Stuart Bernstein serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Banking Officer for First Foundation Bank, where he leads the Bank’s strategy and execution across consumer, business banking, and private client services. With a career spanning more than 25 years in diversified financial services, Stuart is known for driving rapid growth, launching new business strategies, and enhancing client experiences across multiple lines of business.
Most recently, Stuart was Head of Branch and Private Client at Santander Bank, where he oversaw a 500-branch network across eight states in the Northeast and Florida, along with residential lending, investment production, and private client services. His prior leadership roles include senior positions at MUFG Union Bank, where he led private banking, investment sales, residential lending, and branch banking operations, as well as earlier executive roles at Bank of America and Wells Fargo. Throughout his career, Stuart has managed business lines encompassing small business banking, wealth management, residential lending, and digital banking – building high-performing teams and delivering consistent revenue growth.
A Southern California native, Stuart earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Southern California and is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. He is also active in his community, having volunteered for a decade with the Orangewood Children’s Foundation.