EXHIBIT 23.6
CONSENT OF HOEFER & ARNETT INCORPORATED
We hereby consent to the inclusion of our opinion letter dated
____________, 2000, to the Board of Directors of American River Holdings as
Annex B to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus relating to the Agreement and
Plan of Reorganization and Merger dated March 1, 2000 and the transactions
contemplated thereby, among American River Holdings, ARH Interim National Bank
and North Coast Bank, N.A. contained in the Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
Registration Statement No. 333-36326 on Form S-4 as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and to the references to our firm and our opinion in the
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus. In giving our consent, we do not admit that we
come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, nor do we admit that we are
experts with respect to any part of such Registration Statement within the
meaning of the term "experts" as used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
thereunder.
/s/ HOEFER & ARNETT INCORPORATED
July 11, 2000
