LYNCHBURG, VA--(Marketwired - May 18, 2015) -  Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: BOTJ), parent holding company for Bank of the James, was ranked in the list of the top performing community banks and thrifts in the nation by American Banker magazine. This year's Top 200 Ranking was based upon the three-year average Return on Equity for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014. The ranking included all exchange-traded banks and thrifts with less than $2 Billion in total assets as of December 31, 2014 that did not have a) a leverage ratio of less than 5%, b) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 6%, or c) a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 10%. There were 750 institutions across the nation fitting the criteria.

According to American Banker, BOTJ's 2014 Return on Equity was 10.28% compared to the median for all 750 qualifying institutions of 6.65%. The Company's Return on Equity for the most recent quarter ended March 31, 2015 was 10.71%. Per Bonnie McGeer, Managing Editor of American Banker, "With the performance of small banks improving overall, the competition to earn a spot on this ranking continues to ratchet up."

Robert R. Chapman III, President and CEO commented, "We are honored to be included on the list of the top performing community banks in the country. We believe our company-wide commitment to financial performance goes hand-in-hand with our traditional commitment to our customers and community. It is because of the relationships we have built with our customers and the dedication from our knowledgeable employees that we have been able to build a reputation in the Central Virginia area as a community-focused bank. We think that our success in building our reputation is what has allowed us to expand our reach to Roanoke, Charlottesville and Harrisonburg." 

About the Company

Bank of the James, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc., serves the greater Lynchburg, Virginia MSA, often referred to as Region 2000, and other markets in Virginia including Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, and Roanoke. The bank operates nine full service locations, one limited service branch, two loan production offices, and an investment services division. Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. common stock is listed under the symbol "BOTJ" on the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC.