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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July&nbsp;26, 2002  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><B> Registration No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Washington, D.C. 20549  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>FORM S-8<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>NATIONAL MERCANTILE BANCORP<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>California</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>95-3819685</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
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&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>1840 Century Park East<BR>
Los Angeles, California</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
(Address of principal executive offices)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="49%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>90067</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
(Zip code)</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>NATIONAL MERCANTILE BANCORP<BR>
AMENDED 1996 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN<BR>
(Amended as of June&nbsp;6, 2002)<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Full title of the plan) </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>SCOTT A. MONTGOMERY<BR>
President and Chief Executive Officer<BR>
National Mercantile Bancorp<BR>
1840 Century Park East<BR>
Los Angeles, California 90067<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Name and address of agent for service) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>(310)&nbsp;277-2265<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Copy
to:<BR></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><B>ALAN B. SPATZ, ESQ.<BR>
Troy&nbsp;&amp; Gould Professional Corporation<BR>
1801 Century Park East, 16<SUP>th</SUP> Floor<BR>
Los Angeles, California 90067<BR>
(310)&nbsp;553-4441  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE  </B></FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="28%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title of Securities to be Registered</B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount to<BR>
be Registered(1)</B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed Maximum<BR>
Offering Price<BR>
Per Share(2)</B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed Maximum<BR>
Aggregate<BR>
Offering Price</B></FONT><BR></TH>
<TH WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount of<BR>
Registration Fee</B></FONT><BR></TH>
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<TD WIDTH="28%"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Common Stock, without par value</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>100,000</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>$5.23</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="19%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>$523,000</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>$48.12</B></FONT></TD>
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<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(1)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>This
Registration Statement covers, in addition to the number of shares of Common Stock stated above, such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock as may be issued upon
exercise of options granted under the Amended 1996 Stock Incentive Plan as a result of the adjustment provisions thereof.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(2)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Estimated,
solely for purposes of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457, based upon the average of the high and low sales prices of the Common
Stock as reported on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market System on July&nbsp;23, 2002. </FONT></DD></DL>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de1527_part_ii_information_req__de102471"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de1527_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART II<BR>  <BR>    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de1527_item_3._incorporation_o__de102157"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de1527_2"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>Item 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2><I>Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.</I></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On
July&nbsp;2, 2001, National Mercantile Bancorp (the "Registrant") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8
(Registration No.&nbsp;333-64316) (the "Prior Registration Statement") relating to shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, without par value, to be issued pursuant to the Registrant's
Amended 1996 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended as of April&nbsp;26, 2001 (the "Plan"). The Prior Registration Statement currently is effective. This Registration Statement relates to additional
securities of the same class as those to which the Prior Registration Statement relates to be issued pursuant to the Plan. The contents of the Prior Registration Statement, including all exhibits
thereto, are incorporated herein by reference. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-KSB incorporated herein by reference were audited by Arthur Andersen LLP ("Andersen"). After
reasonable efforts, the Registrant has not been able to obtain the consent of Andersen to the incorporation by reference of its audit report dated March&nbsp;13, 2002 into this Registration
Statement. Accordingly, the Registrant cannot comply with the requirement to file the consents of Andersen in reliance upon Rule&nbsp;437a of the Securities Act. As a result, Andersen will not be
liable to investors under Section&nbsp;11(a) of the Securities Act because it has not consented to being named as an expert in this Registration Statement. Therefore, such lack of consent may limit
the recovery by investors from Andersen. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de1527_item_8._exhibits_."> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de1527_3"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>Item 8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2><I>Exhibits</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>.    <BR></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;See
the attached Exhibit Index that follows the signature pages, which is incorporated by reference. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-1</FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="jc1527_signatures"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_jc1527_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>SIGNATURES    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Los
Angeles, State of California, on this 26th day of July, 2002. </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN=3><FONT SIZE=2>NATIONAL MERCANTILE BANCORP</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
By</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>SCOTT A. MONTGOMERY</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Scott A. Montgomery<BR>
President and Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD>
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<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
By</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>DAVID R. BROWN</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> David R. Brown<BR>
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="jc1527_power_of_attorney"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_jc1527_2"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Scott A. Montgomery and David R. Brown his true
and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, each with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments
to this Registration Statement, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said
attorney-in-fact and agent with full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the foregoing, as fully
to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that each said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-2</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. </FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Signature</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Date</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>ROBERT E. GIPSON</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Robert E. Gipson</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Chairman of the Board</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>July&nbsp;26, 2002</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>ROBERT E. THOMSON</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Robert E. Thomson</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Vice Chair</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July&nbsp;26, 2002</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>SCOTT A. MONTGOMERY</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Scott A. Montgomery</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July&nbsp;26, 2002</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>DONALD E. BENSON</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Donald E. Benson</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July&nbsp;26, 2002</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JOSEPH N. COHEN</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Joseph N. Cohen</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July&nbsp;26, 2002</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>ANTOINETTE HUBENETTE, M.D.</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Antoinette Hubenette, M.D.</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July&nbsp;26, 2002</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>DION G. MORROW</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Dion G. Morrow</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July&nbsp;26, 2002</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>CARL R. TERZIAN</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Carl R. Terzian</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
July&nbsp;26, 2002</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-3</FONT></P>

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NAME="page_ka1527_1_2"> </A> </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ka1527_exhibit_index"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_ka1527_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>EXHIBIT INDEX    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="10%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit<BR>
Number</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="88%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT><BR></TH>
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<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%"><FONT SIZE=2>5.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2>Opinion of Troy &amp; Gould Professional Corporation</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="White" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%"><FONT SIZE=2>23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of Troy &amp; Gould Professional Corporation (included in Exhibit 5.1)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%"><FONT SIZE=2>23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2>Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP (consent of independent public accountant) (omitted pursuant to Rule 437a of the Securities Act)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="White" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%"><FONT SIZE=2>24.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2>Power of Attorney (included on signature page)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="10%"><FONT SIZE=2>99.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"><FONT SIZE=2>National Mercantile Bancorp Amended 1996 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended as of June 6, 2002)</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>2</FONT></P>

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<BR>
<P><br><A NAME="02WLA1527_1">QuickLinks</A><br></P><!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de1527_1">PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de1527_2">Item 3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de1527_3">Item 8. Exhibits .</A></FONT><BR>

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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc1527_1">SIGNATURES</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc1527_2">POWER OF ATTORNEY</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ka1527_1">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></FONT><BR>
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 26, 2002
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
NATIONAL MERCANTILE BANCORP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
California
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
95-3819685
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1840 Century Park East
Los Angeles, California
(Address of principal executive offices)
90067
(Zip code)
NATIONAL MERCANTILE BANCORP
AMENDED 1996 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
(Amended as of June 6, 2002)
(Full title of the plan)
SCOTT A. MONTGOMERY
President and Chief Executive Officer
National Mercantile Bancorp
1840 Century Park East
Los Angeles, California 90067
(Name and address of agent for service)
(310) 277-2265
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copy
to:
ALAN B. SPATZ, ESQ.
Troy & Gould Professional Corporation
1801 Century Park East, 16
th
Floor
Los Angeles, California 90067
(310) 553-4441
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities to be Registered
Amount to
be Registered(1)
Proposed Maximum
Offering Price
Per Share(2)
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
Amount of
Registration Fee
Common Stock, without par value
100,000
$5.23
$523,000
$48.12
(1)
This
Registration Statement covers, in addition to the number of shares of Common Stock stated above, such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock as may be issued upon
exercise of options granted under the Amended 1996 Stock Incentive Plan as a result of the adjustment provisions thereof.
(2)
Estimated,
solely for purposes of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457, based upon the average of the high and low sales prices of the Common
Stock as reported on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market System on July 23, 2002.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.
On
July 2, 2001, National Mercantile Bancorp (the "Registrant") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-8
(Registration No. 333-64316) (the "Prior Registration Statement") relating to shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, without par value, to be issued pursuant to the Registrant's
Amended 1996 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended as of April 26, 2001 (the "Plan"). The Prior Registration Statement currently is effective. This Registration Statement relates to additional
securities of the same class as those to which the Prior Registration Statement relates to be issued pursuant to the Plan. The contents of the Prior Registration Statement, including all exhibits
thereto, are incorporated herein by reference.
The
financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB incorporated herein by reference were audited by Arthur Andersen LLP ("Andersen"). After
reasonable efforts, the Registrant has not been able to obtain the consent of Andersen to the incorporation by reference of its audit report dated March 13, 2002 into this Registration
Statement. Accordingly, the Registrant cannot comply with the requirement to file the consents of Andersen in reliance upon Rule 437a of the Securities Act. As a result, Andersen will not be
liable to investors under Section 11(a) of the Securities Act because it has not consented to being named as an expert in this Registration Statement. Therefore, such lack of consent may limit
the recovery by investors from Andersen.
Item 8.
Exhibits
.
See
the attached Exhibit Index that follows the signature pages, which is incorporated by reference.
II-1
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Los
Angeles, State of California, on this 26th day of July, 2002.
NATIONAL MERCANTILE BANCORP
By
/s/
SCOTT A. MONTGOMERY
Scott A. Montgomery
President and Chief Executive Officer
By
/s/
DAVID R. BROWN
David R. Brown
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Scott A. Montgomery and David R. Brown his true
and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, each with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments
to this Registration Statement, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said
attorney-in-fact and agent with full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the foregoing, as fully
to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that each said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
II-2
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/
ROBERT E. GIPSON
Robert E. Gipson
Chairman of the Board
July 26, 2002
/s/
ROBERT E. THOMSON
Robert E. Thomson
Vice Chair
July 26, 2002
/s/
SCOTT A. MONTGOMERY
Scott A. Montgomery
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
July 26, 2002
/s/
DONALD E. BENSON
Donald E. Benson
Director
July 26, 2002
/s/
JOSEPH N. COHEN
Joseph N. Cohen
Director
July 26, 2002
/s/
ANTOINETTE HUBENETTE, M.D.
Antoinette Hubenette, M.D.
Director
July 26, 2002
/s/
DION G. MORROW
Dion G. Morrow
Director
July 26, 2002
/s/
CARL R. TERZIAN
Carl R. Terzian
Director
July 26, 2002
II-3
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
5.1
Opinion of Troy & Gould Professional Corporation
23.1
Consent of Troy & Gould Professional Corporation (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2
Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP (consent of independent public accountant) (omitted pursuant to Rule 437a of the Securities Act)
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on signature page)
99.1
National Mercantile Bancorp Amended 1996 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended as of June 6, 2002)
2
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PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.
Item 8. Exhibits .
SIGNATURES
POWER OF ATTORNEY
EXHIBIT INDEX