First Business Financial Services (FBIZ) Q1 2025 Earnings Call April 25, 2025 02:00 PM ET Company Participants Corey Chambas - CEODavid Seiler - President & COOBrian Spielmann - CFODaniel Tamayo - Vice PresidentJames E. Hartlieb - President & CEO - First Business BankBradley A. Quade - EVP & Chief Credit OfficerDamon Delmonte - Managing DirectorBrian Martin - Director - Banks & Thrifts Conference Call Participants Jeffrey Rulis - MD & Senior Research AnalystNathan Race - Managing Director & Senior Research ...

Core Viewpoint - Zacks Investment Research has initiated coverage of Ohio Valley Banc Corp. (OVBC) with an "Outperform" recommendation, highlighting strong core earnings momentum and disciplined cost actions [1] Company Overview - Ohio Valley Banc, based in Gallipolis, OH, is a financial holding company providing commercial and consumer banking services, personal and commercial loans, construction and real estate loans, safe deposit boxes, and trust services [2] - The company operates through its main banking subsidiary, The Ohio Valley Bank Company, offering a wide range of community banking services in southeastern Ohio and western West Virginia [2] Financial Performance - In 2024, OVBC achieved solid loan growth, resulting in a $2.8 million increase in net interest income, totaling $48.8 million [3] - The company experienced a $148 million rise in deposits, primarily due to participation in state-subsidized homebuyer savings programs [3] - A strategic capital deployment into securities led to a $105 million increase in 2024, with interest and dividend income from securities rising over 50% year over year [4] - Non-interest income increased by 4.3% in 2024, contributing to earnings stability amid an uncertain rate environment [4] Strategic Initiatives - Ohio Valley Banc is focused on streamlining expenses, which is expected to improve the efficiency ratio over time [4] - The stock has significantly outperformed industry peers and the broader market over the past year, indicating a compelling entry point for long-term investors [6] - The company's modest market capitalization of $136.9 million suggests potential for growth in a promising but risky market segment [7]