Exhibit 99.1 April 16, 1998 Mr. Nick Ventimiglia Central Coast Bancorp 301 Main Street Salinas, CA 93901 Subject: Board of Directors Dear Nick, Effective April 16, 1998 I am resigning from the Central Coast Bancorp Board and all it's subsidiaries. I wish to thank the bank staff and directors for their support from the banks inception. Thinking back to the first meeting we had in 1981 to consider forming the bank, it has been quite a ride! Sincerely, By: /S/ Andrew E. Ausonio ------------------------- Andrew E. Ausonio