Len Cereghino & Co.            CLIENT:  UNITED SECURITY
BANCORPORATION
CORPORATE INVESTOR RELATIONS   CONTACT: William C. Dashiell
2605 WESTERN AVE.                       Chief Executive
Officer
SEATTLE, WA 98121                       (509) 467-6993
(206) 448-1996
NEWS RELEASE
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    UNITED SECURITY COMPLETES PURCHASE OF FIVE WELLS FARGO
BRANCHES;
INCREASING BRANCHES 50% AND ADDING APPROXIMATELY $35 MILLION
DEPOSITS

  SPOKANE, WA-July 21,1997-United Security Bancorporation
(NASDAQ:USBN)
today announced its two banking subsidiaries have completed
the purchase of five Wells Fargo Bank (NYSE:WFC) branches in
Central and Eastern Washington State.  USBN previously had a
total of ten branch offices.
  The transactions, which closed July 18, include Home
Security Bank's purchase of Wells Fargo branches in Mabton,
Naches, and Walla Walla; and United Security Bank's purchase
of branches in Davenport and Moses Lake.
  "Acquisition of these branches demonstrates our strategy
to grow in communities throughout central and eastern
Washington," said William C. Dashiell, President and Chief
Executive Officer.  "These branches serve some of our
primary target areas.  We are excited about this 50%
expansion in our locations.
  "We are retaining the branch employees in order to provide
good continuity in the change of ownership and, more
importantly, the ongoing knowledge of and contact with our
new depositor base.  We want to assure customers that any
disruption will be minimal," Dashiell added.  "The total
deposits purchased approximate $35 million and will add
significantly to our ability to continue loan growth in our
communities."
  At March 31, 1997, USBN had total deposits of $201 million
and assets of $235.4 million.  Results for the second
quarter are expected to be reported by the end of July.
  Both transactions include deposit accounts and branch
facilities such as land, buildings, furniture, fixtures and
other fixed assets.  The purchases do not include loans.
  United Security Bancorporation is a multi-bank holding
company that, following this acquisition, owns two banks
with banking facilities in fifteen Central and Eastern
Washington communities.
  In addition, the company owns USB Insurance, a full-line
insurance agency, USB Mortgage, a mortgage company, and USB
Leasing, a commercial leasing company.

NOTE:  Transmitted on PR Newswire at 4:46 p.m. PDT, July 21,
1997.