First Financial Northwest, Inc., the bank holding company for First Financial Northwest Bank, announced the loss of Kathleen Smythe, Ph.D., a director of the company, the bank and First Financial Diversified Corporation (FFD), the company's non-financial institution subsidiary. Ms. Smythe passed away unexpectedly on December 11, 2015. Ms. Smythe had over 30 years of experience as an investment banker/advisor to banks and other financial services companies and had extensive experience in many facets of the financial services arena.

She had been a Managing Director of Sandler O'Neill + Partners, L.P. in its Investment Banking Group, and a managing member of Bosque & Smith Investments LLC. She also served on the Board of Directors of Guaranty Bancorp, including the audit committee, among others.