Sierra Bancorp is a bank holding company that operates through its principal subsidiary, Bank of the Sierra (the Bank). The Bank is a state-chartered bank, that offers a full range of retail and commercial banking services to communities in the central and southern sections of the San Joaquin Valley. As of December 31, 2009, the Bank operates 24 full service branch offices throughout its geographic footprint, as well as an Internet branch, which provides the ability to open deposit accounts and submit certain loan applications online. The Bank maintains a diversified loan portfolio comprised of agricultural, commercial, consumer, real estate construction and mortgage loans. Loans are made primarily within the market area of the South Central San Joaquin Valley of California, specifically, Tulare, Fresno, Kern, Kings, and Madera counties. It also offers a range of deposit products for retail and business banking markets.