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                                 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT



       AGREEMENT by and between City National Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company") and _________________ (the "Executive"), dated as
of ________________.

       The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has determined
that it is in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders to assure
that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control
(as defined below) of the Company.  The Board believes it is imperative to
diminish the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the
personal uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of
Control and to encourage the Executive's full attention and dedication to the
Company currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of
Control, and to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits
arrangements upon a Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and
benefits expectations of the Executive will be satisfied and which are
competitive with those of other corporations. Therefore, in order to
accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the Company to enter into
this Agreement.

       NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

       1.  CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

              (a)  The "Effective Date" shall mean the first date during the
Change of Control Period (as defined in Section 1(b)) on which a Change of
Control (as defined in Section 2) occurs.  Anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs and if the
Executive's employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date on
which the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by
the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a
third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of
Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a
Change of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the "Effective
Date" shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination
of employment.

              (b)  The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period
commencing on the date hereof and ending on the second anniversary of the
date hereof; provided, however that commencing on the date one year after the
date hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each
annual anniversary

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thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"), unless
previously terminated, the Change of Control Period shall be automatically
extended so as to terminate two years from such Renewal Date, unless at least
60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give notice to the
Executive that the Change of Control Period shall not be so extended.

       2.  CHANGE OF CONTROL.  For the purpose of this Agreement, a "Change
of Control" shall mean:

              (a)  The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within
the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial ownership
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20%
or more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the
Company (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting
power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting
Securities"); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (a),
the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control:  (i) any
acquisition directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company,
(iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust)
sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the
Company, (iv) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction
which complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this
Section 2, or (v) any acquisition by the Goldsmith family or any trust or
partnership for the benefit of any member of the Goldsmith family; or

              (b)  Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the
Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a
director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for
election by the Company's shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a
majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be
considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board,
but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption
of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with
respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than
the Board; or

              (c)  Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation
or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company (a "Business Combination"), in each case, unless, following such
Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and
entities who were the beneficial

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owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding
Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination
beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the
then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election
of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such
Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a
result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of
the Company's assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to
such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and
Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person
(excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any
employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation
resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or
indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of
common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or
the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such
corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the
Business Combination and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the
board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business
Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution
of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such
Busiess Combination; or

              (d)  Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.


       3.  EMPLOYMENT PERIOD.  The Company hereby agrees to continue the
Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the
employ of the Company subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the [third - for
members of the Strategy and Planning Committee; second - for other members
of the Executive Committee] anniversary of such date (the "Employment Period").

       4.  TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT.

              (a)  POSITION AND DUTIES.

                     (i)  During the Employment Period, (A) the Executive's
position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements),
authority, duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all
material respects with the most significant of those held, exercised and
assigned at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date and (B) the Executive's services shall

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be performed at the location where the Executive was employed immediately
preceding the Effective Date or any office or location less than 35 miles
from such location.

                     (ii)  During the Employment Period, and excluding any
periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the
Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal
business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent
necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Executive
hereunder, to use the Executive's reasonable best efforts to perform
faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities.  During the Employment
Period, it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to
(A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (B) deliver
lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions
and (C) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not
significantly interfere with the performance of the Executive's
responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with this
Agreement.


It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that any such
activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date,
the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities
similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall
not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive's
responsibilities to the Company.

              (b)  COMPENSATION.

                     (i)  BASE SALARY.  During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), which
shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to twelve times the highest
monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary which has been
earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated
companies in respect of the twelve-month period immediately preceding the
month in which the Effective Date occurs.  During the Employment Period, the
Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed no more than 12 months after the last
salary increase awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective Date and
thereafter at least annually.  Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not
serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this
Agreement.  Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase
and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to
Annual Base Salary as so increased.  As used in this Agreement, the term
"affiliated companies" shall include any company controlled by, controlling
or under common control with the Company.

                     (ii)  ANNUAL BONUS.  In addition to Annual Base Salary,
the

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Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment
Period, an annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least equal to the
Executive's highest bonus under the Company's annual incentive plans for the
last three full fiscal years prior to the Effective Date (annualized in the
event that the Executive was not employed by the Company for the whole of
such fiscal year) (the "Recent Annual Bonus").  Each such Annual Bonus shall
be paid no later that the end of the third month of the fiscal year next
following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is awarded, unless the
Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual Bonus.

                     (iii)  INCENTIVE, SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLANS.  During
the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all
incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs
applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practice, policies
and programs provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured
with respect to both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the
extent, if any, that such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities
and retirement benefit opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the
aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the Company and its
affiliated companies for the Executive under such plans, practices, policies
and programs as in effect at any time during the 120-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date or if more favorable to the Executive, those
provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

                     (iv)  WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS.   During the Employment
Period, the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be,
shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under
welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the
Company and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical,
prescription, dental, disability, employee life, group life, accidental death
and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable
generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs
provide the Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in the
aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and
programs in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to
the other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

                     (v)  EXPENSES.  During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all
reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the most
favorable policies, practices and

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procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the
Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally
at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company
and its affiliated companies.

                     (vi)  FRINGE BENEFITS.  During the Employment Period,
the Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without
limitation, tax and financial planning services, payment of club dues, and if
applicable, automobile allowance and/or use of an automobile and payment of
related expenses, in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices,
programs and policies of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect
for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding
the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect
generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies.

                     (vii)  OFFICE AND SUPPORT STAFF.  During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and
with furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive personal
secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the
foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated
companies at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as provided generally
at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company
and its affiliated companies.

                     (viii)  VACATION.  During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most
favorable plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company and its
affiliated companies as in effect for the Executive at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable
to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect
to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

       5.  TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

              (a)  DEATH OR DISABILITY. The Executive's employment shall
terminate automatically upon the Executive's death during the Employment
Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability of the
Executive has occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the
definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to the Executive
written notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement of its
intention to terminate the Executive's employment.  In such event, the
Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th
day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective

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Date"); provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive
shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive's duties.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean the absence of the
Executive from the Executive's duties with the Company on a full-time basis
for 180 consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or
physical illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a physician
selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or
the Executive's legal representative.

              (b)  CAUSE.  The Company may terminate the Executive's
employment during the Employment Period for Cause.  For purposes of this
Agreement, "Cause" shall mean:

                            (i)  the willful and continued failure of the
Executive to perform substantially the Executive's duties with the Company or
one of its affiliated companies (other than any such failure resulting from
incapacity due to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for
substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board or the
Chief Executive Officer of the Company which specifically identifies the
manner in which the Board or Chief Executive Officer believes that the
Executive has not substantially performed the Executive's duties, or

                     (ii)  the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal
conduct or gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to
the Company.

For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the
Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company.  Any
act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution
duly adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive
Officer or a senior officer of the Company or based upon the advice of
counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted
to be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the
Company.  The cessation of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to
be for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the
Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not
less than three-quarters of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting
of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is
provided to the Executive and the Executive is given an opportunity, together
with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith
opinion of the Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in
subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in
detail.

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              (c)  GOOD REASON.  The Executive's employment may be terminated
by the Executive for Good Reason.  For purpose of this Agreement, "Good
Reason" shall mean:

                     (i)  the assignment to the Executive of any duties
inconsistent in any respect with the Executive's position (including status,
offices, titles and reporting requirement), authority, duties or
responsibilities as contemplated by Section 4(a) of this Agreement, or any
other action by the Company which results in a diminution in such position,
authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an
isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and
which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof
given by the Executive;

                     (ii)  any failure by the Company to comply with any of
the provisions of Section 4(b) of this Agreement, other than an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is
remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the
Executive;

                     (iii)  the Company's requiring the Executive to be based
at any office or location other than as provided in Section 4(a)(i)(B) hereof
or the Company's requiring the Executive to travel on Company business to a
substantially greater extent than required immediately prior to the Effective
Date;

                     (iv)  any purported termination by the Company of the
Executive's employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this
Agreement; or

                     (v)  any failure by the Company to comply with and
satisfy Section 11(c) of this Agreement.

For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of "Good
Reason" made by the Executive shall be conclusive.  Anything in the Agreement
to the contrary notwithstanding, a termination by the Executive for any
reason during the 30-day period immediately following the first anniversary
of the Effective Date shall be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for
all purposes of this Agreement.

              (d)  NOTICE OF TERMINATION.  Any termination by the Company for
Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice
of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section
12(b) of this Agreement.  For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of
Termination" means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific
termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent
applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and

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circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's
employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of
Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such
notice, specifies that termination date (which date shall be not more than
thirty days after the giving of such notice).  The failure by the Executive
or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or
circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not
waive any right of the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or
preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact
or circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights
hereunder.

              (e)  DATE OF TERMINATION.  "Date of Termination" means (i) if
the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination
or any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or
Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company
notifies the Executive of such termination and (iii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of
Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the Disability
Effective Date, as the case may be.

       6.  OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UPON TERMINATION.

              (a)  GOOD REASON; OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE, DEATH OR DISABILITY.
If, during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's
employment other than for Cause or Disability or the Executive shall
terminate employment for Good Reason:

                     (i)  the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump
sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the
following amounts:

              A.  the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary through
the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (2) the product
of (x) the higher of

                     (i)  the Recent Annual Bonus and (II) the Annual Bonus
paid or payable, including any bonus or portion thereof which has been earned
but deferred (and annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less than
twelve full months or during which the Executive was employed for less than
twelve full months), for the most recently completed fiscal year during the
Employment Period, if any (such higher amount being referred to as the
"Highest Annual Bonus") and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the
number of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of Termination,
and the denominator of which is 365 and (3) any compensation

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previously deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued interest or
earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent
not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses (1), (2),
and (3) shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Accrued Obligations"); and

              B.  the amount equal to the product of (1)
[three - for members of the Strategy and Planning Committee; two - for
other members of the Executive Committee] and (2) the sum of (x) the
Executive's Annual Base Salary and (y) the Highest Annual Bonus; and

              C.  an amount equal to the contributions to the Executive's
account in the Company's Profit Sharing Plan which the Executive would
receive if the Executive's employment continued for [three - for members of
the Strategy and Planning Committee; two - for other members of the Executive
Committee] years after the Date of Termination assuming for this purpose
that all such contributions are fully vested, and, and assuming that the
Company's contribution to the Profit Sharing Plan in each such year is in
an amount equal to the greatest amount contributed by the Company in any
of the three years ending prior to the Effective Date.

                     (ii)  for [three - for members of the Strategy and Planning
Committee; two - for other members of the Executive Committee] years after the
Executive's Date of Termination, or such longer period as may be provided by the
terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice or policy, the Company shall
continue benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive's family at least equal
to those which would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans,
programs, practices and policies described in Section 4(b)(iv) of the Agreement
if the Executive's employment has not been terminated or, if more favorable to
the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their
families, provided, however, that if the Executive becomes reemployed with
another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits
under another employer provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits
described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan
during such applicable period of eligibility.

                     (iii)  the Company shall, at its sole expense as
incurred, provide the Executive with out placement services, the scope and
provider of which shall be selected by the Executive in his sole discretion;
and

                     (iv)  to the extent not theretofore paid or provided,
the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or
benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible
to receive under any plan,

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program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the Company and its
affiliated companies (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter
referred to as the "Other Benefits").

              (b)  DEATH.  If the Executive's employment is terminated by
reason of the Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive's legal
representatives under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued
Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits.  Accrued
Obligations shall be paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as
applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as
utilized in this Section 6(b) shall include, without limitation, and the
Executive's estate and/or the Executive's beneficiaries shall be entitled to
receive, benefits at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by
the Company and affiliated companies to the estates and beneficiaries of peer
executives of the Company and such affiliated companies under such plans,
programs, practices and policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in
effect with respect to other peer executives and their beneficiaries at any
time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or,
if more favorable to the Executive's estate and/or the Executive's
beneficiaries, as in effect on the date of Executive's death with respect to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their
beneficiaries.

              (c)  DISABILITY.  If the Executive's employment is terminated
by reason of the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other
than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision
of Other Benefits.  Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a
lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.  With respect to
the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this
Section 6(c) shall include, and the Executive shall be entitled after the
Disability Effective Date to receive, disability and other benefits at least
equal to the most favorable of those generally provided by the Company and
its affiliated companies to disabled executives and/or their families in
accordance with such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to
disability, if any, as in effect generally with respect to other peer
executives and their families at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive and/or the Executive's family, as in effect at any time thereafter
generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies and their families.

              (d)  CAUSE; OTHER THAN FOR GOOD REASON.  If the Executive's
employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligation to the Executive other
than the obligation to pay

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to the Executive (x) his Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination,
(y) the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the Executive, and
(z) Other Benefits, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid.  If the
Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the Employment Period,
excluding a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate
without further obligations to the Executive, other than for Accrued
Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits.  In such
case, all Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in
cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.

       7.  NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS.  Nothing in this Agreement shall
prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any
plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its
affiliated companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to
Section 12(f), shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as
the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or
any of its affiliated companies.  Amounts which are vested benefits or which
the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy,
practice or program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or any
of its affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall
be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or
contract or agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.

       8.  FULL SETTLEMENT.  The Company's obligation to make the payment
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against
the Executive or others.  In no event shall the Executive be obligated to
seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the
amounts payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this
Agreement and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive
obtains other employment.  The Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full
extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which the Executive may
reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome
thereof) by the Company, the Executive or others of the validity or
enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any
guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any contest by the
Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus
in each case interest on any delayed payment at the applicable Federal rate
provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code").

       9.  CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY.

              (a)  Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding
and except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any
payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive
(whether paid or

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payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional
payments required under this Section 9) ( a "Payment") would be subject to
the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or
penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such
excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be
entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount
such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest
or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without
limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with
respect thereto) and Excise tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the
Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax
imposed upon the Payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Section 9(a), if it shall be determined that the Executive is entitled to a
Gross-Up Payment, but that the Payments do not exceed 110% of the greatest
amount (the "Reduced Amount") that could be paid to the Executive such that
the receipt of Payments would not give rise to any Excise Tax, then no
Gross-Up Payment shall be made to the Executive and the Payments, in the
aggregate, shall be reduced to the Reduced Amount.

              (b)  Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all
determinations required to be made under this Section 9, including whether
and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up
Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination,
shall be made by KPMG Peat Marwick or such other certified public accounting
firm as may be designated by the Executive (the "Accounting Firm") which
shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the
Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive
that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the
Company.  In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or
auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control,
the Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to
make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then
be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of
the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company.  Any Gross-Up
Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by the
Company to the Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting
Firm's determination.  Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be
binding upon the Company and the Executive.  As a result of the uncertainty
in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial
determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up
Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made
("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made
hereunder.  In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to
Section 9(c) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of
any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the
Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly
paid by the Company to or for the

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<PAGE>

benefit of the Executive.

              (c)  The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any
claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the
payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment.  Such notification shall be
given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the
Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company
of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to
be paid.  The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of
the 30-day period following the date on which it gives such notice to the
Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes
with respect to such claim is due).  If the Company notifies the Executive in
writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest
such claim, the Executive shall:

                     (i)  give the Company any information reasonably
requested by the Company relating to such claim,

                     (ii)  take such action in connection with contesting
such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to
time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with
respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company.

                     (iii)  cooperate with the Company in good faith in order
effectively to contest such claim, and

                     (iv)  permit the Company to participate in any
proceedings relating to such claim;

provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation
and payment of costs and expenses.  Without limitation on the foregoing
provisions of this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings
taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or
forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and
conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at
its sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue
for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the
Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any
administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or
more appellate courts, as the Company shall

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<PAGE>

determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to
pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of
such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify
and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax
or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed
with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with
respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension of the
statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of
the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be
due is limited solely to such contested amount.  Furthermore, the Company's
control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a
Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be
entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by
the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

              (d)  If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), the Executive becomes
entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive
shall (subject the Company's complying with the requirements of Section 9(c))
promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any
interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto).  If, after
the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to
Section 9(c), a determination is made that the Executive shall not be
entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not
notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of
refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such determination, then such
advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the
amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of
Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

       10.  CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.  The Executive shall hold in a
fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential
information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its
affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been
obtained by the Executive during the Executive's employment by the Company or
any of its affiliated companies and which shall not be or become public
knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or representative of the
Executive in violation of this Agreement).  After termination of the
Executive's employment with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the
prior written consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law
or legal process, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or
data to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it.  In no
event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of this Section 10
constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable
to the Executive under this Agreement.


                                       15
<PAGE>
       11.  SUCCESSORS.

              (a)  This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without
the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the
Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
Executive's legal representative.

              (b)  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

              (c)  The Company will require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the
same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such
succession had taken place.  As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean
the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or
assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by
operation of law, or otherwise.

       12.  MISCELLANEOUS.

              (a)  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to
principles of conflict of laws.  The captions of this Agreement are not part
of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect.  This Agreement
may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed
by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal
representatives.

              (b)  All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:

IF TO THE EXECUTIVE:        _______________________
                            _______________________
                            _______________________

IF TO THE COMPANY:          City National Bank
                            400 North Roxbury Drive
                            Beverly Hills, CA  90210
                            Attention:  Chief Executive Officer

or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith.  Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually

                                       16
<PAGE>

received by the addressee.

              (c)  The invalidity or uneforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement.

              (d)  The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under
this Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be
required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

              (e)  The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon
strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to
assert any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including,
without limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for
Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(c)-(v) of this Agreement, shall not be
deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or
right of the Agreement.

              (f)  The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as
may otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the
Executive and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is
"at will" and, subject to Section 1(a) hereof, prior to the Effective Date,
the Executive's employment and/or this Agreement may be terminated by either
the Executive or the Company at any time prior to the Effective Date, in
which case the Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement.
From and after the Effective Date this Agreement shall supersede any other
agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's
hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the
Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf,
all as of the day and year first above written.



                                          ----------------------------
                                          [Name]


                                          CITY NATIONAL CORPORATION


                                          By
                                            --------------------------

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