Stuart Bernstein

Stuart Bernstein currently serves as the Chief Banking Officer at First Foundation Inc., overseeing Private Banking, Consumer, and Business banking since August 2025. Prior to this role, Stuart held the position of Head of Branch and Private Client at Santander Bank, N.A., managing a large retail network across eight states. At Union Bank, Stuart served in several key roles, including Head of Private Banking and National Sales Manager Investments, leading extensive teams and significantly increasing assets under management. Earlier career experiences include roles as National Sales Manager at Countrywide Investment Services, EVP of National Specialized Sales at Bank of America, and Market President at Wells Fargo. Stuart holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies from the University of Southern California and has furthered education at the Pacific Coast Banking School.