DALLAS - First Foundation Inc . (NYSE: NYSE:FFWM), a financial services provider, has announced an equity investment totaling $228 million from a group of investors including affiliates of Fortress Investment Group, Canyon Partners, Strategic Value Bank Partners, North Reef Capital, and others. The transaction is set to close around July 8, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.
The investment will see the issuance of 11.3 million shares of common stock at $4.10 per share, alongside convertible preferred stock and seven-year warrants for Series C Non-Voting Common Equivalent Stock with a 25% premium to the common stock price. The preferred stock's issuance partly stems from the company's current lack of authorized unissued common stock, necessitating stockholder approval for an increase.
Simone Lagomarsino, Henchy Enden, Sam Edelson, and Ben Mackovak are slated to join the Board of Directors of First Foundation Bank at the investment's close, with regulatory approvals pending. Lagomarsino will also serve as President of the Bank.
Scott F. Kavanaugh, CEO of First Foundation, expressed confidence in the strategic equity raise's potential to strengthen the company's balance sheet and earnings. Drew McKnight of Fortress Investment Group highlighted the investment's role in positioning the company for long-term growth.
The transaction details include the need for stockholder approval to amend the company's Certificate of Incorporation to authorize more common stock and to comply with NYSE rules regarding the issuance of shares. Jefferies LLC is the financial advisor and placement agent, with various legal firms providing counsel to the involved parties.
First Foundation, with headquarters in Texas, offers a wide range of financial services and had $13.6 billion in assets as of March 31, 2024. The investment is expected to enhance the company's financial flexibility and support its growth objectives, particularly in expanding its deposit base, loan portfolio, and wealth management business.
InvestingPro Insights
In light of the recent equity investment in First Foundation Inc. (NYSE: FFWM), several metrics and insights from InvestingPro are particularly noteworthy. With a market capitalization of $372.41 million, the company is trading at a low Price / Book multiple of 0.4, indicating that the stock might be undervalued compared to its book value. This could be a factor of interest for value investors considering the company's stock following the strategic equity raise.
While First Foundation has experienced significant volatility, with a notable 22.31% return over the last week and a 64.22% return over the last year, it's important to note that the company has not been profitable over the last twelve months. However, analysts predict that First Foundation will be profitable this year, aligning with the company's own expectations for net income growth. This anticipated profitability and recent performance may suggest a turning point for the company as it seeks to expand its financial services.
InvestingPro Tips further reveal that analysts have recently revised their earnings expectations downwards for the upcoming period, which could be a consideration for investors looking at the short-term horizon. Additionally, the company's gross profit margins have been identified as weak, an aspect that investors might weigh against the potential benefits of the new equity investment.
For those interested in a deeper analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available at https://www.investing.com/pro/FFWM. Subscribers can use coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription, which includes access to comprehensive financial data and expert insights. With 8 more InvestingPro Tips listed for First Foundation Inc., investors can gain a more nuanced understanding of the company's financial position and outlook.
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