Poul Erik Moller, a Santa Monica,Calif., investor said he raised his stake in First Western
Financial Corp to 412,000 shares, or 6.5 pct of the total
outstanding common stock, from 347,000 shares, or 5.5 pct.
    In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
Moller said he bought 65,000 First Western common shares
between January 20 and March 26 at prices ranging from 10.000
to 10.625 dlrs a share.
    Moller said he bought the stock as a long-term investment
and may buy more, but has no plans to seek control of the
company.
 Reuter
