Document:

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                          MISSION COMMUNITY BANK, N.A.
                               AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
                             1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN

         This Amendment No. 1 to the Mission Community Bank 1998 Stock Option
Plan, adopted by the Board of Directors of Mission Community Bank, N.A. (the
"Bank") on January 20, 1998, is made this 21st day of April, 1998, in
consideration of the following:

                                    RECITALS

         WHEREAS, Section 20 of the Mission Community Bank 1998 Stock Option
     Plan (the "Plan") provides that the Plan shall be deemed adopted as of
     January 20, 1998, and shall be effective immediately, subject to the
     approval of the Plan by the holders of at least the majority of the
     Bank's outstanding shares of common stock;

         WHEREAS, Section 17 of the Plan provides for the amendment and
     termination of the Plan by action by the Board of Directors; provided,
     however, that certain amendments and modifications may not be adopted
     without the Bank having first obtained the approval of the Bank's
     shareholders;

         WHEREAS, as a result of regulatory changes, shareholder approval of
     the Plan or of amendments to the Plan are not required and it was an
     administrative error to have included shareholder approval requirements
     in Sections 17 and 20 of the Plan;

         WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of this Bank and its
     shareholders to amend Sections 17 and 20 of the Plan to delete the
     incorrect and unnecessary references to the shareholder approval; and

         WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Bank, on April 21, 1998,
     voted to adopt this Amendment No. 1 to the 1998 Stock Option Plan;

         NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed as follows:

                                    AGREEMENT

     1.  Section 17 of the Plan is hereby amended to read as follows:

         "17.     AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

                  The Board of Directors of the Bank may at any time and from
         time to time suspend, amend, or terminate the Plan and may, with the
         consent of an Optionee, make such modifications of the terms and
         conditions of that Optionee's Stock Option as it shall deem advisable.

                  No Stock Option may be granted during any suspension of the
         Plan or after termination of the Plan. Amendment, suspension, or
         termination of the Plan shall not (except as otherwise provided in
         Section 15 hereof), without the consent of the optionee, alter or

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         impair any rights or obligations under any Stock Option theretofore
         granted."

     2.  Section 20 of the Plan is hereby amended to read as follows:

         "20.     EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN

                  The Plan shall be deemed adopted as of January 20, 1998 and
         shall be effective immediately; provided, however, the Plan shall be
         approved by the holders of at least a majority of the Bank's
         outstanding shares of Common Stock represented and voting at a meeting
         of shareholders prior to January 20, 1999 for Stock Options to qualify
         as Incentive Stock Options."

     3.  The cover page of the form of Stock Option Agreement adopted pursuant
         to the 1998 Stock Option Plan shall be amended, retroactively, to read
         as attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and incorporated herein for
         reference. Each option heretofore granted shall be redocumented with a
         revised cover page as set forth as Exhibit "A".

     4.  Except as specifically set forth herein, the Plan shall remain in full
         force and effect.

                                    MISSION COMMUNITY BANK, N.A.

                                    By:    ANITA M. ROBINSON
                                         ------------------------------
                                           Anita M. Robinson

                                    Its:   President and CEO
                                         ------------------------------

                       SECRETARY'S CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION

     I, undersigned, do hereby certify:

     1.  That I am the duly elected or appointed and acting Assistant Secretary
         of Mission Community Bank, N.A.; and

     2.  That Amendment No. 1 to the Mission Community Bank, N.A. 1998 Stock
         Option Plan adopted on January 20, 1998, was duly adopted by the Board
         of Directors of Mission Community Bank, N.A. at a meeting duly called
         as required by law and convened on the 21 day of April, 1998.

     In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name and affixed the seal of
the Bank this 21 day of April, 1998.

                                            CINDY HARRISON
                                          -----------------------------------
                                          Cindy Harrison, Assistant Secretary

Seal

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                          MISSION COMMUNITY BANK, N.A.
                             1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                            Adopted January 20, 1998

1.       PURPOSE

         The purpose of the Mission Community Bank, N.A., 1998 Stock Option
Plan (the "Plan") is to strengthen Mission Community Bank, N.A. (the "Bank")
and those banks and corporations which are or hereafter become subsidiary
corporations (the "Subsidiary" or "Subsidiaries") by providing additional
means of attracting and retaining competent managerial personnel and by
providing to participating directors, officers and key employees added
incentive for high levels of performance and for unusual efforts to increase
the earnings of the Bank and any Subsidiaries. The Plan seeks to accomplish
these purposes and achieve these results by providing a means of whereby such
directors, officers and key employees may purchase shares of the Common Stock
of the Bank pursuant to Stock Options granted in accordance with this Plan.

         Stock Options granted pursuant to this Plan are intended to be
Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options, as shall be
determined and designated by the Stock Option Committee upon the grant of
each Stock Option hereunder.

2.       DEFINITIONS

         For the purposes of this Plan, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:

                  a. "AFFILIATION" or "AFFILIATED." For purposes of Sections 10,
         11, 12, 13 and 14 hereof, these terms shall mean services as a director
         of the Bank or any Subsidiary.

                  b. "BANK." This term shall mean Mission Community Bank, N.A.,
         a national banking association.

                  c. "COMMON STOCK." This term shall mean shares of the Bank's
         Common Stock, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 15 (Adjustment
         Upon Changes in Capitalization) hereunder.

                  d. "ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS." This term shall mean: (i) all
         directors of the Bank or any Subsidiary; (ii) all officers (whether or
         not they are also directors) of the Bank or any Subsidiary; and (iii)
         all key employees (as such persons may be determined by the Stock
         Option Committee from time to time) of the Bank or any Subsidiary,
         provided that such officers and key employees have a customary work
         week of at least forty hours in the employ of the Bank or Subsidiary.

                  e. "FAIR MARKET VALUE." This term shall mean the fair market
         value of the Common Stock as determined in accordance with any
         reasonable valuation method selected by the Stock Option Committee,
         including the valuation methods described in Treasury Regulations
         Section 20.2031-2.

                  f. "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION." This term shall mean a Stock
         Option which is an "incentive stock option" within the meaning of
         Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

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                  g. "NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION." This term shall mean a Stock
         Option which is not an Incentive Stock Option.

                  h. "OPTION SHARES." This term shall mean Common Stock covered
         by and subject to any outstanding unexercised Stock Option granted
         pursuant to this Plan.

                  i. "OPTIONEE." This term shall mean any Eligible Participant
         to whom a Stock Option has been granted pursuant to this Plan, provided
         that at least part of the Stock Option is outstanding and unexercised.

                  j. "PLAN." This term shall mean the Mission Community Bank,
         N.A., 1998 Stock Option Plan as embodied herein and as my be amended
         from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and applicable
         law.

                  k. "STOCK OPTION." This term shall mean the right to purchase
         a specified number of shares of Common Stock under this Plan, at a
         price and upon the terms and conditions determined by the Stock Option
         Committee.

                  l. "STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE." The Board of Directors of the
         Bank may select and designate a Stock Option Committee consisting of
         three or more directors of the Bank, having full authority to act in
         the matter. Regardless of whether a Stock Option Committee is selected,
         the Board of Directors of the Bank may act as the Stock Option
         Committee and any action taken by said Board as such shall be deemed to
         be action taken by the Stock Option Committee. All references in the
         Plan to the "Stock Option Committee" shall be deemed to refer to the
         Board of Directors of the Bank acting as the Stock Option Committee and
         to a duly appointed Stock Option Committee, if there be one. In the
         event of any conflict between action taken by the Board acting as a
         Stock Option Committee and action taken by a duly appointed Stock
         Option Committee, the action taken by the Board shall be controlling
         and the action taken by the duly appointed Stock Option Committee shall
         be disregarded.

                  m. "SUBSIDIARY." This term shall mean each "subsidiary
         corporation" (treating the Bank as the employer corporation) as defined
         in Section 424(f) Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

3.       ADMINISTRATION

                  a. STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE. This Plan shall be administered by
         the Stock Option Committee. The Board of Directors of the Bank shall
         have the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to remove or
         replace any person from or on the Stock Option Committee at any time
         for any reason whatsoever.

                  b. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN. Any action of the Stock Option
         Committee with respect to the administration of the Plan shall be taken
         pursuant to a majority vote, or pursuant to the unanimous written
         consent, of its members. Any such action taken by the Stock Option
         Committee in the administration of this Plan shall be valid and
         binding, so long as the same is not inconsistent with the terms and
         conditions of this Plan. Subject to compliance with the terms,
         conditions and restrictions set forth in this Plan, the Stock Option
         Committee shall have the exclusive right, in its sole and absolute
         discretion, to establish the terms and conditions of all Stock Options
         granted under the Plan, including, without meaning any limitation, the
         power to: (i) establish the number of Stock Options, if any, to be
         granted hereunder, in the aggregate and with regard to each Eligible
         Participant; (ii) determine the time or times when such Stock Options,
         or parts thereof, may be exercised; (iii) determine and designate which
         Stock Options granted under the Plan shall

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         be Incentive Stock Options and which shall be Non-Qualified Stock
         Options; (iv) determine the Eligible Participants, if any, to whom
         Stock Options are granted; (v) determine the duration and purposes,
         if any, of leaves of absence which may be permitted to holders of
         unexercised, unexpired Stock Options without such constituting a
         termination of employment under the Plan; and (vi) prescribe and
         amend the terms, provisions and form of each instrument and
         agreement setting forth the terms and conditions of every Stock
         Option granted hereunder.

                  c. DECISIONS AND DETERMINATIONS. Subject to the express
         provisions of the Plan, the Stock Option Committee shall have the
         authority to construe and interpret this Plan, to define the terms used
         herein, to prescribe, amend, and rescind the rules and regulations
         relating to the administration of the Plan, and to make all other
         determinations necessary or advisable for administration under the
         Plan. Determinations of the Stock Option Committee on matters referred
         to in this Section 3(c) shall be final and conclusive so long as the
         same are not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan.

4.       SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

         Subject to the adjustments as provided in Section 15 hereof, the
maximum number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued upon exercise of
all Stock Options granted under this Plan is limited to One Hundred Eighty
Thousand (180,000) in the aggregate. If any Stock Option shall be canceled,
surrendered, or expire for any reason without having been exercised in full, the
unpurchased Option Shares represented thereby shall again be available for
grants of Stock Options under this Plan.

5.       ELIGIBILITY

         Only Eligible Participants shall be eligible to receive grants of Stock
Options under this Plan.

6.       GRANTS OF STOCK OPTIONS

                  a. GRANT. Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, the
         Stock Option Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, may grant
         Stock Options:

                           (i) In the case of grants to Eligible Participants
                  who are officers or key employees of the Bank or any
                  Subsidiary, for a number of Option Shares, at the price(s) and
                  time(s), and on the terms and conditions as it deems advisable
                  and specifies in the respective grants; and

                           (ii) In the case of grants to Eligible Participants
                  who are directors of the Bank or any Subsidiary and who are
                  not full-time officers or key employees of the Bank or any
                  Subsidiary, for a number of Option Shares, at the price(s) and
                  time(s), and on the terms and conditions as it deems advisable
                  and specifies in the respective grants; provided, however,
                  that such grants may not exceed a maximum of Ninety Thousand
                  (90,000) Option Shares to all directors, exclusive of any
                  Option Shares granted under Section 6(a)(i) hereof. The
                  foregoing maximum numbers of Option Shares which may be
                  granted to all directors of the Bank or any Subsidiary shall
                  be adjusted in accordance with the provisions of Section 15
                  hereof. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8(a) hereof,
                  Stock Options granted to Eligible Participants who are
                  directors of the Bank or any Subsidiary and who are otherwise
                  not eligible to receive grants under the Plan by reason of
                  other positions they hold with the Bank or any Subsidiary
                  shall become exercisable

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                  in twenty percent (20%) increments annually over five (5)
                  years from the date of grant.

                  The terms upon which and the times at which, or the periods
         within which, the Option Shares subject to such Stock Options may
         become acquired or such Stock Options may be acquired and exercised
         shall be set forth in the Plan and the related Stock Option Agreements.

                  Subject to the limitations and restrictions set forth in the
         Plan, an Eligible Participant who has been granted a Stock Option may,
         if otherwise eligible, be granted additional Stock Options if the Stock
         Option Committee shall so determine. The Stock Option Committee shall
         designate in each grant of a Stock Option whether the Stock Option is
         an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

                  b. DATE OF GRANT AND RIGHTS OF OPTIONEE. The determination of
         the Stock Option Committee to grant a Stock Option shall not in any way
         constitute or be deemed to constitute an obligation of the Bank, or a
         right of the Eligible Participant who is the proposed subject of the
         grant, and shall not constitute or be deemed to constitute the grant or
         a Stock Option hereunder unless and until both the Bank and the
         Eligible Participant have executed and delivered to the other a Stock
         Option Agreement in the form then required by the Stock Option
         Committee as evidencing the grant of the Stock Option, together with
         such other instrument or instruments as may be required by the Stock
         Option Committee pursuant to this Plan; provided, however, that the
         Stock Option Committee may fix the date of grant as any date on or
         after the date of its final determination to grant the Stock Option (or
         if no such date is fixed, then the date of grant shall be the date on
         which the determination was finally made by the Stock Option Committee
         to grant the Stock Option), and such date shall be set forth in the
         Stock Option Agreement. The date of grant as so determined shall be
         deemed the date of grant of the Stock Option for purposes of this Plan.

                  c. SHAREHOLDER-EMPLOYEES. A Stock Option granted hereunder to
         an Eligible Participant who is also an officer or key employee of the
         Bank or any Subsidiary, who owns, directly or indirectly, at the date
         of the grant of the Stock Option, more than ten percent (10%) of the
         total combined voting power of all classes of capital stock of the Bank
         or a Subsidiary shall not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option unless:
         (i) the purchase price of the Option Shares subject to said Stock
         Option is at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market
         Value of the Option Shares, determined as of the date said Stock Option
         is granted; and (ii) the Stock Option by its terms is not exercisable
         after five (5) years from the date that it is granted. The attribution
         rules of Section 424(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
         amended, shall apply in the determination of indirect ownership of
         stock.

                  d. MAXIMUM VALUE OF STOCK OPTIONS. No grant of Incentive Stock
         Options hereunder may be made when the aggregate Fair Market Value of
         Option Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options (pursuant
         to this Plan or any other Incentive Stock Option Plan of the Bank or
         any Subsidiary) are exercisable for the first time by the Eligible
         Participant during any calendar year exceeds One Hundred Thousand
         Dollars ($100,000).

                  e. SUBSTITUTED STOCK OPTIONS. If all of the outstanding shares
         of common stock of another corporation are changed into or exchanged
         solely for the Common Stock in a transaction to which Section 424(a) of
         the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applies, then, subject
         to the approval of the Board of Directors of the Bank, Stock Options
         under the Plan may be substituted ("Substituted Options") in exchange
         for

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         valid, unexercised and unexpired stock options of such other
         corporation. Substituted options shall qualify as Incentive Stock
         Options under the Plan, provided that (and to the extent) the stock
         options exchanged for the Substituted Options were Incentive Stock
         Options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code
         of 1986, as amended.

                  f. NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS. Stock Options and Substituted
         Options granted by the Stock Option Committee shall be deemed
         Non-Qualified Stock Options under this Plan if they: (i) are designated
         at the time of grant as Incentive Stock Options but do not qualify
         under the provisions of Section 422 of the Code or any regulations or
         rulings issued by the Internal Revenue Service for any reason; (ii) are
         not granted in accordance with the provisions of Section 6(C); (iii)
         are in excess of the fair market value limitations set forth in Section
         6(d); (iv) are granted to an Eligible Participant who is not an officer
         or key employee of the Bank or any subsidiary; or (v) are designated at
         the time of grant as Non-Qualified Stock Options. Non-Qualified Stock
         Options granted or substituted hereunder shall be so designated in the
         Stock Option Agreement entered into between the Bank and the Optionee.

7.       STOCK OPTION EXERCISE PRICE

                  a. MINIMUM PRICE. The exercise price of any Option Shares
         shall be determined by the Stock Option Committee, in its sole and
         absolute discretion, upon the grant of a Stock Option. Except as
         provided elsewhere herein, said exercise price shall not be less than
         one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock
         represented by the Option Shares on the date of grant of the related
         Stock Option.

                  b. SUBSTITUTED OPTIONS. The exercise price of the Option
         Shares subject to each Substituted Option may be fixed at a price less
         than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common
         Stock at the time such Substituted Option is granted if said exercise
         price has been computed to be not less than the exercise price set
         forth in the stock option of the other corporation for which it was
         exchanged immediately before substitution, with appropriate adjustment
         to reflect the exchange ratio of the shares of stock of the other
         corporation into the shares of the Common Stock.

8.       EXERCISE OF STOCK OPTIONS

                  a. EXERCISE. Except as otherwise provided elsewhere herein,
         each Stock Option shall be exercisable in such increments, which need
         not be equal, and upon such contingencies as the Stock Option Committee
         shall determine at the time of grant of the Stock Option; provided,
         however, that if an Optionee shall not in any given period exercise any
         part of a Stock Option which has become exercisable during that period,
         the Optionee's right to exercise such part of the Stock Option shall
         continue until expiration of the Stock Option or any part thereof as
         may be provided in the related Stock Option Agreement. No Stock Option
         or part thereof shall be exercisable except with respect to whole
         shares of Common Stock, and fractional share interests shall be
         disregarded except that they may be accounted.

                  b. PRIOR OUTSTANDING INCENTIVE-STOCK OPTIONS. Incentive Stock
         Options granted (or substituted) to an Optionee under the Plan may be
         exercisable while such Optionee has outstanding and unexercised any
         Incentive Stock Option previously granted (or substituted) to him or
         her pursuant to this Plan or any other Incentive Stock Option Plan of
         the Bank or any Subsidiary. An Incentive Stock Option shall be treated
         as outstanding until it is exercised in full or expires by reason of
         lapse of time.

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                  c. NOTICE AND PAYMENT. Stock Option granted hereunder shall be
         exercised by written notice delivered to the Bank specifying the number
         of Option Shares with respect to which the Stock Option is being
         exercised, together with concurrent payment in full of the exercise
         price as hereinafter provided. If the Stock Option is being exercised
         by any person or persons other than the Optionee, said notice shall be
         accompanied by proof, satisfactory to the counsel for the Bank, of the
         right of such person or persons to exercise the Stock Option. The
         Bank's receipt of a notice of exercise without concurrent receipt of
         the full amount of the exercise price shall not be deemed an exercise
         of a Stock Option by an Optionee, and the Bank shall have no obligation
         to an Optionee for any Option Shares unless and until full payment of
         the exercise price is received by the Bank and all of the terms and
         provisions of the Plan and the related Stock Option Agreement have been
         fully complied with.

                  d. PAYMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price of any Option
         Shares purchased upon the proper exercise of a Stock Option shall be
         paid in full at the time of each exercise of a Stock Option in cash (or
         bank, cashier's or certified check) and/or, with the prior written
         approval of the Stock Option Committee at or before the time of
         exercise, in Common Stock of the Bank which, when added to the cash
         payment, if any, which has an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the
         full amount of the exercise price of the Stock Option, or part thereof,
         then being exercised. Payment by an Optionee as provided herein shall
         be made in full concurrently with the Optionee's notification to the
         Bank of his intention to exercise all or part of a Stock Option. If all
         or any part of a payment is made in shares of Common Stock as
         heretofore provided, such payment shall be deemed to have been made
         only upon receipt by the Bank of all required share certificates, and
         all stock powers and all other required transfer documents necessary to
         transfer the shares of Common Stock to the Bank.

                  e. MINIMUM EXERCISE. Not less than ten (10) Option Shares may
         be purchased at any one time upon exercise of a Stock Option unless the
         number of shares purchased is the total number which remains to be
         purchased under the Stock Option.

                  f. COMPLIANCE WITH LAW. No shares of Common Stock shall be
         issued upon exercise of any Stock Option, and an Optionee shall have no
         right or claim to such shares, unless and until: (i) payment in full as
         provided hereinabove has been received by the Bank; (ii) in the opinion
         of the counsel for the Bank, all applicable requirements of law and of
         regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over such issuance and delivery
         have been fully complied with; and (iii) if required by federal or
         state law or regulation, the Optionee shall have paid to the Bank the
         amount, if any, required to be withheld on the amount deemed to be
         compensation to the Optionee as a result of the exercise of his or her
         Stock Option, or made other arrangements satisfactory to the Bank, in
         its sole discretion, to satisfy applicable income tax withholding
         requirements.

                  g. ACCELERATION UPON REORGANIZATION. Notwithstanding any
         provision in any Stock Option Agreement pertaining to the time of
         exercise of a Stock Option, or part thereof, upon adoption by the
         requisite holders of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of any plan
         of dissolution, liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation or
         sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Bank to another
         corporation which would, upon consummation, result in termination of a
         Stock Option in accordance with Section 16 hereof, all Stock Options
         previously granted shall become immediately exercisable, whether or not
         vested under the Plan or Stock Option Agreement, as to all unexercised
         Option Shares for any such period of time as may be determined by the
         Stock Option Committee, but in any event not less than thirty (30)
         days, on the condition that the terminating event described in Section
         16 hereof is consummated. If such terminating

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         event is not consummated, Stock Options granted pursuant to the Plan
         shall be exercisable in accordance with the terms of their respective
         Stock Option Agreements.

9.       NONTRANSFERABILITY OF STOCK OPTIONS

         Each Stock Option shall, by its terms, be non-transferable by the
Optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and shall
be exercisable during the Optionee's lifetime only by the Optionee.

10.      CONTINUATION OF AFFILIATION

         Nothing contained in this Plan (or in any Stock Option Agreement) shall
obligate the Bank or any Subsidiary to employ or continue to employ or remain
affiliated with any Optionee or any Eligible Participant for any period of time
or interfere in any way with the right of the Bank or a Subsidiary to reduce or
increase the Optionee's or Eligible Participant's compensation.

11.      CESSATION OF AFFILIATION

         Except as provided in Section 12 hereof, if, for any reason other than
disability or death, an Optionee ceases to be employed by or affiliated with the
Bank or a Subsidiary, the Stock Options granted to such Optionee shall expire on
the expiration dates specified for said Stock Options at the time of their
grant, or ninety (90) days after the optionee ceases to be so employed or
affiliated, whichever is earlier. During such period after cessation of
employment or affiliation, such Stock Options shall be exercisable only as to
those increments, if any, which had become exercisable as of the date on which
such Optionee ceased to be employed by or affiliated with the Bank or the
Subsidiary, and any Stock Options or increments which had not become exercisable
as of such date shall expire automatically on such date.

12.      TERMINATION FOR CAUSE

         If the Stock Option Agreement so provides and if an Optionee's
employment by or affiliation with the Bank or a Subsidiary is terminated for
cause, the Stock Options granted to such Optionee shall automatically expire and
terminate in their entirety immediately upon such termination; provided,
however, that the Stock Option Committee may, in its sole discretion, within
thirty (30) days of such termination, reinstate such Stock Options by giving
written notice of such reinstatement to the Optionee. In the event of such
reinstatement, the Optionee may exercise the Stock Options only to such extent,
for such time, and upon such terms and conditions as if the Optionee had ceased
to be employed by or affiliated with the Bank or a Subsidiary upon the date of
such termination for a reason other than cause, disability or death. Termination
for cause shall include, but shall not be limited to, termination for
malfeasance or gross misfeasance in the performance of duties or conviction of
illegal activity in connection therewith and, in any event, the determination of
the Stock Option Committee with respect thereto shall be final and conclusive.

13.      DEATH OF OPTIONEE

         If an Optionee dies while employed by or affiliated with the Bank or a
Subsidiary, or during the ninety (90)-day period referred to in Section 11
hereof, the Stock Options granted to such Optionee shall expire on the
expiration dates specified for said Stock Options at the time of their grant, or
one (1) year after the date of such death, whichever is earlier. After such
death, but before such expiration, subject to the terms and provisions of the
Plan and the related Stock Option Agreements, the person or persons to whom such
Optionee's rights under the Stock Options shall have passed by will or by the
applicable laws of descent and distribution, or the executor or administrator of
the Optionee's estate, shall have the right to exercise such Stock

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

Options to the extent that increments, if any, had become exercisable as of
the date on which the Optionee died.

14.      DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE

         If an Optionee is disabled while employed by or affiliated with the
Bank or a Subsidiary or during the ninety (90)-day period referred to in
Section 11 hereof, the Stock Options granted to such Optionee shall expire on
the expiration dates specified for said Stock Options at the time of their
grant, or one (1) year after the date such disability occurred, whichever is
earlier. After such disability occurs, but before such expiration, the
Optionee or the guardian or conservator of the Optionee's estate, as duly
appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall have the right to
exercise such Stock Options to the extent that increments, if any, had become
exercisable as of the date on which the Optionee became disabled or ceased to
be employed by or affiliated with the Bank or a Subsidiary as a result of the
disability. An Optionee shall be deemed to be "disabled" if it shall appear
to the Stock Option Committee, upon written certification delivered to the
Bank of a qualified licensed physician, that the Optionee has become
permanently and totally unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity
by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can
be expected to result in the Optionee's death, or which has lasted or can be
expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months.

15.      ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION

         If the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Bank are increased,
decreased, or changed into or exchanged for a different number of kind of shares
or securities of the Bank, through a reorganization, merger, recapitalization,
reclassification, stock split, stock dividend, stock consolidation, or
otherwise, without consideration to the Bank, an appropriate and proportionate
adjustment shall be made in the number and kind of shares as to which Stock
Options may be granted. A corresponding adjustment changing the number or kind
of Option Shares and the exercise prices per share allocated to unexercised
Stock Options, or portions thereof, which shall have been granted prior to any
such change, shall likewise be made. Such adjustments shall be made without
change in the total price applicable to the unexercised portion of the Stock
Option, but with a corresponding adjustment in the price for each Option Share
subject to the Stock Option. Adjustments under this Section shall be made by the
Stock Option Committee, whose determination as to what adjustments shall be
made, and the extent thereof, shall be final and conclusive. No fractional
shares of stock shall be issued or made available under the Plan on account of
such adjustments, and fractional share interests shall be disregarded, except
that they may be accumulated.

16.      TERMINATING EVENTS

         Upon consummation of a plan of dissolution or liquidation of the Bank,
or upon consummation of a plan of reorganization, merger or consolidation of the
Bank with one or more corporations, as a result of which the Bank is not the
surviving entity, or upon the sale of all or substantially all the assets of the
Bank to another corporation, the Plan shall automatically terminate and all
Stock Options theretofore granted shall be terminated, unless provision is made
in connection with such transaction for assumption of Stock Options theretofore
granted (in which case such Stock Options shall be converted into Stock Options
for a like number and kind for shares of the surviving entity), or substitution
for such Stock Options with new stock options covering stock of a successor
employer corporation, or a parent or subsidiary corporation thereof, solely at
the discretion of such successor corporation, or parent or subsidiary
corporation, with appropriate adjustments as to number and kind of shares and
prices.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

17.      AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

         The Board of Directors of the Bank may at any time and from time to
time suspend, amend, or terminate the Plan and may, with the consent of an
Optionee, make such modifications of the terms and conditions of that Optionee's
Stock Option as it shall deem advisable; provided that, except as permitted
under the provisions of Section 15 hereof, no amendment or modification may be
adopted without the Bank having first obtained the approval of the holders of a
majority of the Bank's outstanding shares of Common Stock present, or
represented, and entitled to vote at a duly held meeting of shareholders of the
Bank, or by written consent, if the amendment or modification would:

                  a. materially increase the number of securities which may be
         issued under the Plan;

                  b. materially increase the number of securities which may be
         issue at any time under the Plan to all directors who are not also
         officers or key employees of the Bank or any Subsidiary;

                  c. materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for
         participation n the Plan;

                  d. increase or decrease the exercise price of any Stock Option
         granted under the Plan;

                  e. increase the maximum term of Stock Options provided for
         herein;

                  f. permit Stock Options to be granted to any person who is not
         an Eligible Participant; or

                  g. change any provision of the Plan which would affect the
         qualification as an Incentive Stock Option under the Internal Revenue
         laws then applicable of any Stock Option granted as an Incentive Stock
         Option under the Plan.

         No Stock Option may be granted during any suspension of the Plan or
after termination of the Plan. Amendment, suspension, or termination of the Plan
shall not (except as otherwise provided in Section 15 hereof), without the
consent of the optionee, alter or impair any rights or obligations under any
Stock Option theretofore granted.

18.      RIGHTS OF ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS AND OPTIONEES

         No Eligible Participant, Optionee or other person shall have any claim
or right to be granted a Stock Option under this Plan, and neither this Plan nor
any action taken hereunder shall be deemed to give or be construed as giving an
Eligible Participant, Optionee or other person any right to be retained in the
employ of the Bank or any Subsidiary. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, no person shall have any rights as a result of his or her
classification as an Eligible Participant or optionee, such classifications
being made solely to describe, define and limit those persons who are eligible
for consideration for privileges under the Plan.

19.      PRIVILEGES OF STOCK OWNERSHIP; REGULATORY LAW COMPLIANCE; NOTICE OF
         SALES

         No Optionee shall be entitled to the privileges of stock ownership as
to any Option Shares not actually issued and delivered. No Option Shares may be
purchased upon the exercise of a Stock Option unless and until all then
applicable requirements of all regulatory agencies having jurisdiction and all
applicable requirements of the securities exchanges upon which securities of

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

the Bank are listed (if any) shall have been fully complied with. The
Optionee shall, not more than five (5) days after each sales or other
disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of
Stock Options, give the Bank notice in writing of such sale or other
disposition.

20.      EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN

         The Plan shall be deemed adopted as of January 20, 1998 and shall be
effective immediately, subject to approval of the Plan by the holders of at
least a majority of the Bank's outstanding shares of Common Stock represented
and voting at a meeting of shareholders.

21.      TERMINATION

         Unless previously terminated as aforesaid, the Plan shall terminate
ten (10) years from the earliest date of: (i) adoption of the Plan by the
Board of Directors of the Bank; or (ii) approval of the Plan by holders of
at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. No Stock
Options shall be granted under the Plan thereafter, but such termination
shall not affect any Stock Option theretofore granted.

22.      OPTION AGREEMENT

         Each Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a
written Stock Option Agreement executed by the Bank and the optionee, and
shall contain each of the provisions and agreements herein specifically
required to be contained therein, and such other terms and conditions as are
deemed desirable by the Stock Option Committee and are not inconsistent with
this Plan.

23.      STOCK OPTION PERIOD

         Each Stock Option and all rights and obligations thereunder shall
expire on such date as the Stock Option Committee may determine, but not
later than ten (10) years from the date such Stock Option is granted, and
shall be subject to earlier termination as provided elsewhere in this Plan.

24.      EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE

         The present, former and future members of the Stock Option
Committee, and each of them, who is or was a director, officer or employee of
the Bank shall be indemnified by the Bank to the extent authorized in and
permitted by the Bank's Articles of Association, and/or Bylaws in connection
with all actions, suits and proceedings to which they or any of them may be a
party by reason of any act or omission of any member of the Stock Option
Committee under or in connection with the Plan or any Stock Option granted
thereunder.

25.      AGREEMENT AND REPRESENTATIONS OF OPTIONEE

         Unless the shares of Common Stock covered by this Plan have been
registered with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency pursuant to the
registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, each Optionee
shall: (i) by and upon accepting a Stock Option, represent and agree in
writing, in the form of the letter attached hereto as Exhibit "A," for
himself or herself and his or her transferees by will or the laws of descent
and distribution, that the Option Shares will be acquired for investment
purposes and not for resale or distribution; and (ii) by and upon the
exercise of a Stock Option, or a part thereof, furnish evidence satisfactory
to counsel for the Bank, including written and signed representations in the
form of the letter attached hereto as Exhibit "B," to the effect that the
Option Shares are being acquired for investment purposes and

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

not for resale or distribution, and that the Option Shares being acquired
shall not be sold or otherwise transferred by the Optionee except in
compliance with the registration provisions under the Securities Act of 193,
as amended, or an applicable exemption therefrom. Furthermore, the Bank, at
its sole discretion, to assure itself that any sale or distribution by the
Optionee complies with this Plan and any applicable federal or state
securities laws, may take all reasonable steps, including placing stop
transfer instructions with the Bank's transfer agent prohibiting transfers in
violation of the Plan and affixing the following legend (and/or such other
legend or legends as the Stock Option Committee shall require) on
certificates evidencing the shares:

            "THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT
             BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.
             AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, PLEDGED,
             HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED OR OFFERED
             FOR SALE IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE
             REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THEM UNDER
             THE ACT OR A WRITTEN OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE
             HOLDER THEREOF, WHICH OPINION SHALL BE ACCEPTABLE
             TO MISSION COMMUNITY BANK, N.A., THAT REGISTRATION
             IS NOT REQUIRED."

At any time that an Optionee contemplates the disposition of any of the
Option Shares (whether by sale, exchange, gift or other form of transfer), he
or she shall first notify the Bank of such proposed disposition and shall
thereafter cooperate with the Bank in complying with all applicable
requirements of law which, in the opinion of counsel for the Bank, must be
satisfied prior to the making of such disposition. Before consummating such
disposition, the Optionee shall provide to the Bank an opinion of Optionee's
counsel, at the Bank's expense, of which both such opinion and such counsel
shall be satisfactory to the Bank, that such disposition will not result in a
violation of any state or federal securities laws or regulations. The Bank
shall remove any legend affixed to certificates for Option Shares pursuant to
this Section if and when all of the restrictions on the transfer of the
Option Shares, whether imposed by this Plan or federal or state law, have
terminated.

26.      NOTICES

         All notices and demands of any kind which the Stock Option
Committee, any Optionee, Eligible Participant, or other person may be
required or desires to give under the terms of this Plan shall be in writing
and shall be delivered in hand to the person or persons to whom addressed (in
the case of the Stock Option Committee, with the Chief Executive Officer,
Cashier or Secretary of the Bank), by leaving as copy of such notice or
demand at the address of such person or persons a may be reflected in the
records of the Bank, or by mailing a copy thereof, properly addressed as
above, by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, with return receipt
requested. Delivery by mail shall be deemed made upon receipt by the
notifying party of the return receipt request acknowledging receipt of the
notice or demand.

27.      LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS OF THE BANK

         All obligations of the Bank arising under or as a result of this
Plan or Stock Options granted hereunder shall constitute the general
unsecured obligations of the Bank, and not of the Board of Directors of the
Bank, any member thereof, the Stock Option Committee, any member thereof, any
officer of the Bank, or any other person or any Subsidiary, and none of the
foregoing, except the Bank, shall be liable for any debt, obligation, cost or
expense hereunder.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

28.      LIMITATION OF RIGHTS

         The Stock Option Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, is
entitled to determine who, if anyone, is an Eligible Participant under this
Plan, and which, if any, Eligible Participant shall receive any grant of a
Stock Option. No oral or written agreement by any person on behalf of the
Bank relating to this Plan or any Stock Option granted hereunder is
authorized, and such may not bind the Bank or the Stock Option Committee to
grant any Stock Option to any person.

29.      SEVERABILITY

         If any provision of this Plan as applied to any person or to any
circumstance shall be adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
void, invalid, or unenforceable, the same shall in no way affect any other
provision hereof, the application of any such provision in any other
circumstances, or the validity or enforceability hereof.

30.      CONSTRUCTION

         Where the context or construction requires, all words applied in the
plural herein shall be deemed to have been used in the singular and vice
versa, and the masculine gender shall include the feminine and the neuter and
vice versa.

31.      HEADINGS

         The headings of the several sections herein are inserted solely for
 convenience of reference and are not intended to form a part of and are not
intended to govern, limit or aid in the construction of any term or provision
hereof.

32.      SUCCESSORS

         This Plan shall be binding upon the respective successors, assigns,
heirs, executors, administrators, guardians and personal representatives of
the Bank and Optionees.

33.      GOVERNING LAW

         To the extent not governed by the laws of the United States, this
Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of California.

34.      CONFLICT

         In the event of any conflict between the terms and provisions of
this Plan, and any other document, agreement or instrument, including,
without meaning any limitation, any Stock Option Agreement, the terms and
provisions of this Plan shall control.

                                    ********

                                      -12-<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit 10.17

                   AGREEMENT OF SETTLEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE

         This Agreement of Settlement and Mutual Release ("Agreement") is made
and entered into by and between the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State
University and Agricultural and Mechanical College ("LSU"), on one hand, and
Ergo Research Corporation, Ergo Science Corporation, and Ergo Science Holdings,
Inc. (collectively "Ergo"), on the other hand.

         WHEREAS, LSU and Ergo are parties to that certain Novated License and
Royalty Agreement effective May 1, 1995; and

         WHEREAS, LSU commenced arbitration proceedings against Ergo that were
referred to the Honorable George C. Pratt concerning sublicense payments
allegedly due to LSU as a result of (1) the February 20, 1998 Joint
Collaboration and License Agreement between Ergo and The R.W. Johnson
Pharmaceutical Research Institute, and (2) the February 23, 1998 Stock Purchase
Agreement between Ergo Science Corporation and Johnson & Johnson Development
Corporation (the "Action"); and

         WHEREAS, Ergo denies liability for the any of the claims that were
asserted or could have been asserted in the Action; and

         WHEREAS, LSU and Ergo (each a "Party," and collectively "the Parties")
wish to settle all disputes between them that either Party currently holds or
owns against the other Party and to provide for the mutual release of all claims
and counterclaims that are known or should have been known as of the date of
this Agreement.

         NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION FOR THE MUTUAL PROMISES AND MUTUAL
COVENANTS SET FORTH HEREIN, IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED, ACCEPTED AND AGREED, by and
between LSU and Ergo that:

         1. Within five (5) business days of receipt by Ergo of an Agreement
executed by LSU, Ergo (a) shall pay LSU $2,450,000 by wire transfer, and (b)
issue to State Street Bank and Trust Co. of Connecticut, N.A., instructions to
release to LSU all proceeds in Account # 105599-099, which proceeds consist of
the original principal and all accrued interest.

         2. In exchange for the promise of payment provided for in paragraph
one, LSU, on its own behalf and on behalf of its predecessors, owners, officers,
directors, employees, attorneys, agents, successors and assigns releases Ergo
and its predecessors, successors, present and former parent corporations,
owners, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, agents, partners, heirs,
executors, administrators, licensees, assigns, parents, subsidiaries and
affiliates (collectively, the "Ergo Released Parties") from any and all claims,
demands, suits in law or equity, judgments, causes of action and damages of
whatever kind or nature, that are known or should have been known as of the date
of this Agreement, which LSU now owns or holds, or has at any time previously
owned or held against any of the Ergo Released Parties, including but not
limited to all claims arising out of or relating to (1) the February 20, 1998
Joint Collaboration and License Agreement between Ergo and The R.W. Johnson
Pharmaceutical Research Institute, (2) the February 23, 1998 Stock Purchase
Agreement between Ergo Science Corporation and Johnson & Johnson Development
Corporation, or (3) the royalty allegedly due to LSU under those agreements. It
is further understood that LSU may not bring any action on any claim being
released hereby against any of the Ergo Released Parties at any time in the
future regardless of what might later take place or later occur.

         3. Ergo, on its own behalf and on behalf of its predecessors, owners,
officers, directors, employees, attorneys, agents, successors and assigns
releases LSU and its predecessors, successors, present and former parent
corporations, owners, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, agents,
partners, heirs, executors, administrators, licensees, assigns, parents,
subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, the "LSU Released Parties") from any
and all claims, demands, suits in law or equity, judgments, causes of action and
damages of whatever kind or nature, that are known or should have been known as
of the date of this Agreement, which Ergo now owns or holds, or has at any time
previously owned or held against any of the LSU Released Parties, including but
not limited to all claims arising out of or relating to (1) the February 20,
1998 Joint Collaboration and License Agreement between Ergo and The R.W. Johnson
Pharmaceutical Research Institute, (2) the February 23, 1998 Stock Purchase
Agreement between Ergo Science Corporation and Johnson & Johnson Development
Corporation, or (3) the royalty allegedly due to LSU under those agreements. It
is further

<PAGE>

understood that Ergo may not bring any action on any claim being released hereby
against any of the LSU Released Parties at any time in the future regardless of
what might later take place or later occur.

         4. The Parties expressly represent, covenant and warrant that each has
full authority to release any and all claims released pursuant to this
Agreement.

         5. LSU hereby represents, covenants, warrants and agrees that: (1) it
has not assigned, pledged, or otherwise divested or encumbered all or any part
of the claims, including but not limited to the Action, being released hereby;
(2) no other person or entity has any interest in or ownership of the Action or
the claims covered by this release; and (3) it will indemnify, defend, and hold
the Ergo Released Parties harmless from and against any claim being released
hereby so assigned, pledged, divested or encumbered which is brought against any
of the Ergo Released Parties. LSU agrees that it will not file a complaint or
petition or commence a proceeding of any kind in any forum against any of the
Ergo Released Parties arising out of or relating to the Action or the claims
being released hereby.

         6. Ergo hereby represents, covenants, warrants and agrees that: (1) it
has not assigned, pledged, or otherwise divested or encumbered all or any part
of the claims, including but not limited to the Action, being released hereby;
(2) no other person or entity has any interest in or ownership of the Action or
the claims covered by this release; and (3) it will indemnify, defend, and hold
the LSU Released Parties harmless from and against any claim being released
hereby so assigned, pledged, divested or encumbered which is brought against any
of the LSU Released Parties. Ergo agrees that it will not file a complaint or
petition or commence a proceeding of any kind in any forum against any of the
LSU Released Parties arising out of or relating to the Action or the claims
being released hereby.

         7. Neither party to this Agreement may assign or transfer all or any
part of this Agreement without the advance written consent of the other Party.
Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure
to the benefit of the Parties, the Ergo Released Parties, and the LSU Released
Parties.

         8. This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement of the Parties
with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and it supersedes all prior
or contemporaneous agreements, understandings, and representations on the
subject matter hereof. Each Party further declares and represents that no
promises, inducements, or agreements not herein expressed have been made to the
Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. Each Party further
declares and represents that (1) this Agreement has been entered into
voluntarily, (2) it has read this Agreement in full, (3) its ramifications of
this Agreement have been explained fully to the Party by its counsel, and (4) it
is understood and agreed that the terms of this Agreement are contractual and
not a mere recital.

         9. The Parties mutually agree to join in or execute any instrument or
to perform any act necessary or proper to carry into effect any part or intent
of this Agreement, including the execution and delivery of any other reasonably
necessary document or other future assurance.

         10. It is understood and agreed that this Agreement is a compromise of
claims, and that the payments made are not to be construed as an admission of
liability on the part of the Parties released. Moreover, this Agreement shall
not be construed as or deemed to be evidence of any admission or concession of
fault, error, omission, or other ground for liability on the part of any Party,
and all Parties specifically deny any fault, error, omission or other ground for
liability.

         11. The Agreement shall not be modified or waived orally or by
accession of any of the Parties and may only be modified or waived by a writing
signed by both Parties.

         12. A facsimile signature will be as valid as an original signature for
all purposes relevant to this Agreement.

         13. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts which, taken
together, shall constitute one and the same agreement.

         14. The Parties agree that the "Dispute Resolution" provision in
Article XVI(E) of the Novated License and Royalty Agreement will govern all
disputes regarding this Agreement, and that the "Dispute Resolution" provision
shall apply as if set forth fully herein.

         15. Notwithstanding Paragraph 14, the Parties agree that Judge Pratt
shall retain jurisdiction over the Action until Ergo makes the payment provided
in Paragraph 1 for purposes of enforcing this Agreement. Upon payment by Ergo as
provided in Paragraph 1, LSU shall dismiss the Action with prejudice.

<PAGE>

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this release.

DATED this 6th day of October, 2000.

                         ------------------------------
             Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and
                      Agricultural and Mechanical College

                         BY: /s/ Mani Iyer
                            ---------------------------

                         TITLE: Director
                               ------------------------

                         ------------------------------
                         Ergo Research Corporation
                         Ergo Science Corporation
                         Ergo Science Holdings, Inc.

                         BY: /s/ David R. Burt
                            ---------------------------

                         TITLE: President
                               ------------------------

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