Community West Bancshares Receives Regulatory Approvals to Merge with United Security Bancshares

The combined company will have approximately $5 billion in total assets and operate banking centers in 13 Central California counties.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 10:35pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Community West Bancshares (NASDAQ: CWBC), the parent company of Community West Bank, and United Security Bancshares (NASDAQ: UBFO), the parent company of United Security Bank, announced that they have received the required regulatory approvals from the FDIC, California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco for their proposed merger. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, subject to shareholder approval.

Why it matters

The merger will create a stronger regional community bank with greater capacity to support employees and deliver long-term value to clients, communities, and shareholders in Central California. The combined organization will have a larger geographic footprint and expanded resources to better serve the region.

The details

Under the merger agreement, United Security Bancshares will merge with and into Community West Bancshares as the surviving company, and United Security Bank will merge with and into Community West Bank. The conversion of all operational systems is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2026. Upon merger completion, the combined company will have approximately $5 billion in total assets and operate 31 banking centers across 13 Central California counties.

  • The closing of the transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2026.
  • The conversion of all operational systems is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2026.

The players

Community West Bancshares

The parent company of Community West Bank, headquartered in Fresno, California. Community West Bank was established in 1979 and operates full-service banking centers throughout Central California.

United Security Bancshares

The parent company of United Security Bank, headquartered in Fresno, California. United Security Bank was founded in 1987 and operates a network of 13 full-service branch offices in Central California.

James J. Kim

CEO of Community West Bancshares and CEO and President of Community West Bank.

Dennis R. Woods

Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO of United Security Bancshares and United Security Bank.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Receiving regulatory approval moves us one step closer to bringing our two organizations together. We are proud of our 46-year history and pleased to welcome United Security Bank's team as we expand our ability to serve Central California. By uniting our organizations, we are strengthening our regional community bank with greater capacity to support employees and deliver long-term value to our clients, communities, and shareholders.”

— James J. Kim, CEO of Community West Bancshares and CEO and President of Community West Bank (Press Release)

“This milestone reflects the shared values, relationship-based banking, and community commitment that have guided both of our organizations for decades. We believe combining our two organizations creates a strong foundation for Community West Bank's long-term strength into the future.”

— Dennis R. Woods, Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO of United Security Bancshares and United Security Bank (Press Release)

What’s next

The closing of the transaction is subject to approval by the shareholders of both companies at special meetings scheduled for March 30, 2026, and the satisfaction of certain other customary closing conditions contained in the merger agreement.

The takeaway

The merger of Community West Bancshares and United Security Bancshares will create a stronger regional community bank with a larger geographic footprint and expanded resources to better serve Central California. The combined organization's commitment to relationship-based banking and community values is expected to benefit customers, employees, and shareholders in the long run.