Community 1st Bank Appoints James Kim New CEO

Roseville, CA – Community 1st Bank (now First Foundation Bank) announced today that James Kim has been promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer. 

Kim succeeds Robert C. Haydon, who came out of retirement in 2011 to serve as CEO at the request of the Board of Directors. Haydon will return to his position as the Bank’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, where he previously served from 2006 to 2011. During Haydon’s tenure as CEO, the Bank experienced significant growth and profitability.  

Community 1st Bank is headquartered in downtown Auburn and has a branch office in Roseville. In December 2013, the Bank opened a new Loan Production Office in Sacramento to serve its growing Sacramento clientele.

 “I’m pleased to leave the day-to-day management of the bank in the capable hands of James Kim,” said Haydon, who was the founding Board Chairman when the bank opened in 2006. “I have received great support from the board, our staff, our customers, and the community.”

 Kim has served Community 1st Bank as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer since 2007. 

“I’m excited to assume this new position with Community 1st Bank and help it continue to move forward,” Kim said. “Robert Haydon has been a terrific community leader and has an outstanding presence in Auburn and Placer County.”

Kim has 12 years of banking experience, prior to which he worked at the international business firm, Arthur Andersen. He previously was the Senior Vice President and Controller for North Valley Bank from 2005 to 2007. Prior to North Valley Bank, Kim’s experience included working as the Controller for Calnet Business Bank and Feather River State Bank.

Kim obtained a Masters in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from California State University, Sacramento.

The Bank also announced that outgoing Board Chairman, Russell P. Baldo, will continue to serve on the board as its Vice Chairman.

In another personnel move, the Bank’s current controller, Toni B. White, has been promoted to Senior Vice President and interim Chief Financial Officer.