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                                                                Exhibit 10.8(b)


                        ADDENDUM TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


     This addendum made and entered into this 13th day of May, 1997, but as of 
the Effective Date previously defined in the Employment Agreement between Gary 
W. Hickel ("employee") and Valley First Community Bank ("VFCB") dated October 1,
1996.

     WHEREAS, VFCB and Employee have entered into an employment agreement which 
involves the grant of certain stock options.

     WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth certain contingencies which must 
first be met prior to the options vesting with the employee.

     NOW THEREFORE IT IS AGREED as follows:

The allocation of the options set forth in paragraph 16 is contingent. This 
contingency is removed and vesting of the options occur only upon the 
satisfaction of the criteria set forth below. Upon vesting, the options will be 
issued.

The criteria for vesting is as follows:

1. Satisfaction of the following performance criteria.

     A. Growth of bank assets to $50 million, and,
     B. An annual return on beginning year equity of at least 10%, and,
     C. Establishment of a regulatory rating of CAMEL or its equivalent of 
   "2", and,
     D. Maintenance of a capital-to-asset ratio consistent with regulatory 
   requirements.
     E. Maintenance of a loan loss reserve consistent with regulatory 
   requirements.
     F. Maintenance of a level of non-accrual loans consistent with 
   regulatory requirements.

2. Sale or merger. In the event VFCB is sold or merged into a successor entity, 
or in the event that a controlling interest in VFCB is sold to another entity 
(a controlling interest being defined as 51% or more of the outstanding stock 
of VFCB), then the management options vest.

3. In the event that the employee is terminated from employment without cause, 
then, the aforementioned options vest.

4. In the event of death or permanent disability of the employee which requires 
the termination of his services, then the options vest.

The duration of the options shall be for a period of 10 years and the exercise 
price shall be at the original offering price of the stock of VFCB, that being 
$14.00 per share.

The allocation of the foregoing options are to be non-dilutive to the 
recipient; therefore, in the event


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of a stock split, stock dividend or increase in the total outstanding capital of
VFCB, then, the number of options shall be adjusted so that the same pro rata
portion of allocated options to total stock is maintained.

This addendum is meant to supplement and not to contradict any provision of the
employment agreement and is made in reference only to paragraph 16 of the 
employment agreement entitled Employment Options. All other terms and 
conditions relating to the employment agreement including the automatic vesting 
provisions of paragraph 17 remain in full force and effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Addendum on the day and year 
first written above.

                                EMPLOYER:

                                Valley First Community Bank

                                /s/ Joseph D. Reid
                                ----------------------------- 
                                By: Joseph D. Reid
                                Chairman of the Board of Directors
                                Chief Executive Officer
                                

                                EMPLOYEE:

                                /s/ Gary W. Hickel
                                ------------------------------
                                Gary W. Hickel