EXHIBIT 99.1

           AMERICAN RIVER HOLDINGS ANNOUNCES AN ADDITION TO ITS BOARD

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 2, 2004 - American River Holdings' (Nasdaq: AMRB)
Chairman of the Board, Charles D. Fite, announced the addition of William
Robotham to their Board of Directors effective January 1, 2004. A founding
member of North Coast Bank's Board of Directors, Mr. Robotham will continue to
serve on their Advisory Board. North Coast Bank operates in a family of
financial service providers led by American River Holdings' subsidiary American
River Bank.

Mr. Robotham is the Executive Partner of Pisenti & Brinker, LLP, the largest
California CPA consulting firm north of San Francisco. Sonoma Business Magazine
has voted Pisenti & Brinker, LLP as the best CPA firm in Sonoma County for three
years in a row. Mr. Robotham currently serves on the Board of the Sonoma County
Museum and is Chairman of the Board for Randal Nutritional Products.

"Bill is a dynamic business leader in Sonoma County and having his input and
experience on the American River Holdings Board will be invaluable," said David
Taber, President and CEO of American River Holdings.

American River Holdings is the parent company of American River Bank, a
community business bank located in Sacramento, California that operates a family
of financial service providers including North Coast Bank in Sonoma County, and
first source capital in Sacramento.

Related websites: www.amrb.com, www.americanriverbank.net,
www.northcoastbank.com, www.firstsourcecapital.com


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