Summary: First Foundation Bank (FFB) is a California-based bank that provides consumer and commercial banking products as well as private wealth management services. The bank was founded in 2008, although its roots date back to 1990, when it initially provided wealth management services to individuals and businesses in Orange County. Today, it operates a small number of branches in California, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada and Texas, and offers online accounts.
First Foundation Bank offers three checking account options.
Personal check: A personal checking account requires a minimum open deposit of $100, but no minimum balance is required. There is no monthly fee, either. However, this account does not earn interest.
Personal Interest Check: This checking account with interest also requires a minimum open deposit of $100. Its monthly fee is $20 and can be waived by keeping the minimum daily balance of $2,500.
Advanced Interest Check: This with interest account is designed for clients aged 55 and older. Avoid monthly fees or earning the minimum balance of the highest interest rate without requiring a minimum balance. It also comes with free checks.
First Foundation Bank reimburse ATM fees (nationally) to check account customers up to $20 per transaction.
First Foundation Bank offers a variety of savings accounts tailored to meet different financial goals and preferences.
Personal savings: This traditional savings account requires a minimum open balance of $100. Monthly maintenance costs are $3 and can be waived by maintaining a minimum daily balance of $250 or more.
Advanced Savings: This savings amount is $100 for customers aged 55 and older. It also charges a maintenance fee of $3 per month, which can be waived by maintaining a minimum daily balance of $250 or more.
Save online: Online savings accounts offer competitive interest rates (APY was 4.25% as of May 2025) without monthly fees. However, it does require a larger minimum open deposit of $1,000.
First Foundation offers personal and online currency market accounts. Both accounts will give you debit cards and check writing access while earning high balance gains. The APY for an online currency market account is 4.25% (minimum deposit $1,000), ranking it as the best currency market account available today.
Additionally, the First Foundation Bank’s money market account does not have monthly maintenance fees. They also offer ATM fees to repay when using a debit card.
First Foundation Bank offers a variety of CDs, including two (four and 12-month terms) that you can open online. CD requires a minimum deposit of $2,500.
This merged content is not available in your geographic area.
Here are the common expenses you may incur as your first foundation bank client:
While the bank has some attractive offers, consider these pros and cons before opening an account.
advantage
Competitive interest rate for deposits: Savings, CD and money market accounts yield the best today.
Online accounts do not have monthly fees: The bank's several accounts, including its online account, have no monthly fees.
Generous ATM Fee Repayment: The first foundation paid up to $20 in ATM fees per transaction. There is no monthly limit on reimbursement.
shortcoming
The minimum deposit requirement is higher: Several accounts have minimum open deposit or monthly balance requirements to avoid monthly maintenance fees.
Limited branch access: FFB has 31 branches in California, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada and Texas. Some of its products can only be opened in person.
There are several contact methods for FFB.
You can email the digital banking team at newaccount@ff-inc.com.
Telephone support is available from Monday to Thursday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm PT from 5:00 pm to 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, and from Saturday from 6:00 am to 2:30 pm pt. The contact number is 888-405-4332.
First Foundation Bank's app reviews are mostly positive reviews, with a 4.1 Star on the Google Play Store and a 4.6 Star on the Apple App Store. Many users say the app is easy to use and intuitive, while some report various technical issues.
The app allows you to quickly browse your account, view statements, transfer currencies, pay bills and deposit checks. While banking apps are often focused on banking activities, FBB's app also allows you to link external accounts to budgetary purposes.
The company headquarters of the First Foundation is located at the following address:
18101 Von Karman Ave., Suite 750
Irving, CA 92612
For phone support, please call 888-405-4332.
Yes, the first foundation banks received up to $250,000 in insurance for each depositor in each ownership category.
The route number of the First Foundation Bank is 122287581.
As an FDIC insurance bank, FFB is very safe. Your money is insured to allowable limits.
Yes, the First Foundation Bank is real. This is a California-based bank with physical locations in five states.
First Foundation Bank is a relatively small bank. As of March 31, 2025, it owns $12.6 billion in banking assets and $5.1 billion in consulting assets. It has 562 employees and 31 branches.