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2026-02-25
2026-02-25
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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):
February 25, 2026
FIRST FOUNDATION INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its
charter)
| Delaware |
001-36461 |
20-8639702 |
(State
or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) |
(Commission
File Number) |
(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification Number) |
5221 North O’Connor
Boulevard, Suite 1375
Irving, Texas 75309
(Address of principal
executive offices and zip code)
(469) 638-9639
(Registrant’s telephone number, including
area code)
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:
| x |
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)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title
of each class |
|
Trading
Symbol(s) |
|
Name
of each exchange
on which registered |
| Common Stock, $.001 Par Value |
|
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 (17CFR
§ 230.405) or 12b-2 of the Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR § 240.12b-2).
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. ¨
Item 8.01 Other Events.
On February 25, 2026,
First Foundation Inc. (“First Foundation”) and FirstSun Capital Bancorp (“FirstSun”) jointly announced receipt
of regulatory approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to complete the merger of their respective bank subsidiaries,
First Foundation Bank and Sunflower Bank, N.A., as part of the previously announced merger between First Foundation and FirstSun (the
“merger”) pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated October 27, 2025, as amended (the “merger agreement”),
by and between FirstSun and First Foundation.
Completion of the merger remains
subject to receipt of regulatory approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, approval by the stockholders of First
Foundation and FirstSun at their respective stockholder meetings to be held on February 27, 2026, and the satisfaction or waiver
of the remaining customary closing conditions. The merger is currently expected to be completed early in the second quarter of 2026.
The joint press release is
attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) The following exhibit
index lists the exhibits that are either filed or furnished with this Current Report on Form 8-K:
Exhibit
Number |
|
Description |
| 99.1 |
|
Joint Press Release dated February 25, 2026. |
| 104 |
|
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this Current
Report on Form 8-K which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and hereby are identified as, forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not
limited to, statements regarding the expectations of First Foundation and FirstSun with respect to the expected timing of the closing
of the transaction. Words such as “expect,” “will,” “may,” “anticipate,” “intend,”
“opportunity,” “continue,” “should” and “could” and variations of such words and similar
expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and
assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence, which could cause actual
results to differ materially from anticipated results. Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions, include, among others, the following:
the failure of First Foundation or FirstSun to obtain the required stockholder approval, or the failure of either party to satisfy any
of the other closing conditions on a timely basis or at all, including receipt of regulatory approval from the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of one or both of
the parties to terminate the merger agreement; and the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against First Foundation
or FirstSun.
Further information regarding additional factors that could affect the forward-looking statements can be found in the cautionary
language included under the headings Forward-Looking Statements” (in the case of First Foundation), “Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements” (in the case of FirstSun) and “Risk Factors” in First Foundation’s and FirstSun’s
Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001413837/000155837025003129/ffwm-20241231x10k.htm
and https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001709442/000170944225000008/fcb-20241231.htm, respectively), and other documents
subsequently filed by First Foundation and FirstSun with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). First Foundation
and FirstSun disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this communication, which speak only
as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Additional Information About the Merger and
Where to Find It
This communication contains statements regarding
the proposed transaction between First Foundation and FirstSun. In connection with the proposed transaction, FirstSun filed a registration
statement on Form S-4 on December 11, 2025, as amended on January 14, 2026 (and which is available at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1709442/000155278126000014/e26019_fsun-s4a.htm),
to register FirstSun’s shares that will be issued to First Foundation’s stockholders in connection with the merger. The registration
statement includes a joint proxy statement of First Foundation and FirstSun and a prospectus of FirstSun, as well as other relevant documents
concerning the proposed transaction. The Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC on January 15, 2026 and First Foundation
filed a definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus on January 15, 2026 (and which is available at sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000155278126000021/e26028_ffwm-defm14a.htm)
and it was first mailed to First Foundation and FirstSun stockholders on January 16, 2026. First Foundation filed a proxy statement/prospectus
supplement on February 6, 2026 (and which is available at sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000155278126000041/e26048_ffwm-defa14a.htm)
and it was first mailed to First Foundation and FirstSun stockholders on February 9, 2026.
INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ
THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY SUPPLEMENTS THERETO REGARDING THE MERGER, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER
RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ON FORM S-4 AND THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING FIRST FOUNDATION, FIRSTSUN,
THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS.
This communication does not constitute an offer
to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of
securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under
the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
A free copy of the joint proxy statement/prospectus,
as well as other documents filed by First Foundation or FirstSun may be obtained at the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov.
Investors and security holders may also obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by (i) First Foundation on its website
at https://investor.ff-inc.com/investor-home/default.aspx under the Financials tab and then under the SEC Filings option, and (ii) FirstSun
on its website at https://ir.firstsuncb.com/overview/default.aspx under the Financials tab and then under the SEC Filings option.
Participants in the Solicitation
First Foundation, FirstSun and certain of their
directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders of First Foundation or FirstSun
in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of First Foundation and FirstSun
and other persons who may be deemed participants in the solicitation of the stockholders of First Foundation or FirstSun in connection
with the proposed transaction is included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus, which was filed by First Foundation with the SEC on
January 15, 2026 (and which is available at sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000155278126000021/e26028_ffwm-defm14a.htm). Information
about the directors and officers of First Foundation and their ownership of First Foundation common stock can be found in First Foundation’s
definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, including under the headings “Security Ownership
of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management”, “Election of Directors (Proposal No. 1)”, “Advisory Vote on
the Compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers (Proposal No. 4)”, “Compensation Committee Report”,
and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” as filed with the SEC on April 17, 2025 and available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001413837/000110465925036041/tm252563-3_def14a.htm,
and other documents subsequently filed by First Foundation with the SEC, including on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4
filed with the SEC, available at https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1413837&owner=exclude. Additional information regarding the
interests of participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or
otherwise, are included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus filed by First Foundation with the SEC on January 15, 2026 (which
is available at sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1413837/000155278126000021/e26028_ffwm-defm14a.htm). Information about the directors and officers
of FirstSun and their ownership of FirstSun common stock can be found in FirstSun’s definitive proxy statement in connection with
its 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, including under the headings “Director Experience”, “Biographical Information
for Executive Officers”, “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions”, “Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management”, “Executive Compensation” and “Compensation of Directors for Fiscal Year 2024”,
as filed with the SEC on March 21, 2025 and available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001709442/000170944225000020/fcb-20250321.htm,
and other documents subsequently filed by FirstSun with the SEC, including on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with
the SEC, available at https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1709442&owner=exclude. You may obtain free copies of these documents through
the website maintained by the SEC at https://www.sec.gov.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly
authorized.
| |
FIRST FOUNDATION INC. |
| |
|
|
| Date: February 25, 2026 |
By: |
/s/ Jamie Britton |
| |
Name: |
Jamie Britton |
| |
Title: |
Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 99.1
FirstSun Capital Bancorp and First Foundation
Inc. Announce Receipt of Regulatory Approval for Bank Merger
DENVER, CO and IRVING, TX--(DRAFT- NOT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) FirstSun
Capital Bancorp (“FirstSun”) (NASDAQ: FSUN) and First Foundation Inc. (“First Foundation”) (NYSE: FFWM) jointly
announced that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has approved the merger of their respective bank subsidiaries, Sunflower
Bank, N.A. and First Foundation Bank, with Sunflower Bank, N.A continuing as the surviving bank.
Completion of the merger of First Foundation with and into FirstSun
remains subject to receipt of regulatory approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, approval by the stockholders
of FirstSun and First Foundation at their respective stockholder meetings to be held on February 27, 2026, and the satisfaction or waiver
of other closing conditions. The merger is currently expected to be completed early in the second quarter of 2026.
About FirstSun Capital Bancorp
FirstSun Capital Bancorp (NASDAQ: FSUN), headquartered in Denver, Colorado,
is the financial holding company for Sunflower Bank, N.A., which operates as Sunflower Bank and First National 1870. Sunflower Bank provides
a full range of relationship-focused services to meet personal, business and wealth management financial objectives, with depository branches
in seven states and mortgage capabilities in 44 states. FirstSun had total consolidated assets of $8.5 billion as of December 31, 2025.
First National 1870 is a division of Sunflower Bank, N.A. To learn
more, visit ir.firstsuncb.com or SunflowerBank.com.
About First Foundation Inc.
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 and
has offices in California, Nevada, Florida, Texas, and Hawaii. 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
and X.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release which are not historical in nature
are intended to be, and hereby are identified as, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expectations of FirstSun
and First Foundation with respect to the expected timing of the closing of the transaction. Words such as “expect,” “will,”
“may,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “opportunity,” “continue,” “should,”
and “could” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent,
likelihood and degree of occurrence, which could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. Such risks, uncertainties
and assumptions, include, among others, the following: the failure of FirstSun or First Foundation to obtain the required stockholder
approval, or the failure of either party to satisfy any of the other closing conditions on a timely basis or at all, including receipt
of regulatory approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances
that could give rise to the right of one or both of the parties to terminate the merger agreement; and the outcome of any legal proceedings
that may be instituted against FirstSun or First Foundation.
Further information regarding additional factors that could affect
the forward-looking statements can be found in the cautionary language included under the headings “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements” (in the case of FirstSun), “Forward-Looking Statements” (in the case of First Foundation), and “Risk
Factors” in FirstSun’s and First Foundation’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (available
at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001709442/000170944225000008/fcb-20241231.htm and https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001413837/000155837025003129/ffwm-20241231x10k.htm,
respectively), and other documents subsequently filed by FirstSun and First Foundation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”). FirstSun and First Foundation disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained
in this communication, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except
as required by law.
Additional Information About the Merger and Where to Find It
This communication contains statements regarding the proposed transaction
between FirstSun and First Foundation. In connection with the proposed transaction, FirstSun filed a registration statement on Form S-4
on December 11, 2025, as amended on January 14, 2026 (and which is available at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1709442/000155278126000014/e26019_fsun-s4a.htm),
to register FirstSun’s shares that will be issued to First Foundation’s stockholders in connection with the merger. The registration
statement includes a joint proxy statement of FirstSun and First Foundation and a prospectus of FirstSun, as well as other relevant documents
concerning the proposed transaction. The Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC on January 15, 2026 and FirstSun filed
a definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus on January 15, 2026 (and which is available at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1709442/000155278126000019/e26025_fsun-424b3.htm)
and it was first mailed to FirstSun and First Foundation stockholders on January 16, 2026. FirstSun filed a proxy statement/prospectus
supplement on February 6, 2026 (and which is available at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1709442/000155278126000040/e26047_fsun-424b3.htm)
and it was first mailed to FirstSun and First Foundation stockholders on February 9, 2026.
INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE JOINT
PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY SUPPLEMENTS THERETO REGARDING THE MERGER, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC
IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS,
BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING FIRSTSUN, FIRST FOUNDATION, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS.
This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation
of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction
in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
A free copy of the joint proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other
documents filed by FirstSun or First Foundation may be obtained at the SEC’s Internet site at https://www.sec.gov. Investors and
security holders may also obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by (i) FirstSun on its website at https://ir.firstsuncb.com/overview/default.aspx
under the Financials tab and then under the SEC Filings option, and (ii) First Foundation on its website at https://investor.ff-inc.com/investor-home/default.aspx
under the Financials tab and then under the SEC Filings option.
Participants in the Solicitation
FirstSun, First Foundation and certain of their directors and executive
officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders of FirstSun or First Foundation in connection with
the proposed transaction. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of FirstSun and First Foundation and other persons
who may be deemed participants in the solicitation of the stockholders of FirstSun or First Foundation in connection with the proposed
transaction is included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus, which was filed by FirstSun with the SEC on January 15, 2026 (and which
is available at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1709442/000155278126000019/e26025_fsun-424b3.htm). Information about the
directors and officers of FirstSun and their ownership of FirstSun common stock can be found in FirstSun’s definitive proxy statement
in connection with its 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, including under the headings “Director Experience”, “Biographical
Information for Executive Officers”, “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions”, “Security Ownership
of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management”, “Executive Compensation”, and “Compensation of Directors for Fiscal
Year 2024”, as filed with the SEC on March 21, 2025 and available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001709442/000170944225000020/fcb-20250321.htm,
and other documents subsequently filed by FirstSun with the SEC, including on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the
SEC, available at https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1709442&owner=exclude. Information about the directors and officers of First
Foundation and their ownership of First Foundation common stock can be found in First Foundation’s definitive proxy statement in
connection with its 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, including under the headings “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management”, “Election of Directors (Proposal No. 1)”, “Advisory Vote on the Compensation of the Company’s
Named Executive Officers (Proposal No. 4)”, “Compensation Committee Report”, and “Certain Relationships and Related
Party Transactions” as filed with the SEC on April 17, 2025 and available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001413837/000110465925036041/tm252563-3_def14a.htm,
and other documents subsequently filed by First Foundation with the SEC, including on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed
with the SEC, available at https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1413837&owner=exclude. Additional information regarding the interests
of participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise,
are included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus filed by FirstSun with the SEC on January 15, 2026 (which is available at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1709442/000155278126000019/e26025_fsun-424b3.htm).
You may obtain free copies of these documents through the website maintained by the SEC at https://www.sec.gov.
Contacts
FirstSun Capital Bancorp
Ed Jacques
Director of Investor Relations & Business Development, FirstSun
Investor.Relations@firstsuncb.com
First Foundation Inc.
Jamie Britton
Chief Financial Officer
jbritton@ff-inc.com
