Ohio Valley Banc Corp. Profit Dips as Credit Loss Provisions Rise

CEO Larry Miller attributed the earnings pressure to rising credit loss provisions, which totaled $3.75 million for the quarter. This spike in reserves stems primarily from two collateral-dependent commercial loans—one involving an automobile dealership and the other a hotel construction project. Miller emphasized that the risk is isolated to these specific relationships rather than a systemic weakness in the bank's broader portfolio.

Despite the bottom-line contraction, the company achieved growth in its core operations. Net interest income rose by $863,000 for the quarter, bolstered by an expansion in average earning assets, particularly within the commercial loan segment. However, this growth came at a cost: higher interest rates on promotional certificates of deposit and money market accounts outpaced the yields on assets, compressing the net interest margin to 3.93%. With total assets reaching $1.66 billion, the bank continues to navigate a shifting funding landscape while maintaining what management describes as a strong balance sheet.