First Foundation Advisors

CRD#106075
Investment Advisor Firm

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Learn more about First Foundation Advisors

  • Overview
  • By the Numbers
  • Products and Services
  • Fee Structure
  • Types of Clients
  • Disclosures
  • State Registrations
  • Office Locations
  • Firm Advisors

    • Overview

    First Foundation Advisors is located at 18101 Von Karman Ave, Irvine, CA. The firm employs 36 financial advisors to manage client portfolios and provide financial guidance. First Foundation Advisors is not a registered broker-dealer.

    First Foundation Advisors oversees $5.2 billion in assets under management across 4,065 accounts, of which 4,037 are discretionary and 28 are non-discretionary. Over the past year, the firm has provided financial planning services to between 11 and 25 clients. The services offered include financial planning services, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, portfolio management for investment companies, and selection of other advisers. The firm caters to retail investors, high net worth investors, banking institutions, investment companies, charitable organizations, and corporations, with high net worth investors being the largest client type by accounts. The fee structure at First Foundation Advisors includes asset-based, hourly, fixed, and performance-based fees. The firm has 762 high net worth clients and maintains affiliations with a banking or thrift institution and an insurance company or agency.

    First Foundation Advisors is registered in the states of Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, North Carolina, Minnesota, and New Hampshire.

    Assets Under Management

    $5.2 billion

    Number of Advisors

    36

    Disclosures

    No

    Office Location

    18101 Von Karman Ave
    Irvine, CA 92612-1051

    First Foundation Advisors by the Numbers

    Total Assets Under Management

    $5.2 billion

    National Average: $8.6 billion
    Total Number of Employees

    67

    National Average: 64
    Total Number of Accounts

    4,065

    National Average: 375,227
    Average Account Size

    $1.3 million

    National Average: $23.0 thousand
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    Products and Services

    First Foundation Advisors provides a variety of services, including financial planning services, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, portfolio management for investment companies, and selection of other advisers. In the past fiscal year, First Foundation Advisors provided 45621 of its accounts with financial planning services. The Company does not sell products or offer services aside from investment advice to its investment advisory customers.

    Core Advisor Services

    • Offered by 31% of firms

      Financial Planning Services

      This is the process of planning for your financial future, including for events such as retirement, your child's college education or estate succession.

    • Offered by 46% of firms

      Portfolio Management

      This is the selection and management of an investment mix and portfolio strategy for individuals and small businesses.

    • Find a firm that offers this service

      Market Timing Services

      This is the practice of attempting to make short-term profits on investments by buying low and selling high.

    Other Services

    • Offered by 20% of firms

      Selection of Other Advisors

      This is the firm's assistance with choosing other advisors to work with who may have different specialties.

    • Find a firm that offers this service

      Publication of Periodicals

      This is the publication of various financial education materials.

    • Find a firm that offers this service

      Educational Seminars/Workshops

      This is the hosting of seminars or workshops to educate investors on financial concepts.

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    Fee Structure

    A financial advisor's fees typically depend on the financial services offered. Fees billed by First Foundation Advisors most likely consist of some combination of the following fee types: asset-based, hourly, fixed, or performance-based.

    Available

    • Offered by 69% of firms

      Percentage of Assets

      Show Explanation

      This fee, which is the most common fee type charged by advisors for portfolio management, is based on the amount of assets you have under management. Also referred to as an asset-based fee, this fee typically ranges from 0.50%-2.00% of AUM annually. You'll typically pay a lower rate the more assets you have under management.

    • Offered by 21% of firms

      Hourly

      Show Explanation

      Like a lawyer, a financial advisor may charge you by the hour. This can be helpful if you are only looking for short-term or one-time advice. Rates typically range from $100-$300 per hour, depending on the complexity and level of services needed.

    • Offered by 26% of firms

      Performance-based

      Show Explanation

      Advisors only earn performance-based fees if a portfolio outperforms a defined benchmark. This fee may be calculated in a number of ways but most commonly is charged as a percentage of investment profits. Performance-based fees may incentivize advisors to make riskier decisions in order to generate higher returns.

    • Offered by 32% of firms

      Fixed

      Show Explanation

      Fixed fees are a one-time, lump sum charged for a specific service, like the creation of a financial plan without subsequent implementation. This can be useful if you only need advice for one specific purpose, rather than a long-term advisor. Fixed fees usually range from $1,000 to $3,000.

    Unavailable

    • Find one of the 1% of firms that offer this fee type

      Commissions

      Show Explanation

      Occasionally, advisors earn commissions from selling financial products, such as securities or insurance policies, or making certain referrals or transactions. Advisors who earn commissions may be incentivized to make certain recommendations to clients in order to make a commission. Fee-only advisors do not earn commissions, while fee-based advisors may.

    • Find one of the 0% of firms that offer this fee type

      Subscription

      Show Explanation

      Firms generally charge this fee for educational materials provided, such as a monthly magazine. This can be useful if you want to learn about investing or financial management on your own.

    • Find one of the 10% of firms that offer this fee type

      Other

      Show Explanation

      Firms can sometimes charge customers using non-traditional fee structures. See this firm's Form ADV for more details.

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    Types of Clients

    The company works with a broad range of investors. The company caters to retail investors, high net worth investors, banking institutions, investment companies, charitable organizations, and corporations. Out of its 6 clients, First Foundation Advisors's biggest client group by number of accounts is high net worth investors, although it also manages money for 762 high-net-worth individuals. A high-net-worth individual is defined by the SEC as a person who has at least $750,000 in AUM or a net worth of at least $1,50 million or who is deemed a "qualified purchaser" (a standard met by having at least $5 million in investments).

    • High-Net-Worth Individuals* - 52.99%
    • Other Individuals - 39.92%
    • Corporations - 4.66%
    • Charitable Organizations - 2.43%

    * The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) defines a high-net-worth individual as someone who has at least $750,000 under management.

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    Disclosures

    First Foundation Advisors does not have any disclosures.

    Please visit its Form ADV for more details.

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    Financial Advisors at First Foundation Advisors

    Daniel Fan
    Irvine, CA
    Stephen Wiechert
    Irvine, CA
    William Pierrepont
    Los Angeles, CA
    Yuhsin Wang
    Irvine, CA
    Ricardo Ribeiro
    Los Angeles, CA
    Michael Chen
    Irvine, CA
    Rachel Ribeiro
    Irvine, CA
    Zane Keller
    Irvine, CA
    Joseph Raszewski
    Irvine, CA

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