National Bankshares, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Earnings

BLACKSBURG, VA, JULY 15, 2009: National Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ Capital Market: NKSH) reported today that it posted second quarter net income of nearly $3.36 million, or basic net income of $0.48 per share. For the second quarter of 2008, the Company had net income of nearly $3.47 million. Year-to-date net income is over $6.74 million, or $0.97 per share, 1.41% above the $6.65 million total on June 30, 2008. National Bankshares, Inc., a financial holding company headquartered in Blacksburg, Virginia, had net loans of $569.85 million at June 30, 2009, an increase of 7.63% over net loans at the end of the second quarter last year. Total assets on June 30 were $984.76 million, up by 10.04% over the same period in 2008.

Commenting on the Company's quarterly results, Chairman, President & CEO James G. Rakes said, "Second quarter earnings were impacted by a special Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation assessment, as well as an increase in quarterly fees. It is not commonly understood that insured depository institutions themselves, not the taxpayers, fund FDIC deposit insurance. The financial crisis has put an additional burden on the Deposit Insurance Fund, and all insured banks are contributing so that the Fund's reserve ratio remains healthy. Although the special assessment hurt second quarter earnings, FDIC insurance is a cornerstone of the American banking industry, and banks are doing what must be done to be certain that the public's confidence in FDIC remains high."

Mr. Rakes went on to say, "We are pleased with the level of loan growth through the first half of the year, and the quality of the loan portfolio is good. Although the total of nonperforming assets is somewhat higher, the ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans, at 0.47%, is reasonable and compares very well with our peers. We have increased the provision for loan losses throughout 2009, both in recognition of the difficult economy and to keep pace with loan growth. As we work to meet the challenges that remain this year, we are mindful of the conservative traditions that are a part of our bank's 118-year heritage and of its important role in the communities we serve."

National Bankshares, Inc. is the parent of the National Bank of Blacksburg, which does business as National Bank from 25 offices in Southwest Virginia. The Company has a financial services subsidiary that serves the same markets as National Bankshares Investment Services and National Bankshares Insurance Services. Company stock is traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol "NKSH".

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are statements that include projections, predictions, expectations or beliefs about future events or results that are not statements of historical fact and that involve significant risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that its expectations with regard to forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its existing knowledge of its business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual Company results will not differ materially from any future results implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual results may be materially different from past or anticipated results because of many factors, some of which may include changes in economic conditions, the interest rate environment, legislative and regulatory requirements, new products, competition, changes in the stock and bond markets and technology. The Company does not update any forward-looking statements that it may make.

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