FRC Investors Have Opportunity to Lead First Republic Bank Securities Fraud Lawsuit
BENSALEM, Pa., May 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces that investors with substantial losses have opportunity to lead the securities fraud class action lawsuit against First Republic Bank ("First Republic" or the "Company") (NYSE: FRC).
Class Period: January 14, 2021 – March 14, 2023
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: June 23, 2023
Investors suffering losses on their First Republic investments are encouraged to contact the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith to discuss their legal rights in this class action at 888-638-4847 or by email to [email protected].
On October 14, 2022, First Republic released its third quarter 2022 financial results, reporting a slowdown of the Company's net interest income growth to 20.6% year-over-year and a net interest margin decrease to 2.71%. The Company explained that the decrease was due to "average funding costs increasing more rapidly than the offsetting increase in the average yields on interest-earning assets." On this news, First Republic's stock price fell $22.14, or 16.4%, to close at $112.59 per share on October 14, 2022, thereby injuring investors.
Then, following the collapse of SVB Financial Group ("SVB") on March 10, 2023, First Republic investors began to question the Company's ability to withstand the interest rate environment and remain solvent. In response, First Republic's stock price fell $83.79, or 72.9%, to close at $31.21 per share on March 13, 2023.
Then, on March 13, 2023, several analysts downgraded their ratings of First Republic due to the risks of deposit outflows leading to increased funding costs, observing that the Company's "funding and liquidity profile has changed and represents a 'weakest link.'" On this news, First Republic's stock price fell $8.47, or 21.4%, to close at $31.16 per share on March 15, 2023, thereby injuring investors further.
The complaint filed alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants misrepresented the strength of the Company's balance sheet and liquidity position, while also understating the significant pressure rising interest rates posed to First Republic's business model. Defendants also misrepresented the strength of the Company's ability to deliver consistent results across different interest rate environments, the diversity of the Company's deposit funding base, and the Company's ability to generate net interest income growth and maintain stable net interest margin, and as a result, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.
To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to the pending class action lawsuit, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020, by telephone at (215) 638-4847, toll-free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to [email protected], or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
Contacts
Law Offices of Howard G. Smith
Howard G. Smith, Esquire
215-638-4847
888-638-4847
[email protected]
www.howardsmithlaw.com
SOURCE Law Offices of Howard G. Smith
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