Denver-based FirstSun Capital Bancorp is acquiring Irving, Texas-based First Foundation Inc. for $785 million. .Expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, the all-stock deal will create a $17 billion regional bank. The $11.6 billion First Foundation Inc. is the holding company of First Foundation Bank, which has branches in Texas, Southern California, Florida, Hawaii and Nevada. A company with $8.5 billion in assets, Denver-based FirstSun Capital Bancorp is the parent company of Dallas-based Sunflower Bank. The combined banks are expected to continue operating under the FirstSun and Sunflower Bank names. FirstSun Executive Chair Mollie Hale Carter, CEO, President and Director Neal Arnold, and CFO Rob Cafera are expected to remain in their roles. First Foundation CEO Tom Shafer is expected to be vice chair of the combined company, with five First Foundation directors joining the new board. “This merger represents an exciting opportunity to strengthen our platform for long-term, sustainable growth,” Carter said. “Together, FirstSun and First Foundation will form a premier regional bank with a powerful footprint across some of the most dynamic markets in the country.”Little Rock, Ark.-based Stephens Inc. was financial advisor to FirstSun, with legal counsel from Columbia, S.C.-based Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP. First Foundation was advised by New York City-based Keefe, Bruyette & Woods and global investment bank Jefferies LLC, with Atlanta-based Alston & Bird LLP as legal counsel.
