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:   January 30, 1996

EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER:

    Capital Corp of the West

STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION:   California

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER:   0-27384

I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:   77-0405791

ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE:

    1160 West Olive Avenue, Suite A
    Merced, California

ZIP CODE:   95348

REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE:   (209) 725-2200

ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS:   See the attached press release, which is incorporated by
reference.


                                      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.


Dated:  January 30, 1996            Capital Corp of the West


                                      By: /s/ Janey Boyce
                                         --------------------------------
                                         Janey Boyce
                                         Vice President/Chief Financial Officer



                                       [LETTERHEAD]

AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 1996
Contact: Janey Boyce 209-725-2205

CAPITAL CORP OF THE WEST AND TOWN & COUNTRY FINANCE & THRIFT ENTER INTO 
ACQUISITION NEGOTIATIONS

Capital Corp of the West (Capital Corp), the newly formed bank holding 
company for County Bank, and Town & Country Finance and Thrift (Town & 
Country) announced today that they have signed a letter of intent to pursue a 
proposed acquisition of all the outstanding common stock (Stock) of Town & 
Country by Capital Corp.

The proposed transaction would result in Town & Country becoming a wholly 
owned subsidiary of Capital Corp.  Town & Country would join County Bank as 
Capital Corp's second financial institution subsidiary.  Town & Country would 
continue to operate under its current President, Mr. D. Dale Pinkney and 
staff and continue to offer its existing products and services.

The proposed purchase price for the Stock to be paid by Capital Corp will be 
one and fifty-seven hundredths (1.57) times the tangible equity of Town & 
Country at the closing of the transaction.  The parties will strive to close 
the transaction by June 30, 1996.  The proposed purchase price will be a 
combination of cash and common stock of Capital Corp.  The exchange of stock 
is expected to result in Town & Country owning approximately 20% of the 
common stock of Capital Corp and current shareholders of Capital Corp owning 
approximately 80% of the common stock of Capital Corp.

The proposed acquisition is subject to numerous conditions such as a thorough 
due diligence review by both parties of the operations of the other party.  
Upon satisfactory completion of such reviews, a definitive agreement between 
parties which will define the final terms and conditions of the agreement 
would be prepared and signed. The transaction will also be subject to 
receipt of approvals by the shareholders of each company and regulatory 
agencies.

Capital Corp is a federally chartered bank holding company which was 
established November 1, 1995. It is the parent company for County Bank, 
formed in 1977. Merced County's only locally owned and independently managed 
bank.  County Bank currently has six branch offices in Merced, Atwater, 
Hilmar, Los Banos and Turlock and loan



                                       [LETTERHEAD]

production offices in Sonora and Modesto.  County Bank offers a full range of 
commercial and personal banking products and services.  Capital Corp is now 
listed on NASDAQ national stock exchange with the ticker symbol of CCOW.

As of December 31, 1995, Capital Corp reported assets on a consolidated basis 
totaling $209 million and year to date incomeof $335,000 or $.25 per share. 
These reported earnings include a one-time write-off of Capital Corp's 
remaining investment in real estate held by its real estate investment 
subsidiary.  This write-off reduced after tax earnings by approximately $1.8 
million.  Earnings exclusive of this write-off were $2.1 million or $1.57 per 
share.  Shareholders' equity totaled $15 million or $11.31 per share.

Town & Country is a licensed California thrift and loan company which 
specializes in consumer loans and consumer financing.  It has been in 
operation since 1957 and currently has three offices in Turlock, Visalia and 
Modesto.  As of December 31, 1995, Town & Country total assets were $26 
million and year to date earnings were $209,000 or $1.24 per share.  
Shareholders' equity totaled $3.6 million or $21.41 per share.

In a joint statement, Tom Hawker, Chief Executive Officer for Capital Corp, 
and Dale Pinkney, President of Town & Country, said, "The union of Capital 
Corp and Town & Country should be advantageous to both companies.  The larger 
foundation and growth of Capital Corp will in turn afford Town & Country 
growth opportunities.  The distinctive product line of Town & Country will 
allow Capital Corp to expand the types of clients it currently serves and 
expand into new markets.  This union is consistent with the strategic 
objectives of both companies."

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