FirstSun Capital Bancorp and First Foundation Inc. Announce Receipt of Regulatory Approval for Bank Merger
MWN-AI** Summary
FirstSun Capital Bancorp (NASDAQ: FSUN) and First Foundation Inc. (NYSE: FFWM) have announced that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has granted regulatory approval for the merger of their banking subsidiaries, with Sunflower Bank, N.A. set to continue as the surviving entity. This development is a significant step forward for the merger, but the completion still requires further approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the stockholders of both companies at their upcoming meetings scheduled for February 27, 2026. The merger is anticipated to close in early Q2 2026, pending the satisfaction of additional closing conditions.
FirstSun Capital Bancorp, based in Denver, Colorado, oversees Sunflower Bank, which offers a wide range of banking services across seven states and mortgage capabilities nationally. As of December 31, 2025, FirstSun reported total consolidated assets of approximately $8.5 billion.
On the other hand, First Foundation Inc. offers comprehensive personal and business banking, as well as wealth management services, including investment, trust, and insurance services across the U.S., with offices in states like California and Texas. The firm’s unique value proposition lies in its combination of personalized service and an integrated platform of financial products typically associated with larger institutions.
This merger aims to enhance customer service and product offerings by leveraging the strengths of both institutions. However, investors are advised to consider potential risks and uncertainties associated with the merger process, as highlighted in the cautionary statements regarding forward-looking information. Both companies continue to engage with stakeholders to keep them informed about any developments related to the merger.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The recent announcement from FirstSun Capital Bancorp (NASDAQ: FSUN) and First Foundation Inc. (NYSE: FFWM) concerning the receipt of regulatory approval for their planned merger is a significant development in the banking sector. This merger, once fully realized, will combine the complementary strengths of both organizations: FirstSun's extensive branch network and diverse range of services from Sunflower Bank, and First Foundation's robust offerings in personal banking, wealth management, and boutique services.
From a market perspective, the approval by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is a positive indicator of regulatory sentiment towards the merger, suggesting that potential concerns about competition or market concentration are being addressed. However, both firms still need to secure approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and obtain stockholder consent, which can introduce uncertainty in the short term.
Investors should closely monitor developments leading up to the stockholder meetings set for February 27, 2026. Successful passage of these approvals can foster greater operational synergies and may lead to improved financial performance post-merger. With FirstSun's total consolidated assets reaching approximately $8.5 billion, the combined entity could yield significant economies of scale.
Furthermore, the merger aligns with the growing trend in the banking industry focusing on consolidation to increase efficiency and enhance service delivery. The market's initial reaction to the merger news may influence stock prices; thus, investors should remain vigilant about trading volumes and sentiment around both companies.
In conclusion, while the merger presents a compelling growth opportunity for both FirstSun and First Foundation, potential investors should remain cautious and evaluate the unfolding regulatory news and market reactions leading up to the stockholder votes.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
FirstSun Capital Bancorp (“FirstSun”) (NASDAQ: FSUN) and First Foundation Inc. (“First Foundation”) (NYSE: FFWM) jointly announced that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has approved the merger of their respective bank subsidiaries, Sunflower Bank, N.A. and First Foundation Bank, with Sunflower Bank, N.A continuing as the surviving bank.
Completion of the merger of First Foundation with and into FirstSun remains subject to receipt of regulatory approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, approval by the stockholders of FirstSun and First Foundation at their respective stockholder meetings to be held on February 27, 2026, and the satisfaction or waiver of other closing conditions. The merger is currently expected to be completed early in the second quarter of 2026.
About FirstSun Capital Bancorp
FirstSun Capital Bancorp (NASDAQ: FSUN), headquartered in Denver, Colorado, is the financial holding company for Sunflower Bank, N.A., which operates as Sunflower Bank and First National 1870. Sunflower Bank provides a full range of relationship-focused services to meet personal, business and wealth management financial objectives, with depository branches in seven states and mortgage capabilities in 44 states. FirstSun had total consolidated assets of $8.5 billion as of December 31, 2025.
First National 1870 is a division of Sunflower Bank, N.A. To learn more, visit ir.firstsuncb.com or SunflowerBank.com .
About First Foundation Inc.
First Foundation Inc. (NYSE: FFWM) and its subsidiaries offer personal banking, business banking, and private wealth management services, including investment, trust, insurance, and philanthropy services and has offices in California, Nevada, Florida, Texas, and Hawaii. 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 X .
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and hereby are identified as, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expectations of FirstSun and First Foundation with respect to the expected timing of the closing of the transaction. Words such as “expect,” “will,” “may,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “opportunity,” “continue,” “should,” and “could” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence, which could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions, include, among others, the following: the failure of FirstSun or First Foundation to obtain the required stockholder approval, or the failure of either party to satisfy any of the other closing conditions on a timely basis or at all, including receipt of regulatory approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of one or both of the parties to terminate the merger agreement; and the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against FirstSun or First Foundation.
Further information regarding additional factors that could affect the forward-looking statements can be found in the cautionary language included under the headings “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” (in the case of FirstSun), “Forward-Looking Statements” (in the case of First Foundation), and “Risk Factors” in FirstSun’s and First Foundation’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001709442/000170944225000008/fcb-20241231.htm and https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001413837/000155837025003129/ffwm-20241231x10k.htm , respectively), and other documents subsequently filed by FirstSun and First Foundation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). FirstSun and First Foundation disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this communication, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Additional Information About the Merger and Where to Find It
This communication contains statements regarding the proposed transaction between FirstSun and First Foundation. In connection with the proposed transaction, FirstSun filed a registration statement on Form S-4 on December 11, 2025, as amended on January 14, 2026 (and which is available at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1709442/000155278126000014/e26019_fsun-s4a.htm ), to register FirstSun’s shares that will be issued to First Foundation’s stockholders in connection with the merger. The registration statement includes a joint proxy statement of FirstSun and First Foundation and a prospectus of FirstSun, as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction. The Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC on January 15, 2026 and FirstSun filed a definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus on January 15, 2026 (and which is available at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1709442/000155278126000019/e26025_fsun-424b3.htm ) and it was first mailed to FirstSun and First Foundation stockholders on January 16, 2026. FirstSun filed a proxy statement/prospectus supplement on February 6, 2026 (and which is available at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1709442/000155278126000040/e26047_fsun-424b3.htm ) and it was first mailed to FirstSun and First Foundation stockholders on February 9, 2026.
INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY SUPPLEMENTS THERETO REGARDING THE MERGER, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING FIRSTSUN, FIRST FOUNDATION, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS.
This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
A free copy of the joint proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other documents filed by FirstSun or First Foundation, may be obtained at the SEC’s Internet site at https://www.sec.gov . Investors and security holders may also obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by (i) FirstSun on its website at https://ir.firstsuncb.com/overview/default.aspx under the Financials tab and then under the SEC Filings option, and (ii) First Foundation on its website at https://investor.ff-inc.com/investor-home/default.aspx under the Financials tab and then under the SEC Filings option.
Participants in the Solicitation
FirstSun, First Foundation and certain of their directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders of FirstSun or First Foundation in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of FirstSun and First Foundation and other persons who may be deemed participants in the solicitation of the stockholders of FirstSun or First Foundation in connection with the proposed transaction is included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus, which was filed by FirstSun with the SEC on January 15, 2026 (and which is available at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1709442/000155278126000019/e26025_fsun-424b3.htm ). Information about the directors and officers of FirstSun and their ownership of FirstSun common stock can be found in FirstSun’s definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, including under the headings “Director Experience”, “Biographical Information for Executive Officers”, “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions”, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management”, “Executive Compensation”, and “Compensation of Directors for Fiscal Year 2024”, as filed with the SEC on March 21, 2025 and available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001709442/000170944225000020/fcb-20250321.htm , and other documents subsequently filed by FirstSun with the SEC, including on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC, available at https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1709442&owner=exclude . Information about the directors and officers of First Foundation and their ownership of First Foundation common stock can be found in First Foundation’s definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, including under the headings “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management”, “Election of Directors (Proposal No. 1)”, “Advisory Vote on the Compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers (Proposal No. 4)”, “Compensation Committee Report”, and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” as filed with the SEC on April 17, 2025 and available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001413837/000110465925036041/tm252563-3_def14a.htm , and other documents subsequently filed by First Foundation with the SEC, including on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC, available at https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1413837&owner=exclude . Additional information regarding the interests of participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, are included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus filed by FirstSun with the SEC on January 15, 2026 (which is available at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1709442/000155278126000019/e26025_fsun-424b3.htm ). You may obtain free copies of these documents through the website maintained by the SEC at https://www.sec.gov .
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224494019/en/
FirstSun Capital Bancorp
Ed Jacques
Director of Investor Relations & Business Development, FirstSun
Investor.Relations@firstsuncb.com
First Foundation Inc.
Jamie Britton
Chief Financial Officer
jbritton@ff-inc.com
FAQ**
How will the integration of First Foundation Inc. (FFWM) into FirstSun Capital Bancorp impact the overall financial health and asset management strategies of FirstSun post-merger?
What specific regulatory approvals are still required for the merger of First Foundation Inc. (FFWM) and FirstSun Capital Bancorp to move forward as scheduled?
Considering the personalized service model of First Foundation Inc. (FFWM), how will FirstSun Capital Bancorp maintain this differentiation post-merger?
What are the potential risks or challenges that FirstSun expects to face with the merger of First Foundation Inc. (FFWM) during the closing process?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about FirstSun Capital Bancorp (NASDAQ: FSUN).
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