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