8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 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): September 2, 2004

CAPITAL CORP OF THE WEST
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

California
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation) 0-27384
(Commission File
Number)   77-0147763
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)  

550 West Main Street, Merced, California 95340
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(209) 725-2200
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the
registrant under any of the following provisions:

[   ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 30.425)

[   ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Section 5 - CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Item 5.02 - Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

99.1 Press Release dated September 2, 2004

On September 2, 2004, Capital Corp of the West announced that James W. Tolladay is retiring from the Board of Directors and transitioning into a role of Director Emeritus. Mr. Tolladay served with distinction as a Director for thirteen years and was elected Chairman for two of those years. Having reached the Board’s mandatory retirement age, Tolladay looks forward to a less active business schedule.

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.

Capital Corp of the West
(Registrant)

Dated: September 2, 2004

By	/s/ David A. Curtis
	David A. Curtis Vice President and Controller

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

County Bank and Capital Corp of the West Announce the Retirement of Board Member James W. Tolladay

        MERCED, Calif., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — County Bank and Capital Corp of the West (Nasdaq: CCOW) announced today that James W. Tolladay is retiring from both Board of Directors and transitioning into a role of Director Emeritus. Mr. Tolladay served with distinction for thirteen years as a Director of both Boards and was elected Chairman for two of those years.” Having reached the Board’s mandatory retirement age, Tolladay looks forward to a less active business schedule. “It has been a wonderful experience serving an organization noted for its integrity and commitment to community service,” stated Tolladay. “Through my emeritus duties, I will continue to support County Bank, Capital Corp of the West, and their team members.”
        ”Jim will be greatly missed. He has been a great example of true leadership, having played a key role in the decisions that lead to the strong growth of County Bank within the Central Valley,” stated Tom Hawker, President and CEO of County Bank and Capital Corp of the West. “We wish Jim all of the best in his retirement from active participation on the Board, but know that as a Director Emeritus we will see him often as he continues to provide welcome counsel,” continued Hawker.

        Capital Corp of the West, a bank holding company established November 1, 1995, is the parent company of County Bank, which has more than 26 years of service as “Central California’s Community Bank.” Currently County Bank has twenty branch offices serving the communities of Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Stanislaus, San Francisco, Stockton and Tuolumne counties. As of the latest FDIC data, County Bank has 6.2% market share of the six counties in which it has retail branches. This ranks County Bank sixth out of forty-one financial institutions in these counties. For further information about the Company’s financial performance, contact Tom Hawker, President & Chief Executive Officer at (209) 725-2276, or R. Dale McKinney Chief Financial Officer, at (209) 725-7435.

        Web Site www.ccow.com.

SOURCE   County Bank; Capital Corp of the West
        -0-                 09/02/2004
        /CONTACT:    Samantha Maraspini, Public Relations Specialist of Capital Corp of the West, +1-209-725-7455/
         /Web site: http://www.ccow.com /
         (CCOW)

CO:    County Bank; Capital Corp of the West
ST:   California
IN:   FIN
SU:   PER