Fresno, California-based Community West Bank will acquire fellow Fresno lender United Security Bank in a roughly $191.9 million deal expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, the companies said Wednesday.
Buying United Security would give Community West 13 added branches, push the bank’s asset total to around $5 billion, and make it “more robust and more visible,” Community West CEO James Kim said.
As part of the transaction, United Security investors will receive 0.4520 shares of Community West common stock, or about $10.88, for each United Security share they own. The deal’s $191.9 million value is based on Community West’s closing price of $24.06 from Tuesday, the companies said.
Community West’s board will expand by two seats, to include Jagroop Gill, a director on United Security’s board, and another director to be named later, the banks said. Once the deal is complete, Community West shareholders will own roughly 70.6% of the combined company and United Security investors will own the remaining 29.4%.
In a statement Wednesday, Kim called the acquisition a “major step forward in our long-term growth strategy and our commitment to the communities we serve throughout Central California.”
“Both institutions share a strong, long-term foundation of relationship banking, local decision-making and responsible growth,” said Kim, who will serve as CEO of the combined company. “By bringing our organizations together, we are creating a more robust and more visible banking franchise, with greater depth of expertise, expanded resources and enhanced capacity to support businesses, families and communities.”
United Security CEO Dennis Woods called the tie-up with Community West a “natural partnership.”
“With shared values and cultures centered on integrity, personal service and community commitment, this combination strengthens our ability to serve with greater scale, expanded lending capacity and broader market reach,” Woods said.
Once the deal closes, Woods will serve as chairman emeritus of the company and focus on retention of key clients, the banks said.
