Oak Valley Community Bank Welcomes Pete Centeno as Vice President, Branch Manager of Ripon Branch

Rhea-AI Summary

Oak Valley Community Bank (NASDAQ: OVLY) appointed Pete Centeno as Vice President, Branch Manager of its Ripon branch effective Feb. 23, 2026. Centeno will oversee branch operations, cultivate client relationships, and drive growth at 150 North Wilma Avenue.

He brings over 20 years of banking experience and a bachelor’s in business administration from Fresno Pacific University, and will focus on personalized financial solutions for Ripon businesses and residents.

News Market Reaction – OVLY

-2.31%

-2.31% Session close to close

In the Feb 23 session, OVLY declined 2.31%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement adds another experienced leader to OVLY’s branch network, reinforcing its communit...

Analysis

This announcement adds another experienced leader to OVLY’s branch network, reinforcing its community banking model across 19 branches. It follows other recent leadership and branch manager updates, suggesting a continued focus on local market depth and relationship banking. Investors may watch how these staffing moves support loan and deposit growth, operational execution in markets like Ripon, and continuity alongside previously disclosed executive succession plans.

Key Figures

Banking experience: More than 20 years Branch count: 19 branches Ripon branch address: 150 North Wilma Avenue +1 more

4 metrics

Banking experience More than 20 years Experience of new Ripon Branch Vice President, Branch Manager

Branch count 19 branches Total branches operated across Central California and Eastern Sierra

Ripon branch address 150 North Wilma Avenue Location of Ripon Branch managed by Pete Centeno

Customer service phone 1-866-844-7500 General contact number provided for Oak Valley Community Bank

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 26 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Jan 26	CEO retirement plan	Neutral	+0.0%	Announced CEO retirement effective June 30, 2026 and named internal successor.
Jan 23	Earnings and dividend	Neutral	+0.0%	Reported Q4 and 2025 results with cash dividend declaration and asset growth detail.
Jan 13	Branch manager hire	Positive	+0.7%	Hired new VP, Branch Manager for Stockton location to support local growth.
Jan 12	Leadership promotions	Positive	+0.0%	Promoted executives to EVP Chief Marketing Officer and SVP CRA Officer roles.
Dec 08	Branch manager transition	Positive	-1.4%	Named new VP, Branch Manager for Tracy branch, succeeding a retiring manager.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Recent personnel and leadership announcements have generally seen small or no price reactions, with mixed alignment when branch manager hires were announced.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, OVLY has focused on leadership continuity and community banking depth. A CEO retirement and succession plan was announced on Jan 26, 2026, alongside Q4 and full-year 2025 results and a cash dividend on Jan 23, 2026. Multiple leadership and branch manager appointments across Stockton, Tracy, and other locations highlight ongoing investment in local markets. Today’s Ripon branch manager hire fits this pattern of incremental organizational updates rather than a major strategic shift.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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OAKDALE, Calif., Feb. 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oak Valley Community Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oak Valley Bancorp (NASDAQ: OVLY), proudly announces the hiring of Pete Centeno as Vice President, Branch Manager of its Ripon Branch, located at 150 North Wilma Avenue. In this role, Centeno will oversee branch operations, cultivate client relationships, and drive continued growth in the Ripon market. He will work closely with local businesses and residents to deliver personalized financial solutions and reinforce the Bank’s commitment to exceptional community banking.

Centeno brings more than 20 years of banking experience to his new role. Most recently, he served as Vice President, Branch Manager at a large national financial institution, where he successfully led a high-performing team and consistently achieved operational excellence and sales growth. A long-time Central Valley resident, Centeno earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in Human Resources from Fresno Pacific University. Outside of the office, Centeno enjoys exploring culinary creativity through developing fusion-inspired recipes and has a strong interest in technology and innovation.

“Pete brings a strong record of leadership along with a fresh perspective and forward-thinking energy that will further strengthen our Ripon Branch,” said Julie DeHart, Executive Vice President, Retail Banking Group. “His commitment to relationship banking and focus on developing strong teams align perfectly with Oak Valley Community Bank’s values. We look forward to the positive impact he will make for our clients and the Ripon community.”

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 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), (866) 844-7500
	www.ovcb.com

FAQ

Who is Pete Centeno and what role did Oak Valley Community Bank (OVLY) assign him on Feb. 23, 2026?

Pete Centeno was hired as Vice President, Branch Manager of the Ripon branch at Oak Valley Community Bank. According to Oak Valley Community Bank, he brings over 20 years of banking experience and will oversee operations and client relationships at 150 North Wilma Avenue.

What responsibilities will Pete Centeno have as Ripon Branch Manager for OVLY?

Centeno will oversee branch operations, cultivate client relationships, and drive local growth. According to Oak Valley Community Bank, he will work with local businesses and residents to deliver personalized loan and deposit solutions and reinforce community banking services.

What is Pete Centeno’s professional background before joining Oak Valley Community Bank (OVLY)?

Centeno most recently served as Vice President, Branch Manager at a large national financial institution. According to Oak Valley Community Bank, he led high-performing teams and consistently achieved operational excellence and sales growth.

Where is the OVLY Ripon branch located and how many branches does Oak Valley Bancorp operate?

The Ripon branch is at 150 North Wilma Avenue; Oak Valley Bancorp operates 19 branches across its network. According to Oak Valley Community Bank, branches span Central Valley cities and three Eastern Sierra locations including Mammoth Lakes and Bishop.

How does Oak Valley Community Bank describe Pete Centeno’s fit with the Ripon community and bank values?

Oak Valley Community Bank says Centeno brings leadership, forward-thinking energy, and commitment to relationship banking. According to Oak Valley Community Bank, his focus on team development and client service aligns with the bank’s community-first values and local market strategy.