rfb10q.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended: March 31, 2008

Commission File Number: 000-17007

Republic First Bancorp, Inc.
(Exact name of business issuer as specified in its charter)

Pennsylvania
23-2486815
(State or other jurisdiction of
IRS Employer Identification
incorporation or organization)
Number

 
50 South 16th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
19102
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip code)

215-735-4422
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
YES X
NO____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ____
Accelerated Filer X
 
Non-Accelerated filer ____
Smaller reporting company ____

      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):
 
YES____
NO X
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
10,811,747 shares of Issuer's Common Stock, par value
$0.01 per share, issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2008

Page 1

Exhibit index appears on page 31



TABLE OF CONTENTS
   
Part I:                      Financial Information
Page
   
Item 1: Financial Statements (unaudited)
   
Item 2:  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
 
   
Item 3:  Quantitative and Qualitative Information about Market Risk
   
Item 4:  Controls and Procedures
   
Part II: Other Information
 
   
Item 1: Legal Proceedings
   
Item 1A: Risk Factors
   
Item 2: Unregistered Sales of Equity and Use of Proceeds
   
Item 3: Defaults Upon Senior Securities
   
Item 4: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
   
Item 5: Other Information
   
Item 6: Exhibits



 
2

 


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION



ITEM 1: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
Page
   
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2008 (unaudited) and December 31, 2007
   
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended
 
March 31, 2008 and 2007 (unaudited)
   
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended
March 31, 2008 and 2007 (unaudited)
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended
 
March 31, 2008 and 2007 (unaudited)
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
   




 
3

 

Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

ASSETS:
 
March 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
    (unaudited)  
Cash and due from banks
  $ 14,846     $ 10,996  
Interest bearing deposits with banks
    339       320  
Federal funds sold
    55,395       61,909  
Total cash and cash equivalents
    70,580       73,225  
                 
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value
    78,803       83,659  
Investment securities held to maturity, at amortized cost
               
     (Fair value of $261 and $285,  respectively)
    257       282  
Restricted stock, at cost
    7,300       6,358  
Loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses of
               
     $10,156 and $8,508, respectively)
    787,345       813,041  
Premises and equipment, net
    11,698       11,288  
Other real estate owned, net
    16,378       3,681  
Accrued interest receivable
    4,631       5,058  
Bank owned life insurance
    11,826       11,718  
Other assets
    10,345       7,998  
Total Assets
  $ 999,163     $ 1,016,308  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
               
Liabilities:
               
Deposits:
               
Demand – non-interest-bearing
  $ 80,440     $ 99,040  
Demand – interest-bearing
    32,845       35,235  
Money market and savings
    209,148       223,645  
Time less than $100,000
    180,137       179,043  
Time over $100,000
    246,962       243,892  
    Total Deposits
    749,532       780,855  
                 
Short-term borrowings
    152,667       133,433  
Accrued interest payable
    3,805       3,719  
Other liabilities
    4,141       6,493  
Subordinated debt
    11,341       11,341  
Total Liabilities
    921,486       935,841  
Shareholders’ Equity:
               
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share: 10,000,000 shares authorized;
               
    no shares issued as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
    -       -  
Common stock par value $0.01 per share, 20,000,000 shares authorized;
               
    shares issued 10,800,566 as of March 31, 2008
               
    and 10,737,211 as of December 31, 2007
    108       107  
Additional paid in capital
    75,518       75,321  
Retained earnings
    6,149       8,927  
Treasury stock at cost (416,303 shares)
    (2,993 )     (2,993 )
Stock held by deferred compensation plan
    (1,165 )     (1,165 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    60       270  
Total Shareholders’ Equity
    77,677       80,467  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
  $ 999,163     $ 1,016,308  

(See notes to consolidated financial statements)

4



Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)

   
Three months ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Interest income:
           
   Interest and fees on loans
  $ 13,453     $ 15,300  
   Interest and dividends on taxable investment securities
    1,138       1,418  
   Interest on tax-exempt investment securities
    114       124  
   Interest on federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets
    96       235  
   Total interest income
    14,801       17,077  
                 
Interest expense:
               
   Demand- interest bearing
    146       100  
   Money market and savings
    1,667       3,022  
   Time less than $100,000
    2,053       1,820  
   Time over $100,000
    2,387       2,451  
   Other borrowings
    1,326       2,119  
      7,579       9,512  
Net interest income
    7,222       7,565  
Provision for loan losses
    5,812       80  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    1,410       7,485  
                 
                 
Non-interest income:
               
    Loan advisory and servicing fees
    112       212  
    Service fees on deposit accounts
    287       302  
    Gains on sales and calls of investment securities
    5       -  
    Bank owned life insurance income
    108       101  
    Other income
    153       25  
      665       640  
Non-interest expenses:
               
   Salaries and employee benefits
    2,730       2,616  
   Occupancy
    603       537  
   Depreciation and amortization
    326       334  
   Legal
    197       77  
   Other real estate
    1,016       3  
   Advertising
    129       85  
   Data processing
    203       159  
   Insurance
    104       93  
   Professional fees
    99       126  
   Taxes, other
    261       203  
   Other operating expenses
    780       762  
      6,448       4,995  
                 
Income (loss) before income tax (benefit) expense
    (4,373 )     3,130  
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    (1,595 )     1,026  
                 
Net income (loss)
  $ (2,778 )   $ 2,104  
                 
Net income (loss) per share:
               
Basic
  $ (0.27 )   $ 0.20  
Diluted
  $ (0.27 )   $ 0.20  
                 
                 
                 
                 
(See notes to consolidated financial statements)
 

 
5

 


Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
                (unaudited)
 

 
   
 
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
   
 
Common
Stock
   
Additional
Paid in
Capital
   
 
Retained
Earnings
   
 
Treasury Stock
   
Stock Held by
Deferred
Compensation
Plan
   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
   
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
                                                 
                                                 
Balance January 1, 2008
        $ 107     $ 75,321     $ 8,927     $ (2,993 )   $ (1,165 )   $ 270     $ 80,467  
 
Total other comprehensive loss, net of taxes of $(108)
    (210 )                                   (210 )     (210 )
Net loss
    (2,778 )                 (2,778 )                       (2,778 )
Total comprehensive loss
  $ (2,988 )                                                        
Stock based compensation
                  35                               35  
Options exercised
(63,355 shares)
            1       162                               163  
                                                                 
                                                                 
Balance March 31, 2008
          $ 108     $ 75,518     $ 6,149     $ (2,993 )   $ (1,165 )   $ 60     $ 77,677  
                                                                 
   
 
Comprehensive
Income
   
 
Common
Stock
   
Additional
Paid in
Capital
   
 
Retained
Earnings
   
 
Treasury Stock
   
Stock Held by
Deferred
Compensation
Plan
   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
   
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
                                                                 
                                                                 
Balance January 1, 2007
          $ 97     $ 63,342     $ 13,511     $ (1,688 )   $ (810 )   $ 282     $ 74,734  
 
Total other comprehensive income, net of taxes of $44
    58                               -       58       58  
Net income
    2,104                   2,104       -       -             2,104  
Total comprehensive income
  $ 2,162                                                          
Stock based compensation
            -       26       -       -       -       -       26  
Stock dividend
(974,441shares)
            10       11,459       (11,469 )     -       -       -        
Options exercised
(1,000 shares)
            -       4                   -             4  
                                                                 
                                                                 
Balance March 31, 2007
          $ 107     $ 74,831     $ 4,146     $ (1,688 )   $ (810 )   $ 340     $ 76,926  
 
 (See notes to consolidated financial statements)


6



         
 Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
 Dollars in thousands
 (unaudited)

   
Three months ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income (loss)
  $ (2,778 )   $ 2,104  
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
               
cash provided by operating activities:
               
Provision for loan losses
    5,812       80  
Write-down of other real estate owned
    1,016       -  
Depreciation  and amortization
    326       334  
Stock based compensation
    35       26  
Amortization of discounts on investment securities
    (50 )     (39 )
Increase in value of bank owned life insurance
    (108 )     (101 )
Increase in accrued interest receivable
               
and other assets
    (1,812 )     (953 )
Decrease in accrued expenses
               
and other liabilities
    (2,266 )     (424 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    175       1,027  
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchase of securities:
               
Available for sale
    (992 )     (731 )
Proceeds from maturities and calls of securities:
               
Held to maturity
    25       42  
Available for sale
    5,580       1,712  
Purchase of FHLB stock
    (942 )     (1,268 )
Net decrease (increase) in loans
    4,045       (40,165 )
Net proceeds from sale of other real estate owned
    2,126       -  
Premises and equipment expenditures
    (736 )     (1,495 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    9,106       (41,905 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options
    163       4  
Net (decrease) increase in demand, money market and savings deposits
    (35,487 )     71,953  
Net increase (decrease) in short term borrowings
    19,234       (62,927 )
Net increase (decrease) in time deposits
    4,164       (12,598 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (11,926 )     (3,568 )
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (2,645 )     (44,446 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    73,225       83,127  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 70,580     $ 38,681  
Supplemental disclosure:
               
Interest paid
  $ 7,493     $ 8,933  
Non-monetary transfers from loans to other real estate owned
  $ 15,839     $ -  

(See notes to consolidated financial statements)

7

 

REPUBLIC FIRST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Note 1:                      Organization
 
 Republic First Bancorp, Inc. (“the Company”) is a one-bank holding company organized and incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is comprised of one wholly owned subsidiary, Republic First Bank (“Republic”), a Pennsylvania state chartered bank. Republic offers a variety of banking services to individuals and businesses throughout the Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey area through its offices and branches in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, and Camden counties.
 
Republic shares data processing, accounting, human resources and compliance services with a previously affiliated entity through BSC Services Corp. (”BSC”).  BSC allocates its cost on the basis of usage to Republic which classifies such costs to the appropriate non-interest expense categories.
 
The Company and Republic encounter vigorous competition for market share in the geographic areas they serve from bank holding companies, other community banks, thrift institutions and other non-bank financial organizations, such as mutual fund companies, insurance companies and brokerage companies.

The Company and Republic are subject to regulations of certain state and federal agencies. These regulatory agencies periodically examine the Company and its subsidiary for adherence to laws and regulations. As a consequence, the cost of doing business may be affected.


Note 2:                      Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

 
Basis of Presentation:
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Republic. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial  information  and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Operating results for the three month period ended March 31, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2008. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
 
Risks and Uncertainties and Certain Significant Estimates:
 
The earnings of the Company depend on the earnings of Republic. Earnings are dependent primarily upon the level of net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on its interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, and the interest paid on its interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Accordingly, the results of operations are subject to risks and uncertainties surrounding their exposure to change in the interest rate environment.
 
Prepayments on residential real estate mortgage and other fixed rate loans and mortgage-backed securities vary significantly and may cause significant fluctuations in interest margins.
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at
 
8

the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Significant estimates are made by management in determining the allowance for loan losses, carrying values of other real estate owned, other than temporary impairment of investment securities and the realization of deferred tax assets. Consideration is given to a variety of factors in establishing these estimates.
 
In estimating the allowance for loan losses, management considers current economic conditions, diversification of the loan portfolio, delinquency statistics, results of internal loan reviews, borrowers’ perceived financial and managerial strengths, the adequacy of underlying collateral, if collateral dependent, or present value of future cash flows and other relevant factors. Since these estimates are dependent, to a great extent, on the general economy and other conditions that may be beyond Republic’s control, it is at least reasonably possible that the estimates could differ materially in the near term.
 
In estimating other than temporary impairment of investment securities, securities are evaluated on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when market conditions warrant such an evaluation, to determine whether a decline in their value is other-than-temporary.  To determine whether a loss in value is other-than-temporary, management utilizes criteria such as the reasons underlying the decline, the magnitude and duration of the decline and the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in the fair value.  The term “other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent, but indicates that the prospects for a near-term recovery of value is not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of investment.  Once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the value of the security is reduced and a corresponding charge to earnings is recognized.
 
In evaluating our ability to recover deferred tax assets, management considers all available positive and negative evidence, including our past operating results and our forecast of future taxable income.  In determining future taxable income, management makes assumptions for the amount of taxable income, the reversal of temporary differences and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies.  These assumptions require us to make judgments about our future taxable income and are consistent with the plans and estimates we use to manage our business.  Any reduction in estimated future taxable income may require us to record a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets.  An increase in the valuation allowance would result in additional income tax expense in the period and could have a significant impact on our future earnings.
 
The Company and Republic are subject to federal and state regulations governing virtually all aspects of their activities, including but not limited to, lines of business, liquidity, investments, the payment of dividends, and others.  Such regulations and the cost of adherence to such regulations can have a significant impact on earnings and financial condition.


Share-Based Compensation:

At March 31, 2008, the Company maintains a Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) under which the Company grants options to its employees and directors.  Under terms of the plan, 1.5 million shares of common stock, plus an annual increase equal to the number of shares needed to restore the maximum number of shares that may be available for grant under the plan to 1.5 million shares, are reserved for such options.  The Plan provides that the exercise price of each option granted equals the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant.  Any options granted vest within one to five years and has a maximum term of 10 years.  The Black-Sholes option pricing model is utilized to determine the fair market value of stock options.  In 2008 the following assumptions were utilized; a dividend yield of 0%; expected volatility of 24.98%; a risk-free interest rate of 3.08% and an expected life of 7.0 years.  In 2007 the following assumptions were utilized; a dividend yield of 0%; expected volatility of 25.24%; a
 
9

risk-free interest rate of 4.70% and an expected life of 7.0 years.  A dividend yield of 0% is utilized, because cash dividends have never been paid.  The expected life reflects a 3 to 4 year “all or nothing” vesting period, the maximum ten year term and review of historical behavior.  The volatility was based on Bloomberg’s seven year volatility calculation for “FRBK” stock.  The risk-free interest rate is based on the seven year Treasury bond.  No shares vested in the first quarter of 2008, but expense is recognized ratably over the period required to vest.  There were 105,050 unvested options at January 1, 2008 with a fair value of $486,885 with $346,012 of that amount remaining to be recognized as expense.  At March 31, 2008, there were 153,750 unvested options with a fair value of $580,414 with $404,533 of that amount remaining to be recognized as expense. At that date, the intrinsic value of the 663,044 options outstanding was $545,880, while the intrinsic value of the 509,294 exercisable (vested) was also $545,880. During the first quarter of 2008, 3,300 nonvested options were forfeited, with a weighted average grant fair value of $15,201.

A summary of the status of the Company’s stock options under the Stock Option Plan as of March 31, 2008 and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 are presented below:

   
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Shares
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   
Shares
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Outstanding, beginning of year
    737,841     $ 6.39       661,449     $ 5.55  
Granted
    52,000       6.18        99,000       11.77  
Exercised
    (63,355 )     2.56       (1,100 )     3.88  
Forfeited
    (63,442 )     8.62       (6,050 )     12.14  
Outstanding, end of period
    663,044       6.53       753,299       6.31  
Options exercisable at period-end
    509,294       5.51       648,249       5.43  
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the period
          $ 2.11             $ 4.61  

 
For the Three Months Ended
 March 31,
 
2008
 
2007
Number of options exercised
63,355
 
1,100
Cash received
$ 163,000
 
$ 4,270
Intrinsic value
   266,233
 
   8,699
Tax benefit
   93,181
 
   3,045

The following table summarizes information about options outstanding under the Stock Option Plan as of March 31, 2008.

   
 
Options outstanding
   
Options exercisable
 
Range of Exercise Prices
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
remaining
contractual
life (years)
 
Weighted
Average
exercise
price
     
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
$1.81
84,971
 
2.8
 
$ 1.81
     
84,971
 
$ 1.81
$2.72 to $3.55
128,947
 
3.9
 
2.94
     
128,947
 
2.94
$3.76  to $4.62
27,275
 
3.5
 
4.00
     
27,275
 
4.00
$5.99  to $6.74
195,109
 
6.9
 
6.22
     
143,109
 
6.23
$9.94 to $12.14
226,742
 
7.9
 
10.90
     
124,992
 
10.17
 
663,044
     
$ 6.53
     
509,294
 
$5.51


10


 
For the Three Months Ended,
 
March 31, 2008
 
    Number of shares
 
Weighted average grant date fair value
Nonvested at beginning of year
105,050
 
$  4.64
Granted
52,000
 
2.11
Forfeited
(3,300)
 
4.61
Nonvested at end of period
153,750
 
$ 3.78



During the three months ended March 31, 2008, $35,000 was recognized in compensation expense, with a 35% assumed tax benefit, for the Stock Option Plan.  During the three months ended March 31, 2007, $26,000 was recognized in compensation expense, with a 35% assumed tax benefit, for the Stock Option Plan.


 Note 3:Reclassifications

     None

Note 4:                      Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB ratified the consensus reached by the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) in Issue 06-4, Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements. EITF 06-4 applies to life insurance arrangements that provide an employee with a specified benefit that is not limited to the employee’s active service period, including certain bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) policies. EITF 06-4 requires an employer to recognize a liability and related compensation costs for future benefits that extend to postretirement periods. EITF 06-4 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007, with earlier application permitted. The adoption did not have any effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. An entity shall report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. This statement is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The adoption did not have any effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In March 2007, the FASB ratified Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 06-10 Accounting for Collateral Assignment Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreements (EITF 06-10). EITF 06-10 provides guidance for determining a liability for the postretirement benefit obligation as well as recognition and measurement of the associated asset on the basis of the terms of the collateral assignment agreement. EITF 06-10 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007. The adoption did not have any effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (R), Business Combinations.  This statement establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer of a business recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree.  The statement also provides guidance for recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable
 
11

users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination.  The guidance will become effective as of the beginning of a company’s fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2008.  The new pronouncement will impact the Company’s accounting for business combinations completed beginning January 1, 2009.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements- an amendment of ARB No. 51.  This statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary.    The guidance will become effective as of the beginning of a company’s fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2008.  The company is currently evaluating the potential impact the new pronouncement will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the SEC issued SAB No. 110 which amends and replaces Question 6 of Section D.2 of Topic 14, Share-Based Payment, of the Staff Accounting Bulletin series.  Question 6 of Section D.2 of Topic 14 expresses the views of the staff regarding the use of the “simplified” method in developing an estimate of expected term of “plain vanilla” share options and allows usage of the “simplified” method for share option grants prior to December 31, 2007.  SAB 110 allows public companies which do not have historically sufficient experience to provide a reasonable estimate to continue use of the “simplified” method for estimating the expected term of “plain vanilla” share option grants after December 31, 2007.  SAB 110 is effective January 1, 2008.  The adoption did not have any effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In December 2007, the SEC issued SBA No. 109, Written Loan Commitments Recorded at Fair Value Through Earnings expresses the views of the staff regarding written loan commitments that are accounted for at fair value through earnings under generally accepted accounting principles.  To make the staff’s views consistent with current authoritative accounting guidance, the SAB revises and rescinds portions of SAB No. 105, Application of Accounting Principles to Loan Commitments.  Specifically, the SAB revises the SEC staff’s views on incorporating expected net future cash flows related to loan servicing activities in the fair value measurement of a written loan commitment.  The SAB retains the staff’s views on incorporating expected net future cash flows related to internally-developed intangible assets in the fair value measurement of a written loan commitment.  The staff expects registrants to apply the views in Question 1 of SAB 109 on a prospective basis to derivative loan commitments issued or modified in fiscal quarters beginning after December 15, 2007.  The adoption did not have any effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In June 2007, the EITF reached a consensus on Issue no. 06-11, Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards (EITF 06-11).  EITF 06-11 states that an entity should recognize a realized tax benefit associated with dividends on nonvested equity shares, nonvested equity share units and outstanding equity share options charged to retain earnings as an increase in additional paid in capital.  The amount recognized in additional paid in capital should be included in the pool of excess tax benefits available to absorb potential future tax deficiencies on share-based payment awards.  EITF 06-11 should be applied prospectively to income tax benefits of dividends on equity-classified share-based payment awards that are declared in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007.  The adoption did not have any effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.


Note 5:                      Legal Proceedings
 
 The Company and Republic are from time to time parties (plaintiff or defendant) to lawsuits in the normal course of business. While any litigation involves an element of uncertainty, management, after reviewing pending actions with legal counsel, is of the opinion that the liabilities of the Company and Republic, if any, resulting from such actions will not have a material effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

12

 
Note 6:                      Segment Reporting
 
The Company has one reportable segment: community banking. The community bank segment primarily encompasses the commercial loan and deposit activities of Republic, as well as consumer loan products in the area surrounding its branches.
 

Note 7:      Earnings Per Share:
 
Earnings per share (“EPS”) consists of two separate components: basic EPS and diluted EPS. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for each period presented. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive common stock equivalents (“CSEs”). CSEs consist of dilutive stock options granted through the Company’s stock option plan. The following table is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in calculating basic and diluted EPS. CSEs which are anti-dilutive are not included in the following calculation.  At March 31, 2008, there were 289,029 stock options to purchase common stock, which were excluded from the computation of earnings per share because the option price was greater than the average market price.  At March 31, 2007, there were 105,050 stock options to purchase common stock, which were excluded from the computation of earnings per share because the option price was greater than the average market price.   The following tables are a comparison of EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.
 
   
Three months ended March 31,
2008
2007
     
Net Income (loss)
$(2,778,000)
 
$2,104,000
 
   
Per
 
Per
 
Shares
Share
Shares
Share
Weighted average shares
       
for period
10,363,376
 
10,446,077
 
Basic EPS
 
$(0.27)
 
$0.20
Add common stock equivalents
representing dilutive stock options
140,188
 
311,876
 
Effect on basic EPS of dilutive CSE
 
$ -
 
$  -
Equals total weighted average
       
shares and CSE (diluted)
10,503,564
 
10,757,953
 
Diluted EPS
 
$(0.27)
 
$0.20


Note 8:      Fair Value of Financial Instruments:
 
    SFAS No.157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under SFAS No.157 are described below:
Basis of Fair Value Measurement:

    Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for  identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
    Level 2 – Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability;
 
13

    Level 3 – Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and observable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).

    A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

     The Company’s cash instruments are generally classified within level 1 or level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency.

     The types of instruments valued based on quoted market prices in active markets include all of the Company’s U.S. government and agency securities, municipal obligations and corporate bonds and trust preferred securities. Such instruments are generally classified within level 1 or level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. As required by SFAS No. 157, the Bank does not adjust the quoted price for such instruments.

     The types of instruments valued based on quoted prices in markets that are not active, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of transparency for securities which the bank owns may include investment- grade corporate bonds, municipal obligations, and trust preferred securities. Such instruments are generally classified within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

      Level 3 is for positions that are not traded in active markets or are subject to transfer restrictions, and may be adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, with such adjustment generally based on available market evidence. In the absence of such evidence, management’s best estimate is used. Subsequent to inception, management only changes level 3 inputs and assumptions when corroborated by evidence such as transactions in similar instruments, completed or pending third-party transactions in the underlying investment or comparable entities, subsequent rounds of financing, recapitalizations and other transactions across the capital structure, offerings in the equity or debt markets, and changes in financial ratios or cash flows. The Company does not have any such securities at present.

The Company’s investment securities classified as available for sale were accounted for at fair values as of March 31, 2008 by level within the fair value hierarchy as follows: Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) $66.4 million; Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) $12.4 million; Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) $0.   As required by SFAS No. 157, financial assets are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

14

 
ITEM 2:  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


The following is management’s discussion and analysis of significant changes in the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and capital resources presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  This discussion should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Certain statements in this document may be considered to be “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements that include the words “may,” “believes,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “anticipate,” “should,” “intend,” “probability,” “risk,” “target,” “objective” and similar expressions or variations on such expressions.  The forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.  For example, risks and uncertainties can arise with changes in:  general economic conditions, including their impact on capital expenditures; new service and product offerings by competitors and price pressures; and similar items.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s analysis only as of the date hereof.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.  Readers should carefully review the risk factors described in other documents the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, filed by the Company in 2008 and 2007, and any Current Reports on Form 8-K filed by the Company, as well as other filings.

Financial Condition:

March 31, 2008 Compared to December 31, 2007
 
Assets decreased $17.1 million to $999.2 million at March 31, 2008, versus $1.016 billion at December 31, 2007. This decrease reflected a $25.7 million decrease in loans receivable partially offset by a $12.5 million increase in other real estate owned.
 
Loans:
 
The loan portfolio represents the Company’s largest asset category and is its most significant source of interest income. The Company’s lending strategy focuses on small and medium size businesses and professionals that seek highly personalized banking services. Gross loans decreased $24.0 million, to $797.5 million at March 31, 2008, versus $821.5 million at December 31, 2007. Substantially all of the decrease resulted from commercial and construction loans. The loan portfolio consists of secured and unsecured commercial loans including commercial real estate, construction loans, residential mortgages, automobile loans, home improvement loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, overdraft lines of credit and others. Commercial loans typically range between $250,000 and $5,000,000 but customers may borrow significantly larger amounts up to the legal lending limit of approximately $15.0 million at March 31, 2008. Individual customers may have several loans that are secured by different collateral, which were in total subject to that lending limit.
 

15

 
Investment Securities:
 
Investment securities available-for-sale are investments which may be sold in response to changing market and interest rate conditions and for liquidity and other purposes. The Company’s investment securities available-for-sale consist primarily of U.S. Government debt securities, U.S. Government agency issued mortgage-backed securities, municipal securities, and debt securities which include corporate bonds and trust preferred securities. Available-for-sale securities totaled $78.8 million at March 31, 2008, compared to $83.7 million at year-end 2007. The decrease reflected sales on selected municipal securities. At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the portfolio had net unrealized gains of $92,000 and $409,000, respectively.
 
Investment securities held-to-maturity are investments for which there is the intent and ability to hold the investment to maturity. These investments are carried at amortized cost. The held-to-maturity portfolio consists primarily of debt securities and stocks. At March 31, 2008, securities held to maturity totaled $257,000, compared to $282,000 at year-end 2007.
 
Restricted Stock:
 
Republic is required to maintain FHLB stock in proportion to its outstanding debt to FHLB.  When the debt is repaid, the purchase price of the stock is refunded.  At March 31, 2008, FHLB stock totaled $7.1 million, an increase of $942,000 from $6.2 million at December 31, 2007.
 
Republic is also required to maintain ACBB stock as a condition of a rarely used contingency line of credit.  At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, ACBB stock totaled $143,000.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
 
Cash and due from banks, interest bearing deposits and federal funds sold comprise this category which consists of the Company’s most liquid assets. The aggregate amount in these three categories decreased by $2.6 million, to $70.6 million at March 31, 2008, from $73.2 million at December 31, 2007, primarily reflecting a decrease in federal funds sold.
 
Fixed Assets:
 
The balance in premises and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, was $11.7 million at March 31, 20087, compared to $11.3 million at December 31, 2007, reflecting primarily branch expansion.
 
Other Real Estate Owned:
 
Other real estate owned amounted to $16.4 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $3.7 million at December 31, 2007, primarily reflecting transfers from loans of $15.8 million, partially offset by net proceeds from sales of $2.1 million and a writedown of $1.0 million.
 
Bank Owned Life Insurance:
 
The balance of bank owned life insurance amounted to $11.8 million at March 31, 2008 and $11.7 million at December 31, 2007. The income earned on these policies is reflected in non-interest income.
 
Other Assets:
 
Other assets increased by $2.3 million to $10.3 million at March 31, 2008, from $8.0 million at December 31, 2007, principally resulting from an increase in short-term receivables, which are to be collected in the second quarter of 2008.
 
16

 
Deposits:
 
Deposits, which include non-interest and interest-bearing demand deposits, money market, savings and time deposits including some brokered deposits, are Republic’s major source of funding. Deposits are generally solicited from the Company’s market area through the offering of a variety of products to attract and retain customers, with a primary focus on multi-product relationships.  Total deposits decreased by $31.3 million to $749.5 million at March 31, 2008 from $780.9 million at December 31, 2007.  Average transaction account balances decreased 14.8% or $57.7 million less than the prior year period to $333.0 million in the first quarter of 2008. Period end time deposits increased $4.2 million, or 1.0% to $427.1 million at March 31, 2008, versus $422.9 million at the prior year-end.
 
FHLB Borrowings and Overnight Advances:
 
FHLB borrowings and overnight advances are used to supplement deposit generation.   Republic had no term borrowings at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007.  Republic had short-term borrowings (overnight) of $152.7 million at March 31, 2008 versus $133.4 million at the prior year-end.
 
Shareholders’ Equity:
 
Total shareholders’ equity decreased $2.8 million to $77.7 million at March 31, 2008, versus $80.5 million at December 31, 2007.


Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 compared to March 31, 2007
Results of Operations:

Overview

The Company's net income decreased to a $2.8 million loss or $(0.27) per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared to $2.1 million, or $0.20 per diluted share for the comparable prior year period.  There was a $2.3 million, or 13.3%, decrease in total interest income, reflecting a 115 basis point decrease in the yield on average loans outstanding while interest expense decreased $1.9 million, reflecting a 70 basis point decrease in the rate on average interest-bearing deposits outstanding and a 201 basis point decrease in the rate on average borrowings outstanding.   Accordingly, net interest income decreased $349,000 between the periods. The provision for loan losses in the first quarter of 2008 increased to $5.8 million, compared to $80,000 provision expense in the first quarter of 2007, reflecting additional reserves on certain loans.  Non-interest income increased $25,000 to $665,000 in first quarter 2008 compared to $640,000 in first quarter 2007.  Non-interest expenses increased $1.5 million to $6.4 million compared to $5.0 million in the first quarter of 2007, primarily due to a $1.0 million writedown of other real estate owned and an increase of $120,000 in legal fees. Return on average assets and average equity from continuing operations of (1.16)% and (13.90)% respectively, in the first quarter of 2008 compared to 0.88% and 11.26% respectively for the same period in 2007.

17

 
Analysis of Net Interest Income

Historically, the Company's earnings have depended significantly upon net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on interest-earning assets and interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income is impacted by changes in the mix of the volume and rates of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  Yields are adjusted for tax equivalency in first quarter 2008 and 2007.

   
For the three months ended
   
For the three months ended
 
   
March 31, 2008
   
March 31, 2007
 
Interest-earning assets:
                                   
         
Interest
               
Interest
       
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Average
   
Income/
   
Yield/
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Yield/
 
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Rate
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Rate
 
Federal funds sold
                                   
and other interest-
                                   
earning assets
  $ 12,271     $ 96       3.15 %   $ 19,767     $ 235       4.82 %
Securities
    87,545       1,313       6.00 %     109,568       1,609       5.87 %
Loans receivable
    817,702       13,453       6.62 %     798,716       15,300       7.77 %
Total interest-earning assets
    917,518       14,862       6.51 %     928,051       17,144       7.49 %
                                                 
Other assets
    42,977                       37,416                  
                                                 
Total assets
  $ 960,495                     $ 965,467                  
                                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Demand-non interest
                                               
bearing
  $ 83,393                     $ 77,819                  
Demand interest-bearing
    41,993     $ 146       1.40 %     43,808     $ 100       0.93 %
Money market & savings
    207,571       1,667       3.23 %     269,000       3,022       4.56 %
Time deposits
    384,040       4,440       4.65 %     329,578       4,271       5.26 %
Total deposits
    716,997       6,253       3.51 %     720,205       7,393       4.16 %
Total interest-bearing
                                               
deposits
    633,604       6,253       3.97 %     642,386       7,393       4.67 %
                                                 
Other borrowings (1)
    151,552       1,326       3.52 %     155,348       2,119       5.53 %
                                                 
Total interest-bearing
                                               
liabilities
  $ 785,156     $ 7,579       3.88 %   $ 797,734     $ 9,512       4.84 %
Total deposits and
                                               
other borrowings
    868,549       7,579       3.51 %     875,553       9,512       4.41 %
                                                 
Non interest-bearing
                                               
liabilites
    11,558                       14,118                  
Shareholders' equity
    80,388                       75,796                  
Total liabilities and
                                               
shareholders' equity
  $ 960,495                     $ 965,467                  
                                                 
Net interest income
          $ 7,283                     $ 7,632          
Net interest spread
                    2.63 %                     2.65 %
                                                 
Net interest margin
                    3.19 %                     3.34 %
                                                 
(1) Includes $11.3 million of trust preferred securities
                                         

 
18

 

The rate volume table below presents an analysis of the impact on interest income and expense resulting from changes in average volumes and rates during the period. For purposes of this table, changes in interest income and expense are allocated to volume and rate categories based upon the respective changes in average balances and average rates.

Rate/Volume Table
 
   
Three months ended March 31, 2008
 
   
versus March 31, 2007
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
Due to change in:
 
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Total
 
Interest earned on:
                 
                   
          Federal funds sold
  $ (59 )   $ (80 )   $ (139 )
          Securities
    (329 )     33       (296 )
          Loans
    313       (2,160 )     (1,847 )
     Total interest-earning assets
    (75 )     (2,207 )     (2,282 )
                         
Interest expense of deposits
                       
         Interest-bearing demand deposits
    6       (52 )     (46 )
         Money market and savings
    495       860       1,355  
         Time deposits
    (631 )     462       (169 )
     Total deposit interest expense
    (130 )     1,270       1,140  
         Other borrowings
    33       760       793  
              Total interest expense
    (97 )     2,030       1,933  
Net interest income
  $ (172 )   $ (177 )   $ (349 )

The Company’s tax equivalent net interest margin decreased 15 basis points to 3.19% for the three months ended March 31, 2008, versus 3.34% in the prior year comparable period.

While yields on interest-bearing assets decreased 98 basis points to 6.51% in first quarter 2008 from 7.49% in first quarter 2007, the rate on total deposits and other borrowings decreased 90 basis points to 3.51% from 4.41% between those respective periods. The decrease in yields on assets and rates on deposits and borrowings was primarily due to repricing assets and liabilities as a result of actions taken by the Federal Reserve since September 2007.
 
The Company's tax equivalent net interest income decreased $349,000, or 4.6%, to $7.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, from $7.6 million for the prior year comparable period. As shown in the Rate Volume table above, the decrease in net interest income was due to a slightly lower net interest spread as well as a slight decrease in average interest earning assets. Average interest-earning assets amounted to $917.5 million for first quarter 2008 and $928.1 million for first quarter 2007.  The $10.6 million decrease resulted from a reduction of securities, federal funds sold and other interest earning assets of $29.5 million partially offset by loan growth of $19.0 million.
 
The Company’s total tax equivalent interest income decreased $2.3 million, or 13.3%, to $14.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, from $17.1 million for the prior year comparable period.  Interest and fees on loans decreased $1.8 million, or 12.1%, to $13.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, from $15.3 million for the prior year comparable period.  The decrease was due primarily to the 115 basis point decline in the yield on loans resulting from the repricing of the variable rate loan portfolio as a result of actions taken by the Federal Reserve.  Interest and dividends on investment securities decreased $296,000 to $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, from $1.6 million for the prior year comparable period.  This decrease reflected a decrease in average
 
19

securities outstanding of $22.0 million, or 20.1%, to $87.5 million from $109.6 million for the prior year comparable period.  Interest on federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets decreased $139,000, or 59.1%, reflecting decreases in short-term market interest rates and a $7.5 million decrease in average balances to $12.3 million for first quarter 2008 from $19.8 million for the comparable prior year period.
 
The Company's total interest expense decreased $1.9 million, or 20.3%, to $7.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, from $9.5 million for the prior year comparable period. Interest-bearing liabilities averaged $785.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, versus $797.7 million for the prior year comparable period, or a decrease of $12.6 million. The decrease primarily reflected reduced funding requirements due to a decrease in securities. Average deposit balances decreased $3.2 million while there was a $3.8 million decrease in average other borrowings. The average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities decreased 96 basis points to 3.88% for the three months ended March 31, 2008. Interest expense on time deposit balances increased $169,000 to $4.4 million in first quarter 2008, from $4.3 million in the comparable prior year period, reflecting higher average balances.  Money market and savings interest expense decreased $1.4 million to $1.7 million in first quarter 2008, from $3.0 million in the comparable prior year period. The majority of the decrease in interest expense on deposits reflected the impact of the lower short-term interest rate environment. Accordingly, rates on total interest-bearing deposits decreased 70 basis points in first quarter 2008 compared to first quarter 2007.

Interest expense on other borrowings decreased $793,000 to $1.3 million in first quarter 2008, also as a result of the lower short-term interest rate environment. Average other borrowings, primarily overnight FHLB borrowings, decreased $3.8 million, or 2.4%, between those respective periods. Rates on overnight borrowings reflected the lower short-term interest rate environment as the rate of other borrowings decreased to 3.52% in first quarter 2008, from 5.53% in the comparable prior year period. Interest expense on other borrowings also includes the interest on $11.3 million of trust preferred securities.

Provision for Loan Losses
 
The provision for loan losses is charged to operations in an amount necessary to bring the total allowance for loan losses to a level that reflects the known and estimated inherent losses in the portfolio. The provision for loan losses amounted to $5.8 million in first quarter 2008 compared to $80,000 in first quarter 2007.  The first quarter 2008 provision reflected $5.7 million of charges to increase reserves on specific loans primarily comprised of the following. A $1.3 million charge was taken on a New Jersey residential development shore property, notwithstanding higher appraisals, and reflected the most up to date potential buyer indications. A $600,000 charge was taken on a residential development property in New Jersey, also proximate to the shore, based upon the same factors. A $1.7 million charge was taken for a borrower with loans secured by multiple commercial properties which, notwithstanding higher appraisals, was based on the most current efforts to market the properties. A $1.3 million charge was taken on a suburban Philadelphia residential development property, notwithstanding higher appraisals, based on the most recent potential buyer indications. A $450,000 charge was taken on a Philadelphia city residential development, based on the most recent realtor indications. In each case the charges were based on a more rapid disposition than initially planned. The residential property charges reflected the most up to date April, 2008 information, in which markets showed deterioration in what is typically the beginning of the peak buying season.
 
The comparable first quarter 2007 provision reflected $207,000 for recoveries on tax refund loans.  The remaining provision in first quarter 2007 also reflected amounts required to increase the allowance for loan growth in accordance with the Company’s methodology.

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Non-Interest Income

Total non-interest income increased $25,000 to $665,000 for first quarter 2008 compared to $640,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2007, primarily due to a $100,000 legal settlement which was partially offset by a $90,000 decrease in loan advisory and servicing fees.  The decrease in loan advisory and servicing fees resulted from lower advisory and prepayment fee income.

Non-Interest Expenses
 
Total non-interest expenses increased $1.5 million or 29.1% to $6.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, from $5.0 million for the prior year comparable period. Salaries and employee benefits increased $114,000 or 4.4%, to $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, from $2.6 million for the prior year comparable period. That increase reflected decreased salary deferrals based on lower loan originations, as well as annual merit increases up to 3%.
 
Occupancy expense increased $66,000, or 12.3%, to $603,000 in first quarter 2008, compared to $537,000 in first quarter 2007. The increase reflected the corporate headquarters move in second quarter 2007.
 
Depreciation expense decreased $8,000 or 2.4% to $326,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008, versus $334,000 for the prior year comparable period.
 
Legal fees increased $120,000, or 155.8%, to $197,000 in first quarter 2008, compared to $77,000 in first quarter 2007, resulting from increased fees on a number of different matters.
 
Other real estate expenses increased $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to $3,000 for the first quarter 2007 due to a $1.0 million writedown of a property in the first quarter 2008. The writedown was based upon a pending agreement of sale which is in process of being finalized by the lead bank in a participation loan.
 
Advertising expense increased $44,000, or 51.8%, to $129,000 in first quarter 2008, compared to $85,000 in first quarter 2007.  The increase was primarily due to higher levels of print advertising.
 
Data processing expense increased $44,000, or 27.7%, to $203,000 in first quarter 2008, compared to $159,000 in first quarter 2007, primarily due to system enhancements.
 
Insurance expense increased $11,000, or 11.8%, to $104,000 in first quarter 2008, compared to $93,000 in first quarter 2007, resulting from the overall growth of the Company and higher rates.
 
Professional fees decreased $27,000, or 21.4%, to $99,000 in first quarter 2008, compared to $126,000 in first quarter 2007.
 
Taxes, other increased $58,000, or 28.6%, to $261,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008, versus $203,000 for the comparable prior year period.  The increase reflected an increase in Pennsylvania shares tax which is assessed at an amount of 1.25% on a 6 year moving average of regulatory capital.  The full amount of the increase resulted from increased capital.
 
 Other expenses increased $18,000, or 2.4% to $780,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008, from $762,000 for the prior year comparable period.
 


 
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Provision for Income Taxes
 
The provision for income taxes decreased $2.6 million, to a $1.6 million benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2008, from $1.0 million expense for the prior year comparable period. That increase was primarily the result of the decrease in pre-tax income.  The effective tax rates in those periods were 36% and 33% respectively.
 
Commitments, Contingencies and Concentrations
 
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent potential credit risk are commitments to extend credit of approximately $145.3 million and $160.2 million and standby letters of credit of approximately $5.6 million and $4.6 million at March 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively.
 
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and many require the payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Republic evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained upon extension of credit is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer. Collateral held varies but may include real estate, marketable securities, pledged deposits, equipment and accounts receivable.
 
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments that guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The credit risk and collateral policy involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan commitments. The amount of collateral obtained is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer. Collateral held varies but may include real estate, marketable securities, pledged deposits, equipment and accounts receivable. Management believes that the proceeds obtained through a liquidation of such collateral would be sufficient to cover the maximum potential amount of future payments required under the corresponding guarantees.
 
 
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Regulatory Matters
 
The following table presents the Company’s and Republic’s capital regulatory ratios at March 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007:
 
   
Actual
   
For Capital
Adequacy purposes
   
To be well
capitalized under FRB capital guidelines
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
(Dollars in thousands)
                                   
At March 31, 2008
                                   
Total risk based capital
                                   
Republic
  $ 98,503       11.08 %   $ 71,103       8.00 %   $ 88,878       10.00 %
Company
    98,772       11.10 %     71,208       8.00 %     -       N/A  
Tier one risk based capital
                                               
Republic
    88,347       9.94 %     35,551       4.00 %     53,327       6.00 %
Company
    88,616       9.96 %     35,604       4.00 %     -       N/A  
Tier one leveraged capital
                                               
Republic
    88,347       9.21 %     47,941       5.00 %     47,941       5.00 %
Company
    88,616       9.23 %     48,025       5.00 %     -       N/A  
                                                 
 

   
Actual
   
For Capital
Adequacy purposes
   
To be well
capitalized under FRB capital guidelines
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
At December 31, 2007
                                   
Total risk based capital
                                   
Republic
  $ 99,634       11.02 %   $ 72,534       8.00 %   $ 90,667       10.00 %
Company
    99,704       11.01 %     72,638       8.00 %     -       N/A  
Tier one risk based capital
                                               
Republic
    91,126       10.08 %     36,267       4.00 %     54,400       6.00 %
Company
    91,196       10.07 %     36,319       4.00 %     -       N/A  
 
Tier one leveraged capital
                                               
Republic
    91,126       9.45 %     48,225       5.00 %     48,225       5.00 %
Company
    91,196       9.44 %     48,294       5.00 %     -       N/A  
 
 Dividend Policy
 
The Company has not paid any cash dividends on its common stock, but may consider dividend payments in the future.
 
Liquidity
 
Financial institutions must maintain liquidity to meet day-to-day requirements of depositors and borrowers, time investment purchases to market conditions and provide a cushion against unforeseen needs. Liquidity needs can be met by either reducing assets or increasing liabilities.  The most liquid assets consist of cash, amounts due from banks and federal funds sold.
 
Regulatory authorities require the Company to maintain certain liquidity ratios such that Republic maintains available funds, or can obtain available funds at reasonable rates, in order to satisfy commitments to borrowers and the demands of depositors.  In response to these requirements, the Company has formed an Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”), comprised of selected members of the board of directors and senior management, which monitors such ratios.  The purpose of the Committee is in part, to monitor Republic’s liquidity and adherence to the ratios in addition to managing relative interest rate risk.  The ALCO meets at least quarterly.
 
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Republic’s most liquid assets, consisting of cash, due from banks, deposits with banks and federal funds sold, totaled $70.6 million at March 31, 2008 compared to $73.2 million at December 31, 2007, due primarily to a decrease in federal funds sold. Loan maturities and repayments, if not reinvested in loans, also are immediately available for liquidity. At March 31, 2008, Republic estimated that in excess of $50.0 million of loans would mature or be repaid in the six month period that will end June 30, 2008. Additionally, the majority of its securities are available to satisfy liquidity requirements through pledges to the FHLB to access Republic’s line of credit.
 

Funding requirements have historically been satisfied primarily by generating transaction accounts and certificates of deposit with competitive rates, and utilizing the facilities of the FHLB. At March 31, 2008 Republic had $98.4 million in unused lines of credit readily available under arrangements with the FHLB and correspondent banks compared to $113.1 million at December 31, 2007. These lines of credit enable Republic to purchase funds for short or long-term needs at rates often lower than other sources and require pledging of securities or loan collateral. The amount of available credit has been decreasing with the prepayment of mortgage backed loans and securities.
 
 
At March 31, 2008, Republic had aggregate outstanding commitments (including unused lines of credit and letters of credit) of $150.9 million. Certificates of deposit scheduled to mature in one year totaled $410.7 million at March 31, 2008. There were no FHLB advances outstanding at March 31, 2008, and short-term borrowings of $152.7 million consisted of overnight FHLB borrowings of $117.7 million, uncollateralized overnight advances with PNC Bank of $20.0 million and $15.0 million under a line of credit with a correspondent bank. The Company anticipates that it will have sufficient funds available to meet its current commitments.
 
Republic’s target and actual liquidity levels are determined by comparisons of the estimated repayment and marketability of its interest-earning assets and projected future outflows of deposits and other liabilities. Republic has established a line of credit with a correspondent bank to assist in managing Republic’s liquidity position.  That line of credit totaled $15.0 million and was used at March 31, 2008.  Republic has established a line of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh with a maximum borrowing capacity of approximately $201.0 million.  As of March 31, 2008, Republic had borrowed $117.7 million under that line of credit. Securities also represent a primary source of liquidity. Accordingly, investment decisions generally reflect liquidity over other considerations.  Additionally, Republic has uncollateralized overnight advances with PNC Bank.  As of March 31, 2008, there were $20.0 million of such overnight advances outstanding.
 
Republic’s primary short-term funding sources are certificates of deposit and its securities portfolio. The circumstances that are reasonably likely to affect those sources are as follows. Republic has historically been able to generate certificates of deposit by matching Philadelphia market rates or paying a premium rate of 25 to 50 basis points over those market rates. It is anticipated that this source of liquidity will continue to be available; however, its incremental cost may vary depending on market conditions. Republic’s securities portfolio is also available for liquidity, usually as collateral for FHLB advances. Because of the FHLB’s AAA rating, it is unlikely those advances would not be available. But even if they are not, numerous investment companies would likely provide repurchase agreements up to the amount of the market value of the securities.
 
Republic’s ALCO is responsible for managing its liquidity position and interest sensitivity. That committee’s primary objective is to maximize net interest income while configuring interest-sensitive assets and liabilities to manage interest rate risk and provide adequate liquidity.

Investment Securities Portfolio

At March 31, 2008, the Company had identified certain investment securities that are being held for indefinite periods of time, including securities that will be used as part of the Company’s asset/liability management strategy and that may be sold in response to changes in interest rates, prepayments and similar factors.  These securities are classified as available for sale and are intended to increase the
 
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flexibility of the Company’s asset/liability management.  Available for sale securities consisted of U.S. Government Agency securities and other investments. The book and market values of investment securities available for sale were $78.8 million and $83.7 million as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.  At March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the portfolio had net unrealized gains of $92,000 and $409,000, respectively.

Loan Portfolio

The Company’s loan portfolio consists of secured and unsecured commercial loans including commercial real estate loans, loans secured by one-to-four family residential property, commercial construction and residential construction loans as well as residential mortgages, home equity loans, short-term consumer and other consumer loans. Commercial loans are primarily term loans made to small to medium-sized businesses and professionals for working capital, asset acquisition and other purposes. Commercial loans are originated as either fixed or variable rate loans with typical terms of 1 to 5 years. Republic’s commercial loans typically range between $250,000 and $5.0 million but customers may borrow significantly larger amounts up to Republic’s combined legal lending limit of approximately $15.0 million at March 31, 2008. Individual customers may have several loans often secured by different collateral.
 
Gross loans decreased $24.0 million, to $797.5 million at March 31, 2008, from $821.5 million at December 31, 2007.
 
      The following table sets forth the Company's gross loans by major categories for the periods indicated:


(dollars in thousands)
 
As of March 31, 2008
   
As of December 31, 2007
 
   
Balance
   
% of Total
   
Balance
   
% of Total
 
Commercial:
                       
   Real estate secured
  $ 462,058       57.9 %   $ 476,873       58.1 %
   Construction and land development
    226,317       28.4       228,616       27.8  
   Non real estate secured
    75,949       9.5       77,347       9.4  
   Non real estate unsecured
    5,878       0.8       8,451       1.0  
      770,202       96.6       791,287       96.3  
                                 
Residential real estate
    5,915       0.7       5,960       0.7  
Consumer &  other
    21,384       2.7       24,302       3.0  
Total loans, net of unearned income
    797,501       100.0 %     821,549       100.0 %
                                 
Less: allowance for loan losses
    (10,156 )             (8,508 )        
                                 
Net loans
  $ 787,345             $ 813,041          
 
Credit Quality

Republic’s written lending policies require specified underwriting, loan documentation and credit analysis standards to be met prior to funding, with independent credit department approval for the majority of new loan balances. A committee of the Board of Directors oversees the loan approval process to monitor that proper standards are maintained and approves the majority of commercial loans.
 
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Loans, including impaired loans, are generally classified as non-accrual if they are past due as to maturity or payment of interest or principal for a period of more than 90 days, unless such loans are well-secured and in the process of collection. Loans that are on a current payment status or past due less than 90 days may also be classified as non-accrual if repayment in full of principal and/or interest is in doubt.
 
Loans may be returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are reasonably assured of repayment within an acceptable period of time, and there is a sustained period of repayment performance by the borrower, in accordance with the contractual terms.
 
While a loan is classified as non-accrual or as an impaired loan and the future collectibility of the recorded loan balance is doubtful, collections of interest and principal are generally applied as a reduction to principal outstanding. When the future collectibility of the recorded loan balance is expected, interest income may be recognized on a cash basis. In the case where a non-accrual loan had been partially charged off, recognition of interest on a cash basis is limited to that which would have been recognized on the recorded loan balance at the contractual interest rate. Cash interest receipts in excess of that amount are recorded as recoveries to the allowance for loan losses until prior charge-offs have been fully recovered.
 
The following summary shows information concerning loan delinquency and other non-performing assets at the dates indicated.

   
March 31,
2008
   
December 31,
2007
 
(dollars in thousands)
           
Loans accruing, but past due 90 days or more
  $ -     $ -  
Non-accrual loans
    3,067       22,280  
Total non-performing loans (1)
    3,067       22,280  
Other real estate owned
    16,378       3,681  
                 
Total non-performing assets (2)
  $ 19,445     $ 25,961  
                 
Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans net of unearned
               
   Income
    0.38 %     2.71 %
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets
    1.95 %     2.55 %
 
(1)
Non-performing loans are comprised of (i) loans that are on a nonaccrual basis; (ii) accruing loans that are 90 days or more past due and (iii) restructured loans.
(2)
Non-performing assets are composed of non-performing loans and other real estate owned (assets acquired in foreclosure).

        As discussed under “Provision for Loan Losses” Republic is pursuing more rapid disposition of non performing loans. Accordingly the Bank has taken title or control of the majority of such loans which has resulted in their transfer to other real estate owned as follows.

Non accrual-loans decreased $19.2 million, to $3.1 million at March 31, 2008, from $22.3 million at December 31, 2007.  An analysis of first quarter activity is as follows. The $19.2 million decrease reflected $15.8 million of transfers of loans to two customers to other real estate owned after related first quarter 2008 charge-offs  of $4.2 million and payoffs of $0.9 million.  The resulting decrease was partially offset by the transition of three loans totaling $1.7 million to non-accrual status.

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Problem loans consist of loans that are included in performing loans, but for which potential credit problems of the borrowers have caused management to have serious doubts as to the ability of such borrowers to continue to comply with present repayment terms. At March 31, 2008, all identified problem loans are included in the preceding table or are classified as substandard or doubtful, with a specific reserve allocation in the allowance for loan losses (see “Allowance For Loan Losses”). Management believes that the appraisals and other estimates of the value of the collateral pledged against the non-accrual loans generally exceed the amount of its outstanding balances.
 
The recorded investment in loans which are impaired totaled $3.1 million at March 31, 2008, which represented a reduction of $19.2 million from the $22.3 million at December 31, 2007.  Non-accrual loans totaled $3.1 million at March 31, 2008, and $22.3 million at December 31, 2007, and the amount of related valuation allowances were $581,000 and $1.6 million, respectively at those dates.  The primary reason for the decrease in impaired loans was the aforementioned transfers of loans to other real estate owned and charge-offs.  At March 31, 2008, compared to December 31, 2007 accruing special mention loans had decreased to $1.0 million from $10.6 million at December 31, 2007. This resulted primarily from the transfer to accruing substandard of $8.7 million of loans to one customer secured by three separate properties and the transfer to non-accrual status of one loan totaling $1.3 million. This was partially offset by the transfer of one loan totaling $378,000 from substandard at December 31, 2007 to special mention at March 31, 2008.  The related valuation allowances corresponding to the $1.0 million and $10.6 million were $285,000 and $688,000, respectively at those dates. There were no commitments to extend credit to any borrowers with impaired loans as of the end of the periods presented herein.

At March 31, 2008, compared to December 31, 2007, accruing substandard loans had increased to $9.0 million from $702,000 due primarily to the aforementioned transfer of  loans from special mention status; while doubtful loans increased to $594,000 at March 31, 2008 from $168,000 at December 31, 2007 due to the transfer of one loan totaling $300,000 from accrual status, the transfer of loans to one customer totaling $266,000 from special mention status and partially offset by the payoff of one loan totaling $123,000 in first quarter 2008.  The related valuation allowances with respect to the $9.0 million accruing substandard at March 31, 2008, was $3.4 million.  At December 31, 2007 related valuation allowances for the $702,000 accruing substandard was $56,000.  There were no accruing doubtful loans at either date.  There were no loans classified as loss at those dates.
 
Republic had delinquent loans as follows: (i) 30 to 59 days past due, in the aggregate principal amount of $7.4 million at March 31, 2008 and $3.6 million at December 31, 2007; and (ii) 60 to 89 days past due, at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, in the aggregate principal amount of $181,000 and $1.6 million, respectively. The increase in the loans delinquent 30 to 59 days reflects the addition of a $3.4 million loan against which there are specific reserves reflected in the allowance for loan losses.  The decrease in the loans delinquent 60 to 89 days reflects the $1.3 million loan transferred to non accrual status.

Other Real Estate Owned:
 
The balance of other real estate owned increased to $16.4 million at March 31, 2008 from $3.7 million at December 31, 2007 due to transfers from loans to two customers totaling $15.8 million partially offset by net proceeds from sales of two properties of $2.1 million and a writedown on one property of $1.0 million.
 
At March 31, 2008, the Company had no credit exposure to "highly leveraged transactions" as defined by the Federal Reserve Bank.


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Allowance for Loan Losses
 
An analysis of the allowance for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2008, and 2007, and the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 is as follows:

                   
   
For the three months ended
   
For the twelve months ended
   
For the three months ended
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
March 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
   
March 31, 2007
 
                   
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 8,508     $ 8,058     $ 8,058  
Charge-offs:
                       
 Commercial and construction
    4,344       1,503       -  
  Tax refund loans
    -       -       -  
 Consumer
    8       3       -  
Total charge-offs
    4,352       1,506       -  
Recoveries:
                       
  Commercial and construction
    117       81       9  
  Tax refund loans
    69       283       207  
  Consumer
    2       2       1  
Total recoveries
    188       366       217  
Net charge-offs
    4,164       1,140       (217 )
Provision for loan losses
    5,812       1,590       80  
Balance at end of period
  $ 10,156     $ 8,508     $ 8,355  
Average loans outstanding (1)
  $ 817,702     $ 820,380     $ 798,716  
                         
As a percent of average loans (1):
                       
Net charge-offs (annualized)
    2.05 %     0.14 %     (0.11 )%
                         
Provision for loan losses (annualized)
    2.86 %     0.19 %     0.04 %
                         
Allowance for loan losses
    1.24 %     1.04 %     1.05 %
                         
Allowance for loan losses to:
                       
Total loans, net of unearned income at period end
    1.27 %     1.04 %     1.00 %
                         
Total non-performing loans at period end
    331.14 %     38.19 %     91.92 %
                         
(1) Includes nonaccruing loans.
 
Management makes at least a quarterly determination as to an appropriate provision from earnings to maintain an allowance for loan losses that is management’s best estimate of known and inherent losses. The Company’s Board of Directors periodically reviews the status of all non-accrual and impaired loans and loans classified by the Republic’s regulators or internal loan review officer, who reviews both the loan portfolio and overall adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. The Board of Directors also considers specific loans, pools of similar loans, historical charge-off activity, economic conditions and other relevant factors in reviewing the adequacy of the loan loss reserve. Any additions deemed necessary to the allowance for loan losses are charged to operating expenses.
 
The Company has an existing loan review program, which monitors the loan portfolio on an ongoing basis. Loan review is conducted by a loan review officer who reports quarterly, directly to the Board of Directors.
 
Estimating the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses at any given date is difficult, particularly in a continually changing economy. In management’s opinion, the allowance for loan losses is appropriate at March 31, 2008. However, there can be no assurance that, if asset quality deteriorates in future periods, additions to the allowance for loan losses will not be required.
 
Republic’s management is unable to determine in which loan category future charge-offs and recoveries may occur. The entire allowance for loan losses is available to absorb loan losses in any loan category.  The majority of the Company's loan portfolio represents loans made for commercial purposes,
 
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while significant amounts of residential property may serve as collateral for such loans. The Company attempts to evaluate larger loans individually, on the basis of its loan review process, which scrutinizes loans on a selective basis and other available information. Even if all commercial purpose loans could be reviewed, there is no assurance that information on potential problems would be available. The Company's portfolios of loans made for purposes of financing residential mortgages and consumer loans are evaluated in groups. At March 31, 2008, loans made for commercial and construction, residential mortgage and consumer purposes, respectively, amounted to $770.2 million, $5.9 million and $21.7 million.

Effects of Inflation

The majority of assets and liabilities of a financial institution are monetary in nature. Therefore, a financial institution differs greatly from most commercial and industrial companies that have significant investments in fixed assets or inventories.  Management believes that the most significant impact of inflation on financial results is the Company’s need and ability to react to changes in interest rates. As discussed previously, management attempts to maintain an essentially balanced position between rate sensitive assets and liabilities over a one year time horizon in order to protect net interest income from being affected by wide interest rate fluctuations.


 
29

 

ITEM 3: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE INFORMATION ABOUT MARKET RISK

There has been no material change in the Company’s assessment of its sensitivity to market risk since its presentation in the 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
 
ITEM 4: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
(a)  Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.
 
      Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, with the assistance of management, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”).  Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
 
(b)  Changes in internal controls.
 
      There has not been any change in our internal control over financial reporting during our quarter ended March 31, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 

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PART II                      OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None

ITEM 1A: RISK FACTORS
No material changes from risk factors as previously disclosed in the Company’s Form  10-K in response to Item 1A in Part 1 of Form 10-K.


ITEM 2: UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None

ITEM 3: DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None

ITEM 4: SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None


ITEM 5: OTHER INFORMATION
None

ITEM 6: EXHIBITS

The following Exhibits are filed as part of this report.  (Exhibit numbers correspond to the exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K for an annual report on Form 10-K)

Exhibit No.


31.1            Certification of the Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

31.2            Certification of the Chief Financial Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

32.1           Certification of the Chief Executive Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

32.2           Certification of the Chief Financial Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act





 
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Issuer has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
Republic First Bancorp, Inc.
   
   
   
 
/s/Harry D. Madonna
 
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
   
   
 
            
 
/s/Paul Frenkiel
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   
Dated: April 30, 2008










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