On February 16, 2011, the Registrant, American River Bankshares (the “Company”), received letters from Amador S. Bustos and Dorene C. Dominguez, both resigning from their positions as Directors of American River Bankshares and American River Bank effective April 20, 2011 and May 18, 2011, respectively. Their terms expire on May 19, 2011. American River Bank is the Registrant’s banking subsidiary. The reasons for Mr. Bustos’ and Ms. Dominguez’s resignations are set forth in their letters and are not the result of any disagreement with the registrant on any matter relating to the registrant’s operations, policies or practices. The registrant has provided Mr. Bustos and Ms. Dominguez with a copy of this disclosure prior to filing this Form 8-K with the Commission and they have had an opportunity to provide the registrant with a letter addressed to the registrant stating whether they disagree with the statements made by the registrant in this disclosure. No such additional letter has been received by the registrant.

The foregoing description is qualified by reference to the letters of resignation from Mr. Bustos and Ms. Dominguez, both dated February 16, 2011 and attached as Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2. The Registrants press release dated February 18, 2011 is attached as Exhibit 99.3.