FFWM faces leadership shift as bank COO exits unexpectedly

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

First Foundation (NYSE:FFWM) filed a Form 8-K (Item 5.02) disclosing that Christopher Naghibi, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of First Foundation Bank, notified the company on June 23 2025 of his resignation, effective July 8 2025.

The filing provides no reason for the departure, no severance details and no information on a successor, leaving a key operational post vacant at the wholly-owned bank subsidiary.

• Resignation affects bank-level COO role, a critical position for day-to-day operations and strategic execution.
• Chief Financial Officer James Britton signed the report on June 27 2025.

Positive

• None.

Negative

• Unexpected resignation of bank subsidiary’s EVP & COO Christopher Naghibi effective July 8, 2025 with no successor named.

Insights

Corporate Governance Expert

TL;DR: COO exit creates operational void; lack of succession plan heightens risk.

The 8-K confirms that Christopher Naghibi, EVP & COO of First Foundation Bank, will depart on July 8 2025. As the bank’s top operations executive, he oversees core banking processes, technology and risk controls; his abrupt resignation therefore removes a pivotal leader just as regional banks face tight margin and compliance pressures. The filing does not outline a transition plan, successor, severance, or cause—information investors need to judge continuity. Absence of such details raises questions about board preparedness and potential underlying issues. Until a capable replacement is announced, analysts may model execution drift, slower project timelines and higher operating costs. Because the disclosure yields uncertainty without offsetting positives, the near-term governance and operational impact skews negative.

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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): June 23, 2025

FIRST FOUNDATION INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	001-36461	20-8639702
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification Number)

5221 North O’Connor Boulevard, Suite 1375
Irving, Texas		75039
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

(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:

¨	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		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. ¨

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On June 23, 2025, Christopher Naghibi informed First Foundation Inc. (the “Company”) of his resignation, to be effective July 8, 2025. Mr. Naghibi is currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of First Foundation Bank, the wholly-owned bank subsidiary of the Company.

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. 

	FIRST FOUNDATION INC.
Date: June 27, 2025	By:	/s/ JAMES BRITTON
		James Britton
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

FAQ

Which executive is resigning from First Foundation (FFWM)?

The filing reports the resignation of Christopher Naghibi, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of First Foundation Bank.

When will Christopher Naghibi’s resignation become effective?

His resignation is effective July 8 2025.

Did First Foundation (FFWM) name a successor for the COO position?

No successor or interim COO was identified in the 8-K filing.

Did the company provide a reason for the COO’s departure?

The 8-K does not disclose any reason or note any disagreement relating to Mr. Naghibi’s resignation.

Are there any compensatory arrangements linked to the resignation?

The filing mentions no severance, bonus, or other compensatory arrangements associated with Mr. Naghibi’s departure.