loan and deposit product/pricing strategy modification, and derivatives hedging activities to the extent such activity is authorized by the board of directors.

Since the impact of rate changes due to mismatched balance sheet positions in the short-term can quickly and materially affect the current year’s income statement, they require constant monitoring and management.

Within the gap position that management directs, we attempt to structure our assets and liabilities to minimize the risk of either a rising or falling interest rate environment. We manage our gap position for time horizons of one month, two months, three months, 4-6 months, 7-12 months, 13-24 months, 25-36 months, 37-60 months and more than 60 months. The goal of our asset/liability management is for the Bank to maintain a net interest income at risk in an up or down 100 basis point environment at less than (5)%. At September 30, 2023 , the Bank was within the policy guidelines for asset/liability management.

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The table below depicts the estimated impact on net interest income of immediate changes in interest rates at the specified levels.

As of September 30, 2023
Changes in Interest Rates (in basis points)		Estimated Increase/Decrease in Net Interest Income ⁽¹⁾
+300		(9.7)%
+200		(7.0)%
+100		(3.3)%
-100		3.8%

⁽¹⁾	The percentage change in this column represents the projected net interest income for 12 months on a flat balance sheet in a stable interest rate environment versus the projected net interest income in the various rate scenarios.

The computation of the prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes requires numerous assumptions regarding characteristics of new business and the behavior of existing positions. These business assumptions are based upon our experience, business plans and published industry experience. Key assumptions include asset prepayment speeds, competitive factors, the relative price sensitivity of certain assets and liabilities, and the expected life of non-maturity deposits. However, there are a number of factors that influence the effect of interest rate fluctuations on us which are difficult to measure and predict. For example, a rapid drop in interest rates might cause our loans to repay at a more rapid pace and certain mortgage-related investments to prepay more quickly than projected. This could mitigate some of the benefits of falling rates as are expected when we are in a negatively-gapped position. Conversely, a rapid rise in rates could give us an opportunity to increase our margins and stifle the rate of repayment on our mortgage-related loans which would increase our returns; however, we may need to increase the rates we offer to maintain or increase deposits, which would adversely impact our margins. As a result, because these assumptions are inherently uncertain, actual results will differ from simulated results.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity. Liquidity is a measure of the ability to fund loan commitments and meet deposit maturities and withdrawals in a timely and cost-effective way. Cash flow requirements can be met by generating net income, attracting new deposits, converting assets to cash or borrowing funds. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are predictable sources of funds, deposit outflows, loan prepayments, loan sales and borrowings are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions and the competitive environment in which we operate. To minimize funding risks, we closely monitor our liquidity position through periodic reviews of maturity profiles, yield and rate behaviors, and loan and deposit forecasts. Excess short-term liquidity is usually invested in overnight federal funds sold.

Our core deposits, which are deposits excluding time deposits greater than $250,000 and deposits of municipalities and other political entities, are our most stable source of liquidity to meet our cash flow needs due to the nature of the long-term relationships generally established with our customers. Maintaining the ability to acquire these funds as needed in a variety of markets, and within ALCO compliance targets, is essential to ensuring our liquidity. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , 66% and 70 % of our total assets, respectively, were funded by core deposits.

Our investment portfolio is another alternative for meeting our cash flow requirements. Investment securities generate cash flow through principal payments and maturities, and they generally have readily available markets that allow for their conversion to cash. At September 30, 2023 , 95% of our investment securities portfolio was classified as AFS and we had gross unrealized losses in our AFS investment securities portfolio of $77.1 million and gross unrealized gains of $0.3 million. The sale of securities in a loss position would cause us to record a loss on sale of investment securities in noninterest income in the period during which the securities were sold. Some securities are pledged to secure certain deposit types or short-term borrowings, such as FHLB advances and borrowings under the BTFP, which impacts their liquidity. At September 30, 2023 , securities with a carrying value of $322.4 million were pledged to secure certain deposits, borrowings, and other liabilities, compared to $165.7 million in pledged securities at December 31, 2022 with the increase due primarily to the pledge of securities to secure borrowings under the BTFP.

Other sources available for meeting liquidity needs include advances from the FHLB, repurchase agreements and other borrowings. FHLB advances are primarily used to match-fund fixed rate loans in order to minimize interest rate risk and also may be used to meet day to day liquidity needs, particularly if the prevailing interest rate on an FHLB advance compares favorably to the rates that we would be required to pay to attract deposits. At September 30, 2023 , the balance of our outstanding advances with the FHLB was $23.5 million, all long-term advances, a decrease from $387.0 million at December 31, 2022 , consisting of $333.5 million short-term and $53.5 million long-term advances as we utilized the BTFP. The total amount of the remaining credit available to us from the FHLB at September 30, 2023 wa s $914.9 million. A t September 30, 2023 , our FHLB borrowings were collateralized by a blanket pledge of certain loans totaling approximately $962.8 million .

Beginning in March 2023, we are eligible to borrow from the BTFP, which provides additional liquidity through borrowings secured by the pledging of certain qualifying securities and other assets valued at par. The BTFP is a one-year program ending March 11, 2024, and we can borrow any time during the term and can repay the obligation at any time without penalty. During the second quarter, we utilized the BTFP to secure fixed rate funding for a one-year term and reduce short-term FHLB advances, which are priced daily. At September 30, 2023 , borrowings outstanding under the BTFP were $235.8 million, and our r emaining borrowing capacity under the BTFP was $58.9 million based on the value of securities available to be used as collateral, valued at par value as permitted under the program.

Repurchase agreements are contracts for the sale of securities which we own with a corresponding agreement to repurchase those securities at an agreed upon price and date. Our policies limit the use of repurchase agreements to those collateralized by investment securities. We had $13.9 milli on of repurchase agreements outstanding at September 30, 2023 and none at December 31, 2022 .

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We maintain unsecured lines of credit with other commercial banks totaling $60.0 million. These lines of credit are federal funds lines of credit and are used for overnight borrowing only. The lines of credit mature at various times within the next year. There were no outstanding balances on our unsecured lines of credit at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 .

At September 30, 2023 , we held $63.7 million of cash and cash equivalents and maintained approximately $1.03 billion of available funding from FHLB advances, the BTFP, and unsecured lines of credit with correspondent banks. Cash and cash equivalents and available funding represent 147% of uninsured deposits of $744.2 million at September 30, 2023 .

In addition, at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , we had $45.0 million in aggregate principal amount of subordinated debt outstanding. In April 2022, we completed a private placement of $20.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2032 Notes, and used the majority of the proceeds to redeem $18.6 million of our 2027 Notes in June 2022. See discussion above under Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition – Borrowings – 2032 Notes . For additional information on our 2027, 2029, and 2032 Notes, see our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2022 , Part II. Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition – Borrowings” and Note 11 to the financial statements included in such report.

Our liquidity strategy is focused on using the least costly funds available to us in the context of our balance sheet composition and interest rate risk position. Accordingly, we target growth of noninterest-bearing deposits. Although we cannot directly control the types of deposit instruments our customers choose, we can influence those choices with the interest rates and deposit specials we offer. In recent periods, the proportion of our deposits represented by noninterest-bearing deposits has declined primarily due to rising market interest rates. At September 30, 2023 , we held $197.7 million of brokered time deposits and no brokered demand deposits, as defined for federal regulatory purposes, to secure fixed cost funding and reduce FHLB advances. At December 31, 2022 , we held $10.0 million of brokered time deposits and no brokered demand deposits, as defined for federal regulatory purposes. The Bank has historically used brokered demand deposits to satisfy the required borrowings under its interest rate swap agreements. We hold QwickRate® deposits, included in our time deposit balances, which we obtain through a qualified network to address liquidity needs when rates on such deposits compare favorably with deposit rates in our markets. At September 30, 2023 , we he ld $17.0 million of QwickRa te® deposits, a decrease compared to $26.5 million at December 31, 2022 .

The following table presents, by type, our funding sources, which consist of total average deposits and borrowed funds, as a percentage of total funds and the total cost of each funding source for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 .

	Percentage of Total Average Deposits and Borrowed Funds						Percentage of Total Average Deposits and Borrowed Funds						Cost of Funds						Cost of Funds
	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,						Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
	2023			2022			2023			2022			2023			2022			2023			2022
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits		19	%		26	%		20	%		26	%		—	%		—	%		—	%		—	%
Interest-bearing demand deposits		27			37			28			40			1.46			0.27			1.17			0.19
Brokered demand deposits		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			0.41
Savings accounts		5			7			5			8			0.54			0.05			0.22			0.05
Brokered time deposits		6			—			5			—			4.96			—			4.91			—
Time deposits		30			17			27			17			3.76			0.70			3.24			0.60
Short-term borrowings		10			8			11			3			4.97			2.40			4.95			2.09
Long-term borrowed funds		3			5			4			6			4.77			3.38			4.47			3.41
Total deposits and borrowed funds		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%		2.50	%		0.59	%		2.16	%		0.45	%

Capital Management . Our primary sources of capital include retained earnings, capital obtained through acquisitions, and proceeds from the sale of our capital stock and subordinated debt. We may issue additional common stock and debt securities from time to time to fund acquisitions and support our organic growth. In April 2022, we completed a private placement of $20.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2032 Notes, which are structured to qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes and used the majority of the proceeds to redeem $18.6 million of our 2027 Notes in June 2022.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 , we paid $2.9 m illion in dividends, compared to $2.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 . We declared dividends on our common stock of $0.295 per share during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to dividends of $0.27 per share during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 . We have had a stock repurchase program since 2015. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 , we paid $2.7 million to repurchase 190,682 shares of our common stock, compared to paying $10.3 million to repurchase 508,780 shares of its common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 . On July 19, 2023, we announced that our board of directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 350,000 shares of our com mon stock under the program. The Company had 546,032 shar es of its common stock remaining authorized for repurchase under the program at September 30, 2023 .

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We are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal Reserve and the OCC which specify capital tiers, including the following classifications for the Bank under the OCC’s prompt corrective action regulations.


Capital Tiers ⁽¹⁾	Tier 1 Leverage Ratio	Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio	Tier 1 Capital Ratio	Total Capital Ratio	Ratio of Tangible to Total Assets
Well capitalized	5% or above	6.5% or above	8% or above	10% or above
Adequately capitalized	4% or above	4.5% or above	6% or above	8% or above
Undercapitalized	Less than 4%	Less than 4.5%	Less than 6%	Less than 8%
Significantly undercapitalized	Less than 3%	Less than 3%	Less than 4%	Less than 6%
Critically undercapitalized					2% or less

⁽¹⁾

In order to be well capitalized or adequately capitalized, a bank must satisfy each of the required ratios in the table. In order to be undercapitalized or significantly undercapitalized, a bank would need to fall below just one of the relevant ratio thresholds in the table. In order to be well capitalized, the Bank cannot be subject to any written agreement or order requiring it to maintain a specific level of capital for any capital measure. Pursuant to regulatory capital rules, the Company has made an election not to include unrealized gains and losses in the investment securities portfolio for purposes of calculating “Tier 1” capital and “Tier 2” capital.

The Company and the Bank each were in compliance with all regulatory capital requirements at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 . The Bank also was considered “well-capitalized” under the OCC’s prompt corrective action regulations as of these dates.

The following table presents the actual capital amounts and regulatory capital ratios for the Company and the Bank as of the dates presented (dollars in thousands).

	Actual					Minimum Capital Requirement for Bank to be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Rules
	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
September 30, 2023
Investar Holding Corporation:
Tier 1 leverage capital	$	236,173		8.53	%	$	—		—	%
Common equity tier 1 capital		226,673		9.40			—		—
Tier 1 capital		236,173		9.79			—		—
Total capital		310,432		12.87			—		—
Investar Bank:
Tier 1 leverage capital		277,912		10.05			138,331		5.00
Common equity tier 1 capital		277,912		11.53			156,630		6.50
Tier 1 capital		277,912		11.53			192,775		8.00
Total capital		307,875		12.78			240,968		10.00

December 31, 2022
Investar Holding Corporation:
Tier 1 leverage capital	$	231,048		8.53	%	$	—		—	%
Common equity tier 1 capital		221,548		9.79			—		—
Tier 1 capital		231,048		10.21			—		—
Total capital		300,009		13.25			—		—
Investar Bank:
Tier 1 leverage capital		267,603		9.89			135,344		5.00
Common equity tier 1 capital		267,603		11.83			147,044		6.50
Tier 1 capital		267,603		11.83			180,977		8.00
Total capital		292,339		12.92			226,221		10.00

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Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

Swap Contracts. The Bank historically has entered into interest rate swap contracts, some of which are forward starting, to manage exposure against the variability in the expected future cash flows (future interest payments) attributable to changes in the 1-month LIBOR associated with the forecasted issuances of 1-month fixed rate debt arising from a rollover strategy. An interest rate swap is an agreement whereby one party agrees to pay a fixed rate of interest on a notional principal amount in exchange for receiving a floating rate of interest on the same notional amount for a predetermined period of time, from a second party. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 we had no current or forward starting interest rate swap agreements, other than interest rate swaps related to customer loans, described below. For additional information, see Note 7. Derivative Financial Instruments in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part I. Item 1. “Financial Statements” included herein.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we voluntarily terminated our remaining interest rate swap agreements with a total notional amount of $115.0 million in response to market conditions. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, an unrealized gain of $6.4 million, net of tax expense of $1.7 million, was reclassified from “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” and recorded as “Swap termination fee income” in noninterest income in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, a gain of $4.3 million, net of tax expense of $1.2 million, has been recognized in “Other comprehensive loss” in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income for the change in fair value of the interest rate swaps.

The Company also enters into interest rate swap contracts that allow commercial loan customers to effectively convert a variable-rate commercial loan agreement to a fixed-rate commercial loan agreement. Under these agreements, the Company enters into a variable-rate loan agreement with a customer in addition to an interest rate swap agreement, which serves to effectively swap the customer’s variable-rate loan into a fixed-rate loan. The Company then enters into a corresponding swap agreement with a third party in order to economically hedge its exposure through the customer agreement. The interest rate swaps with both the customers and third parties are not designated as hedges under FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” , and are marked to market through earnings. As the interest rate swaps are structured to offset each other, changes to the underlying benchmark interest rates considered in the valuation of these instruments do not result in an impact to earnings; however, there may be fair value adjustments related to credit quality variations between counterparties, which may impact earnings as required by FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements” . The Company did not recognize any gains or losses in other income resulting from fair value adjustments during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 . At September 30, 2023 we had notional amo unts of $143.3 million in interest rate swap contracts with customers and $143.3 million in offsetting interest rate swap contracts with other financial institutions. The fair value of the swap contracts consisted of gross assets of $21.9 million and gross liabilities of $21.9 million record ed in “Other assets” and “Accrued taxes and other liabilities”, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

Unfunded Commitments . The Bank enters into loan commitments and standby letters of credit in the normal course of its business. Loan commitments are made to meet the financing needs of our customers, while standby letters of credit commit the Bank to make payments on behalf of customers when certain specified future events occur. The credit risks associated with loan commitments and standby letters of credit are essentially the same as those involved in making loans to our customers. Accordingly, our normal credit policies apply to these arrangements. Collateral (e.g., securities, receivables, inventory, equipment, etc.) is obtained based on management’s credit assessment of the customer. Loan commitments are also evaluated in a manner similar to the allowance for credit losses on loans. The reserve for unfunded loan commitments is included in “Accrued taxes and other liabilities” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and was $0.6 million and $0.4 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 , respectively.

Loan commitments and standby letters of credit do not necessarily represent future cash requirements, in that while the customer typically has the ability to draw upon these commitments at any time, these commitments often expire without being drawn upon in full or at all. Substantially all of our standby letters of credit expire within one year. Our unfunded loan commitments and standby letters of credit outstanding are summarized below as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):

	September 30, 2023		December 31, 2022
Loan commitments	$	542,189	$	333,040
Standby letters of credit		14,170		11,379

The Company closely monitors the amount of remaining future commitments to borrowers in light of prevailing economic conditions and adjusts these commitments as necessary. The Company intends to continue this process as new commitments are entered into or existing commitments are renewed.

Loan commitments at September 30, 2023 include commitments of $202.0 million related to the purchase of commercial and industrial revolving lines of credit in two tranches, the second tranche of which closed in the fourth quarter of 2023. For additional information, see Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Acquisition Accounting – Loan Purchase Agreement in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part I. Item 1. “Financial Statements” included herein.

Additionally, at September 30, 2023 , the Company had unfunded commitments of $1.4 million for its investment in Small Business Investment Company qualified funds and other investment funds.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and for the year ended December 31, 2022 , except as disclosed herein and in the Company’s Annual Report, we engaged in no off-balance sheet transactions that we believe are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Lease Obligations. The Company’s primary leasing activities relate to certain real estate leases entered into in support of the Company’s branch operations. The Company’s branch locations operated under lease agreements have all been designated as operating leases. The Company does not lease equipment under operating leases, nor does it have leases designated as finance leases.

The following table presents, as of September 30, 2023 , contractually obligated lease payments due under non-cancelable operating leases by payment date (dollars in thousands).

Less than one year	$	338
One to three years		673
Three to five years		682
Over five years		756
Total	$	2,449

On January 27, 2023, we completed the sale of certain assets, deposits and other liabilities associated with the Alice and Victoria, Texas branch locations to First Community Bank. Upon the completion of the sale, we recorded $0.3 million of occupancy expense to terminate the remaining contractually obligated lease payments due under non-cancelable operating leases.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk as of December 31, 2022 are set forth in the Company’s Annual Report in the section captioned “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Risk Management.” Please refer to the information in Item 2. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” under the heading “Risk Management” in this report for additional information about the Company’s market risk for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 ; except as discussed therein, there have been no material changes in the Company’s market risk since December 31, 2022 .

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, the Company’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) are effective for ensuring that information the Company is required to disclose in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter covered by this quarterly report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A. Risk Factors

We are supplementing the risk factors described under Part I. Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report with the risk factor set forth below, which should be read in conjunction with the risk factors and other disclosures in this report and in our Annual Report.

Recent disruptions in the banking industry, particularly if continuing or worsening, and related regulatory responses, could have a material adverse effect on the Bank, including its liquidity and costs.

Recent highly-publicized bank failures have caused significant disruptions in the banking industry. These industry developments have negatively impacted overall customer confidence in the safety of their deposits, particularly uninsured deposits, at some regional banks. As a result, customers may choose to move deposits to, or maintain deposits with, larger financial institutions or move funds to investment alternatives outside the banking industry, which could materially adversely impact our liquidity, cost of funds, loan funding capacity, net interest margin, capital and results of operations. The rapid failures of SVB and Signature Bank highlighted risks associated with advances in technology that increase the speed at which information, concerns and rumors can spread through traditional and new media, and increase the speed at which deposits can be moved from bank to bank or outside the banking system, heightening liquidity concerns of traditional banks. While regulators and large banks have taken steps designed to increase liquidity at regional banks and strengthen depositor confidence in the broader banking industry, there can be no guarantee that these steps will succeed. In addition, regulators may adopt new regulations or increase FDIC insurance costs, which could increase our costs of doing business. For more information on the Company’s liquidity position, see Part I. Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the headings “Certain Events That Affect Period-over-Period Comparability,” “Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition – Deposits” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities, Use of Proceeds, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

None.

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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The table below provides information with respect to purchases made by the Company of shares of its common stock during each of the months during the three month period ended September 30, 2023 .

Period	(a) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased ⁽¹⁾		(b) Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)		(c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs		(d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) That May Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs ⁽²⁾
July 1, 2023 - July 31, 2023		45	$	12.11		—		598,439
August 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023		33,964		13.33		33,574		564,865
September 1, 2023 - September 30, 2023		18,893		12.14		18,833		546,032
		52,902	$	12.90		52,407		546,032

⁽¹⁾	Includes 495 s h ares surrendered to cover the payroll taxes due upon the vesting of restricted stock.
⁽²⁾	The Comp any has had a stock repurchase program since 2015. On July 19, 2023, the Company announced that its board of directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 350,000 shares of the Company’s common stock under its stock repurchase plan. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had 546,032 shares remaining avail able under the program.

Because we are a holding company with no material business activities, our ability to pay dividends is substantially dependent upon the ability of the Bank to transfer funds to us in the form of dividends, loans and advances. The Bank’s ability to pay dividends and make other distributions and payments to us depends upon the Bank’s earnings, financial condition, general economic conditions, compliance with regulatory requirements and other factors. In addition, the Bank’s ability to pay dividends to us is itself subject to various legal, regulatory and other restrictions under federal banking laws that are described in Part I. Item 1 “Business”, of our Annual Report.

In addition, as a Louisiana corporation, we are subject to certain restrictions on dividends under the Louisiana Business Corporation Act. Generally, a Louisiana corporation may pay dividends to its shareholders unless, after giving effect to the dividend, either (1) the corporation would not be able to pay its debts as they come due in the usual course of business or (2) the corporation’s total assets are less than the sum of its total liabilities and the amount that would be needed, if the corporation were to be dissolved at the time of the payment of the dividend, to satisfy the preferential rights of shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the dividend. In addition, our existing and future debt agreements limit, or may limit, our ability to pay dividends. Under the terms of our 5.125% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2029, we may not pay a dividend if either we or the Bank, both immediately prior to the declaration of the dividend and after giving effect to the payment of the dividend, would not maintain regulatory capital ratios that are at “well capitalized” levels for regulatory capital purposes. We are also prohibited from paying dividends upon and during the continuance of any Event of Default under such notes. Under the terms of our 5.125% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2032, we are prohibited from paying dividends upon and during the continuance of any Event of Default under such notes. Finally, our ability to pay dividends may be limited on account of the junior subordinated debentures that we assumed through acquisitions. We must make payments on the junior subordinated debentures before any dividends can be paid on our common stock.

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Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit No.						Description of Exhibit

3.1						Restated Articles of Incorporation of Investar Holding Corporation ⁽¹⁾

3.2						Amended and Restated By-laws of Investar Holding Corporation ⁽²⁾

4.1						Specimen Common Stock Certificate ⁽³⁾

4.2						Indenture, dated March 24, 2017, by and between Investar Holding Corporation and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee ⁽⁴⁾

4.3						Supplemental Indenture, dated March 24, 2017, by and between Investar Holding Corporation and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee ⁽⁵⁾

4.4						Form of 5.125% Fixed to Fluctuation Rate Subordinated Note due 2029 ⁽⁶⁾

4.5						Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 20, 2019, by and between Investar Holding Corporation and the purchasers set forth therein ⁽⁷⁾

4.6						Indenture, dated April 6, 2022, by and among Investar Holding Corporation and UMB Bank, National Association, as trustee ⁽⁸⁾

4.7						Form of 5.125% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Note due 2032 ⁽⁹⁾

4.8						Form of Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement, dated April 6, 2022, by and among Investar Holding Corporation and the several purchasers identified on the signature pages thereto ⁽¹⁰⁾

4.9						Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 6, 2022, by and among Investar Holding Corporation and the several purchasers identified on the signature pages thereto ⁽¹¹⁾

31.1						Certification of the Principal Executive Officer, as required pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2						Certification of the Principal Financial Officer, as required pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1						Certification of the Principal Executive Officer, as required pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2						Certification of the Principal Financial Officer, as required pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.INS						Inline XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

104						Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

	⁽¹⁾	Filed as exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of the Company filed with the SEC on May 16, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
	⁽²⁾	Filed as exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of the Company filed with the SEC on October 10, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.
	⁽³⁾	Filed as exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of the Company filed with the SEC on May 16, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
	⁽⁴⁾	Filed as exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 24, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.
	⁽⁵⁾	Filed as exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 24, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.
	⁽⁶⁾	Filed as exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 14, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
	⁽⁷⁾	Filed as exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 24, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference.
	⁽⁸⁾	Filed as exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 7, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference.
	⁽⁹⁾	Filed as exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 7, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference.
	⁽¹⁰⁾	Filed as exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 7, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference.
	⁽¹¹⁾	Filed as exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 7, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference.

The Company does not have any long-term debt instruments under which securities are authorized exceeding 10% of the total assets of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The Company will furnish to the SEC, upon its request, a copy of all long-term debt instruments.

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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 thereunto duly authorized.

						INVESTAR HOLDING CORPORATION

Date: November 2, 2023						/s/ John J. D’Angelo
						John J. D’Angelo
						President and Chief Executive Officer
						(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: November 2, 2023						/s/ John R. Campbell
						John R. Campbell
						Chief Financial Officer
						(Principal Financial Officer)

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Part I. Financial Information Item 1. Financial Statements Note 1. Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Note 2. Earnings Per Share Note 3. Investment Securities Note 4. Loans and Allowance For Credit Losses Note 5. Borrowings Under Bank Term Funding Program Note 6. Stockholders Equity Note 6. Stockholders Note 7. Derivative Financial Instruments Note 8. Fair Values Of Financial Instruments Note 9. Income Taxes Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies Note 11. Leases Note 12. Subsequent Events Item 2. Management S Discussion and Analysis Of Financial Condition and Results Of Operations Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Item 4. Controls and Procedures Part II. Other Information Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 2. Unregistered Sales Of Equity Securities, Use Of Proceeds, and Issuer Purchases Of Equity Securities Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibits

3.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation of Investar Holding Corporation(1) 3.2 Amended and Restated By-laws of Investar Holding Corporation(2) 4.1 Specimen Common Stock Certificate(3) 4.2 Indenture, dated March 24, 2017, by and between Investar Holding Corporation and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee(4) 4.3 Supplemental Indenture, dated March 24, 2017, by and between Investar Holding Corporation and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee(5) 4.4 Form of 5.125% Fixed to Fluctuation Rate Subordinated Note due 2029(6) 4.5 Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 20, 2019, by and between Investar Holding Corporation and the purchasers set forth therein(7) 4.6 Indenture, dated April 6, 2022, by and among Investar Holding Corporation and UMB Bank, National Association, as trustee(8) 4.7 Form of 5.125% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Note due 2032(9) 4.8 Form of Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement, dated April 6, 2022, by and among Investar Holding Corporation and the several purchasers identified on the signature pages thereto(10) 4.9 Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 6, 2022, by and among Investar Holding Corporation and the several purchasers identified on the signature pages thereto(11) 31.1 Certification of the Principal Executive Officer, as required pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 31.2 Certification of the Principal Financial Officer, as required pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 32.1 Certification of the Principal Executive Officer, as required pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 32.2 Certification of the Principal Financial Officer, as required pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

ISTR 10-Q Quarter ended Sept. 30, 2023

Exhibits