ACB announces participation in ICBA National Community Bank Mortgage Week

Appalachian Bancshares Inc., (Nasdaq:APAB) announced it is participating in the Independent Community Bankers of America's (ICBA) National Community Bank Mortgage Week, November 5 - 9. Nationwide, local community banks will review the mortgage documents of current homeowners, as well as discuss financing options with firsttime homebuyers who see an opportunity to own their own home.

"We're inviting local homeowners and first time homebuyers to come to Appalachian Community Bank, to let us review your loan documents and discuss financing options," said Jason Karnes, President. "Visit us at our office on Wednesday, November 7 from 3:00 until 5:00 and meet with our mortgage originator, who will answer questions about your current mortgage or discuss a mortgage option that's right for you."

"There is a lot of confusion about mortgages and home buying right now," said James P. Ghiglieri, Jr., ICBA chairman and president of Alpha Financial Group, Inc., Toluca, Ill. "Community banks want to help clear up some of that confusion. ICBA National Community Bank Mortgage Week is a great time for homeowners and prospective homebuyers to come into their participating local bank and discuss financing options."

Mortgage holders can visit their participating community bank for a review of their mortgage documents. Community banks want to help the borrower understand what type of mortgage loan they have - if it's fixed-rate or adjustable-rate and if it is an ARM, when the next reset will occur. Community banks are placing special focus on reaching out to borrowers who have mortgages with terms they don't understand and wish to have explained by a loan officer they can trust, have an adjustable rate mortgage that is about to reset and need to discuss refinancing options or are considering making their first home purchase.

"Community banks are well run, highly capitalized and highly regulated institutions that are not generally experiencing the credit and funding problems we're hearing about these days," said Karnes. "We're encouraging people to come talk to common sense lenders who have steadfastly observed quality underwriting and will help borrowers find mortgage that is right for them."

ICBA salutes our business partners for ICBA National Community Bank Mortgage Week who help community banks serve their customers: Fannie Mae, the Federal Home Loan Banks, Freddie Mac, Taylor Bean & Whitaker, as well as our national non-profit partners NeighborWorks® America and the Homeownership Preservation Foundation.

Find out more about ICBA National Community Bank Mortgage Week at www.icba.org/mortgageweek or www.apab.com.

About ICBA

The Independent Community Bankers of America, the nation's voice for community banks, represents 5,000 community banks of all sizes and charter types throughout the United States and is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and the communities and customers we serve. For more information, visit www.icba.org.

About Appalachian Bancshares Inc.

Appalachian Bancshares Inc., based in Ellijay, Ga., is the $827 million-asset bank holding company of Appalachian Community Bank, a state-chartered bank organized under the laws of the State of Georgia, and Appalachian Community Bank, F.S.B., a federally chartered thrift. Through its subsidiaries, Appalachian Bancshares provides a full range of community banking services to individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, real estate developers, contractors and farmers. Appalachian Community Bank, which also operates under the trade name of Gilmer County Bank, has full-service banking offices throughout North Georgia in Ellijay, East Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Blairsville, Chatsworth, Dahlonega, Dalton and Dawsonville. Appalachian Community Bank, F.S.B. has full-service banking offices in McCaysville, Ga., Ducktown, Tenn., and Murphy, N.C. The common stock of Appalachian Bancshares is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market, under the symbol APAB. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.apab.com.