Community West Bancshares (CWBC) Reports Solid Second Quarter Results

Highlighted by Improved Credit Quality and Net Interest Margin Expansion

Community West Bancshares (Community West or the Company), (NASDAQ: CWBC), parent company of Community West Bank (Bank), today reported a net loss of $591,000 in the second quarter of 2012 (2Q12) compared to net income of $819,000 in the first quarter of 2012 (1Q12) and a net loss of $221,000 in the second quarter a year ago (2Q11). In the first six months of 2012, Community West reported net income of $228,000 compared to net income of $375,000 in the first six months of 2011.

This quarter’s loss included a $431,000 prepayment penalty resulting from paying off $17.0 million of borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) as part of the planned streamlining of the Company’s balance sheet.

“Our second quarter was highlighted by a continued reduction in deposit costs which resulted in an expansion of our net interest margin during the second quarter of 2012 to 4.78%, an increase of 30 basis points compared to the preceding quarter and an increase of 20 basis points compared to the same quarter a year ago,” stated Martin E. Plourd, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our efforts have been focused on improving our core banking strategy while orderly reducing the balance sheet and diligently working to improve asset quality. This operational plan is aimed at continued stability to the organization by strengthening the balance sheet and returning the Bank to sustainable profitability and we believe we have made meaningful progress in all of these areas during the quarter, with non-performing assets and related credit costs declining compared to the preceding quarter. The majority of the discretionary reductions of the balance sheet were performed in the first six months of 2012.”

2Q12 Financial Highlights

• Net interest margin was 4.78% in 2Q12, an increase of 6.7%, compared to 4.48% in 1Q12 and up from 4.58% in 2Q11.
• Nonaccrual loans were $32.8 million, or 6.7% of total loans at June 30, 2012, down 14.4% from $38.3 million, or 7.4% of total loans at March 31, 2012.
• Net real estate owned (REO), after subtracting the SBA guarantee, and repossessed assets decreased 58.2% to $2.1 million at June 30, 2012 compared to $4.9 million three months earlier and decreased 70.7% compared to $7.0 million a year earlier.
• The total allowance for loan losses equaled 3.59% of total loans held for investment at June 30, 2012, compared to 3.19% at March 31, 2012 and 3.09% a year ago.
• Community West Bank’s Total risk-based capital ratio was 13.41% and Tier 1 leverage ratio was 9.38% at June 30, 2012, an increase compared to the Bank’s Total risk-based capital ratio of 12.43% and Tier 1 leverage ratio of 8.52% at March 31, 2012. Under the Bank’s regulatory agreement, ratios of 12% and 9%, respectively, are required to be maintained.

Including $268,000 of dividends and accretion on preferred stock, the net loss applicable to common stockholders was $859,000, or $0.14 per diluted share, in 2Q12 compared a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $483,000, or $0.08 per diluted share, in 2Q11.

Credit Quality

Nonaccrual loans decreased 14.4% to $32.8 million, or 6.7% of total loans at June 30, 2012 compared to $38.3 million, or 7.4% of total loans at March 31, 2012. Nonaccrual loans were $29.7 million, or 5.2% of total loans at June 30, 2011.

Of the $32.8 million in nonaccrual loans, $21.6 million, or 65.9% were real estate loans, $1.3 million, or 4.1% were SBA loans, $8.8 million, or 26.9% were manufactured housing loans, $920,000, or 2.8% were commercial loans and $104,000, or 0.03% were other installment loans.

Net real estate owned (REO) and repossessed assets decreased 58.2% to $2.1 million at June 30, 2012 compared to $4.9 million three months earlier and decreased 70.7% compared to $7.0 million a year earlier.

Nonaccrual loans plus net REO and repossessed assets decreased to $34.9 million, or 6.1% of total assets, at June 30, 2012 compared to $43.2 million, or 6.9% of total assets, three months earlier and $36.8 million, or 5.7% of total assets, a year ago. Net charge-offs totaled $1.2 million in 2Q12, a decrease of 54.5%, compared to $2.5 million in 1Q12.

Community West’s loan loss provision was $1.90 million in 2Q12 compared to $1.98 million in 1Q12 and $3.16 million in 2Q11. The allowance for loan losses totaled $15.4 million at June 30, 2012, equal to 3.59% of total loans held for investment, compared to 3.19% at March 31, 2012 and 3.09% at June 30, 2011.

Income Statement Review

Second quarter net interest income was $6.6 million compared to $6.5 million in 1Q12 and $7.1 million in 2Q11. In the first half of 2012, net interest income was $13.1 million compared to $14.2 million in the first half of 2011. The second quarter net interest margin improved 30 basis points to 4.78%, compared to 4.48% in 1Q12 and improved 20 basis points compared to 4.58% in 2Q11. In the first six months of 2012, the net interest margin increased eight basis points to 4.63% compared to 4.55% in the first six months of 2011. Comparatively fewer loans were placed on nonaccrual in 2Q12.

Non-interest income was $513,000 in 2Q12 compared to $1.9 million in 1Q12 and $815,000 in 2Q11. In the first six months of 2012, non-interest income was $2.4 million compared to $1.6 million in the first six months of 2011. First quarter 2012 non-interest income included a $973,000 gain on sale of SBA loans.

Non-interest expenses were $5.8 million in 2Q12 compared to $5.6 million in 1Q12 and $5.1 million in 2Q11. The slight increase compared to the preceding quarter was primarily due to the FHLB advance prepayment fee of $431,000. In the first six months of 2012, non-interest expenses were $11.4 million compared to $10.9 million in the first six months of 2011.

Balance Sheet

“In an effort to strengthen the Bank and enhance our capital ratios, we continued in 2Q12 with an orderly reduction of the balance sheet,” said Charles G. Baltuskonis, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “As a result, we again used excess cash to prepay FHLB advances and we are letting the higher interest-bearing certificates of deposit run off as we focus our efforts on growing low-cost core deposits.”

Net loans were $477.2 million at June 30, 2012 compared to $504.6 million at March 31, 2012 and $553.4 million at June 30, 2011. Community West sold $10.1 million of SBA loans during 1Q12. Commercial real estate loans outstanding were down 16.5% from year ago levels to $144.8 million at June 30, 2012 and comprise 29.4% of the total loan portfolio. Manufactured housing loans were down 5.0% from year ago levels to $183.3 million and represent 37.2% of total loans. Commercial loans were down 20.6% compared to a year ago and represent 7.6% of the total loan portfolio and SBA loans decreased 24.2% from a year ago and now represent 18.5% of the total loan portfolio.

Total deposits were $478.3 million at June 30, 2012 compared to $510.8 million at March 31, 2012, and $511.1 million at June 30, 2011. Non-interest-bearing accounts were $51.3 million at June 30, 2012 compared to $54.4 million at June 30, 2011. Interest-bearing accounts increased 2.0% to $280.6 million at June 30, 2012, compared to $275.1 million at June 30, 2011. Core deposits, defined as non-interest-bearing checking, interest-bearing checking, money market accounts, savings accounts and retail certificates of deposit totaled $380.8 million at June 30, 2012 compared to $390.3 million at June 30, 2011.

Total assets were $572.9 million at June 30, 2012 compared to $623.2 million at March 31, 2012, and $643.8 million at June 30, 2011. In addition to prepaying FHLB advances, the Bank received payoff on two large loans and has been active in working and reducing problem assets. Stockholders’ equity was $50.3 million at June 30, 2012, compared to $51.1 million at March 31, 2012 and $61.8 million at June 30, 2011. Book value per common share was $5.87 at June 30, 2012, compared to $6.01 at March 31, 2012 and $7.84 at June 30, 2011.

Recent Developments

Management believes that the Bank has made substantial progress on addressing points noted by its regulators as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the Bank’s operations.

Community West Bank completed the following actions within the last 180 days to streamline the balance sheet and enhance its capital position:

• Closed remaining out-of-state (CO, OR, UT and WA) SBA lending operations in February 2012.
• Sold $10.1 million of guaranteed SBA loans in March 2012, generating a net gain of $973,000.
• Prepaid $5.0 million of FHLB advances in March 2012 and another $17.0 million in April 2012.
• Sold $4.0 million of investment securities in March 2012 at a net gain of $121,000.
• Sold $3.0 million in REO and repossessed assets in 1Q12 and another $4.3 million in 2Q12.

Among other actions that will require prior Federal Reserve Board (FRB) approval, the Company will not be allowed to pay any dividends on its capital and preferred stock. The FRB has denied approving payment of the dividends on the Preferred Shares. $195,000 was due on May 15, 2012 and $195,000 will be due on August 15, 2012. Such amounts continue to be accrued as incurred and deducted from capital.

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.

COMMUNITY WEST BANCSHARES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
(in 000’s, except per share data)
			Three Months Ended																Six Months Ended
			June 30,					March 31,					June 30,						June 30,					June 30,
			2012					2012					2011						2012					2011
Interest income
Loans			$	7,830				$	8,082				$	8,865					$	15,912				$	17,909
Investment securities and other				204					239					270						443					557
Total interest income				8,034					8,321					9,135						16,355					18,466
Interest expense
Deposits				1,052					1,265					1,472						2,317					3,142
Other borrowings and convertible debentures				425					528					578						953					1,169
Total interest expense				1,477					1,793					2,050						3,270					4,311
Net interest income				6,557					6,528					7,085						13,085					14,155
Provision for loan losses				1,900					1,983					3,157						3,883					4,140
Net interest income after
provision for loan losses				4,657					4,545					3,928						9,202					10,015
Non-interest income
Other loan fees				295					250					411						545					641
Gain on loan sales				58					1,097					85						1,155					167
Other				160					541					319						701					745
Total non-interest income				513					1,888					815						2,401					1,553
Non-interest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits				2,742					2,885					2,707						5,627					5,816
Occupancy and equipment expenses				419					495					494						914					999
FDIC assessment				309					426					222						735					524
Professional services				296					325					236						621					451
Loss on sale and write-down of foreclosed real estate and repossessed assets				371					409					199						780					658
Other operating expenses				1,624					1,074					1,257						2,698					2,476
Total non-interest expenses				5,761					5,614					5,115						11,375					10,924
Income (loss) before income taxes				(591	)				819					(372	)					228					644
Provision for income taxes				–					–					(151	)					–					269
NET INCOME (LOSS)			$	(591	)			$	819				$	(221	)				$	228				$	375
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock				268					262					262						530					524
NET INCOME (LOSS) APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
			$	(859	)			$	557				$	(483	)				$	(302	)			$	(149	)
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic			$	(0.14	)			$	0.09				$	(0.08	)				$	(0.05	)			$	(0.02	)
Diluted			$	(0.14	)			$	0.08				$	(0.08	)				$	(0.05	)			$	(0.02	)

COMMUNITY WEST BANCSHARES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
(in 000’s, except per share data)
			June 30,					December 31,					June 30,
			2012					2011					2011
Cash and cash equivalents			$	28,438				$	22,572				$	7,536
Interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions				4,187					347					240
Investment securities				29,474					38,923					38,903
Loans:
Commercial				37,464					42,058					47,194
Commercial real estate				144,799					168,812					173,434
SBA				91,196					111,786					120,340
Manufactured housing				183,343					189,331					193,060
Single family real estate				11,469					11,789					11,745
HELOC				20,490					20,719					20,983
Consumer				310					312					329
Mortgage loans held for sale				3,593					3,179					1,597
Total loans				492,664					547,986					568,682
Loans, net
Held for sale				62,070					77,303					76,144
Held for investment				430,594					470,683					492,538
Less: Allowance				(15,446	)				(15,270	)				(15,237	)
Net held for investment				415,148					455,413					477,301
NET LOANS				477,218					532,716					553,445
Other assets				33,608					38,790					43,707
TOTAL ASSETS			$	572,925				$	633,348				$	643,831
Deposits
Non-interest-bearing			$	51,296				$	49,894				$	54,386
Interest-bearing				280,639					289,796					275,144
Savings				16,128					19,429					22,343
CDs over 100K				113,407					128,254					127,505
CDs under 100K				16,841					23,889					31,756
Total Deposits				478,311					511,262					511,134
Other borrowings				41,852					68,852					67,862
Other liabilities				2,472					2,608					2,997
TOTAL LIABILITIES				522,635					582,722					581,993
Stockholders’ equity				50,290					50,626					61,838
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY			$	572,925				$	633,348				$	643,831
Shares outstanding				5,990					5,990					5,984
Book value per common share			$	5.87				$	5.94				$	7.84

ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)(Unaudited)
		Quarter Ended					Quarter Ended					Quarter Ended						Six Months Ended
PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND RATIOS		Jun. 30, 2012					Mar. 31, 2012					Jun. 30, 2011						Jun.30, 2012					Jun.30, 2011
Return on average common equity			-6.71	%				9.07	%				-1.83	%					1.28	%				1.57	%
Return on average assets			-0.41	%				0.52	%				-0.13	%					0.08	%				0.11	%
Efficiency ratio			81.49	%				66.71	%				64.74	%					73.45	%				69.54	%
Net interest margin			4.78	%				4.48	%				4.58	%					4.63	%				4.55	%
		Quarter Ended					Quarter Ended					Quarter Ended						Six Months Ended
AVERAGE BALANCES		Jun. 30, 2012					Mar. 31, 2012					Jun. 30, 2011						Jun.30, 2012					Jun.30, 2011
Average assets		$	583,442				$	631,547				$	659,131					$	607,487				$	665,782
Average earning assets			551,239					586,399					620,776						568,831					626,952
Average total loans			509,505					540,763					574,059						525,144					580,585
Average deposits			489,035					511,634					523,119						500,326					528,536
Average equity (including preferred stock)			50,359					51,209					62,915						50,785					62,778
Average common equity (excluding preferred stock)			35,220					36,112					48,018						35,667					47,915
EQUITY ANALYSIS		Jun. 30, 2012					Mar. 31, 2012					Jun. 30, 2011
Total equity		$	50,290				$	51,110				$	61,838
Less: senior preferred stock			15,126					15,141					14,941
Total common equity		$	35,164				$	35,969				$	46,897
Common stock outstanding			5,990					5,990					5,984
Book value per common share		$	5.87				$	6.01				$	7.84
ASSET QUALITY		Jun. 30, 2012					Mar. 31, 2012					Jun. 30, 2011
Nonaccrual loans		$	32,790				$	38,290				$	29,724
Nonaccrual loans/total loans			6.66	%				7.37	%				5.23	%
REO and repossessed assets		$	2,292				$	5,776				$	10,319
Less: SBA-guaranteed amounts			230					844				$	3,274
Net REO and repossessed assets		$	2,062				$	4,932				$	7,045
Nonaccrual loans plus net REO			34,852					43,222				$	36,769
Nonaccrual loans plus net REO/total assets			6.08	%				6.94	%				5.71	%
Net loan charge-offs in the quarter		$	1,159				$	2,548				$	1,092
Net charge-offs in the quarter/total loans			0.24	%				0.49	%				0.19	%
Allowance for loan losses		$	15,446				$	14,705				$	15,237
Plus: Reserve for undisbursed loan commitments			181					206					260
Total allowance for credit losses		$	15,627				$	14,911				$	15,497
Total allowance for loan losses/total loans held for investment			3.59	%				3.19	%				3.09	%
Total allowance for loan losses/nonperforming loans			47.11	%				38.40	%				51.26	%
Community West Bancshares
Tier 1 leverage ratio			8.60	%				8.08	%				9.35	%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio			11.22	%				10.61	%				11.82	%
Total risk-based capital ratio			14.26	%				13.51	%				14.60	%
Community West Bank
Tier 1 leverage ratio			9.38	%				8.52	%				9.59	%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio			12.13	%				11.15	%				12.12	%
Total risk-based capital ratio			13.41	%				12.43	%				13.39	%
INTEREST SPREAD ANALYSIS		Jun. 30, 2012					Mar. 31, 2012					Jun. 30, 2011
Yield on interest-bearing deposits			0.97	%				1.10	%				1.25	%
Yield on total loans			6.18	%				6.01	%				6.19	%
Yield on investments			2.25	%				2.23	%				2.36	%
Yield on earning assets			5.86	%				5.71	%				5.90	%
Cost of deposits			0.87	%				0.99	%				1.13	%
Cost of FHLB advances			2.93	%				2.43	%				2.60	%
Cost of interest-bearing liabilities			1.24	%				1.37	%				1.52	%