8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report: February 19, 2010

(Date of earliest event reported)

American National Bankshares Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Virginia	0-12820	54-1284688
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

628 Main Street

Danville, Virginia 24541

(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (434) 792-5111

Not applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01. Other Events.

On February 19, 2010, American National Bankshares Inc. (the “Company”) filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Once declared effective by the SEC, the shelf registration will allow the Company to raise capital as it desires, up to $50 million, through the sale of various types of securities, subject to market conditions and the Company’s capital needs.

A copy of the press release announcing the filing of the registration statement is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits. The following exhibit is being furnished pursuant to Item 8.01 above.

Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibit
99.1	Press Release issued February 19, 2010.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

AMERICAN NATIONAL BANKSHARES INC.
By:	/S/    WILLIAM W. TRAYNHAM
	William W. Traynham
	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: February 19, 2010

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibit
99.1	Press Release issued February 19, 2010.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: WILLIAM W. TRAYNHAM

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PHONE: (434) 773-2242

AMERICAN NATIONAL BANKSHARES INC. (VA) ANNOUNCES SHELF REGISTRATION

DANVILLE, Virginia, February 19, 2010– American National Bankshares Inc. (Nasdaq: AMNB), announced that its Board of Directors has authorized and the Company has filed a Form S-3 shelf registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Once declared effective by the SEC, the shelf registration will allow the Company to raise capital as it desires, up to $50 million, through the sale of various types of securities. Specific terms of the securities to be offered and prices of the securities will be determined at the time of any such offering under a separate prospectus supplement to be filed with the SEC at the time of each specific offering.

The proceeds from any such sales would be used for general corporate purposes. Such purposes could include, but are not limited to, investments at the Company level, debt reduction, possible acquisitions and other purposes as described in any prospectus supplement.

Charles H. Majors, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “These are extremely challenging times for the banking industry. The other side of great challenge is great opportunity. American National Bankshares Inc., and its banking subsidiary, American National Bank & Trust Company, are very well capitalized. Our capital, asset quality, and earnings afford us the strategic flexibility to carefully consider opportunities as they become available. This shelf registration is part of an on-going process to provide our Company with the optimal resources necessary to meet challenges or opportunities that may occur in the near future.”

The registration statement relating to these securities is not yet effective. These securities may not be sold and no offers to buy can be accepted until the SEC declares the registration statement effective and any appropriate prospectus supplement has been filed. This press release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities, and there shall be no sale of any of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful before registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state. Any offer of these securities will be made solely by means of any prospectus and prospectus supplement that may be issued with respect to such offering.