Dallas-based First Foundation Inc., a financial services company with two subsidiaries, Irving, California-based First Foundation Bank and First Foundation Advisors, has appointed James Britton executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective August 14. Reporting to Scott F. Kavanaugh, president and CEO, Britton will lead the financial operations teams for First Foundation and its subsidiaries.

Britton brings more than 25 years of experience and joins First Foundation from Texas Security Bank where he served as executive vice president, chief financial officer and chief operating officer since 2022. Prior to that, he was executive vice president, director of corporate finance and director of investor relations for Texas Capital Bank from 2013 to 2022. At Texas Capital Bank, Britton oversaw several functions, including strategic and financial planning, financial forecasting and stress testing, as well as investor communications. He also served as group vice president, capital adequacy and stress testing for SunTrust Bank from 2006 to 2013. He began his career in Andersen Consulting’s/Accenture’s consulting practice, supporting a range of clients before moving to banking.

Britton received his MS degree in quantitative and computational finance from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a BS in mathematics from Arizona State University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst charter holder.

“With his deep experience in corporate finance, operations and investor relations, I am confident that he will advance our efforts as we navigate the current environment and continue to successfully implement strategic initiatives,” Kavanaugh says. “I would also like to thank Amy Djou for her service as interim chief financial officer and look forward to her continued leadership as senior vice president, chief accounting officer and deputy chief financial officer of First Foundation Bank.”

Established in 2007, First Financial Bank operates in Texas, California, Hawaii, Florida and Nevada.