Oak Valley Bancorp (OVLY) names Richard McCarty as next CEO as Courtney plans June 2026 retirement

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Oak Valley Bancorp announced a planned CEO transition. Christopher M. Courtney, CEO of the company and its wholly owned subsidiary Oak Valley Community Bank, will retire from his CEO roles effective June 30, 2026. He intends to continue serving on the Boards of Directors of both the company and the bank, which helps maintain continuity and access to his experience. The Boards have selected Richard A. McCarty, age 54, currently President and Chief Operating Officer of the company and the bank, to succeed Courtney as President and CEO on June 30, 2026. These changes are described in a press release dated January 26, 2026, filed as Exhibit 99.1.

Insights

Bank governance and executive succession analyst

Planned CEO retirement with named internal successor and board continuity.

Oak Valley Bancorp disclosed that long-time leader Christopher M. Courtney will retire as CEO of both the holding company and Oak Valley Community Bank effective June 30, 2026, but will remain on each Board of Directors. At the same time, the Boards named current President and Chief Operating Officer Richard A. McCarty, age 54, as the next President and CEO, effective on the same date.

This structure signals an orderly, pre-announced leadership transition rather than an abrupt departure. Naming an internal executive who already serves as President and COO suggests familiarity with the bank’s operations and strategy, while Courtney’s continued board roles preserve institutional knowledge. The filing does not provide additional financial or strategic details, so the main impact centers on management continuity and succession planning.

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Date of Report: January 26, 2026
(Date of earliest event reported)

Oak Valley Bancorp
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

CA (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	001-34142 (Commission File Number)	26-2326676 (IRS Employer Identification Number)
125 N. Third Ave. Oakdale, CA (Address of principal executive offices)	95361 (Zip Code)

(209) 848-2265
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock	OVLY	The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Emerging growth company   ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Section 5 — Corporate Governance and Management

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(b)            On January 26, 2026, Oak Valley Bancorp (the "Company") issued a press release announcing that Christopher M. Courtney, Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of the Company and of its wholly owned subsidiary Oak Valley Community Bank (the “Bank”), will retire as CEO effective as June 30, 2026.  Mr. Courtney plans to continue to serve the Company and the Bank as a member of their respective Boards of Directors (each, a "Board") after his retirement as Chief Executive Officer of each entity.

A copy of the press release announcing Mr. Courtney's retirement as CEO of each entity is filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto, which is incorporated herein by reference.

(c)            On January 26, 2026, the Company announced in the same press release that the Boards of the Company and the Bank have selected Richard A. McCarty to succeed Mr. Courtney as CEO of the Company and the Bank, respectively.  Mr. McCarty, age 54, currently the Company's and the Bank’s President and Chief Operating Officer, is expected to assume his new role as President and CEO on June 30, 2026.

A copy of the press release announcing Mr. McCarty’s selection to succeed Mr. Courtney as CEO of each entity is filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Section 9 – Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(a) Financial statements:
            None
(b) Pro forma financial information:
            None
(c) Shell company transactions:
            None
(d) Exhibits

	99.1	Press Release of Oak Valley Bancorp dated January 26, 2026
	104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: January 27, 2026
	OAK VALLEY BANCORP
	By:	/s/ Jeffrey A. Gall
	Jeffrey A. Gall
	Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
	and Corporate Secretary
	(Principal Financial Officer and duly authorized signatory)

Exhibit Index

ExhibitNo.	Description
99.1	Press Release of Oak Valley Bancorp dated January 26, 2026
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

FAQ

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

Christopher M. Courtney, CEO of Oak Valley Bancorp and Oak Valley Community Bank, will retire from his CEO roles effective June 30, 2026.

Will Christopher M. Courtney remain involved with Oak Valley Bancorp (OVLY) after retiring as CEO?

Yes. After retiring as CEO, Christopher M. Courtney plans to continue serving on the Boards of Directors of both Oak Valley Bancorp and Oak Valley Community Bank.

Who has been chosen to succeed Christopher M. Courtney as CEO of Oak Valley Bancorp (OVLY)?

The Boards have selected Richard A. McCarty, currently President and Chief Operating Officer of the company and the bank, to succeed Christopher M. Courtney as President and CEO.

When will Richard A. McCarty become President and CEO of Oak Valley Bancorp (OVLY)?

Richard A. McCarty is expected to assume his new role as President and CEO of Oak Valley Bancorp and Oak Valley Community Bank on June 30, 2026.

What exhibit in the Oak Valley Bancorp (OVLY) 8-K contains details on the CEO transition?

The CEO transition details are described in a press release filed as Exhibit 99.1, titled "Press Release of Oak Valley Bancorp dated January 26, 2026."

Does the Oak Valley Bancorp (OVLY) filing include financial statements related to the CEO change?

No. The filing states that there are no financial statements, no pro forma financial information, and no shell company transactions related to this event.