Irvine, California – April 28, 2021 – CW Bancorp the parent company (“the Company”) of CommerceWest Bank (the “Bank”) reported consolidated net income for the first quarter of 2021 of $3,647,000 or $0.99 a share as compared to $1,123,000 or $0.30 a share for the first quarter of 2020, an EPS increase of 230%.
Key Financial Results for the three months ended March 31, 2021:
- Record net income growth of 225%
- Record EPS of $0.99 up 230%
- ROA of 1.26% up 66%
- ROTE of 21.40% up 198%
- Record deposit growth of $503 million up 89%
- Record loan growth of $227 million up 50%
- Record efficiency ratio of 41.78%
- Net interest income up 31%
- Interest expense down 52%
- Cost of funds of 0.14% down 77%
- Zero nonperforming loans
- 45 quarters of consecutive profits
- ALLL to total loans ratio (net of PPP loans) of 1.79%
- Noninterest-bearing deposits as percent of total deposits at 61%
Mr. Ivo Tjan, Chairman and CEO said, “The Bank has improved its earnings power over the last twelve months and our core earnings reflect this with net interest income growth of 31%, ROA of 1.26% and a ROTE of 21.40%. Our company had strong revenue and balance sheet growth with a unique business model that has boded well for us during a world-wide pandemic and increased usage in online or mobile banking.”
Mr. Tjan continued, “We have stayed true to our business model and kept focused on our core competency. Over the years, the Bank has continued investing in a digital banking platform, both for our clients and for our employees, and it has served us well. We were well ahead of the curve with our digital strategy and believe the banking environment has been forever changed. We look forward to a bright future with continued market share growth in California.”
Total assets increased $546 million as of March 31, 2021, an increase of 86% as compared to the same period one year ago. Total loans increased $227 million as of March 31, 2021, an increase of 50% over the prior year. Cash and due from banks increased $314 million or 318% from the prior year. Total investment securities increased $6.3 million, an increase of 7% from the prior year.
Total deposits increased $502.8 million as of March 31, 2021, an increase of 89% from March 31, 2020. Non-interest-bearing deposits increased $340.7 million as of March 31, 2021, an increase of 111% over the prior year. Interest bearing deposits increased $162.1 million as of March 31, 2021, an increase of 62% over the prior period.
Interest income was $7,568,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021as compared to $6,251,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2020, an increase of 21.0%. Interest expense was $372,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to $769,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2020, a decrease of 52%. Ms. Leeann Cochran, Executive Vice President and CFO commented, “The Bank has been strategic in reducing its cost of funds. We have rolled off high-cost deposit accounts and have grown our non-interest-bearing deposit relationships, which currently make up 61% of the Bank’s total deposits.”
Net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $7,196,000 as compared to $5,482,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2020, an increase of 31%. The net interest margin decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2021. It decreased from 3.96% in 2020 to 2.65% in 2021, a decrease of 33%, largely due to PPP loans which are earning 1.0% interest.
There was no provision for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to $2,143,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2020, a decrease of 100%. The allowance for loan losses (net of PPP loans) to total loans ratio increased from 1.64% as of March 31, 2020 to 1.79% as of March 31, 2021, an increase of 9%.
Non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $1,107,000 compared to $1,149,000 for the same period last year, a decrease of 4%.
Non-interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $3,499,000 compared to $3,289,000 for the same period last year, an increase of 6%.
The efficiency ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was 41.78% compared to 49.02% in 2020, which represents a decrease of 15%. The efficiency ratio illustrates that for every dollar made for the three-month period ending March 31, 2021, it cost $0.42 to make it, as compared to $0.49 one year ago.
Capital ratios for the Bank remain above the levels required for a “well capitalized” institution as designated by regulatory agencies. As of March 31, 2021, the tier 1 leverage ratio was 7.46%, the common equity tier 1 capital ratio was 14.89%, the tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 14.89% and the total risk-based capital ratio was 16.15%.
CommerceWest Bank is a California based full-service business bank with a unique vision and culture of focusing exclusively on the business community by delivering on customized products and services. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Irvine, California, the Bank serves businesses throughout the state of California. We provide a wide range of commercial banking services, including, remote deposit solution, online banking, mobile banking, lines of credit, M&A / working capital loans, commercial real estate loans, SBA loans and treasury management services.
Mission Statement: CommerceWest Bank will create a complete banking experience for each client, catering to businesses and their specific banking needs, while accommodating our clients and providing them high-quality, low stress and personally tailored banking and financial services.
Please visit www.cwbk.com to learn more about the bank. “BANK ON THE DIFFERENCE”
Statements concerning future performance, developments or events, expectations for growth and income forecasts, and any other guidance on future periods, constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from stated expectations. Specific factors include, but are not limited to, loan production, balance sheet management, expanded net interest margin, the ability to control costs and expenses, interest rate changes, financial policies of the United States government and general economic conditions. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect future events or developments.