EXHIBIT 99.1

                                                    Charles L. Schultz

                                                    (818) 871-2000

                         AMWEST INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
              APPLIES FOR DELISTING FROM AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE

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     CALABASAS, CA - June 25, 2001 - Amwest Insurance Group, Inc. (AMEX:AMW)
(PCXE:AMW) announced today that it has applied to the Securities Exchange
Commission ("SEC") to remove its shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per
share ("Common Stock"), and its Preferred Stock Purchase Rights ("Rights"), from
listing on the American Stock Exchange (the "Exchange")

     The Company cited its continuing inability to comply with its listing
agreement with the Exchange and its continuing inability to file periodic
reports with the SEC as the principal reasons for its application to withdraw
from trading on the Exchange. The company noted that the Exchange has consented
to the company's filing with the SEC for delisting.

     Trading in the company's Common Stock was halted by the Exchange on April
17, 2001, when the company announced that it was further delaying the filing of
its Form 10-K for the 2000 fiscal year beyond the required April 17, 2001
deadline due to its inability to finalize year-end financial statements,
principally relating to its reinsurance arrangements. The company has been
advised by the Exchange that it anticipates that the trading will remain halted
until the delisting is completed. The company expects that the SEC will approve
the delisting in the next several weeks. The Company has also commenced the
process of delisting its Common Stock and Rights from the Pacific Exchange and
will not seek to have the Common Stock or Rights traded on the over-the-counter-
market.

     Amwest is a Calabasas-based insurance holding company underwriting surety
bonds through Far West Insurance Company.

     Certain statements contained in this news release regard matters that are
not historical facts and are forward-looking statements. Because such forward-
looking statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ
materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any
revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events
or circumstances after the date hereof to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events.

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