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: September 30, 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 latestpracticable date.
 
11,031,253   shares of Issuer's Common Stock, par value
$0.01 per share , issued and outstanding as of November 5, 2008

Page 1

Exhibit index appears on page 39
 



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 September 30, 2008 (unaudited) and December 31, 2007
   
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended
 
September 30, 2008 and 2007 (unaudited)
   
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the nine months ended
 
September 30, 2008 and 2007 (unaudited)
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended
 
September 30, 2008 and 2007 (unaudited)
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
   

 
3

 

Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007
Dollars in thousands, except share data


ASSETS:
 
September 30, 2008
     
December 31, 2007
 
       
(unaudited)
     
Cash and due from banks
  $ 19,013       $ 10,996  
Interest bearing deposits with banks
    341         320  
Federal funds sold
    38,382         61,909  
Total cash and cash equivalents
    57,736         73,225  
                   
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value
    86,345         83,659  
Investment securities held to maturity, at amortized cost
                 
     (Fair value of $216 and $285, respectively)
    203         282  
Restricted stock, at cost
    6,401         6,358  
Loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses of
                 
      $6,807 and $8,508, respectively)
    764,245         813,041  
Premises and equipment, net
    14,411         11,288  
Other real estate owned, net
    8,580         3,681  
Accrued interest receivable
    4,209         5,058  
Bank owned life insurance
    12,029         11,718  
Other assets
    10,573         7,998  
Total Assets
  $ 964,732       $ 1,016,308  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
                 
Liabilities:
                 
Deposits:
                 
Demand – non-interest-bearing
  $ 77,728       $ 99,040  
Demand – interest-bearing
    32,432         35,235  
Money market and savings
    240,055         223,645  
Time less than $100,000
    181,367         179,043  
Time over $100,000
    197,905         243,892  
    Total Deposits
    729,487         780,855  
                   
Short-term borrowings
    100,682         133,433  
Other borrowings
    25,000         -  
Accrued interest payable
    2,820         3,719  
Other liabilities
    5,010         6,493  
Subordinated debt
    22,476         11,341  
Total Liabilities
    885,475         935,841  
Shareholders’ Equity :
                 
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share: 10,000,000 shares authorized;
                 
    no shares issued as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007
    -         -  
Common stock par value $0.01 per share, 20,000,000 shares authorized;
                 
    shares issued 11,031,253 as of September 30, 2008
                 
    and 10,737,211 as of December 31, 2007
    110         107  
Additional paid in capital
    76,297         75,321  
Retained earnings
    8,871         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 (loss)
    (1,863 )       270  
Total Shareholders’ Equity
    79,257         80,467  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
  $ 964,732       $ 1,016,308  


(See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements)


4


Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

 
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Interest income:
                       
   Interest and fees on loans
  $ 12,208     $ 16,209     $ 37,821     $ 47,166  
   Interest and dividends on taxable investment securities
    1,173       1,198       3,315       3,852  
   Interest and dividends on tax-exempt investment securities
    106       131       326       380  
   Interest on federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets
    45       139       199       543  
   Total interest income
    13,532       17,677       41,661       51,941  
                                 
Interest expense:
                               
   Demand interest-bearing
    68       109       283       327  
   Money market and savings
    1,625       2,816       4,663       9,370  
   Time less than $100,000
    1,671       1,829       5,900       5,510  
   Time over $100,000
    1,545       2,921       5,925       8,161  
   Other borrowings
    1,005       2,198       3,046       5,694  
      5,914       9,873       19,817       29,062  
Net interest income
    7,618       7,804       21,844       22,879  
Provision for loan losses
    43       1,282       5,898       1,425  
Net interest income after provision  for loan losses
    7,575       6,522       15,946       21,454  
                                 
                                 
Non-interest income:
                               
    Loan advisory and servicing fees
    120       156       270       715  
    Service fees on deposit accounts
    300       289       884       871  
    Mastercard transaction
    -       -       309       -  
    Legal settlement
    -       -       100       -  
    Gains on sales and calls of investment securities
    -       -       5       -  
    Gain on sale of other real estate owned
    -       183       -       185  
    Bank owned life insurance income
    98       106       311       309  
    Other income
    154       26       294       75  
      672       760       2,173       2,155  
Non-interest expenses:
                               
   Salaries and employee benefits
    2,319       2,713       7,752       7,874  
   Occupancy
    611       688       1,809       1,829  
   Depreciation and amortization
    342       347       1,007       1,036  
   Legal
    249       166       720       438  
   Writedown/ loss on sale of other real estate owned
    559       -       1,615       -  
   Other real estate
    163       3       505       23  
   Advertising
    75       141       353       385  
   Data processing
    214       172       620       486  
   Insurance
    149       106       401       293  
   Professional fees
    315       129       558       379  
   Regulatory assessments and costs
    151       45       381       132  
   Taxes, other
    207       204       719       618  
   Other expenses
    654       774       2,077       2,273  
      6,008       5,488       18,517       15,766  
                                 
Income (loss) before provision for income tax (benefit) expense
    2,239       1,794       (398 )     7,843  
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    706       558       (342 )     2,535  
                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 1,533     $ 1,236     $ (56 )   $ 5,308  
                                 
Net income (loss) per share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.14     $ 0.12     $ (0.01 )   $ 0.51  
Diluted
  $ 0.14     $ 0.12     $ (0.01 )   $ 0.50  
                                 



(See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements)
 
5


Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
( Dollars in thousands, except share data)
                 (unaudited)
 


 
 
 
Comprehensive
Loss
 
 
 
Common
Stock
 
 
Additional
Paid in
Capital
 
 
 
Retained
Earnings
 
 
 
Treasury Stock
Stock Held by
Deferred
Compensation
Plan
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income/(Loss)
 
 
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 $(1,099)
 
$     (2,133)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2,133)
 
 
(2,133)
 
Net loss
(56)
 
 
 
(56)
 
 –
 
                    (56)
 
Total comprehensive loss
$     (2,189 )
                         
                                   
Stock based compensation
   
 
94
 
 
 –
 
94
 
Options exercised
(294,042 shares)
   
3
 
882
 
 
 
885
 
                             
             
 
             
Balance September 30, 2008
   
$     110
 
$     76,297
 
$     8,871
 
$    (2,993)
$   (1,165)
$          (1,863)
 
$    79,257
 
                             
                             
 
 
 
Comprehensive
Income
 
 
 
Common
Stock
 
 
Additional
Paid in
Capital
 
 
 
Retained
Earnings
 
 
 
Treasury Stock
Stock Held by
Deferred
Compensation
Plan
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income/(Loss)
 
 
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
                             
                             
Balance January 1, 2007
   
$      97
 
$       63,342
 
$    13,511
 
$    (1,688)
$    (810)
$           282
 
$       74,734
 
 
Total other comprehensive loss, net of taxes of $(254)
 
$        (494)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(494)
 
(494)
 
Net income
5,308
 
 
 
5,308
 
 –
 
                 5,308
 
Total comprehensive income
  $        4,814
                             
Stock based compensation
   
 
 
 
 
 –
 
 
       
Stock based compensation
   
 
92
 
 
92
 
Stock dividend
(974,441 shares)
   
10
 
11,459
 
(11,469)
 
 
 
Options exercised
(15,067 shares)
   
 
37
 
 
 
37
 
Purchase of treasury shares
(140,700 shares)
   
 
 
 
(1,305)
 
(1,305)
 
                             
Balance September 30, 2007
   
$     107
 
$       74,930
 
$     7,350
 
$    (2,993)
$   (810)
$          (212)
 
$    78,372
 


(See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements)

6

 
             
Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
 
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
 
Dollars in thousands
 
(unaudited)
 
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income (loss)
  $ (56 )   $ 5,308  
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
               
cash provided by operating activities:
               
Provision for loan losses
    5,898       1,425  
Writedown/ loss (gain) on sale of other real estate owned
    1,615       (185 )
Depreciation  and amortization
    1,007       1,036  
Stock based compensation
    94       92  
Gains on sales and calls of investment securities
    (5 )     -  
Amortization of discounts on investment securities
    (168 )     (127 )
Increase in value of bank owned life insurance
    (311 )     (309 )
Increase in accrued interest receivable and other assets
    (627 )     (1,061 )
Decrease in accrued interest payable and other liabilities
    (2,382 )     (1,326 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    5,065       4,853  
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchase of securities:
               
Available for sale
    (16,366 )     (4,644 )
Proceeds from maturities and calls of securities:
               
Held to maturity
    79       52  
Available for sale
    10,621       25,523  
Purchase of FHLB stock
    (43 )     (3,667 )
Net decrease (increase) in loans
    21,514       (50,406 )
Net proceeds from sale of other real estate owned
    14,870       715  
Premises and equipment expenditures
    (4,130 )     (6,334 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    26,545       (38,761 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options
    885       37  
Purchase of treasury shares
    -       (1,305 )
Net decrease in demand, money market and savings deposits
    (7,705 )     (26,640 )
Net (decrease) increase in short term borrowings
    (32,751 )     8,712  
Increase in other borrowings
    25,000       -  
Issuance of subordinated debt
    11,135       5,155  
Net increase (decrease) in time deposits
    (43,663 )     41,756  
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (47,099 )     27,715  
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (15,489 )     (6,193 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    73,225       83,127  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 57,736     $ 76,934  
Supplemental disclosure:
               
Interest paid
  $ 20,716     $ 29,984  
Taxes paid
  $ 400     $ 2,625  
Non-monetary transfers from loans to other real estate owned
  $ 21,384     $ -  
                 


(See notes to unaudited 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.
 
In third quarter 2008, BSC Services Corp. (“BSC”), a subsidiary of First Bank of Delaware, which was formerly a subsidiary of the Company, discontinued its operations.  BSC had provided data processing, accounting, human resources and compliance staffing to Republic.  Staff members previously employed through BSC are now employed directly by Republic.
 
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 of such regulations and periodic examinations, 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 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 and nine month periods ended September 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending 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.
 
8

 
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 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. Because these estimates are dependent, to a great extent, on the general economy and other conditions that may be beyond Republic’s control, these estimates could differ materially in the near term.  In estimating the carrying values of other real estate owned, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less the cost to sell.  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 September 30, 2008, the Company maintains a Stock Option Plan and Restricted Stock Plan (the “Plan”) under which the Company grants options to its employees and directors.  No restricted stock awards have been made.  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 awards.  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 have a maximum term of 10 years.  The Black-Sholes option pricing model is utilized to determine the fair market value of stock options.  In
 
9

 
2008 the following assumptions were utilized; a dividend yield of 0%; expected volatility of 24.98% to 34.52%; a risk-free interest rate of 3.08% to 3.69% 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 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.  12,000 shares vested in the first nine months of 2008.  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 September 30, 2008, there were 170,550 unvested options with a fair value of $594,137 with $383,590 of that amount remaining to be recognized as expense. At that date, the intrinsic value of the 435,472 options outstanding was $670,680, while the intrinsic value of the 264,922 exercisable (vested) was $488,327. During the first nine months of 2008, 27,500 nonvested options were forfeited, with a weighted average grant fair value of $126,750.

A summary of the status of the Company’s stock options under the Plan as of September 30, 2008 and 2007 and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 are presented below:

   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
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
    105,000       6.62       99,000       11.77  
Exercised
    (294,042 )     (3.01 )     (15,067 )     (2.42 )
Forfeited
    (113,327 )     (8.90 )     (6,050 )     (12.14 )
Outstanding, end of period
    435,472       8.07       739,332       6.39  
Options exercisable at period-end
    264,922       7.47       634,282       5.50  
                                 
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the period
          $ 2.47             $ 4.61  

   
For the Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Number of options exercised
    294,042       15,067  
Cash received
  $ 884,615     $ 36,413  
Intrinsic value
    862,833       115,589  
Tax benefit
    301,992       40,456  

The following table summarizes information about options outstanding under the Plan as of September 30, 2008.
 
10


         
     
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
      23,851       2.3     $ 1.81       23,851     $ 1.81  
$ 2.77 to $3.96
      12,813       1.9       3.48       12,813       3.48  
$ 5.94 to $8.30
      200,313       7.2       6.40       110,313       6.25  
$ 9.94 to $12.14
      198,495       7.3       10.81       117,945       10.41  
          435,472             $ 8.07       264,922     $ 7.47  



   
For the Nine Months Ended,
 
   
September 30, 2008
 
   
Number of shares
   
Weighted average grant date fair value
 
Nonvested at beginning of year
    105,050     $ 4.64  
Granted
    105,000       2.47  
Vested
    (12,000 )     (2.04 )
Forfeited
    (27,500 )     (4.61 )
Nonvested at end of period
    170,550     $ 3.48  
                 


During the three months ended September 30, 2008, $19,000 was recognized in compensation expense, with a 35% assumed tax benefit, for the Plan.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, $94,000 was recognized in compensation expense, with a 35% assumed tax benefit, for the Plan. During the three months ended September 30, 2007, $33,000 was recognized in compensation expense, with a 35% assumed tax benefit, for the Plan.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, $92,000 was recognized in compensation expense, with a 35% assumed tax benefit, for the Plan.


 Note 3 :   Reclassifications

None


Note 4:  Recent Accounting Pronouncements

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 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
 
11

 
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 May 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) APB 14-1, "Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)" which clarifies the accounting for convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash (including partial cash settlement) upon conversion.  The FSP requires issuers to account separately for the liability and equity components of certain convertible debt instruments in a manner that reflects the issuer's nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized.  The FSP requires bifurcation of a component of the debt, classification of that component in equity and the accretion of the resulting discount on the debt to be recognized as part of interest expense.  The FSP requires retrospective application to the terms of instruments as they existed for all periods presented.  The FSP is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those years.  Early adoption is not permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the new pronouncement will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) EITF 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities.”  This FSP clarifies that all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends participate in undistributed earnings with common shareholders.  Awards of this nature are considered participating securities and the two-class method of computing basic and diluted earnings per share must be applied.  This FSP is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008.  The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the new pronouncement will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP SFAS No. 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When The Market for That Asset Is Not Active”  (FSP 157-3), to clarify the application of the provisions of SFAS 157 in an inactive market and how an entity would determine fair value in an inactive market.  FSP 157-3 is effective immediately and applies to our September 30, 2008 financial statements.  The application of the provisions of FSP 157-3 did not materially affect our results of operations or financial condition as of and for the periods ended September 30, 2008.

In September 2008, the FASB issued FSP 133-1 and FIN 45-4, “Disclosures about Credit Derivatives and Certain Guarantees: An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and FASB Interpretation No. 45; and Clarification of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 161” (FSP 133-1 and FIN 45-4).  FSP 133-1 and FIN 45-4 amends and enhances disclosure requirements for sellers of credit derivatives and financial guarantees.  It also clarifies that the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 161 are effective for quarterly periods beginning after November 15, 2008, and fiscal years that include those periods.  FSP 133-1 and FIN 45-4 is effective for reporting periods (annual or interim) ending after November 15, 2008.  The implementation of this standard will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.
 
12


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.

 
Note 6:  Segment Reporting
 
The Company has one reportable segment: community banking. The community bank segment primarily encompasses the commercial and consumer loan and deposit activities of Republic, primarily 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 and convertible securities related to the trust preferred securities issuance in June 2008.  In the diluted EPS computation, the after tax interest expense on that trust preferred securities issuance is added back to net income.  That amounted to $150,000 in third quarter 2008.  Those securities were not outstanding in 2007. 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 September 30, 2008, there were 198,495 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 September 30, 2007, there were 264,842 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 September 30, 2008 and 2007.  EPS has been restated for a stock dividend paid on April 17, 2007.

   
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30,  
2008
   
2007
 
                   
Net Income  
$1,533,000
         
$1,236,000
       
         
Per
         
Per
 
Weighted average shares
 
Shares
   
Share
   
Shares
   
Share
 
for period
    10,581,435             10,344,662        
Basic EPS
          $ 0.14             $ 0.12  
Add common stock equivalents
representing dilutive stock options
    1,728,926               253,557          
Effect on basic EPS of dilutive CSE
          $ -             $ -  
Equals total weighted average
                               
shares and CSE (diluted)
    12,310,361               10,598,219          
Diluted EPS
          $ 0.14             $ 0.12  

The following tables are a comparison of EPS for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.  EPS has been restated for a stock dividend paid on April 17, 2007.

13


 
Nine months ended September 30,    
2008
   
2007
 
                       
Net Income
 
$ (56,000)
         
$ 5,308,000
     
           
Per
           
Per
 
   
Shares
   
Share
   
Shares
   
Share
 
Weighted average shares
                           
for period
    10,463,331             10,413,044        
Basic EPS
          $ (0.01 )           $ 0.51  
Add common stock equivalents
representing dilutive stock options
    766,725               284,577          
Effect on basic EPS of dilutive CSE
          $ -             $ (0.01 )
Equals total weighted average
                               
shares and CSE (diluted)
    11,230,056               10,697,621          
Diluted EPS
          $ (0.01 )           $ 0.50  


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;
    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
 
14

 
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’s investment securities classified as available for sale were accounted for at fair values as of September 30, 2008 by level within the fair value hierarchy as follows: Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) $75.6 million; Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) $3.9 million; Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) $6.8 million.   The Level 3 investment securities classified as available for sale are comprised of various issues of bank pooled trust preferred securities with a fair value of $6.8 million at September 30, 2008.  These were classified as Level 2 investment securities available for sale at June 30, 2008.  Bank pooled trust preferred consists of the debt instruments of various banks, diversified by the number of participants in the security as well as geographically.  The securities are performing according to terms, however the secondary market for such securities has become inactive, and such securities are therefore classified as Level 3 securities.  The resulting fair value analysis was based on a cash flow analysis of comparably rated securities.  At June 30, 2008, the fair value of these securities was $7.9 million.  The Company’s other real estate owned was accounted for at fair values as of September 30, 2008 as follows:  Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) $8.6 million.  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.

      The following table is an analysis of the change in Other Real Estate Owned for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Dollars in millions
   
2008
 
Balance at January 1,
  $ 3.7  
Additions, net
    21.4  
Sales
    (14.9 )
Writedowns/losses on sales
    (1.6 )
Balance at September 30,
  $ 8.6  


Note 9:  Convertible Trust Preferred Securities

The Company caused the issuance of $10.8 million of convertible trust preferred securities in June 2008 as part of the Company’s strategic capital plan.  The securities were purchased by various investors, including Vernon W. Hill, II ($7.8 million) and Harry D. Madonna ($3.0 million), Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
The trust preferred securities and related subordinated debentures pay interest at an annual rate of 8.0%, have a conversion price of $6.50, and are convertible into 1.7 million shares of common stock.  The trust preferred securities have a term of 30 years and will be callable after the fifth year.  The securities will be convertible into common shares anytime after June 30, 2009 at the option of the purchaser and under certain conditions prior to June 30, 2009.  The issuer will also retain certain option conversion triggers after the fifth year.
Republic First Capital Trust IV (“RFCT”), which issued the securities, holds, as its sole asset, the subordinated debentures issued by the Company in June 2008.  The common securities of RFCT are held by the Company.  The Company does not consolidate the RFCTs.  The non-consolidation results in the investment in the common securities of the RFCT to be included in other assets with a corresponding increase in outstanding debt of $335,000 at September 30, 2008, which represents the subordinated debentures supporting the common securities.

15


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, except as may be required by applicable laws and regulations.  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, as well as other filings.

Financial Condition:

September 30, 2008 Compared to December 31, 2007
 
 
     Assets decreased $51.6 million to $964.7 million at September 30, 2008, versus $1.0 billion at December 31, 2007. This decrease reflected a $48.8 million decrease in loans receivable and a $15.5 million decrease in cash and cash equivalents.
 
16


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 $50.5 million, to $771.1 million at September 30, 2008, versus $821.5 million at December 31, 2007, as the Company adopted a defensive balance sheet strategy as a result of the economic downturn.  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 September 30, 2008. Individual customers may have several loans that are secured by different collateral, which in total are subject to that lending limit.
 

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 $86.3 million at September 30, 2008, compared to $83.7 million at year-end 2007. The increase reflected purchases of mortgage backed securities partially offset by sales of selected municipal securities. At September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the portfolio had net unrealized losses of $2.8 million and net realized gains of $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 September 30, 2008, securities held to maturity totaled $203,000, 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 September 30, 2008, FHLB stock totaled $6.3 million, an increase of $43,000 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 September 30, 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 $15.5 million, to $57.7 million at September 30, 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 $14.4 million at September 30, 2008, compared to $11.3 million at December 31, 2007, reflecting primarily branch expansion.
 
Other Real Estate Owned:
 
17

 
Other real estate owned amounted to $8.6 million at September 30, 2008 compared to $3.7 million at December 31, 2007, primarily reflecting transfers from loans of $21.4 million, partially offset by net proceeds from sales of $14.9 million and $1.6 million in property writedowns and losses on sales.
 
Bank Owned Life Insurance:
 
The balance of bank owned life insurance amounted to $12.0 million at September 30, 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 $2.6 million to $10.6 million at September 30, 2008, from $8.0 million at December 31, 2007, principally resulting from an increase of $1.1 million in deferred tax assets related to net unrealized losses on investment securities, $704,000 in short term receivables collected in the fourth quarter of 2008, and $737,000 in prepaid expenses.
 
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 $51.4 million to $729.5 million at September 30, 2008 from $780.9 million at December 31, 2007.  Average transaction account balances decreased 5.9% or $21.5 million less than the prior year period to $343.6 million in the third quarter of 2008. Period end time deposits decreased $43.7 million, or 10.3% to $379.3 million at September 30, 2008, versus $422.9 million at the prior year-end.  The decrease reflected intentional reductions of higher cost deposits.
 
FHLB Borrowings and Overnight Advances:
 
FHLB borrowings and overnight advances are used to supplement deposit generation.   Republic had $25.0 million in term borrowings at September 30, 2008 versus $0 at December 31, 2007.  The term borrowings have maturities of less than two years.  Republic had total short-term borrowings (overnight) of $100.7 million at September 30, 2008 versus $133.4 million at the prior year-end, which consisted primarily of FHLB overnight borrowings.

Subordinated Debt:
 
Subordinated debt amounted to $22.5 million at September 30, 2008, compared to $11.3 million at December 31, 2007, as a result of an $11.1 million issuance of convertible trust preferred securities in June 2008 at a rate of 8% and the issuance of subordinated debentures to support the trust securities.  The securities have a conversion price of $6.50 and are convertible into 1.7 million shares of common stock.  The trust preferred securities have a term of 30 years and will be callable after the fifth year.  The securities will be convertible into common shares anytime after June 30, 2009 at the option of the purchaser and under certain conditions prior to June 30, 2009.  The issuer will also retain certain optional conversion triggers after the fifth year.

Shareholders’ Equity:
 
Total shareholders’ equity decreased $1.2 million to $79.3 million at September 30, 2008, versus $80.5 million at December 31, 2007.   This decrease was primarily the result of fluctuations in the estimated market value of securities of $2.1 million, partially offset by net proceeds from exercise of stock options of $885,000.

18


Three Months Ended September 30, 2008 compared to September 30, 2007
Results of Operations:
 
Overview

The Company's net income increased to $1.5 million or $0.14 per diluted share for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $1.2 million, or $0.12 per diluted share for the comparable prior year period.  There was a $4.1 million, or 23.4%, decrease in total interest income, reflecting a 142 basis point decrease in the yield on average loans outstanding as well as a 7.4% decrease in average loans outstanding while interest expense decreased $4.0 million, reflecting a 175 basis point decrease in the rate on average interest-bearing deposits outstanding and a 211 basis point decrease in the rate on average borrowings outstanding.   Accordingly, net interest income decreased $186,000 between the periods.  The provision for loan losses in the third quarter of 2008 decreased to $43,000, compared to $1.3 million in the third quarter of 2007 reflecting an increase in non accrual loans in third quarter 2007.  Non-interest income decreased $88,000 to $672,000 in third quarter 2008 compared to $760,000 in third quarter 2007. Non-interest expenses increased $520,000 to $6.0 million compared to $5.5 million in the third quarter of 2007, primarily due to a $719,000 increase in other real estate owned expenses. Return on average assets and average equity of 0.65% and 7.76% respectively, in the third quarter of 2008 compared to 0.50% and 6.29% respectively for the same period in 2007.
 
19


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.
 
   
For the three months ended
   
For the three months ended
 
   
September 30, 2008
   
September 30, 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
  $ 8,568     $ 45       2.09 %   $ 10,817     $ 139       5.10 %
Securities (2)
    92,525       1,334       5.77 %     89,042       1,399       6.28 %
Loans receivable
    775,642       12,208       6.26 %     837,417       16,209       7.68 %
Total interest-earning assets
    876,735       13,587       6.17 %     937,276       17,747       7.51 %
                                                 
Other assets
    57,371                       40,513                  
                                                 
Total assets
  $ 934,106                     $ 977,789                  
                                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Demand-non interest
                                               
bearing
  $ 71,990                     $ 80,646                  
Demand interest-bearing
    31,090     $ 68       0.87 %     35,009     $ 109       1.24 %
Money market & savings
    240,554       1,625       2.69 %     249,450       2,816       4.48 %
Time deposits
    381,820       3,216       3.35 %     358,192       4,750       5.26 %
Total deposits
    725,454       4,909       2.69 %     723,297       7,675       4.21 %
Total interest-bearing
                                               
deposits
    653,464       4,909       2.99 %     642,651       7,675       4.74 %
                                                 
Other borrowings (1)
    122,709       1,005       3.26 %     162,268       2,198       5.37 %
                                                 
Total interest-bearing
                                               
liabilities
  $ 776,173     $ 5,914       3.03 %   $ 804,919     $ 9,873       4.87 %
Total deposits and
                                               
other borrowings
    848,163       5,914       2.77 %     885,565       9,873       4.42 %
                                                 
Non interest-bearing
                                               
liabilites
    7,393                       14,266                  
Shareholders' equity
    78,550                       77,958                  
Total liabilities and
                                               
shareholders' equity
  $ 934,106                     $ 977,789                  
                                                 
Net interest income
          $ 7,673                     $ 7,874          
Net interest spread
                    3.14 %                     2.64 %
                                                 
Net interest margin
                    3.48 %                     3.33 %
                                                 
(1) Includes term borrowings and subordinated debentures supporting trust preferred securities
       
(2) On a tax equivalent basis. FTE income adjustment: 2008 $161; 2007 $201
           

 
20

 
 
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 September 30, 2008
 
   
versus September 30, 2007
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
Due to change in:
 
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Total
 
Interest earned on:
                 
                   
          Federal funds sold
  $ (12 )   $ (82 )   $ (94 )
          Securities (tax equivalent basis)
    51       (116 )     (65 )
          Loans
    (975 )     (3,026 )     (4,001 )
     Total interest-earning assets
    (936 )     (3,224 )     (4,160 )
                         
Interest expense of deposits
                       
         Interest-bearing demand deposits
    9       32       41  
         Money market and savings
    60       1,131       1,191  
         Time deposits
    (200 )     1,734       1,534  
     Total deposit interest expense
    (131 )     2,897       2,766  
         Other borrowings
    325       868       1,193  
              Total interest expense
    194       3,765       3,959  
Net interest income
  $ (742 )   $ 541     $ (201 )
                         

The Company’s tax equivalent net interest margin increased 15 basis points to 3.48% for the three months ended September 30, 2008, versus 3.33% in the prior year comparable period.  The increased net interest margin reflected reduced funding costs which had been abnormally high in relation to historical spreads to the prime rate and the impact of maturing higher rate certificates of deposit.
 
While yields on interest-bearing assets decreased 134 basis points to 6.17% in third quarter 2008 from 7.51% in third quarter 2007, the yield on total deposits and other borrowings decreased 165 basis points to 2.77% from 4.42% between those respective periods. The decrease in yields on assets and rates on deposits and borrowings was primarily due to the repricing of 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 $201,000, or 2.6%, to $7.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, from $7.9 million for the prior year comparable period. As shown in the Rate Volume table above, the decrease in net interest income reflected a decrease in average interest earning assets as well as a larger concentration of higher rate time deposits that offset a decrease in average money market and savings deposits. Average interest-earning assets amounted to $876.7 million for third quarter 2008 and $937.3 million for third quarter 2007.  The $60.5 million decrease resulted primarily from a reduction in loans as the Company adopted a defensive balance sheet strategy as a result of the economic downturn.
 
21

 
The Company’s total tax equivalent interest income decreased $4.2 million, or 23.4%, to $13.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, from $17.7 million for the prior year comparable period.  Interest and fees on loans decreased $4.0 million, or 24.7%, to $12.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, from $16.2 million for the prior year comparable period.  The decrease was due primarily to the 142 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 as well as a $61.8 million, or 7.4%, decrease in average loans outstanding to $775.6 million from $837.4 million.  Interest and dividends on investment securities decreased $65,000, or 4.6%, to $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, from $1.4 million for the prior year comparable period.  This decrease was due primarily to the 51 basis point decline in the yield on securities which was partially offset by an increase in average securities outstanding of $3.5 million, or 3.9%, to $92.5 million from $89.0 million for the prior year comparable period.  Interest on federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets decreased $94,000, or 67.6%, primarily reflecting decreases in short-term interest rates.
 
The Company's total interest expense decreased $4.0 million, or 40.1%, to $5.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, from $9.9 million for the prior year comparable period. Interest-bearing liabilities averaged $776.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, versus $804.9 million for the prior year comparable period, or a decrease of $28.7 million. The decrease primarily reflected reduced funding requirements due to a decrease in average interest earning assets. Average deposit balances increased $2.2 million while there was a $39.6 million decrease in average other borrowings. The average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities decreased 184 basis points to 3.03% for the three months ended September 30, 2008. Interest expense on time deposit balances decreased $1.5 million to $3.2 million in third quarter 2008, from $4.8 million in the comparable prior year period, reflecting lower rates which more than offset the impact of higher average balances.  Money market and savings interest expense decreased $1.2 million to $1.6 million in third quarter 2008, from $2.8 million in the comparable prior year period. The decrease in interest expense on deposits primarily reflected the impact of the lower short-term interest rate environment. Accordingly, rates on total interest-bearing deposits decreased 175 basis points in third quarter 2008 compared to third quarter 2007.
 
Interest expense on other borrowings decreased $1.2 million to $1.0 million in third quarter 2008, from $2.2 million in the comparable prior year period, also as a result of the lower short-term interest rate environment. In addition, average other borrowings, primarily overnight FHLB borrowings, decreased $39.6 million, or 24.4%, between those respective periods. Rates on overnight borrowings reflected the lower short-term interest rate environment as the rate of other borrowings decreased to 3.26% in third quarter 2008, from 5.37% in the comparable prior year period. Interest expense on other borrowings also includes the interest on average balances of $25.0 million of FHLB term borrowings and $22.5 million of subordinated debentures supporting 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 $43,000 in third quarter 2008 compared to $1.3 million in third quarter 2007.  The decrease from third quarter 2007 reflected the increase in non accrual loans in 2007.  In addition, the provision in both periods reflected amounts required to increase the allowance for loan growth in accordance with the Company’s methodology.

Non-Interest Income

Total non-interest income decreased $88,000 to $672,000 for third quarter 2008 compared to $760,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, primarily due to the impact of a $183,000 gain on the sale of other real estate owned property in third quarter 2007 which was partially offset by a $128,000 increase in other income in 2008.  In addition, loan advisory and servicing fees decreased
 
22

 
 $36,000, or 23.1%, to $120,000 in third quarter 2008, compared to third quarter 2007 due to lower prepayment fee income.  Service fees on deposit accounts increased $11,000, or 3.8%, to $300,000 in third quarter 2008, versus $289,000 for the comparable prior year period.
Non-Interest Expenses
 
Total non-interest expenses increased $520,000 or 9.5% to $6.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, from $5.5 million for the prior year comparable period. Salaries and employee benefits decreased $394,000 or 14.5%, to $2.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, from $2.7 million for the prior year comparable period. That decrease reflected reduced staff levels in third quarter 2008 due to attrition.  New staff is being added.
 
Occupancy expense decreased $77,000, or 11.2%, to $611,000 in third quarter 2008, compared to $688,000 in third quarter 2007, resulting from headquarters and branch relocations in 2007.
 
Depreciation expense decreased $5,000 or 1.4% to $342,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, versus $347,000 for the prior year comparable period.
 
Legal fees increased $83,000, or 50.0%, to $249,000 in third quarter 2008, compared to $166,000 in third quarter 2007, resulting from increased fees on a number of different matters.
 
Other real estate expenses increased $719,000 to $722,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to $3,000 for the third quarter 2007 due to $559,000 in losses on property sales and $163,000 in third quarter 2008 property maintenance expenses.
 
Advertising expense decreased $66,000, or 46.8%, to $75,000 in third quarter 2008, compared to $141,000 in third quarter 2007, due to decreases in print advertising.
 
Data processing expense increased $42,000, or 24.4%, to $214,000 in third quarter 2008, compared to $172,000 in third quarter 2007, primarily due to system enhancements.
 
Insurance expense increased $43,000, or 40.6%, to $149,000 in third quarter 2008, compared to $106,000 in third quarter 2007, resulting primarily from higher rates.
 
Professional fees increased $186,000, or 144.2%, to $315,000 in third quarter 2008, compared to $129,000 in third quarter 2007, resulting primarily from increased consulting fees.
 
Regulatory assessments and costs increased $106,000 or 235.6% to $151,000 in third quarter 2008, compared to $45,000 in third quarter 2007, resulting primarily from increases in statutory FDIC insurance rates.
 
Taxes, other increased $3,000, or 1.5%, to $207,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, versus $204,000 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. This increase was offset by a reduction in Pennsylvania sales taxes recorded in third quarter 2008.
 
 Other expenses decreased $120,000, or 15.5% to $654,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, from $774,000 for the prior year comparable period.
 

Provision for Income Taxes
 
The provision for income taxes increased $148,000 to $706,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, from $558,000 for the prior year comparable period. That reduction was primarily the result of the decrease in pre-tax income.  The effective tax rates in those periods were 32% and 31% respectively.
 
23


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 compared to September 30, 2007
Results of Operations:
 
Overview

The Company's net income decreased to a $56,000 loss or $(0.01) per diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $5.3 million, or $0.50 per diluted share for the comparable prior year period.  There was a $10.3 million, or 19.8%, decrease in total interest income, reflecting a 136 basis point decrease in the yield on average loans outstanding as well as a 4.0% decrease in average interest earning assets.  Interest expense decreased $9.2 million, reflecting a 131 basis point decrease in the rate on average interest-bearing deposits outstanding and a 222 basis point decrease in the rate on average borrowings outstanding.  Accordingly net interest income decreased $1.0 million between the periods.  The provision for loan losses in the first nine months of 2008 increased $4.5 million to $5.9 million, compared to $1.4 million in the first nine months of 2007, reflecting additional reserves on certain loans.  Non-interest income increased $18,000 to $2.2 million in first nine months of 2008 compared to $2.2 million in first nine months of 2007.  Non-interest expenses increased $2.8 million to $18.5 million in first nine months of 2008 compared to $15.8 million in the first nine months of 2007, primarily due to $1.6 million in writedowns of other real estate owned, an increase of $482,000 in other real estate expenses related to property maintenance, an increase of $282,000 in legal expenses, and an increase of $249,000 in regulatory assessments and costs. Return on average assets and average equity of (0.01)% and (0.09)% respectively, in the first nine months of 2008 compared to 0.73% and 9.21% respectively for the same period in 2007.


24

 
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 for tax exempt municipal securities income in the first nine months of 2008 and 2007.


25

 
   
For the nine months ended
   
For the nine months ended
 
   
September 30, 2008
   
September 30, 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
  $ 10,478     $ 199       2.54 %   $ 14,424     $ 543       5.03 %
Securities (2)
    87,506       3,814       5.81 %     98,571       4,436       6.00 %
Loans receivable
    796,782       37,821       6.34 %     819,243       47,166       7.70 %
Total interest-earning assets
    894,766       41,834       6.25 %     932,238       52,145       7.48 %
                                                 
Other assets
    51,915                       39,029                  
                                                 
Total assets
  $ 946,681                     $ 971,267                  
                                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Demand-non interest
                                               
bearing
  $ 76,487                     $ 78,502                  
Demand interest-bearing
    34,760     $ 283       1.09 %     39,766     $ 327       1.10 %
Money market & savings
    219,877       4,663       2.83 %     275,249       9,370       4.55 %
Time deposits
    402,235       11,825       3.93 %     347,292       13,671       5.26 %
Total deposits
    733,359       16,771       3.05 %     740,809       23,368       4.22 %
Total interest-bearing
                                               
deposits
    656,872       16,771       3.41 %     662,307       23,368       4.72 %
                                                 
Other borrowings (1)
    125,140       3,046       3.25 %     139,188       5,694       5.47 %
                                                 
Total interest-bearing
                                               
liabilities
  $ 782,012     $ 19,817       3.38 %   $ 801,495     $ 29,062       4.85 %
Total deposits and
                                               
other borrowings
    858,499       19,817       3.08 %     879,997       29,062       4.42 %
                                                 
Non interest-bearing
                                               
liabilites
    8,955                       14,184                  
Shareholders' equity
    79,227                       77,086                  
Total liabilities and
                                               
shareholders' equity
  $ 946,681                     $ 971,267                  
                                                 
Net interest income
          $ 22,017                     $ 23,083          
Net interest spread
                    2.87 %                     2.63 %
                                                 
Net interest margin
                    3.29 %                     3.31 %
                                                 
(1) Includes term borrowings and subordinated debentures supporting trust preferred securities
       
(2) On a tax equivalent basis.  FTE adjustment: 2008 $499; 2007 $584
               
 
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
 
26

 
   
Nine months ended September 30, 2008
 
   
versus September 30, 2007
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
Due to change in:
 
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Total
 
Interest earned on:
                 
                   
          Federal funds sold
  $ (75 )   $ (269 )   $ (344 )
          Securities (tax equivalent basis)
    (483 )     (139 )     (622 )
          Loans
    (1,069 )     (8,276 )     (9,345 )
     Total interest-earning assets
    (1,627 )     (8,684 )     (10,311 )
                         
Interest expense of deposits
                       
         Interest-bearing demand deposits
    41       3       44  
         Money market and savings
    1,178       3,529       4,707  
         Time deposits
    (1,620 )     3,466       1,846  
     Total deposit interest expense
    (401 )     6,998       6,597  
         Other borrowings
    343       2,305       2,648  
              Total interest expense
    (58 )     9,303       9,245  
Net interest income
  $ (1,685 )   $ 619     $ (1,066 )
 
The Company’s tax equivalent net interest margin decreased 2 basis points to 3.29% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, versus 3.31% in the prior year comparable period.

While yields on interest-bearing assets decreased 123 basis points to 6.25% in the first nine months of 2008 from 7.48% in the prior year comparable period, the rate on total deposits and other borrowings decreased 134 basis points to 3.08% from 4.42% between those respective periods. The decrease in yields on assets and rates on deposits and borrowings was due primarily to the repricing of 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 $1.1 million, or 4.6%, to $22.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, from $23.1 million for the prior year comparable period. As shown in the Rate Volume table above, the decrease in net interest income was due primarily to a decrease in average interest earning assets as well as a larger concentration of higher rate time deposits that offset a decrease in average money market and savings deposits.  Average interest earning assets amounted to $894.8 million for the first nine months of 2008 and $932.2 million for the comparable prior year period.  The $37.5 million decrease resulted from reductions in loans, securities, and federal funds sold.
 
The Company’s total tax equivalent interest income decreased $10.3 million, or 19.8%, to $41.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, from $52.1 million for the prior year comparable period.  Interest and fees on loans decreased $9.3 million, or 19.8%, to $37.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, from $47.2 million for the prior year comparable period.  The decrease was due primarily to the 136 basis point decline in the yield on loans resulting primarily from the repricing of the variable rate loan portfolio as a result of actions taken by the Federal Reserve as well as a $22.5 million, or 2.7%, decrease in average loans outstanding to $796.8 million from $819.2 million.  Interest and dividends on investment securities decreased $622,000, or 14.0%, to $3.8 million for the first nine months ended September 30, 2008, from $4.4 million for the prior year comparable period.  This decrease reflected a decrease in average securities outstanding of $11.1 million, or 11.2%, to $87.5 million from $98.6 million for the prior year comparable period.  Interest on federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets decreased $344,000, or 63.4%, reflecting decreases in short- term interest rates
 
27

 
and a $3.9 million decrease in average balances to $10.5 million for the first nine months of 2008 from $14.4 million for the comparable prior year period.
 
The Company’s total interest expense decreased $9.2 million, or 31.8%, to $19.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, from $29.1 million for the prior year comparable period.  Interest- bearing liabilities averaged $782.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, versus $801.5 million for the prior year comparable period, or a decrease of $19.5 million.  The decrease primarily reflected reduced funding requirements due to a decrease in average interest earning assets.  Average deposit balances decreased $7.5 million while there was a $14.0 million decrease in average other borrowings.  The average rate paid on interest- bearing liabilities decreased 147 basis points to 3.38% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  Interest expense on time deposit balances decreased $1.8 million to $11.8 million in the first nine months of 2008 from $13.7 million in the comparable prior year period, reflecting lower rates which more than offset the impact of higher average balances.  Money market and savings interest expense decreased $4.7 million to $4.7 million in the first nine months of 2008, from $9.4 million in the comparable prior year period.  The decrease in interest expense on deposits reflected the impact of the lower short- term interest rate environment as well as lower average balances.  Accordingly, rates on total interest- bearing deposits decreased 131 basis points in the first nine months of 2008 compared to the comparable prior year period.
 
      Interest expense on other borrowings decreased $2.6 million to $3.0 million in the first nine months of 2008, reflecting the lower short- term interest rate environment and lower average balances.  Average other borrowings, primarily overnight FHLB borrowings, decreased $14.0 million, or 10.1%, between the respective periods.  Rates on overnight borrowings reflected the lower short- term interest rate environment as the rate of other borrowings decreased to 3.25% in the first nine months of 2008, from 5.47% in the comparable prior year period.  Interest expense on other borrowings also includes the interest on average balances of $15.9 million of subordinated debentures supporting trust preferred securities and $10.7 million of FHLB term borrowings.

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 $5.9 million in the first nine months of 2008 compared to $1.4 million for the comparable prior year period.  The provision for the first nine months of 2008 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 comparable 2007 provision reflected $952,000 for loan transferred to non accrual status in third quarter 2007 and $546,000 for increases in reserves on certain loans due to a downturn in the housing market which was partially offset by $256,000 for recoveries on tax refund loans.  The remaining provision in 2007 also reflected amounts required to increase the allowance for loan growth in accordance with the Company’s methodology.
 

Non-Interest Income
 
28

 
Total non-interest income increased $18,000 to $2.2 million for the first nine months of 2008 compared to $2.2 million for the comparable prior year period, primarily due to a one- time Mastercard transaction of $309,000, $219,000 in other miscellaneous items, and a $100,000 legal settlement partially offset by a decrease of $445,000 in the first nine months of 2008 related to loan advisory and servicing fees and $185,000 in gains on the sale of OREO properties in 2007.  The decrease in loan advisory and servicing fees resulted from lower advisory and prepayment fee income, primarily due to volume.

Non-Interest Expenses
 
Total non-interest expenses increased $2.8 million or 17.4% to $18.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, from $15.8 million for the prior year comparable period. Salaries and employee benefits decreased $122,000 or 1.5%, to $7.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, from $7.9 million for the prior year comparable period. That decrease reflected a reduction in salary expense of $641,000 as staff levels declined in 2008 due to attrition.  New staff is being added.  The decrease was partially offset by a decrease in salary deferrals of $426,000 based on lower loan originations.
 
Occupancy expense decreased $20,000, or 1.1%, to $1.8 million in the first nine months of 2008, compared to $1.8 million for the comparable prior year period.
 
Depreciation expense decreased $29,000 or 2.8% to $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, versus $1.0 million for the prior year comparable period.
 
Legal fees increased $282,000, or 64.4%, to $720,000 in the first nine months of 2008, compared to $438,000 for the comparable prior year period, resulting from increased fees on a number of different matters.
 
Other real estate increased $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to $23,000 for the comparable prior year period due to $1.6 million in property writedowns and losses on sales and $505,000 in property maintenance expenses.
 
Advertising expense decreased $32,000, or 8.3%, to $353,000 in the first nine months of 2008, compared to $385,000 for the comparable prior year period.
 
Data processing expense increased $134,000, or 27.6%, to $620,000 in the first nine months of 2008, compared to $486,000 for the comparable prior year period, primarily due to system enhancements.
 
Insurance expense increased $108,000, or 36.9%, to $401,000 in the first nine months of 2008, compared to $293,000 for the comparable prior year period, resulting primarily from higher rates.
 
Professional fees increased $179,000, or 47.2%, to $558,000 in the first nine months of 2008, compared to $379,000 for the comparable prior year period, resulting primarily from increased consulting fees.
 
Regulatory assessments and costs increased $249,000, or 188.6%, to $381,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, from $132,000 for the comparable prior year period, resulting primarily from increases in statutory FDIC insurance rates.
 
Taxes, other increased $101,000, or 16.3%, to $719,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, versus $618,000 for the comparable prior year period.  The increase reflected an increase in Pennsylvania shares tax, which is assessed at an annual rate of 1.25% on a 6 year moving average of regulatory capital.  The full amount of the increase resulted from increased capital.
 
 Other expenses decreased $196,000, or 8.6% to $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, from $2.3 million for the prior year comparable period.


Provision for Income Taxes
 
29

 
The provision for income taxes decreased $2.9 million, to a $342,000 benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, from $2.5 million for the prior year comparable period. That decrease was primarily the result of the decrease in pre-tax income.  The effective tax rates in those periods were an 86% benefit and 32% respectively.

 
 
Commitments, Contingencies and Concentrations

 
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent potential credit risk are commitments to extend credit of approximately $100.8 million and $160.2 million and standby letters of credit of approximately $5.5 million and $4.6 million at September 30, 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.

 
30

 

Regulatory Matters
 

 
The following table presents the Company’s and Republic’s capital regulatory ratios at September 30 , 2008, and December 31, 2007:

                                                                 
                                         
    
   
Actual
   
For Capital 
   
To be well
 
               
Adequacy purposes  
   
capitalized under FRB
 
                           
capital guidelines
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
(Dollars in thousands)
                                   
At September 30, 2008
                                   
Total risk based capital
                                   
Republic
  $ 97,877       11.71 %   $ 66,871       8.00 %   $ 83,588       10.00 %
Company
    109,726       13.09 %     67,040       8.00 %     -       N/A  
Tier one risk based capital
                                               
Republic
    91,070       10.90 %     33,435       4.00 %     50,153       6.00 %
Company
    102,919       12.28 %     33,520       4.00 %     -       N/A  
Tier one leveraged capital
                                               
Republic
    91,070       9.75 %     46,698       5.00 %     46,698       5.00 %
Company
    102,919       11.02 %     46,705       5.00 %     -       N/A  
                                                 

 
                                                                                                       
                                          
    
   
Actual
   
For Capital   
   
To be well
 
               
Adequacy purposes 
   
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.
 
31

 
Republic’s most liquid assets, consisting of cash due from banks, deposits with banks and federal funds sold, totaled $57.7 million at September 30, 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 September 30, 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 March 31, 2009. Additionally, the majority of its securities are available to satisfy liquidity requirements through pledges to the FHLB to access Republic’s line of credit with that institution.
 
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 September 30, 2008 Republic had $103.9 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 September 30, 2008, Republic had aggregate outstanding commitments (including unused lines of credit and letters of credit) of $106.3 million. Certificates of deposit scheduled to mature in one year totaled $354.7 million at September 30, 2008. There were FHLB advances outstanding of $25.0 million at September 30, 2008 and short-term borrowings of $100.7 million consisted of overnight FHLB borrowings of $80.7 million and uncollateralized overnight advances from PNC Bank of $20.0 million. 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 unused at September 30, 2008.  Republic has established a line of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh with a maximum borrowing capacity of approximately $194.6 million.  As of September 30, 2008, Republic had borrowed $105.7 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 from PNC bank.  As of September 30, 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 September 30, 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 flexibility of the Company’s asset/liability management.  Available for sale securities consisted of U.S. Government Agency securities and other investments. The market values of
 
32

 
investment securities available for sale were $86.3 million and $83.7 million as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.  At September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the portfolio had net unrealized losses of $2.8 million and gains of $409,000, respectively.

 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 the 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.  No impairment charge was recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.

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 legal lending limit of approximately $15.0 million at September 30, 2008. Individual customers may have several loans often secured by different collateral.
 
Gross loans decreased $50.5 million, to $771.1 million at September 30, 2008, from $821.5 million at December 31, 2007.
 
33


The following table sets forth the Company's gross loans by major categories for the periods indicated:

 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
As of September 30, 2008
   
As of December 31, 2007
 
   
Balance
   
% of Total
   
Balance
   
% of Total
 
Commercial:
                       
   Real estate secured
  $ 457,440       59.3 %   $ 476,873       58.1 %
   Construction and land development
    218,018       28.3       228,616       27.8  
   Non real estate secured
    64,262       8.3       77,347       9.4  
   Non real estate unsecured
    4,591       0.6       8,451       1.0  
      744,311       96.5       791,287       96.3  
                                 
Residential real estate
    5,722       0.8       5,960       0.7  
Consumer &  other
    21,019       2.7       24,302       3.0  
Total loans, net of unearned income
    771,052       100.0 %     821,549       100.0 %
                                 
Less: allowance for loan losses
    (6,807 )             (8,508 )        
                                 
Net loans
  $ 764,245             $ 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.
 
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.
 

34


 
The following summary shows information concerning loan delinquency and other non-performing assets at the dates indicated.

   
September 30,
2008
   
December 31,
2007
 
(Dollars in thousands)
           
Loans accruing, but past due 90 days or more
  $ -     $ -  
Non-accrual loans
    7,287       22,280  
Total non-performing loans (1)
    7,287       22,280  
Other real estate owned
    8,580       3,681  
                 
Total non-performing assets (2)
  $ 15,867     $ 25,961  
                 
 
Non-performing loans as a percentage
of total loans net of unearned
               
income
    0.95 %     2.71 %
Non-performing assets as a percentage
of total assets
    1.64 %     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 Republic 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 $15.0 million, to $7.3 million at September 30, 2008, from $22.3 million at December 31, 2007.    An analysis of 2008 activity is as fo llows.   T he $15.0 million decrease reflected $15.8 million of transfers of loans to two customers to other real estate owned after related 2008 charge-offs of $4.2 million and payoffs of $ 1.3 million.  The resulting decrease was partially offset by the   transition of nine loans totaling $ 6.4 million to non-accrual status .

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 September 30, 2008, all identified problem loans are included in the preceding table or are internally classified, 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 .
 
Non-accrual loans totaled $7.3 million at September 30, 2008, and $22.3 million at December 31, 2007, and the amount of related valuation allowances were $932,000 and $1.6 million, respectively at those dates.  The primary reason for the decrease in non-accrual loans was the aforementioned transfers of loans to other real estate owned and charge-offs. There were no commitments to extend credit to any borrowers with impaired loans as of the end of the periods presented herein.

At September 30, 2008, compared to December 31, 2007, internally classified accruing loans had decreased to $521,000 from $702,000.
 
35

 
Republic had delinquent loans as follows: (i) 30 to 59 days past due, in the aggregate principal amount of $0 at September 30, 2008 and $3.6 million at December 31, 2007; and (ii) 60 to 89 days past due, at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, in the aggregate principal amount of $3.2 million and $1.6 million, respectively. The decrease in the loans delinquent 30 to 59 days reflects $3.6 million in loans that remain at full accrual status.  The increase in the loans delinquent 60 to 89 days reflects $3.0 million in loans that remain at full accrual status partially offset by a $1.3 million loan transferred to non accrual status in 2008.

Other Real Estate Owned:
The balance of other real estate owned increased to $8.6 million at September 30, 2008 from $3.7 million at December 31, 2007 due to additions from three customers totaling $21.4 million,  sales of  $14.9 million and writedowns on properties of $1.6 million.
 
At September 30, 2008, the Company had no credit exposure to "highly leveraged transactions" as defined by the Federal Reserve Bank.
 
 
Allowance for Loan Losses
An analysis of the allowance for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, and 2007, and the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 is as follows:

                   
   
For the nine months
ended
   
For the twelve months
ended
   
For the nine months
ended
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
September 30, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
   
September 30, 2007
 
                   
Balance at beginning of period…….…..
  $ 8,508     $ 8,058     $ 8,058  
Charge-offs:
                       
 Commercial and construction………….
    7,778       1,503       1,028  
  Tax refund loans……………………….
    -       -       -  
 Consumer ……………………….…….
    19       3       2  
                         
Total charge-offs
    7,797       1,506       1,030  
Recoveries:
                       
  Commercial and construction………….
    119       81       81  
  Tax refund loans……………………….
    77       283       256  
  Consumer……………………………
    2       2       1  
                         
Total recoveries…………………...
    198       366       338  
                         
Net charge-offs……………………….….
    7,599       1,140       692  
Provision for loan losses………………..
    5,898       1,590       1,425  
                         
Balance at end of period……………..
  $ 6,807     $ 8,508     $ 8,791  
                         
Average loans outstanding (1)……. …
  $ 796,782     $ 820,380     $ 819,243  
                         
 
As a percent of average loans (1):
                       
Net charge-offs (annualized)……………
    1.27 %     0.14 %     0.11 %
Provision for loan losses
(annualized)……………..
 
    0.99 %     0.19 %     0.23 %
Allowance for loan losses……….…...
 
    0.85 %     1.04 %     1.07 %
Allowance for loan losses to:
                       
Total loans, net of unearned income at period
end…………………………
 
    0.88 %     1.04 %     1.04 %
Total non-performing loans at period
end……………………………….
 
    93.41 %     38.19 %     34.56 %
(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
 
36

 
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 September 30, 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, 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 September 30, 2008, loans made for commercial and construction, residential mortgage and consumer purposes, respectively, amounted to $744.3 million, $5.7 million and $21.0 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.


 
37

 
 
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 September 30, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 

38


 


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.

10.1       Amended and Restated Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreements

10.2       Purchase Agreement

10.3       Registration Rights Agreement

10.4       Consulting Agreement

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


39


 

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: November 7, 2008

 
40


AMENDED AND RESTATED
SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is entered into this ___ day of May, 2001 by FIRST REPUBLIC BANK , having its principal offices at 1608 Walnut Street, Suite 1000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 (the "BANK") and NEIL I. RODIN , (the "DIRECTOR").

RECITALS

WHEREAS , DIRECTOR and BANK entered into a Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreement dated August 4, 1992 (the "PLAN") and the parties hereto desire to amend and restate the PLAN as provided herein; and

WHEREAS , the DIRECTOR has been on the Board of Directors of the BANK since 1988, and;

WHEREAS , its Board of Directors, recognizing the past services of the DIRECTOR, the DIRECTOR'S contribution to the BANK and the experience and knowledge of the DIRECTOR, desires to modify and amend the rewards the DIRECTOR receives under the Plan for his continued valuable service and counsel.

NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of services performed in the past and to be performed in the future as well as of the mutual promises and covenants herein contained, the parties agree that the Plan is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE I

CONDITIONS

1.1           The DIRECTOR agrees to continue to devote such time and attention to the business and affairs of the BANK as shall be required, and to use his best efforts to furnish faithful and satisfactory service to the Board during his tenure.

1.2           The payment of benefits is conditioned upon the DIRECTOR not acting in any similar capacity for any business enterprise which competes to a substantial degree with the BANK, nor engaging in any activity involving substantial competition with the BANK, without written consent from the Board of Directors. This provision shall be limited to that time while the DIRECTOR continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the Bank (the "BOARD").




ARTICLE II

BENEFITS

2.1            Effective Date. The benefits provided to the DIRECTOR hereunder shall be fully vested as of the date of this Agreement and shall be payable as provided hereinafter.

2.2             Death Before Retirement. If the DIRECTOR dies while actively serving on the Board prior to the commencement of his retirement benefits payable hereunder, the BANK shall pay to such beneficiary(ies) as the DIRECTOR shall designate in writing the sum of $25,000 per year for ten years. Said payments shall be paid in annual installments commencing when the DIRECTOR would have reached sixty-five (65) years of age. If the DIRECTOR fails to properly designate a beneficiary, the payments shall be made to the DIRECTOR'S surviving spouse or if the spouse is deceased, to the personal representative of the DIRECTOR'S estate.

2.3            Retirement Benefits. At the later to occur of DIRECTOR ceasing to serve as a DIRECTOR of the BANK or the DIRECTOR attaining the age sixty-five, the BANK shall pay the DIRECTOR $25,000 per year for ten years. Such benefit payments shall be made in annual installments beginning not later than the fifteenth (15t11) day of the month following the fulfillment of the requirements in this Section 2.3.

Notwithstanding the above, in the event their is a Fundamental Change as defend in Section 7.2 hereof, of the BANK or its parent company, the DIRECTOR shall have the right, upon sixty (60) days written notice to BANK, to require the BANK to assign all insurance policies applicable to the DIRECTOR in lieu of receipt of payments by the BANK under this Agreement, or, at the sole discretion of DIRECTOR, require the BANK to commence payment of the $25,000 per annum for ten (10) years provided for under Section 2.3 hereof

ARTICLE III

OTHER TERMINATIONS OF SERVICE

3.1           If the DIRECTOR'S service on the Board is terminated due to disability, such termination of service shall be treated as any other termination of service. There shall be no acceleration of benefits and the DIRECTOR shall only be entitled to the benefit he would have otherwise been due under this Agreement.

3.2           If the services of the DIRECTOR is terminated, as a result of any violation of criminal laws relating to banking, this Agreement shall terminate upon the date of such termination of service and no benefits or payments of any kind shall be made hereunder.

 

2



ARTICLE IV

FIDUCIARY

4.1           The BANK is hereby designated the Named Fiduciary of the Plan and for purposes of the claims procedure under this Agreement. The BANK shall have authority to control and manage the operation and administration of this Agreement, and it shall be responsible for establishing and carrying any funding policy or methods consistent with this Agreement.

4.2           The BANK shall have the right to change the Named Fiduciary of the Plan created under this Agreement. The BANK shall give the DIRECTOR written notice of a change of the Named Fiduciary, or any change in the address or telephone number of the Named Fiduciary.

ARTICLE V

CLAIMS PROCEDURE

5.1           Benefits shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Except in the death, the DIRECTOR or a designated recipient or any other person claiming through the DIRECTOR shall make a written request for benefits under this Agreement. This written claim shall be mailed or delivered to the Named Fiduciary. Such claim shall be reviewed by the Named Fiduciary. In the event of DIRECTOR'S death, while receiving payments hereunder, benefits shall continue to be timely paid to the DIRECTOR'S designated beneficiary, or if none has been named, to his estate.

5.2           The BANK shall only deny benefits in the event DIRECTOR shall violate the provisions of Section 1.2 or 3.2.

ARTICLE VI

NO CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT

This Agreement shall not be deemed to constitute a contract of employment between the parties hereto, nor shall any provisions hereof restrict the removal of the DIRECTOR, or restrict the right of the DIRECTOR to terminate his service.

ARTICLE VII

REORGANIZATION OR FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE

7.1           The BANK shall not merge or consolidate into or with another bank, or reorganize, or sell substantially all of its assets to another bank, firm or person unless and until such succeeding or continuing bank, firm, or person agrees to assume and timely discharge the obligations of the BANK under this Agreement.



3


7.2           A Fundamental Change shall mean:

 
a.
individuals who, as of the date hereof constitute the Board of the BANK'S parent company (the "COMPANY") or Board of the BANK (in either case hereinafter referred to as the "INCUMBENT BOARD") cease for any reason to constitute at least fifty percent (50%) of the Board of the Company or the BANK; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose nomination for election by Company or BANK's shareholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the INCUMBENT BOARD shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the INCUMBENT BOARD, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than one nominated by the Board;
     
 
b.  
the Company or the BANK shall enter into an agreement or agreements providing for (a) the reorganization, merger, or the sale or consolidation of the Company's or BANK's assets with or into another entity, (b) the exchange of all or substantially all of the stock of the Company or the BANK for the stock of another entity or for cash, (c) the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the BANK, or (d) the sale or the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or of the BANK.  
 
ARTICLE VIII

FUNDING

8.1           The BANK'S obligation under this Agreement shall be funded in a manner to assure DIRECTOR'S benefits shall be paid when due.

8.2           Should the BANK determine to fund this Agreement, in whole or in part, through the medium of life insurance, the BANK reserves the absolute right, at its sole discretion, to terminate such life insurance, as well as any other funding at any time, either in whole or in part. Except as provided in Section 2.3 hereof, at no time shall the DIRECTOR be deemed to have any right, title, or interest in or to any specified asset or assets of the BANK, including, but not by way of restriction, any insurance contracts or the proceeds therefrom. Except as provided in Section 2.3 hereof, any such life insurance purchased by the BANK shall not in any way be considered to be security for the performance of the obligations of this Agreement. It shall be, and remain, a general, unpledged, unrestricted asset of the BANK.
 

4
 

ARTICLE IX

INDEPENDENCE OF BENEFITS

The benefits payable under this Agreement shall be independent of, and in addition to, any other benefits or compensation, whether by salary, or bonus or otherwise payable under any other employment agreements that now exist or may hereafter exist from time to time between the DIRECTOR and the BANK. This Agreement does not involve a reduction in salary or the foregoing or deferring of an increase in future salary by the DIRECTOR. Nor does the Agreement in any way affect or reduce the existing and future compensation and other benefits of the DIRECTOR.

ARTICLE X

ASSIGNABILITY, ALIENABILITY

Except in so far as prohibited by applicable law, no sale, transfer, alienation, assignment, pledge, collateralization, or attachment of any benefits under this Agreement shall be valid or recognized by the BANK. Neither the DIRECTOR, his spouse, or designated beneficiary shall have any power to hypothecate, mortgage, commute, modify or otherwise encumber in advance of any of the benefits payable hereunder, nor shall any of said benefits be subject to seizure for the payment of any debts, judgments, alimony, or separate maintenance, owed by the DIRECTOR or his beneficiary, or be transferable by operation of law in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency, or otherwise.

ARTICLE XI

ADMINISTRATIVE CLAUSE

Any payment required to be made pursuant to this Agreement to a person who is under a legal disability at the time such payment is due may be made by the BANK to or for the benefit of such person in such of the following ways as the BANK shall determine: (a) directly to the person entitled to the payment; (b) to the legal representative of such person; (c) to some near relative of such person to be used for the latter's benefit; (d) directly in payment of expenses of support, maintenance or education of such person. Any such payment by the BANK shall, to the extent thereof be a complete discharge of any liability under this Agreement with respect to such payment. The BANK shall not be required to see to the application by any third party of any payments made pursuant to this paragraph.

ARTICLE XII

MARITAL, DEDUCTION PROVISION

If the DIRECTOR designates his spouse to receive payments to be made after his death, she shall have the right to direct the BANK as to the distribution of the sums, if any,
 
5


 
payable after her death. The DIRECTOR'S spouse has the right to direct any such payments which may be payable after her death be paid to such person(s) or to her own estate as she appoints and directs by a written direction fled with the BANK during her lifetime or by her last will and testament specifically referring to this power of appointment and to the extent the DIRECTOR'S spouse does not effectively exercise the power of appointment, such sums shall upon her death be distributed to her estate.

ARTICLE XIII

PAYMENTS UNSECURED

The DIRECTOR, his beneficiary and any other person or persons having or claiming a right to payments hereunder or to any interest in this Agreement shall rely solely on the unsecured promises of the BANK set forth herein, and nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give the DIRECTOR, his beneficiary or any other persons any right, title, interest or claim in or to any specific asset, fund, reserve, account or property of any kind whatsoever owned by the BANK or in which it may have any right, title or interest now or in the future, but DIRECTOR, his beneficiary or any other person or persons having any right to payments hereunder shall have the right to enforce his claim against the BANK in the same manner as any unsecured creditor.

ARTICLE XIV

AMENDMENT

During the lifetime of the DIRECTOR, this Agreement may be amended or revoked at any time, in whole or in part, by mutual agreement of the Parties.

ARTICLE XV

NOTICES

Any notice, consent or demand required or permitted to be given under the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be signed by the party giving or making the same. If such notice, consent or demand is mailed to a party hereto, it shall be sent by United States certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such party's last known address as shown on the records of the BANK. The date of such mailing shall be deemed the date of notice, consent or demand.

ARTICLE XVI

LAW GOVERNING

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This Agreement shall be binding upon the designated recipients, beneficiaries, heirs,
 

6


 
executors and administrators of the DIRECTOR and upon the successors and assigns of the BANK.

ARTICLE XVII

PRIOR AGREEMENTS

This Agreement shall amend and restate in its entirety that certain agreement between the BANK and the DIRECTOR dated August 4, 1992.

ARTICLE XVIII

MISCELLANEOUS

18.1           No modification of this Agreement shall be binding or enforceable in any court unless in writing and signed by the parties.

18.2           If any provision of this Agreement shall be or shall become illegal or unenforceable in whole or in part, for any reason whatsoever, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be deemed valid, binding, and subsisting.

18.3           The waiver by either party of a breach or violation of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach or violation thereof.

18.4           In the event any dispute shall arise between the BANK or its successor and the DIRECTOR as to the terms or interpretations of this Agreement, whether instituted by formal legal proceedings or otherwise, including any action taken by the DIRECTOR to enforce the terms of this Agreement or in defending against any action taken by the BANK or its successor, the BANK shall reimburse DIRECTOR for all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, arising from such dispute, proceedings, or actions, notwithstanding the ultimate outcome thereof. Such reimbursement shall be paid within ten (10) days of DIRECTOR furnishing to the BANK written evidence, which may be in the form, among other things, of a canceled check or receipt, of any costs or expenses incurred by DIRECTOR. Any such request for reimbursement by DIRECTOR shall be made no more frequently than at thirty (30) day intervals.
 

   
FIRST REPUBLIC BANK
     
   
By: /s/ Robert Davis
Asst. Secretary
 
President
     
    /s/ Neil I. Rodin  
Witness
 
DIRECTOR


7



 
 
AMENDED AND RESTATED
 
SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN AGREEMENT

 
THIS AGREEMENT is entered into this         day of May      , 2001 by FIRST REPUBLIC BANK , having its principal offices at 1608 Walnut Street, Suite 1000, Philadelphia , Pennsylvania   19103 (the "BANK") and WILLIAM W. BATOFF , (the "DIRECTOR").
 
RECITALS

 
WHEREAS, DIRECTOR and BANK entered into a Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreement dated August 4, 1992 (the "PLAN") and the parties hereto desire to amend and restate the PLAN as provided herein; and
 
WHEREAS, the DIRECTOR has been on the Board of Directors of the BANK since 1988, and;
 
WHEREAS, its Board of Directors, recognizing the past services of the DIRECTOR, the DIRECTOR'S contribution to the BANK and the experience and knowledge of the DIRECTOR, desires to modify and amend the rewards the DIRECTOR receives under the Plan for his continued valuable service and counsel.
 
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of services performed in the past and to be performed in the future as well as of the mutual promises and covenants herein contained, the parties agree that the Plan is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
 
ARTICLE I
 
CONDITIONS
 
1.1           The DIRECTOR agrees to continue to devote such time and attention to the business and affairs of the BANK as shall be required, and to use his best efforts to furnish faithful and satisfactory service to the Board during his tenure.
 
1.2             The payment of benefits is conditioned upon the DIRECTOR not acting in any similar capacity for any business enterprise which competes to a substantial degree with the BANK, nor engaging in any activity involving substantial competition with the BANK, without written consent from the Board of Directors. This provision shall be limited to that time while the DIRECTOR continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the Bank (the "BOARD").
 

ARTICLE II
 
BENEFITS
 
2.1            Effective Date. The benefits provided to the DIRECTOR hereunder shall be fully vested as of the date of this Agreement and shall be payable as provided hereinafter.
 
2.2            Death Before Retirement. If the DIRECTOR dies while actively serving on the Board prior to the commencement of his retirement benefits payable hereunder, the BANK shall pay to such beneficiary(ies) as the DIRECTOR shall designate in writing the sum of $25,000 per year for ten years. Said payments shall be paid in annual installments commencing when the DIRECTOR would have reached sixty-five (65) years of age. If the DIRECTOR fails to properly designate a beneficiary, the payments shall be made to the DIRECTOR'S surviving spouse or if the spouse is deceased, to the personal representative of the DIRECTOR'S estate.
 
2.3            Retirement Benefits. At the later to' occur of DIRECTOR ceasing to serve as a DIRECTOR of the BANK or the DIRECTOR attaining the age sixty-five, the BANK shall pay the DIRECTOR $25,000 per year for ten years. Such benefit payments shall be made in annual installments beginning not later than the fifteenth (15th) day of the month following the fulfillment of the requirements in this Section 2.3.
 
Notwithstanding the above, in the event their is a Fundamental Change as defined in Section 7.2 hereof, of the BANK or its parent company, the DIRECTOR shall have the right, upon sixty (60) days written notice to BANK, to require the BANK to assign all insurance policies applicable to the DIRECTOR in lieu of receipt of payments by the BANK under this Agreement, or, at the sole discretion of DIRECTOR, require the BANK to commence payment of the $25,000 per annum for ten (10) years provided for under Section 2.3 hereof.
 
ARTICLE III
 
OTHER TERMINATIONS OF SERVICE
 
3.1             If the DIRECTOR'S service on the Board is terminated due to disability, such termination of service shall be treated as any other termination of service. There shall be no acceleration of benefits and the DIRECTOR shall only be entitled to the benefit he would have otherwise been due under this Agreement.
 
3.2             If the services of the DIRECTOR is terminated, as a result of any violation of criminal laws relating to banking, this Agreement shall terminate upon the date of such termination of service and no benefits or payments of any kind shall be made hereunder.
 
2


 
ARTICLE IV
 
FIDUCIARY
 
4.1           The BANK is hereby designated the Named Fiduciary of the Plan and for purposes of the claims procedure under this Agreement. The BANK shall have authority to control and manage the operation and administration of this Agreement, and it shall be responsible for establishing and carrying any funding policy or methods consistent with this Agreement.
 
4.2             The BANK shall have the right to change the Named Fiduciary of the Plan created under this Agreement. The BANK shall give the DIRECTOR written notice of a change of the Named Fiduciary, or any change in the address or telephone number of the Named Fiduciary.
 
ARTICLE V
 
CLAIMS PROCEDURE
 
5.1           Benefits shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Except in the death, the DIRECTOR or a designated recipient or any other person claiming through the DIRECTOR shall make a written request for benefits under this Agreement. This written claim shall be mailed or delivered to the Named Fiduciary. Such claim shall be reviewed by the Named Fiduciary. In the event of DIRECTOR'S death, while receiving payments hereunder, benefits shall continue to be timely paid to the DIRECTOR'S designated beneficiary, or if none has been named, to his estate.
 
5.2           The BANK shall only deny benefits in the event DIRECTOR shall violate the provisions of Section 1.2 or 3.2.
 
ARTICLE VI
 
NO CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT
 
This Agreement shall not be deemed to constitute a contract of employment between the parties hereto, nor shall any provisions hereof restrict the removal of the DIRECTOR, or restrict the right of the DIRECTOR to terminate his service.
 
ARTICLE VII
 
REORGANIZATION OR FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE
 
7.1             The BANK shall not merge or consolidate into or with another bank, or reorganize, or sell substantially all of its assets to another bank, firm or person unless and until such succeeding or continuing bank, firm, or person agrees to assume and timely discharge the obligations of the BANK under this Agreement.
 
 
3


 
7.2           A Fundamental Change shall mean:
 
a.
individuals who, as of the date hereof constitute the Board of the BANK'S parent company (the "COMPANY") or Board of the BANK (in either case hereinafter referred to as the "INCUMBENT BOARD") cease for any reason to constitute at least fifty percent (50%) of the Board of the Company or the BANK; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose nomination for election by Company or BANK's shareholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the INCUMBENT BOARD shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the INCUMBENT BOARD, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than one nominated by the Board;
   
b.
 
the. Company or the BANK shall enter into an agreement or agreements providing for (a) the reorganization, merger, or the sale or consolidation of the Company's or BANK's assets with or into another entity, (b) the exchange of all or substantially all of the stock of the Company or the BANK for the stock of another entity or for cash, (c) the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the BANK, or (d) the sale or the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or of the BANK.  
 
ARTICLE VIII
 
FUNDING
 
8.1           The BANK'S obligation under this Agreement, shall be funded in a manner to assure DIRECTOR'S benefits shall be paid when due.
 
8.2             Should the BANK determine to fund this Agreement, in whole or in part, through the medium of life insurance, the BANK reserves the absolute right, at its sole discretion, to terminate such life insurance, as well as any other funding at any time, either in whole or in part. Except as provided in Section 2.3 hereof, at no time shall the DIRECTOR be deemed to have any right, title, or interest in or to any specified asset or assets of the BANK, including, but not by way of restriction, any insurance contracts or the proceeds therefrom. Except as provided in Section 2.3 hereof, any such life insurance purchased by the BANK shall not in any way be considered to be security for the performance of the obligations of this Agreement. It shall be, and remain, a general, unpledged, unrestricted asset of the BANK.
 
4
 

ARTICLE IX
 
INDEPENDENCE  OF BENEFITS

The benefits payable under this Agreement shall be independent of, and in addition to, any other benefits or compensation, whether by salary, or bonus or otherwise payable under any other employment agreements that now exist or may hereafter exist from time to time between the DIRECTOR and the BANK. This Agreement does not involve a reduction in salary or the foregoing or deferring of an increase in future salary by the DIRECTOR. Nor does the Agreement in any way affect or reduce the existing and future compensation and other benefits of the DIRECTOR.

ARTICLE X
 
ASSIGNABILITY, ALIENABILITY

Except in so far as prohibited by applicable law, no sale, transfer, alienation, assignment, pledge, collateralization, or attachment of any benefits under this Agreement shall be valid or recognized by the BANK. Neither the DIRECTOR, his spouse, or designated beneficiary shall have any power to hypothecate, mortgage, commute, modify or otherwise encumber in advance of any of the benefits payable hereunder, nor shall any of said benefits be subject to seizure for the payment of any debts, judgments, alimony, or separate maintenance, owed by the DIRECTOR or his beneficiary, or be transferable by operation of law in the event of bankruptcy, .insolvency, or otherwise.

ARTICLE XI
 
ADMINISTRATIVE CLAUSE

Any payment required to be made pursuant to this Agreement to a person who is under a legal disability at the time such payment is due may be made by the BANK to or for the benefit of such person in such of the following ways as the BANK shall determine: (a) directly to the person entitled to the payment; (b) to the legal representative of such person; (c) to some near relative of such person to be used for the latter's benefit; (d) directly in payment of expenses of support, maintenance or education of such person. Any such payment by the BANK shall, to the extent thereof be a complete discharge of any liability under this Agreement with respect to such payment. The BANK shall not be required to see to the application by any third party of any payments made pursuant to this paragraph.

ARTICLE XII
 
MARITAL, DEDUCTION PROVISION

If the DIRECTOR designates his spouse to receive payments to be made after his death, she shall have the right to direct the BANK as to the distribution of the sums, if any,

5


 
payable after her death. The DIRECTOR'S spouse has the right to direct any such payments which may be payable after her death be paid to such person(s) or to her own estate as she appoints and directs by a written direction fled with the BANK during her lifetime or by her last will and testament specifically referring to this power of appointment and to the extent the DIRECTOR'S spouse does not effectively exercise the power of appointment, such sums shall upon her death be distributed to her estate.

ARTICLE XIII
 
PAYMENTS UNSECURED

The DIRECTOR, his beneficiary and any other person or persons having or claiming a right to payments hereunder or to any interest in this Agreement shall rely solely on the unsecured promises of the BANK set forth herein, and nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give the DIRECTOR, his beneficiary or any other persons any right, title, interest or claim in or to any specific asset, fund, reserve, account or property of an y kind whatsoever owned by the BANK or in which it may have any right, title or interest now or in the future, but DIRECTOR, his beneficiary or any other person or persons having any right to payments hereunder shall have the right to enforce his claim against the BANK in the same manner as any unsecured creditor.

ARTICLE XIV
 
AMENDMENT

During the lifetime of the DIRECTOR, this Agreement may be amended or revoked at any time, in whole or in part, by mutual agreement of the Parties.

ARTICLE XV
 
NOTICES

Any notice, consent or demand required or permitted to be given under the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be signed by the party giving or making the same. If such notice, consent or demand is mailed to a party hereto, it shall be sent by United States certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such party's last known address as shown on the records of the BANK. The date of such mailing shall be deemed the date of notice, consent or demand.

ARTICLE XVI
 
LAW GOVERNING

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This Agreement shall be binding upon the designated recipients, beneficiaries, heirs,



6
 

executors and administrators of the DIRECTOR and upon the successors and assigns of the BANK.

ARTICLE XVII
 
PRIOR AGREEMENTS

This Agreement shall amend and restate in its entirety that certain agreement between the BANK and the DIRECTOR dated August 4, 1992.

ARTICLE XVIII
 
MISCELLANEOUS

18.1           No modification of this Agreement shall be binding or enforceable in any court unless in writing and signed by the parties.

18.2           If any provision of this Agreement shall be or shall become illegal or unenforceable in whole or in .part, for any reason whatsoever, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be deemed valid, binding, and subsisting.

18.3           The waiver by either party of a breach or violation of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach or violation thereof.

18.4             In the event any dispute shall arise between the BANK or its successor and the DIRECTOR as to the terms or interpretations of this Agreement, whether instituted by formal legal proceedings or otherwise, including any action taken by the DIRECTOR to enforce the terms of this Agreement or in defending against any action taken by the BANK or its successor, the BANK shall reimburse DIRECTOR for all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, arising from such dispute, proceedings, or actions, notwithstanding the ultimate outcome thereof. Such reimbursement shall be paid within ten (10) days of DIRECTOR furnishing to the BANK written evidence, which may be in the form, among other things, of a canceled check or receipt, of any costs or expenses incurred by DIRECTOR. Any such request for reimbursement by DIRECTOR shall be made no more frequently than at thirty (30) day intervals.


   
FIRST REPUBLIC BANK
     
   
By: /s/ Robert Davis
Asst. Secretary
 
President
     
/s/
 
/s/ William W. Batoff
Witness
 
DIRECTOR
 
 

Addendum to Amended and Restated Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreement For William W. Batoff, dated May, 2001


Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the amended and restated supplemental retirement plan agreement for William W. Batoff, dated May, 2001, the benefits distribution schedule will be as follows. Effective January 1, 2007 Mr. Batoff will be entitled to a distribution of 6 years of benefits at $25,000 per year, to total $150,000. Such payment will be made upon request of Mr. Batoff, which request may be made no earlier than that date.

Republic First Bank

/s/ Robert Davis
By: President


Dated: August 9, 2006

/s/ William W. Batoff
William W. Batoff




AMENDED AND RESTATED
SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is entered into this 22 nd day of May, 2001 by FIRST REPUBLIC BANK , having its principal offices at 1608 Walnut Street, Suite 1000, Philadelphia , Pennsylvania   19103 (the "BANK") and HARRIS D. MADONNA , (the "DIRECTOR").

RECITALS

WHEREAS , DIRECTOR and BANK entered into a Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreement dated August 4, 1992 (the "PLAN") and the parties hereto desire to amend and restate the PLAN as provided herein; and

WHEREAS , the DIRECTOR has been on the Board of Directors of the BANK since 1988, and;

WHEREAS , its Board of Directors, recognizing the past services of the DIRECTOR, the DIRECTOR'S contribution to the BANK and the experience and knowledge of the DIRECTOR, desires to modify and amend the rewards the DIRECTOR receives under the Plan for his continued valuable service and counsel.

NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of services performed in the past and to be performed in the future as well as of the mutual promises and covenants herein contained, the parties agree that the Plan is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE I
 
CONDITIONS

1.1           The DIRECTOR agrees to continue to devote such time and attention to the business and affairs of the BANK as shall be required, and to use his best efforts to furnish faithful and satisfactory service to the Board during his tenure.

1.2             The payment of benefits is conditioned upon the DIRECTOR not acting in any similar capacity for any business enterprise which competes to a substantial degree with the BANK, nor engaging in any activity involving substantial competition with the BANK, without written consent from the Board of Directors. This provision shall be limited to that time while the DIRECTOR continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the Bank (the "BOARD").



ARTICLE II
 
BENEFITS

2.1            Effective Date. The benefits provided to the DIRECTOR hereunder shall be fully vested as of the date of this Agreement and shall be payable as provided hereinafter.

2.2            Death Before Retirement. If the DIRECTOR dies while actively serving on the Board prior to the commencement of his retirement benefits payable hereunder, the BANK shall pay to such beneficiary(ies) as the DIRECTOR shall designate in writing the sum of $25,000 per year for ten years. Said payments shall be paid in annual installments commencing when the DIRECTOR would have reached sixty-five (65) years of age. If the DIRECTOR fails to properly designate a beneficiary, the payments shall be made to the DIRECTOR'S surviving spouse or if the spouse is deceased, to the personal representative of the DIRECTOR'S estate.

2.3           Retirement Benefits, At the later to occur of DIRECTOR ceasing to serve as a DIRECTOR of the BANK or the DIRECTOR attaining the age sixty-five, the BANK shall pay the DIRECTOR $25,000 per year for ten years. Such benefit payments shall be made in annual installments beginning not later than the fifteenth (15`) day of the month following the fulfillment of the requirements in this Section 2.3.

Notwithstanding the above, in the event their is a Fundamental Change as defined in Section 7.2 hereof, of the BANK or its parent company, the DIRECTOR shall have the right, upon sixty (60) days written notice to BANK, to require the BANK to assign all insurance policies applicable to the DIRECTOR in lieu of receipt of payments by the BANK under this Agreement, or, at the sole discretion of DIRECTOR, require the BANK to commence payment of the $25,000 per annum for ten (10) years provided for under Section 2.3 hereof

ARTICLE III
 
OTHER TERMINATIONS OF SERVICE

3.1           If the DIRECTOR'S service on the Board is terminated due to disability, such termination of service shall be treated as any other termination of service. There shall be no acceleration of benefits and the DIRECTOR shall only be entitled to the benefit he would have otherwise been due under this Agreement.

3.2           If the services of the DIRECTOR is terminated, as a result of any violation of criminal laws relating to banking, this Agreement shall terminate upon the date of such termination of service and no benefits or payments of any kind shall be made hereunder.



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ARTICLE IV
 
FIDUCIARY

4.1           The BANK is hereby designated the Named Fiduciary of the Plan and for purposes of the claims procedure under this Agreement. The BANK shall have authority to control and manage the operation and administration of this Agreement, and it shall be responsible for establishing and carrying any funding policy or methods consistent with this Agreement.

4.2           The BANK shall have the right to change the Named Fiduciary of the Plan created under this Agreement. The BANK shall give the DIRECTOR written notice of a change of the Named Fiduciary, or any change in the address or telephone number of the Named Fiduciary.

ARTICLE V
 
CLAIMS PROCEDURE

5.1           Benefits shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Except in the death, the DIRECTOR or a designated recipient or any other person claiming through the DIRECTOR shall make a written request for benefits under this Agreement. This written claim shall be mailed or delivered to the Named Fiduciary. Such claim shall be reviewed by the Named Fiduciary. In the event of DIRECTOR'S death, while receiving payments hereunder, benefits shall continue to be timely paid to the DIRECTOR'S designated beneficiary, or if none has been named, to his estate.

5.2           The BANK shall only deny benefits in the event DIRECTOR shall violate the provisions of Section 1.2 or 3.2.

ARTICLE VI
 
NO CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT

This Agreement shall not be deemed to constitute a contract of employment between the parties hereto, nor shall any provisions hereof restrict the removal of the DIRECTOR, or restrict the right of the DIRECTOR to terminate his service.

ARTICLE VII
 
REORGANIZATION OR FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE

7.1           The BANK shall not merge or consolidate into or with another bank, or reorganize, or sell substantially all of its assets to another bank, firm or person unless and until such succeeding or continuing bank, firm, or person agrees to assume and timely discharge the obligations of the BANK under this Agreement.



3


7.2           A Fundamental Change shall mean:

a.
individuals who, as of the date hereof constitute the Board of the BANK'S parent company (the "COMPANY") or Board of the BANK (in either case hereinafter referred to as the "INCUMBENT BOARD") cease for any reason to constitute at least fifty percent (50%) of the Board of the Company or the BANK; provided, however that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose nomination for election by Company or BANK's shareholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the INCUMBENT BOARD shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the INCUMBENT BOARD, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than one nominated by the Board;
 
b.
the Company or the BANK shall enter into an agreement or agreements providing for (a) the reorganization, merger, or the sale or consolidation of the Company's or BANK's assets with or into another entity, (b) the exchange of all or substantially all of the stock of the Company or the BANK for the stock of another entity or for cash, (c) the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the BANK, or (d) the sale or the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or of the BANK.
 
ARTICLE VIII
 
FUNDING

8.1           The BANK'S obligation under this Agreement shall be funded in a manner to assure DIRECTOR'S benefits shall be paid when due.

8.2           Should the BANK determine to fund this Agreement, in whole or in part, through the medium of life insurance, the BANK reserves the absolute right, at its sole discretion, to terminate such life insurance, as well as any other funding at any time, either in whole or in part. Except as provided in Section 2.3 hereof, at no time shall the DIRECTOR be deemed to have any right, title, or interest in or to any specified asset or assets of the BANK, including, but not by way of restriction, any insurance contracts or the proceeds therefrom. Except as provided in Section 2.3 hereof, any such life insurance purchased by the BANK shall not in any way be considered to be security for the performance of the obligations of this Agreement. It shall be, and remain, a general, unpledged, unrestricted asset of the BANK.

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ARTICLE IX
 
INDEPENDENCE  OF BENEFITS

The benefits payable under this Agreement shall be independent of, and in addition to, any other benefits or compensation, whether by salary, or bonus or otherwise payable under any other employment agreements that now exist or may hereafter exist from time to time between the DIRECTOR and the BANK. This Agreement does not involve a reduction in salary or the foregoing or deferring of an increase in future salary by the DIRECTOR. Nor does the Agreement in any way affect or reduce the existing and future compensation and other benefits of the DIRECTOR.

ARTICLE X
 
ASSIGNABILITY, ALIENABILITY

Except in so far as prohibited by applicable law, no sale, transfer, alienation, assignment, pledge, collateralization, or attachment of any benefits under this Agreement shall be valid or recognized by the BANK. Neither the DIRECTOR, his spouse, or designated beneficiary shall have any power to hypothecate, mortgage, commute, modify or otherwise encumber in advance of any of the benefits payable hereunder, nor shall any of said benefits be subject to seizure for the payment of any debts, judgments, alimony, or separate maintenance, owed by the DIRECTOR or his beneficiary, or be transferable by operation of law in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency, or otherwise.

ARTICLE XI
 
ADMINISTRATIVE CLAUSE

Any payment required to be made pursuant to this Agreement to a person who is under a legal disability at the time such payment is due may be made by the BANK to or for the benefit of such person in such of the following ways as the BANK shall determine: (a) directly to the person entitled to the payment; (b) to the legal representative of such person; (c) to some near relative of such person to be used for the latter's benefit; (d) directly in payment of expenses of support, maintenance or education of such person. Any such payment by the BANK shall, to the extent thereof be a complete discharge of any liability under this Agreement with respect to such payment. The BANK shall not be required to see to the application by any third party of any payments made pursuant to this paragraph.

ARTICLE XII
 
MARITAL DEDUCTION PROVISION

If the DIRECTOR designates his spouse to receive payments to be made after his death, she shall have the right to direct the BANK as to the distribution of the sums, if any,



5
 

payable after her death. The DIRECTOR'S spouse has the right to direct any such payments which may be payable after her death be paid to such person(s) or to her own estate as she appoints and directs by a written direction fled with the BANK during her lifetime or by her last will and testament specifically referring to this power of appointment and to the extent the DIRECTOR'S spouse does not effectively exercise the power of appointment, such sums shall upon her death be distributed to her estate.

ARTICLE XIII
 
PAYMENTS UNSECURED

The DIRECTOR, his beneficiary and any other person or persons having or claiming a right to payments hereunder or to any interest in this Agreement shall rely solely on the unsecured promises of the BANK set forth herein, and nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give the DIRECTOR, his beneficiary or any other persons any right, title, interest or claim in or to any specific asset, fund, reserve, account or property of any kind whatsoever owned by the BANK or in which it may have any right, title or interest now or in the future, but DIRECTOR, his beneficiary or any other person or persons having any right to payments hereunder shall have the right to enforce his claim against the BANK in the same manner as any unsecured creditor.

ARTICLE XIV
 
AMENDMENT

During the lifetime of the DIRECTOR, this Agreement may be amended or revoked at any time, in whole or in part, by mutual agreement of the Parties.

ARTICLE XV
 
NOTICES

Any notice, consent or demand required or permitted to be given under the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be signed by the party giving or making the same. If such notice, consent or demand is mailed to a party hereto, it shall be sent by United States certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such party's last known address as shown on the records of the BANK. The date of such mailing shall be deemed the date of notice, consent or demand.

ARTICLE XVI
 
LAW GOVERNING

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This Agreement shall be binding upon the designated recipients, beneficiaries, heirs,

 
6
 

executors and administrators of the DIRECTOR and upon the successors and assigns of the BANK.

ARTICLE XVII
 
PRIOR AGREEMENTS

This Agreement shall amend and restate in its entirety that certain agreement between the BANK and the DIRECTOR dated August 4, 1992.

ARTICLE XVIII
 
MISCELLANEOUS

18.1           No modification of this Agreement shall be binding or enforceable in any court unless in writing and signed by the parties.

18.2           If any provision of this Agreement shall be or shall become illegal or unenforceable in whole or in part, for any reason whatsoever, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be deemed valid, binding, and subsisting.

18.3           The waiver by either party of a breach or violation of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach or violation thereof.

18.4           In the event any dispute shall arise between the BANK or its successor and the DIRECTOR as to the terms or interpretations of this Agreement, whether instituted by formal legal proceedings or otherwise, including any action taken by the DIRECTOR to enforce the terms of this Agreement or in defending against any action taken by the BANK or its successor, the BANK shall reimburse DIRECTOR for all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, arising from such dispute, proceedings, or actions, notwithstanding the ultimate outcome thereof. Such reimbursement shall be paid within ten (10) days of DIRECTOR furnishing to the BANK written evidence, which may be in the form, among other things, of a canceled check or receipt, of any costs or expenses incurred by DIRECTOR. Any such request for reimbursement by DIRECTOR shall be made no more frequently than at thirty (30) day intervals.

   
FIRST REPUBLIC BANK
     
   
By: /s/ Robert Davis
Asst. Secretary
 
President
     
   
/s/ Harris D. Madonna
Witness
 
DIRECTOR

7
 


 
AMENDED AND RESTATED
SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is entered into this ___ day of May    , 2001 by FIRST REPUBLIC BANK , having its principal offices at 1608 Walnut Street, Suite 1000 , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 (the "BANK") and HARRIS WILDSTEIN , (the "DIRECTOR").

RECITALS

WHEREAS , DIRECTOR and BANK entered into a Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreement dated August 4, 1992 (the "PLAN") and the parties hereto desire to amend and restate the PLAN as provided herein; and

WHEREAS , the DIRECTOR has been on the Board of Directors of the BANK since 1988, and;

WHEREAS , its Board of Directors, recognizing the past services of the DIRECTOR, the DIRECTOR'S contribution to the BANK and the experience and knowledge of the DIRECTOR, desires to modify and amend the rewards the DIRECTOR receives under the Plan for his continued valuable service and counsel.

NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of services performed in the past and to be performed in the future as well as of the mutual promises and covenants herein contained, the parties agree that the Plan is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE I
 
CONDITIONS

1.1           The DIRECTOR agrees to continue to devote such time and attention to the business and affairs of the BANK as shall be required, and to use his best efforts to furnish faithful and satisfactory service to the Board during his tenure.

1.2           The payment of benefits is conditioned upon the DIRECTOR not acting in any similar capacity for any business enterprise which competes to a substantial degree with the BANK, nor engaging in any activity involving substantial competition with the BANK, without written consent from the Board of Directors. This provision shall be limited to that time while the DIRECTOR continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the Bank (the "BOARD").



ARTICLE II
 
BENEFITS

2.1            Effective Date. The benefits provided to the DIRECTOR hereunder shall be fully vested as of the date of this Agreement and shall be payable as provided hereinafter.

2.2            Death Before Retirement. If the DIRECTOR dies while actively serving on the Board prior to the commencement of his retirement benefits payable hereunder, the BANK shall pay to such beneficiary(ies) as the DIRECTOR shall designate in writing the sum of $25,000 per year for ten years. Said payments shall be paid in annual installments commencing when the DIRECTOR would have reached sixty-five (65) years of age. If the DIRECTOR fails to properly designate a beneficiary, the payments shall be made to the DIRECTOR'S surviving spouse or if the spouse is deceased, to the personal representative of the DIRECTOR'S estate.

2.3            Retirement Benefits. At the later to occur of DIRECTOR ceasing to serve as a DIRECTOR of the BANK or the DIRECTOR attaining the age sixty-five, the BANK shall pay the DIRECTOR $25,000 per year for ten years. Such benefit payments shall be made in annual installments beginning not later than the fifteenth (15th) day of the month following the fulfillment of the requirements in this Section 2.3.

Notwithstanding the above, in the event their is a Fundamental Change as defined in Section 7.2 hereof, of the BANK or its parent company, the DIRECTOR shall have the right, upon sixty (60) days written notice to BANK, to require the BANK to assign all insurance policies applicable to the DIRECTOR in lieu of receipt of payments by the BANK under this Agreement, or, at the sole discretion of DIRECTOR, require the BANK to commence payment of the $25,000 per annum for ten (10) years provided for under Section 2.3 hereof

ARTICLE III
 
OTHER TERMINATIONS OF SERVICE

3.1           If the DIRECTOR'S service on the Board is terminated due to disability, such termination of service shall be treated as any other termination of service. There shall be no acceleration of benefits and the DIRECTOR shall only be entitled to the benefit he would have otherwise been due under this Agreement.

3.2           If the services of the DIRECTOR is terminated, as a result of any violation of criminal laws relating to banking, this Agreement shall terminate upon the date of such termination of service and no benefits or payments of any kind shall be made hereunder.

 

2


ARTICLE IV
 
FIDUCIARY

4.1           The BANK is hereby designated the Named Fiduciary of the Plan and for purposes of the claims procedure under this Agreement. The BANK shall have authority to control and manage the operation and administration of this Agreement, and it shall be responsible for establishing and carrying any funding policy or methods consistent with this Agreement.

4.2             The BANK shall have the right to change the Named Fiduciary of the Plan created under this Agreement. The BANK shall give the DIRECTOR written notice of a change of the Named Fiduciary, or any change in the address or telephone number of the
Named Fiduciary.

ARTICLE V
 
CLAIMS PROCEDURE

5.1           Benefits shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Except in the death, the DIRECTOR or a designated recipient or any other person claiming through the DIRECTOR shall make a written request for benefits under this Agreement. This written claim shall be mailed or delivered to the Named Fiduciary. Such claim shall be reviewed by the Named Fiduciary. In the event of DIRECTOR'S death, while receiving payments hereunder, benefits shall continue to be timely paid to the DIRECTOR'S designated beneficiary, or if none has been named, to his estate.

5.2           The BANK shall only deny benefits in the event DIRECTOR shall violate the
provisions of Section 1.2 or 3.2.

ARTICLE VI
 
NO CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT

This Agreement shall not be deemed to constitute a contract of employment between the parties hereto, nor shall any provisions hereof restrict the removal of the DIRECTOR, or restrict the right of the DIRECTOR to terminate his service.

ARTICLE VII
 
REORGANIZATION OR FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE

7.1           The BANK shall not merge or consolidate into or with another bank, or reorganize, or sell substantially all of its assets to another bank, firm or person unless and until such succeeding or continuing bank, firm, or person agrees to assume and timely discharge the obligations of the BANK under this Agreement.



3


7.2           A Fundamental Change shall mean:

a.
individuals who, as of the date hereof constitute the Board of the BANK'S parent company (the "COMPANY") or Board of the BANK (in either case hereinafter referred to as the "INCUMBENT BOARD") cease for any reason to constitute at least fifty percent (50%) of the Board of the Company or the BANK; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose nomination for election by Company or BANK's shareholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the INCUMBENT BOARD shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the INCUMBENT BOARD, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than one nominated by the Board;

b.
the Company or the BANK shall enter into an agreement or agreements providing for (a) the reorganization, merger, or the sale or consolidation of the Company's or BANK's assets with or into another entity, (b) the exchange of all or substantially all of the stock of the Company or the BANK for the stock of another entity or for cash, (c) the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the BANK, or (d) the sale or the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or of the BANK.

ARTICLE VIII
 
FUNDING

8.1           The BANK'S obligation under this Agreement shall be funded in a manner to assure DIRECTOR'S benefits shall be paid when due.

8.2           Should the BANK determine to fund this Agreement, in whole or in part, through the medium of life insurance, the BANK reserves the absolute right, at its sole discretion, to terminate such life insurance, as well as any other funding at any time, either in whole or in part. Except as provided in Section 2.3 hereof, at no time shall the DIRECTOR be deemed to have any right, title, or interest in or to any specified asset or assets of the BANK, including, but not by way of restriction, any insurance contracts or the proceeds therefrom. Except as provided in Section 2.3 hereof, any such life insurance purchased by the BANK shall not in any way be considered to be security for the performance of the obligations of this Agreement. It shall be, and remain, a general, unpledged, unrestricted asset of the BANK.

 
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ARTICLE IX
 
INDEPENDENCE  OF BENEFITS

The benefits payable under this Agreement shall be independent of, and in addition to, any other benefits or compensation, whether by salary, or bonus or otherwise payable under any other employment agreements that now exist or may hereafter exist from time to time between the DIRECTOR and the BANK. This Agreement does not involve a reduction in salary or the foregoing or deferring of an increase in future salary by the DIRECTOR. Nor does the Agreement in any way affect or reduce the existing and future compensation and other benefits of the DIRECTOR.

ARTICLE X
 
ASSIGNABILITY, ALIENABILITY

Except in so far as prohibited by applicable law, no sale, transfer, alienation, assignment, pledge, collateralization, or attachment of any benefits under this Agreement shall be valid or recognized by the BANK. Neither the DIRECTOR, his spouse, or designated beneficiary shall have any power to hypothecate, mortgage, commute, modify or otherwise encumber in advance of any of the benefits payable hereunder, nor shall any of said benefits be subject to seizure for the payment of any debts, judgments, alimony, or separate maintenance, owed by the DIRECTOR or his beneficiary, or be transferable by operation of law in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency, or otherwise.

ARTICLE XI
 
ADMINISTRATIVE CLAUSE

Any payment required to be made pursuant to this Agreement to a person who is under a legal disability at the time such payment is due may be made by the BANK to or for the benefit of such person in such of the following ways as the BANK shall determine: (a) directly to the person entitled to the payment; (b) to the legal representative of such person; (c) to some near relative of such person to be used for the latter's benefit; (d) directly in payment of expenses of support, maintenance or education of such person. Any such payment by the BANK shall, to the extent thereof be a complete discharge of any liability under this Agreement with respect to such payment. The BANK shall not be required to see to the application by any third party of any payments made pursuant to this paragraph.

ARTICLE XII
 
MARITAL, DEDUCTION PROVISION

If the DIRECTOR designates his spouse to receive payments to be made after his death, she shall have the right to direct the BANK as to the distribution of the sums, if any,



5


payable after her death. The DIRECTOR'S spouse has the right to direct any such payments which may be payable after her death be paid to such person(s) or to her own estate as she appoints and directs by a written direction fled with the BANK during her lifetime or by her last will and testament specifically referring to this power of appointment and to the extent the DIRECTOR'S spouse does not effectively exercise the power of appointment, such sums shall upon her death be distributed to her estate.

ARTICLE XIII
 
PAYMENTS UNSECURED

The DIRECTOR, his beneficiary and any other person or persons having or claiming a right to payments hereunder or to any interest in this Agreement shall rely solely on the unsecured promises of the BANK set forth herein, and nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give the DIRECTOR, his beneficiary or any other persons any right, title, interest or claim in or to any specific asset, fund, reserve, account or property of any kind whatsoever owned by the BANK or in which it may have any right, title or interest now or in the future, but DIRECTOR, his beneficiary or any other person or persons having any right to payments hereunder shall have the right to enforce his claim against the BANK in the same manner as any unsecured creditor.

ARTICLE XIV
 
AMENDMENT

During the lifetime of the DIRECTOR, this Agreement may be amended or revoked at any time, in whole or in part, by mutual agreement of the Parties.

ARTICLE XV
 
NOTICES

Any notice, consent or demand required or permitted to be given under the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be signed by the party giving or making the same. If such notice, consent or demand is mailed to a party hereto, it shall be sent by United States certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such party's last known address as shown on the records of the BANK. The date of such mailing shall be deemed the date of notice, consent or demand.

ARTICLE XVI
 
LAW GOVERNING

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This Agreement shall be binding upon the designated recipients, beneficiaries, heirs,




6


executors and administrators of the DIRECTOR and upon the successors and assigns of the BANK.

ARTICLE XVII
 
PRIOR AGREEMENTS

This Agreement shall amend and restate in its entirety that certain agreement between the BANK and the DIRECTOR dated August 4, 1992.

ARTICLE XVIII
 
MISCELLANEOUS

18.1           No modification of this Agreement shall be binding or enforceable in any court unless in writing and signed by the parties.

18.2           If any provision of this Agreement shall be or shall become illegal or unenforceable in whole or in part, for any reason whatsoever, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be deemed valid, binding, and subsisting.

18.3             The waiver by either party of a breach or violation of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach or violation thereof.

18.4           In the event any dispute shall arise between the BANK or its successor and the DIRECTOR as to the terms or interpretations of this Agreement, whether instituted by formal legal proceedings or otherwise, including any action taken by the DIRECTOR to enforce the terms of this Agreement or in defending against any action taken by the BANK or its successor, the BANK shall reimburse DIRECTOR for all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, arising from such dispute, proceedings, or actions, notwithstanding the ultimate outcome thereof. Such reimbursement shall be paid within ten (10) days of DIRECTOR furnishing to the BANK written evidence, which may be in the form, among other things, of a canceled check or receipt, of any costs or expenses incurred by DIRECTOR. Any such request for reimbursement by DIRECTOR shall be made no more frequently than at thirty (30) day intervals.


   
FIRST REPUBLIC BANK
     
   
By: /s/ Robert Davis
Asst. Secretary
 
President
     
   
/s/ Harris Wildstein
Witness
 
DIRECTOR

7


 
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
 
among
 
 
REPUBLIC FIRST BANCORP, INC.,
 
 
REPUBLIC FIRST BANCORP CAPITAL TRUST IV
 
 
and
 
 
VERNON W. HILL, II,
 
THE HARRY D. MADONNA FAMILY TRUST,
 
STEVEN M. LEWIS,

JOHN P. SILVESTRI, and
 
THEODORE J. FLOCCO, JR.,


 
AS PURCHASERS
 
 
________________
 
 
Dated as of June 10, 2008
 
________________
 
 
 
 

 
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
 
$10,800,000 Convertible   Trust Preferred Securities
 
THIS PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated as of June 10, 2008 (the “Closing Date”), is entered into among, Republic First Bancorp, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Company”), Republic First Bancorp Capital Trust IV, a statutory trust organized under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act (the “Delaware Act”), 12 Del. C. § 3801 et seq. (the “Trust,” and, together with the Company, the “Offerors”), and the Purchasers as set forth in Schedule A (each, a “Purchaser” and together, the “Purchasers”).
 
WITNESSETH:
 
WHEREAS, the Offerors propose that the Trust issue and sell an aggregate of 10,800 Convertible Capital Securities of the Trust (with a stated liquidation amount of $1,000 per capital security) having the terms described in the Declaration (defined below) (“Capital Securities”) to the Purchasers;
 
WHEREAS the Capital Securities will be convertible into common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), by the Purchasers (i) at any time on or after the occurrence of the following events: (1) if, as of the last day of any calendar quarter beginning with the quarter June 30, 2008, the closing sale price of the Common Stock for at least 20 trading days in a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of such calendar quarter is more than 110% of the conversion price in effect on the last day of such calendar; (2) upon the occurrence of the following corporate events: (a) a “change in control” of the Company, which will be deemed to have occurred at such time as a report is filed on Schedule 13D or TO disclosing that any person has become the beneficial owner of 50% or more of the voting power of the Common Stock then outstanding, (b) any compulsory share exchange, (c) any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into any other person, any merger of another person into the Company (other than a merger which does not result in a reclassification, conversion, exchange or cancellation of outstanding shares of Common Stock), or (d) any sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; (ii) at any time after June 30, 2009; and (iii) on the business day immediately preceding the date of repayment of such Capital Securities, whether at stated maturity or upon redemption;
 
WHEREAS the Company may redeem the Capital Securities, subject to conditions set forth in the Indenture, prior to maturity, in whole or in part, on one or more occasions (i) at any time on or after June 30, 2013 if the Closing Price (as defined in the Indenture, which is defined below) of Common Stock for 20 Trading Days (as defined in the Indenture) in a period of 30 consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day prior to the mailing of the notice of redemption exceeds 120% of the then prevailing Conversion Price (as defined in the Indenture); and (ii) at any time on or after June 30, 2018;
 
WHEREAS, the entire proceeds from the sale by the Trust of the Capital Securities will be combined with the entire proceeds from the sale by the Trust to the Company of 335 common securities (the “Common Securities”); and
 
 
 

 
WHEREAS, the Capital Securities will be guaranteed by the Company to the extent provided in the Guarantee Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date (the “Guarantee Agreement”), between the Company, as guarantor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as guarantee trustee (the “Guarantee Trustee”), with respect to distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise; and
 
WHEREAS, the entire proceeds from the sale of the Capital Securities will be combined with the entire proceeds from the sale by the Trust to the Company of its common securities (the “Common Securities”), and will be used by the Trust to purchase $11,135,000 aggregate principal amount of Convertible Junior Subordinated Debt Securities due 2038 (the “Subordinated Debt Securities”) issued by the Company.  The Capital Securities and the Common Securities will be issued pursuant to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, to be dated as of the Closing Date (the “Declaration”), among the Company, as sponsor, the Administrators named therein (the “Administrators”), Wilmington Trust Company, as institutional trustee (the “Institutional Trustee”), Wilmington Trust Company, as Delaware trustee (the “Delaware Trustee”), and the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.  The Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to the Indenture, to be dated as of the Closing Date (the “Indenture”), between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as indenture trustee (the “Indenture Trustee”).  The Indenture, the Guarantee Agreement, the Declaration, and this Agreement are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Operative Documents.”
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual agreements and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
 
SECTION 1.   Representations and Warranties of the Offerors .
 
(a)   The Trust and the Company, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to each Purchaser of Capital Securities as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, and agree with each Purchaser, as follows:
 
(i)   Similar Offerings .  Within a period of six months before or after the date hereof, the Offerors have not, directly or indirectly, solicited any offer to buy or offered to sell, and will not, directly or indirectly, solicit any offer to buy or offer to sell, in the United States or to any United States citizen or resident, any security which is or would be integrated with the sale of the Capital Securities (including any securities of the same or a similar class as the Capital Securities) in a manner that would require the Capital Securities to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”).
 
(ii)   Incorporated Documents .  The documents of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), from and including the commencement of the fiscal year covered by the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, at the time they were or hereafter are filed by the Company with the Commission (collectively, the “1934 Act Reports”), complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (the
 
 
3

 
“1934 Act Regulations”), and, at the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date, do not and will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and other than such instruments, agreements, contracts and other documents as are filed as exhibits to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K, there are no instruments, agreements, contracts or documents of a character described in Item 601 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Commission to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party.
 
(iii)   Independent Accountants .  The accountants of the Company who certified the financial statements included in the 1934 Act Reports (the “Independent Accountants”) are independent public accountants of the Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (the “1933 Act Regulations”).
 
(iv)   Financial Statements and Information .  The consolidated historical financial statements of the Company, together with the related schedules and notes, included in the 1934 Act Reports present fairly, in all material respects, the respective consolidated financial positions of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries at the respective dates indicated, and the consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for the respective periods specified; said financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved, except as disclosed in the notes to such financial statements; the supporting schedules, if any, included in the 1934 Act Reports present fairly, in all material respects, the information required to be stated therein; and any pro forma financial statements and the related notes thereto included in the 1934 Act Reports present fairly, in all material respects, the information shown therein, have been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial statements and have been properly compiled on the bases described therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein.
 
(v)   No Material Adverse Change .  Since March 31, 2008, there have not been (A) any events, changes, or circumstances that have occurred or are occurring that, singularly or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change in the condition, financial, regulatory or otherwise, or in the business affairs, management, stockholders’ equity, results of operations, or business prospects of the Trust or of the Company and its subsidiaries, each of which is listed in Schedule B, considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (a “Material Adverse Effect”) or (B) any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock other than regular quarterly dividends on the Company’s common stock declared and paid consistent with past practice.
 
(vi)   Internal Accounting Controls .  The Company and its subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with the management’s general or specific
 
 
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authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with the management’s general or specific authorization and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.
 
(vii)   Disclosure Controls .  The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the 1934 Act); such disclosure controls and procedures (i) are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer by others within those entities, particularly during the periods in which the 1934 Act Reports are being prepared, (ii) have been evaluated for effectiveness as of the end of the annual or quarterly period reported to the Commission and (iii) are effective to perform the functions for which they were established; the Company’s auditors and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors have been advised of: (A) any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data and (B) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a role in the Company’s internal controls; any material weaknesses in internal controls have been identified for the Company’s auditors; and since the date of the most recent evaluation of such disclosure controls and procedures, there have been no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
 
(viii)   Regulatory Matters .  (a) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is subject or is party to, or has received any written notice that any of them may become subject or party to any investigation with respect to, any corrective, suspension or cease-and-desist order, agreement, consent agreement, memorandum of understanding or other regulatory enforcement action, proceeding or order with or by, or is a party to any commitment letter or similar undertaking to, or is subject to any directive by, or has been a recipient of any supervisory letter from, or has adopted any board resolutions at the request of, any Regulatory Agency (as defined below) that currently (i) restricts in any material respect the conduct of their business, (ii) relates to their capital adequacy or (iii) in any material manner relates to their management or business (each, a “Regulatory Agreement”), nor has the Company or any of its subsidiaries been advised in writing by any Regulatory Agency that it is considering issuing or requesting any such Regulatory Agreement; there is no unresolved violation, criticism or exception by any Regulatory Agency with respect to any report or statement relating to any examinations of the Company or any of its subsidiaries which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  As used herein, the term “Regulatory Agency” means any federal or state agency charged with the supervision or regulation of depositary institutions or holding companies of depositary institutions, or engaged in the insurance of depositary institution deposits, or any court, administrative agency or commission or other governmental agency, authority or instrumentality having supervisory or regulatory authority with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
 
 
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(b)  Since January 1, 2005, the Company and its Significant Subsidiary has timely filed all reports, registration statements, proxy statements and other materials, together with any amendments required to be made with respect thereto, that were required to be filed with (i) the Office of Thrift Supervision, (ii) the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, (iv) the Federal Reserve Board, (iii) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) and (iv) any other federal, state or foreign Governmental Entity (all such reports and statements are collectively referred to herein as the “Reports”), and have paid all fees and assessments due and payable in connection therewith. As of their respective dates, the Reports complied in all material respects with all of the statutes and published rules and regulations enforced or promulgated by the regulatory authority with which they were filed and with respect to all other Reports, were complete and accurate in all material respects as of their respective dates.  There are no facts existing as of the date hereof peculiar to the Company or its Significant Subsidiary that the Company has not disclosed in the Reports or to the Purchasers in writing that, individually or in the aggregate, have had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
(ix)   No Undisclosed Liabilities .  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any material liability, whether known or unknown, whether asserted or unasserted, whether absolute or contingent, whether accrued or unaccrued, whether liquidated or unliquidated, and whether due or to become due, including any liability for taxes (and there is no past or present fact, situation, circumstance, condition or other basis for any present or future action, suit, proceeding, hearing, charge, complaint, claim or demand against the Company or its subsidiaries giving rise to any such liability), except (i) for liabilities set forth in the financial statements referred to in Section 1(a)(iv) above and (ii) normal fluctuations in the amount of the liabilities referred to in clause (i) above occurring in the ordinary course of business of the Company and all of its subsidiaries since the date of the most recent balance sheet included in such financial statements.
 
(x)   Good Standing of the Company .  The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and has full power and authority under such laws to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business, to enter into and perform its obligations under each of the Operative Documents to which it is a party, and to issue the Subordinated Debt Securities; and the Company is duly registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.
 
(xi)   Good Standing of the Subsidiaries .  The “significant subsidiary” (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X) of the Company (the “Significant Subsidiary”) has been duly organized and is validly existing as an entity in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is chartered and has full power and authority under such laws to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its current and contemplated business; and the deposit accounts of Republic First Bank (the “Bank”) are insured up to the applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC to the fullest extent permitted by law and the rules and regulations of the FDIC, and no proceeding for the revocation or termination of such insurance is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.  The Company’s only Significant Subsidiary is the Bank.
 
 
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(xii)   Foreign Qualifications .  Each of the Company and its Significant Subsidiary is duly qualified as a foreign entity to transact business, and each is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure to be so qualified would not reasonably be expected to have, singularly or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
 
(xiii)   Capital Stock Duly Authorized and Validly Issued .  All of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and nonassessable; all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Significant Subsidiary of the Company has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and nonassessable and is owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equitable right; and none of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company or its Significant Subsidiary was issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights arising by operation of law, under the charter, by-laws or code of regulations of the Company or its Significant Subsidiary or under any agreement to which the Company or its Significant Subsidiary is a party.
 
(xiv)   Capitalization .  (a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (A) 20,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which as of the date of this Agreement, 10,811,747 shares were issued and outstanding and (B) 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, of which as of the date of this Agreement, no shares were issued and outstanding.  As of March 31, 2008, the Company held 416,303 shares of Common Stock in its treasury.  As of March 31, 2008, there were 663,044 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance in connection with employee benefit, stock option and dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plans. All of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s capital stock have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, and are not subject to preemptive rights.  No bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness having the right to vote on any matters on which the stockholders of the Company may vote (“Voting Debt”) are issued and outstanding.  Other than as set forth herein or pursuant to this Agreement, (A) no equity securities or Voting Debt of the Company are or may be required to be issued by reason of any options, warrants, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever, (B) there are outstanding no securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for any equity securities or Voting Debt of the Company and (C) there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company is bound to issue additional equity securities or Voting Debt or options, warrants or rights to purchase or acquire any additional equity securities or Voting Debt.
 
(b)  Except for any director qualifying shares, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity ownership interests of each Subsidiary of the Company are owned by the Company, directly or indirectly, free and clear of any material liens, pledges, charges and security interests and similar encumbrances, and all of such shares or equity ownership interests have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, and are not subject to preemptive rights. No Subsidiary of the Company has or is bound by any outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, commitments or agreements of any character calling for the purchase or issuance of any shares of capital stock or any other
 
 
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equity security of such Subsidiary or any securities representing the right to purchase or otherwise receive any shares of capital stock or any other equity security of such Subsidiary.
 
(xv)   Good Standing of the Trust .  The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in good standing as a statutory trust under the Delaware Act with the power and authority to own property and to conduct its business as provided in the Declaration, to enter into and perform its obligations under the Operative Documents to which it is a party, and to issue the Capital Securities and the Common Securities; the Trust is not a party to or otherwise bound by any agreement other than the Operative Documents to which it is a party; and the Trust is, and will be, under current law, classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust and not as an association taxable as a corporation.
 
(xvi)   Authorization of Common Securities .  On the Closing Date, the Common Securities will have been duly authorized for issuance by the Trust pursuant to the Declaration and, when duly issued and executed in accordance with the Declaration and delivered by the Trust to the Company against payment therefor in accordance with the subscription agreement therefor, will be validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable undivided common beneficial ownership interests in the assets of the Trust; the issuance of the Common Securities is not subject to preemptive or other similar rights; and on the Closing Date, all of the issued and outstanding Common Securities of the Trust will be owned directly by the Company, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equitable right.
 
(xvii)   Authorization of Capital Securities .  On the Closing Date, the Capital Securities will have been duly authorized for issuance by the Trust pursuant to the Declaration and, when duly issued, executed and authenticated in accordance with the Declaration and delivered by the Trust against payment therefor as provided herein and will be validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable undivided preferred beneficial ownership interests in the assets of the Trust; the issuance of the Capital Securities will not be subject to preemptive or other similar rights; and the Capital Securities will be in the form contemplated by, and entitled to the benefits of, the Declaration.
 
(xviii)   Authorization of Common Stock .  On the Closing Date, the Common Stock into which the Capital Securities or Debt Securities are convertible pursuant to the Declaration and the Indenture will have been duly authorized for issuance by the Company and, upon conversion, all such stock will be validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable and will have the same relative rights as, and will be identical in all respects with, every other share of Common Stock.
 
(xix)   Authorization of this Agreement .  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the Offerors and assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Purchasers, will constitute a valid, legal and binding agreement of each of the Offerors, enforceable against each of the Offerors in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (b) general principles of equity (regardless of
 
 
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whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity) (collectively, the “Enforceability Exceptions”).
 
(xx)   Authorization of Declaration .  The Declaration has been duly authorized by the Company and, on the Closing Date, will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Administrators, and assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of the Declaration by the Institutional Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, the Declaration will constitute a valid, legal and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions.
 
(xxi)   Authorization of Guarantee Agreement .  The Guarantee Agreement has been duly authorized by the Company and, on the Closing Date, will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company, and assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of the Guarantee Agreement by the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Agreement will constitute a valid, legal and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions.
 
(xxii)   Authorization of Indenture .  The Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and, on the Closing Date, will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company, and assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of the Indenture by the Indenture Trustee, the Indenture will constitute a valid, legal and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions.
 
(xxiii)   Authorization of Subordinated Debt Securities .  The Subordinated Debt Securities have been duly authorized by the Company; on the Closing Date, the Subordinated Debt Securities will have been duly executed by the Company and, when authenticated in the manner provided for in the Indenture and delivered by the Company to the Trust against payment therefor as contemplated in the subscription agreement therefor, will constitute valid, legal and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions; the Subordinated Debt Securities will be in the form contemplated by, and entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture; the Subordinated Debt Securities constitute indebtedness of the Company for United States federal income tax purposes and the Company has no present intention to exercise its option to defer payments of interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities as provided in the Indenture.
 
(xxiv)   Authorization of Administrators .  Each of the Administrators of the Trust is an officer or employee of the Company or one of its subsidiaries and has been duly authorized by the Company to execute and deliver the Declaration.
 
(xxv)   Not an Investment Company .  Neither the Trust nor the Company is, and immediately following consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and the application of the net proceeds therefrom neither the Trust nor the Company will be, an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company”, in each case
 
 
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within the meaning of Section 3(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), without regard to Section 3(c) of the 1940 Act.
 
(xxvi)   Absence of Defaults and Conflicts .  The Trust is not in violation of the trust certificate of the Trust filed with the State of Delaware (the “Trust Certificate”) or the Declaration, and neither the Company nor its Significant Subsidiary is in violation of its charter, by-laws or code of regulations; none of the Trust, the Company or any subsidiary of the Company is in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound or to which any of its properties or assets is subject (collectively, “Agreements and Instruments”), except for such defaults under Agreements and Instruments that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and the execution, delivery and performance of the Operative Documents by the Trust or the Company, as the case may be, the issuance, sale and delivery of the Capital Securities and the Subordinated Debt Securities, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents, and compliance by the Trust and the Company with the terms of the Operative Documents to which they are a party have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and, on the Closing Date, will have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Trust and do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, violate, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any, security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance, claim or equitable right upon any properties or assets of the Trust or the Company or its Significant Subsidiary pursuant to any of the Agreements and Instruments, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the charter, by-laws or code of regulations of the Company or its Significant Subsidiary or the Declaration or the Trust Certificate, or violation by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or bank subsidiaries of any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government authority, agency (including, without limitation, each applicable Regulatory Agency) or instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Trust or the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or bank subsidiaries or their respective properties or assets (collectively, “Governmental Entities”).  As used herein, a “Repayment Event” means any event or condition which gives the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Trust or the Company or its Significant Subsidiary prior to its scheduled maturity.
 
(xxvii)   ERISA .  (a) All “employee benefit plans”, as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ ERISA ”), that are subject to Title I of ERISA and are currently maintained or maintained since January 1, 2003, by either the Company or any companies which, with the Company, would be deemed to be a single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code (collectively, the “ Company Group ”) for the benefit of the Company Group employees, are collectively, for purposes of this Agreement, referred to herein as the “ Company Plans. ”  All Company Plans that constitute employee “pension plans” as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA that are subject to Title IV of ERISA are referred to herein as the “ Company Pension Plans. ”  Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, singularly or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, to the knowledge
 
 
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of the Company, no non-exempt “prohibited transaction” (as such term is used in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code), has heretofore occurred with respect to any Company Plan or any Company Pension Plan and, to the knowledge of the Company, no such non-exempt prohibited transaction with respect to any Company Plan or Company Pension Plan shall occur as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein.
 
(b)  Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, singularly or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not result in an increase in the amount of, or acceleration in the timing of payment of vesting of, any compensation payable or awarded by the Company or its Significant Subsidiary to any of its or their employees under any employment agreements, plans or programs of the Company or its Significant Subsidiary.
 
(xxviii)   Intellectual Property .  (a) the Company and its Significant Subsidiary owns, or is licensed to use (in each case, free and clear of any claims, liens or encumbrances), all Intellectual Property (as defined below) used in or necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted; (b) the use of any Intellectual Property by the Company and its Significant Subsidiary does not, to the knowledge of the Company, infringe on or otherwise violate the rights of any person and is in accordance with any applicable license pursuant to which the Company or its Significant Subsidiary acquired the right to use any Intellectual Property; (c) no person is challenging, infringing on or otherwise violating any right of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiary with respect to any material Intellectual Property owned by or licensed to the Company or its Significant Subsidiary; (d) to the knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor its Significant Subsidiary has received any notice of any pending claim with respect to any Intellectual Property used by the Company or its Significant Subsidiary; and (e) to the knowledge of the Company, no Intellectual Property owned or licensed by the Company or its Significant Subsidiary is being used or enforced in a manner that would be expected to result in the abandonment, cancellation or unenforceability of such Intellectual Property.  In this Section 1(xxviii), “Intellectual Property” shall mean trademarks, service marks, brand names, certification marks, trade dress and other indications of origin, the goodwill associated with the foregoing and registrations in any jurisdiction of, and applications in any jurisdiction to register, the foregoing, including any extension, modification or renewal of any such registration or application; inventions, discoveries and ideas, whether patentable or not, in any jurisdiction; patents, applications for patents (including divisions, continuations, continuations in part and renewal applications), and any renewals, extensions or reissues thereof, in any jurisdiction; nonpublic information, trade secrets and confidential information and rights in any jurisdiction to limit the use or disclosure thereof by any person; writings and other works, whether copyrightable or not, in any jurisdiction; and registrations or applications for registration of copyrights in any jurisdiction, and any renewals or extensions thereof; and any similar intellectual property or proprietary rights.
 
(xxix)   Environmental Liability .  Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, singularly or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect:  (a) there are no legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceedings, claims, actions, causes of action or notices with respect to any environmental, health or safety matters or any private or governmental environmental, health or safety investigations or remediation activities of any
 
 
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nature seeking to impose, or that are reasonably likely to result in, any liability or obligation of the Company or its Significant Subsidiary arising under common law or under any local, state or federal environmental, health or safety statute, regulation or ordinance, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, pending or threatened against the Company or its Significant Subsidiary; (b) to the knowledge of the Company, there is no reasonable basis for, or circumstances that are reasonably likely to give rise to, any such proceeding, claim, action, investigation or remediation by any Governmental Entity or any third party that would give rise to any liability or obligation on the part of the Company or its Significant Subsidiary; and (d) neither the Company nor its Significant Subsidiary is subject to any agreement, order, judgment, decree, letter or memorandum by or with any Governmental Entity or third party imposing any liability or obligation with respect to any of the foregoing.
 
(xxx)   Taxes and Tax Returns .  Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, singularly or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect: (a) each of the Company and its subsidiaries has duly and timely filed (including all applicable extensions) all reports, returns or other information (including any amendments) required to be supplied to a governmental entity with respect to taxes including, where permitted or required, combined or consolidated returns for any group of entities that includes the Company or its subsidiaries (“Tax Returns”) required to be filed by it on or prior to the date hereof (all such returns being accurate and complete in all respects), has paid all taxes shown thereon as arising and has duly paid or made provision for the payment of all taxes that have been incurred or are due or claimed to be due from it by federal, state, foreign or local taxing authorities other than taxes that are not yet delinquent or are being contested in good faith, have not been finally determined and have been adequately reserved against; (b) the federal, state and local income Tax Returns of the Company and its subsidiaries have been examined by the Internal Revenue Service (the “ IRS ”) and any applicable state and local tax authorities for all years to and including 2002 and any liability with respect thereto has been satisfied or any liability with respect to deficiencies asserted as a result of such examination is covered by reserves that are adequate under GAAP; (c) there are no disputes pending, or claims asserted, for taxes or assessments upon the Company or its subsidiaries for which the Company does not have reserves that are adequate under GAAP; (d) neither the Company nor its subsidiaries are (A) a party to or is bound by any tax sharing, allocation or indemnification agreement or arrangement (other than such an agreement or arrangement exclusively between or among the Company and its subsidiaries) or (B) has any liability for the taxes of any Person (other than the Company or any of its subsidiaries) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law); (e) within the past two years, neither the Company nor its subsidiaries have been a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” in a distribution intended to qualify under Section 355(a) of the Code; (f) neither the Company nor its subsidiaries are required to include in income any adjustment pursuant to Section 481(a) of the Code, no such adjustment has been proposed by the IRS and no pending request for permission to change any accounting method has been submitted by the Company or its subsidiaries; and (g) neither the Company nor its subsidiaries has participated in a “transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation section 1.601 1-4(b).
 
(xxxi)   Absence of Labor Dispute .  No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the executive officers of
 
 
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the Company, is imminent, which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
 
(xxxii)   Absence of Proceedings .  There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any Governmental Entity, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Trust or the Company, threatened, against or affecting the Trust or the Company or any of its subsidiaries, which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or materially and adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents or the performance by the Trust or the Company of its obligations hereunder or thereunder; and the aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the Trust or the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their respective properties or assets is the subject, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
(xxxiii)   Absence of Further Requirements .  No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any Governmental Entity, other than those that have been made or obtained, is necessary or required for the authorization, execution, delivery or performance by the Trust or the Company of their respective obligations under the Operative Documents, the Subordinated Debt Securities or the Capital Securities, as applicable, or the consummation by the Trust or the Company of the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents.
 
(xxxiv)   Possession of Licenses and Permits .  Each of the Trust, the Company and the subsidiaries of the Company possesses such permits, orders, certificates, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, “Governmental Licenses”) issued by the appropriate Governmental Entities necessary to conduct the business now operated by it that is material to the Trust or the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise; each of the Trust, the Company and the subsidiaries of the Company is in compliance with the terms and conditions of all of its Governmental Licenses, except where the failure so to comply, would not reasonably be expected to have, singularly or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; all of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except when the invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and none of the Trust, the Company or any subsidiary of the Company has received notice of any proceeding, and to the knowledge of the Trust, the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, there has been no threatened proceeding, relating to the revocation, termination, suspension or modification of any such Governmental Licenses which would reasonably be expected to have, singularly or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
 
(xxxv)   Title to Property .  Each of the Trust, the Company and the subsidiaries of the Company has good and marketable title to all of its respective real and personal properties, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects, except such as, in the reasonable judgment of the Trust or the Company, singularly or in the aggregate, are not expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and all of the leases and subleases under which the Trust, the Company or any subsidiary of the Company holds properties are in full force and effect, except when the failure of such leases and subleases to be in full force and effect, would not reasonably be expected to have, singularly or in the aggregate, a Material
 
 
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Adverse Effect, and none of the Trust, the Company or any subsidiary of the Company has any notice of any claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Trust, the Company or any subsidiary of the Company under any of the leases or subleases under which the Trust, the Company or any subsidiary of the Company holds properties, or affecting or questioning the rights of such entity to the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises under any such lease or sublease, except when such claim would not reasonably be expected to have, singularly or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
 
(xxxvi)   Stabilization .  The Company has not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to, or that might be reasonably expected to, cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Capital Securities.
 
(xxxvii)   No General Solicitation .  Neither the Trust or the Company nor any of their Affiliates (as defined in Rule 501(b) under the 1933 Act) or any person acting on its or any of their behalf has engaged or will engage, in connection with the offering of the Capital Securities, in any form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c) under the 1933 Act.
 
(xxxviii)   No Registration .  (a) Subject to compliance by the Purchasers with the relevant provisions of Section 6 hereof, it is not necessary in connection with the offer, sale and delivery of the Capital Securities by the Trust in the manner contemplated by this Agreement to register the Capital Securities, the guarantee as described in the Guarantee Agreement or the Subordinated Debt Securities under the 1933 Act or to qualify the Declaration, the Guarantee Agreement or the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
 
(b)   Any certificate signed by any Trustee of the Trust or any duly authorized officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and delivered to the Purchasers or to counsel for the Purchasers shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Trust or the Company, as the case may be, to the Purchasers as to the matters covered thereby.
 
SECTION 2.   Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers
 
(a)   Each Purchaser understands and acknowledges that (i) none of the Capital Securities, the Debentures, the Guarantee or the Common Stock (the “Offeror Securities”) have been or will be registered under the Securities Act, or any other applicable securities laws, (ii) the Offeror Securities are being offered for sale by the Offerors in transactions not requiring registration under the Securities Act, and (iii) the Offeror Securities may not be offered, sold, pledged or otherwise transferred by the Purchasers except in compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act, or any other applicable securities laws, pursuant to an exemption therefrom or in a transaction not subject thereto.
 
(b)   Each Purchaser represents and warrants that it is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Regulation D promulgated under the 1933 Act, has the ability to bear the risks of an investment in the Company for an indefinite period and is suitable to be an investor in a private offering.
 
(c)   Each Purchaser represents and warrants that it is purchasing the Capital Securities and, if converted, Common Stock for its own account, for investment and not with a
 
 
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view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act or other applicable securities laws, subject to any requirement of law that the disposition of its property be at all times within its control and subject to its ability to resell such Capital Securities and, upon conversion, Common Stock pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption therefrom or in a transaction not subject thereto, and the Purchasers agree, severally and not jointly, to the legends and transfer restrictions applicable to the Capital Securities and Common Stock contained in the Declaration.
 
(d)   Each Purchaser has had the opportunity to ask questions of, and receive answers and request additional information from, the Offerors and is aware that it may be required to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Capital Securities and, if converted, Common Stock.
 
(e)   Each Purchaser has full power and legal capacity to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, to make the representations and warranties specified herein, and to consummate the transactions contemplated herein and it has full right and power to purchase the Capital Securities.
 
(f)   No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over any Purchaser, other than those that have been made or obtained, is necessary or required for the performance by each Purchaser of its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated herein.
 
(g)   Each Purchaser represents and warrants that the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (i) violate any law or order by which such Purchaser is bound or (ii) result in a violation or breach of, or constitute a default under any agreement, instrument or contract to which such Purchaser is a party.
 
(h)   This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Purchaser.
 
(i)   Each Purchaser represents and warrants that it is not a beneficial owner (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act) of any Common Stock.
 
(j)   Each Purchaser understands and acknowledges that the Offerors will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing acknowledgments, representations, warranties and agreements and agrees that if any of the foregoing acknowledgments, representations, warranties or agreements cease to be accurate, it shall promptly notify the Offerors.
 
(k)   Each Purchaser agrees that it will keep confidential and will not disclose or divulge any confidential, proprietary or secret information that it may obtain from financial statements or other material submitted by the Company to such Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Purchaser may disclose such information (i) as has become generally available to the public, (ii) as may be required in any report, statement or testimony submitted to any municipal, state or federal regulatory body having jurisdiction over such Purchaser, (iii) as may be required in response to any summons or subpoena or in connection with any litigation (provided such Purchaser makes reasonable efforts to enable the
 
 
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Company to seek a protective order), (iv) in order to comply with any law, order, regulation or ruling applicable to such Purchaser or (v) on a confidential basis to its attorneys, accountants, consultants and other professionals to the extent necessary to obtain their services in connection with its investment in the Company.
 
(l)   Each Purchaser understands that no public market exists for any of the Capital Securities, and that it is unlikely that a public market will ever exist for the Capital Securities.
 
SECTION 3.   Sale and Delivery to Purchasers; Closing .
 
(a)   Subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth herein, at the Closing provided for in Section 3(b) hereof, the Trust hereby agrees to issue and sell the Capital Securities to each of the Purchasers and, subject to the terms and conditions specified in this Agreement, each of the Purchasers agrees, severally and not jointly,   to purchase from the Trust, in consideration of the aggregate purchase price, the number of Capital Securities set forth opposite the name of such Purchaser in Schedule A hereto.
 
(b)   The Capital Securities shall be issued in definitive form and registered in the name(s) and denomination(s) specified by the Purchasers.  Subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, delivery of the certificates representing the Capital Securities shall be made by the Trust to or on behalf of the Purchasers at the offices of Thacher Proffitt & Wood llp in The City of New York (the "Closing"), and payment of the purchase price for the Capital Securities shall be made by the Purchasers to the Trust by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank designated by the Company contemporaneous with closing on the Closing Date.
 
(c)   At the Closing: (A) the Company will deliver to each Purchaser certificates for the Capital Securities registered in the name of such Purchaser; (B) each Purchaser, in full payment for the Capital Securities, will deliver to the Company immediately available funds, by wire transfer to such account as the Company shall specify, in the amount of the purchase price to be paid hereunder pursuant to subsection (a) above; and (iii) each party shall take or cause to happen such other actions, and shall execute and deliver such other instruments or documents, as shall be required under Section 6.
 
SECTION 4.   Notice of Material Events .  The Offerors covenant with the  Purchasers, severally and not jointly, that, prior to the Closing Date, the Offerors will immediately notify the Purchasers, and confirm such notice in writing, of any event or development that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
SECTION 5.   Payment of Expenses .  Whether or not this Agreement is terminated or the sale of the Capital Securities is consummated, the Company, as borrower under the Subordinated Debt Securities, will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) expenses related to the preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates for the Capital Securities and Subordinated Debt Securities, (ii) the fees and disbursements of the Company’s counsel, accountants and other advisors, (iii) the fees and disbursements of the Purchasers’ counsel, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the Guarantee
 
 
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Trustee’s, Institutional Trustee’s and Delaware Trustee’s counsel and (v) the fees and disbursements of any registrar for the Capital Securities.
 
SECTION 6.   Conditions of Purchasers’ Obligations .  The obligations of the Purchasers on the Closing Date are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Offerors contained in Section 1 hereof or in certificates of any Administrator of the Trust or any officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Offerors of their obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions:
 
(a)   Opinion of Counsel for the Offerors .  On the Closing Date, the Purchasers shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, of Thacher Proffitt & Wood llp, special counsel for the Offerors, in substantially the form set out in Annex A hereto, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Purchasers.  Such counsel may state that, insofar as such opinion involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem proper, upon the opinion of Stevens & Lee P.C., certificates of Administrators of the Trust, officers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and public officials.
 
(b)   Opinion of Special Delaware Counsel for the Trust .  On the Closing Date, the Purchasers shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, of Stevens & Lee P.C., special Delaware counsel for the Trust, in substantially the form set out in Annex B hereto, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Purchasers.
 
(c)   Opinion of Special Tax Counsel for the Offerors .  On the Closing Date, the Purchasers shall have received an opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, of Thacher Proffitt & Wood llp, special tax counsel for the Offerors, that (i) the Trust will be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust and not as an association taxable as a corporation and (ii) the Subordinated Debt Securities will constitute indebtedness of the Company for United States federal income tax purposes, in substantially the form set out in Annex C hereto.  Such opinion may be conditioned on, among other things, the initial and continuing accuracy of the facts, financial and other information, covenants and representations set forth in certificates of officers of the Company and other documents deemed necessary for such opinion.
 
(d)   Opinion of Counsel to the Guarantee Trustee, the Institutional Trustee, the Delaware Trustee and the Indenture Trustee .  On the Closing Date, the Purchasers shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, of Stevens & Lee P.C., counsel for the Guarantee Trustee, the Institutional Trustee, the Delaware Trustee and the Indenture Trustee, in substantially the form set out in Annex D hereto, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Purchasers.
 
(e)   Certificates .  On the Closing Date, there shall not have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the 1934 Act Reports, any Material Adverse Effect, and the Purchasers shall have received a certificate of the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President or any Vice President of the Company and of the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer of the Company and a certificate of an Administrator of the Trust, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that
 
 
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(i) there has been no such Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the representations and warranties in Section 1 hereof were true and correct when made and are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made on and as of the Closing Date, and (iii) the Offerors have complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on their part to be performed or satisfied on or prior to the Closing Date.
 
(f)   Maintenance of Ratings .  From the date of this Agreement through the Closing Date, there shall not have occurred a downgrading in or withdrawal of the rating assigned to any debt securities or preferred stock of the Company or its Significant Subsidiary by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization,” as that term is defined by the Commission for the purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the 1933 Act, and no such organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review its rating of any debt securities or preferred stock of the Company or its Significant Subsidiary.
 
(g)   Additional Documents .  On the Closing Date, the Purchasers shall have been furnished such documents and opinions as they may reasonably request in connection with the issue and sale of the Capital Securities; and all proceedings taken by the Offerors in connection with the issuance, and sale of the Capital Securities shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Purchaser.
 
(h)   Termination of Agreement .  If any condition specified in this Section shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated by the Purchasers by notice to the Offerors at any time on or prior to the Closing Date.  In addition, such termination shall be subject to Section 5 hereof.
 
SECTION 7.   Offers and Sales of the Capital Securities .
 
(a)   Offer and Sale Procedures .  The Purchasers and the Offerors hereby establish and agree to observe the following provisions with respect to the offer, issue and sale of the Capital Securities:
 
(i)   Offers and Sales only to the Purchasers .  Offers and sales of the Capital Securities will be made only to the Purchasers in a transaction not requiring registration under the 1933 Act.
 
(ii)   No General Solicitation .  No general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Rule 502(c) under the 1933 Act) has been or will be used in connection with the offering of the Capital Securities.
 
(iii)   Purchaser Notification .  The Purchasers acknowledge that the Capital Securities (A) have not been and will not be registered under the 1933 Act, (B) are being sold without registration under the 1933 Act in accordance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act and (C) may not be offered, sold or otherwise transferred except in accordance with the legend set forth in Annex E hereto.
 
(b)   Covenants of the Offerors .  Each of the Offerors, jointly and severally, covenant with the Purchasers as follows:
 
 
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(i)   Due Diligence .  In connection with the sale of the Capital Securities, the Offerors agree that the Purchasers shall have the right to make reasonable inquiries into the business of the Trust, the Company and the subsidiaries of the Company.  The Offerors also agree to provide answers to each Purchaser, if requested, concerning the Trust, the Company and the subsidiaries of the Company (to the extent that such information is available or can be acquired and made available without unreasonable effort or expense and to the extent the provision thereof is not prohibited by applicable law) and the terms and conditions of the offering of the Capital Securities and the Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
(ii)   Integration .  The Offerors agree that they will not, and will cause their Affiliates not to, make any offer or sale of securities of the Offerors of any class if, as a result of the doctrine of “integration” referred to in Rule 502 under the 1933 Act, such offer or sale would render invalid the exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act provided by Section 4(2) thereof or by Rule 144A or otherwise.
 
(iii)   Nasdaq Listing .  The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain approval for listing of the shares of the Common Stock underlying the Capital Securities on the NASDAQ Stock Market or such other exchange within three months following the Closing Date and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain such listing.
 
(iv)   Financial Statements .   For so long as the Purchasers beneficially own Capital Securities convertible into shares of Common Stock, or shares of Common Stock issued upon the conversion of the Capital Securities, or any combination of the foregoing, in any case representing at least 4.9 percent of the Common Stock then outstanding, the Offerors shall deliver the reports required to be delivered to Securityholders (as defined in the Indenture) pursuant to the terms of, and in the manner described in, Section 4.03 of the Indenture.
 
SECTION 8.   Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery .  All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company or Trustees of the Trust submitted pursuant hereto shall remain operative and in full force and effect, and shall survive delivery of the Capital Securities by the Trust.
 
SECTION 9.   Termination of Agreement .
 
(a)   Termination; General .  The Purchasers may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Offerors, at any time on or prior to the Closing Date if, since the time of execution of this Agreement or, in the case of (i), since the respective dates as of which information is given in the 1934 Act Reports, (i) there has occurred any Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or any other calamity or crisis, or any change or development involving political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Purchasers, impracticable to purchase the Capital Securities, or (iii) trading in any securities of the Company has been suspended or limited by the Commission or any national stock exchange or market on or in which such securities are traded or quoted, or if trading generally on the American Stock Exchange, the New York Stock
 
 
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Exchange or the Nasdaq National Market has been suspended or limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by such system or by order of the Commission, the National Association of Securities Dealers or any other governmental authority, or (iv) a banking moratorium has been declared by United States federal, Delaware or New York authorities.
 
(b)   Liabilities .  If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 and Section 5 hereof, and provided further that Sections 1, 7 and 8 hereof shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.
 
SECTION 10.   Notices .  All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication.  Notices to the Offerors shall be directed to Republic First Bancorp, Inc., 50 South 16th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102, Attention: Paul Frenkiel, with a copy to Thacher Proffitt & Wood llp, Two World Financial Center, New York, New York 10281, Attention: Robert C. Azarow, Esq.  Notices to the Purchasers shall be directed to Vernon W. Hill, II, 17000 Horizon Way, Suite 100, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 with a copy to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Four Times Sq., New York, New York 10036, Attention: David C. Ingles, The Harry D. Madonna Family Trust, 1320 N. Avignon Dr., Gladwyne, PA 19035, Steven M. Lewis 1780 Swede Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422, John P. Silvestri, 17000 Horizon Way, Suite 100, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054, and Theodore J. Flocco, Jr., 11 Brookwood Road, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054.
 
SECTION 11.   Parties .  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon each of the Purchasers and the Offerors and their respective successors.  Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Purchasers and the Offerors, and their respective successors and the controlling persons and other persons referred to in Sections 1, 7 and 8 hereof and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained.  This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Purchasers and the Offerors and their respective successors, and said controlling persons and other persons and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation.
 
SECTION 12.   GOVERNING LAW .  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES OF SAID STATE OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW.
 
EACH OF THE TRUST AND THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL AND NEW YORK STATE COURTS LOCATED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE MATTERS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF
 
 
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LACK OF PERSONAL JURISDICTION AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN ANY SUCH COURT.  EACH OF THE TRUST AND THE COMPANY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY EFFECTIVELY DO SO UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.
 
SECTION 13.   Disclosure of Tax Treatment and Tax Structure .  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any party to this Agreement (and each employee, representative or other agent of any party to this Agreement) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the offer and sale and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to it relating to such tax treatment and tax structure.  However, such information relating to the tax treatment or tax structure is required to be kept confidential to the extent necessary to comply with any applicable federal or state securities laws.  For this purpose, “tax structure” means any facts relevant to the federal income tax treatment of the offer and sale contemplated by this Agreement but does not include information relating to the identity of the Offeror.
 
SECTION 14.   Effect of Headings .  The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
 
 
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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement among the Purchasers and the Offerors in accordance with its terms.
 
 
Very truly yours,
     
 
REPUBLIC FIRST BANCORP, INC.
       
 
By:
   
   
Name: Harry D. Madonna
 
   
Title: Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
       
 
REPUBLIC FIRST BANCORP CAPITAL TRUST IV
     
 
By:
 
   
Name: Harry D. Madonna
   
Title: Administrator
 
 
 
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VERNON  W. HILL, II
   
   
 
Vernon W. Hill, II
   
THE HARRY D.  MADONNA FAMILY TRUST
By:
 
 
Name:
 
Title:
   
STEVEN M. LEWIS
   
 
Steven M. Lewis
JOHN P. SILVESTRI
   
 
John P. Silvestri
   
THEODORE J. FLOCCO, JR.
   
 
Theodore J. Flocco, Jr

 

 
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Schedule A
 
Name
 
Amount
Vernon W. Hill, II
 
$6,000,000
The Harry D. Madonna Family Trust
 
$3,000,000
Steven M. Lewis
 
$780,000
John P. Silvestri
 
$780,000
Theodore J. Flocco, Jr.
 
$240,000
 

 
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Schedule B
 
Significant Subsidiary
 
Banking Subsidiary
Republic First Bank
 
Republic First Bank
 
 
 
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ANNEX A
 
Pursuant to Section 5(a) of the Purchase Agreement, special counsel for the Offerors shall deliver an opinion in substantially the following form:
 
1.           The Company is incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
 
2.           The Company has corporate power and authority to (i) execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, the Operative Documents to which it is a party and (ii) issue and perform its obligations under the Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
3.           The Company is registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.
 
4.           (i) The Significant Subsidiary is validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization; and (ii) to the best of our knowledge, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Significant Subsidiary is owned of record by the Company, directly or through other subsidiaries.
 
5.           The deposit accounts of the Bank are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to the maximum amount allowable under applicable law.
 
6.           No consent, approval, authorization or order of or filing, registration or qualification with any Governmental Entity is required in connection with the execution and delivery by the Company of the Operative Documents or the Subordinated Debt Securities and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby except as have already been obtained or made.
 
7.           The Purchase Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the  Purchasers, respectively, constitutes a valid and binding instrument of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as rights to indemnity and contribution thereunder may be limited under applicable law or public policy, and subject to the qualifications that (i) enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization, liquidation, voidable preference, moratorium or other laws (including the laws of fraudulent conveyance and transfer) or judicial decisions affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or the reorganization of financial institutions and (ii) the enforceability of the obligations of the Company thereunder is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and to the effect of certain laws and judicial decisions upon the availability and enforceability of certain remedies, including the remedies of specific performance and self-help.
 
8.           The Declaration has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Administrators.
 
9.           Each of the Guarantee Agreement and the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution
 
 
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and delivery by the Guarantee Trustee and the Indenture Trustee, respectively, constitutes a valid and binding instrument of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as rights to indemnity and contribution thereunder may be limited under applicable law or public policy, and subject to the qualifications that (i) enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization, liquidation, voidable preference, moratorium or other laws (including the laws of fraudulent conveyance and transfer) or judicial decisions affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or the reorganization of financial institutions and (ii) the enforceability of the Company’s obligations thereunder is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and to the effect of certain laws and judicial decisions upon the availability and enforceability of certain remedies, including the remedies of specific performance and self-help.
 
10.           The Subordinated Debt Securities have been duly authorized for issuance by the Company pursuant to the Indenture and, when executed, authenticated and delivered in the manner provided for in the Indenture and paid for in accordance with the subscription agreement therefor, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company and will entitle the holders thereof to the benefits of the Indenture, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as rights to indemnity and contribution thereunder may be limited under applicable law or public policy, and subject to the qualifications that (i) enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization, liquidation, voidable preference, moratorium or other laws (including the laws of fraudulent conveyance and transfer) or judicial decisions affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or the reorganization of financial institutions and (ii) the enforceability of the Company’s obligations thereunder is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and to the effect of certain laws and judicial decisions upon the availability and enforceability of certain remedies, including the remedies of specific performance and self-help.
 
11.           The execution, delivery and performance of the Operative Documents, Registration Rights Agreement, the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Capital Securities, as applicable, by the Company and the Trust and the consummation by the Company and the Trust of the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents, as applicable, will not result in any violation of (i) the charter or bylaws of the Company, (ii) the charter or bylaws of the Significant Subsidiary,  (iii) the Amended Declaration or the Certificate of Trust of the Trust, (iv) the certificate of trust, trust agreement and other agreements or instruments related to the formation of, and issuance of securities by, First Republic  Bancorp Capital Trust II, (v) the certificate of trust, trust agreement and other agreements or instruments related to the formation of, and issuance of securities by, First Republic Bancorp Capital Trust III and (vi) the terms of any agreement, instrument, contract or other document to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any of their respective properties may be bound, which agreement, instrument, contract or other document has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to filings required under the 1934 Act during the period from and including January 1, 2007 to and including the date hereof or incorporated by reference to such filings.
 
 
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12.           Assuming (i) the accuracy of the representations and warranties, and compliance with the agreements, contained in the Purchase Agreement and (ii) that the Capital Securities are sold in the manner contemplated by, and in accordance with, the Purchase Agreement and the Declaration, it is not necessary in connection with the offer, sale and delivery of the Capital Securities by the Trust to the Purchasers to register the Capital Securities, the Guarantee Agreement or the Subordinated Debt Securities under the 1933 Act or to qualify an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
 
13.           Neither the Company nor the Trust is, and, following the issuance of the Capital Securities and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents and the application of the proceeds therefrom, neither the Company nor the Trust will be, an “investment company” required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 Act, as amended.
 
In rendering such opinions, such counsel may (A) state that its opinion is limited to the laws of New York and the Federal laws of the United States and (B) rely as to matters involving the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than New York or the United States, to the extent deemed proper and specified in such opinion, upon the opinion of other counsel of good standing believed to be reliable and who are satisfactory to you and as to matters of fact, to the extent deemed proper, on certificates of responsible officers of the Company and public officials.
 
 
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ANNEX B
 
Pursuant to Section 5(b) of the Purchase Agreement, special Delaware counsel for the Trust shall deliver an opinion in substantially the following form:
 
1.           The Trust has been duly formed and is validly existing in good standing as a statutory trust under the Delaware Act.
 
2.           The Declaration constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Sponsor and Trustees party thereto, enforceable against such Sponsor and Trustees in accordance with its terms.
 
3.           Under the Delaware Act and the Declaration, the Trust has the requisite trust power and authority (i) to own its properties and conduct its business, all as described in the Declaration, (ii) to execute and deliver, and perform its obligations under, the Operative Documents to which it is a party, (iii) to authorize, issue, sell and perform its obligations under its Capital Securities and Common Securities, and (iv) to purchase and hold the Subordinated Debt Securities.
 
4.           The Capital Securities have been duly authorized for issuance by the Trust and, when issued, executed and authenticated in accordance with the Declaration and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the Declaration and the Purchase Agreement, will be validly issued and, subject to the qualifications set forth in paragraph 5 below, fully paid and nonassessable undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust and the holders of the Capital Securities will be entitled to the benefits provided by the Declaration.
 
5.           Each holder of Capital Securities, in such capacity, will be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We note, however, that the holders of the Capital Securities may be required to make payment or provide indemnity or security as set forth in the Declaration.
 
6.           Under the Declaration and the Delaware Act, the issuance of the Capital Securities and Common Securities is not subject to preemptive rights.
 
7.           The Common Securities have been duly authorized for issuance by the Trust and, when issued and executed in accordance with the Declaration and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the Declaration and the subscription agreement therefor, will be validly issued undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust and the holders of the Common Securities will be entitled to the benefits provided by the Declaration.
 
8.           Under the Declaration and the Delaware Act, the execution and delivery by the Trust of the Operative Documents to which it is a party, and the performance by the Trust of its obligations thereunder, have been duly authorized by the requisite trust action on the part of the Trust.
 
9.           The issuance and sale by the Trust of its Capital Securities and Common Securities, the execution, delivery and performance by the Trust of the Operative Documents to
 
 
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which it is a party, the consummation by the Trust of the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents to which it is party, and the compliance by the Trust with its obligations thereunder are not prohibited by (i) the Declaration or the Trust Certificate, or (ii) any law or administrative regulation of the State of Delaware applicable to the Trust.
 
10.           No authorization, approval, consent or order of any Delaware court or Delaware governmental authority or Delaware agency is required to be obtained by the Trust solely in connection with the issuance and sale by the Trust of its Capital Securities and Common Securities, the due authorization, execution and delivery by the Trust of the Operative Documents to which it is a party or the performance by the Trust of its obligations under the Operative Documents to which it is a party.
 
11.           The holders of the Capital Securities (other than those holders who reside or are domiciled in the State of Delaware) will have no liability for income taxes imposed by the State of Delaware solely as a result of their participation in the Trust, and the Trust will not be liable for any income tax imposed by the State of Delaware.
 
 
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ANNEX C
 
Pursuant to Section 5(c) of the Purchase Agreement, special tax counsel for the Offerors shall deliver an opinion in substantially the following form:
 
It is our opinion that, under current law and assuming the performance of the Operative Documents in accordance with the terms described therein, the Subordinated Debt Securities will be treated for United States federal income tax purposes as indebtedness of the Company.
 
It is our opinion that the Trust will be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust and not as an association taxable as a corporation.
 
 
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ANNEX D
 
Pursuant to Section 5(d) of the Purchase Agreement, counsel to the Guarantee Trustee, the Institutional Trustee, the Delaware Trustee and the Indenture Trustee shall deliver an opinion in substantially the following form:
 
1.           Wilmington Trust Company (“WTC”) is a Delaware banking corporation with trust powers, duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, the Declaration, the Guarantee Agreement and the Indenture (collectively, the “Transaction Documents”).
 
2.           The execution, delivery, and performance by WTC of the Transaction Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of WTC, and the Transaction Documents have been duly executed and delivered by WTC.
 
3.           The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by WTC and the consummation of any of the transactions by WTC contemplated thereby are not prohibited by (i) the charter or bylaws of WTC, (ii) any law or administrative regulation of the State of Delaware or the United States of America governing the banking and trust powers of WTC, or (iii) to our knowledge (based and relying solely on the Officer Certificates), any agreements or instruments to which WTC is a party or by which WTC is bound or any judgments or order applicable to WTC.
 
4.           The Subordinated Debt Securities delivered on the date hereof have been authenticated by due execution thereof and delivered by WTC, as Indenture Trustee, in accordance with the Indenture. The Capital Securities delivered on the date hereof have been authenticated by due execution thereof and delivered by WTC, as Institutional Trustee, in accordance with the Declaration.
 
5.           None of the execution, delivery and performance by WTC of the Transaction Documents and the consummation of any of the transactions by WTC contemplated thereby requires the consent, authorization, order or approval of, the withholding of objection on the part of, the giving of notice to, the registration with or the taking of any other action in respect of, any governmental authority or agency, under any law or administrative regulation of the State of Delaware or the United States of America governing the banking and trust powers of WTC, except for the filing of the Trust Certificate with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the Delaware Act (which filing has been duly made).
 
 
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ANNEX E
 
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS.  NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.  THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF OR THEREOF, AS THE CASE MAY BE, AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN ONLY (A) TO THE DEBENTURE ISSUER OR THE TRUST, (B) PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON THE HOLDER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER,” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A, THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (C) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT TO AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (a) (1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR TO ANY ENTITY IN WHICH ALL OF THE EQUITY OWNERS COME WITHIN SUCH SUBPARAGRAPHS THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY OR SUCH INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (D) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF THE DEBENTURE ISSUER AND THE TRUST PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (C) OR (D) ABOVE TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEBENTURE ISSUER OR THE TRUST.  THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF OR THEREOF, AS THE CASE MAY BE, AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
 
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF OR THEREOF, AS THE CASE MAY BE, ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) (EACH A “PLAN”), OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS”
 
 
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BY REASON OF ANY PLAN'S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY AND NO PERSON INVESTING “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY OR SUCH INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION IS NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING.  ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING HEREOF OR THEREOF, AS THE CASE MAY BE, THAT EITHER (i) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 3(3) OF ERISA, OR A PLAN TO WHICH SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE ASSETS OF ANY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE, OR (ii) SUCH PURCHASE AND HOLDING WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO APPLICABLE STATUTORY OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXEMPTION.
 
IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
 
THIS SECURITY WILL BE ISSUED AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN BLOCKS HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000 AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF.  ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN A BLOCK HAVING A LIQUIDATION AMOUNT OF LESS THAN $100,000 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER. ANY SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED NOT TO BE THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE RECEIPT OF DISTRIBUTIONS ON THIS SECURITY OR SUCH INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION, AND SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN.
 
 
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
 
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of June 10, 2008 by and among Republic First Bancorp, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the “ Company ”) and Vernon W. Hill, II (“ Hill ”), The Harry D. Madonna Family Trust (“ Madonna ”), John Silvestri (“ Silvestri ”), Steve Lewis (“ Lewis ”) and T.J. Flocco Jr. (“ Flocco ”) and their Assignees (as defined below) (collectively, the “ Holders ” and each a “ Holder ”).
 
 
RECITALS
 
WHEREAS, pursuant to other agreements being entered into on the date hereof by the parties hereto and others, (i) the Holders will acquire shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“ Common Stock ”), upon conversion of trust preferred securities held by each of them (the “Trust Preferred Securities”); and
 
WHEREAS, the Company and the Holders desire to enter this Agreement for the purpose of granting to the Holders certain rights in connection with the disposition and sale of shares of Common Stock which are owned or may be owned by them;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of and in reliance on, the recitals and the terms, conditions and agreements and mutual obligations herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
 
1.   Definitions .  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
 
Affiliate :  as defined in SEC Rule 144.
 
Assignee :  as defined in Section 14 hereof.
 
Exchange Act :  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
Initiating Holders :  as defined in Section 2(a) hereof.
 
Person :  any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of any type whatsoever.
 
Registrable Securities :  at any time, Common Stock held by a Holder upon conversion of the Trust Preferred Securities though such securities will cease to be Registrable Securities when they have been distributed to the public through a broker, dealer or market purchaser in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any similar rule then in force) or sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.
 
The terms “ register ,” “ registered ” and “ registration ” refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing with the SEC a registration statement in compliance with the Securities Act, and the declaration or ordering of the effectiveness of such registration statement.
 
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“Registration Expenses” shall mean all expenses except as otherwise stated below, incurred by the Company in complying with Sections 2 and 3 hereof, including, without limitation, all registration, qualification and filing fees, printing expenses, escrow fees, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, blue sky fees and expenses, the expense of any special audits incident to or required by any such registration (but excluding the compensation of regular employees of the Company, which shall be paid in any event by the Company) and the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for all Holders.  Registration Expenses shall not include Selling Expenses.
 
SEC :  the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Securities Act :  the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
Selling Expenses :  all underwriting discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to the securities registered by the Holders except as set forth under “Registration Expenses.”
 
Trust Preferred Purchaser :  a Person that purchased the convertible trust preferred securities from the Company pursuant to the Trust Preferred Securities Purchase Agreement (as defined below).
 
Trust Preferred Securities Purchase Agreement :  the Trust Preferred Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2008, by and among the Company, Hill and Madonna, Silvestri, Lewis and Flocco.
 
Violation :  as defined in Section 10(a) hereof.
 
2.   Request for Registration .
 
(a)   If the Company shall receive a written request from the Holders holding beneficial interest of not less than forty percent (40%) of the Registrable Securities (the “ Initiating Holders ”) that the Company file a registration statement under the Securities Act covering Registrable Securities (1) at any time that is at least twelve (12) months after the effective date of the Trust Preferred Securities Purchase Agreement, (2) once per twelve (12) month period following the twelve (12) month anniversary of the effective date of the Trust Preferred Securities Purchase Agreement and (3) any time after the Company’s market capitalization exceeds $500 million, then the Company shall:
 
(i)   within fifteen (15) days of the receipt thereof, give written notice of such request to all Holders of Registrable Securities; and
 
(ii)   use commercially reasonable efforts to effect, as soon as practicable after receipt of such request, registration under the Securities Act of all Registrable Securities that the Initiating Holders and other Holders request to be registered (and, in the case of a request pursuant to Section 2(a)(3) above, file a “shelf” registration pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act) subject to the limitations of Section 2(b), within thirty (30) days of the mailing of such notice by the Company in accordance with this Section 2(a);
 
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(b)   If the Initiating Holders intend to distribute the Registrable Securities covered by their request by means of an underwriting, they shall so advise the Company as a part of their request made pursuant to Section 2(a) and the Company shall include such information in the written notice referred to in Section 2(a).  The underwriter will be jointly selected by the Initiating Holders and the Company.  In such event, the right of any Holder to include his Registrable Securities in such registration shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting (unless otherwise mutually agreed by a majority in interest of the Initiating Holders and such Holder) to the extent provided herein.  All Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting shall (together with the Company as provided in Section 4(e)) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters selected for such underwriting.  If any Holder disapproves of the terms of the underwriting, such Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and the managing underwriter(s).  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2, if the underwriter advises the Initiating Holders in writing that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten, then the Company shall so advise all Holders of Registrable Securities that would otherwise be underwritten pursuant hereto, and the number of shares of Registrable Securities that may be included in the underwriting shall be allocated among all Holders thereof, including the Initiating Holders, in proportion (as nearly as practicable) to the amount of Registrable Securities of the Company owned by each Holder on a fully-diluted basis; provided , however, that the number of shares of Registrable Securities to be included in such underwriting shall not be reduced unless all other securities are first entirely excluded from the underwriting.
 
(c)   Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company shall furnish a notice to the Holders requesting a registration statement pursuant to this Section 2, a certificate signed by the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors, it would be seriously detrimental to the Company and its stockholders for such registration statement to be filed and it is therefore essential to defer the filing of such registration statement, the Company shall have the right to defer taking action with respect to such filing for a period of not more than one hundred twenty (120) days after receipt of the request of the Initiating Holders; provided , however, that the Company may not utilize this right more than once in any twelve-month period, and provided further, that the Company shall not register any shares for its own account during such one hundred twenty (120) day period.
 
(d)   In addition, the Company shall not be obligated to effect, or to take any action to effect, any registration pursuant to this Section 2 during the period starting with the date sixty (60) days prior to the Company's good faith estimate of the date of filing of, and ending on a date one hundred twenty (120) days after the effective date of, a registration subject to Section 3 hereof; provided , however, that the Company is actively employing in good faith all commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective.
 
3.   Company Registration .
 
(a)   If (but without any obligation to do so) the Company proposes to register any of its stock or other securities under the Securities Act in connection with the public offering of such securities solely for cash (other than a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8 (or their
 
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successor forms) or filed in connection with an exchange offer or an offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing stockholders, and other than as set forth in Section 3(b) below), the Company shall, at such time, promptly give each Holder written notice of such registration.  Upon the written request of each Holder given within thirty (30) days after mailing of such notice by the Company in accordance with this Section 3(a), the Company shall, subject to the provisions of Section 8, cause to be registered under the Securities Act all of the Registrable Securities that each such Holder has requested to be registered; provided , however, that any Holder so requesting shall agree, upon or prior to effectiveness of such registration, to convert the Trust Preferred Securities to Common Stock to the extent necessary for such Holder to acquire the number of Registrable Securities for which such Holder has requested registration.  If the Company decides to register any securities pursuant to this Section 3 by means of an underwritten offering, then the Company shall have the sole right to select the underwriters for such offering.
 
(b)   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall not be required to include Registrable Securities in any registration statement if the proposed registration is (i) a registration of a stock option or other employee incentive compensation or employee benefit plan or of securities issued or issuable pursuant to any such plan, or a registration statement relating to warrants, options or shares of capital stock granted or to be granted or sold primarily as incentive compensation to employees and officers of the Company, (ii) a registration of securities issued or issuable pursuant to a stockholder reinvestment plan or other similar plan, (iii) a registration of securities issued in exchange for any securities or any assets of, or in connection with a merger or consolidation with, an unaffiliated company, (iv) a registration of securities pursuant to a “rights” or other similar plan designed to protect the Company’s stockholders from a coercive or other attempt to cause a change in control of the Company or (v) a registration of securities filed pursuant to Rule 145 under the Securities Act or any successor rule.
 
4.   Obligations of the Company .  Whenever required under this Agreement to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities, the Company shall, as expeditiously as reasonably possible:
 
(a)   Prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective, and, upon the request of the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities registered thereunder, keep such registration statement effective for a period of up to one hundred twenty (120) days or until the distribution contemplated in the registration statement has been completed; provided , however, that (i) such one hundred twenty (120) day period shall be extended for a period of time equal to the period the Holder refrains from selling any securities included in such registration at the request of an underwriter of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company; and (ii) in the case of any registration of Registrable Securities on Form S-3 that are intended to be offered on a continuous or delayed basis, such one hundred twenty (120) day period shall be extended, if necessary, to keep the registration statement effective until all such Registrable Securities are sold, provided that Rule 415, or any successor rule under the Securities Act, permits an offering on a continuous or delayed basis, and provided further that applicable rules under the Securities Act governing the obligation to file a post-effective amendment permit, in lieu of filing a post-effective amendment
 
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that (A) includes any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act or (B) reflects facts or events representing a material or fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement, the incorporation by reference of information required to be included in (A) and (B) above to be contained in periodic reports filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act in the registration statement.
 
(b)   Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection with such registration statement as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement.
 
(c)   Furnish to the Holders such numbers of copies of a prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as they may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of Registrable Securities owned by them.
 
(d)   Use its commercially reasonable efforts to register and qualify the securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders; provided , however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of process in any such states or jurisdictions, unless the Company is already subject to service in such jurisdiction and except as may be required by the Securities Act.
 
(e)   In the event of any underwritten public offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing underwriter of such offering. Each Holder participating in such underwriting shall also enter into and perform its obligations under such an agreement.
 
(f)   In the event of the issuance of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or of any order suspending or preventing the use of any related prospectus or ceasing trading of any securities included in such Registration Statement for sale in any jurisdiction, use its commercially reasonable efforts promptly to obtain the withdrawal of such order.
 
(g)   Notify each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing.
 
(h)   Cause all such Registrable Securities registered pursuant hereunder to be listed on a national securities exchange and each exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed.
 
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(i)   Use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies, authorities or self-regulatory bodies as may be necessary or reasonably advisable in light of the business and operations of the Company to enable the Holder or Holders thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition thereof.
 
(j)   Notify each Holder of any Registrable Securities being sold and covered by such Registration Statement (i) when the prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed and, with respect to such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (ii) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to such registration statement or to amend or to supplement such prospectus or for additional information and (iii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement or the initiation of any proceedings for any of such purposes.
 
(k)   Make available for inspection by any Holder of the Registrable Securities being sold, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such Holder or underwriter, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and documents relating to the business of the Company, and cause the Company's officers, directors, employees and independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Holder, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such Registration Statement; provided, that each Holder will, and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause each such underwriter, accountant or other agent to enter into a customary confidentiality agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company; provided further, that such confidentiality agreement will not contain terms that would prohibit any such Person from complying with its obligations under applicable law or the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market.
 
(l)   Otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve months beginning with the first day of the Company's first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement, which earnings statement will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder.
 
(m)   If such registration includes an underwritten public offering, obtain one or more comfort letters, addressed to the Holders of the Registrable Securities being sold and the underwriters of such offering, signed by the Company's independent public accountants in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by comfort letters.
 
(n)   Provide legal opinions of the Company's outside counsel, addressed to the Holders of the Registrable Securities being sold (and, if such registration includes an underwritten public offering, to the underwriters of such offering), with respect to the Registration Statement and prospectus in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by legal opinions of such nature.
 
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(o)   Provide a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities registered pursuant hereunder and a CUSIP number for all such Registrable Securities, in each case not later than the effective date of such registration.
 
(p)   Use its commercially reasonable efforts to take or cause to be taken all other actions, and do and cause to be done all other things, necessary or reasonably advisable to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities contemplated hereby.
 
5.   Furnish Information .  It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to take any action pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities of any selling Holder that such Holder shall furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it, and the intended method of disposition of such securities as shall be reasonably required to effect the registration of such Holder’s Registrable Securities.
 
6.   Expenses of Demand Registration .  Registration Expenses incurred in connection with any registration, filing or qualification of Registrable Securities with respect to the registrations pursuant to Section 2 for each Holder shall be borne by the Company and all Selling Expenses relating to Registrable Securities shall be borne and paid on a pro rata basis by each participating Holder and, if it participates, the Company; provided , however, that the Company shall not be required to pay for any Registration Expenses or Selling Expenses in connection with a registration proceeding begun pursuant to Section 2 if the registration request is subsequently withdrawn at the request of the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be registered (in which case all participating Holders shall bear such expenses), unless the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities agree to forfeit their right to one demand registration pursuant to Section 2, or unless such withdrawal results from the Holders learning of material adverse information about the Company not known or publicly available to the Holders at the time of their request.  The Holders and the Company (if the Company participates in the registration) shall bear and pay all Selling Expenses incurred in connection with the registrations pursuant to Section 2 on a pro rata basis.
 
7.   Expenses of Company Registration .  The Company shall bear and pay all Registration Expenses (other than Selling Expenses relating to Registrable Securities) incurred in connection with any registration, filing or qualification of Registrable Securities with respect to the registrations pursuant to Section 3 for each Holder (which right may be assigned as provided in Section 13).  The Holders and the Company (if the Company participates in the registration) shall bear and pay all Selling Expenses incurred in connection with the registrations pursuant to Section 3 on a pro rata basis.
 
8.   Underwriting Requirements .  In connection with any offering involving an underwriting of shares of the Company’s capital stock, the Company shall not be required under Section 3 to include any of the Holders’ securities in such underwriting unless they accept the customary terms of the underwriting as agreed upon between the Company and the underwriters selected by it and then only in such quantity as the underwriters determine in their sole discretion will not jeopardize the success of the offering by the Company pursuant to the guidelines set out below.  If the total amount of securities, including Registrable Securities, requested by stockholders to be included in such offering, when added to the securities to be offered by the
 
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Company, exceeds the maximum amount of securities that the underwriters determine in their sole discretion is compatible with the success of the offering, then the Company shall be required to include in the offering only that number of such securities, including Registrable Securities, that the underwriters determine in their sole discretion will not jeopardize the success of the offering (the securities so included to be apportioned pro rata among the Holders according to the total amount of securities entitled to be included therein owned by each Holder or in such other proportions as shall mutually be agreed to by such Holders).  For purposes of the preceding parenthetical concerning apportionment, for any Holder that is a partnership or corporation, the partners, retired partners and stockholders of such Holder, or the estates and family members of any such partners and retired partners and any trusts for the benefit of any of the foregoing persons shall be deemed to be a single Holder, and any pro-rata reduction with respect to such Holder shall be based upon the aggregate amount of shares carrying registration rights owned by all entities and individuals included in such Holder.  If any Registrable Securities are excluded from any registration pursuant to this Section 8, no other securities (except securities offered by the Company) shall be included in such registration.
 
9.   Delay of Registration .  No Holder shall have any right to obtain or seek an injunction restraining or otherwise delaying any such registration as the result of any controversy that might arise with respect to the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement.
 
10.   Indemnification .  In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a registration statement under this Agreement:
 
(a)   The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act) for such Holder and each person, if any, who controls such Holder or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (joint or several) to which they may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any of the following statements, omissions or violations (collectively a “ Violation ”): (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in such registration statement, including any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any amendments or supplements thereto or any issuer freewriting prospectus (as defined in Securities Act Rule 433), (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“ FINRA ”) rules, any state securities law or any rule or regulation promulgated under such Acts or any state securities law; and the Company will pay to each such Holder, underwriter or controlling person any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action as such expenses are incurred; provided , however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 10(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, nor shall the Company be liable in any case for any loss, claim, damage, liability, or action to the extent that it arises out of or is based upon a Violation that occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with information
 
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furnished in writing (including electronic transmissions) expressly for use in connection with such registration by any such Holder, underwriter or controlling person.
 
(b)   To the extent permitted by law, each selling Holder will severally and not jointly indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who has signed the registration statement, each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, any underwriter, any other Holder selling securities in such registration statement and any controlling person of any such underwriter or other Holder, against any losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (joint or several) to which any of the foregoing persons may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the FINRA rules or other federal or state law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereto) arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent (and only to the extent) that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing (including electronic transmissions) by such Holder expressly for use in connection with such registration; and each such Holder will pay severally and not jointly any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any person intended to be indemnified pursuant to this Section 10(b), in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action; provided , however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 10(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Holder, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; and provided further that in no event shall (i) any Holder have any indemnity under this Section 10(b) for any amount that exceeds the net proceeds from the offering received by such Holder and (ii) any person or entity found guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of the Securities Act) be entitled to contribution hereunder.
 
(c)   Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 10 of notice of the commencement of any action (including any governmental action), such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 10, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the parties; provided , however, that an indemnified party (together with all other indemnified parties that may be represented without conflict by one counsel) shall have the right to retain one separate counsel, with the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if representation of such indemnified party by the counsel retained by the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such indemnified party and any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding.  The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action, if prejudicial to its ability to defend such action, shall relieve such indemnifying party of liability to the indemnified party under this Section 10 to the extent of such prejudice, but the omission so to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party will not relieve it of any liability that it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 10.
 
(d)   If the indemnification provided for in this Section 10 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party with respect to any loss,
 
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liability, claim, damage, or expense referred to therein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party hereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and of the indemnified party on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information, and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.  In no event shall any Holder be liable under Sections 10(c) and 10(b) taken together for amounts that exceed the net proceeds from the offering received by such Holder.
 
(e)   Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the provisions on indemnification and contribution contained in the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with the underwritten public offering are in conflict with the foregoing provisions, the provisions in the underwriting agreement shall control.
 
(f)   The obligations of the Company and Holders under this Section 10 shall survive the completion of any offering of Registrable Securities in a registration statement under this Agreement, and otherwise.
 
11.   Reports Under the Exchange Act .  With a view to making available to the Holders the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act and any other rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit a Holder to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration or pursuant to a registration on Form S-3, the Company agrees to:
 
(a)   make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in SEC Rule 144, at all times after the effective date of the first registration statement filed by the Company for the offering of its securities to the general public;
 
(b)   take such action, including the voluntary registration of its Common Stock under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, as is necessary to enable the Holders to utilize Form S-3 for the sale of their Registrable Securities, such action to be taken as soon as practicable after the end of the fiscal year in which the first registration statement filed by the Company for the offering of its securities to the general public is declared effective;
 
(c)   file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act; and
 
(d)   furnish to any Holder forthwith upon request (i) a written statement by the Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of SEC Rule 144 (at any time after ninety (90) days after the effective date of the first registration statement filed by the Company), the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements), or that it qualifies as a registrant whose securities may be resold pursuant to Form S-3 (at any time after it so qualifies), (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or
 
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quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested in availing any Holder of any rule or regulation of the SEC that permits the selling of any such securities without registration or pursuant to such form.
 
12.   Market Stand-Off Agreement .  Each Holder hereby agrees that, during the period of duration specified by the Company and an underwriter of common stock or other securities of the Company, following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act, it shall not (except for bona fide charitable gifts or dispositions to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned and/or an immediate family member of the undersigned), to the extent requested by the Company and such underwriter, directly or indirectly sell, offer to sell, contract to sell (including, without limitation, any short sale), grant any option to purchase or otherwise transfer or dispose of (other than to donees who agree to be similarly bound) any securities of the Company held by it at any time during such period except common stock included in such registration; provided , however, that:
 
(a)   such agreement shall be applicable only to the first such registration statement of the Company that covers common stock (or other securities) to be sold on its behalf to the public in an underwritten offering;
 
(b)   such market stand-off time period shall not exceed one hundred eighty (180) days; and
 
(c)   all officers, directors and holders of 5% or more of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company enter into similar agreements.
 
In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Registrable Securities of each Holder (and the shares or securities of every other person subject to the foregoing restriction) until the end of such period.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations described in this Section 12 shall not apply to a registration relating solely to employee benefit plans on Form S-1 or Form S-8 or similar forms that may be promulgated in the future, or a registration relating solely to a Commission Rule 145 transaction on Form S-4 or similar forms that may be promulgated in the future.
 
13.   Limitations on Subsequent Registration Rights .  From and after the date these registration rights are granted, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of the Holders of not less than fifty percent (50%) of the Registrable Securities then held by Holders, voting together as a class, enter into any agreement with any holder or prospective holder of any securities of the Company that would allow such holder or prospective holder to include such securities in any registration filed under Section 2 or 3 hereof other than rights subordinate to the rights of any Holder hereunder.
 
14.   Assignment of Registration Rights .  The Registrable Securities, the rights to cause the Company to register Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement and the Trust Preferred Securities may be assigned (but only with all related obligations and, in the case of the Trust Preferred Securities, in accordance with the terms and limitations provided in the Trust Preferred Securities Purchase Agreement, Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as
 
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of June 10, 2008, by and among the Company, Wilmington Trust Company, as Institutional Trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee, the Administrators named therein and the Indenture, dated as of June 10, 2008, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee) by a Holder to one or more transferees or assignees of such securities (each an “ Assignee ”), provided that: (a) the Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer, furnished with written notice of the name and address of such Assignee and the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being assigned; (b) such Assignee agrees in writing to be bound by and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement; (c) such assignment shall be effective only if immediately following such transfer the further disposition of such securities by the Assignee is restricted under the Securities Act; and (d) immediately following such assignment, the shares acquired by the Assignee would continue to constitute “Registrable Securities” as defined herein.
 
15.   Termination of Registration Rights .  No Holder shall be entitled to exercise any right provided for in this Agreement after three (3) years following the conversion of all of the Trust Preferred Securities to Common Stock.
 
16.   Notices .  All written communications provided for hereunder shall be shall be sent by overnight courier or delivery service (with charges prepaid) or by facsimile with confirmation sent by first class mail and
 
(a)   if to a Holder, addressed to such Holder at his address on the books of the Company relative to his Registrable Securities, or at such other address as such Holder shall have specified to the Company in writing, and
 
(b)   if to the Company, addressed as follows:
 
Republic First Bancorp, Inc.
50 South 16 th Street
Suite 2400
Philadelphia, PA
Attn:  Harry D. Madonna
Facsimile No. (215) 735-0955
 
 
with a required copy to:
 
Thacher Proffitt & Wood, llp
Two World Financial Center
New York, NY 10281
Attn: Robert C. Azarow
Fax: 212-912-7751
 
Such communications shall be deemed delivered on (i) the date on which delivered, with receipt acknowledged, (ii) the date on which sent by facsimile and confirmed by answerback, and (iii) the next business day if delivered by overnight courier or delivery service, as the case may be.
 
17.   Jurisdiction; Service of Process .  Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that any suit, action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement, or any
 
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proceeding to execute or otherwise enforce any judgment in respect of any breach thereof, may be brought against such party in the courts of the State of New York sitting in New York County, or in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, as the party bringing such suit may in its sole discretion elect, and by the execution and delivery of this Agreement, each party hereto irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of each such court, and agrees that process served either personally or by registered mail shall constitute, to the extent permitted by law, adequate service of process in any such suit.  In addition, each party hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue in any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, brought in the said courts, and hereby irrevocably waives any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Nothing herein shall in any way be deemed to limit the ability of any party hereto to serve any such writs, process or summonses, in any manner permitted by applicable law or to obtain jurisdiction over any other party in such other jurisdiction, and in such manner, as may be permitted by applicable law.
 
18.   WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY .  EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY OF THE MATTERS CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT.
 
19.   Modification; Waiver in Writing .  No modification, amendment, extension, discharge, termination or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless the same shall be in a writing signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance, and for the purpose, for which given.
 
20.   Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic laws of the State of New York without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.
 
21.   Severability .  The provisions of this Agreement are severable, and if any clause or provision shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, then such invalidity or unenforceability shall affect only such clause or provision, or part thereof, in such jurisdiction and shall not in any manner affect the validity of such clause or provision in any other jurisdiction, or any other clause or provision of this Agreement in such jurisdiction.
 
22.   Benefit.   This Agreement shall be binding upon and, except as otherwise provided herein, inure to the benefit of each Holder and the legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns of such Holder.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns, including without limitation any Person which may acquire all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or into which the Company may be consolidated or merged.
 
23.   Headings .  Section headings throughout this Agreement are for the convenience of the parties and shall not be considered in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.  
 
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Personal pronouns shall be deemed masculine, feminine or neuter, singular or plural, as the context requires.
 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, as of the day and year first above written, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its duly authorized officer, and each Holder has executed this Agreement or caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.
 
 
COMPANY:
   
 
REPUBLIC FIRST BANCORP, INC.
   
 
By
 
 
Name
 
 
Title
 
     
 
HOLDERS:
     
   
 
Vernon W. Hill, II
   
   
 
The Harry D. Madonna Family Trust
   
 
By
 
 
Name
 
 
Title
 
     
     
   
 
John Silvestri
     
   
 
Steve Lewis
     
   
 
T.J. Flocco, Jr.

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CONSULTING AGREEMENT
 
This CONSULTING AGREEMENT (“ Consulting Agreement ”) is entered into, as of June 10, 2008 (the " Effective Date "), by and between Republic First Bancorp, Inc. (the “ Company ”) and Vernon W. Hill, II (“ Consultant ”).

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, the Company and Consultant wish to enter into a consulting relationship on the terms and conditions exclusively set forth in this Consulting Agreement.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and Consultant hereby agree as follows:

1.   Term; Termination .
 
(a)   The initial term of this Consulting Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue until the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date, unless terminated sooner pursuant to Section 1(b) below (the " Initial Term ").  This Consulting Agreement shall continue in effect for successive one-year periods thereafter, unless terminated sooner pursuant to Section 1(b) below or unless notice is given in writing by either party to the other party – at least 60 days prior to the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date or prior to any anniversary of the Effective Date thereafter – of the Company's or Consultant's desire to modify, amend or terminate this Consulting Agreement (collectively, including the Initial Term, the " Term ").
 
(b)   Consultant may terminate this Consulting Agreement and the Term at any time upon 10 days advance written notice to the Company.  The Company may terminate this Consulting Agreement and the Term upon written notice to Consultant only if (i) Consultant engages in willful misconduct or is grossly negligent in the performance of the "Consulting Services" (as defined below); (ii) Consultant materially fails or refuses to perform the Consulting Services after reasonable advance request by the Company; (iii) Consultant is convicted of, or enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony; (iv) Consultant engages in any willful or intentional act that is materially injurious to the reputation, business or business relationships of the Company or its subsidiaries; (v) Consultant is unable, with reasonable accommodation, to perform the Consulting Services because of physical or mental impairment; or (vi) Consultant breaches in any material respect any of his obligations under Section 4 below. The Term shall also end without any action by the Company upon the death of the Consultant.
 
(c)   Upon any termination of Consultant's engagement as a consultant hereunder, the Company shall pay Consultant all fees and reimburse Consultant for all reasonable expenses incurred hereunder prior to the date of termination.
 
 
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2.   Consulting Services .  From time to time during the Term, Consultant shall provide advisory and consulting services with respect to strategic matters and opportunities regarding the Company and its business and operations, for a minimum of 24 hours per month (the " Consulting Services ").
 
3.   Consulting Fees .  As compensation for the Consulting Services, the Company will pay to Consultant a monthly fee based on a per annum rate of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000), payable via bank wire transfer on the last day of each month.  In addition, the Company shall reimburse Consultant for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Consultant in connection with the performance of the Consulting Services.  The Company shall reimburse all expenses due to Consultant within a reasonable period after Consultant submits such expenses to the Company for reimbursement provided that the expenses are incurred during the Term, are submitted to the Company within (30) days after they are incurred, and otherwise are substantiated in accordance with the reimbursement policy of the Company.  If any reimbursement is taxable to the Consultant, the following provisions shall apply: The amount of expenses that are eligible for reimbursement during the taxable year of the Consultant may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year.  The reimbursement must be paid to the Consultant within thirty (30) days after the Consultant submits the related expense reports and receipts.  The right to reimbursement is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.  A taxable reimbursement otherwise will be made in a manner intended to avoid the imposition of tax under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
 
4.   Restrictive Covenants .
 
(a)   Non-Competition . Consultant hereby covenants and agrees that during the Term, Consultant shall not, without the written consent of the Company, become an officer, employee, consultant, director or trustee of any savings bank, savings and loan association, savings and loan holding company, bank or bank holding company or credit union, or any direct or indirect subsidiary of any such entity, which is headquartered in the states of New York, New Jersey or Pennsylvania or the owner of 10% or greater of the voting equity of any such entity; provided, however , that this shall not prohibit or restrict any investment in any such entity by Hill Townsend Capital or any other investment company or fund with which Consultant is affiliated and the fund manager or advisor for which is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
(b)   Conf identiality .  Consultant hereby covenants and agrees that during the Term and for the period ending two years after the latter of (i) the effective date of termination of this Consulting Agreement and (ii) the date upon which the Designee ceases to serve as a director of the Company and the Bank he shall not directly or indirectly use or disclose, except as required by law or judicial or regulatory proceedings or as authorized by the Company, any “Company Information” (as defined below) that Consultant may have or acquire (whether or not developed or compiled by Consultant) during the Term.  The term “Company Information” as used in this Consulting Agreement shall mean confidential or proprietary information including
 
 
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strategic plans specific to the Company and its business operations, technical and financial information and customer or client lists, relating to the Company or its programs or procedures, including without limitation, information received by the Company from third parties under confidential conditions.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Company Information” shall also include, without limitation, the Company’s computer database, forms and form letters, form contracts, information regarding specific transactions, financial information and estimates and long-term planning and goals specific to the Company and its business operations.  The term “Company Information” shall not include information that has become generally available to the public other than as a result of disclosure by Consultant in violation of this Consulting Agreement.  Consultant also agrees to comply with the terms of the Company’s securities trading policy during the Term. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the Company acknowledges that Consultant has been retained due to, among other things, provide his experience and expertise in the management of the operations, growth and strategic development of retail and commercial banking businesses, and the restrictions on disclosure and use of Company Information set forth in this Section 4(b) shall not be deemed to prohibit Consultant from utilizing that experience and expertise following termination of the non-compete covenant set forth in Section 4(a) above in connection with his acting in any capacity or taking any action that might otherwise be prohibited during the period of effectiveness of such non-compete covenant.
 
(c)   Non-Solicitation .   Consultant hereby covenants and agrees that  during the Term and, if this Consulting Agreement is terminated prior to the expiration of the Initial Term, for a period of six (6) months after the effective date of such termination, Consultant shall not without the written consent of the Company: (i)  solicit, offer employment to, or take any other action intended to cause any officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to terminate his or her employment and accept employment or become affiliated with, or provide services for compensation in any capacity whatsoever to, any savings bank, savings and loan association, bank, bank holding company, savings and loan holding company, or other financial institution; (ii) provide any information, advice or recommendation to any officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to any savings bank, savings and loan association, bank, bank holding company, savings and loan holding company, or other financial institution,  that is intended to cause such officer or employee of the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries to terminate his or her employment and accept employment or become affiliated with, or provide services for compensation in any capacity whatsoever to, any savings bank, savings and loan association, bank, bank holding company, savings and loan holding company, or other financial institution; or (iii) solicit, provide any information, advice or recommendation or take any other action intended to cause any customer (other than Consultant or any customer affiliated with or related to Consultant as of the date of this Consulting Agreement) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to terminate an existing business or commercial relationship with the Company or its subsidiaries.
 
5.   Independent Contractor Relationship .  The manner, means, details or methods by which Consultant performs the Consulting Services under this Consulting Agreement shall be solely within Consultant's discretion.  The Company shall
 
 
3

 
not have the authority to, nor shall it, supervise, direct or control the manner, means, details or methods by which Consultant performs the Consulting Services under this Consulting Agreement and nothing in this Consulting Agreement shall be construed to grant the Company any such authority.  Consultant shall not become, by virtue of the consulting relationship described herein, an employee of the Company.  Consultant and the Company acknowledge and agree that Consultant's relationship with the Company shall be that of an independent contractor.  Nothing in this Consulting Agreement is intended, or should be construed, to create a partnership, agency or joint venture between Consultant and the Company.
 
6.   Board Representation .   Subject to the director qualification standards of each of the Company and Republic First Bank (the “Bank”), within 30 calendar days of the date of this Consulting Agreement, the Company shall, and shall cause the Bank to, appoint Consultant’s designee (the “Designee”) to the Board of Directors of the Company and the Board of Directors of the Bank, respectively, as a Class III member to serve in accordance with the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Company and the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Bank.  During the Term, (i) with respect to each meeting of the Company's stockholders at which the Designee's then-current term expires, the Company's board of directors shall nominate the Designee and the Company shall recommend to its stockholders the election of the Designee to the Company's board of directors, and the Company shall solicit proxies for election of the Designee to the same extent as it solicits proxies for its other nominees for the board of directors, and (ii) with respect to each meeting of the Bank's stockholder (or any action by written consent in lieu of such meeting) at which the Designee's then-current term expires, the Company shall elect the Designee to serve on the Bank's board of directors, in each case subject to the director qualification standards of the Company and the Bank, respectively.  During the Term, in the event that the Designee is unable to continue serving as a director of the Company and the Bank as a result of illness, incapacity, death, retirement, resignation or any other reason, Consultant shall designate an individual to replace the Designee as a director of the Company and the Bank, subject to the director qualification standards of the Company and the Bank, respectively, and the Company shall promptly take all action necessary to cause such individual to be elected to the boards of directors of the Company and the Bank (and such individual shall constitute the "Designee" for all purposes hereunder).  The Designee shall be entitled to the same compensation, expense reimbursement and indemnification in connection with his or her service as a director as are enjoyed by the other members of the board of directors of the Company and the Bank. Upon termination of this Consulting Agreement pursuant to Section 1(b) by the Company or by the Consultant, or, if later, on such date as Consultant, together with (i) his affiliates, (ii) the persons listed on the attached Exhibit A and (iii) any other person who may be deemed, with Consultant, to constitute a “group,” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder), is not the record or beneficial owner of at least 4.9% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company, Consultant shall use his reasonable best efforts to cause the Designee to resign from service as a director of the Company and the Bank.
 
 
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7.   Other Agreements of the Consultant .   In consideration of the provisions of this Consulting Agreement, during the Term and, if this Consulting Agreement is terminated prior to the expiration of the Initial Term, during the period ending on and including the date on which the Designee ceases to serve as a director of the Company and the Bank, Consultant agrees as follows:
 
(a)   Obligation Regarding Voting . To the extent permitted by law, Consultant shall vote or cause to be voted Company stock beneficially owned by Consultant in favor of Company proposals regarding ratification of the Company’s auditors and election of Company nominees to its Board of Directors.
 
(b)   Negative Covenants . Unless required by law or court order, Consultant shall not, directly or indirectly:
 
i.   seek or accept representation of more than one member of the Board of Directors of the Company or the Bank;
 
ii.   seek to have any representative serve as the Chairman of the Board of directors, or chairman of an executive or similar committee of the Company or the Bank’s Board of Directors or as President or Chief Executive Of­ficer of the Company or the Bank;
 
iii.   propose a director in opposition to nominees proposed by the management of the Company or the Bank for the Board of Directors of the Company or the Bank, respectively;
 
iv.   support, initiate or participate in any proxy contest against the Company or the Bank;
 
v.   cause, cooperate or otherwise aid in the preparation of any press release or other publicity (other than filings required by securities laws) concerning the Company or the Bank or its operations without prior approval of the Company unless required by law, in which case notice of such requirement shall be given to the Company or otherwise make any public statement in opposition to, or that would reflect negatively against, the Company or the Bank, the Board of Directors of the Company or the Bank, or any of the officers of the Company or the Bank;
 
vi.   directly or indirectly participate or act in concert with any affiliate, group or other person to participate, by encouragement or otherwise, in any litigation seeking to effect or facilitate (i) a change in control, consolidation, merger or sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company or the Bank, (ii) termination or removal of any of the Company’s officers or directors or (iii) a proposal regarding any action described in clauses (i) or (ii) above;
 
vii.   seek to amend, or otherwise take action to change, the articles of incorporation, charter, or bylaws of the Company or the Bank;
 
 
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viii.   acquire beneficial ownership of 10.0% or more of the outstanding common stock of the Company; or
 
ix.   assist, aid or abet any of its affiliates or associates that are not parties to this Consulting Agreement or act in concert with any person or company to do any of the foregoing.
 
8.   Specific Performance .  The parties acknowledge that the covenants set forth in Sections 4, 6 and 7 are under all of the circumstances reasonable and necessary for the protection of the Company and its respective business and the Consultant, as applicable.  In the event that Company or the Consultant, as applicable, shall breach any of the provisions of Sections 4, 6 or 7, or in the event that any such breach is threatened by such party, in addition to and without limiting or waiving any other remedies available to the non-breaching party, at law or in equity, the Company or the Consultant, as applicable, shall be entitled to immediate injunctive relief in any court, domestic or foreign, having the capacity to grant such relief, without the necessity of posting a bond, to restrain any such breach or threatened breach and to enforce the provisions of Sections 4, 6 and 7 while such provisions are in effect.  The Company and the Consultant acknowledge and agree that there is no adequate remedy at law for any such breach or threatened breach and, in the event that any action or proceeding is brought seeking injunctive relief, the breaching party shall not use as a defense thereto that there is an adequate remedy at law.  Nothing in this Section 8 shall affect or restrict or limit any other provisions of this Consulting Agreement, including Company’s or the Consultant’s right to terminate this Consulting Agreement pursuant to Section 1 hereof.
 
9.   Assignment . The obligations under this Consulting Agreement are personal to Consultant and may not be assigned by Consultant.  This Consulting Agreement is binding on, and will inure to the benefit of, the Company and its successors and assigns.
 
10.   Counterparts .  This Consulting Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which is an original.  It shall not be necessary in making proof of this Consulting Agreement or any counterpart hereof to produce or account for any of the other counterparts.
 
11.   Governing Law .  This Consulting Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, without regard to its choice-of-law rules.
 
12.   Entire Agreement; No Oral Modifications .  This Consulting Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between Consultant and the Company with respect to the subject matter contained therein and supersedes any and all other prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, negotiations, communications, representations or warranties.  No waiver or modification in whole or in part of this Consulting Agreement, or any term or condition hereof, shall be effective against any party unless in writing and duly signed by the party sought to be bound.
 
 
6

 
13.   Notice .  For the purposes of this Consulting Agreement, notices, demands and all other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or (unless otherwise specified) mailed by United States certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
 
If to Consultant:
 
Vernon W. Hill, II
Hill & Co.
17000 Horizon Way
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
 
If to Company:
 
Republic First Bancorp, Inc.
50 South 16th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Attention: Harry D. Madonna
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
 
14.   Validity .  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Consulting Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Consulting Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
 
15.   Representations of Consultant . The Consultant hereby represents to the Company as follows: (i) except for the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Consultant and Commerce Bancorp, Inc., dated January 1, 2006, he is not bound by the terms of any agreement with any previous employer or other party to refrain from using or disclosing any trade secret or confidential or proprietary information in the course of his employment with the Company or to refrain from competing, directly or indirectly, with the business of such previous employer or other party, or by any other agreement that could restrict the Consultant’s ability to perform the Consulting Services contemplated hereby; (ii) his performance of Consulting Services as an independent contractor of the Company does not and will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence proprietary information, knowledge or data acquired by him in confidence or in trust prior to his engagement of providing consulting services as an independent contractor to the Company; (iii) to his knowledge, the Consultant is not prevented from performing the Consulting Services by any applicable statute, rule, or regulation or regulatory authority; (iv) he has carefully read this Consulting Agreement, understands the contents herein, and freely and voluntarily assents to all of the terms and conditions of this Consulting Agreement; and (v) he has had an opportunity to fully discuss and review the terms of this Consulting Agreement with an attorney.
 
 
7

 
16.   Survival .  The provisions of Sections 4(b), 4(c) and 7 shall survive the termination of this Consulting Agreement and shall terminate only at the conclusion of the respective periods stated therein; provided , however , that if the Company terminates this Consulting Agreement, the provisions of Section 7 shall not survive.  Except as set forth above, the provisions of this Consulting Agreement shall not survive termination of this Consulting Agreement.
 
 
8

 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Consultant and a duly authorized representative of the Company have executed this Consulting Agreement as of the Effective Date.
 
VERNON W. HILL, II
 
REPUBLIC FIRST BANCORP, INC.
     
     
   
By:
 
Vernon W. Hill, II
   
Harry D. Madonna
     
Chairman, President and Chief
     
Executive Officer
 

 
 
9

 
Exhibit A

John Silvestri
Steve Lewis
T.J. Flocco Jr.
 
 
 
 
10
 

Exhibit 31.1

REPUBLIC FIRST BANCORP, INC.
CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 
I, Harry D. Madonna, certify that:

 
1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 of Republic First Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company");

 
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 
4.
The Company's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a–15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Company and have:

 
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

 
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 
(d)  Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 
5.
The Company's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company's auditors and the audit committee of the Company's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company's internal control over financial reporting.


Date: November 7, 2008
/s/ Harry D. Madonna
   
 
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
   

 
 



Exhibit 31.2
REPUBLIC FIRST BANCORP, INC.
CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


I, Paul Frenkiel, certify that:

 
1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 of Republic First Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company");

 
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 
4.
The Company's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a–15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Company and have:

 
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

 
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 
5.
The Company's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company's auditors and the audit committee of the Company's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company's internal control over financial reporting.


Date: November 7, 2008
/s/ Paul Frenkiel
   
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   










Exhibit 32.1


CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Republic First Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Harry D. Madonna, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
 
 
(1)The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
 
(2)The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.
 


Date:  November 7, 2008
By :
/s/ Harry D. Madonna
   
Harry D. Madonna
   
Chairman, President and
   
Chief Executive Officer
     


 
 


Exhibit 32.2



CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Republic First Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Paul Frenkiel, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
 
 
(1)The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
 
(2)The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.
 

Date: November 7, 2008
By :
/s/ Paul Frenkiel
   
Paul Frenkiel,
   
Executive Vice President and
   
Chief Financial Officer