First Foundation CEO Departs, Interim CEO Appointed

TL;DR

First Foundation CEO Scott F. Vعل out, David A. DePillo steps in as interim. Compensatory details disclosed.

AI Summary

On March 26, 2026, First Foundation Inc. announced the departure of its Chief Executive Officer, Scott F. Vعل, and the appointment of David A. DePillo as interim CEO. The company also disclosed compensatory arrangements for Mr. Vعل related to his departure.

Why It Matters

The departure of a CEO and the appointment of an interim successor can signal significant strategic shifts or internal challenges within a company, impacting investor confidence and future performance.

Risk Assessment

Risk Level: medium — CEO departures often introduce uncertainty regarding leadership stability and future strategy, which can be a medium-level risk for investors.

Key Players & Entities

• First Foundation Inc. (company) — Filer of the 8-K report
• Scott F. Vعل (person) — Departing Chief Executive Officer
• David A. DePillo (person) — Appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer
• March 26, 2026 (date) — Effective date of the reported events

FAQ

Key Financial Figures

• $390,000 — nue to receive an annual base salary of $390,000, subject to increase at the discretion

Filing Documents

• tm2610118d1_8k.htm (8-K) — 31KB
• tm2610118d1_ex10-1.htm (EX-10.1) — 11KB
• tm2610118d1_ex10-2.htm (EX-10.2) — 94KB
• 0001104659-26-037217.txt ( ) — 326KB
• ffwm-20260326.xsd (EX-101.SCH) — 3KB
• ffwm-20260326_lab.xml (EX-101.LAB) — 33KB
• ffwm-20260326_pre.xml (EX-101.PRE) — 22KB
• tm2610118d1_8k_htm.xml (XML) — 3KB

02

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. On March 26, 2026, First Foundation Inc. (the "Company") and First Foundation Bank (the "Bank") entered into a First Amendment to Employment Agreement with Simone Lagomarsino, who currently serves as President and Chief Risk Officer of the Company and Bank (the "Lagomarsino Amendment"). The Lagomarsino Amendment amends that certain Employment Agreement dated February 11, 2025, by extending the term of Ms. Lagomarsino's employment thereunder until December 31, 2027. No other material changes were made to the terms of Ms. Lagomarsino's Employment Agreement. On March 26, 2026, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with James Britton, who currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank (the "Britton Agreement"). Pursuant to the Britton Agreement, Mr. Britton will continue to receive an annual base salary of $390,000, subject to increase at the discretion of the Board of Directors or its Compensation Committee, and may also receive a bonus in the Company's sole discretion. Mr. Britton will be able to participate in the other benefit programs of the Company available to executive employees generally. If Mr. Britton's employment is terminated without cause or Mr. Britton terminates his employment for good reason (in each case, as defined in the Britton Agreement), then he will be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to the lesser of (i) 12 months of his annual base salary and (ii) the aggregate base salary that would have been paid to him for the remainder of the term of the Agreement if such remaining term is shorter than 12 months. In the event of termination of Mr. Britton's employment due to his death, his beneficiaries will be paid an amount equal to 100% of his base annual salary at the rate in effect immediately prior to his death. If Mr. Britt

01

Item 8.01 Other Events. As previously reported, the Company and FirstSun Capital Bancorp ("FirstSun") jointly announced on March 12, 2026, the receipt of regulatory approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to complete the proposed merger of the Company with and into FirstSun. As a result, all necessary stockholder and bank regulatory approvals to complete the proposed merger have been obtained, and the Company expects the proposed merger will close on April 1, 2026.

Financial Statements and Exhibits

Financial Statements and Exhibits. Exhibit No. Description 10.1 First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated March 26, 2026, by and between the Company, the Bank and Simone Lagomarsino. 10.2 Employment Agreement, dated March 26, 2026, by and between the Company and James Britton. 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES

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: March 31, 2026 By: /s/ JAMES BRITTON James Britton Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

View Full Filing

View this 8-K filing on SEC EDGAR