Community West Bank names new Chief Credit Officer

FRESNO - Community West Bank has appointed Hinson M. Thomas as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, effective last Thursday. The announcement was made by James J. Kim, President and CEO of the bank, which is a subsidiary of Community West Bancshares (NASDAQ: CWBC), a $343 million market cap financial institution currently trading at 40 times earnings.

Thomas, with over three decades of experience in the financial services industry, is recognized for his expertise in credit risk management, commercial banking, and lending. Prior to his new role at Community West Bank, Thomas served as EVP and Chief Credit Officer at another California-based community bank. His professional background includes fostering team growth and enhancing business and community relationships. According to InvestingPro data, the bank has demonstrated strong revenue growth of 18.6% over the last twelve months, with net income expected to grow this year.

In this position, Thomas will be responsible for managing the Bank’s Credit Administration Division and maintaining the overall credit quality of the company. He will also be a member of the Executive Managing Committee.

Kim expressed his enthusiasm for Thomas’s appointment, citing his leadership skills and extensive experience in credit and finance as vital to the bank’s strategic growth initiatives. He also highlighted Thomas’s commitment to collaboration and shared values as a good fit for the executive team.

Thomas holds a B.S. in Business Management and an MBA from California State University, San Jose, and has completed a postgraduate program at Pacific Coast Banking School.

Community West Bancshares was established in 1979, and its first Banking Center opened in January 1980. The bank now operates several full-service Banking Centers across Central California and offers a range of services, including Commercial Lending, Agribusiness, SBA, Residential Construction and Mortgage, Manufactured Housing, Private Banking, and Cash Management. The bank has maintained consistent dividend payments for 14 consecutive years, currently offering a 2.63% yield. InvestingPro subscribers can access additional financial health metrics and analysis tools to evaluate banking stocks like CWBC more effectively.

This executive move is part of Community West Bank’s ongoing efforts to support its vision of helping businesses and communities by exceeding expectations. The information in this article is based on a press release statement from Community West Bancshares.

In other recent news, Community West Bancshares has disclosed several significant developments. The company announced the resignation of Chief Credit Officer Patrick A. Luis, effective February 28, 2025. This change was officially reported in an SEC filing, which clarified that his departure was not due to any disagreements with the bank’s operations or policies. Community West Bancshares has entered into a Termination Agreement with Mr. Luis, providing him with an Accelerated Benefit of $30,798 and full vesting of 7,139 shares of restricted stock. The agreement ensures that if the combined value of these benefits falls below $380,000, Mr. Luis will receive the difference as severance. Additionally, Community West Bancshares has revamped its executive contracts, introducing new employment agreements with six of its executive officers. These agreements, which took effect on January 30, 2025, adjust base salaries and potential bonuses, with CEO James J. Kim receiving the highest base salary of $625,000 and a 60% bonus target. The SEC filing also details amendments to existing agreements, such as the Executive Salary Continuation Agreement for Mr. Kim, and new arrangements like a Salary Continuation Agreement for CFO Shannon R. Livingston.

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