In Brief: Longtime Provident CEO to Retire May 1

Allen L. Davis, who has led Provident Financial Group as president and chief executive for the past 14 years, said Thursday he would retire May 1.

Mr. Davis, 56, will be succeeded by Robert L. Hoverson, senior vice president of Provident. Mr. Hoverson, himself a 14-year veteran of the $9.3 billion-asset company, will also assume Mr. Davis' titles of president and CEO of the Provident Bank, its major subsidiary.

Mr. Davis will remain a director of, and consultant to, Provident.

In a prepared statement, Mr. Davis gave no reason for his departure but said, "I am confident of the team that will lead Provident."

Analyst Joseph Duwan of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Inc. said he believes Mr. Davis is stepping down for personal reasons. He said he anticipates a seamless transition to Mr. Hoverson's leadership.

The company's stock price has risen at a compounded annual rate of 30% since Mr. Davis took over as CEO, the analyst noted. Mr. Davis devised the strategy of creating national businesses, such as a subprime residential mortgage company and commercial leasing operations.

Provident is 36%-owned by American Financial Group, a company controlled by businessman Carl Lindner.

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