First Foundation, a financial services company with two wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, First Foundation Advisors and First Foundation Bank, launched a municipal lending and public finance service offering with the appointment of Trevor Mael as vice president, director of Public Finance.

“As First Foundation Bank continues to expand, we continue to search for service and product offerings that complement our existing capabilities,” said Scott F. Kavanaugh, CEO. “The opportunity to offer municipal lending and government banking is a nice fit with our Sacramento location and comes at a time when we found a proven and well-connected leader in Trevor to lead this effort.”

Mael began his 10-plus years banking career with Umpqua Bank. His most recent4 role was vice president, relationship manager, where he managed the bank’s municipal finance portfolio. He has built a strong reputation as a banker committed to helping communities build and grow by utilizing bank-financing.

He comes to First Foundation Bank with experience also as an operator in loan administration, underwriting and credit, allowing him to effectively manage the loan process from application to funding.

The new offering will seek to focus on community development projects such as schools, transportation, infrastructure improvements, economic development, and other major projects to help grow and enrich the community. The initial offering by First Foundation Bank will include general financing for the needs of cities, counties, and special purpose districts across the First Foundation Bank footprint.

Based in Irvine, CA, First Foundation provides private wealth management, personal banking, and business banking.