Exhibit 99.17

                                  NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                              Contact: Tom McGraw
                                                   650-875-4865

                     FNB Bancorp Announces Earnings for 2003

South San Francisco, CA: January 21, 2004: FNB Bancorp (Bulletin Board FNBG),
the holding company for First National Bank of Northern California, announced
their unaudited results, that it has reached a new high in total assets of
$429,130,000 compared to $401,834,000 a year earlier, an increase of 6.8%.
Earnings were $4,141,000 for 2003 compared to $ 4,814,000 for 2002. The decline
of $673,000 includes an increase in the loan loss provision of $630,000 and a
continued erosion of net interest income of $1,662,000 offset by an increase on
non-interest income of $718,000, a reduction of non-interest expense of $787,000
and a reduction of tax expense of $114,000. Basic earnings per share for 2003
was $1.63 compared to $1.88 for 2002 after adjusting for the company's 5% stock
dividend.

Cautionary Statement: This release contains certain forward-looking statements
that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those stated herein. Management's assumptions and
projections are based on their anticipation of future events and actual
performance may differ materially from those projected. Risks and uncertainties
which could impact future financial performance include, among others, (a)
competitive pressures in the banking industry; (b) changes in the interest rate
environment; (c) general economic conditions, either nationally or regionally or
locally, including fluctuations in real estate values; (d) changes in the
regulatory environment; (e) changes in business conditions or the securities
markets and inflation; (f) possible shortages of gas and electricity at utility
companies operating in the State of California, and (g) the effects of
terrorism, including the events of September 11, 2001, and thereafter, and the
conduct of war on terrorism by the United States and its allies. Therefore, the
information set forth herein, together with other information contained in the
periodic reports filed by FNB Bancorp with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, should be carefully considered when evaluating its business
prospects. FNB Bancorp undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking
statements contained in this release.

For further information contact:

Tom McGraw
Chief Executive Officer

Tel: (650) 875-4865   Fax: (650) 588-9695