On October 17, Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based b1BANK announced that N. Jerome “Jerry” Vascocu Jr. will be the bank’s new president, reporting to Jude Melville, who will retain the title of chair and CEO. b1BANK currently operates 18 banking offices in Texas.

Vascocu, who joined b1BANK in 2022 as chief administrative officer, oversees the coordination of banking, operations, risk and credit functions for the bank. He has also led several functions for the bank, including correspondent banking, wealth management, human resources and marketing.

“With an extensive and varied 30-year career, Jerry’s proven leadership and broad-based banking experience is especially relevant to the challenges and opportunities we anticipate facing as we continue to grow our impact on behalf of clients across the regions in which we operate,” Melville says.

Before joining b1BANK and relocating to Baton Rouge, Vascocu led the development and implementation of client-focused strategies for commercial banking teams across the Southeast at First Horizon Bank. During his 17-year career at IberiaBank and First Horizon Bank, he also served as market president in multiple markets across Louisiana and Arkansas. Vascocu started his banking career immediately after earning his BA degree in economics from Vanderbilt University.

Vascocu remains focused on community development, economic development, education and health care, having served in board leadership roles across Louisiana—most recently for One Acadiana, Ochsner Lafayette General Hospital and Foundation, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette College of Business and Athletic Foundation.

Established in 2006, b1BANK operates more than 50 banking centers and loan production offices in markets across Louisiana and Texas.