First Foundation Inc. Named to Piper Sandler’s Sm-All Stars: Class of 2022

Marking the second year in a row First Foundation has received this recognition

First Foundation Inc. (NASDAQ: FFWM), a financial services company with two wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, First Foundation Advisors and First Foundation Bank, today announced it has been named to the Piper Sandler Sm-All Stars: Class of 2022, marking the second year the bank has received this recognition.

The Piper Sandler Sm-All Stars list identifies 35 of the highest performing small-cap banks and thrifts in the country, with the objective of “uncovering the next crop of stellar mid-cap banks before they are discovered by the rest of the world,” according to their report.

To earn Sm-All Star status, companies needed to have a market cap below $2.5 billion and clear numerous hurdles related to growth, profitability, credit quality, and capital strength. Against industry medians, banks needed to out-perform in each of the following four metrics, among other qualifications: EPS Growth, Loan Growth, Deposit Growth and ROAE. In all, Piper Sandler’s rigorous screening methodology eliminated 327 institutions, or 90% of banks and thrifts that trade on a major exchange.

“The performance metrics of the remaining 35 institutions are outstanding, with the Class of 2022 delivering bottom line results that are markedly better than the industry as a whole,” per the report. “While other factors, such as valuation and risk, should be used in making investment decisions, we believe that the Sm-All Stars approach represents a valid starting point in identifying high quality small-cap companies.”

Scott F. Kavanaugh, Chief Executive Officer, First Foundation Inc. stated, “It is an incredible honor to be named to Piper Sandler’s Sm-All Star Class for the second year in a row. We work extremely hard to achieve stellar results for our shareholders, clients and all our constituencies, whom we could not have done this without. I continue to be more excited than ever about where we are today and what we can accomplish in the years ahead.”

About First Foundation

First Foundation Inc. (NASDAQ: 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 and Twitter.

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Media Contact: Shannon Wherry Director of Corporate Communications [e-mail] [phone]