<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001137547-03-000077
<TYPE>8-K
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>2
<PERIOD>20031212
<ITEMS>5
<ITEMS>7
<FILING-DATE>20031212
<FILER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>UNITED SECURITY BANCSHARES
<CIK>0001137547
<ASSIGNED-SIC>6021
<IRS-NUMBER>912112732
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>CA
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>8-K
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-32897
<FILM-NUMBER>031052101
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>1525 E SHAW AVENUE
<CITY>FRESO
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>93710
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>1525 E SHAW AVENUE
<CITY>FRESNO
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>93710
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</FILER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>merger8-k12122003.htm
<DESCRIPTION>TAFT MERGER
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>Form 8-K</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF" link="#807331" vlink="#FF0000">

<P>
<HR>



<PRE>






</PRE>
<H4 ALIGN="CENTER">UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>
Washington, DC 20549</H4>
<PRE>
</PRE>
<H3 ALIGN="CENTER">FORM 8-K</H3>
<H4 ALIGN="CENTER">CURRENT REPORT<BR>
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</H4>
<PRE>

</PRE>

<table align=center width=640 cellspacing=3 cellpadding=1>
<tr><td ALIGN=CENTER colspan=3>Date of Report: December 12, 2003</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan=3><br></td></tr>
<tr><td align=center colspan=3><b><u>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;UNITED SECURITY BANCSHARES&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U></b><BR>
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its chapter) </td></tr>
<tr><td colspan=3><br></td></tr>
<TR><TD ALIGN=CENTER><U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;CALIFORNIA&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U> <BR>
(State or other jurisdiction <BR>
of incorporation</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><u>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;000-32897&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</u> <BR>
(Commission <BR>
File Number)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="CENTER"><U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;91-2112732&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U><BR>
(IRS Employer <BR>
Identification No.)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<Pre>

</pre>
<table align=center width=640>
<tr><td COLSPAN=2 align=center><U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1525 E. Shaw Ave, Fresno, California  93710&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</u><br>
(Address of principal executive offices)</td></tr>

<tr><td colspan=2><br></td></tr>
</table>

<table align=center width=640>
<tr><td colspan=2 align=center>Registrant's telephone number:&nbsp;<u>&nbsp;&nbsp;(559)&nbsp;248-4943&nbsp;&nbsp;</u></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan=2><br></td></tr>

</table>
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</PRE>


<p align=center><font size=3>1</font></p>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#CCEEFF" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<BR><BR>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
<b>Item 5. Other Events.</b></FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
On December 11, 2003, United Security Bancshares announced that it has entered into a definitive Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization and Merger with Taft National Bank pursuant to which Taft National Bank will merge into United Security
Bancshares.  A copy of such press release dated December 11, 2003 is attached, and incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit
99.1.
</FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
<b>Item 7. Exhibits.</b></FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) Exhibits</FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;99.1
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Press Release dated December 11, 2003</FONT></P>

<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>
<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

<p align=center><font size=3>2</font></p>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#CCEEFF" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">





<H3 ALIGN="CENTER">SIGNATURES</H3>
<P>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. </P>
<BR><BR><BR><BR>

<TABLE width=100% CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR>
<TD width=40% align=center VALIGN="top">Date:&nbsp;<u>&nbsp;&nbsp;December 12, 2003&nbsp;&nbsp;</u><P></TD>

<TD width=20%>&nbsp;</td>

<TD width=40% VALIGN="middle">
<P ALIGN="left"><u>&nbsp;&nbsp;/S/&nbsp;&nbsp;Kenneth L. Donahue&nbsp;&nbsp;</u><BR>
Senior Vice President and<BR>
Chief Financial Officer</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD VALIGN="MIDDLE">
<P>&nbsp; </TD>
<TD VALIGN="MIDDLE">
<P ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;<BR></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.77M
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>taftpress121103.htm
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE> Form 8-K - United Security Bancshares - 12/21/2003
</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY>

<P align=right><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
<b>Exhibit 99.1</b></FONT></P>


<H2 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=5>United
Security Bancshares and Taft National Bank Agree to Merge</FONT></H2>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Fresno, Calif., December
11, 2003 -- In a joint news release, United Security Bancshares (Nasdaq: UBFO)
President and CEO, Dennis R. Woods and Taft National Bank President, Dennis
Tishma, announced today the signing of a definitive merger agreement. Upon
completion of the merger, Taft National Bank branches will operate as branches
of United Security Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Security
Bancshares. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>In the merger, United
Security Bancshares (&#147;USB&#148;) will issue shares of its stock in a tax
free exchange for all of the Taft National Bank shares. The value of the merger
will vary depending on the market price of USB stock at the time of the merger
closing. Based upon the closing price of USB common stock today, the merger
value is approximately $6.4 million or $24.00 per Taft share. The minimum value
of the transaction depending on the price of a USB share, will not be less than
$5.3 million, less a dollar for dollar reduction if specified transaction costs
exceed $300,000. The merger which will be accounted for as a purchase
transaction, is expected to be completed late in the first quarter or early in
the second quarter of 2004.</FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
Taft National Bank operates branch offices in Taft
and Bakersfield serving small business and retail banking clients. As of
September 30, 2003, Taft National Bank had total assets of $52 million and
deposits of $47 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003,
Taft&#146;s net income was $80,000. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Dennis Woods, President and
Chief Executive Officer of United Security Bancshares, stated, &quot;The
addition of Taft National Bank to United Security Bank will strengthen our
presence in the San Joaquin Valley. Taft National Bank has built a solid
business banking and retail franchise with an excellent reputation for service.
With its small business and retail banking focus, Taft National Bank provides a
unique opportunity for United Security to serve a loyal and growing small
business niche and individual client base.&#148;</FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
Dennis Tishma, President of
Taft National Bank, commented, &quot;We have followed the success of United
Security Bank over the years and believe that its community banking philosophy
fits extremely well with the strong community commitment that Taft has
consistently maintained. This merger will enable us to expand our ability to
serve our clients and increase our lending capabilities. We also believe this
merger will give us an opportunity to participate more fully in the economic
growth of the San Joaquin Valley.&quot;</FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
Terms of the Merger:</FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
The terms of the agreement provide for the shareholders of Taft National Bank to receive shares
of United Security Bancshares. Taft National Bank currently has approximately
267,481 shares of common stock outstanding. If the average closing price of
United Security Banchares common stock, which will be determined over the twenty
trading days preceding the closing, is $22.00 or above, each share of Taft
National Bank stock will be exchanged for approximately 0.90899 of a share of
United Security Bancshares stock.</FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
The merger is subject to certain conditions,
including the approval of the shareholders of Taft National Bank and regulatory
approval. Upon consummation of the merger, former Taft National Bank
shareholders will own approximately 4.2% of United Security Bancshares
outstanding shares.</FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>
<i>Safe Harbor</i></FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3><i>
Certain matters discussed in this press release
constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements
relate to future financial performance and condition and pending acquisitions.
These forward looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties
that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ
materially from those expressed, suggested or implied by the forward looking
statements due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, when and
if the proposed merger is consummated, the success of United Security Bancshares
in integrating the new bank into its organization and other risks detailed in
the United Secuirity Bancshares reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and Taft National Bank reports filed with the Office of the
Comptroller of Currency, including their Annual Reports for the year ending
December 31, 2003.</i></FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3><i>
United Security Bancshares will file a registration statement
on Form S-4 with the SEC in connection with the proposed merger. The
registration statement will include a prospectus/proxy statement which will be
sent to shareholders of Taft National Bank seeking their approval of the
proposed merger. When filed, the registration statement can be obtained at
http://www.sec.gov .</i></FONT></P>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3><i>
For investor information on United Security Bancshares
please contact Dennis R. Woods, President &amp; CEO, 559-248-4928, or Ken
Donahue, SVP&amp; CFO, 559-248-4943. For questions regarding Taft National Bank,
please contact Dennis Tishma, President &amp; CEO, 661-763-5151.</i> </FONT></P>


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