Financial Performance & Strategic Transformation - First Foundation reported a net loss in Q2 2025, largely due to $12.1 million pre-tax impacts from loan sales[13] - Adjusting for loan transactions, the company's "core" EPS was $0.01[13] - Core PPNR was $3.6 million in Q2 2025, compared to $9.7 million in Q1 2025[13] - The company successfully sold $858 million of CRE loans during Q2 2025[8, 12] Asset Quality & Capital Management - Net charge-offs were less than 1 bps (0.00%) in Q2 2025, indicating strong credit performance[13] - Total nonperforming assets decreased by 9.1% compared to Q1 2025, reaching $40.8 million, or 0.35% of total assets[22] - CET1 ratio improved to 11.08% in Q2 2025, compared to 10.63% in Q1 2025 and 9.68% in Q3 2024[13] Deposit & Funding Strategy - Higher-cost MSR deposits were reduced by $0.5 billion, a 50% decrease, and wholesale deposits decreased by $0.2 billion, a 9% decrease[13] - The company exited $540 million of higher-cost MSR deposits (~4.60%) following loan transactions[32] - 60% of the $1.4 billion brokered CD portfolio is scheduled to mature over the next 18 months, with a weighted average interest rate of ~4.9%[32]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Earnings per share increased for the fourth consecutive quarter, reaching $1.60, up by $0.09 compared to the linked quarter [16] - Net interest income (NII) expanded by $3.9 million, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of growth, while net interest margin (NIM) increased by seven basis points [17][18] - Capital ratios improved, with Tier one capital at 14.2% and total risk-based capital at 15.2% [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The loan portfolio is balanced between consumer (56% or $7.9 billion) and commercial loans (44% or $6.1 billion), with a significant portion secured by real estate [11][12] - Consumer loans predominantly consist of residential mortgages and home equity, with a weighted average loan-to-value (LTV) of 48% [11] - Commercial real estate loans account for $4 billion, representing 29% of total loans, with low vacancy rates supporting a stable market [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Hawaii's employment continues to outperform the broader U.S. economy, with visitor expenditures up 6.5% year-to-date and arrivals up 2.8% through May [8] - Residential real estate prices in Hawaii are stable, with single-family home prices rising modestly and condo prices down 0.5% year-to-date [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company maintains a unique business model focused on the local market, leveraging a strong brand position to effectively price deposits [6][7] - The strategy includes a focus on deposit remixing from lower yielding to higher yielding deposits while maintaining overall deposit levels [7] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving a net interest margin of 2.50% by year-end, with expectations for continued growth in NII and NIM [32] - The company anticipates modest loan growth and plans to continue growing its securities portfolio [34] Other Important Information - Non-interest income increased to $44.8 million, with a one-time gain of approximately $800,000 related to a BOLI recovery [22] - Non-interest expense was $110.8 million, with a severance charge of $1.4 million included in this quarter [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Margin path expectations - Management believes a net interest margin of 2.50% is achievable, with no obstacles anticipated [32] Question: Balance sheet growth and securities - The company expects to continue growing its securities portfolio, investing excess liquidity into it [34] Question: Trends in commercial and industrial loans - Commercial loan performance was disappointing, with a flat linked quarter, but management sees potential for improvement as market clarity increases [44] Question: Deposit dynamics and DDA growth - Management is focused on building demand deposits, which are high-margin products, but acknowledges the competitive landscape [48] Question: Expense growth expectations - The company expects a 2% to 3% increase in expenses for the year, with a potential step back in the second half [52] Question: Capital priorities and buybacks - The company plans to maintain its buyback position until there is more clarity on the economy [54] Question: Expected cash flows from securities and loans - Expected cash flows from the securities book are projected to be around $550 million [58]