Appalachian Bancshares, Inc. Reports Continued Growth for Second Quarter

Assets Grow to Over $873 Million


ELLIJAY, Ga., July 27, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Appalachian Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq:APAB), holding company for Appalachian Community Bank and Appalachian Community Bank, F.S.B., today announced that net income for the second quarter of 2007 was $1,501,000, or $0.29 per diluted share, a 4.38% increase in net income when compared to $1,438,000, or $0.27 per diluted share, for the same period in 2006.

Net income for the first six months of 2007 was $3,060,000, or $0.58 per diluted share, a 2.93% increase in net income when compared to $2,973,000, or $0.56 per diluted share, for the same period in 2006.

Total assets grew to $873.6 million, as of June 30, 2007, compared to $675.0 million on June 30, 2006, an increase of 29.4%. Total loans were $729.8 million, an increase of $189.5 million, or 35.0%, when compared with $540.4 million on June 30, 2006. Deposits grew to $746.2 million as of June 30, 2007, an increase of $188.2 million, or 33.7%, when compared to $558.0 million on June 30, 2006.

Annualized return on average shareholders' equity was 9.04% for the six months ended June 30, 2007, compared to 9.83% for the six months ended June 30, 2006. Annualized return on average assets was 0.75% for the six months ended June 30, 2007, compared to 0.99% for the six months ended June 30, 2006. The net interest margin was 4.86% for the six months ended June 30, 2007, compared to 5.18% for the same period a year ago. Book value per share stood at $13.30 at June 30, 2007, compared to $12.12 per share at June 30, 2006, an increase of approximately 9.7%.

Tracy Newton, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our performance in the first six months of 2007 reflects our investment in infrastructure and personnel needed to support our expansionary efforts, which, during the second quarter of 2007, culminated with the opening our first branch office in Dahlonega, Georgia, and the opening of our new thrift subsidiary, Appalachian Community Bank, F.S.B, headquartered in McCaysville, Georgia, with new branch locations in Ducktown, Tennessee, and Murphy, North Carolina." Mr. Newton further stated that, "While the cost associated with our expansionary activities have impacted current earnings, at June 30, 2007, approximately half of our growth in loans and deposits is attributable to our eight new bank and thrift offices opened over the last 9 to 14 months. Moving forward, our primary focus will be on growing market share and improving operations in our existing branch network."

Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call on Friday, July 27, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. ET, to discuss its financial results and strategic initiatives and to entertain questions. Listeners will be able to participate in the question and answer session. The telephone number for the conference call is 1-877-407-9210. The conference call will also be available by webcast through the Company's website, www.apab.com, by clicking on the Investor Relations section. A replay of the call will be archived on the Company's website for one year.

About Appalachian Bancshares, Inc.

The Company is based in Ellijay, Georgia, and is the holding company of Appalachian Community Bank, a Georgia state-chartered bank, and Appalachian Community Bank, F.S.B., a federally-chartered thrift. The Company, through Appalachian Community Bank (which also operates in Gilmer County, Georgia, under the trade name of Gilmer County Bank) and Appalachian Community Bank, F.S.B., provides a full range of community banking services, to individuals and to small and medium-sized businesses, through its twelve banking offices, located in Ellijay, East Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Blairsville, Chatsworth, Dawsonville, McCaysville and Dahlonega, Georgia, and in Ducktown, Tennessee, and Murphy, North Carolina. The Company's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol APAB. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.apab.com.

Certain statements in this news release contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to future plans and expectations, and are thus prospective. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic conditions, competition, interest rate sensitivity and exposure to regulatory and legislative changes, and other risks and uncertainties described in our company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Therefore, we can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be construed as a representation by our company or any person that the future events, plans, or expectations contemplated by our company will be achieved. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Please contact Tracy Newton, Chief Executive Officer, Joe Moss, President and Chief Operating Officer, or Keith Hales, Chief Financial Officer at (706) 276-8160, with any questions or requests for additional information.



               APPALACHIAN BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                              (Unaudited)
               (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                     Three Months Ended           Six Months Ended
                          June 30,                    June 30,
                    --------------------      ------------------------
                      2007        2006          2007            2006
                    --------     -------      -------         --------

 Summary Results of 
  Operations Data:
   Interest income   $17,966     $12,513      $34,530          $23,576
   Interest
    expense            8,532       5,087       16,226            9,162
                    --------     -------      -------         --------
   Net interest
    income             9,434       7,426       18,304           14,414
   Provision for
    loan losses          947         823        1,583            1,708
                    --------     -------      -------         --------
   Net interest
    income after
    provision
    for loan
    losses             8,487       6,603       16,721           12,706
   Noninterest
    income             1,260         937        2,632            1,796
   Noninterest
    expense            7,435       5,326       14,732            9,912
                    --------     -------      -------         --------
   Income before
    taxes              2,312       2,214        4,621            4,590
   Income tax
    expense              811         776        1,561            1,617
                    --------     -------      -------         --------
   Net income        $ 1,501     $ 1,438      $ 3,060          $ 2,973
                    ========     =======      =======         ========

 Per Share Data:
   Net income,
    basic            $  0.29     $  0.28      $  0.58          $  0.58
   Net income,
    diluted             0.29        0.27         0.58             0.56
   Book value          13.30       12.12        13.30            12.12

 Weighted average
  number of shares
  outstanding:
       Basic       5,255,507   5,156,124    5,235,250        5,154,911
       Diluted     5,256,001   5,274,516    5,256,717        5,281,859


 Performance Ratios:
   Return on average
    assets(1)           0.71%       0.91%        0.75%            0.99%
   Return on average
    equity(1)           8.68%       9.36%        9.04%            9.83%
   Net interest
    margin(1) (2)       4.83%       5.11%        4.86%            5.18%
   Efficiency
    ratio(3)           69.52%      63.69%       70.37%           61.15%

 Growth Ratios and
  Other Data:
   Percentage change
    in net income       4.38%                    2.93%
   Percentage change
    in diluted net
    income per share    7.41%                    3.57%


   --------------------------------------------------------------------

                                             At June 30,
                                     --------------------------
                                     2007                  2006
                                     ----                  ----
 Summary Balance Sheet Data:


   Assets                         $  873,576            $  674,971
   Average earning assets QTD        791,258               589,830
   Average earning assets YTD        766,388               567,834
   Investment securities              76,974                72,912
   Mortgage loans held for sale        4,932                    --
   Loans, net of unearned income     724,898               540,350
   Allowance for loan losses           8,880                 6,531
   Deposits                          746,172               558,021
   Short-term borrowings               5,965                17,565
   Accrued interest                    1,841                 1,006
   Federal Home Loan Bank
    advances                          39,600                27,250
   Subordinated long-term
    capital notes                      6,186                 6,186
   Other liabilities                   3,236                 2,414
   Shareholders' equity               70,576                62,529

 Asset Quality Ratios:
   Nonperforming loans to total
    loans                               0.63%                 0.25%
   Nonperforming assets to
    total assets                        0.73%                 0.21%
   Net charge-offs to average total
    loans                               0.05%                 0.25%
   Allowance for loan losses to
    nonperforming loans               193.76%               480.22%
   Allowance for loan losses to
    total loans                         1.22%                 1.21%

 Growth Ratios and Other Data:
   Percentage change in assets         29.42%
   Percentage change in loans          35.07%
   Percentage change in deposits       33.72%
   Percentage change in equity         12.87%
   Loans to deposits ratio             97.81%

 ------------------------------------------------------------
 (1) Annualized.
 (2) Taxable equivalent.
 (3) Computed by dividing noninterest expense by the sum of
     the net interest income and noninterest income.




             APPALACHIAN BANCSHARES, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                              (Unaudited)
             (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                             Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended
                                   June 30,              June 30,
                            -------------------    -------------------
                              2007        2006       2007       2006
                            --------    -------    --------   --------
 Interest Income
   Interest and fees on
    loans                   $ 17,021    $ 11,630   $ 32,606   $ 21,930
   Interest on securities:
     Taxable securities          706         568      1,397      1,099
     Nontaxable securities       153         180        310        347
   Interest on deposits with
    other banks                   18           9         64         18
   Interest on federal funds
    sold                          68         126        153        182
                            --------    --------    -------    -------
       Total Interest 
        Income                17,966      12,513     34,530     23,576
                            --------    --------    -------    -------

 Interest Expense
   Interest on deposits        7,895       4,531     15,106      8,201
   Interest on federal funds
    purchased, short-term notes
    and securities sold under
    agreements to repurchase      84         122        112        156
   Interest on Federal Home
    Loan Bank advances           419         306        740        573
   Interest on subordinated
    long-term capital notes      134         128        268        232
                            --------    --------    -------    -------
       Total Interest
        Expense                8,532       5,087     16,226      9,162
                            --------    --------    -------    -------


 Net Interest Income           9,434       7,426     18,304     14,414
   Provision for loan losses     947         823      1,583      1,708
                            --------    --------    -------    -------

 Net Interest Income After
  Provision for Loan Losses    8,487       6,603     16,721     12,706
                            --------    --------    -------    -------

 Noninterest Income

   Customer service fees         548         411      1,061        787
   Mortgage origination
    commissions                  513         278        993        552
   Other operating income        199         248        578        457
                            --------    --------    -------    -------
       Total Noninterest
        Income                 1,260         937      2,632      1,796
                            --------    --------    -------    -------

 Noninterest Expenses
   Salaries and employee
    benefits                   4,523       3,179      8,938      5,869
   Occupancy, furniture and
    equipment expense            909         653      1,763      1,167
   Other operating expenses    2,003       1,494      4,031      2,876
                            --------    --------    -------    -------
       Total Noninterest
        expense                7,435       5,326     14,732      9,912
                            --------    --------    -------    -------


 Income before income taxes    2,312       2,214      4,621      4,590
 Income tax expense              811         776      1,561      1,617
                            --------    --------    -------    -------

 Net Income                 $  1,501    $  1,438   $  3,060   $  2,973
                            ========    ========   ========   ========

 Earnings Per Common Share

   Basic                        0.29        0.28       0.58       0.58
   Diluted                      0.29        0.27       0.58       0.56


 Cash Dividends Declared Per
  Common Share                    --          --         --         --

 Weighted Average Shares 
  Outstanding
   Basic                   5,255,507   5,156,124  5,235,250  5,154,911
   Diluted                 5,256,001   5,274,516  5,256,717  5,281,859




             APPALACHIAN BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                              (Unaudited)
                         (Dollars in thousands)

                                    June 30,    Dec. 31,      June 30,
                                      2007        2006          2006
                                    --------     -------      --------
 Assets                              
   Cash and due from banks          $ 17,641     $ 7,940      $ 12,484
   Interest-bearing deposits with
    other banks                          314         541         9,714
   Federal funds sold                  2,163       3,107         4,163
                                    --------     -------      --------
       Cash and Cash Equivalents      20,118      11,588        26,361

   Securities available-for-sale      76,974      74,725        72,912

   Mortgage loans held for sale        4,932          --            --

   Loans, net of unearned income     724,898     631,786       540,350
   Allowance for loan losses          (8,880)     (7,670)       (6,531)
                                    --------     -------      --------
       Net Loans                     716,018     624,116       533,819


   Premises and equipment, net        28,531      23,412        20,184
   Accrued interest                    8,757       8,157         5,444
   Cash surrender value on life
    insurance                          8,604       8,438         8,286
   Intangibles, net                    2,135       2,197         1,992
   Other assets                        7,507       5,581         5,973
                                    --------     -------      --------

       Total Assets                 $873,576    $758,214      $674,971
                                    ========    ========      ========


 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

 Liabilities
     Noninterest-bearing deposits  $  55,679   $  53,422     $  56,471
     Interest-bearing deposits       690,493     597,712       501,550
                                    --------     -------      --------
       Total Deposits                746,172     651,134       558,021

   Short-term borrowings               5,965       4,738        17,565
   Accrued interest                    1,841       1,454         1,006
   Federal Home Loan Bank advances    39,600      25,050        27,250
   Subordinated long-term capital
    notes                              6,186       6,186         6,186
   Other liabilities                   3,236       2,889         2,414
                                    --------     -------      --------
       Total Liabilities             803,000     691,451       612,442
                                    --------     -------      --------

 Shareholders' Equity
   Preferred Stock, 20,000,000 shares
    authorized, none issued               --          --            --
   Common stock, par value $0.01
    per share, 20,000,000 shares
    authorized, 5,304,726 shares
    issued at June 30, 2007,
    5,280,497 shares issued at
    December 31, 2006 and
    5,235,597 shares issued at
    June 30, 2006                         53          53            52
   Paid-in capital                    44,233      43,870        43,364
   Retained earnings                  26,821      23,761        20,730
   Accumulated other comprehensive
    loss                                (531)       (221)         (917)
   Treasury stock, at cost (-0-
    shares at June 30, 2007,
    75,973 shares at December 31,
    2006 and June 30, 2006)               --        (700)         (700)
                                    --------     -------      --------
 Total Shareholders' Equity           70,576      66,763        62,529
                                    --------     -------      --------

       Total Liabilities and
        Shareholders' Equity        $873,576    $758,214      $674,971
                                    ========    ========      ========


            

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