Christopher M. Naghibi, a licensed attorney, real estate broker, and general contractor, serves as Executive Vice President - Chief Credit Officer of First Foundation Bank (NASDAQ: FFWM) with an expertise in large volume institutional operations. Mr. Naghibi is responsible for measuring and managing the aggregate risk in the Bank's loan portfolio by overseeing the bank’s real estate, consumer and commercial credit, monitoring, underwriting, processing and collection policies, procedures, and processes ensuring appropriate mitigation of the risks inherent in the portfolio.

Prior to First Foundation Bank, Mr. Naghibi gained experience in a myriad of unique lending platforms. His time with Impac Commercial Capital Corporation, U.S. Financial Services & Residential Realty, and First Fidelity Funding equipped Mr. Naghibi with strong credit skills and broad experience in multifamily, commercial and single-family residence real estate lending, private banking, consumer lending, and both small business and middle market lending. 

Mr. Naghibi graduated with a Juris Doctorate from Trinity Law School and received a Master of Business Administration from American Heritage University alongside two bachelor degrees. Mr. Naghibi is also a graduate of the Yale School of Management Global Executive Leadership Program.

He has been a speaker at leading industry events and contributes to the media on topics related to lending, financial technology, and real estate. He provides pro bono legal work for families in need and has worked with Habitat for Humanity to create unique loan programs helping to get deserving families into the home of their dreams in Hawaii, Las Vegas, and California. He has been working to expand his local non-profit support to support organizations that benefit children with rare diseases via his Gentlemen’s Coalition endeavor. As a board member for She Built This City, he is helping empower women of all ages in sparking interest in the construction and manufacturing trades.