Community West Bancshares (NASDAQ: CWBC) COO Blaine Lauhon to retire in 2026
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Community West Bancshares announced that Blaine C. Lauhon, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Community West Bank, plans to retire effective December 31, 2026. Lauhon has held senior roles across the bank since 2017, following its acquisition of Folsom Lake Bank.
His responsibilities have recently included leading the Operations Division, covering areas such as loan operations, facilities, technology and data, project management, deposit operations, and marketing. Management describes his retirement as the culmination of a banking career of more than 40 years and highlights his role in guiding transformative initiatives and supporting the bank’s growth across Central California.
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| UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION | ||
| Washington, D.C. 20549 | ||
FORM | ||
| CURRENT REPORT | ||
| Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | ||
Date of Report: February 25, 2026
(Date of earliest event reported)
| (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) | ||||||||||||||
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(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) | ||||||||||||||
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: | ||||||||||||||
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
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Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers;
Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
On February 25, 2026, Blaine C. Lauhon, Chief Operating Officer of Community West Bank (the “Bank”), the wholly owned subsidiary of Community West Bancshares, provided the Bank with notice of his intention to retire as Chief Operating Officer of the Bank effective on December 31, 2026.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
| 99.1 | Press Release dated March 3, 2026 | |||||||
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| Dated: | March 3, 2026 | COMMUNITY WEST BANCSHARES By: /s/ Shannon R. Livingston Shannon R. Livingston Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||||
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMMUNITY WEST BANK ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT OF
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, BLAINE C. LAUHON
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA – March 3, 2026 – James J. Kim, CEO of Community West Bancshares (“Company”), and President and CEO of Community West Bank (“Bank”), announced today the retirement of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer,
Blaine C. Lauhon, effective December 31, 2026.
Lauhon is a highly respected executive whose leadership has spanned nearly all strategic and operational areas of the Bank. His well-deserved retirement will conclude a more than 40-year banking career, including nearly a decade with Community West Bank and serving as an officer of the Company.
“Blaine has been an integral member of our executive leadership team, overseeing operational and support departments throughout the Bank and helping to guide transformative initiatives with foresight and precision,” shared Kim. “His steady and intelligent leadership, vision, and compassion for our team, clients, and communities have helped position our growing community bank for long-term success. We are deeply grateful for his many contributions, and for his friendship.”
Lauhon joined Community West Bank in 2017 following the acquisition of Folsom Lake Bank and has since provided steady leadership across the organization. Most recently he has overseen the Operations Division encompassing Loan Operations, Facilities, Technology/Data/Analytics, Project Management, Deposit Operations, and Marketing. He was named Chief Operating Officer in December 2024, and previously served as Chief Administrative Officer as of April 2024, Chief Banking Officer in 2021, Executive Vice President, Market Executive in 2019, and Senior Vice President, Senior Credit Officer in 2017. His prior banking career included executive and senior leadership roles across credit, commercial banking, operations, and market management.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of Community West Bank and to work alongside such talented and dedicated colleagues,” said Lauhon. “Over the years, it has been a privilege to collaborate with teams across the organization who are deeply committed to our clients, our communities, and to one another. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and confident the Bank’s future is bright as it continues to expand throughout Central California.”
About Community West Bank and Bancshares
Community West Bancshares (“Company”) (NASDAQ: CWBC) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Community West Bank (“Bank”), are headquartered in Fresno, California. The Company was established in 1979 with the vision to help businesses and communities by exceeding expectations at every opportunity, and opened its first Banking Center on
January 10, 1980. Today, the Bank operates full-service Banking Centers throughout Central California and maintains a variety of departments supporting Commercial Lending, Agribusiness, SBA, Residential Construction and Mortgage, Manufactured Housing, Private Banking, and Cash Management.
Members of the Company and Bank Board of Directors are: Daniel J. Doyle (Chairman), Robert H. Bartlein (Vice Chairman), James J. Kim (CEO of the Company and President and
-more-
Executive Retirement – page 2
CEO of the Bank), Martin E. Plourd (President of the Company), Andriana D. Majarian (Lead
Independent Director), Suzanne M. Chadwick, Daniel N. Cunningham, Tom L. Dobyns, F.T. “Tommy” Elliott IV, Robert J. Flautt, James W. Lokey, Steven D. McDonald, Dorothea D. Silva, William S. Smittcamp, and Kirk B. Stovesand. Louis C. McMurray is Director Emeritus.
More information about Community West Bancshares and Community West Bank can be found at www.communitywestbank.com.
###
MEDIA CONTACT:
Debbie Nalchajian-Cohen
559-222-1322
FAQ
What executive change did Community West Bancshares (CWBC) disclose?
Community West Bancshares disclosed that Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Blaine C. Lauhon plans to retire effective December 31, 2026. He has been a key leader across operations and strategy since 2017, helping guide transformative initiatives and the bank’s growth in Central California.
When will Community West Bank COO Blaine C. Lauhon retire?
Blaine C. Lauhon is scheduled to retire as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer on December 31, 2026. This long lead time provides management with an extended transition period as the bank plans leadership succession and maintains continuity across its operational and support functions.
What roles has Blaine C. Lauhon held at Community West Bank (CWBC)?
Since joining in 2017, Blaine C. Lauhon has served as Senior Credit Officer, Market Executive, Chief Banking Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, and ultimately Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. These roles spanned credit, commercial banking, operations, and market leadership across the organization’s Central California footprint.
How long has retiring COO Blaine C. Lauhon worked in banking?
Blaine C. Lauhon’s retirement will conclude a banking career of more than 40 years. His experience includes executive and senior leadership roles across credit, commercial banking, operations, and market management, with nearly a decade at Community West Bank following its acquisition of Folsom Lake Bank.
What responsibilities has the COO held at Community West Bank (CWBC)?
As Chief Operating Officer, Blaine C. Lauhon has overseen the Operations Division, including Loan Operations, Facilities, Technology, Data and Analytics, Project Management, Deposit Operations, and Marketing. This broad remit covers many strategic and support functions critical to Community West Bank’s day-to-day operations and regional growth.
Where is Community West Bancshares (CWBC) headquartered and where does it operate?
Community West Bancshares and its subsidiary Community West Bank are headquartered in Fresno, California. The bank operates full-service banking centers throughout Central California, serving commercial lending, agribusiness, SBA, residential construction and mortgage, manufactured housing, private banking, and cash management clients across the region.
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