SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                          
                              WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
                                          
                                      FORM 8-K
                                          
                                   CURRENT REPORT
                                          
                      Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the 
                          Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                          
                                          
     Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 12, 1999
                                          
                                          
                                  REGENCY BANCORP
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                                          
                                          


           California                  000-23815             77-0378956
  (State or other jurisdiction     (Commission File        (IRS Employer
       of incorporation)                Number)          Identification No.)


7060 N. Fresno, Fresno, California                                  93720
(Address of principal executive offices)                          (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   (209) 438-2600


                                   Not Applicable
           (Former name or former address, if changed since last report).




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                                                 The Exhibit Index is on Page 4.


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Item 5.   OTHER EVENTS.
          
          The Registrant issued a press release dated January 12, 1999
          announcing record performance for 1998, and reporting net after-tax
          income of $3.67 million or $1.40 per share for 1998.  For the fourth
          quarter of 1998, the company earned $1.45 million or $0.55 per share. 
          The foregoing is qualified by reference to the press release attached
          as exhibit 99.1 
                              
Item 7.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

     (a)  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

          Not Applicable.

     (b)  PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

          Not Applicable.

     (c)  EXHIBITS.

          (99.1)    Press Release dated January 12, 1999


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                                     SIGNATURES
                                          
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                   REGENCY BANCORP



     
Date:     January 12, 1999              /s/ STEVEN R. CANFIELD
                                        ----------------------
                                        Steven R. Canfield
                                        EVP & CFO


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                                   EXHIBIT INDEX
                                          





                                                               
                                                               
     Exhibit No.                   Description                 
     -----------                   -----------                 
        99.1           Press Release dated January 12, 1999    







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