First Foundation Bank expanded its commercial banking team in Los Angeles with the appointment of Matthew Ashworth as senior vice president and director of commercial banking, Leeza Jinian as senior vice president and commercial banking manager and Yenee Mesfin as senior vice president and commercial banker.

First Foundation Bank also recently promoted Michael Berry to commercial banking executive to lead all the bank’s corporate banking, commercial banking, small business and public finance teams.

Ashworth will be responsible for leading the newly formed Los Angeles team of commercial bankers by helping them grow their portfolios while still building relationships with new and existing clients. Jinian will be responsible for generating new commercial banking connections within the community as well as maintaining the bank’s credit quality. Mesfin will be responsible for cultivating new client relationships within Los Angeles county and expanding the reach of First Foundation Bank’s commercial banking offering.

“We are excited to continue growing our commercial banking team, especially across the LA region,” Berry said. “Matthew, Leeza and Yenee each bring decades of experience in commercial banking in LA county, and as the bank continues to diversify our offering, this team is a perfect fit to help serve clients in one of our core markets.”

Ashworth has more than 20 years of experience in the commercial banking industry, most recently serving as senior vice president and Los Angeles regional manager at Pacific Mercantile Bank. Jinian has served the Los Angeles county for more than 20 years and previously was a senior vice president and market manager for Banc of California in Los Angeles. Mesfin has been working in business banking for 15 years and previously served as a senior vice president and relationship manager for Banc of California.