Exhibit 99.1
- ------------


February 8, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- ---------------------



                      MONTEREY BAY BANCORP, INC. ANNOUNCES:

                  FOURTH QUARTER AND FISCAL YEAR 2000 RESULTS;
            APPOINTMENT OF NEW SENIOR OFFICER FOR MONTEREY BAY BANK;
                          APPOINTMENT OF NEW DIRECTOR;
                  DATE FOR 2001 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS;
        RECORD DATE FOR VOTING AT THE 2001 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS


                                                      Common Stock Symbol:  MBBC
                                                          NASDAQ National Market


         Watsonville,   CA.  February  8,  2001.  Monterey  Bay  Bancorp,   Inc.
("Company"),  the holding company for Monterey Bay Bank ("Bank"), today reported
net income of $709 thousand, equivalent to $0.22 diluted earnings per share, for
the fourth  quarter  ended  December  31,  2000,  compared to net income of $645
thousand,  or $0.20 diluted  earnings per share, for the fourth quarter of 1999.
For the fiscal  year 2000,  the  Company  reported  net income of $2.5  million,
equivalent to $0.81 diluted  earnings per share.  This compares to net income of
$3.3  million for fiscal year 1999,  equivalent  to $0.99  diluted  earnings per
share.

         Net  interest  income  increased  from $4.0  million  during the fourth
quarter of 1999 to $4.5 million  during the fourth quarter of 2000 due to both a
larger average  balance sheet and greater  spreads.  The Company's  ratio of net
interest  income to average total assets  increased from 3.44% during the fourth
quarter of 1999 to 3.76% during the fourth quarter of 2000. For fiscal 2000, net
interest income totaled $18.0 million, up from $16.0 million the prior year. The
ratio of net interest income to average total assets rose from 3.53% during 1999
to 3.79%  during  2000.  The  greater  spreads in part  stemmed  from the Bank's
continued  implementation  of its  strategic  plan to  transform  a 75 year  old
savings & loan into a community focused commercial bank.

         Loans secured by multifamily  real estate increased from 10.9% of gross
loans at December 31, 1999 to 18.1% of gross loans at December 31, 2000.  During
the same period,  commercial  real estate loans increased from 18.6% to 24.1% of
gross loans.  In contrast,  residential  mortgages  declined from 43.4% of gross
loans at December 31, 1999 to 37.8% of gross loans at December  31, 2000.  Loans
secured by income  property  typically  provide  higher yields than  residential
mortgages.  In  addition,  net loans as a  percentage  of total assets rose from
77.9% at December 31, 1999 to 80.6% at December 31, 2000.

         Checking  account  balances,  which generally  present a lower interest
expense than  alternative  funding,  increased  from 13.3% of total  deposits at
December 31, 1999 to 14.4% of total  deposits at December  31, 2000.  Borrowings
declined from 11.2% of total assets at December 31, 1999 to 6.7% of total assets
at December 31, 2000. This decline was offset by deposits  increasing from 79.4%
of total  assets at December  31, 1999 to 83.9% of total  assets at December 31,
2000.

         As  previously  announced,  Monterey  Bay  Bancorp  was paid in full in
December 2000 on a $4.8 million  business term loan that had been on non-accrual
status and classified as a substandard  asset.  In conjunction  with the payoff,
the Company received all interest due and $16 thousand in reimbursed legal fees.


                                       5





Monterey Bay Bancorp, Inc.                                                Page 2
Press Release
February 8, 2001


         During the fourth quarter of 2000, the Company recorded a $500 thousand
provision  for loan  losses,  up from $150  thousand  during the same period the
prior year. This higher provision was due to:

     1.  the growth in the loan portfolio

     2.  the  continued  shift in loan mix away from  residential  mortgages and
         toward income property loans,  which typically present more credit risk
         than residential mortgages

     3.  the establishment of a $600 thousand specific  allowance for impairment
         related to a $2.85 million, non-accrual, construction loan secured by a
         substantially  completed  commercial  property  in the  Bank's  primary
         market area.  This  allowance  was  established  in light of difficulty
         obtaining an occupancy permit from local government agencies and due to
         a lack of continued  financial support from the borrowers.  The Bank is
         presently in the process of foreclosing on the subject property.

     4.  the increasing  credit  concentrations  in the Company's loan portfolio
         associated  with a  smaller  number of larger  income  property  loans,
         versus a larger number of comparatively smaller residential mortgages

     5.  management's  concerns  about  several  key  factors  which  management
         believes  have  negatively  impacted the inherent loss in the Company's
         credit portfolio, including:

         o    the California  energy crisis,  with impacts upon the availability
              and price of electricity,  business costs,  consumer  spending and
              disposable income, and the pace of economic activity in the State

         o    the financial difficulties  experienced by many technology related
              companies  in the  Silicon  Valley  area  adjacent  to the  Bank's
              primary market areas

         o    the impact of lower technology stock prices on consumer  spending,
              liquidity,  and investment,  with a particular  concern  regarding
              effects on the demand and  pricing  for real  estate in the Bank's
              primary market areas

         o    the  general   reduction  in  national  economic  growth  and  the
              increased volume of layoffs being announced by major corporations

         The Company's  ratio of loan loss  reserves to gross loans  outstanding
increased  from 0.96% at December 31, 1999 to 1.35% at December  31,  2000.  The
Company   increased  this  ratio   throughout  2000  in  conjunction   with  the
aforementioned change in loan mix.

         The  Company's  ratio of loan loss reserves to  non-accrual  loans rose
from 50.84% at December 31, 1999 to 114.96% at December  31,  2000.  Non-accrual
loans  declined  from $6.9  million  at  December  31,  1999 to $4.7  million at
December 31, 2000,  primarily  as a result of the  repayment of the  significant
non-accrual  loan originated by Monterey Bay Bancorp,  as discussed  above.  The
Company had no foreclosed real estate at December 31, 2000.


                                       6





Monterey Bay Bancorp, Inc.                                                Page 3
Press Release
February 8, 2001


         The special  residential loan pool which the Company  purchased in 1998
has paid down  significantly  in recent months.  This pool is comprised of loans
that present a borrower credit profile and / or a loan to value ratio outside of
(less favorable than) the Company's normal  underwriting  criteria.  To mitigate
the credit  risk for this  portfolio,  the  Company  obtained,  at  purchase,  a
scheduled  principal / scheduled  interest  loan  servicing  agreement  from the
seller.  This  agreement  also  contains a guaranty  by the seller to absorb any
principal  losses on the  portfolio in exchange for the seller's  retention of a
portion of the loans' yield through loan  servicing  fees.  While the seller has
met all its  contractual  obligations  through  January,  2001,  the Company has
allocated certain reserves due to concerns regarding the potential losses by the
seller in honoring the guaranty,  the present delinquency profile of the special
residential  mortgage pool, and the differential between loan principal balances
and  current  appraisals  for  foreclosed  loans  and  loans in the  process  of
foreclosure.  The original balance of the special  residential loan pool in 1998
was $40.0  million,  which has been paid down to $13.3  million by  January  20,
2001.

         Non-interest  income  increased  from $479  thousand  during the fourth
quarter  of 1999 to $626  thousand  during the  fourth  quarter of 2000.  Higher
customer service charges significantly  contributed to this rise, as the Company
increased  its number of  transaction  accounts  and  implemented  a new fee and
service  charge  schedule  during  2000.  Non-interest  income for the year 2000
totaled $2.3 million,  down from $2.5 million in 1999  primarily due to sales of
mortgage backed and investment  securities  generating a loss of $55 thousand in
2000 versus a gain of $496 thousand in 1999.

         General & administrative expenses increased from $3.2 million and $11.9
million   during  the  three  and  twelve   months  ended   December  31,  1999,
respectively, to $3.4 million and $13.7 million during the same periods in 2000.
The Company  incurred $108 thousand in operating  expenses  associated  with its
pending data  processing  conversion  during the fourth  quarter of 2000.  These
expenses   included  costs  for   consultants   assisting  with  the  technology
implementation,  employee training, travel, and deconversion related payments to
the existing data processor.  The Company expects  operating costs in support of
the data processing conversion to increase during the first quarter of 2001.

         The Company also experienced higher legal,  accounting,  and consulting
costs during the fourth  quarter of 2000 than during the fourth quarter of 1999.
During the third  quarter  of 2000,  the  Company  established  a $250  thousand
accrual for a separation  package  associated with the former  President & Chief
Operating Officer.  The Company is still in the process of settling this matter,
which  resulted in costs for related legal and  consulting  services  during the
fourth  quarter of 2000.  In  addition,  the Company  expanded  the scope of its
largely  outsourced  internal audit function  during the fourth quarter of 2000,
leading to an increase in associated expense.

         General  &  administrative  expenses  for  fiscal  year  2000 rose $1.8
million from 1999 as a result of the greater  number of  customers  and accounts
serviced by the Company,  higher associated data processing costs,  increases in
Bank staff,  changes in the senior  management  team,  the settlement of certain
non-qualified  benefits  obligations,  the  adoption  of  a  Directors  Emeritus
program,   the  implementation  of  an  expanded   performance  based  incentive
compensation  program,  the accrual for the aforementioned  separation  package,
higher  outside  professional  costs,  and  expenses  associated  with  the data
processing conversion.


                                       7






Monterey Bay Bancorp, Inc.                                                page 4
Press Release
February 8, 2001


         Total  assets rose from $462.8  million at December  31, 1999 to $486.2
million at December 31, 2000.  The  increase in assets was  concentrated  in net
loans,  which  increased  from  $360.7  million at  December  31, 1999 to $391.8
million at December 31, 2000.  Total  deposits  increased from $367.4 million at
December 31, 1999 to $407.8  million at December 31, 2000.  The rise in deposits
stemmed from:

         o    an increase in lower cost transaction  accounts,  particularly NOW
              checking  accounts  and money  market  accounts - areas  where the
              Company introduced new products during 2000

         o    the  Company's  participation  ($14.0  million)  in the  State  of
              California  time deposit  program  during 2000;  whereby the State
              places  time  deposits  with banks as a means of  encouraging  the
              lending of funds back into California's communities

The percentage of the deposit  portfolio  comprised of historically  higher cost
certificates  of deposit  declined  from 60.5% at December  31, 1999 to 60.0% at
December 31, 2000 despite the Company's participation in the State of California
program.

         The rise in deposits  experienced  during 2000 permitted the Company to
repay  certain  wholesale  borrowings.  Total  borrowings  decreased  from $52.0
million at December 31, 1999 to $32.6 million at December 31, 2000.

         Monterey  Bay Bank  continues to be in the highest  regulatory  capital
classification  of  "well  capitalized",  with  its  regulatory  capital  ratios
increasing  during 2000. The Bank also remains well in excess of the institution
specific  regulatory  capital  requirements  imposed  by the  Office  of  Thrift
Supervision  during the first  quarter of 2000 in  conjunction  with the special
residential mortgage pool.

         Consolidated  stockholders'  equity  increased  from  $40.8  million at
December 31, 1999 to $43.8  million at December 31, 2000,  as the effects of net
income,  continued  amortization of deferred stock  compensation,  and directors
receiving  their fees in  Company  stock  more than  offset  the  impacts of the
repurchase  of 120,000  shares of the  Company's  common  stock during the first
quarter of 2000 and an eight cents per share cash  dividend  payment  during the
first quarter of 2000. As previously announced, the Company's Board of Directors
has  indefinitely  suspended the declaration and payment of cash dividends.  The
Company's  tangible book value per share  increased  from $11.07 at December 31,
1999 to $12.54 at December 31, 2000.

         On February 12, 2001, Susan F. Grill will join Monterey Bay Bank as its
Senior Vice President and Director of Retail Banking.  Ms. Grill will also serve
as the President of Portola Investment  Corporation,  the Bank's subsidiary that
sells  non  federally  insured  investment  products  such as  mutual  funds and
annuities.  Ms. Grill has been in banking for over 25 years,  including a number
of years in the  Greater  Monterey  Bay Area,  with  significant  experience  in
consumer financial  services,  sales management,  and marketing.  Ms. Grill is a
graduate of California  State  University / Fresno with a Bachelor of Science in
Marketing  Management,  and has a Master of Business  Administration degree from
St. Mary's College in Moraga.


                                       8





Monterey Bay Bancorp, Inc.                                                page 5
Press Release
February 8, 2001


         In reviewing the most recent quarter, C Edward Holden,  Chief Executive
Officer & President,  commented  "The Company  continues to make progress in its
transition  from a 75 year old  savings & loan to a  community  based  financial
services firm.  During the most recent quarter,  we increased loans and deposits
to record levels, improved our credit profile,  further restructured the balance
sheet,  expanded customer  utilization of our new Internet banking product,  and
invested  significant human and financial resources into our upcoming conversion
to a new core processing  platform built upon a leading relational  database and
client / server technology.  Collecting the full amount on the large non-accrual
loan  held  by  Monterey  Bay  Bancorp  provided  the  Company  with  additional
flexibility  and  liquidity,  and supported our investing  $2.1 million into the
Bank to facilitate its future growth and the continued execution of our business
strategy.  With the  addition of Susan F.  Grill,  the Bank will have in place a
strong and highly  experienced  management  team to  implement  the tactical and
strategic steps necessary for the Bank to become a successful  community focused
commercial bank."

         Mr. Holden continued "Despite these  achievements,  we are disappointed
with the level of earnings  generated  by the  Company.  The Board of  Directors
strongly  appreciates the importance of building shareholder value and producing
a competitive return on shareholders'  equity.  However, many of the initiatives
integral  to the  strategic  transformation  of the  Company  require  up  front
operating costs and initial capital  investments before associated  revenues may
be realized.  In particular,  we anticipate continued additional operating costs
during 2001 associated  with the upcoming  conversion to a new and much improved
data  processing  system.  This system is integral to our strategic  plan, as it
supports a broader array of products and financial  services in a more efficient
environment  than our  present  technology.  We  appreciate  the  support of our
stockholders,  customers,  directors, and employees as we continue to reposition
the Company while endeavoring to leverage 75 years of superior customer service,
community involvement, and local decision-making."

         Effective  February 1, 2001,  Larry Daniels was appointed a Director of
the Company  and the Bank,  with a term  expiring at the 2001 annual  meeting of
stockholders.  Mr.  Daniels  has also  been  nominated  for a one  year  term as
Director,  subject to  stockholder  approval  at the 2001  annual  meeting.  Mr.
Daniels is President of long-established  Daniels & House Construction  Company,
headquartered in Monterey,  California.  In announcing Mr. Daniels' appointment,
McKenzie Moss, Chairman of the Board, stated "We are pleased to have Mr. Daniels
join the Board.  His years of business  experience  in the Greater  Monterey Bay
Area and knowledge of the local real estate markets will allow him to contribute
to the Company's success in many ways."

         The Company has  previously  announced  that Eugene R. Friend and P. W.
Bachan are  retiring  from the  Company's  Board of Directors at the 2001 annual
meeting of  stockholders,  following  many decades of service to the Company and
Bank.

         The 2001 annual  meeting of  stockholders  will take place on Thursday,
May 24, 2001 at 9:00 AM Pacific Standard Time at the Watsonville Women's Club in
Watsonville, California. The Board of Directors has established Monday, April 2,
2001 as the Record Date for voting at the annual meeting.  All  stockholders are
cordially invited to attend.


                                       9





Monterey Bay Bancorp, Inc.                                                page 6
Press Release
February 8, 2001


         The  Company's  common  stock is listed on the NASDAQ  National  Market
under  the  symbol  "MBBC".  The  Company  and the  Bank  are  headquartered  in
Watsonville, California. The Bank operates through its administrative offices in
Watsonville and eight full service  branches located in the Greater Monterey Bay
Area of Central  California.  The Bank's  deposits  are  insured by the  Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation up to the maximum allowed by law.

         This news release contains certain forward-looking  statements that are
subject to various factors that could cause actual results to differ  materially
from  such  statements.  Such  factors  include,  but are not  limited  to,  the
economic,  business,  and real estate market  conditions in the Company's market
areas,  competition,  regulatory actions,  the possibility that the Company will
not be successful in achieving its strategic  objectives,  the  performance  and
contributions  of new  employees,  borrowers'  willingness  to work out troubled
credits,  and other factors discussed in documents filed by the Company with the
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  from time to time.  The Company  does not
undertake,   and   specifically   disclaims  any   obligation,   to  update  any
forward-looking  statements to reflect  occurrences or  unanticipated  events or
circumstances after the date of such statements.


                        For further information contact:
                        --------------------------------



C. Edward Holden                                Mark R. Andino
Chief Executive Officer               or        Chief Financial Officer
(831) 768 - 4840                                (831) 768 - 4806
ed.holden@montereybaybank.com                   mark.andino@montereybaybank.com




                             General communication:
                             ----------------------

                            INFO@MONTEREYBAYBANK.COM

                             www.montereybaybank.com

                             Phone: (831) 768 - 4800

                              Fax: (831) 722 - 6794






                         --- financial data follows ---



                                       10





                                                  MONTEREY BAY BANCORP, INC.
                                               Consolidated Financial Highlights
                                                           Unaudited
                                        (Dollars In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)



                                                                     December 31,     December 31,
Financial Condition Data                                                     2000             1999
- ------------------------------                                               ----             ----
                                                                                   
Cash and cash equivalents                                               $  25,159        $  12,833
Investment and mortgage backed securities available for sale               50,310           69,179
Investment and mortgage backed securities held to maturity                     --               60

Loans receivable held for investment, net:
      Residential one to four unit real estate loans                      160,155          168,465
      Multifamily five or more units real estate loans                     76,727           42,173
      Commercial and industrial real estate loans                         102,322           72,344
      Construction loans                                                   59,052           79,034
      Land loans                                                           16,310           13,930
      Other loans                                                           9,379           12,252
                                                                        ---------        ---------

   Sub-total gross loans held for investment                              423,945          388,198

   (Less) / Plus:

      Undisbursed construction loan funds                                 (26,580)         (23,863)
      Unamortized purchase premiums, net of purchase discounts                 21              134
      Deferred loan fees and costs, net                                      (202)            (281)
      Allowance for loan losses                                            (5,364)          (3,502)
                                                                        ---------        ---------

Loans receivable held for investment, net                                 391,820          360,686

Investment in capital stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank                   2,884            3,213
Accrued interest receivable                                                 2,901            2,688
Premises and equipment, net                                                 7,375            7,042
Core deposit premiums and other intangible assets, net                      2,195            2,918
Real estate acquired via foreclosure, net                                      --               96
Other assets                                                                3,546            4,112
                                                                        ---------        ---------

Total assets                                                            $ 486,190        $ 462,827
                                                                        =========        =========

Non-interest bearing demand deposits                                    $  17,065        $  17,316
Interest bearing NOW checking accounts                                     41,859           31,385
Savings accounts                                                           16,503           15,312
Money market accounts                                                      87,651           81,245
Certificates of deposit                                                   244,710          222,144
                                                                        ---------        ---------

Total deposits                                                            407,788          367,402
Borrowings                                                                 32,582           51,992
Other liabilities                                                           1,983            2,630
                                                                        ---------        ---------

Total liabilities                                                         442,353          422,024
                                                                        ---------        ---------

Stockholders' equity                                                       43,837           40,803
                                                                        ---------        ---------

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                              $ 486,190        $ 462,827
                                                                        =========        =========

                                                         Three Months Ended December 31,       Fiscal Year Ended December 31,
                                                         -------------------------------       ------------------------------
Operating Data                                                     2000             1999                2000             1999
- ------------------------------                                     ----             ----                ----             ----

Interest income                                                 $ 9,781         $  8,442            $ 37,757        $  33,417
Interest expense                                                  5,246            4,453              19,777           17,388
                                                              ---------        ---------           ---------        ---------

Net interest income before provision for loan losses              4,535            3,989              17,980           16,029
Provision for loan losses                                           500              150               2,175              835
                                                              ---------        ---------           ---------        ---------


Net interest income after provision for loan losses               4,035            3,839              15,805           15,194
Non-interest income                                                 626              479               2,340            2,505
General & administrative expense                                  3,417            3,203              13,676           11,887
                                                              ---------        ---------           ---------        ---------

Income before income tax expense                                  1,244            1,115               4,469            5,812
Income tax expense                                                  535              470               1,946            2,511
                                                              ---------        ---------           ---------        ---------

Net income                                                       $  709          $   645            $  2,523         $  3,301
                                                              =========        =========           =========        =========

Shares applicable to basic earnings per share                 3,129,897        3,219,098           3,110,910        3,231,162
Basic earnings per share                                         $ 0.23           $ 0.20              $ 0.81           $ 1.02
                                                              =========        =========           =========        =========

Shares applicable to diluted earnings per share               3,163,182        3,289,561           3,123,552        3,320,178
Diluted earnings per share                                       $ 0.22           $ 0.20              $ 0.81           $ 0.99
                                                              =========        =========           =========        =========



                                                              11






                                                  MONTEREY BAY BANCORP, INC.
                                                Selected Ratios And Other Data
                                                           Unaudited
                                                    (Dollars In Thousands)




                                                    Three Months Ended December 31,              Fiscal Year Ended December 31,
                                                    -------------------------------              ------------------------------
                                                          2000                 1999                   2000                 1999
                                                          ----                 ----                   ----                 ----

Profitability Ratios
- ------------------------------
                                                                                                             
Return on average assets                                 0.58%                0.55%                  0.53%                0.73%
Return on average equity                                 6.77%                6.18%                  6.24%                8.05%
Interest rate spread during the period                   3.50%                3.23%                  3.54%                3.27%
Net interest income / average total assets               3.76%                3.44%                  3.79%                3.53%
Efficiency ratio                                        66.21%               71.69%                 67.30%               64.14%



                                                            At                   At
                                                  December 31,         December 31,
                                                          2000                 1999
                                                          ----                 ----
Asset Quality Information
- ------------------------------

Non-accrual loans                                     $ 4,666              $ 6,888
Non-performing loans                                    4,741                8,182
Real estate acquired via foreclosure                       --                   96
Allowance for loan losses                               5,364                3,502

Allowance for loan losses / loans outstanding            1.35%                0.96%
Allowance for loan losses / non-accrual loans          114.96%               50.84%


Bank Regulatory Capital Ratios
- ------------------------------

Tangible capital ratio                                   8.03%                7.11%
Core capital ratio                                       8.03%                7.11%
Tier one risk based capital ratio                       11.03%                9.58%
Total risk based capital ratio                          12.28%               10.56%


Other Information
- ------------------------------

Number of deposit accounts                             29,129               27,831
Full-service customer facilities                            8                    8
Number of ATM's                                            11                   10
Loan to deposit ratio                                   96.08%               98.17%
Tangible book value per share                          $12.54               $11.07
Shares outstanding                                  3,321,210            3,422,637






                                                              12