EXHIBIT 99.1


April 27, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Charles H. Majors - (434) 773-2219



          AMERICAN NATIONAL ANNOUNCES EXPANSION INTO GREENSBORO MARKET
                         AT ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING


DANVILLE, Va., April 27, 2004 / PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- At its annual
shareholders meeting today, American National Bankshares Inc. (NASDAQ: AMNB)
announced its expansion into Greensboro, North Carolina. As a part of the
corporation's previously announced plan for growth and expansion, Charles E.
Judy, Jr., a resident of Greensboro, has joined American National Bank and Trust
Company as a Vice President to open a loan production office there.

     Charles H. Majors, President and Chief Executive Officer stated, "We
are pleased to have Charles join the American National family. Our strategy is
to develop a presence in the North Carolina Triad region through commercial and
real estate lending. We believe that adding this experienced lender is a
tremendous opportunity for the bank to successfully move into this nearby growth
market."

     Also today, shareholders elected Fred A. Blair, E. Budge Kent, Jr., Fred B.
Leggett, Jr. and Claude B. Owen, Jr. to new three year terms as directors of
American National Bankshares Inc.  The directors who remain in office are Bill
Barker, Jr., Richard G. Barkhouser, Ben J. Davenport, Jr., H. Dan Davis, Michael
P. Haley, Lester A. Hudson, Jr., Franklin W. Maddux and Charles H. Majors.

     American National Bankshares Inc. is the holding company of American
National Bank and Trust Company, a community bank with fourteen offices in
Danville, Chatham, Collinsville, Gretna, Martinsville, Henry County, and South
Boston, Virginia, and Yanceyville, North Carolina. Services are also provided
through twenty ATMs, "AmeriLink" internet banking, and our 24-hour "Access
American" phone banking. Banking subsidiaries include ANB Mortgage Corp.
(secondary mortgage origination), ANB Investor Services (retail brokerage) and
ANB Insurance Services (full-service insurance agency).  Additional information
is available on our website at www.amnb.com.



     This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
and pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. A forward-looking statement encompasses any estimate,
prediction, opinion or statement of belief contained in this release and the
underlying management assumptions. Forward-looking statements are based on
current expectations and assessments of potential developments affecting market
conditions, interest rates and other economic conditions, and results may
ultimately vary from the statements made in this release.