For Bank of St. Francisville, the ten years from 2016 to 2025 have brought unprecedented growth, both within the Felicianas and beyond. During that decade, the bank, which was chartered in St. Francisville in 1978, grew more than threefold, and today holds close to $400 million in total assets. In the past three years, two thirds of that growth has been driven by expansion in BSF’s retail and commercial business in the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Area. To help guide that growth, the bank’s leadership established the Baton Rouge Advisory Board in 2023.
A Strategic Bridge Between Leadership and Community
For a community bank, an advisory board serves as a strategic bridge between the bank’s leadership and the community it serves. Unlike the more formal Board of Directors, the advisory board doesn’t have a “fiduciary duty,” but their influence is vital for growth and local relevance. Board members help identify area economic trends, report on how the bank’s products and services are meeting local needs, and provide philanthropic advice that helps leadership decide which local non-profit organizations and events will have the most impact if supported.
As Bank of St. Francisville’s footprint in the Capital Region continues to expand, meet the business owners, non-profit leaders, and executives who contribute their time, experience, and community insight to the Baton Rouge Advisory Board, ensuring that the bank understands the interests of the customers and communities it serves, without ever losing sight of the values it was founded on.
Jeremy Aydell
CPA. Entrepreneur. Multi-Unit Franchisee, Sport Clips
Years on the Board: 2
Why do you choose to serve?
JA: I believe strong local financial institutions are essential to a thriving community. My role on the Advisory Board gives me the opportunity to contribute to shaping the bank’s decisions to reflect and support the needs of the people and businesses it serves.
What aspects of your business experience and community involvement do you bring to bear on your role as a board member?
JA: I find that my experience as a business owner, my background in financial decision-making, and active involvement in local community initiatives, all help me provide practical, community-focused insight to the board.
Katie Minor-Bliss
Co-Founder & Partner, Fertility & Family LLC
Vice President & Executive Director of Louisiana Fertility Alliance
Former Director of Hogs for the Cause Baton Rouge
Years on the Board - 3
Why do you choose to serve?
KMB: Bank of St. Francisville distinguishes itself by treating its clients as valued relationships, consistently advocating on their behalf and providing guidance that goes well beyond the scope of a traditional commercial institution. For these reasons, I am eager for my friends and family to benefit from the same level of personalized service and trusted partnership.”
What aspects of your skillsets/business experience/interests/community involvement do you bring to bear on your role as a board member?
KMB: With my background spanning legal, real estate, marketing, and fundraising, I bring a multifaceted skill set that allows me to effectively support the bank in a variety of capacities as needs arise.
Patricia LeMoine
Director of Donor Relations, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
Years on the Board: 3
What aspects of your skillsets/business experience/interests/community involvement do you bring to bear on your role as a board member?
PL: I bring both a personal commitment and a professional perspective to my role on the board. Having grown up around the bank and now serving in a leadership capacity, I feel a strong responsibility to honor its legacy while helping position it for the future. My professional experience in fundraising has centered on building trust and engaging stakeholders—skills that directly support the bank’s focus on growth, stability, and community impact.
What is the most important role BSF plays in the wellbeing of the communities it serves?
PL: BSF’s most important role is serving as a trusted partner to its clients. At its core, the bank helps individuals, families, and businesses not only manage their finances, but grow and thrive over time. That kind of trust and consistency has a lasting impact on the overall health of a community.
Hank Saurage
Partner/Managing Broker, Saurage Rotenberg Commercial Real Estate
Years on the Board: 1
What aspects of your business experience and community involvement do you bring to bear on your role as a board member?
HS: As a businessowner, real estate expert, philanthropist, and bank customer I would like to believe my experience and knowledge and experience contributes to the dialog around the table in a meaningful, productive way.
Why do you choose to serve?
HS: I feel strongly that BSF has a long runway to grow in [the Baton Rouge] market. A strong, diverse advisory board brings unbiased perspective and real-world knowledge to assist leadership to make better real-world decisions.
Mawi Takyi
Founder, Managing Partner, Asempa Wealth Advisors
Years on the Board: 3
Why do you feel that the advisory board role is important?
MT: Community banks play a critical role in supporting the small business ecosystem in America. Bank of St. Francisville has long been an important part of the St. Francisville community, and as it continues to expand into Baton Rouge, it has been rewarding to be part of that growth and to contribute in a meaningful way.
What aspects of your business experience, interests, and community involvement prepare you for your role as a board member?
MT: As the owner of a wealth management firm and someone actively involved in community organizations for over two decades, I have a strong understanding of how small business owners think and operate. I’m able to bring that perspective to the table and provide practical insight to the broader team as they continue to grow and serve their clients.
To meet all the members of the Baton Rouge Advisory Board, click HERE
