# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001413837
**File Stem:** 0001104659-25-076175
**Filing Date:** 2025-8
**Character Count:** 11075
**Document Hash:** 1185f5b76c0b15142f33552b40f2b1c6
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001104659-25-076175.hdr.sgml**: 20250811

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001104659-25-076175

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 13

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20250811

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Regulation FD Disclosure

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20250811

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20250811

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** First Foundation Inc.
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001413837
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 02 Finance
- **EIN:** 000000000
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** CA
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-36461
- **FILM NUMBER:** 251202470

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 18101 VON KARMAN AVE
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 700
- **CITY:** IRVINE
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 92612
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 949-222-2030

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 18101 VON KARMAN AVE
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 700
- **CITY:** IRVINE
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 92612

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** KELLER FINANCIAL GROUP
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20071001

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'?

**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**Washington, D.C. 20549**

**FORM 8-K**

**CURRENT REPORT**

**Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the**

**Securities Exchange Act of 1934**

**Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 11, 2025**

**FIRST FOUNDATION INC.**

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Delaware** | **001-36461** | **20-8639702** |
| (State or other jurisdiction<br> of incorporation) | (Commission<br> File Number) | (IRS Employer<br> Identification Number) |

---

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **5221 North O'Connor Boulevard, Suite 1375** |  |
| **Irving, Texas** | **75039** |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |

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**(469) 638-9636**

(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

**N/A**

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

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:

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| |
|:---|
| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |

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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Title of each class** | **Trading Symbol(s)** | **Name of each exchange on which registered** |
| Common Stock | FFWM | New York Stock Exchange |

---

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 ◻

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻

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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.** |

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On August 11, 2025, First Foundation Inc. (the "Company") announced the appointment of Stuart Bernstein as Chief Banking Officer of First Foundation Bank (the "Bank"), the wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, effective August 11, 2025.

Mr. Bernstein, age 54, is a banking professional with experience across consumer and business banking, wealth management, investments, and residential lending. He most recently served as the Head of Branch and Private Client for Santander NA from 2021 to 2023, where he oversaw investments, mortgage production, and the private client program. Prior to his role with Santander, Mr. Bernstein spent over ten years with MUFG Union Bank, last serving as Head of Private Banking and Investment Sales from 2019 to 2020 where he led teams of private bankers and financial advisors across the western United States. Mr. Bernstein has also had roles with Bank of America/Countrywide Bank and Wells Fargo Bank. Mr. Bernstein is a graduate of the University of Southern California and the Graduate School of Banking at the Pacific Coast Banking School.

Mr. Bernstein will receive an annual base salary of $450,000. He may also receive a bonus of up to 100% of his annual base salary at the Bank's sole discretion, payable half in cash and half in restricted stock units or performance stock units. Mr. Bernstein may also participate in the other benefit programs of the Bank available to executive employees generally. In addition, the Company will enter into its standard indemnification agreement with Mr. Bernstein, the form of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this report and incorporated herein.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Bernstein and any other persons pursuant to which he was selected to his position with the Bank. There are no family relationships between Mr. Bernstein and any director or executive officer of the Company. No information is required to be disclosed with respect to Mr. Bernstein pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 7.01** | **Regulation FD Disclosure.** |

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On August 11, 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing the appointment of Mr. Bernstein as Chief Banking Officer. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

The information in this Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 9.01** | **Financial Statements and Exhibits.** |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit No.** | **Description** |
| [10.1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000155837025003129/ffwm-20241231xex10d13.htm) | [Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 17, 2025).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000155837025003129/ffwm-20241231xex10d13.htm) |
| [99.1](tm2523030d1_ex99-1.htm) | [Press Release, dated August 11, 2025](tm2523030d1_ex99-1.htm) |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |

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**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.

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | FIRST FOUNDATION INC. | FIRST FOUNDATION INC. |
| Date: August 11, 2025 | By: | /s/ JAMES BRITTON |
|  |  | James Britton |
|  |  | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |

---

## Exhibit 99.1

**Exhibit 99.1**

*First Foundation Bank Appoints Stuart Bernstein as Chief Banking Officer*

IRVINE, CA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- First Foundation Inc. (NYSE: FFWM), a financial services company with two wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, First Foundation Advisors ("FFA") and First Foundation Bank ("FFB"), is pleased to announce the appointment of Stuart Bernstein as Executive Vice President, Chief Banking Officer of FFB, effective August 11, 2025. In this role, Mr. Bernstein will oversee FFB's consumer services, business banking, and private client strategy.

"We are pleased to welcome Stuart to First Foundation's executive leadership team," said Thomas C. Shafer, CEO of First Foundation Inc. "His extensive experience leading multi-billion-dollar banking operations, along with a consistent focus on talent development and client engagement, makes him ideally suited to drive the next phase of our banking evolution."

Mr. Bernstein brings over 25 years of leadership experience across consumer banking, wealth management, and lending. Most recently, he served as Head of Branch and Private Client at Santander Bank, where he led a network of 500 branches across eight states, managed over $40 billion in deposits and $15 billion in client assets, and directed teams spanning financial advisory, mortgage, and private client channels.

"There's no easing in. I'm joining a team that's navigating change with purpose, and I'm here to accelerate that momentum from day one," said Mr. Bernstein.

Prior to Santander, Mr. Bernstein spent over a decade at MUFG Union Bank, serving in executive roles including Head of Private Banking and Investment Sales, Head of Residential Lending, and Head of Branch and Private Banking. His responsibilities included leading high-performing teams, launching digital banking initiatives, and managing portfolios exceeding $35 billion. He began his career at Wells Fargo and Bank of America in regional and national leadership roles. Mr. Bernstein holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Southern California and is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington.

About First Foundation

First Foundation Inc. (NYSE: FFWM) and its subsidiaries offer personal banking, business banking, and private wealth management services, including investment, trust, insurance, and philanthropy services. This comprehensive platform of financial services is designed to help clients at any stage in their financial journey. The broad range of financial products and services offered by First Foundation are more consistent with those offered by larger financial institutions, while its high level of personalized service, accessibility, and responsiveness to clients is more aligned with community banks and boutique wealth management firms. This combination of an integrated platform of comprehensive financial products and personalized service differentiates First Foundation from many of its competitors and has contributed to the growth of its client base and business. Learn more at firstfoundationinc.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.

**Media Contact:**<br> Colin Kapp, Director of Marketing<br> <u>ckapp@ff-inc.com</u> \| (949) 202-4100