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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3


                         [ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP LETTERHEAD]

                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
                                       

   
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this registration statement of our report dated February 19, 1993
for CapitolBank Sacramento for the year ended December 31, 1992 included in
Westamerica Bancorporation's Amendment No. 1 to this Form S-4 (Registration No. 
33-57411) and Westamerica Bancorporation's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
December 19, 1994 and to all references to our Firm included in this
registration statement.
    


                                                  /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Sacramento, California
   
February 6, 1995