First Western Financial (NASDAQ: MYFW) gets Fed nod for $5M buyback

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

First Western Financial, Inc. is launching a new stock repurchase plan, authorizing buybacks of up to $5,000,000 of its common stock. The Board approved the plan on April 22, 2026, and the Federal Reserve Board stated on April 29, 2026 that it has no objection.

The repurchase plan will be effective for one year beginning June 12, 2026, when the company’s current active repurchase plan expires. The company may buy shares in open-market trades, privately negotiated deals, or through Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, but is not required to repurchase any specific amount and can change or end the plan at any time.

Insights

Bank equity and capital management analyst

First Western adds a new $5M, Fed‑cleared stock repurchase plan with flexible execution.

First Western Financial obtained Board authorization to repurchase up to $5,000,000 of common stock and received a “no objection” from the Federal Reserve Board. For regulated banks, this clearance is important because capital returns are constrained by supervisory oversight.

The one-year term beginning on June 12, 2026 gives the company time to execute repurchases after the current plan expires. Purchases can occur via open-market trades, privately negotiated transactions, or under Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, which allow pre-scheduled buying within securities law frameworks.

The company is not obligated to repurchase a set dollar amount or share count and may extend, modify, or discontinue the plan without notice. Actual impact on share count and capital levels will depend on how much of the $5,000,000 capacity management ultimately uses during the one-year window.

8-K Event Classification

2 items: 8.01, 9.01

2 items

Item 8.01 Other Events Other

Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Key Figures

Repurchase authorization: $5,000,000 Fed no-objection date: April 29, 2026 Plan effectiveness date: June 12, 2026 +1 more

4 metrics

Repurchase authorization $5,000,000 Maximum common stock buyback under new plan

Fed no-objection date April 29, 2026 Date Federal Reserve raised no objection to plan

Plan effectiveness date June 12, 2026 Start of one-year repurchase period

Plan duration 1 year Effective from June 12, 2026, replacing active plan

Key Terms

Repurchase Plan, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Rule 10b5-1

3 terms

Repurchase Plan financial

"Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $5,000,000 of the Company’s common stock ... (the “Repurchase Plan”)."

A repurchase plan is a company program to buy back its own shares from the market, reducing the number of shares available to investors. Like a store taking products off the shelf to make each remaining item more valuable, buybacks can boost earnings per share and signal management’s confidence, which may raise the stock price; they also change how company profits are divided among shareholders and affect cash reserves.

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System regulatory

"the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System advised the Company that it has no objection"

A seven-member federal agency that leads the U.S. central bank system and sets key interest rates and rules for banks, acting like the steering committee that guides the country’s money supply and financial stability. Investors watch its decisions because changes in interest rates and bank rules affect borrowing costs, corporate profits, stock valuations and overall market confidence, similar to how a change in road signals alters traffic flow and travel times.

Rule 10b5-1 regulatory

"including pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission"

Rule 10b5-1 is a regulation that allows company insiders to buy or sell their shares at predetermined times, even if they have access to non-public information. It acts like setting a schedule in advance for transactions, helping prevent accusations of unfair trading. This rule provides a way for insiders to plan trades transparently, giving investors confidence that these transactions are not based on hidden information.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

0001327607FALSE00013276072026-05-042026-05-04

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): May 04, 2026

FIRST WESTERN FINANCIAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Colorado			001-38595			37-1442266
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)			(Commission File Number)			(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1900 16th Street, Suite 1200 Denver, Colorado						80202
(Address of principal executive offices)						(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 303.531.8100

Former name or former address, if changed since last report: Not Applicable

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:

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

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).

o			Emerging growth company
o			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.

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

Title of each class			Trading Symbol			Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, no par value			MYFW			NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Item 8.01    Other Events.

On April 22, 2026, First Western Financial, Inc's. (the “Company”) Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $5,000,000 of the Company’s common stock, no par value, from time to time (the “Repurchase Plan”). On April 29, 2026, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System advised the Company that it has no objection to the Company’s Repurchase Plan. The Repurchase Plan is effective for one year beginning June 12, 2026, the date the active Repurchase Plan expires. The Company may repurchase shares in privately negotiated transactions, in the open market, including pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or otherwise in a manner that complies with applicable federal securities laws. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to acquire a specific dollar amount or number of shares and it may be extended, modified or discontinued at any time without notice.

Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)    Exhibits.

Exhibit Number						Description
104						Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded in the Inline XBRL document)

2

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, thereunto duly authorized.

						FIRST WESTERN FINANCIAL, INC.
Date: May 4, 2026						By: /s/ David R. Weber
						David R. Weber
						Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

3

FAQ

What did First Western Financial (MYFW) announce in this Form 8-K?

First Western Financial announced Board authorization for a new stock repurchase plan of up to $5,000,000 of common stock. The plan has regulatory clearance from the Federal Reserve and will run for one year after the current repurchase program expires on June 12, 2026.

How large is First Western Financial’s new stock repurchase plan?

The new stock repurchase plan authorizes First Western Financial to buy back up to $5,000,000 of its common stock. This amount is a maximum authorization, not a commitment, meaning the company may ultimately repurchase less depending on market conditions and internal capital priorities.

When does First Western Financial’s new repurchase plan start and end?

The repurchase plan becomes effective on June 12, 2026 and runs for one year. This start date aligns with the expiration of the company’s existing active repurchase plan, providing continuity in its ability to repurchase shares over the subsequent twelve months.

Did regulators approve First Western Financial’s repurchase plan?

Yes. On April 29, 2026, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System advised First Western Financial that it has no objection to the new repurchase plan, clearing a key regulatory step often required for bank holding companies returning capital to shareholders.

How can First Western Financial execute repurchases under the new plan?

First Western Financial may repurchase shares in open-market transactions, privately negotiated deals, or through trading plans under Rule 10b5-1. These methods allow repurchases to occur over time while complying with federal securities laws and internal capital and liquidity considerations.

Is First Western Financial required to buy a specific number of shares?

No. The company is not obligated to acquire any specific dollar amount or number of shares under the plan. Management can extend, modify, or discontinue the repurchase program at any time without notice, providing flexibility to respond to evolving conditions and strategic needs.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA DOCUMENT 1.7 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE DOCUMENT 22.0 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT 12.7 KB