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Fifty years ago, Gulf Coast Bank opened its doors for the first time in Abbeville, LA, where the Main Office still stands today.
When the Bank’s doors first opened in 1971, banking was very different. There were no computers, and all processes were manual.
The original building was a small trailer and the bank had only four employees: Lorraine LeBlanc, Richard Dubois, Ruby Bertrand, and the founder of Gulf Coast Bank, Charles A. Patout.
Charles Patout recognized the underserved market in Vermilion Parish and made it his mission to open a new bank.
Charles’ son, Paul Patout, current Gulf Coast Bank President & CEO, joined the Gulf Coast Bank team in 1980, and another of his sons, Pat Patout, current Gulf Coast Bank Chairman of the Board, joined in 1982.
“Our father had so much passion for the Bank and all the communities we get to serve. He understood we had to earn customers’ business. They have to choose us,” Paul and Pat said of Charles A. Patout.
Charles and the growing staff at Gulf Coast Bank worked to solidify customer service at the core of the company and to build a quality reputation. He passed away in 1999 leaving a legacy of hard work and service behind him.
Banking has changed over the years and new technology was implemented, including the Bank’s first computer, first ATM, first online banking service, along with many other milestones. Today Gulf Coast Bank remains committed to ensuring they have the technology that customers need.
From their humble beginnings in Abbeville, Gulf Coast Bank now has 100+ employees and locations serving Abbeville, Erath, Delcambre, Maurice, Lafayette, Youngsville, Carencro, and surrounding areas.
Although the Bank has grown, the culture remains the same. There is still a small-town, warm feeling at Gulf Coast Bank when you walk through the doors at any branch, and teamwork is still highly valued. Paul Patout encourages everyone on the Gulf Coast Bank team to care about their fellow team members, customers, and community.
While banking is changing faster than ever, one thing that will never change at Gulf Coast Bank is their commitment to the community. Gulf Coast Bank employees still have the same priorities today: to provide outstanding customer service and maintain active involvement in the communities they get to serve, and that passion comes directly from the enthusiasm on which the company was founded over 50 years ago.
Gulf Coast Bank is a locally owned and operated full-service financial institution with nine locations in Vermilion and Lafayette parishes. The company prides itself in giving back to the community and helping customers achieve their personal and business financial goals.

ACADIA PARISH — The following drug-related arrests were recently logged by the Acadia parish Sheriff’s Narcotics Division.
• Angelle Adams, 26, Sulphur: distribution of sublinguals; possession of cocaine, possession of ecstasy; possession of marijuana.
• Dakota Broussard, 28, Rayne: possession of methamphetamine; misdemeanor possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of Legend drug.
• Terry Easterling, 57, Rayne: distribution of methamphetamine; possession of methamphetamine; two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a drug-free zone.
• Asa Francois, 20, Duson: possession of heroin; possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Erica Freeman, 37, Rayne: possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; distribution of methamphetamine; possession of methamphetamine; possession of heroin; possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a drug-free zone.
• Brian Greene, 32, Crowley: possession of methamphetamine.
• John Guidry Jr., 40, Branch: distribution of methamphetamine; possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a drug-free zone.
• Matthew Guidry, 33, Mermentau: possession of methamphetamine.
• Tristy Hargrave, 41, Breaux Bridge: possession of methamphetamine.
• Nicole Lacroix, 40, Rayne: possession of methamphetamine; violation of a drug-free zone; possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Chandler Moore, 27, Crowley: distribution of crack cocaine.• Aaron Reed, 36, Jennings: possession of methamphetamine; possession of buprenophine; possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Kiara Moore, 30, Crowley: possession of cocaine; possession of ecstasy; possession of marijuana.
• Jacobie Mouton, 29, Church Point: possession of ecstasy; misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
• Aaron Reed, 36, Jennings: possession of methamphetamine; possession of buprenophine; possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Seth Simar, 31, Evangeline: possession of suboxone.
• Alan Smith, 47, Kaplan: possession of methamphetamine.
• Angel Strysik, 21, Iota: possession with intent to distribute marijuana; possession of LSD; possession of adderall; possession of oxycodone; possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Holly Trahan, 26, Abbeville: distribution of methamphetamine.

Bank of Erath is pleased to announce that Cheney D. Desormeaux has been appointed as Executive Vice President, effective January 1, 2021. The announcement was made by Paul G. Moresi, Jr., the bank’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board.
Cheney graduated from Erath High School in 1984 and attended Gulf Area Vocational Technical School in Abbeville, where she completed a course in Information Processing in 1987.
Cheney has been Vice President/Cashier for the bank for the past 20 years and has 28 years of banking experience with Bank of Erath.
The Bank of Erath has been in continuous operation in Vermilion Parish for 110 years and is locally owned and operated as a full service community bank with branches in Abbeville, Erath, and Delcambre.

ERATH — A Celebration of Life Gathering for Jason Paul Nunez, 67, will be Wednesday, February 3, 2021 from 10:00AM until 12:00PM. Services will be held at 11:00AM in David Funeral Home of Erath with Rev. Chris Fuselier officiating .
Jason, a native and life resident of Erath passed away Saturday, January 30, 2021 in his residence surrounded by his family. He was an avid bird watcher especially Purple Martins. He enjoyed tracking their migration and building their bird houses. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and all outdoor activities. He was a member of BCA and APA pool leagues for many years.
He is survived by his mother, Marjerine Nunez of Erath, two sons, Mitchell Nunez and wife Tammy of Delcambre, Kirk Nunez and fiancée Leslie Picard of New Iberia, brothers, Scotty Nunez and wife Harriet of Erath, Carson Nunez and wife Fran of Erath, sisters, Vickie Nunez of New Iberia, Lanette LeBlanc and husband Robert of Delcambre, grandchildren, Damon, Noel, Tyler, Mason, Layla, Gracie and Ava.
He was preceded in death by his father, R.J. “Slim” Nunez and a brother, Earlon Nunez.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.davidfuneralhome.org
“In order to help keep the community safe we will honor the July 13, 2020 Louisiana Mandates.  All families and their guests are required to wear a face covering while at the funeral home. Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented time.” 
David Funeral Home of Erath is in charge of arrangements. 209 E. Putnam St. Erath, LA 70533 (337) 937-0405.