EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Release

Heritage Bankshares, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Earnings and Declares Dividends

Norfolk, Va.: January 29, 2010 – Heritage Bankshares, Inc. (“Heritage”; the “Company”) (OTCBB: HBKS), the parent of Heritage Bank (the “Bank”), today announced unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2009.

Net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2009 was $463,000 compared to net income of $67,000 for the fourth quarter of 2008. After the effect of dividends on preferred stock, net income available to common stockholders was $317,000, or $0.14 per diluted share, compared to net income available to common stockholders of $67,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2008.

Net income for 2009 was $1,052,000 compared to net income of $662,000 for 2008. After the effect of dividends on preferred stock, net income available to common stockholders for 2009 was $896,000, or $0.39 per diluted share, compared to net income available to common stockholders of $662,000, or $0.29 per diluted share, for 2008.

Net income for 2008 included an after tax gain of $342,000 on the sale of investment securities in the second and third quarters. The Company took the unusual step of selling a large number of securities in the third quarter of 2008 to avoid any potential impairment of these securities from the turbulence in the financial markets existing at that time. There were no gains on the sale of investment securities in 2009.

Michael S. Ives, President and CEO of the Company and the Bank, commented:

“In this difficult economic environment, we are quite pleased with our results for the fourth quarter. Our net income before preferred stock dividends for the fourth quarter was $463,000, well in excess of our net income of $67,000 for the fourth quarter last year. Furthermore, our asset quality remains excellent, with nonperforming assets of only 0.11% of assets.

“Several years ago, many community banks grew their real estate loan portfolios rapidly through aggressive lending practices. Many of these loans had little or no actual equity in the underlying transactions and involved high loan-to-value ratios with the calculations of value based on wildly optimistic assumptions. Absent rare circumstances such as borrowers with exceptional liquidity or substantial core deposits with our Bank, we did not compete for these types of loans. As a

1

result, growth in our loan portfolio has been limited over the past several years. Our patience and restraint have been rewarded with strong asset quality in the midst of a severe recession.

“Now, however, in light of changes in the prevailing lending landscape, loans are more attractive to us and we plan to increase our lending efforts. Among other changes, borrowers no longer laugh when we ask for actual equity in transactions; loan-to-value ratios are now at appropriate levels; and, most importantly, values are being calculated with reasonable assumptions for the long term. Furthermore, our low cost of funds allows us to provide aggressive pricing for loans that meet our credit criteria.

“I have steadfastly maintained my belief that our net income will grow rapidly as we grow loans and deposits because of our stable expense base. Our results over the past few years support this proposition.

“Our noninterest expenses were $8.0 million for 2007, $8.0 million for 2008, and $8.1 million (including the special FDIC assessment of $121,000) for 2009. Over the same period, our assets grew from $221.2 million at December 31, 2007 to $265.5 million at December 31, 2008 and to $274.6 million at December 31, 2009. Similarly, our net interest income grew from $7.5 million in 2007 to $8.0 million in 2008 to $9.0 million in 2009. Our expectation is that these trends will continue in 2010 with only modest increases in operating expenses that we currently anticipate will be more than offset by increases in our net interest income from loan and deposit growth.

“Some of our shareholders may still be wondering why our Company would issue preferred stock to the United States Treasury under the TARP Capital Purchase Program when so many banks have declined to participate in TARP or have replaced TARP preferred stock with dilutive common stock or expensive and dilutive convertible preferred stock. After months of deliberation and careful financial analysis, our Board of Directors concluded that the acceptance of TARP proceeds would be the most cost-effective means for the Company to grow and still maximize growth in earnings per share.

“More specifically, the increase in our capital base from the issuance of preferred stock under TARP allows the Company to grow by at least $80,000,000 in assets. Comparable growth in our capital through the issuance of new common stock or convertible preferred stock at the currently depressed valuation levels for community bank stocks would have resulted in massive dilution to our existing shareholders, which we avoided through participation in the TARP program. When the capital markets recover for community banks in the future, the Company can always repurchase the TARP preferred stock through some combination of retained earnings, capital loans and/or the issuance of additional common stock at a much higher valuation. But until then, the Company can continue to grow its assets and earnings without capital constraints, and the current shareholders can benefit from this growth without serious dilution to their earnings per share.”

2

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008

Overview. The Company’s pretax income was $709,000 for the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to pretax income of $100,000 for the fourth quarter of 2008. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2008, net interest income increased by $209,000, provision for loan losses decreased by $357,000, noninterest income decreased by $30,000 and noninterest expense decreased by $73,000.

Net Interest Income. The Company’s net interest income before provision for loan losses increased by $209,000 to $2.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to $2.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $29.1 million in the average balance of interest-earning assets, which more than offset an increase of $861,000 in average interest-bearing liabilities, and to an increase in net interest spread from 3.20% to 3.25%. The net interest margin decreased by 10 basis points, from 3.73% in the fourth quarter of 2008 to 3.63% in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Provision for Loan Losses. Provision for loan losses for the three months ended December 31, 2009 was $28,000 compared to a $385,000 loan loss provision for the three months ended December 31, 2008.

Noninterest Income. Total noninterest income decreased by $30,000, from $246,000 in the fourth quarter of 2008 to $216,000 in the fourth quarter of 2009. This decrease was primarily attributable to net gains of $37,000 on the sale of other real estate owned in the fourth quarter of 2008 that did not recur in 2009.

Noninterest Expense. Total noninterest expense decreased by $73,000, from $1.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 to $1.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. This decrease in noninterest expense was driven primarily by a $59,000 decrease in compensation and by a net decrease of $58,000 in a variety of other expenses. These increases were partially offset by a $45,000 increase in FDIC insurance expense, which resulted from an increase in FDIC assessment rates and growth in deposit balances.

Income Taxes. The Company’s income tax expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2009 was $246,000, which represented an effective tax rate of 34.7%, compared to income tax expense of $33,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2008, which represented an effective tax rate of 32.9%. The higher effective tax rate was primarily attributable to a higher percentage of net non-deductible items relative to pre-tax income in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008

Overview. The Company’s pretax income was $1,593,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, compared to pretax income of $1,039,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, resulting in an increase of $554,000. Compared to 2008, net interest income increased by $1,033,000, provision for loan losses decreased by $284,000, noninterest income decreased by $666,000 and noninterest expense increased by $97,000.

Net Interest Income. The Company’s net interest income before provision for loan losses increased by $1,033,000 to $9.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009

3

compared to $8.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $33.2 million in the average balance of interest-earning assets, which more than offset an increase of $16.0 million in average interest-bearing liabilities, and to an increase in net interest spread from 3.03% to 3.25%. Net interest margin decreased by 8 basis points, from 3.74% for 2008 to 3.66% for 2009.

Provision for Loan Losses. Provision for loan losses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 was $169,000 compared to a $453,000 provision for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, a decrease of $284,000. Net charge-offs in the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 were $48,000 compared to $201,000 in net charge-offs for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008.

Noninterest Income. Total noninterest income decreased by $666,000, from $1.4 million in 2008 to $782,000 in 2009. This decrease was primarily due to a $518,000 decrease in net gains on the sale of investment securities, an $89,000 decrease in gains on sales of mortgage loans held for sale, and a $37,000 decrease in gains on sale of other real estate owned.

Noninterest Expense. Total noninterest expense increased by $97,000, from $8.0 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 to $8.1 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2009. Increases of $320,000 and $122,000 in FDIC insurance expense and professional fees, respectively, were partially offset by a $231,000 decrease in courier expense, a $62,000 decrease in loss on disposal or impairment of fixed assets, and a $41,000 decrease in marketing expenses.

Income Taxes. The Company’s income tax expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 was $541,000, which represented an effective tax rate of 34.0%, compared to income tax expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 of $377,000, which represented an effective tax rate of 36.3%. The lower effective tax rate for 2009 was primarily attributable to a $48,000 tax benefit resulting from an increase in nonqualified stock options related to certain of the stock options that were repriced in the first quarter of 2009 and to nontaxable life insurance income recorded in the second quarter of 2009.

Financial Condition of the Company

Total Assets. The Company’s total assets increased by $9.1 million, or 3.4%, from $265.5 million at December 31, 2008 to $274.6 million at December 31, 2009. The increase in assets resulted primarily from increases of $12.5 million and $5.0 million in the ending balances of cash and cash equivalents and loans, respectively, partially offset by a decrease of $10.6 million in securities available for sale.

Total Cash and Cash Equivalents and Investment Securities. Total cash and cash equivalents and investment securities available for sale were $76.0 million at December 31, 2009, compared to a combined balance of $74.2 million at December 31, 2008, reflecting an increase in the combined balance of $1.9 million.

4

Loans. Loans held for investment, net, at December 31, 2009 were $181.6 million, which represents an increase of $5.0 million, or 2.8%, from the December 31, 2008 loan balance of $176.6 million.

Asset Quality. The Company’s total nonperforming assets remained very low but did increase slightly to $314,000, or 0.11% of assets, at December 31, 2009, compared to $219,000, or 0.08% of assets, at December 31, 2008, attributable to an increase in the balance of other real estate owned.

Deposits. Driven by continued growth in core deposits, total deposits increased by $13.3 million, or 6.2%, from $215.8 million at December 31, 2008 to $229.1 million at December 31, 2009. Core deposits, which are comprised of checking, savings and money market accounts, grew from $163.1 million at December 31, 2008 to $187.3 million at December 31, 2009, an increase of $24.2 million, or 14.8%.

Average total deposits increased by $27.4 million, or 13.9%, from $196.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 to $223.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009. Average core deposits increased by $27.9 million and average certificate of deposit balances decreased by $583,000 between the comparable twelve month periods.

Borrowed Funds. Borrowed funds increased by $768,000, from $6.2 million at December 31, 2008 to $7.0 million at December 31, 2009.

Capital. Stockholders’ equity increased by $11.0 million, or 42.3%, from $25.8 million at December 31, 2008 to $36.8 million at December 31, 2009. Stockholders’ equity increased primarily as a result of the $10.1 million of preferred stock issued by the Company on September 25, 2009 to the U.S. Treasury under its TARP Capital Purchase Program. Stockholders’ equity also increased due to a $415,000 increase in retained earnings that was largely attributable to an increase in the net income of the Company.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements to conform them to the current period presentation.

The unaudited financial statements and accompanying information contained in this press release reflect the impact of corrections to FDIC insurance expense related to prior periods. Specifically, as a result of such corrections to prior-period FDIC insurance expense, retained earnings at December 31, 2008 decreased by $47,390 compared to the originally-reported amount. Further, net income for the three months ended December 31, 2008 decreased by $3,910, from $71,000, as originally reported, to $67,000 (earnings were $0.03 per diluted share both before and after the correction). Net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 decreased by $26,000, from $688,000 (or $0.30 per diluted share), as originally reported, to $662,000 (or $0.29 per diluted share).

The tables attached to and incorporated within this release present in greater detail certain of the unaudited financial information described above.

5

Dividends

On January 27, 2010, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend on the Company’s common stock in the amount of $.06 per share, payable on February 19, 2010 to shareholders of record on February 8, 2010.

The same day, the Board of Directors also declared quarterly dividends on the preferred stock issued by the Company in connection with its participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program. Specifically, the Board declared (a) a cash dividend in the aggregate amount of $126,287.50 on the outstanding shares of its Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, and (b) a cash dividend in the aggregate amount of $6,817.50 on the outstanding shares of its Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B (collectively, the “Preferred Dividends”). The Preferred Dividends are payable on February 15, 2010 to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the sole holder of record of such preferred stock.

About Heritage

Heritage is the parent company of Heritage Bank (www.heritagebankva.com). Heritage Bank has four full-service branches in the city of Norfolk and two full-service branches in the city of Virginia Beach. Heritage Bank provides a full range of banking services including business, personal and mortgage loans.

Forward Looking Statements

The press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements address future events, developments or results and typically use words such as believe, anticipate, expect, intend, plan, forecast, outlook, or estimate. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Heritage’s actual results, performance, achievements, and business strategy to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance, achievements or business strategy expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such actual results, performance, achievements and business strategy to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, achievements and business strategy include: general and local economic conditions, competition, significant increases in capital requirements or other significant changes in regulatory requirements, customer demand for Heritage’s banking products and services, and the risks and uncertainties described in Heritage’s most recent Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Heritage disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

6

HERITAGE BANKSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

7

HERITAGE BANKSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share data)

8

HERITAGE BANKSHARES, INC.

OTHER SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

9