Business and Basis of Presentation: The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of First Western Financial, Inc. ("FWFI"), incorporated in Colorado on July 18, 2002, and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries listed below (collectively referred to as the "Company," "we," "us," or "our").

FWFI is a bank holding company with financial holding company status registered with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. FWFI wholly owns the following subsidiary: First Western Trust Bank (the "Bank"). The Bank wholly owns First Western Merger Corporation ("Merger Corp"), which is therefore indirectly wholly-owned by FWFI. RRI, LLC ("RRI"), which was wholly owned by the Bank, was dissolved on February 3, 2023. Ryder, Stilwell Inc. ("RSI"), which was wholly owned by FWFI, was dissolved on March 21, 2023.

The Company provides a fully-integrated suite of wealth management services including: private banking, personal trust, investment management, mortgage loans, and institutional asset management services to individual and corporate clients principally in Colorado (metro Denver, Aspen, Boulder, Fort Collins, and Vail Valley), Arizona (Phoenix and Scottsdale), California (Century City), Montana (Bozeman), and Wyoming (Jackson, Pinedale, and Rock Springs). The Company’s revenues are generated from its full range of product offerings as noted above, but principally from net interest income (the interest income earned on the Bank’s assets net of funding costs), fee-based wealth advisory, investment management, asset management and personal trust services, and net gains earned on mortgage loans.

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The December 31, 2022 condensed consolidated balance sheet has been derived from the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments that were recurring in nature and considered necessary have been included for fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2023. In preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could be significantly different from those estimates.

Consolidation: The Company’s policy is to consolidate all majority-owned subsidiaries in which it has a controlling financial interest and variable-interest entities where the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Business Combinations and Divestitures: Business combinations are accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the total consideration transferred in connection with the acquisition is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquired entity based on fair values. Goodwill acquired in connection with business combinations represents the excess of consideration transferred over the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired. Certain assumptions and estimates are used in evaluating the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. These estimates may be affected by factors, such as changing market conditions or changes in government regulations.

Use of Estimates: To prepare financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and the disclosures provided, and actual results could differ. Information available which could affect these judgments include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, changes in the performance of the economy, and changes in the financial condition of borrowers. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change include: the determination of the allowance for credit losses, the evaluation of goodwill impairment, and the fair value of certain financial instruments.

Concentration of Credit Risk: Most of the Company’s lending activity is to clients located in and around metro Denver, Aspen, Fort Collins, and Vail, Colorado; Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Bozeman, Montana; and Jackson, Wyoming. The Company does not believe it has significant concentrations in any one industry or customer. As of

•Fair Value Hedge: a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment. For a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative, as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk, are recognized in current earnings as fair values change.

•Cash Flow Hedge: a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability. For a cash flow hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is reported in other comprehensive income and is reclassified into earnings in the same periods during which the hedged transactions affect earnings.

Net cash settlements on derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in interest income or interest expense, based on the item being hedged. Net cash settlements on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported in non-interest income. Cash flows on hedges are classified in the cash flow statement in the same line as the cash flows of the items being hedged.

The Company formally documents the relationship between derivatives and hedged items, as well as the risk-management objective and the strategy for undertaking hedge transactions at the inception of the hedging relationship. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivative instruments that are used are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged items. The Company discontinues hedge accounting when it determines that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative is settled or terminates, a hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable, a hedged firm commitments is no longer firm, or treatment of the derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate or intended.

Mortgage Banking Derivatives: Commitments to fund mortgage loans, interest rate lock commitments ("IRLC"), and forward sale commitments ("FSC"), to be sold in the secondary market for the future delivery of these loans are accounted for as free standing derivatives. The fair value of the IRLC is recorded at the time the commitment to fund the mortgage loan is executed and is adjusted for the expected exercise of the commitment before the loan is funded. The Company sells mortgage loans to third party investors at the best execution available which includes best efforts, mandatory, and bulk bids. Loans committed under mandatory or bulk bid are considered FSC and qualify as financial derivatives. Fair values of these mortgage derivatives are estimated based on the change in the loan pricing from the date of the commitment to the period end date for any unsettled commitments. Changes in the fair values of these derivatives are included in the Net gain on mortgage loans line of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

In order to manage the interest rate risk on our uncommitted IRLC and mortgage loans held for sale pipeline, the Company enters into mortgage derivative financial instruments called To Be Announced ("TBA"), which we refer to as forward commitments. TBA agreements are forward contracts to purchase mortgage backed securities ("MBS") that will be issued by a US Government Sponsored Enterprise. The Bank purchases or sells these derivatives to offset the changes in value of our mortgage loans held for sale and IRLC adjusted pipeline where we have exposure to interest rate volatility. Changes in the fair values of these derivatives are included in the Net gain on mortgage loans line of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Revenue Recognition: In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), Revenue Contracts with Customers ("Topic 606"), trust and investment management fees are earned by providing trust and investment services to customers. The Company’s performance obligation under these contracts is satisfied over time as the services are provided. Fees are recognized monthly based on the average monthly value of the assets under management and the corresponding fee rate based on the terms of the contract. Receivables are recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in the Accounts receivable line item. Income related to trust and investment management fees, bank fees, and risk management and insurance fees on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 are considered in scope of Topic 606.

Transition of LIBOR to an Alternative Reference Rate: In July 2017, the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), announced that after 2022 it will no longer persuade or compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR. In response, the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York convened the Alternative Reference Rates Committee and on February 27, 2023 the Federal Reserve Board adopted a final rule establishing the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") as the replacement rate index for LIBOR. SOFR is based on a broad segment of the overnight Treasury repurchase market and is intended to be a measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight collateralized by Treasury securities.

Certain of the Company’s assets and liabilities are indexed to LIBOR, with exposure extending beyond December 31, 2023. The Company is currently evaluating and planning for the replacement of the LIBOR benchmark interest rate, including the transition to SOFR as the replacement. In general, the transition away from LIBOR may result in increased market risk, credit risk, operational risk and business risk for the Company. The Company has developed a LIBOR transition plan, which addresses governance, risk management, legal, operational, systems, fallback language, and other aspects of planning. The company no longer originates LIBOR indexed loans and is working on transitioning existing LIBOR loans to SOFR. Consumer indexed loans are being managed in accordance with Interagency Guidance.

Bank Term Funding Program: On March 12, 2023 in response to two large bank failures, the Federal Reserve Board announced it would make additional funding available to eligible depository institutions to help assure banks have the ability to meet the needs of depositors. The additional funding will be made available through the creation of a new Bank Term Funding Program (“BTFP”), offering loans of up to one year in length to banks, savings associations, credit unions, and other eligible depository institutions pledging U.S. Treasuries, agency debt and mortgage-backed securities, and other qualifying assets valued at par as collateral. The BTFP is meant to be an additional resource of liquidity against high-quality securities, eliminating an institutions need to quickly sell those securities in times of stress.

As of March 31, 2023, the Company has pledged $29.4 million in securities under the BTFP and borrowed $32.1 million with a maturity date of March 27, 2024. The rate for the borrowing is based on the one year overnight swap rate plus 10 basis points and is fixed over the term of the advanced based on the date of the advance. See Note 7 - Borrowings for details on the Company’s borrowings.

On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326) ("ASU 2016-13"). ASU 2016-13 replaces the incurred loss model with an expected loss model, which is referred to as the current expected credit loss ("CECL") model. The CECL model is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on the financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loan receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, and reinsurance receivables. It also applies to off-balance sheet credit exposures not accounted for as insurance (loan commitments, standby letters of credit, financial guarantees, and other similar instruments) and net investments in leases recognized by a lessor. ASU 2016-13 was set to be effective for most public companies on January 1, 2020. However, at the October 16, 2019 FASB meeting, the FASB voted unanimously to delay the effective date of CECL adoption for smaller reporting companies ("SRCs") to January 1, 2023.

The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2023 using the modified retrospective method with no adjustments to prior period comparative financial statements for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance sheet credit exposure as well as held to maturity securities. In accordance with the standard, management did not reassess whether modifications to individual acquired financial assets accounted for in pools were troubled debt restructurings as of the date of adoption. Upon adoption the Company recorded a decrease to retained earnings of $5.3 million, net of tax. The total transition adjustment prior to the tax impact included $3.5 million related to allowance for credit losses on loans, $3.5 million related to off-balance sheet commitments, and $0.1 million related to held-to-maturity securities. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2023 are presented under ASU 2016-13 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP.


	Balance at January 1, 2023 (before adjustment)		Cumulative effect adjustment amount		Balance January 1, 2023 (after adjustment)
Assets
Allowance for credit losses: loans	$	(17,183)	$	(3,470)	$	(20,653)
Allowance for credit losses: held-to-maturity securities	—		(71)		(71)
Deferred tax assets, net	6,914		1,703		8,617

Liabilities
Allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet exposures	419		3,481		3,900

Shareholders’ Equity
Retained earnings, net of tax	51,887		(5,319)		46,568

Allowance for credit losses - loans: The allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. The ACL excludes loans held for sale and loans accounted for under the fair value option. The Company elected to not measure an ACL for accrued interest receivables, as we write off applicable accrued interest receivable balances in a timely manner when a loan is placed on non-accrual status, in which any accrued but uncollected interest is reversed from current income. Loans are charged off against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Expected recoveries do not exceed the aggregate of amounts previously charged-off and expected to be charged-off. Management estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, related to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Actual Company and regional peer historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. The Company identified and grouped portfolio segments based on risk characteristics and underlying collateral. The call code for each financial asset type was assessed and, where appropriate, expanded for certain call codes into separate segments based on risk characteristics.

ACL for pooled loans are estimated using a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) methodology using the amortized cost basis (excluding interest) for all loans modeled within a performing pool of loans. The DCF analysis pairs loan-level term information, for example, maturity date, payment amount, interest rate, with top-down pool assumptions such as default rates, prepayment speeds, to produce individual expected cash flows for every instrument in the segment. The results are then aggregated to produce segment level results and reserve requirements for each segment.

The quantitative DCF model also incorporates forward-looking macroeconomic information over a reasonable and supportable period of two years. Subsequent to two year period, the Company reverts to its historical loss rate and historical prepayment and curtailment speeds on a straight-line basis over a one year reversion period.

Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. Loans evaluated individually are not included in the pooled loan evaluation. When management determines that foreclosure is probable, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate.

Qualitative adjustments to historical loss data are made based on management’s assessment of the risks that may lead to a future loan loss or differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, changes in environmental and economic conditions, or other relevant factors.

Allowance for credit losses - held-to-maturity securities: Held-to maturity securities are carried at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. The majority of our held-to-maturity investment portfolio consists of securities issues by U.S. government entities and agencies. These securities are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies, and have a long history of no credit losses. With respect to these securities, we consider the risk of credit loss to be zero and, therefore, we have elected the practical expedient to not record an ACL for these securities. The Company's non-government backed securities include private label CMO and MBS and bank subordinated debt. Private label refers to private institutions such as brokerage firms, banks, and home builders, that also securitize mortgages.

Management measures expected credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities on a collective basis by major security type. Accrued interest receivable on held-to-maturity debt securities is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. The estimate of expected credit losses considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Management classifies the held-to-maturity portfolio into the follow major security types: Corporate bonds and Corporate CMO and MBS.

Allowance for credit losses - off-balance sheet credit exposures: The Company estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures is adjusted through the Provision for credit losses and is recorded in Other liabilities. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life. The probability of funding is based on historical utilization statistics for unfunded loan commitments. The loss rates used are calculated using the same assumptions as the associated funded balance.

In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326); Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDR”) and Vintage Disclosures. This ASU was effective for the Company on January 1, 2023. The amendments eliminate the TDR recognition and measurement guidance and instead require an entity to evaluate whether the modification represents a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan (consistent with accounting for other modifications). The amendments also enhance existing disclosure requirements related to certain modifications of receivables made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. The Company adopted ASU 2022-02 on January 1, 2023. Refer to Note 3 - Loans and the Allowance for Credit Losses for additional information on the required disclosures.

On March 29, 2023 the FASB issued ASU 2023-02 Investments in Tax Structures which changes the accounting methodology to allow proportional amortization method to be expanded beyond investments in low income tax housing tax credits (“LIHTC”) structures. This guidance is effective January 1, 2024 and currently the Company does not have any investments that would be impacted but will evaluate as other investments are considered as early adoption is permitted.

In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions. This was issued to clarify the guidance in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, when measuring fair value of an equity security subject to contractual restrictions that prohibit the sale of an equity security and to introduce new disclosure requirements for equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions that are measured at fair value in accordance with Topic 820. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance on our existing equity securities. This guidance is effective for the Company in fiscal years after December 15, 2023.