Exhibit 31.1

Certifications

I, Lawrence P. Ward, certify that:

1.  I have reviewed this first amendment to annual report on Form 10-K of Heritage Oaks Bancorp;

2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.  (Omitted per Compliance Disclosure Interpretation 161.01)

4.  (Omitted per Compliance Disclosure Interpretation 161.01)

5.  (Omitted per Compliance Disclosure Interpretation 161.01)

Date:  April 14, 2010	/s/ Lawrence P. Ward
	Lawrence P. Ward
	Chief Executive Officer
	(Principal Executive Officer)