River Valley Community Bank Awards $50,000 Grant to Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation for BRIDGE Rural Business Resilience Initiative

YUBA CITY, Calif., Oct. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- River Valley Community Bank, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco), has awarded a $50,000 AHEAD Program grant to Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation (YSEDC) to support its BRIDGE Rural Business Resilience Initiative. The regional initiative is designed to strengthen small businesses, expand access to capital, and increase economic opportunities throughout the Yuba-Sutter region.

BRIDGE (Building Resilience, Innovation, and Development for Growing Enterprises) will provide local entrepreneurs and small businesses with coordinated support including business advising, entrepreneurial coaching, financial and business planning assistance, and connections to lending and investment opportunities.

“As a community bank, we understand how important small businesses are to the strength and vitality of our local economy,” said John M. Jelavich, President and CEO of River Valley Community Bank. “We are proud to partner with Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation and FHLBank San Francisco to help bring additional resources, guidance, and access to capital to entrepreneurs throughout our region.”

With support from the AHEAD grant, YSEDC expects BRIDGE to assist at least 150 entrepreneurs and small businesses, help facilitate at least $300,000 in new capital access and investment readiness, and contribute to the creation of 35-50 new jobs while helping stabilize or retain an additional 75-100 jobs.

“This funding will allow us to expand our reach and make a meaningful difference for entrepreneurs throughout the Yuba-Sutter region,” said Brynda Stranix, President/Chief Operating Officer of Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation. “We appreciate River Valley Community Bank's commitment to supporting local economic growth and helping turn business opportunities into lasting success.”

FHLBank San Francisco's AHEAD Program provides grants through member financial institutions to support locally driven initiatives that create economic opportunity and strengthen low- to moderate-income communities.

About Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation
Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation supports economic development and business growth throughout the Yuba-Sutter region. Through initiatives such as BRIDGE, YSEDC connects entrepreneurs and small businesses with advising, technical assistance, capital readiness support, and other resources designed to strengthen local businesses and expand economic opportunity.

About Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco
The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a member-driven cooperative helping local lenders in Arizona, California, and Nevada build strong communities, create opportunity, and change lives for the better. The tools and resources we provide to our member financial institutions — commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions — propel homeownership, finance quality affordable housing, drive economic vitality, and revitalize whole neighborhoods. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant and resilient.

About River Valley Community Bank
River Valley Community Bank is a locally owned and managed community bank headquartered in Yuba City, California, serving businesses, professionals, nonprofit organizations, and individuals throughout the communities it serves.

The Bank remains highly rated with BauerFinancial and Depositaccounts.com and serves its customer base through its offices located at:

• 1629 Colusa Ave., Yuba City, CA
• 580 Brunswick Rd, Grass Valley, CA
• 905 Lincoln Wy., Auburn, CA
• 904 B St., Marysville, CA
• 401 Ryland St., Ste. 300, Reno, NV (Loan Production Office)
• 2901 Douglas Blvd., Ste. 140, Roseville, CA

The Bank offers a full suite of competitive products, services, and banking technology. For more information please visit our website at www.myrvcb.com or contact John M. Jelavich at (530) 821-2469.

Forward Looking Statements: This document may contain comments and information that constitute forward‐looking statements. Forward‐looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements. These statements may use forward-looking terms, such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “probable,” “plan,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “possible,” or their negatives or other variations on these terms, and include statements related to, among others, growth in earnings, balance sheet growth through organic funding and plans to pay cash dividends at historical rates. Forward‐looking statements speak only as to the date they are made. The Bank does not undertake to update forward‐looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward‐looking statements are made.