American International Industries, Inc. Announces Update On Stock Repurchase Program

HOUSTON and KEMAH, Texas, April 20, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mr. Daniel Dror,
Chairman and CEO of American International Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMIN),
announced today that the Company has repurchased 132,860 shares of its common
stock, approximately 1.5% of the outstanding shares, in a private transaction.
Also, the Company has been actively repurchasing shares of its common stock
under the repurchase program previously announced. To date, the Company has
purchased approximately 89,000 shares under this plan and will continue to
repurchase shares, as the Board of Directors believes that the price of the
Company's common stock is not a valid reflection of the underlying value of its
shares. The Company is limited in its ability to purchase its own shares, due to
regulation of stock repurchase programs under the Federal Securities Laws
related to volume, price and timing of purchases, and because the Company's
shares are thinly traded.

American International Industries, Inc. is a diversified holding company, with a
business model similar to General Electric, Tyco International, and Berkshire
Hathaway. The Company has holdings in Industry, Finance, and Real Estate in
Houston Texas and surrounding areas, and Oil & Gas. The vision of the Company is
to develop holdings in various industries through acquisition of existing
companies, applying the financial resources and management expertise to foster
the growth and profitability of the acquired businesses. The holding company
serves as a financial and professional partner to the management of the
subsidiaries. The role of the holding company is to improve each subsidiary's
access to capital, achieve economies of scale by consolidating administrative
functions, and utilize the financial and management expertise of corporate
personnel across all units. The Company is continuing to work with management of
the subsidiary companies to improve revenues, operations and profitability.

Private Securities Litigation Reform Act Safe Harbor Statement:

The matters discussed in this release contain forward-looking statements within
the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended that involve risks and
uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical information
provided herein may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting
the foregoing, the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects" and
similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those that we may
anticipate in each of our segments reflected by our subsidiaries' operations
include without limitations, continued acceptance of our products and services,
continued growth in the energy sector, increased levels of competition, the
dependence upon adequate financing, third party suppliers and the ability to
hire and retain qualified management for its operating subsidiaries, and the
regulatory environment in the segments in which we operate. Readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which
reflect management's analysis, judgment, belief or expectation only as of the
date hereof.

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CONTACT: American International Industries, Inc.
Investor Relations:
Rebekah Ruthstrom
281-334-9479
amin@americanii.com