EXHIBIT 99.1 SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 13, 2000 AMERICAN RIVER HOLDINGS REPORTS COMBINED EARNINGS Sacramento, CA, December 13, 2000 - On October 25, 2000, American River Holdings (Nasdaq: AMRB) consummated its merger with North Coast Bank. On December 12, 2000, the company filed Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission releasing its unaudited historical combined balance sheet as of November 30, 2000 and statement of operations for the eleven months ended November 30, 2000 and 1999 which reflect the combined operations of the two entities prior to the combination and for 36 days after the effective date of the merger. This financial information reflects the application of the pooling of interests method of accounting for the combination. On a combined basis, total assets were $273,141,000. Total Net Income for the eleven months ended November 30, 2000 was $3,268,000 compared to $2,781,000 for 1999. American River Holdings is the parent company of American River Bank, a community business bank in Sacramento, first source capital, a company that arranges equipment lease financing for businesses, and North Coast Bank, a community business bank in Sonoma County. Related websites: www.amrb.com, www.americanriverbank.net, www.northcoastbank.com, www.firstsourcecapital.com - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THIS NEWS RELEASE CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ABOUT AMERICAN RIVER HOLDINGS' AND SUBSIDIARIES' FINANCIAL CONDITION, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, PLANS, OBJECTIVES AND FUTURE PERFORMANCE. A NUMBER OF FACTORS, ANY OF WHICH ARE BEYOND THE CONTROL OF AMERICAN RIVER HOLDINGS OR ITS SUBSIDIARIES, COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 4 of 6 Pages AMERICAN RIVER HOLDINGS BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED) November 30, 2000 (In thousands) ASSETS Cash and due from banks $ 14,942 Federal funds sold 170 Interest-bearing deposits in banks 5,738 Available-for-sale investment securities 32,183 Held-to-maturity investment securities, at amortized cost (market value of $16,666) 16,670 Loans and leases, less allowance for loan and lease losses of $2,618 194,602 Bank premises and equipment, net 1,581 Intangibles 137 Accounts receivable servicing receivables 3,149 Accrued interest receivable and other assets 3,969 ----------- $ 273,141 =========== LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Deposits: Non-interest bearing $ 58,128 Interest bearing 173,837 ----------- Total deposits 231,965 Other borrowings 14,787 Accrued interest payable and other liabilities 2,213 ----------- Total liabilities 248,965 ----------- Shareholders' equity: Common stock 12,270 Retained earnings 8,646 Current period earnings 3,268 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (8) ----------- Total shareholders' equity 24,176 ----------- $ 273,141 =========== Page 5 of 6 Pages AMERICAN RIVER HOLDINGS STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) Eleven Months Ended November 30, (In thousands) 2000 1999 ---------- ---------- Interest income: Interest and fees on loans $ 15,591 $ 12,676 Interest on investment securities: Taxable 2,430 1,883 Exempt from Federal income taxes 423 305 Dividends 73 59 Interest on Federal funds sold 348 419 Interest on deposits in banks 376 299 ---------- ---------- Total interest income 19,241 15,641 Interest expense: Deposits 6,650 4,825 Other borrowings 261 144 ---------- ---------- Total interest expense 6,911 4,969 ---------- ---------- Net interest income 12,330 10,672 Provision for loan and lease losses 605 553 ---------- ---------- Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses 11,725 10,119 ---------- ---------- Non-interest income: Service charges 551 489 Other fees and charges 1,445 1,084 ---------- ---------- Total non-interest income 1,996 1,573 ---------- ---------- Other expenses: Salaries and employee benefits 4,477 3,965 Occupancy and equipment 1,116 1,053 Merger expenses 561 -- Other 2,233 2,195 ---------- ---------- Total other expenses 8,387 7,213 ---------- ---------- Income before income taxes 5,334 4,479 Income taxes 2,066 1,698 ---------- ---------- Net income $ 3,268 $ 2,781 ========== ========== Page 6 of 6 Pages