Oak Valley Community Bank Supports FDIC's Partners in Education Program

OAKDALE, CA--(Marketwire - Jun 3, 2011) - Oak Valley Community Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oak Valley Bancorp (NASDAQ: OVLY), partnered with Mark Twain Junior High School to provide students with a comprehensive financial education which teaches basic knowledge and skill sets needed to manage money wisely. The program stresses the importance of saving and developing good financial habits early in life. This is the third consecutive year the Bank has taught Money Smart at Mark Twain Junior High.

The financial education program is based on the FDIC's Money Smart curriculum and is enhanced with hands-on, real life examples and games to make learning more engaging. Concepts include preparing a budget, developing savings strategies, managing a checking account, building and maintaining a good credit rating, shopping for a loan, and the benefits of a positive banking relationship.

Oak Valley Community Bank staff paired-up and taught Money Smart for three days, six periods per day to about 440 students during the week of May 10, in the school gymnasium. Staff trainers included: Laura Weaver, Kim Hernandez, Lorena Juarez, Cindy Salaun, Missy Belcher, Janis Powers, Kristine Griesheimer, Katie Sciabica and Nick Jones.

"We recognize that financial literacy is an essential life skill, and the Money Smart program is a great tool in helping people, from youth to adults, become more financially accountable and self-sufficient," said Janis Powers, SVP Risk Manager, of Oak Valley Community Bank. "Select bank staff spent three days teaching students at Mark Twain Junior High how to manage their personal finances, including the benefits and consequences of financial decisions they make now and into the future."

Oak Valley Bancorp operates Oak Valley Community Bank and Eastern Sierra Community Bank, through which it offers a variety of loan and deposit products to individuals and small businesses. They currently operate through 12 conveniently located branches: Oakdale, Sonora, Turlock, Stockton, Patterson, Ripon, Escalon, two branches in Modesto, and three branches in their Eastern Sierra Division, which includes Bridgeport, Mammoth Lakes, and Bishop.

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