CWBC
Community West Bancshares
Banks - Regional
Market Cap$494M
5Y Perf.+205.8%
Build Your Comparison
Side-by-side financial analysisCWBC
COLB
Try popular comparisons:
Stock Comparison
CWBC vs COLB
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
COLB
Columbia Banking System, Inc.
Banks - Regional
Market Cap$7.45B
5Y Perf.+10.4%
CWBC vs COLB — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot |  CWBC |  COLB |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Banks - Regional | Banks - Regional |
| Market Cap | $494M | $7.45B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $194M | $3.21B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $38M | $550M |
| Gross Margin | 72.5% | 67.7% |
| Operating Margin | 27.1% | 23.4% |
| Forward P/E | 11.9x | 10.2x |
| Total Debt | $143M | $4.01B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $119M | $511M |
CWBC vs COLB — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
CWBC
COLB
| Stock | Jun 20 | Jun 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community West Banc… (CWBC) | 100 | 305.8 | +205.8% |
| Columbia Banking Sy… (COLB) | 100 | 110.4 | +10.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CWBC vs COLB
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: COLB leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Community West Bancshares is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and capital preservation and lower volatility. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
🥇COLB emerged as the overall leader. Track its performance:
CWBC
Community West Bancshares
The Banking Pick
CWBC is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 18.5%, EPS growth 344.4%
- 304.9% 10Y total return vs COLB's 54.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.78, Low D/E 34.8%, current ratio 1.63x
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
COLB
Columbia Banking System, Inc.
The Banking Pick
COLB carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 1.18, yield 3.6%
- Lower P/E (10.2x vs 11.9x)
- Efficiency ratio 0.4% vs CWBC's 0.5% (lower = leaner)
Best for: income & stability
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth |  CWBC | 18.5% NII/revenue growth vs COLB's 8.3% |
| Value |  COLB | Lower P/E (10.2x vs 11.9x) |
| Quality / Margins | COLB | Efficiency ratio 0.4% vs CWBC's 0.5% (lower = leaner) |
| Stability / Safety | CWBC | Beta 0.78 vs COLB's 1.18, lower leverage |
| Dividends | COLB | 3.6% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs CWBC's 1.9% |
| Momentum (1Y) | CWBC | +40.9% vs COLB's +40.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | COLB | Efficiency ratio 0.4% vs CWBC's 0.5% |
CWBC vs COLB — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
CWBC vs COLB — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCWBCLAGGINGCOLB
COLBColumbia Banking Syst…
2leads
CWBCCommunity West Bancsh…
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs COLBMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
CWBC4/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
COLB4/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CWBC9/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CWBC6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
CWBC2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
COLB2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CWBC leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
COLB is the larger business by revenue, generating $3.2B annually — 16.6x CWBC's $194M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 19.7% (CWBC) to 17.1% (COLB).
| Metric | CWBCCommunity West Ba… | COLBColumbia Banking … |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $194M | $3.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $56M | $895M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $38M | $550M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $44M | $724M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +72.5% | +67.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +27.1% | +23.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +19.7% | +17.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +22.5% | +22.5% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +61.1% | +5.9% |
CWBC leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
COLB leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 12.9x trailing earnings, CWBC trades at a 5% valuation discount to COLB's 13.6x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, CWBC's 9.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than COLB's 12.2x.
| Metric | CWBCCommunity West Ba… | COLBColumbia Banking … |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $494M | $7.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $517M | $10.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 12.88x | 13.61x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 11.89x | 10.24x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 2.99x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 9.85x | 12.23x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.54x | 2.32x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.20x | 1.19x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 11.32x | 10.56x |
COLB leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CWBC leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CWBC delivers a 9.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $10 in annual profit, vs $8 for COLB. CWBC carries lower financial leverage with a 0.35x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to COLB's 0.51x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CWBC scores 8/9 vs COLB's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | CWBCCommunity West Ba… | COLBColumbia Banking … |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +9.8% | +8.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +1.1% | +0.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +7.0% | +5.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +2.6% | +2.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 8 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.35x | 0.51x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $24M | $3.5B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $119M | $511M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $143M | $4.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.06x | 0.82x |
CWBC leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CWBC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CWBC five years ago would be worth $21,737 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $9,336 for COLB. Over the past 12 months, CWBC leads with a +40.9% total return vs COLB's +40.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CWBC at 32.5% vs COLB's 15.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | CWBCCommunity West Ba… | COLBColumbia Banking … |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +17.9% | +13.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +40.9% | +40.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +132.6% | +55.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +117.4% | -6.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +304.9% | +54.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +32.5% | +15.7% |
CWBC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CWBC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CWBC is the less volatile stock with a 0.78 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than COLB's 1.18 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CWBC currently trades 99.8% from its 52-week high vs COLB's 95.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | CWBCCommunity West Ba… | COLBColumbia Banking … |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.78x | 1.18x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $25.80 | $32.70 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $17.98 | $21.91 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +99.8% | +95.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 70.1 | 63.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 254K | 2.5M |
CWBC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
COLB leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CWBC as "Buy" and COLB as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 15.5% upside for CWBC (target: $30) vs 5.1% for COLB (target: $33). For income investors, COLB offers the higher dividend yield at 3.61% vs CWBC's 1.87%.
| Metric | CWBCCommunity West Ba… | COLBColumbia Banking … |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $29.75 | $32.90 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 4 | 19 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.9% | +3.6% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.48 | $1.13 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.0% | +1.5% |
COLB leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
CWBC leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). COLB leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook).
Best OverallCommunity West Bancshares (CWBC)Leads 4 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
CWBC vs COLB: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CWBC or COLB a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Community West Bancshares (CWBC) is the stronger pick with 18.
5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 8. 3% for Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB). Community West Bancshares (CWBC) offers the better valuation at 12. 9x trailing P/E (11. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Community West Bancshares (CWBC) a "Buy" — based on 4 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — CWBC or COLB?
On trailing P/E, Community West Bancshares (CWBC) is the cheapest at 12.
9x versus Columbia Banking System, Inc. at 13. 6x. On forward P/E, Columbia Banking System, Inc. is actually cheaper at 10. 2x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CWBC or COLB?
Over the past 5 years, Community West Bancshares (CWBC) delivered a total return of +117.
4%, compared to -6. 6% for Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CWBC returned +304. 9% versus COLB's +54. 0%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — CWBC or COLB?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Community West Bancshares (CWBC) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
78β versus Columbia Banking System, Inc. 's 1. 18β — meaning COLB is approximately 51% more volatile than CWBC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Community West Bancshares (CWBC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 35% versus 51% for Columbia Banking System, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CWBC or COLB?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Community West Bancshares (CWBC) is pulling ahead at 18.
5% versus 8. 3% for Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Community West Bancshares grew EPS 344. 4% year-over-year, compared to -9. 8% for Columbia Banking System, Inc.. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — CWBC or COLB?
Community West Bancshares (CWBC) is the more profitable company, earning 19.
6% net margin versus 17. 1% for Columbia Banking System, Inc. — meaning it keeps 19. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CWBC leads at 27. 0% versus 23. 4% for COLB. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CWBC leads at 72. 6%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is CWBC or COLB more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Columbia Banking System, Inc.
(COLB) trades at 10. 2x forward P/E versus 11. 9x for Community West Bancshares — 1. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CWBC: 15. 5% to $29. 75.
08Which pays a better dividend — CWBC or COLB?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB) offers the highest yield at 3. 6%, versus 1. 9% for Community West Bancshares (CWBC).
09Is CWBC or COLB better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Community West Bancshares (CWBC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
78), 1. 9% yield, +304. 9% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CWBC: +304. 9%, COLB: +54. 0%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between CWBC and COLB?
Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: CWBC is a small-cap high-growth stock; COLB is a small-cap deep-value stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.