Oak Valley Bancorp Reports 2nd Quarter Results & Announces Cash Dividend.

OAKDALE, Ca: Oak Valley Bancorp (NASDAQ: OVLY) (the "Company"), the bank holding company for Oak Valley Community Bank and their Eastern Sierra Community Bank division, recently reported unaudited consolidated financial results. For the three months ended June 30, 2023, consolidated net income was $8,404,000, or $1.02 per diluted share (EPS), as compared to $9,225,000, or $1.12 EPS, for the prior quarter and $4,258,000, or $0.52 EPS, for the same period a year ago. Consolidated net income for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $17,629,000, or $2.14 EPS, compared to $6,627,000 or $0.81 EPS for the same period of 2022.

The decrease in second quarter net income compared to the prior quarter was due primarily to a $460,000 reversal of loan loss provision in the first quarter of 2023 and an increase in non-interest expense during the second quarter. The QTD and YTD increases compared to the same periods of 2022 were related to net interest income increases resulting from increased yields on earning assets, triggered by FOMC rate hikes, combined with growth of our investment and loan portfolios.

Net interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was $19,407,000, compared to $19,543,000 in the prior quarter, and $13,233,000 in the same period a year ago. Interest expense on deposit accounts increased during the quarter, and our average cost of funds rate increased to 0.16% from 0.10% in the prior quarter and 0.05% in the same quarter of the prior year. Overall, the rate increases that began in 2022 have had a positive impact on net interest income and resulted in an increase over the 2022 comparable period. In addition to rising yields, the Company recognized $42.9 million and $18.2 million in loan and investment portfolio growth, respectively, during the prior twelve months.

Net interest margin for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was 4.45%, compared to 4.39% for the prior quarter and 2.98% for the same period last year. The interest margin expansion compared to prior periods was fueled by the impact of FOMC rate increases on earning asset yields and growth of the loan and investment portfolios, as discussed above.

"We have strategically capitalized on the opportunity to increase yield through investments and loans during this most recent rate cycle, which has undeniably fueled margin expansion and profitability," stated Rick McCarty, President and Chief Operating Officer.

Non-interest income was $1,655,000 for the quarter ended...