Exhibit 99.1

Civista Bancshares, Inc. Announces Strong First Quarter 2018 Earnings

Sandusky, Ohio, April 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/– Civista Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:CIVB) (“Civista”) reported net income available to common shareholders of $6.7 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2018, compared with $4.3 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, for the prior year period. In addition, we issued approximately 1.6 million new shares in February 2017 related to raising $32.8 million of additional capital, net of costs.

“The first quarter of 2018 produced very strong results. The increases to our net interest margin and net income show the impact that growth can have on our organization. On March 12^th we announced the acquisition of United Community Bancorp in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. We are excited about our partnership with UCB and the prospects it brings. While our loan balances have backed up a little in the first quarter, our loan production has remained steady. Our loan pipelines remain strong and we are optimistic about our loan production for the remainder of 2018.” said Dennis G. Shaffer, President and CEO of Civista.

Results of Operations:

Net interest income for the first quarter of 2018 increased $1.9 million, or 14.6% compared to the same period of 2017. Interest income increased $2.2 million primarily due to a $79.5 million increase in average loans outstanding, along with a 35 basis point increase in the yield on loans. The yield on interest-earning assets increased across all categories with the exception of non-taxable securities. The reduction in the corporate tax rate was the primary reason for the decrease in the tax-equivalent yield on non-taxable securities.

Interest expense increased $352 thousand primarily due to an increase in rates of 14 basis points as well as an increase in average balances of $41.8 million. The tax equivalent net interest margin was 4.05% for the first quarter, compared to 3.67% for the same period a year ago.

Average Balance Analysis

(Unaudited—Dollars in thousands except share data)

No provision for loan losses was made during 2018 and 2017.

During the quarter, noninterest income totaled $5.6 million, an increase of $478 thousand, or 9.3%, compared to the prior year’s first quarter.

Service charge income increased $89 thousand, or 8.5%, for the first quarter primarily due to a change in the business account earnings credits, along with an increase in overdraft charges. Gain on sale of loans increased $76 thousand, or 29.6%, for the first quarter 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. The increase is due to an increase in the volume of loans sold from $12.2 million in 2017 to $14.6 million in 2018. Wealth management fees increased $145 thousand, or 20.5%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 due primarily to an additional $34.0 million in assets under management compared to the first quarter of 2017. Other income increased $86 thousand for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to 2017, primarily due to an increase in swap fees.

During the quarter, noninterest expense totaled $12.2 million, an increase of $703 thousand, or 6.1%, compared to the prior year’s first quarter.

Compensation expense increased $392 thousand, or 5.6%, for the first quarter compared to the same period in 2017. The increase in compensation expense is mainly due to a $165 thousand increase in salaries, a $123 thousand increase in commissions and a $145 thousand increase in employee insurance. Net occupancy and equipment expense increased $148, or 15.0%, from the same period of 2017. The increase was attributable to $45 thousand increase in equipment expense, largely related to purchases and maintenance. Grounds maintenance increased $41 thousand and utilities increased $17 thousand, both as a result of the extended winter weather we experienced in our region. Professional services costs increased $101 thousand, or 22.4% for the first quarter 2018, primarily attributable to an $82 thousand increase in consulting fees and a $25 thousand increase in examination fees. Amortization of intangible assets decreased $134 thousand or 80.2% due to the final amortization of intangibles related to the acquisition of Futura Banc Corp. Other expenses increased $123 thousand, or 6.6% for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 compared to 2017, spread across several items.

The efficiency ratio was 59.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to 62.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

The 2018 impact of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act was a reduction of income tax expense of approximately $797 thousand, which increased net income available to common shareholders approximately $0.06 per diluted share.

Balance Sheet

Total assets increased $74.4 million, or 4.9%, from December 31, 2017 to March 31, 2018, primarily due to increased cash balances of $78.5 million, primarily related to the tax refund processing program, offset by a decrease in the loan portfolio of $10.9 million.    

End of period loan balances

The $10.9 million decrease in the loan portfolio from December 31, 2017 to March 31, 2018, was largely due to Commercial and Agriculture loans, however all others categories showed small decreases, with the exception of Commercial Real Estate. During the first quarter we had approximately $76.0 million in loan pay downs and approximately $97.7 million in new loans originated, some of which are lines of credit which have not yet been drawn upon.    

Mr. Shaffer continued, “The prolonged cold weather that we experienced in the first quarter of 2018 slowed some of our lending activity. We expect to see increased activity during the second quarter in both new originations and draws on lines of credit.”

Total deposits increased $85.7 million, or 7.1%, from December 31, 2017 to March 31, 2018. The increase was due primarily to the additional cash balances related to the tax refund processing program which increased noninterest-bearing demand accounts $173.3 million. Fewer Brokered deposits were needed resulting in a decrease of $109.4 million.

End of period deposit balances

Federal Home Loan Bank advances decreased $11.9 million or 16.6% from December 31, 2017 to March 31, 2018, primarily due to reduced funding needs.

Total shareholders’ equity increased $3.6 million, or 1.9%, from December 31, 2017 to March 31, 2018, primarily due to a $6.3 million increase in retained earnings, partially offset by a $2.7 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Asset Quality

The Company recorded net charge-offs of $320 thousand and $5 thousand for the three months ended March 31. 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The allowance for loan losses to loans was 1.11% for 2018 and 1.24% for 2017. The decrease in the ratio is primarily due to our continued improvement in asset quality during 2018. The non-performing assets to assets ratio decreased to 0.52% from 0.63% in 2017. The allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans increased to 154.42% from 137.82% in 2017.

Non-performing assets at March 31, 2018 were $8.3 million, a 13.0% decrease from December 31, 2017.

Conference Call and Webcast

Civista Bancshares, Inc. will also host a conference call to discuss the Company’s financial results for the first quarter of 2018 at 1:00 p.m. ET on Friday April 27, 2018. Interested parties can access the live webcast of the conference call through the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, www.civb.com. Participants can also listen to the conference call by dialing 853-238-2712 and ask to be joined into the Civista Bancshares, Inc. First Quarter 2018 Earnings call. Please log in or dial in at least 10 minutes prior to the start time to ensure a connection.

An archive of the webcast will be available for one year on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website (www.civb.com).

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding the financial performance, business prospects, growth and operating strategies of Civista. For these statements, Civista claims the protections of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this press release should be considered in conjunction with the other information available about Civista, including the information in the filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations or forecasts of future events and are not guarantees of future performance. The forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. We have tried, wherever possible, to identify such statements by using words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will” and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include risk factors relating to the banking industry and the other factors detailed from time to time in Civista’ reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those described in “Item 1A Risk Factors” of Part I of Civista’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Civista does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the events or circumstances after the date on which the forward-looking statement is made, or reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except to the extent required by law.

Civista Bancshares, Inc. is a $1.6 billion financial holding company headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio. The Company’s banking subsidiary, Civista Bank, operates 29 locations in Northern, Central and Southwestern Ohio.

Civista Bancshares, Inc. may be accessed at www.civb.com. The Company’s common shares are traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “CIVB”. The Company’s depositary shares, each representing a 1/40^th ownership interest in a Series B Preferred Share, are traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “CIVBP”.

For additional information, contact:

Dennis G. Shaffer    

President and CEO

Civista Bancshares, Inc.

888-645-4121

Civista Bancshares, Inc.

Financial Highlights

(dollars in thousands, except share amounts)

Consolidated Condensed Statement of Income

Selected Balance Sheet Items

Supplemental Financial Information

(Unaudited - Dollars in thousands except share data)

Supplemental Financial Information

(Unaudited - Dollars in thousands except share data)