Document:

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Exhibit 10.8

                           CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT

This Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of the 24th day of
February, 1997 between United Security Bank, N. A. ("Bank"), and RHODLEE A. BRAA
(hereinafter referred to as "Executive").

                                   WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, Bank desires to provide Executive with severance compensation in the
event there is a change in control of Bank, and Executive desires severance
compensation in the event there is a change in control of Bank.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants and
conditions herein contained, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound,
do hereby agree as follows:

1.       SEVERANCE PAYMENT

This Agreement shall not be terminated by the voluntary or involuntary
dissolution of Bank. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event proceedings for
liquidation of Bank are commenced by regulatory authorities, this Agreement and
all rights and benefits hereunder shall terminate.

In the event of any merger or consolidation where Bank is not the surviving or
resulting corporation, or upon transfer of all or substantially all of the
assets of Bank (any of these events shall be referred to as an "Acquisition"),
this Agreement shall continue and be in full force and effect. In the event of
an Acquisition, if (i) Executive is not retained by the resulting corporation
for a period of one year from the time of consummation of the Acquisition in a
position comparable to that of vice president of the resulting corporation or a
position accepted by Executive or (ii) the resulting corporation reduces
Executive's base salary from Executive's base salary at the closest time prior
to the Acquisition by more than 10% at any time within one year after the time
of consummation of the Acquisition, then the resulting corporation shall pay
Executive a lump sum amount in cash equal to the sum of (i) the last year of
Executive's total compensation, inclusive of Executive's base annual salary and
bonus for such year and (ii) the amount necessary to cover any "golden parachute
taxes" that may be assessed pursuant to Section 280G of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended from time to time on such lump sum payment to
Executive. The resulting corporation may substitute a legal opinion of a major
law firm acceptable to Executive that states unequivocally that no "golden
parachute taxes" will be assessed against Executive in lieu of the payment of
"golden parachute taxes" that may be assessed against Executive. Such lump sum
payment shall be paid within ten (10) days of the date Executive's employment is
terminated by the resulting corporation or Executive leaves voluntarily because
of (i) a change in Executive's position with the resulting corporation such that
Executive is no longer in a position comparable to that of vice president of the
resulting corporation or a position accepted by Executive or (ii) a reduction in
Executive's base salary of more than 10% of Executive's base salary at the
closest time prior to the Acquisition. The lump sum payment shall be considered
to be in full and complete satisfaction of any and all rights which Executive
may enjoy other than rights, if any, to exercise any of the stock options vested
prior to such termination.

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2.       TERM OF AGREEMENT

This Agreement shall be for a term of five (5) years from the date first above
stated ("Termination Date"). Such Termination Date may be amended or extended by
written agreement of the parties. This Agreement shall apply to any Acquisition
that is (i) consummated prior to the Termination Date provided that Executive is
employed by Bank at the date of public announcement of the Acquisition or (ii)
consummated at any time within one (1) year after the Termination Date, in the
event Executive's employment is terminated without cause by Bank prior to the
Termination Date and such termination is within twelve (12) months prior to the
date of consummation of an Acquisition that was announced within six (6) months
before or after the date of Executive's termination of employment with Bank.

3.       APPLICABLE LAW

This Agreement is made and entered into in the State of California and the laws
of the State of California shall govern the validity and interpretation hereof,
and the performance of the parties hereto and their respective duties and
obligations hereunder, except to the extent that the provisions of federal law
are mandatorily applicable.

4.       ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and it supersedes
any and all other agreements, either oral or in writing, between Executive and
Bank. 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 or binding. This Agreement may not be modified or
amended by oral agreement, but only by an agreement in writing signed by Bank
and Executive.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.

                                       UNITED SECURITY BANK, N.A.

                                    By:
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Dennis R. Woods, Chairman

                                       EXECUTIVE

                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Rhodlee A. Braa

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EXHIBIT 10.9

NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT,
NO SHARES OF UNITED SECURITY BANK'S COMMON STOCK SHALL BE ISSUED PURSUANT
HERETO UNLESS THE UNITED SECURITY BANK 1995 STOCK OPTION PLAN SHALL HAVE
FIRST BEEN APPROVED BY THE SHAREHOLDERS OF UNITED SECURITY BANK

                           UNITED SECURITY BANK, N.A.

                        INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

This Incentive Stock Option Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into
as of the 17TH day of JUNE, 1996, by and between United Security Bank, N.A.,
a national banking association (the "Bank"), and DENNIS R. WOODS
("Optionee");

WHEREAS, pursuant to the United Security Bank 1995 Stock Option
Plan (the "Plan"), a copy of which is attached hereto, the Stock Option
Committee of the Bank has authorized granting to Optionee an incentive stock
option to purchase all or any part of SEVENTEEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED
(17,500) authorized but unissued shares of the Bank's common stock
(hereinafter referred to as "stock") at the price of THIRTY SIX Dollars and
Fifty Cents ($36.50) per share, such option to be for the term and upon the
terms and conditions hereinafter stated;

NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed:

1. GRANT OF OPTION. Pursuant to said action of the Stock Option Committee and
pursuant to authorizations granted by all appropriate regulatory and
governmental agencies, the Bank hereby grants to Optionee the option to
purchase, upon and subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which is
incorporated in full herein by this reference, all or any part of SEVENTEEN
THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED (17,500) shares of the Bank's stock at the price of
THIRTY SIX Dollars and Fifty Cents ($36.50) per share, which price is not
less than one hundred percent (100%) of the fair market value of the stock
(or not less than 110% of the fair market value of the stock for
Optionee-shareholders who own securities possessing more than ten percent
(10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities of the
Bank) as of the date of action of the Stock Option Committee granting this
option.

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2. EXERCISABILITY. This option shall be exercisable as to 3,500 SHARES ONE
YEAR FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE; 3,500 SHARES TWO YEARS FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE;
3,500 SHARES THREE YEARS FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE; 3,500 SHARES FOUR YEARS
FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE; 3,500 SHARES FIVE YEARS FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE. .
THIS OPTION SHALL REMAIN EXERCISABLE AS TO ALL VESTED SHARES UNTIL FIVE YEARS
FROM ISSUANCE OF EACH OPTION. This option shall remain exercisable as to all
vested shares until JUNE 17, 2006 (but not later than ten (10) years from the
date this option is granted) unless this option has expired or terminated
earlier in accordance with the provisions hereof or in the Plan. Subject to
paragraphs 4 and 5, shares as to which this option becomes exercisable may be
purchased at any time prior to expiration of this option.

3. EXERCISE OF OPTION. This option may be exercised by a written notice
(substantially in the form as that which is attached as Exhibit A) delivered
to the Bank stating the number of shares with respect to which this option is
being exercised, together (a) with cash in the amount of the purchase price
of such shares, or (b) subject to applicable law, with the Bank's stock
previously acquired by Optionee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event
Optionee does exercise the option by utilizing (b) above, Optionee should
obtain tax advice as to the consequences of such action. Not less than ten
(10) shares may be purchased at any one time unless the number purchased is
the total number which may be purchased under this option and in no event may
the option be exercised with respect to fractional shares. Upon exercise,
Optionee shall make appropriate arrangements and shall be responsible for the
withholding of any federal and state taxes then due.

4. CESSATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Except as provided in Paragraphs 2 and 5 hereof,
if Optionee shall cease to be an employee of the Bank or a subsidiary
corporation for any reason other than Optionee's death or disability
[as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended from time to time (the "Code")], this option shall expire three
(3) months

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thereafter. During the three (3) month period this option shall be
exercisable only as to those installments, if any, which had accrued as of
the date when Optionee ceased to be an employee of the Bank or a subsidiary
corporation.

5. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT FOR CAUSE. If Optionee's employment with the
Bank or a subsidiary corporation is terminated for cause, this option shall
expire immediately, unless reinstated by the Board of Directors within thirty
(30) days of such termination by giving written notice of such reinstatement
to Optionee at his or her last known address. In the event of such
reinstatement, Optionee may exercise this option only to such extent, for
such time, and upon such terms and conditions as if Optionee had ceased to be
an employee of the Bank or a subsidiary corporation upon the date of such
termination for a reason other than cause, death or disability. Termination
for cause shall include, but not be limited to, termination for malfeasance
or gross misfeasance in the performance of duties or conviction of a crime
involving moral turpitude, and, in any event, the determination of the Board
of Directors with respect thereto shall be final and conclusive.

6. NONTRANSFERABILITY; DEATH OR DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE. This option shall not
be transferable except by will or the applicable laws of descent and
distribution and shall be exercisable during Optionee's lifetime only by
Optionee. If Optionee dies while serving as an employee of the Bank or a
subsidiary corporation, or during the three (3) month period referred to in
Paragraph 4 hereof, this option shall expire one (1) year after the date of
termination or on the day specified in Paragraph 2 hereof, whichever is
earlier. After Optionee's death but before such expiration, the persons to
whom Optionee's rights under this option shall have passed by will or the
applicable laws of descent and distribution or the executor or administrator
of Optionee's estate shall have the right to exercise this option as to those
shares for which installments had accrued under Paragraph 2 hereof as of the
date on which Optionee ceased to be an employee of the Bank or a subsidiary
corporation. If Optionee terminates his or her employment because of
disability, (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), Optionee may
exercise this option to the extent he or she is entitled to do so at the date
of termination, at any time within one (1) year of the date of termination,
or before the expiration date specified in Paragraph 2 hereof, whichever is
earlier.

7. EMPLOYMENT. This Agreement shall not obligate the Bank or a subsidiary
corporation to employ Optionee for any period, nor shall it interfere in any
way with the right of the Bank or a subsidiary corporation to reduce
Optionee's compensation.

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8. PRIVILEGES OF STOCK OWNERSHIP. Optionee shall have no rights as a
shareholder with respect to the Bank's stock subject to this option until the
date of issuance of stock certificates to Optionee. Except as provided in the
Plan, no adjustment will be made for dividends or other rights for which the
record date is prior to the date such stock certificates are issued.

9. MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION. The rights of Optionee are subject to
modification and termination upon the occurrence of certain events as
provided in Sections 13 and 14 of the Plan.

10. NOTIFICATION OF SALE. Optionee agrees that Optionee, or any person
acquiring shares upon exercise of this option, will notify the Bank not more
than five (5) days after any sale or other disposition of such shares.

11. REPRESENTATIONS OF OPTIONEE. Optionee understands that no shares issuable
upon the exercise of this option shall be issued and delivered unless and
until the Bank has complied with all applicable requirements of any
regulatory agency having jurisdiction over the Bank including registration of
the stock options and underlying shares, as necessary, and all applicable
requirements of any exchange upon which stock of the Bank may be listed.
Optionee agrees to ascertain that such requirements shall have been complied
with at the time of any exercise of this option. In addition, if Optionee is
an "affiliate" for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933, there may be
additional restrictions on the resale of stock, and Optionee therefore agrees
to ascertain what those restrictions are and to abide by the restrictions and
other applicable federal securities laws.

Furthermore, the Bank may, if it deems appropriate, issue stop transfer
instructions against any shares of stock purchased upon the exercise of this
option and affix to any certificate representing such shares the legends
which the Bank deems appropriate.

Optionee represents that the Bank, its directors, officers, employees and
agents have not and will not provide tax advice with respect to the option,
and Optionee agrees to consult with his or her own tax advisor as to the
specific tax consequences of the option, including the application and effect
of federal, state, local and other tax laws.

12. NOTICES. Any notice to the Bank provided for in this Agreement shall be
addressed to it in care of its President or Chief Financial Officer at its
main office and any notice to Optionee shall be addressed to Optionee's
address on file with the Bank or a subsidiary corporation, or to

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such other address as either may designate to the other in writing. Any
notice shall be deemed to be duly given if and when enclosed in a properly
sealed envelope and addressed as stated above and deposited, postage prepaid,
with the United States Postal Service. In lieu of giving notice by mail as
aforesaid, any written notice under this Agreement may be given to Optionee
in person, and to the Bank by personal delivery to its President or Chief
Financial Officer.

13. INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION. This Agreement is intended to be an incentive
stock option agreement as defined in Section 422 of the Code; provided,
however, that if the option shall fail to constitute an incentive stock
option for any reason, the option shall thereafter be governed by the
provisions of the Plan regarding nonqualified stock options.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.

OPTIONEE                                 UNITED SECURITY BANK, N.A.

By_______________________                 By_________________________
     Dennis R. Woods                      Ronnie D. Miller, Vice Chairman

                                          By__________________________
                                          Robert G. Bitter, Secretary

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EXHIBIT A

NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION EXERCISE

Mr. Dennis R. Woods
President
United Security Bank
2151 West Shaw Avenue
Fresno, California 93711

Dear Mr. Woods:

Pursuant to my incentive stock option agreement dated _______________, I am
exercising my stock option to acquire ____________ shares of common stock of
United Security Bank. I am also enclosing payment by means of (CASH IN THE
AMOUNT OF $_________, OR ________ SHARES OF UNITED SECURITY BANK HAVING A
FAIR MARKET VALUE) equal to the sum of the option exercise price.

I further acknowledge that the United Security Bank makes no representations
as to federal or state tax matters, and that I am to consult with my own tax
attorney or tax accountant for advice with respect to the exercise of my
stock option and the effect of the sale of the option shares. [(FOR EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS OF THE BANK OR INSIDERS OF THE BANK) I further acknowledge that I am
an affiliate or insider of United Security Bank and that federal securities
laws are applicable to the exercise of the stock option and any subsequent
sale of the option shares including the applicability of the Securities Act
of 1933 and Rule 144 (both dealing with the sale of shares by an affiliate).
I agree to comply with such securities laws and rules.]

      Sincerely,

      Name of Optionee

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