UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. ) *
NORTH VALLEY BANCORP
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, No Par Value
(Title of Class of Securities)
66304M105
(CUSIP Number)
Check the following box if a fee is being paid with this statement [ ].
(A fee is not required only if the filing person: (1) has a previous statement
on file reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the class
of securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment subsequent
thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of such class.)
(See Rule 13d-7).
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities,
and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of
the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however,
see the Notes).
CUSIP No. 66304M-10-5
1 Name of Reporting Person
S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
North Valley Bancorp Employee Stock Ownership Plan
2 Check the Appropriate Box If A Member of a Group (a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
3 SEC Use Only
4 Citizenship or Place of Organization
California
5 Sole Voting Power
106,807
Number of
Shares 6 Shared Voting Power
Beneficially 0
Owned By
Each 7 Sole Dispositive Power
Reporting 106,807
Person
With 8 Shared Dispositive Power
0
9 Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
106,807
10 Check Box If The Aggregate Amount In Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares [ ]
11 Percent of Class Represented By Amount In Row 9
5.8%
12 Type of Reporting Person
EP
ITEM 1.
(a) North Valley Bancorp
(b) 880 E. Cypress
Redding, CA 96002
ITEM 2.
(a) North Valley Bancorp Employee Stock Ownership Plan
(b) 880 E. Cypress
Redding, CA 96002
(c) California
(d) Common Stock
(e) Not applicable.
ITEM 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b) or 13(d)-2(b),
check whether the person filing is a:
(a) Not Applicable
(b) Not Applicable
(c) Not Applicable
(d) Not Applicable
(e) Not Applicable
(f) Employee Benefit Plan, Pension Fund which is subject to the
provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or Endowment
Fund.
(g) Not Applicable
(h) Not Applicable
ITEM 4. Ownership
(a) 106,807
(b) 5.8%
(c)(i) 106,807
(ii) 0
(iii) 106,807
(iv) 0
ITEM 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class
Not Applicable
ITEM 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person
Not Applicable
ITEM 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired
the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company
Not Applicable
ITEM 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group
Not Applicable
ITEM 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group
Not Applicable
ITEM 10. Certification
By signing below, I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, the securities referred to above were acquired in the
ordinary course of business and were not acquired for the purpose of
and do not have the effect of changing or influencing the control of
the issuer of such securities and were not acquired in connection
with or as a participant in any transaction having such purposes or
effect.
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify
that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
/ s / Rudy V. Balma February 5, 1998
Rudy V. Balma
Member, Administrative Committee
/s/ J. M. Wells, Jr. February 5, 1998
J. M. Wells, Jr.
Member, Administrative Committee
/s/ Martin R. Sorensen February 5, 1998
Martin R. Sorensen
Member, Administrative Committee
