Fitch Affirms & Withdraws Westamerica Bancorporation's Ratings

Fitch Ratings has affirmed and withdrawn its ratings on Westamerica Bancorporation (WABC) and its main subsidiary, Westamerica Bank.

Fitch will no longer provide ratings or analytical coverage on WABC as the company's ratings are no longer considered by Fitch to be relevant to the agency's coverage.

WABC is a $5 billion bank holding company headquartered in San Rafael, CA.

Fitch has affirmed and withdrawn the following ratings:

Westamerica Bancorporation

--Long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'A';

--Short-term IDR at 'F1';

--Viability at 'a';

--Support at '5';

--Support floor at 'NF'.

Westamerica Bank

--Long-term IDR at 'A';

--Long-term deposits at 'A+';

--Short-term deposits at 'F1';

--Short-term IDR at 'F1';

--Viability at 'a';

--Support at '5';

--Support floor at 'NF'.

Additional information is available at www.fitchratings.com. The ratings above were unsolicited and have been provided by Fitch as a service to investors.

Applicable Criteria and Related Research

--'Global Financial Institutions Rating Criteria', Dec. 16, 2011;

--'Bank Holding Company Criteria', Dec. 16, 2011.

In addition to the source(s) of information identified in the Master Criteria, this action was additionally informed by information provided by the company.

Applicable Criteria and Related Research:

Global Financial Institutions Rating Criteria

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=649171

Bank Holding Companies

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=648612

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Contacts:

Fitch Ratings
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Julie Solar, [phone]
Senior Director
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or
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Brandon Bajema, [phone]
Associate Director
or
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Christopher Wolfe, [phone]
Managing Director
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