445 Pine Avenue Goleta, CA 93117-3709 (805) 692-5821 www.communitywest.com

 

April 13, 2015

To Our Shareholders:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (Meeting) of Community West Bancshares that will be held at La Cumbre Country Club, 4015 Via Laguna, Santa Barbara, California 93110, on Thursday, May 28, 2015, at 6:30 P.M. local time.  There will be refreshments at 5:30 P.M. with the business meeting starting promptly at 6:30 P.M.  Please keep in mind that the Club rules prohibit wearing any denim (jeans, skirts, vests, etc.) on its premises.  I again look forward to greeting as many of our shareholders as possible.

As set forth in the attached Proxy Statement, the Meeting will be held to consider the election of Directors, to consider ratifying the selection of McGladrey LLP as the Company's independent auditors and to transact any other business that may properly come before the Meeting.

We will also review operating results for the past year and the progress of Community West Bancshares, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Community West Bank, and present an opportunity to ask questions of general interest to shareholders.

Your vote is important.  Whether or not you attend the Meeting in person, I urge you to promptly vote your Proxy by signing and dating the enclosed Proxy card and returning it in the accompanying postage-paid envelope.  If you decide to attend the Meeting and vote in person, you will, of course, have that opportunity.

Thank you for your continued support of Community West Bancshares and, again, I look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting on Thursday, May 28, 2015.

 

Very truly yours,

William R. Peeples

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

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445 Pine Avenue

Goleta, California 93117-3709

Telephone: (805) 692-5821

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD MAY 28, 2015

 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (Meeting) of Community West Bancshares (Company) will be held at La Cumbre Country Club, 4015 Via Laguna, Santa Barbara, California 93110, on Thursday, May 28, 2015, at 6:30 P.M. local time, for the purpose of considering and voting on the following matters:

 

1.          Election of Directors.  To elect nine persons to the Board of Directors of the Company (Board) to serve until the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are elected and have qualified.  The following persons are the Board of Directors' nominees:

 

 

 

3.          Other Business.  To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting and any adjournment thereof, including, without limitation, to approve an adjournment(s) of the Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies for the nine nominees for election.

 

The Proxy Statement that accompanies this Notice contains additional information regarding the proposals to be considered at the Meeting and shareholders are encouraged to read it in its entirety.

 

The Board has fixed the close of business on March 27, 2015 as the record date for determination of shareholders entitled to notice of, and the right to vote at, the Meeting.

 

As set forth in the enclosed Proxy Statement, proxies are being solicited by and on behalf of the Board.  All proposals set forth above are proposals of the Company.  It is expected that these materials will be mailed to shareholders on or about April 13, 2015.

 

The Bylaws of the Company provide for the nomination of Directors in the following manner:

 

"Nominations for election of members of the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any shareholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors.  Notice of intention to make any nominations (other than for persons named in the notice of the meeting at which such nomination is to be made) shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president of the corporation no more than sixty (60) days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors and no more than ten (10) days after the date the notice of such meeting is sent to shareholders pursuant to Section 2.4 of these Bylaws; provided, however, that if ten (10) days notice of such meeting is sent to shareholders, such notice of intention to nominate must be received by the president of the corporation not later than the time fixed in the notice of the meeting for the opening of the meeting.  Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:  (a) the name and address of each proposed nominee; (b) the principal occupation of each proposed nominee; (c) the number of shares of capital stock of the corporation owned by each proposed nominee; (d) the name and residence address of the notifying shareholder; (e) the number of shares of capital stock of the corporation owned by the notifying shareholder; (f) with the written consent of the proposed nominee, a copy of which shall be furnished with the notification, whether the proposed nominee has ever been convicted of or pleaded nolo contendere to any criminal offense involving dishonesty or breach of trust, filed a petition in bankruptcy or been adjudged a bankrupt.  The notice shall be signed by the nominating shareholder and by the nominee.  Nominations not made in accordance herewith shall be disregarded by the chairman of the meeting and, upon his instructions, the inspectors of election shall disregard all votes cast for each such nominee.  The restrictions set forth in this paragraph shall not apply to nomination of a person to replace a proposed nominee who has died or otherwise become incapacitated to serve as a director between the last day for giving notice hereunder and the date of election of directors if the procedure called for in this paragraph was followed with respect to the nomination of the proposed nominee.  A copy of the preceding paragraph shall be set forth in the notice to shareholders of any meeting at which directors are to be elected."

 

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Since important matters are to be considered at the Meeting, it is very important that each shareholder vote.

 

We urge you to sign and return the enclosed proxy as promptly as possible, whether or not you plan to attend the Meeting in person.  The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board.  Any shareholder who executes and delivers such a proxy has the right to revoke it at any time before it is exercised by giving written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company, by submitting prior to the Meeting a properly executed proxy bearing a later date or by being present at the Meeting and electing to vote in person by advising the Chairman of the Meeting of such election.

 

Please indicate on the proxy whether or not you expect to attend the Meeting so that the Company can arrange for adequate accommodations.

 

 

PROXY MATERIALS AND ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

 

Copies of the Company's Proxy Materials described herein and the 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, are available upon request to: Charles G. Baltuskonis, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Community West Bancshares, 445 Pine Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117-3474, telephone (800) 569-2100, e-mail: cbaltuskonis@communitywestbank.com.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 28, 2015

 

This proxy statement, the proxy card, the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders and the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, and directions to the location of the Annual Meeting, are available on the Company's website at www.communitywest.com.

 

445 Pine Avenue

Goleta, California 93117-3709

 

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PROXY STATEMENT

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD MAY 28, 2015

 

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SOLICITATION AND VOTING OF PROXIES

 

Community West Bancshares (Company or CWBC) is furnishing this Proxy Statement to its shareholders in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors (Board) of proxies to be used at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (Meeting), to be held on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at 6:30 P.M. local time at La Cumbre Country Club, 4015 Via Laguna, Santa Barbara, California 93110, and at any and all adjournments and postponements thereof.  The designated proxyholders (Proxyholders) are members of the Company's management.  Only shareholders of record on March 27, 2015 (Record Date) are entitled to notice of and to vote in person or by proxy at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.  This Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy card (Proxy) first will be mailed to shareholders on or about April 13, 2015.  The Company's Annual Report to Shareholders and the Annual Report on Form 10-K, including consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, accompany this Proxy Statement.

 

Regardless of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company (Common Stock) owned, it is important that the holders of a majority of shares be represented by proxy or be present in person at the Meeting.  Shareholders are requested to vote by completing the enclosed Proxy and returning it signed and dated in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.  Shareholders are to indicate their vote in the spaces provided on the Proxy.  Proxies solicited by the Board will be voted in accordance with the directions given therein.  Where no instructions are indicated, signed Proxies will be voted "AUTHORITY GIVEN" for all nine nominees in the election of the Directors named in this Proxy Statement and, "FOR" ratification of McGladrey LLP as the Company's independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015.  If any other business is properly presented at the Meeting, the Proxy will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board.

 

Other than the matters set forth on the attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Board knows of no additional matters that will be presented for consideration at the Meeting.  Execution of a Proxy, however, confers to each of Janice Stewart and Susan Thompson, as the designated Proxyholders, discretionary authority to vote the shares in accordance with the recommendations of the Board on such other business, if any, which may properly come before the Meeting and at any adjournments or postponements thereof, including whether or not to adjourn the Meeting.  In addition, the Proxy being solicited confers, and the holders of each Proxy will have, discretionary authority to vote with respect to any matter if the Company did not have notice of such matter by February 21, 2015, which is at least 45 days before the anniversary date on which the Company first mailed its proxy materials for the then-prior year's Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

You may revoke your Proxy at any time prior to its exercise by filing a written notice of revocation with the Secretary of the Company, by delivering to the Company a duly executed Proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the Meeting and voting in person.  However, if you are a shareholder whose shares are not registered in your own name, you will need to provide appropriate documentation from the record holder to vote personally at the Meeting.

 

The following matters will be considered and voted upon at the Meeting:

 

 

 

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This solicitation of proxies is being made by the Board.  The expense of solicitation of proxies for the Meeting will be borne by the Company.  It is anticipated that proxies will be solicited primarily through the use of the mail.  Proxies may also be solicited personally or by telephone by Directors, officers and employees of the Company, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Community West Bank (CWB or Bank), without additional compensation therefor.  The Company will also request persons, firms and corporations holding shares in their names, or in the name of their nominees, that are beneficially owned by others, to send proxy materials to and obtain proxies from such beneficial owners and will reimburse such holders for their reasonable expenses in doing so.  The total estimated cost of the solicitation is $22,000.

 

VOTING SECURITIES

 

The securities that may be voted at the Meeting consist of shares of Common Stock.  The close of business on March 27, 2015 has been fixed by the Board as the Record Date for the determination of shareholders of record entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.  The total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date was 8,203,658 shares.  Each shareholder is entitled to one vote, in person or by proxy, for each share held as of the Record Date, except that in the election of Directors, each shareholder has the right to cumulate votes provided that the candidates' names have been properly placed in nomination prior to commencement of voting and a shareholder has given notice of their intention to cumulate votes prior to commencement of voting.  Cumulative voting entitles a shareholder to give one candidate a number of votes equal to the number of Directors to be elected, multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock held by that shareholder, or to distribute such votes among as many candidates as the shareholder deems fit.  The candidates receiving the highest number of votes, up to the number of Directors to be elected, will be elected.

 

Of the shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date, 2,026,028 (24.70%) shares of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock were beneficially owned by Directors and executive officers of the Company.  Such persons have informed the Company that they will vote "AUTHORITY GIVEN" for all nine nominees in the election of Directors and "FOR" ratification of the selection of McGladrey LLP (McGladrey) as the Company's independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015.  Under California law and the Company's Bylaws, a quorum consists of the presence in person or by proxy of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the Meeting, and a matter (other than the election of Directors) voted on by shareholders will be approved if it receives the vote of a majority of the shares both present and voting, which shares also constitute a majority of the required quorum, unless the vote of a greater number of shares is required.  Abstentions and broker non-votes will be included in the number of shares present at the Meeting and entitled to vote for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum.

 

If your shares are held in "street name" by a brokerage firm, you will need to follow the directions your brokerage firm provides to you to properly vote your shares.  Under the current rules of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), if you do not give instructions to your brokerage firm at least ten days before the Meeting, you still will be able to vote your shares with respect to certain "routine" matters, but you will not be allowed to vote your shares with respect to certain "non-routine" matters.  For example, the ratification of McGladrey as the Company's independent auditors (Proposal 2) is considered to be a routine matter under the NYSE rules and your brokerage firm will be able to vote on this proposal if it does not receive instructions from you, so long as it holds your shares in its name.  However, the election of Directors (Proposal 1) is a non-routine matter.  Accordingly, if you do not instruct your broker how to vote with respect to Proposal 1, your broker may not vote with respect to this proposal and those votes will be counted as "broker non-votes."  "Broker non-votes" are shares that are held in "street name" by a bank or brokerage firm that indicates on its proxy that it does not have or did not exercise discretionary authority to vote on a particular matter.  Assuming that a quorum is present at the Meeting, the following chart sets forth the required vote to approve each matter to be considered and voted upon at the Meeting and the effect of "Withhold" votes, abstentions and broker non-votes.

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS, DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

The following table sets forth certain information as of the Record Date, concerning the beneficial ownership of the Company's outstanding Common Stock (i) by persons (other than depositories) known to the Company to own more than 5% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock, (ii) by each of the Company's Directors or nominees, (iii) by each of the Named Executive Officers, and (iv) by all current Directors and executive officers as a group.  Management is not aware of any change in control of the Company that has occurred since January 1, 2014, or any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change in control of the Company.

 

The Company also has outstanding 5,995 shares of Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (Series A Preferred Stock), for which 15,600 shares were originally issued to the United States Department of the Treasury on December 19, 2008 in connection with the Company's participation in the Troubled Asset Relief Program – Capital Purchase Program (TARP-CPP).  On December 11, 2012, all shares of Series A Preferred Stock were sold to private investors in a non-public offering as part of a modified "Dutch Auction" process.  Such private investors are now the beneficial owners of 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and therefore, no further disclosure with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock is contained in the table below.  The Series A Preferred Stock is not entitled to vote at the Meeting.

 

On December 19, 2008, in connection with the Company's participation in the TARP-CPP, the Company also issued to the Treasury a warrant to purchase up to 521,158 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $4.49 per share.  The Warrant is immediately exercisable and has a 10-year term.  On June 6, 2013, the warrant was sold in an auction to a private investor, Wellington Management Company, LLP, and such potential shares are included in the following beneficial ownership table.

 

Except as indicated, the address of each of the persons listed below is c/o Community West Bancshares, 445 Pine Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117.

 

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*

Less than 0.50%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PROPOSAL 1

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

The Company's Bylaws provide that the authorized number of Directors will be not less than six nor more than eleven, with the exact number of Directors to be fixed from time to time by resolution of a majority of the Board or by resolution of the shareholders.  The Board of Directors last fixed at nine the authorized number of Directors.

 

At the Meeting, nine persons will be elected to serve as Directors of the Company until the 2016 Annual Meeting and until their successors are elected and have qualified.  The nine persons named below are all currently Directors of the Company and have been nominated by the Board for re-election.  A Proxy that is submitted to the Company with the instruction "AUTHORITY GIVEN" or without instructions will be voted in such a way as to effect the election of all nine nominees, or as many thereof as possible.  In the event that any of the nominees should be unable to serve as a Director, it is intended that the Proxy will be voted for the election of such substitute nominees, if any, as will be designated by the Board.  Each nominee has consented to being named in the Proxy Statement and has agreed to serve as a member of the Board, if elected.  The Board has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable or unwilling to serve.  Additional nominations can only be made by complying with the notice provision set forth in the Bylaws of the Company, an extract of which is included in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders accompanying this Proxy Statement.  This Bylaw provision is designed to give the Board advance notice of competing nominations, if any, and the qualifications of nominees, and may have the effect of precluding third-party nominations if the notice provisions are not followed.

 

Pursuant to NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (NASDAQ) Listing Rules, the Board has made an affirmative determination that the following members of the Board are "independent" within the meaning of such rules: Robert H. Bartlein, Jean W. Blois, John D. Illgen, Shereef Moharram, Eric Onnen, William R. Peeples, James R. Sims, Jr. and Kirk B. Stovesand.  As such, pursuant to NASDAQ Listing Rules and Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act), a majority of the members of the Board and all the members of the Audit Committee are "independent" as so defined.

 

The following persons have been nominated for election by the Board:

 

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE OF "AUTHORITY GIVEN" FOR ALL NINE NOMINEES IN THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.

 

Information about the Nominees

 

Robert H. Bartlein (Age 67)

 

Mr. Bartlein has been a member of the Board of CWBC since its inception in 1997 and a founder and Director of CWB since 1989.  Mr. Bartlein serves on CWBC's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Compensation Committee and is Chairman of the Board of CWB, Chairman of the Loan Committee and a member of the Executive, Legal and Management Succession Committees.  He is President and CEO of Bartlein & Company, Inc., founded in 1969, which is a property management company with four California offices.  He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Madison, with a degree in Finance, Investments and Banking, and did post-graduate study at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.  Mr. Bartlein is past President and Director of the American Lung Association of Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.

 

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John D. Illgen (Age 70)

 

Mr. Illgen has been a member of the Board of CWBC since its inception in 1997 and of CWB since 1989.  He is Secretary of the Board of CWBC and a member of CWBC's Nominating and Corporate Governance and Audit Committees and Chairman of CWB's Asset/Liability Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee.  Mr. Illgen is Sector Director and Vice President for Modeling and Simulation with Northrop Grumman Information Systems.  He was Founder (1988), President and Chairman of Illgen Simulation Technologies, Inc. until its merger with Northrop Grumman Corporation in December 2003.  Mr. Illgen is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of the National Defense Industrial Association and appeared on television with the late General (Ret) Alexander Haig on "21^st Century Business and Health" as an industry expert in information systems, modeling and simulation and other technologies.  Mr. Illgen is on the Advisory Board of the Santa Barbara Scholarship Foundation and is a Past President of Goleta Rotary Club.  In 2012, Mr. Illgen received the International award, "Modern Day Technology Leader" from the BEYA for his contributions to the Modeling and Simulation domain.

 

Shereef Moharram (Age 43)

 

Mr. Moharram was named to the Boards of CWBC and CWB in December 2011, and is a member of the Bank Asset/Liability Committee.  Mr. Moharram is a partner with the law firm Price Postel & Parma LLP in Santa Barbara, where he specializes in real estate law.  Mr. Moharram holds a BA in English Literature from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a JD from the UCLA School of Law.

 

Eric Onnen (Age 57)

 

Mr. Onnen was named to the Boards of CWBC and CWB in December 2011, and serves on CWBC's Audit Committee.  Mr. Onnen, a resident of Goleta, is co-founder, owner and current Chief Executive Officer of Santa Barbara Airbus, a Goleta ground transportation company since 1983.  He is currently on the Goleta Chamber of Commerce Executive Board of Directors and a past Board member and currently serves on the Goleta Planning Commission.  He is an active member and past President of Goleta Rotary Club, past President of the Santa Barbara Conference and Visitors Bureau and Film Commission and served as Goleta City Mayor in 2010.  Mr. Onnen holds a BA in business economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

 

William R. Peeples (Age 72)

 

Mr. Peeples is Chairman of the Board of CWBC and a founder and Director of CWB since 1989.  Mr. Peeples is Chairman of CWBC's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and serves on CWB's Executive, Compensation and Management Succession Committees and served on the Loan Committee until January 2014.  Mr. Peeples served as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of CWBC from July 29, 2011 until March 22, 2012.  Mr. Peeples served in various financial capacities, including President and Chief Financial Officer of Inamed Corporation from 1985 to 1987.  He also was a founder and Chief Financial Officer of Nusil Corporation and Imulok Corporation from 1980 to 1985.  Mr. Peeples has been active as a private investor and currently serves as Managing General Partner of two real estate partnerships.  Mr. Peeples holds a BBA from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, and an MBA from Golden Gate University, Air Force on-base program.

 

Martin E. Plourd (Age 57)

 

Mr. Plourd has been President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of CWB since November 2011 and President, Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of CWBC since March 2012.  He was Vice President of CWBC from November 2011 until March 2012.  Mr. Plourd serves on CWB's Loan, Asset/Liability and Management Succession Committees and is a member of the Management Disclosure Committee.  He has been in banking for over 30 years and has been a bank executive for over 20 years.  From July 2009 to October 2011, he worked as a private consultant with banks on engagements concerning strategic planning, acquisitions and compliance issues.  From July 2005 to July 2009, Mr. Plourd served first as Chief Operating Officer and then President and Director of Temecula Valley Bank.  Prior to that, he spent 18 years with Rabobank in El Centro, including his last position as Executive Vice President and Community Banking Officer.  Mr. Plourd is a Board member for the Goleta Chamber of Commerce, an Advisory Board member for the College of Agriculture at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly) and is a member of the Goleta Rotary Club.  Mr. Plourd is a graduate of Stonier Graduate School of Banking and Cal Poly.

 

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James R. Sims, Jr. (Age 79)

 

Mr. Sims has been a member of the Board of CWBC since its inception in 1997 and of CWB since 1989.  Mr. Sims is a member of CWBC's Audit and Loan Committees.  Mr. Sims is a real estate broker whose career began in 1970 in Santa Barbara.  He is a past President of the Santa Barbara Board of Realtors, Chairman of the Multiple Listing Service and served as Regional Vice President of the California Association of Realtors.  Mr. Sims served on the Santa Barbara Coastal Housing Association seeking affordable housing and he developed three Residential Care Facilities for the elderly in Camarillo that he operated until his retirement in 2000.

 

Kirk B. Stovesand (Age 52)

 

Mr. Stovesand has been a member of the Board of CWBC and CWB since May 2003.  Mr. Stovesand is Chairman of CWBC's Audit Committee and serves on CWB's Asset/Liability and Loan Committees and is Secretary of CWB's Board.  He is a partner of Walpole & Co., founded in 1974, which is a Certified Public Accounting and Consulting firm.  Mr. Stovesand has served on the boards of both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. He is a graduate of the University of California Santa Barbara with a degree in Business Economics.  Mr. Stovesand received a Masters Degree in Taxation from Golden Gate University and a Master Certificate in Global Business Management from George Washington University.  He is a Certified Financial Planner, certified in mergers and acquisitions, and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

 

None of the Directors or executive officers of the Company were selected pursuant to any arrangement or understanding, other than with the Directors and executive officers of the Company, acting within their capacities as such.  The Company knows of no family relationships between the Directors and executive officers of the Company, nor do any of the Directors or executive officers of the Company serve as Directors of any other company which has a class of securities registered under, or which is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of, the Exchange Act or any investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

Executive Officers (not members of the Board)

 

           The following sets forth, as of the Record Date, the names and certain other information concerning current executive officers of the Company, in addition to the executive officer who is nominated for election as a Director and whose biographical information is provided above.

 

Charles G. Baltuskonis (Age 64)

 

Mr. Baltuskonis, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of CWBC and CWB, has been with the Company since November 17, 2002.  He is a member of the Management Disclosure Committee.  Mr. Baltuskonis served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Mego Financial Corporation from 1997 to 2002, and Senior Vice President and Controller of TAC Bancshares from 1995 to 1997.  Prior to that, he was Chief Financial Officer of F&C Bancshares and of First Coastal Corporation and a Senior Manager with the public accounting firm of EY, specializing in services to financial institutions.  Mr. Baltuskonis is a certified public accountant; a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Financial Managers Society, including a past member of the Financial Institutions Accounting Committee, and recently completed a 5-year term on the Board of Directors of Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce.  Mr. Baltuskonis holds a BS from Villanova University.

 

Charles E. Kohl (Age 68)

 

Mr. Kohl, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, has been with the Company since December 1, 2014.  Mr. Kohl was with 1^st Enterprise Bank in Los Angeles as Director of Operations where he was responsible for all bank operations, IT department and the division's product strategies and strategic planning. Prior to that, Mr. Kohl was Deputy Managing Director of the Banking Services Division of Imperial Capital Bank/City National Bank for five years.  Mr. Kohl attended the University of Wisconsin's MBA program and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Milton College. He also earned a black belt and Masters certificate from Villanova University in Six Sigma, a data-driven, quality-control process management system.  Mr. Kohl has been an active participant in CUNA Operations and Sales and Service Council and is a member of the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators.

 

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Kristine D. Price (Age 64)

 

Ms. Price, Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of CWB, joined the Company on July 31, 2014.  Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Price held various executive positions within Western Alliance Bancorporation, a multi-billion dollar bank holding company.  From May 2006 through July 2014, Ms. Price served in the following capacities:  Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of Torrey Pines Bank; Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer for Western Alliance Bancorporation's subsidiary, Bank of Nevada; Senior Vice President and Senior Credit Officer of Western Alliance Bancorporation; and, Executive Vice President and Senior Credit Administrator of Torrey Pines Bank.  From 2010 through 2013, she was Director on the national Board for the Risk Management Association (RMA) and a member of the Board's Community Bank Council.  She received her undergraduate degree in Economics from San Diego State University and is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School.

 

Specific Experience, Qualifications, Attributes and Skills of Directors

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (NCGC) has reviewed with the Board the specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of each Director, including each nominee for election as a Director at the Annual Meeting.  The NCGC has concluded that each Director has the appropriate skills and characteristics required of Board membership, and each possesses an in-depth knowledge of the Company's business and strategy.  The NCGC further believes that our Board is composed of well-qualified and well-respected Directors who are prominent in business, finance and the local community. The experience and key competencies of each Director, as reviewed and considered by the NCGC, are set forth below.

 

Robert H. Bartlein.  As President of Bartlein & Company, Inc., Mr. Bartlein has substantial real estate experience with broad business exposure.  He is knowledgeable in real estate transactions, real estate law, credit analysis, accounting, income tax law and finance.  Mr. Bartlein is particularly familiar with the Central Coast real estate market and is active in the community.  He is a founder and has served on the Bank Board since its inception.

 

Jean W. Blois.  Mrs. Blois has experience starting and operating her own business in Goleta.  She has served for numerous years on Goleta City Council, including two terms as Mayor, and has substantial community involvement.  Mrs. Blois is a founder and has served on the Bank Board since its inception.

 

John D. Illgen.  As founder and Chief Executive Officer of Illgen Simulation Technologies, Inc., until sold to Northrop Grumman, Mr. Illgen has a national reputation in technology, defense and model simulations, and broad business experience.  He continues to be published on technology and is a frequent symposium speaker.  Mr. Illgen is a founder and has served on the Bank Board since its inception.

 

Shereef Moharram.  Mr. Moharram is an attorney, specializing in real estate and is very active in the local community.  The Company believes Mr. Moharram's legal and real estate background will be pertinent in numerous Board issues.

 

Eric Onnen.  Mr. Onnen has experience starting and operating a successful business, and he has been very active in local government, including a term as Mayor of Goleta, and he has been extremely involved in the local community.  The Company believes Mr. Onnen's general business experience, including governmental service, will provide insight on Board issues.

 

William R. Peeples.  Mr. Peeples has substantial experience in finance, including positions as a Chief Financial Officer, and has expertise in capital raising, venture capital, business combinations, real estate and broad business exposure.  As previously noted, Mr. Peeples also served as interim President and Chief Executive Officer of CWBC.  He is active in the local community.  Mr. Peeples is a founder and has served on the Bank Board since its inception.

 

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Martin E. Plourd.  As President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Bank and the Company, and through numerous executive positions Mr. Plourd has held in his banking career, he has a substantial financial services' background, including management, lending, marketing and bank operations.  This experience enables Mr. Plourd to provide the Company with effective leadership in the conduct of its business and strategic initiatives.  He is active in the community and also has served in executive positions in the banking industry.

 

James R. Sims, Jr.  Mr. Sims was a former business owner, investor and author and was active in real estate and shared equity transactions.  He is a real estate broker.  Mr. Sims is a founder and has served on the Bank Board since its inception.

 

Kirk B. Stovesand.  Mr. Stovesand has a broad financial background and serves as a partner of an accounting and consulting firm.  He has a CPA, a CFP and a Masters in taxation.  Mr. Stovesand is active on boards of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.

 

CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Meetings and Committees

 

The Company's Board met 13 times (12 regular meetings and one special meeting) during the year ended December 31, 2014, and had the following standing committees of the Company or the Bank that met during the year: Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.  In addition, the Company's Directors served on the Board of Directors of CWB, including the various committees established by CWB.  During 2014, none of the Company's Directors attended less than 75% of the Company's Board meetings and meetings of committees on which they served.  All Board members attended the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

The Audit Committee is currently composed of four independent Directors:  Messrs. Stovesand, Illgen, Onnen and Sims.  This Committee is responsible for review of all internal and external examination reports and selection of the Company's independent auditors.  The Audit Committee met 12 times during 2014.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is composed of three independent Directors: Messrs. Peeples, Bartlein and Illgen.  The Committee is responsible for recommendations regarding the Board's composition and structure and policies and processes regarding overall corporate governance.  The Committee met once during 2014.

 

The Compensation Committee is composed of four independent Directors: Mrs. Blois and Messrs. Bartlein, Illgen and Peeples.  The Committee is responsible for determining executive compensation.  This Committee met three times, including at least once in each six-month period, during 2014.

 

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

 

The position of Chairman of the Board is separate from the position of Chief Executive Officer for each of the Company and CWB.  William R. Peeples, a non-employee independent Director, has been elected as the Chairman of the Company and Robert H. Bartlein, a non-employee independent Director, has been elected as the Chairman of CWB.  Martin E. Plourd is serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and CWB.  Separating these positions allows the Chief Executive Officer to focus on day-to-day business, while allowing the Chairman of the Boards of each of the Company and CWB to lead the respective Boards in their fundamental role of providing advice to and independent oversight of management.  The Board recognizes the time, effort and energy that the Chief Executive Officer is required to devote to his position in the current business environment, as well as the commitment required to serve as the Chairman, particularly as the Board's oversight responsibilities continue to grow.  While the Company's bylaws and corporate governance guidelines do not require that the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions be separate, the Board believes that having separate positions and having independent outside Directors serve as the Chairman of each of the Company and CWB is the appropriate leadership structure for the Company at this time and demonstrates the Company's commitment to good corporate governance.

 

 Risk is inherent with every business, and how well a business manages risk can ultimately determine its success.  The Company faces a number of risks, including economic risks, environmental and regulatory risks and others, such as the impact of competition. Management is responsible for the day-to-day management of risks the Company faces, while the Board, as a whole and through its committees, has responsibility for the oversight of risk management.  In its risk oversight role, the Board of Directors has the responsibility to satisfy itself that the risk management processes designed and implemented by management are adequate and functioning as designed.

 

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 The Board believes that establishing the right "tone at the top" and that full and open communication between management and the Board of Directors is essential for effective risk management and oversight. The Company's Chairman and CWB's Chairman meet regularly with the President and Chief Executive Officer and other senior officers to discuss strategy and risks facing the Company.  Senior management is available to address any questions or concerns raised by the Board on risk management-related and any other matters.  Periodically, the Board of Directors receives presentations from senior management on strategic matters involving the Company's operations.  The Board holds strategic planning sessions with senior management to discuss strategies, key challenges and risks and opportunities for the Company.

 

 While the Board is ultimately responsible for risk oversight at the Company, the Board's various standing committees assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities in certain areas of risk.  The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to risk management in the areas of financial reporting, internal controls and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and discusses policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management.  Risk assessment reports are regularly provided by management to the Audit Committee.  The Compensation Committee of the Board assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the management of risks arising from compensation policies and programs.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the management of risks associated with Board organization, membership and structure, succession planning for our Directors and executive officers and corporate governance.

 

Shareholder Communication with Directors

 

Shareholders may communicate directly with the Board by writing to:

William R. Peeples, Chairman of the Board of Directors

Community West Bancshares

445 Pine Avenue

Goleta, CA 93117-3709

 

Audit Committee Report

 

The Report of the Audit Committee of the Board will not be deemed filed under the Securities Act of 1933 (Securities Act) or under the Exchange Act.

 

The Board maintains an Audit Committee currently comprised of four of the Company's Directors, each of whom meet the independence and experience requirements of the NASDAQ Listing Rules.  The Audit Committee assists the Board in monitoring the accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices of the Company.  The Audit Committee operates under a written Charter, which is assessed annually for adequacy.  The Audit Committee Charter was last amended on December 13, 2012 and was last ratified on December 18, 2014.  A copy of the Charter is included as Appendix A to the Company's 2013 Proxy Statement, as filed with the SEC on March 29, 2013, and is available at www.sec.gov.

 

Based on the attributes, education and experience requirements under the NASDAQ Listing Rules, the requirements set forth in section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and associated regulations, the Board has identified Kirk B. Stovesand as an "Audit Committee Financial Expert" as defined under Item 407 (d) (5) of Regulation S-K, and has determined him to be independent.

 

Management is responsible for the preparation of the Company's financial statements and financial reporting process, including its system of internal controls.  In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee:

 

 

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In addition, the Company received a letter from EY to the effect that EY's audit of the Company was subject to its quality control system for the United States accounting and auditing practice to provide reasonable assurance that the engagement was conducted in compliance with professional standards, that there was appropriate continuity of EY personnel working on the audit and the availability of national office consultation.

 

In performing its functions, the Audit Committee acts only in an oversight capacity.  It is not the responsibility of the Audit Committee to determine that the Company's financial statements are complete and accurate, are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States or present fairly the results of operations of the Company for the periods presented or that the Company maintains appropriate internal controls.  Further, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to determine that the audit of the Company's financial statements has been carried out in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards or that the Company's auditors are independent.

 

Based upon the reviews and discussions described above, and the report of EY, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board has approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

	THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
	Kirk B. Stovesand, Chairman
	John D. Illgen
	Eric Onnen
	James R. Sims, Jr.

Dated: February 26, 2015

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

The Company's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (NCGC) was established in February 2004 and the committee charter (Charter) is annually assessed and was last amended on December 13, 2012 and was last ratified on December 18, 2014.  A copy of the Charter is included as Appendix B to the Company's 2013 Proxy Statement, as filed with the SEC on March 29, 2013, and is available at www.sec.gov.  The NCGC, consisting of three independent Directors, makes recommendations to the Board regarding the Board's composition and structure, nominations for elections of Directors and policies and processes regarding principles of corporate governance to ensure the Board's compliance with its fiduciary duties to the Company and its shareholders.  The NCGC reviews the qualifications of, and recommends to the Board, candidates as additions, or to fill Board vacancies, if any were to occur during the year.

 

 

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The NCGC determines the required selection criteria and qualifications of Director nominees based upon the Company's needs at the time nominees are considered.  In general, Directors should possess the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and values and be committed to representing the long-term interests of the Company's shareholders.  In addition to the foregoing considerations, the NCGC will consider criteria such as strength of character and leadership skills; general business acumen and experience; broad knowledge of the industry; number of other board seats; and, willingness to commit the necessary time to ensure an active board whose members work well together and possess the collective knowledge and expertise required by the Board.  The NCGC considers these same criteria for candidates regardless of whether the candidate was identified by the NCGC, by shareholders, or any other source.

 

  The goal of the NCGC is to seek to achieve a balance of knowledge and experience on the Company's Board.  To this end, the NCGC seeks nominees with the highest professional and personal ethics and values, an understanding of the Company's business and industry, diversity of business experience, expertise and backgrounds, a high level of education, broad-based business acumen and the ability to think strategically.  The composition of the current Board reflects diversity in business and professional experience, skills, and gender.  The NCGC reviews the effectiveness of the Charter in achieving the goals of the NCGC as stated therein annually.

 

Compensation Committee

 

The Compensation Committee (CC) assists the Board by reviewing and approving the Company's overall compensation and benefit programs and administering the compensation of the Company's executive and senior officers.  The CC is comprised of four of the Company's Directors, each of whom meet the current independence and experience requirements of the applicable provision of the NASDAQ Listing Rules and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  During 2014, neither the CC nor the Board of Directors utilized the services of an outside compensation consultant.  The CC operates under a written charter that is assessed annually for adequacy.  The CC's charter was last approved on March 7, 2013 and ratified on December 18, 2014.  A copy of the Charter is included as Appendix C to the Company's 2013 Proxy Statement, as filed with the SEC on March 29, 2013, and is available at www.sec.gov.

 

The CC's overall philosophy is as follows: (i) to attract and retain quality talent which is critical to both short-term and long-term success; (ii) to reinforce strategic performance objectives through the use of incentive compensation programs; (iii) to create a mutuality of interest between executive and senior officers and shareholders through compensation structures that share the rewards and risks of strategic decision-making; and (iv) to encourage executives to achieve substantial levels of ownership of stock in the Company.

 

The CC's functions and objectives are: (i) to review and approve the Company's overall compensation and benefit programs and for administering the compensation for the Company's executive and senior officers; (ii) to determine the competitiveness of current base salaries, annual and long-term incentives relative to specific competitive markets for the President and Chief Executive Officer and other senior management; (iii) to establish goals and objectives for senior officers and evaluate performance in light of the goals and objectives;  (iv) to evaluate and approve the annual compensation and incentive plans for the President/CEO; (v) to develop a performance review mechanism that has written objectives and goals which are used to make salary increase determinations; (vi) to retain advisors and to be responsible for their appointment, payment and oversight as it deems necessary to carry out its duties; (vii) to review and reassess the adequacy of the CC's Charter annually and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval, which will be included in or discussed in the annual Proxy Statement no less frequently than every three years.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

 

The following table sets forth, for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the compensation information for Martin E. Plourd, President and Chief Executive Officer of CWBC and CWB, and for the two other most highly compensated executive officers who earned at least $100,000 in 2014 (collectively, the Named Executive Officers).

 

Name and Principal Position	Year		Salary				Bonus				Stock Awards				Option Awards (1)				Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation				Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings				All Other Compensation (2)				Total
Martin E. Plourd, President and Chief	2014		$	310,000			$	124,950				-			$	95,514				-				-			$	56,551			$	587,015
Executive Officer,    CWBC and CWB	2013			275,000				120,000				-				-				-				-				52,072				447,072
Charles G. Baltuskonis, Executive Vice President and Chief	2014			225,000				60,000				-				46,924				-				-				36,177				368,101
Financial Officer,    CWBC and CWB	2013			224,252				50,000				-				-				-				-				31,074				305,326
Kristine D. Price, Executive Vice President and Chief    Credit Officer,    CWB (3)	2014			95,513				25,000				-				80,556				-				-				74,377				275,446

 

 

 

 

Employment Arrangements and Other Factors Affecting 2014 Compensation

 

During 2014, the terms of each of Messrs. Plourd and Baltuskonis and Ms. Price's employment arrangements were governed by written employment agreements with the Company.  For a description of the material terms of such employment agreements, please see "Potential Payments upon Retirement, Termination or Change-In-Control" herein.

 

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Potential Payments upon Retirement, Termination or Change-In-Control

 

 

Mr. Plourd has an employment contract, effective November 2, 2011, with an annual base salary of $310,000 for 2014, adjusted to $350,000 as of January 1, 2015, for his service as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank.  The terms of this employment agreement will terminate on December 31, 2015, subject to early termination as discussed below, but will automatically renew for successive periods of 12 months unless at least three months before the expiration of any preceding term or renewal term, either (a) the Board provides written notice of non-renewal to Mr. Plourd or (b) Mr. Plourd provides written notice of non-renewal to the Bank.  During January of each year during the term of the employment agreement and any renewal term, the Board will review Mr. Plourd's base salary and will determine, in its sole discretion, whether or not to adjust such salary.  Any such salary adjustment will be effective as of the first day of such calendar year.  Subject to the terms of the Company's Compensation Policy (which is attached as Exhibit C to Mr. Plourd's employment agreement), Mr. Plourd will be eligible to receive an annual bonus in an amount, if any, as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion.  Any bonus or incentive compensation that was paid to Mr. Plourd with respect to any period during which Treasury held any shares of Series A Preferred Stock is subject to recovery or clawback by the Company if the payments were based on materially inaccurate financial statements or any other materially inaccurate performance metric criteria.  For 2014 and 2013, respectively, $124,950 and $120,000 bonus amounts were awarded.  Mr. Plourd is eligible to receive stock option grants to purchase shares of Common Stock as may be determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion.  See "Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End" table.  Mr. Plourd is entitled to an automobile allowance of $800 per month and a business club membership of $350 per month.

 

In addition, he has a deferred compensation account established and maintained at CWB for his benefit.  To this account, the Company credited $100,000 on December 31, 2011.  In addition, 1% per month of his annual salary will also be credited to this account during the term of Mr. Plourd's employment.  Monthly interest credits will be earned throughout the term of the agreement at the then-current CWB six-month certificate of deposit rate on an annualized basis.  No funds in this account will vest prior to the date Mr. Plourd attains age 65, and normal payments will not commence until such time as Mr. Plourd attains age 66, whether or not he is employed by the Company.  In the event of a change of control before Mr. Plourd attains age 65, the total amount credited to this account will become fully vested.

 

Mr. Plourd also has a Salary Continuation Agreement, signed January 28, 2014 and effective as of December 30, 2013.  Upon separation from service after normal retirement age, he will receive $1,500,000 in $100,000 payments over a 15-year period commencing the month following his separation from service.  No funds in this account will vest prior to the date Mr. Plourd attains age 65.  If early involuntary termination occurs, he will be paid 100% of the accrued benefit in one lump sum.  Also, in the event of disability prior to normal retirement age, he will be paid 100% of the accrued benefit in lieu of any other benefit hereunder, paid in 180 equal monthly installments.  If a change of control occurs, followed within 24 months by separation of service prior to normal retirement age, Mr. Plourd will receive within 30 days a lump-sum benefit of $1,130,357 and any gross-up required, in lieu of any other benefit thereunder.  In the event of death prior to or subsequent to commencement of benefit payments, there are provisions relating to payments to designated beneficiaries.

 

Mr. Plourd's employment agreement specifies that, in the event of termination without cause or on non-renewal, he would continue to receive salary and benefits plus deferred compensation for a period of three months following the Bank's written notice of Mr. Plourd's termination or non-renewal, and one year's base salary.  Also, the contract contains a change of control (as defined) clause whereby, if he is terminated within one year following such event, he would be entitled to base salary and benefits for a period of one year.

 

During 2014, the Company granted stock option awards to Mr. Plourd which are reported in the "Summary Compensation Table" above and in the "Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table" below.

  

 

Mr. Baltuskonis has an employment contract, effective July 1, 2007 and amended August 1, 2013.  Beginning March 1, 2013, Mr. Baltuskonis' annual base salary was $225,000 (adjusted to $235,000 as of March 1, 2015).  In addition, he has a deferred compensation account established and maintained at CWB for his benefit.  To this account, the Company credited $40,000 each on July 1, 2007 and on December 31, 2007.  In addition, $1,600 per month has been credited to this account and, commencing March 1, 2013, 0.8% per month (adjusted to 1.0% as of March 1, 2014) of his annual salary will be credited during the term of Mr. Baltuskonis' employment.  Monthly interest credits will be earned throughout the term of the agreement at the then-current CWB six-month certificate of deposit rate.  No funds in this account will vest prior to the date Mr. Baltuskonis attains age 65, and normal payments will not commence until such time as Mr. Baltuskonis attains age 66, whether or not he is employed by the Company.  In the event of a change of control before Mr. Baltuskonis attains age 65, he will vest 100% of the account balance.

 

Mr. Baltuskonis' contract specifies that, in the event of termination without cause, he would continue to receive salary and benefits plus deferred compensation for a period of three months.  Also, the contract contains a change of control (as defined) clause whereby, if he is terminated within one year following such event, he would be entitled to base salary and benefits for a period of one year.  Mr. Baltuskonis is also eligible for an annual bonus which is determined by the Board in its sole discretion.  For 2014 and 2013, respectively, $60,000 and $50,000 bonus amounts were awarded.

 

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Ms. Price's contract specifies that, in the event of termination without cause, she would continue to receive salary and benefits plus deferred compensation for a period of three months.  Also, the contract contains a change of control (as defined) clause whereby, if she is terminated within one year following such event, she would be entitled to base salary and benefits for a period of one year.  Ms. Price is also eligible for an annual bonus which is determined by the Board in its sole discretion.  For 2014, a $25,000 bonus amount was awarded.

 

During 2014, the Company granted stock option awards to Ms. Price which are reported in the "Summary Compensation Table" above and in the "Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table" below.

 

Stock Option Plans

 

The 1997 Stock Option Plan

 

In connection with the bank holding company reorganization, the Company adopted the Community West Bancshares 1997 Stock Option Plan (1997 Plan), which provided for the issuance of up to 1,292,014 option shares.  This Plan expired on January 23, 2007.  At December 31, 2014, the number of shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options granted pursuant to the 1997 Plan was 11,000 shares.

 

The 2006 Stock Option Plan

 

On March 23, 2006, the Company's Board adopted the 2006 Stock Option Plan (2006 Plan) and it was subsequently approved by the shareholders at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  At December 31, 2014, the number of shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options granted pursuant to the 2006 Plan was 232,775 shares, and the number of shares of Common Stock remaining available for future issuance under the 2006 Plan was 20,475 shares.  See tables entitled "Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End" and "Director Compensation Table" for more information regarding options outstanding as of December 31, 2014.

The 2014 Stock Option Plan

 

On March 27, 2014, the Company's Board adopted the 2014 Stock Option Plan (2014 Plan) and it was subsequently approved by the shareholders at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  The 2014 Plan provides for the issuance of up to 500,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock to Directors, officers and key employees of the Company and CWB.  At December 31, 2014, the number of shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options granted pursuant to the 2014 Plan was 0 shares, and the number of shares of Common Stock remaining available for future issuance under the 2014 Plan was 500,000 shares.  See the tables below entitled "Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End" and "Director Compensation Table" for more information regarding options outstanding as of December 31, 2014.

 

Eligibility.  Full-time employees, officers and Board members of the Company and subsidiaries, including CWB, are eligible to receive awards under the 2014 Plan at the discretion of the Board.

 

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Plan Term.  The 2014 Plan's term commenced on May 22, 2014 and will terminate on May 22, 2024 (subject to early termination is described herein).

 

Administration.  The 2014 Plan is administered by the Board, serving as the "Stock Option Committee", one or more of whom may also be executive officers and therefore may not be deemed to be "independent," as that term is defined in the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC.  Members of the Board receive no additional compensation for their administration of the Plans.  Each Director will abstain from approving the grant of any options to themselves.  Options may be granted only to Directors, officers and key employees of the Company and any subsidiary, including CWB.  Subject to the express provisions of the 2014 Plan, the Board is authorized to construe and interpret the 2014 Plan, and make all the determinations necessary or advisable for administration of the 2014 Plan.  The full text of the 2014 Plan is available as Appendix A to the Company's Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on May 5, 2014.

 

Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Options.  The 2014 Plan provides for the grant of both incentive stock options and non-qualified options.  Incentive stock options are available only to persons who are employees of the Company, and are subject to limitations imposed by applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, including a $100,000 limit on the aggregate fair market value (determined on the date the options are granted) of shares of Common Stock with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by an optionee during any calendar year (under the 2014 Plan and all other "incentive stock option" plans of the Company).  Any options granted under the 2014 Plan which do not meet the limitations for incentive stock options, or which are otherwise not deemed to be incentive stock options, are deemed "non-qualified."

 

Amendment and Termination of the 2014 Plan.  The 2014 Plan, and all stock options previously granted under the 2014 Plan, will terminate upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, upon a consolidation, reorganization, or merger as a result of which the Company is not the surviving corporation, or upon a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.  However, all options theretofore granted will become immediately exercisable in their entirety upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing, and any options not exercised immediately upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing events will terminate, unless provision is made for the assumption or substitution thereof.  As a result of these acceleration provisions, even if an outstanding option were not fully vested as to all increments at the time of the event, that option will become fully vested and exercisable.  The Board may at any time suspend, amend or terminate the 2014 Plan, and may, with the consent of the respective optionee, make such modifications to the terms and conditions of outstanding options as it may deem advisable.  Certain amendments to the 2014 Plan may also require shareholder approval if such amendment or modification would: (a) materially increase the number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued under the 2014 Plan; (b) materially increase the number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued at any time under the 2014 Plan to all Directors who are not also officers or key employees of the Company; (c) materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for participation in the 2014 Plan; (d) increase or decrease the exercise price of any option granted under the 2014 Plan; (e) increase the maximum term of options provided for in the 2014 Plan; (f) permit options to be granted to any person who is not an eligible participant; or (g) change any provision of the 2014 Plan which would affect the qualification as an incentive stock option under the 2014 Plan.  The amendment, suspension or termination of the 2014 Plan will not, without the consent of the optionee, alter or impair any rights or obligations under any outstanding option under the 2014 Plan.

 

Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization.  The total number of shares covered by the 2014 Plan and the price, kind and number of shares subject to outstanding options thereunder, will be appropriately and proportionately adjusted if the outstanding shares of Common Stock are increased, decreased, changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities of the Company through reorganization, merger, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, stock dividend, stock consolidation or otherwise, without consideration to CWBC as provided in the 2014 Plan.  Fractional share interests of such adjustments may be accumulated, although no fractional shares of stock will be issued under the 2014 Plan.

 

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The following table sets forth certain information, pursuant to SEC rules, regarding stock options outstanding at December 31, 2014 for the Named Executive Officers.

 

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END

 

		Option Awards
Name		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable				Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable (1)				Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)				Option Exercise Price ($)			Option Expiration Date
Charles G. Baltuskonis			3,750				-				-			$	12.50		7/26/17
			2,000				-				-			$	8.65		2/28/18
			3,750				-				-			$	3.995		7/29/18
			2,000				-				-			$	3.45		11/20/18
			5,000				-				-			$	2.36		4/29/19
			3,750				-				-			$	2.35		7/23/19
			4,000				1,000				-			$	3.50		12/16/20
			3,000				2,000				-			$	2.57		9/1/21
			4,000				6,000				-			$	3.25		12/13/22
			-				10,000				-			$	7.19		2/27/24
Martin E. Plourd			36,000				24,000				-			$	1.95		11/2/21
			8,000				12,000				-			$	3.25		12/13/22
			-				20,000				-			$	7.31		1/30/24
Kristine D. Price			-				20,000				-			$	6.59		8/28/24

 

Pension Benefits

 

Excluding any tax-qualified contribution plan and any nonqualified defined contribution plan, none of the Named Executive Officers or any other key officers participate in any plan that provides for payments or other benefits at, following, or in connection with, retirement.

 

 

Termination of Employment or Affiliation.  Under the terms of the 1997, 2006 and 2014 Plans (Plans), in the event an optionee ceases to be affiliated with the Company or a subsidiary for any reason other than disability, death or termination for cause, the stock options granted to such optionee will expire at the earlier of the expiration dates specified for the options, or 90 days after the optionee ceases to be so affiliated.  During such period after cessation of affiliation, the optionee may exercise the option to the extent it was exercisable as of the date of such termination, and thereafter the option expires in its entirety.  If an optionee's stock option agreement so provides, and if an optionee's status as an eligible participant is terminated for cause, the options held by such person will expire 30 days after termination, although the Board may, in its sole discretion, within 30 days of such termination, reinstate the option.  If the option is reinstated, the optionee will be permitted to exercise the option only to the extent, for such time, and upon such terms and conditions as if the optionee's status as an eligible participant had been terminated for a reason other than cause, disability or death, as described above.

 

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Liquidation or Change of Control.  The Plans, and all stock options previously granted under the Plans, terminate upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, upon a consolidation, reorganization or merger as a result of which the Company is not the surviving corporation, or upon a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.  However, all options heretofore granted become immediately exercisable in their entirety upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing, and any options not exercised immediately upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing events will terminate unless provision is made for the assumption or substitution thereof.  As a result of the acceleration provisions, even if an outstanding option were not fully vested as to all increments at the time of the event, that option will become fully vested and exercisable.  All options outstanding at the time of completion of the merger(s) will survive and not become immediately exercisable.

 

Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plan

 

The Company has established a 401(k) plan for the benefit of its employees.  Employees are eligible to participate in the plan beginning the first of the month following the successful completion of 30 days of employment, subject to certain limitations.  Each plan year, the Company will make a Safe Harbor non-elective employer contribution on behalf of eligible participants an amount equal to 3% of such eligible participant's compensation for such plan year.  The Company's contributions were determined by the Board and amounted to $200,000 in 2014 and $202,000 in 2013.

 

Directors' Compensation

 

CWB's non-employee Directors are paid for attendance at CWB Board meetings at the rate of $1,200 ($1,500 for the Chairman) for each regular Board meeting and $250 ($350 for Audit Committee Chairman) for each committee meeting.  If a Director attends a meeting by telephone, only 25% of the above fee is received.  In 2014, no additional discretionary compensation was awarded to the non-employee Directors.  There were no CWBC Director fees paid during 2014.

 

The following table sets forth the information concerning the compensation paid to each of the Company's Directors during 2014.  Compensation paid to Martin E. Plourd, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of CWBC and CWB, is not included in this table because he was an employee during 2014 and, therefore, received no additional compensation for his service as a Director.

 

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE

 

 

(1) Outstanding stock options held by each non-employee Director at December 31, 2014 are as follows:  Robert H. Bartlein, 10,000; Jean W. Blois, 20,000; John D. Illgen, 20,000; Shereef Moharram, 10,000; Eric Onnen, 10,000; William R. Peeples, 10,000; James R. Sims, Jr., 20,000; Kirk B. Stovesand, 20,000.  Stock options held at December 31, 2014 by Mr. Plourd are included in the table for the Named Executive Officers under the heading entitled "Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End."

 

 (2) Column represents the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards granted during the applicable fiscal year as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, disregarding for this purpose the estimate of forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions.  The terms of the 1997, 2006 and 2014 Plans are described above in the section entitled "Stock Option Plans."  Furthermore, the amount recognized for these awards was calculated based on the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.  See the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, at Note 11 to the Company's Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

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Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

Certain Directors and executive officers of the Company, as well as the companies with which such Directors are associated, are customers of and have had banking transactions with CWB in the ordinary course of business.  CWB expects to have such ordinary banking transactions with such persons in the future. In the opinion of CWB management, all loans and commitments to lend included in such transactions were made in compliance with applicable laws on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing for comparable transactions with other persons of similar creditworthiness and did not involve more than a normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features.  Although CWB does not have any limits on the aggregate amount it would be willing to lend to Directors and officers as a group, loans to individual Directors and officers must comply with CWB's internal lending policies and statutory lending limits.

 

PROPOSAL 2

 

RATIFICATION OF THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

 

The Board of Directors, upon recommendation of its Audit Committee, has ratified the appointment of McGladrey to serve as its independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015.  Representatives from McGladrey are expected to be present at the Meeting.  The Company will afford the representatives an opportunity to make a statement, should they desire to do so, and expect that the representatives will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

 

The Board of Directors is requesting the Company's shareholders to ratify the appointment of McGladrey as the Company's independent auditors for 2015.  Although ratification is not required by the Company's Bylaws or otherwise, the Board of Directors is submitting the appointment of McGladrey to the shareholders for ratification because the Board of Directors values the shareholders' views on the Company's independent auditors and as a matter of good corporate practice.  In the event that the shareholders fail to ratify the appointment, it will be considered as a direction to the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee to consider the selection of a different firm.  Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may select a different independent auditor, subject to ratification by the Board of Directors, at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

 

Change in Principal Independent Auditors

 

At the same meeting held on October 30, 2014, the Board of Directors, upon recommendation of its Audit Committee, approved the dismissal of Ernst & Young LLP (EY) as the Company's independent auditors, effective upon completion of the audit of the Company's financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the issuance of their report thereon.

 

EY has served as the Company's independent auditors since the year ended December 31, 2002, auditing its financial statements and the report on such financial statements appearing in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for each fiscal year ended during that period, including for the period ended December 31, 2014 upon the filing of which on March 6, 2015, EY's services as the Company's independent auditors ended. The decision to change independent auditors was decided after the Company's Board of Directors completed a competitive review process to determine the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2015.

 

The reports of EY on the Company's consolidated financial statements for the past two fiscal years did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).

 

During the last two fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the subsequent interim period January 1, 2015 through March 6, 2015, (i) the Company had no disagreements with EY on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of EY, would have caused EY to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its report on the consolidated financial statements for such periods and (ii) there were no reportable events (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).

 

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The Company requested EY to furnish it with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether it agrees with the above statements. A copy of that letter, dated November 5, 2014, is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 5, 2014 and is incorporated herein by reference.  This Form 8-K was amended on March 11, 2015 by a Form 8-K/A to announce that EY's dismissal was effective as of March 6, 2015, the date the Company filed its 2014 Form 10-K with the SEC.  A copy of EY's letter, dated March, 11, 2015, stating that it agreed with the statements included in the 8-K/A was attached as Exhibit 16.1 to the Company's Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Representatives from EY are expected to be present at the Meeting and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

 

During the two most recent fiscal years, and the subsequent interim period January 1, 2015 through March 6, 2015, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf has consulted McGladrey with respect to either: (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company's financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the Company that McGladrey concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of disagreement (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K) or a reportable event (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K)..

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF MCGLADREY LLP AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2015.

 

Audit Fees

 

During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the aggregate fees billed by EY for the audit of the Company's consolidated financial statements for such fiscal year and for the review of the Company's interim financial statements were $324,000 and $316,000 respectively.  These amounts include fees related to the fiscal year audit and interim reviews, notwithstanding when the fees were billed or when the services were rendered.  Expenses included were billed from January through December of the fiscal year, notwithstanding when the expenses were incurred.

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, no other audit-related services were billed.

 

Tax Fees

 

During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the aggregate fees billed by EY for professional services related to recurring state and federal tax preparation, compliance and consulting were $47,000 and $44,000, respectively.

 

In addition, during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, $8,700 and $14,700, respectively, were billed by EY related to professional tax services during the course of an IRS examination.

 

All Other Fees

 

During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were no fees billed by EY for any other products or services provided by EY that are not otherwise disclosed above.

 

The Audit Committee of the Company reviewed and discussed with EY whether the rendering of the non-audit services provided by them to the Company during fiscal 2014 was compatible with their independence.  The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided by EY and the estimated fees for these services.

 

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Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditor

 

The Audit Committee's policy is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the Company's independent auditor.  These services may include audit, audit-related, tax and other services.  Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year and is detailed as to a particular service or category of service.  The independent auditor and management are required to periodically report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided by the independent auditor in accordance with the pre-approval and the fees for services performed to date.  All services performed by EY for which fees were billed to the Company during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 as disclosed herein were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the procedures outlined herein.  All of the services of EY in auditing the Company's Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 were performed by EY or its full-time, permanent employees.

 

2016 SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

Shareholder proposals to be considered for inclusion in the Proxy Statement for the Company's 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (2016 Meeting) must be received by the Company at its offices at 445 Pine Avenue, Goleta, California 93117, no later than December 15, 2015.  The proposals must also satisfy the conditions and procedures prescribed by the Company's Bylaws and by the SEC in Rule 14a-8 for such proposals to be included in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2016 Meeting, and must be limited to 500 words.  To be included in the Proxy Statement, the shareholder must be a holder of record or beneficial owner of at least $2,000 in market value or 1% of the Company's securities entitled to be voted on the proposal, and have held the shares for at least one year and will continue to hold the shares through the date of the 2016 Meeting.  Either the proposer, or a representative qualified under California law to present the proposal on the proposer's behalf, must attend the meeting to present the proposal.  Shareholders may not submit more than one proposal.

 

The SEC has in effect a rule governing a company's ability to use discretionary proxy authority with respect to proposals that were not submitted in time to be included in the Proxy Statement (i.e., outside the processes of Rule 14a-8 as described in the preceding paragraph).  As a result, in the event a proposal is not submitted to the Company prior to February 28, 2016, and the proxy materials delivered in connection with the 2016 Meeting contain a statement conferring discretionary authority to the Proxyholders of the Company (similar to the statement set forth in the third paragraph of this Proxy Statement), the proxies solicited by the Board for the 2016 Annual Meeting will confer discretionary authority to the proxyholders to vote the shares in accordance with their best judgment and discretion if the proposal is received by the Company after February 28, 2016.

 

Whether or not you intend to be present at the Meeting, you are urged to return your Proxy promptly.  If you are then present at the Meeting and wish to vote your shares in person, your original Proxy may be revoked by voting at the Meeting.  However, if you are a shareholder whose shares are not registered in your own name, you will need the Proxy obtained from your recordholder to vote personally at the Meeting.

 

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's officers (as defined in regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder), Directors and persons who own more than ten percent of the Common Stock to file reports of stock ownership and changes in stock ownership with the SEC.  The officers, Directors and greater than ten percent shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

 

Based solely on its review of the copies of all reports of ownership furnished to the Company, or written representations that no forms were necessary, the Company believes that during the last year its officers, Directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners complied with all filing requirements, except for Mr. Plourd, who filed a late Form 4 on February 28, 2014.

 

DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO SHAREHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS

 

Only one Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 is being delivered to shareholders sharing an address unless the Company has received contrary instructions from one or more of the shareholders.  Upon the written or oral request of a shareholder, the Company will deliver promptly a separate copy of the Proxy Statement and the Annual Report on Form 10-K to a shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy was delivered.  Shareholders desiring to receive a separate copy in the future may contact Charles G. Baltuskonis, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Community West Bancshares, 445 Pine Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117-3474, telephone (805) 692-5821.

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PROXY MATERIALS AND ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

 

Copies of the Company's Proxy Materials described herein and the 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC, are available upon request to: Charles G. Baltuskonis, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Community West Bancshares, 445 Pine Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117-3474, telephone (800) 569-2100, e-mail: cbaltuskonis@communitywestbank.com.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS

FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 28, 2015

 

This Proxy Statement, the proxy card, the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders and the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, and directions to the location of the Annual Meeting, are available on the Company's website at www.communitywest.com.

 

 

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