May 7, 1998



Mr. James G. Stathos
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
Mid-State Bank
1026 Grand Avenue
Arroyo Grande, California 93420

Mr. F. Dean Fletcher
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
2739 Santa Maria Way
Santa Maria, California 93401

Dear Jim and Dean:

This opinion is being furnished to you in connection with the Agreement to 
Merge and Plan of Reorganization dated as of January 29, 1998 and First 
Amendment thereto ("the Agreement to Merge") among Mid-State Bank, BSM 
Bancorp and Bank of Santa Maria, which is expected to be completed in the 
third quarter of 1998 ("the Effective Date" and "the Effective Time" as 
defined in the Agreement to Merge).  Our understanding of the merger (the 
"Merger") is as follows:

  A. At the Effective Date and Time, Bank of Santa Maria shall be merged with 
     and into Mid-State Bank and Mid-State Bank will continue as the 
     surviving bank.  All assets, rights, franchises, titles and interests of 
     Bank of Santa Maria shall be transferred to and vested in Mid-State 
     Bank.  Mid-State Bank shall be liable for all liabilities of Bank of 
     Santa Maria.

  B. At the Effective Date and Time, all shares of the common stock of 
     Mid-State Bank shall be converted solely into shares of BSM Bancorp 
     common stock.  The shareholders of Mid-State Bank will receive shares of 
     BSM Bancorp common stock proportionate in value based on the terms 
     contained in Section 2.3 and 1.1 of the Agreement to Merge. (i) If the 
     Average Closing Price of Mid-State Bank stock is not less than $26.25 
     but not more than $30.50, each share of Mid-State Bank stock will be 
     exchanged for the number of shares of BSM Bancorp stock equal to the 
     reciprocal of the number determined by dividing $29.37 by the average 
     closing price.  (ii) If the Average Closing Price is greater than 
     $30.50, each share of Mid-State Bank stock will be exchanged for 1.0385 
     shares of BSM Bancorp stock.  (iii) If the average closing price is less 
     than $26.25, each share of Mid-State Bank stock will be exchanged for 
     0.8938 shares of BSM Bancorp stock; 



   
Mr. James G. Stathos 
Mr. F. Dean Fletcher
Page 2
May 7, 1998
    

     provided, however that, if the Average Closing Price is less than 
     $26.25, Bancorp has a right to terminate the Agreement.  If Bancorp 
     elects to so terminate, Mid-State has the right, so long as the Average 
     Closing Price exceeds $22.00, to reinstate the Agreement by adjusting 
     the Exchange Ratio downward based on the formula in (i) above.

     In lieu of issuing fractional shares of BSM Bancorp common stock as a 
     result of the merger, common shareholders of Mid-State Bank will be 
     entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the fair market value of any 
     fraction of a share of BSM Bancorp common stock to which such holder 
     would be entitled but for this provision. 

  C. Immediately after the Effective Time, the Charter Documents of BSM 
     Bancorp shall be amended to change its name to "Mid-State Bancshares."  

  D. At the Effective Time, the Mid-State Option Plan will terminate and the 
     BSM Option Plan will continue in effect. BSM Bancorp shall grant 
     substitute stock options pursuant to the BSM Option Plan to each and 
     every officer and employee of Mid-State Bank who has at the Effective 
     Time an outstanding option under the Mid-State Bank Option Plan to 
     purchase shares of Mid-State Bank stock. 

  E. Pursuant to the S-4, each and every substitute option so granted by BSM 
     Bancorp to replace a Mid-State Bank option shall retain the vesting 
     schedule in the respective option agreement, and shall be exercisable 
     for that whole number of shares equal to the product of (A) the number 
     of Mid-State shares that were purchasable under the option prior to the 
     merger by (B) the exchange ratio as outlined in the S-4, rounded down to 
     the nearest whole number of shares.  Further, the substitute option 
     shall have an exercise price equal to the quotient determined by 
     dividing (A) the exercise price of the Mid-State Option by (B) the 
     exchange ratio.
  
     In addition, no other provisions of the option agreements are to be 
     changed.  Therefore, each employee is not receiving an option, which has 
     any additional benefits beyond those provided in the original option 
     agreement.

RELIANCE ON CERTAIN FACTS, ASSUMPTIONS, AND REPRESENTATIONS

You have asked for our opinion on the federal income tax consequences to 
Mid-State Bank, BSM Bancorp, Bank of Santa Maria, and the shareholders of 
Mid-State Bank.  In rendering our opinion, we have relied upon the accuracy 
and completeness of the facts, assumptions, and information as contained 
herein, in the Agreement to Merge (in each case, except as otherwise 



   
Mr. James G. Stathos 
Mr. F. Dean Fletcher
Page 3
May 7, 1998
    



provided, without regard to any limitations based on knowledge or belief), 
including all exhibits attached thereto, the Registration Statement on Form 
S-4, certain representations attached as Exhibit A, and all other related 
documents.  You have represented that such facts, assumptions, and 
representations are true, correct, and complete.  However, we have not 
independently audited or otherwise verified any of these facts, assumptions, 
or representations.  A misstatement or omission of any fact or a change or 
amendment in any of the facts, assumptions, or representations upon which we 
have relied may require a modification of all or a part of this opinion.  In 
addition, our opinion is based on such facts, assumptions, and 
representations as represented to us as of the date of this letter.  Any 
changes in the facts, assumptions, or representations upon which we have 
relied between the date of this letter and the actual closing of the 
transaction may require a modification of all or part of this opinion.  If 
needed, we will update our opinion as of the date of the Merger.  However, we 
will require a representation that none of the facts or representations have 
changed between the date of this letter and the date of the Merger.   
Otherwise, we have no responsibility to update this opinion for events, 
transactions, circumstances, or changes in any of such facts, assumptions, or 
representations occurring after this date.

PREMISE OF OPINION

Our opinion is based solely on our interpretation of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); U.S. federal income tax regulations 
thereunder ("Treasury Regulations"; relevant judicial decisions; guidance 
issued by the Internal Revenue Service (the "Service") including revenue 
rulings and revenue procedures; and other authorities that we deemed 
relevant; in each case as of the date of this opinion.

U.S. federal income tax laws and regulations, and the interpretations 
thereof, are subject to change, which changes could adversely affect this 
opinion.  If there is a change in the Code, the regulations thereunder, the 
administrative guidance issued thereunder, or in the prevailing judicial 
interpretation of the foregoing, the opinion expressed herein would 
necessarily have to be reevaluated in light of any such changes.  If 
requested, we will update our opinion as of the date of the Merger.  
Otherwise, our opinion is as of the date of this letter and we have no 
responsibility to update this opinion for changes in applicable law or 
authorities occurring after this date.

Our opinion does not address the potential tax consequences of any 
transactions, events, or circumstances other than the transaction as 
described herein.  In addition, our opinion is limited to the U.S. federal 
income tax consequences set forth below.  Our opinion does not address any 



   
Mr. James G. Stathos 
Mr. F. Dean Fletcher
Page 4
May 7, 1998
    


non-income, state, local, or foreign tax consequences of the transaction.  We 
also express no opinion on non-income tax issues, such as corporate law or 
securities matters.

This opinion does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the 
transaction to any Mid-State Bank common shareholder that has a special 
status, including (without limitation) insurance companies; financial 
institutions; broker-dealers; foreign corporations; estates and trusts not 
subject to U.S. federal income tax on their income regardless of source; 
persons who are not citizens or residents of the United States; and persons 
who acquired stock as the result of the exercise of a compensatory stock 
option, pursuant to an employee stock purchase plan, or otherwise as 
compensation.

Our opinion is not binding on the Service, and there can be no assurance that 
the Service will not take positions contrary to such opinion or will not be 
successful in sustaining such contrary positions.  However, should the 
Service challenge the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the matters 
discussed below, our opinion reflects our assessment of the probable outcome 
of litigation based solely on an analysis of the existing authorities 
relating to such matters.
  
   
This opinion is solely for the benefit of Mid-State Bank, BSM Bancorp and 
Bank of Santa Maria and their respective shareholders and is not intended to 
be relied upon by anyone other than Mid-State Bank, BSM Bancorp and Bank of 
Santa Maria and their respective shareholders. Due to the individual nature 
of the tax consequences of the Merger, it is recommended that Mid-State Bank, 
BSM Bancorp, and Bank of Santa Maria shareholders consult their own tax 
advisor concerning the individual tax consequences to them. You do hereby 
have our express consent to include copies of this letter as an exhibit to 
the Agreement to Merge, as an exhibit in the Registration Statement on Form 
S-4 for the proposed transaction and by making reference to us and our 
opinion in the Proxy Statement-Prospectus forming a part of the Registration 
Statement. Except to the extent expressly permitted hereby, and without the 
prior written consent of this firm, this letter may not be quoted in whole or 
in part or otherwise referred to in any documents or delivered to any other 
person or entity.
    

OPINION

Based upon all of the foregoing, including representations of the management 
of Mid-State Bank, BSM Bancorp and Bank of Santa Maria, it is our opinion 
with respect to the Merger that:




   
Mr. James G. Stathos 
Mr. F. Dean Fletcher
Page 5
May 7, 1998
    


a)   The Merger will qualify as a reorganization under Code Section 368 and 
     Mid-State Bank, BSM Bancorp and Bank of Santa Maria each will be a 
     "party to a reorganization" within the meaning of Code Section 368(b).

b)   No gain or loss will be recognized by Mid-State Bank, BSM Bancorp, or 
     Bank of Santa Maria as a result of the Merger.

c)   No gain or loss will be recognized by a shareholder of Mid-State Bank on 
     the receipt solely of BSM Bancorp common stock in exchange for 
     his/her/its shares of Mid-State Bank common stock.

d)   The tax basis of the assets in Mid-State Bank after the Merger will be 
     the same as the tax basis of the assets held by Mid-State Bank and Bank 
     of Santa Maria immediately before the Merger.

e)   The tax basis of the shares of BSM Bancorp common stock to be received 
     by shareholders of Mid-State Bank pursuant to the Merger will be the 
     same as the basis of the shares of Mid-State Bank common stock 
     surrendered in exchange therefor, decreased by the amount of basis 
     allocated to any cash received in lieu of fractional shares that are 
     hypothetically received by the Mid-State Bank shareholders and redeemed 
     for cash.

f)   The holding period of the shares of BSM Bancorp common stock to be 
     received by shareholders of Mid-State Bank pursuant to the Merger will 
     include the holding period of shares of Mid-State Bank common stock 
     exchanged therefor, provided that the shares of Mid-State Bank common 
     stock are held as capital assets on the effective date of the Merger.

g)   The payment of cash to shareholders of Mid-State Bank in lieu of 
     fractional share interests of BSM Bancorp common stock will be treated 
     as if the fractional shares were distributed as part of the exchange and 
     then redeemed by BSM Bancorp.  These cash payments will be treated as 
     having been received as a distribution in redemption of that fractional 
     share interest subject to the conditions and limitations of Code Section 
     302.  If a fractional share of BSM Bancorp common stock would have 
     constituted a capital asset in the hands of a redeeming shareholder, and 
     the actual receipt and redemption of such fractional interest would have 
     qualified for sale or exchange treatment, any resulting gain or loss 
     will be characterized as capital gain or loss in accordance with the 
     provisions and limitations of Subchapter P of Chapter 1 of the Code.



   
Mr. James G. Stathos 
Mr. F. Dean Fletcher
Page 6
May 7, 1998
    


h)   No gain or loss will be recognized for federal income tax purposes by 
     the holders of outstanding stock options granted under Mid-State Bank's 
     stock option plan as a result of the granting, pursuant to the Merger, 
     of substitute options pursuant to BSM Bancorp's stock plan.

i)   The granting of any substitute stock option, under the BSM Option Plan, 
     to a holder of a Mid-State Bank stock option, under the Mid-State Option 
     Plan, pursuant to the Merger under the provisions discussed above, will 
     not be deemed a "modification" of any Mid-State Bank existing incentive 
     stock option under Code Section 424(h)(3).

As a result of the complexity of the tax laws, and because the tax 
consequences to any particular shareholder may be affected by matters not 
discussed herein, it is recommended that each shareholder of Mid-State Bank 
consult his/her/its personal tax advisor concerning the applicable federal, 
state and local income tax consequences of the Merger.
  
We express no opinion on the impact, if any, on any other sections of the 
Code, other than that as stated immediately above, and neither this opinion 
nor any prior statements are intended to imply or to be an opinion on any 
other matters.



   
/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
May 7, 1998
    



   
Mr. James G. Stathos 
Mr. F. Dean Fletcher
Page 7
May 7, 1998
    




                           EXHIBIT A
                                
                                
                        Representations

Representatives of Mid-State Bank have made the following representations to 
us:

a)   The fair market value of the BSM Bancorp stock and other consideration 
     received by each Mid-State Bank shareholder will be approximately equal 
     to the fair market value of the Mid-State Bank stock surrendered in the 
     exchange. 
  
b)   Following the Merger, Mid-State Bank will hold at least 90 percent of 
     the fair market value of the net assets and at least 70 percent of the 
     fair market value of the gross assets held by Mid-State Bank immediately 
     before the Merger. Following the Merger, Mid-State Bank will hold at 
     least 90% of the fair market value of the net assets and at least 70% of 
     the fair market value of the gross assets held by Bank of Santa Maria 
     immediately prior to the Merger. For purposes of this representation, 
     amounts paid by Mid-State Bank or Bank of Santa Maria to dissenters, 
     amounts paid by Mid-State Bank or Bank of Santa Maria to shareholders 
     who receive cash or other property, amounts used by Mid-State Bank or 
     Bank of Santa Maria to pay reorganization expenses, and all redemptions 
     and distributions (except for regular, normal dividends) made by 
     Mid-State Bank or Bank of Santa Maria immediately preceding the Merger, 
     will be included as assets of Mid-State Bank or Bank of Santa Maria, 
     respectively, immediately prior to the Merger. 
  
c)   There is no intercorporate indebtedness existing between Mid-State Bank, 
     on the one hand, and BSM Bancorp and Bank of Santa Maria, on the other 
     hand (or any member of their respective federal income tax consolidated 
     groups).  

d)   The Merger will qualify as a merger under applicable state law.  
  
e)   Upon merger of Bank of Santa Maria into Mid-State Bank, all assets, 
     obligations and liabilities of Bank of Santa Maria will be transferred 
     to Mid-State Bank.  All Mid-State Bank shareholders will become 
     shareholders of BSM Bancorp.



   
Mr. James G. Stathos 
Mr. F. Dean Fletcher
Page 8
May 7, 1998
    


f)   Mid-State Bank intends that the Merger will qualify as a tax-free 
     reorganization within the meaning of Code Section 368(a)(1)(A) and Code 
     Section 368(a)(2)(E) and will report it as such in accordance with 
     Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-3.  

g)   The payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares of BSM Bancorp stock is 
     solely for the purpose of avoiding the expense and inconvenience to BSM 
     Bancorp of issuing fractional shares, and does not represent separately 
     bargained-for consideration.  The total cash consideration that will be 
     paid in the transaction to the Mid-State Bank shareholders instead of 
     issuing fractional shares of BSM Bancorp stock will not exceed one 
     percent of the total consideration that will be issued in the 
     transaction to the Mid-State Bank shareholders in exchange for their 
     shares of stock. The fractional share interests of each Mid-State Bank 
     shareholder will be aggregated, and no Mid-State Bank shareholder will 
     receive cash in an amount greater than the value of one full share of 
     BSM Bancorp stock.

h)   None of the compensation received by any shareholder-employees of 
     Mid-State Bank will be separate consideration for, or allocable to, any 
     of their shares of Mid-State Bank stock; none of the shares of BSM 
     Bancorp stock received by any shareholder-employees will be separate 
     consideration for, or allocable to, any employment agreement; and the 
     compensation paid to any shareholder-employees will be for services 
     actually rendered and will be commensurate with amounts paid to third 
     parties bargaining at arm's-length for similar services.  

i)   Mid-State Bank understands and intends that Arthur Andersen LLP will 
     rely on these facts and representations and assume them to be accurate 
     as of the date hereof, without further inquiry on its part, in rendering 
     its opinion with respect to the Merger and that the inaccuracy of any of 
     these representations may adversely affect these opinions.  

j)   BSM Bancorp will issue its stock directly to the Mid-State Bank 
     shareholders as consideration in the Merger.

k)   There is no plan or intention by the shareholders of Mid-State Bank who 
     own 5 percent or more of Mid-State Bank's stock, and to the best of the 
     knowledge of the management of Mid-State Bank, there is no plan or 
     intention on the part of the remaining shareholders of Mid-State Bank, 
     to sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of a number of shares of BSM 
     Bancorp stock received in the Merger that would reduce Mid-State Bank 
     shareholders' ownership of BSM Bancorp stock to a number of shares 
     having a value, as of the Effective Date of the Merger, of less than 50 
     percent of the value of all of the formerly outstanding stock of 
     Mid-State Bank as of the same date.  For purposes of this 
     representation, shares of 



   
Mr. James G. Stathos 
Mr. F. Dean Fletcher
Page 9
May 7, 1998
    


     Mid-State Bank stock surrendered by dissenters or exchanged for cash in 
     lieu of fractional shares of BSM Bancorp stock will be treated as 
     outstanding Mid-State Bank stock on the date of the transaction.  
     Moreover, shares of Mid-State Bank stock and shares of BSM Bancorp stock 
     held by Mid-State Bank shareholders and otherwise sold, redeemed, or 
     disposed of prior or subsequent to the transaction will be considered in 
     making this representation.  Finally, for purposes of this 
     representation, extraordinary distributions (i.e., distributions with 
     respect to stock other than regular, normal dividends), prior to or in 
     connection with the transaction, will be taken into account.  The 
     preceding representation with respect to Mid-State Bank shareholders who 
     own 5 percent or more of Mid-State Bank stock is based on 
     representations that Mid-State Bank has received from such shareholders.

l)   Mid-State Bank has no plan or intention to issue additional shares of 
     its stock that would result in BSM Bancorp losing control of Mid-State 
     Bank within the meaning of Code Section 368(c).  
  
m)   Mid-State Bank and the shareholders of Mid-State Bank will pay their 
     respective expenses, if any, incurred in connection with the Merger.  
  
n)   At the time of the Merger, Mid-State Bank will not have outstanding any 
     warrants, options, convertible securities, or any other type of right 
     pursuant to which any person could acquire stock in Mid-State Bank that, 
     if exercised or converted, would affect BSM Bancorp's acquisition or 
     retention of control of Mid-State Bank, as defined in Code Section 
     368(c).  
  
o)   Mid-State Bank is not an investment company as defined in Code Section 
     368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and Code Section 368(a)(2)(F)(iv).
  
p)   On the date of the Merger, the fair market value of the assets of 
     Mid-State Bank will exceed the sum of its liabilities, plus the amount 
     of liabilities, if any, to which the assets are subject.  
  
q)   Mid-State Bank is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a Title 11 or 
     similar case within the meaning of Code 368(a)(3)(A).  

r)   Following the Merger, Mid-State Bank will continue its historic 
     businesses or use a significant portion of its historic business assets 
     in a business.  

s)   In the Merger, shares of Mid-State Bank stock representing control of 
     Mid-State Bank, as defined in Code Section 368(c), will be exchanged 
     solely for voting stock of BSM Bancorp.  For purposes of this 
     representation, shares of Mid-State Bank exchanged for cash or other 



   
Mr. James G. Stathos 
Mr. F. Dean Fletcher
Page 10
May 7, 1998
    


     property originating with BSM Bancorp will be treated as outstanding 
     Mid-State Bank stock on the date of the transaction.  

t)   The Merger is being undertaken for reasons germane to the continuance of 
     the business of BSM Bancorp, Bank of Santa Maria, and Mid-State Bank.

u)   BSM Bancorp will change its name to Mid-State Bancshares immediately 
     after the Effective Time.  

v)   BSM Bancorp will not change its name to Mid-State Bancshares unless the 
     Merger is consummated.

Representatives of BSM Bancorp have made the following representations to us:

a)   The fair market value of the BSM Bancorp stock and other consideration 
     received by each Mid-State Bank shareholder will be approximately equal 
     to the fair market value of the Mid-State Bank stock surrendered in the 
     exchange. 
  
b)   Following the Merger, Mid-State Bank will hold at least 90 percent of 
     the fair market value of the net assets and at least 70 percent of the 
     fair market value of the gross assets held by Mid-State Bank immediately 
     before the Merger. Following the Merger, Mid-State Bank will hold at 
     least 90% of the fair market value of the net assets and at least 70% of 
     the fair market value of the gross assets held by Bank of Santa Maria 
     immediately prior to the Merger. For purposes of this representation, 
     amounts paid by Mid-State Bank or Bank of Santa Maria to dissenters, 
     amounts paid by Mid-State Bank or Bank of Santa Maria to shareholders 
     who receive cash or other property, amounts used by Mid-State Bank or 
     Bank of Santa Maria to pay reorganization expenses, and all redemptions 
     and distributions (except for regular, normal dividends) made by 
     Mid-State Bank or Bank of Santa Maria immediately preceding the Merger, 
     will be included as assets of Mid-State Bank or Bank of Santa Maria, 
     respectively, immediately prior to the Merger. 
  
c)   There is no intercorporate indebtedness existing between Mid-State Bank, 
     on the one hand, and BSM Bancorp and Bank of Santa Maria, on the other 
     hand (or any member of their respective federal income tax consolidated 
     groups).  

d)   The Merger will qualify as a merger under applicable state law.  



   
Mr. James G. Stathos 
Mr. F. Dean Fletcher
Page 11
May 7, 1998
    


e)   Upon merger of Bank of Santa Maria into Mid-State Bank, all assets, 
     obligations and liabilities of Bank of Santa Maria will be transferred 
     to Mid-State Bank.  All Mid-State Bank shareholders will become 
     shareholders of BSM Bancorp.

f)   BSM Bancorp and Bank of Santa Maria intend that the Merger will qualify 
     as a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Code Section 
     368(a)(1)(A) and Code Section 368(a)(2)(E) and will report it as such in 
     accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-3.  

g)   The payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares of BSM Bancorp stock is 
     solely for the purpose of avoiding the expense and inconvenience to BSM 
     Bancorp of issuing fractional shares, and does not represent separately 
     bargained-for consideration.  The total cash consideration that will be 
     paid in the transaction to the Mid-State Bank shareholders instead of 
     issuing fractional shares of BSM Bancorp stock will not exceed one 
     percent of the total consideration that will be issued in the 
     transaction to the Mid-State Bank shareholders in exchange for their 
     shares of stock.  The fractional share interests of each Mid-State Bank 
     shareholder will be aggregated, and no Mid-State Bank shareholder will 
     receive cash in an amount greater than the value of one full share of 
     BSM Bancorp stock.

h)   None of the compensation received by any shareholder-employees of 
     Mid-State Bank will be separate consideration for, or allocable to, any 
     of their shares of Mid-State Bank stock; none of the shares of BSM 
     Bancorp stock received by any shareholder-employees will be separate 
     consideration for, or allocable to, any employment agreement; and the 
     compensation paid to any shareholder-employees will be for services 
     actually rendered and will be commensurate with amounts paid to third 
     parties bargaining at arm's-length for similar services.  

i)   BSM Bancorp and Bank of Santa Maria understand and intend that Arthur 
     Andersen LLP will rely on these facts and representations and assume 
     them to be accurate as of the date hereof, without further inquiry on 
     its part, in rendering its opinion with respect to the Merger and that 
     the inaccuracy of any of these representations may adversely affect 
     these opinions.  

j)   BSM Bancorp will issue its stock directly to the Mid-State Bank 
     shareholders as consideration in the merger.

k)   BSM Bancorp and Bank of Santa Maria will pay their respective expenses, 
     if any, incurred in connection with the Merger.  



   
Mr. James G. Stathos 
Mr. F. Dean Fletcher
Page 12
May 7, 1998
    


l)   Prior to the Merger, BSM Bancorp will be in control of Bank of Santa 
     Maria within the meaning of Code Section 368(c) (i.e., own stock 
     possessing at least 80 percent of the total combined voting power of all 
     classes of stock entitled to vote, and own at least 80 percent of the 
     total number of shares of all other classes of stock of the 
     corporation).  

m)   Neither BSM Bancorp nor any related party has any plan or intention to 
     reacquire any of its stock issued in the Merger.  For purposes of this 
     opinion, a "related party" includes any corporation (i) that is a member 
     of any affiliated group, as defined in Code Section 1504 (determined 
     without regard to Code Section 1504(b)), of which BSM Bancorp is a 
     member, or (ii) whose purchase of BSM Bancorp stock would be treated as 
     a distribution in redemption of stock of BSM Bancorp under Code Section 
     304(a)(2) (determined without regard to Treasury Regulation Section 
     1.1502-80).  

n)   The liabilities of Bank of Santa Maria assumed by Mid-State Bank and the 
     liabilities to which the transferred assets of Bank of Santa Maria are 
     subject were incurred by Bank of Santa Maria in the ordinary course of 
     its business, and the principal purpose of such assumption is not the 
     avoidance of federal income tax.  

o)   BSM Bancorp has no plan or intention to liquidate Mid-State Bank; to 
     merge Mid-State Bank with or into another corporation; to sell or 
     otherwise dispose of the stock of Mid-State Bank, except for transfers 
     of stock to corporations controlled by BSM Bancorp; or to cause 
     Mid-State Bank to sell or otherwise dispose of any of its own assets or 
     any of the assets acquired from Bank of Santa Maria, except for 
     disposition made in the ordinary course of business or transfers of 
     assets to a corporation controlled by Mid-State Bank (within the meaning 
     of Code Section 368(a)(2)(C)).  
  
p)   BSM Bancorp does not own, nor has it owned during the past five years, 
     any shares of the stock of Mid-State Bank.  
  
q)   BSM Bancorp and Bank of Santa Maria are not investment companies as 
     defined in Code Sections 368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and 368(a)(2)(F)(iv).
  
r)   Except for restrictions imposed by (i) SEC Rule 145 and (ii) agreements 
     in place that restrict certain current Mid-State Bank shareholders from 
     selling BSM Bancorp shares received in the Merger, the Mid-State Bank 
     common shareholders will have unrestricted rights of ownership of BSM 
     Bancorp stock received in the transaction, and their ability to retain 
     the BSM Bancorp common stock received in the Merger will not be limited 
     in any way.  



   
Mr. James G. Stathos 
Mr. F. Dean Fletcher
Page 13
May 7, 1998
    


s)   It is our belief that following the Merger, Mid-State Bank will continue 
     its historic businesses or use a significant portion of its historic 
     business assets in a business.  

t)   In the Merger, shares of Mid-State Bank stock representing control of 
     Mid-State Bank, as defined in Code Section 368(c), will be exchanged 
     solely for voting stock of BSM Bancorp.  For purposes of determining 
     whether or not BSM Bancorp has acquired control of Mid-State Bank under 
     Section 368(c) of the Code, it is necessary to determine the total 
     number of Mid-State Bank shares outstanding prior to the Merger.  In 
     determining the total number of outstanding shares, any Mid-State Bank 
     shares that are exchanged for cash or other property will be treated as 
     outstanding prior to the Merger.

u)   The Merger is being undertaken for business reasons relating to the 
     continuance of the overall banking business of BSM Bancorp, Bank of 
     Santa Maria, and Mid-State Bank.

v)   BSM Bancorp will change its name to Mid-State Bancshares immediately 
     after the Effective Time.

w)   BSM Bancorp will not change its name to Mid-State Bancshares unless the 
     Merger is consummated.