Oak Valley Bancorp and Oak Valley Community Bank Chief Executive Officer to Retire

Rhea-AI Summary

Oak Valley Bancorp (NASDAQ: OVLY) announced that Chief Executive Officer Christopher M. Courtney will retire effective June 30, 2026. Courtney joined the bank in 1996, became CEO in 2013, and will remain on the Boards of Directors to provide guidance. The Boards confirmed Richard A. McCarty, current President and Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Courtney as President and CEO upon retirement. McCarty has worked at the bank for over 26 years and has held CFO and COO roles. Oak Valley operates 19 branches and manages more than $2 billion in assets.

Positive

• Internal succession: Richard A. McCarty named incoming CEO
• Continuity: Courtney to remain on the Boards after retirement
• Proven leadership: McCarty has over 26 years with the bank
• Scale: Bank grown from $45M to over $2B in assets under Courtney

Negative

• CEO retirement effective June 30, 2026 creates near-term leadership transition
• Founder-era leadership change after long tenure may prompt short-term uncertainty

Key Figures

Initial assets: $45 million Current assets: more than $2 billion Branch count initial: 2 branches +5 more

8 metrics

Initial assets $45 million Bank assets as a two-branch de novo institution at start of Courtney’s tenure

Current assets more than $2 billion Bank assets after expansion to a nineteen-branch community bank

Branch count initial 2 branches De novo institution size when Courtney joined leadership

Branch count current 19 branches Current Oak Valley and Eastern Sierra Community Bank branch network

Courtney tenure at bank since 1996 Year Christopher M. Courtney joined Oak Valley Community Bank

CEO tenure since 2013 Year Courtney became Chief Executive Officer

Retirement date June 30, 2026 Effective date of Courtney’s retirement as CEO

McCarty tenure over 26 years Time Richard A. McCarty has been with the bank

Market Reality Check

Price: $32.13 Vol: Volume 13,936 is at 1.13x...

normal vol

$32.13 Last Close

Volume Volume 13,936 is at 1.13x the 20-day average of 12,291, indicating modestly elevated trading ahead of the leadership change. normal

Technical Price at $32.13 is trading above the 200-day MA of $27.57 and sits 2.25% below the 52-week high of $32.87.

Peers on Argus

OVLY was down 1.29% with several regional bank peers also lower, including FUNC ...

OVLY was down 1.29% with several regional bank peers also lower, including FUNC (-6.99%) and CHMG (-2.07%). Scanner data did not flag a confirmed sector-wide momentum move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 13 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 13	Branch leadership hire	Positive	+0.7%	New VP Branch Manager with 21 years experience for Stockton branch.
Jan 12	Leadership promotions	Positive	+0.0%	Internal promotions for marketing and CRA leadership across the bank.
Dec 08	Branch manager hire	Positive	-1.4%	Experienced new Tracy branch manager succeeding a long-time leader.
Nov 04	Community grant award	Positive	+2.9%	Approval of a $150,000 AHEAD grant supporting youth workforce programs.
Oct 22	Quarterly results	Neutral	+1.3%	Q3 2025 earnings with higher net interest income and zero nonperformers.

Pattern Detected

Recent operational and community news has generally seen modestly positive or mixed price reactions, with one divergence on branch leadership hiring.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, OVLY has reported several operational milestones and financial updates. On Oct 22, 2025, Q3 2025 results showed solid net income and a 4.16% net interest margin, with nonperforming assets at 0.00%. Subsequent news focused on community grants, new branch managers, and leadership promotions across its 19-branch network. Today’s CEO retirement and planned succession fits into an ongoing narrative of managed leadership evolution and organizational continuity rather than a strategic shift.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement outlines a planned CEO retirement effective June 30, 2026 and a clear succession p...

Analysis

This announcement outlines a planned CEO retirement effective June 30, 2026 and a clear succession plan elevating the current President and COO, who has over 26 years at the bank. It underscores long-term growth from $45 million in assets and 2 branches to more than $2 billion and 19 branches. Investors may watch upcoming filings and earnings for evidence that credit quality, branch performance, and leadership continuity remain consistent during the transition.

Key Terms

de novo

1 terms

de novo financial

"expansion from a two branch de novo institution with $45 million in assets"

De novo means “starting from scratch” — creating something new rather than buying, copying, or modifying an existing asset. For investors it signals a fresh venture or a first-time regulatory pathway where there is no operating history or precedent, which can mean higher upside if it succeeds but greater risk and uncertainty because outcomes, costs and approvals are less predictable; think of it as backing a new recipe instead of a well-known restaurant.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

OAKDALE, Calif., Jan. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oak Valley Bancorp (NASDAQ: OVLY), the bank holding company for Oak Valley Community Bank and Eastern Sierra Community Bank, announced that Christopher M. Courtney has notified the Boards of his intention to retire as Chief Executive Officer of both entities on June 30, 2026.

Courtney joined Oak Valley Community Bank in 1996 and served in several executive leadership roles, including EVP Chief Operating Officer and EVP Chief Credit Officer. He became President in 2004 and Chief Executive Officer in 2013. He will continue to serve on the Boards of Directors, providing guidance to support Oak Valley’s continued success.

During his tenure, Courtney helped lead the Bank’s expansion from a two branch de novo institution with $45 million in assets to a full service, nineteen branch community bank with more than $2 billion in assets. He played a key role in establishing strong standards for credit quality, service, community engagement, employee support, and long-term sustainability.

Board Chair, Daniel J. Leonard, recognized Courtney’s longstanding leadership, noting his commitment to exceptional client service, employee development, and community investment. He emphasized that his thoughtful approach to growth has strengthened the Bank and positioned it for continued long term success. Leonard also highlighted the strength of the executive team Courtney has built, ensuring a smooth leadership transition.

In conjunction with the announcement, the Boards confirmed that Richard A. McCarty, current President and Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer upon Courtney’s retirement. McCarty has been with the Bank for over 26 years and has held key leadership roles including Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, and Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He has served on the Boards of Directors since 2024.

Oak Valley Bancorp operates Oak Valley Community Bank & their Eastern Sierra Community Bank division, through which it offers a variety of loan and deposit products to individuals and small- to medium-sized businesses. They currently operate through 19 conveniently located branches: Oakdale, Turlock, Stockton, Patterson, Ripon, Escalon, Manteca, Tracy, Sacramento, Roseville, Lodi, two branches in Sonora, three branches in Modesto, and three branches in the Eastern Sierra division which includes Bridgeport, Mammoth Lakes, and Bishop.

For more information, call 1-866-844-7500 or visit www.ovcb.com.

Contact:	Chris Courtney/Rick McCarty
Phone:	(209) 848-BANK (2265) Toll Free (866) 844-7500 www.ovcb.com

FAQ

When will Oak Valley Bancorp (OVLY) CEO Christopher Courtney retire?

Christopher M. Courtney will retire effective June 30, 2026.

Who will become CEO of Oak Valley Bancorp (OVLY) after Courtney retires?

Richard A. McCarty, current President and Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role of President and CEO upon retirement.

What experience does incoming CEO Richard McCarty have at Oak Valley (OVLY)?

McCarty has been with the bank for over 26 years and has served as CFO, Chief Administrative Officer, and COO.

Will Christopher Courtney remain involved with Oak Valley Bancorp (OVLY) after retirement?

Yes. Courtney will continue to serve on the Boards of Directors to provide guidance.

How large is Oak Valley Bancorp (OVLY) in branches and assets?

Oak Valley operates 19 branches and has grown to manage more than $2 billion in assets.