1. THE BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Nature Of Operations [Abstract]

THE BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY

1. THE BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY

American River Bankshares (the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of California in 1995 under the name of American River Holdings and changed its name in 2004 to American River Bankshares. As a bank holding company, the Company is authorized to engage in the activities permitted under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and regulations thereunder. As a community oriented regional bank holding company, the principal communities served are located in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Amador, and Sonoma counties. In addition, the Company has a loan production office located in San Jose, which serves Santa Clara, Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

The Company owns 100% of the issued and outstanding common shares of its banking subsidiary, American River Bank (“ARB” or the “Bank”). ARB was incorporated in 1983. ARB accepts checking and savings deposits, offers money market deposit accounts and certificates of deposit, makes secured and unsecured commercial, secured real estate, and other installment and term loans and offers other customary banking services. ARB operates four banking offices in Sacramento County, one banking office in Placer County, two banking offices in Sonoma County, and three banking offices in Amador County. The Company also owns one inactive subsidiary, American River Financial.

ARB does not offer trust services or international banking services and does not plan to do so in the near future. The deposits of ARB are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) up to applicable legal limits.