EXHIBIT 99.1
Community West Bancshares Earns $1.6 Million in Third Quarter; Highlighted by Strong Loan Growth and a Decrease in Net Nonaccrual Loans to Lowest Level Since 2007; Declared Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.03 Per Common Share
GOLETA, Calif., Oct. 22, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Community West Bancshares (Community West or the Company), (NASDAQ:CWBC), parent company of Community West Bank (Bank), today reported net income of $1.6 million in the third quarter of 2015 (3Q15) compared to net income of $1.7 million in the third quarter a year ago (3Q14). In the first nine months of the year, Community West reported net income of $1.0 million compared to net income of $4.9 million in the first nine months of 2014. Excluding the $7.1 million net loan litigation settlement, Community West's net income for the nine-month period would have been $5.2 million. (See page 8 – "Non-Gaap Financial Information")
"Our third quarter results were generated by solid loan growth and a healthy net interest margin," said Martin E. Plourd, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are making meaningful progress in building our franchise by strengthening our balance sheet and positioning the Bank for all future growth opportunities.
"Another highlight of the quarter was the announcement of our final redemption of preferred stock. We believe this redemption is further confirmation of the Company's continued operating improvement, financial strength and appropriate capital management," added Plourd.
3Q15 Financial Highlights
- Nonaccrual loans, net, decreased 51.7% to $5.3 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $10.9 million a year ago, representing the lowest level since 3Q07.
- Net income available to common stockholders was $1.5 million.
- Annualized return on average assets was 1.05%.
- Annualized return on average common equity was 10.54%.
- Net interest margin was 4.55% for 3Q15 compared to 4.31% for 3Q14.
- Net loans increased 7.3% to $526.0 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $490.0 million a year earlier.
- Total deposits increased 8.7% to $526.8 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $484.8 million a year ago.
- Other assets acquired through foreclosure totaled $206,000 at September 30, 2015, a decrease of 56.6% compared to $475,000 a year earlier.
- Book value per common share was $7.36 at September 30, 2015, compared to $7.07 a year ago.
- Community West Bank's capital ratios continue to be strong with its total risk-based capital ratio at 14.26% and Tier 1 leverage ratio at 10.73% at September 30, 2015.
Including $125,000 of preferred stock dividends the net income available to common stockholders was $1.5 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, in 3Q15 compared to net loss attributable to common stockholders of $2.4 million, or $0.29 loss per diluted share, in 2Q15 and net income available to common stockholders of $1.5 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, in 3Q14.
Income Statement
"Higher than industry average loan yields continue to contribute to a strong net interest margin," said Charles G. Baltuskonis, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
Community West's third quarter net interest margin improved 24 basis points to 4.55% compared to 4.31% in 3Q14. In the first nine months of the year, net interest margin improved 26 basis points to 4.76% compared to 4.50% in the first nine months of 2014.
Third quarter net interest income was $6.8 million, compared to $7.1 million in the preceding quarter and increased 11.8% compared to $6.1 million in 3Q14. Year-to-date, net interest income increased 9.9% to $20.2 million compared to $18.4 million in the same period a year ago.
Non-interest income was $554,000 in 3Q15 compared to $737,000 in 2Q15 and $552,000 in 3Q14. The decrease compared to the preceding quarter was largely due to lower other loan fees. In the first nine months of 2015, non-interest income increased modestly to $1.8 million compared to $1.7 million in the first nine months of 2014.
Third quarter non-interest expenses totaled $5.0 million, compared to $4.9 million in 3Q14. Primarily due to the $7.1 million loan litigation settlement, Community West's 2Q15 non-interest expenses totaled $12.4 million. Year-to-date non-interest expenses were $22.2 million compared to $15.4 million a year ago. (See page 8 – "Non-Gaap Financial Information")
Balance Sheet
Net loans increased 2.8% to $526.0 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $511.9 million at June 30, 2015, and increased 7.3% compared to $490.0 million a year ago. Commercial real estate loans outstanding were up 7.9% from year ago levels to $177.3 million at September 30, 2015, and comprise 33.3% of the total loan portfolio. Manufactured housing loans were up modestly from year ago levels to $173.4 million and represent 32.5% of total loans. Commercial loans increased 37.2% from year ago levels to $99.9 million and represent 18.7% of the total loan portfolio and SBA loans decreased 19.1% from a year ago to $50.4 million and represent 9.5% of the total loan portfolio.
Deposits totaled $526.8 million at September 30, 2015, up 5.2% compared to $500.6 million at June 30, 2015 and grew 8.7% compared to $484.8 million a year earlier. Non-interest-bearing deposit accounts increased 15.6% to $73.1 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $63.2 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 $405.2 million at September 30, 2015 and comprise 76.9% of total deposits, compared to $388.7 million, or 80.2% of total deposits, a year ago.
Community West's total assets were $601.0 million at September 30, 2015, a 2.3% increase compared to three months earlier and a 5.1% increase compared to a year ago. Stockholders' equity was $65.9 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $64.5 million at June 30, 2015, and $65.8 million a year ago. Book value per common share was $7.36 at September 30, 2015 compared to $7.19 at June 30, 2015, and $7.07 a year ago.
Credit Quality
"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 seven quarters and net loan loss recoveries in six of the past seven quarters," said Plourd. The negative loan loss provision was $445,000 in 3Q15, compared to $584,000 in 2Q15, and $1.2 million in 3Q14. Net loan recoveries were $214,000 in 3Q15 compared to $552,000 in 2Q15 and net loan charge-offs of $82,000 in 3Q14.
The total allowance for loan losses was $7.0 million at September 30, 2015, or 1.50% of total loans held for investment, compared to 1.60% at June 30, 2015, and 2.14% a year ago. Net nonaccrual loans decreased 33.5% to $5.3 million, or 0.99% of total loans at September 30, 2015, compared to $7.9 million, or 1.53% of total loans, three months earlier, and decreased 51.7% compared to $10.9 million, or 2.19% of total loans, a year ago.
Of the $5.3 million in net nonaccrual loans, $2.6 million were commercial real estate loans, $1.6 million were manufactured housing loans, $429,000 were SBA loans, $318,000 were home equity line of credit loans, $289,000 were single family real estate loans and $44,000 were commercial loans.
Other assets acquired through foreclosure totaled $206,000 at September 30, 2015, a decrease of 56.6% compared to $475,000 a year earlier. Nonaccrual loans plus other assets acquired through foreclosure, net of SBA/USDA guarantees, totaled $5.5 million, or 0.91% of total assets, at September 30, 2015, compared to $8.2 million, or 1.40% of total assets, three months earlier and $11.4 million, or 1.99% of total assets, a year ago.
Final Redemption of Preferred Stock
On October 1, 2015, the Company announced that the Federal Reserve Bank approved its request for permission to redeem the remaining $5,574,000 of its 9%, Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A. The Company is finalizing 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 preferred stock redemption is expected to occur on November 2, 2015.
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. The Bank will continue to be considered well-capitalized under all regulatory guidelines.
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. The dividend will be payable November 30, 2015, to common shareholders of record on November 12, 2015.
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 September 30, 2015, 3,000 shares had been repurchased, leaving outstanding common stock shares of 8,201,158.
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. The principal business activities of the Company are Relationship 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 | Nine Months Ended | ||||
September 30, | June 30, | September 30, | September 30, | September 30, | |
2015 | 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | |
Interest income | |||||
Loans, including fees | $ 7,131 | $ 7,410 | $ 6,695 | $ 21,253 | $ 20,367 |
Investment securities and other | 244 | 285 | 208 | 834 | 619 |
Total interest income | 7,375 | 7,695 | 6,903 | 22,087 | 20,986 |
Interest expense | |||||
Deposits | 587 | 569 | 709 | 1,761 | 2,039 |
Other borrowings | 6 | 15 | 126 | 82 | 524 |
Total interest expense | 593 | 584 | 835 | 1,843 | 2,563 |
Net interest income | 6,782 | 7,111 | 6,068 | 20,244 | 18,423 |
Provision for loan losses | (445) | (584) | (1,178) | (1,997) | (3,560) |
Net interest income after provision for loan losses | 7,227 | 7,695 | 7,246 | 22,241 | 21,983 |
Non-interest income | |||||
Other loan fees | 244 | 370 | 279 | 789 | 720 |
Document processing fees | 141 | 131 | 103 | 364 | 297 |
Service charges | 92 | 87 | 72 | 252 | 215 |
Other | 77 | 149 | 98 | 366 | 494 |
Total non-interest income | 554 | 737 | 552 | 1,771 | 1,726 |
Non-interest expenses | |||||
Salaries and employee benefits | 3,412 | 3,202 | 2,888 | 9,729 | 9,308 |
Occupancy, net | 507 | 487 | 479 | 1,439 | 1,377 |
Professional services | 212 | 276 | 436 | 736 | 1,167 |
Data processing | 135 | 134 | 144 | 388 | 425 |
Advertising and marketing | 116 | 152 | 129 | 348 | 429 |
Depreciation | 103 | 96 | 82 | 290 | 238 |
Stock based compensation | 73 | 218 | 29 | 333 | 270 |
FDIC assessment | 99 | 82 | 83 | 252 | 253 |
Loan servicing and collection | 10 | 182 | 187 | 281 | 586 |
Loan litigation settlement, net | (50) | 7,153 | -- | 7,103 | -- |
Other | 421 | 399 | 422 | 1,291 | 1,382 |
Total non-interest expenses | 5,038 | 12,381 | 4,879 | 22,190 | 15,435 |
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes | 2,743 | (3,949) | 2,919 | 1,822 | 8,274 |
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | 1,152 | (1,607) | 1,207 | 803 | 3,414 |
Net Income (loss) | 1,591 | (2,342) | 1,712 | 1,019 | 4,860 |
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock | 125 | 136 | 176 | 401 | 778 |
Discount on partial redemption of preferred stock | -- | (110) | -- | (129) | (144) |
Net income (loss) available (attributable) to common stockholders | $ 1,466 | $ (2,368) | $ 1,536 | $ 747 | $ 4,226 |
Earnings per share: | |||||
Basic | $ 0.18 | $ (0.29) | $ 0.19 | $ 0.09 | $ 0.52 |
Diluted | $ 0.17 | $ (0.29) | $ 0.18 | $ 0.09 | $ 0.51 |
COMMUNITY WEST BANCSHARES | ||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||
(unaudited) | ||||
(in 000's, except per share data) | ||||
September 30, | June 30, | September 30, | December 31, | |
2015 | 2015 | 2014 | 2014 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 1,876 | $ 1,379 | $ 1,486 | $ 1,631 |
Time and interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions | 21,916 | 22,008 | 27,955 | 17,427 |
Investment securities | 31,201 | 31,940 | 31,104 | 30,641 |
Loans: | ||||
Commercial | 99,871 | 93,582 | 72,804 | 74,792 |
Commercial real estate | 177,302 | 171,258 | 164,277 | 159,432 |
SBA | 50,381 | 53,381 | 62,267 | 61,963 |
Manufactured housing | 173,432 | 170,860 | 169,910 | 169,662 |
Single family real estate | 20,671 | 18,215 | 14,065 | 15,744 |
HELOC | 11,134 | 11,226 | 14,820 | 13,481 |
Other | 207 | 595 | 1,134 | 59 |
Total loans | 532,998 | 519,117 | 499,277 | 495,133 |
Loans, net | ||||
Held for sale | 65,491 | 65,484 | 67,376 | 66,759 |
Held for investment | 467,507 | 453,633 | 431,901 | 428,374 |
Less: Allowance | (7,012) | (7,243) | (9,236) | (7,877) |
Net held for investment | 460,495 | 446,390 | 422,665 | 420,497 |
NET LOANS | 525,986 | 511,874 | 490,041 | 487,256 |
Other assets | 20,058 | 20,073 | 21,557 | 20,363 |
TOTAL ASSETS | $ 601,037 | $ 587,274 | $ 572,143 | $ 557,318 |
Deposits | ||||
Non-interest-bearing demand | $ 73,073 | $ 72,256 | $ 63,185 | $ 57,364 |
Interest-bearing demand | 250,738 | 251,238 | 277,743 | 275,631 |
Savings | 13,943 | 14,312 | 16,218 | 15,265 |
Certificates of deposit ($250,000 or more) | 56,745 | 44,694 | 15,089 | 13,601 |
Other certificates of deposit | 132,287 | 118,097 | 112,515 | 115,223 |
Total deposits | 526,786 | 500,597 | 484,750 | 477,084 |
Other borrowings | 5,000 | 20,000 | 18,000 | 10,000 |
Other liabilities | 3,339 | 2,129 | 3,639 | 3,227 |
TOTAL LIABILITIES | 535,125 | 522,726 | 506,389 | 490,311 |
Stockholders' equity | 65,912 | 64,548 | 65,754 | 67,007 |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||
$ 601,037 | $ 587,274 | $ 572,143 | $ 557,318 | |
Shares outstanding | 8,201 | 8,204 | 8,203 | 8,203 |
Book value per common share | $ 7.36 | $ 7.19 | $ 7.07 | $ 7.31 |
ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION | |||||
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)(Unaudited) | |||||
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||
PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND RATIOS | Sep. 30, 2015 | Jun. 30, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2014 |
Return on average common equity | 10.54% | -15.07% | 11.86% | 2.23% | 11.73% |
Return on average assets | 1.05% | -1.64% | 1.19% | 0.24% | 1.16% |
Efficiency ratio | 68.68% | 157.64% | 73.70% | 100.79% | 76.60% |
Net interest margin | 4.55% | 5.08% | 4.31% | 4.76% | 4.50% |
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||
AVERAGE BALANCES | Sep. 30, 2015 | Jun. 30, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2014 |
Average assets | $ 601,776 | $ 572,077 | $ 571,895 | $ 579,501 | $ 561,747 |
Average earning assets | 591,018 | 561,447 | 559,156 | 568,938 | 547,644 |
Average total loans | 526,119 | 496,691 | 495,213 | 505,708 | 487,033 |
Average deposits | 523,108 | 493,414 | 484,359 | 499,504 | 465,635 |
Average equity (including preferred stock) | 65,478 | 68,322 | 65,059 | 66,999 | 68,125 |
Average common equity (excluding preferred stock) | 59,904 | 62,336 | 57,263 | 61,054 | 55,413 |
EQUITY ANALYSIS | Sep. 30, 2015 | Jun. 30, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2014 | ||
Total equity | $ 65,912 | $ 64,548 | $ 65,754 | ||
Less: senior preferred stock | (5,574) | (5,574) | (7,796) | ||
Total common equity | $ 60,338 | $ 58,974 | $ 57,958 | ||
Common stock outstanding | 8,201 | 8,204 | 8,203 | ||
Book value per common share | $ 7.36 | $ 7.19 | $ 7.07 | ||
ASSET QUALITY | Sep. 30, 2015 | Jun. 30, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2014 | ||
Nonaccrual loans, net | $ 5,287 | $ 7,949 | $ 10,939 | ||
Nonaccrual loans, net/total loans | 0.99% | 1.53% | 2.19% | ||
Other assets acquired through foreclosure, net | $ 206 | $ 267 | $ 475 | ||
Nonaccrual loans plus other assets acquired through foreclosure, net | $ 5,493 | $ 8,216 | $ 11,414 | ||
Nonaccrual loans plus other assets acquired through foreclosure, net/total assets | 0.91% | 1.40% | 1.99% | ||
Net loan (recoveries)/charge-offs in the quarter | $ (214) | $ (552) | $ 82 | ||
Net (recoveries)/charge-offs in the quarter/total loans | -0.04% | -0.11% | 0.02% | ||
Allowance for loan losses | $ 7,012 | $ 7,243 | $ 9,236 | ||
Plus: Reserve for undisbursed loan commitments | 50 | 40 | 61 | ||
Total allowance for credit losses | $ 7,062 | $ 7,283 | $ 9,297 | ||
Total allowance for loan losses/total loans held for investment | 1.50% | 1.60% | 2.14% | ||
Total allowance for loan losses/nonaccrual loans | 132.63% | 91.12% | 84.43% | ||
Community West Bank * | |||||
Tier 1 leverage ratio | 10.73% | 11.06% | 11.29% | ||
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio | 13.01% | 13.14% | 14.19% | ||
Total risk-based capital ratio | 14.26% | 14.40% | 15.45% | ||
INTEREST SPREAD ANALYSIS | Sep. 30, 2015 | Jun. 30, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2014 | ||
Yield on total loans | 5.38% | 5.98% | 5.36% | ||
Yield on investments | 2.52% | 2.98% | 2.18% | ||
Yield on interest earning deposits | 0.30% | 0.32% | 0.28% | ||
Yield on earning assets | 4.95% | 5.50% | 4.90% | ||
Cost of interest-bearing deposits | 0.52% | 0.54% | 0.67% | ||
Cost of total deposits | 0.45% | 0.46% | 0.58% | ||
Cost of FHLB advances | 0.23% | 0.94% | 2.78% | ||
Cost of interest-bearing liabilities | 0.51% | 0.55% | 0.75% | ||
* Capital ratios are preliminary until the Call Report is filed. | |||||
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION | ||
(Unaudited) | ||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |
NON-GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES | Sep. 30, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2015 |
Return on average common equity, excluding loan litigation settlement, net (1) | 10.34% | 11.39% |
Return on average assets, excluding loan litigation settlement, net (1) | 1.03% | 1.20% |
Efficiency ratio, excluding loan litigation settlement, net (2) | 69.36% | 68.53% |
NON-GAAP EARNINGS PER SHARE | ||
Basic (3) | $ 0.18 | $ 0.60 |
Diluted (3) | $ 0.17 | $ 0.58 |
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES | ||
(Unaudited) | ||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |
Sep. 30, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2015 | |
(in thousands) | ||
Net income | $ 1,591 | $ 1,019 |
Loan litigation settlement, net | (50) | 7,103 |
Tax effect on loan litigation settlement, net | 21 | (2,923) |
Net income, excluding loan litigation settlement, net (3) | $ 1,562 | $ 5,199 |
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |
Sep. 30, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2015 | |
(in thousands) | ||
Total non-interest expenses | $ 5,038 | $ 22,190 |
Loan litigation settlement, net | 50 | (7,103) |
Total non-interest expenses, excluding loan litigation settlement, net (3) | $ 5,088 | $ 15,087 |
(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 | ||
CONTACT: Charles G. Baltuskonis, EVP & CFO 805.692.5821 www.communitywestbank.com The Cereghino Group IR CONTACT: 206-388-5785