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COMMUNITY WEST BANCSHARES / - Quarter Report: 2010 March (Form 10-Q)

form10q.htm


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010
 
or
 
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from _________ to _________
 
Commission File Number:  000-23575
 
COMMUNITY WEST BANCSHARES
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
California
77-0446957
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
445 Pine Avenue, Goleta, California
93117
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
(805) 692-5821
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  x YES o NO
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). o YES x NO
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer o
     
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) o
 
Smaller reporting company x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o  No x
 
Number of shares of common stock of the registrant outstanding as of May 14, 2009: 5,915,130 shares
 


 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

PART I.
 
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
PAGE
         
 
ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
     
3
     
4
     
5
   
 
6
     
7
         
The financial statements included in this Form 10-Q should be read with reference to Community West Bancshares’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
         
 
ITEM 2.
17
         
 
ITEM 4T.
25
         
PART II.
 
OTHER INFORMATION
 
         
 
ITEM 1.
26
         
 
ITEM 2.
26
         
 
ITEM 3.
26
         
 
ITEM 4.
26
         
 
ITEM 5.
26
         
 
ITEM 6.
26
         
         
 


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

COMMUNITY WEST BANCSHARES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
March 31, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
(unaudited)
       
ASSETS
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Cash and due from banks
  $ 14,787     $ 4,906  
Federal funds sold
    25       605  
Cash and cash equivalents
    14,812       5,511  
Time deposits in other financial institutions
    475       640  
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value; amortized cost of $17,317 at March 31, 2010 and $17,367 at December 31, 2009
    17,642       17,670  
Investment securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost; fair value of $20,871 at March 31, 2010 and $23,538 at December 31, 2009
    20,103       22,678  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost
    5,660       5,660  
Federal Reserve Bank stock, at cost
    1,322       1,322  
Loans:
               
Loans held for sale, at lower of cost or fair value
    95,976       102,574  
Loans held for investment, net of allowance for loan losses of $14,409 at March 31, 2010 and $13,733 at December 31, 2009
    492,506       500,866  
Total loans
    588,482       603,440  
Servicing rights
    936       998  
Foreclosed real estate and repossessed assets
    3,700       1,822  
Premises and equipment, net
    3,189       3,279  
Other assets
    21,345       21,196  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 677,666     $ 684,216  
LIABILITIES
               
Deposits:
               
Non-interest-bearing demand
  $ 39,566     $ 37,703  
Interest-bearing demand
    221,116       191,905  
Savings
    20,181       16,396  
Time certificates
    259,236       285,388  
Total deposits
    540,099       531,392  
Other borrowings
    74,000       89,000  
Other liabilities
    3,385       3,517  
Total liabilities
    617,484       623,909  
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Preferred stock, no par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 15,600 shares issued and outstanding
    14,607       14,540  
Common stock, no par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized;  5,915,130 shares issued and outstanding
    33,115       33,110  
Retained earnings
    12,268       12,479  
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net
    192       178  
Total stockholders' equity
    60,182       60,307  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 677,666     $ 684,216  
See accompanying notes.


COMMUNITY WEST BANCSHARES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
INTEREST INCOME
           
Loans
  $ 9,534     $ 9,752  
Investment securities
    399       449  
Other
    9       16  
Total interest income
    9,942       10,217  
INTEREST EXPENSE
               
Deposits
    2,059       3,358  
Other borrowings
    588       1,096  
Total interest expense
    2,647       4,454  
NET INTEREST INCOME
    7,295       5,763  
Provision for loan losses
    3,074       12,555  
NET INTEREST INCOME (LOSS) AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
    4,221       (6,792 )
NON-INTEREST INCOME
               
Other loan fees
    352       291  
Gains from loan sales, net
    103       118  
Document processing fees
    125       234  
Loan servicing, net
    89       395  
Service charges
    129       103  
Other
    41       27  
Total non-interest income
    839       1,168  
NON-INTEREST EXPENSES
               
Salaries and employee benefits
    3,008       3,452  
Occupancy and equipment expenses
    499       547  
FDIC assessment
    325       238  
Professional services
    203       248  
Advertising and marketing
    92       101  
Depreciation and amortization
    113       125  
Loss on sale of foreclosed real estate and repossessed assets
    62       67  
Data processing
    127       161  
Other operating expenses
    542       868  
Total non-interest expenses
    4,971       5,807  
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
    89       (11,431 )
Provision (benefit)  for income taxes
    38       (4,702 )
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ 51     $ (6,729 )
                 
Preferred stock dividends
    262       261  
NET (LOSS) APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
  $ (211 )   $ (6,990 )
(Loss) per common share:
               
Basic
  $ (.04 )   $ (1.18 )
Diluted
  $ (.04 )   $ (1.18 )
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    5,915       5,915  
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    5,915       5,915  

See accompanying notes.


COMMUNITY WEST BANCSHARES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
 
   
Preferred
   
Common Stock
   
Retained
   
Accumulated Other Comprehensive
   
Total Stockholders’
 
   
Stock
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Earnings
   
Income
   
Equity
 
(in thousands)
 
BALANCES AT
                                   
JANUARY 1, 2010
  $ 14,540       5,915     $ 33,110     $ 12,479     $ 178     $ 60,307  
Stock option expense, recognized in earnings
                    5                       5  
Comprehensive income:
                                               
Net income
                            51               51  
Change in unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale, net
                                    14       14  
Comprehensive income
                                            65  
Dividends paid on preferred
    67                       (262 )             (195 )
BALANCES AT
                                               
MARCH 31, 2010
  $ 14,607       5,915     $ 33,115     $ 12,268     $ 192     $ 60,182  


COMMUNITY WEST BANCSHARES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
Net income (loss)
  $ 51     $ (6,729 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Provision for loan losses
    3,074       12,555  
Depreciation and amortization
    113       125  
Stock-based compensation
    5       7  
Net amortization of discounts and premiums for investment securities
    (66 )     (10 )
Loss (gain) on:
               
Sale of foreclosed real estate and repossessed assets
    62       67  
Sale of  loans held for sale
    (103 )     (118 )
Loan originated for sale and principal collections, net
    5,795       (257 )
Changes in:
               
Servicing rights, net of amortization
    62       -  
Other assets
    (145 )     (4,930 )
Other liabilities
    (118 )     194  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    8,730       904  
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Purchase of available-for-sale securities
    (2,204 )     (6,230 )
Principal pay downs and maturities of available-for-sale securities
    2,298       341  
Principal pay downs and maturities of held-to-maturity securities
    2,571       4,809  
Loan originations and principal collections, net
    3,893       (19,097 )
Proceeds from sale of foreclosed real estate and repossessed assets
    359       281  
Net decrease in time deposits in other financial institutions
    165       221  
Purchase of premises and equipment, net
    (23 )     (17 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    7,059       (19,692 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Preferred stock dividends
    (262 )     (261 )
Amortization of discount on preferred stock, net of additional costs
    67       40  
Net increase in demand deposits and savings accounts
    34,859       22,820  
Net decrease in time certificates of deposit
    (26,152 )     (13,244 )
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank and FRB advances
    22,000       26,000  
Repayment of Federal Home Loan Bank and FRB advances
    (37,000 )     (16,000 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (6,488 )     19,355  
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    9,301       567  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR
    5,511       12,253  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR
  $ 14,812     $ 12,820  
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
               
Cash paid for interest
  $ 2,380     $ 4,677  
Cash paid for income taxes
    5       16  
Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing Activity:
               
Transfers to foreclosed real estate and repossessed assets
  $ 2,299     $ 2,243  
See accompanying notes.
               


COMMUNITY WEST BANCSHARES
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
The interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments and reclassifications that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for the fair presentation of the results of operations and financial condition for the interim period. The unaudited consolidated financial statements include Community West Bancshares (“CWBC") and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Community West Bank, N.A. ("CWB" or the “Bank”).  CWBC and CWB are referred to herein as “the Company”.  The accompanying unaudited condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8-03 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair statement have been reflected in the financial statements. However, the results of operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
 
These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Community West Bancshares included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses – The Company maintains a detailed, systematic analysis and procedural discipline to determine the amount of the allowance for loan losses (“ALL”).  The ALL is based on estimates and is intended to be adequate to provide for probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio.  This process involves deriving probable loss estimates that are based on individual loan loss estimation, migration analysis/historical loss rates and management’s judgment.
 
The Company employs several methodologies for estimating probable losses.  Methodologies are determined based on a number of factors, including type of asset, risk rating, concentrations, collateral value and the input of the Special Assets group, functioning as a workout unit.
 
The ALL calculation for the different major loan types is as follows:
 
 
·
SBA – A migration analysis and various portfolio specific factors are used to determine the required allowance for all non-impaired loans.  In addition, the migration results are adjusted based upon qualitative factors.  Qualitative factors include, but are not limited to, adjustments for existing economic conditions, past due trends and concentration exposure.   Impaired loans are assigned a specific reserve based upon the individual characteristics of the loan.
 
 
·
Relationship Banking – Primarily includes commercial, commercial real estate and construction loans.  A migration analysis and various portfolio specific factors are used to calculate the required allowance for all non-impaired loans. In addition, the migration results are adjusted based upon qualitative factors.  Qualitative factors include, but are not limited to, adjustments for existing economic conditions, past due trends and concentration exposure. Impaired loans are assigned a specific reserve based upon the individual characteristics of the loan.
 
 
·
Manufactured Housing – The allowance is calculated on the basis of loss history and risk rating, which is primarily a function of delinquency.  In addition, the loss history is adjusted based upon qualitative factors similar to those used for SBA loans.
 
The Company determines the required ALL on a monthly basis.  Any differences between estimated and actual observed losses from the prior month are reflected in the current period required ALL determination and adjusted as deemed necessary.  The review of the adequacy of the allowance takes into consideration such factors as concentrations of credit, changes in the growth, size and composition of the loan portfolio, overall and individual portfolio quality, review of specific problem loans, collateral, guarantees and economic conditions that may affect the borrowers' ability to pay and/or the value of the underlying collateral.  Additional factors considered include: geographic location of borrowers, changes in the Company’s product-specific credit policy and lending staff experience.  These estimates depend on the outcome of future events and, therefore, contain inherent uncertainties.
 
The Company's ALL is maintained at a level believed adequate by management to absorb known and inherent probable losses on existing loans.  A provision for loan losses is charged to expense.  The allowance is charged for losses when management believes that full recovery on the loan is unlikely.  Generally, the Company charges off any loan classified as a "loss" portions of loans which are deemed to be uncollectible; overdrafts which have been outstanding for more than 90 days; and, all other unsecured loans past due 120 or more days.  Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ALL.
 

The Bank has a centralized appraisal management process that tracks and monitors appraisal, appraisal reviews and other valuations. The centralization focus is to ensure the use of qualified and independent appraisers capable of providing reliable real estate values in the context of ever changing market conditions. The review process is monitored to ensure application of the appropriate appraisal methodology, agreement with the interpretation of market data and the resultant real estate value. The process also provides the means of tracking the performance quality of the appraisers on the Bank’s approved appraiser list.  Any loan evaluation that results in the Bank determining that elevated credit risk and/or default risk exists and also exhibits a lack of a timely valuation of the collateral or apparent collateral value deterioration is reappraised and reevaluated to determine the current extent of any change in collateral value and credit risk.  A similar review process is conducted quarterly on all classified and criticized real estate credits to determine the timeliness and adequacy of the real estate collateral value. A detection of non-compliance is then addressed through a new appraisal or reappraisal and review.
 
Foreclosed Real Estate and Repossessed Assets – Foreclosed real estate and other repossessed assets includes real estate and other repossessed assets and the collateral property is recorded at fair value at the time of foreclosure less estimated costs to sell.  Any excess of loan balance over the fair value less costs to sell of the other assets is charged-off against the allowance for loan losses.  Subsequent to the legal ownership date, management periodically performs a new valuation and the asset is carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value.  Operating expenses or income, and gains or losses on disposition of such properties, are recorded in current operations.
 
Servicing Rights – The guaranteed portion of certain SBA loans can be sold into the secondary market.  Servicing rights are recognized as separate assets when loans are sold with servicing retained.  Servicing rights are amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated future net servicing income.  The Company uses industry prepayment statistics and its own prepayment experience in estimating the expected life of the loans.  Management evaluates its servicing rights for impairment quarterly.  Servicing rights are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to amortized cost.  Fair value is determined using discounted future cash flows calculated on a loan-by-loan basis and aggregated by predominate risk characteristics.  The initial servicing rights and resulting gain on sale are calculated based on the difference between the best actual par and premium bids on an individual loan basis.
 
Income Taxes – The Company uses the asset and liability method, which recognizes a liability or asset representing the tax effects of future deductible or taxable amounts that have been recognized in the consolidated financial statements.  Due to tax regulations, certain items of income and expense are recognized in different periods for tax return purposes than for financial statement reporting.  These items represent “temporary differences.”  Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax effect of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income.  A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets if, based on weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets may not be realized.
 
The Company is subject to the provisions of ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (ASC 740).  ASC 740 prescribes a more-likely-than-not threshold for the financial statement recognition of uncertain tax positions.  ASC 740 clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing a minimum recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  On a quarterly basis the Company evaluates income tax accruals in accordance with ASC 740 guidance on uncertain tax positions.
 
Recent Accounting PronouncementsIn June 2009, amended ASC 860 “Transfers and Servicing”.  ASC 860 eliminates the concept of a qualifying special purpose entity, creates more stringent conditions for reporting a transfer of a portion of a financial asset as a sale, clarifies other sale-accounting criteria, and changes the initial measurement of a transferor’s interest in transferred financial assets.  ASC 860 applies to transfers of government-guaranteed portions of loans, such as those guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”).  In this regard, if the Bank transfers the guaranteed portion of an SBA loan at a premium, it is obligated by the SBA to refund the premium to the purchaser if the loan is repaid within ninety days of the transfer.  Under ASC 860, this premium refund obligation is a form of recourse, which means that the transferred guarantee portion of the loan does not meet the definition of a participating interest for the ninety day period that the premium refund obligation exists.  As a result, the transfer must be accounted for as a secured borrowing during this period.  After the ninety day period, assuming the transferred guaranteed portion and the retained unguaranteed portion of the SBA loan now meet the definition of a participating interest, the transfer of the guaranteed portion can be accounted for as a sale if all of the conditions for sale accounting in ASC 860 are met.   Essentially, ASC 860 delays recognition of the gain on the sale of an SBA loan at a premium for ninety days and precludes recognition of gain on loans sold at par.   This amendment is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2009, and for interim periods therein.  Adoption of ASC 860 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 
2. 
INVESTMENT SECURITIES
 
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities is as follows:

       
March 31, 2010
 
(in thousands)
 
Available-for-sale securities
 
Amortized Cost
   
Gross Unrealized Gains
   
Gross Unrealized Losses
   
Fair Value
 
U.S. Government agency: MBS
  $ 11,634     $ 301     $ -     $ 11,935  
U.S. Government agency: CMO
    5,683       43       (19 )     5,707  
Total
  $ 17,317     $ 344     $ (19 )   $ 17,642  
                                 
Held-to-maturity securities
                               
U.S. Government agency: MBS
  $ 20,103     $ 792     $ (24 )   $ 20,871  
U.S. Government agency: CMO
    -       -       -       -  
Total
  $ 20,103     $ 792     $ (24 )   $ 20,871  
       
December 31, 2009
 
(in thousands)
 
Available-for-sale securities
 
Amortized Cost
   
Gross Unrealized Gains
   
Gross Unrealized Losses
   
Fair Value
 
U.S. Government agency: MBS
  $ 10,175     $ 286     $ -     $ 10,461  
U.S. Government agency: CMO
    7,192       37       (20 )     7,209  
Total
  $ 17,367     $ 323     $ (20 )   $ 17,670  
                                 
Held-to-maturity securities
                               
U.S. Government agency: MBS
  $ 22,678     $ 891     $ (31 )   $ 23,538  
U.S. Government agency: CMO
    -       -       -       -  
Total
  $ 22,678     $ 891     $ (31 )   $ 23,538  

At March 31, 2010, $37.7 million of securities, at carrying value, was pledged to the Federal Home Loan Bank, San Francisco, as collateral for current and future advances.
 
The maturity periods and weighted average yields of investment securities at March 31, 2010 are as follows:
 
   
Total Amount
   
Less than One Year
   
One to Five Years
   
Five to Ten Years
 
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Available-for-sale securities
                                     
U. S. Government:
                                     
Agency: MBS
  $ 11,934       2.6 %   $ 2,023       2.8 %   $ 9,911       2.5 %   $ -       -  
Agency: CMO
    5,708       1.7 %     198       4.8 %     5,510       1.6 %     -       -  
Total
  $ 17,642       2.3 %   $ 2,221       2.9 %   $ 15,421       2.2 %   $ -       -  
                                                                 
Held-to-maturity securities
                                                 
U.S. Government:
                                                 
Agency: MBS
  $ 20,103       4.8 %   $ 112       4.9 %   $ 16,996       4.9 %   $ 2,995       4.3 %
Agency: CMO
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Total
  $ 20,103       4.8 %   $ 112       4.9 %   $ 16,996       4.9 %   $ 2,995       4.3 %

 
The following tables show all securities that are in an unrealized loss position and temporarily impaired as of:
 
March 31, 2010
 
Less than 12 months
   
More than 12 months
   
Total
 
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized Losses
   
Fair Vale
   
Unrealized Losses
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Available-for-sale securities
                                   
U.S. Government agency: MBS
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
U.S. Government agency: CMO
    1,702       19       -       -       1,702       19  
Total
  $ 1,702     $ 19     $ -     $ -     $ 1,702     $ 19  
                                                 
Held-to-maturity securities
                                               
U.S. Government agency: MBS
  $ 2,841     $ 24     $ -     $ -     $ 2,841     $ 24  
 U.S. Government agency: CMO
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Total
  $ 2,841     $ 24     $ -     $ -     $ 2,841     $ 24  
 

December 31, 2009
 
Less than 12 months
   
More than 12 months
   
Total
 
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized Losses
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Available-for-sale securities
                                   
U.S. Government agency: MBS
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
U.S. Government agency: CMO
    1,816       20       -       -       1,816       20  
Total
  $ 1,816     $ 20     $ -     $ -     $ 1,816     $ 20  
                                                 
Held-to-maturity securities
                                               
U.S. Government agency: MBS
  $ 2,854     $ 31     $ -     $ -     $ 2,854     $ 31  
 U.S. Government agency: CMO
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Total
  $ 2,854     $ 31     $ -     $ -     $ 2,854     $ 31  
 
As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, three securities were in an unrealized loss position.
 
Declines in the fair value of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses.  In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers, among other things (i) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and (iii) the Company’s intent to sell an impaired security and if it is not more likely than not it will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized basis.
 
The unrealized losses are primarily due to increases in market interest rates over the yields available at the time the underlying securities were purchased.  The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach their maturity date or repricing date or if market yields for such investments decline.  Management does not believe any of the securities are impaired due to reasons of credit quality, as all are direct or indirect agencies of the U. S. Government.   Accordingly, as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, management believes the impairments detailed in the table above are temporary and no other-than-temporary impairment loss has been realized in the Company’s consolidated income statements.
 
3.  LOAN SALES AND SERVICING
 
SBA Loan Sales - The Company periodically sells the guaranteed portion of selected SBA loans into the secondary market, on a servicing-retained basis.  The Company retains the unguaranteed portion of these loans and services the loans as required under the SBA programs to retain specified yield amounts.  The SBA program stipulates that the Company retains a minimum of 5% of the loan balance, which is unguaranteed.  The percentage of each unguaranteed loan in excess of 5% may be periodically sold to a third party, typically for a cash premium.  The Company records servicing liabilities for the unguaranteed loans sold calculated based on the present value of the estimated future servicing costs associated with each loan.  The balance of all servicing rights and obligations is subsequently amortized over the estimated life of the loans using an estimated prepayment rate of 5-25%.  Quarterly, the servicing asset is analyzed for impairment.
 

The Company also periodically sells certain SBA loans into the secondary market, on a servicing-released basis, typically for a cash premium.
 
As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company had approximately $94.8 million and $95.7 million, respectively, in SBA loans included in loans held for sale.
 
Mortgage Loan Sales – The Company enters into mortgage loan rate lock commitments (normally for 30 days) with potential borrowers.  In conjunction therewith, the Company enters into a forward sale commitment to sell the locked loan to a third party investor.  This forward sale agreement requires delivery of the loan on a “best efforts” basis but does not obligate the Company to deliver if the mortgage loan does not fund.
 
The mortgage rate lock agreement and the forward sale agreement qualify as derivatives.  The value of these derivatives is generally equal to the fee, if any, charged to the borrower at inception but may fluctuate in the event of changes in interest rates.  These derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value if material.  Although the Company does not attempt to qualify these transactions for the special hedge accounting, management believes that changes in the fair value of the two commitments generally offset and create an economic hedge.  At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company had $6.7 million and $13.6 million, respectively, in outstanding mortgage loan interest rate lock and forward sale commitments, the value of related derivative instruments were not material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
 
4. 
LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT
 
The composition of the Company’s loans held for investment loan portfolio follows:
 
   
March 31, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Commercial
  $ 57,795     $ 61,810  
Real Estate
    189,541       195,480  
SBA
    41,582       43,863  
Manufactured housing
    197,267       195,656  
Other installment
    21,057       18,189  
      507,242       514,998  
Less:
               
Allowance for loan losses
    14,409       13,733  
Deferred costs
    (236 )     (204 )
Purchased premiums
    (21 )     (24 )
Discount on SBA loans
    584       627  
Loans held for investment, net
  $ 492,506     $ 500,866  
 
An analysis of the allowance for credit losses for loans held for investment follows:
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 13,733     $ 7,341  
                 
Loans charged off
    (2,442 )     (6,496 )
Recoveries on loans previously charged off
    44       14  
Net charge-offs
    (2,398 )     (6,482 )
                 
Provision for loan losses
    3,074       12,555  
Balance, end of period
  $ 14,409     $ 13,414  

 
As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company also had established reserves for credit losses on undisbursed loans of $370,000 and $501,000 respectively which are included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.
 
The recorded investment in loans that is considered to be impaired:
 
   
March 31, 2010
   
December 31,  2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Impaired loans without specific valuation allowances
  $ 10,737     $ 13,699  
Impaired loans with specific valuation allowances
    7,104       716  
Specific valuation allowances allocated to impaired loans
    (2,360 )     (622 )
Impaired loans, net
  $ 15,481     $ 13,793  
 
The following schedule reflects the average investment in impaired loans:
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Average investment in impaired loans
  $ 14,560     $ 5,788  
Interest income recognized on impaired loans
  $ 87     $ 2  

 
5. 
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
 
Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or the price that would be paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.  U. S. GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.   Three levels of inputs may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities
Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs
 
The following summarizes the fair value measurements of assets measured on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 and the relative levels of inputs from which such amounts were derived:
 
   
Fair value measurements at March 31, 2010 using
 
         
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
   
Significant other observable inputs
   
Significant unobservable inputs
 
Description
 
Total
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Investment securities available-for-sale
  $ 17,642     $ -     $ 17,642     $ -  
Interest only strips (included in other assets)
    594       -       -       594  
Total
  $ 18,236     $ -     $ 17,642     $ 594  

   
Fair value measurements at December 31, 2009 using
 
         
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
   
Significant other observable inputs
   
Significant unobservable inputs
 
Description
 
Total
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Investment securities available-for-sale
  $ 17,670     $ -     $ 17,670     $ -  
Interest only strips (included in other assets)
    623       -       -       623  
Total
  $ 18,293     $ -     $ 17,670     $ 623  
 
On certain SBA loan sales that occurred prior to 2003, the Company retained interest only strips (“I/O strips”), which represent the present value of excess net cash flows generated by the difference between (a) interest at the stated rate paid by borrowers and (b) the sum of (i) pass-through interest paid to third-party investors and (ii) contractual servicing fees.  I/O strips are classified as level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.  The fair value is determined on a quarterly basis through a discounted cash flow analysis prepared by an independent third party using industry prepayment speeds.  The I/O strips were valued at $623,000 as of December 31, 2009 and a valuation adjustment of $29,000 was recorded in income during the first three months of 2010.  No other changes in the balance have occurred related to the I/O strips and such valuation adjustments are included as additions or offsets to loan servicing income.
 
The Company also has assets that under certain conditions are subject to measurement at fair value on a non-recurring basis.  These assets are loans that are considered impaired per generally accepted accounting principles.  A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information or events, it is probable that not all amounts due will be collected according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Impairment is measured based on the fair value of the underlying collateral.  The collateral value is determined based on appraisals and other market valuations for similar assets.
 
The following summarizes the fair value measurements of assets measured on a non-recurring basis as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 and the relative levels of inputs from which such amounts were derived:
 
 
   
Fair value measurements at March 31, 2010 using
 
         
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
   
Significant other observable inputs
   
Significant unobservable inputs
 
Description
 
Total
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Impaired loans
  $ 15,481     $ -     $ 14,852     $ 629  

   
Fair value measurements at December 31, 2009 using
 
         
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
   
Significant other observable inputs
   
Significant unobservable inputs
 
Description
 
Total
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Impaired loans
  $ 13,793     $ -     $ 13,562     $ 231  
 
6. 
BORROWINGS
 
Federal Home Loan Bank AdvancesThe Company has a blanket lien credit line with the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”).  Advances are collateralized in the aggregate by CWB’s eligible loans and securities.  Total FHLB advances were $74 million and $68 million at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, borrowed at fixed rates.  At March 31, 2010, CWB had securities and loans pledged to FHLB with carrying value of $37.7 million and $105 million, respectively.  At December 31, 2009, CWB had securities and loans pledged with carrying value of $40.3 million and $92.3 million, respectively. Total FHLB interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 was $571,000 and $1.1 million, respectively.  At March 31, 2010, CWB had $30 million available for additional borrowing.
 
Federal Reserve BankCWB has established a credit line with the Federal Reserve Bank.  Advances are collateralized in the aggregate by eligible loans for up to 28 days.  The discount rate was raised to 0.75% from 0.50% in February 2010.  There were no outstanding FRB advances as of March 31, 2010 and $21 million outstanding as of December 31, 2009.  Interest expense on these advances for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $17,000.
 
7.
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
Preferred Stock
 
On December 19, 2008, as part of the United States Department of the Treasury’s (Treasury) Troubled Asset Relief Program - Capital Purchase Program (TARP Program), the Company entered into a Letter Agreement  with the Treasury, pursuant to which the Company issued to the Treasury, in exchange for an aggregate purchase price of $15.6 million in cash: (i) 15,600 shares of the Company's Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, no par value, having a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (Series A Preferred Stock), and (ii) a warrant (Warrant) to purchase up to 521,158 shares of the Company's common stock, no par value (Common Stock), at an exercise price of $4.49 per share.
 
Series A Preferred Stock pays cumulative dividends at a rate of 5% per year for the first five years and at a rate of 9% per year thereafter, but will be paid only if, as and when declared by the Company's Board of Directors.  The Series A Preferred Stock has no maturity date and ranks senior to the common stock with respect to the payment of dividends and distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company.  The Series A Preferred Stock is generally non-voting, other than class voting on certain matters that could adversely affect the Series A Preferred Stock.  In the event that dividends payable on the Series A Preferred Stock have not been paid for the equivalent of six or more quarters, whether or not consecutive, the Company's authorized number of Directors will be automatically increased by two and the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, voting together with holders of any then outstanding voting parity stock, will have the right to elect those Directors at the Company's next annual meeting of shareholders or at a special meeting of shareholders called for that purpose.  These Directors will be elected annually and will serve until all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock have been paid.
 
The Company may redeem the Series A Preferred Stock after February 15, 2012 for $1,000 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends.  Prior to this date, the Company may redeem the Series A Preferred Stock for $1,000 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends if: (i) the Company has raised aggregate gross proceeds in one or more "qualified equity offerings" (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement entered into between the Company and the Treasury) in excess of $15.6 million, and (ii) the aggregate redemption price does not exceed the aggregate net cash proceeds from such qualified equity offerings.  Any redemption is subject to the prior approval of the Company's primary banking regulator.

 
A valuation was prepared which allocated the $15.6 million received, less related costs, between the Series A Preferred Stock and the Warrant at $14.4 million and $1.2 million, respectively.  The resulting difference between the proceeds received and the liquidation amount of the Series A Preferred Stock and related costs are being amortized on a straight line basis over five years.
 
Common Stock

Common Stock Warrant
 
The Warrant issued as part of the TARP  provide for the purchase of up to 521,158 shares of the common stock, at an exercise price of $4.49 per share (Warrant Shares).  The Warrant is immediately exercisable and has a 10-year term.  The exercise price and the ultimate number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the Warrant are subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments, such as upon stock splits or distributions of securities or other assets to holders of the common stock, and upon certain issuances of the common stock at or below a specified price relative to the then current market price of the common stock.  Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Treasury has agreed not to exercise voting power with respect to any Warrant Shares.

Earnings per Common Share-Calculation of Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding
    5,915       5,915  
Dilutive effect of options
    -       -  
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
    5,915       5,915  
 
8. 
FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
The estimated fair values of financial instruments have been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is required to interpret market data to develop estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.
 
The following table represents the estimated fair values:
 
   
March 31, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
Carrying Amount
   
Estimated Fair Value
   
Carrying Amount
   
Estimated Fair Value
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 14,812     $ 14,812     $ 5,511     $ 5,511  
Time deposits in other financial institutions
    475       475       640       640  
Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    6,982       6,982       6,982       6,982  
Investment securities
    37,745       38,513       40,348       41,208  
Loans
    602,891       577,452       617,173       589,858  
Liabilities:
                               
Deposits (other than time deposits)
    280,863       280,863       246,004       246,004  
Time deposits
    259,236       261,618       285,388       287,806  
Other borrowings
    74,000       74,178       89,000       89,751  

 
The methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value are explained below:
 
Cash and cash equivalents - The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments.
 
Time deposits in other financial institutions - The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the relative short-term nature of these instruments.
 
Federal Reserve Stock - The carrying value approximates the fair value because the stock can be sold back to the Federal Reserve at any time.
 
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock - The carrying value approximates the fair value.  The FHLB is rated AAA by Moody’s and S&P as of March 31, 2010 and no impairment was recognized as of March 31, 2010.
 
Investment securities – Market valuations of our investment securities are provided by an independent third party. The fair values are determined by using several sources for valuing fixed income securities. Their techniques include pricing models that vary based on the type of asset being valued and incorporate available trade, bid and other market information. In accordance with the fair value hierarchy, the market valuation sources include observable market inputs and are therefore considered Level 2 inputs for purposes of determining the fair values.
 
Loans – For most loan categories, the fair value is estimated using discounted cash flows utilizing an appropriate discount rate and historical prepayment speeds.  Certain adjustable loans that reprice on a frequent basis are valued at book value.
 
Deposits – The amount payable at demand at report date is used to estimate the fair value of demand and savings deposits. The estimated fair values of fixed-rate time deposits are determined by discounting the cash flows of segments of deposits that have similar maturities and rates, utilizing a discount rate that approximates the prevailing rates offered to depositors as of the measurement date.
 
Other borrowings – The fair value of FHLB and FRB advances are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.
 
Commitments to Extend Credit, Commercial and Standby Letters of Credit – Due to the proximity of the pricing of these commitments to the period end, the fair values of commitments are immaterial to the financial statements.
 
The fair value estimates presented herein are based on pertinent information available to management as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.  Although management is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the estimated fair value amounts, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these financial statements since those dates and, therefore, current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.
 
9. 
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
Debenture offering - On May 4, 2010, the Company announced its intention to offer $8 million, and up to $8.8 million with oversubscription privileges, of convertible subordinated debentures which will pay interest at 9% until conversion, redemption or maturity.  The Company has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for this offering.  The effective date of the prospectus was May 10, 2010.  The debentures, which will mature 10 years from the date of issuance, will be sold in $1,000 increments and pay interest quarterly on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15.  The debentures may be redeemed by the Company after January 1, 2014.  Prior to maturity or redemption, the debentures can be converted into common stock at $3.50 per share if converted prior to July 1, 2013, $4.50 per share between July 2, 2013 and July 1, 2016 and $6.00 per share from July 2, 2016 until maturity or redemption.  The debentures will be initially offered to shareholders as of April 30, 2010 on a pro-rata basis.  Each shareholder will be given the right to purchase one $1,000 debenture for each 750 shares owned.  All remaining debentures not subscribed for in the offering will be offered to the general public and to existing shareholders alike.  The debentures are unsecured obligations of Community West Bancshares and are subordinated to all other present and future debts including deposits and borrowings and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  Proceeds from the offering will be used to further strengthen the capital position of the Company and support its strategic growth opportunities.  The Company’s Board of Directors will retain discretion in the allocation and use of the proceeds of the offering.
 
Evaluation of subsequent events - Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued.


ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
This discussion is designed to provide insight into management’s assessment of significant trends related to the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital resources and interest rate sensitivity.  It should be read in conjunction with the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and the other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report.
 
Forward Looking Statements
 
This Report on Form 10-Q contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Those forward-looking statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management.  Any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.  The Company does not undertake any obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.
 
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s financial statements and the related notes provided under "Item 1—Financial Statements" above.
 
Overview of Earnings Performance
 
For the 1Q10, net income was $51,000 compared to net loss of $6.7 million for 1Q09.
 
The significant factors impacting net income for 1Q10 were:
 
·
The provision for loan losses was $3.1 million for 1Q10 compared to $12.6 million for 1Q09 reflecting significant, though moderating, levels of non-performing loans and net charge-offs.
 
 
·
The decline in rates paid on funding sources contributed to a continued improvement in the margin which increased to 4.48% for 1Q10 compared to 3.56% for 1Q09.
 
 
·
Resulting from the improvement in margin, net interest income increased by $1.5 million to $7.3 million for 1Q10 from $5.8 million for 1Q09.
 
 
·
The strategic decision in 1Q09 to discontinue SBA lending east of the Rocky Mountains contributed to a decline in salaries and employee benefits to $3.0 million for 1Q10 from $3.5 million for 1Q09.
 
Debenture Offering
 
On May 4, 2010, the Company announced its intention to offer $8 million, and up to $8.8 million with oversubscription privileges, of convertible subordinated debentures which will pay interest at 9% until conversion, redemption or maturity.  The Company has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for this offering.  The effective date of the prospectus was May 10, 2010.  The debentures, which will mature 10 years from the date of issuance, will be sold in $1,000 increments and pay interest quarterly on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15.  The debentures may be redeemed by the Company after January 1, 2014.  Prior to maturity or redemption, the debentures can be converted into common stock at $3.50 per share if converted prior to July 1, 2013, $4.50 per share between July 2, 2013 and July 1, 2016 and $6.00 per share from July 2, 2016 until maturity or redemption.  The debentures will be initially offered to shareholders as of April 30, 2010 on a pro-rata basis.  Each shareholder will be given the right to purchase one $1,000 debenture for each 750 shares owned.  All remaining debentures not subscribed for in the offering will be offered to the general public and to existing shareholders alike.  The debentures are unsecured obligations of Community West Bancshares and are subordinated to all other present and future debts including deposits and borrowings and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  Proceeds from the offering will be used to further strengthen the capital position of the Company and support its strategic growth opportunities.  The Company’s Board of Directors will retain discretion in the allocation and use of the proceeds of the offering.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
A number of critical accounting policies are used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  These policies relate to areas of the financial statements that involve estimates and judgments made by management.  These include: provision and allowance for loan losses and servicing rights.  These critical accounting policies are discussed in the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K with a description of how the estimates are determined and an indication of the consequences of an over or under estimate.
 

Results of Operations-First Quarter Comparison
 
The following table sets forth for the periods indicated, certain items in the consolidated statements of income of the Company and the related changes between those periods:
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
   
Increase
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
(Decrease)
 
   
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Interest income
  $ 9,942     $ 10,217     $ (275 )
Interest expense
    2,647       4,454       (1,807 )
Net interest income
    7,295       5,763       1,532  
Provision for loan losses
    3,074       12,555       (9,481 )
Net interest income (loss)  after provision for loan losses
    4,221       (6,792 )     11,013  
Non-interest income
    839       1,168       (329 )
Non-interest expenses
    4,971       5,807       (836 )
Income (loss)  before provision for income taxes
    89       (11,431 )     11,520  
Provision (benefit)  for income taxes
    38       (4,702 )     4,740  
Net income (loss)
  $ 51     $ (6,729 )   $ 6,780  
Preferred stock dividends
    262       261       1  
Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders
  $ (211 )   $ (6,990 )   $ 6,779  
(Loss)  per common share:
                       
Basic
  $ (.04 )   $ (1.18 )   $ 1.14  
Diluted
  $ (0.4 )   $ (1.18 )   $ 1.14  
Dividends per common share
  $ -     $ -     $ -  
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 65     $ (6,626 )   $ 6,691  
 
The following table sets forth the changes in interest income and expense attributable to changes in rate and volume:
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2010 versus 2009
 
         
Change due to
 
 
 
Total change
   
Rate
   
Volume
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Loans, net
  $ (218 )   $ (288 )   $ 70  
Investment securities
    (50 )     (62 )     12  
Other
    (7 )     -       (7 )
Total interest-earning assets
    (275 )     (350 )     75  
                         
Deposits
    (1,299 )     (1,460 )     161  
Other borrowings
    (508 )     (277 )     (231 )
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    (1,807 )     (1,737 )     (70 )
Net interest income
  $ 1,532     $ 1,387     $ 145  
 
Net Interest Income
Net interest income increased by $1.5 million for 1Q10 compared to 1Q09.  Total interest income declined by $275,000.  While average interest earning assets grew to $661 million for 1Q10 compared to $656 million for 1Q09, yields declined to 6.10% from 6.31%.
 
The decline in rates paid on funding sources from 3.78% for 1Q09 to 2.82% for 1Q10 benefited the Bank in a reduction of $1.8 million in interest expense.  The net impact of the decline in yields on interest earning assets and the decline in rates on interest-bearing liabilities was an increase in the margin from 3.56% for 1Q09 to 4.48% for 1Q10.
 

Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for loan losses was $3.1 million for 1Q10 compared to $12.6 million for 1Q09.
 
The following schedule summarizes the provision, charge-offs and recoveries for 1Q10 by loan category:
 
         
Three Months Ended March 31, 2010
 
                                     
   
(in thousands)
 
   
Allowance
                           
Allowance
 
   
12/31/09
   
Provision
   
Charge-offs
   
Recoveries
   
Net Charge-offs
   
03/31/10
 
Real estate
  $ 3,012     $ (273 )   $ (34 )   $ 2     $ (32 )   $ 2,707  
Manufactured housing
    2,255       913       (462 )     -       (462 )     2,706  
Commercial
    3,448       (486 )     (21 )     4       (17 )     2,945  
SBA
    4,801       2,391       (1,680 )     37       (1,643 )     5,549  
Other installment
    217       529       (245 )     1       (244 )     502  
Total
  $ 13,733     $ 3,074     $ (2,442 )   $ 44     $ (2,398 )   $ 14,409  
 
In response to continuing challenges in the loan portfolio, the Company has increased the allowance for loan losses for loans held-for-investment from 2.67% at December 31, 2009 to 2.84% at March 31, 2010.
 
The percentage of net non-accrual loans to the total loan portfolio increased modestly to 2.93% as of March 31, 2010 from 2.62% at December 31, 2009.
 
Included in the Company’s held for investment portfolio is the category “Other installment” which consists primarily of home equity lines of credit (HELOC) loans.  Recent guidance issued by the SEC characterized these types of loans as higher-risk.  The HELOC portfolio of $20.7 million consists of credits secured by residential real estate in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.  In 1Q10, there were charge-offs of $244,000 in this portfolio.  As of March 31, 2010, 0.5% of the portfolio is past due and 0.7% is on non-accrual status.  The allowance for loan losses for this portfolio is $378,000, or 1.8%.  The Company believes that, overall, this portfolio is adequately supported by real estate collateral.
 
Non-Interest Income
Non-interest income includes gains from sale of loans, loan document fees, service charges on deposit accounts, loan servicing fees and other revenues not derived from interest on earning assets. Total non-interest income decreased by $329,000, or 28.2%, for 1Q10 compared to 1Q09, primarily due to lower loan servicing fee income.  Of the $306,000 decline in loan servicing fees, $261,000 resulted from higher amortization of the servicing assets and adjustments to the value of the I/O strip for 1Q10 compared to 1Q09.
 
Non-Interest Expenses
Non-interest expenses declined $836,000, or 14.4%, for 1Q10 compared to 1Q09.  The strategic decision to discontinue SBA lending east of the Rocky Mountains as of April 1, 2009 contributed to a decline in salaries and employee benefits to $3.0 million for 1Q10 from $3.5 million for 1Q09.  Also contributing to a reduction in non-interest expenses for 1Q10 was the decline of $435,000 in the reserve for unfunded loan commitments compared to 1Q09.
 

Interest Rates and Differentials
 
The following table illustrates average yields on interest-earning assets and average rates on interest-bearing liabilities for the periods indicated:
   
Three Months
 
   
Ended March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Interest-earning assets:
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions:
           
Average balance
  $ 819     $ 1,115  
Interest income
    6       7  
Average yield
    2.95 %     2.84 %
Federal funds sold:
               
Average balance
  $ 4,217     $ 11,052  
Interest income
    3       9  
Average yield
    0.31 %     0.33 %
Investment securities:
               
Average balance
  $ 45,766     $ 44,437  
Interest income
    399       449  
Average yield
    3.54 %     4.09 %
Gross loans:
               
Average balance
  $ 610,137     $ 599,574  
Interest income
    9,534       9,752  
Average yield
    6.34 %     6.60 %
Total interest-earning assets:
               
Average balance
  $ 660,939     $ 656,178  
Interest income
    9,942       10,217  
Average yield
    6.10 %     6.31 %
Interest-bearing liabilities:
     
Interest-bearing demand deposits:
               
Average balance
  $ 204,944     $ 67,103  
Interest expense
    808       283  
Average cost of funds
    1.60 %     1.71 %
Savings deposits:
               
Average balance
  $ 17,992     $ 15,226  
Interest expense
    108       115  
Average cost of funds
    2.43 %     3.05 %
Time certificates of deposit:
               
Average balance
  $ 272,171     $ 367,367  
Interest expense
    1,143       2,960  
Average cost of funds
    1.70 %     3.27 %
Other borrowings:
               
Average balance
  $ 84,489     $ 117,678  
Interest expense
    588       1,096  
Average cost of funds
    2.82 %     3.78 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities:
               
Average balance
  $ 579,596     $ 567,374  
Interest expense
    2,647       4,454  
Average cost of funds
    1.85 %     3.18 %
                 
Net interest income
  $ 7,295     $ 5,763  
Net interest spread
    4.25 %     3.13 %
Average net margin
    4.48 %     3.56 %


In calculating interest rates and differentials:
 
 
·
Average yields and rates are derived by dividing interest income by the average balances of interest-earning assets and by dividing interest expense by the average balances of interest-bearing liabilities for the periods indicated.  Amounts outstanding are averages of daily balances during the applicable periods.
 
 
·
Nonaccrual loans are included in the average balance of loans outstanding.
 
 
·
Net interest income is the difference between the interest and fees earned on loans and investments and the interest expense paid on deposits and other liabilities.  The amount by which interest income will exceed interest expense depends on the volume or balance of earning assets compared to the volume or balance of interest-bearing deposits and liabilities and the interest rate earned on those interest-earning assets compared to the interest rate paid on those interest-bearing liabilities.
 
 
·
Net interest margin is net interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets.  It is used to measure the difference between the average rate of interest earned on assets and the average rate of interest that must be paid on liabilities used to fund those assets.  To maintain its net interest margin, the Company must manage the relationship between interest earned and paid.
 
Financial Condition
 
Average total assets increased by $9.4 million, or 1.4%, to $682.1 million for 1Q10 compared to $672.7 million 1Q09.  Average total gross loans increased by $10.5 million, or 1.8%, to $610.1 million for 1Q10 from $599.6 million for 1Q09.  Average deposits also increased by 10.4% from $484.9 million for 1Q09 to $535.1 million for 1Q10.
 
The book value per common share declined to $7.70 at March 31, 2010 from $7.74 at December 31, 2009.
Selected balance sheet accounts
(dollars in thousands)
 
March 31, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
   
Increase (Decrease)
   
Percent of Increase (Decrease)
 
                         
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 14,812     $ 5,511     $ 9,301       168.8 %
Investment securities available-for-sale
    17,642       17,670       (28 )     (0.2 )%
Investment securities held-to-maturity
    20,103       22,678       (2,575 )     (11.4 )%
Loans-Held for sale
    95,976       102,574       (6,598 )     (6.4 )%
Loans-Held for investment, net
    492,506       500,866       (8,360 )     (1.7 )%
Total Assets
    677,666       684,216       (6,550 )     (1.0 )%
                                 
Total Deposits
    540,099       531,392       8,707       1.6 %
Other borrowings
    74,000       89,000       (15,000 )     (16.9 )%
                                 
Total Stockholders' Equity
    60,182       60,307       (125 )     (0.2 )%
 
The following schedule shows the balance and percentage change in the various deposits:
 
   
March 31, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
   
Increase (Decrease)
   
Percent of Increase (Decrease)
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
       
Non-interest-bearing deposits
  $ 39,566     $ 37,703     $ 1,863       4.9 %
Interest-bearing deposits
    221,116       191,905       29,211       15.2 %
Savings
    20,181       16,396       3,785       23.1 %
Time certificates of $100,000 or more
    179,803       173,594       6,209       3.6 %
Other time certificates
    79,433       111,794       (32,361 )     (28.9 )%
Total deposits
  $ 540,099     $ 531,392     $ 8,707       1.6 %

 
Nonaccrual, Past Due and Restructured Loans
 
A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest under the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments.  Loans that experience insignificant payment delays or payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired.  Management determines the significance of payment delays or payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis.  When determining the possibility of impairment, management considers the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower's prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.  For collateral-dependent loans, the Company uses the fair value of collateral method to measure impairment.  All other loans are measured for impairment based on the present value of future cash flows.  Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for all loans in the portfolio.
 
The recorded investment in loans that is considered to be impaired:
 
   
March 31, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Impaired loans  without specific valuation allowances
  $ 10,737     $ 13,699  
Impaired loans with specific valuation allowances
    7,104       716  
Specific valuation allowances allocated to impaired loans
    (2,360 )     (622 )
Impaired loans, net
  $ 15,481     $ 13,793  

The following schedule reflects the average investment in impaired loans:

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Average investment in impaired loans
  $ 14,560     $ 5,788  
Interest income recognized on impaired loans
  $ 87     $ 2  
 
The following schedule reflects recorded investment at the dates indicated in certain types of loans:
 
   
March 31, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Nonaccrual loans
  $ 40,469     $ 40,265  
SBA guaranteed portion of loans included above
    (22,814 )     (24,088 )
Nonaccrual loans, net
  $ 17,655     $ 16,177  
                 
Troubled debt restructured loans, gross
  $ 7,149     $ 7,013  
Loans 30 through 89 days past due with interest accruing
  $ 15,054     $ 17,686  
Allowance for loan losses to gross loans (including loans held for sale)
    2.39 %     2.23 %
 
CWB generally repurchases the guaranteed portion of SBA loans from investors when those loans become past due 120 days.  After the foreclosure and collection process is complete, the SBA reimburses CWB for this principal balance.  Therefore, although these balances do not earn interest during this period, they generally do not result in a loss of principal to CWB.

 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Liquidity Management
 
The Company has established policies as well as analytical tools to manage liquidity.  Proper liquidity management ensures that sufficient funds are available to meet normal operating demands in addition to unexpected customer demand for funds, such as high levels of deposit withdrawals or increased loan demand, in a timely and cost effective manner.  The most important factor in the preservation of liquidity is maintaining public confidence that facilitates the retention and growth of core deposits.  Ultimately, public confidence is gained through profitable operations, sound credit quality and a strong capital position.  The Company’s liquidity management is viewed from a long-term and short-term perspective, as well as from an asset and liability perspective.  Management monitors liquidity through regular reviews of maturity profiles, funding sources and loan and deposit forecasts to minimize funding risk.  The Company has asset/liability committees (ALCO) at the Board and Bank management level to review asset/liability management and liquidity issues.
 
The Company has a blanket lien credit line with the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”).  Advances are collateralized in the aggregate by CWB’s eligible loans and securities.  Total FHLB advances were $74 million and $68 million at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, borrowed at fixed rates.  At March 31, 2010, CWB had securities and loans pledged to FHLB with carrying value of $37.7 million and $105 million, respectively.  At December 31, 2009, CWB had securities and loans pledged with carrying value of $40.3 million and $92.3 million, respectively. Total FHLB interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 was $571,000 and $1.1 million, respectively.  At March 31, 2010, CWB had $30 million available for additional borrowing.
 
CWB has established a credit line with the Federal Reserve Bank.  Advances are collateralized in the aggregate by eligible loans for up to 28 days.  The discount rate was raised to 0.75% from 0.50% in February 2010.  There were no outstanding FRB advances as of March 31, 2010 and $21 million outstanding as of December 31, 2009.  Interest expense on these advances for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $17,000.
 
CWB also maintains four federal funds purchased lines for a total borrowing capacity of $23.5 million.  Of the $23.5 million in borrowing capacity, two of the lines for $10.0 million require the Company to furnish acceptable collateral.
 
The Company has not experienced disintermediation and does not believe this is a likely occurrence, although there is significant competition for core deposits.  The liquidity ratio of the Company was 19% at March 31, 2010 compared to 18% at December 31, 2009.  The Company’s liquidity ratio fluctuates in conjunction with loan funding demands.  The liquidity ratio consists of cash and due from banks, deposits in other financial institutions, available for sale investments, federal funds sold and loans held for sale, divided by total assets.
 
CWBC’s routine funding requirements primarily consist of certain operating expenses and TARP-CPP preferred dividends.  Normally, CWBC obtains funding to meet its obligations from dividends collected from its subsidiary and has the capability to issue debt securities.  Federal banking laws regulate the amount of dividends that may be paid by banking subsidiaries without prior approval.  CWB anticipates that for 2010, it will fund its expenses and TARP-CPP preferred dividends from its own funds and will not receive dividends from its bank subsidiary.
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
The Company is exposed to different types of interest rate risks.  These risks include: lag, repricing, basis and prepayment risk.
 
 
·
Lag Risk – lag risk results from the inherent timing difference between the repricing of the Company’s adjustable rate assets and liabilities.  For instance, certain loans tied to the prime rate index may only reprice on a quarterly basis.  However, at a community bank such as CWB, when rates are rising, funding sources tend to reprice more slowly than the loans.  Therefore, for CWB, the effect of this timing difference is generally favorable during a period of rising interest rates and unfavorable during a period of declining interest rates.  This lag can produce some short-term volatility, particularly in times of numerous prime rate changes.
 
 
·
Repricing Risk – repricing risk is caused by the mismatch in the maturities / repricing periods between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  If CWB was perfectly matched, the net interest margin would expand during rising rate periods and contract during falling rate periods.  This is so since loans tend to reprice more quickly than do funding sources.  Typically, since CWB is somewhat asset sensitive, this would also tend to expand the net interest margin during times of interest rate increases.  However, the margin relationship is somewhat dependent on the shape of the yield curve.

 
 
·
Basis Risk – item pricing tied to different indices may tend to react differently, however, all CWB’s variable products are priced off the prime rate.
 
 
·
Prepayment Risk – prepayment risk results from borrowers paying down / off their loans prior to maturity.  Prepayments on fixed-rate products increase in falling interest rate environments and decrease in rising interest rate environments.  Since a majority of CWB’s loan originations are adjustable rate and set based on prime, and there is little lag time on the reset, CWB does not experience significant prepayments.  However, CWB does have more prepayment risk on its manufactured housing loans and its mortgage-backed investment securities.
 
Management of Interest Rate Risk
 
To mitigate the impact of changes in market interest rates on the Company’s interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, the amounts and maturities are actively managed.  Short-term, adjustable-rate assets are generally retained as they have similar repricing characteristics as our funding sources.  CWB sells mortgage products and a portion of its SBA loan originations.  While the Company has some interest rate exposure in excess of five years, it has internal policy limits designed to minimize risk should interest rates rise.  Currently, the Company does not use derivative instruments to help manage risk, but will consider such instruments in the future if the perceived need should arise.
 
Loan sales - The Company’s ability to originate, purchase and sell loans is also significantly impacted by changes in interest rates.  Increases in interest rates may also reduce the amount of loan and commitment fees received by CWB.  A significant decline in interest rates could also decrease the size of CWB’s servicing portfolio and the related servicing income by increasing the level of prepayments.
 
Capital Resources
 
The Company (on a consolidated basis) and CWB are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory - and possibly additional discretionary - actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s and CWB’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and CWB must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s and CWB’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.  The Company’s and CWB’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.  Prompt corrective action provisions are not applicable to bank holding companies.
 
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (“FDICIA”) contains rules as to the legal and regulatory environment for insured depository institutions, including increased supervision by the federal regulatory agencies, increased reporting requirements for insured institutions and regulations concerning internal controls, accounting and operations.  The prompt corrective action regulations of FDICIA define specific capital categories based on the institutions’ capital ratios.  The capital categories, in declining order, are “well capitalized”, “adequately capitalized”, “undercapitalized”, “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized”.  To be considered “well capitalized”, an institution must have a core or leverage capital ratio of at least 5%, a Tier I risk-based capital ratio of at least 6%, and a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10%.  Tier I risk-based capital is, primarily, common stock and retained earnings, net of goodwill and other intangible assets.
 

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the following table) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier 1 leverage capital (as defined) to adjusted average assets (as defined).  The Company’s and CWB’s actual capital amounts and ratios as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are also presented in the table below:
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Total Capital
   
Tier 1 Capital
   
Risk-Weighted Assets
   
Adjusted Average Assets
   
Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio
   
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio
   
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
March 31, 2010
                                     
CWBC (Consolidated)
  $ 66,723     $ 59,897     $ 538,162     $ 681,969       12.40 %     11.13 %     8.78 %
Capital in excess of well capitalized
                                  $ 12,907     $ 27,607     $ 25,799  
CWB
    66,108       59,281       538,195       682,001       12.28 %     11.01 %     8.69 %
Capital in excess of well capitalized
                                  $ 12,289     $ 26,989     $ 25,181  
                                                         
December 31, 2009
                                                       
CWBC (Consolidated)
  $ 66,984     $ 60,029     $ 549,207     $ 681,101       12.20 %     10.93 %     8.81 %
Capital in excess of well capitalized
                                  $ 12,063     $ 27,077     $ 25,974  
CWB
    66,175       59,219       549,240       681,129       12.05 %     10.78 %     8.69 %
Capital in excess of well capitalized
                                  $ 11,251     $ 26,265     $ 25,163  
                                                         
Well capitalized ratios
                      10.00 %     6.00 %     5.00 %
Minimum capital ratios
                      8.00 %     4.00 %     4.00 %
 
The Company and CWB each met the minimum ratios required to be classified as “well capitalized” under generally applicable regulatory guidelines.
 
Supervision and Regulation
 
Banking is a complex, highly regulated industry. The banking regulatory scheme serves not to protect investors, but is designed to maintain a safe and sound banking system, to protect depositors and the FDIC insurance fund, and to facilitate the conduct of sound monetary policy.  In furtherance of these goals, Congress and the states have created several largely autonomous regulatory agencies and enacted numerous laws that govern banks, bank holding companies and the banking industry.  Consequently, the Company's growth and earnings performance, as well as that of CWB, may be affected not only by management decisions and general economic conditions, but also by the requirements of applicable state and federal statutes and regulations and the policies of various governmental regulatory authorities, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Bank ("FRB”), the FDIC, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ("OCC").  For a detailed discussion of the regulatory scheme governing the Company and CWB, please see the discussion in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation – Supervision and Regulation."
 
 
ITEM 4T.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, with the participation of the Company’s management, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e).  Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer believe that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in making known to them material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in this report.
 

Disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and implemented, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving an entity’s disclosure objectives.  The likelihood of achieving such objections is affected by limitations inherent in disclosure controls and procedures.  These include the fact that human judgment in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns in internal control can occur because of human failures such as simple errors or mistakes or intentional circumvention of the established process.
 
There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, known to the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer, that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
The Company is involved in various litigation of a routine nature that is being handled and defended in the ordinary course of the Company’s business.  In the opinion of management, based in part on consultation with legal counsel, the resolution of these litigation matters will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 
ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
None
 
ITEM 3.
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
 
None
 
ITEM 4.
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
Not applicable
 
ITEM 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
None
 
ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
 
Exhibits.
 
 
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
 
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
 
32.1*
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b), promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Amended, and 18 U.S.C. 1350.
 
*This certification is furnished to, but shall not be deemed filed, with the Commission.  This certification shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange  Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.


SIGNATURES

 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


   
COMMUNITY WEST BANCSHARES
   
(Registrant)
     
     
Date: May 14, 2010
 
/s/ Charles G. Baltuskonis
   
Charles G. Baltuskonis
   
Executive Vice President and
   
Chief Financial Officer
     
   
On Behalf of Registrant and as
   
Principal Financial and Accounting Officer


EXHIBIT INDEX
 

Exhibit
     
Number
 
Description of Document
 
       
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
       
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
       
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant pursuant to  Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b), promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and 18 U.S.C.1350.


*This certification is furnished to, but shall not be deemed filed, with the Commission.  This certification shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.
 
 
28