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EXHIBIT 5.1

OPINION RE: LEGALITY
IRS FAVORABLE DETERMINATION LETTER


INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
DISTRICT DIRECTOR
2 CUPANIA CIRCLE
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91755
  DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Date: December 12, 1995

 

Employer Identification Number:
        77-0103429
    File Folder Number:
        771008604
UNITED SECURITY BANK, N.A.
2151 W. SHAW AVENUE
FRESNO, CA 93711
  Person to Contact:
        CORENE MORTON
Contact Telephone Number:
        (714) 643-4231
    Plan Name:
        UNITED SECURITY BANK, N.A.
        EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

 

 

Plan Number: 001

Dear Applicant:

        We have made a favorable determination on your plan, identified above, based on the information supplied. Please keep this letter in your permanent records.

        Continued qualification of the plan under its present form will depend on its effect in operation. (See section 1.401-1(b)(3) of the Income Tax Regulations.) We will review the status of the plan in operation periodically.

        The enclosed document explains the significance of this favorable determination letter, points out some features that may affect the qualified status of your employee retirement plan, and provides information on the reporting requirements for your plan. It also describes some events that automatically nullify it. It is very important that you read the publication.

        This letter relates only to the status of your plan under the Internal Revenue Code. It is not a determination regarding the effect of other federal or local statutes.

        This determination is also subject to your adoption of the proposed amendments submitted in your letter(s) dated 2-10-95 & 10-30-95. These proposed amendments should also be adopted on or before the date prescribed by the regulations under Code Section 401(b).

        This determination letter is applicable or the plan adopted on December 28, 1993.

        This plan satisfies the requirements of Code section 4975(e)(7).

        This plan has been mandatorily disaggregated, permissively aggregated, or restructured to satisfy the nondiscrimination requirements.

        This plan satisfies the nondiscrimination in amount requirement of section 1.401(a) (4)-1(b) (2) of the regulations on the basis of a design-based safe harbor described in the regulations.

        This letter is issued under Rev. Proc. 93-39 and considers the amendments required by the Tax Reform Act of 1986 except as otherwise specified in this letter.

        This plan satisfies the nondiscriminatory current availability requirements of section 1.401(a)(4)—4(b) of the regulations with respect to those benefits, rights, and features that are currently available to all employees in the plan's coverage group. For this purpose, the plan's coverage group consists of those employees treated as currently benefitting for purposes of demonstrating that the plan satisfies the minimum coverage requirements of section 410(b) of the Code.

        This letter may not be relied upon with respect to whether the plan satisfies the qualification requirements as amended by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, Pub. L. 103-465.



        The information on the enclosed addendum is an integral part of this determination. Please be sure to read and keep it with this letter.

        We have sent a copy of this letter to your representative as indicated in the power of attorney.

        If you have questions concerning this matter, please contact the person whose name and telephone number are shown above.

    Sincerely yours,

 

 

/s/ Richard R. Orosco
    Richard R. Orosco
District Director
Enclosures:
Publication 794
Addendum
   

UNITED SECURITY BANK, N.A.

        This plan does not provide for contributions on behalf of participants with less than one thousand hours of service during the plan year and/or does not provide for contributions on behalf of participants not employed on the last day of the plan year. The provision(s) may, in operation, cause this plan to fail the coverage requirements of IRC 401(b) and/or the participation requirements of IRC 401(a)(26). If this discrimination occurs, this plan will not remain qualified.





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EXHIBIT 5.1