PACIFIC CAPITAL BANCORP
S-4, 1996-08-16
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 16, 1996.

                                                    Registration No. ___________
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                ----------------

                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                        UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                ----------------

                             PACIFIC CAPITAL BANCORP
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

CALIFORNIA                        77-0003875                  6022
State or other jurisdiction    (I.R.S. Employer     (Primary Standard Industrial
of incorporation              Identification No.)    Classification Code Number)
or organization)

                 1001 S. Main Street, Salinas, California 93901
                                 (408) 757-4900
                                ----------------

               (Address, including zip code and telephone number,
       including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

                          Clayton C. Larson, President
                              495 Washington Street
                           Monterey, California 93942
                                 (408) 373-4900
                                ----------------

 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                              of agent for service)
                                ----------------

                                   Copies to:

   James E. Topinka, Esq.                 Glenn T. Dodd, Esq.
   Graham & James LLP                     Bronson, Bronson & McKinnon LLP
   One Maritime Plaza                     10 Almaden Boulevard, Suite 600
   San Francisco, California  94111       San Jose, California  95113-2237
   (415) 393-9866                         (408) 293-0599

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

Approximate  date of  commencement  of proposed  sale of the  securities  to the
public:

The  exchange  of shares is to take place  contemporaneously  with the merger of
South  Valley  Bancorporation,  Morgan Hill,  California,  with and into Pacific
Capital Bancorp, Salinas,  California,  which date will be after approval of the
merger  is  received  from  the  appropriate  bank  regulatory  authorities  and
applicable waiting periods have expired.
<TABLE>

If the securities  being registered on this Form are being offered in connection
with the  formation of a holding  company and there is  compliance  with General
Instruction G, check the following box. [  ]
<CAPTION>

                                                CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

==========================================================================================================================
<S>                      <C>                 <C>                        <C>                        <C>
Title of Each Class of   Proposed Maximum
Securities Being         Amount Being        Proposed Maximum                                      Amount of Registration
Registered               Registered          Offering Price Per Share   Aggregate Offering Price   Fee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock
no par value             1,300,000 shares    $27.00                     $35,100,000                $12,103.45
==========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

         The Registrant hereby amends this  Registration  Statement on such date
or dates as may be necessary to delay its  effective  date until the  Registrant
shall file a further amendment which specifically  states that this Registration
Statement shall  thereafter  become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the  Securities  Act of 1933 or until the  Registration  Statement  shall become
effective on such date as the Commission,  acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.

         This Registration  Statement,  including Exhibits,  contains 156 pages.
The Exhibit Index appears on page 141 of the sequentially numbered pages of this
Registration Statement.

<PAGE>

                             PACIFIC CAPITAL BANCORP

<TABLE>

Cross-Reference  Sheet  pursuant  to Item 501(b) of  Regulation  S-K showing the
location in the Prospectus of the information required by Part I of Form S-4.
<CAPTION>

                 Form S-4 Registration Statement                            Location in Prospectus
                 -------------------------------                            ----------------------
                 Items and Heading
                 -----------------

<S>              <C>                                                        <C>
A.               INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION.


Item 1           Forepart of Registration Statement and Outside             Outside front cover page; facing page
                 Front Cover Page of Prospectus

Item 2           Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of               Available Information; Incorporation    
                 Prospectus                                                 of Certain Documents by Reference;      
                                                                            Table of Contents                       
                                                                            
Item 3           Risk Factors, Ratio of Earnings to Fixed                   Summary; Information About Pacific   
                 Charges and Other Information                              Capital; Information About South     
                                                                            Valley; Voting and Proxies; Certain  
                                                                            Considerations; The Merger;          
                                                                            Dissenters' Rights of Appraisal      
                                                                                                                 
Item 4           Terms of the Transaction                                   Summary; Voting and Proxies; The                   
                                                                            Merger; Dissenters' Rights of                      
                                                                            Appraisal; Description of Pacific                  
                                                                            Capital Capital Stock; Description of              
                                                                            South Valley Capital Stock; Certain                
                                                                            Differences in Rights of Shareholders              
                                                                            
Item 5           Pro Forma Financial Information                            Summary

Item 6           Material Contracts with the Company Being                  Summary; Voting and Proxies; Certain      
                 Acquired                                                   Considerations; The Merger                
                                                                                                                      
                                                                            
Item 7           Additional Information Required for Reoffering             Not Applicable
                 by Persons and Parties Deemed to be Under-
                 writers


Item 8           Interests of Named Experts and Counsel                     Experts

Item 9           Disclosure of Commission Position on                       Not Applicable
                 Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities



<PAGE>

                 Form S-4 Registration Statement                            Location in Prospectus
                 -------------------------------                            ----------------------
                 Items and Heading
                 -----------------

B.               INFORMATION ABOUT THE REGISTRANT.

Item 10          Information with Respect to S-3 Registrants                Not Applicable


Item 11          Incorporation of Certain Information by                    Not Applicable
                 Reference

Item 12          Information with Respect to S-2 or S-3                     Available Information; Incorporation        
                 Registrants                                                of Certain Documents by Reference;          
                                                                            Accompanying Documents; Summary;            
                                                                            Information about Pacific Capital;          
                                                                            Description of Pacific Capital Capital      
                                                                            Stock                                       

Item 13          Incorporation of Certain Information by                    Available Information; Incorporation   
                 Reference                                                  of Certain Documents by Reference;     
                                                                            Accompanying Documents                 
                                                                                                                   
                                                                            
Item 14          Information with Respect to Registrants Other              Not Applicable
                 Than S-3 or S-2 Registrants

C.               INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY BEING ACQUIRED.

Item 15          Information with Respect to S-3 Companies                  Not Applicable

Item 16          Information with Respect to S-2 or S-3                     Available Information; Incorporation      
                 Companies                                                  of Certain Documents by Reference;        
                                                                            Accompanying Documents; Summary;          
                                                                            Information about South Valley;           
                                                                            Description of South Valley Capital       
                                                                            Stock                                     
                                                                            
Item 17          Information with Respect to Companies Other                Not Applicable
                 Than S-2 or S-3 Companies

D.               VOTING AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION.

Item 18          Information if Proxies, Consents or                        Incorporation of Certain Documents      
                 Authorizations are to be Solicited                         by Reference; Summary; Introduction;    
                                                                            Information about Pacific Capital;      
                                                                            Information about South Valley;         
                                                                            Voting and Proxies; The Merger;         
                                                                            Dissenters' Rights of Appraisal         
                                                                                                                    
                                                                            
Item 19          Information if Proxies, Consents or                        Not Applicable
                 Authorizations are not to be Solicited or in an
                 Exchange Offer
</TABLE>

<PAGE>



                             PACIFIC CAPITAL BANCORP
                               1001 S. Main Street
                            Salinas, California 93901

                                                              ____________, 1996

Dear  Shareholder:

         You  are  cordially   invited  to  attend  a  Special  Meeting  of  the
Shareholders  of  Pacific  Capital  Bancorp  ("Pacific  Capital")  to be held at
____________________________________________,  at  4:00  p.m.,  local  time,  on
Tuesday, October 22, 1996 (the "Meeting").

         At the Meeting,  Pacific Capital shareholders will be asked to consider
and  vote  upon a  proposal  to  adopt  and  approve  an  Agreement  and Plan of
Reorganization  dated as of July  18,  1996  (the  "Agreement")  by and  between
Pacific Capital and South Valley  Bancorporation  ("South  Valley") and a Merger
Agreement   between  Pacific  Capital  and  South  Valley   (collectively,   the
"Agreements"),  and the  transactions  contemplated  thereby,  pursuant to which
South Valley will merge with and into Pacific  Capital and Pacific Capital shall
be the surviving  corporation  (the  "Merger"),  as more fully  described in the
accompanying  Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus.  Copies of the  Agreements  are
attached to the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  as Annex A. No other business
will be transacted  at the Meeting other than matters  incidental to the conduct
of the Meeting.

         As a result of the  Merger,  each share of South  Valley  common  stock
("South  Valley Common  Stock")  outstanding at the effective time of the Merger
(other than shares with respect to which dissenters'  rights are perfected) will
be converted into .92 of a share of Pacific  Capital  common stock,  without par
value ("Pacific Capital Common Stock"),  subject to certain  potential  downward
adjustments  described  in  the  Agreement  and  the  accompanying  Joint  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus. No fractional shares of Pacific Capital Common Stock shall
be issued to  holders  of shares of South  Valley  Common  Stock,  and,  in lieu
thereof,  cash will be paid to South Valley  shareholders in accordance with the
Agreement.

         Under the California General Corporation Law, the approval and adoption
of the  Agreements  and  the  transactions  contemplated  thereby  requires  the
affirmative  vote of the  holders of a  majority  of the  outstanding  shares of
Pacific  Capital  Common Stock.  The proposed  Merger is also subject to certain
regulatory  approvals  and  satisfaction  of  the  conditions  contained  in the
Agreement.

         THE  PACIFIC  CAPITAL  BOARD OF  DIRECTORS,  BY  UNANIMOUS  VOTE OF ALL
DIRECTORS,  HAS  APPROVED  THE  AGREEMENTS  AND  THE  TRANSACTIONS  CONTEMPLATED
THEREBY,  INCLUDING THE MERGER,  AND RECOMMENDS THAT THE  SHAREHOLDERS  VOTE FOR
APPROVAL  AND  ADOPTION  OF THE  AGREEMENTS  AND THE  TRANSACTIONS  CONTEMPLATED
THEREBY, INCLUDING THE MERGER, AT THE MEETING.

         The accompanying Notice and Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  describe
the matters to be acted upon at the  Meeting.  Shareholders  are urged to review
carefully the attached Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus,  including the annexes
thereto.  Such documents contain a detailed description of the Merger, its terms
and conditions and the transactions contemplated thereby.

         Your  continuing  interest  in  the  business  of  Pacific  Capital  is
appreciated,  and we hope you will attend the Meeting in person. It is important
that your shares be represented at the Meeting. Accordingly,  whether or not you
plan to attend the  Meeting,  please sign,  date and return the  enclosed  Proxy
promptly in the  postage-paid  envelope  that has been  provided to you for your
convenience.  If you wish to vote in accordance with the  recommendation of your
Board of Directors,  it is not necessary to specify your choices; you may merely
sign, date and return the enclosed Proxy.

                                             Sincerely,


                                             Clayton C. Larson
                                             President

<PAGE>


                           SOUTH VALLEY BANCORPORATION
                               500 Tennant Station
                          Morgan Hill, California 95037

                                                              ____________, 1996

Dear Shareholder:

         You  are  cordially   invited  to  attend  a  Special  Meeting  of  the
Shareholders  of South  Valley  Bancorporation  ("South  Valley")  to be held at
____________________________________________,  at ___________  p.m., local time,
on Wednesday, October 16, 1996 (the "Meeting").

         At the Meeting, South Valley shareholders will be asked to consider and
vote  upon  a  proposal  to  adopt  and  approve  an   Agreement   and  Plan  of
Reorganization  dated as of July 18,  1996  (the  "Agreement"),  by and  between
Pacific  Capital  Bancorp  ("Pacific  Capital")  and South  Valley  and a Merger
Agreement   between  Pacific  Capital  and  South  Valley   (collectively,   the
"Agreements") and the transactions contemplated thereby, pursuant to which South
Valley will merge with and into Pacific Capital and Pacific Capital shall be the
surviving   corporation   (the  "Merger"),   as  more  fully  described  in  the
accompanying  Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus.  Copies of the  Agreements  are
attached to the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  as Annex A. No other business
will be transacted  at the Meeting other than matters  incidental to the conduct
of the Meeting.

         As a result of the  Merger,  each share of South  Valley  common  stock
("South  Valley Common  Stock")  outstanding at the effective time of the Merger
(other than shares with respect to which dissenters'  rights are perfected) will
be converted into .92 of a share of Pacific  Capital  common stock,  without par
value ("Pacific Capital Common Stock"),  subject to certain  potential  downward
adjustments  described  in  the  Agreement  and  the  accompanying  Joint  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus. No fractional shares of Pacific Capital Common Stock shall
be issued to  holders  of shares of South  Valley  Common  Stock,  and,  in lieu
thereof,  cash will be paid to South Valley  shareholders in accordance with the
Agreement.

         Under the California General Corporation Law, the approval and adoption
of the  Agreements  and  the  transactions  contemplated  thereby  requires  the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of South
Valley Common Stock.  The proposed Merger is also subject to certain  regulatory
approvals and satisfaction of the conditions contained in the Agreement.

         THE  SOUTH  VALLEY  BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS,  BY  UNANIMOUS  VOTE  OF  ALL
DIRECTORS,  HAS  APPROVED  THE  AGREEMENTS  AND  THE  TRANSACTIONS  CONTEMPLATED
THEREBY,  INCLUDING THE MERGER,  AND RECOMMENDS THAT THE  SHAREHOLDERS  VOTE FOR
APPROVAL  AND  ADOPTION  OF THE  AGREEMENTS  AND THE  TRANSACTIONS  CONTEMPLATED
THEREBY, INCLUDING THE MERGER, AT THE MEETING.

         The accompanying Notice and Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  describe
the matters to be acted upon at the  Meeting.  Shareholders  are urged to review
carefully the attached Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus,  including the annexes
thereto.  Such documents contain a detailed description of the Merger, its terms
and conditions and the transactions contemplated thereby.

         Your   continuing   interest  in  the   business  of  South  Valley  is
appreciated,  and we hope you will attend the Meeting in person. It is important
that your shares be represented at the Meeting. Accordingly,  whether or not you
plan to attend the  Meeting,  please sign,  date and return the  enclosed  Proxy
promptly in the  postage-paid  envelope  that has been  provided to you for your
convenience.  If you wish to vote in accordance with the  recommendation of your
Board of Directors,  it is not necessary to specify your choices; you may merely
sign, date and return the enclosed Proxy.

                                          Sincerely,


                                          Brad L. Smith
                                          President and Chief Executive Officer

<PAGE>

                             PACIFIC CAPITAL BANCORP

                    NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                         TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 22, 1996


         NOTICE IS  HEREBY  GIVEN  that a Special  Meeting  of  Shareholders  of
Pacific    Capital    Bancorp    ("Pacific    Capital")    will   be   held   at
________________________________________,  on Tuesday,  October 22, 1996 at 4:00
p.m., local time (the "Meeting"),  for the following purposes,  all of which are
more fully described in the accompanying Proxy Statement/Prospectus:

         To  consider  and vote  upon a  proposal  to  adopt  and
         approve the Agreement and Plan of  Reorganization  dated
         as of July 18,  1996 (the  "Agreement")  by and  between
         Pacific Capital and South Valley Bancorporation  ("South
         Valley") and a Merger Agreement  between Pacific Capital
         and South Valley  (collectively,  the  "Agreements") and
         the transactions contemplated thereby, pursuant to which
         South  Valley will merge with and into  Pacific  Capital
         and Pacific  Capital shall be the surviving  corporation
         (the "Merger").

         The Agreements are set forth in Annex A to the accompanying Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.

         No other  business will be transacted at the Meeting other than matters
incidental to the conduct of the Meeting.

          THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PACIFIC CAPITAL BANCORP UNANIMOUSLY
                    RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE MERGER.

         The Pacific  Capital Board of Directors has fixed the close of business
on September 23, 1996, as the record date for the Meeting.  Only Pacific Capital
shareholders  of record at the close of  business  on such date are  entitled to
notice  of and to vote at the  Meeting.  Approval  of the  Merger  requires  the
affirmative  vote of the holders of not less than a majority of the  outstanding
shares of Pacific Capital Common Stock.

         Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares you own. Each
shareholder, even though he or she may not plan to attend the Meeting in person,
is requested to sign,  date and return the enclosed  Proxy  without delay in the
enclosed postage-paid  envelope.  You may revoke your Proxy at any time prior to
its  exercise.  Any  shareholder  present  in  person at the  Meeting  or at any
adjournments  or  postponements  thereof  may  revoke  his or her Proxy and vote
personally on each matter brought before the Meeting.

                                            By Order of the Board of Directors


                                            James L. Gattis
                                            Corporate Secretary

____________, 1996
Salinas, California


                   PLEASE DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND
            RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.

<PAGE>

                           SOUTH VALLEY BANCORPORATION

                    NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                         TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 16, 1996


         NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special  Meeting of Shareholders of South
Valley     Bancorporation     ("South     Valley")     will     be    held    at
________________________________________,  on  Wednesday,  October  16,  1996 at
_________ p.m., local time (the "Meeting"),  for the following purposes,  all of
which are more fully described in the accompanying Proxy Statement/Prospectus:

         To  consider  and vote  upon a  proposal  to  adopt  and
         approve the Agreement and Plan of  Reorganization  dated
         as of July 18,  1996 (the  "Agreement")  by and  between
         Pacific  Capital Bancorp  ("Pacific  Capital") and South
         Valley and a Merger  Agreement  between  Pacific Capital
         and South Valley  (collectively,  the  "Agreements") and
         the transactions contemplated thereby, pursuant to which
         South  Valley will merge with and into  Pacific  Capital
         and Pacific  Capital shall be the surviving  corporation
         (the "Merger").

         The Agreements are set forth in Annex A to the accompanying Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.

         No other  business will be transacted at the Meeting other than matters
incidental to the conduct of the Meeting.


        THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SOUTH VALLEY BANCORPORATION UNANIMOUSLY
                    RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE MERGER.

         The South Valley Board of Directors  has fixed the close of business on
August  27,  1996,  as the  record  date  for the  Meeting.  Only  South  Valley
shareholders  of record at the close of  business  on such date are  entitled to
notice  of and to vote at the  Meeting.  Approval  of the  Merger  requires  the
affirmative  vote of the holders of not less than a majority of the  outstanding
shares of South Valley Common Stock.

         Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares you own. Each
shareholder, even though he or she may not plan to attend the Meeting in person,
is requested to sign,  date and return the enclosed  Proxy  without delay in the
enclosed postage-paid  envelope.  You may revoke your Proxy at any time prior to
its  exercise.  Any  shareholder  present  in  person at the  Meeting  or at any
adjournments  or  postponements  thereof  may  revoke  his or her Proxy and vote
personally on each matter brought before the Meeting.

                                           By Order of the Board of Directors


                                           Sandra L. Ogle
                                           Corporate Secretary
____________, 1996
Morgan Hill, California


                   PLEASE DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND
            RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.


<PAGE>

                             PACIFIC CAPITAL BANCORP
                                   PROSPECTUS

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

                              JOINT PROXY STATEMENT
                             PACIFIC CAPITAL BANCORP
         Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held on October 22, 1996
                           SOUTH VALLEY BANCORPORATION
         Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held on October 16, 1996

                                    --------


        This   Joint    Proxy    Statement/Prospectus    (the    "Joint    Proxy
Statement/Prospectus")  of Pacific Capital Bancorp ("Pacific Capital") and South
Valley  Bancorporation  ("South  Valley") is being  furnished to shareholders of
Pacific Capital in connection  with the  solicitation of Proxies by the Board of
Directors of Pacific  Capital for use at the Special  Meeting of Shareholders of
Pacific Capital to be held at _____________________________________, California,
on Tuesday,  October 22, 1996 at 4:00 p.m.,  local time, and at any adjournments
or postponements  thereof (the "Pacific Capital Meeting") and is being furnished
to shareholders  of South Valley in connection with the  solicitation of Proxies
by the Board of  Directors  of South  Valley for use at the  Special  Meeting of
Shareholders  of  South  Valley  to be held at  _______________________________,
California, on Wednesday,  October 16, 1996 at ________ p.m., local time, and at
any adjournments or postponements thereof (the "South Valley Meeting").

        At the meetings referred to above, the shareholders of record of Pacific
Capital and South  Valley will  consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and
adopt an  Agreement  and Plan of  Reorganization  dated as of July 18, 1996 (the
"Agreement")  by and  between  Pacific  Capital  and South  Valley  and a Merger
Agreement by and between  Pacific  Capital and South Valley  (collectively,  the
"Agreements"),  the merger of South  Valley with and into  Pacific  Capital (the
"Merger")  and the  transactions  contemplated  thereby as more fully  described
herein.   Copies  of  the   Agreements   are   attached   to  this  Joint  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus  as Annex A. Pursuant to the Agreements,  upon consummation
of the Merger,  each share of South Valley  common stock  ("South  Valley Common
Stock")  outstanding  at the  Effective  Time (as defined  herein) of the Merger
(other than shares with respect to which dissenters' rights have been perfected)
will be converted into .92 of a share (the "Exchange  Ratio") of common stock of
Pacific Capital, without par value (the "Pacific Capital Common Stock"), subject
to certain potential  downward  adjustments  described in the Agreement and this
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus. No fractional shares of Pacific Capital Common
Stock  shall be issued to holders of South  Valley  Common  Stock,  and, in lieu
thereof,  cash will be paid to South Valley  shareholders in accordance with the
Agreement. The Exchange Ratio will be adjusted pursuant to formulas set forth in
the  Agreement  if (i) the  average  of the  closing  price per share of Pacific
Capital  Common Stock  quoted on the OTC  Bulletin  Board for each of the thirty
consecutive  trading days prior to two business days prior to the Effective Date
(as  defined  herein) of the Merger (the  "Determination  Date")  (such  average
price,  the "Average Price") is more than $31.50 or if the Average Price is more
than 12.5% below $27.00, the closing price on the last business day prior to the
date of the  Agreement;  or (ii)  certain  Significant  Liabilities  (as defined
herein  under  "Summary--Exchange  Ratio;  Conversion  of Shares of South Valley
Common  Stock,"  and "The  Merger--Possible  Adjustments  to  Exchange  Ratio or
Termination of the Agreement")  arise prior to the  Determination  Date, as more
fully described herein.  If the Average Price on the Determination  Date is more
than 12.5% below $27.00, the closing price on the last business day prior to the
date of the Agreement,  South Valley may accept the Exchange  Ratio, as adjusted
for Significant  Liabilities,  or South Valley shall have the right, but not the
obligation,  to  renegotiate  the  Exchange  Ratio.  Should South Valley fail to
accept  the  Exchange  Ratio,  as  adjusted,  or  should  the  parties  fail  to
renegotiate the Exchange Ratio, the Agreement may be terminated by South Valley.
If the Average  Price is more than $31.50,  the Exchange  Ratio will be adjusted
according to the following formula:

                        .92 x (Average Price + $31.50)/2 
                              ---------------------------
                                  Average Price

        Based on the closing price on the OTC Bulletin Board of Pacific  Capital
Common  Stock on July 17, 1996 of $27.00 per share,  each holder of South Valley
Common Stock would receive the  equivalent of $24.84 per share for each share of
South Valley Common Stock,  assuming the Average Price on the Determination Date
is $27.00 and assuming there is no adjustment for Significant Liabilities.

        This Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the accompanying letter of the
President,  Notice of  Special  Meeting  and Proxy  are  first  being  mailed to
shareholders of Pacific Capital on or about  __________,  1996. This Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus  and the  accompanying  letter of the  President  and Chief
Executive Officer, Notice of Special Meeting and Proxy are first being mailed to
shareholders of South Valley on or about __________, 1996.


        This Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  also serves as a prospectus  for
Pacific  Capital under the Securities  Act of 1933, as amended (the  "Securities
Act"), for the issuance of shares of Pacific Capital Common Stock in the Merger.
On July 17, 1996,  the closing price of Pacific  Capital Common Stock on the OTC
Bulletin Board was $27.00.  There is limited  trading and no established  public
trading market for South Valley Common Stock. On July 17, 1996 the closing price
of South Valley Common Stock was $14.50. See "Market Price and Dividend Data."

THE  ABOVE  MATTERS  ARE  DISCUSSED  IN DETAIL IN THIS  JOINT  PROXY  STATEMENT/
PROSPECTUS.  THE  PROPOSED  MERGER IS A COMPLEX  TRANSACTION.  SHAREHOLDERS  ARE
STRONGLY   URGED   TO   READ   AND   CONSIDER   CAREFULLY   THIS   JOINT   PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IN ITS ENTIRETY.


THE  SECURITIES  TO BE  ISSUED  IN THE  MERGER  PURSUANT  TO  THIS  JOINT  PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE  COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY   OR   ADEQUACY   OF  THIS  JOINT   PROXY   STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS.   ANY
REPRESENTATION  TO THE  CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL  OFFENSE.  THE  SECURITIES  TO BE
ISSUED  IN THE  MERGER  ARE NOT  DEPOSITS  AND ARE NOT  INSURED  BY THE  FEDERAL
DEPOSITION INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
                            -----------------------

                The date of this Prospectus is ____________, 1996
<PAGE>

                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION


         NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED BY PACIFIC  CAPITAL OR SOUTH VALLEY TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION  OR TO MAKE  ANY  REPRESENTATION,  OTHER  THAN  ANY  INFORMATION  OR
REPRESENTATION CONTAINED IN THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, IN CONNECTION
WITH   THE   SOLICITATION   AND  THE   OFFERING   MADE  BY  THIS   JOINT   PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS  AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR  REPRESENTATION
SHOULD  NOT  BE  RELIED  UPON  AS  HAVING  BEEN  AUTHORIZED.  THIS  JOINT  PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE SOLICITATION OF A PROXY OR AN OFFER
TO SELL,  OR A  SOLICITATION  OF AN OFFER TO  PURCHASE,  ANY  SECURITIES  IN ANY
JURISDICTION IN WHICH A SOLICITATION OR OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.

         NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS JOINT PROXY  STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS  NOR ANY
DISTRIBUTION  OF SECURITIES  MADE  HEREUNDER  SHALL IMPLY THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO
CHANGE IN THE  INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN THE AFFAIRS OF PACIFIC CAPITAL
OR SOUTH VALLEY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.

         Pacific  Capital is subject to the  informational  requirements  of the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). In accordance
therewith, Pacific Capital files reports, proxy statements and other information
with the Securities and Exchange  Commission (the  "Commission").  Such reports,
proxy  statements  and  other  information  filed by  Pacific  Capital  with the
Commission  can be  inspected  and  copied at the  public  reference  facilities
maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street,  N.W., Room 1024,  Washington,
D.C. and at the Chicago Regional Office,  Northwestern  Atrium Center,  500 West
Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois, and the New York Regional Office,
Seven  World  Trade  Center,  13th  Floor,  New York,  New York.  Copies of such
material  also  can  be  obtained  from  the  Public  Reference  Section  of the
Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.
Documents filed with the Commission via the Electronic Data Gathering,  Analysis
and Retrieval System ("EDGAR") may be obtained through the Commission's  website
at http:\\www.sec.gov.

        Pacific  Capital has filed with the Commission a Registration  Statement
on Form S-4 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the shares
of  Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock to be issued in  connection  with the Merger
(together with any amendments thereto, the "Registration Statement"). This Joint
Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  also  constitutes the Prospectus of Pacific Capital
filed as part of the  Registration  Statement  and does not  contain  all of the
information set forth in the Registration  Statement and exhibits  thereto.  The
Registration  Statement and the exhibits thereto may be inspected and copied, at
prescribed  rates,  at  the  public  reference  facilities   maintained  by  the
Commission at the addresses set forth above.

         Statements contained in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus or in any
document  incorporated  by  reference  herein  relating  to the  contents of any
contract or other  document  referred  to herein or therein are not  necessarily
complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or
other document filed as an exhibit to the  Registration  Statement or such other
document, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.


                                        i
<PAGE>


                 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE


         THIS  JOINT  PROXY   STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS   INCORPORATES  BY  REFERENCE
DOCUMENTS WHICH ARE NOT PRESENTED  HEREIN OR DELIVERED  HEREWITH.  THE DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE BY PACIFIC CAPITAL (OTHER THAN CERTAIN EXHIBITS
TO SUCH DOCUMENTS) ARE AVAILABLE  WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST FROM THE CORPORATE
SECRETARY,  PACIFIC CAPITAL BANCORP,  1001 S. MAIN STREET,  SALINAS,  CALIFORNIA
93901 (TELEPHONE (408) 757-4900). THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE
BY SOUTH VALLEY (OTHER THAN CERTAIN  EXHIBITS TO SUCH  DOCUMENTS)  ARE AVAILABLE
WITHOUT  CHARGE  UPON  REQUEST  FROM  THE  CORPORATE  SECRETARY,   SOUTH  VALLEY
BANCORPORATION,  500 TENNANT STATION,  MORGAN HILL,  CALIFORNIA 95037 (TELEPHONE
(408) 848-2161).  IN ORDER TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY OF THE DOCUMENTS IN ADVANCE
OF THE  MEETING TO WHICH  THIS JOINT  PROXY  STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS  RELATES,  ANY
REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE BY SEPTEMBER __, 1996.

        The following  documents of Pacific  Capital are hereby  incorporated by
reference in this Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  and shall be deemed to be a
part hereof from the date of filing of those documents: Pacific Capital's Annual
Report on Forms 10-K and 10-K/A for the fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1995;
Pacific Capital's  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
1996; Pacific Capital's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June
30, 1996; and all other reports and documents filed by Pacific Capital  pursuant
to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date
of this Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  and prior to the  termination  of the
offering   of  Pacific   Capital   Common   Stock  to  which  this  Joint  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus relates.

         In addition,  the following portions of Pacific Capital's Annual Report
to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1995 are hereby  incorporated by
reference to this Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  and shall be deemed to be a
part hereof:  Selected  Financial  Information  and  Comparative per Share Data,
pages 1, of the Annual Report, Management's Discussion and Analysis, pages 15 to
24 of the Annual  Report;  Stock  Activity,  page 24 of the Annual  Report,  and
Consolidated Financial Statements and Independent  Accountants' Opinion, pages 4
to 14 of the Annual Report.

         The  following  documents  of South Valley are hereby  incorporated  by
reference in this Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  and shall be deemed to be a
part hereof from the date of filing of those  documents:  South Valley's  Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995;  South Valley's
Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the  quarter  ended  March  31,  1996;  South
Valley's  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996; and
all other  reports  and  documents  filed by South  Valley  pursuant to Sections
13(a),  13(c),  14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act  subsequent  to the date of this
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of
Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock to which this Joint  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus
relates.

         In addition,  the following portions of South Valley's Annual Report to
Shareholders  for the year ended  December 31, 1995 are hereby  incorporated  by
reference to this Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  and shall be deemed to be a
part hereof: Selected Financial Data, page 1 of the Annual Report;  Management's
Discussion  and  Analysis,  pages  4  to  14  of  the  Annual  Report;  Investor
Information, page 27 of the Annual Report and Consolidated Financial Statements,
pages 15 to 26 of the Annual Report.

         Any  statement  contained  in a document  incorporated  or deemed to be
incorporated  by reference  herein shall be deemed to be modified or  superseded
for  purposes of this Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  to the extent that such
statement  is modified or  replaced  by a statement  contained  herein or in any
other  subsequently  filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated
by reference into this Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus.  Any such statement so
modified or superseded  shall not be deemed,  except as so modified or replaced,
to constitute a part of this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

                                       ii

<PAGE>

         All  information  contained  in this Joint  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus
relating  to Pacific  Capital  has been  supplied  by Pacific  Capital,  and all
information relating to South Valley has been supplied by South Valley.  Neither
Pacific  Capital nor South  Valley  warrants  the  accuracy or  completeness  of
information relating to the other party. Pacific Capital makes no representation
as to the  accuracy  or  completeness  of any South  Valley  documents  filed by
Pacific Capital with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act.


                             ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS

         This  Joint  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  is  accompanied  by a copy of
Pacific  Capital's Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31,
1995 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996.

         This Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus is also accompanied by a copy of
South  Valley's  Annual Report to  Shareholders  for the year ended December 31,
1995 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended June 30, 1996.



         Other than the  historical  facts  contained  herein,  this Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus   contains  forward-looking  statements  that  may  involve
substantial  risks  and  uncertainties.  For a  discussion  of  such  risks  and
uncertainties,  please see the section entitled "Certain Considerations" and the
annual and  quarterly  reports  filed by Pacific  Capital and South Valley which
accompany  this  Joint  Proxy   Statement/Prospectus  and  are  incorporated  by
reference herein. In addition to the risks and uncertainties  discussed therein,
the following  factors  should be  considered.  The  successful  combination  of
Pacific  Capital  and  South  Valley  is  dependent  upon a number  of  factors,
including but not limited to, the timing and extent of cost savings  realized in
the  combination  and the  ability of Pacific  Capital and its  subsidiaries  to
compete  effectively in their expanded market area after the combination.  There
can be no assurance that cost savings will be realized on a timely basis or that
Pacific  Capital and its  subsidiaries  after the combination  will  effectively
compete  in  their  expanded  market.  As the  banking  industry  in  California
continues to  consolidate  and face  increased  competition  from other types of
financial  services  companies,   community  banks  such  as  Pacific  Capital's
subsidiaries   after  the  combination  will  continue  to  confront   increased
competition for customers.


                                       iii

<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                               Page

<S>                                                                                                             <C>   
AVAILABLE INFORMATION...........................................................................................  i

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE................................................................. ii

ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS..........................................................................................iii

SUMMARY  .......................................................................................................  1
         Information about the Parties..........................................................................  1
         Pacific Capital Special Meeting of Shareholders........................................................  2
         South Valley Special Meeting of Shareholders...........................................................  2
         Certain Considerations.................................................................................  3
         Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Boards of Directors......................................  3
         Opinion of South Valley's Financial Advisor............................................................  3
         Effective Date of the Merger...........................................................................  3
         Exchange Ratio; Possible Adjustments to Exchange Ratio.................................................  4
         Treatment of Stock Options.............................................................................  5
         Conditions and Regulatory Approvals....................................................................  5
         Nonsolicitation Agreements.............................................................................  6
         Certain Tax Consequences...............................................................................  6
         Amendment and Termination..............................................................................  7
         Expenses ..............................................................................................  7
         Accounting Treatment...................................................................................  8
         Dissenters' Rights of Appraisal........................................................................  8
         Market Price and Dividend Data.........................................................................  8
         Differences in Rights of Shareholders..................................................................  9
         Pacific Capital Summary of Results for the Year Ended December 31, 1995 and the Six Months
                  Ended June 30, 1996...........................................................................  9
         Selected Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data....................................................... 10

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................... 18

INFORMATION ABOUT PACIFIC CAPITAL............................................................................... 18
         Directors of Pacific Capital........................................................................... 19
         Committees of the Board of Directors................................................................... 25
         Executive Officers..................................................................................... 25
         Executive Compensation................................................................................. 25
         Stock Options Grants and Exercises..................................................................... 26
         Option/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year.................................................................. 27
         Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and FY-End Option Values............................... 27
         Employment Contracts................................................................................... 27
         Executive Salary Continuation Agreements............................................................... 28
         Other Compensation and Compensation of Directors....................................................... 28
         Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934................................... 29
         Certain Relationships and Related Transactions......................................................... 29
         Indebtedness of Management............................................................................. 29

INFORMATION ABOUT SOUTH VALLEY.................................................................................. 30
         Directors of South Valley.............................................................................. 31

                                       iv

<PAGE>


                                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                    (Continued)
                                                                                                               Page


         Committees of the Board of Directors................................................................... 32
         Director Compensation.................................................................................. 33
         Executive Management................................................................................... 33
         Executive Compensation................................................................................. 33
         Options/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year................................................................. 35
         Aggregated Options/Sar Exercises in the Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year End Options/SAR
                  Values........................................................................................ 35
         Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934................................... 35
         Certain Relationships with Related Transactions; Transactions with Management and Others............... 35
         Indebtedness of Management............................................................................. 35

VOTING AND PROXIES.............................................................................................. 36
         Date, Time and Place of Pacific Capital and South Valley Meetings...................................... 36
         Matters to be Considered at the Meetings............................................................... 36
         Record Date and Outstanding Shares..................................................................... 36
         Voting of Proxies...................................................................................... 36
         Pacific Capital Shareholder Vote Required.............................................................. 37
         South Valley Shareholder Vote Required................................................................. 37
         Solicitation of Proxies................................................................................ 37
         Principal Shareholders of Pacific Capital.............................................................. 38
         Principal Shareholders of South Valley................................................................. 38

CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS.......................................................................................... 38
         Shares Eligible for Future Sale; Dilution.............................................................. 38
         Interests of South Valley Officers and Directors in the Merger......................................... 39
         Real Estate Lending Activities; Nonperforming Assets................................................... 40
         Organizational Structure and Operations After the Merger............................................... 40
         Legislative and Regulatory Environment................................................................. 41

THE MERGER...................................................................................................... 41
         Background of the Merger............................................................................... 41
         Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Board of Directors....................................... 42
         Material Contracts..................................................................................... 43
         Opinion of South Valley's Financial Advisor............................................................ 44
         Effective Date of the Merger........................................................................... 51
         Exchange Ratio; Conversion of Shares of South Valley Common Stock...................................... 51
         Possible Adjustments to Exchange Ratio or Termination of the Agreement................................. 51
         Exchange of South Valley Stock Certificates; Fractional Interests...................................... 53
         Treatment of Stock Options............................................................................. 54
         Covenants of Pacific Capital and South Valley; Conduct of Business Prior to the Merger................. 54
         Management and Operations Following the Merger......................................................... 56
         Representations and Warranties; Conditions to the Merger............................................... 57
         Required Regulatory Approvals.......................................................................... 58
         Trading Market for Stock............................................................................... 58
         Nonsolicitation Agreements............................................................................. 59
         Certain Tax Consequences............................................................................... 59
         Amendment; Termination................................................................................. 60
         Expenses .............................................................................................. 61

                                        v

<PAGE>


                                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                    (Continued)
                                                                                                               Page


         Accounting Treatment................................................................................... 61
         Resales of Pacific Capital Common Stock................................................................ 62

DISSENTERS' RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL................................................................................. 62

DESCRIPTION OF PACIFIC CAPITAL CAPITAL STOCK.................................................................... 64
         Common Stock........................................................................................... 64
         Preferred Stock........................................................................................ 64

DESCRIPTION OF SOUTH VALLEY CAPITAL STOCK....................................................................... 64
         Common Stock........................................................................................... 65
         Serial Preferred Stock................................................................................. 65

CERTAIN DIFFERENCES IN RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS................................................................... 65
         Authorized Capital..................................................................................... 65
         Directors.............................................................................................. 65
         Notice of Shareholder Proposals........................................................................ 66
         Call of Special Meeting of Shareholders................................................................ 66

EXPERTS  ....................................................................................................... 66

LEGAL MATTERS................................................................................................... 67


Annex A           Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and Merger Agreement
Annex B           Fairness Opinion of Hoefer & Arnett Incorporated
Annex C           California General Corporation Law Chapter 13 - Dissenters' Rights
</TABLE>


                                       vi

<PAGE>


                                     SUMMARY


        The following is a summary of certain information contained elsewhere in
this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Reference is made to, and this Summary is
qualified in its entirety by, the more detailed information  contained elsewhere
in this Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus,  in the  attached  Annexes and in the
documents  incorporated  herein  by  reference.  Shareholders  are urged to read
carefully  this Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  and the  attached  Annexes in
their entirety. Certain capitalized terms which are used but not defined in this
Summary are defined elsewhere in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

Information about the Parties

        Pacific  Capital is a California  corporation  and bank holding  company
which was incorporated on January 26, 1983 and registered under the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHC Act").  First National Bank of Central
California,  the Company's  wholly-owned  banking subsidiary ("FNB"),  commenced
operations on April 2, 1984,  under the name of First  National Bank of Monterey
County. FNB is a full service commercial bank serving Monterey, Salinas, Carmel,
Watsonville,  Prunedale and surrounding  areas in Monterey County and Santa Cruz
County in  California.  The  Company  itself  does not  engage  in any  business
activities  other  than the  ownership  of FNB and the  ownership  of one  other
wholly-owned subsidiary, Pacific Capital Services Corporation ("PCSC"). PCSC has
no active operations at this time.

        FNB provides a wide range of commercial banking services to individuals,
professionals,  and small and medium sized  businesses.  The  services  provided
include those typically offered by commercial banks, such as: checking, interest
checking and savings accounts,  travelers checks, safe deposit boxes, collection
services,  night  depository  facilities  and wire and telephone  transfers.  In
addition to the above deposit  services,  FNB also provides a full array of loan
products  including  commercial,  real  estate and  consumer  loans as well as a
variety of  government  assisted  loan  programs  such as SBA or Rural  Economic
Community  Development  Service guaranteed loans. The deposits of each depositor
of FNB are insured up to $100,000 by the Federal Deposit  Insurance  Corporation
(the "FDIC").  Professional  firms,  individuals and businesses form the core of
FNB's customer and deposit base.

        Pacific  Capital's  principal  executive  offices are located at 1001 S.
Main  Street,  Salinas,  California  93901,  and its  telephone  number  at that
location is (408) 757-4900.

        South  Valley  is  a  California   corporation  organized  in  1982  and
registered  under the BHC Act to act as the bank holding company of South Valley
National  Bank, a national bank ("SVNB")  with  headquarters  in Morgan Hill and
branch offices in Gilroy, Hollister and San Juan Bautista. In 1983, South Valley
purchased all of the  outstanding  common stock of SVNB.  Other than holding the
shares of SVNB, South Valley conducts no significant activities,  although it is
authorized,  with the prior  approval of the Board of  Governors  of the Federal
Reserve System (the "FRB"), South Valley's principal  regulator,  to engage in a
variety of  activities  which are deemed  closely  related  to the  business  of
banking.

         SVNB  engages in general  commercial  banking in  southern  Santa Clara
County  and  in San  Benito  County,  offering  traditional  commercial  banking
services to the business,  professional and consumer communities,  with emphasis
on  larger  consumer   accounts,   small  and  mid-size  business  accounts  and
professional  accounts.  To the fullest extent possible,  loans are written on a
variable rate basis. Commercial, real estate, and consumer loans are offered and
tailored to the individual needs of the borrower. SVNB's marketing efforts focus
on local  customers,  both in selling SVNB's  services and attracting  deposits.
SVNB accepts  noninterest-bearing  and interest-bearing demand accounts, as well
as  traditional   savings  accounts  and  time   certificates  of  deposit  with
competitively priced interest rates.


                                        1
<PAGE>

         South Valley's  principal  executive offices are located at 500 Tennant
Station,  Morgan  Hill,  California  95037,  and its  telephone  number is (408)
848-2161.

Pacific Capital Special Meeting of Shareholders

         The Pacific  Capital  Special  Meeting of  Shareholders  (including any
adjournments  or  postponements  thereof)  will be held  at  [Address],  [City],
California,  on Tuesday,  October 22,  1996,  at 4:00 p.m.,  local time.  At the
meeting,  holders of Pacific  Capital Common Stock will consider and vote upon a
proposal to adopt and approve the Agreements and the  transactions  contemplated
thereby,  including the Merger. Only holders of record of Pacific Capital Common
Stock at the close of  business on  September  23,  1996 (the  "Pacific  Capital
Record Date") will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting.

         The  approval of the Merger by the Pacific  Capital  shareholders  will
constitute  approval and adoption of the Agreements and each of the transactions
contemplated thereby,  including the Merger, as more fully described herein. The
affirmative  vote of the  holders of a  majority  of the  outstanding  shares of
Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock  entitled  to vote at the Meeting is required to
adopt and approve the  Agreements  and the  transactions  contemplated  thereby,
including  the  Merger.  Such  approval  is a condition  to, and  required  for,
consummation  of the Merger.  See "The  Merger--Representations  and Warranties;
Conditions to the Merger."

         As of the Pacific Capital Record Date, there were __________  shares of
Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock  outstanding,  of  which  ________  shares  were
beneficially  owned  by  directors  of  Pacific  Capital  and  their  respective
affiliates.  The directors of Pacific  Capital have agreed to vote the shares of
Pacific Capital Common Stock held by them (which includes all shares as to which
the directors  have sole or shared voting power) for the approval of the Merger.
To Pacific Capital's knowledge, as of the Pacific Capital Record Date, directors
and executive  officers of South Valley did not  beneficially  own any shares of
Pacific Capital Common Stock. Accordingly, approval of the Merger at the Meeting
is expected to require the affirmative vote of an additional  ________ shares of
Pacific  Capital  Common Stock  outstanding  on the Pacific  Capital Record Date
voted by the remaining shareholders of Pacific Capital.

        A  Pacific  Capital  shareholder  giving a Proxy has the power to revoke
that Proxy prior to its exercise. See "Voting and Proxies."

South Valley Special Meeting of Shareholders

         The  South  Valley  Special  Meeting  of  Shareholders  (including  any
adjournments  or  postponements  thereof)  will  be held  at  [Address]  [City],
California,  on  Wednesday,  October 16, 1996,  at ___ p.m.,  local time. At the
Meeting,  holders of South  Valley  Common  Stock will  consider and vote upon a
proposal to adopt and approve the Agreements and the  transactions  contemplated
thereby,  including  the Merger.  Only holders of record of South Valley  Common
Stock at the close of  business on August 27,  1996 (the  "South  Valley  Record
Date") will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting.

         The  approval  of the  Merger by the  South  Valley  shareholders  will
constitute  approval and adoption of the Agreements and each of the transactions
contemplated thereby,  including the Merger, as more fully described herein. The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of South
Valley  Common  Stock  entitled  to vote at the meeting is required to adopt and
approve the Agreements and the transactions contemplated thereby,  including the
Merger.  Such approval is a condition to, and required for,  consummation of the
Merger.  See "The  Merger--Representations  and  Warranties;  Conditions  to the
Merger."

         As of the South Valley Record Date, there were ________ shares of South
Valley Common Stock  outstanding,  of which  ________  shares were  beneficially
owned  by  directors  of South  Valley  and  their  respective  affiliates.  The
directors of South Valley have agreed to vote the shares of South Valley  Common
Stock held by them


                                        2
<PAGE>

(which  includes all shares as to which the directors have sole or shared voting
power) for the approval of the Merger.  To South Valley's  knowledge,  as of the
South Valley Record Date,  directors and executive  officers of Pacific  Capital
did not beneficially  own any shares of South Valley Common Stock.  Accordingly,
approval of the Merger at the  Meeting is  expected  to require the  affirmative
vote of an additional _______ shares of South Valley Common Stock outstanding on
the South  Valley  Record  Date  voted by the  remaining  shareholders  of South
Valley.

        A South Valley  shareholder  giving a Proxy has the power to revoke that
Proxy prior to its exercise. See "Voting and Proxies."

Certain Considerations

         See "Certain  Considerations"  for a discussion of certain factors that
should be carefully  considered by Pacific Capital and South Valley shareholders
in deciding whether to vote for approval of the Agreements and the Merger.  Such
section  discusses  Pacific  Capital Common Stock eligible for future sale which
may have a dilutive effect,  interests of South Valley officers and directors in
the  Merger,  real  estate  lending  activities,  organizational  structure  and
management,  operations  after the Merger  and the  legislative  and  regulatory
environment.

Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Boards of Directors

         The Boards of  Directors of Pacific  Capital and South  Valley  believe
that the Merger is in the best  interests of Pacific  Capital and South  Valley,
respectively, and their shareholders. The Boards of Directors of Pacific Capital
and South  Valley  have each  unanimously  approved  the  Merger  and  recommend
approval of the Merger by their shareholders.

         In  evaluating  the   recommendations   of  the  respective  Boards  of
Directors,  shareholders  should carefully  consider the matters described under
"Certain  Considerations," "The Merger--Background of the Merger" and "--Reasons
for the Merger; Recommendation of the Board of Directors."

Opinion of South Valley's Financial Advisor

         South  Valley's  financial  advisor,   Hoefer  &  Arnett   Incorporated
("Hoefer"),  has  concluded  that  the  Exchange  Ratio,  as it may be  adjusted
pursuant  to the  Agreement,  is fair  from a  financial  point of view to South
Valley's shareholders.

         The text of the fairness opinion,  which sets forth certain assumptions
made,  matters  considered  and limits on the review  undertaken  by Hoefer,  is
attached  to this Joint  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  as Annex B.  South  Valley
shareholders  are  urged to read  the  fairness  opinion  in its  entirety.  The
Agreement  requires that such fairness opinion be updated prior to the Effective
Date, if requested by South Valley.  See "The  Merger--Opinion of South Valley's
Financial  Advisor,"  which also contains a discussion of the fees to be paid to
Hoefer.  A  substantial  portion of the fees to be paid to Hoefer is  contingent
upon consummation of the Merger.

Effective Date of the Merger

         The  Merger  will be  effective  upon  the  date and at the time of the
filing  with  the  California  Secretary  of  State  of a duly  executed  Merger
Agreement  and the  officers'  certificates  prescribed  by Section  1103 of the
California  General  Corporation  Law (the  "GCL") or upon any  subsequent  date
specified  in the  Merger  Agreement.  The date and time on which the  Merger is
effective  as specified  in the Merger  Agreement  are referred to herein as the
"Effective  Date"  and  the  "Effective  Time,"  respectively.  It is  presently
anticipated  that the Merger will be  consummated  on or prior to  December  31,
1996. However, it is possible that the Effective Date may occur before or extend
beyond such date.

                                        3
<PAGE>

Exchange Ratio; Possible Adjustments to Exchange Ratio

         On the  Effective  Date,  each  issued and  outstanding  share of South
Valley Common Stock (except for shares as to which dissenters'  rights have been
perfected)  shall be  converted  into .92 of a share (the  "Exchange  Ratio") of
Pacific Capital Common Stock subject to certain potential  downward  adjustments
described  in the  Agreement  and  this  Joint  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus.  No
fractional  shares of Pacific Capital Common Stock shall be issued to holders of
South  Valley  Common  Stock and,  in lieu  thereof,  cash will be paid to South
Valley  shareholders in accordance with the Agreement.  Based on a closing price
of Pacific Capital Common Stock of $27.00 on July 17, 1996 (and assuming this is
the Average  Price,  as defined  below),  the  Exchange  Ratio would be .92 (the
equivalent  of $24.84 per share of South Valley Common Stock) if there is not an
adjustment for Significant Liabilities, as defined below.

         The  Exchange  Ratio will be adjusted for any  Significant  Liabilities
(regardless of whether the price of Pacific  Capital Common Stock changes) if in
the aggregate the Significant Liabilities total more than $500,000. "Significant
Liabilities"  means those liabilities or expenses (whether  operating or capital
in  nature)  relating  to those  categories  and  events  described  in the next
sentence  which  have  not  been  reflected  as  reductions  to  South  Valley's
consolidated book value pursuant to generally accepted accounting  principles as
of June  30,  1996,  adjusted  for  any  applicable  taxes  (whether  actual  or
estimated).  Significant  Liabilities  consist of the  following  categories  or
events  to which  Pacific  Capital  has not  consented  in  writing:  (i) new or
expanded  contingent  liabilities based upon threatened or pending litigation or
other  proceedings  or  hazardous or toxic  substances  and legal fees and costs
(whether actual or estimated)  related  thereto;  and (ii) any expenses,  fines,
fees, penalties or similar obligations, except those which arose in the Ordinary
Course of Business as defined in the Agreement and except severance  payments or
other existing payment  obligations.  Significant  Liabilities shall not include
fees of South Valley's  financial advisors or South Valley's legal fees directly
attributable to this Merger,  provided such financial advisory and legal fees do
not exceed $800,000 in the aggregate.

         As a result of any Significant  Liabilities totaling more than $500,000
in the  aggregate  through  the  close  of  business  on the day  preceding  the
Effective Date, the Exchange Ratio shall be adjusted as follows:

                         (Significant Liabilities - $500,000)
                  .92 -  ------------------------------------
                                   $39 Million

         If, as of two days  preceding  the Effective  Date,  the average of the
closing price of Pacific  Capital  Common Stock quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board
(calculated  by  taking  an  average  of the  closing  prices  quoted on the OTC
Bulletin  Board on each of the  thirty  consecutive  trading  days  prior to two
business  days prior to the  Effective  Date,  rounded to four  decimal  places,
whether or not trades  occurred on those days (the  "Average  Price")),  is more
than $31.50 or if the Average Price is more than 12.5% below $27.00, the closing
price on the last  business  day  prior to the date of the  Agreement,  then the
Exchange Ratio will be adjusted as follows, rounded to four decimal places:

         (1) If the Average Price is more than 12.5% below  $27.00,  the closing
price on the last business day prior to the date of this Agreement, South Valley
may accept the Exchange Ratio (.92) as adjusted for any Significant Liabilities,
or  Pacific  Capital  and  South  Valley  shall  have  the  right,  but  not the
obligation,  to  renegotiate  the  Exchange  Ratio.  Should South Valley fail to
accept the Exchange  Ratio as described in the preceding  sentence or should the
parties fail to renegotiate the Exchange  Ratio,  South Valley may terminate the
Agreement pursuant to the provisions of the Agreement.

         (2) If the Average  Price is more than $31.50,  the  Exchange  Ratio as
adjusted  for any  Significant  Liabilities  will be adjusted  according  to the
following formula:



                                        4
<PAGE>


                              (Average Price + $31.50)/2
                        .92 x --------------------------
                                  Average Price

         Immediately  following  consummation of the Merger, based on the number
of  shares of  Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock and  South  Valley  Common  Stock
outstanding on the respective  record dates,  the former  shareholders  of South
Valley will hold  approximately  __% of the shares of the issued and outstanding
common stock of Pacific Capital assuming the Exchange Ratio remains at .92. Each
share of Pacific Capital Common Stock issued and outstanding  immediately  prior
to consummation of the Merger will remain  outstanding and unchanged as a result
of the Merger. See "The  Merger--Exchange  Ratio;  Conversion of Shares of South
Valley Common Stock."

Treatment of Stock Options

         As of the South Valley Record Date,  options to purchase 176,600 shares
of South  Valley  Common  Stock were  outstanding  under the South  Valley  1991
Directors' Stock Option Plan or 1995 Stock Option Plan (the "Option Plans"). The
Agreement  provides  that each option  holder has the right (i) to exercise  any
vested  options  granted  under the Options Plans to acquire South Valley Common
Stock prior to the Effective Date; and/or (ii) receive the fair value, as of the
Effective Date, of any unexercised  vested and/or unvested options granted under
the  Option  Plans  which  fair  value  shall be  determined  by an  independent
financial  advisor to Pacific Capital and shall be paid on the Effective Date by
Pacific  Capital in the form of Pacific Capital Common Stock rounded down to the
nearest whole share. See "The Merger--Treatment of Stock Options."

Conditions and Regulatory Approvals

         The  respective  obligations  of Pacific  Capital  and South  Valley to
effect  the  Merger  are  subject  to  various  conditions   described  in  "The
Merger--Representations and Warranties; Conditions to the Merger."

         The Merger will occur only if all required government  approvals are in
effect  or  have  been  obtained  (without  the  imposition  of  any  materially
burdensome  conditions  as  determined  by  Pacific  Capital  in its  reasonable
judgment), the Agreements are approved by the majority of the outstanding shares
of Pacific Capital Common Stock and South Valley Common Stock, respectively, the
representations  and  warranties  of the  parties  are true and  correct  in all
material  respects on and as of the Effective Date, and certain other conditions
are satisfied.

         Consummation  of the Merger is subject to satisfaction of certain other
conditions or the waiver of such conditions by the party entitled to do so. Such
conditions include,  among other things, the following:  (i) except as disclosed
in writing  prior to July 18,  1996,  the absence of a material  adverse  change
since  December 31, 1995,  in the  business,  financial  condition,  properties,
results  of  operations  or  prospects  of either  party;  (ii) the  absence  of
significant  legal  impediments  to the  Merger;  (iii) the  effectiveness  of a
registration  statement with respect to the Pacific  Capital Shares to be issued
to South Valley  shareholders  as a result of the Merger;  (iv) the receipt of a
tax opinion of the  independent  accountants or legal counsel to Pacific Capital
to the effect that,  among other things,  under federal and state tax laws,  the
Merger  will not result in any  recognized  gain or loss to  Pacific  Capital or
South Valley and, except for cash received in lieu of fractional shares, no gain
or loss will be  recognized  by holders of South Valley Common Stock who receive
Pacific Capital Common Stock in exchange for the South Valley Common Stock which
they hold;  (v) receipt of letters and reports  from South  Valley's and Pacific
Capital's independent public accountants relating to the Registration  Statement
and  South  Valley's  and  Pacific  Capital's  unaudited  financial  statements,
respectively;  (vi) receipt of a letter from South Valley's  independent  public
accountants  to the effect that no conditions  exist which would  preclude South
Valley  from  accounting  for the Merger  with  Pacific  Capital as a pooling of
interests as those  conditions  relate to South  Valley;  (vii) receipt by South
Valley of a fairness  opinion from its financial  advisor;  (viii)  receipt of a
letter from Pacific Capital's  independent public accountants to the effect that
the Merger will qualify for the pooling of  interests  method of  accounting  in
accordance with generally accepted  accounting  principles,  (ix) receipt of all
consents by other  parties to and  required by  material  agreements  of Pacific
Capital and South  Valley,  respectively,  (x) South Valley shall have taken any
actions necessary to have SVNB amend


                                        5
<PAGE>


its  Bylaws  to  increase  the  number of  authorized  directors  to permit  the
appointment of three additional  directors  designated by Pacific Capital;  (xi)
Pacific  Capital  shall  have  amended  its  Bylaws to  increase  the  number of
authorized  directors on its board to permit the appointment of three additional
directors by South  Valley and  acceptable  to Pacific  Capital;  (xii)  Pacific
Capital shall have obtained  designation  of Pacific  Capital  Common Stock as a
Nasdaq National Market  security,  and (xiii) the aggregate  number of shares of
Pacific  Capital  Common Stock and South Valley Common Stock held by persons who
have taken all steps at or prior to the  respective  shareholders  meeting to be
paid  the  value  of such  shares  under  the GCL  shall  not  exceed  9% of the
outstanding  shares of Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock and South  Valley  Common
Stock.

         In addition,  certain other  conditions  must be satisfied,  or must be
waived by Pacific  Capital,  in order for  Pacific  Capital to be  obligated  to
consummate  the Merger,  including  but not limited to the  conditions  that (i)
South Valley  shall have taken  corrective  action,  if any,  recommended  by or
resulting  from its most  recent  compliance  examinations  and any  significant
regulatory compliance violations shall have been corrected by South Valley prior
to the Effective Date and (ii) prior to the Effective  Date,  South Valley shall
be in compliance  with all  requirements,  if any,  arising from its most recent
safety and soundness regulatory examination.

Nonsolicitation Agreements

         As a condition to consummation  of the Merger under the Agreement,  the
directors of South Valley have each  entered  into a  nonsolicitation  agreement
(collectively,  the "Nonsolicitation Agreements") with Pacific Capital. Pursuant
to the Nonsolicitation  Agreements each director, except as a director,  officer
or employee of Pacific Capital or any subsidiary thereof, shall not, without the
prior written consent of Pacific  Capital,  for a two-year period  following the
Merger (i)  directly or  indirectly,  solicit any  customers  of South Valley or
Pacific Capital or their subsidiaries or successors within the counties of Santa
Clara,  Monterey  and San Benito in the State of  California  or (ii) induce any
employee of South Valley or Pacific  Capital or their  subsidiaries to leave the
employment thereof.

         The Nonsolicitation Agreements further provide that each director shall
treat as confidential  all  information  concerning  Pacific  Capital's or South
Valley's or their respective subsidiary's records, properties, books, contracts,
commitments  and affairs,  including but not limited to,  information  regarding
accounts,  shareholders,  finances, strategies,  marketing,  customers, customer
lists and potential  customers  and other  information  of a similar  nature not
available to the public.

Certain Tax Consequences

         It is anticipated that the principal federal income tax consequences of
the Merger will be as follows:  (a) the Merger will be part of a  reorganization
within the meaning of section  368(a) of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as
amended;  (b) no gain or loss will be  recognized by the  shareholders  of South
Valley who receive Pacific Capital Common Stock in exchange for the South Valley
Common Stock which they hold,  except in respect of cash received for fractional
shares;  (c) the holding period of the Pacific Capital Common Stock in the hands
of the former South Valley shareholders will include the holding period of their
exchanged  South  Valley  Common  Stock;  and (d) the tax basis of the shares of
Pacific  Capital Common Stock received by the  shareholders of South Valley will
be the same as the tax basis of their  exchanged  South Valley Common Stock.  In
order to satisfy one of the conditions to  consummation  of the Merger (see "The
Merger--Representations  and  Warranties;  Conditions to the  Merger"),  Pacific
Capital and South Valley each expects to receive an opinion of Pacific Capital's
independent accountants or legal counsel to the effect that the Merger will have
the foregoing and certain other tax consequences.  For a detailed  discussion of
the  income  tax  consequences  of the  Merger,  see  "The  Merger--Certain  Tax
Consequences."  South Valley  shareholders  should  consult  their  personal tax
advisors  as to the  consequences  of the  Merger to them  under  United  States
federal, state or local law, or applicable foreign tax laws.


                                        6
<PAGE>

Amendment and Termination

         The Agreement may be amended by Pacific Capital and South Valley at any
time prior to the  Effective  Date without the approval of the  shareholders  of
Pacific  Capital or the  shareholders of South Valley with respect to any of its
terms  except the terms  relating to the form or amount of  consideration  to be
delivered to the South Valley  shareholders in the Merger. The Agreements may be
terminated  by the mutual  consent of the Boards of  Directors  of both  Pacific
Capital and South Valley at any time prior to the consummation of the Merger.

         The Agreement may be terminated by Pacific Capital as follows:  (i) on,
or  after  December  31,  1996,  if (A)  any  of the  conditions  to  which  the
obligations of Pacific Capital are subject has not been  fulfilled,  or (B) such
conditions  have been  fulfilled  or waived by Pacific  Capital and South Valley
shall have failed to complete the Merger; (ii) if (A) Pacific Capital has become
aware of any facts or circumstances of which it was not aware on the date of the
Agreement and which  materially  adversely affect South Valley and SVNB or their
respective business, properties,  results of operations,  financial condition or
prospects  taken as a whole;  (B) a material  adverse change shall have occurred
since  December 31, 1995,  in the  business,  properties,  financial  condition,
results of  operations  or  prospects of South Valley and SVNB taken as a whole;
(C)  there has been a  material  breach  (including  any  material  anticipatory
breach) on the part of South Valley of its  obligations  under the  Agreement or
any  material  breach  (including  any  material  anticipatory  breach)  of  any
covenants or conditions  contained in the Agreement  which, in either event, has
not been cured within 20 business days after  receipt of written  notice of such
breach;  or (D) based on the  continuing  fiduciary  duties of the South  Valley
Board of Directors to the  shareholders  of South Valley,  South Valley fails to
act or  refrains  from doing any act  required of South  Valley  pursuant to the
Agreement as a result of a bona fide offer for a Business  Combination  (as such
term is defined in the Agreement).

         The Agreement  may be terminated by South Valley as follows:  (i) on or
after December 31, 1996, if (A) any of the  conditions to which the  obligations
of South Valley are subject has not been fulfilled,  or (B) such conditions have
been  fulfilled or waived but Pacific  Capital shall have failed to complete the
Merger;  provided,  however,  that if Pacific  Capital is engaged at the time in
litigation  relating  to an  attempt  to  obtain  one or more of the  government
approvals  which are  required to  consummate  the Merger or if Pacific  Capital
shall be  contesting  in good  faith  any  litigation  which  seeks  to  prevent
consummation of the Merger, such nonfulfillment  shall not give South Valley the
right to terminate  the  Agreements  until the earlier of (X) eight months after
the  date  of the  Agreement  and  (Y) 60  days  after  the  completion  of such
litigation and of any further regulatory or judicial action pursuant thereto; or
(ii) if (A) South Valley has become aware of any facts or circumstances of which
it was not aware on the date of the  Agreement  and which  materially  adversely
affect  Pacific  Capital  or  FNB or  their  business,  properties,  operations,
financial  condition or  prospects  (taken as a whole);  (B) a material  adverse
change shall have occurred since December 31, 1995, in the business, properties,
financial  condition,  results of operations or prospects of Pacific Capital and
FNB taken as a whole;  (C)  there  has been a  material  breach  (including  any
material  anticipatory breach) on the part of Pacific Capital of its obligations
under the Agreement or any material breach (including any material  anticipatory
breach) of any  conditions  or covenants  contained in the Agreement  which,  in
either  event,  has not been cured  within 20  business  days  after  receipt of
written  notice of such breach;  (D) Pacific  Capital  shall solicit or make any
offer to any third  party or accept any offer from any third  party  regarding a
Business  Combination  (as such term is  defined  in the  Agreement)  of Pacific
Capital with any other entity or person that is not conditioned upon performance
by Pacific  Capital or its successor of all obligations of Pacific Capital under
the  Agreement;  or (E) South Valley  fails to accept the Exchange  Ratio or the
parties fail to renegotiate the Exchange Ratio.

Expenses

         Pacific  Capital  and South  Valley  have each  agreed to pay their own
costs  incurred  incident  to the  performance  of their  obligations  under the
Agreements.  See "The  Merger--Expenses"  and  "--Amendment;  Termination."  The
following  reflects  Pacific Capital and South Valley  estimated  merger-related
expenses as of July 23, 1996.


                                        7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                      Pacific Capital         South Valley                Total
                                                      ---------------         ------------                -----
<S>                                                     <C>                     <C>                      <C>
(in thousands)
Financial advisory...................................   $       0               $     525                $   525
Professional fees....................................   $     230               $     250                $   480
Printing and other...................................   $      25               $      25                $    50
                                                        ---------               ---------                -------
  Total..............................................   $      255              $     800                $ 1,055
                                                        ----------              ---------                -------
</TABLE>

Accounting Treatment

         The Merger is expected to be accounted  for as a pooling of  interests,
and it is a  condition  to  Pacific  Capital's  and  South  Valley's  respective
obligation to consummate  the Merger that Pacific  Capital shall have received a
letter  from  KPMG  Peat  Marwick  LLP,  Pacific  Capital's  independent  public
accountants,  to the effect  that the Merger will  qualify  for such  accounting
treatment.  In addition,  there shall have been no  determination  by any court,
tribunal,  regulatory agency or other governmental entity, that the Merger fails
or will fail to qualify for pooling of interests accounting treatment.  See "The
Merger--Representations   and   Warranties;   Conditions   to  the  Merger"  and
"--Accounting Treatment."

Dissenters' Rights of Appraisal

         Shareholders  of Pacific  Capital  Common Stock or South Valley  Common
Stock who exercise  dissenters'  rights with respect to the Merger in accordance
with the statutory  procedures  prescribed in the GCL may be entitled to receive
cash for their stock if such  shareholders  did not vote "FOR" the  approval and
adoption  of the  Agreements  and  the  transactions  contemplated  thereby  and
otherwise act to perfect their rights as dissenting shareholders pursuant to the
GCL. If a holder of Pacific  Capital  Common Stock or South Valley  Common Stock
votes "FOR" the approval and adoption of the  Agreements,  including the Merger,
and the transactions contemplated thereby, (including by executing and returning
a proxy to Pacific Capital or South Valley with no voting instructions indicated
thereon)  such  holder  will lose any  dissenters'  rights  that may exist  with
respect to the subject  shares.  Shares  which  abstain  from voting and "broker
non-votes"  (shares  as to  which  brokerage  firms  have  not  received  voting
instructions  from their clients and therefore do not have the authority to vote
the Shares at the respective meetings) will have the same legal effect as a vote
against the Merger.  For a description of  dissenters'  rights under the GCL and
the method of perfecting such rights,  see "Voting and Proxies" and "Dissenters'
Rights of Appraisal."

Market Price and Dividend Data

         Pacific  Capital  Common Stock is listed and traded on the OTC Bulletin
Board  under the symbol  "PABN." It is a condition  to the Merger  that  Pacific
Capital Common Stock be listed for trading on the Nasdaq  National  Market prior
to the  Effective  Date.  There is limited  trading  and no  established  public
trading   market  for  South  Valley   Common  Stock  which  is  traded  on  the
over-the-counter  market  and  quoted  on the  "pink  sheets"  published  by the
National  Quotation  Bureau,  Inc.  (the "Pink  Sheets").  Hoefer,  who has been
engaged by South Valley in  connection  with the Merger,  is one of three market
makers  in South  Valley  Common  Stock and is also a market  maker for  Pacific
Capital  Common Stock.  See "The  Merger--Opinion  of South  Valley's  Financial
Advisor."

         The following table sets forth the average of the last reported bid and
asked price per share for South Valley Common Stock as quoted on the Pink Sheets
and the last  reported  sales price of Pacific  Capital  Common Stock on the OTC
Bulletin  Board,  on July  18,  1996,  the  trading  date  prior  to the  public
announcement  of the  Merger,  and on  ________,  1996,  the latest  practicable
trading day before the  printing of this Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus,  and
equivalent per share prices for South Valley Common Stock based on the prices of
Pacific Capital Common Stock.


                                        8
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   Historical                      Equivalent
                                                                  Market Value                      Pro Forma
                                                                    Per Share                    Market Value(1)
                                                           -------------------------------       ----------------
                                                           Pacific Capital    South Valley         South Valley
                                                           ---------------    ------------         ------------
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>                  <C>
Last Trade Prior to:
            July 18, 1996...............................         $27.00         $14.50               $24.84
            _______, 1996...............................         _____          _____                 _____
<FN>

(1)  The  equivalent  pro forma market  value per share of South  Valley  Common
     Stock represents the last reported sales price per share of Pacific Capital
     Common Stock multiplied by the Exchange Ratio of .92. The Exchange Ratio is
     subject  to   adjustment   as   provided   in  the   Agreement.   See  "The
     Merger--Possible  Adjustments  to  Exchange  Ratio  or  Termination  of the
     Agreement."

</FN>
</TABLE>

         Following  the Merger,  no shares of South Valley  Common Stock will be
outstanding,  and  Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock  will be traded on the Nasdaq
National Market.

         Pacific  Capital has paid quarterly cash dividends  since March,  1994.
Pacific  Capital's Board of Directors  considers the  advisability and amount of
proposed  dividends each quarter.  Pacific Capital's primary source of funds for
the payment of dividends is its principal banking subsidiary, FNB, whose ability
to pay dividends to Pacific  Capital is subject to various legal and  regulatory
restrictions.

         South  Valley has paid  quarterly  cash  dividends  since  1994.  South
Valley's  primary  source of funds for the payment of dividends is its principal
banking  subsidiary,  SVNB, whose ability to pay dividends is subject to various
legal and regulatory restrictions.

         Additional  information regarding market price and dividend information
of Pacific  Capital's and South Valley's stock is included in Pacific  Capital's
Annual  Report to  Shareholders  for the year ended  December 31, 1995 and South
Valley's Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1995. See
"Available  Information,"  "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference" and
"Accompanying Documents."

Differences in Rights of Shareholders

         Pacific  Capital and South Valley are both organized under the GCL and,
while similarities in rights exist for shareholders of Pacific Capital and South
Valley,  there  are  differences  between  the  provisions  of the  articles  of
incorporation  of each  company  and the bylaws of each  company.  Both  Pacific
Capital and South  Valley  operate  within the  framework of the BHC Act and are
regulated by the FRB. See "Certain  Considerations--Legislative  and  Regulatory
Environment," and "Certain Differences in Rights of Shareholders."

Pacific  Capital Summary of Results for the Year Ended December 31, 1995 and the
Six Months Ended June 30, 1996

Year Ended December 31, 1995

         Net income for 1995 was  $5,034,000 or $1.86 per share,  an increase of
$695,000 or $0.21 per share over 1994.  The increased  earnings in 1995 resulted
from an  interest  rate  environment  which had a  beneficial  impact on the net
interest margin,  active management of noninterest expense and maintaining a low
level of credit losses. The return on average  shareholders' equity was 12.2% in
1995, compared to 11.7% in 1994.


                                        9
<PAGE>

         Outstanding  total  loans  averaged  $201,360,000  in 1995  compared to
$190,721,000  during 1994. This represents an increase of $10,639,000 or 5.6%. A
majority  of the  loan  portfolio  consists  of  loans  secured  by  commercial,
industrial,  and residential  real estate.  As of December 31, 1995, real estate
mortgage  and  construction  loans  represented  $143,119,000  or 67.7% of total
loans, an increase of $3,950,000 or 2.8% from the prior year.  Commercial  loans
not  secured  by real  estate  totaled  $49,862,000  or 23.6% of the total  loan
portfolio at December 31, 1995.  This  represented  an increase of $6,079,000 or
13.9% over 1994. Consumer loans increased $780,000 or 6.9% during 1995. Consumer
loans,  as of December 31,  1995,  represent  5.7% of the total loan  portfolio,
compared to 5.6% of the 1994 loan portfolio.

         Average  total  deposits  increased  $8,267,000 or 2.9% during 1995 and
average  non-interest  bearing  deposits  grew  $3,674,00  or 5.8% during  1995.
Average interest-bearing deposits increased $4,593,000 or 2.1% in 1995.

         Shareholders'  equity  increased  $4,226,000  or  10.9%  in  1995.  The
increase was primarily a result of retention of 1995 net income and the exercise
of stock  options,  offset in part by a repurchase of  outstanding  shares and a
total cash dividend of $0.53 per share paid during 1995.

Six Months Ended June 30, 1996

         Net income for the six months  ended June 30,  1996 was  $2,759,000  or
$1.01 per share compared to $2,612,000 or $0.97 per share during the same period
in 1995.  This  $147,000  or 5.6%  increase  in net  income  is due  mainly to a
$247,000  increase in net interest income  combined with a $330,000  decrease in
the FDIC assessment. These items were partially offset by a $333,000 increase in
salaries and benefits.  The increase in net interest  income is due to growth in
average  total  deposits  of  $40,202,000  and growth in average  total loans of
$24,084,000 as compared to the same 1995 period.

         Outstanding  loans  were  $236,372,000  at June 30,  1996  compared  to
$211,344,000 at December 31, 1995, a $25,028,000 or 11.8% increase. The increase
in outstanding loans from December 31, 1995 to June 30, 1996 resulted  primarily
from an increase in commercial  loans of $9,354,000,  an increase in real estate
mortgage loans of $8,159,000 and an increase in tax-exempt  municipal  leases of
$5,850,000.

         Total  deposits  at  June  30,  1996  were  $344,671,000   compared  to
$307,819,000 at December 31, 1995, a $36,852,000 or 12.0% increase. Non-interest
bearing demand deposits  increased  $269,000,  interest  bearing demand deposits
increased  $1,823,00  and savings and money market  deposit  accounts  increased
$8,912,000 in the first six months of 1996. Certificates of deposit increased by
$25,848,000  or 31.4%  during the first six months of 1996.  The loan to deposit
ratio at June  30,1996  was 68.6% and is the same as the ratio at  December  31,
1995.  Total  assets as of June 30, 1996  increased  10.6%  compared to year end
1995.

Selected Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data

         The following tables present selected historical and pro forma combined
financial  information  for Pacific  Capital  and South  Valley.  The  following
financial  data should be read in conjunction  with the historical  consolidated
financial statements,  the unaudited interim historical  consolidated  financial
statements,  and the unaudited pro forma combined financial  information and the
notes to such statements,  certain of which are included elsewhere in this Joint
Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  or incorporated by reference herein.  The unaudited
pro forma combined financial information presents selected financial information
based on the historical financial statements of Pacific Capital and South Valley
giving  effect to the proposed  Merger under the pooling of interests  method of
accounting and the assumptions  and adjustments  described in the notes thereto.
See "Pro Forma (Unaudited)  Combined  Financial  Information." The unaudited pro
forma combined and pro forma  equivalent  financial  information do not indicate
the results of operation or financial  position  that would have occurred if the
Merger had been in effect on the dates or for the periods  indicated or that may
occur in the future.


                                       10
<PAGE>
<TABLE>


                                       SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
<CAPTION>

                                     Six Months Ended June 30,
                                (Dollars in thousands, except share                   Year Ended December 31,
                                      and per share amounts)         (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
                                 ----------------------------------  ----------------------------------------------------------
                                        1996          1995            1995         1994         1993         1992         1991
                                        ----          ----            ----         ----         ----         ----         ----
<S>                                     <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>    

Per Share Information

PACIFIC CAPITAL (historical)
  Income before cumulative effect
    of change in accounting method..       $1.01         $0.97        $1.86        $1.65        $1.18        $1.10        $1.11  
  Cumulative effect of change in        
    accounting method...............           -             -            -            -        $0.21            -            -
  Net income........................       $1.01         $0.97        $1.86        $1.65        $1.39        $1.10        $1.11
  Cash dividend ....................       $0.30         $0.25        $0.53        $0.40        $0.30            -            -
  Book value........................      $16.91        $16.51       $16.50       $15.65       $15.23       $14.80       $14.20
  Weighted average Common and           
    equivalent shares outstanding...    2,738,616    2,683,094    2,700,850    2,627,561    2,650,127    2,646,488    2,675,848
                                        
SOUTH VALLEY (historical)(3)           
  Net income........................       $0.78         $0.59        $1.20        $1.43        $1.01        $0.79        $0.82
  Cash dividend ....................        0.18         $0.15        $0.29        $0.15            -            -            -
  Book value........................      $13.61        $12.87       $13.36       $12.37       $11.12       $10.11        $9.32
  Weighted average Common and           
    equivalent shares outstanding...    1,331,770    1,316,406    1,316,102    1,314,167    1,314,167    1,314,167    1,314,167
                                        
PACIFIC  CAPITAL  and SOUTH  VALLEY      
(pro  forma  combined)  (1)  
Income  before  cumulative effect                     
    of change in accounting method..       $0.96         $0.87        $1.69        $1.62        $1.16        $1.03        $1.04
  Cumulative effect of change in        
    accounting method...............           -             -            -            -        $0.14            -            -
  Net income........................       $0.96         $0.87        $1.69        $1.62        $1.30        $1.03        $1.04
  Cash dividend ....................       $0.30         $0.25        $0.53        $0.40        $0.30            -            -
  Book value........................      $16.24        $15.18       $15.88       $14.44       $13.26       $12.21       $11.18
  Weighted average Common and           
    equivalent shares outstanding...    3,963,844    3,894,188    3,911,664    3,836,595    3,859,161    3,855,522    3,884,882
                                        
SOUTH VALLEY pro forma                  
  equivalent (2)                        
  Income before cumulative effect of    
    change in accounting method.....       $0.88         $0.80        $1.55        $1.49        $1.07        $0.95        $0.96
  Cumulative effect of change in        
    accounting method...............           -             -            -            -        $0.13            -            -
  Net income........................       $0.88         $0.80        $1.55        $1.49        $1.20        $0.95        $0.96
  Cash dividend ....................       $0.28         $0.23        $0.49        $0.37        $0.28            -            -
  Book value........................      $14.94        $13.96       $14.61       $13.28       $12.20       $11.23       $10.29
                                        
PACIFIC CAPITAL (historical)
 Results of operations:
  Net interest income...............      $9,604        $9,357      $18,816      $16,971      $15,082      $14,298      $13,768
  Provision for loan losses.........           -             -          135          100          890          925          441
  Noninterest income................       1,040           952        1,875        2,088        2,365        2,339        2,173
  Noninterest expense...............       6,154         6,045       12,342       11,968       11,691       11,251       10,908
  Income before cumulative effect       
    of change in accounting method..       2,759         2,612        5,034        4,339        3,139        2,921        2,959
  Cumulative effect of change in        
    accounting method...............           -             -            -            -          549            -            -
  Net income........................      $2,759        $2,612       $5,034       $4,339       $3,688       $2,921       $2,959
                                        
                                        
                                       11

<PAGE>

                                     Six Months Ended June 30,
                                (Dollars in thousands, except share                   Year Ended December 31,
                                      and per share amounts)         (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
                                 ----------------------------------  ----------------------------------------------------------
                                        1996          1995            1995         1994         1993         1992         1991
                                        ----          ----            ----         ----         ----         ----         ----
<S>                                     <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>    

Balance sheet (end of period):
  Total assets......................    $391,045      $337,117     $353,579     $343,879     $308,767     $307,737     $291,240
  Net loans ........................     234,029       199,826      208,947      198,342      178,085      181,392      194,595
  Deposits..........................     344,671       293,883      307,819      303,229      271,773      272,940      259,991
  Shareholders' equity..............      43,973        40,968       42,976       38,750       35,432       32,787       29,751
                                        
Financial ratios (end of period):       
  Tier 1 risk-based capital.........      15.79%        17.72%       17.60%       16.83%       17.06%       15.74%       14.04%
  Total risk-based capital..........      16.63%        18.74%       18.59%       17.89%       18.26%       16.87%       15.06%
  Leverage ratio....................      11.65%        12.60%       12.00%       11.38%       11.36%       11.01%       10.70%
  Allowance for loan losses             
    to period end loans.............       0.99%         1.17%        1.13%        1.21%        1.39%        1.28%        1.09%
                                        
SOUTH VALLEY (historical)
Results of operations:
  Net interest income...............      $5,051        $4,228       $8,891       $7,985       $6,501       $6,036       $5,950
  Provisions for loan losses........         179           150          392          379          388          340          295
  Noninterest income................         559           628        1,108          783          666          577          559
  Noninterest expense...............       3,719         3,470        7,010        5,377        4,754        4,684        4,452
  Net income........................       1,035           783        1,577        1,886        1,326        1,041        1,081
                                        
Balance sheet (end of period):          
  Total assets......................    $176,462      $158,148     $177,273     $143,870     $128,191     $125,919     $117,487
  Net loans.........................      92,249        87,364       88,238       88,241       84,065       80,776       79,977
  Deposits..........................     156,678       138,932      157,689      124,641      110,702      109,154      102,225
  Shareholders' equity..............      17,885        16,916       17,557       16,252       14,607       13,281       12,244
                                        
Financial ratios (end of period):       
  Tier 1 risk-based capital.........      15.10%        15.20%       14.80%       15.50%       15.30%       14.50%       13.80%
  Total risk-based capital..........      16.30%        16.30%       16.00%       16.70%       16.60%       15.80%       14.90%
  Leverage ratio....................      10.30%        11.60%       10.10%       12.10%       12.00%       11.30%       10.50%
  Allowance for loan losses to          
    period end loans................       1.54%         1.31%        1.46%        1.48%        1.45%        1.37%        1.23%
                                        
PACIFIC CAPITAL and SOUTH VALLEY
 (pro forma combined)
Results of operations:
  Net interest income...............     $14,655       $13,585      $27,707      $24,956      $21,583      $20,334      $19,718
  Provision for loan losses.........         179           150          527          479        1,278        1,265          736
  Noninterest income................       1,599         1,580        2,983        2,871        3,031        2,916        2,732
  Noninterest expense...............       9,873         9,515       19,352       17,345       16,445       15,935       15,360
  Income before cumulative effect of    
    change in accounting method.....       3,794         3,395        6,611        6,225        4,465        3,962        4,040
  Cumulative effect of change in        
    accounting method...............           -             -            -            -          549            -            -
  Net income........................      $3,794        $3,395       $6,611       $6,225       $5,014       $3,962       $4,040
                                        
Balance sheet (end of period):          
  Total assets......................    $567,507      $495,265     $530,852     $487,749     $436,958     $433,656     $408,727
  Net loans.........................     326,278       287,190      297,185      286,583      262,150      262,168      274,572
  Deposits..........................     501,349       432,815      465,508      427,870      382,475      382,094      362,216
  Shareholders' equity..............      61,858        57,884       60,533       55,002       50,039       46,068       41,995
                                        
Financial ratios (end of period):       
  Tier 1 risk-based capital.........      15.57%        16.92%       16.72%       16.40%       16.52%       15.42%       13.97%
  Total risk-based capital..........      16.53%        17.95%       17.75%       17.52%       17.74%       16.58%       15.02%
  Leverage ratio....................      11.20%        12.27%       11.38%       11.59%       11.54%       11.10%       10.63%
  Allowance for loan losses to
    period end loans................       1.16%         1.23%        1.25%        1.32%        1.43%        1.33%        1.15%

</TABLE>


                                       12
<PAGE>

                     NOTES TO SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION


1.       The pro  forma  combined  per  share  data  for  net  income  has  been
         calculated  using  Pacific  Capital's  average  number of fully diluted
         Common Stock  outstanding for the period  presented  increased by South
         Valley's   weighted   average  Common  Stock  and   equivalent   shares
         outstanding  multiplied  by the  Exchange  Ratio of .92 shares for each
         share of South Valley  Common Stock.  The pro forma  combined per share
         data for dividends  declared has been conformed to historical per share
         data for Pacific  Capital.  The pro forma combined book value per share
         has been  calculated  using  shares of  Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock
         outstanding  increased  by the South Valley  Common  Stock  outstanding
         multiplied by the Exchange  Ratio of .92 shares for each share of South
         Valley Common Stock outstanding.  Such pro forma per share data assumes
         no dissenting shareholders.

2.       South  Valley pro forma  equivalent  per share data is based on Pacific
         Capital and South Valley pro forma  combined per share data  multiplied
         by an Exchange Ratio of .92.

3.       Per share information for South Valley has been restated to reflect the
         10% stock dividend declared and paid in the first quarter of 1996.



                                       13

<PAGE>

              PRO FORMA (UNAUDITED) COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION


         At the  Effective  Time,  South Valley will merge with and into Pacific
Capital and the separate  existence  of South Valley will cease.  All assets and
liabilities  of South  Valley  will  become  assets and  liabilities  of Pacific
Capital.  In  addition,  the number of shares of Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock
outstanding  will be increased by the number of shares of Pacific Capital Common
Stock  issued to holders of South  Valley  Common  Stock and  options  for South
Valley Common Stock in the Merger.

         The following tables show unaudited pro forma financial information for
Pacific  Capital and South  Valley.  The  unaudited  pro forma income  statement
assumes that the Merger had taken place at the beginning of the earliest  period
presented and the unaudited pro forma balance sheet assumes that the Merger took
place on June 30, 1996.  Unaudited pro forma income statements are shown for the
years ended December 31, 1995,  1994 and 1993 and June 30, 1996 and an unaudited
pro forma balance sheet is shown as of June 30, 1996.
<TABLE>


                                            SELECTED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF
                                                     PACIFIC CAPITAL AND SOUTH VALLEY
                                                                (UNAUDITED)
<CAPTION>

                                                 Six Months Ended June 30, 1996                Year Ended December 31, 1995   
                                             ---------------------------------------      ---------------------------------------
                                                                                             (Dollars in thousands except share
                                                                                               and per share amounts)

                                             Historical     Historical     Pro Forma      Historical     Historical     Pro Forma   
                                                Pacific          South      Combined(1)      Pacific          South      Combined(1)
                                                Capital         Valley                       Capital         Valley                 
                                             ----------     ----------     ---------      ----------     ----------     ---------

<S>                                            <C>            <C>           <C>             <C>            <C>           <C>
Pro Forma Consolidated Summary of Operations

Interest and fees on loans                      $10,857        $ 5,102       $15,959         $20,461        $10,029       $30,490 
Interest on investment                                                                                                   
  securities and other interest income            3,007          1,948         4,955           5,384          2,804         8,188 
                                                -------        -------       -------         -------        -------       -------
  Total interest income                          13,864          7,050        20,914          25,845         12,833        38,678 
                                                -------        -------       -------         -------        -------       -------
                                                                                                                         
Interest on deposits                              4,260          1,982         6,242           7,029          3,893        10,922 
Interest on other borrowed                                                                                               
  funds                                              --             17            17              --             49            49 
                                                -------        -------       -------         -------        -------       -------
  Total interest expense                          4,260          1,999         6,259           7,029          3,942        10,971 
                                                -------        -------       -------         -------        -------       -------
                                                                                                                         
Net interest income                               9,604          5,051        14,655          18,816          8,891        27,707 
Provision for loan losses                            --            179           179             135            392           527 
                                                -------        -------       -------         -------        -------       -------
Net interest income after                                                                                                
  provision for loan losses                       9,604          4,872        14,476          18,681          8,499        27,180 
                                                -------        -------       -------         -------        -------       -------
                                                                                                                         
Service charges on deposit                                                                                               
 accounts                                           706            444         1,150           1,805            951         2,756  
Other income                                        334            115           449              70            157           227  
                                                -------        -------       -------         -------        -------       -------
  Total noninterest income                        1,040            559         1,599           1,875          1,108         2,983  
                                                                                                                          
Salaries and benefits                             3,540          1,941         5,481           6,638          3,351         9,989  
Occupancy expense                                   716            244           960           1,399            560         1,959  
Equipment expense                                   532            199           731           1,035            410         1,445  
Other operating expense                           1,366          1,335         2,701           3,270          2,689         5,959  
                                                -------        -------       -------         -------        -------       -------
  Total noninterest expense                       6,154          3,719         9,873          12,342          7,010        19,352  
                                                                                                                          
Income before taxes                               4,490          1,712         6,202           8,214          2,597        10,811  
Income taxes                                      1,731            677         2,408           3,180          1,020         4,200  
                                                -------        -------       -------         -------        -------       -------
Income before cumulative effect                                                                                           
  of accounting change                          $ 2,759        $ 1,035       $ 3,794         $ 5,034        $ 1,577       $ 6,611  
                                                =======        =======       =======         =======        =======       =======
                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                 

                                                   Year Ended December 31, 1994                Year Ended December 31, 1993  
                                             ---------------------------------------      ---------------------------------------
                                                                  


                                             Historical     Historical     Pro Forma      Historical     Historical     Pro Forma   
                                                Pacific          South      Combined(1)      Pacific          South      Combined(1)
                                                Capital         Valley                       Capital         Valley              
                                             ----------     ----------     ---------      ----------     ----------     ---------

Pro Forma Consolidated Summary of Operations                                                                                    
Interest and fees on loans                      $17,329        $ 9,101       $26,430         $15,557        $ 7,793       $23,350  
Interest on investment                                                                                                             
  securities and other income                     4,827          1,773         6,600           4,700          1,296         5,996  
                                                -------        -------       -------         -------        -------       -------
  Total interest income                          22,156         10,874        33,030          20,257          9,089        29,346  
                                                -------        -------       -------         -------        -------       -------
                                                                                                                                   
Interest on deposits                              5,183          2,802         7,985           5,150          2,486         7,636  
Interest on other borrowed                                                                                                         
  funds                                               2             87            89              25            102           127  
                                                -------        -------       -------         -------        -------       -------
  Total interest expense                          5,185          2,889         8,074           5,175          2,588         7,763  
                                                -------        -------       -------         -------        -------       -------
                                                                                                                                   
Net interest income                              16,971          7,985        24,956          15,082          6,501        21,583  
Provision for loan losses                           100            379           479             890            388         1,278  
                                                -------        -------       -------         -------        -------       -------
Net interest income after                                                                                                          
  provision for loan losses                      16,871          7,606        24,477          14,192          6,113        20,305  
                                                -------        -------       -------         -------        -------       -------
                                                                                                                                   
Service charges on deposit                                                                                                         
 accounts                                         1,838            723         2,561           1,733            581         2,314   
Other income                                        250             60           310             632             85           717   
                                                -------        -------       -------         -------        -------       -------
  Total noninterest income                        2,088            783         2,871           2,365            666         3,031   
                                                                                                                                    
Salaries and benefits                             6,027          2,703         8,730           5,801          2,410         8,211   
Occupancy expense                                 1,271            508         1,779           1,309            562         1,871   
Equipment expense                                 1,038            337         1,375           1,035            344         1,379   
Other operating expense                           3,632          1,829         5,461           3,546          1,438         4,984   
                                                -------        -------       -------         -------        -------       -------
  Total noninterest expense                      11,968          5,377        17,345          11,691          4,754        16,445   
                                                                                                                                    
Income before taxes                               6,991          3,012        10,003           4,866          2,025         6,891   
Income taxes                                      2,652          1,126         3,778           1,727            699         2,426   
                                                -------        -------       -------         -------        -------       -------
Income before cumulative effect                                                                                                     
  of accounting change                          $ 4,339        $ 1,886         6,225         $ 3,139        $ 1,326       $ 4,465   
                                                =======        =======       =======         =======        =======       =======
                                                                                                                                   
</TABLE>                                                            
                                     
                                                                     

                                       14
<PAGE>
                                 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                               Six Months Ended June 30, 1996         Year Ended December 31, 1995      
                                            -------------------------------------  -------------------------------------
                                                                                    (Dollars in thousands except share
                                                                                     and per share amounts)

                                         Historical  Historical    Pro Forma   Historical   Historical    Pro Forma  
                                            Pacific       South     Combined (1)  Pacific        South     Combined (1) 
                                            Capital      Valley                   Capital       Valley               
                                         ----------  ----------    ---------   ----------   ----------      -------  
                                                                                                           
<S>                                          <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Cumulative effect of change                                                                                
  in accounting method                            -           -            -            -            -            -   
Net income                                   $2,759      $1,035       $3,794       $5,034       $1,577       $6,611   
                                             ======      ======       ======       ======       ======       ======   
                                                                                                           
Per share                                                                                                  
Income before cumulative effect                                                                            
  of accounting change                        $1.01       $0.78        $0.96        $1.86        $1.20        $1.69   
                                                                                                           
Cumulative effect of change                                                                                
  in accounting method                           -           -            -            -            -            -    
Net income                                   $1.01        $0.78        $0.96        $1.86        $1.20        $1.69   
                                             =====        =====        =====        =====        =====        =====   
                                                                                                           
                                                                                                           
Weighted average common and                                                                                
  equivalent shares outstanding              2,739        1,332        3,964        2,701        1,316        3,912   
                                                                                                           
                                                                                                           
                                                                                                        



                                              Year Ended December 31, 1994            Year Ended December 31, 1993  
                                            -----------------------------------    ----------------------------------  
                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                
                                            
                                           Historical  Historical    Pro Forma     Historical   Historical   Pro Forma         
                                            Pacific        South   Combined (1)      Pacific        South   Combined (1)         
                                            Capital       Valley                    Capital       Valley                        
                                            ---------   ---------     -------       ------      ---------  ------------         
                                                                                                                                
Cumulative effect of change                                                                                                     
  in accounting method                           -            -              -        $549            -         $549            
Net income                                  $4,339       $1,886         $6.225      $3,688       $1,326       $5,014            
                                            ======       ======         ======      ======       ======       ======            
                                                                                                                                
Per share                                                                                                                       
Income before cumulative effect                                                                                                 
  of accounting change                       $1.65        $1.43          $1.62       $1.18        $1.01        $1.16            
                                                                                                                                
Cumulative effect of change                                                                                                     
  in accounting method                          -            -              -        $0.21           -         $0.14             
Net income                                   $1.65        $1.43          $1.62       $1.39        $1.01        $1.30            
                                             =====        =====          =====       =====        =====        =====            
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Weighted average common and                                                                                                     
  equivalent shares outstanding              2,628        1,314         3,837        2,650        1,314         3,859          
  

</TABLE>

                                       15
                                
<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                                                 PACIFIC CAPITAL AND SOUTH VALLEY
                                                 PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
                                                            (UNAUDITED)

                                                           June 30, 1996
                                                      (Dollars in thousands)
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          Pro Forma
                                                                                          Adjustments                  
                                                                                    ------------------------           Pro Forma
                                           Pacific Capital       South Valley       Debits           Credits       Combined Total
                                           ---------------       ------------       ------           -------       --------------
<S>                                               <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>              <C> 
Assets:
     Cash and due from banks.................     $24,044             $9,215                                             $33,259
     Fed funds sold..........................      25,692             12,200                                              37,892
     Certificates of deposit.................          --                 --                                                  --
     Securities available-for-sale...........      79,824             45,841                                             125,665
     Securities held-to-maturity.............       6,079              5,722                                              11,801
     Mortgage loans held for sale............       4,538                 --                                               4,538
     Total loans, net........................     234,029             92,249                                             326,278
     Premises and equipment..................       8,837              5,935                                              14,772
     Other assets............................       8,002              5,300                                              13,302
                                                 --------           --------         -------           -------          --------
       Total assets..........................    $391,045           $176,462              --                --          $567,507
                                                 ========           ========         =======           =======          ========
                                                 
                                                 
Liabilities:                                     
     Deposits................................    $344,671           $156,678                                            $501,349
     Short-term borrowings...................          --                967                                                 967
     Other liabilities.......................       2,401                932                                               3,333
     Long-term debt..........................          --                 --                                                  --
                                                 --------          ---------         -------           -------         ---------
       Total liabilities.....................     347,072            158,577              --                --           505,649
                                                 
Shareholders' equity:                            
     Preferred stock.........................          --                 --                                                  --
     Common stock............................      31,179             13,123                                              44,302
     Retained earnings.......................      13,413              5,179                                              18,592
     Unrealized loss on securities       
       available for sale....................       (619)              (417)                                             (1,036)
                                                   ------             ------         -------           -------           -------
       Total shareholders' equity............      43,973             17,885              --                --            61,858
                                                 
       Total liabilities                         
         and shareholders' equity............    $391,045           $176,462             --                 --          $567,507
                                                  =======           ========         =======           ========          =======
                                                 
</TABLE>
 
                                       16
<PAGE>


                NOTES TO PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1. There are no  adjustments  to the  historical  balance sheet or statements of
   income  of  Pacific  Capital  and  South  Valley  to  arrive at the pro forma
   combined  balance sheet and pro forma  combined  statements of income.  Total
   costs to be incurred by Pacific  Capital and South Valley in connection  with
   the  Merger are  estimated  to be  approximately  $________  net of  expenses
   incurred prior to June 30, 1996.  These costs,  relating to legal,  printing,
   accounting, and other related expenses, will be charged against net income of
   the combined company in the periods in which they are incurred.  Accordingly,
   the effect of these costs has not been  reflected  in the pro forma  combined
   financial statements.

2. The pro forma  combined  per share data for net  income  has been  calculated
   using Pacific  Capital's  weighted average number of fully diluted common and
   equivalent  shares  increased by such common and  equivalent  shares of South
   Valley Common Stock (after  adjustment using the exchange ratio of .92 shares
   of Pacific Capital Common Stock for each share of South Valley Common Stock).
   Such pro forma per share data assumes no dissenting  Pacific Capital or South
   Valley shareholders.



                                       17

<PAGE>

                                  INTRODUCTION


         This  Joint   Proxy   Statement/Prospectus   is  being   furnished   to
shareholders  of Pacific Capital  Bancorp  ("Pacific  Capital") and South Valley
Bancorporation  ("South  Valley") in connection with the solicitation of Proxies
by the Pacific  Capital  Board of  Directors  for use at the special  meeting of
shareholders of Pacific Capital to be held at [Address] [City],  California,  on
Tuesday,  October 22, 1996 at 4:00 p.m.,  local time, and at any adjournments or
postponements  thereof and the solicitation of Proxies by the South Valley Board
of Directors for use at the special  meeting of  shareholders of South Valley to
be held at [Address] [City], California, on Wednesday, October 16, 1996 at _____
p.m., local time, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.

         At the  respective  meetings,  the  shareholders  of record of  Pacific
Capital  common  stock  ("Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock")  as of the  close of
business on  September  23, 1996 (the  "Pacific  Capital  Record  Date") and the
shareholders  of record of South  Valley  common  stock  ("South  Valley  Common
Stock") as of the close of business on August 27, 1996 (the "South Valley Record
Date"),  will  consider  and vote  upon a  proposal  to  approve  and  adopt the
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of July 18, 1996 (the "Agreement")
by and between Pacific Capital and South Valley and a Merger  Agreement  between
Pacific  Capital  and South  Valley  (collectively,  the  "Agreements")  and the
transactions  contemplated  thereby.  Copies of the  Agreements  are attached as
Annex A hereto and more fully described herein.  The Agreements  provide,  among
other  things,  that South Valley will merge with and into Pacific  Capital (the
"Merger")  and,  except as described  herein,  each share of South Valley Common
Stock  will be  converted  into .92 of a fully paid and  nonassessable  share of
Pacific  Capital  Common Stock subject to certain  potential  adjustments as set
forth in the Agreement. See "The Merger--Exchange Ratio; Conversion of Shares of
South  Valley  Common  Stock,"  "--Possible  Adjustments  to  Exchange  Ratio or
Termination of the Agreement" and  "--Treatment  of Stock  Options." The date on
which this Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus is first being sent to shareholders
of Pacific Capital and South Valley is on or about ___________, 1996.

         This Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  also serves as a prospectus for
Pacific  Capital under the Securities  Act of 1933, as amended (the  "Securities
Act"),  for the Pacific Capital Common Stock to be issued in connection with the
consummation of the Merger.


                        INFORMATION ABOUT PACIFIC CAPITAL

         Pacific  Capital is a California  corporation  and bank holding company
which was  incorporated  on January 26,  1983.  First  National  Bank of Central
California,  the Company's  wholly-owned  banking subsidiary ("FNB"),  commenced
operations on April 2, 1984,  under the name of First  National Bank of Monterey
County. FNB is a full service commercial bank serving Monterey, Salinas, Carmel,
Watsonville, Prunedale and surrounding areas in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties
in  California.  The Company  itself does not engage in any business  activities
other than the  ownership  of FNB and the  ownership  of one other  wholly-owned
subsidiary,  Pacific Capital Services Corporation  ("PCSC").  PCSC has no active
operations at this time.

         FNB  provides  a  wide  range  of   commercial   banking   services  to
individuals,  professionals, and small and medium sized businesses. The services
provided include those typically offered by commercial banks, such as: checking,
interest  checking and savings accounts,  travelers checks,  safe deposit boxes,
collection  services,   night  depository  facilities  and  wire  and  telephone
transfers.  In addition to the above deposit services,  FNB also provides a full
array of loan products including  commercial,  real estate and consumer loans as
well as a variety of  government  assisted  loan  programs  such as SBA or Rural
Economic  Community  Development  Service guaranteed loans. The deposits of each
depositor  of FNB are insured up to $100,000  by the Federal  Deposit  Insurance
Corporation (the "FDIC").  Professional  firms,  individuals and businesses form
the core of FNB's customer and deposit base.

         Most of FNB's deposits are obtained from individuals, professionals and
small and  medium  sized  businesses.  As of June 30,  1996,  FNB had a total of
17,919 accounts representing 10,091 demand deposit


                                       18

<PAGE>

(checking) accounts with an average balance of approximately $12,454 each; 5,521
savings,  interest-bearing  demand,  and money market  accounts  with an average
balance of  approximately  $19,199  each;  and 2,307 other time accounts with an
average balance of approximately $46,843 each.

         FNB  engages  in a full  complement  of lending  activities,  including
commercial,  consumer/installment  and  short-term  real  state  loans,  with  a
particular emphasis on short- and medium-term commercial obligations. Commercial
lending  activities  are  directed  principally  toward  small- to  medium-sized
businesses, such as professional firms, retail, light industry and manufacturing
to which  FNB  makes  (a)  loans for  working  capital,  (b)  loans  secured  by
receivable  and  inventory,  (c) term loans for  equipment;  and (d) real estate
development  loans. In addition to  conventional  commercial  lending,  FNB also
offers an array of government  assisted loan products  including SBA  guaranteed
loans, SBA 504 loans (primarily for commercial real estate transactions),  Rural
Economic Community  Development  Services  guaranteed loans and loans guaranteed
under the State of  California  guarantee  program.  FNB also  works to meet the
needs of the  local  municipalities  by  providing  lease  financing  for a wide
variety of equipment  purchases including energy retrofit,  fire trucks,  police
cars,  portable  classrooms,  etc. Consumer lending is oriented primarily to the
needs of FNB's  customers,  with an emphasis on  automobile  financing  and real
estate  loans.  Real estate loans include home loans,  equity  advance loans and
construction loans.

         FNB  concentrates its lending  activities in the following areas:  real
estate loans, commercial loans and consumer loans to individuals. As of June 30,
1996, these three categories  accounted for  approximately  65%, 28.7% and 5.6%,
respectively,  of FNB's loan portfolio. As of June 30, 1996, FNB had total loans
outstanding  of  $234,029.  No  material  portion  of FNB's  loan  portfolio  is
concentrated within a single industry or group of related industries.

         FNB currently operates five branch offices: the Monterey branch located
at 495  Washington  Street,  Monterey;  the Salinas branch located at 1001 South
Main Street,  Salinas;  the Oldtown office located at 307 Main Street,  Salinas;
the Carmel branch located in the Carmel Rancho Shopping Center,  Carmel; and the
Watsonville  branch  located at 655 Main Street,  Watsonville.  In addition to a
banking   office,   the  Oldtown   office  in  Salinas   houses  all  of  SVNB's
administrative functions as well as Data Processing/Operations  department and a
Community/Board room.

Directors of Pacific Capital

                  The  following  table  sets  forth  certain  information  with
respect to the current  Board of  Directors of Pacific  Capital,  as well as all
directors and officers of Pacific Capital as a group. All of the shares shown in
the following  table are owned both of record and  beneficially,  and the person
named possesses sole voting power, except as otherwise indicated in the notes to
the table.

                                       19
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                     Shares Beneficially
                                                                                                        Owned As of
                                                                                                     March 15, 1996(1)
                                                                                                  --------------------------
                                                                              Director of
                                   Positions and Offices Held                Pacific Capital                      Percent of
Nominee                   Age      With Pacific Capital and FNB                  Since             Amount            Class
- -------                  -----     ----------------------------              ---------------       ------         -----------
<S>                       <C>      <C>                                           <C>              <C>               <C> 

Charles E.                70       Director of Pacific Capital                   1983             24,665(2)          .94%
  Bancroft                         and FNB

Gene                      54       Director of Pacific Capital                   1990             26,559(2)(3)      1.01%
  DiCicco                          and FNB

Lewis L.                  70       Director of Pacific Capital                   1983             32,447(2)(4)      1.28%
  Fenton                           and FNB

Gerald T.                 67       Director of Pacific Capital                   1983             22,834(2)          .87%
  Fry                              and FNB

James L.                  58       Secretary and Director of                     1983             30,134(2)         1.15%
  Gattis                           Pacific Capital and Bank

Stanley R.                56       Chairman of the Board of Directors of         1983             38,222(2)(5)      1.46%
  Haynes                           Pacific Capital and FNB

D. Vernon                 56       Chief Executive Officer and                   1983             69,302(6)         2.65%
  Horton                           Director of Pacific Capital;
                                   President, Chief Executive Officer
                                   and Director of FNB

Hubert W.                 69       Director of Pacific Capital                   1990             37,961(2)         1.45%
  Hudson                           and FNB

William J.                63       Director of Pacific Capital                   1983             31,419(2)(7)      1.20%
  Keller                           and FNB

Clayton C.                49       President and                                 1983             76,758(8)         2.93%
  Larson                           Director of Pacific Capital;
                                   Executive Vice President,
                                   Chief Administrative Officer
                                   and Director of FNB

William S.                62       Vice Chairman of the Board of                 1983             50,697(2)(9)      1.94%
  McAfee                           Directors of Pacific Capital and FNB

William H.                68       Director of Pacific Capital                   1983             33,872(2)(10)     1.29%
  Pope                             and FNB

William K.                69       Director of Pacific Capital                   1990             43,531(2)(11)     1.66%
  Sambrailo                        and FNB

                                       20

<PAGE>

                                                                                                     Shares Beneficially
                                                                                                        Owned As of
                                                                                                     March 15, 1996(1)
                                                                                                  --------------------------
                                                                              Director of
                                   Positions and Offices Held                Pacific Capital                      Percent of
Nominee                   Age      With Pacific Capital and FNB                  Since             Amount            Class
- -------                  -----     ----------------------------              ---------------       ------         -----------


Robert B.                 73       Director of Pacific Capital                    1983             41,247(2)          1.58%
  Sheppard                         and FNB

Clyn Smith,
  Jr.                     76       Director of Pacific Capital and FNB            1984             48,945(2)(12)      1.87%

All Directors and officers                                                                        635,754(13)        22.08%
of the Company as a group
(17 in number)
<FN>


(1)   Adjusted to reflect a 5% stock dividend paid to  shareholders of record as
      of December 1, 1995.

(2)   Includes 6,379 shares  subject to presently  exercisable  options  granted
      under  Pacific  Capital's  1992  Directors'  Stock  Option Plan and 11,025
      shares issuable upon exercise of options  granted under Pacific  Capital's
      1994 Stock Option Plan.

(3)   Includes 6,627 shares  subject to presently  exercisable  options  granted
      under  Pacific  Capital's  1984 Stock Option Plan and 2,528 shares held by
      DiCicco Centers, a partnership in which Mr. DiCicco is a general partner.

(4)   Includes  5,422  shares held by Wells Fargo Bank,  Trustee of the Lewis L.
      Fenton Managed Individual Retirement Account.

(5)   Includes  12,810  shares  held by Stanley  Haynes,  trustee of the Stanley
      Haynes Family Revocable Inter Vivos Trust dated 9/13/91, 3,478 shares held
      by  Cinderella  Showcase,  Inc., a corporation  controlled by Mr.  Haynes,
      2,231  shares  held in an IRA,  438  shares  held  by Mr.  Haynes  and his
      daughter as joint tenants, and 1,861 shares held by Mr. Haynes' wife.

(6)   Includes  18,231 shares subject to presently  exercisable  options granted
      under Pacific  Capital's 1984 Stock Option Plan and 5,909 shares allocated
      as of December  31,  1995,  to Mr.  Horton's  account  pursuant to Pacific
      Capital's  Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 1,930 shares held in an IRA, and
      612 shares  held by the 1987  First  National  Bank of Central  California
      Irrevocable  Nonqualified  Deferred  Compensation  Trust,  FBO  D.  Vernon
      Horton.

(7)   Represents  7,173  shares held in an IRA and 6,842  shares held by William
      James Keller and Clara Downs Keller, Trustees of the 1986 Keller Revocable
      Trust  U/D/T  dated  9/9/86  F/B/O  William  James  Keller and Clara Downs
      Keller.

(8)   Includes  18,231 shares subject to presently  exercisable  options granted
      under Pacific  Capital's 1984 Stock Option Plan and 5,799 shares allocated
      as of December  31,  1995,  to Mr.  Larson's  account  pursuant to Pacific
      Capital's  Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 6,616 shares held in an IRA, and
      4,544 shares held in the 1987 First  National  Bank of Central  California
      Irrevocable  Nonqualified  Deferred  Compensation  Trust,  FBO  Clayton C.
      Larson.  Also  includes 61 shares held for Derek Larson and 59 shares each
      held for  Jamie  Larson  and Jill  Larson,  by  Sharon  Larson  under  the
      California  Uniform Gift to Minors Act and 578 shares held by Mrs.  Larson
      in an IRA.

(9)   Represents  27,276  shares held by the William S.  McAfee,  MD,  Inc.,  TR
      Revised  Profit  Sharing Plan over which Dr. McAfee  exercises sole voting
      and investment  control and 1,471 held by a defined  benefit plan of which
      Dr. McAfee's wife is trustee.

(10)  Includes  12,821  shares  held by W. H. Pope,  Inc.,  as to which Mr. Pope
      exercises  sole  voting and  investment  control and 988 shares held in an
      IRA.

(11)  Represents 9,819 shares held by the Charles Sambrailo Paper Company Profit
      Sharing  Plan over which Mr.  Sambrailo  exercises  voting and  investment
      control,  129 shares held by Mr.  Sambrailo and Clarence J. Ferrari,  Jr.,
      Co-Trustees  of the  Charles  P.  Sambrailo,  Jr.,  QTIP  Trust  UTA dated
      10/1/76,  as amended and 16,179 shares held by William K. Sambrailo TR, or
      his  successor  trustee under  Revocable  Trust  Agreement dtd 9/1/89,  as
      amended, FBO William K. Sambrailo.

(12)  Includes  1,027 shares owned by Dr. Smith's wife and 30,514 shares held by
      Clyn Smith, Jr., Trustee of the Clyn Smith, Jr., Living Trust 6/3/82.

                                       21
<PAGE>

(13)  Includes  48,558 shares subject to presently  exercisable  options granted
      under Pacific  Capital's 1984 Stock Option Plan,  82,927 shares subject to
      presently  exercisable  options  granted under the 1991  Director's  Stock
      Option Plan and 146,475  shares subject to presently  exercisable  options
      granted  under the 1994 Stock Option Plan.  Also  includes  18,059  shares
      allocated under Pacific Capital's Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

</FN>
</TABLE>

      The  following  information  with respect to the  principal  occupation or
employment of each director and executive officer, the principal business of the
corporation  or other  organization  in which such  occupation  or employment is
carried on, and in regard to other  affiliations and business  experience during
the past five (5) years, has been furnished to Pacific Capital by the respective
directors  and executive  officers.  Except for Pacific  Capital's  wholly-owned
banking subsidiary,  FNB, and Pacific Capital Services  Corporation (an inactive
subsidiary  of  Pacific  Capital),  none of the  corporations  or  organizations
discussed below is an affiliate of Pacific Capital.

      CHARLES E. BANCROFT is a director,  President and CEO of Sequoia Insurance
Company, a California  domicile property and casualty insurance company. He also
serves as  President  of the  Coalition  of  Independent  Casualty  Companies of
America  (CICCA).  He was formerly  director and officer for Pace America,  from
which he resigned in August 1994.  Until June 30, 1986, Mr.  Bancroft  served as
Chairman,  President and Chief Executive Officer of Calmutual Insurance Company,
a successor to  California  Mutual  Insurance  Company,  for which Mr.  Bancroft
served as Chairman and Chief Executive  Officer for eighteen years. Mr. Bancroft
has also held numerous civic and trade-related offices and directorships.

      DENNIS A. DECIUS is Executive Vice President and Chief  Financial  Officer
of Pacific  Capital,  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial  Officer of FNB,
and  Chief  Financial   Officer  and  Secretary  of  Pacific  Capital   Services
Corporation. Mr. DeCius' banking career began in 1959 when he joined the Federal
Reserve  Bank of San  Francisco.  During  his nine and  one-half  years with the
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco,  he held various  positions and spent six
years serving in the capacity of Assistant Auditor.  In 1970, he was employed by
Valley National Bank of Arizona as Assistant Branch Manager/Operations. In 1973,
he moved to El  Camino  Bank,  Anaheim,  California  as the Vice  President  and
Cashier  and served in that  capacity  until June of 1974 when he joined  Valley
National Bank,  Salinas,  California as Vice  President and Cashier.  Mr. DeCius
rejoined  Valley  National  Bank of Arizona in 1976 as Project  Coordinator.  In
1979,  Mr.  DeCius  accepted  a  position  with  Valley  Bank of  Nevada as Vice
President/Manager  of  Depositor  Services,  and,  during the  remainder  of his
tenure,  also served in the positions of Vice President,  Chief Auditor and Vice
President of Human  Resources.  In 1982,  he joined  Chino  Valley Bank,  Chino,
California as Senior Vice President and Cashier. Mr. DeCius serves as a Director
and Chairman of Western Payments Alliance.

      GENE  DICICCO  founded  and is a  principal  in DiCicco  Nurseries,  Inc.,
Sunnyvale Floral Shippers,  Inc., DiCicco Centers and Watsonville Nurseries.  He
has had active involvement as a Board Member,  President,  or Committee Chair in
the Watsonville Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Watsonville Community Hospital
and  Watsonville  YMCA.  Mr.  DiCicco  is  presently  President  of the Board of
Directors for  Watsonville  Community  Hospital.  He also has held  positions of
responsibility in trade organizations serving rose growers in the United States.

      DALE R. DIEDERICK is Senior Vice President/Loan Administration for FNB. He
has been with FNB since  1984 and was  elected an  executive  officer in January
1993. Mr.  Diederick was with Valley  National Bank,  Salinas from 1977-1984 and
served as a regional  supervisor  responsible  for the loan  operations  of nine
branches prior to joining FNB. He was a branch  manager with  Household  Finance
Company prior to beginning his banking career.  Mr. Diederick has also served as
an  instructor  for  Robert  Morris  Associates  in both  consumer  lending  and
commercial lending courses.

      LEWIS L. FENTON is a practicing attorney serving as of counsel to Fenton &
Keller, a professional  corporation with offices in Monterey and Salinas, and to
Hoge,  Fenton,  Jones and Appel,  Inc. of San Jose. Mr. Fenton received his A.B.
degree from  Stanford  University  in 1948 and his L.L.B.  degree from  Stanford
University  Law  School  in 1950  and has been a member  of the  California  Bar
Association since that time. Mr.

                                       22
<PAGE>

Fenton is a member of the American Bar Association, the Monterey and Santa Clara
County Bar Associations, the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, the
Association  of Defense  Counsel of Northern  California  (serving as  President
during  1966-1967)  and  the  International  Academy  of  Trial  Lawyers.  He is
certified as an Advocate by the American Board of Trial Advocates,  the National
Board of  Trial  Advocates  and is a fellow  of the  American  College  of Trial
Lawyers.

      GERALD T. FRY is the Chief Financial Officer of OPI-Office Products,  Inc.
in Monterey  and served as a member of the Monterey  City  Council  beginning in
1963,  having  been  re-elected  six  times.  Mr.  Fry also  served  as Mayor of
Monterey,  having been elected three times. He has been actively  engaged in the
office products sales field since 1960.

      JAMES L. GATTIS is a self-employed  real estate developer and is active in
commercial real estate development and the renovation of commercial buildings in
Salinas.  Mr.  Gattis  is the  former  owner  of Jim  Gattis  Men's  Wear and is
President of Keystone Plus, Inc. which is a management  consulting company.  Mr.
Gattis serves as a Founding  Director of the California  International  Airshow,
and Director of Cherry's Jubilee,  Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital  Foundation,
Community  Foundation  for  Monterey  County and is a director of the  Steinbeck
Center Foundation.

      STANLEY R. HAYNES has been President of Cinderella  Showcase,  Inc., since
1967,  a retail  carpet firm with three  stores in Salinas and two stores in San
Luis Obispo.  Mr. Haynes is a former member of the EvansBlack  Carpets  National
Dealer Advisory Council, a former member of the Board of Directors of the Retail
Carpet  Institute and was named  America's  Floor Covering Dealer of the year in
1978.

      D.  VERNON  HORTON is Chief  Executive  Officer  and a director of Pacific
Capital and  President,  Chief  Executive  Officer,  and a director of FNB.  Mr.
Horton's banking career commenced in 1964 with Valley National Bank, Salinas. He
served  that  bank in  various  capacities  including  lending,  operations  and
business  development and in 1979 was appointed  Chief  Executive  Officer and a
member of the Board of Directors.  In August of 1981 he was appointed  President
of Valley  National Bank. He resigned all positions with Valley National Bank on
December 31, 1983 to join Pacific Capital and FNB. Mr. Horton is also a director
of Pacific  Capital  Services  Corporation.  He serves as a director of Cherry's
Jubilee and the California Rodeo Association.

      HUBERT W.  HUDSON is a  consultant  to McSherry & Hudson,  Watsonville,  a
general insurance agency, a position he has held since January 1995 when he sold
his  partnership  interest he had held since 1950.  In addition to his insurance
business,  Mr.  Hudson is an  investor in several  Santa Cruz County  properties
including Aptos Station,  a shopping center in Aptos, and properties in the City
of Watsonville held by the  partnership,  Arthur Road Properties of Watsonville.
He is past  President  of the  Watsonville  Rotary Club,  Watsonville  Insurance
Agents  Association  and  Past  Director  of the  Independent  Insurance  Agents
Association  of  California.  He is a member of SCORE,  a counseling  service to
small businesses.

      WILLIAM J. KELLER has been a practicing urologist in Salinas since 1964. A
graduate of the  University of Illinois with a degree in Chemistry,  he attended
medical  school at the  University  of  Illinois  Medical  Center in Chicago and
received his M.D. degree in 1957. His internship in Chicago in 1957 and 1958 was
followed by a four-year residency in urology at the Southern Pacific Hospital in
San  Francisco.  Following  a two-year  tour of duty as a captain in the Medical
Corps at  Womack  Army  Hospital  in Fort  Bragg,  North  Carolina,  he moved to
Salinas.  Professional  activities  include membership in the California Medical
Association and Monterey County Medical Society (President 1975-76).  Dr. Keller
is also a Fellow of the  American  College of Surgeons  and a  Diplomate  of the
American Board of Urology. He is Past President of the Salinas Rotary Club.

      CLAYTON C.  LARSON is  President  and a director of Pacific  Capital,  and
Executive Vice President,  Chief  Administrative  Officer and a director of FNB.
Mr.  Larson's  banking career  commenced in 1972 when he joined Valley  National
Bank, as a loan officer. During his tenure with Valley National Bank he attained
the position of Senior Vice President/Branch  Administrator and in 1981 became a
director of that bank. In addition

                                       23
<PAGE>

to his duties as Branch  Administrator,  he was  responsible  for the  marketing
activities of the bank and was chairman of the salary  committee.  Mr. Larson is
also President and a director of Pacific Capital Services Corporation. He serves
on the Board of Trustees of the Monterey Institute of International  Studies and
is currently President of the Community Foundation of Monterey County.

      WILLIAM  S.  McAFEE  is  a   physician   and   surgeon   specializing   in
otolaryngology  and head and neck  surgery in Monterey  since 1968.  Dr.  McAfee
graduated from Ohio Wesleyan  University in 1956,  received his M.D. degree from
the Ohio State University  College of Medicine in 1961 and served his internship
and  residency  between 1962 and 1966 at the Herbert C. Moffitt - University  of
California  Hospital in San Francisco.  He was board certified in otolaryngology
in 1966, has been a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons since 1972 and is
a Fellow in the American Academy of Facial Plastic and  Reconstructive  Surgery.
Dr. McAfee is the President of the Monterey  Peninsula Surgery Center. He serves
on the Monterey  County Medical  Society Board of Directors,  is a member of the
California  Medical  Association  and is past  President of the Monterey  Rotary
Club.

      WILLIAM H. POPE is a retired  certified  public  accountant.  In 1960, Mr.
Pope was instrumental in the formation of the firm of Kasavan and Pope, of which
he was the senior  partner,  which now has offices in Salinas and  Monterey.  He
holds memberships in the American  Institute of Certified Public  Accountants as
well as the California Society of CPA's.

      WILLIAM  K.  SAMBRAILO   joined  the  Charles   Sambrailo  Paper  Company,
Watsonville, a produce packaging supplies company, in 1962 and has served as its
President since 1989. He is also  Secretary/Treasurer  of S&S Trucking, a common
carrier, a partner in Charles Sambrailo & Sons, and a partner in Samco Plastics,
Inc., an injection mold and manufacturing company.

      ROBERT  B.  SHEPPARD  retired  in 1981 as Vice  Chairman  of the  Board of
Directors of Allstate Insurance  Companies,  culminating a thirty-year career in
the insurance  industry.  He was President of Allstate  Insurance  Companies and
Allstate  Enterprises,  Inc.  from  1973 to 1980.  Mr.  Sheppard  served  on the
Executive Committee of the United States Olympic Committee from 1976 to 1988 and
is currently a trustee of the United  States  Olympic  Foundation.  He is also a
Trustee of  Community  Hospital of the  Monterey  Peninsula.  In  addition,  Mr.
Sheppard  is a  consultant  and a member of the  Compensation  Committee  to The
Doctors Co., a medical malpractice insurer.

      CLYN SMITH,  JR., is a general surgeon who began his practice in Monterey,
California in 1949 and retired from practice in 1984. Dr. Smith graduated (A.B.)
from  Stanford  University  in 1940 and received his M.D.  degree from  Stanford
University School of Medicine in 1944. He is a Fellow of the American College of
Surgeons  and a  Diplomate  of the  American  Board of  Surgery.  He served  his
internship  at the  Highland-Alameda  County  Hospital  in  Oakland  in  1943-44
followed  by two years of military  service in the Army  Medical  Corps.  He was
Resident in Surgery at the Samuel Merritt Hospital in Oakland, CA in 1946-47 and
was resident in surgery at the  Highland-Alameda  County Hospital in Oakland, CA
in 1947-49.  Professional  activities include membership in the American Medical
Association,  California  Medical  Association  and the Monterey  County Medical
Society,  of which he is a past  President.  Dr. Smith is a former member of the
Board of Directors of the Carmel Foundation and the Carmel Bach Festival.

      No director or executive  officer of Pacific Capital or FNB has any family
relationship  with any other director or executive officer of Pacific Capital or
FNB.

      No director  or nominee as a director of Pacific  Capital is a director of
any company with a class of securities  registered pursuant to Section 12 of the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  or subject to the requirements of
Section 15(d) of such Act or of any company  registered as an investment company
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.


                                       24
<PAGE>

Committees of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors has formed a standing audit committee of Pacific Capital,
which  meets in  conjunction  with the audit  committee  of FNB and has the same
membership.  The members of Pacific Capital's Audit Committee are Messrs.  Pope,
Fenton,  Fry,  Haynes,  Keller and  McAfee.  The Board of  Directors  of FNB has
established   an   Executive   Committee  as  well  as   committees   for  Loan,
Investment/Asset   liability,   Audit/Security,   Human  Resources,   Insurance,
Information Services and Marketing. The Board of Directors performs the function
of the compensation  committee and the Executive Committee performs the function
of  the  nominating  committee  of  Pacific  Capital.  In  accordance  with  the
requirements  of the Commission,  the Human Resources  Committee of the Board of
Directors of FNB has prepared the Report on Executive Compensation.

The Board of  Directors  of Pacific  Capital met twelve (12) times  during 1995.
During  1995,  each  director  of Pacific  Capital  attended at least 75% of the
meetings of the Board of Directors  and of the meetings of  committees  on which
each director served.

Executive Officers
<TABLE>

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the executive
officers of Pacific Capital:
<CAPTION>

Name                            Age      Positions Held With Pacific Capital         Executive Officer Since
- ----                            ---      -----------------------------------         -----------------------
<S>                             <C>                                                           <C> 
D. Vernon Horton                56       Chief Executive Officer and Director                 1983

Clayton C. Larson               49       President and Director                               1983

Dennis A. DeCius                56       Executive Vice President and                         1983
                                         Chief Financial Officer

Dale R. Diederick               46       Senior Vice President/                               1993
                                         Loan Administration
</TABLE>

Executive Compensation

               The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation paid
(for services  rendered in all capacities)  during Pacific  Capital's past three
fiscal years to D. Vernon Horton,  Chief Executive  Officer of Pacific  Capital,
and to Clayton C.  Larson,  Dennis A.  DeCius and Dale R.  Diederick,  executive
officers  of  Pacific  Capital  whose  annual  compensation  for  1995  exceeded
$100,000.


                                       25
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                              
                                                                                     Other        Long-Term     
                                                                                    Annual      Compensation         All Other 
                                                                                 Compensation        ---           Compensation
Name                          Position            Year       Salary       Bonus       (1)            Awards
                                                                                                -------------
                                                                                                    Options      
<S>                                               <C>       <C>          <C>        <C>               <C>            <C>
D. Vernon Horton    Chief Executive Officer       1995      $171,254     $155,250   $11,150           0              $90,556(2)
                                                  1994      $159,328     $135,000   $11,050           0              $57,332  
                                                  1993      $153,200     $110,000   $11,492           0              $45,517  
Clayton C. Larson   President                     1995      $165,672     $155,250   $12,650           0              $70,575(3)  
                                                  1994      $154,128     $135,000    $9,447           0              $40,866   
                                                  1993      $148,200     $110,000   $13,050           0              $27,482   
                                                                                                                     
Dennis A. DeCius    Executive Vice President/     1995      $109,027      $67,650    $7,812           0               $63,208(4)
                    Chief Financial Officer       1994      $102,856      $61,500    $6,200           0               $41,026   
                    Senior Vice President/        1993       $98,900      $50,000    $6,200           0               $28,533   

Dale R. Diederick   Loan Administration           1995       $87,192      $22,000    $3,325           0               $24,814(5)
<FN>

(1)   Includes  dollar  value  of  perquisites,  consisting  entirely  of a  car
      allowance.

(2)   Includes for 1995 the cash value of shares  allocated to Mr. Horton's ESOP
      account  ($52,948),  $1,500 contributed by Pacific Capital to Mr. Horton's
      account in Pacific  Capital's  401(k) Plan,  $6,284 paid in life insurance
      and medical coverage premiums for Mr. Horton and $29,824 accrued under Mr.
      Horton's Salary Continuation Agreement.

(3)   Includes for 1995 the cash value of shares  allocated to Mr. Larson's ESOP
      account  ($52,094),  $1,500 contributed by Pacific Capital to Mr. Larson's
      account in Pacific  Capital's  401(k) Plan,  $5,858 paid in life insurance
      and medical coverage premiums for Mr. Larson and $11,123 accrued under Mr.
      Larson's Salary Continuation Agreement.

(4)   Includes for 1995 the cash value of shares  allocated to Mr.  DeCius' ESOP
      account  ($38,219),  $1,500  contributed by Pacific Capital to Mr. DeCius'
      account in Pacific  Capital's 401(k) Plan,  $5,217 paid by Pacific Capital
      for life  insurance  and  medical  coverage  premiums  for Mr.  DeCius and
      $18,272 accrued under Mr. DeCius' Salary Continuation Agreement.

(5)   Includes for 1995 the cash value of shares  allocated  to Mr.  Diederick's
      ESOP  account  ($23,647),  $1,167  contributed  by Pacific  Capital to Mr.
      Diederick's 401(k) Plan.
</FN>
</TABLE>

Stock Options Grants and Exercises

               In addition to Pacific  Capital's  1984 Stock  Option  Plan,  the
Board of Directors of Pacific  Capital  adopted the Pacific Capital Bancorp 1994
Stock Option Plan on September  27, 1994, in which the Chief  Executive  Officer
and other  executive  officers of Pacific  Capital  participate.  The 1994 Stock
Option Plan set aside 489,000 shares  (adjusted to reflect all stock  dividends,
stock splits and option  exercises) of Pacific  Capital's Common Stock for which
options  may be granted to the  directors,  officers  and  employees  of Pacific
Capital.  The 1994 Stock Option Plan was approved by the shareholders of Pacific
Capital at Pacific's 1995 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  The 1994 Stock Option
Plan  extends  for  a  period  of  ten  (10)  years  and  is  administered  by a
three-member committee of the Board of Directors.  All committee members qualify
as "disinterested  persons" within the meaning of the Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange
Act.

               The 1994 Stock  Option Plan  provides for the issuance of options
which qualify as incentive  stock options and under Section 422A of the Internal
Revenue Code,  as amended,  as well as  nonqualified  options.  Incentive  stock
options are subject to different tax treatment than  nonqualified  options.  The
exercise  price of any option may not be less than 100% of the fair market value
of the shares subject to option on the date the option is granted.

               Within three (3) months following  termination of directorship or
employment for any reason other than death,  disability,  or cause,  an optionee
may exercise his or her option to the extent such option was  exercisable on the
date of  termination.  If an  optionee's  employment  or status as an officer or
director is terminated by death or disability,  such optionee or such optionee's
qualified  representative  or estate  has the right for a period of twelve  (12)
months  following the date of such death or disability or exercise the option to
the extent the optionee was entitled


                                       26
<PAGE>

to  exercise  such  option on the date of the  optionee's  death or  disability,
provided the actual date of exercise is in no event after the  expiration of the
term of the option. If an optionee is terminated for cause, neither the optionee
nor the optionee's estate is entitled to exercise any option with respect to any
shares of Pacific Capital Common Stock.

               No  options  under  the  1984 or 1994  Stock  Option  Plans  were
exercised by any of the  executive  officer of Pacific  Capital  during the 1995
fiscal year.

               The  following  table  shows the stock  options  granted to named
executive officers during the last completed fiscal year:
<TABLE>

Option/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year

<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                      
                                                                                 Potential                            
                                                                            Realizable Value at                       
                                                                              Assumed Annual           Alternative    
                                                                            Rates of Stock Price         to and       
                                                                               Appreciation            Grant Date     
                                                                               for Option Term             Value      
                             Individual Grants                                           
            Number of            % of                                                  
            Securities           Total                                                 
             Under-              Options/                
  Name       lying              SARs           
             Option/             Granted to           Exercise     
              SARs               Employees            or Base                                            Grant Date      
             Granted             in Fiscal             Price      Expiration                               Present       
               (#)                  Year               ($/Sh)        Date      5% ($)      10% ($)         Value $       
                                                                                                                         
<S>           <C>                  <C>                 <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>                <C>        
  Dale R.     3,000                24.0%               $19.00      05/18/04    $85,847     $90,843            $0         
 Diederick                                                                                                               
</TABLE>
 
The following table shows the value at December 31, 1995, of unexercised options
held by the named executive officers:

Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and FY-End Option Values

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     

                                                                   Number of securities                     Value of           
                                                                  underlying unexercised                   unexercised         
                                                              options at fiscal year-end (#)          in-the-money options     
                 Shares acquired       Value Realized ($)             Exercisable/                    at fiscal year-end ($)    
      Name       on exercise (#)                                      unexercisable                        Exercisable/       
                                                                                                           unexercisable      

<S>                     <C>                  <C>                       <C>                                <C>    
D. Vernon Horton        0                    0                         18,231/0                            $205,363/$0     
Clayton C. Larson       0                    0                         18,231/0                            $205,363/$0
Dennis A. DeCius        0                    0                         5,469/0                              $61,606/$0
Dale R. Diederick       0                    0                        787/2,363                           $5,631/$16,907
</TABLE>

Employment Contracts

               FNB  entered  into a  three-year  employment  agreement  with Mr.
Horton on May 22,  1993,  pursuant to which he serves as  President  of FNB. The
agreement  provides for an annual salary of $153,200 subject to annual increases
within the sole discretion of the Board of Directors of FNB. Mr. Horton's salary
was $159,328 for the second year of the  agreement,  and his salary has been set
at  $171,254  for the third  year of the  agreement.  FNB may also pay an annual
discretionary  cash bonus to Mr. Horton based upon his efforts and  performance.
The amount of such bonus, if any, will be determined  within the sole discretion
of the Board of  Directors of FNB. If Mr.  Horton is  terminated  without  cause
during the course of the agreement, he will be entitled to receive severance pay
in an

                                       27

<PAGE>

amount equal to six months' salary at his then prevailing  salary.  In the event
of a change in control by merger or purchase of FNB and/or Pacific  Capital into
or by another entity, not resulting from financial difficulties or insolvency of
FNB or Pacific Capital, Mr. Horton shall receive 18 months' compensation. In any
other event,  Mr.  Horton will be entitled  only to the salary  earned up to the
date of termination. If a program is established which provides for a calculable
annual  bonus,  he also will be  entitled to receive a pro rata bonus based upon
the fraction of the calendar year during which he was  employed.  Mr. Horton has
been provided with an automobile for use during the term of the  agreement.  Mr.
Horton is also being reimbursed for all ordinary and necessary expenses incurred
by him in connection with  activities  associated with promoting the business of
FNB. Further,  Mr. Horton has been furnished a term life insurance policy in the
face amount of $250,000 and with health,  accident and disability  insurance for
himself and his family.

               FNB  entered  into a  three-year  employment  agreement  with Mr.
Larson on May 22, 1993,  pursuant to which he serves as Executive Vice President
and Chief  Administrative  Officer of FNB. The agreement  provides for an annual
salary of $148,200,  subject to annual  increases  within the sole discretion of
the Board of Directors of FNB. Mr.  Larson's  salary was $154,128 for the second
year of the  agreement,  and his salary has been set at  $165,672  for the third
year of the agreement.  The remaining terms of Mr. Larson's agreement  regarding
automobile,  bonuses,  termination,  expenses,  insurance  and severance pay are
identical to those contained in Mr. Horton's agreement.

               FNB  entered  into a  three-year  employment  agreement  with Mr.
DeCius on May 22, 1993, pursuant to which he serves as Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial  Officer of FNB. The agreement  provides for an annual salary of
$98,900,  subject to annual increases within the sole discretion of the Board of
Directors  of FNB.  Mr.  DeCius'  salary was $102,856 for the second year of the
agreement,  and his  salary has been set at  $109,027  for the third year of the
agreement.  The remaining terms of Mr. DeCius' agreement  regarding  automobile,
bonuses,  termination,  expenses,  insurance  and severance pay are identical to
those  contained in Mr.  Horton's  agreement  with the  exception of a term life
insurance policy in the face amount of $50,000.

Executive Salary Continuation Agreements

               On August 22,  1989,  Messrs.  Horton,  Larson  and  DeCius  each
entered into an Executive Salary Continuation Agreement with FNB. The agreements
provide that if the Executive  continues to be employed by FNB at least until he
reaches age 65, the  Executive  may retire or continue to work past age 65. Upon
the Executive's  retirement,  FNB will pay an annual amount of $75,000,  $70,000
and $50,000 to Messrs. Horton, Larson and DeCius, respectively,  payable monthly
for a period  of 180  months  following  such  retirement,  subject  to  certain
conditions  set forth in the  agreements.  The  Executive may also elect to take
"early retirement"  provided he has reached age 55 and has completed 10 years of
service.  If he so elects, he will receive monthly payments  determined pursuant
to a formula set forth in the agreements for a period of 180 months.

               If the  Executive  has been  employed  by Pacific  Capital  for a
period  of at  least 3  continuous  years,  and the  Executive's  employment  is
terminated by Pacific Capital without cause, the Executive will be considered to
be vested in 20% of the total amount he would otherwise  receive and will become
vested in an  additional  10% for each  succeeding  year until he  becomes  100%
vested.  In the event of a change in control of Pacific  Capital,  the Executive
will become fully vested and, if his  employment  is  terminated  as a result of
said  change in  control,  will be  entitled  to the full  amount as a severance
payment.

               FNB purchased  single premium life insurance  policies on Messrs.
Horton,  Larson and DeCius in order to assist in meeting its  obligations  under
the  agreements  and to indemnify  FNB against  loss.  FNB is named as owner and
beneficiary under each of the insurance policies.

Other Compensation and Compensation of Directors

               The Chairman of the Board of FNB  receives  $500 for each regular
meeting of the Board of Directors attended,  while other non-employee  Directors
receive  $200.  FNB  Directors  who serve as members of FNB's Loan and  Discount
Committee receive $200 for each meeting attended.  The Chairman of the Audit and
Security


                                       28

<PAGE>

Committee receives $300 and other  non-employee  Directors receive $100 for each
meeting  attending.  The Chairman of the  Investment  Asset/Liability  Committee
receives  $100 and other  non-employee  Directors  receive $50 for each  meeting
attended. FNB Directors who serve as members of FNB's Executive Committee, Human
Resources,  Information  Services and/or Insurance  Committees  receive $100 for
each meeting attended.

               FNB,  on behalf of certain  of its  Directors  who  desire  group
medical insurance coverage,  paid $21,797 in insurance premium payments for such
coverage in 1995.

Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

               Section  16(a) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934  requires
Pacific Capital's officers and directors,  and any persons who own more than ten
percent of a registered class of Pacific  Capital's equity  securities,  to file
reports of ownership  and changes in ownership  with the  Commission.  Officers,
directors and greater than  ten-percent  shareholders are required by Commission
regulation  to furnish  Pacific  Capital with copies of all Section  16(a) forms
they file. To the best  knowledge of Pacific  Capital,  there are no persons who
own more than ten percent of Pacific Capital's Common Stock.

               Based  solely on its review of the copies of such forms  received
by it or written  representations from certain reporting persons that no Form 5s
were required for those persons, Pacific  Capital  believes that, for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1995 all filing requirements  applicable to its officers
and directors have been satisfied.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

               FNB's  Administrative  and Oldtown office is leased from James L.
Gattis, a director of Pacific Capital, pursuant to a lease for a total of 17,033
square feet of office space in a building  located at 307 Main Street,  Salinas,
California. The initial lease commenced on May 1, 1989, for a five (5) year term
with three consecutive five-year options to renew. The first option commenced on
January 1, 1994.  The initial  rental rate under the lease was $10,600 per month
and is increased annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for all
items for the San  Francisco/Oakland  Metropolitan Area, using October,  1988 as
the base  month.  FNB also pays all taxes and  assessments  levied  against  the
leased  premises and also pays for all utilities.  FNB paid $188,060 in rent for
these premises during 1995.

               Based on available market lease rate information,  FNB's Board of
Directors has determined that the lease rate is competitive  with and comparable
to market lease rates in Salinas, California and that the terms of the lease are
no less  favorable  to FNB than would be the terms of a lease with an  unrelated
party.

               FNB obtained  various  insurance  policies  through the insurance
agency of McSherry & Hudson,  of which  Director  Hubert W. Hudson was a partner
during 1995.  FNB paid  $150,062 in  insurance  premiums to McSherry & Hudson in
1995.

Indebtedness of Management

               Some of the directors and executive  officers of Pacific Capital,
and members of their  immediate  families and the companies with which they have
been associated,  have been customers of and have had banking  transactions with
FNB in the ordinary  course of FNB's  business  since  January 1, 1995,  and FNB
expects  to  have  such  banking  transactions  in the  future.  All  loans  and
commitments to lend included in such transactions were made on substantially the
same terms, including interest rates and collateral,  as those prevailing at the
time for comparable  transactions with other persons and, in the opinion of FNB,
did not involve  more than the normal risk of  collectibility  or present  other
unfavorable features.

                                       29
<PAGE>

                         INFORMATION ABOUT SOUTH VALLEY

      South Valley is a California  corporation organized in 1982 to act as SVNB
holding  company of South Valley  National  SVNB, a national  bank ("SVNB") with
headquarters in Morgan Hill and branch offices in Gilroy, Hollister and San Juan
Bautista. In 1983, South Valley purchased all of the outstanding common stock of
SVNB.  Other  than  holding  the  shares  of  SVNB,  South  Valley  conducts  no
significant  activities,  although it is authorized,  with the prior approval of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "FRB"), South Valley's
principal  regulator,  to engage in a variety  of  activities  which are  deemed
closely related to the business of banking.

      SVNB engages in general  commercial banking in southern Santa Clara County
and in San Benito County,  offering  traditional  commercial banking services to
the business,  professional  and consumer  communities,  with emphasis on larger
consumer  accounts,  small  and  mid-size  business  accounts  and  professional
accounts.  To the fullest extent possible,  loans are written on a variable rate
basis. Commercial,  real estate, and consumer loans are offered and are tailored
to the individual needs of the borrower. SVNB's marketing efforts focus on local
customers, both in selling SVNB's services and attracting deposits. SVNB accepts
noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing demand accounts, as well as traditional
savings  accounts and time  certificates  of deposit with  competitively  priced
interest rates.

      The main  offices  of South  Valley and SVNB are  located  at 500  Tennant
Station in Morgan  Hill,  California;  SVNB's  Gilroy  office is located at 8000
Santa Teresa Blvd.;  SVNB's Hollister office is located at 1730 Airline Highway;
and SVNB's San Juan Bautista office is located at 301 Third Street.

      SVNB's  commercial  lending is focused on  providing  short term loans and
lines of credit to professional  service firms and local businesses.  Commercial
clients include small retail businesses,  light industry manufacturing companies
and various  professional  service  firms.  Emphasis is placed on the borrower's
earnings  history,  capitalization,  secondary  sources  of  repayment  (such as
accounts receivable) and, in many instances, tertiary sources of repayment (such
as personal  guarantees or personal assets).  Through  community  involvement in
Chambers of  Commerce,  rotary  clubs,  civic  organizations  and  redevelopment
activities, officers of SVNB stay in close contact with the leaders and decision
makers within the communities.

      In addition,  SVNB offers construction loans,  generally for single-family
residences  and  multi-unit  projects.  Real estate and  construction  loans are
typically  secured by first deeds of trust and guarantees from principals of the
borrower.  The  economic  viability  of the  project and the  borrower's  credit
worthiness are primary  considerations in the loan underwriting  decision.  SVNB
uses independent  local  appraisers,  conservative  loan-to-value  ratios (e.g.,
generally  not to exceed 75% of the  appraised  value of the property) and close
monitoring of the projects during  construction  phases,  and, in the absence of
rapid declines in real estate values,  ultimate  collectibility of these secured
loans is  considered  by SVNB's  management to be better than the average mix of
commercial loans. SVNB does not make long term fixed rate real estate loans and,
therefore,  material  sustained  increases or decreases in general interest rate
levels have only a short-term effect on SVNB's net yield on real estate loans.

      SVNB  engages in  consumer  lending in the form of home  equity  loans and
lines of credit,  loans to individuals for household,  family and other personal
expenditures  and  unsecured  personal  loans.  SVNB also issues credit cards to
consumers and businesses.

      As of June 30,  1996,  commercial  loans and  lines of credit  represented
approximately   35.1%  of  SVNB's  total  loan  portfolio,   real  estate  loans
approximately   35.2%  of  the  total  loan   portfolio,   and  consumer   loans
approximately 15.0% of the total loan portfolio.  Real estate construction loans
at June 30, 1996 comprised approximately 14.7% of the loan portfolio.

      SVNB's  deposits are  principally  obtained  from  individuals,  small and
medium-size  businesses and  professional  firms.  As of June 30, 1996, SVNB had
approximately 6,172 accounts, totalling approximately $35,078,000 of noninterest
bearing demand  deposits,  with an average balance of  approximately  $5,683 and
approximately 13,694 accounts totalling $121,600,000 in interest bearing demand,
time and savings deposits with an average balance of

                                       30

<PAGE>

approximately  $8,880.  SVNB's  deposits are insured by the FDIC up to the legal
limit thereon, which is currently $100,000 per depositor.

Directors of South Valley
<TABLE>

      The following table sets forth certain  information  regarding the current
directors of South Valley.  There are no arrangements or understandings by which
any of the  executive  officers or  directors of either South Valley or the SVNB
were selected.  There is no family relationship between any of the directors and
executive officers.

<CAPTION>

==========================================================================================================================
Name                                         Age       Positions Held with the South Valley and SVNB
==========================================================================================================================
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>       <C>                         
Laurence M. Connell                          62        Director of South Valley since 1982; Director of SVNB since
                                                       1983.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard L. Conniff                           49        Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of SVNB
                                                       since 1985.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joseph A. Filice                             59        Director of South Valley since 1982; Director of SVNB since
                                                       1983.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eugene R. Guglielmo                          46        Director of South Valley since 1982; Director of SVNB since
                                                       1983.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roger C. Knopf                               55        Chairman of South Valley and SVNB since 1995; Director of
                                                       South Valley since 1982; Director of SVNB since 1983.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edward J. Lazzarini                          67        Director of South Valley since 1982; Director of SVNB since
                                                       1983.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
R. Kurt Michielssen                          44        Senior Vice President and Credit Administrator of SVNB
                                                       since 1984.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donald G. Mountz                             65        Director of South Valley and SVNB since 1984.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James R. Price                               70        Director of South Valley and SVNB since 1994.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mary Lou Rawitser                            52        Director of South Valley and SVNB since 1994.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brad L. Smith                                46        Director of South Valley since 1985; President and Chief
                                                       Executive Officer of South Valley since 1994; Director,
                                                       President and Chief Executive Officer of SVNB since 1985.
==========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>


               The  principal  occupation(s)  during  the past five (5) years of
each  director  of South  Valley  whose name  appears  in the table  above is as
follows:

               LAURENCE  M.  CONNELL  has been  owner and  President  of Connell
Realty Inc., a real estate brokerage located in Gilroy, California, since 1969.

               JOSEPH A.  FILICE has been the  President  of Filice  Accountancy
Corporation located in Gilroy, California, since 1980.

               EUGENE R. GUGLIELMO has been the General Manager and Secretary of
Emilio Guglielmo Winery, Inc., located in Morgan Hill, California, since 1972.


                                       31

<PAGE>

               ROGER  C.  KNOPF  has  been  the  owner  and  President  of Knopf
Construction  Co., a custom home  builder  located in Morgan  Hill,  California,
since 1979.

               EDWARD J.  LAZZARINI  has been the owner and President of Lazzco,
Inc., a real estate rental  company  located in Morgan Hill,  California,  since
1978. He has been a practicing certified public accountant since 1957.

               DONALD G.  MOUNTZ  has been the  President  and  Chief  Executive
Officer of Mountz,  Inc.,  a  manufacturer  and  marketer  of  precision  torque
equipment located in San Jose, California, since 1965.

               JAMES R. PRICE has been the  President of LynRob  Enterprises,  a
real estate  development  firm  located in Morgan Hill,  California  since 1990.
Previously,  Mr.  Price  served as Chairman of ASCO Air  Conditioning,  Inc.,  a
heating and air conditioning contractor located in Morgan Hill, California.

               MARY  LOU  RAWITSER  has  been a  financial  planner  in  Gilroy,
California since 1978.

               None of South  Valley's or SVNB's  directors is a director of any
other  company with a class of securities  registered  pursuant to Section 12 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or subject
to the  requirements  of  Section  15(d)  of  the  Exchange  Act or any  company
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Committees of the Board of Directors

               There were fifty-eight (58) meetings of South Valley's and SVNB's
Boards of Directors and their respective Committees during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1995. Each director  attended at least 75% of the aggregate  number
of Board of Directors  meetings and meetings held by all committees of the board
on which each such director served.

               The Boards of Directors of South Valley and SVNB have established
the following standing committees, with membership as noted:

               The  Executive  Committee  is  chaired  by  Mr.  Knopf.   Messrs.
Lazzarini,  Mountz  and Smith are also  members.  The  Executive  Committee  has
general  authority to perform  those  functions  delegated to it by the Board of
Directors or by the Chairman of the Board of Directors.  The Executive Committee
held eight (8) meetings during 1995.

               The Audit  Committee (a)  recommends to the Board of Directors an
outside  accounting  firm to conduct an annual audit of the books and records of
South Valley and SVNB, (b) reviews with such  accounting firm the results of the
annual  audit,  (c) reviews the  performance  of the  accounting  firm,  and (d)
consults  with the  accounting  firm with  regard to the  adequacy  of  internal
accounting  controls.  The Audit  Committee is chaired by Mr. Knopf and includes
the entire Board of Directors  except Mr. Smith.  The Audit  Committee held four
(4) meetings during 1995.

               The Stock Option Committee's  principal function is to administer
South  Valley's  stock option  plans.  The Committee is chaired by Mr. Knopf and
includes the entire Board of Directors.  The Stock Option Committee held one (1)
meeting during 1995.

               South Valley has no standing Nominating Committee.  The selection
of South  Valley's  nominees  for  directors  may be carried out by the Board of
Directors or by any  shareholder  pursuant to the procedure  outlined in Section
2.3 of South Valley's Bylaws as set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of the
Shareholders.

               The Directors Loan and Investment Committee reviews and evaluates
the loan and  investment  policies and  portfolios of SVNB.  The committee  also
reviews and approves loan requests which exceed the discretionary


                                       32

<PAGE>

lending limits of management's loan committee. The Directors Loan and Investment
Committee  is  chaired  by Mr.  Filice  and  includes  Messrs.  Connell,  Knopf,
Lazzarini and Smith. The Directors Loan and Investment Committee held twenty-two
(22) meetings during 1995.

               The Personnel  Committee  reviews  recommendations  of management
concerning changes in salaries,  promotions,  job titles and fringe benefits for
SVNB officers, and any other necessary personnel matters that relate to policies
and procedures. The Personnel Committee is chaired by Mr. Knopf and includes the
entire Board. The Personnel Committee held one (1) meeting during 1995.

Director Compensation

               Directors  other than Mr. Smith are  compensated  at the standard
rate of $500 per month for all board meetings held during that month,  plus $150
for each committee  meeting  attended,  except for the Chairman,  who receives a
standard  rate of $1,000 per month for all  services.  Mr.  Smith,  as an inside
director, does not receive any director compensation. Except as described, there
are no other standard  arrangements  pursuant to which directors of South Valley
or SVNB are  compensated  for services as  director,  including  any  additional
amounts payable for committee  participation or special  assignments,  and there
are no other arrangements pursuant to which any director of South Valley of SVNB
was compensated during South Valley's last fiscal year for services as director.
As a group,  directors  of South Valley  received  $71,000 as  compensation  for
services during 1995.

Executive Management

               RICHARD L.  CONNIFF  has been a Senior Vice  President  and Chief
Financial Officer of South Valley and SVNB since September 1995. Mr. Conniff was
President and Chief  Executive  Officer of California  Security  Bank, San Jose,
California during the first part of 1995. From 1984 to 1994 he was President and
Chief  Executive  Officer of  Business  Bancorp and its  subsidiary,  California
Business Bank, N.A., San Jose, California.

               R. KURT  MICHIELSSEN  has been a Senior Vice President and Credit
Administrator of SVNB since 1984. Previously, he was an Assistant Vice President
and Loan Officer at Wells Fargo Bank.

               BRAD L. SMITH has been President and Chief  Executive  Officer of
SVNB  since 1985 and has been  President  and Chief  Executive  Officer of South
Valley since 1994.  He was formerly a Vice  President  with Pacific  Valley Bank
managing  its Gilroy  office.  Mr.  Smith also  serves as  Chairman of the newly
formed Good Samaritan Charitable  Foundation Board of Trustees, a not-for-profit
organization providing medical services to Santa Clara County.

Executive Compensation

               The following Summary Compensation Table sets forth the aggregate
cash  compensation  paid to the Chief Executive  Officer and all other executive
officers of South Valley and SVNB for services  provided during the fiscal years
ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993.

                                       33

<PAGE>
<TABLE>

<CAPTION>

                             ========================================================
                                                                                     
                                                Annual Compensation
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     
                                                                     Other Annual    
Name and                                   Salary        Bonus       Compensa-       
Principal Position(1)            Year      ($)(2)        ($)(3)      tion ($) (4)    
=====================================================================================
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>           <C>          <C>                 <C>     
Brad L. Smith                    1995          149,487      48,200                -- 
     President and CEO of        1994          146,922      58,916                -- 
     South Valley and SVNB       1993          141,620      48,000                -- 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
R. Kurt Michielssen              1995           91,901      15,500                -- 
     Senior Vice President of    1994           83,200      18,720                -- 
     SVNB                        1993           80,533      13,000                -- 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas A. Sa(7)                  1995           51,002          --                -- 
     Senior Vice President       1994           77,000      14,580                -- 
     and CFO of South            1993           62,000      10,500                -- 
     Valley and SVNB
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard L. Conniff(8)            1995           33,333       6,200                -- 
     Senior Vice President
     and CFO of South
     Valley and SVNB
=====================================================================================





                             =============================================================  
                                                Long-Term Compensation                      
                                                                                            

                             -------------------------------------------------------------  
                                          Awards                        Payouts             
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                               Restricted     Securities                                    
                               Stock          Underlying      LTIP        All Other         
Name and                       Awards         Options/        Payouts     Compensa-         
Principal Position(1)          ($)            SARs (#)(5)     ($)         tion ($)(6)       
==========================================================================================  
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
Brad L. Smith                            --              --           --          12,386    
     President and CEO of                --              --           --          10,200    
     South Valley and SVNB               --              --           --          11,160    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
R. Kurt Michielssen                      --              --           --           6,509    
     Senior Vice President of            --              --           --           6,389    
     SVNB                                --              --           --           4,961    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
Thomas A. Sa(7)                          --              --           --              --    
     Senior Vice President               --              --           --           3,222    
     and CFO of South                    --              --           --           3,741    
     Valley and SVNB                                                                        
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
Richard L. Conniff(8)                    --              --           --              --    
     Senior Vice President                                                                  
     and CFO of South                                                                       
     Valley and SVNB                                                                        
==========================================================================================  
<FN>
                                                                                            
                                                                                            
(1)      All  individuals  named in the  table  are  officers  of SVNB.  Amounts
         disclosed in the table reflect compensation earned as officers of SVNB.
         Messrs.  Smith,  Sa and Conniff also served as  unsalaried  officers of
         South Valley.

(2)      Amounts shown include cash and noncash earned and received by executive
         officers  as well as amounts  earned but  deferred  at the  election of
         those officers under the 401(k) Plan.

(3)      Amounts indicated as bonus payments were earned for performance  during
         1995,  1994 and 1993,  but paid in the first  quarter of the  following
         years, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

(4)      No executive officer received perquisites or other personal benefits in
         excess of the  lesser of $50,000  or 10% of each such  officer's  total
         annual salary and bonus during 1995, 1994 and 1993.

(5)      South  Valley has adopted a 1995 Stock  Option Plan (the "1995  Plan").
         Pursuant  to the  1995  Plan,  options  may be  granted  to  directors,
         executive   officers  and  key   employees  of  South  Valley  and  its
         subsidiary. Options granted under the 1995 Plan may be either incentive
         options or  nonstatutory  options.  Options granted under the 1995 plan
         become exercisable in accordance with a vesting schedule established at
         the time of grant.  Vesting  may not  extend  beyond ten years from the
         date of grant.  Upon a change in control,  options do not become  fully
         vested and exercisable, but may be assumed or equivalent options may be
         substituted by a successor South Valley. See "The  Merger--Treatment of
         Stock  Options"  regarding the rights of South Valley option holders in
         connection  with the Merger.  Options  granted  under the 1985 Plan are
         adjusted to protect against dilution in the event of certain changes in
         South  Valley's  capitalization,   including  stock  splits  and  stock
         dividends.  Options were granted to executive  officers  under the 1995
         Plan during the first  quarter of 1996.  All options  granted under the
         1995 Plan to the named executive  officers were incentive stock options
         and for an  exercise  price  equal  to the fair  market  value of South
         Valley's  Common  Stock  on the date of  grant.  No  executive  officer
         received  grants of options  under any stock  option plan during  1995,
         1994 or 1993.

(6)      South Valley has an Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan ("ESOP") in which,
         generally,  all full time salaried employees over the age of twenty are
         eligible to participate.  Each year South Valley may contribute  Common
         Stock and/or cash to the ESOP which is allocated to each participant in
         proportion  to his or her total  annual  regular  compensation  for the
         year.  The ESOP may borrow funds which,  in addition to South  Valley's
         cash contribution,  may be used to purchase South Valley's Common Stock
         from South Valley or on the open market.  South  Valley's total accrued
         contributions  to the ESOP for the  calendar  year 1995,  1994 and 1993
         were $92,000, $111,100, and $81,800, respectively.

         South  Valley  also has a 401(k) tax  deferred  savings  plan in which,
         generally,  all  employees are eligible to  participate.  Participating
         employees may defer a portion of their compensation to the 401(k) Plan.
         South  Valley,  at its  option,  may  make  matching  contributions  on
         participant  deferrals  at a rate  determined  annually by South Valley
         (32% in 1995, 41% in 1994, and 35% in 1993). The matching  contribution
         vests over a period of seven years.  For the calendar years 1995,  1994
         and 1993 South Valley's  accrued  contributions to the 401(k) Plan were
         $30,000,  $33,700 and $26,000 respectively.  See "The Merger--Covenants
         of Pacific  Capital and South Valley;  Conduct of Business Prior to the
         Merger" regarding the effect of the Merger on the 401(k) Plan.

                                       34

<PAGE>

         Amounts  shown include South Valley  matching cash  contributions  made
         under the 401(k) Plan and cash  allocations  to accounts under the ESOP
         for the benefit of the named executives.

(7)      Mr. Sa resigned  from his position as Senior Vice  President  and Chief
         Financial Officer for SVNB and South Valley effective August 4, 1995.

(8)      Mr.  Conniff  joined South Valley and SVNB as Senior Vice President and
         Chief Financial Officer as of September 5, 1995
</FN>
</TABLE>

Options/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year

         The table  reflecting  options  grants  during the fiscal year 1995 has
been  omitted  as no option  grants  were made to the named  executive  officers
during 1995.

Aggregated  Options/Sar  Exercises  in the Last  Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year End
Options/SAR Values

         The table reflecting  aggregated  options  exercised during fiscal year
1995 has been omitted as no options were exercised by any of the named executive
officers of South Valley during 1995. There were no options  outstanding at 1995
year-end  either  exercisable  or  unexercisable  by any of the named  executive
officers of South Valley as all options had previously expired.

Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

         Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires  South  Valley's  directors,
executive  officers and  shareholders  beneficially  owning ten percent (10%) or
more of South  Valley's  securities,  to file with the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission  initial  reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of
South  Valley's  equity  securities.  Officers  and  directors  and  10% or more
shareholders are required by Commission  regulation to furnish South Valley with
copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. To South Valley's knowledge,  based
solely on review of the copies of such  reports  furnished  to South  Valley and
written  representations  that no other reports were required  during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1995, all Section 16(a) filing  requirements  applicable
to its  officers,  directors  and  beneficial  owners  of 10% or more  of  South
Valley's securities appear to have been met.

Certain  Relationships with Related  Transactions;  Transactions with Management
and Others

         Except as set forth  below,  there  were no  transactions  or series of
similar transactions, since the beginning of South Valley's last fiscal year, or
any currently  proposed  transaction or series of  transactions,  to which South
Valley or SVNB was or is to be a party,  in which the  amount  involved  exceeds
$60,000 and in which any directors,  executive officer, nominee for directors of
5% shareholder of South Valley or SVNB, or any member of the immediate family of
any such person had or will have a direct or indirect material  interest.  There
were no  business  relationships  during 1995 of the type  requiring  disclosure
under Item 404(b) of Regulations S-K.

Indebtedness of Management

         The directors and officers of South Valley, and certain of the business
and professional organizations with which they are associated, have had, but are
not obligated to have, banking  transactions with SVNB in the ordinary course of
business. Loans and commitments to loans included in such transactions have been
and  will  continue  to be in  made in  accordance  with  applicable  law and on
substantially   the  same  terms,   including   interest  rates  and  collateral
requirements,  as those prevailing at the time for comparable  transactions with
other  persons of similar  credit-worthiness  and which do not involve more than
the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.


                                       35

<PAGE>

                               VOTING AND PROXIES


Date, Time and Place of Pacific Capital and South Valley Meetings

         The Pacific Capital  Special  Meeting of  Shareholders  will be held at
[Address] [City], California on Tuesday, October 22, 1996 at 4:00 p.m. The South
Valley  Special  Meeting  of  Shareholders  will be held  at  [Address]  [City],
California on Wednesday, October 16, 1996 at ________ p.m.

Matters to be Considered at the Meetings

         At the Pacific Capital and South Valley meetings,  holders of record of
Pacific Capital Common Stock and South Valley Common Stock,  respectively,  will
consider  and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the  Agreements  and the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger.

Record Date and Outstanding Shares

         Shareholders  of record of Pacific Capital Common Stock at the close of
business on September 23, 1996 (the "Pacific  Capital Record Date") are entitled
to notice of and to vote at the Pacific Capital Special Meeting of Shareholders.
At the Pacific Capital Record Date there were _____ holders of record of Pacific
Capital  Common Stock and _______  shares of Pacific  Capital  Common Stock were
issued and  outstanding.  Except for the  shareholders  identified  below  under
"Principal  Shareholders of Pacific  Capital," there were no other persons known
to the management of Pacific Capital to be the beneficial owners of more than 5%
of the outstanding shares of Pacific Capital Common Stock.

         Shareholders  of record of South  Valley  Common  Stock at the close of
business on August 27, 1996 ("South Valley Capital Record Date") are entitled to
notice of and to vote at the South Valley Special  Meeting of  Shareholders.  At
the South Valley  Record Date there were _____ holders of record of South Valley
Common  Stock and _______  shares of South  Valley  Common Stock were issued and
outstanding.  Except for the  shareholders  identified  below  under  "Principal
Shareholders  of  South  Valley,"  there  were no  other  persons  known  to the
management  of South Valley to be the  beneficial  owners of more than 5% of the
outstanding shares of South Valley Common Stock.

Voting of Proxies

         Under the California General  Corporation Law (the "GCL"), the approval
and  adoption  of the  Agreements  and the  transactions  contemplated  thereby,
including the Merger, requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority
of the  outstanding  shares of Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock and South  Valley
Common Stock,  respectively.  Holders of at least a majority of the  outstanding
shares of Pacific  Capital  Common Stock and South  Valley  Common Stock must be
represented,  either  in  person or by proxy,  at the  Pacific  Capital  Special
Meeting of  Shareholders  and South  Valley  Special  Meeting  of  Shareholders,
respectively, for a quorum to be present.

         Each  properly  completed  proxy  returned  in time for  voting  at the
Pacific  Capital Special Meeting of Shareholders or South Valley Special Meeting
of  Shareholders,  unless revoked by a shareholder,  will be voted in accordance
with the  instructions  indicated  on the  proxy,  or,  if no  instructions  are
provided,  will be voted "FOR"  approval and adoption of the  Agreements and the
transactions  contemplated  thereby.  No matters other than those referred to in
this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus will be brought before the Pacific Capital
Special Meeting of Shareholders or South Valley Special Meeting of Shareholders,
except for matters  incidental to the conduct of such meeting.  Pacific  Capital
and South Valley have agreed in the Agreement  that neither  Pacific  Capital or
any member of the Pacific  Capital  Board of  Directors  nor South Valley or any
member of the South Valley Board of Directors  will submit any other matters for
approval at the  respective  special  meeting of  shareholders,  except with the
other  party's  prior   approval.   The  grant  of  a  proxy  will  also  confer
discretionary authority on the persons named


                                       36

<PAGE>

in the  proxy  to  vote on  matters  incident  to the  conduct  of the  meeting,
including any adjournment or postponement thereof.

         A shareholder  may revoke a proxy at any time before it is exercised by
filing with the Corporate  Secretary of Pacific  Capital or South Valley (as the
case may be), a written  instrument  revoking  the proxy,  by  submitting a duly
executed Proxy bearing a later date or by attending the Pacific  Capital Special
Meeting of Shareholders or South Valley Special Meeting of Shareholders,  as the
case may be, and voting in person.

         Shares which  abstain from voting and "broker  nonvotes"  (shares as to
which brokerage firms have not received voting  instructions  from their clients
and  therefore do not have the authority to vote the shares at the meeting) will
be counted for purposes of determining a quorum. Because the affirmative vote of
at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Pacific Capital Common Stock or
South  Valley  Common  Stock,  as the case may be, is  required  to approve  the
Merger,  both abstentions and broker nonvotes will have the same legal effect as
votes against the Merger. See "Dissenters' Rights of Appraisal."

Pacific Capital Shareholder Vote Required

         Under  California  law,  approval of the Merger  Agreement  and related
matters by Pacific Capital  shareholders  requires the  affirmative  vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Pacific Capital Common Stock.

South Valley Shareholder Vote Required

         Under  California  law,  approval of the Merger  Agreement  and related
matters  by South  Valley  shareholders  requires  the  affirmative  vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of South Valley Common Stock.

Solicitation of Proxies

         Pacific Capital and South Valley will bear the cost of the solicitation
of proxies from their  respective  shareholders.  In addition to solicitation by
mail, the directors,  officers and employees of Pacific Capital and South Valley
may solicit proxies from the shareholders by telephone or telegram or in person.
Such persons will not be  additionally  compensated,  but will be reimbursed for
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with such solicitation.
Arrangements will also be made with brokerage firms,  nominees,  fiduciaries and
other custodians, for the forwarding of solicitation materials to the beneficial
owners of shares held of record by such persons,  and Pacific  Capital and South
Valley will reimburse such persons for their reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses
in connection therewith.

         THE  BOARDS OF  DIRECTORS  OF PACIFIC  CAPITAL  AND SOUTH  VALLEY  HAVE
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE AGREEMENTS AND THE TRANSACTIONS  CONTEMPLATED  THEREBY,
INCLUDING THE MERGER, AND RECOMMEND THAT PACIFIC CAPITAL  SHAREHOLDERS AND SOUTH
VALLEY  SHAREHOLDERS,  RESPECTIVELY,  VOTE "FOR"  APPROVAL  AND  ADOPTION OF THE
AGREEMENTS AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY, INCLUDING THE MERGER.

         SOUTH VALLEY SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD NOT SEND STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH THEIR
PROXIES.  A TRANSMITTAL FORM WITH  INSTRUCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE SURRENDER OF
SOUTH VALLEY STOCK  CERTIFICATES WILL BE MAILED TO EACH SOUTH VALLEY SHAREHOLDER
AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE MERGER.

                                       37

<PAGE>

Principal Shareholders of Pacific Capital

         As of the Record  Date,  no person or group  known to  Pacific  Capital
owned  beneficially  more than 5% of the  outstanding  shares of Pacific Capital
Common Stock.

Principal Shareholders of South Valley
<TABLE>

         The  following  table  sets forth  certain  information  regarding  all
shareholders  who  beneficially  own more than 5% of the  outstanding  shares of
South Valley Common Stock as of South Valley Record Date.
<CAPTION>


                              Name and Address               Amount and Nature of           Percent
     Title of Class         of Beneficial Owner              Beneficial Ownership         of Class(1)
     --------------         --------------------             --------------------         -----------

<S>                         <C>                                <C>                            <C> 
Common Stock                Stanley G. Kazezski                67,000                         5.1%
                            550 Ortega Ave., 219-B
                            Mountain View, CA
                            94040-1581

Common Stock                Roger C. Knopf                     114,330(2)                     8.7%
                            14692 Knopf Court
                            Morgan Hill, CA  95037
<FN>

(1)      All  percentages  are  calculated  on the basis of the number of shares
         outstanding as of South Valley Record Date  (____________)  plus shares
         subject  to  options  that are  currently  exercisable  or will  become
         exercisable  within sixty (60) days after the South Valley  Record Date
         (_________).

(2)      Includes  2,744  shares held in the name of Mr.  Knopf's  children  and
         26,283 shares held by the Knopf Construction Co. Retirement Plan.

</FN>
</TABLE>

                             CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS

         In deciding whether to approve the Merger, Pacific Capital shareholders
and South Valley  shareholders  should carefully consider the following factors,
in addition to the other matters set forth or incorporated by reference herein:

Shares Eligible for Future Sale; Dilution

         Shares of Pacific  Capital  Common Stock eligible for future sale could
have a dilutive  effect on the market for Pacific Capital Common Stock and could
adversely  affect the market  price.  The Articles of  Incorporation  of Pacific
Capital  authorize the issuance of 20,000,000  shares of Pacific  Capital Common
Stock of which ___________ shares were outstanding at _________,  1996. Pursuant
to its stock option plans, at July 18, 1996, the date of the Agreement,  Pacific
Capital had outstanding stock options to purchase an aggregate of 315,403 shares
of Pacific  Capital Common Stock.  Such options have exercise  prices of between
$7.53 and $24.63 per share. As of __________,  1996,  ________ shares of Pacific
Capital  Common  Stock  remained  available  for  option  grants  under  Pacific
Capital's  stock option plans.  Sales of substantial  amounts of Pacific Capital
Common Stock in the public market  following the Merger could  adversely  affect
the market price of Pacific  Capital Common Stock.  There are no restrictions in
the Agreement  preventing  Pacific Capital from issuing  additional shares after
the Merger.

         On December 14, 1993, the Board of Directors of Pacific Capital adopted
a stock repurchase  program which provides for the repurchase in the open market
of not  more  than  300,000  shares  of  Pacific  Capital's  Common  Stock at an
aggregate purchase price not to exceed $5,000,000.  As of June 30, 1996, Pacific
Capital has  repurchased  137,897  shares of its common stock at a total cost of
$2,210,400.

                                       38

<PAGE>

         There  can be no  assurance  given as to the  market  value of  Pacific
Capital  Common  Stock  after  the  Merger  which  may  be  affected  by  future
acquisitions,  if any, and other factors,  including but not limited to, general
economic conditions and fluctuating interest rates.


Interests of South Valley Officers and Directors in the Merger
<TABLE>

         As of the  South  Valley  Record  Date,  the  following  directors  and
executive  officers of South  Valley  beneficially  owned shares of South Valley
Common Stock as follows:

<CAPTION>

Name and Address                                              Amount and Name of              Percent of
of Beneficial Owner                Office                     Beneficial Ownership(2)         Class(3)
- --------------------               ------                     -----------------------         ----------

<S>                                <C>                        <C>                             <C> 
Laurence M. Connell                Director                   11,151(4)                       0.8%
Richard L. Conniff                 SVP and CFO                --                              --
Joseph A. Filice                   Director                   18,356(5)                       1.4%
Eugene R. Guglielmo                Director                   40,640(6)                       3.1%
Roger C. Knopf                     Chairman                   114,330(7)                      8.7%
Edward J. Lazzarini                Director                   11,396(8)                       0.9%
R. Kurt Michielssen                SVP                        1,758                           0.1%
Donald G. Mountz                   Director                   28,327(9)                       2.2%
James R. Price                     Director                   37,031(10)                      2.8%
Mary Lou Rawitser                  Director                   1,760(11)                       0.1%
Brad L. Smith                      Director, President
                                   and CEO                    38,644(12)                      2.9%
All directors and executive
officers as a group
(11 persons)                                                  303,393                         23.1%

<FN>

(1)      The address for each person listed in the table is the address of South
         Valley, 500 Tennant Station, Morgan Hill, California 95037.

(2)      All shares are  calculated on the basis of the number of current shares
         held plus shares  subject to options that are currently  exercisable or
         will become  exercisable  within sixty (60) days after the South Valley
         Record Date.

(3)      All  percentages  are  calculated  on the basis of the number of shares
         outstanding  as of South  Valley  Record  Date plus  shares  subject to
         options  that are  currently  exercisable  or will  become  exercisable
         within sixty (60) days after the South Valley Record Date.

(4)      Includes  1,005  shares  held by an IRA  trust for the  benefit  of Mr.
         Connell  and 1,005  shares  held by an IRA trust for the benefit of his
         wife.

(5)      Includes  16,490 shares held in trust for which Mr. Filice and his wife
         are  trustees  and  beneficiaries  and 1,866  shares  representing  Mr.
         Filice's  10%  pro  rata  share  of  18,660  shares  held  by  Filereno
                        ---------
         Investments, a partnership.

(6)      Includes  29,184  shares held in the name of Emilio  Guglielmo  Winery,
         Inc., of which Mr.  Guglielmo is a shareholder,  director and executive
         officer  1,831 shares owned by Emilio  Guglielmo  Winery,  Inc.  Profit
         Sharing  Plan  and  200  shares  held in the  name  of Mr.  Guglielmo's
         children.

(7)      Includes  2,744  shares held in the name of Mr.  Knopf's  children  and
         26,283 shares held by the Knopf Construction Co. Retirement Plan.

                                       39
<PAGE>

(8)      Includes  5,500  shares  held by an IRA  trust for the  benefit  of Mr.
         Lazzarini,  235 shares held by an IRA trust for the benefit of his wife
         and 3,025 shares held by the Lazzco Inc.  Deferred Benefit Pension Plan
         Trust.

(9)      Includes  14,294 shares held by D.G.  Mountz Assoc.  Employee's  Profit
         Sharing Trust and 14,033 held in the name of the Mountz Family Trust.

(10)     Includes  2,289  shares  held in the name of the  Price  Family  Trust,
         33,422 shares held by LynRob Enterprises, Inc. Profit Sharing Trust and
         options to purchase 1,320 shares, immediately exercisable by Mr. Price.

(11)     Includes  options to purchase 1,320 shares  immediately  exercisable by
         Ms. Rawitser.

(12)     Includes 4,345 vested shares held in the name of Mr. Smith by the South
         Valley National Bank ESOP, of which Mr. Smith is a Trustee.
</FN>
</TABLE>


          Executive  Officers of  South  Valley  have  entered  into  employment
agreements   with  South  Valley  and  SVNB.  See  also  "The   Merger--Material
Contracts."


Real Estate Lending Activities; Nonperforming Assets

        The loan portfolios of Pacific Capital and South Valley are dependent on
real estate.  At June 30, 1996,  real estate served as the  principal  source of
collateral with respect to approximately 49.9% of South Valley's loan portfolio,
64% of Pacific  Capital's loan portfolio,  and 60% of pro forma combined Pacific
Capital  and South  Valley  loan  portfolio.  A  worsening  of current  economic
conditions and rising  interest rates could have an adverse effect on the demand
for new loans, the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans and the value
of real estate and other collateral  securing loans as well as Pacific Capital's
financial  condition in general and the market value for Pacific  Capital Common
Stock. Acts of nature,  including earthquakes,  which may cause uninsured damage
and other  loss of value to real  estate  that  secures  these  loans,  may also
negatively impact Pacific Capital's financial condition.

        South Valley's  nonperforming assets were $2.9 million or 1.67% of total
assets at June 30, 1996, as compared to $3.6 million or 2.03% of total assets at
December  31,  1995,  and $3.6  million or 2.51% of total assets at December 31,
1994. Pacific Capital's nonperforming assets were $2.2 million or 0.55% of total
assets at June 30, 1996, as compared to $1.9 million or 0.55% of total assets at
December  31,  1995,  and $2.6  million or 0.77% of total assets at December 31,
1994.  There are no assurances that  nonperforming  assets will not increase and
adversely affect the financial condition of South Valley and/or Pacific Capital.
See  "The  Merger--Reasons  for  the  Merger;  Recommendation  of the  Board  of
Directors,"  "--Representations  and Warranties;  Conditions to the Merger," and
"Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference."

Organizational Structure and Operations After the Merger

        Upon the  consummation  of the Merger,  South Valley will be merged with
and into Pacific Capital and SVNB will be a subsidiary of Pacific Capital.

        Pacific Capital anticipates that after the Effective Date, a significant
percentage of South Valley's existing  employees and customers will be retained.
There are no  assurances,  however,  that South Valley  customers  will not move
their banking  relationships to other financial  institutions and that a greater
than  anticipated  number of South Valley  employees will not remain employed by
Pacific Capital after the Merger. In addition,  while Pacific Capital expects to
achieve operating cost savings through the consolidation of certain  operations,
the  elimination of duplicative  corporate and  administrative  expenses and the
elimination of certain positions at South Valley, there can be no assurance that
Pacific   Capital  will  be  able  to  realize  such  cost  savings.   See  "The
Merger--Covenants of Pacific Capital and South Valley; Conduct of Business Prior
to the Merger" and "--Management and Operations Following the Merger."


                                       40
<PAGE>


Legislative and Regulatory Environment

        The banking and financial  services  businesses in which Pacific Capital
and South Valley engage are highly regulated. The laws and regulations affecting
such businesses are under constant review by Congress and applicable  regulatory
agencies  and may be changed  dramatically  in the future.  Such  changes  could
affect the  business  of bank  holding  companies  and banks.  For  example,  in
September  1994,  the  President  signed  legislation  amending the Bank Holding
Company  Act of 1986,  as  amended  (the "BHC  Act"),  and the  Federal  Deposit
Insurance  Act (the "FDI Act") to provide for  interstate  banking and branching
and in 1995  California  accelerated  the  application  of such  legislation  to
California banks.  Such changes may affect the competitive  environment in which
Pacific Capital and South Valley and their respective  subsidiaries  operate and
may  affect the amount of capital  that  banks and bank  holding  companies  are
required to  maintain,  the  premiums  paid for or the  availability  of deposit
insurance or other matters directly affecting  earnings.  It is not certain what
changes  will  occur  or the  effect  that any such  changes  would  have on the
profitability  of the  combined  company,  its ability to achieve  certain  cost
savings  or  compete  effectively  or  its  ability  to  take  advantage  of new
opportunities  after the  Merger.  See "The  Merger--Management  and  Operations
Following the Merger," "Supplemental Historical Information," and "Incorporation
of Certain Documents by Reference."

        Pacific  Capital and South Valley are both organized under the corporate
law of  California  and are bank holding  companies  which  principally  operate
within the framework of the BHC Act and are regulated by the FRB.


                                   THE MERGER

Background of the Merger

        The following is a brief summary of the events that led to the execution
of the Agreement.

        South   Valley  Board  of  Directors   has  been   considering   various
alternatives  to increase  the value of South Valley and provide a return to its
shareholders.  In March 1996,  Pacific  Capital  made an inquiry to South Valley
regarding the possibility of combining the two entities.  To assist in exploring
possible  alternatives for increasing the value of South Valley in addition to a
combination  with Pacific  Capital,  South  Valley  Board of Directors  retained
Hoefer & Arnett Incorporated ("Hoefer") in April 1996. Thereafter,  South Valley
Board  of  Directors  considered  various  strategic   alternatives,   including
combining with Pacific Capital.

        After  considering  such  alternatives,  the Board of Directors of South
Valley instructed Hoefer to investigate further Pacific Capital's  expression of
interest in acquiring South Valley.  Pacific  Capital  confirmed its interest in
making  a  proposal  to  acquire   South   Valley.   The   parties   executed  a
confidentiality  agreement  on April 2,  1996  which was  followed  by a written
expression  of interest by Pacific  Capital on April 24, 1996.  Thereafter,  the
parties engaged in preliminary due diligence which was completed in June 1996.

        After the  completion of due  diligence,  Pacific  Capital  continued to
negotiate  and develop the terms of a potential  transaction  with South Valley.
The South Valley Board of Directors met on June 11, 1996 to continue  discussion
of certain terms of the proposed  transaction.  Pacific Capital  communicated to
the  South  Valley  Board  revised  proposed  terms in a written  expression  of
interest dated June 20, 1996, which the South Valley Board reviewed at a meeting
held on June 26, 1996.  The South  Valley Board  authorized  its  management  to
proceed to negotiate a definitive agreement with Pacific Capital based upon such
revised  terms  reviewed  during  its  meeting  on June  26,  1996,  subject  to
resolution of certain  issues.  On July 12, 1996,  the Pacific  Capital Board of
Directors  met to review the status of  negotiations  and the Board of Directors
authorized management to proceed to negotiate and execute a definitive agreement
with South  Valley,  subject to the  resolution  of  specific  issues  that were
successfully  resolved.  On July 15, 1996,  the South Valley Board met to review
the terms of the proposed  definitive  agreement  and  authorized  management to
execute the document,  subject to final resolution of certain  remaining issues.
Subsequent to successful  resolution of specific issues,  and following issuance
of a fairness opinion by South Valley's financial advisor, Hoefer, the Agreement
was executed by South Valley and Pacific Capital on July 18, 1996.


                                       41

<PAGE>

        See "--Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Board of Directors"
and "--Opinion of South Valley's Financial Advisor."

Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Board of Directors

        The Boards of Directors of Pacific Capital and South Valley believe that
the  Merger is fair and in the best  interests  of the  shareholders  of Pacific
Capital and South Valley, respectively.

        In reaching its  conclusion to approve the Merger,  the Pacific  Capital
Board of Directors considered numerous factors, including the following:

        (1)  the Pacific Capital Board of Directors' review of the provisions of
             the Agreements and related  documents with Pacific  Capital's legal
             advisors;

        (2)  the current prospects and financial conditions of   Pacific Capital
             as an independent community bank holding company;

        (3)  the  creation  of  additional  value for  shareholders  of  Pacific
             Capital which cannot be achieved on its own which results from cost
             savings and potential revenue enhancements from the Merger;

        (4)  the similar but not overlapping markets of both Pacific Capital and
             South  Valley and the fact that each  company is familiar  with the
             other's  market  such that a  combined  entity  would be a stronger
             competitor in their respective markets;

        (5)  the fact  that the  geographic  market  areas of each  company  are
             contiguous  resulting  in a  larger  geographic  market  area  on a
             combined basis;

        In reaching its conclusion to approve the Merger, the South Valley Board
of Directors considered numerous factors, including the following:

        (1)  the  opinion  of  Hoefer  that the  Exchange  Ratio is fair  from a
             financial  point of view to the  shareholders  of South Valley;  in
             this regard,  the South Valley  Board of Directors  considered  the
             premium represented by the consideration offered to shareholders in
             relation to the book value per share of South Valley Common Stock;

        (2)  the South Valley Board of  Directors'  review of the  provisions of
             the Agreements and related documents with Hoefer and South Valley's
             legal advisors;

        (3)  the fact that the Merger will be  tax-deferred  for federal  income
             tax  purposes to the holders of South  Valley  Common  Stock (other
             than in respect to cash paid in lieu of  fractional  shares and for
             dissenters' rights);

        (4)  the market liquidity and dividend history of Pacific Capital Common
             Stock;

        (5)  the current financial condition and prospects of South Valley as an
             independent community bank holding company; and

                                       42

<PAGE>

        (6)  the current and  prospective  economic and regulatory  environment,
             burdens  and  constraints   affecting  banking   organizations  and
             commercial  banks such as South  Valley  and SVNB and the  changing
             competitive environment for banking services.

        (7)  the probable  impact of the Merger on customers  and  employees and
             the communities served by South Valley and SVNB.

THE  PACIFIC  CAPITAL  BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS  UNANIMOUSLY   RECOMMENDS  THAT  THE
AGREEMENTS  AND  TRANSACTIONS  CONTEMPLATED  THEREBY,  INCLUDING THE MERGER,  BE
ADOPTED AND APPROVED BY THE SHAREHOLDERS OF PACIFIC CAPITAL.

SOUTH VALLEY BOARD OF DIRECTORS  UNANIMOUSLY  RECOMMENDS THAT THE AGREEMENTS AND
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY, INCLUDING THE MERGER, BE ADOPTED AND APPROVED
BY THE SHAREHOLDERS OF SOUTH VALLEY.

Material Contracts

        On March 28, 1996,  SVNB entered into an employment  agreement with Brad
L. Smith,  the President and Chief Executive  Officer for SVNB and South Valley,
and a member of both their Boards of Directors.  The agreement provides for base
salary in the amount of $153,150 per year,  subject to increase upon Mr. Smith's
annual  review.  Mr. Smith is entitled to receive an annual cash bonus under the
agreement based upon goals and performance  criteria established by the Board of
Directors  each  year  during  the term of the  agreement.  The  agreement  also
provides for (a) the grant of stock  options,  in the discretion of the Board of
Directors,  to acquire  South Valley  Common  Stock,  (b) a policy of additional
supplemental  disability insurance equal to 50% of his base salary payable until
he reaches age 65, (c) $650,000 worth of term life insurance,  (d) an automobile
for his business use, including insurance thereon,  and (e) severance pay in the
amount of two times his average annual  compensation for the previous five years
upon a  change  in  control  of South  Valley  or SVNB by  merger,  acquisition,
consolidation, reorganization, liquidation or dissolution.

        On March 28,  1996,  SVNB  entered  into an  employment  agreement  with
Richard L. Conniff,  the Senior Vice President and Chief  Financial  Officer for
SVNB and South Valley.  The agreement  provides for base salary in the amount of
$100,000 per year,  subject to increase upon Mr.  Conniff's  annual review.  Mr.
Conniff is entitled to receive an annual  cash bonus under the  agreement  based
upon goals and performance  criteria  established by the Board of Directors each
year during the term of the  agreement.  The agreement also provides for (a) the
grant of stock options, in the discretion of the Board of Directors,  to acquire
South Valley Common Stock, (b) an automobile allowance in the amount of $700 per
month,  and (c)  severance  pay in the  amount of one times his  average  annual
compensation  upon a change  in  control  of  South  Valley  or SVNB by  merger,
acquisition, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation or dissolution.

        On March 28, 1996,  SVNB entered into an  employment  agreement  with R.
Kurt  Michielssen,  SVNB's Senior Vice President and Credit  Administrator.  The
agreement  provides for a base salary in the amount of $90,000 per year, subject
to increase upon Mr. Michielssen's annual review. Mr. Michielssen is entitled to
receive  an  annual  cash  bonus  under  the  agreement  based  upon  goals  and
performance  criteria established by the Board of Directors each year during the
term of the  agreement.  The agreement  also provides for (a) the grant of stock
options,  in the  discretion of the Board of Directors,  to acquire South Valley
Common Stock,  (b) an automobile  allowance in the amount of $300 per month, and
(c) severance pay in the amount of one times his average annual compensation for
the  previous  five years  upon a change in  control of South  Valley or SVNB by
merger, acquisition, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation or dissolution.


                                       43

<PAGE>

Opinion of South Valley's Financial Advisor

Hoefer & Arnett

        The South Valley Board of Directors  retained Hoefer to render financial
advisory and investment  banking services in connection with the Merger.  Hoefer
has  rendered a written  opinion  (the  "Fairness  Opinion") to the South Valley
Board of Directors to the effect that the Exchange Ratio in the Agreement, as it
may be  adjusted,  is fair to the holders of South  Valley  Common  Stock from a
financial  point of view. No limitations  were imposed by the South Valley Board
of Directors upon Hoefer with respect to the  investigations  made or procedures
followed in rendering the Fairness Opinion.

        A copy of the Fairness  Opinion,  dated as of July 18, 1996,  which sets
forth certain  assumptions  made,  matters  considered  and limits on the review
undertaken by Hoefer,  is attached hereto as Annex B. The  shareholders of South
Valley are urged to read the Fairness  Opinion in its  entirety.  The  following
summary of the procedures and analysis  performed and assumptions used by Hoefer
is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of such Fairness  Opinion.
Hoefer's  Fairness  Opinion is directed to the South  Valley  Board of Directors
only and does not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder of South Valley
as to how such shareholder should vote at the Meeting.

        The financial  projections  and underlying  assumptions  included herein
were  derived by Hoefer  based upon  information  provided  by South  Valley and
Pacific  Capital as well as Hoefer's  own  assessment  of general  economic  and
market conditions. No other experts named elsewhere herein have been involved in
or consulted with respect to said projections and assumptions.

        In arriving at its opinion,  Hoefer  reviewed and analyzed,  among other
things, the following: (i) the Agreement; (ii) Annual Reports to Shareholders of
South  Valley and  Pacific  Capital  and Annual  Reports on Form 10-K of Pacific
Capital  and South  Valley;  (iii)  Quarterly  Reports  on Form 10-Q of  Pacific
Capital and South Valley;  (iv) certain other publicly  available  financial and
other  information  concerning  South Valley and Pacific Capital and the trading
markets for the publicly traded  securities of South Valley and Pacific Capital;
(v)  publicly  available  information  concerning  other banks and bank  holding
companies,  the trading markets for their securities and the nature and terms of
certain other merger transactions  Hoefer believed relevant to its inquiry;  and
(vi)  evaluations and analyses  prepared and presented to the South Valley Board
of Directors or a committee thereof in connection with the business  combination
with Pacific Capital.  Hoefer also held  discussions  with senior  management of
South  Valley  and  of  Pacific  Capital   concerning  their  past  and  current
operations,  financial  condition  and  prospects,  as  well as the  results  of
regulatory examinations.

        Hoefer reviewed with senior management of South Valley operating budgets
for 1996  prepared by South  Valley for South  Valley as a  stand-alone  entity,
assuming the Merger did not occur. Hoefer reviewed with the senior management of
Pacific  Capital  operating  budgets for 1996  prepared  by Pacific  Capital for
Pacific Capital as a stand-alone entity,  assuming the Merger did not occur, and
discussed with the senior  management of Pacific Capital the possible  operating
cost savings potentially attainable resulting from the Merger. Such cost savings
projections  were  prepared by Hoefer  based  partially  upon  discussions  with
Pacific  Capital senior  management and Hoefer's own assessment of the operating
cost savings realizable in the Merger. Hoefer also reviewed with the managements
of South Valley and Pacific Capital  earnings  growth  assumptions for the years
1997 through 2000 for their  respective  companies.  Certain pro forma financial
projections for the years 1996 through 2000 for the combined entity were derived
by Hoefer  based  upon the  information  discussed  above,  as well as  Hoefer's
assessment  of general  economic,  market and financial  conditions.  In certain
cases,  such  combined  pro forma  financial  projections  included the possible
operating cost savings believed by Hoefer to be realizable in the Merger.

        In conducting  its review and in arriving at its opinion,  Hoefer relied
upon and  assumed the  accuracy  and  completeness  of the  financial  and other
information   provided  to  it  or  publicly   available  and  did  not  attempt
independently  to verify the same.  Hoefer relied upon the  managements of South
Valley  and  Pacific  Capital  as to the  reasonableness  of the  financial  and
operating forecasts, information and possible operating cost savings (and the

                                       44

<PAGE>

assumptions  and bases  therefor)  provided to it, and Hoefer  assumed that such
forecasts,  information and possible  operating cost savings  reflected the best
currently  available  estimates  and  judgments of the  applicable  managements.
Hoefer  also  assumed,  without  independent  verification,  that the  aggregate
allowances for loan losses for South Valley and Pacific  Capital are adequate to
cover such losses.  Hoefer did not make or obtain any  evaluations or appraisals
of the  properties  of South  Valley  or  Pacific  Capital  or their  respective
subsidiaries,  nor did it examine any  individual  loan credit files or evaluate
the collateral  therefor.  For purposes of its opinion,  Hoefer assumed that the
Merger  will have the tax,  accounting  and legal  effects  (including,  without
limitation,  that the Merger will be  accounted  for as a pooling of  interests)
described in the Agreement.  Hoefer's opinion is limited to the fairness, from a
financial  point of view,  to the holders of South  Valley  Common  Stock of the
Exchange Ratio,  as adjusted,  in the Merger and does not address South Valley's
underlying business decision to proceed with the Merger.

        As more fully  discussed  below,  Hoefer  considered  such financial and
other factors as Hoefer deemed  appropriate under the  circumstances,  including
among others the following:  (i) the historical and current  financial  position
and  results of  operations  of South  Valley  and  Pacific  Capital,  including
interest income,  interest  expense,  net interest income,  net interest margin,
provision for loan losses,  noninterest income,  noninterest expense,  earnings,
dividends, internal capital generation, book value, intangible assets, return on
assets, return on shareholders' equity,  capitalization,  the amount and type of
nonperforming  assets, loan losses and the allowance for loan losses, all as set
forth in the financial statements for South Valley and for Pacific Capital; (ii)
the assets and  liabilities of South Valley and Pacific  Capital,  including the
loan,   investment  and  mortgage  portfolios,   deposits,   other  liabilities,
historical and current liability sources and costs and liquidity;  and (iii) the
nature and terms of certain other merger  transactions  involving banks and bank
holding  companies.  Hoefer  also took into  account its  assessment  of general
economic,   market  and  financial   conditions  and  its  experience  in  other
transactions,  as  well  as its  experience  in  securities  valuation  and  its
knowledge of the banking  industry  generally.  Hoefer's  opinion is necessarily
based upon  conditions as they existed and could be evaluated on the date of the
Fairness Opinion and the information made available to it through that date.

        In connection  with  rendering its Fairness  Opinion to the South Valley
Board of Directors,  Hoefer  performed  certain  financial  analyses,  which are
summarized  below.  Hoefer  believes  that its analyses  must be considered as a
whole and that  selecting  portions of such analyses and the factors  considered
therein,   without  considering  all  factors  and  analyses,  could  create  an
incomplete view of the analyses and the processes  underlying  Hoefer's Fairness
Opinion.  The preparation of a fairness  opinion is a complex process  involving
subjective  judgments and is not necessarily  susceptible to partial analysis or
summary  description.  In its analyses,  Hoefer made numerous  assumptions  with
respect to industry  performance,  business and economic  conditions,  and other
matters,  many of which are beyond  the  control  of South  Valley  and  Pacific
Capital.  Any  estimates  contained  in Hoefer's  analyses  are not  necessarily
indicative of future results or values,  which may be significantly more or less
favorable than such  estimates.  Estimates of values of companies do not purport
to be appraisals or necessarily  reflect the prices at which  companies or their
securities  may actually be sold.  None of the financial  analyses  performed by
Hoefer was assigned a greater significance by Hoefer than any other.

        Financial  forecasts  of South  Valley and Pacific  Capital  prepared by
Hoefer were based on information provided by the respective companies as well as
Hoefer's own assessment of general  economic,  market and financial  conditions.
All such  information  was reviewed  with the  respective  managements  of South
Valley and Pacific  Capital.  Neither South Valley nor Pacific Capital  publicly
discloses internal management financial forecasts of the type provided to Hoefer
in connection  with its review of the proposed  Merger.  Such forecasts were not
prepared  with a view towards  public  disclosure.  The  forecasts  and possible
operating cost savings  prepared by Hoefer were based on numerous  variables and
assumptions  which are  inherently  uncertain,  including,  without  limitation,
factors related to general economic and market conditions.  Accordingly,  actual
results  could vary  significantly  from those set forth in such  forecasts  and
projections.

        Set forth below is a brief  summary of the analyses  performed by Hoefer
in  preparation  of the  Fairness  Opinion.  Hoefer  assumed for purposes of its
opinion  that  the  Merger  will be  accounted  for as a  pooling  of  interests
transaction under generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  Unless otherwise
noted in this summary, Hoefer used an Exchange Ratio of 0.92 times the number of
shares of South Valley Common Stock that would be exchanged

                                       45

<PAGE>

if the  Effective  Time were the same as the date of the Fairness  Opinion.  The
Exchange  Ratio and possible  adjustments  to the Exchange  Ratio were developed
pursuant to extensive  negotiations between South Valley and Pacific Capital. An
Exchange Ratio of 0.92 does not necessarily reflect the lowest possible Exchange
Ratio under the terms of the  Agreement,  and there can be no assurance that the
Exchange Ratio as finally  determined in accordance  with the Agreement will not
be lower than 0.92.  The analyses  also focused on core  financial and operating
statistics which were not specifically adjusted for nonrecurring charges, unless
otherwise stated.

        Pro Forma Merger and Contribution Analysis.  Hoefer compared the changes
in the amount of earnings, book value and dividends attributable to one share of
South Valley Common Stock before the Merger with the amounts attributable to the
shares of Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock for which such shares of South  Valley
would be exchanged  under the  Agreement.  The following  assumptions  regarding
earnings and dividends underlie the pro forma results.

        The analysis assumes, unless otherwise stated,  Merger-related operating
cost savings estimates  prepared by Hoefer based partially upon discussions with
the senior management of Pacific Capital and Hoefer's own assessment of the cost
savings  realizable in the Merger,  assuming the Merger is completed  during the
second  half  of  1996.   These  possible   operating  cost  savings   represent
approximately 6.9% of the combined company's  projected  noninterest  expense in
1996 on a pre-tax basis.  The possible  operating  cost savings,  expressed as a
percentage of the combined companies'  projected  noninterest expense, is within
the range of operating cost savings, expressed as a percentage of the acquiree's
projected  noninterest  expense  announced in similar  transactions  reviewed by
Hoefer.

        Hoefer performed pro forma merger analyses  assuming the stated earnings
projections  for  Pacific  Capital  and  South  Valley  and  the  Merger-related
projected  operating  cost  savings  by Pacific  Capital.  In  addition,  Hoefer
analyzed  certain pro forma  merger  scenarios  in order to assess the impact on
South  Valley of  different  levels of  projected  earnings  as well as  various
degrees of projected Merger-related operating cost savings.

        The impact on South Valley of volatility in Pacific  Capital's  earnings
and the level of Merger-related  operating cost savings was shown by calculating
pro forma results assuming Pacific Capital's  earnings as projected,  as well as
75% and 125% of Pacific Capital's  projected  earnings.  In order to measure the
impact on South Valley of volatility of South Valley's earnings to the pro forma
results,  Hoefer also examined the earnings impact on South Valley  resulting at
those levels of Pacific  Capital  earnings if South Valley achieved 75% and 125%
of its  projected  earnings.  The  0.92  Exchange  Ratio  was  used to make  the
calculations in each case, unless otherwise stated.

        In  order  to  assess  the  impact  on  South  Valley   shareholders  of
variability  of the possible  operating  cost savings  projected by Hoefer to be
realizable in the Merger, Hoefer compared the earnings, book value and dividends
attributable  to one share of South  Valley  Common Stock before the Merger with
the  earnings,  book value and dividends  attributable  to the shares of Pacific
Capital  Common Stock for which such shares of South Valley would be  exchanged,
assuming 75% and 50% of the possible  operating  cost savings are  realized.  In
general,  failure to fully realize the projected  operating  cost savings in the
Merger does not significantly  affect the conclusions of the analysis,  although
the changes in earnings,  book value and indicated dividends attributable to one
share of South Valley Common Stock as a result of the Merger are less  favorable
than those shown for the  analysis  assuming  full  realization  of the possible
operating cost savings.

        The following  table  presents the results of an analysis of differences
in earnings,  book value and dividends attributable to one share of South Valley
Common  Stock  before the Merger and  attributable  to the portion of a share of
Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock for which such shares of South  Valley  would be
exchanged   using  an  Exchange   Ratio  of  0.92  under  the  above   described
methodologies:

                                       46

<PAGE>

<TABLE>

             Projected Changes in Book Value and Earnings Per Share
                              (Exchange Ratio 0.92)
<CAPTION>

Percentage of Projected                Comparative changes in projected earnings
Earnings Achieved By:                                              (stand-alone compared to pro forma)
South Valley/Pacific Capital                           1997              1998    1999    2000
- ----------------------------                         -------            ------  -----    ----
<S>                                                   <C>                 <C>    <C>     <C>    

100% / 100%
Change in book value                                   4.95%               4.42%  3.91%   3.39%
Change in earnings per share                          10.99               16.22  15.08   14.62
Change in dividend                                    40.17               46.22  45.25   44.30

75% / 125%
Change in book value                                   5.15%               4.98%  4.93%   4.96%
Change in earnings per share                          13.14               20.12  21.65   23.32
Change in dividend                                    42.73               51.60  53.37   55.17

125% / 75%
Change in book value                                   4.74%               3.87%  2.89%   1.81%
Change in earnings per share                           9.44               11.98   9.38    6.59
Change in dividend                                    37.69               41.08  37.64   34.29
</TABLE>

       Analysis of Other Merger  Transactions.  Hoefer  analyzed  other bank and
bank holding company merger and acquisition transactions in California completed
during  the  period  from  January  1,  1995 to June 6,  1996  where  the  total
consideration  paid had a value  between $5  million  and $350  million.  Hoefer
compared  price to earnings,  price to book value and price less  tangible  book
value to total  deposits  multiples of the assumed  Exchange  Ratio to the high,
median and low multiples of all transactions.  California-specific  transactions
were reviewed due to the difference in the economic  climate between  California
and the rest of the country and a  comparison  with  nonCalifornia  transactions
could be  misleading.  Hoefer  assumed a Pacific  Capital  Common Stock price of
$27.00, the closing market price at July 18, 1996, and South Valley's annualized
earnings and book value for or at the period ended June 30, 1996.
<TABLE>

       Set forth below is certain  information  relating to the  Exchange  Ratio
described above, and the high, median and low transaction  multiples  summarized
above:
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         Proposed Pacific Capital/
                                  California transactions greater                           South Valley Merger
                                   than $5 million and less than                              Exchange Ratio
                         $350 million from January 1, 1995 to June 6, 1996                      .92x*
                         -------------------------------------------------      --------------------------------------
                             High             Median             Low
                             ----             ------             ---
<S>                          <C>               <C>               <C>                             <C>   
Price to earnings            60.69x            17.50x            0.50x                           15.24x
Price to book value           2.57              1.50             1.00                             1.72

Price less tangible book
  value to total deposits    15.00%             4.90%            0.00%                           10.69%

- -----------------------
<FN>

* Not  adjusted  for  potential  Significant  Liabilities  as set  forth  in the
Agreement.
</FN>
</TABLE>

        The bank merger and acquisition transactions for the period from January
1, 1995 to June 6, 1996  included in the above  multiples  are set forth  below.
Except as otherwise noted, the acquiror and the acquiree are both located in the
State of California.

                                       47

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Acquiror                                                      Acquiree
- --------------------------------------------                  --------------------------------------------

<S>                                                           <C>
Mid-Peninsula Bancorp                                         Cupertino National Bancorp
Cal Fed Bankcorp                                              First Citizens Bank
BanPonce (Puerto Rico)                                        Combancorp
ValliCorp Holdings, Inc.                                      Auburn Bancorp
Monarch Bancorp                                               Western Bank
Dartmouth Capital (New Hampshire)                             Commerce Security
US Bancorp (Oregon)                                           California Bancshares
Bank of Yorba Linda                                           Bank of Westminster
Home Interstate Bank                                          CU Bancorp
Union Safe Deposit Bank                                       Great Valley Bank
CVB Financial Corp.                                           Citizens Commercial
Central Coast Bancorp                                         Cypress Coast Bank
The Pacific Bank                                              Burlingame Bancorp
Shinhan Bank                                                  Marine National
FP Bancorp                                                    RB Bancorp
FP Bancorp                                                    Rancho Santa Fe National Bank
Dartmouth Capital (New Hampshire)                             Liberty National Bank
City National Corp                                            First Los Angeles Bank
ValliCorp Holdings                                            CoBank Financial
California State Bank                                         Landmark Bancorp
Eldorado Bankcorp                                             Mariners Bancorp
ValliCorp Holdings, Inc.                                      El Capitan National Bank
Comerica, Inc. (Missouri)                                     MetroBank
CU Bankcorp                                                   Corporate Bank
Western Bank                                                  Bank of Encino
</TABLE>

       Discounted  Cash  Flow  Analysis.   Hoefer  examined  the  results  of  a
discounted  cash flow  analysis  designed to compare the  present  value,  under
certain  assumptions,  of cash  flows  that would be  attained  if South  Valley
remained  independent  through  2000,  with  the  present  value  of cash  flows
projected to be achieved by the combined  entities  during the same period.  The
results  produced in the  analysis  did not purport to be  indicative  of actual
values or expected  values of South Valley or the shares of South Valley  Common
Stock.

       In  calculating  the  present  values  through the  discounted  cash flow
analysis,  Hoefer  analyzed  the effect of  possible  earnings  variability  and
possible Merger-related  operating cost savings variability,  among other items,
by assuming  varying  levels of projected  earnings for South Valley and Pacific
Capital.  The three cases examined were: (1) South Valley  earnings as projected
and Pacific Capital  earnings as projected;  (2) South Valley earnings at 75% of
projected  earnings and Pacific Capital earnings at 125% of projected  earnings;
and (3) South Valley earnings at 125% of projected  earnings and Pacific Capital
earnings  at 75% of  projected  earnings.  Pro forma  combined  cash  flows were
calculated  assuming the  combinations  of the cash flows in each of these cases
and were  compared to the cash flows of South Valley on a  stand-alone  basis as
well as to the cash flows of South Valley acquired in 2000 by a larger financial
institution.  All cases were analyzed assuming realization of the operating cost
savings,  prepared  by  Hoefer,  in the  amounts  and  time  periods  previously
indicated,  unless  otherwise  stated.  See "--Pro Forma Merger and Contribution
Analysis."

       The  discount  rates  used  ranged  from  10% to 14%.  For  South  Valley
stand-alone  analyses,  the terminal price  multiples  applied to 2000 estimated
earnings  ranged  from  10x to  16x.  The  lower  levels  of the  price/earnings
multiples  range  reflected an estimated  future  trading range of South Valley,
while  the  higher  levels  of the  price/earnings  multiples  range  were  more
indicative  of a future  sale of  South  Valley's  stock  to a larger  financial
institution.  For the pro forma combined analyses,  the terminal  price/earnings
multiples also ranged from 10x to 16x.

                                       48

<PAGE>

       For South Valley stand-alone  analyses,  the cash flows were comprised of
the  projected  stand-alone  dividends per share in years 1997 through 2000 plus
the terminal value of South Valley's  Common Stock at year-end 2000  (calculated
by applying each one of the assumed terminal price/earnings  multiples as stated
above to 2000  projected  South Valley  earnings  per share).  For the pro forma
combined  analyses,  the cash flows were  comprised of the  projected  pro forma
combined  dividends per share in years 1997 through 2000 plus the terminal value
of the pro  forma  combined  entity's  stock at  year-end  2000  (calculated  by
applying  each one of the assumed  terminal  price/earnings  multiples as stated
above to 2000  projected pro forma  combined  earnings per share).  The discount
rates  described  above  were then  applied  to these  cash  flows to obtain the
present values per share of South Valley Common Stock.
<TABLE>

       The  following  table  presents the results of the  discounted  cash flow
analysis  described  above using a discount  rate of 12%,  the  mid-point of the
range of discount rates employed in the analysis:

                Projected Present Value of Discounted Cash Flows
                             (Exchange Ratio 0.92)*
<CAPTION>

Percentage of Projected
Earnings Achieved by                                   Percentage of Possible Cost Savings Realized
South Valley/Pacific Capital                         10x Earnings               16x Earnings
- -----------------------------                       -----------------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>                        <C> 
100%/100%
  South Valley stand-alone                             $14.76                     $22.94
  Pro forma combined                                    17.64                      27.02
  Percentage change
      in South Valley                                   19.51%                     17.79%

75%/125%
  South Valley stand-alone                             $13.96                     $21.69
  Pro forma combined                                    17.92                      27.45
  Percentage change
      in South Valley                                   28.37%                     26.56%

125%/75%
  South Valley stand-alone                             $15.58                     $24.24
  Pro forma combined                                    17.37                      26.60
  Percentage change
      in South Valley                                   11.49%                      9.74%

<FN>

* Not  adjusted  for  potential  Significant  Liabilities  as set  forth  in the
Agreement.
</FN>
</TABLE>

       The  analysis  showed  that use of a higher  (lower)  level of  projected
Pacific  Capital  earnings  raised  (lowered) the resulting  present value for a
given  level of South  Valley  earnings,  on a pro  forma  combined  basis.  The
analysis  also showed  that use of a lower  (higher)  discount  rate or a higher
(lower) terminal price/earnings multiple raised (lowered) the calculated present
values.  In all  cases,  for a given  discount  rate and a given  price/earnings
multiple,  the analysis  showed that the financial terms of the Merger offered a
higher present value per share of South Valley Common Stock than if South Valley
remained  independent through 2000 or was acquired in 2000 by a larger financial
institution.  However, the examples shown above do not necessarily indicate that
a direct  comparison  of the present  values  obtained  using the same  terminal
price/earnings multiple and/or discount rate for South Valley stand-alone, South
Valley  acquired  in 2000  by a  larger  financial  institution,  and pro  forma
combined entity cash flows, are the only comparisons which can be made.

                                       49

<PAGE>

       Comparable  Company  Analysis.  Hoefer examined recent historical data on
South Valley and Pacific Capital based upon information from the companies' 1995
Annual Reports to  Shareholders  and subsequent  quarterly  information.  Hoefer
analyzed  certain  credit and operating  statistics for South Valley and Pacific
Capital, comparing these statistics to data for a peer group of California banks
using the Hoefer & Arnett  Banking  Universe  West and  Southwest  Coverage Area
First Quarter 1996 performance updates (the "Universe").  Eighty-six  California
institutions  participate in the Universe. Both Pacific Capital and South Valley
are  participants  in the Universe.  The  comparisons  made are as of or for the
period ending March 31, 1996,  and assumed a Pacific  Capital Common Stock price
of $27.00 and a South Valley  Common Stock Price of $13.50,  the closing  market
prices at May 28, 1996,  unless  otherwise noted. The following table summarizes
the results of the comparable company analysis described above:
<TABLE>

                           Comparable Company Analysis
                             (as of March 31, 1996)
<CAPTION>

                                                     Pacific Capital         South Valley       Universe Median
                                                     ---------------         ------------       ---------------

<S>                                                  <C>                    <C>                  <C>       
Total assets......................................   $   366,906            $  174,511           $  214,745
Market capitalization.............................   $    70,223            $   17,741           $   23,466
Price to tangible equity per share................         1.62x                 1.03x                1.24x
Price to 1995 earnings per share..................        14.46x                11.25x               11.29x
Tangible equity to tangible assets................        11.83%                10.10%                9.02%
Nonperforming assets to total assets..............         0.58%                 2.16%                1.33%
Loan loss reserve to nonperforming
    loans.........................................       177.50%                81.49%              129.27%
Return on assets..................................         1.51%                 1.07%                1.07%
Return on equity..................................        12.25%                10.27%               11.83%
Efficiency ratio..................................        58.52%                67.44%               68.66%
</TABLE>

       Hoefer  concluded  based on the above analyses that the Exchange Ratio is
fair from a financial point of view to the holders of South Valley Common Stock.

       Hoefer is an investment banking firm continually engaged in the valuation
of  businesses  and  securities,  including  financial  institutions  and  their
securities,   in   connection   with   mergers  and   acquisitions,   negotiated
underwritings,  private  offerings of  securities,  secondary  distributions  of
listed and unlisted  securities and  valuations for estate,  corporate and other
purposes.

       As a normal part of its business, Hoefer analyzes securities of financial
institutions  for the purposes of providing,  among other things,  transactional
advice and assistance,  investment  research and capital  financing  activities.
Hoefer  currently  conducts  dealer  markets  in the  shares  of more  than  120
independent financial institutions,  including Pacific Capital and South Valley.
In addition,  the principals of Hoefer have substantial experience in investment
and commercial  banking,  some of which may be deemed applicable to the Fairness
Opinion.  Hoefer has not previously  provided services to either Pacific Capital
or South  Valley.  Hoefer  and  certain  of its  principals  own less than 1% of
Pacific Capital's Common Stock.

       Financial Advisory Fees. South Valley has agreed to pay Hoefer for merger
advisory and other services, including its Fairness Opinion, as follows:

       (a)          $100,000 payable upon the signing of the Agreement;

       (b) An additional fee equal to 1.50% of the aggregate consideration paid;
           such  additional  fee to be reduced by the amount  payable  under the
           immediately preceding clause (a).

                                       50
<PAGE>

       South  Valley has also agreed to reimburse  Hoefer for all  out-of-pocket
expenses  which may be incurred by it in  connection  with the  rendering of the
Fairness Opinion, not to exceed $20,000 without the consent of South Valley, and
to  indemnify  Hoefer  against  certain  liabilities.  No  portion of the fee is
contingent upon the conclusions reached in the Fairness Opinion.

Effective Date of the Merger

       The Agreement  provides  that the Merger will be effective  upon the date
and time of the filing with the California Secretary of State of a duly executed
Merger  Agreement and officers'  certificates  prescribed by Section 1103 of the
GCL or  upon  any  subsequent  date  set  forth  in the  Merger  Agreement  (the
"Effective Date" and "Effective Time," respectively).  Although the parties have
not adopted any formal  timetable,  it is presently  anticipated that the Merger
will  be  consummated  on or  prior  to  December  31,  1996,  assuming  all the
conditions  set forth in the  Agreement  are  theretofore  satisfied  or waived;
however, it is possible that the Effective Date may extend beyond such date.

Exchange Ratio; Conversion of Shares of South Valley Common Stock

       At the Effective  Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on
the  part  of the  holders  of  South  Valley  Common  Stock,  each  issued  and
outstanding  share of South  Valley  Common  Stock  (other than any shares as to
which  dissenters'  rights have been  perfected) will be converted into .92 of a
fully paid,  nonassessable and registered share of Pacific Capital Common Stock,
subject to certain adjustments. See "--Possible Adjustments to Exchange Ratio or
Termination  of the  Agreement."  All such shares of South  Valley  Common Stock
shall no longer be outstanding and shall  automatically  be canceled and retired
and shall cease to exist, and each certificate previously  representing any such
shares shall  thereafter  represent the Pacific  Capital Common Stock into which
such South Valley  Common  Stock have been  converted.  Certificates  previously
representing  South  Valley  Common Stock shall be  exchanged  for  certificates
representing   whole   shares  of  Pacific   Capital   Common  Stock  issued  in
consideration  therefor  upon the surrender of such  certificates.  Cash will be
paid in lieu of any  fractional  shares of Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock.  See
"--Exchange of South Valley Stock Certificates;  Fractional Interests." From and
after the Effective  Date,  the holders of  certificates  formerly  representing
South Valley  Common  Stock shall cease to have any rights with respect  thereto
other than any dissenters' rights they may have perfected pursuant to Chapter 13
of the GCL. See "Dissenters' Rights of Appraisal."

Possible Adjustments to Exchange Ratio or Termination of the Agreement

       The Agreement  provides  that the Exchange  Ratio may be adjusted as more
fully  described  below.  The effect of the  adjustments  would be to reduce the
Exchange Ratio below .92.

       On the Effective Date, each issued and outstanding  share of South Valley
Common  Stock  (except  for  shares  as to which  dissenters'  rights  have been
perfected)  shall be  converted  into .92 of a share (the  "Exchange  Ratio") of
Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock  subject  to  potential  adjustments  in certain
circumstances.  No fractional  shares of Pacific  Capital  Common Stock shall be
issued to holders of South Valley Common Stock and, in lieu  thereof,  cash will
be paid to South Valley shareholders in accordance with the Agreement.  Based on
a closing price of Pacific  Capital  Common Stock of $27.00 on July 17, 1996 and
assuming this is the Average Price,  as defined below,  the Exchange Ratio would
be .92 (the  equivalent  of $24.84 per share of South  Valley  Common  Stock) if
there is no adjustment for Significant Liabilities, as defined below.

       The  Exchange  Ratio will be  adjusted  for any  Significant  Liabilities
(regardless of whether the price of Pacific  Capital Common Stock changes) if in
the aggregate the Significant Liabilities total more than $500,000. "Significant
Liabilities"  means those liabilities or expenses (whether  operating or capital
in  nature)  relating  to those  categories  and  events  described  in the next
sentence  which  have  not  been  reflected  as  reductions  to  South  Valley's
consolidated book value pursuant to generally accepted accounting  principles as
of June  30,  1996,  adjusted  for  any  applicable  taxes  (whether  actual  or
estimated).  Significant  Liabilities  consist of the  following  categories  or
events  to which  Pacific  Capital  has not  consented  in  writing:  (i) new or
expanded contingent liabilities based upon threatened or


                                       51

<PAGE>

pending  litigation or other  proceedings  or hazardous or toxic  substances and
legal fees and costs (whether actual or estimated) related thereto; and (ii) any
expenses,  fines,  fees,  penalties or similar  obligations,  except those which
arose in the Ordinary  Course of Business as defined in the Agreement and except
severance   payments  or  other  existing   payment   obligations.   Significant
Liabilities shall not include fees of South Valley's financial advisors or South
Valley's  legal  fees  directly  attributable  to  this  Merger,  provided  such
financial advisory and legal fees do not exceed $800,000 in the aggregate.

       As a result of any Significant Liabilities totaling more than $500,000 in
the  aggregate  through the close of business on the day preceding the Effective
Date, the Exchange Ratio shall be adjusted as follows:

                         (Significant Liabilities - $500,000)
                   .92 - ------------------------------------
                                   $39 Million

<TABLE>

The following  table  illustrates a range of possible  Exchange  Ratios assuming
Significant  Liabilities  between  $500,000 and $1,000,000 and certain  possible
Exchange Ratios from the above table.
<CAPTION>

Certain Possible                    Level of Significant Liabilities
Exchange Ratios*                $500,000       $750,000    $1,000,000    $1,250,000     $1,500,000
- ---------------                 --------       --------    ----------    ----------     ----------
<S>  <C>                         <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>           <C>   
     0.9200                      0.9200         0.9136       0.9072         0.9008        0.8944
     0.9128                      0.9128         0.9064       0.9000         0.8936        0.8872
     0.9058                      0.9058         0.8994       0.8930         0.8866        0.8802
     0.8991                      0.8991         0.8927       0.8863         0.8799        0.8735
     0.8925                      0.8925         0.8861       0.8797         0.8733        0.8669
     0.8862                      0.8862         0.8798       0.8734         0.8670        0.8606
     0.8800                      0.8800         0.8736       0.8672         0.8608        0.8544
<FN>
*    The Exchange Ratios listed are possible  Exchange  Ratios assuming  Average
     Prices of Pacific Capital Common Stock between $23.63 and $34.50 per share.
     See the following page for such calculations.
</FN>
</TABLE>

        If, as of two days  preceding  the  Effective  Date,  the average of the
closing price of Pacific  Capital  Common Stock quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board
(calculated  by  taking  an  average  of the  closing  prices  quoted on the OTC
Bulletin  Board on each of the  thirty  consecutive  trading  days  prior to two
business  days prior to the  Effective  Date,  rounded to four  decimal  places,
whether or not trades  occurred on those days (the  "Average  Price")),  is more
than $31.50 of if the Average Price is more than 12.5% below $27.00, the closing
price on the last  business  day  prior to the date of the  Agreement,  then the
Exchange Ratio will be adjusted as follows, rounded to four decimal places:

        (1) If the Average  Price is more than 12.5% below  $27.00,  the closing
price on the last business day prior to the date of this Agreement, South Valley
may accept the Exchange Ratio (.92) as adjusted for any Significant  Liabilities
or  Pacific  Capital  and  South  Valley  shall  have  the  right,  but  not the
obligation,  to  renegotiate  the  Exchange  Ratio.  Should South Valley fail to
accept the Exchange  Ratio as described in the preceding  sentence or should the
parties fail to renegotiate the Exchange  Ratio,  South Valley may terminate the
Agreement pursuant to the provisions of the Agreement.

        (2) If the Average  Price is more than $31.50,  the Exchange  Ratio,  as
adjusted  for any  Significant  Liabilities,  will be adjusted  according to the
following formula:

                              (Average Price + $31.50)/2
                        .92 x --------------------------
                                  Average Price

        Immediately following consummation of the Merger, based on the number of
shares of Pacific Capital Common Stock and South Valley Common Stock outstanding
on the respective record dates, the former shareholders

                                       52

<PAGE>

of South  Valley  will hold  approximately  __% of the  shares of the issued and
outstanding  common stock of Pacific Capital assuming the Exchange Ratio remains
at .92.  Each share of  Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock  issued and  outstanding
immediately  prior to  consummation  of the Merger will remain  outstanding  and
unchanged as a result of the Merger. See "The Merger--Exchange Ratio; Conversion
of Shares of South Valley Common Stock."

      There is no ceiling in the  Agreement  which would limit the amount of the
Average  Price in the above  formula,  nor is there  any  limit to the  downward
adjustment of the Exchange  Ratio where the Average  Price exceeds  $31.50 other
than the provisions permitting South Valley to renegotiate the Exchange Ratio or
to terminate  the  Agreement.  Further,  the  Agreement  does not provide for an
adjustment  to the Exchange  Ratio if the Average Price is more than 12.5% below
$27.00,  the closing price of Pacific  Capital Common Stock on the last business
day prior to the date of the Agreement.

      The  following  table  illustrates  a range of  possible  Exchange  Ratios
assuming  Average  Prices of Pacific  Capital  Common Stock  between  $23.63 and
$34.50 per share and no adjustment for Significant Liabilities.

                 Average Price of
           Pacific Capital Common Stock                       Exchange Ratio
           ----------------------------                       --------------
                 $23.63 to $31.50                                 0.9200
                       32.00                                      0.9128
                       32.50                                      0.9058
                       33.00                                      0.8991
                       33.50                                      0.8925
                       34.00                                      0.8862
                       34.50                                      0.8800

Exchange of South Valley Stock Certificates; Fractional Interests

         Prior to the  Effective  Date,  Pacific  Capital  has agreed to appoint
First  Interstate  Bank or its  successor,  or any other  bank or trust  company
mutually  acceptable to South Valley and Pacific Capital, as exchange agent (the
"Exchange Agent") for the purpose of exchanging certificates  representing South
Valley Common Stock,  and on and after the Effective Date,  Pacific Capital will
issue and deliver to the Exchange Agent  certificates  representing  the Pacific
Capital Common Stock to be delivered to holders of South Valley Common Stock. As
soon as practicable after the Effective Date, each holder of South Valley Common
Stock, upon surrender to the Exchange Agent of one or more certificates for such
South  Valley  Common  Stock for  cancellation,  will be  entitled  to receive a
certificate  representing  the number of Pacific Capital Common Stock into which
such number of shares of South Valley Common Stock will have been  converted and
a payment in cash with respect to fractional shares, if any.

         No  dividends  or other  distributions  of any kind which are  declared
payable to  shareholders  of record of the Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock on or
after the  Effective  Date will be paid to  persons  entitled  to  receive  such
certificates for Pacific Capital Common Stock until such persons surrender their
certificates   representing   South  Valley  Common  Stock.  Upon  surrender  of
certificates representing South Valley Common Stock, the holder thereof shall be
paid, without interest, any dividends or other distributions with respect to the
Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock as to which the  record  date and  payment  date
occurred on or after the Effective Date and on or before the date of surrender.

         If any  certificate for Pacific Capital Common Stock is to be issued in
a name other than that in which the  certificate  for South Valley  Common Stock
surrendered in exchange therefor is registered,  it shall be a condition of such
exchange  that the person  requesting  such  exchange  shall pay to the Exchange
Agent any  transfer  costs,  taxes or other  expenses  required by reason of the
issuance of  certificates  for such Pacific Capital Common Stock in a name other
than the registered holder of the certificate surrendered, or such persons shall
establish to the  satisfaction  of Pacific  Capital and the Exchange  Agent that
such costs, taxes or other expenses have been paid or are not applicable.


                                       53
<PAGE>

         All  dividends  or  distributions,  and any  cash to be paid in lieu of
fractional  shares, if held by the Exchange Agent for payment or delivery to the
holders of unsurrendered certificates representing South Valley Common Stock and
unclaimed at the end of one year from the Effective  Date,  shall (together with
any interest earned thereon) at such time be paid or redelivered by the Exchange
Agent to  Pacific  Capital,  and  after  such time any  holder of a  certificate
representing  South Valley Common Stock who has not surrendered such certificate
to the  Exchange  Agent  shall,  subject to  applicable  law,  look as a general
creditor only to Pacific Capital for payment or delivery of such Pacific Capital
Common Stock and dividends or distributions or cash, as the case may be.

         No fractional shares of Pacific Capital Common Stock shall be issued to
holders of South Valley Common Stock. In lieu thereof, each such holder entitled
to a fraction of a share of Pacific  Capital Common Stock shall receive,  at the
time of surrender of the certificate or certificates  representing such holder's
South  Valley  Common  Stock,  an  amount  in cash  equal to the  Average  Price
multiplied by the fraction of a share of Pacific  Capital  Common Stock to which
such holder  otherwise  would be  entitled.  No such holder shall be entitled to
dividends,  voting  rights,  interest  on the value  of, or any other  rights in
respect of a fractional share.

Treatment of Stock Options

         Each person holding one or more options to purchase South Valley Common
Stock  pursuant to the South  Valley 1991  Directors'  Stock Option Plan or 1995
Stock  Option  Plan (the  "Option  Plans")  will have the  right,  in his or her
discretion, to:

                  (i) exercise any vested options granted under the Option Plans
         to acquire  South  Valley  Common  Stock prior to the  Effective  Date;
         and/or

                  (ii) receive the fair value,  as of the Effective Date, of any
         unexercised  vested and/or  unvested  options  granted under the Option
         Plans which fair value shall be determined by an independent  financial
         advisor to Pacific  Capital and shall be paid on the Effective  Date by
         Pacific  Capital in the form of Pacific  Capital  Common Stock  rounded
         down to the nearest whole share.

         As of the  Record  Date,  options to  acquire  176,600  shares of South
Valley  Common  Stock were  outstanding  under the Option  Plans.  See  "Certain
Considerations--Interests of South Valley Officers and Directors in the Merger."

Covenants of Pacific Capital and South Valley;  Conduct of Business Prior to the
Merger

         The Agreement  contains  covenants of Pacific  Capital and South Valley
concerning,  among other things, (i) the cooperation of each party to obtain all
necessary or appropriate government approvals in order to cause the Merger to be
consummated;  (ii) the prompt  notification  by either  party of any event which
would cause or constitute a breach of any of the representations,  warranties or
covenants  of that  party;  (iii)  the right of each  party to review  the other
party's  books and records and the  delivery of financial  statements;  (iv) the
cooperation  by  both  parties  in the  issuance  of  any  press  releases;  (v)
restrictions  on either  party to enter into a merger,  consolidation,  or other
takeover proposal involving any third party; (vi) restrictions on the payment of
dividends;  (vii) the  termination,  modification  or merger of the South Valley
Cash or Deferred  401(k) Plan into the Pacific  Capital 401(k) Plan;  (viii) the
termination,  modification or merger of South Valley's employee welfare benefits
plan into Pacific Capital's employee welfare benefits plan; (ix) the addition of
any South  Valley  officer or  director  who  becomes an officer or  director of
Pacific  Capital  (including any subsidiary) to Pacific  Capital's  director and
officer insurance  policy;  (x) the execution of employment  agreements  between
SVNB and any executive  employee of SVNB who shall become or remain an executive
employee  after the  Effective  Date;  (xi) the  amendment of Pacific  Capital's
Bylaws to increase the number of authorized  directors to permit the appointment
of three additional directors to be designated by South Valley and acceptable to
Pacific Capital,  (xii) the amendment of SVNB's Bylaws to increase the number of
authorized  directors to permit the appointment of three additional directors by
Pacific  Capital;  (xiii) the  execution of  Nonsolicitation  Agreements  by the
directors of South Valley;  and (xiv) the listing of the Pacific  Capital Common
Stock as a Nasdaq National Market security.

                                       54

<PAGE>

         The  Agreement  provides  that  Pacific  Capital and South Valley shall
conduct their respective  businesses in the ordinary course as such business was
conducted prior to entering into the Agreement.  The Agreement  further provides
that  South  Valley  will not,  without  the prior  written  consent  of Pacific
Capital,   among  other  things:  (i)  make  or  approve  any  increase  in  the
compensation payable to any director,  officer, employee or agent with an annual
salary in excess of  $70,000;  (ii) sell,  lease,  pledge,  assign,  encumber or
otherwise  dispose  of any of its  assets  except  in  the  Ordinary  Course  of
Business, for adequate value, without recourse and consistent with its customary
practice;  (iii) with  respect to any  extension  of credit in excess of $50,000
waive or release any right or  collateral  or cancel or  compromise  any debt or
claim, except in the Ordinary Course of Business; (iv) make, renegotiate, renew,
increase,  extend or purchase any loans,  advances or loan commitments,  in each
case to any of its officers,  directors or any affiliated or related  persons of
such directors or officers except in the Ordinary Course of Business  consistent
with its  established  loan  procedures and in compliance with FRB Regulation O;
(v) take any action to create,  relocate  or  terminate  the  operations  of any
banking office or branch,  or to form any new  subsidiary or affiliated  entity;
(vi) settle or otherwise  take any action to release or reduce any of its rights
with respect to any litigation  involving a claim of more than $50,000 or claims
of more than  $75,000 in the  aggregate  in which it is a party;  (vii)  without
first having  obtained the written  consent of Pacific  Capital,  which  consent
shall not be unreasonably  withheld,  cause the officers of South Valley to: (A)
commit to any new contract or extend any existing  contract that would  obligate
South Valley for an aggregate  amount over time in excess of $50,000  (including
data processing,  servicing or any other agreement or contract);  (B) accelerate
the  vesting  of pension or other  benefit;  (C) grant any new stock  options or
accelerate the vesting of any existing  stock  options;  or (D) fail to promptly
notify  Pacific  Capital in writing upon becoming aware of the occurrence of any
of the following: (1) the classification of any loan in the amount of $50,000 or
more as  substandard,  doubtful or loss; (2) the filing or  commencement  of any
legal action or other proceeding or  investigation  against South Valley (or any
director or  executive  officer);  or (3) the monthly  pretax  earnings of South
Valley are less than $200,000.  For purposes of the Agreement,  "Ordinary Course
of Business"  means the banking and related  business as presently  conducted by
South Valley.

         The Agreement also provides that South Valley will, among other things,
consult with Pacific  Capital on problem  loan  workout  strategies,  and obtain
Pacific Capital's  concurrence on any loan loss in excess of $15,000 (or $50,000
in the aggregate) or any writedown of other real estate owned.

         Except  with the prior  written  consent  of the other  party,  Pacific
Capital  and South  Valley  have  each  agreed  to not  amend  its  Articles  of
Incorporation or Bylaws; make any change in its respective authorized, issued or
outstanding  capital stock or any other equity security;  issue,  sell,  pledge,
assign or  otherwise  encumber or dispose of, or  purchase,  redeem or otherwise
acquire,  any of its shares of capital stock or other equity securities or enter
into any agreement, call or commitment of any character to do so; grant or issue
any stock option relating to, or right to acquire, or security convertible into,
shares of its capital stock or other equity security;  purchase,  redeem, retire
or otherwise acquire (other than in a fiduciary  capacity) any shares of, or any
security convertible into, capital stock or other equity securities, or agree to
do any of the foregoing,  except that Pacific Capital may grant options or issue
shares  pursuant to its 1994 Stock Option Plan, 1991 Directors Stock Option Plan
and 1984 Stock Option Plan or repurchase  shares of Pacific Capital Common Stock
pursuant to its share repurchase plan and South Valley may issue shares pursuant
to its 1991 Directors' Stock Option Plan and 1995 Stock Option Plan with respect
to options outstanding as of the date of the Agreement.

         Business Combination. The Agreement provides that Pacific Capital shall
not  solicit  nor make any offer to any third party or accept any offer from any
third party  regarding a business  combination  (a  "Business  Combination")  of
Pacific  Capital with any other entity or person  unless such offer is expressly
conditioned upon the performance by Pacific Capital or its successor in interest
of all Pacific Capital's  obligations under the Agreement.  In the event Pacific
Capital fails to comply with such  provisions or if Pacific  Capital  terminates
the Agreement,  notwithstanding  the fact that all terms and conditions  thereof
have been  satisfied  by South Valley and no event has  occurred  which  provide
Pacific  Capital the right to  terminate  the  Agreement,  South Valley shall be
entitled to terminate the  Agreement  without  liability to Pacific  Capital and
Pacific  Capital shall pay to South Valley,  on demand,  the sum of  $1,000,000.
"Business  Combination"  is defined in the  Agreement  as any tender or exchange
offer,  proposal  for  a  merger,  consolidation,  or  other  takeover  proposal
involving any party hereto (except as

                                       55

<PAGE>

explicitly contemplated in the Agreement) or any offer or proposal to acquire in
any manner a 10% or greater equity interest in, or a substantial  portion of any
party to the Agreement other than transactions contemplated thereunder.

         Subject to the continuing fiduciary duties of the Board of Directors of
South  Valley,  prior to the  Effective  Date,  neither  South  Valley,  nor any
officer,  director or  affiliate of South  Valley,  nor any  investment  banker,
attorney, accountant or other agent, advisor or representative retained by South
Valley shall (i) solicit or encourage,  directly or  indirectly,  any inquiries,
discussions or proposals  for,  continue,  propose or enter into  discussions or
negotiations  looking  toward,  or enter  into any  agreement  or  understanding
providing  for,  any  Business  Combination;   or  (ii)  disclose,  directly  or
indirectly, any nonpublic information to any corporation, partnership, person or
other entity or group  concerning the business and properties of South Valley or
afford any such party access to the properties, books or records of South Valley
or  otherwise  assist  or  encourage  any  such  party  in  connection  with the
foregoing,  or (iii) furnish or cause to be furnished any information concerning
the business, financial condition, operations,  properties or prospects of South
Valley to another person,  having any actual or prospective role with respect to
any such  transaction;  provided,  however,  that with respect to any investment
banker,  South Valley shall use its best efforts to ensure that said  investment
banker complies with the foregoing.  The Agreement also requires South Valley to
notify  Pacific  Capital  within two  business  days of the receipt by it of any
indication of interest in any Business Combination.

         In the event the Board of  Directors  of South  Valley  receives a bona
fide offer for a Business Combination and reasonably determines that its duty to
act or refrain from acting  pursuant to the Agreement is  inconsistent  with its
continuing fiduciary duties to the shareholders of South Valley, its duty to act
or refrain  from  acting  pursuant  to the  Agreement  is  excused  and will not
constitute  a breach of the  Agreement,  or create  any claim or cause of action
asserting  any  liability  against any member of the Board of Directors of South
Valley.  If the Agreement is terminated by Pacific Capital for reasons  relating
to South  Valley's  failure to act or refraining  from doing any act pursuant to
the  Agreement  as a result of a bona fide offer for a Business  Combination  by
South Valley or if a Business  Combination  involving South Valley occurs within
twelve  months  following  termination  of  the  Agreement  as a  result  of the
interference  of a third party who thereafter  attempts to acquire South Valley,
South Valley shall pay to Pacific Capital, on demand, the sum of $1,000,000.

Management and Operations Following the Merger

         On the  Effective  Date,  South  Valley  will be  merged  with and into
Pacific Capital,  at which time SVNB will become a wholly-owned  subsidiary bank
of Pacific Capital. All rights, franchises and interests of South Valley will be
assumed by and vested in Pacific  Capital.  The  Articles of  Incorporation  and
Bylaws of South Valley in effect  immediately  prior to the Effective Date shall
be terminated  following  the Merger,  and the directors and officers of Pacific
Capital  prior to the  Effective  Date will be the  directors  and  officers  of
Pacific Capital  following the Merger.  In connection  with the Merger,  Pacific
Capital shall amend its Bylaws to increase the authorized number of directors to
permit the appointment of three  additional  directors to be designated by South
Valley and acceptable to Pacific Capital.

         South Valley has agreed that South Valley's  employee benefit plans, as
defined in section 3(1) of the Employee  Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended, may be terminated, modified or merged into Pacific Capital's welfare
benefit plans on or after the Effective Date as determined by Pacific Capital in
its sole  discretion,  subject to compliance  with applicable law so long as any
such action preserves the rights of the  participants in such plans,  including,
without limitation, vesting rights.

         It is expected that all data processing, check processing, bookkeeping,
consumer lending, residential real estate lending, accounting, internal auditing
and all other  administrative  functions  of South  Valley,  except  for  branch
functions and regional management functions described above, will be centralized
with Pacific Capital's other similar functions.

                                       56

<PAGE>

Representations and Warranties; Conditions to the Merger

         The  Agreement  contains  representations  and  warranties  by  Pacific
Capital  and South  Valley  regarding,  among  other  things,  their  respective
organization,  authorization  to enter into the  Agreements,  corporate power to
carry out the terms of the  Agreements,  capitalization,  the  accuracy of their
respective financial statements, the timely filing of tax returns, title to real
property, certain environmental  liabilities,  employment contracts and benefits
and various aspects of their respective loans and other assets.

         The Merger will occur only if all required government  approvals are in
effect  or  have  been  obtained  (without  the  imposition  of  any  materially
burdensome  conditions  as  determined  by  Pacific  Capital  in its  reasonable
judgment) (see "--Required Regulatory  Approvals"),  the Agreements are approved
by the majority of the  outstanding  shares of Pacific  Capital Common Stock and
South Valley Common Stock and the  representations and warranties of the parties
are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Effective Date.

         Consummation  of the Merger is subject to satisfaction of certain other
conditions or the waiver of such conditions by the party entitled to do so. Such
conditions include,  among other things, the following:  (i) except as disclosed
in writing  prior to July 18,  1996,  the absence of a material  adverse  change
since  December 31, 1995,  in the  business,  financial  condition,  properties,
results  of  operations  or  prospects  of either  party;  (ii) the  absence  of
significant  legal  impediments  to the  Merger;  (iii) the  effectiveness  of a
registration  statement with respect to the Pacific  Capital shares to be issued
to South Valley  shareholders  as a result of the Merger;  (iv) the receipt of a
tax opinion of the  independent  accountants or legal counsel to Pacific Capital
to the effect that,  among other things,  under federal and state tax laws,  the
Merger  will not result in any  recognized  gain or loss to  Pacific  Capital or
South Valley and, except for cash received in lieu of fractional shares, no gain
or loss will be  recognized  by holders of South Valley Common Stock who receive
Pacific  Capital  Common Stock in exchange  for South Valley  Common Stock which
they hold;  (v) receipt of letters and reports  from South  Valley's and Pacific
Capital's independent public accountants relating to the Registration  Statement
and South Valley's and Pacific Capital's  unaudited financial  statements;  (vi)
receipt of a letter from South Valley's  independent  public  accountants to the
effect that no conditions exist which would preclude South Valley accounting for
the Merger with Pacific  Capital as a pooling of  interests as those  conditions
relate to South Valley; (vii) receipt by South Valley of a fairness opinion from
its  financial  advisor;  (viii)  receipt  of a letter  from  Pacific  Capital's
independent  public  accountants  to the effect that the Merger will qualify for
the pooling of interests  method of  accounting  in  accordance  with  generally
accepted accounting principles, (ix) receipt of all consents by other parties to
and  required  by  material  agreements  of Pacific  Capital  and South  Valley,
respectively,  (x) South Valley  shall have taken any actions  necessary to have
SVNB amend its Bylaws to increase the number of  authorized  directors to permit
the appointment of three  additional  directors  designated by Pacific  Capital;
(xi)  Pacific  Capital  shall have  amended its Bylaws to increase the number of
authorized  directors on its board to permit the appointment of three additional
directors by South  Valley and  acceptable  to Pacific  Capital;  (xii)  Pacific
Capital shall have obtained  designation  of Pacific  Capital  Common Stock as a
Nasdaq National Market  security,  and (xiii) the aggregate  number of shares of
Pacific  Capital  Common Stock and South Valley Common Stock held by persons who
have taken all steps at or prior to the  respective  shareholders  meeting to be
paid  the  value  of such  shares  under  the GCL  shall  not  exceed  9% of the
outstanding  shares of Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock and South  Valley  Common
Stock.

         In addition,  certain other  conditions  must be satisfied,  or must be
waived by Pacific  Capital,  in order for  Pacific  Capital to be  obligated  to
consummate  the Merger,  including  but not limited to the  conditions  that (i)
South Valley  shall have taken  corrective  action,  if any,  recommended  by or
resulting  from its most  recent  compliance  examinations  and any  significant
regulatory compliance violations shall have been corrected by South Valley prior
to the Effective Date and (ii) prior to the Effective  Date,  South Valley shall
be in compliance  with all  requirements,  if any,  arising from its most recent
safety and soundness regulatory examination.


                                       57
<PAGE>

Required Regulatory Approvals

         The Merger must be approved by the FRB  pursuant to the  provisions  of
the BHC Act. This federal  statute  provides that no transaction may be approved
which would  result in a monopoly or (i) which  would be in  furtherance  of any
combination  or  conspiracy  to  monopolize,  or to attempt to  monopolize,  the
business of banking in any part of the United  States,  or (ii) whose  effect in
any section of the country may be  substantially  to lessen  competition,  or to
tend to create a  monopoly,  or which in any  manner  would be in  restraint  of
trade,  unless the FRB finds that the  anticompetitive  effects of the  proposed
transaction are clearly outweighed in the public interest by the probable effect
of the  transaction in meeting the  convenience and needs of the community to be
served.  In  conducting  a review of any  application  for a merger,  the FRB is
required to consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects
of the companies and the banks  concerned and the  convenience  and needs of the
community to be served.  The FRB has the authority to deny an  application if it
concludes that the  requirements of the Community  Reinvestment  Act of 1977, as
amended, are not satisfied.

         Pacific  Capital filed a final  application  to merge South Valley into
Pacific Capital on ___________,  1996.  Receipt of final regulatory  approval by
the FRB is a pre-condition  to the consummation of the Merger under the terms of
the Agreement. See "--Representations and Warranties; Conditions to the Merger."
Pacific  Capital expects that the FRB will act on and approve its application in
the fourth quarter of 1996.

         A transaction  approved by the FRB may not be consummated  for at least
30 days (in some  circumstances  a 15-day  waiting period is allowed) after such
approval.  During such period,  the  Department  of Justice may commence a legal
action  challenging  the  transaction  under  federal  antitrust  laws.  If  the
Department of Justice does not commence a legal action during such 30-day period
(in  some  circumstances  a  15-day  waiting  period  is  allowed),  it may  not
thereafter  challenge the  transaction  except in an action  commenced under the
antimonopoly provisions of Section 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

         The BHC Act provides for the  publication of notice and the opportunity
for  administrative  hearings  relating to an application for approval under the
BHC Act and authorizes the FRB to permit interested  parties to intervene in the
proceedings. If an interested party is permitted to intervene, such intervention
could  substantially  delay the regulatory approval required for consummation of
the Merger.

         Based on current  precedents,  the  respective  managements  of Pacific
Capital and South Valley believe that the Merger will be approved by the FRB and
the Merger will not be subject to challenge by the  Department  of Justice under
federal  antitrust laws.  However,  no assurance can be provided that the FRB or
the Department of Justice will concur in this  assessment or that, in connection
with the grant of any approval by the FRB, any action taken,  or statute,  rule,
regulation  or order  enacted,  entered,  enforced or deemed  applicable  to the
Merger,  will not contain conditions which are materially  burdensome to Pacific
Capital  within  the  meaning  of  the  Agreement.  If a  materially  burdensome
condition is imposed in connection  with a government  approval,  a condition to
Pacific Capital's obligation to consummate the Merger will be deemed not to have
occurred and Pacific Capital would have the right to terminate the Agreement.

Trading Market for Stock

         The Pacific  Capital Common Stock is listed on the OTC Bulletin  Board.
Pacific  Capital  intends to cause the shares of Pacific Capital Common Stock to
be issued in the Merger and the shares of  Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock to be
issued for  unexercised  vested and unvested  South  Valley stock  options to be
approved for listing on the Nasdaq National  Market,  subject to official notice
of issuance, prior to the Effective Date.

         There is limited  trading and no established  public trading market for
South Valley Common  Stock,  which is currently  traded on the  over-the-counter
market and  quoted on the "pink  sheets"  published  by the  National  Quotation
Bureau, Inc. (the "Pink Sheets"). If the Merger is consummated,  Pacific Capital
will take  appropriate  action to cause South Valley Common Stock to cease to be
quoted on the Pink Sheets and public trading of such shares will cease.

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<PAGE>

Nonsolicitation Agreements

         As a condition to consummation  of the Merger under the Agreement,  the
directors of South Valley have each  entered  into a  nonsolicitation  agreement
(collectively,  the "Nonsolicitation Agreements") with Pacific Capital. Pursuant
to the Nonsolicitation  Agreements, each director, except as a director, officer
or employee of Pacific Capital or any subsidiary thereof, shall not, without the
prior written consent of Pacific  Capital,  for a two-year period  following the
Merger (i)  directly or  indirectly,  solicit any  customers  of South Valley or
Pacific  Capital  or their  respective  subsidiaries  or  successors  within the
counties of Santa Clara,  Monterey and San Benito in the State of  California or
(ii) induce any employee of South Valley or Pacific Capital or their  respective
subsidiary's to leave the employment thereof.

         The Nonsolicitation Agreements further provide that each director shall
treat as confidential  all  information  concerning  Pacific  Capital's or South
Valley's or their respective subsidiaries records, properties, books, contracts,
commitments  and affairs,  including but not limited to,  information  regarding
accounts,  shareholders,  finances, strategies,  marketing,  customers, customer
lists and potential  customers  and other  information  of a similar  nature not
available to the public.

Certain Tax Consequences

         In order to satisfy one of the conditions to consummation of the Merger
(see  "--Representations  and  Warranties;  Conditions to the Merger"),  Pacific
Capital and South Valley each expects to receive,  with respect to United States
federal  income tax law and  California  state tax law, an opinion  from Pacific
Capital's legal counsel or independent  accountants,  based upon the assumptions
and understandings  contained in the opinion, to the effect that the Merger will
be part of a reorganization within the meaning of section 368(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "IRC"), and that, accordingly,  for United
States federal income tax, California  personal income and California  franchise
tax purposes:

                  (i) the Merger will not result in any recognized  gain or loss
         to Pacific Capital or South Valley;

                  (ii) except for any cash  received  in lieu of any  fractional
         share,  no gain or loss will be  recognized  by holders of South Valley
         Common Stock who receive  Pacific  Capital Common Stock in exchange for
         South Valley Common Stock which they hold;

                  (iii) the  holding  period of  Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock
         exchanged for South Valley Common Stock will include the holding period
         of the South Valley  Common Stock for which it is  exchanged,  assuming
         the shares of South Valley Common Stock are capital assets in the hands
         of the holder thereof at the Effective Date; and

                  (iv) the basis of the Pacific Capital Common Stock received in
         the exchange  will be the same as the basis of the South Valley  Common
         Stock  for  which it was  exchanged,  less any  basis  attributable  to
         fractional shares for which cash is received.

         In general with respect to dissenting shareholders, if the South Valley
Common  Stock is held as a capital  asset on the  Effective  Date,  a dissenting
shareholder  will  recognize a capital gain or loss  measured by the  difference
between the amount of cash  received  and the basis of the South  Valley  Common
Stock. However, if such dissenting  shareholder owns, directly or constructively
through application of section 318 of the IRC, any shares of South Valley Common
Stock as to  which  dissenters'  rights  are not  exercised  and  perfected,  or
otherwise  directly or  constructively  holds Pacific Capital Common Stock, such
shareholder  may be treated as having  received a dividend in the amount of cash
paid to the  shareholder  in  exchange  for the  shares as to which  dissenters'
rights are perfected. The constructive ownership rules of section 318 of the IRC
apply in certain  specified  circumstances to attribute  ownership of stock of a
corporation  from  the  shareholder   actually  owning  the  stock,  whether  an
individual,  a trust, a partnership or a corporation,  to certain members of the
individual's family or to certain individuals, trusts,



                                       59
<PAGE>

partnerships  or  corporations  in which that  shareholder  has an  ownership or
beneficial  interest,  or which have an ownership or beneficial interest in that
shareholder; a shareholder is also considered under these rules to own any stock
with  respect  to  which  that  shareholder  holds  exercisable  options.   Each
shareholder  who  intends  to  dissent  from  the  Merger  should  consult  such
shareholder's   own  tax  advisor  with  respect  to  the   application  of  the
constructive ownership rules to the shareholder's particular circumstances.

         THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX,  CALIFORNIA  PERSONAL  INCOME TAX
AND  CALIFORNIA  FRANCHISE TAX  DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS BASED UPON CURRENT
LAW AND IS INTENDED FOR GENERAL  INFORMATION ONLY. EACH SOUTH VALLEY SHAREHOLDER
IS URGED TO CONSULT  HIS OR HER OWN TAX  ADVISOR  CONCERNING  THE  SPECIFIC  TAX
CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER TO SUCH SHAREHOLDER,  INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND
EFFECT OF STATE, LOCAL AND OTHER TAX LAWS.

Amendment; Termination

         The Agreement may be amended by Pacific Capital and South Valley at any
time prior to the  Effective  Date without the approval of the  shareholders  of
Pacific  Capital or the  shareholders of South Valley with respect to any of its
terms  except the terms  relating to the form or amount of  consideration  to be
delivered to the South Valley  shareholders in the Merger. The Agreements may be
terminated  by the mutual  consent of the Boards of  Directors  of both  Pacific
Capital and South Valley at any time prior to the consummation of the Merger.

         The Agreement may be terminated by Pacific  Capital as follows:  (i) on
or  after  December  31,  1996,  if (A)  any  of the  conditions  to  which  the
obligations of Pacific Capital are subject has not been  fulfilled,  or (B) such
conditions  have been  fulfilled  or waived by Pacific  Capital and South Valley
shall have failed to complete the Merger; (ii) if (A) Pacific Capital has become
aware of any facts or circumstances of which it was not aware on the date of the
Agreement and which  materially  adversely affect South Valley and SVNB or their
respective business, properties,  results of operations,  financial condition or
prospects  taken as a whole;  (B) a material  adverse change shall have occurred
since  December 31, 1995,  in the  business,  properties,  financial  condition,
results of  operations  or  prospects of South Valley and SVNB taken as a whole;
(C)  there has been a  material  breach  (including  any  material  anticipatory
breach) on the part of South Valley of its obligations,  conditions or covenants
under the Agreement or any material breach (including any material  anticipatory
breach) of any covenants or  conditions  contained in the  Agreement  which,  in
either  event,  has not been cured  within 20  business  days  after  receipt of
written notice of such breach;  or (D) based on the continuing  fiduciary duties
of the South  Valley Board of Directors  to the  shareholders  of South  Valley,
South  Valley  fails to act or  refrains  from doing any act  required  of South
Valley pursuant to the Agreement as a result of a bona fide offer for a Business
Combination.

         The Agreement  may be terminated by South Valley as follows:  (i) on or
after December 31, 1996, if (A) any of the  conditions to which the  obligations
of South Valley are subject has not been fulfilled,  or (B) such conditions have
been  fulfilled or waived but Pacific  Capital shall have failed to complete the
Merger;  provided,  however,  that if Pacific  Capital is engaged at the time in
litigation  relating  to an  attempt  to  obtain  one or more of the  government
approvals  which are  required to  consummate  the Merger or if Pacific  Capital
shall be  contesting  in good  faith  any  litigation  which  seeks  to  prevent
consummation of the Merger, such nonfulfillment  shall not give South Valley the
right to terminate  the  Agreements  until the earlier of (X) eight months after
the  date  of the  Agreement  and  (Y) 60  days  after  the  completion  of such
litigation and of any further regulatory or judicial action pursuant thereto; or
(ii) if (A) South Valley has become aware of any facts or circumstances of which
it was not aware on the date of the  Agreement  and which  materially  adversely
affect  Pacific  Capital  or  FNB or  their  business,  properties,  operations,
financial condition or prospects taken as a whole; (B) a material adverse change
shall have  occurred  since  December 31,  1995,  in the  business,  properties,
financial  condition,  results of operations or prospects of Pacific Capital and
FNB taken as a whole;  (C)  there  has been a  material  breach  (including  any
material  anticipatory breach) on the part of Pacific Capital of its obligations
under the Agreement or there has been a material breach  (including any material
anticipatory  breach) of any conditions or covenants  contained in the Agreement
which, in either event, has not been cured within 20 business days of receipt of
written  notice of such breach;  (D) Pacific  Capital  shall solicit or make any
offer to any third party or accept any offer from any third party

                                       60
<PAGE>

regarding a Business  Combination  of Pacific  Capital  with any other entity or
person  that is not  conditioned  upon  performance  by  Pacific  Capital or its
successor of all  obligations  of Pacific  Capital under the  Agreement;  or (E)
South  Valley  fails  to  accept  the  Exchange  Ratio  or the  parties  fail to
renegotiate the Exchange Ratio.

         The right to  terminate  the  Agreement  may be  exercised  by  Pacific
Capital or South  Valley,  as the case may be,  only by giving  written  notice,
signed on behalf of such party by its Chairman of the Board or President, to the
other party.

         If there has been a material  breach by either party in the performance
of any obligations  under the Agreement,  which shall not have been cured within
twenty  business  days  after  written  notice  thereof  has  been  given to the
defaulting party, the  nondefaulting  party will have the right to terminate the
Agreement  upon  written  notice  to  the  other  party.   In  any  event,   the
nondefaulting  party will have no obligation to consummate  any  transaction  or
take any further steps toward such consummation contemplated under the Agreement
until such breach is cured.

         Termination   of  the  Agreement  does  not  terminate  or  affect  the
obligations   of  Pacific   Capital  or  South  Valley  to  pay  expenses   (see
"--Expenses"),  to maintain the  confidentiality  of the other party pursuant to
the Agreement,  to make certain  termination  payments as described below, or to
comply  with  the  notice,  attorneys'  fees,  governing  law  and  third  party
beneficiary provisions of the Agreement and shall not affect any agreement after
such termination.

         South  Valley  shall pay to  Pacific  Capital,  on  demand,  the sum of
$1,000,000  if the  Agreement  is  terminated  by Pacific  Capital  for  reasons
relating to South Valley's failure to act or refrain from doing any act pursuant
to the Agreement as a result of a bona fide offer for a Business  Combination or
if a  Business  Combination  involving  South  Valley  occurs  within  12 months
following  termination  of the  Agreement as a result of the  interference  of a
third party or group who thereafter attempts to acquire South Valley.

         If the Agreement is terminated by South Valley for reasons  relating to
a Business  Combination by Pacific Capital or if Pacific Capital  terminates the
Agreement  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  all  terms  and  conditions  of the
Agreement  have been  satisfied by South Valley and no event has occurred  which
provides  Pacific  Capital  the  right  under the  Agreement  to  terminate  the
Agreement,  Pacific  Capital  shall pay to South Valley,  on demand,  the sum of
$1,000,000.

Expenses

         Pacific Capital and South Valley have each agreed to pay, without right
of  reimbursement  from the other  party  and  whether  or not the  transactions
contemplated by the Agreements  shall be  consummated,  their own costs incurred
incident to the performance of their obligations under the Agreements, including
without limitation, costs incident to the preparation of the Agreements and this
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus  (including the audited financial statements of
South Valley  contained  herein) and incident to the  consummation of the Merger
and of the other transactions contemplated in the Agreements, including the fees
and disbursements of counsel,  accountants,  consultants and financial  advisers
employed by such party in connection therewith.

         South  Valley  shall bear its own costs of  printing  and  distributing
(including postage) this Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus and other information
relating to these transactions to its shareholders.

Accounting Treatment

         South  Valley and Pacific  Capital  expect that the Merger will qualify
for pooling of interests accounting treatment.  Under this method of accounting,
Pacific  Capital's  prior  period  financial  statements  will be  restated on a
combined basis with those of South Valley, with all intercompany  accounts being
eliminated and all expenses  relating to the Merger being deducted from combined
income.

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<PAGE>

         It is a condition to Pacific Capital's and South Valley's obligation to
consummate the Merger that, among other things, Pacific Capital and South Valley
receive  a letter  from  KPMG  Peat  Marwick  LLP  ("KPMG"),  Pacific  Capital's
independent public accountants, to the effect that KPMG believes that the Merger
will qualify for the pooling of interests  method of  accounting  in  accordance
with  generally  accepted  accounting   principles  and  all  applicable  rules,
regulations and policies of the Commission.  In addition, it also is a condition
to such  obligations  that no  determination  will have been made by any  court,
tribunal,  regulatory agency or other governmental  entity that the Merger fails
or  will  fail  to  qualify  for  pooling  of  interests  accounting  treatment.
Representatives  of KPMG, as accountants  of Pacific  Capital are expected to be
present at the Pacific Capital Special Meeting of Shareholders  and available to
respond to questions.

         South Valley's  independent  public  accountants  for the most recently
completed fiscal year are Deloitte & Touche LLP.  Representatives  of Deloitte &
Touche LLP, as  accountants  of South Valley,  are expected to be present at the
South  Valley  Special  Meeting  of  Shareholders  and  available  to respond to
questions.

Resales of Pacific Capital Common Stock

         The Pacific  Capital Common Stock issued pursuant to the Merger will be
freely  transferable  under the Securities  Act, except for shares issued to any
South  Valley  shareholder  who may be deemed to be an  "affiliate"  of  Pacific
Capital or South Valley for purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities  Act. Each
director of South Valley is deemed to be such an affiliate.  It is expected that
each such  director and each other person  deemed to be an affiliate  will enter
into an  agreement  with  Pacific  Capital  providing  that such person will not
transfer  any Pacific  Capital  Common Stock  received in the Merger,  except in
compliance  with  the  Securities  Act  and  applicable  rules  thereunder.  See
"--Representations and Warranties; Conditions to the Merger."


                         DISSENTERS' RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL


         If the  Agreement is approved by the required  vote of Pacific  Capital
shareholders and South Valley shareholders,  respectively,  and is not abandoned
or terminated, shareholders of Pacific Capital and South Valley who did not vote
"FOR" the Merger may be entitled to certain  dissenters'  appraisal rights under
Chapter 13 of the GCL.

         The  following  discussion  is not a  complete  statement  of  the  GCL
relating to dissenters' rights, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
sections   1300   through   1312  of  the  GCL  attached  to  this  Joint  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus  as Annex C and  incorporated  herein  by  reference.  This
discussion  and  sections  1300  through  1312 of the  GCL  should  be  reviewed
carefully  by any  Pacific  Capital or South  Valley  shareholder  who wishes to
exercise statutory  dissenters' rights or wishes to preserve the right to do so,
since failure to comply with the required  procedures will result in the loss of
such rights.

         If the Merger is consummated,  those shareholders who elect to exercise
their  dissenters'  rights and who timely perfect such rights in accordance with
applicable  law will be  entitled to receive  the "fair  market  value" of their
shares in cash. Pursuant to section 1300(a) of the GCL, such "fair market value"
would be determined as of the day before the first  announcement of the terms of
the Merger,  excluding any  appreciation  or  depreciation in consequence of the
proposed Merger, but adjusted for any stock split, reverse stock split, or share
dividend which becomes  effective  thereafter.  For example,  assuming the "fair
market value" of Pacific  Capital  Common Stock on July 17, 1996, the day before
the first  announcement of the terms of the Merger,  is the closing price of the
stock on the OTC  Bulletin  Board,  then a  dissenting  shareholder  of  Pacific
Capital Common Stock may be entitled to receive $27.00 per share.

         Shares must satisfy each of the  following  requirements  to qualify as
dissenting shares ("Dissenting  Shares") under the GCL: (i) the shares must have
been  outstanding  on the  Pacific  Capital or South  Valley  Record  Date (and,
therefore,  shares  acquired  after such Record Date upon exercise of options to
purchase  common stock may not constitute  Dissenting  Shares);  (ii) the shares
must not have been voted "FOR"  approval and adoption of the  Agreements and the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger; and (iii) the holder of
such shares must submit  certificates  for endorsement as described  below. If a
holder of Pacific Capital Common Stock or

                                       62

<PAGE>

South  Valley  Common  Stock  votes  "FOR"  the  approval  and  adoption  of the
Agreements,  including the Merger,  and the  transactions  contemplated  thereby
(including  by  executing  and  returning  a proxy  with no voting  instructions
indicated  thereon) such holder will lose any dissenters'  rights that may exist
with respect to the subject shares.

         If the Merger is approved  at the  Meeting,  Pacific  Capital and South
Valley will,  within ten days after such approval,  mail to any  shareholder who
may have a right to require Pacific Capital or South Valley, as the case may be,
to  purchase  his or her shares for cash as a result of making such a demand (as
described below), a notice that the required  shareholder  approval and adoption
of the  Agreements  and the  transactions  contemplated  thereby,  including the
Merger,  was  obtained  (the  "Notice  of  Approval")  accompanied  by a copy of
sections 1300 through 1304 of the GCL. The Notice of Approval will set forth the
price  determined  by Pacific  Capital and South Valley to  represent  the "fair
market  value" of any  Dissenting  Shares  (which shall  constitute  an offer by
Pacific  Capital or South  Valley to  purchase  such  Dissenting  Shares at such
stated  price) and will set forth a brief  description  of the  procedures to be
followed by such shareholders who wish to exercise their dissenters' rights.

         Within  30 days  after the date on which the  Notice  of  Approval  was
mailed:  (i)  Pacific  Capital  or South  Valley,  as the case may be,  or their
respective transfer agents must receive the demand of the dissenting shareholder
which is required by law to contain a statement  concerning the number and class
of shares held of record by such  dissenting  shareholder  which the  dissenting
shareholder  demands  that  Pacific  Capital  or  South  Valley  purchase  and a
statement of what such dissenting shareholder claims to be the fair market value
of the Dissenting Shares as of July 18, 1996, the day before the announcement of
the  proposed  Merger (the  statement of fair market value in such demand by the
dissenting  shareholder  constitutes an offer by the  dissenting  shareholder to
sell the Dissenting Shares at such price);  and (ii) the dissenting  shareholder
must submit share  certificate(s)  representing the Dissenting Shares to Pacific
Capital or South Valley, as the case may be, at the respective  principal office
or at the office of the transfer agent for Pacific Capital or South Valley.  The
certificate(s)  will be stamped or endorsed with a statement that the shares are
Dissenting   Shares  or  will  be  exchanged  for  certificates  of  appropriate
denomination  so stamped or  endorsed.  If the price  contained in the Notice of
Approval is acceptable to the dissenting shareholder, the dissenting shareholder
may demand the same price.  This would  constitute an acceptance of the offer by
Pacific Capital or South Valley to purchase the dissenting  shareholder's  stock
at the price stated in the Notice of Approval.

         If  Pacific  Capital  or  South  Valley,  as the  case  may  be,  and a
dissenting  shareholder  agree  upon the  price  to be paid  for the  Dissenting
Shares,  upon  the  dissenting   shareholder's  surrender  of  the  certificates
representing the Dissenting  Shares,  such price (together with interest thereon
at the legal rate on judgments  from the date of the agreement  between  Pacific
Capital or South Valley and the dissenting shareholder) is required by law to be
paid to the dissenting shareholder within 30 days after such agreement or within
30 days  after  any  statutory  or  contractual  conditions  to the  Merger  are
satisfied,  whichever is later,  subject to the  surrender  of the  certificates
therefor.

         If  Pacific  Capital  or  South  Valley,  as the  case  may  be,  and a
dissenting  shareholder  disagree as to the price for such Dissenting  Shares or
disagree as to whether such  Dissenting  Shares are entitled to be classified as
Dissenting  Shares,  such  holder  may,  within six  months  after the Notice of
Approval is mailed,  file a complaint in the Superior Court of the proper county
requesting  the  court  to  make  such  determinations  or,  alternatively,  may
intervene in any pending  action  brought by any other  dissenting  shareholder.
Costs of such an action  (including  compensation of appraisers) are required to
be  assessed as the court  considers  equitable,  but must be  assessed  against
Pacific  Capital or South Valley,  as the case may be, if the appraised value as
determined by the court  exceeds the price  offered by Pacific  Capital or South
Valley.

         The court action to determine  the fair market value of the shares will
be suspended if litigation is instituted to test the  sufficiency  or regularity
of the votes of the  shareholders  in authorizing  the Merger.  Furthermore,  no
shareholder  who has appraisal  rights under Chapter 13 of the GCL has any right
to  attack  the  validity  of the  Merger  or to have the  Merger  set  aside or
rescinded  except in an action to test whether the number of shares  required to
authorize or approve the Merger has been legally voted in favor of the Merger.


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<PAGE>

         Dissenting Shares may lose their status as such and the right to demand
payment will  terminate  if (i) the Merger is  abandoned  (in which case Pacific
Capital  or South  Valley,  as the  case  may be,  shall  pay on  demand  to any
dissenting  shareholder who has initiated  proceedings in good faith as provided
under Chapter 13 of the GCL all  necessary  expenses and  reasonable  attorneys'
fees incurred in such  proceedings);  (ii) the Dissenting Shares are transferred
before being  submitted for  endorsement or are  surrendered for conversion into
shares of another class; (iii) the dissenting shareholder and Pacific Capital or
South Valley,  as the case may be, do not agree upon the status of the shares as
Dissenting  Shares  or  upon  the  price  of  such  shares  and  the  dissenting
shareholder  fails to file suit against Pacific Capital or South Valley,  as the
case may be, or intervene in a pending  action  within six months  following the
date on which the Notice of Approval was mailed to the shareholder;  or (iv) the
dissenting  shareholder  withdraws  his or her  demand for the  purchase  of the
Dissenting  Shares with the consent of Pacific  Capital or South Valley,  as the
case may be.


                  DESCRIPTION OF PACIFIC CAPITAL CAPITAL STOCK

         The authorized  capital stock of Pacific Capital consists of 20,000,000
shares of Common Stock,  without par value,  and 20,000,000  shares of Preferred
Stock, no par value. As of the Pacific Capital Record Date,  _________ shares of
Pacific Capital Common Stock, no shares of Preferred Stock were  outstanding and
an additional _______ shares of the authorized Pacific Capital Common Stock were
available  for future grant and reserved for issuance to holders of  outstanding
stock options, under Pacific Capital's stock option plans.

Common Stock

         Holders of Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock are entitled to one vote for
each share held of record on all matters  submitted  to a vote of  shareholders,
except  that,  upon giving the notice  required by the Pacific  Capital  Bylaws,
shareholders   may  cumulate   their  votes  for  the  election  of   directors.
Shareholders  are entitled to receive  ratably such  dividends as may be legally
declared by Pacific Capital's Board of Directors. There are legal and regulatory
restrictions  on the ability of South Valley to declare and pay  dividends.  See
"Market  Price  and  Dividend  Data."  In the  event  of a  liquidation,  common
shareholders are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment
of liabilities and  liquidation  preferences for securities with a priority over
the Pacific  Capital Common Stock.  Shareholders of Pacific Capital Common Stock
have no preemptive or conversion  rights.  Pacific  Capital  Common Stock is not
subject to calls or  assessments.  The transfer  agent and registrar for Pacific
Capital Common Stock is First Interstate Bank or its successor.

Preferred Stock

         The Pacific Capital Board of Directors is authorized to fix the rights,
preferences,  privileges  and  restrictions  of  the  Preferred  Stock  and  may
establish series of such stock and determine the variations  between series.  If
and when any Preferred Stock is issued,  the holders of Preferred Stock may have
a preference  over holders of Pacific  Capital  Common Stock upon the payment of
dividends,  upon liquidation of Pacific Capital, in respect of voting rights and
in the redemption of the capital stock of Pacific  Capital.  The issuance of any
Preferred  Stock may have the effect of  delaying,  deferring  or  preventing  a
change in control of Pacific Capital without further action of its shareholders.
The  issuance  of such stock with  voting and  conversion  rights may  adversely
affect the voting power of the holders of Pacific Capital Common Stock.  Pacific
Capital has no present plans to issue any shares of Preferred Stock.


                    DESCRIPTION OF SOUTH VALLEY CAPITAL STOCK

         The  authorized  capital  stock of South  Valley  consists of 4,000,000
shares of Common Stock,  no par value and 2,000,000  shares of Serial  Preferred
Stock.  As of the South  Valley  Record Date,  _________  shares of South Valley
Common  Stock were issued and  outstanding,  no shares of  Preferred  Stock were
issued and outstanding and


                                       64

<PAGE>

_______ South Valley Shares were reserved for issuance to holders of outstanding
and unexercised stock options under the South Valley Stock Option Plans.

Common Stock

         Holders of South Valley  Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each
share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders,  except
that, upon giving the notice  required by the South Valley Bylaws,  shareholders
may  cumulate  their  votes for the  election  of  directors.  Shareholders  are
entitled to receive  ratably such dividends as may be legally  declared by South
Valley's Board of Directors.  There are legal and regulatory restrictions on the
ability of South  Valley to declare and pay  dividends.  See  "Market  Price and
Dividend Data." In the event of a liquidation,  common shareholders are entitled
to share  ratably in all assets  remaining  after  payment  of  liabilities  and
securities.  The transfer  agent and  registrar for South Valley Common Stock is
U.S. Stock Transfer Corporation.

Serial Preferred Stock

         The Serial  Preferred  Stock may be issued  from time to time in one or
more series,  and the South Valley Board of Directors is authorized to fix or to
alter the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to or imposed
upon any wholly unissued series of the preferred stock, and the number of shares
constituting any such series and a designation  thereof.  The South Valley Board
of Directors  may also increase or decrease the number of shares of that series,
but not below the number of such series then outstanding.  In case the number of
shares of any series is so  decreased,  the shares  constituting  such  decrease
shall resume the status  which they had prior to the adoption of the  resolution
originally  fixing  the number of shares of such  series.  The  issuance  of any
Serial Preferred Stock may have the effect of delaying,  deferring or preventing
a change in control of South Valley without further action of its  shareholders.
The  issuance  of such stock with  voting and  conversion  rights may  adversely
affect the voting  power of the  holders of South  Valley  Common  Stock.  South
Valley has no present plans to issue any shares of Serial Preferred Stock.


                  CERTAIN DIFFERENCES IN RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS

         Both Pacific Capital and South Valley are  incorporated  under the GCL.
Accordingly, if the Merger is consummated, the shareholders of South Valley will
become  shareholders of Pacific  Capital and their rights as  shareholders  will
continue to be governed by the GCL.  However,  the provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation  of Pacific  Capital and the Bylaws of Pacific Capital differ from
the Articles of  Incorporation  of South Valley and the Bylaws of South  Valley.
The following summarizes the differences that could materially affect the rights
of shareholders of South Valley after consummation of the Merger.

Authorized Capital

Pacific  Capital.  The authorized  capital stock of Pacific Capital  consists of
20,000,000  shares of Common Stock and 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock. See
"Description of Pacific Capital Common Stock."

South Valley. The authorized capital stock of South Valley consists of 4,000,000
shares of Common Stock and 2,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock. See "Description
of South Valley Common Stock."

Directors

Pacific  Capital.  Under the Pacific  Capital Bylaws,  the authorized  number of
directors  shall not be less than eight nor more than fifteen.  The exact number
of  directors  may be changed by a resolution  of the Board of Directors  and is
currently fixed at fifteen. In connection with the Merger, Pacific Capital shall
amend its Bylaws to increase the number of authorized  directors on its board to
permit the appointment of three  additional  directors to be designated by South
Valley and acceptable to Pacific  Capital.  Pursuant to Pacific  Capital Bylaws,
the Board of

                                       65
<PAGE>

Directors is authorized to amend the Bylaws without shareholder approval, except
for the Bylaw provision governing the number of directors.

South Valley.  The South Valley  Bylaws  provide that the  authorized  number of
directors  shall  not be less than  five nor more  than  twenty-five.  The exact
number of directors may be changed by a resolution of the Board of Directors and
is currently  fixed at nine.  Pursuant to South  Valley's  Bylaws,  the Board of
Directors is authorized to amend the Bylaws without shareholder approval, except
for the Bylaw provision governing the number of directors.

Cumulative  Voting.  The  Pacific  Capital  Bylaws and the South  Valley  Bylaws
provide for cumulative voting in connection with the election of directors. With
cumulative  voting, a shareholder may give one candidate a number of votes equal
to the number of  directors to be elected  multiplied  by the number of votes to
which such  shareholder's  shares are entitled or the shareholder may distribute
the votes to which such shareholder's  shares are entitled on the same principle
among as many candidates as such shareholder  chooses.  With cumulative  voting,
the holder or holders of a minority of the  outstanding  shares can more readily
elect  a  representative  or  representatives  to  the  Board  of  Directors  by
cumulating their votes.  Because of such cumulative voting provisions,  the CGCL
provides  that,  if less than the entire Board of  Directors  is be removed,  no
director  may be removed  without  cause if the votes cast  against such removal
would be sufficient to elect such director with cumulative voting.

Limitation  of  Directors'  Liability.  Both the  Pacific  Capital  Articles  of
Incorporation  and the South Valley Articles of  Incorporation  provide that the
liability of directors  for monetary  damages shall be eliminated to the fullest
extent permissible under California law.

Notice of Shareholder Proposals

Pacific  Capital.  The Pacific  Capital Bylaws do not require  advance notice of
shareholder proposals. However, the Pacific Capital Bylaws require not less than
21 nor more than 60 days advance  written notice of shareholder  nominations for
the Board of Directors. Additionally, the Pacific Capital Bylaws require that no
shareholder  may cumulate  votes in favor of any  candidate  for election to the
Board of Directors  unless such  candidate's  name has been placed in nomination
prior to voting and the shareholder has given notice prior to the meeting of the
shareholder's intention to cumulative votes.

South  Valley.  The  South  Valley  Bylaws  do not  require  advance  notice  of
shareholder  proposals.  However,  the South Valley Bylaws  require that written
notice of shareholder  nominations for the Board of Directors be received by the
President of South Valley not more than 60 days prior to any shareholder meeting
called for the election of directors,  and not more than ten days after the date
the notice of such meeting is sent to  shareholders;  provided  that if ten days
notice of such  meeting is given to  shareholders,  such notice of  intention to
nominate  must be received by the President of South Valley prior to the opening
of  such  meeting.  Additionally,  the  South  Valley  Bylaws  require  that  no
shareholder  may cumulate  votes in favor of any  candidate  for election to the
Board of Directors  unless such  candidate's  name has been placed in nomination
prior to voting and the shareholder has given notice prior to the meeting of the
shareholder's intention to cumulate votes.

Call of Special Meeting of Shareholders

Pacific  Capital  Bylaws and the South Valley Bylaws.  Both the Pacific  Capital
Bylaws and the South Valley Bylaws provide that special meetings of shareholders
may be  called  by the  Board of  Directors,  the  Chairman  of the  Board,  the
President  or by  holders  of shares  entitled  to cast not less than 10% of the
votes at the meeting.


                                     EXPERTS

         The Consolidated Financial Statements of Pacific Capital as of December
31,  1995 and 1994,  and for each of the years in the  three-year  period  ended
December  31,  1995,  have been  incorporated  by  reference  herein  and in the
Registration  Statement  in  reliance  upon  the  report  of  KPMG,  independent
certified public accountants, and


                                       66

<PAGE>

upon the  authority of said firm as experts in  accounting  and  auditing.  Such
report contains an explanatory  paragraph regarding the adoption of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes.

         The   Financial   Statements   incorporated   in   this   Joint   Proxy
Statement/Prospectus  by  reference  from South Valley  Bancorporation's  Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1995,  have been audited by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent  auditors, as stated in their report which is
incorporated  herein by reference and has been so  incorporated in reliance upon
the report of such firm given upon their  authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.


                                  LEGAL MATTERS

         The  validity of the shares of Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock  offered
hereby in connection  with the Merger will be passed upon for Pacific Capital by
Graham & James LLP, San Francisco, California.


                                       67


<PAGE>
                                                                         ANNEX A
================================================================================


                      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION


                                     between


                             PACIFIC CAPITAL BANCORP


                                       and



                           SOUTH VALLEY BANCORPORATION





                            DATED AS OF JULY 18, 1996


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


<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                                              TABLE OF CONTENTS
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                        Page

<S>       <C>                                                                                            <C>
 1.       THE MERGER....................................................................................  1
          1.1      Effective Time.......................................................................  1
          1.2      Effect of the Merger.................................................................  1

 2.       CONVERSION AND CANCELLATION OF SHARES.........................................................  2
          2.1      Conversion of Common Stock of South Valley...........................................  2
          2.2      Fractional Shares....................................................................  2
          2.3      Surrender of South Valley Shares.....................................................  3
          2.4      No Further Transfers of South Valley Shares..........................................  3
          2.5      Adjustments..........................................................................  3
          2.6      Treatment of Stock Options...........................................................  3

 3.       COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES......................................................................  4
          3.1      Covenants of Pacific Capital.........................................................  4
                   (a)      Reservation, Issuance and Registration of Pacific Capital Common Stock......  4
                   (b)      Government Approvals........................................................  4
                   (c)      Notification of Breach of Representations, Warranties and Covenants.........  4
                   (d)      Financial Statements........................................................  4
                   (e)      Press Releases..............................................................  5
                   (f)      Business Combinations.......................................................  5
                   (g)      Director and Officer Liability Insurance....................................  5
                   (h)      Approval by Pacific Capital Shareholders....................................  5
                   (i)      Access to Properties, Books and Records; Confidentiality....................  5
                   (j)      Dividends...................................................................  6
                   (k)      Executive Employees.........................................................  6
                   (l)      Conduct of Business in the Ordinary Course..................................  6
                   (m)      Additions to Pacific Capital Board of Directors.............................  6
                   (n)      Nasdaq National Market Listing..............................................  6
                   (o)      Changes in Capital Stock....................................................  6
          3.2      Covenants of South Valley............................................................  6
                   (a)      Approval by South Valley Shareholders.......................................  6
                   (b)      Shareholder Lists and Other Information.....................................  7
                   (c)      Government Approvals........................................................  7
                   (d)      Capital Commitments and Expenditures........................................  7
                   (e)      Notification of Breach of Representations, Warranties and Covenants.........  7
                   (f)      Financial Statements........................................................  7
                   (g)      Compensation................................................................  8
                   (h)      Conduct of Business in the Ordinary Course..................................  8
                   (i)      Press Releases..............................................................  9
                   (j)      No Merger or Solicitation................................................... 10
                   (k)      South Valley Cash or Deferred 401(k) Plan................................... 10
                   (l)      Changes in Capital Stock.................................................... 10
                   (m)      Dividends................................................................... 11
                   (n)      Accounting Methods.......................................................... 11
                   (o)      Affiliates.................................................................. 11
                   (p)      Additional Agreements....................................................... 11
                   (q)      Access to Properties, Books and Records; Confidentiality.................... 11
                   (r)      Employee Welfare Benefit Plans.............................................. 11
                   (s)      Nonsolicitation Agreements.................................................. 11
                   (t)      Additions to SVNB Board of Directors........................................ 11
          3.3      Covenants of the Parties............................................................. 11
 4.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SOUTH VALLEY................................................ 11
                   (a)      Corporate Status and Power to Enter Into Agreements......................... 12
                   (b)      Articles, Bylaws, Books and Records......................................... 12
                   (c)      Compliance With Laws, Regulations and Decrees............................... 12
                   (d)      Capitalization.............................................................. 12
                   (e)      Equity Interests............................................................ 13


                                       -i-
<PAGE>



                   (f)      Financial Statements, Regulatory Reports.................................... 13
                   (g)      Tax Returns................................................................. 13
                   (h)      Material Adverse Change..................................................... 14
                   (i)      No Undisclosed Liabilities.................................................. 14
                   (j)      Properties and Leases....................................................... 14
                   (k)      Material Contracts.......................................................... 15
                   (l)      Employment Contracts and Benefits........................................... 15
                   (m)      Compliance With ERISA....................................................... 16
                   (n)      Collective Bargaining and Employment Agreements............................. 16
                   (o)      Compensation of Officers and Employees...................................... 16
                   (p)      Legal Actions and Proceedings............................................... 17
                   (q)      Execution and Delivery of the Agreement..................................... 17
                   (r)      Insurance................................................................... 17
                   (s)      Transactions With Affiliates................................................ 17
                   (t)      Information in Registration Statement....................................... 18
                   (u)      Accuracy of Representations and Warranties.................................. 18
                   (v)      Loans....................................................................... 18
                   (w)      Restrictions on Investments................................................. 18

 5.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PACIFIC CAPITAL............................................. 18
                   (a)      Corporate Status and Power to Enter Into Agreements......................... 18
                   (b)      Articles, Bylaws, Books and Records......................................... 19
                   (c)      Compliance With Laws, Regulations and Decrees............................... 19
                   (d)      Capitalization.............................................................. 19
                   (e)      Equity Interests............................................................ 20
                   (f)      Financial Statements, Regulatory Reports.................................... 20
                   (g)      Tax Returns................................................................. 20
                   (h)      Material Adverse Change..................................................... 21
                   (i)      No Undisclosed Liabilities.................................................. 21
                   (j)      Properties and Leases....................................................... 21
                   (k)      Material Contracts.......................................................... 22
                   (l)      Employment Contracts and Benefits........................................... 22
                   (m)      Compliance With ERISA....................................................... 23
                   (n)      Collective Bargaining and Employment Agreements............................. 23
                   (o)      Compensation of Officers and Employees...................................... 23
                   (p)      Legal Actions and Proceedings............................................... 24
                   (q)      Execution and Delivery of the Agreement..................................... 24
                   (r)      Insurance................................................................... 24
                   (s)      Transactions With Affiliates................................................ 24
                   (t)      Information in Registration Statement....................................... 25
                   (u)      Accuracy of Representations and Warranties.................................. 25
                   (v)      Loans....................................................................... 25
                   (w)      Restrictions on Investments................................................. 25

 6.       SECURITIES ACT OF 1933; SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934....................................... 25
                   (a)      Preparation and Filing of Registration Statement............................ 25
                   (b)      Effectiveness of Registration Statement..................................... 26
                   (c)      Sales and Resales of Common Stock........................................... 26
                   (d)      Rule 145.................................................................... 26
 7.       CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF PACIFIC CAPITAL.............................................. 26
                   (a)      Representations and Warranties.............................................. 26
                   (b)      Compliance and Performance Under Agreement.................................. 26
                   (c)      Material Adverse Change..................................................... 26
                   (d)      Approval of Agreement....................................................... 27
                   (e)      Officer's Certificate....................................................... 27
                   (f)      Opinion of Counsel.......................................................... 27
                   (g)      Absence of Legal Impediment................................................. 27
                   (h)      Effectiveness of Registration Statement..................................... 27
                   (i)      Government Approvals........................................................ 27
                   (j)      Tax Opinion................................................................. 27
                   (k)      Dissenting Shares........................................................... 28


                                      -ii-

<PAGE>

                   (l)      Unaudited Financials........................................................ 28
                   (m)      Closing Documents........................................................... 28
                   (n)      Consents.................................................................... 28
                   (o)      Additions to SVNB Board of Directors........................................ 28
                   (p)      Pooling-of-Interests Accounting............................................. 28
                   (r)      Regulatory Examination...................................................... 28
                   (s)      Accountant's Letter......................................................... 28

 8.       CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF SOUTH VALLEY................................................. 28
                   (a)      Representations and Warranties.............................................. 29
                   (b)      Compliance and Performance Under Agreement.................................. 29
                   (c)      Material Adverse Change..................................................... 29
                   (d)      Approval of Agreement....................................................... 29
                   (e)      Officer's Certificate....................................................... 29
                   (f)      Opinion of Counsel.......................................................... 29
                   (g)      Effectiveness of Registration Statement..................................... 29
                   (h)      Government Approvals........................................................ 29
                   (i)      Tax Opinion................................................................. 29
                   (j)      Closing Documents........................................................... 29
                   (k)      Absence of Legal Impediment................................................. 30
                   (l)      Fairness Opinion............................................................ 30
                   (m)      Pooling-of-Interests Accounting Treatment................................... 30
                   (n)      Additions to Pacific Capital Board of Directors............................. 30
                   (o)      Dissenting Shares........................................................... 30
                   (p)      Nasdaq National Market Listing.............................................. 30
                   (q)      Accountant's Letter......................................................... 30

 9.       CLOSING....................................................................................... 30
                   (a)      Closing Date................................................................ 30
                   (b)      Delivery of Documents....................................................... 30
                   (c)      Filings..................................................................... 30

 10.      EXPENSES...................................................................................... 30

 11.      AMENDMENT; TERMINATION........................................................................ 31
                   (a)      Amendment................................................................... 31
                   (b)      Termination................................................................. 31
                   (c)      Notice...................................................................... 32
                   (d)      Breach of Obligations....................................................... 32
                   (e)      Termination and Expenses.................................................... 32

 12.      MISCELLANEOUS................................................................................. 32
                   (a)      Notices..................................................................... 32
                   (b)      Binding Agreement........................................................... 32
                   (c)      Governing Law............................................................... 32
                   (d)      Attorneys' Fees............................................................. 32
                   (e)      Entire Agreement; Severability.............................................. 33
                   (f)      Counterparts................................................................ 33
                   (g)      Waivers..................................................................... 33
                   (h)      No Survival of Representations and Warranties............................... 33
                   (i)      Knowledge................................................................... 33


SCHEDULE OF EXHIBITS

Exhibit A        -  Merger Agreement
Exhibit B        -  Certificate of Pacific Capital Directors
Exhibit C        -  Certificate of South Valley Directors
Exhibit D        -  Certificate of Affiliates
Exhibit E        -  Nonsolicitation Agreement
Exhibit F        -  Opinion of South Valley Counsel
Exhibit G        -  Opinion of Pacific Capital Counsel

</TABLE>

                                      -iii-


<PAGE>

                      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION


         THIS  AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF  REORGANIZATION,  dated as of July 15, 1996
("Agreement"),  is between PACIFIC  CAPITAL  BANCORP,  a California  corporation
("Pacific Capital"),  and SOUTH VALLEY BANCORPORATION,  a California corporation
("South Valley").


         A. South Valley is the sole  shareholder of South Valley National Bank,
a national association ("SVNB"),  and Pacific Capital is the sole shareholder of
First National Bank of Central California, a national association ("FNB").

         B. The Boards of Directors of Pacific  Capital and South Valley deem it
advisable and in the best interests of Pacific  Capital,  South Valley and their
respective  shareholders  to consummate  the business  combination  provided for
herein  whereby  Pacific  Capital  would  acquire  South Valley and the goodwill
associated  therewith  through the merger of South  Valley with and into Pacific
Capital with Pacific  Capital as the survivor  (the  "Merger")  such that on the
effective date of the Merger, Pacific Capital will be the surviving corporation.

         C. This Agreement and the Merger  Agreement,  as defined  herein,  have
been approved by the Boards of Directors of Pacific Capital and South Valley and
will be submitted for approval of the  respective  shareholders  of South Valley
and Pacific Capital at special meetings of their respective shareholders.

         D. The Merger is  intended  to  qualify  as a  tax-free  reorganization
within the meaning of the provisions of Section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "IRC").

         E.  Pursuant  to the  Merger and  subject  to the terms and  conditions
herein,  each holder of common stock of South Valley will  receive,  in exchange
for common stock of South Valley,  Pacific  Capital common stock in the ratio of
 .92 of a share of Pacific  Capital  common  stock for each share of South Valley
common stock, subject to adjustment as more fully set forth in this Agreement.


         In consideration  of the foregoing and the respective  representations,
warranties,  covenants  and  agreements  provided for or contained  herein,  the
parties hereto agree as follows:


         1.   THE MERGER.

         1.1  Effective  Time.  Subject  to the  terms  and  conditions  of this
Agreement,  upon the filing  with the  California  Secretary  of State of a duly
executed Merger Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A
for the merger of South Valley into Pacific Capital (the "Merger Agreement") and
officers'  certificates  prescribed  by Section 1103 of the  California  General
Corporation  Law ("GCL")  the Merger  shall  become  effective  (the  "Effective
Time").  The date on which the Merger is  effective  as  specified in the Merger
Agreements shall be referred to herein as the "Effective Date."

         1.2 Effect of the Merger.  Subject to the terms and  conditions of this
Agreement and the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time on the Effective Date,
South Valley shall be merged with and into Pacific  Capital and Pacific  Capital
shall be the surviving corporation (the "Surviving  Corporation") in the Merger.
All assets, rights, goodwill,  privileges,  immunities,  powers,  franchises and
interests of South Valley in and to every type of property  (real,  personal and
mixed) and choses in action,  as they exist as of the Effective Date,  including
appointments, designations and nominations and all other rights and interests as
trustee,  executor,  administrator,  registrar of stocks and bonds,  guardian of
estate, assignee, receiver and in every other fiduciary capacity, shall pass and
be transferred to and vest in the Surviving  Corporation by virtue of the Merger
at the  Effective  Time  without any deed,  conveyance  or other  transfer;  the
separate  existence of South Valley shall cease and the  corporate  existence of
Pacific  Capital as the Surviving  Corporation  shall  continue  unaffected  and
unimpaired by the Merger;  and the Surviving  Corporation  shall be deemed to be
the same  entity as South  Valley  and shall be subject to all of its duties and
liabilities of every kind and description.  The Surviving  Corporation  shall be
responsible  and liable for all the  liabilities and obligations of South Valley
and any claim  existing  or action or  proceeding  pending by or  against  South
Valley may be prosecuted as if the Merger had not taken place,  or the Surviving
Corporation may be substituted in its place. Neither the rights of creditors nor
any liens upon the  property of South  Valley shall be impaired by reason of the
Merger.

                                       -1-

<PAGE>

         2.  CONVERSION AND CANCELLATION OF SHARES.

         2.1 Conversion of Common Stock of South Valley.  At the Effective Time,
by virtue of the Merger and  without any action on the part of the holder of any
common stock of South Valley (a "South Valley Share" or "South Valley Shares"):

         (a)  Each  issued  and  outstanding  South  Valley  Share  (other  than
fractional  shares  or any  shares  as to which  dissenters'  rights  have  been
perfected) shall be converted into .92 of a fully paid and  nonassessable  share
of the  registered  common  stock,  without par value,  of Pacific  Capital (the
"Pacific  Capital  Common  Stock"  or  "Pacific  Capital  Shares"),  subject  to
adjustment  as  specified  in  subsections  (b) and (c)  herein  (the  "Exchange
Ratio").  All such South Valley Shares shall no longer be outstanding  and shall
automatically  be  canceled  and  retired  and shall  cease to  exist,  and each
certificate  previously  representing any such shares shall thereafter represent
the  Pacific  Capital  Shares  into  which such South  Valley  Shares  have been
converted.  Certificates  previously  representing  South Valley Shares shall be
exchanged for certificates  representing  whole shares of Pacific Capital Common
Stock issued in consideration  therefor upon the surrender of such  certificates
in accordance with Section 2.3.

         (b) The Exchange Ratio shall be adjusted  downward for any  Significant
Liabilities (as defined below) to the extent that such  Significant  Liabilities
total more than $500,000.  "Significant Liabilities", as used in this Agreement,
shall mean those  liabilities  or expenses  described  below which have not been
reflected as reductions to South  Valley's  consolidated  book value pursuant to
generally  accepted  accounting  principles as of June 30, 1996 adjusted for any
applicable taxes (whether actual or estimated).  Significant  Liabilities  shall
consist of (i) new or expanded  contingent  liabilities based upon threatened or
pending  litigation or other  proceedings  or hazardous or toxic  substances and
legal fees and costs (whether actual or estimated) related thereto; and (ii) any
expenses,  fines,  fees,  penalties or similar  obligations,  except those which
arose in the  Ordinary  Course of Business as defined in Section  3.2(h)(i)  and
except  severance  payments or other existing payment  obligations.  Significant
Liabilities shall not include fees of South Valley's financial advisors or South
Valley's  legal  fees  directly  attributable  to  this  Merger,  provided  such
financial advisory and legal fees do not exceed $800,000 in the aggregate.  As a
result of any  Significant  Liabilities  in excess of $500,000 in the  aggregate
through the close of business  on the day  preceding  the  Effective  Date,  the
Exchange Ratio shall be reduced by an amount calculated as follows:


                   .92 - (Significant Liabilities - $500,000)
                         ------------------------------------
                                   $39 Million

         (c) If, as of two days preceding the Effective Date, the average of the
closing price of Pacific  Capital  Common Stock quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board
(calculated  by  taking  an  average  of the  closing  prices  quoted on the OTC
Bulletin Board on each of the thirty (30) consecutive  trading days prior to two
business days prior to the Effective Date, rounded to 4 decimal places,  whether
or not trades occurred on those days (the "Average  Price")) is more than $31.50
or if the Average  Price is more than 12.5% below the closing  price on the last
business day prior to the date of this  Agreement,  then the Exchange Ratio will
be adjusted as follows, rounded to 4 decimal places:

                    (1) If the  Average  Price  is more  than  12.5%  below  the
closing  price on the last  business  day  prior to the date of this  Agreement,
South Valley may accept the Exchange Ratio calculated  solely in accordance with
Sections  2.1(a) and (b) hereof or Pacific  Capital and South  Valley shall have
the right,  but not the obligation,  to renegotiate  the Exchange Ratio.  Should
South  Valley fail to accept the Exchange  Ratio as  described in the  preceding
sentence or should the parties fail to  renegotiate  the Exchange  Ratio,  South
Valley may terminate this Agreement pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(b).

                    (2) If the Average  Price is more than $31.50,  the Exchange
Ratio as adjusted pursuant to Section 2.1(b),  will be adjusted according to the
following formula:


                        .92 x (Average Price + $31.50)/2
                              --------------------------
                                    Average Price

         (d) From and after the  Effective  Time,  the  holders of  certificates
formerly  representing  South Valley  Shares shall cease to have any rights with
respect thereto other than any dissenters'  rights they have perfected  pursuant
to Chapter 13 of the GCL.

         2.2  Fractional  Shares.  Notwithstanding  any other  provision of this
Agreement,  no fractional shares of Pacific Capital Common Stock shall be issued
to holders of South Valley Shares. In lieu thereof, each such holder entitled to
a fraction of a share of Pacific Capital Common Stock shall receive, at the time
of surrender of the certificate or certificates representing such holder's South
Valley Shares,  an amount in cash equal to the Average Price (defined in Section
2.1(c)) multiplied by the fraction of a share of Pacific Capital Common Stock to
which such

                                       -2-
<PAGE>

holder  otherwise  would  be  entitled.  No such  holder  shall be  entitled  to
dividends,  voting  rights,  interest  on the value  of, or any other  rights in
respect of a fractional share.

         2.3 Surrender of South Valley Shares.

         (a) Prior to the Effective  Date,  Pacific  Capital shall appoint First
Interstate  Bank or its successor,  or any other bank or trust company  mutually
acceptable to South Valley and Pacific Capital, as exchange agent (the "Exchange
Agent")  for the purpose of  exchanging  certificates  representing  the Pacific
Capital Shares. At and after the Effective Date, Pacific Capital shall issue and
deliver to the Exchange  Agent  certificates  representing  the Pacific  Capital
Shares,  as shall be required to be delivered to holders of South Valley  Shares
pursuant  to Section 2.1 of this  Agreement.  As soon as  practicable  after the
Effective Date, each holder of South Valley Shares converted pursuant to Section
2.1, upon surrender to the Exchange Agent of one or more  certificates  for such
South Valley Shares for cancellation,  will be entitled to receive a certificate
representing the number of Pacific Capital Shares  determined in accordance with
Section 2.1 and a payment in cash with  respect to  fractional  shares,  if any,
determined in accordance with Section 2.2.

         (b) No dividends or other  distributions of any kind which are declared
payable  to  shareholders  of record of the  Pacific  Capital  Shares  after the
Effective Date will be paid to persons entitled to receive such certificates for
Pacific  Capital  Shares  until  such  persons   surrender  their   certificates
representing   South  Valley  Shares.   Upon   surrender  of  such   certificate
representing  South Valley  Shares,  the holder  thereof shall be paid,  without
interest,  any  dividends  or other  distributions  with  respect to the Pacific
Capital Shares as to which the record date and payment date occurred on or after
the Effective Date and on or before the date of surrender.

         (c) If any  certificate for Pacific Capital Shares is to be issued in a
name  other  than  that  in  which  the  certificate  for  South  Valley  Shares
surrendered in exchange therefor is registered,  it shall be a condition of such
exchange  that the person  requesting  such  exchange  shall pay to the Exchange
Agent any  transfer  costs,  taxes or other  expenses  required by reason of the
issuance of  certificates  for such Pacific  Capital Shares in a name other than
the  registered  holder of the  certificate  surrendered,  or such persons shall
establish to the  satisfaction  of Pacific  Capital and the Exchange  Agent that
such costs, taxes or other expenses have been paid or are not applicable.

         (d) All dividends or distributions, and any cash to be paid pursuant to
Section 2.2 in lieu of  fractional  shares,  if held by the  Exchange  Agent for
payment or delivery to the holders of  unsurrendered  certificates  representing
South  Valley  Shares and  unclaimed  at the end of one year from the  Effective
Date,  shall (together with any interest earned thereon) at such time be paid or
redelivered  by the Exchange Agent to Pacific  Capital,  and after such time any
holder of a certificate representing South Valley Shares who has not surrendered
such certificate to the Exchange Agent shall, subject to applicable law, look as
a general  creditor  only to Pacific  Capital  for  payment or  delivery of such
dividends or distributions or cash, as the case may be.

         2.4 No Further Transfers of South Valley Shares. On the Effective Date,
the stock  transfer  books of South  Valley  shall be closed and no  transfer of
South Valley Shares theretofore outstanding shall thereafter be made.

         2.5  Adjustments.  If,  between  the  date  of this  Agreement  and the
Effective  Date, the  outstanding  shares of Pacific  Capital Common Stock shall
have been  changed  into a different  number of shares or a  different  class by
reason  of  any  reclassification,   recapitalization,  reorganization,  merger,
consolidation,  split-up, combination,  exchange of shares or readjustment, or a
stock or other dividend  thereon shall be declared  (except  pursuant to Section
3.1(j)  below)  with a record date  within  such  period,  the number of Pacific
Capital  Shares to be issued and  delivered  in the Merger in exchange  for each
outstanding South Valley Share shall be correspondingly adjusted with the result
that the holders of South Valley Shares shall receive the same economic  benefit
set forth in Section 2.1 above.

         2.6 Treatment of Stock Options. Each person holding one or more options
to purchase  South Valley Shares  pursuant to the 1991  Directors'  Stock Option
Plan and the 1995 Stock Option Plan (the "Option  Plans"),  shall have the right
to:

         (a)  exercise  any vested  options  granted  under the Option  Plans to
acquire South Valley  Shares prior to the  Effective  Date and South Valley will
facilitate the exercise of those options by allowing the options to be exercised
and taxes paid by South Valley withholding the appropriate number of shares from
the shares subject to the options or by any other method permitted by applicable
law; and/or

         (b)  receive  the  fair  value,  as  of  the  Effective  Date,  of  any
unexercised  vested and/or unvested options granted under the Option Plans which
fair value shall be determined by an independent financial advisor to Pacific

                                       -3-
<PAGE>

Capital and shall be paid on the Effective  Date by Pacific  Capital in the form
of Pacific Capital Common Stock rounded down to the nearest whole share.


         3.  COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES.

         3.1 Covenants of Pacific Capital.

         (a)  Reservation,  Issuance and  Registration of Pacific Capital Common
Stock.  Pacific  Capital  shall  reserve  and make  available  for  issuance  in
connection  with the Merger and in accordance  with the terms of this  Agreement
(i) the Pacific Capital Shares;  and (ii) the maximum number of shares of common
stock of  Pacific  Capital to which the  option  holders of South  Valley may be
entitled  pursuant to Section 2.6 above at or after the Effective Date.  Pacific
Capital shall file and cause to be declared effective at or before the Effective
Time pursuant to the  Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") one or
more registration  statements  covering all such shares and shall cause all such
shares to be issued in compliance  with the 1933 Act and in compliance  with all
applicable  state  securities  laws and  regulations.  It is anticipated  that a
registration statement (the "Registration  Statement") will be filed on Form S-4
and will include the Proxy Statement referred to in Section 3.2(a) below.

         (b) Government Approvals. Prior to the Effective Date, Pacific Capital,
with the  cooperation of South Valley,  shall use its best efforts in good faith
to take or cause to be taken as promptly as practicable  all such steps as shall
be  necessary  to obtain  (i) the prior  approval  of the Merger by the Board of
Governors  of the Federal  Reserve  System (the  "FRB")  under the Bank  Holding
Company Act of 1956,  as amended  ("BHC Act"),  and (ii) all other  consents and
approvals of government agencies as are required by law or otherwise,  and shall
do any and all acts deemed by Pacific  Capital to be necessary or appropriate in
order to cause  the  Merger to be  consummated  on the  terms  provided  in this
Agreement as promptly as practicable.  All approvals  referred to in clauses (i)
and (ii) of this Section 3.1(b) are  hereinafter  referred to as the "Government
Approvals."

         (c)   Notification  of  Breach  of   Representations,   Warranties  and
Covenants.  Pacific  Capital shall  promptly give written notice to South Valley
upon becoming aware of the  occurrence or impending or threatened  occurrence of
any  event   which  would   cause  or   constitute   a  breach  of  any  of  the
representations,  warranties  or  covenants  of  Pacific  Capital  contained  or
referred to in the Merger  Agreement  or this  Agreement  and shall use its best
efforts to prevent the same or remedy the same promptly.

         (d) Financial Statements.

                    (i) Pacific  Capital has delivered or shall deliver to South
         Valley  prior  to  the  Effective  Date  true  and  correct  copies  of
         consolidated  statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity and
         statements  of cash flows for the six (6) months  ended June 30,  1996,
         any subsequent quarter ends, and for the years ended December 31, 1995,
         1994, 1993, 1992 and 1991, and consolidated  balance sheets at June 30,
         1996, any subsequent quarter ends, and for the years ended December 31,
         1995, 1994, 1993, 1992 and 1991. Such consolidated financial statements
         at and for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992 and 1991
         have been  audited by KPMG Peat  Marwick  LLP  ("KPMG")  and include an
         opinion  of such  accounting  firm to the  effect  that such  financial
         statements  have been prepared in accordance  with  generally  accepted
         accounting  principles  ("GAAP")  and present  fairly,  in all material
         respects,  the consolidated  financial position,  results of operations
         and cash flow of  Pacific  Capital at the dates  indicated  and for the
         periods then ending.  The opinions of such  accounting  firm do not and
         shall not contain any qualifications.

                    (ii) Pacific  Capital has provided or shall provide to South
         Valley  at or prior  to the  Effective  Date  copies  of all  financial
         statements  and proxy  statements,  issued  or to be issued to  Pacific
         Capital's  shareholders and/or directors after December 31, 1995 and at
         or prior to the Effective Date.

                    (iii) Pacific Capital has provided or shall provide to South
         Valley prior to the  Effective  Date copies of (a) its Annual Report on
         Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 1995,  1994,  1993, 1992 and
         1991  as  filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (the
         "Commission");  (b) all  periodic  reports  required  to be filed by it
         pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of
         1934, as amended (the "1934 Act") since  December 31, 1993; and (c) all
         proxy statements,  annual reports and other written materials furnished
         to Pacific Capital  shareholders since December 31, 1993, and all other
         material  reports  relating to Pacific Capital filed by Pacific Capital
         or any of its subsidiaries with the Office of the

                                       -4-
<PAGE>

         Comptroller  of the  Currency  (the "OCC"),  the FRB or the  Commission
         during 1993,  1994, 1995 and in 1996 prior to the Effective Date. As of
         their  respective  dates,  each  of the  documents  provided  hereunder
         complied or shall  comply in all material  respects  with all legal and
         regulatory requirements applicable thereto.

                    (iv)  Pacific  Capital  shall cause to be delivered to South
         Valley letters of KPMG, Pacific Capital's independent auditors, dated a
         date no more  than two  business  days  prior to the date on which  the
         Registration  Statement (as defined herein) shall become  effective and
         two business days before the Closing, and addressed to South Valley, in
         form and substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to South  Valley,  and in
         scope and substance consistent with applicable  professional  standards
         for letters delivered by independent  public  accountants in connection
         with registration statements similar to the Registration Statement.

         (e) Press  Releases.  Pacific Capital shall not issue any press release
or written  statement  for  general  circulation  to the public  relating to the
Merger,  this Agreement or the Merger  Agreement unless  previously  provided to
South Valley for review and approval  (which  approval will not be  unreasonably
withheld or delayed) and shall  cooperate  with South Valley in the  development
and distribution of all news releases and other public  information  disclosures
with respect to this Agreement or the Merger; provided that Pacific Capital may,
without the consent of South  Valley,  make any  disclosure  with regard to this
Agreement or the Merger that it determines is required  under any applicable law
or regulation and shall provide a copy thereof to South Valley.

         (f) Business  Combinations.  Pacific Capital shall not solicit nor make
any offer to any third party or accept any offer from any third party  regarding
a Business Combination of Pacific Capital with any other entity or person unless
such offer is expressly  conditioned  upon the performance by Pacific Capital or
its  successor  in  interest  of all Pacific  Capital's  obligations  under this
Agreement.  In the event Pacific  Capital fails to comply with the provisions of
this Section 3.1(f),  South Valley shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement
without  any  liability  to Pacific  Capital or any agent  thereof  pursuant  to
Section  11(b),  provided,  however,  that the  obligations  and  liabilities of
Pacific  Capital set forth in Section 11(e) hereof shall  continue in full force
and effect.  As used in this Agreement,  "Business  Combination"  shall mean any
tender  or  exchange  offer,  proposal  for a  merger,  consolidation,  or other
takeover proposal involving any party hereto (except as explicitly  contemplated
in this  Agreement)  or any offer or  proposal to acquire in any manner a 10% or
greater equity  interest in, or a substantial  portion of any party hereto other
than transactions contemplated hereunder.

         (g) Director and Officer Liability Insurance.  Upon the Effective Date,
any South  Valley  executive  officer  or  director  who  becomes  an officer or
director  of Pacific  Capital  (including  any  subsidiaries  thereof)  shall be
included in Pacific Capital's  director and officer  insurance  policy.  Pacific
Capital shall  cooperate  with South Valley to obtain  extended  coverage  under
South Valley's  director and officer insurance policy to cover claims made for a
period of two years after the  Effective  Time  regarding  acts or  omissions of
South Valley's directors or officers prior to the Effective Time.

         (h) Approval by Pacific  Capital  Shareholders.  Pacific  Capital shall
cause the  Merger,  this  Agreement  and the Merger  Agreement  to be  submitted
promptly for the approval of its  shareholders at a special meeting to be called
and held in accordance with applicable laws. Subject to its continuing fiduciary
duties to the shareholders of Pacific Capital, the Board of Directors of Pacific
Capital,  in authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Pacific
Capital, shall recommend that this Agreement and the Merger be approved. Pacific
Capital shall use its best efforts to cause such meeting of its  shareholders to
take place as soon as  possible  subject to  effectiveness  of the  Registration
Statement (as defined in Section  6(a)(i)).  In connection with the call of such
meeting,  Pacific  Capital shall cause such proxy  materials to be mailed to its
shareholders.  Subject to its continuing fiduciary duties to the shareholders of
Pacific  Capital,  the Board of Directors of Pacific  Capital shall at all times
prior to and during such meeting of Pacific Capital shareholders  recommend that
the transactions  contemplated  hereby be adopted and approved,  and, subject to
such fiduciary duties, use its best efforts to cause such adoption and approval.
Within  15  business  days  after the time of  execution  and  delivery  of this
Agreement, members of the Board of Directors of Pacific Capital shall deliver to
South Valley  undertakings  in the form attached  hereto as Exhibit B confirming
such directors' approval of the transactions  contemplated hereby, setting forth
such directors'  commitment to use his best efforts to cause the shareholders of
Pacific  Capital to adopt and  approve  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,
subject to their above-mentioned continuing fiduciary duties to the shareholders
of Pacific  Capital.  Except with the prior  approval of South  Valley,  neither
Pacific  Capital nor any member of its Board of Directors  shall, at the Pacific
Capital  shareholders'  meeting,  submit any other  matters for  approval of its
shareholders, other than matters incidental to the conduct of such meeting.

         (i) Access to Properties, Books and Records; Confidentiality.  Prior to
the Effective Time,  Pacific Capital shall give South Valley and its counsel and
accountants full access, during normal business hours and upon

                                       -5-

<PAGE>

reasonable request, to all of its properties, books, contracts,  commitments and
records including, but not limited to, the corporate,  financial and operational
records, papers, reports, instructions,  procedures, tax returns and filings tax
settlement letters,  material contracts or commitments,  regulatory examinations
and correspondence and shall allow South Valley to make copies of such materials
(to the extent not legally  prohibited)  and shall furnish South Valley with all
such information concerning its affairs as South Valley may reasonably request.

         (j) Dividends. Except for customary quarterly dividends consistent with
past practices and policies, Pacific Capital shall not declare, set aside or pay
any dividend or other  distribution  in respect of its common stock  (including,
without   limitation,   any  stock   dividend,   dividends   in  kind  or  other
distribution).

         (k) Executive  Employees.  Executive  employees of South Valley or SVNB
who shall  become or remain,  as the case may be,  executive  employees  of SVNB
after the Effective Date shall enter into employment  agreements with SVNB which
are mutually acceptable to SVNB and such executive employees.  In the event that
existing employment  agreements with executive employees of SVNB are terminated,
the terms and conditions of such employment agreements shall be complied with.

         (l) Conduct of Business in the Ordinary  Course.  Pacific Capital shall
conduct  its  business  in the  ordinary  course as  heretofore  conducted.  For
purposes of this Section  3.1(l),  the ordinary course of business shall consist
of the banking and related business as presently conducted by Pacific Capital.

         (m) Additions to Pacific  Capital Board of Directors.  Pacific  Capital
shall amend its Bylaws or take any other action necessary to increase the number
of  authorized  directors  on its  board  to  permit  the  appointment  of three
additional  directors to be designated by South Valley and acceptable to Pacific
Capital at least five business days prior to the Closing Date.

         (n) Nasdaq  National  Market  Listing.  Pacific  Capital shall apply to
Nasdaq for the designation of Pacific Capital Common Stock, including the shares
of Pacific Capital Common Stock to be issued  pursuant to this  Agreement,  as a
Nasdaq  National  Market  security and shall use its best efforts to obtain such
designation not later than the Effective Date.

         (o)  Changes in Capital  Stock.  At or after the date  hereof and at or
prior to the  Effective  Time,  except with the prior  written  consent of South
Valley, Pacific Capital shall not amend its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws;
make any change in its  authorized,  issued or outstanding  capital stock or any
other equity security;  issue,  sell,  pledge,  assign or otherwise  encumber or
dispose  of, or  purchase,  redeem or  otherwise  acquire,  any of its shares of
capital stock or other equity  securities or enter into any  agreement,  call or
commitment of any  character so to do; grant or issue any stock option  relating
to, right to acquire, or security  convertible into, shares of its capital stock
or other equity security;  purchase,  redeem, retire or otherwise acquire (other
than in a fiduciary  capacity) any shares of, or any security  convertible into,
its  capital  stock  or  other  equity  securities,  or  agree  to do any of the
foregoing, except that nothing herein shall prohibit the grant of options or the
issuance  of shares  pursuant to the Pacific  Capital  Option  Plans (as defined
herein) or the repurchase of shares of Pacific  Capital Common Stock pursuant to
its share repurchase program.

         3.2 Covenants of South Valley.

         (a) Approval by South Valley Shareholders. South Valley shall cause the
Merger, this Agreement and the Merger Agreement to be submitted promptly for the
approval  of its  shareholders  at a special  meeting  to be called  and held in
accordance with applicable laws.  Subject to its continuing  fiduciary duties to
the  shareholders  of South Valley,  the Board of Directors of South Valley,  in
authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement by South Valley,  shall
recommend that this Agreement and the Merger be approved. South Valley shall use
its best efforts to cause such meeting of its shareholders to take place as soon
as possible,  subject to effectiveness of the Registration Statement (as defined
in Section 6(a)(i)).  In connection with the call of such meeting,  South Valley
shall cause such proxy  materials  to be mailed to its  shareholders  (the proxy
materials,  together with any  amendments or supplements  thereto,  being herein
referred  to as the  "Proxy  Statement").  Subject to its  continuing  fiduciary
duties to the  shareholders  of South  Valley,  the Board of  Directors of South
Valley  shall at all times  prior to and during  such  meeting  of South  Valley
shareholders recommend that the transactions  contemplated hereby be adopted and
approved,  and, subject to such fiduciary duties,  use its best efforts to cause
such adoption and approval.  Within 15 business days after the time of execution
and  delivery  of this  Agreement,  members of the Board of  Directors  of South
Valley shall deliver to Pacific Capital undertakings in the form attached hereto
as  Exhibit  C  confirming   such  directors'   approval  of  the   transactions
contemplated hereby, setting forth such directors' commitment to vote his shares
of South Valley stock in favor of the transactions  contemplated hereby, setting
forth  such  directors'  commitment  to  use  his  best  efforts  to  cause  the
shareholders of South Valley to adopt and approve the transactions  contemplated
hereby,  subject to their  above-mentioned  continuing  fiduciary  duties to the
shareholders of South Valley. Except with the prior

                                       -6-
<PAGE>

approval of Pacific Capital, neither South Valley nor any member of its Board of
Directors  shall, at the South Valley  shareholders'  meeting,  submit any other
matters for approval of its shareholders,  other than matters  incidental to the
conduct of such meeting.

         (b) Shareholder  Lists and Other  Information.  After execution hereof,
South Valley shall from time to time make  available  to Pacific  Capital,  upon
request,  a list of its  shareholders  and their  addresses,  a list showing all
transfers of the South Valley Common Stock and such other information as Pacific
Capital  shall  reasonably  request  regarding  both  the  ownership  and  prior
transfers of the South Valley Common Stock.

         (c)  Government   Approvals.   South  Valley  shall  cooperate  in  all
reasonable respects with Pacific Capital in its undertaking  pursuant to Section
3.1(b) to obtain the  Government  Approvals  and South  Valley  further  agrees,
subject to the  continuing  fiduciary  duties of the Board of Directors of South
Valley to the  shareholders  of South  Valley,  to take such  actions  as may be
reasonably requested by Pacific Capital to cause the Merger to be consummated on
the terms provided in the Merger  Agreement and this Agreement as promptly as is
practicable.

         (d) Capital  Commitments and Expenditures.  After the execution of this
Agreement,  no new  capital  commitments  in excess of $50,000  shall be entered
into, and no capital  expenditures  in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate shall
be made by South  Valley.  South  Valley  shall not create any new  branches or,
except as permitted  pursuant to Section 3.2(h),  enter into any acquisitions or
leases of real property,  including both new leases and lease extensions without
the prior approval of Pacific Capital.

         (e)   Notification  of  Breach  of   Representations,   Warranties  and
Covenants.  South Valley shall promptly give written  notice to Pacific  Capital
upon becoming aware of the  occurrence or impending or threatened  occurrence of
any  event   which  would   cause  or   constitute   a  breach  of  any  of  the
representations,  warranties or covenants of South Valley  contained or referred
to in this  Agreement  and shall use its best  efforts  to  prevent  the same or
remedy the same promptly.

         (f) Financial Statements.

                    (i) South Valley has  delivered or shall  deliver to Pacific
         Capital  prior  to the  Effective  Date  true  and  correct  copies  of
         consolidated  statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity and
         statements of cash flows for the six (6) months ended June 30, 1996 any
         subsequent  quarter ends,  and for the fiscal years ended  December 31,
         1995, 1994, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and consolidated balance sheets at June
         30, 1996 and any  subsequent  quarter  ends,  and for the fiscal  years
         ended December 31, 1995, 1994,  1993, 1992 and 1991. Such  consolidated
         financial  statements at December 31, 1995,  1994,  1993, 1992 and 1991
         and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995,  1994, 1993, 1992 and
         1991 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP as  independent  public
         accountants  for South Valley and include an opinion of such accounting
         firm to the effect that such financial statements have been prepared in
         accordance with GAAP and present fairly, in all material respects,  the
         consolidated  financial position,  results of operations and cash flows
         of South Valley at the dates indicated and for the periods then ending.
         The opinions of such  accounting  firm do not and shall not contain any
         qualifications.

                    (ii) South Valley shall  provide to Pacific  Capital,  at or
         prior to the Effective  Date,  copies of all financial  statements  and
         proxy statements issued to South Valley's shareholders and/or directors
         after December 31, 1995 and at or prior to the Effective Date.

                    (iii) South Valley has provided or shall  provide to Pacific
         Capital prior to the Effective  Date copies of (a) its Annual Report on
         Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 1995,  1994,  1993, 1992 and
         1991, as filed with the Commission;  (b) all periodic  reports required
         to be filed by it  pursuant  to Section  13(a) or 15(d) of the 1934 Act
         since December 31, 1993; and (c) all proxy statements and other written
         material  furnished to South Valley's  shareholders  since December 31,
         1993, and all other material  reports relating to South Valley filed by
         South  Valley or any of its  subsidiaries  with the OCC, the FRB or the
         Commission  during 1993,  1994, 1995 and in 1996 prior to the Effective
         Date. As of their  respective  dates,  each of the  documents  provided
         hereunder  complied or shall comply in all material  respects  with all
         legal and regulatory requirements applicable thereto.

                    (iv) South  Valley  shall cause to be  delivered  to Pacific
         Capital  letters of Deloitte & Touche LLP, South  Valley's  independent
         auditors, dated a date no more than two business days prior to the date
         on which the Registration Statement (as defined herein) shall become


                                       -7-
<PAGE>

         effective  and two business  days before the Closing,  and addressed to
         Pacific  Capital,  in form and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to
         Pacific Capital,  and in scope and substance consistent with applicable
         professional  standards  for letters  delivered by  independent  public
         accountants in connection with registration  statements  similar to the
         Registration Statement.

         (g)  Compensation.  South Valley shall not make or approve any increase
in the  compensation  (including  but not  limited to  compensation  through any
profit  sharing,  pension,  retirement,  severance,  incentive or other employee
benefit program or arrangement), payable or to become payable by South Valley to
any of their  officers,  employees  or agents with annual  salaries in excess of
$70,000 at the date  hereof  nor shall any bonus  payment  or any  agreement  or
commitment to make a bonus payment be made (except with Pacific  Capital's prior
approval which shall not be unreasonably withheld),  nor shall any stock option,
warrant or other  right to  acquire  capital  stock be  granted,  or  employment
agreement (other than any such employment  agreement that may arise by operation
of law upon the hiring of any new employee) or  consulting  agreement be entered
into by South  Valley with any such  directors,  officers,  employees  or agents
unless Pacific Capital has given its prior written consent. Nothing herein shall
prevent the payment to South Valley  employees (with salaries of $70,000 or less
at the date hereof) of regular  salary  increases,  in  connection  with regular
salary  reviews  consistent  with past  practices,  as  heretofore  disclosed to
Pacific Capital.  South Valley shall not hire any new employee at an annual rate
in excess of current  customary  practice or, in any event, in excess of $50,000
per year,  except  with the prior  written  consent  of Pacific  Capital,  which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

         (h) Conduct of Business in the Ordinary Course. As used in this Section
3.2(h),  the term "South Valley" shall  collectively mean South Valley and SVNB.
Prior to the Effective Time:

                    (i)  South  Valley  shall  conduct  its  businesses  in  the
         ordinary  course  as  heretofore   conducted.   For  purposes  of  this
         Agreement,  the  "Ordinary  Course of  Business"  shall  consist of the
         banking and related businesses as presently  conducted by South Valley.
         Unless Pacific  Capital has given its previous  written  consent to any
         act or  omission  to the  contrary,  South  Valley  shall,  through the
         Effective Date, cause its officers to:

                    A. use their  best  efforts to  preserve  its  business  and
         business organizations intact;

                    B. use their  best  efforts  to  preserve  the  goodwill  of
         customers  and others  having  business  relations  with it and take no
         action that would  materially  impair the benefit to Pacific Capital of
         the goodwill of South Valley, or the other benefits of the Merger;

                    C.  consult  with  Pacific  Capital  as to the making of any
         decisions  or the taking of any  actions  in matters  other than in the
         Ordinary Course of Business;

                    D.  maintain its  properties  in customary  repair,  working
         order and condition (reasonable wear and tear excepted);

                    E.  comply  in  all   material   respects   with  all  laws,
         regulations and decrees applicable to the conduct of its business;

                    F. keep in force at not less  than its  present  limits  all
         policies of insurance  (including deposit insurance of the FDIC) to the
         extent  reasonably  practicable  in  light  of  the  prevailing  market
         conditions in the insurance industry;

                    G. use its best efforts,  subject to Section 3.2(g), to keep
         available to Pacific  Capital the services of its present  officers and
         employees (it being  understood  that South Valley shall have the right
         to terminate  the  employment  of any officer or employee in accordance
         with its established employment procedures);

                    H. comply  with all  orders,  agreements  and  memoranda  of
         understanding made by or with the OCC or any other regulatory authority
         of competent  jurisdiction  and promptly forward to Pacific Capital all
         communications received from any such authority that are not prohibited
         by such authority from being so disclosed and inform Pacific Capital of
         any material restrictions imposed by any governmental  authority on the
         business of South Valley or SVNB;

                    I.  file  in  a  timely  manner  (taking  into  account  any
         extensions duly obtained) all reports,  tax returns and other documents
         required to be filed with federal, state, local and other authorities;


                                       -8-
<PAGE>

                    J.   conduct  a  phase  I   environmental   audit  prior  to
         foreclosure  on any real  property  concerning  which South  Valley has
         knowledge  that  asbestos or  asbestos-containing  materials,  PCB's or
         PCB-contaminated   materials,   any  petroleum  product,  or  hazardous
         substance or waste (as defined under any applicable environmental laws)
         was or is present, manufactured, recycled, reclaimed, released, stored,
         treated,  or disposed  of, and provide the results of such audit to and
         consult with Pacific  Capital  regarding the  significance of the audit
         prior to the foreclosure on any such property;

                    K. not sell, lease,  pledge,  assign,  encumber or otherwise
         dispose of any of its assets except in the Ordinary Course of Business,
         for adequate value,  without recourse and consistent with its customary
         practice;

                    L.  with  respect  to any  extension  of credit in excess of
         $50,000  not  waive or  release  any right or  collateral  or cancel or
         compromise  any  debt  or  claim,  except  in the  Ordinary  Course  of
         Business;

                    M.  not  make,  renegotiate,   renew,  increase,  extend  or
         purchase any loans,  advances or loan commitments,  in each case to any
         of its officers, directors or any affiliated or related persons of such
         directors  or  officers  except  in the  Ordinary  Course  of  Business
         consistent with its established  loan procedures and in compliance with
         FRB Regulation O;

                    N. not take any action to create,  relocate or terminate the
         operations  of any  banking  office  or  branch,  or to  form  any  new
         subsidiary or affiliated entity;

                    O. not  settle or  otherwise  take any  action to release or
         reduce any of its rights  with  respect to any  litigation  involving a
         claim of more  than  $50,000  or claims  of more  than  $75,000  in the
         aggregate in which it is a party;

                    P.  consult  with  Pacific  Capital on problem  loan workout
         strategies,  and obtain Pacific Capital's  concurrence on any loan loss
         in excess of $15,000 (or $50,000 in the  aggregate) or any writedown of
         other real estate owned.

                    (ii) South Valley shall not,  without first having  obtained
         the written  consent of Pacific  Capital,  which  consent  shall not be
         unreasonably withheld, cause the officers of South Valley to:

                    A.  commit  to any  new  contract  or  extend  any  existing
         contract that would obligate South Valley for an aggregate  amount over
         time in excess of $50,000 (including data processing,  servicing or any
         other agreement or contract);

                    B. accelerate the vesting of pension or other benefits;

                    C. grant any new stock options or accelerate  the vesting of
         any existing stock options to fulfill the  requirements  of Section 2.6
         above; or

                    D. fail to promptly  notify Pacific  Capital in writing upon
         becoming aware of the occurrence of any of the following:

                              (1) the  classification  of any loan in the amount
                    of $50,000 or more as substandard, doubtful or loss;

                              (2) the filing or commencement of any legal action
                    or other  proceeding or  investigation  against South Valley
                    (or any director or executive officer); or

                              (3) the monthly  pretax  earnings of South  Valley
                    are less than $200,000.

         (i) Press  Releases.  South Valley shall not issue any press release or
written  statement  for general  circulation  relating to this  Agreement or the
Merger  unless  previously  provided to Pacific  Capital for review and approval
(which  approval  will  not be  unreasonably  withheld  or  delayed)  and  shall
cooperate with Pacific Capital in


                                       -9-

<PAGE>

the  development  and  distribution  of  all  news  releases  and  other  public
information  disclosures with respect to this Agreement or the Merger;  provided
that  South  Valley  may,  without  the  consent of  Pacific  Capital,  make any
disclosure  with regard to this  Agreement or the Merger that it  determines  is
required under any applicable law or regulation and shall provide a copy thereof
to Pacific Capital.

         (j) No Merger or Solicitation.

                    (i) Subject to the continuing  fiduciary duties of the Board
         of Directors of South Valley to the shareholders of South Valley, prior
         to the Effective Time, South Valley shall not effect or agree to effect
         any Business  Combination  (as defined in Section  3.1(f)),  acquire or
         agree to acquire  any of its own  capital  stock or the  capital  stock
         (except in a  fiduciary  capacity)  or assets  (except in the  Ordinary
         Course of Business) of any other  entity,  or commence any  proceedings
         for winding up and dissolution affecting either of them.

                    (ii) Subject to the continuing fiduciary duties of the Board
         of Directors of South Valley to the shareholders of South Valley, prior
         to the Effective Date, neither South Valley, nor any officer,  director
         or affiliate of South  Valley,  nor any  investment  banker,  attorney,
         accountant or other agent, advisor or representative  retained by South
         Valley  shall (A) solicit or  encourage,  directly or  indirectly,  any
         inquiries,  discussions  or proposals for,  continue,  propose or enter
         into  discussions or  negotiations  looking  toward,  or enter into any
         agreement or understanding providing for, any Business Combination;  or
         (B) disclose,  directly or indirectly, any nonpublic information to any
         corporation,  partnership,  person or other entity or group  concerning
         the  business and  properties  of South Valley or afford any such party
         access to the properties, books or records of South Valley or otherwise
         assist or encourage any such party in connection with the foregoing, or
         (C) furnish or cause to be furnished  any  information  concerning  the
         business, financial condition,  operations,  properties or prospects of
         South Valley to another person,  having any actual or prospective  role
         with  respect to any such  transaction;  provided,  however,  that with
         respect  to any  investment  banker,  South  Valley  shall use its best
         efforts  to  ensure  that  said  investment  banker  complies  with the
         foregoing.

                    (iii)  South  Valley  shall  notify  Pacific  Capital of the
         details of any indication of interest of any person, corporation, firm,
         association or group to acquire by any means a controlling  interest in
         South  Valley or engage in any Business  Combination  with South Valley
         within two business days of any such indication of interest.

                    (iv) In the  event the Board of  Directors  of South  Valley
         receives  a bona fide  offer for a Business  Combination  with  another
         entity, and reasonably  determines,  upon advice of counsel,  that as a
         result of such offer,  any duty to act or to refrain from doing any act
         pursuant  to  this  Agreement  is  inconsistent   with  the  continuing
         fiduciary  duties of said Board of  Directors  to the  shareholders  of
         South  Valley,  such failure to act or refrain from doing any act shall
         not constitute the failure of any condition,  breach of any covenant or
         otherwise constitute any breach of this Agreement,  provided,  however,
         that any such  failure  to act or  refrain  from  doing  any act  shall
         entitle Pacific Capital to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section
         11(b) and provided  further,  that the  obligations  and liabilities of
         South Valley set forth in Section  11(e) hereof shall  continue in full
         force and effect but neither South Valley nor its  officers,  directors
         or agents shall have any further  liability with regard thereto for any
         failure to act or omission of any act pursuant to this subsection (iv).

         (k) South Valley Cash or Deferred 401(k) Plan.  South Valley agrees the
South  Valley Cash or  Deferred  401(k)  Plan (the  "Plan")  may be  terminated,
frozen,  modified or merged into the Pacific Capital 401(k) Plan on or after the
Effective Date, as determined by Pacific Capital in its sole discretion, subject
to  compliance  with  applicable  law so long as any such action  preserves  the
rights of the participants in such Plan (including,  without limitation, vesting
rights).

         (l)  Changes in Capital  Stock.  At or after the date  hereof and at or
prior to the Effective  Time,  except with the prior written  consent of Pacific
Capital,  South Valley shall not amend its Articles of  Incorporation or Bylaws;
make any change in its  authorized,  issued or outstanding  capital stock or any
other equity security;  issue,  sell,  pledge,  assign or otherwise  encumber or
dispose  of, or  purchase,  redeem or  otherwise  acquire,  any of its shares of
capital stock or other equity  securities or enter into any  agreement,  call or
commitment of any  character so to do; grant or issue any stock option  relating
to, right to acquire, or security  convertible into, shares of its capital stock
or other equity security;  purchase,  redeem, retire or otherwise acquire (other
than in a fiduciary  capacity) any shares of, or any security  convertible into,
its  capital  stock  or  other  equity  securities,  or  agree  to do any of the
foregoing,  except 

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

that nothing herein shall prohibit the issuance of shares pursuant to the Option
Plans with respect to options  outstanding at the date of this Agreement (except
as limited in Section 2.6).

         (m) Dividends. Except for customary quarterly dividends consistent with
past  practices and policies,  South Valley shall not declare,  set aside or pay
any dividend or other  distribution  in respect of its common stock  (including,
without limitation, any stock dividend or other distribution).

         (n)  Accounting  Methods.  South Valley shall not change its methods of
accounting in effect at December 31, 1995, except as required by changes in GAAP
as concurred in by its independent auditors.

         (o)  Affiliates.  At least 40 days prior to the  Closing,  South Valley
shall  deliver to  Pacific  Capital a letter  identifying  all  persons  who are
"affiliates"  of South Valley for purposes of Rule 145 under the 1933 Act. South
Valley shall use all reasonable efforts to cause each person named in the letter
delivered  by it to deliver to Pacific  Capital  prior to the  Closing a written
"affiliates"  agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit D,
providing that such person shall dispose of the Pacific  Capital Common Stock to
be received by such person in the Merger only in accordance  with applicable law
and, in addition,  in such  agreement,  such affiliate shall represent that they
have no present  plan or  intention  to  dispose  of any such  shares of Pacific
Capital Common Stock.

         (p) Additional Agreements. In case at any time after the Effective Time
any further  action is  necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this
Agreement  or  to  vest  the  Surviving  Corporation  with  full  title  to  all
properties,  assets,  rights,  approvals,  immunities  and  franchises  of South
Valley,  the proper officers and directors of each party to this Agreement shall
take all such necessary or appropriate action.

         (q) Access to Properties, Books and Records; Confidentiality.  Prior to
the Effective Time,  South Valley shall give Pacific Capital and its counsel and
accountants  full  access,  during  normal  business  hours and upon  reasonable
request,  to all of its properties,  books,  contracts,  commitments and records
including, but not limited to, the corporate, financial and operational records,
papers,  reports,   instructions,   procedures,  tax  returns  and  filings  tax
settlement letters,  material contracts or commitments,  regulatory examinations
and  correspondence  and shall  allow  Pacific  Capital  to make  copies of such
materials  (to the extent not  legally  prohibited)  and shall  furnish  Pacific
Capital with all such information  concerning its affairs as Pacific Capital may
reasonably request.

         (r) Employee  Welfare  Benefit  Plans.  South Valley  agrees that South
Valley's  employee welfare benefit plans, as defined in Section 3(1) of Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), may be terminated,
modified or merged into Pacific  Capital's welfare benefit plans on or after the
Effective Date, as determined by Pacific Capital in its sole discretion, subject
to  compliance  with  applicable  law so long as any such action  preserves  the
rights of the participants in such plans, including, without limitation, vesting
rights.

         (s) Nonsolicitation Agreements. South Valley shall use its best efforts
to have each of its directors execute a nonsolicitation  agreement substantially
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E.

         (t) Additions to SVNB Board of  Directors.  South Valley shall take any
actions  necessary  to have SVNB  amend its  Bylaws  or to take any  actions  to
increase  the  number of  authorized  directors  on SVNB's  board to permit  the
appointment of three additional directors to be designated by Pacific Capital at
least five business days prior to the Closing Date.

         3.3 Covenants of the Parties.  Each party shall use its best efforts to
cause its officers,  directors,  employees,  auditors,  agents, and attorneys to
cooperate with the other in the reasonable requests for information by the other
parties hereto.  Each party shall treat as confidential  all such information in
the same manner as each party treats  similar  confidential  information  of its
own, and if this Agreement is terminated, each party shall continue to treat all
such  information  as  confidential  and to cause its employees to keep all such
information  confidential and shall return such documents  theretofore delivered
by the  other  party as the  other  party  shall  request,  and  shall  use such
information,  or cause it to be used,  solely for the purposes of evaluating and
completing the transactions  contemplated  hereby;  provided that each party may
disclose  any such  information  to the  extent  required  by  federal  or state
securities laws or otherwise  required by any governmental  agency or authority,
or by generally accepted accounting  principles.  The foregoing  confidentiality
obligations shall not apply in respect of any information  publicly available or
to any information  previously known to the party in question,  the use of which
is not otherwise restricted.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

         4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SOUTH VALLEY.

         South  Valley  represents  and warrants to Pacific  Capital,  except as
disclosed  to Pacific  Capital in  writing  on the date of this  Agreement  (the
"South Valley Disclosure Statement"), that:

         (a) Corporate Status and Power to Enter Into  Agreements.  South Valley
(i) is a corporation  duly  incorporated,  validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of California and is a registered  bank holding company under the
BHC Act,  (ii) subject to the approval of this  Agreement  and the  transactions
contemplated  hereby by the shareholders of South Valley and the FRB, it has all
necessary  corporate  power to enter into this Agreement and to carry out all of
the terms and  provisions  hereof and thereof to be carried out by it, and (iii)
is not subject to any directive, order (formal or informal) or agreement, of the
FRB or any other regulatory  authority having  jurisdiction over its business or
any of its  assets  or  properties,  and  (iv) is in full  compliance  with  any
agreements,  understandings  or  orders  of  the  FRB or  any  other  regulatory
authority  having  jurisdiction  over  its  business  or any of  its  assets  or
properties. SVNB (i) holds a currently valid license issued by the OCC to engage
in business as a national  association  under the National Bank Act, and (ii) is
not subject to any  directive,  order (formal or informal) or agreement,  of the
OCC or any other regulatory  authority having  jurisdiction over its business or
any of its  assets  or  properties,  and  (iii) is in full  compliance  with any
agreements,  understandings  or  orders  of  the  OCC or  any  other  regulatory
authority  having  jurisdiction  over  its  business  or any of  its  assets  or
properties.  Neither the scope of the  business of South  Valley or SVNB nor the
location  of  their  respective  properties  requires  it to be  licensed  to do
business in any jurisdiction other than the State of California.

         (b) Articles,  Bylaws,  Books and Records. The copies of the respective
Articles of  Incorporation or Association and Bylaws of South Valley and SVNB to
be  delivered  to Pacific  Capital  prior to the date  hereof are  complete  and
accurate  copies  thereof as in effect on the date  hereof.  The minute books of
South Valley and SVNB made available to Pacific  Capital  contain a complete and
accurate  record of all  meetings  of the  Board of  Directors  (and  committees
thereof) and shareholders.  The corporate books and records (including financial
statements) of South Valley and SVNB fairly reflect the material transactions to
which South  Valley or SVNB is a party or by which their  respective  properties
are subject or bound,  and such books and records  have been  properly  kept and
maintained.  The  Articles of  Incorporation  and Bylaws of South Valley and the
Articles of Association and Bylaws of SVNB and all amendments  thereto have been
duly  approved  by  all  requisite  corporate  action  and  by  the  appropriate
regulatory authority to the extent required by law.

         (c)  Compliance  With  Laws,  Regulations  and  Decrees.  To  the  best
knowledge of South Valley and SVNB,  each (i) has the corporate  power to own or
lease its  properties and to conduct its business as currently  conducted,  (ii)
has complied with,  and is not in default in any material  respects of any laws,
regulations,  ordinances,  orders or decrees  applicable  to the  conduct of its
business and the ownership of its  properties,  including but not limited to all
federal  and state laws  (including  but not limited to the Bank  Secrecy  Act),
rules and regulations relating to the offer, sale or issuance of securities, and
the operation of a national association,  other than where such noncompliance or
default is not likely to result in a material  limitation  on the conduct of its
business or is not likely to otherwise  have a material  adverse effect on South
Valley or SVNB  taken as a whole,  (iii) has not  failed to file with the proper
federal, state, local or other authorities any material report or other document
required  to be so  filed,  (iv)  has all  material  approvals,  authorizations,
consents,  licenses,  clearances and orders of, and have currently effective all
registrations  with,  all  governmental  and  regulatory  authorities  which are
necessary to the business and  operations  of South Valley and SVNB as now being
conducted,  and (v) has received no notification,  formally or informally,  from
any  agency or  department  of any  federal,  state or local  government  or any
regulatory  agency or the staff thereof (A) asserting  that South Valley or SVNB
is  not  in  material  compliance  with  any of  the  statutes,  regulations  or
ordinances  which such  government  or  regulatory  authority  enforces,  or (B)
threatening  to  revoke  any  licenses,   franchise,   permit  or   governmental
authorization of South Valley or SVNB.

         (d)  Capitalization.  The  authorized  capital  stock of  South  Valley
consists of 4,000,000  shares of South Valley  common  stock,  no par value,  of
which  1,313,986  are  duly   authorized,   validly   issued,   fully  paid  and
nonassessable and currently  outstanding.  The authorized  capital stock of SVNB
consists of 500,000 shares of SVNB common stock,  no par value, of which 400,000
are duly authorized,  validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and currently
outstanding.  Said  stock has been  issued  in  compliance  with all  applicable
registration or qualification  provisions of state and federal  securities laws.
No other  equity  securities  of South  Valley or SVNB  have been  issued or are
outstanding.  There are currently outstanding options to purchase 176,660 shares
of South Valley common stock, at a weighted average exercise price of $13.49 per
share,  issued pursuant to the Option Plans.  Said options were issued and, upon
issuance in  accordance  with the terms of the  outstanding  options said shares
shall be issued, in compliance with all applicable securities laws. There are no
outstanding (i) options, agreements, calls or commitments of any character which
would obligate South Valley to issue, sell, pledge, assign or otherwise encumber
or dispose of, or to  purchase,  redeem or otherwise  acquire,  any South Valley
common stock or any other equity  security of South Valley,  or (ii) warrants or
options relating to, rights to acquire, or debt or equity securities

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

convertible  into,  shares of South  Valley  common  stock or any  other  equity
security of South Valley. Attached to the South Valley Disclosure Statement is a
list of all option  holders and the number of vested and unvested  options as of
June 30, 1996.  The  outstanding  common stock of South Valley has been duly and
validly  registered with the Commission  pursuant to the 1934 Act, to the extent
required thereunder.

         (e)  Equity  Interests.   Except  as  disclosed  in  the  South  Valley
Disclosure  Statement or as collateral  for  outstanding  loans held in its loan
portfolio,  South  Valley  does not own,  directly  or  indirectly,  any  equity
interest in any bank, corporation, or other entity.

         (f) Financial Statements, Regulatory Reports. No financial statement or
other  document  provided or to be  provided  to Pacific  Capital as required by
Section 3.2(f)  hereof,  as of the date of such  document,  contained,  or as to
documents  to be  delivered  after the date  hereof,  will  contain,  any untrue
statement of a material fact,  or, at the date thereof,  omitted or will omit to
state a  material  fact  necessary  in order to make  the  statements  contained
therein,  in light of the circumstances under which such statements were or will
be made, not misleading;  provided, however, that information as of a later date
shall be deemed to modify  information as of any earlier date.  South Valley and
SVNB have filed all  material  documents  and reports  relating to South  Valley
and/or SVNB  required to be filed by South  Valley or SVNB with the  Commission,
the FRB, the OCC or any other  governmental  authority having  jurisdiction over
their businesses or any of their assets or properties.  All such reports conform
in all material  respects with the  requirements  promulgated by such regulatory
agencies.  All compliance or corrective action relating to South Valley required
by governmental  authorities and regulatory  agencies having  jurisdiction  over
South  Valley and SVNB have been taken.  South Valley and SVNB have not received
notification,  formally  or  informally,  from any agency or  department  of any
federal, state or local government or any regulatory agency or the staff thereof
(A) asserting that South Valley and/or SVNB is not in compliance with any of the
statutes,   regulations  or  ordinances  which  such  government  or  regulatory
authority enforces, or (B) threatening to revoke any license,  franchise, permit
or governmental  authorization of South Valley and/or SVNB. Neither South Valley
nor SVNB is subject  to any  order,  agreement  or  written  directive  with any
regulatory  authority with respect to its assets or business  except for matters
of general application.  South Valley and SVNB have paid all assessments made or
imposed by any governmental agency. South Valley shall make available to Pacific
Capital for inspection copies of all annual management  letters and opinions and
all  reviews,  correspondence  and other  documents in the files of South Valley
prepared  by  Deloitte & Touche  LLP or any other  certified  public  accountant
engaged by South Valley and delivered to South Valley since January 1, 1991. The
consolidated  financial  records of South  Valley  have been,  and are being and
shall be,  maintained in all material respects in accordance with all applicable
legal and  accounting  requirements  sufficient to insure that all  transactions
reflected  therein are, in all material  respects,  executed in accordance  with
management's  general or specific  authorization and recorded in conformity with
GAAP at the time in effect.  The data processing  equipment,  data  transmission
equipment, related peripheral equipment and software used by South Valley in the
operation of its business to generate  and  retrieve its  financial  records are
adequate for the current needs of South Valley.

         (g) Tax Returns.

                    (i)  South  Valley  has  timely  filed all  federal,  state,
         county,  local and  foreign  tax  returns  required  to be filed by it,
         including, without limitation, estimated tax, use tax, excise tax, real
         property  and personal  property  tax reports and  returns,  employer's
         withholding  tax  returns,  other  withholding  tax returns and Federal
         Unemployment  Tax Returns,  and all other reports or other  information
         required  or  requested  to be  filed by each of  them,  and each  such
         return,  report or other  information  was,  when filed,  complete  and
         accurate in all  material  respects.  South  Valley has paid all taxes,
         fees  and  other  governmental  charges,  including  any  interest  and
         penalties thereon, when they have become due and payable,  except those
         that are being contested in good faith,  which  contested  matters have
         been  disclosed  in writing to Pacific  Capital.  South  Valley has not
         requested  to  give  or  has  given  any  currently  effective  waivers
         extending  the  statutory  period of  limitation  applicable to any tax
         return required to be filed by either of them for any period. There are
         no claims  pending  against South Valley for any alleged  deficiency in
         the  payment  of  any  taxes,  and no  pending  or  threatened  audits,
         investigations  or claims for unpaid taxes or relating to any liability
         in respect of any taxes. There have been no events,  including a change
         in ownership, that would result in a reappraisal and establishment of a
         new  base-year  full  value  for  purposes  of  Articles  XIII.A of the
         California Constitution, of any real property owned in whole or in part
         by South Valley or to the best of South Valley's knowledge, of any real
         property leased by South Valley.

                    (ii) South  Valley  shall  deliver to Pacific  Capital  when
         available,  copies of all its and its  subsidiaries'  tax returns  with
         respect to taxes  payable to the United States of America and the State
         of California  for the fiscal years ended  December 31, 1995,  1994 and
         1993.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

                    (iii) No consent  has been filed  relating  to South  Valley
         pursuant to Section 341(f) of the IRC.

         (h) Material  Adverse  Change.  Except as  reflected on South  Valley's
financial  statements  issued prior to the date hereof and  delivered to Pacific
Capital or as otherwise  disclosed in writing by South Valley to Pacific Capital
prior to the  date  hereof,  since  December  31,  1995,  there  has been (i) no
material adverse change in the business, assets, licenses, permits,  franchises,
results of operations or financial condition of South Valley and SVNB taken as a
whole (whether or not in the Ordinary Course of Business), (ii) no change in any
of the assets,  licenses,  permits or franchises of South Valley or that has had
or, to South Valley's  knowledge,  can reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse  effect on any of the items  listed in  clause  (h)(i)  above,  (iii) no
damage,  destruction,  or  other  casualty  loss  (whether  or  not  covered  by
insurance) that has had or can reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect on any of the items listed in clause  (h)(i)  above,  (iv) no  amendment,
modification,  or  termination  of any  existing,  or entering  into of any new,
contract,  agreement, plan, lease, license, permit or franchise that is material
to the business, financial condition, assets, liabilities or operations of South
Valley and SVNB taken as a whole, except in the Ordinary Course of Business;  or
(v) no disposition by South Valley of one or more assets that,  individually  or
in the aggregate, are material to South Valley and SVNB taken as a whole, except
sales of assets in the Ordinary Course of Business.

         (i) No  Undisclosed  Liabilities.  Except for items for which  reserves
have been  established  in the unaudited  consolidated  balance  sheets of South
Valley as of June 30,  1996,  since such date South  Valley has not  incurred or
discharged,  and is not legally  obligated  with  respect to, any  indebtedness,
liability  (including,  without  limitation,  a  liability  arising  out  of  an
indemnification,  guarantee, hold harmless or similar arrangement) or obligation
(accrued  or  contingent,  whether  due or to become  due,  and  whether  or not
subordinated to the claims of its general creditors),  other than as a result of
operations  in the Ordinary  Course of Business.  South Valley has not knowingly
made nor shall make any  representations or covenants in any such agreement that
contained or shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or
shall omit to state a material  fact  necessary in order to make the  statements
contained   therein,   in  light  of  the   circumstances   under   which   such
representations and/or covenants were made or shall be made, not misleading.  No
cash,  stock or other  dividend or any other  distribution  with  respect to the
stock of South Valley has been declared,  set aside or paid, nor have any shares
of the stock of South Valley been  purchased,  redeemed or  otherwise  acquired,
directly or indirectly, by South Valley since June 30, 1996.

         (j) Properties and Leases.

                    (i) South  Valley and SVNB have good and  marketable  title,
         free  and  clear  of all  liens  and  encumbrances  and  the  right  of
         possession,  subject to existing leaseholds, to all real properties and
         good title to all other property and assets,  tangible and  intangible,
         reflected in the South Valley unaudited  consolidated  balance sheet as
         of June 30, 1996 (except  property held as lessee under leases  entered
         into since June 30,  1996 and  disclosed  in writing  prior to the date
         hereof and except personal property sold or otherwise disposed of since
         June 30, 1996 in the Ordinary Course of Business), except (a) liens for
         taxes  or  assessments  not  delinquent,   (b)  such  other  liens  and
         encumbrances and imperfections of title as do not materially affect the
         value of such  property  as  reflected  in the South  Valley  unaudited
         consolidated  balance sheet as of June 30, 1996, or as currently  shown
         on the books and  records of South  Valley  and which do not  interfere
         with or  impair  the  present  and  continued  use,  or (c)  immaterial
         exceptions  disclosed in title reports and  preliminary  title reports,
         copies of which  shall be  provided to Pacific  Capital.  All  tangible
         properties  of South Valley  conform in all material  respects with all
         applicable  ordinances,  regulations  and  zoning  laws.  All  material
         tangible  properties  of South  Valley  and SVNB are in a good state of
         maintenance  and repair and are  adequate  for the current  business of
         South Valley. No properties of South Valley or SVNB and, to the best of
         South Valley's knowledge,  no properties in which it holds a collateral
         or  contingent  interest  or  purchase  option,  are the subject of any
         pending  or  to  the  best  of  South  Valley's  knowledge,  threatened
         investigation,  claim or  proceeding  relating  to the use,  storage or
         disposal on such property of or  contamination  of such property by any
         toxic or  hazardous  waste  material or  substance.  To South  Valley's
         knowledge,  South  Valley  and  SVNB  do not  own,  possess  or  have a
         collateral or contingent  interest or purchase option in any properties
         or other  assets which  contain or have  located  within or thereon any
         hazardous or toxic waste  material or substance  unless the location of
         such  hazardous or toxic waste  material or other  substance or its use
         thereon conforms in all material  respects with all federal,  state and
         local laws,  rules,  regulations  or other  provisions  regulating  the
         discharge of materials into the environment.  As to any asset not owned
         or  leased  by  South  Valley  or SVNB,  to the best of South  Valley's
         knowledge,  neither South Valley nor SVNB has  controlled,  directed or
         participated  in the  operation or 

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

         management of any such asset or any facilities or enterprise  conducted
         thereon,  such that it has  become an owner or  operator  of such asset
         under applicable environmental laws.

                    (ii) All  properties  held by  South  Valley  or SVNB  under
         leases are held under valid,  binding and enforceable leases, with such
         exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the conduct of
         the business of South Valley or SVNB,  and South Valley or SVNB, as the
         case may be,  enjoys  quiet  and  peaceful  possession  of such  leased
         property.  South Valley is not in default in any material respect under
         any material lease, agreement or obligation regarding its properties to
         which it is a party or by which it is bound.

                    (iii) Except as  disclosed  to Pacific  Capital in the South
         Valley  Disclosure  Statement,  all of South Valley's and SVNB's rights
         and obligations  under the leases referred to in Section 4(j)(ii) above
         do not  require  the  consent  of any  other  party to the  transaction
         contemplated by this Agreement.  Where required, South Valley shall use
         its best efforts to obtain, prior to the Effective Date, the consent of
         all parties to any such transactions.

         (k) Material  Contracts.  Except as disclosed to Pacific Capital in the
South Valley  Disclosure  Statement and excluding loans,  lines of credit,  loan
commitments  or  letters  of  credit to which  South  Valley or SVNB is a party,
neither  South  Valley nor SVNB is a party to or bound by any  contract or other
agreement  made in the  Ordinary  Course of Business  which  involves  aggregate
future  payments by or to it of more than  $50,000 and which is made for a fixed
period  expiring  more than one year from the date  hereof,  and  neither  South
Valley nor SVNB is a party to or bound by any agreement not made in the Ordinary
Course of Business which is to be performed at or after the date hereof. Each of
the  contracts  and  agreements  disclosed to Pacific  Capital  pursuant to this
Section  4(k)  is  a  legal  and  binding  obligation   (subject  to  applicable
bankruptcy,  insolvency and similar laws affecting  creditors'  rights generally
and  subject,  as  to  enforceability,   to  equitable   principles  of  general
applicability),  and no material breach or default (and no condition which, with
notice or passage of time,  or both,  could  become a breach or default)  exists
with  respect  thereto.  No power of  attorney  or similar  authorization  given
directly or indirectly by South Valley is currently outstanding.

         (l) Employment Contracts and Benefits.

                    (i) South Valley shall provide to Pacific  Capital access to
         all bonus, incentive compensation, profit-sharing, pension, retirement,
         stock  purchase,   stock  option,  deferred  compensation,   severance,
         hospitalization,   medical,  dental,  vision,  group  insurance,  death
         benefits,  disability and other fringe benefit plans, trust agreements,
         arrangements  and  commitments of South Valley and SVNB  (including but
         not limited to such plans,  agreements,  arrangements  and  commitments
         applicable to former employees or retired employees,  or for which such
         persons are eligible),  if any, together with copies of all such plans,
         agreements,  arrangements and commitments that are documented,  any and
         all contracts of employment and has made  available to Pacific  Capital
         any Board of Directors'  minutes (or  committee  minutes) from meetings
         held within the five-year period ending as of the Closing  authorizing,
         approving or guaranteeing such plans and contracts.

                    (ii) With respect to each employee  benefit plan (as defined
         in  Section  3(3) of ERISA) of South  Valley  which is  subject  to the
         reporting,  disclosure and record  retention  requirements set forth in
         the  IRC  and  Part  1 of  Subtitle  B of  Title  I of  ERISA  and  the
         regulations  thereunder,  each of such requirements has been met in all
         material respects on a timely basis.

                    (iii) With respect to each employee benefit plan (as defined
         in Section 3(3) of ERISA) of South Valley which is subject to Part 4 of
         Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA, none of the following now exists or has
         existed within the six-year period ending on the date hereof:

                    (1) Any act or omission constituting a material violation of
         Section 402 of ERISA;

                    (2) Any act or omission constituting a material violation of
         Section 403 of ERISA;

                    (3)  Any  act or  omission  by  South  Valley  or any of its
         subsidiaries,   or  by  any  director,  officer  or  employee  thereof,
         constituting a material violation of Sections 404 and 405 of ERISA;

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

                    (4) To the  best of  South  Valley's  knowledge,  any act or
         omission  by any other  person  constituting  a material  violation  of
         Sections 404 or 405 of ERISA;

                    (5)  Any  act  or  omission  which  constitutes  a  material
         violation  of  Sections  406 or 407 of  ERISA  and is not  exempted  by
         Section  408 of ERISA or which  constitutes  a  material  violation  of
         Section  4975(c) of the IRC and is not  exempted by Section  4975(d) of
         the IRC; or

                    (6) Any act or omission constituting a material violation of
         Sections 503, 510 or 511 of ERISA.

                    (iv) All contributions,  premiums or other payments due from
         South Valley and its  subsidiaries  to (or under) any employee  benefit
         plan of South Valley have been fully paid or adequately provided for on
         the audited  financials  for the year ended  December  31, 1995 and the
         unaudited  financials  for the period ended June 30, 1996. All accruals
         thereon  (including,  where  appropriate,   proportional  accruals  for
         partial periods) have been made in all material  respects in accordance
         with GAAP consistently applied on a reasonable basis.

                    (v) Each employee  benefit plan of South Valley  complies in
         all material  respects with all applicable  requirements of (A) the Age
         Discrimination  in  Employment  Act  of  1967,  as  amended,   and  the
         regulations  thereunder  and (B) Title VII of the Civil  Rights  Act of
         1964, as amended, and the regulations thereunder.

                    (vi) Each employee  benefit plan of South Valley complies in
         all  material  respects  with all  applicable  requirements  of (A) the
         health  care  continuation  coverage  provisions  of  the  Consolidated
         Omnibus  Budget   Reconciliation  Act  of  1985,  and  the  regulations
         thereunder.

                    (vii)  South  Valley  shall  disclose  in writing to Pacific
         Capital  the names of each  director,  officer  and  employee  of South
         Valley and SVNB.

         (m) Compliance  With ERISA.  South Valley has not, since its inception,
either maintained or contributed to an employee pension benefit plan, as defined
in Section 3(2) of ERISA, including multiemployer plans, other than the Plan and
a true and accurate  copy of which has been  provided to Pacific  Capital.  With
respect to the Plan and its related trust (the "South Valley Trust"),  as of the
Effective Time, (i) the Plan will in all material respects be (and currently is)
in compliance in form with all the applicable  requirements of Section 401(a) of
the IRC,  and the form of the South  Valley Trust will be exempt from income tax
under  Section  501(a) of the IRC;  (ii) the Plan  represents  the adoption of a
standardized  prototype plan that received a favorable  opinion letter ("Opinion
Letter") from the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") as to its form dated April 1,
1992;  (iii) South Valley relies on such Opinion Letter as authorized  under IRS
Revenue  Procedure 96-4 as support for the fact that the Plan is qualified under
section 401(a) of the IRC; (iv) no  contributions  have exceeded the limitations
set forth in  Section  415 of the IRC;  (v)  required  filings  with the IRS and
Department  of Labor  with  respect to the Plan and the South  Valley  Trust for
periods from  inception and ending at or prior to the  Effective  Time will have
been made by South Valley and the plan administrator; (vi) there shall have been
no material  violation  of Parts 1 and 4 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA or of
Section  4975 of the IRC;  and (vii) there  shall have been no action,  claim or
demand  of  any  kind  known  to  South  Valley   brought  by  any  claimant  or
representative of such claimant under the Plan or South Valley Trust where South
Valley may be either (A) liable directly on such action, claim or demand, or (B)
obligated  to indemnify  any person,  group of persons or entity with respect to
such action, claim or demand,  unless such action, claim or demand is covered by
adequate reserves reflected in South Valley's June 30, 1996 financial statements
or an insurer of South Valley has agreed to defend against and pay the amount of
any resulting liability without reservation.

         (n) Collective Bargaining and Employment Agreements. Except as provided
in this  Agreement  or as  disclosed  to  Pacific  Capital  in the South  Valley
Disclosure  Statement,  South  Valley  does  not have  any  union or  collective
bargaining or written employment agreements,  contracts or other agreements with
any labor  organization  or with any member of management,  or any management or
consultation  agreement not terminable at will by South Valley without liability
and no such contract or agreement has been requested by, or is under  discussion
by  management  with,  any group of  employees,  any member of management or any
other person. There are no material  controversies  pending between South Valley
and any current or former employees,  and to the best of their knowledge,  there
are no efforts  presently  being made by any labor union seeking to organize any
of such employees.

         (o)  Compensation  of Officers  and  Employees.  Except as disclosed to
Pacific Capital in the South Valley Disclosure Statement and except as otherwise
provided in this  Agreement,  (i) no officer or employee of South Valley or SVNB
is receiving  aggregate  direct  remuneration  at a rate  exceeding  $65,000 per
annum,  and (ii)  the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement  will not (either alone or upon the

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

occurrence of any  additional  or further acts or events)  result in any payment
(whether of severance pay or otherwise)  becoming due from South Valley, SVNB or
Pacific Capital to any employee of South Valley or SVNB.

         (p) Legal  Actions  and  Proceedings.  Except as  disclosed  to Pacific
Capital in writing prior to the date hereof,  neither South Valley nor SVNB is a
party to, or to the best of their knowledge threatened with, any legal action or
other proceeding or  investigation  before any court, any arbitrator of any kind
or any government agency, and, to the best of South Valley's knowledge,  neither
South Valley nor SVNB is subject to any potential  adverse claim, the outcome of
which could involve the payment or receipt by South Valley or SVNB of any amount
in excess of  $25,000,  unless an insurer  of South  Valley has agreed to defend
against and pay the amount of any resulting liability without  reservation,  or,
if any such legal action,  proceeding,  investigation  or claim will not involve
the payment by South Valley or SVNB of a monetary amount, which could materially
adversely affect South Valley, SVNB or their respective businesses or properties
or the transactions  contemplated  hereby.  South Valley has no knowledge of any
pending or threatened  claims or charges under the Community  Reinvestment  Act,
before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the California Department of
Fair Housing & Economic Development,  the California Unemployment Appeals Board,
or any human relations commission.  There is no labor dispute, strike, slow-down
or stoppage pending or, to the best of the knowledge of South Valley, threatened
against South Valley or SVNB.

         (q) Execution and Delivery of the Agreement.

                    (i) The  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement has been
         duly  authorized  by the Board of Directors  of South Valley and,  when
         this   Agreement  and  the  Merger  have  been  duly  approved  by  the
         affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares
         of South Valley common stock at a meeting of  shareholders  duly called
         and  held,  this  Agreement  and the  Merger  will be duly and  validly
         authorized  by all  necessary  corporate  action  on the  part of South
         Valley.

                    (ii) This  Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
         South  Valley  and   (assuming   due  execution  and  delivery  by  and
         enforceability  against  Pacific  Capital)  constitutes  the  legal and
         binding obligations of South Valley.

                    (iii) The  execution  and  delivery by South  Valley of this
         Agreement and the  consummation of the  transactions  herein (A) do not
         violate any  provision  of the Articles of  Incorporation  or Bylaws of
         South Valley, any provision of federal or state law or any governmental
         rule or regulation  (assuming (1) receipt of the Government  Approvals,
         (2) receipt of the requisite South Valley shareholder approval referred
         to in  Section  3.2(a)  hereof,  (3) due  registration  of the  Pacific
         Capital Shares under the 1933 Act, (4) receipt of  appropriate  permits
         or approvals under  applicable  state securities laws, and (5) accuracy
         of the representations of Pacific Capital set forth herein), and (B) do
         not require any consent of any person under, conflict with or result in
         a breach of, or accelerate the performance required by any of the terms
         of, any material debt instrument,  lease, license, covenant,  agreement
         or  understanding  to which  South  Valley is a party or by which it is
         bound or any order,  ruling,  decree,  judgment,  arbitration  award or
         stipulation to which South Valley is subject,  or constitute a material
         default  thereunder  or result  in the  creation  of any  lien,  claim,
         security interest, encumbrance, charge, restriction or similar right of
         any third party upon any of the properties or assets of South Valley.

         (r) Insurance.  South Valley and SVNB are and continuously  since their
respective  inceptions have been,  insured with reputable  insurers  against all
risks normally insured against by corporations such as South Valley and national
associations,  and  all of the  insurance  policies  (including  directors'  and
officers' liability  insurance) and bonds maintained by South Valley are in full
force  and  effect,  and to the best of its  knowledge,  South  Valley is not in
material default  thereunder and all material claims  thereunder have been filed
in due and timely  fashion.  In the best  judgment  of the  management  of South
Valley, such insurance coverage is adequate for South Valley. Since December 31,
1990, there has not been any damage to, destruction of, or loss of any assets of
South Valley not covered by insurance that could materially and adversely affect
the business, financial condition,  properties,  assets or results of operations
of South Valley and SVNB taken as a whole.

         (s) Transactions  With Affiliates.  Except as may arise in the Ordinary
Course of Business,  South Valley has not extended  credit,  committed to extend
credit,  or  transferred  any asset to or assumed or guaranteed any liability of
the  employees or directors  of South  Valley,  or any spouse or child of any of
them, or to any of their  "affiliates" or "associates" as such terms are defined
in Rule 405 under  Regulation  C of the 1933 Act.  South  Valley has not entered
into any other  transactions  with the employees or directors of South Valley or
any spouse or child of any of them, or any of their  affiliates  or  associates,
except as disclosed in writing to Pacific Capital in the South

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

Valley  Disclosure  Statement.  Any such transactions have been on terms no less
favorable than those which would prevail in an arm's-length  transaction with an
independent third party.

         (t) Information in Registration  Statement.  The information pertaining
to South Valley  which will be furnished to Pacific  Capital for or on behalf of
South Valley for inclusion in the Registration Statement,  the Prospectus or the
Proxy Statement (each as herein defined),  or in the applications to be filed to
obtain the  Government  Approvals  (the  "Applications"),  will not  contain any
untrue  statement  of any  material  fact or  omits or will  omit to  state  any
material fact required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the statements
therein,  in  light  of  the  circumstances  under  which  they  are  made,  not
misleading;  provided, however, that information of a later date shall be deemed
to modify  information as of an earlier date. All financial  statements of South
Valley included in the Prospectus and Proxy Statement will present fairly in all
material  respects the  financial  condition  and results of operations of South
Valley at the dates and for the periods covered by such statements in accordance
with  GAAP  consistently   applied   throughout  the  periods  covered  by  such
statements.  South Valley shall promptly  advise  Pacific  Capital in writing if
prior to the  Effective  Time South Valley  shall obtain  knowledge of any facts
that would make it  necessary  to amend the  Registration  Statement,  the Proxy
Statement or any Application,  or to supplement the Prospectus, in order to make
the statements therein not misleading or to comply with applicable law.

         (u) Accuracy of  Representations  and Warranties.  No representation or
warranty by South Valley,  and no statement by South Valley in any  certificate,
agreement,   schedule  or  other  document  furnished  in  connection  with  the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, contains or will contain any untrue
statement of a material  fact or omits or will omit to state any  material  fact
necessary to make such  representation,  warranty or statement not misleading to
Pacific Capital;  provided,  however,  that information as of a later date shall
automatically modify information as of an earlier date.

         (v) Loans.  South Valley has  disclosed  to Pacific  Capital in writing
prior to the date  hereof,  and will  promptly  inform  Pacific  Capital  of the
amounts of all loans,  leases,  other  extensions of credit or  commitments,  or
other interest-bearing  assets of SVNB, that have been classified as of the date
hereof or hereafter by any internal bank examiner or any bank regulatory  agency
as  "Other  Loans  Specially   Mentioned,"  "Special  Mention,"   "Substandard,"
"Doubtful,"  "Loss,"  or words of  similar  import in the case of loans (or that
would have been so classified, in the case of other interest-bearing assets, had
they been loans).  South Valley has  furnished  and will  continue to furnish to
Pacific Capital true and accurate  information  concerning the loan portfolio of
SVNB, and no material information with respect to the loan portfolio has been or
will be withheld from Pacific  Capital.  All loans and  investments  of SVNB are
legal,  valid and  binding  obligations  enforceable  in  accordance  with their
respective  terms and are not subject to any setoffs,  counterclaims or disputes
(subject  to  applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency  and  similar  laws  affecting
creditors'  rights  generally and subject,  as to  enforceability,  to equitable
principles of general applicability),  except as disclosed to Pacific Capital in
writing or reserved  for in the  unaudited  balance  sheet of South Valley as of
June 30,  1996,  and were  duly  authorized  under and made in  compliance  with
applicable federal and state laws and regulations.  South Valley and SVNB do not
have  any  extensions  of  credit,  investments,   guarantees,   indemnification
agreements or commitments for the same (including without limitation commitments
to issue letters of credit, to create acceptances,  or to repurchase securities,
federal  funds or other  assets)  other than those  documented  on the books and
records of South Valley and SVNB.

         (w)  Restrictions on  Investments.  Except for pledges to secure public
and trust deposits and repurchase  agreements in the Ordinary Course of Business
or those securities  classified as  "held-to-maturity" as defined under SFAS No.
115, none of the investments  reflected in the unaudited  balance sheet of South
Valley as of June 30, 1996, and none of the investments  made by South Valley or
SVNB since June 30, 1996, is subject to any restriction,  whether contractual or
statutory,  which  materially  impairs  the  ability  of South  Valley to freely
dispose of such investment at any time.


         5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PACIFIC CAPITAL.

         Pacific  Capital  represents  and warrants to South  Valley,  except as
disclosed to South Valley in writing on the date of this Agreement (the "Pacific
Capital Disclosure Statement"), that:

         (a)  Corporate  Status  and  Power to Enter  Into  Agreements.  Pacific
Capital (i) is a corporation  duly  incorporated,  validly  existing and in good
standing under the laws of California and is a registered  bank holding  company
under the BHC Act,  (ii)  subject  to the  approval  of this  Agreement  and the
transactions  contemplated hereby by the shareholders of Pacific Capital and the
FRB, it has all necessary  corporate  power to enter into this  Agreement and to
carry out all of the terms and  provisions  hereof and thereof to be carried out
by it, and (iii) is not subject to any directive,  order (formal or informal) or
agreement, of the FRB or any other regulatory authority having jurisdiction over
its business or any of its assets or properties,  and (iv) is in full compliance
with any agreements,

                                      -18-
<PAGE>

understandings  or orders of the FRB or any other  regulatory  authority  having
jurisdiction over its business or any of its assets or properties. FNB (i) holds
a currently  valid license issued by the OCC to engage in business as a national
association  under  the  National  Bank  Act,  and  (ii) is not  subject  to any
directive,  order  (formal or  informal) or  agreement,  of the OCC or any other
regulatory  authority having jurisdiction over its business or any of its assets
or  properties,   and  (iii)  is  in  full   compliance   with  any  agreements,
understandings  or orders of the OCC or any other  regulatory  authority  having
jurisdiction  over its business or any of its assets or properties.  Neither the
scope of the  business  of  Pacific  Capital  or FNB nor the  location  of their
respective  properties  requires  it  to  be  licensed  to do  business  in  any
jurisdiction other than the State of California.

         (b) Articles,  Bylaws,  Books and Records. The copies of the respective
Articles of  Incorporation  or Association and Bylaws of Pacific Capital and FNB
to be  delivered  to South  Valley  prior to the date  hereof are  complete  and
accurate  copies  thereof as in effect on the date  hereof.  The minute books of
Pacific  Capital and FNB made  available to South Valley  contain a complete and
accurate  record of all  meetings  of the  Board of  Directors  (and  committees
thereof) and shareholders.  The corporate books and records (including financial
statements) of Pacific Capital and FNB fairly reflect the material  transactions
to  which  Pacific  Capital  or FNB is a  party  or by  which  their  respective
properties  are subject or bound,  and such books and records have been properly
kept and maintained. The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Pacific Capital
and the Articles of  Association  and Bylaws of FNB and all  amendments  thereto
have been duly approved by all requisite corporate action and by the appropriate
regulatory authority to the extent required by law.

         (c)  Compliance  With  Laws,  Regulations  and  Decrees.  To  the  best
knowledge of Pacific Capital and FNB, each (i) has the corporate power to own or
lease its  properties and to conduct its business as currently  conducted,  (ii)
has complied with,  and is not in default in any material  respects of any laws,
regulations,  ordinances,  orders or decrees  applicable  to the  conduct of its
business and the ownership of its  properties,  including but not limited to all
federal  and state laws  (including  but not limited to the Bank  Secrecy  Act),
rules and regulations relating to the offer, sale or issuance of securities, and
the operation of a national association,  other than where such noncompliance or
default is not likely to result in a material  limitation  on the conduct of its
business or is not likely to otherwise have a material adverse effect on Pacific
Capital  or FNB taken as a whole,  (iii) has not  failed to file with the proper
federal, state, local or other authorities any material report or other document
required  to be so  filed,  (iv)  has all  material  approvals,  authorizations,
consents,  licenses,  clearances and orders of, and have currently effective all
registrations  with,  all  governmental  and  regulatory  authorities  which are
necessary to the business and operations of Pacific Capital and FNB as now being
conducted,  and (v) has received no notification,  formally or informally,  from
any  agency or  department  of any  federal,  state or local  government  or any
regulatory agency or the staff thereof (A) asserting that Pacific Capital or FNB
is  not  in  material  compliance  with  any of  the  statutes,  regulations  or
ordinances  which such  government  or  regulatory  authority  enforces,  or (B)
threatening  to  revoke  any  licenses,   franchise,   permit  or   governmental
authorization of Pacific Capital or FNB.

         (d)  Capitalization.  The authorized  capital stock of Pacific  Capital
consists of  20,000,000  shares of common  stock,  without  par value,  of which
2,607,438 shares are duly authorized,  fully paid, validly issued, nonassessable
and are currently  outstanding and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without
par  value,  of which  no  preferred  shares  are  issued  or  outstanding.  The
authorized  capital  stock of FNB  consists  of  1,800,000  shares of FNB common
stock, $5.00 par value, of which 1,800,000 are duly authorized,  validly issued,
fully paid and  nonassessable  and  currently  outstanding.  Said stock has been
issued  in  compliance  with  all  applicable   registration  or   qualification
provisions of state and federal  securities laws. No other equity  securities of
Pacific Capital or FNB have been issued or are outstanding.  There are currently
outstanding  options to purchase 169,319 shares of Pacific Capital Common Stock,
at a weighted average exercise price of $16.36 per share, issued pursuant to the
1994 Stock  Option Plan.  There are  currently  outstanding  options to purchase
89,306 shares of Pacific  Capital Common Stock, at a weighted  average  exercise
price of $14.50 per share,  issued  pursuant to the 1991 Directors  Stock Option
Plan.  There are  currently  outstanding  options to purchase  56,778  shares of
Pacific Capital Common Stock, at a weighted average exercise price of $14.50 per
share, issued pursuant to the 1984 Stock Option Plan. The foregoing option plans
are referred to herein  collectively as the "Pacific Capital Option Plans." Said
options  were issued and,  upon  issuance  in  accordance  with the terms of the
outstanding  options  said  shares  shall  be  issued,  in  compliance  with all
applicable  securities laws.  There are no outstanding (i) options,  agreements,
calls or commitments of any character  which would obligate  Pacific  Capital to
issue, sell, pledge, assign or otherwise encumber or dispose of, or to purchase,
redeem or  otherwise  acquire,  any Pacific  Capital  common  stock or any other
equity  security of Pacific  Capital,  or (ii) warrants or options  relating to,
rights to acquire,  or debt or equity  securities  convertible  into,  shares of
Pacific  Capital common stock or any other equity  security of Pacific  Capital.
Attached to the Pacific  Capital  Disclosure  Statement  is a list of all option
holders and the number of vested and unvested  options as of June 30, 1996.  The
outstanding common stock of Pacific Capital has been duly and validly registered
with the Commission pursuant to the 1934 Act, to the extent required thereunder.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>

         (e)  Equity  Interests.  Except as  disclosed  in the  Pacific  Capital
Disclosure  Statement or as collateral  for  outstanding  loans held in its loan
portfolio,  Pacific  Capital does not own,  directly or  indirectly,  any equity
interest in any bank, corporation, or other entity.

         (f) Financial Statements, Regulatory Reports. No financial statement or
other document provided or to be provided to South Valley as required by Section
3.1(d) hereof, as of the date of such document, contained, or as to documents to
be delivered  after the date hereof,  will  contain,  any untrue  statement of a
material fact, or, at the date thereof, omitted or will omit to state a material
fact necessary in order to make the statements  contained  therein,  in light of
the  circumstances  under  which  such  statements  were or will  be  made,  not
misleading;  provided,  however,  that  information  as of a later date shall be
deemed to modify  information  as of any earlier date.  Pacific  Capital and FNB
have filed all material documents and reports relating to Pacific Capital and/or
FNB required to be filed by Pacific Capital or FNB with the Commission, the FRB,
the OCC or any other  governmental  authority  having  jurisdiction  over  their
businesses or any of their assets or properties. All such reports conform in all
material respects with the requirements promulgated by such regulatory agencies.
All  compliance or corrective  action  relating to Pacific  Capital  required by
governmental  authorities  and  regulatory  agencies  having  jurisdiction  over
Pacific  Capital  and FNB have  been  taken.  Pacific  Capital  and FNB have not
received notification,  formally or informally, from any agency or department of
any federal,  state or local  government or any  regulatory  agency or the staff
thereof (A) asserting that

Pacific  Capital  and/or  FNB is not in  compliance  with  any of the  statutes,
regulations  or  ordinances  which  such  government  or  regulatory   authority
enforces,  or (B)  threatening  to  revoke  any  license,  franchise,  permit or
governmental  authorization  of Pacific  Capital  and/or  FNB.  Neither  Pacific
Capital nor FNB is subject to any order, agreement or written directive with any
regulatory  authority with respect to its assets or business  except for matters
of general  application.  Pacific Capital and FNB have paid all assessments made
or imposed by any governmental  agency.  Pacific Capital shall make available to
South Valley for inspection copies of all annual management letters and opinions
and all  reviews,  correspondence  and other  documents  in the files of Pacific
Capital  prepared by KPMG or any other certified  public  accountant  engaged by
Pacific  Capital and delivered to Pacific  Capital  since  January 1, 1991.  The
consolidated  financial  records of Pacific Capital have been, and are being and
shall be,  maintained in all material respects in accordance with all applicable
legal and  accounting  requirements  sufficient to insure that all  transactions
reflected  therein are, in all material  respects,  executed in accordance  with
management's  general or specific  authorization and recorded in conformity with
GAAP at the time in effect.  The data processing  equipment,  data  transmission
equipment,  related peripheral equipment and software used by Pacific Capital in
the operation of its business to generate and retrieve its financial records are
adequate for the current needs of Pacific Capital.

         (g) Tax Returns.

                    (i) Pacific  Capital has timely  filed all  federal,  state,
         county,  local and  foreign  tax  returns  required  to be filed by it,
         including, without limitation, estimated tax, use tax, excise tax, real
         property  and personal  property  tax reports and  returns,  employer's
         withholding  tax  returns,  other  withholding  tax returns and Federal
         Unemployment  Tax Returns,  and all other reports or other  information
         required  or  requested  to be  filed by each of  them,  and each  such
         return,  report or other  information  was,  when filed,  complete  and
         accurate in all material respects.  Pacific Capital has paid all taxes,
         fees  and  other  governmental  charges,  including  any  interest  and
         penalties thereon, when they have become due and payable,  except those
         that are being contested in good faith,  which  contested  matters have
         been  disclosed  in writing to South  Valley.  Pacific  Capital has not
         requested  to  give  or  has  given  any  currently  effective  waivers
         extending  the  statutory  period of  limitation  applicable to any tax
         return required to be filed by either of them for any period. There are
         no claims pending against Pacific Capital for any alleged deficiency in
         the  payment  of  any  taxes,  and no  pending  or  threatened  audits,
         investigations  or claims for unpaid taxes or relating to any liability
         in respect of any taxes. There have been no events,  including a change
         in ownership, that would result in a reappraisal and establishment of a
         new  base-year  full  value  for  purposes  of  Articles  XIII.A of the
         California Constitution, of any real property owned in whole or in part
         by Pacific Capital or to the best of Pacific  Capital's  knowledge,  of
         any real property leased by Pacific Capital.

                    (ii)  Pacific  Capital  shall  deliver to South  Valley when
         available,  copies of all its and its  subsidiaries'  tax returns  with
         respect to taxes  payable to the United States of America and the State
         of California  for the fiscal years ended  December 31, 1995,  1994 and
         1993.

                    (iii) No consent has been filed relating to Pacific  Capital
         pursuant to Section 341(f) of the IRC.

                                      -20-
<PAGE>

         (h) Material Adverse Change.  Except as reflected on Pacific  Capital's
financial  statements  issued  prior to the date hereof and  delivered  to South
Valley or as otherwise  disclosed in writing by Pacific  Capital to South Valley
prior to the  date  hereof,  since  December  31,  1995,  there  has been (i) no
material adverse change in the business, assets, licenses, permits,  franchises,
results of operations or financial condition of Pacific Capital and FNB taken as
a whole (whether or not in the Ordinary  Course of Business),  (ii) no change in
any of the assets,  licenses,  permits or franchises of Pacific  Capital or that
has had or, to Pacific Capital's knowledge, can reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on any of the items listed in clause (h)(i) above, (iii)
no damage,  destruction,  or other  casualty  loss  (whether  or not  covered by
insurance) that has had or can reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect on any of the items listed in clause  (h)(i)  above,  (iv) no  amendment,
modification,  or  termination  of any  existing,  or entering  into of any new,
contract,  agreement, plan, lease, license, permit or franchise that is material
to the  business,  financial  condition,  assets,  liabilities  or operations of
Pacific  Capital  and FNB  taken as a whole,  except in the  Ordinary  Course of
Business;  or (v) no disposition by Pacific  Capital of one or more assets that,
individually or in the aggregate,  are material to Pacific Capital and FNB taken
as a whole, except sales of assets in the Ordinary Course of Business.

         (i) No  Undisclosed  Liabilities.  Except for items for which  reserves
have been  established in the unaudited  consolidated  balance sheets of Pacific
Capital as of June 30, 1996, since such date Pacific Capital has not incurred or
discharged,  and is not legally  obligated  with  respect to, any  indebtedness,
liability  (including,  without  limitation,  a  liability  arising  out  of  an
indemnification,  guarantee, hold harmless or similar arrangement) or obligation
(accrued  or  contingent,  whether  due or to become  due,  and  whether  or not
subordinated to the claims of its general creditors),  other than as a result of
operations in the Ordinary Course of Business. Pacific Capital has not knowingly
made nor shall make any  representations or covenants in any such agreement that
contained or shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or
shall omit to state a material  fact  necessary in order to make the  statements
contained   therein,   in  light  of  the   circumstances   under   which   such
representations and/or covenants were made or shall be made, not misleading.  No
cash,  stock or other  dividend or any other  distribution  with  respect to the
stock of Pacific  Capital  has been  declared,  set aside or paid,  nor have any
shares of the stock of Pacific  Capital  been  purchased,  redeemed or otherwise
acquired, directly or indirectly, by Pacific Capital since June 30, 1996.

         (j) Properties and Leases.

                    (i) Pacific Capital and FNB have good and marketable  title,
         free  and  clear  of all  liens  and  encumbrances  and  the  right  of
         possession,  subject to existing leaseholds, to all real properties and
         good title to all other property and assets,  tangible and  intangible,
         reflected in the Pacific Capital unaudited  consolidated  balance sheet
         as of June 30,  1996  (except  property  held as  lessee  under  leases
         entered into since June 30, 1996 and  disclosed in writing prior to the
         date hereof and except personal property sold or otherwise  disposed of
         since June 30, 1996 in the  Ordinary  Course of  Business),  except (a)
         liens for taxes or assessments not delinquent, (b) such other liens and
         encumbrances and imperfections of title as do not materially affect the
         value of such  property as reflected in the Pacific  Capital  unaudited
         consolidated  balance sheet as of June 30, 1996, or as currently  shown
         on the books and records of Pacific  Capital and which do not interfere
         with or  impair  the  present  and  continued  use,  or (c)  immaterial
         exceptions  disclosed in title reports and  preliminary  title reports,
         copies  of  which  shall be  provided  to South  Valley.  All  tangible
         properties of Pacific Capital conform in all material respects with all
         applicable  ordinances,  regulations  and  zoning  laws.  All  material
         tangible  properties of Pacific  Capital and FNB are in a good state of
         maintenance  and repair and are  adequate  for the current  business of
         Pacific  Capital.  No properties of Pacific  Capital or FNB and, to the
         best of Pacific Capital's knowledge,  no properties in which it holds a
         collateral or contingent  interest or purchase option,  are the subject
         of any  pending  or,  to  the  best  of  Pacific  Capital's  knowledge,
         threatened  investigation,  claim or  proceeding  relating  to the use,
         storage  or  disposal  on such  property  of or  contamination  of such
         property by any toxic or  hazardous  waste  material or  substance.  To
         Pacific  Capital's  knowledge,  Pacific  Capital  and  FNB do not  own,
         possess or have a collateral or contingent  interest or purchase option
         in any  properties or other assets which contain or have located within
         or thereon any  hazardous or toxic waste  material or substance  unless
         the  location  of such  hazardous  or  toxic  waste  material  or other
         substance or its use thereon conforms in all material respects with all
         federal,  state and local laws, rules,  regulations or other provisions
         regulating the discharge of materials into the  environment.  As to any
         asset not owned or leased by  Pacific  Capital  or FNB,  to the best of
         Pacific  Capital's  knowledge,  neither  Pacific  Capital  nor  FNB has
         controlled,  directed or participated in the operation or management of
         any such asset or any facilities or enterprise conducted thereon,  such
         that it has become an owner or operator of such asset under  applicable
         environmental laws.

                                      -21-
<PAGE>

                    (ii) All  properties  held by  Pacific  Capital or FNB under
         leases are held under valid,  binding and enforceable leases, with such
         exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the conduct of
         the business of Pacific  Capital or FNB, and Pacific Capital or FNB, as
         the case may be,  enjoys quiet and peaceful  possession  of such leased
         property.  Pacific  Capital is not in default in any  material  respect
         under  any  material  lease,  agreement  or  obligation  regarding  its
         properties to which it is a party or by which it is bound.

                    (iii)  Except as  disclosed  to South  Valley in the Pacific
         Capital Disclosure Statement, all of Pacific Capital's and FNB's rights
         and obligations  under the leases referred to in Section 5(j)(ii) above
         do not  require  the  consent  of any  other  party to the  transaction
         contemplated by this Agreement.  Where required,  Pacific Capital shall
         use its best  efforts  to  obtain,  prior to the  Effective  Date,  the
         consent of all parties to any such transactions.

         (k)  Material  Contracts.  Except as  disclosed  to South Valley in the
Pacific Capital Disclosure  Statement and excluding loans, lines of credit, loan
commitments  or  letters of credit to which  Pacific  Capital or FNB is a party,
neither  Pacific Capital nor FNB is a party to or bound by any contract or other
agreement  made in the  Ordinary  Course of Business  which  involves  aggregate
future  payments by or to it of more than  $50,000 and which is made for a fixed
period  expiring  more than one year from the date hereof,  and neither  Pacific
Capital nor FNB is a party to or bound by any agreement not made in the Ordinary
Course of Business which is to be performed at or after the date hereof. Each of
the contracts and agreements  disclosed to South Valley pursuant to this Section
5(k) is a legal  and  binding  obligation  (subject  to  applicable  bankruptcy,
insolvency and similar laws affecting  creditors'  rights generally and subject,
as to enforceability, to equitable principles of general applicability),  and no
material  breach or default (and no condition  which,  with notice or passage of
time, or both, could become a breach or default) exists with respect thereto. No
power of attorney or similar  authorization  given  directly  or  indirectly  by
Pacific Capital is currently outstanding.

         (l) Employment Contracts and Benefits.

                    (i) Pacific  Capital shall provide to South Valley access to
         all bonus, incentive compensation, profit-sharing, pension, retirement,
         stock  purchase,   stock  option,  deferred  compensation,   severance,
         hospitalization,   medical,  dental,  vision,  group  insurance,  death
         benefits,  disability and other fringe benefit plans, trust agreements,
         arrangements  and commitments of Pacific Capital and FNB (including but
         not limited to such plans,  agreements,  arrangements  and  commitments
         applicable to former employees or retired employees,  or for which such
         persons are eligible),  if any, together with copies of all such plans,
         agreements,  arrangements and commitments that are documented,  any and
         all contracts of employment  and has made available to South Valley any
         Board of Directors'  minutes (or committee  minutes) from meetings held
         within  the  five-year  period  ending as of the  Closing  authorizing,
         approving or guaranteeing such plans and contracts.

                    (ii) With respect to each employee  benefit plan (as defined
         in Section  3(3) of ERISA) of Pacific  Capital  which is subject to the
         reporting,  disclosure and record  retention  requirements set forth in
         the  IRC  and  Part  1 of  Subtitle  B of  Title  I of  ERISA  and  the
         regulations  thereunder,  each of such requirements has been met in all
         material respects on a timely basis.

                    (iii) With respect to each employee benefit plan (as defined
         in Section 3(3) of ERISA) of Pacific Capital which is subject to Part 4
         of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA,  none of the following now exists or
         has existed within the six-year period ending on the date hereof:

                    (1) Any act or omission constituting a material violation of
         Section 402 of ERISA;

                    (2) Any act or omission constituting a material violation of
         Section 403 of ERISA;

                    (3) Any act or  omission  by  Pacific  Capital or any of its
         subsidiaries,   or  by  any  director,  officer  or  employee  thereof,
         constituting a material violation of Sections 404 and 405 of ERISA;

                    (4) To the best of Pacific Capital's  knowledge,  any act or
         omission  by any other  person  constituting  a material  violation  of
         Sections 404 or 405 of ERISA;

                                      -22-
<PAGE>

                    (5)  Any  act  or  omission  which  constitutes  a  material
         violation  of  Sections  406 or 407 of  ERISA  and is not  exempted  by
         Section  408 of ERISA or which  constitutes  a  material  violation  of
         Section  4975(c) of the IRC and is not  exempted by Section  4975(d) of
         the IRC; or

                    (6) Any act or omission constituting a material violation of
         Sections 503, 510 or 511 of ERISA.

                    (iv) All contributions,  premiums or other payments due from
         Pacific Capital and its subsidiaries to (or under) any employee benefit
         plan of Pacific Capital have been fully paid or adequately provided for
         on the audited  financials for the year ended December 31, 1995 and the
         unaudited  financials  for the period ended June 30, 1996. All accruals
         thereon  (including,  where  appropriate,   proportional  accruals  for
         partial periods) have been made in all material  respects in accordance
         with GAAP consistently applied on a reasonable basis.

                    (v) Each employee  benefit plan of Pacific Capital  complies
         in all material  respects with all applicable  requirements  of (A) the
         Age  Discrimination  in  Employment  Act of 1967,  as amended,  and the
         regulations  thereunder  and (B) Title VII of the Civil  Rights  Act of
         1964, as amended, and the regulations thereunder.

                    (vi) Each employee  benefit plan of Pacific Capital complies
         in all material  respects with all applicable  requirements  of (A) the
         health  care  continuation  coverage  provisions  of  the  Consolidated
         Omnibus  Budget   Reconciliation  Act  of  1985,  and  the  regulations
         thereunder.

                    (vii)  Pacific  Capital  shall  disclose in writing to South
         Valley the names of each  director,  officer  and  employee  of Pacific
         Capital and FNB.

         (m)  Compliance  With  ERISA.   Pacific  Capital  has  not,  since  its
inception, either maintained or contributed to an employee pension benefit plan,
as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA,  including  multiemployer plans, other than
the Pacific  Capital  401(k) Plan (the  "Pacific  Capital  Plan") and a true and
accurate copy of which has been  provided to South  Valley.  With respect to the
Pacific  Capital Plan and its related trust (the  "Trust"),  as of the Effective
Time,  (i) the  Pacific  Capital  Plan  will in all  material  respects  be (and
currently  is) in  compliance in form with all the  applicable  requirements  of
Section  401(a) of the IRC, and the form of Trust will be exempt from income tax
under Section  501(a) of the IRC; (ii) the Pacific  Capital Plan  represents the
adoption of a  standardized  prototype  plan that  received a favorable  opinion
letter  ("Opinion  Letter") from the Internal  Revenue Service ("IRS") as to its
form dated April 1, 1992; (iii) Pacific Capital relies on such Opinion Letter as
authorized  under IRS  Revenue  Procedure  96-4 as support for the fact that the
Pacific  Capital  Plan is qualified  under  section  401(a) of the IRC;  (iv) no
contributions have exceeded the limitations set forth in Section 415 of the IRC;
(v) required  filings with the IRS and  Department  of Labor with respect to the
Pacific  Capital Plan and the Trust for periods from  inception and ending at or
prior to the Effective Time will have been made by Pacific  Capital and the plan
administrator; (vi) there shall have been no material violation of Parts 1 and 4
of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA or of Section 4975 of the IRC; and (vii) there
shall have been no action,  claim or demand of any kind known to Pacific Capital
brought by any claimant or  representative  of such  claimant  under the Pacific
Capital Plan or Trust where Pacific Capital may be either (A) liable directly on
such action, claim or demand, or (B) obligated to indemnify any person, group of
persons or entity  with  respect to such  action,  claim or demand,  unless such
action,  claim or demand is covered by adequate  reserves  reflected  in Pacific
Capital's  June 30, 1996 financial  statements or an insurer of Pacific  Capital
has  agreed to defend  against  and pay the  amount of any  resulting  liability
without reservation.

         (n) Collective Bargaining and Employment Agreements. Except as provided
in this  Agreement  or as  disclosed  to South  Valley  in the  Pacific  Capital
Disclosure  Statement,  Pacific  Capital  does not have any union or  collective
bargaining or written employment agreements,  contracts or other agreements with
any labor  organization  or with any member of management,  or any management or
consultation  agreement  not  terminable  at will  by  Pacific  Capital  without
liability and no such  contract or agreement has been  requested by, or is under
discussion by management with, any group of employees,  any member of management
or any other person. There are no material controversies pending between Pacific
Capital and any current or former employees, and to the best of their knowledge,
there are no efforts presently being made by any labor union seeking to organize
any of such employees.

         (o)  Compensation  of Officers  and  Employees.  Except as disclosed to
South Valley in the Pacific Capital Disclosure Statement and except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement, (i) no officer or employee of Pacific Capital or FNB
is receiving  aggregate  direct  remuneration  at a rate  exceeding  $65,000 per
annum,  and (ii)  the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement  will not (either alone or upon the  occurrence  of any  additional or
further  acts or events)  result in any  payment  (whether of  severance  pay or
otherwise)  becoming due from  Pacific  Capital,  FNB or Pacific  Capital to any
employee of Pacific Capital or FNB.

                                      -23-
<PAGE>

         (p) Legal Actions and Proceedings.  Except as disclosed to South Valley
in writing prior to the date hereof,  neither Pacific Capital nor FNB is a party
to, or, to the best of their  knowledge,  threatened  with,  any legal action or
other proceeding or  investigation  before any court, any arbitrator of any kind
or any  government  agency,  and to the  best of  Pacific  Capital's  knowledge,
neither Pacific Capital nor FNB is subject to any potential  adverse claim,  the
outcome of which could involve the payment or receipt by Pacific  Capital or FNB
of any amount in excess of  $50,000,  unless an insurer of Pacific  Capital  has
agreed to defend against and pay the amount of any resulting  liability  without
reservation,  or, if any such legal action,  proceeding,  investigation or claim
will not  involve the  payment by Pacific  Capital or FNB of a monetary  amount,
which could materially adversely affect Pacific Capital, FNB or their respective
businesses  or  properties  or the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Pacific
Capital has no knowledge of any pending or  threatened  claims or charges  under
the  Community   Reinvestment  Act,  before  the  Equal  Employment  Opportunity
Commission,  the California  Department of Fair Housing & Economic  Development,
the California  Unemployment  Appeals Board, or any human relations  commission.
There is no labor dispute, strike, slow-down or stoppage pending or, to the best
of the knowledge of Pacific Capital, threatened against Pacific Capital or FNB.

         (q) Execution and Delivery of the Agreement.

                    (i) The  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement has been
         duly  authorized by the Board of Directors of Pacific Capital and, when
         this   Agreement  and  the  Merger  have  been  duly  approved  by  the
         affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares
         of  Pacific  Capital  common  stock at a meeting of  shareholders  duly
         called and held, this Agreement and the Merger will be duly and validly
         authorized  by all  necessary  corporate  action on the part of Pacific
         Capital.

                    (ii) This  Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
         Pacific  Capital  and  (assuming  due  execution  and  delivery  by and
         enforceability  against  Pacific  Capital)  constitutes  the  legal and
         binding obligations of Pacific Capital.

                    (iii) The execution and delivery by Pacific  Capital of this
         Agreement and the  consummation of the  transactions  herein (A) do not
         violate any  provision  of the Articles of  Incorporation  or Bylaws of
         Pacific  Capital,  any  provision  of  federal  or  state  law  or  any
         governmental rule or regulation (assuming (1) receipt of the Government
         Approvals,  (2) receipt of the requisite  Pacific  Capital  shareholder
         approval referred to in Section 3.1(h) hereof,  (3) due registration of
         the  Pacific  Capital  Shares  under  the  1933  Act,  (4)  receipt  of
         appropriate  permits or approvals  under  applicable  state  securities
         laws, and (5) accuracy of the  representations  of Pacific  Capital set
         forth herein),  and (B) do not require any consent of any person under,
         conflict with or result in a breach of, or accelerate  the  performance
         required by any of the terms of, any material debt  instrument,  lease,
         license, covenant,  agreement or understanding to which Pacific Capital
         is a party  or by  which it is  bound  or any  order,  ruling,  decree,
         judgment,  arbitration award or stipulation to which Pacific Capital is
         subject,  or constitute a material default  thereunder or result in the
         creation of any lien, claim,  security interest,  encumbrance,  charge,
         restriction  or  similar  right  of any  third  party  upon  any of the
         properties or assets of Pacific Capital.

         (r) Insurance. Pacific Capital and FNB are and continuously since their
respective  inceptions have been,  insured with reputable  insurers  against all
risks  normally  insured  against by  corporations  such as Pacific  Capital and
national  associations,  and all of the insurance policies (including directors'
and officers'  liability  insurance) and bonds maintained by Pacific Capital are
in full force and effect,  and to the best of its knowledge,  Pacific Capital is
not in material default  thereunder and all material claims thereunder have been
filed in due and timely  fashion.  In the best  judgment  of the  management  of
Pacific Capital, such insurance coverage is adequate for Pacific Capital.  Since
December 31, 1990, there has not been any damage to,  destruction of, or loss of
any assets of Pacific Capital not covered by insurance that could materially and
adversely  affect  the  business,  financial  condition,  properties,  assets or
results of operations of Pacific Capital and FNB taken as a whole.

         (s) Transactions  With Affiliates.  Except as may arise in the Ordinary
Course of Business, Pacific Capital has not extended credit, committed to extend
credit,  or  transferred  any asset to or assumed or guaranteed any liability of
the employees or directors of Pacific Capital,  or any spouse or child of any of
them, or to any of their  "affiliates" or "associates" as such terms are defined
in Rule 405 under  Regulation C of the 1933 Act. Pacific Capital has not entered
into any other  transactions  with the employees or directors of Pacific Capital
or any spouse or child of any of them, or any of their affiliates or associates,
except as disclosed in writing to South Valley in the Pacific

                                      -24-
<PAGE>

Capital Disclosure  Statement.  Any such transactions have been on terms no less
favorable than those which would prevail in an arm's-length  transaction with an
independent third party.

         (t) Information in Registration  Statement.  The information pertaining
to Pacific Capital in the  Registration  Statement,  the Prospectus or the Proxy
Statement (each as herein defined), or in the Applications, will not contain any
untrue  statement  of any  material  fact or  omits or will  omit to  state  any
material fact required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the statements
therein,  in  light  of  the  circumstances  under  which  they  are  made,  not
misleading;  provided, however, that information of a later date shall be deemed
to modify information as of an earlier date. All financial statements of Pacific
Capital  included in the Prospectus  and Proxy  Statement will present fairly in
all material  respects the  financial  condition  and results of  operations  of
Pacific  Capital at the dates and for the periods  covered by such statements in
accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods covered by such
statements.  Pacific  Capital shall  promptly  advise South Valley in writing if
prior to the Effective Time Pacific Capital shall obtain  knowledge of any facts
that would make it  necessary  to amend the  Registration  Statement,  the Proxy
Statement or any Application,  or to supplement the Prospectus, in order to make
the statements therein not misleading or to comply with applicable law.

         (u) Accuracy of  Representations  and Warranties.  No representation or
warranty  by  Pacific  Capital,  and no  statement  by  Pacific  Capital  in any
certificate,  agreement, schedule or other document furnished in connection with
the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  contains or will contain any
untrue  statement of a material fact or omits or will omit to state any material
fact necessary to make such representation, warranty or statement not misleading
to South Valley;  provided,  however,  that information as of a later date shall
automatically modify information as of an earlier date.

         (v) Loans.  Pacific  Capital has  disclosed  to South Valley in writing
prior to the date hereof,  and will promptly  inform South Valley of the amounts
of all  loans,  leases,  other  extensions  of credit or  commitments,  or other
interest-bearing  assets of FNB, that have been classified as of the date hereof
or hereafter  by any internal  bank  examiner or any bank  regulatory  agency as
"Other Loans Specially Mentioned," "Special Mention," "Substandard," "Doubtful,"
"Loss," or words of similar import in the case of loans (or that would have been
so  classified,  in the case of other  interest-bearing  assets,  had they  been
loans).  Pacific  Capital has  furnished  and will  continue to furnish to South
Valley true and accurate  information  concerning the loan portfolio of FNB, and
no material  information  with respect to the loan portfolio has been or will be
withheld from South Valley.  All loans and  investments of FNB are legal,  valid
and binding  obligations  enforceable in accordance with their  respective terms
and are not  subject to any  setoffs,  counterclaims  or  disputes  (subject  to
applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally and subject, as to enforceability,  to equitable principles of general
applicability),  except as  disclosed to South Valley in writing or reserved for
in the unaudited  balance sheet of Pacific Capital as of June 30, 1996, and were
duly authorized  under and made in compliance with applicable  federal and state
laws and  regulations.  Pacific  Capital and FNB do not have any  extensions  of
credit, investments,  guarantees,  indemnification agreements or commitments for
the same (including without  limitation  commitments to issue letters of credit,
to create  acceptances,  or to  repurchase  securities,  federal  funds or other
assets) other than those  documented on the books and records of Pacific Capital
and FNB.

         (w)  Restrictions on  Investments.  Except for pledges to secure public
and trust deposits and repurchase  agreements in the Ordinary Course of Business
or those securities  classified as  "held-to-maturity" as defined under SFAS No.
115, none of the investments reflected in the unaudited balance sheet of Pacific
Capital as of June 30, 1996, and none of the investments made by Pacific Capital
or FNB since June 30, 1996, is subject to any restriction,  whether  contractual
or statutory,  which materially impairs the ability of Pacific Capital to freely
dispose of such investment at any time.


         6. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933; SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

         (a) Preparation and Filing of Registration  Statement.  Pacific Capital
shall  promptly  prepare  and file  with  the  Commission  (i) the  Registration
Statement  as  defined  in  Section  3.1(a)  above  under  and  pursuant  to the
provisions of the 1933 Act for the purpose of  registering  the Pacific  Capital
Shares and, (ii) shall prepare and file, one or more registration  statements or
amendments  to  existing  registration  statements  under  the  1933 Act for the
purpose of  registering  the maximum number of shares of common stock of Pacific
Capital to which the option holders of South Valley shall be entitled to receive
pursuant to Section 2.6 above on the Effective  Date.  Pacific Capital and South
Valley shall promptly  prepare a proxy statement (the "Proxy  Statement")  which
shall be part of the  Registration  Statement for the purpose of submitting this
Agreement  and  the  Merger  (including  the  principal  terms  thereof)  to the
shareholders  of South  Valley and  Pacific  Capital for their  approval.  South
Valley and Pacific  Capital  shall  cooperate in all  reasonable  respects  with
regard  to the  preparation  of the Proxy  Statement.  The  Proxy  Statement  in
definitive form is expected to serve as the prospectus (the  "Prospectus") to be
included in the 

                                      -25-
<PAGE>

Registration  Statement.  Pacific  Capital and South  Valley  shall each provide
promptly to the other such  information  concerning  its business and  financial
condition  and affairs as may be required or  appropriate  for  inclusion in the
Registration Statement,  the Prospectus or the Proxy Statement,  and shall cause
its counsel and auditors to cooperate  with the other's  counsel and auditors in
the  preparation  of the  Registration  Statement,  the Prospectus and the Proxy
Statement.

         (b) Effectiveness of Registration Statement.  Pacific Capital and South
Valley shall use their best efforts to have the  Registration  Statement and any
amendments or supplements  thereto  declared  effective under the 1933 Act on or
before the Effective  Date,  and thereafter  they shall  distribute at their own
cost the Proxy  Statement to holders of their common  stock in  accordance  with
applicable laws and their Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

         (c) Sales and Resales of Common  Stock.  Pacific  Capital  shall not be
required to maintain the  effectiveness  of the  Registration  Statement for the
purpose of sale or resale of the Pacific Capital Shares by any person.

         (d) Rule 145. Securities  representing Pacific Capital Shares issued to
persons  deemed to be  affiliates  of South Valley (as  determined by counsel to
Pacific Capital) under Rule 145 of the Rules and Regulations  under the 1933 Act
pursuant to the Merger  Agreement may be subject to stop transfer orders and may
bear a restrictive legend in substantially the following form:

         The security represented by this instrument has been issued or
         transferred  to  the  registered  holder  as the  result  of a
         transaction to which Rule 145 under the 1933 Act applies.  The
         security  represented  by this  instrument  may  not be  sold,
         hypothecated,  transferred  or assigned,  and the issuer shall
         not  be  required  to  give  effect  to  any  attempted  sale,
         hypothecation,  transfer or assignment, except (i) pursuant to
         a then current effective registration under the 1933 Act, (ii)
         in a transaction permitted by the Commission's Rule 145; (iii)
         in a transaction which, in the opinion of counsel satisfactory
         to the issuer, is not required to be registered under the 1933
         Act, or (iv)  pursuant to an  applicable  no action  letter or
         interpretative release.

Should any opinion of counsel  described in clause (ii) of the foregoing  legend
indicate that the legend and any stop transfer order then in effect with respect
to the shares may be  removed,  Pacific  Capital  will upon  request  substitute
unlegended securities and remove any stop transfer orders. Pacific Capital shall
timely file annual and quarterly  reports pursuant to all applicable  securities
laws.

         7. CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF PACIFIC CAPITAL.

         The  obligations  of Pacific  Capital under this  Agreement are, at its
option,  subject to fulfillment at or prior to the Effective Date of each of the
following conditions; provided, however, that any one or more of such conditions
may be waived by the Board of  Directors  of  Pacific  Capital at any time at or
prior to the Effective Time:

         (a) Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties
of South  Valley in Section 4 hereof  shall be true and correct in all  material
respects on the date hereof and as of the Effective  Date,  with the same effect
as though such  representations  and  warranties had been made on and as of such
date except as to any representation or warranty which specifically relates to a
specified date and does not contain any material  inaccuracies  or omissions the
circumstances  as to which either  individually  or in the  aggregate  have,  or
reasonably could be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the business,
financial condition, results of operations or prospects of South Valley and SVNB
taken as a whole.

         (b) Compliance and Performance Under Agreement. South Valley shall have
performed and complied in all material respects with all terms of this Agreement
required to be  performed  or complied  with by it at or prior to the  Effective
Date.  Each of the  directors  of South  Valley  also shall have  performed  and
complied in all material  respects  with all of the terms and  conditions of the
undertaking referred to in Section 3.2(a) above.

         (c) Material Adverse Change.  Except as disclosed to Pacific Capital in
writing prior to the date hereof, no material adverse change shall have occurred
since  December 31, 1995,  in the  business,  financial  condition,  properties,
results of operations or prospects of South Valley and SVNB taken as a whole and
South  Valley  shall  not be a party to or,  so far as South  Valley  is  aware,
threatened  with, and to South Valley's  knowledge there is no reasonable  basis
for, any legal action or other  proceeding  before any court,  any arbitrator of
any kind or any  government  agency if, in the  reasonable  judgment  of Pacific
Capital, such legal action or proceeding could materially

                                      -25-
<PAGE>

adversely affect South Valley and SVNB or their business,  financial  condition,
properties, results of operations or prospects taken as a whole.

         (d) Approval of  Agreement.  This  Agreement  and the Merger shall have
been duly approved by the  affirmative  vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding  shares of South Valley Common Stock at the meeting of  shareholders
duly called and held after  distributing the Proxy Statement to all shareholders
entitled to vote at such meeting as required by Section 3.2(a) hereof and by the
affirmative  vote of the  holders of a  majority  of the  outstanding  shares of
Pacific Capital Common Stock at the meeting of shareholders duly called and held
after  distributing the Proxy Statement to all shareholders  entitled to vote at
such meeting as required by Section 3.1(h) hereof.

         (e)  Officer's  Certificate.  Pacific  Capital  shall  have  received a
certificate,  dated the Effective Date,  signed on behalf of South Valley by its
Chief Executive Officer and by its Chief Financial  Officer,  to the effect that
the conditions in Sections 7(a)- (c) and as to the approval of the  shareholders
of South Valley in Section 7(d) have been satisfied.

         (f)  Opinion  of  Counsel.  The  counsel  of South  Valley  shall  have
delivered  to Pacific  Capital an opinion  in  substantially  the form  attached
hereto as Exhibit F.

         (g) Absence of Legal Impediment. No significant legal impediment to the
Merger shall have arisen and no litigation, proceeding or investigation shall be
pending or  threatened  before any court or  government  agency  relating to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement which affords a material basis for a
determination  that it would be  inadvisable or inexpedient to continue to carry
out the terms of, or to attempt to consummate the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement.

         (h) Effectiveness of Registration Statement. The Registration Statement
and any amendments or supplements  thereto shall have become effective under the
1933 Act,  no stop  order  suspending  the  effectiveness  of such  Registration
Statement shall be in effect and no proceedings for such purpose shall have been
initiated  or  threatened  by or before  the  Commission.  All state  securities
permits or approvals  required by applicable state securities laws to consummate
the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement shall
have been received and remain in effect.

         (i) Government Approvals.  All Government Approvals shall be in effect,
and all conditions or  requirements  prescribed by law or by any such Government
Approval  shall  have been  satisfied;  provided,  however,  that no  Government
Approval  shall  be  deemed  to have  been  received  if it  shall  require  the
divestiture  or  cessation  of any  of  the  present  businesses  or  operations
conducted by either of the parties hereto or shall impose any other condition or
requirement,  which  divestiture,  cessation,  condition or requirement  Pacific
Capital in its reasonable  judgment  shall deem to be materially  burdensome (in
which case Pacific Capital shall promptly notify South Valley).  For purposes of
this  Agreement no condition  shall be deemed to be  "materially  burdensome" if
such condition does not materially  differ from conditions  regularly imposed by
the FRB in  orders  approving  transactions  of the  type  contemplated  by this
Agreement and compliance with such condition would not (A) require the taking of
any action  materially  inconsistent with the manner in which Pacific Capital or
South Valley has conducted its business previously,  (B) have a material adverse
effect  upon the  business,  financial  condition  or results of  operations  of
Pacific  Capital or South  Valley,  or (C) preclude  satisfaction  of any of the
material  conditions to  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement.

         (j) Tax Opinion.  Pacific  Capital and South Valley shall have received
an opinion of Pacific Capital's counsel or independent  accountants,  subject to
assumptions and exceptions normally included,  in form and substance  reasonably
satisfactory  to Pacific  Capital and its counsel,  substantially  to the effect
that under federal income tax law and California income and franchise tax law:

                    (i) The  Merger  will not result in any  recognized  gain or
         loss to Pacific Capital or South Valley;

                    (ii) Except for any cash received in lieu of any  fractional
         share,  no gain or loss will be  recognized  by holders of South Valley
         Shares who receive  Pacific  Capital  Shares in exchange  for the South
         Valley Shares which they hold;

                    (iii) The holding period of Pacific Capital Shares exchanged
         for South Valley  Shares will  include the holding  period of the South
         Valley Shares for which it is  exchanged,  assuming the shares of South
         Valley Shares are capital  assets in the hands of the holder thereof at
         the Effective Date; and

                                      -27-
<PAGE>

                    (iv) The basis of the Pacific Capital Shares received in the
         exchange  will be the same as the basis of the South Valley  Shares for
         which it was  exchanged,  less any  basis  attributable  to  fractional
         shares for which cash is received.

         (k) Dissenting  Shares.  The aggregate number of shares of South Valley
Common Stock and Pacific Capital Common Stock held by persons who have taken all
of the steps required at or prior to the  shareholders'  meetings  referenced in
Sections 3.2(a) and 3.1(h), respectively,  to perfect their right (if any) to be
paid  the  value  of such  shares  under  the GCL  shall  not  exceed  9% of the
outstanding  shares of South  Valley  Common  Stock and Pacific  Capital  Common
Stock.

         (l) Unaudited  Financials.  Not later than three business days prior to
the Effective Date, South Valley shall have furnished  Pacific Capital a copy of
its  most  recently  prepared  unaudited  year-to-date   consolidated  financial
statements,  including a balance sheet and year-to-date  statement of income and
statement of cash flows of South Valley,  each prepared in accordance with GAAP.
At  least  five  business  days  prior to the  Effective  Time,  all  attorneys,
accountants,  investment  bankers and other advisors and agents for South Valley
shall have submitted to South Valley (with a copy to Pacific Capital)  estimates
of  their  fees  and  expenses  for all  services  rendered  in any  respect  in
connection with the transactions  contemplated  hereby to the extent not already
paid,  and  based on such  estimates,  South  Valley  shall  have  prepared  and
submitted  to  Pacific  Capital a  summary  of such  fees and  expenses  for the
transaction which shall be reflected in the foregoing  financial  statement.  At
the Effective Time, (i) such advisors shall have submitted their final bills for
such fees and expenses to South Valley for services rendered,  with a copy to be
delivered to Pacific Capital, and based on such summary, South Valley shall have
prepared and submitted to Pacific  Capital a final  calculation of such fees and
expenses,  (ii) South Valley shall have accrued and paid the amount of such fees
and  expenses  as  calculated  above  after  Pacific  Capital  has been given an
opportunity to review all such bills and  calculation of such fees and expenses,
and (iii) such advisors shall have released  Pacific  Capital from liability for
any fees and expenses.

         (m) Closing  Documents.  Pacific Capital shall have received from South
Valley such  certificates  and other  closing  documents  as counsel for Pacific
Capital shall reasonably request.

         (n)  Consents.  South Valley shall have  received,  or Pacific  Capital
shall have  satisfied  itself that South  Valley will  receive,  all consents of
other parties to and required by material mortgages,  notes, leases, franchises,
agreements,  licenses and permits  applicable to South  Valley,  in each case in
form and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to Pacific  Capital,  and no such
consent or license or permit shall have been withdrawn or suspended.

         (o) Additions to SVNB Board of Directors. South Valley shall have taken
any actions necessary to have SVNB amend its Bylaws or to take any other actions
to increase  the number of  authorized  directors  on SVNB's board to permit the
appointment of three additional directors to be designated by Pacific Capital at
least five business days prior to the Closing Date.

         (p)  Pooling-of-Interests   Accounting.   Pacific  Capital  shall  have
determined  and shall have  received a letter  from KPMG to the effect  that the
Merger  shall  qualify  for the  pooling-of-interests  method of  accounting  in
accordance with GAAP and all applicable  rules,  regulations and policies of the
Commission.  In addition,  there shall have been no  determination by any court,
tribunal,  regulatory agency or other governmental entity, that the Merger fails
or will fail to qualify for pooling-of-interests accounting treatment.

         (q) Compliance Examinations.  Prior to the Effective Date, South Valley
shall have taken corrective action, if any, recommended by or resulting from its
most recent compliance  examinations and any significant  regulatory  compliance
violations  shall have been  corrected by South  Valley  prior to the  Effective
Date.

         (r) Regulatory  Examination.  Prior to the Effective Date, South Valley
shall be in  compliance  with all  requirements,  if any,  arising from its most
recent safety and soundness regulatory examination.

         (s)  Accountant's  Letter.  Pacific Capital shall have received letters
addressed  to  Pacific  Capital  from  Deloitte  & Touche  LLP  pursuant  to the
provisions of Section 3.2(f)(iv).

                                      -28-
<PAGE>

         8. CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF SOUTH VALLEY.

         The  obligations  of South  Valley  under this  Agreement  are,  at its
option,  subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Effective Time of each of
the  following  conditions  provided,  however,  that  any  one or  more of such
conditions  may be waived by the Board of  Directors of South Valley at any time
at or prior to the Effective Time:

         (a) Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties
of Pacific Capital in Section 5 hereof shall be true and correct in all material
respects on the date hereof and as of the Effective  Date,  with the same effect
as though such  representations  and  warranties had been made on and as of such
date except as to any representation or warranty which specifically relates to a
specified date and does not contain any material  inaccuracies  or omissions the
circumstances  as to which either  individually  or in the  aggregate  have,  or
reasonably could be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the business,
financial  condition,  results of operations or prospects of Pacific Capital and
FNB taken as a whole.

         (b) Compliance and Performance Under Agreement. Pacific Capital and its
subsidiaries shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all
of the terms of this Agreement required to be performed or complied with by them
at or prior to the Effective Time. Each of the directors of Pacific Capital also
shall have  performed  and complied in all material  respects with the terms and
conditions of the undertaking referred to in Section 3.1(h) above.

         (c)  Material  Adverse  Change.  Except as disclosed to South Valley in
writing prior to the date hereof, no material adverse change shall have occurred
since  December 31, 1995,  in the  business,  financial  condition,  properties,
results of operations or prospects of Pacific  Capital and FNB taken as a whole,
and  Pacific  Capital  shall not be a party to or so far as  Pacific  Capital is
aware,  threatened  with,  and  to  Pacific  Capital's  knowledge  there  is  no
reasonable basis for, any legal action or other proceeding before any court, any
arbitrator of any kind or any government agency if in the reasonable judgment of
South Valley, such legal action or proceeding could materially  adversely affect
Pacific  Capital  and  FNB or its  business,  financial  condition,  properties,
results of operations or prospects taken as a whole.

         (d) Approval of  Agreement.  This  Agreement  and the Merger shall have
been duly approved by the  affirmative  vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding  shares of South Valley  Common  Stock at a meeting of  shareholders
duly called and held after  distributing the Proxy Statement to all shareholders
entitled to vote at such meeting as required by Section 3.2(a) hereof and by the
affirmative  vote of the  holders of a  majority  of the  outstanding  shares of
Pacific Capital Common Stock at the meeting of shareholders duly called and held
after  distributing the Proxy Statement to all shareholders  entitled to vote at
such meeting as required by Section 3.1(h) hereof.

         (e)  Officer's   Certificate.   South  Valley  shall  have  received  a
certificate,  dated the Effective  Date,  signed on behalf of Pacific Capital by
its  President  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Chief  Financial   Officer,
certifying to the fulfillment of the conditions  stated in Sections 8(a)-(c) and
as to the  approval  of the  Shareholders  of Pacific  Capital  in Section  8(d)
hereof.

         (f)  Opinion of  Counsel.  The  counsel of Pacific  Capital  shall have
delivered to South Valley an opinion in  substantially  the form attached hereto
as Exhibit G.

         (g) Effectiveness of Registration Statement. The Registration Statement
and any amendments or supplements  thereto shall have become effective under the
1933  Act.  No stop  order  suspending  the  effectiveness  of the  Registration
Statement shall be in effect and no proceedings for such purpose shall have been
initiated  or  threatened  by or before  the  Commission.  All state  securities
permits or approvals  required by applicable state securities laws to consummate
the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement shall
have been received and remain in effect.

         (h)  Government  Approvals.  The Government  Approvals  shall have been
received and shall be in effect,  and all conditions or requirements  prescribed
by law or by any such Government Approval shall have been satisfied.

         (i) Tax Opinion.  Pacific  Capital and South Valley shall have received
the opinions  referred to in Section 7(j) hereof which  opinions  shall meet the
requirements of such Section.

         (j) Closing  Documents.  South Valley shall have  received from Pacific
Capital  such  certificates  and other  closing  documents  as counsel for South
Valley shall reasonably request.

                                      -29-
<PAGE>

         (k) Absence of Legal Impediment. No significant legal impediment to the
Merger shall have arisen and no litigation, proceeding or investigation shall be
pending or  threatened  before any court or  government  agency  relating to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement which affords a material basis for a
determination  that it would be  inadvisable or inexpedient to continue to carry
out the terms of, or to attempt to consummate the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement.

         (l)  Fairness  Opinions.  The Board of  Directors of South Valley shall
have received an opinion of Hoefer & Arnett, Incorporated dated the date of this
Agreement  within three business days of the effective date of the  Registration
Statement and if requested by South Valley,  the Closing Date to the effect that
the terms of the  Merger  are fair,  from a  financial  point of view,  to South
Valley and its shareholders and such opinion shall not have been withdrawn prior
to the Effective Date.

         (m) Pooling-of-Interests  Accounting Treatment. South Valley shall have
determined  and shall have  received a letter from  Deloitte & Touche LLP to the
effect  that the Merger  shall  qualify for the  pooling-of-interests  method of
accounting in accordance  with GAAP and all applicable  rules,  regulations  and
policies of the Commission.  In addition, there shall have been no determination
by any court, tribunal, regulatory agency or other governmental entity, that the
Merger  fails  or  will  fail to  qualify  for  pooling-of-interests  accounting
treatment.

         (n) Additions to Pacific  Capital Board of Directors.  Pacific  Capital
shall have  amended its Bylaws or taken any other  action  necessary to increase
the number of  authorized  directors on its board to permit the  appointment  of
three  additional  directors to be designated by South Valley and  acceptable to
Pacific Capital at least five business days prior to the Closing Date.

         (o) Dissenting  Shares.  The aggregate number of shares of South Valley
Common Stock and Pacific Capital Common Stock held by persons who have taken all
of the steps required at or prior to the  shareholders'  meetings  referenced in
Sections 3.2(a) and 3.1(h), respectively,  to perfect their right (if any) to be
paid  the  value  of such  shares  under  the GCL  shall  not  exceed  9% of the
outstanding  shares of South  Valley  Common  Stock and Pacific  Capital  Common
Stock.

         (p) Nasdaq National Market Listing. Pacific Capital shall have obtained
designation of Pacific Capital Common Stock, including shares of Pacific Capital
Common Stock issued  pursuant to this  Agreement,  as a Nasdaq  National  Market
security.

         (q)  Accountant's  Letter.  South  Valley shall have  received  letters
addressed  to South  Valley from KPMG  prepared  pursuant to the  provisions  of
Section 3.1(d)(iv).


         9. CLOSING.

         (a) Closing Date.  The closing (the  "Closing")  shall,  unless another
date, time or place is agreed to in writing by Pacific Capital and South Valley,
be held at the  offices of Graham & James,  1  Maritime  Plaza,  San  Francisco,
California  on the  Effective  Date. In no event shall the Closing be later than
sixty (60) days after the Effective Date.

         (b) Delivery of Documents.  At the Closing, the opinions,  certificates
and  other  documents  required  to be  delivered  by this  Agreement  shall  be
delivered.

         (c)  Filings.  At the Closing,  Pacific  Capital and South Valley shall
instruct  their  respective  representatives  to make or confirm such filings as
shall be required in the opinion of counsel to Pacific  Capital and South Valley
to give effect to the Merger.


         10. EXPENSES.

         Pacific Capital and South Valley hereto agree to pay,  without right of
reimbursement  from  the  other  party  and  whether  or  not  the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement shall be consummated, the
costs incurred by each such party incident to the performance of its obligations
under this Agreement and the Merger  Agreement,  including  without  limitation,
costs incident to the preparation of this Agreement, the Registration Statement,
Prospectus and the Proxy Statement  (including the audited financial  statements
of the parties contained therein) and incident to the consummation of the Merger
and of the other transactions  contemplated  herein and in the Merger Agreement,
including the fees and  disbursements of counsel,  accountants,  consultants and
financial advisers

                                      -30-
<PAGE>

employed by such party in connection therewith.  South Valley shall bear its own
costs of printing and  distributing  (including  postage) the Proxy Statement to
its shareholders and other information relating to these transactions.


         11. AMENDMENT; TERMINATION.

         (a) Amendment.  This Agreement and the Merger  Agreement may be amended
by Pacific  Capital  and South  Valley at any time prior to the  Effective  Time
without the approval of the  shareholders of Pacific Capital and shareholders of
South Valley with respect to any of their terms except the terms relating to the
form or amount of consideration to be delivered to the South Valley shareholders
in the Merger.

         (b)  Termination.  This  Agreement  and  the  Merger  Agreement  may be
terminated as follows:

                    (i) By the mutual consent of the Boards of Directors of both
         Pacific Capital and South Valley at any time prior to the  consummation
         of the Merger.

                    (ii) By the Board of  Directors  of  Pacific  Capital  on or
         after  December 31, 1996, if (A) any of the  conditions in Section 7 to
         which the  obligations  of Pacific  Capital are  subject  have not been
         fulfilled,  or (B) such  conditions  have been  fulfilled  or waived by
         Pacific  Capital and South  Valley  shall have  failed to complete  the
         Merger.

                    (iii) By the Board of  Directors  of Pacific  Capital if (A)
         after the date of South Valley's Disclosure Statement,  Pacific Capital
         has  become  aware of any  facts or  circumstances  of which it was not
         previously aware and which materially adversely affect South Valley and
         SVNB or their respective business,  properties,  results of operations,
         financial  condition  or prospects  (taken as a whole),  (B) a material
         adverse  change shall have  occurred  since  December 31, 1995,  in the
         business,  properties,  financial  condition,  results of operations or
         prospects of South Valley and SVNB taken as a whole, (C) there has been
         a material breach (including any material  anticipatory  breach) on the
         part of South Valley of its obligations  under this  Agreement,  or any
         material  breach  (including any material  anticipatory  breach) of any
         covenants or conditions  contained in this Agreement  which,  in either
         event,  has not been cured as  provided  in Section  11(d),  or (D) the
         provisions of Section 3.2(j)(iv) become operable.

                    (iv) By the Board of  Directors  of South Valley on or after
         December 31, 1996, if (A) any of the conditions  contained in Section 8
         to which the  obligations  of South  Valley are  subject  have not been
         fulfilled,  or (B) such  conditions  have been  fulfilled or waived but
         Pacific  Capital  shall have failed to complete  the Merger;  provided,
         however,  that if Pacific  Capital is engaged at the time in litigation
         (including an administrative  appeal procedure)  relating to an attempt
         to  obtain  one or more of the  Governmental  Approvals  or if  Pacific
         Capital shall be contesting in good faith any litigation which seeks to
         prevent  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  such
         nonfulfillment  shall not give South Valley the right to terminate this
         Agreement  until the earlier of (A) eight (8) months  after the date of
         this  Agreement  and (B) sixty (60) days after the  completion  of such
         litigation and of any further  regulatory or judicial  action  pursuant
         thereto  including  any further  action by a  governmental  agency as a
         result of any judicial  remand,  order or directive or otherwise or any
         waiting period with respect thereto.

                    (v) By the Board of  Directors  of South Valley if (A) after
         the date of Pacific  Capital's  Disclosure  Statement  South Valley has
         become aware of any facts or  circumstances  of which it was previously
         not aware and which materially adversely affect Pacific Capital and FNB
         or  their  respective  business,  properties,  results  of  operations,
         financial  condition  or prospects  (taken as a whole),  (B) a material
         adverse  change  shall have  occurred  since  December  31, 1995 in the
         business,  properties,  financial  condition,  results of operations or
         prospects  of Pacific  Capital and FNB taken as a whole,  (C) there has
         been a material breach (including any material  anticipatory breach) on
         the part of Pacific Capital of its obligations  under this Agreement or
         any material breach (including any material anticipatory breach) of any
         conditions or covenants  contained in this Agreement,  which, in either
         event,  has not been cured as  provided in Section  11(d),  (D) Pacific
         Capital fails to comply with the  provisions  of Section  3.1(f) or (E)
         South Valley fails to accept the Exchange  Ratio or the parties fail to
         renegotiate the Exchange Ratio as provided in Section 2.1(c)(1).

                                      -31-
<PAGE>

         (c) Notice.  The power of  termination  hereunder  may be  exercised by
Pacific  Capital or South  Valley,  as the case may be,  only by giving  written
notice,  signed  on  behalf  of such  party  by its  Chairman  of the  Board  or
President, to the other party.

         (d)  Breach  of  Obligations.  If there has been a  material  breach by
either party of the representations,  covenants, agreements or other obligations
contained  herein  which shall not have been cured within  twenty (20)  business
days after written notice thereof has been given to the  defaulting  party,  the
nondefaulting  party  shall  have the right to  terminate  this  Agreement  upon
written notice to the other party. In any event, the  nondefaulting  party shall
have no  obligation  to  consummate  any  transaction  or take any further steps
toward such consummation contemplated hereunder until such breach is cured.

         (e) Termination  and Expenses.  Termination of this Agreement shall not
terminate or affect the  obligations  of the parties to pay expenses as provided
in Section 10, to maintain the  confidentiality of the other party's information
pursuant to Section 3.3, or the  provisions of this Section 11(e) or of Sections
12(a),  (d) or (e) or the second  sentence of Section  12(b) below and shall not
affect  any  agreement  after  such  termination.  If this  Agreement  shall  be
terminated  by  Pacific  Capital  pursuant  to  Section  11(b)(iii)(D),  or if a
Business  Combination  involving  South Valley  occurs within twelve (12) months
following termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 11(b) as a result of
the  interference  of a third party or group who thereafter  attempts to acquire
South Valley,  South Valley shall pay to Pacific Capital,  on demand, the sum of
$1,000,000.  If this Agreement  shall be terminated by South Valley  pursuant to
Section   11(b)(v)(D)   or  if  Pacific   Capital   terminates   this  Agreement
notwithstanding  the fact that all terms and  conditions of this  Agreement have
been satisfied by South Valley and no event has occurred which provides  Pacific
Capital the right under this  Agreement  to  terminate  the  Agreement,  Pacific
Capital shall pay to South Valley, on demand, the sum of $1,000,000. Any payment
required  pursuant to this Section 11(e) shall be paid no more than two business
days after demand by the party  entitled to make such demand by wire transfer of
immediately  available  federal  funds.  Except as  otherwise  provided  in this
Agreement  South Valley and Pacific  Capital agree that any  termination of this
Agreement shall not in any manner release or be construed as so releasing either
party from any liability or damage to the other party or parties arising out of,
in  connection  with or otherwise  relating  to,  directly or  indirectly,  such
parties' failure in performance of any of its covenants or agreements hereunder.

         12. MISCELLANEOUS.

         (a) Notices.  Any notice or other  communication  required or permitted
under this  Agreement  shall be effective only if it is in writing and delivered
personally,  or by  overnight  express or by  facsimile  or sent by first  class
United States mail, postage prepaid,  registered or certified mail, addressed as
follows:

  To Pacific Capital:                            To South Valley:

  D. Vernon Horton, Chairman                     Roger Knopf, Chairman
  Pacific Capital Bancorp                        Brad L. Smith, President &
  1001 South Main Street                           Chief Executive Officer
  Salinas, California  93902-1786                South Valley Bancorporation
                                                 8000 Santa Teresa Boulevard
  Clayton C. Larson, President                   Gilroy, California  95020
  Pacific Capital Bancorp
  495 Washington Street
  P.O. Box 2718
  Monterey, California  93942

  With a copy to:                                With a copy to:

  James E. Topinka, Esq.                         Glenn T. Dodd, Esq.
  Graham & James LLP                             Bronson, Bronson & McKinnon LLP
  One Maritime Plaza, Suite 300                  10 Almaden Boulevard, Suite 600
  San Francisco, California  94111               San Jose, CA  95113-2237

or to such other  address as either party may  designate by notice to the other,
and shall be deemed to have been given upon receipt.

         (b) Binding  Agreement.  This  Agreement is binding upon and is for the
benefit of Pacific Capital and South Valley and their respective  successors and
permitted  assigns.  This  Agreement  is not made for the benefit of any person,
firm,  corporation  or  association  not a party  hereto  (except as provided in
Section 3.1(g)),  and no other person,  firm,  corporation or association  shall
acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement. No


                                      -32-
<PAGE>


party may assign  this  Agreement  or any of its rights,  privileges,  duties or
obligations  hereunder  without the prior written  consent of the other party to
this Agreement.

         (c) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the substantive laws of the State of California.

         (d) Attorneys' Fees. In any action at law or suit in equity in relation
to this Agreement, the prevailing party in such action or suit shall be entitled
to receive a reasonable  sum for its  attorneys'  fees and all other  reasonable
costs and expenses incurred in such action or suit.

         (e) Entire Agreement;  Severability.  This Agreement and the documents,
certificates,  agreements,  letters, schedules and exhibits attached or required
to be delivered pursuant hereto set forth the entire agreement and understanding
of the parties in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby, and supersede
all prior agreements,  arrangements and  understandings  relating to the subject
matter hereof. Each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in a manner
to be effective  and valid under  applicable  law, but if any  provision  hereof
shall be  prohibited  or ruled  invalid  under  applicable  law,  the  validity,
legality and  enforceability  of the remaining  provisions  shall not, except as
otherwise  required  by  law,  be  affected  or  impaired  as a  result  of such
prohibition or ruling.

         (f)   Counterparts.   This   Agreement   may  be  executed  in  several
counterparts,  each of  which  shall be  deemed  an  original,  but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         (g) Waivers. Prior to or at the Effective Time, each of Pacific Capital
and South Valley shall have the right to waive any default in the performance of
any term of this  Agreement  by the  other,  to waive or extend the time for the
compliance or fulfillment by the other of any and all of the other's obligations
under this Agreement and to waive any or all of the conditions  precedent to its
obligations under this Agreement,  except any condition which, if not satisfied,
would result in the violation of any law or applicable governmental  regulation.
No failure to exercise  and no delay in  exercising  any right,  remedy or power
hereunder  shall  operate as a waiver  thereof,  nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any right,  remedy or power hereunder  preclude any other or further
exercise  thereof or the exercise of any other right,  remedy or power  provided
herein  or by law  or in  equity.  The  waiver  by any  party  of the  time  for
performance  of any act or condition  hereunder  does not constitute a waiver of
the act or  condition  itself.  Any  requests  for  waivers or  waivers  granted
pursuant to this Section  12(g) shall be in  accordance  with the  provisions of
Section 12(a) hereof.

         (h) No Survival of Representations and Warranties.  The representations
and warranties of the parties to this Agreement shall terminate on the Closing.

         (i)  Knowledge.  Wherever the term "to the best  knowledge"  or similar
terms are used in this Agreement in connection with a party's representations or
warranties,  it shall  mean  actual  knowledge  after due  inquiry  of a party's
executive officers.

         Pacific  Capital and South Valley have each caused this  Agreement  and
Plan of  Reorganization  to be signed by its authorized  officer and attested by
the signature of its Secretary all as of the day and year first written above.

ATTEST:                          PACIFIC CAPITAL BANCORP



/s/ James L. Gattis              /s/ Clayton C. Larson
- -----------------------          ------------------------------------------
Secretary                        Clayton C. Larson,
                                 President and Chief Administrative Officer

ATTEST:                          SOUTH VALLEY BANCORPORATION


/s/ Sandra L. Ogle               /s/ Brad L. Smith
- -----------------------          ------------------------------------------
Secretary                        Brad L. Smith,
                                 President and Chief Executive Officer


                                      -33-


<PAGE>

                                                                         ANNEX B
                                FAIRNESS OPINION

July 18, 1996

Members of the Board of Directors
South Valley Bancorporation
500 Tennant Station
Morgan Hill, CA  95037

Members of the Board:

You have requested our opinion as investment bankers as to the fairness,  from a
financial  point of view,  to the  shareholders  of South Valley  Bancorporation
("South  Valley") of the Exchange Ratio, as defined in the Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization,  dated as of July 19, 1996 (the  "Agreement"),  in the  proposed
merger (the "Merger") of South Valley with and into Pacific Capital  Corporation
("Pacific  Capital"),  pursuant  to the  Agreement  and subject to the terms and
conditions therein, each holder of common stock of South Valley will receive, in
exchange for common stock of South Valley,  Pacific  Capital common stock in the
ratio of 0.92  shares of Pacific  Capital  common  stock for each share of South
Valley common stock subject certain adjustments as described in the Agreement.

We have  acted for South  Valley  and for the Board of  Directors  as  financial
advisor  in  connection  with this  transaction  and will  receive a fee for our
services.  We have not  previously  provided  investment  banking and  financial
advisory services to South Valley or Pacific Capital.  We currently are a market
maker in South Valley and Pacific Capital Common Shares.

In arriving at our opinion,  we have reviewed and analyzed,  among other things,
the following: (i) the Agreement; (ii) Annual Reports to Shareholders and Annual
Reports on Form 10-K of South  Valley  and  Pacific  Capital  for the year ended
December 31, 1995;  (iii) Quarterly  Reports on Form 10-Q of Pacific Capital and
quarterly  FDIC Call  reports  for South  Valley  and  Pacific  Capital  for the
quarters  ended March 31, 1996 and June 30, 1996;  (iv) certain  other  publicly
available  financial and other  information  concerning South Valley and Pacific
Capital and the trading  markets for the  publicly  traded  securities  of South
Valley and Pacific Capital; (v) publicly available information  concerning other
banks and holding  companies,  the trading markets for their  securities and the
nature and terms of certain other merger transactions we believe relevant to our
inquiry;  and (vi) evaluations and analyses  prepared and presented to the Board
of  Directors  of South Valley or a committee  thereof in  connection  with this
business  combination with Pacific Capital. We have held discussions with senior
management  of South  Valley and of Pacific  Capital  concerning  their past and
current operations, financial condition and prospects, as well as the results of
regulatory examinations.

We have reviewed with senior management of South Valley earnings projections for
1996 for South  Valley as a  stand-alone  entity,  assuming  the Merger does not
occur,  prepared by South  Valley.  We reviewed  with the senior  management  of
Pacific  Capital  earnings  projections  for  1996  for  Pacific  Capital  as  a
stand-alone  entity,  assuming  the Merger  does not occur  prepared  by Pacific
Capital,  as well as projected operating cost savings expected to be achieved in
the years 1997 through 2000  resulting  from the Merger.  We have also  reviewed
with the  managements  of South  Valley  and  Pacific  Capital  earnings  growth
assumptions  for the years 1997  through  2000 for their  respective  companies.
Certain pro forma financial  projections for the years 1996 through 2000 for the
combined  entity  were  derived  by us based  upon the  

<PAGE>

South Valley Bancorporation
July 18, 1996
Page 2



projections  and  growth  assumptions  discussed  above,  as  well  as  our  own
assessment  of general  economic,  market and financial  conditions.  In certain
cases,  such  combined  pro  forma  financial   projections  included  projected
operating cost savings derived by us based upon the projections  discussed above
and believed by us to be realizable in the Merger.

In conducting our review and in arriving at our opinion, we have relied upon and
assumed the accuracy and  completeness  of the financial  and other  information
provided to us or publicly available, and we have not assumed any responsibility
for independent verification of the same. We have relied upon the managements of
South Valley and Pacific Capital as to the  reasonableness  of the financial and
operating  forecasts,  projections and projected operating cost savings (and the
assumptions  and bases  therefor)  provided to us, and we have assumed that such
forecasts,  projections  and projected  operating cost savings  reflect the best
currently  available estimates and judgments of the applicable  managements.  We
have also  assumed,  without  assuming any  responsibility  for the  independent
verification  of same,  that the aggregate  allowances for loan losses for South
Valley and Pacific  Capital are adequate to cover such losses.  We have not made
or obtained any  evaluations  or  appraisals  of the property of South Valley or
Pacific  Capital,  nor have we examined any  individual  loan credit files.  For
purposes of this  opinion,  we have  assumed  that the Merger will have the tax,
accounting and legal effects  (including,  without  limitation,  that the Merger
will be accounted for as a  pooling-of-interest)  described in the Agreement and
assumed the accuracy of the disclosures set forth in the Agreement.  Our opinion
as expressed herein is limited to the fairness,  from a financial point of view,
to the holders of the Common Shares of South Valley of the Exchange Ratio in the
Merger and does not  address  South  Valley's  underlying  business  decision to
proceed with the Merger.

We  have  considered  such  financial  and  other  factors  as  we  have  deemed
appropriate under the circumstances,  including among others the following:  (i)
the historical and current financial position and results of operations of South
Valley and Pacific Capital,  including  interest income,  interest expense,  net
interest income,  net interest margin,  provision for loan losses,  non-interest
income, non-interest expense, earnings,  dividends, internal capital generation,
book value, intangible assets, return on assets, return on shareholders' equity,
capitalization,  the amount and type of non-performing  assets,  loan losses and
the reserve for loan losses,  all as set forth in the financial  statements  for
South Valley and for Pacific  Capital;  (ii) the assets and liabilities of South
Valley  and  Pacific  Capital,  including  the  loan,  investment  and  mortgage
portfolios,  deposits,  other  liabilities,  historical  and  current  liability
sources and costs and liquidity; and (iii) the nature and terms of certain other
merger  transactions  involving banks and bank holding  companies.  We have also
taken into account our  assessment  of general  economic,  market and  financial
conditions and our experience in other  transactions,  as well as our experience
in securities valuation and our knowledge of the banking industry generally. Our
opinion is necessarily  based upon conditions as they exist and can be evaluated
on the date hereof and the  information  made  available  to us through the date
hereof.



<PAGE>

South Valley Bancorporation
July 18, 1996
Page 3



It is  understood  that  this  letter  is for the  information  of the  Board of
Directors of South Valley only and may not be relied upon by any other person or
used for any other purpose without our prior written  consent.  This letter does
not constitute a recommendation  to the Board of Directors or to any shareholder
of South Valley with respect to any approval of the Merger.

Based upon and subject to the  foregoing,  we are of the  opinion as  investment
bankers that, as of the date hereof,  the Exchange  Ratio in the Merger is fair,
from a financial  point of view,  to the  holders of the Common  Shares of South
Valley.

Very truly yours,



HOEFER & ARNETT INCORPORATED





<PAGE>

                                                                         ANNEX C
                       CALIFORNIA GENERAL CORPORATION LAW

SS. 1300.  REORGANIZATION OR SHORT-FORM  MERGER;  DISSENTING  SHARES;  CORPORATE
PURCHASE AT FAIR MARKET VALUE; DEFINITIONS

         (a) If the  approval  of the  outstanding  shares  (Section  152)  of a
corporation is required for a reorganization  under  subdivisions (a) and (b) or
subdivision  (e) or (f) of Section 1201,  each  shareholder  of the  corporation
entitled  to  vote on the  transaction  and  each  shareholder  of a  subsidiary
corporation in a short-form merger may, by complying with this chapter,  require
the  corporation in which the  shareholder  holds shares to purchase for cash at
their fair market value the shares owned by the shareholder which are dissenting
shares as defined in subdivision  (b). The fair market value shall be determined
as of the day  before  the  first  announcement  of the  terms  of the  proposed
reorganization or short-form merger,  excluding any appreciation or depreciation
in consequence of the proposed action, but adjusted for any stock split, reverse
stock split, or share dividend which becomes effective thereafter.

         (b) As used in this  chapter,  "dissenting  shares"  means shares which
come within all of the following descriptions:

                  (1) Which were not immediately prior to the  reorganization or
short-form  merger  either  (A)  listed  on  any  national  securities  exchange
certified by the Commissioner of Corporations  under  subdivision (o) of Section
25100 or (B)  listed  on the list of OTC  margin  stocks  issued by the Board of
Governors  of  the  Federal  Reserve  System,  and  the  notice  of  meeting  of
shareholders to act upon the reorganization summarizes this section and Sections
1301, 1302, 1303 and 1304; provided, however, that this provision does not apply
to any shares with  respect to which there  exists any  restriction  on transfer
imposed by the corporation or by any law or regulation;  and provided,  further,
that  this  provision  does  not  apply  to any  class of  shares  described  in
subparagraph  (A) or (B) if demands  for  payment  are filed  with  respect to 5
percent or more of the outstanding shares of that class.

                  (2) Which were  outstanding on the date for the  determination
of shareholders entitled to vote on the reorganization and (A) were not voted in
favor of the  reorganization  or, (B) if described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of
paragraph  (1) (without  regard to the provisos in that  paragraph),  were voted
against the  reorganization,  or which were held of record on the effective date
of a short-form  merger;  provided,  however,  that subparagraph (A) rather than
subparagraph  (B) of this  paragraph  applies  in any case  where  the  approval
required by Section 1201 is sought by written consent rather than at a meeting.

                  (3) Which the  dissenting  shareholder  has demanded  that the
corporation  purchase at their fair market  value,  in  accordance  with Section
1301.

                  (4)  Which  the  dissenting   shareholder  has  submitted  for
endorsement, in accordance with Section 1302.



                                       1.

<PAGE>



         (c) As  used  in  this  chapter,  "dissenting  shareholder"  means  the
recordholder of dissenting shares and includes a transferee of record.

SS. 1301. NOTICE TO HOLDERS OF DISSENTING SHARES IN REORGANIZATIONS;  DEMAND FOR
PURCHASE; TIME; CONTENTS

         (a)  If,  in  the  case  of a  reorganization,  any  shareholders  of a
corporation  have a  right  under  Section  1300,  subject  to  compliance  with
paragraphs (3) and (4) of subdivision (b) thereof, to require the corporation to
purchase  their  shares  for  cash,  such  corporation  shall  mail to each such
shareholder a notice of the approval of the  reorganization  by its  outstanding
shares (Section 152) within 10 days after the date of such approval, accompanied
by a copy of Sections 1300,  1302,  1303, 1304 and this section,  a statement of
the price  determined by the  corporation  to represent the fair market value of
the dissenting  shares,  and a brief description of the procedure to be followed
if the  shareholder  desires to  exercise  the  shareholder's  right  under such
sections.  The statement of price  constitutes  an offer by the  corporation  to
purchase at the price stated any dissenting shares as defined in subdivision (b)
of Section  1300,  unless  they lose their  status as  dissenting  shares  under
Section 1309.

         (b) Any  shareholder  who has a right to  require  the  corporation  to
purchase  the  shareholder's  shares for cash  under  Section  1300,  subject to
compliance  with  paragraphs  (3) and (4) of  subdivision  (b) thereof,  and who
desires the  corporation  to purchase such shares shall make written demand upon
the  corporation  for the purchase of such shares and payment to the shareholder
in cash of their fair market value.  The demand is not effective for any purpose
unless it is received by the  corporation  or any transfer  agent thereof (1) in
the  case  of  shares  described  in  clause  (i) or (ii)  of  paragraph  (1) of
subdivision  (b) of  Section  1300  (without  regard  to the  provisos  in  that
paragraph),  not later than the date of the  shareholders'  meeting to vote upon
the  reorganization,  or (2) in any other case  within 30 days after the date on
which  the  notice  of  the  approval  by the  outstanding  shares  pursuant  to
subdivision  (a) or the notice  pursuant to subdivision  (i) of Section 1110 was
mailed to the shareholder.

         (c) The demand  shall  state the number and class of the shares held of
record by the  shareholder  which the  shareholder  demands that the corporation
purchase and shall contain a statement of what such shareholder claims to be the
fair market value of those shares as of the day before the  announcement  of the
proposed reorganization or short-form merger. The statement of fair market value
constitutes an offer by the shareholder to sell the shares at such price.

SS. 1302.  SUBMISSION  OF SHARE  CERTIFICATES  FOR  ENDORSEMENT;  UNCERTIFICATED
SECURITIES

         Within 30 days after the date on which  notice of the  approval  by the
outstanding shares or the notice pursuant to subdivision (i) of Section 1110 was
mailed to the  shareholder,  the shareholder  shall submit to the corporation at
its principal office or at the office of any transfer agent thereof,  (a) if the
shares are certificated securities, the


                                       2.
<PAGE>

shareholder's certificates representing any shares which the shareholder demands
that the corporation  purchase,  to be stamped or endorsed with a statement that
the  shares  are  dissenting  shares  or to be  exchanged  for  certificates  of
appropriate  denomination  so  stamped  or  endorsed  or (b) if the  shares  are
uncertificated  securities,  written  notice of the  number of shares  which the
shareholder demands that the corporation purchase.  Upon subsequent transfers of
the dissenting  shares on the books of the  corporation,  the new  certificates,
initial  transaction  statement,  and other written  statements  issued therefor
shall bear a like statement,  together with the name of the original  dissenting
holder of the shares.

SS. 1303.  PAYMENT OF AGREED PRICE WITH INTEREST;  AGREEMENT  FIXING FAIR MARKET
VALUE; FILING; TIME OF PAYMENT

         (a) If the corporation  and the  shareholder  agree that the shares are
dissenting  shares  and  agree  upon the  price of the  shares,  the  dissenting
shareholder  is entitled to the agreed price with interest  thereon at the legal
rate on judgments from the date of the agreement. Any agreements fixing the fair
market value of any dissenting shares as between the corporation and the holders
thereof shall be filed with the secretary of the corporation.

         (b)  Subject to the  provisions  of Section  1306,  payment of the fair
market value of dissenting  shares shall be made within 30 days after the amount
thereof has been  agreed or within 30 days after any  statutory  or  contractual
conditions to the reorganization  are satisfied,  whichever is later, and in the
case of  certificated  securities,  subject  to  surrender  of the  certificates
therefor, unless provided otherwise by agreement.

SS.  1304.  ACTION TO DETERMINE  WHETHER  SHARES ARE  DISSENTING  SHARES OR FAIR
MARKET  VALUE;  LIMITATION;  JOINDER;  CONSOLIDATION;  DETERMINATION  OF ISSUES;
APPOINTMENT OF APPRAISERS

         (a) If the corporation denies that the shares are dissenting shares, or
the corporation and the shareholder  fail to agree upon the fair market value of
the shares, then the shareholder demanding purchase of such shares as dissenting
shares or any interested corporation,  within six months after the date on which
notice  of the  approval  by the  outstanding  shares  (Section  152) or  notice
pursuant to subdivision (i) of Section 1110 was mailed to the  shareholder,  but
not thereafter,  may file a complaint in the superior court of the proper county
praying the court to determine  whether the shares are dissenting  shares or the
fair  market  value of the  dissenting  shares or both or may  intervene  in any
action pending on such a complaint.

         (b) Two or more  dissenting  shareholders  may join as plaintiffs or be
joined as  defendants  in any such  action and two or more such  actions  may be
consolidated.

         (c) On the trial of the action,  the court shall  determine the issues.
If the status of the shares as  dissenting  shares is in issue,  the court shall
first determine that issue. If the fair market value of the dissenting shares is
in issue,  the court shall  determine,  or shall  appoint one or more  impartial
appraisers to determine, the fair market value of the shares.


                                       3.
<PAGE>

SS. 1305. REPORT OF APPRAISERS; CONFIRMATION;  DETERMINATION BY COURT; JUDGMENT;
PAYMENT; APPEAL; COSTS

         (a) If the court  appoints  an  appraiser  or  appraisers,  they  shall
proceed forthwith to determine the fair market value per share.  Within the time
fixed by the court, the appraisers, or a majority of them, shall make and file a
report in the office of the clerk of the court.  Thereupon, on the motion of any
party,  the  report  shall be  submitted  to the  court and  considered  on such
evidence  as the  court  considers  relevant.  If the  court  finds  the  report
reasonable, the court may confirm it.

         (b) If a majority of the  appraisers  appointed fail to make and file a
report within 10 days from the date of their  appointment or within such further
time as may be allowed by the court or the report is not confirmed by the court,
the court shall determine the fair market value of the dissenting shares.

         (c)  Subject to the  provisions  of  Section  1306,  judgment  shall be
rendered  against the  corporation  for  payment of an amount  equal to the fair
market value of each  dissenting  share  multiplied  by the number of dissenting
shares which any dissenting  shareholder  who is a party, or who has intervened,
is entitled to require the corporation to purchase, with interest thereon at the
legal rate from the date on which judgment was entered.

         (d) Any such  judgment  shall be  payable  forthwith  with  respect  to
uncertificated  securities  and, with respect to certificated  securities,  only
upon the endorsement and delivery to the corporation of the certificates for the
shares described in the judgment. Any party may appeal from the judgment.

         (e) The costs of the action,  including reasonable  compensation to the
appraisers  to be fixed by the court,  shall be assessed or  apportioned  as the
court considers  equitable,  but, if the appraisal  exceeds the price offered by
the  corporation,  the  corporation  shall  pay  the  costs  (including  in  the
discretion of the court  attorneys'  fees, fees of expert witnesses and interest
at the legal rate on judgments  from the date of compliance  with Sections 1300,
1301 and 1302 if the value  awarded by the court for the shares is more than 125
percent of the price offered by the corporation under subdivision (a) of Section
1301).

SS. 1306. PREVENTION OF IMMEDIATE PAYMENT; STATUS AS CREDITORS; INTEREST

         To the extent that the  provisions  of Chapter 5 prevent the payment to
any holders of dissenting  shares of their fair market value,  they shall become
creditors of the  corporation  for the amount thereof  together with interest at
the legal rate on judgments  until the date of payment,  but  subordinate  to an
other  creditors  in any  liquidation  proceeding,  such debt to be payable when
permissible under the provisions of Chapter 5.


                                       4.
<PAGE>

SS. 1307. DIVIDENDS ON DISSENTING SHARES

         Cash dividends declared and paid by the corporation upon the dissenting
shares  after the date of  approval  of the  reorganization  by the  outstanding
shares  (Section  152) and prior to payment  for the  shares by the  corporation
shall  be  credited  against  the  total  amount  to be paid by the  corporation
therefor.

SS. 1308. RIGHTS OF DISSENTING  SHAREHOLDERS  PENDING  VALUATION;  WITHDRAWAL OF
DEMAND FOR PAYMENT

         Except as  expressly  limited in this  chapter,  holders of  dissenting
shares  continue to have an the rights and privileges  incident to their shares,
until the fair  market  value of their  shares is agreed upon or  determined.  A
dissenting  shareholder  may not  withdraw  a  demand  for  payment  unless  the
corporation consents thereto.

SS. 1309. TERMINATION OF DISSENTING SHARE AND SHAREHOLDER STATUS

         Dissenting  shares  lose  their  status as  dissenting  shares  and the
holders thereof cease to be dissenting  shareholders and cease to be entitled to
require the  corporation  to purchase  their shares upon the happening of any of
the following:

         (a) The corporation  abandons the  reorganization.  Upon abandonment of
the  reorganization,  the  corporation  shall pay on  demand  to any  dissenting
shareholder  who has initiated  proceedings in good faith under this chapter all
necessary expenses incurred in such proceedings and reasonable attorneys' fees.

         (b)  The  shares  are  transferred   prior  to  their   submission  for
enforcement in accordance  with Section 1302 or are  surrendered  for conversion
into shares of another class in accordance with the articles.

         (c) The dissenting  shareholder  and the  corporation do not agree upon
the status of the shares as dissenting  shares or upon the purchase price of the
shares,  and neither  files a complaint  or  intervenes  in a pending  action as
provided in Section  1304,  within six months  after the date on which notice of
the approval by the outstanding  shares or notice pursuant to subdivision (i) of
Section 1110 was mailed to the shareholder.

         (d) The dissenting  shareholder,  with the consent of the  corporation,
withdraws the shareholder's demand for purchase of the dissenting shares.

SS.  1310.  SUSPENSION  OF  RIGHT  TO  COMPENSATION  OR  VALUATION  PROCEEDINGS;
LITIGATION OF SHAREHOLDERS' APPROVAL

         If litigation is  instituted to test the  sufficiency  or regularity of
the votes of the shareholders in authorizing a  reorganization,  any proceedings
under  Sections 1304 and 1305 shall be suspended  until final  determination  of
such litigation.


                                       5.
<PAGE>

SS. 1311. EXEMPT SHARES

         This chapter,  except Section 1312, does not apply to classes of shares
whose  terms and  provisions  specifically  set  forth the  amount to be paid in
respect to such shares in the event of a reorganization or merger.

SS. 1312. RIGHT OF DISSENTING SHAREHOLDER TO ATTACK, SET ASIDE OR RESCIND MERGER
OR REORGANIZATION; RESTRAINING ORDER OR INJUNCTION; CONDITIONS

         (a) No shareholder of a corporation  who has a right under this chapter
to demand payment of cash for the shares held by the shareholder  shall have any
right at law or in  equity to  attack  the  validity  of the  reorganization  or
short-form  merger, or to have the reorganization or short-form merger set aside
or rescinded,  except in an action to test whether the number of shares required
to authorize  or approve the  reorganization  have been  legally  voted in favor
thereof;  but any  holder  of  shares  of a class  whose  terms  and  provisions
specifically  set forth the amount to be paid in respect to them in the event of
a reorganization  or short-form merger is entitled to payment in accordance with
those terms and provisions or, if the principal terms of the  reorganization are
approved  pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1202, is entitled to payment in
accordance with the terms and provisions of the approved reorganization.

         (b) If one of the parties to a reorganization  or short-form  merger is
directly or indirectly  controlled  by, or under common  control  with,  another
party to the  reorganization  or short-form  merger,  subdivision  (a) shall not
apply to any shareholder of such party who has not demanded  payment of cash for
such  shareholder's  shares  pursuant to this  chapter;  but if the  shareholder
institutes any action to attack the validity of the reorganization or short-form
merger  or to  have  the  reorganization  or  short-form  merger  set  aside  or
rescinded, the shareholder shall not thereafter have any right to demand payment
of cash for the shareholder's  shares pursuant to this chapter. The court in any
action attacking the validity of the  reorganization  or short-form merger or to
have the  reorganization  or short-form  merger set aside or rescinded shall not
restrain  or enjoin the  consummation  of the  transaction  except upon 10 days'
prior  notice to the  corporation  and upon a  determination  by the court  that
clearly no other remedy will adequately  protect the complaining  shareholder or
the class of shareholders of which such shareholder is a member.

         (c) If one of the parties to a reorganization  or short-form  merger is
directly or indirectly  controlled  by, or under common  control  with,  another
party to the  reorganization  or short-form  merger, in any action to attack the
validity  of  the   reorganization   or   short-form   merger  or  to  have  the
reorganization  or short-form  merger set aside or  rescinded,  (1) a party to a
reorganization  or  short-form  merger  which  controls  another  party  to  the
reorganization  or  short-form  merger shall have the burden of proving that the
transaction  is just and  reasonable as to the  shareholders  of the  controlled
party,  and (2) a person who controls  two or more  parties to a  reorganization
shall have the burden of proving that the  transaction is just and reasonable as
to the shareholders of any party so controlled.


                                       6.

<PAGE>

                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS


Item 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

         Section 317 of the California  Corporations  Code authorizes a court to
award, or a corporation's  Board of Directors to grant,  indemnity to directors,
officers,  employees  and other agents of the  corporation  ("Agents")  in terms
sufficiently broad to permit such  indemnification  under certain  circumstances
for liabilities  (including  reimbursement for expenses  incurred) arising under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

         Article Fifth of the Registrant's  Restated  Articles of Incorporation,
as amended,  authorizes  the  Registrant to indemnify its Agents,  through bylaw
provisions,  agreements,  votes of  shareholders or  disinterested  directors or
otherwise,  in excess of the indemnification  otherwise permitted by Section 317
of the California  Corporations Code, subject to the applicable limits set forth
in Section 204 of the California  Corporations  Code with respect to actions for
breach of duty to the  Registrant  and its  shareholders.  Article  Fifth of the
Registrant's  Bylaws provides for mandatory  indemnification of each director of
the  Registrant  except  as  prohibited  by  law.  The  Registrant  maintains  a
directors'  and  officers'  liability  insurance  policy  that  indemnifies  the
Registrant's  directors and officers  against  certain losses in connection with
claims made against them for certain wrongful acts.

Item 21.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

         (A)  Exhibits.

                      Exhibit
                      Number
                      -------
                         2.1       Agreement and Plan of Reorganization  between
                                   the Registrant and South Valley,  dated as of
                                   July  18,  1996  (included  as Annex A to the
                                   Joint  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus   (without
                                   certain exhibits).
                       
                         3.1       Articles of  Incorporation of Pacific Capital
                                   Bancorp as amended to date.1
                       
                         3.2       Bylaws of Pacific  Capital Bancorp as amended
                                   to date.2
                       
                         5.1       Opinion of Graham & James LLP.
                      
                        10.1       Lease  for  601  Abrego   Street,   Monterey,
                                   Premises.3

                        10.2       Lease for 1001  South Main  Street,  Salinas,
                                   Banking office.2

                        10.3       Lease dated  December 15, 1988 by and between
                                   First National Bank of Central California and
                                   James L. Gattis for 307 Main Street,  Salinas
                                   Old Town Office.2

                        10.4       Lease dated May 1, 1985 by and between  First
                                   National  Bank  of  Central   California  and
                                   Pacific Capital Bancorp.4

                        10.5       Pacific   Capital   Bancorp   Employee  Stock
                                   Ownership Plan and Trust Agreement.5



                                      II-1

<PAGE>

                        10.6       Master  Equipment  Lease  Agreement   between
                                   First National Bank of Central California and
                                   Parker North American Corporation.5

                        10.7       Lease dated  September 22, 1986 between First
                                   National Bank of Central  California  and The
                                   Saunders Company.5

                        10.8       Matrix  Funding   Corporation   Master  Lease
                                   Agreement.1

                        10.9       Lease  dated  January 24, 1989 by and between
                                   First  National  Bank of Monterey  County and
                                   Stanley R. Haynes.6

                        10.10      Executive   Salary   Continuation   Agreement
                                   entered  into  August 22, 1989 by and between
                                   First  National  Bank of Monterey  County and
                                   Clayton C. Larson.6

                        10.11      Executive   Salary   Continuation   Agreement
                                   entered  into  August 22, 1989 by and between
                                   First National Bank of Monterey County and D.
                                   Vernon Horton.6

                        10.12      Executive   Salary   Continuation   Agreement
                                   entered  into  August 22, 1989 by and between
                                   First  National  Bank of Monterey  County and
                                   Dennis A. DeCius.6

                        10.13      Amendment No. One to Pacific  Capital Bancorp
                                   Employee Stock Ownership Plan.6

                        10.14      Amendment No. Two to Pacific  Capital Bancorp
                                   Employee Stock Ownership Plan.7

                        10.15      Amendment   No.  Three  to  Pacific   Capital
                                   Bancorp Employee Stock Ownership Plan.7

                        10.16      Lease  dated  August 10,  1990 by and between
                                   the Trustees of the Stanley  Family Trust and
                                   Pacific    Capital    Bancorp    for   Carmel
                                   Office.(TM)7

                        10.17      Assignment of Lease dated November 1, 1990 by
                                   and between Pacific Capital Bancorp and First
                                   National Bank of  Monterey-County  for Carmel
                                   Office.7

                        10.18      Lease dated  November 12, 1990 by and between
                                   First  National  Bank of Monterey  County and
                                   Carmel Monterey  Travel for Premises  located
                                   at 601 Abrego Street, Monterey, California.7

                        10.19      Prunetree  Shopping  Center  Lease dated June
                                   28, 1988 by and  between  Dennis R. Keith and
                                   Pajaro Valley Bancorporation.7

                        10.20      Lease  dated  June  21,  1990 by and  between
                                   Saucito Land Co. and First  National  Bank of
                                   Monterey County.7

                        10.22      Amendment No. Four to Pacific Capital Bancorp
                                   Employee Stock Ownership Plan.7

                        10.23      Amendment  dated May 20,  1991 to Lease dated
                                   December  15,  1988  by  and  between   First
                                   National  Bank of  California  and  James  L.
                                   Gattis for 307 Main Street,  Salinas Old Town
                                   Office.8

                                      II-2

<PAGE>

                        10.24      Pacific  Capital  Bancorp   Directors'  Stock
                                   Option   Plan  and   Form  of  Stock   Option
                                   Agreement.8

                        10.26      Pacific  Capital  Bancorp  1984 Stock  Option
                                   Plan and Forms of  Agreements  as  amended to
                                   date.8

                        10.30      Business  Recovery  Services  Agreement dated
                                   September  30,  1991  by  and  between  First
                                   National  Bank of  California  and  J.D.B.  &
                                   Associates, Inc.8

                        10.31      Consolidated  Agreement  dated  December  17,
                                   1991 by and between  First  National  Bank of
                                   California  and Unisys  with  Equipment  Sale
                                   Agreement,  Software  License  Agreement  and
                                   Product  License  Agreement  by  and  between
                                   First   National  Bank  of   California   and
                                   Information Technology, Inc.8

                        10.32      Fidelity  and  Deposit  Company  of  Maryland
                                   Directors  and Officers  Liability  Insurance
                                   Policy including Bank Reimbursement.8

                        10.33      Fidelity  and  Deposit  Company  of  Maryland
                                   Financial Institution Bond.8

                        10.34      Lease  dated  January 28, 1993 by and between
                                   J.W. and R.W. McClellan,  Partners, and First
                                   National Bank of Central California.9

                        10.35      Exercise of Lease Option as of September  19,
                                   1992 by and between  First  National  Bank of
                                   Central California and James L. Gattis.9

                        10.36      Software   License   Agreement   and  Product
                                   License Agreements dated March 3, 1993 by and
                                   between   First   National  Bank  of  Central
                                   California and Information Technology, Inc.9

                        10.37      Lease dated  November 18, 1993 by and between
                                   Hazel  Graven  and  Vines  Stewart  and First
                                   National Bank of Central California.9

                        10.38      Software   License   Agreement  for  Platform
                                   Transfer Module and Interface dated September
                                   15, 1993 by and between  First  National Bank
                                   of   Central   California   and   Information
                                   Technology,  Inc.  California and Information
                                   Technology, Inc.9

                        10.39      Equipment Sale  Agreement  dated December 16,
                                   1993 by and between  First  National  Bank of
                                   Central     California    and     Information
                                   Technology, Inc.9

                        10.40      Asset/Liability Management Software Agreement
                                   dated  December 31, 1993 by and between First
                                   National  Bank  of  Central   California  and
                                   Profitstar, Inc.9

                        10.41      Applications dated December 28, 1993 by First
                                   National Bank of Central California to become
                                   a member of the California  Bankers  Clearing
                                   House Association.9

                       10.42      Consolidated  Agreement  for the  purchase  of
                                  computer  hardware  dated December 20, 1993 by
                                  and  between  First  National  Bank of Central
                                  California and Unisys Corporation.9

                        10.43      Employment   Agreement  dated  May  22,  1993
                                   between   First   National  Bank  of  Central
                                   California and D.Vernon Horton.9

                                      II-3
<PAGE>


                        10.44      Employment   Agreement  dated  May  22,  1993
                                   between   First   National  Bank  of  Central
                                   California and Clayton C. Larson.9

                        10.45      Employment   Agreement  dated  May  22,  1993
                                   between   First   National  Bank  of  Central
                                   California and Dennis A. DeCius.9

                        10.46      Pacific  Capital  Bancorp  1994 Stock  Option
                                   Plan and Form of Incentive and Non- Qualified
                                   Stock Option Agreements.9

                        10.47      Amendment No. Five to Pacific Capital Bancorp
                                   Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust.9

                        10.48      Pacific Capital Bancorp 401(k) Profit Sharing
                                   Plan.10

                        10.49      Equipment  Sale  Agreement  dated  March  22,
                                   1995, by and between  First  National Bank of
                                   Central     California    and     Information
                                   Technology, Inc.10

                        10.50      Equipment  Sale  Agreement  dated February 2,
                                   1996, by and between  First  National Bank of
                                   Central     California    and     Information
                                   Technology, Inc.11

                        10.51      Standard  Form  of  Agreement  between  Owner
                                   (Pacific   Capital  Bancorp)  and  Contractor
                                   (Daniels  & House  Construction  Co.) for the
                                   renovation    of   existing    building   and
                                   construction   of  new   addition  for  First
                                   National  Bank of Central  California at 1001
                                   S. Main Street,  Salinas,  CA,  93901,  dated
                                   June 15, 1996.11

                        10.52      Employee Welfare Benefit Plan Agreement dated
                                   January  1,  1995,  between  Pacific  Capital
                                   Bancorp   and   Great-West   Life  &  Annuity
                                   Insurance Co.11

                        13.        Pacific Capital Bancorp 1995 Annual Report to
                                   Shareholders   (parts  not   incorporated  by
                                   reference  are  furnished  for  informational
                                   purposes only and are not filed herewith).

                        21.        Subsidiaries   of  Pacific   Capital  Bancorp
                                   (incorporated   by  reference   from  Pacific
                                   Capital  Bancorp's annual report on Form 10-K
                                   for the year ended December 31, 1995).

                        23.1       Consent  of KPMG Peat  Marwick  LLP  (Pacific
                                   Capital Bancorp).

                        23.2       Consent  of  Deloitte  &  Touche  LLP  (South
                                   Valley Bancorporation).

                        23.3       Consent of Graham & James LLP.

                        23.4       Consent of Hoefer & Arnett Incorporated.

                        24         Power of Attorney.

                        99.1       Form  of  proxy  to  be  used  in  soliciting
                                   shareholders  of Pacific  Capital Bancorp for
                                   its Special Meeting of Shareholders.

                        99.2       Form  of  proxy  to  be  used  in  soliciting
                                   shareholders  of South Valley  Bancorporation
                                   for its Special Meeting of Shareholders.

                                      II-4
<PAGE>

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

 1.      Filed  as  Exhibits  3.1,  10.21  and  10.32,   respectively,   to  the
         Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K  (File No.  0-13528)  for the
         fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1988,  which  are  incorporated  by
         reference.

 2.      Filed as  Exhibits  3.2 and 10.17,  respectively,  to the  Registrant's
         Annual  Report on Form 10-K  (File No. 2- 87513)  for the  fiscal  year
         ended December 31, 1984, which are incorporated by reference.

 3.      Filed as Exhibit to the  Registrant's  Registration  Statement  on Form
         S-18 (Registration No. 2-87513), which is incorporated by reference.

 4.      Filed as Exhibit 10.20 to the  Registrant's  Annual Report on Form 10-K
         (File No.  0-13528) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1985,  which
         is incorporated by reference.

 5.      Filed as Exhibits 10.24 through 10.26,  respectively,  to  Registrant's
         Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 0-13528) for the fiscal year ended
         December 31, 1986, which are incorporated by reference.

 6.      Filed  as  Exhibits   10.20  through   10.24,   respectively,   to  the
         Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K  (File No.  0-13528)  for the
         fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1989,  which  are  incorporated  by
         reference.

 7.      Filed as Exhibits 10.25 through 10.32 to the Registrant's Annual Report
         on Form 10-K (File No.  0-13528) for the fiscal year ended December 31,
         1990, which are incorporated by reference.

 8.      Filed as Exhibits 10.23 through 10.34 to the Registrant's Annual Report
         on Form 10-K (File No. - 13528) for the fiscal year ended  December 31,
         1991, which are incorporated by reference.

 9.      Filed as Exhibits to the  Registrant's  Registration  Statement on Form
         S-8 (File No.  33-83848) as filed on September 8, 1994,  and  Amendment
         No. 1 to Form S-8 as filed on November 15, 1994.

10.      Filed as Exhibits 10.47 through 10.48 to the Registrant's Annual Report
         on Form 10-K (File No.  0-13528) for the fiscal year ended December 31,
         1994, which are incorporated by reference.


11.      Filed as Exhibits 10.47 through 10.48 to the Registrant's Annual Report
         on Form 10-K (File No.  0-13528) for the fiscal year ended December 31,
         1994, which are incorporated by reference.

                                      II-5

<PAGE>



        (B)  Financial Statement Schedules:  Not applicable.

Item 22.  Undertakings.

        (1) The undersigned  Registrant hereby  undertakes:  (a) To file, during
any period in which offers or sales are being made, a  post-effective  amendment
to this  registration  statement:  (i) To include  any  prospectus  required  by
section  10(a)(3)  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933;  (ii)  To  reflect  in the
prospectus  any  facts  or  events  arising  after  the  effective  date  of the
registration  statement (or the most recent  post-effective  amendment  thereof)
which,  individually or in the aggregate,  represent a fundamental change in the
information  set  forth  in  the  registration  statement;  notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  any  increase or decrease  in volume of  securities  offered (if the
total  dollar  value of  securities  offered  would not  exceed  that  which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated  maximum
offering  range  may be  reflected  in the  form of  prospectus  filed  with the
Commission  pursuant to Rule 424(b) (ss.  230.424(b) of this chapter) if, in the
aggregate,  the changes in volume and price  represent no more than a 20% change
in the  maximum  aggregate  offering  price  set  forth in the  "Calculation  of
Registration  Fee"  table  in the  effective  registration  statement;  (iii) To
include any material  information  with respect to the plan of distribution  not
previously  disclosed in the  registration  statement or any material  change to
such  information in the  registration  statement;  (b) That, for the purpose of
determining   any  liability  under  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  each  such
post-effective  amendment  shall be  deemed to be a new  registration  statement
relating to the securities offered therein,  and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering  thereof;  (c)
To remove from  registration by means of a  post-effective  amendment any of the
securities  being  registered  which  remain  unsold at the  termination  of the
offering.

        (2) The undersigned  Registrant  hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining  any liability  under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's  annual  report  pursuant to section  13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934  (and,  where  applicable,  each  filing of an
employee  benefit  plan's  annual  report  pursuant  to  section  15(d)  of  the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934)  that is  incorporated  by  reference  in the
registration  statement  shall  be  deemed  to be a new  registration  statement
relating to the securities offered therein,  and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

        (3) The undersigned  Registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to
be delivered with the prospectus,  to each person to whom the prospectus is sent
or given,  the latest annual report to security  holders that is incorporated by
reference  in  the  prospectus  and  furnished   pursuant  to  and  meeting  the
requirements  of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the  Securities  Exchange Act of
1934;  and,  where  interim  financial  information  required to be presented by
Article 3 of Regulation S-X are not set forth in the prospectus,  to deliver, or
cause to be  delivered to each person to whom the  prospectus  is sent or given,
the latest  quarterly  report that is specifically  incorporated by reference in
the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.

        (4) The undersigned  Registrant hereby undertakes as follows: that prior
to any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a
prospectus  which is a part of this  registration  statement,  by any  person or
party who is deemed to be an underwriter  within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the
issuer  undertakes  that such  reoffering  prospectus  will contain  information
called for by the  applicable  registration  form with respect to reofferings by
persons who may be deemed  underwriters,  in addition to the information  called
for by the other Items of the applicable form.

        (5) The Registrant  undertakes  that every  prospectus (i) that is filed
pursuant to paragraph (3) immediately  preceding,  or (ii) that purports to meet
the  requirements of section  10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 and is used
in connection with an offering of securities  subject to Rule 415, will be filed
as a part of an amendment  to the  registration  statement  and will not be used
until such amendment is effective,  and that,  for purposes of  determining  any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such  post-effective  amendment
shall be deemed to be a new  registration  statement  relating to the securities
offered  therein,  and the  offering  of such  securities  at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.


                                      II-6

<PAGE>


        (6)  Insofar  as  indemnification  for  liabilities  arising  under  the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors,  officers and  controlling
persons of the Registrant  pursuant to the foregoing  provisions,  or otherwise,
the  Registrant  has been  advised  that in the  opinion of the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission such  indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is,  therefore,  unenforceable.  In the  event  that a claim  for
indemnification  against  such  liabilities  (other  than  the  payment  by  the
Registrant of expenses  incurred or paid by a director,  officer or  controlling
person of the  Registrant  in the  successful  defense  of any  action,  suit or
proceeding)  is  asserted by such  director,  officer or  controlling  person in
connection with the securities being registered,  the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit  to a  court  of  appropriate  jurisdiction  the  question  whether  such
indemnification  by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

        (7) The undersigned  Registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests
for information  that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus  pursuant
to Items 4, 10(b),  11, or 13 of Form S-4, within one business day of receipt of
such  request,  and to send the  incorporated  documents  by first class mail or
other equally  prompt means.  This includes  information  contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the
date of responding to the request.

        (8) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective  amendment  all  information  concerning a  transaction,  and the
company  being  acquired  involved  therein,  that  was not the  subject  of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.

                                      II-7

<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES


        Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  the
Registrant  has duly caused this Amendment to the  Registration  Statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned,  thereunto duly authorized, in the City
of Salinas, State of California, on the 14th day of August, 1996.


                                              PACIFIC CAPITAL BANCORP


                                              By: /s/  Clayton C. Larson
                                                 ------------------------------
                                                       Clayton C. Larson
                                                       President

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Clayton C. Larson, D. Vernon Horton and Dennis A.
De Cius, jointly and severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agent,
with full power of  substitution  and  resubstitution,  for him and in his name,
place and  stead,  in any and all  capacities,  to sign any and all  amendments,
including post-effective amendments, to this Registration Statement, and to file
the same,  with exhibits  thereto and other  documents in connection  therewith,
with   the   Securities   and   Exchange   Commission,    granting   unto   said
attorneys-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing  requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents
and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said  attorney-in-fact  and agent or his substitute or substitutes  may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

<TABLE>

         Pursuant  to the  requirement  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
Registration  Statement  has  been  signed  by  the  following  persons  in  the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

<CAPTION>

      Signature                                Title                                    Date
      ---------                                -----                                    ----

<S>                                 <C>                                           <C> 
/s/ CHARLES E. BANCROFT             Director                                      August 14, 1996
- ---------------------------
Charles E. Bancroft


/s/ DENNIS A. DeCIUS                Executive Vice President and Chief            August 14, 1996
- ---------------------------         Financial Officer (Principal Financial  
Dennis A. DeCius                    Officer and Principal Accounting        
                                    Officer)                                
                                    

/s/ GENE DiCICCO                    Director                                      August 14, 1996     
- ---------------------------          
Gene DiCicco                                            
                                    

/s/ LEWIS L. FENTON                 Director                                      August 14, 1996
- --------------------------
Lewis L. Fenton



                                      II-8

<PAGE>


/s/ GERALD T. FRY                   Director                                      August 14, 1996
- --------------------------
Gerald T. Fry


/s/ JAMES L. GATTIS                 Director and Secretary                        August 14, 1996
- --------------------------
James L. Gattis


/s/ STANLEY R. HAYNES               Director                                      August 14, 1996
- --------------------------
Stanley R. Haynes


/s/ D. VERNON HORTON                Chairman of the Board, Chief                  August 14, 1996
- --------------------------          Executive Officer (Principal       
D. Vernon Horton                    Executive Officer) and Director    
                                    

/s/ HUBERT W. HUDSON                Director                                      August 14, 1996   
- --------------------------         
Hubert W. Hudson                    


/s/ WILLIAM J. KELLER               Director                                      August 14, 1996     
- --------------------------          
William J. Keller                                       
                                    

/s/ CLAYTON C. LARSON               President, Chief Administrative               August 14, 1996   
- --------------------------          Officer, and Director                
Clayton C. Larson                                      
                                                                         
                                    
/s/ WILLIAM S. McAFEE               Director                                      August 14, 1996
- --------------------------
William S. McAfee


/s/ WILLIAM H. POPE                 Director                                      August 14, 1996  
- -------------------------           
William H. Pope


/s/ WILLIAM K. SAMBRAILO            Director                                      August 14, 1996  
- -------------------------           
William K. Sambrailo


/s/ ROBERT B. SHEPPARD              Director                                      August 14, 1996  
- ------------------------            
Robert B. Sheppard


/s/ CLYN SMITH, JR.                 Director                                      August 14, 1996  
- ------------------------            
Clyn Smith, Jr.

</TABLE>

                                      II-9
<PAGE>

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>

Exhibits denoted with an asterisk under Sequentially Numbered Page indicate that
the  document  was  previously  filed  and is not filed  with this  Registration
Statement.

<CAPTION>

Exhibit                                                                                  Sequentially
Number                                  Exhibit                                          Numbered Page
- -------                                 -------                                          -------------
<S>             <C>                                                                        <C>
  2.1           Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between the Registrant
                and South Valley, dated as of July 18, 1996 (included as
                Annex A to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus without
                certain exhibits).                                                            --

  3.1           Articles of Incorporation of Pacific Capital Bancorp
                as amended to date.1/                                                        (*)

  3.2           Bylaws of Pacific Capital Bancorp as amended to date.2/                      (*)

  5.1           Opinion of Graham & James LLP.                                              II-16

 10.1           Lease for 601 Abrego Street, Monterey, Premises.3/                           (*)

 10.2           Lease for 1001 South Main Street, Salinas, Banking office.2/                 (*)

 10.3           Lease dated December 15, 1988 by and between First                           (*)
                National Bank of Central California and James L. Gattis
                for 307 Main Street, Salinas Old Town Office.2/

 10.4           Lease dated May 1, 1985 by and between First National Bank
                of Central California and Pacific Capital Bancorp.4/                         (*)

 10.5           Pacific Capital Bancorp Employee Stock Ownership Plan and
                Trust Agreement.5/                                                             (*)

 10.6           Master Equipment Lease Agreement between First National Bank
                of Central California and Parker North American Corporation.5/               (*)

 10.7           Lease dated September 22, 1986 between First National Bank of
                Central California and The Saunders Company.5/                               (*)

 10.8           Matrix Funding Corporation Master Lease Agreement.1/                         (*)

 10.9           Lease dated January 24, 1989 by and between First National                   (*)
                Bank of Monterey County and Stanley R. Haynes.6/

10.10           Executive Salary Continuation Agreement entered into                         (*)
                August 22, 1989 by and between First National Bank of
                Monterey County and Clayton C. Larson.6/

10.11           Executive Salary Continuation Agreement entered into                         (*)
                August 22, 1989 by and between First National Bank of
                Monterey County and D. Vernon Horton.6/

                                      II-10

<PAGE>


Exhibit                                                                                  Sequentially
Number                                  Exhibit                                          Numbered Page
- -------                                 -------                                          -------------


10.12           Executive Salary Continuation Agreement entered into                         (*)
                August 22, 1989 by and between First National Bank of
                Monterey County and Dennis A. DeCius.6/

10.13           Amendment No. One to Pacific Capital Bancorp                                 (*)
                Employee Stock Ownership Plan.6/

10.14           Amendment No. Two to Pacific Capital Bancorp                                 (*)
                Employee Stock Ownership Plan.7/

10.15           Amendment No. Three to Pacific Capital Bancorp                               (*)
                Employee Stock Ownership Plan.7/

10.16           Lease dated August 10, 1990 by and between the                               (*)
                Trustees of the Stanley Family Trust and Pacific
                Capital Bancorp for Carmel Office.(TM) 7/

10.17           Assignment of Lease dated November 1, 1990 by and between                    (*)
                Pacific Capital Bancorp and First National
                Bank of Monterey-County for Carmel Office.7/

10.18           Lease dated November 12, 1990 by and between                                 (*)
                First National Bank of Monterey County and Carmel
                Monterey Travel for Premises located at 601 Abrego
                Street, Monterey, California.7/

10.19           Prunetree Shopping Center Lease dated June 28, 1988                          (*)
                by and between Dennis R. Keith and Pajaro Valley
                Bancorporation.7/

10.20           Lease dated June 21, 1990 by and between Saucito                             (*)
                Land Co. and First National Bank of Monterey County.7/

10.22           Amendment No. Four to Pacific Capital Bancorp                                (*)
                Employee Stock Ownership Plan.7/

10.23           Amendment dated May 20, 1991 to Lease dated                                  (*)
                December 15, 1988 by and between First National Bank of
                California and James L. Gattis for 307 Main Street,
                Salinas Old Town Office.8/

10.24           Pacific Capital Bancorp Directors' Stock Option Plan                         (*)
                and Form of Stock Option Agreement.8/

10.26           Pacific Capital Bancorp 1984 Stock Option Plan                               (*)
                and Forms of Agreements as amended to date.8/


                                      II-11

<PAGE>


Exhibit                                                                                  Sequentially
Number                                  Exhibit                                          Numbered Page
- -------                                 -------                                          -------------

10.30           Business Recovery Services Agreement dated                                   (*)
                September 30, 1991 by and between First National Bank of
                California and J.D.B. & Associates, Inc.8/

10.31           Consolidated Agreement dated December 17, 1991                               (*)
                by and between First National Bank of California and Unisys
                with Equipment Sale Agreement, Software License Agreement and
                Product License Agreement by and between First National Bank of
                California and Information Technology, Inc.8/

10.32           Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland Directors and                       (*)
                Officers Liability Insurance Policy including Bank Reimbursement.8/

10.33           Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland Financial                           (*)
                Institution Bond.8/

10.34           Lease dated January 28, 1993 by and between J.W. and R.W.                    (*)
                McClellan, Partners, and First National Bank of Central
                California.8/

10.35           Exercise of Lease Option as of September 19, 1992 by and                     (*)
                between First National Bank of Central California and James L.
                Gattis.9/

10.36           Software License Agreement and Product License Agreements dated              (*)
                March 3, 1993 by and between First National Bank of Central
                California and Information Technology, Inc.9/

10.37           Lease dated November 18, 1993 by and between Hazel Graven                    (*)
                and Vines Stewart and First National Bank of Central California.9/

10.38           Software License Agreement for Platform Transfer Module and                  (*)
                Interface dated September 15, 1993 by and between First National
                Bank of Central California and Information Technology, Inc.
                California and Information Technology, Inc.9/

10.39           Equipment Sale Agreement dated December 16, 1993 by and                      (*)
                between First National Bank of Central California and
                Information Technology, Inc.9/

10.40           Asset/Liability Management Software Agreement dated                          (*)
                December 31, 1993 by and between First National Bank of
                Central California and Profitstar, Inc.9/

10.41           Applications dated December 28, 1993 by First National Bank                  (*)
                of Central California to become a member of the California
                Bankers Clearing House Association.9/


                                      II-12

<PAGE>


Exhibit                                                                                  Sequentially
Number                                  Exhibit                                          Numbered Page
- ------                                  -------                                          -------------


10.42           Consolidated Agreement for the purchase of computer hardware                 (*)
                dated December 20, 1993 by and between First National Bank
                of Central California and Unisys Corporation.9/

10.43           Employment Agreement dated May 22, 1993 between                              (*)
                First National Bank of Central California and D. Vernon Horton.9/

10.44           Employment Agreement dated May 22, 1993 between                              (*)
                First National Bank of Central California and Clayton C. Larson.9/

10.45           Employment Agreement dated May 22, 1993 between                              (*)
                First National Bank of Central California and Dennis A. De Cius.9/

10.46           Pacific Capital Bancorp 1994 Stock Option Plan and Form of                   (*)
                Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreements.9/

10.47           Amendment No. Five to Pacific Capital Bancorp Employee                       (*)
                Stock Ownership Plan and Trust.9/

10.48           Pacific Capital Bancorp 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan.10/                          (*)

10.49           Equipment Sale Agreement dated March 22, 1995, by and                        (*)
                between First National Bank of Central California and
                Information Technology, Inc.10/

10.50           Equipment Sale Agreement dated February 2, 1996, by and between              (*)
                First National Bank of Central California and Information
                Technology, Inc.11/

10.51           Standard Form of Agreement between Owner (Pacific Capital                    (*)
                Bancorp) and Contractor (Daniels & House Construction Co.)
                for the renovation of existing building and construction
                of new addition for First National Bank of Central California
                at 1001 S. Main Street, Salinas, CA, 93901, dated June 15, 1996.11/

10.52           Employee Welfare Benefit Plan Agreement dated January 1, 1995,               (*)
                between Pacific Capital Bancorp and Great-West Life &
                Annuity Insurance Co.11/

13.             Pacific Capital Bancorp 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders                   (*)
                (parts not incorporated by reference are furnished for informational
                purposes only and are not filed herewith).

19.             Not applicable.                                                              (*)

21.             Subsidiaries of Pacific Capital Bancorp (incorporated by reference
                from Pacific Capital Capital Bancorp's annual report on Form 10-K
                for the year ended December 31, 1995).                                       (*)

                                      II-13

<PAGE>


Exhibit                                                                                  Sequentially
Number                                  Exhibit                                          Numbered Page
- ------                                  -------                                          -------------


 23.1           Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP (Pacific Capital Bancorp).                 II-18

 23.2           Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP (South Valley Bancorporation).             II-19

 23.3           Consent of Graham & James LLP.                                              II-20

 23.4           Consent of Hoefer & Arnett Incorporated.                                    II-21

 24             Power of Attorney.                                                          II-8

 99.1           Form of proxy to be used in soliciting shareholders of South
                Valley Bancorporation for its Special Meeting of Shareholders.              II-22

 99.2           Form of proxy to be used in soliciting shareholders of
                Pacific Capital Bancorp for its Special Meeting of Shareholders.            II-24
- ----------------------
</TABLE>


                                      II-14

<PAGE>

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

 1.      Filed  as  Exhibits  3.1,  10.21  and  10.32,   respectively,   to  the
         Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K  (File No.  0-13528)  for the
         fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1988,  which  are  incorporated  by
         reference.

 2.      Filed as  Exhibits  3.2 and 10.17,  respectively,  to the  Registrant's
         Annual  Report on Form 10-K  (File No. 2- 87513)  for the  fiscal  year
         ended December 31, 1984, which are incorporated by reference.

 3.      Filed as Exhibit to the  Registrant's  Registration  Statement  on Form
         S-18 (Registration No. 2-87513), which is incorporated by reference.

 4.      Filed as Exhibit 10.20 to the  Registrant's  Annual Report on Form 10-K
         (File No.  0-13528) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1985,  which
         is incorporated by reference.

 5.      Filed as Exhibits 10.24 through 10.26,  respectively,  to  Registrant's
         Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 0-13528) for the fiscal year ended
         December 31, 1986, which are incorporated by reference.

 6.      Filed  as  Exhibits   10.20  through   10.24,   respectively,   to  the
         Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K  (File No.  0-13528)  for the
         fiscal  year  ended  December  31,  1989,  which  are  incorporated  by
         reference.

 7.      Filed as Exhibits 10.25 through 10.32 to the Registrant's Annual Report
         on Form 10-K (File No.  0-13528) for the fiscal year ended December 31,
         1990, which are incorporated by reference.

 8.      Filed as Exhibits 10.23 through 10.34 to the Registrant's Annual Report
         on Form 10-K (File No. - 13528) for the fiscal year ended  December 31,
         1991, which are incorporated by reference.

 9.      Filed as Exhibits to the  Registrant's  Registration  Statement on Form
         S-8 (File No.  33-83848) as filed on September 8, 1994,  and  Amendment
         No. 1 to Form S-8 as filed on November 15, 1994.

10.      Filed as Exhibits 10.47 through 10.48 to the Registrant's Annual Report
         on Form 10-K (File No.  0-13528) for the fiscal year ended December 31,
         1994, which are incorporated by reference.


11.      Filed as Exhibits 10.47 through 10.48 to the Registrant's Annual Report
         on Form 10-K (File No.  0-13528) for the fiscal year ended December 31,
         1994, which are incorporated by reference.



                                      II-15




                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                       [LETTERHEAD OF GRAHAM & JAMES LLP]


                            OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL




Board of Directors
Pacific Capital Bancorp
495 Washington Street
Monterey, California  93942

Re: Agreement and Plan of Reorganization Among Pacific Capital Bancorp and South
    Valley Bancorporation

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Pacific Capital  Bancorp,  a California  corporation
("Pacific Capital"), in connection with the preparation,  execution and delivery
of the  Agreement  and Plan of  Reorganization  dated as of July 18,  1996  (the
"Agreement"),   among  Pacific  Capital  and  South  Valley  Bancorporation,   a
California  corporation  ("South  Valley").  All  capitalized  terms used herein
shall, unless otherwise defined herein or the context otherwise  requires,  have
the meanings assigned to them in the Agreement.

In our capacity as counsel to Pacific  Capital in connection with the Agreement,
we  have  examined  such  corporate  instruments,   documents,  proceedings  and
certificates  of corporate  officers as we have deemed  appropriate in rendering
the opinion set forth below.  We have assumed the  authenticity of all documents
submitted to us as originals  and the  conformity  to original  documents of all
documents   submitted  to  us  as  copies.   We  have  also   assumed,   without
investigation, the accuracy of the representations,  warranties and covenants as
to factual matters made by Pacific Capital in the Agreement, and the accuracy of
representations  and  statements as to factual  matters made by the officers and
employees of Pacific Capital and by government officials.

Whenever a  statement  herein is  qualified  by the  phrase "to our  knowledge,"
"known  to us," or  similar  phrase,  it  indicates  that in the  course  of our
representation   of  Pacific   Capital  in  connection  with  the  Agreement  no
information  that would give us current  actual  knowledge of the  inaccuracy of
such  statement has come to the attention of the attorneys in this firm who have
rendered  legal  services  in  connection  therewith.   We  have  not  made  any
independent investigation to determine the accuracy of such statement (including
any search of litigation filings in any court). No inference as to our knowledge
of any matters  bearing on the accuracy of such  statement  should be drawn from
the fact of our representation of Pacific Capital in other matters.

Our opinion is subject to the following qualifications and limitations:

   a.  Our  opinion  is  limited  to the  effect  of the  laws of the  State  of
California and the federal laws of the United States,  and we express no opinion
as to matters governed by other laws.

   b. In making our examination of documents and instruments executed by persons
or entities other than Pacific Capital, we have assumed,  without investigation,
the power and legal  capacity of each such person or other  entity to enter into
and perform all its obligations  under such documents and  instruments,  the due
authorization  by each  such  other  person  or  entity  of such  documents  and
instruments.


                                      II-16

<PAGE>

   c. Our opinion is subject to and qualified by the  information in the Pacific
Capital  Disclosure  Statement  and all other  information  delivered by Pacific
Capital  or its  representatives  pursuant  to,  or as part of,  the  Agreement,
including all updates and amendments  thereof.  We express no opinion  regarding
the accuracy,  completeness or correctness of any matter  contained or described
in  such  Disclosure  Statement  or in  the  Agreement  or the  effect  thereof,
individually and/or in the aggregate,  upon the transactions contemplated by the
Agreement.

   d. Our opinion is limited to the matters  expressly set forth in this opinion
letter,  and no opinion is to be implied or may be  inferred  beyond the matters
expressly so stated.

   e. This  opinion  letter is dated as of the  Effective  Date and,  therefore,
relates only to events that exist as of that time. We disclaim any obligation to
update  this  opinion  letter  for any  events,  and any  changes  in law or the
interpretation thereof, occurring after such date.

Based  upon and  subject to the  foregoing,  we are of the  opinion  that at the
Effective Time,  Pacific Capital Common Stock issued pursuant to the Merger will
be duly authorized,  and, upon issuance in accordance with the provisions of the
Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

This  opinion  letter is  rendered  solely for the  benefit  of South  Valley in
connection with the above transaction.  Without our prior written consent,  this
opinion  letter may not be: (i) relied  upon by any other party or for any other
purpose;  (ii) quoted in whole or in part or otherwise referred to in any report
or  document   other  than  a  closing   memorandum   relating  to  the  subject
transactions;  or (iii)  furnished (the original or copies thereof) to any party
except in connection with the enforcement of the Agreement.

Very truly yours,




/s/ GRAHAM & JAMES LLP

                                      II-17




                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                       LETTERHEAD OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP



                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

The Board of Directors
Pacific Capital Bancorp:

We consent to incorporation  by reference in the registration  statement on Form
S-4 of Pacific Capital Bancorp of our report dated January 10, 1996, relating to
the consolidated  balance sheets of Pacific Capital Bancorp and subsidiary as of
December 31, 1995, and 1994, and the related consolidated  statements of income,
shareholders'  equity,  and cash  flows for each of the years in the  three-year
period  ended  December  31,  1995.  Our  report  covering  the   aforementioned
consolidated  financial  statements contains an explanatory  paragraph regarding
the adoption of Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting
for Income Taxes.

In addition, we consent to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts"
in the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  which is included in the  registration
statement on Form S-4.



                                              /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

San Jose, California
August 12, 1996



                                      II-18



                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2



                       LETTERHEAD OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S CONSENT


We consent to the incorporation by reference in this  Registration  Statement of
Pacific  Capital  Bancorp  on Form S-4 of our report  dated  January  26,  1996,
appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of South Valley  Bancorporation  for
the year ended  December  31, 1995 and to the  reference to us under the heading
"Experts" in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.



                                                 /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

San Jose, California
August 13, 1996


                                      II-19


                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3


                        LETTERHEAD OF GRAHAM & JAMES LLP


                            CONSENT OF LEGAL COUNSEL

To Board of Directors
Pacific Capital Bancorp:

We hereby consent to the use in the Form S-4  Registration  Statement of Pacific
Capital  Bancorp  ("Pacific  Capital")  to be filed on or about August 14, 1996,
relating to the  registration  of shares of common stock of Pacific Capital (the
"Shares")  to be issued in the  merger of South  Valley  Bancorporation  ("South
Valley") with and into Pacific  Capital  pursuant to that certain  Agreement and
Plan of  Reorganization  entered into as of July 18, 1996 by and between Pacific
Capital and South Valley, of our opinion as to the legality of the Shares as set
forth in Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement.

In addition,  we consent to the  reference to our firm under the leading  "Legal
Matters"  in the  Joint  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  which is  included  in the
Registration Statement on Form S-4.


                                               /s/ Graham & James LLP

San Francisco, California
August 14, 1996

                                      II-20




                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.4


                                                                 HOEFER & ARNETT
                                                                    Incorporated







                     CONSENT OF HOEFER & ARNETT INCORPORATED


We consent to the inclusion in the Joint Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  of Pacific
Capital  Bancorp and South  Valley  Bancorporation  on Form S-4 of our  Fairness
Opinion,  and reference to our names and the  statements  with respect to us, as
appearing under the heading "Opinion of South Valley's Financial Advisor."



San Francisco, California
August 14, 1996

                                            /s/ Hoefer & Arnett Incorporated




                                      II-21





                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

                           SOUTH VALLEY BANCORPORATION
      THIS REVOCABLE PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS


      The  undersigned  hereby appoints Roger C. Knopf,  and Brad L. Smith,  and
each of them, with full power of substitution, as proxies of the undersigned, to
attend  the  Special  Meeting of  Shareholders  of South  Valley  Bancorporation
("South  Valley") to be held at  [Address],  California,  on October 16, 1996 at
_____ p.m. and any adjournment or postponement  thereof,  and to vote the number
of shares the undersigned  would be entitled to vote if personally  present upon
the  following  items and to vote  according  to their  discretion  on any other
matter  which may  properly  be  presented  for  action at said  meeting  or any
adjournment or postponement thereof:

I.    TO ADOPT AND APPROVE THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION  DATED AS OF
      JULY 18, 1996, BY AND BETWEEN  PACIFIC  CAPITAL  BANCORPORATION  ("PACIFIC
      CAPITAL") AND SOUTH VALLEY BANCORPORATION,  AND A MERGER AGREEMENT BETWEEN
      PACIFIC  CAPITAL  AND  SOUTH  VALLEY  AND  THE  TRANSACTIONS  CONTEMPLATED
      THEREBY,  INCLUDING  THE  MERGER  OF SOUTH  VALLEY  WITH AND INTO  PACIFIC
      CAPITAL.


              [  ]FOR                [  ]AGAINST               [  ]ABSTAIN


                (To be completed and signed on the reverse side)

                                      II-22

<PAGE>

                           (Continued from other side)

         THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS  SPECIFIED,  OR IF NO CHOICE IS  SPECIFIED,
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE  PROPOSAL  SET FORTH.  Please sign exactly as
name  appears.  When shares are held by joint  tenants,  both should sign.  When
signing as attorney, executor,  administrator,  trustee or guardian, please give
full title as such. If a  corporation,  please  provide full  corporate name and
name  and  capacity  of  the  authorized  officer  signing  on  behalf  of  such
corporation.  If a  partnership,  please provide  partnership  name and name and
capacity of the person signing on behalf of such partnership.

                          Dated:                                         , 1996
                                ----------------------------------------

                         Signature
                                   ---------------------------------------------

                         Signature, if held jointly
                                                   -----------------------------


SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO MARK, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THIS PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE
PROVIDED, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.


                                      II-23



                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.2

                             PACIFIC CAPITAL BANCORP
      THIS REVOCABLE PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS


      The    undersigned    hereby    appoints    ______________________,    and
_______________________,  and each of them, with full power of substitution,  as
proxies of the  undersigned,  to attend the Special  Meeting of  Shareholders of
Pacific Capital Bancorp ("Pacific Capital") to be held at [Address], California,
on October 16, 1996 at ______ p.m. and any adjournment or postponement  thereof,
and to vote the number of shares the  undersigned  would be  entitled to vote if
personally  present  upon the  following  items and to vote  according  to their
discretion  on any other matter  which may  properly be presented  for action at
said meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof:

II.      TO ADOPT AND APPROVE THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION  DATED AS
         OF JULY 18,  1996,  BY AND BETWEEN  PACIFIC  CAPITAL  AND SOUTH  VALLEY
         BANCORPORATION ("SOUTH VALLEY"), AND A MERGER AGREEMENT BETWEEN PACIFIC
         CAPITAL AND SOUTH  VALLEY AND THE  TRANSACTIONS  CONTEMPLATED  THEREBY,
         INCLUDING THE MERGER OF SOUTH VALLEY WITH AND INTO PACIFIC CAPITAL.

              [  ]FOR                [  ]AGAINST               [  ]ABSTAIN


                (To be completed and signed on the reverse side)

                                      II-24

<PAGE>


                           (Continued from other side)

         THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS  SPECIFIED,  OR IF NO CHOICE IS  SPECIFIED,
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE  PROPOSAL  SET FORTH.  Please sign exactly as
name  appears.  When shares are held by joint  tenants,  both should sign.  When
signing as attorney, executor,  administrator,  trustee or guardian, please give
full title as such. If a  corporation,  please  provide full  corporate name and
name  and  capacity  of  the  authorized  officer  signing  on  behalf  of  such
corporation.  If a  partnership,  please provide  partnership  name and name and
capacity of the person signing on behalf of such partnership.

                          Dated:                                         , 1996
                                ----------------------------------------

                         Signature
                                   ---------------------------------------------

                         Signature, if held jointly
                                                   -----------------------------



SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO MARK, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THIS PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE
PROVIDED, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.




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