Citizens Bank & Trust Co. and Lafourche...

Citizens Bank & Trust Co. and Lafourche National Bank, both of Thibodaux, La., have merged and begun operations as First Interstate Bank of Southern Louisiana. The merged bank is the first in the South to be franchised under an agreement with First Interstate Bancorp of Los Angeles. “This franchise is significant,” said Joseph J. Pinola, chairman and chief executive First Interstate, “because it represents our first step into the South. It’s part of our plan to offer nationwide financial services.”