Exhibit 99.1

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:
March 17, 2009
Company:
National Bancshares Corporation
112 West Market Street
Orrville, Ohio 44667
Contact:
David C. Vernon
President and CEO
Phone:
330.682.1010
Fax:
330.682.4644

NATIONAL BANCSHARES CORPORATION DECLARES FIRST QUARTER DIVIDEND

ORRVILLE, Ohio, March 17, 2009 ~ The Board of Directors of National
Bancshares Corporation (OTC: NBOH) today declared a quarterly cash
dividend of $0.08 per share for the first quarter 2009.  This
dividend is payable on April 17, 2009 to shareholders of record
as of March 31, 2009.

The first quarter dividend of $0.08 represents a 50% reduction
in the regular quarterly dividend. `National Bancshares Corporation`s
subsidiary, First National Bank, has been a conservatively managed
bank since 1881 and we are strong because we are not burdened with
any of the sub-prime loan problems confronting our industry today.
Nevertheless, this is not a business as usual economic environment`
said David C. Vernon, President and CEO. `2009 earnings will be
negatively impacted by a $1 million increase in the cost of FDIC
insurance and because it is prudent, in this economic environment,
to build the Allowance for Loan Losses` added Vernon. `The Board
of Directors felt it was important to conserve capital by reducing
the dividend until such time as economic stability is achieved and
the outlook for credit and business becomes clearer` said
John W. Kropf, Chairman of the Board.

National Bancshares Corporation is the holding company for First
National Bank a federally chartered national bank formed in Ohio
in 1881. First National Bank has thirteen offices in Orrville,
Wooster, Massillon, Apple Creek, Dalton, Kidron, Lodi, Mt. Eaton,
Seville and Smithville. Additional information is available
at www.fnborrville.com.



Forward-looking Statements: This press release contains
forward-looking statements as referenced in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements are
necessarily subject to many risks and uncertainties.  A number
of things could cause actual results to differ materially from
those indicated by the forward-looking statements.  These include
factors such as changes in the competitive marketplace, changes in
the interest rate environment, economic conditions, changes in the
regulatory environment, changes in business conditions and inflation,
risks associated with credit quality and other factors discussed
in the Companys filings with the Security and Exchange Commission,
including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2007.  The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly
update or revise any forward-looking statements on the occurrence
of future events, the receipt of new information, or otherwise.