===========================================================================

                                  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: September 5, 2000



                             REDWOOD EMPIRE BANCORP
            (Exact number of Registrant as specified in its charter)



       California                     File No. 0-19231           68-016636
 (State or other jurisdiction of  (Commission File Number)     (IRS Employer)
  Incorporated or organization)                              Identification No.)



   111 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, California                95404-4905
      (Address of principal executive offices)                  (Zip Code)



       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (707) 573-4800





===========================================================================



Item 5.  Other Events

Press release on the following article:

1.   Redwood Empire Bancorp announces completion of its 10% share repurchase.







                                   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.



             9-5-00
Date:  ___________________            REDWOOD EMPIRE BANCORP
                                           (Registrant)


                                      /s/ James E. Beckwith
                                 By:
                                      James E. Beckwith
                                      Executive Vice President and
                                      Chief Operating Officer







                                      FOR:           REDWOOD EMPIRE BANCORP


                                      APPROVED BY:   James E. Beckwith
                                                     Chief Operating Officer
                                                     (707) 522-5215


For Immediate Release



               REDWOOD EMPIRE BANCORP ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF ITS
                              10% SHARE REPURCHASE


SANTA ROSA, Calif.  (September 5, 2000) -- Redwood Empire Bancorp (NASDAQ: REBC)
today announced that it has completed its 10% share repurchase  announced on May
16, 2000.  Under this  repurchase,  the Company bought a total of  approximately
316,000 shares at an average price of $20.32 per share.  The Company's  Board of
Directors  is  currently  evaluating  whether to continue  its share  repurchase
program.

     Redwood  Empire  Bancorp is the holding  company for  National  Bank of the
Redwoods,  a commercial  bank. The Company  operates through branches in Sonoma,
Mendocino and Lake Counties.

     The statements  contained in this release,  which are not historical facts,
are  forward-looking  statements  that are  subject to risks and  uncertainties.
Actual  results  may  differ  materially  from  those set forth in or implied by
forward-looking   statements.   These  risks  are  described  in  the  Company's
Securities and Exchange Commission filings.



                                      # # #