SC BANCORP, SC 13D, 1997-05-09

SC BANCORP
SC 13D, 1997-05-09
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS

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<PAGE>
Draft of May 7, 1997

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. _____)*

SC BANCORP
-----------------------------------------
(Name of Issuer)

COMMON STOCK, NO PAR VALUE
-----------------------------------------
(Title of Class of Securities)

573880-10-7
-----------------------------------------
(CUSIP Number)

Hugh S. Smith, Jr.
Monarch Bancorp
30000 Town Center Drive
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(714) 495-3135
-----------------------------------------
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized
to Receive Notices and Communications)

April 29, 1997
-----------------------------------------
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If a filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box [ ].

NOTE: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be filed
with the Commission. See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies are to
be sent.

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).

<PAGE>

- ----------------------
CUSIP NO. 573880-10-7
- ----------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

Monarch Bancorp; IRS Identification No. 95-3863296

2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) [ ]

(b) [ ]
- ------------------------------------------------------------
3. SEC USE ONLY

- ------------------------------------------------------------
4. SOURCE OF FUNDS

BK;WC;00
- ------------------------------------------------------------

5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS
REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(D) OR 2(E)
[ ]
- ------------------------------------------------------------
6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

California; Monarch Bancorp is registered as a bank holding company under
the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.
- ------------------------------------------------------------
7. SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF 1,491,050*
SHARES ----------------------------------------------------------

*Up to 1,491,050 shares of Common Stock, no par value, of SC Bancorp, a
California corporation ("SCB"), covered by this statement are obtainable by
Monarch Bancorp, a California corporation ("Monarch"), upon exercise of the
Option described in Item 4 below, if the Option were exercisable on the date
hereof. Monarch expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of any such shares.
Prior to the existence of the Option (defined below), Monarch is not entitled
to any rights of a shareholder in SCB with respect to such shares. The Option
may be exercised only upon the happening of certain events described in Item 4
below, none of which has occurred as of the date hereof, and none of which is in
the control of Monarch. Dispositive and voting powers are summarized in Items 4
and 5 below.

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<PAGE>

BENEFICIALLY 8. SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY -0-
EACH ----------------------------------------
REPORTING 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON 1,491,050
WITH ----------------------------------------
10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
- ------------------------------------------------------------
11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
PERSON 1,491,050

- ------------------------------------------------------------
12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
CERTAIN SHARES
[ ]
- ------------------------------------------------------------
13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
19.9%

- ------------------------------------------------------------
14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
CO; BK

- ------------------------------------------------------------

-3-

<PAGE>

Castle Creek Capital Partners Fund-I L.P.;
I.R.S. Identification No. 95-3863296

2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) [ ]

(b) [ ]
- ------------------------------------------------------------
3. SEC USE ONLY

- ------------------------------------------------------------
4. SOURCE OF FUNDS

BK;WC;00
- ------------------------------------------------------------

5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS
REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(D) OR 2(E)
[ ]
- ------------------------------------------------------------
6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Delaware
- ------------------------------------------------------------
7. SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF 550,048*
SHARES ----------------------------------------------------------

*Represents a 36.89 percent beneficial interest in up to 1,491,050 shares of
Common Stock, no par value, of SCB covered by this statement which are
obtainable by Monarch upon exercise of the Option described in Item 4 below,
if the Option were exercisable on the date hereof. Prior to the existence of
the Option, Monarch is not entitled to any rights of a shareholder in SCB
with respect to such shares. The Option may be exercised only upon the
happening of certain events described in Item 4 below, none of which has
occurred as of the date hereof, and none of which is in the control of
Monarch. Dispositive and voting powers are summarized in Items 4 and 5
below. Castle Creek Capital Partners Fund--I L.P. (the "Fund"), holder of
36.89 percent of the voting common stock of Monarch, expressly disclaims
beneficial ownership of any such shares.

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<PAGE>
BENEFICIALLY 8. SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY -0-
EACH ----------------------------------------
REPORTING 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON 550,048
WITH ----------------------------------------
10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
- ------------------------------------------------------------
11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
PERSON 550,048

- ------------------------------------------------------------
14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
PN

- ------------------------------------------------------------

Item 1. SECURITY AND ISSUER.

This Schedule 13D relates to the class of Common Stock, no par value
("SCB Common Stock"), of SCB. SCB is a bank holding company registered under
the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended ("BHC Act"), having its
principal executive offices at 3800 East LaPalma Avenue, Anaheim, California
92807.

Item 2. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND.

This Schedule 13D is filed by Monarch, a California corporation and a
bank holding company registered under the BHC Act and the Fund, a Delaware
limited partnership. Monarch's principal executive offices are located at
30000 Town Center Drive, Laguna Niguel, California 92677, and the Fund's
principal executive offices are located at 4370 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite
400, San Diego, California 92122.

36.89 percent of the voting common stock of Monarch is held by the Fund.
Castle Creek Capital, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company ("General
Partner") is the sole general partner of the Fund, and Eggemeyer Advisory
Corp., a Delaware corporation ("EAC") is

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<PAGE>
the controlling member of General Partner. John M. Eggemeyer, III, a California
resident and director of Monarch ("Eggemeyer"), is the president and sole
shareholder of EAC and the president of General Partner.

To the best knowledge of Monarch and the Fund, the identity, business
address, and occupation, employment information or principal business for the
directors, executive officers, general partners or person controlling either
Monarch or the Fund are set forth on Annex A hereto. The information
contained in Annex A hereto is incorporated herein by reference.

(d) During the last five years, none of Monarch, the Fund or to the best
knowledge of Monarch and the Fund, any of the directors, executive officers,
general partners or any person controlling Monarch or the Fund listed on
Annex A hereto have been convicted in any criminal proceeding (excluding
traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).

(e) During the last five years, none of Monarch, the Fund or to the best
knowledge of Monarch and the Fund, any of the directors, officers, general
partners or any person controlling Monarch or the Fund listed on Annex A
hereto have been a party to any civil proceeding before a judicial or
administrative body of competent jurisdiction resulting in a judgment, decree
or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating
activities subject to, federal or state securities or finding any violation
with respect to any such laws.

All directors, executive officers, general partners or persons
controlling Monarch or the Fund listed on Annex A hereto are citizens of the
United States of America.

Item 3. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION.

It is presently anticipated that, should any purchase of shares of SCB
Common Stock be made by Monarch pursuant to the Option Agreement described below
in response to Item 4, the source of any funds used in any such purchase would
be Monarch's available cash, cash equivalents, available for sale securities and
bank financing.

Item 4. PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION.

A. THE MERGER AGREEMENT.

On April 29, 1997, Monarch and SCB entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Merger (the "Merger Agreement") pursuant to which SCB agreed to merge with and
into Monarch (the "Merger"). The Merger is subject to receipt of regulatory and
shareholder approvals, as well as other closing conditions, and it is estimated
that the merger will be consummated not later than the fourth quarter of 1997,
subject to satisfaction of such closing conditions.

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<PAGE>

Under the terms of the Merger, each shareholder of SCB will receive shares
of common stock, no par value, of Monarch ("Monarch Common Stock") based on a
purchase price of $14.25 per share of SCB Common Stock using a floating exchange
ratio for Monarch Common Stock within a price range of $2.75 to $3.75 per share.
Upon consummation of the Merger, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of
Monarch shall be the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the surviving
corporation, and certain directors of SCB prior to the Merger will become
directors of Monarch after the Merger.

The Merger is subject to the approval of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve Board (the "Federal Reserve Board") and California authorities,
the approval of the shareholders of both Monarch and SCB, and the satisfaction
of various other terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement.

B. THE OPTION.

As an inducement and a condition to Monarch's entering into the Merger
Agreement, on April 29, 1997, SCB and Monarch entered into a Stock Option
Agreement (the "Option Agreement"), pursuant to which SCB granted Monarch an
option (the "Option") entitling it to purchase up to 1,491,050 (or such lesser
amount as shall constitute 19.9% of the outstanding shares of SCB Common Stock
on the date of exercise) fully paid and nonassessable shares of SCB Common Stock
at a price per share equal to $11.875 per share, subject to adjustment in
certain circumstances.*

Subject to applicable law and regulatory restrictions, Monarch may exercise
the Option, in whole or in part, at any time following the occurrence of a
Purchase Event (as defined below) and prior to an Exercise Termination Event (as
defined below).

As defined in the Option Agreement, "Purchase Event," means the occurrence
of either of the following events or transactions:

1. The acquisition by any Person other than Monarch or any Monarch
Subsidiary of beneficial ownership of shares of SCB Common Stock, other
than by exercise of options, warrants or other rights (or in settlement or
satisfaction of such rights) set forth in Section 4.2(a) of the SCB
Disclosure Letter delivered in connection with the Merger Agreement (the
"SCB Disclosure Letter") or as a result of the execution and delivery of
the Shareholder Agreements referred to in Section 6.5 of the Merger
Agreement, such that, upon the consummation of such acquisition, such
Person would have beneficial ownership, in the aggregate, of

- ----------------------

*In the event of any change in the SCB Common Stock by reason of stock
dividends, split-ups, recapitalizations, or the like, the type and number of
shares of SCB Common Stock subject to the Option shall be increased so that,
after such issuance and together with shares of SCB Common Stock previously
issued pursuant to the exercise of the Option, the number of shares of SCB
Common Stock subject to the Option equals 19.9% of the number of shares of
SCB Common Stock then issued and outstanding.

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<PAGE>

20% or more of the then outstanding shares of SCB Common Stock if such
Person is a director or officer of SCB, and 25% or more of the then
outstanding shares of SCB Common Stock if such Person is not a director
or officer of SCB; or

2. The occurrence of a Preliminary Purchase Event described in
Section 2(b)(i) of the Option Agreement except that the percentage
referred to in clause (z) shall be 20%.

As defined in the Option Agreement, "Exercise Termination Event" means any
one of the following events:

1. The Merger becoming effective;

2. Twelve months after the first occurrence of a Purchase Event;

3. Eighteen months after the termination of the Merger Agreement
following the occurrence of a Preliminary Purchase Event (as defined
below);

4. The termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with the
terms thereof prior to the occurrence of a Purchase Event or a Preliminary
Purchase Event (other than a termination of the Merger Agreement by SCB
pursuant to Section 11.1(b)(iii) or (g) thereof; or

5. Eighteen months after the termination of the Merger Agreement by
SCB pursuant to 11.1(b)(iii) or (g) thereof.

As defined in the Option Agreement, "Preliminary Purchase Event" means any
one of the following events:

1. SCB or any of its subsidiaries (each a "SCB Subsidiary") without
having received Monarch's prior written consent, shall have entered into an
agreement to engage in an Acquisition Transaction (as defined below) with
any Person (the term "Person" for purposes of the Option Agreement having
the meaning assigned thereto in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Securities Exchange Act"), and the
rules and regulations thereunder) other than Monarch or any of its
subsidiaries (each a "Monarch Subsidiary") or the Board of Directors of SCB
shall have recommended that the shareholders of SCB approve or accept any
Acquisition Transaction with any Person other than Monarch or any Monarch
Subsidiary. For purposes of this Agreement, "Acquisition Transaction"
shall mean (x) a merger or consolidation, or any similar transaction,
involving SCB or any of SCB's subsidiaries, (y) a purchase, lease or other
acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of SCB or any
subsidiary or (z) a purchase or other acquisition (including by way of
merger, consolidation, share exchange or otherwise) of securities
representing 10% or more of the voting power of SCB or any subsidiary,
other than by exercise of options, warrants or

-8-

<PAGE>

other rights (or in settlement or satisfaction of such rights) set forth in
Section 4.2(a) of the SCB Disclosure Letter, provided that the term
"Acquisition Transaction" does not include any internal merger or
consolidation involving only SCB and/or SCB Subsidiaries;

2. Any Person (other than Monarch or any Monarch Subsidiary) shall
have acquired Beneficial Ownership or the right to acquire Beneficial
Ownership, other than by exercise of options, warrants or other rights (or
in settlement or satisfaction of such rights) set forth in Section 4.2(a)
of the SCB Disclosure Letter, of shares of SCB Common Stock (the term
"Beneficial Ownership" for purposes of this Agreement having the meaning
assigned thereto in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act, and the
rules and regulations thereunder) such that, upon the consummation of such
acquisition, such Person would have Beneficial Ownership, in the aggregate,
of 10% or more of the then outstanding shares of SCB Common Stock if such
Person is a director or officer of SCB, and 25% or more of the then
outstanding shares of SCB Common Stock if such Person is not a director or
officer of SCB;

3. Any Person other than Monarch or any Monarch Subsidiary shall have
made a BONA FIDE proposal to SCB or its shareholders, by public
announcement or written communication that is or becomes the subject of
public disclosure, to engage in an Acquisition Transaction (including,
without limitation, any situation in which any Person other than Monarch or
any subsidiary of Monarch shall have commenced (as such term is defined in
Rule 14d-2 under the Securities Exchange Act) or shall have filed a
registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), with respect to, a tender offer or exchange offer to
purchase any shares of SCB Common Stock such that, upon consummation of
such offer, such Person would own or control 10% or more of the then
outstanding shares of SCB Common Stock (such an offer being referred to
herein as a "Tender Offer" or an "Exchange Offer", respectively));

4. After a proposal is made by a third party to SCB or its
shareholders to engage in an Acquisition Transaction, SCB shall have
breached any covenant or obligation contained in the Merger Agreement and
such breach would entitle Monarch to terminate the Merger Agreement or the
holders of SCB Common Stock shall not have approved the Merger Agreement at
the meeting of such shareholders held for the purpose of voting on the
Merger Agreement, such meeting shall not have been held or shall have been
canceled prior to termination of the Merger Agreement or SCB's Board of
Directors shall have withdrawn or modified in a manner adverse to Monarch
the recommendation of SCB's Board of Directors with respect to the Merger
Agreement;

5. Any Person other than Monarch or any Monarch Subsidiary, other
than in connection with a transaction to which Monarch has given its prior
written consent or in connection with the exercise of options, warrants or
other rights (or

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<PAGE>

in settlement or satisfaction of such rights) set forth in Section 4.2(a)
of the SCB Disclosure Letter, shall have filed an application or notice
with the Federal Reserve Board or other governmental authority or
regulatory or administrative agency or commission (each, a "Governmental
Authority") for approval to engage in an Acquisition Transaction; or

6. The Board of Directors of SCB does not recommend that the
shareholders of SCB approve the Merger Agreement.

As provided in the Option Agreement, in the event that Monarch is entitled
and wishes to exercise the Option, it must send to SCB a written notice (the
date of which is referred to in the Option Agreement as the "Notice Date")
specifying (1) the total number of shares of SCB Common Stock which Monarch
intends to purchase pursuant to such exercise, (2) the aggregate purchase price
as provided herein, and (3) a period of time (not less than three business days,
nor more than 30 business days) running from the Notice Date and a place at
which the closing of such purchase shall take place; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if
prior notification to or approval of the Federal Reserve Board or any other
Governmental Authority is required in connection with such purchase, Monarch
will promptly file, and expeditiously process the required notice or application
for approval.

Under the BHC Act, Monarch may not directly or indirectly acquire more than
5 percent of the outstanding shares of any class of voting Securities of SCB
without application to and prior approval from the Federal Reserve Board.

If SCB enters into certain agreements relating to the consolidation or
merger of SCB or the sale of substantially all of its assets or deposits, SCB is
required to make proper provision so that the Option will, upon consummation of
such transaction, be converted into, or exchanged for, an option (the
"Substitute Option") in the surviving corporation in a consolidation or merger
or in the transfer of substantially all of SCB's assets or deposits, as the case
may be. The Substitute Option will have the same terms and conditions as the
Option; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that to the extent terms and conditions of the
Substitute Option cannot legally be identical to those of the Option, they will
in no event be less advantageous to Monarch.

In certain circumstances related to the exercise of the Option, the time
period specified in the Option Agreement will be extended at the request of
Monarch (1) to the extent necessary to obtain all regulatory approvals and for
the expiration of all statutory waiting periods and (2) to the extent necessary
to avoid liability under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act by reason
of such exercise; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no event shall any closing date
occur more than six months after the related Notice Date.

The Option may be assigned by Monarch in certain circumstances, subject to
the terms and conditions described in the Option Agreement.

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<PAGE>

Item 5. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.

(a) As result of entry into the Option Agreement and the granting of
the Option thereunder, pursuant to Rule 13d-3(d)(i) under the Exchange Act
(defined above), Monarch is deemed to own beneficially 1,491,050 shares of
SCB Common Stock (or such lesser amount as shall constitute 19.9% of the
outstanding shares of SCB Common Stock on the date of exercise), constituting
approximately 19.9 percent of the shares of SCB Common Stock issued and
outstanding as of April 29, 1997. Monarch expressly disclaims any beneficial
ownership of the 1,491,050 shares of SCB Common Stock which are obtainable by
Monarch upon exercise of the Option, because the Option is exercisable only
in the circumstances set forth in the Option Agreement, which is described in
Item 4 hereof, none of which has occurred as of the date of hereof and only
then with regulatory approval (if, as a consequence, Monarch would own more
than 5% of the outstanding shares of SCB Common Stock).

The Fund, which holds 36.89 percent of the voting stock of Monarch, is
deemed pursuant to Rule 13d-3(d)(i) under the Exchange Act indirectly to own
beneficially 550,048 share of SCB Common Stock in virtue of its ownership
interest in Monarch, constituting 7.34 percent of the shares of SCB Common
Stock issued and outstanding as of April 29,1997. The Fund expressly
disclaims any beneficial ownership of such shares of SCB Common Stock.

(b) If Monarch were to exercise the Option, it would have sole power to
vote and, subject to the terms of the Option Agreement, sole power to direct the
disposition of, the shares of SCB Common Stock covered thereby.

(c) Other than as set forth herein, none of Monarch, the Fund or to
the best knowledge of Monarch and the Fund, any of the directors or executive
officers, general partners or any persons controlling Monarch or the Fund
listed on Annex A hereto has affected any transaction in shares of SCB Common
Stock during the past 60 days.

(d) Not applicable.

(e) Not applicable.

Item 6. CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS, OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT
TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.

Except as set forth above, none of Monarch, the Fund or to the best
knowledge of Monarch and the Fund, any of the directors, executive officers,
general partners or any person controlling Monarch or the Fund listed on
Annex A hereto has any contracts, arrangements, understandings, or
relationships (legal or otherwise), with any person with respect to any
securities of SCB, including, but not limited to, transfer or voting of any
securities of SCB, finder's fees, joint ventures, loan or option agreements,
put or calls, guarantees of profits, division of profits or loss, or the
giving or withholding of proxies.

Item 7. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.

Copies of the Merger Agreement and the Option Agreement are filed as
exhibits to this Schedule 13D and are incorporated herein by reference. The
summary descriptions of such documents set forth above are not intended to be
complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to such exhibits.

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<PAGE>

SIGNATURES

After reasonable inquiry and to the best knowledge and belief of each of
the undersigned, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set
forth in this statement is true, complete, and correct.

Dated: May 9, 1997 MONARCH BANCORP

By: /s/ Matthew P. Wagner
--------------------------
Name: Matthew P. Wagner
Title: President

CASTLE CREEK CAPITAL PARTNERS FUND-I L.P.
By: CASTLE CREEK CAPITAL, L.L.C.
General Partner
By: EGGEMEYER ADVISORY CORP.
Member

By: /s/ John M. Eggemeyer, III
------------------------------
Name: John M. Eggemeyer, III
Title: President

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<PAGE>

ANNEX A

INFORMATION ON DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS, GENERAL PARTNERS AND CONTROL PERSONS

The name, business address, present principal occupation, or employment
and the name, principal business, and address of any corporation or other
organization in which such employment is conducted, of each of the directors
and executive officers of Monarch, the General Partner of the Fund and persons
controlling Monarch or the Fund, are set forth below. Unless otherwise
specified, the persons listed below do not beneficially own any shares of SCB
Common Stock.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal Occupation, Shares of
if other than as an SCB Common
Name and Position with Executive Officer or Stock Owned
Business Address Monarch Director of Monarch Beneficially
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S> <C> <C> <C>
Rice E. Brown Director Owner and President None
27127 Calle Arroyo of Rice Brown
Suite 1907 Financial Services
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92672

Joseph J. Digange Director and Chairman, None
1251 Westwood Blvd. Western Bank*
Los Angeles, CA 90024

John M. Eggemeyer Director President of Belle Plaine None
4370 La Jolla Village Dr. Financial, L.L.C., Belle Plaine
Suite 400 Partners, Inc. and Castle
San Diego, CA 92122 Creek Capital, L.L.C.

Arnold C. Hahn Executive Vice President, None
30000 Town Center Dr. Chief Financial Officer
Laguna Beach, CA 92667 and Secretary

B. Scott Hardt Executive Vice President None
1251 Westwood Blvd. and Chief Credit Officer
Los Angeles, CA 90024

John W. Rose Director Executive Vice President, None
FNB Corporation FNB Corporation
Hermitage Square
Hermitage, PA 16148

Hugh S. Smith, Jr. Director, Chairman and None
1251 Westwood Blvd. Chief Executive Officer
Los Angeles, CA 90024

Matthew P. Wagner Director and President; None
1251 Westwood Blvd. President and Chief Executive
Los Angeles, CA 90024 Officer of Western Bank

</TABLE>

- --------------------------------

* Western Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Monarch.

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<PAGE>

<TABLE>
Principal Occupation, Shares of
if other than as an SCB Common
Name and Position with Executive Officer or Stock Owned
Business Address Monarch Director of Monarch Beneficially
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S> <C> <C> <C>
Dale E. Walter Director Operates a wholesale golf None
50855 Washington Square travel company
Suite C-211
La Quinta, CA 92253

Castle Creek Capital Partners None Limited partnership formed 550,048
Fund-I L.P. to invest in depository
4370 La Jolla Village Dr. institutions and financial
Suite 400 service companies
San Diego, CA 92122

Castle Creek Capital, L.L.C. None General partner of Castle 5,500*
4370 La Jolla Village Dr. Creek Capital Partners
Suite 400 Fund-I L.P.
San Diego, CA 92122

Eggemeyer Advisory Corp. None Member of Castle Creek Capital, 2,750**
4370 La Jolla Village Dr. L.L.C.
Suite 400
San Diego, CA 92122

</TABLE>

* General Partner, the sole general partner of the Fund, holds a one
percent interest in the Fund, in virtue of which General Partner is
deemed indirectly to own beneficially 5,500 shares of SC Bancorp Common
Stock. General Partner expressly disclaims any beneficial ownership of
such shares of SCB Common Stock.

** EAC, the controlling member of General Partner, holds a 50 percent
interest in General Partner, in virtue of which EAC is deemed indirectly
to own beneficially 2,750 shares of SC Bancorp Common Stock. EAC
expressly disclaims any beneficial ownership of such shares of SCB
Common Stock.

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<PAGE>

EXHIBIT INDEX

Sequential
Exhibit Description Page No.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
99.1 Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization, dated as of the
29th day of April 1997, between
Monarch Bancorp ("Monarch") and
SC Bancorp ("SCB").

99.2 Stock Option Agreement, dated as
of the 29th day of April 1997,
between Monarch and SCB.

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<PAGE>

EXHIBIT A

<PAGE>

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

BY AND BETWEEN

MONARCH BANCORP

AND

SC BANCORP

Dated as of April 29, 1997

<PAGE>

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE
----

ARTICLE I THE MERGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1 The Merger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2 Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.3 Directors and Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

ARTICLE II CONVERSION OF SHARES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.1 Conversion of SCB Common Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.2 Exchange Procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.3 Dividends, Etc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.4 Dissenting Shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

ARTICLE III THE CLOSING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.1 Closing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.2 Documents to be Delivered. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SCB. . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4.1 Corporate Organization; Authority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4.2 Capitalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4.3 Subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.4 Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.5 Reports; Regulatory Agencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.6 Approvals; No Violations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.7 Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.8 Title to Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.9 Absence of Pending Claims or Litigation. . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.10 Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.11 Compliance with Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.12 Absence of Regulatory Actions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.13 Performance of Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.14 Employees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.15 Brokers and Finders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.16 Absence of Material Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.17 Environmental. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.18 Employee Benefit Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4.19 Statements True and Correct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.20 Insider Loans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.21 Community Reinvestment Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.22 Knowledge as to Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.23 Allowance for Possible Loan Losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

<PAGE>

PAGE
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4.24 Trust Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.25 Derivatives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR . . . . . . . . . 19
5.1 Corporate Organization; Authority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.2 Capitalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.3 Subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
5.4 Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
5.5 Reports; Regulatory Agencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
5.6 Approvals; No Violations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
5.7 Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5.8 Title to Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
5.9 Absence of Pending Claims or Litigation. . . . . . . . . . . 22
5.10 Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
5.11 Compliance with Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5.12 Absence of Regulatory Actions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5.13 Performance of Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5.14 Employees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5.15 Brokers and Finders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
5.16 Absence of Material Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
5.17 Environmental. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
5.18 Employee Benefit Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
5.19 Statements True and Correct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5.20 Insider Loans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
5.21 Community Reinvestment Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
5.22 Knowledge as to Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
5.23 Allowance for Possible Loan Losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
5.24 Trust Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
5.25 Derivatives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
5.26 Capital Stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
5.27 Pooling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

ARTICLE VI COVENANTS OF SCB PENDING EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE
MERGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
6.1 Forbearance by SCB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
6.2 Conduct of SCB's Business Prior to the Effective Time. . . . 32
6.3 SCB Shareholder's Meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
6.4 Coordination of Dividends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
6.5 Shareholder Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
6.6 Acquisition Proposals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
6.7 Attendance at Certain Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

<PAGE>

PAGE
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ARTICLE VII COVENANTS OF ACQUIROR PENDING EFFECTIVE TIME OF
THE MERGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
7.1 Forbearance by Acquiror. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
7.2 Conduct of Acquiror's Business Prior to the Effective Time . 34
7.3 Acquiror Shareholders' Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
7.4 Indemnification of Directors and Officers. . . . . . . . . . 35
7.5 Combined Financial Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
7.6 Opportunities for SCB Employees to Obtain Information
Concerning Employment Positions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

ARTICLE VIII ADDITIONAL COVENANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
8.1 Registration Statement/Joint Proxy Statement . . . . . . . . 36
8.2 Certain Filings, Consents and Arrangements . . . . . . . . . 37
8.3 Access to Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
8.4 Notices; Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
8.5 Additional Agreements; Parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
8.6 Publicity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
8.7 Pre-Closing Adjustments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
8.8 Director Resignations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
8.9 Securities Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
8.10 Stock Exchange Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
8.11 Employee Benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
8.12 Tax-Free Reorganization Treatment; Pooling . . . . . . . . . 41

ARTICLE IX CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF SCB . . . . . . . 41
9.1 Conditions to SCB's Obligations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

ARTICLE X CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF ACQUIROR. . . . . . . 43
10.1 Conditions to Acquiror's Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

ARTICLE XI TERMINATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
11.1 Termination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
11.2 Effect of Termination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
12.1 Interpretations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
12.2 Survival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
12.3 Waiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
12.4 Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
12.5 Governing Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
12.6 Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

iii

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PAGE
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12.7 Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
12.8 Entire Agreement; Etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
12.9 Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

<PAGE>

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (the "AGREEMENT") is made
and entered into as of April 29, 1997, by and between Monarch Bancorp, a
California corporation ("ACQUIROR"), and SC Bancorp, a California corporation
("SCB").

R E C I T A L S:

WHEREAS, Acquiror and SCB desire to effect a merger whereby SCB shall
merge with and into Acquiror (the "MERGER") in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement;

WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of Acquiror and SCB
believe that the proposed Merger, on the terms and conditions set forth herein,
is in the best interests of their respective corporations and shareholders;

WHEREAS, Acquiror and SCB desire to make certain representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement;

WHEREAS, it is the intention of the parties hereto that the Merger (i)
for federal income tax purposes shall qualify as a "reorganization" within the
meaning of Section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"CODE") and (ii) for accounting purposes shall qualify as a "pooling of
interests"; and

WHEREAS, concurrently herewith, SCB and Acquiror are entering into a
Stock Option Agreement, to be dated as of the date hereof, whereby SCB will
grant to Acquiror the option to purchase up to 19.9% of the outstanding SCB
Common Stock (as defined below) upon the occurrence of certain events;

NOW, THEREFORE, on the basis of the foregoing recitals and in
consideration of the mutual representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements contained herein, Acquiror and SCB hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

THE MERGER

1.1 THE MERGER. The Merger shall become effective (the "EFFECTIVE
TIME") upon the filing of an agreement of merger with the California Secretary
of State in accordance with the provisions of the California General Corporation
Law (the "CGCL"). At the Effective Time, SCB shall be merged with and into
Acquiror with Acquiror being

<PAGE>

the surviving corporation (the "SURVIVING CORPORATION"), pursuant to the
provisions of, and with the effect provided in, the CGCL. The separate
corporate existence of SCB shall thereupon cease.

1.2 ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS. (a) The articles of
incorporation of Acquiror as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall be the articles of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation immediately
after the Effective Time.

(b) The bylaws of Acquiror as in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation immediately
after the Effective Time.

1.3 DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. (a) The directors of Acquiror immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation
as of the Effective Time and until their successors are duly appointed or
elected in accordance with applicable law.

(b) The officers of Acquiror immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation as of the Effective Time
until their successors are duly appointed or elected in accordance with
applicable law.

ARTICLE II

CONVERSION OF SHARES

2.1 CONVERSION OF SCB COMMON STOCK. (a) At the Effective Time, each
share of common stock, no par value, of SCB (the "SCB COMMON STOCK"), which is
held in the treasury of SCB and each share of SCB Common Stock owned by Acquiror
or any subsidiary of Acquiror immediately prior to the Effective Time (other
than shares held in a fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of a debt previously
contracted) shall, by virtue of the Merger, cease to be outstanding and shall be
canceled and retired without payment of any consideration therefor.

(b) Subject to Sections 2.1(a), 2.3 and 2.4, each issued and
outstanding share of SCB Common Stock shall, at the Effective Time, be converted
into that number of shares of common stock, no par value, of Acquiror ("ACQUIROR
COMMON STOCK"), equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) $14.25 by (ii)
the Average Price. As used herein, "AVERAGE PRICE" shall mean the volume
weighted average sales price per share of Acquiror Common Stock for each of the
twenty (20) consecutive days (the "DETERMINATION PERIOD") on which shares of
Acquiror Common Stock are actually traded (each, a "TRADING DAY") immediately
preceding the Regulatory Approval Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the first
Trading Day of the Determination Period would occur on or prior to the tenth
Trading Day after the CCB Closing Date, then the Determination Period shall be
the twenty (20) consecutive Trading Days immediately following the

<PAGE>

tenth Trading Day after the CCB Closing Date; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that if the
Average Price as so computed would be less than $2.75, then the Average Price
shall be $2.75; and PROVIDED FURTHER, that if the Average Price as so computed
would be greater than $3.75, then the Average Price shall be $3.75.

If Acquiror effects a stock dividend, reclassification,
recapitalization, stock split, combination, exchange of shares or similar
transaction after the date hereof and prior to the Effective Time, the
provisions of this Section 2.1(b) shall be appropriately adjusted. The shares
of Acquiror Common Stock into which SCB Common Stock shall be converted pursuant
to this Section 2.1(b), together with the cash in lieu of fractional shares to
be paid pursuant to Section 2.1(e), are collectively sometimes referred to
herein as the "MERGER CONSIDERATION". For purposes of determining the "volume
weighted average", the aggregate of the Daily Sales for each of the twenty (20)
consecutive Trading Days used in the determination of Average Price shall be
divided by the aggregate number of shares traded during such twenty (20)
consecutive Trading Days.

As used herein, "CCB CLOSING DATE" means the date on which the merger
of California Commercial Bankshares with and into Acquiror shall have become
effective under the CGCL, "DAILY SALES" means the reported sales prices of
Acquiror Common Stock traded on the Nasdaq National Market on a particular
Trading Day and "REGULATORY APPROVAL DATE" means the date which is the later to
occur of approval by (i) the Board of Governors of The Federal Reserve System
pursuant to Section 3 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and
(ii) the California Superintendent of Banks pursuant to Section 700 et seq. of
the California Financial Code.

(c) As a result of the Merger and without any action on the part of
the holder thereof, at the Effective Time all shares of SCB Common Stock shall
cease to be outstanding and shall be canceled and retired and shall cease to
exist, and each holder of shares of SCB Common Stock shall thereafter cease to
have any rights with respect to such shares of SCB Common Stock, except the
right to receive, without interest, such holder's pro rata portion of the Merger
Consideration upon the surrender of a certificate representing such shares of
SCB Common Stock (a "CERTIFICATE").

(d) At the Effective Time, each option or right to purchase shares of
SCB Common Stock (an "OPTION") outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any further action on the part
of SCB or the holder of any such Option, in settlement thereof, be converted
into the right to receive for each share otherwise issuable upon exercise
thereof a number of shares of Acquiror Common Stock equal to the quotient
obtained by dividing the Spread by the Average Price. As used herein, "SPREAD"
means the difference, if positive, obtained by subtracting the exercise price of
such Option from $14.25.

(e) No fractional shares of Acquiror Common Stock shall be issued
pursuant hereto. In lieu of the issuance of any fractional share of Acquiror
Common

<PAGE>

Stock pursuant to Section 2.1(b) hereof, cash adjustments will be paid to
holders in respect of any fractional share of Acquiror Common Stock that would
otherwise be issuable. The amount of such cash adjustment shall be equal to
such fractional proportion of the Average Price.

2.2 EXCHANGE PROCEDURES. (a) As of the Effective Time, Acquiror shall
deposit, or shall cause to be deposited, with such bank or trust company as
Acquiror shall elect (which may be a subsidiary of Acquiror) and is reasonably
acceptable to SCB (the "EXCHANGE AGENT"), for the benefit of the holders of SCB
Common Stock for exchange in accordance with this Article II, certificates
("ACQUIROR CERTIFICATES") representing the shares of Acquiror's Common Stock and
cash in lieu of fractional shares to be exchanged pursuant to this Article II
for outstanding shares of SCB Common Stock.

(b) As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, the
Exchange Agent shall mail to each holder of record of SCB Common Stock
immediately prior to the Effective Time (excluding any shares of SCB Common
Stock which will be canceled pursuant to Section 2.1(a) or Dissenting Shares)
(A) a letter of transmittal (the "LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL") (which shall specify
that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates
shall pass, only upon delivery of such Certificates to the Exchange Agent and
shall be in such form and have such other provisions as Acquiror shall specify),
(B) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in
exchange for the Merger Consideration with respect to the shares of SCB Common
Stock formerly represented thereby, and (C) in the case of holders of more than
five percent of SCB Common Stock at the Effective Time, the letter referred to
in Section 8.9(b) hereof.

(c) Upon surrender of a Certificate for cancellation to the Exchange
Agent, together with the Letter of Transmittal, duly executed, and such other
documents as Acquiror or the Exchange Agent shall reasonably request, the holder
of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive promptly in exchange therefor
(A) an Acquiror Certificate representing that number of shares of Acquiror
Common Stock which such holder has the right to receive pursuant to this Article
II, and (B) a check representing the amount of cash in lieu of any fractional
shares and unpaid dividends and distributions, if any, which such holder has the
right to receive in respect of the Certificate surrendered pursuant to the
provisions hereof, and the Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be
canceled. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.2, each
Certificate shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to represent
only the right to receive the Merger Consideration with respect to the shares of
SCB Common Stock formerly represented thereby.

(d) Acquiror shall have the right to make rules, not inconsistent
with the terms of this Agreement, governing the issuance and delivery of
Acquiror Certificates into which shares of SCB Common Stock are converted in the
Merger.

<PAGE>

2.3 DIVIDENDS, ETC. (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
Agreement, no dividends or other distributions declared after the Effective Time
on Acquiror Common Stock shall be paid with respect to any shares of SCB Common
Stock represented by a Certificate until such Certificate is surrendered for
exchange as provided herein. Following surrender of any such Certificate, there
shall be paid to the holder of the Acquiror Certificates issued in exchange
therefor, without interest, (i) at the time of such surrender, the amount of
dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time
theretofore payable with respect to such whole shares of Acquiror Common Stock
and not paid, less the amount of any withholding taxes which may be required
thereon, and (ii) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or
other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time but prior to
surrender and a payment date subsequent to surrender payable with respect to
such whole shares of Acquiror Common Stock, less the amount of any withholding
taxes which may be required thereon.

(b) At or after the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on
the stock transfer books of SCB of the shares of SCB Common Stock which were
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective
Time, Certificates representing any such shares are presented to the Surviving
Corporation, they shall be canceled and exchanged for Certificates for the
consideration, if any, deliverable in respect thereof pursuant to this Agreement
in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article II. Certificates
surrendered for exchange by any person constituting an "affiliate" of the
Company for purposes of Rule 145(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "SECURITIES ACT"), shall not be exchanged until the Acquiror has received a
written agreement from such person pursuant to Section 8.9 hereof.

(c) Any portion of the aggregate Merger Consideration (including the
proceeds of any investments thereof and any shares of Acquiror Common Stock)
that remains unclaimed by the former shareholders of the Acquiror and SCB six
months after the Effective Time shall be delivered to the Acquiror. Any former
shareholders of SCB who have not theretofore complied with this Article II shall
thereafter look only to the Surviving Corporation for payment of the Merger
Consideration, cash in lieu of fractional shares and unpaid dividends and
distributions on the Acquiror Common Stock deliverable in respect of each share
of SCB Common Stock such shareholder holds as determined pursuant to this
Agreement, in each case, without any interest thereon.

(d) None of SCB, Acquiror, the Surviving Corporation, the Exchange
Agent or any other person shall be liable to any former holder of shares of SCB
Common Stock for any amount properly delivered to a public official pursuant to
applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar laws.

(e) In the event that any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or
destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming
such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by Acquiror,
the posting by

<PAGE>

such person of a bond in such reasonable amount as Acquiror may direct as
indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such
Certificate, the Exchange Agent will issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or
destroyed Certificate the Merger Consideration, cash in lieu of fractional
shares, and unpaid dividends and distributions on shares of Acquiror Common
Stock as provided in Section 2.3(a), deliverable in respect thereof pursuant to
this Agreement.

2.4 DISSENTING SHARES. Notwithstanding anything in Section 2.1 to the
contrary, shares of SCB Common Stock which are issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time and which are held by shareholders who
have not voted such shares in favor of the Merger and who shall have properly
perfected their dissenters' rights ("DISSENTERS' RIGHTS") in the manner provided
by Chapter 13 of CGCL (the "DISSENTING SHARES") shall not be converted into or
be exchangeable for the right to receive the Merger Consideration, unless and
until such holder shall have failed to perfect or shall have effectively
withdrawn or lost his/her Dissenters' Rights. If such holder shall have so
failed to perfect or shall have effectively withdrawn or lost such right,
his/her shares shall thereupon be deemed to have been converted into and to have
become exchangeable for, at the Effective Time, the right to receive the Merger
Consideration, without any interest thereon.

ARTICLE III

THE CLOSING

3.1 CLOSING. The closing of the Merger (the "CLOSING") shall take
place on the last business day of the calendar month that occurs after the last
to occur of the expiration of all applicable waiting periods in connection with
approvals of governmental authorities, the receipt of all approvals of
governmental authorities and the satisfaction of each of the conditions set
forth in Articles IX and X (the "CLOSING DATE"). The Closing will be conducted
at 333 South Hope Street, 30th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90071 or such
other location as the parties may agree.

3.2 DOCUMENTS TO BE DELIVERED. At the Closing, the parties hereto
shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, such documents or certificates as may
be necessary, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for any of the parties, to
effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. From and after the
Effective Time, each of the parties hereto hereby covenants and agrees, without
the necessity of any further consideration whatsoever, to execute, acknowledge
and deliver any and all other documents and instruments and take any and all
such other action as may be reasonably necessary or desirable to effectuate the
transactions set forth herein or contemplated hereby, and the officers and
directors of the parties hereto shall execute and deliver, or cause to be
executed and delivered, all such documents as may reasonably be required to
effectuate such transactions.

<PAGE>

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SCB

As of the date hereof and on the Closing Date, SCB represents and
warrants to Acquiror, except as to the matters disclosed in a letter of SCB
delivered to Acquiror on or prior to the date hereof (the "SCB DISCLOSURE
LETTER") or in the SCB Reports (as defined in Section 4.4) on or prior to the
date hereof, as follows:

4.1 CORPORATE ORGANIZATION; AUTHORITY. SCB is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
California and is a registered bank holding company under the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHC ACT"). Southern California Bank ("SC
BANK") is a California state-chartered bank duly organized, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of the State of California. SC Bank is a member
of the Bank Insurance Fund of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Each
of SCB and SC Bank has the power and authority, and is duly qualified in all
jurisdictions where such qualification is required (except for such
qualifications the absence of which, individually or in the aggregate, would not
have a material adverse effect upon the business, financial condition or results
of operations of SCB and SC Bank, taken as a whole (a "MATERIAL ADVERSE
EFFECT")) to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to own all
of its material properties and assets. SCB and SC Bank have all federal, state,
local and foreign governmental authorizations, permits, licenses approvals and
orders necessary for each to own or lease its properties and assets and to carry
on its business as it is now being conducted (all of which are in full force and
effect), except where the absence of which, either individually or in the
aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.2 CAPITALIZATION. (a) As of the date hereof, SCB is authorized to
issue 20,000,000 shares of SCB Common Stock, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, no par value ("SCB PREFERRED STOCK"), and is not authorized to issue any
other class or series of capital stock, or any other securities giving the
holder thereof the right to vote on any matters on which shareholders of SCB can
vote. As of the date hereof, 7,492,715 shares of SCB Common Stock are issued
and outstanding and no shares of SCB Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding.
All outstanding shares of capital stock of SCB are duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are not subject to preemptive rights.
There are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights in or with respect to
the unissued shares of SCB Common Stock or any other securities convertible into
such stock, and SCB is not obligated to issue any additional shares of its
common stock or any options, warrants or other rights in or with respect to the
unissued shares of its common stock or any other securities convertible into
such stock.

(b) As of the date hereof, SC Bank is authorized to issue 1,028,286
shares of common stock, par value $10.00 per share ("SC BANK COMMON STOCK"), of
which 493,759 shares are outstanding and all of which SCB owns of record and

<PAGE>

beneficially. All the outstanding shares of SC Bank Common Stock are duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable (except for assessments
that may be made by order of the State Superintendent of Banks pursuant to
Section 662 of the California Financial Code) and are not subject to preemptive
rights. There are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights in or with
respect to the unissued shares of SC Bank Common Stock or any other securities
convertible into such stock, and SC Bank is not obligated to issue any
additional shares of its common stock or any options, warrants or other rights
in or with respect to the unissued shares of its common stock or any other
securities convertible into such stock.

4.3 SUBSIDIARIES. SC Bank is SCB's only subsidiary, and is wholly
owned by SCB. SCB does not own, directly or indirectly, any equity portion or
voting interest in any other corporation, partnership or other entity, except as
received in satisfaction of a debt previously contracted in good faith.

4.4 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. As of their respective dates, neither
SCB's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996
(the "SCB 1996 10-K"), nor any other document filed or to be filed prior to the
Effective Time subsequent to December 31, 1996 under Section 13(a), 13(d), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act, each in the form (including exhibits) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "COMMISSION") and as amended
(collectively, including any related notes and schedules, the "SCB REPORTS"),
contained or will contain at the time of filing 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 made therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading. Each of the balance sheets or
statements of condition contained or incorporated by reference in the SCB
Reports fairly presents the results of operations, retained earnings and cash
flows, as the case may be, of the entity or entities to which it relates for the
periods set forth therein (subject, in the case of unaudited interim statements,
to normal year-end audit adjustments that are not material in amount or effect),
in each case in accordance with the published rules and regulations of the
Commission and generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), consistently
applied and applicable to banks during the periods involved, except as may be
noted therein. The books and records of SCB and SC Bank have been, and are
being, maintained in all material respects in accordance with GAAP.

4.5 REPORTS; REGULATORY AGENCIES. Each of SCB and SC Bank has timely
filed all material reports, registrations and statements, together with any
amendments required to be made with respect thereto, that it was required to
file since January 1, 1992 with (i) any state regulatory authority, (ii) the
Commission, (iii) the Federal Reserve, (iv) the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation and (v) any self-regulatory organization (collectively,
"GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES") and has paid all fees and assessments due and
payable in connection therewith. Except for normal examinations conducted by a
Governmental Authority in the regular course of the business of SCB, no
Governmental

<PAGE>

Authority has initiated any proceeding or, to the best knowledge of SCB,
investigation, into the business or operations of SCB since January 1, 1992.

4.6 APPROVALS; NO VIOLATIONS. (a) The execution by SCB of this
Agreement has been authorized by all necessary corporate action, including, but
not limited to, a vote by its board of directors (which approval includes a
resolution recommending that this Agreement and the Merger be approved by the
shareholders of SCB) subject to adoption of this Agreement by the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of SCB. Subject to
shareholder approval and to receipt of required approvals, consents or waivers
of Governmental Authorities referred to in Sections 9.1(c) and 10.1(c) hereof,
this Agreement, so long as a valid and binding agreement of Acquiror, is a valid
and binding agreement of SCB, enforceable against it in accordance with its
terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors' rights (including those of federally insured financial institutions)
and general equitable principles, regardless of whether such enforcement is
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

(b) The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of
SCB Common Stock entitled to vote on this Agreement is the only shareholder vote
required by SCB for approval of the Agreement and consummation of the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated hereby.

(c) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by SCB
do not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by SCB will
not, (i) constitute a breach or violation of, or a default under, any law, rule
or regulation or any judgment, decree, order, governmental permit or license to
which SCB or SC Bank (or any of their respective properties) is subject, or
enable any person to enjoin the Merger or the other transactions contemplated
hereby, (ii) constitute a breach or violation of, or a default under, the
articles of incorporation or bylaws of SCB or SC Bank or (iii) constitute a
breach or violation of, or a default under (or an event which with due notice or
lapse of time or both would constitute a default under), or result in the
termination of, accelerate the performance required by, or result in the
creation of any lien, pledge, security interest, charge or other encumbrance
upon any of the properties or assets of SCB or SC Bank under, any of the terms,
conditions or provisions of any note, bond, indenture, deed of trust, loan
agreement or other agreement, instrument or obligation to which SCB or SC Bank
is a party, or to which any of their respective properties or assets may be
bound or affected; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that this clause (iii) shall not apply to
any breach, violation or default of any such agreement, instrument or obligation
which involves payments to or by SCB or SC Bank of an amount not exceeding
$25,000 per year; and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
will not require any approval, consent or waiver under any such law, rule,
regulation, judgment, decree, order, governmental permit or license or the
approval, consent or waiver of any other party to any such agreement, indenture
or instrument, other than (i) the required

<PAGE>

approvals, consents and waivers of Governmental Authorities referred to in
Sections 9.1(c) and 10.1(c), (ii) any such approval, consent or waiver that
already has been obtained, and (iii) any other approvals consents or waivers the
absence of which, individually or in the aggregate, would not result in a
Material Adverse Effect or enable any person to enjoin the Merger.

4.7 INSURANCE. SCB and SC Bank have in effect policies of insurance
with respect to their assets and business against such casualties and
contingencies and in such types and forms as in the judgment of its management
are appropriate for its business, operations, properties and assets. SCB has
made available to Acquiror copies of all policies of insurance and bonds carried
and owned by SCB or SC Bank as of the date hereof, which copies are complete and
accurate in all material respects. Neither SCB nor SC Bank is in default under
any such policy of insurance or bond such that it is reasonably likely to be
canceled. No notice of cancellation or material amendments has been received
with respect to existing material policies and no coverage thereunder with
respect to any material claims is being disputed.

4.8 TITLE TO ASSETS. SCB and SC Bank each has good and marketable
title to all of its material properties and assets (other than (i) property as
to which it is lessee and (ii) real estate owned as a result of foreclosure,
transfer in lieu of foreclosure or other transfer in satisfaction of a debtor's
obligation previously contracted), including, without limitation, all personal
and intangible properties reflected in the audited financial statements included
in the SCB 1996 10-K, or acquired subsequently thereto, subject to no liens,
mortgages, security interests, encumbrances or charges of any kind except (1) as
noted in the audited financial statements included in the SCB 1996 10-K, (2)
statutory liens not yet delinquent which are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings, and liens for taxes not yet due, (3) pledges of assets
in the ordinary course of business to secure public deposits, (4) for those
assets and properties disposed of for fair value in the ordinary course of
business since the date of the SCB 1996 10-K, (5) defect and irregularities of
title and encumbrances that do not materially impair the use thereof for the
purpose for which they are held, and (6) any other liens, mortgages, security
interests, encumbrances or charges of any kind, which individually do not exceed
$100,000 in amount. Without limiting the above, SCB and SC Bank own or possess
valid and binding licenses or other rights to use without material payment all
material copyrights, trade secrets, trade names, service marks, logos and
trademarks used in their respective business, and has not received any notice of
conflicts with respect thereto that asserts the rights of others.

4.9 ABSENCE OF PENDING CLAIMS OR LITIGATION. No legal,
administrative, arbitration or other proceedings, claims, actions or
governmental or regulatory investigations of any nature are pending or, to SCB's
knowledge, threatened, against SCB which are reasonably likely, individually or
in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect or materially to hinder or
delay consummation of the Merger. SCB is not in default with respect to any
material judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree, regulatory

<PAGE>

restriction or award of any court, arbitrator or governmental agency, authority
or instrumentality.

4.10 TAXES. SCB and all of its current or former subsidiaries and
their predecessors have or will have, timely filed all Tax Returns required to
have been filed by them at or prior to the Effective Time (taking into account
valid extensions), and all such returns and reports are correct and complete in
all material respects. As used herein, "TAX RETURNS" shall mean any return,
declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or statement
relating to or required to be filed in connection with any Taxes (as such term
is defined below), including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including
any amendment thereof. SCB has delivered or made available to Acquiror true and
complete copies of all such Tax Returns for 1994, 1995 and 1996. All federal,
state, local, or foreign income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment,
excise, severance, stamp, business, occupation, premium, windfall profits,
environmental (including taxes under Section 59A of the Code), customs duties,
capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding, social security (or similar),
unemployment, workers' compensation, disability, Pension Guarantee Benefit
Corporation premium, real property, personal property, ad valorem, sales, use,
transfer, conveyance, registration, value added, alternative or add-on minimum,
estimated, or other taxes, or assessments in the nature of taxes, of any kind
whatsoever and however denominated, including any interest, penalty, or addition
thereto, whether disputed or not ("TAXES"), due, or required to be withheld and
paid over as of the date hereof as shown on such returns have been paid or
accrued. SCB has not requested any extension of time within which to file a
return or report that has not since been timely filed. No material deficiency
in any Taxes, assessments or governmental charges has been proposed, asserted or
assessed against SCB that has not been settled and paid. No extension of the
time within which any tax may be assessed is in effect or pending. SCB has no
liability for taxes, including employment taxes, of any other person under
Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6, as a transferee or successor, or
otherwise. SCB has not made, nor is it obligated to make, nor is it a party to
any agreement that could reasonably be expected to obligate it to make, any
payments that are not deductible pursuant to Code Section 280G.

4.11 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Neither SCB nor SC Bank is in violation in
respect of any federal, state or local laws, rules, regulations or orders
applicable to it or by which its properties may be bound, except such violations
as would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.12 ABSENCE OF REGULATORY ACTIONS. Neither SCB nor SC Bank is a
party to any cease and desist order, written agreement or memorandum of
understanding with, or a party to any commitment letter or similar undertaking
to, or is subject to any order or directive by, or is a recipient of any
extraordinary supervisory letter from, or has adopted any board resolutions at
the request of, federal or state Governmental Authorities charged with the
supervision or regulation of depository institutions or depository institution
holding companies or engaged in the insurance of bank and/or

<PAGE>

savings and loan deposits ("GOVERNMENT REGULATORS"), nor has it been advised by
any Government Regulator that it is contemplating issuing or requesting (or is
considering the appropriateness of issuing or requesting) any such order,
directive, written agreement, memorandum of understanding, extraordinary
supervisory letter, commitment letter, board resolutions or similar undertaking.

4.13 PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS. Each of SCB and SC Bank has
performed in all material respects all of the obligations required to be
performed by it to date, and is not in material default under, or in material
breach of, any term or provision of any contract, lease, indenture or any other
agreement to which it 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 default or breach.

4.14 EMPLOYEES. (a) Neither SCB nor SC Bank is party to, or is bound
by, any collective bargaining agreement, contract, or other agreement or
understanding with a labor organization, nor is any of them the subject of any
proceeding asserting that it has committed an unfair labor practice or seeking
to compel it to bargain with any labor organization as to wages and conditions
of employment, nor is there any strike or labor dispute involving SCB or SC
Bank.

(b) SCB is not a party to an oral or written (i) consultant
agreement, not terminable on 90 days' or less notice and involving the payment
of more than $50,000 per annum, (ii) agreement with any executive officer or
other key employee, the benefits of which are contingent, or the terms of which
are materially altered, upon the occurrence of a transaction involving it of the
nature contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) agreement with or with respect to
any executive officer providing any term of employment or compensation guarantee
extending for a period longer than six months, (iv) agreement or plan, any of
the benefits of which will be increased, or the vesting of the benefits of which
will be accelerated, by the occurrence of the Merger or the value of any of the
benefits of which will be calculated on the basis of the Merger, or (v)
agreement containing covenants that limit the ability of SCB or SC Bank to
compete in any line of business or with any person or that involve any
restriction on the geographic area in which or method by which SCB (including
any successor thereof) or SC Bank (including any successor thereof) may carry on
its business (other than as may be required by law or any regulatory agency).

4.15 BROKERS AND FINDERS. Except for financial advisory services
performed for SCB by Credit Suisse First Boston pursuant to an agreement dated
February 25, 1997, a copy of which has been furnished to Acquiror, neither SCB
nor SC Bank nor any of its or their officers, directors, employees or agents,
has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any financial
advisory fees, brokerage fees, commissions or finder's fees in connection with
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

<PAGE>

4.16 ABSENCE OF MATERIAL CHANGE. Since December 31, 1996, the
businesses of SCB and SC Bank have been conducted only in the ordinary course,
substantially in the same manner as theretofore conducted and there has not
occurred: (i) any event that has had or may reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect; (ii) any amendment to the articles of incorporation or
bylaws of SCB or SC Bank; (iii) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any
dividend or any other distribution in respect of the capital stock of SCB other
than regular quarterly dividends; or (iv) any change by SCB or SC Bank in
accounting principles or methods or tax methods, except as required or permitted
by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or by any governmental agencies or
regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over SCB or SC Bank.

4.17 ENVIRONMENTAL. (a) All of the properties and operations of SCB
and SC Bank are in compliance in all material respects with all material
Environmental Laws (as defined below) applicable to such properties and
operations.

(b) Each of SCB and SC Bank has obtained all material permits,
licenses, and authorizations which are required for SCB's operations under
Environmental Laws.

(c) To SCB's knowledge, no Hazardous Substances (as defined below)
exist on, about, or within, or have been used, generated, stored, transported,
disposed of on, or released from, any of the properties of SCB or SC Bank except
in accordance in all material respects with Environmental Laws. Neither SCB nor
SC Bank has any knowledge that any prior owners, occupants or operators of any
such property or any other property in which it has a security interest, ever
deposited, disposed of, or allowed to be deposited or disposed of, in, on, or
under or handled or processed on, or released, emitted or discharged from, such
properties any Hazardous Materials except in accordance in all material respects
with Environmental Laws, or that any prior or present owners, occupants or
operators of any properties in which it holds a security interest, mortgage or
other lien or interest, deposited or disposed of, in, on or under or handled
and/or processed on, or released, emitted or discharged from, such properties
any Hazardous Material except in accordance in all material respects with
Environmental Laws. The use which each of SCB and SC Bank has made, makes and
intends to make of its properties will not result in the use, generation,
storage, transportation, accumulation, disposal or release of any Hazardous
Substance on, in, or from any of such properties except in accordance in all
material respects with applicable Environmental Laws.

(d) There is no action, suit, proceeding, investigation, or inquiry
before any court, administrative agency or other Governmental Authority pending,
or, to the knowledge of SCB or SC Bank, threatened against SCB or SC Bank
relating in any way to any violation of any applicable Environmental Law. To
the knowledge of SCB, neither SCB nor SC Bank has any material liability for
remedial action with respect to a violation of an Environmental Law. Neither
SCB nor SC Bank has received any written requests

<PAGE>

for information relating to any material violations of any Environmental Law
from any Governmental Authority with respect to the condition, use, or operation
of any of its properties nor has any of them received any notice from any
Governmental Authority or any written notice from any other person with respect
to any material violation of or material liability for any remedial action under
any Environmental Law.

(e) As used herein, the term "ENVIRONMENTAL LAW" means any and all
federal, state and local laws, regulations, and requirements pertaining to
health, safety and the environment, including, without limitation, the
Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, 42
U.S.C. Section 9601, ET SEQ. ("CERCLA"), the Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act of 1975, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901, ET SEQ. ("RCRA"), the Occupational Safety
and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. Section 651, ET SEQ. (as it relates to the use of, or
exposure to, Hazardous Substances), the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 7401,
ET SEQ., the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. Section 1251, ET SEQ., the Toxic
Substance Control Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 2601, ET SEQ., the
Carpenter-Presley-Tanner Hazardous Substance Account Act, as amended, Chapter
6.8 of the California Health and Safety Code, Section 25300, ET SEQ. and the
Hazardous Waste Control Law, Chapter 6.5 of the California Health and Safety
Code, Section 25100, ET SEQ. (the latter two statutes being referred to herein
as the "STATE ACTS"), and any and all regulations promulgated thereunder, and
all similar laws, regulations, and requirements of any Governmental Authority,
agency having jurisdiction over the environmental activities of SCB or SC Bank,
or of its or their properties, on the one hand, or of Acquiror, or of its
properties, on the other hand, as such laws, regulations, and requirements may
be in effect on the date hereof.

(f) As used in this Section, the term "PROPERTIES" shall include:
all real estate property now or previously owned or leased by SCB and SC Bank,
property as to which SCB or SC Bank holds any security interest, deed of trust,
mortgage or other lien, and any property to which SCB or SC Bank could be deemed
an "owner" or "operator" under any applicable Environmental Law.

(g) As used herein, the term "HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE" shall mean (A) any
"hazardous waste" as defined by CERCLA and the State Acts, as such acts are in
effect on the date hereof, any and all regulations promulgated thereunder; (B)
any "hazardous substance" as such term is defined by CERCLA; (C) any "regulated
substance" as defined by the State Acts; (D) asbestos requiring abatement,
removal or encapsulation pursuant to the requirements of Governmental
Authorities; (E) polychlorinated byphenyls; (F) petroleum products; (G)
"hazardous chemicals" or "extremely hazardous substances" in quantities
sufficient to require reporting, registration, notification and/or optional
treatment or handling under the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know
Act of 1986, as amended; (H) any "hazardous chemical" in levels that would
result in exposure greater than is allowed by permissible exposure limits
established pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970; (I) any
substance that requires reporting, registration, notification, removal,
abatement and/or special treatment, storage, handling or disposal, under
Sections 6, 7 and 8 of the Toxic Substance Control Act (15 U.S.C.

<PAGE>

Section 2601); (j) any toxic or hazardous chemical described in 29 C.F.R.
1910.1000-1047 in levels that would result in exposure greater than those
allowed by the permissible exposure limits pursuant to such regulations; and (K)
any (1) "hazardous waste," (2) "solid waste" capable of causing a "release or
threatened release" that present an "imminent and substantial endangerment" to
the public health and safety of the environment, (3) "solid waste" that is
capable of causing a "hazardous substance incident," (4) "solid waste" with
respect to which special requirements are imposed by applicable Governmental
Authorities upon the generation, transportation thereof as such terms are
defined and used within the meaning of the State Acts or (E) any "pollutant" or
"toxic pollutant" as such term is defined in the Federal Clean Water Act, 33
U.S.C. Sections 1251-1376, as amended, by Public Law 100-4, February 4, 1987,
and the regulations promulgated thereunder, including 40 C.F.R. Sections 122.1
and 122.26.

4.18 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. (a) A list of all SCB Employee Plans (as
hereinafter defined) is set forth in the SCB Disclosure Letter. SCB has
delivered or made available to Acquiror true and complete copies of the
following documents, as they may have been amended to the date hereof, embodying
or relating to SCB Employee Plans: Each of the SCB Employee Plans, including
all amendments thereto, any related trust agreements, insurance policies or any
funding agreements; the most recent determination letter from the IRS with
respect to each of the SCB Employee Plans; the actuarial evaluation, if any, for
the most recent plan year prepared for each of the SCB Employee Plans; and the
most recent annual return/report on IRS Forms 5500, 5500-C or 5500-R for each of
the SCB Employee Plans for which such report was prepared.

(b)(i) Each of the SCB Employee Plans has been administered in
substantial compliance with any applicable requirements of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA") and the Code.
There is no material pending or, to the knowledge of SCB, threatened litigation
relating to the SCB Employee Plans.

(ii) Each of the SCB Employee Plans for which SCB has claimed a
deduction under Code Section 404, as if such SCB Employee Plan were qualified
under Code Section 401(a), has received a favorable determination letter from
the IRS as to the tax qualification of such SCB Employee Plan with respect to
"TRA" (as defined in Section 1 of Rev. Proc. 93-39), and to the knowledge of SCB
such favorable determination has not been modified, revoked or limited by
failure to satisfy any condition thereof or by a subsequent amendment to, or
failure to amend, such SCB Employee Plan.

(iii) To SCB's knowledge, neither SCB nor SC Bank, nor any other
"disqualified person" or "party in interest" (as defined in Code Section 4975
and Section 3(14) of ERISA, respectively) with respect to an SCB Employee Plan
has engaged in any "prohibited transaction" (as defined in Code Section 4975 or
Sections 406 or 407 of ERISA) that could reasonably be expected to subject SCB
or SC Bank to any material tax, penalty or liability under Code Section 4975 or
Title I of ERISA.

<PAGE>

(iv) No SCB Employee Plan is a "multiple employer plan" within
the meaning of Code Section 413 or a "multiemployer plan" within the meaning of
Section 3(37) of ERISA and neither SCB nor SC Bank has contributed to a
multiemployer plan at any time on or after September 26, 1980.

(v) No liability under Subtitle C or D of Title IV of ERISA has
been or is expected to be incurred by SCB or SC Bank that has not been satisfied
with respect to any ongoing, frozen or terminated "single-employer plan", within
the meaning of Section 4001(a) (15) of ERISA, currently or formerly maintained
by either of them, or the single-employer plan maintained by any entity which is
considered one employer with SCB under Section 4001 of ERISA or Section 414 of
the Code (an "ERISA Affiliate") during the period of such affiliation, other
than with respect to PBGC premiums substantially all of which have been paid
when due. No notice of a "reportable event", within the meaning of Section 4043
of ERISA, for which the 30-day reporting requirement has not been waived, has
been required to be filed for any SCB Employee Plan or by any ERISA Affiliate
within the 12-month period ending on the date hereof or will be required to be
filed in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(vi) All contributions required to be made under the terms of any
SCB Employee Plan have been timely made or have been reflected on the balance
sheets or statements of condition contained or incorporated by reference in the
SCB Reports, to the extent required by GAAP. Neither any SCB Employee Plan nor
any single-employer plan of an ERISA Affiliate has an "accumulated funding
deficiency" (whether or not waived) within the meaning of Section 412 of the
Code or Section 302 of ERISA and no ERISA Affiliate has an outstanding funding
waiver. Neither SCB nor SC Bank has provided, or is required to provide,
security to any SCB Employee Plan or to any single-employer plan of an ERISA
Affiliate pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) of the Code.

(vii) Under each SCB Employee Plan which is a single-employer plan
(as defined above), as of the last day of the most recent plan year ended prior
to the date hereof, the actuarially determined present value of all "benefit
liabilities", within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA (as determined
on the basis of the actuarial assumptions contained in the Plan's most recent
actuarial valuation), did not exceed the then current value of the assets of
such Plan, and there has been no material change in the financial condition of
such Plan since the last day of the most recent plan year.

(viii) Continuation health care coverage requirements and notice
requirements under Code Section 4980B and Sections 601 through 608 of ERISA have
been satisfied in all material respects with respect to all current or prior
employees of SCB and SC Bank and any "qualified beneficiary" of any such
employees (within the meaning of Code Section 4980B(g)).

(ix) No SCB Employee Plan provides for retiree medical benefits.

<PAGE>

(x) Except as is specifically contemplated by this Agreement,
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not (x)
entitle any Employees of SCB or SC Bank to severance pay, (y) accelerate the
time of payment or vesting or trigger any payment of compensation or benefits
under, increase the amount payable or trigger any other material obligation
pursuant to, any of the Acquiror Employee Plans or (z) result in any breach or
violation of, or a default under, any of the SCB Employee Plans.

(c) For purposes hereof, the term "SCB EMPLOYEE PLAN" means any
"employee benefit plan" (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) as well as any
other written or formal plan or contract involving direct or indirect
compensation under which SCB or SC Bank has any present or future obligations or
liability on behalf of its employees or former employees or their dependents or
beneficiaries, including, but not limited to, each retirement, employee stock
ownership, cash or deferred, each other deferred or incentive compensation,
bonus, stock options, employee stock purchase, "phantom" stock or stock
appreciation rights plan, each other program providing payment or reimbursement
for or of medical, dental or visual care, counselling, or vacation, sick,
disability or severance pay and each other "fringe benefit" plan or arrangement.

4.19 STATEMENTS TRUE AND CORRECT. None of the information supplied or
to be supplied by or on behalf of SCB or SC Bank for inclusion in the
registration statement on Form S-4 or other appropriate form, or any amendments
or supplements thereto, to be filed with the Commission by Acquiror in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the
"REGISTRATION STATEMENT") or the proxy statement to be used by SCB and Acquiror
to solicit the approval of their respective shareholders as contemplated by this
Agreement (the "PROXY STATEMENT") or any other document to be filed with any
governmental agency or regulatory authority in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby will, in the case of the Proxy Statement or any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto, at the date it is mailed to shareholders of SCB
and Acquiror and at the time of the SCB shareholders' meeting described in
Section 6.3 hereof (the "SCB SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING") and at the time of the
Acquiror shareholders' meeting described in Section 7.3 hereof (the "ACQUIROR
SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING"), contain any untrue statement of a 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 were made, not misleading, or, in the case of the Registration Statement,
when it becomes effective, be false or misleading with respect to any material
fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein not misleading. SCB represents, warrants and agrees that
through the Effective Time of the Merger, each of the reports, registrations,
statements, applications and other filings filed by it or SC Bank with the
Commission, the Federal Reserve Board (the "FRB") or any other governmental
agency or regulatory authority will be filed on a timely basis, will comply in
all material respects with all of the applicable statutes, rules and regulations
enforced or promulgated by the governmental agency or regulatory authority with
which it will be filed and that the information contained therein will be

<PAGE>

true and correct in all material respects (and in the case of such filings with
the Commission will not 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). The representations and warranties made by SCB or SC Bank
hereby contain no statements of material fact which are untrue or misleading, or
omit to state any material fact which is necessary under the circumstances to
prevent the statements contained herein from being misleading.

4.20 INSIDER LOANS. SCB has previously provided Acquiror with a
listing, current as of March 31, 1997, of all extensions of credit made to SCB's
and SC Bank's executive officers and directors and their related interests (all
as defined under FRB Regulation "O"), all of which have been made in compliance
with Regulation O, which listing is true, correct and complete in all material
respects.

4.21 COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT. SC Bank received a rating of
"satisfactory" or better in its most recent examination or interim review with
respect to the Community Reinvestment Act. SC Bank has not been advised of any
supervisory concerns regarding SC Bank's compliance with the Community
Reinvestment Act.

4.22 KNOWLEDGE AS TO CONDITIONS. Each of SCB and SC Bank knows of no
reason why the approvals, consents and waivers of Governmental Authorities
referred to in Sections 9.1(c) and 10.1(c) should not be obtained without the
imposition of any condition of the type referred to in the provisos thereto.

4.23 ALLOWANCE FOR POSSIBLE LOAN LOSSES. To the best of SCB's and SC
Bank's knowledge, SC Bank's allowance for loan and lease losses is and will be
as of the Closing Date adequate and in accordance with GAAP in all material
respects and in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements.

4.24 TRUST ADMINISTRATION. Neither SCB nor SC Bank presently
exercises trust powers, including, but not limited to, trust administration, and
has not exercised such trust powers for a period of at least seven years prior
to the date hereof. The term "trusts" as used in this Section 4.24 includes
(i) any and all common law or other trusts between an individual, corporation or
other entities and SCB or SC Bank, as trustee or co-trustee, including, without
limitation, pension or other qualified or nonqualified employee benefit plans,
compensation, testamentary, inter vivos, and charitable trust indentures;
(ii) any and all decedents' estates where SCB or SC Bank is serving or has
served as a co-executor or sole executor, personal representative or
administrator, administrator de bonis non, administrator de bonis non with will
annexed, or in any similar fiduciary capacity; (iii) any and all guardianships,
conservatorships or similar positions where SCB or SC Bank is serving or has
served as a co-grantor or a sole grantor or a conservator or a co-conservator of
the estate, or any similar fiduciary capacity; and (iv) any and all agency
and/or custodial accounts and/or similar arrangements, including

<PAGE>

plan administrator for employee benefit accounts, under which SCB or SC Bank is
serving or has served as an agent or custodian for the owner or other party
establishing the account with or without investment authority.

4.25 DERIVATIVES. Neither SCB nor SC Bank is currently a party to any
interest rate swap, cap, floor, option agreement, other interest rate risk
management arrangement or agreement or derivative-type security or derivative
arrangement or agreement.

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR

As of the date hereof and on the Closing Date, Acquiror represents and
warrants to SCB, except as to the matters disclosed in a letter of Acquiror
delivered to SCB on or prior to the date hereof (the "ACQUIROR DISCLOSURE
LETTER") or the Acquiror Reports (as defined in Section 5.4 hereof), as follows:

5.1 CORPORATE ORGANIZATION; AUTHORITY. Acquiror is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of California and is a registered bank holding company under the BHC Act.
Acquiror has the power and authority, and is duly qualified in all jurisdictions
where such qualification is required (except for such qualifications the absence
of which, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse
Effect on Acquiror), to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and
to own all of its material properties and assets. Acquiror has all federal,
state, local and foreign governmental authorizations, permits, licenses,
approvals and orders necessary for it to own or lease its properties and assets
and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted (all of which are in
full force and effect), except where the absence of which, either individually
or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror.

5.2 CAPITALIZATION. As of the date hereof, Acquiror is authorized to
issue 100,000,000 shares of Acquiror Common Stock, and 5,000,000 shares of
preferred stock share ("ACQUIROR PREFERRED STOCK"), and is not authorized to
issue any other class or series of capital stock, or any other securities giving
the holder thereof the right to vote on any matters on which shareholders of
Acquiror can vote. As of the date hereof, 34,373,021 shares of Acquiror Common
Stock are issued and outstanding and no shares of Acquiror Preferred Stock are
issued and outstanding. All outstanding shares of capital stock of Acquiror are
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are not
subject to preemptive rights. There are no outstanding options, warrants or
other rights in or with respect to the unissued shares of Acquiror Common Stock
or any other securities convertible into such stock, and Acquiror is not
obligated to issue any additional shares of its common stock or any options,
warrants or other rights in or with

<PAGE>

respect to the unissued shares of its common stock or any other securities
convertible into such stock.

5.3 SUBSIDIARIES. All of Acquiror's subsidiaries are set forth in
Section 5.3 of the Acquiror Disclosure Letter. Acquiror does not own, directly
or indirectly, any equity portion or voting interest in any other corporation,
partnership or other entity, except as received in satisfaction of a debt
previously contracted in good faith.

5.4 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. As of their respective dates, neither
Acquiror's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1996 (the "ACQUIROR 1996 10-KSB") nor any other document filed or to be filed
prior to the Effective Time subsequent to December 31, 1996 under Section 13(a),
13(d), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, each in the form (including exhibits)
filed with the Commission and as amended (collectively, including any related
notes and schedules, the "ACQUIROR REPORTS"), contained or will contain at the
time of filing 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
made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. Each of the balance sheets or statements of condition contained or
incorporated by reference in the Acquiror Reports fairly presents the results of
operations, retained earnings and cash flows, as the case may be, of the entity
or entities to which it relates for the periods set forth therein (subject, in
the case of unaudited interim statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments
that are not material in amount or effect), in each case in accordance with the
published rules and regulations of the Commission and GAAP, consistently applied
and applicable to banks during the periods involved, except as may be noted
therein. The books and records of Acquiror have been, and are being, maintained
in all material respects in accordance with GAAP.

5.5 REPORTS; REGULATORY AGENCIES. Each of Acquiror and each of its
subsidiaries has timely filed all material reports, registrations and
statements, together with any amendments required to be made with respect
thereto, that it was required to file since January 1, 1992 with any
Governmental Authority and have paid all fees and assessments due and payable in
connection therewith. Except for normal examinations conducted by a
Governmental Authority in the regular course of the business of Acquiror, no
Governmental Authority has initiated any proceeding or, to the best knowledge of
Acquiror, investigation, into the business or operations of Acquiror or any of
its subsidiaries since January 1, 1992.

5.6 APPROVALS; NO VIOLATIONS. (a) The execution by Acquiror of this
Agreement has been authorized by all necessary corporate action, including, but
not limited to, a vote by its board of directors (which approval includes a
resolution recommending that this Agreement and the Merger be approved by the
shareholders of Acquiror) subject to adoption of this Agreement by the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
Acquiror. Subject to shareholder approval and to receipt of required approvals,
consents or waivers of Governmental Authorities referred

<PAGE>

to in Sections 9.1(c) and 10.1(c) hereof, this Agreement, so long as a valid and
binding agreement of SCB, is a valid and binding agreement of Acquiror,
enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of
general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights (including
those of federally insured financial institutions) and general equitable
principles, regardless of whether such enforcement is considered in a proceeding
in equity or at law.

(b) The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of
Acquiror Common Stock entitled to vote on this Agreement is the only shareholder
vote required by Acquiror for approval of this Agreement and consummation of the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby.

(c) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by
Acquiror do not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by
Acquiror will not, (i) constitute a breach or violation of, or a default under,
any law, rule or regulation or any judgment, decree, order, governmental permit
or license to which Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries (or any of their
respective properties) is subject, or enable any person to enjoin the Merger or
the other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) constitute a breach or
violation of, or a default under, the articles of incorporation or bylaws of
Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries or (iii) constitute a breach or violation
of, or a default under (or an event which with due notice or lapse of time or
both would constitute a default under), or result in the termination of,
accelerate the performance required by, or result in the creation of any lien,
pledge, security interest, charge or other encumbrance upon any of the
properties or assets of Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries under, any of the
terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, indenture, deed of trust,
loan agreement or other agreement, instrument or obligation to which Acquiror or
any of its subsidiaries is a party, or to which any of their respective
properties or assets may be bound or affected; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that this
clause (iii) shall not apply to any breach, violation or default of any such
agreement, instrument or obligation which involves payments to or by Acquiror or
any of its subsidiaries of an amount not exceeding $25,000 per year; and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not require any
approval, consent or waiver under any such law, rule, regulation, judgment,
decree, order, governmental permit or license or the approval, consent or waiver
of any other party to any such agreement, indenture or instrument, other than
(i) the required approvals, consents and waivers of Governmental Authorities
referred to in Sections 9.1(c) and 10.1(c), (ii) any such approval, consent or
waiver that already has been obtained, and (iii) any other approvals consents or
waivers the absence of which, individually or in the aggregate, would not result
in a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror or enable any person to enjoin the
Merger.

5.7 INSURANCE. Acquiror has in effect policies of insurance with
respect to its assets and business against such casualties and contingencies and
in such types and forms as in the judgment of its management are appropriate for
its business, operations,

<PAGE>

properties and assets. Acquiror has made available to SCB copies of all
policies of insurance and bonds carried and owned by Acquiror as of the date
hereof, which copies are complete and accurate in all material respects.
Acquiror is not in default under any such policy of insurance or bond such that
it is reasonably likely to be canceled. No notice of cancellation or material
amendments has been received with respect to existing material policies and no
coverage thereunder with respect to any material claims is being disputed.

5.8 TITLE TO ASSETS. Acquiror has good and marketable title to all
of its material properties and assets (other than (i) property as to which it is
lessee and (ii) real estate owned as a result of foreclosure, transfer in lieu
of foreclosure or other transfer in satisfaction of a debtor's obligation
previously contracted), including, without limitation, all personal and
intangible properties reflected in the audited financial statements included in
the Acquiror 1996 10-KSB, or acquired subsequently thereto, subject to no liens,
mortgages, security interests, encumbrances or charges of any kind except (1) as
noted in the audited financial statements included in the Acquiror 1996 10-KSB,
(2) statutory liens not yet delinquent which are being contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings, and liens for taxes not yet due, (3) pledges of
assets in the ordinary course of business to secure public deposits, (4) for
those assets and properties disposed of for fair value in the ordinary course of
business since the date of the Acquiror 1996 10-KSB, (5) defect and
irregularities of title and encumbrances that do not materially impair the use
thereof for the purpose for which they are held, and (6) any other liens,
mortgages, security interests, encumbrances or charges of any kind, which
individually do not exceed $100,000 in amount. Without limiting the above,
Acquiror owns or possesses valid and binding licenses and other rights to use
without payment all material copyrights, trade secrets, trade names, service
marks, logos and trademarks used in its business, and has not received any
notice of conflicts with respect thereto that asserts the rights of others.

5.9 ABSENCE OF PENDING CLAIMS OR LITIGATION. No legal,
administrative, arbitration or other proceedings, claims, actions or
governmental or regulatory investigations of any nature are pending or, to
Acquiror's knowledge, threatened, against Acquiror which are reasonably likely,
individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror
or materially to hinder or delay consummation of the Merger. Acquiror is not in
default with respect to any material judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree,
regulatory restriction or award of any court, arbitrator or governmental agency,
authority or instrumentality.

5.10 TAXES. Acquiror and all of its current or former subsidiaries
and their predecessors have, or will have, timely filed all Tax Returns required
to have been filed by them at or prior to the Effective Time (taking into
account valid extensions), and all such returns and reports are correct and
complete in all material respects. Acquiror has delivered or made available to
SCB true and complete copies of all such Tax Returns for 1994, 1995 and 1996.
All Taxes due or required to be withheld and paid over as of

<PAGE>

the date hereof as shown on such returns have been paid or accrued. Acquiror
has not requested any extension of time within which to file a return or report
that has not since been timely filed. No material deficiency in any Taxes,
assessments or governmental charges has been proposed, asserted or assessed
against Acquiror that has not been settled and paid. No extension of the time
within which any tax may be assessed is in effect or pending. Acquiror has no
liability for Taxes of any other person under Treasury Regulation Section
1.1502-6, as a transferee or successor, or otherwise. Acquiror has not made,
nor is it obligated to make, nor is it a party to any agreement that could
reasonably be expected to obligate it to make, any payments that are not
deductible pursuant to Code Section 280G.

5.11 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Acquiror is not in violation in respect of
any federal, state or local laws, rules, regulations or orders applicable to it
or by which its properties may be bound, except such violations as would not
have a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror.

5.12 ABSENCE OF REGULATORY ACTIONS. Neither Acquiror nor any of its
subsidiaries is a party to any cease and desist order, written agreement or
memorandum of understanding with, or a party to any commitment letter or similar
undertaking to, or is subject to any order or directive by, or is a recipient of
any extraordinary supervisory letter from, or has adopted any board resolutions
at the request of, any Government Regulators, nor has it been advised by any
Government Regulator that it is contemplating issuing or requesting (or is
considering the appropriateness of issuing or requesting) any such order,
directive, written agreement, memorandum of understanding, extraordinary
supervisory letter, commitment letter, board resolutions or similar undertaking.

5.13 PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS. Acquiror has performed in all
material respects all of the obligations required to be performed by it to date,
and is not in material default under, or in material breach of, any term or
provision of any contract, lease, indenture or any other agreement to which it
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
default or breach.

5.14 EMPLOYEES. (a) Acquiror is not party to, nor is Acquiror bound
by, any collective bargaining agreement, contract, or other agreement or
understanding with a labor organization, nor is Acquiror the subject of any
proceeding asserting that it has committed an unfair labor practice or seeking
to compel it to bargain with any labor organization as to wages and conditions
of employment, nor is there any strike or labor dispute involving Acquiror.

(b) Acquiror is not a party to an oral or written (i) consultant
agreement, not terminable on 90 days' or less notice and involving the payment
of more than $50,000 per annum, (ii) agreement with any executive officer or
other key employee, the benefits of which are contingent, or the terms of which
are materially altered, upon the

<PAGE>

occurrence of a transaction involving it of the nature contemplated by this
Agreement, (iii) agreement with or with respect to any executive officer
providing any term of employment or compensation guarantee extending for a
period longer than six months, or (iv) agreement or plan, any of the benefits of
which will be increased, or the vesting of the benefits of which will be
accelerated, by the occurrence of the Merger or the value of any of the benefits
of which will be calculated on the basis of the Merger.

5.15 BROKERS AND FINDERS. Except for financial advisory services
performed for Acquiror by Belle Plaine Partners, Inc. pursuant to an agreement
dated May 17, 1995, a copy of which has been furnished to SCB, neither Acquiror
nor any of its officers, directors, employees or agents, has employed any broker
or finder or incurred any liability for any financial advisory fees, brokerage
fees, commissions or finder's fees in connection with this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby.

5.16 ABSENCE OF MATERIAL CHANGE. Since December 31, 1996, the
business of Acquiror has been conducted only in the ordinary course,
substantially in the same manner as theretofore conducted and there has not
occurred: (i) any event that has had or may reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror and its subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(ii) any amendment to the articles of incorporation or bylaws of Acquiror;
(iii) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or any other
distribution in respect of the capital stock of Acquiror other than regular
quarterly dividends; or (iv) any change by Acquiror in accounting principles or
methods or tax methods, except as required or permitted by the Financial
Accounting Standards Board or by any governmental agencies or regulatory
authorities having jurisdiction over Acquiror.

5.17 ENVIRONMENTAL. (a) To Acquiror's knowledge, all of the
properties and operations of Acquiror and its subsidiaries are in compliance in
all material respects with all material Environmental Laws applicable to such
properties and operations.

(b) To Acquiror's knowledge, Acquiror and its subsidiaries have
obtained all material permits, licenses, and authorizations which are required
for Acquiror's and Acquiror's subsidiaries' operations under Environmental Laws.

(c) To Acquiror's knowledge, no Hazardous Substances exist on, about,
or within, or have been used, generated, stored, transported, disposed of on, or
released from, any of the properties of Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries
except in accordance in all material respects with Environmental Laws. Neither
Acquiror nor any of its subsidiaries has any knowledge that any prior owners,
occupants or operators of any such property or any other property in which it
has a security interest, ever deposited, disposed of, or allowed to be deposited
or disposed of, in, on, or under or handled or processed on, or released,
emitted or discharged from, such properties any Hazardous Materials except in
accordance in all material respects with Environmental Laws, or that any prior
or present owners, occupants or operators of any properties in which it holds a

<PAGE>

security interest, mortgage or other lien or interest, deposited or disposed of,
in, on or under or handled and/or processed on, or released, emitted or
discharged from, such properties any Hazardous Material except in accordance in
all material respects with Environmental Laws. The use which each of Acquiror
and any of its subsidiaries has made, makes and intends to make of its
properties will not result in the use, generation, storage, transportation,
accumulation, disposal or release of any Hazardous Substance on, in, or from any
of such properties except in accordance in all material respects with applicable
Environmental Laws.

(d) There is no action, suit, proceeding, investigation, or inquiry
before any court, administrative agency or other Governmental Authority pending,
or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, threatened against Acquiror or any of its
subsidiaries relating in any way to any violation of any applicable
Environmental Law. To the knowledge of Acquiror, neither Acquiror nor any of
its subsidiaries has any material liability for remedial action with respect to
a violation of an Environmental Law, nor has it received any written requests
for information relating to any material violations of any Environmental Law
from any Governmental Authority with respect to the condition, use, or operation
of any of its properties nor has any of them received any notice from any
Governmental Authority or any written notice from any other person with respect
to any material violation of or material liability for any remedial action under
any Environmental Law.

(e) As used in this Section, the term "PROPERTIES" shall include:
all real estate property now or previously owned or leased by Acquiror or any of
its subsidiaries, property as to which Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries holds
any security interest, deed of trust, mortgage or other lien, and any property
to which Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries could be deemed an "owner" or
"operator" under any applicable Environmental Law.

5.18 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. (a) A list of all Acquiror Employee
Plans (as hereinafter defined) is set forth in the Acquiror Disclosure Letter.
Acquiror has delivered or made available to SCB true and complete copies of the
following documents, as they may have been amended to the date hereof, embodying
or relating to Acquiror Employee Plans: Each of the Acquiror Employee Plans,
including all amendments thereto, any related trust agreements, insurance
policies or any funding agreements; the most recent determination letter from
the IRS with respect to each of the Acquiror Employee Plans; the actuarial
evaluation, if any, for the most recent plan year prepared for each of the
Acquiror Employee Plans; and the most recent annual return/report on IRS Forms
5500, 5500-C or 5500-R for each of the Acquiror Employee Plans for which such
report was prepared.

(b)(i) Each of the Acquiror Employee Plans has been administered in
substantial compliance with any applicable requirements of ERISA and the Code.
There

<PAGE>

is no material pending or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, threatened litigation
relating to the Acquiror Employee Plans.

(ii) Each of the Acquiror Employee Plans for which Acquiror has
claimed a deduction under Code Section 404, as if such Acquiror Employee Plan
were qualified under Code Section 401(a), has received a favorable determination
letter from the IRS as to the tax qualification of such Acquiror Employee Plan
with respect to "TRA" (as defined in Section 1 of Rev. Proc. 93-39), and to the
knowledge of Acquiror such favorable determination has not been modified,
revoked or limited by failure to satisfy any condition thereof or by a
subsequent amendment to, or failure to amend, such Acquiror Employee Plan.

(iii) To Acquiror's knowledge, neither Acquiror nor any of its
subsidiaries, nor any other "disqualified person" or "party in interest" (as
defined in Code Section 4975 and Section 3(14) of ERISA, respectively) with
respect to an Acquiror Employee Plan has engaged in any "prohibited transaction"
(as defined in Code Section 4975 or Sections 406 or 407 of ERISA) that could
reasonably be expected to subject Acquiror to any material tax, penalty or
liability under Code Section 4975 or Title I of ERISA.

(iv) No Acquiror Employee Plan is a "multiple employer plan"
within the meaning of Code Section 413 or a "multiemployer plan" within the
meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA and neither Acquiror nor any of its
subsidiaries has contributed to a multiemployer plan at any time on or after
September 26, 1980.

(v) No liability under Subtitle C or D of Title IV of ERISA has
been or is expected to be incurred by Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries that
has not been satisfied with respect to any ongoing, frozen or terminated
"single-employer plan", within the meaning of Section 4001(a) (15) of ERISA,
currently or formerly maintained by either of them, or the single-employer plan
maintained by any entity which is considered one employer with Acquiror under
Section 4001 of ERISA or Section 414 of the Code (an "ERISA Affiliate") during
the period of such affiliation, other than with respect to PBGC premiums
substantially all of which have been paid when due. No notice of a "reportable
event", within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA, for which the 30-day
reporting requirement has not been waived, has been required to be filed for any
Acquiror Employee Plan or by any ERISA Affiliate within the 12-month period
ending on the date hereof or will be required to be filed in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(vi) All contributions required to be made under the terms of any
Acquiror Employee Plan have been timely made or have been reflected on the
balance sheets or statements of conditions contained or incorporated by
reference in the Acquiror Reports, to the extent required by GAAP. Neither any
Acquiror Employee Plan nor any single-

<PAGE>

employer plan of an ERISA Affiliate has an "accumulated funding deficiency"
(whether or not waived) within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section
302 of ERISA and no ERISA Affiliate has an outstanding funding waiver. Neither
Acquiror nor any of its subsidiaries has provided, or is required to provide,
security to any Acquiror Employee Plan or to any single-employer plan of an
ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) of the Code.

(vii) Under each Acquiror Employee Plan which is a single-employer
plan (as defined above), as of the last day of the most recent plan year ended
prior to the date hereof, the actuarially determined present value of all
"benefit liabilities", within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA (as
determined on the basis of the actuarial assumptions contained in the Plan's
most recent actuarial valuation), did not exceed the then current value of the
assets of such Plan, and there has been no material change in the financial
condition of such Plan since the last day of the most recent plan year.

(viii) Continuation health care coverage requirements and notice
requirements under Code Section 4980B and Sections 601 through 608 of ERISA have
been satisfied in all material respects with respect to all current or prior
employees of Acquiror and its subsidiaries and any "qualified beneficiary" of
any such employees (within the meaning of Code Section 4980B(g)).

(ix) No Acquiror Employee Plan provides for retiree medical benefits.

(x) Except as is specifically contemplated by this Agreement, the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not (x)
entitle any Employees of Acquiror or any of it subsidiaries to severance pay,
(y) accelerate the time of payment or vesting or trigger any payment of
compensation or benefits under, increase the amount payable or trigger any other
material obligation pursuant to, any of the Acquiror Employee Plans or (z)
result in any breach or violation of, or a default under, any of the Acquiror
Employee Plans.

(b) For purposes hereof, the term "ACQUIROR EMPLOYEE PLAN" means any
"employee benefit plan" (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) as well as any
other written or formal plan or contract involving direct or indirect
compensation under which Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries has any present or
future obligations or liability on behalf of its employees or former employees
or their dependents or beneficiaries, including, but not limited to, each
retirement, employee stock ownership, cash or deferred, each other deferred or
incentive compensation, bonus, stock options, employee stock purchase, "phantom"
stock or stock appreciation rights plan, each other program providing payment or
reimbursement for or of medical, dental or visual care, counselling, or
vacation, sick, disability or severance pay and each other "fringe benefit" plan
or arrangement.

<PAGE>

5.19 STATEMENTS TRUE AND CORRECT. None of the information supplied or
to be supplied by or on behalf of Acquiror for inclusion in the Registration
Statement or the Proxy Statement or any other document to be filed with any
governmental agency or regulatory authority in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby will, in the case of the Proxy Statement or any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto, at the date it is mailed to shareholders of SCB
and Acquiror and at the time of the SCB Shareholders' Meeting and the Acquiror
Shareholders' Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a 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
were made, not misleading, or, in the case of the Registration Statement, when
it becomes effective, be false or misleading with respect to any material fact,
or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein not misleading. Acquiror represents, warrants and agrees that through
the Effective Time of the Merger, each of the reports, registrations,
statements, applications and other filings filed by it or any of its
subsidiaries with the Commission, the FRB or any other governmental agency or
regulatory authority will be filed on a timely basis, will comply in all
material respects with all of the applicable statutes, rules and regulations
enforced or promulgated by the governmental agency or regulatory authority with
which it will be filed and that the information contained therein will be true
and correct in all material respects (and in the case of such filings with the
Commission will not 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). The representations and warranties made by Acquiror hereby
contain no statements of material fact which are untrue or misleading, or omit
to state any material fact which is necessary under the circumstances to prevent
the statements contained herein from being misleading.

5.20 INSIDER LOANS. Acquiror has previously provided SCB with a
listing, current as of March 31, 1997, of all extensions of credit made to
Acquiror's executive officers and directors and their related interests (all as
defined under FRB Regulation "O"), all of which have been made in compliance
with Regulation O, which listing is true, correct and complete in all material
respects.

5.21 COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT. Each of Western Bank, Monarch Bank
and National Bank of Southern California received ratings of "satisfactory" or
better in its most recent examination or interim review with respect to the
Community Reinvestment Act. Acquiror has not been advised of any supervisory
concerns regarding Acquiror's compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act.

5.22 KNOWLEDGE AS TO CONDITIONS. Acquiror knows of no reason why the
approvals, consents and waivers of Governmental Authorities referred to in
Sections 9.1(c) and 10.1(c) should not be obtained without the imposition of any
condition of the type referred to in the provisos thereto.

<PAGE>

5.23 ALLOWANCE FOR POSSIBLE LOAN LOSSES. To the best of Acquiror's
knowledge, Acquiror's allowance for loan and lease losses is and will be as of
the Closing Date adequate and in accordance with GAAP and in all material
respects and in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements.

5.24 TRUST ADMINISTRATION. Neither Acquiror nor any of its
subsidiaries presently exercises trust powers, including, but not limited to,
trust administration, and has not exercised such trust powers for a period of at
least seven years prior to the date hereof. The term "trusts" as used in this
Section 5.24 includes (i) any and all common law or other trusts between an
individual, corporation or other entities and Acquiror or any of its
subsidiaries, as trustee or co-trustee, including, without limitation, pension
or other qualified or nonqualified employee benefit plans, compensation,
testamentary, inter vivos, and charitable trust indentures; (ii) any and all
decedents' estates where Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries is serving or has
served as a co-executor or sole executor, personal representative or
administrator, administrator de bonis non, administrator de bonis non with will
annexed, or in any similar fiduciary capacity; (iii) any and all guardianships,
conservatorships or similar positions where Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries
is serving or has served as a co-grantor or a sole grantor or a conservator or a
co-conservator of the estate, or any similar fiduciary capacity; and (iv) any
and all agency and/or custodial accounts and/or similar arrangements, including
plan administrator for employee benefit accounts, under which Acquiror or any of
its subsidiaries is serving or has served as an agent or custodian for the owner
or other party establishing the account with or without investment authority.

5.25 DERIVATIVES. Neither Acquiror nor any of its subsidiaries is
currently a party to any interest rate swap, cap, floor, option agreement, other
interest rate risk management arrangement or agreement or derivative-type
security or derivative arrangement or agreement.

5.26 CAPITAL STOCK. The Acquiror Common Stock issuable to holders of
SCB Common Stock upon consummation of the Merger will be duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable at the Effective Time.

5.27 POOLING. It is intended that the Merger will be accounted for on
a pooling of interests basis, and no event has occurred or is reasonably
foreseeable (including any transaction contemplated by this Agreement) that
could alter such treatment.

<PAGE>

ARTICLE VI

COVENANTS OF SCB
PENDING EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER

SCB covenants and agrees with Acquiror as follows:

6.1 FORBEARANCE BY SCB. During the period from the date of this
Agreement to the Effective Time, SCB and SC Bank shall not, without the prior
written consent of Acquiror (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld):

(a) other than in the ordinary course of business, incur any
indebtedness for borrowed money, assume guarantee, endorse or otherwise as an
accommodation become responsible for the obligations of any other individual,
corporation or other entity (other than short-term borrowings from correspondent
banks or the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco in amounts no greater than
$25,000,000 made at prevailing market rates and terms);

(b) adjust, split, combine or reclassify any capital stock; make,
declare or pay any dividend (other than regular quarterly cash dividends of
$0.05 per share of SCB Common Stock having record dates and payment dates
consistent with past practice) or make any other distribution on, or directly or
indirectly redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, any shares of its capital
stock or any securities or obligations convertible into or exchangeable for any
shares of its capital stock, or, except in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, grant any stock appreciation rights or grant any
individual, corporation or other entity any right to acquire any shares of its
capital stock; or issue any additional shares of capital stock except pursuant
to the exercise in accordance with their terms of stock options or warrants
outstanding as of the date hereof;

(c)(i) sell, transfer, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of any
of its material properties or assets to any individual, corporation or other
entity other than a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of SCB, or (ii)
cancel, release or assign any material indebtedness of any such person or any
claims held by any such person, except (x) pursuant to contracts or agreements
in force at the date of this Agreement, or (y) in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice; PROVIDED, with respect to this clause
(y), no such action or series of related actions resulted (or would result) in a
pre-tax loss, net of the reserves established therefor, of more than $100,000;

(d) except as permitted under paragraphs (j) or (l) of this Section
6.1, and except in amounts not exceeding $25,000 individually or $100,000 in the
aggregate, make any investment either by purchase of stock or securities,
contributions to capital, property transfers, or purchase of any property or
assets of any other individual, corporation or other entity other than a wholly
owned subsidiary of SCB;

<PAGE>

(e) other than in the ordinary course of business with respect to
contracts, agreements or leases involving payment of not more than $50,000,
enter into or terminate any material contract or agreement, or make any material
change in any of its material leases or contracts;

(f) other than in the ordinary course of business or as specifically
contemplated by this Agreement, increase in any manner the compensation
(including but not limited to bonuses) or fringe benefits of any of its
employees or retirees or pay any pension or retirement allowance, make any
contribution to any profit-sharing plan not required by any existing plan or
agreement to any such employees or retirees, or become a party to, amend or
commit itself to any pension, retirement, deferred compensation, profit-sharing
or welfare benefit plan or agreement or employment agreement with or for the
benefit of any employee, or voluntarily accelerate the vesting of any stock
options or other stock-based compensation or employee benefits;

(g) settle any material claim, action or proceeding involving any
liability of SCB or SC Bank for material money damages (or enter into a
settlement agreement containing other material obligations of SCB or SC Bank);

(h) sell any securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that SCB or SC Bank may
sell any securities if, within one business day after it requests of Acquiror in
writing (which request shall describe in reasonable detail the securities to be
sold and the estimated price therefor), Acquiror has approved such request in
writing or has not responded in writing to such request;

(i) amend its articles of incorporation or its bylaws, or change in
any material way its policies and procedures or make any material changes to its
tax or financial accounting policies (except, as to changes to its tax and
financial accounting practices, as may be required by GAAP or by applicable law
or regulations);

(j) purchase any securities other than obligations of the United
States of America or obligations of U.S. government agencies with a remaining
maturity of not more than three years from the date of purchase of such
security;

(k) waive or release any material right or collateral or cancel or
compromise any extension of credit or other debt or claim, except in the
ordinary course of business and (i) in amounts less than $100,000 or (ii) where
such action resulted or would result in a pre-tax loss, net of reserves
established therefore, of no more than
$100,000;

(l) make, renegotiate, renew, increase, extend or purchase any loan,
lease (credit equivalent), advance, credit enhancement or other extension of
credit, except (i) any loans or advances as to which SCB or SC Bank has a
legally binding obligation to make such loan or advance as of the date hereof
and a description of

<PAGE>

which has been provided in writing to Acquiror prior to the execution of this
Agreement, (ii) renewals in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice, (iii) in individual amounts not to exceed $2 million, or (iv) any
such action if, within one business day after SCB or SC Bank requests of
Acquiror in writing (which request shall include information and analyses
reasonably sufficient for Acquiror to assess the proposed action), Acquiror has
approved such request in writing or has not responded in writing to such
request;

(m) make any capital expenditures, other than capital expenditures in
amounts not exceeding $25,000 individually or $100,000 in the aggregate;

(n) promote any employee to the officer level or to a higher officer
level than such employee holds on the date hereof; or

(o) agree to, or make any commitment to, take any of the actions
prohibited by this Section 6.1.

6.2 CONDUCT OF SCB'S BUSINESS PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE TIME. Except as
expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement, during the period from the date
of this Agreement to the Effective Time, SCB shall, and shall cause SC Bank to,
(i) conduct its business in the usual, regular and ordinary course, in the same
manner as heretofore, consistent with prudent banking practices, (ii) use its
reasonable efforts to maintain and preserve intact its business organization,
employees and advantageous business relationships and retain the services of its
officers and key employees, (iii) maintain and keep its material properties in
as good repair and condition as at present, except for obsolete properties and
for deterioration due to ordinary wear and tear and damage due to casualty,
(iv) maintain in full force and effect insurance substantially comparable in
amount and in scope of coverage to that now maintained by it and submit all
potential claims existing prior to the Effective Time to its insurance carrier
on or before the Effective Time, (v) perform all of its obligations under
contracts, leases and documents relating to or affecting its assets, properties
and business except such obligations as it may in good faith reasonably dispute,
and except for such obligations which the failure to perform, in the aggregate,
is not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect,
(vi) substantially comply with and perform all obligations and duties imposed
upon it by all material federal and state laws, and all material rules,
regulations and orders imposed by federal, state or local governmental
authorities, (vii) take no action which would adversely affect or delay the
ability of SCB or Acquiror to obtain any necessary approvals, consents or
waivers of any governmental authority required for the transactions contemplated
hereby or to perform its covenants and agreements on a timely basis under this
Agreement, (viii) promptly notify Acquiror of any fact or event that does or
could reasonably be expected to cause the SCB Disclosure Letter to be incorrect
in any material respect as of the date of this Agreement or as of the Closing
Date; and (ix) use reasonable best efforts to obtain any requisite third party
consent with respect to any contract, agreement, lease, license, amendment,
permit or release that is material to the

<PAGE>

business of Acquiror on a consolidated basis or that is contemplated or required
to be obtained by Acquiror in connection with the Merger.

6.3 SCB SHAREHOLDER'S MEETING. SCB will take all action necessary in
accordance with applicable law and its articles of incorporation and bylaws to
convene a meeting of its shareholders to consider and vote upon this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby. Except to the extent that to do so
could constitute a violation of its fiduciary duties, the board of directors of
SCB shall recommend that SCB's shareholders approve this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, and, except to the extent that to do so could
constitute a violation of its fiduciary duties, use its reasonable best efforts
to obtain the requisite vote of the holders of SCB Common Stock to approve this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

6.4 COORDINATION OF DIVIDENDS. SCB shall coordinate with Acquiror
the declaration of any dividends that may be allowed hereunder in respect of SCB
and the record date and payment dates relating thereto, it being the intention
of the parties that holders of SCB Common Stock shall not receive two dividends,
or fail to receive one dividend, for any single calendar quarter with respect to
their shares of SCB Common Stock and any shares of Acquiror Common Stock any
such holder will receive in exchange therefor in the Merger.

6.5 SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENTS. Certain directors of SCB, in their
capacities as shareholders, in exchange for good and valuable consideration,
have executed and delivered to Acquiror shareholder agreements substantially in
the form of SCHEDULE 6.5 hereto (the "SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENTS"), committing such
person, among other things, (a) to vote their shares of SCB Common Stock in
favor of this Agreement at the SCB Shareholders' Meeting, (b) not to compete
with Acquiror for a period of time, and (c) to certain representations
concerning the ownership of SCB Common Stock and Acquiror Common Stock to be
received in the Merger.

6.6 ACQUISITION PROPOSALS. SCB agrees that neither it nor SC Bank
nor any of their respective officers or directors shall, and SCB shall direct
and use its reasonable best efforts to cause its employees, agents and
representatives (including, without limitation, any investment banker, attorney
or accountant retained by it or SC Bank) not to, initiate, solicit or encourage,
directly or indirectly, any inquiries or the making of any proposal or offer
(including, without limitation, any proposal or offer to shareholders of SCB)
with respect to a merger, consolidation or similar transaction, other than
pursuant to this Agreement, or involving any purchase of all or any significant
portion of the assets or any equity securities of SCB or SC Bank (any such
proposal or offer being hereinafter referred to as an "ACQUISITION PROPOSAL")
or, except to the extent legally required for the discharge by the board of
directors of its fiduciary duties as advised by such board's outside legal
counsel, engage in any negotiations concerning, or provide any confidential
information or data to, or have any discussions with, any person relating to an
Acquisition Proposal, or otherwise facilitate any effort or attempt to make

<PAGE>

or implement an Acquisition Proposal. SCB will immediately cease and cause to
be terminated any existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any
parties conducted heretofore with respect to any of the foregoing and shall make
all reasonable efforts to enforce any confidentiality agreements to which it or
SC Bank is a party. SCB will take the necessary steps to inform the appropriate
individuals or entities referred to in the first sentence hereof of the
obligations undertaken in this Section 6.6. SCB will notify Acquiror
immediately if any such inquiries or proposals are received by, any such
information is requested from, or any such negotiations or discussions are
sought to be initiated or continued with SCB or SC Bank.

6.7 ATTENDANCE AT CERTAIN MEETINGS. SCB agrees that Acquiror shall
have the right to have a single representative present at all meetings of the
board of directors of SCB or SC Bank and at all loan committee meetings of SC
Bank; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if SCB reasonably determines that it would be
improper or imprudent to have a representative of Acquiror present for any
portion of such meeting, then Acquiror's representative shall be excused from
any such portion thereof.

ARTICLE VII

COVENANTS OF ACQUIROR
PENDING EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER

Acquiror covenants and agrees with SCB as follows:

7.1 FORBEARANCE BY ACQUIROR. During the period from the date of this
Agreement to the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of SCB (which
consent will not be unreasonably withheld), Acquiror will not take any action
that would (a) cause a material delay or have a Material Adverse Effect on the
ability of Acquiror or SCB to obtain any necessary approvals, consents or
waivers of any governmental authority required for the transactions contemplated
hereby or (b) have a Material Adverse Effect on its ability to perform its
covenants and agreements on a timely basis under this Agreement.

7.2 CONDUCT OF ACQUIROR'S BUSINESS PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE TIME.
Except as expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement, during the period from
the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, Acquiror shall, and shall
cause its subsidiaries to, (i) conduct its business in the usual, regular and
ordinary course, in the same manner as heretofore, consistent with prudent
banking practices, (ii) use its reasonable efforts to maintain and preserve
intact its business organization, employees and advantageous business
relationships and retain the services of its officers and key employees,
(iii) maintain and keep its material properties in as good repair and condition
as at present, except for obsolete properties and for deterioration due to
ordinary wear and tear and damage due to casualty, (iv) maintain in full force
and effect insurance substantially comparable in amount and in scope of coverage
to that now maintained by

<PAGE>

it, (v) perform all of its obligations under contracts, leases and documents
relating to or affecting its assets, properties and business except such
obligations as it may in good faith reasonably dispute, and except for such
obligations which the failure to perform, in the aggregate, is not reasonably
likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror, (vi) substantially
comply with and perform all obligations and duties imposed upon it by all
material federal and state laws, and all material rules, regulations and orders
imposed by federal, state or local governmental authorities, (vii) take no
action which would materially adversely affect its ability to perform its
covenants and agreements on a timely basis under this Agreement, (viii) promptly
notify Acquiror of any fact or event that does or could reasonably be expected
to cause the Acquiror Disclosure Letter to be incorrect in any material respect
as of the date of this Agreement or as of the Closing Date; and (ix) use
reasonable best efforts to obtain any requisite third party consent with respect
to any contract, agreement, lease, license, amendment, permit or release that is
material to the business of Acquiror on a consolidated basis or that is
contemplated or required to be obtained by Acquiror in connection with the
Merger.

7.3 ACQUIROR SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING. Acquiror will take all action
necessary in accordance with applicable law and its articles of incorporation
and bylaws to convene a meeting of its shareholders to consider and vote upon
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Except to the extent
that to do so could constitute a violation of its fiduciary duties, the board of
directors of Acquiror shall recommend that Acquiror's shareholders approve this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, and, except to the extent
that to do so could constitute a violation of its fiduciary duties, use its
reasonable best efforts to obtain the requisite vote of the holders of Acquiror
Common Stock to approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

7.4 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. (a) Acquiror agrees
that all rights to indemnification or exculpation now existing in favor of the
directors, officers, employees and agents of SCB or SC Bank as provided in their
respective articles of incorporation, bylaws, indemnification agreements or
otherwise in effect as of the date hereof with respect to matters occurring
prior to the Effective Time, shall survive the Merger and shall continue in full
force and effect for a period of six years following the Effective Time;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no event shall Acquiror be obligated to expend, in
order to maintain or provide insurance coverage pursuant to this Subsection
7.4(a), any amount for such six year period in excess of 200% of the amount of
the annual premiums paid as of the date hereof by SCB for such insurance (the
"MAXIMUM AMOUNT"). If the amount of the premiums necessary to maintain or
procure such insurance coverage exceeds the Maximum Amount, Acquiror shall use
reasonable best efforts to maintain the most advantageous policies of directors'
and officers' insurance obtainable for a premium equal to the Maximum Amount.
Acquiror further agrees that, during such six year period, to the greatest
extent permitted by applicable law, regulations and their respective
organizational documents or bylaws as in effect of the date hereof, they shall
indemnify, defend and hold harmless individuals who were

<PAGE>

officers and directors of SCB or SC Bank as of the date hereof or immediately
prior to the Effective Time (collectively, the "INDEMNIFIED PARTIES") for any
claim or loss arising out of their actions while a director or officer,
including any acts relating to this Agreement, and shall pay, as and when
incurred, the expenses, including attorneys' fees, of such individuals in
advance of the final resolution of any claim, provided such individuals shall
first execute an undertaking acceptable to Acquiror to return such advances in
the event it is finally concluded such indemnification is not allowed under
applicable law.

(b) Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under
Section 7.4(a), upon learning of any such claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation, shall promptly notify the Acquiror thereof, but the failure to so
notify shall not relieve the Acquiror of any liability it may have to such
Indemnified Party except to the extent that Acquiror is materially prejudiced
thereby. In the event of any such claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation (whether arising before or after the Effective Time), (i) Acquiror
shall have the right to assume the defense thereof and Acquiror shall not be
liable to such Indemnified Parties for any legal expenses of other counsel or
any other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Parties in
connection with the defense thereof, except that if Acquiror elects not to
assume such defense or counsel for the Indemnified Parties advises that there
are issues which raise conflicts of interest between Acquiror and the
Indemnified Parties, the Indemnified Parties may retain counsel satisfactory to
them, and Acquiror shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel
for the Indemnified Parties promptly as statements therefor are received to the
extent permitted under California law; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Acquiror shall be
obligated pursuant to this paragraph (b) to pay for only one firm of counsel for
all Indemnified Parties in any jurisdiction unless the use of one counsel for
such Indemnified Parties would present such counsel with a conflict of interest
and (ii) the Indemnified Parties shall cooperate in the defense of any such
matter.

7.5 COMBINED FINANCIAL RESULTS. If the Closing shall not have
occurred on or before November 30, 1997, Acquiror shall use its best efforts to
publish as soon as practicable following the Effective Time financial results
(within the meaning of ASR No. 135) covering the first full month of at least 30
days (or such earlier period that covers at least 30 days) of post-Merger
combined operations.

7.6 OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCB EMPLOYEES TO OBTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING
EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS. SCB may, not less than 30 days prior to the Effective
Time, submit a list of SCB and SC Bank employees who are interested in pursuing
continued employment with the Surviving Corporation. The Acquiror undertakes to
make available to such SCB and SC Bank employees the information regularly
available to employees of Acquiror or its subsidiaries concerning employment
positions available with Acquiror or its subsidiaries to enable such SCB and
SC Bank employees to apply for such positions.

<PAGE>

ARTICLE VIII

ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

8.1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT/JOINT PROXY STATEMENT. As soon as
reasonably practicable after the date hereof, SCB and Acquiror shall jointly
prepare the Registration Statement, including a joint Proxy Statement in respect
of the SCB Shareholders' Meeting and the Acquiror Shareholders' Meeting, for the
purpose of registering the Acquiror Common Stock to be issued pursuant hereto,
file the Registration Statement with the Commission, respond to comments of the
staff of the Commission and promptly thereafter mail the joint proxy
statement/prospectus included therein to all holders of record (as of the
applicable record date) of shares of SCB Common Stock and Acquiror Common Stock.

8.2 CERTAIN FILINGS, CONSENTS AND ARRANGEMENTS. Acquiror, SCB and
SC Bank shall (a) as soon as practicable make any filings and applications
required to be filed in order to obtain all requisite approvals, consents and
waivers of governmental agencies or regulatory authorities necessary or
appropriate for the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (b)
cooperate with one another (i) in promptly determining what filings are
required to be made or approvals, consents or waivers are required to be
obtained under any relevant federal, state or foreign law or regulation, (ii)
in providing the other a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon
the publicly available portions of such filings, and (iii) in promptly making
any such filings, furnishing information required in connection therewith and
seeking timely to obtain any such approvals, consents or waivers and (c)
deliver to the other copies of publicly available portions of all such
filings and applications promptly after they are filed.

8.3 ACCESS TO INFORMATION. (a) Upon reasonable notice, each of the
parties shall (and shall cause each of the parties' subsidiaries to) afford to
the other party and its representatives (including, without limitation,
directors, officers and employees of the parties and their affiliates, and
counsel, accountants and other professionals retained) such access during normal
business hours throughout the period prior to the Effective Time to the books,
records (including, without limitation, tax returns and work papers of
independent auditors), properties, personnel and to such other information as
any party may reasonably request; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no investigation
pursuant to this Section 8.3(a) shall affect or be deemed to modify any
representation or warranty made herein.

(b) Each party shall not, and shall cause its representatives not to,
use any information obtained pursuant to this Section 8.3 for any purpose
unrelated to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. Subject to the requirements of law, each party shall keep
confidential, and shall cause its representatives to keep confidential, all
information and documents obtained pursuant to this Section 8.3 in accordance
with the terms of the Confidentiality Agreements, which shall remain in full
force and effect. As used herein, "CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS" means

<PAGE>

that certain letter agreement, dated February 13, 1997, from SC Bancorp to
Monarch Bancorp and that certain letter agreement, dated April 3, 1997 from
Monarch Bancorp to SC Bancorp.

8.4 NOTICES; REPORTS. Each party shall give prompt notice to the
others of: (a) any material change in its business, operations or prospects,
(b) any complaints, investigations or hearings (or communications indicating
that the same may be contemplated) of any Governmental Authorities, (c) the
institution or the threat of material litigation involving such party, (d)
any event or condition that constitutes a breach of this Agreement, or that
might be reasonably expected to cause any of SCB representations or
warranties set forth herein not to be true and correct in all material
respects as of the Effective Time, or (e) any event or condition that causes
such party to determine that it is or is likely to become unable to fulfill
any of the conditions to the performance of the other party's obligations
hereunder, as set forth in Articles IX and X.

8.5 ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS; PARTIES. Subject to the terms and
conditions herein provided, each of the parties hereto agrees to use reasonable
best efforts to take promptly, or cause to be taken promptly, all actions and to
do promptly or cause to be done promptly, all things necessary, proper or
advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make effective
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as promptly as practicable,
including using reasonable best efforts to obtain all necessary actions or
non-actions, extensions, waivers, consents and approvals from all applicable
Governmental Authorities, effecting all necessary registrations, applications
and filings (including, without limitation, filings under any applicable state
securities laws) and obtaining any required contractual consents and regulatory
approvals, and cooperating on all matters involving employees of Acquiror, its
subsidiaries, SCB and SC Bank and communications with such persons.

8.6 PUBLICITY. The initial press release announcing this Agreement
shall be a joint press release and thereafter SCB and Acquiror shall consult
with each other in issuing any press releases or otherwise making public
statements with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and in making
any filings with any governmental entity or with any national securities
exchange with respect thereto.

8.7 PRE-CLOSING ADJUSTMENTS. At or before the Effective Time, SCB
shall, in a manner mutually satisfactory to the parties, establish such
additional accruals and reserves as may be directed by Acquiror to implement its
plan to conduct SCB's business following the Merger and otherwise to reflect
Merger-related expenses and costs incurred by SCB; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that SCB
shall not be required to take such action (a) more than five (5) days prior to
the Effective Time, (b) unless Acquiror agrees in writing that all conditions to
closing set forth in Article X have been satisfied or waived, and (c) unless SCB
shall have received a written waiver by Acquiror of its right to terminate this
Agreement, and no accrual or reserve made by SCB or SC Bank pursuant to this
Section 8.7, or any litigation or regulatory proceeding arising out of any such
accrual or reserve,

<PAGE>

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.

8.8 DIRECTOR RESIGNATIONS. Immediately prior to the Effective
Time, Acquiror shall elect to its board of directors Harold A. Beisswenger,
Larry D. Hartwig and two other current directors of SCB to be mutually agreed
upon prior to the date of the initial filing of any application with a
Regulatory Authority. SCB shall deliver to Acquiror at the Closing the
resignations of all of the directors of SCB and SC Bank, to be effective at
the Effective Time.

8.9 SECURITIES ACT. (a) As soon as practicable after the date of
the SCB Shareholders' Meeting, SCB shall identify to Acquiror all persons who
SCB believes to be "affiliates" of SCB as that term is used in paragraphs (c)
and (d) of Rule 145 under the Securities Act (the "AFFILIATES").

(b) SCB shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain a written
agreement from each person who is identified as an Affiliate pursuant to
Subsection 8.9(a) above providing that each such person will agree not to sell,
pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose of the shares of Acquiror Common Stock to
be received by such person in the Merger except in compliance with the
applicable provisions of the Securities Act and until such time as financial
results covering at least thirty (30) days of combined operations of Acquiror
and SCB shall have been published. Prior to the Effective Time, each of SCB and
Acquiror shall amend and supplement such letter and use its reasonable best
efforts to cause each additional person who is identified as an Affiliate to
execute a written agreement as set forth in this Section 8.9.

8.10 STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING. Acquiror shall use its reasonable best
efforts to list on the Nasdaq National Market, upon official notice of issuance,
the Acquiror Common Stock to be issued in the Merger.

8.11 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. (a) Acquiror and SCB agree that, unless
otherwise mutually determined, the SCB Employee Plans in effect at the date of
this Agreement (except stock plans) will remain in effect through December 31,
1997 with respect to employees (including retirees) covered by such plans at the
Effective Time. Acquiror, as appropriate, will take such steps as are required
so that all employees of SCB and SC Bank who become or remain as employees of
the Acquiror or any of its subsidiaries (the "CONTINUING EMPLOYEES") thereafter
become participants in Acquirors Employee Plans. All of the Continuing
Employees will be credited for eligibility for participation and vesting
purposes (but not for purposes of calculating accrued benefits, except as
provided below) with all of their years of past service with SCB or SC Bank (or
any of their predecessors to the extent SCB is obligated to credit past service
under acquisition agreements) as though they had been employees of the Acquiror
under all

<PAGE>

Acquiror Employee Plans in which the Continuing Employees participate following
the Effective Time. Acquiror agrees to assume and honor in accordance with
their terms all accrued benefits and other obligations of SCB under the SCB
Employee Plans for the benefit of all current and former employees of SCB and SC
Bank.

(b) All Continuing Employees shall be entitled to participate in
stock plans, bonus plans and other such incentive plans of Acquiror and
subsidiaries on the same basis as other similarly situated employees of such
companies. As to employees of SCB and SC Bank whose employment is terminated as
a result of the transactions contemplated hereby, Acquiror undertakes to make
available the information regularly made available to its employees concerning
employment positions available with Acquiror to enable such SCB and SC Bank
employees to apply for such positions.

(c) SCB or SC Bank has entered into employment and severance
agreements with certain senior executives, copies of which have been furnished
to Acquiror (the "EXECUTIVE AGREEMENTS"). SCB and SC Bank also have established
policies and procedures for termination and severance of employees' employment.
These policies ("SEVERANCE POLICIES") shall be amended as soon as practicable
following the date hereof to exclude employees hired by Acquiror under
reasonably comparable terms to those presently in effect. Acquiror shall assume
and honor all Executive Agreements and maintain all benefits described
thereunder without modification, offset or counterclaim; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
executives with Executive Agreements shall not be entitled to benefits under the
Severance Policies. Acquiror shall cause the Severance Policies to remain in
effect on the same basis as in effect at the Effective Time for the benefit of
any Continuing Employee whose employment is terminated by Acquiror or any of its
subsidiaries on or prior to December 31, 1997. Until at least December 31,
1998, Acquiror shall cause the Continuing Employees to be eligible for coverage
under severance plans or programs that are no less favorable to such employees
than the Severance Policies, which plans or programs shall include
employer-provided outplacement services that are appropriate to the employee's
position and experience.

(d) Acquiror agrees to honor in accordance with their terms the
obligations of SCB or SC Bank under all deferred compensation plans and
agreements for the benefit of all current and former employees of SCB and SC
Bank, including all funding arrangements with respect to such obligations and
all amendments to such plans, agreements and arrangements through the date
hereof. Acquiror agrees to assume and honor in accordance with their terms all
bonus and incentive compensation arrangements for employees of SCB and SC Bank,
it being acknowledged that with the prior consent of Acquiror (not to be
unreasonably withheld) SCB or SC Bank may make adjustments to such arrangements
as are necessary or appropriate to reflect the impact of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (but without providing any material increase in
benefits).

<PAGE>

(e) With respect to vacation pay, sick pay, leave of absence and
similar payroll practices of SCB or SC Bank, Acquiror agrees to honor as of the
Effective Time all existing obligations of SCB or SC Bank under policies of SCB
or SC Bank as currently in effect and, with respect to the Continuing Employees,
agrees to recognize all service recognized by SCB or SC Bank under similar
policies of Acquiror for purposes of eligibility and accrual of benefits after
the Effective Time.

(f) SCB shall cause the "401(k) Plan" which is part of the Southern
California Bank Employee Retirement Plan to be terminated immediately prior to
the Effective Time.

8.12 TAX-FREE REORGANIZATION TREATMENT; POOLING. Neither Acquiror nor
SCB shall take or cause to be taken any action, whether before or after the
Effective Time, which would disqualify the Merger (a) as a "reorganization"
within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code or (b) as a "pooling of interests"
for accounting purposes.

ARTICLE IX

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF SCB

9.1 CONDITIONS TO SCB'S OBLIGATIONS. The obligation of SCB to effect
the Merger shall be subject to the satisfaction or waiver prior to the Effective
Time of the conditions set forth in this Article IX.

(a) TRUTHFULNESS OF ACQUIROR'S STATEMENTS; PERFORMANCE OF
ACQUIROR'S OBLIGATIONS. Each of the representations, warranties and
covenants of Acquiror contained in this Agreement shall, in all material
respects, be true at the Effective Time as if made on such date (or on the
date when made in the case of any representation or warranty which
specifically relates to an earlier date); Acquiror shall have performed, in
all material respects, each of its covenants and agreements contained in this
Agreement; and SCB shall have received certificates signed by the Chief
Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Acquiror at the
Effective Time, to the foregoing effect.

(b) SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. The Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby shall have been approved by the requisite vote of the
shareholders of SCB in accordance with applicable law.

(c) CONSENTS; APPROVALS; SATISFACTION OF LEGAL REQUIREMENTS.
Acquiror shall have procured, as necessary, the required approval, consent or
waiver with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby (i) by the FRB, and (ii) by the State Superintendent of Banks pursuant
to California law, and all applicable statutory waiting periods shall have
expired; and the parties shall have procured all other regulatory approvals,
consents or waivers of governmental authorities or other persons

<PAGE>

that are necessary or appropriate to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no approval, consent or
waiver referred to in this Section 9.1(c) shall be deemed to have been received
if it shall include any condition or requirement that would be materially
burdensome on Acquiror (on a combined basis giving effect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement). All other requirements prescribed by law which
are necessary to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall have been satisfied.

(d) ABSENCE OF LITIGATION, INJUNCTION OR OTHER RESTRICTIONS. No
litigation or proceeding shall be pending against any party hereto or any of
their Subsidiaries brought by any governmental agency seeking to prevent
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. No party hereto shall be
subject to any order, decree or injunction of a court or agency of competent
jurisdiction which enjoins or prohibits the consummation of the Merger or any
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No statute, rule, regulation,
order, injunction or decree shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or
enforced by any governmental authority which prohibits, restricts or makes
illegal consummation of the Merger or any other transaction contemplated by this
Agreement.

(e) REGISTRATION STATEMENT. The Registration Statement shall have
become effective and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for that
purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission.

(f) TAX OPINIONS. SCB shall have received an opinion of Dewey
Ballantine, no later than thirty (30) days from the date hereof, and confirmed
immediately prior to the Effective Time, substantially to the effect that, on
the basis of facts, representations and assumptions set forth in such opinion,
the Merger will be a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of
the Code and that each of Acquiror and SCB will be a party to that
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code.

In rendering its opinion, Dewey Ballantine may require and rely upon
representations contained in letters from Acquiror, SCB, SC Bank and others.

(g) LEGAL OPINION. SCB shall have received the opinion of Sullivan
& Cromwell, special counsel to Acquiror, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to SCB, to the effect that the shares of Acquiror Common Stock
issued upon consummation of the Merger are duly authorized, validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable.

(h) POOLING TREATMENT. SCB shall have received a letter from
Deloitte & Touche LLP, dated the date of the Proxy Statement and confirmed in
writing at the Effective Time, stating that it knows of nothing with respect to
SCB that prohibits Acquiror from accounting for the Merger as a pooling of
interests.

<PAGE>

(i) FAIRNESS OPINION. Prior to the solicitation of approval this
Agreement by SCB's shareholders, SCB shall have received an opinion confirming
the fairness of the terms of the Merger to its shareholders from a financial
point of view.

(j) PENDING ACQUIROR TRANSACTION. Acquiror's pending acquisition of
California Commercial Bankshares shall have closed and the terms thereof shall
not be materially less favorable to Acquiror than those described in the
Preliminary Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A of Acquiror as filed with the
Commission on or about March 1, 1997 in connection with the issuance of Acquiror
Common Stock pursuant to such acquisition.

(k) NASDAQ LISTING. The outstanding shares of Acquiror Common Stock
shall have been listed on the Nasdaq National Market not later than the first
trading day of the period during which the Average Closing Price is calculated
pursuant to Section 2.1(b) hereof. The shares of Acquiror Common Stock to be
issued in the Merger shall have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq National
Market.

ARTICLE X

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF ACQUIROR

10.1 CONDITIONS TO ACQUIROR'S OBLIGATIONS. The obligations of
Acquiror to effect the Merger shall be subject to the satisfaction or waiver
prior to the Effective Time of the conditions set forth in this Article X.

(a) TRUTHFULNESS OF SCB'S STATEMENTS; PERFORMANCE OF SCB'S
OBLIGATIONS. Each of the representations, warranties and covenants of SCB and
SC Bank contained in this Agreement shall, in all material respects, be true at
the Effective Time as if made on such date (or on the date when made in the case
of any representation or warranty which specifically relates to an earlier
date); SCB and SC Bank shall have performed, in all material respects, each of
its covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement; and Acquiror shall
have received certificates signed by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief
Financial Officer of SCB and SC Bank at the Effective Time, to the foregoing
effect.

(b) SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. This Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby shall have been approved by the requisite vote of the
shareholders of Acquiror in accordance with applicable law.

(c) CONSENTS; APPROVALS; SATISFACTION OF LEGAL REQUIREMENTS.
Acquiror shall have procured, as necessary, the required approval, consent or
waiver with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
(i) by the FRB, and (ii) by the State Superintendent of Banks pursuant to
California law, and all applicable statutory waiting periods shall have expired;
and the parties shall have procured all other

<PAGE>

regulatory approvals, consents or waivers of governmental authorities or other
persons that are necessary or appropriate to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no
approval, consent or waiver referred to in this Section 10.1(c) shall be deemed
to have been received if it shall include any condition or requirement that
would be materially burdensome on Acquiror (on a combined basis giving effect to
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement). All other requirements
prescribed by law which are necessary to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall have been satisfied.

(f) TAX OPINIONS. Acquiror shall have received an opinion of
Sullivan & Cromwell, no later than thirty (30) days from the date hereof, and
confirmed immediately prior to the Effective Time, substantially to the effect
that, on the basis of facts, representations and assumptions set forth in such
opinion, the Merger will be a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section
368(a) of the Code and that each of Acquiror and SCB will be a party to that
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code.

In rendering its opinion, Sullivan & Cromwell may require and rely
upon representations contained in letters from Acquiror, SCB, SC Bank and
others.

(g) "COLD COMFORT" LETTERS. Acquiror and its directors and officers
who sign the Registration Statement shall have received from SCB's independent
certified public accountants "cold comfort" letters dated (i) the date of the
mailing of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to SCB's shareholders and (ii) shortly
prior to the Effective Time, with respect to certain financial information
regarding SCB, in each case in the form customarily issued by such accountants
at such times in transactions of this type.

<PAGE>

(h) "BLUE SKY" AUTHORIZATIONS. Acquiror shall have received all
state securities laws and "Blue Sky" permits and other authorizations necessary
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

(i) POOLING TREATMENT. Acquiror shall have received a letter from
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, dated the date of the Proxy Statement and confirmed in
writing at the Effective Time, regarding KPMG Peat Marwick LLP's concurrence
with Acquiror's management as to the appropriateness of pooling of interests
accounting for the Merger under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 16, if
the Merger is consummated in accordance with this Agreement.

(j) FAIRNESS OPINION. Prior to the solicitation of approval this
Agreement by Acquiror's shareholders, Acquiror shall have received an opinion
confirming the fairness of the terms of the Merger to its shareholders from a
financial point of view.

(k) DISSENTERS. SCB or Acquiror shareholders voting against this
Agreement or giving notice in writing to SCB or Acquiror, as the case may be, at
or before the applicable Meeting that such shareholder dissents from this
Agreement, in the aggregate, shall not hold more than five percent of the SCB
Common Stock or the Acquiror Common Stock, as the case may be.

(l) TAX CERTIFICATE. Acquiror shall have received a conformed copy
of the certificate of satisfaction of the Franchise Tax Board of the State of
California that all taxes imposed by law on SCB have been paid or secured, as
filed with the Secretary of State for the State of California pursuant to
Section 1103 of the California Corporations Code.

ARTICLE XI

TERMINATION

11.1 TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated, and the Merger
abandoned, prior to the Effective Time, either before or after its approval by
the shareholders of SCB and Acquiror:

(a) by the mutual consent of Acquiror and SCB, if the board of
directors, or duly authorized committee thereof, of each so determines;

(b) by Acquiror or SCB, by written notice to the other party if its
board so determines by vote of a majority of the members of its entire board, in
the event of (i) the failure of the shareholders of SCB to approve this
Agreement at the SCB Shareholders' Meeting, (ii) the failure of the shareholders
of Acquiror to approve the Agreement at the Acquiror Shareholders' Meeting, or
(iii) a material breach by the other

<PAGE>

party hereto of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained
herein, which is not cured within thirty (30) days after written notice of such
breach is given to the party committing such breach by the other party;

(c) by Acquiror, if SCB's board of directors fails to recommend the
approval of this Agreement at a SCB Shareholders' Meeting as contemplated by
Section 6.3 hereof;

(d) by Acquiror or SCB by written notice to the other party if its
board of directors determines by a vote of a majority of the members of its
entire board, in the event that either (i) any approval, consent or waiver of a
Governmental Authority required to permit consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby shall have been denied or (ii) any Governmental Authority of
competent jurisdiction shall have issued a final, unappealable order enjoining
or otherwise prohibiting consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement;

(e) by Acquiror or SCB, by written notice to the other party if its
board so determines by vote of a majority of the members of its entire board, in
the event that the Merger is not consummated by December 31, 1997, unless the
failure to so consummate by such time is due to the breach of any
representation, warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement by the party
seeking to terminate;

(f) by SCB in the event that, with respect to any Ten Day Period (as
defined below) both (i)(A) the Ten Day Average Price (as defined below) shall be
less than $2.25 per share or (B) both (1) the Ten Day Average Price shall be
less than $2.75 per share and (2) the Acquiror Common Stock Price Percentage (as
defined below) shall be less than the BKX Index Percentage (as defined below)
and (ii) SCB has delivered written notice to Acquiror of its intention to
terminate this Agreement within forty-eight (48) hours following the date of
such event (it being understood that, if an event set forth in clause (i) shall
have occurred and SCB fails to timely deliver the notice referred to in this
clause (ii), SCB shall have the right to terminate if any such event
subsequently occurs and SCB timely delivers such notice); PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that, if Acquiror effects a stock dividend, reclassification, recapitalization,
stock split, combination, exchange of shares or similar transaction after the
date hereof and prior to the Effective Time, the provisions of this Section
11.1(f) shall be appropriately adjusted;

(g) by SCB, by written notice to Acquiror prior to the approval by
the shareholders of SCB of this Agreement, if SCB receives an Acquisition
Proposal on terms and conditions which the board of directors determines, after
receiving the advice of its outside counsel (i) that to proceed with the Merger
will violate the fiduciary duties of the board of directors to SCB's
shareholders and (ii) to accept such proposal; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that SCB shall
not be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this clause (g) unless
it shall have provided Acquiror with written notice of such a possible
determination (which written notice will inform Acquiror of the material terms
and

<PAGE>

conditions of the proposal, including the identity of the proponent) not less
than two business days prior to such determination.

As used in this Section 11.1, (w) "ACQUIROR COMMON STOCK PRICE PERCENTAGE"
means the percentage determined by dividing the Ten Day Average Price by $2.75
(as such amount may be adjusted pursuant to clause (f) above); (x) "BKX INDEX
PERCENTAGE" means the percentage determined by dividing (i) the product of (A)
the Keefe Bank Index as of the date of determination times (B) 0.9 by (ii) the
Keefe Bank Index as of the date hereof; (y) "TEN DAY AVERAGE PRICE" means the
volume weighted average sales price per share of Acquiror Common Stock for a Ten
Day Period, which volume weighted average shall be determined in a manner
consistent with Section 2.1(b) hereof; and (z) "TEN DAY PERIOD" means any
period of ten (10) consecutive Trading Days occurring after the tenth Trading
Day following the CCB Closing Date.

11.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. (a) In the event of the termination of
this Agreement by either Acquiror or SCB, as provided above, this Agreement
shall thereafter become void and, subject to the provisions of Section 8.3(b)
hereof, there shall be no liability on the part of any party hereto or their
respective officers or directors, except that any such termination shall be
without prejudice to the rights of any party hereto arising out of the willful
breach by any other party of any covenant or willful misrepresentation contained
in this Agreement.

(b) The parties agree and acknowledge that it is impractical to
ascertain the precise amount of damage to SCB as a result of a failure to
consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby due to a
termination of this Agreement by SCB pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 11.1(b)
hereof. Accordingly, in the event of such termination, Acquiror shall pay to
SCB $1.25 million plus all costs and expenses incurred by SCB in connection with
this Agreement, up to $500,000, the parties agreeing that such amount will
represent a reasonable estimate of the minimum damage to SCB and not a penalty.
The fee payable pursuant to the foregoing sentence shall be payable by Acquiror
to SCB by wire transfer to an account designated by SCB in writing on or before
the seventh day after it becomes due. Payment of such amount shall be in full
satisfaction of damages to SCB arising from any breach by Acquiror of any of its
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained herein.

(c) The parties agree and acknowledge that it is impractical to
ascertain the precise amount of damage to Acquiror as a result of a failure to
consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby due to a
termination of this Agreement by Acquiror pursuant to clause (iii) of Section
11.1(b) hereof or Section 11.1(g). Accordingly, in the event of such
termination, SCB shall pay to Acquiror $1.25 million plus all costs and expenses
incurred by Acquiror in connection with this Agreement, up to $500,000, the
parties agreeing that such amount will represent a reasonable estimate of the
minimum damage to Acquiror and not a penalty. The fee payable pursuant to the
foregoing sentence shall be payable by SCB to Acquiror by wire transfer to an
account

<PAGE>

designated by Acquiror in writing on or before the seventh day after it becomes
due. Payment of such amount shall be in full satisfaction of damages to
Acquiror arising from any breach by SCB of any of its representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements contained herein.

ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS

12.1 INTERPRETATIONS. The table of contents and headings contained in
this Agreement are for ease of reference only and shall not affect the meaning
or interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words "include", "includes",
or "including" are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed followed by the
words "without limitation." Any singular term in this Agreement shall be deemed
to include the plural, and any plural term the singular.

12.2 SURVIVAL. Only those agreements and covenants of the parties
which are expressly made applicable in whole or in part after the Effective Time
shall survive the Effective Time. All other representations, warranties,
agreements and covenants shall be deemed to be conditions of this Agreement and
shall not survive the Effective Time. If this Agreement shall be terminated,
the agreements of the parties contained in Section 8.3(b) shall survive such
termination.

12.3 WAIVER. Prior to the Effective Time, any provision of this
Agreement may be (i) waived by the party benefitted by the provision or by both
parties (ii) amended or modified at any time (including the structure of the
transaction) by an agreement in writing between the parties hereto approved by
their respective Boards of Directors (or duly authorized committee thereof),
except that, after the vote by the shareholders of SCB or Acquiror, no principal
term of the Merger may be amended or revised without the approval of the
shareholders of SCB or Acquiror, as the case may be.

12.4 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts
each of which shall be deemed to constitute an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

12.5 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of California without
regard to the rules of conflicts of law thereof.

12.6 EXPENSES. Each party hereto will bear all expenses incurred by
it in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

12.7 NOTICE. Any notice required or permitted to be served hereunder
shall be given as follows:

<PAGE>

To SCB: SC Bancorp
3800 East LaPalma Avenue
Anaheim, California 92807
Attention: Larry D. Hartwig
Facsimile Number: (714) 630-4564

With a copy to: Dewey Ballantine
333 South Hope Street, 30th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071
Attention: Robert M. Smith
Facsimile Number: (213) 625-0562

To Acquiror: Monarch Bancorp
1251 Westwood Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90024
Attention: Matthew P. Wagner
Facsimile Number: (310) 477-8611

With a copy to: Sullivan & Cromwell
444 South Flower Street
Los Angeles, California 90071
Attention: Stanley F. Farrar
Facsimile Number: (213) 683-0458

Any such notice, request, instruction or other document shall be
deemed received on the date delivered personally or sent by facsimile
transmission, or on the fourth business day after it was sent by registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid. Any of the persons shown above may change its
address for purposes of this Section 12.7 by giving notice in accordance
herewith.

12.8 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; ETC. This Agreement represents the entire
understanding of the parties hereto with reference to the transactions
contemplated hereby and supersedes any and all other oral or written agreements
heretofore made. All terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding
upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to confer upon
any other person any rights or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by
reason of this Agreement, except for Sections 7.4 and 8.11 hereof.

12.9 ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement may not be assigned by any party
hereto without the written consent of the other party.

* * *

<PAGE>

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date
first written above.

SC BANCORP

By: /s/ Harold A. Beisswenger
-------------------------------
Name: HAROLD A. BEISSWENGER
Title: Chairman of the Board

By: /s/ Larry D. Hartwig
-------------------------------
Name: LARRY D. HARTWIG
Title: President and Chief
Executive Officer

MONARCH BANCORP

By: /s/ Matthew P. Wagner
-------------------------------
Name: MATTHEW P. WAGNER
Title: President

<PAGE>

EXHIBIT B

<PAGE>

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of the 29th day of April, 1997 (this
"AGREEMENT"), between Monarch Bancorp, a California corporation ("GRANTEE"), and
SC Bancorp, a California corporation ("ISSUER").

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, Grantee and Issuer are entering into an Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization dated as of the date hereof (the "MERGER AGREEMENT"), which is
being executed by the parties hereto simultaneously with the execution of this
Agreement; and

WHEREAS, as a condition and inducement to Grantee's entering into the
Merger Agreement and in consideration therefor, Issuer has agreed to grant
Grantee the Option (as defined below);

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
covenants and agreements set forth herein and in the Merger Agreement, the
parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1. GRANT OF OPTION.

Issuer hereby grants to Grantee an unconditional, irrevocable option
(the "OPTION") to purchase, subject to the terms hereof, up to 1,491,050 (or
such lesser amount as shall constitute 19.9% of the outstanding shares of the
Common Stock on the date of exercise) fully paid and nonassessable shares of
Common Stock, no par value ("COMMON STOCK"), of Issuer at a price per share
equal to $11.875 per share (the "INITIAL PRICE"); provided, however, that in the
event Issuer issues or agrees to issue (other than pursuant to options and
warrants to issue Common Stock in effect as of the date hereof) any shares of
Common Stock at a price less than the Initial Price (as adjusted pursuant to
Section 5(b)), such price shall be equal to such lesser price (such price, as
adjusted as hereinafter provided, the "OPTION PRICE"). The number of shares of
Common Stock that may be received upon the exercise of the Option and the Option
Price are subject to adjustment as herein set forth.

SECTION 2. EXERCISE OF OPTION.

(a) TIMING OF EXERCISE, TERMINATION. Grantee may exercise the
Option, in whole or part, at any time and from time to time following the
occurrence of a Purchase Event (as defined below); provided that the Option
shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon the earliest to occur
of (i) the time immediately prior to the Effective Time, (ii) 12 months after
the first occurrence of a Purchase Event (as defined below), (iii) 18 months
after the termination of the Merger Agreement following the occurrence of a
Preliminary Purchase Event (as defined below), (iv) termination of the Merger
Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof prior to the occurrence of a

<PAGE>

Purchase Event or a Preliminary Purchase Event (other than a termination of the
Merger Agreement by Grantee pursuant to Section 11.1(b)(iii) or (g) thereof), or
(v) 18 months after the termination of the Merger Agreement by Grantee pursuant
to Section 11.1(b)(iii) or (g) thereof. The events described in clauses (i) -
(v) in the preceding sentence are hereinafter collectively referred to as an
"EXERCISE TERMINATION EVENT."

(b) PRELIMINARY PURCHASE EVENT. The term "PRELIMINARY PURCHASE
EVENT" shall mean any of the following events or transactions occurring after
the date hereof:

(i) Issuer or any of its subsidiaries (each an "ISSUER SUBSIDIARY")
without having received Grantee's prior written consent, shall have entered into
an agreement to engage in an Acquisition Transaction (as defined below) with any
Person (the term "PERSON" for purposes of this Agreement having the meaning
assigned thereto in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (the "SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT"), and the rules and regulations
thereunder) other than Grantee or any of its subsidiaries (each a "GRANTEE
SUBSIDIARY") or the board of directors of Issuer shall have recommended that the
shareholders of Issuer approve or accept any Acquisition Transaction with any
Person other than Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary. For purposes of this
Agreement, "ACQUISITION TRANSACTION" shall mean (x) a merger or consolidation,
or any similar transaction, involving Issuer or any of Issuer's subsidiaries,
(y) a purchase, lease or other acquisition of all or substantially all of the
assets of Issuer or any subsidiary or (z) a purchase or other acquisition
(including by way of merger, consolidation, share exchange or otherwise) of
securities representing 10% or more of the voting power of Issuer or any
subsidiary, other than by exercise of options, warrants or other rights (or in
settlement or satisfaction of such rights) set forth in Section 4.2(a) of the
SCB Disclosure Letter issued in connection with the Merger Agreement (the "SCB
DISCLOSURE LETTER"), provided that the term "Acquisition Transaction" does not
include any internal merger or consolidation involving only Issuer and/or Issuer
Subsidiaries;

(ii) Any Person (other than Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary) shall
have acquired Beneficial Ownership or the right to acquire Beneficial Ownership,
other than by exercise of options, warrants or other rights (or in settlement or
satisfaction of such rights) set forth in Section 4.2(a) of the SCB Disclosure
Letter, of shares of Common Stock (the term "BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP" for purposes
of this Agreement having the meaning assigned thereto in Section 13(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder) such that,
upon the consummation of such acquisition, such Person would have Beneficial
Ownership, in the aggregate, of 10% or more of the then outstanding shares of
Common Stock if such Person is a director or officer of the Issuer, and 25% or
more of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock if such Person is not a
director or officer of the Issuer;

(iii) Any Person other than Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary shall
have made a bona fide proposal to Issuer or its shareholders, by public
announcement or written communication that is or becomes the subject of public
disclosure, to engage in an Acquisition Transaction (including, without
limitation, any situation in which any

<PAGE>

Person other than Grantee or any subsidiary of Grantee shall have commenced (as
such term is defined in Rule 14d-2 under the Securities Exchange Act) or shall
have filed a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "SECURITIES ACT"), with respect to, a tender offer or exchange offer to
purchase any shares of Common Stock such that, upon consummation of such offer,
such Person would own or control 10% or more of the then outstanding shares of
Common Stock (such an offer being referred to herein as a "TENDER OFFER" or an
"EXCHANGE OFFER", respectively));

(iv) After a proposal is made by a third party to Issuer or its
shareholders to engage in an Acquisition Transaction, Issuer shall have breached
any covenant or obligation contained in the Merger Agreement and such breach
would entitle Grantee to terminate the Merger Agreement or the holders of Common
Stock shall not have approved the Merger Agreement at the meeting of such
stockholders held for the purpose of voting on the Merger Agreement, such
meeting shall not have been held or shall have been canceled prior to
termination of the Merger Agreement or Issuer's board of directors shall have
withdrawn or modified in a manner adverse to Grantee the recommendation of
Issuer's board of directors with respect to the Merger Agreement;

(v) Any Person other than Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary, other
than in connection with a transaction to which Grantee has given its prior
written consent or in connection with the exercise of options, warrants or other
rights (or in settlement or satisfaction of such rights) set forth in Section
4.2(a) of the SCB Dislosure Letter, shall have filed an application or notice
with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "FEDERAL RESERVE
BOARD") or other governmental authority or regulatory or administrative agency
or commission (each, a "GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY") for approval to engage in an
Acquisition Transaction; or

(vi) The board of directors of Issuer does not recommend that the
shareholders of Issuer approve the Merger Agreement.

(c) PURCHASE EVENT. The term "PURCHASE EVENT" shall mean either of
the following events or transactions occurring after the date hereof:

(i) The acquisition by any Person other than Grantee or any Grantee
Subsidiary of Beneficial Ownership of shares of Common Stock, other than by
exercise of options, warrants or other rights (or in settlement or satisfaction
of such rights) set forth in Section 4.2(a) of the SCB Disclosure Letter or as a
result of the execution and delivery of Shareholders Agreements referred to in
Section 6.5 of the Merger Agreement, such that, upon the consummation of such
acquisition, such Person would have Beneficial Ownership, in the aggregate, of
20% or more of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock if such Person is a
director or officer of the Issuer, and 25% or more of the then outstanding
shares of Common Stock if such Person is not a director or officer of the
Issuer; or

<PAGE>

(ii) The occurrence of a Preliminary Purchase Event described in
Section 2(b)(i) hereof except that the percentage referred to in clause (z)
shall be 20%.

(d) NOTICE BY ISSUER. Issuer shall notify Grantee promptly in
writing of the occurrence of any Preliminary Purchase Event or Purchase Event;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the giving of such notice by Issuer shall not be a
condition to the right of Grantee to exercise the Option.

(e) NOTICE OF EXERCISE. In the event that Grantee is entitled to and
wishes to exercise the Option, it shall send to Issuer a written notice (the
"OPTION NOTICE" and the date of which being hereinafter referred to as the
"NOTICE DATE") specifying (i) the total number of shares of Common Stock it will
purchase pursuant to such exercise, (ii) the aggregate purchase price as
provided herein and (iii) a period of time (that shall not be less than three
business days nor more than 30 business days) running from the Notice Date (the
"CLOSING DATE") and a place at which the closing of such purchase shall take
place; provided, that, if prior notification to or approval of the Federal
Reserve Board or any other Governmental Authority is required in connection with
such purchase (each, a "NOTIFICATION" or an "APPROVAL," as the case may be), (a)
Grantee shall promptly file, or cause to be filed, the required notice or
application for approval ("NOTICE/APPLICATION"), (b) Grantee shall expeditiously
process, or cause to be expeditiously processed, the Notice/Application and (c)
for the purpose of determining the Closing Date pursuant to clause (iii) of this
sentence, the period of time that otherwise would run from the Notice Date shall
instead run from the later of (x) in connection with any Notification, the date
on which any required notification periods have expired or been terminated and
(y) in connection with any Approval, the date on which such approval has been
obtained and any requisite waiting period or periods shall have expired. For
purposes of Section 2(a) hereof, any exercise of the Option shall be deemed to
occur on the Notice Date relating thereto. On or prior to the Closing Date,
Grantee shall have the right to revoke its exercise of the Option in the event
that the transaction constituting a Purchase Event that gives rise to such right
to exercise shall not have been consummated.

(f) PAYMENTS. At the closing referred to in Section 2(e) hereof,
Grantee shall pay to Issuer the aggregate Option Price for the shares of Common
Stock specified in the Option Notice in immediately available funds by wire
transfer to a bank account designated by Issuer; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that failure
or refusal of Issuer to designate such a bank account shall not preclude Grantee
from exercising the Option.

(g) DELIVERY OF COMMON STOCK. At such closing, simultaneously with
the delivery of immediately available funds as provided in Section 2(f) hereof,
Issuer shall deliver to Grantee a certificate or certificates representing the
number of shares of Common Stock specified in the Option Notice and, if the
Option should be exercised in part only, a new Option evidencing the rights of
Grantee thereof to purchase the balance of the shares of Common Stock
purchasable hereunder.

<PAGE>

(h) COMMON STOCK CERTIFICATES. Certificates for Common Stock
delivered at a closing hereunder shall be endorsed with a restrictive legend
substantially as follows:

THE TRANSFER OF THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE IS SUBJECT
TO RESALE RESTRICTIONS ARISING UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED, AND TO CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN MONARCH
BANCORP AND SC BANCORP ("ISSUER") DATED AS OF THE 29TH DAY OF APRIL,
1997. A COPY OF SUCH AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF
ISSUER AND WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE HOLDER HEREOF WITHOUT CHARGE UPON
RECEIPT BY ISSUER OF A WRITTEN REQUEST THEREFOR.

It is understood and agreed that: (i) the reference to the resale
restrictions of the Securities Act in the above legend shall be removed by
delivery of substitute certificate(s) without such reference if Grantee shall
have delivered to Issuer a copy of a letter from the staff of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "COMMISSION"), or an opinion of counsel, in form and
substance satisfactory to Issuer, to the effect that such legend is not required
for purposes of the Securities Act; (ii) the reference to the provisions of this
Agreement in the above legend shall be removed by delivery of substitute
certificate(s) without such reference if the shares have been sold or
transferred in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement and under
circumstances that do not require the retention of such reference; and (iii) the
legend shall be removed in its entirety if the conditions in the preceding
clauses (i) and (ii) are both satisfied. In addition, such certificates shall
bear any other legend as may be required by law. The Grantee agrees that,
except as otherwise contemplated hereby, the shares to be acquired pursuant
hereto will be acquired for investment only and not with a view to any public
distribution thereof, and Grantee will not offer to sell or otherwise dispose of
the shares in violation of any of the requirements of the Securities Act.

(i) HOLDER OF RECORD. Upon the giving by Grantee to Issuer of an
Option Notice and the tender of the applicable purchase price in immediately
available funds on the Closing Date, Grantee shall be deemed to be the holder of
record of the number of shares of Common Stock specified in the Option Notice,
notwithstanding that the stock transfer books of Issuer shall then be closed or
that certificates representing such shares of Common Stock shall not then
actually be delivered to Grantee. Issuer shall pay all expenses and any and all
United States federal, state and local taxes and other charges that may be
payable in connection with the preparation, issuance and delivery of stock
certificates under this Section 2 in the name of Grantee.

<PAGE>

SECTION 3. ISSUER'S COVENANTS.

(a) AVAILABLE SHARES. At all times until the termination of this
Agreement, the Issuer agrees that it shall have reserved for issuance upon the
exercise of the Option that number of authorized and reserved shares of Common
Stock equal to the maximum number of shares of Common Stock at any time and from
time to time issuable hereunder, all of which shares will, upon issuance
pursuant hereto, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable,
and delivered free and clear of all claims, liens, encumbrances and security
interests.

(b) COMPLIANCE. The Issuer agrees that it will not, by amendment of
its articles of incorporation or through reorganization, consolidation, merger,
dissolution or sale of assets, or by any other voluntary act, avoid or seek to
avoid the observance or performance of any of the covenants, stipulations or
conditions to be observed or performed hereunder by Issuer.

(c) CERTAIN ACTIONS, APPLICATIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS. Issuer shall
promptly take all action as may from time to time be required (including (i)
complying with all premerger notification, reporting and waiting period
requirements specified in 15 U.S.C. Section 18a and regulations promulgated
thereunder and (ii) in the event, under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as
amended ("BHC ACT"), or the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended, or
any state banking law, prior approval of or notice to the Federal Reserve Board
or to any other Governmental Authority is necessary before the Option may be
exercised, cooperating with Grantee in preparing such applications or notices
and providing such information to each such Governmental Authority as it may
require) in order to permit Grantee to exercise the Option and Issuer duly and
effectively to issue shares of Common Stock pursuant hereto.

SECTION 4. EXCHANGE OF OPTION.

This Agreement and the Option granted hereby are exchangeable, without
expense, at the option of Grantee, upon presentation and surrender of this
Agreement at the principal office of Issuer, for other agreements providing for
Options of different denominations entitling the holder thereof to purchase, on
the same terms and subject to the same conditions as are set forth herein, in
the aggregate the same number of shares of Common Stock purchasable hereunder.
The terms "Agreement" and "Option" as used in this Section 4 include any
agreements and related options for which this Agreement and the Option granted
hereby may be exchanged.

Upon receipt by Issuer of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of
the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Agreement, and (in the case
of loss, theft or destruction) of reasonably satisfactory indemnification, and
upon surrender and cancellation of this Agreement, if mutilated, Issuer will
execute and deliver a new Agreement of like tenor and date. Any such new
Agreement executed and delivered shall constitute an additional contractual
obligation on the part of Issuer, whether or not

<PAGE>

the Agreement so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated shall at any time be
enforceable by anyone.

SECTION 5. ADJUSTMENTS.

The number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of
the Option shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as follows:

(a) In the event of any change in the Common Stock by reason of stock
dividends, split-ups, mergers, recapitalizations, combinations, subdivisions,
conversions, exchanges of shares or the like, the type and number of shares of
Common Stock purchasable upon exercise hereof shall be appropriately adjusted
and proper provision shall be made so that, in the event that any additional
shares of Common Stock are to be issued or otherwise to become outstanding as a
result of any such change (other than pursuant to an exercise of the Option or
any other options, warrants or other rights (or in settlement or satisfaction of
such rights) set forth in Section 4.2(a) of the SCB Disclosure Letter), the
number of shares of Common Stock that remain subject to the Option shall be
increased so that, after such issuance and together with shares of Common Stock
previously issued pursuant to the exercise of the Option (as adjusted on account
of any of the foregoing changes in the Common Stock), it represents the same
proportion of the number of shares of Common Stock then issued and outstanding
as such proportion before the applicable event described in this Section 5(a).

(b) Whenever the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon
exercise hereof is adjusted as provided in this Section 5, the Option Price
shall be adjusted by multiplying the Option Price by a fraction, the numerator
of which shall be equal to the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable
prior to the adjustment and the denominator of which shall be equal to the
number of shares of Common Stock purchasable after the adjustment.

SECTION 6. REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Purchase Event that occurs prior to an
Exercise Termination Event, Issuer shall, at the request of Grantee (whether on
its own behalf or on behalf of any subsequent holder of the Option (or part
thereof) or any of the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant hereto), promptly
prepare and file a registration statement under the Securities Act covering any
shares issued and issuable pursuant to the Option and shall use its best efforts
to cause such registration statement to become effective, and to remain current
and effective for a reasonable period after such registration statement first
becomes effective, in order to permit the sale or other disposition of any
shares of Common Stock issued upon total or partial exercise of the Option
("OPTION SHARES") in accordance with any plan of disposition requested by
Grantee; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Issuer may postpone filing a registration
statement relating to a registration request by Grantee under this Section 6 for
a period of time (not in excess of 30 days) if in its judgment such filing would
require the disclosure of

<PAGE>

material information that Issuer has a bona fide business purpose for preserving
as confidential. Grantee shall have the right to demand one such registration
at the Issuer's expense and additional registrations at its own expense. The
foregoing notwithstanding, if, at the time of any request by Grantee for
registration of Option Shares as provided above, Issuer is in the process of
registration with respect to an underwritten public offering of shares of Common
Stock, and if in the good faith judgment of the managing underwriter or managing
underwriters, or, if none, the sole underwriter or underwriters, of such
offering, the offering or inclusion of the Option Shares would interfere
materially with the successful marketing of the shares of Common Stock offered
by Issuer, the number of Option Shares otherwise to be covered in the
registration statement contemplated hereby may be reduced; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that after any such required reduction, the number of Option Shares to be
included in such offering for the account of Grantee shall constitute at least
33 1/3% of the total number of shares of Common Stock held by Grantee and Issuer
covered in such registration statement; PROVIDED FURTHER, HOWEVER, that if such
reduction occurs, then Issuer shall file a registration statement for the
balance as promptly as practicable thereafter as to which no reduction pursuant
to this Section 6(a) shall be permitted or occur, and the Grantee shall
thereafter be entitled to one additional registration statement at the Grantee's
expense. In addition, if the Company proposes to register its Common Stock or
any other securities on a form that would permit the registration of the Option
Shares for public sale under the Securities Act (whether proposed to be offered
for sale by the Issuer or any other Person) it will give prompt written notice
to Grantee of its intention to do so, specifying the relevant terms of such
proposal, including the proposed maximum offering price thereof. Upon the
written request of the Grantee delivered to the Issuer within 10 business days
after the giving of any such notice, which request shall specify the number of
Option Shares desired to be disposed by Grantee, the Company will use its best
efforts to effect, in connection with its proposed registration, the
registration under the Securities Act of the Option Shares set forth in such
request. The Grantee shall be entitled to two such registrations at the
Issuer's expense and additional registrations at its own expense. Grantee shall
provide all information reasonably requested by Issuer for inclusion in any
registration statement to be filed hereunder. In connection with any such
registration, Issuer and Grantee shall provide each other with representations,
warranties, indemnities and other agreements customarily given in connection
with such registrations. If requested by Grantee in connection with such
registration, Issuer and Grantee shall become a party to any underwriting
agreement relating to the sale of such Option Shares, but only to the extent of
obligating themselves in respect of representations, warranties, indemnities and
other agreements customarily included in such underwriting agreements.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Grantee revokes any Option Notice or fails to
exercise any Option with respect to any Option Notice pursuant to Section 2(e)
hereof, Issuer shall not be obligated to continue any registration process with
respect to the sale of Option Shares issuable upon the exercise of such Option
and Grantee shall not be deemed to have demanded registration of Option Shares.

(b) In the event that Grantee requests Issuer to file a registration
statement following the failure to obtain any approval required to exercise the
Option as described

<PAGE>

in Section 8 hereof, the closing of the sale or other disposition of the Common
Stock or other securities pursuant to such registration statement shall occur
substantially simultaneously with the exercise of the Option.

SECTION 7. SUBSTITUTE OPTION.

(a) GRANT OF SUBSTITUTE OPTION. In the event that prior to an
Exercise Termination Event, Issuer shall enter into an agreement (i) to
consolidate or merge with any Person, other than Grantee or a Grantee
Subsidiary, and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation of such
consolidation or merger, (ii) to permit any Person, other than Grantee or a
Grantee Subsidiary, to merge into Issuer and Issuer shall be the continuing or
surviving corporation, but, in connection with such merger, the then outstanding
shares of Common Stock shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other
securities of any other Person or cash or any other property or the then
outstanding shares of Common Stock shall after such merger represent less than
50% of the outstanding shares and share equivalents of the merged company, or
(iii) to sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of its or any
Material Subsidiary's assets to any Person, other than Grantee or a Grantee
Subsidiary, then, and in each such case, the agreement governing such
transaction shall make proper provision so that the Option shall, upon the
consummation of such transaction and upon the terms and conditions set forth
herein, be converted into, or exchanged for, an option (the "SUBSTITUTE
OPTION"), at the election of Grantee, of either (x) the Acquiring Corporation
(as defined below) or (y) any Person that controls the Acquiring Corporation
(the Acquiring Corporation and any such controlling Person being hereinafter
referred to as the "SUBSTITUTE OPTION ISSUER").

(b) EXERCISE OF SUBSTITUTE OPTION. The Substitute Option shall be
exercisable for such number of shares of the Substitute Common Stock (as defined
below) as is equal to (i) the product of the Market Price (as defined below)
multiplied by the number of shares of the Issuer Common Stock for which the
Option was theretofore exercisable, (ii) divided by the Average Price (as
defined below). The exercise price of the Substitute Option per share of the
Substitute Common Stock (the "SUBSTITUTE PURCHASE PRICE") shall then be equal to
the product of the Option Price multiplied by a fraction in which the numerator
is the number of shares of Common Stock for which the Option was theretofore
exercisable and the denominator is the number of shares for which the Substitute
Option is exercisable. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "MARKET PRICE"
shall mean the highest of (i) the price per share of Common Stock paid or to be
paid by any third party pursuant to an agreement with Issuer (whether by way of
a merger, consolidation or otherwise) and (ii) in the event of a sale of all or
substantially all of Issuer's assets, the sum of the price paid in such sale for
such assets and the current market value of the remaining assets of Issuer as
determined by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm
selected by Grantee divided by the number of shares of Common Stock of Issuer
outstanding at the time of such sale. In determining the Market Price, the
value of consideration other than cash shall be the value determined by a
nationally recognized independent investment banking firm selected by Grantee
whose determination shall be conclusive and binding on all parties.

<PAGE>

(c) TERMS OF SUBSTITUTE OPTION. The Substitute Option shall
otherwise have the same terms as the Option, provided, however, that if the
terms of the Substitute Option cannot, for legal reasons, be the same as the
Option, such terms shall be as similar as possible and in no event less
advantageous to Grantee.

(d) SUBSTITUTE OPTION DEFINITIONS. The following terms have the
meanings indicated:

(i) "ACQUIRING CORPORATION" shall mean (i) the continuing or
surviving corporation of a consolidation or merger with Issuer (if other than
Issuer), (ii) Issuer in a merger in which Issuer is the continuing or surviving
Person, and (iii) the transferee of all or any substantial part of the Issuer's
assets (or the assets of any Issuer subsidiary);

(ii) "SUBSTITUTE COMMON STOCK" shall mean the common stock issued by
the Substitute Option Issuer upon exercise of the Substitute Option; and

(iii) "AVERAGE PRICE" shall mean the average closing price of a
share of the Substitute Common Stock for the one year immediately preceding
the consolidation, merger or sale in question, but in no event higher than
the closing price of the shares of the Substitute Common Stock on the day
preceding such consolidation, merger or sale; provided, however, that if such
closing price is not ascertainable due to an absence of a public market for
the Substitute Common Stock, "Average Price" shall mean the higher of (i) the
price per share of Substitute Common Stock paid or to be paid by any third
party pursuant to an agreement with the issuer of the Substitute Common Stock
and (ii) the book value per share, calculated in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, of the Substitute Common Stock immediately
prior to exercise of the Substitute Option; provided, further, that if Issuer
is the issuer of the Substitute Option, the Average Price shall be computed
with respect to a share of common stock issued by Issuer, the Person merging
into Issuer or by any company which controls or is controlled by such merging
Person, as Grantee may elect.

(e) CAP ON SUBSTITUTE OPTION. In no event, pursuant to any of the
foregoing paragraphs, shall the Substitute Option be exercisable for more
than that proportion of the outstanding Substitute Common Stock equal to the
proportion of the outstanding Common Stock of the Issuer which the Grantee
had the right to acquire immediately prior to the issuance of the Substitute
Option. In the event that the Substitute Option would be exercisable for more
than the proportion of the outstanding Substitute Common Stock referred to in
the immediately preceding paragraph but for this clause (e), the Substitute
Option Issuer shall make a cash payment to Grantee equal to the excess of (i)
the value of the Substitute Option without giving effect to the limitation in
this clause (e) over (ii) the value of the Substitute Option after giving
effect to the limitation in this clause (e). This difference in value shall
be determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by
Grantee and the Substitute Option Issuer.

<PAGE>

SECTION 8. EXTENSION OF EXERCISE RIGHT.

Notwithstanding Sections 2 and 6 hereof, if Grantee has given the
notice referred to in one or more of such Sections, the exercise of the rights
specified in any such Section shall be extended (a) if the exercise of such
rights requires obtaining regulatory approvals (including any required waiting
periods) to the extent necessary to obtain all regulatory approvals for the
exercise of such rights, and (b) to the extent necessary to avoid liability
under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act by reason of such exercise;
provided, however, that in no event shall any closing date occur more than six
months after the related Notice Date, and, if the closing date shall not have
occurred within such period due to the failure to obtain any required approval
by the Federal Reserve Board or any other Governmental Authority despite the
best efforts of Issuer or the Substitute Option Issuer, as the case may be, to
obtain such approvals, the exercise of the Option shall be deemed to have been
rescinded as of the related Notice Date. In the event (a) Grantee receives
official notice that an approval of the Federal Reserve Board or any other
Governmental Authority required for the purchase and sale of the Option Shares
will not be issued or granted or (b) a closing date has not occurred within six
months after the related Notice Date due to the failure to obtain any such
required approval, Grantee shall be entitled to exercise the Option in
connection with the resale of the Option Shares pursuant to a registration
statement as provided in Section 6.

SECTION 9. ISSUER'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

Issuer hereby represents and warrants to Grantee as follows:

(a) CORPORATE AUTHORITY. Issuer has the requisite corporate power
and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly
approved by the board of directors of Issuer and no other corporate proceedings
on the part of Issuer are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate
the transactions so contemplated. This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by, and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of, Issuer,
enforceable against Issuer in accordance with its terms, except as
enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and except that the availability of the equitable
remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the discretion
of the court before which any proceeding may be brought; and

(b) AVAILABILITY OF SHARES. Issuer has taken all necessary corporate
action to authorize and reserve and to permit it to issue, and at all times from
the date hereof through the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its
terms will have reserved for issuance upon the exercise of the Option, that
number of shares of Common Stock equal to the maximum number of shares of Common
Stock at any time and from

<PAGE>

time to time issuable hereunder, and all such shares, upon issuance pursuant
hereto, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable, and
will be delivered free and clear of all claims, liens, encumbrances and security
interests.

SECTION 10. Assignment.

(a) ASSIGNMENT. Neither of the parties hereto may assign any of its
rights or delegate any of its obligations under this Agreement or the Option
created hereunder to any other Person without the express written consent of the
other party, except that Grantee may assign this Agreement to a wholly owned
subsidiary of Grantee and Grantee may assign its rights hereunder in whole or in
part after the occurrence of a Preliminary Purchase Event; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that until the date at which the Federal Reserve Board has approved an
application by Grantee under the BHC Act to acquire the shares of Common Stock
subject to the Option, other than to a wholly owned subsidiary of Grantee,
Grantee may not assign its rights under the Option except in (i) a widely
dispersed public distribution, (ii) a private placement in which no one party
acquires the right to purchase in excess of 2% of the voting shares of Issuer,
(iii) an assignment to a single party (e.g., a broker or investment banker) for
the purpose of conducting a widely dispersed public distribution on Grantee's
behalf, or (iv) any other manner approved by the Federal Reserve Board. The
term "Grantee" as used in this Agreement shall also be deemed to refer to
Grantee's permitted assigns. Any attempted assignment prohibited by this
Section 10 is void and without effect.

(b) RESTRICTIVE LEGEND. Any assignment of rights of Grantee to any
permitted assignee of Grantee hereunder shall bear the restrictive legend at the
beginning thereof substantially as follows:

THE TRANSFER OF THE OPTION REPRESENTED BY THIS ASSIGNMENT AND THE
RELATED OPTION AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT TO RESALE RESTRICTIONS ARISING
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND TO CERTAIN
PROVISIONS OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN MONARCH BANCORP AND SC BANCORP
("ISSUER"), DATED AS OF THE 29TH DAY OF APRIL, 1997. A COPY OF SUCH
AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF ISSUER AND WILL BE
PROVIDED TO ANY PERMITTED ASSIGNEE OF THE OPTION WITHOUT CHARGE UPON
RECEIPT BY ISSUER OF A WRITTEN REQUEST THEREFOR.

It is understood and agreed that (i) the reference to the resale
restrictions of the Securities Act in the above legend shall be removed by
delivery of substitute assignments without such reference if Grantee shall have
delivered to Issuer a copy of a letter from the staff of the Commission, or an
opinion of counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to Issuer, to the effect
that such legend is not required for purposes of the Securities Act; (ii) the
reference to the provisions of this Agreement in the above legend shall be
removed by delivery of substitute assignments without such reference if the

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Option has been sold or transferred in compliance with the provisions of this
Agreement and under circumstances that do not require the retention of such
reference; and (iii) the legend shall be removed in its entirety if the
conditions in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii) are both satisfied. In
addition, such assignments shall bear any other legend as may be required by
law.

SECTION 11. Filings and Consents.

Each of Grantee and Issuer will use its reasonable efforts to make all
filings with, and to obtain consents of, all third parties and Governmental
Authorities necessary to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, including, without limitation, making application if necessary,
for listing of the shares of Common Stock issuable hereunder on any exchange or
quotation system and applying to the Federal Reserve Board under the BHC Act and
to state banking authorities for approval to acquire the shares issuable
hereunder.

SECTION 12. Remedies.

The parties hereto acknowledge that damages would be an inadequate
remedy for a breach of this Agreement by either party hereto and that the
obligations of the parties shall hereto be enforceable by either party hereto
through injunctive or other equitable relief. Both parties further agree to
waive any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with
the obtaining of any such equitable relief and that this provision is without
prejudice to any other rights that the parties hereto may have for any failure
to perform this Agreement.

SECTION 13. Severability.

If any term, provision, covenant or restriction contained in this
Agreement is held by a court or a federal or state regulatory agency of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of
the terms, provisions and covenants and restrictions contained in this Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect, and shall in no way be affected, impaired
or invalidated.

SECTION 14. Notices.

All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications
hereunder shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered in Person, by
cable, telegram, telecopy or telex, or by registered or certified mail (postage
prepaid, return receipt requested) at the respective addresses of the parties
set forth in the Merger Agreement.

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SECTION 15. Counterparts.

This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one
and the same agreement and shall be effective at the time of execution.

SECTION 16. Expenses.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each of the parties
hereto shall bear and pay all costs and expenses incurred by it or on its behalf
in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder, including fees and
expenses of its own financial consultants, investment bankers, accountants and
counsel.

SECTION 17. Entire Agreement.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in the Merger
Agreement, this Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with
respect to the transactions contemplated hereunder and supersedes all prior
arrangements or understandings with respect thereof, written or oral. The terms
and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any
party, other than the parties hereto, and their respective successors except as
assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of
this Agreement, except as expressly provided herein.

SECTION 18. Definitions.

Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not defined herein but
defined in the Merger Agreement shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the
Merger Agreement.

SECTION 19. Effect on Merger Agreement.

Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to authorize
Issuer or Grantee to breach any provision of the Merger Agreement.

SECTION 20. Selections.

In the event that any selection or determination is to be made by
Grantee hereunder and at the time of such selection or determination there is
more than one Grantee, such selection shall be made by a majority in interest of
such Grantees.

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SECTION 21. Further Assurances.

In the event of any exercise of the Option by Grantee, Issuer and such
Grantee shall execute and deliver all other documents and instruments and take
all other action that may be reasonably necessary in order to consummate the
transactions provided for by such exercise.

SECTION 22. Voting.

Except to the extent Grantee exercises the Option, Grantee shall have
no rights to vote or receive dividends or have any other rights as a shareholder
with respect to shares of Common Stock covered hereby.

SECTION 23. Governing Law.

This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with
the laws of the State of California without regard to the rules of conflicts of
law thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties has caused this Stock Option Agreement
to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the
date first above written above.

MONARCH BANCORP

By: /S/ MATTHEW P. WAGNER
----------------------------------------
Name: Matthew P. Wagner
Title: President

SC BANCORP

By: /S/ LARRY D. HARTWIG
----------------------------------------
Name: Larry D. Hartwig
Title: President