Community West Bancshares (CWBC) Reports Profit of $1.1 Million for 4Q10 and $2.1 Million for the Year

GOLETA, Calif., Jan. 20, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Community West Bancshares (“Community West”), (Nasdaq:CWBC – News), parent company of Community West Bank, today reported net income of $1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 (4Q10), compared to net income of $97,000 in the fourth quarter a year ago (4Q09). The loan loss provision in 4Q10 was $1.3 million compared to $2.8 million in 4Q09. For the full year, Community West reported net income of $2.1 million, compared to a net loss of $5.8 million for 2009. The loan loss provision for all of 2010 was $8.7 million compared to $18.7 million in 2009.

“We are extremely pleased by our positive operating results in 2010,” stated Lynda J. Nahra, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We have improved across all areas of the Bank and continue to benefit from strong core earnings, net interest margin expansion and stabilizing asset quality. Our net interest income and noninterest income both increased during the fourth quarter compared to the fourth quarter a year ago, while our provision for loan losses has decreased. Additionally, our nonperforming loans declined during the quarter and remain at workable levels.”

2010 Financial Highlights

• Net income applicable to common stockholders was $795,000, or $0.11 per diluted common share in 4Q10.
• For the year, net income applicable to common stockholders was $1.0 million, or $0.18 per diluted common share.
• Net interest margin was 4.57% in 4Q10, a 39 basis point improvement compared to 4Q09.
• For the year, net interest margin was 4.50%, a 59 basis point improvement compared to 2009.
• Core deposits increased by 29.5% compared to a year ago.
• Nonperforming loans were $12.7 million, or 2.13% of total loans at 12/31/10, compared to $15.1 million, or 2.51% of total loans, at 9/30/10.
• The total allowance for loan losses/total loans held for investment was 2.60% at 12/31/10 compared to 2.64% at 9/30/10.
• Community West Bank’s Total risk-based capital ratio was 12.87%, Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 11.61% and Tier 1 leverage ratio was 9.24% at 12/31/10.

In 4Q10, including the $262,000 preferred stock dividends, the net income applicable to common stockholders was $795,000, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared to a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $165,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, in 4Q09. For the full year, the net income applicable to common stockholders was $1,044,000, or $0.18 per diluted share, compared to a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $6.8 million, or $1.15 per diluted share, a year ago.

Income Statement Review

“Improvement in our funding costs led to continued net interest margin expansion,” said Charles G. Baltuskonis, EVP and Chief Financial Officer. In 4Q10, the net interest margin was 4.57% compared to 4.49% in 3Q10 and 4.18% in 4Q09. For the full year, the net interest margin increased 59 basis points to 4.50% from 3.91% in 2009.

Fourth quarter net interest income increased 5.6% to $7.4 million compared to $7.1 million in 4Q09. For the year, net interest income increased 12.8% to $29.3 million compared to $26.0 million a year ago. Non-interest income increased 18.6% to $1.2 million in 4Q10, compared to $1.0 million in 4Q09. For the year, there was a modest decline in loan servicing fees due to lower SBA sold loan balances and lack of new loan sales.

Non-interest expenses were $5.6 million in 4Q10, compared to $5.1 million in 4Q09. The increase in operating costs was primarily attributable to higher costs related to problem credits. For the year, non-interest expenses improved 2.3% to $21.0 million compared to $21.5 million for 2009.

For 2010, the efficiency ratio improved by 11.2% to 63.5% compared to 71.0% a year ago.

Credit Quality

Nonperforming loans totaled $12.7 million, or 2.13% of total loans at December 31, 2010, compared to $15.1 million or 2.51% of total loans three months earlier and $16.2 million, or 2.62% of total loans a year ago. Real estate owned and repossessed assets totaled $8.5 million at December 31, 2010 compared to $5.5 million at September 30, 2010 and $1.8 million a year ago. Of the $12.7 million in total nonperforming loans, $5.9 million or 46.7% were real estate loans, $4.2 million or 33.0% were SBA loans, $1.9 million or 15.1% were manufactured housing loans, $602,000 or 4.8% were commercial loans and $52,000 or 0.4% were other installment loans.

“The decrease in the provision for loan losses was the direct result of the improving asset quality trends as well as real estate valuations stabilizing,” said Nahra. The loan loss provision was $1.3 million in 4Q10 compared to $1.5 million in 3Q10 and $2.8 million in 4Q09. The allowance for loan losses totaled $13.3 million at year-end, equal to 2.60% of total loans held for investment, compared to 2.64% at September 30, 2010 and 2.67% a year ago.

Community West had net charge-offs of $1.4 million in 4Q10 compared to $2.0 million in 3Q10 and $2.3 million in 4Q09.

Balance Sheet

Total loans decreased from a year ago as loan demand has softened, particularly in the commercial and SBA loan sectors. Total loans were $593.9 million at December 31, 2010 compared to $617.2 million a year ago.

Real estate loans outstanding decreased 4.9%, or $9.9 million, from year ago levels to $192.5 million at December 31, 2010, and comprise 32.4% of the total loan portfolio. Manufactured housing loans were down slightly from year ago levels to $194.7 million and represent 32.8% of total loans. Commercial loans were down 7.2% compared to a year ago and now represent 9.7% of the total loan portfolio and SBA loans decreased 7.5% from a year ago and now represent 21.7% of the total loan portfolio. Other installment loans increased 13.5% from year ago levels and represent 3.5% of the total loan portfolio.

“Our deposit strategy is focused on the growth of core and business deposits while reducing our reliance on wholesale funding,” said Baltuskonis. “As a result, core deposits grew $14.0 million for the quarter and $72.6 million for the year.”

Total deposits were $529.9 million at December 31, 2010 compared to $531.4 million a year earlier. Non-interest-bearing accounts were $35.8 million at December 31, 2010 compared to $37.7 million a year ago. Interest-bearing accounts increased 36.8% to $262.4 million compared to $191.9 million a year ago. Core deposits, defined as non-interest-bearing, interest-bearing and savings accounts, increased 29.5% to $318.6 million at year-end, compared to $246.0 million a year earlier while certificates of deposit decreased 26.0% over the same period to $211.3 million, compared to $285.4 million a year earlier.

Total assets were $667.6 million at year-end, compared to $684.2 million a year earlier. Stockholders’ equity was $61.6 million at year-end, compared to $60.3 million a year earlier and book value per common share was $7.92 at year-end compared to $7.74 a year earlier.

Capital Management

In August, Community West completed its public offering of $8,085,000 of 9% convertible subordinated debentures. Proceeds from the offering further strengthened the capital position of the Company and support its strategic growth opportunities.

Company Overview

Community West Bancshares is a financial services company with headquarters in Goleta, California. The Company is the holding company for Community West Bank, which has five full-service California branch banking offices, in Goleta, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Ventura and Westlake Village. The principal business activities of the Company are Relationship banking, Mortgage lending and SBA lending.

Safe Harbor Disclosure

This release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management’s current views of future events and operations. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company as of the date of this release. It is important to note that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the ability of the Company to implement its strategy and expand its lending operations.

Charles G. Baltuskonis, EVP & CFO
805.692.5821