EXHIBIT 5.1


Pillsbury Madison & Sutro, LLP P O Box 7880 San Francisco, CA 94120



July 24, 1996

SJNB Financial Corp.
One North Market Street
San Jose, CA  95113

Re:  Registration Statement of Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

With  reference  to the  Registration  Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by SJNB
Financial Corp., a California  corporation (the "Company"),  with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, relating to 495 shares
of the Company's Common Stock issuable pursuant to the 1996 Stock Option Plan of
SJNB Financial  Corp., it is our opinion that such shares of the Common Stock of
the Company,  when issued and sold in accordance with the respective plans, will
be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement.

Very truly yours,

S/Pillsbury Madison & Sutro LLP