EXHIBIT 99.1

           American River Bankshares Continues Shareholder Value Plan
                           by Issuing a Stock Dividend

Sacramento, CA, November 20, 2008 - American River Bankshares [NASDAQ - GS:
AMRB] announced a 5% stock dividend on the outstanding shares of common stock of
the Company payable on December 18, 2008 to shareholders of record on December
3, 2008.

In lieu of fractional shares, cash will be distributed to each shareholder who
would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fractional share, at the per
share price at the close of business on December 3, 2008.

On October 16, 2008, American River Bankshares announced the financial results
of the third quarter of 2008. This marked American River Bankshares' 99th
consecutive profitable quarter, reporting year-to-date profits exceeding $5.7
million, capital levels above all regulatory measures at $61.6 million and
Return on Average Tangible Equity of 17.70%. Also during the 3rd quarter of
2008, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of 15 cents per share,
paying 45 cents per share year to date.

This is the 13th stock dividend issued by American River Bankshares and is part
of a plan established in 1992 to enhance shareholder value that includes
profitability, dividends and capital management.


About American River Bankshares
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American River Bankshares (NASDAQ - GS: 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 916-851-0123 or visit
www.amrb.com; www.americanriverbank.com; www.northcoastbank.com; or
www.bankofamador.com.


Forward-Looking Statement
- -------------------------
Certain statements contained herein are forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual
results may differ materially from the results in these forward-looking
statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, among other
matters, changes in interest rates, economic conditions, governmental regulation
and legislation, credit quality, and competition affecting the Company's
businesses generally; the risk of natural disasters and future catastrophic
events including terrorist related incidents; and other factors discussed in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and
in subsequent reports filed on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. The Company does not
undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any of these
forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events or
otherwise.


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