Exhibit 16.1







                   LETTER RE: CHANGE IN CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANTS







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Office of the Chief Accountant
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549


April 11, 2002


Dear Sir/Madam:


     We have read Item 4 included  in the Form 8-K dated  April 8, 2002 of North
Bay Bancorp to be filed with the Securities  and Exchange  Commission and are in
agreement  with the  statements  made in  Section A -  Dismissal  of  Certifying
Accountants  as they  relate to matters  between  North Bay  Bancorp  and Arthur
Andersen LLP.




Very truly yours,

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP




By
     Jeffrey M. Jarczyk




cc:  Mr. Terry L. Robinson,  President and Chief  Executive  Officer,  North Bay
     Bancorp Ms.  Lee-Ann  Cimino,  Senior Vice  President  and Chief  Financial
     Officer, North Bay Bancorp





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