EXHIBIT 99.1

AMERICAN RIVER BANKSHARES FORMALIZES ITS EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WITH THE
PROMOTIONS OF DOUGLAS TOW AND KEVIN BENDER

Sacramento, CA, March 18, 2005 - American River Bankshares (NASDAQ: AMRB), the
parent company of American River Bank, today announced the formalization of its
Executive Management Committee with the promotions of Douglas E. Tow, Chief
Credit Officer, and Kevin B. Bender, Chief Information Officer, to executive
vice presidents.

The American River Bankshares Executive Management Committee is led by David T.
Taber, President and CEO and includes:

Mitchell A. Derenzo, EVP and Chief Financial Officer
Douglas E. Tow, EVP and Chief Credit Officer
Kevin B. Bender, EVP and Chief Information Officer
Gregory N. Patton, President of American River Bank
Raymond F. Byrne, President of North Coast Bank
Larry D. Standing, President of Bank of Amador

The Executive Management Committee is responsible for the Company's overall
strategic direction.

"Positioning these experienced leaders into a committee is part of our strategy
for maintaining the Company's competitive position," said David Taber. "We are
solidifying our strong leadership team for future growth."

David Taber continued, "The promotions of Douglas Tow and Kevin Bender to
executive vice presidents recognizes their tremendous contributions to our
Company. Both Doug and Kevin have helped lead us through a continuing period of
dynamic growth, namely with the recent addition of Bank of Amador. They are both
just very good at what they do."

Mr. Tow joined American River Bankshares in 1994 and he has served the financial
services industry for over 27 years, most recently in the position of Senior
Vice President, Chief Credit Officer. As Executive Vice President, Chief Credit
Officer, he is responsible for credit policy, loan structuring and portfolio
management.

American River Bankshares maintains one of the highest levels of credit quality
in the industry, with nonperforming loans and leases (0.07% of total loans and
leases) as well as net chargeoffs (0.08% of average loans and leases) remaining
below industry averages as of December 31, 2004.

Mr. Bender joined American River Bankshares in 1986 and he has served the
financial services industry for over 20 years, most recently in the position of
Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer. As Executive Vice President,
Chief Information Officer, he is responsible for central support services,
network technology and electronic banking.

American River Bankshares [NASDAQ: AMRB] is the parent company of American River
Bank ("ARB"), a community business bank serving Sacramento, CA that operates a
family of financial services providers, including North Coast Bank [a division
of "ARB"] in Sonoma County and Bank of Amador [a division of "ARB"] in Amador
County. For more information, please call 916-565-6100 or visit www.amrb.com;
www.americanriverbank.com; www.northcoastbank.com; www.bankofamador.com.

Page 4 of Page 5


Forward-Looking Statement

In addition to the historical information contained herein, this press release
contains certain forward-looking statements. The reader of this press release
should understand that all such forward-looking statements are subject to
various uncertainties and risks that could affect their outcome. The Company's
actual results could differ materially from those suggested by such
forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such
differences include, but are not limited to, variances in the actual versus
projected growth in assets, return on assets, loan losses, expenses, changes in
the interest environment including interest rates charged on loans, earned on
securities investments and paid on deposits, competition effects, fee and other
non interest income earned, general economic conditions, nationally, regionally,
and in the operating market areas of the Company and its subsidiaries, changes
in the regulatory environment, changes in business conditions and inflation,
changes in securities markets, data processing problems, a decline in real
estate values in the Company's market area, the conduct of the war on terrorism,
the threat of terrorism or the impact of potential military conflicts and the
conduct of war on terrorism by the United States and its allies, as well as
other factors. To gain a more complete understanding of the uncertainties and
risks involved in the Company's business, this press release should be read in
conjunction with the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004, and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10Q and current
reports on Form 8-K.


Page 5 of Page 5