Innovative banking: Business First Bank now has more than a dozen branches

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Business First Bank brings an innovative banking strategy based on both technology and a personalized touch to the Bayou Region.

The bank first opened up in 2006 in Baton Rouge when former Louisiana governor Charles “Buddy” Roemer had the idea community banks would be able to best foster small business growth. Since then, leadership has been passed down to Roemer’s nephew, Jude Melville, but the company has continued to expand across Louisiana. It now has 17 locations across the state, from Shreveport down to Houma and Lake Charles to New Orleans, with ample locations in between.


The Houma location, like most other Business First locations outside of Baton Rouge, is the only of its kind in the area. The Houma location opened up in 2009 as a loan production office to service Terrebonne, Lafourche and St. Mary parishes. Since then, it has grown into a seven member, full-service stop for clients.

One location servicing three parishes may seem scant, but that is by Business First’s design. Bayou Region Market President Gloria Navarro said by avoiding the brick-and-mortar branch setup, the bank can save construction and staff expenses. Navarro said today’s technology means most individuals can handle small transactions online, negating the necessity of the branch system.

“Nowadays it’s very few people that have to walk to a branch,” Navarro said. “You have your mobile deposit through your iPhone, you can do your deposits like that. So you don’t really need to go unless you need cash, and how many people like to carry cash anymore?”


That forward thinking has kept Business First not only solvent but also successful since its inception. According to Navarro, the overall company has been profitable every month of its existence. The company has continued to stay on a promising course, even in the Bayou Region dragged down by the slow economy. Navarro said her location has felt the pain as businesses have started to cut costs and fight for survival. She said her institution has worked with local clients to help them plan in these tough times and adjust monthly debt payments to stay afloat. Navarro said so far the bank has been lucky to not have bankrupting clients.

That kind of cooperation between bank and client is what Business First prides itself on. The intstitution promotes itself as a healthy medium between small banks and large financial institutions perfectly suited to company growth. The bank says it can better service businesses than small banks limited by resources and regulations while also providing a more intimate relationship with each client than a larger bank that has thousands if not millions of accounts to tend to. Navarro compared Business First to a corporate bank, saying Business First’s size means a client is not just a number and he or she is familiar with and get reach the banker they work with.

“You do not have the bureaucracy. You don’t have so many layers to go through. The market is a smaller market, so everybody fully knows and is fully informed of what each market is dealing with,” Navarro said.


While the Houma location’s team may only be seven members strong, they are well versed in the business banking world, according to Navarro. That experience is critical to Business First’s success. Navarro said having

“When you look at our base, we have a lot of well-seasoned bankers,” Navarro said. “When you are hired, you basically take off running, so your training curve is minimal and you start producing right away.”

Navarro said Business First’s goal is to promote real partnership between bank and business. The bank will not just throw out loans but work with each individual company and find the exact structure and business plan that works with them. She said she has watched businesses grow from the ground up into fully-formed entities, complete with children she knew growing into the second generation of owners of businesses. Navarro said that kind of long-term working with clients is part and parcel for Louisiana’s unique culture.


“This culture is very special,” Navarro said. “It’s driven by a lot of relationships that you nurture throughout the years. There’s a lot of nurturing and partnering with your clients, helping those businesses grow and evolve from level to the other until they’re mature companies.”

Business First BankKARL GOMMEL | THE TIMES