History
The symbol of stability and longevity for Ohio Valley Financial Group is its five-story, yellow-brick building that sits on the southeast corner of Second and Main streets in downtown Henderson. For years the intersection of Second and Main was affectionately referred to as the banking corner of town because there was a financial institution on three of the four corners. The OVB headquarters was constructed in 1904 and billed as Henderson's first fireproof building. The structure's familiar copper clock, with stained glass on each of its four faces, has been a downtown landmark since about 1916. It continues to serve as a proud symbol of the bank's roots in Henderson. Ohio Valley Financial Group Chairman Ray Preston rose to prominence in the Henderson business community as owner of PB&S Chemical, a highly successful chemical distribution company. Preston was invited to join the OVB board of directors in 1970. By 1987 he was chairman and majority owner of the bank. In 1989 Preston sold PB&S, then assumed sole ownership of the bank in 1992. In the years since Preston became chairman, OV Bank's assets have grown from $66 million to more than $162 million. Its trust department manages more than $165 million in assets, and its brokerage company affiliate, Raymond James Financial Services, handles another $9.7 million in assets. The Raymond B. Preston Family Foundation was established in 1989. With family members taking turns serving as board members, the foundation has overseen the donation of more than $4 million in grants to various local, national and international charities in the last 12 years.
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Ohio Valley Financial Group planted its roots in Henderson County in 1887 when Ohio Valley Financial Grouping and Trust Company consolidated with Henderson Trust Company. During the Great Depression the bank was re-formed as Ohio Valley Financial Group, and in 1934 it was chartered as a national bank.
