PNB FINANCIAL GROUP
SC 13D, 1998-10-20
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                  SCHEDULE 13D
                                 (RULE 13D-101)

           INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT TO
                   RULE 13D-1(A) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED
                           PURSUANT TO RULE 13D-2(A).
                         (AMENDMENT NO. ______________)*


                            PNB FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)

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

                                   693470 10 6
                       ---------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       ARNOLD C. HAHN                                  STANLEY F. FARRAR
       WESTERN BANCORP                                SULLIVAN & CROMWELL
 4100 NEWPORT PLACE, SUITE 900                        1888 CENTURY PARK EAST
NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA 92660                   LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90067
        (949) 863-2351                                    (310) 712-6600
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized
                     to Receive Notices and Communications)

                                 OCTOBER 6, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

                               Page 1 of 7 Pages

If the 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(e), 13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g), check the following box
[_].

NOTE:  Schedules  filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five
copies of the  schedule,  including  all  exhibits.  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 (the "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).

                                                                 SEC 1746(12-91)

<PAGE>

- ---------------------                                      ---------------------
CUSIP NO. 693470 10 6                                        PAGE 2 OF 7 PAGES
- ---------------------                                      ---------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1.  NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS

     WESTERN BANCORP
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2.  CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP              (a)  [  ]
                                                                   (b)  [  ]

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3.  SEC USE ONLY

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

     WC; BK; OO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 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
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           7.  SOLE VOTING POWER
  NUMBER OF                    553,166 (1)
    SHARES                 -----------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY               8.  SHARED VOTING POWER
  OWNED BY                     0
    EACH                   -----------------------------------------------------
 REPORTING                 9.  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
   PERSON                      553,166 (1)
    WITH                   -----------------------------------------------------
                           10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                               0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     553,166 (1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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% (1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

     HC; CO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (1)  See Item 5.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

          INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
      (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION.

<PAGE>
- ---------------------                                      ---------------------
CUSIP NO. 693470 10 6                                        PAGE 3 OF 7 PAGES
- ---------------------                                      ---------------------

                                  SCHEDULE 13D

ITEM 1. SECURITY AND ISSUER.

         This statement on Schedule 13D (the "Statement")  relates to the common
stock,  no par value (the  "Common  Stock"),  of PNB  Financial  Group,  Inc., a
California corporation ("PNB" or the "Company"). The principal executive offices
of the Company are located at 4665 MacArthur  Court,  Newport Beach,  California
92660.

ITEM 2. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND.

         This Statement is filed by Western Bancorp ("Western" or the "Reporting
Person").

         (A),  (B), (C) AND (F). The principal  business  offices of Western are
located at 4100 Newport  Center  Place,  Suite 900,  Newport  Beach,  California
92660.

         Western is a California corporation.

         (D) AND (E). During the last five years,  neither the Reporting  Person
nor, to the best knowledge of the Reporting Person, any of the persons listed on
Schedule 1 hereto (i) has been  convicted  in a criminal  proceeding  (excluding
traffic  violations  or  similar  misdemeanors)  or (ii) has been a party to any
civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction,
and is or was, as a result of such proceeding,  subject to a judgment, decree or
final  order  enjoining  future  violations  of,  or  prohibiting  or  mandating
activities  subject  to,  federal  or state  securities  laws,  or  finding  any
violation with respect to such laws.

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

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

ITEM 4. PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION.

     A.   THE MERGER AGREEMENT

         On October 6, 1998,  Western and the Company  entered into an Agreement
and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") pursuant to which the Company agreed
to merge with and into Western (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 first
quarter of 1999, subject to satisfaction of such closing conditions.

         Under the terms of the Merger, each shareholder of PNB will receive one
share of common stock, no par value ("Western Common Stock"),  of Western.  Upon
consummation  of the Merger,  the  certificate of  incorporation  and bylaws and
directors and officers of Western shall be the certificate of incorporation  and
bylaws and directors and officers of the surviving corporation.

         The Merger is subject to the  approval of the Board of Governors of the
Federal  Reserve  Board (the  "Federal  Reserve  Board"),  the  approval  of the
shareholders of PNB, 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 Western's  entering into the Merger
Agreement,  on October 6, 1998,  PNB and  Western  entered  into a Stock  Option
Agreement  (the "Option  Agreement"),  pursuant to which PNB granted  Western an
option  (the  "Option")  entitling  Western to  purchase  up to 553,166 (or such
lesser  amount as shall  constitute  19.9% of the  outstanding  shares of Common
Stock on the date of  exercise)  fully paid and  nonassessable  shares of Common
Stock at a price per share equal to $29.625 per share,  subject to adjustment in
certain circumstances.  In the event of any change in the Common Stock by reason
of stock  dividends,  split-ups,  recapitalizations,  or the like,  the type and
number of shares of Common  Stock  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,  the number of shares of Common
stock subject to the Option equals 19.9% of the number of shares of Common Stock
then issued and outstanding.

         Subject to  applicable  law and  regulatory  restrictions,  Western 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).
<PAGE>
- ---------------------                                      ---------------------
CUSIP NO. 693470 10 6                                        PAGE 4 OF 7 PAGES
- ---------------------                                      ---------------------

         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 PNB or any PNB  Subsidiary  of
     beneficial  ownership  of shares  of  Common  Stock,  such  that,  upon the
     consummation  of  such  acquisition,  such  Person  would  have  beneficial
     ownership,  in the aggregate, of 25% or more of the then outstanding shares
     of Common Stock; or

2.   The occurrence of a Preliminary Purchase Event described in Section 2(b)(i)
     or (ii) of the Option  Agreement  except that he percentage  referred to in
     either such case shall be 25%.

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

1.   The time immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger;

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 PNB
     pursuant to Section 8.1(b)(i) or (ii) thereof,  by PNB and Western pursuant
     to Section  8.1(a)  thereof if PNB shall at the time have been  entitled to
     terminate  the  Merger  Agreement  pursuant  to Section  8.1(b)(9)  or (ii)
     thereof or by PNB pursuant to 8.1(g) thereof; or

5.   Eighteen  months  after the  termination  of the  Merger  Agreement  by PNB
     pursuant to Section 8.1(b)(i) or (ii) thereof,  by PNB and Western pursuant
     to Section  8.1(a)  thereof if PNB shall at the time have been  entitled to
     terminate  the  Merger  Agreement  pursuant  to Section  8.1(b)(9)  or (ii)
     thereof or by PNB pursuant to 8.1(g) thereof.

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

1.   PNB or any  of its  subsidiaries  (each,  a "PNB  Subsidiary")  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 "Exchange  Act"),
     and the rules and regulations  thereunder) other than Western or any of its
     subsidiaries  (each, a "Western  Subsidiary")  or the Board of Directors of
     PNB shall have  recommended  that the shareholders of PNB approve or accept
     any  Acquisition  Transaction  with any Person  other  than  Western or any
     Western  Subsidiary.  For  purposes of the Option  Agreement,  "Acquisition
     Transaction"  shall  mean (x) a merger  or  consolidation,  or any  similar
     transaction,  involving PNB or any PNB Subsidiary, (y) a purchase, lease or
     other  acquisition  of all or  substantially  all of the  assets  of PNB or
     assumption  of all or  substantially  all  the  deposits  of PNB or any PNB
     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 PNB or any PNB Subsidiary,
     provided  that the term  "Acquisition  Transaction"  does not  include  any
     internal   merger  or   consolidation   involving   only  PNB   and/or  PNB
     Subsidiaries;

2.   Any  Person  (other  than  Western  or any  Western  Subsidiary  or any PNB
     Subsidiary  acting  in a  fiduciary  capacity  in the  ordinary  course  of
     business) shall have acquired Beneficial  Ownership or the right to acquire
     Beneficial  Ownership,  of  shares of Common  Stock  (the term  "Beneficial
     Ownership" for purposes of the Option Agreement having the meaning assigned
     thereto in Section 13(d) of the 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;

3.   Any Person other than Western or any Western  Subsidiary  shall have made a
     bona fide proposal to PNB 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  Western  or any  subsidiary  of
     Western  shall have  commenced (as such term is defined in Rule 14d-2 under
     the 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));


<PAGE>

4.   After a proposal  is made by a third  party to PNB or its  shareholders  to
     engage  in an  Acquisition  Transaction  or such  third  party  states  its
     intention to make such a proposal if the Merger Agreement terminates and/or
     the Option expires, PNB shall


<PAGE>
- ---------------------                                      ---------------------
CUSIP NO. 693470 10 6                                        PAGE 5 OF 7 PAGES
- ---------------------                                      ---------------------

     have breached any covenant or obligation  contained in the Merger Agreement
     and such breach would  entitle  Western to terminate  the Merger  Agreement
     (without regard to the cure period provided for therein);

5.   The holders of Common Stock shall not have approved the Merger Agreement by
     the requisite vote at the meeting of such shareholders held for the purpose
     of voting on the Merger Agreement, or such meeting shall not have been held
     or shall have been canceled prior to  termination of the Merger  Agreement,
     in each case after it shall have been  publicly  announced  that any Person
     (other than  Western or any  Western  Subsidiary)  shall have (A) made,  or
     disclosed  an  intention  to make,  a bona  fide  proposal  to engage in an
     Acquisition   Transaction,   (B)  commenced  a  Tender  Offer  or  filed  a
     registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to an Exchange
     Offer or (C) filed an  application  (or given a notice)  with,  whether  in
     draft or final form,  the Federal  Reserve Board or any other  governmental
     authority or regulatory or  administrative  agency or commission  (each,  a
     "Governmental  Authority"),  for  approval  to  engage  in  an  Acquisition
     Transaction;

6.   Any Person  (other than Western or any Western  Subsidiary),  other than in
     connection  with a transaction to which Western has given its prior written
     consent, shall have filed an application or notice with the Federal Reserve
     Board  or  other  Governmental  Authority  for  approval  to  engage  in an
     Acquisition Transaction; or

7.   PNB's Board of  Directors  shall have  withdrawn  or modified  (or publicly
     announced its intention to withdraw or modify) in any manner adverse in any
     respect to Western its recommendation  that the shareholders of PNB approve
     the  transactions  contemplated by the Merger  Agreement in anticipation of
     engaging in an Acquisition  Proposal,  or PNB or any PNB  Subsidiary  shall
     have authorized, recommended, proposed (or publicly announced its intention
     to  authorize,   recommend  or  propose)  an  agreement  to  engage  in  an
     Acquisition  Transaction  with any person  other than  Western or a Western
     Subsidiary.

         As  provided  in the Option  Agreement,  in the event  that  Western is
entitled and wishes to exercise the Option, it must send to PNB 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 Common Stock which Western  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 60  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,  Western
will promptly file, and expeditiously process the required notice or application
for approval.

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

         If PNB enters into certain agreements  relating to the consolidation or
merger of PNB or the sale of substantially all of its assets or deposits, PNB 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 PNB'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 Western.

         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
Western (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 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 Western in certain circumstances, subject
to the terms and conditions described in the Option Agreement.


<PAGE>

         Other than as described  herein,  the  Reporting  Person has no present
plans or proposals  which relate to or would result in: (i) the  acquisition  by
any person of  additional  securities  of the  Company,  or the  disposition  of
securities of the Company; (ii) an extraordinary corporate transaction,  such as
a merger,  reorganization  or  liquidation,  involving the Company or any of its
subsidiaries;  (iii) a sale or  transfer  of a material  amount of assets of the
Company  or any of its  subsidiaries;  (iv) any change in the  present  Board or
management of the Company, including any plans or proposals to change the number
or term of  directors or to fill any  existing  vacancies on the Board;  (v) any
material change in the present capitalization or dividend policy of the Company;
(vi) any other material change in the Company's business or corporate structure;
(vii) changes in the Company's  certificate of incorporation or by-laws or other
actions  which may impede  the  acquisition  of  control  of the  Company by any
persons; (viii) causing a class of securities of the Company to be delisted from
a national  securities  exchange or to cease to be authorized to be quoted in an
inter-dealer  quotation system of a registered national securities  association;
(ix)  a  class  of  equity  securities  of the  Company  becoming  eligible  for
termination  of  registration  pursuant to Section  12(g)(4)  of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;  or (x) any action similar to those enumerated
above  (collectively,  the "Specified  Actions").  However, the Reporting Person
intends to evaluate the proposed  Merger on an ongoing  basis and,  depending on
its evaluation of the business and

<PAGE>
- ---------------------                                      ---------------------
CUSIP NO. 693470 10 6                                        PAGE 6 OF 7 PAGES
- ---------------------                                      ---------------------

prospects  of the  Company  and other  factors  that it may deem  relevant,  the
Reporting  Person may determine to dispose of such shares or acquire  additional
shares  or  take  other  actions  if  market   conditions   or  other   business
considerations,   in  the  judgment  of  the  Reporting  Person,  warrant.  Such
additional acquisitions may be effected through open market purchases, privately
negotiated  transactions,  tender offers to existing  holders or through  direct
negotiation with the Company. Such further  acquisitions,  dispositions or other
actions may or may not result in any of the Specified Actions.

         All references to the Option  Agreement are qualified in their entirety
by the full text of such  agreement,  a copy of which is  attached  as Exhibit B
hereto and is incorporated by reference herein. See also Item 7.

ITEM 5. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.

         (A) AND (B).  As  result of entry  into the  Option  Agreement  and the
granting of the Option  thereunder,  pursuant  to Rule 13d-3 under the  Exchange
Act,  Western may be deemed to own  beneficially  553,166 shares of Common Stock
(or such lesser amount as shall  constitute  19.9% of the outstanding  shares of
Common Stock on the date of exercise),  constituting  approximately 19.9% of the
shares of Common Stock  issued and  outstanding  as of October 6, 1998.  Western
expressly  disclaims any  beneficial  ownership of the 553,166  shares of Common
Stock which are  obtainable by Western upon  exercise of the Option  because the
Option is  exercisable  only under the  limited  circumstances  set forth in the
Option  Agreement,  none of which has occurred as of the date  hereof,  and only
then with regulatory approval (if, as a consequence, Western would own more than
5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock).

         (C).  Neither the Reporting  Person,  nor, to the best knowledge of the
Reporting Person,  any of the persons listed on Schedule 1 hereto,  has effected
any  transactions in the securities of the Company during the past 60 days other
than those transactions described above.

         (D) AND (E). Not applicable.

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

         In  connection  with the  execution  of the Merger  Agreement,  Western
entered into  shareholder  agreements,  all dated as of October 6, 1998 (each, a
"Shareholder  Agreement")(a form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit C), with
Allan C. Barbieri,  Doug Heller,  Martin T. Hart,  James K. Schuler,  Bernard F.
Schneider, and Barney Whitesell, each solely in their capacities as shareholders
of PNB. Messrs.  Barbieri,  Heller, Hart, Schuler,  Schneider and Whitesell each
agreed to vote or cause to be voted,  or execute a written  consent with respect
to,  all  shares of Common  Stock  then  held of record or  beneficially  owned,
directly or indirectly, by such shareholder in favor of adoption and approval of
the principal terms of the Merger  Agreement and all  transactions  contemplated
thereby at every  meeting of  shareholders  of the Company at which such matters
are considered. The Shareholder Agreements terminate upon the termination of the
Merger Agreement prior to the effective time of the Merger or upon the effective
time of the Merger, as more fully described in the Shareholder Agreements.

         All  references to the  Shareholder  Agreements  are qualified in their
entirety  by the full text of such  agreements,  a form of which is  attached as
Exhibit C hereto and is incorporated by reference herein. See also Item 7.

         Except as set forth above,  neither  Western nor, to the best knowledge
of Western,  any of the persons  listed on Schedule 1 hereto has any  contracts,
arrangements,  understandings,  or  relationships  (legal or otherwise) with any
person with respect to any  securities  of PNB,  including,  but not limited to,
transfer or voting of any securities of PNB, 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.

     Exhibit 2.1      Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 6, 1998,
                      between Western and PNB.

     Exhibit 99.1     Option Agreement, dated as of October 6, 1998, between PNB
                      and Western.

     Exhibit 99.2     Form of Shareholder Agreement.

<PAGE>

- ---------------------                                      ---------------------
CUSIP NO. 693470 10 6                                        PAGE 7 OF 7 PAGES
- ---------------------                                      ---------------------


                                    SIGNATURE

         After reasonable  inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information  set forth in this statement is true,  complete and
correct.

October 20, 1998                       WESTERN BANCORP


                                       By:  /s/ Arnold C. Hahn
                                          --------------------------------------
                                            Name:   Arnold C. Hahn
                                            Title:  Executive Vice President
                                                    and Chief Financial Officer


<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE 1

                   DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF WESTERN

         Each of the individuals listed below is an American citizen.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                              PRESENT AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION                             BUSINESS ADDRESS
<S>                               <C>                                                          <C>
Hugh S. Smith, Jr.                Chairman of the Board and Director of Western                1251 Westwood Blvd.
                                                                                               Los Angeles, CA  90024

Matthew P. Wagner                 Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of Western   1251 Westwood Blvd.
                                                                                               Los Angeles, CA  90024

Arnold C. Hahn                    Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and        4100 Newport Place, Suite 900
                                  Director of Western                                          Newport Beach, CA  92660

Robert M. Borgman                 Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer            4100 Newport Place, Suite 900
                                                                                               Newport Beach, CA  92660

Suzanne G. Brennan                Executive Vice President - Operations                        4100 Newport Place, Suite 900
                                                                                               Newport Beach, CA  92660

Julius G. Christensen             Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary of     4100 Newport Place, Suite 900
                                  Western                                                      Newport Beach, CA  92660

Rice E. Brown                     President of Rice Brown Financial Services Inc. and          27127 Calle Arroyo, Suite 1907
                                  Director of Western                                          San Juan Capistrano, CA  92675

John M. Eggemeyer                 President of Belle Plain Partners, Inc. and Castle Creek     6051 El Tordo
                                  Capital L.L.C.; and Director of Western                      P.O. Box 1329
                                                                                               Rancho Santa Fe, CA  92067

William C. Greenbeck              Managing General Partner of Downey Land Limited and          9530 East Imperial Highway
                                  Director of Western                                          Downey, CA  90242

Robert L. McKay                   Director of Western                                          11551 Plantero Drive
                                                                                               Santa Ana, CA  92705

Mark H. Stuenkel                  President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern            4100 Newport Place, Suite 900
                                  California Bank and Director of Western                      Newport Beach, CA  92660

Dale E. Walter                    Operator of Golf Holidays and Director of Western            50855 Washington St., Suite E211
                                                                                               La Quinta, CA  92253
</TABLE>










                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER


             =======================================================



                           dated as of October 6, 1998

                                     between

                                 Western Bancorp

                                       and

                            PNB Financial Group, Inc.




             =======================================================






<PAGE>



         AGREEMENT  AND  PLAN OF  MERGER,  dated as of  October  6,  1998  (this
"Agreement"),  between Western Bancorp ("Western") and PNB Financial Group, Inc.
("PNB").


                                    RECITALS

         A. PNB is a  California  corporation,  having  its  principal  place of
business  in Newport  Beach,  California.  PNB is a bank  holding  company  duly
registered with the Board of Governors of the Federal  Reserve System  ("Federal
Reserve")  under the Bank  Holding  Company  Act of 1956,  as amended  (the "BHC
Act").  PNB has one subsidiary  bank, PNB Bank  Subsidiary,  a national  banking
association (the "PNB Bank Subsidiary").

         B. Western is a California  corporation,  having its principal place of
business in Newport Beach,  California.  Western is a multi-bank holding company
duly registered with the Federal Reserve under the BHC Act.

         C.  Concurrently  herewith,  PNB and Western are entering  into a stock
option  agreement (the "Stock Option  Agreement"),  to be dated the date hereof,
whereby  PNB will grant to Western  the  option to  purchase  up to 19.9% of the
outstanding  shares  of the PNB  Common  Stock  (as  defined  herein)  upon  the
occurrence of certain events.

         D. It is the  intention  of the  parties  to this  Agreement  that  the
business   combination   contemplated   hereby  be   accounted   for  under  the
"pooling-of-interests"  accounting  method and be treated as a  "reorganization"
under Section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the "Code").

         E. The  respective  Boards of Directors of each of Western and PNB have
determined  that it is in the best interests of their  respective  companies and
their shareholders to consummate the strategic business combination  transaction
provided for herein.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises and of the mutual
covenants,  representations,  warranties and agreements  contained  herein,  the
parties agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                               CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

         1.1.  Certain  Definitions.  The  following  terms  are  used  in  this
Agreement with the meanings set forth below:

"Acquisition Proposal" means any tender or exchange offer, proposal for a
merger, consolidation or other business combination involving PNB or any of its
Subsidiaries or any proposal or offer to


                                       -1-


<PAGE>



acquire in any manner a substantial equity interest in, or a substantial portion
of the assets or  deposits  of, PNB or any of its  Subsidiaries,  other than the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

"Agreement"  means this  Agreement,  as amended or modified from time to time in
accordance with Section 9.2.

"Alta" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(b).

"Benefit Plans" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(n).

"BHC Act" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

"Business Combination" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5.

"CGCL" means the California General Corporation Law.

"California Secretary" means the California Secretary of State.

"Code" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

"Computer System" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(p).

"Conversion Number" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).

"Costs" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.13(a).

"Disclosure Schedule" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.

"Dissenters'  Shares" means shares of PNB Common Stock with respect to which the
holder or holders  thereof  perfect  their rights to dissent under Chapter 13 of
the CGCL.

"Dissenting  Shareholders"  means  holders  of  shares of PNB  Common  Stock who
perfect their rights to dissent under Chapter 13 of the CGCL.

"Effective Date" means the date on which the Effective Time occurs.

"Effective  Time" means the  effective  time of the Merger,  as provided  for in
Section 2.2.

"Employees" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(n).

"Entrust" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(x).

"Entrust Agreement" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(x).


                                       -2-


<PAGE>



"Environmental Law" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(q).

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

"ERISA Affiliate" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(n).

"Exchange  Act" means the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  and the
rules and regulations thereunder.

"Exchange Agent" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(a).

"Exchange Fund" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(a).

"FDIC" means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

"Federal Reserve" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

"GAAP" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(h).

"Governmental Authority" means any court, administrative agency or commission or
other federal, state or local governmental authority or instrumentality.

"Hazardous Substance" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(q).

"Indemnified Parties" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.13(a).

"Insurance Policies" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(u).

"Liens" means any charge,  mortgage,  pledge,  security  interest,  restriction,
claim, lien or encumbrance.

"Loan Property" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(q).

"Material Adverse Effect" means, with respect to Western or PNB, any effect that
(i) is material and adverse to the financial position,  results of operations or
business  of  Western  and its  Subsidiaries  taken  as a  whole  or PNB and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, respectively, or (ii) would materially impair the
ability of either Western or PNB, respectively, to perform its obligations under
this  Agreement  or  otherwise  materially  threaten  or  materially  impede the
consummation  of the  Merger  and the other  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement;  provided,  however, that Material Adverse Effect shall not be deemed
to include  the impact of (a)  changes in banking  and  similar  laws of general
applicability or interpretations thereof by courts or governmental  authorities,
(b) changes in generally accepted accounting principles or regulatory accounting
requirements  applicable to banks and their  holding  companies  generally,  (c)
changes caused by fluctuations in market interest


                                       -3-


<PAGE>



rates or changes in economic conditions affecting the banking industry generally
in the markets in which the respective party operates and (d) any  modifications
or changes to valuation  policies and practices in connection with the Merger or
restructuring  charges  taken in  connection  with the  Merger,  in each case in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

"Maximum Amount" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.13(c).

"Merger" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

"Merger Consideration" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

"Multiemployer Plans" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(n).

"Nasdaq" means The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.'s National Market.

"Nasdaq Bank Index" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(f).

"Nasdaq 80% Index Percentage" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(f).

"Nasdaq 90% Index Percentage" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(f).

"New Certificates" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(a).

"OCC" means the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

"PNB" has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

"PNB Affiliate" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.7(a).

"PNB Articles" means the Articles of Incorporation of PNB, as amended.

"PNB  Bank  Subsidiary"  has the  meaning  set  forth  in the  Recitals  to this
Agreement.

"PNB Board" means the Board of Directors of PNB.

"PNB Bylaws" means the Bylaws of PNB, as amended.

"PNB Common Stock" means the common stock of PNB.

"PNB Meeting" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.

"Old Certificates" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(a).


                                       -4-


<PAGE>



"Pension Plan" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(n).

"Person" means any  individual,  bank,  corporation,  partnership,  association,
joint-stock company, business trust or unincorporated organization.

"Plans" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(n).

"Previously  Disclosed"  by a party  shall  mean  information  set  forth in its
Disclosure Schedule.

"Proxy Statement" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.

"Registration Statement" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.

"Regulatory Agencies" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(g).

"Regulatory  Approval  Date" means the date of  approval by the Federal  Reserve
pursuant to Section 3 of the BHC Act.

"Regulatory Documents" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4(f).

"Representatives"  means, with respect to any Person,  such Person's  directors,
officers,  employees, legal or financial advisors or any representatives of such
legal or financial advisors.

"Rights"  means,   with  respect  to  any  Person,   securities  or  obligations
convertible  into or exercisable or  exchangeable  for, or giving any person any
right to subscribe for or acquire, or any options, calls or commitments relating
to, or any stock  appreciation  right or other  instrument the value of which is
determined  in whole or in part by  reference  to the market  price or value of,
shares of capital stock of such Person.

"SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

"Securities  Act" means the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  and rules and
regulations thereunder.

"Shareholder Agreements" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.17.

"Stock  Option  Agreement"  shall have the meaning set forth in the  Recitals to
this Agreement.

"Subsidiary" and "Significant  Subsidiary" have the meanings ascribed to them in
Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X of the SEC, provided,  however,  Alta shall not be a
Subsidiary of PNB for purposes of this Agreement.

"Surviving Corporation" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.


                                       -5-


<PAGE>



"Tax" and "Taxes" means all federal,  state,  local or foreign  taxes,  charges,
fees,  levies or other  assessments,  however  denominated,  including,  without
limitation,  all net income, gross income, gains, gross receipts, sales, use, ad
valorem, goods and services, capital, production,  transfer, franchise, windfall
profits, license, withholding, payroll, employment, disability, employer health,
excise,  estimated,  severance,  stamp,  occupation,  property,   environmental,
unemployment or other taxes, custom duties, fees,  assessments or charges of any
kind whatsoever,  together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax
or additional amounts imposed by any taxing authority whether arising before, on
or after the Effective Date.

"Tax  Returns"  means any  return,  amended  return or other  report  (including
elections,  declarations,  disclosures,  schedules,  estimates  and  information
returns) required to be filed with respect to any Tax.

"Twenty  Day  Average  Nasdaq  Bank  Index" has the meaning set forth in Section
8.1(f).

"Twenty Day Average Price" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(f).

"Twenty Day Period" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(f).

"Treasury Stock" shall mean shares of PNB Common Stock held by PNB or any of its
Subsidiaries or by Western or any of its  Subsidiaries,  in each case other than
in a fiduciary  (including custodial or agency) capacity or as a result of debts
previously contracted in good faith.

"Western" has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

"Western Board" means the Board of Directors of Western.

"Western  Common  Stock"  means the common  stock,  no par value per  share,  of
Western.

"Western  Common  Stock Price  Percentage"  has the meaning set forth in Section
8.1(f).

"Western  Preferred Stock" means the preferred stock, no par value per share, of
Western.

"Year 2000 Compliant" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(p).



                                       -6-


<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE II

                                   THE MERGER

         2.1. The Merger.

         (a)  General.  At the  Effective  Time,  PNB shall  merge with and into
Western (the "Merger"),  the separate corporate existence of PNB shall cease and
Western shall survive and continue to exist as a California corporation (Western
sometimes being referred to herein as the "Surviving Corporation").  Western may
at any time prior to the  Effective  Time  change the  method of  effecting  the
combination  with PNB  (including,  without  limitation,  the provisions of this
Article  II)  if and to  the  extent  it  deems  such  change  to be  necessary,
appropriate or desirable; provided, however, that no such change shall (i) alter
or change  the  amount or kind of  consideration  to be issued to holders of PNB
Common Stock as provided  for in this  Agreement  (the "Merger  Consideration"),
(ii)  adversely  affect the tax treatment of PNB's  shareholders  as a result of
receiving the Merger Consideration, (iii) prevent the Merger from qualifying for
a pooling-of-interests  accounting treatment, or (iv) materially impede or delay
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  Subject to the
satisfaction  or waiver of the  conditions  set forth in Article VII, the Merger
shall become  effective  upon the  occurrence of the filing in the office of the
California  Secretary of an agreement of merger in  accordance  with the CGCL or
such later date and time as may be set forth in such agreement. The Merger shall
have the effects prescribed in the CGCL.

         (b) Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. The articles of incorporation
and bylaws of the Surviving  Corporation  immediately  after the Effective  Time
shall be those of Western as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time.

         (c) Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation.

             (i) At the Effective  Time,  the  directors of Western  immediately
prior  to  such   Effective  Time  shall  be  the  directors  of  the  Surviving
Corporation,  in each case,  until such time as their  successors  shall be duly
elected or appointed and qualified.

             (ii) The  officers of Western  immediately  prior to the  Effective
Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation as of the Effective Time
until such time as their successors shall be duly elected and qualified.

         2.2.  Effective  Date  and  Effective  Time.  As  soon  as  practicable
following,  but not later  than ten days  after  the last to occur  of,  (i) the
expiration of all  applicable  waiting  periods in connection  with approvals of
Regulatory  Agencies and the receipt of all approvals of Regulatory Agencies and
(ii)  satisfaction or waiver of all conditions to the consummation of the Merger
(or, at the  election of Western,  provided  such  election  would not cause the
Effective  Date to occur later than  February 28, 1999, on the last business day
of the month in which such tenth day occurs, or, if


                                       -7-


<PAGE>



such tenth day occurs on one of the last ten business days of such month, on the
last business day of the succeeding  month), or on such earlier or later date as
may be agreed  in  writing  by the  parties,  an  agreement  of merger  shall be
executed in accordance  with all  appropriate  legal  requirements  and shall be
filed in the office of the  California  Secretary  as required  by law,  and the
Merger  provided for herein shall become  effective  upon such filing or on such
date as may be specified in such agreement of merger. The date of such filing or
such later effective date is herein called the "Effective  Date". The "Effective
Time" of the  Merger  shall be the time of such  filing  or as set forth in such
agreement of merger.


                                   ARTICLE III

                       CONSIDERATION; EXCHANGE PROCEDURES

         3.1. Merger Consideration. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement,
at the  Effective  Time,  automatically  by virtue of the Merger and without any
action on the part of any Person:

         (a)  Outstanding  PNB Common  Stock.  Each  share of PNB  Common  Stock
(excluding  Treasury  Stock and  Dissenters'  Shares),  issued  and  outstanding
immediately  prior to the Effective  Time shall become and be converted into one
(1) (the "Conversion Number") share of Western Common Stock.

         (b) Outstanding PNB Options. At the Effective Time, each option granted
by PNB to directors,  officers and employees of PNB and the PNB Bank  Subsidiary
to  purchase  shares of PNB  Common  Stock  which,  at the  Effective  Time,  is
outstanding and has not been exercised (a "PNB Option"), shall be converted into
an option to purchase  shares of Western  Common  Stock in  accordance  with the
terms of the applicable PNB stock option plan and the stock option  agreement by
which it is evidenced.  From and after the Effective  Time,  (i) each PNB Option
may be exercised  solely for shares of Western Common Stock,  (ii) the number of
shares of Western  Common Stock subject to such PNB Option shall be equal to the
product  (rounded down to the nearest whole share) of multiplying  the number of
shares of PNB Common Stock subject to such PNB Option  immediately  prior to the
Effective Time by the  Conversion  Number and (iii) the per share exercise price
under each such PNB Option shall be equal to the quotient  (rounded  down to the
nearest  cent) of  dividing  the per share  exercise  price  under each such PNB
Option by the Conversion Number.

         (c)  Outstanding  Western  Common Stock.  Each share of Western  Common
Stock  issued and  outstanding  immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time shall
remain issued and outstanding and unaffected by the Merger.

         (d)  Treasury  Shares.  Each share of PNB Common Stock held as Treasury
Stock  immediately  prior to the Effective Time shall be canceled and retired at
the Effective Time and no consideration shall be issued in exchange therefor.


                                       -8-


<PAGE>



         (e) Dissenting  Shareholders.  Any Dissenting  Shareholder who shall be
entitled  to be paid the  "fair  value"  of his or her  Dissenters'  Shares,  as
provided  in  Chapter  13 of the  CGCL,  shall  not be  entitled  to the  Merger
Consideration as set forth in Section 3.1(a) in respect thereof unless and until
such  Dissenting  Shareholder  shall  have  failed  to  perfect  or  shall  have
effectively  withdrawn or lost such  Dissenting  Shareholder's  right to dissent
from the  Merger  under the CGCL,  and shall be  entitled  to  receive  only the
payment  provided for by Chapter 13 of the CGCL with respect to such Dissenters'
Shares. Upon the payment by the Surviving Corporation of the "fair value" of any
Dissenters'  Shares in accordance with Chapter 13 of the CGCL, such  Dissenters'
Shares shall be canceled  and retired and shall cease to exist,  and no exchange
or  further  payment  shall be made  with  respect  thereto.  If any  Dissenting
Shareholder  shall fail to perfect or shall have  effectively  withdrawn or lost
such  right  to  dissent,   the  Dissenters'  Shares  held  by  such  Dissenting
Shareholder  shall  thereupon be treated as though such  Dissenters'  Shares had
been converted into the right to receive the Merger  Consideration  as set forth
in Section 3.1(a) pursuant to such Section 3.1(a).

         3.2. Rights as Shareholders;  Stock  Transfers.  At the Effective Time,
holders  of PNB  Common  Stock  shall  cease to be, and shall have no rights as,
shareholders  of PNB,  other than to receive any dividend or other  distribution
with respect to such PNB Common Stock with a record date occurring  prior to the
Effective Time and the consideration  provided under this Article III. After the
Effective  Time,  there shall be no transfers on the stock transfer books of PNB
or the Surviving Corporation of shares of PNB Common Stock.

         3.3. Fractional Shares.  Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, no
fractional shares of Western Common Stock and no certificates or scrip therefor,
or other evidence of ownership thereof,  will be issued in the Merger;  instead,
Western  shall pay to each  holder of PNB Common  Stock who would  otherwise  be
entitled  to a  fractional  share of Western  Common  Stock  (after  taking into
account  all Old  Certificates  delivered  by such  holder)  an  amount  in cash
(without interest) determined by multiplying such fraction by the average of the
closing  prices of Western  Common Stock,  as reported on Nasdaq (as reported in
the Western Edition of The Wall Street Journal or, if not reported  therein,  in
another  authoritative  source),  for the five Nasdaq  trading days  immediately
preceding the Effective Date.

         3.4. Exchange Procedures.

         (a) At or prior to the Effective Time, Western shall deposit,  or shall
cause to be  deposited,  with such bank or trust  company as Western shall elect
(which may include a subsidiary  of Western) (in such  capacity,  the  "Exchange
Agent"),  for the benefit of the holders of certificates  formerly  representing
shares of PNB Common Stock ("Old Certificates"), for exchange in accordance with
this Article III,  certificates  representing the shares of Western Common Stock
("New  Certificates")  and an  estimated  amount  of  cash  (such  cash  and New
Certificates,  together with any dividends or  distributions  with a record date
occurring after the Effective Date with respect thereto, without any interest on
any such cash, dividends or distributions,  being hereinafter referred to as the
"Exchange  Fund")  to be paid  pursuant  to this  Article  III in  exchange  for
outstanding shares of PNB Common Stock.


                                       -9-


<PAGE>



         (b) As soon as practicable after the Effective Date, Western shall send
or cause to be sent to each  former  holder of  record  of shares of PNB  Common
Stock immediately  prior to the Effective Time transmittal  materials for use in
exchanging such  shareholder's  Old Certificates for the consideration set forth
in this  Article  III,  which  transmittal  materials  PNB  shall  have  had the
opportunity to review prior to the Effective  Date.  Western shall cause the New
Certificates  into  which  shares  of PNB  Common  Stock  are  converted  on the
Effective  Date and any check in respect of any  fractional  share  interests or
dividends or distributions  which the holder of such shares shall be entitled to
receive upon  delivery to the Exchange  Agent of Old  Certificates  representing
such  shares (or an  affidavit  of lost  certificate  and,  if  required  by the
Exchange Agent,  indemnity  reasonably  satisfactory to Western and the Exchange
Agent, if any of such  certificates are lost, stolen or destroyed) owned by such
shareholder.  No  interest  will be paid on any such  cash to be paid in lieu of
fractional share interests or in respect of dividends or distributions which any
such person shall be entitled to receive  pursuant to this Article III upon such
delivery.  In the event of a transfer of  ownership  of any shares of PNB Common
Stock not registered in the transfer  records of PNB, the exchange  described in
this Section  3.4(b) may  nonetheless be effected and a check for the cash to be
paid in lieu of  fractional  shares may be issued to the  transferee  if the Old
Certificate  representing  such PNB Common  Stock is  presented  to the Exchange
Agent, accompanied by documents sufficient, in the discretion of Western and the
Exchange Agent,  (i) to evidence and effect such transfer but for the provisions
of Section 3.2 hereof and (ii) to evidence that all  applicable  stock  transfer
taxes have been paid.

         (c)  If Old  Certificates  are  not  surrendered  or the  consideration
therefor  is not  claimed  prior to the date on which such  consideration  would
otherwise  escheat to or become the property of any governmental unit or agency,
the unclaimed consideration shall, to the extent permitted by abandoned property
and any other  applicable law, become the property of the Surviving  Corporation
(and to the extent  not in its  possession  shall be paid over to the  Surviving
Corporation),  free and clear of all claims or interest of any person previously
entitled to such claims.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  neither the Exchange
Agent nor any party  hereto  shall be liable to any former  holder of PNB Common
Stock  for any  amount  properly  delivered  to a public  official  pursuant  to
applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar laws.

         (d) At the election of Western,  no  dividends  or other  distributions
with  respect to Western  Common  Stock with a record date  occurring  after the
Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any  unsurrendered Old Certificate
representing  shares of PNB Common Stock  converted in the Merger into the right
to receive shares of such Western Common Stock until the holder thereof shall be
entitled to receive New Certificates in exchange therefor in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this Section 3.4, and no such shares of PNB Common Stock
shall be  eligible to vote until the holder of Old  Certificates  is entitled to
receive New  Certificates  in accordance  with the  procedures set forth in this
Section 3.4. After becoming so entitled in accordance with this Section 3.4, the
record  holder  thereof also shall be entitled to receive any such  dividends or
other distributions,  without any interest thereon, which theretofore had become
payable with respect to shares of Western Common Stock such holder had the right
to receive upon surrender of the Old Certificate.


                                      -10-


<PAGE>



         (e) Any portion of the  Exchange  Fund that  remains  unclaimed  by the
shareholders of PNB for six months after the Effective Time shall be returned by
the Exchange Agent to Western.  Any shareholders of PNB who have not theretofore
complied with this Article III shall thereafter look only to Western for payment
of the shares of Western Common Stock, cash in lieu of any fractional shares and
unpaid  dividends  and   distributions  on  Western  Common  Stock   deliverable
hereunder, in each case, without any interest thereon.

         3.5.  Anti-Dilution  Provisions.  In  the  event  Western  changes  (or
establishes a record date for  changing) the number of shares of Western  Common
Stock issued and outstanding  prior to the Effective Date as a result of a stock
split, stock dividend,  recapitalization  or similar transaction with respect to
the outstanding Western Common Stock and the record date therefor shall be prior
to the Effective  Date, the number of shares of Western Common Stock the holders
of PNB Common Stock or options exercisable for same shall be entitled to receive
under this Agreement  shall be  proportionately  adjusted.  If, between the date
hereof and the Effective  Time,  Western shall merge, be acquired or consolidate
with, by or into any other corporation (a "Business  Combination") and the terms
thereof  shall  provide  that Western  Common  Stock shall be converted  into or
exchanged  for the shares of any other  corporation  or entity,  then  provision
shall  be made  as  part of the  terms  of  such  Business  Combination  so that
shareholders and optionholders of PNB who would be entitled to receive shares of
Western Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement shall be entitled to receive, in
lieu of each share of Western  Common Stock issuable to such persons as provided
herein,  the  same  kind  and  amount  of  securities  or  assets  as  shall  be
distributable  upon  such  Business  Combination  with  respect  to one share of
Western  Common Stock  (provided that nothing herein shall be construed so as to
release  the  acquiring  entity  in  any  such  Business  Combination  from  its
obligations under this Agreement as the successor to Western).


                                   ARTICLE IV

                           ACTIONS PENDING ACQUISITION

         4.1.  Forbearances  of PNB.  From the date hereof  until the  Effective
Time,  except as expressly  contemplated  by this  Agreement,  without the prior
written  consent  of  Western,  PNB  will  not,  and  will  cause  each  of  its
Subsidiaries not to:

         (a) Ordinary  Course.  Conduct the business of PNB and its Subsidiaries
other  than in the  ordinary  and usual  course or fail to use  reasonable  best
efforts to preserve intact their business  organizations and assets and maintain
their rights,  franchises  and existing  relations  with  customers,  suppliers,
employees and business  associates,  take any action that would adversely affect
or delay the ability of PNB or any of its  Subsidiaries  to perform any of their
obligations on a timely basis under this  Agreement,  or take any action that is
reasonably  likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on PNB or its Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole.


                                      -11-


<PAGE>



         (b)  Capital  Stock.  Except  for  Previously   Disclosed   contractual
obligations, issue, sell or otherwise permit to become outstanding, or authorize
the  creation  of, any  additional  shares of PNB Common  Stock or any Rights or
enter into any agreement with respect to the foregoing.

         (c)  Dividends,  Etc. Make,  declare,  pay or set aside for payment any
dividend on or in respect of, or declare or make any  distribution on any shares
of PNB Common Stock, directly or indirectly,  adjust,  split,  combine,  redeem,
reclassify, purchase or otherwise acquire, any shares of its capital stock.

         (d) Compensation;  Employment  Agreements;  Etc. Enter into or amend or
renew  any   employment,   consulting,   severance  or  similar   agreements  or
arrangements with any director,  officer or employee of PNB or its Subsidiaries,
or grant any salary or wage increase or increase any employee benefit (including
incentive  or bonus  payments),  except (i) for normal  individual  increases in
compensation  to employees in the ordinary  course of business  consistent  with
past practice, (ii) for other changes that are required by applicable law, (iii)
to satisfy Previously Disclosed contractual  obligations existing as of the date
hereof or (iv) for grants of awards to newly  hired  employees  consistent  with
past practice.

         (e) Benefit Plans. Enter into, establish, adopt or amend (except (i) as
may be  required  by  applicable  law or (ii) to  satisfy  Previously  Disclosed
contractual obligations existing as of the date hereof) any pension, retirement,
stock purchase,  savings,  profit sharing,  deferred  compensation,  consulting,
bonus, group insurance or other employee benefit, incentive or welfare contract,
plan or  arrangement,  or any trust agreement (or similar  arrangement)  related
thereto,  in  respect  of  any  director,  officer  or  employee  of  PNB or its
Subsidiaries,  or take any action to accelerate the vesting or exercisability of
any compensation or benefits payable thereunder.

         (f)  Dispositions.  Except as  Previously  Disclosed,  sell,  transfer,
mortgage,  encumber or otherwise  dispose of or  discontinue  any of its assets,
deposits, business or properties,  except in the ordinary course of business and
in a  transaction  that is not  material to it and its  Subsidiaries  taken as a
whole.

         (g) Acquisitions.  Except as Previously Disclosed,  acquire (other than
by way of  foreclosures  or  acquisitions  of control  in a bona fide  fiduciary
capacity or in  satisfaction  of debts  previously  contracted in good faith, in
each case in the  ordinary  and usual  course of business  consistent  with past
practice) all or any portion of, the assets, business, deposits or properties of
any other entity except in the ordinary course of business  consistent with past
practice and in a transaction that is not material to PNB and its  Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole.

         (h) Capital  Expenditures.  Except as  Previously  Disclosed,  make any
capital  expenditures other than capital  expenditures in the ordinary course of
business  consistent  with  past  practice  in  amounts  not  exceeding  $50,000
individually or $100,000 in the aggregate.


                                      -12-


<PAGE>



         (i) Governing  Documents.  Amend the PNB  Articles,  PNB By-Laws or the
articles of incorporation or by-laws (or similar governing  documents) of any of
PNB's Subsidiaries.

         (j) Accounting Methods. Implement or adopt any change in its accounting
principles,  practices  or methods,  other than as may be required by  generally
accepted accounting principles.

         (k)  Contracts.  Except in the ordinary  course of business  consistent
with past practice, enter into or terminate any material contract (as defined in
Section  5.3(k)) or amend or modify in any material  respect any of its existing
material contracts.

         (l) Claims.  Except in the ordinary course of business  consistent with
past practice,  settle any claim,  action or  proceeding,  except for any claim,
action or proceeding  involving solely money damages in an amount,  individually
or in the  aggregate for all such  settlements,  that is not material to PNB and
its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         (m) Adverse Actions. (i) Take any action while knowing that such action
would, or is reasonably  likely to, prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying
(A) for "pooling-of-interests"  accounting treatment, or (B) as a reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code; or (ii) knowingly take any action
that  is  intended  or is  reasonably  likely  to  result  in  (A)  any  of  its
representations  and warranties  set forth in this  Agreement  being or becoming
untrue in any material  respect at any time at or prior to the  Effective  Time,
(B) any of the  conditions  to the  Merger  set forth in  Article  VII not being
satisfied  including,  but not limited to, any action which would  reasonably be
expected  to  adversely  affect or delay the ability of Western or PNB to obtain
any necessary approvals, consents or waivers of any Regulatory Agencies required
for the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement or (C) a material violation
of any provision of this Agreement,  except, in each case, as may be required by
applicable law or regulation.

         (n)  Risk   Management.   Except  as  required  by  applicable  law  or
regulation,  (i) implement or adopt any material change in its interest rate and
other risk management policies, procedures or practices; (ii) fail to follow its
existing policies or practices with respect to managing its exposure to interest
rate and other risk in any material  respect;  or (iii) fail to use commercially
reasonable  means to avoid any material  increase in its  aggregate  exposure to
interest rate risk.

         (o) Indebtedness.  Incur any indebtedness for borrowed money other than
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

         (p) Loans.  Make any loan,  loan  commitment  or  renewal or  extension
thereof to any person in an amount  greater  than  $100,000  which  would,  when
aggregated  with all  outstanding  loans,  commitments  for loans or renewals or
extensions  thereof made by PNB and PNB Bank  Subsidiary  to such person and any
affiliate or immediate  family member of such person,  exceed  $500,000  without
submitting  loan package  information to the chief credit officer of Western for
review  with a right of comment at least one full  business  day prior to taking
such action.


                                      -13-


<PAGE>



         (q) Commitments. Agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.

         4.2.  Forbearances of Western. From the date hereof until the Effective
Time,  except as expressly  contemplated  by this  Agreement,  without the prior
written  consent  of  PNB,  Western  will  not,  and  will  cause  each  of  its
Subsidiaries not to:

         (a) Ordinary  Course.  Take any action that would  adversely  affect or
delay the  ability of PNB or Western to perform  any of their  obligations  on a
timely basis under this Agreement,  take any action that is reasonably likely to
have a Material Adverse Effect on Western or its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
or take any action while knowing that such action is, or is reasonably likely to
be, other than in the best interests of Western and its shareholders.

         (b) Adverse Actions. (i) Take any action while knowing that such action
would, or is reasonably  likely to, prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying
(A) for "pooling-of-interests"  accounting treatment, or (B) as a reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code; or (ii) knowingly take any action
that  is  intended  or is  reasonably  likely  to  result  in  (A)  any  of  its
representations  and warranties  set forth in this  Agreement  being or becoming
untrue in any material  respect at any time at or prior to the  Effective  Time,
(B) any of the  conditions  to the  Merger  set forth in  Article  VII not being
satisfied  including,  but not limited to, any action which would  reasonably be
expected  to  adversely  affect or delay the ability of Western or PNB to obtain
any necessary approvals, consents or waivers of any Regulatory Agencies required
for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or (C) a material violation
of any provision of this Agreement,  except, in each case, as may be required by
applicable law or regulation.


                                    ARTICLE V

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         5.1.  Disclosure  Schedule.  On or prior to the  date  hereof,  PNB has
delivered to Western and Western has delivered to PNB a schedule  (respectively,
its  "Disclosure  Schedule")  setting  forth,  among  other  things,  items  the
disclosure of which is necessary or appropriate either in response to an express
disclosure requirement contained in a provision hereof or as an exception to one
or more representations or warranties contained in Section 5.3 or 5.4; provided,
that (a) no such item is required to be set forth in a Disclosure Schedule as an
exception to a representation or warranty if its absence would not be reasonably
likely to result in the related  representation  or warranty being deemed untrue
or  incorrect  under the standard  established  by Section 5.2, and (b) the mere
inclusion  of  an  item  in  a   Disclosure   Schedule  as  an  exception  to  a
representation or warranty shall not be deemed an admission by a party that such
item represents a material exception or fact, event or circumstance or that such
item is reasonably  likely to result in a Material  Adverse  Effect.  Each party
hereto agrees that with respect to the  representations  and  warranties of such
party,  such party shall have the right to supplement and amend their Disclosure
Schedule with respect to any events  occurring  after the date of this Agreement
and prior to the Effective Time. In the event any such


                                      -14-


<PAGE>



supplement or amendment  discloses new events that are reasonably likely to have
a Material Adverse Effect on the party making such supplement or amendment or on
the Surviving Corporation, the other party shall have the right to terminate the
Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1(h).

         5.2.  Standard.  No  representation  or  warranty  of  PNB  or  Western
contained  in Section  5.3 or 5.4 shall be deemed  untrue or  incorrect,  and no
party hereto shall be deemed to have breached a representation or warranty, as a
consequence  of the  existence of any fact,  event or  circumstance  unless such
fact,  circumstance  or event,  individually  or taken  together  with all other
facts, events or circumstances  inconsistent with any representation or warranty
contained  in  Section  5.3 or 5.4 has  had or is  reasonably  likely  to have a
Material Adverse Effect on the party making such representation or warranty.

         5.3. Representations and Warranties of PNB. Subject to Sections 5.1 and
5.2 and except as Previously Disclosed in a paragraph of its Disclosure Schedule
corresponding  to the  relevant  paragraph  below,  PNB  hereby  represents  and
warrants to Western:

         (a)  Organization,  Standing and Authority.  PNB is a corporation  duly
organized,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
California.  PNB is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in the
states of the United States and any foreign jurisdictions where its ownership or
leasing of property or assets or the conduct of its  business  requires it to be
so qualified.

         (b) Subsidiaries.

             (i)  (A)  PNB  has  Previously  Disclosed  a  list  of  all  of its
Subsidiaries  together  with  the  jurisdiction  of  organization  of each  such
Subsidiary, (B) PNB owns, directly or indirectly, all the issued and outstanding
equity securities of each of its  Subsidiaries,  (C) no equity securities of any
of its Subsidiaries are or may become required to be issued (other than to it or
its wholly owned  Subsidiaries)  by reason of any Right or otherwise,  (D) there
are no contracts,  commitments,  understandings  or arrangements by which any of
such  Subsidiaries  is or may be bound to sell or otherwise  transfer any equity
securities  of any  such  Subsidiaries  (other  than  to it or its  wholly-owned
Subsidiaries),  (E)  there are no  contracts,  commitments,  understandings,  or
arrangements  relating  to its rights to vote or to dispose of such  securities,
and  (F)  all  the  equity  securities  of  each  Subsidiary  held by PNB or its
Subsidiaries  are  fully  paid  and  nonassessable  and are  owned by PNB or its
Subsidiaries free and clear of any Liens.

             (ii) PNB does not own  beneficially,  directly or  indirectly,  any
equity  securities  or  similar  interests  of any Person or any  interest  in a
partnership or joint venture of any kind,  other than its  Subsidiaries,  except
for a 4.9% interest in Alta Residential Mortgage, Inc. ("Alta").

             (iii) Each of PNB's  Subsidiaries  has been duly  organized  and is
validly  existing in good  standing  under the laws of the  jurisdiction  of its
organization, and is duly qualified to do


                                      -15-


<PAGE>



business  and in good  standing  in the  jurisdictions  where its  ownership  or
leasing  of  property  or the  conduct  of  its  business  requires  it to be so
qualified.

         (c) Alta.

             (i) PNB and its Subsidiaries,  in the aggregate,  beneficially own,
directly or indirectly,  not more than 4.9% of any class of  outstanding  voting
equity  securities of Alta and do not have non-voting equity interests in, loans
to or other arrangements with Alta which would cause the ownership in Alta to be
ineligible for the exemption set forth in Section 4(c)(6) of the BHC Act.

             (ii)  There  are  no  contracts,  commitments,   understandings  or
arrangements by which PNB or any Subsidiary is or may be bound to purchase, sell
or otherwise transfer any equity securities of Alta.

         (d) Capital Stock. As of the date hereof,  the authorized capital stock
of PNB consists  solely of 20,000,000  shares of PNB Common  Stock,  of which no
more than 2,779,733  shares were  outstanding  as of the date hereof.  As of the
date  hereof,  no shares of PNB  Common  Stock were held in  treasury  by PNB or
otherwise beneficially owned by PNB or its Subsidiaries.  The outstanding shares
of PNB  Common  Stock  have been duly  authorized  and are  validly  issued  and
outstanding,  fully paid and nonassessable,  subject to no preemptive rights and
were not issued in violation of any  preemptive  rights.  As of the date hereof,
there are  266,210  shares of PNB  Common  Stock  authorized  and  reserved  for
issuance pursuant to outstanding options to purchase shares of PNB Common Stock,
PNB does not have any other  Rights  issued or  outstanding  with respect to its
capital stock, and PNB does not have any commitment to authorize,  issue or sell
any other  shares of its capital  stock or any other Rights  except  pursuant to
this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement. All outstanding shares of capital
stock of PNB Bank Subsidiary  have been duly authorized and validly issued,  are
fully paid and (subject to 12 U.S.C.  ss.55)  non-assessable and are not subject
to preemptive rights.

         (e) Corporate Power. PNB and each of its Subsidiaries has the corporate
power and authority to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to
own all its properties and assets; and PNB has the corporate power and authority
to execute,  deliver and perform its  obligations  under this  Agreement and the
Stock Option  Agreement and to consummate the transactions  contemplated  hereby
and thereby.

         (f)  Corporate  Authority.  Subject  in the case of this  Agreement  to
receipt of the  requisite  approval of the agreement of merger set forth in this
Agreement by the holders of a majority of the  outstanding  shares of PNB Common
Stock  entitled to vote thereon  (which is the only  shareholder  vote  required
thereon),  this  Agreement,  the Stock  Option  Agreement  and the  transactions
contemplated  hereby and thereby have been authorized by all necessary corporate
action of PNB and the PNB Board on or prior to the date hereof.  This  Agreement
is a valid and legally binding obligation of PNB, enforceable in accordance with
its terms (except as enforceability may be limited by 12 U.S.C. ss.1818(b)(6)(D)
or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium,


                                      -16-


<PAGE>



fraudulent  transfer  and similar laws of general  applicability  relating to or
affecting creditors' rights or by general equity principles).  The PNB Board has
received the written  opinion of Lehman  Brothers  Inc. to the effect that as of
the date  hereof the  consideration  to be received by the holders of PNB Common
Stock in the Merger is fair to the holders of PNB Common  Stock from a financial
point of view.

         (g) Consents and Approvals; No Defaults.

             (i) No consents or approvals of, or filings or registrations  with,
any  Governmental  Authority  or with any third party are required to be made or
obtained  by PNB or any of its  Subsidiaries  or Alta  in  connection  with  the
execution,  delivery or performance by PNB of this  Agreement,  the Stock Option
Agreement,  or to consummate the Merger except for (A) filings of  applications,
registrations,  statements, reports or notices with the Federal Reserve, the SEC
and state securities authorities  (collectively the "Regulatory Agencies"),  (B)
the approval of this Agreement by the  shareholders of PNB and (C) the filing of
an agreement of merger with the California Secretary pursuant to the CGCL. As of
the date hereof,  PNB is not aware of any reason why the  approvals set forth in
Section  7.1(b) will not be  received  without the  imposition  of a  condition,
restriction or requirement of the type described in Section 7.1(b).

             (ii) Subject to receipt of the regulatory  approvals referred to in
the preceding  paragraph,  and the expiration of related  waiting  periods,  and
required  filings  under  federal  and state  securities  laws,  the  execution,
delivery and  performance of this  Agreement and the Stock Option  Agreement and
the consummation of the transactions  contemplated hereby and thereby do not and
will not (A)  constitute a breach or violation of, or a default  under,  or give
rise to any Lien,  any  acceleration  of  remedies  or any right of  termination
under, any law, rule or regulation or any judgment,  decree, order, governmental
permit or license, or agreement, indenture or instrument of PNB or of any of its
Subsidiaries or to which PNB or any of its Subsidiaries or properties is subject
or bound,  (B) constitute a breach or violation of, or a default under,  the PNB
Articles  or the PNB Bylaws,  or (C)  require any consent or approval  under any
such law, rule,  regulation,  judgment,  decree,  order,  governmental permit or
license, agreement, indenture or instrument.

         (h) Financial Reports and Regulatory Documents.

             (i) PNB's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the  fiscal  year  ended
December 31, 1997 and all other reports,  registration statements, or definitive
proxy  statements  filed  or  to  be  filed  by it or  any  of  its  Significant
Subsidiaries  subsequent to December 31, 1997 under the Securities Act, or under
Sections 13(a),  13(d), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, in the form filed or to
be filed (collectively,  the "Regulatory Documents"),  as of the date filed, (A)
complied and will comply in all material respects as to form with the applicable
requirements  under the  Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be,
and (B) did not and 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 the light of the circumstances under which they were
made,  not  misleading;   and  each  of  the  balance  sheets  contained  in  or
incorporated by reference into any such Regulatory


                                      -17-


<PAGE>



Document (including the related notes and schedules thereto) fairly presents, or
will fairly present,  the financial  position of PNB and its  Subsidiaries as of
its date,  and each of the  statements  of income and  changes in  shareholders'
equity and cash flows or  equivalent  statements  in such  Regulatory  Documents
(including any related notes and schedules  thereto)  fairly  presents,  or will
fairly present,  the results of operations,  changes in shareholders' equity and
changes in cash flows, as the case may be, of PNB and its  Subsidiaries  for the
periods to which they relate, in each case in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP") consistently applied during the periods involved,
except in each case as may be noted  therein,  subject to normal  year-end audit
adjustments in the case of unaudited statements.

             (ii) Since December 31, 1997, no event has occurred or circumstance
arisen that, individually or taken together with all other facts,  circumstances
and  events  (described  in any  paragraph  of  Section  5.4 or  otherwise),  is
reasonably  likely to have a Material  Adverse  Effect  with  respect to PNB and
Subsidiaries.

             (iii)  PNB  and   Subsidiaries   have  timely  filed  all  reports,
registrations and statements,  together with any amendments  required to be made
with respect  thereto,  that they were required to file since  December 31, 1996
with the  Regulatory  Agencies,  and all other  material  reports and statements
required  to be  filed by them  since  December  31,  1996,  including,  without
limitation, any report or statement required to be filed pursuant to the laws of
the  United  States  or the  State of  California,  and  have  paid all fees and
assessments  due and payable in  connection  therewith.  As of their  respective
dates,  such  reports,  registrations  and  statements  complied in all material
respects with all the laws,  rules and regulations of the applicable  Regulatory
Agency with which they were filed.

         (i) Litigation.  No litigation,  claim or other  proceeding  before any
court or governmental  agency is pending against PNB or any of its  Subsidiaries
and, to PNB's knowledge, no such litigation,  claim or other proceeding has been
threatened.

         (j) Regulatory Matters.

             (i)  Neither  PNB  nor  any of  its  Subsidiaries  or any of  their
properties  is a  party  to or is  subject  to  any  order,  decree,  agreement,
memorandum of understanding or similar  arrangement with, or a commitment letter
or  similar  submission  to,  or  extraordinary   supervisory  letter  from  any
Regulatory Agency.

             (ii)  Neither PNB nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has been advised by
any Regulatory  Agency that such Regulatory  Agency is contemplating  issuing or
requesting (or is considering the  appropriateness of issuing or requesting) any
such order, decree, agreement,  memorandum of understanding,  commitment letter,
supervisory letter or similar submission.


                                      -18-


<PAGE>



         (k) Compliance with Laws. PNB and each of its Subsidiaries:

             (i) is in compliance with all applicable federal,  state, local and
foreign statutes,  laws, regulations,  ordinances,  rules, judgments,  orders or
decrees  applicable  thereto or to the  employees  conducting  such  businesses,
including,  without  limitation,  the Equal  Credit  Opportunity  Act,  the Fair
Housing Act, the Community  Reinvestment  Act, the Home Mortgage  Disclosure Act
and  all  other  applicable  fair  lending  laws  and  other  laws  relating  to
discriminatory business practices;

             (ii)  has  all  permits,  licenses,   authorizations,   orders  and
approvals of, and has made all filings, applications and registrations with, all
Governmental  Authorities  that are  required  in order to permit them to own or
lease their properties and to conduct their  businesses as presently  conducted;
all such permits, licenses,  certificates of authority, orders and approvals are
in full force and effect and, to PNB's knowledge,  no suspension or cancellation
of any of them is threatened; and

             (iii) has received,  since  December 31, 1996, no  notification  or
communication  from any Governmental  Authority (A) asserting that PNB or any of
its  Subsidiaries is not in compliance with any of the statutes,  regulations or
ordinances  which such  Governmental  Authority  enforces or (B)  threatening to
revoke any license,  franchise,  permit or governmental  authorization  (nor, to
PNB's knowledge, do any grounds for any of the foregoing exist).

         (l)  Material  Contracts;   Defaults.   Neither  PNB  nor  any  of  its
Subsidiaries  is a party to,  bound by or  subject to any  agreement,  contract,
arrangement, commitment or understanding (whether written or oral) (i) that is a
"material  contract"  within  the  meaning  of  Item  601(b)(10)  of  the  SEC's
Regulation S-K, or (ii) that materially  restricts the conduct of business by it
or any of its  Subsidiaries  that has not been  filed  with or  incorporated  by
reference in reports  files under the  Securities  and Exchange Act of 1934,  as
amended.  Neither  PNB nor  any of its  Subsidiaries  is in  default  under  any
contract, agreement,  commitment,  arrangement, lease, insurance policy or other
instrument to which it is a party, by which its respective assets,  business, or
operations may be bound or affected, or under which it or its respective assets,
business, or operations receives benefits,  and there has not occurred any event
that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both,  would  constitute
such a default.

         (m) No Brokers.  No action has been taken by PNB or any Subsidiary that
would give rise to any valid  claim  against  any party  hereto for a  brokerage
commission,  finder's fee or other like payment with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement,  excluding a Previously Disclosed fee to be paid
to Lehman Brothers Inc.

         (n) Employee Benefit Plans.

             (i) All  benefit and  compensation  plans,  contracts,  policies or
arrangements  covering  current  employees  or former  employees  of PNB and its
Subsidiaries   (the  "Employees")  and  current  or  former  directors  of  PNB,
including,  but not limited to,  "employee  benefit plans" within the meaning of
Section 3(3) of ERISA, and deferred compensation, stock option, stock purchase,


                                      -19-


<PAGE>


stock appreciation rights, stock based,  incentive and bonus plans (the "Benefit
Plans"),  are  Previously  Disclosed.  True and  complete  copies of all Benefit
Plans,  including,  but not  limited  to, any trust  instruments  and  insurance
contracts  forming a part of any Benefit Plans, and all amendments  thereto have
been provided or made available to Western.

             (ii) All employee benefit plans, other than  "multiemployer  plans"
within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA,  covering Employees (the "Plans"),
to the extent subject to ERISA, are in substantial compliance with ERISA. PNB is
not a party to any "employee pension benefit plan" within the meaning of Section
3(2) of ERISA  ("Pension  Plan") and which is  intended  to be  qualified  under
Section  401(a)  of  the  Code.  There  is no  material  pending  or  threatened
litigation  relating to the Plans.  Neither PNB nor any of its  Subsidiaries has
engaged in a  transaction  with  respect to any Plan that,  assuming the taxable
period of such transaction  expired as of the date hereof,  could subject PNB or
any Subsidiary to a tax or penalty imposed by either Section 4975 of the Code or
Section 502(i) of ERISA in an amount which would be material.

             (iii) No liability  under  Subtitle C or D of Title IV of ERISA has
been  or is  expected  to be  incurred  by PNB or any of its  Subsidiaries  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 any
of them,  or the  single-employer  plan of any entity  which is  considered  one
employer  with PNB under  Section  4001 of ERISA or Section  414 of the Code (an
"ERISA Affiliate").  Neither PNB, any of its Subsidiaries nor an ERISA Affiliate
has contributed to a "multiemployer  plan",  within the meaning of Section 3(37)
of ERISA. 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 Pension 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.

             (iv) All  contributions  required to be made under the terms of any
Plan have been timely made or have been reflected on the consolidated  financial
statements of PNB included in the Regulatory Documents. Neither any Pension 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 PNB nor any of its Subsidiaries has provided, or is required to
provide, security to any Pension Plan or to any single-employer plan of an ERISA
Affiliate pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) of the Code.

             (v) Under each Pension Plan which is a single-employer  plan, 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.


                                      -20-


<PAGE>


             (vi) Neither PNB nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has any  obligations
for  retiree  health  and life  benefits  under  any  Benefit  Plan.  PNB or its
Subsidiaries  may amend or  terminate  any such Benefit Plan at any time without
incurring any liability thereunder.

             (vii) The  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement  will not (x) entitle any employees of PNB or any of its  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 Benefit Plans or
(z) result in any breach or violation of, or a default under, any of the Benefit
Plans.  Without  limiting the foregoing,  as a result of the consummation of the
transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement,  neither  PNB  nor  any  of its
Subsidiaries  will be obligated to make a payment to an individual that would be
a "parachute payment" to a "disqualified  individual" as those terms are defined
in  Section  280G of the  Code,  without  regard  to  whether  such  payment  is
reasonable  compensation for personal  services  performed or to be performed in
the future.

         (o) Labor Matters.  Neither PNB nor any of its  Subsidiaries is a party
to or is  bound  by any  collective  bargaining  agreement,  contract  or  other
agreement or understanding with a labor union or labor organization,  nor is PNB
or any of its Subsidiaries the subject of a proceeding  asserting that it or any
such  Subsidiary has committed an unfair labor  practice  (within the meaning of
the  National  Labor  Relations  Act)  or  seeking  to  compel  PNB or any  such
Subsidiary to bargain with any labor  organization  as to wages or conditions of
employment,  nor is there any strike or other labor dispute  involving it or any
of its Subsidiaries pending or, to PNB's knowledge, threatened, nor is PNB aware
of any activity  involving its or any of its Subsidiaries'  employees seeking to
certify  a  collective  bargaining  unit or  engaging  in  other  organizational
activity.

         (p) Year 2000  Compliance.  Except  as  Previously  Disclosed,  (i) the
computer software and related hardware of the PNB Bank Subsidiary (the "Computer
System")  used for the storage and  processing  of data are, or will be prior to
the year 2000,  Year 2000  Compliant;  (ii) to the best of PNB's knowledge after
due inquiry,  all of the suppliers,  customers and third party  providers of the
PNB Bank Subsidiary are, or will be prior to year 2000, Year 2000 Compliant; and
(iii) to the best of PNB's knowledge after due inquiry,  the PNB Bank Subsidiary
is taking or has taken,  all commercially  reasonable and appropriate  action to
address and remedy any  deficiencies  in its Computer System which would keep it
from becoming Year 2000 Compliant.  As used herein,  "Year 2000 Compliant" shall
mean the  ability  of a  Computer  System to provide  the  following  functions,
without human intervention,  individually and in combination with other products
or systems:  (i) consistently handle,  record,  store, process and present dates
and date-related information before, during and after January 1, 2000, including
but not limited to accepting  date input,  performing  calculations  on dates or
portion of dates,  and  providing  date  output;  (ii)  function  accurately  in
accordance  with the published  specifications  and without undue  interruption,
before,  during,  and after January 1, 2000 (including  leap year  computations)
without any adverse change in operation  associated  with the advent of the year
2000; (iii) respond to two-digit or four-digit dates and date-related input in a
way that resolves any ambiguity as to the year 2000 in a disclosed,  defined and
predetermined  manner,  and store and provide  output of dates and  date-related
information in ways


                                      -21-


<PAGE>



that are unambiguous as to the year 2000; and (iv) suitably  interact with other
software and related  hardware in a way which does not  compromise its year 2000
compliance capability.

         (q) Environmental Matters.

             (i) PNB and each of its Subsidiaries has complied at all times with
applicable  Environmental  Laws; (ii) no real property  (including  buildings or
other  structures)  currently or formerly owned or operated by PNB or any of its
Subsidiaries, or any property in which PNB or any of its Subsidiaries has held a
security interest, lien or a fiduciary or management role ("Loan Property"), has
been  contaminated  with,  or has had any release of, any  Hazardous  Substance;
(iii)  neither  PNB nor any of its  Subsidiaries  could be  deemed  the owner or
operator  of any Loan  Property  under any  Environmental  Law  which  such Loan
Property has been  contaminated  with,  or has had any release of, any Hazardous
Substance;  (iv) neither PNB nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to liability
for any  Hazardous  Substance  disposal  or  contamination  on any  third  party
property;  (v) neither PNB nor any of its  Subsidiaries has received any notice,
demand letter,  claim or request for  information  alleging any violation of, or
liability  under,  any  Environmental  Law;  (vi)  neither  PNB  nor  any of its
Subsidiaries is subject to any order, decree, injunction or other agreement with
any Governmental Authority or any third party relating to any Environmental Law;
(vii) to the best of PNB's  knowledge,  there are no circumstances or conditions
(including the presence of asbestos,  underground  storage tanks, lead products,
polychlorinated  biphenyls,  prior manufacturing  operations,  dry-cleaning,  or
automotive services) involving PNB or any of its Subsidiaries,  any currently or
formerly owned or operated property, or any Loan Property, that could reasonably
be expected to result in any claims,  liability or investigations against PNB or
any of its Subsidiaries or result in any restrictions on the ownership,  use, or
transfer of any property pursuant to any  Environmental  Law; and (viii) PNB has
delivered to Western  copies of all  environmental  reports,  studies,  sampling
data,  correspondence,  filings  and  other  environmental  information  in  its
possession or reasonably available to it relating to PNB, any Subsidiary of PNB,
any currently or formerly owned or operated property or any Loan Property.

         As used herein, the term "Environmental  Law" means any federal,  state
or local law, regulation, order, decree, permit, authorization,  opinion, common
law or agency requirement  relating to: (A) the protection or restoration of the
environment,  health,  safety,  or natural  resources,  (B) the  handling,  use,
presence,  disposal, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Substance or
(C) noise, odor, wetlands, indoor air, pollution, contamination or any injury or
threat of  injury to  persons  or  property  in  connection  with any  Hazardous
Substance  and  the  term  "Hazardous  Substance"  means  any  substance  in any
concentration  that is: (A)  listed,  classified  or  regulated  pursuant to any
Environmental Law; (B) any petroleum product or by-product,  asbestos-containing
material,   lead-containing  paint  or  plumbing,   polychlorinated   biphenyls,
radioactive  materials or radon;  or (C) any other  substance which is or may be
the subject of  regulatory  action by any  Governmental  Authority in connection
with any Environmental Law.


                                      -22-


<PAGE>



         (r) Tax Matters.

             (i) (A) All Tax Returns that are required to be filed  (taking into
account any  extensions  of time within which to file) by or with respect to PNB
and its  Subsidiaries  have been duly filed, (B) all Taxes due have been paid in
full,  (C) all  deficiencies  asserted or  assessments  made as a result of such
examinations  have been paid in full, (D) no issues that have been raised by the
relevant  taxing  authority in connection with the examination of any of the Tax
Returns referred to in clause (A) are currently  pending,  and (E) no waivers of
statutes of limitation have been given by or requested with respect to any Taxes
of PNB or its  Subsidiaries.  PNB has made available to Western true and correct
copies of the United  States  federal  income Tax  Returns  filed by PNB and its
Subsidiaries  for each of the three most recent  fiscal years ended on or before
December 31, 1997.  Neither PNB nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has any  liability
with respect to income, franchise or similar Taxes that accrued on or before the
end of the most recent period covered by PNB's Regulatory  Documents filed prior
to the date hereof in excess of the amounts  accrued with  respect  thereto that
are reflected in the financial statements included in PNB's Regulatory Documents
filed on or prior to the date hereof. Neither PNB nor any of its Subsidiaries is
a party to any Tax allocation or sharing  agreement,  is or has been a member of
an affiliated  group filing  consolidated  or combined Tax returns (other than a
group the common  parent of which is or was PNB) or otherwise  has any liability
for the Taxes of any person  (other  than PNB and its  Subsidiaries).  As of the
date hereof,  neither PNB nor any of its  Subsidiaries has any reason to believe
that any  conditions  exist  that  might  prevent  or  impede  the  Merger  from
qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code.

             (ii) No Tax is required to be withheld  pursuant to Section 1445 of
the Code as a result of the transfer contemplated by this Agreement.

         (s) Risk Management Instruments. All interest rate swaps, caps, floors,
option  agreements,  futures  and  forward  contracts  and  other  similar  risk
management arrangements,  whether entered into for PNB's own account, or for the
account of one or more of PNB's  Subsidiaries  or their  customers (all of which
are listed on PNB's  Disclosure  Schedule),  if any,  were  entered  into (i) in
accordance  with prudent  business  practices and all  applicable  laws,  rules,
regulations and regulatory policies, and (ii) with counterparties believed to be
financially  responsible at the time; and each of them constitutes the valid and
legally  binding  obligation of PNB or one of its  Subsidiaries,  enforceable in
accordance with its terms (except as enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium,  fraudulent  transfer and
similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights
or by general equity principles),  and are in full force and effect. Neither PNB
nor its  Subsidiaries,  nor to PNB's knowledge,  any other party thereto,  is in
breach of any of its obligations under any such agreement or arrangement.

         (t)  Books  and  Records.   The  books  and  records  of  PNB  and  its
Subsidiaries have been fully, properly and accurately maintained in all material
respects,  and there are no material  inaccuracies or  discrepancies of any kind
contained or reflected  therein,  and they fairly present the financial position
of PNB and its Subsidiaries.


                                      -23-


<PAGE>



         (u)  Insurance.  PNB  has  Previously  Disclosed  all of the  insurance
policies,  binders,  or bonds maintained by PNB or its Subsidiaries  ("Insurance
Policies"). PNB and its Subsidiaries are insured with reputable insurers against
such  risks  and in  such  amounts  as the  management  of  PNB  reasonably  has
determined to be prudent for its business,  operations,  properties  and assets.
All  the  Insurance  Policies  are  in  full  force  and  effect;  PNB  and  its
Subsidiaries are not in material default  thereunder;  and all claims thereunder
have been filed in due and timely fashion.

         (v) Accounting  Treatment.  As of the date hereof,  PNB is not aware of
any  reason  why the  Merger  will fail to  qualify  for  "pooling-of-interests"
accounting treatment.

         (w) Allowance for Possible Loan Losses. To the best of PNB's knowledge,
PNB's allowance for loan and lease losses and level of indemnification  reserves
on its mortgage portfolio is, and will be as of the Effective Date, adequate and
in  accordance  with GAAP in all material  respects and in  accordance  with all
applicable regulatory requirements.

         (x) Trust  Business.  Neither PNB nor PNB Bank  Subsidiary  serves as a
trustee, agent, custodian,  personal  representative,  guardian,  conservator or
investment  advisor  for any  fiduciary  accounts.  Except as set forth in PNB's
Disclosure  Schedule or such violations  which  individually or in the aggregate
would not give rise to a Material Adverse Effect,  (i) each of the relationships
between PNB, Entrust  Administration,  Inc. ("Entrust") and another Person which
constitute  part of the  business  conducted  by PNB or Entrust  pursuant to the
Contract  for  Services,  dated as of April 1, 1997,  as amended  (the  "Entrust
Agreement"),  between PNB Bank  Subsidiary  and Entrust  (whether PNB or Entrust
acts  or has  acted  as  trustee,  agent,  custodian,  personal  representative,
guardian,  conservator,  investment advisor or in another similar capacity) (the
"Trust Relationships") is governed by a written agreement,  contract, indenture,
instrument of trust or other similar document (the "Trust  Instruments") and, to
the knowledge of PNB, all of the Trust  Instruments that are presently in effect
are in the  possession  of Entrust  and have been  made,  or are,  available  to
Western and no Trust  Instrument  has been amended  except by an  instrument  in
writing;  and (ii) each Trust  Relationship  has been  conducted,  operated  and
managed by PNB and, to the  knowledge  of PNB,  Entrust in  accordance  with the
terms of the governing Trust Instrument and applicable law.

         5.4. Representations and Warranties of Western. Subject to Sections 5.1
and 5.2 and except as  Previously  Disclosed  in a paragraph  of its  Disclosure
Schedule   corresponding  to  the  relevant  paragraph  below,   Western  hereby
represents and warrants to PNB as follows:

         (a) Organization,  Standing and Authority;  Subsidiaries.  Western is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of  California.  Western is duly qualified to do business and is in
good standing in the states of the United States and foreign jurisdictions where
its  ownership  or leasing of property or assets or the conduct of its  business
requires it to be so qualified. Western has in effect all federal, state, local,
and foreign  governmental  authorizations  necessary  for it to own or lease its
properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now conducted.  Each
of Western's  Significant  Subsidiaries  has been duly  organized and is validly
existing  in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of  the   jurisdiction   of  its
organization, and is duly


                                      -24-


<PAGE>



qualified to do business and is in good standing in the jurisdictions  where its
ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of its  business  requires it to
be so qualified.

         (b)  Western  Capital  Stock.  As of the date  hereof,  the  authorized
capital stock of Western consists solely of 100,000,000 shares of Western Common
Stock, of which no more than 15.8 million shares were outstanding as of the date
hereof and 5,000,000 shares of Western  Preferred Stock, of which no shares were
outstanding as of the date hereof. As of the date hereof,  Western does not have
any Rights issued or  outstanding  with respect to its capital stock and Western
does not have any  commitment  to  authorize,  issue or sell any  shares  of its
capital stock or any Rights. Western has a sufficient number of duly authorized,
unissued and reserved  shares of its Common Stock necessary to permit Western to
satisfy its obligations  under this Agreement  without the need to seek approval
of Western's shareholders.

         (c) Corporate Power.  Western and each of its Significant  Subsidiaries
has the  corporate  power and  authority  to carry on its  business as it is now
being  conducted and to own all its properties  and assets;  and Western has the
corporate  power and authority to execute,  deliver and perform its  obligations
under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

         (d)  Corporate   Authority.   This   Agreement  and  the   transactions
contemplated  hereby have been authorized by all necessary  corporate  action of
Western  and its Board of  Directors.  This  Agreement  is a valid  and  legally
binding agreement of Western enforceable in accordance with its terms (except as
enforceability  may be  limited  by 12  U.S.C.  ss.1818(b)(6)(D)  or  applicable
bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium,  fraudulent  transfer and
similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights
or by general equity principles).

         (e) Consents and Approvals; No Defaults.

             (i) No consents or approvals of, or filings or registrations  with,
any  Regulatory  Agencies  or with any third  party are  required  to be made or
obtained by Western or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the execution,
delivery or performance by Western of this Agreement or to consummate the Merger
except for (A) the filing of applications, registrations, statements, reports or
notices,  as  applicable,  with the  Regulatory  Agencies;  (B)  approval of the
listing on the Nasdaq of Western  Common  Stock to be issued in the Merger;  (C)
the filing and declaration of effectiveness of the Registration  Statement;  (D)
the filing of an agreement of merger with the California  Secretary  pursuant to
the CGCL;  and (E) such  filings as are  required to be made or approvals as are
required  to be  obtained  under the  securities  or "Blue  Sky" laws of various
states in connection with the issuance of Western Common Stock in the Merger. As
of the date  hereof,  Western is not aware of any reason why the  approvals  set
forth in  Section  7.1(b)  will not be  received  without  the  imposition  of a
condition, restriction or requirement of the type described in Section 7.1(b).

             (ii) Subject to receipt of the consents and  approvals  referred to
in the preceding  paragraph and expiration of the related waiting  periods,  and
required filings under federal and state


                                      -25-


<PAGE>



securities  laws, the execution,  delivery and performance of this Agreement and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (A)
constitute a breach or  violation  of, or a default  under,  or give rise to any
Lien, any  acceleration of remedies or any right of termination  under, any law,
rule or  regulation  or any  judgment,  decree,  order,  governmental  permit or
license,  or  agreement,  indenture  or  instrument  of Western or of any of its
Subsidiaries  or to which  Western or any of its  Subsidiaries  or properties is
subject or bound,  (B)  constitute a breach or violation of, or a default under,
the articles of  incorporation  or by-laws (or similar  governing  documents) of
Western or any of its Subsidiaries, or (C) require any consent or approval under
any such law, rule, regulation,  judgment, decree, order, governmental permit or
license, agreement, indenture or instrument.

         (f)  Financial  Reports  and  Regulatory  Documents;  Material  Adverse
Effect.

             (i) Western's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997 and all other reports,  registration statements, or definitive
proxy  statements  filed  or  to  be  filed  by it or  any  of  its  Significant
Subsidiaries  subsequent to December 31, 1997 under the Securities Act, or under
Sections 13(a),  13(d), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, in the form filed or to
be filed (collectively,  the "Regulatory Documents"),  as of the date filed, (A)
complied and will comply in all material respects as to form with the applicable
requirements  under the  Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be,
and (B) did not and 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 the light of the circumstances under which they were
made,  not  misleading;   and  each  of  the  balance  sheets  contained  in  or
incorporated  by reference  into any such  Regulatory  Document  (including  the
related notes and schedules  thereto) fairly  presents,  or will fairly present,
the financial  position of Western and its Subsidiaries as of its date, and each
of the statements of income and changes in  shareholders'  equity and cash flows
or equivalent  statements in such  Regulatory  Documents  (including any related
notes and  schedules  thereto)  fairly  presents,  or will fairly  present,  the
results of  operations,  changes  in  shareholders'  equity and  changes in cash
flows,  as the case may be, of Western and its  Subsidiaries  for the periods to
which they relate,  in each case in accordance  with GAAP  consistently  applied
during  the  periods  involved,  except  in each  case as may be noted  therein,
subject  to  normal  year-end  audit   adjustments  in  the  case  of  unaudited
statements.

             (ii) Since December 31, 1997, no event has occurred or circumstance
arisen that, individually or taken together with all other facts,  circumstances
and  events  (described  in any  paragraph  of  Section  5.4 or  otherwise),  is
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to it.

             (iii)  Western  has timely  filed all  reports,  registrations  and
statements,  together  with any  amendments  required  to be made  with  respect
thereto,  that they were  required  to file  since  December  31,  1996 with the
Regulatory  Agencies,  and all other material reports and statements required to
be filed by it since  December  31, 1996,  including,  without  limitation,  any
report or  statement  required  to be filed  pursuant  to the laws of the United
States or the State of California, and


                                      -26-


<PAGE>



has paid all fees and assessments due and payable in connection therewith. As of
their respective dates, such reports,  registrations and statements  complied in
all material respects with all the laws, rules and regulations of the applicable
Regulatory Agency with which they were filed.

         (g)  Compliance  with  Laws.   Western  and  each  of  its  Significant
Subsidiaries:

             (i) is in compliance with all applicable federal,  state, local and
foreign statutes,  laws, regulations,  ordinances,  rules, judgments,  orders or
decrees  applicable  thereto or to the  employees  conducting  such  businesses,
including,  without  limitation,  the Equal  Credit  Opportunity  Act,  the Fair
Housing Act, the Community  Reinvestment  Act, the Home Mortgage  Disclosure Act
and  all  other  applicable  fair  lending  laws  and  other  laws  relating  to
discriminatory business practices;

             (ii)  has  all  permits,  licenses,   authorizations,   orders  and
approvals of, and has made all filings, applications and registrations with, all
Governmental  Authorities  that are  required  in order to permit them to own or
lease their properties and to conduct their  businesses as presently  conducted;
all such permits, licenses,  certificates of authority, orders and approvals are
in full  force  and  effect  and,  to  Western's  knowledge,  no  suspension  or
cancellation of any of them is threatened; and

             (iii) has received,  since  December 31, 1996, no  notification  or
communication from any Governmental  Authority (A) asserting that Western or any
of its  Subsidiaries is not in compliance with any of the statutes,  regulations
or ordinances which such Governmental  Authority  enforces or (B) threatening to
revoke any license,  franchise,  permit or governmental  authorization  (nor, to
Western's knowledge, do any grounds for any of the foregoing exist).

         (h) No  Brokers.  No action has been  taken by Western  that would give
rise to any valid  claim  against any party  hereto for a brokerage  commission,
finder's fee or other like payment with respect to the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement,  excluding  Previously Disclosed fees payable to Belle Plaine
Partners, Inc.

         (i) Year 2000 Compliance. Except as Previously Disclosed, (i) Western's
Computer  System  used for the storage  and  processing  of data are, or will be
prior to the year  2000,  Year  2000  Compliant;  (ii) to the best of  Western's
knowledge  after due inquiry,  all of the  suppliers,  customers and third party
providers  of Western are, or will be prior to year 2000,  Year 2000  Compliant;
and (iii) to the best of  Western's  knowledge  after due  inquiry,  Western  is
taking or has taken,  all  commercially  reasonable  and  appropriate  action to
address and remedy any  deficiencies  in its Computer System which would keep it
from becoming Year 2000 Compliant.

         (j)  Books  and  Records.  The books and  records  of  Western  and its
Significant  Subsidiaries have been fully, properly and accurately maintained in
all material respects,  and there are no material  inaccuracies or discrepancies
of any kind  contained  or  reflected  therein,  and  they  fairly  present  the
financial position of Western and its Significant Subsidiaries


                                      -27-


<PAGE>



         (k) Accounting Treatment;  Tax Matters. As of the date hereof,  Western
is  aware  of  no   reason   why  the   Merger   will   fail  to   qualify   for
"pooling-of-interests"  accounting  treatment.  As of the date  hereof,  neither
Western  nor  any of its  Subsidiaries  has  any  reason  to  believe  that  any
conditions  exist that might  prevent or impede the Merger from  qualifying as a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                                    COVENANTS

         6.1.  Reasonable  Best Efforts.  Subject to the terms and conditions of
this  Agreement,  each of PNB and  Western  agrees to  cooperate  with the other
parties hereto and to use its reasonable  best efforts in good faith to take, or
cause to be  taken,  all  actions,  and to do, or cause to be done,  all  things
necessary,  proper or desirable,  or advisable under  applicable  laws, so as to
permit  consummation  of the Merger as promptly as practicable  and otherwise to
enable consummation of the transactions  contemplated hereby and shall cooperate
fully with the other party hereto to that end.

         6.2.  Shareholder  Approval.  PNB agrees to take,  in  accordance  with
applicable law and the PNB Articles and the PNB Bylaws,  all action necessary to
convene an appropriate meeting of its shareholders to consider and vote upon the
approval of the principal terms of the Merger and adoption of this Agreement and
any other matters required to be approved by PNB's shareholders for consummation
of the Merger (including any adjournment or postponement, the "PNB Meeting"), in
each case as  promptly  as  practicable  after  the  Registration  Statement  is
declared  effective.  Except to the extent legally required for the discharge by
the PNB Board of its  fiduciary  duties as  advised by counsel to the PNB Board,
the PNB Board shall recommend such approval,  and PNB shall take all reasonable,
lawful action to solicit such approval by its shareholders.

         6.3. Registration Statement.

         (a) Western agrees to prepare a  registration  statement on Form S-4 or
other applicable form (the "Registration Statement") to be filed by Western with
the SEC in connection  with the issuance of Western  Common Stock in the Merger,
including  the  prospectus  and  other  proxy  solicitation   materials  of  PNB
constituting a part thereof (the "Proxy  Statement") and all related  documents.
PNB shall have the right to review such Registration Statement and PNB agrees to
cooperate, and to cause its Subsidiaries to cooperate, with Western, its counsel
and its accountants,  in preparation of the Registration Statement and the Proxy
Statement.  PNB agrees to file the Proxy Statement in preliminary form with such
of  the  Regulatory  Authorities  as may  be  required  as  soon  as  reasonably
practicable,  and Western agrees to file the Registration Statement with the SEC
as soon as  reasonably  practicable.  Each of PNB and Western  agrees to use all
reasonable  efforts  to  cause  the  Registration  Statement  and  any  required
amendments or supplements  thereto to be declared effective under the Securities
Act and distributed to PNB  shareholders  as promptly as reasonably  practicable
after  filing  thereof.  Western  also agrees to use all  reasonable  efforts to
obtain all


                                      -28-


<PAGE>



necessary state securities laws or "Blue Sky" permits and approvals  required to
carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. PNB agrees to furnish
to Western all information concerning PNB, its Subsidiaries, officers, directors
and  shareholders  as  may  be  reasonably  requested  in  connection  with  the
foregoing.

         (b) Each of PNB and Western agrees,  as to itself and its Subsidiaries,
that  the  information  supplied  or  to be  supplied  by it  for  inclusion  or
incorporation by reference in (i) the  Registration  Statement will, at the time
the  Registration  Statement and each amendment or supplement  thereto,  if any,
becomes  effective under the Securities Act, not contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements  therein not misleading;  and (ii) the Proxy
Statement and any  amendment or supplement  thereto will, at the date of mailing
to  shareholders  and at the time of the PNB  Meeting,  not  contain  any untrue
statement of a material  fact or omit to state any material  fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements  therein not  misleading,  in
the light of the circumstances under which such statement is made,  necessary to
correct any  statement in any earlier  statement  in the Proxy  Statement or any
amendment or supplement thereto. Each of PNB and Western further agrees, that if
it shall become aware prior to the Effective Date of any  information  furnished
by it that would cause any of the  statements in the  Registration  Statement or
the Proxy Statement to be false or misleading with respect to any material fact,
or to omit to state any material fact necessary to make the  statements  therein
not false or misleading,  promptly to inform the other party thereof and to take
the  necessary  steps  to  correct  the  Registration  Statement  or  the  Proxy
Statement.

         (c)  Western  agrees to advise PNB,  promptly  after  Western  receives
notice thereof, of the time when the Registration Statement has become effective
or any supplement or amendment has been filed, of the issuance of any stop order
or the suspension of the  qualification  of Western Common Stock for offering or
sale in any jurisdiction,  of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for any
such  purpose,  or of any request by the SEC for the  amendment or supplement of
the Registration Statement or for additional information.

         6.4. Press  Releases.  Each of PNB and Western agrees that it will not,
without  the prior  approval  of the other  party,  issue any press  release  or
written  statement  for  general   circulation   relating  to  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby,   except  as  otherwise  required  by  applicable  law  or
regulation or Nasdaq rules  (provided that the issuing party shall  nevertheless
provide the other party with notice of, and the opportunity to review,  any such
press release or written statement).

         6.5. Access; Information.

         (a) Each of PNB and Western  agrees that upon  reasonable  notice,  and
subject to applicable laws relating to the exchange of  information,  each party
shall afford the other party and the other party's officers, employees, counsel,
accountants  and other  authorized  representatives,  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
the requesting party may reasonably request


                                      -29-


<PAGE>



and,  during such period,  the  providing  party shall  furnish  promptly to the
requesting party (i) a copy of each material report, schedule and other document
filed by it  pursuant  to the  requirements  of federal or state  securities  or
banking laws, and (ii) all other information concerning the business, properties
and personnel of it as the requesting party may reasonably request.

         (b)  Each  party   agrees  that  it  will  not,   and  will  cause  its
representatives  not to, use any information  obtained  pursuant to this Section
6.5 (as well as any  other  information  obtained  prior to the date  hereof  in
connection with the entering into of this  Agreement) for any purpose  unrelated
to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  Subject
to the  requirements of law, each party will keep  confidential,  and will cause
its representatives to keep confidential, all information and documents obtained
pursuant to this Section 6.5 (as well as any other information obtained prior to
the date hereof in connection with the entering into of this  Agreement)  unless
such information (i) was already known to such party,  (ii) becomes available to
such  party  from  other  sources  not  known  by such  party  to be  bound by a
confidentiality  obligation,  (iii) is disclosed with the prior written approval
of the  providing  party,  or  (iv) is or  becomes  readily  ascertainable  from
published  information  or trade  sources.  In the event that this  Agreement is
terminated or the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement shall otherwise
fail to be consummated,  each party shall promptly cause all copies of documents
or extracts thereof containing  information and data as to the other party to be
returned to the other party.  No  investigation  by either party of the business
and affairs of the other party shall  affect or be deemed to modify or waive any
representation,  warranty,  covenant  or  agreement  in this  Agreement,  or the
conditions  to  either  party's   obligation  to  consummate  the   transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

         6.6.  Acquisition  Proposals.  PNB agrees that it shall not,  and shall
cause  its  Subsidiaries  and its  Subsidiaries'  officers,  directors,  agents,
advisors and affiliates not to, solicit or encourage inquiries or proposals with
respect  to,  or  engage  in  any  negotiations   concerning,   or  provide  any
confidential  information to, or have any discussions  with, any person relating
to, any  Acquisition  Proposal,  except to the extent  legally  required for the
discharge by the PNB Board of its fiduciary  duties as advised by counsel to the
PNB  Board.  PNB  shall  immediately  cease  and  cause  to  be  terminated  any
activities,  discussions  or  negotiations  conducted  prior to the date of this
Agreement  with any  parties  other  than  Western  with  respect  to any of the
foregoing   and  shall  use  its   reasonable   best   efforts  to  enforce  any
confidentiality  or similar agreement relating to an Acquisition  Proposal.  PNB
shall promptly (within 24 hours) advise Western  following the receipt by PNB of
any Acquisition  Proposal and the substance  thereof  (including the identity of
the  person  making  such  Acquisition  Proposal),  and  advise  Western  of any
developments  with respect to such  Acquisition  Proposal  immediately  upon the
occurrence thereof.

         6.7. Affiliate Agreements.

         (a) Not  later  than the 15th day  prior to the  mailing  of the  Proxy
Statement,  PNB shall  deliver to Western a schedule of each person that, to the
best of its knowledge,  is or is reasonably  likely to be, as of the date of the
PNB Meeting, deemed to be an "affiliate" of PNB (each, a "PNB


                                      -30-


<PAGE>



Affiliate")  as that term is used in Rule 145 under  the  Securities  Act or SEC
Accounting Series Releases 130 and 135.

         (b) PNB shall use its reasonable  best efforts to cause each person who
may be deemed to be a PNB  Affiliate  to  execute  and  deliver to Western on or
before the date of  mailing  of the Proxy  Statement  an  agreement  in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit A.

         6.8. Board  Attendance and  Appointment.  Allen C. Barbieri,  or in his
absence  another  representative  of PNB  selected  by him,  shall be invited by
Western  and the  Western  bank  Subsidiaries  to attend all regular and special
meetings of the Western  Board and the Boards of the Western  bank  Subsidiaries
and the Executive  Committees of the Western Board and the Boards of the Western
bank Subsidiaries from the date hereof until the Effective Date.  Western shall,
to the extent reasonably  practicable,  inform PNB of each such meeting at least
two business days in advance of each such meeting;  provided,  however, that the
attendance  of Allen C.  Barbieri  shall not be  permitted  at any  meeting,  or
portion thereof, for the purpose of discussing transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or the obligations of Western under this Agreement.  Matthew P. Wagner
or in his absence another  representative  of Western  selected by him, shall be
invited by PNB to attend all regular and special  meetings of the PNB Board, the
Executive  Committee of the PNB Board and the PNB Bank Subsidiary Board from the
date  hereof  until the  Effective  Date.  PNB shall,  to the extent  reasonably
practicable,  inform  Western of each such meeting at least two business days in
advance of each such meeting; provided,  however, that the attendance of Matthew
P. Wagner shall not be permitted at any  meeting,  or portion  thereof,  for the
purpose  of  discussing  transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  or the
obligations of PNB under this Agreement.

         6.9. Certain  Policies.  On or after the Regulatory  Approval Date, PNB
shall,  consistent  with  GAAP and on a basis  mutually  satisfactory  to it and
Western,  modify and  change  its loan,  litigation  and real  estate  valuation
policies  and  practices  (including  loan  classifications,  levels  of  credit
reserves, and levels of indemnification reserves) so as to be applied on a basis
that is consistent with that of Western .

         6.10.  Indemnification  Reserves  On Mortgage  Portfolio.  On or before
December  31,  1998,  the level of  indemnification  reserves on PNB's  mortgage
portfolio shall not be less than $1.25 million.

         6.11. Nasdaq Listing. Western agrees to use its reasonable best efforts
to list, prior to the Effective Date, on the Nasdaq,  subject to official notice
of issuance,  the shares of Western  Common Stock to be issued to the holders of
PNB Common Stock in the Merger.

         6.12. Regulatory Applications.

         (a) Western and PNB and their respective  Subsidiaries  shall cooperate
and use their respective  reasonable best efforts to prepare all  documentation,
to effect  all  filings  and to obtain  all  permits,  consents,  approvals  and
authorizations of all third parties and Governmental Authorities


                                      -31-


<PAGE>



necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Western
and PNB  shall use their  reasonable  best  efforts  to make all  required  bank
regulatory  filings,  including  the  appropriate  filing  with  the  Regulatory
Authorities.  Each of Western and PNB shall have the right to review in advance,
and to the extent  practicable  each will consult  with the other,  in each case
subject to applicable laws relating to the exchange of information, with respect
to all  material  written  information  submitted  to  any  third  party  or any
Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement.  In exercising the foregoing right, each of the parties hereto agrees
to act reasonably and as promptly as practicable.  Each party hereto agrees that
it will consult with the other party hereto with respect to the obtaining of all
material permits,  consents,  approvals and  authorizations of all third parties
and   Governmental   Authorities   necessary  or  advisable  to  consummate  the
transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement and each party will keep the other
party appraised of the status of material  matters relating to completion of the
transactions contemplated hereby.

         (b) Each party agrees,  upon  request,  to furnish the other party with
all information  concerning  itself, its Subsidiaries,  directors,  officers and
shareholders and such other matters as may be reasonably  necessary or advisable
in connection  with any filing,  notice or  application  made by or on behalf of
such other party or any of its  Subsidiaries  to any third party or Governmental
Authority.

         6.13. Indemnification; Director and Officers' Insurance.

         (a) From and after the Effective Time through the sixth  anniversary of
the Effective  Date,  Western agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each present
and former director and officer of PNB or any Subsidiary of PNB determined as of
the Effective Time (the  "Indemnified  Parties"),  against any costs or expenses
(including  reasonable  attorneys'  fees),  judgments,  fines,  losses,  claims,
damages or liabilities  (collectively,  "Costs") incurred in connection with any
claim,  action,  suit,  proceeding or  investigation,  whether civil,  criminal,
administrative or investigative, arising out of matters existing or occurring at
or prior to the Effective Time  (including with respect to this Agreement or any
of the transactions contemplated hereby) (but excluding any Costs arising out of
any  violation  or  alleged  violation  of the  Exchange  Act or the  rules  and
regulations  thereunder  with  respect to insider  trading),  whether  asserted,
claimed or arising  prior to, at or after the  Effective  Time, to the extent to
which such  Indemnified  Parties were entitled under  California law and the PNB
Articles or the PNB Bylaws in effect on the date hereof,  and Western shall also
advance  expenses as incurred to the extent  permitted under  California law and
the PNB Articles and the PNB Bylaws.

         (b) Any  Indemnified  Party  wishing  to  claim  indemnification  under
Section 6.13(a),  upon learning of any such claim, action,  suit,  proceeding or
investigation,  shall as promptly as possible  notify Western  thereof,  but the
failure to so notify shall not relieve  Western of any  liability it may have to
such Indemnified Party if such failure does not materially prejudice Western. In
the event of any such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation  (whether
arising before or after the Effective Time), (i) Western shall have the right to
assume the defense thereof and Western shall not


                                      -32-


<PAGE>



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 Western elects not to assume
such  defense or counsel for the  Indemnified  Parties  advises in writing  that
there are issues  which  raise  conflicts  of interest  between  Western and the
Indemnified  Parties, the Indemnified Parties may retain counsel satisfactory to
them, and Western shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of one such counsel
for the Indemnified  Parties in any jurisdiction  promptly as statements thereof
are received,  (ii) the Indemnified Parties will cooperate in the defense of any
such matter,  and (iii) Western shall not be liable for any settlement  effected
without its prior  written  consent  (which  consent  shall not be  unreasonably
withheld);  and provided,  further,  that Western shall not have any  obligation
hereunder to any Indemnified Party when and if a court of competent jurisdiction
shall ultimately  determine,  and such determination shall have become final and
nonappealable,  that the indemnification of such Indemnified Party in the manner
contemplated hereby is not permitted or is prohibited by applicable law.

         (c) For a period of six years after the Effective  Time,  Western shall
use its reasonable  best efforts to cause to be maintained in effect the current
policies of  directors'  and  officers'  liability  insurance  maintained by PNB
(provided that Western may substitute  therefor policies of comparable  coverage
with respect to claims  arising from facts or events which  occurred  before the
Effective Time); provided,  however, that in no event shall Western be obligated
to expend, in order to maintain or provide  insurance  coverage pursuant to this
Section  6.13(c),  any  amount  per annum in excess of 125% of the amount of the
annual  premiums  paid as of the  date  hereof  by PNB for such  insurance  (the
"Maximum Amount"). If the amount of the annual premiums necessary to maintain or
procure such insurance  coverage  exceeds the Maximum Amount,  Western shall use
all reasonable efforts to maintain the most advantageous  policies of directors'
and officers'  insurance  obtainable  for an annual premium equal to the Maximum
Amount.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the Effective Time, Western may
request PNB to, and PNB shall,  purchase insurance  coverage,  on such terms and
conditions  as shall be  acceptable  to Western,  extending  for a period of six
years PNB's directors' and officers'  liability  insurance coverage in effect as
of the date  hereof  (covering  past or future  claims  with  respect to periods
before the Effective Time) and such coverage shall satisfy Western's obligations
under this Subsection (c).

         (d)  If  Western  or  any  of  its  successors  or  assigns  (i)  shall
consolidate with or merge into any other  corporation or entity and shall not be
the  continuing  or surviving  corporation  or entity of such  consolidation  or
merger or (ii) shall  transfer all or  substantially  all of its  properties and
assets to any  individual,  corporation  or other entity,  then and in each such
case,  proper  provision  shall be made so that the  successors  and  assigns of
Western shall assume the obligations set forth in this Section 6.13.

         (e) The  provisions  of this  Section  6.13 are  intended to be for the
benefit of, and shall be  enforceable by each  Indemnified  Party and his or her
heirs and representatives.

         6.14.  Benefit Plan.  Western shall, from and after the Effective Time,
(i) provide former employees of PNB who remain as employees of Western or any of
its Significant Subsidiaries with


                                      -33-


<PAGE>



employee benefit plans no less favorable in the aggregate than those provided to
similarly  situated  employees  of  Western  or  its  Significant  Subsidiaries,
including,  but not  limited to,  allowing  such  employees  to  participate  in
Western's  stock  option plan in  accordance  with the  policies of Western with
respect to such stock option plan, and (ii) with respect to former  employees of
PNB who remain as employees of Western or any of its  Significant  Subsidiaries,
cause each employee  benefit plan of Western or its Significant  Subsidiaries in
which such  employees  are  eligible  to  participate  to take into  account for
purposes of  eligibility  and vesting  thereunder  the service of such employees
with PNB as if such service were with Western or its  Significant  Subsidiaries,
to the same extent such  service was credited  under a  comparable  plan of PNB.
Western  agrees that all accrued  bonuses for 1998 will be paid to  employees of
PNB in accordance with PNB's past practices.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, PNB
consents and  covenants  that from and after the Effective  Date,  PNB's Benefit
Plans  will be  governed,  managed  and/or  terminated  by  Western,  all within
Western's sole discretion.

         6.15.  Accountants'  Letters.  Each of PNB and  Western  shall  use its
reasonable  best efforts to cause to be  delivered  to the other  party,  and to
Western's directors and officers who sign the Registration  Statement,  a letter
of their  respective  independent  auditors,  dated  (i) the  date on which  the
Registration  Statement shall become  effective and (ii) a date shortly prior to
the Effective  Date,  and addressed to such other party,  and such directors and
officers,  in form and substance  customary for "comfort"  letters  delivered by
independent accountants in accordance with Statement of Accounting Standards No.
72.

         6.16.  Notification of Certain  Matters.  Each of PNB and Western shall
give prompt notice to the other of any fact,  event or circumstance  known to it
that (i) is reasonably  likely,  individually  or taken  together with all other
facts,  events and circumstances  known to it, to result in any Material Adverse
Effect with respect to it or (ii) would cause or constitute a material breach of
any  of its  representations,  warranties,  covenants  or  agreements  contained
herein.

         6.17.  Shareholder  Agreements.  Certain directors and certain officers
who are shareholders of PNB, in their  capacities as  shareholders,  in exchange
for good and valuable  consideration,  have  executed  and  delivered to Western
shareholder  agreements  substantially  in the form of  Exhibit  B  hereto  (the
"Shareholder  Agreements"),  committing such persons, among other things, (i) to
vote  their  shares of PNB  Common  Stock in favor of the  Agreement  at the PNB
Meeting and (ii) to certain  representations  concerning  the  ownership  of PNB
Common Stock.

         6.18.  Reservation of Shares. Western shall at all times from and after
the date of this  Agreement  maintain a  sufficient  number of duly  authorized,
unissued and reserved shares of Western Common Stock necessary to permit Western
to  satisfy  its  obligations  under  this  Agreement  without  the need to seek
approval of Western's shareholders.

         6.18. Employment Agreements. Western acknowledges and agrees that after
the  consummation of the Merger,  the Surviving  Corporation will continue to be
obligated to perform its obligations  under the employment  agreements set forth
in PNB's Disclosure Schedule, in accordance with the respective terms thereof.


                                      -34-


<PAGE>



         6.19. Merger of PNB Bank Subsidiary.  PNB shall take promptly, or cause
to be taken promptly,  all actions reasonably  requested by Western to cause PNB
Bank  Subsidiary  to merge with a  subsidiary  of  Western,  including,  without
limitation, joining in the filing of all necessary regulatory applications.

         6.20.  Entrust.  As promptly as practicable after the date hereof,  PNB
shall  communicate  with  Entrust  for the  purpose of  terminating  the Entrust
Agreement,  and  shall  make  commercially  reasonable  efforts  to  effect  the
termination of the Entrust Agreement and the substitution of another  custodian.
PNB agrees to cause an audit to be  performed on Entrust on or prior to the date
of  termination  in  form  acceptable  to  Western,  such  acceptance  not to be
unreasonably withheld, consistent with the terms of the Entrust Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE VII

                    CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER

         7.1.  Conditions to Each Party's  Obligation to Effect the Merger.  The
respective  obligation  of each of Western and PNB to  consummate  the Merger is
subject to the  fulfillment  or written  waiver by Western  and PNB prior to the
Effective Time of each of the following conditions:

         (a) Shareholder Approval. This Agreement and the principal terms of the
Merger shall have been duly adopted and  approved by the  requisite  vote of the
shareholders of PNB.

         (b) Regulatory Approvals.  All regulatory approvals or waivers required
to consummate the transactions  contemplated hereby shall have been obtained and
shall  remain in full  force and  effect and all  statutory  waiting  periods in
respect  thereof  shall have  expired  and no such  approvals  or waivers  shall
contain any conditions,  restrictions  or  requirements  which the Western Board
reasonably  determines  would (i) following the Effective  Time, have a Material
Adverse  Effect on the Surviving  Corporation  and its  Subsidiaries  taken as a
whole or (ii) reduce the  benefits of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby to
such a degree that Western  would not have entered into this  Agreement had such
conditions, restrictions or requirements been known at the date hereof.

         (c) No Injunction.  No Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction
shall have enacted, issued, promulgated,  enforced or entered any statute, rule,
regulation,  judgment,  decree,  injunction or other order  (whether  temporary,
preliminary or permanent)  which is in effect and prohibits  consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         (d)  Registration  Statement.  The  Registration  Statement  shall have
become  effective  under the  Securities  Act and no stop order  suspending  the
effectiveness  of the  Registration  Statement  shall  have been  issued  and no
proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the SEC.


                                      -35-


<PAGE>



         (e) Blue Sky  Approvals.  All  permits and other  authorizations  under
state  securities  laws  necessary to consummate the  transactions  contemplated
hereby  and to issue the  shares  of  Western  Common  Stock to be issued in the
Merger shall have been received and be in full force and effect.

         (f)  Listing.  The shares of Western  Common  Stock to be issued in the
Merger shall have been  approved for listing on the Nasdaq,  subject to official
notice of issuance.

         7.2.  Conditions  to  Obligation  of  PNB.  The  obligation  of  PNB to
consummate  the Merger is also subject to the  fulfillment  or written waiver by
PNB prior to the Effective Time of each of the following conditions:

         (a) Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties
of Western set forth in this  Agreement  (subject to the  standard  set forth in
Section 5.2) shall be true and correct as of the date of this  Agreement  and as
of the  Effective  Date as though made on and as of the  Effective  Date (except
that  representations  and  warranties  that by their terms speak only as of the
date of this  Agreement  or some other date shall be true and correct as of such
date),  and PNB shall have received a  certificate,  dated the  Effective  Date,
signed  on behalf  of  Western  by the  Chief  Executive  Officer  and the Chief
Financial Officer of Western to such effect.

         (b) Performance of Obligations of Western. Western shall have performed
in all material  respects all  obligations  required to be performed by it under
this Agreement at or prior to the Effective  Time, and PNB shall have received a
certificate,  dated the Effective Date, signed on behalf of Western by the Chief
Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Western to such effect.

         (c) Tax Opinion. PNB shall have received an opinion of McDermott,  Will
& Emery,  dated the  Effective  Date, to the effect that, on the basis of facts,
representations  and  assumptions  set  forth in such  opinion,  (i) the  Merger
constitutes a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code and
(ii) no gain or loss  will be  recognized  by  shareholders  of PNB who  receive
shares of Western  Common  Stock in  exchange  for  shares of PNB Common  Stock,
except with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional share  interests.  In
rendering  its  opinion,  McDermott,  Will & Emery  may  require  and rely  upon
representations contained in letters from PNB, Western and shareholders of PNB.

         (d) Accountants'  Letters. PNB shall have received the letters referred
to in Section 6.14 from Western's independent auditors.

         (e)  Director.  Western  shall have adopted  resolutions  sufficient to
appoint Allen C. Barbieri as a director of Western as of the Effective Time, or,
if such person is unable to serve,  such other current  director of PNB as shall
be mutually satisfactory to Western.

         (f) Fairness  Opinion.  PNB shall have received the written  opinion of
Lehman  Brothers  Inc. to the effect that,  as of a date within five days of the
mailing of the Proxy Statement to the shareholders of PNB in connection with the
PNB Meeting, the consideration to be received by the


                                      -36-


<PAGE>



holders of the PNB Common  Stock in the  Merger is fair to such  holders  from a
financial point of view.

         7.3. Conditions to Obligation of Western.  The obligation of Western to
consummate  the Merger is also subject to the  fulfillment  or written waiver by
Western prior to the Effective Time of each of the following conditions:

         (a) Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties
of PNB set forth in this Agreement (subject to the standard set forth in Section
5.2) shall be true and  correct as of the date of this  Agreement  and as of the
Effective  Date as though  made on and as of the  Effective  Date  (except  that
representations  and warranties that by their terms speak only as of the date of
this Agreement or some other date shall be true and correct as of such date) and
Western shall have received a certificate,  dated the Effective Date,  signed on
behalf of PNB by the Chief Executive  Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of
PNB to such effect.

         (b)  Performance of Obligations of PNB. PNB shall have performed in all
material  respects  all  obligations  required to be  performed by it under this
Agreement at or prior to the Effective  Time,  and Western shall have received a
certificate,  dated  the  Effective  Date,  signed on behalf of PNB by the Chief
Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of PNB to such effect.

         (c)  Opinion of  Western's  Counsel.  Western  shall have  received  an
opinion of Sullivan & Cromwell,  special counsel to Western, dated the Effective
Date, to the effect that, on the basis of facts, representations and assumptions
set forth in such opinion, the Merger constitutes a reorganization under Section
368 of the Code. In rendering  its opinion,  Sullivan & Cromwell may require and
rely  upon   representations   contained  in  letters  from  PNB,   Western  and
shareholders of PNB.

         (d)  Accountants'  Letters.  Western  shall have  received  the letters
referred to in Section 6.14 from PNB's independent auditors.

         (e) PNB and Subsidiaries Financial Tests. As of the month end preceding
the Effective Time, but without giving effect to any costs related to the Merger
or any changes effected as a result of Section 6.9 hereof,  PNB's  shareholder's
equity and  allowance  for credit  losses shall not be less than the  respective
amounts set forth on PNB's  quarterly  report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
June 30,  1998,  and  Western  shall  have  received  a  certificate,  dated the
Effective Date,  signed on behalf of PNB by its Chief Financial  Officer to such
effect.

         (f)  Director  Resignations.  Western  shall have  received the written
resignation  of each director (in such  director's  capacity as director) of PNB
and PNB Bank Subsidiary effective as of the Effective Time.


                                      -37-


<PAGE>



                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                   TERMINATION

         8.1. Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated, and the Merger may
be abandoned:

         (a) Mutual  Consent.  At any time prior to the  Effective  Time, by the
mutual  consent  of  Western  and  PNB,  if the  Board of  Directors  of each so
determines by vote of a majority of the members of its entire Board.

         (b) Breach. At any time prior to the Effective Time, by Western or PNB,
if its Board of Directors so  determines by vote of a majority of the members of
its entire Board, in the event of either: (i) a breach by the other party of any
representation  or warranty  contained herein (subject to the standard set forth
in Section  5.2),  which  breach  cannot be or has not been cured within 30 days
after the giving of written  notice to the  breaching  party of such breach;  or
(ii) a breach by the other party of any of the covenants or agreements contained
herein,  which  breach  cannot be or has not been cured within 30 days after the
giving of written  notice to the breaching  party of such breach,  provided that
such breach (whether under (i) or (ii)) would be reasonably likely, individually
or in the aggregate with other breaches, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

         (c) Delay.  At any time prior to the  Effective  Time,  by PNB,  if its
Board of  Directors  so  determines  by vote of a majority of the members of its
entire Board,  in the event that the Merger is not  consummated by May 30, 1999,
except to the  extent  that the  failure of the  Merger  then to be  consummated
arises out of or results from the knowing  action or inaction of PNB pursuant to
this Section 8.1(c).

         (d) No  Approval.  By PNB or  Western,  if its  Board of  Directors  so
determines  by a vote of a majority of the members of its entire  Board,  in the
event (i) the approval of any Governmental  Authority  required for consummation
of the Merger and the other  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement shall
have been denied by final nonappealable action of such Governmental Authority or
(ii) the shareholder  approval required by Section 7.1(a) herein is not obtained
at the PNB Meeting.

         (e) Failure to Recommend, Etc. At any time prior to the PNB Meeting, by
Western if the PNB Board shall have failed to make its  recommendation  referred
to in Section 6.2,  withdrawn  such  recommendation  or modified or changed such
recommendation in a manner adverse in any respect to the interests of Western.

         (f) Western Stock. By PNB in the event that, with respect to the Twenty
Day Period (as  defined  below)  both (i) either  (A)(1) the Twenty Day  Average
Price (as  defined  below)  shall be less  than 90% of  $29.625  per share  (the
"Execution  Date Price") and (2) the Western  Common Stock Price  Percentage (as
defined  below) shall be less than the Nasdaq 90% Index  Percentage  (as defined
below) or (B)(1) the Twenty Day Average  Price shall be greater  than 90% of the
Execution Date Price and (2) the Western Common Stock Price  Percentage shall be
less than the Nasdaq 80% Index


                                      -38-


<PAGE>



Percentage  (as  defined  below)  and  (ii) in any such  case PNB has  delivered
written notice to Western 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 PNB fails to
timely  deliver the notice  referred to in this clause (ii),  PNB shall have the
right to terminate if any such event subsequently occurs and PNB timely delivers
such notice);  provided,  however,  that, if Western  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 8.1(f) shall be appropriately adjusted.

         As used  in this  Section  8.1(f),  (u)  "Western  Common  Stock  Price
Percentage"  means the percentage  determined by dividing the Twenty Day Average
Price by the Execution Date Price; (v) "Nasdaq 80% Index  Percentage"  means the
percentage  determined by dividing (i) the product of (A) the Twenty Day Average
Nasdaq Bank Index times (B) 0.80 by (ii) the Nasdaq Bank Index as of the date of
this  Agreement,   (w)  "Nasdaq  90%  Index  Percentage"  means  the  percentage
determined by dividing (i) the product of (A) the Twenty Day Average Nasdaq Bank
Index  times  (B)  0.90 by (ii)  the  Nasdaq  Bank  Index as of the date of this
Agreement;  (x) "Twenty Day Average  Price"  means the volume  weighted  average
sales price per share of Western  Common  Stock for the Twenty Day  Period;  for
purposes of  determining  the "volume  weighted  average,"  the aggregate of the
daily sales of Western Common Stock for each of the twenty (20) consecutive days
Western  Common  Stock is traded  shall be  divided by the  aggregate  number of
shares of Western  Common Stock traded on Nasdaq  during such Twenty Day Period;
(y) "Twenty Day Average  Nasdaq Bank Index" means the average of the Nasdaq Bank
Index (the "Nasdaq  Bank Index") for the Twenty Day Period;  and (z) "Twenty Day
Period" means any twenty (20) consecutive days on which shares of Western Common
Stock are actually traded during the period  commencing twenty (20) trading days
prior to the  receipt of the last  regulatory  approval  required to be obtained
pursuant to Section  7.1(b) and ending on the  trading  day that is  forty-eight
(48) hours prior to the Effective Time.

         (g)  Acquisition  Proposal.  This Agreement may be terminated by PNB by
written  notice to Western if PNB (i)  receives an  Acquisition  Proposal,  (ii)
receives the advice of its outside  counsel that to proceed with the Merger will
violate the fiduciary duties of the PNB Board to PNB's  shareholders in light of
such Acquisition Proposal, and (iii) after receiving such advice,  determines to
accept  such  proposal;  provided,  however,  that PNB shall not be  entitled to
terminate  this  Agreement  pursuant to this Section 8.1(g) unless it shall have
provided  Western with written  notice of such a possible  determination  (which
written  notice will inform  Western of the material terms and conditions of the
proposal,  including the identity of the  proponent)  not less than two business
days prior to such determination.

         (h) Disclosure  Schedule Amendment or Supplement.  At any time prior to
the Effective  Time by Western or PNB if its Board of Directors so determines by
vote of a majority  of the members of its entire  Board,  in the event the other
party amends their  Disclosure  Schedule  pursuant to Section 5.1 and  discloses
events that would be reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect on
the other party or the Surviving Corporation.


                                      -39-


<PAGE>



         8.2. Effect of Termination and Abandonment. In the event of termination
of this  Agreement and the  abandonment  of the Merger  pursuant to this Article
VIII, no party to this Agreement shall have any liability or further  obligation
to any other party  hereunder  except (i) as set forth in Section  9.1, and (ii)
that  termination  will not relieve a  breaching  party from  liability  for any
willful breach of this Agreement giving rise to such termination.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         9.1. Survival. No representations, warranties, agreements and covenants
contained  in this  Agreement  shall  survive  the  Effective  Time  (other than
Sections  6.13 and 6.14 and this  Article IX which shall  survive the  Effective
Time) or the termination of this Agreement if this Agreement is terminated prior
to the Effective Time (other than Sections 6.3(b),  6.5(b), 8.2 and this Article
IX which shall survive such termination).

         9.2. Waiver;  Amendment.  Prior to the Effective Time, any provision of
this Agreement may be (i) waived by the party  benefitted by the  provision,  or
(ii) amended or modified at any time,  by an  agreement  in writing  between the
parties hereto executed in the same manner as this Agreement,  except that after
the PNB Meeting,  this Agreement may not be amended if it would violate the CGCL
or reduce the consideration to be received by PNB shareholders in the Merger.

         9.3.  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  in one or  more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to constitute an original.

         9.4.  Governing  Law;  Waiver of Jury Trial.  This  Agreement  shall be
governed  by,  and  interpreted  in  accordance  with,  the laws of the State of
California applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within such
State  (except to the  extent  that  mandatory  provisions  of  Federal  law are
applicable).  Each of the parties hereto hereby  irrevocably  waives any and all
right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or related to this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

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

         9.6. Notices. All notices,  requests and other communications hereunder
to a party  shall  be in  writing  and  shall  be  deemed  given  if  personally
delivered,  telecopied (with  confirmation) or mailed by registered or certified
mail (return receipt  requested) to such party at its address set forth below or
such other address as such party may specify by notice to the parties hereto.


                                      -40-


<PAGE>



              If to PNB, to:          PNB Financial Group, Inc.
                                      4665 MacArthur Court
                                      Newport Beach, California 92660
                                      Attention: Allen C. Barbieri
                                      Facsimile: (949) 833-9207

              With a copy to:         McDermott, Will & Emery
                                      1301 Dove Street, Suite 1500
                                      Newport Beach, California 92660
                                      Attention: Gregory W. Preston
                                      Facsimile: (949) 851-9348

              If to Western, to:      Western Bancorp
                                      4100 Newport Place
                                      Suite 900
                                      Newport Beach, CA 92660
                                      Attention: Julius G. Christensen
                                      Facsimile: (949) 757-5845

              With a copy to:         Sullivan & Cromwell
                                      1888 Century Park East
                                      Los Angeles, California 90067-1725
                                      Attention: Stanley F. Farrar
                                      Facsimile: (310) 712-8800

         9.7. Entire Understanding; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement
and the Stock Option Agreement represent the entire understanding of the parties
hereto with reference to the transactions  contemplated hereby and thereby,  and
this  Agreement  supersedes  any  and  all  other  oral  or  written  agreements
heretofore made (other than any such Stock Option Agreement). Except for Section
6.13, nothing in this Agreement expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon
any person,  other than the parties hereto or their respective  successors,  any
rights,  remedies,  obligations  or  liabilities  under  or by  reason  of  this
Agreement.

         9.8. Interpretation; Effect. When a reference is made in this Agreement
to Sections,  Exhibits or Schedules, such reference shall be to a Section of, or
Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.  The table of
contents and headings  contained in this  Agreement are for  reference  purposes
only  and  are not  part  of  this  Agreement.  Whenever  the  words  "include,"
"includes" or "including" are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be
followed by the words "without limitation." No provision of this Agreement shall
be construed to require PNB,  Western or any of their  respective  Subsidiaries,
affiliates  or directors to take any action which would violate  applicable  law
(whether statutory or common law), rule or regulation.

                                       * *


                                      -41-


<PAGE>



                      [SIGNATURES BEGIN ON FOLLOWING PAGE]






















                                      -42-



<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed in counterparts by their duly  authorized  officers,  all as of the day
and year first above written.

                                    PNB FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.


                                    By: /s/ Allen C. Barbieri
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Allen C. Barbieri
                                    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer



                                    WESTERN BANCORP


                                    By: /s/ Arnold C. Hahn
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Arnold C. Hahn
                                    Title: Executive Vice President and Chief
                                           Financial Officer






                                      -43-





================================================================================










                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

                    DATED AS OF THE 6TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 1998

                                 BY AND BETWEEN

                                 WESTERN BANCORP

                                       AND 

                            PNB FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.









================================================================================




<PAGE>



                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


         STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT,  dated as of the 6th day of October, 1998 (this
"Agreement"),  between , a California corporation ("Grantee"), and PNB Financial
Group, Inc., a California corporation ("Issuer").

                                   WITNESSETH:

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

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

         WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Issuer has approved the grant of the
Option and the Plan prior to the date hereof;

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

         SECTION  1. GRANT OF OPTION.  (a)  Issuer  hereby  grants to Grantee an
unconditional,  irrevocable  option (the  "Option") to purchase,  subject to the
terms hereof, up to 553,166 fully paid and nonassessable  shares of Common Stock
("Common  Stock") of Issuer at a fixed price per share of $29.625 (the  "Initial
Price");  provided,  however,  that in no event  shall  the  number of shares of
Common Stock for which the Option is  exercisable  exceed 19.9% of the number of
shares of Common Stock then issued and outstanding  without giving effect to any
shares subject or issued pursuant to the Option.  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.

         (b) In the event that any additional  shares of Common Stock are issued
or otherwise  become  outstanding  after the date of this Agreement  (other than
pursuant to this  Agreement  and other than  pursuant to an event  described  in
Section 5(a) hereof), the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Option
shall be increased so that after such  issuance  such number  together  with any
shares of Common Stock previously  issued pursuant  hereto,  equals 19.9% of the
number of shares of Common  Stock then  issued and  outstanding  without  giving
effect to any shares subject or issued pursuant to the Option. Nothing contained
in this Section l(b) or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to authorize
Issuer to issue shares in breach of any provision of the Plan.



<PAGE>



         SECTION 2. EXERCISE OF OPTION.

         (a) Timing of Exercise,  Termination.  Provided  that (i) Grantee shall
not be in material  breach of the  agreements  or  covenants  contained  in this
Agreement or the Plan and (ii) no preliminary  or permanent  injunction or other
order  against  delivery of shares  covered by the Option issued by any court of
competent  jurisdiction  in the United  States  shall be in effect,  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,  (iii) 18 months after
the  termination of the Plan following the occurrence of a Preliminary  Purchase
Event (as defined  below),  (iv)  termination of the Plan 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 Plan by Grantee  pursuant to
Section  8.1(b)(i)  or (ii),  by Grantee and Issuer  pursuant to Section  8.1(a)
thereof if Grantee  shall at that time have been  entitled to terminate the Plan
pursuant to Section  8.1(b)(i) or (ii) thereof or by Issuer pursuant to 8.1(g)),
or (v) 18 months  after  the  termination  of the Plan by  Grantee  pursuant  to
Section  8.1(b)(i)  or (ii),  by Grantee and Issuer  pursuant to Section  8.1(a)
thereof if Grantee  shall at that time have been  entitled to terminate the Plan
pursuant to Section  8.1(b)(i) or (ii) thereof or by Issuer pursuant to 8.1(g)).
The  events  described  in  clauses  (i) - (v) in  the  preceding  sentence  are
hereinafter  collectively  referred  to  as  an  "Exercise  Termination  Event."
Anything  herein to the  contrary  notwithstanding,  any purchase of shares upon
exercise of the Option shall be subject to compliance  with  applicable law. The
rights set forth in Section 7 hereof shall  terminate when the right to exercise
the Option  terminates  (other  than as a result of a complete  exercise  of the
Option) as set forth herein.

         (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")  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 "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 Issuer  Subsidiary,  (y) a purchase,  lease or
         other acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of or


                                       -2-



<PAGE>



         assumption  of all or  substantially  all the deposits of Issuer or any
         Issuer 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 Issuer Subsidiary, 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 or
         any Issuer  Subsidiary  acting in a fiduciary  capacity in the ordinary
         course of business)  shall have  acquired  Beneficial  Ownership or the
         right to acquire Beneficial  Ownership,  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 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;

              (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 Person other
         than Grantee or any Grantee  Subsidiary  shall have  commenced (as such
         term is  defined in Rule 14d-2  under the  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,  or such third
         party  states  its  intention  to  make  such a  proposal  if the  Plan
         terminates  and/or the Option  expires,  Issuer shall have breached any
         covenant or  obligation  contained  in the Plan and such  breach  would
         entitle  Grantee  to  terminate  the Plan  (without  regard to the cure
         period provided for therein);

              (v) The holders of Common  Stock shall not have  approved the Plan
         by the requisite vote at the meeting of such  shareholders held for the
         purpose of voting on the Plan, or such meeting shall not have been held
         or shall have been canceled  prior to  termination of the Plan, in each
         case after it shall have been publicly announced that any Person (other
         than  Grantee  or any  Grantee  Subsidiary)  shall  have (A)  made,  or
         disclosed an intention to make, a bona fide proposal to engage


                                       -3-



<PAGE>



         in an Acquisition Transaction,  (B) commenced a Tender Offer or filed a
         registration  statement  under the  Securities  Act with  respect to an
         Exchange  Offer or (C) filed an  application  (or given a notice) with,
         whether in draft of final form,  the Board of  Governors of the Federal
         Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve Board") or any other  governmental
         authority or regulatory or administrative agency or commission (each, a
         "Governmental  Authority"),  for  approval to engage in an  Acquisition
         Transaction;

              (vi) 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,  shall have filed an  application or notice
         with the Federal  Reserve  Board or other  Governmental  Authority  for
         approval to engage in an Acquisition Transaction; or

              (vii) The  Issuer's  Board of  Directors  shall have  withdrawn or
         modified (or publicly announced its intention to withdraw or modify) in
         any manner  adverse in any respect to Grantee its  recommendation  that
         the shareholders of Issuer approve the transactions contemplated by the
         Plan in anticipation of engaging in an Acquisition  Proposal, or Issuer
         or any Issuer Subsidiary shall have authorized,  recommended,  proposed
         (or  publicly  announced  its  intention  to  authorize,  recommend  or
         propose) an agreement to engage in an Acquisition  Transaction with any
         person other than Grantee or a Grantee Subsidiary.

         (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,
         such that, upon the consummation of such acquisition, such Person would
         have Beneficial Ownership, in the aggregate, of 25% or more of the then
         outstanding shares of Common Stock; or

              (ii) The occurrence of a Preliminary  Purchase Event  described in
         Section  2(b)(i) or (ii) hereof except that the percentage  referred to
         in either such case shall be 25%.

         (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.



                                       -4-



<PAGE>



         (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 sixty  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  present  and  surrender  this  Agreement  and 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.

         (h) 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


                                       -5-



<PAGE>



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,  issue and
delivery of stock certificates under this Section 2 in the name of Grantee.

         SECTION 3. ISSUER'S COVENANTS.

         (a)  Available  Shares.  The Issuer  agrees  that it shall at all times
until the  termination  of this  Agreement  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 and not subject to any preemptive rights.

         (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  pre-merger  notification,  reporting  and  waiting  period
requirements  specified  in  15  U.S.C.  ss.  18a  and  regulations  promulgated
thereunder and (ii) in the event, under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as
amended ("BHCA"),  or the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended, or any
California 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,  and to protect the
rights of Grantee against dilution.

         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


                                       -6-



<PAGE>



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 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, or  distributions in respect of, 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),  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  take such action as may be required  under
applicable  federal  or state  laws,  including  if  applicable  registering  or
qualifying any shares issued and issuable pursuant to the Option for sale or the
sale of any such shares or otherwise securing any necessary governmental permits
or  approvals  for the  sale of such  shares  (any  and  all  such  actions  are
hereinafter  referred  to as a  "Registration"),  in order to permit the sale or
other


                                       -7-



<PAGE>



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.  Issuer will use commercially  reasonable efforts to cause
such  Registration to remain in effect for such period not in excess of 180 days
from the day such  Registration is first effected.  Grantee shall have the right
to  demand  two  such  Registrations  at the  Issuer's  expense.  The  foregoing
notwithstanding,  if, at the time of any such  request by  Grantee  as  provided
above,  Issuer  is  in  the  process  of  a  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 such Registration contemplated hereby may be reduced;
provided,  however, that after any such required reduction, the number of Option
Shares to be included  in such  Registration  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;  provided further,  however,
that if such reduction  occurs,  then Issuer shall effect a Registration for the
balance of such  shares as  promptly as  practicable  thereafter  as to which no
reduction shall thereafter occur. In addition,  if the Issuer proposes to effect
a Registration  with respect to its Common Stock or any other securities in such
a manner  that  would  permit  the  Registration  of the Shares or a sale of the
Shares for public sale (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 notice 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)  delivered
to the Issuer within 20 business days after the giving of any such notice, which
request  shall  specify the number of Shares  desired to be disposed by Grantee,
the Issuer will use  commercially  reasonable  efforts to effect,  in connection
with such proposed action,  the Registration of the Shares or a sale thereof set
forth in such request.  Grantee shall be entitled to two such  Registrations  at
the Issuer's expense. Grantee shall provide all information reasonably requested
by Issuer for inclusion in connection with any such Registration.  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  shares,  but only to the
extent of  obligating  themselves  in  respect of  representations,  warranties,
indemnities  and other  agreements  customarily  included  in such  underwriting
agreements.

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


                                       -8-



<PAGE>



in Section 9 hereof,  the closing of the sale or other disposition of the Common
Stock  or  other   securities   pursuant  to  such   Registration   shall  occur
substantially simultaneously with the exercise of the Option.

         (c) Except where applicable  state law prohibits such payments,  Issuer
will  pay  all  expenses   (including  without  limitation   registration  fees,
qualification  fees, blue sky fees and expenses (including the fees and expenses
of counsel),  legal expenses,  including the reasonable fees and expenses of one
counsel to the holders of Option Shares the subject of a Registration,  printing
expenses and the costs of special audits or "cold comfort" letters,  expenses of
underwriters,  excluding  discounts  and  commissions  but  including  liability
insurance  if  Issuer  so  desires  or the  underwriters  so  require,  and  the
reasonable  fees and expenses of any  necessary  special  experts) in connection
with each  Registration  pursuant  to this  Section  6  (including  the  related
offerings and sales by holders of Option  Shares) and all other  qualifications,
notification or exemptions pursuant to this Section 6.

         (d) In connection  with any  Registration  under this Section 6, Issuer
hereby  indemnifies  the Grantee,  and each  officer,  director and  controlling
person of Grantee, and each underwriter  thereof,  including each person, if any
who controls such holder or underwriter  within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act, against all expenses,  losses,  claims,  damages and liabilities
caused by any untrue, or alleged untrue, statement contained in any registration
statement or prospectus or  notification  or offering  circular  (including  any
amendments or supplements thereto) or any preliminary  prospectus,  or caused by
any omission,  or alleged omission, to state therein a material fact required to
be stated  therein or necessary to make the statements  therein not  misleading,
except insofar as such expenses,  losses, claims, damages or liabilities of such
indemnified party are caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
that was included by Issuer in any such registration  statement or prospectus or
notification  or offering  circular  (including  any  amendments or  supplements
thereto) in reliance  upon and in  conformity  with,  information  furnished  in
writing to Issuer by such  indemnified  party  expressly  for use  therein,  and
Issuer and each  officer,  director  and  controlling  person of Issuer shall be
indemnified by such Grantee, or by such underwriter, as the case may be, for all
such expenses,  losses, claims, damages and liabilities caused by any untrue, or
alleged untrue,  statement, that was included by Issuer in any such registration
statement or prospectus or  notification  or offering  circular  (including  any
amendments or supplements  thereto) in reliance  upon,  and in conformity  with,
information  furnished in writing to Issuer by such holder or such  underwriter,
as the case may be,  expressly  for such use.

         Promptly upon receipt by a party indemnified under this Section 6(d) of
notice of the  commencement  of any action  against  such  indemnified  party in
respect  of  which  indemnity  or  reimbursement   may  be  sought  against  any
indemnifying  party under this Section 6(d), such indemnified party shall notify
the indemnifying  party in writing of the  commencement of such action,  but the
failure so to notify the indemnifying party shall


                                       -9-



<PAGE>



not relieve it of any liability  which it may otherwise have to any  indemnified
party under this Section 6(d). In case notice of commencement of any such action
shall be given to the  indemnifying  party as above provided,  the  indemnifying
party  shall be  entitled  to  participate  in and,  to the  extent it may wish,
jointly with any other  indemnifying  party  similarly  notified,  to assume the
defense  of such  action  at its own  expense,  with  counsel  chosen  by it and
reasonably  satisfactory to such indemnified  party. The indemnified party shall
have the right to employ separate  counsel in any such action and participate in
the  defense  thereof,  but the fees and  expenses of such  counsel  (other than
reasonable costs of investigation) shall be paid by the indemnified party unless
(i) the indemnifying  party either agrees to pay the same, (ii) the indemnifying
party  fails to assume  the  defense  of such  action  with  counsel  reasonably
satisfactory to the indemnified  party, or (iii) the indemnified  party has been
advised  by counsel  that one or more legal  defenses  may be  available  to the
indemnifying  party that may be contrary  to the  interests  of the  indemnified
party. No  indemnifying  party shall be liable for the fees and expenses of more
than one  separate  counsel for all  indemnified  parties or for any  settlement
entered  into  without  its  consent,  which  consent  may  not be  unreasonably
withheld.

         If the indemnification provided for in this Section 6(d) is unavailable
to a party  otherwise  entitled to be  indemnified  in respect of any  expenses,
losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to herein, then the indemnifying
party, in lieu of indemnifying such party otherwise  entitled to be indemnified,
shall  contribute to the amount paid or payable by such party to be  indemnified
as a result of such  expenses,  losses,  claims,  damages or liabilities in such
proportion  as is  appropriate  to reflect  the  relative  fault of Issuer,  the
Grantee and the  underwriters  in  connection  with the  statements or omissions
which resulted in such expenses, losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well
as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The amount paid or payable by a
party as a result of the  expenses,  losses,  claims,  damages  and  liabilities
referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses
reasonably  incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending
any action or claim;  provided,  however,  that in no case shall the  Grantee be
responsible,  in the  aggregate,  for any  amount in excess of the net  offering
proceeds  attributable to its Option Shares included in the offering.  No person
guilty of fraudulent  misrepresentation  (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the Securities  Act) shall be entitled to  contribution  from any person who was
not guilty of such fraudulent  misrepresentation.  Any obligation by any Grantee
to indemnify shall be several and not joint with other holders of Option Shares.

         SECTION 7. OPTION  REPURCHASE.  (a) Upon the  occurrence  of a Purchase
Event that occurs  prior to an Exercise  Termination  Event,  (i) at the request
(the date of such request being the "Request Date") of Grantee, delivered within
30 days of the Purchase Event (or such later period as may be provided  pursuant
to Section 9 hereof), Issuer shall repurchase the Option from Grantee at a price
(the  "Option  Repurchase  Price")  equal to (x) the  amount  by  which  (A) the
market/offer price (as


                                      -10-



<PAGE>



defined below) exceeds (B) the Option Price,  multiplied by the number of shares
for which the Option may then be exercised  and (ii) at the request (the date of
such request  being the "Request  Date") of the owner of Option Shares from time
to time (the  "Owner"),  delivered  within 30 days of a Purchase  Event (or such
later  period as may be  provided  pursuant to Section 9 hereof),  Issuer  shall
repurchase  such  number of the Option  Shares from the Owner as the Owner shall
designate  at a price (the "Option  Share  Repurchase  Price")  equal to (x) the
market/offer price multiplied by the number of Option Shares so designated.  The
term  "market/offer  price" shall mean the highest of (i) the price per share of
Common  Stock at which a tender offer or exchange  offer  therefor has been made
after the date  hereof and on or prior to the Request  Date,  (ii) 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)
or (iv) 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 mutually selected by Grantee or the Owner,
as the case may be, on the one hand, and Issuer,  on the other hand,  divided by
the number of shares of Common Stock of Issuer  outstanding  at the time of such
sale. In determining the market/offer  price,  the value of consideration  other
than cash shall be determined by a nationally-recognized  independent investment
banking firm mutually  selected by Grantee or Owner,  as the case may be, on the
one hand, and Issuer, on the other hand, whose determination shall be conclusive
and binding on all parties.

         (b) Grantee or the Owner, as the case may be, may exercise its right to
require  Issuer to repurchase  the Option  and/or any Option Shares  pursuant to
this  Section 7 by  surrendering  for such purpose to Issuer,  at its  principal
office,  a copy  of  this  Agreement  or  certificates  for  Option  Shares,  as
applicable,  accompanied by a written notice or notices  stating that Grantee or
the Owner, as the case may be, elects to require Issuer to repurchase the Option
and/or the Option Shares in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7. As
immediately as practicable, and in any event within five business days after the
surrender of the Option and/or  certificates  representing Option Shares and the
receipt of such notice or notices  relating  thereto,  Issuer  shall  deliver or
cause to be delivered to Grantee the Option Repurchase Price or to the Owner the
Option  Share  Repurchase  Price or the portion  thereof that Issuer is not then
prohibited  from so  delivering  under  applicable  law and  regulation  or as a
consequence  of  administrative  policy.

         (c) Issuer hereby undertakes to use commercially  reasonable efforts to
obtain all  required  regulatory  and legal  approvals  and to file any required
notices  as  promptly  as  practicable  in order to  accomplish  any  repurchase
contemplated  by this  Section  7.  Nonetheless,  to the extent  that  Issuer is
prohibited  under  applicable  law or regulation  from  repurchasing  the Option
and/or the Option Shares in full,  Issuer shall  immediately  so notify  Grantee
and/or the Owner and thereafter deliver or cause to be


                                      -11-



<PAGE>



delivered,  from time to time, to Grantee and/or the Owner, as appropriate,  the
portion of the Option  Repurchase Price and the Option Share  Repurchase  Price,
respectively,  that it is no longer  prohibited  from  delivering,  within  five
business  days  after  the date on which  Issuer  is no  longer  so  prohibited;
provided,  however,  that if Issuer at any time  after  delivery  of a notice of
repurchase  pursuant  to Section  7(b) is  prohibited  under  applicable  law or
regulation  from  delivering to Grantee and/or the Owner,  as  appropriate,  the
Option Repurchase Price and the Option Share Repurchase Price, respectively,  in
full Grantee or Owner may revoke its notice of  repurchase  of the Option or the
Option Shares either in whole or in part whereupon,  in the case of a revocation
in part,  Issuer  shall  promptly  (i) deliver to Grantee  and/or the Owner,  as
appropriate,  that  portion of the  Option  Purchase  Price or the Option  Share
Repurchase Price that Issuer is not prohibited from delivering after taking into
account any such  revocation  and (ii) deliver,  as  appropriate,  either (A) to
Grantee, a new Agreement evidencing the right of Grantee to purchase that number
of shares  of  Common  Stock  equal to the  number  of  shares  of Common  Stock
purchasable  immediately  prior to the delivery of the notice of repurchase less
the  number of shares of Common  Stock  covered  by the  portion  of the  Option
repurchased or (B) to the Owner,  a certificate  for the number of Option Shares
covered by the revocation.

         (d) Issuer  shall not enter into any  agreement  with any party  (other
than Grantee or a Grantee Subsidiary) for an Acquisition  Transaction unless the
other party  thereto  assumes  all the  obligations  of Issuer  pursuant to this
Section 7 in the event that a Grantee or Owner elects,  in its sole  discretion,
to require such other party to perform such obligations.

         SECTION 8. 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 Issuer 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


                                      -12-



<PAGE>



(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 is
hereinafter  defined)  as is equal to the  market/offer  price  (as  defined  in
Section 7 hereof),  multiplied  by the number of shares of the Common  Stock for
which the Option was theretofore  exercisable,  divided by the Average Price (as
is hereinafter  defined).  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.

         (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,


                                      -13-



<PAGE>



         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 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 reasonably
acceptable to the Acquiring Corporation.

         SECTION 9. EXTENSION OF EXERCISE RIGHT.  Notwithstanding  Sections 2, 6
and 7 and 11 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 Exchange Act by
reason of such exercise;  provided,  however, that in no event shall any closing
date occur more than 6 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  commercially   reasonable  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 10.  ISSUER'S  REPRESENTATIONS  AND  WARRANTIES.  Issuer hereby
represents and warrants to Grantee as follows:


                                      -14-



<PAGE>



         (a) Corporate Authority.  Issuer has full corporate power and authority
to execute and deliver this Agreement and,  subject to any approvals or consents
referred to herein,  to consummate the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  The
execution  and  delivery  of  this  Agreement  and  the   consummation   of  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby  have  been duly  authorized  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 authorized, executed and delivered by
the Issuer.

         (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 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 and not subject to any preemptive rights.

         (c) No  Violations.  The  execution,  delivery and  performance of this
Agreement  does not or will not,  and the  consummation  by Issuer of any of the
transactions  contemplated hereby will not, constitute or result in (A) a breach
or violation of, or a default under,  its articles of  incorporation or by-laws,
or the comparable governing  instruments of any of the Issuer  Subsidiaries,  or
(B) a breach  or  violation  of,  or a  default  under,  any  agreement,  lease,
contract,  note, mortgage,  indenture,  arrangement or other obligation of it or
any of the Issuer  Subsidiaries (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse
of time or both) or under any law,  rule,  ordinance or  regulation or judgment,
decree,  order, award or governmental or  non-governmental  permit or license to
which it or any of the Issuer  Subsidiaries is subject,  that would, in any case
give any other  person the  ability to  prevent or enjoin  Issuer's  performance
under this Agreement in any material respect.

         SECTION 11. Grantee's  Representations  and Warranties.  Grantee hereby
represents and warrants to issuer as follows:

         (a) Corporate Authority.  Grantee has all requisite corporate power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and, subject to any approvals or consents
referred to herein,  to consummate the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  The
execution and deliver of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated  hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action
on the part of Grantee.  This Agreement has been duly  authorized,  executed and
delivered by Grantee.



                                      -15-



<PAGE>



         (b)  Investment  Intent.  The  Option is not  being,  and any shares of
Common Stock or other securities acquired by Grantee upon exercise of the Option
will not be,  acquired with a view to the public  distribution  thereof and will
not be transferred or otherwise  disposed of except in a transaction  registered
or exempt from registration under the Securities Act.

         SECTION 12. 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 both the  Federal  Reserve  Board has  approved  an
application  by  Grantee  under  the BHCA  and the  California  Commissioner  of
Financial   Institutions  (the  "Commissioner")  has  approved  or  exempted  an
application  by Grantee under Section 700 et. seq. of the  California  Financial
Code 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 and the  Commissioner.  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 12 is void and without effect.

         SECTION 13.  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 BHCA and to state  banking  authorities  for
approval to acquire the shares issuable hereunder.

         SECTION 14. 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.



                                      -16-



<PAGE>



         SECTION  15.  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. If for any reason such
court or  regulatory  agency  determines  that the  Holder is not  permitted  to
acquire,  or Issuer is not  permitted to  repurchase  pursuant to Section 7, the
full  number of shares of Common  Stock  provided  in  Section  1(a)  hereof (as
adjusted  pursuant  to  Section  1(b) or Section 5  hereof),  it is the  express
intention  of  Issuer  to allow  Grantee  to  acquire  or to  require  Issuer to
repurchase  such  lesser  number of shares as may be  permissible,  without  any
amendment or modification hereof.

         SECTION 16. 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 Plan.

         SECTION 17. 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 18. 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 19. Entire Agreement.  Except as otherwise  expressly  provided
herein or in the Plan, 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 20.  Definitions.  Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and
not  defined  herein but  defined in the Plan shall have the  meanings  assigned
thereto in the Plan.



                                      -17-



<PAGE>



         SECTION 21. Effect on Plan.  Nothing  contained in this Agreement shall
be deemed to authorize Issuer or Grantee to breach any provision of the Plan.

         SECTION  22.   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.

         SECTION 23.  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 24. 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 25.  Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.








                                      -18-



<PAGE>


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


                                 WESTERN BANCORP



                                 By: /s/ Arnold C. Hahn
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Arnold C. Hahn
                                    Title: Executive Vice President and Chief
                                           Financial Officer



                                 PNB FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.



                                 By: /s/ Allen C. Barbieri
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Allen C. Barbieri
                                    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer








                                      -19-



                                    FORM OF

                              SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT


         Shareholder  Agreement (the "Agreement"),  dated as of October 6, 1998,
by  and  among  (i)  ___________________________________,   a  shareholder  (the
"Shareholder")  of PNB  Financial  Group,  Inc., a California  corporation  (the
"Company"), and (ii) Western Bancorp, a California corporation ("Western").  All
terms used  herein and not  defined  herein  shall  have the  meanings  assigned
thereto in the Merger Agreement (defined below).

         Whereas,  Western and the Company have  entered  into an Agreement  and
Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (the "Merger Agreement"),  providing
for the  business  combination  transaction  contemplated  therein  in which the
Company will merge with and into Western pursuant to the terms and conditions of
the Merger  Agreement (the "Merger") and Western will pay  consideration  to the
shareholders of the Company in the form of Western Common Stock;

         Whereas,  the  Shareholder  owns shares of Company  Common  Stock (such
shares,  together with all shares of Company Common Stock subsequently  acquired
by the Shareholder  during the term of this Agreement,  being referred to as the
"Shares"); and

         Whereas,  in order to induce Western to enter into the Merger Agreement
and in consideration of the substantial  expenses incurred and to be incurred by
Western in connection therewith,  the Shareholder,  solely in such Shareholder's
capacity as a  shareholder  of the Company  and not in any other  capacity,  has
agreed to enter into and perform this Agreement.

         Now,  therefore,  for good and  valuable  consideration,  the  receipt,
sufficiency  and adequacy of which are hereby  acknowledged,  the parties hereto
agree as follows:

         1.  Agreement  to Vote  Shares.  Shareholder  shall vote or cause to be
voted,  or execute a written  consent  with  respect to, the Shares then held of
record or beneficially  owned,  directly or indirectly,  by such  Shareholder in
favor of adoption and approval of the  principal  terms of the Merger  Agreement
and all  transactions  contemplated  thereby  including  any agreement of merger
contemplated  thereby at every  meeting of the  shareholders  of the  Company at
which such  matters  are  considered  and at every  adjournment  thereof  and in
connection  with every  proposal to take action by written  consent with respect
thereto.

         2. Delivery of Schedule.  Shareholder shall deliver to Western not more
than seven (7) days after the date of this Agrement a schedule  that  identifies
the total number of


                                       B-1



<PAGE>



shares held of record or  beneficially  owned,  directly or indirectly,  by such
Shareholder on the date hereof.

         3. No Voting Trusts.  Shareholder agrees that Shareholder will not, nor
will Shareholder permit any entity under  Shareholder's  control to, deposit any
Shares in a voting trust or subject the Shares to any agreement,  arrangement or
understanding  with respect to the voting of the Shares  inconsistent  with this
Agreement.

         4.   Representations   and  Warranties  of   Shareholder.   Shareholder
represents and warrants to and agrees with Western as follows:

              a. Capacity.  Shareholder has all requisite capacity and authority
         to enter into and perform his or her obligations under this Agreement.

              b. Binding  Agreement.  This Agreement  constitutes  the valid and
         legally  binding  obligation  of  Shareholder,  subject to  bankruptcy,
         insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar
         laws of  general  applicability  relating  to or  affecting  creditors'
         rights and to general equity principles.

              c. Non-Contravention. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
         by Shareholder  does not, and the  performance by Shareholder of his or
         her  obligations  hereunder and the  consummation by Shareholder of the
         transactions contemplated hereby will not, violate or conflict with, or
         constitute a default  under,  any  agreement,  instrument,  contract or
         other obligation or any order, arbitration award, judgment or decree to
         which  Shareholder is a party or by which  Shareholder is bound, or any
         statute,  rule or regulation to which Shareholder is subject or, in the
         event that  Shareholder is a corporation,  partnership,  trust or other
         entity,  any  charter,  bylaw or other  organizational  document of the
         Shareholder.

              d. Ownership of Shares.  Shareholder  has good title to all of the
         Shares  as of the date  hereof,  and,  except  as set  forth on Annex A
         hereto (to be  delivered  to Western not more than seven (7) days after
         the date of this Agreement),  the Shares are so owned free and clear of
         any liens, security interests, charges or other encumbrances.

         5. Non-Competition;  Disclosure;  Solicitation. Neither Shareholder nor
any corporation,  partnership, trust or other entity "controlled" by Shareholder
(as that term is defined in the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended)
shall:

              a. at any time within a one-year period immediately  following the
         Effective  Time, be employed at a senior level by, acquire greater than
         10% of the capital stock of or serve as an organizer or promoter of any
         business which provides banking


                                       B-2



<PAGE>



         services,  including,  but not  limited  to,  deposit  and  operational
         services, loans, trust services, escrow services and electronic banking
         services ("Banking  Businesses"),  in the county of Orange in the State
         of California  so long as Western,  any of its  subsidiaries  or any of
         their respective assigns remain engaged in any Banking Businesses;

              b. at any time following the Effective Date, disclose confidential
         information  regarding  the  Company  to any third  parties,  except as
         required  by  law,  regulation,  a  court  order,  in  the  defense  of
         litigation  for which the  Company  may be  liable,  or in any  actions
         relating to this Agreement or the Merger Agreement and the transactions
         contemplated hereby or thereby; and

              c. for a period  of three  years  following  the  Effective  Date,
         solicit,  directly or indirectly, on its own behalf or on behalf of any
         other person or entity, management personnel employed by Western or its
         subsidiaries,  including  the Company  immediately  after the Effective
         Time for employment with any other business;

provided,  however,  that with  respect  to any of the  matters  covered in this
Section 5, to the extent  that any  restriction  set forth in this  Section 5 is
adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the court making
such  determination  shall  have the power to  limit,  construe  or  reduce  the
duration,  scope,  activity or area of such provision to the extent necessary to
render such provision  enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable
law,  such  limited  form to apply only with  respect to the  operation  of such
provision in the particular jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made.

         6. Specific Performance and Remedies.  Shareholder acknowledges that it
will be  impossible  to measure  in money the  damage to Western if  Shareholder
fails to comply with the obligations  imposed by this Agreement and that, in the
event of any such failure, Western will not have an adequate remedy at law or in
damages.  Accordingly,  Shareholder  agrees  that  injunctive  relief  or  other
equitable  remedy,  in  addition  to  remedies  at  law  or in  damages,  is the
appropriate remedy for any such failure and will not oppose the granting of such
relief on the basis that  Western  has an  adequate  remedy at law.  Shareholder
agrees  that it will not seek,  and  agrees to waive any  requirement  for,  the
securing or posting of a bond in connection with Western's  seeking or obtaining
such  equitable   relief.   In  addition,   after  discussing  the  matter  with
Shareholder, Western shall have the right to inform any third party that Western
reasonably   believes  to  be,  or  to  be  contemplating,   participating  with
Shareholder  or  receiving  from  Shareholder  assistance  in  violation of this
Agreement,  of  the  terms  of  this  Agreement  and of the  rights  of  Western
hereunder,  and that  participation  by any such  persons  with  Shareholder  in
activities  in violation of  Shareholder's  agreement  with Western set forth in
this Agreement may give rise to claims by Western against such third party.



                                       B-3



<PAGE>



         7. Term of Agreement;  Termination. a. The term of this Agreement shall
commence on the date hereof.

         b.  This  Agreement  shall  terminate  upon the  date,  if any,  of the
termination  of the Merger  Agreement  prior to the Effective Time in accordance
with its  terms.  Upon  such  termination,  no  party  shall  have  any  further
obligations or liabilities hereunder;  provided, however, such termination shall
not relieve any party from liability for any breach of this  Agreement  prior to
such termination.

         c. If the Merger  Agreement is not  terminated  prior to the  Effective
Time,  this Agreement  (except for the provisions of Sections 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 and
11, which shall survive the Effective  Time) shall  terminate upon the Effective
Time.  Upon such  termination,  no party shall have any further  obligations  or
liabilities under this Agreement;  provided, however, such termination shall not
relieve any party from  liability  for any breach of such Section  prior to such
termination.

         8. Entire  Agreement.  This Agreement  supersedes all prior agreements,
written or oral,  among the parties  hereto with  respect to the subject  matter
hereof and contains the entire  agreement  among the parties with respect to the
subject  matter  hereof.  This  Agreement  may not be amended,  supplemented  or
modified,  and no  provisions  hereof may be  modified  or waived,  except by an
instrument in writing  signed by each party hereto.  No waiver of any provisions
hereof by either party shall be deemed a waiver of any other  provisions  hereof
by any such party,  nor shall any such waiver be deemed a  continuing  waiver of
any provision hereof by such party.

         9.  Notices.   All  notices,   requests,   claims,   demands  or  other
communications  hereunder  shall be in  writing  and shall be deemed  given when
delivered  personally,  upon receipt of a transmission  confirmation  if sent by
telecopy  or like  transmission  and on the next  business  day  when  sent by a
reputable  overnight  courier service to the parties at the following  addresses
(or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

             If to Western:

             4100 Newport Place
             Suite 900
             Newport Place, CA 92660
             Attention:  Julius G. Christensen
             Telecopier:  (949) 757-5845





                                       B-4



<PAGE>



             With a copy to:

             Sullivan & Cromwell
             1888 Century Park East
             Los Angeles, California  90067
             Attention:  Stanley F. Farrar
             Telecopier:  (310) 712-8800



         If to the Shareholder:







         10. Miscellaneous.

              a.  Severability.  If  any  provision  of  this  Agreement  or the
         application of such provision to any person or  circumstances  shall be
         held invalid or  unenforceable  by a court of  competent  jurisdiction,
         such provision or application shall be unenforceable only to the extent
         of  such  invalidity  or  unenforceability,  and the  remainder  of the
         provision  held invalid or  unenforceable  and the  application of such
         provision to persons or circumstances, other than the party as to which
         it is held invalid,  and the remainder of this Agreement,  shall not be
         affected.

              b.  Capacity.  The  covenants  contained  herein  shall  apply  to
         Shareholder  solely  in his or her  capacity  as a  shareholder  of the
         Company, and no covenant contained herein shall apply to Shareholder in
         his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company.

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

              d. Headings.  All Section  headings  herein are for convenience of
         reference only and are not part of this Agreement,  and no construction
         or reference shall be derived therefrom.



                                       B-5



<PAGE>



              E. CHOICE OF LAW. THIS  AGREEMENT  SHALL BE DEEMED A CONTRACT MADE
         UNDER,  AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE
         LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA,  WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ITS CONFLICTS OF
         LAW PRINCIPLES.

         11. Attorney's Fees. The prevailing party or parties in any litigation,
arbitration,    mediation,   bankruptcy,    insolvency   or   other   proceeding
("Proceeding")  relating to the enforcement or  interpretation of this Agreement
may recover from the unsuccessful party or parties all fees and disbursements of
counsel  (including  expert  witness  and  other  consultants'  fees and  costs)
relating to or arising out of (a) the Proceeding  (whether or not the Proceeding
proceeds  to  judgment),  and (b) any  post-judgment  or  post-award  proceeding
including,  without limitation,  one to enforce or collect any judgment or award
resulting  from the  Proceeding.  All such  judgments and awards shall contain a
specific  provision for the recovery of all such  subsequently  incurred  costs,
expenses, and fees and disbursements of counsel.










                                       B-6



<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this
Agreement as of the date first written above.


                                          WESTERN BANCORP


                                          By:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:  Arnold C. Hahn
                                             Title: Executive Vice President and
                                                    Chief Financial Officer



                                          SHAREHOLDER:


                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (Print or type name)



                                          --------------------------------------
                                          (Signature)






                                       B-7




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