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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.8A

                               EXTENSION AGREEMENT


         THIS EXTENSION AGREEMENT is entered into on February 21, 1997 between
COAST BUSINESS CREDIT, a division of Southern Pacific Thrift & Loan Association
("Coast") and XICOR, INC. ("Borrower"), with reference to the following facts:

         A.       Coast and Borrower have entered into that certain Loan and
                  Security Agreement dated March 10, 1993 (as amended from time
                  to time, the "Loan Agreement"). (The Loan Agreement and all
                  other written documents, instruments and agreements between
                  Coast and the Borrower are herein referred to as the "Loan
                  Documents". All capitalized terms which are not defined in
                  this Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the Loan
                  Agreement.)

         B.       The term of the Loan Agreement is due to expire on March 31,
                  1997, and the parties desire to extend the term of the Loan
                  Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth in this
                  Agreement.

         THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

         1.       EXTENSION. The "initial renewal date" in Section 8 of the Loan
                  Agreement, is hereby deleted from Section 8 and replaced by
                  "March 31, 1998."

         2.       EXTENSION FEE. In consideration for Coast entering into this
                  Extension Agreement, the Borrower agrees to pay Coast an
                  extension fee in the amount of $40,000 (the "Extension Fee"),
                  in addition to all interest and other sums payable to Coast
                  hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, is fully earned
                  as of the date hereof and is not refundable. The Extension Fee
                  shall be payable upon the execution hereof. The obligation to
                  pay the Extension Fee shall be included in the "Obligations"
                  for all purposes of the Loan Documents.

         3.       REPRESENTATIONS TRUE; NO DEFAULTS. Without limiting any of the
                  terms or provisions of the Loan Documents, Borrower represents
                  and warrants to Coast that all representations and warranties
                  of the Borrower in the Loan Documents are true and correct and
                  that no Event of Default and no event which, with notice or
                  passage of time or both, would constitute an Event or Default
                  under any of the Loan Documents has occurred.

         4.       GENERAL PROVISIONS. This Extension Agreement sets forth in
                  full all of the representations and agreements of the parties
                  with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all
                  prior discussions, representations, agreements and
                  understandings between the parties with respect to the subject
                  hereof. This Extension Agreement may not be modified or
                  amended, nor may any rights hereunder be waived, except in a
                  writing signed by the parties hereto. Except as herein
                  expressly modified or amended, all of the terms and provisions
                  of the Loan Agreement, and all other Loan Documents shall
                  continue in full force and effect and the same are hereby
                  ratified and confirmed. This Agreement is being entered into,
                  and shall be governed by the laws of the State of California.

COAST BUSINESS CREDIT, a division of             XICOR, INC.
Southern Pacific Thrift & Loan Association

By:     /s/ Edit Kondorosi                       By:     /s/ Klaus G. Hendig
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Title:  Senior Vice President                    Title:  Vice President
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