Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.15

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is effective as of the 1st day of October,
2000 (the "Agreement Effective Date"), by and between BANK OF ORANGE COUNTY, a
California corporation (the "Bank" or "Employer"), and ROBERT C. CAMPBELL, JR.
(the "Employee") (collectively, the "parties"):

     WHEREAS, Employee has been employed by Employer as President and Chief
Operating Officer pursuant to that certain Employment Agreement dated May 1,
1997 between Employer's predecessor, Security First Bank, and Employee (the
"Prior Employment Agreement"); and

     WHEREAS, Employer and Employee desire, as of the Agreement Effective Date,
to cancel, supercede and terminate the Prior Employment Agreement, and any and
all other prior understandings, commitments, and/or employment contracts between
them, whether express or implied, if any, and

     WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to enter into a new employment
agreement, as of the Agreement Effective Date, for the purpose of continuing the
services of Employee for Employer in the position of its President and Chief
Executive Officer; and

     WHEREAS, Placer Capital Co. ("PCC") and the Bank are subsidiaries of
California Community Bancshares, Inc. ("CCB"); and

     WHEREAS, CCB and PCC determined that it was in their respective best
interests and in the best interests and to the advantage of their respective
shareholders, for PCC to grant options to the directors, officers and employees
of CCB, PCC, the Bank and other affiliates of CCB and PCC in consideration of
CCB agreeing to assume such options upon the occurrence of such certain events
as set forth in that certain Revised Assumption Agreement By and Between
California Community Bancshares, Inc. and Placer Capital Co. (the "Assumption
Agreement").

     NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS MUTUALLY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

     1.   TERMINATION OF PRIOR EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT. Employer and Employee agree
that the Prior Employment Agreement is hereby canceled, terminated, rescinded
and superceded, that Employee has received all amounts due and owing under the
Prior Employment Agreement and Employer has no obligations thereunder, and
Employee hereby releases Employer from any and all claims, debts or obligations
under the Prior Employment Agreement.

     2.   EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES. Employer and Employee hereby enter into this
Agreement upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. Employee is
hereby employed, at the pleasure of the Board of Directors of the Bank (the
"Board"), as President and Chief Executive Officer of Employer. Employee shall
perform the customary duties of a President and Chief Executive Officer of a
California state-chartered banking corporation and such attendant duties as may,
from time to time, be reasonably requested of Employee by the Board. In
connection with Employee's employment as President and Chief Executive Officer,
Employee's duties shall include, if so elected, serving without compensation on
the Board.

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     3.   EXTENT OF SERVICES.

          (a)  Employee shall devote Employee's full time, ability and attention
to the business of Employer during the Employment Term (as defined below), and
shall neither directly nor indirectly render any services of a business,
commercial or professional nature to any other person, firm, corporation or
organization for compensation without the prior written consent of the Board or
Chairman of the Board.

          (b)  Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent Employee
from investing Employee's assets in any form or manner which does not in any
manner or for any amount of time interfere with Employee's performance of
services on behalf of Employer.

     4.   TERM OF EMPLOYMENT. Subject to prior termination of this Agreement as
hereinafter provided in Section 6, Employer hereby employs Employee, and
Employee hereby accepts employment with Employer, for a period of three (3)
years beginning on the Agreement Effective Date and ending on December 31, 2003
(the "Employment Term").

     5.   COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS. In consideration of Employee's services to
Employer during the Employment Term, Employer agrees to compensate Employee,
subject to such limitations as may exist under any applicable state or federal
banking law or regulation, as follows:

          (a)  BASE COMPENSATION. Employer shall pay or cause to be paid to
Employee a base compensation of $150,000.00 per year, payable in conformity with
Employer's normal payroll procedures (the "Base Salary"), and pro rated for any
partial calendar year in which this Agreement is in effect.

          (b)  BONUS. Employee shall be eligible to receive an incentive bonus
for each fiscal year of employment in accordance with the terms of the Executive
Compensation Program to be adopted by CCB.

          (c)  GENERAL EXPENSES. Employer shall, upon submission and approval of
written statements and bills in accordance with the then regular procedures of
Employer, pay or reimburse Employee for any and all necessary, customary and
usual expenses incurred by him while traveling for or on behalf of Employer, and
any and all other necessary, customary or usual expenses (including
entertainment) incurred by Employee for or on behalf of Employer in the normal
course of business, as determined to be appropriate by Employer.

          (d)  INSURANCE. Employee shall be entitled to participate in such
group life insurance, health and long-term disability plans as are provided by
Employer to its employees and/or senior executives, with such terms, conditions
and contributions as Employer generally provides its other employees and/or
senior executives. Employee shall have the right, in Employee's discretion, to
designate the beneficiary or beneficiaries of any such insurance.

          (e)  STOCK OPTIONS. As more fully set forth in that certain PCC
Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement by and between PCC and Employee, Employee
was granted an option to purchase shares of common stock of PCC. CCB's
obligations with respect to the stock option

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evidenced by said PCC Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement shall be governed by
the terms and conditions of the Assumption Agreement.

          (f)  AUTOMOBILE ALLOWANCE. During the Employment Term , Employee shall
be entitled to an automobile allowance of $800 per month (less any customary
withholding and employment taxes). Except for this automobile allowance,
Employer shall not be obligated to pay any other expenditure with respect to the
ownership, registration, operation, insurance or maintenance of Employee's
automobile.

          (g)  VACATION. Employee shall accrue four (4) weeks' paid vacation
leave per calendar year, pro rated on a daily basis for any partial calendar
year in which this Agreement is in effect. Such vacation leave shall be taken at
such time or times as are mutually agreed upon by Employee and the Board, if
appropriate, and in accordance with Employer's vacation leave policy, provided,
that at least two (2) weeks of such vacation shall be taken consecutively each
year. Employee acknowledges that the requirement of two (2) consecutive weeks of
vacation each year is required by sound banking practice. For each calendar
year, the Board shall decide, in its discretion, either (i) to pay Employee for
any accrued and unused vacation time for such calendar year at the end of the
calendar year in which it was accrued; or (ii) to carry over any accrued and
unused vacation time for such calendar year to the next calendar year, provided,
however, that Employee shall accrue no additional vacation time at any time that
the Employee has accrued and unused vacation time of six (6) weeks.

          (h)  OTHER BENEFITS. Employee shall be entitled to participate during
the Employment Term in such other benefits of Employer, if any, as Employer now
or hereafter shall provide for its employees and/or senior executives generally,
in accordance with the applicable terms and conditions thereof.

     6.   TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement may be terminated with or
without cause during the Employment Term in accordance with this Section 6. In
the event of such termination, Employee shall resign as a member of the Board,
if a member of the Board, and shall be released from all obligations under this
Agreement, except that Employee shall remain subject to Sections 8, 9, 10(b),
10(c), 14, 16 and 19, and Employer shall be released from all obligations under
this Agreement, except as otherwise provided in this Section 6 and Sections
9(b), 14, 16 and 19.

          (a)  EARLY TERMINATION BY EMPLOYER WITHOUT CAUSE OR BY EMPLOYEE UPON
CHANGE IN TITLE. This Agreement and Employee's employment may be terminated (i)
by Employer without cause, for any reason whatsoever, in the sole, absolute and
unreviewable discretion of Employer, upon written notice by the Board to
Employee; or (ii) by Employee in the event that Employer changes Employee's
titles or duties from those contemplated under Section 2 of this Agreement. In
the event of termination pursuant to this Section 6(a), Employee shall receive a
single sum severance payment equal to twelve (12) months of his then current
Base Salary plus any incentive bonus prorated, if necessary, for a partial year
of employment, less customary withholdings and any and all stock options
previously granted to Employee under any stock option plan of Employer or any
affiliate of Employer and held by Employee at the date of termination shall
become fully vested and shall be exercisable for a period of two (2) years after

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the date of termination (the "Severance Pay") as liquidated damages in lieu of
any and all claims by Employee against Employer, and shall be in full and
complete satisfaction of any and all rights which Employee may enjoy hereunder,
in consideration of a full and unconditional release of any and all liability of
Employer or any of its shareholders, benefit plans, affiliated companies,
partnerships, limited partnerships or limited liability companies, and the
directors, officers, employees and agents of such entities and their successors
or assigns, arising out of this Agreement or out of the employment relationship
between Employee and Employer (in the form of Exhibit A, hereafter the
"Release"),, except that Employee shall be entitled to receive (i) those
benefits, if any, that have vested by operation of state or federal law or under
any written term of a plan ("Vested Benefits"), and (ii) health care coverage
continuation rights under the consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of
1985 ("COBRA Rights"). Payment of the Severance Pay is expressly conditioned
upon receipt by Employer of the executed Release.

          (b) EARLY TERMINATION BY EMPLOYER FOR CAUSE. This Agreement and
Employee's employment may be terminated for cause by Employer upon written
notice to Employee, and Employee shall not be entitled to receive
compensation or other benefits for any period after termination for cause
except that Employee shall be entitled to receive any Vested Benefits and
COBRA Rights. Employee understands and agrees that his satisfactory
performance of this Agreement requires conformance with reasonable standards
of diligence, competence, skill, judgment and efficiency of a person holding
the position of a President and Chief Executive Officer of a California
community bank similar to Employer and as prescribed by any applicable
federal banking laws and regulations, and that failure to conform to such
standards is cause for termination of this Agreement by Employer. "For cause"
pursuant to this Agreement shall include, but not be limited to: (i) any act
of material dishonesty; (ii) any material breach of this Agreement or any
breach of a fiduciary duty (involving personal profit); (iii) any habitual
neglect of, or habitual negligence in carrying out, those duties contemplated
under Section 2 of this Agreement; (iv) any willful violation of any law,
rule or regulation, which, by virtue of bank regulatory restrictions imposed
as a result thereof, would have a material adverse effect on the business or
financial prospects of Employer; (v) any conviction of any felony or
misdemeanor which may be reasonably interpreted to be harmful to the
Employer's reputation ; (vi) any failure by Employee to qualify at any time
during the Employment Term for any fidelity bond as described in Section 7 of
this Agreement; (vii) the requirement to comply with any final
cease-and-desist order or written agreement with any applicable state or
federal bank regulatory authority which requests or orders Employee's
dismissal or limits Employee's employment duties; (viii) any conduct which
constitutes unfair competition with the Employer or its affiliates; or (ix)
the inducement of any client, customer, agent or employee to break any
contract or terminate the agency or employment relationship with the Employer
or its affiliates. Termination for cause by Employer shall not constitute a
waiver of any remedies which may otherwise be available to Employer under
law, equity, or this Agreement.

          (c)  EARLY TERMINATION BY EMPLOYEE. Employee may terminate this
Agreement upon ninety (90) days' written notice to Employer. Employee shall not
be entitled to receive compensation or other benefits under this Agreement for
any period after such early termination by Employee, except any Vested Benefits
and COBRA Rights.

          (d)  DEATH DURING EMPLOYMENT. This Agreement and all benefits
hereunder shall terminate immediately upon the death of Employee, provided that
such termination of benefits shall

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not operate to prejudice or forfeit the rights of any beneficiary or
beneficiaries of any life and/or disability insurance policies on the life of
Employee obtained pursuant to Section 5(d) hereof or any Vested Benefits and
COBRA Rights.

          (e)  DISABILITY. This Agreement and all benefits hereunder shall
terminate if Employee is not able, as a result of an illness or other physical
or mental disability, to perform the essential functions of his position as
required by this Agreement for a period of three (3) consecutive months or in
excess of one hundred eighty (180) days in any one (1) year period,
notwithstanding reasonable accommodation by Employer to Employee's known
physical or mental disability, solely in accordance with, and to the extent
required by, the Americans with Disabilities Act, 29 U.S.C. Sections 12101-213
(the "ADA"), the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (California
Government Code Sections 12900-12996 (the "FEHA"), or any other state or local
law governing the employment of disabled persons (provided such accommodation
would not impose an undue hardship on the operation of Employer's business or a
direct threat to the Employee or others) pursuant to the ADA, the FEHA, or any
other applicable state or local law governing the employment of disabled
persons.

          (f)  AUTOMATIC TERMINATION UPON CLOSURE OR TAKE-OVER. This Agreement
shall terminate automatically if the Bank is closed or taken over by the
California Department of Financial Institutions or by any other supervisory
authority.

          (g)  MERGER OR CORPORATE DISSOLUTION.

               (i)  In the event of a (a) merger in which the Bank is not the
          surviving corporation a majority of the capital stock of which is not
          owned by the sole shareholder of the Bank or an affiliate thereof; (b)
          a transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of Employer; (c)
          a merger, transfer of assets, or any other corporate reorganization in
          which there is a change of ownership of the outstanding shares of the
          Bank, between the Bank and its sole shareholder or between the Bank
          and any affiliate of its sole shareholder; (d) any other corporate
          reorganization in which there is a change in ownership of the
          outstanding shares of Employer wherein more than fifty percent (50%)
          of the outstanding shares of Employer is transferred to any other
          partnership, limited partnership, corporation, limited liability
          company, trust or business entity (collectively a "Change in
          Control"); or (e) the dissolution of Employer, this Agreement shall
          not be terminated, but instead, the surviving or resulting
          corporation, the transferee of Employer's assets, or Employer shall be
          bound by and shall have the benefit of the provisions of this
          Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a Change in
          Control and in the event that, during the twelve month period
          following such Change in Control, except a Change in Control as
          defined in 6(g)(i)(c) above, Employee terminates employment with
          Employer (pursuant to Section 6(c) above) following a reduction in the
          Employee's duties or title, Employee shall be eligible to receive a
          single sum payment of the Severance Pay as defined in Section 6(a)
          above as liquidated damages in lieu of any and all claims by Employee
          against Employer, and shall be in full and complete satisfaction of
          any and all rights which Employee may enjoy hereunder, in
          consideration of a release of any and all liability of Employer or any
          of its affiliates,

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          directors, officers, employees and agents, arising out of this
          Agreement, or out of the employment relationship or termination of the
          employment relationship between Employee and Employer, in the form of
          the Release, except any Vested Benefits and COBRA Rights.
          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided herein, in the event
          the amounts payable to Employee in the event of a Change in Control
          would, if they included such termination payments and stock option and
          vesting accelerations to be made pursuant to this Section 6(f),
          constitute Excess Parachute Payments for purposes of Sections 280G(b)
          and 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, ("IRC") or
          any successor statute) (after application of IRC Section 280G(b)(4)),
          the amount payable under this Section 6(f) shall be reduced by the
          amount necessary to cause Employee to receive no Excess Parachute
          Payments.

               (ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided herein, if
          the Employer is not the surviving entity in any transaction referred
          to in this Section 6(g) and said transaction is in any manner the
          result of any action taken at the direction of any governmental
          supervisory authority whatsoever, then in such event this Agreement
          shall terminate immediately upon the consummation of such transaction
          and Employee agrees that all rights, duties, obligations, and benefits
          herein contained shall thereupon terminate and that Employee shall be
          entitled to no further compensation or benefits from Employer except
          any Vested Benefits and COBRA Rights.

     7.   FIDELITY BOND. Employee agrees that he will furnish all information
and take any other steps necessary to enable Employer to obtain or maintain a
fidelity bond conditional on the rendering of a true account by Employee of all
moneys, goods, or other property which may come into the custody, charge or
possession of Employee during the term of Employee's employment. The surety
company issuing the bond and the amount of the bond must be acceptable to
Employer and satisfy all banking laws and regulations. All premiums on the bond
are to be paid by Employer. If Employee cannot qualify for a fidelity bond at
any time during the term of this Agreement, Employer shall have the option to
terminate this Agreement immediately, which shall constitute a termination for
cause as defined in Section 6(b) hereof.

     8.   PRINTED MATERIAL. All written or printed materials which shall
include, but not be limited to, computer software, programs and files, used by
Employee in performing duties for Employer are, and shall remain, the property
of Employer, provided that any materials which belonged personally to Employee
prior to his employment with Employer are, and shall remain, the property of
Employee. Upon termination of Employee's employment with Employer, Employee
shall return such applicable written or printed materials to Employer.

     9.   DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION. Employee recognizes and acknowledges that
Employer possesses trade secrets and other confidential and/or proprietary
information concerning its business affairs and methods of operation which
constitute valuable, confidential, and unique assets of its business and that of
its affiliates ("Proprietary Information"), which Employer has developed through
a substantial expenditure of time and money and which are and will continue to
be utilized in Employer's business and which are not generally known in the
trade. At any time before or after

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termination of this Agreement, Employee agrees not to disclose to anyone any
Proprietary Information and not to make use of any Proprietary Information for
his own purposes or for the benefit of anyone other than Employer under any
circumstances. For purposes of this Section 9, Proprietary Information includes,
without limitation, all information regarding products, services, processes,
know-how, customers, suppliers, product and/or service development, business and
capital plans, research, finances, marketing, pricing, costs and any other
confidential matters relating to Employer or any affiliate of Employer. Employee
recognizes and acknowledges that all financial information concerning any of
Employer's customers, products or financial results is strictly confidential,
and Employee shall not, at any time before or after termination of this
Agreement, disclose to anyone any such information or any part thereof, for any
reason or purpose whatsoever except to the extent that such information is
already otherwise publicly available or to the extent such disclosure is
required by Employee in order to comply with judicial process or applicable
regulations of any state or federal bank regulatory agency.

     Employee hereby acknowledges the particular value to the Bank of this
Section 9, the loss of which cannot be reasonably or adequately compensated in
an action at law or in arbitration. Therefore, Employee expressly agrees that
the Bank, in addition to any other rights or remedies that the Bank shall
possess, shall be entitled to injunctive and other equitable relief to prevent
or remedy a breach of this Section 9 by Employee, without the necessity of
posting any bond.

     Employee's obligation under this Section 9 shall survive the termination of
this Agreement and/or the termination of employment.

     10.  NON-COMPETITION BY EMPLOYEE: CONSULTING AGREEMENT.

     a)   Employee shall not, during the Employment Term, directly or
          indirectly, either as an employee, employer, consultant, agent,
          principal, partner, shareholder, corporate officer, director, or in
          any other individual or representative capacity, engage or participate
          in any competing bank or financial institution or financial services
          business without the prior written consent of the Board; provided,
          however, Employee shall not be restricted by this Section from owning
          securities of corporations listed on a national securities exchange or
          regularly traded by national securities dealers so long as such
          investment does not exceed one percent of the market value of the
          outstanding securities of such corporation.

     b)   In the event that this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section
          6(a) or Section 6(c) hereof within twelve (12) months after the
          Agreement Effective Date (the "Early Termination Date"), Employee
          agrees thereafter to provide consulting services and not to compete
          with Employer under the terms and conditions set forth in the
          Consulting and Non-Competition Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B
          ("Consulting Agreement").

     c)   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth elsewhere in this
          Agreement, Employee agrees that (i) the Consulting Agreement shall
          take effect only in the event of and upon the termination of
          Employee's employment with Employer pursuant to

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          Section 6(a) or 6(c) of this Agreement; and (ii) the obligation of the
          Employer to pay fees under the Consulting Agreement is wholly
          independent of and shall in no way affect the provisions set forth in
          Section 6(a) and/or 6(c) including, without limitation, the Severance
          Pay as set forth in Section 6(a) or the provision in Section 6(c)
          which provides that Employee shall not be entitled to receive
          compensation or other benefits under this Agreement other than any
          Vested Benefits and COBRA Rights for any period after early
          termination by Employee pursuant to Section 6(c).

     11.  NOTICES. Any notices to be given hereunder by either party to the
other may be effected in writing either by personal delivery or by mail,
registered or certified, postage prepaid with return receipt requested. Notices
to Employer shall be given to the Bank at its then current principal office, c/o
Chairman of the Board of Directors. Notices to Employee shall be sent to
Employee's then current personal residence. Notices delivered personally shall
be deemed communicated as of actual receipt; mailed notices shall be deemed
communicated as of five (5) calendar days after mailing.

     12.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement supersedes any and all other
agreements, either oral or in writing, between the parties hereto with respect
to the employment of Employee by Employer (including without limitation the
Prior Employment Agreement) and contains all of the covenants and agreements
between the parties with respect to such employment. Each party to this
Agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises or
agreements, oral or otherwise, have been made by any party, or anyone acting on
behalf of any party, which are not embodied herein, and that no other agreement,
statement or promise not contained in this Agreement shall be valid and binding.
Any modification of this Agreement will be effective only if it is in writing
signed by all parties to the Agreement.

     13.  SEVERABILITY. In the event that any term or condition contained in
this Agreement shall, for any reason, be held by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such
invalidity, illegality or non-enforceability shall not affect any other term or
condition of this Agreement, but this Agreement shall be construed as if such
invalid or illegal or unenforceable term or condition had never been contained
herein.

     14.  CHOICE OF LAW AND FORUM. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, except to the
extent preempted by the laws of the United States. Any action or proceeding
brought upon, or arising out of, this Agreement or its termination shall be
brought in a forum located within the State of California, and Employee hereby
agrees to be subject to service of process in California.

     15.  WAIVER. The parties hereto shall not be deemed to have waived any of
their respective rights under this Agreement unless the waiver is in writing and
signed by such waiving party. No delay in exercising any rights shall be a
waiver nor shall a waiver on one occasion operate as a waiver of such right on a
future occasion.

     16.  INDEMNIFICATION. Employer shall indemnify Employee, to the maximum
extent permitted under the Articles of Incorporation and bylaws of Employer and
governing laws and regulations, against expenses (including attorneys' fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in

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settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Employee in connection with any
threatened or pending action, suit or proceeding to which Employee is made a
party by reason of his position as an officer or agent of Employer or by reason
of his service at the request of Employer, if Employee acted in good faith in
the course and scope of his employment and in a manner believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of Employer. If available at rates determined by
Employer, in its sole discretion, to be reasonable, Employer shall endeavor to
apply for and obtain directors' and officers' liability insurance to indemnify
and insure Employer and Employee from such liability or loss.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any administrative proceeding or civil
action initiated by any federal or state banking agency, Employer may only
reimburse, indemnify or hold harmless Employee if Employer is in compliance with
any applicable statute, rule, regulation or policy of the Federal Reserve Board,
the California Department of Financial Institutions, or any other state or
federal bank regulatory agency which then has jurisdiction over Employer
regarding permissible indemnification payments.

     17.  ASSIGNMENT. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or benefits
hereunder shall be subject to execution, attachment or similar process, nor may
this Agreement or any rights or benefits hereunder be assigned, transferred,
pledged or hypothecated without the written consent of both parties hereto,
except as provided in Sections 5(d) and 6(d) hereof.

     18.  CAPTIONS AND PARAGRAPH HEADINGS. Captions and paragraph headings used
herein are for convenience and ready reference only and are not a part of this
Agreement and shall not be used in the construction or interpretation thereof.

     19.  ARBITRATION. In the event any dispute should arise between the parties
hereto concerning the interpretation of any term of this Agreement, or the
performance of any obligation hereunder, such dispute shall be resolved
exclusively (except as provided by the provisions of this Paragraph) by referral
to arbitration under the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment
Disputes of the American Arbitration Association (the "AAA"). The arbitration
shall be held in Los Angeles, California or at such other location as the
parties agree. In any such dispute, Employee shall be obligated to pay to the
AAA only his own filing fees. All other AAA fees, including arbitrators' fees,
shall be borne by Employer. Notwithstanding the arbitration provisions hereof,
any party hereto shall have the right to seek injunctive relief from any court
of competent jurisdiction for any breach of this Agreement for which injunctive
relief is an appropriate remedy.

     20.  WITHHOLDING. Any payments provided for hereunder shall be paid net of
any applicable withholding required under federal, state or local law and any
additional withholding to which you have agreed.

EXECUTED as of this first day of October, 2000.

         EMPLOYER:                    EMPLOYEE:

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         BANK OF ORANGE COUNTY

         By  /s/ RONALD W. BACHLI              /s/ ROBERT C. CAMPBELL, JR.
            ----------------------------       -----------------------------
              Chairman of the Board            Robert C. Campbell, Jr.

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     California Community Bancshares, Inc. ("CCB") hereby ratifies and confirms
the commitments set forth in Paragraph 5(e) of this Agreement with regard to the
assumption of options granted by PCC to Employee pursuant to the terms of the
Assumption Agreement.

                                    CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.

                                    By: /s/ RICHARD W. DECKER, JR.
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                            Richard W. Decker, Jr.
                                            Chairman of the Board

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                                    EXHIBIT A
                                RELEASE AGREEMENT

     This Release Agreement ("Release") was given to me, ROBERT C. CAMPBELL, JR.
("Employee"), this _____day of _________ , _______, by BANK OF ORANGE COUNTY and
its benefit plans, shareholders, parent companies, partnerships, limited
partnerships, limited liability companies and any and all of its other
affiliates, and the directors, officers, employees, agents, insurers,
underwriters, subsidiaries and the predecessors, and the successors and assigns
of each such individuals and entities (the "Bank" or "Employer"). At such time
as this Release becomes effective and enforceable (i.e., the revocation period
discussed below has expired), and assuming such Employee is otherwise eligible
for payments under the terms of that certain Employment Agreement between
Employee and Employer dated October 1, 2000 (the "Agreement"), Employer agree to
pay Employee pursuant to the terms of the Agreement an amount equal to $________
(minus customary payroll deductions and any outstanding obligations owed by the
Employee to Employer), and to provide any Vested Benefits and COBRA Rights, as
these terms are defined in the Agreement.

     In consideration of the receipt of the promise to pay such amount, Employee
hereby agrees, for himself or his heirs, executors, administrators, successors
and assigns (hereinafter referred to as the "Releasors"), to fully release and
discharge Employer and its benefit plans, officers, directors, employees,
shareholders, partners, limited partners, parent companies, partnerships,
limited liability companies and any and of its other affiliates, and the
officers, directors, employees, agents, insurers, underwriters, subsidiaries,
affiliates, and the predecessors, successors and assigns, and each such
individual and entity (hereinafter referred to as the "Releasees") from any and
all actions, causes of action, claims, obligations, costs, losses, liabilities,
damages and demands under any federal, state or local law or laws, or common
law, whether or not known, suspected or claimed, which the Releasors have, or
hereafter may have, against the Releasees arising out of or in any way related
to the Agreement, Employee's employment or termination of employment with
Employer.

     It is understood and agreed that this Release extends to all such claims
and/or potential claims, and that Employee, on behalf of the Releasors, hereby
expressly waives all rights with respect to all such claims under California
Civil Code Section 1542, which provides as follows:

               A general release does not extend to claims which the
               creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or
               her favor at the time of executing the release, which
               if known by him or her must have materially affected
               his or her settlement with the debtor.

     It is further understood and AGREED that this Release includes claims and
rights Employee might have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act
("ADEA"). The Employee's waiver of rights under the ADEA does not extend to
claims or rights that might arise after the date this Release is executed. The
monies to be paid to the Employee in this Release are in addition to any sums to
which he would be entitled without signing this Release. For a period of seven
(7) days following execution of this Release, Employee may revoke the terms of
this Release by a written document received by the Employer on or before the end
of the seven (7)

                                       1
<PAGE>

day period. The Release will not be final until said revocation period has
expired. No payments will be made under the Agreement if the Employee revokes
this Release.

     Employee executes this Release without reliance on any representation by
any Releasee. Employee acknowledges that he has read and does understand the
provisions of the Release set forth in the preceding paragraph, that he has had
an opportunity to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release, that
he has had the right to consider entering into this Release for a full
twenty-one (21) days from receipt of this Release, and that in executing this
Release after less than a full twenty-one (21) days of consideration, he is
voluntarily and forever waiving his right to consider it for twenty-one (21)
days prior to executing it, that he affixes his signature hereto voluntarily and
without coercion, and that no promise or inducement has been made other than
those set out in this Release. This document does not constitute, and shall not
be admissible as evidence of, an admission by any Releasee as to any fact or
matter.

     In case any part of this Release is later deemed to be invalid, illegal or
otherwise unenforceable, Employee agrees that the legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions of this Release will not be affected in any way.

Dated:
      ----------------,----------            -----------------------------------
                                             Robert C. Campbell, Jr.

                                       2
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B

                    CONSULTING AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT

     THIS CONSULTING AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of this 1st day of October, 2000, by and between BANK OF ORANGE
COUNTY, a California corporation ("Bank") and ROBERT C. CAMPBELL, JR.
("Consultant") (collectively, the "Parties").

                                    RECITALS

     A.   The Bank entered into an employment agreement with Consultant
effective as of October 1, 2000 (the "Employment Agreement") to act as President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank.

     B.   The Bank desires to obtain the services of Consultant in the event
that Consultant's employment with the Bank is terminated under the Employment
Agreement pursuant to Section 6(a) or 6(c) of the Employment Agreement, and
Consultant desires in such event to provide personal services to the Bank;

     C.   The Bank desires to retain Consultant to serve on an independent
contractor basis; and

     D.   Consultant will perform such consulting services and not compete with
the Bank's business during the term of this Agreement, provided the Bank agrees
to pay Consultant fees in accordance with the terms and conditions hereinafter
set forth.

     In consideration of the services to be performed in the future as well as
the mutual promises and covenants herein contained, it is agreed as follows:

     1.   CONSULTANT SERVICES; BANK'S RESPONSIBILITIES.

          (a)  CONSULTANT'S SERVICES. In the event that the Employment Agreement
is terminated pursuant to Section 6(a) or 6(c) of the Employment Agreement (the
"Early Termination Date"), Consultant agrees to provide consulting services as
requested by the Bank including, but not limited to, in the areas of strategic
planning and business development (the "Consulting Services") for the Term (as
defined in Section 2 below). In performing the Consulting Services, the Bank
shall not obligate Consultant to devote more than an average of two (2) hours
per week in providing the Consulting Services. At the request of the Bank, the
Consulting Services may be provided by telephone or at a site or sites other
than at the offices of the Bank.

          (b)  BANK'S RESPONSIBILITIES. The Bank shall cooperate with Consultant
and provide all information and direction necessary to accomplish the purposes
of this Agreement. The Bank shall provide all administrative facilities and
support necessary for the accomplishment of the Consulting Services.

                                       1
<PAGE>

     2.   TERM. Subject to the provisions for termination provided in paragraph
6, the term of this Agreement shall begin as of the Early Termination Date and
shall end upon the expiration of eighteen (18) months after the Early
Termination Date (the "Term").

     3.   FEES. The Bank agree to pay to Consultant, and Consultant agrees to
accept as full payment for the performance of services hereunder and for
Consultant complying with the non-competition provision in Section 8 below, a
monthly fee in the amount of one-eighteenth of Consultant's Base Salary (as
defined in the Employment Agreement) as of the Early Termination Date, payable
within five (5) business days of the month immediately following each such month
during which the Consulting Services are rendered and Consultant complies with
Section 8. The Bank shall pay such fees without withholding any Federal or state
or local taxes.

     4.   EXPENSES. Consultant shall not be reimbursed for the expenses incurred
or paid by him in the provision of Consulting Services under this Agreement;
provided, however, that the Bank shall, upon submission and approval of written
statements and bills in accordance with the then regular procedures of the Bank,
pay or reimburse Consultant for any and all necessary, customary and usual
expenses incurred by him while traveling for or on behalf of the Bank, and any
and all other necessary, customary or usual expenses (including entertainment)
incurred by Consultant for or on behalf of the Bank in the normal course of
business, as determined to be appropriate by the Bank.

     5.   INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. The Bank and the Consultant acknowledge that
during the Term Consultant will not be an employee of the Bank and will be
working as an independent contractor for the Bank. Accordingly, Consultant shall
be responsible for payment of all taxes including federal, state and local taxes
arising out of Consultant's activities in accordance with this Agreement,
including by way of illustration but not limitation, federal and State income
tax, Social Security tax, Unemployment Insurance taxes, and any other taxes or
business license fees as required. Consultant shall not earn any additional
medical, dental, life insurance, retirement benefits, paid vacations or sick
leave or any other employee benefits as a result of his providing Consulting
Services to the Bank.

     6.   TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to
this paragraph 6, the Bank shall have no further liability to Consultant other
than for fees or expenses incurred as of the date of termination but not yet
paid.

          (a)  TERMINATION BY THE BANK FOR CAUSE. This Agreement and
Consultant's services hereunder may be terminated for cause by the Bank upon
written notice to Consultant, and Consultant shall not be entitled to receive
compensation or other benefits for any period after termination for cause. "For
cause" pursuant to this Agreement shall include, but not be limited to: (i) any
act of material dishonesty; (ii) any material breach of this Agreement or any
breach of a fiduciary duty (involving personal profit); (iii) any habitual
neglect of, or habitual negligence in carrying out, those duties contemplated
under this Agreement; (iv) any willful violation of any law, rule or regulation,
which, by virtue of bank regulatory restrictions imposed as a result thereof,
would have a material adverse effect on the business or financial prospects of
the Bank; (v) any conviction of any felony or misdemeanor which may be
reasonably interpreted to be harmful to the Bank's reputation ; (vii) the
inducement of any client, customer, agent or

                                       2
<PAGE>

employee to break any contract or terminate the agency or employment
relationship with the Bank or its affiliates; or (viii) the requirement to
comply with any final cease-and-desist order or written agreement with any
applicable state or federal bank regulatory authority which requests or orders
Consultant's dismissal or limits Consultant's duties. Termination for cause by
the Bank shall not constitute a waiver of any remedies which may otherwise be
available to the Bank under law, equity, or this Agreement.

          (b)  TERMINATION BY DEATH OR DISABILITY. The Bank may terminate this
Agreement by written notice to Consultant if, during the term of this Agreement,
Consultant shall become incapable of fulfilling obligations hereunder because of
death, injury or physical or mental illness. Termination for reason of
disability shall be effective immediately as of the date of said notice.

          (c)  TERMINATION BY CONSULTANT WITHOUT CAUSE. Consultant may terminate
this Agreement without cause by giving the Bank ninety (90) days written notice
of said termination.

     7.   INDEMNIFICATION. To the extent permitted by law and the Bank's
Articles of Incorporation and by-laws, the Bank shall indemnify, defend and hold
Consultant harmless against any and all claims as may be asserted by any third
party against Consultant based on the performance of Consultant's services under
the terms of this Agreement.

     8.   NON-COMPETITION. Consultant shall not, during the Term, directly or
indirectly, either as an employee, employer, consultant, agent, principal,
partner, shareholder, corporate officer, director, or in any other individual or
representative capacity, engage or participate in any competing bank or
financial institution or financial services business for any bank or financial
institution or financial services business that has an office within 30 miles of
the head office or any branch of the Bank or any affiliate of the Bank.
Consultant hereby acknowledges the particular value to the Bank of this Section
8, the loss of which cannot be reasonably or adequately compensated in an action
at law or in arbitration. Therefore, Consultant expressly agrees that the Bank,
in addition to any and all other rights or remedies that the Bank shall possess,
shall be entitled to injunctive and other equitable relief to prevent or remedy
a breach of this Section 8 by Consultant, without the necessity of posting any
bond. Consultant's obligation under this Section 8 shall survive the termination
of this Agreement; provided that in the event of a breach of this Section 8 or
Section 9(d), the Bank will not have any obligation to continue to pay the
monthly fee under Section 3.

     9.   MISCELLANEOUS.

          (a)  ENTIRE AGREEMENT. Except with respect to the Employment
Agreement, this Agreement supersedes any and all other agreements between
Consultant and the Bank, either oral or in writing, among the parties hereto
with respect to the retention of Consultant by the Bank and contains all of the
promises and agreements among the Parties with respect to such retention. Each
party acknowledges that no representations, promises or agreements, oral or
otherwise, have been made by any party or anyone acting on behalf of a party
which are not embodied herein, and that no other agreement, statement,
representation or promise with respect to such retention not contained in this
Agreement shall be valid or binding. Any modification,

                                       3
<PAGE>

waiver or amendment of this Agreement will be effective only if it is in writing
and signed by the party to be charged.

     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth elsewhere in this
Agreement, Consultant agrees that (i) this Agreement shall take effect only in
the event of and upon the termination of Consultant's employment with the Bank
pursuant to the Section 5(a) of the Employment Agreement; and (ii) the
obligation of the Bank to pay Consulting Fees pursuant to this Agreement is
wholly independent of and shall in no way effect the provisions set forth in the
Employment Agreement.

          (b)  ARBITRATION. In the event any dispute should arise between the
parties hereto concerning the interpretation of any term of this Agreement, or
the performance of any obligation hereunder, such dispute shall be resolved
exclusively (except as provided by the provisions of this Paragraph) by referral
to arbitration under the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment
Disputes of the American Arbitration Association (the "AAA"). The arbitration
shall be held in Los Angeles, California or at such other location as the
parties agree. In any such dispute, Consultant shall be obligated to pay to the
AAA only his own filing fees. All other AAA fees, including arbitrators' fees,
shall be borne by the Bank. Notwithstanding the arbitration provisions hereof,
any party hereto shall have the right to seek injunctive relief from any court
of competent jurisdiction for any breach of this Agreement for which injunctive
relief is an appropriate remedy.

          (c)  CHOICE OF LAW AND FORUM. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, except to the
extent preempted by the laws of the United States. Any action or proceeding
brought upon, or arising out of, this Agreement or its termination shall be
brought in a forum located within the County of Orange, State of California, and
Consultant hereby agrees to be subject to service of process in California.

          (d)  DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION. Consultant recognizes and acknowledges
that the Bank possesses trade secrets and other confidential and/or proprietary
information concerning the Bank's business affairs and methods of operation
which constitutes valuable, confidential, and unique assets of the Bank's
business ("Proprietary Information"), which the Bank has developed through a
substantial expenditure of time and money and which are and will continue to be
utilized in the Bank's business operations and which are not generally known in
the trade. At any time before or after termination of this Agreement, Consultant
agrees not to disclose to anyone any Proprietary Information for any reason or
purpose whatsoever and not to make use of any Proprietary Information for his
own purposes or for the benefit of anyone other than the Bank under any
circumstances. For purposes of this paragraph 9(d), Proprietary Information
includes, without limitation, all information regarding services, processes,
know-how, service development, business plans, strategic plans, labor relations,
research, finances, marketing, assessments, costs, benefits, and any other
confidential matters relating to the Bank. Consultant hereby acknowledges the
particular value to the Bank of this paragraph 9(d), the loss of which cannot be
reasonably or adequately compensated in an action at law or in arbitration.
Therefore, Consultant expressly agrees that the Bank, in addition to any other
rights or remedies that the Bank shall possess, shall be entitled to injunctive
and other equitable relief to prevent or to remedy a breach of this paragraph
9(d) by him, without the necessity of posting any bond.

                                       4
<PAGE>

          (e)  SEVERABILITY. In the event that any term or condition contained
in this Agreement shall, for any reason, be held by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such
invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other term or
condition of this Agreement, but this Agreement shall be construed as if such
invalid or illegal or unenforceable term or condition had never been contained
herein. It is the intention of the Parties that the non-competition covenants in
Section 8 shall be enforced to the greatest extent (but to no greater extent) in
time, area, and degree of participation as is permitted by the law of that
jurisdiction whose law is found to be applicable to any act allegedly in breach
of the covenants. It being the purpose of this Agreement to govern competition
by Consultant, the covenants in Section 8 shall be governed by and construed
according to that law (from among those jurisdictions arguably applicable to
this Agreement and those in which a breach of said Section is alleged to have
occurred or to be threatened) which best gives them effect.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Consulting and
Non-Competition Agreement as of this 1st day of October, 2000, in the City of
Orange, California.

DATED: October 1, 2000              CONSULTANT:

                                    /s/ ROBERT C. CAMPBELL, JR.
                                    ------------------------------------------
                                    ROBERT C. CAMPBELL, JR.

DATED: October 1, 2000              BANK OF ORANGE COUNTY

                                    By:  /s/ RONALD W. BACHLI
                                    ------------------------------------------
                                             Ronald W. Bachli
                                             Chairman of the Board of Directors

                                       5<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.16

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         AGREEMENT by and between California Community Bancshares, Inc. (the
"Company") and Anat Bird (the "Executive") dated as of the 30th day of
January, 2001.

         1. EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. The Company hereby agrees to employ the
Executive, and the Executive hereby agrees to enter into the employ of the
Company, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement for a term of
three (3) years commencing March 1, 2001 and continuing until February 28, 2004.
At the end of each year, this Agreement shall renew for an additional one (1)
year period.

         2. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT.

            (a) Position and Duties.

                (i)   the Executive shall serve as a member of the Board of
Directors of the Company and as President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, with such authority, duties and responsibilities as are commensurate
and consistent with such position;

                (ii)  the Executive's services shall be performed primarily at
the Company's office in Northern California;

                (iii) Executive shall devote Executive's full time, ability and
attention to the business of the Company during the term of this Agreement, and
shall neither directly nor indirectly render any services of a business,
commercial or professional nature to any other person, firm, corporation or
organization for compensation without the prior written consent of the Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Board"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Executive shall participate in the winding down of the business of SCB Forms,
Ltd. ("SCB"), a family-owned corporation which conducts meetings for bank
executives. SCB has four meetings scheduled through the end of 2001, which
cannot be cancelled without monetary penalty. In addition, the Executive has
permission to give speeches to members of the financial services industry for
which, from time to time, she may receive an honorarium.

            (b) COMPENSATION.

                (i)   BASE SALARY. The Executive shall receive a base salary at
an annual rate of $400,000 subject to annual review (the "Annual Base Salary").
The Annual Base Salary shall be paid in semi-monthly installments on the
fifteenth (15th) and last working days of each month.

                (ii)  ANNUAL BONUS. The Executive shall be eligible for an
annual bonus of 100% of Annual Base Salary, as determined by the Compensation
and Personnel Committee of the Board, provided that the Executive shall receive
a bonus of not less than $400,000 on the first anniversary of the date hereof.

                (iii) On the date hereof, the Company shall grant the Executive
a nonqualified stock option to acquire 400,000 shares of common stock of the
Company (the "Option"). The Option shall have a per share exercise of $6.64 and
shall vest one-third on the

                                                       Bird Employment Agreement

<PAGE>

date hereof and in equal one-third installments on the first two anniversaries
of the date of grant, provided however, that the acceleration of exercisability
of the Option shall as provided in the Placer Capital Co. 1999 Stock Option Plan
and the Company's 1999 Stock Option Plan. The Option shall have a ten-year term
and shall remain exercisable for the full term unless the Executive's employment
is terminated by the Company for Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason.

                (iv) OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. The Executive shall be
entitled to participate in all employee benefit, welfare and other plans,
practices, policies and programs generally applicable to similarly situated
executives of the Company as in effect from time to time.

                (v) GENERAL EXPENSES. The Company shall, upon submission and
approval of written statements and bills in accordance with the then-regular
procedures of the Company, pay or reimburse Executive for any and all necessary,
customary and usual expenses (including entertainment) incurred by Executive
while traveling for or on behalf of the Company, and any and all other
necessary, customary or usual expenses incurred by Executive for or on behalf of
the Company in the normal course of business, as determined to be appropriate by
the Company.

         3. 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 the Executive written notice in accordance with
section 10(d) 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 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 calendar 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
reasonably acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's legal representative.

            (b) CAUSE. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment for
Cause or without Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean:

                (i)   the 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 of Directors of the Company (the
"Board") which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes
that the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive's duties and
Executive has been given

                                      -2-              Bird Employment Agreement

<PAGE>

sufficient time to substantially perform such duties or substantiate to the
Company that she has already done so; or

                (ii)  the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct
or gross misconduct, which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the
Company or any of its affiliated companies; or

                (iii) conviction of a felony or entry of a guilty or nolo
contendere plea by the Executive with respect to a felony.

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 of Directors 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
and its affiliated companies. 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 or
not less than two-thirds of the entire membership of the Board of Directors of
the Company at a meeting of such 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.

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

                (i)   the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent
in any respect with the Executive's position (including status, offices, titles
and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as
contemplated by section 2(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 2(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 location outside of Northern California;

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

                                      -3-              Bird Employment Agreement

<PAGE>

                (v)   any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy
section 9(c) of this Agreement; or

                (vi)  a Change in Control of the Company. "Change in Control"
shall mean (a) a merger in which the Company is not the surviving corporation a
majority of the capital stock of which is not owned by the majority shareholder
of the Company or an affiliate thereof; (b) a transfer of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company; or (c) any other corporate reorganization in
which there is a change in ownership of the outstanding shares of the Company
wherein more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding shares of the Company
is transferred to any other partnership, limited partnership, corporation,
limited liability company, trust or business entity.

            (d) NOTICE OF TERMINATION. Any termination by the Company whether
for Cause or otherwise, or by the Executive for Good Reason or otherwise, shall
be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in
accordance with section 10(d) 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 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 the 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 within 30 days of such notice, 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; (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; and (iv) if Executive terminates her
employment other than for Good Reason, the Date of Termination shall be 30 days
after the date of Notice of Termination, unless Company, at its option, chooses
an earlier date.

         4. 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, death 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 Executive's Annual Base
Salary for the balance

                                      -4-              Bird Employment Agreement

<PAGE>

of the term plus bonus equal to the Annual Base Salary for the balance of the
term to the extent not theretofore paid ("Accrued Base Salary");

                (ii)  the Option shall vest and shall become immediately
exercisable and shall remain exercisable until the tenth anniversary of the date
of grant; and

                (iii) 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, program, policy or practice, contract or agreement with
the Company or its affiliated companies through the Date of Termination (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 Base Salary and the
timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Base Salary 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 4(b) shall
include death benefits as in effect on the date of the Executive's death
generally with respect to similarly situated executives of the Company. In
addition, the Option shall vest and shall become immediately exercisable until
the tenth anniversary of the date of grant.

            (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 Base Salary and the timely payment or provision of
Other Benefits. Accrued Base Salary for the balance of the term 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 4(c) shall include, and the Executive shall be entitled
after the Disability Effective Date to receive, disability benefits as in effect
on the Disability Effective Date generally with respect to similarly situated
executives of the Company. In addition, the Option shall vest and shall become
immediately exercisable and shall remain exercisable until the tenth anniversary
of the date of grant.

            (d) CAUSE; OTHER THAN FOR GOOD REASON. If the Executive's employment
shall be terminated for Cause or the Executive terminates her employment without
Good Reason during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without
further obligations to the Executive other than the obligation to pay to the
Executive (i) her Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination and (ii)
Other Benefits, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid.

         5. FULL SETTLEMENT. The Company's obligation to make the payments
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

                                      -5-              Bird Employment Agreement

<PAGE>

Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and, such amounts
shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment.

         6. ATTORNEYS' FEES. 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").

         7. 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 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 7) (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 7(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 7(c), all determinations
required to be made under this section 7, 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 such
certified public accounting firm reasonably acceptable to the Executive as may
be designated by the Company (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. 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 7, shall be paid by the
Company to the Executive within five days of the later of (i) the due date for
the payment of any Excise Tax; and (ii) 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

                                      -6-              Bird Employment Agreement

<PAGE>

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 7(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 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 7(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
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

                                      -7-              Bird Employment Agreement

<PAGE>

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 7(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive
any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the
Company's complying with the requirements of section 7(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 7(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.

         8. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

            (a) Executive acknowledges that in the course of her employment,
Executive will have access to and gain knowledge of Propriety Information of the
Company and its affiliated companies. As used herein, Propriety Information
includes the following:

         (i) Customer lists, including information regarding the identity of
         clients and client contacts, client accounts, the business needs and
         preferences of clients, and information regarding business and
         contractual arrangements with clients. As used herein, "Customer List"
         is not limited to physical writings or compilations, and includes
         information which is contained in or reproduced from the memory of an
         Executive.

         (ii) Business plans, objectives and strategies, and marketing plans and
         information;

         (iii) Financial information and pricing information, including
         information regarding vendors, suppliers and others doing business with
         Company;

         (iv) Personnel identities and information regarding skills and
         compensation of various Company personnel;

         (v) Company manuals and handbooks, computer programs and data;

         (vi) Any other confidential information which gives the Company an
         opportunity to claim a competitive advantage or has economic value.

         During her employment with the Company, Executive will not use, copy,
transmit or otherwise disclose the Company's Proprietary Information for any
purpose other than for the benefit of the Company, and Executive will make all
reasonable efforts to protect the confidential nature of such information.
Executive will not disclose the Company's Proprietary

                                      -8-              Bird Employment Agreement

<PAGE>

Information to anyone not entitled to such disclosure without the advance
written permission of the Board.

         Upon termination of her employment, Executive will immediately deliver
to the Company all of the Company's Proprietary Information. Executive will not
retain any copies of the Company's Proprietary Information after termination of
her employment without the express written consent of the Board.

         Executive agrees that she shall not at any time, whether during or
subsequent to the term of her employment or for a period of one year thereafter,
directly or indirectly or by action in concert with others, induce or influence,
or seek to induce or influence, any person who is employed or engaged as an
employee, agent, independent contractor, or otherwise, by the Company to
terminate his or her employment or engagement with the Company.

         After termination of her employment, Executive will not use the
Company's Proprietary Information for any purpose, or disclose or communicate
same to any person, firm or corporation for any purpose.

         Executive further agrees that in the course of her employment Executive
will not disclose to the Company, or induce the Company to use, any trade secret
information belonging to any third party.

         Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company will suffer material
and irreparable damage if Executive violates her obligations under this
Agreement, which damage cannot be adequately compensated by money damages, and
agrees that the Company would not have an adequate remedy at law for such a
violation. Therefore, Executive agrees that the Company shall be entitled, in
addition to all other available remedies, to an immediate injunction to restrain
any violation by Executive of the provisions of this Agreement.

         Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, information
(i) already in the public domain; (ii) independently developed by the Executive;
(iii) obtained from a source not subject to a confidentiality obligation to the
Company or a third party; or (iv) that becomes public knowledge (other than by
acts of the Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation of this
Agreement), shall not be deemed to be Proprietary Information as described in
this Section 8.

            (b) Any termination of the Executive's employment or of this
Agreement shall have no effect on the continuing operation of this section 8.

         9. 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
representatives.

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

                                      -9-

<PAGE>

            (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 or any of its affiliated companies 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. As used in this Agreement, the term
"affiliated companies" shall include any company controlled by, controlling or
under common control with the Company.

         10. INDEMNIFICATION. The Company shall indemnify the Executive (and
her legal representatives or other successors) to the fullest extent permitted
by the laws of the State of Delaware and the State of California and its
existing certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and the Executive shall be
entitled to the protection of an insurance policy the Company maintains for the
benefit of its directors, officers and/or employees, against all costs, charges
and expenses whatsoever incurred or sustained by her (or her legal
representatives or other successors) in connection with any action, suit or
proceeding to which she (or her legal representatives or other successors) may
be a party by reason of her being or having been a director, officer and/or
employee of the Company and its affiliated companies.

         11. MISCELLANEOUS.

            (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of California, without reference to principles of
conflict of laws.

            (b) The paragraph headings in this Agreement are inserted for
convenience only, and shall in no way effect the interpretation of this
Agreement.

            (c) The parties expressly agree that this document constitutes the
entire agreement between the parties hereto. This Agreement is executed without
reliance on any promise, warranty or representation by any party, or any
representative of any party, other than those, if any, expressly contained
herein. It is the intent of this Agreement to constitute an integration of the
entire Agreement between the parties, superseding all the previous negotiations,
promises, covenants, agreements and representations. Each party understands that
in the event of any subsequent litigation, controversy or dispute concerning any
of the terms, conditions or provisions of this Agreement, no party shall be
permitted to offer or introduce any evidence concerning any collateral or oral
agreements between the parties.

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. 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:

                                     -10-              Bird Employment Agreement

<PAGE>

                  IF TO THE EXECUTIVE:

                  Anat Bird
                  5142 Westbury Circle
                  Granite Bay, CA 95746
                  Telephone: (916) 797-8583
                  Fax: (916) 797-2169

                  IF TO THE COMPANY:

                  California Community Bancshares, Inc.
                  One Maritime Plaza, Suite 825
                  San Francisco, CA  94111
                  Attention:  Chairman of the Board
                  Telephone: (415) 434-1236
                  Fax: (415) 434-9918

or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notices and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee. Notices delivered personally shall be
deemed communicated as of actual receipt; mailed notices shall be deemed
communicated as of three (3) days after mailing.

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

            (e) 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.

            (f) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any provisions 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 3(c) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a waiver
of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.

         12. ARBITRATION. In the event of any dispute, claim or controversy
between the Executive and the Company (or its directors, officers, employees or
agents) arising out of this Agreement or the Executive's employment with the
Company, both parties agree to submit such dispute, claim or controversy to
final and binding arbitration before the American Arbitration Association in
accordance with the Employment Rules of the American Arbitration Association.
The claims governed by this arbitration provision include, but are not limited
to, claims for breach of contract, civil torts and employment discrimination
such as violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act, Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as modified by the Older
Worker's Protection Act and other employment laws.

                                     -11-

<PAGE>

             (a) The arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator
selected either by mutual agreement of the Executive and the Company or, if they
cannot agree, from an odd-numbered list of experienced employment law
arbitrators provided by the American Arbitration Association. Each party shall
strike one arbitrator from the list alternately until only one arbitrator
remains.

             (b) Each party shall have the right to conduct reasonable
discovery, as determined by the arbitrator.

             (c) The arbitrator shall have all powers conferred by law and a
judgment may be entered on the award by a court of law having jurisdiction. The
arbitrator shall render a written arbitration award that contains the essential
findings and conclusions on which the award is based. The award and judgment
shall be binding and final on both parties.

             (d) The Company will pay the arbitrator's fees and costs as well as
any AAA administrative fees. The parties shall each pay the fees of their own
attorneys and the expenses of their own witnesses.

             (e) This agreement to arbitrate shall continue during the term of
employment and thereafter regarding any employment-related disputes.

             (f) The Executive and the Company understand that by signing this
Agreement, they give up their right to a civil trial and their right to a trial
by jury.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's hand
and, pursuant to the authorization from the Board of Directors of the Company,
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.

                                     CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.

                                     By:      /s/ Ronald W. Bachli
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Name:  Ronald W. Bachli
                                              Title:  Chief Executive Officer

                                              /s/ Anat Bird
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Anat Bird

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