Red River Bank Celebrates 20th Anniversary

A lot of things have changed since January 1999. TV screens became flatter, cell phones became ever-present, and Red River Bank grew from a single location on Alexandria’s Centre Court to a statewide presence with more than 300 team members in eight parishes. And on January 14, 2019 they celebrated 20 years as a true community bank.
The last two decades’ changes in technology have largely changed the face of banking, but Red River Bank president and CEO Blake Chatelain says people are often surprised most by what the bank has managed not to change in 20 years.
“No matter how many great new technologies we add,” Chatelain said, “people will always be our focus. You’ll always be able to walk into Red River Bank and see familiar faces—people who know you and your community.”
Community, Chatelain says, is what that team of more than 300 is celebrating. Looking back at this 20th anniversary of the bank’s founding, the bank’s president and CEO sees a growing tradition of community involvement, from team members’ voluntarism in civic groups and relief efforts to free financial education through Red River Bank “University.”
Chatelain says the widespread use of the Internet over the last 20 years has helped multiply the impact of the bank’s outreach. “Our free seminars are more popular than ever,” he says, “and we’re able to reach even more people with our on-line tools.”
Red River Bank’s expanding sense of community—across the state and across digital platforms—points back to the ideals the bank was founded on, Chatelain says. “Our tag line says we’re the bank ‘Made in Louisiana’ and ‘Made for Louisiana,’ and that’s more than a slogan. It’s the reason we’re here.”
Interviewed about the anniversary, Red River Bank branch manager in Central Natalie Barber, said, “Red River Bank has been a part of the Central community for almost six years. The bank here operates on the same philosophy as branches throughout the state — which is putting people first and exceeding expectations every day. Decisions are made locally and the service is personalized for the customers’ specific needs.”
Five Red River Bank branches are in the greater Baton Rouge area.