EXHIBIT 99.2

           American River Bankshares Decides Not to Participate in the
                     U.S. Treasury Capital Purchase Program

Sacramento, CA, January 22, 2009 - American River Bankshares (NASDAQ-GS: AMRB)
today announced that it has decided not to participate in the U.S. Department of
Treasury ("U.S. Treasury") Capital Purchase Program ("CPP") after receiving
approval to participate in the program in November 2008. American River
Bankshares applied for and was approved for a $6 million capital investment.

"The CPP is aimed at healthy banks, and we are honored that the U.S. Treasury
and our regulators have selected us to participate in the program," said David
Taber, President and CEO of American River Bankshares. "After careful review of
the agreements and related documents, American River Bankshares' Board of
Directors has decided that it is in the best interest of our Company and its
shareholders not to participate." He continued, "American River Bank is well
capitalized and we believe that the potential ramifications of participating in
the program outweigh the benefits."

The Company's subsidiary, American River Bank, remains above the
well-capitalized regulatory guidelines. At December 31, 2008, American River
Bank's leverage ratio was 8.4%, the Tier 1 risk based ratio was 10.4% and the
Total Risk Based Capital ratio was 11.6%. At December 31, 2008, the Company's
leverage ratio was 8.3%, the Tier 1 risk based ratio was 10.2% and the Total
Risk Based Capital ratio was 11.5%.

In a separate press release issued today, American River Bankshares reported its
fourth quarter 2008 financial results, marking its 100th consecutive profitable
quarter. As of December 31, 2008, the Company's profits exceeded $7.5 million
and had over $63 million in capital.

About American River Bankshares
American River Bankshares [NASDAQ-GS: AMRB] is the parent company of American
River Bank ("ARB"), a community business bank serving the Greater Sacramento
Area in California 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; 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 and subject to the safe harbor provisions of the
of Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, 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, except as required by law.

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