As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission April 23, 2009   Registration No. 333-_____

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_____________________________

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

____________________________

HERITAGE OAKS BANCORP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

California	77-0388249
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

545 12th Street

Paso Robles, California

93446

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, or Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

Lawrence P. Ward

President and Chief Executive Officer

Heritage Oaks Bancorp

545 12th Street.,

Paso Robles, CA  93446

(Name and address of agent for service)

(805) 239-5200

(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies of communications to:

John F. Stuart, Esq.

Kenneth E. Moore, Esq.

Reitner, Stuart & Moore

1319 Marsh Street

San Luis Obispo, CA  93401

(805) 545-8590

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.   x

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨

If this form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

Large accelerated filer ¨	Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer  ¨	Smaller reporting company ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of each class of securities to be registered	Amount to be Registered	Proposed maximum   offering price per unit	Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price	Amount of Registration Fee
Warrant to Purchase Common Stock, no par value per share, and underlying shares of Common Stock(2)	611,650(1)	$5.15(2)	$3,149,998(2)	$176.00
Total:			$3,149,998	$176.00

(1) There are being registered hereunder (a) a warrant for the purchase of 611,650 shares of common stock with an initial per share exercise price of $5.15 per share, (b) the 611,650 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrant and (c) such additional number of shares of common stock, of a currently indeterminable amount, as may from time to time become issuable by reason of stock splits, stock dividends and certain anti-dilution provisions set forth in such warrant, which shares of common stock are registered hereunder pursuant to Rule 416.

(2) Calculated in accordance with Rule 457(i) with respect to the per share exercise price of the warrant of $5.15.

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed.  The selling security holders may not sell these securities or accept an offer to buy those securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective.  This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, APRIL 22, 2009

PROSPECTUS

HERITAGE OAKS BANCORP

WARRANT TO PURCHASE 611,650 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

611,650 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

This prospectus relates to the potential resale from time to time by selling securityholders of a warrant to purchase 611,650 shares of common stock, or the warrant, and any shares of common stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of the warrant. In this prospectus, we refer to the warrant and the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant, collectively, as the securities.  Shares of our Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, or the Series A Preferred Stock, and the warrant, were originally issued by us pursuant to the Letter Agreement dated March 20, 2009, and the related Securities Purchase Agreement – Standard Terms, between us and the United States Department of the Treasury, which we refer to as the initial selling securityholder, in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act.

The initial selling securityholder and its successors, including transferees, which we collectively refer to as the selling securityholders, may offer the securities from time to time directly or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents and in one or more public or private transactions and at fixed prices, prevailing market prices, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. If these securities are sold through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, the selling securityholders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agents’ commissions.

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of securities by the selling securityholders.

Neither the Series A Preferred Stock nor the warrant is listed on an exchange, and, unless requested by the initial selling securityholder, we do not intend to list the Series A Preferred Stock on any exchange.  We do not intend to list the warrant on any exchange.

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “HEOP.” On April 20, 2009, the closing price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market was $5.06 per share. You are urged to obtain current market quotations of the common stock.

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2.

Our principal executive offices are located at 545 12th Street, Paso Robles, California 93446, and our telephone number is (805) 239-5200. Our Internet address is http://www.heritageoaksbank.com.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus April 22, 2009.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS	1
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	2
RISK FACTORS	2
USE OF PROCEEDS	2
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS	3
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK	3
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK	5
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION	8
SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS	10
LEGAL MATTERS	11
EXPERTS	11
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION	11
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE	11

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, the selling securityholders may, from time to time, offer and sell, in one or more offerings, the securities described in this prospectus.

The registration statement containing this prospectus, including the exhibits to the registration statement, provides additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. The registration statement, including the exhibits and the documents incorporated herein by reference, can be read on the SEC website or at the SEC offices mentioned under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”

We may provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of a particular offering by the selling securityholders. The prospectus supplement may add, update or change information in this prospectus. If the information in this prospectus is inconsistent with a prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in that prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and, if applicable, any prospectus supplement. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for more information.

In this prospectus, “Heritage Oaks Bancorp,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” and “us” refer to Heritage Oaks Bancorp, which is a bank holding company headquartered in Paso Robles, California, and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, unless the context otherwise requires. References to “Heritage Oaks” mean Heritage Oaks Bank, which is our principal bank subsidiary.  The website for Heritage Oaks Bancorp and Heritage Oaks is www.heritageoaksbank.com.  Information on the website does not constitute part of this prospectus, unless specifically incorporated by reference.

We have not authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. This prospectus and any prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor do this prospectus and any prospectus supplement constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of such document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus and any prospectus supplement is delivered or securities are sold on a later date.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference contain statements that are considered “forward looking statements” within the meaning of United States securities laws. In addition, Heritage Oaks Bancorp and its management may make other written or oral communications from time to time that contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, including statements about industry trends, management’s future expectations and other matters that do not relate strictly to historical facts, are based on assumptions by management, and are often identified by such forward-looking terminology as “expect,” “look,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “seek,” “may,” “will,” “trend,” “target,” and “goal” or similar statements or variations of such terms. Forward-looking statements may include, among other things, statements about Heritage Oaks Bancorp’s confidence in its strategies and its expectations about financial performance, market growth, market and regulatory trends and developments, acquisitions and divestitures, new technologies, services and opportunities and earnings.

Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which change over time, are based on management’s expectations and assumptions at the time the statements are made, and are not guarantees of future results. Management’s expectations and assumptions, and the continued validity of the forward-looking statements, are subject to change due to a broad range of factors affecting the national and global economies, the equity, debt, currency and other financial markets, as well as factors specific to Heritage Oaks Bancorp and its subsidiaries, including Heritage Oaks.

Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in our forward-looking statements and from our historical financial results due to the factors discussed elsewhere in this prospectus or disclosed in our other SEC filings. Forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our expectations or beliefs as of any date subsequent to the time this prospectus is filed with the SEC. Heritage Oaks Bancorp undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus to reflect events after the time it is filed with the SEC. The factors discussed herein are not intended to be a complete summary of all risks and uncertainties that may affect our businesses. Though we strive to monitor and mitigate risk, we cannot anticipate all potential economic, operational and financial developments that may adversely impact our operations and our financial results.

Forward-looking statements should not be viewed as predictions, and should not be the primary basis upon which investors evaluate Heritage Oaks Bancorp. Any investor in Heritage Oaks Bancorp should consider all risks and uncertainties disclosed in our SEC filings described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” all of which are accessible on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves significant risks. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties and the risk factors set forth in the documents and reports filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as well as any risks described in any applicable prospectus supplement, before you make an investment decision regarding the securities. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business operations.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of the securities by the selling securityholders.

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RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS

Attached as Exhibit 12.1 is our ratio of earnings to fixed charges, which is incorporated herein by reference.  No shares of our Series A preferred stock, or any other class of preferred stock, were outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003 and we did not pay preferred stock dividends during these periods. Consequently, the ratios of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends do not reflect dividends to be paid on the Series A preferred stock.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK

The following is a brief description of the terms of the warrant that may be resold by the selling securityholders. This summary does not purport to be complete in all respects. This description is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the warrant, a copy of which has been filed with the SEC and is also available upon request from us.

Shares of Common Stock Subject to the Warrant

The warrant is initially exercisable for 611,650 shares of our common stock. If we complete one or more qualified equity offerings on or prior to December 31, 2009 that result in our receipt of aggregate gross proceeds of not less than $21 million, which is equal to 100% of the aggregate liquidation preference of the Series A preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock underlying the warrant then held by the selling securityholders will be reduced by 50% to 305,825 shares. The number of shares subject to the warrant are subject to adjustments described below under the heading “—Adjustments to the Warrant.”

Exercise of the Warrant

The initial exercise price applicable to the warrant is $5.15 per share of common stock for which the warrant may be exercised. The warrant may be exercised at any time on or before March 20, 2019 by surrender of the warrant and a completed notice of exercise attached as an annex to the warrant and the payment of the exercise price for the shares of common stock for which the warrant is being exercised. The exercise price may be paid either by the withholding by Heritage Oaks Bancorp of such number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant equal to the value of the aggregate exercise price of the warrant determined by reference to the market price of our common stock on the trading day on which the warrant is exercised or, if agreed to by us and the warrantholder, by the payment of cash equal to the aggregate exercise price. The exercise price applicable to the warrant is subject to the further adjustments described below under the heading “—Adjustments to the Warrant.”

Upon exercise of the warrant, certificates for the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise will be issued to the warrantholder. We will not issue fractional shares upon any exercise of the warrant. Instead, the warrantholder will be entitled to a cash payment equal to the market price of our common stock on the last day preceding the exercise of the warrant (less the pro-rated exercise price of the warrant) for any fractional shares that would have otherwise been issuable upon exercise of the warrant. We will at all times reserve the aggregate number of shares of our common stock for which the warrant may be exercised. As with our common stock currently, the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant will be listed with the NASDAQ Stock Market.

Rights as a Shareholder

The warrantholder shall have no rights or privileges of the holders of our common stock, including any voting rights, until (and then only to the extent) the warrant has been exercised.

Transferability

The warrant, and all rights under the warrant, are transferable.

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Adjustments to the Warrant

Adjustments in Connection with Stock Splits, Subdivisions, Reclassifications and Combinations. The number of shares for which the warrant may be exercised and the exercise price applicable to the warrant will be proportionately adjusted in the event we pay dividends or make distributions of our common stock, subdivide, combine or reclassify outstanding shares of our common stock.

Anti-dilution Adjustment. Until the earlier of March 20, 2012 and the date the initial selling securityholder no longer holds the warrant (and other than in certain permitted transactions described below), if we issue any shares of common stock (or securities convertible or exercisable into common stock) for less than 90% of the market price of the common stock on the last trading day prior to pricing such shares, then the number of shares of common stock into which the warrant is exercisable and the exercise price will be adjusted. Permitted transactions include issuances:

• as consideration for or to fund the acquisition of businesses and/or related assets;

• in connection with employee benefit plans and compensation related arrangements in the ordinary course and consistent with past practice approved by our board of directors;

• in connection with public or broadly marketed offerings and sales of common stock or convertible securities for cash conducted by us or our affiliates pursuant to registration under the Securities Act, or Rule 144A thereunder on a basis consistent with capital-raising transactions by comparable financial institutions (but do not include other private transactions); and

• in connection with the exercise of preemptive rights on terms existing as of March 20, 2009.

Other Distributions. If we declare any dividends or distributions other than our historical, ordinary cash dividends, the exercise price of the warrant will be adjusted to reflect such distribution.

Certain Repurchases. If we effect a pro rata repurchase of common stock both the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrant and the exercise price will be adjusted.

Business Combinations. In the event of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving Heritage Oaks Bancorp and requiring shareholder approval, the warrantholder’s right to receive shares of our common stock upon exercise of the warrant shall be converted into the right to exercise the warrant for the consideration that would have been payable to the warrantholder with respect to the shares of common stock for which the warrant may be exercised, as if the warrant had been exercised prior to such merger, consolidation or similar transaction.

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

General

The discussion below is a summary of various rights of shareholders, it is not intended to be a complete statement of all rights.  The discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, the Company’s Bylaws as well as the provisions of California and federal law.

Authorized Capital Stock.  The Company’s Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of up to 20,000,000 shares of Company common stock, no par value, of which 7,752,553 shares were outstanding as of January 31, 2009, and 5,000,000 shares of Company preferred stock, no par value.

Issuance of Stock.  Under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, shares of common stock or preferred stock may be issued from time to time by the board of directors without the approval of the shareholders.

Liquidation Rights.  In the event of liquidation, holders of common stock of the Company are entitled to rights to assets distributable to shareholders on a pro rata basis after satisfaction of liabilities and rights of holders of preferred stock, if any.

Redemption Rights.  The Company’s articles of incorporation contain no provisions regarding the redemption of the common stock.

Preemptive Rights.  The Company’s Articles of Incorporation do not provide for preemptive rights.

Assessment.Shares of the Company’s common stock are not assessable.

Voting Rights.   Each share of Company common stock is entitled to one vote per share.

Cumulative voting in the election of directors of the Company will apply by virtue of California law.  Cumulative voting entitles a shareholder to vote as many votes as equals the number of shares the shareholder owns multiplied by the number of directors to be elected.  A shareholder may cast all his votes for a single candidate or distribute such votes among any or all of the candidates.

Shareholder Action without a Meeting.  The Company’s Bylaws provide that any action that is required or permitted to be taken by shareholders at an annual or special meeting may be taken by a written consent signed by the same number of shareholders that would be required to approve a measure presented at an annual or special meeting.

Shareholder Vote on Business Combinations.  In general, approval of a business combination (a merger or sale of assets) involving the Company requires the approval of a majority of the Board of Directors and a favorable vote of a majority of the outstanding shares.

Special Meetings of Shareholders.  The Company’s Bylaws provide that a special meeting of the shareholders may be called by, among others, holders of 10% or more of the outstanding voting shares.

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Dividends.   The Company may pay cash dividends out of funds legally available therefor, subject to the restrictions set forth in the California General Corporation Law (the “CGCL”).  The CGCL provides that a corporation may make a distribution to its shareholders if the corporation’s retained earnings equal at least the amount of the proposed distribution.  CGCL also provides that, in the event that sufficient retained earnings are not available for the proposed distribution, a corporation may nevertheless make a distribution to its shareholders if it meets two conditions, which generally stated are as follows: (i) the corporation’s assets equal at least 1-1/4 times its liabilities, and (ii) the corporation’s current assets equal at least its current liabilities or, if the average of the corporation’s earnings before taxes on income and before interest expenses for the two preceding fiscal years was less than the average of the corporation’s interest expenses for such fiscal years, then the corporation’s current assets  must equal at least 1-1/4 times its current liabilities.

In addition, the terms of Series A Preferred Stock contain restrictions on the payment of dividends on our common stock.  So long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding, unless all accrued and unpaid dividends for all prior dividend periods have been paid or are contemporaneously declared and paid in full, no dividend whatsoever shall be paid or declared on Heritage Oaks Bancorp’s common stock or other junior stock, other than a dividend payable solely in common stock. We and our subsidiaries also may not purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of our common stock or other junior stock unless we have paid in full all accrued dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock for all prior dividend periods, other than:

• purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of our common stock or other junior stock in connection with the administration of our employee benefit plans in the ordinary course of business pursuant to a publicly announced repurchase plan up to the increase in diluted shares outstanding resulting from the grant, vesting or exercise of equity-based compensation;

• purchases or other acquisitions by broker-dealer subsidiaries of Heritage Oaks Bancorp solely for the purpose of market-making, stabilization or customer facilitation transactions in junior stock or parity stock in the ordinary course of its business;

• purchases or other acquisitions by broker-dealer subsidiaries of Heritage Oaks Bancorp for resale pursuant to an offering Heritage Oaks Bancorp of our stock that is underwritten by the related broker-dealer subsidiary;

• any dividends or distributions of rights or junior stock in connection with any shareholders’ rights plan or repurchases of rights pursuant to any shareholders’ rights plan;

• acquisition of record ownership of junior stock or parity stock for the beneficial ownership of any other person who is Heritage Oaks Bancorp or a subsidiary of Heritage Oaks Bancorp, including as trustee or custodian; and

• the exchange or conversion of junior stock for or into other junior stock or of parity stock for or into other parity stock or junior stock but only to the extent that such acquisition is required pursuant to binding contractual agreements entered into before March 20, 2009 or any subsequent agreement for the accelerated exercise, settlement or exchange thereof for common stock.

On any dividend payment date for which full dividends are not paid, or declared and funds set aside therefor, on the Series A Preferred Stock and any other parity stock, all dividends paid or declared for payment on that dividend payment date (or, with respect to parity stock with a different dividend payment date, on the applicable dividend date therefor falling within the dividend period and related to the dividend payment date for the Series A Preferred Stock), with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock and any other parity stock shall be declared ratably among the holders of any such shares who have the right to receive dividends, in proportion to the respective amounts of the undeclared and unpaid dividends relating to the dividend period.

Subject to the foregoing, such dividends (payable in cash, stock or otherwise) as may be determined by our board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of the board) may be declared and paid on our common stock and any other stock ranking equally with or junior to the Series A Preferred Stock from time to time out of any funds legally available for such payment, and the Series A Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to participate in any such dividend.

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Amendment to Charter and Bylaws.  Amendments to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation generally require the approval of a majority vote of the Company’s Board of Directors and also by a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company’s voting stock.  The Company’s Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the Board of Directors or the affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes eligible to be voted by shareholders.

Board of Directors.  The Company’s Bylaws provide that the number of directors shall be not less than 7 nor more than 13 with the exact number of directors fixed by a resolution of the board or shareholders.  The number of directors has been fixed at 11.

Directors of the Company are elected annually for a one year term.

In general, the removal of a director of the Company requires a vote of a majority of the shareholders at a meeting.

Dissenters’ Rights.  Because the Company is a California corporation, the dissenters’ rights available to Company shareholders also will be governed by Chapter 13 of the CGCL.

Financial Information.  The Company currently files certain periodic information and reports with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including an annual report and quarterly reports containing financial information.  Copies of these reports are available for review at the SEC’s public reference facilities at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549.  Information on the operation of the public reference rooms may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  The SEC also maintains an internet website that will contain the Company’s periodic reports, proxy statements and other information.  The address of that site is www.sec.gov.

Our common stock is listed on NASDAQ Stock Market. Outstanding shares of our common stock are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Holders of our common stock are not, and will not be, subject to any liability as shareholders.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

Restrictions on Ownership

The Bank Holding Company Act requires any “bank holding company,” as defined in the Bank Holding Company Act, to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board prior to the acquisition of 5% or more of our common stock. Any person, other than a bank holding company, is required to obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board to acquire 10% or more of our common stock under the Change in Bank Control Act. Any holder of 25% or more of our common stock, or a holder of 5% or more if such holder otherwise exercises a “controlling influence” over us, is subject to regulation as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The selling securityholders and their successors, including their transferees, may sell the securities directly to purchasers or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, who may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling securityholders or the purchasers of the securities. These discounts, concessions or commissions as to any particular underwriter, broker-dealer or agent may be in excess of those customary in the types of transactions involved.

The securities may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. These sales may be effected in transactions, which may involve crosses or block transactions:

• on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the preferred stock or the common stock may be listed or quoted at the time of sale, including, as of the date of this prospectus, the NASDAQ Stock Market in the case of the common stock;

• in the over-the-counter market;

• in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or services or in the over-the-counter market; or

• through the writing of options, whether the options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise.

In addition, any securities that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this prospectus.

In connection with the sale of the securities or otherwise, the selling securityholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short sales of the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant in the course of hedging the positions they assume. Unless otherwise prohibited, the selling securityholders may also sell short the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant and deliver common stock to close out short positions, or loan or pledge the Series A Preferred Stock or the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities.

The aggregate proceeds to the selling securityholders from the sale of the securities will be the purchase price of the securities less discounts and commissions, if any.

In effecting sales, broker-dealers or agents engaged by the selling securityholders may arrange for other broker-dealers to participate. Broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions, discounts or concessions from the selling securityholders in amounts to be negotiated immediately prior to the sale.

In offering the securities covered by this prospectus, the selling securityholders and any broker-dealers who execute sales for the selling securityholders may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. Any profits realized by the selling securityholders and the compensation of any broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions. Selling securityholders who are “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act and may be subject to certain statutory and regulatory liabilities, including liabilities imposed pursuant to Sections 11, 12 and 17 of the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act.

In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the securities must be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states the securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.

The anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of securities pursuant to this prospectus and to the activities of the selling securityholders. In addition, we will make copies of this prospectus available to the selling securityholders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, which may include delivery through the facilities of the NASDAQ Stock Market pursuant to Rule 153 under the Securities Act.

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At the time a particular offer of securities is made, if required, a prospectus supplement will set forth the number and type of securities being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name of any underwriter, dealer or agent, the purchase price paid by any underwriter, any discount, commission and other item constituting compensation, any discount, commission or concession allowed or reallowed or paid to any dealer, and the proposed selling price to the public.

We do not intend to apply for listing of Warrant on any securities exchange or for inclusion of the Warrant in any automated quotation system. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market, if any, for the Warrant.

We have agreed to indemnify the selling securityholders against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act. We have also agreed, among other things, to bear substantially all expenses (other than underwriting discounts and selling commissions) in connection with the registration and sale of the securities covered by this prospectus.

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SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

On March 20, 2009, we issued the securities covered by this prospectus to the United States Department of Treasury, which is the initial selling securityholder under this prospectus, in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The initial selling securityholder, or its successors, including transferees, may from time to time offer and sell, pursuant to this prospectus or a supplement to this prospectus, any or all of the securities they own. The securities to be offered under this prospectus for the account of the selling securityholders are:

• A warrant to purchase 611,650 shares of our common stock, representing beneficial ownership of approximately 7.89% of our outstanding common stock as of January 31, 2009; and

• 611,650 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant, which shares, if issued, would represent ownership of approximately 7.89% of our outstanding common stock as of January 31, 2009.

For purposes of this prospectus, we have assumed that, after completion of the offering, none of the securities covered by this prospectus will be held by the selling securityholders.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities. To our knowledge, the initial selling securityholder has sole voting and investment power with respect to the securities.

We do not know when or in what amounts the selling securityholders may offer the securities for sale. The selling securityholders might not sell any or all of the securities offered by this prospectus. Because the selling securityholders may offer all or some of the securities pursuant to this offering, and because currently no sale of any of the securities is subject to any agreements, arrangements or understandings, we cannot estimate the number of the securities that will be held by the selling securityholders after completion of the offering.

Other than with respect to the acquisition of the securities, the initial selling securityholder has not had a material relationship with us.

Information about the selling securityholders may change over time and changed information will be set forth in supplements to this prospectus if and when necessary.

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the warrant and the common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Reitner, Stuart and Moore.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Heritage Oaks Bancorp appearing in Heritage Oaks Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and the effectiveness of Heritage Oaks Bancorp’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 have been audited by Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http:/www.sec.gov. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at http://www.heritageoaksbank.com. Our website is not a part of this prospectus. You may also read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. In all cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and all future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the termination of the offering, except to the extent that any information contained in such filings is deemed “furnished” in accordance with SEC rules:

• Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008;

• Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2008, June 30, 2008, and September 30, 2008; and

• Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 8, 2009, January 28, 2009, February 11, 2009, February 26, 2009, March 2, 2009, March 5, 2009 and March 23, 2009.

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Heritage Oaks Bancorp

545 12th Street.,

Paso Robles, California 02111

Telephone: (805) 239-5200

Attn: Corporate Secretary  

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the various expenses to be incurred in connection with the sale and distribution of the Securities being registered hereby, all of which will be borne by Heritage Oaks Bancorp (except any underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses incurred by the selling securityholders for brokerage, accounting, tax or legal services or any other expenses incurred by the selling securityholders in disposing of the shares). All amounts shown are estimates except the SEC registration fee.

SEC registration fee	$	175.77
Legal fees and expenses	$	20,000.00
Accounting fees and expenses	$	1,000.00
Miscellaneous expenses	$	1,500.00
Total expenses	$	22,675.77

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Heritage Oaks Bancorp and its subsidiary, Heritage Oaks, are subject to the California General Corporation Law (the "CGCL"), which provides a detailed statutory framework covering indemnification of any officer or other agent of a corporation who is made or threatened to be made a party to any legal proceeding by reason of his or her services on behalf of such corporation.

                   With respect to indemnification, the CGCL provides that to the extent any officer, director or other agent of a corporation is successful "on the merits" in defense of any legal proceeding to which such person is a party or is threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service on behalf of such corporation or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter therein, such agent shall be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the agent in connection therewith, but does not require indemnification in any other circumstance. The CGCL also provides that a corporation may indemnify any agent of the corporation, including officers and directors, against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in a third party proceeding against such person by reason of his or her services on behalf of the corporation, provided the person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of such corporation. The CGCL further provides that in derivative suits a corporation may indemnify such a person against expenses incurred in such a proceeding, provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the corporation and its shareholders. Indemnification is not available in derivative actions (i) for amounts paid or expenses incurred in connection with a matter that is settled or otherwise disposed of without court approval or (ii) with respect to matters for which the agent shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless the court shall determine that such person is entitled to indemnification.

           The CGCL permits the advancing of expenses incurred in defending any proceeding against a corporate agent by reason of his or her service on behalf of the corporation upon the giving of a promise to repay any such sums in the event it is later determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified. Finally, the CGCL provides that the indemnification provided by the statute is not exclusive of other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled, by bylaw, agreement or otherwise, to the extent additional rights are authorized in a corporation's articles of incorporation. The law further permits a corporation to procure insurance on behalf of its directors, officers and agents against any liability incurred by any such individual, even if a corporation would not otherwise have the power under applicable law to indemnify the director, officer or agent for such expenses.

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The Bylaws of Heritage Oaks Bancorp and Heritage Oaks contain provisions substantially identical to the provisions of the CGCL.

In addition, Heritage Oaks Bancorp and Heritage Oaks maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies.

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Item 16. Exhibits

EXHIBIT NUMBER	DESCRIPTION
4.1	Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended on March 2, 2009.
4.2	Bylaws of the Registrant as amended on April 22, 2009.
4.3	Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 20, 2009, between the Registrant and the United States Department of the Treasury (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 23, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.4	Warrant, dated March 20, 2009, to purchase shares of Common Stock of the Registrant (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 23, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
5.1	Opinion of Reitner, Stuart & Moore.
12.1	Statement of ratios of earnings to fixed charges
23.1	Consent of Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., LLP
23.2	Consent of Reitner, Stuart & Moore, included in Exhibit 5.1 filed herewith.
24.1	Powers of Attorney

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Item 17. Undertakings.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act of 1933”);

(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this registration statement.

(2) That, for the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at the time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 (4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i) each prospectus filed by a registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

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(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of a registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

(iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

The registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the indemnification provisions described herein, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that the Registrant meets all of the requirements of filing on Form S-3 and authorized this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, in the City of Paso Robles, State of California on April 22, 2009.

	HERITAGE OAKS BANCORP
Date	By:	/s/ Lawrence P. Ward
		Lawrence P. Ward
		President and Chief Executive Officer

In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on April 22, 2009.

Signature	Capacity
/s/ Michael J. Morris	Chairman of the Board
MICHAEL J. MORRIS
/s/ Donald H. Campbell	Vice Chairman of the Board
DONALD H. CAMPBELL
/s/ Lawrence P. Ward	Director, President and CEO
LAWRENCE P. WARD
/s/ Michael J. Behrman, M.D.	Director
MICHAEL J. BEHRMAN, M.D.
/s/ Kenneth L. Dewar	Director
KENNETH L. DEWAR
/s/ Mark C. Fugate	Director
MARK C. FUGATE
/s/ Dolores T. Lacey	Director
DOLORES T. LACEY
/s/ Merle F. Miller	Director
MERLE F. MILLER

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/s/ Daniel J. O’Hare	Director
DANIEL J. O’HARE
/s/ Michael E. Pfau	Director
MICHAEL E. PFAU
/s/ Alexander F. Simas	Director
ALEXANDER F. SIMAS

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