HUMBOLDT BANCORP
8-K, EX-2, 2000-09-27
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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                 AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION AND MERGER


                            DATED: SEPTEMBER 20, 2000



                                 BY AND BETWEEN



                                HUMBOLDT BANCORP

                                       AND

                                 TEHAMA BANCORP


<PAGE>



                 AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION AND MERGER


     This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION AND MERGER (the "Agreement")
is entered  into as of September  20, 2000 by and between  Humboldt  Bancorp,  a
California   corporation   ("Humboldt"),   and  Tehama  Bancorp,   a  California
corporation ("Tehama").

                                    RECITALS:

     WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of Tehama and Humboldt have
determined  that it is in the best  interests  of Tehama and  Humboldt and their
respective  shareholders  for Tehama to be merged with Humboldt,  upon the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with
the California Corporations Code and other applicable laws;

     WHEREAS,  Tehama Bank is a  wholly-owned  subsidiary of Tehama and Humboldt
Bank, Capitol Valley Bank and Capitol Thrift & Loan Association are wholly-owned
subsidiaries of
Humboldt;

     WHEREAS,  each of the  Boards of  Directors  of Tehama  and  Humboldt  have
approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby;

     WHEREAS,  Tehama's  and  Humboldt's  Boards of Directors  have  resolved to
recommend  approval  of the merger of Tehama and  Humboldt  to their  respective
shareholders; and

     WHEREAS,  upon the  consummation  of the  Merger of Tehama  with  Humboldt,
Tehama Bank shall become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Humboldt.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and the representations,
warranties and agreements herein contained,  Tehama and Humboldt hereby agree as
follows:


        ARTICLE 1.  DEFINITIONS

As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth
below:

"Acquisition Event" shall mean any of the following:

        (a)  Prior  to the  termination  of this  Agreement,  either  Tehama  or
Humboldt  shall have  authorized,  recommended,  publicly  proposed  or publicly
announced an intention to authorize, recommend or propose, or shall have entered
or   announced   an   intention   to  enter   into  a  letter  of   intent,   an
agreement-in-principle  or a definitive  agreement  with any Person  (other than
Tehama,  Humboldt  or  any of  their  respective  Subsidiaries)  to  effect,  an
Acquisition  Transaction  or  failed  to  publicly  oppose a Tender  Offer or an
Exchange  Offer  (as  defined  below).  As used  herein,  the term  "Acquisition
Transaction" shall mean (i) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction

<PAGE>

involving Tehama,  Humboldt or any of their respective  Subsidiaries (other than
internal mergers, reorganizations, consolidations or dissolutions involving only
existing  Subsidiaries),   (ii)  the  disposition,  by  sale,  lease,  exchange,
dissolution or liquidation,  or otherwise,  of all or  substantially  all of the
assets of Tehama or Humboldt  or any asset or assets of Tehama or  Humboldt  the
disposition or lease of which would result in a material  change in the business
or business operations of Tehama or Humboldt,  a transfer (other than routine or
previously scheduled  transactions  involving existing Employee Plans or Benefit
Arrangements)  of any shares of stock or other  securities of Tehama or Humboldt
by Tehama or  Humboldt,  or a  material  change in the  assets,  liabilities  or
results of operations or the future prospects of Tehama or Humboldt,  including,
but not limited to a grant of an option  entitling any Person (other than Tehama
or  Humboldt) to acquire any shares of stock of Tehama or Humboldt or any assets
material to the  business of Tehama or Humboldt;  or (iii) the  issuance  (other
than pursuant to  outstanding  stock options or pursuant to Section 8.5) sale or
other disposition by Tehama or Humboldt (including,  without limitation,  by way
of merger,  consolidation,  share exchange or any similar transaction) of shares
of Tehama Common Stock or Humboldt Common Stock or other Equity  Securities,  or
the grant of any  option,  warrant or other  right to  acquire  shares of Tehama
Common Stock or Humboldt Common Stock or other Equity  Securities,  representing
directly, or on an as-exercised, as-exchanged or as-converted basis (in the case
of options,  warrants, rights or exchangeable or convertible Equity Securities),
15% or more of the voting securities of Tehama or Humboldt;

        (b) Prior to  termination of this Agreement (i) any Person (other than a
person who is a party to a Director Shareholder  Agreement) shall have increased
the number of shares of Tehama Common Stock or Humboldt  Common Stock over which
such  person  has  beneficial  ownership  (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3
promulgated  under the Exchange  Act) by a number that is greater than 1% of the
then  outstanding  shares of Tehama  Common  Stock or Humboldt  Common Stock if,
after giving effect to such increase, such Person owns, beneficially,  more than
10% of the  outstanding  shares of Tehama Common Stock or Humboldt Common Stock,
or (ii) any "group" (as such term is defined  under the Exchange Act) shall have
been formed  which  beneficially  owns,  or has the right to acquire  beneficial
ownership  of,  more than 10% of the then  outstanding  shares of Tehama  Common
Stock or Humboldt Common Stock; or

        (c)  The  approval  by  Tehama's  or  Humboldt's  shareholders,  or  the
consummation by Tehama or Humboldt, of any Acquisition  Transaction as described
in Subsection (a) of this Paragraph.

"Acquisition  Proposal"  shall have the meaning given such term in Section 6.2.5
and 6.4.12.

"Affected Party" shall have the meaning given to it in Section 5.7.

"Affiliate" or  "affiliate"  shall mean,  with respect to any other Person,  any
Person that,  directly or  indirectly,  controls or is controlled by or is under
common control with such Person.


<PAGE>


"Affiliate  Agreements"  shall  have the  meaning  given to such term in Section
5.3.3.

"Benefit Arrangement" shall have the meaning given such term in Section 3.21.4.

"BHCA" shall mean the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.

"Business  Day" shall mean any day,  other than a Saturday,  Sunday or any other
day, such as a legal holiday,  on which California state banks in California are
not open for substantially all their banking business.

"California  Corporations  Code" shall mean the General  Corporation  Law of the
State of California.

"California  Financial  Code"  shall  mean the  Financial  Code of the  State of
California.

"CDFI" shall mean the California Department of Financial Institutions.

"Classified Assets" shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 6.1.15.

"Closing" shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 2.1.

"Closing Date" shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 2.1.

"Closing Schedules" shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 5.7.

"Commissioner"  shall mean the  Commissioner  of Financial  Institutions  of the
State of California.

"Conversion  Rate" shall mean 1.775 shares of Humboldt  Common Stock  (except if
the Humboldt Average Trading Price is less than $9.84375 but equal to or greater
than $9.75,  the Conversion  Rate shall mean the quotient of $17.473  divided by
the Humboldt  Average Trading Price,  otherwise the Conversion Rate shall remain
at 1.775). If the Humboldt Average Trading Price is less than $9.75, the parties
may renegotiate the Conversion Rate.

"Default" shall mean, as to any party to this Agreement, a failure by such party
to perform, in any material respect,  any of the agreements or covenants of such
party contained in Articles 5 or 6.

"Director  Shareholder  Agreement"  shall  have the  meaning  given such term in
Sections 7.2.10 and 7.3.10.

"Dissenting  Shares" shall mean shares of Tehama Common Stock or Humboldt Common
Stock which come within all of the descriptions set forth in Subparagraphs  (1),
(2), (3) and (4) of Paragraph (b) of Section 1300 of the California Corporations
Code.

<PAGE>

"Dissenting  Shareholder  Notices" shall mean the notice required to be given to
record holders of Dissenting Shares pursuant to Paragraph (a) of Section 1301 of
the California Corporations Code.

"Effective Time" shall have the meaning given such term in Section 2.1.

"Employee Plan" shall have the meaning given such term in Section 3.21.3.

"Environmental  Laws"  shall  mean  and  include  any  and all  laws,  statutes,
ordinances,  rules,  regulations,  orders, or determinations of any Governmental
Entity  pertaining  to  health  or  to  the  environment,   including,   without
limitation,  the Clean Air Act,  as  amended,  the  Comprehensive  Environmental
Response,  Compensation  and Liability Act of 1980, as amended  ("CERCLA"),  the
Federal Water Pollution  Control Act  Amendments,  the  Occupational  Safety and
Health Act of 1970, as amended,  the Resource  Conservation  and Recovery Act of
1976, as amended ("RCRA"),  the Hazardous Materials  Transportation Act of 1975,
as amended,  the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended,  and the Toxic  Substances
Control Act, as amended.

"Equity  Securities"  shall have the meaning  given to such term in the Exchange
Act.

"ERISA"  shall mean the Employee  Retirement  Income  Security  Act of 1974,  as
amended.

"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

"Exchange  Agent" shall mean Illinois  Stock  Transfer,  or such other Person as
Humboldt shall have appointed to perform the duties set forth in Section 2.8.

"Exchange  Offer" shall mean the  commencement  (as such term is defined in Rule
14d-2 under the Exchange  Act) of an exchange  offer or the filing by any Person
of a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to an exchange
offer to purchase  any shares of Tehama  Common  Stock or Humboldt  Common Stock
such that, upon consummation of such offer, such Person would own or control 15%
or more of the then outstanding shares of Tehama Common Stock or Humboldt Common
Stock.

"FDIC" shall mean the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

"Federal Reserve Board" shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System.

"GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles.

"Governmental  Entity" shall mean any court,  federal,  state,  local or foreign
government or any  administrative  agency or  commission  or other  governmental
authority or instrumentality whatsoever.

"Hazardous Substances" shall have the meaning given such term in Section 3.23.4.

<PAGE>


"Humboldt" shall mean Humboldt Bancorp.

"Humboldt Average Trading Price" shall mean shall mean the average closing price
during  regular  hours for  Humboldt  Common  Stock as  reported  on the  NASDAQ
National  Market  System during the twenty prior days on which  Humboldt  Common
Stock  traded  ending with the end of the fifth day  immediately  preceding  the
Effective Time.

"Humboldt Collateralizing Real Estate" shall have the meaning given to such term
in Section 4.19.1.

"Humboldt  Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, no par value per share, of
Humboldt.

"Humboldt Documents" shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 4.6.2.

"Humboldt Fairness Opinion" shall have the meaning given to such term in Section
7.2.9.

"Humboldt Filings" shall have the meanings given such term in Section 4.6.1.

"Humboldt Financial  Statements" shall mean the financial statements of Humboldt
for the year ended December 31, 1999.

"Humboldt  Market Value Per Share" shall mean the last trade of Humboldt  Common
Stock prior to the Effective Time.

"Humboldt  Material  Adverse Event" shall have the meaning given to such term in
Section 8.1.9

"Humboldt  Properties"  shall  have the  meaning  given to such term in  Section
4.19.1.

"Humboldt Stock Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5.

"Humboldt Superior Proposal" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.12.

"IRC" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

"Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus" shall have the meaning given to such term in
Section 3.7.2.

"Knowledge" shall mean, with respect to any representation or warranty contained
in this  Agreement,  the actual  knowledge,  after  reasonable  inquiry,  of any
director or executive officer of Tehama or Humboldt.

"Last Regulatory  Approval" shall mean the final Requisite  Regulatory  Approval
required,  from any  Governmental  Entity under  applicable  federal laws of the
United  States and laws of any state  having  jurisdiction  over the Merger,  to

<PAGE>


permit the parties to consummate the Merger.

"Material  Adverse  Effect"  shall mean a material  adverse  effect:  (i) on the
business,  assets, results of operations,  financial condition or prospects of a
Person  and its  subsidiaries,  if any,  taken as a whole  (unless  specifically
indicated otherwise); or (ii) on the ability of a Person that is a party to this
Agreement to perform its  obligations  under this Agreement or to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

"Merger" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

"Merger Agreement" shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 2.1.

"New Certificates" shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 2.8.1.

"OREO" shall have the meaning given such term in Section 3.13.

"Perfected  Dissenting  Shares"  shall  mean  Dissenting  Shares as to which the
recordholder  has made demand on Tehama or Humboldt in accordance with Paragraph
(b) of Section 1301 of the  California  Corporations  Code and has not withdrawn
such demand prior to the Effective Time.

"Persons"  or  "persons"  shall mean an  individual,  corporation,  partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture, trust or unincorporated  organization,
Governmental Entity or any other legal entity whatsoever.

"Registration  Statement"  shall have the meaning  given to such term in Section
3.7.2.

"Regulatory Authority" shall mean any Governmental Entity, the approval of which
is legally required for consummation of the Merger.

"Requisite  Regulatory  Approvals"  shall have the  meaning set forth in Section
7.1.2.

"Returns" shall mean all returns,  declarations,  reports, statements, and other
documents required to be filed with respect to federal, state, local and foreign
Taxes, and the term "Return" means any one of the foregoing Returns.

"Tehama" shall mean Tehama Bancorp.

"Tehama  Certificates"  shall have the meaning given such term in Section 2.8.1.
"Tehama  Collateralizing  Real Estate" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 3.23.1.

"Tehama Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, no par value, of Tehama.

"Tehama Documents" shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 3.6.2.

<PAGE>

"Tehama  Fairness  Opinion" shall have the meaning given to such term in Section
7.3.7.

"Tehama Filings" shall have the meaning given such term in Section 3.6.1.

"Tehama  Financial  Statements"  shall  have the  meaning  given to such term in
Section 3.7.3.

"Tehama  Material  Adverse  Event"  shall  have the  meaning  given such term in
Section 8.1.8.

"Tehama Properties" shall have the meaning given such term in Section 3.23.1.

"Tehama Stock  Options"  shall mean any options to purchase any shares of Tehama
Common Stock or any other Equity Securities of Tehama granted on or prior to the
Effective Time, whether pursuant to the Tehama Stock Option Plans or otherwise.

"Tehama  Stock  Option  Plans" shall mean  Tehama's  written 1994 and 1999 Stock
Option Plans as described in Schedule 3.5 hereto.

"Tehama Superior Proposal" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.5.

"SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

"Subsidiary"  shall mean,  with respect to any corporation  (the "parent"),  any
other  corporation,  association or other business entity of which more than 50%
of the  shares  of the  Voting  Stock  are  owned  or  controlled,  directly  or
indirectly,  by the parent or by one or more  Subsidiaries of the parent,  or by
the parent and one or more of its Subsidiaries.

"Surviving  Corporation"  shall have the  meaning  given to such term in Section
2.1.

"Taxes"  shall mean all  federal,  state,  local and foreign  net income,  gross
income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem,  transfer,  franchise,  profits,
license, lease, service, service use, withholding,  payroll, employment, excise,
severance,  stamp, occupation,  premium,  property,  windfall profits,  customs,
duties, or other taxes, together with any interest and any penalties,  additions
to tax, or additional amounts with respect thereto, and the term "Tax" means any
one of the foregoing Taxes.

"Tax Filings" shall mean any applications,  reports, statements or other Returns
required to be filed with any local, state or federal Governmental Entity before
the Merger may  become  effective,  including,  but not  limited  to, any filing
required  to be made  with the  California  Franchise  Tax Board to obtain a Tax
Clearance Certificate for the Merger.

"Tender  Offer"  shall  mean the  commencement  (as such term is defined in Rule
14d-2 under the Exchange Act) of a tender offer or the filing by any person of a
registration  statement under the Securities Act with respect to, a tender offer
to purchase  any shares of Tehama  Common  Stock or Humboldt  Common  Stock such

<PAGE>


that, upon  consummation of such offer,  such person would own or control 15% or
more of the then outstanding voting securities of Tehama or Humboldt.

"Understanding" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.5.

"Voting  Securities" or "Voting Stock" shall mean the stock or other  securities
or any other interest  entitling the holders  thereof to vote in the election of
the directors, trustees or Persons performing similar functions of the Person in
question,   including,   without  limitation,   nonvoting  securities  that  are
convertible or exchangeable  into voting  securities,  but shall not include any
stock or other  interest so entitling the holders  thereof to vote only upon the
happening of a  contingency  (other than a conversion  or exchange  thereof into
voting securities), whether or not such contingency has occurred.

                              ARTICLE 2. THE MERGER

        Section  2.1 The  Merger.  Subject to the terms and  conditions  of this
Agreement,  as  promptly  as  practicable  following  the  receipt  of the  Last
Regulatory Approval and the expiration of all applicable waiting periods, Tehama
shall be merged with Humboldt,  with Humboldt being the Surviving Corporation of
the merger,  all pursuant to the Agreement of Merger  attached to this Agreement
as Exhibit 2.1 (the "Merger  Agreement")  and in accordance  with the applicable
provisions of the California  Corporations  Code (the "Merger").  The closing of
the Merger (the "Closing")  shall take place at a location and time and Business
Day to be  designated  by Humboldt  and  reasonably  concurred to by Tehama (the
"Closing Date") which shall not, however,  unless the parties agree otherwise in
writing,  be later  than  thirty  (30)  days  after  the  receipt  of  necessary
shareholder  approvals and the Last  Regulatory  Approval and  expiration of all
applicable  waiting  periods.  The  Merger  shall be  effective  when the Merger
Agreement  (together with any other documents  required by law to effectuate the
Merger)  shall  have  been  filed  with the  Secretary  of State of the State of
California.  When used in this Agreement,  the term "Effective  Time" shall mean
the time of filing of the Merger  Agreement  with the  Secretary  of State,  and
"Surviving Corporation" shall mean Humboldt.

        Section  2.2  Effect  of  Merger.  By virtue  of the  Merger  and at the
Effective  Time,  all of the rights,  privileges,  powers and franchises and all
property and assets of every kind and  description  of Tehama and Humboldt shall
be vested  in and be held and  enjoyed  by the  Surviving  Corporation,  without
further act or deed,  and all the estates and  interests of every kind of Tehama
and Humboldt, including all debts due to either of them, shall be as effectively
the property of the  Surviving  Corporation  as they were of Tehama and Humboldt
immediately prior to the Effective Time, and the title to any real estate vested
by deed or otherwise in either Tehama or Humboldt  shall not revert or be in any
way impaired by reason of the Merger; and all rights of creditors and liens upon
any property of Tehama and Humboldt shall be preserved unimpaired and all debts,
liabilities  and duties of Tehama and Humboldt shall be debts,  liabilities  and
duties of the Surviving  Corporation and may be enforced  against it to the same
extent as if such debts,  liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted
by it,  and  none of such  debts,  liabilities  or  duties  shall  be  expanded,
increased, broadened or enlarged by reason of the Merger.

<PAGE>

        Section  2.3  Articles of  Incorporation  and  Bylaws.  The  Articles of
Incorporation  and  Bylaws  of  Humboldt  in  effect  immediately  prior  to the
Effective  Time  shall  be the  Articles  of  Incorporation  and  Bylaws  of the
Surviving  Corporation  until amended and the name of the Surviving  Corporation
shall be "Humboldt Bancorp."

        Section 2.4  Conversion of Humboldt  Stock.  The  authorized  and issued
capital stock of Humboldt  immediately prior to the Effective Time, on and after
the  Effective  Time,  pursuant to the Merger  Agreement and without any further
action on the part of Humboldt shall remain as the common stock of the Surviving
Corporation.

        Section 2.5 Conversion of Tehama Stock Options.  At the Effective  Time,
all  outstanding  rights with respect to Tehama  Common Stock  pursuant to stock
options  under the Tehama Stock Option Plans shall be converted  into and become
equivalent  rights  with  respect to  Humboldt  Common  Stock at the  applicable
Conversion  Rate  with a  corresponding  adjustment  in the  option  price,  and
Humboldt  shall assume each Tehama Stock Option in accordance  with the terms of
Tehama  Stock  Option  Plans  and the  stock  option  agreement  by  which it is
evidenced.

        Section 2.6  Conversion of Tehama  Common  Stock.  Except as provided in
Section  2.7,  each  share of Tehama  Common  Stock  shall be  converted  at the
Effective  Time into and become the right to  receive  that  number of shares of
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of Humboldt
Common Stock equal to the Conversion  Rate,  subject to  adjustment,  if any, as
provided in any other section of this  Agreement;  provided,  however,  that the
shares  held  by any  shareholder  who  properly  exercises  dissenters'  rights
provided under the California  Corporations  Code, shall not be so converted and
in lieu of such conversion shall be treated in accordance with the provisions of
the California Corporations Code.

        Section 2.7 Fractional  Shares.  No fractional shares of Humboldt Common
Stock  shall be issued in the  Merger.  In lieu  thereof,  each holder of Tehama
Common Stock who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fractional share shall
receive  an  amount  in  cash  equal  to the  product  (rounded  to the  nearest
hundredth)  obtained by multiplying  (a) Humboldt  Market Value Per Share by (b)
the  fraction of a share of  Humboldt  Common  Stock to which such holder  would
otherwise  be  entitled.  No such holder shall be entitled to dividends or other
rights in respect of any such fraction.

        Section 2.8 Exchange Procedures.  On or as soon as practicable after the
Effective  Time,  (i)  Humboldt  will  deliver  to  the  Exchange   Agent:   (i)
certificates representing the number of shares of Humboldt Common Stock issuable
in the Merger; and (ii) cash for the payout of fractional shares.

               2.8.1 Upon  surrender to the Exchange Agent for  cancellation  of
one  or  more   certificates   for  shares  of  Tehama  Common  Stock   ("Tehama
Certificates"),  accompanied by a duly executed  letter of transmittal in proper
form, the Exchange Agent shall, as promptly as practicable  thereafter,  deliver
to  each  holder  of  such   surrendered   Tehama   Certificates,   certificates
representing  the  appropriate  number of shares of Humboldt  Common Stock ("New
Certificates")  and/or checks for payment of cash in lieu of fractional  shares,
in respect of the Tehama  Certificates.  In no event shall the holders of Tehama
Certificates be entitled to receive interest on cash amounts due them hereunder.

<PAGE>

               2.8.2  Until  a  Tehama  Certificate  has  been  surrendered  and
exchanged as herein provided,  each share of Tehama Common Stock  represented by
such Tehama  Certificate  shall represent,  on and after the Effective Time, the
right to receive the Conversion Rate into which each such share of Tehama Common
Stock shown thereon has been converted as provided by Section 2.6, including the
right to vote such  shares of  Humboldt  Common  Stock.  No  dividends  or other
distributions  that are  declared  on any shares of Humboldt  Common  Stock into
which any shares of Tehama  Common Stock have been  converted  at the  Effective
Time  shall  be paid to the  holder  of such  Tehama  shares  until  the  Tehama
Certificates evidencing such Tehama shares have been surrendered in exchange for
New  Certificates in the manner herein provided,  but upon such surrender,  such
dividends or other  distributions,  from and after the Effective  Time,  will be
paid to such  holders.  In no event shall the holders  entitled to receive  such
dividends  or other  distributions  be  entitled  to  receive  interest  on such
dividends or other distributions.

               2.8.3 No transfer  taxes shall be payable by any  shareholder  in
respect to the issuance of New Certificates,  except that if any New Certificate
is to be issued in a name  other  than  that in which  the  Tehama  Certificates
surrendered shall have been registered, it shall be a condition of such issuance
that the holder  requesting such issuance shall properly endorse the certificate
or  certificates  and shall pay to Humboldt or the  Exchange  Agent any transfer
taxes payable by reason  thereof,  or of any prior transfer of such  surrendered
certificate,  or establish to the satisfaction of Humboldt or the Exchange Agent
that such taxes have been paid or are not payable.

               2.8.4 Any Humboldt Common Stock or cash delivered to the Exchange
Agent and not distributed pursuant to this Section 2.8 at the end of nine months
from the  Effective  Time,  shall be  returned to  Humboldt,  in which event the
Persons entitled thereto shall look only to Humboldt for payment thereof.

               2.8.5  Notwithstanding  anything  to the  contrary  set  forth in
Sections  2.8.2 and 2.8.3 hereof,  if any holder of Tehama Common Stock shall be
unable to  surrender  such  holder's  Tehama  Certificates  because  such Tehama
Certificates  have been lost or  destroyed,  such  holder  may  deliver  in lieu
thereof an affidavit and  indemnity  undertaking  in form and substance  and, if
required, with surety satisfactory to the Exchange Agent and Humboldt.

               2.8.6  The  Exchange  Agent  shall  not be  entitled  to  vote or
exercise any rights of ownership  with respect to the shares of Humboldt  Common
Stock held by it from time to time  hereunder,  except that it shall receive and
hold all dividends or other  distributions  paid or distributed  with respect to
such shares of  Humboldt  Common  Stock for the account of the Persons  entitled
thereto.

               2.8.7  After  the  Effective  Time,  there  shall  be no  further
registration  of  transfers  of the  shares of Tehama  Common  Stock  which were
outstanding  immediately  prior to the Effective  Time.  If, after the Effective
Time,  Tehama  Certificates  representing such shares of Tehama Common Stock are
presented to Humboldt,  they shall be canceled and exchanged for Humboldt Common
Stock as provided in this Article 2.

        Section 2.9  Board of Directors of Humboldt and Tehama Bank following
the Effective Time. At the Effective Time and thereafter  through the end of the

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term for which  directors are elected at  Humboldt's  2001 annual  meeting,  the
Board of Directors of Humboldt shall total 11 directors of which seven directors
shall be existing  directors  of Humboldt and four  directors  shall be existing
directors  of Tehama,  provided  that such number of  directors  may be modified
during such period by vote of a majority of the seven Humboldt  directors and of
a majority  of the four  Tehama  directors.  Such  directors  shall be listed on
Schedule  2.9 and shall be appointed as directors of Humboldt to serve until the
next annual meeting of  shareholders  of Humboldt and until such  successors are
elected and qualified.  In the event an individual  listed on Schedule 2.9 shall
not be able to serve as a  director  at the  Effective  Time and  until the next
annual meeting of shareholders of Humboldt,  the existing  directors of Humboldt
or Tehama depending upon which Board of Directors such individual served,  shall
appoint  a  replacement.  At the  Effective  Time,  the then  existing  Board of
Directors of Tehama Bank shall total 16 directors with 14 existing  directors of
Tehama Bank and two persons to be selected by Humboldt.

        Section  2.10  Management  of  Humboldt  and Tehama Bank  following  the
Effective Time. At the Effective Time, the then existing  management of Humboldt
shall be the  management  of the  Surviving  Corporation  and the  management of
Tehama Bank shall  continue as the management of Tehama Bank after the Effective
Time.

        Section 2.11  Expenses.  Each party will pay their own  expenses  except
that the parties will share the costs  identified with  preparation of the proxy
materials by Bartel Eng Linn & Schroder,  including the  Registration  Statement
and printing related expenses, on the basis of 63% Humboldt and 37% Tehama.

               ARTICLE 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TEHAMA

Tehama represents and warrants to Humboldt as follows:

        Section 3.1  Organization;  Corporate Power; Etc. Tehama is a California
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of California and has all requisite  corporate  power and authority
to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business
substantially as it is being conducted on the date of this Agreement.  Tehama is
a bank holding company registered under the BHCA. Each of Tehama's  Subsidiaries
has all requisite  corporate  power and authority to own,  lease and operate its
properties and to carry on its business  substantially  as it is being conducted
on the date of this  Agreement,  except  where the failure to have such power or
authority would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Tehama taken as a whole or
the  ability  of Tehama to  consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement.  Tehama has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into
this Agreement  and,  subject to obtaining all requisite  Regulatory  Approvals,
Tehama will have the  requisite  corporate  power and  authority  to perform its
respective  obligations  hereunder  with  respect  to  the  consummation  of the
transactions contemplated hereby. Tehama is the sole shareholder of Tehama Bank.
Tehama Bank is a California  state-chartered banking institution duly organized,
validly  existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of California
and has all requisite  corporate  power and authority to own,  lease and operate
its  properties and assets and to carry on its business  substantially  as it is
being conducted on the date of this Agreement.  Tehama Bank is authorized by the
CDFI to  conduct  a general  banking  business.  Tehama  Bank is a member of the

<PAGE>

Federal  Reserve  System.  Tehama Bank's deposits are insured by the FDIC in the
manner  and to the full  extent  provided  by law.  Tehama  Bank  maintains  and
operates  branch offices only in the State of  California.  Neither the scope of
business or Tehama, or any Subsidiary of Tehama,  including Tehama Bank, nor the
location of any of their respective  properties,  requires that Tehama or any of
its respective  Subsidiaries be licensed or qualified to conduct business in any
jurisdiction  other  than the state of  California,  where the  failure to be so
licensed or qualified would,  individually or in the aggregate,  have a Material
Adverse Effect on Tehama taken as a whole.

        Section 3.2 Licenses and Permits.  Except as disclosed on Schedule  3.2,
Tehama  and  its  Subsidiaries   have  all  material   licenses,   certificates,
franchises,  rights and  permits  that are  necessary  for the  conduct of their
respective  businesses,  and such licenses are in full force and effect,  except
for any failure to be in full force and effect that would not,  individually  or
in the aggregate,  have a Material Adverse Effect on Tehama or on the ability of
Tehama to  consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement.  The
properties,  assets,  operations  and  businesses  of  Tehama,  and those of its
Subsidiaries, including Tehama Bank, are and have been maintained and conducted,
in  all  material  respects,   in  compliance  with  all  applicable   licenses,
certificates, franchises, rights and permits.

        Section 3.3 Subsidiaries. Other than as set forth on Schedule 3.3, there
is no  corporation,  partnership,  joint venture or other entity in which Tehama
owns,  directly or indirectly  (except as pledgee  pursuant to loans or stock or
other  interest  held as the  result of or in lieu of  foreclosure  pursuant  to
pledge or other  security  arrangement)  any equity or other voting  interest or
position.

        Section 3.4  Authorization of Agreement; No Conflicts.

               3.4.1 The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Merger
Agreement  by Tehama,  and the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated
hereby and thereby,  have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action
on the part of Tehama,  subject  only to the  approval  of this  Agreement,  the
Merger  Agreement and the Merger by Tehama's  shareholders.  This  Agreement has
been duly  executed and delivered by Tehama and  constitutes a legal,  valid and
binding obligation of Tehama,  enforceable in accordance with its terms,  except
as  the  enforceability  thereof  may  be  limited  by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
moratorium or other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and
by general equitable principles.  The Merger Agreement,  upon the receipt of all
Requisite  Regulatory  Approvals and the due execution and filing of such Merger
Agreement  in  accordance  with  the  applicable  provisions  of the  California
Corporations  Code,  will  constitute a legal,  valid and binding  obligation of
Tehama,  enforceable in accordance with its terms,  except as the enforceability
thereof may be limited by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  moratorium or other similar
laws  affecting  the rights of  creditors  generally  and by  general  equitable
principles.

               3.4.2  Except as disclosed on Schedule  3.4,  the  execution  and
delivery of this Agreement and the Merger Agreement, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, do not and 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  or Bylaws of Tehama,  or except
for the necessity of obtaining Requisite Regulatory Approvals,  and the approval
of  the  shareholders  of  Tehama,  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

<PAGE>


regulation  applicable to Tehama or any of its assets or properties,  other than
any such conflict, violation, default or loss which (i) will not have a Material
Adverse Effect on Tehama, or on Humboldt immediately  following  consummation of
the Merger;  or (ii) will be cured or waived  prior to the  Effective  Time.  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 or the Merger  Agreement by
Tehama or the performance by Tehama of its obligations hereunder and thereunder,
except for (a)  filings  required  in order to obtain the  Requisite  Regulatory
Approvals;  (b) the  filing  and  approval  of the  Merger  Agreement  with  the
Secretary of the State of California; and (c) Tax Filings.

        Section 3.5 Capital  Structure.  The authorized  capital stock of Tehama
consists of 4,000,0000 shares of Tehama Common Stock, no par value per share and
2,000,000  shares of preferred  stock. On the date of this Agreement,  1,896,140
shares of Tehama  Common Stock were  outstanding,  no shares of preferred  stock
were  outstanding  and 241,627  shares of Tehama  Common Stock were reserved for
issuance  pursuant to  outstanding  Tehama Stock  Options under the Tehama Stock
Option Plans. All outstanding  shares of Tehama Common Stock are validly issued,
fully paid and  nonassessable  and do not possess any preemptive rights and were
not issued in violation of any  preemptive  rights or any similar  rights of any
Person.  Except for the Tehama Stock Options and Tehama's  obligations under the
Shareholder  Protection  Rights  Plan,  both  described  on Schedule 3.5 to this
Agreement,  Tehama  does not have  outstanding  any  options,  warrants,  calls,
rights,  commitments,  securities or agreements of any character to which Tehama
is a party or by which it is bound obligating Tehama to issue,  deliver or sell,
or cause to be issued,  delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock of
Tehama or  obligating  Tehama to grant,  extend or enter  into any such  option,
warrant, call, right, commitment or agreement.

        Section 3.6  Tehama Filings.

               3.6.1 Since  January 1, 1997,  Tehama and its  Subsidiaries  have
filed all reports,  registrations  and statements,  together with any amendments
required to be made with respect  thereto,  that were  required to be filed with
(a) the Federal Reserve Board or any Federal Reserve Bank; (b) the CDFI; (c) the
FDIC; (d) the SEC; (e) the California  Department of  Corporations;  and (f) any
other applicable federal,  state or local governmental or regulatory  authority.
All such reports,  registrations  and filings,  and all reports sent to Tehama's
shareholders  during the  three-year  period ended December 31, 1999 (whether or
not filed with any Regulatory  Authority),  are collectively  referred to as the
"Tehama  Filings.  Except to the extent  prohibited by law, copies of the Tehama
Filings have been made available to Humboldt.  As of their respective  filing or
mailing dates,  each of the past Tehama Filings (a) was true and complete in all
material respects (or was amended so as to be so promptly following discovery of
any  discrepancy);  and (b)  complied in all material  respects  with all of the
statutes,  rules and regulations  enforced or promulgated by the governmental or
regulatory  authority  with  which it was filed (or was  amended  so as to be so
promptly following  discovery of any such  noncompliance) and none contained any
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required
to be stated  therein or necessary to make the statements  therein,  in light of
the  circumstances  under  which  they were  made,  not  misleading.  The Tehama
Financial  Statements,  together with the financial  statements contained in the
Tehama  Filings,  have been  prepared in  accordance  with GAAP,  or  applicable
regulatory  accounting  principles,  applied on a  consistent  basis  during the
periods  involved  (except as may be indicated in the notes  thereto) and fairly

<PAGE>

present  (subject,  in  the  case  of the  unaudited  statements,  to  recurring
adjustments  normal in nature and amount) the financial position of Tehama as of
the dates thereof and the results of its operations, cash flows and changes in
shareholders' equity for the periods then ended.

               3.6.2 Tehama,  or Tehama Bank, as the case may be, has filed each
report,  schedule and amendments to each of the foregoing  since January 1, 1997
that Tehama or Tehama Bank was required to file with the Federal  Reserve Board,
the SEC, the FDIC, the California  Department of  Corporations  or the CDFI (the
"Tehama  Documents"),  all of which have been made available to Humboldt.  As of
their respective  dates, the Tehama Documents  complied in all material respects
with the  applicable  requirements  of the BHCA,  the Exchange  Act, the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act and the California Financial Code, as the case may be, and
the rules and regulations of the Federal  Reserve Board,  the FDIC, the SEC, the
California Department of Corporations and the CDFI thereunder applicable to such
Tehama  Documents,  and  none  of the  Tehama  Documents  contained  any  untrue
statement of a material  fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated  therein or necessary  to make the  statements  therein,  in light of the
circumstances  under  which  they  were  made,  not  misleading.  The  financial
statements  of Tehama  included  in the Tehama  Filings  comply in all  material
respects  with  applicable  regulatory  accounting  requirements  and  with  the
published rules and regulations of the Federal Reserve Board,  the FDIC, the SEC
or the CDFI (as  applicable)  with respect  thereto,  and have been  prepared in
accordance with GAAP, or applicable regulatory accounting principles, applied on
a consistent  basis during the periods  involved  (except as may be indicated in
the notes thereto or, in the case of the unaudited  statements,  as permitted by
regulations  of the  Federal  Reserve  Board,  the FDIC or the CDFI) and  fairly
present  (subject,  in  the  case  of the  unaudited  statements,  to  recurring
adjustments  normal in nature and amount) the financial position of Tehama as of
the dates thereof and the consolidated  results of its operations and cash flows
or changes in financial position for the periods then ended.

        Section 3.7  Accuracy of Information Supplied.

               3.7.1 No representation or warranty of Tehama contained herein or
any statement,  schedule,  exhibit or certificate  given or to be given by or on
behalf of Tehama or any of its Subsidiaries,  including Tehama Bank, to Humboldt
in connection herewith and none of the information supplied or to be supplied by
Tehama or its Subsidiaries,  including Tehama Bank, to Humboldt hereunder to the
best of Tehama's  Knowledge  contains or will  contain any untrue  statement  of
material fact or omit to state any material  fact required to be stated  therein
or  necessary  in  order  to  make  the  statements  therein,  in  light  of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

               3.7.2  None of the  information  supplied  or to be  supplied  by
Tehama or  relating  to Tehama  and  approved  by Tehama  which is  included  or
incorporated  by reference in (i) the  Registration  Statement on Form S-4 to be
filed with the SEC by  Humboldt  in  connection  with the  issuance of shares of
Humboldt  Common  Stock in the Merger  (including  the Joint Proxy  Statement of
Humboldt   and  Tehama   and  the   Prospectus   of   Humboldt   ("Joint   Proxy
Statement/Prospectus")   constituting   a  part   thereof,   the   "Registration
Statement") will, at the time the Registration Statement becomes effective under
the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit


<PAGE>

to state a material fact required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the
statements  therein,  in light of the circumstances  under which they were made,
not misleading;  (ii) the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement  thereto will, at all times from the date of mailing to  shareholders
of Tehama through the date of the meeting of  shareholders  of Tehama to be held
in connection with the Merger,  contain any 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, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made,  not  misleading;  and (iii) the  applications  and forms to be filed with
securities  or "blue  sky"  authorities,  self  regulatory  authorities,  or any
Governmental Entity in connection with the Merger, the issuance of any shares of
Humboldt Common Stock in connection with the Merger, or any Requisite Regulatory
Approvals will, at the time filed or at the time they become effective,  contain
any untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or omit to state any  material  fact
required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the statements  therein,  in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Joint
Proxy Statement/Prospectus (except for such portions thereof that relate only to
Humboldt and its  Subsidiaries)  will comply in all material  respects  with the
provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

               3.7.3 Tehama has delivered or will deliver to Humboldt copies of:
(a) the audited  balance sheets of Tehama Bank as of December 31, 1999, 1998 and
1997 and the related statements of income,  changes in shareholders'  equity and
cash  flows for the years  then ended and the  related  notes to such  financial
statements,  all as audited by Perry-Smith LLP,  independent  public accountants
(the "Tehama Financial Statements"), and Tehama will hereafter until the Closing
Date deliver to Humboldt copies of additional financial statements of Tehama and
its Subsidiaries as provided in Sections 5.1.1(iii) and 6.1.11(iii).  The Tehama
Financial  Statements have been prepared (and all of said  additional  financial
statements will be prepared) in accordance  with GAAP, or applicable  regulatory
accounting  principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved
(except  as may  be  indicated  in  the  notes  thereto)  consistently  followed
throughout  the  periods  covered by such  statements,  and present  (and,  when
prepared,  will  present)  fairly  the  financial  position  of  Tehama  and its
Subsidiaries,  including  Tehama Bank, as of the respective  dates indicated and
the results of operations, cash flows and changes in shareholders' equity at the
respective  dates  and for the  respective  periods  covered  by such  financial
statements  (subject,  in the case of the  unaudited  statements,  to  recurring
adjustments normal in nature and amount).  In addition,  Tehama has delivered or
made available to Humboldt  copies of all management or other letters  delivered
to Tehama or Tehama Bank by its  independent  accountants in connection with any
of the Tehama  Financial  Statements or by such  accountants  or any  consultant
regarding the internal controls or internal compliance procedures and systems of
Tehama or Tehama  Bank issued at any time since  January 1, 1997,  and will make
available for inspection by Humboldt or its  representatives,  at such times and
places as Humboldt may reasonably  request,  reports and working papers produced
or developed by such accountants or consultants.

        Section 3.8  Compliance  with  Applicable  Laws.  Except as disclosed on
Schedule  3.8, to the best of Tehama's  Knowledge the  respective  businesses of
Tehama and its  Subsidiaries  are not being  conducted  in violation of any law,
ordinance or regulation,  except for  violations  which  individually  or in the
aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Tehama,  or Humboldt at or
following  the  Effective  Time.  Except as set forth in  Schedule  3.8,  to the
Knowledge of Tehama no investigation  or review by any Governmental  Entity with
respect  to  Tehama  or  Tehama  Bank  is  pending  or  threatened,  nor has any

<PAGE>

Governmental  Entity  indicated to Tehama or Tehama Bank an intention to conduct
the same.

        Section  3.9  Litigation.  Except as set forth in  Schedule  3.9, to the
Knowledge  of Tehama there is no suit,  action or  proceeding  or  investigation
pending or  threatened  against or affecting  Tehama or any of its  Subsidiaries
which, if adversely  determined,  would have a Material Adverse Effect on Tehama
or its  Subsidiaries;  nor is there any judgment,  decree,  injunction,  rule or
order of any Governmental Entity or arbitrator outstanding against Tehama or any
of its Subsidiaries  that has, or which,  insofar as reasonably can be foreseen,
in the future  would  have,  any such  Material  Adverse  Effect.  Schedule  3.9
contains a true,  correct and complete  list,  including  identification  of the
applicable  insurance  policy  covering  such  litigation,  if any,  subject  to
reservation of rights,  if any, the applicable  deductible and the amount of any
reserve  therefor,  of all  pending  litigation  in which  Tehama  or any of its
Subsidiaries  is a named  party of which  Tehama  has  Knowledge,  and except as
disclosed  on Schedule  3.9,  all of the  litigation  shown on such  Schedule is
adequately covered by insurance in force, except for applicable deductibles,  or
has been  adequately  reserved for in accordance  with Tehama's  prior  business
practices.

        Section 3.10 Agreements with Banking Authorities. Neither Tehama nor any
Subsidiary  of Tehama  is a party to any  written  agreement  or  memorandum  of
understanding with, or order or directive from, any Governmental Entity.

        Section 3.11 Insurance.  Tehama and its Subsidiaries  have in full force
and effect  policies of insurance  with  respect to their assets and  businesses
against such casualties and contingencies  and in such amounts,  types and forms
as are customarily appropriate for their businesses,  operations, properties and
assets.  Schedule  3.11  contains a list of all policies of insurance  and bonds
carried  and  owned by Tehama  or any  Subsidiary.  None of Tehama or any of its
Subsidiaries  is in default under any such policy of insurance or bond such that
it can be canceled and all material current claims  outstanding  thereunder have
been filed in timely  fashion.  Tehama and its  Subsidiaries  have filed  claims
with, or given notice of claim to, their insurers or bonding companies in timely
fashion  with  respect to all material  matters and  occurrences  for which they
believe they have coverage.

        Section  3.12 Title to Assets other than Real  Property.  Each of Tehama
and its  respective  Subsidiaries  has good and  marketable  title to or a valid
leasehold  interest in all properties and assets (other than real property which
is the  subject  to  Section  3.13),  it owns or  leases,  free and clear of all
mortgages,  covenants,  conditions,  restrictions,  easements,  liens,  security
interests, charges, claims, assessments and encumbrances, except for: (a) rights
of lessors,  lessees or sublessees in such matters as are reflected in a written
lease;  (b) encumbrances as set forth in the Tehama  Financial  Statements;  (c)
current Taxes  (including  assessments  collected  with Taxes) not yet due which
have been fully reserved for; (d) encumbrances, if any, that are not substantial
in character,  amount or extent and do not detract materially from the value, or
interfere  with present use, or the ability of Tehama or its  Subsidiary to sell
or otherwise  dispose of the property subject thereto or affected  thereby;  and
(e) other matters as described in Schedule 3.12.  Materially all such properties
and assets are,  and require  only  routine  maintenance  to keep them,  in good
working condition, normal wear and tear excepted.

        Section 3.13  Real Property.  Schedule 3.13 is an accurate list and
general description of all real property owned or leased by Tehama or any of its
Subsidiaries, including Other Real Estate Owned ("OREO"). Each of Tehama and its

<PAGE>


respective  Subsidiaries  has good and marketable  title to the real  properties
that it owns, as described in such  Schedule,  free and clear of all  mortgages,
covenants,  conditions,  restrictions,  easements,  liens,  security  interests,
charges, claims, assessments and encumbrances, except for (a) rights of lessors,
lessees or sublessees in such matters as are reflected in a written  lease;  (b)
current  Taxes  (including  assessments  collected  with  Taxes) not yet due and
payable; (c) encumbrances, if any, that are not substantial in character, amount
or extent and do not  materially  detract  from the  value,  or  interfere  with
present  use, or the ability of Tehama to dispose,  of Tehama's  interest in the
property subject thereto or affected thereby; and (d) other matters as described
in Schedule 3.13. Tehama and its Subsidiaries have valid leasehold  interests in
the leaseholds they respectively  hold, free and clear of all mortgages,  liens,
security interests,  charges, claims,  assessments and encumbrances,  except for
(a) claims of lessors, co-lessees or sublessees in such matters as are reflected
in a written lease; (b) title exceptions  affecting the fee estate of the lessor
under such leases;  and (c) other matters as described in Schedule  3.13. To the
best of Tehama's  Knowledge,  the activities of Tehama and its Subsidiaries with
respect to all real property owned or leased by them for use in connection  with
their  operations  are in all material  respects  permitted  and  authorized  by
applicable zoning laws,  ordinances and regulations and all laws and regulations
of any Governmental Entity. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.13, Tehama and its
Subsidiaries  enjoy quiet possession under all material leases to which they are
the  lessees  and all of such  leases  are valid and in full  force and  effect,
except as the enforceability  thereof may be limited by bankruptcy,  insolvency,
moratorium or other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and
by general  equitable  principles.  Materially all buildings and improvements on
real properties owned or leased by Tehama or any of its Subsidiaries are in good
condition  and  repair,  and  do  not  require  more  than  normal  and  routine
maintenance, to keep them in such condition, normal wear and tear excepted.

        Section 3.14  Taxes.

               3.14.1 Filing of Returns. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14.1,
Tehama and its  Subsidiaries  have duly  prepared and filed or caused to be duly
prepared  and  filed  all  federal,   state,  and  local  Returns  (for  Tax  or
informational  purposes)  which  were  required  to be filed by or in respect of
Tehama  and  its  Subsidiaries,  or  any  of  their  properties,  income  and/or
operations on or prior to the Closing Date. As of the time they were filed,  the
foregoing Returns accurately  reflected the material facts regarding the income,
business,  assets,  operations,  activities,  status,  and any other information
required  to be shown  thereon.  Except  as set  forth on  Schedule  3.14.1,  no
extension of time within which  Tehama or any of its  Subsidiaries  may file any
Return is currently in force.

               3.14.2 Payment of Taxes.  Except as disclosed on Schedule  3.14.2
with  respect  to all  amounts  in  respect  of Taxes  imposed  on Tehama or any
Subsidiary or for which Tehama or any Subsidiary is or could be liable,  whether
to taxing authorities (as, for example,  under law) or to other Persons (as, for
example, under Tax allocation  agreements),  with respect to all taxable periods
or portions of periods  ending on or before the Closing Date, all applicable tax
laws and  agreements  have been or will be fully  complied  with in all material
respects,  and all such amounts required to be paid by or on behalf of Tehama or
any Subsidiary to taxing authorities or others on or before the date hereof have
been paid.

               3.14.3  Audit History.  Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.14.3,
there is no review or audit by any  taxing  authority  of any Tax  liability  of
Tehama or any  Subsidiary  currently in progress of which Tehama has  Knowledge.

<PAGE>

Except as disclosed on Schedule  3.14.3,  Tehama and its  Subsidiaries  have not
received any written  notices within the three years  preceding the Closing Date
of any pending or  threatened  audit,  by the  Internal  Revenue  Service or any
state,  local or foreign  agency,  for any Returns or Tax liability of Tehama or
any Subsidiary  for any period.  Tehama and its  Subsidiaries  currently have no
unpaid deficiencies assessed by the Internal Revenue Service or any state, local
or foreign taxing authority arising out of any examination of any of the Returns
of Tehama or any Subsidiaries  filed for fiscal years ended on or after December
31, 1995  through  the Closing  Date,  nor to the  Knowledge  of Tehama is there
reason to believe that any material deficiency will be assessed.

               3.14.4  Statute of  Limitations.  Except as disclosed on Schedule
3.14.4,  no agreements are in force or are currently  being  negotiated by or on
behalf of Tehama or any  Subsidiaries for any waiver or for the extension of any
statute of  limitations  governing the time of  assessments or collection of any
Tax. No closing  agreements  or  compromises  concerning  Taxes of Tehama or any
Subsidiaries are currently pending.

               3.14.5 Withholding  Obligations.  Except as set forth on Schedule
3.14.5,  Tehama and its Subsidiaries have withheld from each payment made to any
of their  respective  officers,  directors  and  employees,  the  amount  of all
applicable  Taxes,  including,  but not limited to, income tax,  social security
contributions,   unemployment   contributions,   backup  withholding  and  other
deductions  required to be withheld  therefrom  by any Tax law and have paid the
same to the  proper  taxing  authorities  within  the time  required  under  any
applicable Tax law.

               3.14.6 Tax Liens. There are no Tax liens,  whether imposed by any
federal,  state,  local or foreign  taxing  authority,  outstanding  against any
assets owned by Tehama or its Subsidiaries,  except for liens for Taxes that are
not yet due and payable.

               3.14.7 Tax Reserves.  Tehama and its Subsidiaries  have made full
and  adequate  provision  and reserve for all federal,  state,  local or foreign
Taxes for the current period for which Tax and  information  returns are not yet
required  to  be  filed.  The  Tehama  Financial  Statements  contain  fair  and
sufficient  accruals for the payment of all Taxes for the periods covered by the
Tehama Financial Statements and all periods prior thereto.

               3.14.8 IRC  Section 382  Applicability.  None of Tehama or any of
its  Subsidiaries,  including  any party joining in any  consolidated  return to
which  Tehama is a member,  underwent  an  "ownership  change" as defined in IRC
Section  382(g)  within the  "testing  period" (as  defined in IRC Section  382)
ending  immediately  before the Effective  Time, and not taking into account any
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

               3.14.9 Disclosure Information. Within 45 days of the date of this
Agreement,  Tehama will deliver to Humboldt  Schedule  3.14.9  setting forth the
following  information  with  respect  to  Tehama  and  as of  the  most  recent
practicable  date (as well as on an estimated  pro forma basis as of the Closing
giving effect to the consummation of the transactions  contemplated hereby): (a)
Tehama's  basis in its assets;  (b) the amount of any net  operating  loss,  net
capital loss, unused  investment or other credit,  unused foreign tax, or excess
charitable  contribution allocable to Tehama; and (c) the amount of any deferred

<PAGE>

gain or loss  allocable to Tehama and arising out of any  deferred  intercompany
transactions.

        Section 3.15  Performance of  Obligations.  Tehama and its  Subsidiaries
have performed all material obligations required to be performed by them to date
and none of Tehama or any of its Subsidiaries is in material default under or in
breach of any term or provision of any covenant,  contract,  lease, indenture or
any other agreement,  written or oral, to which any is a party, is subject or is
otherwise  bound,  and no event has occurred that,  with the giving of notice or
the passage of time or both,  would  constitute such a default or breach,  where
such  default  or breach or failure  to  perform  would have a Material  Adverse
Effect on Tehama or its  Subsidiaries.  To  Tehama's  Knowledge,  and  except as
disclosed on Schedule  3.15 or in the portion of Schedule  3.16 that  identifies
90-day past due or classified or nonaccrual  loans, no party with whom Tehama or
any of its Subsidiaries  has an agreement that is of material  importance to the
businesses of Tehama or its Subsidiaries is in default thereunder.

        Section  3.16  Loans and  Investments.  Except as set forth on  Schedule
3.16, all loans, leases and other extensions of credit, and guaranties, security
agreements or other agreements supporting any loans or extensions of credit, and
investments  of Tehama or its  Subsidiaries,  including  Tehama  Bank,  are, and
constitute,  in all material respects,  the legal, valid and binding obligations
of the parties  thereto and are  enforceable  against such parties in accordance
with  their  terms,  except as the  enforceability  thereof  may be  limited  by
applicable  law and  otherwise by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  moratorium or other
similar  laws  affecting  the  rights  of  creditors  generally  and by  general
equitable principles. Except as described on Schedule 3.16, as of July 31, 2000,
no loans or investments held by Tehama or any Subsidiary,  including Tehama Bank
are: (i) more than ninety days past due with respect to any scheduled payment of
principal or interest,  other than loans on a nonaccrual status; (ii) classified
as "loss," "doubtful,"  "substandard" or "specially mentioned" by Tehama Bank or
any banking  regulators;  or (iii) on a  nonaccrual  status in  accordance  with
Tehama Bank's loan review procedures. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16, none
of such assets (other than loans) are subject to any restrictions,  contractual,
statutory  or other,  that would  materially  impair  the  ability of the entity
holding such investment to dispose freely of any such assets at any time, except
restrictions  on the public  distribution  or transfer  of any such  investments
under the Securities Act and the regulations thereunder or state securities laws
and pledges or security interests given in connection with government  deposits.
All loans, leases or other extensions of credit  outstanding,  or commitments to
make any loans,  leases or other  extensions  of credit made by Tehama or Tehama
Bank to any  Affiliates of Tehama or Tehama Bank are disclosed on Schedule 3.16.
For  outstanding  loans or  extensions  of credit where the  original  principal
amounts are in excess of $50,000 and which by their terms are either  secured by
collateral  or  supported  by a guaranty  or similar  obligation,  the  security
interests  have  been  duly  perfected  in all  material  respects  and have the
priority they purport to have in all material respects,  other than by operation
of law, and, in the case of each guaranty or similar  obligation,  each has been
duly executed and delivered to Tehama or any Subsidiary,  including Tehama Bank,
and to Tehama's Knowledge, is still in full force and effect.

        Section 3.17 Brokers and Finders.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.17,
none of Tehama or any of its  Subsidiaries  is a party to or obligated under any
agreement with any broker or finder  relating to the  transactions  contemplated
hereby, and neither the execution of this Agreement,  the Merger Agreement,  nor
the consummation of the transactions provided for herein or therein, will

<PAGE>

result in any liability to any broker or finder.  Tehama agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless  Humboldt and its affiliates,  and to defend with counsel selected
by  Humboldt  and  reasonably  satisfactory  to  Tehama,  from and  against  any
liability,  cost or expense,  including  attorneys' fees, incurred in connection
with a breach of this Section 3.17.

        Section  3.18  Material  Contracts.  Schedule  3.18  to  this  Agreement
contains  a complete  and  accurate  written  list of all  material  agreements,
obligations  or  understandings,  written  and  oral,  to  which  Tehama  or any
Subsidiary  is a party as of the date of this  Agreement,  except  for loans and
other  extensions of credit made by Tehama or Tehama Bank in the ordinary course
of its business and those items  specifically  disclosed in the Tehama Financial
Statements.

        Section 3.19 Absence of Material Adverse Effect.  Since January 1, 2000,
the respective businesses of Tehama and its Subsidiaries, including Tehama Bank,
have  been  conducted  only  in the  ordinary  course,  in the  same  manner  as
theretofore conducted,  and no event or circumstance has occurred or is expected
to occur which to Tehama's  Knowledge has had or which, with the passage of time
or otherwise,  could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on
Tehama.

        Section 3.20  Undisclosed  Liabilities.  Except as disclosed on Schedule
3.20, none of Tehama or any of its  Subsidiaries  to Tehama's  Knowledge has any
liabilities or obligations,  either accrued,  contingent or otherwise,  that are
material to Tehama and its Subsidiaries and that have not been: (a) reflected or
disclosed in the Tehama  Financial  Statements;  or (b) incurred  subsequent  to
December 31, 1999 in the ordinary course of business. Tehama has no Knowledge of
any basis for the assertion against Tehama,  or any of its Subsidiaries,  of any
liability,  obligation  or  claim  (including  without  limitation  that  of any
Governmental Entity) that will have or cause, or could reasonably be expected to
have or cause, a Material  Adverse Effect on Tehama that is not fully and fairly
reflected and disclosed in the Tehama Financial Statements or on Schedule 3.20.

        Section 3.21  Employees; Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA.

               3.21.1 All material obligations of Tehama or its Subsidiaries for
payment  to  trusts  or other  funds  or to any  Governmental  Entity  or to any
individual,  director, officer, employee or agent (or his or her heirs, legatees
or legal  representatives) with respect to unemployment  compensation  benefits,
profit-sharing,  pension or  retirement  benefits or social  security  benefits,
whether  arising by operation  of law, by contract or by past custom,  have been
properly  accrued  for the  periods  covered  thereby  on the  Tehama  Financial
Statements  and paid  when  due.  All  material  obligations  of  Tehama  or its
Subsidiaries, whether arising by operation of law, by contract or by past custom
for vacation or holiday pay,  bonuses and other forms of compensation  which are
payable to their respective directors,  officers,  employees or agents have been
properly  accrued on the Tehama  Financial  Statements  for the periods  covered
thereby and paid when due. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.21.1,  there are no
unfair  labor  practice  complaints,  strikes,  slowdowns,  stoppages  or  other
controversies  pending or, to the  Knowledge of Tehama,  attempts to unionize or
controversies  threatened  between  Tehama or any Subsidiary or Affiliate and or
relating to, any of their  employees that are likely to have a Material  Adverse
Effect on Tehama and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole. None of Tehama or any
Subsidiary is a party to any collective bargaining agreement with respect to any
of their employees and, except as set forth on Schedule  3.21.1,  none of Tehama
or any Subsidiary is a party to a written employment  contract with any of their
respective  employees  and  there  are no  understandings  with  respect  to the

<PAGE>

employment of any officer or employee of Tehama or any Subsidiary  which are not
terminable  by  Tehama or such  Subsidiary  without  liability  on not more than
thirty (30) days' notice. Except as disclosed in the Tehama Financial Statements
for the periods covered thereby, all material sums due for employee compensation
have been paid and all employer  contributions for employee benefits,  including
deferred  compensation  obligations,  and all material benefit obligations under
any  Employee  Plan  (as  defined  in  Section  3.21.3  hereof)  or any  Benefit
Arrangement  (as defined in Section 3.21.4 hereof) have been duly and adequately
paid or provided for in accordance with plan  documents.  Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.21.1, no director, officer or employee of Tehama or any Subsidiary is
entitled  to receive  any payment of any amount  under any  existing  agreement,
severance  plan or other  benefit  plan as a result of the  consummation  of any
transaction  contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement. To Tehama's
Knowledge,  Tehama  and its  Subsidiaries  have  materially  complied  with  all
applicable  federal and state  statutes and  regulations  which govern  workers'
compensation,  equal employment  opportunity and equal pay,  including,  but not
limited to, all civil rights laws,  Presidential Executive Order 11246, the Fair
Labor  Standards Act of 1938, as amended,  and the Americans  with  Disabilities
Act.

               3.21.2 Tehama has delivered as Schedule 3.21.2 a complete list
of:

                      (a)    All current employees of Tehama or any of its
Subsidiaries   together  with  each  employee's   tenure  with  Tehama  or  such
Subsidiary,  title  or job  classification,  and  the  current  annual  rate  of
compensation anticipated to be paid to each such employee; and

                      (b)    All Employee Plans and Benefit Arrangements,
including all plans or practices providing for current  compensation or accruals
for active Employees, including, but not limited to, all employee benefit plans,
all  pension,  profit-sharing,   retirement,  bonus,  stock  option,  incentive,
deferred compensation, severance, long-term disability, medical, dental, health,
hospitalization, life insurance or other insurance plans or related benefits.

               3.21.3 Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.21.3,  none of Tehama or
any of its Subsidiaries  maintains,  administers or otherwise contributes to any
"employee  benefit plan," as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA,  which is subject
to any  provisions of ERISA and covers any employee,  whether active or retired,
of Tehama or any of its Subsidiaries  (any such plan being herein referred to as
an  "Employee  Plan").  True and  complete  copies of each such  Employee  Plan,
including  amendments thereto,  have been previously delivered or made available
to Humboldt, together with (i) all agreements regarding plan assets with respect
to such Employee Plans,  (ii) a true and complete copy of the annual reports for
the most  recent  three  years  (Form  5500  Series  including,  if  applicable,
Schedules A and B thereto)  prepared in connection  with any such Employee Plan,
(iii) a true and complete copy of the actuarial  valuation  reports for the most
recent three years,  if any,  prepared in connection with any such Employee Plan
covering any active employee of Tehama or its  Subsidiaries,  (iv) a copy of the
most recent summary plan  description of each such Employee Plan,  together with
any  modifications  thereto,  and  (v) a  copy  of  the  most  recent  favorable
determination  letter (if applicable) from the Internal Revenue Service for each
Employee Plan. Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.21.3 none of the Employee Plans
is a  "multiemployer  plan" as defined in Section  3(37) of ERISA or a "multiple
employer  plan" as covered in Section  412(c) of the IRC,  and none of Tehama or
any of its  Subsidiaries  has been obligated to make a contribution  to any such
multiemployer or multiple  employer plan within the past five years. None of the
Employee  Plans of  Tehama or any of its  Subsidiaries  is, or for the last five

<PAGE>

years has  been,  subject  to Title IV of ERISA.  Each  Employee  Plan  which is
intended to be qualified  under  Section  401(a) of the IRC is so qualified  and
each trust  maintained  pursuant thereto is exempt from income tax under Section
501(a) of the IRC, and none of Tehama or any of its Subsidiaries is aware of any
fact which has  occurred  which  would cause the loss of such  qualification  or
exemption.

               3.21.4 Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.21.4,  none of Tehama or
any of its  Subsidiaries  maintains  (other than base salary and base wages) any
form  of  current  or  deferred   compensation,   bonus,  stock  option,   stock
appreciation right, severance pay, salary continuation,  retirement or incentive
plan or  arrangement  for the  benefit of any  director,  officer  or  employee,
whether active or retired, of Tehama or any of its Subsidiaries or for any class
or classes of such  directors,  officers or  employees.  Except as  disclosed in
Schedule 3.21.4,  none of Tehama or any of its Subsidiaries  maintains any group
or individual health  insurance,  welfare or similar plan or arrangement for the
benefit  of  any  director,  officer  or  employee  of  Tehama  or  any  of  its
Subsidiaries,  whether  active or  retired,  or for any class or classes of such
directors, officers or employees. Any such plan or arrangement described in this
Section  3.21.4,  copies  of which  have been  delivered  or made  available  to
Humboldt, shall be herein referred to as a "Benefit Arrangement."

               3.21.5 All Employee Plans and Benefit  Arrangements  are operated
in material compliance with the requirements prescribed by any and all statutes,
governmental or court orders, or governmental rules or regulations  currently in
effect, including but not limited to ERISA and the IRC, applicable to such plans
or arrangements,  and plan documents relating to any such plans or arrangements,
materially  comply with or will be amended to materially  comply with applicable
legal requirements.  None of Tehama or any of its Subsidiaries, nor any Employee
Plan, nor any trusts created thereunder, nor any trustee,  administrator nor any
other fiduciary thereof,  has engaged in a "prohibited  transaction," as defined
in Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the IRC, that could  subject  Tehama
or any of its  Subsidiaries or Humboldt to liability under Section 409 or 502(i)
of ERISA or Section 4975 of the IRC or that would adversely affect the qualified
status of such plans;  each "plan official" within the meaning of Section 412 of
ERISA of each  Employee  Plan is bonded to the extent  required by such  Section
412; with respect to each Employee Plan, to Tehama's  Knowledge,  no employee of
Tehama or any Subsidiary, nor any fiduciary of any Employee Plan, has engaged in
any breach of  fiduciary  duty as defined in Part 4 of  Subtitle B of Title I of
ERISA which could  subject  Tehama or any of its  Subsidiaries  to  liability if
Tehama or any such  Subsidiary  is obligated to  indemnify  such Person  against
liability.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.21.5,  Tehama and its Subsidiaries
have not  failed to make any  material  contribution  or pay any  amount due and
owing  as  required  by  law or  the  terms  of any  Employee  Plan  or  Benefit
Arrangement.

               3.21.6 Except as set forth on Schedule  3.21.6,  no Employee Plan
or Benefit  Arrangement  has any material  liability  of any nature,  accrued or
contingent, including, without limitation, liabilities for federal, state, local
or foreign taxes, interest or penalty other than liability for claims arising in
the course of the administration of each such Employee Plan. Except as set forth
on Schedule  3.21.6,  to Tehama's  Knowledge  there is no pending or  threatened
legal action,  proceeding or investigation against any Employee Plan which could
result in material  liability to such Employee  Plan,  other than routine claims
for  benefits,  and there is no basis for any such legal  action,  proceeding or
investigation.

<PAGE>

               3.21.7  Each  Benefit  Arrangement  which is a group  health plan
(within  the  meaning of such term  under IRC  Section  4980B(g)(2))  materially
complies  and has  materially  complied  with the  requirements  of Section  601
through 608 of ERISA or Section 4980B of the IRC governing continuation coverage
requirements for employee-provided group health plans.

               3.21.8 Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.21.8,  none of Tehama or
any of its  Subsidiaries  maintains  any  Employee  Plan or Benefit  Arrangement
pursuant  to which any benefit or other  payment  will be required to be made by
Tehama or any of its  Subsidiaries  or Affiliates or pursuant to which any other
benefit  will accrue or vest in any  director,  officer or employee of Tehama or
any  Subsidiary  or  Affiliate  thereof,  in  either  case  as a  result  of the
consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger
Agreement.

        Section  3.22  Powers  of  Attorney.  No power of  attorney  or  similar
authorization  given by Tehama or any Subsidiary  thereof is presently in effect
or  outstanding  other than powers of attorney  given in the ordinary  course of
business with respect to routine matters.

        Section 3.23  Hazardous Materials.  Except as set forth on Schedule
3.23:

               3.23.1 Except for ordinary and necessary  quantities of cleaning,
pest  control and office  supplies,  and other  small  quantities  of  Hazardous
Substances that are used in the ordinary course of the respective  businesses of
Tehama and its  Subsidiaries  and in compliance  with  applicable  Environmental
Laws, or ordinary rubbish, debris and nonhazardous solid waste stored in garbage
cans or bins for regular  disposal  off-site,  or petroleum  contained in and de
minimus quantities discharged from motor vehicles in their ordinary operation on
any of the Tehama  Properties (as defined  below),  Tehama and its  Subsidiaries
have not engaged in the generation, use, manufacture, treatment, transportation,
storage (in tanks or otherwise),  or the disposal, of Hazardous Substances other
than as permitted by and only in  compliance  with  applicable  law. To Tehama's
Knowledge,  no  material  amount of  Hazardous  Substances  have been  released,
emitted or disposed of, or otherwise deposited, on, in or from any real property
which is now or has been  previously  owned since  January 1, 1997,  or which is
currently  or during the past three  years was  leased,  by Tehama or any of its
Subsidiaries,  including OREO  (collectively,  the "Tehama  Properties"),  or to
Tehama's  Knowledge,  on or in any real  property in which  Tehama or any of its
Subsidiaries now holds any security interest, mortgage or other lien or interest
with an underlying obligation in excess of $25,000 ("Tehama Collateralizing Real
Estate"),  except for (i) matters  disclosed on Schedule 3.23; (ii) ordinary and
necessary  quantities  of cleaning,  pest control and office  supplies  used and
stored in compliance with applicable  Environmental  Laws, or ordinary  rubbish,
debris and  nonhazardous  solid waste stored in garbage cans or bins for regular
disposal  off-site,  or  petroleum  contained  in,  and  de  minimus  quantities
discharged  from,  motor  vehicles in their  ordinary  operation  on such Tehama
Properties;  and (iii) such  releases,  emissions,  disposals or deposits  which
constituted  a  violation  of an  Environmental  Law but did not have a Material
Adverse  Effect on the  Tehama  Property  involved  and would not  result in the
incurrence  or  imposition of any  liability,  expense,  penalty or fine against
Tehama or any of its  Subsidiaries  in excess of $25,000  individually or in the
aggregate.  To Tehama's Knowledge, no activity has been undertaken on any of the
Tehama  Properties  since  January l, 1997,  and to the  Knowledge  of Tehama no
activities   have  been  or  are  being   undertaken   on  any  of  the   Tehama
Collateralizing Real Estate, that would cause or contribute to:


<PAGE>

     (a)  any of the Tehama  Properties  or Tehama  Collateralizing  Real Estate
becoming a treatment, storage or disposal facility within the meaning of RCRA or
any similar state law or local ordinance;

     (b)  a release or  threatened  release of any  Hazardous  Substances  under
circumstances which would violate any Environmental Laws; or

     (c)  the discharge of Hazardous Substances into any soil, subsurface water
or ground water or into the air, or the dredging or filling of any waters,  that
would require a permit or any other approval  under the Federal Water  Pollution
Control Act, 33 U.S.C. ss.1251 et seq., the Clean Air Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C.
ss.7401 et seq.,  or any similar  federal or state law or local  ordinance;  the
cumulative  effect of which would have a material  adverse  effect on the Tehama
Property or Tehama Collateralizing Real Estate involved.

               3.23.2 To Tehama's Knowledge, there are not, and never have been,
any underground  storage tanks located in or under any of the Tehama  Properties
or the Tehama Collateralizing Real Estate.

               3.23.3 None of Tehama or any of its Subsidiaries has received any
written notice of, and to Tehama's Knowledge none has received any verbal notice
of,  any   pending  or   threatened   claims,   investigations,   administrative
proceedings, litigation, regulatory hearings or requests or demands for remedial
or  responsive  actions or for  compensation,  with respect to any of the Tehama
Properties or Tehama Collateralizing Real Estate, alleging noncompliance with or
violation of any Environmental Law or seeking relief under any Environmental Law
and none of the  Tehama  Properties  or Tehama  Collateralizing  Real  Estate is
listed  on  the  United  States   Environmental   Protection  Agency's  National
Priorities  List of Hazardous Waste Sites,  or, to Tehama's  Knowledge any other
list, schedule,  log, inventory or record of hazardous waste sites maintained by
any federal, state or local agency.

               3.23.4 "Hazardous Substances" shall mean any hazardous,  toxic or
infectious  substance,  material,  gas or waste which is regulated by any local,
state or federal Governmental Entity, or any of their agencies.

        Section 3.24 Stock Options.  Schedule 3.5 to this  Agreement  contains a
description  of the  Tehama  Stock  Option  Plans and list of all  Tehama  Stock
Options outstanding, indicating for each: (a) the grant date; (b) whether vested
or unvested; (c) exercise price; and (d) a vesting schedule by optionee.

        Section 3.25 Effective Date of  Representations,  Warranties,  Covenants
and Agreements. Each representation,  warranty, covenant and agreement of Tehama
set  forth in this  Agreement  shall be  deemed to be made on and as of the date
hereof and as of the Effective Time.


              ARTICLE 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF HUMBOLDT

        Humboldt represents and warrants to Tehama that:

<PAGE>

        Section 4.1 Organization; Corporate Power; Etc. Humboldt is a California
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of California and has all requisite  corporate  power and authority
to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business
substantially  as it is being conducted on the date of this Agreement.  Humboldt
is a bank  holding  company  registered  under  the  BHCA.  Each  of  Humboldt's
Subsidiaries  has all requisite  corporate power and authority to own, lease and
operate its properties and to carry on its business substantially as it is being
conducted on the date of this  Agreement,  except where the failure to have such
power or authority would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Humboldt taken as
a whole or the ability of Humboldt to consummate the  transactions  contemplated
by this Agreement.  Humboldt has all requisite  corporate power and authority to
enter into this  Agreement  and,  subject to obtaining all Requisite  Regulatory
Approvals,  Humboldt  will have the requisite  corporate  power and authority to
perform its respective obligations hereunder with respect to the consummation of
the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Humboldt  is the sole  shareholder  of
Humboldt Bank, Capitol Valley Bank and Capitol Thrift & Loan.  Humboldt Bank and
Capitol Valley Bank are California  state-chartered  banking  institutions  duly
organized,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
California  and each has all  requisite  corporate  power and  authority to own,
lease  and  operate  its  properties  and  assets  and to carry on its  business
substantially  as it is being conducted on the date of this Agreement.  Humboldt
Bank and  Capitol  Valley  Bank are  authorized  by the CDFI to conduct  general
banking businesses.  Humboldt Bank is not a member of the Federal Reserve System
and  Capitol  Valley Bank is not a member of the Federal  Reserve  System.  Both
Humboldt  Bank's and Capitol  Valley Bank's  deposits are insured by the FDIC in
the manner and to the full  extent  provided by law.  Humboldt  Bank and Capitol
Valley Bank each  maintains  and  operates  branch  offices only in the State of
California.  Capitol  Thrift & Loan is a California  state-chartered  industrial
loan company duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good standing  under the
laws of the  State of  California  and has all  requisite  corporate  power  and
authority to own,  lease and operate its  properties  and assets and to carry on
its  business  substantially  as it is  being  conducted  on the  date  of  this
Agreement.  Capitol Thrift & Loan is authorized by the CDFI to conduct a general
industrial  loan business.  Capitol Thrift & Loan is not a member of the Federal
Reserve System.  Capitol Thrift & Loan's deposits are insured by the FDIC in the
manner and to the full extent  provided by law.  Capitol Thrift & Loan maintains
and operates  branch offices only in the State of California.  Neither the scope
of  business of Humboldt  or any  Subsidiary,  nor the  location of any of their
respective  properties,   requires  that  Humboldt  or  any  of  its  respective
Subsidiaries  be licensed to conduct  business  in any  jurisdiction  other than
those  jurisdictions in which they are licensed or qualified to do business as a
foreign  corporation,  where the failure to be so licensed or  qualified  would,
individually  or in the  aggregate,  have a Material  Adverse Effect on Humboldt
taken as a whole.

        Section 4.2 Licenses and Permits.  Except as disclosed on Schedule  4.2,
Humboldt  and  its  Subsidiaries  have  all  material  licenses,   certificates,
franchises,  rights and  permits  that are  necessary  for the  conduct of their
respective  businesses,  and such licenses are in full force and effect,  except
for any failure to be in full force and effect that would not,  individually  or
in the aggregate,  have a Material  Adverse Effect on Humboldt taken as a whole,
or on the ability of Humboldt to consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  by
this Agreement.  The properties,  assets,  operations and businesses of Humboldt
and those of its  Subsidiaries,  are and have been maintained and conducted,  in
all material respects, in compliance with all applicable licenses, certificates,
franchises, rights and permits.


<PAGE>

        Section 4.3 Subsidiaries. Other than as set forth on Schedule 4.3, there
is no corporation,  partnership, joint venture or other entity in which Humboldt
owns,  directly or indirectly  (except as pledgee  pursuant to loans or stock or
other  interest  held as the  result of or in lieu of  foreclosure  pursuant  to
pledge or other  security  arrangement)  any equity or other voting  interest or
position.

        Section 4.4  Authorization of Agreement; No Conflicts.

               4.4.1 The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Merger
Agreement  and the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and
thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary  corporate action on the part
of  Humboldt,  subject  only to the  approval of this  Agreement  and the Merger
Agreement by Humboldt's shareholders.  This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by Humboldt and constitutes a legal,  valid and binding  obligation of
Humboldt, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability
thereof may be limited by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  moratorium or other similar
laws  affecting  the rights of  creditors  generally  and by  general  equitable
principles.  The Merger Agreement,  upon the receipt of all Requisite Regulatory
Approvals  and  the  due  execution  and  filing  of such  Merger  Agreement  in
accordance with the applicable  provisions of the California  Corporations Code,
will constitute a legal, valid and binding  obligation of Humboldt,  enforceable
in  accordance  with its  terms,  except as the  enforceability  thereof  may be
limited by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  moratorium or other similar laws affecting
the rights of creditors generally or by general equitable principles.

               4.4.2  Except as discussed on Schedule  4.4,  the  execution  and
delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby does not and 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  or Bylaws of Humboldt,  or except for the  necessity of obtaining
the Requisite  Regulatory  Approvals,  and the approval of the  shareholders  of
Humboldt, 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 any of its assets or  properties or any of its  Subsidiaries,  other
than any such  conflict,  violation,  default  or loss which (i) will not have a
Material  Adverse Effect on Humboldt taken as a whole;  or (ii) will be cured or
waived prior to the Effective  Time.  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  performance  by  Humboldt  of  its  obligations
hereunder,  except  for (a)  filings  required  in  order  to  obtain  Requisite
Regulatory  Approvals;  (b) the filing of the Registration  Statement (including
the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  constituting a part thereof) with the SEC
relating to the Merger and the declaration of  effectiveness of the Registration
Statement  by the  SEC  and  any  applicable  state  securities  law  regulatory
authorities;  (c) the  filing and  approval  of the  Merger  Agreement  with the
Secretary of the State of California;  (d) any approvals required to be obtained
pursuant to the BHCA or the Federal Deposit  Insurance Act or any other required
governmental  approval  for the  execution  and  delivery of this  Agreement  by
Humboldt   or  the   consummation   of  the  Merger;   and  (e)  any   consents,
authorizations, approvals, filings or exemptions required to be made or obtained
under the securities or "blue sky" laws of various  jurisdictions  in connection
with the  issuance  of shares of  Humboldt  Common  Stock  contemplated  by this
Agreement.


<PAGE>

        Section 4.5 Capital Structure of Humboldt.  The authorized capital stock
of Humboldt consists of 50,000,000 shares of Humboldt Common Stock, no par value
per share.  On the date of this Agreement  5,916,343  shares of Humboldt  Common
Stock were outstanding,  1,017,920 shares of Humboldt Common Stock were reserved
for issuance  pursuant to employee  stock option and other  employee stock plans
(the "Humboldt Stock Plans").  All  outstanding  shares of Humboldt Common Stock
are  validly  issued,  fully  paid  and  nonassessable  and do not  possess  any
preemptive  rights and were not issued in violation of any preemptive  rights or
any similar rights of any Person.  The issuance of the shares of Humboldt Common
Stock  proposed to be issued  pursuant to this  Agreement at the Effective  Time
will have been duly  authorized by all requisite  corporate  action of Humboldt,
and such shares, when issued as contemplated by this Agreement,  will constitute
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of Humboldt
Common  Stock,  and will not have been issued in violation of any  preemptive or
similar rights of any Person.  As of the date of this Agreement,  and except for
this  Agreement,  the Humboldt  Stock Plans and as  disclosed  in Schedule  4.5,
Humboldt  does  not have  outstanding  any  options,  warrants,  calls,  rights,
commitments,  securities or  agreements of any character to which  Humboldt is a
party or by which it is bound obligating Humboldt to issue,  deliver or sell, or
cause to be issued,  delivered or sold,  additional  shares of capital  stock of
Humboldt or obligating  Humboldt to grant, extend or enter into any such option,
warrant,  call,  right,  commitment or agreement.  Humboldt also has outstanding
$5,310,000  in  10  7/8%  Fixed  Rate  Junior  Subordinate  Deferrable  Interest
Debentures due 2030 pursuant to an Indenture dated March 23, 2000.

        Section 4.6  Humboldt Filings.

               4.6.1 Since January 1, 1997,  Humboldt and its Subsidiaries  have
filed all reports,  registrations  and statements,  together with any amendments
required to be made with respect  thereto,  that were  required to be filed with
(a) the Federal Reserve Board or any Federal Reserve Bank; (b) the CDFI; (c) the
FDIC;  (d) the SEC; (e) the  California  Department of  Corporation  and (f) any
other applicable federal,  state or local governmental or regulatory  authority.
All such reports,  registrations  and filings  including the Humboldt  Financial
Statements are collectively referred to as the "Humboldt Filings". Except to the
extent  prohibited  by law,  copies  of the  Humboldt  Filings  have  been  made
available to Tehama. As of their respective filing or mailing dates, each of the
past Humboldt Filings (a) was true and complete in all material respects (or was
amended so as to be so promptly following discovery of any discrepancy); and (b)
complied  in  all  material  respects  with  all  of  the  statutes,  rules  and
regulations  enforced or promulgated by the governmental or regulatory authority
with  which it was  filed  (or was  amended  so as to be so  promptly  following
discovery of any such  noncompliance) and none contained any untrue statement of
a  material  fact or  omitted to state a  material  fact  required  to be stated
therein  or  necessary  to  make  the  statements   therein,  in  light  of  the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Humboldt Financial
Statements,  together  with the financial  statements  contained in the Humboldt
Filings,  have been prepared in accordance  with GAAP, or applicable  regulatory
accounting principles,  applied on a consistent basis during the period involved
(except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly  present  (subject,
in the case of the  unaudited  statements,  to recurring  adjustments  normal in
nature and amount)  the  consolidated  financial  position of Humboldt as of the
dates thereof and the  consolidated  results of its  operations,  cash flows and
changes in shareholders' equity for the period then ended.

<PAGE>
               4.6.2  Humboldt  and its  Subsidiaries,  have filed each  report,
schedule,  and  amendments to each of the  foregoing  since January 1, 1997 that
Humboldt,  or its  Subsidiaries  were required to file with the Federal  Reserve
Bank,  the FDIC,  the  California  Department of  Corporations  or the CDFI (the
"Humboldt  Documents"),  all of which have been made available to Tehama.  As of
their respective dates, the Humboldt Documents complied in all material respects
with the applicable  requirements of the BHCA, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act
and the  California  Financial  Code,  as the case  may be,  and the  rules  and
regulations of the Federal Reserve Bank, the FDIC, the California  Department of
Corporations and the CDFI thereunder applicable to such Humboldt Documents,  and
none of the Humboldt Documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact
or omitted to state a material fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary
to make the statements  therein,  in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading.  The financial statements of Humboldt included in the
Humboldt  Filings  comply in all material  respects with  applicable  accounting
requirements  and have been  prepared in  accordance  with GAAP,  or  applicable
regulatory  accounting  principles,  applied on a  consistent  basis  during the
periods  involved  (except as may be indicated in the notes  thereto,  or in the
case of the unaudited  statements,  as permitted by  regulations  of the Federal
Reserve Bank, the FDIC, or the CDFI), and fairly present  (subject,  in the case
of the  unaudited  statements,  to  recurring  adjustments  normal in nature and
amount) the consolidated  financial position of Humboldt as of the dates thereof
and the  consolidated  results  of its  operations  and cash flows or changes in
financial position for the periods then ended.

        Section 4.7  Accuracy of Information Supplied.

               4.7.1 No representation or warranty of Humboldt  contained herein
or any statement, schedule, exhibit or certificate given or to be given by or on
behalf of Humboldt or any of its Subsidiaries,  including Humboldt Bank, Capitol
Valley Bank and Capitol Thrift & Loan, to Tehama in connection herewith and none
of  the  information  supplied  or to be  supplied  by  Humboldt  or  any of its
Subsidiaries,  including Humboldt Bank, Capitol Valley Bank and Capitol Thrift &
Loan, to Tehama hereunder to the best of Humboldt's  Knowledge  contains or will
contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact
required  to be stated  therein  or  necessary  in order to make the  statements
therein,  in  light  of  the  circumstances  under  which  they  are  made,  not
misleading.

               4.7.2  None of the  information  supplied  or to be  supplied  by
Humboldt or relating to Humboldt  and  Humboldt  Bank,  Capitol  Valley Bank and
Capitol Thrift & Loan, which is included or incorporated by reference in (i) the
Registration  Statement  on Form S-4 to be filed  with  the SEC by  Humboldt  in
connection  the issuance of shares of Humboldt  Common Stock in the Merger will,
at the time the Registration  Statement  becomes  effective under the Securities
Act, contain any 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,
in light of the circumstances  under which they were made, not misleading;  (ii)
the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  and any amendment or  supplement  thereto
will, at all times from the date of mailing to shareholders of Humboldt  through
the date of the meeting of  shareholders  of  Humboldt to be held in  connection
with the Merger,  contain  any 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,  in light of the circumstances  under which they were made,
not misleading; and (iii) the applications and forms to be filed with securities
or "blue sky"  authorities,  self regulatory  authorities,  or any  Governmental
Entity in connection with the Merger, the issuance of any shares of

<PAGE>

Humboldt Common Stock in connection with the Merger, or any Requisite Regulatory
Approvals will, at the time filed or at the time they become effective,  contain
any untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or omit to state any  material  fact
required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the statements  therein,  in
light of the  circumstances  under  which they were made,  not  misleading.  The
Registration  Statement  (except for such  portions  thereof that relate only to
Tehama and its  Subsidiaries)  will  comply in all  material  respects  with the
applicable  provisions of the  Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder.

               4.7.3 Humboldt has delivered or will deliver to Tehama copies of:
(a) the audited  balance sheets of Humboldt and its  Subsidiaries as of December
31,  1999,  1998 and 1997 and the  related  statements  of  income,  changes  in
shareholders'  equity and cash  flows for the years  then ended and the  related
notes  to  such  financial  statements,  all as  audited  by  Richardson  & Co.,
independent  public  accountants  (the  "Humboldt  Financial  Statements"),  and
Humboldt  will  hereafter  until the Closing  Date  deliver to Tehama  copies of
additional  financial  statements of Humboldt as provided in Section 5.1.1(iii).
The Humboldt Financial Statements have been prepared (and all of said additional
financial  statements  will be prepared) in accordance  with GAAP, or applicable
regulatory  accounting  principles,  applied on a  consistent  basis  during the
periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto)  consistently
followed  throughout the periods covered by such  statements,  and present (and,
when prepared,  will present) fairly the financial  position of Humboldt and its
Subsidiaries as of the respective  dates and for the respective  periods covered
by such financial statements (subject,  in the case of the unaudited statements,
to recurring adjustments normal in nature and amount). In addition, Humboldt has
delivered or made  available to Tehama copies of all management or other letters
delivered to Humboldt by its  independent  accountants in connection with any of
the Humboldt  Financial  Statements  or by such  accountants  or any  consultant
regarding the internal controls or internal compliance procedures and systems of
Humboldt  issued at any time since January 1, 1997,  and will make available for
inspection by Tehama or its representatives,  at such times and places as Tehama
may reasonably request, reports and working papers produced or developed by such
accountants or consultants.

        Section 4.8  Compliance  With  Applicable  Laws.  Except as disclosed on
Schedule 4.8, to the best of Humboldt's Knowledge,  the respective businesses of
Humboldt and its  Subsidiaries  are not being conducted in violation of any law,
ordinance or regulation,  except for  violations  which  individually  or in the
aggregate  would  not  have a  Material  Adverse  Effect  on  Humboldt  and  its
Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole. No  investigation or review by any Governmental
Entity with  respect to Humboldt is pending or, to the  Knowledge  of  Humboldt,
threatened,  nor has any Governmental  Entity indicated to Humboldt an intention
to conduct  the same,  other than those the  outcome of which,  as far as can be
reasonably foreseen, will not have a Material Adverse Effect on Humboldt and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

        Section 4.9 Litigation. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.9, there is no
suit,  action or  proceeding  or  investigation  pending or, to the Knowledge of
Humboldt,  threatened  against or affecting  Humboldt or any of its Subsidiaries
which, if adversely determined, would have a Material Adverse Effect on Humboldt
and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole;  nor is there  any  judgment,  decree,
injunction,  rule or order of any Governmental Entity or arbitrator  outstanding
against  Humboldt  or any of its  Subsidiaries  that has,  or which,  insofar as
reasonably can be foreseen,  in the future would have, any such Material Adverse
Effect.  Schedule 4.9  contains a true,  correct and  complete  list,  including

<PAGE>


identification of the applicable  insurance policy covering such litigation,  if
any, subject to reservation of rights, if any, the applicable deductible and the
amount of any reserve therefor,  of all pending  litigation in which Humboldt or
any of its  Subsidiaries  is a named party of which Humboldt has Knowledge,  and
except  as  disclosed  on  Schedule  4.9,  all of the  litigation  shown on such
Schedule is  adequately  covered by  insurance in force,  except for  applicable
deductibles,  or has been adequately  reserved for in accordance with Humboldt's
prior business practices.

        Section 4.10 Agreements with Banking Authorities. Except at set forth on
Schedule 4.10, neither Humboldt nor any Subsidiary of Humboldt is a party to any
written  agreement or  memorandum of  understanding  with, or order or directive
from, any Governmental Entity.

        Section 4.11 Insurance. Humboldt and its Subsidiaries have in full force
and effect  policies of insurance  with  respect to their assets and  businesses
against such casualties and contingencies  and in such amounts,  types and forms
as are customarily appropriate for their businesses,  operations, properties and
assets.  Schedule  4.11  contains a list of all policies of insurance  and bonds
carried and owned by Humboldt or any Subsidiary.  None of Humboldt or any of its
Subsidiaries  is in default under any such policy of insurance or bond such that
it can be canceled and all material current claims thereunder have been filed in
timely  fashion.  Humboldt and its  Subsidiaries  have filed claims  outstanding
with, or given notice of claim to, their insurers or bonding companies in timely
fashion  with  respect to all material  matters and  occurrences  for which they
believe they have coverage.

        Section 4.12 Title to Assets other than Real Property.  Each of Humboldt
and its  respective  Subsidiaries  has good and  marketable  title to or a valid
leasehold  interest in all properties and assets (other than real property which
is the  subject  to  Section  4.13),  it owns or  leases,  free and clear of all
mortgages,  covenants,  conditions,  restrictions,  easements,  liens,  security
interests, charges, claims, assessments and encumbrances, except for: (a) rights
of lessors,  lessees or sublessees in such matters as are reflected in a written
lease; (b) encumbrances as set forth in the Humboldt Financial  Statements;  (c)
current Taxes  (including  assessments  collected  with Taxes) not yet due which
have been fully reserved for; (d) encumbrances, if any, that are not substantial
in character,  amount or extent and do not detract materially from the value, or
interfere with present use, or the ability of Humboldt or its Subsidiary to sell
or otherwise  dispose of the property subject thereto or affected  thereby;  and
(e) other matters as described in Schedule 4.12.  Materially all such properties
and assets are,  and require  only  routine  maintenance  to keep them,  in good
working condition, normal wear and tear excepted.

        Section  4.13  Real  Property.  Schedule  4.13 is an  accurate  list and
general  description  of all real property owned or leased by Humboldt or any of
its   Subsidiaries,   including  OREO.  Each  of  Humboldt  and  its  respective
Subsidiaries  has good and marketable title to the real properties that it owns,
as  described  in such  Schedule,  free and clear of all  mortgages,  covenants,
conditions, restrictions, easements, liens, security interests, charges, claims,
assessments  and  encumbrances,  except  for (a) rights of  lessors,  lessees or
sublessees  in such  matters as are  reflected in a written  lease;  (b) current
Taxes (including  assessments collected with Taxes) not yet due and payable; (c)
encumbrances,  if any, that are not  substantial in character,  amount or extent
and do not materially  detract from the value, or interfere with present use, or
the  ability of  Humboldt to dispose,  of  Humboldt's  interest in the  property
subject  thereto or affected  thereby;  and (d) other  matters as  described  in
Schedule 4.13.  Humboldt and its Subsidiaries have valid leasehold  interests in


<PAGE>

the leaseholds they respectively  hold, free and clear of all mortgages,  liens,
security interests,  charges, claims,  assessments and encumbrances,  except for
(a) claims of lessors, co-lessees or sublessees in such matters as are reflected
in a written lease; (b) title exceptions  affecting the fee estate of the lessor
under such leases;  and (c) other matters as described in Schedule  4.13. To the
best of Humboldt's  Knowledge,  the activities of Humboldt and its  Subsidiaries
with respect to all real property  owned or leased by them for use in connection
with their operations are in all material  respects  permitted and authorized by
applicable zoning laws,  ordinances and regulations and all laws and regulations
of any Governmental  Entity.  Except as set forth in Schedule 4.13, Humboldt and
its Subsidiaries  enjoy quiet possession under all material leases to which they
are the  lessees  and all of such leases are valid and in full force and effect,
except as the enforceability  thereof may be limited by bankruptcy,  insolvency,
moratorium or other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and
by general  equitable  principles.  Materially all buildings and improvements on
real properties  owned or leased by Humboldt or any of its  Subsidiaries  are in
good  condition  and  repair,  and do not  require  more than normal and routine
maintenance, to keep them in such condition, normal wear and tear excepted.

        Section 4.14  Performance of Obligations.  Humboldt and its Subsidiaries
have performed all material obligations required to be performed by them to date
and none of Humboldt or any of its  Subsidiaries is in material default under or
in breach of any term or provision of any covenant,  contract,  lease, indenture
or any other agreement,  written or oral, to which any is a party, is subject or
is otherwise bound, and no event has occurred that, with the giving of notice or
the passage of time or both,  would  constitute such a default or breach,  where
such  default  or breach or failure  to  perform  would have a Material  Adverse
Effect  on  Humboldt  and its  Subsidiaries,  taken  as a whole.  To  Humboldt's
Knowledge, and except as disclosed on Schedule 4.14, no party with whom Humboldt
or any of its  Subsidiaries  has an agreement that is of material  importance to
the business of Humboldt and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, is in default
thereunder.

        Section 4.15 Brokers and Finders.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.15,
none of Humboldt or any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or obligated under any
agreement with any broker or finder  relating to the  transactions  contemplated
hereby,  and neither the execution of the Agreement,  the Merger Agreement,  nor
the  consummation  of the  transactions  provided for herein and  therein,  will
result in any  liability to any broker or finder.  Humboldt  agrees to indemnify
and  hold  harmless  Tehama  and its  affiliates,  and to  defend  with  counsel
reasonably  satisfactory  to Tehama,  from and  against any  liability,  cost or
expense, including attorneys' fees, incurred in connection with a breach of this
Section 4.15.

        Section 4.16 Absence of Material Adverse Effect.  Since January 1, 2000,
the respective  businesses of Humboldt and its Subsidiaries  have been conducted
only in the ordinary  course,  in  substantially  the same manner as theretofore
conducted,  and no event or  circumstance  has  occurred or is expected to occur
which to  Humboldt's  Knowledge  has had or which,  with the  passage of time or
otherwise,  could  reasonably be expected to have a Material  Adverse  Effect on
Humboldt and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

        Section 4.17  Undisclosed  Liabilities.  Except as disclosed on Schedule
4.17, none of Humboldt or any of its  Subsidiaries  to Humboldt's  Knowledge has
any liabilities or obligations,  either accrued,  contingent or otherwise,  that
are material to Humboldt and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, and that have
not been: (a) reflected or disclosed in the Humboldt Financial Statements; or

<PAGE>

(b) incurred subsequent to December 31, 1999 in the ordinary course of business.
Humboldt has no Knowledge of any basis for the assertion against Humboldt or any
of its Subsidiaries,  of any liability,  obligation or claim (including  without
limitation  that of any  Governmental  Entity) that will have or cause, or could
reasonably be expected to have or cause,  a Material  Adverse Effect on Humboldt
and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  that is not fairly  reflected  in the
Humboldt Financial Statements or on Schedule 4.17.

        Section 4.18  Taxes.

               4.18.1 Filing of Returns. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.18.1,
Humboldt and its Subsidiaries  have duly prepared and filed or caused to be duly
prepared  and  filed  all  federal,   state,  and  local  Returns  (for  Tax  or
informational  purposes)  which  were  required  to be filed by or in respect of
Humboldt  and  its  Subsidiaries,  or any of  their  properties,  income  and/or
operations on or prior to the Closing Date. As of the time they were filed,  the
foregoing Returns accurately  reflected the material facts regarding the income,
business,  assets,  operations,  activities,  status,  and any other information
required  to be shown  thereon.  Except  as set  forth on  Schedule  4.18.1,  no
extension of time within which Humboldt or any of its  Subsidiaries may file any
Return is currently in force.

               4.18.2 Payment of Taxes.  Except as disclosed on Schedule  4.18.2
with  respect to all  amounts in respect  of Taxes  imposed on  Humboldt  or any
Subsidiary  or for  which  Humboldt  or any  Subsidiary  is or could be  liable,
whether to taxing  authorities (as, for example,  under law) or to other Persons
(as, for example, under Tax allocation agreements),  with respect to all taxable
periods  or  portions  of  periods  ending on or before the  Closing  Date,  all
applicable tax laws and  agreements  have been or will be fully complied with in
all material respects,  and all such amounts required to be paid by or on behalf
of Humboldt or any  Subsidiary to taxing  authorities or others on or before the
date hereof have been paid.

               4.18.3 Audit  History.  Except as  disclosed on Schedule  4.18.3,
there is no review or audit by any  taxing  authority  of any Tax  liability  of
Humboldt  or  any  Subsidiary  currently  in  progress  of  which  Humboldt  has
Knowledge. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.18.3, Humboldt and its Subsidiaries
have not  received  any written  notices  within the three years  preceding  the
Closing Date of any pending or threatened audit, by the Internal Revenue Service
or any state,  local or foreign  agency,  for any  Returns or Tax  liability  of
Humboldt  or any  Subsidiary  for any  period.  Humboldt  and  its  Subsidiaries
currently have no unpaid  deficiencies  assessed by the Internal Revenue Service
or any state,  local or foreign taxing authority  arising out of any examination
of any of the  Returns of Humboldt or any  Subsidiaries  filed for fiscal  years
ended on or after  December  31,  1995  through  the  Closing  Date,  nor to the
Knowledge of Humboldt is there  reason to believe  that any material  deficiency
will be assessed.

               4.18.4  Statute of  Limitations.  Except as disclosed on Schedule
4.18.4,  no agreements are in force or are currently  being  negotiated by or on
behalf of Humboldt or any  Subsidiaries  for any waiver or for the  extension of
any statute of  limitations  governing the time of  assessments or collection of
any Tax. No closing  agreements or compromises  concerning  Taxes of Humboldt or
any Subsidiaries are currently pending.

<PAGE>
               4.18.5  Withholding  Obligations.  Humboldt and its  Subsidiaries
have  withheld  from  each  payment  made to any of their  respective  officers,
directors and employees,  the amount of all applicable Taxes, including, but not
limited   to,   income  tax,   social   security   contributions,   unemployment
contributions,  backup withholding and other deductions  required to be withheld
therefrom by any Tax law and have paid the same to the proper taxing authorities
within the time required under any applicable Tax law.

               4.18.6 Tax Liens. There are no Tax liens,  whether imposed by any
federal,  state,  local or foreign  taxing  authority,  outstanding  against any
assets  owned by Humboldt or its  Subsidiaries,  except for liens for Taxes that
are not yet due and payable.

               4.18.7 Tax Reserves. Humboldt and its Subsidiaries have made full
and  adequate  provision  and reserve for all federal,  state,  local or foreign
Taxes for the current period for which Tax and  information  returns are not yet
required  to be  filed.  The  Humboldt  Financial  Statements  contain  fair and
sufficient  accruals for the payment of all Taxes for the periods covered by the
Humboldt Financial Statements and all periods prior thereto.

               4.18.8 IRC Section 382 Applicability.  None of Humboldt or any of
its  Subsidiaries,  including  any party joining in any  consolidated  return to
which  Humboldt is a member,  underwent an "ownership  change" as defined in IRC
Section  382(g)  within the  "testing  period" (as  defined in IRC Section  382)
ending  immediately  before the Effective  Time, and not taking into account any
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

        Section 4.19  Hazardous Materials.  Except as set forth on Schedule
4.19:

               4.19.1 Except for ordinary and necessary  quantities of cleaning,
pest  control and office  supplies,  and other  small  quantities  of  Hazardous
Substances that are used in the ordinary course of the respective  businesses of
Humboldt and its  Subsidiaries  and in compliance with applicable  Environmental
Laws, or ordinary rubbish, debris and nonhazardous solid waste stored in garbage
cans or bins for regular disposal  off-site,  or petroleum  contained in, and de
minimus  quantities  discharged from, motor vehicles in their ordinary operation
on  any of  the  Humboldt  Properties  (as  defined  below),  Humboldt  and  its
Subsidiaries have not engaged in the generation,  use,  manufacture,  treatment,
transportation,  storage (in tanks or otherwise),  or the disposal, of Hazardous
Substances  other than as permitted by and only in  compliance  with  applicable
law. To Humboldt's  Knowledge,  no material amount of Hazardous  Substances have
been released,  emitted or disposed of, or otherwise  deposited,  on, in or from
any real  property  which is now or has been  previously  owned since January 1,
1997,  or which is  currently  or during the past  three  years was  leased,  by
Humboldt or any of its Subsidiaries, including OREO (collectively, the "Humboldt
Properties"),  or to Humboldt's  Knowledge,  on or in any real property in which
Humboldt or any of its Subsidiaries now holds any security interest, mortgage or
other  lien or  interest  with an  underlying  obligation  in excess of  $25,000
("Humboldt  Collateralizing  Real Estate"),  except for (i) matters disclosed on
Schedule 4.19; (ii) ordinary and necessary quantities of cleaning,  pest control
and office supplies used and stored in compliance with applicable  Environmental
Laws, or ordinary rubbish, debris and nonhazardous solid waste stored in garbage
cans or bins for regular disposal  off-site,  or petroleum  contained in, and de
minimus  quantities  discharged from, motor vehicles in their ordinary operation
on such Humboldt Properties;  and (iii) such releases,  emissions,  disposals or
deposits which  constituted a violation of an Environmental Law but did not have

<PAGE>

a Material Adverse Effect on the Humboldt Property involved and would not result
in the  incurrence  or  imposition of any  liability,  expense,  penalty or fine
against Humboldt or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $25,000 individually or
in the aggregate.  To Humboldt's  Knowledge,  no activity has been undertaken on
any of the Humboldt  Properties  since January l, 1997,  and to the Knowledge of
Humboldt no activities have been or are being  undertaken on any of the Humboldt
Collateralizing Real Estate, that would cause or contribute to:

     (a)  any of the Humboldt Properties or Humboldt Collateralizing Real Estate
becoming a treatment, storage or disposal facility within the meaning of RCRA or
any similar state law or local ordinance;

     (b)  a release or  threatened  release of any  Hazardous  Substances  under
circumstances which would violate any Environmental Laws; or

     (c)  the discharge of Hazardous Substances into any soil,  subsurface water
or ground water or into the air, or the dredging or filling of any waters,  that
would require a permit or any other approval  under the Federal Water  Pollution
Control Act, 33 U.S.C. ss.1251 et seq., the Clean Air Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C.
ss.7401 et seq.,  or any similar  federal or state law or local  ordinance;  the
cumulative  effect of which would have a material adverse effect on the Humboldt
Property or Humboldt Collateralizing Real Estate involved.

               4.19.2 To  Humboldt's  Knowledge,  there are not,  and never have
been,  any  underground  storage  tanks  located in or under any of the Humboldt
Properties or the Humboldt Collateralizing Real Estate.

               4.19.3 None of Humboldt or any of its  Subsidiaries  has received
any written notice of, and to Humboldt's  Knowledge none has received any verbal
notice of, any  pending or  threatened  claims,  investigations,  administrative
proceedings, litigation, regulatory hearings or requests or demands for remedial
or responsive  actions or for compensation,  with respect to any of the Humboldt
Properties or Humboldt  Collateralizing Real Estate, alleging noncompliance with
or violation of any  Environmental Law or seeking relief under any Environmental
Law and none of the Humboldt Properties or Humboldt  Collateralizing Real Estate
is  listed on the  United  States  Environmental  Protection  Agency's  National
Priorities List of Hazardous Waste Sites, or, to Humboldt's Knowledge, any other
list, schedule,  log, inventory or record of hazardous waste sites maintained by
any federal, state or local agency.

        Section 4.20  Employees.

               4.20.1  Except  as set  forth in  Schedule  4.20.1,  there are no
material  controversies  pending or  threatened  between  Humboldt or any of its
Subsidiaries and any of their employees.

               4.20.2 Except as disclosed in the Humboldt  Financial  Statements
at December 31, 1999, or in Schedule 4.20.2,  all material sums due for employee
compensation  and benefits have been duly and  adequately  paid or provided for,
and all deferred compensation obligations are fully funded. Neither Humboldt nor
Humboldt Bank, Capitol Valley Bank and Capitol Thrift & Loan, is a party

<PAGE>


to any collective  bargaining  agreement with respect to any of its employees or
any labor organization to which its employees or any of them belong.

               4.20.3  To  Humboldt's  Knowledge,   no  governmental  agency  or
claimant or representative of such claimant has alleged a material  violation of
ERISA by Humboldt,  the liability of which, if adversely determined would result
in a material adverse change in the capital or earnings of Humboldt.

        Section  4.21  Powers  of  Attorney.  No power of  attorney  or  similar
authorization given by Humboldt or any Subsidiary thereof is presently in effect
or  outstanding  other than powers of attorney  given in the ordinary  course of
business with respect to routine matters.

        Section  4.22  Loans and  Investments.  Except as set forth on  Schedule
4.22, all loans, leases and other extensions of credit, and guaranties, security
agreements or other agreements supporting any loans or extensions of credit, and
investments  of  Humboldt  or its  Subsidiaries,  are,  and  constitute,  in all
material  respects,  the legal,  valid and  binding  obligations  of the parties
thereto and are enforceable against such parties in accordance with their terms,
except as the  enforceability  thereof  may be  limited  by  applicable  law and
otherwise by bankruptcy,  insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws affecting
the rights of creditors generally and by general equitable principles. Except as
described on Schedule 4.22, as of July 31, 2000, no loans or investments held by
Humboldt or any Subsidiary, are: (i) more than ninety days past due with respect
to any  scheduled  payment  of  principal  or  interest,  other  than loans on a
nonaccrual  status;  (ii)  classified as "loss,"  "doubtful,"  "substandard"  or
"specially mentioned" by Humboldt Bank, Capitol Valley Bank and Capitol Thrift &
Loan, or any banking  regulators;  or (iii) on a nonaccrual status in accordance
with Humboldt  Bank's,  Capitol Valley Bank's and Capitol Thrift & Loan's,  loan
review  procedures.  Except as set forth on Schedule  4.22,  none of such assets
(other than loans) are subject to any  restrictions,  contractual,  statutory or
other,  that would  materially  impair the  ability of the entity  holding  such
investment to dispose freely of any such assets at any time, except restrictions
on the  public  distribution  or  transfer  of any such  investments  under  the
Securities  Act and the  regulations  thereunder  or state  securities  laws and
pledges or security interests given in connection with government deposits.  All
loans, leases or other extensions of credit outstanding,  or commitments to make
any loans,  leases or other  extensions  of credit  made by Humboldt or Humboldt
Bank,  Capitol  Valley  Bank and Capitol  Thrift & Loan,  to any  Affiliates  of
Humboldt or Humboldt  Bank,  Capitol  Valley Bank and Capitol Thrift & Loan, are
disclosed on Schedule 4.22. For outstanding  loans or extensions of credit where
the  original  principal  amounts are in excess of  $100,000  and which by their
terms are either  secured by  collateral  or  supported by a guaranty or similar
obligation,  the  security  interests  have been duly  perfected in all material
respects  and have the priority  they purport to have in all material  respects,
other than by  operation  of law,  and, in the case of each  guaranty or similar
obligation,  each has been  duly  executed  and  delivered  to  Humboldt  or any
Subsidiary, and to Humboldt's Knowledge, is still in full force and effect.

        Section  4.23  Material  Contracts.  Schedule  4.23  to  this  Agreement
contains  a complete  and  accurate  written  list of all  material  agreements,
obligations  or  understandings,  written  and oral,  to which  Humboldt  or any
Subsidiary  is a party as of the date of this  Agreement,  except  for loans and
other extensions of credit made by Humboldt or its Subsidiaries, in the ordinary
course of its  business and those items  specifically  disclosed in the Humboldt
Financial Statements.


<PAGE>


        Section 4.24 Effective Date of  Representations,  Warranties,  Covenants
and  Agreements.  Each  representation,  warranty,  covenant  and  agreement  of
Humboldt set forth in this Agreement shall be deemed to be made on and as of the
date hereof and as of the Effective Time.

                        ARTICLE 5. ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

        Section 5.1  Access to Information, Due Diligence, etc.

               5.1.1 Upon reasonable  notice,  each party shall permit the other
party and its accountants,  counsel and other representatives  reasonable access
to their officers,  employees,  properties,  books,  contracts,  commitments and
records and from the date hereof  through the Effective  Time, and shall furnish
or provide  access to each other as soon as  practicable,  (i) a copy of each of
Tehama's  Filings or  Humboldt's  Filings  filed  subsequent to the date of this
Agreement  promptly  after such  document  has been  filed with the  appropriate
Governmental Entity,  provided,  however, that copies of any Returns relating to
Taxes of Tehama or any of its  Subsidiaries  shall be  furnished  to Humboldt at
least 15 Business  Days prior to the proposed  date of filing  thereof and shall
not be filed without the prior reasonable  approval of Humboldt,  which approval
shall not be unreasonably  withheld or delayed; (ii) unless otherwise prohibited
by law, a copy of each report, schedule and other documents filed or received by
it during such period with any  Regulatory  Authority  or the  Internal  Revenue
Service,  as to documents other than related to employees or customers and other
than those  distributed  to banks  generally;  (iii) as promptly as  practicable
following the end of each calendar month after the date hereof,  a balance sheet
of  Tehama  or  Humboldt  as of the  end of  such  month;  and  (iv)  all  other
information concerning its business,  properties,  assets,  financial condition,
results  of  operations,  liabilities,  personnel  and  otherwise  as  Tehama or
Humboldt may reasonably request.

               5.1.2 Until the  Effective  Time,  a  representative  of Humboldt
shall be  entitled  and  shall be  invited  to attend  meetings  of the Board of
Directors  of  Tehama or Tehama  Bank and of the Loan and  Audit  Committees  of
Tehama and Tehama Bank,  and at least five (5) days' prior written notice of the
dates,  times and places of such meetings shall be given to Humboldt except that
in the case of special meetings  Humboldt shall receive the same number of days'
prior notice as Tehama's directors receive for such meetings; provided, however,
that such representative shall excuse himself or herself from any portion of any
such  meetings  that (i) relate to  approval  of, or the  exercise of any rights
under, this Agreement by Tehama,  (ii) involve discussions between such Board of
Directors or such Loan or Audit  Committee and legal counsel for Tehama that are
entitled to be protected  from  disclosure  under an  attorney-client  privilege
which would be lost due to the presence of such  representative of Humboldt,  or
(iii) constitute the Executive Session of any Board of Directors meeting.

               5.1.3 Until the Effective Time, a representative  of Tehama shall
be entitled  and shall be invited to attend  meetings of the Boards of Directors
of Humboldt and Humboldt Bank, and of the Loan and Audit  Committees of Humboldt
and Humboldt Bank, at least five (5) days' prior to written notice of the dates,
times and places of such  meetings  shall be given to Tehama  except that in the
case of special  meetings  Tehama  shall  receive the same number of days' prior
notice as Humboldt's  directors  receive for such meetings;  provided,  however,
that such representative shall excuse himself or herself from any portion of any

<PAGE>


such  meetings  that (i) relate to  approval  of, or the  exercise of any rights
under, this Agreement by Humboldt,  (ii) involve discussions between such Boards
of Directors  or such Loan or Audit  Committees  and legal  counsel for Humboldt
that are  entitled to be  protected  from  disclosure  under an  attorney-client
privilege  which  would be lost due to the  presence of such  representative  of
Tehama,  or (iii)  constitute  the  Executive  Session of any Board of Directors
meeting.

               5.1.4  Humboldt and Tehama each agrees to keep  confidential  and
not  divulge  to any  other  party  or  Person  (other  than  to the  employees,
attorneys,  accountants  and consultants of each who have a need to receive such
information and other than as may be required by law) any  information  received
from the other, unless and until such documents and other information  otherwise
becomes  publicly  available or unless the  disclosure  of such  information  is
authorized by each party.  In the event of termination of this Agreement for any
reason, the parties shall promptly return, or at the election of the other party
destroy, all nonpublic documents obtained from the other and any copies or notes
of such documents (except as otherwise required by law) and, upon the request of
the other party, confirm such destruction to the other in writing.

        Section 5.2  Shareholder Approval.

               5.2.1 Tehama and Humboldt  each shall  promptly call a meeting of
its respective  shareholders to be held at the earliest  practicable  date after
the date on which the initial Registration  Statement is filed with the SEC, but
in no event later than  December  31, 2000,  for the purpose of  approving  this
Agreement  and  authorizing  the Merger  Agreement  and the Merger.  Each of the
respective  Boards of Directors will  recommend to the  respective  shareholders
approval of this  Agreement,  the Merger  Agreement  and the  Merger;  provided,
however,  that Tehama's Board of Directors or Humboldt's  Board of Directors may
withdraw its  recommendation  if such Board of Directors  believes in good faith
(based on a written  opinion  of a  financial  advisor  that is  experienced  in
evaluating  the  fairness  of  Acquisition  Proposals)  that a  Tehama  Superior
Proposal or Humboldt Superior Proposal,  as applicable  (defined below) has been
made and shall have determined in good faith,  after consultation with and based
on written  advice of its outside  legal  counsel,  that the  withdrawal of such
recommendation  is  necessary  for such Board of  Directors  to comply  with its
fiduciary duties under applicable law.

               5.2.2 If the Merger is  approved by vote of the  shareholders  of
Humboldt and Tehama,  then, within ten (10) days thereafter  Humboldt and Tehama
shall  send  a  Dissenting  Shareholder  Notice  to  each  recordholder  of  any
Dissenting Shares.

        Section 5.3  Taking of Necessary Action.

               5.3.1 Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each
of the parties  hereto  agrees,  subject to  applicable  laws and the  fiduciary
duties of Tehama's or Humboldt's  Boards of Directors,  as advised in writing by
their  respective  counsel,  to use all reasonable  efforts  promptly to take or
cause to be taken all action and  promptly  to do or cause to be done all things
necessary,  proper  or  advisable  under  applicable  laws  and  regulations  to
consummate and make effective the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement
and the Merger Agreement,  including,  without  limitation,  the delivery of any
certificate or other document reasonably requested by counsel to a

<PAGE>

party to this  Agreement.  Without  limiting the foregoing,  Humboldt and Tehama
will use their  reasonable  efforts to obtain all consents of third  parties and
Government  Entities  necessary  or, in the  reasonable  opinion of  Humboldt or
Tehama advisable for the  consummation of the transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement.  Without  limiting  the  foregoing,  Humboldt  shall take all actions
necessary  to  execute  and  file  the  Merger   Agreement  and  to  effect  all
transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement and Tehama shall take all actions
necessary to effect all  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  and the
Merger  Agreement.  In case at any time  after the  Effective  Time any  further
action is necessary  or  desirable to carry out the purposes of this  Agreement,
the Merger  Agreement,  or to vest the Surviving  Corporation with full title to
all properties, assets, rights, approvals,  immunities and franchises of Tehama,
the proper  officers or  directors  of  Humboldt or Tehama,  as the case may be,
shall take all such necessary action.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in
this Agreement  shall be construed to require Tehama to take any action (or omit
to take any  action)  which may affect  the  Conversion  Rate,  except as may be
specifically provided for or required by this Agreement.

               5.3.2 The obligations of Tehama or Humboldt  contained in Section
6.2.5 of this  Agreement  shall  continue to be in full force and effect despite
any  Default  thereof  by reason of  receipt of a Tehama  Superior  Proposal  or
Humboldt  Superior  Proposal,  as  applicable  (defined  below) and any  Default
thereof by the defaulting  party shall entitle either Tehama or Humboldt to such
legal or  equitable  remedies  as may be provided  in this  Agreement  or by law
notwithstanding  that any  action  or  inaction  of the  Board of  Directors  or
officers  of the  defaulting  party  which is  required  to enable such party to
fulfill  such  obligations  may be  excused  based on the  continuing  fiduciary
obligations of such party's Board of Directors and officers to its shareholders.
Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  however,  in the event of a termination of this
Agreement by Humboldt or Tehama and the actual payment of the liquidated damages
to the other party as provided  for in Section  8.5 of this  Agreement,  neither
Humboldt,  Tehama or their  respective  directors  or  officers  shall  have any
obligations  or  liabilities  of any kind under this  Agreement by reason of any
such Default,  and Humboldt or Tehama shall have no further  obligations  of any
kind under this Agreement.

               5.3.3 Tehama  shall use its best efforts to cause each  director,
executive officer and other Person who is an "Affiliate" of Tehama (for purposes
of Rule 145 under the  Securities  Act) to deliver to  Humboldt,  on the date of
this Agreement,  a written  agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 5.3
(the "Affiliate Agreements").

        Section 5.4  Registration Statement and Applications.

               5.4.1 Humboldt and Tehama will cooperate and jointly  prepare and
file as promptly as practicable  the  Registration  Statement,  the  statements,
applications,  correspondence  or  forms  to be  filed  with  appropriate  State
securities law regulatory  authorities,  and the statements,  correspondence  or
applications  to be  filed to  obtain  the  Requisite  Regulatory  Approvals  to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of Humboldt and
Tehama shall use all reasonable  efforts to have the S-4 Registration  Statement

<PAGE>


declared  effective  under the Securities  Act as promptly as practicable  after
such filing,  and thereafter  mail the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  to the
shareholders  of  Tehama.  Each  party  will  furnish  all  financial  or  other
information,    including   accountant   comfort   letters   relating   thereto,
certificates,   consents  and  opinions  of  counsel   concerning   it  and  its
Subsidiaries received by such party.

               5.4.2 Each party shall provide to the other at the request of the
other party: (i) immediately prior to the filing thereof, copies of all material
statements,  applications,  correspondence  or  forms  to be  filed  with  state
securities law regulatory authorities,  the SEC and other appropriate regulatory
authorities  to obtain the  Requisite  Regulatory  Approvals to  consummate  the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that no approval
need be obtained from any party to which such  materials are provided;  and (ii)
promptly after delivery to, or receipt from,  such  regulatory  authorities  all
written  communications,  letters,  reports or other  documents  relating to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

        Section 5.5  Expenses.

               5.5.1  Whether  or not the Merger is  consummated,  all costs and
expenses  incurred  in  connection  with  this  Agreement  and the  transactions
contemplated  hereby shall be paid by the party  incurring the same,  including,
without  limitation,  all costs  associated  with any resales of Humboldt Common
Stock by Affiliates of Tehama;  provided,  however, that Humboldt will file on a
timely  basis at its own  expense  the  reports  required  by Rule 144(c) of the
Securities Act.

               5.5.2 Tehama and Humboldt  shall use their best efforts to ensure
that their attorneys,  accountants,  financial advisors,  investment bankers and
other   consultants   engaged  by  them  in  connection   with  the  transaction
contemplated  by this  Agreement  submit  full and final  bills on or before the
Closing Date and that all such  expenses are paid or properly  accrued  prior to
the Closing Date.

        Section 5.6  Notification of Certain Events.

               5.6.1 Tehama shall provide to Humboldt,  as soon as  practicable,
written  notice  (sent via  facsimile  and  overnight  mail or  courier)  of the
occurrence or failure to occur of any of the events, circumstances or conditions
that are the  subject  of  Sections  6.1 and 6.2,  which  notice  shall  provide
reasonable detail as to the subject matter thereof.

               5.6.2 Humboldt shall provide to Tehama,  as soon as  practicable,
written  notice  (sent via  facsimile  and  overnight  mail or  courier)  of the
occurrence or failure to occur of any of the events, circumstances or conditions
that  are the  subject  of  Section  6.3 and 6.4,  which  notice  shall  provide
reasonable detail as to the subject matter thereof.

               5.6.3 Each party shall  promptly  advise the others in writing of
any  change or event  which  could  reasonably  be  expected  to have a Material
Adverse Effect on the business, properties, assets, financial condition, results
of  operations,  liabilities  or  personnel  of such party or on its  ability to
consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  or the  Merger
Agreement.


<PAGE>

               5.6.4 Tehama and Humboldt shall  immediately  notify the other in
writing  in the event  that  such  party  becomes  aware  that the  Registration
Statement or Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  at any time  contains any untrue
statement of a material  fact or omits to state a material  fact  required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statement therein,  in light of
the  circumstances  under  which  they were  made,  not  misleading  or that the
Registration  Statement  or the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  otherwise  is
required  to be  amended  and  supplemented,  which  notice  shall  specify,  in
reasonable detail, the circumstances thereof.  Humboldt shall promptly amend and
supplement such materials and disseminate the new or modified  information so as
to fully  comply with the  Securities  Act. If the  amendment or  supplement  so
required relates to information  concerning Tehama, the out-of-pocket  costs and
expenses of preparing,  filing and  disseminating  such  amendment or supplement
shall be borne by Tehama.

        Section 5.7 Closing  Schedules.  Tehama has  delivered to Humboldt on or
before the date of this Agreement all of the Schedules to this  Agreement  which
Tehama is required to deliver to Humboldt  hereunder  (the "Tehama  Schedules").
Humboldt has delivered to Tehama on or before the date of this  Agreement all of
the Schedules to this Agreement  which Humboldt is required to deliver to Tehama
hereunder ( the "Humboldt  Schedules").  Immediately  prior to the Closing Date,
Tehama shall have prepared updates of the Tehama Schedules  provided for in this
Agreement and shall deliver to Humboldt revised schedules containing the updated
information (or a certificate signed by Tehama's Chief Executive Officer stating
that there have been no changes on the applicable schedules); and Humboldt shall
have prepared updates of the Humboldt  Schedules  provided for in this Agreement
and shall deliver to Tehama revised Schedules containing updated information (or
a certificate  signed by Humboldt's  Chief Executive  Officer stating that there
has been no change on the applicable  schedules).  Such updated  schedules shall
sometimes be referred to collectively,  as the "Closing  Schedules." The Closing
Schedules  shall be dated as of the day  prior  to the  Closing  Date and  shall
contain  information  as of the  day  prior  to the  Closing  Date or as of such
earlier date as is practicable under the circumstances. In the event the Closing
Schedules  disclose an event,  occurrence or circumstance  that has had or could
reasonably be expected to have a Material  Adverse Effect on Tehama,  on the one
hand, or on Humboldt,  on the other hand, or on consummation of the transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement,  that  was  not  disclosed  in the  previously
delivered  Schedules  hereto,  the party delivering such Closing  Schedules (the
"Affected  Party") shall so notify the other party in the letter of  transmittal
for such  Closing  Schedules,  the  Closing  Date shall be delayed for seven (7)
Business Days and such other party shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement
within five (5)  Business  Days after  receiving  such  Closing  Schedules  that
disclose  such  event,  occurrence  or  circumstance.  In the  event of any such
termination, the terminating party shall have no liability for such termination.
The Affected Party shall have no liability to the  terminating  party in such an
event  unless (i) as a result of the  existence  of such  event,  occurrence  or
circumstance so disclosed in the Closing Schedules any of the representations or
warranties of the Affected  Party  contained in this Agreement are found to have
been untrue in any material  respect as of the date of this  Agreement,  or (ii)
the event,  occurrence or circumstance could have been prevented in the exercise
of reasonable  diligence by any officers or directors of the Affected  Party, in
either of which  cases the  Affected  Party  shall be liable to the  terminating
party for Liquidated Damages as provided in Section 8.5 hereof.

        Section 5.8  Additional  Accruals/Appraisals.  Immediately  prior to the
Closing Date, at Humboldt's request, Tehama and/or Tehama Bank shall, consistent
with GAAP and applicable banking regulations, establish such additional accruals


<PAGE>


and reserves as may be necessary to conform Tehama's or Tehama Bank's accounting
and credit and OREO loss  reserve  practices  and methods to those of  Humboldt,
provided,  however,  that no accrual or  reserve  made by Tehama or Tehama  Bank
pursuant to this Section 5.8, or any litigation or regulatory proceeding arising
out of any such accrual or reserve, or any other effect on Tehama or Tehama Bank
resulting from Tehama's or Tehama Bank's compliance with this Section 5.8, shall
constitute  or be deemed to be a breach,  violation of or failure to satisfy any
representation,  warranty,  covenant,  condition  or  other  provision  of  this
Agreement or otherwise be  considered  in  determining  whether any such breach,
violation or failure to satisfy shall have occurred.

                                ARTICLE 6.  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

        Section 6.1  Affirmative  Conduct of Tehama.  During the period from the
date of execution of this  Agreement  through the Effective  Time,  Tehama shall
carry on its business,  and shall cause each of its respective  Subsidiaries  to
carry on its business,  in the ordinary  course in  substantially  the manner in
which  heretofore  conducted,  subject  to  changes  in  law  applicable  to all
California  state-  chartered  banks or all member banks insured by the FDIC and
directives  from  regulators,  and use all  commercially  reasonable  efforts to
preserve  intact its business  organization,  keep available the services of its
officers and  employees,  (other than  terminations  in the  ordinary  course of
business) and preserve its relationships with customers,  depositors,  suppliers
and others having business  dealings with it; and, to these ends,  shall fulfill
each of the following:

               6.1.1 Use its commercially  reasonable efforts, or cooperate with
others,  to  expeditiously  bring  about  the  satisfaction  of  the  conditions
specified in Article 7 which are within its ability to influence or control;

               6.1.2  Advise  Humboldt  promptly  in writing of any change  that
would  have a  Material  Adverse  Effect  on its  capital  structure,  financial
condition, assets, results of operations, business or prospects or of any matter
which  would  make the  representations  and  warranties  set forth in Article 3
hereof not true and correct in any material  respect as of the effective date of
the Registration Statement and at the Effective Time;

               6.1.3  Keep in full force and effect all of its existing material
permits and licenses and those of its Subsidiaries;

               6.1.4  Use  its  commercially   reasonable  efforts  to  maintain
insurance  or  bonding  coverage  on all  material  properties  for  which it is
responsible  and on its  business  operations,  and carry not less than the same
coverage for fidelity,  public liability,  personal injury,  property damage and
other risks  equal to that which is in effect as of the date of this  Agreement;
and notify  Humboldt  in writing  promptly of any facts or  circumstances  which
could affect its ability,  or that of any of its Subsidiaries,  to maintain such
insurance or bonding coverage;

               6.1.5 Perform its contractual  obligations and not breach or come
into default on any of such obligations,  and not amend,  modify,  or, except as
they may be terminated in  accordance  with their terms,  terminate any material
contract,  agreement,  understanding,  commitment,  or offer, whether written or

<PAGE>


oral,  (collectively referred to as an "Understanding") or materially default in
the performance of any of its  obligations  under any  Understanding  where such
default would have a Material Adverse Effect on Tehama;

               6.1.6  Duly  observe  and  conform  to  all  legal   requirements
applicable  to its  business,  except for any  failure to so observe and conform
that would not,  individually or in the aggregate,  and, in the future will not,
have a Material Adverse Effect on Tehama;

               6.1.7  Duly and timely file as and when due all reports and
Returns required to be filed with any Governmental Entity;

               6.1.8  Maintain  its  tangible  assets  and  properties  in  good
condition and repair,  normal wear and tear  excepted in  accordance  with prior
practices;

               6.1.9  Promptly  advise  Humboldt  in writing of any event or any
other transaction within the Knowledge of Tehama,  whereby any Person or related
group of  Persons  acquires,  after  the  date of this  Agreement,  directly  or
indirectly, record or beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated
by the  SEC  pursuant  to the  Exchange  Act)  or  control  of 5% or more of the
outstanding  shares of Tehama  Common  Stock either prior to or after the record
date fixed for the Tehama shareholders' meeting or any adjourned meeting thereof
to approve the transactions contemplated herein;

               6.1.10 (a)  Maintain a reserve for loan and lease  losses  ("Loan
Loss  Reserve")  at a level  which is  adequate  to  provide  for all  known and
reasonably  expected  losses on loans,  leases  and other  extensions  of credit
outstanding  and other inherent risks in Tehama's or Tehama Bank's  portfolio of
loans and leases, in accordance with GAAP and applicable  regulatory  accounting
principles and banking laws and regulations;

                      (b)    Charge off all loans, receivables and other assets,
or portions thereof,  deemed  uncollectible in accordance with GAAP,  regulatory
accounting  principles,  and applicable  law or  regulation,  or which have been
classified  as "loss" or as directed by any  regulatory  authority,  unless such
classification  or  direction  has been  disregarded  in good faith by Tehama or
Tehama Bank,  Tehama or Tehama Bank has submitted in writing to such  regulatory
authority  the basis upon which it has so  disregarded  such  classification  or
direction,  and such regulatory  authority retracts its direction requiring such
charge-off;

               6.1.11 Furnish to Humboldt,  as soon as  practicable,  and in any
event  within  fifteen  days  after  it is  prepared:  (i) a copy of any  report
submitted  to the Board of  Directors of Tehama or Tehama Bank and access to the
working papers related thereto, provided,  however, that Tehama need not furnish
Humboldt any materials  relating to deliberations of Tehama's Board of Directors
or Tehama  Bank's  Board of  Directors  with  respect  to its  approval  of this
Agreement,  communications of Tehama's legal counsel with the Board of Directors
or  officers of Tehama  regarding  Tehama's  rights  against or  obligations  to
Humboldt  or its  Subsidiaries  under  this  Agreement,  or books,  records  and
documents covered by the attorney-client  privilege or which are attorneys' work
product; (ii) copies of all material reports, renewals,  filings,  certificates,
statements, correspondence and other documents specific to Tehama or Tehama Bank
or filed with or received from any Federal  Reserve Bank, the FDIC, the SEC, the

<PAGE>


CDFI  or any  Governmental  Entity;  (iii)  monthly  unaudited  balance  sheets,
statements of income and changes in  shareholders'  equity for Tehama and Tehama
Bank and quarterly unaudited balance sheets, statements of income and changes in
shareholders'  equity for Tehama and Tehama  Bank,  in each case  prepared  on a
basis consistent with past practice; and (iv) such other reports as Humboldt may
reasonably  request (which are otherwise  deliverable under this Section 6.1.11)
relating to Tehama.  Each of the  financial  statements of Tehama or Tehama Bank
delivered  pursuant to this Section 6.1.11 shall be accompanied by a certificate
of the Chief Financial  Officer of Tehama or Tehama Bank to the effect that such
financial statements fairly present the financial  information presented therein
of Tehama  or  Tehama  Bank,  for the  periods  covered,  subject  to  recurring
adjustments  normal in nature and amount,  necessary for a fair presentation and
are prepared on a basis consistent with past practice;

               6.1.12 Tehama agrees that through the Effective Time, as of their
respective  dates,  (i) each  Tehama  Filing  will be true and  complete  in all
material  respects;  and (ii) each Tehama  Filing  will  comply in all  material
respects with all of the statutes, rules and regulations enforced or promulgated
by the Governmental Entity with which it will be filed and none will contain any
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,  in light of the
circumstances  under  which they will be made,  not  misleading.  Any  financial
statement  contained  in any of such Tehama  Filings that is intended to present
the financial position of Tehama during the periods involved to which it relates
will fairly  present in all material  respects the financial  position of Tehama
and will be prepared  in  accordance  with GAAP or  consistent  with  applicable
regulatory accounting principles and banking law and banking regulations, except
as stated therein;

               6.1.13 Maintain reserves for contingent liabilities in accordance
with GAAP or applicable  regulatory  accounting  principles and consistent  with
past practices;

               6.1.14  Promptly  notify  Humboldt of the filing,  or  threatened
filing, of any litigation,  or the filing or threatened filing of any government
or regulatory action, including an investigation or notice of investigation,  or
similar proceeding or notice of any material claims against Tehama or any of its
assets;

               6.1.15  Inform  Humboldt  of the amounts  and  categories  of any
loans,  leases or other  extensions of credit,  or other assets,  that have been
classified  by any bank  regulatory  authority  or by any unit of Tehama Bank as
"Specially Mentioned," "Renegotiated,"  "Substandard," "Doubtful," "Loss" or any
comparable   classification   ("Classified  Assets").  Tehama  will  furnish  to
Humboldt, as soon as practicable, and in any event within fifteen days after the
end of each calendar month,  schedules  including the following:  (i) Classified
Assets by type  (including  each credit or other asset in an amount  equal to or
greater than $10,000), and its classification  category; (ii) nonaccrual credits
by type  (including  each credit in an amount equal to or greater than $10,000);
(iii)  renegotiated loans by type (loans on which interest has been renegotiated
to lower than market rates because of the financial condition of the borrowers);
(iv) delinquent  credits by type (including each delinquent  credit in an amount
equal to or greater  than  $10,000),  including  an aging into 30-89 and 90+ day
categories;  (v) loans or leases or other  assets  charged  off,  in whole or in
part,  during the previous month by type  (including  each such loan or lease or
other asset in an amount  equal to or greater  than  $10,000);  and (vi) OREO or
assets owned stating with respect to each its type;

<PAGE>

               6.1.16 Furnish to Humboldt,  upon Humboldt's  request,  schedules
with respect to the following: (i) participating loans and leases, stating, with
respect to each,  whether it is  purchased  or sold and the loan or lease  type;
(ii) loans or leases  (including any  commitments)  by Tehama to any director or
officer  (at  or  above  the  Vice  President  level)  of  Tehama  or any of its
Subsidiaries,  or to any  Person  holding  5% or more of the  capital  stock  of
Tehama, including, with respect to each such loan or lease, the identity and, to
the best  Knowledge of Tehama,  the relation of the borrower to Tehama or Tehama
Bank, the loan or lease type and the outstanding and undrawn amounts;  and (iii)
standby letters of credit,  by type,  (including each letter of credit in a face
amount equal to or greater than $10,000); and

               6.1.17  Make   available  to  Humboldt   copies  of  each  credit
authorization  package,   consisting  of  all  applications  for  and  financial
information  regarding loans, renewals of loans or other extensions of credit of
$150,000  or more (on a  noncumulative  basis)  for  secured  loans  or  secured
extensions  of credit and $50,000 in the case of  unsecured  loans or  unsecured
extensions  of  credit,  which are  approved  by  Tehama  after the date of this
Agreement, within ten Business Days of preparation of such packages.

        Section 6.2  Negative  Covenants  of Tehama.  During the period from the
date of execution of this Agreement  through the Effective  Time,  Tehama agrees
that without Humboldt's prior written consent, it shall not and its Subsidiaries
shall not:

               6.2.1 (a) Declare or pay any dividend on, other than regular cash
dividends  consistent  with past  practices,  or make any other  distribution in
respect of any of its capital stock; (b) split, combine or reclassify any of its
capital  stock or issue or  authorize  the issuance of any other  securities  in
respect of, in lieu of or in  substitution  for shares of its capital stock;  or
(c)  repurchase  or otherwise  acquire  (except  pursuant to any Employee  Plan,
Benefit  Arrangement or the Tehama Stock Option Plans) any shares of its capital
stock;

               6.2.2  Take any action  that would or might  result in any of the
representations  and  warranties of Tehama set forth in the  Agreement  becoming
untrue in any material  respect or any of the conditions to the Merger set forth
in Article 7 not being satisfied, except to the extent such actions are required
to be  undertaken  by  applicable  law,  regulation  or at the  direction of any
Regulatory Authority;

               6.2.3 Issue, deliver,  sell, or grant, or authorize the issuance,
delivery,  sale or grant of, or  purchase,  any shares of the  capital  stock of
Tehama or any securities  convertible or exercisable  into or  exchangeable  for
such capital stock, or any rights, warrants or options,  including options under
any stock option plans or enter into any  agreements to do any of the foregoing,
except in connection  with the issuance of Tehama  Common Stock  pursuant to the
exercise of Tehama Stock Options;

               6.2.4  Amend its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, except as
required by applicable law or by the terms of this Agreement;

               6.2.5 Authorize or knowingly  permit any of its  representatives,
directly or  indirectly,  to solicit or encourage any  Acquisition  Proposal (as
hereinafter  defined) or participate in any discussions or negotiations with, or

<PAGE>


provide any nonpublic information to, any Person or group of persons (other than
Humboldt,  and its  representatives)  concerning any such solicited  Acquisition
Proposal.  Tehama shall notify Humboldt  immediately if any inquiry regarding an
Acquisition  Proposal is received by Tehama,  including the terms  thereof.  For
purposes  of this  Section  6.2.5,  "Acquisition  Proposal"  shall  mean any (a)
proposal  pursuant  to which any Person  other than  Humboldt  would  acquire or
participate  in  a  merger  or  other  business  combination  or  reorganization
involving Tehama or any of its Subsidiaries; (b) proposal by which any Person or
group, other than Humboldt, would acquire the right to vote ten percent (10%) or
more of the  capital  stock  of  Tehama  entitled  to vote for the  election  of
directors;  (c)  acquisition  of the assets of Tehama other than in the ordinary
course of business;  or (d)  acquisition  in excess of ten percent  (10%) of the
outstanding  capital  stock  of  Tehama,  other  than  as  contemplated  by this
Agreement.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  nothing contained in this Agreement
shall  prevent  Tehama  or  Tehama's  Board of  Directors  from  (i)  furnishing
nonpublic information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, any
Person or entity in connection with an unsolicited bona fide written Acquisition
Proposal by such Person or entity,  or  recommending  an  unsolicited  bona fide
written  Acquisition  Proposal to the shareholders of Tehama, if and only to the
extent that (A) the Board of Directors of Tehama has  determined and believes in
good  faith  (after  consultation  with  and the  concurrence  of its  financial
advisor) that such  Acquisition  Proposal  would,  if  consummated,  result in a
transaction  materially  more  favorable,  from a  financial  point of view,  to
Tehama's  shareholders than the transaction  contemplated by this Agreement (any
such more favorable  Acquisition Proposal being referred to in this Agreement as
a "Tehama Superior  Proposal") and Tehama's Board of Directors has determined in
good faith, after consultation with and based on written advice from its outside
legal  counsel,  that such  action is  necessary  for Tehama to comply  with its
fiduciary  duties  to  shareholders  under  applicable  law,  and (B)  prior  to
furnishing  such  nonpublic  information  to, or entering  into  discussions  or
negotiations  with,  such  Person or entity,  Tehama's  Board of  Directors  has
received from such Person or entity an executed confidentiality  agreement, with
terms  no  more   favorable   to  such  party  than  those   contained   in  the
Confidentiality  Agreement  between Tehama and Humboldt,  or (ii) complying with
Rule 14e-2  promulgated  under the  Exchange  Act with regard to an  Acquisition
Proposal, if such Rule is applicable thereto;

               6.2.6 Acquire or agree to acquire by merging, consolidating with,
or by purchasing all or a substantial  portion of the assets of, or in any other
manner,  any business or any Person or otherwise acquire or agree to acquire any
assets  which are  material  to  Tehama,  other than in the  ordinary  course of
business consistent with prior practice;

               6.2.7 Sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any of its assets which
are  material,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  to  Tehama,  except  in the
ordinary course of business consistent with prior practice;

               6.2.8 Incur any  indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any
such  indebtedness  or issue or sell any debt securities of Tehama or any of its
Subsidiaries  or  guarantee  any debt  securities  of others  other  than in the
ordinary course of business consistent with prior practice;

               6.2.9  Enter  into  any   Understanding,   except:  (a)  deposits
incurred, and short-term debt securities  (obligations maturing within one year)
issued, in its ordinary course of business  consistent with prior practice,  and
liabilities arising out of, incurred in connection with, or related to

<PAGE>

the  consummation  of this  Agreement;  (b)  commitments  to make loans or other
extensions of credit in the ordinary  course of business  consistent  with prior
practice;  and (c) loan sales in the ordinary  course of  business,  without any
recourse,  provided  that no  commitment  to sell loans shall extend  beyond the
Effective Time;

               6.2.10 Make or enter into a commitment  to make any loan or other
extension of credit to any director, officer or employee of Tehama or any of its
Subsidiaries,  except in accordance  with practice or policy in existence on the
date of this  Agreement  and in  compliance  with  all  applicable  laws and all
applicable regulations and directives of any Governmental Entity;

               6.2.11 Except in the ordinary course of business  consistent with
prior  practice  or as  required by an existing  contract,  and  provided  prior
disclosure  thereof  has been made in  Schedule  6.2.11,  grant any  general  or
uniform  increase in the rates of pay of employees  or employee  benefits or any
increase in salary or employee benefits of any officer, employee or agent or pay
any bonus to any Person;

               6.2.12 Sell, transfer, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of
any  assets or other  liabilities  except  in the  ordinary  course of  business
consistent with prior practice or as required by any existing contract;

               6.2.13  Make  the  credit  underwriting  policies,  standards  or
practices  relating to the making of loans and other  extensions  of credit,  or
commitments  to make  loans and other  extensions  of  credit,  or the Loan Loss
Reserve policies, less stringent than those in effect on June 30, 2000 or reduce
the amount of the Loan Loss Reserves or any other reserves for potential  losses
or contingencies;

               6.2.14 Make any capital expenditures, or commitments with respect
thereto,  except  those in the ordinary  course of business  which do not exceed
$25,000 individually or $50,000 in the aggregate;

               6.2.15 Renew, extend or amend any existing employment contract or
agreement, enter into any new employment contract or agreement or make any bonus
or any special or extraordinary payments to any Person except for payments under
Tehama's 2000 bonus program for employees, such amount not to exceed $400,000 in
the aggregate;

               6.2.16 Except in the ordinary course of business  consistent with
prior practice, and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, make any
material  investments,  by purchase  of stock or  securities,  contributions  of
capital,  property transfers,  purchases of any property or assets or otherwise,
in any other individual, corporation or other entity;

               6.2.17  Except as otherwise  required to correct a prior  filing,
compromise or otherwise  settle or adjust any assertion or claim of a deficiency
in Taxes (or interest thereon or penalties in connection  therewith) or file any
appeal  from an  asserted  deficiency  except in a form  previously  approved by
Humboldt,  which approval will not be unreasonably withheld, in writing, or file
or amend any federal,  foreign,  state or local Tax Return or report or make any
tax  election or change any method or period of  accounting  unless  required by
GAAP or  applicable  law and,  then,  only after  submitting  such Tax return or

<PAGE>


report or proposed Tax election or change in any method or period of accounting,
to Humboldt for its approval, which it shall not unreasonably withhold or delay;

               6.2.18  Except as contemplated in this Agreement, terminate any
Employee Plan or Benefit Arrangement;

               6.2.19  Change its fiscal year or methods of accounting in effect
at  December  31,  1999,  except as  required  by changes in GAAP or  regulatory
accounting   principles   as  concurred  to  by  Tehama's   independent   public
accountants;

               6.2.20  Take  or  cause  to  be  taken  any  action  which  would
disqualify the Merger as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a)
of the IRC as a tax-free reorganization;

               6.2.21  Take or  cause  to be  taken  into  OREO  any  commercial
property  without an  environmental  report  reporting no adverse  environmental
condition  on such  property,  with a copy of such report  delivered to Humboldt
prior to taking such property into OREO; or

               6.2.22  Take  or  cause  to  be  taken  any  action  which  would
disqualify the Merger from being accounted for on a "pooling of interest" basis;
or

               6.2.23  Make  any new  elections  with  respect  to  Taxes or any
changes in current elections with respect to Taxes affecting the assets owned by
Tehama  or its  Subsidiaries.  Humboldt  shall be deemed  to have  consented  in
writing to any election Tehama or its Subsidiaries  shall desire to make if: (i)
the electing Person shall have notified the Chief Executive  Officer of Humboldt
in writing  of its  desire to make such  election,  including  in such  notice a
reasonably  complete  summary of the election it desires to make and the reasons
it desires to make such election at least 20 Business Days prior to the due date
(including extensions thereof) for filing such election; and (ii) Humboldt shall
not have  responded in writing to such notice by the fifth Business Day prior to
the due date (including extensions thereof) for filing such election.

        Section 6.3 Affirmative Conduct of Humboldt.  During the period from the
date of execution of this Agreement  through the Effective Time,  Humboldt shall
carry on its business,  and shall cause each of its respective  Subsidiaries  to
carry on its business,  in the ordinary  course in  substantially  the manner in
which  heretofore  conducted,  subject  to  changes  in  law  applicable  to all
California  state-  chartered  banks,  industrial  loan  companies or all member
and/or  nonmember banks insured by the FDIC, as applicable,  and directives from
regulators (except to the extent Tehama shall otherwise consent in writing), and
use  all  commercially  reasonable  efforts  to  preserve  intact  its  business
organization,  keep available the services of its officers and employees, (other
than  terminations  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business)  and  preserve  its
relationships with customers,  depositors,  suppliers and others having business
dealings with it; and, to these ends, shall fulfill each of the following:

               6.3.1 Use its commercially  reasonable efforts, or cooperate with
others,  to  expeditiously  bring  about  the  satisfaction  of  the  conditions
specified in Article 7 hereof;

               6.3.2 Advise Tehama  promptly in writing of any change that would
have a Material Adverse Effect on its capital structure,  consolidated financial
condition,  consolidated assets, consolidated results of operations, business or

<PAGE>


prospects or of any matter which would make the  representations  and warranties
set forth in Article 4 hereof not true and correct in any material respect as of
the effective date of the Registration Statement and at the Effective Time;

               6.3.3  Keep in full force and effect all of its existing material
permits and licenses and those of its Subsidiaries;

               6.3.4  Use  its  commercially   reasonable  efforts  to  maintain
insurance  or  bonding  coverage  on all  material  properties  for  which it is
responsible  and on its  business  operations,  and carry not less than the same
coverage for fidelity,  public liability,  personal injury,  property damage and
other risks  equal to that which is in effect as of the date of this  Agreement;
and notify Tehama in writing promptly of any facts or circumstances  which could
affect  its  ability,  or  that of any of its  Subsidiaries,  to  maintain  such
insurance or bonding coverage;

               6.3.5 Perform its contractual  obligations and not breach or come
into default on any of such obligations,  and not amend,  modify,  or, except as
they  may  be  terminated  in  accordance   with  their  terms,   terminate  any
Understanding or materially default in the performance of any of its obligations
under any Understanding  where such default would have a Material Adverse Effect
on Humboldt;

               6.3.6  Duly  observe  and  conform  to  all  legal   requirements
applicable  to its  business,  except for any  failure to so observe and conform
that would not,  individually or in the aggregate,  and, in the future will not,
have a Material Adverse Effect on Humboldt;

               6.3.7  Duly and timely file as and when due all reports and
Returns required to be filed with any Governmental Entity;

               6.3.8  Maintain  its  tangible  assets  and  properties  in  good
condition and repair,  normal wear and tear  excepted in  accordance  with prior
practices;

               6.3.9 Promptly advise Tehama in writing of any event or any other
transaction  within the  Knowledge  of  Humboldt,  whereby any Person or related
group of  Persons  acquires,  after  the  date of this  Agreement,  directly  or
indirectly, record or beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated
by the  SEC  pursuant  to the  Exchange  Act)  or  control  of 5% or more of the
outstanding  shares of Humboldt Common Stock either prior to or after the record
date  fixed for the  Humboldt  shareholders'  meeting or any  adjourned  meeting
thereof to approve the transactions contemplated herein;

               6.3.10  (a)  Maintain  a Loan Loss  Reserve  at a level  which is
adequate  to  provide  for all known and  reasonably  expected  losses on loans,
leases and other  extensions of credit  outstanding  and other inherent risks in
Humboldt's  or Humboldt  Bank's,  Capitol  Valley  Bank's and  Capitol  Thrift &
Loan's,  portfolio of loans and leases,  in accordance  with GAAP and applicable
regulatory accounting principles and banking laws and regulations;

                       (b)  Charge off all loans, receivables and other assets,
or portions thereof,  deemed  uncollectible in accordance with GAAP,  regulatory

<PAGE>


accounting  principles,  and applicable  law or  regulation,  or which have been
classified  as "loss" or as directed by any  regulatory  authority,  unless such
classification  or direction has been  disregarded  in good faith by Humboldt or
Humboldt  Bank,  Capitol  Valley  Bank and  Capitol  Thrift & Loan,  Humboldt or
Humboldt  Bank,  Capitol Valley Bank and Capitol Thrift & Loan, has submitted in
writing to such regulatory  authority the basis upon which it has so disregarded
such  classification or direction,  and such regulatory  authority  retracts its
direction requiring such charge-off;

               6.3.11  Furnish to  Tehama,  as soon as  practicable,  and in any
event  within  fifteen  days  after  it is  prepared:  (i) a copy of any  report
submitted to the Board of Directors of Humboldt or Humboldt Bank, Capitol Valley
Bank and  Capitol  Thrift & Loan,  and  access  to the  working  papers  related
thereto, provided,  however, that Humboldt need not furnish Tehama any materials
relating to  deliberations  of Humboldt's Board of Directors with respect to its
approval of this Agreement,  communications of Humboldt's legal counsel with the
Board of Directors or officers of Humboldt  regarding  Humboldt's rights against
or obligations to Tehama or its  Subsidiaries  under this  Agreement,  or books,
records and  documents  covered by the  attorney-client  privilege  or which are
attorneys' work product; (ii) copies of all material reports, renewals, filings,
certificates,   statements,  correspondence  and  other  documents  specific  to
Humboldt or it Subsidiaries,  or filed with or received from any Federal Reserve
Bank,  the FDIC,  the SEC, the CDFI or any  Governmental  Entity;  (iii) monthly
unaudited  balance  sheets,  statements  of income and changes in  shareholders'
equity for  Humboldt  and its  Subsidiaries,  and  quarterly  unaudited  balance
sheets,  statements of income and changes in  shareholders'  equity for Humboldt
and its  Subsidiaries,  in each case  prepared on a basis  consistent  with past
practice;  and (iv) such other reports as Tehama may  reasonably  request (which
are otherwise deliverable under this Section 6.3.11) relating to Humboldt.  Each
of the financial statements of Humboldt or its Subsidiaries,  delivered pursuant
to this  Section  6.3.11  shall be  accompanied  by a  certificate  of the Chief
Financial  Officer of  Humboldt  or its  Subsidiaries,  to the effect  that such
financial statements fairly present the financial  information presented therein
of Humboldt or its Subsidiaries,  for the periods covered,  subject to recurring
adjustments  normal in nature and amount,  necessary for a fair presentation and
are prepared on a basis consistent with past practice;

               6.3.12  Humboldt  agrees that through the  Effective  Time, as of
their respect dates,  (i) each Humboldt  Filing will be true and complete in all
material  respects;  and (ii) each  Humboldt  Filing will comply in all material
respects with all of the statutes, rules and regulations enforced or promulgated
by the Governmental Entity with which it will be filed and none will contain any
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,  in light of the
circumstances  under  which they will be made,  not  misleading.  Any  financial
statement  contained in any of such Humboldt Filings that is intended to present
the financial position of Humboldt,  on a consolidated basis, during the periods
involved to which it relates will fairly  present in all  material  respects the
financial position of Humboldt, on a consolidated basis, and will be prepared in
accordance  with  GAAP  or  consistent  with  applicable  regulatory  accounting
principles and banking law and regulations, except as stated therein;

               6.3.13 Maintain reserves for contingent liabilities in accordance
with GAAP or applicable  regulatory  accounting  principles and consistent  with
past practices;

<PAGE>

               6.3.14  Promptly  notify  Tehama  of the  filing,  or  threatened
filing, of any litigation,  or the filing or threatened filing of any government
or regulatory action, including an investigation or notice of investigation,  or
similar  proceeding or notice of any material claims against  Humboldt or any of
its assets,  which is expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Humboldt and
its Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

               6.3.15 Inform Tehama of the amounts and  categories of any loans,
leases or other extensions of credit, or other assets, that have been classified
by any bank regulatory authority or by any subsidiary of Humboldt, as Classified
Assets.  Humboldt  will furnish to Tehama,  as soon as  practicable,  and in any
event  within  fifteen  days  after the end of each  calendar  month,  schedules
including the following: (i) Classified Assets by type (including each credit or
other  asset  in  an  amount  equal  to  or  greater  than  $10,000),   and  its
classification  category; (ii) nonaccrual credits by type (including each credit
in an amount equal to or greater than $10,000); (iii) renegotiated loans by type
(loans on which  interest  has been  renegotiated  to lower  than  market  rates
because of the financial condition of the borrowers); (iv) delinquent credits by
type  (including  each  delinquent  credit in an amount equal to or greater than
$10,000),  including  an aging into 30-89 and 90+ day  categories;  (v) loans or
leases or other  assets  charged  off, in whole or in part,  during the previous
month by type  (including  each such  loan or lease or other  asset in an amount
equal to or greater than  $10,000);  and (vi) OREO or assets owned  stating with
respect to each its type; and

               6.3.16 Furnish to Tehama,  upon Tehama's request,  schedules with
respect to the following:  (i)  participating  loans and leases,  stating,  with
respect to each,  whether it is  purchased  or sold and the loan or lease  type;
(ii) loans or leases  (including any commitments) by Humboldt to any director or
officer  (at or above  the  Vice  President  level)  of  Humboldt  or any of its
Subsidiaries,  or to any  Person  holding  5% or more of the  capital  stock  of
Humboldt,  including, with respect to each such loan or lease, the identity and,
to the best  Knowledge of Humboldt,  the relation of the borrower to Humboldt or
its subsidiary,  the loan or lease type and the outstanding and undrawn amounts;
and (iii) standby letters of credit,  by type,  (including each letter of credit
in a face amount equal to or greater than $10,000).

        Section 6.4 Negative  Covenants of Humboldt.  During the period from the
date of execution of this Agreement through the Effective Time,  Humboldt agrees
that without Tehama's prior written  consent,  it shall not and its Subsidiaries
shall not:

               6.4.1 (a) Declare or pay any dividend on, other than regular cash
dividends  consistent  with past  practices,  or make any other  distribution in
respect of any of its capital stock; (b) split, combine or reclassify any of its
capital  stock or issue or  authorize  the issuance of any other  securities  in
respect of, in lieu of or in  substitution  for shares of its capital stock;  or
(c) repurchase or otherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock;

               6.4.2  Take any action  that would or might  result in any of the
representations  and warranties of Humboldt set forth in the Agreement  becoming
untrue in any material  respect or any of the conditions to the Merger set forth
in Article 7 not being satisfied, except to the extent such actions are required
to be  undertaken  by  applicable  law,  regulation  or at the  direction of any
Regulatory Authority;

<PAGE>

               6.4.3 Issue, deliver,  sell, or grant, or authorize the issuance,
delivery,  sale or grant of, or  purchase,  any shares of the  capital  stock of
Humboldt or any securities  convertible or exercisable  into or exchangeable for
such capital stock, or any rights, warrants or options,  including options under
any stock option plans or enter into any  agreements to do any of the foregoing,
except in connection  with the issuance of Humboldt Common Stock pursuant to the
exercise of Humboldt  Stock Options or pursuant to the proposed  acquisition  of
another  financial  entity  identified by Humboldt in writing to Tehama prior to
the execution of the Agreement;

               6.4.4  Amend its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, except as
required by applicable law or by the terms of this Agreement;

               6.4.5 Sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any of its assets which
are  material,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  to Humboldt,  except in the
ordinary course of business consistent with prior practice;

               6.4.6 Incur any  indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any
such indebtedness or issue or sell any debt securities of Humboldt or any of its
Subsidiaries  or  guarantee  any debt  securities  of others  other  than in the
ordinary course of business consistent with prior practice;

               6.4.7 Sell, transfer,  mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of
any  assets or other  liabilities  except  in the  ordinary  course of  business
consistent with prior practice or as required by any existing contract;

               6.4.8  Make  the  credit  underwriting  policies,   standards  or
practices  relating to the making of loans and other  extensions  of credit,  or
commitments  to make  loans and other  extensions  of  credit,  or the Loan Loss
Reserve policies, less stringent than those in effect on June 30, 2000 or reduce
the amount of the Loan Loss Reserves or any other reserves for potential  losses
or contingencies;

               6.4.9 Except in the ordinary  course of business  consistent with
prior practice, and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, make any
material  investments,  by purchase  of stock or  securities,  contributions  of
capital,  property transfers,  purchases of any property or assets or otherwise,
in any other individual, corporation or other entity;

               6.4.10  Except as otherwise  required to correct a prior  filing,
compromise or otherwise  settle or adjust any assertion or claim of a deficiency
in Taxes (or interest thereon or penalties in connection  therewith) or file any
appeal  from an  asserted  deficiency  except in a form  previously  approved by
Tehama, in writing,  or file or amend any federal,  foreign,  state or local Tax
Return or  report or make any tax  election  or change  any  method or period of
accounting  unless  required by GAAP or  applicable  law and,  then,  only after
submitting  such Tax return or report or proposed  Tax election or change in any
method or period of accounting,  to Tehama for its approval,  which it shall not
unreasonably withhold or delay;

               6.4.11  Change its fiscal year or methods of accounting in effect
at  December  31,  1999,  except as  required  by changes in GAAP or  regulatory
accounting   principles  as  concurred  to  by  Humboldt's   independent  public
accountants;

<PAGE>

               6.4.12 Authorize or knowingly permit any of its  representatives,
directly or  indirectly,  to solicit or encourage any  Acquisition  Proposal (as
hereinafter  defined) or participate in any discussions or negotiations with, or
provide any nonpublic information to, any Person or group of persons (other than
Tehama,  and its  representatives)  concerning  any such  solicited  Acquisition
Proposal.  Humboldt shall notify Tehama  immediately if any inquiry regarding an
Acquisition  Proposal is received by Humboldt,  including the terms thereof. For
purposes  of this  Section  6.4.12,  "Acquisition  Proposal"  shall mean any (a)
proposal  pursuant  to which any  Person  other  than  Tehama  would  acquire or
participate  in  a  merger  or  other  business  combination  or  reorganization
involving  Humboldt;  (b)  proposal  by which any  Person or group,  other  than
Tehama, would acquire the right to vote ten percent (10%) or more of the capital
stock  of  Humboldt  entitled  to  vote  for  the  election  of  directors;  (c)
acquisition  of the  assets of  Humboldt  other than in the  ordinary  course of
business;  or (d)  acquisition in excess of ten percent (10%) of the outstanding
capital  stock  of  Humboldt  other  than as  contemplated  by  this  Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent
Humboldt or its Board of Directors from (i) furnishing nonpublic information to,
or entering  into  discussions  or  negotiations  with,  any Person or entity in
connection with an unsolicited  bona fide written  Acquisition  Proposal by such
Person or entity,  or recommending an unsolicited bona fide written  Acquisition
Proposal to the shareholders of Humboldt, if and only to the extent that (A) the
Board of Directors of Humboldt has  determined and believes in good faith (after
consultation  with and the  concurrence  of its  financial  advisor)  that  such
Acquisition Proposal would, if consummated,  result in a transaction  materially
more favorable,  from a financial point of view, to Humboldt's shareholders than
the  transaction  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  (any  such  more  favorable
Acquisition Proposal being referred to in this Agreement as a "Humboldt Superior
Proposal") and Humboldt's Board of Directors has determined in good faith, after
consultation  with and based on written  advice from its outside legal  counsel,
that such action is necessary for Humboldt to comply with its  fiduciary  duties
to shareholders under applicable law, and (B) prior to furnishing such nonpublic
information to, or entering into  discussions or negotiations  with, such Person
or entity,  Humboldt's Board of Directors received from such Person or entity an
executed confidentiality  agreement,  with terms no more favorable to such party
than  those  contained  in the  Confidentiality  Agreement  between  Tehama  and
Humboldt,  or (ii) complying with Rule 14e-2  promulgated under the Exchange Act
with regard to an Acquisition Proposal, if such Rule is applicable thereto;

               6.4.13  Take  or  cause  to  be  taken  any  action  which  would
disqualify the Merger as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a)
of the IRC as a tax-free reorganization;

               6.4.14  Take or  cause  to be  taken  into  OREO  any  commercial
property  without an  environmental  report  reporting no adverse  environmental
condition on such property, with a copy of such report delivered to Tehama prior
to taking such property into OREO; or

               6.4.15  Take  or  cause  to  be  taken  any  action  which  would
disqualify the Merger from being accounted for on a "pooling of interest" basis;
or

               6.4.16  Make  any new  elections  with  respect  to  Taxes or any
changes in current elections with respect to Taxes affecting the assets owned by
Humboldt  or its  Subsidiaries.  Tehama  shall be  deemed to have  consented  in
writing to any election  Humboldt or its  Subsidiaries  shall desire to make if:
(i) the electing  Person  shall have  notified  the Chief  Executive  Officer of
Tehama in writing of its desire to make such election,  including in such notice

<PAGE>


a reasonably complete summary of the election it desires to make and the reasons
it desires to make such election at least 20 Business Days prior to the due date
(including  extensions thereof) for filing such election;  and (ii) Tehama shall
not have  responded in writing to such notice by the fifth Business Day prior to
the due date (including extensions thereof) for filing such election.

               6.4.17  Humboldt  agrees to file a registration  statement for or
otherwise register with the Securities and Exchange Commission the stock options
of Tehama  outstanding  at the Closing and the related  common stock of Humboldt
promptly after the Closing.

                   ARTICLE 7. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING

        Section 7.1 Conditions to the Parties'  Obligations.  The obligations of
all the parties to this  Agreement  to effect the Merger shall be subject to the
fulfillment of the following conditions:

               7.1.1 This Agreement,  the Merger  Agreement and the Merger shall
have been  validly  approved  by the  holders of a majority  of the  outstanding
shares of Tehama Common Stock and Humboldt Common Stock entitled to vote;

               7.1.2  All  permits,   approvals  and  consents  required  to  be
obtained,  and all waiting periods required to expire, prior to the consummation
of the Merger under  applicable  federal laws of the United States or applicable
laws of any state having jurisdiction over the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Merger  Agreement shall have been obtained or expired,  as the
case may be (all such permits,  approvals and consents and the lapse of all such
waiting  periods being  referred to as the  "Requisite  Regulatory  Approvals"),
without the imposition of any condition which in the reasonable  judgment of any
party to be affected by such condition is materially  burdensome upon such party
or its respective Affiliates or the Surviving Corporation;

               7.1.3 There shall not be any action taken, or any statute,  rule,
regulation  or order  enacted,  entered,  enforced or deemed  applicable  to the
Merger,  by any  Governmental  Entity which:  (i) makes the  consummation of the
Merger illegal;  (ii) requires the divestiture by Humboldt of any material asset
or of a material  portion of the  business  of  Humboldt;  or (iii)  imposes any
condition upon Humboldt or its  Subsidiaries  (other than general  provisions of
law applicable to all banks and bank holding companies) which in the judgment of
Humboldt would be materially burdensome;

               7.1.4 The  Registration  Statement  shall have  become  effective
under the Securities Act and no stop order  suspending the  effectiveness of the
Registration  Statement  shall have been issued and shall  remain in effect.  No
legal,  administrative,  arbitration,  investigatory  or other proceeding by any
Governmental  Entity or any other Person shall have been instituted and, at what
otherwise  would have been the Effective  Time,  remain pending by or before any
Governmental  Entity to  restrain  or  prohibit  the  transactions  contemplated
hereby;

               7.1.5  Humboldt  and Tehama  shall have  received an opinion from
Bartel Eng Linn & Schroder, dated the Effective Time, subject to assumptions and
exceptions normally included, and in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory
to  Humboldt  and  Tehama,  to the effect  that the Merger  will be treated  for
federal income tax purposes as a reorganization within the meaning of Section

<PAGE>

368(a)  of the IRC and that  Humboldt  and  Tehama  will each be a party to that
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the IRC;

               7.1.6  Humboldt and Tehama shall have received from  Richardson &
Co., who are the independent public accountants of Humboldt,  letters,  dated at
the effective date of the  Registration  Statement and at the Effective Time, in
form and  substance  satisfactory  to Humboldt and Tehama that the Merger may be
accounted for as a pooling of interests;

               7.1.7 Humboldt and Tehama shall have received opinions of counsel
for the  other  party in  substantially  the forms  previously  agreed to by the
parties as set forth in Exhibits  7.1.7A and 7.1.7B,  respectively,  dated as of
the Closing Date;

               7.1.8 No action, suit or proceeding shall have been instituted or
threatened  before  any court or  governmental  body  seeking  to  challenge  or
restrain the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement
which presents a substantial risk that such  transactions  will be restrained or
that either party hereto may suffer material damages or other relief as a result
of consummating such transactions; and

               7.1.9 The holders of less than 10% of the  outstanding  shares of
Tehama  Common Stock shall have  exercised  dissenters'  rights.  Dissenters  of
Humboldt  shall be included in such  calculation.  Dissenters'  rights  shall be
deemed to be  exercised to the extent at the  Effective  Time the holder of such
shares  have  complied  with  the  California   Corporations   Code   concerning
dissenters' rights.

        Section 7.2  Conditions to Humboldt's  Obligations.  The  obligations of
Humboldt to effect the Merger shall be subject to the fulfillment (or waiver, in
writing, by Humboldt) of the following conditions:

               7.2.1 Except as  otherwise  provided in this Section 7.2, (a) the
representations and warranties of Tehama contained in Article 3 shall be true in
all material  respects as of the Effective  Time as though made at the Effective
Time,  except to the extent they  expressly  refer to an earlier time and except
where the failure to be true,  individually or in the aggregate,  would not have
or would not be  reasonably  likely to have,  a Material  Adverse  Effect on the
Surviving   Corporation  or  Tehama  Bank,  or  upon  the  consummation  of  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby;  (b) Tehama  shall have duly  performed  and
complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants  required by
this  Agreement  to be  performed  or  complied  with by it  prior  to or at the
Effective Time, except where the failure to so perform and comply,  individually
or in the aggregate,  would not have or would not be reasonably likely to have a
Material  Adverse Effect on Tehama or Tehama Bank, or upon the  consummation  of
the  transactions  contemplated  hereby;  (c) none of the  events or  conditions
entitling  Humboldt  to  terminate  this  Agreement  under  Article 8 shall have
occurred  and be  continuing;  and (d) Tehama  shall have  delivered to Humboldt
certificates  dated the date of the  Effective  Time and signed by the President
and Chief Executive Officer to the effect set forth in Subsections 7.2.1(a), (b)
and (c);

               7.2.2 There shall have been  obtained,  without the imposition of
any material burden or restriction on any of the parties hereto not in existence
on the date hereof,  each consent to the  consummation of the Merger required to

<PAGE>


be obtained  from any Person under any  agreement,  contract or license to which
Tehama is a party or by or under which it is bound or licensed,  the withholding
of  which  might  have a  Material  Adverse  Effect  on  Tehama,  the  Surviving
Corporation  or  Humboldt  at  or  following  the  Effective  Time,  or  on  the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

               7.2.3  Tehama  shall have  delivered  its  Closing  Schedules  to
Humboldt on the day  immediately  preceding  the  Closing  Date and none of such
Closing  Schedules  shall reflect any item that was not on the Tehama  Schedules
(or in the Tehama  Financial  Statements)  delivered on the date of execution of
this Agreement that has had, would have, or could be reasonably  likely to have,
a Material Adverse Effect on Tehama, the Surviving Corporation or Humboldt at or
after  the  Effective  Time,  or  on  the   consummation  of  the   transactions
contemplated hereby;

               7.2.4 Between the date of this Agreement and the Effective  Time,
no event or circumstance  shall have occurred which has had or could  reasonably
be expected to have a Material  Adverse Effect on Tehama,  or its  Subsidiaries,
and Humboldt shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of Tehama by the
President and Chief Executive Officer of Tehama to such effect;

               7.2.5 Counsel for Humboldt shall have  approved,  in the exercise
of counsel's  reasonable  discretion,  the validity of all  transactions  herein
contemplated,  as well as the form and substance of all opinions,  certificates,
instruments  of  transfer  and  other  documents  to be  delivered  to  Humboldt
hereunder or that are reasonably requested by such counsel;

               7.2.6 The sale of the Humboldt  Common Stock  resulting  from the
Merger  shall have been  qualified  or  registered  with the  appropriate  State
securities  law or "blue  sky"  regulatory  authorities  of all  States in which
qualification  or registration is required under the State  securities laws, and
such qualifications or registration shall not have been suspended or revoked;

               7.2.7 Tehama shall have  delivered to Humboldt not later than the
date of this  Agreement  all of the executed  Affiliate  Agreements  in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit 5.3;

               7.2.8 None of Tehama or any of its Subsidiaries  shall be subject
to any memorandum of  understanding,  cease and desist order, or other agreement
with any Governmental  Entity restricting the conduct of any of their respective
businesses, prospects and operations, so as to have a Material Adverse Effect;

               7.2.9 The fairness opinion (the "Humboldt  Fairness  Opinion") to
be commissioned by Humboldt's Board of Directors shall provide that the terms of
the  Merger,  from a  financial  standpoint,  are  fair to the  shareholders  of
Humboldt,  and shall not have been revoked,  at any time prior to the meeting of
Humboldt's shareholders at which the Merger is to be voted on;

               7.2.10 All of Tehama's director-shareholders shall have delivered
to Humboldt on the date of this Agreement the Director-Shareholder Agreements in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit 7.2.10.

<PAGE>

        Section 7.3  Conditions  to Tehama's  Obligations.  The  obligations  of
Tehama to effect the Merger shall be subject to the fulfillment  (or waiver,  in
writing, by Tehama) of the following conditions:

               7.3.1 Except as  otherwise  provided in this Section 7.3, (a) the
representations  and warranties of Humboldt contained in Article 4 shall be true
in all  material  respects  as of the  Effective  Time  as  though  made  at the
Effective Time, except to the extent they expressly refer to an earlier time and
except where the failure to be true, individually or in the aggregate, would not
have or would not be  reasonably  likely to have, a Material  Adverse  Effect on
Humboldt and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  or upon  consummation of the
transactions  contemplated  hereby;  (b) Humboldt  shall have duly performed and
complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants  required by
this  Agreement to be performed or complied with it prior to or at the Effective
Time, except where the failure to so perform and comply,  individually or in the
aggregate,  would not have or would not be reasonably  likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect on Humboldt and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, or upon the
consummation of the transactions  contemplated hereby; (c) none of the events or
conditions  entitling  Tehama to terminate this Agreement  under Article 8 shall
have occurred and be continuing; and (d) Humboldt shall have delivered to Tehama
certificates  dated  the  date  of  the  Effective  Time  and  signed  by a duly
authorized officer to the effect set forth in Subsections 7.3.1(a), (b) and (c);

               7.3.2 Counsel for Tehama shall have approved,  in the exercise of
counsel's  reasonable  discretion,  the  validity  of  all  transactions  herein
contemplated,  as well as the form and substance of all opinions,  certificates,
instruments of transfer and other documents to be delivered to Tehama  hereunder
or that are reasonably requested by such counsel;

               7.3.3  There  shall not have been any change in the  consolidated
financial condition,  aggregate  consolidated net assets,  shareholders' equity,
business,  or consolidated  operating  results of Humboldt and its Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, from December 31, 1999 to the Effective Time that results in a
Material Adverse Effect as to Humboldt and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

               7.3.4  Humboldt has taken such action as  appropriate  to convert
Tehama Stock Options to Humboldt Stock Options adjusted for the Conversion Rate;

               7.3.5 Prior to the Closing  Date,  Humboldt  shall have taken all
corporate  action required to effectuate the appointment of the four individuals
named on Schedule  2.9 hereto to its Board of  Directors  effective  immediately
after  the  Effective  Time and to  place  in  nomination  such  individuals  as
directors of Humboldt for election at Humboldt's  annual meeting of shareholders
in 2001;

               7.3.6  Humboldt  shall have  delivered  its Closing  Schedules to
Tehama  on the day  immediately  preceding  the  Closing  Date  and none of such
Closing Schedules shall reflect any item that was not on the Humboldt  Schedules
(or in the Humboldt Financial  Statements) delivered on the date of execution of
this Agreement that has had, or would have a Material Adverse Effect on Humboldt
and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  at or after the Effective Time, or on
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby;


<PAGE>


               7.3.7 The fairness opinion (the "Tehama Fairness  Opinion") to be
commissioned  by Tehama's Board of Directors shall provide that the terms of the
Merger, from a financial standpoint, are fair to the shareholders of Tehama, and
shall  not have been  revoked,  at any time  prior to the  meeting  of  Tehama's
shareholders at which the Merger is to be voted on;

               7.3.8 The sale of the Humboldt  Common Stock  resulting  from the
Merger  shall have been  qualified  or  registered  with the  appropriate  State
securities  law or "blue  sky"  regulatory  authorities  of all  States in which
qualification  or registration is required under the State  securities laws, and
such  qualifications  or registration  shall not have been suspended or revoked;
and

               7.3.9  None  of  Humboldt  or any of its  Subsidiaries  shall  be
subject to any  memorandum of  understanding,  cease and desist order,  or other
agreement with any Governmental  Entity  restricting the conduct of any of their
respective  businesses,  prospects  and  operations,  so as to  have a  Material
Adverse Effect.

               7.3.10  All  of  Humboldt's   director-shareholders   shall  have
delivered  to  Tehama  on the date of this  Agreement  the  Director-Shareholder
Agreements in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 7.3.10.


                 ARTICLE 8. TERMINATION, AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

     Section 8.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior
to the

Effective Time:

               8.1.1  By mutual consent of the Boards of Directors of Humboldt
and Tehama;

               8.1.2 By  Humboldt  or Tehama  upon the  failure to  satisfy  any
conditions specified in Section 7.1, if such failure is not caused by any action
or inaction of the party requesting termination of this Agreement;

               8.1.3  By Humboldt or Tehama if an Acquisition Event involving
the other party  shall have occurred;

               8.1.4 By Tehama if there shall have been a material breach of any
of the  representations  or warranties of Humboldt set forth in this  Agreement,
which breach, in the reasonable opinion of Tehama, by its nature cannot be cured
or is not cured prior to the Closing and which breach would,  in the  reasonable
opinion of Tehama,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  have,  or be reasonably
likely to have,  a Material  Adverse  Effect on Humboldt  and its  Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole,  or upon the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated
hereby;

               8.1.5 By Humboldt  if there shall have been a material  breach of
any of the  representations or warranties of Tehama set forth in this Agreement,
which breach,  in the  reasonable  opinion of Humboldt,  by its nature cannot be
cured or is not cured  prior to the  Closing  and  which  breach  would,  in the
reasonable opinion of Humboldt, individually or in the aggregate, have, or be

<PAGE>

reasonably  likely  to  have,  a  Material  Adverse  Effect  on  Tehama  and its
Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, or upon the  consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated hereby;

               8.1.6 By Tehama after the occurrence of a Default by Humboldt and
the  continuance  of such Default for a period of 20 Business Days after written
notice of such Default,  if such Default,  in the reasonable  opinion of Tehama,
cannot be cured prior to the Closing or, even though curable by the Closing,  it
is not cured prior to the Closing;

               8.1.7 By Humboldt after the occurrence of a Default by Tehama and
the  continuance  of such Default for a period of 20 Business Days after written
notice of such Default,  if such Default, in the reasonable opinion of Humboldt,
cannot be cured prior to the Closing or, even though curable by the Closing,  it
is not cured prior to the Closing;

               8.1.8 By Humboldt if the Closing  Schedules  delivered  by Tehama
disclose  the  occurrence  of  an  event  or  the  existence  of  any  facts  or
circumstances, not disclosed in the Schedules or the Tehama Financial Statements
delivered  to  Humboldt  on or  before  the date  hereof,  that has had or could
reasonably  be  expected  to have a  Material  Adverse  Effect on Tehama and its
Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, or after the Effective Time, on Humboldt, or on
the  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby (a "Tehama Material
Adverse Event");

               8.1.9 By Tehama if the Closing  Schedules  delivered  by Humboldt
disclose  the  occurrence  of  an  event  or  the  existence  of  any  facts  or
circumstances,  not  disclosed  in  the  Schedules  or  the  Humboldt  Financial
Statements  delivered  to Tehama on or before the date  hereof,  that has had or
could  reasonably be expected to have a Material  Adverse Effect on Humboldt and
its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, or on the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby (a "Humboldt Material Adverse Event");

               8.1.10  By  Tehama  upon  the  failure  of any of the  conditions
specified in Section 7.3 to have been satisfied prior to March 31, 2001;

               8.1.11 By  Humboldt  upon the  failure  of any of the  conditions
specified in Section 7.2 to have been satisfied prior to March 31, 2001; or

               8.1.12 By  Humboldt or Tehama in the event the  Humboldt  Average
Trading Price is below $9.75 and the parties do not  renegotiate  the Conversion
Rate.

        Section  8.2 Effect of  Termination;  Survival.  Except as  provided  in
Section 8.5, no termination of this Agreement as provided in Section 8.1 for any
reason or in any manner shall  release,  or be construed  as so  releasing,  any
party hereto from its obligations  pursuant to Sections  5.1.4,  5.5, 8.5 or 9.5
hereof or from any liability or damage to any other party hereto arising out of,
in  connection  with, or otherwise  relating to,  directly or  indirectly,  said
party's  material  breach,  Default  or  failure  in  performance  of any of its
covenants,  agreements, duties or obligations arising hereunder, or any breaches
of any  representation or warranty contained herein arising prior to the date of
termination of this Agreement.


<PAGE>


        Section  8.3  Amendment.  This  Agreement  may be amended by the parties
hereto,  at any time  before or after  approval  hereof by the  shareholders  of
Tehama and  Humboldt;  provided,  however,  that after any such approval by such
shareholders,  no amendments shall be made which by law require further approval
by such shareholders without such further approval.

        Section 8.4 Waiver. Any term or provision of this Agreement,  other than
regulatory  approval or any of the provisions  required by law, 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  Liquidated Damages; Cancellation Fee.

               8.5.1 In the event of the occurrence of (i) an Acquisition  Event
involving Tehama,  then Tehama shall pay to Humboldt the sum of One Million Five
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000) in cash and Tehama shall issue to Humboldt
shares of Tehama  Common Stock  pursuant to the Tehama  Stock  Option  Agreement
dated September 12, 2000; or (ii) an Acquisition  Event involving  Humboldt then
Humboldt  shall pay to  Tehama  the sum of One  Million  Five  Hundred  Thousand
Dollars  ($1,500,000)  in cash and  Humboldt  shall  issue to  Tehama  shares of
Humboldt  Common Stock  pursuant to the Humboldt  Stock Option  Agreement  dated
September 12, 2000.

               8.5.2 In the event of  termination  of this  Agreement  by Tehama
pursuant to Section 8.1.10 as a result of the revocation of the Tehama  Fairness
Opinion;  or a  termination  of this  Agreement by Humboldt  pursuant to Section
8.1.5  (breach of  representations  or  warranties  of Tehama) or Section  8.1.7
(Default)  or Section  8.1.8  (disclosure  in the Closing  Schedules of a Tehama
Material  Adverse  Event),  where such  breach of  representation  or  warranty,
Default or Tehama  Material  Adverse Event shall have been caused in whole or in
material  part by any action or inaction  within the control of Tehama or any of
its  Subsidiaries,  or any of their  directors or  executive  officers (it being
understood  that any  breach or Default or Tehama  Material  Adverse  Event that
occurred  after the date of this  Agreement  and was  outside of the  control of
Tehama and its Subsidiaries,  and the directors and executive  officers thereof,
such as, by way of example only, the filing of a lawsuit against  Tehama,  shall
not come within this Section 8.5.2),  then, Tehama shall pay to Humboldt the sum
of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000), in cash; provided, however, that if
an  Acquisition  Event occurs  involving  Tehama within one hundred eighty (180)
days following any  termination by Humboldt to which this Section 8.5.2 applies,
Tehama shall pay to Humboldt an additional  Two Hundred Fifty  Thousand  Dollars
($250,000).

               8.5.3  In the  event  of the  termination  of this  Agreement  by
Humboldt  pursuant  to  Section  8.1.11  as a result  of the  revocation  of the
Humboldt Fairness Opinion; or a termination of this Agreement by Tehama pursuant
to Section  8.1.4  (breach of  representations  and  warranties  of Humboldt) or
Section 8.1.6 (Default),  or Section 8.1.9 (disclosure in Closing Schedules of a
Humboldt  Material  Adverse  Event),  where  such  breach of  representation  or
warranty,  or such Default or Humboldt  Material  Adverse  Event shall have been
caused in whole or in material part by any action or inaction within the control
of Humboldt or any of its  Subsidiaries,  or any of their directors or executive
officers (it being understood that any action or inaction outside of the control
of Humboldt,  its Subsidiaries and their directors and executive officers,  such
as, by way of example only, the filing of a lawsuit against Humboldt,  shall not
come within this Section 8.5.3),  then,  Humboldt shall pay to Tehama the sum of
Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000), in cash; provided, however, that if an

<PAGE>


Acquisition Event occurs involving Humboldt within one hundred eighty (180) days
following  any  termination  by  Tehama to which  this  Section  8.5.3  applies,
Humboldt shall pay to Tehama an additional  Two Hundred Fifty  Thousand  Dollars
($250,000).

               8.5.4 The parties have  determined  that the occurrence of any of
the events or circumstances  set forth in Sections 8.5.1,  8.5.2 and 8.5.3 would
cause a substantial damage and loss and lost business opportunities to the party
terminating   this   Agreement  as  a  result  thereof  and  that  the  payments
contemplated  by Sections  8.5.1,  8.5.2 and 8.5.3 above provide  reasonable and
fair compensation for such damage, loss and lost business  opportunities and are
not intended to be and do not constitute a penalty or forfeiture.  Such payments
will be made within 10 Business Days  following a  termination  of the Agreement
that gives rise to the payment of such liquidated  damages  pursuant to Sections
8.5.1,  8.5.2 or 8.5.3,  as applicable.  Upon the making and receipt of payments
due under this Section 8.5,  neither  party,  nor any  Affiliates  of any party,
shall have any further  obligation or liability of any kind under this Agreement
to the other party, except pursuant to Section 5.1.4, 5.5 and 9.5.

               8.5.5  In the  event  of the  termination  of this  Agreement  by
Humboldt or Tehama for any reason  other than as  specified  in Sections  8.5.1,
8.5.2 or 8.5.3 above, none of the parties hereto, nor any Affiliates of any such
parties, shall have any further obligation or liability of any kind to the other
party, except pursuant to Sections 5.1.4, 5.5 and 9.5.

                          ARTICLE 9. GENERAL PROVISIONS

        Section 9.1 Nonsurvival of Representations  and Warranties.  None of the
representations,  warranties,  covenants and  agreements in this Agreement or in
any instrument  delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective
Time,  except for those  covenants and agreements  contained  herein and therein
which by their terms apply in whole or in part after the Effective  Time or to a
termination of this Agreement.

        Section 9.2  Notices.  All notices  and other  communications  hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, mailed by
registered  or certified  mail  (return  receipt  requested),  sent by confirmed
overnight  courier  or  telecopied  (with  electronic  confirmation  and  verbal
confirmation  for the person to whom such  telecopy is  addressed),  on the date
such notice is so delivered,  mailed or sent, as the case may be, to the parties
at the  following  addresses  (or any such other address for a party as shall be
specified by like notice):

        If to Tehama at:
                             Tehama Bancorp
                             239 S. Main St.
                             Red Bluff, California  96080
                             Fax No. (530) 528-3020
                             Attention: William P. Ellison, President/CEO

        with a copy to:
                             Shapiro, Buchman, Provine & Patton  LLP
                             1333 North California Boulevard, Suite 350
                             Walnut Creek, California  94596
                             Fax No. (925) 948-9701
                             Attention:  John W. Carr, Esq.

<PAGE>


        If to Humboldt at:
                             Humboldt Bancorp
                             701 Fifth Street
                             Eureka, California 95501
                             Fax No. (707) 441-0214
                             Attention: Theodore S. Mason, President/CEO

        with a copy to:
                             Gary Steven Findley & Associates
                             1470 North Hundley Street
                             Anaheim, California 92806
                             Fax No. (714) 630-7910
                             Attention: Gary Steven Findley, Esq.

        Section 9.3 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  9.4 Entire  Agreement/No  Third Party  Rights/Assignment.  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 expressly set forth herein, is not intended
to confer upon any person  other than the parties  hereto any rights or remedies
hereunder;  (c)  shall  not be  assigned  by a  party,  by  operation  of law or
otherwise,  without  the  consent of the other  parties;  and (d) subject to the
foregoing,  shall be binding  upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their permitted successors and assigns.

        Section 9.5  Nondisclosure  of  Agreement.  Humboldt  and Tehama  agree,
except as required by law or the rules of the NASDAQ,  so long as this Agreement
is in effect,  not to issue any public notice,  disclosure or press release with
respect to the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement  without seeking the
consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

        Section  9.6  Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  shall  be  governed  and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard
to any applicable conflicts of law.

        Section  9.7  Headings/Table  of  Contents.  The table of  contents  and
headings  contained in this Agreement are for reference  purposes only and shall
not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

<PAGE>

        Section 9.8  Enforcement  of  Agreement.  The parties  hereto agree that
irreparable  damage will occur in the event that any of the  provisions  of this
Agreement  or the Merger  Agreement  is not  performed  in  accordance  with its
specific  terms or is  otherwise  breached.  It is  accordingly  agreed that the
parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of
this Agreement and to enforce  specifically  the terms and provisions  hereof in
any court of the State of  California  or any state  having  jurisdiction,  this
being in addition to any remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

        Section 9.9 Severability.  Any term or provision of this Agreement which
is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction  shall, as to that jurisdiction,
be  ineffective  to the extent of such  invalidity or  unenforceability  without
rendering  invalid or  unenforceable  the remaining terms and provisions of this
Agreement or affecting  the  validity or  enforceability  of any of the terms or
provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. If any provision of this
Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted
to be only so broad as is enforceable.

        Section 9.10  Attorneys'  Fees.  If any legal action or any  arbitration
upon  mutual  agreement  is brought for the  enforcement  of this  Agreement  or
because  of an  alleged  dispute,  breach or  default  in  connection  with this
Agreement,  the  prevailing  party  shall  be  entitled  to  recover  reasonable
attorneys'  fees and  other  costs  and  expenses  incurred  in that  action  or
proceeding, in addition to any other relief to which it may be entitled.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  Humboldt and Tehama 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


By: /s/ THEODORE S. MASON              By: /s/ WILLIAM P. ELLISON
        ----------------------------          -------------------------
Name:   Theodore S. Mason              Name:  William P. Ellison


By:     ----------------------------   By:    -------------------------
Name:   ----------------------------   Name:  -------------------------







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