BAY VIEW CAPITAL CORP
S-3/A, 1999-10-14
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 14, 1999
                                                      Registration No. 333-83199
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                 Amendment No. 1
                                       To
                                    FORM S-3
             Registration Statement Under the Securities Act of 1933

                          BAY VIEW CAPITAL CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           Delaware                                    94-3078031
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)          (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                                                     ROBERT J. FLAX, ESQ.
                                                  Executive Vice President
                                               Bay View Capital Corporation
        1840 Gateway Drive                           1840 Gateway Drive
       San Mateo, CA 94404                           San Mateo, CA 94404
          (650) 312-7200                              (650) 312-7200
(Address, including zip code, and           (Name, address, including zip code,
telephone number, including area code,        and telephone number, area code,
of registrant's principal                      including area code, of agent
executive offices)                                     for service

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Please send copies of all communications to:

<S>                                    <C>                              <C>                           <C>
     CHRISTOPHER R. KELLY, P.C.             IRWIN L. GUBMAN, ESQ.           TODD H. BAKER, ESQ.         STANLEY SCHWARTZ, ESQ.
   Silver, Freedman & Taff, L.L.P.             General Counsel          Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP       Orloff, Lowenbach,
  (A Limited Liability Partnership     Imperial Credit Industries, Inc.    One Montgomery Street       Stifelman & Siegel, P.A.
Including Professional Corporations)      23550 Hawthorne Boulevard            Telesis Tower            101 Eisenhower Parkway
     1100 New York Avenue, N.W.             Building 1, Suite 110       San Francisco, CA 94104-4505      Roseland, NJ 07068
      Seventh Floor, East Tower               Torrance, CA 90505               (415) 393-8200               (973) 622-6200
       Washington, D.C. 20005                   (310) 373-1704
           (202) 414-6100

</TABLE>

     Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  From time
to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement as determined by
market  conditions.  If the only  securities  being  registered on this Form are
being offered pursuant to dividend or interest  reinvestment plans, please check
the following  box.                                                          |_|
     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous  basis  pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.                                 |_|
     If the Form is filed to  register  additional  securities  for an  offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list  the  Securities  Act  registration  statement  number  of the  earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.                      |_|
     If this Form is a  post-effective  amendment  filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the  Securities  Act,  check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration  statement number of the earlier effective  registration  statement
for the same offering.                                                       |_|
     If delivery of the  prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.                                              |_|

                                ---------------
     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 this  Registration  Statement  shall become
effective  on such  date  as the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,  acting
pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                         Calculation of Registration Fee
===============================================================================================================================
                                                               Proposed maximum        Proposed maximum
      Title of each class of              Amount to             offering price        aggregate offering         Amount of
    securities to be registered         be registered              per unit                  price           registration fee
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>                        <C>                     <C>                    <C>
Common Stock, $.01 par                 5,759,733 shares           $14.22(2)               $81,903,404            $7,357(2)
  value(1)
===============================================================================================================================
<FN>
(1)  Includes one attached common stock purchase right per share.
(2)  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the  registration  fee. The
     registration  fee has been  computed  pursuant to Rule 457(c)  based on the
     average  of the high and low sales  prices of the  common  stock,  $.01 par
     value, of Bay View Capital  Corporation,  as reported on the New York Stock
     Exchange on October 12, 1999, less the $15,413 filing fee previously paid.
</FN>

</TABLE>

<PAGE>


The  information  in this  prospectus is not complete and may be changed.  These
securities may not sold until the Securities  and Exchange  Commission  declares
our registration  statement  effective.  This prospectus is not an offer to sell
these  securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these  securities in any
state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

PROSPECTUS

                                5,008,463 SHARES

                                    BAY VIEW
                              CAPITAL CORPORATION

                                   COMMON STOCK


A stockholder of Bay View Capital  Corporation is offering  5,008,463  shares of
common stock. We will not receive any of the proceeds for any of the shares sold
in this offering,  unless the underwriters'  over-allotment option is exercised.
Our shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BVC." The
last  reported  sale  price for a share of our common  stock on _____,  1999 was
$_____ .


      Investing in the shares involves risk. Risk Factors begin on page 12.
                                             Per Share                  Total
Public Offering Price.................. $                       $
Underwriting Discount.................. $                       $
Proceeds to Selling Stockholder........ $                       $

The  underwriters  have a 30-day  option to  purchase  up to 751,270  additional
shares of common stock from us to cover over-allotments, if any.

The shares of common stock offered are not deposits,  savings  accounts or other
obligations of a bank or savings  association and are not insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Office of the Comptroller of
the Currency nor any state  securities  commission or other  regulatory body has
approved  of anyone's  investment  in these  securities  or  determined  if this
prospectus  is truthful or  complete.  Any  representation  to the contrary is a
criminal offense.

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares on or about , 1999.

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

LEHMAN BROTHERS

         DAIN RAUSCHER WESSELS
              a division of Dain Rauscher Incorporated

                            PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED

                                              U.S. BANCORP PIPER JAFFRAY


           , 1999




<PAGE>



                                EXPLANATORY NOTE

This prospectus will not be used by Bay View Capital  Corporation or the selling
stockholder  until  Bay  View  Capital   Corporation's  pending  acquisition  of
Franchise  Mortgage  Acceptance  Company is  completed.  Therefore,  most of the
non-financial   information  in  the  prospectus  concerning  Bay  View  Capital
Corporation  is presented in a manner that assumes the pending  acquisition  has
already been completed.

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                         Page
                                                                         ----

         Introductory Matters........................................       2
         Summary.....................................................       3
         Risk Factors................................................      12
         Forward-Looking Information.................................      19
         Use of Proceeds.............................................      20
         Market Prices and Dividends.................................      20
         Capitalization..............................................      21
         Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Data.......      22
         Management..................................................      27
         Selling Stockholder.........................................      30
         Underwriting................................................      30
         Legal Matters...............................................      32
         Experts.....................................................      32
         Where You Can Find More Information.........................      32



You should rely only on the  information  incorporated by reference or contained
in this prospectus.  We have not, and the underwriters have not,  authorized any
other person to provide you with different  information.  This prospectus is not
an offer to sell,  nor is it seeking an offer to buy,  these  securities  in any
state  where  the  offer  or  sale is not  permitted.  The  information  in this
prospectus is complete and accurate only as of the date on the front cover,  and
the information may have changed since that date.


                              INTRODUCTORY MATTERS

Unless we tell you otherwise,  all of the information in this prospectus assumes
that the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option. References to
"we," "our" and "Bay View" generally  refer to Bay View Capital  Corporation and
its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, unless the context otherwise requires.


                                        2

<PAGE>

                                     SUMMARY

THE ITEMS IN THE  FOLLOWING  SUMMARY ARE  DESCRIBED IN MORE DETAIL LATER IN THIS
PROSPECTUS OR IN THE DOCUMENTS  INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS  PROSPECTUS.
THIS SUMMARY  PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW OF SELECTED  INFORMATION AND DOES NOT CONTAIN
ALL OF THE INFORMATION YOU SHOULD CONSIDER.  THEREFORE, YOU SHOULD ALSO READ THE
MORE DETAILED  INFORMATION SET OUT IN THIS PROSPECTUS,  THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND THE OTHER INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROSPECTUS.

BUSINESS OF BAY VIEW CAPITAL CORPORATION

Bay View is a  diversified  financial  services  holding  company.  Our  primary
subsidiary is Bay View Bank,  N.A., a national bank with 57 branches serving the
San  Francisco  Bay area and one branch in  southern  California.  Bay View Bank
currently has the largest deposit franchise of any bank exclusively  serving the
San  Francisco  Bay area.  As of June 30,  1999,  we had $5.9  billion  of total
assets,  $4.5  billion of net loans and leases,  $3.3  billion of  deposits  and
stockholders' equity of $381 million.

For most of its history,  Bay View Bank  operated as a  traditional  savings and
loan,  specializing  in the  origination  and  retention  of  single-family  and
multi-family first mortgage loans, funded by longer-term,  relatively  high-cost
certificates  of deposit.  During the latter half of 1995,  we began a series of
initiatives  designed to enhance the value of our business  and  recruited a new
management team with significant commercial banking experience. Since that time,
we have been  transitioning  our  business  by  emphasizing  commercial  banking
activities. In January 1998, we acquired America First Eureka Holdings, Inc. and
its wholly owned subsidiary,  EurekaBank, a savings bank with approximately $2.3
billion in total assets as of December 31, 1997. We then merged  EurekaBank with
Bay View Bank, which significantly  expanded our banking and depository presence
in  the  San  Francisco   Bay  area  and  allowed  us  to  realize   operational
efficiencies. On March 1, 1999, Bay View Bank formalized its transformation to a
commercial  banking entity by converting  from a federal stock savings bank to a
national bank.

As  discussed  below,  on  November  1, 1999,  we  acquired  Franchise  Mortgage
Acceptance  Company, or FMAC, one of the nation's leading small business lenders
specializing  in franchise  concept loans.  Eighty-five  percent of the purchase
price was paid in approximately  13.9 million shares of our common stock and the
remaining  15% was  paid in  approximately  $53.3  million  in  cash,  including
payments for acquisition and other closing costs.  The transaction was valued at
approximately $ million on the date of closing.  For further  information  about
our acquisition of FMAC, see "-- Recent Developments" below.

MISSION/STRATEGIES

Our mission is to build a diversified financial services company by investing in
niche  banking   businesses  with   risk-adjusted   returns  which  enhance  our
stockholder  value.  Our  strategies  center around our continued  transition to
commercial  banking  activities  and the expected  expansion of our net interest
margin. In order to realize our goals, our management seeks to:

     o    replace    lower-yielding    single-family    mortgage    loans    and
          mortgage-backed  securities  on our balance  sheet with  consumer  and
          commercial loans and leases with higher risk-adjusted returns, shorter
          maturities and less sensitivity to interest rate changes;

     o    enhance  and  expand  Bay  View  Bank's  deposit  base by  emphasizing
          lower-cost  transaction  accounts,   including  commercial  and  small
          business  checking  accounts,  instead of higher-cost  certificates of
          deposit combined with selected branch acquisitions;

     o    redeploy our excess capital in businesses  intended to generate assets
          with higher  risk-adjusted  returns than those  typically  provided by
          mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities; and

     o    maintain our capital level at or above the "well-capitalized" level as
          defined for bank regulatory purposes.


                                        3

<PAGE>

BUSINESS PLATFORMS

At  December  31,  1998,  we  reported on three  business  platforms:  a Banking
Platform,  a Consumer Platform and a Commercial  Platform.  The Banking Platform
included   single-family,    multi-family   and   commercial   mortgage   loans,
mortgage-backed   securities  and  retail  and  business  deposit  products  and
services. The Consumer Platform included motor vehicle loans and leases and home
equity loans. The Commercial Platform included  asset-based  lending,  factoring
and commercial  leasing  activities.  Effective January 1, 1999, we expanded our
business platforms to four in order to facilitate a more effective  presentation
and analysis of our different  business  activities.  Our current  platforms are
outlined below.

Our  BANKING  PLATFORM  includes  single-family,   multi-family  and  commercial
mortgage loans, mortgage-backed securities, retail and business deposit products
and  services  and  asset-based  commercial  loan  participations.  The  Banking
Platform also includes  loans to small and  medium-sized  businesses  (primarily
franchise  operators)  purchased  from FMAC.  We expect to present our franchise
lending  activities as a separate business  platform in future periods.  Through
our Banking  Platform,  we seek to enhance the value of our retail branch system
through internal growth,  new and enhanced  products and services,  acquisitions
and  purchases  of  deposits.  The  Banking  Platform  also  seeks  to  increase
lower-cost  transaction  accounts,  such as  checking,  savings and money market
accounts, as a source of funding for our overall business.  Transaction accounts
represented  53.5% of our total retail deposits as of June 30, 1999, as compared
to 21.3% as of December  31,  1995,  an increase  which has  contributed  to our
declining  cost of funds.  As of June 30, 1999,  the Banking  Platform had loans
outstanding  of $3.1  billion,  representing  68.9% of our total  gross loan and
lease  portfolio,  including  $487.1 million of franchise  loans  purchased from
FMAC.

Our HOME EQUITY PLATFORM includes high  loan-to-value  home equity loans that we
purchase from other lenders and home equity loans and lines of credit originated
by our  branch  network.  Home  equity  loans are  secured  by a lien,  which is
generally  junior in  priority  to a senior lien on the  borrower's  home.  High
loan-to-value  home  equity  loans  that we  purchase  may have,  when  added to
existing senior lien balances, a post-funding combined loan-to-value ratio of up
to 125% of the value of the home  securing  the loan.  Home equity loans that we
originate generally have a combined  loan-to-value ratio of 80% or less. At June
30,  1999,  the combined  loan-to-value  ratio for our high  loan-to-value  home
equity loan  portfolio was  approximately  115%. We seek to minimize the risk of
high  loan-to-value  home equity  loans by  focusing on loans to better  quality
borrowers.  Our underwriting  standards for high loan-to-value home equity loans
focus on the borrower's  ability to repay,  as  demonstrated  by  debt-to-income
ratios at the time of  origination,  as well as the  borrower's  willingness  to
repay, as measured by Fair, Isaac & Company,  Incorporated,  or FICO, scores. At
June 30, 1999, our high  loan-to-value home equity loan portfolio had an average
borrower  debt-to-income ratio of approximately 39% and an average FICO score of
approximately  670.  At June  30,  1999,  the Home  Equity  Platform  had  loans
outstanding of $619.1  million,  representing  13.9% of our total gross loan and
lease portfolio,  of which $465.5 million,  or 10.5% of our total gross loan and
lease portfolio, were high loan-to-value home equity loans.

Our AUTO  PLATFORM  includes  high-quality,  fixed-rate  motor vehicle loans and
leases  purchased and  underwritten by Bay View Bank's wholly owned  subsidiary,
Bay View Acceptance Corporation.  Through our Auto Platform, we seek to identify
product niches which are not the primary focus of traditional competitors in the
auto lending  area.  For example,  we offer motor vehicle loans to borrowers who
desire a higher loan amount  and/or a longer  term than is  typically  available
from other sources.  In return for this flexibility,  we charge borrowers higher
interest  rates than those  typically  offered by  traditional  sources of motor
vehicle  financing.  We  also  pursue  geographic  and  product  niches  in  our
conventional  auto loan and auto lease financing  businesses.  The motor vehicle
loans  generated by our Auto Platform during the first six months of 1999 had an
average FICO score of 719 and the operating  leased assets generated by our Auto
Platform  during the first six months of 1999 had an average  FICO score of 734.
At June 30, 1999,  the Auto  Platform had motor  vehicle  loans  outstanding  of
$638.8 million,  representing 14.4% of our total gross loan and lease portfolio.
Additionally, the Auto Platform had $338.8 million in operating leased assets at
June 30, 1999.



                                        4

<PAGE>

Our  COMMERCIAL  PLATFORM  includes  the  asset-based  lending,   factoring  and
commercial  leasing  activities of Bay View Bank's wholly owned subsidiary,  Bay
View  Commercial  Finance Group.  In December 1997, the Commercial  Platform was
expanded by the formation of a new  asset-based  lending group known as Bay View
Financial Corporation.  We added personnel with significant industry experience,
relocated our asset-based  lending business to southern  California,  one of the
top  asset-based  lending  markets in the  country,  and added new and  enhanced
products to the  asset-based  lending  segment's  product array.  As of June 30,
1999,  the  Commercial  Platform  had loans  and  leases  outstanding  of $124.8
million,  representing  2.8% of our total  gross loan and lease  portfolio.  The
Commercial Platform also originates asset-based  commercial  participation loans
for the Banking Platform. These loans totaled $54.1 million at June 30, 1999.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

ACQUISITION  OF FMAC. On November 1, 1999, we acquired FMAC, one of the nation's
leading small business lenders  specializing in franchise concept loans. We paid
approximately  13.9 million shares of our common stock and $53.3 million in cash
to acquire FMAC,  including payments for acquisition and other closing costs. In
addition to these amounts, we remain obligated to pay the former shareholders of
Bankers Mutual, which was acquired by FMAC in April 1998, up to $22.5 million in
cash under the "earn-out"  agreement  between Bankers Mutual and FMAC if Bankers
Mutual meets certain performance  targets.  We contributed  substantially all of
FMAC's assets and  liabilities to new operating  subsidiaries  of Bay View Bank,
which are operating the FMAC businesses under the "Franchise Mortgage Acceptance
Company" and "Bankers  Mutual"  names.  The  acquisition  provides us with a new
business  platform focused on lending to franchised  quick-service  restaurants,
such as Burger King, Wendy's,  Pizza Hut and KFC, and casual dining restaurants,
such as TGI Friday's,  Applebees and Denny's.  The acquisition  also provides us
with  established  lending groups  focused on branded retail energy  businesses,
such as service stations,  convenience stores, truck stops, car washes and quick
lube  businesses,  and funeral home and cemetery  owners.  In addition,  Bankers
Mutual is one of the  nation's  leading  multi-family  lenders  and we expect to
continue to expand that business.

We  believe  that  the   acquisition  of  FMAC  will  accelerate  the  strategic
transformation of our balance sheet by allowing us to:

     o    replace more of our  single-family  mortgage and  multi-family  assets
          with franchise loans with higher risk-adjusted yields;

     o    use our deposit base to reduce FMAC's historical funding costs;

     o    increase our interest income by reducing FMAC's historical  dependency
          on  securitizations  by  retaining a portion of their  franchise  loan
          originations; and

     o    use FMAC's  loan  originations  to  diversify  our loan  products  and
          geographic concentration.

FMAC  originated  $2.1 billion in loans during the year ended December 31, 1998,
of which $1.2 billion were  franchise  loans and $900 million were  multi-family
loans.  FMAC  originated  $909  million in loans  during the first six months of
1999,  of  which  $573  million  were  franchise  loans  and $336  million  were
multi-family loans. The average initial borrower loan balance of franchise loans
originated  was $3.6 million  during 1998 and $4.8 million  during the first six
months of 1999. Historically, substantially all of FMAC's loan originations were
securitized or sold. FMAC has historically  controlled its loss exposure through
lending to experienced  operators,  detailed industry  knowledge,  relationships
with both  franchisors  and  franchisees  system-wide,  active  oversight of its
existing servicing  portfolio,  strict underwriting  criteria and its ability to
attract qualified replacement  franchisees/borrowers to assume delinquent loans.
At June 30, 1999, its servicing  portfolio  totaled $6.0 billion,  of which $3.0
billion were  commercial  franchise  loans and $3.0  billion  were  multi-family
loans.  FMAC's  business is,  however,  subject to a number of risks,  including
those  described on page 17 under the caption "Risks Related to the  Acquisition
of  FMAC."  At June  30,  1999,  FMAC  had  total  assets  of $683  million  and
stockholders' equity of $146 million.


                                        5

<PAGE>


BRANCH PURCHASES.  On September 25, 1999, we purchased two branches representing
approximately  $117 million in deposits from Luther  Burbank  Savings and paid a
5.25% deposit premium. These new branches in Mill Valley and Novato,  California
increased our market share ranking in Marin County from tenth to sixth.

SUBORDINATED  NOTES  OFFERING.  On August  18,  1999,  Bay View Bank  issued $50
million of 10%  subordinated  notes due 2009. The proceeds from the subordinated
notes are being used for  general  corporate  purposes,  including,  among other
things,  the payment of dividends to Bay View to partially fund our  acquisition
of FMAC.  The  subordinated  notes  qualify  as Tier 2  capital  for  regulatory
purposes.

OFFICE LOCATION

Our principal  executive  offices are located at 1840 Gateway Drive,  San Mateo,
California 94404 and our telephone number is (650) 312-7200.

THE OFFERING

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                   <C>
Common stock offered by the selling stockholder.......5,008,463 shares
Common stock outstanding after the offering...........32,553,000 shares(1)
Offering price........................................      per share
Use of proceeds.......................................We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the
                                                      shares  being  offered by the  selling  stockholder.  In the
                                                      event  that  the  underwriters   exercise  their  option  to
                                                      purchase  additional shares of common stock from us, we will
                                                      use  any  net  proceeds  from  that  sale  for  our  general
                                                      corporate  purposes.  We  may  also  use  the  proceeds  for
                                                      acquisitions  of  complementary  businesses.
New York Stock Exchange symbol........................BVC

- ---------------
<FN>
(1)  Excludes  _________  shares of common stock which may be issued under stock
     options outstanding at _______, 1999 with a weighted average exercise price
     of $_____ per share.
</FN>

</TABLE>



                                        6

<PAGE>

SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF BAY VIEW

The  following  financial  information  is  derived  in part  from  our  audited
financial  statements  for 1994  through  1998.  The  information  at or for the
six-month periods ended June 30, 1999 and 1998 is unaudited and was derived from
our unaudited  consolidated  quarterly  financial  statements.  However,  in the
opinion of management,  all  adjustments,  consisting  only of normal  recurring
adjustments,  necessary  for a fair  presentation  at such  dates  and for  such
periods have been made. The results of operations for the six-month period ended
June 30, 1999 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for
the full fiscal year. All  information is presented in accordance with generally
accepted  accounting  principles,  or GAAP.  The per common  share data has been
restated to reflect the issuance of stock  dividends.  The information is only a
summary  and you should read it in  conjunction  with our  historical  financial
statements  and  related  notes  contained  in  the  annual  reports  and  other
information  that  we  have  filed  with  the  SEC.  This  historical  financial
information has also been  incorporated  into this  prospectus by reference.  We
have listed the documents  that we  incorporate  by reference  under the heading
"Where You Can Find More Information."

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                      At or For the Six
                                        Months Ended
                                          June 30,                      At or For the Year Ended December 31,
                                  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      1999          1998         1998         1997        1996        1995          1994
                                  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
Statement of Financial                                  (Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
 Condition Data(1):
Total assets....................   $5,903,328    $5,720,109   $5,596,232  $3,246,476   $3,300,262  $3,004,496    $3,166,529
Mortgage-backed
    securities..................      614,145       770,977      635,389     470,261      577,613     731,378       921,680
Loans and leases, net...........    4,473,587     4,387,974    4,191,269   2,373,113    2,474,717   2,062,268     2,054,563
Deposits........................    3,346,875     3,313,765    3,269,637   1,677,135    1,763,967   1,819,840     1,707,376
Borrowings......................    2,055,264     1,986,356    1,833,116   1,355,976    1,245,537     941,465     1,219,958
Capital securities..............       90,000            --       90,000          --           --          --            --
Stockholders' equity............      381,054       393,902      377,811     173,627      200,062     207,977       217,315

Operating Data(1)(2):
Interest income.................      202,737       199,413      406,363     242,244      241,755     216,463       197,326
Interest expense................     (119,208)     (124,135)    (251,762)   (154,908)    (160,773)   (160,547)     (130,401)
                                  -----------  ------------   ----------  ----------  -----------  ----------   -----------
Net interest income.............       83,529        75,278      154,601      87,336       80,982      55,916        66,925
Provision for losses on
    loans and leases............      (12,111)       (2,360)      (9,114)     (1,952)      (1,898)     (4,284)       (2,367)
Gain (loss) on sale of
    loans and securities........           --           419        1,060         925       (1,453)     (2,510)       (1,081)
Leasing income..................       22,752         1,052       11,341          --           --          --            --
Other noninterest income........       11,330         8,860       18,671      11,830       10,017       8,652         8,619
General and administrative
    expenses....................      (52,035)      (56,972)    (113,567)    (71,913)     (58,955)    (57,016)      (47,287)
Dividend expense on Capital
    securities..................       (4,469)           --         (244)         --           --          --            --
Leasing expense.................      (15,619)         (708)      (7,682)         --           --          --            --
SAIF recapitalization
    assessment..................           --            --           --          --      (11,750)         --            --
Income from real estate
owned, net......................           40            78          181         543        4,806       1,081            95

</TABLE>


                                        7


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                      At or For the Six
                                        Months Ended
                                          June 30,                      At or For the Year Ended December 31,
                                  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      1999         1998        1998         1997        1996        1995          1994
                                  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>
Operating Data(1)(2):
Recovery of (provision
    for) losses on real
    estate......................   $    (17)     $    108    $     59    $    585   $     103     $  (749)   $   (145)
Amortization of
    intangible assets...........     (5,787)       (5,611)    (11,372)     (4,088)     (2,606)     (3,944)     (2,418)
                                   --------      --------    --------    --------   ---------     -------    --------
Income (loss) before income
    tax expense/benefit.........     27,613        20,144      43,934      23,266      19,246      (2,854)     22,341
Income tax (expense)
    benefit.....................    (12,944)       (9,850)    (21,215)     (9,245)     (8,277)        708      (7,828)
Extraordinary items, net
    of tax......................        --            --          --          --          --       (2,544)        --
                                   --------      --------    --------    --------   ---------     -------    -------
Net income (loss)...............   $ 14,669      $ 10,294    $ 22,719    $ 14,021   $  10,969     $(4,690)   $ 14,513
                                   ========      ========    ========    ========   =========     =======    ========

Earnings (loss) per diluted share:
     Income (loss) before
       extraordinary items......      $0.77         $0.50       $1.12       $1.06       $0.79     $(0.15)       $1.01
     Net income (loss)..........       0.77          0.50        1.12        1.06        0.79      (0.32)        1.01

Other Data(1)(2):
Net interest margin(3)..........      3.22%         2.98%       3.03%       2.86%       2.57%       1.86%       2.34%
Efficiency ratio(4).............      52.34         67.37       63.88       71.85       64.79       88.30       62.60
Return on average assets(5).....       0.52          0.38        0.41        0.45        0.34      (0.15)        0.49
Return on average equity(5).....       7.73          5.29        5.87        7.32        5.39      (2.11)        6.79
Ratio of total equity to               6.45          6.89        6.75        5.35        6.06        6.92        6.86
    total assets(6).............
Book value per share(7).........     $20.40        $19.43      $19.77      $14.38      $14.98      $14.65      $15.16
Dividend payout ratio(8)........     26.21%        39.51%      35.57%      30.53%      38.61%    (93.75)%      29.70%
Nonperforming assets(9).........   $ 15,069      $ 20,805    $ 18,020    $ 15,766   $  24,310     $38,811     $50,577
     Ratio to total assets......      0.26%         0.36%       0.32%       0.49%       0.74%      1.29%        1.60%
Troubled debt
    restructurings(10)..........   $    769      $    805    $    777    $    731   $     509     $15,641     $13,948
     Ratio to total assets......      0.01%         0.01%       0.01%       0.02%       0.02%       0.52%       0.44%

- ---------------------
<FN>
(1)  Includes the  acquisitions of Bay View Credit,  effective June 1, 1996; Bay
     View  Commercial  Finance Group,  effective  April 1, 1997;  Ultra Funding,
     effective  October  1, 1997;  and  America  First  Eureka  Holdings,  Inc.,
     effective January 2, 1998.
(2)  You should also review our non-GAAP  performance  measures contained in our
     historical   financial   information,   which  is  incorporated  into  this
     prospectus by reference,  for further  discussion of net income (loss), net
     interest margin, return on average assets, and return on average equity.
(3)  Defined as net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
(4)  Calculated  by dividing  general and  administrative  expenses by operating
     revenues, defined as net interest income, loan fees and charges, the excess
     of leasing-related rental income over leasing-related depreciation expense,
     and other noninterest income, excluding securities gains and losses.
(5)  Calculated  by  dividing  net income  (loss) by average  assets and average
     equity,  respectively.  In calculating these ratios, net income for the six
     months ended June 30, 1999 and June 30, 1998 has been annualized.
(6)  Calculated by dividing total equity by total assets.
(7)  Calculated by dividing total equity by total common shares outstanding.
(8)  Calculated by dividing dividends declared by net income (loss).
(9)  Defined as  nonaccrual  loans,  real estate owned through  foreclosure  and
     other repossessed assets.  Nonaccrual loans are defined as loans 90 days or
     more delinquent as to principal and interest payments (unless both are well
     secured  and in the  process  of  collection)  and loans  less than 90 days
     delinquent  designated  as  nonperforming  when we determine  that the full
     collection of principal and/or interest is doubtful.
(10) Defined  as loans  that  have  been  modified  (due to  borrower  financial
     difficulties)  to allow a stated  interest  rate  and/or a monthly  payment
     lower than those prevailing in the market.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                        8

<PAGE>


Summary Consolidated Financial Data of FMAC

The  following  financial  information  is derived in part from  FMAC's  audited
financial  statements  for 1994  through  1998.  The  information  at or for the
six-month periods ended June 30, 1999 and 1998 is unaudited and was derived from
FMAC's unaudited  consolidated  quarterly financial statements.  However, in the
opinion  of  FMAC's  management,  all  adjustments,  consisting  only of  normal
recurring  adjustments,  necessary for a fair presentation at such dates and for
such periods have been made. The results of operations for the six-month  period
ended  June 30,  1999 are not  necessarily  indicative  of  results  that may be
expected for the full fiscal year.  All  information  is presented in accordance
with  GAAP.  The  information  is  only a  summary  and  you  should  read it in
conjunction  with FMAC's  historical  financial  statements  and  related  notes
contained in the annual reports and other  information  that FMAC has filed with
the SEC. This historical  financial  information has also been incorporated into
this  prospectus by reference.  We have listed the documents that we incorporate
by reference under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                             At June 30,                      At December 31,               Predecessor
                                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1999         1998       1998       1997(1)    1996(1)    1995(1)      1994(1)
                                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
<S>                                   <C>          <C>       <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
Statement of Financial Condition
Data(2):
Cash and cash equivalents...........  $  21,496     $  6,093  $  33,425    $  7,335   $     --   $     --     $     102
Securities available for sale.......     14,388        2,255     16,818      22,870     39,349         --         9,541
Loans and leases held for sale......    352,496      591,254    325,727     343,200     98,915    181,254            --
Loans and leases held for               138,776           --    162,928          --         --         --            --
   investment.......................
Retained interest in loan
  securitizations...................     28,938       22,668     29,952      21,652      6,908         --            --
Servicing rights....................     34,132       24,682     29,905       2,213         --         --            --
Goodwill............................     48,735       38,758     37,353       4,315      4,332      4,226            --
Accrued interest receivable.........      1,942        9,530      2,587       2,758        560      1,108           138
Other assets........................     42,311       21,863     37,619      17,889     10,112      2,460           467
                                     ----------     --------  ---------    --------   --------   --------     ---------
Total assets........................    683,214      717,103    676,314     422,232    160,176    189,048        10,248

Overdraft ..........................         --           --         --          --        171        445            --
Payable to Imperial Credit
  Industries, Inc...................         --           --         --          --     17,728         --            --
Borrowings..........................    496,035      505,769    483,763     256,220    125,240    181,632        13,548
Deferred income taxes...............     16,402       26,714     18,045      14,160         --         --            --
Other liabilities...................     26,027       29,035     27,801      13,430      2,580      3,198         1,543
                                     ----------     --------  ---------    --------   --------   --------     ---------
Total liabilities...................    538,464      561,518    529,609     283,810    145,719    185,275        15,091

Minority interest in subsidiary.....       (897)         110        (8)          --         --         --            --
Members' equity (deficit)...........         --           --         --          --   $ 14,457   $  3,773      $ (4,843)
Total stockholders' equity..........   $145,647     $155,475   $146,713    $138,422         --         --            --

</TABLE>

                                        9
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                    Predecessor
                                                                                                  Six        -----------------------
                                                                                                 Months         Six          Year
                                                                                                 Ended         Months        Ended
                                          Six Months Ended                Year Ended            December       Ended        December
                                              June 30,                   December 31,             31,         June 30,        31,
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           1999      1998     1998(4)    1997(1)   1996(1)    1995(1)        1995(1)        1994(1)
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>        <C>      <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>            <C>            <C>
Operating Data(2):
Revenues:
Gain on sale of loans and leases(3)...   $18,368    $39,238  $ 40,146    $52,117   $18,671    $    --        $   --          $4,052
Net interest income...................     6,787      8,079    17,119      5,156     1,641        239           154              37
Loan servicing income.................    11,798      5,868    18,507      3,314     1,191        349           326             306
Trading income(3).....................     3,463         --        --         --        --         --            --              --
Insurance services income.............     1,320         --        --         --        --         --            --              --
Loss on transfer of loans to held
    for investment....................        --         --    (8,845)        --        --         --            --              --
Other income (loss)...................    (1,520)       579       650       (111)       63        --            --               68
                                        --------    -------  --------    --------  -------    -------     ---------       ---------
Total revenues........................    40,216     53,764    67,577     60,476    21,566        588           480           4,463
                                        --------    -------  --------    -------   -------    -------     ---------         -------

Expenses:
Personnel.............................    16,797     13,181    26,306     13,636     8,270        356           931           1,723
General and administrative............    24,501     11,071    27,460     11,119     3,972        891         1,460           3,468
                                        --------    -------  --------    -------   -------    -------      --------         -------
Total expenses........................    41,298     24,252    53,766     24,755    12,242      1,247         2,391           5,191
                                        --------    -------  --------    -------   -------    -------      --------         -------

Income (loss) before income taxes
    and minority interest in
    subsidiary........................    (1,082)    29,512    13,811     35,721     9,324       (659)       (1,911)           (728)
Minority interest in subsidiary.......      (889)       110        (8)        --        --         --            --              --
Income tax expense (benefit)..........       (77)    12,349     5,528     15,001        --         --            --              --
                                        --------    -------  --------    -------   -------    -------     ---------         -------
Net income (loss).....................      (116)   $17,053  $  8,291    $20,720   $ 9,324    $  (659)      $(1,911)        $  (728)
                                        ========    =======  ========    =======   =======    =======       =======         =======

Basic income per share................  $   0.00    $  0.59  $   0.29    $  0.91
                                        ========    =======  ========    =======
Diluted income per share..............  $   0.00    $  0.59  $   0.29    $  0.91
                                        ========    =======  ========    =======
Weighted-average basic shares
    outstanding.......................    28,757     28,716    28,716     22,670
                                        ========    =======  ========    =======
Weighted-average diluted shares
    outstanding.......................    28,757     28,762    28,976     22,670
                                        ========    =======  ========    =======
- ---------------
<FN>
(1)  From July 1, 1995 through  November 18, 1997,  FMAC qualified to be treated
     as a limited  liability  company,  which is similar to a  partnership,  for
     federal and state income tax purposes.  As a result of  terminating  FMAC's
     limited  liability  company  status upon  completion of its initial  public
     offering,  FMAC was required to record a one-time  non-cash charge of $11.0
     million against historical  earnings for deferred income taxes. This charge
     occurred in the quarter ended December 31, 1997 and the year ended December
     31, 1997. The selected  balance sheet  information at December 31, 1994 and
     the selected results of operations for the year ended December 31, 1994 and
     for the six  months  ended  March 31,  1995  represent  FMAC's  predecessor
     entity.
(2)  Includes the acquisition of Bankers Mutual effective April 1, 1998.
(3)  Gain on sale for the years ended December 31, 1998,  1997 and 1996 includes
     $35.3  million,  $56.2 million and $11.5 million of cash gains before hedge
     gains  (losses) of ($34.0)  million,  ($5.1)  million and $0.4 million,  of
     which  $13.4  million,   $6.6  million  and  $7.8  million,   respectively,
     represented  loan  fees.  The gain on sale of loans for the  December  1995
     securitization  was not recognized until the first quarter of 1996. Gain on
     sale for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998 includes $18.4 million
     and $38.2 million of cash gains before hedge losses of $2.9 million for the
     six months  ended June 30, 1998,  of which $3.6  million and $6.7  million,
     respectively,  represented  loan fees.  Prior to December  31,  1998,  FMAC
     deferred  its hedge  gains and losses and  recorded  them as an addition or
     reduction to the gain on sale. Effective January 1, 1999, trading income is
     recorded directly through  operations as FMAC's financial  instruments used
     to hedge its loans and leases are classified as trading.
(4)  Includes $34.0 million in hedge losses incurred  primarily during the third
     and fourth quarters of 1998.
</FN>
</TABLE>
                                       10

<PAGE>

Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Data
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

The following summary unaudited pro forma condensed  combined financial data has
been prepared to illustrate the effect on our historical financial condition and
results of operations of the acquisition of FMAC,  which was accounted for under
the  purchase  method  of  accounting,  and  the  issuance  of  $50  million  in
subordinated   notes  by  Bay  View  Bank  in  August   1999.   See  "--  Recent
Developments." The pro forma operating data for the year ended December 31, 1998
and for the six months  ended June 30,  1999 assume that both the merger and the
issuance of the subordinated notes occurred as of January 1, 1998. The pro forma
financial condition data is as of June 30, 1999.

We  incurred  underwriting  and other costs in  connection  with Bay View Bank's
issuance of the subordinated notes which were capitalized,  and post-combination
integration  costs as a result of the merger with FMAC which were  expensed  and
which are not reflected in the pro forma information. The pro forma information,
while  helpful in  illustrating  the financial  characteristics  of the combined
company  under one set of  assumptions,  is not  necessarily  indicative  of the
results  of  operations  which  would  have  occurred  had  Bay  View  and  FMAC
constituted  a single  entity  since  January 1, 1998,  and does not  attempt to
predict or suggest future results.

The  information  in the following  table is based on the  historical  financial
information  that is  presented  in our  prior  filings  with the  SEC.  We have
incorporated  this material into this document by reference.  See "Unaudited Pro
Forma  Condensed   Combined  Financial  Data"  and  "Where  You  Can  Find  More
Information."

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                       Six Months                      Year Ended
                                                  Ended June 30, 1999             December 31, 1998(1)
                                                  ----------------------       --------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>                           <C>
Pro Forma Operating Data:
Interest income...................................        $209,730                      $437,277
Interest expense..................................         126,268                       279,267
                                                          --------                      --------
Net interest income...............................          83,462                       158,010
Provision for losses on loans and leases..........          22,320                        11,758
                                                          --------                      --------
Net interest income after provision for losses....          61,142                       146,252
Noninterest income................................          67,511                        81,530
Noninterest expense...............................         113,247                       193,342
                                                          --------                      --------
Income before income tax expense and minority
  interest in subsidiary..........................          15,406                        34,440
Minority interest in subsidiary...................            (889)                          (8)
Income tax expense................................          10,033                        21,074
                                                          --------                      --------
   Net income.....................................        $  6,262                      $ 13,374
                                                          ========                      ========

Basic earnings per share..........................           $0.19                         $0.39
                                                             =====                         =====
Diluted earnings per share........................           $0.19                         $0.39
                                                             =====                         =====

Weighted-average basic shares outstanding.........          32,822                        33,904
                                                          ========                      ========
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding.......          32,972                        34,204
                                                          ========                      ========
- ---------------
<FN>
(1)  FMAC's  historical  results for the year ended  December 31, 1998  included
     $34.0  million  in hedge  losses  incurred  primarily  during the third and
     fourth quarters of 1998.
</FN>

</TABLE>

                                       11

<PAGE>


                                  RISK FACTORS

You should  carefully  consider the following  risk factors before you decide to
buy our common  stock.  You should also consider the other  information  in this
prospectus, as well as the other documents incorporated by reference.

Risks Related to Bay View's Current Business Activities

As we continue to transition our business to commercial  banking  activities,  a
gradual increase in our consolidated credit risk is likely to occur, which means
that there is a greater risk that  borrowers will be unable to repay their loans
from us or make all required lease payments to us. Borrower  defaults  resulting
in losses in excess of our  allowance  for loan and lease  losses  could  have a
material adverse effect on our business, profitability and financial condition.

Our business  strategy  centers  around our  continued  transition to commercial
banking  activities and the anticipated  increase of our net interest margin. In
order to  realize  this  objective,  one of our main  strategies  is to  replace
lower-yielding  single-family mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities with
consumer  and  commercial  loans and leases with higher  risk-adjusted  returns,
shorter  maturities and less  sensitivity to interest rate  fluctuations.  These
assets are funded with our low cost deposit base. As this process takes place, a
gradual increase in our consolidated credit risk is likely to occur, which means
that there is a greater risk that  borrowers will be unable to repay their loans
from us or make all required lease payments to us. Borrower  defaults  resulting
in losses in excess of our  allowance  for loan and lease  losses  could  have a
material adverse effect on our business, profitability and financial condition.

Single-Family  Mortgage Loans.  Single-family  mortgage loans still comprise the
largest  component of our loan and lease portfolio and are secured  primarily by
properties  located in northern  California.  Our  concentration  of these loans
results  in lower  yields  and  lower  profitability  for us.  These  loans  are
generally made on the basis of the borrower's  ability to make  repayments  from
his or her employment and the value of the property  securing the loan.  Despite
our decision to discontinue the origination of  single-family  mortgage loans in
1996, our exposure to these lower-yielding,  and relatively low risk assets, has
actually  increased to approximately  $1.2 billion,  or 26.6% of our total gross
loan and lease  portfolio,  at June 30,  1999 from $551  million,  or 22.9%,  at
December 31, 1997, primarily due to the acquisition of EurekaBank.

Multi-Family  Mortgage and Commercial Real Estate Loans.  Multi-family  mortgage
and  commercial  real estate loans are  generally  considered to be riskier than
single-family  mortgage loans because multi-family  mortgage and commercial real
estate loans  typically  have larger  balances to a single  borrower or group of
related  borrowers.  In addition,  the borrower's  ability to repay multi-family
mortgage and commercial real estate loans typically  depends upon the successful
operation  of the property or business  conducted  on the property  securing the
loan as opposed to a desire by the borrower to continue to occupy the  residence
on the property  securing the loan.  These loans may therefore be more adversely
affected by conditions in the real estate  markets or in the economy  generally.
For  example,  if the cash flow from the  project is  reduced  due to leases not
being  obtained  or  renewed,  the  borrower's  ability to repay the loan may be
impaired.  Multi-family  mortgage and commercial  real estate loans totaled $1.3
billion, or 29.6% of our total gross loan and lease portfolio, at June 30, 1999,
including $450 million in  multi-family  loans which were  subsequently  sold in
July 1999. These loans represent our second largest loan  concentration  and are
also primarily secured by properties located in northern California.

Motor  Vehicle  Loans and Leases.  Because our primary  focus for motor  vehicle
loans and leases is on the credit quality of the customer  rather than the value
of the collateral,  the  collectibility of a motor vehicle loan or lease is more
likely  than a  single-family  first  mortgage  loan to be  affected  by adverse
personal   circumstances.   We  rely  on  the  borrower's  continuing  financial
stability, rather than on the value of the vehicle, for the repayment of a motor
vehicle  loan and for  payment of all  required  amounts  under a motor  vehicle
lease.  Because  motor  vehicles  usually  rapidly  depreciate  in value,  it is
unlikely that a repossessed vehicle will cover repayment of the outstanding loan
balance or unpaid amounts under the terms of the lease.

In one particular niche that we operate, the typical motor vehicle loan customer
desires a longer term and/or higher relative loan amount than is offered by many
automobile  financing  sources.  We have therefore been able to charge  interest
rates of 200 to 300 basis points over the rates typically offered by traditional
sources of motor vehicle

                                       12

<PAGE>



financing such as banks and captive finance companies.  The higher interest rate
and longer  maturity of the loans  increases  the risk that the borrower will be
unable to repay the loan.

We retain a residual  interest  in our motor  vehicle-related  operating  leased
assets.  The estimated  fair market value of the motor vehicle at the end of the
contract  term of the lease,  if any,  is  reflected  as an asset on our balance
sheet over the contract term of the lease. At June 30, 1999, the residual values
related to our motor  vehicle-related  operating  leases totaled $206.8 million.
Our  profitability  depends,  to some degree,  upon our ability to realize these
residual values. Realization of residual values depends on many factors, several
of which are outside our control,  including  general  market  conditions at the
time of  expiration  of the lease,  whether there has been unusual wear and tear
on, or use of, the motor vehicle and the cost of a comparable new motor vehicle.
If, upon the expiration of a lease,  we sell or refinance the  underlying  motor
vehicle and the amount  realized is less than the recorded value of the residual
interest  in  the  motor  vehicle,  we  will  recognize  a loss  reflecting  the
difference.  If we fail to realize our aggregate  recorded residual values,  our
financial condition and profitability could be adversely affected.

At June 30,  1999,  motor  vehicle  loans  totaled  $638.8  million,  which  was
approximately  14.4% of our total gross loan and lease portfolio.  Additionally,
operating leased assets totaled $338.8 million at June 30, 1999.

Home Equity Loans. High loan-to-value home equity loans are subject to increased
risk of  delinquency  and default as compared to  single-family  first  mortgage
loans. High  loan-to-value home equity loans, which totaled $465.5 million as of
June 30, 1999, are secured by a lien,  generally  junior in priority to a senior
lien on the borrower's home. High loan-to-value home equity loans may have, when
added to existing senior lien balances,  a post-funding  combined  loan-to-value
ratio of up to 125% of the value of the home  securing  the loan.  If a borrower
defaults on a high loan-to-value home equity loan, our security interest will be
subordinate to all senior lien balances. It is therefore likely that in the case
of default,  the  collateral  for the loan will not be  sufficient  to cover the
principal  amount of the loan. In addition,  the market value of the  properties
securing  these  loans  may  decline,  especially  in an  economic  slowdown  or
recession.  We do not intend to increase our exposure to high loan-to-value home
equity loans.

Our home equity loans,  including high loan-to-value home equity loans,  totaled
approximately  $619.1  million,  or  13.9% of our  total  gross  loan and  lease
portfolio,  as of June 30,  1999.  At June 30, 1999,  the average  loan-to-value
ratio of our high  loan-to-value home equity loan portfolio was 115%. Because of
this  loan-to-value  ratio, we rely principally on the  creditworthiness  of the
borrower for repayment of our high  loan-to-value  home equity loans and receive
interest  on these  loans at a rate which is higher  than the  interest  rate we
receive on single-family first mortgage loans.

Commercial  Loans  and  Leases.  Our  commercial  loans  and  leases,  which are
comprised primarily of asset-based loans, factoring and equipment leases, entail
higher risk and are typically  made on the value of the  collateral  provided by
the  borrower  to secure  the loan or lease.  Most  often,  this  collateral  is
accounts  receivable,  although  at times we also rely upon  collateral  such as
inventory or machinery.  There is little  additional  credit support provided by
the borrower for most of these loans and leases and the probability of repayment
is based  almost  solely on the  liquidation  of the  pledged  collateral.  As a
result,  in the case of loans and leases  secured by  accounts  receivable,  the
availability  of  funds  for the  repayment  of such  loans  and  leases  may be
substantially  dependent on the ability of the  borrower to collect  amounts due
from  its  customers.  The  collateral  securing  other  loans  and  leases  may
depreciate  over time,  may be difficult to appraise and may  fluctuate in value
based on the success of the business. In addition,  these loans and leases carry
much higher rates of interest than those charged by  traditional  small business
lenders,  such as commercial  banks, to compensate for the greater risk that our
borrowers  will be unable to repay  their loans or leases.  The higher  interest
rates charged on these loans and leases increase the risk that the borrower will
be unable to repay the loan or lease.  Commercial  loans and leases  were $178.9
million,  including $54.1 million in asset-based commercial participation loans,
or 4.0% of our total gross loan and lease portfolio, as of June 30, 1999.

Franchise  Loans to  Small  and  Medium-Sized  Businesses.  Loans  to small  and
medium-sized businesses are generally riskier than single-family mortgage loans.
Typically,  the  success  of a small or  medium-sized  business  depends  on the
management  talents  and  efforts  of one or two  persons  or a small  group  of
persons,  and the  death,  disability  or  resignation  of one or more of  these
persons could have a material adverse impact on the business. In addition, small
and  medium-sized  businesses  frequently  have smaller market shares than their
competition,   may  be  more  vulnerable  to  economic  downturns,   often  need
substantial additional capital to expand or compete and may

                                       13

<PAGE>



experience  substantial variations in operating results, any of which may impair
a borrower's  ability to repay a loan or make payments on a lease.  We purchased
from  FMAC  approximately  $514.7  million  of loans to small  and  medium-sized
businesses, primarily franchise operations, during the first six months of 1999.
Franchise loans were $487.1 million,  or 10.9% of our total gross loan and lease
portfolio,  at June 30, 1999. We anticipate that ultimately  franchise loans and
leases may comprise up to 30% of our total consolidated assets.

Unfavorable  or worsened  economic  conditions or natural  disasters in northern
California could significantly increase the number of borrowers unable to timely
repay their loans,  and could result in a decline in the value of the properties
securing our loans, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

Our current  loan  portfolio  is  concentrated  in certain  geographic  regions,
particularly northern California.  The number of borrowers unable to repay their
loans may be  affected by changes in local  economic  and  business  conditions.
Unfavorable  or  worsened  economic  conditions  in  northern  California  could
significantly  increase  the number of  borrowers  unable to timely  repay their
loans,  and could  result in a decline in the value of the  properties  securing
those loans, which could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition,  the
northern  California  area  has  been,  and may in the  future  be,  subject  to
earthquakes  and we usually do not require our borrowers to maintain  earthquake
insurance on properties securing mortgage loans. Accordingly,  earthquake damage
to  properties  securing  mortgage  loans or to  properties  we own could have a
material adverse effect on us.

Changes  in  interest  rates  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our
profitability.

Our  ability  to  make a  profit,  like  that of  most  financial  institutions,
substantially  depends upon our net  interest  income,  which is the  difference
between the  interest  income we earn on our  interest-earning  assets,  such as
loans, and the interest expense we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, such
as deposits.  Certain assets and  liabilities,  however,  may react in different
degrees to changes in market  interest  rates.  Further,  interest rates on some
types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate prior to changes in broader market
interest rates, while rates on other types may lag behind. Additionally, some of
our assets, such as adjustable rate mortgages, have features,  including payment
and rate caps, which restrict changes in their interest rates. As a result,  our
net  interest  margin would be  adversely  impacted by a rise in interest  rates
where actual rates on  adjustable  rate loans do not rise as rapidly as the cost
of our funds.

Factors such as inflation, recession,  unemployment, money supply, international
disorders,  instability  in domestic and foreign  financial  markets,  and other
factors beyond our control may affect interest rates. Changes in market interest
rates  will also  affect  the level of  voluntary  prepayments  on our loans and
payments on our mortgage-backed  securities resulting in the receipt of proceeds
that may be reinvested at a lower rate than the loan or mortgage-backed security
being  prepaid.  Although  we  pursue  an  asset-liability  management  strategy
designed to control our risk from changes in market interest  rates,  changes in
interest rates could still have a material adverse effect on our profitability.

The competition we face could adversely affect our profitability.

We face  competition  both in  originating  loans and leases  and in  attracting
deposits.  The  competition we face could  adversely  affect our  profitability.
Competition in originating  multi-family  and  commercial  real estate  mortgage
loans comes  primarily from savings  institutions,  commercial  banks,  mortgage
bankers and insurance  companies.  We compete for these  mortgage loans based on
interest rates, types of products, loan fees charged and the quality of customer
service that we provide to our  borrowers.  Competition  in attracting  deposits
comes primarily from savings  institutions,  commercial banks,  brokerage firms,
mutual funds, credit unions and various types of investment  companies.  We also
experience  competition  for  our  motor  vehicle  loan  and  leasing  programs,
primarily  from  large   well-capitalized   lending   institutions  and  finance
companies,   as  well  as  from  financing   provided   directly  by  automobile
manufacturers.  Competition  for factoring  clients comes  primarily  from small
local factors or factors  specializing in a specific industry  segment,  such as
trucking  or  personnel  agencies.   Competition  for  asset-based  loans  comes
primarily from small, locally-based commercial finance companies, large national
commercial  finance  companies and commercial  banks.  Competition for franchise
loans comes primarily from commercial banks,  thrift  institutions,  diversified
finance companies,  asset-based lenders,  speciality franchise finance companies
and real estate investment trusts,  among others. Due to their size, some of our
competitors  may achieve  economies  of scale and, as a result,  offer a broader
range of products and services and lower pricing than we currently offer.

                                       14

<PAGE>



Changes in the regulatory structure or the statutes or regulations applicable to
us could have a material impact on our operations.

We and our  subsidiaries  are subject to extensive  regulation,  supervision and
examination  by the Federal  Reserve Board and the Office of the  Comptroller of
the Currency and by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which insures our
deposits  up  to  applicable  limits.   Regulatory  authorities  have  extensive
discretion in carrying out their  supervisory and enforcement  responsibilities,
and regulations have been implemented which have increased capital requirements,
increased   insurance   premiums  and  resulted  in  increased   administrative,
professional and compensation expenses.

Any change in the regulatory structure or the applicable statutes or regulations
could have a  material  impact on our  operations.  Additional  legislation  and
regulations  may be enacted or adopted in the future  which could  significantly
affect our powers,  authority and operations,  and our competitors which in turn
could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

Any  computer  problems  due to the Year 2000 issue could  adversely  affect our
business.

The Year 2000 issue is the result of computer  programs  being written using two
digits rather than four to define the applicable  year. As a result,  any of our
computer programs that have  date-sensitive  software may recognize a date using
"00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000 which, in turn,  could result in
system failures or miscalculations causing disruptions in our operations and the
operations of our suppliers and customers. Any computer problems due to the Year
2000 issue could adversely affect our business.

The potential impact of the Year 2000 issue on the financial  services  industry
could be material,  as virtually  every aspect of the industry and processing of
transactions will be affected.  Due to the size of the task facing the financial
services industry and the interdependent  nature of its transactions,  we may be
adversely  affected by this  problem,  depending  on whether we and the entities
with which we do business address the issue successfully. The impact of the Year
2000 issue on us will depend not only on  corrective  actions that we take,  but
also on the way in  which  the Year  2000  issue is  addressed  by  governmental
agencies,  businesses  and other third parties that provide  services or data to
us,  or  receive  services  or data  from us, or whose  financial  condition  or
operational capability is important to us.

We rely upon third-party  software vendors and data processing service providers
for the  majority  of our  electronic  data  processing  and do not  operate any
proprietary programs which are critical to our operations. Thus, our focus is to
monitor  the  progress  of our  primary  software  and data  processing  service
providers toward resolving the Year 2000 issue.

Failure to correct a material Year 2000 problem could result in an  interruption
in, or a failure of, certain  normal  business  activities or  operations.  Such
failures  could  materially  and  adversely  affect our  results of  operations,
liquidity and financial  condition.  Due to the general  uncertainty of the Year
2000  readiness  of  third-party  suppliers  and  customers,  we are  unable  to
determine at this time whether the  consequences of Year 2000 failures will have
a  material  impact  on our  results  of  operations,  liquidity  and  financial
condition.  Our Year 2000  compliance  program will reduce levels of uncertainty
about the Year 2000 issue including questions as to the compliance and readiness
of our material third-party providers.  We believe that, with the implementation
of new  and/or  upgraded  business  systems  and  completion  of the  Year  2000
compliance  program,  the  possibility  of significant  interruptions  of normal
operations has been significantly  reduced. For additional information regarding
our Year 2000 compliance program, see "Where You Can Find More Information."

                                       15

<PAGE>



Risks Related to the Acquisition of FMAC

We may  experience  greater  than  expected  difficulties  in  operating  FMAC's
businesses.

Our recent  acquisition  of FMAC involves the  combination of two companies that
have previously operated independently. We expect to realize increased revenues,
together with other financial and operating  benefits from the merger, but there
can be no  assurances  as to when,  or the  extent to which,  we will be able to
realize these benefits.  We may experience greater than expected difficulties in
operating FMAC's  businesses,  which could have an adverse effect on our ability
to realize the expected benefits of the acquisition.

There are many things that could go wrong and adversely  affect our business and
profitability  after  the  acquisition.  We  cannot  predict  the full  range of
post-acquisition problems that may occur. Some possible difficulties include:

     o    diversion of management's attention;

     o    the failure to retain key personnel of FMAC;

     o    the failure to satisfactorily assimilate the business culture of FMAC;

     o   increased competition in FMAC's businesses,  including competition from
         competitors with more financial resources than we have; and

     o    risks associated with unanticipated events or liabilities.

We may not be permitted to own some assets or operate some  businesses  owned by
FMAC for  regulatory  reasons.  We may have to sell the assets or  businesses on
unfavorable  terms or modify  business  operations  in a way that will make them
less profitable.

In connection  with its approval of the FMAC  acquisition,  the Federal  Reserve
Board has required us, within the two years following the FMAC  acquisition,  to
divest or conform to regulatory  requirements  FMAC's  businesses and activities
that are impermissible for us to engage in for regulatory purposes. The affected
FMAC assets include equity interests in restaurant franchises. We cannot be sure
that we will be able to sell these assets on favorable  terms.  In addition,  in
order to continue to engage in the insurance  agency business we are required to
modify FMAC's insurance agency operations,  and these  modifications  could make
those operations less profitable to us.

The Bankers  Mutual  division of FMAC  participates  in the Fannie Mae delegated
underwriting  and servicing  program.  Because of Bankers  Mutual's current loss
sharing  arrangement with Fannie Mae, under federal banking  regulations we will
be  required to hold  capital  against all loans sold under the program as if we
owned 100% of these loans. We cannot be sure that we will successfully limit our
potential  liability  under  the  Fannie  Mae  program  or  otherwise  limit the
additional capital  requirements to which we would be subject.  If we determine,
for regulatory  purposes or otherwise,  that it is in our best interests to sell
the Fannie Mae servicing portfolio, we cannot be sure that we will be able to do
so on favorable terms.

FMAC is  dependent  on  securitizations.  Any  impairment  of FMAC's  ability to
complete securitizations could have a material adverse effect on our business.

FMAC has historically pooled and sold through  securitization  substantially all
of the franchise  loans which it originates,  as well as many other loans.  Upon
consummation  of the  acquisition  of FMAC,  we  retained  a  portion  of FMAC's
commercial  franchise  loans  for  our  portfolio,  and we  intend  to  sell  or
securitize the remainder.  Under FMAC's securitization  structure,  FMAC sells a
pool of loans on a  non-recourse  basis to a single  purpose  trust,  which then
issues  to  investors  securities  collateralized  by the  loans.  While  FMAC's
dependency on securitizations has been reduced now that FMAC is operating as one
of  our   subsidiaries,   any   impairment   in  FMAC's   ability  to   complete
securitizations  could have a material  adverse effect on our business.  Factors
affecting FMAC's ability to complete securitizations of its loans include:

     o    conditions in the securities markets generally;

                                       16

<PAGE>



     o    conditions in the asset-backed securities markets specifically;

     o    the  performance  of the securities  issued in connection  with FMAC's
          securitizations;

     o    the credit quality of FMAC's loans;

     o    compliance  of FMAC's loans with the  eligibility  requirements  for a
          particular securitization;

     o    FMAC's ability to adequately service its loans; and

     o    any material  negative rating agency action pertaining to certificates
          issued in FMAC's securitizations.

The "gain on sale" from the sale of loans in  securitizations  has  historically
been the largest  component of FMAC's revenues,  and retained  interests in loan
securitizations are typically  established as balance sheet assets in connection
with securitizations, based in part upon estimates of future credit losses. FMAC
has  also  retained  subordinated  securities  issued  in  connection  with  its
securitization program. We are currently attempting to sell these securities. If
actual credit losses on securitized  loans exceed the estimates made at the time
of the securitizations,  we could be required to record an expense to reduce the
carrying  value  of  the  retained   interests  and  securities   classified  as
available-for-sale, if any, on our balance sheet. Any expense of this type could
be  material to our  earnings if the credit  performance  of  securitized  loans
deteriorates  significantly.  At June 30, 1999,  the retained  interests in loan
securitizations held by FMAC totaled $28.9 million and securities  classified as
available-for-sale totaled $14.4 million.

In addition, the securitization market for FMAC's loans and leases is relatively
undeveloped and may be more susceptible to market  fluctuations or other adverse
changes than more developed capital markets.  To the extent FMAC makes loans and
leases in new  industry  sectors or to  different  types of entities in existing
industry  sectors,  there is a risk  that  these  loans and  leases  will not be
securitizable or will be securitizable only on terms unfavorable to FMAC.

We are  currently  considering  a late  1999 or early  2000  whole  loan sale or
securitization of approximately $400-500 million in franchise and branded retail
loans.

FMAC advances funds in connection with its securitization activities. If FMAC is
unable  to  recover a  significant  amount of these  advances,  it could  have a
material adverse effect on our business, profitability and growth prospects.

In connection with its securitization activity, FMAC serviced approximately $3.0
billion in commercial franchise loans as of June 30, 1999. As the servicer, FMAC
periodically  advances  funds,  and is  sometimes  required to advance  funds in
accordance with its servicing agreements, to the trustees of the securitizations
or directly to other parties,  including the  underlying  franchisees/borrowers.
The  advances  may be  the  result  of  cash  flow  shortfalls  attributable  to
delinquent loan payments or the result of other factors.  While FMAC is entitled
in accordance  with its servicing  agreements to recover some of these  advances
prior to distributing  payments to security holders, to the extent FMAC does not
recover its advances,  there could be a material adverse effect on our business,
profitability and growth prospects. Under some circumstances, these advances are
also recovered under work-out arrangements which may include loan modifications,
sale  of  the  underlying  franchise,   concessions  from  the  franchisor,   or
restructuring   of  the   securitization.   In  most  instances,   the  work-out
arrangements  are developed with the cooperation of the franchisor.  At June 30,
1999, FMAC had outstanding  advances of  approximately  $13.1 million related to
its securitizations.

FMAC recently  completed a loan  restructuring  in connection with $5 million in
funds it had previously advanced,  as of June 30, 1999, on behalf of an operator
that  owns  130  Pizza  Hut  restaurants   which  secure  loans  included  in  a
securitization  pool.  These loans were not  originated  by FMAC and the current
operator  was  recruited  by FMAC to replace  the  original  borrower.  The loan
restructuring  was necessary to enable the operator to continue to service these
loans.  The loan  restructuring  resulted in the loan  originator and holders of
securities  from this  securitization  pool which were formerly  affiliated with
Imperial  Credit  Industries,  Inc.,  the  parent of  selling  stockholder  FMAX
Holdings,  LLC, incurring losses as a result of a $13.0 million reduction in the
operator's loan balance. FMAC's

                                       17

<PAGE>



equity  interest in the  securitization  had previously  been written off and no
additional write offs were necessary.  As part of the loan  restructuring,  FMAC
pledged an additional  $4.0 million to the trust holding this loan in support of
the ratings on the other  securities  issued from this  securitization  pool. We
cannot assure you that FMAC will not incur any  additional  losses in connection
with this loan.  Before completion of the loan  restructuring,  a rating agency,
Fitch IBCA,  placed all classes of notes  issued under the  securitization  that
includes these loans on Rating Alert  Negative.  Fitch noted that its action was
prompted by the negative  performance  of the loans that were not  originated by
FMAC,  does  not  impact  any  other  securitizations  of FMAC and was in no way
associated with FMAC in its function as servicer  and/or special  servicer under
the  securitization.  Following the restructuring,  Fitch downgraded the class D
notes  under the  securitization  from "B" to "CCC,"  and the class E notes from
"CCC" to "CC."

Risks Related to an Investment in the Common Stock

The price of our common stock may decrease rapidly and prevent stockholders from
selling their stock at a profit.

The market price of our common stock could decrease in price rapidly at any time
and prevent stockholders from selling their shares at a profit. The market price
of our common stock has  fluctuated in recent years.  Since January 1, 1998, the
market  price has ranged  from a low of $12.50 per share to a high of $38.00 per
share. Fluctuations may occur, among other reasons, in response to:

     o    operating results;

     o    announcements by competitors;

     o    regulatory changes;

     o    economic changes;

     o    general market conditions; and

     o    legislative changes.

The  trading  price of our common  stock  could  continue  to be subject to wide
fluctuations in response to the factors set forth above and other factors,  many
of which  are  beyond  our  control.  The  stock  market  in  recent  years  has
experienced  extreme price and trading volume  fluctuations that often have been
unrelated  or  disproportionate  to  the  operating  performance  of  individual
companies.  You should  consider the  likelihood  of these  market  fluctuations
before investing in our stock.

The sale of a substantial amount of our common stock after the FMAC merger could
adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Of the 13.9 million shares of our common stock that FMAC  stockholders  received
in the merger, most may be sold immediately and without restriction. The sale of
a substantial amount of our common stock after the merger could adversely affect
the market  price of our stock.  It could also impair our ability to raise money
through the sale of more stock or other forms of capital. In addition,  the sale
of  authorized  but  unissued  shares of our common stock after the merger could
adversely  affect its market  price.  There will be  approximately  32.6 million
shares of our  common  stock  outstanding  after the  merger,  excluding  shares
issuable  upon  the  exercise  of  outstanding   options.   Our  certificate  of
incorporation  authorizes  the issuance of up to 60 million shares of our common
stock.



                                       18

<PAGE>



                           FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This  prospectus and some of the documents  incorporated  by reference into this
prospectus contain  forward-looking  statements which describe our future plans,
strategies  and  expectations.  All  forward-looking  statements  are  based  on
assumptions  and involve risks and  uncertainties,  many of which are beyond our
control and which may cause our actual  results,  performance or achievements to
differ  materially  from  the  results,  performance  or  achievements  that  we
anticipate.  Factors that might affect forward-looking statements include, among
other things:

     o    the demand for our products;

     o    actions taken by our competitors;

     o    tax rate changes, new tax laws and revised tax law interpretations;

     o    adverse changes occurring in the securities markets;

     o    inflation  and changes in  prevailing  interest  rates that reduce our
          margins or the fair value of the financial instruments we hold;

     o    economic or business  conditions,  either  nationally or in our market
          areas, that are worse than we expect;

     o    legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect our business;

     o    our inability to identify suitable future acquisition candidates;

     o    the timing,  impact and other uncertainties of future acquisitions and
          our  success  or  failure  in the  integration  of the  operations  of
          acquired companies;

     o    the  ability  to  enter  into  new  geographic  and  product   markets
          successfully and capitalize on available growth opportunities;

     o    technological  changes,  including the year 2000 issue,  that are more
          difficult or expensive than we expect;

     o    increases in delinquencies and defaults by our borrowers;

     o    increases in our provision for losses on loans and leases;

     o    increased costs or other  difficulties  relating to our acquisition of
          FMAC;

     o    inability to sustain or improve the performance of our subsidiaries;

     o   inability  to  achieve  the  financial  goals in our  strategic  plans,
         including  any  financial  goals  related  to  both   contemplated  and
         consummated acquisitions;

     o    the outcome of lawsuits or regulatory disputes;

     o    credit and other risks of lending,  leasing and investment activities;
          and

     o    inability to use the net operating loss carryforwards.

                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

We will not  receive  any of the  proceeds  from the  sale of the  shares  being
offered by the  selling  stockholder.  We estimate  that the net  proceeds to be
received by us in the event the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised
in full will be $ million.  We intend to use any such net  proceeds  for general
corporate  purposes.  We may also use the net proceeds to acquire  complementary
businesses.


                                       19

<PAGE>



                           MARKET PRICES AND DIVIDENDS

Our  common  stock is traded on the New York  Stock  Exchange  under the  symbol
"BVC." Prior to April 1, 1999,  our common  stock traded on the Nasdaq  National
Market under the symbol "BVCC." The following table sets forth,  for the periods
indicated, the high and low sale prices of our common stock.


                                                             Price Range
                                                      --------------------------

                                                          High            Low
1997
     First Quarter....................................  $28.63          $20.63
     Second Quarter...................................   26.75           22.63
     Third Quarter....................................   28.13           24.88
     Fourth Quarter...................................   36.25           27.69
1998
     First Quarter....................................   37.25           29.38
     Second Quarter...................................   38.00           29.50
     Third Quarter....................................   31.75           17.00
     Fourth Quarter...................................   21.69           12.50
1999
     First Quarter....................................   21.06           17.44
     Second Quarter...................................   20.50           16.25
     Third Quarter....................................   20.56           12.50
     Fourth Quarter (through ____________, 1999)......   _____            ____

On  ____________,  1999,  the last  reported  sale price per share of our common
stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $_____.  As of _________,  1999,  there
were _____ holders of record of our common stock.

We expect to declare regularly  scheduled  dividends  consistent with our recent
historical  practices.  The  declaration  of any dividends and the amount of any
dividends,  however, will depend on a number of factors, including our financial
condition,  regulatory  capital  requirements,  funds  from  operations,  future
business  prospects  and such other  factors as our board of directors  may deem
relevant.  We are a holding  company  and our ability to pay cash  dividends  is
dependent on our ability to receive cash dividends,  advances and other payments
from our subsidiaries.

The indenture  relating to our outstanding  subordinated  notes places limits on
our ability to make  "restricted  payments,"  such as payment of cash dividends,
repurchases of common stock or the redemption of other  securities for cash. The
indenture originally did not permit us to make restricted payments unless, among
other things,  we were  "well-capitalized"  for bank holding company  regulatory
purposes and unless the Bank was  "well-capitalized"  under federal banking laws
and  regulations.  On October 30,  1998,  we entered  into a first  supplemental
indenture with the trustee under the indenture,  revising the "well-capitalized"
standard to  "adequately-capitalized"  for the holding  company only. We entered
into the first supplemental  indenture with the trustee after receipt and review
by the trustee's counsel of the opinion of Silver,  Freedman & Taff, L.L.P. that
the  amendment  of  the  restricted  payments  covenant  was  permitted  without
subordinated  noteholder  consent  because it was not  adverse  in any  material
respect to the interests of the subordinated  noteholders.  Silver Freedman also
opined that no continuing  default as a result of our having  repurchased  stock
during October 1998 existed under the indenture, as amended.

If the subordinated  noteholders were to challenge  successfully our actions and
the actions of the  trustee in revising  our  capital  standard  for  restricted
payments,  common stock  dividends or other  restricted  payments made at a time
when we were not  well-capitalized  would be a breach of the  indenture.  In any
such circumstance,  we could seek the necessary permission from the subordinated
noteholders  to resume payment of common stock  dividends.  If the permission of
the subordinated  noteholders was not obtained, a court could enjoin the payment
of dividends on the common stock.


                                       20

<PAGE>



                                 CAPITALIZATION

The  following  table  sets  forth  our  consolidated   capitalization  and  our
regulatory capital ratios as of June 30, 1999:

     o    without adjustment;

     o   as adjusted to give effect to Bay View Bank's sale of the  subordinated
         notes and the distribution of the net proceeds from Bay View Bank to us
         in the form of a permanent reduction in capital; and

     o   as also adjusted for the acquisition of FMAC on a pro forma basis as if
         the acquisition had occurred as of June 30, 1999.

This  information  should be read in conjunction  with the historical  financial
statements  and  related  notes  of Bay View and  FMAC  incorporated  into  this
prospectus by reference.  We have assumed that the underwriters'  over-allotment
option is not exercised.


                                                            At June 30, 1999
                                                        ------------------------
                                                                    As Adjusted
                                                                        for
                                                                     the Notes
                                                                      Offering
                                                                      and the
                                                         Without    Acquisition
                                                        Adjustment    of FMAC
                                                       ----------- -------------
                                                           (In Thousands)
Deposits............................................   $3,346,875   $3,346,875
                                                       ==========   ==========

Borrowings:
 Advances from FHLB of San Francisco................    1,900,400    1,585,400
 Securities sold under agreements to repurchase.....       51,205       51,205
 Subordinated notes.................................       99,469      149,469
 Other borrowings...................................        4,190      500,225
                                                      -----------   ----------
    Total borrowings................................   $2,055,264   $2,286,299
                                                       ==========   ==========

Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial Interests in
  Bay View's Junior Subordinated Debentures.........  $    90,000   $   90,000
                                                      ===========   ==========

Stockholders' Equity:
 Common stock ($.01 par value)......................          204          343
 Additional paid-in capital.........................      251,321      484,990
 Retained earnings (substantially restricted).......      166,539      166,539
 Treasury stock, at cost............................      (33,538)     (33,538)
 Unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale,
   net of tax.......................................         (213)        (213)
 Debt of Employee Stock Ownership Plan..............       (3,259)      (3,259)
                                                      -----------   ----------
 Total stockholders' equity.........................  $   381,054    $ 614,862
                                                      ===========   ==========

Our Regulatory Capital Ratios:
 Tier 1 Leverage....................................        5.76%        6.47%
 Tier 1 risk-based..................................         7.37         7.20
 Total risk-based(1)................................        10.82        11.04
- -----------------------

(1)  The subordinated  notes are structured to qualify as Tier 2 capital,  which
     is included in the calculation of total risk-based capital ratio.

                                       21

<PAGE>



              UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA

The following  unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial data is based on
the historical  financial  statements of Bay View and FMAC and has been prepared
to illustrate the effect of the merger with FMAC and the August 1999 issuance of
$50 million in subordinated notes by Bay View Bank.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined  statement of financial  condition is
as of June 30, 1999. The unaudited pro forma  condensed  combined  statements of
income for the year ended  December 31, 1998 and for the six-month  period ended
June 30, 1999 assume that both the merger and the  issuance of the  subordinated
notes occurred as of January 1, 1998.

The  unaudited pro forma  condensed  combined  financial  data should be read in
conjunction   with  the  historical   financial   statements  and   accompanying
disclosures  contained in our second quarter 1999 Form 10-Q and 1998 Form 10-K/A
and  FMAC's  second  quarter  1999  Form 10-Q and 1998  Form  10-K/A,  which are
incorporated into this prospectus by reference.

The merger was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.  Under the
purchase  method of  accounting,  assets  acquired and  liabilities  assumed are
recorded at their  estimated  fair  values.  Goodwill is generated to the extent
that the merger consideration,  including certain acquisition and closing costs,
exceeds  the  fair  value  of net  assets  acquired.  Based  on the  information
currently available,  the merger initially generated  approximately $177 million
in goodwill,  excluding the $22.5 million remaining  potential  obligation under
the  "earn-out"  agreement  entered  into  between  FMAC and  Bankers  Mutual in
connection with FMAC's 1998 acquisition of Bankers Mutual. We estimate that this
goodwill will be amortized on a straight-line basis over 15 years.

The  actual   goodwill   arising  from  the  merger  was  based  on  the  merger
consideration,  including certain acquisition and closing costs, and fair values
of assets and liabilities on the date the merger was  consummated.  No assurance
can be given  that the final  goodwill  amount  arising  from the  merger or the
goodwill  amortization period will not be more or less than the amount or period
currently  contemplated in the unaudited pro forma condensed  combined financial
data.

We  incurred  underwriting  and  other  costs in  connection  with  issuing  the
subordinated  notes which were  capitalized,  and  post-combination  integration
expenses as a result of combining  with FMAC which were  expensed and which were
not reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial data.

The unaudited pro forma condensed  combined  financial data is based on a number
of  assumptions,  estimates  and  uncertainties  including,  but not limited to,
estimates of the fair values of assets  acquired and  liabilities  assumed,  the
number  of FMAC  common  shares  outstanding  immediately  prior  to the  merger
consummation  and estimated  acquisition  and closing  costs.  The unaudited pro
forma condensed  combined  financial data assumes the issuance of  approximately
13.9 million of our common shares to effect the merger.

As a result of these assumptions,  estimates and uncertainties, the accompanying
unaudited  pro forma  condensed  combined  financial  data does not  purport  to
describe the actual financial condition or results of operations that would have
been  achieved  had the merger and the  issuance of  subordinated  notes in fact
occurred  on the dates  indicated,  nor does it purport  to  predict  our future
financial condition or results of operations.



                                       22

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                      UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED
                                         STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                                                   JUNE 30, 1999
                                                  (In Thousands)


                                                                           Pro Forma Adjustments                   Pro Forma
                                                     Bay View      FMAC    Debit      Credit     Total             Bay View
                                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets:
<S>                                              <C>           <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>         <C>  <C>
Cash and cash equivalents.......................       89,392    $ 21,496 $ 50,000   $ 53,260   $  (3,260)  (1)  $   107,628
Securities available-for-sale:
  Investment securities.........................        4,828      14,388  135,000                135,000   (2)      154,216
  Mortgage-backed securities....................       11,766          --                              --             11,766
Securities held-to-maturity:
  Investment securities.........................           --          --                              --                 --
  Mortgage-backed securities....................      602,379          --                              --            602,379
Loans and leases held-for-sale..................      514,394     352,496             450,000    (450,000)  (2)      416,890
Loans and leases held-for-investment, net of
  allowance for losses..........................    3,959,193     138,776                                          4,097,969
Investment in operating leased assets, net......      338,845          --                              --            338,845
Investment in stock of the FHLB of San
  Francisco.....................................       95,770          --                              --             95,770
Investment in stock of the Federal Reserve
  Bank..........................................       13,110          --                              --             13,110
Real estate owned, net..........................        1,548          --                              --              1,548
Premises and equipment, net.....................       22,906       6,632                              --             29,538
Intangible assets...............................      128,572      48,735  177,253     48,735     128,518   (3)      305,825
Other assets....................................      120,625     100,691   22,000                 22,000   (4)      243,316
                                                   ----------   ---------                       ---------        -----------
Total assets....................................   $5,903,328    $683,214                       $(167,742)        $6,418,800
                                                   ==========    ========                       =========         ==========

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
Liabilities
  Deposits......................................    3,346,875          --                              --          3,346,875
  Advances from the FHLB of San
    Francisco...................................    1,900,400          --  315,000               (315,000)  (2)    1,585,400
  Securities sold under agreements to
    repurchase..................................       51,205          --                                             51,205
  Subordinated notes, net.......................       99,469          --              50,000      50,000   (5)      149,469
  Senior debentures.............................           --          --                              --                 --
  Other borrowings..............................        4,190     496,035                              --            500,225
  Other liabilities.............................       30,135      42,429               9,097       9,097   (6)       81,661
                                                   ----------   ---------                       ---------        -----------
Total liabilities...............................    5,432,274     538,464                        (255,903)         5,714,835
Capital securities..............................       90,000          --                              --             90,000
Minority interest in subsidiary.................           --        (897)                             --               (897)
Stockholders' equity............................      381,054     145,647  145,647    233,808      88,161   (7)      614,862
                                                   ----------   ---------                       ---------        -----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity......   $5,903,328    $683,214                       $(167,742)        $6,418,800
                                                   ==========    ========                       =========         ==========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial data.

                                       23

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                        UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
                                                 (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

                                                                               Pro Forma Adjustments
                                                                             ----------------------------------  Pro Forma
                                                       Bay View      FMAC     Debit  Credit    Total             Bay View
                                                     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>         <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>        <C>      <C>
Interest income.....................................   $406,363    $55,439  $31,950  $7,425  $(24,525)  (8)      $437,277
Interest expense....................................    251,762     38,320    5,250  16,065   (10,815)  (9)       279,267
                                                      ---------   --------                   --------           ---------
Net interest income.................................    154,601     17,119                    (13,710)            158,010
Provision for losses on loans and leases............      9,114      2,644                        ---              11,758
                                                      ---------   --------                   --------           ---------
Net interest income after provision for losses......    145,487     14,475                    (13,710)            146,252
Noninterest income..................................     31,072     50,458                        ---              81,530
Noninterest expense:
  General and administrative expenses...............    113,567     48,900                        ---             162,467
  Other noninterest expense.........................      7,686        ---                        ---               7,686
  Amortization of intangible assets.................     11,372      2,222   11,817   2,222     9,595  (10)        23,189
                                                      ---------   --------                   --------          ----------
Total noninterest expense...........................    132,625     51,122                      9,595             193,342
                                                      ---------   --------                   --------           ---------
Income before income tax expense and minority
interest in subsidiary..............................     43,934     13,811                    (23,305)             34,440
Minority interest in subsidiary.....................        ---         (8)                       ---                  (8)
Income tax expense..................................     21,215      5,528            5,669    (5,669) (11)        21,074
                                                      ---------   --------                   --------          ----------
Net income..........................................  $  22,719   $  8,291                   $(17,636) (12)     $  13,374
                                                      =========   ========                   ========           =========
Basic earnings per share ...........................      $1.13      $0.29                             (12)         $0.39
                                                          =====      =====                                          =====
Diluted earnings per share..........................      $1.12      $0.29                             (12)         $0.39
                                                          =====      =====                                          =====
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding...........     20,035     28,716                                         33,904
                                                      =========   ========                                     ==========
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding.........     20,335     28,976                                         34,204
                                                      =========   ========                                     ==========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial data.


                                       24

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                        UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                                                      SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1999
                                                 (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)



                                                                                      Pro Forma Adjustments
                                                                               ------------------------------        Pro Forma
                                                        Bay View      FMAC       Debit    Credit    Total             Bay View
                                                     --------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                     <C>          <C>        <C>       <C>     <C>         <C>    <C>
Interest income.....................................       $202,737     $19,255  $15,975   $3,713  $(12,262)   (8)    $209,730
Interest expense....................................        119,208      12,468    2,625    8,033    (5,408)   (9)     126,268
                                                          ---------    --------                   ---------          ---------
Net interest income.................................         83,529       6,787                      (6,854)            83,462
Provision for losses on loans and leases............         12,111      10,209                         --              22,320
                                                          ---------    --------                   ---------          ---------
Net interest income after provision for losses......         71,418      (3,422)                     (6,854)            61,142
Noninterest income..................................         34,082      33,429                          --             67,511
Noninterest expense:
  General and administrative expenses...............         52,035      29,452                          --             81,487
  Other noninterest expense.........................         20,065          --                          --             20,065
  Amortization of intangible assets.................          5,787       1,637    5,908    1,637     4,271   (10)      11,695
                                                          ---------    --------                   ---------          ---------
    Total noninterest expense.......................         77,887      31,089                       4,271            113,247
                                                          ---------    --------                   ---------          ---------
Income before income tax expense and
  minority interest in subsidiary...................         27,613      (1,082)                    (11,125)            15,406
Minority interest in subsidiary.....................             --        (889)                         --               (889)
Income tax expense (benefit)........................         12,944         (77)            2,834    (2,834)  (11)      10,033
                                                          ---------    --------                   ---------          ---------
Net income (loss)...................................      $  14,669    $   (116)                  $  (8,291)  (12)   $   6,262
                                                          =========    ========                   =========          =========

Basic earnings per share ...........................    $      0.77   $    0.00                               (12) $      0.19
                                                          =========    ========                                      =========
Diluted earnings per share..........................    $      0.77   $    0.00                               (12) $      0.19
                                                          =========    ========                                      =========

Weighted-average basic shares outstanding...........         18,953      28,757                                         32,822
                                                          =========    ========                                      =========
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding.........         19,103      28,757                                         32,972
                                                          =========    ========                                      =========

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial data.


                                       25

<PAGE>



                 NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED
                                 FINANCIAL DATA

1.   Pro forma  adjustments  reflect the $50 million in cash proceeds  generated
     from the  issuance  of  subordinated  notes  by Bay View  Bank and the cash
     portion of the merger  consideration of approximately $53 million.  The $53
     million adjustment also includes payments for certain acquisition and other
     closing costs.

2.   Pro forma  adjustment  reflects the July 1999 sale of a portion of Bay View
     Bank's loan  portfolio in  connection  with the  restructuring  of Bay View
     Bank's balance sheet in  contemplation of the FMAC  acquisition.  This sale
     reduced the level of risk-weighted  assets and generated  additional excess
     regulatory  capital at Bay View Bank that was  upstreamed  to Bay View (See
     also Note 5). A portion  of the $450  million in  proceeds  was used to pay
     down Federal  Home Loan Bank  advances  and the  remainder  was invested in
     short-term investments.

3.   Pro forma  adjustment  reflects  the  excess of the  merger  consideration,
     including  certain  acquisition and closing costs,  over the estimated fair
     value  of  net  assets  acquired  (i.e.,  goodwill),  which  was  initially
     estimated  at  approximately  $177  million,  excluding  the $22.5  million
     remaining potential  obligation under the "earn-out" agreement entered into
     between FMAC and Bankers Mutual in connection with FMAC's 1998  acquisition
     of Bankers Mutual, net of FMAC's pre-acquisition  goodwill eliminated as of
     June 30, 1999.

4.   Pro forma  adjustment  reflects  the $22  million  estimated  fair value of
     non-mortgage  servicing  assets  relating to FMAC's $2.2 billion  franchise
     loan servicing portfolio, excluding FMAC loans purchased by Bay View Bank.

5.   Pro forma  adjustments  reflect the issuance of $50 million in subordinated
     notes by Bay View Bank. The proceeds from the subordinated  notes issuance,
     along with  currently  available  excess  capital  at Bay View  Bank,  were
     upstreamed  to us in the form of a permanent  reduction  in capital to fund
     both a portion  of the FMAC  acquisition  price and for  general  corporate
     purposes.  After the acquisition,  we contributed  substantially all of the
     assets and liabilities of FMAC to subsidiaries of Bay View Bank.

6.   Pro forma  adjustment  reflects the deferred taxes relating to the purchase
     accounting adjustments.

7.   Pro forma  adjustment  reflects  the  issuance  of our common  stock to the
     stockholders of FMAC, net of FMAC's  pre-acquisition  stockholders'  equity
     eliminated as of June 30, 1999.

8.   Pro forma  adjustment  reflects the  reduction in interest  income from the
     sale of a portion of Bay View Bank's loan  portfolio,  partially  offset by
     the interest  income  generated from the  reinvestment  of a portion of the
     proceeds in short-term investments.

9.   Pro forma  adjustment  reflects the reduction in interest  expense from the
     pay down of  Federal  Home  Loan  Bank  advances  partially  offset  by the
     interest  and other costs  associated  with the  issuance of $50 million in
     subordinated notes by Bay View Bank (all-in cost of approximately 10.5%).

10.  Pro forma  adjustment  reflects the  amortization  associated with the $177
     million in goodwill  estimated to be generated  from the merger,  excluding
     the $22.5  million  remaining  potential  obligation  under the  "earn-out"
     agreement  entered into between FMAC and Bankers Mutual in connection  with
     FMAC's  1998  acquisition  of  Bankers  Mutual,  net  of  the  amortization
     associated with FMAC's pre-acquisition  goodwill written off as of June 30,
     1999. The goodwill is assumed to be amortized on a straight-line basis over
     15 years.

11.  Pro forma  adjustment  reflects the income tax benefit  associated with the
     pro forma adjustments.

12.  The pro forma net income and earnings per share amounts reflected herein do
     not purport to be  indicative  of the actual  results  that would have been
     achieved  had the merger and the  issuance  of  subordinated  notes in fact
     occurred on the dates  indicated,  nor do they purport to be  indicative of
     future  results of  operations.  We incurred  post-combination  integration
     costs as a result of the merger with FMAC which were not  reflected  in the
     pro  forma  information.  FMAC's  historical  results  for the  year  ended
     December 31, 1998 included $34.0 million in hedge losses incurred primarily
     during the third and fourth quarters of 1998.


                                       26

<PAGE>



                                   MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information regarding our directors and principal
executive  officers.  Approximately  one-third  of  our  directors  are  elected
annually.  Directors are elected to serve for a three-year period or until their
respective  successors have been elected and qualified.  All executive  officers
serve at the discretion of the board of directors. Except where noted, positions
listed are those held with Bay View Capital Corporation.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              Director
                                                                                                 or
                                                                                              Officer
Name                               Age(1)     Positions Held With Bay View                    Since(2)
- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- -------------
<S>                                  <C>      <C>                                               <C>
John R. McKean                       69       Chairman of the Board                             1984
Paula R. Collins                     49       Director                                          1993
Thomas M. Foster                     57       Director                                          1993
Robert M. Greber                     61       Director                                          1996
Wayne L. Knyal                       52       Director                                          1999
George H. Krauss                     57       Director                                          1998
Stephen T. McLin                     52       Director                                          1998
Edward H. Sondker                    51       Director, President and Chief Executive           1995
                                              Officer
W. Blake Winchell                    46       Director                                          1996
Richard E. Arnold                    58       Executive Vice President and Director             1997
                                              of Sales and Banking Administration
James A. Badame, Jr.                 56       President, Bay View Acceptance                    1998
                                              Corporation
John N. Buckley                      41       Executive Vice President and                      1994
                                              Chief Credit Administrator
Kevin T. Burke                       41       Treasurer                                         1999
Matthew L. Carpenter                 39       President and Chief Executive Officer,            1997
                                              Bay View Commercial Finance Group
Robert J. Flax                       50       Executive Vice President, General                 1985
                                              Counsel and Secretary
David A. Heaberlin                   49       Executive Vice President and Chief                1995
                                              Financial Officer
Scott H. Ray                         34       Senior Vice President and Controller              1998
Ronald L. Reed                       52       Executive Vice President, Director of             1997
                                              MIS and Loan Servicing
Douglas J. Wallis                    48       Executive Vice President, General                 1999
                                              Counsel and Secretary, Bay View Bank
Carolyn Williams-Goldman             37       Executive Vice President and                      1996
                                              Director of Administration
- --------------------------
<FN>

(1)  As of June 30, 1999.
(2)  Includes service with Bay View Bank.
</FN>
</TABLE>


                                       27

<PAGE>



The business  experience of each of the  directors and executive  officers is as
follows:

John R.  McKean.  Mr.  McKean  has served as  Chairman  of the Board of Bay View
Capital  Corporation  and Bay View Bank since  January  1994.  Mr. McKean is the
President of John R. McKean & Co. (CPAs), San Francisco, California.

Paula R. Collins.  Ms. Collins is Chief Executive  Officer of The WDG Companies,
San Francisco,  California,  a real estate development firm she founded in 1982,
and Chief  Executive  Officer of WDG  Ventures,  Inc., a  subsidiary  of The WDG
Companies.

Thomas M. Foster. Mr. Foster is an independent financial consultant with over 20
years of banking and  financial  experience.  Mr.  Foster was the  President  of
Aircraft Technical  Publishers,  Brisbane,  California,  an aircraft maintenance
library services company, from February 1989 until August 1992.

Robert M.  Greber.  Mr.  Greber  is  Chairman  of the Board and Chief  Executive
Officer  of the  Pacific  Exchange.  Mr.  Greber  is also a  director  of  Sonic
Solutions, Inc., Novato, California.

Wayne L. Knyal.  Mr. Knyal is President and Chief Executive  Officer of Bay View
Franchise  Mortgage  Acceptance  Company,  which became a subsidiary of Bay View
Bank following our acquisition of FMAC. Mr. Knyal was President, Chief Executive
Officer, a director and founder of FMAC. Prior to founding FMAC's predecessor in
1991, Mr. Knyal founded and owned CBI Insurance Services,  Inc. and concurrently
served as President of CBI Mortgage Company, a residential mortgage banker. From
1968 to  1980,  Mr.  Knyal  was an  Executive  Vice  President  of  Krupp/Taylor
Advertising  and  served  clients  in the fast  food  industry.  Mr.  Knyal is a
Director of New Riders, Inc., a restaurant company.

George H.  Krauss.  Mr.  Krauss is an attorney and serves as of counsel to Kutak
Rock, a national  law firm  headquartered  in Omaha,  Nebraska.  Mr.  Krauss has
practiced  law with Kutak Rock since 1972 and served as managing  partner of the
firm from 1983 to 1993.  In 1996,  Mr.  Krauss  became an  independent  business
consultant to America First  Companies.  Mr. Krauss also serves as a director of
Gateway 2000, Inc., a computer manufacturing firm, and of America First Mortgage
Investments, Inc.

Stephen T. McLin.  Mr. McLin has been President and Chief  Executive  Officer of
America First  Financial  Corporation,  San Francisco,  California,  since 1987.
America First offers  merger and  acquisition  advice to the financial  services
industry. Prior to joining America First, Mr. McLin was Executive Vice President
of BankAmerica Corporation and Bank of America NT&SA. Mr. McLin also serves as a
director of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

Edward H.  Sondker.  Mr.  Sondker has served as  President  and Chief  Executive
Officer of Bay View Capital  Corporation and Chief Executive Officer of Bay View
Bank since August 1995.  Mr.  Sondker  became  Chairman of the Board of Bay View
Bank in July 1999.  Prior to  becoming  Chairman,  Mr.  Sondker  also  served as
President of Bay View Bank since August 1995.  Prior to joining Bay View, he was
President and Chief  Executive  Officer of  Independence  One Bank of California
from October 1990 until June 1995.  Mr.  Sondker is a director of Sunstone Hotel
Investors, Inc., San Clemente, California.

W. Blake Winchell. Mr. Winchell is Managing Director of Fremont Ventures, LLC, a
venture  investment  group.  In 1996,  Mr.  Winchell  served as Chief  Executive
Officer of Kleer-Vu Industries and prior thereto he was a General Partner of the
Channel Investment Group.

Richard E. Arnold. Mr. Arnold,  Executive Vice President, has served as Director
of Sales and Banking  Administration  since 1997.  Prior to joining Bay View, he
served  as an  Executive  Vice  President  of  First  Interstate  Bank  and  was
responsible for all branch banking activities in northern  California.  Prior to
joining  First  Interstate  Bank in  1990,  he  held  executive  and  management
positions at Security Pacific Bank in a career that spanned over 30 years.


                                       28

<PAGE>



James A. Badame,  Jr. Mr. Badame has served as President of Bay View  Acceptance
Corporation  since 1998.  Prior to joining Bay View Acceptance  Corporation,  he
served as Director of Operations for Triad Financial Corporation. He has over 25
years of experience in the indirect  automobile  financing business during which
time he has held  management  and executive  positions  with Bank of America and
Marine  Midland  Banks.  Mr.  Badame has also held sales,  business  and general
management positions in the retail automobile industry.

John N. Buckley.  Mr.  Buckley,  Executive Vice  President,  has served as Chief
Credit  Administrator since 1995 and Manager of Credit  Administration and Asset
Management since 1994. He joined us in September 1993. Previously,  he served at
Bank of America in various  capacities  from 1985 to 1993. His last position was
Vice President and Regional Credit  Administrator for the Real Estate Industries
Division at Bank of America.

Kevin T. Burke.  Mr. Burke became our  Treasurer  following our  acquisition  of
FMAC. Mr. Burke served as Executive Vice  President,  Capital  Markets,  of FMAC
from March 1997 until our  acquisition of FMAC. Mr. Burke served as a consultant
for Koll Real  Estate  from  November  1996 to February  1997.  Mr.  Burke was a
Managing  Director at McNeil  Capital  from July 1996 to  November  1996 and the
Director of Treasury Operations at ICN  Pharmaceuticals,  Inc. from July 1995 to
June 1996.  From  September 1994 to June 1995, Mr. Burke was a Vice President at
Merrill Lynch.  From August 1993 to September  1994, Mr. Burke was a Senior Vice
President at O'Connor & Company, an investment banking firm.

Matthew L. Carpenter.  Mr. Carpenter has served as President and Chief Executive
Officer of Bay View  Commercial  Finance  Group  since  January  1999.  Prior to
becoming  President and Chief Executive  Officer,  Mr. Carpenter served as Chief
Operating  Officer  of Bay View  Commercial  Finance  Group from the time of its
acquisition  by Bay View on  March  17,  1997.  Prior  to the  acquisition,  Mr.
Carpenter served as Chief Financial Officer of Concord Growth  Corporation,  the
predecessor  of Bay View  Commercial  Finance  Group,  from 1991 until March 17,
1997, and as President of EXXE Data Corporation,  the holding company of Concord
Growth Corporation, from 1993 until March 17, 1997.

Robert J. Flax.  Mr. Flax,  Executive Vice  President,  has served us in various
capacities  since  joining  us in 1980,  including  as Bay View  Bank's  General
Counsel from 1985 to 1999 and as General Counsel and Corporate  Secretary of Bay
View Capital  Corporation since its formation in 1989. Before joining us, he was
a trial attorney in private practice in San Francisco from 1976 to 1980.

David A. Heaberlin. Mr. Heaberlin, Executive Vice President, has served as Chief
Financial  Officer  of Bay  View  Capital  Corporation  since  1995 and as Chief
Operating Officer of Bay View Bank since 1997. Mr. Heaberlin became President of
Bay View Bank in July 1999.  Prior to joining Bay View, he served as Senior Vice
President  and Chief  Financial  Officer for First  California/Mortgage  Service
America.  During 1993 and 1994, he was Executive Vice President and Treasurer of
ITT  Residential  Capital  Corporation.  Prior to his service with ITT, he was a
financial  executive  for  various  entities  including  Bowery  Bank,  Exchange
National Bank of Chicago,  Financial  Corporation of Santa Barbara, and Numerica
Financial. He has over 20 years experience in commercial banking,  savings banks
and the  financial  services  industry.  Mr.  Heaberlin  is a  Certified  Public
Accountant.

Scott H. Ray. Mr. Ray,  Senior Vice  President,  has served as Controller of Bay
View Capital  Corporation and as Chief Financial  Officer of Bay View Bank since
1998.  Previously,  he served as Executive  Vice  President and Chief  Financial
Officer for Silicon Valley Bancshares.  Mr. Ray is a Certified Public Accountant
and has 14  years of  professional  experience  in both  public  accounting  and
private  industry,  including 12 years  affiliated  with the financial  services
industry.

Ronald L. Reed. Mr. Reed,  Executive Vice  President,  has served as Director of
Management   Information   Systems  and  Loan  Servicing  of  Bay  View  Capital
Corporation  and Bay View  Bank  since  1997.  Previously,  he  served  as Chief
Information Officer for Weyerhaeuser and WMC Mortgage  Corporation.  He has over
30  years  of  corporate  management,   information   technology  and  servicing
experience,  including senior  management  positions with Technology  Management
Corporation, American Savings Bank and Home Savings of America/HF Ahmanson.

Douglas J. Wallis.  Mr. Wallis,  Executive Vice President,  joined us in 1999 as
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Bay View Bank. Previously,  he served
as a director of Hawthorne Financial Corporation. From 1985

                                       29

<PAGE>



through 1997, Mr. Wallis held various executive  positions at California Federal
Bank, FSB, his last position being Executive Vice President, General Counsel and
Corporate  Secretary.  He is a  member  of the  State  Bars  of  California  and
Missouri.

Carolyn  Williams-Goldman.  Ms. Williams-Goldman,  Executive Vice President, has
served as Director of  Administration  of Bay View Capital  Corporation  and Bay
View  Bank  since  1998 and  Director  of Human  Resources  of Bay View  Capital
Corporation and Bay View Bank since 1995. She joined us as Associate  Counsel in
1994.  Previously,  she served as Vice President and Counsel at First Nationwide
Bank in San Francisco.  Prior to her service with First Nationwide Bank, she was
an  Associate  in the  Business  Law and Banking  Practice  Groups of  Winthrop,
Stimson,  Putnam & Roberts.  She is a member of the State Bars of California and
New York.

                               SELLING STOCKHOLDER

The table below sets forth certain  information  about the selling  stockholder,
FMAX Holdings,  LLC, and its beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock.
Except as  specified  below,  neither  the  selling  stockholder  nor any of its
affiliates   hold  any  positions  or  offices,   or  had  any  other   material
relationships with us, or any of our predecessors or affiliates, during the past
three years.



                                     Shares
                               Beneficially Owned                      Shares
                                  Prior to the                      Beneficially
                                    Offering                            Owned
                           -----------------------  Shares to be     After the
                             Number    Percentage       Sold        the Offering
                           ---------- ------------ ------------- ---------------

FMAX Holdings, LLC          5,008,463    15.26%      5,008,463          None
23350 Hawthorne Boulevard
Building 1, Suite 240
Torrance, California 90505

All of the shares that may be sold by the selling  stockholder  pursuant to this
offering  were issued by us in connection  with our  acquisition  of FMAC.  FMAX
Holdings is a subsidiary of Imperial Credit Industries, Inc.

The shares are being  registered by us pursuant to an election and  registration
agreement with the selling  stockholder.  Under the terms of that agreement,  we
have  agreed  to pay the fees  and  expenses  incurred  in  connection  with the
registration, except that we will not pay any underwriting discount and fees and
disbursements  of third  parties  incurred  directly by the selling  stockholder
attributable to the sale of its shares.


                                       30

<PAGE>



                                  UNDERWRITING

Subject to the terms and conditions  stated in the underwriting  agreement dated
the date of this  prospectus,  which is filed as an exhibit to the  registration
statement  relating to this  prospectus,  the underwriters of the offering named
below have severally agreed to purchase,  and the selling stockholder has agreed
to sell to the  underwriters,  the  number of  shares of common  stock set forth
opposite the name of each underwriter.


                       Underwriters                          Number of Shares of
                                                                 Common Stock
Lehman Brothers Inc........................................
Dain Rauscher Wessels, a division of
 Dain Rauscher Incorporated................................
PaineWebber Incorporated...................................
U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Inc.............................
Total......................................................        5,008,463


                                       31

<PAGE>



The  underwriting  agreement  provides  that  the  obligations  of  the  several
underwriters  to purchase  shares of common stock depend on the  satisfaction of
the conditions contained in the underwriting  agreement,  and that if any of the
shares of common stock are purchased by the underwriters  under the underwriting
agreement,  then all of the shares of common stock which the  underwriters  have
agreed to purchase pursuant to the underwriting agreement must be purchased. The
conditions contained in the underwriting  agreement include the requirement that
the representations and warranties made by us and the selling stockholder to the
underwriters are true, that there is no material change in the financial markets
and that we and the selling  stockholder  deliver to the underwriters  customary
closing documents.

The underwriters have advised us that they propose to offer the shares of common
stock directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover
page of this prospectus,  and to dealers,  who may include the underwriters,  at
such public  offering  price less a selling  concession not in excess of $0. per
share. The underwriters may allow, and the dealers may reallow, a concession not
in excess of $0. per share to  brokers  and  dealers.  After the  offering,  the
underwriters may change the offering price and other selling terms.

We have granted to the  underwriters an option to purchase up to an aggregate of
751,270  additional  shares  of  common  stock,   exercisable  solely  to  cover
over-allotments,  if any,  at the public  offering  price less the  underwriting
discounts  and  commissions  shown on the  cover  page of this  prospectus.  The
underwriters  may exercise  this option at any time until 30 days after the date
of the  underwriting  agreement.  If this option is exercised,  each underwriter
will be committed,  so long as the conditions of the underwriting  agreement are
satisfied,   to  purchase  a  number  of  additional   shares  of  common  stock
proportionate  to the  underwriter's  initial  commitment  as  indicated  in the
preceding table, and we will be obligated,  under the over-allotment  option, to
sell the shares of common stock to the underwriters.


                                      No Exercise             Full Exercise
Per Share...........................   $                       $
Total...............................   $                       $

The selling  stockholder will pay all underwriting  discounts and commissions if
the  underwriters'  option  is not  exercised.  We  will  pay  all  underwriting
discounts and commissions  related to any shares of common stock purchased under
the underwriters' option.

We  estimate  that our share of the total  expenses of the  offering,  excluding
underwriting  discounts and  commissions,  will be approximately  $________.  We
estimate  that the  selling  stockholder's  share of the total  expenses  of the
offering,   excluding   underwriting   discounts   and   commissions,   will  be
approximately $_________.

We and our directors,  executive officers, and certain stockholders,  holding an
aggregate  of ____  million  shares of common  stock have agreed not to offer to
sell, sell or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of common
stock during the 90-day period following the date of the prospectus  without the
prior written consent of Lehman  Brothers,  except that we may issue,  and grant
options to purchase, shares of common stock under our option plans.

                                       32

<PAGE>



The  common  stock is listed on the New York  Stock  Exchange  under the  symbol
"BVC."

We and the selling stockholder have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against
liabilities related to the offering,  including liabilities under the Securities
Act and liabilities  arising from breaches of the representations and warranties
contained in the underwriting agreement,  and to contribute to payments that the
underwriters may be required to make for these liabilities.

Until the  distribution  of the common stock is completed,  rules of the SEC may
limit the ability of the  underwriters  and certain selling group members to bid
for and purchase  shares of common  stock.  As an exception to these rules,  the
underwriters are permitted to engage in transactions that stabilize the price of
common  stock.  These  transactions  may  consist of bids or  purchases  for the
purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the common stock.

The  underwriters  may create a short position in the common stock in connection
with the offering, which means that they may sell more shares than are set forth
on the  cover  page of  this  prospectus.  If the  underwriters  create  a short
position,  they may reduce that short position by purchasing common stock in the
open market.  The  underwriters  also may elect to reduce any short  position by
exercising all or part of the over-allotment option.

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid on underwriters and selling group
members.  This means that if the underwriters purchase shares of common stock in
the open market to reduce the  underwriters'  short position or to stabilize the
price of the common stock, they may reclaim the amount of the selling concession
from the underwriters and selling group members who sold those shares as part of
the offering.

In  general,  purchases  of a security  for the purpose of  stabilization  or to
reduce a syndicate  short  position  could cause the price of the security to be
higher  than it  might  otherwise  be in the  absence  of those  purchases.  The
imposition  of a penalty  bid might have an effect on the price of a security to
the extent that it were to  discourage  resales of the security by purchasers in
an offering.

Neither  we,  the  selling  stockholder  nor any of the  underwriters  makes any
representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that
the  transactions  described above may have on the price of the common stock. In
addition,  neither we, the selling stockholder nor any of the underwriters makes
any  representation  that the underwriters  will engage in such  transactions or
that such transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Any  offers  in Canada  will be made  only  pursuant  to an  exemption  from the
requirements to file a prospectus in the relevant  province of Canada in which a
sale is made.

Purchasers  of the  shares of common  stock  offered in this  prospectus  may be
required to pay stamp taxes and other  charges  under the laws and  practices of
the country of purchase,  in addition to the offering  price listed on the cover
of this prospectus.

Certain  of the  underwriters  and  their  affiliates  have  from  time  to time
provided,  may currently be providing and may in the future provide,  investment
banking, financial advisory and other services to us for which such underwriters
receive customary fees and commissions.

                                  LEGAL MATTERS

Certain  legal  matters,  including  the  legality of the shares of common stock
being  offered  hereby,  will be passed upon for Bay View by Silver,  Freedman &
Taff,  L.L.P.,  Washington,  D.C. Certain legal matters related to this offering
will be passed upon for the  underwriters  by Gibson,  Dunn & Crutcher  LLP, San
Francisco, California.

                                     EXPERTS

The consolidated  financial  statements of Bay View as of December 31, 1998, and
for the year then ended,  have been  incorporated by reference herein and in the
registration  statement  in  reliance  upon the report of KPMG LLP,  independent
certified public  accountants,  incorporated by reference  herein,  and upon the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.


                                       33

<PAGE>



The consolidated  financial  statements of Bay View as of December 31, 1997, and
for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996,  have been audited by Deloitte &
Touche LLP,  independent  auditors,  as stated in their report dated January 26,
1998, which is incorporated by reference  herein,  and have been so incorporated
in reliance  upon the report of such firm given upon their  authority as experts
in accounting and auditing.

The consolidated  financial statements of FMAC as of December 31, 1998 and 1997,
and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1998, have
been  incorporated  by  reference  herein and in the  registration  statement in
reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent  certified public accountants,
incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts
in accounting and auditing.

                       WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file,  and before its  acquisition  by us FMAC filed,  annual,  quarterly and
special reports,  proxy  statements and other  information with the SEC. The SEC
filings are  available  to the public over the Internet at the SEC's web site at
http//www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document filed with the SEC at
its public  reference  facilities at 450 Fifth Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C.
20549; 7 World Trade Center,  Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048; and Citicorp
Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,  Illinois 60661-2511.  You
can also obtain copies of the  documents at  prescribed  rates by writing to the
Public Reference Section of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,  D.C.
20549.  Please call the SEC at  1-800-SEC-0330  for further  information  on the
operation of the public reference facilities.

We  "incorporate  by reference" into this prospectus the information we file and
FMAC filed with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important  information
to you by referring you to those  documents.  The  information  incorporated  by
reference is an important part of this prospectus and  information  that we file
subsequently  with  the  SEC  will  automatically  update  this  prospectus.  We
incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any filings we make with
the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 after initial  filing of the  registration  statement that contains this
prospectus and prior to the time that we sell all the securities offered by this
prospectus.

We have  filed  with the SEC a  registration  statement  on Form S-3  under  the
Securities Act of 1933 to register the shares of common stock  discussed in this
document.  As permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, this prospectus
does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement and
the exhibits thereto. Such additional information may be inspected and copied as
set forth above.

All of the  documents  filed with the SEC by Bay View (File No.  001-14879)  and
FMAC (File No. 000-23283)  pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 since
the end of its fiscal year ended  December 31, 1998 through the  termination  of
this offering are  incorporated  by reference in this document.  These documents
include the following:

     o    Bay View's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31,
          1998, as amended on Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on July 13, 1999.

     o    Bay View's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
          31,  1999,  as amended on Form  10-Q/A  filed with the SEC on July 13,
          1999.

     o    Bay View's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter  ended June
          30, 1999.

     o    Bay View's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed March 12, March 19, 1999,
          July 22, 1999 and August 27, 1999.

     o    FMAC's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year  ended  December  31,
          1998, as amended on Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on April 22, 1999.

     o    FMAC's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
          1999.

     o    FMAC's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter  ended June 30,
          1999.


                                       34

<PAGE>



     o    FMAC's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed March 12, 1999 and August 27,
          1999.

This document also incorporates by reference the description of our common stock
and the associated rights under our stockholder  protection rights agreement set
forth under  "Description of Capital  Stock-Common  Stock,"  "Section 203 of the
Delaware Law" and "Certain Provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation  and Bylaws"  contained in our prospectus  dated October 19, 1998,
filed  pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the  Securities Act together with a prospectus
supplement on December 16, 1998, and incorporated in our registration  statement
on Form 8-A dated March 3, 1999.

You may  request a copy of these  filings  (other  than an  exhibit  to a filing
unless that exhibit is specifically  incorporated by reference into that filing)
at no cost, by writing to or telephoning us at the following address:

Bay View Capital Corporation
1840 Gateway Drive
San Mateo, California  94404
Attention: Robert J. Flax
(650) 312-7200


                                       35

<PAGE>




                                5,008,463 Shares


                                [GRAPHIC OMITTED]


                                  Common Stock













                                   PROSPECTUS
                                  _______, 1999




                                 LEHMAN BROTHERS

                              DAIN RAUSCHER WESSELS
                    a division of Dain Rauscher Incorporated

                            PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED

                           U.S. BANCORP PIPER JAFFRAY



<PAGE>

                                     PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

     The following  table sets forth the costs and expenses in  connection  with
the sale and distribution of the securities being registered hereby,  other than
underwriting discounts and commissions. All amounts are estimates except the SEC
registration fee.


                                                              Amount to be Paid
                                                            --------------------

SEC Registration fee...........................................   $  22,770
Blue sky fees and expenses.....................................       5,000
Printing expenses..............................................     100,000
Postage and distribution.......................................      50,000
Legal fees and expenses........................................     195,000
Accounting fees and expenses...................................      95,000
Transfer agent and registrar fees..............................       5,500
Miscellaneous..................................................      50,000
                                                                  ---------
         TOTAL.................................................    $523,270
                                                                   ========

     Bay View will bear all of the foregoing fees and expenses.

Item 15.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers

     Section 9 of Bay View's Restated Certificate of Incorporation  provides for
indemnification  of any  director  or  officer of Bay View  against  any and all
expense,  liability and loss (including  attorneys' fees,  judgments,  fines and
amounts  paid in  settlement)  reasonably  incurred or suffered by him or her in
connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal,  administrative or investigative, to the fullest extent
authorized  by Delaware  law,  subject to certain  limitations  set forth in the
Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation.  Section 9 also  authorizes Bay View to
purchase  insurance on behalf of  directors  and  officers  against  liabilities
incurred in their capacities as such.

     Section  145 of the  General  Corporation  Law of  the  State  of  Delaware
authorizes a  corporation's  board of directors to grant indemnity under certain
circumstances  to directors and  officers,  when made, or threatened to be made,
parties to certain  proceedings  by reason of such status with the  corporation,
against judgments,  fines, settlements and expenses,  including attorneys' fees.
In addition, under certain circumstances such persons may be indemnified against
expenses  actually and  reasonably  incurred in defense of a proceeding by or on
behalf  of  the  corporation.   Similarly,   the   corporation,   under  certain
circumstances,  is  authorized  to  indemnify  directors  and  officers of other
corporations  or  enterprises  who are  serving  as such at the  request  of the
corporation,  when such persons are made, or  threatened to be made,  parties to
certain  proceedings  by  reason  of  such  status,  against  judgments,  fines,
settlements  and  expenses,   including   attorneys'  fees;  and  under  certain
circumstances,  such persons may be indemnified  against  expenses  actually and
reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of a proceeding
by or in the name of such other corporation or enterprise.

     Indemnification  is permitted where such person acted in good faith, and in
a manner  he or she  reasonably  believed  to be in or not  opposed  to the best
interests  of the  corporation,  and with  respect  to any  criminal  action  or
proceeding,  such person had no  reasonable  cause to believe his or her conduct
was unlawful.

     Unless  ordered by a court,  indemnification  may be made only  following a
determination that such  indemnification is permissible because the person being


<PAGE>


indemnified has met the requisite standard of conduct. Such determination may be
made (i) by the corporation's board of directors by a majority vote of directors
not at the time parties to such proceeding,  even if less than a quorum; or (ii)
by a committee of such directors  designated by majority vote of such directors,
even if less than a quorum; or (iii) if there are no such directors,  or if such
directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion;  or (iv)
by the stockholders.

     Section 145 also permits  expenses  incurred by  directors  and officers in
defending a  proceeding  to be paid by the  corporation  in advance of the final
disposition  of such  proceedings  upon the  receipt  of an  undertaking  by the
director or officer to repay such amount if it is ultimately  determined that he
or she is not  entitled  to be  indemnified  by  the  corporation  against  such
expenses.

     Under a directors' and officers' liability insurance policy,  directors and
officers of Bay View are insured against certain liabilities,  including certain
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

Item 16.  Exhibits

     The exhibits listed on the accompanying Index to Exhibits are filed as part
of this Registration Statement.

Item 17.  Undertakings

(a)  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

     (1)  To file,  during any period in which offers or sales are being made of
          securities  registered  hereby,  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;

          (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;  provided, however, that the undertakings
               set  forth in  paragraph  (i) and (ii)  above do not apply if the
               information required to be included in a post-effective amendment
               by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the
               registrant  pursuant  to  section  13 or  section  15(d)  of  the
               Securities   Exchange  Act  of  1934  that  are  incorporated  by
               reference in this registration statement.

     (2)  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.

     (3)  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.

(b)  The  undersigned  registrant  hereby  understands  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

<PAGE>

     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)  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,  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.



<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies  that it has  reasonable  grounds to believe  that it meets all of the
requirements  for  filing  on Form S-3 and has  duly  caused  this  registration
statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized in the City of San Mateo, State of California, on October 14, 1999.

                                    BAY VIEW CAPITAL CORPORATION



                                    By:* /s/ Edward H. Sondker
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                          Edward H. Sondker
                                          President and Chief Executive Officer


     Pursuant  to  the   requirements  of  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
registration  statement  has  been  signed  by  the  following  persons  in  the
capacities and on the dates indicated.



* /s/ Edward H. Sondker                              Date:   October 14, 1999
- --------------------------------------------              -------------------
Edward H. Sondker
President, Chief Executive Officer
  and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
                                                     Date:   October 14, 1999
* David A. Heaberlin
David A. Heaberlin
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
   Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

* /s/ Scott H. Ray                                   Date:   October 14, 1999
- --------------------------------------------              -------------------
Scott H. Ray
Senior Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)


                                                     Date:
John R. McKean, Director


                                                     Date:
Stephen T. McLin, Director


* /s/ W. Blake Winchell                              Date:   October 14, 1999
- --------------------------------------------              -------------------
W. Blake Winchell, Director


<PAGE>




* /s/ Robert M. Greber                                Date:   October 14, 1999
- --------------------------------------------               -------------------
Robert M. Greber, Director


* /s/ Paula R. Collins                                Date:   October 14, 1999
- --------------------------------------------               -------------------
Paula R. Collins, Director


                                                      Date:
Thomas M. Foster, Director


* /s/ George H. Krauss                                Date:   October 14, 1999
- --------------------------------------------               -------------------
George H. Krauss, Director



By * /s/ Robert J. Flax
      Robert J. Flax
      Attorney-in-fact

Robert J. Flax, by signing his name hereto, does sign this document on behalf of
the persons  noted above,  pursuant to a power of attorney duly executed by such
persons and previously filed.


<PAGE>



                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

     The  following  exhibits  are  filed in  connection  with the  Registration
Statement of Bay View Capital  Corporation (the "Company") on Form S-3, pursuant
to the requirements of Item 601 of Regulation S-K:


   Exhibit
    Number                                                  Description
    ------                                                 ------------


     1    Form of Underwriting Agreement*

     4.1  Restated  Certificate of Incorporation  of the Company,  together with
          Certificate  of Amendment  of Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation
          (incorporated by reference to the Company's  Registration Statement on
          Form S-3 filed on June 20, 1997 (No. 333-29757))

     4.2  By-Laws of the Company

     4.3  Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement") dated
          as of July 31, 1990  between the Company and  ChaseMellon  Shareholder
          Services, L.L.C., as successor rights agent (incorporated by reference
          to the  Company's  Registration  Statement on Form 8 filed on March 9,
          1993 (Amendment No. 2 to the Company's  Registration Statement on Form
          8-A filed on August 6, 1990 (File No. 0-17901)))

     4.4  First  Amendment  to the Rights  Agreement  dated  February  26,  1993
          (incorporated by reference to the Company's  Registration Statement on
          Form 8 filed on  March  9,  1993  (Amendment  No.  2 to the  Company's
          Registration  Statement  on Form 8-A filed on August 6, 1990 (File No.
          0-17901)))

     4.5  Second  Amendment  to the Rights  Agreement  dated  October  10,  1997
          (incorporated by reference to the Company's  Registration Statement on
          Form  8-A12G/A  filed on  October  15,  1997  (Amendment  No. 3 to the
          Company's  Registration  Statement on Form 8-A filed on August 6, 1990
          (File No. 0-17901)))

     4.6  Third Amendment to the Rights Agreement  (incorporated by reference to
          the  Company's  Registration  Statement  on  Form  8-A12G/A  filed  on
          September  29, 1998  (Amendment  No. 4 to the  Company's  Registration
          Statement on Form 8-A filed on August 6, 1990 (File No. 0-17901)))

     4.7  Form of Rights Certificate and Election to Exercise pursuant to Rights
          Agreement  (incorporated  by reference to the  Company's  Registration
          Statement  on Form 8 filed on March 9,  1993  (Amendment  No. 2 to the
          Company's  Registration  Statement on Form 8-A filed on August 6, 1990
          (File No. 0-17901)))

     4.8  Specimen form of common stock  certificate of the Company

     5    Opinion of Silver,  Freedman & Taff,  L.L.P.

     23.1 Consent of KPMG LLP with  respect to the Company

     23.2 Consent of KPMG LLP with  respect  to  Franchise  Mortgage  Acceptance
          Company

     23.3 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP

     23.4 Consent of Silver,  Freedman & Taff, L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5)

     24   Power of attorney (included on signature page)**

- ------------------
*    To be filed by amendment.
**   Previously filed



                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2

                                                                      June, 1999




                                     BYLAWS
                                       OF
                          BAY VIEW CAPITAL CORPORATION

                     (hereinafter called the "Corporation")


                                    ARTICLE I

                                     OFFICES

Section 1. Registered Office.

     The  registered  office  of  the  Corporation  shall  be  in  the  City  of
Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware.

Section 2. Other Offices.

     The  Corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and
without the State of Delaware  as the board of  directors  may from time to time
determine.


                                   ARTICLE II

                            MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. Place of Meetings.

     Meetings of the stockholders for the election of directors or for any other
purpose shall be held at such time and place, either within or without the State
of Delaware,  as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors
and stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly  executed  waiver of notice
thereof.

Section 2. Annual Meetings.

     The annual meetings of stockholders  shall be held on such date and at such
time as shall be  designated  from  time to time by the board of  directors  and
stated in the notice of the meeting,  at which meetings the  stockholders  shall
elect by a plurality  vote a board of directors and transact such other business
as may  properly be brought  before the  meeting.  Written  notice of the annual
meeting  stating the place,  date and hour of the meeting shall be given to each
stockholder  entitled  to vote at such  meeting  not less than ten nor more than
fifty days before the date of the  meeting.  The notice shall also set forth the
purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.

Section 3. Special Meetings.

     Unless otherwise  prescribed by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation,
special meetings of stockholders,  for any purpose or purposes, may be called by
either the chairman of the board or the  president and shall be called by either
individual at the written request of a majority of the directors then in office.
Such  request  shall  state the purpose or  purposes  of the  proposed  meeting.
Written  notice of a special  meeting  stating  the place,  date and hour of the
meeting  and the purpose or  purposes  for which the meeting is called  shall be
given not less than ten nor more than fifty days  before the date of the meeting
to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.


<PAGE>

Section 4. Quorum.

     Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation,
the  holders of a majority  of the  capital  stock  issued and  outstanding  and
entitled  to vote  thereat,  present in person or  represented  by proxy,  shall
constitute a quorum at all meetings of the  stockholders  for the transaction of
business.  If,  however,  such quorum shall not be present or represented at any
meeting of the stockholders,  the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present
in person or represented by proxy,  shall have power to adjourn the meeting from
time to time,  without notice other than  announcement  at the meeting,  until a
quorum shall be present or  represented.  At such  adjourned  meeting at which a
quorum shall be present or  represented,  any business may be  transacted  which
might  have  been  transacted  at the  meeting  as  originally  noticed.  If the
adjournment  is for more than thirty  days,  or if after the  adjournment  a new
record  date is fixed  for the  adjourned  meeting,  a notice  of the  adjourned
meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting.

Section 5. Voting.

     Except as otherwise  required by law, the Certificate of  Incorporation  or
these bylaws,  any question brought before any meeting of stockholders  shall be
decided by the vote of the  holders of a majority of the stock duly voted on the
question.  Each  stockholder  represented at a meeting of stockholders  shall be
entitled to cast one vote for each share of the capital  stock  entitled to vote
thereat held by such stockholder.  Such votes may be cast in person or by proxy.
The board of directors,  in its  discretion,  or the officer of the  Corporation
presiding at a meeting of stockholders,  in his discretion, may require that any
votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.

Section 6. List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote.

     The officer of the  Corporation  who has charge of the stock  ledger of the
Corporation shall prepare and make, at least twenty days before every meeting of
stockholders,  a  complete  list  of the  stockholders  entitled  to vote at the
meeting,  arranged  in  alphabetical  order,  and  showing  the  address of each
stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder.
Such list shall be open to the examination of any  stockholder,  for any purpose
germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least
twenty days prior to the  meeting,  either at a place  within the city where the
meeting  is to be held,  which  place  shall be  specified  in the notice of the
meeting, or, if not so specified,  at the place where the meeting is to be held.
The list shall also be  produced  and kept at the time and place of the  meeting
during the whole time thereof,  and may be inspected by any  stockholder  of the
Corporation who is present.

Section 7. Stock Ledger.

     The stock ledger of the  Corporation  shall be the only  evidence as to who
are the stockholders  entitled to examine the stock ledger, the list required by
Section  6 of this  Article  II or the  books of the  Corporation  or to vote in
person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

Section 8. Proxies.

     At all meetings of  stockholders,  a stockholder may vote by proxy executed
in writing (or as otherwise  permitted under  applicable law) by the stockholder
or his duly  authorized  attorney-in-fact.  Proxies  solicited  on behalf of the
management  shall be voted as directed by the  stockholder or, in the absence of
such direction,  as determined by a majority of the board of directors. No proxy
shall be valid after eleven months from the date of its  execution  except for a
proxy coupled with an interest.

Section 9. Voting of Shares in the Name of Two or More Persons.

     When ownership stands in the name of two or more persons, in the absence of
written  direction to the  Corporation  to the  contrary,  at any meeting of the
stockholders of the Corporation any one or more of such  stockholders  may cast,
in person or by proxy,  all votes to which such  ownership is  entitled.  In the
event an attempt is made to cast  conflicting  votes,  in person or by proxy, by
the several  persons in whose names shares of stock stand,  the vote or votes to
which  those  persons  are  entitled  shall be cast as directed by a majority of
those holding such stock and present in person or by proxy at such meeting,  but
no votes shall be cast for such stock if a majority cannot agree.


<PAGE>

Section 10. Voting of Shares by Certain Holders.

     Shares  standing  in the name of  another  corporation  may be voted by any
officer,  agent or proxy as the bylaws of such corporation may prescribe,  or in
the absence of such provision, as the board of directors of such corporation may
determine.  Shares held by an administrator,  executor,  guardian or conservator
may be voted by him,  either in person or by proxy,  without a transfer  of such
shares into his name.  Shares  standing in the name of a trustee may be voted by
him,  either in person or by proxy,  but no trustee  shall be  entitled  to vote
shares  held by him  without a transfer  of such  shares  into his name.  Shares
standing  in the name of a receiver  may be voted by such  receiver,  and shares
held by or under the control of a receiver may be voted by such receiver without
the transfer into his name if authority so to do is contained in an  appropriate
order  of the  court or other  public  authority  by  which  such  receiver  was
appointed.

     A  stockholder  whose  shares are  pledged  shall be  entitled to vote such
shares until the shares have been transferred into the name of the pledgee,  and
thereafter the pledgee shall be entitled to vote the shares so transferred.

     Neither  treasury  shares of its own  stock  held by the  Corporation,  nor
shares held by another corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote
for  the  election  of  directors  of such  other  corporation  are  held by the
Corporation,  shall be voted at any meeting or counted in determining  the total
number of outstanding shares at any given time for purposes of any meeting.

Section 11. Inspectors of Election.

     In advance of any meeting of  stockholders,  the board of  directors  shall
appoint one or more persons as inspectors of election, to act in accordance with
applicable law at such meeting or any adjournment thereof.

Section 12. Conduct of Meetings.

     Annual and special  meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the most
current edition of Robert's Rules of Order unless otherwise prescribed by law or
these  bylaws.  However,  the  presiding  officer may conduct such meetings in a
manner other than as set forth in the most current  edition of Robert's Rules of
Order whenever,  in general or in a particular matter or matters,  and in his or
her sole discretion,  the interests of the Corporation  would be served thereby.
The board of directors shall designate, when present, either the chairman of the
board or president to preside at such meetings.

Section 13. New Business.

     At any annual  meeting of the  stockholders,  only such  business  shall be
conducted  as shall have been  brought  before the meeting  (i)  pursuant to the
Corporation's notice of the meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of
Directors or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of
record at the time of the giving of the notice  provided for in this Section 13,
who shall be  entitled  to vote with  respect  thereto at such  meeting  and who
complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 13.

     For  business  to  be  properly  brought  before  an  annual  meeting  by a
stockholder  pursuant to clause (iii) of the preceding  sentence of this Section
13, the  stockholder  must have given  timely  notice  thereof in writing to the
Secretary  of the  Corporation.  To be timely,  a  stockholder's  notice must be
delivered or mailed to and received at the  principal  executive  offices of the
Corporation  not  less  than 60 nor more  than 90 days  prior to the date of the
annual  meeting;  provided,  however,  that in the event  that less than 70 days
notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to
stockholders,  notice by the stockholder to be timely must be received not later
than the close of  business  on the tenth day  following  the day on which  such
notice of the date of the annual  meeting was mailed or such  public  disclosure
was made. A  stockholder's  notice to the  Secretary  shall set forth as to each
matter such stockholder  proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief
description of the business  desired to be brought before the annual meeting and
the reasons for conducting  such business at the annual  meeting,  (ii) the name
and  address,  as they appear on the  Corporation's  books,  of the  stockholder
proposing such business,  and the name and address of the beneficial  owner,  if
any, on whose behalf the proposal is made,  (iii) the class and number of shares
of the Corporation's capital stock that are owned beneficially and of record, in
each case  both as of the date of such  notice  to the  Secretary  and as of the
record date for the  meeting (if such record date shall have been made  publicly
available and such notice is given after such record date),  by the  stockholder

<PAGE>

proposing such business and by the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the
proposal  is made,  and (iv) any direct or  indirect  material  interest  of the
stockholder  proposing  such business and of the  beneficial  owner,  if any, on
whose behalf the proposal is made (and of any "affiliate",  as such term is used
in Regulation 14A under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, of the
stockholder  proposing  such business and of the  beneficial  owner,  if any, on
whose behalf the proposal is made) in such business.

     Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, no business shall
be brought before or conducted at an annual  meeting  except in accordance  with
the  provisions  of this  Section  13. The officer of the  Corporation  or other
person  presiding  over the  annual  meeting  shall,  if the  facts so  warrant,
determine  and declare to the meeting that  business  was not  properly  brought
before the meeting in accordance  with the provisions of this Section 13 and, if
he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and any
such business so determined to be not properly  brought before the meeting shall
not be conducted.  Notwithstanding  any of the  provisions of this Section 13, a
stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, with
respect to the matters set forth in this Section 13.


                                   ARTICLE III

                                    DIRECTORS

Section 1. Number and Election of Directors.

     The number of directors shall be eight.  Directors need not be residents of
the State of Delaware.  Each director shall at all times be the beneficial owner
of not less than 100 shares of capital stock of the Corporation.  The directors,
other than the first board of directors,  shall be elected at annual meetings of
the stockholders. Changes in the number of directors, within the limits, if any,
specified in the  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  may be  accomplished  through
amendment of these bylaws.

Section 2. Vacancies.

     The board of directors  shall divide the directors  into three classes and,
when the number of directors is changed, shall determine the class or classes to
which the  increased or  decreased  number of  directors  shall be  apportioned;
provided,  that each class shall be equal or nearly  equal in size as  possible;
provided, further, that no decreases in the number of directors shall affect the
term of any director then in office,  except the initial directors.  The term of
office of directors elected at the initial annual meeting of stockholders  shall
be as follows:  the term of office of  directors of the first class shall expire
at the first annual meeting of stockholders  after their  election;  the term of
office of  directors  of the second  class  shall  expire at the  second  annual
meeting  of  stockholders  after  their  election;  and the  term of  office  of
directors  of the  third  class  shall  expire at the third  annual  meeting  of
stockholders  after their  election;  and, as to directors  of each class,  when
their respective successors are elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of
stockholders subsequent to the initial annual meeting of stockholders, directors
elected to succeed those whose terms are expiring shall be elected for a term of
office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders and when
their respective successors are elected and qualified.

     Vacancies in the board of directors,  however caused,  shall be filled by a
majority vote of the directors then in office,  whether or not a quorum, and any
director so chosen shall hold office for a term  expiring at the annual  meeting
of  stockholders  at  which  the term of the  class to which he has been  chosen
expires and when his successor is elected and qualified.

Section 3. Duties and Powers.

     The business of the Corporation  shall be managed by or under the direction
of the board of directors, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation
and  do all  such  lawful  acts  and  things  as are  not by  statute  or by the
Certificate  of  Incorporation  or by these  bylaws  directed  or required to be
exercised or done by the  stockholders.  The board of directors  shall  annually
elect a chairman of the board and a  president  from among its members and shall
designate,  when  present,  either the chairman of the board or the president to
preside at its meetings.


<PAGE>

Section 4. Meetings.

     The board of directors of the Corporation  may hold meetings,  both regular
and special,  either within or without the State of Delaware. The annual regular
meeting of the board of directors shall be held without notice,  other than this
bylaw provision, immediately after, and at the same place as, the annual meeting
of  stockholders.  Additional  regular meetings of the board of directors may be
held  without  notice at such time and at such place as may from time to time be
determined by the board of directors. Special meetings of the board of directors
may be called by the chairman,  the president or one-third of the directors then
in office.  Notice thereof stating the place, date and hour of the meeting shall
be given to each director either by mail not less than forty-eight  hours before
the date of the  meeting,  or by  telephone  or telegram on  twenty-four  hours'
notice.

Section 5. Quorum.

     Except as may be otherwise specifically provided by law, the Certificate of
Incorporation  or these  bylaws,  at all meetings of the board of  directors,  a
majority  of the  directors  then in office  shall  constitute  a quorum for the
transaction  of business and the act of a majority of the  directors  present at
any  meeting  at  which  there  is a  quorum  shall  be the act of the  board of
directors.  If a quorum  shall not be  present  at any  meeting  of the board of
directors,  the directors  present  thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to
time,  without  notice other than  announcement  at the meeting,  until a quorum
shall be present.

Section 6. Actions of the Board.

     Unless  otherwise  provided by the  Certificate of  Incorporation  or these
bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the board
of directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting,  if all
the members of the board of directors or committee,  as the case may be, consent
thereto in writing,  and the  writing or writings  are filed with the minutes of
proceedings of the board of directors or committee.

Section 7. Meetings by Means of Conference Telephone.

     Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or these
bylaws,  members of the board of directors of the Corporation,  or any committee
designated by the board of directors,  may participate in a meeting of the board
of  directors or such  committee  by means of a conference  telephone or similar
communications  equipment  by means of which all  persons  participating  in the
meeting can hear each other,  and  participation  in a meeting  pursuant to this
Section 7 shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 8. Compensation.

     The directors may be paid their reasonable expenses,  if any, of attendance
at each meeting of the board of directors and may be paid a reasonable fixed sum
for actual attendance at each meeting of the board of directors.  Directors,  as
such,  may receive a stated  salary for their  services.  No such payment  shall
preclude any director  from serving the  Corporation  in any other  capacity and
receiving compensation  therefor.  Members of special or standing committees may
be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.

Section 9. Interested Directors.

     No contract or transaction  between the  Corporation and one or more of its
directors or officers,  or between the  Corporation  and any other  corporation,
partnership,  association,  or other  organization  in which  one or more of its
directors or officers are directors or officers,  or have a financial  interest,
shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director
or  officer  is  present  at or  participates  in the  meeting  of the  board of
directors or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction,  or
solely  because  his or their votes are  counted  for such  purpose,  if (i) the
material  facts  as to his  or  their  relationship  or  interest  and as to the
contract or transaction  are disclosed or are known to the board of directors or
the committee,  and the board of directors or committee in good faith authorizes
the  contract  or  transaction  by the  affirmative  votes of a majority  of the
disinterested  directors,  even though the  disinterested  directors may be less
than a quorum;  or (ii) the material  facts as to his or their  relationship  or
interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the
stockholders  entitled  to vote  thereon,  and the  contract or  transaction  is
specifically  approved in good faith by vote of the  stockholders;  or (iii) the

<PAGE>

contract  or  transaction  is fair as to the  Corporation  as of the  time it is
authorized, approved or ratified, by the board of directors, a committee thereof
or  the  stockholders.   Common  or  interested  directors  may  be  counted  in
determining  the  presence of a quorum at a meeting of the board of directors or
of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.

Section 10. Corporate Books.

     The  directors  may keep the books of the  Corporation,  except such as are
required by law to be kept within the state, outside of the State of Delaware at
such place or places as they may from time to time determine.

Section 11. Presumption of Assent.

     A director of the  Corporation  who is present at a meeting of the board of
directors at which action on any  Corporation  matter is taken shall be presumed
to have assented to the action taken unless his dissent or  abstention  shall be
entered  in the  minutes  of the  meeting  or unless he shall  file his  written
dissent to such action with the person  acting as the  secretary  of the meeting
before the adjournment  thereof or shall forward such dissent by registered mail
to the secretary of the Corporation  within five days after the date he receives
a copy of the minutes of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a
director who voted in favor of such action.

Section 12. Resignation.

     Any  director  may resign at any time by  sending a written  notice of such
resignation to the home office of the  Corporation  addressed to the chairman of
the board or the president.  Unless otherwise specified therein such resignation
shall take  effect  upon  receipt  thereof by the  chairman  of the board or the
president.  More than three  consecutive  absences from regular  meetings of the
board  of  directors,   unless  excused  by  resolution  of  the  board,   shall
automatically  constitute a  resignation,  effective  when such  resignation  is
accepted by the board of directors.

Section 13. Nominations.

     Only persons who are nominated in accordance  with the procedures set forth
in these  bylaws shall be eligible for  election as  directors.  Nominations  of
persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation may be made at
a meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected only (i) by or at
the  direction  of the  Board of  Directors  or (ii) by any  stockholder  of the
Corporation  who is a  stockholder  of  record  at the time of  giving of notice
provided  for in this  Section 13, who is  entitled to vote for the  election of
directors at the meeting and who complies with the notice  procedures  set forth
in this Section 13.

     Such nominations, other than those made by or at the direction of the Board
of  Directors,  shall be made  pursuant  to  timely  notice  in  writing  to the
Secretary of the  Corporation.  To be timely,  a  stockholder's  notice shall be
delivered or mailed to and received at the  principal  executive  offices of the
Corporation  not  less  than 60 nor more  than 90 days  prior to the date of the
meeting;  provided,  however, that in the event that less than 70 days notice or
prior  disclosure  of the date of the meeting is given or made to  stockholders,
notice by the  stockholder  to be timely must be so received  not later than the
close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the
date of the  meeting  was  mailed  or such  public  disclosure  was  made.  Such
stockholder's notice shall set forth (i) as to each person whom such stockholder
proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director,  all information
relating to such person that is required to be  disclosed  in  solicitations  of
proxies for  election  of  directors,  or is  otherwise  required,  in each case
pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(including  such person's  written consent to being named in the proxy statement
as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected  and a  description  of all
arrangements or  understandings  between such  stockholder and each such nominee
and any other  person or persons  (naming  such person or  persons)  pursuant to
which the nomination or nominations are to be made by such stockholder); (ii) as
to the stockholder  giving the notice,  the name and address,  as they appear on
the Corporation's  books, of such stockholder and the class and number of shares
of the Corporation's capital stock that are owned beneficially and the class and
number of shares of the Corporation's  capital stock that are owned of record by
such  stockholder,  in each  case  both as of the  date  of such  notice  to the
Secretary  and as of the record  date for the meeting (if such record date shall
have been made  publicly  available  and such  notice is given after such record
date);  and  (iii) as to the  beneficial  owner,  if any,  on whose  behalf  the

<PAGE>

nomination is made,  the name and address,  as they appear on the  Corporation's
books,  of such  person and the class and number of shares of the  Corporation's
capital stock that are owned  beneficially and the class and number of shares of
the Corporation's capital stock that are owned of record by such person, in each
case both as of the date of such  notice to the  Secretary  and as of the record
date for the  meeting  (if such  record  date  shall  have  been  made  publicly
available  and such notice is given after such record  date).  At the request of
the Board of  Directors,  any person  nominated  by the Board of  Directors  for
election as a director  shall furnish to the Secretary of the  Corporation  that
information  required to be set forth in a  stockholder's  notice of  nomination
which pertains to the nominee.

     Notwithstanding  anything in these bylaws to the contrary,  no person shall
be eligible for election,  or to serve, as a director of the Corporation  unless
nominated in accordance  with the  provisions of this Section 13. The officer of
the Corporation or other person  presiding at the meeting shall, if the facts so
warrant,  determine  that a  nomination  was not made in  accordance  with  such
provisions and, if he or she should so determine,  he or she shall so declare to
the meeting and the defective  nomination shall be disregarded.  Notwithstanding
any of the  provisions of this Section 13, a stockholder  shall also comply with
all applicable  requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and the rules and  regulations  thereunder with respect to the matters set forth
in this Section 13.

Section 14. Age Limitations.

     No person  72 years of age shall be  eligible  for  election,  re-election,
appointment,  or re-appointment to the board of directors of the Corporation. No
director  shall  serve as such  beyond  the annual  meeting  of the  Corporation
immediately following the director becoming 72 years of age. This age limitation
does not apply to an advisory director.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                         EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES

Section 1. Appointment.

     The board of  directors,  by  resolution  adopted by a majority of the full
board,  may designate the chief  executive  officer and two or more of the other
directors to constitute an executive committee. The designation of any committee
pursuant to this Article IV and the  delegation  of authority  thereto shall not
operate  to  relieve  the  board  of  directors,   or  any   director,   of  any
responsibility imposed by law or regulation.

Section 2. Authority.

     The  executive  committee,  when the board of  directors is not in session,
shall  have and may  exercise  all the  powers  and  authority  of the  board of
directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation,  and
may authorize the seal of the  Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may
require it, except to the extent,  if any, that such powers and authority  shall
be limited by the resolution appointing the executive committee; and except also
that the executive  committee shall not have the power or authority of the board
of  directors  with  reference  to amending the  Certificate  of  Incorporation;
adopting  an  agreement  of  merger  or   consolidation;   recommending  to  the
stockholders  the sale,  lease or  exchange of all or  substantially  all of the
Corporation's   property  and  assets;   recommending  to  the   stockholders  a
dissolution of the  Corporation  or a revocation of a dissolution;  amending the
bylaws of the Corporation; or approving a transaction in which any member of the
executive  committee,  directly  or  indirectly,  has  any  material  beneficial
interest;  and  unless  the  resolution  or bylaws  expressly  so  provide,  the
executive  committee shall not have the power or authority to declare a dividend
or to authorize the issuance of stock.

Section 3. Tenure.

     Subject to the  provisions  of Section 8 of this Article IV, each member of
the executive  committee shall hold office until the next annual regular meeting
of the board of directors  following his  designation and until his successor is
designated as a member of the executive committee.


<PAGE>

Section 4. Meetings.

     Regular  meetings of the executive  committee may be held without notice at
such times and places as the  executive  committee  may fix from time to time by
resolution.  Special  meetings of the  executive  committee may be called by any
member thereof upon not less than one day's notice  stating the place,  date and
hour of the  meeting,  which  notice may be written or oral.  Any members of the
executive committee may waive notice of any meeting and no notice of any meeting
need be given to any member  thereof  who  attends  in  person.  The notice of a
meeting of the executive  committee  need not state the business  proposed to be
transacted at the meeting.

Section 5. Quorum.

     A majority of the members of the  executive  committee  shall  constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting thereof, and action of the
executive  committee must be authorized by the affirmative vote of a majority of
the members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present.

Section 6. Action Without a Meeting.

     Any action required or permitted to be taken by the executive  committee at
a meeting may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing,  setting forth
the  action so taken,  shall be signed by all of the  members  of the  executive
committee.

Section 7. Vacancies.

     Any  vacancy  in the  executive  committee  may be filled  by a  resolution
adopted by a majority of the full board of directors.

Section 8. Resignations and Removal.

     Any member of the  executive  committee  may be removed at any time with or
without  cause  by  resolution  adopted  by a  majority  of the  full  board  of
directors.  Any members of the executive committee may resign from the executive
committee at any time by giving  written notice to the president or secretary of
the Corporation. Unless otherwise specified therein, such resignation shall take
effect upon receipt.  The acceptance of such resignation  shall not be necessary
to make it effective.

Section 9. Procedure.

     The executive  committee  shall elect a presiding  officer from its members
and may fix its own rules of  procedure  which  shall not be  inconsistent  with
these bylaws.  It shall keep regular  minutes of its  proceedings and report the
same to the board of directors for its  information at the meeting  thereof held
next after the proceedings shall have been taken.

Section 10. Other Committees.

     The board of directors may by resolution  establish an audit  committee,  a
loan committee or other  committees  composed of directors as they may determine
to be  necessary  or  appropriate  for  the  conduct  of  the  business  of  the
Corporation and may prescribe the duties, constitution and procedures thereof.


                                    ARTICLE V

                                    OFFICERS

Section 1. General.

     The officers of the  Corporation  shall be chosen by the board of directors
and shall be a president, a secretary and a treasurer. The chairman of the board
may also be designated  as an officer.  The board of directors may designate one
or more vice presidents,  assistant secretaries,  assistant treasurers and other
officers.  The offices of secretary and treasurer may be held by the same person
and a vice  president  may also be either the  secretary or the  treasurer.  The
officers of the Corporation need not be either  stockholders or directors of the
Corporation.


<PAGE>

Section 2. Election.

     The board of directors at its first  meeting held after the annual  meeting
of  stockholders  shall elect annually the officers of the Corporation who shall
exercise  such  powers and  perform  such  duties as shall be set forth in these
bylaws and as determined  from time to time by the board of  directors;  and all
officers of the Corporation  shall hold office until their successors are chosen
and  qualified,  or until their  earlier  resignation  or  removal.  Any officer
elected by the board of directors may be removed at any time by the  affirmative
vote of a majority  of the board of  directors.  Any  vacancy  occurring  in any
office  of the  Corporation  shall be  filled  by the  board of  directors.  The
salaries  of all  officers  of the  Corporation  shall be fixed by the  board of
directors.

Section 3. Removal.

     Any  officer  may be  removed  by the board of  directors  whenever  in its
judgment the best interests of the Corporation will be served thereby,  but such
removal,  other  than for  cause,  shall be without  prejudice  to the  contract
rights, if any, of the person so removed.

Section 4. Voting Securities Owned by the Corporation.

     Powers of  attorney,  proxies,  waivers of notice of meeting,  consents and
other  instruments  relating  to  securities  owned  by the  Corporation  may be
executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the president or any
vice  president,  and any such  officer may, in the name of and on behalf of the
Corporation, take all such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote
in person or by proxy at any  meeting of  security  holders  of any  corporation
which the  Corporation  may own securities and at any such meeting shall possess
and may exercise any and all rights and power  incident to the ownership of such
securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised
and possessed if present.  The board of directors may, by resolution,  from time
to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.

Section 5. President.

     The president shall be a director of the Corporation.  The president or the
chairman of the board,  as designated  by the board of  directors,  shall be the
chief  executive  officer.  The president  shall,  subject to the control of the
board of directors,  have general supervision of the business of the Corporation
and shall see that all  orders and  resolutions  of the board of  directors  are
carried into effect. He shall execute all bonds, mortgages,  contracts and other
instruments  of  the  Corporation  requiring  a  seal,  under  the  seal  of the
Corporation,  except where  required or permitted by law to be otherwise  signed
and executed and except that the other officers of the  Corporation may sign and
execute documents when so authorized by these bylaws,  the board of directors or
the president.  If so designated by the board of directors,  the president shall
preside at the annual  meetings and special  meetings of the  stockholders.  The
president  shall also  perform  such other  duties and may  exercise  such other
powers as from time to time  assigned to him by these  bylaws or by the board of
directors.

Section 6. Vice President.

     At the  request of the  president  or in his absence or in the event of his
inability or refusal to act, the vice president or the vice  presidents if there
is more  than one (in the order  designated  by the  board of  directors)  shall
perform  the duties of the  president,  and when so  acting,  shall have all the
powers and be  subject to all the  restrictions  upon the  president.  Each vice
president  shall  perform  such other  duties and have such other  powers as the
board of directors from time to time may  prescribe.  The board of directors may
designate one or more vice presidents as executive vice president or senior vice
president. If there be no vice president, the board of directors shall designate
the officer of the  Corporation  who, in the absence of the  president or in the
event of the  inability or refusal of the  president to act,  shall  perform the
duties of the president, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be
subject to all the restrictions upon the president.

Section 7. Secretary.

     The  secretary  shall attend all meetings of the board of directors and all
meetings of  stockholders  and record all the  proceedings  thereat in a book or
books to be kept for that purpose;  the secretary shall also perform like duties
for the standing committees when required. The secretary shall give, or cause to
be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the
board of directors,  and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by
the board of directors or president, under whose supervision he shall be. If the
secretary  shall be  unable or shall  refuse to cause to be given  notice of all

<PAGE>

meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the board of directors, and
if there be no  assistant  secretary,  then either the board of directors or the
president  may choose  another  officer to cause  such  notice to be given.  The
secretary shall have custody of the seal of the Corporation and the secretary or
any assistant secretary, if there is one, shall have authority to affix the same
to any  instrument  requiring it and when so affixed,  it may be attested by the
signature of the secretary or by the signature of any such assistant  secretary.
The board of directors may give general  authority to any other officer to affix
the seal of the  Corporation  and to attest the affixing by his  signature.  The
secretary shall see that all books, reports, statements,  certificates and other
documents  and records  required by law to be kept or filed are properly kept or
filed, as the case may be.

Section 8. Treasurer.

     The treasurer  shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities
and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books
belonging to the  Corporation  and shall  deposit all moneys and other  valuable
effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as
may be designated by the board of directors.  The treasurer  shall  disburse the
funds of the  Corporation  as may be ordered by the board of  directors,  taking
proper  vouchers for such  disbursements,  and shall render to the president and
the board of directors,  at its regular meetings, or when the board of directors
so  requires,  an  account  of all  his  transactions  as  treasurer  and of the
financial  condition of the Corporation.  If required by the board of directors,
the treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety
or sureties as shall be  satisfactory to the board of directors for the faithful
performance  of  the  duties  of his  office  and  for  the  restoration  to the
Corporation,  in case of his death,  resignation,  retirement  or  removal  from
office,  of all books,  papers,  vouchers,  money and other property of whatever
kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the Corporation.

Section 9. Assistant Secretaries.

     Except as may be otherwise provided in these bylaws, assistant secretaries,
if there be any,  shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to
time may be assigned to them by the board of directors,  the president, any vice
president,  if  there  is  one,  or the  secretary,  and in the  absence  of the
secretary or in the event of his disability or refusal to act, shall perform the
duties of the secretary, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be
subject to all the restrictions upon the secretary.

Section 10. Assistant Treasurers.

     Assistant  treasurers,  if there be any, shall perform such duties and have
such  powers  as from  time to time  may be  assigned  to them by the  board  of
directors, the president, any vice president, if there is one, or the treasurer,
and in the  absence of the  treasurer,  and when so  acting,  shall have all the
powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the treasurer. If required
by the board of directors,  an assistant  treasurer shall give the Corporation a
bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties  as shall be  satisfactory  to
the board of directors for the faithful  performance of the duties of his office
and for the restoration to the Corporation,  in case of his death,  resignation,
retirement or removal from office,  of all books,  papers,  vouchers,  money and
other property of whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging
to the Corporation.

Section 11. Other Officers.

     Such other officers as the board of directors may choose shall perform such
duties and have such  powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the
board of directors.  The board of directors may delegate to any other officer of
the  Corporation  the power to choose such other officers and to prescribe their
respective duties and powers.



<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                      STOCK

Section 1. Form of Certificates.

     Every  holder  of stock in the  Corporation  shall  be  entitled  to have a
certificate  signed,  in the name of the  Corporation (i) by the chairman of the
board of directors, the president or a vice president, and (ii) by the treasurer
or an assistant  treasurer,  or the  secretary or an assistant  secretary of the
Corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the Corporation.

Section 2. Signatures.

     Where a certificate is countersigned by (i) a transfer agent other than the
Corporation or its employee,  or (ii) a registrar  other than the Corporation or
its employee, any other signature on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case
any officer whose facsimile  signature has been placed upon a certificate  shall
have  ceased to be such  officer  before  such  certificate  is issued it may be
issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer at the
date of issue.

Section 3. Lost Certificates.

     The board of directors may direct a new  certificate  to be issued in place
of any certificate  theretofore  issued by the Corporation  alleged to have been
lost,  stolen or destroyed,  upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the
person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost,  stolen or destroyed.  When
authorizing such issue of a new certificate,  the board of directors may, in its
discretion  and as a condition  precedent to the issuance  thereof,  require the
owner  of  such   lost,   stolen  or   destroyed   certificate,   or  his  legal
representative,  to advertise  the same in such manner as the board of directors
shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct
as  indemnity  against any claim that may be made against the  Corporation  with
respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

Section 4. Transfers.

     Stock of the Corporation  shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by
law and in these  bylaws.  Transfers  of stock shall be made on the books of the
Corporation  only by the  person  named in the  certificate  or by his  attorney
lawfully  constituted  in  writing  and upon the  surrender  of the  certificate
therefor, which shall be cancelled before a new certificate shall be issued.

Section 5. Record Date.

     In order that the  Corporation may determine the  stockholders  entitled to
notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment  thereof,
or  entitled  to  receive  payment  of any  dividend  or other  distribution  or
allotment  of any rights,  or entitled to exercise  any rights in respect of any
change,  conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful
action,  the board of directors may fix, in advance,  a record date, which shall
not be more  than  sixty  days nor less  than ten days  before  the date of such
meeting,  nor more than sixty days prior to any other action. A determination of
stockholders  of  record  entitled  to  notice  of or to  vote at a  meeting  of
stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting;  provided,  however,
that the board of directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

Section 6. Beneficial Owners.

     The  Corporation  shall be entitled to recognize the  exclusive  right of a
person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends,  and
to vote as such  owner,  and to hold liable for calls and  assessments  a person
registered  on its  books as the  owner of  shares,  and  shall  not be bound to
recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on
the part of any other  person,  whether  or not it shall  have  express or other
notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law.



<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                     NOTICES

Section 1. Notices.

     Whenever   written   notice  is  required  by  law,  the   Certificate   of
Incorporation  or  these  bylaws,  to be  given  to any  director,  member  of a
committee or  stockholder,  such notice may be given by mail,  addressed to such
director, member of a committee or stockholder,  at his address as it appears on
the records of the Corporation,  with postage thereon  prepaid,  and such notice
shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be  deposited in the
United States mail.  Written notice may also be given personally or by telegram,
telex or cable.

Section 2. Waivers of Notice.

     Whenever any notice is required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or
these bylaws, to be given to any director, member of a committee or stockholder,
a waiver  thereof in writing,  signed by the person or persons  entitled to said
notice,  whether  before  or after  the time  stated  therein,  shall be  deemed
equivalent thereto.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Dividends.

     Dividends  upon  the  capital  stock  of the  Corporation,  subject  to the
provisions of the  Certificate of  Incorporation  if any, may be declared by the
board of directors at any regular or special  meeting,  and may be paid in cash,
in property, or in shares of the capital stock.

Section 2. Disbursements.

     All  checks or  demands  for money  and notes of the  Corporation  shall be
signed by such  officer or officers or such other person or persons as the board
of directors may from time to time designate.

Section 3. Fiscal Year.

     The fiscal  year of the  Corporation  shall be fixed by  resolution  of the
board of directors.

Section 4. Corporate Seal.

     The  corporate  seal  shall  have been  inscribed  thereon  the name of the
Corporation,  the  year of its  organization  and  the  words  "Corporate  Seal,
Delaware."  The seal may be used by  causing  it or a  facsimile  thereof  to be
impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                   AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendment of Bylaws.

     These bylaws may be altered,  amended or repealed,  in whole or in part, or
new  bylaws may be adopted  by the  stockholders  or by the board of  directors,
provided, however, that notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption
of new bylaws be  contained  in the notice of such  meeting of  stockholders  or
board of directors as the case may be. All such  amendments  must be approved by
either the majority  vote of the entire board of directors or by a majority vote
of the votes cast by stockholders of the Corporation at any legal meeting.

Section 2. Entire Board of Directors.

     As used in this Article IX and in these bylaws generally,  the term "entire
board of directors"  means the total number of directors  which the  Corporation
would have if there were no vacancies.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

COMMON STOCK                                                                                                    COMMON STOCK

<S>                         <C>                                                                     <C>

THIS CERTIFICATE IS                           [LOGO]                                                SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN
TRANSFERABLE IN NEW YORK,                     BAY VIEW                                              DEFINITIONS
NY OR RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ                     CAPITAL CORPORATION                                   CUSIP 07262L 10 1

              INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

                                   THIS CERTIFIES THAT








                                   IS THE OWNER OF

            FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF THE COMMON STOCK,
                                   PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE, OF

                                        Bay  View   Capital   Corporation   (the
                                   "Corporation"),  a Delaware corporation.  The
                                   shares  represented by this  certificate  are
                                   transferable only on the stock transfer books
                                   of the  Corporation  by the  holder of record
                                   hereof, or by his duly authorized attorney or
                                   legal representative, upon surrender of  this
                                   certificate    properly    endorsed.     This
                                   certificate is not valid until  countersigned
                                   and registered by the Corporation's  transfer
                                   agent and registrar.

               In Witness Whereof, the Corporation has caused this
            certificate to be executed by the facsimile signatures of
           its duly authorized officers and has caused a facsimile of
                   its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed.

DATED:
                                                                                                       COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED

/s/ Edward H. Sondker                                                                                  CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER
                                                                                                       SERVICES, L.L.C.
              PRESIDENT AND                                                                                       TRANSFER AGENT AND
    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER                                                                                                REGISTRAR

/s/ Robert J. Flax                                                                                     BY
        CORPORATE SECRETARY                                                                                     AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
</TABLE>



<PAGE>

                          BAY VIEW CAPITAL CORPORATION

     The shares  represented by this  certificate  are issued subject to all the
provisions of the  certificate of  incorporation  and bylaws of Bay View Capital
Corporation  (the  "Corporation")  as from time to time amended (copies of which
are on file at the principal executive offices of the Corporation).

     Until the Separation Time (as defined in the Rights  Agreement  referred to
below),  this  certificate  also  evidences  and entitles  the holder  hereof to
certain Rights as set forth in a Rights Agreement, dated as of July 26, 1990 (as
such may be amended from time to time, the "Rights Amendment"), between Bay View
Capital  Corporation  (the  "Company")  and  ChaseMellon  Shareholder  Services,
L.L.C.,  as Rights Agent, the terms of which are hereby  incorporated  herein by
reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal  executive  offices of
the Company. Under certain circumstances,  as set forth in the Rights Agreement,
such Rights may be  redeemed,  may be  exchanged  for shares of Common  Stock or
other securities or assets of the Company,  may expire, may become void (if they
are "Beneficially  Owned" by an "Acquiring  Person" or an Affiliate or Associate
thereof, as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement, or by any transferee
of the foregoing) or may be evidenced by separate certificates and may no longer
be  evidenced  by this  certificate.  The  Company  will mail or arrange for the
mailing of a copy of the  Rights  Agreement  to the  holder of this  certificate
without charge within five days after the receipt of a written request thereof.

     The Corporation  will furnish to any  stockholder  upon request and without
charge a full statement of the powers,  designations,  preferences  and relative
participating,  optional or other  special  rights of each  authorized  class of
stock or series thereof and the  qualifications,  limitations or restrictions of
such preferences and/or rights, to the extent that the same have been fixed, and
of the authority of the board of directors to designate the same with respect to
other  series.  Such request may be made to the  Corporation  or to its transfer
agent and registrar.

     The following  abbreviations,  when used in the  inscription on the face of
this  certificate,  shall be  construed  as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:

<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>
TEN COM - as  tenants  in  common         UNIF  GIFT MIN ACT                   Custodian
TEN ENT - as  tenants by the  entireties                     ------------------          --------------
JT TEN  - as joints tenants with right of                            (Cust)                   (Minor)
          survivorship and not as tenants                    Under Uniform Gifts to Minors
          in common                                          Act
                                                                 --------------------------------------
                                                                                 (State)
</TABLE>

     Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

For Value Received,                       hereby sell,  assign and transfer unto
                   -----------------------

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
   IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
   --------------------------------------
   =                                    =
   --------------------------------------


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)

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


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

                                                                          Shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
of the  Common  Stock  represented  by the  within  certificate,  and do  hereby
irrevocably constitute and appoint

                                                                        Attorney
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
to transfer  the said shares on the books of the within named  Corporation  with
full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated:
      -----------------

                               -------------------------------------------------
                        NOTICE:THE SIGNATURE TO THIS  ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND
                               WITH  THE NAME AS  WRITTEN  UPON THE FACE OF THIS
                               CERTIFICATE   IN   EVERY   PARTICULAR,    WITHOUT
                               ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.

Signature(s) Guaranteed


By      --------------------------------------------------------------       THE
SIGNATURE(S)  SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR  INSTITUTION (BANKS,
STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN
AN APPROVED  SIGNATURE  GUARANTEE  MEDALLION  PROGRAM),  PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE
17Ad-15.



                                                                       EXHIBIT 5
                 [Letterhead of Silver, Freedman & Taff, L.L.P.]



                                October 14, 1999



Board of Directors
Bay View Capital Corporation
1840 Gateway Drive
San Mateo, California 94404

Members of the Board:

         We  have  acted  as  counsel  to  Bay  View  Capital  Corporation  (the
"Corporation") in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities
and  Exchange  Commission  of a  registration  statement  on Form S-3  under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Registration  Statement"),  relating to
the  registration of 5,759,733  shares of the  Corporation's  common stock to be
offered  by  the  Corporation  and  the  selling  stockholder  described  in the
Registration Statement (the "Shares"). In this connection,  we have reviewed the
Corporation's  Certificate of Incorporation,  its Bylaws and certain resolutions
of its Board of Directors and committees thereof.

         Based upon the  foregoing,  it is our opinion  that the Shares will be,
when and if  issued,  validly  issued,  fully paid and  nonassessable  shares of
common stock of the Corporation.

         We hereby  consent to the  inclusion of our opinion as Exhibit 5 to the
Registration  Statement.  In giving  this  consent,  we do not admit that we are
within the category of persons whose consent is required  under Section 7 of the
Securities  Act of  1933,  as  amended,  or the  rules  and  regulations  of the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

                                            Very truly yours,


                                            /S/ SILVER, FREEDMAN & TAFF, L.L.P.

                                            SILVER, FREEDMAN & TAFF, L.L.P.








                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S CONSENT



The Board of Directors
Bay View Capital Corporation:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statement (No.
333-83199)  on Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 of our report dated January 19, 1999,
except  as to  footnote  24,  which is as of March  11,  1999,  relating  to the
consolidated statement of financial condition of Bay View Capital Corporation as
of December  31, 1998,  and the related  consolidated  statements  of income and
comprehensive  income,  stockholders'  equity  and cash  flows for the year then
ended,  which  report  appears in the  December  31, 1998 annual  report on Form
10-K/A  incorporated by reference  herein and to the reference to our Firm under
the caption "Experts" in the Registration Statement.




                                             /s/ KPMG LLP

                                             KPMG LLP

San Francisco, California
October 11, 1999


<PAGE>


                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2


                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


The Board of Directors
Franchise Mortgage Acceptance Company:



We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the  registration  statement on
Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 of Bay View Capital  Corporation of our report dated
January  19,  1999,  except  as to  notes  22,  23,  and 20 to the  consolidated
financial  statements,  which are as of February  16,  1999,  March 10, 1999 and
March 29, 1999, respectively, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of
Franchise Mortgage  Acceptance Company as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the
related consolidated  statements of income, changes in stockholders' or members'
equity  and cash  flows for each of the  years in the  three-year  period  ended
December 31, 1998,  which report  appears in the December 31, 1998 annual report
on Form 10-K of Franchise Mortgage Acceptance  Company,  and to the reference to
our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.

                                        /s/ KPMG LLP
                                        ------------------
                                        KPMG LLP




Los Angeles, California
October 8, 1999










<PAGE>


                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3





INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the  incorporation  by  reference in this  Amendment  No. 1 to the
Registration Statement of Bay View Capital Corporation on Form S-3 of our report
dated January 26, 1998 appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A of Bay View
Capital Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1998 and to the reference to
us  under  the  heading  "Experts"  in the  Prospectus,  which is a part of this
Registration Statement.


/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP


San Francisco, California
October 11, 1999



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