HUMBOLDT BANCORP
S-4, EX-10, 2000-11-14
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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                      TEHAMA BANCORP STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


This Tehama  Bancorp  Stock  Option  Agreement  (the  "Agreement"),  dated as of
September  20,  2000,  between  Humboldt  Bancorp,   a  California   corporation
("Humboldt"),  and Tehama Bancorp, a California  corporation  ("Tehama") is made
with reference to the following:

                                    RECITALS

A.   Humboldt  and  Tehama  have   entered   into  an  Agreement   and  Plan  of
     Reorganization  and Merger dated  September  20, 2000 (the  "Reorganization
     Agreement"), whereby Tehama would be merged with Humboldt (the "Merger").

B.   As partial  consideration to Humboldt for entering into the  Reorganization
     Agreement,  Tehama has agreed to issue to Humboldt an option  entitling the
     holder  thereof  to  purchase  up to  19.9%  (or  471,000  shares)  of  the
     outstanding common stock of Tehama ("Common Stock"),  assuming the exercise
     of this  Option,  subject to such  restrictions  and  conditions  as may be
     imposed by bank regulatory  authorities  having  jurisdiction over Humboldt
     and Tehama, respectively.

C.   Terms  used  herein  and not  otherwise  defined  shall  have the  meanings
     ascribed to them in the Reorganization Agreement or Article VI hereof.

In  consideration  of these premises and of the  representations,  covenants and
agreements hereinafter set forth, Tehama and Humboldt hereby agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I
                           ISSUANCE AND SALE OF OPTION

Section  1.1.  Issuance  And  Sale  of The  Option.  Subject  to the  terms  and
conditions  of this  Agreement,  and in reliance  upon the  representations  and
warranties  hereinafter set forth,  and in  consideration  for the execution and
delivery of the Reorganization  Agreement,  Tehama hereby issues to Humboldt one
or more  irrevocable  options (such  options,  together with any options  issued
pursuant to Section 1.4, the "Options") entitling the holder thereof to purchase
in the aggregate up to 471,000 duly authorized and newly issued shares of Common
Stock,  subject to adjustment as provided below. The Options being issued at the
time  of  the  execution  of  this  Agreement  will  be  evidenced  by a  single
certificate  in the form of Exhibit A hereto.  All  Options  issued  pursuant to
Section  1.4  will  be  evidenced  by  one  or,  at  Humboldt's  request,   more
certificates in the form of Exhibit A hereto,  dated the date of their issuance,
exercisable at the adjusted exercise price at the time in effect for the Options
issued  pursuant to this Section 1.1,  provided that at no time shall the number
of shares for which the Options are  exercisable  (without  giving effect to any
shares subject to or issued  pursuant to the Options) exceed 19.9% of the number
of shares of Common Stock then issued and outstanding.

Section 1.2. Option Price.  The initial exercise price at which shares of Common
Stock may be acquired  pursuant  to exercise of the Options  shall be $16.50 per
share (the "Option Price"), subject to adjustment as provided in Section 1.4.

<PAGE>2



Section 1.3.  Exercise of Options.

     (a) Subject to their prior termination pursuant to Section 7.1, the Options
may be exercised in whole or in part only after the occurrence of an Acquisition
Event as that term is defined in the Reorganization Agreement.

     (b) In the  event  Humboldt  is  entitled  to and  wishes to  exercise  the
Options,  it shall  send to Tehama a  written  notice  (the date of which  being
herein  referred to as the "Notice  Date")  specifying  (i) the total  number of
shares it will purchase  pursuant to such exercise and (ii) a place and date for
closing such  purchase not earlier  than three  Business  Days nor later than 60
Business  Days  from the  Notice  Date for the  closing  of such  purchase  (the
"Closing  Date");  provided  that if prior  notification  to or  approval of the
Federal Reserve Board or any other  regulatory  agency is required in connection
with  such  purchase,  Humboldt  shall  promptly  file the  required  notice  or
application for approval, shall promptly notify Tehama of such filing, and shall
expeditiously  process the same and the period of time that otherwise  would run
pursuant to this sentence  shall run instead from the date on which any required
notification periods have expired or been terminated or such approvals have been
obtained and any requisite waiting period or periods shall have passed.

     (c) At the closing  referred to in subsection  (b),  Humboldt  shall pay to
Tehama the  aggregate  purchase  price for the shares of Common Stock  purchased
pursuant to the exercise of the Options in immediately  available  funds by wire
transfer  to a bank  account  designated  by Tehama,  provided  that  failure or
refusal of Tehama to designate  such a bank account shall not preclude  Humboldt
from exercising the Options.

     (d) At such  closing,  simultaneously  with  the  delivery  of  immediately
available  funds as provided in subsection (c), Tehama shall deliver to Humboldt
a certificate or certificates  representing the number of shares of Common Stock
purchased by Humboldt.

     (e) Upon the giving by Humboldt to Tehama of the written notice of exercise
of the  Options  provided  for  under  subsection  (b)  and  the  tender  of the
applicable  purchase price in  immediately  available  funds,  Humboldt shall be
deemed to be the holder of record of the shares of Common  Stock  issuable  upon
such  exercise,  notwithstanding  that the stock  transfer books of Tehama shall
then be closed or that  certificates  representing  such shares of Common  Stock
shall not then be actually delivered to Humboldt. Tehama shall pay all expenses,
and any and all  federal,  state and local  taxes or other  charges  that may be
payable  in  connection  with  the  preparation,  issue  and  delivery  of stock
certificates hereunder in the name of Humboldt.

Section  1.4.  Additional  Options;  Adjustments  to Option  Price And Number of
Shares.  The  number of shares to which the  Options  may be  exercised  and the
Option Price shall be subject to adjustment as provided below:

     (a) Additional Options. If Tehama shall, on one or more occasions after the
date hereof, issue additional shares of Common Stock, and if, as a result of any
such issuance the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of
Options issued pursuant to Section 1.1 hereof shall represent less than 19.9% of
the outstanding Common Stock, assuming the exercise of all Options and all other
options or other securities convertible into Common Stock, Tehama shall issue to
Humboldt,  promptly  upon  Humboldt's  demand,  without  further  consideration,
Options to purchase a number of authorized but unissued  shares of Common  Stock

<PAGE>3

which,  when added to the shares  issued or issuable  upon the  exercise of such
previously  issued  Options,  would  represent  19.9%  as the case may be of the
outstanding Common Stock.

     (b) Adjustment For Stock Splits And Combinations.  If Tehama at any time or
from time to time  after the date of this  Agreement  effects a  subdivision  of
Common  Stock,  the  Option  Price  then  in  effect   immediately  before  that
subdivision shall be proportionately decreased, and conversely, if Tehama at any
time or from  time  to time  after  the  date  of this  Agreement  combines  the
outstanding  shares of Common Stock, the Option Price then in effect immediately
before the combination shall be proportionately  increased. Any adjustment under
this subsection (b) shall become  effective at the close of business on the date
the subdivision or combination becomes effective.

     (c) Adjustment For Certain Dividends And Distributions. In the event Tehama
at any time or from time to time  after  the date of this  Agreement  makes,  or
fixes a record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to
receive, a dividend or other distribution payable in additional shares of Common
Stock,  then and in each such  event the Option  Price  then in effect  shall be
decreased as of the time of such issuance or, in the event such a record date is
fixed,  as of the close of business  on such record  date,  by  multiplying  the
Option  Price then in effect by a  fraction  (i) the  numerator  of which is the
total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding  immediately prior
to the time of such  issuance or the close of business on such record date,  and
(ii) the  denominator  of which  shall be the  total  number of shares of Common
Stock issued and outstanding  immediately  prior to the time of such issuance or
the close of  business  on such  record date plus the number of shares of Common
Stock issuable in payment of such dividend or distribution;  provided,  however,
that if such record date is fixed and such dividend is not fully paid or if such
distribution  is not fully made on the date  fixed  therefor,  the Option  Price
shall be recomputed  accordingly as of the close of business on such record date
and  thereafter the Option Price shall be adjusted  pursuant to this  subsection
(c) as of the time of actual payment of such dividends or distributions.

     (d) Adjustments For Other Dividends And Distributions.  In the event Tehama
at any time or from time to time  after  the date of this  Agreement  makes,  or
fixes a record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to
receive, a dividend or other distribution  payable in securities of Tehama other
than shares of Common Stock,  then in each such event provision shall be made so
that the holders of Options shall receive upon exercise thereof,  in addition to
the  number of  shares  of Common  Stock  receivable  thereupon,  the  amount of
securities  of Tehama  which they would have  received  had their  Options  been
converted  into Common Stock on the date of such event and had they  thereafter,
during  the  period  from the date of such  event to and  including  the date of
exercise  of the  Options,  retained  such  securities  receivable  by  them  as
aforesaid during such period, subject to all other adjustments called for during
such period under this Section 1.4.

     (e) Adjustment For Reclassification,  Exchange And Substitution.  If Common
Stock  issuable  upon the  exercise of the Options is changed into the same or a
different  number  of  shares  of any class or  classes  of  stock,  whether  by
recapitalization,  reclassification  or otherwise  (other than a subdivision  or
combination   of  shares  or  stock  dividend  or  a   reorganization,   merger,
consolidation  or sale of assets  provided for  elsewhere in this Section  1.4),
then  and in any such  event  each  holder  of  Options  shall  have  the  right
thereafter  to receive upon exercise of the Options the kind and amount of stock
and  other  securities  and  property   receivable  upon  such   reorganization,
reclassification  or  other change  by holders of the number of shares of Common

<PAGE>4

Stock into which such Options  might have been  exercised  immediately  prior to
such  reorganization,   reclassification  or  change,  all  subject  to  further
adjustment as provided in this Section 1.4.

     (f) Reorganization,  Mergers, Consolidations And Sales of Assets. If at any
time or from time to time  there is a capital  reorganization  of the  shares of
Common  Stock  (other  than  a   recapitalization,   subdivision,   combination,
reclassification  or exchange of shares  provided for  elsewhere in this Section
1.4), or a merger or consolidation  of Tehama with or into another  corporation,
or the sale of all or substantially all of Tehama's properties and assets to any
other person, then, as a part of such reorganization,  merger,  consolidation or
sale,  provision  shall  be  made so  that  the  holders  of the  Options  shall
thereafter  be  entitled to receive  upon  exercise of the Options the number of
shares of stock or other  securities or property of Tehama,  or of the successor
corporation  resulting  from such merger or  consolidation  or sale,  to which a
holder of Common Stock  deliverable upon exercise of the Options would have been
entitled in such capital reorganization,  merger,  consolidation or sale. In any
such  case,  appropriate  adjustment  shall  be made in the  application  of the
provisions of this Section 1.4 and the other terms and  conditions  with respect
to the rights of the holders of the Options  after the  reorganization,  merger,
consolidation  or  sale to the  end  that  the  provisions  of  this  Agreement,
including  this Section 1.4  (including  adjustment  of the Option Price then in
effect and number of shares  purchasable  upon exercise of the Options) shall be
applicable after that event and be as nearly equivalent to the provisions hereof
as may be practicable.

     (g) Sale of Shares Below Option Price.

          (i) If at any  time  or  from  time to  time  after  the  date of this
     Agreement,  Tehama issues or sells, or is deemed by the express  provisions
     of this subsection (g) to have issued or sold,  Additional Shares of Common
     Stock  (as  hereinafter  defined),  other  than  as  a  dividend  or  other
     distribution  on any class of stock as provided in subsection (c) above and
     other than upon a subdivision  or  combination of shares of Common Stock as
     provided in subsection (b) above,  for an Effective  Price (as  hereinafter
     defined) less than the Option Price (or, if an adjusted  Option Price shall
     be in  effect  by  reason  of a  previous  adjustment,  then less than such
     adjusted  Option Price) then and in each such case the then existing Option
     Price shall be  reduced,  as of the opening of business on the date of such
     issuance or sale, to a price determined by multiplying that Option Price by
     a fraction (i) the  numerator of which shall be (A) the number of shares of
     Common  Stock Deemed  Outstanding  at the close of business on the day next
     preceding  the date of such  issue or sale plus (B) the number of shares of
     Common  Stock which the  aggregate  consideration  received  (or by express
     provision  hereof  deemed to have been  received)  by Tehama  for the total
     number of  Additional  Shares of Common Stock so issued  would  purchase at
     such Option Price, and (ii) the denominator of which shall be the number of
     shares of Common Stock Deemed  Outstanding  at the close of business on the
     date of such  issuance  after giving  effect to such issuance of Additional
     Shares of Common Stock.  For purposes of this paragraph (i),  "Common Stock
     Deemed  Outstanding" at any given time shall mean the sum of (1) the number
     of shares of Common Stock actually outstanding at that time, (2) the number
     of Additional  Shares of Common Stock then deemed to have been issued under
     paragraphs  (iii)  or (iv) of this  subsection  (g) and (3) the  number  of
     shares of Common Stock then  issuable upon exercise of stock options to the
     extent not already  deemed to have been issued  under  paragraphs  (iii) or
     (iv) of this subsection (g).

          (ii) For the  purpose of making  any  adjustment  required  under this
     subsection  (g), the  consideration  received by Tehama for any issuance or
     sale of securities  shall (i) to the extent it consists of cash be computed
     at the net  amount  of cash  received  by  Tehama  after  deduction  of any
     expenses  payable by Tehama and any  underwriting  or similar  commissions,
     compensation  or concessions  paid or allowed by Tehama in connection  with

<PAGE>5

     such issue or sale,  (ii) to the extent it consists of property  other than
     cash,  be computed at the fair value of that property as determined in good
     faith by the Tehama Board and (iii) if  Additional  Shares of Common Stock,
     Convertible  Securities  (as  hereinafter  defined) or rights or options to
     purchase either Additional Shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities
     are issued or sold  together with other stock or securities or other assets
     of Tehama for a consideration which covers both, be computed as the portion
     of the consideration so received that may be reasonably  determined in good
     faith by the Tehama  Board to be  allocable  to such  Additional  Shares of
     Common Stock, Convertible Securities or rights or options.

          (iii) For the purpose of any adjustment required under this subsection
     (g),  if at any time or from time to time after the date of this  Agreement
     Tehama  issues or sells any rights or options for the purchase of, or stock
     or other securities  convertible  into,  Additional  Shares of Common Stock
     (such  convertible  stock or securities  being  hereinafter  referred to as
     "Convertible Securities"), then in each case Tehama shall be deemed to have
     issued at the time of the issuance of such rights or options or Convertible
     Securities the maximum number of Additional Shares of Common Stock issuable
     upon exercise or conversion  thereof and to have received as  consideration
     for the  issuance of such shares an amount equal to the total amount of the
     consideration,  if any,  received by Tehama for the issuance of such rights
     or options or Convertible  Securities  plus, in the case of such options or
     rights,  the amounts of  consideration,  if any, payable to Tehama upon the
     exercise  of such  options  or  rights  and,  in the  case  of  Convertible
     Securities,  the amounts of  consideration,  if any, payable to Tehama upon
     conversion  (other  than by  cancellation  of  liabilities  or  obligations
     evidenced by such  Convertible  Securities).  No further  adjustment of the
     Option  Price,  adjusted  upon the  issuance  of such  rights,  options  or
     Convertible Securities, shall be made as a result of the actual issuance of
     Additional  Shares of Common  Stock on the  exercise  of any such rights or
     options or the conversion of any such Convertible  Securities.  If any such
     rights or  options  or the  conversion  privilege  represented  by any such
     Convertible  Securities  shall  expire or be canceled  without  having been
     exercised,  the Option Price  adjusted  upon the issuance of such  options,
     rights or  Convertible  Securities  shall be readjusted to the Option Price
     which  would have been in effect had an  adjustment  been made on the basis
     that the  only  Additional  Shares  of  Common  Stock  so  issued  were the
     Additional  Shares of Common Stock, if any,  actually issued or sold on the
     exercise  of such  rights  or  options  or  rights  of  conversion  of such
     Convertible Securities, and such Additional Shares of Common Stock, if any,
     were issued or sold for the consideration  actually received by Tehama upon
     such exercise, plus the consideration,  if any, actually received by Tehama
     for the granting of all such rights or options,  whether or not  exercised,
     plus the  consideration  received  for issuing or selling  the  Convertible
     Securities  actually  converted plus the  consideration,  if any,  actually
     received  by  Tehama  (other  than  by   cancellation   of  liabilities  or
     obligations evidenced by such Convertible  Securities) on the conversion of
     such Convertible Securities.

          (iv) For the purpose of any adjustment  required under this subsection
     (g),  if at any time or from time to time after the date of this  Agreement
     Tehama  issues  or  sells  any  rights  or  options  for  the  purchase  of
     Convertible  Securities,  then in each such case Tehama  shall be deemed to
     have  issued at the time of the  issuance  of such  rights or  options  the
     maximum  number  of  Additional   Shares  of  Common  Stock  issuable  upon
     conversion of the total amount of  Convertible  Securities  covered by such
     rights or options and to have received as consideration for the issuance of
     such  Additional  Shares of Common  Stock an amount  equal to the amount of
     consideration,  if any,  received by Tehama for the issuance of such rights
     or options,  plus the minimum amounts of consideration,  if any, payable to
     Tehama  upon the  exercise  of such  rights or options and plus the minimum
     amount  of  consideration,  if  any,  payable  to  Tehama  (other  than  by
     cancellation  of liabilities or obligations  evidenced by such  Convertible
     Securities) upon the conversion of such Convertible Securities.  No further
     adjustment  of the  Option Price, adjusted upon the issuance of such rights

<PAGE>6

     or  options,  shall  be made as a  result  of the  actual  issuance  of the
     Convertible  Securities upon the exercise of such rights or options or upon
     the  actual  issuance  of  Additional  Shares  of  Common  Stock  upon  the
     conversion  of such  Convertible  Securities.  The  provisions of paragraph
     (iii) above for the readjustment of the Option Price upon the expiration of
     rights or options or the rights of  conversion  of  Convertible  Securities
     shall  apply  in  like  manner  to  the  rights,  options  and  Convertible
     Securities referred to in this paragraph (iv).

          (v)  "Additional  Shares of Common  Stock"  shall  mean all  shares of
     Common Stock issued by Tehama after the date of this  Agreement  whether or
     not subsequently  reacquired or retired by Tehama, other than (i) shares of
     Common Stock issued upon  exercise of the Options and (ii) shares issued by
     way of dividend or other  distribution  on shares of Common Stock  excluded
     from the  definition of Additional  Shares of Common Stock by the foregoing
     clause (i) or shares of Common  Stock  resulting  from any  subdivision  or
     combination of shares of Common Stock so excluded,  or shares issued by way
     of dividend or other  distribution on, or resulting from any subdivision or
     combination  of,  shares of Common stock  excluded  from the  definition of
     "Additional  Shares  of Common  Stock" by the  foregoing  clause  (i).  The
     "Effective  Price" of  Additional  Shares of Common  Stock  shall  mean the
     quotient  determined by dividing the total number of  Additional  Shares of
     Common  Stock  issued or sold,  or  deemed  to have been  issued or sold by
     Tehama under this subsection (g), into the aggregate consideration received
     or  deemed to have  been  received  by Tehama  for such  issue  under  this
     subsection (g).


                                   ARTICLE II
                  REPURCHASE OF OPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS ON SALE

Section 2.1.  Repurchase of Options.

     (a) Prior to the occurrence of an Acquisition  Event,  Tehama shall have no
right to  repurchase  the  Options and  Humboldt  shall have no right to require
Tehama to repurchase the Options.

     (b) At any time after the occurrence of an Acquisition Event,  Tehama shall
have  the  right to  purchase  (or to cause a person  designated  by  Tehama  to
purchase),  and Humboldt shall have the right to require that Tehama  repurchase
(or, if Tehama shall so elect, cause a person designated by Tehama to purchase),
(i) all (but not fewer than all) the Options at the time  beneficially  owned by
Humboldt and its  Affiliates at the Option Call Price in effect for such Options
on the date of closing (as provided below) and (ii) all (but not fewer than all)
of the shares of Common Stock purchased by Humboldt and its Affiliates  pursuant
to this Agreement  with respect to which Humboldt has beneficial  ownership at a
price  equal to the  aggregate  Market  Value for such  shares as of the date of
closing (as provided below).  Any purchase pursuant hereto shall take place on a
Business Day specified in a notice given by Tehama to Humboldt or by Humboldt to
Tehama,  as the case may be (but in no event prior to the 30th day following the
date of any such  notice to Humboldt  or later than the 30th day  following  the
date of any such notice to Tehama).

     (c) The closing of any repurchase of Options and/or shares pursuant to this
Section 2.1 shall take place at 10:00 a.m.  Pacific  Time, on the date set forth
in the applicable notice given by Tehama or Humboldt, as the case may be, at the
office of Humboldt at the address set forth in Section 8.1.  The amount  payable
to Humboldt and its  Affiliates  upon any  repurchase  of Options  and/or shares
shall be paid in lawful money of the United States by a federal funds check or a
wire  transfer  of  immediately  available  funds to an  account  designated  by
Humboldt. Upon  receipt of  such payment,  Humboldt shall deliver or cause to be

<PAGE>7

delivered to Tehama the certificates  representing all the Options and/or shares
being repurchased free and clear of any liens,  security  interests,  charges or
encumbrances.

Section 2.2.  Certain  Determinations  of Market Value.  The  calculation of the
Market Value,  as required  herein,  shall be calculated in accordance with this
Section 2.2. In the event that Market Value is to be determined  pursuant to the
terms hereof and there is not an established trading market for shares of Common
Stock,  or more than 50% of the  outstanding  shares  of  Common  Stock are held
beneficially  or of  record  by  persons,  each of whom  owns  (individually  or
together with members of any group of which such persons are members) 5% or more
of the  outstanding  shares of Common Stock,  then Humboldt may elect to have an
investment  banking firm mutually agreeable to Tehama and Humboldt determine (i)
whether,  in the opinion of such  investment  banking  firm,  as a result of the
absence of an established trading market or the concentration of stock holdings,
Market Value  (determined in accordance with the provisions of the definition of
Market Value in Article VI) does not accurately reflect the fair market value of
a block of 1,000  shares of Common Stock on the date as of which Market Value is
to be  determined,  and (ii) if such  investment  banking firm  determines  that
Market Value (as so  determined)  does not  accurately  reflect such fair market
value, such investment  banking firm shall make determination of the fair market
value of a share of Common  Stock on the date as of which  Market Value is to be
determined, based on whatever factors it deems relevant, as soon as possible and
shall promptly give written notice to Humboldt and Tehama of its  determination.
The fees of such investment  banking firm in connection with such  determination
shall be paid by Humboldt.  Such determination shall be final and binding on the
parties hereto and the fair market value so determined shall, if higher than the
Market  Value  that would  otherwise  apply,  be the Market  Value of a share of
Common Stock. In the event such determination is not transmitted to Humboldt and
Tehama prior to the  scheduled  closing date with respect to any  repurchase  of
Options or Common Stock, the scheduled  closing of such transaction shall not be
postponed,  and  Tehama  shall make such  payments  on the  closing  date as are
required  based on the Market Value of a share of Common Stock  determined as if
Humboldt had not made an election under this Section 2.2.  Within three Business
Days after such investment banking firm's  determination is made and conveyed to
Humboldt  and Tehama in writing,  Tehama  shall make a payment to  Humboldt,  or
Humboldt  shall  make a  payment  to  Tehama,  as the case may be,  equal to the
difference between the amount paid on the closing date and the amount that would
have  been so  payable  had such  amount  been  determined  on the basis of such
investment banking firm's determination of the Market Value of a share of Common
Stock.


                                   ARTICLE III
                    RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY OF STOCK;
                     COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Section 3.1.  Restrictions on Transferability.  The Options acquired by Humboldt
or any Affiliate of Humboldt pursuant to this Agreement and the shares of Common
Stock  issuable  upon  exercise of such Options and any shares of capital  stock
received or issued in respect thereof, including, without limitation, securities
issued  upon  any  stock  split,  stock  dividend,   recapitalization,   merger,
consolidation or similar event (such Options and all such shares of Common Stock
and securities being  collectively  called the "Restricted  Stock") shall not be
hypothecated,  nor shall any claim or liability  exist, nor shall any agreement,
written or oral, be entered into by Humboldt or any Affiliate of Humboldt  which
would  cause any claim or  liability  to exist with  respect  to the  Restricted
Stock,  and the  Restricted  Stock  shall  not be  transferred  except  upon the
conditions,  to the extent  applicable,  specified in this Article III. Humboldt
will cause any proposed  transferee of Restricted  Stock held by Humboldt or any

<PAGE>8

other Affiliate of Humboldt to agree to take ownership of such Restricted  Stock
subject  to the  provisions,  to the extent  applicable,  of this  Article  III;
provided,  however,  that the provisions of this Article shall cease to apply to
any Restricted Stock which shall have been sold in a registered  public offering
in accordance with the provisions of this Article III. Humboldt  represents that
it is purchasing the Restricted Stock for its own account and not with a view to
or for sale in connection with any distribution of such Restricted Stock.

Section 3.2.  Restrictive Legend; Notice of Proposed Transfers.

     (a) Each certificate  representing Restricted Stock shall (unless otherwise
permitted  by the  provisions  of paragraph  (b) of this  Section) be stamped or
otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

     THESE  SHARES/OPTIONS  HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
     1933,  AS  AMENDED.  THESE  SHARES/OPTIONS  MAY NOT BE SOLD OR  TRANSFERRED
     EXCEPT  PURSUANT  TO (i) A  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  WITH  RESPECT  TO SUCH
     SECURITIES  WHICH IS EFFECTIVE UNDER SAID ACT OR (ii) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL
     THAT AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION  UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT IS AVAILABLE.
     THE  TRANSFERABILITY  OF THESE  SHARES/  OPTIONS IS FURTHER  SUBJECT TO THE
     PROVISIONS  OF A STOCK OPTION  AGREEMENT  DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2000, A
     COPY OF WHICH IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF
     TEHAMA BANCORP.

     (b)  Each  holder  of  a  certificate   representing  Restricted  Stock  by
acceptance  thereof agrees to comply in all respects with the provisions of this
Section  3.2(b).  Prior to any proposed  transfer of any Restricted  Stock other
than pursuant to a  registration  under the  Securities  Act, the holder thereof
shall give written  notice to Tehama of such  holder's  intention to effect such
transfer.  Each such notice shall describe the manner and  circumstances  of the
proposed  transfer  of the  Restricted  Stock  to be  transferred  and  shall be
accompanied by an unqualified written opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory
to Tehama to the effect that such  proposed  transfer  may be  effected  without
registration  under the  Securities  Act.  Subject to Section 3.11 hereof,  upon
delivery  to Tehama of such notice and such  opinion of  counsel,  the holder of
such  Restricted  Stock shall be entitled to transfer such  Restricted  Stock in
accordance with the terms of such notice delivered by the holder to Tehama. Each
certificate evidencing Restricted Stock transferred as above provided shall bear
the appropriate restrictive legend set forth in paragraph (a) above, except that
such  certificate  shall not bear such  restrictive  legend  if the  opinion  of
counsel referred to above shall be to the further effect that such legend is not
required in order to establish  compliance with any provisions of the Securities
Act.

Section 3.3. No Transfers Prior to Acquisition Event.  Notwithstanding  anything
to the contrary set forth in this  Agreement or the  Restricted  Stock,  neither
Humboldt nor any Affiliate of Humboldt shall sell, transfer or otherwise dispose
of all or any portion of the Options  owned by it, other than to an Affiliate of
Humboldt,  except  after  the  occurrence  of an  Acquisition  Event;  provided,
however,  that following an Acquisition  Event, if Tehama or Humboldt shall give
notice of its election to exercise its rights under Section 2.1, then such right
of Humboldt and its  Affiliates  to sell,  transfer or otherwise  dispose of the
Restricted Stock shall no longer be exercised unless Tehama shall have defaulted
in its obligation to repurchase such  Restricted  Stock on the date specified in
any notice.

<PAGE>9

Section 3.4.  Limitations on Transferees And Manner of Transfer.

     (a) In the event that Humboldt and its Affiliates  become entitled pursuant
to the  provisions  of Section  3.3 to sell,  transfer or  otherwise  dispose of
Restricted Stock,  such Restricted Stock may be sold or transferred  (subject to
Section  3.11  hereof)  only  (i) to a third  party  (or a third  party  and its
Affiliates) in a transaction which complies with the provisions of paragraph (b)
of this  Section or (ii) to one or more  underwriters  or dealers in  connection
with a broad public distribution  complying with the provisions of paragraph (c)
of this Section of the shares of Common Stock issuable  pursuant to the exercise
of the  transferred  Options (such shares being  hereinafter  referred to as the
"Underlying Shares").  The provisions of this Section shall only apply to sales,
transfers or dispositions by Humboldt and its Affiliates, and shall not apply to
sales,  transfers or  dispositions  by transferees of Humboldt or its Affiliates
(except  that  any sale or  disposition  by  dealers  or  underwriters  shall be
conducted  in  accordance  with the  applicable  provisions  of this Section and
further except that all resales shall be made in accordance  with the Securities
Act).

     (b) Humboldt  and its  Affiliates  shall be entitled,  subject to the other
applicable  provisions of this Article III (including  Section 3.11) and Section
2.1, to sell or transfer  Restricted  Stock in one or more  transactions  exempt
from the  registration  requirements  of Section 5 of the  Securities  Act.  For
purposes of the  immediately  preceding  sentence,  it shall be assumed that all
Options,  if any, that already have been sold or transferred by Humboldt and its
Affiliates are still outstanding and have not been exercised in whole or in part
to purchase shares of Common Stock.

     (c) Options owned by Humboldt and its Affiliates,  unless sold to Tehama or
an Affiliate of Tehama or in compliance with paragraph (b) of this Section,  may
only be sold or transferred to one or more underwriters or dealers in accordance
with the provisions of this paragraph.  Humboldt and its Affiliates may, subject
to the terms and  conditions  set forth in this  paragraph (c), sell or transfer
Options in whole or in part to one or more  underwriters or dealers who agree in
writing with Humboldt, prior to the effective time of any such sale or transfer,
to exercise such Options and offer and sell the Underlying  Shares either (i) to
the public in a public  offering  registered  under the  Securities  Act (or any
successor federal securities laws) pursuant to a distribution,  or (ii) in other
transactions   complying   with  the   requirements   of  paragraph  (b)  above.
Notwithstanding  any other  provision  of this  Agreement to the  contrary,  the
exercise of any Options  transferred  to  underwriters  or dealers in accordance
with this Section and the acquisition by such  underwriters or dealers of shares
of Common Stock pursuant to such exercise may be made simultaneously on the date
of the closing of the sale or transfer  by  Humboldt  or its  Affiliates  of the
relevant  Options to such  underwriters  or  dealers,  provided  Tehama is given
written  notice of the date of such  closing at least five  Business  Days prior
thereto.  At any such closing,  against payment of the exercise price for shares
of Common Stock to be acquired pursuant to the exercise of Options,  Tehama will
deliver or cause to be delivered certificates representing the Underlying Shares
to such  underwriters or dealers,  in such names and denominations as it or they
shall designate not fewer than two Business Days prior to such closing.

Section 3.5. "Demand" Registration. From and after such date as Humboldt and its
Affiliates  become  entitled  pursuant to Section  3.4 to sell or  transfer  any
Restricted  Stock,  Tehama shall, if requested by Humboldt,  as expeditiously as
possible,  use its best  efforts to effect the  registration  of the  Restricted
Stock  (which  Tehama has been  requested  to  register on a form in general use
under the Securities Act (or any successor  federal  securities law) selected by
Tehama,  in order to permit  the sale or other  disposition  of such  Restricted
Stock in accordance  with the intended  method of sale or other  disposition set
forth in the request (subject to the provisions of Section 3.4(c)). The right to
require  registration of  the Restricted Stock under this  Section  3.5 may only

<PAGE>10

be  exercised  once  unless  Humboldt  is advised  in writing by its  investment
banking firm (a copy of which advice shall be supplied to Tehama)  that,  in the
opinion  of  such  firm,  an  additional  or two  additional  registrations  are
appropriate to maximize the benefits to Humboldt of the proposed distribution of
Restricted  Stock,  in which event  Humboldt may exercise once or twice more, as
applicable, its rights under this Section 3.5. Upon the issuance of a stop order
or injunction,  Tehama may withdraw any such registration  statement and abandon
the  proposed  offering  which  Humboldt  shall  have  demanded,  in which  case
Humboldt's right shall be reinstated.

Section 3.6. "Piggyback" Registration.  From and after such date as Humboldt and
its Affiliates  become entitled  pursuant to Section 3.4 to sell or transfer any
Restricted  Stock,  if at  any  time  Tehama  proposes  to  register  any of its
securities under the Securities Act (or any successor  federal  securities law),
whether or not for sale for its own account (except with respect to registration
statements  filed with  respect to the  issuance of  securities  under  employee
benefit  plans),  it will give written notice to Humboldt of its intention to do
so. Upon the written  request of Humboldt,  given within 15 calendar  days after
receipt of  Tehama's  notice,  Tehama  will use its best  efforts to cause to be
included in the shares to be covered by the registration  statement  proposed to
be filed by Tehama,  in accordance with the request of Humboldt,  the Restricted
Stock to be sold by dealers or underwriters in accordance with the provisions of
Section 3.4;  provided,  however,  that Tehama need not include such  Restricted
Stock in such  registration  statement  if Tehama is  advised  in writing by its
investment  banking  firm (a copy of which advise shall be supplied to Humboldt)
that the  inclusion  of such  securities  shall,  in the  opinion  of such firm,
materially  interfere  with the  orderly  sale and  distribution  of the  Tehama
securities  being sold by it. Tehama may, in its sole discretion and without the
consent of Humboldt,  withdraw any such  registration  statement and abandon the
proposed offering in which Humboldt shall have requested to participate pursuant
to this Section.

Section 3.7.  Registration Procedures And Expenses.

     (a) If and whenever  Tehama is required by the  provisions  of this Article
III to use its best efforts to effect the  registration of any of the Restricted
Stock  under the  Securities  Act (or any  successor  federal  securities  law),
Humboldt  and  its  Affiliates  (including  the  underwriters  in the  case of a
registration  of  Underlying  Shares)  (individually  referred  to as a "selling
holder" or  "holder"  and  collectively  referred  to as  "selling  holders"  or
"holders") will furnish in writing such  information as is reasonably  requested
by Tehama for inclusion in the registration  statement relating to such offering
and such other information and documentation as Tehama shall reasonably request,
and Tehama will, as expeditiously as possible:

          (i) prepare and file with the SEC or any other  federal  agency at the
     time  administering the Securities Act (or a successor  federal  securities
     law) a registration  statement with respect to such  securities and use its
     best  efforts to cause  such  registration  statement  to become and remain
     effective  for such  period as may be  necessary  to permit the  successful
     marketing of such securities, but not exceeding 90 days;

          (ii) prepare and file with the SEC such  amendments and supplements to
     such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith
     as may be necessary to keep such  registration  statement  effective and to
     comply with the provisions of the Securities Act;

          (iii)  furnish  to each  selling  holder  of  Restricted  Stock  being
     registered such number of copies of a prospectus and preliminary prospectus
     in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act (or any successor
     federal  securities  law),  and such  other  documents  as such  seller may

<PAGE>11

     reasonably  request  in  order  to  facilitate  the  public  sale or  other
     disposition of the Restricted Stock being registered owned by such seller;

          (iv)  furnish,  at the request of any holder or holders of  securities
     being  registered  pursuant  to this  Article  III,  on the date  that such
     securities  are  delivered to the  underwriters  for sale  pursuant to such
     registration or if such securities are not being sold through underwriters,
     on the date the  registration  statement  with  respect to such  securities
     becomes  effective  (A) an opinion dated such date of  independent  counsel
     representing Tehama for the purposes of such registration, addressed to the
     underwriters,  if any,  and to the holder or holders  making such  request,
     stating that such  registration  statement has become  effective  under the
     Securities  Act (or  such  successor  law)  and that (a) to the best of the
     knowledge  of such  counsel,  no stop order  suspending  the  effectiveness
     thereof  has been  issued and no  proceedings  for that  purpose  have been
     instituted or are pending or contemplated under the Securities Act (or such
     successor  federal  securities  law); (b) the registration  statement,  the
     related  prospectus and each  amendment or supplement  thereto comply as to
     form in all material  respects with the  requirements of the Securities Act
     (or such successor law) and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC
     thereunder,  except  that  such  counsel  need  express  no  opinion  as to
     financial  information or information provided by selling holders contained
     therein;  (c) such counsel  (subject to such  customary  limitation  on the
     scope of their  investigation as shall be set forth in such opinion) has no
     reason to believe that either the registration statement or the prospectus,
     or any amendment or supplement thereto,  contains any untrue statement of a
     material  fact or omits to state a  material  fact  required  to be  stated
     therein or necessary to make the statements  therein not misleading  except
     that such counsel need  express no opinion as to financial  information  or
     information   provided  by  selling  holders  contained  therein;  (d)  the
     descriptions in the  registration  statement and in the prospectus,  or any
     amendment or supplement thereto, of all legal and governmental  matters and
     all contracts  and other legal  documents or  instruments  are accurate and
     fairly present the information  required to be shown;  and (e) such counsel
     does  not  know  of any  legal  or  governmental  proceedings,  pending  or
     contemplated,  required to be  described in the  registration  statement or
     prospectus,  or any  amendment  or  supplement  thereto,  or to be filed as
     exhibits to the registration statement which are not described and filed as
     required;  and (B) a letter dated such date, from the independent certified
     public accountants of Tehama, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and to
     the holder or  holders  by or on behalf of whom a request is made,  stating
     that they are independent  certified public  accountants within the meaning
     of the  Securities  Act (or such  successor law) and that in the opinion of
     such  accountants  the financial  statements  and other  financial  data of
     Tehama included in the  registration  statement or the  prospectus,  or any
     amendment or supplement thereto, comply as to form in all material respects
     with the applicable accounting  requirements of the Securities Act (or such
     successor  law).  Such  letter  from  the  independent   certified   public
     accountants   shall   additionally   cover  such  other  financial  matters
     (including  information as to the period ending not more than five business
     days prior to the date of such letter) with respect to the  registration in
     respect of which  such  letter is being  given as the holder of  Restricted
     Stock being registered may reasonably request;

          (v) use its best efforts to register or qualify the  Restricted  Stock
     covered by such registration  statement under such other securities or blue
     sky  laws of  such  jurisdictions  as  each  such  selling  holder  of such
     Restricted Stock shall reasonably request and do any and all other acts and
     things which may be necessary or reasonably desirable to enable such seller
     to consummate the public sale or other disposition in such jurisdictions as
     may be requested by such seller; provided,  however, that Tehama shall have
     no  obligation to qualify to do business in any  jurisdiction  or to file a
     general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction;

<PAGE>12

          (vi) notify each selling  holder of  Restricted  Stock covered by such
     registration  statement,  at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is
     required to be delivered under the Securities Act (or any successor Federal
     securities  law),  of the  happening  of any event as a result of which the
     prospectus  included  in such  registration  statement,  as then in effect,
     includes  an  untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or omits to state any
     material  fact  required  to be stated  therein  or  necessary  to make the
     statements  therein not misleading in the light of the  circumstances  then
     existing;

          (vii)  otherwise  use its best  efforts to comply with all  applicable
     rules  and  regulations  of the SEC,  and make  available  to its  security
     holders, as soon as reasonably practicable,  an earnings statement covering
     the period of at least twelve  months,  but not more than eighteen  months,
     beginning  with the first full calendar  month after the effective  date of
     such  registration  statement,  which earnings  statement shall satisfy the
     provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act;

          (viii) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all Restricted Stock
     covered by such registration statement not later than the effective date of
     such registration statement;

          (ix) use its best  efforts  to list all Common  Stock  covered by such
     registration statement on each securities exchange, if any, on which any of
     the shares of Common  Stock is then listed  (unless  such  Common  Stock is
     already  so listed) if such  listing is then  permitted  under the rules of
     such exchange or with the NASDAQ, National Market System; and

          (x)  undertake  to take  such  further  actions  as may be  reasonably
     requested by the underwriters.

     (b) If any registration statement pursuant to Section 3.5 or 3.6 shall have
been  declared  effective  and, in the  judgment of Tehama,  (A) any event shall
occur or state of facts  exist  (other  than as  described  in clause (B)) which
requires a notice to the selling holders of Restricted  Stock pursuant to clause
(vi) of  paragraph  (a) of this  Section 3.7 or (B) the  offering at the time of
Restricted Stock pursuant to such registration statement would adversely affect,
or would be improper in view of, a public offering,  financing,  reorganization,
recapitalization,   merger,   consolidation,   acquisition,   or  other  similar
transaction,  or  negotiations,  discussions  or pending  proposals with respect
thereto, immediately upon receipt of notice to such effect from Tehama, Humboldt
shall cease to offer or sell any  Restricted  Stock  registered  thereunder  and
cease to deliver or use the  prospectus  in use  thereunder.  In the case of any
matter  described  in clause (A),  Tehama  shall,  as  promptly as  practicable,
furnish to each selling holder a reasonable  number of copies of a supplement to
or an amendment of such  prospectus  as may be necessary so that,  as thereafter
delivered to the purchaser of such securities, such prospectus shall not include
an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements  therein not misleading
in the  light of the  circumstances  then  existing.  In the case of any  matter
described in clause (B), Tehama shall promptly notify Humboldt at such times as,
in Tehama's judgment,  such offering may be recommenced (which shall be no later
than 90 days following such suspension); provided that Humboldt may, in its sole
discretion,  discontinue  such  offering  with respect to the  Restricted  Stock
covered  thereby,  in  which  event  Humboldt  shall  be  entitled  to  "demand"
registration  rights  hereunder  to the full extent as if such  offering had not
been requested.

All expenses  incurred by Tehama in complying  with Sections 3.5 and 3.6 hereof,
including,  without  limitation,  all  registration  and filing  fees,  printing
expenses,  fees and  disbursements  of counsel  for  Tehama,  the expense of any
special audits incident to or required by such  registration,  and blue sky fees

<PAGE>13

and  expenses  are  herein  called  "Registration   Expenses,"  except  for  all
underwriting discounts and selling commissions applicable to the sales, all fees
and  disbursements  of counsel  for any  selling  holder or  holders  (including
counsel designated by any seller for a "due diligence" investigation of Tehama),
all of  which  are  herein  called  "Selling  Expenses."  Tehama  shall  pay all
Registration  Expenses  and the selling  holder or holders of  Restricted  Stock
being registered shall pay all Selling Expenses.

Section  3.8.  Indemnification.  In the  event of a  registration  of any of the
Restricted Stock under the Securities Act (or any successor  Federal  securities
law) pursuant to this Article III,  Tehama will indemnify and hold harmless each
underwriter  of  such  Restricted  Stock,  Humboldt  and its  Affiliates  as the
transferors of the Restricted Stock or any portion thereof to underwriters,  and
each other  person,  if any, who controls such seller,  assignor or  underwriter
within the  meaning of Section 15 of the  Securities  Act,  against  any losses,
claims,  damages  or  liabilities,  joint  or  several,  to which  such  seller,
underwriter,  assignor  or  controlling  person  may  become  subject  under the
Securities  Act (or such  successor  law) or otherwise,  insofar as such losses,
claims,  damages or liabilities (or actions in respect  thereof) arise out of or
are based upon an untrue  statement or alleged untrue  statement of any material
fact contained in any  registration  statement under which such Restricted Stock
shall have been registered under the Securities Act (or such successor law), any
preliminary  prospectus or final prospectus  contained therein, or any amendment
or supplement thereof, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged
omission  to state  therein a material  fact  required  to be stated  therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and will reimburse such
seller,  transferor and  underwriter  and each such  controlling  person for any
legal or any other  expenses  reasonably  incurred  by them in  connection  with
investigating or defending any such loss,  claim,  damage,  liability or action;
provided, however, that Tehama will not be liable in any such case to the extent
that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an
untrue  statement or alleged  untrue  statement or omission or alleged  omission
made  in  such  registration  statement,  said  preliminary  prospectus  or said
prospectus  or said  amendment or  supplement in reliance upon and in conformity
with written  information  furnished to Tehama through an instrument executed by
such seller,  transferor or underwriter  specifically for use in the preparation
thereof; and provided further that if any losses, claims, damages or liabilities
arise out of or are based upon an untrue  statement,  alleged untrue  statement,
omission or alleged omission  contained in any preliminary  prospectus which did
not appear in the final  prospectus,  Tehama  shall not have any such  liability
with respect thereto to such seller, transferor or underwriter or any person who
controls such seller, transferor or underwriter within the meaning of Section 15
of the Securities Act if such seller, transferor or underwriter or any person on
their  behalf  delivered  a copy of the  preliminary  prospectus  to the  person
alleging such losses,  claims,  damages or  liabilities  and failed to deliver a
copy of the final prospectus,  as amended or supplemented if it has been amended
or supplemented,  to such person at or prior to the written  confirmation of the
sale to such person.

In the event of any  registration  of any Restricted  Stock under the Securities
Act (or a successor  Federal  securities law) pursuant to this Article III, each
seller of such Restricted Stock (other than any underwriter or dealer purchasing
Underlying  Shares),  and  Humboldt  and  its  Affiliates,   as  transferors  of
Restricted  Stock,  severally and not jointly,  will indemnify and hold harmless
Tehama, each person, if any who controls Tehama within the meaning of Section 15
of the  Securities  Act,  each  officer  of Tehama  who  signs the  registration
statement and each director of Tehama  against any and all such losses,  claims,
damages,  or  liabilities  arising out of or based upon any untrue  statement or
alleged  untrue  statement  in or  omission  or alleged  omission  from any such
registration  statement,  prospectus,  amendment  or  supplement,  if the untrue
statement  or omission  or alleged  untrue  statement  or omission in respect of
which such loss,  claim,  damage or  liability  is asserted was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information  furnished in writing to Tehama by or on
behalf of such seller or transferor  specifically for use in connection with the

<PAGE>14

preparation of such registration statement, preliminary prospectus,  prospectus,
amendment or supplement; provided, however, that, if any losses, claims, damages
or  liabilities  arise out of or are based  upon an  untrue  statement,  alleged
untrue  statement,  omission or alleged  omission  contained in any  preliminary
prospectus  which  did not  appear  in the  final  prospectus,  such  seller  or
transferor shall not have any such liability with respect thereto to Tehama, any
person who controls  Tehama  within the meaning of Section 15 of the  Securities
Act, any officer of Tehama who signed the registration statement or any director
of  Tehama  if Tehama or any  person  on their  behalf  delivered  a copy of the
preliminary  prospectus to the person alleging such losses,  claims,  damages or
liabilities and failed to deliver a copy of the final prospectus,  as amended or
supplemented if it has been amended or supplemented,  to such person at or prior
to the written  confirmation  of the sale to such person;  and provided  further
that the  liability of any such seller or  transferor  so to indemnify  shall be
limited to an amount  equal to the net profit  received  by such seller upon the
sale of such Restricted  Stock, or if the Option is sold, the profit on the sale
of the Option,  pursuant to such registration  statement,  or by such transferor
from the seller, as the case may be.

Payments in respect of  indemnifications  required by this  Section 3.8 shall be
made by periodic payments during the course of the investigation or defense,  as
and when bills are received or expenses  incurred.  Any party which  proposes to
assert the right to be indemnified  under this Section 3.8 will,  promptly after
receipt of notice of commencement of any action, suit or proceeding against such
party in respect of which a claim is to be made  against an  indemnifying  party
under this Section 3.8, notify each such indemnifying  party of the commencement
of such action,  suit or proceeding,  enclosing a copy of all papers served, but
the omission so to notify such  indemnifying  party of any such action,  suit or
proceeding  shall not  relieve  it from any  liability  which it may have to any
indemnified  party  otherwise  than under  this  Section  3.8.  In case any such
action, suit or proceeding shall be brought against any indemnified party and it
shall  notify  the  indemnifying   party  of  the  commencement   thereof,   the
indemnifying  party shall be entitled to participate in, and, to the extent that
it shall wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified,  to
assume  the  defense  thereof  with  counsel  reasonably  satisfactory  to  such
indemnified  party,  and  after  notice  from  such  indemnifying  party to such
indemnified  party  of its  election  so to  assume  the  defense  thereof,  the
indemnifying  party shall not be liable to such indemnified  party for any legal
or other expenses,  other than reasonable costs of  investigation,  subsequently
incurred by such indemnified  party in connection with the defense thereof.  The
indemnified  party  shall have the right to employ  its own  counsel in any such
action,  but the fees and  expenses of such  counsel  shall be at the expense of
such  indemnified  party,  when and as incurred,  unless (i) the  employment  of
counsel  by such  indemnified  party  has  been  authorized  in  writing  by the
indemnifying  party, (ii) the indemnified party shall have reasonably  concluded
that there may be a conflict of interest between the indemnifying  party and the
indemnified  party in the  conduct of the  defense of such action (in which case
the  indemnifying  party  shall not have the right to direct the defense of such
action on behalf of the indemnified party) or (iii) the indemnifying party shall
not in fact have  employed  counsel to assume the  defense  of such  action.  An
indemnifying  party  shall not be liable  for  employed  counsel  to assume  the
defense  of such  action.  An  indemnifying  party  shall not be liable  for any
settlement  of any action or claim  effected  without its  consent.  In no event
shall an indemnifying  party be required to pay for more than one counsel for an
indemnified party, exclusive of local counsel.

Section 3.9. Obligations of Tehama With Respect to Underwritten Offering. In the
event that Restricted  Stock shall be sold pursuant to a registration  statement
in an underwritten offering pursuant to Section 3.5, Tehama agrees to enter into
an underwriting  agreement containing  customary  representations and warranties
with respect to the business and operations of an issuer of the securities being
registered  and  customary  covenants  and  agreements  to be  performed by such
issuer, including,  without limiting the generality of the foregoing,  customary
provisions with respect to indemnification by Tehama of the underwriters of such

<PAGE>15

offering.  Tehama shall have the right to approve the managing  underwriters for
such  offering  (which in no event  shall  include an  affiliate  of  Humboldt);
provided, however, that such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

Section 3.10.  Rule 144  Requirements.  Tehama shall  undertake to make publicly
available and available to the holders of Restricted Stock, pursuant to Rule 144
of the SEC under the Securities Act, such information as shall be necessary, and
to take such further action as any such holder may reasonably request, to enable
the holders of Restricted  Stock to make sales of Restricted  Stock  pursuant to
the Rule.  Tehama shall furnish to any holder of  Restricted  Stock upon request
(after  the  preceding  sentences  shall  have  become  applicable),  a  written
statement  executed  by Tehama  as to the steps it has taken to comply  with the
current public information requirements of Rule 144.

Section 3.11.  Rights of First Refusal.

     (a) In the event Humboldt or its Affiliates  intend,  at any time after the
occurrence  of an  Acquisition  Event  to  sell,  transfer  or  dispose  of  any
Restricted  Stock (other than to an Affiliate of Humboldt in a  transaction  not
intended to circumvent the transfer  restrictions  contained in this  Agreement)
other  than  (i)  pursuant  to a sale  or  transfer  of  Options  to one or more
underwriters or dealers in accordance with Section 3.4(c) (in which case Section
3.11(b) shall govern) or (ii) at any time after Tehama has failed for any reason
to repurchase such Restricted Stock pursuant to Article II hereof on the closing
date scheduled for such repurchase, then:

          (i) Humboldt shall notify Tehama in writing of its or its  Affiliate's
     intention to sell,  transfer or dispose of such Restricted Stock specifying
     the number of shares or amount of Options,  as the case may be, proposed to
     be disposed of, the identity or identities of the prospective  purchaser or
     purchasers  thereof,  the proposed purchase price therefor and the material
     terms of any agreement relating thereto (the "Sale Notice"); and

          (ii) Tehama shall have the right, by written notice of its exercise of
     its right of first refusal given to Humboldt  within 15 calendar days after
     Tehama's receipt of such notice of intention from Humboldt, to purchase (or
     to cause a Person  designated by Tehama to purchase) all, but not less than
     all of, the Restricted Stock specified in such notice of intention for cash
     at the gross price set forth therein  (including  broker's  commissions and
     other transaction costs of Humboldt or its Affiliate to be paid or absorbed
     by the  prospective  purchaser)  if the terms  set forth in such  notice of
     intention  provide for a cash sale. If the purchase price specified in such
     notice of  intention  include any  property  other than cash,  the purchase
     price at which Tehama shall be entitled to purchase shall be (x) the amount
     of  cash  included  in the  purchase  price  specified  in such  notice  of
     intention plus (y) property, to the extent feasible,  substantially similar
     to the property  described  in such notice of intention  and in any case of
     equivalent value to such property (as agreed to by Tehama and Humboldt,  or
     as determined by a nationally  recognized  investment banking firm selected
     by Humboldt and Tehama).

If Tehama shall have exercised its right of first refusal under this  subsection
(a) (including the  designation of another  purchaser as referred to in the next
subparagraph),  the closing of the purchase of the Restricted  Stock as to which
such right of Tehama shall have been  exercised  shall take place as promptly as
practicable,  but in no event  more than 10  Business  Days after  Tehama  gives
notice of such exercise, and if such closing does not occur within such 10 days,
such right of first  refusal  provided  for  herein  (including  any  assignment
thereof)  shall be null and void and of no further force and effect with respect

<PAGE>16

to such Restricted Stock and this Section 3.11 shall no longer apply to any sale
or  disposition  or  proposed  sale or  disposition  of such  Restricted  Stock;
provided that if prior  notification to or approval of the Federal Reserve Board
or any other regulatory  authority is required in connection with such purchase,
Tehama shall promptly file the required  notice or application  for approval and
shall expeditiously process the same and the period of time that otherwise would
run pursuant to this sentence  shall run instead from the date on which,  as the
case  may  be,  (i)  any  required  notification  period  has  expired  or  been
terminated,  or (ii) such approval has been  obtained and, in either event,  any
requisite waiting period shall have passed.

If Tehama elects not to exercise, or fails to exercise or cause to be exercised,
its right of first  refusal  provided  in this  subsection  (a)  within the time
specified  for such  exercise  or if the  Federal  Reserve  Board  or any  other
regulatory authority disapproves of Tehama's proposed purchase, Humboldt and its
Affiliates  shall be free  thereafter  for a period of 90 days to consummate the
sale,  transfer or other  disposition  with any  purchaser or  purchasers of the
Restricted  Stock who shall have been  specified in the sale notice at the price
(or at any price in excess of such price) and on the terms specified therein.

The  right of first  refusal  provided  for in this  subsection  (a) may only be
exercised with respect to the initial sale, transfer or other disposition of the
Restricted  Stock by Humboldt or an Affiliate  (whether in blocks or as a whole)
to a person that is not an Affiliate of Humboldt  and not to  subsequent  sales,
transfers or other dispositions by purchasers of Restricted Stock.

     (b) If  Humboldt or its  Affiliates  at any time  propose to  transfer  any
Options to any  underwriters  or dealers  pursuant to the  provisions of Section
3.4, other than at any time after Tehama has failed for any reason to repurchase
such  Options  pursuant to Article II hereof on the closing date  scheduled  for
such  repurchase,  then  Humboldt  shall first notify  Tehama in writing of such
intention,  specifying the Options which it proposes to sell or transfer and the
name or names of the proposed dealers or of the proposed  managing  underwriters
in the  underwriting  syndicate  to which the sale or transfer is proposed to be
made.  Tehama  shall have the right,  exercisable  by  written  notice  given to
Humboldt  15  calendar  days  after  Tehama's  receipt of notice  from  Humboldt
pursuant to the immediately  preceding  sentence,  to repurchase,  or to cause a
third party  designated by Tehama to purchase,  all, but not fewer than all, the
Options  proposed  to be  sold  or  transferred  on  the  terms  and  conditions
hereinafter set forth.  Any notice given by Tehama of exercise of its repurchase
rights  under this  paragraph  (b) shall  specify a place in Tehama or  Humboldt
Counties  and a Business Day not earlier than 10 days and not later than 15 days
after the date of such notice for the closing of the  repurchase  of the Options
being repurchased.  The purchase price payable to Tehama or its designee for the
repurchase  of Options  pursuant  to this  subsection  (b) shall be a cash price
equal to the  product  of (x) the  number of  Underlying  Shares  covered by the
relevant  Options  (calculated as of the date of the closing of the  repurchase)
and (y) the  Share  Price on such  date.  At the  closing  of a sale of  Options
pursuant to the foregoing  provisions,  Tehama or its designee will make payment
to Humboldt of the aggregate  price for the Options to be  repurchased in one of
the manners set forth in Section 2.1(c). At such closing, Humboldt shall deliver
to Tehama or its  designee  the  certificates  representing  the  Options  to be
repurchased  and Tehama  shall  deliver  to  Humboldt  replacement  certificates
representing  the  Options  (if any)  which are not to be  repurchased  but were
covered by the certificate or certificates surrendered by Humboldt. Any election
by Tehama  pursuant to this  paragraph  to  exercise  its  repurchase  rights in
respect of Options  shall be  irrevocable.  In the event  Tehama fails timely to
exercise its repurchase rights in respect of Options within the period specified
above  during which it must do so or notifies  Humboldt in writing  prior to the
expiration of such period that it does not intend to exercise such rights or its
designee  fails to repurchase  Options on the date set for the closing of such a
purchase, Humboldt and its Affiliates shall be free thereafter to consummate the

<PAGE>17

sale and  transfer of the Options  specified in this notice to Tehama under this
paragraph to any  underwriters  or dealers who agree to exercise the Options and
sell the Underlying  Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.4(c),
and this  Section  3.11 shall no longer  apply to such sale or  transfer of such
Options.

     (c)  Humboldt  shall  have the right to  withdraw  any  notice  given by it
pursuant to this Section 3.11 at any time before  Tehama shall have given notice
of its intention to exercise its right of first refusal hereunder  (including by
designation of another purchaser).


                                   ARTICLE IV
                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TEHAMA

Tehama represents and warrants to Humboldt that:

Section 4.1.  Authorization of Agreement; No Conflicts.

     (a)  The  execution  and  delivery  of this  Agreement  by  Tehama  and the
consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby have been duly authorized
by all necessary corporate action on the part of Tehama. This Agreement has been
duly  executed  and  delivered  by Tehama and  constitutes  a valid and  binding
obligation of Tehama, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

     (b) The execution and delivery of this  Agreement and the  consummation  of
the  transactions  contemplated  hereby will not conflict with, or result in any
violation of or default or loss of a material benefit under any provision of the
articles  of  incorporation,  articles  or  association  or bylaws of Tehama or,
except for the  necessity  of  obtaining  Requisite  Regulatory  Approvals,  any
material mortgage,  indenture,  lease agreement or other material  instrument or
any permit,  concession,  grant, franchise,  license,  judgment,  order, decree,
statute,  law,  ordinance,  rule or  regulation  applicable  to  Tehama or their
respective properties, other than any such conflict,  violation, default or loss
which will not have a material  adverse effect on Tehama.  No material  consent,
approval,  order or  authorization  of, or  registration,  declaration or filing
with, any  governmental  authority is required in connection  with the execution
and delivery of this  Agreement by Tehama or the  consummation  by Tehama of the
transactions  contemplated  hereby  except  for  any  approvals  required  to be
obtained  pursuant to the BHCA or the Policy Statement of the Board of Governors
of the Federal  Reserve System on Nonvoting  Equity  Investments by Bank Holding
Companies,  12  C.F.R.  Section  225.143  (the "FRB  Guidelines"),  or any other
applicable  laws,  for the  execution  and  delivery of this  Agreement  and the
issuance of the Options by Tehama.

Section 4.2.  Authorized  Stock.  Tehama has taken all  necessary  corporate and
other action to authorize and reserve and, subject to obtaining the governmental
and other approvals and consents referred to herein, to permit it to issue, and,
at all times from the date hereof until the  obligation to deliver  Common Stock
upon the exercise of the Options  terminates,  will have  reserved for issuance,
upon exercise of the Options,  shares of Common Stock  necessary for Humboldt to
exercise the Options,  and Tehama will take all  necessary  corporate  action to
authorize  and reserve for  issuance  all  additional  shares of Common Stock or
other securities  which may be issued pursuant to this Agreement.  The shares of
Common  Stock to be issued  upon due  exercise  of the  Options,  including  all
additional  shares of Common  Stock or other  securities  which may be  issuable
pursuant to this Agreement,  upon issuance  pursuant  hereto,  shall be duly and
validly issued,  fully paid and  nonassessable,  and shall be delivered free and

<PAGE>18

clear of all  liens,  claims,  charges  and  encumbrances  of any kind or nature
whatsoever, including any preemptive rights of any stockholder of Tehama.


                                    ARTICLE V
                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF HUMBOLDT

Humboldt represents and warrants to Tehama that:

Section 5.1.  Due Execution of Agreement; No Conflicts.

     (a) This  Agreement  has been duly  executed and  delivered by Humboldt and
constitutes  a  valid  and  binding  obligation  of  Humboldt,   enforceable  in
accordance with its terms.

     (b) The execution and delivery of this  Agreement and the  consummation  of
the  transactions  contemplated  hereby will not conflict with, or result in any
violation of or default or loss of a material  benefit  under,  any provision of
the  certificate  of  incorporation  or Bylaws of  Humboldt  or,  except for the
necessity of obtaining Requisite  Regulatory  Approvals,  any material mortgage,
indenture,  lease,  agreement  or  other  material  instrument,  or any  permit,
concession,  grant, franchise,  license,  judgment, order, decree, statute, law,
ordinance,   rule  or  regulation  applicable  to  Humboldt  or  its  respective
properties,  other than any such conflict,  violation, default or loss which (i)
will not have a material adverse effect on Humboldt and its  Subsidiaries  taken
as a whole.  No  material  consent,  approval,  order or  authorization  of,  or
registration, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Entity is required in
connection  with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Humboldt or the
consummation by Humboldt of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for (a)
filings required in order to obtain Requisite Regulatory Approvals,  and (b) any
approvals required to be obtained pursuant to the BHCA, or the FRB Guidelines or
any other  applicable  law for the execution  and delivery of this  Agreement by
Tehama, Humboldt and the issuance of the Options.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                                   DEFINITIONS

Except as otherwise  provided herein,  the capitalized terms set forth below (in
their singular and plural forms as applicable) shall have the meanings set forth
below.

"Change in Bank Control  Act" means the Change in Bank  Control Act of 1978,  as
amended.

"Covered  Shares"  shall  mean on any date,  with  respect to any  Options,  the
maximum  number of shares of Common  Stock  that would be  purchasable  upon the
exercise  on such  date of such  Options,  assuming  that  such  Options  may be
exercised on such date to purchase the maximum  number of shares of Common Stock
purchasable  pursuant to the terms thereof (including the limitations  contained
in the second paragraph of the certificate  evidencing each such Option) without
regard  to any  provision  therein  (other  than  such  limitations)  or in this
Agreement  or in any law  limiting  the right of any  holder of such  Options to
acquire shares otherwise purchasable thereunder.

<PAGE>19

"Market  Value" shall mean, on any date,  the average of the closing sale prices
of a share of Common  Stock on the  principal  securities  exchange on which the
shares of Common Stock are traded,  or, if the shares of Common Stock are not at
the time listed on any national securities exchange, as reported by the National
Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ"),  on the
20  trading  days  immediately  preceding  the three  trading  days  immediately
preceding such date, (or such fewer number of trading days immediately preceding
such date for which  shares of Common Stock have been listed for trading on such
exchange  or quoted on NASDAQ);  provided,  however,  that if  Humboldt  seeks a
determination  of the fair market value of a share of Common  Stock  pursuant to
the provisions of Section 2.2, Market Value shall,  if required  pursuant to the
terms of such Section,  mean the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on
such date determined pursuant to such Section.

"Option  Call Price"  shall  mean,  when used with  respect to any  Option,  the
product  of (i) the  number  of  Covered  Shares on such date and (ii) the Share
Price on such date.

"Requisite Regulatory Approvals" shall mean all material permits,  approvals and
consents  required to be obtained,  and all waiting periods  required to expire,
prior to the consummation of the issuance of the Covered Shares under applicable
federal  laws of the  United  States  or  applicable  laws of any  state  having
jurisdiction over Humboldt or Tehama.

"Share Price" shall mean,  with respect to any Options,  the amount by which, on
the  date  of  the  Acquisition  Event  triggering  the  exercisability  of  the
Options (i) the Option Price on such date is less than (ii) the greatest of:

          (i) the Market Value of a share of Common Stock on such date; and

          (ii) the  highest  price  paid on or prior to such date for a share of
     Common Stock (including in any merger or  consolidation)  by a purchaser or
     group of  purchasers  acting in concert  of 50% or more of the  outstanding
     shares of Common  Stock,  or, in the case of a purchaser  of 50% or more of
     the  consolidated  assets of Tehama (as shown on the books of Tehama),  the
     Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of consummation of such
     asset acquisition.


                                   ARTICLE VII
                                   TERMINATION

Section  7.1.  Termination.  Subject  to  Section  7.2,  this  Agreement  may be
terminated in the following circumstances:

     (a) at the Effective Time of the Merger, as set forth in the Reorganization
Agreement; or

     (b) at  the  termination  of  the  Reorganization  Agreement  prior  to the
occurrence of an Acquisition Event.

Section  7.2.  Effect  of  Termination.  In the  event  of  termination  of this
Agreement  pursuant to Section  7.1(b),  the rights of the parties  hereto shall
forthwith become void; provided that, if this Agreement shall terminate pursuant
to Section 7.1(b) and any party has filed an application to purchase  securities
with any regulatory authority, this Agreement shall not terminate as provided in

<PAGE>20

Section 7.1(b), but shall remain in full force and effect until the day which is
30 Business  Days (plus any  applicable  waiting  periods)  after the receipt or
denial of regulatory approval or consent, at which time the Agreement shall then
terminate.

Section 7.3.  Indemnification For Breach. Each party to this Agreement agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless the other party against any loss,  claim,  damage or
liability  arising  out of or based  upon a Default  of this  Agreement  by such
defaulting  party  in  accordance  with  the  procedures  set  forth in the last
paragraph of Section 3.8 of this Agreement.


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 8.1. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing  and  shall be  deemed  given  if  delivered  personally  or  mailed  by
registered or certified  mail (return  receipt  requested) to the parties at the
following addresses (or any such other address for a party as shall be specified
by like notice):

        (a)    If to Tehama:

               Mr. William P. Ellison
               President & Chief Executive Officer
               Tehama Bancorp
               239 South Main Street
               Red Bluff, California 96080
               Telecopier No.: (530) 528-3020

               With copies to:

               John W. Carr, Esq.
               Shapiro, Buchman, Provine & Patton LLP
               1333 North California Boulevard, Suite 350
               Walnut Creek, California 94596
               Telecopier No.: (925) 944-9701

        (b)    If to Humboldt:

               Mr. Theodore S. Mason
               President & Chief Executive Officer
               Humboldt Bancorp
               701 Fifth Street
               Eureka, California 95501
               Telecopier No.:(707) 441-0214

<PAGE>21

               With copies to:

               Gary Steven Findley, Esq.
               Gary Steven Findley & Associates
               1470 North Hundley Street
               Anaheim, California 92806
               Telecopier No.: (714) 630-7910

Section  8.2.  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  in one or  more
counterparts,  all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement,  and
shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of
the parties and delivered to the other  parties,  it being  understood  that all
parties need not sign the same counterpart.

Section 8.3. Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto, by
action taken by their  respective  Boards of  Directors  or the duly  authorized
committees thereof. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in
writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto. The parties hereto agree
to make such  amendments  as may be  necessary  to respond to the request of any
Regulatory Authority with respect to this Agreement.

Section 8.4.  Waiver.  Any term or provision of this  Agreement may be waived in
writing at any time by the party which is, or whose  shareholders  are, entitled
to the benefits thereof.

Section  8.5.  Miscellaneous.   This  Agreement  (including  the  documents  and
instruments  referred  to  herein)  (a)  constitutes  the entire  agreement  and
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among
the  parties  with  respect  to  the  subject  matter  hereof;   (b)  except  as
contemplated in this Agreement,  is not intended to confer upon any person other
than the  parties  hereto any rights or  remedies  hereunder;  and (c) except as
contemplated  in this  Agreement,  shall not be assigned by  operation of law or
otherwise.  Tehama and Humboldt agree that,  except as required by law, it shall
not issue any press  release with respect to the  transactions  contemplated  by
this Agreement without consulting with each other party hereto.

Section 8.6. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of California.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  Tehama and Humboldt have caused this Agreement to be signed
by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the date first
above written.


HUMBOLDT BANCORP                        TEHAMA BANCORP



____________________________________    ____________________________________
Theodore S. Mason                       William P. Ellison
President & Chief Executive Officer     President & Chief Executive Officer


<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT A

                                 TEHAMA BANCORP
                                  OPTION NO. 1

September 20, 2000                                               471,000 Shares


This is to  certify  that,  for  value  received  and  subject  to the terms and
conditions  provided for in a Tehama Bancorp Stock Option  Agreement dated as of
September 20, 2000 (the "Agreement") by and between Tehama Bancorp, a California
corporation   ("Tehama"),   and  Humboldt  Bancorp,  a  California   corporation
("Humboldt"),  pursuant  to which  Humboldt  and its  assigns  are  entitled  to
purchase from Tehama,  on the terms and conditions  set forth  therein,  471,000
fully paid and nonassessable  shares of common stock of Tehama ("Common Stock"),
subject to adjustment as provided in the Agreement.  Terms not otherwise defined
herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

This Option may be exercised by the holder (except any holder which shall not be
permitted by the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended ("BHCA"), or other
applicable  law to own,  or shall not have  obtained  all  regulatory  approvals
required by such Act or other  applicable law as a precondition to its ownership
of, the shares of Common  Stock  covered  hereby) as to the whole or any part of
the shares of Common Stock covered  hereby at any time when such exercise  shall
be permitted under the terms of this Option,  by surrender of this Option at the
principal office of Tehama or at the office of any transfer agent for the Option
and upon  payment to Tehama of the Option  Price for shares so purchased by wire
transfer to a bank account designated by Tehama. Thereupon, this Option shall be
deemed to have been exercised and the person  exercising the same to have become
a holder of record of  shares  of Common  Stock (or of the other  securities  or
property to which it is entitled upon such exercise) purchased hereunder for all
purposes,  and such  property or  certificates  for such shares or securities so
purchased shall be delivered to the purchaser. If this Option shall be exercised
in respect of a part of the shares of Common Stock  covered  hereby,  the holder
shall be  entitled  to  receive a new  Option  covering  the number of shares in
respect  of which  this  Option  shall not have been  exercised,  but  otherwise
identical hereto.

This Option is  exchangeable,  upon the surrender hereof by the holder hereof at
such office or agency of Tehama,  for new Options of this tenor  representing in
the aggregate the right to subscribe for and purchase the number of shares which
may be  subscribed  for and  purchased  hereunder,  each of such new  Options to
represent  the right to subscribe for and purchase not less than 1,000 shares of
Common  Stock  (except to the extent  necessary  to round out the balance of the
number of shares purchasable hereunder).

Tehama  covenants  and  agrees  that all  shares  which may be  issued  upon the
exercise of the rights represented by this Option will, upon issuance,  be fully
paid and nonassessable  and free from all taxes,  liens and charges with respect
to the issue  thereof  (other  than taxes in respect of any  transfer  occurring
contemporaneously  with such issue).  Tehama  further  covenants and agrees that
during the period  within  which the rights  represented  by this  Option may be
exercised,  Tehama will at all times have authorized, and reserved, a sufficient
number of shares of Common  Stock to  provide  for the  exercise  of the  rights
represented by this Option, and will at its expense expeditiously upon each such
reservation  of shares  use its best  efforts  to procure  the  listing  thereof
(subject to issuance or notice of issuance) on all stock  exchanges on which the
shares of Common Stock are then listed,  or if Tehama Shares are not then listed
on a stock exchange on the NASDAQ National Market System.

<PAGE>

The  rights of the  holder of this  Option  shall be  subject  to the  following
further terms and conditions:

Section 1.1.  Tehama shall at all times  reserve and keep  available,  free from
preemptive  rights, out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock or shares of
Common Stock held in treasury, for the purpose of effecting the exercise of this
Option,  the full  number  of  shares of Common  Stock  then  issuable  upon the
exercise of this and all other outstanding  Options,  computed on the assumption
that the  adjustments  required by the Agreement have become  effective,  in the
event such is not then the case.

Section 1.2. Tehama will pay any and all taxes that may be payable in respect of
the issue or delivery of shares of Common  Stock upon  exercise of this  Option.
Tehama  shall not,  however,  be required to pay any tax which may be payable in
respect of any  transfer  involved in the issue and delivery of shares of Common
Stock in a name  other  than that of the  holder of the  Option or Options to be
exercised,  and no such  issue or  delivery  shall be made  unless and until the
person  requesting  such issue has paid to Tehama the amount of any such tax, or
has established, to the satisfaction of Tehama, that such tax has been paid.

Section  1.3.  This  Option  shall not  entitle  the  holder to any  rights of a
shareholder of Tehama,  either at law or in equity, or to any notice of meetings
of shareholders or of any other proceedings of Tehama.

Section 1.4.  Subject to Section 1.5 and the terms and  conditions  set forth in
the Agreement,  this Option and all rights  hereunder are transferable (in whole
or in part),  on the books of Tehama by the registered  holder thereof in person
or by  duly  authorized  attorney,  upon  surrender  of  this  Option,  properly
endorsed,  to Tehama (or if Tehama  shall have  notified the  registered  holder
hereof of the appointment of an independent transfer agent for Options,  then to
such  transfer  agent).  As used  herein the term "this  Option"  shall mean and
include any Option or Options  hereafter  issued in  consequence of transfers of
this Option in whole or in part.

Section 1.5. THIS OPTION HAS NOT BEEN  REGISTERED  UNDER THE  SECURITIES  ACT OF
1933,  AS  AMENDED  (THE  "SECURITIES  ACT").  THIS  OPTION  MAY  NOT BE SOLD OR
TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO (i) A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THIS
OPTION  WHICH IS  EFFECTIVE  UNDER THE  SECURITIES  ACT,  OR (ii) AN  OPINION OF
COUNSEL  THAT  AN  EXEMPTION  FROM  REGISTRATION  UNDER  THE  SECURITIES  ACT IS
AVAILABLE.  THE  TRANSFERABILITY  OF  THIS  OPTION  IS  FURTHER  SUBJECT  TO THE
PROVISIONS OF A STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2000, A COPY OF
WHICH IS AVAILABLE  FOR  INSPECTION AT THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE TEHAMA
BANCORP.


Section 1.6. The holder of this Option,  by the acceptance  hereof,  agrees that
prior to the exercise of any Options,  at a time when said Options have not been
registered under the Securities Act or any similar Federal statute,  it will, if
it has not  requested or is then not entitled to such  registration  pursuant to
the  provisions  of Article  III of the  Agreement,  deliver to Tehama a written
representation that it is acquiring the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of such Options for its own account for investment, and not with a view
to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution  thereof,  and not with any
present intention of distributing or selling the same.


<PAGE>


Section 1.7.

     (a) This Option  shall  terminate  and be of no further  force or effect as
provided in Article VII of the Agreement.

     (b)  Notwithstanding  any other provision contained herein, this Option and
the rights conferred hereby shall terminate,  and the full consideration paid by
Humboldt for this Option shall be  immediately  due and payable to Humboldt,  if
Tehama or Humboldt receives written notice from the Federal Reserve Board to the
effect that the  execution  and delivery of the Agreement or the issuance of the
Options is not consistent with Section 3 of the BHCA.

Section 1.8. This Option shall be governed by and  construed in accordance  with
the laws of the State of California.

Section  1.9.  This  Option  incorporates  by  reference  all of the  terms  and
conditions of the Agreement.

                                TEHAMA BANCORP


                                ------------------------------------------
                                William P. Ellison
                                President & Chief Executive Officer



                                ------------------------------------------
                                -------------------
                                Secretary




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