<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><edgarSubmission xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ownership" xmlns:com="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">
  <headerData>
    <submissionType>144</submissionType>
    <filerInfo>
      <filer>
        <filerCredentials>
          <cik>0001201513</cik>
          <ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
        </filerCredentials>
      </filer>
      <liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>



    </filerInfo>
  </headerData>
  <formData>
    <issuerInfo>
      <issuerCik>0000311094</issuerCik>
      <issuerName>WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION</issuerName>
      <secFileNumber>001-09383</secFileNumber>
      <issuerAddress>
        <com:street1>1108 FIFTH AVE</com:street1>
        <com:city>SAN RAFAEL</com:city>
        <com:stateOrCountry>CA</com:stateOrCountry>
        <com:zipCode>94901</com:zipCode>
      </issuerAddress>
      <issuerContactPhone>(707) 863-6000</issuerContactPhone>
      <nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>PAYNE DAVID L</nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <relationshipsToIssuer>
        <relationshipToIssuer>Officer</relationshipToIssuer>
      </relationshipsToIssuer>
    </issuerInfo>
    <securitiesInformation>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
      <brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <name>Charles Schwab Corp.</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>3000 Schwab Way</com:street1>
          <com:city>Westlake</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>TX</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>76262</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <noOfUnitsSold>100000</noOfUnitsSold>
      <aggregateMarketValue>5163000.00</aggregateMarketValue>
      <noOfUnitsOutstanding>26649036</noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <approxSaleDate>01/22/2024</approxSaleDate>
      <securitiesExchangeName>Nasdaq</securitiesExchangeName>
    </securitiesInformation>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>07/05/1988</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Jeanne Payne acquired shares as the result of a death beneficiary from the passing of her father</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Jeanne Payne</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>342417</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>07/05/1988</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>N/A</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>Y</nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <remarks>David Lee Payne is TTEE for Jeanne Gibson Payne 2003 Trust. Client did not pay for shares, they were the result of a death beneficiary</remarks>
    <noticeSignature>
      <noticeDate>01/22/2024</noticeDate>
      <signature>David Lee Payne</signature>
    </noticeSignature>
  </formData>
</edgarSubmission>
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144
0001201513
XXXXXXXX
LIVE
0000311094
WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION
001-09383
1108 FIFTH AVE
SAN RAFAEL
CA
94901
(707) 863-6000
PAYNE DAVID L
Officer
Common
Charles Schwab Corp.
3000 Schwab Way
Westlake
TX
76262
100000
5163000.00
26649036
01/22/2024
Nasdaq
Common
07/05/1988
Jeanne Payne acquired shares as the result of a death beneficiary from the passing of her father
Jeanne Payne
N
342417
07/05/1988
N/A
Y
David Lee Payne is TTEE for Jeanne Gibson Payne 2003 Trust. Client did not pay for shares, they were the result of a death beneficiary
01/22/2024
David Lee Payne