Community West Bancshares Earns $1.9 Million in Fourth Quarter; Results Driven by 10% Annual Loan Growth and Continued Improvement in Asset Quality; Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.03 Per Common Share


GOLETA, Calif., Jan. 26, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Community West Bancshares (Community West or the Company), (NASDAQ:CWBC), parent company of Community West Bank (Bank), today reported net income of $1.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 (4Q15) compared to net income of $1.6 million in the third quarter (3Q15) and $2.2 million in the fourth quarter a year ago (4Q14).  For the full year, Community West reported net income of $2.9 million compared to net income of $7.0 million a year ago.  Excluding the $7.1 million net loan litigation settlement, Community West’s net income for the year would have been $7.0 million. (See page 8 – “Non-Gaap Financial Information”)

“Loan and deposit growth, solid net interest margin, and continuing credit quality improvement fueled profitability in the fourth quarter,” said Martin E. Plourd, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “We are optimistic about the opportunities for growth in 2016, particularly expanding further into San Luis Obispo County.”

4Q15 Financial Highlights

  • Nonaccrual loans, net, decreased 54.5% to $5.0 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $11.0 million a year ago, representing the lowest level since 3Q07.
  • Net income available to common stockholders for 4Q15 was $1.8 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, compared to $2.0 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for 4Q14.  The 4Q15 results included a provision for loan losses of ($277,000) compared to ($1.6 million) in 4Q14.
  • Annualized return on average assets was 1.19%.
  • Annualized return on average common equity was 11.96%.
  • Net interest margin was 4.90% for 4Q15 compared to 4.52% for 4Q14. One large nonaccrual loan relationship was paid off during the quarter and back interest was recorded, increasing yield on earning assets by 47 basis points.
  • Net loans increased 10.1% to $536.5 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $487.3 million a year earlier.
  • Total deposits increased 14.1% to $544.3 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $477.1 million a year ago.
  • Non-interest bearing deposits increased 33.3% to $76.5 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $57.4 million a year earlier.
  • Other assets acquired through foreclosure remained low at $198,000 at December 31, 2015, compared to $137,000 a year earlier.  
  • Book value per common share was $7.55 at December 31, 2015, compared to $7.31 a year ago. 
  • Community West Bank’s capital ratios continue to be strong with its total risk-based capital ratio at 13.70% and Tier 1 leverage ratio at 10.38% at December 31, 2015.

Including $44,000 of preferred stock dividends, the net income available to common stockholders was $1.8 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, in 4Q15 compared to net income available to common stockholders of $1.5 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, in 3Q15 and net income available to common stockholders of $2.0 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, in 4Q14.  

Income Statement

“In addition to higher than industry average loan yields, we had a loan interest recovery during the quarter, which contributed to our strong net interest margin,” said Charles G. Baltuskonis, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  Fourth quarter net interest margin improved 35 basis points to 4.90% compared to 3Q15 and improved 38 basis points compared to 4Q14.  Of the increase in asset yields in 4Q15, 47 basis points was attributable to one nonaccrual lending relationship which was paid in full.  For all of 2015, Community West’s net interest margin improved 30 basis points to 4.80% compared to 4.50% in 2014.  

Community West’s fourth quarter net interest income was $7.5 million, a 10.0% increase compared to $6.8 million in the preceding quarter and a 18.3% increase compared to $6.3 million in 4Q14.  For the year, net interest income increased 12.0% to $27.7 million compared to $24.7 million a year ago. 

Non-interest income was $538,000 in 4Q15 compared to $554,000 in 3Q15 and $471,000 in 4Q14.  For the full year, non-interest income increased modestly to $2.3 million compared to $2.2 million in 2014.

Fourth quarter non-interest expenses totaled $5.1 million, compared to $5.0 million in 3Q15 and $4.6 million in 4Q14.  For the year, non-interest expenses were $27.3 million compared to $20.1 million a year ago.  The year over year increase is primarily a result of the $7.1 million loan litigation settlement in 3Q15.  (See page 8 – “Non-Gaap Financial Information”)

Balance Sheet

Net loans increased 2.0% to $536.5 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $526.0 million at September 30, 2015, and increased 10.1% compared to $487.3 million a year ago.  Commercial real estate loans outstanding were up 12.6% from year ago levels to $179.5 million at December 31, 2015, and comprise 33.0% of the total loan portfolio.  Manufactured housing loans were up 4.9% from year ago levels to $177.9 million and represent 32.7% of total loans.  Commercial loans increased 43.7% from year ago levels to $107.5 million and represent 19.8% of the total loan portfolio and SBA loans decreased 22.7% from a year ago to $47.9 million and represent 8.8% of the total loan portfolio.

Deposits totaled $544.3 million at December 31, 2015, up 3.3% compared to $526.8 million at September 30, 2015 and grew 14.1% compared to $477.1 million a year earlier.  Non-interest bearing deposit accounts increased 33.3% to $76.5 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $57.4 million a year earlier.  Core deposits, defined as non-interest-bearing checking, interest-bearing checking, money market accounts, savings accounts and retail certificates of deposit totaled $408.7 million at December 31, 2015 and comprise 75.1% of total deposits, compared to $378.1 million, or 79.3% of total deposits, a year ago. 

Community West’s total assets were $621.2 million at December 31, 2015, a 3.4% increase compared to three months earlier and a 11.5% increase compared to a year ago.  Stockholders’ equity declined to $61.9 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $65.9 million at September 30, 2015, and $67.0 million a year ago as preferred stock of $5.6 million was redeemed.  (See page 3 - “Final redemption of preferred stock.”)  Book value per common share was $7.55 at December 31, 2015 compared to $7.36 at September 30, 2015, and $7.31 a year ago. 

Credit Quality

The negative loan loss provision was $277,000 in 4Q15, compared to $445,000 in 3Q15, and $1.6 million in 4Q14.  Net loan recoveries were $181,000 in 4Q15 compared to $214,000 in 3Q15 and $216,000 in 4Q14.  “As a result of strong asset quality, including the solid loan loss reserves already in place, we recorded a negative provision for loan losses in the last eight quarters and net loan loss recoveries in seven of the past eight quarters,” added Plourd. 

The total allowance for loan losses was $6.9 million at December 31, 2015, or 1.44% of total loans held for investment, compared to 1.50% at September 30, 2015, and 1.84% a year ago.  Net nonaccrual loans decreased to $5.0 million, or 0.92% of total loans at December 31, 2015, compared to $5.3 million, or 0.99% of total loans, three months earlier, and decreased 54.5% compared to $11.0 million, or 2.23% of total loans, a year ago. 

Of the $5.0 million in net nonaccrual loans, $2.4 million were commercial real estate loans, $1.6 million were manufactured housing loans, $403,000 were SBA loans, $313,000 were home equity line of credit loans, $282,000 were single family real estate loans and $44,000 were commercial loans.

Other assets acquired through foreclosure totaled $198,000 at December 31, 2015, compared to $206,000 three months earlier and $137,000 a year earlier.  Nonaccrual loans plus other assets acquired through foreclosure, net of SBA/USDA guarantees, totaled $5.2 million, or 0.84% of total assets, at December 31, 2015, compared to $5.5 million, or 0.91% of total assets, three months earlier and $11.2 million, or 2.00% of total assets, a year ago. 

Final Redemption of Preferred Stock

On November 2, 2015, the Company redeemed the remaining $5,574,000 of its 9%, Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A.  The Company finalized a $10 million line of credit at a rate of one-month Libor plus 3.75% to assist in paying for this final redemption and use for other future corporate purposes.  The Company originally issued 15,600 shares of Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Stock, Series A, to Treasury under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) Capital Purchase Program.  In December 2012, Treasury auctioned the preferred shares to private investors.  

Declares Cash Dividend of $0.03 Per Common Share

The Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.03 per common share, payable February 29, 2016 to common shareholders of record on February 11, 2016.

Stock Repurchase Program

On August 31, 2015, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized a common stock repurchase program of up to $3 million.  As of December 31, 2015, 4,000 shares had been repurchased, leaving outstanding common stock shares of 8,205,858.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

This press release contains both financial measures based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and non-GAAP based financial measures, which are used where management believes it to be helpful in understanding the Company’s results of operations or financial position. Where non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as the reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure, can be found in this press release. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.

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 and one loan production office in San Luis Obispo. The principal business activities of the Company are Relationship business banking, Manufactured Housing 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 Twelve Months Ended  
  December 31, September 30, December 31, December 31, December 31, 
   2015   2015   2014   2015   2014  
            
Interest income           
Loans, including fees $  7,886  $  7,131  $  6,798  $  29,139  $  27,166  
Investment securities and other    249     244     220     1,083     838  
Total interest income    8,135     7,375     7,018     30,222     28,004  
Interest expense           
Deposits    622     587     624     2,383     2,663  
Other borrowings and convertible debt    51     6     88     133     612  
Total interest expense    673     593     712     2,516     3,275  
Net interest income    7,462     6,782     6,306     27,706     24,729  
Provision for loan losses    (277)    (445)    (1,575)    (2,274)    (5,135) 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses    7,739     7,227     7,881     29,980     29,864  
Non-interest income           
Other loan fees    225     244     184     1,014     904  
Document processing fees    102     141     97     466     394  
Service charges    99     92     69     351     284  
Other    112     77     121     478     615  
Total non-interest income    538     554     471     2,309     2,197  
Non-interest expenses           
Salaries and employee benefits     3,175     3,412     2,846     12,904     12,154  
Occupancy, net    519     507     475     1,958     1,852  
Professional services    257     212     384     993     1,551  
Data processing    145     135     145     533     570  
Advertising and marketing    118     116     179     466     608  
Depreciation     109     103     86     399     324  
Stock based compensation    79     73     38     412     308  
FDIC assessment    90     99     85     342     338  
Loan servicing and collection    114     10     259     395     845  
Loan litigation settlement, net    (8)    (50)    -     7,095     -  
Other     493     421     149     1,784     1,531  
Total non-interest expenses    5,091     5,038     4,646     27,281     20,081  
Income before provision for income taxes    3,186     2,743     3,706     5,008     11,980  
Provision for income taxes    1,335     1,152     1,520     2,138     4,934  
Net Income    1,851     1,591     2,186     2,870     7,046  
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock     44     125     159     445     937  
Discount on partial redemption of preferred stock    -     -     (15)    (129)    (159) 
Net income available to common stockholders $  1,807  $  1,466  $  2,042  $  2,554  $  6,268  
Earnings per share:           
Basic $  0.22  $  0.18  $  0.25  $  0.31  $  0.77  
Diluted $  0.21  $  0.17  $  0.24  $  0.30  $  0.75  

 

COMMUNITY WEST BANCSHARES        
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS        
(unaudited)        
(in 000's, except per share data)        
         
  December 31, September 30, December 31,  
   2015   2015   2014   
         
Cash and cash equivalents $  2,789  $  1,876  $  1,631   
Time and interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions    32,829     21,916     17,427   
Investment securities    30,466     31,201     30,641   
Loans:        
Commercial    107,510     99,871     74,792   
Commercial real estate    179,491     177,302     159,432   
SBA    47,880     50,381     61,963   
Manufactured housing    177,891     173,432     169,662   
Single family real estate    19,073     20,671     15,744   
HELOC    10,934     11,134     13,481   
Other    683     207     59   
Total loans    543,462     532,998     495,133   
         
Loans, net        
Held for sale    64,488     65,491     66,759   
Held for investment    478,974     467,507     428,374   
Less: Allowance    (6,916)    (7,012)    (7,877)  
Net held for investment    472,058     460,495     420,497   
NET LOANS    536,546     525,986     487,256   
         
Other assets    18,583     20,058     20,363   
         
TOTAL ASSETS $  621,213  $  601,037  $  557,318   
         
Deposits        
Non-interest-bearing demand $  76,469  $  73,073  $  57,364   
Interest-bearing demand    250,509     250,738     275,631   
Savings    13,690     13,943     15,265   
Certificates of deposit ($250,000 or more)    66,722     56,745     13,601   
Other certificates of deposit    136,948     132,287     115,223   
Total deposits    544,338     526,786     477,084   
Other borrowings    10,500     5,000     10,000   
Other liabilities    4,431     3,339     3,227   
TOTAL LIABILITIES    559,269     535,125     490,311   
         
Stockholders' equity    61,944     65,912     67,007   
         
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY        
 $  621,213  $  601,037  $  557,318   
         
Shares outstanding    8,206     8,201     8,203   
         
Book value per common share $  7.55  $  7.36  $  7.31   

 

ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION          
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)(Unaudited)          
 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended 
PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND RATIOSDec. 31, 2015 Sep. 30, 2015 Dec. 31, 2014 Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 31, 2014 
Return on average common equity  11.96%  10.54%  14.70%  4.69%  12.51% 
Return on average assets  1.19%  1.05%  1.54%  0.49%  1.25% 
Efficiency ratio 63.64%  68.68%  68.56%  90.89%  74.58% 
Net interest margin 4.90%  4.55%  4.52%  4.80%  4.50% 
           
 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended 
AVERAGE BALANCESDec. 31, 2015 Sep. 30, 2015 Dec. 31, 2014 Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 31, 2014 
Average assets$  614,688  $  601,776  $  564,634  $  588,369  $  562,474  
Average earning assets   603,921     591,018     553,564     577,755     549,136  
Average total loans   537,917     526,119     497,211     513,826     489,598  
Average deposits   537,269     523,108     480,878     509,022     469,477  
Average equity (including preferred stock)   63,334     65,478     66,041     66,076     67,600  
Average common equity (excluding preferred stock)   61,395     59,904     58,984     61,140     56,313  
           
EQUITY ANALYSISDec. 31, 2015 Sep. 30, 2015 Dec. 31, 2014     
Total equity$  61,944  $  65,912  $  67,007      
Less: senior preferred stock   -      (5,574)    (7,014)     
Total common equity$  61,944  $  60,338  $  59,993      
           
Common stock outstanding   8,206     8,201     8,203      
Book value per common share$  7.55  $  7.36  $  7.31      
           
ASSET QUALITYDec. 31, 2015 Sep. 30, 2015 Dec. 31, 2014     
Nonaccrual loans, net$  5,013  $  5,287  $  11,027      
Nonaccrual loans, net/total loans 0.92%  0.99%  2.23%     
Other assets acquired through foreclosure, net$  198  $  206  $  137      
           
Nonaccrual loans plus other assets acquired through foreclosure, net$  5,211  $  5,493  $  11,164      
Nonaccrual loans plus other assets acquired through foreclosure, net/total assets 0.84%  0.91%  2.00%     
Net loan (recoveries)/charge-offs in the quarter$  (181) $  (214) $  (216)     
Net (recoveries)/charge-offs in the quarter/total loans  -0.03%  -0.04%  -0.04%     
           
Allowance for loan losses$  6,916  $  7,012  $  7,877      
Plus: Reserve for undisbursed loan commitments   61     50     39      
Total allowance for credit losses$  6,977  $  7,062  $  7,916      
Total allowance for loan losses/total loans held for investment 1.44%  1.50%  1.84%     
Total allowance for loan losses/nonaccrual loans 137.96%  132.63%  71.43%     
           
Community West Bank *          
Tier 1 leverage ratio 10.38%  10.73%  11.64%     
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 12.45%  13.15%  14.66%     
Total risk-based capital ratio 13.70%  14.40%  15.91%     
           
INTEREST SPREAD ANALYSISDec. 31, 2015 Sep. 30, 2015 Dec. 31, 2014     
Yield on total loans 5.82%  5.38%  5.43%     
Yield on investments 2.60%  2.52%  2.34%     
Yield on interest earning deposits 0.32%  0.30%  0.35%     
Yield on earning assets 5.34%  4.95%  5.03%     
           
Cost of interest-bearing deposits 0.53%  0.52%  0.59%     
Cost of total deposits 0.46%  0.45%  0.51%     
Cost of borrowings 2.31%  0.23%  2.50%     
Cost of interest-bearing liabilities 0.57%  0.51%  0.65%     
           
* Capital ratios are preliminary until the Call Report is filed.          

 

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION    
(Unaudited)    
 Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended 
NON-GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURESDec. 31, 2015 Dec. 31, 2015 
Return on average common equity, excluding loan litigation settlement, net (1) 11.93%  11.52% 
Return on average assets, excluding loan litigation settlement, net (1) 1.19%  1.20% 
Efficiency ratio, excluding loan litigation settlement, net (2) 63.74%  67.25% 
     
NON-GAAP EARNINGS PER SHARE    
Basic (3)$  0.22  $  0.82  
Diluted (3)$  0.21  $  0.79  
     
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES    
(Unaudited)    
 Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended 
 Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 31, 2015 
 (in thousands) 
Net income$  1,851  $  2,870  
Loan litigation settlement, net   (8)    7,095  
Tax effect on loan litigation settlement, net   3     (2,920) 
Net income, excluding loan litigation settlement, net (3)$  1,846  $  7,045  
     
     
 Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended 
 Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 31, 2015 
 (in thousands) 
Total non-interest expenses$  5,091  $  27,281  
Loan litigation settlement, net   8     (7,095) 
Total non-interest expenses, excluding loan litigation settlement, net (3)$  5,099  $  20,186  
     
     
(1) The Company believes these non-GAAP ratios provide a useful metric with which to analyze and evaluate the financial condition of the Company
(2) The Company believes this non-GAAP ratio provides a useful metric to measure the operating efficiency of the Company 
(3) The Company believes these non-GAAP measurements are a key indicator of the ongoing earnings power of the Company 



            

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