STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


     STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT,  dated August 27, 1999 (the  "Agreement"),  between
SJNB Financial Corp., a California corporation ("Buyer"),  and Saratoga Bancorp,
a California corporation ("Seller").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS,  Buyer,  Seller and Saratoga  National Bank (Seller's  subsidiary)
have  entered into an Agreement  and Plan of Merger of even date  herewith  (the
"Merger  Agreement"),  which  agreement has been executed by the parties  hereto
immediately prior to this Agreement; and

     WHEREAS,  as a condition to Buyer's  entering into the Merger Agreement and
in  consideration  therefor,  Seller  has  agreed to grant  Buyer the Option (as
hereinafter defined):

     NOW, THEREFORE,  in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants
and agreements set forth herein and in the Merger Agreement,  the parties hereto
agree as follows:

     1. (a) Seller hereby grants to Buyer an unconditional,  irrevocable  option
(the  "Option") to purchase,  subject to the terms  hereof,  up to 378,561 fully
paid and  nonassessable  shares of Seller's  Common Stock, no par value ("Common
Stock"), at a price of $19.21 per share;  provided,  however,  that in the event
Seller issues or agrees to issue any shares of Common Stock (other than pursuant
to warrants and options outstanding at the date hereof or as permitted under the
Merger Agreement) at a price less than $19.21 per share (as adjusted pursuant to
subsection  (b) of Section 5),  such price  shall be equal to such lesser  price
(such price, as adjusted if applicable,  the "Option  Price");  provided further
that in no event shall the number of shares for which this Option is exercisable
exceed 19.9% of the Seller's issued and outstanding  shares of Common Stock. The
number of shares of Common  Stock that may be received  upon the exercise of the
Option and the Option Price are subject to adjustment as herein set forth.

     (b) In the event that any  additional  shares of Common Stock are issued or
otherwise become  outstanding after the date hereof (other than pursuant to this
Agreement),  the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Option shall be
increased so that, after such issuance,  it equals 19.9% of the number of shares
of Common Stock then issued and outstanding  without giving effect to any shares
subject  to or  issued  pursuant  to  the  Option.  Nothing  contained  in  this
Section 1(b) or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to authorize  Seller
or Buyer to breach any provision of the Merger Agreement.

     2.  (a)  Provided  that  Buyer  shall  not be in  material  breach  of this
Agreement or of its covenants and agreements  contained in the Merger  Agreement
such that Seller shall be entitled to terminate the Merger Agreement pursuant to
Section 7.1(e)(i) thereof,  and no preliminary or permanent  injunction or other
order  against  exercise of the Option or delivery of the shares  covered by the
Option issued by a court of competent  jurisdiction is currently in effect,  the
Holder (as  hereinafter  defined) may exercise the Option,  in whole or in part,
and from time to time,  if, but only if,  both an Initial  Triggering  Event (as
hereinafter defined) and a Subsequent  Triggering Event (as hereinafter defined)
shall have occurred prior to the occurrence of an Exercise Termination Event (as
hereinafter defined), provided that the Holder shall have sent written notice of
such exercise (as provided in  subsection (e)  of this Section 2) within 30 days
following such Subsequent  Triggering  Event.  Each of the following shall be an
Exercise   Termination   Event:   (i) the   Effective   Time   of  the   Merger;
(ii) termination  of the Merger  Agreement  in  accordance  with the  provisions
thereof  if such  termination  occurs  prior  to the  occurrence  of an  Initial
Triggering Event except a termination by Buyer pursuant to Section 7.1(d) of the
Merger  Agreement  (unless  the  breach by Seller  giving  rise to such right of
termination is non-volitional); (iii) the passage of 12 months after termination
of the Merger Agreement if such termination follows the occurrence of an Initial
Triggering  Event  except a  termination  by Buyer  pursuant  to Section  7.1(d)
thereof (unless the breach by Seller giving rise to such right of termination is
non-volitional)  (provided  that if an Initial  Triggering  Event  continues  or
occurs beyond such termination and prior to the passage of such 12-month period,
the Exercise  Termination  Event shall be 12 months  from the  expiration of the
Last  Triggering  Event  but  in  no  event  more  than  18  months  after  such
termination);  or  (iv) the  third  anniversary  of the date  hereof.  The "Last
Triggering  Event" shall mean the last Initial  Triggering  Event to occur.  The
term "Holder" shall mean the holder or holders of the Option.

     (b) The term  "Initial Triggering Event" shall mean any of the  following
events or transactions occurring after the date hereof:

          (i) Seller or any of its Subsidiaries (each a "Seller  Subsidiary") or
     any Seller  Affiliate (as  hereinafter  defined),  without having  received
     Buyer's  prior  written  consent,  shall have  entered into an agreement to
     engage in an  Acquisition  Transaction  (as  hereinafter  defined) with any
     person (the term "person" for purposes of this Agreement having the meaning
     assigned  thereto  in  sections 3(a)(9)  and  13(d)(3)  of  the  Securities
     Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange  Act"),  and the rules and  regulations
     thereunder)  other  than  Buyer or any of its  Subsidiaries  (each a "Buyer
     Subsidiary")  or the Board of Directors  of Seller  shall have  recommended
     that  the   shareholders  of  Seller  approve  or  accept  any  Acquisition
     Transaction  other  than  as  contemplated  by the  Merger  Agreement.  For
     purposes  of this  Agreement,  "Acquisition  Transaction"  shall mean (x) a
     merger or consolidation,  or any similar  transaction,  involving Seller or
     any  Significant  Subsidiary  (as defined in  Rule 1-02 of  Regulation  S-X
     promulgated by the Securities  and Exchange  Commission  ("SEC") of Seller,
     (y) a purchase,  lease or other acquisition representing 15% or more of the
     consolidated  assets of Seller and its  Subsidiaries,  or (z) a purchase or
     other  acquisition  (including  by  way  of  merger,  consolidation,  share
     exchange or otherwise) of securities representing 10% or more of the voting
     power of Seller or any Significant Subsidiary of Seller;  provided that the
     term "Acquisition  Event" shall not include any transaction  involving only
     Seller and/or any Seller Subsidiary.

          (ii)  Seller or any Seller  Subsidiary  or Seller  Affiliate,  without
     having  received  Buyer's prior  written  consent,  shall have  authorized,
     recommended,  proposed or publicly  announced  its  intention to authorize,
     recommend  or propose,  to engage in an  Acquisition  Transaction  with any
     person other than Buyer or a Buyer Subsidiary, or the Board of Directors of
     Seller shall have publicly withdrawn or modified, or publicly announced its
     intent  to  withdraw  or  modify,  in any  manner  adverse  to  Buyer,  its
     recommendation  that the  shareholders  of Seller approve the  transactions
     contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

          (iii) Any person other than Buyer,  any Buyer Subsidiary or any Seller
     Subsidiary  acting in a fiduciary  capacity shall have acquired  beneficial
     ownership or the right to acquire Beneficial  Ownership (within the meaning
     of  section  13(d)  of the  Exchange  Act and  the  rules  and  regulations
     thereunder) of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock;

          (iv) Any person  other than Buyer or any Buyer  Subsidiary  shall have
     made  a  bona  fide  proposal  to  Seller  or its  shareholders  by  public
     announcement  or written  communication  that is or becomes  the subject of
     public disclosure to engage in an Acquisition Transaction;

          (v)  After  a  proposal  is made by a third  party  to  Seller  or its
     shareholders  to engage in an  Acquisition  Transaction,  Seller shall have
     breached any covenant or obligation  contained in the Merger  Agreement and
     such breach  (x) would  entitle Buyer to terminate the Merger Agreement and
     (y) shall not have been cured prior to the Notice Date (as defined  below);
     or

          (vi) Any person other than Buyer or any Buyer  Subsidiary,  other than
     in connection with a transaction to which Buyer has given its prior written
     consent, shall have filed an application or notice with the Federal Reserve
     Board,  or  other  federal  or  state  bank  regulatory  authority,   which
     application  or notice has been  accepted for  processing,  for approval to
     engage in an Acquisition Transaction.

          For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Seller Affiliate" shall mean
     any Person who or which,  together with all  "affiliates"  and "associates"
     (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 of the rules and regulations under
     the  Exchange  Act) of such  Person,  shall be the  "beneficial  owner" (as
     defined in section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and  regulations
     thereunder)  ("Beneficial  Owner")  of 5% or more of the  shares  of Common
     Stock  then  outstanding,   but  shall  not  include  Seller,   any  Seller
     Subsidiary,  any  employee  benefit  plan  of  the  Seller  or  any  Seller
     Subsidiary, or any entity holding shares of Common Stock for or pursuant to
     the terms of any such plan.

     (c) The  term  "Subsequent  Triggering  Event"  shall  mean  either  of the
following events or transactions occurring after the date hereof:

          (i) The  acquisition  by any  person  (other  than  Buyer or any Buyer
     Subsidiary) of beneficial  ownership of 20% or more of the then outstanding
     Common Stock; or

          (ii) The  occurrence  of the Initial  Triggering  Event  described  in
     clause (i) of subsection (b) of this Section 2,  except that the percentage
     referred to in clause (z) shall be 20%.

     (d) Seller shall notify Buyer  promptly in writing of the occurrence of any
Initial Triggering Event or Subsequent Triggering Event (together, a "Triggering
Event"),  it being understood that the giving of such notice by Seller shall not
be a condition to the right of the Holder to exercise the Option.

     (e) In the event the  Holder is  entitled  to and  wishes to  exercise  the
Option, it shall send to Seller a written notice (the date of which being herein
referred to as the "Notice Date")  specifying  (i) the total number of shares it
will purchase  pursuant to such  exercise and (ii) a place  (subject to Seller's
reasonable  approval)  and date not earlier than three  business  days nor later
than 30 business days from the Notice Date for the closing of such purchase (the
"Closing Date"); provided, that if the closing of the purchase and sale pursuant
to the Option (the "Closing")  cannot be consummated by reason of any applicable
judgment,  decree,  order, law or regulation,  the period of time that otherwise
would run  pursuant to this  sentence  shall run instead  from the date on which
such restriction on consummation  has expired or been  terminated;  and provided
further,  without  limiting  the  foregoing,  that if prior  notification  to or
approval of the Federal Reserve Board or any other regulatory agency is required
in connection  with such  purchase,  the Holder shall promptly file the required
notice or application for approval and shall expeditiously  process the same and
the period of time that otherwise  would run pursuant to this sentence shall run
instead from the date on which any required notification periods have expired or
been  terminated or such approvals have been obtained and any requisite  waiting
period or periods shall have passed.  Any exercise of the Option shall be deemed
to  occur  on  the  Notice   Date   relating   thereto.   Notwithstanding   this
subsection (e),  in no event shall any Closing Date be more than 18 months after
the related Notice Date, and if the Closing Date shall not have occurred  within
18 months  after the  related  Notice Date due to the failure to obtain any such
required approval,  the exercise of the Option effected on the Notice Date shall
be deemed to have expired.  In the event (i) Buyer receives official notice that
an approval  of the  Federal  Reserve  Board or any other  regulatory  authority
required for the purchase of Option Shares (as hereinafter defined) would not be
issued or granted,  (ii) a Closing Date shall not have occurred within 18 months
after the related  Notice  Date due to the  failure to obtain any such  required
approval or (iii) Holder (or Substitute Option Holder (as hereinafter  defined))
shall have the right  pursuant to the last sentence of Section 7 (or  Section 9)
to exercise the Option (or Substitute  Option (as hereinafter  defined)),  Buyer
shall  nevertheless  be entitled to exercise its right as set forth in Section 7
and Buyer or Holder (or Substitute  Option Holder) shall be entitled to exercise
the Option (or Substitute Option) in connection with the resale of Seller Common
Stock or other  securities  pursuant to a registration  statement as provided in
Section 6.

     (f) At the Closing  referred to in  subsection (e)  of this Section 2,  the
Holder  shall  present  and  surrender  this  Agreement  and pay to  Seller  the
aggregate  purchase price for the shares of Common Stock  purchased  pursuant to
the exercise of the Option in immediately  available funds by wire transfer to a
bank account designated by Seller, provided that failure or refusal of Seller to
designate such a bank account shall not preclude the Holder from  exercising the
Option.

     (g) At such  Closing,  simultaneously  with  the  delivery  of  immediately
available funds and surrender of this Agreement as provided in subsection (f) of
this Section 2, Seller shall deliver to the Holder a certificate or certificates
representing  the number of shares of Common Stock  purchased by the Holder and,
if the Option  should be  exercised in part only,  a new Option  evidencing  the
rights of the Holder  thereof to purchase the balance of the shares  purchasable
hereunder,   and  the  Holder  shall  deliver  to  Seller  a  letter  reasonably
satisfactory to Seller by which Holder makes the  representations  and covenants
customary in the issuance of privately  placed  securities,  including,  without
limitation,  agreements  that the  Holder  will not  offer to sell or  otherwise
dispose of such shares in violation of applicable  law or the provisions of this
Agreement.

     (h) Certificates  for Common Stock delivered at a Closing  hereunder may be
endorsed with a restrictive legend that shall read substantially as follows:

     "The transfer of the shares  represented by this  certificate is subject to
     certain provisions of an agreement between the registered holder hereof and
     Seller and to resale restrictions arising under the Securities Act of 1933,
     as amended.  A copy of such agreement is on file at the principal office of
     Seller  and will be  provided  to the holder  hereof  without  charge  upon
     receipt by Seller of a written request therefor."

It is understood and agreed that:  (i) the reference to the resale  restrictions
of the  Securities  Act in the above  legend  shall be  removed by  delivery  of
substitute  certificate(s)  without  such  reference  if the  Holder  shall have
delivered  to Seller a copy of a letter from the staff of the SEC, or an opinion
of counsel,  in form and substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to Seller,  to the
effect that such legend is not required for purposes of the Securities Act; (ii)
the reference to the  provisions of this  Agreement in the above legend shall be
removed by delivery of substitute  certificate(s)  without such reference if the
shares have been sold or transferred  in compliance  with the provisions of this
Agreement  and under  circumstances  that do not require the  retention  of such
reference;  and  (iii)  the  legend  shall be  removed  in its  entirety  if the
conditions  in  the  preceding  clauses  (i) and  (ii) are  both  satisfied.  In
addition,  such  certificates  shall bear any other legend as may be required by
law.

     (i) Upon the  giving  by the  Holder to  Seller  of the  written  notice of
exercise of the Option provided for under  subsection (e)  of this Section 2 and
the tender of the applicable  purchase price in immediately  available funds and
surrender  of this  Agreement  to Seller,  the Holder  shall be deemed to be the
holder of record of the  shares of Common  Stock  issuable  upon such  exercise,
notwithstanding  that the stock transfer books of Seller shall then be closed or
that  certificates  representing  such shares of Common  Stock shall not then be
actually  delivered  to the Holder or the Seller shall have failed or refused to
designate the bank account described in subsection (f) of this Section 2. Seller
shall pay all expenses,  and any and all United States federal,  state and local
taxes and other charges that may be payable in connection with the  preparation,
issuance and delivery of stock  certificates under this Section 2 in the name of
the Holder or its assignee, transferee or designee.

     3.  Seller  agrees:  (i) that it shall at all  times  maintain,  free  from
preemptive  rights,  sufficient  authorized but unissued  shares of Common Stock
(and other securities  issuable pursuant to Section 5(a)) so that the Option may
be exercised  without  additional  authorization  of Common Stock (or such other
securities)  after giving  effect to all other  options,  warrants,  convertible
securities and other rights to purchase Common Stock (or such other securities);
(ii)  that  it  will  not,  by  charter  amendment  or  through  reorganization,
consolidation,  merger, dissolution or sale of assets, or by any other voluntary
act,  avoid  or  seek to  avoid  the  observance  or  performance  of any of the
covenants,  stipulations or conditions to be observed or performed  hereunder by
Seller;  (iii)  promptly to take all action as may from time to time be required
(including (x) complying with all premerger notification,  reporting and waiting
period  requirements   specified  in  15  U.S.C.  section  18a  and  regulations
promulgated  thereunder and (y) in the event, under the Bank Holding Company Act
of 1956,  as amended  ("BHCA"),  or the Change in Bank  Control Act of 1978,  as
amended,  or any state banking law,  prior  approval of or notice to the Federal
Reserve  Board or to any state  regulatory  authority  is  necessary  before the
Option may be  exercised,  cooperating  fully with the Holder in preparing  such
applications  or notices and providing such  information to the Federal  Reserve
Board or such state regulatory authority as they may require) in order to permit
the Holder to exercise the Option and the Seller duly and  effectively  to issue
shares of Common Stock  pursuant  hereto;  and (iv)  promptly to take all action
provided herein to protect the rights of the Holder against dilution.

     4. This Agreement (and the Option granted hereby) are exchangeable, without
expense,  at the option of the Holder,  upon  presentation and surrender of this
Agreement at the principal office of Seller, for other Agreements  providing for
Options of different  denominations entitling the holder thereof to purchase, on
the same terms and subject to the same  conditions as are set forth  herein,  in
the aggregate the same number of shares of Common Stock  purchasable  hereunder.
The terms  "Agreement"  and  "Option"  as used herein  include any Stock  Option
Agreements and related  Options for which this Agreement (and the Option granted
hereby)  may be  exchanged.  Upon  receipt  by  Seller  of  evidence  reasonably
satisfactory  to it of the  loss,  theft,  destruction  or  mutilation  of  this
Agreement,  and (in the  case of  loss,  theft  or  destruction)  of  reasonably
satisfactory  indemnification,  and  upon  surrender  and  cancellation  of this
Agreement, if mutilated, Seller will execute and deliver a new Agreement of like
tenor and date. Any such new Agreement  executed and delivered shall  constitute
an additional  contractual  obligation on the part of Seller, whether or not the
Agreement  so  lost,  stolen,  destroyed  or  mutilated  shall  at any  time  be
enforceable by anyone.

     5. In addition to the  adjustment  in the number of shares of Common  Stock
that are  purchasable  upon exercise of the Option pursuant to Section 1 of this
Agreement, the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of
the Option and the Option Price shall be subject to adjustment from time to time
as provided in this Section 5.

          (a) In the event of any change in, or distributions in respect of, the
     Common   Stock  by  reason   of  stock   dividends,   split-ups,   mergers,
     recapitalizations,  combinations,  subdivisions,  conversions, exchanges of
     shares,  distributions  on or in respect of the Common  Stock that would be
     prohibited under the terms of the Merger  Agreement,  or the like, the type
     and number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise hereof shall
     be appropriately  adjusted so that Buyer shall receive upon exercise of the
     Option and payment of the aggregate  Option Price  hereunder the number and
     class of shares or other  securities  or  property  that  Buyer  would have
     received  in respect of Common  Stock if the Option had been  exercised  in
     full  immediately  prior to such  event,  or the record date  therefor,  as
     applicable.

          (b)  Whenever the number of shares of Common  Stock  purchasable  upon
     exercise hereof is adjusted as provided in this Section 5, the Option Price
     shall be  adjusted  by  multiplying  the Option  Price by a  fraction,  the
     numerator  of which shall be equal to the number of shares of Common  Stock
     purchasable  prior to the adjustment and the  denominator of which shall be
     equal to the  number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock  purchasable  after the
     adjustment.

     6. Upon the occurrence of a Subsequent  Triggering  Event that occurs prior
to an Exercise  Termination Event (or as otherwise provided in the last sentence
of Section 2(e)),  Seller shall, at the request of Buyer, which request shall be
delivered within 30 days after such Subsequent Triggering Event (or such trigger
date as is provided in the last  sentence of Section  2(e))  (whether on its own
behalf or on behalf of any subsequent holder of this Option (or part thereof) or
any of the shares of Common Stock issued  pursuant  hereto),  promptly  prepare,
file and keep current a shelf  registration  statement  under the Securities Act
covering this Option and any shares issued and issuable  pursuant to this Option
and shall use its best  efforts to cause such  registration  statement to become
effective and remain current in order to permit the sale or other disposition of
this Option and any shares of Common Stock issued upon total or partial exercise
of this Option  ("Option  Shares") in  accordance  with any plan of  disposition
requested by Buyer.  Seller will use its best efforts to cause such registration
statement first to become effective and then to remain effective for such period
not in  excess  of 180 days  from the date  such  registration  statement  first
becomes effective or such shorter time as may be reasonably  necessary to effect
such sales or other  dispositions.  Buyer,  for a period of 18 months  following
such first request, shall have the right to demand a second such registration if
reasonably  necessary  to  effect  such  sales or  dispositions.  The  foregoing
notwithstanding, if, at the time of any request by Buyer for registration of the
Option or the Option Shares as provided above,  Seller is in  registration  with
respect to an underwritten public offering of shares of Common Stock, and if, in
the good faith judgment of the managing  underwriter  or managing  underwriters,
or,  if none,  the sole  underwriter  or  underwriters,  of such  offering,  the
inclusion  of the Holder's  Option or Option  Shares  would  interfere  with the
successful marketing of the shares of Common Stock offered by Seller, the number
of  Option  Shares  otherwise  to  be  covered  in  the  registration  statement
contemplated hereby may be reduced; and provided,  however,  that after any such
required  reduction  the number of Option Shares to be included in such offering
for the account of the Holder shall  constitute at least 25% of the total number
of shares to be sold by the  Holder and Seller in the  aggregate;  and  provided
further,  however,  that if such reduction occurs,  then the Seller shall file a
registration statement for the balance as promptly as practical and no reduction
shall thereafter occur (and such  registration  shall not be charged against the
Holder). Each such Holder shall provide all information  reasonably requested by
Seller for inclusion in any  registration  statement to be filed  hereunder.  If
requested by any such Holder in connection with such registration,  Seller shall
become  a party  to any  underwriting  agreement  relating  to the  sale of such
shares,   but  only  to  the   extent  of   obligating   itself  in  respect  of
representations,   warranties,  indemnities  and  other  agreements  customarily
included in such  underwriting  agreements  for the Seller.  Upon  receiving any
request  under this  Section 6  from any  Holder,  Seller  agrees to send a copy
thereof  to any other  person  known to Seller to be  entitled  to  registration
rights under this Section 6,  in each case by promptly mailing the same, postage
prepaid,  to the  address of record of the  persons  entitled  to  receive  such
copies.

     7. (a) Upon the  occurrence  of a Subsequent  Triggering  Event that occurs
prior to an  Exercise  Termination  Event,  (i) at the  request  of the  Holder,
delivered within 30 days after such occurrence (or such later period as provided
in Section 10 or the last  sentence of  Section 2(e)),  Seller (or any successor
thereto)  shall  repurchase  the Option from the Holder at a price (the  "Option
Repurchase  Price") equal to the amount by which (A) the  market/offer price (as
defined below) exceeds (B) the Option Price,  multiplied by the number of shares
for which this Option may then be exercised and (ii) at the request of the owner
of Option Shares from time to time (the "Owner"), delivered within 30 days after
such occurrence (or such later period as provided in  Section 10),  Seller shall
repurchase  such  number of the Option  Shares from the Owner as the Owner shall
designate  at a  price  (the  "Option  Share  Repurchase  Price")  equal  to the
market/offer price multiplied by the number of Option Shares so designated.  The
term  "market/offer  price" shall mean the highest of (i) the  highest price per
share of Common  Stock at which a tender  offer or exchange  offer  therefor has
been  made,  (ii) the  price per  share of Common  Stock to be paid by any third
party pursuant to an agreement with Seller,  (iii) the highest closing price for
shares of Common Stock quoted in the New York Stock Exchange (or if Common Stock
is not quoted in the New York Stock Exchange, the highest bid price per share as
quoted on the National  Association of Securities  Dealers  Automated  Quotation
Systems,  or, if the  shares of Common  Stock  are not  quoted  thereon,  on the
principal  trading  market on which  such  shares are  traded as  reported  by a
recognized  source) within the six-month period  immediately  preceding the date
the Holder gives notice of the required repurchase of Option Shares, as the case
may be, or (iv) in the event of a sale of assets representing 15% or more of the
consolidated assets of Seller and its Subsidiaries, the sum of the price paid in
such sale for such assets and the current  market value of the remaining  assets
of Seller as  determined  by a  nationally  recognized  investment  banking firm
selected by the Holder or the Owner,  as the case may be,  divided by the number
of shares of Common  Stock of Seller  outstanding  at the time of such sale.  In
determining the market/offer  price, the value of consideration  other than cash
shall be determined by a nationally  recognized investment banking firm selected
by the Holder or Owner, as the case may be.

     (b) The Holder or the Owner,  as the case may be, may exercise its right to
require Seller to repurchase  the Option and any Option Shares  pursuant to this
Section 7 by surrendering for such purpose to Seller,  at its principal  office,
this Agreement or certificates for Option Shares, as applicable,  accompanied by
a written  notice or notices  stating that the Holder or the Owner,  as the case
may be,  elects to require  Seller to  repurchase  this Option and/or the Option
Shares in  accordance  with the  provisions  of this  Section 7.  As promptly as
practicable,  and in any event within five  business days after the surrender of
the Option  and/or  certificates  representing  Option Shares and the receipt of
such notice or notices  relating  thereto,  Seller shall  deliver or cause to be
delivered  to the  Holder the Option  Repurchase  Price  and/or to the Owner the
Option Share Repurchase Price therefor or the portion thereof that Seller is not
then prohibited under applicable law and regulation from so delivering.

     (c) To the  extent  that  Seller  is  prohibited  under  applicable  law or
regulation,  or as a consequence of administrative policy, from repurchasing the
Option and/or the Option Shares in full,  Seller shall immediately so notify the
Holder and/or the Owner and  thereafter  deliver or cause to be delivered,  from
time to time, to the Holder and/or the Owner, as appropriate, the portion of the
Option  Repurchase  Price and the Option Share Repurchase  Price,  respectively,
that it is no longer prohibited from delivering, within five business days after
the date on which Seller is no longer so prohibited;  provided, however, that if
Seller  at any  time  after  delivery  of a notice  of  repurchase  pursuant  to
paragraph (b)   of  this  Section 7  is  prohibited   under  applicable  law  or
regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, from delivering to the
Holder and/or the Owner, as  appropriate,  the Option  Repurchase  Price and the
Option  Share  Repurchase  Price,  respectively,  in  full  (and  Seller  hereby
undertakes to use its best efforts to obtain all required  regulatory  and legal
approvals and to file any required  notices as promptly as  practicable in order
to  accomplish  such  repurchase),  the Holder or Owner may revoke its notice of
repurchase  of the Option or the Option  Shares either in whole or to the extent
of the  prohibition,  whereupon,  in the  latter  case,  Seller  shall  promptly
(i) deliver to the Holder and/or the Owner, as appropriate,  that portion of the
Option  Repurchase Price or the Option Share Repurchase Price that Seller is not
prohibited from delivering; and (ii) deliver, as appropriate,  either (A) to the
Holder,  a new Stock  Option  Agreement  evidencing  the right of the  Holder to
purchase that number of shares of Common Stock for which the  surrendered  Stock
Option  Agreement was exercisable  immediately  prior to the time of delivery of
the notice of  repurchase  less the number of shares of Common Stock  covered by
the portion of the Option Shares repurchased, or (B) to the Owner, a certificate
for the Option Shares it is then so prohibited from repurchasing. If an Exercise
Termination  Event shall have occurred prior to the date of the notice by Seller
described in the first sentence of this subsection (c), or shall be scheduled to
occur at any time before the  expiration of a period ending on the thirtieth day
after such date,  the Holder  shall  nonetheless  have the right to exercise the
Option until the expiration of such 30-day period.

     8. (a) In the event that prior to an  Exercise  Termination  Event,  Seller
shall enter into an agreement (i) to  consolidate with or merge into any person,
other than Buyer or one of its Subsidiaries,  and shall not be the continuing or
surviving  corporation  of such  consolidation  or  merger,  (ii) to  permit any
person,  other than Buyer or one of its  Subsidiaries,  to merge into Seller and
Seller shall be the continuing or surviving corporation, but, in connection with
such merger,  the then outstanding  shares of Common Stock shall be changed into
or exchanged  for stock or other  securities  of any other person or cash or any
other property or the then  outstanding  shares of Common Stock shall after such
merger represent less than 50% of the outstanding  shares and share  equivalents
of  the  merged  company,   or  (iii) to  sell  or  otherwise  transfer  all  or
substantially  all of its assets to any  person,  other than Buyer or one of its
Subsidiaries,  then,  and in  each  such  case,  the  agreement  governing  such
transaction  shall make  proper  provision  so that the Option  shall,  upon the
consummation of any such transaction and upon the terms and conditions set forth
herein,  be  converted  into,  or  exchanged  for,  an option  (the  "Substitute
Option"), at the election of the Holder, of either (x) the Acquiring Corporation
(as  hereinafter   defined)  or  (y) any  person  that  controls  the  Acquiring
Corporation.

     (b) The following terms have the meanings indicated:

          (1) "Acquiring Corporation" shall mean (i) the continuing or surviving
     corporation  of a  consolidation  or merger  with  Seller  (if  other  than
     Seller),  (ii) Seller  in a merger  in which  Seller is the  continuing  or
     surviving person,  and (iii) the  transferee of all or substantially all of
     Seller's assets.

          (2)  "Substitute  Common  Stock" shall mean the common stock issued by
     the issuer of the Substitute Option upon exercise of the Substitute Option.

          (3) "Assigned Value" shall mean the market/offer  price, as defined in
     Section 7.

          (4) "Average Price" shall mean the average closing price of a share of
     the  Substitute  Common Stock for the one year  immediately  preceding  the
     consolidation,  merger or sale in question, but in no event higher than the
     closing  price  of the  shares  of  Substitute  Common  Stock  on the  date
     preceding such  consolidation,  merger or sale;  provided that if Seller is
     the issuer of the  Substitute  Option,  the Average Price shall be computed
     with respect to a share of common  stock issued by the person  merging into
     Seller or by any company which controls or is controlled by such person, as
     the Holder may elect.

     (c) The Substitute Option shall have the same terms as the Option, provided
that if the terms of the  Substitute  Option cannot,  for legal reasons,  be the
same as the Option,  such terms shall be as similar as possible  and in no event
less advantageous to the Holder.  The issuer of the Substitute Option shall also
enter into an agreement with the then Holder or Holders of the Substitute Option
in  substantially  the same form as this Agreement (after giving effect for such
purpose to the provisions of Section 9),  which agreement shall be applicable to
the Substitute Option.

     (d) The Substitute Option shall be exercisable for such number of shares of
Substitute  Common Stock as is equal to the  Assigned  Value  multiplied  by the
number  of shares of  Common  Stock  for which the  Option is then  exercisable,
divided by the Average Price.  The exercise  price of the Substitute  Option per
share of  Substitute  Common  Stock  shall  then be equal  to the  Option  Price
multiplied  by a fraction,  the numerator of which shall be the number of shares
of Common Stock for which the Option is then  exercisable and the denominator of
which  shall be the number of shares of  Substitute  Common  Stock for which the
Substitute Option is exercisable.

     (e) In no event,  pursuant to any of the  foregoing  paragraphs,  shall the
Substitute Option be exercisable for more than 19.9% of the shares of Substitute
Common Stock outstanding prior to the exercise of the Substitute  Option. In the
event that the Substitute Option would be exercisable for more than 19.9% of the
shares of  Substitute  Common Stock  outstanding  prior to exercise but for this
clause (e), the issuer of the Substitute Option (the "Substitute Option Seller")
shall make a cash payment to Holder equal to the excess of (i) the  value of the
Substitute  Option without  giving effect to the  limitation in this  clause (e)
over  (ii) the  value  of the  Substitute  Option  after  giving  effect  to the
limitation in this clause (e). This difference in value shall be determined by a
nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by the Holder.

     (f) Seller shall not enter into any transaction described in subsection (a)
of this Section 8 unless the Acquiring  Corporation and any person that controls
the  Acquiring  Corporation  assume in  writing  all the  obligations  of Seller
hereunder.

     9.  (a) At the  request  of  the  holder  of  the  Substitute  Option  (the
"Substitute  Option Holder"),  the Substitute Option Seller shall repurchase the
Substitute  Option from the Substitute Option Holder at a price (the "Substitute
Option  Repurchase  Price") equal to the amount by which (i) the Highest Closing
Price (as hereinafter defined) exceeds (ii) the exercise price of the Substitute
Option,  multiplied by the number of shares of Substitute Common Stock for which
the  Substitute  Option may then be  exercised,  and at the request of the owner
(the  "Substitute  Share  Owner")  of shares of  Substitute  Common  Stock  (the
"Substitute  Shares"),   the  Substitute  Option  Seller  shall  repurchase  the
Substitute Shares at a price (the "Substitute Share Repurchase  Price") equal to
the Highest  Closing  Price  multiplied  by the number of  Substitute  Shares so
designated.  The term  "Highest  Closing  Price" shall mean the highest  closing
price for  shares  of  Substitute  Common  Stock  within  the  six-month  period
immediately  preceding the date the Substitute Option Holder gives notice of the
required repurchase of the Substitute Option or the Substitute Share Owner gives
notice of the required repurchase of the Substitute Shares, as applicable.

     (b) The  Substitute  Option Holder and the Substitute  Share Owner,  as the
case may be, may exercise its respective right to require the Substitute  Option
Seller to repurchase the Substitute Option and the Substitute Shares pursuant to
this Section 9 by surrendering for such purpose to the Substitute Option Seller,
at its principal  office,  the agreement for such Substitute  Option (or, in the
absence of such an agreement,  a copy of this  Agreement) and  certificates  for
Substitute  Shares  accompanied by a written notice or notices  stating that the
Substitute  Option  Holder or the  Substitute  Share Owner,  as the case may be,
elects to require the  Substitute  Option  Seller to repurchase  the  Substitute
Option and/or the  Substitute  Shares in  accordance  with the provision of this
Section 9.  As promptly as  practicable,  and in any event within five  business
days  after  the  surrender  of  the  Substitute   Option  and/or   certificates
representing  Substitute  Shares  and the  receipt  of such  notice  or  notices
relating  thereto,  the  Substitute  Option  Seller shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to the Substitute Option Holder the Substitute Option Repurchase Price
and/or to the  Substitute  Share Owner the  Substitute  Share  Repurchase  Price
therefor or the portion  thereof which the Substitute  Option Seller is not then
prohibited  under  applicable  law  and  regulation,  or  as  a  consequence  of
administrative policy, from so delivering.

     (c) To the extent that the  Substitute  Option Seller is  prohibited  under
applicable law or regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, from
repurchasing  the Substitute  Option and/or the Substitute  Shares in part or in
full,  the Substitute  Option Seller shall  immediately so notify the Substitute
Option Holder and/or the Substitute Share Owner and thereafter  deliver or cause
to be delivered,  from time to time, to the Substitute  Option Holder and/or the
Substitute  Share Owner,  as appropriate,  the portion of the Substitute  Option
Repurchase Price or the Substitute Share Repurchase Price,  respectively,  which
it is no longer prohibited from delivering,  within five business days after the
date on which the Substitute Option Seller is no longer so prohibited; provided,
however, that if the Substitute Option Seller is at any time after delivery of a
notice of repurchase  pursuant to  subsection (b)  of this Section 9  prohibited
under  applicable  law or  regulation,  or as a  consequence  of  administrative
policy,  from  delivering to the Substitute  Option Holder and/or the Substitute
Share Owner,  as appropriate,  the Substitute  Option  Repurchase  Price and the
Substitute Share  Repurchase  Price,  respectively,  in full (and the Substitute
Option Seller shall use its best efforts to receive all required  regulatory and
legal  approvals  as  promptly  as  practicable  in  order  to  accomplish  such
repurchase),  the Substitute  Option Holder or Substitute Share Owner may revoke
its notice of  repurchase  of the  Substitute  Option or the  Substitute  Shares
either in whole or to the extent of the  prohibition,  whereupon,  in the latter
case, the Substitute Option Seller shall promptly  (i) deliver to the Substitute
Option Holder or Substitute  Share Owner,  as  appropriate,  that portion of the
Substitute Option Repurchase Price or the Substitute Share Repurchase Price that
the  Substitute   Option  Seller  is  not  prohibited   from   delivering;   and
(ii) deliver, as appropriate,  either (A) to the Substitute Option Holder, a new
Substitute  Option  evidencing  the  right of the  Substitute  Option  Holder to
purchase  that  number of shares of the  Substitute  Common  Stock  obtained  by
multiplying  the number of shares of the  Substitute  Common Stock for which the
surrendered  Substitute  Option was  exercisable  at the time of delivery of the
notice of  repurchase by a fraction,  the  numerator of which is the  Substitute
Option  Repurchase Price less the portion thereof  theretofore  delivered to the
Substitute  Option Holder and the denominator of which is the Substitute  Option
Repurchase  Price,  or (B) to the Substitute  Share Owner, a certificate for the
Substitute  Option  Shares it is then so  prohibited  from  repurchasing.  If an
Exercise  Termination  Event shall have occurred prior to the date of the notice
by the  Substitute  Option  Seller  described  in the  first  sentence  of  this
subsection (c), or shall be scheduled to occur at any time before the expiration
of a period ending on the thirtieth day after such date, the  Substitute  Option
Holder shall nevertheless have the right to exercise the Substitute Option until
the expiration of such 30-day period.

     10. The 30-day period for exercise of certain rights under  Sections 2,  6,
7, 9 and 13 shall be  extended:  (i) to  the  extent  necessary  to  obtain  all
regulatory  approvals for the exercise of such rights, and for the expiration of
all  statutory  waiting  periods;  and  (ii) to  the extent  necessary  to avoid
liability under section 16(b) of the Exchange Act by reason of such exercise.

     11. Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:

     (a) Seller has full  corporate  power and  authority to execute and deliver
this Agreement and, subject to any approvals or consents  referred to herein, to
consummate the transactions  contemplated  hereby. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have
been duly and  validly  authorized  by the Board of  Directors  of Seller and no
other  corporate  proceedings  on the part of Seller are  necessary to authorize
this Agreement or to consummate the transactions so contemplated. This Agreement
has been duly and validly  executed and delivered by Seller.  This  Agreement is
the valid and legally binding obligation of Seller,  enforceable  against Seller
in accordance with its terms.

     (b)  Seller  has taken all  necessary  corporate  action to  authorize  and
reserve and to permit it to issue, and at all times from the date hereof through
the  termination  of this  Agreement  in  accordance  with its  terms  will have
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of the Option,  that number of shares of
Common  Stock equal to the maximum  number of shares of Common Stock at any time
and from time to time  issuable  hereunder,  and all such shares,  upon issuance
pursuant hereto and payment of the aggregate Option Price therefor, will be duly
authorized,  validly issued,  fully paid,  nonassessable,  and will be delivered
free and clear of all claims, liens,  encumbrance and security interests and not
subject to any preemptive rights.

     (c) Except as disclosed pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the execution and
delivery of this Agreement does not, and the  consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated  hereby will not,  conflict with, or result in any violation of, or
default  under,  or  give  rise  to a  right  of  termination,  cancellation  or
acceleration  of any  obligation  or loss of a material  benefit  under,  or the
creation of a lien, pledge,  security  interest,  charge or other encumbrance on
assets  (any  such  conflict,   violation,   default,   right  of   termination,
cancellation or acceleration,  loss or creation, a "Violation")  pursuant to any
provisions of the Articles of  Incorporation  or by-laws of Seller or any Seller
Subsidiary  or,  subject to obtaining  any  approvals  or consents  contemplated
hereby, result in any Violation of any loan or credit agreement, note, mortgage,
indenture,  lease,  Plan or other  agreement,  obligation,  instrument,  permit,
concession,   franchise,   license,   judgment,  order,  decree,  statute,  law,
ordinance,  rule or regulation  applicable to Seller or any Seller Subsidiary or
their  respective  properties  or assets which  Violation  would have a Material
Adverse Effect on Seller.

     12. Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller as follows:

     (a) Buyer has full  corporate  power and  authority  to execute and deliver
this Agreement and, subject to any approvals or consents  referred to herein, to
consummate the transactions  contemplated  hereby. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have
been duly and validly authorized by the Board of Directors of Buyer and no other
corporate  proceedings  on the part of Buyer are  necessary  to  authorize  this
Agreement or to consummate the transactions so contemplated.  This Agreement has
been duly and validly  executed and  delivered by Buyer.  This  Agreement is the
valid and legally  binding  obligation  of Buyer,  enforceable  against Buyer in
accordance with its terms.

     (b) The  Option is not  being,  and any  shares  of  Common  Stock or other
securities  acquired by Buyer upon exercise of the Option will not be,  acquired
with a view to the public  distribution  thereof and will not be  transferred or
otherwise  disposed  of  except  in a  transaction  registered  or  exempt  from
registration under the Securities Act.

     13.  Neither  of the  parties  hereto  may  assign  any of  its  rights  or
obligations  under this Option Agreement or the Option created  hereunder to any
other person,  without the express  written  consent of the other party,  except
that in the event a Subsequent  Triggering Event shall have occurred prior to an
Exercise Termination Event, Buyer, subject to the express provisions hereof, may
assign in whole or in part its rights and obligations  hereunder  within 30 days
following such Subsequent  Triggering Event (or such later period as provided in
Section 10);  provided,  however, that until the date 15 days following the date
on which the Federal  Reserve Board  approves an  application by Buyer under the
BHCA to acquire the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option,  Buyer may not
assign  its rights  under the Option  except in (i) a  widely  dispersed  public
distribution,  (ii) a private placement in which no one party acquires the right
to purchase in excess of 2% of the voting shares of Seller,  (iii) an assignment
to a single  party  (e.g.,  a broker or  investment  banker)  for the purpose of
conducting a widely dispersed public distribution on Buyer's behalf, or (iv) any
other manner approved by the Federal Reserve Board. Any such assignment shall be
made in compliance with and subject to applicable  Federal and state laws, rules
and regulations.

     14.  Immediately  following an Initial  Triggering Event, each of Buyer and
Seller  will use its  best  efforts  to make all  filings  with,  and to  obtain
consents of, all third  parties and  governmental  authorities  necessary to the
consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement,  including
without  limitation,  making  application  to list the  shares of  Common  Stock
issuable  hereunder on the Nasdaq upon official  notice of issuance and applying
to the Federal  Reserve  Board under the BHCA for approval to acquire the shares
issuable  hereunder,  but Buyer shall not be obligated to apply to state banking
authorities  for  approval  to  acquire  the  shares  of Common  Stock  issuable
hereunder until such time, if ever, as it deems appropriate to do so.

     15. Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary herein, in the event that the
Holder or Owner or any Related Person  thereof is a person  making,  without the
prior  written  consent  of  Seller,  an  offer  or  proposal  to  engage  in an
Acquisition  Transaction (other than the transaction  contemplated by the Merger
Agreement),  then (i) in the case of a Holder or any Related Person thereof, the
Option  held by it shall  immediately  terminate  and be of no further  force or
effect,  and  (ii) in the case of an Owner or any Related  Person  thereof,  the
Option  Shares held by it shall be  immediately  repurchasable  by Seller at the
Option Price.  A Related Person of a Holder or Owner means any  "affiliate"  (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the rules and  regulations  under the Exchange  Act) of
the Holder or Owner and any person that is the  beneficial  owner of 20% or more
of the voting power of the Holder or Owner, as the case may be.

     16. The parties  hereto  acknowledge  that damages  would be an  inadequate
remedy  for a breach of this  Agreement  by  either  party  hereto  and that the
obligations  of the parties  hereto shall be  enforceable by either party hereto
through injunctive or other equitable relief.

     17. If any term,  provision,  covenant  or  restriction  contained  in this
Agreement  is held  by a court  or a  Federal  or  state  regulatory  agency  of
competent  jurisdiction to be invalid,  void or unenforceable,  the remainder of
the terms, provisions and covenants and restrictions contained in this Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect, and shall in no way be affected, impaired
or  invalidated.  If for any reason such court or regulatory  agency  determines
that the Holder or  Substitute  Option  Holder is not  permitted to acquire,  or
Seller or Substitute  Option Seller is not permitted to repurchase,  pursuant to
Section 7 or Section 9,  as the case may be, the full number of shares of Common
Stock  provided in Section 1(a) hereof (as adjusted  pursuant to Section 1(b) or
Section 5 hereof),  it is the express intention of Seller to allow the Holder to
acquire or to require  Seller to repurchase  such lesser number of shares as may
be permissible, without any amendment or modification hereof.

     18.  All  notices,  requests,  claims,  demands  and  other  communications
hereunder  shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered in person,  by
cable, telegram,  telecopy or telex, or by registered or certified mail (postage
prepaid,  return receipt  requested) at the respective  addresses of the parties
set forth in the Merger Agreement.

     19. This  Agreement  shall be governed by and construed in accordance  with
the laws of the State of California, regardless of the laws that might otherwise
govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

     20. This  Agreement  may be executed in two or more  counterparts,  each of
which shall be deemed to be an original,  but all of which shall  constitute one
and the same agreement.

     21.  Except  as  otherwise  expressly  provided  herein  or in  the  Merger
Agreement,  each of the parties hereto shall bear and pay all costs and expenses
incurred by it or on its behalf in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereunder,  including  fees  and  expenses  of its  own  financial  consultants,
investment bankers, accountants and counsel.

     22.  Except  as  otherwise  expressly  provided  herein  or in  the  Merger
Agreement, this Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with
respect to the  transactions  contemplated  hereunder and  supersedes  all prior
arrangements or understandings with respect thereof,  written or oral. The terms
and  conditions of this  Agreement  shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the parties hereto and their respective  successors and permitted  assigns.
Nothing in this Agreement,  expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any
party,  other than the  parties  hereto,  and their  respective  successors  and
assigns, any rights, remedies,  obligations or liabilities under or by reason of
this  Agreement,  except as expressly  provided  herein.  Any  provision of this
Agreement  may be  waived  at any  time by the  party  that is  entitled  to the
benefits of such provision. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, altered
or  supplemented  except upon the execution and delivery of a written  agreement
executed by the parties hereto.

     23. In the event of any  exercise of the Option by Buyer,  Seller and Buyer
shall execute and deliver all other documents and instruments and take all other
action that may be reasonably  necessary in order to consummate the transactions
provided for by such exercise.

     24.  Capitalized  terms used in this Agreement and not defined herein shall
have the meanings assigned thereto in the Merger Agreement.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  Seller and Buyer have  caused  this  Agreement  to be
signed by their respective  officers  thereunto duly  authorized,  all as of the
date first written above.

                                      SARATOGA BANCORP


                                      By:  /s/ Richard L. Mount
                                           ----------------------------------
                                      Name:  Richard L. Mount
Attest: /s/ V. Ronald Mancuso         Title: President and Chief Executive
        -------------------------            Officer
Name:  V. Ronald Mancuso
Title: Secretary


                                       SJNB FINANCIAL CORP.


                                       By:  /s/ James R. Kenny
                                            ---------------------------------
                                       Name:  James R. Kenny
Attest: /s/ Jennifer Dowling           Title: President and Chief Executive
        -------------------------             Officer
Name:  Jennifer Dowling
Title: Assistant Corporate Secretary