First Western Acquires California Investment Advisor GKM Advisers, LLC

DENVER, CO--(Marketwire - April 30, 2009) - First Western Financial's wholly-owned investment advisor announced today it has acquired the investment advisory business of GKM Advisers, LLC (GKM), a Los Angeles-based investment management firm.

An independent, fee-based investment adviser, GKM provides investment management services to high net worth individuals, pension funds, and foundations. In addition to discretionary accounts, GKM Advisers serves as investment adviser to the GKM Growth Fund. The firm reported $353 million in total assets under management as of the transaction's closing.

"GKM Advisers represents a long and successful history of managing wealth for high net worth families and individuals," said Scott Wylie, First Western Chairman and CEO. "The talented and seasoned investment professionals at the firm are a perfect complement to First Western's wealth management philosophy."

Originally formed in January of 2000 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gerard Klauer Mattison, GKM has been independent since July 2003.

Consistent with First Western's strategy, GKM will adopt the First Western name, and the existing staff will remain in place. The GKM investment team will continue to provide wealth management to high net worth individuals, pension funds and foundations.

"We're particularly excited to become part of the First Western team," said Timothy J. Wahl, President of GKM Advisers. "With the infrastructure and resources of the bank, we can provide additional services and opportunities to our clients."

"This is a natural partnership on several levels," said Warren Olsen, Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of First Western. "The GKM team's distinct skills in equity research and portfolio management are an excellent fit for the First Western wealth management approach."

For First Western, the addition of GKM represents an opportunity to extend its investment management and wealth planning services to California's affluent investors. Last year, Denver-headquartered First Western purchased Financial Management Advisors, LLC and Ryder, Stilwell Incorporated, both Los Angeles-based registered investment advisors.

Following the acquisition of GKM, First Western has over $2.5 billion in assets under management and approximately $475 million in consolidated assets, with locations in Colorado, Arizona, and California. First Western plans on continued expansion within Los Angeles, and throughout California and the western U.S.

The GKM transaction closed on April 30, 2009.

About First Western Financial, Inc.

First Western Financial, Inc. (FWF) is the holding company of First Western Trust Bank and First Western Investment Management. First Western Trust Bank is the best private bank for the Western wealth management company providing comprehensive tailored solutions in the areas of wealth planning, private banking, investment management and trust services. With $2.5 billion in assets under management, FWF was recently ranked as one of Inc. 500's fastest growing private companies in the United States and the fastest growing bank/ bank holding institution in the country. Built specifically for the new economies of the West, the firm has First Western offices in Arizona, California, and Colorado. For more information, please visit www.fwtb.com or call 303-531-8100.

Contact Information: For more information, please contact: Rebecca Wilson Macsovits First Western (303) 531-8100 Morrison Shafroth CSG | PR 720-470-3653