Bank of St. Francisville board of directors is pleased to announce the April 20, 2017 election of Carter Leak IV as the bank’s new President. Leak had served as Executive Vice President since 2014, and now assumes the role played by his father Carter Leak III, who will remain Chairman and CEO. Leak III co-founded the bank in 1978, leading it to become an anchor institution in West Feliciana Parish.
“Over the last 38 years, Bank of St. Francisville has worked hand-in-hand with individuals, families and business owners to help them achieve their goals and fulfill their dreams,” says Leak IV. “I look forward to continuing this tradition. It’s an incredible honor to lead.”
Across the United States, banking has been defined by widespread consolidation, resulting in markets dominated by national financial institutions whose decision-making power is located elsewhere. In contrast, Bank of St. Francisville’s directors and staff are deeply rooted in the community and are closely in touch with the needs of the local market. Situated in the heart of the community, Bank of St. Francisville offers a full complement of services, including personal and business banking, a full suite of mobile and electronic banking products offering 24-hour fraud protection; competitive loans, and other services, while taking great pride in cultivating personal relationships with each of its customers.
“Since we first opened doors in 1978, we have helped our customers achieve their goals and we’ve helped to shape the area into an enviable place to live, work and visit,” says Leak III. “We couldn’t be more excited about how the future looks for the bank, St. Francisville and West Feliciana Parish.”
An LSU alumnus, bank founder Carter Leak III began his banking career in 1970, founding Bank of St. Francisville with current Vice Chairman Conville Lemoine in 1978 after recognizing a void in the local market. Over the ensuing decades, Leak, Lemoine and their team built an institution devoted to customers and steeped in service. From humble beginnings as a fledgling startup operating out of a trailer, the bank has evolved into a key institution holding almost two-thirds of local market share. Throughout its history, Bank of St. Francisville has put the needs of its customers first, aligning its growth with that of the community it serves. A strong believer in giving back, Leak volunteered his time to advance numerous projects over the course of his career. In 1996, he founded Feliciana Vision, a community-wide strategic planning initiative. He was a founder of the West Feliciana Community Development Foundation, a co-founder and charter member of both the West Feliciana Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of St. Francisville and a 22-year member of the West Feliciana Planning and Zoning Commission. In 2000, Leak was selected as Volunteer Economic Developer of the Year by the Southern Economic Development Commission.
Leak’s son, Carter Leak IV, shares his father’s commitment to service and stewardship. In 2014, he was pleased to return to St. Francisville to serve as the bank’s Executive Vice President after working for six years as Vice President and Controller with CB&I’s Engineering, Construction and Maintenance segment in Charlotte, North Carolina. Prior to his stint in Charlotte, Leak worked in several other areas within the Baton Rouge location of CB&I (then The Shaw Group, Inc.). A St. Francisville native, Leak earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting from LSU in 1997 and began his career as a CPA in KPMG LLC’s financial audit practice in Baton Rouge. There, he worked with companies and businesses from a wide swath of sectors. The married father of four is an active volunteer, has worked with various organizations that promote youth mentoring including Big Buddy, Young Life, and Rotary International; and coaches several local sports teams.
“Being able to come back to my hometown to live and work was very significant for me,” Leak IV says. “It means my wife and I can raise our children around extended family, and it means I can take part in work I find incredibly meaningful. A bank is vital to a community, but a strong, local bank like ours can truly affect change. We take that very seriously.”
Leak’s vision is for Bank of St. Francisville to continue to be an engine for individual prosperity and community progress.
“My goal is for us to help our community flourish in all ways -- economic, social, and spiritual,” says Leak. “I look forward to us doing everything in our power to make that happen.”
• MEET THE MAN: On Thursday, May 18, Bank of St. Francisville will host a reception and meet-and-greet to introduce Carter's new role as bank president, from 5:30 pm-7:30 pm at its Commerce Street headquarters. All are welcome to attend.
Bank of St. Francisville (BSF) is a member, FDIC, and an Equal Housing Lender. The bank was founded in 1978 and is located in the heart of St. Francisville at 5700 Commerce Street. For more information, please visit www.bsf.net
or call (225) 635-6397.
