exhibit 10. 1 exhibit 10. 1 employment and confidentiality agreement this employment and confidentiality agreement ( the " agreement " ) is made and entered into as of november 2, 2011 ( the " effective date " ) by and between community west bank, national association ( the “ bank ” ) and its parent company, community west bancshares, a california corporation ( the " parent " ) of which the bank is a wholly owned subsidiary and martin e. plourd ( the " executive " ). witnesseth : whereas, the bank is a national banking association duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the united states of america, with power to own property and carry on its business as it is now being conducted, with its principal place of business located at 445 pine street, goleta, california 93117 ; whereas, the bank desires to avail itself of the skill, knowledge and experience of executive ; whereas this agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of internal revenue code section 409a and the emergency economic stabilization act and the american recovery and reinvestment act and all federal and state regulations promulgated thereunder ( collectively, the “ tarp regulations ” ). accordingly, the intent of the parties hereto is that the agreement shall be operated and interpreted consistent with the requirements of section 409a and the tarp regulations. whereas, the parties hereto desire to enter an agreement to specify the terms of executive's employment by the bank and parent ; now, therefore, in consideration of the representations, warranties, and mutual covenants set forth in this agreement, the following terms and conditions shall apply to executive's employment with the bank and the parent on and after the effective date : 1. article 1 - employment and term 1. 1. employment. the bank shall employ executive as the bank's president and chief executive officer ( the " position " ), and executive accepts such employment, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement. the place of executive's employment under this agreement shall be in goleta, california, at a location determined by the board of directors of the bank ( the " board of directors " ). 1. 2. term. the term of employment under this agreement ( " term " ) shall commence on the effective date and end on december 31, 2014, subject to early termination, provided in article 4, below. 1. 3. renewal