Community West Bancshares Reports Third Quarter Profits of $1,045,000 as Net Interest Margin Expansion Continues

GOLETA, Calif., Oct. 21, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Community West Bancshares ("Community West"), (Nasdaq:CWBC), parent company of Community West Bank, today reported net income of $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2010 (3Q10), compared to net income of $69,000 in the third quarter a year ago (3Q09). The loan loss provision in 3Q10 was $1.5 million compared to $2.6 million in 3Q09. For the first nine months of the year, Community West reported net income of $1.0 million, compared to a net loss of $5.9 million for the first nine months of 2009. The loan loss provision for the first nine months of the year was $7.5 million compared to $15.9 million for the first nine months of 2009.

"We generated a solid quarterly profit primarily due to an improved net interest margin and a strong core business model," stated Lynda J. Nahra, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We have made steady progress in strengthening Community West with improved operating efficiencies and strong core deposit growth. These results were generated in spite of the current economic uncertainties."

Third Quarter 2010 Highlights

• Completed a successful public convertible debenture offering of $8.09 million.
• Net income to common stockholders was $784,000, or $0.12 per diluted common share.
• Community West Bank continues to exceed well capitalized levels with a Total risk-based capital ratio of 12.65%, Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 11.38% and Tier 1 leverage ratio of 9.09%.
• Net interest margin was 4.49%, a 37 basis point improvement compared to 3Q09.
• Core deposits increased by 41.0% compared to a year ago.
• Nonperforming loans were $15.1 million, or 2.51% of total loans.
• The efficiency ratio was 60.4%, a 7.8% improvement compared to 3Q09.

In 3Q10, including the $261,000 preferred stock dividend, the net income applicable to common stockholders was $784,000, or $0.12 per diluted share, compared to a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $192,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, in the third quarter a year ago.

Capital Management

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

Income Statement Review

"Funding costs continued to improve, which helped to improve our net interest margin compared to the previous quarter and the third quarter a year ago," said Charles G. Baltuskonis, EVP and Chief Financial Officer.  In 3Q10, the net interest margin was 4.49% compared to 4.47% in 2Q10 and 4.12% in 3Q09.  In the first nine months of the year, the net interest margin increased 66 basis points to 4.48% compared to 3.82% in the first nine months of 2009. 

Third quarter net interest income increased 5.7% to $7.3 million compared to $6.9 million in 3Q09. In the first nine months of 2010, net interest income increased 15.5% to $21.8 million compared to $18.9 million in the same period a year ago. Non-interest income increased 5.9% to $1.0 million in 3Q10, compared to $966,000 in 3Q09. In the first nine months of 2010, primarily due to declining SBA loan volumes and loan servicing fees, non-interest income was $2.8 million compared to $3.4 million in the first nine months of 2009. The decline in loan servicing fees resulted from Community West having lower SBA loan balances.

"Manageable operating expenses continue to decline steadily compared to a year ago. We are making a concerted effort to improve efficiencies within the entire organization," said Nahra. "Even though costs related to problem credits remained higher than normal, our total non-interest expenses improved for both 3Q10 and the year-to-date period, compared to the respective periods a year ago." Non-interest expenses were $5.0 million in 3Q10, compared to $5.2 million in 3Q09. In the first nine months of the year, non-interest expenses improved 5.8% to $15.4 million compared to $16.4 million in the first nine months of 2009. 

The efficiency ratio was 60.4% in 3Q10 compared to 66.1% in 2Q10 and 65.6% in 3Q09. Year-to-date, the efficiency ratio was 62.5% compared to 73.4% in the same period a year ago.

Credit Quality

"The provision for loan losses, while lower than the preceding quarter, remains high, reflecting our concern for the overall economy," said Nahra. 

Nonperforming loans were $15.1 million, or 2.51% of total loans at September 30, 2010, compared to $14.6 million or 2.41% of total loans three months earlier and $17.8 million, or 2.93% of total loans a year ago. Real estate owned and repossessed assets totaled $5.5 million at September 30, 2010 compared to $6.3 million at June 30, 2010 and $3.3 million a year ago.

Of the $15.1 million in total nonperforming loans, $7.2 million or 47.8% were real estate loans, $4.4 million or 29.4% were SBA loans, $2.4 million or 15.9% were manufactured housing loans, $915,000 or 6.1% were commercial loans and $131,000 or 0.8% were other installment loans.

The loan loss provision was $1.5 million in 3Q10 compared to $2.9 million in 2Q10 and $2.6 million in 3Q09. The allowance for loan losses totaled $13.4 million at quarter-end, equal to 2.64% of total loans held for investment, compared to 2.70% at June 30, 2010 and 2.62% at September 30, 2009.

Community West had net charge-offs of $2.0 million in 3Q10 compared to $3.4 million in 2Q10 and $2.7 million in 3Q09. 

Balance Sheet

"Softening loan demand during the quarter, particularly in commercial and SBA loan sectors, has led to a small decline in total loan balances compared to a year ago," said Baltuskonis. Net loans were $600.6 million at September 30, 2010 compared to $606.4 million a year ago. 

Real estate loans outstanding increased $5.8 million from year ago levels to $196.8 million at September 30, 2010, and comprise 32.8% of the total loan portfolio. Manufactured housing loans increased $3.3 million from year ago levels to $196.5 million and represent 32.7% of total loans. Commercial loans were down 11.7% compared to a year ago and now represent 9.2% of the total loan portfolio and SBA loans decreased 7.6% from a year ago and now represent 21.9% of the total loan portfolio. Other installment loans increased 18.5% from year ago levels and now represent 3.5% of the total loan portfolio. 

"While total deposits are up only modestly compared to a year ago the deposit mix is changing," said Baltuskonis. "We are benefiting from the increasing movement of money to local community banks from some of the larger institutions, with core deposit growth up 41.0 % at quarter-end compared to a year ago."

Total deposits were $535.7 million at September 30, 2010 compared to $529.7 million a year earlier. Non-interest-bearing accounts were $39.1 million at September 30, 2010 compared to $38.6 million a year ago. Interest-bearing accounts increased 53.2% to $246.6 million compared to $160.9 million a year ago. Core deposits, defined as non-interest-bearing, interest-bearing and savings accounts, increased 41.0% to $304.6 million at quarter-end, compared to $216.0 million a year earlier while certificates of deposit decreased 26.3% over the same period to $231.1 million, compared to $313.7 million a year earlier.

Total assets were $676.5 million at September 30, 2010, compared to $674.4 million a year earlier. Stockholders' equity was $60.8 million at September 30, 2010, compared to $60.3 million a year earlier. Book value per common share was $7.78 at September 30, 2010 compared to $7.75 a year ago.

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.