EXHIBIT 99

                                        PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                   June 7, 1995

For additional information
Contact:     James Barnes
             Westamerica Bancorporation
             415-257-8018

                    or

             Randall Reynoso
             Westamerica Bank - Sacramento
             (916) 920-3996

WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION
ACQUISITION OF CAPITOLBANK SACRAMENTO COMPLETED

San Rafael, CA -- Westamerica Bancorporation (NASDAQ:
WABC), parent company of Westamerica Bank, Napa Valley Bank
and Bank of Lake County, announced today that the proposed
acquisition of CapitolBank by Westamerica Bancorporation
was completed as of the close of business on Tuesday, June
6, 1995.  The merger, which was announced November 17,
1994, was approved by CapitolBank Sacramento shareholders
on March 9, 1995. Federal Reserve Board approval was
received April 17, 1995.  California State Banking
Department approval occurred on June 2, 1995.
       Under terms of the Merger Agreement each share of
CapitolBank common stock will be exchanged for .0882 shares
of Westamerica common stock.  No gain or loss for tax
purposes will be recognized by CapitolBank shareholders,
except with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional
shares.  Based upon Westamerica's closing stock price on
June 6, 1995 the acquisition would be valued at
approximately $13.4 million or $3.20 per CapitolBank
share.  CapitolBank shareholders will also be eligible to
receive Westamerica's regularly scheduled quarterly
dividend of $0.20 per share of Westamerica common stock,
payable on August 9, 1995.  The merger will result in the
issuance of about 370,000 new shares of Westamerica common
stock to CapitolBank shareholders.  At March 31, 1995
Westamerica had 9.2 million outstanding shares of common
stock.
       As previously announced, at the close of business on
June 9, CapitolBank is expected to be merged into
Westamerica Bank.  At that time CapitolBank's branch will
become Westamerica Bank's branch in downtown Sacramento.
At March 31, 1995, CapitolBank had total assets of
approximately $127 million and total shareholders equity of
$9.9 million.
       Westamerica Bancorporation has also previously
announced the signing of an agreement to acquire North Bay
Bancorp, the parent company of Novato National Bank, which
operates two branches in Marin County and one branch in
Sonoma County, with assets totaling approximately $94
million at March 31, 1995.  This acquisition is expected to
be consummated during the third quarter of 1995.
       Including the CapitolBank merger, Westamerica
Bancorporation operates as a multi-bank holding company
with 54 branches in 12 Northern California counties.
Westamerica Bank, with $1.9 billion in assets at March 31,
1995, had 42 offices in nine Northern California counties.
Napa Valley Bank, with $276 million in assets, operates in
Napa County with 7 offices.  Bank of Lake County, with 4
offices in Lake County, had $84 million in assets at March
31, 1995.