First Foundation, a financial services company with two wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, First Foundation Advisors and First Foundation Bank, which collectively provide investment management, wealth planning, consulting, insurance, trust and banking services primarily to high net-worth individuals and businesses, today announced the launch of its Equipment Finance Department, located at the bank’s headquarters in Irvine, California.

The new offering was created to deliver greater value to clients by providing equipment finance and leasing services to both existing and new clients.

The launch coincides with the appointment of Mike Mayfield, who will lead the department build out and serve as Senior Vice President. A 25-year veteran of the banking industry, Mr. Mayfield previously served as a Managing Member of Commercial Finance Company LLC and President of Golden West Financial Services, a subsidiary of Citizens Business Bank.

“The equipment finance offering enhances an important element of our banking platform and gives us an opportunity to serve our clients in new ways,” said Scott F. Kavanaugh, CEO of First Foundation. “Not only does it allow us to deepen our relationship with existing clients, it also provides us new opportunities to serve others.”

The new offering will leverage relationships with third-party originations as the primary driver of growth and is aimed at improving the client experience of the traditional model.

“I have been impressed with what First Foundation is doing for its clients and I am honored at the opportunity to add to the strength of its respected platform,” stated Mr. Mayfield. “To be able to offer equipment financing truly rounds out the bank offering.”

Aside from Mike Mayfield, the Equipment Finance Department will be anchored by two additional members. Mr. Mayfield will be joined by Steve Tidland, who will serve as a full-time consultant to the bank. Mr. Tidland joins First Foundation after serving as Senior Vice President of the Commercial Leasing Department of Financial Pacific Leasing. Also, Bree Johnson will join the team as Lease Operations Manager. Previously, Ms. Johnson was Operations Supervisor for the Commercial Leasing Department of Financial Pacific Leasing.

Mr. Kavanaugh added, “We feel that we are uniquely positioned to serve this specialty area of finance and the launch of this effort is perfectly aligned with the vision of our firm to offer solutions that contribute to the wealth and well-being of our clients.”