UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, DC 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest reported) December 22, 2000 ------------------- American River Holdings - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its chapter) California 0-31525 68-0352144 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (State or other (Commission (IRS Employer jurisdiction File Number) Identification No.) of incorporation) 1545 River Park Drive, Suite 107, Sacramento, California 95815 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (916) 565-6100 --------------------- Page 1 of 4 Pages The Index to Exhibits is on Page 3 Item 5. Other Events. Registrant issued a press release December 21, 2000 announcing a thirteen cent cash dividend payable on January 31, 2001 to shareholders of record as of January 17, 2001. The foregoing description is qualified by reference to the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. (99.1) Press release dated December 21, 2000 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. AMERICAN RIVER HOLDINGS /s/ MITCHELL A. DERENZO -------------------------------------------- Mitchell A. Derenzo, Chief Financial Officer December 22, 2000 Page 2 of 4 Pages INDEX TO EXHIBITS EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION PAGE 99.1 Press release of American River Holdings 4 dated December 21, 2000 Page 3 of 4 Pages