Keefe analysts cut Community West Bancshares target to $19

Published 22/04/2025, 12:38
Keefe analysts cut Community West Bancshares target to $19

On Tuesday, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, a notable finance research firm, adjusted its outlook on Community West Bancshares (NASDAQ:CWBC), reducing the price target on the company’s shares from $21.00 to $19.00. Despite this change, the firm has decided to maintain a Market Perform rating on the stock.

The revision follows the first quarter of 2025 operating results for Community West Bancshares, which presented a mixed financial picture. According to Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, the company’s net interest income (NII) and provisioning surpassed expectations, while its expenses were higher than anticipated. The net interest margin (NIM) showed an improvement, rising 9 basis points from the previous quarter to 4.04%, with expectations for continued gradual improvement in subsequent quarters.

Community West Bancshares has successfully realized cost savings from its merger with Central Valley Community Bancorp (NASDAQ:CVCY) (CWBC/CVCY). The company is now concentrating efforts on maintaining rigorous control over expenses in order to achieve positive operating leverage moving forward. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods has made slight adjustments to their forward estimates, with earnings projections for 2025 and 2026 set at $1.93 and $2.02 per share, respectively.

The research firm’s commentary highlighted the long-term potential they see in Community West Bancshares, noting the stock is trading at 8 times forward earnings and 1.1 times tangible book value (TBV). With a market capitalization of $304.59 million and impressive revenue growth of 18.58% over the last twelve months, the company shows promising fundamentals. The firm’s analyst conveyed expectations of gradual improvement in the quarters ahead and emphasized the company’s focus on expense diligence as a key factor in driving positive operating leverage. For deeper insights into CWBC’s financial health and additional ProTips, visit InvestingPro.

In other recent news, Community West Bancshares reported first-quarter 2025 results that exceeded expectations, leading Raymond (NSE:RYMD) James analysts to maintain their Market Perform rating on the company. The bank’s growth was driven by a solid 2% annual loan growth and a focus on expanding its core deposit base, particularly in new markets like Bakersfield and Sacramento. The company is also actively exploring merger and acquisition opportunities as a priority for capital deployment. Community West Bank has appointed Hinson M. Thomas as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, bringing over 30 years of experience in credit risk management to the role. This appointment follows the resignation of former Chief Credit Officer Patrick A. Luis, who left the bank without any disagreements regarding its operations. Additionally, Community West Bancshares has updated employment agreements for six of its executive officers, including revised compensation packages and provisions for severance payments. The changes reflect the company’s ongoing efforts to align its leadership structure with strategic growth initiatives.

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