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 27, 2018

FIRST FOUNDATION INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

18101 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 700

Irvine, California 92612

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(949) 202-4160

(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:

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. ☐

On February 27, 2018, the Board of Directors of First Foundation Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Martha N. Corbett, CPA to serve as a director of the Company, effective immediately.  Ms. Corbett was also appointed to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, First Foundation Bank (the “Bank”).  In addition, Ms. Corbett was appointed to serve as a member of Audit Committee and Compensation Committee. Ms. Corbett’s initial term will expire on the date of the Company’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Ms. Corbett was not appointed to serve as a director pursuant to any arrangement or understanding with any person, and is not a participant in any related party transaction required to be reported under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

In connection with Ms. Corbett’s appointment to the Board of Directors, Ms. Corbett will receive the standard compensation received by non-employee directors, which compensation was last described in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 26, 2017, and is incorporated herein by reference.  The Company will also enter into its standard form of indemnification agreement with Ms. Corbett.

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.