Community West Bancshares Expands Online Banking.

GOLETA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 1999--

Lew Stone, president & chief executive officer of Community West Bancshares, announced the expansion of the company's online banking capabilities.

Stone said, "We began offering online cash management services to our customers in 1990." That system, which operates in a dialup mode has now been enhanced and is a 32-bit Windows-based application. With the enhancements, it is being retained for those commercial customers desiring cash management services, but not using the internet.

The growing field of internet banking is being addressed with the company's proprietary AccessWest internet solution which is being introduced this quarter. Stone said, "We have initially designed our site to be of more interest to our commercial clients. We believe this is important as our SBA lending reach continues to expand across the country. Now we will be able to offer those customers other banking services without having to build physical branches."

The internet site, which currently includes an important business feature allowing clients to view presentment items online, is scheduled for further enhancements later in the year. During the third quarter, the company will introduce online capabilities to initiate electronic transfers via such means as the Fed wire system and the ACH system. Included will be EFTPS tax transfer capabilities. Stone said, "We will also include capabilities giving clients more efficient means to maximize their interest earnings." An additional feature will be the ability of businesses to apply for SBA loans online.

Community West Bancshares is a technology and financial services company with headquarters in Goleta, Calif. Goleta National Bank, subsidiary of the company, has two full service branches, one in Goleta and one in Ventura, and loan production offices located in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, and Nevada. In addition, Goleta National Bank is majority owner of Electronic Paycheck, LLC. Palomar Savings & Loan Association, subsidiary of the company, has two full service branches and a loan production office, all located in Escondido, Calif.

This release contains forward-looking statements which reflect management's current views of future events and operations. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the company as of the date of this release. It is important to note that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the ability of the company to implement its technology strategy, originate loans, and economic events which may affect income. The company's actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including general economic conditions and "competition" as described in the company's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 1998.