Gibsland, Louisiana, October 1, 2026 – Gibsland Bancshares, Inc. (“Gibsland Bancshares”) and its wholly-owned banking subsidiary Gibsland Bank & Trust Company (“Gibsland Bank”) today announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Northern Louisiana-based Marion State Bank, effective October 1, 2026.
The merger combines two historic financial institutions with complementary customer bases and loan and deposit portfolios. The combination of the two institutions will result in enhanced scale and market penetration throughout the bank’s markets, which include the Louisiana parishes of Bienville, Claiborne, Webster, Bossier, Caddo, Lincoln, Union, and Ouachita. As a result of the merger, the combined bank has approximately $859 million in total assets, approximately $617 million in total loans, and approximately $685 million in total deposits, making it one of the premier community banking franchises in the Northern Louisiana region.
“We are excited to announce our partnership with Marion State Bank and look forward to bringing together two deeply rooted Louisiana community banking franchises. Marion State Bank has built an outstanding reputation over more than a century of service to its customers and communities, and its presence in Union and Ouachita parishes is a natural complement to our franchise across northern Louisiana,” reported Thomas L. Martin, Chairman and CEO of Gibsland Bancshares and of Gibsland Bank.
“Together, we believe our combined organization will be well positioned to deliver relationship-focused banking services while continuing to invest in and support the communities we are proud to serve,” explained W. Michael Hipp, President of Gibsland Bank.
In connection with the completion of the acquisition, Scott Jones, formerly the CEO of Marion State Bank, has joined the Boards of Directors of Gibsland Bancshares and Gibsland Bank.
Customers of Marion State Bank will continue to be served through their existing branch, website, and digital banking platforms until all core systems are converted to a single platform, which is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2027. Customers will receive detailed conversion information in advance of any changes.
About Gibsland Bancshares, Inc.
Gibsland Bancshares, Inc. is the bank holding company for Gibsland Bank & Trust Company, a community development financial institution headquartered in Gibsland, Louisiana. Gibsland Bank & Trust Company operates 13 branches across Northern Louisiana and is focused on serving underserved and rural markets by providing financial services and broader economic support within the communities it serves.